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Temporary Ration Cards to Access PDS Foodgrain

Why in News Recently, the Pune Zilla Parishad has decided to provide temporary ‘ration cards’ to more than 80,000 undocumented people in...

20 Apr 2020 News Analysis
Rise in Digital Transactions

Why in News According to the recent Reserve Bank of India (RBI) data, the month of March 2020 (when Covid-19 lockdown began) saw a sharp rise in...

20 Apr 2020 News Analysis
Kartarpur Sahib Damage

Why in News India has asked Pakistan to attend to repair and reconstruction of parts of Kartarpur Sahib gurudwara that were damaged in a storm on...

20 Apr 2020 News Analysis
Gamma-ray Flux Variability of Blazars

Why in News Researchers from the Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA), Bangalore have conducted the first systematic study on the gamma-ray flux...

20 Apr 2020 News Analysis
Draft National List of Intangible Cultural Heritage

Why in News The Ministry of Culture has launched the draft National List of Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) of India . Key Points The...

20 Apr 2020 News Analysis
Islamophobia in India: OIC

Why in News Recently, the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) has criticised the Indian government for what it called “growing...

20 Apr 2020 News Analysis
Bangalore Blue Grapes

Why in News The Covid-19 lockdown has impacted the sale of banglore blue variety of grapes. Key Points Bangalore Blue, characterized by its foxy...

20 Apr 2020 News Analysis
Emergency Basic Income

This article is based on “To ride out Great Lockdown, India needs an Emergency Basic Income” which was published in The LiveMint on...

18 Apr 2020 News Editorials
Abortions

Why in News? In January 2020, the Union Cabinet has approved amendments to the Medical Termination of Pregnancy (MTP) Act, 1971 allowing women to...

18 Apr 2020 Paper 2
WMA Borrowings of States

Why in News Recently, states like Kerala, Punjab and Bihar have said that the Reserve Bank of India’s (RBI) decision to allow 60% higher...

18 Apr 2020 News Analysis
Liquidity Boost to NBFCs

Why in News The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has announced a host of measures to provide liquidity support to Non Banking Financial Companies...

18 Apr 2020 News Analysis
India’s Water Woes

Why in News Recently, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) has issued an advisory to state governments asking them to ensure safe...

18 Apr 2020 News Analysis
Export Curbs on Paracetamol Formulations Removed

Why in News The Centre has permitted the export of formulations (medicinal products) made from Paracetamol. However, the restriction on export of...

18 Apr 2020 News Analysis
Challenges to UN System

This article is based on “The UN cannot lead us out of this crisis” which was published in The Hindubusinessline on 17/04/2020. It...

17 Apr 2020 News Editorials
Portable Sensor for Heavy Metal Detection in Water

Why in News Recently, the Centre for Nano and Soft Matter Sciences (CeNS) has developed a compact solid-state sensor to detect the heavy metal ions...

17 Apr 2020 News Analysis
National Conference on Kharif Crops 2020

Why in News Recently, the Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare addressed the National Conference on Kharif Crops 2020 through a...

17 Apr 2020 News Analysis
Zoom- Not a Safe Platform: MHA

Why in News Recently, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has issued an advisory that Zoom video conference is not a safe platform. The Indian...

17 Apr 2020 News Analysis
Inactivated Virus Vaccine in Focus for Covid-19

Why in News Recently, researchers from the Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB) have started developing an inactivated virus vaccine for...

17 Apr 2020 News Analysis
Chitra GeneLAMP-N for Covid-19 Test

Why in News Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences and Technology (SCTIMST), Trivandrum (Kerala), has developed a diagnostic test kit...

17 Apr 2020 News Analysis
AI-based Voice Tool to Detect Covid-19

Why in News A University in Rome (Italy) is conducting a pilot run for a patented Artificial Intelligence (AI)-based tool developed by students and...

17 Apr 2020 News Analysis

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			'title' => 'Temporary Ration Cards to Access PDS Foodgrain',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the Pune Zilla Parishad has decided to provide<strong> temporary &lsquo;ration cards&rsquo;</strong> to more than 80,000 <strong>undocumented people</strong> in the district, so they can receive foodgrains under the <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/public-distribution-system-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Public Distribution System (PDS).</strong></a></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The delivery of benefits including <strong>PDS grain to migrants</strong> trapped by the lockdown, and to those who are<strong> unable to provide documents,</strong> has been a major concern across states.</li>
<li>Earlier, <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/measures-to-deal-with-economic-hardship" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Nobel Laureates Amartya Sen and Abhijit Banerjee, and former RBI Governor Raghuram Rajan</strong></a> had suggested that <strong>temporary ration cards</strong> should be issued to enable the undocumented to draw rations through the PDS system.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It is a <strong>first innovation</strong> of its kind to help larger numbers of people access government benefits during the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/covid-19-and-lockdown" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Covid-19 lockdown</strong></a>.</li>
<li><strong>Use of Aadhaar:</strong> The Pune scheme will use one-time <strong>Aadhaar authentication</strong> to open accounts for the people with the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/prime-minister-launched-india-post-payments-bank" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>India Post Payments Bank.</strong></a><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Once the biometric Aadhaar-based link is established and the account is opened, this would serve as the only authentication that will be needed for these undocumented people to draw rations from the PDS system.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Home Delivery:</strong> It will enable the home delivery of grains at the gram panchayat level to avoid crowds and maintain physical distancing.</li>
<li><strong>Coverage:</strong> It will also include individuals belonging to the <strong>Primitive Tribes</strong> and the <strong>transgender community</strong> who are often left out of the ambit of such benefits.</li>
<li><strong>Identification:</strong> The job of identifying the beneficiaries has been given to the <strong>village police patil,</strong> who maintains records of outsiders in a register.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Under the <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/food-security-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>National Food Security Act</strong> </a>(NFSA), 2013, the gram sabha has the right to identify beneficiaries &mdash; however, in the current situation when the gram sabha is not functional, <strong>a committee of three viz., the gram panchayat&rsquo;s sarpanch, a member of the gram sabha, and the local police patil will identify them.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Verification:</strong> The only verification that will be carried out is that of the kitchen of the beneficiary to prove that they qualify for the scheme.</li>
<li><strong>Boost to Sharad Bhojan Yojana:</strong> The scheme will widen and deepen the scope and reach of the Sharad Bhojan Yojana, under which cooked meals are provided to people in Pune district at concessional rates.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The Sharad Bhojan Yojana is modelled after the Maharashtra government&rsquo;s flagship <strong>Shiv Bhojan Yojana,</strong> which serves subsidised meals to the poor.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Involvement of a Corporate:</strong> The<strong> Janakidevi Bajaj Gram Vikas Sansthan,</strong> the <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/corporate-social-responsibility-csr-expenditure" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Corporate Social Responsibility</a> (CSR) wing of the Bajaj Group</strong>, will be the corporate CSR partner of the Pune Zilla Parishad for the scheme.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Public distribution system (PDS)</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The <strong>PDS is an Indian food Security System</strong> established<strong> under the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution.</strong></li>
<li>PDS evolved as a <strong>system of management of scarcity</strong> through distribution of food grains at affordable prices.</li>
<li>PDS is operated under the <strong>joint responsibility of the Central and the State Governments.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The <strong>Central Government,</strong> through Food Corporation of India (FCI), has assumed the responsibility for <strong>procurement, storage, transportation and bulk allocation</strong> of food grains to the State Governments.</li>
<li>The <strong>operational responsibilities</strong> including allocation within the State, identification of eligible families,<strong> issue of Ration Cards</strong> and supervision of the functioning of Fair Price Shops (FPSs) etc., rest with the <strong>State Governments.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Under the PDS, presently the commodities namely <strong>wheat, rice, sugar and kerosene</strong> are being allocated to the States/UTs for distribution. Some States/UTs also distribute additional items of mass consumption through the PDS outlets such as pulses, edible oils, iodized salt, spices, etc.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>National Food Security Act (NFSA)</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>NFSA, 2013 legally entitles up to 75% of the rural population and 50% of the urban population to receive subsidized food grains under the Targeted Public Distribution System.</li>
<li>The eldest woman of the household of age 18 years or above is mandated to be the head of the household for the purpose of issuing ration cards under the Act.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/pune/in-pune-zilla-parishad-temporary-cards-to-help-80000-people-access-pds-foodgrain-6370142/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: IE</strong></a></p>',
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		(int) 1 => [
			'title' => 'Rise in Digital Transactions',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>According to the recent <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-national-institutions/important-institutions-national-institution-reserve-bank-of-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Reserve Bank of India (RBI)</strong></a> data, the month of March 2020 (when <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/coronaviruses" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Covid-19</strong></a> lockdown began) saw a sharp rise in digital financial transactions countrywide.</p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The total value of <strong>Real Time Gross Settlement (RTGS)</strong> transactions rose by 34% across banks.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It is the biggest <strong>online payment method</strong> offered by RBI.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The <strong>National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI)</strong>-run <strong>Unified Payments Interface&nbsp;(UPI)</strong>, registered more than 125 crore transactions in March.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The numbers, however, dipped slightly compared to February as there was a dip in economic activity due to lockdown.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Recharges and bill payments</strong> as well as retail <strong>banking transactions,</strong> accounted for the majority of the volume of all the transactions.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>NPCI-run <strong>Bharat Bill Pay</strong> was one of the beneficiaries, as it recorded 1.58 crore transactions in March as against 1.49 crore in February.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>According to the data, the usage of cash and other cash-based services dipped during the period.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Cash withdrawals from ATMs as well as usage of various cards (debit, credit) have also gone down significantly.</li>
<li>This could be because people&rsquo;s requirements for cash have fallen since the spending is mainly on essentials and necessities.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The government&rsquo;s <strong>Aadhaar Enabled Payment System (AePS)</strong> also saw a decline of 16.1 % in the number of transactions, in March.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The government uses AePS mostly for direct benefit transfer schemes.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Real Time Gross Settlement&nbsp;</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>RTGS is an <strong>electronic fund transfer method</strong> through which money is sent on a<strong> &lsquo;real time&rsquo;</strong> basis without any delays.</li>
<li>RTGS allows the money sent by the remitter to immediately reach the beneficiary as and when the money transfer transaction is initiated.</li>
<li>&lsquo;Gross Settlement&rsquo; refers to the processing of transactions on an <strong>individual basis</strong> and not in a batch wise system.</li>
<li>Minimum amount that can be sent via RTGS mode is <strong>Rs.2 lakh</strong> and has no maximum limit.</li>
<li><strong>RTGS is not a 24x7 facility</strong> and is available only during <strong>working hours of banks.</strong></li>
</ul>
<h3>Unified Payments Interface&nbsp;</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It is an advanced version of<strong> Immediate Payment Service (IMPS)-</strong> round&ndash;the-clock funds transfer service to make cashless payments <strong>faster, easier and smoother.</strong></li>
<li>UPI is a system that powers multiple bank accounts into a single mobile application (of any participating bank), merging several banking features, seamless fund routing &amp; merchant payments into one hood.</li>
<li><strong>National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI)</strong> launched UPI with 21 member banks in 2016.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Bharat Bill Payment System</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Bharat bill payment system is driven by National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI).</li>
<li>It is a <strong>one-stop ecosystem for payment of all bills</strong> providing an interoperable and accessible <strong>&ldquo;Anytime Anywhere&rdquo; bill payment service</strong> to all customers across India with certainty, reliability and safety of transactions.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Aadhaar enabled Payment System&nbsp;</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>AePS is developed by the<strong> National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI)</strong> that <strong>allows people to carry out financial transactions on a Micro-ATM</strong> by furnishing just their <strong>Aadhaar number</strong> and verifying it with the help of their fingerprint/iris scan.</li>
<li>With the help of this payment system, funds can be transferred from one bank account to another simply through their Aadhaar numbers.</li>
<li>This system adds another layer of security to financial transactions as <strong>bank details would no longer be required</strong> to be furnished while carrying out these transactions.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>National Payments Corporation of India</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>NPCI is an <strong>umbrella organization</strong> for all <strong>retail payments systems</strong> in India.</li>
<li>It was set up with the guidance and support of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and Indian Banks&rsquo; Association (IBA).</li>
<li>NPCI was established with following <strong>objectives -</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>To <strong>consolidate and integrate the existing multiple systems into a nation-wide uniform</strong> and standard business process <strong>for all retail payment systems.</strong></li>
<li>To <strong>facilitate an affordable payment mechanism</strong> to benefit the common man across the country and propel financial inclusion.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/business/banking-and-finance/digital-transactions-rise-real-time-gross-settlement-rbi-6370110/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: IE</strong></a></p>',
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		],
		(int) 2 => [
			'title' => 'Kartarpur Sahib Damage',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>India has asked Pakistan to attend to repair and <strong>reconstruction of parts of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/kartarpur-milestone" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Kartarpur</a> Sahib gurudwara</strong> that were damaged in a storm on April 18, 2020.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The shrine in Pakistan&rsquo;s Narowal district, built where <strong>founder of the Sikh faith, Guru Nanak Dev,</strong> lived the last years of his life, is highly revered by followers of the faith and other worshippers in India and the world.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Kartarpur Sahib is in the midst of year long festivities associated with the <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/guru-nanak-dev-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">550<sup>th</sup> birth anniversary of Guru Nanak</a>.</strong></li>
<li>It has emerged as a major centre of Sikh pilgrimage in Pakistan over the last few months, after the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/kartarpur-corridor-2" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>corridor from India was operationalised.</strong></a></li>
<li>The corridor connects the <strong>Kartar Sahib Gurdwara</strong> in Narowal district of <strong>Pakistan</strong> with the <strong>Dera Baba Nanak shrine</strong> in Gurdaspur district in<strong> India&rsquo;s Punjab province.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Katarpur Sahib</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Guru Nanak Dev travelled through many countries spreading the message of universal peace, harmony and love before finally arriving in <strong>Kartarpur in 1521.</strong></li>
<li>The then-governor of the region, Duni Chand, donated 100 acres of land on the bank of river Ravi to him.</li>
<li>Kartarpur became a <strong>religious site after he settled there.</strong></li>
<li>The foundation stone of the gurdwara in Kartarpur was laid in 1572 and <strong>Maharaja Ranjit Singh covered its dome with gold.</strong></li>
<li>The present structure was built by <strong>Bhupinder Singh, the Maharaja of Patiala in 1925.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Guru Nanak Dev</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Guru Nanak Dev Jayanti is observed to celebrate the birth of Guru Nanak Dev (1469-1539), who is <strong>first of the 10 Sikh Gurus</strong> and the founder of Sikhism.</li>
<li>He advocated the <strong>'Nirguna' (devotion to and worship of formless divine) form of bhakti.</strong></li>
<li>He rejected sacrifices, ritual baths, image worship, austerities and the scriptures <strong>of both Hindus and Muslims.</strong></li>
<li>He organised his followers into a community. He set up rules for congregational worship<strong> (Sangat)</strong> involving collective recitation.</li>
<li>The fifth preceptor, Guru Arjan Dev, compiled Guru Nanak Dev&rsquo;s hymns along with those of his four successors and other religious poets like Baba Farid, Ravidas (also known as Raidas) and Kabir in the Adi Granth Sahib.</li>
<li>These hymns, called <strong>'Gurbani', are composed in many languages.</strong></li>
<li>In the late seventeenth century the tenth preceptor, Guru Gobind Singh, included the compositions of the ninth guru, Guru Tegh Bahadur, and this scripture was called the <strong>Guru Granth Sahib.</strong></li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/address-kartarpur-damage-source/article31383452.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: TH</strong></a></p>',
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		],
		(int) 3 => [
			'title' => 'Gamma-ray Flux Variability of Blazars',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Researchers from the <strong>Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA), Bangalore</strong> have conducted the <strong>first systematic study</strong> on the <strong>gamma-ray flux variability nature of different types of blazars.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The research work based on characterizing the flux variability nature on month-like time scales in the<strong> high energy gamma-ray (100 MeV to 300 GeV)</strong> band for different types of blazars has been published in the journal <strong>Astronomy and Astrophysics.</strong></li>
<li>IIA is an <strong>autonomous institute</strong> of the <strong>Department of Science and Technology,</strong> Government of India.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Blazars</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Blazars are<strong> active galactic nuclei (AGN),</strong> whose <strong>jets are aligned with the observer&rsquo;s line of sight.</strong> Some blazars are thought to host binary black holes in them and could be potential targets for future gravitational-wave searches.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Active Galactic Nuclei:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>At the center of most galaxies, there&rsquo;s a massive black hole with a huge mass accumulating gas, dust, and stellar debris around it. AGN is formed when the <strong>gravitational energy of these materials, being pulled towards the black hole, is converted into light.</strong></li>
<li>A <strong>minority of AGN</strong> (~15%) <strong>emits collimated charged particles called jets</strong> travelling at speeds close to the speed of light.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Quasar</strong> and <strong>Radio-Galaxies</strong> are also AGN.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The <strong>difference</strong> between Quasar, radio galaxy and a Blazar is the <strong>angle of the stream/jet.</strong> If the stream is straight up, it is a radio galaxy and the observer is not in the firing line. If the stream is angled slightly towards the observer, then it is a Quasar and if the stream is angled directly towards the observer, it is a Blazar.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1587381480_image1.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1587381480_image1.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="450" caption="false" /></a></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Blazars are the <strong>most luminous and energetic objects</strong> in the known universe and they were <strong>found to be emitters of gamma-rays</strong> in the <strong>1990s.</strong></li>
<li>The <strong>flux variability characteristics</strong> of blazars on a range of time scales was found out with the help of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/nasa-named-new-constellations" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Fermi Gamma-ray space telescope</strong> </a>(launched in <strong>2008</strong>) which is <strong>capable of scanning the entire sky once in three hours.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Study by Indian Institute of Astrophysics:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The research<strong> characterised the amplitude and time scale</strong> of flux variations and then <strong>looked for similarity and/or differences</strong> in the amplitude and time scale between different types of blazars.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>With the availability of near-simultaneous data covering the <strong>gamma-ray, <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/spectrum-roentgen-gamma-telescope" target="_blank" rel="noopener">X-ray</a>, ultra-violet, optical, and infrared bands,</strong> the<strong> existing notion on high energy emission in blazars is challenged.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The reduction of large volumes of data for a large number of sources was accomplished by the <strong>use of the High-Performance Computing facility</strong> of the IIA.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Significance of the Study</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The study can provide <strong>clues to the processes happening close to the black hole</strong> which are not visible through direct imaging. It will also <strong>enhance</strong> the <strong>knowledge of blazars.</strong></li>
<li>Exploring the Gamma-ray band of the electromagnetic spectrum will provide<strong> key inputs to constrain the high energy production site</strong> as well as the<strong> high energy emission processes.</strong></li>
<li>The results of this work will <strong>fill the gap on the knowledge of the high energy flux variability nature of blazars.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Gamma-ray band</strong> is one of the bands of the <strong>electromagnetic spectrum</strong> on which there is limited knowledge on the flux variability of blazars.</li>
<li><strong>Localizing the site for the production of gamma-rays</strong> is one of the <strong>major problems</strong> in high energy astrophysics.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The expertise of handling high energy data from celestial sources gained in this work will <strong>build capacity to interpret the gamma-ray data</strong> that will emerge from India's upcoming facility, the <strong>Major Atmospheric Cerenkov Experiment (MACE) Telescope</strong> as well as from any <strong>X-ray missions by India</strong> in the future.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Major Atmospheric Cerenkov Experiment Telescope</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It is the <strong>India's largest and the world's highest gamma-ray telescope</strong>&nbsp;being established at <strong>Hanle, Ladakh.</strong></li>
<li>It is being built by the <strong>Electronics Corporation of India Limited (ECIL), Hyderabad</strong> for the <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/bhabha-kavach" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Bhabha Atomic Research Centre</a> (BARC).</strong></li>
<li>It is <strong>remotely operated</strong> and runs on <strong>Solar Power.</strong></li>
<li>It will help to explore the <strong>exciting energy range of the gamma-ray energy region in between satellites and the traditional Atmospheric Cerenkov experiments.</strong></li>
<li>The telescope is named after the <strong>Russian scientist Cerenkov</strong> who predicted that <strong>charged particles moving at high speeds in a medium, emit light.</strong></li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1615998" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: PIB</strong></a></p>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/gamma-ray-flux-variability-of-blazars'
		],
		(int) 4 => [
			'title' => 'Draft National List of Intangible Cultural Heritage ',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>The Ministry of Culture has launched the draft <strong>National List of Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) of India .</strong></p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The National ICH List is an attempt to <strong>recognize the diversity of Indian culture embedded in its intangible heritage.</strong></li>
<li>It aims to <strong>raise awareness</strong> about the various intangible cultural heritage elements from different states of India at national and international level and ensure their protection.</li>
<li>This initiative is also a part of the <strong>Vision 2024 of the Ministry of Culture.</strong></li>
<li>The list has more than 100 elements which also include <strong>13 elements recognized by the</strong> <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/united-nations-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)</strong></a> as Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.</li>
<li>Following<strong> UNESCO&rsquo;s 2003 Convention for Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage,</strong> this list has been classified into five broad domains in which intangible cultural heritage is manifested.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The 2003 Convention is a part of the Convention Concerning the Protection of World Cultural and Natural Heritage which was adopted by the <strong>General Conference of UNESCO in 1972</strong> in order to promote the <strong>identification, protection and safeguarding of natural cultural heritage.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The five domains are:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Oral traditions and expressions, including language as a vehicle of the intangible cultural heritage.</li>
<li>Performing arts.</li>
<li>Social practices, rituals and festive events.</li>
<li>Knowledge and practices concerning nature and the universe.</li>
<li>Traditional craftsmanship.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Kerala&rsquo;s</strong> martial art form, <strong>Kalaripayuttu,</strong> and the practice of making designs at the entrance of homes and temples called<strong> kolam</strong> in Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh are included in the draft list.</li>
<li>The present items in the list have been collated from the projects sanctioned under the scheme for <strong>&lsquo;Safeguarding the Intangible Cultural Heritage and Diverse Cultural Traditions of India&rsquo;</strong> formulated by the Ministry of Culture in 2013.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1587371924_image2.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1587371924_image2.jpg" width="800" caption="false" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></a></p>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Scheme for Safeguarding the Intangible Heritage and Diverse Cultural Traditions of India</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The scheme was set up under the <strong>Ministry of Culture (MoC) during 2013-14.</strong></li>
<li>The objective of the Scheme is to support and strengthen the <strong>efforts of various stakeholders</strong> vis-a-vis wider recognition and acceptance, dissemination, preservation and promotion of the rich, diverse and vast ICH of India including recognition of the same by UNESCO.</li>
<li>The Scheme aims to support<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Institutions/ Universities/ State Govts/ UT Administrations/ non-MoC Institutions/ Societies/ Non-government organisations,<strong> involved in the preservation and propagation of intangible cultural heritage, cultural expressions etc.</strong></li>
<li>Individuals, researchers, scholars, professionals who are involved in the <strong>research, training, preservation, perpetuation, dissemination, and propagation of intangible cultural heritage, cultural expressions etc.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://pib.gov.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=202358" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: PIB</strong></a></p>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/draft-national-list-of-intangible-cultural-heritage'
		],
		(int) 5 => [
			'title' => 'Islamophobia in India: OIC',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the <strong>Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC)</strong> has <strong>criticised the Indian government</strong> for what it called<strong> &ldquo;growing Islamophobia&rdquo;</strong> in India.</p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>OIC asked the government to take<strong> steps to protect Muslim minorities</strong> who are being <strong>&ldquo;negatively profiled,&rdquo; facing &ldquo;discrimination and violence&rdquo;</strong> amidst the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/coronaviruses" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Covid-19</strong></a> crisis.</li>
<li>OIC urged the government to <strong>protect the rights of its minority</strong> as per its obligations under <strong>international Human Rights law.</strong></li>
<li>It also asked the government to take urgent steps to <strong>stop the growing tide of Islamophobia</strong> (dislike of or prejudice against Islam or Muslims) <strong>in India.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>A religious gathering of muslims (Tablighi Jamaat) was held in Delhi in March. The event was linked to many of the Covid-19 positive cases in India.</li>
<li>After this most sections of the media, people on social media blamed the Tablighi jamaat and muslims for deliberately spreading the Covid-19 in India.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Earlier, the <strong>U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF)</strong> has also criticised India of <strong>&ldquo;increased stigmatisation&rdquo;</strong> of its muslim minorities.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It criticized the government for the reports that Covid-19 patients were<strong> religiously segregated at a hospital</strong> in Ahmedabad.</li>
<li>According to USCIRF, India continues to remain a <strong>&ldquo;tier 2 country of particular concern&rdquo;</strong> since 2009.</li>
<li>Tier 2 countries are those in which <strong>&ldquo;violations engaged in or tolerated by the government are serious</strong> and characterized by at least one of the elements of the<strong> &lsquo;systematic, ongoing, and egregious&rdquo;</strong> Country of Particular Concern <strong>(CPC)</strong> standard. CPCs are designated by the US State Department.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The <strong>Indian government has denied all the allegations</strong> levelled by the USCIRF and accused the USCIRF for spreading misguided reports on the professional medical protocols followed to deal with spread of Covid-19 in India.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Organisation of Islamic Cooperation</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) is the <strong>second largest intergovernmental organization</strong> after the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/united-nations-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>United Nations</strong></a> with a membership of 57 states.</li>
<li>It is the<strong> collective voice of the Muslim world.</strong> It <strong>endeavors to safeguard and protect the interests of the Muslim world</strong> in the spirit of promoting international peace and harmony among various people of the world.</li>
<li>It was <strong>established</strong> upon a decision of the<strong> historical summit</strong> which took place in<strong> Rabat, Kingdom of Morocco on the 25<sup>th</sup> of September 1969.</strong></li>
<li>Headquarters: <strong>Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.</strong></li>
</ul>
<h3>OIC and India</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>India is not a member of the OIC.</strong> However, India was invited as a guest of honour at the<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/india-attended-oic-summit" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> 46<sup>th</sup> Session of the Council of Foreign Minister</strong></a> in 2019. 2019 is the 50<sup>th</sup> anniversary of OIC.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>This marked a high point in New Delhi&rsquo;s often tensed relations with the OIC.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>However, in recent months, the OIC has <strong>repeatedly criticised the Indian government&rsquo;s handling of the situation in Kashmir and attacks on Muslims.</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The external affairs ministry has rejected this criticism.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF)</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>USCIRF is an <strong>independent, bipartisan U.S. federal government commission,</strong> dedicated to <strong>defending the universal right to freedom of religion or belief abroad.</strong></li>
<li>USCIRF reviews <strong>the facts and circumstances of religious freedom violations</strong> and makes policy recommendations to the President, the Secretary of State, and Congress.</li>
<li>It is <strong>Headquartered at Washington DC.</strong></li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/islamophobia-is-rising-in-india-says-organisation-of-islamic-cooperation/article31383624.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: TH</strong></a></p>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/islamophobia-in-india-oic'
		],
		(int) 6 => [
			'title' => 'Bangalore Blue Grapes',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>The <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/21-days-lockdown" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Covid-19 lockdown</strong></a> has impacted the sale of<strong> banglore blue variety of grapes.</strong></p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Bangalore Blue, characterized by its <strong>foxy flavour (effect of a flavor substance called methyl anthranilate)</strong>, is exclusively grown in Bangalore Urban, Chikkaballapur and Kolar districts.</li>
<li>It is grown in red sandy loam soil at a day temperature of about 35-37 degrees Celsius and night temperature of 12-15 degree Celsius which is unique to Bangalore and its surrounding areas. The grapes develop their <strong>typical dark purple color</strong> at this temperature.</li>
<li>These grapes are mostly <strong>used for making juice and wine/spirit.</strong></li>
<li>In <strong>2013,</strong> the variety was given the <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/intellectual-property-rights" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Geographical Indication (GI) status.</strong></a></li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Geographical Indication Status</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>GI is an indication<strong> used to identify goods having special characteristics originating from a definite geographical territory.</strong></li>
<li>The <strong>Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999</strong> seeks to provide for the registration and better protection of geographical indications relating to goods in India. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The Act is <strong>administered by the Controller General of Patents, Designs and TradeMarks-</strong> who is the Registrar of Geographical Indications.</li>
<li>The <strong>Geographical Indications Registry</strong> is located at <strong>Chennai.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The registration of a geographical indication is <strong>valid for a period of 10 years.</strong> It can be renewed from time to time for a further period of 10 years each.</li>
<li>It is also a part of the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/world-trade-organisation-wto" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>World Trade Organisation&rsquo;s</strong></a> <strong>Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS).</strong></li>
<li>Recent Examples: <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/tirur-vettila-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Tirur Vetilla</strong></a> (Kerala), <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/dindigul-lock-and-kandangi-saree" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Dindigul Lock and Kandangi Saree</strong> </a>(Tamil Nadu), <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/gi-tag-for-odisha-rasagola" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Odisha Rasagola</strong></a> etc.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/karnataka/bangalore-blue-grapes-turn-sour-for-their-growers/article31376513.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: TH</strong></a></p>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/bangalore-blue-grapes'
		],
		(int) 7 => [
			'title' => 'Emergency Basic Income',
			'catname' => 'News Editorials',
			'desc' => '<div class="border">
<p>This article is based on <a href="https://www.livemint.com/news/india/to-ride-out-great-lockdown-india-needs-an-emergency-basic-income-11586544661099.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>&ldquo;To ride out Great Lockdown, India needs an Emergency Basic Income&rdquo;</strong></a> which was published in The LiveMint on 11/04/2020. It talks about the prospect of implementing the Emergency Basic Income during the lockdown.</p>
</div>
<p>In order to deal with the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/covid-19-and-globalization" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Covid-19 pandemic</strong></a>, the governments across the world have imposed measures like lockdown and social distancing. However, these measures have caused <strong>collateral damage to almost every sector of the economy</strong>, so much so that the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/international-monetary-fund-imf" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>IMF</strong></a> held the current economic crisis could be the worst ever since the Great depression 1929.</p>
<p>Thus, there is a need for the <strong>preservation of the socio-economic system</strong> while the Great Lockdown lasts and recovery following it.</p>
<p><strong>Nobel Prize winning economist- Paul Krugman</strong> argued that the economic response to the crisis should have two components: First, an <strong>Immediate disaster relief component</strong> that ensures survival of both firms and workers who have been rendered idle. And, Second, a <strong>Stimulus component</strong> that aims to repair and restart production lines during the exit phase of the lockdown.</p>
<p>In order to fulfil the first component and cater to the needs of the large section of population (mainly labour working in unorganised sector and daily wage earner) of India, the government can think of implementing <strong>Emergency Basic Income (EBI).</strong> EBI is a kind of <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/universal-basic-income-ubi" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Universal Basic Income</strong> </a>provided during a crisis like the Covid-19, but subject to a rollback when normalcy returns.</p>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Note:</strong></p>
<p>Paul Krugman termed this current economic scenario as <strong>&ldquo;coronacoma",</strong> the economic equivalent of a medically induced coma, in which some brain functions are deliberately shut down to give the patient time to heal.</p>
</div>
<h3>What is Universal Basic Income?</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The <strong>Economic Survey of India 2016-17</strong> has advocated the concept of Universal Basic Income (UBI) as an alternative to the various social welfare schemes in an effort to reduce poverty.</li>
<li>Idea behind the Universal Basic Income is that every person should have a<strong> right to a basic income to cover his needs, just by virtue of being a citizen.</strong></li>
<li>UBI has three components:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Universality-</strong> It is universal in nature.</li>
<li><strong>Unconditionality-</strong> There are no preconditions attached with the cash transferred to the beneficiary.</li>
<li><strong>Agency &ndash;</strong> Respecting the poor persons&rsquo; decision making ability and not having a paternalistic attitude towards them.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Arguments in Favour of EBI</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Due to lockdown, <strong>millions</strong> may <strong>lose their incomes</strong> and face difficulty in receiving things of daily necessities for survival. These economic crunches may also <strong>result in social unrest.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The EBI provided through the direct cash transfer mechanism will <strong>not only arrest potential social unrest but also ensure that there is continued aggregate demand to sustain the economy.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Further, some states have announced enhancement of rations under the <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/food-security-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Food Security Act.</strong></a><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>While providing additional foodgrains is useful, with broken supply chains and crumbling logistics, it may have its own challenges.</li>
<li>Also, the circumstances, risk and shocks in which people are trapped in lockdown are varied. The EBI allows that individual to decide how such risks should be mitigated and how priorities are to be set.</li>
<li>Thus, EBI will complement the steps (providing essential goods through PDS) taken by the government.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The lockdown has dragged many people into the<strong> poverty trap.</strong> Thus, EBI may simply be the fastest way of reducing poverty induced by the lockdown.</li>
<li>Existing welfare schemes are riddled with misallocation, leakages and exclusion of the poor. However, <strong>the trinity of Jan-Dhan, Aadhaar and Mobile (JAM)</strong> can enable proper implementation of EBI and can reduce inclusion and exclusion issues to a larger extent.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Issues In implementing EBI</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Although most people have a unique ID by now (Aadhaar),the most vulnerable section of society doesn&rsquo;t have Aadhar and <strong>a functional bank account or access to mobile or internet (for e-transfers).</strong></li>
<li>The Union Government has sought to provide Rs 500 per month to women in a household (during the lockdown). However, the amount is quite low to call it a significant income support.</li>
<li>Already Indian government has been facing a financial crunch with respect to social sector schemes.Thus, providing an EBI may add to the fiscal burden of the government.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The EBI programme with a fixed and transparent clause can inspire the confidence of both ordinary citizens and help resolve the trade-off between lives and livelihoods.</li>
<li>EBI must also include an <strong>in-kind transfer component.</strong> The ratio of cash to in-kind transfers is something that is best left for states to decide.</li>
<li>The Union Government can channelize the savings from the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/oil-prices-crash" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>global crude oil price fall</strong> </a>to fund EBI, without compromising macroeconomic fundamentals.</li>
<li>There is need for a functional JAM (Jan Dhan, Aadhar and Mobile) system, as it will ensures that the cash transfer directly into the account of a beneficiary</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1587211272_image2.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1587211272_image2.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" caption="false" width="623" height="468" /></a></p>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1587211250_image1.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1587211250_image1.jpg" width="500" caption="false" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></a></p>
<table border="1" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="width: 100%; border-style: dotted; border-color: #fc0000; background-color: #e3ffd4;">
<p><span style="color: #000080;"><em><strong>Drishti Mains Question</strong></em></span></p>
<p>Analyse the prospect of a Universal Basic Income in order to balance between life and livelihood amid lockdown due to Covid-19 pandemic.</p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Note:</strong></p>
<p>You can also watch daily editorial analysis on our youtube channel. The editorial <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GxrPp53sYDA" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>&ldquo;Across the Gulf&rdquo;</strong></a> talks about the steps that India should take to evacuate its migrant workers stranded in West Asia.</p>
</div>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/emergency-basic-income'
		],
		(int) 8 => [
			'title' => 'Abortions',
			'catname' => 'Paper 2',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News?</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>In January 2020, the<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/draft-bill-to-raise-upper-limit-for-abortion" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> Union Cabinet has approved amendments to the Medical Termination of Pregnancy (MTP) Act, 1971</strong></a> allowing women to seek abortions as part of the reproductive right and gender justice.</li>
<li>The amendment has raised the upper limit of MTP from <strong>20 weeks to 24 weeks</strong> for women including rape survivors, victims of incest, differently-abled women and minors.</li>
<li>Abortion is defined as the termination of pregnancy by various methods, including medical surgery before the fetus is able to sustain independent life.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Medical Termination of Pregnancy (Amendment) Bill, 2020</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Bill proposes the requirement of the opinion of one registered medical practitioner (instead of two or more) for termination of pregnancy up to 20 weeks of gestation (foetal development period from the time of conception until birth).</li>
<li>It introduces the requirement of the opinion of two registered medical practitioners for termination of pregnancy of 20-24 weeks of gestation.</li>
<li>It has also enhanced the gestation limit for &lsquo;special categories&rsquo; of women which includes survivors of rape, victims of incest and other vulnerable women like differently-abled women and minors.</li>
<li>It also states that the &ldquo;name and other particulars of a woman whose pregnancy has been terminated shall not be revealed&rdquo;, except to a person authorised in any law that is currently in force.</li>
<li><strong>Benefits:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It expands the access of women to safe and legal abortion services on therapeutic, eugenic, humanitarian or social grounds.</li>
<li>It is a step towards the safety and well-being of the women and many women will be benefited from this.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1587207594_image1.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1587207594_image1.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="550" caption="false" /></a></p>
<h3>MTP Act, 1971</h3>
<p>The idea of terminating a pregnancy cannot originate by choice and is purely circumstantial. Under the law (section 3 of the MTP Act 1971), the doctor can perform an abortion in the following situations:</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>If the <strong>pregnancy would be harmful to the life of the patient</strong> or affects her physical or mental health. The doctor will need to consider the circumstances of the patient to figure out if the pregnancy will harm her mental health, on a case to case basis.</li>
<li>If there is a good chance that the <strong>child would suffer from physical or mental abnormalities</strong> which would leave him or her seriously handicapped.</li>
<li>If pregnancy occurred as a result of a <strong>failure of contraception</strong> (but this is only applicable to married women).</li>
<li>If pregnancy is a result of<strong> sexual assault or rape.</strong></li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Conditions for Termination of Pregnancy</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>If the pregnancy has not exceeded 12 weeks, only one doctor needs to be satisfied that the conditions have been fulfilled.</li>
<li>If the pregnancy has exceeded 12 weeks and is below 20 weeks (now amended to 24 weeks), two doctors need to be satisfied that the conditions have been fulfilled.</li>
<li>The gestation period does not matter if a doctor feels that an immediate abortion must be conducted to save the life of the patient.</li>
<li>The doctor who determines if it is necessary to perform an abortion and performs it needs to be a &lsquo;registered medical practitioner&rsquo; under the law.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Illegal Abortions</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Abortion of under 4 to 5 months pregnancy-</strong> The punishment for getting an illegal abortion is jail time of up to 3 years and/or fine. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Both patients and doctors are considered to have committed a crime unless it fulfills the above condition.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Abortion of over 5-month pregnancy-</strong> If abortion takes place when movements of the foetus can be sensed, the punishment is jail time of up to 7 years and fine unless it was done in good faith to save the life of the patient.</li>
<li><strong>Abortion without consent -</strong> If anyone else forces the pregnant woman to have an abortion or performs one without her agreeing to it, the punishment is jail time of up to 10 years and fine.</li>
<li><strong>Abortion resulting in death -</strong> If the patient dies because of a botched abortion or an abortion carried out by an unskilled person, the doctor who conducted the operation can be punished with jail time of up to 10 years and fine. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>If the abortion was conducted without the patient&rsquo;s permission, the punishment is a jail for life.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Intentionally causing the death of a foetus can also be prosecuted under other provisions of the Indian Penal Code, 1860 under which the punishment can extend up to 10 years.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Consent of a Person</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The doctors have a duty to get the consent of a pregnant woman in order to perform the abortion.</li>
<li>If a woman is below 18 (a minor) or suffering from a mental illness, the doctors have a duty to get the guardian&rsquo;s permission as well.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>If a doctor performs an abortion without consent, he or she can be punished with a jail term extending up to 10 years and fine.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Steps Taken by the Government for Safe Abortions</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Government provides safe and comprehensive&nbsp; abortion care (CAC) services to women in health facilities under <strong>RMNCH+A (Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child and Adolescent Health) program of National Health Mission.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Guidelines on Comprehensive Abortion care services</strong> and Medical Methods of Abortions (MMA) have been provided to all the States.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1587207630_image2.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1587207630_image2.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="550" caption="false" /></a></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Provision of funds to States/ UTs</strong> for the operationalization of safe abortion services at health facilities.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Provision of Funds to States to plan and implement comprehensive &ldquo;Information Education &amp; Communication/ Behaviour Change Communication (IEC/BCC)&rdquo; activities for maternal health including safe abortion care.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Capacity Building of Medical officers</strong> in Safe Abortion Techniques and of ANMs, ASHAs and other functionaries to provide confidential counseling for safe abortion and promote post-abortion care.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Training of ASHAs to equip them with skills to create awareness on Comprehensive abortion care issues in women in the community and facilitate women in accessing services.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Certification to private and NGO sector facilities</strong> to provide quality Comprehensive Abortion Care services.</li>
<li>Supply of <strong>Nischay Pregnancy detection kits</strong> to sub-centers for early detection of pregnancy.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Issues with the Current Abortion Laws</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>According to a 2015 study in the Indian Journal of Medical Ethics, <strong>10-13% of maternal deaths in India are due to unsafe abortions</strong> (the third leading cause of maternal death in our country).</li>
<li>Lack of access to safe abortion clinics, particularly public hospitals, and stigma and attitudes toward women, especially young, unmarried women seeking abortion, contribute to this.</li>
<li>Abortion is not allowed post 20 weeks of pregnancy, which<strong> restricts the better detection and hence, abortion of foetuses with abnormalities</strong> like Down Syndrome, Congenital malformations or others.</li>
<li>The law does not accommodate non-medical concerns over the economic costs of raising a child, effects on career decisions, or any other personal considerations.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Access to legal and safe abortion is an integral dimension of sexual and reproductive equality, a public health issue, and must be seen as a crucial element in the contemporary debates on democracy that seeks to provide the just society that abhors all sort of discrimination.</li>
<li>The silence around unsafe abortion leads to deaths of women and hides important problems that lie at the intersection of these concerns, such as the formidable barriers for adolescent girls to access reproductive health services, including abortion services. The right to safe abortion is an important facet of women&rsquo;s right to bodily integrity, right to life and equality and needs to be protected.</li>
</ul>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/to-the-points/Paper2/abortions'
		],
		(int) 9 => [
			'title' => 'WMA Borrowings of States',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, states like Kerala, Punjab and Bihar have said that the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-national-institutions/important-institutions-national-institution-reserve-bank-of-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Reserve Bank of India&rsquo;s (RBI)</strong></a> decision to allow 60% higher borrowing under Ways and Means Advances (WMA) compared March 30, 2020 limit, is inadequate given the mounting expenses of states to counter the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/coronaviruses" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Covid-19 pandemic</strong></a>.</p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The states welcomed the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/rbi-s-measures-to-fight-economic-disruptions" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>RBI move to allow 60% higher borrowing under Ways and Means Advances (WMA)</strong></a>, but said it is a temporary relief and will have only a marginal impact upon the fiscal crisis the states are facing.</li>
<li>They are saying that they <strong>can not go long for ways and means and have to slash their expenditure</strong> to a large extent because they do not have many avenues left for revenue augmentation.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>They said banks are not willing to lend for the long term large amounts of money because of their <strong>liquidity preference.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>They demanded from the Central government to<strong> raise the fiscal borrowing</strong> limits of states currently capped at 3% of the GSDP (Gross State Domestic Product) under the <strong>Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management (FRBM) Act.</strong></li>
<li>The Centre can invoke <strong>Section 5(3)</strong> of Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management Act, 2003 which allows the RBI to<strong> &ldquo;subscribe to the primary issues of Central Government securities&rdquo;</strong> under very specific grounds.</li>
<li>Those cover, among other things,<strong> &ldquo;act of war&rdquo; and &ldquo;national calamity&rdquo;.</strong></li>
<li>The RBI can also undertake increased <strong>secondary market purchases</strong> and <strong>sales of Central as well as state government securities.</strong></li>
</ul>
<h3>Ways and Means Advances (WMA)</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The WMA are<strong> short-term loan facilities</strong> which allow the <strong>Centre and states</strong> to borrow funds from the<strong> RBI</strong> to bridge their <strong>temporary mismatch</strong> between expenditure and receipts.</li>
<li>The interest rate on WMA is the <strong>RBI&rsquo;s repo rate.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Repo rate is basically the rate at which RBI lends short-term money to banks.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The WMA loans have a <strong>three-month tenure.</strong></li>
<li>States are allowed an <strong>overdraft facility</strong> (to borrow in excess of WMA limit) <strong>of 21 days.</strong></li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management (FRBM) Act, 2003</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The FRBM Act was enacted by the Parliament in 2003 to institutionalize fiscal discipline, reduce fiscal deficit, and improve macroeconomic management.</li>
<li>The government was supposed to wipe out revenue deficit and cut fiscal deficit to 3% of GDP by 2008-09, thus bringing much needed fiscal discipline.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Fiscal deficit</strong> is the total expenditure excluding revenue receipts, loan recoveries and receipts from disinvestment etc. It is a measure of the government borrowing in a year.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The Act applies only to the central government and the <strong>States have to enact suitable legislation to adopt the rules under the FRBM Act.</strong></li>
<li>The implementation of the Act was<strong> put on hold in 2007-08</strong> due to the global financial crisis and the need for fiscal stimulus.</li>
<li>In 2012, the FRBM Act was amended and it was decided that the FRBM Act would target an effective revenue deficit in place of revenue deficit.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Effective revenue deficit</strong> excludes capital expenditure from revenue deficit and thus provides space to the government to spend on formation of capital assets.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>In 2017, the <strong>FRBM Review Committee</strong> headed by former Revenue Secretary, <strong>NK Singh</strong> submitted its report to the Central Government. Few important recommendations being-<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>A debt to GDP ratio of 60% should be targeted with a 40% limit for the centre and 20% limit for the states;</li>
<li>Creation of an autonomous Fiscal Council;</li>
<li>An &ldquo;escape clause&rdquo;, i.e. the government can deviate from the targets in case of a national calamity, national security, etc. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The government <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/stimulus-package-to-reverse-economic-slowdown-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>used an escape route</strong></a> in its Budget for FY20, by taking a deviation of 0.5 percentage points from the fiscal deficit targets set out earlier.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>During the presentation of the Budget 2020-21, the government fixed the fiscal deficit target for the year 2020-21 at 3.5% of the GDP.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/business/economy/reserve-bank-of-india-ways-and-means-advances-finance-ministers-6367534/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: IE</strong></a></p>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/wma-borrowings-of-states'
		],
		(int) 10 => [
			'title' => 'Liquidity Boost to NBFCs',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>The <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-national-institutions/important-institutions-national-institution-reserve-bank-of-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Reserve Bank of India (RBI)</strong></a> has announced a host of measures to provide liquidity support to <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/A%20nuanced%20understanding%20of%20the%20NBFC%20sector" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Non Banking Financial Companies (NBFCs)</strong></a>, apart from giving them certain benefits for loans extended to the commercial real estate sector.</p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>TLTRO 2.0</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The RBI would conduct <strong>Targeted Long-term Repo Operations (TLTRO 2.0) for an aggregate amount of Rs 50,000 crore,</strong> in installments of appropriate sizes.</li>
<li>The banks have to invest the funds availed under TLTRO 2.0, <strong>in investment grade bonds, commercial paper, and non-convertible debentures of NBFCs.</strong></li>
<li>RBI stipulated that <strong>small and mid-sized NBFCs and <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/guidelines-for-licencing-of-small-finance-banks" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Micro Finance Institutions (MFIs)</a></strong> should <strong>receive at least 50% of these funds.</strong></li>
<li>The investments made by banks under this facility would be classified as <strong>&lsquo;Held-to-Maturity&rsquo; (HTM),</strong> even in excess of 25% of the total investment permitted to be included in the HTM portfolio.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Held to Maturity securities are securities that <strong>companies purchase and intend to hold until they mature.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>This will help in <strong>easing the liquidity problem faced by NBFCs and MFIs</strong> to some extent.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>NBFCs are facing liquidity pressure since banks have <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/nbfcs-face-moratorium-issue-with-banks" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>not extended any repayment moratorium</strong></a> to these entities even if NBFCs have to provide the same for their borrowers.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Refinance facility:</strong> The RBI has also decided to provide <strong>a special refinance facility of ₹50,000 crore to <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-national-institutions/national-bank-for-agriculture-and-rural-development-nabard" target="_blank" rel="noopener">National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD)</a>, <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/development-finance-institution-to-fund-infrastructure" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI)</a> and National Housing Bank (NHB)</strong> to enable them to meet sectoral credit needs. This would comprise:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>₹25,000 crore to NABARD for refinancing <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/recapitalisation-of-rrbs" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Regional Rural Banks (RRBs)</strong></a>, cooperative banks and Microfinance Institutions (MFIs).</li>
<li>₹15,000 crore to SIDBI for on-lending/refinancing.</li>
<li>₹10,000 crore to NHB for supporting Housing Finance Companies (HFCs).</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Extension of loans to the Real Estate Sector:</strong> The RBI has allowed <strong>extension of the loans</strong> by NBFCs to <strong>delayed commercial real estate projects by a year without restructuring.</strong></li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Targeted Long-term Repo Operations</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/long-term-reverse-repo-operation" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>LTRO</strong></a> is a tool that lets banks <strong>borrow one to three-year funds</strong> from the RBI at the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/repo-rate-unchanged" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>repo rate</strong></a>, by providing <strong>government securities with similar or higher tenure as collateral.</strong></li>
<li>It is called <strong>'Targeted' LTRO</strong> as in this case, the RBI wants banks opting for funds under this option to be <strong>specifically invested in investment-grade bonds.</strong></li>
<li>The TLTRO was introduced by the RBI to help companies, including financial institutions, manage their cash flow issues in the wake of the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/covid-19-now-pandemic-who" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Covid-19 outbreak</strong></a>.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Note</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Investment-grade bond:</strong> It is a bond classification used to denote bonds that carry a <strong>relatively low credit risk compared to other bonds.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Commercial Paper (CP)</strong> is a short-term debt instrument issued by companies to raise funds generally for a time period up to one year.</li>
<li><strong>Non-convertible debentures:</strong> The debentures which cannot be converted into shares.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>National Housing Bank</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>NHB is a statutory organization that was established on July 9, 1988 under the <strong>National Housing Bank Act, 1987.</strong></li>
<li>It is the apex level financial institution for the housing sector in the country.</li>
<li>It is a <strong>government-owned entity.</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The governmnet took over the NHB from the RBI after buying entire stake of Rs. 1,450 crore in 2019.</li>
<li>The move follows the recommendation of <strong>Narasimham-II committee</strong> report of October 2001.</li>
<li>Earlier, RBI sold its stake in NABARD as well.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>NHB aims to facilitate the <strong>promotion of Housing Finance Institutions</strong> and provides financial and other support to such institutions.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Non-Banking Financial Company</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>NBFC is a company registered under the <strong>Companies Act, 1956.</strong></li>
<li>It is engaged in the <strong>business of loans and advances, acquisition of shares/stocks/bonds/debentures/securities</strong> issued by Government or local authority or <strong>other marketable securities</strong> of a like nature, leasing, hire-purchase, insurance business, chit business.</li>
<li>But, it <strong>does not include</strong> any institution whose principal business is that of <strong>agriculture activity, industrial activity, purchase or sale of any goods (other than securities) or providing any services and sale/purchase/construction of immovable property.</strong></li>
<li>A non-banking institution which is a company and has principal business of receiving deposits under any scheme or arrangement in <strong>one lump sum or in installments by way of contributions or in any other manner,</strong> is also a non-banking financial company (Residuary non-banking company).</li>
<li><strong>Features of NBFCs</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>NBFC cannot accept demand deposits.</li>
<li>NBFCs do not form part of the payment and settlement system and cannot issue cheques drawn on itself.</li>
<li>Deposit insurance facility of Deposit Insurance and Credit Guarantee Corporation is not available to depositors of NBFCs.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/business/nbfcs-get-50000-cr-liquidity-booster/article31370352.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: TH</strong></a></p>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/liquidity-boost-to-nbfcs'
		],
		(int) 11 => [
			'title' => 'India’s Water Woes',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the <strong>Ministry of Health and Family Welfare</strong> (MoHFW) has issued an <strong>advisory</strong> to state governments asking them to ensure safe drinking water supply and management during the nationwide <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/21-days-lockdown" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>lockdown</strong></a> that has been <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/lockdown-extended" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>extended to 3<sup>rd</sup> May, 2020.</strong></a></p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Advisory:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>State governments need to <strong>assess the requirements of water purifying chemicals,</strong> including chlorine tablets, bleaching powder, <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/migrant-workers-given-mass-disinfectant-bath" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>sodium hypochlorite</strong></a> solution and alum and use them wherever necessary.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>These purifying products are <strong>classified under the list of</strong> <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/masks-and-hand-sanitizers-under-ec-act-1955" target="_blank" rel="noopener">essential commodities</a> (Essential Commodities Act, 1955)</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>For <strong>ensuring social distancing,</strong> states are recommended to<strong> increase water supply hours</strong> if demand goes up and people come to fetch water from the public stand post.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Reasons Behind the Advisory</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The <strong>urgent need to ensure the availability of safe potable water to all citizens,</strong> mainly in the <strong>rural areas</strong> where medical sanitisers may not be available, has been highlighted in the wake of the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/coronavirus-disease-named-covid-19" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Covid-19</strong></a> <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/covid-19-now-pandemic-who" target="_blank" rel="noopener">pandemic.</a></li>
<li>In the list of preventive measures for controlling the spread of coronavirus, <strong>frequent washing of hands with frothing soaps is the most <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/science-of-covid-19-spread" target="_blank" rel="noopener">efficient and effective measure.</a></strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Water Crisis of India</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>India has been facing the <strong>challenge of lack of access to clean water</strong> for several years.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Falling groundwater levels, drought, increasing demand from agriculture and industry, pollution</strong> and <strong>poor water resource management</strong> are few other challenges which will intensify with the<strong> changing climate.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>According to the data of the <strong>Ministry of Water Resources </strong>in 2017, (merged into the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/jal-shakti-mantralaya" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Ministry of Jal Shakti</strong> </a>in 2019) <strong>average annual per capita water availability</strong> fell from 1820 cubic meters assessed in 2001 to to 1545 cubic meters in 2011.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The data also highlighted the possibility of it<strong> reducing further to 1341 and 1140 in the years 2025 and 2050 respectively.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The ministry also held that the<strong> water availability</strong> of water stressed/water scarce regions of the country is <strong>much below the national average</strong> due to the <strong>high temporal and spatial variation of precipitation.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Water Stressed Condition:</strong> Where annual per-capita water availability is <strong>less than 1700 cubic meters.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Water Scarcity Condition:</strong> Where annual per- capita water availability is <strong>below 1000 cubic meters.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>According to the <strong>Global Annual Report, 2018 by the WaterAid,</strong> the <strong>water and sanitation advocacy group,</strong> India ranked at the top of 10 countries with<strong> lowest access to clean water close to home,</strong> with 16.3 crore people not having such access.</li>
<li>However, the <strong>government's efforts (such as <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/jal-jeevan-mission-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Jal Jeevan Mission</a>) in solving the water crisis have been appreciated</strong> as well. It has been highlighted that despite facing several challenges, <strong>India is one of the world&rsquo;s most-improved nations for reaching the most people with clean water.</strong></li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Water in the Constitution</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>In the Constitution, water is a matter included in <strong>Entry 17 of List-II i.e. State List.</strong> This entry is subject to the provision of <strong>Entry 56 of List-I i.e. Union List.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Under <strong>Article 246,</strong> the Indian <strong>Constitution allocates responsibilities of the States and the Centre into three lists&ndash; Union List, State List and Concurrent List.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Most of the rivers in the country give rise to<strong><a href="/to-the-points/Paper2/inter-state-river-water-sharing-disputes" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> inter-state differences and disputes</a> (Article 262) on the regulation and development of waters of these rivers.</strong></li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-how-india-will-tackle-its-water-woes-amid-wash-your-hands-directive-6364877/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: IE</strong></a></p>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/india-s-water-woes'
		],
		(int) 12 => [
			'title' => 'Export Curbs on Paracetamol Formulations Removed',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>The Centre has <strong>permitted the export of formulations (medicinal products) made from Paracetamol.</strong> However, the <strong>restriction on export of Paracetamol Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs)</strong> will continue.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The <strong>API</strong> is the part of any drug that <strong>produces the intended effects.</strong></li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Paracetamol and its formulations were among the 13 APIs and their formulations that figured in the March 3,2020 notification by the <strong>Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT).</strong></li>
<li>The formulations made from Paracetamol, including FDC (Fixed Dose Combinations), under any<strong> ITCHS code</strong> have been made free for export with immediate effect. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>FDC:</strong> Two or more drugs contained in a single dosage form, such as a capsule or tablet. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>An <strong>example</strong> of a FDC HIV drug is Atripla (a combination of efavirenz, emtricitabine, and tenofovir disoproxil fumarate). By reducing the number of pills a person must take each day, fixed-dose combination drugs can help improve adherence to an HIV treatment regimen.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>ITCHS codes</strong> are better known as Indian Trade Clarification (ITC) and are based on the Harmonized System (HS) of Coding.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>These were adopted in India for import-export operations.</li>
<li>Indian custom uses an eight digit ITC (HS) code to suit the national trade requirements.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The decision allowing export of formulations made from Paracetamol has come after permitting shipment of <strong>antimalarial drug <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/icmr-recommends-use-of-hydroxy-chloroquine" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ)</a></strong> to the United States (US) and several other countries.</li>
<li>The <strong>Pharmaceutical Export Promotion Council (Pharmexcil)</strong> of India wanted the Centre to resume export of Paracetamol APIs too.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The Pharmaexcil was established in 2004 by the <strong>Ministry of Commerce and Industry,</strong> Government of India, to promote pharma exports.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Paracetamol</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Paracetamol is a <strong>common fever medication globally.</strong></li>
<li>Paracetamol is the most sought after and widely used drug ever since the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/covid-19-and-india-s-preparedness" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Covid-19 outbreak</strong></a>.</li>
<li>According to sources, <strong>India is among the leading manufacturers of Paracetamol globally.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The production capacity is estimated to be <strong>5,000 tonnes a month.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>From an export perspective, it is a low value, high volume product.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Directorate General of Foreign Trade</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>DGFT is the main governing body in matters related to<strong> Exim (Export-Import) Policy.</strong></li>
<li>It is an attached office of the <strong>Ministry of Commerce and Industry</strong></li>
<li>The main objective of it under the <strong>Foreign Trade (Development and Regulation) Act, 1992</strong> is to <strong>provide the development and regulation of foreign trade by facilitating imports into, and</strong> augmenting exports from India. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Foreign Trade Act has replaced the earlier law known as the <strong>Imports and Exports (Control) Act 1947.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/business/Industry/india-removes-export-curbs-on-formulations-from-paracetamol/article31364068.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: TH</strong></a></p>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/export-curbs-on-paracetamol-formulations-removed'
		],
		(int) 13 => [
			'title' => 'Challenges to UN System',
			'catname' => 'News Editorials',
			'desc' => '<div class="border">
<p>This article is based on <a href="https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/opinion/columns/the-un-cannot-lead-us-out-of-this-crisis/article31358188.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>&ldquo;The UN cannot lead us out of this crisis&rdquo;</strong></a> which was published in The Hindubusinessline on 17/04/2020. It talks about current challenges pertaining to the UN System.</p>
</div>
<p>Recently, the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/international-monetary-fund-imf" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>International Monetary Fund (IMF)</strong></a> held that the economic slump due to the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/covid-19-now-pandemic-who" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Covid-19 pandemic</strong></a>, could be the <strong>worst economic fallout since the Great Depression 1929.</strong> It also held that the global growth will turn sharply negative in 2020, with almost all members of the IMF experiencing a decline in per capita income.</p>
<p>Countries are adopting <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/perils-of-neo-liberal-era" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>neoliberal</strong></a> measures like already a combined <strong>$8 trillion of stimulus package</strong> has been announced, advocacy of <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/universal-basic-income-ubi" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Universal Basic Income</strong></a>, etc. However, the <strong>current crisis requires a holistic-coordinated approach</strong> by the global players, rather than just trying to save their respective economies.</p>
<p>On the contrary, <strong>multilateralism is on a decline and <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/covid-19-and-globalization" target="_blank" rel="noopener">protectionism is on rise</a>.</strong> This can be reflected in issues relating to the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/united-nations-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>United Nations</strong> </a>(UN) and its allied institutions.</p>
<p>Hence, if the global community has to come out stronger in the face of current crisis, there is a need to establish a <strong>multilateral global order</strong> based on inclusivity and sustainability.</p>
<h3>Challenges pertaining to UN</h3>
<p>Since its inception 75 years ago, the UN has remained the world&rsquo;s most important multilateral forum.</p>
<p>Today, the world faces global threats,<strong> both coventional (violent conflict, nuclear proliferation, and infectious disease) and non-conevtional (climate change, terrorism, and cyberwar, among others).</strong></p>
<p>However, the UN system is enmeshed in serious budgetary difficulties and subject to endless reforms. These lacunae can be reflected in the following:</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>United Nations General Assembly: Prominent Stage, Limited Powers</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Every year, the opening session of the <strong>United Nations General Assembly (UNGA)</strong> becomes the stage where presidents and prime ministers give speeches.</li>
<li>The event offers plenty of star power, but critics contend that it is little more than a glorified gabfest.</li>
<li>Also, UNGA has no control over veto power exercised by UNSC and it cannot take any decisive action against permanent members of UNSC.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>United Nations Security Council: Powerful but Often Paralyzed</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The 15-member Security Council is by far the most powerful arm of the United Nations. It can<strong> impose sanctions,</strong> as it did against Iran over its nuclear program, and authorize military intervention, as it did against Libya in 2011.</li>
<li>However, the <strong>veto power</strong> is used by<strong> permanent five countries</strong> to serve the strategic interest of themselves and their allies.</li>
<li>Since 1990, the United States has cast a veto on Council resolutions 16 times, concerning Israeli-Palestinian relations. Russia has done so 17 times, including eight times over Syria.</li>
<li>Also, the current composition of UNSC does not represent contemporary realities, as permanent members of UNSC, as it has not been reformed since its inception.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>United Nations Secretary General: Global Reach, Vague Role</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The UN charter is <strong>vague in defining the duties of the secretary general,</strong> the United Nations&rsquo; top official.</li>
<li>He or she is expected to show no favoritism to any particular country, but as the office is largely dependent on the funding and the good will of the most powerful nations, it hampers the working of the said office.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>World Health Organisation: Arm Twisting By Rich Countries</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>WHO was mandated to control the spread of contagious diseases, backstop public health programmes, formulate standards on nutrition and hygiene and establish a centre for comparative health data.</li>
<li>However, recently, the World Health Organization (WHO) has been criticised by the US on account of mishandling of the Covid-19 pandemic and subsequently suspended its financial contribution to WHO.</li>
<li>Also, WHO has been under pressure from the US government to adopt an approach that favours interests of US pharma companies, rather than a global advocate of public health policy.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>World Trade Organisation: Stalled Negotiations</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The World Trade Organization is mandated to <strong>expand the free trade agenda and a standard bearer for open and efficient global markets.</strong></li>
<li>However, the advanced countries are determined to promote the kind of corporate-friendly rules that align with their own economic interests and are indifferent to the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/world-trade-organisation-wto" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Doha Development Agenda.</strong></a></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Conclusion</h3>
<p>The greatest challenge that the world faces today is in prediction of the imminent disasters that can be catastrophic. The Covid-19 pandemic is one such; others may include severe climate shocks.</p>
<p>With growing environmental and health stress, such disastrous events are likely to occur more often. This can only be tackled through collective actions. Thus, there is a need for a new world order based on the ethos of multilateralism and shared responsibility. In this context, <strong>democratising the UN system</strong> can be a step in this direction.</p>
<table border="1" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="width: 100%; border-style: dotted; border-color: #ff0000; background-color: #e0e8ff;">
<p><span style="color: #000080;"><em><strong>Drishti Mains Question</strong></em></span></p>
<p>Discuss the challenges faced by multilateral world order, especially in the context of the United Nation system.</p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/challenges-to-un-system'
		],
		(int) 14 => [
			'title' => 'Portable Sensor for Heavy Metal Detection in Water',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the <strong>Centre for Nano and Soft Matter Sciences (CeNS)</strong> has developed a <strong>compact solid-state sensor </strong>to <strong>detect the heavy metal ions in water.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It is a <strong>portable</strong> device which can help onsite detection in remote areas.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The compact solid-state sensor can detect the heavy metal ions like <strong>lead ions (Pb2+) down to 0.4 parts per billion (ppb).</strong></li>
<li><strong>Mechanism:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>A sensor film was prepared by <strong>forming a composite </strong>between<strong> manganese doped zinc sulfide quantum dots </strong>and<strong> reduced graphene oxide on a glass substrate.</strong></li>
<li>These particular quantum dots are <strong>water-soluble</strong> and have<strong> high photoluminescence (~30%) quantum yield,</strong> making them suitable for <strong>luminescence-based sensing.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Luminescence is emission of light by certain materials when they are relatively cool. It may be seen in neon and fluorescent lamps.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>These quantum dots can be <strong>excited with handheld UV (ultra-violet) light of 254 nm, thus making them portable</strong> even to remote areas.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Excitation, in physics, refers to the addition of a discrete amount of energy (called excitation energy) to a system&mdash;such as an atom, or a molecule&mdash;that results in its alteration, ordinarily from the condition of lowest energy (ground state) to one of higher energy (excited state).</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>If a <strong>drop of water containing heavy metal ions</strong> such as <strong>mercury (Hg), lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd),</strong> etc. are <strong>added to the composite film,</strong> the <strong>emission of the film extinguishes within seconds.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The development of efficient and portable sensors for rapid onsite detection of heavy metal ions becomes important due to the<strong> health hazards associated with them.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Heavy metal ions pose severe potential threats to living beings (kidney damage, bone fractures, etc.).</li>
<li>They can be <strong>accumulated in the body easily and cannot be detoxified</strong> by any chemical or biological processes.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>This study demonstrates the easy detection of heavy metal ions in water. However, <strong>strategies are being developed to improve the selectivity of the detection.</strong></li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Centre for Nano and Soft Matter Sciences</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It is an <strong>autonomous research institute</strong> under the <strong>Department of Science and Technology (DST),</strong> Government of India.</li>
<li>DST provides <strong>core support</strong> to the Centre in the form of a <strong>grant-in-aid for conducting basic and applied research</strong> in nano and soft matter sciences.</li>
<li>CeNS is located at <strong>Jalahalli, Bengaluru.</strong></li>
<li>It is being mentored by <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/iconsat-2020" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Nano-Mission</strong></a> of the Government of India.</li>
<li>It is<strong> engaged in materials research</strong> at all relevant length scales.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The current activities are focussed on a variety of metal and semiconductor nanostructures, liquid crystals, gels, membranes and hybrid materials.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The Centre was <strong>established in 1991</strong> by an <strong>eminent liquid crystal scientist, Prof. S. Chandrasekhar, FRS.</strong> After years of expansion and name changes, in <strong>2014,</strong> it became the <strong>Centre for Nano and Soft Matter Sciences</strong> (CeNS).</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Nano Mission</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It was<strong> launched in 2007</strong> as an <strong>umbrella capacity-building programme</strong> by the Government of India.</li>
<li>It is being implemented by the <strong>Department of Science and Technology.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Objectives:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Basic research promotion.</li>
<li>Infrastructure development.</li>
<li>Nano applications and technology development.</li>
<li>Human Resource development.</li>
<li>International collaborations.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The Nano Mission has established national dialogues to promote R&amp;D in the development of standards for nanotechnology and for laying down a <strong>National Regulatory Framework Road-Map for Nanotechnology (NRFR-Nanotech).</strong></li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://pib.gov.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=202311" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: PIB</strong></a></p>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/portable-sensor-for-heavy-metal-detection-in-water'
		],
		(int) 15 => [
			'title' => 'National Conference on Kharif Crops 2020',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers&rsquo; Welfare addressed the <strong>National Conference on Kharif Crops 2020</strong> through a video conference.</p>
<h3>Key Highlights of the Conference</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Aims:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>To <strong>discuss various issues and list out steps</strong> in consultation with the States about preparedness for <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/cropping-patterns-and-major-crops-of-india-part-one" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Kharif</strong></a> cultivation in view of the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/21-days-lockdown" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>lockdown</strong></a> situation.</li>
<li>To take up <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/technology-and-doubling-farmers-income" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>doubling of farmers&rsquo; income</strong></a> <strong>in mission mode.</strong></li>
<li>To urge states to explain the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/pradhan-mantri-fasal-bima-yojana-pmfby" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana</strong></a> and <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/to-the-point-paper-3-soil-health-card-scheme" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Soil Health Card Scheme</strong></a> to each farmer.</li>
<li>To <strong>implement the Home Ministry exemptions and relaxations</strong> for the Agricultural sector while ensuring <strong>social distancing</strong> and <strong>social responsibility norms.</strong></li>
<li>To <strong>start using the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/ease-of-doing-agri-business-index" target="_blank" rel="noopener">e-NAM</a> (National Agriculture Market) extensively.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Target of foodgrains production for the Financial Year 2020-21 has been fixed at 298.0 million tonnes.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>During the FY 2019-20, against the foodgrain production target of 291.10 million tonnes, higher production of about 292 million tonnes is anticipated due to <strong>enhancement of area coverage </strong>and<strong> productivity of various crops.</strong></li>
<li>This was possible due to the <strong>various technological advancements</strong> including <strong>varietal improvement</strong> as well as <strong>dedicated and coordinated efforts</strong> of Central and State Governments in spite of the present situation of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/special-report-on-climate-change-ipcc" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>climate change</strong></a> along with <strong>change in rainfall patterns.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The <strong>cultivable/agriculture land has reduced by about 2.74 million hectare</strong> during the last two decades.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>However, during the same period the <strong>Gross Cropped Area (GCA) has increased from 182.28 million hectare to 196.50 million hectare,</strong> with net area sown remaining largely unchanged at 140 million hectare.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Gross Cropped Area:</strong> It represents the total area sown once as well as more than once in a particular year. When the crop is sown on a piece of land for twice, the area is counted twice in GCA.</li>
<li><strong>Net Area Sown:</strong> It represents the total area sown with crops. The area sown more than once in the same year is counted only once.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The <strong>production of foodgrains has increased from 169.92 million tonnes to 284.96 million tonnes</strong> in the corresponding period due to various technological and policy interventions.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>It was highlighted that the <strong>agriculture and <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/horticulture-sector-in-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener">horticulture</a> sector in the country have become a key driving element for economic development</strong> in many States.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>India is the second largest producer of vegetables, after China.</strong></li>
<li>Although India has become food surplus, it still needs to accelerate the production and productivity of agriculture and horticulture sectors for ensuring food and nutritional security in the rural areas.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The<strong> major new initiatives</strong> for increasing production of crops and income of the farmers were<strong> appreciated.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>&ldquo;Per Drop More Crop&rdquo;</strong> under flagship <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/pradhan-mantri-krishi-sinchayee-yojana" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana</strong> </a>(PMKSY).</li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/pesticide-management-in-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana</strong></a> (PKVY).</li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/pradhan-mantri-fasal-bima-yojanas-failure-in-north-east" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana</strong> </a>(PMFBY).</li>
<li>e-NAM initiative.</li>
<li><a href="/current-affairs-news-analysis-editorials/news-editorials/08-02-2019" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi</strong></a> (PM-KISAN) Yojana.</li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/pradhan-mantri-kisan-maan-dhan-yojana" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Pradhan Mantri Kisan Pension Yojana</strong></a> (PM-KPY).</li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/pradhan-mantri-annadata-aay-anrakshan-abhiyan" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Pradhan Mantri Annadata Aay Sanrakshan Abhiyan</strong></a> (PM-AASHA).</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>It was informed that <strong>All India Agri Transport Call Centre</strong> has been started to ensure that agriculture is not affected.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The call centre will <strong>facilitate inter-state movement of perishables</strong> in the current situation of lockdown due to the Covid-19 threat.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>For<strong> Rabi crops,</strong> all States will <strong>ensure procurement at Village/Block levels</strong> as farmers are not allowed to move out.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In addition, <strong>steps are taken for Direct Marketing/purchasing of crop produce</strong> from farmers.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Relaxation has been given for movement of trucks/ vehicles loaded with seeds and fertilizers</strong> to ensure timely availability of such inputs at Village/Block levels across the country.</li>
<li>The format of <strong>State Action Plan</strong> (SAP) for <strong>advance planning and implementation</strong> of the <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/food-security-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>National Food &amp; Nutritional Security Mission</strong></a> (NF&amp;NSM) has been simplified.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>NF&amp;NSM is mainly a <strong>mandate for production of foodgrains</strong> and is<strong> implemented on projectised mode through State Agriculture Departments</strong> across the country.</li>
<li><strong>Project Monitoring Teams</strong> at Central and State levels are guiding in formulation of SAPs and also monitoring through field visit and farmers&rsquo; interaction.</li>
<li><a href="/daily-news-analysis/government-plans-to-geo-tag-firms-to-check-frauds" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Geo-tagging</strong> </a><strong>of various interventions</strong> are also undertaken to <strong>ensure transparency</strong> in the programme implementation.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1587119050_image1.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1587119050_image1.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="650" caption="false" /></a></p>
<p><a href="https://pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetailm.aspx?PRID=1614994" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: PIB</strong></a></p>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/national-conference-on-kharif-crops-2020'
		],
		(int) 16 => [
			'title' => 'Zoom- Not a Safe Platform: MHA',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the<strong> Ministry of Home Affairs</strong> (MHA) has issued an advisory that<strong> Zoom video conference</strong> is not a safe platform.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/new-facility-to-tackle-cyber-crimes" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre</a> (I4C)</strong> of the MHA issued a set of guidelines for the safe usage of Zoom by private individuals.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Zoom has seen an <strong>exponential rise in usage in India</strong> as office-goers remain at home due to the<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/21-days-lockdown" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> lockdown</strong></a>, imposed to curb the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/coronavirus-disease-named-covid-19" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Covid-19</strong></a> <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/covid-19-now-pandemic-who" target="_blank" rel="noopener">pandemic</a>.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Over 90,000 schools across 20 countries have started using it regularly.</li>
<li>The<strong> maximum number of daily meeting participants</strong> of approximately 10 million at the end of December 2019 <strong>grew to more than 200 million daily</strong> meeting participants in March.</li>
<li>It has been used extensively by everyone <strong>including the central and state ministers</strong> for official purposes and conducting meetings.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Zoom is a <strong>US-based video communication and videoconferencing platform.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>This<strong> Silicon Valley-based company</strong> appears to own three companies in China through which at least 700 employees were paid to develop Zoom&rsquo;s software.</li>
<li>This <strong>arrangement is apparently an effort at labor arbitrage</strong> in which Zoom can avoid paying US wages while selling to US customers, thus<strong> increasing their profit margin.</strong></li>
<li>However, this arrangement may make Zoom <strong>responsive to pressure from Chinese authorities.</strong></li>
<li>Reportedly,<strong> few calls made through the app are routed through servers in China.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Earlier, the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/35-percent-of-cyber-attacks-on-indian-sites-from-china" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Computer Emergency Response Team, India</strong></a> <strong>(CERT-In)</strong> had also issued advisories cautioning on the use of Zoom for office meetings.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It <strong>warned that the insecure usage of the platform</strong> may allow <strong>cyber criminals to access sensitive information</strong> such as meeting details and conversations giving rise to <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/cyber-frauds-and-covid-19" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>cyber frauds.</strong></a></li>
<li>It also<strong> highlighted multiple vulnerabilities</strong> which could allow an attacker to gain elevated privileges or obtain sensitive information.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Citizen Lab,</strong> based at the <strong>University of Toronto,</strong> found <strong>significant weakness in Zoom&rsquo;s encryption</strong> that protects meetings. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It identified the<strong> transmission of meeting encryption keys through China.</strong></li>
<li>The lab has<strong> raised two primary concerns- <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/covid-19-quarantine-alert-system-cqas" target="_blank" rel="noopener">geo-fencing</a> and meeting encryption.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Zoom Founder and CEO Eric S Yuan</strong> has apologised and assured the people that the <strong>privacy and security expectations would be taken care</strong> of.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Zoom has <strong>added additional features</strong> such as <strong>placing a new security icon</strong> in the meeting controls, <strong>changing Zoom&rsquo;s default settings</strong> and <strong>enhancing meeting password complexity,</strong> among others.</li>
<li>It has also added that soon,<strong> account admins will have the ability to choose</strong> whether or not their data is routed through specific data center regions.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Suggestions by the Ministry</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The users are suggested to <strong>set strong passwords</strong> and <strong>enable &ldquo;waiting room&rdquo; features</strong> so that call managers could have better control over the participants.</li>
<li>Users should also <strong>avoid using personal meeting ID</strong> to host events and instead <strong>use randomly generated meeting IDs</strong> for each event.</li>
<li>People using the app <strong>should not share meeting links on public platforms.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The scheme to set up I4C was <strong>approved in October 2018, </strong>to<strong> deal with all types of cybercrimes in a comprehensive and coordinated manner.</strong></li>
<li>It has <strong>seven components:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>National Cyber Crime Threat Analytics Unit</li>
<li>National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal</li>
<li>National Cyber Crime Training Centre</li>
<li>Cyber Crime Ecosystem Management Unit</li>
<li>National Cyber Crime Research and Innovation Centre</li>
<li>National Cyber Crime Forensic Laboratory Ecosystem</li>
<li>Platform for Joint Cyber Crime Investigation Team.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Various States and Union Territories (UTs) have consented to set up<strong> Regional Cyber Crime Coordination Centres.</strong></li>
<li>This <strong>state-of-the-art</strong> Centre is located in <strong>New Delhi.</strong></li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Computer Emergency Response Team-India</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It is an organisation of the <strong>Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology,</strong> Government of India, with the <strong>objective of securing Indian cyberspace.</strong></li>
<li>It is the <strong>nodal agency</strong> which deals with <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/cyber-security" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>cybersecurity</strong></a> <strong>threats like hacking and phishing.</strong></li>
<li>It collects, analyses and disseminates information on cyber incidents, and also issues alerts on cybersecurity incidents.</li>
<li>CERT-IN provides <strong>Incident Prevention and Response Services</strong> as well as <strong>Security Quality Management Services.</strong></li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/zoom-is-not-a-safe-platform-says-mha-advisory/article31355460.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: TH</strong></a></p>',
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		],
		(int) 17 => [
			'title' => 'Inactivated Virus Vaccine in Focus for Covid-19',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, researchers from the <strong>Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB)</strong> have started developing an <strong>inactivated virus vaccine</strong> for the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/coronaviruses" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>novel coronavirus</strong></a> (SARS-CoV-2).</p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Vaccination is thought to be the most effective and sure way to arrest the progress and deadly effect of the virus.</li>
<li>Inactivated vaccines are known for their safety and easy production.</li>
<li><strong>Inactivated Vaccines</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Active pathogens are grown</strong> in large numbers and <strong>then killed</strong> either by a chemical or heat. Although the pathogen is killed, or made to lose its reproduction capacity, <strong>various parts of the pathogen are intact.</strong> E.g The antigen (the chemical structure) that is recognised by the immune system is left unimpaired.</li>
<li>When this dead microbe is introduced in the body, <strong>the immune system is tricked to respond by producing antibodies</strong> against specific antigens still left intact, without knowing that the pathogen is defective.</li>
<li>As the pathogen is dead, it cannot reproduce nor cause even a mild disease. Thus, it is safe to administer to even people with lesser immunity, like the old and those who have comorbidity.</li>
<li>Inactivated <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/world-polio-day" target="_blank" rel="noopener">polio vaccine</a> and the rabies vaccine</strong> are made this way.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Benefit:</strong> If a<strong> large amount of coronavirus is grown and inactivated,</strong> that will be material for candidate vaccines to be injected.</li>
<li><strong>Challenges:</strong> The important technological challenge is <strong>growing the coronavirus outside of the human host.</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>As the novel coronavirus has evolved to life on human cells, locating the<strong> right source of the cell line to grow the virus outside of the human body</strong> is key to this technology.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>CCMB is using the <strong>epithelial cell line from African green monkeys</strong> to artificially grow and harvest the deadly virus.</li>
<li>The cells will be observed and if <strong>the cells show changes, including dying of cells and release of the virus, then the culture is positive.</strong></li>
<li>Finding a right cell growing technology for the novel coronavirus <strong>will also help in drug development.</strong></li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Other Types of Vaccine</strong></p>
<p><strong>Live-attenuated vaccines</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Live vaccines use a <strong>weakened (or attenuated) form of the germ</strong> that causes a disease.</li>
<li>Because these vaccines are so <strong>similar to the natural infection</strong> that they help prevent, they create a strong and long-lasting immune response. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Just one or two doses of most live vaccines can give you a lifetime of protection against a germ and the disease it causes.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The limitation of this approach is that these vaccines usually <strong>cannot be given to people with weakened immune systems</strong></li>
<li>Live vaccines are used against: <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/covid-19-impact-on-measles-immunization-program" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Measles</strong></a>, <strong>mumps, rubella</strong> (MMR combined vaccine), <strong>Rotavirus, Smallpox</strong> among others.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Subunit, recombinant, polysaccharide, and conjugate vaccines</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>They use <strong>specific pieces of the germ &mdash;</strong> like its protein, sugar, or capsid (a casing around the germ). They give a very strong immune response.</li>
<li>They can also be used on people with weakened immune systems and long-term health problems.</li>
<li>These vaccines are used to protect against: <strong>Hib</strong> (Haemophilus influenzae type b) disease, <strong>Hepatitis B, HPV</strong> (Human papillomavirus), <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/pneumococcal-conjugate-vaccine" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Pneumococcal disease</strong></a> among others.</li>
<li><strong>Toxoid vaccines</strong></li>
<li>Toxoid vaccines use a toxin made by the germ that causes a disease. Toxoid vaccines are used to protect against: Diphtheria, Tetanus</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://pib.gov.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=202310" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: PIB</strong></a></p>',
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		],
		(int) 18 => [
			'title' => 'Chitra GeneLAMP-N for Covid-19 Test',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences and Technology (SCTIMST),</strong> Trivandrum (Kerala), has <strong>developed a diagnostic test kit that can confirm <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/false-negative-tests-a-concern" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Covid-19</a> in 2 hours at low cost.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>SCTIMST is an Institute of National Importance under the <strong>Department of Science and Technology (DST).</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The test kit, funded by the DST called <strong>Chitra GeneLAMP-N,</strong> is highly specific for <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/covid-19-and-india-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>SARS-CoV-2 N</strong></a>-<strong>gene</strong> and can <strong>detect two regions of the gene.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>This would ensure that the test does not fail even if one region of the viral gene undergoes mutation during its current spread.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>It is a confirmatory diagnostic test, which detects the N Gene of SARS- COV2 using <strong>reverse transcriptase loop-mediated amplification of viral nucleic acid (RT-LAMP).</strong></li>
<li>The results can be read from the machine from the <strong>change in fluorescence.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Fluorescence is the<strong> emission of light by a substance</strong> that has absorbed light or other electromagnetic radiation.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The tests performed at National Institute of Virology (NIV), Alappuzha (Kerala) (authorized by <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/icmr-recommends-use-of-hydroxy-chloroquine" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR))</strong> </a>show that Chitra GeneLAMP- N has <strong>100% accuracy</strong> and match with test results using <a href="/printpdf/antibody-kits-for-covid-19" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR).</strong></a></li>
<li>This has been intimated to Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), the authority to approve it, for Covid-19 testing in India, following which License needs to be obtained from <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/draft-notification-for-medical-implants" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO)</strong></a> for manufacture.</li>
<li><strong>Advantages</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>A total of 30 samples can be tested in a single batch in a single machine allowing a<strong> large number of samples to be tested each day.</strong></li>
<li>Current <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/antibody-kits-for-covid-19" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)</strong> </a>kits in India enable detection of E gene for screening and RdRp gene for confirmation. Chitra GeneLAMP-N gene testing will allow confirmation in one test <strong>without the need for a screening test and at much lower costs</strong> (less than Rs. 1000/test).</li>
<li>Chitra GeneLAMP-N makes confirmatory tests results of Covid-19 possible in 2 hours.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The detection time is 10 minutes, and the sample to result time (from RNA extraction in swab to RT-LAMP detection time) <strong>will be less than 2 hours.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The testing facility can be <strong>easily set up</strong> even in the laboratories of district hospitals with <strong>limited facilities and trained laboratory technicians.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Gene</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Gene, unit of <strong>hereditary information.</strong></li>
<li>Genes achieve their effects by directing the <strong>synthesis of proteins.</strong></li>
<li>Genes are composed of <strong>Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA),</strong> except in some viruses, which have genes consisting of a closely related compound called <strong>Ribonucleic acid (RNA).</strong></li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Reverse Transcription-based Loop Mediated Isothermal Amplification (RT-LAMP)</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It is a simple <strong>quantitative detection method.</strong></li>
<li>In this method,<strong> a DNA copy of the viral RNA is generated</strong> by reverse transcriptase, and then <strong>isothermal amplification is carried out to increase the amount of total DNA.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>A reverse transcriptase (RT) is an enzyme used to generate complementary DNA (DNA) from an RNA template, a process termed reverse transcription.</li>
<li>Isothermal amplification enables rapid and specific amplification of DNA at constant temperature (60-65 &deg;C).</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://pib.gov.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=202312" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source : PIB</strong></a></p>',
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		(int) 19 => [
			'title' => 'AI-based Voice Tool to Detect Covid-19',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>A University in Rome (Italy) is conducting a pilot run for a patented <a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/in-depth-artificial-intelligence" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Artificial Intelligence</strong></a> <strong>(AI)-based tool</strong> developed by students and a professor from Mumbai, which they claim <strong>can test <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/coronavirus-disease-named-covid-19" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Covid-19</a> through voice-based diagnosis using a smartphone.</strong></p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The tool has already been tested on 300 individuals and has detected Covid-19 patients with <strong>98% accuracy.</strong></li>
<li>The tool is based on a voice-based diagnosis through an app. It can <strong>find coronavirus from the tone of the voice.</strong></li>
<li>As someone speaks to the microphone on the app, the <strong>tool breaks down the voice</strong> in <strong>multiple parameters</strong> such as frequency and noise distortion.</li>
<li>These values are then <strong>compared to a normal person&rsquo;s values</strong> and the patented technique then determines if the patient is positive or not.</li>
<li>Each human voice has 6,300 parameters, and <strong>only a few units, less than a dozen, specifically characterise individuals.</strong> The human ear, apart from colds, is not able to distinguish them, but artificial intelligence does.</li>
<li>Each one of an individual's internal organs is <strong>sort of a resonator,</strong> so <strong>if anyone has a problem with lungs or heart, this will be reflected in his/her voice.</strong></li>
<li>The current novel coronavirus cases could be detected this way.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Benefits of the voice-based diagnosis tool</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>This tool can be of great impact in doing the<strong> first level of screening to identify positives</strong> and <strong>only those who tested positive can go for the lab tests.</strong></li>
<li>This can <strong>reduce the current bottleneck on the medical infrastructure,</strong> and help the government to <strong>identify hotspot regions</strong> in advance.</li>
<li>It is possibly the <strong>best way to reach out to the remotest part of India</strong> by testing through a smartphone, <strong>without the risk of exposure, both to the patient and the lab personnel.</strong></li>
<li>This voice-based diagnosis will fetch <strong>zero cost</strong> testing to the patient and no wait time.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Artificial Intelligence (AI)</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It describes the <strong>action of machines accomplishing tasks</strong> that have<strong> historically required human intelligence.</strong></li>
<li>It <strong>includes technologies</strong> like machine learning, pattern recognition, big data, neural networks, self algorithms etc.</li>
<li>AI involves complex things such as feeding a particular data into the machine and making it react as per the different situations. It is basically about creating self-learning patterns where the machine can give answers to the never answered questions like a human would ever do.</li>
<li>AI technology helps in analyzing data and thus can improve the efficiency of the systems like power management in cars, mobile devices, weather predictions, video and image analysis.</li>
<li><strong>Example (Use):</strong> Self driving cars.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/technology/mumbai-students-develop-ai-based-voice-tool-to-detect-covid-19/article31360091.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: TH</strong></a></p>',
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		'title' => 'Temporary Ration Cards to Access PDS Foodgrain',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the Pune Zilla Parishad has decided to provide<strong> temporary &lsquo;ration cards&rsquo;</strong> to more than 80,000 <strong>undocumented people</strong> in the district, so they can receive foodgrains under the <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/public-distribution-system-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Public Distribution System (PDS).</strong></a></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The delivery of benefits including <strong>PDS grain to migrants</strong> trapped by the lockdown, and to those who are<strong> unable to provide documents,</strong> has been a major concern across states.</li>
<li>Earlier, <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/measures-to-deal-with-economic-hardship" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Nobel Laureates Amartya Sen and Abhijit Banerjee, and former RBI Governor Raghuram Rajan</strong></a> had suggested that <strong>temporary ration cards</strong> should be issued to enable the undocumented to draw rations through the PDS system.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It is a <strong>first innovation</strong> of its kind to help larger numbers of people access government benefits during the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/covid-19-and-lockdown" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Covid-19 lockdown</strong></a>.</li>
<li><strong>Use of Aadhaar:</strong> The Pune scheme will use one-time <strong>Aadhaar authentication</strong> to open accounts for the people with the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/prime-minister-launched-india-post-payments-bank" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>India Post Payments Bank.</strong></a><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Once the biometric Aadhaar-based link is established and the account is opened, this would serve as the only authentication that will be needed for these undocumented people to draw rations from the PDS system.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Home Delivery:</strong> It will enable the home delivery of grains at the gram panchayat level to avoid crowds and maintain physical distancing.</li>
<li><strong>Coverage:</strong> It will also include individuals belonging to the <strong>Primitive Tribes</strong> and the <strong>transgender community</strong> who are often left out of the ambit of such benefits.</li>
<li><strong>Identification:</strong> The job of identifying the beneficiaries has been given to the <strong>village police patil,</strong> who maintains records of outsiders in a register.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Under the <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/food-security-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>National Food Security Act</strong> </a>(NFSA), 2013, the gram sabha has the right to identify beneficiaries &mdash; however, in the current situation when the gram sabha is not functional, <strong>a committee of three viz., the gram panchayat&rsquo;s sarpanch, a member of the gram sabha, and the local police patil will identify them.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Verification:</strong> The only verification that will be carried out is that of the kitchen of the beneficiary to prove that they qualify for the scheme.</li>
<li><strong>Boost to Sharad Bhojan Yojana:</strong> The scheme will widen and deepen the scope and reach of the Sharad Bhojan Yojana, under which cooked meals are provided to people in Pune district at concessional rates.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The Sharad Bhojan Yojana is modelled after the Maharashtra government&rsquo;s flagship <strong>Shiv Bhojan Yojana,</strong> which serves subsidised meals to the poor.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Involvement of a Corporate:</strong> The<strong> Janakidevi Bajaj Gram Vikas Sansthan,</strong> the <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/corporate-social-responsibility-csr-expenditure" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Corporate Social Responsibility</a> (CSR) wing of the Bajaj Group</strong>, will be the corporate CSR partner of the Pune Zilla Parishad for the scheme.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Public distribution system (PDS)</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The <strong>PDS is an Indian food Security System</strong> established<strong> under the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution.</strong></li>
<li>PDS evolved as a <strong>system of management of scarcity</strong> through distribution of food grains at affordable prices.</li>
<li>PDS is operated under the <strong>joint responsibility of the Central and the State Governments.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The <strong>Central Government,</strong> through Food Corporation of India (FCI), has assumed the responsibility for <strong>procurement, storage, transportation and bulk allocation</strong> of food grains to the State Governments.</li>
<li>The <strong>operational responsibilities</strong> including allocation within the State, identification of eligible families,<strong> issue of Ration Cards</strong> and supervision of the functioning of Fair Price Shops (FPSs) etc., rest with the <strong>State Governments.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Under the PDS, presently the commodities namely <strong>wheat, rice, sugar and kerosene</strong> are being allocated to the States/UTs for distribution. Some States/UTs also distribute additional items of mass consumption through the PDS outlets such as pulses, edible oils, iodized salt, spices, etc.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>National Food Security Act (NFSA)</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>NFSA, 2013 legally entitles up to 75% of the rural population and 50% of the urban population to receive subsidized food grains under the Targeted Public Distribution System.</li>
<li>The eldest woman of the household of age 18 years or above is mandated to be the head of the household for the purpose of issuing ration cards under the Act.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/pune/in-pune-zilla-parishad-temporary-cards-to-help-80000-people-access-pds-foodgrain-6370142/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: IE</strong></a></p>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/temporary-ration-cards-to-access-pds-foodgrain'
	],
	(int) 1 => [
		'title' => 'Rise in Digital Transactions',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>According to the recent <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-national-institutions/important-institutions-national-institution-reserve-bank-of-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Reserve Bank of India (RBI)</strong></a> data, the month of March 2020 (when <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/coronaviruses" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Covid-19</strong></a> lockdown began) saw a sharp rise in digital financial transactions countrywide.</p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The total value of <strong>Real Time Gross Settlement (RTGS)</strong> transactions rose by 34% across banks.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It is the biggest <strong>online payment method</strong> offered by RBI.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The <strong>National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI)</strong>-run <strong>Unified Payments Interface&nbsp;(UPI)</strong>, registered more than 125 crore transactions in March.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The numbers, however, dipped slightly compared to February as there was a dip in economic activity due to lockdown.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Recharges and bill payments</strong> as well as retail <strong>banking transactions,</strong> accounted for the majority of the volume of all the transactions.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>NPCI-run <strong>Bharat Bill Pay</strong> was one of the beneficiaries, as it recorded 1.58 crore transactions in March as against 1.49 crore in February.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>According to the data, the usage of cash and other cash-based services dipped during the period.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Cash withdrawals from ATMs as well as usage of various cards (debit, credit) have also gone down significantly.</li>
<li>This could be because people&rsquo;s requirements for cash have fallen since the spending is mainly on essentials and necessities.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The government&rsquo;s <strong>Aadhaar Enabled Payment System (AePS)</strong> also saw a decline of 16.1 % in the number of transactions, in March.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The government uses AePS mostly for direct benefit transfer schemes.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Real Time Gross Settlement&nbsp;</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>RTGS is an <strong>electronic fund transfer method</strong> through which money is sent on a<strong> &lsquo;real time&rsquo;</strong> basis without any delays.</li>
<li>RTGS allows the money sent by the remitter to immediately reach the beneficiary as and when the money transfer transaction is initiated.</li>
<li>&lsquo;Gross Settlement&rsquo; refers to the processing of transactions on an <strong>individual basis</strong> and not in a batch wise system.</li>
<li>Minimum amount that can be sent via RTGS mode is <strong>Rs.2 lakh</strong> and has no maximum limit.</li>
<li><strong>RTGS is not a 24x7 facility</strong> and is available only during <strong>working hours of banks.</strong></li>
</ul>
<h3>Unified Payments Interface&nbsp;</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It is an advanced version of<strong> Immediate Payment Service (IMPS)-</strong> round&ndash;the-clock funds transfer service to make cashless payments <strong>faster, easier and smoother.</strong></li>
<li>UPI is a system that powers multiple bank accounts into a single mobile application (of any participating bank), merging several banking features, seamless fund routing &amp; merchant payments into one hood.</li>
<li><strong>National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI)</strong> launched UPI with 21 member banks in 2016.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Bharat Bill Payment System</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Bharat bill payment system is driven by National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI).</li>
<li>It is a <strong>one-stop ecosystem for payment of all bills</strong> providing an interoperable and accessible <strong>&ldquo;Anytime Anywhere&rdquo; bill payment service</strong> to all customers across India with certainty, reliability and safety of transactions.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Aadhaar enabled Payment System&nbsp;</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>AePS is developed by the<strong> National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI)</strong> that <strong>allows people to carry out financial transactions on a Micro-ATM</strong> by furnishing just their <strong>Aadhaar number</strong> and verifying it with the help of their fingerprint/iris scan.</li>
<li>With the help of this payment system, funds can be transferred from one bank account to another simply through their Aadhaar numbers.</li>
<li>This system adds another layer of security to financial transactions as <strong>bank details would no longer be required</strong> to be furnished while carrying out these transactions.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>National Payments Corporation of India</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>NPCI is an <strong>umbrella organization</strong> for all <strong>retail payments systems</strong> in India.</li>
<li>It was set up with the guidance and support of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and Indian Banks&rsquo; Association (IBA).</li>
<li>NPCI was established with following <strong>objectives -</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>To <strong>consolidate and integrate the existing multiple systems into a nation-wide uniform</strong> and standard business process <strong>for all retail payment systems.</strong></li>
<li>To <strong>facilitate an affordable payment mechanism</strong> to benefit the common man across the country and propel financial inclusion.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/business/banking-and-finance/digital-transactions-rise-real-time-gross-settlement-rbi-6370110/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: IE</strong></a></p>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/rise-in-digital-transactions'
	],
	(int) 2 => [
		'title' => 'Kartarpur Sahib Damage',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>India has asked Pakistan to attend to repair and <strong>reconstruction of parts of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/kartarpur-milestone" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Kartarpur</a> Sahib gurudwara</strong> that were damaged in a storm on April 18, 2020.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The shrine in Pakistan&rsquo;s Narowal district, built where <strong>founder of the Sikh faith, Guru Nanak Dev,</strong> lived the last years of his life, is highly revered by followers of the faith and other worshippers in India and the world.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Kartarpur Sahib is in the midst of year long festivities associated with the <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/guru-nanak-dev-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">550<sup>th</sup> birth anniversary of Guru Nanak</a>.</strong></li>
<li>It has emerged as a major centre of Sikh pilgrimage in Pakistan over the last few months, after the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/kartarpur-corridor-2" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>corridor from India was operationalised.</strong></a></li>
<li>The corridor connects the <strong>Kartar Sahib Gurdwara</strong> in Narowal district of <strong>Pakistan</strong> with the <strong>Dera Baba Nanak shrine</strong> in Gurdaspur district in<strong> India&rsquo;s Punjab province.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Katarpur Sahib</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Guru Nanak Dev travelled through many countries spreading the message of universal peace, harmony and love before finally arriving in <strong>Kartarpur in 1521.</strong></li>
<li>The then-governor of the region, Duni Chand, donated 100 acres of land on the bank of river Ravi to him.</li>
<li>Kartarpur became a <strong>religious site after he settled there.</strong></li>
<li>The foundation stone of the gurdwara in Kartarpur was laid in 1572 and <strong>Maharaja Ranjit Singh covered its dome with gold.</strong></li>
<li>The present structure was built by <strong>Bhupinder Singh, the Maharaja of Patiala in 1925.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Guru Nanak Dev</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Guru Nanak Dev Jayanti is observed to celebrate the birth of Guru Nanak Dev (1469-1539), who is <strong>first of the 10 Sikh Gurus</strong> and the founder of Sikhism.</li>
<li>He advocated the <strong>'Nirguna' (devotion to and worship of formless divine) form of bhakti.</strong></li>
<li>He rejected sacrifices, ritual baths, image worship, austerities and the scriptures <strong>of both Hindus and Muslims.</strong></li>
<li>He organised his followers into a community. He set up rules for congregational worship<strong> (Sangat)</strong> involving collective recitation.</li>
<li>The fifth preceptor, Guru Arjan Dev, compiled Guru Nanak Dev&rsquo;s hymns along with those of his four successors and other religious poets like Baba Farid, Ravidas (also known as Raidas) and Kabir in the Adi Granth Sahib.</li>
<li>These hymns, called <strong>'Gurbani', are composed in many languages.</strong></li>
<li>In the late seventeenth century the tenth preceptor, Guru Gobind Singh, included the compositions of the ninth guru, Guru Tegh Bahadur, and this scripture was called the <strong>Guru Granth Sahib.</strong></li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/address-kartarpur-damage-source/article31383452.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: TH</strong></a></p>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/kartarpur-sahib-damage'
	],
	(int) 3 => [
		'title' => 'Gamma-ray Flux Variability of Blazars',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Researchers from the <strong>Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA), Bangalore</strong> have conducted the <strong>first systematic study</strong> on the <strong>gamma-ray flux variability nature of different types of blazars.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The research work based on characterizing the flux variability nature on month-like time scales in the<strong> high energy gamma-ray (100 MeV to 300 GeV)</strong> band for different types of blazars has been published in the journal <strong>Astronomy and Astrophysics.</strong></li>
<li>IIA is an <strong>autonomous institute</strong> of the <strong>Department of Science and Technology,</strong> Government of India.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Blazars</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Blazars are<strong> active galactic nuclei (AGN),</strong> whose <strong>jets are aligned with the observer&rsquo;s line of sight.</strong> Some blazars are thought to host binary black holes in them and could be potential targets for future gravitational-wave searches.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Active Galactic Nuclei:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>At the center of most galaxies, there&rsquo;s a massive black hole with a huge mass accumulating gas, dust, and stellar debris around it. AGN is formed when the <strong>gravitational energy of these materials, being pulled towards the black hole, is converted into light.</strong></li>
<li>A <strong>minority of AGN</strong> (~15%) <strong>emits collimated charged particles called jets</strong> travelling at speeds close to the speed of light.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Quasar</strong> and <strong>Radio-Galaxies</strong> are also AGN.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The <strong>difference</strong> between Quasar, radio galaxy and a Blazar is the <strong>angle of the stream/jet.</strong> If the stream is straight up, it is a radio galaxy and the observer is not in the firing line. If the stream is angled slightly towards the observer, then it is a Quasar and if the stream is angled directly towards the observer, it is a Blazar.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1587381480_image1.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1587381480_image1.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="450" caption="false" /></a></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Blazars are the <strong>most luminous and energetic objects</strong> in the known universe and they were <strong>found to be emitters of gamma-rays</strong> in the <strong>1990s.</strong></li>
<li>The <strong>flux variability characteristics</strong> of blazars on a range of time scales was found out with the help of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/nasa-named-new-constellations" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Fermi Gamma-ray space telescope</strong> </a>(launched in <strong>2008</strong>) which is <strong>capable of scanning the entire sky once in three hours.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Study by Indian Institute of Astrophysics:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The research<strong> characterised the amplitude and time scale</strong> of flux variations and then <strong>looked for similarity and/or differences</strong> in the amplitude and time scale between different types of blazars.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>With the availability of near-simultaneous data covering the <strong>gamma-ray, <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/spectrum-roentgen-gamma-telescope" target="_blank" rel="noopener">X-ray</a>, ultra-violet, optical, and infrared bands,</strong> the<strong> existing notion on high energy emission in blazars is challenged.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The reduction of large volumes of data for a large number of sources was accomplished by the <strong>use of the High-Performance Computing facility</strong> of the IIA.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Significance of the Study</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The study can provide <strong>clues to the processes happening close to the black hole</strong> which are not visible through direct imaging. It will also <strong>enhance</strong> the <strong>knowledge of blazars.</strong></li>
<li>Exploring the Gamma-ray band of the electromagnetic spectrum will provide<strong> key inputs to constrain the high energy production site</strong> as well as the<strong> high energy emission processes.</strong></li>
<li>The results of this work will <strong>fill the gap on the knowledge of the high energy flux variability nature of blazars.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Gamma-ray band</strong> is one of the bands of the <strong>electromagnetic spectrum</strong> on which there is limited knowledge on the flux variability of blazars.</li>
<li><strong>Localizing the site for the production of gamma-rays</strong> is one of the <strong>major problems</strong> in high energy astrophysics.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The expertise of handling high energy data from celestial sources gained in this work will <strong>build capacity to interpret the gamma-ray data</strong> that will emerge from India's upcoming facility, the <strong>Major Atmospheric Cerenkov Experiment (MACE) Telescope</strong> as well as from any <strong>X-ray missions by India</strong> in the future.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Major Atmospheric Cerenkov Experiment Telescope</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It is the <strong>India's largest and the world's highest gamma-ray telescope</strong>&nbsp;being established at <strong>Hanle, Ladakh.</strong></li>
<li>It is being built by the <strong>Electronics Corporation of India Limited (ECIL), Hyderabad</strong> for the <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/bhabha-kavach" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Bhabha Atomic Research Centre</a> (BARC).</strong></li>
<li>It is <strong>remotely operated</strong> and runs on <strong>Solar Power.</strong></li>
<li>It will help to explore the <strong>exciting energy range of the gamma-ray energy region in between satellites and the traditional Atmospheric Cerenkov experiments.</strong></li>
<li>The telescope is named after the <strong>Russian scientist Cerenkov</strong> who predicted that <strong>charged particles moving at high speeds in a medium, emit light.</strong></li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1615998" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: PIB</strong></a></p>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/gamma-ray-flux-variability-of-blazars'
	],
	(int) 4 => [
		'title' => 'Draft National List of Intangible Cultural Heritage ',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>The Ministry of Culture has launched the draft <strong>National List of Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) of India .</strong></p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The National ICH List is an attempt to <strong>recognize the diversity of Indian culture embedded in its intangible heritage.</strong></li>
<li>It aims to <strong>raise awareness</strong> about the various intangible cultural heritage elements from different states of India at national and international level and ensure their protection.</li>
<li>This initiative is also a part of the <strong>Vision 2024 of the Ministry of Culture.</strong></li>
<li>The list has more than 100 elements which also include <strong>13 elements recognized by the</strong> <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/united-nations-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)</strong></a> as Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.</li>
<li>Following<strong> UNESCO&rsquo;s 2003 Convention for Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage,</strong> this list has been classified into five broad domains in which intangible cultural heritage is manifested.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The 2003 Convention is a part of the Convention Concerning the Protection of World Cultural and Natural Heritage which was adopted by the <strong>General Conference of UNESCO in 1972</strong> in order to promote the <strong>identification, protection and safeguarding of natural cultural heritage.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The five domains are:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Oral traditions and expressions, including language as a vehicle of the intangible cultural heritage.</li>
<li>Performing arts.</li>
<li>Social practices, rituals and festive events.</li>
<li>Knowledge and practices concerning nature and the universe.</li>
<li>Traditional craftsmanship.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Kerala&rsquo;s</strong> martial art form, <strong>Kalaripayuttu,</strong> and the practice of making designs at the entrance of homes and temples called<strong> kolam</strong> in Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh are included in the draft list.</li>
<li>The present items in the list have been collated from the projects sanctioned under the scheme for <strong>&lsquo;Safeguarding the Intangible Cultural Heritage and Diverse Cultural Traditions of India&rsquo;</strong> formulated by the Ministry of Culture in 2013.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1587371924_image2.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1587371924_image2.jpg" width="800" caption="false" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></a></p>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Scheme for Safeguarding the Intangible Heritage and Diverse Cultural Traditions of India</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The scheme was set up under the <strong>Ministry of Culture (MoC) during 2013-14.</strong></li>
<li>The objective of the Scheme is to support and strengthen the <strong>efforts of various stakeholders</strong> vis-a-vis wider recognition and acceptance, dissemination, preservation and promotion of the rich, diverse and vast ICH of India including recognition of the same by UNESCO.</li>
<li>The Scheme aims to support<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Institutions/ Universities/ State Govts/ UT Administrations/ non-MoC Institutions/ Societies/ Non-government organisations,<strong> involved in the preservation and propagation of intangible cultural heritage, cultural expressions etc.</strong></li>
<li>Individuals, researchers, scholars, professionals who are involved in the <strong>research, training, preservation, perpetuation, dissemination, and propagation of intangible cultural heritage, cultural expressions etc.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://pib.gov.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=202358" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: PIB</strong></a></p>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/draft-national-list-of-intangible-cultural-heritage'
	],
	(int) 5 => [
		'title' => 'Islamophobia in India: OIC',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the <strong>Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC)</strong> has <strong>criticised the Indian government</strong> for what it called<strong> &ldquo;growing Islamophobia&rdquo;</strong> in India.</p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>OIC asked the government to take<strong> steps to protect Muslim minorities</strong> who are being <strong>&ldquo;negatively profiled,&rdquo; facing &ldquo;discrimination and violence&rdquo;</strong> amidst the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/coronaviruses" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Covid-19</strong></a> crisis.</li>
<li>OIC urged the government to <strong>protect the rights of its minority</strong> as per its obligations under <strong>international Human Rights law.</strong></li>
<li>It also asked the government to take urgent steps to <strong>stop the growing tide of Islamophobia</strong> (dislike of or prejudice against Islam or Muslims) <strong>in India.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>A religious gathering of muslims (Tablighi Jamaat) was held in Delhi in March. The event was linked to many of the Covid-19 positive cases in India.</li>
<li>After this most sections of the media, people on social media blamed the Tablighi jamaat and muslims for deliberately spreading the Covid-19 in India.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Earlier, the <strong>U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF)</strong> has also criticised India of <strong>&ldquo;increased stigmatisation&rdquo;</strong> of its muslim minorities.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It criticized the government for the reports that Covid-19 patients were<strong> religiously segregated at a hospital</strong> in Ahmedabad.</li>
<li>According to USCIRF, India continues to remain a <strong>&ldquo;tier 2 country of particular concern&rdquo;</strong> since 2009.</li>
<li>Tier 2 countries are those in which <strong>&ldquo;violations engaged in or tolerated by the government are serious</strong> and characterized by at least one of the elements of the<strong> &lsquo;systematic, ongoing, and egregious&rdquo;</strong> Country of Particular Concern <strong>(CPC)</strong> standard. CPCs are designated by the US State Department.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The <strong>Indian government has denied all the allegations</strong> levelled by the USCIRF and accused the USCIRF for spreading misguided reports on the professional medical protocols followed to deal with spread of Covid-19 in India.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Organisation of Islamic Cooperation</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) is the <strong>second largest intergovernmental organization</strong> after the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/united-nations-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>United Nations</strong></a> with a membership of 57 states.</li>
<li>It is the<strong> collective voice of the Muslim world.</strong> It <strong>endeavors to safeguard and protect the interests of the Muslim world</strong> in the spirit of promoting international peace and harmony among various people of the world.</li>
<li>It was <strong>established</strong> upon a decision of the<strong> historical summit</strong> which took place in<strong> Rabat, Kingdom of Morocco on the 25<sup>th</sup> of September 1969.</strong></li>
<li>Headquarters: <strong>Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.</strong></li>
</ul>
<h3>OIC and India</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>India is not a member of the OIC.</strong> However, India was invited as a guest of honour at the<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/india-attended-oic-summit" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> 46<sup>th</sup> Session of the Council of Foreign Minister</strong></a> in 2019. 2019 is the 50<sup>th</sup> anniversary of OIC.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>This marked a high point in New Delhi&rsquo;s often tensed relations with the OIC.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>However, in recent months, the OIC has <strong>repeatedly criticised the Indian government&rsquo;s handling of the situation in Kashmir and attacks on Muslims.</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The external affairs ministry has rejected this criticism.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF)</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>USCIRF is an <strong>independent, bipartisan U.S. federal government commission,</strong> dedicated to <strong>defending the universal right to freedom of religion or belief abroad.</strong></li>
<li>USCIRF reviews <strong>the facts and circumstances of religious freedom violations</strong> and makes policy recommendations to the President, the Secretary of State, and Congress.</li>
<li>It is <strong>Headquartered at Washington DC.</strong></li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/islamophobia-is-rising-in-india-says-organisation-of-islamic-cooperation/article31383624.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: TH</strong></a></p>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/islamophobia-in-india-oic'
	],
	(int) 6 => [
		'title' => 'Bangalore Blue Grapes',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>The <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/21-days-lockdown" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Covid-19 lockdown</strong></a> has impacted the sale of<strong> banglore blue variety of grapes.</strong></p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Bangalore Blue, characterized by its <strong>foxy flavour (effect of a flavor substance called methyl anthranilate)</strong>, is exclusively grown in Bangalore Urban, Chikkaballapur and Kolar districts.</li>
<li>It is grown in red sandy loam soil at a day temperature of about 35-37 degrees Celsius and night temperature of 12-15 degree Celsius which is unique to Bangalore and its surrounding areas. The grapes develop their <strong>typical dark purple color</strong> at this temperature.</li>
<li>These grapes are mostly <strong>used for making juice and wine/spirit.</strong></li>
<li>In <strong>2013,</strong> the variety was given the <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/intellectual-property-rights" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Geographical Indication (GI) status.</strong></a></li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Geographical Indication Status</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>GI is an indication<strong> used to identify goods having special characteristics originating from a definite geographical territory.</strong></li>
<li>The <strong>Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999</strong> seeks to provide for the registration and better protection of geographical indications relating to goods in India. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The Act is <strong>administered by the Controller General of Patents, Designs and TradeMarks-</strong> who is the Registrar of Geographical Indications.</li>
<li>The <strong>Geographical Indications Registry</strong> is located at <strong>Chennai.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The registration of a geographical indication is <strong>valid for a period of 10 years.</strong> It can be renewed from time to time for a further period of 10 years each.</li>
<li>It is also a part of the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/world-trade-organisation-wto" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>World Trade Organisation&rsquo;s</strong></a> <strong>Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS).</strong></li>
<li>Recent Examples: <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/tirur-vettila-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Tirur Vetilla</strong></a> (Kerala), <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/dindigul-lock-and-kandangi-saree" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Dindigul Lock and Kandangi Saree</strong> </a>(Tamil Nadu), <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/gi-tag-for-odisha-rasagola" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Odisha Rasagola</strong></a> etc.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/karnataka/bangalore-blue-grapes-turn-sour-for-their-growers/article31376513.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: TH</strong></a></p>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/bangalore-blue-grapes'
	],
	(int) 7 => [
		'title' => 'Emergency Basic Income',
		'catname' => 'News Editorials',
		'desc' => '<div class="border">
<p>This article is based on <a href="https://www.livemint.com/news/india/to-ride-out-great-lockdown-india-needs-an-emergency-basic-income-11586544661099.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>&ldquo;To ride out Great Lockdown, India needs an Emergency Basic Income&rdquo;</strong></a> which was published in The LiveMint on 11/04/2020. It talks about the prospect of implementing the Emergency Basic Income during the lockdown.</p>
</div>
<p>In order to deal with the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/covid-19-and-globalization" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Covid-19 pandemic</strong></a>, the governments across the world have imposed measures like lockdown and social distancing. However, these measures have caused <strong>collateral damage to almost every sector of the economy</strong>, so much so that the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/international-monetary-fund-imf" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>IMF</strong></a> held the current economic crisis could be the worst ever since the Great depression 1929.</p>
<p>Thus, there is a need for the <strong>preservation of the socio-economic system</strong> while the Great Lockdown lasts and recovery following it.</p>
<p><strong>Nobel Prize winning economist- Paul Krugman</strong> argued that the economic response to the crisis should have two components: First, an <strong>Immediate disaster relief component</strong> that ensures survival of both firms and workers who have been rendered idle. And, Second, a <strong>Stimulus component</strong> that aims to repair and restart production lines during the exit phase of the lockdown.</p>
<p>In order to fulfil the first component and cater to the needs of the large section of population (mainly labour working in unorganised sector and daily wage earner) of India, the government can think of implementing <strong>Emergency Basic Income (EBI).</strong> EBI is a kind of <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/universal-basic-income-ubi" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Universal Basic Income</strong> </a>provided during a crisis like the Covid-19, but subject to a rollback when normalcy returns.</p>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Note:</strong></p>
<p>Paul Krugman termed this current economic scenario as <strong>&ldquo;coronacoma",</strong> the economic equivalent of a medically induced coma, in which some brain functions are deliberately shut down to give the patient time to heal.</p>
</div>
<h3>What is Universal Basic Income?</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The <strong>Economic Survey of India 2016-17</strong> has advocated the concept of Universal Basic Income (UBI) as an alternative to the various social welfare schemes in an effort to reduce poverty.</li>
<li>Idea behind the Universal Basic Income is that every person should have a<strong> right to a basic income to cover his needs, just by virtue of being a citizen.</strong></li>
<li>UBI has three components:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Universality-</strong> It is universal in nature.</li>
<li><strong>Unconditionality-</strong> There are no preconditions attached with the cash transferred to the beneficiary.</li>
<li><strong>Agency &ndash;</strong> Respecting the poor persons&rsquo; decision making ability and not having a paternalistic attitude towards them.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Arguments in Favour of EBI</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Due to lockdown, <strong>millions</strong> may <strong>lose their incomes</strong> and face difficulty in receiving things of daily necessities for survival. These economic crunches may also <strong>result in social unrest.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The EBI provided through the direct cash transfer mechanism will <strong>not only arrest potential social unrest but also ensure that there is continued aggregate demand to sustain the economy.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Further, some states have announced enhancement of rations under the <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/food-security-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Food Security Act.</strong></a><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>While providing additional foodgrains is useful, with broken supply chains and crumbling logistics, it may have its own challenges.</li>
<li>Also, the circumstances, risk and shocks in which people are trapped in lockdown are varied. The EBI allows that individual to decide how such risks should be mitigated and how priorities are to be set.</li>
<li>Thus, EBI will complement the steps (providing essential goods through PDS) taken by the government.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The lockdown has dragged many people into the<strong> poverty trap.</strong> Thus, EBI may simply be the fastest way of reducing poverty induced by the lockdown.</li>
<li>Existing welfare schemes are riddled with misallocation, leakages and exclusion of the poor. However, <strong>the trinity of Jan-Dhan, Aadhaar and Mobile (JAM)</strong> can enable proper implementation of EBI and can reduce inclusion and exclusion issues to a larger extent.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Issues In implementing EBI</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Although most people have a unique ID by now (Aadhaar),the most vulnerable section of society doesn&rsquo;t have Aadhar and <strong>a functional bank account or access to mobile or internet (for e-transfers).</strong></li>
<li>The Union Government has sought to provide Rs 500 per month to women in a household (during the lockdown). However, the amount is quite low to call it a significant income support.</li>
<li>Already Indian government has been facing a financial crunch with respect to social sector schemes.Thus, providing an EBI may add to the fiscal burden of the government.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The EBI programme with a fixed and transparent clause can inspire the confidence of both ordinary citizens and help resolve the trade-off between lives and livelihoods.</li>
<li>EBI must also include an <strong>in-kind transfer component.</strong> The ratio of cash to in-kind transfers is something that is best left for states to decide.</li>
<li>The Union Government can channelize the savings from the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/oil-prices-crash" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>global crude oil price fall</strong> </a>to fund EBI, without compromising macroeconomic fundamentals.</li>
<li>There is need for a functional JAM (Jan Dhan, Aadhar and Mobile) system, as it will ensures that the cash transfer directly into the account of a beneficiary</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1587211272_image2.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1587211272_image2.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" caption="false" width="623" height="468" /></a></p>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1587211250_image1.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1587211250_image1.jpg" width="500" caption="false" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></a></p>
<table border="1" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="width: 100%; border-style: dotted; border-color: #fc0000; background-color: #e3ffd4;">
<p><span style="color: #000080;"><em><strong>Drishti Mains Question</strong></em></span></p>
<p>Analyse the prospect of a Universal Basic Income in order to balance between life and livelihood amid lockdown due to Covid-19 pandemic.</p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Note:</strong></p>
<p>You can also watch daily editorial analysis on our youtube channel. The editorial <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GxrPp53sYDA" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>&ldquo;Across the Gulf&rdquo;</strong></a> talks about the steps that India should take to evacuate its migrant workers stranded in West Asia.</p>
</div>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/emergency-basic-income'
	],
	(int) 8 => [
		'title' => 'Abortions',
		'catname' => 'Paper 2',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News?</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>In January 2020, the<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/draft-bill-to-raise-upper-limit-for-abortion" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> Union Cabinet has approved amendments to the Medical Termination of Pregnancy (MTP) Act, 1971</strong></a> allowing women to seek abortions as part of the reproductive right and gender justice.</li>
<li>The amendment has raised the upper limit of MTP from <strong>20 weeks to 24 weeks</strong> for women including rape survivors, victims of incest, differently-abled women and minors.</li>
<li>Abortion is defined as the termination of pregnancy by various methods, including medical surgery before the fetus is able to sustain independent life.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Medical Termination of Pregnancy (Amendment) Bill, 2020</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Bill proposes the requirement of the opinion of one registered medical practitioner (instead of two or more) for termination of pregnancy up to 20 weeks of gestation (foetal development period from the time of conception until birth).</li>
<li>It introduces the requirement of the opinion of two registered medical practitioners for termination of pregnancy of 20-24 weeks of gestation.</li>
<li>It has also enhanced the gestation limit for &lsquo;special categories&rsquo; of women which includes survivors of rape, victims of incest and other vulnerable women like differently-abled women and minors.</li>
<li>It also states that the &ldquo;name and other particulars of a woman whose pregnancy has been terminated shall not be revealed&rdquo;, except to a person authorised in any law that is currently in force.</li>
<li><strong>Benefits:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It expands the access of women to safe and legal abortion services on therapeutic, eugenic, humanitarian or social grounds.</li>
<li>It is a step towards the safety and well-being of the women and many women will be benefited from this.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1587207594_image1.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1587207594_image1.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="550" caption="false" /></a></p>
<h3>MTP Act, 1971</h3>
<p>The idea of terminating a pregnancy cannot originate by choice and is purely circumstantial. Under the law (section 3 of the MTP Act 1971), the doctor can perform an abortion in the following situations:</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>If the <strong>pregnancy would be harmful to the life of the patient</strong> or affects her physical or mental health. The doctor will need to consider the circumstances of the patient to figure out if the pregnancy will harm her mental health, on a case to case basis.</li>
<li>If there is a good chance that the <strong>child would suffer from physical or mental abnormalities</strong> which would leave him or her seriously handicapped.</li>
<li>If pregnancy occurred as a result of a <strong>failure of contraception</strong> (but this is only applicable to married women).</li>
<li>If pregnancy is a result of<strong> sexual assault or rape.</strong></li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Conditions for Termination of Pregnancy</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>If the pregnancy has not exceeded 12 weeks, only one doctor needs to be satisfied that the conditions have been fulfilled.</li>
<li>If the pregnancy has exceeded 12 weeks and is below 20 weeks (now amended to 24 weeks), two doctors need to be satisfied that the conditions have been fulfilled.</li>
<li>The gestation period does not matter if a doctor feels that an immediate abortion must be conducted to save the life of the patient.</li>
<li>The doctor who determines if it is necessary to perform an abortion and performs it needs to be a &lsquo;registered medical practitioner&rsquo; under the law.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Illegal Abortions</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Abortion of under 4 to 5 months pregnancy-</strong> The punishment for getting an illegal abortion is jail time of up to 3 years and/or fine. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Both patients and doctors are considered to have committed a crime unless it fulfills the above condition.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Abortion of over 5-month pregnancy-</strong> If abortion takes place when movements of the foetus can be sensed, the punishment is jail time of up to 7 years and fine unless it was done in good faith to save the life of the patient.</li>
<li><strong>Abortion without consent -</strong> If anyone else forces the pregnant woman to have an abortion or performs one without her agreeing to it, the punishment is jail time of up to 10 years and fine.</li>
<li><strong>Abortion resulting in death -</strong> If the patient dies because of a botched abortion or an abortion carried out by an unskilled person, the doctor who conducted the operation can be punished with jail time of up to 10 years and fine. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>If the abortion was conducted without the patient&rsquo;s permission, the punishment is a jail for life.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Intentionally causing the death of a foetus can also be prosecuted under other provisions of the Indian Penal Code, 1860 under which the punishment can extend up to 10 years.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Consent of a Person</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The doctors have a duty to get the consent of a pregnant woman in order to perform the abortion.</li>
<li>If a woman is below 18 (a minor) or suffering from a mental illness, the doctors have a duty to get the guardian&rsquo;s permission as well.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>If a doctor performs an abortion without consent, he or she can be punished with a jail term extending up to 10 years and fine.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Steps Taken by the Government for Safe Abortions</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Government provides safe and comprehensive&nbsp; abortion care (CAC) services to women in health facilities under <strong>RMNCH+A (Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child and Adolescent Health) program of National Health Mission.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Guidelines on Comprehensive Abortion care services</strong> and Medical Methods of Abortions (MMA) have been provided to all the States.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1587207630_image2.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1587207630_image2.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="550" caption="false" /></a></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Provision of funds to States/ UTs</strong> for the operationalization of safe abortion services at health facilities.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Provision of Funds to States to plan and implement comprehensive &ldquo;Information Education &amp; Communication/ Behaviour Change Communication (IEC/BCC)&rdquo; activities for maternal health including safe abortion care.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Capacity Building of Medical officers</strong> in Safe Abortion Techniques and of ANMs, ASHAs and other functionaries to provide confidential counseling for safe abortion and promote post-abortion care.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Training of ASHAs to equip them with skills to create awareness on Comprehensive abortion care issues in women in the community and facilitate women in accessing services.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Certification to private and NGO sector facilities</strong> to provide quality Comprehensive Abortion Care services.</li>
<li>Supply of <strong>Nischay Pregnancy detection kits</strong> to sub-centers for early detection of pregnancy.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Issues with the Current Abortion Laws</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>According to a 2015 study in the Indian Journal of Medical Ethics, <strong>10-13% of maternal deaths in India are due to unsafe abortions</strong> (the third leading cause of maternal death in our country).</li>
<li>Lack of access to safe abortion clinics, particularly public hospitals, and stigma and attitudes toward women, especially young, unmarried women seeking abortion, contribute to this.</li>
<li>Abortion is not allowed post 20 weeks of pregnancy, which<strong> restricts the better detection and hence, abortion of foetuses with abnormalities</strong> like Down Syndrome, Congenital malformations or others.</li>
<li>The law does not accommodate non-medical concerns over the economic costs of raising a child, effects on career decisions, or any other personal considerations.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Access to legal and safe abortion is an integral dimension of sexual and reproductive equality, a public health issue, and must be seen as a crucial element in the contemporary debates on democracy that seeks to provide the just society that abhors all sort of discrimination.</li>
<li>The silence around unsafe abortion leads to deaths of women and hides important problems that lie at the intersection of these concerns, such as the formidable barriers for adolescent girls to access reproductive health services, including abortion services. The right to safe abortion is an important facet of women&rsquo;s right to bodily integrity, right to life and equality and needs to be protected.</li>
</ul>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/to-the-points/Paper2/abortions'
	],
	(int) 9 => [
		'title' => 'WMA Borrowings of States',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, states like Kerala, Punjab and Bihar have said that the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-national-institutions/important-institutions-national-institution-reserve-bank-of-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Reserve Bank of India&rsquo;s (RBI)</strong></a> decision to allow 60% higher borrowing under Ways and Means Advances (WMA) compared March 30, 2020 limit, is inadequate given the mounting expenses of states to counter the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/coronaviruses" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Covid-19 pandemic</strong></a>.</p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The states welcomed the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/rbi-s-measures-to-fight-economic-disruptions" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>RBI move to allow 60% higher borrowing under Ways and Means Advances (WMA)</strong></a>, but said it is a temporary relief and will have only a marginal impact upon the fiscal crisis the states are facing.</li>
<li>They are saying that they <strong>can not go long for ways and means and have to slash their expenditure</strong> to a large extent because they do not have many avenues left for revenue augmentation.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>They said banks are not willing to lend for the long term large amounts of money because of their <strong>liquidity preference.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>They demanded from the Central government to<strong> raise the fiscal borrowing</strong> limits of states currently capped at 3% of the GSDP (Gross State Domestic Product) under the <strong>Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management (FRBM) Act.</strong></li>
<li>The Centre can invoke <strong>Section 5(3)</strong> of Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management Act, 2003 which allows the RBI to<strong> &ldquo;subscribe to the primary issues of Central Government securities&rdquo;</strong> under very specific grounds.</li>
<li>Those cover, among other things,<strong> &ldquo;act of war&rdquo; and &ldquo;national calamity&rdquo;.</strong></li>
<li>The RBI can also undertake increased <strong>secondary market purchases</strong> and <strong>sales of Central as well as state government securities.</strong></li>
</ul>
<h3>Ways and Means Advances (WMA)</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The WMA are<strong> short-term loan facilities</strong> which allow the <strong>Centre and states</strong> to borrow funds from the<strong> RBI</strong> to bridge their <strong>temporary mismatch</strong> between expenditure and receipts.</li>
<li>The interest rate on WMA is the <strong>RBI&rsquo;s repo rate.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Repo rate is basically the rate at which RBI lends short-term money to banks.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The WMA loans have a <strong>three-month tenure.</strong></li>
<li>States are allowed an <strong>overdraft facility</strong> (to borrow in excess of WMA limit) <strong>of 21 days.</strong></li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management (FRBM) Act, 2003</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The FRBM Act was enacted by the Parliament in 2003 to institutionalize fiscal discipline, reduce fiscal deficit, and improve macroeconomic management.</li>
<li>The government was supposed to wipe out revenue deficit and cut fiscal deficit to 3% of GDP by 2008-09, thus bringing much needed fiscal discipline.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Fiscal deficit</strong> is the total expenditure excluding revenue receipts, loan recoveries and receipts from disinvestment etc. It is a measure of the government borrowing in a year.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The Act applies only to the central government and the <strong>States have to enact suitable legislation to adopt the rules under the FRBM Act.</strong></li>
<li>The implementation of the Act was<strong> put on hold in 2007-08</strong> due to the global financial crisis and the need for fiscal stimulus.</li>
<li>In 2012, the FRBM Act was amended and it was decided that the FRBM Act would target an effective revenue deficit in place of revenue deficit.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Effective revenue deficit</strong> excludes capital expenditure from revenue deficit and thus provides space to the government to spend on formation of capital assets.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>In 2017, the <strong>FRBM Review Committee</strong> headed by former Revenue Secretary, <strong>NK Singh</strong> submitted its report to the Central Government. Few important recommendations being-<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>A debt to GDP ratio of 60% should be targeted with a 40% limit for the centre and 20% limit for the states;</li>
<li>Creation of an autonomous Fiscal Council;</li>
<li>An &ldquo;escape clause&rdquo;, i.e. the government can deviate from the targets in case of a national calamity, national security, etc. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The government <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/stimulus-package-to-reverse-economic-slowdown-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>used an escape route</strong></a> in its Budget for FY20, by taking a deviation of 0.5 percentage points from the fiscal deficit targets set out earlier.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>During the presentation of the Budget 2020-21, the government fixed the fiscal deficit target for the year 2020-21 at 3.5% of the GDP.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/business/economy/reserve-bank-of-india-ways-and-means-advances-finance-ministers-6367534/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: IE</strong></a></p>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/wma-borrowings-of-states'
	],
	(int) 10 => [
		'title' => 'Liquidity Boost to NBFCs',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>The <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-national-institutions/important-institutions-national-institution-reserve-bank-of-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Reserve Bank of India (RBI)</strong></a> has announced a host of measures to provide liquidity support to <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/A%20nuanced%20understanding%20of%20the%20NBFC%20sector" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Non Banking Financial Companies (NBFCs)</strong></a>, apart from giving them certain benefits for loans extended to the commercial real estate sector.</p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>TLTRO 2.0</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The RBI would conduct <strong>Targeted Long-term Repo Operations (TLTRO 2.0) for an aggregate amount of Rs 50,000 crore,</strong> in installments of appropriate sizes.</li>
<li>The banks have to invest the funds availed under TLTRO 2.0, <strong>in investment grade bonds, commercial paper, and non-convertible debentures of NBFCs.</strong></li>
<li>RBI stipulated that <strong>small and mid-sized NBFCs and <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/guidelines-for-licencing-of-small-finance-banks" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Micro Finance Institutions (MFIs)</a></strong> should <strong>receive at least 50% of these funds.</strong></li>
<li>The investments made by banks under this facility would be classified as <strong>&lsquo;Held-to-Maturity&rsquo; (HTM),</strong> even in excess of 25% of the total investment permitted to be included in the HTM portfolio.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Held to Maturity securities are securities that <strong>companies purchase and intend to hold until they mature.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>This will help in <strong>easing the liquidity problem faced by NBFCs and MFIs</strong> to some extent.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>NBFCs are facing liquidity pressure since banks have <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/nbfcs-face-moratorium-issue-with-banks" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>not extended any repayment moratorium</strong></a> to these entities even if NBFCs have to provide the same for their borrowers.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Refinance facility:</strong> The RBI has also decided to provide <strong>a special refinance facility of ₹50,000 crore to <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-national-institutions/national-bank-for-agriculture-and-rural-development-nabard" target="_blank" rel="noopener">National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD)</a>, <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/development-finance-institution-to-fund-infrastructure" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI)</a> and National Housing Bank (NHB)</strong> to enable them to meet sectoral credit needs. This would comprise:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>₹25,000 crore to NABARD for refinancing <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/recapitalisation-of-rrbs" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Regional Rural Banks (RRBs)</strong></a>, cooperative banks and Microfinance Institutions (MFIs).</li>
<li>₹15,000 crore to SIDBI for on-lending/refinancing.</li>
<li>₹10,000 crore to NHB for supporting Housing Finance Companies (HFCs).</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Extension of loans to the Real Estate Sector:</strong> The RBI has allowed <strong>extension of the loans</strong> by NBFCs to <strong>delayed commercial real estate projects by a year without restructuring.</strong></li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Targeted Long-term Repo Operations</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/long-term-reverse-repo-operation" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>LTRO</strong></a> is a tool that lets banks <strong>borrow one to three-year funds</strong> from the RBI at the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/repo-rate-unchanged" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>repo rate</strong></a>, by providing <strong>government securities with similar or higher tenure as collateral.</strong></li>
<li>It is called <strong>'Targeted' LTRO</strong> as in this case, the RBI wants banks opting for funds under this option to be <strong>specifically invested in investment-grade bonds.</strong></li>
<li>The TLTRO was introduced by the RBI to help companies, including financial institutions, manage their cash flow issues in the wake of the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/covid-19-now-pandemic-who" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Covid-19 outbreak</strong></a>.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Note</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Investment-grade bond:</strong> It is a bond classification used to denote bonds that carry a <strong>relatively low credit risk compared to other bonds.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Commercial Paper (CP)</strong> is a short-term debt instrument issued by companies to raise funds generally for a time period up to one year.</li>
<li><strong>Non-convertible debentures:</strong> The debentures which cannot be converted into shares.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>National Housing Bank</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>NHB is a statutory organization that was established on July 9, 1988 under the <strong>National Housing Bank Act, 1987.</strong></li>
<li>It is the apex level financial institution for the housing sector in the country.</li>
<li>It is a <strong>government-owned entity.</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The governmnet took over the NHB from the RBI after buying entire stake of Rs. 1,450 crore in 2019.</li>
<li>The move follows the recommendation of <strong>Narasimham-II committee</strong> report of October 2001.</li>
<li>Earlier, RBI sold its stake in NABARD as well.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>NHB aims to facilitate the <strong>promotion of Housing Finance Institutions</strong> and provides financial and other support to such institutions.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Non-Banking Financial Company</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>NBFC is a company registered under the <strong>Companies Act, 1956.</strong></li>
<li>It is engaged in the <strong>business of loans and advances, acquisition of shares/stocks/bonds/debentures/securities</strong> issued by Government or local authority or <strong>other marketable securities</strong> of a like nature, leasing, hire-purchase, insurance business, chit business.</li>
<li>But, it <strong>does not include</strong> any institution whose principal business is that of <strong>agriculture activity, industrial activity, purchase or sale of any goods (other than securities) or providing any services and sale/purchase/construction of immovable property.</strong></li>
<li>A non-banking institution which is a company and has principal business of receiving deposits under any scheme or arrangement in <strong>one lump sum or in installments by way of contributions or in any other manner,</strong> is also a non-banking financial company (Residuary non-banking company).</li>
<li><strong>Features of NBFCs</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>NBFC cannot accept demand deposits.</li>
<li>NBFCs do not form part of the payment and settlement system and cannot issue cheques drawn on itself.</li>
<li>Deposit insurance facility of Deposit Insurance and Credit Guarantee Corporation is not available to depositors of NBFCs.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/business/nbfcs-get-50000-cr-liquidity-booster/article31370352.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: TH</strong></a></p>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/liquidity-boost-to-nbfcs'
	],
	(int) 11 => [
		'title' => 'India’s Water Woes',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the <strong>Ministry of Health and Family Welfare</strong> (MoHFW) has issued an <strong>advisory</strong> to state governments asking them to ensure safe drinking water supply and management during the nationwide <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/21-days-lockdown" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>lockdown</strong></a> that has been <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/lockdown-extended" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>extended to 3<sup>rd</sup> May, 2020.</strong></a></p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Advisory:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>State governments need to <strong>assess the requirements of water purifying chemicals,</strong> including chlorine tablets, bleaching powder, <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/migrant-workers-given-mass-disinfectant-bath" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>sodium hypochlorite</strong></a> solution and alum and use them wherever necessary.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>These purifying products are <strong>classified under the list of</strong> <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/masks-and-hand-sanitizers-under-ec-act-1955" target="_blank" rel="noopener">essential commodities</a> (Essential Commodities Act, 1955)</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>For <strong>ensuring social distancing,</strong> states are recommended to<strong> increase water supply hours</strong> if demand goes up and people come to fetch water from the public stand post.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Reasons Behind the Advisory</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The <strong>urgent need to ensure the availability of safe potable water to all citizens,</strong> mainly in the <strong>rural areas</strong> where medical sanitisers may not be available, has been highlighted in the wake of the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/coronavirus-disease-named-covid-19" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Covid-19</strong></a> <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/covid-19-now-pandemic-who" target="_blank" rel="noopener">pandemic.</a></li>
<li>In the list of preventive measures for controlling the spread of coronavirus, <strong>frequent washing of hands with frothing soaps is the most <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/science-of-covid-19-spread" target="_blank" rel="noopener">efficient and effective measure.</a></strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Water Crisis of India</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>India has been facing the <strong>challenge of lack of access to clean water</strong> for several years.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Falling groundwater levels, drought, increasing demand from agriculture and industry, pollution</strong> and <strong>poor water resource management</strong> are few other challenges which will intensify with the<strong> changing climate.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>According to the data of the <strong>Ministry of Water Resources </strong>in 2017, (merged into the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/jal-shakti-mantralaya" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Ministry of Jal Shakti</strong> </a>in 2019) <strong>average annual per capita water availability</strong> fell from 1820 cubic meters assessed in 2001 to to 1545 cubic meters in 2011.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The data also highlighted the possibility of it<strong> reducing further to 1341 and 1140 in the years 2025 and 2050 respectively.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The ministry also held that the<strong> water availability</strong> of water stressed/water scarce regions of the country is <strong>much below the national average</strong> due to the <strong>high temporal and spatial variation of precipitation.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Water Stressed Condition:</strong> Where annual per-capita water availability is <strong>less than 1700 cubic meters.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Water Scarcity Condition:</strong> Where annual per- capita water availability is <strong>below 1000 cubic meters.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>According to the <strong>Global Annual Report, 2018 by the WaterAid,</strong> the <strong>water and sanitation advocacy group,</strong> India ranked at the top of 10 countries with<strong> lowest access to clean water close to home,</strong> with 16.3 crore people not having such access.</li>
<li>However, the <strong>government's efforts (such as <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/jal-jeevan-mission-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Jal Jeevan Mission</a>) in solving the water crisis have been appreciated</strong> as well. It has been highlighted that despite facing several challenges, <strong>India is one of the world&rsquo;s most-improved nations for reaching the most people with clean water.</strong></li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Water in the Constitution</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>In the Constitution, water is a matter included in <strong>Entry 17 of List-II i.e. State List.</strong> This entry is subject to the provision of <strong>Entry 56 of List-I i.e. Union List.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Under <strong>Article 246,</strong> the Indian <strong>Constitution allocates responsibilities of the States and the Centre into three lists&ndash; Union List, State List and Concurrent List.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Most of the rivers in the country give rise to<strong><a href="/to-the-points/Paper2/inter-state-river-water-sharing-disputes" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> inter-state differences and disputes</a> (Article 262) on the regulation and development of waters of these rivers.</strong></li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-how-india-will-tackle-its-water-woes-amid-wash-your-hands-directive-6364877/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: IE</strong></a></p>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/india-s-water-woes'
	],
	(int) 12 => [
		'title' => 'Export Curbs on Paracetamol Formulations Removed',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>The Centre has <strong>permitted the export of formulations (medicinal products) made from Paracetamol.</strong> However, the <strong>restriction on export of Paracetamol Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs)</strong> will continue.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The <strong>API</strong> is the part of any drug that <strong>produces the intended effects.</strong></li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Paracetamol and its formulations were among the 13 APIs and their formulations that figured in the March 3,2020 notification by the <strong>Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT).</strong></li>
<li>The formulations made from Paracetamol, including FDC (Fixed Dose Combinations), under any<strong> ITCHS code</strong> have been made free for export with immediate effect. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>FDC:</strong> Two or more drugs contained in a single dosage form, such as a capsule or tablet. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>An <strong>example</strong> of a FDC HIV drug is Atripla (a combination of efavirenz, emtricitabine, and tenofovir disoproxil fumarate). By reducing the number of pills a person must take each day, fixed-dose combination drugs can help improve adherence to an HIV treatment regimen.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>ITCHS codes</strong> are better known as Indian Trade Clarification (ITC) and are based on the Harmonized System (HS) of Coding.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>These were adopted in India for import-export operations.</li>
<li>Indian custom uses an eight digit ITC (HS) code to suit the national trade requirements.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The decision allowing export of formulations made from Paracetamol has come after permitting shipment of <strong>antimalarial drug <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/icmr-recommends-use-of-hydroxy-chloroquine" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ)</a></strong> to the United States (US) and several other countries.</li>
<li>The <strong>Pharmaceutical Export Promotion Council (Pharmexcil)</strong> of India wanted the Centre to resume export of Paracetamol APIs too.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The Pharmaexcil was established in 2004 by the <strong>Ministry of Commerce and Industry,</strong> Government of India, to promote pharma exports.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Paracetamol</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Paracetamol is a <strong>common fever medication globally.</strong></li>
<li>Paracetamol is the most sought after and widely used drug ever since the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/covid-19-and-india-s-preparedness" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Covid-19 outbreak</strong></a>.</li>
<li>According to sources, <strong>India is among the leading manufacturers of Paracetamol globally.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The production capacity is estimated to be <strong>5,000 tonnes a month.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>From an export perspective, it is a low value, high volume product.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Directorate General of Foreign Trade</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>DGFT is the main governing body in matters related to<strong> Exim (Export-Import) Policy.</strong></li>
<li>It is an attached office of the <strong>Ministry of Commerce and Industry</strong></li>
<li>The main objective of it under the <strong>Foreign Trade (Development and Regulation) Act, 1992</strong> is to <strong>provide the development and regulation of foreign trade by facilitating imports into, and</strong> augmenting exports from India. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Foreign Trade Act has replaced the earlier law known as the <strong>Imports and Exports (Control) Act 1947.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/business/Industry/india-removes-export-curbs-on-formulations-from-paracetamol/article31364068.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: TH</strong></a></p>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/export-curbs-on-paracetamol-formulations-removed'
	],
	(int) 13 => [
		'title' => 'Challenges to UN System',
		'catname' => 'News Editorials',
		'desc' => '<div class="border">
<p>This article is based on <a href="https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/opinion/columns/the-un-cannot-lead-us-out-of-this-crisis/article31358188.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>&ldquo;The UN cannot lead us out of this crisis&rdquo;</strong></a> which was published in The Hindubusinessline on 17/04/2020. It talks about current challenges pertaining to the UN System.</p>
</div>
<p>Recently, the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/international-monetary-fund-imf" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>International Monetary Fund (IMF)</strong></a> held that the economic slump due to the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/covid-19-now-pandemic-who" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Covid-19 pandemic</strong></a>, could be the <strong>worst economic fallout since the Great Depression 1929.</strong> It also held that the global growth will turn sharply negative in 2020, with almost all members of the IMF experiencing a decline in per capita income.</p>
<p>Countries are adopting <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/perils-of-neo-liberal-era" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>neoliberal</strong></a> measures like already a combined <strong>$8 trillion of stimulus package</strong> has been announced, advocacy of <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/universal-basic-income-ubi" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Universal Basic Income</strong></a>, etc. However, the <strong>current crisis requires a holistic-coordinated approach</strong> by the global players, rather than just trying to save their respective economies.</p>
<p>On the contrary, <strong>multilateralism is on a decline and <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/covid-19-and-globalization" target="_blank" rel="noopener">protectionism is on rise</a>.</strong> This can be reflected in issues relating to the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/united-nations-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>United Nations</strong> </a>(UN) and its allied institutions.</p>
<p>Hence, if the global community has to come out stronger in the face of current crisis, there is a need to establish a <strong>multilateral global order</strong> based on inclusivity and sustainability.</p>
<h3>Challenges pertaining to UN</h3>
<p>Since its inception 75 years ago, the UN has remained the world&rsquo;s most important multilateral forum.</p>
<p>Today, the world faces global threats,<strong> both coventional (violent conflict, nuclear proliferation, and infectious disease) and non-conevtional (climate change, terrorism, and cyberwar, among others).</strong></p>
<p>However, the UN system is enmeshed in serious budgetary difficulties and subject to endless reforms. These lacunae can be reflected in the following:</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>United Nations General Assembly: Prominent Stage, Limited Powers</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Every year, the opening session of the <strong>United Nations General Assembly (UNGA)</strong> becomes the stage where presidents and prime ministers give speeches.</li>
<li>The event offers plenty of star power, but critics contend that it is little more than a glorified gabfest.</li>
<li>Also, UNGA has no control over veto power exercised by UNSC and it cannot take any decisive action against permanent members of UNSC.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>United Nations Security Council: Powerful but Often Paralyzed</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The 15-member Security Council is by far the most powerful arm of the United Nations. It can<strong> impose sanctions,</strong> as it did against Iran over its nuclear program, and authorize military intervention, as it did against Libya in 2011.</li>
<li>However, the <strong>veto power</strong> is used by<strong> permanent five countries</strong> to serve the strategic interest of themselves and their allies.</li>
<li>Since 1990, the United States has cast a veto on Council resolutions 16 times, concerning Israeli-Palestinian relations. Russia has done so 17 times, including eight times over Syria.</li>
<li>Also, the current composition of UNSC does not represent contemporary realities, as permanent members of UNSC, as it has not been reformed since its inception.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>United Nations Secretary General: Global Reach, Vague Role</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The UN charter is <strong>vague in defining the duties of the secretary general,</strong> the United Nations&rsquo; top official.</li>
<li>He or she is expected to show no favoritism to any particular country, but as the office is largely dependent on the funding and the good will of the most powerful nations, it hampers the working of the said office.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>World Health Organisation: Arm Twisting By Rich Countries</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>WHO was mandated to control the spread of contagious diseases, backstop public health programmes, formulate standards on nutrition and hygiene and establish a centre for comparative health data.</li>
<li>However, recently, the World Health Organization (WHO) has been criticised by the US on account of mishandling of the Covid-19 pandemic and subsequently suspended its financial contribution to WHO.</li>
<li>Also, WHO has been under pressure from the US government to adopt an approach that favours interests of US pharma companies, rather than a global advocate of public health policy.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>World Trade Organisation: Stalled Negotiations</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The World Trade Organization is mandated to <strong>expand the free trade agenda and a standard bearer for open and efficient global markets.</strong></li>
<li>However, the advanced countries are determined to promote the kind of corporate-friendly rules that align with their own economic interests and are indifferent to the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/world-trade-organisation-wto" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Doha Development Agenda.</strong></a></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Conclusion</h3>
<p>The greatest challenge that the world faces today is in prediction of the imminent disasters that can be catastrophic. The Covid-19 pandemic is one such; others may include severe climate shocks.</p>
<p>With growing environmental and health stress, such disastrous events are likely to occur more often. This can only be tackled through collective actions. Thus, there is a need for a new world order based on the ethos of multilateralism and shared responsibility. In this context, <strong>democratising the UN system</strong> can be a step in this direction.</p>
<table border="1" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="width: 100%; border-style: dotted; border-color: #ff0000; background-color: #e0e8ff;">
<p><span style="color: #000080;"><em><strong>Drishti Mains Question</strong></em></span></p>
<p>Discuss the challenges faced by multilateral world order, especially in the context of the United Nation system.</p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/challenges-to-un-system'
	],
	(int) 14 => [
		'title' => 'Portable Sensor for Heavy Metal Detection in Water',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the <strong>Centre for Nano and Soft Matter Sciences (CeNS)</strong> has developed a <strong>compact solid-state sensor </strong>to <strong>detect the heavy metal ions in water.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It is a <strong>portable</strong> device which can help onsite detection in remote areas.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The compact solid-state sensor can detect the heavy metal ions like <strong>lead ions (Pb2+) down to 0.4 parts per billion (ppb).</strong></li>
<li><strong>Mechanism:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>A sensor film was prepared by <strong>forming a composite </strong>between<strong> manganese doped zinc sulfide quantum dots </strong>and<strong> reduced graphene oxide on a glass substrate.</strong></li>
<li>These particular quantum dots are <strong>water-soluble</strong> and have<strong> high photoluminescence (~30%) quantum yield,</strong> making them suitable for <strong>luminescence-based sensing.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Luminescence is emission of light by certain materials when they are relatively cool. It may be seen in neon and fluorescent lamps.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>These quantum dots can be <strong>excited with handheld UV (ultra-violet) light of 254 nm, thus making them portable</strong> even to remote areas.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Excitation, in physics, refers to the addition of a discrete amount of energy (called excitation energy) to a system&mdash;such as an atom, or a molecule&mdash;that results in its alteration, ordinarily from the condition of lowest energy (ground state) to one of higher energy (excited state).</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>If a <strong>drop of water containing heavy metal ions</strong> such as <strong>mercury (Hg), lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd),</strong> etc. are <strong>added to the composite film,</strong> the <strong>emission of the film extinguishes within seconds.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The development of efficient and portable sensors for rapid onsite detection of heavy metal ions becomes important due to the<strong> health hazards associated with them.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Heavy metal ions pose severe potential threats to living beings (kidney damage, bone fractures, etc.).</li>
<li>They can be <strong>accumulated in the body easily and cannot be detoxified</strong> by any chemical or biological processes.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>This study demonstrates the easy detection of heavy metal ions in water. However, <strong>strategies are being developed to improve the selectivity of the detection.</strong></li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Centre for Nano and Soft Matter Sciences</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It is an <strong>autonomous research institute</strong> under the <strong>Department of Science and Technology (DST),</strong> Government of India.</li>
<li>DST provides <strong>core support</strong> to the Centre in the form of a <strong>grant-in-aid for conducting basic and applied research</strong> in nano and soft matter sciences.</li>
<li>CeNS is located at <strong>Jalahalli, Bengaluru.</strong></li>
<li>It is being mentored by <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/iconsat-2020" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Nano-Mission</strong></a> of the Government of India.</li>
<li>It is<strong> engaged in materials research</strong> at all relevant length scales.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The current activities are focussed on a variety of metal and semiconductor nanostructures, liquid crystals, gels, membranes and hybrid materials.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The Centre was <strong>established in 1991</strong> by an <strong>eminent liquid crystal scientist, Prof. S. Chandrasekhar, FRS.</strong> After years of expansion and name changes, in <strong>2014,</strong> it became the <strong>Centre for Nano and Soft Matter Sciences</strong> (CeNS).</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Nano Mission</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It was<strong> launched in 2007</strong> as an <strong>umbrella capacity-building programme</strong> by the Government of India.</li>
<li>It is being implemented by the <strong>Department of Science and Technology.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Objectives:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Basic research promotion.</li>
<li>Infrastructure development.</li>
<li>Nano applications and technology development.</li>
<li>Human Resource development.</li>
<li>International collaborations.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The Nano Mission has established national dialogues to promote R&amp;D in the development of standards for nanotechnology and for laying down a <strong>National Regulatory Framework Road-Map for Nanotechnology (NRFR-Nanotech).</strong></li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://pib.gov.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=202311" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: PIB</strong></a></p>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/portable-sensor-for-heavy-metal-detection-in-water'
	],
	(int) 15 => [
		'title' => 'National Conference on Kharif Crops 2020',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers&rsquo; Welfare addressed the <strong>National Conference on Kharif Crops 2020</strong> through a video conference.</p>
<h3>Key Highlights of the Conference</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Aims:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>To <strong>discuss various issues and list out steps</strong> in consultation with the States about preparedness for <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/cropping-patterns-and-major-crops-of-india-part-one" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Kharif</strong></a> cultivation in view of the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/21-days-lockdown" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>lockdown</strong></a> situation.</li>
<li>To take up <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/technology-and-doubling-farmers-income" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>doubling of farmers&rsquo; income</strong></a> <strong>in mission mode.</strong></li>
<li>To urge states to explain the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/pradhan-mantri-fasal-bima-yojana-pmfby" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana</strong></a> and <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/to-the-point-paper-3-soil-health-card-scheme" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Soil Health Card Scheme</strong></a> to each farmer.</li>
<li>To <strong>implement the Home Ministry exemptions and relaxations</strong> for the Agricultural sector while ensuring <strong>social distancing</strong> and <strong>social responsibility norms.</strong></li>
<li>To <strong>start using the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/ease-of-doing-agri-business-index" target="_blank" rel="noopener">e-NAM</a> (National Agriculture Market) extensively.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Target of foodgrains production for the Financial Year 2020-21 has been fixed at 298.0 million tonnes.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>During the FY 2019-20, against the foodgrain production target of 291.10 million tonnes, higher production of about 292 million tonnes is anticipated due to <strong>enhancement of area coverage </strong>and<strong> productivity of various crops.</strong></li>
<li>This was possible due to the <strong>various technological advancements</strong> including <strong>varietal improvement</strong> as well as <strong>dedicated and coordinated efforts</strong> of Central and State Governments in spite of the present situation of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/special-report-on-climate-change-ipcc" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>climate change</strong></a> along with <strong>change in rainfall patterns.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The <strong>cultivable/agriculture land has reduced by about 2.74 million hectare</strong> during the last two decades.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>However, during the same period the <strong>Gross Cropped Area (GCA) has increased from 182.28 million hectare to 196.50 million hectare,</strong> with net area sown remaining largely unchanged at 140 million hectare.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Gross Cropped Area:</strong> It represents the total area sown once as well as more than once in a particular year. When the crop is sown on a piece of land for twice, the area is counted twice in GCA.</li>
<li><strong>Net Area Sown:</strong> It represents the total area sown with crops. The area sown more than once in the same year is counted only once.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The <strong>production of foodgrains has increased from 169.92 million tonnes to 284.96 million tonnes</strong> in the corresponding period due to various technological and policy interventions.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>It was highlighted that the <strong>agriculture and <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/horticulture-sector-in-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener">horticulture</a> sector in the country have become a key driving element for economic development</strong> in many States.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>India is the second largest producer of vegetables, after China.</strong></li>
<li>Although India has become food surplus, it still needs to accelerate the production and productivity of agriculture and horticulture sectors for ensuring food and nutritional security in the rural areas.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The<strong> major new initiatives</strong> for increasing production of crops and income of the farmers were<strong> appreciated.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>&ldquo;Per Drop More Crop&rdquo;</strong> under flagship <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/pradhan-mantri-krishi-sinchayee-yojana" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana</strong> </a>(PMKSY).</li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/pesticide-management-in-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana</strong></a> (PKVY).</li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/pradhan-mantri-fasal-bima-yojanas-failure-in-north-east" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana</strong> </a>(PMFBY).</li>
<li>e-NAM initiative.</li>
<li><a href="/current-affairs-news-analysis-editorials/news-editorials/08-02-2019" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi</strong></a> (PM-KISAN) Yojana.</li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/pradhan-mantri-kisan-maan-dhan-yojana" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Pradhan Mantri Kisan Pension Yojana</strong></a> (PM-KPY).</li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/pradhan-mantri-annadata-aay-anrakshan-abhiyan" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Pradhan Mantri Annadata Aay Sanrakshan Abhiyan</strong></a> (PM-AASHA).</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>It was informed that <strong>All India Agri Transport Call Centre</strong> has been started to ensure that agriculture is not affected.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The call centre will <strong>facilitate inter-state movement of perishables</strong> in the current situation of lockdown due to the Covid-19 threat.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>For<strong> Rabi crops,</strong> all States will <strong>ensure procurement at Village/Block levels</strong> as farmers are not allowed to move out.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In addition, <strong>steps are taken for Direct Marketing/purchasing of crop produce</strong> from farmers.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Relaxation has been given for movement of trucks/ vehicles loaded with seeds and fertilizers</strong> to ensure timely availability of such inputs at Village/Block levels across the country.</li>
<li>The format of <strong>State Action Plan</strong> (SAP) for <strong>advance planning and implementation</strong> of the <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/food-security-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>National Food &amp; Nutritional Security Mission</strong></a> (NF&amp;NSM) has been simplified.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>NF&amp;NSM is mainly a <strong>mandate for production of foodgrains</strong> and is<strong> implemented on projectised mode through State Agriculture Departments</strong> across the country.</li>
<li><strong>Project Monitoring Teams</strong> at Central and State levels are guiding in formulation of SAPs and also monitoring through field visit and farmers&rsquo; interaction.</li>
<li><a href="/daily-news-analysis/government-plans-to-geo-tag-firms-to-check-frauds" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Geo-tagging</strong> </a><strong>of various interventions</strong> are also undertaken to <strong>ensure transparency</strong> in the programme implementation.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1587119050_image1.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1587119050_image1.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="650" caption="false" /></a></p>
<p><a href="https://pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetailm.aspx?PRID=1614994" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: PIB</strong></a></p>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/national-conference-on-kharif-crops-2020'
	],
	(int) 16 => [
		'title' => 'Zoom- Not a Safe Platform: MHA',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the<strong> Ministry of Home Affairs</strong> (MHA) has issued an advisory that<strong> Zoom video conference</strong> is not a safe platform.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/new-facility-to-tackle-cyber-crimes" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre</a> (I4C)</strong> of the MHA issued a set of guidelines for the safe usage of Zoom by private individuals.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Zoom has seen an <strong>exponential rise in usage in India</strong> as office-goers remain at home due to the<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/21-days-lockdown" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> lockdown</strong></a>, imposed to curb the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/coronavirus-disease-named-covid-19" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Covid-19</strong></a> <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/covid-19-now-pandemic-who" target="_blank" rel="noopener">pandemic</a>.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Over 90,000 schools across 20 countries have started using it regularly.</li>
<li>The<strong> maximum number of daily meeting participants</strong> of approximately 10 million at the end of December 2019 <strong>grew to more than 200 million daily</strong> meeting participants in March.</li>
<li>It has been used extensively by everyone <strong>including the central and state ministers</strong> for official purposes and conducting meetings.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Zoom is a <strong>US-based video communication and videoconferencing platform.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>This<strong> Silicon Valley-based company</strong> appears to own three companies in China through which at least 700 employees were paid to develop Zoom&rsquo;s software.</li>
<li>This <strong>arrangement is apparently an effort at labor arbitrage</strong> in which Zoom can avoid paying US wages while selling to US customers, thus<strong> increasing their profit margin.</strong></li>
<li>However, this arrangement may make Zoom <strong>responsive to pressure from Chinese authorities.</strong></li>
<li>Reportedly,<strong> few calls made through the app are routed through servers in China.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Earlier, the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/35-percent-of-cyber-attacks-on-indian-sites-from-china" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Computer Emergency Response Team, India</strong></a> <strong>(CERT-In)</strong> had also issued advisories cautioning on the use of Zoom for office meetings.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It <strong>warned that the insecure usage of the platform</strong> may allow <strong>cyber criminals to access sensitive information</strong> such as meeting details and conversations giving rise to <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/cyber-frauds-and-covid-19" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>cyber frauds.</strong></a></li>
<li>It also<strong> highlighted multiple vulnerabilities</strong> which could allow an attacker to gain elevated privileges or obtain sensitive information.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Citizen Lab,</strong> based at the <strong>University of Toronto,</strong> found <strong>significant weakness in Zoom&rsquo;s encryption</strong> that protects meetings. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It identified the<strong> transmission of meeting encryption keys through China.</strong></li>
<li>The lab has<strong> raised two primary concerns- <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/covid-19-quarantine-alert-system-cqas" target="_blank" rel="noopener">geo-fencing</a> and meeting encryption.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Zoom Founder and CEO Eric S Yuan</strong> has apologised and assured the people that the <strong>privacy and security expectations would be taken care</strong> of.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Zoom has <strong>added additional features</strong> such as <strong>placing a new security icon</strong> in the meeting controls, <strong>changing Zoom&rsquo;s default settings</strong> and <strong>enhancing meeting password complexity,</strong> among others.</li>
<li>It has also added that soon,<strong> account admins will have the ability to choose</strong> whether or not their data is routed through specific data center regions.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Suggestions by the Ministry</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The users are suggested to <strong>set strong passwords</strong> and <strong>enable &ldquo;waiting room&rdquo; features</strong> so that call managers could have better control over the participants.</li>
<li>Users should also <strong>avoid using personal meeting ID</strong> to host events and instead <strong>use randomly generated meeting IDs</strong> for each event.</li>
<li>People using the app <strong>should not share meeting links on public platforms.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The scheme to set up I4C was <strong>approved in October 2018, </strong>to<strong> deal with all types of cybercrimes in a comprehensive and coordinated manner.</strong></li>
<li>It has <strong>seven components:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>National Cyber Crime Threat Analytics Unit</li>
<li>National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal</li>
<li>National Cyber Crime Training Centre</li>
<li>Cyber Crime Ecosystem Management Unit</li>
<li>National Cyber Crime Research and Innovation Centre</li>
<li>National Cyber Crime Forensic Laboratory Ecosystem</li>
<li>Platform for Joint Cyber Crime Investigation Team.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Various States and Union Territories (UTs) have consented to set up<strong> Regional Cyber Crime Coordination Centres.</strong></li>
<li>This <strong>state-of-the-art</strong> Centre is located in <strong>New Delhi.</strong></li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Computer Emergency Response Team-India</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It is an organisation of the <strong>Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology,</strong> Government of India, with the <strong>objective of securing Indian cyberspace.</strong></li>
<li>It is the <strong>nodal agency</strong> which deals with <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/cyber-security" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>cybersecurity</strong></a> <strong>threats like hacking and phishing.</strong></li>
<li>It collects, analyses and disseminates information on cyber incidents, and also issues alerts on cybersecurity incidents.</li>
<li>CERT-IN provides <strong>Incident Prevention and Response Services</strong> as well as <strong>Security Quality Management Services.</strong></li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/zoom-is-not-a-safe-platform-says-mha-advisory/article31355460.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: TH</strong></a></p>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/zoom-not-a-safe-platform-mha'
	],
	(int) 17 => [
		'title' => 'Inactivated Virus Vaccine in Focus for Covid-19',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, researchers from the <strong>Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB)</strong> have started developing an <strong>inactivated virus vaccine</strong> for the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/coronaviruses" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>novel coronavirus</strong></a> (SARS-CoV-2).</p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Vaccination is thought to be the most effective and sure way to arrest the progress and deadly effect of the virus.</li>
<li>Inactivated vaccines are known for their safety and easy production.</li>
<li><strong>Inactivated Vaccines</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Active pathogens are grown</strong> in large numbers and <strong>then killed</strong> either by a chemical or heat. Although the pathogen is killed, or made to lose its reproduction capacity, <strong>various parts of the pathogen are intact.</strong> E.g The antigen (the chemical structure) that is recognised by the immune system is left unimpaired.</li>
<li>When this dead microbe is introduced in the body, <strong>the immune system is tricked to respond by producing antibodies</strong> against specific antigens still left intact, without knowing that the pathogen is defective.</li>
<li>As the pathogen is dead, it cannot reproduce nor cause even a mild disease. Thus, it is safe to administer to even people with lesser immunity, like the old and those who have comorbidity.</li>
<li>Inactivated <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/world-polio-day" target="_blank" rel="noopener">polio vaccine</a> and the rabies vaccine</strong> are made this way.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Benefit:</strong> If a<strong> large amount of coronavirus is grown and inactivated,</strong> that will be material for candidate vaccines to be injected.</li>
<li><strong>Challenges:</strong> The important technological challenge is <strong>growing the coronavirus outside of the human host.</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>As the novel coronavirus has evolved to life on human cells, locating the<strong> right source of the cell line to grow the virus outside of the human body</strong> is key to this technology.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>CCMB is using the <strong>epithelial cell line from African green monkeys</strong> to artificially grow and harvest the deadly virus.</li>
<li>The cells will be observed and if <strong>the cells show changes, including dying of cells and release of the virus, then the culture is positive.</strong></li>
<li>Finding a right cell growing technology for the novel coronavirus <strong>will also help in drug development.</strong></li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Other Types of Vaccine</strong></p>
<p><strong>Live-attenuated vaccines</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Live vaccines use a <strong>weakened (or attenuated) form of the germ</strong> that causes a disease.</li>
<li>Because these vaccines are so <strong>similar to the natural infection</strong> that they help prevent, they create a strong and long-lasting immune response. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Just one or two doses of most live vaccines can give you a lifetime of protection against a germ and the disease it causes.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The limitation of this approach is that these vaccines usually <strong>cannot be given to people with weakened immune systems</strong></li>
<li>Live vaccines are used against: <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/covid-19-impact-on-measles-immunization-program" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Measles</strong></a>, <strong>mumps, rubella</strong> (MMR combined vaccine), <strong>Rotavirus, Smallpox</strong> among others.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Subunit, recombinant, polysaccharide, and conjugate vaccines</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>They use <strong>specific pieces of the germ &mdash;</strong> like its protein, sugar, or capsid (a casing around the germ). They give a very strong immune response.</li>
<li>They can also be used on people with weakened immune systems and long-term health problems.</li>
<li>These vaccines are used to protect against: <strong>Hib</strong> (Haemophilus influenzae type b) disease, <strong>Hepatitis B, HPV</strong> (Human papillomavirus), <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/pneumococcal-conjugate-vaccine" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Pneumococcal disease</strong></a> among others.</li>
<li><strong>Toxoid vaccines</strong></li>
<li>Toxoid vaccines use a toxin made by the germ that causes a disease. Toxoid vaccines are used to protect against: Diphtheria, Tetanus</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://pib.gov.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=202310" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: PIB</strong></a></p>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/inactivated-virus-vaccine-in-focus-for-covid-19'
	],
	(int) 18 => [
		'title' => 'Chitra GeneLAMP-N for Covid-19 Test',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences and Technology (SCTIMST),</strong> Trivandrum (Kerala), has <strong>developed a diagnostic test kit that can confirm <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/false-negative-tests-a-concern" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Covid-19</a> in 2 hours at low cost.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>SCTIMST is an Institute of National Importance under the <strong>Department of Science and Technology (DST).</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The test kit, funded by the DST called <strong>Chitra GeneLAMP-N,</strong> is highly specific for <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/covid-19-and-india-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>SARS-CoV-2 N</strong></a>-<strong>gene</strong> and can <strong>detect two regions of the gene.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>This would ensure that the test does not fail even if one region of the viral gene undergoes mutation during its current spread.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>It is a confirmatory diagnostic test, which detects the N Gene of SARS- COV2 using <strong>reverse transcriptase loop-mediated amplification of viral nucleic acid (RT-LAMP).</strong></li>
<li>The results can be read from the machine from the <strong>change in fluorescence.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Fluorescence is the<strong> emission of light by a substance</strong> that has absorbed light or other electromagnetic radiation.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The tests performed at National Institute of Virology (NIV), Alappuzha (Kerala) (authorized by <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/icmr-recommends-use-of-hydroxy-chloroquine" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR))</strong> </a>show that Chitra GeneLAMP- N has <strong>100% accuracy</strong> and match with test results using <a href="/printpdf/antibody-kits-for-covid-19" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR).</strong></a></li>
<li>This has been intimated to Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), the authority to approve it, for Covid-19 testing in India, following which License needs to be obtained from <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/draft-notification-for-medical-implants" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO)</strong></a> for manufacture.</li>
<li><strong>Advantages</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>A total of 30 samples can be tested in a single batch in a single machine allowing a<strong> large number of samples to be tested each day.</strong></li>
<li>Current <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/antibody-kits-for-covid-19" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)</strong> </a>kits in India enable detection of E gene for screening and RdRp gene for confirmation. Chitra GeneLAMP-N gene testing will allow confirmation in one test <strong>without the need for a screening test and at much lower costs</strong> (less than Rs. 1000/test).</li>
<li>Chitra GeneLAMP-N makes confirmatory tests results of Covid-19 possible in 2 hours.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The detection time is 10 minutes, and the sample to result time (from RNA extraction in swab to RT-LAMP detection time) <strong>will be less than 2 hours.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The testing facility can be <strong>easily set up</strong> even in the laboratories of district hospitals with <strong>limited facilities and trained laboratory technicians.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Gene</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Gene, unit of <strong>hereditary information.</strong></li>
<li>Genes achieve their effects by directing the <strong>synthesis of proteins.</strong></li>
<li>Genes are composed of <strong>Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA),</strong> except in some viruses, which have genes consisting of a closely related compound called <strong>Ribonucleic acid (RNA).</strong></li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Reverse Transcription-based Loop Mediated Isothermal Amplification (RT-LAMP)</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It is a simple <strong>quantitative detection method.</strong></li>
<li>In this method,<strong> a DNA copy of the viral RNA is generated</strong> by reverse transcriptase, and then <strong>isothermal amplification is carried out to increase the amount of total DNA.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>A reverse transcriptase (RT) is an enzyme used to generate complementary DNA (DNA) from an RNA template, a process termed reverse transcription.</li>
<li>Isothermal amplification enables rapid and specific amplification of DNA at constant temperature (60-65 &deg;C).</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://pib.gov.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=202312" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source : PIB</strong></a></p>',
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	(int) 19 => [
		'title' => 'AI-based Voice Tool to Detect Covid-19',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>A University in Rome (Italy) is conducting a pilot run for a patented <a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/in-depth-artificial-intelligence" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Artificial Intelligence</strong></a> <strong>(AI)-based tool</strong> developed by students and a professor from Mumbai, which they claim <strong>can test <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/coronavirus-disease-named-covid-19" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Covid-19</a> through voice-based diagnosis using a smartphone.</strong></p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The tool has already been tested on 300 individuals and has detected Covid-19 patients with <strong>98% accuracy.</strong></li>
<li>The tool is based on a voice-based diagnosis through an app. It can <strong>find coronavirus from the tone of the voice.</strong></li>
<li>As someone speaks to the microphone on the app, the <strong>tool breaks down the voice</strong> in <strong>multiple parameters</strong> such as frequency and noise distortion.</li>
<li>These values are then <strong>compared to a normal person&rsquo;s values</strong> and the patented technique then determines if the patient is positive or not.</li>
<li>Each human voice has 6,300 parameters, and <strong>only a few units, less than a dozen, specifically characterise individuals.</strong> The human ear, apart from colds, is not able to distinguish them, but artificial intelligence does.</li>
<li>Each one of an individual's internal organs is <strong>sort of a resonator,</strong> so <strong>if anyone has a problem with lungs or heart, this will be reflected in his/her voice.</strong></li>
<li>The current novel coronavirus cases could be detected this way.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Benefits of the voice-based diagnosis tool</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>This tool can be of great impact in doing the<strong> first level of screening to identify positives</strong> and <strong>only those who tested positive can go for the lab tests.</strong></li>
<li>This can <strong>reduce the current bottleneck on the medical infrastructure,</strong> and help the government to <strong>identify hotspot regions</strong> in advance.</li>
<li>It is possibly the <strong>best way to reach out to the remotest part of India</strong> by testing through a smartphone, <strong>without the risk of exposure, both to the patient and the lab personnel.</strong></li>
<li>This voice-based diagnosis will fetch <strong>zero cost</strong> testing to the patient and no wait time.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Artificial Intelligence (AI)</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It describes the <strong>action of machines accomplishing tasks</strong> that have<strong> historically required human intelligence.</strong></li>
<li>It <strong>includes technologies</strong> like machine learning, pattern recognition, big data, neural networks, self algorithms etc.</li>
<li>AI involves complex things such as feeding a particular data into the machine and making it react as per the different situations. It is basically about creating self-learning patterns where the machine can give answers to the never answered questions like a human would ever do.</li>
<li>AI technology helps in analyzing data and thus can improve the efficiency of the systems like power management in cars, mobile devices, weather predictions, video and image analysis.</li>
<li><strong>Example (Use):</strong> Self driving cars.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/technology/mumbai-students-develop-ai-based-voice-tool-to-detect-covid-19/article31360091.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: TH</strong></a></p>',
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