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Gateway Lunar Orbiting Outpost

Why in News Recently, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has finalised the contract to design the Habitation and Logistics...

16 Jun 2020 News Analysis
Global Partnership on Artificial Intelligence

Why in News India has joined the 'Global Partnership on Artificial Intelligence (GPAI)' as a founding member to support the responsible and...

16 Jun 2020 News Analysis
GovTech 3.0

This article is based on “Covid-19 has opened the doors for Gov Tech 3.0” which was published in the Hindustan Times on 11/06/2020. It...

15 Jun 2020 News Editorials
Malabar Gliding Frog

Why in News Recently, a rare amphibian i.e. Malabar Gliding Frog (Rhacophorus malabaricus) was spotted in Pullad, Kerala. The amphibian is...

15 Jun 2020 News Analysis
Indian Naval LOs at Madagascar and Abu Dhabi

Why in News India is planning to post Naval Liaison Officers (LOs) at the Regional Maritime Information Fusion Centre (RMIFC) in Madagascar and the...

15 Jun 2020 News Analysis
Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants

Why in News The Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic plants (CIMAP) has announced a photography competition on medicinal and aromatic...

15 Jun 2020 News Analysis
Indian Digital Payment System Outside India

Why in News The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) is exploring the possibility of expanding its payment system abroad, following the requests from several...

15 Jun 2020 News Analysis
New Drug for Amoebiasis

Why in News Recently, researchers from the Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) have developed new drug molecules against the protozoa ‘Entamoeba...

15 Jun 2020 News Analysis
AarogyaPath: CSIR

Why in News The government has launched an information platform 'AarogyaPath' to provide real-time availability of critical healthcare supplies for...

15 Jun 2020 News Analysis
Jet Zero Plan

Why in News Recently, the United Kingdom (U.K.) announced a ‘Jet Zero’ plan to bring down its aviation emissions. Key Points Aim:...

15 Jun 2020 News Analysis
Rise And Fall of Globalisation

This article is based on “Is this the end of the globalisation era?” which was published in The HinduBussines Line on 11/06/2020. It...

13 Jun 2020 News Editorials
World Day Against Child Labour 2020

Why in News Recently the World Day Against Child Labour has been observed on June 12th 2020. Key Points The theme for the year 2020 is Covid-19:...

13 Jun 2020 News Analysis
India-Tanzania Relations

Why in News Recently, Prime Minister of India thanked Dr John Pombe Joseph Magufuli, President of the United Republic of Tanzania for his assistance...

13 Jun 2020 News Analysis
India- Laos Relations

Why in News Recently, the Prime Minister of India had a telephonic conversation with the Prime Minister of Lao People’s Democratic Republic...

13 Jun 2020 News Analysis
Inclusion of Reservation Laws in Ninth Schedule

Why in News Recently, a Union Minister emphasised the need to include all reservation-related laws in the Ninth Schedule of Constitution so that...

13 Jun 2020 News Analysis
Sahakar Mitra: Scheme on Internship Programme

Why in News Recently, the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare has launched a Scheme on Internship Programme (SIP) i.e. Sahakar...

13 Jun 2020 News Analysis
Small Farmers’ Agribusiness Consortium

Why in News Recently the Union Minister of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare highlighted the role of Small Farmers’ Agribusiness...

13 Jun 2020 News Analysis
World Food Prize 2020

Why in News Indian-American soil scientist - Dr. Rattan Lal - has been declared the winner of the World Food Prize 2020. He played a major role...

13 Jun 2020 News Analysis
GST Council Meeting

Why in News Recently, the 40th Goods and Services Tax (GST) Council meeting was held. Key Points GST Collections: In the first two months of...

13 Jun 2020 News Analysis
Phases of Indian Foreign Policy

The very structure of the international order is undergoing a profound transformation. This can be attributed by various geopolitical...

12 Jun 2020 Foreign Policy Corner

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			'title' => 'Gateway Lunar Orbiting Outpost',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/national-aeronautics-and-space-administration-nasa" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)</strong></a> has finalised the contract to design the <strong>Habitation and Logistics Outpost (HALO)</strong> for its Gateway Lunar Orbiting Outpost.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The <strong>Habitation and Logistics (HALO) support</strong> for the Gateway, is a part of<strong> NASA&rsquo;s Artemis program</strong> that <strong>aims</strong> to send the <strong>first woman</strong> and the next man to the <strong>Moon by 2024.</strong></li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Habitation and Logistics (HALO)</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It refers to the <strong>pressurised living quarters where astronauts will spend their time</strong> while visiting the Gateway.</li>
<li>These quarters will be <strong>about the size of a small apartment and will provide augmented life support</strong> together with Orion spacecraft.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>The Gateway:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>NASA has targeted the <strong>completion of the Gateway for 2026,</strong> while work on the spaceship is already underway.</li>
<li>The <strong>Gateway can be used at least once per year</strong> and astronauts can not stay around the year like they do on the International Space Station (ISS).</li>
<li>Once docked to the Gateway, astronauts will be able to <strong>stay there for three months at a time.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Compared to the ISS,<strong> the Gateway is much smaller.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Significance:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It will act<strong> as an airport,</strong> where <strong>spacecraft bound for the lunar surface of Mars can refuel or replace parts</strong> and resupply things like food and oxygen, allowing astronauts to <strong>take multiple trips</strong> to the <strong>Lunar surface and exploration</strong> of new locations across the Moon.</li>
<li>By studying the <strong>geology of the Earth, the Moon, and Mars &ndash;</strong> the three planetary bodies and the ways in which they are similar and different from each other, it would give a<strong> sight about how planets and planetary systems form.</strong></li>
<li>Significantly, Gateway <strong>would work as a science platform to look back</strong> at the Earth, observe the Sun, and get unobstructed views of the vast universe.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Gateway Lunar Orbit Outpost</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Gateway is a <strong>small spaceship that will orbit the Moon,</strong> meant for astronaut missions to the Moon and later, for <strong>expeditions to Mars.</strong></li>
<li>It will act as a<strong> temporary office and living quarters for astronauts,</strong> distanced at about 250,000 miles from Earth.</li>
<li>The spaceship will have <strong>living quarters, laboratories for science and research and docking ports</strong> for visiting spacecraft.</li>
<li>One of the most <strong>unique features</strong> of the Gateway is that it can be <strong>moved to other orbits around the Moon</strong> to conduct more research.</li>
<li>It is expected to play a major role in NASA's Artemis program, after 2024.</li>
<li>While the project is led by NASA, the Gateway is meant to be developed, serviced, and utilized in collaboration with commercial and international partners: Canada <strong>(Canadian Space Agency)</strong>, Europe <strong>(European Space Agency)</strong>, and Japan <strong>(JAXA)</strong>.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>The Artemis</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It is a crewed spaceflight program of NASA that has the goal of landing <strong>"the first woman and the next man" on the Moon,</strong> specifically at the <strong>lunar south pole</strong> region by 2024.</li>
<li>It is a key step towards the long-term goal of establishing a sustainable presence on the Moon, laying the foundation for private companies to build a lunar economy, and eventually sending humans to Mars.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Orion Spacecraft</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It is being developed by <strong>NASA.</strong></li>
<li>It is a<strong> powerful, advanced launch vehicle</strong> for a new era of human exploration beyond Earth&rsquo;s orbit.</li>
<li>It is designed to take astronauts to deep space destinations such as the Moon and Mars.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>As NASA sets its sights on returning to the Moon, and preparing for Mars, it is developing<strong> new opportunities in lunar orbit</strong> to provide the <strong>foundation for human exploration deeper into the solar system.</strong></li>
<li>It would also support the <strong>technology maturation and development of operating concepts</strong> needed for missions beyond the Earth and Moon system.</li>
<li>Building the Gateway with<strong> commercial and international partners</strong> is a critical component of sustainable lunar exploration and the Artemis program.</li>
<li>So, the partnership would give a <strong>strategic presence of humans</strong> in space.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-what-is-nasas-gateway-lunar-orbiting-outpost-6460219/#:~:text=What%20is%20the%20Gateway%20Lunar,about%20250%2C000%20miles%20from%20Earth." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: IE</strong></a></p>',
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		],
		(int) 1 => [
			'title' => 'Global Partnership on Artificial Intelligence',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>India has joined the <strong>'Global Partnership on Artificial Intelligence (GPAI)'</strong> as a founding member to support the<strong> responsible and human-centric development</strong> and use of Artificial Intelligence (AI).</p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Objective:</strong> GPAI is an international and multi-stakeholder initiative to guide the responsible development and use of AI, based on human rights, inclusion, diversity, innovation, and economic growth.</li>
<li><strong>Functions:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Bridge the gap between theory and practice on AI by supporting cutting-edge research and applied activities on AI-related priorities.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>An example would be looking at how AI could help societies respond to and recover from the Covid-19 crisis.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Bring together leading experts from industry, civil society, governments, and academia to conduct research and pilot projects on AI.</li>
<li>It will initially <strong>comprise four working groups</strong> focused on responsible AI, data governance, the future of work, and innovation and commercialisation.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Founding Members:</strong> Australia, Canada, the European Union, France, Germany, India, Italy, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Mexico, New Zealand, Singapore, Slovenia, the United Kingdom and the United States.</li>
<li><strong>Organisation:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>GPAI will be supported by a Secretariat, to be hosted by <strong>Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD)</strong> in Paris, as well as by two Centers of Expertise- one each in Montreal (Canada) and Paris (France).</li>
<li>GPAI will be able to take advantage of the OECD&rsquo;s expertise on AI policy and its leadership in setting out the first international standard for trustworthy AI &ndash; the OECD Principles on Artificial Intelligence.</li>
<li>The OECD will also be a Permanent Observer to the GPAI&rsquo;s governing bodies.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Background:</strong> Born out of the Canadian and French G7 Presidencies in 2018 and 2019, GPAI was officially proposed by France and Canada at the Biarritz Summit in August 2019.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Artificial Intelligence</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It describes the action of machines accomplishing tasks that have historically required human intelligence.</li>
<li>It includes technologies like machine learning, pattern recognition, big data, neural networks, self algorithms etc.</li>
<li><strong>Example:</strong> Facebook&rsquo;s list of suggested friends for its users, self-driving cars, etc.</li>
<li>AI automates processes and reduces human error but the principal limitation of AI is that it learns from the data. This means any inaccuracies in the data will be reflected in the results.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It was formed in<strong> 1961.</strong> It has<strong> 37 member countries. India is not a member but one of the key partners</strong> of the organisation.</li>
<li>It is an international organisation, having a goal to shape policies that foster prosperity, equality, opportunity and well-being for all.</li>
<li><strong>PISA</strong> is the OECD&rsquo;s programme for international student assessment.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>India will participate in the PISA test 2021.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>It is<strong> headquartered at Paris, France.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The <strong>Financial Action Task Force (FATF)</strong> Secretariat is located at OECD headquarters.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>G7</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It is a bloc of<strong> industrialised democracies -</strong> Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Recent Initiatives by India in the Field of AI</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>India has recently launched National AI Strategy and National AI Portal and have also started leveraging AI across various sectors such as education, agriculture, healthcare, e-commerce, finance, telecommunications, etc.</li>
<li>The <strong>National AI strategy</strong> was released in 2018 by NITI Aayog. It is termed<strong> &lsquo;AIForAll&rsquo;</strong> as it is focused on leveraging AI for inclusive growth in line with the Government policy of Sabka Saath Sabka Vikas.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Role of the Government has been clearly delineated to develop the research ecosystem, promote adoption and address skilling challenges.</li>
<li>The strategy also flags important issues like ethics, bias and privacy issues relating to AI and envisions Government promoting research in technology to address these concerns.</li>
<li>The focus is on sectors like agriculture, health and education where public investment and lead would be necessary.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>National AI Portal:</strong> It has been developed jointly by the National e-Governance Division of the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) and the National Association of Software and Service Companies (Nasscom). The portal is meant to work as a <strong>&ldquo;one stop digital platform"</strong> for all AI related developments in India.</li>
<li><strong>Responsible AI for Youth Programme:</strong> It is aimed at imparting education and skills in AI to students in government schools.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>By joining GPAI as a founding member, India will actively participate in the global development of Artificial Intelligence, leveraging its experience around use of digital technologies for inclusive growth.</li>
<li>AI is rapidly penetrating into all the sectors of economy, if used empathetically and reasonably, it has the potential to change global social and economic interactions for the better.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1631676" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: PIB</strong></a></p>',
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			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/global-partnership-on-artificial-intelligence'
		],
		(int) 2 => [
			'title' => 'GovTech 3.0',
			'catname' => 'News Editorials',
			'desc' => '<div class="border">
<p>This article is based on<a href="https://www.hindustantimes.com/analysis/covid-19-has-opened-the-doors-for-gov-tech-3-0/story-Gogbtg00bYrwyrxreMKUQI.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> &ldquo;Covid-19 has opened the doors for Gov Tech 3.0&rdquo;</strong></a> which was published in the Hindustan Times on 11/06/2020. It talks about the challenges and Utility of the National Open Digital Ecosystem.</p>
</div>
<p>As India looks to adopt the maxim of &ldquo;minimum government and maximum governance&rdquo;, the role of <a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/in-depth-digital-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>digital ecosystems</strong></a> has become paramount. In this context, recently, the Ministry of Electronics of Information Technology (MeITY) has released a consultation paper on Strategy for<strong> National Open Digital Ecosystem (NODE).</strong></p>
<p>NODE or GovTech 3.0 defined as &ldquo;Open and secure delivery platforms, anchored by transparent governance mechanisms, which enable a technology collaboration among citizens, businesses and governments to transform societal outcomes.</p>
<p>The key objectives Govtech 3.0 include the need to optimise service delivery, integrate data across departments and ministries, create inter-operable and modular platforms and include the private sector by allowing them to build solutions on top of Government architecture.</p>
<p>While the Open Digital Ecosystem (ODE) empowers and enable collaboration in unprecedented ways, there are many underlying challenges emanating from such interconnected digital networks that need to be addressed.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1592221148_image3.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1592221148_image3.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="700" caption="false" /></a></p>
<div class="border-bg">
<p>Note: Evolution of GovTech (Use of Technology in Governance)</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Gov Tech1.0 was the era of &ldquo;computerisation&rdquo; of manual processes such as putting income tax forms online.</li>
<li>Gov Tech 2.0 was about building systems which digitised end-to-end processes, for example, the government&rsquo;s &ldquo;e-office&rdquo; file management system.</li>
<li>GovTech 3.0 is focussed on Open Digital Ecosystems (ODEs), the underlying philosophy suggests that the government should focus on creating the &ldquo;digital commons&rdquo;.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It envisages the government becoming a facilitator by creating digital infrastructure on which innovators can collaboratively build solutions for the public good.</li>
<li>For Examples, deployment of contact tracing apps (Aarogya Setu) developed through public-private partnerships, to prevent the spread of the virus.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1592221196_image1.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1592221196_image1.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="700" caption="false" /></a></p>
</div>
<h3>Advantages of GovTech 3.0</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Integration of Government Services:</strong> The advantages of building NODE is illustrated citing the example of e-Transport project of the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MORTH).<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The ministry helped digitize issuing vehicle registrations and driver&rsquo;s licenses making it easier for citizens to obtain them, creating dashboards with analytics.</li>
<li>It now integrates a National Vehicle Register and State Vehicle Registers with data interlinked across databases with access to government institutions like Police, National Crime Records Bureau and private institutions like banks and insurance companies.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Enhancing Social Security:</strong> Several path-breaking ODEs are already in play in India. For example:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/upi-20-launched-by-npci" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Unified Payments Interface (UPI)</strong></a> in the financial services space has played an instrumental role in increasing financial inclusion.</li>
<li>The National Digital Infrastructure for Teachers called <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/classes-in-distance-mode" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>DIKSHA</strong></a> will play a crucial role in education reforms.</li>
<li>The National Urban Innovation Stack which is enabling the more efficient provision of municipal services.</li>
<li>Similarly, a digital ecosystem for agriculture which is being designed by an inter-ministerial committee.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Underlying Challenges</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Privacy Issues:</strong> Potential violations of privacy and possible weaponization of data is a primary issue related to such digital initiatives.</li>
<li><strong>Federal Issues:</strong> The apps under Govtech 3.0 may end up gathering information which falls under the domain of State subject.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>For Example, the e-transport project has centralized governance of transport which is a state subject according to the constitution.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>May Increase Inequalities:</strong> Success in the digital provision of services is dependent on many underlying factors, including digital literacy, education and access to stable and fast telecommunication services.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In this setting, undertaking large-scale digitisation of services without bridging these digital divides could result in increasing existing inequalities.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Security Issues:</strong> Another cybersecurity challenge is ensuring end-to-end protection of data throughout the whole ecosystem. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>While channels and databases used by the Government for transmission and storage are usually secure, other players in the ecosystem may not possess the requisite expertise or security to prevent and respond to breaches.</li>
<li>The alleged breach of Aadhar database is a case in point.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Steps To Be Taken</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Addressing Privacy Issues:</strong> Designing privacy-protection and secure databases is critical. It is, therefore, imperative, that regulations governing the GovTech 3.0 take into account provisions of the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/personal-data-protection-bill-2019" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Personal Data Protection Bill, 2019.</strong></a></li>
<li><strong>Ensuring Inclusivity:</strong> Digital ecosystems should be guided by factors of availability, accessibility, affordability, value and trust.</li>
<li><strong>Ensuring Transparency:</strong> The invisible rules that are coded into &ldquo;tech&rdquo; need to be made transparent through thoughtful design principles, legislation, governance frameworks and public engagement.</li>
<li><strong>Citizen-Centric Design:</strong> There is a need to ensure the design is citizen-centric and ensures inclusive access to services at the last mile will help drive adoption and sustain these ecosystems.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Conclusion</h3>
<p>The push to create digital ecosystems is a welcome step as it can prove to be an effective tool in overcoming governance deficit and improving the quality of life for individuals. However, it is essential to adapt such ecosystems to the peculiarities of India.</p>
<p>In this context, design choices should be made not just in terms of the technology and data architecture, but also in terms of governance architecture and community engagement around ODEs, will determine how we collaborate to build a more resilient and empowered India.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1592221220_image2.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1592221220_image2.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="700" caption="false" /></a></p>
<table border="1" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="width: 100%; border-style: dotted; border-color: #ff0000; background-color: #e6ffe8;">
<p><span style="color: #0000ff;"><em><strong>Drishti Mains Question</strong></em></span></p>
<p>&ldquo;In pursuit of the maxim of &ldquo;minimum government and maximum governance&rdquo;, the role of digital ecosystems has become paramount&rdquo;. In light this statement, discuss the role and challenges of the National Open Digital Ecosystem.</p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p style="text-align: center;"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/SL-JI0tyNuA" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p>
<p>This editorial is based on <a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/editorials/tamil-nadu-coimbatore-koyampuththoor-6456137/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>&ldquo;Much in a Rename&rdquo;</strong></a> which was published in the Indian express in The Indian Express on 13/06/2020. Now watch this on our Youtube channel.</p>',
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			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/govtech-3-0'
		],
		(int) 3 => [
			'title' => 'Malabar Gliding Frog',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, a rare amphibian i.e. <strong>Malabar Gliding Frog <em>(Rhacophorus malabaricus)</em></strong> was spotted in Pullad, Kerala.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The amphibian is <strong>endemic</strong> to the rainforest of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/ecologically-sensitive-areas-in-western-ghats" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>western ghats</strong></a>.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Endemic species</strong> are those plants and animals that exist only in one geographical region.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Characteristics:<a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1592213374_Image1.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img width="250" class="content-img" style="float: right;" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1592213374_Image1.jpg" caption="false" /></a></strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It is a<strong> green frog</strong> with <strong>slender body, webbed feet, unusual body positions</strong> and very well <strong>camouflaged.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Camouflage,</strong> also called <strong>cryptic coloration,</strong> is a defense mechanism or tactic that organisms use to disguise their appearance, usually to blend in with their surroundings.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The fingers and toes are like sticks to attach and walk through tree branches.</li>
<li>It has a <strong>high gliding abilities,</strong> with the long skin between the fingers which helps to cover <strong>10 to 12 feet</strong> in one leap.</li>
<li>It has a<strong> body length of 10 cm,</strong> making it one of the <strong>largest mossy frogs.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Mossy Frogs:</strong> These frogs have the skin which is green in colour and resembles moss growing on the rock.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The breeding period is during the monsoon and usually, the females choose to spawn on the lush green leaves overhanging a waterbody.</li>
<li>As their body is so soft, they can live only in moist forests with streams.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Foam Nests:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>They built<strong> foam nests</strong> above small pools of water, into which the tadpoles drop after hatching. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Behaviour like<strong> cannibalism</strong> has been found among tadpoles.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Protection Status:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/iucn-red-list#:~:text=IUCN%20is%20a%20membership%20union,It%20is%20headquartered%20in%20Switzerland." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List</strong></a> , it is placed in the <strong>Least Concern</strong> category.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Concern:</strong> The Malabar gliding frog population is declining<strong> due to deforestation, climate change, developmental activities, </strong>and <strong>toxic chemicals.</strong></li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>The Western Ghats</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>These are the mountain ranges running parallel along the <strong>western coast of India starting from Gujarat and ending in Tamil Nadu.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Gujarat, Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Kerala</strong> are the six Indian states covered by Western Ghats.</li>
<li>The mountain range is also a <strong>&ldquo;Hottest Hotspot&rdquo; of biodiversity.</strong></li>
<li>The Ghats are often called the <strong>Great Escarpment of India</strong> and are also a <a href="/to-the-points/paper1/world-heritage-sites-in-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>UNESCO World Heritage Site.</strong></a></li>
<li><strong>High Biodiversity and Endemism</strong> are special features of Western Ghats along with the presence of <strong>Evergreen Forests.</strong></li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Amphibia</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>They fall under the <strong>Chordata phylum</strong> of the kingdom Animalia, Eg.,<strong> Frogs, Salamanders etc.</strong></li>
<li>These are <strong>multicellular vertebrates</strong> that live both on<strong> land and water.</strong></li>
<li>They are the<strong> first cold-blooded animals</strong> to have appeared on land.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Cold-blooded animals</strong> can be defined as the animals which cannot regulate their internal body temperature with the change in the environment.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>They respire through the lungs and skin.</li>
<li>They have <strong>three chambered</strong> hearts.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/malabar-gliding-frog-spotted-at-
pullad/article31827553.ece#:~:text=The%20amphibian%20is%20endemic%20to%20rain%20forests%20of%20Western%20Ghats&amp;text=This%20was%20how%20a%20juvenile,%2C%20near%20Kozhencherry%2C%20on%20Saturday." 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/malabar-gliding-frog'
		],
		(int) 4 => [
			'title' => 'Indian Naval LOs at Madagascar and Abu Dhabi',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>India is planning to post <strong>Naval Liaison Officers</strong> (LOs) at the <strong>Regional Maritime Information Fusion Centre</strong> (RMIFC) in <strong>Madagascar</strong> and the <strong>European Maritime Awareness in the Strait of Hormuz</strong> (EMASOH) in <strong>Abu Dhabi</strong> for improved <strong>Maritime Domain Awareness</strong> (MDA).</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>This move comes after <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/india-as-an-observer-at-ioc" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>India joined the Indian Ocean Commission</strong></a> (IOC) as Observer in <strong>March 2020</strong> along with <strong>Japan and the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/united-nations-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">United Nations</a>.</strong></li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The move <strong>aims</strong> to <strong>improve linkages</strong> of the Navy&rsquo;s <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/information-fusion-centre-of-indian-navy" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Information Fusion Centre for Indian Ocean Region</strong> </a>(IFC-IOR) in <strong>Gurugram with other IFCs</strong> and become the <strong>repository for all maritime data</strong> in the IOR.</li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/india-france-joint-patrolling" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>India is working closely with France</strong></a>, who is a pre-eminent member of IOC, to post a Naval LO at the RMIFC in Madagascar.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The<strong> RMFIC functions under the aegis of the IOC</strong> and is designed to deepen maritime domain awareness by monitoring maritime activities and promoting information sharing and exchange.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The Navy LO is expected to be posted at <strong>EMASOH by July</strong> and at the <strong>RMIFC by September or October 2020.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>India has a LO at the IFC in Singapore for over four years now.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Indian Ocean Commission</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It is an<strong> intergovernmental body and regional forum</strong> created in <strong>1984</strong> to protect the interests of the <strong>western Indian Ocean islands.</strong></li>
<li>It consists of <strong>Madagascar, Comoros, La R&eacute;union</strong> (French overseas territory), <strong>Mauritius</strong> and <strong>Seychelles.</strong></li>
<li>IOC has<strong> five observers</strong> which are <strong>China, <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/european-union" target="_blank" rel="noopener">European Union</a></strong> (EU), <strong>Malta</strong> and <strong>International Organisation of La Francophonie</strong> (OIF),<strong> India, Japan</strong> and <strong>the UN.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>OIF is a 54 french speaking nations collective.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>European Maritime Awareness in the Strait of Hormuz</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>France started EMASOH with the aim to monitor maritime activity and guarantee freedom of navigation in the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/persian-gulf-region" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Persian Gulf</strong></a> and the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/strait-of-hormuz-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Strait of Hormuz</strong></a>.</li>
<li>It is <strong>based at the French naval base in Abu Dhabi</strong> (UAE).</li>
<li>It was declared operational by the French Ministry of Armed Forces in February 2020.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>India&rsquo;s Other Initiatives:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>To strengthen the naval forces and surveillance, India has signed a series of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/india-france" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>white shipping agreements</strong></a>, <strong>Logistics Support Agreements</strong> (LSA) and <strong>maritime cooperation agreements</strong> with several countries, recently.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>For example, <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/india-australia-virtual-summit" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>India Australia Virtual Summit</strong></a> announced a joint declaration on a shared vision for maritime cooperation in the <a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/the-big-picture-indo-pacific-strategic-importance" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Indo-Pacific</strong> </a>in which they agreed to deepen navy-to-navy cooperation and strengthen MDA in the Indo-Pacific region through enhanced exchange of information.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>In<strong> 2015,</strong> India unveiled it's strategic vision for the Indian Ocean i.e. <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/sagar-vision" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Security and Growth for All in the Region</strong></a> (SAGAR). It is an increasing recognition of the increasing importance of maritime security, maritime commons and cooperation.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Through SAGAR, India seeks to <strong>deepen economic and security cooperation with its maritime neighbours </strong>and <strong>assist in building their maritime security capabilities.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Information Fusion Centre for Indian Ocean Region</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The <strong>Indian Navy</strong> set up the IFC-IOR in <strong>December 2018</strong> within the premises of the <strong>Information Management and Analysis Centre</strong> (IMAC) in Gurugram to track maritime movements in the region.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>IMAC is located in <strong>Gurugram</strong> and is the main centre of the Indian Navy for <strong>coastal surveillance and monitoring.</strong></li>
<li>IMAC is a <strong>joint initiative of Indian Navy, Coast Guard and Bharat Electronics Ltd</strong> and functions under the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/unified-commanders-conference" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>National Security Adviser</strong></a> (NSA).</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>IFC is the<strong> single point centre linking all the coastal radar chains</strong> to generate a seamless real-time picture of the nearly 7,500 km coastline.</li>
<li><strong>France</strong> became the <strong>first country to deploy</strong> a LO at the IFC-IOR <strong>followed by the USA</strong> and several other countries including Australia, Japan and the UK have announced their intention to post LOs.</li>
<li>It <strong>coordinates with similar centres</strong> across the globe which include:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Virtual Regional Maritime Traffic Centre (VRMTC)</li>
<li>Maritime Security Centre-<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/nobel-prize-for-peace-2019" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Horn of Africa</strong></a> (MSCHOA)</li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/recaap-isc-capacity-building-workshop" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Regional Cooperation Agreement on Combating Piracy and Armed Robbery</strong> </a>(ReCAAP)</li>
<li>Information Fusion Centre-Singapore (IFC-SG)</li>
<li>International Maritime Bureau-Piracy Reporting Centre (IMB-PRC)</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>India&rsquo;s engagement with the Western Indian Ocean will facilitate collective engagement with the islands there, which are becoming strategically significant.</li>
<li>Given China&rsquo;s growing presence in the region, India will be able to increase its naval presence and gain support for its maritime projects across the Indo-Pacific.</li>
<li>India&rsquo;s consultative, democratic and equitable leadership can help achieve the security and sustainable growth to all in the region.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/india-looks-to-deploy-naval-liaisons-at-madagascar-abu-dhabi-for-information-exchange/article31828272.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/indian-naval-los-at-madagascar-and-abu-dhabi'
		],
		(int) 5 => [
			'title' => 'Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The <strong>Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic plants (CIMAP)</strong> has announced a photography competition on medicinal and aromatic plants to convey the message of conservation of these medicinal plants.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The <strong>theme</strong> of the competition is<strong> &lsquo;Know your Medicinal and Aromatic Plants (MAPs)&rsquo;.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Established:</strong> Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants, popularly known as CIMAP, was established originally as Central Indian Medicinal Plants Organisation (CIMPO) in 1959. It was rechristened as Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants (CIMAP) in 1978.</li>
<li><strong>Objectives:</strong> It is a frontier plant research laboratory of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/world-malaria-day" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR)</strong></a>. It focuses on high quality research in biological and chemical sciences and extending technologies and services to the farmers and entrepreneurs of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants (MAPs).</li>
<li><strong>Headquarters:</strong> Lucknow, U.P.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>CIMAP, Lucknow houses the <strong>National Gene Bank of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants,</strong> in addition to seed gene bank, tissue and DNA bank.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Research Centres:</strong> Bangalore (Karnataka), Hyderabad (Telangana), Pantnagar (Uttarakhand) and Purara (Uttarakhand).</li>
<li>CIPAM is presently accredited by <strong>International Centre for Science and High Technology- United Nations Industrial Development Organization (ICS-UNIDO)</strong> and <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/19th-iora-council-of-ministers-meeting" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Indian-Ocean Rim Association (IORA)</strong></a> as a focal point for research and training on Medicinal Plants among participating member countries.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>International Centre for Science and High Technology</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>ICS was <strong>established in 1988</strong> and operates under the<strong> legal framework of the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/solar-thermal-energy-technology" target="_blank" rel="noopener">United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO)</a>.</strong> It focuses on the transfer of know-how and technology from industrialized to developing countries.</li>
<li>The Centre focuses its activities on <strong>four core scientific programmes:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Rational drug design and development</li>
<li>Next generation biofuels and bio-based chemicals</li>
<li>Geothermal energy</li>
<li>Nanotechnologies</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Headquarters:</strong> Trieste, Italy.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1631499#:~:text=In%20an%20effort%20to%20create,conservation%20of%20these%20medicinal%20plants." 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/central-institute-of-medicinal-and-aromatic-plants'
		],
		(int) 6 => [
			'title' => 'Indian Digital Payment System Outside India',
			'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> is exploring the possibility of expanding its payment system abroad, following the requests from several countries.</p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Requests for Payment System:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The RBI has received requests from abroad for implementing its payment systems like Cheque Truncation System (CTS), National Electronic Fund Transfer (NEFT), Unified Payments Interface (UPI) and messaging solutions.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Reason:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The availability of low cost innovative digital payment products in India has led to many countries expressing their interest in Indian payment system.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Availability of Payment System Outside India:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Currently, there are no RBI authorised payment system operators providing payment services outside India.</li>
<li>However, there is cross-country cooperation with Bhutan with respect to CTS, National Automated Clearing House (NACH) and NEFT. NEFT is also available for one-way transfers from India to Nepal.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Scope of Payment System Outside India:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>According to RBI there is scope for enhancing global outreach of its payment systems, including remittances, through active participation and co-operation in international and regional fora by collaborating and contributing to standard setting.</li>
<li>Efforts have been made to increase and widen the scope, coverage and usage of <strong>RuPay card scheme </strong>and<strong> UPI to enhance their brand value internationally.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Issues Involved:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Overdependence on the foreign funds (through digital payments) may lead to possible liquidity risk issues in India.</li>
<li>Different time zones may pose a risk in digital payments.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Digital Payments and India:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>India&rsquo;s growing use of retail digital payments, indicates a shift in the relationship with cash.</li>
<li>According to the RBI, the digital payments in the country have witnessed a growth of 61% and 19% in terms of volume and value, respectively.</li>
<li>The value of digital payments to <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/base-year-for-gdp-calculations" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Gross Domestic Product</strong></a> (GDP) has also increased from 660% in 2014-15 to 862% in 2018-19.</li>
<li>The Point of sale (PoS) terminals grew at a high pace of 35%, contrastingly the deployment of ATMs has grown at a low pace (4%).</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Unified Payments Interface</strong></p>
<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><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/rise-in-digital-transactions" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI)</strong></a> launched UPI with 21 member banks in 2016.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>National Electronic Funds Transfer</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>National Electronic Funds Transfer (NEFT)</strong> is a nation-wide payment system facilitating one-to-one funds transfer. Under this Scheme, individuals, firms and corporates can electronically transfer funds from any bank branch to any individual, firm or corporate having an account with any other bank branch in the country participating in the Scheme.</li>
<li>There is no limit &ndash; either minimum or maximum &ndash; on the amount of funds that could be transferred using NEFT.</li>
<li>However, the maximum amount per transaction is limited to ₹ 50,000/- for cash-based remittances within India and also for remittances to Nepal under the Indo-Nepal Remittance Facility Scheme.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>RuPay Card Scheme</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>RuPay is the first-of-its-kind domestic Debit and Credit Card payment network of India.</li>
<li>The name, derived from the words &lsquo;Rupee and &lsquo;Payment&rsquo;, emphasises that it is India&rsquo;s very own initiative for Debit and Credit Card payments.</li>
<li>The card can also be used for transactions in Singapore, Bhutan, UAE, Bahrain and Saudi Arabia.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Cheque Truncation System</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Cheque Truncation System (CTS)</strong> is an online image-based cheque clearing system undertaken by the RBI for faster clearing of cheques. It eliminates the associated cost of movement of physical cheques.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>National Automated Clearing House</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>National Automated Clearing House (NACH)</strong> is a service offered by NPCI to banks which aims at facilitating interbank high volume, low value debit/credit transactions, which are repetitive and electronic in nature.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/business/banking-and-finance/after-requests-from-many-countries-rbi-may-take-payment-system-abroad-6457669/" 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/indian-digital-payment-system-outside-india'
		],
		(int) 7 => [
			'title' => 'New Drug for Amoebiasis',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, researchers from the<strong> Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU)</strong> have developed new drug molecules against the <strong>protozoa <em>&lsquo;Entamoeba histolytica&rsquo;</em> </strong>that causes <strong>amoebiasis.</strong></p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>The Protozoa and High Oxygen Level:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The protozoa is<strong> anaerobic or microaerophilic</strong> in nature such that it <strong>cannot survive high concentrations of oxygen.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Anaerobic organisms are those who exist in the absence of free oxygen.</li>
<li>A <strong>microaerophilic</strong> atmosphere is ideal for a <strong>microorganism</strong> that can grow under <strong>reduced oxygen</strong> and increased carbon dioxide levels.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>However, during infection, <strong>it faces a high surge of oxygen</strong> inside the human body. The organism synthesizes large amounts of cysteine to<strong> counter oxidative stress.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Synthesis of Cysteine:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>This <strong>pathogen deploys cysteine</strong> as one of the essential molecules in its defence mechanism against <strong>high oxygen levels.</strong> It <strong>expresses two crucial enzymes </strong>for<strong> synthesizing cysteine.</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Cysteines are enzymes that degrade proteins in the body.</li>
<li>Cysteine biosynthesis is crucial for the survival of E. histolytica and for similar protozoan parasites.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>JNU Research:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Researchers have characterized and determined the molecular structures of both the crucial enzymes.</li>
<li>They have also successfully screened for potent inhibitors for one of the enzymes, <strong>O-acetyl L-serine sulfhydrylase (OASS).</strong></li>
<li>Some of these inhibitors can <strong>check the growth of this organism with high efficacy</strong> by targeting their pathways.</li>
<li>The identified molecules can lead to the<strong> development of drug molecules.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Protozoa</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Protozoans are the <strong>single-celled eukaryotes, either free-living or parasitic,</strong> which feed on organic matter such as other microorganisms or organic tissues and debris.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Eukaryotes</strong> are organisms whose cells have a nucleus enclosed within membranes, unlike prokaryotes, which have no membrane-bound organelles.</li>
<li>A <strong>parasite is an organism</strong> that lives on or in a host and gets its food from or at the expense of its host. E.g. plasmodium parasite which causes <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/world-malaria-day" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>malaria</strong></a>.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Habitat:</strong> Mostly they are <strong>aerobic</strong> (with oxygen) but some are <strong>anaerobic</strong> (without oxygen) and present in the rumen or human intestine.</li>
<li><strong>Size and Shape:</strong> The size and shape of Protozoa vary greatly, from microbial (1&micro;m) to large enough and can be seen by the naked eye.</li>
<li><strong>Nutrition:</strong> Protozoans are <strong>heterotrophs</strong> and have <strong>holozoic nutrition.</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Holozoic nutrition</strong> can be defined as a method of nutrition which <strong>involves the ingestion of some complex organic substances</strong> (such as parts of a plant or animal) that may be in the solid or the liquid form.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Entamoeba histolytica</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>According to the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/world-health-organization-who" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>World Health Organization (WHO)</strong></a>, <strong><em>Entamoeba histolytica</em> </strong>is the <strong>third-leading cause of morbidity and mortality</strong> due to <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/zoonotic-diseases" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>parasitic disease in humans</strong></a>. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Predominantly infecting humans and other primates, <em>E. histolytica</em> is estimated to infect about<strong> 35-50 million people</strong> worldwide.</li>
<li>A<strong> parasitic disease</strong> is an infectious disease caused or transmitted by a parasite. E.g. Malaria.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>It causes<strong> amoebiasis or amoebic dysentery,</strong> which is highly prevalent in developing countries.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Amoebiasis</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It is a disease caused by the parasite<strong><em> Entamoeba histolytica.</em></strong></li>
<li>Amoebiasis infection is most common <strong>in tropical areas</strong> with untreated water. E.g. India.</li>
<li>It <strong>spreads through drinking or eating uncooked food,</strong> such as fruit, that may have been washed in contaminated local water.</li>
<li>If symptoms occur, they may be mild and include cramping and diarrhoea.</li>
<li>It can be treated through antibiotics.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1631498#:~:text=A%20team%20of%20researchers%20from,survive%20high%20concentrations%20of%20oxygen." 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/new-drug-for-amoebiasis'
		],
		(int) 8 => [
			'title' => 'AarogyaPath: CSIR',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>The government has launched an<strong> information platform 'AarogyaPath' to provide real-time availability of critical healthcare supplies</strong> for manufacturers, suppliers and customers.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It is a <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-national-institutions/council-of-scientific-and-industrial-research" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Council of Scientific &amp; Industrial Research (CSIR)</strong></a> National Healthcare Supply Chain Portal.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It is an integrated public platform that provides single-point availability of key healthcare goods such as medical equipment, drugs, apparel, etc.</li>
<li><strong>Vision:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>To set up an information management and forecasting database platform at national level to capture demand and supply scenarios for key healthcare needs items.</li>
<li>CSIR expects AarogyaPath to become the national healthcare information platform of choice in the years to come, filling a critical gap in last-mile delivery of patient care within India through improved availability and affordability of healthcare supplies.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Beneficiaries:</strong> Hospitals, Pathology laboratories, Research institutes, Medical colleges and Individual patients. It will also create <strong>opportunities for business expansion</strong> due to an expanded network of buyers and visibility of new requirements for products.</li>
<li><strong>Importance in Situations like a Pandemic (Covid-19):</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Anticipated shortages can be addressed and met at national level.</li>
<li>Opportunistic Pricing, hoarding and over- forecasting can be checked.</li>
<li>Over- production can be avoided. This would help to reduce wastage of resources.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Council of Scientific &amp; Industrial Research</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It was established by the Government of India in September 1942 as an autonomous body. It comes under the <strong>Ministry of Science &amp; Technology.</strong></li>
<li>It is known for its cutting edge research and development knowledge base in diverse science and technology areas.</li>
<li>It has been ranked first in the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/nature-index-2020-index-of-scientific-research" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Nature Ranking Index-2020.</strong></a><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The Nature Index provides close to a real-time proxy of high-quality research output and collaboration at the institutional, national and regional level.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1631339" 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/aarogyapath-csir'
		],
		(int) 9 => [
			'title' => 'Jet Zero Plan',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the United Kingdom (U.K.) announced a <strong>&lsquo;Jet Zero&rsquo; plan</strong> to bring down its aviation emissions.</p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Aim:</strong> The Jet Zero aims to bring down greenhouse gas emissions from aviation to make carbon-free <strong>transatlantic flights</strong> possible within a generation.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>A transatlantic flight is the<strong> flight of an aircraft across the Atlantic Ocean</strong> from Europe, Africa, or the Middle East to North America, Central America, or South America, or vice versa.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Jet Zero Council:</strong> A group called &lsquo;Jet Zero Council&rsquo; has been formed by the U.K. government by bringing together leaders from the aviation sector, environmental groups and government.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>This group <strong>has been given charge for making net zero emissions possible</strong> for future flights.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Challenges:</strong> To achieve its target of a <strong>net-zero emissions economy by 2050,</strong> it is important to cut transport emissions.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Aviation emissions currently account for more than 2% of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/greenhouse-gas-levels-reach-record-highs-un-report" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>global greenhouse gases</strong></a>, and have risen by 70% since 2005.</li>
<li>The <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/important-facts-for-prelims-25th-january-2019" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>International Civil Aviation Organization</strong></a> forecasts that the emissions will rise another 300% by 2050 in the absence of measures to bring them down.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The U.K. government is<strong> also funding Velocys</strong> (aviation biofuels making company) in support of its plans to build a major jet biofuel plant in Lincolnshire.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>NOTE:</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Net-zero emissions means doing away with fossil fuels and other sources of emissions wherever possible. It also involves any emissions that are balanced by absorbing an equivalent amount from the atmosphere.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/business/aviation/uk-announces-jet-zero-plan-to-drive-down-aviation-emissions-6457061/" 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/jet-zero-plan'
		],
		(int) 10 => [
			'title' => 'Rise And Fall of Globalisation',
			'catname' => 'News Editorials',
			'desc' => '<div class="border">
<p>This article is based on <a href="https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/opinion/is-this-the-end-of-the-globalisation-era/article31803048.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>&ldquo;Is this the end of the globalisation era?&rdquo;</strong></a> which was published in The HinduBussines Line on 11/06/2020. It talks about the pros and cons of Globalisation.</p>
</div>
<p>Globalisation envisages a borderless world or seeks the world as a global village. It may be attributed by the accelerated flow of goods, people, capital, information, and energy across borders, often enabled by technological developments.</p>
<p>However, isolationism forced by <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/covid-19-and-globalization" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Covid-19 pandemic</strong></a> has paused the growth of globalisation in the world. Though the pandemic has hastened globalisation&rsquo;s decline, protectionism has been increasing since <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/understanding-financial=-crisis-of-2007-08" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>the global financial crisis 2008</strong></a>.</p>
<p>The increased unemployment, growing inequality and anaemic growth in the aftermath of the global financial crisis, particularly in the developed world, are the main reasons for the rise of protectionism all across the globe.</p>
<p>In this context, there is a debate all around the world regarding the sustainability of globalisation in the future.</p>
<h3>Rise of Globalization</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Origin of Modern Globalisation:</strong> What today is referred to as globalisation, started with the <a href="/to-the-points/paper1/cold-war" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>end of the Cold war and the disintegration of the Soviet Union in 1991</strong></a>.</li>
<li><strong>Driving Factors:</strong> Globalisation was the offshoot of two systems &mdash; democracy and capitalism &mdash; that emerged victorious at the end of the Cold War.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>These ideas were transmitted across the world through free trade and increased inter-country movement of capital and labour.</li>
<li>The idea that all countries should unequivocally move towards democracy underpinned with capitalism was packaged in policies commonly referred to as the Washington Consensus or neo-liberalism.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Politics of Globalisation:</strong> Politically, it refers to increasing global governance via international institutions or growing alignment of national policies.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It involves both benefits (such as coordinated crisis strategies) and costs (such as less national self-determination), too.</li>
<li>A liberal democracy combined with free-market capitalism was the best way to organise society.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Developing-Developed Countries Collaboration:</strong> The partnership between the developed and the developing countries based on three planks.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>First was offshoring of manufacturing and low-end services jobs to developing countries.</li>
<li>Second, developed countries run large trade deficits by acting as the market for the increased output of developing countries.</li>
<li>Third, developing countries financing the trade deficit of the developed countries by accumulating large foreign exchange reserves.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Pros of Globalisation</h3>
<p><strong>Access to Goods and Services</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Globalization results in increased trade and standard of living. It heightens competition within the domestic product, capital, and labour markets, as well as among countries adopting different trade and investment strategies.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It has also resulted in national capital markets becoming increasingly integrated.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Vehicle of Social Justice</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Transnational companies investing in installing plants in other countries provide employment for the people in those countries often getting them out of poverty.</li>
<li>The proponents say globalization represents free trade which promotes global economic growth, creates jobs, makes companies more competitive, and lowers prices for consumers.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Increases Cultural Awareness</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>By reducing cross-border distances, globalisation has increased cross-cultural understanding and sharing.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>A neutral globalized society boosts up the rate at which people are exposed to the culture, attitudes and values of people in other countries.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Sharing Technology and Values</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It also provides poor countries, through infusions of foreign capital and technology, with the chance to develop economically and by spreading prosperity.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Decline of Globalisation</h3>
<p>The global financial crisis was a turning point, as it struck at the twin foundations of <strong>liberal democracy and free-market capitalism.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Suppression of liberal democracy:</strong> The malaise of slow economic growth, wealth inequality and rising unemployment provided a perfect breeding ground for political leaders to appeal for nationalism as the solution to political and economic ills.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The economic rise of China under an authoritarian regime also raised doubts over the efficacy of liberal democracy in solving pressing domestic challenges.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Perils of neo-liberal doctrine:</strong> While the free-market ideology has been fighting a battle of credibility since it took the maximum blame for the 2008 crisis, free trade policies have now been severely impacted due to Covid-19.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The pandemic has not only exposed the fragility of highly optimised supply chains that spread across countries but has also shown such inter-country supply chains to be a threat to national security.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Cons of Globalisation</h3>
<p><strong>Increasing Inequality</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The general complaint about globalization is that it has made the rich richer while making the poor poorer.</li>
<li>The <strong>UN Development Program reports</strong> that the richest 20% of the world's population consume 86% of the world's resources while the rest 80% consume just 14 percent.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Malpractices of MNCs</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Multinational corporations (MNCs) are accused of social injustice, unfair working conditions (including slave labour wages, living and working conditions), as well as lack of concern for the environment, mismanagement of natural resources, and ecological damage.</li>
<li>Also, Multinational corporations, which were previously restricted to commercial activities, are increasingly influencing political decisions.</li>
<li>Many think there is a threat of corporations ruling the world because they are gaining power, due to globalization.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Fail to Contribute Towards Desired Gains</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The argument that globalization has helped people in developing most of the countries out of poverty is somehow controversial. Because the opinions differ as to the quantity and the quality of the jobs being offered by globalization.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Contribute Towards Cultural Homogeneity</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Globalisation promotes people's tastes to converge which may lead to more cultural homogeneity.</li>
<li>Due to this, there is a danger of losing precious cultural practices and languages.</li>
<li>Also, there are threats of cultural invasion of one country over another.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Conclusion</h3>
<p>Given its enormous potential for economic gains, it would be a waste to categorically repudiate the phenomena of Globalisation. Instead, there is a need for better understanding of Globalization's effects and the interplay of its economics with other issue areas.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1592047608_image1.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1592047608_image1.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="700" caption="false" /></a></p>
<table border="1" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="width: 100%; border-style: dotted; border-color: #ff0000; background-color: #eeffeb;">
<p><span style="color: #333399;"><em><strong>Drishti Mains Question</strong></em></span></p>
<p>&ldquo;From being the pre-eminent phenomenon integrating the world, globalisation now looks like a spent force&rdquo;. Critically discuss.</p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p style="text-align: center;"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/3JHCKmcw2E8" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p>
<p>This editorial is based on<a href="https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/editorial/back-from-the-brink-the-hindu-editorial-on-india-china-border-row/article31806318.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> &ldquo;Back From The Brink&rdquo;</strong> </a>which was published in The Hindu on June 12<sup>th</sup>, 2020. Now watch this on our Youtube channel.</p>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/rise-and-fall-of-globalisation'
		],
		(int) 11 => [
			'title' => 'World Day Against Child Labour 2020',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently the World Day Against Child Labour has been observed on<strong> June 12<sup>th</sup> 2020.</strong></p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The<strong> theme</strong> for the year 2020 is <strong>Covid-19: Protect children from child labour, now more than ever</strong> which focuses on the impact of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/covid-19-and-india-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Covid-19</strong></a> crisis on child labour.</li>
<li>On 12<sup>th</sup> June 2002, the International Labour Organisation launched the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/world-day-against-child-labour" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>World Day Against Child Labour.</strong></a></li>
<li>Since then, every year, the day is marked to highlight the plight of child labourers worldwide and also to take required measures to eliminate it.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Child Labour</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/international-labour-organization" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>International Labour Organisation (ILO)</strong></a> defines<strong> child labour as work that deprives children of their childhood, their potential and their dignity,</strong> and that is harmful to their physical and mental development.</li>
<li>In the least developed countries, slightly more than one in four children (ages 5 to 17) are engaged in labour that is considered detrimental to their health and development.</li>
<li>The eradication of Child Labour is part of the <strong>UN Sustainable Development Goal Target 8.7.</strong></li>
<li><strong>International Laws on Child Labour</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, 1989:</strong> It contains the idea that children are not just objects who belong to their parents and for whom decisions are made, or adults in training. Rather, they are human beings and individuals with their own rights.</li>
<li><strong>International Labour Organizations Conventions on the minimum age for admission to employment of the year 1973</strong> (ILO convention 138) and on the <strong>worst forms of child labour of the year 1999</strong> (ILO convention182).</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Data Across the World</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Absolute Numbers: 152 million</strong> children between the <strong>ages of 5-17 were</strong> in child labour, almost half them, 73 million, in hazardous child labour.</li>
<li><strong>Age Specific:</strong> Almost half (48%) of the victims of child labour were aged 5-11, 28% were 12-14 years old, and 24% were 15-17 years old.</li>
<li><strong>Sectors:</strong> Child labour is concentrated <strong>primarily in agriculture and allied activities (71%),</strong> 17% in services; and 12% in the industrial sector.</li>
</ul>
<h3>India and the Child Labour</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>In the age group of 15-18 years, India has around 23 million working children. This means <strong>one in eleven children</strong> between the <strong>ages of 5-18 years</strong> in the country are working.</li>
<li>Five states which are the India&rsquo;s biggest child labour employers-<strong> Uttar Pradesh, Bihar Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Constitutional Provisions:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Article 21A:</strong> Right to Education</li>
<li><strong>Article 24:</strong> Prohibition of employment of children (below the age fourteen years) in factories, etc.</li>
<li><strong>Article 39:</strong> The State shall, in particular, direct its policy towards securing the health and strength of workers, men and women, and the tender age of children are not abused and that citizens are not forced by economic necessity to enter avocations unsuited to their age or strength.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Initiatives by the Government of India:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Gurupadswamy Committe: In 1979,</strong> the central government formed the first statutory committee to analyse and research on the issue of child labour in India.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>One of their major observations was that the problem of child labour is inextricably linked to poverty.</li>
<li>Taking into account the findings and recommendations of the committee, the Union Government enacted the <strong>Child labour (Prohibition and &amp; Regulation) Act in 1986.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>National Policy on Child Labour (1987):</strong> It focuses more on rehabilitation of children working in hazardous occupations and processes, rather than on prevention.</li>
<li><strong>Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act 2000 (the JJ Act) and amendment of the JJ Act in 2006:</strong> It includes the working child in the category of children in need of care and protection, without any limitation of age or type of occupation.</li>
<li><strong>The Right to Education Act, 2009</strong> has made it mandatory for the state to ensure that all children <strong>aged 6 to 14 years</strong> are in school and receive free education.</li>
<li>Another landmark step was the enactment of the <strong>Child labour (Prohibition and Prevention) Amendment Act, 2016.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Initiatives<strong> like Operation Smile, Operation Muskaan</strong> to rescue and rehabilitation of childrens from an unorganised sector, manufacturing units and other factories.</li>
<li>Recently, India has ratified International<strong> Labour Organizations Convention (ILO) no 138 (minimum age for employment)</strong> and <strong>Convention no 182 (worst forms of child labour).</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Impact of Covid-19</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>In India,</strong> the lockdown to curb the spread of the Covid-19 has left <strong>child labourers</strong> with no source of income, no means of protection against the disease.</li>
<li>The lockdown has forced millions of migrant workers &mdash; facing long-term unemployment &mdash; to return to their villages without any jobs. Children of returnee migrants have been forced to become child labourers.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Concerns</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The issue of child labour is still prevelant in India, despite the presence of several laws.</li>
<li>Child labour legislation to protect children has been inadequate and face the following challenges:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Definitional issue</strong>: One of the biggest challenges in eradicating child labour is the confusion around the definition of a child, in terms of age, in various laws dealing with child labour.</li>
<li><strong>Lack of identification:</strong> Age identification of children is a difficult task in India due to the lack of identification documents E.g. Birth Certificates, School Certificates etc.</li>
<li><strong>Weak enforcement of law:</strong> Due to lack of adequate deterrence and corruption it is difficult to eradicating child labour</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Poverty and lack of school</strong> are considered as the main causes of child labour.</li>
<li>People from rural areas with little education often see no alternative but to take their children out of school and put them to work. The children grow up without education, health facilities and no knowledge of their rights.</li>
<li>The extreme form of<strong> child labour that is forced labour,</strong> in which children suffer not only the impact of hazardous working conditions but lack of freedom.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The<strong> cycle of poverty and its implications</strong> must be addressed properly, so families can find other means to survive.</li>
<li>Many <strong>NGOs like Bachpan Bachao Andolan, ChildFund, CARE India,Kailash Satyarthi Children Foundation</strong> etc. have been working to eradicate child labour in India. Right kind of focus and orientation with state level authorities is also needed to avoid the practice of child labour.</li>
<li><strong>Forced Child Labour</strong> requires an urgent action from governments and the international communities.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.downtoearth.org.in/news/agriculture/world-day-against-child-labour-2020-vulnerable-children-worse-off-due-to-covid-19-71719" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: DTE</strong></a></p>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/world-day-against-child-labour-2020'
		],
		(int) 12 => [
			'title' => 'India-Tanzania Relations',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, Prime Minister of India thanked <strong>Dr John Pombe Joseph Magufuli, President of the United Republic of Tanzania</strong> for his assistance provided for the evacuation of Indian citizens from Tanzania in the wake of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/coronavirus-disease-named-covid-19" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Covid-19</strong></a>.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Both leaders <strong>reviewed the overall bilateral relationship</strong> and expressed satisfaction at the growing development partnership, educational linkages, trade and investment flows and <strong>discussed possibilities of further accelerating</strong> these trends.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Tanzania<a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1592043046_image3.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1592043046_image3.jpg" style="float: right;" width="350" caption="false" /></a></strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It was formed as a<strong> sovereign state in 1964</strong> through the<strong> union of the separate states of Tanganyika and Zanzibar.</strong></li>
<li><em><strong>Dodoma</strong> </em>is the<strong> official capital</strong> and <strong>Dar es Salaam</strong> is the seat of most <strong>government administrations</strong> as well as is the <strong>largest city and port in the country.</strong></li>
<li>It is located in<strong> east Africa</strong> just south of the Equator. It is bounded by Uganda, Lake Victoria and Kenya to the <strong>north,</strong> by the Indian Ocean to the<strong> east,</strong> by Mozambique, Lake Nyasa, Malawi and Zambia to the <strong>south</strong> and southwest and by Lake Tanganyika, Burundi and Rwanda to the <strong>west.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Africa&rsquo;s highest mountain, Kilimanjaro</strong> (5,895 metres) and the <strong>world&rsquo;s second deepest lake, Lake Tanganyika</strong> (1,436 metres deep) are located in Tanzania.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Tanzania is <strong>one of the fastest-growing African countries</strong> of this decade and plays an important role in <a href="/to-the-points/Paper2/india-africa-relations" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>India-Africa relations</strong></a>.</li>
<li>Tanzania and India have enjoyed traditionally<strong> close, friendly and cooperative relations.</strong></li>
<li>The <strong>High Commission of India</strong> in Dar es Salaam has been operating since <strong>November 1961</strong> and the <strong>Consulate General of India</strong> in Zanzibar was set up in <strong>October 1974.</strong></li>
<li>In October 2019, as part of the<strong> Indian Navy's Overseas Deployment,</strong> four indigenously built ships of the Indian Navy visited the ports at <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/dar-es-salaam-and-zanzibar" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Dar es Salaam and Zanzibar</strong></a> located in Tanzania.</li>
<li><strong>Bilateral Treaties &amp; Agreements:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Agreement on the establishment of a Joint Trade Committee (2000).</li>
<li>MOU for Co-operation in the field of Agriculture and Allied Sectors (2002).</li>
<li>MoU on Exchange of Programme on Co-operation in the field of Education (2003).</li>
<li>MOU on Defence Cooperation (2003).</li>
<li>MOU for Cooperation in the field of Hydrography between Tanzania and India and Protocol on exchange of Hydrographic Data (2015).</li>
<li>MOU on Cooperation in the field of water resource management and development (2016).</li>
<li>Loan Agreement between Exim Bank and Government of Tanzania on line of credit for USD 500 million for water supply projects in 17 towns across Tanzania (May 2018).</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Commercial and Economic Relations:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>India is the <strong>largest trading partner of Tanzania</strong> comprising <strong>16%</strong> of Tanzania&rsquo;s foreign trade.</li>
<li>India is also <strong>among the top five investment sources</strong> in Tanzania.</li>
<li><strong>India&rsquo;s major exports to Tanzania:</strong> Petroleum products, pharmaceuticals and chemicals, motor vehicles, electrical goods, articles of iron and steel, sugar, machinery, etc.</li>
<li><strong>Tanzania&rsquo;s major exports to India:</strong> Gold ore, cashew nuts, pulses, timber, spices (mainly cloves), ores and metal scrap, gemstones, etc.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Development Partnership:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Tanzania is a <strong>major beneficiary of training courses</strong> allocated under India&rsquo;s <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/vice-president-s-visit-to-comoros-and-sierra-leone" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation Programme/Special Commonwealth African Assistance Programme</strong></a> (ITEC/SCAAP) and under<strong> India Africa Forum Summit</strong> (IAFS) capacity building cooperation.</li>
<li>India has executed a number of projects under<strong> government grants and soft loans</strong> in Tanzania.</li>
<li>India provided <strong>essential medicines and vaccines</strong> as grant support to Tanzania in September 2018 and set up a<strong> radiation therapy machine &lsquo;Bhabhatron-II&rsquo;</strong> for cancer patients.</li>
<li>India has also extended a <strong>Credit Line to Tanzania for various water supply projects</strong> in Dar-es-Salaam, coastal Chalinze region, Tabora, Igunga, Nzega, etc.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Culture:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The <strong>Indian Cultural Centre</strong> (ICC), Dar es Salaam under the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/70-years-of-indian-council-for-cultural-relations" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Indian Council for Cultural Relations</strong></a> (ICCR), coordinates cultural outreach since its establishment in December 2010.</li>
<li>The 5<sup>th</sup> <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/international-yoga-day#:~:text=June%2021%20is%20observed%20as,Nations%20declared%20it%20in%202015." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>International Day of Yoga</strong> </a>(<strong>21<sup>st</sup> June</strong>) was celebrated in Tanzania in 2019.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Indian Community:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Tanzania is home to <strong>more than 50,000 people of Indian origin.</strong></li>
<li>The Indian origin community is <strong>active in the field of trade, industry and services</strong> in Tanzania.</li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/important-facts-for-prelims-23rd-january-2019" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award</strong> </a>and <strong><em>&lsquo;Bharat Ko Janiye&rsquo; quiz</em> </strong>generate interest in Tanzania.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Government of India organises Bharat Ko Janiye Quiz, which is an online quiz for <a href="/to-the-points/Paper2/indian-diaspora" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Non-Resident Indians</strong></a> (NRIs) and<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/overseas-citizenship-of-india#:~:text=The%20Ministry%20of%20Home%20Affairs,on%2026th%20January%201950%3B%20or" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> Overseas Citizens of India</strong> </a>(OCIs) between the age of 18 and 35 years.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>From the 1960s to the 1980s, the political relationship between India and Tanzania involved shared commitments to anticolonialism, <a href="/to-the-points/Paper2/non-aligned-movement-nam" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>non-alignment</strong></a> as well as <a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/the-big-picture-india-africa-partnership" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>South-South Cooperation</strong> </a>and close cooperation in international fora.</li>
<li>In recent years, India-Tanzania ties have evolved into a modern and pragmatic relationship with sound political understanding, diversified economic engagement, people to people contacts in the field of education and healthcare and development partnership in capacity building training, concessional credit lines and grant projects.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1631226" 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/india-tanzania-relations'
		],
		(int) 13 => [
			'title' => 'India- Laos Relations',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the Prime Minister of India had a telephonic conversation with the Prime Minister of Lao People&rsquo;s Democratic Republic (PDR).</p>
<h3>Key Points<a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1592041737_image2.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img width="350" class="content-img" style="float: right;" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1592041737_image2.png" caption="false" /></a></h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Both the leaders exchanged views on the health and economic challenges posed by the global <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/covid-19-and-indian-federalism" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Covid-19 pandemic</strong></a>.</li>
<li>They agreed on the need for international cooperation, and for sharing of best-practices and experiences, in order to prepare for the post-Covid world.</li>
<li>India&rsquo;s Prime Minister highlighted India&rsquo;s historic and cultural links with Laos and expressed satisfaction at being involved<strong> in the restoration of the Vat Phou hindu temple complex (<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/kailash-mansarovar-in-tentative-list-of-world-heritage-sites" target="_blank" rel="noopener">world heritage site</a>).</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>He also reiterated India&rsquo;s commitment to continue its development partnership with Lao PDR, a valued partner in<strong> India&rsquo;s extended neighbourhood.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Lao Prime Minister thanked India's support for Lao&rsquo;s development programmes, in capacity building and for scholarships.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Relations Between the Countries</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Political Relations:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Based upon historical and civilizational foundations, India and Laos enjoy long standing, friendly and mutually supportive relations.</li>
<li>Political relations between both the countries were established in February 1956.</li>
<li>Laos has been supportive on major issues of regional and international concerns to India, including <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/india-permanent-seat-in-unsc" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>India&rsquo;s claim for permanent membership of the UN Security Council.</strong> </a></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Defence Cooperation:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Since 1994, under <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/vice-president-s-visit-to-comoros-and-sierra-leone" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC)</strong></a> Agreement, a two-member Indian Army Training Team has conducted training for Lao defence personnel in English, Computers and Basic Tactics. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The Indian team is the only foreign training team besides the Vietnamese and the Chinese.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Indian Army had also conducted three training capsules on Unexploded Ordnance (Bomb) (UXOs) and De-mining in Laos in 2011, 2012 and 2013. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>De-mining is the process of removing land mines from an area.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Economic Cooperation:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Bilateral trade between both the nations in 2017-18 has reached to 193.63 US million dollars. Although the trade balance is heavily shifted in favour of Laos.</li>
<li>India has supported development of Laos by extending Lines of Credit for infrastructure projects in the fields of transmission line, hydropower project, conversion of diesel to electric driven pump sets, and irrigation projects.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Cultural Relations:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The two countries share age-old civilisational ties best symbolised by:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The relic of the Buddha encased in the That Luang Stupa, the national emblem of Lao PDR.</li>
<li>The Vat Phou Temple Complex, an ancient Shiva temple, whose earliest structures date back to the 5<sup>th</sup> and 6<sup>th</sup> Century AD, and which is currently being renovated and restored by the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/bibi-ka-maqbara-of-aurangabad" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Archaeological Survey of India</strong></a>.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Human Resource Development:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The Government of India has been providing nearly 140 scholarships annually to Lao nationals under various schemes.</li>
<li>The <strong>Lao-India Entrepreneurship Development Centre (LIEDC)</strong> set up in November, 2004, trains Lao entrepreneurs for setting up small and medium scale businesses.</li>
<li>Agreement for setting up of <strong>Centre of Excellence in Software Development and Training (CESDT)</strong> in Vientiane under <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/asean-summit-2" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>ASEAN</strong></a> <strong>Framework</strong> was signed in 2015.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Note: Line of Credit</strong> is a &lsquo;soft loan&rsquo; provided on concessional interest rates to developing countries, which has to be repaid by the borrowing governments. The projects under LOCs are spread over different sectors like agriculture, infrastructure, telecom, railway, transmission/power, renewable energy, etc.</p>
</div>
<p><a href="https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1631229" 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/india-laos-relations'
		],
		(int) 14 => [
			'title' => 'Inclusion of Reservation Laws in Ninth Schedule',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, a Union Minister emphasised the need to <strong>include all <a href="/to-the-points/Paper2/reservation-in-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener">reservation</a>-related laws in the Ninth Schedule of Constitution</strong> so that they are shielded from<strong> judicial review.</strong></p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The minister argued that<strong> reservation is not confined</strong> just to Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs) and is available to Other Backward Classes (OBCs) and poor sections of the upper castes as well and have been <strong>attached to Fundamental Rights.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>SC/ST Reservation:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Both the Centre and the states are permitted to make any special provision for the advancement of SCs and STs.</li>
<li>The<strong> quota in government jobs and educational institutions for SCs and STs is 15% and 7.5% respectively</strong> (total 22.5%).</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Other Backward Class (OBC) Reservation:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Both the Centre and the states are empowered to make provision for the advancement of OBCs regarding their admission to educational institutions and government jobs.</li>
<li>The<strong> quota limit for OBCs is 27%.</strong></li>
<li>However, various state governments have different quota limits for OBCs in their state like Tamil Nadu has 50% reservation for OBCs.</li>
<li>In the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/reservation-review-sc" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><em><strong>Indra Sawhney &amp; Others vs Union of India, 1992</strong></em></a> judgement, the Supreme Court fixed the upper limit for the combined reservation quota i.e. should not exceed 50% of seats.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Economically Weaker Section (EWS) Reservation:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/states-prerogative-to-provide-10-reservation" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>103<sup>rd</sup> Constitution Amendment Act, 2019</strong> </a>empowers both Centre and the states to provide <strong>10% reservation to the EWS category</strong> of society in government jobs and educational institutions.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Background:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>This demand comes after the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-national-institutions/supreme-court-of-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Supreme Court&rsquo;s</strong></a> recent observation that the <strong>Right to <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/reservation-not-a-fundamental-right-supreme-court" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Reservation is not a Fundamental Right.</a></strong></li>
<li>Earlier, SC ruled that<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/reservations-in-promotion-is-not-a-fundamental-right-sc" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> reservation in the matter of promotions in public posts was not a fundamental right</strong></a> and that a <strong>state cannot be compelled to offer quota</strong> if it chooses not to.</li>
<li>Apart from that, there have been repeated challenges to the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/cabinet-clears-bill-to-restore-the-provisions-of-sc-st-act" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Scheduled Castes and Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989</strong></a> and <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/sc-upholds-changes-to-sc-st-atrocities-law#:~:text=Salient%20Features%20of%20the%20Amendment%20Act%2C%202018&amp;text=It%20delineates%20specific%20crimes%20against,in%20the%20Act%20are%20cognizable." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>its amendments.</strong></a></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Ninth Schedule</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Schedule contains a list of central and state laws which cannot be challenged in courts and was added by the<strong><a href="/to-the-points/Paper2/major-constitutional-amendment-part-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> Constitution (First Amendment) Act, 1951</a>.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The first Amendment added 13 laws to the Schedule. Subsequent amendments in various years have taken the number of protected laws to 284 currently.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>It was created by the new<strong> Article 31B,</strong> which along with <strong>Article 31A</strong> was brought in by the government to protect<strong> laws related to agrarian reform</strong> and for <strong>abolishing the <a href="/mains-practice-question/question-634" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Zamindari system</a>.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>While <strong>Article 31A extends protection to &lsquo;classes&rsquo; of laws, Article 31B shields specific laws or enactments.</strong></li>
<li>While most of the laws protected under the Schedule concern agriculture/land issues, the list includes other subjects.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Article 31B also has a <strong>retrospective operation</strong> which means that if laws are inserted in the Ninth Schedule after they are declared unconstitutional, they are considered to have been in the Schedule since their commencement, and thus valid.</li>
<li><strong>Although Article 31B excludes judicial review,</strong> the apex court has said in the past that even laws under the Ninth Schedule would be<strong> open to scrutiny if they violated </strong><strong>Fundamental Rights or the basic structure of the Constitution.</strong></li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Although reservation is necessary, it should also be open to judicial scrutiny in order to ensure any abrupt or irrational policy initiative by the Executive or the Legislature.</li>
<li>Any loophole or shortcomings in reservation policy must be addressed by involving various stakeholders. The need of the hour is not to go to extremes of either scrapping or shielding reservation policy, rather a rational framework on this contentious policy must be developed.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/india/include-quota-related-laws-in-9th-schedule-to-bar-them-from-judicial-review-paswan-6456215/" 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/inclusion-of-reservation-laws-in-ninth-schedule'
		],
		(int) 15 => [
			'title' => 'Sahakar Mitra: Scheme on Internship Programme',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the Ministry of Agriculture &amp; Farmers&rsquo; Welfare has launched a <strong>Scheme on Internship Programme (SIP) i.e. Sahakar Mitra.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It is an initiative by the <strong>National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC)</strong> for young professionals. It is expected to be beneficial for both i.e. <strong>cooperatives</strong> as well as for the<strong> young professionals.</strong></li>
<li>Earlier, the government launched <b><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/tulip-the-urban-learning-internship-program" target="_blank" rel="noopener">'The Urban Learning Internship Program (TULIP) Portal'</a></b> to provide internship opportunities to thousands of fresh graduates and engineers of the country under the 'Smart City' projects.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Objectives:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The Sahakar Mitra scheme will help <strong>cooperative institutions</strong> access <strong>new and innovative ideas of young professionals</strong> while the interns will gain experience of working in the field to be self-reliant.</li>
<li>It <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/Scheme%20to%20Promote%20Young%20Entrepreneurs%20in%20Cooperatives" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>will provide the young professionals</strong> </a><strong>an opportunity of practical exposure and learning</strong> from the working of NCDC and <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/bihar-to-sell-kashmiri-apples" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>cooperatives</strong></a> as a paid intern.</li>
<li>It would also provide an opportunity to professionals from academic institutions to develop leadership and entrepreneurial roles through cooperatives as <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/farmer-producer-bodies-need-help" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Farmers Producers Organizations (FPO)</strong></a>.</li>
<li>In line with the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/atmanirbhar-bharat-and-economic-stimulus" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>AtmaNirbhar Bharat (Self Reliant India)</strong></a>, it focuses on the importance of<strong> Vocal for Local.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Eligibility:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Professional <strong>graduates</strong> in disciplines such as Agriculture and allied areas, IT, etc.</li>
<li>Professionals who are <strong>pursuing or have completed their MBA degrees</strong> in Agribusiness, Cooperation, Finance, International Trade, Forestry, Rural Development, Project Management, etc.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Financial Support:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>NCDC has designated funds for the<strong> paid internship program</strong> under which each intern will get <strong>financial support</strong> over a <strong>4 months internship period.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>National Cooperative Development Corporation</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Formation:</strong> The National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC) was established by an Act of Parliament in 1963 <strong>as a statutory Corporation</strong> under the <strong>Ministry of Agriculture &amp; Farmers&rsquo; Welfare.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Headquarters:</strong> NCDC functions through its <strong>Head Office at New Delhi</strong> and multiple Regional Offices.</li>
<li><strong>Objectives:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The objectives of NCDC are<strong> planning and promoting programmes for production, processing, marketing, storage, export and import of agricultural produce, foodstuffs, industrial goods, livestock</strong> and certain other notified commodities and services on cooperative principles.</li>
<li>The NCDC has the <strong>unique distinction of being the sole statutory organisation</strong> functioning as an <strong>apex financial and developmental institution</strong> exclusively devoted to the<strong> cooperative sector.</strong></li>
<li>It is a major financial institution for cooperatives, and has <strong>recently started Mission Sahakar 22,</strong> which aims to <strong>double farmers&rsquo; income by 2022.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>About Cooperatives</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>According to the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/international-labour-organization" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>International Labour Organisation (ILO)</strong></a>, a<strong> cooperative</strong> is an <strong>autonomous association of persons united voluntarily</strong> to meet their common economic, social and cultural needs and aspirations through a jointly owned and democratically controlled enterprise. E.g. FPOs as cooperatives.</li>
<li><strong>An FPO,</strong> formed <strong>by a group of farm producers,</strong> is a <strong>registered body with producers</strong> as shareholders in the organisation. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It deals with <strong>business activities related to the farm produce</strong> and it works for the benefit of the member producers.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Provisions of Indian Constitution related to Cooperatives</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Constitution (97<sup>th</sup> Amendment) Act, 2011 added a new Part IXB right after Part IXA (Municipals) regarding the cooperatives working in India.</li>
<li>The word &ldquo;cooperatives&rdquo; was added after &ldquo;unions and associations&rdquo; in<strong> Art. 19(1)(c) under Part III of the Constitution.</strong> This enables all the <strong>citizens to form cooperatives by giving it the status of fundamental right of citizens.</strong></li>
<li>A new<strong> Article 43B</strong> was added in the <strong>Directive Principles of State Policy (Part IV)</strong> regarding the<strong> &ldquo;promotion of cooperative societies&rdquo;.</strong></li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>NCDC should develop some techniques to evaluate the performance of cooperatives and encourage them to perform better.</li>
<li>The scheme will provide a boost to government-academia-industry-civil society linkages.</li>
<li>Further, India needs to learn from <strong>technical and vocational training/education models in China, Germany, Japan, Brazil, and Singapore,</strong> and adopt a comprehensive model that can bridge the<strong> skill gaps and ensure employability</strong> of youths.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetailm.aspx?PRID=1631125" 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/sahakar-mitra-scheme-on-internship-programme'
		],
		(int) 16 => [
			'title' => 'Small Farmers’ Agribusiness Consortium',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently the Union Minister of Agriculture &amp; Farmers&rsquo; Welfare highlighted the role of <strong>Small Farmers&rsquo; Agribusiness Consortium (SFAC)</strong> in increasing <strong>incomes of small and marginal farmers</strong> through aggregation and development of agribusiness.</p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Established:</strong> SFAC was established in <strong>1994 under Societies Registration Act, 1860</strong> as an autonomous body promoted by the Ministry of Agriculture &amp; Farmers' Welfare.</li>
<li><strong>Objectives:</strong> Promoting agribusiness by encouraging institutional and private sector investments and linkages to ensure the empowerment of all farmers in the country.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Organising small and marginal farmers as Farmer Interest Groups, Farmer Producer Organisations and Farmer Producer Company for endowing them with bargaining power and economies of scale.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Few Important Schemes Implemented by SFAC:</strong> Equity Grant &amp; Credit Guarantee Fund (EGCGF) Scheme , Venture Capital Assistance (VCA) Scheme, <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/farmer-producer-bodies-need-help" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Farmer Producer Organization (FPO)</strong></a> Scheme, <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/new-features-added-to-e-nam" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>National Agriculture Market (NAM) Scheme</strong></a>, etc.</li>
<li><strong>Recent Initiatives/Developments:</strong> SFAC launched the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/kisan-rath-app" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Kisan Rath app</strong></a> with the help of officials of the Ministry of Agriculture which lessened the problem of transport of farm produce during lockdown.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It signed a <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/apeda-signs-mou-with-sfac" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Memorandum of Understanding (MoU)</strong></a> with the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) to bring in better synergy in the agricultural activities.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Equity Grant &amp; Credit Guarantee Fund (EGCGF) Scheme</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Equity Grant Fund has been set up with the primary objectives of :<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Enhancing<strong> viability and sustainability, credit worthiness</strong> of Farmer Producer Companies (FPCs),</li>
<li>Enhancing the shareholding of members to increase their ownership and participation in their FPCs.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>The Credit Guarantee Fund Scheme</strong> provides a Credit Guarantee Cover to the Eligible Lending Institution (ELI) to enable them to provide collateral free credit to FPCs.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Venture Capital Assistance</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Venture Capital Assistance is financial support in the form of an <strong>interest free loan</strong> provided by SFAC to meet the shortfall in the capital requirement for implementation of the project.</li>
</ul>
</div>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/small-farmers-agribusiness-consortium'
		],
		(int) 17 => [
			'title' => 'World Food Prize 2020',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Indian-American soil scientist - <strong>Dr. Rattan Lal -</strong> has been declared the winner of the World Food Prize 2020.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1592033989_image1.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1592033989_image1.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="600" caption="false" /></a></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>He played a major role in developing and mainstreaming a <strong>soil-centric approach</strong> to increasing food production that conserves natural resources and mitigates climate change.</li>
<li>Three separate United Nations Climate Change Conferences have adopted his strategy of restoring soil health as a means to sequestering carbon.</li>
<li>In 2007, he was among those <strong>recognised with a Nobel Peace Prize Certificate</strong> for his contributions to the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/special-report-on-climate-change-ipcc" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)</strong></a> reports, when the IPCC was named co-recipient of the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/nobel-prizes-2019" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Nobel Prize</strong></a>.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Objective:</strong> The World Food Prize is the foremost international honor recognizing the achievements of individuals who have advanced human development by improving the <strong>quality, quantity or availability of food in the world.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Field Covered:</strong> It is an <strong>annual award</strong> that recognizes contributions in any field involved in the world food supply including plant, animal and soil science; food science and technology; nutrition, rural development, etc.</li>
<li><strong>Eligibility:</strong> It is open for any individual without regard to race, religion, nationality or political beliefs.</li>
<li><strong>Cash Prize:</strong> In addition to the cash award of $2,50,000, the laureate receives a sculpture designed by the noted artist and designer, Saul Bass.</li>
<li><strong>Presentation of the Award:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The Prize is presented each October on or around <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/world-food-day" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>UN World Food Day (16<sup>th</sup> October).</strong></a></li>
<li>It is presented by the <strong>World Food Prize Foundation</strong> which has over 80 companies, individuals, etc. as donors.</li>
<li>The World Food Prize Foundation is located in Des Moines, USA.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Background:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Dr. Norman E. Borlaug,</strong> winner of the <strong>Nobel Peace Prize in 1970</strong> for his work in global agriculture, conceived the Prize. He is also known as the<strong> Father of the Green Revolution.</strong></li>
<li>The World Food Prize was created in 1986 with sponsorship by General Foods Corporation.</li>
<li>It is also known as the<strong> "Nobel Prize for Food and Agriculture".</strong></li>
<li><strong>Dr. M.S. Swaminathan,</strong> the father of India&rsquo;s green revolution, was the<strong> first recipient of this award in 1987.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/india/soil-scientist-rattan-lal-wins-world-food-prize-2020-6456269/" 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/world-food-prize-2020'
		],
		(int) 18 => [
			'title' => 'GST Council Meeting',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the 40<sup>th</sup> <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/gst-council-meet" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Goods and Services Tax (GST) Council</strong></a> meeting was held.</p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>GST Collections:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In the first two months of the current financial year, 2020-21, the cumulative GST revenues of states and the Centre<strong> has been only 45% of the monthly target.</strong></li>
<li>In 2020-21, the combined monthly GST revenue target is estimated at Rs. 1.21 lakh crore taking into account the budget estimate and states&rsquo; protected revenue.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Market Borrowing:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>As revenue has fallen for both the Centre and states, the GST Council has decided to hold a single-point agenda meeting in July, 2020 which will discuss <strong>market borrowing by the Council itself</strong> as one of the ways to raise money and <strong>compensate states for GST revenue losses.</strong></li>
<li>The<strong> GST Act, 2017</strong> extends a<strong> guarantee to states</strong> that any<strong> loss in revenues in the first five years (2017-2022) of GST implementation</strong> will be compensated through a cess that accrues to the <strong>Compensation Fund.</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The shortfall is calculated assuming a 14% annual growth in GST collections by states over the base year of 2015-16.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>In the 8<sup>th</sup> GST Council meeting it was discussed that in case the amount in the GST Compensation Fund fell short of the compensation payable, the Council shall decide the mode of raising additional resources including borrowing from the market.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The borrowing could be repaid by collection of cess in the sixth year or further subsequent years.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Issues Involved:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>There is a question about the<strong> legality of the GST Council to borrow;</strong> for instance, can it be accorded <strong>sovereign status</strong> like Centre and states.</li>
<li>The burden and the impact of market borrowing on the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/flexibility-under-the-frbm-act" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management Act (FRBM Act), 2003</strong></a> is not clear.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Tax Rationalisation:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The Council discussed correction of <strong>inverted duty structure</strong> for footwear, fertilisers and textiles. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Inverted duty structure is a situation where the rate of tax on inputs used is higher than the rate of tax on the finished good.</li>
<li>Take an imaginary situation of the tyre industry, the tax rate on natural rubber (input) purchased is 10% whereas the tax rate on rubber tyre is 5%. Here since the tax rate on input is higher than that on the finished good, there is an inverted tax structure.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>However, the decision was deferred because it would have resulted in increase in the prices of fertiliser, footwear and ready-made garments, which would have affected the process of economic revival.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Compliance-related Relief:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The GST Council also provided compliance-related relief to small taxpayers with turnover up to Rs. 5 crore.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It <strong>reduced the interest by half on delayed filing of GST returns</strong> for February, March and April, 2020 to 9%, provided the returns are filed by September 2020.</li>
<li>For May-July, 2020 the deadline for filing GST returns has been extended till 30 September, 2020 without any penalty.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>GST Council</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It is a<strong> constitutional body</strong> under<strong> Article 279A.</strong> It makes recommendations to the Union and State Government on issues related to <strong>Goods and Service Tax</strong> and was introduced by the<strong> Constitution (One Hundred and First Amendment) Act, 2016.</strong></li>
<li>The GST Council is <strong>chaired by the Union Finance Minister</strong> and other members are the Union State Minister of Revenue or Finance and Ministers in-charge of Finance or Taxation of all the States.</li>
<li>It is <strong>considered as a federal body</strong> where both the centre and the states get due representation.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The <strong>Economic Survey 2017-18</strong> also hailed the GST Council for its <strong>cooperative federalism technology</strong> which brings together the Center and States and can be applied to many other policy reforms.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Every decision of the Goods and Services Tax Council shall be taken at a meeting by a <strong>majority of not less than three-fourths of the weighted votes of the members present and voting,</strong> in accordance with the following principles, namely:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The vote of the Central Government shall have a weightage of one third of the total votes cast, and</li>
<li>The votes of all the State Governments taken together shall have a weightage of two-thirds of the total votes cast in that meeting.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>There is immediate need to clarify whether the GST Council can be accorded sovereign status or not, so that it can borrow from the market to meet the states&rsquo; compensation requirement.</li>
<li>If provided the authority to borrow from the market then on whom the burden of borrowing shall lie, need to be clarified.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/business/economy/gst-council-states-covid-19-indian-economy-6456308/" 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/gst-council-meeting'
		],
		(int) 19 => [
			'title' => 'Phases of Indian Foreign Policy',
			'catname' => 'Foreign Policy Corner',
			'desc' => '<h3></h3>
<p>The very structure of the international order is undergoing a profound transformation. This can be attributed by various geopolitical events.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>USA's unilateralism under America First policy.</li>
<li>Re-balancing of the global economy: The rise of China, India etc.</li>
<li>Return of old empires: Resurgence of Russia, Iran or Turkey.</li>
<li>Geopolitical Flux in the Middle East: Crisis in Syria &amp; Afghanistan, Reign of terrorism by Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS).</li>
<li>Africa which was earlier called the lost continent is now being called as the continent of hope.</li>
<li>Technology, connectivity and trade are now the new notions of power.</li>
<li>Climate change is a factor, contributing to geopolitics amongst others by the opening of an Arctic passage (a sea route from the Pacific Ocean to the Atlantic ocean, through the Arctic Ocean).</li>
</ul>
<p>In order to contemplate a challenging road ahead in this phase of geopolitical transformation, India can learn from its foreign policy since Independence.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1575268958_image2.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1575268958_image2.jpg" width="537" height="302" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" caption="false" /></a></p>
<h3>Indian foreign policy can be understood by dividing it into six broad phases:</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>The first phase (1947-62): Optimistic Non-Alignment</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>This period is marked with a setting of a bipolar world, with camps led by the United States and the USSR.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>India&rsquo;s objectives in this phase were to resist dilution of its sovereignty, rebuild its economy and consolidate its integrity.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>India was one of the first countries to be decolonized. Thus, it was natural for India to lead Asia and Africa in a quest for a more equitable world order.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>In pursuit of this, India played a critical role in the establishment of the Non-Alignment Movement (NAM) (1961), which marked the peak of Third World solidarity.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>However, the 1962 conflict with China not only brought this period to an end but in a manner that significantly damaged India&rsquo;s standing on NAM.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>The second phase (1962-71): Decade of Realism and Recovery</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>After the 1962 war, India made pragmatic choices on security and political challenges.</li>
<li>It looked beyond non-alignment in the interest of national security, concluding a now largely forgotten defence agreement with the US in 1964.</li>
<li>However, India faced external pressures on Kashmir (Tashkent agreement 1965) from the US and UK.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Through Tashkent agreement both India and Pakistan agreed to withdraw all armed forces to pre-war positions, to restore diplomatic relations; and to discuss economic, refugee, and other questions.</li>
<li>However, the agreement did not contain a no-war pact or any renunciation of Pakistan's aggression in Kashmir (as Pakistan was an ally of the US).</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Therefore, India now started tilting towards USSR.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>The third phase (1971-91): Greater Indian Regional Assertion</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>India showed remarkable use of hard power when it liberated Bangladesh in the India-Pakistan war in 1971.</li>
<li>However, it was a particularly complex phase as the US-China-Pakistan axis that came into being at this time seriously threatened India&rsquo;s prospects,as a regional power.</li>
<li>India also faced sanctions from US and it allies after conducting a Peaceful nuclear explosion test in 1974 (Pokhran I).</li>
<li>Further, the collapse of the USSR, India&rsquo;s close ally, and the economic crisis in 1991 compelled India to look again at the first principles of both domestic and foreign policy.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The combination of events as diverse as the Gulf War (1991-1992), the break-up of USSR (1991), long standing economic stagnation and domestic turbulence came together in 1991, creating a balance of payment crisis in India.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>The fourth phase (1991-98): Safeguarding Strategic Autonomy</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The emergence of a unipolar world (led by the USA), encouraged India to change its approach to world affairs.</li>
<li>This quest for strategic autonomy was particularly focused on securing its nuclear weapon option (Pokhran II 1998).</li>
<li>This is a period where India reached out to engage the US, Israel and ASEAN countries more intensively.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>This fifth phase (1998-2013): India, a Balancing Power</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In this period, India gradually acquired the attributes of a balancing power (against the rise of China).</li>
<li>It is reflected in the India-US nuclear deal (123 Agreement).</li>
<li>At the same time, India could also make common cause with China on climate change and trade, and consolidate further ties with Russia while helping to fashion BRICS into a major global forum.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>The sixth phase (2013-until now): Energetic Engagement</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In this phase of transitional geopolitics, India's policy of Non-Alignment has turned into Multi Alignment.</li>
<li>Moreover, India is now more aware of its own capabilities and the expectations that the world has of India.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>That India is among the major economies of the world is one factor.</li>
<li>The relevance of India&rsquo;s talent in creating and sustaining global technology is also likely to grow in time.</li>
<li>India's willingness to shape key global negotiations (such as conference in Paris on climate change) is equally significant.</li>
<li>India has been able to assert itself beyond South Asia, through its approach towards the Indian Ocean Region (SAGAR initiative) and the extended neighbourhood (Act East policy and Think West policy).</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1575269136_image1.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1575269136_image1.jpg" width="535" height="301" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" caption="false" /></a></p>
<h3>The following lessons that can be learnt from this historical study of Indian foreign policy:</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Need for greater realism in policy: India needs to change the image of a reluctant power.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In the phase of optimistic non-alignment (or even later), India's focus on diplomatic visibility sometimes led to an overlooking the harsher realities of hard security. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Discomfort with hard power can be reflected in the lack of adequate consultation with the military.</li>
<li>This led to an early misreading of Pakistan&rsquo;s and China's intentions (Indo-Pak war 1948 &amp; Sino-India war 1962), led to Gilgit-Baltistan &amp; part of Kashmir and Aksai Chin region now being under the effective control of Pakistan and China respectively.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>India realized that soft power diplomacy is not sufficient for protecting the country.</li>
<li>Therefore, the creation of the post of Chief of Defence Staff shows a step in the right direction.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Need for Strong economy: An expansionary foreign policy cannot be built on the margins of the global economy.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>China's assertiveness today in international politics (reflected in the Belt and Road initiative) is derived from its economic power. Similar is the case for the rise of Asian &lsquo;tiger economies' (ASEAN countries) and Japan.</li>
<li>There is a need for India to build a strong economic foundation to fulfil the aspiration of global power.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Need for Multi alignment: Any quest to maximize options and expand space naturally requires engaging multiple players.</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Today's world is characterized by complex interdependence (where countries are competing on geostrategic issues and cooperating on geo economic issues). Therefore, Indian foreign policy requires strategic hedging.</li>
<li>However, it is difficult to reconcile between Howdy Modi &amp; Mamallapuram (informal meeting of Indian Prime minister with US and Chinese counterparts respectively), RIC (Russia-India-China) &amp; JAI (Japan-America-India), Quad &amp; SCO (Shanghai Cooperation Organization), Iran &amp; Saudis and Israel &amp; Palestine.</li>
<li>Therefore, &ldquo;Hedging&rdquo; is going to be a delicate exercise.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Need for Greater Risk: Low-risk foreign policy is only likely to produce limited rewards.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>India&rsquo;s emphasis on sovereignty has not prevented India from responding to human rights situations in its neighbourhood. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations undertaken in Yemen, Nepal, Iraq, Sri Lanka, Maldives, Fiji and Mozambique are statements of India&rsquo;s capability as much it is of India&rsquo;s responsibility.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Also, India&rsquo;s enthusiasm for shaping global conversations on climate change, terrorism, connectivity and maritime security is already having an impact.</li>
<li>However, India needs to have more assertive participation in events of geopolitical significance.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>As Rabindranath Tagore declared, you can't cross the sea merely by standing and staring at the water.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Need for reading into things right: Foreign policy is all about dealing with global contradictions.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Foreign policy of all nations reflects an assessment of opportunities and compulsions, and of risks and rewards. Even a slight misreading of the larger landscape can prove costly. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>For example, India going to the United Nations on Jammu &amp; Kashmir clearly misread the intent of the Anglo-American alliance then and of the seriousness of the Cold War. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>India went to the United Nations, with a view that the international community will take notice of Pakistan&rsquo;s aggression on Kashmir.</li>
<li>However, the United Nations Security Council announced a ceasefire which created the PoK problem which we are still struggling to solve.</li>
<li>At the same time the occupation of Kashmir by Pakistan (PoK) also geographically separated India from the energy-rich Central Asian countries.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>In the 1960s, 1980s and again after 2001 (9/11 attack on the US), India grossly underestimated the relevance of Pakistan to American and Chinese global strategy.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>In present times, an appreciation of world politics must include a proper understanding of Sino-US contradictions, of growing multi-polarity, of weaker multilateralism, of larger economic and political rebalancing, of greater space for regional powers, and of a world of convergence.</li>
<li>A clearer definition of interests is, therefore, the next step.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p>To conclude, in this phase of geopolitical transformation, India needs to follow an approach of working with multiple partners on different agendas. Therefore, Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas is relevant in foreign policy.</p>',
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	(int) 0 => [
		'title' => 'Gateway Lunar Orbiting Outpost',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/national-aeronautics-and-space-administration-nasa" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)</strong></a> has finalised the contract to design the <strong>Habitation and Logistics Outpost (HALO)</strong> for its Gateway Lunar Orbiting Outpost.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The <strong>Habitation and Logistics (HALO) support</strong> for the Gateway, is a part of<strong> NASA&rsquo;s Artemis program</strong> that <strong>aims</strong> to send the <strong>first woman</strong> and the next man to the <strong>Moon by 2024.</strong></li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Habitation and Logistics (HALO)</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It refers to the <strong>pressurised living quarters where astronauts will spend their time</strong> while visiting the Gateway.</li>
<li>These quarters will be <strong>about the size of a small apartment and will provide augmented life support</strong> together with Orion spacecraft.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>The Gateway:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>NASA has targeted the <strong>completion of the Gateway for 2026,</strong> while work on the spaceship is already underway.</li>
<li>The <strong>Gateway can be used at least once per year</strong> and astronauts can not stay around the year like they do on the International Space Station (ISS).</li>
<li>Once docked to the Gateway, astronauts will be able to <strong>stay there for three months at a time.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Compared to the ISS,<strong> the Gateway is much smaller.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Significance:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It will act<strong> as an airport,</strong> where <strong>spacecraft bound for the lunar surface of Mars can refuel or replace parts</strong> and resupply things like food and oxygen, allowing astronauts to <strong>take multiple trips</strong> to the <strong>Lunar surface and exploration</strong> of new locations across the Moon.</li>
<li>By studying the <strong>geology of the Earth, the Moon, and Mars &ndash;</strong> the three planetary bodies and the ways in which they are similar and different from each other, it would give a<strong> sight about how planets and planetary systems form.</strong></li>
<li>Significantly, Gateway <strong>would work as a science platform to look back</strong> at the Earth, observe the Sun, and get unobstructed views of the vast universe.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Gateway Lunar Orbit Outpost</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Gateway is a <strong>small spaceship that will orbit the Moon,</strong> meant for astronaut missions to the Moon and later, for <strong>expeditions to Mars.</strong></li>
<li>It will act as a<strong> temporary office and living quarters for astronauts,</strong> distanced at about 250,000 miles from Earth.</li>
<li>The spaceship will have <strong>living quarters, laboratories for science and research and docking ports</strong> for visiting spacecraft.</li>
<li>One of the most <strong>unique features</strong> of the Gateway is that it can be <strong>moved to other orbits around the Moon</strong> to conduct more research.</li>
<li>It is expected to play a major role in NASA's Artemis program, after 2024.</li>
<li>While the project is led by NASA, the Gateway is meant to be developed, serviced, and utilized in collaboration with commercial and international partners: Canada <strong>(Canadian Space Agency)</strong>, Europe <strong>(European Space Agency)</strong>, and Japan <strong>(JAXA)</strong>.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>The Artemis</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It is a crewed spaceflight program of NASA that has the goal of landing <strong>"the first woman and the next man" on the Moon,</strong> specifically at the <strong>lunar south pole</strong> region by 2024.</li>
<li>It is a key step towards the long-term goal of establishing a sustainable presence on the Moon, laying the foundation for private companies to build a lunar economy, and eventually sending humans to Mars.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Orion Spacecraft</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It is being developed by <strong>NASA.</strong></li>
<li>It is a<strong> powerful, advanced launch vehicle</strong> for a new era of human exploration beyond Earth&rsquo;s orbit.</li>
<li>It is designed to take astronauts to deep space destinations such as the Moon and Mars.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>As NASA sets its sights on returning to the Moon, and preparing for Mars, it is developing<strong> new opportunities in lunar orbit</strong> to provide the <strong>foundation for human exploration deeper into the solar system.</strong></li>
<li>It would also support the <strong>technology maturation and development of operating concepts</strong> needed for missions beyond the Earth and Moon system.</li>
<li>Building the Gateway with<strong> commercial and international partners</strong> is a critical component of sustainable lunar exploration and the Artemis program.</li>
<li>So, the partnership would give a <strong>strategic presence of humans</strong> in space.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-what-is-nasas-gateway-lunar-orbiting-outpost-6460219/#:~:text=What%20is%20the%20Gateway%20Lunar,about%20250%2C000%20miles%20from%20Earth." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: IE</strong></a></p>',
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	],
	(int) 1 => [
		'title' => 'Global Partnership on Artificial Intelligence',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>India has joined the <strong>'Global Partnership on Artificial Intelligence (GPAI)'</strong> as a founding member to support the<strong> responsible and human-centric development</strong> and use of Artificial Intelligence (AI).</p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Objective:</strong> GPAI is an international and multi-stakeholder initiative to guide the responsible development and use of AI, based on human rights, inclusion, diversity, innovation, and economic growth.</li>
<li><strong>Functions:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Bridge the gap between theory and practice on AI by supporting cutting-edge research and applied activities on AI-related priorities.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>An example would be looking at how AI could help societies respond to and recover from the Covid-19 crisis.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Bring together leading experts from industry, civil society, governments, and academia to conduct research and pilot projects on AI.</li>
<li>It will initially <strong>comprise four working groups</strong> focused on responsible AI, data governance, the future of work, and innovation and commercialisation.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Founding Members:</strong> Australia, Canada, the European Union, France, Germany, India, Italy, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Mexico, New Zealand, Singapore, Slovenia, the United Kingdom and the United States.</li>
<li><strong>Organisation:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>GPAI will be supported by a Secretariat, to be hosted by <strong>Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD)</strong> in Paris, as well as by two Centers of Expertise- one each in Montreal (Canada) and Paris (France).</li>
<li>GPAI will be able to take advantage of the OECD&rsquo;s expertise on AI policy and its leadership in setting out the first international standard for trustworthy AI &ndash; the OECD Principles on Artificial Intelligence.</li>
<li>The OECD will also be a Permanent Observer to the GPAI&rsquo;s governing bodies.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Background:</strong> Born out of the Canadian and French G7 Presidencies in 2018 and 2019, GPAI was officially proposed by France and Canada at the Biarritz Summit in August 2019.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Artificial Intelligence</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It describes the action of machines accomplishing tasks that have historically required human intelligence.</li>
<li>It includes technologies like machine learning, pattern recognition, big data, neural networks, self algorithms etc.</li>
<li><strong>Example:</strong> Facebook&rsquo;s list of suggested friends for its users, self-driving cars, etc.</li>
<li>AI automates processes and reduces human error but the principal limitation of AI is that it learns from the data. This means any inaccuracies in the data will be reflected in the results.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It was formed in<strong> 1961.</strong> It has<strong> 37 member countries. India is not a member but one of the key partners</strong> of the organisation.</li>
<li>It is an international organisation, having a goal to shape policies that foster prosperity, equality, opportunity and well-being for all.</li>
<li><strong>PISA</strong> is the OECD&rsquo;s programme for international student assessment.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>India will participate in the PISA test 2021.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>It is<strong> headquartered at Paris, France.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The <strong>Financial Action Task Force (FATF)</strong> Secretariat is located at OECD headquarters.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>G7</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It is a bloc of<strong> industrialised democracies -</strong> Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Recent Initiatives by India in the Field of AI</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>India has recently launched National AI Strategy and National AI Portal and have also started leveraging AI across various sectors such as education, agriculture, healthcare, e-commerce, finance, telecommunications, etc.</li>
<li>The <strong>National AI strategy</strong> was released in 2018 by NITI Aayog. It is termed<strong> &lsquo;AIForAll&rsquo;</strong> as it is focused on leveraging AI for inclusive growth in line with the Government policy of Sabka Saath Sabka Vikas.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Role of the Government has been clearly delineated to develop the research ecosystem, promote adoption and address skilling challenges.</li>
<li>The strategy also flags important issues like ethics, bias and privacy issues relating to AI and envisions Government promoting research in technology to address these concerns.</li>
<li>The focus is on sectors like agriculture, health and education where public investment and lead would be necessary.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>National AI Portal:</strong> It has been developed jointly by the National e-Governance Division of the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) and the National Association of Software and Service Companies (Nasscom). The portal is meant to work as a <strong>&ldquo;one stop digital platform"</strong> for all AI related developments in India.</li>
<li><strong>Responsible AI for Youth Programme:</strong> It is aimed at imparting education and skills in AI to students in government schools.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>By joining GPAI as a founding member, India will actively participate in the global development of Artificial Intelligence, leveraging its experience around use of digital technologies for inclusive growth.</li>
<li>AI is rapidly penetrating into all the sectors of economy, if used empathetically and reasonably, it has the potential to change global social and economic interactions for the better.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1631676" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: PIB</strong></a></p>',
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		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/global-partnership-on-artificial-intelligence'
	],
	(int) 2 => [
		'title' => 'GovTech 3.0',
		'catname' => 'News Editorials',
		'desc' => '<div class="border">
<p>This article is based on<a href="https://www.hindustantimes.com/analysis/covid-19-has-opened-the-doors-for-gov-tech-3-0/story-Gogbtg00bYrwyrxreMKUQI.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> &ldquo;Covid-19 has opened the doors for Gov Tech 3.0&rdquo;</strong></a> which was published in the Hindustan Times on 11/06/2020. It talks about the challenges and Utility of the National Open Digital Ecosystem.</p>
</div>
<p>As India looks to adopt the maxim of &ldquo;minimum government and maximum governance&rdquo;, the role of <a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/in-depth-digital-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>digital ecosystems</strong></a> has become paramount. In this context, recently, the Ministry of Electronics of Information Technology (MeITY) has released a consultation paper on Strategy for<strong> National Open Digital Ecosystem (NODE).</strong></p>
<p>NODE or GovTech 3.0 defined as &ldquo;Open and secure delivery platforms, anchored by transparent governance mechanisms, which enable a technology collaboration among citizens, businesses and governments to transform societal outcomes.</p>
<p>The key objectives Govtech 3.0 include the need to optimise service delivery, integrate data across departments and ministries, create inter-operable and modular platforms and include the private sector by allowing them to build solutions on top of Government architecture.</p>
<p>While the Open Digital Ecosystem (ODE) empowers and enable collaboration in unprecedented ways, there are many underlying challenges emanating from such interconnected digital networks that need to be addressed.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1592221148_image3.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1592221148_image3.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="700" caption="false" /></a></p>
<div class="border-bg">
<p>Note: Evolution of GovTech (Use of Technology in Governance)</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Gov Tech1.0 was the era of &ldquo;computerisation&rdquo; of manual processes such as putting income tax forms online.</li>
<li>Gov Tech 2.0 was about building systems which digitised end-to-end processes, for example, the government&rsquo;s &ldquo;e-office&rdquo; file management system.</li>
<li>GovTech 3.0 is focussed on Open Digital Ecosystems (ODEs), the underlying philosophy suggests that the government should focus on creating the &ldquo;digital commons&rdquo;.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It envisages the government becoming a facilitator by creating digital infrastructure on which innovators can collaboratively build solutions for the public good.</li>
<li>For Examples, deployment of contact tracing apps (Aarogya Setu) developed through public-private partnerships, to prevent the spread of the virus.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1592221196_image1.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1592221196_image1.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="700" caption="false" /></a></p>
</div>
<h3>Advantages of GovTech 3.0</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Integration of Government Services:</strong> The advantages of building NODE is illustrated citing the example of e-Transport project of the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MORTH).<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The ministry helped digitize issuing vehicle registrations and driver&rsquo;s licenses making it easier for citizens to obtain them, creating dashboards with analytics.</li>
<li>It now integrates a National Vehicle Register and State Vehicle Registers with data interlinked across databases with access to government institutions like Police, National Crime Records Bureau and private institutions like banks and insurance companies.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Enhancing Social Security:</strong> Several path-breaking ODEs are already in play in India. For example:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/upi-20-launched-by-npci" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Unified Payments Interface (UPI)</strong></a> in the financial services space has played an instrumental role in increasing financial inclusion.</li>
<li>The National Digital Infrastructure for Teachers called <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/classes-in-distance-mode" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>DIKSHA</strong></a> will play a crucial role in education reforms.</li>
<li>The National Urban Innovation Stack which is enabling the more efficient provision of municipal services.</li>
<li>Similarly, a digital ecosystem for agriculture which is being designed by an inter-ministerial committee.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Underlying Challenges</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Privacy Issues:</strong> Potential violations of privacy and possible weaponization of data is a primary issue related to such digital initiatives.</li>
<li><strong>Federal Issues:</strong> The apps under Govtech 3.0 may end up gathering information which falls under the domain of State subject.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>For Example, the e-transport project has centralized governance of transport which is a state subject according to the constitution.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>May Increase Inequalities:</strong> Success in the digital provision of services is dependent on many underlying factors, including digital literacy, education and access to stable and fast telecommunication services.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In this setting, undertaking large-scale digitisation of services without bridging these digital divides could result in increasing existing inequalities.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Security Issues:</strong> Another cybersecurity challenge is ensuring end-to-end protection of data throughout the whole ecosystem. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>While channels and databases used by the Government for transmission and storage are usually secure, other players in the ecosystem may not possess the requisite expertise or security to prevent and respond to breaches.</li>
<li>The alleged breach of Aadhar database is a case in point.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Steps To Be Taken</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Addressing Privacy Issues:</strong> Designing privacy-protection and secure databases is critical. It is, therefore, imperative, that regulations governing the GovTech 3.0 take into account provisions of the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/personal-data-protection-bill-2019" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Personal Data Protection Bill, 2019.</strong></a></li>
<li><strong>Ensuring Inclusivity:</strong> Digital ecosystems should be guided by factors of availability, accessibility, affordability, value and trust.</li>
<li><strong>Ensuring Transparency:</strong> The invisible rules that are coded into &ldquo;tech&rdquo; need to be made transparent through thoughtful design principles, legislation, governance frameworks and public engagement.</li>
<li><strong>Citizen-Centric Design:</strong> There is a need to ensure the design is citizen-centric and ensures inclusive access to services at the last mile will help drive adoption and sustain these ecosystems.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Conclusion</h3>
<p>The push to create digital ecosystems is a welcome step as it can prove to be an effective tool in overcoming governance deficit and improving the quality of life for individuals. However, it is essential to adapt such ecosystems to the peculiarities of India.</p>
<p>In this context, design choices should be made not just in terms of the technology and data architecture, but also in terms of governance architecture and community engagement around ODEs, will determine how we collaborate to build a more resilient and empowered India.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1592221220_image2.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1592221220_image2.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="700" caption="false" /></a></p>
<table border="1" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="width: 100%; border-style: dotted; border-color: #ff0000; background-color: #e6ffe8;">
<p><span style="color: #0000ff;"><em><strong>Drishti Mains Question</strong></em></span></p>
<p>&ldquo;In pursuit of the maxim of &ldquo;minimum government and maximum governance&rdquo;, the role of digital ecosystems has become paramount&rdquo;. In light this statement, discuss the role and challenges of the National Open Digital Ecosystem.</p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p style="text-align: center;"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/SL-JI0tyNuA" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p>
<p>This editorial is based on <a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/editorials/tamil-nadu-coimbatore-koyampuththoor-6456137/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>&ldquo;Much in a Rename&rdquo;</strong></a> which was published in the Indian express in The Indian Express on 13/06/2020. Now watch this on our Youtube channel.</p>',
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	],
	(int) 3 => [
		'title' => 'Malabar Gliding Frog',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, a rare amphibian i.e. <strong>Malabar Gliding Frog <em>(Rhacophorus malabaricus)</em></strong> was spotted in Pullad, Kerala.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The amphibian is <strong>endemic</strong> to the rainforest of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/ecologically-sensitive-areas-in-western-ghats" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>western ghats</strong></a>.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Endemic species</strong> are those plants and animals that exist only in one geographical region.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Characteristics:<a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1592213374_Image1.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img width="250" class="content-img" style="float: right;" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1592213374_Image1.jpg" caption="false" /></a></strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It is a<strong> green frog</strong> with <strong>slender body, webbed feet, unusual body positions</strong> and very well <strong>camouflaged.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Camouflage,</strong> also called <strong>cryptic coloration,</strong> is a defense mechanism or tactic that organisms use to disguise their appearance, usually to blend in with their surroundings.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The fingers and toes are like sticks to attach and walk through tree branches.</li>
<li>It has a <strong>high gliding abilities,</strong> with the long skin between the fingers which helps to cover <strong>10 to 12 feet</strong> in one leap.</li>
<li>It has a<strong> body length of 10 cm,</strong> making it one of the <strong>largest mossy frogs.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Mossy Frogs:</strong> These frogs have the skin which is green in colour and resembles moss growing on the rock.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The breeding period is during the monsoon and usually, the females choose to spawn on the lush green leaves overhanging a waterbody.</li>
<li>As their body is so soft, they can live only in moist forests with streams.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Foam Nests:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>They built<strong> foam nests</strong> above small pools of water, into which the tadpoles drop after hatching. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Behaviour like<strong> cannibalism</strong> has been found among tadpoles.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Protection Status:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/iucn-red-list#:~:text=IUCN%20is%20a%20membership%20union,It%20is%20headquartered%20in%20Switzerland." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List</strong></a> , it is placed in the <strong>Least Concern</strong> category.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Concern:</strong> The Malabar gliding frog population is declining<strong> due to deforestation, climate change, developmental activities, </strong>and <strong>toxic chemicals.</strong></li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>The Western Ghats</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>These are the mountain ranges running parallel along the <strong>western coast of India starting from Gujarat and ending in Tamil Nadu.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Gujarat, Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Kerala</strong> are the six Indian states covered by Western Ghats.</li>
<li>The mountain range is also a <strong>&ldquo;Hottest Hotspot&rdquo; of biodiversity.</strong></li>
<li>The Ghats are often called the <strong>Great Escarpment of India</strong> and are also a <a href="/to-the-points/paper1/world-heritage-sites-in-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>UNESCO World Heritage Site.</strong></a></li>
<li><strong>High Biodiversity and Endemism</strong> are special features of Western Ghats along with the presence of <strong>Evergreen Forests.</strong></li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Amphibia</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>They fall under the <strong>Chordata phylum</strong> of the kingdom Animalia, Eg.,<strong> Frogs, Salamanders etc.</strong></li>
<li>These are <strong>multicellular vertebrates</strong> that live both on<strong> land and water.</strong></li>
<li>They are the<strong> first cold-blooded animals</strong> to have appeared on land.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Cold-blooded animals</strong> can be defined as the animals which cannot regulate their internal body temperature with the change in the environment.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>They respire through the lungs and skin.</li>
<li>They have <strong>three chambered</strong> hearts.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/malabar-gliding-frog-spotted-at-
pullad/article31827553.ece#:~:text=The%20amphibian%20is%20endemic%20to%20rain%20forests%20of%20Western%20Ghats&amp;text=This%20was%20how%20a%20juvenile,%2C%20near%20Kozhencherry%2C%20on%20Saturday." 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/malabar-gliding-frog'
	],
	(int) 4 => [
		'title' => 'Indian Naval LOs at Madagascar and Abu Dhabi',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>India is planning to post <strong>Naval Liaison Officers</strong> (LOs) at the <strong>Regional Maritime Information Fusion Centre</strong> (RMIFC) in <strong>Madagascar</strong> and the <strong>European Maritime Awareness in the Strait of Hormuz</strong> (EMASOH) in <strong>Abu Dhabi</strong> for improved <strong>Maritime Domain Awareness</strong> (MDA).</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>This move comes after <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/india-as-an-observer-at-ioc" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>India joined the Indian Ocean Commission</strong></a> (IOC) as Observer in <strong>March 2020</strong> along with <strong>Japan and the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/united-nations-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">United Nations</a>.</strong></li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The move <strong>aims</strong> to <strong>improve linkages</strong> of the Navy&rsquo;s <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/information-fusion-centre-of-indian-navy" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Information Fusion Centre for Indian Ocean Region</strong> </a>(IFC-IOR) in <strong>Gurugram with other IFCs</strong> and become the <strong>repository for all maritime data</strong> in the IOR.</li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/india-france-joint-patrolling" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>India is working closely with France</strong></a>, who is a pre-eminent member of IOC, to post a Naval LO at the RMIFC in Madagascar.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The<strong> RMFIC functions under the aegis of the IOC</strong> and is designed to deepen maritime domain awareness by monitoring maritime activities and promoting information sharing and exchange.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The Navy LO is expected to be posted at <strong>EMASOH by July</strong> and at the <strong>RMIFC by September or October 2020.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>India has a LO at the IFC in Singapore for over four years now.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Indian Ocean Commission</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It is an<strong> intergovernmental body and regional forum</strong> created in <strong>1984</strong> to protect the interests of the <strong>western Indian Ocean islands.</strong></li>
<li>It consists of <strong>Madagascar, Comoros, La R&eacute;union</strong> (French overseas territory), <strong>Mauritius</strong> and <strong>Seychelles.</strong></li>
<li>IOC has<strong> five observers</strong> which are <strong>China, <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/european-union" target="_blank" rel="noopener">European Union</a></strong> (EU), <strong>Malta</strong> and <strong>International Organisation of La Francophonie</strong> (OIF),<strong> India, Japan</strong> and <strong>the UN.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>OIF is a 54 french speaking nations collective.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>European Maritime Awareness in the Strait of Hormuz</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>France started EMASOH with the aim to monitor maritime activity and guarantee freedom of navigation in the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/persian-gulf-region" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Persian Gulf</strong></a> and the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/strait-of-hormuz-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Strait of Hormuz</strong></a>.</li>
<li>It is <strong>based at the French naval base in Abu Dhabi</strong> (UAE).</li>
<li>It was declared operational by the French Ministry of Armed Forces in February 2020.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>India&rsquo;s Other Initiatives:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>To strengthen the naval forces and surveillance, India has signed a series of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/india-france" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>white shipping agreements</strong></a>, <strong>Logistics Support Agreements</strong> (LSA) and <strong>maritime cooperation agreements</strong> with several countries, recently.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>For example, <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/india-australia-virtual-summit" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>India Australia Virtual Summit</strong></a> announced a joint declaration on a shared vision for maritime cooperation in the <a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/the-big-picture-indo-pacific-strategic-importance" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Indo-Pacific</strong> </a>in which they agreed to deepen navy-to-navy cooperation and strengthen MDA in the Indo-Pacific region through enhanced exchange of information.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>In<strong> 2015,</strong> India unveiled it's strategic vision for the Indian Ocean i.e. <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/sagar-vision" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Security and Growth for All in the Region</strong></a> (SAGAR). It is an increasing recognition of the increasing importance of maritime security, maritime commons and cooperation.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Through SAGAR, India seeks to <strong>deepen economic and security cooperation with its maritime neighbours </strong>and <strong>assist in building their maritime security capabilities.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Information Fusion Centre for Indian Ocean Region</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The <strong>Indian Navy</strong> set up the IFC-IOR in <strong>December 2018</strong> within the premises of the <strong>Information Management and Analysis Centre</strong> (IMAC) in Gurugram to track maritime movements in the region.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>IMAC is located in <strong>Gurugram</strong> and is the main centre of the Indian Navy for <strong>coastal surveillance and monitoring.</strong></li>
<li>IMAC is a <strong>joint initiative of Indian Navy, Coast Guard and Bharat Electronics Ltd</strong> and functions under the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/unified-commanders-conference" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>National Security Adviser</strong></a> (NSA).</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>IFC is the<strong> single point centre linking all the coastal radar chains</strong> to generate a seamless real-time picture of the nearly 7,500 km coastline.</li>
<li><strong>France</strong> became the <strong>first country to deploy</strong> a LO at the IFC-IOR <strong>followed by the USA</strong> and several other countries including Australia, Japan and the UK have announced their intention to post LOs.</li>
<li>It <strong>coordinates with similar centres</strong> across the globe which include:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Virtual Regional Maritime Traffic Centre (VRMTC)</li>
<li>Maritime Security Centre-<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/nobel-prize-for-peace-2019" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Horn of Africa</strong></a> (MSCHOA)</li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/recaap-isc-capacity-building-workshop" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Regional Cooperation Agreement on Combating Piracy and Armed Robbery</strong> </a>(ReCAAP)</li>
<li>Information Fusion Centre-Singapore (IFC-SG)</li>
<li>International Maritime Bureau-Piracy Reporting Centre (IMB-PRC)</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>India&rsquo;s engagement with the Western Indian Ocean will facilitate collective engagement with the islands there, which are becoming strategically significant.</li>
<li>Given China&rsquo;s growing presence in the region, India will be able to increase its naval presence and gain support for its maritime projects across the Indo-Pacific.</li>
<li>India&rsquo;s consultative, democratic and equitable leadership can help achieve the security and sustainable growth to all in the region.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/india-looks-to-deploy-naval-liaisons-at-madagascar-abu-dhabi-for-information-exchange/article31828272.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/indian-naval-los-at-madagascar-and-abu-dhabi'
	],
	(int) 5 => [
		'title' => 'Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The <strong>Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic plants (CIMAP)</strong> has announced a photography competition on medicinal and aromatic plants to convey the message of conservation of these medicinal plants.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The <strong>theme</strong> of the competition is<strong> &lsquo;Know your Medicinal and Aromatic Plants (MAPs)&rsquo;.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Established:</strong> Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants, popularly known as CIMAP, was established originally as Central Indian Medicinal Plants Organisation (CIMPO) in 1959. It was rechristened as Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants (CIMAP) in 1978.</li>
<li><strong>Objectives:</strong> It is a frontier plant research laboratory of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/world-malaria-day" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR)</strong></a>. It focuses on high quality research in biological and chemical sciences and extending technologies and services to the farmers and entrepreneurs of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants (MAPs).</li>
<li><strong>Headquarters:</strong> Lucknow, U.P.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>CIMAP, Lucknow houses the <strong>National Gene Bank of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants,</strong> in addition to seed gene bank, tissue and DNA bank.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Research Centres:</strong> Bangalore (Karnataka), Hyderabad (Telangana), Pantnagar (Uttarakhand) and Purara (Uttarakhand).</li>
<li>CIPAM is presently accredited by <strong>International Centre for Science and High Technology- United Nations Industrial Development Organization (ICS-UNIDO)</strong> and <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/19th-iora-council-of-ministers-meeting" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Indian-Ocean Rim Association (IORA)</strong></a> as a focal point for research and training on Medicinal Plants among participating member countries.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>International Centre for Science and High Technology</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>ICS was <strong>established in 1988</strong> and operates under the<strong> legal framework of the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/solar-thermal-energy-technology" target="_blank" rel="noopener">United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO)</a>.</strong> It focuses on the transfer of know-how and technology from industrialized to developing countries.</li>
<li>The Centre focuses its activities on <strong>four core scientific programmes:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Rational drug design and development</li>
<li>Next generation biofuels and bio-based chemicals</li>
<li>Geothermal energy</li>
<li>Nanotechnologies</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Headquarters:</strong> Trieste, Italy.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1631499#:~:text=In%20an%20effort%20to%20create,conservation%20of%20these%20medicinal%20plants." 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/central-institute-of-medicinal-and-aromatic-plants'
	],
	(int) 6 => [
		'title' => 'Indian Digital Payment System Outside India',
		'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> is exploring the possibility of expanding its payment system abroad, following the requests from several countries.</p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Requests for Payment System:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The RBI has received requests from abroad for implementing its payment systems like Cheque Truncation System (CTS), National Electronic Fund Transfer (NEFT), Unified Payments Interface (UPI) and messaging solutions.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Reason:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The availability of low cost innovative digital payment products in India has led to many countries expressing their interest in Indian payment system.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Availability of Payment System Outside India:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Currently, there are no RBI authorised payment system operators providing payment services outside India.</li>
<li>However, there is cross-country cooperation with Bhutan with respect to CTS, National Automated Clearing House (NACH) and NEFT. NEFT is also available for one-way transfers from India to Nepal.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Scope of Payment System Outside India:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>According to RBI there is scope for enhancing global outreach of its payment systems, including remittances, through active participation and co-operation in international and regional fora by collaborating and contributing to standard setting.</li>
<li>Efforts have been made to increase and widen the scope, coverage and usage of <strong>RuPay card scheme </strong>and<strong> UPI to enhance their brand value internationally.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Issues Involved:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Overdependence on the foreign funds (through digital payments) may lead to possible liquidity risk issues in India.</li>
<li>Different time zones may pose a risk in digital payments.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Digital Payments and India:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>India&rsquo;s growing use of retail digital payments, indicates a shift in the relationship with cash.</li>
<li>According to the RBI, the digital payments in the country have witnessed a growth of 61% and 19% in terms of volume and value, respectively.</li>
<li>The value of digital payments to <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/base-year-for-gdp-calculations" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Gross Domestic Product</strong></a> (GDP) has also increased from 660% in 2014-15 to 862% in 2018-19.</li>
<li>The Point of sale (PoS) terminals grew at a high pace of 35%, contrastingly the deployment of ATMs has grown at a low pace (4%).</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Unified Payments Interface</strong></p>
<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><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/rise-in-digital-transactions" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI)</strong></a> launched UPI with 21 member banks in 2016.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>National Electronic Funds Transfer</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>National Electronic Funds Transfer (NEFT)</strong> is a nation-wide payment system facilitating one-to-one funds transfer. Under this Scheme, individuals, firms and corporates can electronically transfer funds from any bank branch to any individual, firm or corporate having an account with any other bank branch in the country participating in the Scheme.</li>
<li>There is no limit &ndash; either minimum or maximum &ndash; on the amount of funds that could be transferred using NEFT.</li>
<li>However, the maximum amount per transaction is limited to ₹ 50,000/- for cash-based remittances within India and also for remittances to Nepal under the Indo-Nepal Remittance Facility Scheme.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>RuPay Card Scheme</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>RuPay is the first-of-its-kind domestic Debit and Credit Card payment network of India.</li>
<li>The name, derived from the words &lsquo;Rupee and &lsquo;Payment&rsquo;, emphasises that it is India&rsquo;s very own initiative for Debit and Credit Card payments.</li>
<li>The card can also be used for transactions in Singapore, Bhutan, UAE, Bahrain and Saudi Arabia.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Cheque Truncation System</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Cheque Truncation System (CTS)</strong> is an online image-based cheque clearing system undertaken by the RBI for faster clearing of cheques. It eliminates the associated cost of movement of physical cheques.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>National Automated Clearing House</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>National Automated Clearing House (NACH)</strong> is a service offered by NPCI to banks which aims at facilitating interbank high volume, low value debit/credit transactions, which are repetitive and electronic in nature.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/business/banking-and-finance/after-requests-from-many-countries-rbi-may-take-payment-system-abroad-6457669/" 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/indian-digital-payment-system-outside-india'
	],
	(int) 7 => [
		'title' => 'New Drug for Amoebiasis',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, researchers from the<strong> Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU)</strong> have developed new drug molecules against the <strong>protozoa <em>&lsquo;Entamoeba histolytica&rsquo;</em> </strong>that causes <strong>amoebiasis.</strong></p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>The Protozoa and High Oxygen Level:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The protozoa is<strong> anaerobic or microaerophilic</strong> in nature such that it <strong>cannot survive high concentrations of oxygen.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Anaerobic organisms are those who exist in the absence of free oxygen.</li>
<li>A <strong>microaerophilic</strong> atmosphere is ideal for a <strong>microorganism</strong> that can grow under <strong>reduced oxygen</strong> and increased carbon dioxide levels.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>However, during infection, <strong>it faces a high surge of oxygen</strong> inside the human body. The organism synthesizes large amounts of cysteine to<strong> counter oxidative stress.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Synthesis of Cysteine:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>This <strong>pathogen deploys cysteine</strong> as one of the essential molecules in its defence mechanism against <strong>high oxygen levels.</strong> It <strong>expresses two crucial enzymes </strong>for<strong> synthesizing cysteine.</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Cysteines are enzymes that degrade proteins in the body.</li>
<li>Cysteine biosynthesis is crucial for the survival of E. histolytica and for similar protozoan parasites.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>JNU Research:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Researchers have characterized and determined the molecular structures of both the crucial enzymes.</li>
<li>They have also successfully screened for potent inhibitors for one of the enzymes, <strong>O-acetyl L-serine sulfhydrylase (OASS).</strong></li>
<li>Some of these inhibitors can <strong>check the growth of this organism with high efficacy</strong> by targeting their pathways.</li>
<li>The identified molecules can lead to the<strong> development of drug molecules.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Protozoa</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Protozoans are the <strong>single-celled eukaryotes, either free-living or parasitic,</strong> which feed on organic matter such as other microorganisms or organic tissues and debris.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Eukaryotes</strong> are organisms whose cells have a nucleus enclosed within membranes, unlike prokaryotes, which have no membrane-bound organelles.</li>
<li>A <strong>parasite is an organism</strong> that lives on or in a host and gets its food from or at the expense of its host. E.g. plasmodium parasite which causes <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/world-malaria-day" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>malaria</strong></a>.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Habitat:</strong> Mostly they are <strong>aerobic</strong> (with oxygen) but some are <strong>anaerobic</strong> (without oxygen) and present in the rumen or human intestine.</li>
<li><strong>Size and Shape:</strong> The size and shape of Protozoa vary greatly, from microbial (1&micro;m) to large enough and can be seen by the naked eye.</li>
<li><strong>Nutrition:</strong> Protozoans are <strong>heterotrophs</strong> and have <strong>holozoic nutrition.</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Holozoic nutrition</strong> can be defined as a method of nutrition which <strong>involves the ingestion of some complex organic substances</strong> (such as parts of a plant or animal) that may be in the solid or the liquid form.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Entamoeba histolytica</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>According to the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/world-health-organization-who" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>World Health Organization (WHO)</strong></a>, <strong><em>Entamoeba histolytica</em> </strong>is the <strong>third-leading cause of morbidity and mortality</strong> due to <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/zoonotic-diseases" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>parasitic disease in humans</strong></a>. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Predominantly infecting humans and other primates, <em>E. histolytica</em> is estimated to infect about<strong> 35-50 million people</strong> worldwide.</li>
<li>A<strong> parasitic disease</strong> is an infectious disease caused or transmitted by a parasite. E.g. Malaria.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>It causes<strong> amoebiasis or amoebic dysentery,</strong> which is highly prevalent in developing countries.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Amoebiasis</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It is a disease caused by the parasite<strong><em> Entamoeba histolytica.</em></strong></li>
<li>Amoebiasis infection is most common <strong>in tropical areas</strong> with untreated water. E.g. India.</li>
<li>It <strong>spreads through drinking or eating uncooked food,</strong> such as fruit, that may have been washed in contaminated local water.</li>
<li>If symptoms occur, they may be mild and include cramping and diarrhoea.</li>
<li>It can be treated through antibiotics.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1631498#:~:text=A%20team%20of%20researchers%20from,survive%20high%20concentrations%20of%20oxygen." 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/new-drug-for-amoebiasis'
	],
	(int) 8 => [
		'title' => 'AarogyaPath: CSIR',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>The government has launched an<strong> information platform 'AarogyaPath' to provide real-time availability of critical healthcare supplies</strong> for manufacturers, suppliers and customers.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It is a <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-national-institutions/council-of-scientific-and-industrial-research" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Council of Scientific &amp; Industrial Research (CSIR)</strong></a> National Healthcare Supply Chain Portal.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It is an integrated public platform that provides single-point availability of key healthcare goods such as medical equipment, drugs, apparel, etc.</li>
<li><strong>Vision:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>To set up an information management and forecasting database platform at national level to capture demand and supply scenarios for key healthcare needs items.</li>
<li>CSIR expects AarogyaPath to become the national healthcare information platform of choice in the years to come, filling a critical gap in last-mile delivery of patient care within India through improved availability and affordability of healthcare supplies.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Beneficiaries:</strong> Hospitals, Pathology laboratories, Research institutes, Medical colleges and Individual patients. It will also create <strong>opportunities for business expansion</strong> due to an expanded network of buyers and visibility of new requirements for products.</li>
<li><strong>Importance in Situations like a Pandemic (Covid-19):</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Anticipated shortages can be addressed and met at national level.</li>
<li>Opportunistic Pricing, hoarding and over- forecasting can be checked.</li>
<li>Over- production can be avoided. This would help to reduce wastage of resources.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Council of Scientific &amp; Industrial Research</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It was established by the Government of India in September 1942 as an autonomous body. It comes under the <strong>Ministry of Science &amp; Technology.</strong></li>
<li>It is known for its cutting edge research and development knowledge base in diverse science and technology areas.</li>
<li>It has been ranked first in the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/nature-index-2020-index-of-scientific-research" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Nature Ranking Index-2020.</strong></a><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The Nature Index provides close to a real-time proxy of high-quality research output and collaboration at the institutional, national and regional level.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1631339" 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/aarogyapath-csir'
	],
	(int) 9 => [
		'title' => 'Jet Zero Plan',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the United Kingdom (U.K.) announced a <strong>&lsquo;Jet Zero&rsquo; plan</strong> to bring down its aviation emissions.</p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Aim:</strong> The Jet Zero aims to bring down greenhouse gas emissions from aviation to make carbon-free <strong>transatlantic flights</strong> possible within a generation.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>A transatlantic flight is the<strong> flight of an aircraft across the Atlantic Ocean</strong> from Europe, Africa, or the Middle East to North America, Central America, or South America, or vice versa.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Jet Zero Council:</strong> A group called &lsquo;Jet Zero Council&rsquo; has been formed by the U.K. government by bringing together leaders from the aviation sector, environmental groups and government.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>This group <strong>has been given charge for making net zero emissions possible</strong> for future flights.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Challenges:</strong> To achieve its target of a <strong>net-zero emissions economy by 2050,</strong> it is important to cut transport emissions.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Aviation emissions currently account for more than 2% of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/greenhouse-gas-levels-reach-record-highs-un-report" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>global greenhouse gases</strong></a>, and have risen by 70% since 2005.</li>
<li>The <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/important-facts-for-prelims-25th-january-2019" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>International Civil Aviation Organization</strong></a> forecasts that the emissions will rise another 300% by 2050 in the absence of measures to bring them down.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The U.K. government is<strong> also funding Velocys</strong> (aviation biofuels making company) in support of its plans to build a major jet biofuel plant in Lincolnshire.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>NOTE:</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Net-zero emissions means doing away with fossil fuels and other sources of emissions wherever possible. It also involves any emissions that are balanced by absorbing an equivalent amount from the atmosphere.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/business/aviation/uk-announces-jet-zero-plan-to-drive-down-aviation-emissions-6457061/" 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/jet-zero-plan'
	],
	(int) 10 => [
		'title' => 'Rise And Fall of Globalisation',
		'catname' => 'News Editorials',
		'desc' => '<div class="border">
<p>This article is based on <a href="https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/opinion/is-this-the-end-of-the-globalisation-era/article31803048.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>&ldquo;Is this the end of the globalisation era?&rdquo;</strong></a> which was published in The HinduBussines Line on 11/06/2020. It talks about the pros and cons of Globalisation.</p>
</div>
<p>Globalisation envisages a borderless world or seeks the world as a global village. It may be attributed by the accelerated flow of goods, people, capital, information, and energy across borders, often enabled by technological developments.</p>
<p>However, isolationism forced by <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/covid-19-and-globalization" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Covid-19 pandemic</strong></a> has paused the growth of globalisation in the world. Though the pandemic has hastened globalisation&rsquo;s decline, protectionism has been increasing since <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/understanding-financial=-crisis-of-2007-08" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>the global financial crisis 2008</strong></a>.</p>
<p>The increased unemployment, growing inequality and anaemic growth in the aftermath of the global financial crisis, particularly in the developed world, are the main reasons for the rise of protectionism all across the globe.</p>
<p>In this context, there is a debate all around the world regarding the sustainability of globalisation in the future.</p>
<h3>Rise of Globalization</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Origin of Modern Globalisation:</strong> What today is referred to as globalisation, started with the <a href="/to-the-points/paper1/cold-war" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>end of the Cold war and the disintegration of the Soviet Union in 1991</strong></a>.</li>
<li><strong>Driving Factors:</strong> Globalisation was the offshoot of two systems &mdash; democracy and capitalism &mdash; that emerged victorious at the end of the Cold War.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>These ideas were transmitted across the world through free trade and increased inter-country movement of capital and labour.</li>
<li>The idea that all countries should unequivocally move towards democracy underpinned with capitalism was packaged in policies commonly referred to as the Washington Consensus or neo-liberalism.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Politics of Globalisation:</strong> Politically, it refers to increasing global governance via international institutions or growing alignment of national policies.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It involves both benefits (such as coordinated crisis strategies) and costs (such as less national self-determination), too.</li>
<li>A liberal democracy combined with free-market capitalism was the best way to organise society.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Developing-Developed Countries Collaboration:</strong> The partnership between the developed and the developing countries based on three planks.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>First was offshoring of manufacturing and low-end services jobs to developing countries.</li>
<li>Second, developed countries run large trade deficits by acting as the market for the increased output of developing countries.</li>
<li>Third, developing countries financing the trade deficit of the developed countries by accumulating large foreign exchange reserves.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Pros of Globalisation</h3>
<p><strong>Access to Goods and Services</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Globalization results in increased trade and standard of living. It heightens competition within the domestic product, capital, and labour markets, as well as among countries adopting different trade and investment strategies.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It has also resulted in national capital markets becoming increasingly integrated.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Vehicle of Social Justice</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Transnational companies investing in installing plants in other countries provide employment for the people in those countries often getting them out of poverty.</li>
<li>The proponents say globalization represents free trade which promotes global economic growth, creates jobs, makes companies more competitive, and lowers prices for consumers.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Increases Cultural Awareness</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>By reducing cross-border distances, globalisation has increased cross-cultural understanding and sharing.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>A neutral globalized society boosts up the rate at which people are exposed to the culture, attitudes and values of people in other countries.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Sharing Technology and Values</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It also provides poor countries, through infusions of foreign capital and technology, with the chance to develop economically and by spreading prosperity.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Decline of Globalisation</h3>
<p>The global financial crisis was a turning point, as it struck at the twin foundations of <strong>liberal democracy and free-market capitalism.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Suppression of liberal democracy:</strong> The malaise of slow economic growth, wealth inequality and rising unemployment provided a perfect breeding ground for political leaders to appeal for nationalism as the solution to political and economic ills.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The economic rise of China under an authoritarian regime also raised doubts over the efficacy of liberal democracy in solving pressing domestic challenges.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Perils of neo-liberal doctrine:</strong> While the free-market ideology has been fighting a battle of credibility since it took the maximum blame for the 2008 crisis, free trade policies have now been severely impacted due to Covid-19.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The pandemic has not only exposed the fragility of highly optimised supply chains that spread across countries but has also shown such inter-country supply chains to be a threat to national security.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Cons of Globalisation</h3>
<p><strong>Increasing Inequality</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The general complaint about globalization is that it has made the rich richer while making the poor poorer.</li>
<li>The <strong>UN Development Program reports</strong> that the richest 20% of the world's population consume 86% of the world's resources while the rest 80% consume just 14 percent.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Malpractices of MNCs</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Multinational corporations (MNCs) are accused of social injustice, unfair working conditions (including slave labour wages, living and working conditions), as well as lack of concern for the environment, mismanagement of natural resources, and ecological damage.</li>
<li>Also, Multinational corporations, which were previously restricted to commercial activities, are increasingly influencing political decisions.</li>
<li>Many think there is a threat of corporations ruling the world because they are gaining power, due to globalization.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Fail to Contribute Towards Desired Gains</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The argument that globalization has helped people in developing most of the countries out of poverty is somehow controversial. Because the opinions differ as to the quantity and the quality of the jobs being offered by globalization.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Contribute Towards Cultural Homogeneity</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Globalisation promotes people's tastes to converge which may lead to more cultural homogeneity.</li>
<li>Due to this, there is a danger of losing precious cultural practices and languages.</li>
<li>Also, there are threats of cultural invasion of one country over another.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Conclusion</h3>
<p>Given its enormous potential for economic gains, it would be a waste to categorically repudiate the phenomena of Globalisation. Instead, there is a need for better understanding of Globalization's effects and the interplay of its economics with other issue areas.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1592047608_image1.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1592047608_image1.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="700" caption="false" /></a></p>
<table border="1" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="width: 100%; border-style: dotted; border-color: #ff0000; background-color: #eeffeb;">
<p><span style="color: #333399;"><em><strong>Drishti Mains Question</strong></em></span></p>
<p>&ldquo;From being the pre-eminent phenomenon integrating the world, globalisation now looks like a spent force&rdquo;. Critically discuss.</p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p style="text-align: center;"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/3JHCKmcw2E8" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p>
<p>This editorial is based on<a href="https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/editorial/back-from-the-brink-the-hindu-editorial-on-india-china-border-row/article31806318.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> &ldquo;Back From The Brink&rdquo;</strong> </a>which was published in The Hindu on June 12<sup>th</sup>, 2020. Now watch this on our Youtube channel.</p>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/rise-and-fall-of-globalisation'
	],
	(int) 11 => [
		'title' => 'World Day Against Child Labour 2020',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently the World Day Against Child Labour has been observed on<strong> June 12<sup>th</sup> 2020.</strong></p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The<strong> theme</strong> for the year 2020 is <strong>Covid-19: Protect children from child labour, now more than ever</strong> which focuses on the impact of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/covid-19-and-india-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Covid-19</strong></a> crisis on child labour.</li>
<li>On 12<sup>th</sup> June 2002, the International Labour Organisation launched the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/world-day-against-child-labour" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>World Day Against Child Labour.</strong></a></li>
<li>Since then, every year, the day is marked to highlight the plight of child labourers worldwide and also to take required measures to eliminate it.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Child Labour</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/international-labour-organization" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>International Labour Organisation (ILO)</strong></a> defines<strong> child labour as work that deprives children of their childhood, their potential and their dignity,</strong> and that is harmful to their physical and mental development.</li>
<li>In the least developed countries, slightly more than one in four children (ages 5 to 17) are engaged in labour that is considered detrimental to their health and development.</li>
<li>The eradication of Child Labour is part of the <strong>UN Sustainable Development Goal Target 8.7.</strong></li>
<li><strong>International Laws on Child Labour</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, 1989:</strong> It contains the idea that children are not just objects who belong to their parents and for whom decisions are made, or adults in training. Rather, they are human beings and individuals with their own rights.</li>
<li><strong>International Labour Organizations Conventions on the minimum age for admission to employment of the year 1973</strong> (ILO convention 138) and on the <strong>worst forms of child labour of the year 1999</strong> (ILO convention182).</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Data Across the World</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Absolute Numbers: 152 million</strong> children between the <strong>ages of 5-17 were</strong> in child labour, almost half them, 73 million, in hazardous child labour.</li>
<li><strong>Age Specific:</strong> Almost half (48%) of the victims of child labour were aged 5-11, 28% were 12-14 years old, and 24% were 15-17 years old.</li>
<li><strong>Sectors:</strong> Child labour is concentrated <strong>primarily in agriculture and allied activities (71%),</strong> 17% in services; and 12% in the industrial sector.</li>
</ul>
<h3>India and the Child Labour</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>In the age group of 15-18 years, India has around 23 million working children. This means <strong>one in eleven children</strong> between the <strong>ages of 5-18 years</strong> in the country are working.</li>
<li>Five states which are the India&rsquo;s biggest child labour employers-<strong> Uttar Pradesh, Bihar Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Constitutional Provisions:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Article 21A:</strong> Right to Education</li>
<li><strong>Article 24:</strong> Prohibition of employment of children (below the age fourteen years) in factories, etc.</li>
<li><strong>Article 39:</strong> The State shall, in particular, direct its policy towards securing the health and strength of workers, men and women, and the tender age of children are not abused and that citizens are not forced by economic necessity to enter avocations unsuited to their age or strength.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Initiatives by the Government of India:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Gurupadswamy Committe: In 1979,</strong> the central government formed the first statutory committee to analyse and research on the issue of child labour in India.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>One of their major observations was that the problem of child labour is inextricably linked to poverty.</li>
<li>Taking into account the findings and recommendations of the committee, the Union Government enacted the <strong>Child labour (Prohibition and &amp; Regulation) Act in 1986.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>National Policy on Child Labour (1987):</strong> It focuses more on rehabilitation of children working in hazardous occupations and processes, rather than on prevention.</li>
<li><strong>Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act 2000 (the JJ Act) and amendment of the JJ Act in 2006:</strong> It includes the working child in the category of children in need of care and protection, without any limitation of age or type of occupation.</li>
<li><strong>The Right to Education Act, 2009</strong> has made it mandatory for the state to ensure that all children <strong>aged 6 to 14 years</strong> are in school and receive free education.</li>
<li>Another landmark step was the enactment of the <strong>Child labour (Prohibition and Prevention) Amendment Act, 2016.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Initiatives<strong> like Operation Smile, Operation Muskaan</strong> to rescue and rehabilitation of childrens from an unorganised sector, manufacturing units and other factories.</li>
<li>Recently, India has ratified International<strong> Labour Organizations Convention (ILO) no 138 (minimum age for employment)</strong> and <strong>Convention no 182 (worst forms of child labour).</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Impact of Covid-19</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>In India,</strong> the lockdown to curb the spread of the Covid-19 has left <strong>child labourers</strong> with no source of income, no means of protection against the disease.</li>
<li>The lockdown has forced millions of migrant workers &mdash; facing long-term unemployment &mdash; to return to their villages without any jobs. Children of returnee migrants have been forced to become child labourers.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Concerns</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The issue of child labour is still prevelant in India, despite the presence of several laws.</li>
<li>Child labour legislation to protect children has been inadequate and face the following challenges:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Definitional issue</strong>: One of the biggest challenges in eradicating child labour is the confusion around the definition of a child, in terms of age, in various laws dealing with child labour.</li>
<li><strong>Lack of identification:</strong> Age identification of children is a difficult task in India due to the lack of identification documents E.g. Birth Certificates, School Certificates etc.</li>
<li><strong>Weak enforcement of law:</strong> Due to lack of adequate deterrence and corruption it is difficult to eradicating child labour</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Poverty and lack of school</strong> are considered as the main causes of child labour.</li>
<li>People from rural areas with little education often see no alternative but to take their children out of school and put them to work. The children grow up without education, health facilities and no knowledge of their rights.</li>
<li>The extreme form of<strong> child labour that is forced labour,</strong> in which children suffer not only the impact of hazardous working conditions but lack of freedom.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The<strong> cycle of poverty and its implications</strong> must be addressed properly, so families can find other means to survive.</li>
<li>Many <strong>NGOs like Bachpan Bachao Andolan, ChildFund, CARE India,Kailash Satyarthi Children Foundation</strong> etc. have been working to eradicate child labour in India. Right kind of focus and orientation with state level authorities is also needed to avoid the practice of child labour.</li>
<li><strong>Forced Child Labour</strong> requires an urgent action from governments and the international communities.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.downtoearth.org.in/news/agriculture/world-day-against-child-labour-2020-vulnerable-children-worse-off-due-to-covid-19-71719" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: DTE</strong></a></p>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/world-day-against-child-labour-2020'
	],
	(int) 12 => [
		'title' => 'India-Tanzania Relations',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, Prime Minister of India thanked <strong>Dr John Pombe Joseph Magufuli, President of the United Republic of Tanzania</strong> for his assistance provided for the evacuation of Indian citizens from Tanzania in the wake of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/coronavirus-disease-named-covid-19" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Covid-19</strong></a>.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Both leaders <strong>reviewed the overall bilateral relationship</strong> and expressed satisfaction at the growing development partnership, educational linkages, trade and investment flows and <strong>discussed possibilities of further accelerating</strong> these trends.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Tanzania<a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1592043046_image3.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1592043046_image3.jpg" style="float: right;" width="350" caption="false" /></a></strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It was formed as a<strong> sovereign state in 1964</strong> through the<strong> union of the separate states of Tanganyika and Zanzibar.</strong></li>
<li><em><strong>Dodoma</strong> </em>is the<strong> official capital</strong> and <strong>Dar es Salaam</strong> is the seat of most <strong>government administrations</strong> as well as is the <strong>largest city and port in the country.</strong></li>
<li>It is located in<strong> east Africa</strong> just south of the Equator. It is bounded by Uganda, Lake Victoria and Kenya to the <strong>north,</strong> by the Indian Ocean to the<strong> east,</strong> by Mozambique, Lake Nyasa, Malawi and Zambia to the <strong>south</strong> and southwest and by Lake Tanganyika, Burundi and Rwanda to the <strong>west.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Africa&rsquo;s highest mountain, Kilimanjaro</strong> (5,895 metres) and the <strong>world&rsquo;s second deepest lake, Lake Tanganyika</strong> (1,436 metres deep) are located in Tanzania.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Tanzania is <strong>one of the fastest-growing African countries</strong> of this decade and plays an important role in <a href="/to-the-points/Paper2/india-africa-relations" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>India-Africa relations</strong></a>.</li>
<li>Tanzania and India have enjoyed traditionally<strong> close, friendly and cooperative relations.</strong></li>
<li>The <strong>High Commission of India</strong> in Dar es Salaam has been operating since <strong>November 1961</strong> and the <strong>Consulate General of India</strong> in Zanzibar was set up in <strong>October 1974.</strong></li>
<li>In October 2019, as part of the<strong> Indian Navy's Overseas Deployment,</strong> four indigenously built ships of the Indian Navy visited the ports at <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/dar-es-salaam-and-zanzibar" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Dar es Salaam and Zanzibar</strong></a> located in Tanzania.</li>
<li><strong>Bilateral Treaties &amp; Agreements:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Agreement on the establishment of a Joint Trade Committee (2000).</li>
<li>MOU for Co-operation in the field of Agriculture and Allied Sectors (2002).</li>
<li>MoU on Exchange of Programme on Co-operation in the field of Education (2003).</li>
<li>MOU on Defence Cooperation (2003).</li>
<li>MOU for Cooperation in the field of Hydrography between Tanzania and India and Protocol on exchange of Hydrographic Data (2015).</li>
<li>MOU on Cooperation in the field of water resource management and development (2016).</li>
<li>Loan Agreement between Exim Bank and Government of Tanzania on line of credit for USD 500 million for water supply projects in 17 towns across Tanzania (May 2018).</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Commercial and Economic Relations:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>India is the <strong>largest trading partner of Tanzania</strong> comprising <strong>16%</strong> of Tanzania&rsquo;s foreign trade.</li>
<li>India is also <strong>among the top five investment sources</strong> in Tanzania.</li>
<li><strong>India&rsquo;s major exports to Tanzania:</strong> Petroleum products, pharmaceuticals and chemicals, motor vehicles, electrical goods, articles of iron and steel, sugar, machinery, etc.</li>
<li><strong>Tanzania&rsquo;s major exports to India:</strong> Gold ore, cashew nuts, pulses, timber, spices (mainly cloves), ores and metal scrap, gemstones, etc.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Development Partnership:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Tanzania is a <strong>major beneficiary of training courses</strong> allocated under India&rsquo;s <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/vice-president-s-visit-to-comoros-and-sierra-leone" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation Programme/Special Commonwealth African Assistance Programme</strong></a> (ITEC/SCAAP) and under<strong> India Africa Forum Summit</strong> (IAFS) capacity building cooperation.</li>
<li>India has executed a number of projects under<strong> government grants and soft loans</strong> in Tanzania.</li>
<li>India provided <strong>essential medicines and vaccines</strong> as grant support to Tanzania in September 2018 and set up a<strong> radiation therapy machine &lsquo;Bhabhatron-II&rsquo;</strong> for cancer patients.</li>
<li>India has also extended a <strong>Credit Line to Tanzania for various water supply projects</strong> in Dar-es-Salaam, coastal Chalinze region, Tabora, Igunga, Nzega, etc.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Culture:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The <strong>Indian Cultural Centre</strong> (ICC), Dar es Salaam under the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/70-years-of-indian-council-for-cultural-relations" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Indian Council for Cultural Relations</strong></a> (ICCR), coordinates cultural outreach since its establishment in December 2010.</li>
<li>The 5<sup>th</sup> <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/international-yoga-day#:~:text=June%2021%20is%20observed%20as,Nations%20declared%20it%20in%202015." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>International Day of Yoga</strong> </a>(<strong>21<sup>st</sup> June</strong>) was celebrated in Tanzania in 2019.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Indian Community:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Tanzania is home to <strong>more than 50,000 people of Indian origin.</strong></li>
<li>The Indian origin community is <strong>active in the field of trade, industry and services</strong> in Tanzania.</li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/important-facts-for-prelims-23rd-january-2019" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award</strong> </a>and <strong><em>&lsquo;Bharat Ko Janiye&rsquo; quiz</em> </strong>generate interest in Tanzania.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Government of India organises Bharat Ko Janiye Quiz, which is an online quiz for <a href="/to-the-points/Paper2/indian-diaspora" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Non-Resident Indians</strong></a> (NRIs) and<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/overseas-citizenship-of-india#:~:text=The%20Ministry%20of%20Home%20Affairs,on%2026th%20January%201950%3B%20or" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> Overseas Citizens of India</strong> </a>(OCIs) between the age of 18 and 35 years.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>From the 1960s to the 1980s, the political relationship between India and Tanzania involved shared commitments to anticolonialism, <a href="/to-the-points/Paper2/non-aligned-movement-nam" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>non-alignment</strong></a> as well as <a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/the-big-picture-india-africa-partnership" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>South-South Cooperation</strong> </a>and close cooperation in international fora.</li>
<li>In recent years, India-Tanzania ties have evolved into a modern and pragmatic relationship with sound political understanding, diversified economic engagement, people to people contacts in the field of education and healthcare and development partnership in capacity building training, concessional credit lines and grant projects.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1631226" 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/india-tanzania-relations'
	],
	(int) 13 => [
		'title' => 'India- Laos Relations',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the Prime Minister of India had a telephonic conversation with the Prime Minister of Lao People&rsquo;s Democratic Republic (PDR).</p>
<h3>Key Points<a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1592041737_image2.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img width="350" class="content-img" style="float: right;" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1592041737_image2.png" caption="false" /></a></h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Both the leaders exchanged views on the health and economic challenges posed by the global <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/covid-19-and-indian-federalism" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Covid-19 pandemic</strong></a>.</li>
<li>They agreed on the need for international cooperation, and for sharing of best-practices and experiences, in order to prepare for the post-Covid world.</li>
<li>India&rsquo;s Prime Minister highlighted India&rsquo;s historic and cultural links with Laos and expressed satisfaction at being involved<strong> in the restoration of the Vat Phou hindu temple complex (<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/kailash-mansarovar-in-tentative-list-of-world-heritage-sites" target="_blank" rel="noopener">world heritage site</a>).</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>He also reiterated India&rsquo;s commitment to continue its development partnership with Lao PDR, a valued partner in<strong> India&rsquo;s extended neighbourhood.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Lao Prime Minister thanked India's support for Lao&rsquo;s development programmes, in capacity building and for scholarships.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Relations Between the Countries</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Political Relations:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Based upon historical and civilizational foundations, India and Laos enjoy long standing, friendly and mutually supportive relations.</li>
<li>Political relations between both the countries were established in February 1956.</li>
<li>Laos has been supportive on major issues of regional and international concerns to India, including <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/india-permanent-seat-in-unsc" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>India&rsquo;s claim for permanent membership of the UN Security Council.</strong> </a></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Defence Cooperation:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Since 1994, under <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/vice-president-s-visit-to-comoros-and-sierra-leone" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC)</strong></a> Agreement, a two-member Indian Army Training Team has conducted training for Lao defence personnel in English, Computers and Basic Tactics. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The Indian team is the only foreign training team besides the Vietnamese and the Chinese.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Indian Army had also conducted three training capsules on Unexploded Ordnance (Bomb) (UXOs) and De-mining in Laos in 2011, 2012 and 2013. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>De-mining is the process of removing land mines from an area.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Economic Cooperation:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Bilateral trade between both the nations in 2017-18 has reached to 193.63 US million dollars. Although the trade balance is heavily shifted in favour of Laos.</li>
<li>India has supported development of Laos by extending Lines of Credit for infrastructure projects in the fields of transmission line, hydropower project, conversion of diesel to electric driven pump sets, and irrigation projects.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Cultural Relations:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The two countries share age-old civilisational ties best symbolised by:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The relic of the Buddha encased in the That Luang Stupa, the national emblem of Lao PDR.</li>
<li>The Vat Phou Temple Complex, an ancient Shiva temple, whose earliest structures date back to the 5<sup>th</sup> and 6<sup>th</sup> Century AD, and which is currently being renovated and restored by the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/bibi-ka-maqbara-of-aurangabad" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Archaeological Survey of India</strong></a>.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Human Resource Development:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The Government of India has been providing nearly 140 scholarships annually to Lao nationals under various schemes.</li>
<li>The <strong>Lao-India Entrepreneurship Development Centre (LIEDC)</strong> set up in November, 2004, trains Lao entrepreneurs for setting up small and medium scale businesses.</li>
<li>Agreement for setting up of <strong>Centre of Excellence in Software Development and Training (CESDT)</strong> in Vientiane under <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/asean-summit-2" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>ASEAN</strong></a> <strong>Framework</strong> was signed in 2015.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Note: Line of Credit</strong> is a &lsquo;soft loan&rsquo; provided on concessional interest rates to developing countries, which has to be repaid by the borrowing governments. The projects under LOCs are spread over different sectors like agriculture, infrastructure, telecom, railway, transmission/power, renewable energy, etc.</p>
</div>
<p><a href="https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1631229" 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/india-laos-relations'
	],
	(int) 14 => [
		'title' => 'Inclusion of Reservation Laws in Ninth Schedule',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, a Union Minister emphasised the need to <strong>include all <a href="/to-the-points/Paper2/reservation-in-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener">reservation</a>-related laws in the Ninth Schedule of Constitution</strong> so that they are shielded from<strong> judicial review.</strong></p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The minister argued that<strong> reservation is not confined</strong> just to Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs) and is available to Other Backward Classes (OBCs) and poor sections of the upper castes as well and have been <strong>attached to Fundamental Rights.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>SC/ST Reservation:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Both the Centre and the states are permitted to make any special provision for the advancement of SCs and STs.</li>
<li>The<strong> quota in government jobs and educational institutions for SCs and STs is 15% and 7.5% respectively</strong> (total 22.5%).</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Other Backward Class (OBC) Reservation:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Both the Centre and the states are empowered to make provision for the advancement of OBCs regarding their admission to educational institutions and government jobs.</li>
<li>The<strong> quota limit for OBCs is 27%.</strong></li>
<li>However, various state governments have different quota limits for OBCs in their state like Tamil Nadu has 50% reservation for OBCs.</li>
<li>In the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/reservation-review-sc" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><em><strong>Indra Sawhney &amp; Others vs Union of India, 1992</strong></em></a> judgement, the Supreme Court fixed the upper limit for the combined reservation quota i.e. should not exceed 50% of seats.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Economically Weaker Section (EWS) Reservation:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/states-prerogative-to-provide-10-reservation" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>103<sup>rd</sup> Constitution Amendment Act, 2019</strong> </a>empowers both Centre and the states to provide <strong>10% reservation to the EWS category</strong> of society in government jobs and educational institutions.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Background:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>This demand comes after the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-national-institutions/supreme-court-of-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Supreme Court&rsquo;s</strong></a> recent observation that the <strong>Right to <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/reservation-not-a-fundamental-right-supreme-court" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Reservation is not a Fundamental Right.</a></strong></li>
<li>Earlier, SC ruled that<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/reservations-in-promotion-is-not-a-fundamental-right-sc" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> reservation in the matter of promotions in public posts was not a fundamental right</strong></a> and that a <strong>state cannot be compelled to offer quota</strong> if it chooses not to.</li>
<li>Apart from that, there have been repeated challenges to the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/cabinet-clears-bill-to-restore-the-provisions-of-sc-st-act" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Scheduled Castes and Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989</strong></a> and <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/sc-upholds-changes-to-sc-st-atrocities-law#:~:text=Salient%20Features%20of%20the%20Amendment%20Act%2C%202018&amp;text=It%20delineates%20specific%20crimes%20against,in%20the%20Act%20are%20cognizable." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>its amendments.</strong></a></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Ninth Schedule</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Schedule contains a list of central and state laws which cannot be challenged in courts and was added by the<strong><a href="/to-the-points/Paper2/major-constitutional-amendment-part-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> Constitution (First Amendment) Act, 1951</a>.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The first Amendment added 13 laws to the Schedule. Subsequent amendments in various years have taken the number of protected laws to 284 currently.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>It was created by the new<strong> Article 31B,</strong> which along with <strong>Article 31A</strong> was brought in by the government to protect<strong> laws related to agrarian reform</strong> and for <strong>abolishing the <a href="/mains-practice-question/question-634" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Zamindari system</a>.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>While <strong>Article 31A extends protection to &lsquo;classes&rsquo; of laws, Article 31B shields specific laws or enactments.</strong></li>
<li>While most of the laws protected under the Schedule concern agriculture/land issues, the list includes other subjects.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Article 31B also has a <strong>retrospective operation</strong> which means that if laws are inserted in the Ninth Schedule after they are declared unconstitutional, they are considered to have been in the Schedule since their commencement, and thus valid.</li>
<li><strong>Although Article 31B excludes judicial review,</strong> the apex court has said in the past that even laws under the Ninth Schedule would be<strong> open to scrutiny if they violated </strong><strong>Fundamental Rights or the basic structure of the Constitution.</strong></li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Although reservation is necessary, it should also be open to judicial scrutiny in order to ensure any abrupt or irrational policy initiative by the Executive or the Legislature.</li>
<li>Any loophole or shortcomings in reservation policy must be addressed by involving various stakeholders. The need of the hour is not to go to extremes of either scrapping or shielding reservation policy, rather a rational framework on this contentious policy must be developed.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/india/include-quota-related-laws-in-9th-schedule-to-bar-them-from-judicial-review-paswan-6456215/" 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/inclusion-of-reservation-laws-in-ninth-schedule'
	],
	(int) 15 => [
		'title' => 'Sahakar Mitra: Scheme on Internship Programme',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the Ministry of Agriculture &amp; Farmers&rsquo; Welfare has launched a <strong>Scheme on Internship Programme (SIP) i.e. Sahakar Mitra.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It is an initiative by the <strong>National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC)</strong> for young professionals. It is expected to be beneficial for both i.e. <strong>cooperatives</strong> as well as for the<strong> young professionals.</strong></li>
<li>Earlier, the government launched <b><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/tulip-the-urban-learning-internship-program" target="_blank" rel="noopener">'The Urban Learning Internship Program (TULIP) Portal'</a></b> to provide internship opportunities to thousands of fresh graduates and engineers of the country under the 'Smart City' projects.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Objectives:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The Sahakar Mitra scheme will help <strong>cooperative institutions</strong> access <strong>new and innovative ideas of young professionals</strong> while the interns will gain experience of working in the field to be self-reliant.</li>
<li>It <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/Scheme%20to%20Promote%20Young%20Entrepreneurs%20in%20Cooperatives" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>will provide the young professionals</strong> </a><strong>an opportunity of practical exposure and learning</strong> from the working of NCDC and <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/bihar-to-sell-kashmiri-apples" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>cooperatives</strong></a> as a paid intern.</li>
<li>It would also provide an opportunity to professionals from academic institutions to develop leadership and entrepreneurial roles through cooperatives as <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/farmer-producer-bodies-need-help" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Farmers Producers Organizations (FPO)</strong></a>.</li>
<li>In line with the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/atmanirbhar-bharat-and-economic-stimulus" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>AtmaNirbhar Bharat (Self Reliant India)</strong></a>, it focuses on the importance of<strong> Vocal for Local.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Eligibility:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Professional <strong>graduates</strong> in disciplines such as Agriculture and allied areas, IT, etc.</li>
<li>Professionals who are <strong>pursuing or have completed their MBA degrees</strong> in Agribusiness, Cooperation, Finance, International Trade, Forestry, Rural Development, Project Management, etc.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Financial Support:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>NCDC has designated funds for the<strong> paid internship program</strong> under which each intern will get <strong>financial support</strong> over a <strong>4 months internship period.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>National Cooperative Development Corporation</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Formation:</strong> The National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC) was established by an Act of Parliament in 1963 <strong>as a statutory Corporation</strong> under the <strong>Ministry of Agriculture &amp; Farmers&rsquo; Welfare.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Headquarters:</strong> NCDC functions through its <strong>Head Office at New Delhi</strong> and multiple Regional Offices.</li>
<li><strong>Objectives:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The objectives of NCDC are<strong> planning and promoting programmes for production, processing, marketing, storage, export and import of agricultural produce, foodstuffs, industrial goods, livestock</strong> and certain other notified commodities and services on cooperative principles.</li>
<li>The NCDC has the <strong>unique distinction of being the sole statutory organisation</strong> functioning as an <strong>apex financial and developmental institution</strong> exclusively devoted to the<strong> cooperative sector.</strong></li>
<li>It is a major financial institution for cooperatives, and has <strong>recently started Mission Sahakar 22,</strong> which aims to <strong>double farmers&rsquo; income by 2022.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>About Cooperatives</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>According to the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/international-labour-organization" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>International Labour Organisation (ILO)</strong></a>, a<strong> cooperative</strong> is an <strong>autonomous association of persons united voluntarily</strong> to meet their common economic, social and cultural needs and aspirations through a jointly owned and democratically controlled enterprise. E.g. FPOs as cooperatives.</li>
<li><strong>An FPO,</strong> formed <strong>by a group of farm producers,</strong> is a <strong>registered body with producers</strong> as shareholders in the organisation. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It deals with <strong>business activities related to the farm produce</strong> and it works for the benefit of the member producers.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Provisions of Indian Constitution related to Cooperatives</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Constitution (97<sup>th</sup> Amendment) Act, 2011 added a new Part IXB right after Part IXA (Municipals) regarding the cooperatives working in India.</li>
<li>The word &ldquo;cooperatives&rdquo; was added after &ldquo;unions and associations&rdquo; in<strong> Art. 19(1)(c) under Part III of the Constitution.</strong> This enables all the <strong>citizens to form cooperatives by giving it the status of fundamental right of citizens.</strong></li>
<li>A new<strong> Article 43B</strong> was added in the <strong>Directive Principles of State Policy (Part IV)</strong> regarding the<strong> &ldquo;promotion of cooperative societies&rdquo;.</strong></li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>NCDC should develop some techniques to evaluate the performance of cooperatives and encourage them to perform better.</li>
<li>The scheme will provide a boost to government-academia-industry-civil society linkages.</li>
<li>Further, India needs to learn from <strong>technical and vocational training/education models in China, Germany, Japan, Brazil, and Singapore,</strong> and adopt a comprehensive model that can bridge the<strong> skill gaps and ensure employability</strong> of youths.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetailm.aspx?PRID=1631125" 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/sahakar-mitra-scheme-on-internship-programme'
	],
	(int) 16 => [
		'title' => 'Small Farmers’ Agribusiness Consortium',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently the Union Minister of Agriculture &amp; Farmers&rsquo; Welfare highlighted the role of <strong>Small Farmers&rsquo; Agribusiness Consortium (SFAC)</strong> in increasing <strong>incomes of small and marginal farmers</strong> through aggregation and development of agribusiness.</p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Established:</strong> SFAC was established in <strong>1994 under Societies Registration Act, 1860</strong> as an autonomous body promoted by the Ministry of Agriculture &amp; Farmers' Welfare.</li>
<li><strong>Objectives:</strong> Promoting agribusiness by encouraging institutional and private sector investments and linkages to ensure the empowerment of all farmers in the country.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Organising small and marginal farmers as Farmer Interest Groups, Farmer Producer Organisations and Farmer Producer Company for endowing them with bargaining power and economies of scale.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Few Important Schemes Implemented by SFAC:</strong> Equity Grant &amp; Credit Guarantee Fund (EGCGF) Scheme , Venture Capital Assistance (VCA) Scheme, <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/farmer-producer-bodies-need-help" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Farmer Producer Organization (FPO)</strong></a> Scheme, <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/new-features-added-to-e-nam" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>National Agriculture Market (NAM) Scheme</strong></a>, etc.</li>
<li><strong>Recent Initiatives/Developments:</strong> SFAC launched the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/kisan-rath-app" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Kisan Rath app</strong></a> with the help of officials of the Ministry of Agriculture which lessened the problem of transport of farm produce during lockdown.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It signed a <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/apeda-signs-mou-with-sfac" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Memorandum of Understanding (MoU)</strong></a> with the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) to bring in better synergy in the agricultural activities.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Equity Grant &amp; Credit Guarantee Fund (EGCGF) Scheme</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Equity Grant Fund has been set up with the primary objectives of :<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Enhancing<strong> viability and sustainability, credit worthiness</strong> of Farmer Producer Companies (FPCs),</li>
<li>Enhancing the shareholding of members to increase their ownership and participation in their FPCs.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>The Credit Guarantee Fund Scheme</strong> provides a Credit Guarantee Cover to the Eligible Lending Institution (ELI) to enable them to provide collateral free credit to FPCs.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Venture Capital Assistance</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Venture Capital Assistance is financial support in the form of an <strong>interest free loan</strong> provided by SFAC to meet the shortfall in the capital requirement for implementation of the project.</li>
</ul>
</div>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/small-farmers-agribusiness-consortium'
	],
	(int) 17 => [
		'title' => 'World Food Prize 2020',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Indian-American soil scientist - <strong>Dr. Rattan Lal -</strong> has been declared the winner of the World Food Prize 2020.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1592033989_image1.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1592033989_image1.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="600" caption="false" /></a></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>He played a major role in developing and mainstreaming a <strong>soil-centric approach</strong> to increasing food production that conserves natural resources and mitigates climate change.</li>
<li>Three separate United Nations Climate Change Conferences have adopted his strategy of restoring soil health as a means to sequestering carbon.</li>
<li>In 2007, he was among those <strong>recognised with a Nobel Peace Prize Certificate</strong> for his contributions to the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/special-report-on-climate-change-ipcc" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)</strong></a> reports, when the IPCC was named co-recipient of the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/nobel-prizes-2019" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Nobel Prize</strong></a>.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Objective:</strong> The World Food Prize is the foremost international honor recognizing the achievements of individuals who have advanced human development by improving the <strong>quality, quantity or availability of food in the world.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Field Covered:</strong> It is an <strong>annual award</strong> that recognizes contributions in any field involved in the world food supply including plant, animal and soil science; food science and technology; nutrition, rural development, etc.</li>
<li><strong>Eligibility:</strong> It is open for any individual without regard to race, religion, nationality or political beliefs.</li>
<li><strong>Cash Prize:</strong> In addition to the cash award of $2,50,000, the laureate receives a sculpture designed by the noted artist and designer, Saul Bass.</li>
<li><strong>Presentation of the Award:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The Prize is presented each October on or around <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/world-food-day" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>UN World Food Day (16<sup>th</sup> October).</strong></a></li>
<li>It is presented by the <strong>World Food Prize Foundation</strong> which has over 80 companies, individuals, etc. as donors.</li>
<li>The World Food Prize Foundation is located in Des Moines, USA.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Background:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Dr. Norman E. Borlaug,</strong> winner of the <strong>Nobel Peace Prize in 1970</strong> for his work in global agriculture, conceived the Prize. He is also known as the<strong> Father of the Green Revolution.</strong></li>
<li>The World Food Prize was created in 1986 with sponsorship by General Foods Corporation.</li>
<li>It is also known as the<strong> "Nobel Prize for Food and Agriculture".</strong></li>
<li><strong>Dr. M.S. Swaminathan,</strong> the father of India&rsquo;s green revolution, was the<strong> first recipient of this award in 1987.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/india/soil-scientist-rattan-lal-wins-world-food-prize-2020-6456269/" 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/world-food-prize-2020'
	],
	(int) 18 => [
		'title' => 'GST Council Meeting',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the 40<sup>th</sup> <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/gst-council-meet" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Goods and Services Tax (GST) Council</strong></a> meeting was held.</p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>GST Collections:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In the first two months of the current financial year, 2020-21, the cumulative GST revenues of states and the Centre<strong> has been only 45% of the monthly target.</strong></li>
<li>In 2020-21, the combined monthly GST revenue target is estimated at Rs. 1.21 lakh crore taking into account the budget estimate and states&rsquo; protected revenue.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Market Borrowing:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>As revenue has fallen for both the Centre and states, the GST Council has decided to hold a single-point agenda meeting in July, 2020 which will discuss <strong>market borrowing by the Council itself</strong> as one of the ways to raise money and <strong>compensate states for GST revenue losses.</strong></li>
<li>The<strong> GST Act, 2017</strong> extends a<strong> guarantee to states</strong> that any<strong> loss in revenues in the first five years (2017-2022) of GST implementation</strong> will be compensated through a cess that accrues to the <strong>Compensation Fund.</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The shortfall is calculated assuming a 14% annual growth in GST collections by states over the base year of 2015-16.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>In the 8<sup>th</sup> GST Council meeting it was discussed that in case the amount in the GST Compensation Fund fell short of the compensation payable, the Council shall decide the mode of raising additional resources including borrowing from the market.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The borrowing could be repaid by collection of cess in the sixth year or further subsequent years.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Issues Involved:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>There is a question about the<strong> legality of the GST Council to borrow;</strong> for instance, can it be accorded <strong>sovereign status</strong> like Centre and states.</li>
<li>The burden and the impact of market borrowing on the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/flexibility-under-the-frbm-act" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management Act (FRBM Act), 2003</strong></a> is not clear.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Tax Rationalisation:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The Council discussed correction of <strong>inverted duty structure</strong> for footwear, fertilisers and textiles. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Inverted duty structure is a situation where the rate of tax on inputs used is higher than the rate of tax on the finished good.</li>
<li>Take an imaginary situation of the tyre industry, the tax rate on natural rubber (input) purchased is 10% whereas the tax rate on rubber tyre is 5%. Here since the tax rate on input is higher than that on the finished good, there is an inverted tax structure.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>However, the decision was deferred because it would have resulted in increase in the prices of fertiliser, footwear and ready-made garments, which would have affected the process of economic revival.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Compliance-related Relief:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The GST Council also provided compliance-related relief to small taxpayers with turnover up to Rs. 5 crore.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It <strong>reduced the interest by half on delayed filing of GST returns</strong> for February, March and April, 2020 to 9%, provided the returns are filed by September 2020.</li>
<li>For May-July, 2020 the deadline for filing GST returns has been extended till 30 September, 2020 without any penalty.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>GST Council</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It is a<strong> constitutional body</strong> under<strong> Article 279A.</strong> It makes recommendations to the Union and State Government on issues related to <strong>Goods and Service Tax</strong> and was introduced by the<strong> Constitution (One Hundred and First Amendment) Act, 2016.</strong></li>
<li>The GST Council is <strong>chaired by the Union Finance Minister</strong> and other members are the Union State Minister of Revenue or Finance and Ministers in-charge of Finance or Taxation of all the States.</li>
<li>It is <strong>considered as a federal body</strong> where both the centre and the states get due representation.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The <strong>Economic Survey 2017-18</strong> also hailed the GST Council for its <strong>cooperative federalism technology</strong> which brings together the Center and States and can be applied to many other policy reforms.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Every decision of the Goods and Services Tax Council shall be taken at a meeting by a <strong>majority of not less than three-fourths of the weighted votes of the members present and voting,</strong> in accordance with the following principles, namely:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The vote of the Central Government shall have a weightage of one third of the total votes cast, and</li>
<li>The votes of all the State Governments taken together shall have a weightage of two-thirds of the total votes cast in that meeting.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>There is immediate need to clarify whether the GST Council can be accorded sovereign status or not, so that it can borrow from the market to meet the states&rsquo; compensation requirement.</li>
<li>If provided the authority to borrow from the market then on whom the burden of borrowing shall lie, need to be clarified.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/business/economy/gst-council-states-covid-19-indian-economy-6456308/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: IE</strong></a></p>',
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		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/gst-council-meeting'
	],
	(int) 19 => [
		'title' => 'Phases of Indian Foreign Policy',
		'catname' => 'Foreign Policy Corner',
		'desc' => '<h3></h3>
<p>The very structure of the international order is undergoing a profound transformation. This can be attributed by various geopolitical events.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>USA's unilateralism under America First policy.</li>
<li>Re-balancing of the global economy: The rise of China, India etc.</li>
<li>Return of old empires: Resurgence of Russia, Iran or Turkey.</li>
<li>Geopolitical Flux in the Middle East: Crisis in Syria &amp; Afghanistan, Reign of terrorism by Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS).</li>
<li>Africa which was earlier called the lost continent is now being called as the continent of hope.</li>
<li>Technology, connectivity and trade are now the new notions of power.</li>
<li>Climate change is a factor, contributing to geopolitics amongst others by the opening of an Arctic passage (a sea route from the Pacific Ocean to the Atlantic ocean, through the Arctic Ocean).</li>
</ul>
<p>In order to contemplate a challenging road ahead in this phase of geopolitical transformation, India can learn from its foreign policy since Independence.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1575268958_image2.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1575268958_image2.jpg" width="537" height="302" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" caption="false" /></a></p>
<h3>Indian foreign policy can be understood by dividing it into six broad phases:</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>The first phase (1947-62): Optimistic Non-Alignment</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>This period is marked with a setting of a bipolar world, with camps led by the United States and the USSR.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>India&rsquo;s objectives in this phase were to resist dilution of its sovereignty, rebuild its economy and consolidate its integrity.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>India was one of the first countries to be decolonized. Thus, it was natural for India to lead Asia and Africa in a quest for a more equitable world order.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>In pursuit of this, India played a critical role in the establishment of the Non-Alignment Movement (NAM) (1961), which marked the peak of Third World solidarity.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>However, the 1962 conflict with China not only brought this period to an end but in a manner that significantly damaged India&rsquo;s standing on NAM.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>The second phase (1962-71): Decade of Realism and Recovery</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>After the 1962 war, India made pragmatic choices on security and political challenges.</li>
<li>It looked beyond non-alignment in the interest of national security, concluding a now largely forgotten defence agreement with the US in 1964.</li>
<li>However, India faced external pressures on Kashmir (Tashkent agreement 1965) from the US and UK.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Through Tashkent agreement both India and Pakistan agreed to withdraw all armed forces to pre-war positions, to restore diplomatic relations; and to discuss economic, refugee, and other questions.</li>
<li>However, the agreement did not contain a no-war pact or any renunciation of Pakistan's aggression in Kashmir (as Pakistan was an ally of the US).</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Therefore, India now started tilting towards USSR.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>The third phase (1971-91): Greater Indian Regional Assertion</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>India showed remarkable use of hard power when it liberated Bangladesh in the India-Pakistan war in 1971.</li>
<li>However, it was a particularly complex phase as the US-China-Pakistan axis that came into being at this time seriously threatened India&rsquo;s prospects,as a regional power.</li>
<li>India also faced sanctions from US and it allies after conducting a Peaceful nuclear explosion test in 1974 (Pokhran I).</li>
<li>Further, the collapse of the USSR, India&rsquo;s close ally, and the economic crisis in 1991 compelled India to look again at the first principles of both domestic and foreign policy.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The combination of events as diverse as the Gulf War (1991-1992), the break-up of USSR (1991), long standing economic stagnation and domestic turbulence came together in 1991, creating a balance of payment crisis in India.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>The fourth phase (1991-98): Safeguarding Strategic Autonomy</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The emergence of a unipolar world (led by the USA), encouraged India to change its approach to world affairs.</li>
<li>This quest for strategic autonomy was particularly focused on securing its nuclear weapon option (Pokhran II 1998).</li>
<li>This is a period where India reached out to engage the US, Israel and ASEAN countries more intensively.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>This fifth phase (1998-2013): India, a Balancing Power</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In this period, India gradually acquired the attributes of a balancing power (against the rise of China).</li>
<li>It is reflected in the India-US nuclear deal (123 Agreement).</li>
<li>At the same time, India could also make common cause with China on climate change and trade, and consolidate further ties with Russia while helping to fashion BRICS into a major global forum.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>The sixth phase (2013-until now): Energetic Engagement</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In this phase of transitional geopolitics, India's policy of Non-Alignment has turned into Multi Alignment.</li>
<li>Moreover, India is now more aware of its own capabilities and the expectations that the world has of India.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>That India is among the major economies of the world is one factor.</li>
<li>The relevance of India&rsquo;s talent in creating and sustaining global technology is also likely to grow in time.</li>
<li>India's willingness to shape key global negotiations (such as conference in Paris on climate change) is equally significant.</li>
<li>India has been able to assert itself beyond South Asia, through its approach towards the Indian Ocean Region (SAGAR initiative) and the extended neighbourhood (Act East policy and Think West policy).</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1575269136_image1.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1575269136_image1.jpg" width="535" height="301" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" caption="false" /></a></p>
<h3>The following lessons that can be learnt from this historical study of Indian foreign policy:</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Need for greater realism in policy: India needs to change the image of a reluctant power.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In the phase of optimistic non-alignment (or even later), India's focus on diplomatic visibility sometimes led to an overlooking the harsher realities of hard security. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Discomfort with hard power can be reflected in the lack of adequate consultation with the military.</li>
<li>This led to an early misreading of Pakistan&rsquo;s and China's intentions (Indo-Pak war 1948 &amp; Sino-India war 1962), led to Gilgit-Baltistan &amp; part of Kashmir and Aksai Chin region now being under the effective control of Pakistan and China respectively.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>India realized that soft power diplomacy is not sufficient for protecting the country.</li>
<li>Therefore, the creation of the post of Chief of Defence Staff shows a step in the right direction.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Need for Strong economy: An expansionary foreign policy cannot be built on the margins of the global economy.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>China's assertiveness today in international politics (reflected in the Belt and Road initiative) is derived from its economic power. Similar is the case for the rise of Asian &lsquo;tiger economies' (ASEAN countries) and Japan.</li>
<li>There is a need for India to build a strong economic foundation to fulfil the aspiration of global power.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Need for Multi alignment: Any quest to maximize options and expand space naturally requires engaging multiple players.</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Today's world is characterized by complex interdependence (where countries are competing on geostrategic issues and cooperating on geo economic issues). Therefore, Indian foreign policy requires strategic hedging.</li>
<li>However, it is difficult to reconcile between Howdy Modi &amp; Mamallapuram (informal meeting of Indian Prime minister with US and Chinese counterparts respectively), RIC (Russia-India-China) &amp; JAI (Japan-America-India), Quad &amp; SCO (Shanghai Cooperation Organization), Iran &amp; Saudis and Israel &amp; Palestine.</li>
<li>Therefore, &ldquo;Hedging&rdquo; is going to be a delicate exercise.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Need for Greater Risk: Low-risk foreign policy is only likely to produce limited rewards.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>India&rsquo;s emphasis on sovereignty has not prevented India from responding to human rights situations in its neighbourhood. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations undertaken in Yemen, Nepal, Iraq, Sri Lanka, Maldives, Fiji and Mozambique are statements of India&rsquo;s capability as much it is of India&rsquo;s responsibility.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Also, India&rsquo;s enthusiasm for shaping global conversations on climate change, terrorism, connectivity and maritime security is already having an impact.</li>
<li>However, India needs to have more assertive participation in events of geopolitical significance.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>As Rabindranath Tagore declared, you can't cross the sea merely by standing and staring at the water.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Need for reading into things right: Foreign policy is all about dealing with global contradictions.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Foreign policy of all nations reflects an assessment of opportunities and compulsions, and of risks and rewards. Even a slight misreading of the larger landscape can prove costly. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>For example, India going to the United Nations on Jammu &amp; Kashmir clearly misread the intent of the Anglo-American alliance then and of the seriousness of the Cold War. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>India went to the United Nations, with a view that the international community will take notice of Pakistan&rsquo;s aggression on Kashmir.</li>
<li>However, the United Nations Security Council announced a ceasefire which created the PoK problem which we are still struggling to solve.</li>
<li>At the same time the occupation of Kashmir by Pakistan (PoK) also geographically separated India from the energy-rich Central Asian countries.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>In the 1960s, 1980s and again after 2001 (9/11 attack on the US), India grossly underestimated the relevance of Pakistan to American and Chinese global strategy.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>In present times, an appreciation of world politics must include a proper understanding of Sino-US contradictions, of growing multi-polarity, of weaker multilateralism, of larger economic and political rebalancing, of greater space for regional powers, and of a world of convergence.</li>
<li>A clearer definition of interests is, therefore, the next step.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p>To conclude, in this phase of geopolitical transformation, India needs to follow an approach of working with multiple partners on different agendas. Therefore, Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas is relevant in foreign policy.</p>',
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		'articles__whatsnewid' => 'integer',
		'articles.whatsnewid' => 'integer',
		'whatsnewid' => 'integer',
		'articles__display_printpdf' => 'integer',
		'articles.display_printpdf' => 'integer',
		'display_printpdf' => 'integer',
		'articles__display_comments' => 'integer',
		'articles.display_comments' => 'integer',
		'display_comments' => 'integer',
		'articles__pdf_name' => 'string',
		'articles.pdf_name' => 'string',
		'pdf_name' => 'string',
		'articles__display_archive' => 'integer',
		'articles.display_archive' => 'integer',
		'display_archive' => 'integer',
		'articles__star_rating' => 'integer',
		'articles.star_rating' => 'integer',
		'star_rating' => 'integer',
		'articles__display_in_states' => 'string',
		'articles.display_in_states' => 'string',
		'display_in_states' => 'string'
	],
	'decorators' => (int) 0,
	'executed' => false,
	'hydrate' => true,
	'buffered' => true,
	'formatters' => (int) 0,
	'mapReducers' => (int) 0,
	'contain' => [],
	'matching' => [],
	'extraOptions' => [],
	'repository' => object(App\Model\Table\ArticlesTable) {}

}
$page = (int) 128
$search = 'class'
$totalPages = (float) 336
$title = 'Search'
$lastyear = (int) 2018
$year = '2021'
$i = (int) 2017
$selected = ''
$m = (int) 13
$month = 'December'

include - ROOT/plugins/Drishti/src/Template/Element/rightsection.ctp, line 100
Cake\View\View::_evaluate() - CORE/src/View/View.php, line 1196
Cake\View\View::_render() - CORE/src/View/View.php, line 1157
Cake\View\View::_renderElement() - CORE/src/View/View.php, line 1554
Cake\View\View::element() - CORE/src/View/View.php, line 668
include - ROOT/plugins/Drishti/src/Template/Element/articlebox.ctp, line 5
Cake\View\View::_evaluate() - CORE/src/View/View.php, line 1196
Cake\View\View::_render() - CORE/src/View/View.php, line 1157
Cake\View\View::_renderElement() - CORE/src/View/View.php, line 1554
Cake\View\View::element() - CORE/src/View/View.php, line 668
include - ROOT/plugins/Drishti/src/Template/Search/index.ctp, line 85
Cake\View\View::_evaluate() - CORE/src/View/View.php, line 1196
Cake\View\View::_render() - CORE/src/View/View.php, line 1157
Cake\View\View::render() - CORE/src/View/View.php, line 765
Cake\Controller\Controller::render() - CORE/src/Controller/Controller.php, line 623
Cake\Http\ActionDispatcher::_invoke() - CORE/src/Http/ActionDispatcher.php, line 125
Cake\Http\ActionDispatcher::dispatch() - CORE/src/Http/ActionDispatcher.php, line 93

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