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Indian Railways Institute of Financial Management

The Railway Board Chairman has inaugurated the Indian Railways Institute of Financial Management (IRIFM) at Moula Ali in Hyderabad. The Institute...

25 Nov 2019 News Analysis
Golden Rice

Why in News Bangladesh is to be the first country to approve golden rice planting in the country. Golden rice is a genetically modified variety...

25 Nov 2019 News Analysis
Cases under Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act

Why in News As per the National Crime Records Data (NCRB), more than 35% cases registered under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) were...

25 Nov 2019 News Analysis
Maharashtra Bill to Protect Mediapersons

Why in News The President of India has given assent to the Maharashtra Media Persons and Media Institutions (Prevention of Violence and Damage or...

25 Nov 2019 News Analysis
Decriminalising Beggary

This article is based on “A blow against punitive constitutionalism” which was published in The Hindu on 23/11/2019. It talks about...

23 Nov 2019 News Editorials
Living Root Bridges

Why in News According to a study recently published in the journal Scientific Reports, the living root bridges (found in Meghalaya) can be...

23 Nov 2019 News Analysis
SAMEER App

Why in News SAMEER App is one of the air pollution mitigation measures which provides hourly updates on the National Air Quality Index (AQI). The...

23 Nov 2019 News Analysis
Fundamental Duties

The Government is planning to assign its different Ministries with the task of spreading awareness about Fundamental duties among people. The idea...

23 Nov 2019 News Analysis
Pink Ball Cricket

India is currently playing its first pink-ball, day-night Test match against Bangladesh at Eden Gardens (Kolkata). The match started on November 22,...

23 Nov 2019 News Analysis
Winter Grade Fuel in Ladakh

The winter-grade diesel was launched to address the problem of loss of fuel during extreme winter conditions. Motorists in high-altitude areas of...

23 Nov 2019 News Analysis
Organic Food Regulatory System in India

Why in News The Union Minister for Commerce and Industry informed about the existent organic food regulatory system in the country during the winter...

23 Nov 2019 News Analysis
Bougainville

Why in News On November 23, the people of Bougainville (a small South Pacific island), will vote for a referendum to gain independence from Papua...

23 Nov 2019 News Analysis
Subsidies in Higher Education

This article is based on “Should we do away with subsidies for higher education?” which was published in The Hindu on 22/11/2019. It...

22 Nov 2019 News Editorials
The Big Picture - Drinking Water: Quality & Challenges

According to the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, Mumbai residents need not buy reverse osmosis (RO) water purifiers as...

22 Nov 2019 Lok Sabha & Rajya Sabha Discussions
Avian Botulism at Sambhar Lake

Why in News The Indian Veterinary Research Institute (IVRI), Uttar Pradesh has confirmed avian botulism as the reason for mass mortality of birds,...

22 Nov 2019 News Analysis
Steps to Curb Abuse of Synthetic Drugs

Why in News To deal with the problem of abuse of synthetic drugs and New Psychotropic Substances (NPS), the government is considering generic...

22 Nov 2019 News Analysis
RERA Act, 2016

For...

22 Nov 2019 Paper 2
Spyware Pegasus

This article is based on “In WhatsApp breach, follow the money trail” which was published in The Hindu on 02/11/2019. It talks about...

21 Nov 2019 News Editorials
World Conference on Access to Medical Products

Why in News The 2019 World Conference on Access to Medical Products: Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 2030 was convened from...

21 Nov 2019 News Analysis
Monitoring Aerosol Optical Depth

The imager payload onboard ISRO’s weather satellites INSAT-3D & 3DR, is being used to monitor Aerosol Optical Depth (AOD). AOD is an...

21 Nov 2019 News Analysis

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		(int) 0 => [
			'title' => 'Indian Railways Institute of Financial Management',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<p>The Railway Board Chairman has inaugurated the Indian Railways Institute of Financial Management (IRIFM) at <strong>Moula Ali in Hyderabad.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Institute will impart structured and professional training to finance and accounts officers of the railways.</li>
<li>Built by the <strong>Rail Vikas Nigam Limited (RVNL),</strong> IRIFM would be meeting 90% of its electricity needs through solar power, is covered with rainwater harvesting structures and has a 100% wastewater treatment plant.</li>
<li>RVNL has also been tasked for building <strong>India's first railways university - National Rail and Transportation Institute, at Vadodara (Gujarat).</strong></li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Rail Vikas Nigam Limited</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>RVNL functions as an <strong>extended arm of the Ministry of Railways (MoR)</strong> working for &amp; on behalf of MoR.</li>
<li>It has been granted <strong>Mini Ratna-I</strong> status in 2013.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/telangana/railways-finance-wing-gets-world-class-training-institute/article30069150.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: TH</strong></a></p>',
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		],
		(int) 1 => [
			'title' => 'Golden Rice',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News<a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1574668824_image1.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1574668824_image1.jpg" width="299" height="168" style="float: right;" caption="false" /></a></h3>
<p>Bangladesh is to be the <strong>first country to approve golden rice planting</strong> in the country.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Golden rice is a <strong>genetically modified variety</strong> of rice.</li>
<li>It is developed by the <strong>Philippines-based International Rice Research Institute (IRRI).</strong></li>
<li>This <strong>variety of rice</strong> is claimed to be able to <strong>fight vitamin A deficiency.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Vitamin A deficiency is the leading cause of blindness among children and can also lead to death due to infectious diseases such as <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/measles-2" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>measles.</strong></a></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>This rice variety will <strong>not be more expensive than the conventional variety.</strong></li>
<li>The <strong>presence of beta-carotene pigment</strong> is the reason for its <strong>golden colour.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The <strong>conventional rice</strong> is naturally <strong>low in the pigment beta-carotene.</strong></li>
<li>The beta-carotene is used by the human body to make vitamin A</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Vitamin A Deficiency</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Vitamin A is a<strong> fat-soluble</strong> vitamin that maintains <strong>healthy vision, skin, bones and other tissues</strong> in the body.</li>
<li><strong>Vitamin A Deficiency (VAD)</strong> can lead to night blindness, a higher risk of the throat, chest, and abdomen infections, follicular hyperkeratosis (dry, bumpy skin), fertility issues and delayed growth in children, etc.</li>
<li>Women and children are the most vulnerable to VAD which is the leading cause of childhood blindness and inability of the immune system to combat disease.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>International Rice Research Institute (IRRI)</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>IRRI is an <strong>independent, non-profit,</strong> research and educational institute, founded in 1960 by the Ford and Rockefeller Foundations with support from the Philippine government.</li>
<li>The institute, headquartered in Los Ba&ntilde;os, Philippines, has offices in 17 rice-growing countries in Asia and Africa.</li>
<li>The <strong>IRRI South Asia Regional Centre</strong> is located at <strong>Varanasi (Uttar Pradesh).</strong></li>
<li>It aims to improve the health and welfare of rice farmers and consumers; and protect the rice-growing environment for future generations.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-what-is-golden-rice-6135523/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: IE</strong></a></p>',
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		(int) 2 => [
			'title' => 'Cases under Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>As per the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/ncrb-to-track-complaints-on-sexual-violence" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>National Crime Records Data (NCRB)</strong></a>, <strong>more than 35% cases registered</strong> under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) were recorded in <strong>Manipur.</strong></p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Of all cases registered under UAPA in 2017, Jammu and Kashmir (J&amp;K) recorded 17%, Assam recorded 14%, Uttar Pradesh recorded 12% and Bihar accounted for 5% of total cases.</li>
<li><strong>Uttar Pradesh topped the States in the number of arrests</strong> made with 382 arrests (nearly one-fourth) of the 1,554 persons.</li>
<li>It is followed by Assam-374, Manipur-352, J&amp;K-35 and Jharkhand-57.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1574668128_image2.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1574668128_image2.png" width="406" height="363" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" caption="false" /></a></p>
<h3>Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It was passed in <strong>1967 and aims at effective prevention of unlawful activities associations in India.</strong></li>
<li>The <strong>2004 amendment,</strong> added <strong>&ldquo;terrorist act"</strong> to the list of offences to ban organisations for terrorist activities, under which 34 outfits were banned.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Till 2004, <strong>&ldquo;unlawful" activities referred to actions related to secession and cession of territory.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Under the UAPA, the investigating agency can <strong>file a charge sheet in maximum 180 days after the arrests</strong> and the duration can be extended further after intimating the court.</li>
<li>The Act assigns absolute power to the central government, by way of which if the <strong>Centre deems an activity as unlawful</strong> then it may, <strong>by way of an Official Gazette, declare it so.</strong></li>
<li>It has death penalty and life imprisonment as highest punishments.</li>
<li>In August, Parliament cleared the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/unlawful-activities-prevention-amendment-bill-2019-and-the-related-issues" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Amendment Bill, 2019</strong></a> to designate individuals as terrorists on certain grounds provided in the Act.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/manipur-jk-record-maximum-number-of-cases-under-unlawful-activities-prevention-act/article30070028.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: TH</strong></a></p>',
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			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/cases-under-unlawful-activities-prevention-act'
		],
		(int) 3 => [
			'title' => 'Maharashtra Bill to Protect Mediapersons',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>The President of India has given assent to the <strong>Maharashtra Media Persons and Media Institutions (Prevention of Violence and Damage or Loss to Property) Bill, 2017.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Maharashtra</strong> is the <strong>first state</strong> to pass legislation which ensures <strong>protection for journalists.</strong></li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Provisions</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The bill considers <strong>violent attacks on media persons a non-bailable offence.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The offence shall be <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/re-imagining-cognizable-offences" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>cognizable</strong> </a>(police officer has the authority to make an arrest without a warrant and to start an investigation with or without the permission of a court) <strong>and triable</strong> by a<strong> first-class judicial magistrate.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Anyone who commits or attempts to commit any act of violence against <strong>journalists or media houses</strong> shall be punished with <strong>jail terms up to three years</strong> or with a <strong>fine up to Rs 50,000 or with both.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>A media institution</strong> has been defined as any registered newspaper, news channel, news-based electronic outlet or news station establishment.</li>
<li><strong>A media person</strong> means a person whose principal vocation is that of a journalist, who is employed as a journalist, whether on a <strong>regular or contract basis.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Any offence against a media person will be investigated by a police officer <strong>above the rank of a Deputy Superintendent of Police.</strong></li>
<li>The <strong>assailant</strong> would also be liable to <strong>reimburse the medical expenditure</strong> incurred by the media persons in the attack.</li>
<li>The <strong>offender</strong> is also liable to<strong> pay compensation for damage or loss</strong> caused to the property of the media person or the media house as <strong>determined by the court.</strong></li>
</ul>
<h3>Significance</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The act will ensure the<strong> safety of journalists in exercising freedom of speech and expression.</strong></li>
<li>It ensures the implementation of the <strong>&ldquo;Safety and Security of Journalists&rdquo; advisory (2017)</strong> by the <strong>Ministry of Home Affairs.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The advisory was issued days after Bengaluru-based journalist Gauri Lankesh was shot dead in 2017.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>It will help to improve ranking under the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/important-facts-for-prelims-24th-april-2019" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>World Press Freedom Index.</strong></a><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>India<strong> ranked 140<sup>th</sup> out of 180 countries</strong> in this index released by &lsquo;Reporters Without Borders&rsquo;.</li>
<li>According to the report violence against journalists including police violence, attacks by Maoist fighters and reprisals by criminal groups or corrupt politicians is one of the most striking characteristics of the current state of press freedom in India.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kovind-gives-asssent-to-maharashtra-bill-on-protecting-mediapersons/article30070031.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/maharashtra-bill-to-protect-mediapersons'
		],
		(int) 4 => [
			'title' => 'Decriminalising Beggary',
			'catname' => 'News Editorials',
			'desc' => '<div class="border">
<p>This article is based on <a href="https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/lead/a-blow-against-punitive-constitutionalism/article30041511.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>&ldquo;A blow against punitive constitutionalism&rdquo;</strong></a> which was published in The Hindu on 23/11/2019. It talks about issues of criminalisation the beggary.</p>
</div>
<p>Recently, in a landmark verdict, the Jammu and Kashmir High Court struck down the J&amp;K law on Beggary.</p>
<p>Beggary laws in India is a <strong>relic of the old colonial legacy.</strong> For example, according to the Criminal Tribes Act (1871), indigenous peoples were deemed criminals by birth and herded into concentration camps, where families were separated and forced labour was the norm.</p>
<p>These criminal tribes are now called denotified tribes (after independence), which forms a major section of people engaged in beggary.</p>
<p><a href="http://socialjustice.nic.in/writereaddata/UploadFile/Draft%20List%20of%20Denotified%20Tribes%20for%20Mail.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Click here for a list of denotified tribes from the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.</a></p>
<h3>Beggary Laws In India</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>There is <strong>no central Act on beggary,</strong> however, many States and Union Territories have used certain sections of the <strong>Bombay Prevention of Beggary Act, 1959,</strong> as the basis for their own laws.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Bombay Prevention of Beggary Act, 1959 criminalises the beggary.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Through these legislations, the governments try to maintain public order, addresses forced begging or<strong> &ldquo;begging rackets&rdquo;,</strong> prevent annoyance to tourists.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Note:</strong></p>
<p>In India, begging was first criminalised in the 1920s, as part of a colonial logic that sought to subjugate certain communities by imputing criminality to them.</p>
</div>
<h3>Issues in Beggary</h3>
<p><strong>Definition of Beggary</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Act defines beggary as an activity of <strong>having no visible means of subsistence,</strong> and <strong>wandering about</strong> or<strong> remaining in any public place</strong> in such condition or manner, as makes it likely that the <strong>person doing so exists by soliciting or receiving alms.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>However, the provisions of legislation aim to effectively &ldquo;cleanse&rdquo; these spaces of individuals who appear poor or destitute.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Unjust Process</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>People found &ldquo;begging&rdquo; can be <strong>arrested without a warrant,</strong> and after a summary procedure, thrown into<strong> &ldquo;Beggars Homes&rdquo;</strong> for anything between a year and three years.</li>
<li>Also, many of these beggars homes are <strong>poorly regulated</strong> without superintendents, probation officers or doctors.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Violation of Fundamental Rights</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Begging and homelessness are<strong> indicators of chronic poverty.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Therefore, criminalising poverty <strong>violates basic human dignity.</strong></li>
<li>This coupled with the draconian processes under the Act, violated the right to life and personal liberty under <strong>Article 21 of the Constitution.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Begging is a <strong>peaceful method</strong> by which a person sought to communicate their situation to another, and solicit their assistance.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Thus, criminalising begging is <strong>violative of Article 19(1)(a)-freedom of speech guarantee.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Criminalising &ldquo;wandering about&rdquo;</strong> in public spaces (the places that were meant for the enjoyment of every member of the public without exception),<strong> it is violative of Article 19(1)(d)-freedom of movement.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Apart from this, there existed a large number of communities such as the Gujjars and the Bakarwals, whose very nature of existence moves from place to place, and displaying none of the conventional means of subsistence.</li>
<li>This would bring them within the ambit of the beggary law.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Failure of Welfare state</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Beggary is a manifestation of the fact that the person has fallen through the socially created net.</li>
<li>The government has the mandate to provide social security for everyone, to ensure that all citizens have basic facilities, and the presence of beggars is evidence that the state has not managed to provide these to all its citizens.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Case of Punitive Constitutionalism</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Punitive constitutionalism seeks to submerge individual rights to a grand yet often undefined national project by holding that an individual may be stripped of their rights if they do not do their bit to contribute to this project.</li>
<li>Criminalising begging is explicitly premised upon the &ldquo;invisiblising&rdquo; a social problem by criminalising it (as though poverty is a matter of individual fault).</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p>Recent cases of<strong> Punitive Constitutionalism</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Laws barring political participation to those who have more than two children (thus submerging the right to participate in the imperatives of population control).</li>
<li>Similarly barring those people from election who lack formal education.</li>
<li>This effectively makes freedom and equality conditional upon the state&rsquo;s vision of what a &ldquo;good citizen&rdquo; should be like.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Centre made an attempt at repealing the Act through the<strong> Persons in Destitution (Protection, Care and Rehabilitation) Model Bill, 2016,</strong> with provisions including doing away with the Beggary Act and proposing rehabilitation centres for the destitute in each district.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Persons in Destitution Bill, 2016, needs to see the light of the day.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Bihar government&rsquo;s <strong>Mukhyamantri Bhikshavriti Nivaran Yojana</strong> is a scheme worth emulation.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The scheme, instead of detaining persons under the Act, open homes were set up and community outreach for destitute persons was put in place.</li>
<li>Now, rehabilitation centres have been set up, with facilities for treatment, family reintegration and vocational training.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The very real problem of organised begging rackets will have to be addressed by other means, perhaps <strong>based on the law of trafficking.</strong></li>
</ul>
<table border="1" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="width: 100%; border-style: dotted; border-color: #ff0000; background-color: #fdffd1;"><span style="color: #000080;"><em><strong>Drishti Mains Question</strong></em></span><br /><br />Criminalising Beggary is against constitutional values and human dignity. Comment.</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/decriminalising-beggary'
		],
		(int) 5 => [
			'title' => 'Living Root Bridges',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>According to a study recently published in the journal <strong>Scientific Reports,</strong> the living root bridges (found in Meghalaya) can be considered as a reference point for future botanical architecture projects in urban contexts.</p>
<h3>Root Bridge</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Living root bridges (also known as Jing Kieng Jri) are the <strong>aerial bridges</strong> that are built by <strong>weaving and manipulating the roots</strong> of the <strong>Indian rubber tree.</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>A root bridge uses <strong>traditional tribal knowledge</strong> to train the roots of the Indian rubber tree (found in abundance in the area) to grow laterally across a stream bed resulting in a living bridge of roots.</li>
<li>It spans between 15 and 250 feet and is built over centuries.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>They have been serving as connectors for generations in the Indian state of <strong>Meghalaya.</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The bridges are primarily a <strong>means to cross streams and rivers.</strong> They have also become world-famous <strong>tourist attractions.</strong> The two most popular tourist spots are- <em><strong>Riwai Root Bridge and Umshiang Double Decker Bridge.</strong></em></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>They have <strong>three main properties:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>They are <strong>elastic,</strong></li>
<li>The roots <strong>easily combine,</strong> and</li>
<li>The plants grow in<strong> rough and rocky soils.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1574498934_Image3.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1574498934_Image3.jpg" width="558" height="314" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" caption="false" /></strong></a></p>
<p><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/in-meghalaya-living-root-bridges-study-sees-global-potential-can-it-work-6132569/" 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/living-root-bridges'
		],
		(int) 6 => [
			'title' => 'SAMEER App',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>SAMEER App is one of the air pollution mitigation measures which provides <strong>hourly updates</strong> on the <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/safar" target="_blank" rel="noopener">National Air Quality Index (AQI).</a></strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The app is developed by the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/health-emergency-in-new-delhi" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Central Pollution Control Bureau (CPCB)</strong></a> which provides information on air quality for more than 100 cities across the country.</li>
<li>The app represents the listed cities in a <strong>colour-coded format based on their AQI levels.</strong></li>
<li>The app can also be used to<strong> file or track complaints</strong> related to garbage dumping, road dust, vehicular emissions or other pollution issues in a particular area.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>National Air Quality Index (AQI)</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The AQI is an index for reporting daily air quality.</li>
<li>It focuses on health effects one might experience within a few hours or days after breathing polluted air.</li>
<li>AQI is calculated for eight major air pollutants:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Ground-level ozone,</li>
<li>PM10,</li>
<li>PM2.5,</li>
<li>Carbon monoxide,</li>
<li>Sulfur dioxide,</li>
<li>Nitrogen dioxide,</li>
<li>Ammonia,</li>
<li>Lead,</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Ground-level ozone and airborne particles are the two pollutants that pose the greatest threat to human health in India.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetail.aspx?PRID=1593056" 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/sameer-app'
		],
		(int) 7 => [
			'title' => 'Fundamental Duties',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<p>The Government is planning to assign its different Ministries with the task of spreading awareness about Fundamental duties among people.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The <strong>idea of Fundamental Duties</strong> is inspired from the <strong>Constitution of Russia.</strong></li>
<li>These were incorporated in <strong>Part IV-A</strong> of the Constitution by the <strong>42<sup>nd</sup> Constitutional Amendment Act, 1976</strong> on the <strong>recommendations of Swaran Singh Committee.</strong></li>
<li>Originally 10 in number, one more duty was added through the 86<sup>th</sup> Constitutional Amendment Act, 2002. All the <strong>eleven duties</strong> are listed in <strong>Article 51-A</strong> of the Constitution (the sole Article in Part-IV-A).</li>
<li>The fundamental duties serve as a reminder to citizens that while enjoying their rights, they have also to be quite conscious of duties they owe to their country, their society and to their fellow-citizens.</li>
<li>However, like the Directive Principles, the duties are also<strong> non-justiciable</strong> in nature.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>List of Fundamental Duties</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>To abide by the Constitution and respect its ideals and institutions, the National Flag and the National Anthem;</li>
<li>To cherish and follow the noble ideals that inspired the national struggle for freedom;</li>
<li>To uphold and protect the sovereignty, unity and integrity of India;</li>
<li>To defend the country and render national service when called upon to do so;</li>
<li>To promote harmony and the spirit of common brotherhood amongst all the people of India transcending religious, linguistic and regional or sectional diversities and to renounce practices derogatory to the dignity of women;</li>
<li>To value and preserve the rich heritage of the country&rsquo;s composite culture;</li>
<li>To protect and improve the natural environment including forests, lakes, rivers and wildlife and to have compassion for living creatures;</li>
<li>To develop scientific temper, humanism and the spirit of inquiry and reform;</li>
<li>To safeguard public property and to abjure violence;</li>
<li>To strive towards excellence in all spheres of individual and collective activity so that the nation constantly rises to higher levels of endeavour and achievement; and</li>
<li>To provide opportunities for education to his child or ward between the age of six and fourteen years (added by the 86th Constitutional Amendment Act, 2002).</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/india/govt-dusts-off-emergency-era-provision-on-basic-duties-6132677/" 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/fundamental-duties'
		],
		(int) 8 => [
			'title' => 'Pink Ball Cricket',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<p>India is currently playing its <strong>first pink-ball, day-night Test</strong> match against Bangladesh<strong> at Eden Gardens (Kolkata).</strong> The match started on November 22, 2019.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>For this match the pink ball has been manufactured by <strong>Sanspareil Greenlands (SG), a Meerut-based</strong> sports company.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Day-night Test</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>A day-night Test match is played either totally, or partially under floodlights (artificial stadium lighting) in the evening or at night.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Need for a Pink Ball</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The idea behind playing day-night Tests is to <strong>increase footfall at matches,</strong> as a large number of cricket enthusiasts watch matches only after work hours.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Pink Ball</h3>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1574497519_image2.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1574497519_image2.jpg" width="450" height="440" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" caption="false" /></a></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Visibility:</strong> Pink was the consensus colour after ball makers tried optic yellow and bright orange, which were easy to spot on the grass. Batsmen, however, complained that these colours tended to merge with the brownish patches on the pitch.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The conventional red Test cricket ball is dipped in grease but this cannot be done with the Day/Night(D/N) Test pink ball since grease would dull the fluorescent pink, affecting the visibility of the ball under lights.</li>
<li>The D/N ball is sprayed with a thick coat of pink colour so that it sparkles for long, making visibility easier.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Manufacturing:</strong> Like Red and White, Pink balls are also made of same core using similar production techniques. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The colour of the dye, and the difference in &lsquo;finishing&rsquo; decide in which format a ball is used.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Slow Deterioration:</strong> An advantage of using the Pink Ball is that they deteriorate slowly as compared to the White Balls (used in limited over matches) which makes them ideal for day-night Test matches.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Concerns</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Detrimental to Variations:</strong> Emphasis on maintaining the pinkness of the ball also slows its aging, taking away the options of reverse swing as well as spin. This effectively takes away the intrigue of a Test match. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Also limited exposure to sunshine in D/N tests means the pitch will not break/crack up as rapidly which may result in long periods of boring play.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Tinkering with the idea of Test Cricket:</strong> The entertainment of Test cricket lies in a batsman trying to survive a session, a bowler trying to set up a batsman. Tinkering with the basic idea of Test cricket just to make it entertaining should not define its future.</li>
<li><strong>Extra Coating of Lacquer (Polyurethane):</strong> The extra coating of lacquer on the ball enables it to retain its colour over the course of the match. However, there are concerns that this may make the ball appear more orange than pink under floodlights.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Background</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>First trial:</strong> England v Australia Women's One-day match in 2009.</li>
<li><strong>International Cricket Council&rsquo;s Approval:</strong> The International Cricket Council (ICC) had approved Day/Night Tests in 2012.</li>
<li><strong>First International Day/Night Test:</strong> It was played in 2015 between Australia and New Zealand at Adelaide (Australia). So far, 11 Day-night Tests have been played and Australia has been the most successful so far in Pink-ball cricket, winning all their five games.</li>
<li><strong>India&rsquo;s Stand:</strong> India had earlier refused to participate in the Pink-ball Test matches. India was the only major Test-playing nation to not have played a Day-night Test.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>India had earlier experimented with the pink ball during a Duleep Trophy game in 2016, but the BCCI had not thereafter accepted suggestions from several former Indian cricketers, including Sourav Ganguly, to organise more such games.</li>
<li>Ganguly, now being the President of BCCI approved the first Pink-ball test which is being held in Eden Gardens, Kolkata.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/ahead-of-eden-test-your-guide-to-pink-ball-cricket-6130310/" 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/pink-ball-cricket'
		],
		(int) 9 => [
			'title' => 'Winter Grade Fuel in Ladakh',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<p>The <strong>winter-grade diesel</strong> was launched to address<strong> the problem of loss of fuel during extreme winter conditions.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Motorists in high-altitude areas of Ladakh face the problem of <strong>freezing of diesel</strong> in their vehicles when <strong>winter temperatures drop to as low as minus 30-degree celsius.</strong></li>
<li>The <strong>special winter-grade diesel</strong> is developed by the <strong>Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL).</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It has a <strong>pour point of minus 33-degree celsius</strong> and<strong> does not lose its fluidity</strong> even in the region&rsquo;s extreme winter weather unlike normal grade diesel, which is difficult to use in sub-zero temperatures.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The pour point of a liquid is the temperature <strong>below which the liquid loses its flow characteristics.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>It also meets <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/bureau-of-indian-standards-bis-act-2016" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS)</strong></a> specification of <a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/in-depth-bs-vi-emission-norms" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>BS-VI</strong></a> <strong>grade.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The special winter-grade diesel will help <strong>to reduce</strong> the hardships faced by the local people for transportation and mobility during the harsh winter months.</li>
<li>It will further <strong>facilitate the local economy</strong> as well as <strong>tourism</strong> in the region.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>BS-VI</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Bharat stage norms</strong> are <strong>emission control standards</strong> put in place by the government to keep a <strong>check on air pollution</strong> based on the <strong>European regulations (Euro norms).</strong></li>
<li>These standards set limits the release of air pollutants from equipment using internal combustion engines, including vehicles.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The higher the stage, the more stringent norms.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>BS VI&rsquo;s key improvement in fuel quality over BS IV include,</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Lower Sulphur Content:</strong> It has lowered <strong>sulphur content of 10 parts per million (ppm).</strong> Sulphur in fuel contributes to fine particulate matter emissions.</li>
<li><strong>Harmful Hydrocarbon:</strong> It seeks to <strong>reduce the level of certain harmful hydrocarbons</strong> in the emissions that are produced due to incomplete combustion of fuel.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/amit-shah-launches-special-winter-grade-diesel-for-ladakh/article29998652.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/winter-grade-fuel-in-ladakh'
		],
		(int) 10 => [
			'title' => 'Organic Food Regulatory System in India',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>The Union Minister for Commerce and Industry informed about the <strong>existent organic food regulatory system in the country</strong> during the winter parliamentary session (2019).</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-national-institutions/food-safety-and-standards-authority-of-india-fssai" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI)</strong></a> is the <strong>food regulator</strong> in the country and is also responsible for <strong>regulating organic food in the domestic market and imports.</strong></li>
<li>FSSAI had notified the existing certification system through <strong>Food Safety and Standards (Organic Foods) Regulations in 2017.</strong></li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Organic Food</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Organic farm produce</strong> means the produce obtained from <strong>organic agriculture,</strong> while <strong>organic food</strong> means food products that have been produced in accordance with <strong>specified standards for organic production.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>According to FSSAI,<strong>&rsquo;organic agriculture&rsquo;</strong> is a system of farm design and management to create an ecosystem of agriculture production without the use of synthetic external inputs such as chemical fertilisers, pesticides and synthetic hormones or genetically modified organisms.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Existing Certification Systems</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>National Programme for Organic Production (NPOP)</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>NPOP grants <strong>organic farming certification</strong> through a process of <strong>third party certification.</strong></li>
<li>It involves the<strong> accreditation programme</strong> for Certification Bodies, standards for organic production, promotion of organic farming etc.</li>
<li>It is implemented by <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-national-institutions/apeda-trifed" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA)</strong></a>, <strong>Ministry of Commerce and Industry.</strong></li>
<li>The <strong>NPOP standards</strong> for production and accreditation system have been<strong> recognized</strong> by the <strong>European Commission, Switzerland</strong> and <strong>USA</strong> as equivalent to their respective accreditation systems.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Participatory Guarantee System for India (PGS)</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>PGS is another process of <strong>certifying organic products.</strong></li>
<li>The certification is in the form of a <strong>documented logo or a statement.</strong></li>
<li>It is implemented by the <strong>Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers&rsquo; Welfare.</strong></li>
<li>The organic <strong>farmers have full control over the certification process.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>PGS certification is <strong>only for farmers or communities</strong> that can organise and perform as a <strong>group. Individual farmers</strong> or groups of farmers smaller than five members are <strong>not covered</strong> under PGS.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>PGS is applicable on <strong>on-farm activities</strong> comprising of crop production, processing and livestock rearing, etc.</li>
<li><strong>Off-farm processing activities</strong> such as storage, transport and value addition activities by persons/agencies other than PGS farmers away from the group are<strong> not covered under PGS.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Organic foods are also required to comply with the requirements of <strong>labelling of FSSAI</strong> in addition to that of NPOP or PGS-India.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetail.aspx?PRID=1593103" 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/organic-food-regulatory-system-in-india'
		],
		(int) 11 => [
			'title' => 'Bougainville',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>On November 23, the people of <strong>Bougainville</strong> (a small South Pacific island), will vote for a referendum to gain independence from Papua New Guinea. If the referendum is passed, Bougainville would become the <strong>world&rsquo;s newest and possibly the smallest independent country.</strong></p>
<h3>Background</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Bougainville is currently a province of <strong>Papua New Guinea-</strong> one of the most populous Pacific island states. It forms the part of the <strong>Solomon Islands archipelago.</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Bougainville has a population of around 300,000 people comprising of <strong>21 distinct language groups.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1574491941_image1.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1574491941_image1.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="632" height="243" caption="false" /></strong></a></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>In the late 1970s, a <strong>decentralized system</strong> of provincial government was introduced in Bougainville. The current autonomy arrangements were implemented following the constitutional enactment of the <strong>Bougainville Peace Agreement.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The <strong>Bougainville Peace Agreement,</strong> signed in 2001, brought <strong>autonomy and an end to the violent conflict</strong> between the people of Bougainville and the government of Papua New Guinea.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Issues Leading to Referendum</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The subsequent dissatisfaction among Bougainvilleans over implementation of the agreed arrangements for Bougainville autonomy (2001), particularly in regard to the constitutionally guaranteed financial grants was the major bone of contention. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The Autonomy Bougainville Government (ABG) was legally entitled to the financial grants but the Papua New Guinea National Government did not provide the same in accordance with the ABG&rsquo;s calculations.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Also, the historic <strong>plunder of the resource-rich island</strong> and the <strong>unequal distribution of wealth</strong> that followed was the major issue. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Bougainville has <strong>large deposits of copper.</strong></li>
<li>The<strong> Panguna mine</strong> (also known as the <strong>Bougainville Copper Mine</strong>) holds some of the world&rsquo;s largest reserves of copper. It is the <strong>world&rsquo;s largest open-cut copper mine.</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The export of copper extracted from the Panguna mine contributed significantly to Papua New Guinea&rsquo;s economy.</li>
<li>The mine also <strong>created job opportunities</strong> for people from Papua New Guinea and Australia, leading to conflicts with Bougainvilleans who reported cases of discrimination and racism at the hands of foreigner mine workers.</li>
<li>Mining activities over the years also caused <strong>environmental degradation</strong> of Bougainville&rsquo;s lands and water.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The referendum is not binding and would still have to be passed by the Government and the Parliament of Papua New Guinea, in consultation with the Autonomous Bougainville Government before a final decision is made.</li>
<li>If Bougainville becomes independent, the immediate steps would involve putting in place the law and order, economic opportunities, and access to education.</li>
<li>If the referendum is passed it will have implications on countries like Australia, New Zealand, and China in general, and other provinces of Papua New Guinea in specific. The stability of the region of which Bougainville is part is clearly important to Australia and other nations.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/bougainville-explained-how-the-worlds-newest-country-might-bloom-out-of-protests-against-a-copper-mine-6132284/" 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/bougainville'
		],
		(int) 12 => [
			'title' => 'Subsidies in Higher Education',
			'catname' => 'News Editorials',
			'desc' => '<div class="border">
<p>This article is based on <a href="https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/should-we-do-away-with-subsidies-for-higher-education/article30041719.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>&ldquo;Should we do away with subsidies for higher education?&rdquo;</strong></a> which was published in The Hindu on 22/11/2019. It talks about the impact and challenges of subsidies in higher education in India.</p>
</div>
<p>Recently, the proposed fees hike of residential hostels in Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) has sparked a widespread protest and controversy over subsidies in higher education.</p>
<p>Almost more than a <strong>fifth</strong> of the population is below official poverty limits and<strong> 93%</strong> of the workforce is engaged in the unorganised sector, subsidized education provides access to quality education to the poor. Subsidies in education generate a host of positive externalities such as health improvement, reduction in poverty, crime and population growth. It directly or indirectly influences almost all facets of social life, and therefore should be viewed as a non-negotiable public good and by far the most potent social investment.</p>
<h3>Advantages of Subsidies in Higher Education</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Inclusiveness and Equity:</strong> Subsidies in higher education have enabled the marginalised and socio-economically backward sections of the society to get access to quality higher education which has largely been the domain of socially dominant groups in the society. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Inclusiveness and equity are very important characteristics of a good public institution. And, over the years, this has actually increased in public institutions and that is entirely because of subsidy.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Economic:</strong> Subsidized education plays a significant role in <strong>building an economy</strong> as in the case of India. Students engaged with research and specialized education go on to become better contributors to the economy. Higher education boosts innovation, creative thinking and innovations.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>For Example: </strong>Software segment which comprises a huge share in India&rsquo;s GDP is a shining example of positive externalities from subsidies in higher education.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Demographic Dividends:</strong> India is one of the youngest nations in the world comprising a huge chunk of population in favourable demographic phase. However, this young population's educational and skill status is not aligned with the requirements of the market. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Therefore, subsidies in the higher education sector have a greater role to play in reaping the benefits of demographic dividends.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Social Mobility:</strong> Earlier, higher education used to be the exclusive preserve of elites, and other socially and economically backward classes were deprived of higher education. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>But due to the efforts made by the government (in the form of subsidies and other benefits) to make it within the reach of every social group, a large number of poor and the marginalised have to begin to express their aspirations for social mobility through access to higher public education institutions.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Human Capital:</strong> The country has developed a wide network of institutions like CSIR, IITs and Central Universities which provide <strong>quality subsidized education</strong> to the masses. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>These institutions have become the nucleus of providing<strong> trained workforce</strong> in propelling research and development and economic growth in the country.</li>
<li>Students of all sections of society from these institutions went on to occupy the higher positions in government in forms of engineers, doctors, bureaucrats etc.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Liberalisation and Higher Education in India</strong></p>
<p>In the post-liberalisation era, public expenditure in higher education went through a period of stagnation in real terms, and the per-student public expenditure actually declined dramatically. All this happened while private higher education saw a phase of impressive expansion. So, while the overall intake of students in higher education increased considerably in the post-liberalisation era, a large proportion of this expansion was accounted for by expanding the private sector. Growth in national income did not result in an increase in public expenditure on education as a whole. It kind of stagnated. Within the education sector as a whole, there was a shift in the focus of funding in the 1990s from higher education to primary education.</p>
</div>
<h3>Problem with Subsidies in Higher Education in India</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Free Riders:</strong> Subsidies are intended to serve the vulnerable section of society. However, it is often seen that these benefits of subsidies are exploited by the middle and elite sections of society.</li>
<li><strong>Subsidies do not guarantee quality education:</strong> Access without assured quality is no access. Also, there has been a lot of clamour that subsidies hamper meritocracy.</li>
<li><strong>Unevenness in the distribution of subsidies:</strong> There is considerable unevenness in the distribution of public finances. Student subsidies for premier institutions like the IITs and engineering colleges are incomparably higher than those for universities and colleges, particularly for liberal arts institutions.</li>
<li><strong>Privatisation:</strong> Private institutions are generally not likely to be amenable to measures promoting access and equity. Therefore, a large number of private education institutions remain inaccessible to economy weaker sections.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Better Targeting:</strong> According to a study conducted by <strong>Gokhale Institute,</strong> benefits can be skewed in the absence of regulation. Therefore, eliminating free riders is the biggest challenge in the dissemination of subsidies. Technological improvement like Aadhar, direct benefit transfer can be used to eliminate inclusion and exclusion errors.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The<strong> third-party verifications of the beneficiary</strong> will help in eliminating the free riders.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Differential Fee Structure:</strong> Rationalisation of fee structure according to the demand of programmes based on marketability, affordability and input cost and according to different income groups could pave the way for optimal utilization of subsidies. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Providing free or subsidized higher education to students from lower-income groups could pave the way for a more equitable and just society.</li>
<li>Some large public universities should now approach the 20% mark as recommended by the Punnayya Committee and National Knowledge Commission.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Regulatory Mechanism:</strong> A proper <strong>regulatory mechanism</strong> should be placed in order to make private institutions in line with the government's goal of making higher education accessible and affordable to vulnerable sections.</li>
<li><strong>Per-student public funds</strong> have to increase drastically in order to maintain the principle of equity and inclusiveness.</li>
</ul>
<p>Education is one of those genuinely long-term businesses. A public effort is needed to frame a different management style, better autonomy, and accountability. Subsidies can help in improving access to higher education and bridge socio-economic divides across communities in the country. However, these can be rationalised in order to reap optimum benefits.</p>
<table border="1" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="width: 100%; border-style: dotted; border-color: #ff002f; background-color: #f5f2cb;"><span style="color: #000080;"><em><strong>Drishti Inputs</strong></em></span><br /><br />Explain the significance of subsidies in providing quality education to vulnerables.</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/subsidies-in-higher-education'
		],
		(int) 13 => [
			'title' => 'The Big Picture - Drinking Water: Quality & Challenges',
			'catname' => 'Lok Sabha & Rajya Sabha Discussions',
			'desc' => '<p style="text-align: center;"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/-bHVnAfZuA0" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p>
<p>According to the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, Mumbai residents need not buy reverse osmosis (RO) water purifiers as samples of tap water collected from the Mumbai are compliant with the Indian standards for drinking water.</p>
<p>However, other metro cities of Delhi, Kolkata and Chennai failed in almost 10 out of 11 quality parameters tested by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS). Similar is the condition in the majority of other state capitals.</p>
<h3>Nature of Water Crisis</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>According to <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/solution-to-indias-water-crisis" target="_blank" rel="noopener">NITI Aayog's Composite Water Management Index 2018,&nbsp;</a></strong>21 major cities (Delhi, Bengaluru, Chennai, Hyderabad and others) are racing to reach zero groundwater levels by 2020, affecting access for 100 million people.<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/solution-to-indias-water-crisis" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong></strong></a></li>
<li>India ranks 120 among 122 countries on the Water Quality Index released by WaterAid.</li>
<li>The national capital region of India is facing a double whammy, not only it harbours poor standards of air <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/health-emergency-in-new-delhi" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>(air emergency)</strong> </a>but poor water quality also.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Drishti Input:</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>According to the data released by the World Resources Institute, India is ranked 13<sup>th</sup> among the 17 most water-stressed countries of the world.</li>
<li>According to the Ministry of Urban Development, 80% of India's surface water is polluted.</li>
<li>This signifies India is going through Water emergency.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Causes of Poor Drinking Water Quality</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>In the name of water purification, most of the times water is <strong>chlorinated.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Chlorination only kills bacteria &amp; other microorganisms but dissolved salts, alkalinity, toxic metals in water can't be eliminated by chlorination.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The pipes which carry the water, <strong>are old and leaking.</strong> This leakages in pipes lead to contamination of water.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Moreover, the water supply line &amp; sewerage line running side by side.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>In metropolitan cities, <strong>the demand for water is higher than the supply.</strong> Therefore, this deficit in the water supply is compensated by the mixing of surface water &amp; groundwater.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>However, groundwater is severely contaminated by carcinogenic pollutants like Arsenic.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Water is a<strong> state subject.</strong> This lead to the problem of coordination between Union, State and Local government.</li>
<li><strong>Rapid urbanization</strong> has led the unequal distribution of water, contamination/ depletion of local water bodies due to pollution.</li>
<li>Sometimes the places from where water samples are collected, may not reflect the true state of water quality.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Effects of Poor Drinking Water</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Harmful health impacts:</strong> Nearly 70% of the diseases in India are waterborne. Therefore, poor water quality is a great health hazard.</li>
<li><strong>Economic cost:</strong> Poor drinking water will lead to a reduction in tourist inflow.</li>
<li><strong>Domino effect:</strong> Result of poor drinking water is the prime reason for the sale of plastic bottled drinking water. However, this bottled water gives rise to plastic pollution.</li>
<li><strong>Wasting resources:</strong> RO is expensive and for 1 litre of RO or bottled water, many litres of water wasted.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Also, the RO water is deprived of essential minerals and salts.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Social effect:</strong> With the given condition of the water crisis, it is less likely to fulfil the target of providing everyone with safe drinking water (Sustainable Development Goal number 6).</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Data based support system:</strong> Water quality should be tested frequently and the findings should be made public.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>This will increase involvement, sensitization &amp; awareness of citizens, service providers and the government.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Mandatory compliance:</strong> Compliance to Bureau of Indian Standards for water quality should be made mandatory for local bodies.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>This can make municipalities and other local bodies accountable.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Pricing for water:</strong> Water can be priced for well-off sections of society so that proper maintenance cost should be recovered.</li>
<li><strong>Better management:</strong> Long-distance pipelines of water should be discouraged and water treatment should be made more localized.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Also, efforts should be made to find out the sites of continuation in the supply line.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Technological solution:</strong> Up-gradation of the water treatment plant to remove toxic inorganic pollutants and dissolved solids.</li>
<li><strong>Rainwater harvesting:</strong> The reason why Mumbai's water is relatively safer because it is sourced from rainwater (the purest source of water).<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Therefore, rainwater harvesting should be encouraged to the maximum extent possible.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Next step for Jal Jeevan mission:</strong> The government's effort to provide<strong> piped water to all rural households by 2024</strong> under the Jal Jeevan mission, is a step in the right direction. However, providing quality piped water will be a big challenge.</li>
</ul>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/the-big-picture-drinking-water-quality-challenges'
		],
		(int) 14 => [
			'title' => 'Avian Botulism at Sambhar Lake',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>The Indian Veterinary Research Institute (IVRI), Uttar Pradesh has confirmed <strong>avian botulism</strong> as the reason for<strong> mass mortality of birds,</strong> at <strong>Sambhar Lake</strong> in <strong>Rajasthan.</strong></p>
<h3>Avian Botulism</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The avian botulism is a <strong>neuro-muscular illness</strong> caused by <strong>Botulinum (natural toxin)</strong> that is produced by a <strong>bacteria &mdash; Clostridium botulinum.</strong></li>
<li>The bacteria is <strong>commonly found</strong> in the <strong>soil, rivers, and seawater.</strong> It affects <strong>both humans and animals.</strong></li>
<li>The bacteria also need <strong>anaerobic (absence of oxygen)</strong> conditions and <strong>do not grow</strong> in <strong>acidic conditions.</strong></li>
<li>It affects the <strong>nervous system</strong> of birds, leading to <strong>paralysis in their legs and wings.</strong></li>
<li>The outbreaks of avian botulism tend to occur when <strong>average temperatures are above 21 degrees celsius, and during droughts.</strong></li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Sambhar Lake<a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1574410837_drishtiias_Sambharlake.JPG" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1574410837_drishtiias_Sambharlake.JPG" style="float: right;" width="227" height="225" caption="false" /></a></strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li style="text-align: left;">The Sambhar Salt Lake is India's<strong> largest inland saltwater body</strong> located near Jaipur in Rajasthan.</li>
<li>The lake is <strong>surrounded</strong> on <strong>all sides by the Aravali hills.&nbsp;</strong></li>
<li>It is the source of most of <strong>Rajasthan's salt production.</strong></li>
<li>Sambhar has been designated as a <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/world-wetlands-day" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Ramsar site</strong></a> <strong>(recognized wetland of international importance)</strong> because the wetland is a key wintering area for tens of thousands of flamingos and other birds that migrate from northern Asia.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Mass Mortality at Sambhar Lake</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The <strong>possible causes</strong> for avian botulism at Sambhar lake are:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Reduced water levels:</strong> This might have <strong>increased</strong> salinity levels leading to the <strong>death of living organisms.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The decaying plant or animal materials are capable of <strong>hosting the bacteria for a longer period of time.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>A bird-to-bird cycle:</strong> Since only insectivorous and omnivorous birds were affected and not herbivores, the birds feeding on dead birds could have been a possible cause of such mortality.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The <strong>possibility of external factors</strong> like water pollution and eutrophication are <strong>ruled out</strong> as <strong>no farming</strong> is being carried out in the <strong>vicinity of sambhar lake.</strong></li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Sambhar Lake is <strong>not the first instance</strong> where deaths due to botulism have been recorded. 7,000 water birds died in Lake Michigan in 2007 and 2008. In Hawaii, the toxin killed around 183 Laysan Ducks in 2008.</li>
<li>The botulism outbreaks are <strong>likely to become more frequent as climate change</strong> alters wetland conditions to favour bacteria and pathogens.</li>
<li>Thus, the <strong>establishment of rescue and medical centres</strong> along with the mitigation of <strong>climate change</strong> need to be considered by the government as a <strong>precautionary measure</strong> for the future.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/avian-botulism-reason-for-bird-deaths/article30043219.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/avian-botulism-at-sambhar-lake'
		],
		(int) 15 => [
			'title' => 'Steps to Curb Abuse of Synthetic Drugs',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>To deal with the problem of <strong>abuse of synthetic drugs and New Psychotropic Substances (NPS),</strong> the government is considering generic scheduling of drugs to replace the practice of substance-by-substance scheduling.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Apart from this, the Narco Coordination Centre (NCORD) discussed the issue of large scale heroin trafficking from neighbouring countries, the diversion and abuse of pharmaceutical preparations, and poppy (Opium) cultivation in the country.</li>
</ul>
<h3>New Psychoactive Substances</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>NPS are defined as &ldquo;substances of abuse, either in a pure form or a preparation, that are not controlled by the United Nations drug conventions but which may pose a public health threat&rdquo;.</li>
<li>NPS are also known as &ldquo;legal highs&rdquo;, &ldquo;bath salts&rdquo; and &ldquo;research chemicals&rdquo;. For clarity, the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/united-nations-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC)</strong></a> uses the term &ldquo;New Psychoactive Substances&rdquo;.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The term &ldquo;new&rdquo; does not necessarily refer to new inventions. Several NPS were first synthesized 40 years ago but the term &ldquo;new&rdquo; is used since they have recently become available in the market.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>NPS have similar effects as substances under international control such as cannabis, cocaine, heroin, Lysergic Acid Diethylamide (LSD), ecstasy (methamphetamine or MDMA).</li>
<li>Since NPS are not controlled under the International Drug Control Conventions, their legal status can differ widely from country to country. <strong>Eg.:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Several countries where a large number of different NPS has rapidly emerged have adopted controls on entire substance groups of NPS using <strong>generic approach,</strong> or have<strong> introduced analogue (similar) legislation</strong> that invokes the principal of <strong>chemical similarity</strong> (i.e. drugs having similar narcotic/hallucinogenic effect with slight variations in chemical/structural composition) to an already controlled substance, so as to control substances that are not explicitly mentioned in the legislation.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Generic Scheduling of Drugs</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Generic scheduling of drugs<strong> provides flexibility to the government</strong> to regulate <strong>other substances (analogue) or a defined group of substances (generic)</strong> which are not explicitly mentioned in the legislation, but which share some similarities with the controlled substances in terms of structure, effects, or both without appealing to a legislative reform.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) was established in 1997.</li>
<li>It acts as the Office for Drug Control and Crime Prevention by combining the United Nations International Drug Control Program (UNDCP) and the Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice Division of the United Nations Office at <strong>Vienna.</strong></li>
<li>It was named the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime in 2002.</li>
<li>UNODC publishes <strong>World Drug Report.</strong></li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>India and the Issue of Drug Trafficking</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>National Security:</strong> India is vulnerable to narcotic drug trafficking as it is located between two largest Opium producing regions of the world, i.e., Golden Crescent in the west and Golden Triangle in the east. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Golden Crescent region of South Asia&mdash;</strong>comprising of <strong>Afghanistan, Iran, and Pakistan&mdash;</strong>is a principal global site for opium production and distribution.</li>
<li><strong>Golden Triangle</strong> represents the region coinciding with the rural mountains of <strong>Myanmar, Laos, and Thailand.</strong> It is Southeast Asia&rsquo;s main opium-producing region and one of the oldest narcotics supply routes to Europe and North America.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Social Issue:</strong> Drug abuse and misuse is a major threat to the society. It largely affects the youths who once involved in it, find it difficult to overcome. Drug abuse not only impact drug abusers&rsquo; lives but equally affect their families and the community at large.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment</strong> is responsible for spreading awareness regarding drug demand reduction and rehabilitation of drug addicts.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Constitutional Ethos: Article 47 of the Indian Constitution</strong> directs the State to endeavour to bring about prohibition of the consumption except for medicinal purposes of intoxicating drugs injurious to health.</li>
<li><strong>Legislative Provisions:</strong> The broad legislative policy is contained in the three Central Acts, viz., Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940, The Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985, and The Prevention of Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1988. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The Narcotics Control Bureau is the apex coordinating agency under the Ministry of Home Affairs constituted through the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Global Conventions:</strong> India is a signatory to the Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs 1961, the Convention on Psychotropic Substances, 1971 and the United Nations Convention against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances, 1988.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/india/govt-considers-generic-scheduling-of-drugs-to-curb-abuse-of-synthetic-drugs-6129494/" 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/steps-to-curb-abuse-of-synthetic-drugs'
		],
		(int) 16 => [
			'title' => 'RERA Act, 2016',
			'catname' => 'Paper 2',
			'desc' => '<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1574403653_RERA%20Act, 2016 (Mind Map).png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1574403653_RERA Act, 2016 (Mind Map).png" width="406" height="1445" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></a></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><em><a href="/to-the-points/Paper2/rera-act-2016" target="_blank" rel="noopener">For TTP</a></em></p>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/mind-map/gs-paper2/rera-act-2016-mind-map'
		],
		(int) 17 => [
			'title' => 'Spyware Pegasus',
			'catname' => 'News Editorials',
			'desc' => '<div class="border">
<p>This article is based on <a href="https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/in-whatsapp-breach-follow-the-money-trail/article29857259.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>&ldquo;In WhatsApp breach, follow the money trail&rdquo;</strong></a> which was published in The Hindu on 02/11/2019. It talks about the Spyware Pegasus.</p>
</div>
<p>The recent digital security breach by a spyware called <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/pegasus-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Pegasus</strong></a> compromised phones of multiple activists, journalists and lawyers in India. The spyware was able to track multiple user applications like messages, emails, audio calls, browser history, contacts including end-to-end encrypted data. The whole incident brought forward the issue of digital security and the ways to achieve it with minimum loopholes.</p>
<h3>Key Highlights</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The phones of affected people were reportedly <strong>compromised by using a vulnerability in WhatsApp</strong> which allowed the <strong>Pegasus spyware software</strong> to be <strong>installed,</strong> by initiating a WhatsApp voice call with the target.</li>
<li>This specific vulnerability in WhatsApp has <strong>now been mended.</strong></li>
<li>The <strong>Indian government has sought an explanation from WhatsApp</strong> after it was revealed that Indian citizens were spied upon using Pegasus.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Pegasus</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It is a spyware developed by the<strong> Israeli cyber arms firm NSO Group Technologies.</strong></li>
<li>It mainly uses<strong> exploit links,</strong> clicking on which installs Pegasus on the target&rsquo;s phone.</li>
<li><strong>Citizen Lab</strong> which has investigated several cases of Pegasus infections showed through its research that<strong> social engineering is a very common strategy</strong> to deliver the most sophisticated spyware.</li>
<li>Pegasus does so by <strong>exploiting vulnerabilities in the phone&rsquo;s operating systems (OS).</strong></li>
<li><strong>Lookout,</strong> which is a cybersecurity company, had <strong>partnered with Citizen Lab</strong> to <strong>investigate Pegasus</strong> and found that it had exploited three zero-day vulnerabilities in iOS to successfully attain all the user access of the phone.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>A <strong>zero-day vulnerability</strong> is a flaw in a software or hardware that is previously unknown to the party responsible.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>In WhatsApp case, a <strong>specially crafted call</strong> was used to trigger a buffer overflow, which in turn was <strong>used to take control of the device.</strong></li>
<li>Pegasus is <strong>state-of-the-art spyware </strong>and <strong>NSO charges an exorbitant sum for its product and services.</strong></li>
</ul>
<h3>Challenges</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Multiple ways and various technologies</strong> like social engineering, exploiting user apps and then using the vulnerabilities make this issue hard to solve.</li>
<li>The Google Play Store and the Apple App store have thousands of apps with <strong>undiscovered vulnerabilities</strong> that could potentially be exploited by firms such as NSO to target individual users.</li>
<li>By mainly targeting WhatsApp only the <strong>focus is shifted from other potential means</strong> through which it can be used further and leave a far bigger impact.</li>
<li><strong>Lack of awareness and specialists in digital security</strong> makes this a vulnerable sector.</li>
<li><strong>Terrorists and other anti-social elements</strong> have started using more of cyberspace which provides them with more getaways.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Solutions</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Users</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It is important to keep the <strong>phone updated for ensuring the security</strong> of the devices, both the applications and the firmware.</li>
<li>It is necessary to be <strong>self-aware about digital security</strong> because compromise in that could lead to a situation of total surveillance.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Government</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It needs to <strong>investigate into the matter</strong> so that such future incidents can be prevented.</li>
<li>It should make <strong>stricter rules and restrictions for the applications</strong> made available in the country and monitor the most commonly used applications without breaching the privacy of the individuals.</li>
<li><a href="/to-the-points/paper3/cyber-security" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Laws</strong> </a>on digital privacy and security need to be implemented more strictly.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Digital literacy</strong> should be increased to spread <strong>awareness about cyber threats.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Computing environment</strong> and<strong> Internet of Things</strong>&nbsp;(It is a network of physical devices, vehicles, home appliances and other items embedded with electronics, software, sensors, actuators and connectivity which enables these things to connect, collect and exchange data) with current tools, patches, updates need to be secured.</li>
<li><a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/in-depth-artificial-intelligence" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Artificial Intelligence (AI)</strong></a> should be used for predicting and accurately identifying digital attacks and breaches.</li>
</ul>
<p>The need of the hour for the Indian government is to develop core skills in data integrity and data security fields, while also setting stringent cybersecurity standards to protect individuals and institutions of national importance, to make sure that the unity of the nation and the integrity of the individuals stay safe and secure.</p>
<table border="1" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="width: 100%; border-style: dotted; border-color: #ff0000; background-color: #fffcd4;">
<p><span style="color: #0000ff;"><em><strong>Drishti Mains Question</strong></em></span></p>
<p>In light of the recent issue regarding Spyware Pegasus, examine the privacy and security concerns for India. Also, suggest a suitable way forward.</p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/spyware-pegasus'
		],
		(int) 18 => [
			'title' => 'World Conference on Access to Medical Products',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>The 2019 World Conference on Access to Medical Products: Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 2030 was convened from 19<sup>th</sup>-21<sup>st</sup> November in New Delhi.</p>
<h3>Background</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It was <strong>jointly organized</strong> by the <strong>Ministry of Health &amp; Family Welfare</strong> and the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/world-health-organization-who" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>World Health Organization</strong></a> in <strong>collaboration with</strong> the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC), and Translational Health Science and Technology Institute (THSTI).</li>
<li>The 2019 Conference was the third such gathering after the 2017 and 2018 World Conference on Access to Medical Products organized in November 2017 and October 2018 by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It sought to take forward the international and national agenda on <strong>access to medical products.</strong></li>
<li>The <strong>objectives</strong> of the conference were:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>UHC and Innovation:</strong> Explore new approaches in the innovation landscape in medical products for achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC) and the SDG 2030 goals.</li>
<li><strong>Regulation of medical products and access:</strong> Identify regulatory mechanisms for improved access to quality and safe medical products.</li>
<li><strong>Legal landscape and trade-related aspects:</strong> Discuss the role of intellectual property and current trade agreements to promote access to medical products.</li>
<li>To track the progress of recommendations from the 2018 World Conference on Access to Medical Products for achieving UHC in the context of SDGs.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Note:</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/in-depth-indias-sustainable-development-goals" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Sustainable Development Goal-3</strong></a> (SDG 3)- <strong>Good Health and Well-being</strong> aims at ensuring healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages.</li>
<li>Health finds mention in many of the 17 SDGs, as each has a direct or indirect bearing on health.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetailm.aspx?PRID=1592148" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: PIB</strong></a></p>',
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		(int) 19 => [
			'title' => 'Monitoring Aerosol Optical Depth',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<p>The imager payload onboard ISRO&rsquo;s weather satellites <strong>INSAT-3D &amp; 3DR,</strong> is being used to monitor Aerosol Optical Depth (AOD).</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>AOD is an indicator of particles and smoke from biomass</strong> burning affecting visibility and increase of PM2.5 and PM10 concentration in the atmosphere.</li>
<li>It has been found that <strong>AOD, PM2.5 and PM10 concentrations are higher over Indo-Gangetic Plain</strong> covering parts of Delhi, Uttar Pradesh and Bihar during October and November.</li>
<li>High concentration of these pollutants originate from parts of Punjab and Haryana during stubble burning.</li>
<li>Fire occurrences have increased by 4% over Punjab and Haryana region during October- November between 2003 and 2017.</li>
<li>ISRO has been using satellite data since 2015 to monitor<strong> stubble burning and to generate</strong> the maps of stubble burned area in Kharif season.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Note:</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Aerosol Optical Depth</strong> is a measure of the extinction of the solar beam by dust and haze.</li>
<li>Particles in the atmosphere (dust, smoke, pollution) can block sunlight by absorbing or by scattering light. AOD tells us how much direct sunlight is prevented from reaching the ground by these aerosol particles.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>INSAT-3D &amp; 3DR satellites</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>India gets weather updates every 15 minutes through INSAT-3D &amp; 3DR weather satellites.</li>
<li>INSAT 3DR was launched in 2016 as a follow up on INSAT-3D which was launched in 2013.</li>
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		'title' => 'Indian Railways Institute of Financial Management',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<p>The Railway Board Chairman has inaugurated the Indian Railways Institute of Financial Management (IRIFM) at <strong>Moula Ali in Hyderabad.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Institute will impart structured and professional training to finance and accounts officers of the railways.</li>
<li>Built by the <strong>Rail Vikas Nigam Limited (RVNL),</strong> IRIFM would be meeting 90% of its electricity needs through solar power, is covered with rainwater harvesting structures and has a 100% wastewater treatment plant.</li>
<li>RVNL has also been tasked for building <strong>India's first railways university - National Rail and Transportation Institute, at Vadodara (Gujarat).</strong></li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Rail Vikas Nigam Limited</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>RVNL functions as an <strong>extended arm of the Ministry of Railways (MoR)</strong> working for &amp; on behalf of MoR.</li>
<li>It has been granted <strong>Mini Ratna-I</strong> status in 2013.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/telangana/railways-finance-wing-gets-world-class-training-institute/article30069150.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: TH</strong></a></p>',
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	(int) 1 => [
		'title' => 'Golden Rice',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News<a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1574668824_image1.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1574668824_image1.jpg" width="299" height="168" style="float: right;" caption="false" /></a></h3>
<p>Bangladesh is to be the <strong>first country to approve golden rice planting</strong> in the country.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Golden rice is a <strong>genetically modified variety</strong> of rice.</li>
<li>It is developed by the <strong>Philippines-based International Rice Research Institute (IRRI).</strong></li>
<li>This <strong>variety of rice</strong> is claimed to be able to <strong>fight vitamin A deficiency.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Vitamin A deficiency is the leading cause of blindness among children and can also lead to death due to infectious diseases such as <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/measles-2" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>measles.</strong></a></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>This rice variety will <strong>not be more expensive than the conventional variety.</strong></li>
<li>The <strong>presence of beta-carotene pigment</strong> is the reason for its <strong>golden colour.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The <strong>conventional rice</strong> is naturally <strong>low in the pigment beta-carotene.</strong></li>
<li>The beta-carotene is used by the human body to make vitamin A</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Vitamin A Deficiency</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Vitamin A is a<strong> fat-soluble</strong> vitamin that maintains <strong>healthy vision, skin, bones and other tissues</strong> in the body.</li>
<li><strong>Vitamin A Deficiency (VAD)</strong> can lead to night blindness, a higher risk of the throat, chest, and abdomen infections, follicular hyperkeratosis (dry, bumpy skin), fertility issues and delayed growth in children, etc.</li>
<li>Women and children are the most vulnerable to VAD which is the leading cause of childhood blindness and inability of the immune system to combat disease.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>International Rice Research Institute (IRRI)</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>IRRI is an <strong>independent, non-profit,</strong> research and educational institute, founded in 1960 by the Ford and Rockefeller Foundations with support from the Philippine government.</li>
<li>The institute, headquartered in Los Ba&ntilde;os, Philippines, has offices in 17 rice-growing countries in Asia and Africa.</li>
<li>The <strong>IRRI South Asia Regional Centre</strong> is located at <strong>Varanasi (Uttar Pradesh).</strong></li>
<li>It aims to improve the health and welfare of rice farmers and consumers; and protect the rice-growing environment for future generations.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-what-is-golden-rice-6135523/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: IE</strong></a></p>',
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	(int) 2 => [
		'title' => 'Cases under Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>As per the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/ncrb-to-track-complaints-on-sexual-violence" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>National Crime Records Data (NCRB)</strong></a>, <strong>more than 35% cases registered</strong> under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) were recorded in <strong>Manipur.</strong></p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Of all cases registered under UAPA in 2017, Jammu and Kashmir (J&amp;K) recorded 17%, Assam recorded 14%, Uttar Pradesh recorded 12% and Bihar accounted for 5% of total cases.</li>
<li><strong>Uttar Pradesh topped the States in the number of arrests</strong> made with 382 arrests (nearly one-fourth) of the 1,554 persons.</li>
<li>It is followed by Assam-374, Manipur-352, J&amp;K-35 and Jharkhand-57.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1574668128_image2.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1574668128_image2.png" width="406" height="363" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" caption="false" /></a></p>
<h3>Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It was passed in <strong>1967 and aims at effective prevention of unlawful activities associations in India.</strong></li>
<li>The <strong>2004 amendment,</strong> added <strong>&ldquo;terrorist act"</strong> to the list of offences to ban organisations for terrorist activities, under which 34 outfits were banned.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Till 2004, <strong>&ldquo;unlawful" activities referred to actions related to secession and cession of territory.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Under the UAPA, the investigating agency can <strong>file a charge sheet in maximum 180 days after the arrests</strong> and the duration can be extended further after intimating the court.</li>
<li>The Act assigns absolute power to the central government, by way of which if the <strong>Centre deems an activity as unlawful</strong> then it may, <strong>by way of an Official Gazette, declare it so.</strong></li>
<li>It has death penalty and life imprisonment as highest punishments.</li>
<li>In August, Parliament cleared the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/unlawful-activities-prevention-amendment-bill-2019-and-the-related-issues" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Amendment Bill, 2019</strong></a> to designate individuals as terrorists on certain grounds provided in the Act.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/manipur-jk-record-maximum-number-of-cases-under-unlawful-activities-prevention-act/article30070028.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: TH</strong></a></p>',
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	],
	(int) 3 => [
		'title' => 'Maharashtra Bill to Protect Mediapersons',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>The President of India has given assent to the <strong>Maharashtra Media Persons and Media Institutions (Prevention of Violence and Damage or Loss to Property) Bill, 2017.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Maharashtra</strong> is the <strong>first state</strong> to pass legislation which ensures <strong>protection for journalists.</strong></li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Provisions</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The bill considers <strong>violent attacks on media persons a non-bailable offence.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The offence shall be <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/re-imagining-cognizable-offences" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>cognizable</strong> </a>(police officer has the authority to make an arrest without a warrant and to start an investigation with or without the permission of a court) <strong>and triable</strong> by a<strong> first-class judicial magistrate.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Anyone who commits or attempts to commit any act of violence against <strong>journalists or media houses</strong> shall be punished with <strong>jail terms up to three years</strong> or with a <strong>fine up to Rs 50,000 or with both.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>A media institution</strong> has been defined as any registered newspaper, news channel, news-based electronic outlet or news station establishment.</li>
<li><strong>A media person</strong> means a person whose principal vocation is that of a journalist, who is employed as a journalist, whether on a <strong>regular or contract basis.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Any offence against a media person will be investigated by a police officer <strong>above the rank of a Deputy Superintendent of Police.</strong></li>
<li>The <strong>assailant</strong> would also be liable to <strong>reimburse the medical expenditure</strong> incurred by the media persons in the attack.</li>
<li>The <strong>offender</strong> is also liable to<strong> pay compensation for damage or loss</strong> caused to the property of the media person or the media house as <strong>determined by the court.</strong></li>
</ul>
<h3>Significance</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The act will ensure the<strong> safety of journalists in exercising freedom of speech and expression.</strong></li>
<li>It ensures the implementation of the <strong>&ldquo;Safety and Security of Journalists&rdquo; advisory (2017)</strong> by the <strong>Ministry of Home Affairs.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The advisory was issued days after Bengaluru-based journalist Gauri Lankesh was shot dead in 2017.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>It will help to improve ranking under the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/important-facts-for-prelims-24th-april-2019" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>World Press Freedom Index.</strong></a><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>India<strong> ranked 140<sup>th</sup> out of 180 countries</strong> in this index released by &lsquo;Reporters Without Borders&rsquo;.</li>
<li>According to the report violence against journalists including police violence, attacks by Maoist fighters and reprisals by criminal groups or corrupt politicians is one of the most striking characteristics of the current state of press freedom in India.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kovind-gives-asssent-to-maharashtra-bill-on-protecting-mediapersons/article30070031.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: TH</strong></a></p>',
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	],
	(int) 4 => [
		'title' => 'Decriminalising Beggary',
		'catname' => 'News Editorials',
		'desc' => '<div class="border">
<p>This article is based on <a href="https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/lead/a-blow-against-punitive-constitutionalism/article30041511.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>&ldquo;A blow against punitive constitutionalism&rdquo;</strong></a> which was published in The Hindu on 23/11/2019. It talks about issues of criminalisation the beggary.</p>
</div>
<p>Recently, in a landmark verdict, the Jammu and Kashmir High Court struck down the J&amp;K law on Beggary.</p>
<p>Beggary laws in India is a <strong>relic of the old colonial legacy.</strong> For example, according to the Criminal Tribes Act (1871), indigenous peoples were deemed criminals by birth and herded into concentration camps, where families were separated and forced labour was the norm.</p>
<p>These criminal tribes are now called denotified tribes (after independence), which forms a major section of people engaged in beggary.</p>
<p><a href="http://socialjustice.nic.in/writereaddata/UploadFile/Draft%20List%20of%20Denotified%20Tribes%20for%20Mail.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Click here for a list of denotified tribes from the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.</a></p>
<h3>Beggary Laws In India</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>There is <strong>no central Act on beggary,</strong> however, many States and Union Territories have used certain sections of the <strong>Bombay Prevention of Beggary Act, 1959,</strong> as the basis for their own laws.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Bombay Prevention of Beggary Act, 1959 criminalises the beggary.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Through these legislations, the governments try to maintain public order, addresses forced begging or<strong> &ldquo;begging rackets&rdquo;,</strong> prevent annoyance to tourists.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Note:</strong></p>
<p>In India, begging was first criminalised in the 1920s, as part of a colonial logic that sought to subjugate certain communities by imputing criminality to them.</p>
</div>
<h3>Issues in Beggary</h3>
<p><strong>Definition of Beggary</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Act defines beggary as an activity of <strong>having no visible means of subsistence,</strong> and <strong>wandering about</strong> or<strong> remaining in any public place</strong> in such condition or manner, as makes it likely that the <strong>person doing so exists by soliciting or receiving alms.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>However, the provisions of legislation aim to effectively &ldquo;cleanse&rdquo; these spaces of individuals who appear poor or destitute.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Unjust Process</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>People found &ldquo;begging&rdquo; can be <strong>arrested without a warrant,</strong> and after a summary procedure, thrown into<strong> &ldquo;Beggars Homes&rdquo;</strong> for anything between a year and three years.</li>
<li>Also, many of these beggars homes are <strong>poorly regulated</strong> without superintendents, probation officers or doctors.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Violation of Fundamental Rights</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Begging and homelessness are<strong> indicators of chronic poverty.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Therefore, criminalising poverty <strong>violates basic human dignity.</strong></li>
<li>This coupled with the draconian processes under the Act, violated the right to life and personal liberty under <strong>Article 21 of the Constitution.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Begging is a <strong>peaceful method</strong> by which a person sought to communicate their situation to another, and solicit their assistance.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Thus, criminalising begging is <strong>violative of Article 19(1)(a)-freedom of speech guarantee.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Criminalising &ldquo;wandering about&rdquo;</strong> in public spaces (the places that were meant for the enjoyment of every member of the public without exception),<strong> it is violative of Article 19(1)(d)-freedom of movement.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Apart from this, there existed a large number of communities such as the Gujjars and the Bakarwals, whose very nature of existence moves from place to place, and displaying none of the conventional means of subsistence.</li>
<li>This would bring them within the ambit of the beggary law.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Failure of Welfare state</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Beggary is a manifestation of the fact that the person has fallen through the socially created net.</li>
<li>The government has the mandate to provide social security for everyone, to ensure that all citizens have basic facilities, and the presence of beggars is evidence that the state has not managed to provide these to all its citizens.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Case of Punitive Constitutionalism</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Punitive constitutionalism seeks to submerge individual rights to a grand yet often undefined national project by holding that an individual may be stripped of their rights if they do not do their bit to contribute to this project.</li>
<li>Criminalising begging is explicitly premised upon the &ldquo;invisiblising&rdquo; a social problem by criminalising it (as though poverty is a matter of individual fault).</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p>Recent cases of<strong> Punitive Constitutionalism</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Laws barring political participation to those who have more than two children (thus submerging the right to participate in the imperatives of population control).</li>
<li>Similarly barring those people from election who lack formal education.</li>
<li>This effectively makes freedom and equality conditional upon the state&rsquo;s vision of what a &ldquo;good citizen&rdquo; should be like.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Centre made an attempt at repealing the Act through the<strong> Persons in Destitution (Protection, Care and Rehabilitation) Model Bill, 2016,</strong> with provisions including doing away with the Beggary Act and proposing rehabilitation centres for the destitute in each district.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Persons in Destitution Bill, 2016, needs to see the light of the day.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Bihar government&rsquo;s <strong>Mukhyamantri Bhikshavriti Nivaran Yojana</strong> is a scheme worth emulation.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The scheme, instead of detaining persons under the Act, open homes were set up and community outreach for destitute persons was put in place.</li>
<li>Now, rehabilitation centres have been set up, with facilities for treatment, family reintegration and vocational training.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The very real problem of organised begging rackets will have to be addressed by other means, perhaps <strong>based on the law of trafficking.</strong></li>
</ul>
<table border="1" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="width: 100%; border-style: dotted; border-color: #ff0000; background-color: #fdffd1;"><span style="color: #000080;"><em><strong>Drishti Mains Question</strong></em></span><br /><br />Criminalising Beggary is against constitutional values and human dignity. Comment.</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/decriminalising-beggary'
	],
	(int) 5 => [
		'title' => 'Living Root Bridges',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>According to a study recently published in the journal <strong>Scientific Reports,</strong> the living root bridges (found in Meghalaya) can be considered as a reference point for future botanical architecture projects in urban contexts.</p>
<h3>Root Bridge</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Living root bridges (also known as Jing Kieng Jri) are the <strong>aerial bridges</strong> that are built by <strong>weaving and manipulating the roots</strong> of the <strong>Indian rubber tree.</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>A root bridge uses <strong>traditional tribal knowledge</strong> to train the roots of the Indian rubber tree (found in abundance in the area) to grow laterally across a stream bed resulting in a living bridge of roots.</li>
<li>It spans between 15 and 250 feet and is built over centuries.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>They have been serving as connectors for generations in the Indian state of <strong>Meghalaya.</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The bridges are primarily a <strong>means to cross streams and rivers.</strong> They have also become world-famous <strong>tourist attractions.</strong> The two most popular tourist spots are- <em><strong>Riwai Root Bridge and Umshiang Double Decker Bridge.</strong></em></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>They have <strong>three main properties:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>They are <strong>elastic,</strong></li>
<li>The roots <strong>easily combine,</strong> and</li>
<li>The plants grow in<strong> rough and rocky soils.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1574498934_Image3.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1574498934_Image3.jpg" width="558" height="314" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" caption="false" /></strong></a></p>
<p><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/in-meghalaya-living-root-bridges-study-sees-global-potential-can-it-work-6132569/" 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/living-root-bridges'
	],
	(int) 6 => [
		'title' => 'SAMEER App',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>SAMEER App is one of the air pollution mitigation measures which provides <strong>hourly updates</strong> on the <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/safar" target="_blank" rel="noopener">National Air Quality Index (AQI).</a></strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The app is developed by the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/health-emergency-in-new-delhi" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Central Pollution Control Bureau (CPCB)</strong></a> which provides information on air quality for more than 100 cities across the country.</li>
<li>The app represents the listed cities in a <strong>colour-coded format based on their AQI levels.</strong></li>
<li>The app can also be used to<strong> file or track complaints</strong> related to garbage dumping, road dust, vehicular emissions or other pollution issues in a particular area.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>National Air Quality Index (AQI)</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The AQI is an index for reporting daily air quality.</li>
<li>It focuses on health effects one might experience within a few hours or days after breathing polluted air.</li>
<li>AQI is calculated for eight major air pollutants:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Ground-level ozone,</li>
<li>PM10,</li>
<li>PM2.5,</li>
<li>Carbon monoxide,</li>
<li>Sulfur dioxide,</li>
<li>Nitrogen dioxide,</li>
<li>Ammonia,</li>
<li>Lead,</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Ground-level ozone and airborne particles are the two pollutants that pose the greatest threat to human health in India.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetail.aspx?PRID=1593056" 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/sameer-app'
	],
	(int) 7 => [
		'title' => 'Fundamental Duties',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<p>The Government is planning to assign its different Ministries with the task of spreading awareness about Fundamental duties among people.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The <strong>idea of Fundamental Duties</strong> is inspired from the <strong>Constitution of Russia.</strong></li>
<li>These were incorporated in <strong>Part IV-A</strong> of the Constitution by the <strong>42<sup>nd</sup> Constitutional Amendment Act, 1976</strong> on the <strong>recommendations of Swaran Singh Committee.</strong></li>
<li>Originally 10 in number, one more duty was added through the 86<sup>th</sup> Constitutional Amendment Act, 2002. All the <strong>eleven duties</strong> are listed in <strong>Article 51-A</strong> of the Constitution (the sole Article in Part-IV-A).</li>
<li>The fundamental duties serve as a reminder to citizens that while enjoying their rights, they have also to be quite conscious of duties they owe to their country, their society and to their fellow-citizens.</li>
<li>However, like the Directive Principles, the duties are also<strong> non-justiciable</strong> in nature.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>List of Fundamental Duties</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>To abide by the Constitution and respect its ideals and institutions, the National Flag and the National Anthem;</li>
<li>To cherish and follow the noble ideals that inspired the national struggle for freedom;</li>
<li>To uphold and protect the sovereignty, unity and integrity of India;</li>
<li>To defend the country and render national service when called upon to do so;</li>
<li>To promote harmony and the spirit of common brotherhood amongst all the people of India transcending religious, linguistic and regional or sectional diversities and to renounce practices derogatory to the dignity of women;</li>
<li>To value and preserve the rich heritage of the country&rsquo;s composite culture;</li>
<li>To protect and improve the natural environment including forests, lakes, rivers and wildlife and to have compassion for living creatures;</li>
<li>To develop scientific temper, humanism and the spirit of inquiry and reform;</li>
<li>To safeguard public property and to abjure violence;</li>
<li>To strive towards excellence in all spheres of individual and collective activity so that the nation constantly rises to higher levels of endeavour and achievement; and</li>
<li>To provide opportunities for education to his child or ward between the age of six and fourteen years (added by the 86th Constitutional Amendment Act, 2002).</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/india/govt-dusts-off-emergency-era-provision-on-basic-duties-6132677/" 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/fundamental-duties'
	],
	(int) 8 => [
		'title' => 'Pink Ball Cricket',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<p>India is currently playing its <strong>first pink-ball, day-night Test</strong> match against Bangladesh<strong> at Eden Gardens (Kolkata).</strong> The match started on November 22, 2019.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>For this match the pink ball has been manufactured by <strong>Sanspareil Greenlands (SG), a Meerut-based</strong> sports company.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Day-night Test</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>A day-night Test match is played either totally, or partially under floodlights (artificial stadium lighting) in the evening or at night.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Need for a Pink Ball</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The idea behind playing day-night Tests is to <strong>increase footfall at matches,</strong> as a large number of cricket enthusiasts watch matches only after work hours.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Pink Ball</h3>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1574497519_image2.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1574497519_image2.jpg" width="450" height="440" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" caption="false" /></a></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Visibility:</strong> Pink was the consensus colour after ball makers tried optic yellow and bright orange, which were easy to spot on the grass. Batsmen, however, complained that these colours tended to merge with the brownish patches on the pitch.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The conventional red Test cricket ball is dipped in grease but this cannot be done with the Day/Night(D/N) Test pink ball since grease would dull the fluorescent pink, affecting the visibility of the ball under lights.</li>
<li>The D/N ball is sprayed with a thick coat of pink colour so that it sparkles for long, making visibility easier.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Manufacturing:</strong> Like Red and White, Pink balls are also made of same core using similar production techniques. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The colour of the dye, and the difference in &lsquo;finishing&rsquo; decide in which format a ball is used.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Slow Deterioration:</strong> An advantage of using the Pink Ball is that they deteriorate slowly as compared to the White Balls (used in limited over matches) which makes them ideal for day-night Test matches.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Concerns</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Detrimental to Variations:</strong> Emphasis on maintaining the pinkness of the ball also slows its aging, taking away the options of reverse swing as well as spin. This effectively takes away the intrigue of a Test match. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Also limited exposure to sunshine in D/N tests means the pitch will not break/crack up as rapidly which may result in long periods of boring play.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Tinkering with the idea of Test Cricket:</strong> The entertainment of Test cricket lies in a batsman trying to survive a session, a bowler trying to set up a batsman. Tinkering with the basic idea of Test cricket just to make it entertaining should not define its future.</li>
<li><strong>Extra Coating of Lacquer (Polyurethane):</strong> The extra coating of lacquer on the ball enables it to retain its colour over the course of the match. However, there are concerns that this may make the ball appear more orange than pink under floodlights.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Background</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>First trial:</strong> England v Australia Women's One-day match in 2009.</li>
<li><strong>International Cricket Council&rsquo;s Approval:</strong> The International Cricket Council (ICC) had approved Day/Night Tests in 2012.</li>
<li><strong>First International Day/Night Test:</strong> It was played in 2015 between Australia and New Zealand at Adelaide (Australia). So far, 11 Day-night Tests have been played and Australia has been the most successful so far in Pink-ball cricket, winning all their five games.</li>
<li><strong>India&rsquo;s Stand:</strong> India had earlier refused to participate in the Pink-ball Test matches. India was the only major Test-playing nation to not have played a Day-night Test.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>India had earlier experimented with the pink ball during a Duleep Trophy game in 2016, but the BCCI had not thereafter accepted suggestions from several former Indian cricketers, including Sourav Ganguly, to organise more such games.</li>
<li>Ganguly, now being the President of BCCI approved the first Pink-ball test which is being held in Eden Gardens, Kolkata.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/ahead-of-eden-test-your-guide-to-pink-ball-cricket-6130310/" 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/pink-ball-cricket'
	],
	(int) 9 => [
		'title' => 'Winter Grade Fuel in Ladakh',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<p>The <strong>winter-grade diesel</strong> was launched to address<strong> the problem of loss of fuel during extreme winter conditions.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Motorists in high-altitude areas of Ladakh face the problem of <strong>freezing of diesel</strong> in their vehicles when <strong>winter temperatures drop to as low as minus 30-degree celsius.</strong></li>
<li>The <strong>special winter-grade diesel</strong> is developed by the <strong>Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL).</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It has a <strong>pour point of minus 33-degree celsius</strong> and<strong> does not lose its fluidity</strong> even in the region&rsquo;s extreme winter weather unlike normal grade diesel, which is difficult to use in sub-zero temperatures.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The pour point of a liquid is the temperature <strong>below which the liquid loses its flow characteristics.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>It also meets <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/bureau-of-indian-standards-bis-act-2016" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS)</strong></a> specification of <a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/in-depth-bs-vi-emission-norms" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>BS-VI</strong></a> <strong>grade.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The special winter-grade diesel will help <strong>to reduce</strong> the hardships faced by the local people for transportation and mobility during the harsh winter months.</li>
<li>It will further <strong>facilitate the local economy</strong> as well as <strong>tourism</strong> in the region.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>BS-VI</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Bharat stage norms</strong> are <strong>emission control standards</strong> put in place by the government to keep a <strong>check on air pollution</strong> based on the <strong>European regulations (Euro norms).</strong></li>
<li>These standards set limits the release of air pollutants from equipment using internal combustion engines, including vehicles.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The higher the stage, the more stringent norms.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>BS VI&rsquo;s key improvement in fuel quality over BS IV include,</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Lower Sulphur Content:</strong> It has lowered <strong>sulphur content of 10 parts per million (ppm).</strong> Sulphur in fuel contributes to fine particulate matter emissions.</li>
<li><strong>Harmful Hydrocarbon:</strong> It seeks to <strong>reduce the level of certain harmful hydrocarbons</strong> in the emissions that are produced due to incomplete combustion of fuel.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/amit-shah-launches-special-winter-grade-diesel-for-ladakh/article29998652.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/winter-grade-fuel-in-ladakh'
	],
	(int) 10 => [
		'title' => 'Organic Food Regulatory System in India',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>The Union Minister for Commerce and Industry informed about the <strong>existent organic food regulatory system in the country</strong> during the winter parliamentary session (2019).</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-national-institutions/food-safety-and-standards-authority-of-india-fssai" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI)</strong></a> is the <strong>food regulator</strong> in the country and is also responsible for <strong>regulating organic food in the domestic market and imports.</strong></li>
<li>FSSAI had notified the existing certification system through <strong>Food Safety and Standards (Organic Foods) Regulations in 2017.</strong></li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Organic Food</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Organic farm produce</strong> means the produce obtained from <strong>organic agriculture,</strong> while <strong>organic food</strong> means food products that have been produced in accordance with <strong>specified standards for organic production.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>According to FSSAI,<strong>&rsquo;organic agriculture&rsquo;</strong> is a system of farm design and management to create an ecosystem of agriculture production without the use of synthetic external inputs such as chemical fertilisers, pesticides and synthetic hormones or genetically modified organisms.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Existing Certification Systems</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>National Programme for Organic Production (NPOP)</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>NPOP grants <strong>organic farming certification</strong> through a process of <strong>third party certification.</strong></li>
<li>It involves the<strong> accreditation programme</strong> for Certification Bodies, standards for organic production, promotion of organic farming etc.</li>
<li>It is implemented by <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-national-institutions/apeda-trifed" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA)</strong></a>, <strong>Ministry of Commerce and Industry.</strong></li>
<li>The <strong>NPOP standards</strong> for production and accreditation system have been<strong> recognized</strong> by the <strong>European Commission, Switzerland</strong> and <strong>USA</strong> as equivalent to their respective accreditation systems.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Participatory Guarantee System for India (PGS)</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>PGS is another process of <strong>certifying organic products.</strong></li>
<li>The certification is in the form of a <strong>documented logo or a statement.</strong></li>
<li>It is implemented by the <strong>Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers&rsquo; Welfare.</strong></li>
<li>The organic <strong>farmers have full control over the certification process.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>PGS certification is <strong>only for farmers or communities</strong> that can organise and perform as a <strong>group. Individual farmers</strong> or groups of farmers smaller than five members are <strong>not covered</strong> under PGS.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>PGS is applicable on <strong>on-farm activities</strong> comprising of crop production, processing and livestock rearing, etc.</li>
<li><strong>Off-farm processing activities</strong> such as storage, transport and value addition activities by persons/agencies other than PGS farmers away from the group are<strong> not covered under PGS.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Organic foods are also required to comply with the requirements of <strong>labelling of FSSAI</strong> in addition to that of NPOP or PGS-India.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetail.aspx?PRID=1593103" 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/organic-food-regulatory-system-in-india'
	],
	(int) 11 => [
		'title' => 'Bougainville',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>On November 23, the people of <strong>Bougainville</strong> (a small South Pacific island), will vote for a referendum to gain independence from Papua New Guinea. If the referendum is passed, Bougainville would become the <strong>world&rsquo;s newest and possibly the smallest independent country.</strong></p>
<h3>Background</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Bougainville is currently a province of <strong>Papua New Guinea-</strong> one of the most populous Pacific island states. It forms the part of the <strong>Solomon Islands archipelago.</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Bougainville has a population of around 300,000 people comprising of <strong>21 distinct language groups.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1574491941_image1.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1574491941_image1.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="632" height="243" caption="false" /></strong></a></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>In the late 1970s, a <strong>decentralized system</strong> of provincial government was introduced in Bougainville. The current autonomy arrangements were implemented following the constitutional enactment of the <strong>Bougainville Peace Agreement.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The <strong>Bougainville Peace Agreement,</strong> signed in 2001, brought <strong>autonomy and an end to the violent conflict</strong> between the people of Bougainville and the government of Papua New Guinea.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Issues Leading to Referendum</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The subsequent dissatisfaction among Bougainvilleans over implementation of the agreed arrangements for Bougainville autonomy (2001), particularly in regard to the constitutionally guaranteed financial grants was the major bone of contention. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The Autonomy Bougainville Government (ABG) was legally entitled to the financial grants but the Papua New Guinea National Government did not provide the same in accordance with the ABG&rsquo;s calculations.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Also, the historic <strong>plunder of the resource-rich island</strong> and the <strong>unequal distribution of wealth</strong> that followed was the major issue. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Bougainville has <strong>large deposits of copper.</strong></li>
<li>The<strong> Panguna mine</strong> (also known as the <strong>Bougainville Copper Mine</strong>) holds some of the world&rsquo;s largest reserves of copper. It is the <strong>world&rsquo;s largest open-cut copper mine.</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The export of copper extracted from the Panguna mine contributed significantly to Papua New Guinea&rsquo;s economy.</li>
<li>The mine also <strong>created job opportunities</strong> for people from Papua New Guinea and Australia, leading to conflicts with Bougainvilleans who reported cases of discrimination and racism at the hands of foreigner mine workers.</li>
<li>Mining activities over the years also caused <strong>environmental degradation</strong> of Bougainville&rsquo;s lands and water.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The referendum is not binding and would still have to be passed by the Government and the Parliament of Papua New Guinea, in consultation with the Autonomous Bougainville Government before a final decision is made.</li>
<li>If Bougainville becomes independent, the immediate steps would involve putting in place the law and order, economic opportunities, and access to education.</li>
<li>If the referendum is passed it will have implications on countries like Australia, New Zealand, and China in general, and other provinces of Papua New Guinea in specific. The stability of the region of which Bougainville is part is clearly important to Australia and other nations.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/bougainville-explained-how-the-worlds-newest-country-might-bloom-out-of-protests-against-a-copper-mine-6132284/" 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/bougainville'
	],
	(int) 12 => [
		'title' => 'Subsidies in Higher Education',
		'catname' => 'News Editorials',
		'desc' => '<div class="border">
<p>This article is based on <a href="https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/should-we-do-away-with-subsidies-for-higher-education/article30041719.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>&ldquo;Should we do away with subsidies for higher education?&rdquo;</strong></a> which was published in The Hindu on 22/11/2019. It talks about the impact and challenges of subsidies in higher education in India.</p>
</div>
<p>Recently, the proposed fees hike of residential hostels in Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) has sparked a widespread protest and controversy over subsidies in higher education.</p>
<p>Almost more than a <strong>fifth</strong> of the population is below official poverty limits and<strong> 93%</strong> of the workforce is engaged in the unorganised sector, subsidized education provides access to quality education to the poor. Subsidies in education generate a host of positive externalities such as health improvement, reduction in poverty, crime and population growth. It directly or indirectly influences almost all facets of social life, and therefore should be viewed as a non-negotiable public good and by far the most potent social investment.</p>
<h3>Advantages of Subsidies in Higher Education</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Inclusiveness and Equity:</strong> Subsidies in higher education have enabled the marginalised and socio-economically backward sections of the society to get access to quality higher education which has largely been the domain of socially dominant groups in the society. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Inclusiveness and equity are very important characteristics of a good public institution. And, over the years, this has actually increased in public institutions and that is entirely because of subsidy.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Economic:</strong> Subsidized education plays a significant role in <strong>building an economy</strong> as in the case of India. Students engaged with research and specialized education go on to become better contributors to the economy. Higher education boosts innovation, creative thinking and innovations.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>For Example: </strong>Software segment which comprises a huge share in India&rsquo;s GDP is a shining example of positive externalities from subsidies in higher education.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Demographic Dividends:</strong> India is one of the youngest nations in the world comprising a huge chunk of population in favourable demographic phase. However, this young population's educational and skill status is not aligned with the requirements of the market. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Therefore, subsidies in the higher education sector have a greater role to play in reaping the benefits of demographic dividends.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Social Mobility:</strong> Earlier, higher education used to be the exclusive preserve of elites, and other socially and economically backward classes were deprived of higher education. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>But due to the efforts made by the government (in the form of subsidies and other benefits) to make it within the reach of every social group, a large number of poor and the marginalised have to begin to express their aspirations for social mobility through access to higher public education institutions.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Human Capital:</strong> The country has developed a wide network of institutions like CSIR, IITs and Central Universities which provide <strong>quality subsidized education</strong> to the masses. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>These institutions have become the nucleus of providing<strong> trained workforce</strong> in propelling research and development and economic growth in the country.</li>
<li>Students of all sections of society from these institutions went on to occupy the higher positions in government in forms of engineers, doctors, bureaucrats etc.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Liberalisation and Higher Education in India</strong></p>
<p>In the post-liberalisation era, public expenditure in higher education went through a period of stagnation in real terms, and the per-student public expenditure actually declined dramatically. All this happened while private higher education saw a phase of impressive expansion. So, while the overall intake of students in higher education increased considerably in the post-liberalisation era, a large proportion of this expansion was accounted for by expanding the private sector. Growth in national income did not result in an increase in public expenditure on education as a whole. It kind of stagnated. Within the education sector as a whole, there was a shift in the focus of funding in the 1990s from higher education to primary education.</p>
</div>
<h3>Problem with Subsidies in Higher Education in India</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Free Riders:</strong> Subsidies are intended to serve the vulnerable section of society. However, it is often seen that these benefits of subsidies are exploited by the middle and elite sections of society.</li>
<li><strong>Subsidies do not guarantee quality education:</strong> Access without assured quality is no access. Also, there has been a lot of clamour that subsidies hamper meritocracy.</li>
<li><strong>Unevenness in the distribution of subsidies:</strong> There is considerable unevenness in the distribution of public finances. Student subsidies for premier institutions like the IITs and engineering colleges are incomparably higher than those for universities and colleges, particularly for liberal arts institutions.</li>
<li><strong>Privatisation:</strong> Private institutions are generally not likely to be amenable to measures promoting access and equity. Therefore, a large number of private education institutions remain inaccessible to economy weaker sections.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Better Targeting:</strong> According to a study conducted by <strong>Gokhale Institute,</strong> benefits can be skewed in the absence of regulation. Therefore, eliminating free riders is the biggest challenge in the dissemination of subsidies. Technological improvement like Aadhar, direct benefit transfer can be used to eliminate inclusion and exclusion errors.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The<strong> third-party verifications of the beneficiary</strong> will help in eliminating the free riders.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Differential Fee Structure:</strong> Rationalisation of fee structure according to the demand of programmes based on marketability, affordability and input cost and according to different income groups could pave the way for optimal utilization of subsidies. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Providing free or subsidized higher education to students from lower-income groups could pave the way for a more equitable and just society.</li>
<li>Some large public universities should now approach the 20% mark as recommended by the Punnayya Committee and National Knowledge Commission.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Regulatory Mechanism:</strong> A proper <strong>regulatory mechanism</strong> should be placed in order to make private institutions in line with the government's goal of making higher education accessible and affordable to vulnerable sections.</li>
<li><strong>Per-student public funds</strong> have to increase drastically in order to maintain the principle of equity and inclusiveness.</li>
</ul>
<p>Education is one of those genuinely long-term businesses. A public effort is needed to frame a different management style, better autonomy, and accountability. Subsidies can help in improving access to higher education and bridge socio-economic divides across communities in the country. However, these can be rationalised in order to reap optimum benefits.</p>
<table border="1" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="width: 100%; border-style: dotted; border-color: #ff002f; background-color: #f5f2cb;"><span style="color: #000080;"><em><strong>Drishti Inputs</strong></em></span><br /><br />Explain the significance of subsidies in providing quality education to vulnerables.</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/subsidies-in-higher-education'
	],
	(int) 13 => [
		'title' => 'The Big Picture - Drinking Water: Quality & Challenges',
		'catname' => 'Lok Sabha & Rajya Sabha Discussions',
		'desc' => '<p style="text-align: center;"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/-bHVnAfZuA0" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p>
<p>According to the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, Mumbai residents need not buy reverse osmosis (RO) water purifiers as samples of tap water collected from the Mumbai are compliant with the Indian standards for drinking water.</p>
<p>However, other metro cities of Delhi, Kolkata and Chennai failed in almost 10 out of 11 quality parameters tested by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS). Similar is the condition in the majority of other state capitals.</p>
<h3>Nature of Water Crisis</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>According to <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/solution-to-indias-water-crisis" target="_blank" rel="noopener">NITI Aayog's Composite Water Management Index 2018,&nbsp;</a></strong>21 major cities (Delhi, Bengaluru, Chennai, Hyderabad and others) are racing to reach zero groundwater levels by 2020, affecting access for 100 million people.<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/solution-to-indias-water-crisis" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong></strong></a></li>
<li>India ranks 120 among 122 countries on the Water Quality Index released by WaterAid.</li>
<li>The national capital region of India is facing a double whammy, not only it harbours poor standards of air <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/health-emergency-in-new-delhi" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>(air emergency)</strong> </a>but poor water quality also.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Drishti Input:</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>According to the data released by the World Resources Institute, India is ranked 13<sup>th</sup> among the 17 most water-stressed countries of the world.</li>
<li>According to the Ministry of Urban Development, 80% of India's surface water is polluted.</li>
<li>This signifies India is going through Water emergency.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Causes of Poor Drinking Water Quality</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>In the name of water purification, most of the times water is <strong>chlorinated.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Chlorination only kills bacteria &amp; other microorganisms but dissolved salts, alkalinity, toxic metals in water can't be eliminated by chlorination.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The pipes which carry the water, <strong>are old and leaking.</strong> This leakages in pipes lead to contamination of water.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Moreover, the water supply line &amp; sewerage line running side by side.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>In metropolitan cities, <strong>the demand for water is higher than the supply.</strong> Therefore, this deficit in the water supply is compensated by the mixing of surface water &amp; groundwater.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>However, groundwater is severely contaminated by carcinogenic pollutants like Arsenic.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Water is a<strong> state subject.</strong> This lead to the problem of coordination between Union, State and Local government.</li>
<li><strong>Rapid urbanization</strong> has led the unequal distribution of water, contamination/ depletion of local water bodies due to pollution.</li>
<li>Sometimes the places from where water samples are collected, may not reflect the true state of water quality.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Effects of Poor Drinking Water</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Harmful health impacts:</strong> Nearly 70% of the diseases in India are waterborne. Therefore, poor water quality is a great health hazard.</li>
<li><strong>Economic cost:</strong> Poor drinking water will lead to a reduction in tourist inflow.</li>
<li><strong>Domino effect:</strong> Result of poor drinking water is the prime reason for the sale of plastic bottled drinking water. However, this bottled water gives rise to plastic pollution.</li>
<li><strong>Wasting resources:</strong> RO is expensive and for 1 litre of RO or bottled water, many litres of water wasted.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Also, the RO water is deprived of essential minerals and salts.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Social effect:</strong> With the given condition of the water crisis, it is less likely to fulfil the target of providing everyone with safe drinking water (Sustainable Development Goal number 6).</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Data based support system:</strong> Water quality should be tested frequently and the findings should be made public.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>This will increase involvement, sensitization &amp; awareness of citizens, service providers and the government.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Mandatory compliance:</strong> Compliance to Bureau of Indian Standards for water quality should be made mandatory for local bodies.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>This can make municipalities and other local bodies accountable.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Pricing for water:</strong> Water can be priced for well-off sections of society so that proper maintenance cost should be recovered.</li>
<li><strong>Better management:</strong> Long-distance pipelines of water should be discouraged and water treatment should be made more localized.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Also, efforts should be made to find out the sites of continuation in the supply line.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Technological solution:</strong> Up-gradation of the water treatment plant to remove toxic inorganic pollutants and dissolved solids.</li>
<li><strong>Rainwater harvesting:</strong> The reason why Mumbai's water is relatively safer because it is sourced from rainwater (the purest source of water).<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Therefore, rainwater harvesting should be encouraged to the maximum extent possible.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Next step for Jal Jeevan mission:</strong> The government's effort to provide<strong> piped water to all rural households by 2024</strong> under the Jal Jeevan mission, is a step in the right direction. However, providing quality piped water will be a big challenge.</li>
</ul>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/the-big-picture-drinking-water-quality-challenges'
	],
	(int) 14 => [
		'title' => 'Avian Botulism at Sambhar Lake',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>The Indian Veterinary Research Institute (IVRI), Uttar Pradesh has confirmed <strong>avian botulism</strong> as the reason for<strong> mass mortality of birds,</strong> at <strong>Sambhar Lake</strong> in <strong>Rajasthan.</strong></p>
<h3>Avian Botulism</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The avian botulism is a <strong>neuro-muscular illness</strong> caused by <strong>Botulinum (natural toxin)</strong> that is produced by a <strong>bacteria &mdash; Clostridium botulinum.</strong></li>
<li>The bacteria is <strong>commonly found</strong> in the <strong>soil, rivers, and seawater.</strong> It affects <strong>both humans and animals.</strong></li>
<li>The bacteria also need <strong>anaerobic (absence of oxygen)</strong> conditions and <strong>do not grow</strong> in <strong>acidic conditions.</strong></li>
<li>It affects the <strong>nervous system</strong> of birds, leading to <strong>paralysis in their legs and wings.</strong></li>
<li>The outbreaks of avian botulism tend to occur when <strong>average temperatures are above 21 degrees celsius, and during droughts.</strong></li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Sambhar Lake<a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1574410837_drishtiias_Sambharlake.JPG" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1574410837_drishtiias_Sambharlake.JPG" style="float: right;" width="227" height="225" caption="false" /></a></strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li style="text-align: left;">The Sambhar Salt Lake is India's<strong> largest inland saltwater body</strong> located near Jaipur in Rajasthan.</li>
<li>The lake is <strong>surrounded</strong> on <strong>all sides by the Aravali hills.&nbsp;</strong></li>
<li>It is the source of most of <strong>Rajasthan's salt production.</strong></li>
<li>Sambhar has been designated as a <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/world-wetlands-day" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Ramsar site</strong></a> <strong>(recognized wetland of international importance)</strong> because the wetland is a key wintering area for tens of thousands of flamingos and other birds that migrate from northern Asia.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Mass Mortality at Sambhar Lake</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The <strong>possible causes</strong> for avian botulism at Sambhar lake are:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Reduced water levels:</strong> This might have <strong>increased</strong> salinity levels leading to the <strong>death of living organisms.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The decaying plant or animal materials are capable of <strong>hosting the bacteria for a longer period of time.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>A bird-to-bird cycle:</strong> Since only insectivorous and omnivorous birds were affected and not herbivores, the birds feeding on dead birds could have been a possible cause of such mortality.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The <strong>possibility of external factors</strong> like water pollution and eutrophication are <strong>ruled out</strong> as <strong>no farming</strong> is being carried out in the <strong>vicinity of sambhar lake.</strong></li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Sambhar Lake is <strong>not the first instance</strong> where deaths due to botulism have been recorded. 7,000 water birds died in Lake Michigan in 2007 and 2008. In Hawaii, the toxin killed around 183 Laysan Ducks in 2008.</li>
<li>The botulism outbreaks are <strong>likely to become more frequent as climate change</strong> alters wetland conditions to favour bacteria and pathogens.</li>
<li>Thus, the <strong>establishment of rescue and medical centres</strong> along with the mitigation of <strong>climate change</strong> need to be considered by the government as a <strong>precautionary measure</strong> for the future.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/avian-botulism-reason-for-bird-deaths/article30043219.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/avian-botulism-at-sambhar-lake'
	],
	(int) 15 => [
		'title' => 'Steps to Curb Abuse of Synthetic Drugs',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>To deal with the problem of <strong>abuse of synthetic drugs and New Psychotropic Substances (NPS),</strong> the government is considering generic scheduling of drugs to replace the practice of substance-by-substance scheduling.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Apart from this, the Narco Coordination Centre (NCORD) discussed the issue of large scale heroin trafficking from neighbouring countries, the diversion and abuse of pharmaceutical preparations, and poppy (Opium) cultivation in the country.</li>
</ul>
<h3>New Psychoactive Substances</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>NPS are defined as &ldquo;substances of abuse, either in a pure form or a preparation, that are not controlled by the United Nations drug conventions but which may pose a public health threat&rdquo;.</li>
<li>NPS are also known as &ldquo;legal highs&rdquo;, &ldquo;bath salts&rdquo; and &ldquo;research chemicals&rdquo;. For clarity, the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/united-nations-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC)</strong></a> uses the term &ldquo;New Psychoactive Substances&rdquo;.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The term &ldquo;new&rdquo; does not necessarily refer to new inventions. Several NPS were first synthesized 40 years ago but the term &ldquo;new&rdquo; is used since they have recently become available in the market.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>NPS have similar effects as substances under international control such as cannabis, cocaine, heroin, Lysergic Acid Diethylamide (LSD), ecstasy (methamphetamine or MDMA).</li>
<li>Since NPS are not controlled under the International Drug Control Conventions, their legal status can differ widely from country to country. <strong>Eg.:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Several countries where a large number of different NPS has rapidly emerged have adopted controls on entire substance groups of NPS using <strong>generic approach,</strong> or have<strong> introduced analogue (similar) legislation</strong> that invokes the principal of <strong>chemical similarity</strong> (i.e. drugs having similar narcotic/hallucinogenic effect with slight variations in chemical/structural composition) to an already controlled substance, so as to control substances that are not explicitly mentioned in the legislation.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Generic Scheduling of Drugs</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Generic scheduling of drugs<strong> provides flexibility to the government</strong> to regulate <strong>other substances (analogue) or a defined group of substances (generic)</strong> which are not explicitly mentioned in the legislation, but which share some similarities with the controlled substances in terms of structure, effects, or both without appealing to a legislative reform.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) was established in 1997.</li>
<li>It acts as the Office for Drug Control and Crime Prevention by combining the United Nations International Drug Control Program (UNDCP) and the Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice Division of the United Nations Office at <strong>Vienna.</strong></li>
<li>It was named the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime in 2002.</li>
<li>UNODC publishes <strong>World Drug Report.</strong></li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>India and the Issue of Drug Trafficking</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>National Security:</strong> India is vulnerable to narcotic drug trafficking as it is located between two largest Opium producing regions of the world, i.e., Golden Crescent in the west and Golden Triangle in the east. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Golden Crescent region of South Asia&mdash;</strong>comprising of <strong>Afghanistan, Iran, and Pakistan&mdash;</strong>is a principal global site for opium production and distribution.</li>
<li><strong>Golden Triangle</strong> represents the region coinciding with the rural mountains of <strong>Myanmar, Laos, and Thailand.</strong> It is Southeast Asia&rsquo;s main opium-producing region and one of the oldest narcotics supply routes to Europe and North America.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Social Issue:</strong> Drug abuse and misuse is a major threat to the society. It largely affects the youths who once involved in it, find it difficult to overcome. Drug abuse not only impact drug abusers&rsquo; lives but equally affect their families and the community at large.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment</strong> is responsible for spreading awareness regarding drug demand reduction and rehabilitation of drug addicts.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Constitutional Ethos: Article 47 of the Indian Constitution</strong> directs the State to endeavour to bring about prohibition of the consumption except for medicinal purposes of intoxicating drugs injurious to health.</li>
<li><strong>Legislative Provisions:</strong> The broad legislative policy is contained in the three Central Acts, viz., Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940, The Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985, and The Prevention of Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1988. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The Narcotics Control Bureau is the apex coordinating agency under the Ministry of Home Affairs constituted through the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Global Conventions:</strong> India is a signatory to the Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs 1961, the Convention on Psychotropic Substances, 1971 and the United Nations Convention against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances, 1988.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/india/govt-considers-generic-scheduling-of-drugs-to-curb-abuse-of-synthetic-drugs-6129494/" 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/steps-to-curb-abuse-of-synthetic-drugs'
	],
	(int) 16 => [
		'title' => 'RERA Act, 2016',
		'catname' => 'Paper 2',
		'desc' => '<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1574403653_RERA%20Act, 2016 (Mind Map).png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1574403653_RERA Act, 2016 (Mind Map).png" width="406" height="1445" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></a></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><em><a href="/to-the-points/Paper2/rera-act-2016" target="_blank" rel="noopener">For TTP</a></em></p>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/mind-map/gs-paper2/rera-act-2016-mind-map'
	],
	(int) 17 => [
		'title' => 'Spyware Pegasus',
		'catname' => 'News Editorials',
		'desc' => '<div class="border">
<p>This article is based on <a href="https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/in-whatsapp-breach-follow-the-money-trail/article29857259.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>&ldquo;In WhatsApp breach, follow the money trail&rdquo;</strong></a> which was published in The Hindu on 02/11/2019. It talks about the Spyware Pegasus.</p>
</div>
<p>The recent digital security breach by a spyware called <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/pegasus-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Pegasus</strong></a> compromised phones of multiple activists, journalists and lawyers in India. The spyware was able to track multiple user applications like messages, emails, audio calls, browser history, contacts including end-to-end encrypted data. The whole incident brought forward the issue of digital security and the ways to achieve it with minimum loopholes.</p>
<h3>Key Highlights</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The phones of affected people were reportedly <strong>compromised by using a vulnerability in WhatsApp</strong> which allowed the <strong>Pegasus spyware software</strong> to be <strong>installed,</strong> by initiating a WhatsApp voice call with the target.</li>
<li>This specific vulnerability in WhatsApp has <strong>now been mended.</strong></li>
<li>The <strong>Indian government has sought an explanation from WhatsApp</strong> after it was revealed that Indian citizens were spied upon using Pegasus.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Pegasus</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It is a spyware developed by the<strong> Israeli cyber arms firm NSO Group Technologies.</strong></li>
<li>It mainly uses<strong> exploit links,</strong> clicking on which installs Pegasus on the target&rsquo;s phone.</li>
<li><strong>Citizen Lab</strong> which has investigated several cases of Pegasus infections showed through its research that<strong> social engineering is a very common strategy</strong> to deliver the most sophisticated spyware.</li>
<li>Pegasus does so by <strong>exploiting vulnerabilities in the phone&rsquo;s operating systems (OS).</strong></li>
<li><strong>Lookout,</strong> which is a cybersecurity company, had <strong>partnered with Citizen Lab</strong> to <strong>investigate Pegasus</strong> and found that it had exploited three zero-day vulnerabilities in iOS to successfully attain all the user access of the phone.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>A <strong>zero-day vulnerability</strong> is a flaw in a software or hardware that is previously unknown to the party responsible.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>In WhatsApp case, a <strong>specially crafted call</strong> was used to trigger a buffer overflow, which in turn was <strong>used to take control of the device.</strong></li>
<li>Pegasus is <strong>state-of-the-art spyware </strong>and <strong>NSO charges an exorbitant sum for its product and services.</strong></li>
</ul>
<h3>Challenges</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Multiple ways and various technologies</strong> like social engineering, exploiting user apps and then using the vulnerabilities make this issue hard to solve.</li>
<li>The Google Play Store and the Apple App store have thousands of apps with <strong>undiscovered vulnerabilities</strong> that could potentially be exploited by firms such as NSO to target individual users.</li>
<li>By mainly targeting WhatsApp only the <strong>focus is shifted from other potential means</strong> through which it can be used further and leave a far bigger impact.</li>
<li><strong>Lack of awareness and specialists in digital security</strong> makes this a vulnerable sector.</li>
<li><strong>Terrorists and other anti-social elements</strong> have started using more of cyberspace which provides them with more getaways.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Solutions</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Users</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It is important to keep the <strong>phone updated for ensuring the security</strong> of the devices, both the applications and the firmware.</li>
<li>It is necessary to be <strong>self-aware about digital security</strong> because compromise in that could lead to a situation of total surveillance.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Government</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It needs to <strong>investigate into the matter</strong> so that such future incidents can be prevented.</li>
<li>It should make <strong>stricter rules and restrictions for the applications</strong> made available in the country and monitor the most commonly used applications without breaching the privacy of the individuals.</li>
<li><a href="/to-the-points/paper3/cyber-security" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Laws</strong> </a>on digital privacy and security need to be implemented more strictly.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Digital literacy</strong> should be increased to spread <strong>awareness about cyber threats.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Computing environment</strong> and<strong> Internet of Things</strong>&nbsp;(It is a network of physical devices, vehicles, home appliances and other items embedded with electronics, software, sensors, actuators and connectivity which enables these things to connect, collect and exchange data) with current tools, patches, updates need to be secured.</li>
<li><a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/in-depth-artificial-intelligence" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Artificial Intelligence (AI)</strong></a> should be used for predicting and accurately identifying digital attacks and breaches.</li>
</ul>
<p>The need of the hour for the Indian government is to develop core skills in data integrity and data security fields, while also setting stringent cybersecurity standards to protect individuals and institutions of national importance, to make sure that the unity of the nation and the integrity of the individuals stay safe and secure.</p>
<table border="1" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="width: 100%; border-style: dotted; border-color: #ff0000; background-color: #fffcd4;">
<p><span style="color: #0000ff;"><em><strong>Drishti Mains Question</strong></em></span></p>
<p>In light of the recent issue regarding Spyware Pegasus, examine the privacy and security concerns for India. Also, suggest a suitable way forward.</p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>',
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		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/spyware-pegasus'
	],
	(int) 18 => [
		'title' => 'World Conference on Access to Medical Products',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>The 2019 World Conference on Access to Medical Products: Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 2030 was convened from 19<sup>th</sup>-21<sup>st</sup> November in New Delhi.</p>
<h3>Background</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It was <strong>jointly organized</strong> by the <strong>Ministry of Health &amp; Family Welfare</strong> and the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/world-health-organization-who" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>World Health Organization</strong></a> in <strong>collaboration with</strong> the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC), and Translational Health Science and Technology Institute (THSTI).</li>
<li>The 2019 Conference was the third such gathering after the 2017 and 2018 World Conference on Access to Medical Products organized in November 2017 and October 2018 by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It sought to take forward the international and national agenda on <strong>access to medical products.</strong></li>
<li>The <strong>objectives</strong> of the conference were:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>UHC and Innovation:</strong> Explore new approaches in the innovation landscape in medical products for achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC) and the SDG 2030 goals.</li>
<li><strong>Regulation of medical products and access:</strong> Identify regulatory mechanisms for improved access to quality and safe medical products.</li>
<li><strong>Legal landscape and trade-related aspects:</strong> Discuss the role of intellectual property and current trade agreements to promote access to medical products.</li>
<li>To track the progress of recommendations from the 2018 World Conference on Access to Medical Products for achieving UHC in the context of SDGs.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Note:</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/in-depth-indias-sustainable-development-goals" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Sustainable Development Goal-3</strong></a> (SDG 3)- <strong>Good Health and Well-being</strong> aims at ensuring healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages.</li>
<li>Health finds mention in many of the 17 SDGs, as each has a direct or indirect bearing on health.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetailm.aspx?PRID=1592148" 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/world-conference-on-access-to-medical-products'
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	(int) 19 => [
		'title' => 'Monitoring Aerosol Optical Depth',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<p>The imager payload onboard ISRO&rsquo;s weather satellites <strong>INSAT-3D &amp; 3DR,</strong> is being used to monitor Aerosol Optical Depth (AOD).</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>AOD is an indicator of particles and smoke from biomass</strong> burning affecting visibility and increase of PM2.5 and PM10 concentration in the atmosphere.</li>
<li>It has been found that <strong>AOD, PM2.5 and PM10 concentrations are higher over Indo-Gangetic Plain</strong> covering parts of Delhi, Uttar Pradesh and Bihar during October and November.</li>
<li>High concentration of these pollutants originate from parts of Punjab and Haryana during stubble burning.</li>
<li>Fire occurrences have increased by 4% over Punjab and Haryana region during October- November between 2003 and 2017.</li>
<li>ISRO has been using satellite data since 2015 to monitor<strong> stubble burning and to generate</strong> the maps of stubble burned area in Kharif season.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Note:</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Aerosol Optical Depth</strong> is a measure of the extinction of the solar beam by dust and haze.</li>
<li>Particles in the atmosphere (dust, smoke, pollution) can block sunlight by absorbing or by scattering light. AOD tells us how much direct sunlight is prevented from reaching the ground by these aerosol particles.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>INSAT-3D &amp; 3DR satellites</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>India gets weather updates every 15 minutes through INSAT-3D &amp; 3DR weather satellites.</li>
<li>INSAT 3DR was launched in 2016 as a follow up on INSAT-3D which was launched in 2013.</li>
</ul>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/monitoring-aerosol-optical-depth'
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