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Open Budget Survey 2019: IBP

Why in News Recently, the International Budget Partnership (IBP) has released an Open Budget Survey (OBS) 2019. The survey evaluates each country...

02 May 2020 News Analysis
Forex Reserves

Why in News According to the recent data from the Reserve Bank of India, India’s Foreign Exchange (Forex) reserves declined by $113 million to...

02 May 2020 News Analysis
Year End Review 2019: Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare

Important Schemes and Policies Pradhan Mantri Kisan Maan Dhan Yojana (PM-KMY) Launched in September 2019, the central sector scheme aims to...

01 May 2020 Paper 2
Power Sector in India

This article is based on “Toothless reform move for power sector” published in The Economic Times on 29/04/2020. It talks about the...

01 May 2020 News Editorials
Erosion in Ladakh and Zanskar

Why in News The scientists and students from the Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology (WIHG) have explored the Zanskar catchment area. The study...

01 May 2020 News Analysis
J&K and Article 54

Why in News Recently, in a reply to a Right to Information (RTI) query “if the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir will be part of the...

01 May 2020 News Analysis
International Workers’ Day

Why in News Every year, 1st May is celebrated as the International Workers’ Day and as Labour Day in different parts of the world to...

01 May 2020 News Analysis
Permanent Mission to UN

Why in News India has appointed T S Tirumurti as its Permanent Representative to the United Nations (UN). Key Points Permanent Mission to the...

01 May 2020 News Analysis
Lifeline Udan Initiative

Why in News A total of 415 flights have been operated under the ‘Lifeline Udan’ initiative by various air carriers. The cargo...

01 May 2020 News Analysis
GI Tags to Two Products

Why in News Recently, Chak-Hao, the black rice of Manipur and the Gorakhpur (Uttar Pradesh) terracotta have bagged the Geographical Indication (GI)...

01 May 2020 News Analysis
Atulya: Microwave Steriliser

Why in News Recently, the Defence Institute of Advanced Technology has developed a microwave steriliser named as ‘Atulya’ to...

01 May 2020 News Analysis
Global Energy Review 2020 : IEA

Why in News Recently, the International Energy Agency (IEA) has released a report namely, Global Energy Review:2020 which also includes the impact...

01 May 2020 News Analysis
Core Sector Shrinks by 6.5%

Why in News According to the data released by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, the eight core sector industries contracted by 6.5% in March,...

01 May 2020 News Analysis
Year End Review 2019: Department of Atomic Energy

Important Policies and Programmes Nuclear Power Programme Kaiga Atomic Power Station (KGS-1) has set the world record of 962 days of continuous...

30 Apr 2020 Paper 2
Rights of Minority Institutes not Absolute: SC

Why in News Recently, the Supreme Court of India gave its judgement on the admission criteria of minority institutions. It held that National...

30 Apr 2020 News Analysis
Mutual Funds and Emerging Indian Economy

This article is based on “Why Franklin-type fiasco will keep repeating” which was published in the Business standard on 27/04/2020. It...

30 Apr 2020 News Editorials
New List of Names of Tropical Cyclones

Why in News The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has released a list with the names of 169 tropical cyclones that are likely to emerge over the...

30 Apr 2020 News Analysis
UNESCO

“Since wars begin in the minds of men and women, it is in the minds of men and women that the defences of peace must be constructed” -...

30 Apr 2020 International Institutions
Aero India

Why in News Recently, the Ministry of Defence has announced that the 13th edition of Aero India will be held from February 3 to 7, 2021 at Air Force...

30 Apr 2020 News Analysis
Final Report on National Infrastructure Pipeline

Why in News Recently, the task force headed by Atanu Chakraborty (economic affairs secretary) on National Infrastructure Pipeline (NIP) submitted...

30 Apr 2020 News Analysis

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			'title' => 'Open Budget Survey 2019: IBP',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the <strong>International Budget Partnership (IBP)</strong> has released an <strong>Open Budget Survey (OBS) 2019.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The survey evaluates each country on the basis of the availability of key budget documents of the Central or Federal Government, and assesses whether these are made public, in a timely manner, and provide comprehensive information.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Open Budget Survey</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Open Budget Survey is<strong> part of the International Budget Partnership's Open Budget Initiative,</strong> a global research and advocacy program to promote public access to budget information and the adoption of accountable budget systems.</li>
<li>It is a <strong>biennial</strong> survey.</li>
<li>The survey covers <strong>117</strong> countries.</li>
<li>It rates the level of budget transparency across countries on a <strong>scale of 0-100,</strong> based on several normative, internationally comparable indicators.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Key Findings</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Global Scenario:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Improvement in Overall Score:</strong> OBS 2019 finds a <strong>modest global improvement</strong> in budget transparency, which is consistent with the overall trend measured by the survey over the past years.</li>
<li><strong>Global Avg. Transparency Score:</strong> The <strong>global average transparency score</strong> has turned out to be <strong>45 out of 100</strong> and thus levels of publicly available budget information remains limited.</li>
<li><strong>Top Scorers: New Zealand tops</strong> the chart with a<strong> score of 87.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Further, South Africa (87), Mexico (82) and Brazil (81) are among the top six countries providing extensive information to the public for scrutiny.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Citizens&rsquo; Participation:</strong> The citizens&rsquo; participation in the budget process continued to be at a dismal level and thus average global scores on the OBS participation measure remains <strong>14 out of 100. </strong></li>
<li><strong>Publication of Audit and Legislative Reports:</strong> Only 30 of the 117 surveyed countries have adequate scores both for audit and for legislative oversight.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Indian Scenario:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>India's Global Ranking:</strong> India has been placed at <strong>53<sup>rd</sup></strong> position among 117 nations in terms of budget transparency and accountability.</li>
<li><strong>Transparency Score:</strong> India's Union Budget process has a <strong>transparency score of 49 out of 100,</strong> which is <strong>higher than the global average of 45.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Some of the other large developing countries, with the exception of China, have got much higher transparency scores compared to India.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Citizens&rsquo; Participation:</strong> The public participation in its budgets has been flagged as an area of improvement required for India.</li>
<li><strong>Publication of Audit Reports:</strong> India performs well in publishing timely and relevant information in the audit reports and in-year reports and has scored well and above many other countries.</li>
<li><strong>Publication of Pre-Budget Statement:</strong> The absence of a published Pre-Budget Statement and not bringing out a Mid-Year Review in 2018-19 pulled down the transparency score for the Union Budget of India.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>While many governments and citizens have embraced the open budgeting agenda, more efforts to translate good intentions into better practice are required.</li>
<li>A global effort of joint, sustained activism is needed to accelerate progress and deliver the promises of open budgeting to all citizens.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>International Budget Partnership</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The International Budget Partnership (IBP) is a <strong>collaborative effort of multiple actors &ndash;</strong> including civil society, state actors, international institutions and the private sector.</li>
<li>IBP was <strong>formed in 1997</strong> to promote transparent and inclusive government budget processes as a means to improve governance and service delivery in the developing world.</li>
<li>It intends to bring citizens participation in open, inclusive budgeting processes to shape policies and practices that promote equity and justice on a sustainable basis.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>IBP&rsquo;s focus on citizens and civil society organizations (CSOs) was driven by the pioneering civil society budget monitoring efforts in a small number of middle-income countries in the early 1990s.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>IBP&rsquo;s ultimate aim is to ensure that public resources are used more effectively to fight poverty and promote equitable and sustainable development in countries around the world.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://www.business-standard.com/article/economy-policy/india-at-53rd-position-in-budget-transparency-accountability-ibp-survey-120043000118_1.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source:BS</strong></a></p>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/open-budget-survey-2019-ibp'
		],
		(int) 1 => [
			'title' => 'Forex Reserves',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>According to the recent data from the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-national-institutions/important-institutions-national-institution-reserve-bank-of-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Reserve Bank of India</strong></a>, India&rsquo;s <strong>Foreign Exchange (Forex) reserves declined by $113 million</strong> to $479.45 billion in the week to 24 April, 2020 due to a fall in <strong>foreign currency assets.</strong></p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Changes in forex reserves holdings.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The <strong>foreign currency assets (FCAs)</strong> decreased by $321 million to $441.56 billion.</li>
<li><strong>Gold reserves</strong> rose by $221 million to $32.901 billion.</li>
<li>The <strong>special drawing rights</strong> with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) fell by $6 million to $1.42 billion.</li>
<li>The country&rsquo;s <strong>reserve position with the IMF</strong> also was down by $8 million to $3.57 billion.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Earlier, the reserve<strong> had touched a life-time high of $487.23</strong> billion in the week ended by 6 March, 2020.</li>
<li>During 2019-20, the country&rsquo;s foreign exchange reserves rose by almost $62 billion.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Foreign Exchange Reserves</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Foreign exchange reserves are<strong> assets held on reserve by a central bank in foreign</strong> currencies, which can include bonds, treasury bills and other government securities.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It needs to be noted that most foreign exchange reserves are held in U.S. dollars.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>These assets serve many purposes but are most significantly held to ensure that the central bank has backup funds if the national currency rapidly devalues or becomes altogether insolvent.</li>
<li><strong>India&rsquo;s Forex Reserve include:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Foreign Currency Assets</li>
<li>Gold reserves</li>
<li>Special Drawing Rights</li>
<li>Reserve position with the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/international-monetary-fund-imf" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>International Monetary Fund (IMF)</strong></a></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Foreign Currency Assets (FCA)</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>FCAs are assets that are valued based on a currency other than the country's own currency.</li>
<li>FCA is the <strong>largest component of the forex reserve.</strong> It is expressed in dollar terms.</li>
<li>The FCAs include <strong>the effect of appreciation or depreciation of non-US units</strong> like the euro, pound and yen held in the foreign exchange reserves.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Special drawing rights (SDR)</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The SDR is an <strong>international reserve asset,</strong> created by the IMF in 1969 to supplement its member countries&rsquo; official reserves.</li>
<li>The SDR is neither a currency nor a claim on the IMF. Rather, it is a potential claim on the freely usable currencies of IMF members. SDRs can be exchanged for these currencies.</li>
<li>The value of the SDR is calculated from a weighted basket of<strong> major currencies,</strong> including the U.S. dollar, the euro, Japanese yen, Chinese yuan, and British pound.</li>
<li>The interest rate on SDRs or (SDRi) is the interest paid to members on their SDR holdings.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Reserve Position</strong> in the International Monetary Fund</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>A reserve tranche position implies a <strong>portion of the required quota of currency each member country must provide to the International Monetary Fund (IMF)</strong> that can be utilized for its own purposes.</li>
<li>The reserve tranche is basically <strong>an emergency account</strong> that IMF members can access at any time without agreeing to conditions or paying a service fee.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/business/economy/forex-reserves-fall-113-mn-to-479-45-bn-6389572/" 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/forex-reserves-2'
		],
		(int) 2 => [
			'title' => 'Year End Review 2019: Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare',
			'catname' => 'Paper 2',
			'desc' => '<h3>Important Schemes and Policies</h3>
<p><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/pradhan-mantri-kisan-maan-dhan-yojana-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Pradhan Mantri Kisan Maan Dhan Yojana (PM-KMY)</strong></a></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Launched in September 2019, the central sector scheme aims to provide the social security net for the Small and Marginal Farmers (who own cultivable land up to 2 hectares).</li>
<li>It provides for payment of <strong>minimum pension of Rs.3000/- per month</strong> to the eligible small and marginal farmers on attaining the age of 60 years.</li>
<li>It is a voluntary and contributory pension scheme, with <strong>entry age of 18 to 40 years.</strong></li>
<li>The monthly contribution by farmer ranges between Rs.55 to 200.</li>
<li>Central Government will contribute an equal amount in the pension scheme.</li>
<li>The Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) is the Pension Fund Manager for the Scheme.</li>
<li>On exit from the scheme, the beneficiary will receive his/her accumulated share and the Government&rsquo;s contribution will be deposited in the LIC Fund.</li>
<li>After the subscriber&rsquo;s death, the spouse or heir shall be entitled to receive 50% of the pension as family pension, provided he/she is not already an SMF beneficiary of the Scheme.</li>
<li>On the death of the subscriber during the period of contribution, the spouse shall have the option of continuing the Scheme by paying regular contribution.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/one-year-of-pm-kisan" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN)</strong></a></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Launched in February 2019, the central sector scheme, provides for transfer of an amount of<strong> Rs. 6000/- per year</strong> in three equal instalments each of Rs. 2000/- directly into the bank account of beneficiary farmer families.</li>
<li><a href="/current-affairs-news-analysis-editorials/news-editorials/08-02-2019" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>The Scheme</strong></a> initially covered only small and marginal farmer families as beneficiaries, subject to certain exclusion criteria for higher-income status. The Government later <strong>extended the scheme to all farmer families irrespective of landholding size.</strong></li>
<li>The entire responsibility of identification of beneficiary farmer families rests with the State/UT Governments.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/minimum-support-price" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Increased MSP for Kharif and Rabi Crops- 2019-2020</strong></a></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Union Government increased the Minimum Support Price (MSP) for Kharif and Rabi 2019-20 seasons.</li>
<li>The MSP is the rate at which the government buys grains from farmers.</li>
<li>Reason behind the idea of MSP is to counter price volatility of agricultural commodities due to the factors like variation in their supply, lack of market integration and information asymmetry.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/msp-agrarian-crisis-and-reform" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Fixation of MSP</strong></a></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The MSP is fixed on the recommendations of the Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices (CACP).</li>
<li>Factors taken into consideration for fixing MSP include:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Demand and supply;</li>
<li>Cost of production (A2 + FL method)</li>
<li>Price trends in the market, both domestic and international;</li>
<li>Inter-crop price parity;</li>
<li>Terms of trade between agriculture and non-agriculture;</li>
<li>A minimum of 50% as the margin over cost of production; and</li>
<li>Likely implications of MSP on consumers of that product.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices (CACP)</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The CACP is an attached office of the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, formed in 1965. It is a statutory body that submits separate reports recommending prices for Kharif and Rabi seasons.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>National Commission on Farmers: Swaminathan Committee</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>On 18<sup>th</sup> November, 2004, the Union government formed the National Commission on Farmers (NCF) with MS Swaminathan as its chairman.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The main aim of the committee was to come up with a sustainable farming system, make farm commodities cost-competitive and more profitable.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>It, in 2006, recommended that MSPs must be at least 50% more than the cost of production.</li>
<li>It talked about the cost of farming at three levels:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>A2:</strong> All the types of cash expenditure to generate the crop like seeds, manure, chemicals, labour costs, fuel costs and irrigation costs.</li>
<li><strong>A2+FL:</strong> It includes A2 plus an imputed value of unpaid family labour.</li>
<li><strong>C2:</strong> Under C2, the estimated land rent and the cost of interest on the money taken for farming are added to A2 and FL.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1588334730_Image4.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1588334730_Image4.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="700" caption="false" /></a></p>
<p><a href="/to-the-points/paper3/cropping-patterns-and-major-crops-of-india-part-one" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Read TTP on Cropping Patterns in India-I</strong></a></p>
<p><a href="/to-the-points/paper3/cropping-patterns-and-major-crops-of-india-part-two" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Read TTP on Cropping Patterns in India-II</strong></a></p>
<p><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/new-features-added-to-e-nam" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>e-NAM &ndash;One Nation One Market</strong></a></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>421 new mandis have been approved for integration under the e-NAM. Along with these, FPOs have also been on-boarded on e-NAM portal and they have started uploading their produce for trading from their premise.</li>
<li>e-NAM was launched on 14<sup>th</sup> April 2016 as a pan-India electronic trade portal linking Agricultural Produce Market Committees (APMCs) across the States.</li>
<li><a href="/current-affairs-news-analysis-editorials/news-editorials/04-07-2019" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>It is an electronic national agriculture market (eNAM)</strong></a> to connect all regulated wholesale produce markets through a pan-India trading portal.</li>
<li>It provides for contactless remote bidding and mobile-based anytime payment for which traders do not need to either visit mandis or banks for the same.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Seed-Hub Centres</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>25 Seed-Hub Centres have been sanctioned across the country for increasing availability of quality seeds of <strong>Nutri-Cereals (Millets).</strong></li>
<li>In 2018-19, the Government of India launched a National Millet Mission which included renaming millets as <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/india-s-nutrition-problem" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>&ldquo;Nutri-cereals&rdquo;.</strong></a></li>
<li>Millet is a collective term referring to a number of small-seeded annual grasses that are cultivated as grain crops, primarily on marginal lands in dry areas in temperate, subtropical and tropical regions.</li>
<li>Some of the common millets available in India are Ragi (Finger millet), Jowar (Sorghum), Sama (Little millet), Bajra (Pearl millet), and Variga (Proso millet).</li>
<li>Millets are cultivated in low-fertile land, mountainous, tribal and rain-fed areas. These areas include Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, and Telangana.</li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/alternative-cereals-can-save-water%20" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Millets also are known as &lsquo;nutri-cereals&rsquo;</strong> </a>and have a high protein content, short growing season, climate change resilience and low water requirement.</li>
<li>India's proposal to observe an <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/2023-is-the-international-year-of-millets-fao" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>International Year of Millets in 2023</strong></a> has been approved at the by the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO).</li>
<li>India celebrated 2018 as the national year of millets.</li>
</ul>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/to-the-points/Paper2/year-end-review-2019-ministry-of-agriculture-farmers-welfare'
		],
		(int) 3 => [
			'title' => 'Power Sector in India',
			'catname' => 'News Editorials',
			'desc' => '<div class="border">
<p>This article is based on <a href="https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/blogs/et-editorials/toothless-reform-move-for-power-sector/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>&ldquo;Toothless reform move for power sector&rdquo;</strong></a> published in The Economic Times on 29/04/2020. It talks about the challenges and solutions pertaining to India&rsquo;s power sector.</p>
</div>
<p>Indian government&rsquo;s <strong>Power for all by 2022 vision,</strong> aims to provide access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy. In order to achieve this mission, the government has recently announced to make certain amendments to the Electricity Act 2003.</p>
<p>Some major changes being proposed by<strong> draft Electricity (Amendment) Bill, 2020,</strong> includes the <strong>constitution of the Electricity Contracts Enforcement Authority,</strong> the <strong>appointment of distribution sub-franchisees,</strong> development of an exhaustive <strong>National Renewable Energy</strong> Policy, and <strong>rationalisation of tariffs,</strong> among others.</p>
<p>The draft is well-intentioned but it may not address the systemic flaws in the power sector.</p>
<h3>Systemic Issues Faced by Power Sector in India</h3>
<p><strong>Power Generation Issues</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Fossil fuel derived energy generation:</strong> Thermal power based on fossil fuel such as coal, natural gas and diesel accounts for 80% of the country's generation.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Moreover, the majority of plants in India are old and inefficient.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Higher Cost of Fuel:</strong> Coal extraction from state-run Coal India (a near-monopoly), has stagnated due to delayed environmental clearances, land acquisition troubles and little investment in advanced technologies.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Many power companies have to look for coal mines overseas and source more expensive imports (despite having abundant coal reserves).</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Transmission and Distribution Issues</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Tariffs haven't risen enough for years to cover costs for subsidies in the agriculture sector. Also, high <strong>aggregate technical and commercial (AT&amp;C) losses,</strong> has forced electricity distributors (discoms) into losses as high as 40% in some states, while the country-wide average is 27%.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Note:</strong></p>
<p>The discoms suffer <strong>Aggregate Technical and Commercial (AT&amp;C) Losses.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Technical Loss:</strong> It is due to the flow of power in transmission and distribution systems.</li>
<li><strong>Commercial Loss</strong>: It is due to the theft of electricity, deficiencies in metering, etc.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Discoms are not able to pay the power generators regularly simply because they have a cash flow problem, which stems from the low tariffs awarded by the regulatory commissions.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Such low tariffs result in a wide gap between the <strong>average per-unit cost of supply (ACS) and average revenue realised (ARR).</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>These issues have resulted in the outstanding dues of discoms, which has even increased after the implementation of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/ujwal-discom-assurance-yojana" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>UDAY (Ujwal Discom Assurance Yojana)</strong></a>.</li>
<li>Owing to the poor financial health of the dicoms, there are less new investments in the electricity sector (particularly by the private sector).</li>
<li>High industrial/commercial tariff and the <strong>cross-subsidy regime</strong> have affected the competitiveness of the industrial and commercial sectors.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Subsidy Reforms:</strong> For agriculture, the direct subsidy per acre of land through <strong>Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT)</strong> may be considered instead of providing separate subsidies for fertilizers, electricity, crop insurance etc.</li>
<li>The <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/annadata-to-urjadata" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>KUSUM scheme</strong></a> provides a suitable alternative to the power subsidy model in agriculture.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The scheme intends to promote the use of solar pumps for agriculture and make provisions the local discoms should buy surplus power from the farmer.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>There is a need to ensure effective enforcement of <strong>rationalization of cross-subsidy.</strong></li>
<li>The government needs to actively promote cross-border electricity trade to utilize existing/upcoming generation assets.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The SAARC electricity grid is a step in the right direction.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>To manage the demand for power, it is necessary to introduce <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/smart-meter-national-programme" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>100% metering-net metering, smart meters</strong></a>, and metering of electricity supplied to agriculture.</li>
<li>There is also a need to Introduce performance-based incentives in the tariff structure.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1588398750_Image%203.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1588398750_Image 3.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="800" caption="false" /></a></p>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1588333622_image2.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1588333622_image2.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="500" caption="false" /></a></p>
<table border="1" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="width: 100%; border-style: dotted; border-color: #ff0000; background-color: #faf9e1;">
<p><span style="color: #000080;"><em><strong>Drishti Mains Question</strong></em></span></p>
<p>Discuss the challenges in achieving the Indian government&rsquo;s vision of Power for all by 2022.</p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p style="text-align: center;"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/n2qd-VVmq3E" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p>
<p>This editorial is based on<a href="https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/editorial/strategic-shift-the-hindu-editorial-on-home-isolation-of-mild-coronavirus-cases/article31466604.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> &ldquo;Strategic shift: On home isolation of mild coronavirus cases&rdquo;</strong></a> which was published in The Hindu on April 30<sup>th</sup>, 2020. Now watch this on our youtube channel.</p>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/power-sector-in-india'
		],
		(int) 4 => [
			'title' => 'Erosion in Ladakh and Zanskar',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>The scientists and students from the <strong>Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology (WIHG)</strong> have explored the <strong>Zanskar catchment area.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The study was conducted to understand the landform evolution in transitional climatic zones, using<strong> morphostratigraphy, Optically Stimulated Luminescence (OSL) dating and provenance analysis</strong> of landforms like<strong> valley fill terraces</strong> and <strong>alluvial fans.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Valley Fill Terrace:</strong> The<strong> fill terrace</strong> is created either a stream or river starts to incise into the material that it deposited in the valley. Once this occurs benches composed completely of alluvium form on the sides of the valley. The upper most benches are the fill terraces.</li>
<li><strong>Alluvial Fans:</strong> Triangle-shaped deposit of gravel, sand and even smaller pieces of sediment, such as silt.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>WHIG is an <strong>autonomous institute</strong> under the <strong>Department of Science &amp; Technology,</strong> Government of India.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Zanskar River</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It is <strong>one of the largest tributaries</strong> of the<strong> upper Indus catchment.</strong></li>
<li>It drains <strong>transversely northward from the Higher Himalaya, dominated by the Indian summer monsoon,</strong> to <strong>flow through</strong> the arid, westerlies-dominated, highly folded and thrusted <strong>Zanskar ranges in Ladakh.</strong></li>
<li>The <strong>Doda</strong> and the <strong>Tsarap Lingti Chu confluence</strong> at Padam to form the Zanskar, which in turn <strong>joins the Indus at Nimu.</strong></li>
<li>Zanskar valley can be divided into <strong>upper and lower divisions, separated by a gorge of nearly 60 km in length.</strong></li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Morphostratigraphy:</strong> The organization of rock or sediment strata into units based on their surface <strong>morphology (landforms).</strong></p>
<p><strong>Optically-Stimulated Luminescence:</strong> It is a late Quaternary dating technique <strong>used to date the last time a quartz sediment was exposed to light.</strong> As sediment is transported by wind, water or ice, it is exposed to sunlight and zeroed of any previous luminescence signal.</p>
<p><strong>Provenance Analysis:</strong> It aims to <strong>determine the source region (provenance) of a sediment sample.</strong> It is aimed to reconstruct the parent rock or rocks of sand bodies, the time of deposition of the sand and, if possible, the climate conditions during the formation of the sediments.</p>
</div>
<h3>Key Findings</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Scientists traced where the rivers draining Himalaya and its foreland erode the most and identified the zones which receive these eroded sediments and fill up.</li>
<li>The study suggested that the <strong>wide valley of Padam in the upper Zanskar</strong> is a <strong>hotspot of sediment buffering</strong> and has stored a vast amount of sediments.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The sediment contribution from such transient basins is significant when compared to the sediment reportedly eroded from the entire<strong> Indus system in Ladakh.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Most of the sediments in the Padam valley were <strong>derived from Higher Himalayan crystalline</strong> that lie in the <strong>headwater region of Zanskar.</strong></li>
<li>The dominant <strong>factors responsible</strong> for sediment erosion were <strong>deglaciation</strong> and <strong>Indian Summer Monsoon derived precipitation</strong> in the headwaters.</li>
<li>The provenance analysis suggested that <strong>despite the presence of the deep narrow gorge and a low gradient,</strong> the upper and lower Zanskar valleys remained <strong>connected throughout their aggradational history.</strong></li>
</ul>
<h3>Significance</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The study will help to <strong>understand river-borne erosion and sedimentation,</strong> which are the main drivers that make large riverine plains, terraces and deltas that eventually become the evolving grounds for civilizations.</li>
<li>The study brought forwards the <strong>35 thousand-year history of river erosion and identified hotspots of erosion and wide valleys</strong> that act as buffer zones.</li>
<li>It showed <strong>how rivers in drier Ladakh Himalaya operated on longer time scales</strong> and how they <strong>responded to varying climates.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The Ladakh Himalaya forms a <strong>high altitude desert between Greater Himalayan ranges and Karakoram Ranges</strong> and the Indus and its tributaries are major rivers flowing through the terrain.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Understanding of <strong>water and sediment routing becomes crucial</strong> while developing infrastructure and for other development works in the river catchment area.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1588330285_image1.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1588330285_image1.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" caption="false" width="552" height="279" /></a></p>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1588330309_image2.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1588330309_image2.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" caption="false" width="533" height="576" /></a></p>
<p><a href="https://pib.gov.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=202669" 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/erosion-in-ladakh-and-zanskar'
		],
		(int) 5 => [
			'title' => 'J&K and Article 54',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, in a reply to a <a href="/to-the-points/paper4/right-to-information-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Right to Information (RTI)</strong></a> query <strong>&ldquo;if the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir will be part of the Electoral College for the election of the President of India&rdquo;</strong>, the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-national-institutions/election-commission-of-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Election Commission of India (ECI)</strong></a> has asked to refer to Article 54 of the Constitution of India.</p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Article 54 specifically mentions NCT of Delhi and Puducherry</strong> as eligible to be part of the Electoral College. There is <strong>no word about the newly-formed UT of Jammu &amp; Kashmir (J&amp;K).</strong></li>
<li>Under Article 54, the President is elected by an Electoral College, which consists of the <strong>elected members of both Houses of Parliament </strong>and the<strong> elected members of the Legislative Assemblies of all the States </strong>and also of <strong>NCT of Delhi and the Union Territory of Puducherry.</strong></li>
<li>Also the<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/centre-defines-j-k-domicile-rules" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> J&amp;K Reorganisation Act</strong></a>, which came into existence from August 2019, <strong>does not specify anything</strong> about whether the legislature of J&amp;K would be able to vote in the election for a President.</li>
<li><strong>Inclusion</strong> of new members in the Electoral College in Article 54 would <strong>require a Constitutional Amendment</strong> to be carried out through two-thirds majority in Parliament and ratification by over 50% of the States. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Delhi and Puducherry were included as Electoral College members under Article 54 through the <strong>70<sup>th</sup> Constitution Amendment Act of 1992.</strong></li>
<li>Before that, Article 54 consisted of only the elected Members of Parliament as well as the Legislative Assemblies of the States.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>However, according to<strong> some experts, Union territory of J&amp;K would be able to participate in the President&rsquo;s elections</strong> even without any Constitutional amendment.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>According to <strong>Section 13 of the J&amp;K Reorganisation Act, 2019,</strong> the provisions contained in article 239A, which are applicable to &ldquo;Union territory of Puducherry&rdquo;, shall also apply to the &ldquo;Union territory of Jammu &amp; Kashmir&rdquo;.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Election of the President of India</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The President<strong> is elected indirectly by members of electoral college</strong> consisting of:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>the elected members of both the Houses of Parliament;</li>
<li>the elected members of the legislative assemblies of the states;</li>
<li>the elected members of the legislative assemblies of the Union Territories of Delhi and Puducherry.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The election is held in accordance with the <strong>system of proportional representation by means of the single transferable vote. Secret ballot</strong> is used in voting.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In the proportional representation system, each voter will have only one vote but a voter can indicate his preference for as many contesting candidates as he likes in order of his/her preference or choice.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The <strong>President&rsquo;s tenure is for five years</strong> and he is eligible for immediate re- election and can serve any number of terms.</li>
<li>There is a <strong>uniformity in the scale of representation of different states</strong> as well as <strong>parity between the states as a whole and the Union</strong> at the election of the President.</li>
<li>All <strong>doubts and disputes in connection with election</strong> are inquired into and decided by the <strong>Supreme Court</strong> whose decision is final.</li>
<li>If the election of a person as President is declared void by the Supreme Court, acts done by him before the date of such declaration of the Supreme Court are not invalidated and continue to remain in force.</li>
<li><strong>Article 324</strong> of the Constitution provides that the power of superintendence, direction and control of elections to parliament, state legislatures, the office of president of India and the office of vice-president of India shall be vested in the election commission.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/ec-vague-on-rti-query-on-whether-jk-is-part-of-electoral-college/article31475745.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/j-k-and-article-54'
		],
		(int) 6 => [
			'title' => 'International Workers’ Day',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Every year, <strong>1<sup>st</sup> May</strong> is celebrated as the<strong> International Workers&rsquo; Day</strong> and as <strong>Labour Day</strong> in different parts of the world to commemorate the contributions of workers and the historic labour movements.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It is a day when the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/international-labour-organization" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>International Labour Organisation</strong></a> (ILO), nations, employers and workers from all over the world commit themselves towards the collective efforts of promoting decent work for all.</li>
<li>In <strong>1889,</strong> the <strong>Second International,</strong> an <strong>organisation created by socialist and labour parties,</strong> declared that 1<sup>st</sup> May would be commemorated as International Workers&rsquo; Day from then on.</li>
<li>On 1<sup>st</sup> May<strong> 1904,</strong> the <strong>International Socialist Congress</strong> at <strong>Amsterdam, the Netherlands</strong> called for the legal establishment of the<strong> 8-hour day for the class demands of the proletariat</strong> and made it mandatory upon the proletarian organisations of all countries to stop work on this day.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Historical Perspective</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>USA</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The USA celebrates Labor day on the <strong>first Monday of September, every year.</strong> The USA recognised the day as a <strong>federal holiday in 1894.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Canada also celebrates the Labour day on the same day as the US.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Labor day was designated as a day in support of workers by trade unions and socialist groups in the memory of the <strong>Haymarket affair of 1886 in Chicago, USA.</strong> It gave the workers&rsquo; movement a great impetus.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Haymarket Affair was a peaceful rally in support of workers which led to a violent clash with the police, leading to severe casualties. Those who died were hailed as <strong>&ldquo;Haymarket Martyrs&rdquo;.</strong></li>
<li>Workers&rsquo; rights violations, straining work hours, poor working conditions, low wages and child labour were the issues highlighted in the protest.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>USSR</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The<strong> Soviet Union</strong> and the Eastern bloc nations started celebrating the Labor day <strong>after the Russian Revolution, 1917.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Impact of Russian Revolution:</strong> New ideologies such as <strong>Marxism</strong> and<strong> Socialism</strong> inspired many socialist and communist groups and they attracted peasants and workers and made them an integral part of national movement.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>It became a <strong>national holiday</strong> during the <a href="/to-the-points/paper1/cold-war" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Cold War</strong></a>.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>India</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In India, Labor day was first celebrated in 1923, after the <strong>Labour Kisan Party of Hindustan</strong> initiated the celebrations and <strong>Comrade Singaravelar</strong> (Singaravelu Chettiar) continued the celebrations.</li>
<li>Comrade Singaravelar was<strong> one of the leaders of the<a href="/mains-practice-question/question-344" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> Self Respect movement</a> in the Madras Presidency</strong> and passed a resolution stating the government should allow everybody a national holiday on Labour Day.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-why-may-1-is-observed-as-labour-day-6386983/" 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/international-workers-day'
		],
		(int) 7 => [
			'title' => 'Permanent Mission to UN',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>India has appointed <strong>T S Tirumurti</strong> as its <strong>Permanent Representative to the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/united-nations-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">United Nations</a></strong> (UN).</p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Permanent Mission to the United Nations</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It is the <strong>diplomatic mission</strong> that every member state deputes to the UN.</li>
<li>It is <strong>headed by a Permanent Representative</strong> who is also referred to as the <strong>UN ambassador.</strong></li>
<li>According to <strong>Article 1(7) </strong>of the<strong> Vienna Convention on the Representation of States in their Relations with International Organizations of a Universal Character, 1975</strong> it is a mission of permanent character, representing the State, sent by a State member of an international organization to the organization.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Other important Vienna Conventions are the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/protecting-power" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, 1961</strong></a> and the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/consular-access-kulbhushan-jadhav-case" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Vienna Convention on Consular Relations of 1963</strong></a>.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>According to the <strong>UN General Assembly resolution 257(III) of 3<sup>rd</sup> December, 1948,</strong> permanent missions assist in the realization of the purposes and principles of the UN.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>They keep the <strong>necessary liaison between the Member States and the Secretariat</strong> in periods between sessions of the different organs of the UN.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>UN Permanent Representatives are assigned to the UN <strong>headquarters in New York City,</strong> and at other offices in <strong>Geneva, Vienna</strong> and <strong>Nairobi</strong> as well.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Indian Permanent Mission at the United Nations</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>There are <strong>currently eight Indians</strong> in <strong>senior leadership positions</strong> at the UN at the levels of Under Secretary General and Assistant Secretary General.</li>
<li>The <strong>first Indian delegates</strong> at the UN included statesman <strong>Arcot Ramasamy Mudaliar</strong> and freedom fighters <strong>Hansa Mehta, Lakshmi N. Menon</strong> and <strong>Vijayalakshmi Pandit</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Mehta and Pandit were among the 15 women members of the Indian Constituent Assembly.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>India was among the select members</strong> of the UN that signed the <strong>United Nations Declaration</strong> at <strong>Washington</strong> on 1<sup>st</sup> January, <strong>1942.</strong></li>
<li>India also participated in the historic <strong>UN Conference of International Organization</strong> at <strong>San Francisco</strong> from 25<sup>th</sup> April to 26<sup>th</sup> June,<strong> 1945.</strong></li>
<li>As a <strong>founding member</strong> of the United Nations, India strongly <strong>supports the purposes and principles of the UN</strong> and has made significant contributions to implementing the goals of the Charter, and the evolution of the UN&rsquo;s specialized programmes and agencies.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Arcot Ramasamy Mudaliar (1887-1976)</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>One of the prominent lawyers</strong> of his time and joined the Justice Party in 1917.</li>
<li>Took part in <strong>Joint Parliamentary Committee on Constitutional Reforms</strong> in India and the <strong>Round Table Conferences.</strong></li>
<li>He was <strong>India&rsquo;s delegate to the San Francisco Conference.</strong></li>
<li>In 1946 he was elected the <strong>first President of the United Nations&rsquo; Economic and Social Council</strong> (ECOSOC).</li>
<li>He also served as the <strong>chair of the executive boards</strong> of the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/world-health-organization-who" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>World Health Organisation</strong></a> (WHO) and <strong><a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/unesco-5" target="_blank" rel="noopener">United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization</a> </strong>(UNESCO).</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Hansa Mehta (1897-1995)</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>After studying Journalism and Sociology from England, she returned to India and served as the<strong> President</strong> of the <strong>Bhagini Samaj</strong> and played a crucial role during the <strong>campaign against the <a href="/be-mains-ready-daily-answer-writing-practice-question/papers/simon-commission-british-government-immediate-response-indians-struggle-for-freedom-be-mains-ready" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Simon Commission.</a></strong></li>
<li>She was the <strong>first woman to be elected to the Bombay Legislative Council in 1931.</strong></li>
<li>She <strong>represented India on the Nuclear Sub-Committee</strong> on the status of women in 1946.</li>
<li>As the Indian delegate on the <strong>UN Human Rights Commission (now known as the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/unhrc-s-upr" target="_blank" rel="noopener">UN Human Rights Council</a>)</strong> in 1947&ndash;48, she was <strong>responsible for changing the language Justice Party&nbsp;</strong>of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights from <strong>&ldquo;all men are created equal&rdquo; </strong>to<strong> &ldquo;all human beings&rdquo;,</strong> highlighting the need for gender equality.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Lakshmi Menon (1899-1994)</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>She was <strong>one of the founder</strong> members of the <strong>All India Women&rsquo;s Conference.</strong></li>
<li>She was <strong>India&rsquo;s delegate to the Third Committee in 1948</strong> and argued forcefully in <strong>favour of non-discrimination based on sex</strong> and &ldquo;the equal rights of men and women&rdquo; in the in the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/international-human-rights-day" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Universal Declaration of Human Rights</strong></a>.</li>
<li>In 1949-1950, she <strong>headed</strong> the <strong>UN Section on the Status of Women and Children.</strong></li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Vijaya Lakshmi Pandit (1900-1990)</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>She <strong>led the Indian delegation to the UN</strong> (1946-48 and 1952-53).</li>
<li>In 1953, she became the <strong>first woman to be elected president of the UN General Assembly.</strong></li>
<li>In 1978, she was appointed the <strong>Indian representative to the UN Human Rights Commission.</strong></li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/indias-permanent-mission-to-the-united-nations-explained-6386259/" 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/permanent-mission-to-un'
		],
		(int) 8 => [
			'title' => 'Lifeline Udan Initiative',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>A total of 415 flights have been operated under the <strong>&lsquo;Lifeline Udan&rsquo;</strong> initiative by various air carriers.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The cargo transported till date is around 779.86 tons and aerial distance covered by Lifeline Udan flights is over 4 lakh kilometres.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Lifeline Udan</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The &lsquo;Lifeline Udan&rsquo; intends<strong> to transport essential medical cargo to remote parts of the country</strong> amid the lockdown to support India&rsquo;s fight against <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/coronavirus-disease-named-covid-19" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Covid-19</strong></a>. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The essential cargo include goods such as regents, enzymes, medical equipment, testing kits and PPE, masks, gloves and other essential items as applicable by the State and Union Territory Governments.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>It is launched by the <strong>Ministry of Civil Aviation</strong> to ensure a steady supply of essentials, even in the most remote locations in the country. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>However, the special focus has been on the North East Region, island territories and the hill states.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The flights under the initiative &lsquo;Lifeline Udan&rsquo; have been operated by Air India, Alliance Air, Indian Air Force, Pawan Hans and private carriers.</li>
<li>It is to be noted that<strong> &lsquo;Lifeline Udan&rsquo; is different from the UDAN</strong> where the former focuses on the transport of medical essentials to fight against Covid-19 and latter focuses purely on the regional connectivity in the country.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>UDAN</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Ude Desh Ka Aam Naagrik (UDAN) was launched as a regional connectivity scheme under the Ministry of Civil Aviation in 2016.</li>
<li>It is an innovative scheme to develop the regional aviation market.</li>
<li>It aims to create affordable yet economically viable and profitable flights on regional routes so that flying becomes affordable to the common man even in small towns.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1619655" 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/lifeline-udan-initiative'
		],
		(int) 9 => [
			'title' => 'GI Tags to Two Products',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, <strong>Chak-Hao,</strong> the black rice of <strong>Manipur</strong> and the <strong>Gorakhpur (Uttar Pradesh) terracotta</strong> have bagged the <strong>Geographical Indication (GI) tag.</strong></p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Chak-Hao:<a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1588320560_image4.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1588320560_image4.jpg" style="float: right;" width="250" caption="false" /></a></strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Chak-Hao is a <strong>scented glutinous (sticky) rice</strong> which has been in cultivation in Manipur over centuries, and is characterised by its special aroma.</li>
<li>The<strong> rice is black in colour</strong> and takes the longest cooking time of 40-45 minutes due to the presence of a <strong>fibrous bran layer and higher crude fibre content.</strong></li>
<li>It is normally eaten during community feasts and is served as <strong>Chak-Hao kheer.</strong></li>
<li>Chak-Hao has also been<strong> used by traditional medical practitioners</strong> as part of traditional medicine.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Gorakhpur terracotta:<a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1588320532_image5.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1588320532_image5.jpg" style="float: right;" width="250" caption="false" /></a></strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The terracotta work of Gorakhpur is a centuries-old traditional art form.</li>
<li>The <strong>entire work is done with bare hands.</strong></li>
<li>The clay used in the terracotta products is<strong> &lsquo;Kabis&rsquo; clay</strong> which is found in the ponds of Aurangabad, Bharwalia and Budhadih village areas. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Also, such <strong>clay is found only in the months of May and June,</strong> as for the rest of the year, the ponds are filled with water.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The potters <strong>do not use any colour,</strong> they only dip the clay structure in a mixture of soda and mango tree barks, and bake it. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The <strong>red colour of terracotta does not fade</strong> for years.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Major products of craftsmanship include the <strong>Hauda elephants, Mahawatdar horse, deer, camel, five-faced Ganesha, single-faced Ganesha, elephant table, chandeliers, hanging bells etc.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Geographical Indication (GI)</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It is an<strong> insignia on products</strong> having a unique geographical origin and evolution over centuries with regard to its special quality or reputed attributes.</li>
<li>It is a <strong>mark of authenticity</strong> and ensures that registered authorized users or at least those residing inside the geographic territory are allowed to use the popular product names.</li>
<li>GI tag in India is governed by <strong>Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration &amp; Protection) Act, 1999.</strong> It is issued by the <strong>Geographical Indications Registry (Chennai).</strong></li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Benefits of GI Tag</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It provides<strong> legal protection</strong> to Indian Geographical Indications thus preventing unauthorized use of the registered GIs by others.</li>
<li>It <strong>promotes economic prosperity</strong> of producers of goods produced in a geographical territory.</li>
<li>The GI protection in India leads to <strong>recognition of the product in other countries thus boosting exports.</strong></li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/gi-tag-to-manipur-black-rice-gorakhpur-terracotta/article31475958.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/gi-tags-to-two-products'
		],
		(int) 10 => [
			'title' => 'Atulya: Microwave Steriliser',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the Defence Institute of Advanced Technology has developed a microwave steriliser named as<strong> &lsquo;Atulya&rsquo;</strong> to disintegrate <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/coronavirus-disease-named-covid-19" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Covid-19</strong></a> virus.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Covid-19 virus gets disintegrated by <strong>differential heating</strong> of Atulya in the range of 56&deg; to 60&deg; Celsius temperatures.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>NOTE:</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Defence Institute of Advanced Technology, Pune is a deemed university supported by <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-national-institutions/defence-research-and-development-organisation-drdo" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).</strong></a></li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Key Points<a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1588319853_image6.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1588319853_image6.png" style="float: right;" width="250" caption="false" /></a></h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Atulya is a cost effective solution, which can be operated in <strong>portable or fixed installations.</strong></li>
<li>It has been tested for human/operator safety and found to be safe.</li>
<li>The time of sterilisation can be varied from 30 seconds to one minute depending upon size and shape of various objects.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Sterilisation</strong> refers to any process that eliminates, removes, kills, or deactivates all forms of life (in particular referring to microorganisms such as fungi, bacteria, viruses, spores, etc.) and other biological agents.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Approximate <strong>weight</strong> of the system is <strong>3 kilogrammes</strong> and<strong> it can be used for non-metallic objects only.</strong></li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1619643" 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/atulya-microwave-steriliser'
		],
		(int) 11 => [
			'title' => 'Global Energy Review 2020 : IEA',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/opec" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>International Energy Agency (IEA)</strong></a> has released a report namely, <strong>Global Energy Review:2020</strong> which also includes the impact of the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/coronavirus-disease-named-covid-19" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Covid-19</strong></a> crisis on global energy demand and CO2 emissions.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/covid-19-and-lockdown" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>imposition of lockdown</strong></a> in several countries has largely restricted transportation such as road and air travel. In turn, the drastic reduction in the global energy demands has been observed.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Global Energy Demands</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The countries in<strong> full lockdown</strong> are experiencing an average decline of <strong>25% in energy demand per week,</strong> while in those with a<strong> partial lockdown,</strong> the fall in energy demand is about <strong>18% per week.</strong></li>
<li>Global energy demand<strong> declined by 3.8%</strong> in the first quarter of 2020 compared to the first quarter of 2019.</li>
<li>Further, it is expected that the impact of Covid‑19 on energy demand in 2020 would be <strong>more than seven times larger</strong> than the impact of the 2008 financial crisis on global energy demand.</li>
<li>Considering the above scenario the global demand of various energy sources can be analysed as given below:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Coal Demand:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It has been declined by 8% compared with the first quarter of 2019.</li>
<li>The reasons for such decline include, China &ndash; a coal-based economy &ndash; was the country hardest hit by Covid‑19 in the first quarter and cheap gas and continued growth in renewables elsewhere challenged coal.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Oil Demand:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It has declined by 5% in the first quarter, majorly due to curtailment in mobility and aviation, which account for nearly 60% of global oil demand.</li>
<li>The report also estimates that the global demand for oil could further drop by 9% on average in 2020, which will return oil consumption to 2012 levels.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Gas Demand:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The impact of the pandemic on gas demand has been <strong>moderate, at around 2%,</strong> as gas-based economies were not strongly affected in the first quarter of 2020.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Renewables Energy Resources Demand:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It is the only source that has <strong>registered a growth in demand,</strong> driven by larger installed capacity.</li>
<li>Further, the demand for renewables is<strong> expected to rise by 1% by 2020</strong> because of low operating costs and preferential access for many power systems.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Electricity Demand:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It has been <strong>declined by 20%</strong> during periods of full lockdown in several countries.</li>
<li>However, the residential demand is outweighed by reductions in commercial and industrial operations.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Covid-19 and CO<sub>2</sub> Emissions</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Overall, the emissions decline in 2020 could be<strong> 8% lower than in 2019,</strong> which would be the lowest level of emissions since 2010.</li>
<li>It is also the largest level of emission reduction &mdash; <strong>six times larger than witnessed during the 2009 financial crisis,</strong> and twice as large as the combined total of all reductions witnessed since World War II.</li>
<li>In the first quarter of 2020, the decline in CO<sub>2</sub> emissions is more than the fall in global energy demand.</li>
</ul>
<h3>India&rsquo;s Energy Demands</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>India, which is <strong>one of the IEA association countries,</strong> has experienced a <strong>reduction in its energy demands by 30%</strong> as a result of the nation-wide lockdown.</li>
<li>Moreover, in India, where economic growth and power production are slowing significantly, the demand for coal is expected to decline steeply. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>China and India are the largest and third-largest electricity users in the world respectively, and coal use is dominant in both these countries shaping the global demand for this fuel.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>International Energy Agency</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The International Energy Agency (IEA) is an autonomous organisation which works to ensure reliable, affordable and clean energy.</li>
<li>It was established in the wake of 1973 (set up in 1974) oil crisis after the OPEC cartel had shocked the world with a steep increase in oil prices.</li>
<li>It is headquartered in Paris, France.</li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/world-energy-outlook-2018" target="_blank" rel="noopener">World Enegry Outlook report</a> is released by IEA annually.</li>
<li><strong>India</strong> became an<strong> associate member</strong> of the International Energy Agency in <strong>2017.</strong></li>
<li>Mexico officially became the International Energy Agency&rsquo;s 30th member country in February 2018, and its first member in Latin America.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/covid-19-lockdown-impact-global-energy-sector-demand-explained-6386515/" 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/global-energy-review-2020-iea'
		],
		(int) 12 => [
			'title' => 'Core Sector Shrinks by 6.5%',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>According to the data released by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, <strong>the eight core sector industries</strong> contracted by 6.5% in March, 2020.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The cumulative growth of eight core sector industries during 2019-20 was 0.6%.</li>
<li>In February, 2020, the eight core sector industries <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/core-sector-growth-at-5-5" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>recorded a growth of 5.5%.</strong></a></li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Seven out of eight core sectors contracted in the month of March.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The contraction was led by steel production, electricity, cement production, natural gas production, fertiliser production, crude oil production and petroleum &amp; refinery production.</li>
<li><strong>Coal was the only core sector</strong> which saw growth.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The contraction in the core sector has occurred <strong>despite the fact that several of the core sector industries were given exemptions under the lockdown.</strong> E.g electricity and steel which are continuous processes and were not stopped.</li>
<li>However, the <strong>movement of goods faced major restrictions</strong> due the nationwide lockdown, <strong>resulting in reduced demand</strong> which led to <strong>reduced production.</strong></li>
<li>The March core sector data also reflected <strong>the cut in capital expenditure</strong> by both state and central governments in order to make up for falling tax revenues.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The <strong>capital expenditure</strong> is defined as the money spent on the acquisition of assets like land, buildings, machinery, equipment, as well as investment in shares.</li>
<li>High capital expenditure usually means more investment by the government towards the creation of infrastructure and other assets that are crucial for rapid economic growth.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Core Sector Industries</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The <strong>eight core sector industries</strong> include coal, crude oil, natural gas, refinery products, fertiliser, steel, cement and electricity</li>
<li>The eight core industries <strong>comprise 40.27% of the weight of items</strong> included in the <strong>Index of Industrial Production (IIP).</strong></li>
<li>The eight Core Industries in <strong>decreasing order</strong> of their weightage: <strong>Refinery Products&gt; Electricity&gt; Steel&gt; Coal&gt; Crude Oil&gt; Natural Gas&gt; Cement&gt; Fertilizers.</strong></li>
</ul>
<table border="1" style="height: 162px; border-collapse: collapse;" width="910">
<tbody>
<tr style="height: 19px;">
<td style="width: 455px; height: 19px; background-color: #9cffd4;"><strong>Industry</strong></td>
<td style="width: 454px; height: 19px; background-color: #9cffd4;"><strong>Weight (In percentage)</strong></td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 19px;">
<td style="width: 455px; height: 19px; background-color: #e8fce1;">Petroleum &amp; Refinery production</td>
<td style="width: 454px; height: 19px; background-color: #e8fce1;">28.04</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 19px;">
<td style="width: 455px; height: 19px; background-color: #e8fce1;">Electricity generation</td>
<td style="width: 454px; height: 19px; background-color: #e8fce1;">19.85</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 19px;">
<td style="width: 455px; height: 19px; background-color: #e8fce1;">Steel production</td>
<td style="width: 454px; height: 19px; background-color: #e8fce1;">17.92</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 19px;">
<td style="width: 455px; height: 19px; background-color: #e8fce1;">Coal production</td>
<td style="width: 454px; height: 19px; background-color: #e8fce1;">10.33</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 19px;">
<td style="width: 455px; height: 19px; background-color: #e8fce1;">Crude Oil production</td>
<td style="width: 454px; height: 19px; background-color: #e8fce1;">8.98</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 19px;">
<td style="width: 455px; height: 19px; background-color: #e8fce1;">Natural Gas production</td>
<td style="width: 454px; height: 19px; background-color: #e8fce1;">6.88</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 19px;">
<td style="width: 455px; height: 19px; background-color: #e8fce1;">Cement production</td>
<td style="width: 454px; height: 19px; background-color: #e8fce1;">5.37</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 19px;">
<td style="width: 455px; height: 19px; background-color: #e8fce1;">Fertilizers production</td>
<td style="width: 454px; height: 19px; background-color: #e8fce1;">2.63</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<h3>Index of Industrial Production</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Index of Industrial Production (IIP) is an indicator that<strong> measures the changes in the volume of production of industrial products</strong> during a given period.</li>
<li>It is compiled and published monthly by the <strong>National Statistical Office (NSO), Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation.</strong></li>
<li>IIP is a <strong>composite indicator</strong> that measures the growth rate of industry groups classified under:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Broad sectors,</strong> namely, Mining, Manufacturing, and Electricity.</li>
<li><strong>Use-based sectors,</strong> namely Basic Goods, Capital Goods, and Intermediate Goods.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Base Year</strong> for IIP is <strong>2011-2012.</strong></li>
<li>The <strong>eight core industries</strong> of India represent <strong>about 40% of the weight of items</strong> that are included in the IIP.</li>
<li><strong>Significance of IIP :</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It is <strong>used by government agencies</strong> including the Ministry of Finance, the Reserve Bank of India, etc, for policy-making purposes.</li>
<li>IIP remains extremely relevant for the calculation of the quarterly and<strong> advance GDP estimates.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/business/Economy/march-core-sector-output-slumps-65/article31477076.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/core-sector-shrinks-by-6-5'
		],
		(int) 13 => [
			'title' => 'Year End Review 2019: Department of Atomic Energy',
			'catname' => 'Paper 2',
			'desc' => '<h3>Important Policies and Programmes</h3>
<p><strong>Nuclear Power Programme</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Kaiga Atomic Power Station (KGS-1) has set the world record of 962 days of continuous operation.</li>
<li>Tarapur Atomic Power Station Units (TAPS 1 &amp;2), connected to the grid in April and May 1969, have completed 50 years of safe operation. TAPS- 1&amp;2 are currently the oldest operating power reactors in the world, producing reliable power at about two rupees per unit.</li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/nuclear-power-plants-in-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>At present, there are 22 reactors</strong></a> with an installed capacity of 6780 MWe operating above 80% plant load factor in the country.</li>
</ul>
<table border="1" style="border-collapse: collapse;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="vertical-align: top; background-color: #0026ff; width: 34.5114%;"><span style="color: #ffffff;"><strong>Nuclear Power plants in Operation</strong></span></td>
<td style="vertical-align: top; background-color: #0026ff; width: 30.7692%;"><span style="color: #ffffff;"><strong>Nuclear Power Plants under Construction</strong></span></td>
<td style="vertical-align: top; background-color: #0026ff; width: 34.6154%;"><span style="color: #ffffff;"><strong>Planned Nuclear Power Plants</strong></span></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="vertical-align: top; background-color: #dcecfc; width: 34.5114%;">
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Rawatbhata (Rajasthan)</li>
<li>Tarapur (Maharashtra)</li>
<li>Kudankulam (Tamil Nadu)</li>
<li>Kakrapar (Gujarat)</li>
<li>Kalpakkam (Tamil Nadu)</li>
<li>Narora (Uttar Pradesh)</li>
<li>Kaiga (Karnataka)</li>
</ul>
</td>
<td style="vertical-align: top; background-color: #dcecfc; width: 30.7692%;">
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Kakrapar 3&amp;4 (Gujarat)</li>
<li>Rawatbhata (Rajasthan)</li>
<li>Kudankulam 3&amp;4 (Tamil Nadu)</li>
<li>Kalpakkam PFBR (Tamil Nadu)</li>
</ul>
</td>
<td style="vertical-align: top; background-color: #dcecfc; width: 34.6154%;">
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Jaitapur (Maharashtra)</li>
<li>Kovvada (Andhra Pradesh)</li>
<li>Mithi Virdi (Gujarat)</li>
<li>Haripur (West Bengal)</li>
<li>Gorakhpur (Haryana)</li>
<li>Bhimpur (Madhya Pradesh)</li>
<li>Mahi Banswara (Rajasthan)</li>
<li>Kaiga (Karnataka)</li>
<li>Chutka (Madhya Pradesh)</li>
<li>Tarapur (Maharashtra)</li>
</ul>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Among these eighteen reactors are Pressurised Heavy Water Reactors (PHWRs) and four are Light Water Reactors (LWRs).<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/nuclear-energy-conclave" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>nuclear energy programme</strong></a> in India was launched around the time of independence under the leadership of Homi J Bhabha.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor (PFBR) is being implemented by the Bharatiya Nabhikiya Vidyut Nigam Limited (BHAVINI), a wholly owned Enterprise of the Government of India under the administrative control of the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE).</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Indian Nuclear Energy Programme</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The main objectives of the <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/india-s-prospects-as-a-nuclear-power" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Indian Nuclear Energy programme</strong></a> are to provide safe and reliable electric power for the country&rsquo;s social and economic progress and to be self reliant in all aspects of nuclear technology.</li>
<li>Exploration of atomic minerals in India, undertaken since the early fifties, has indicated that <strong>India has limited reserves of uranium</strong> (natural uranium consists of mostly 238U, with 0.7 % 235U), but <strong>fairly abundant reserves of thorium (232Th).</strong></li>
<li>Accordingly, India has adopted a three stage strategy of nuclear power generation:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Stage 1 Pressurised Heavy Water Reactor (PHWR):</strong> The PHWR is a pressure tube type reactor using heavy water (D2O) moderator, heavy water coolant and natural uranium dioxide fuel. Considering the growing energy demands and the necessity to increase the energy potential, a second line of light water reactors have been added to the current indigenous programme of Pressurised Heavy Water Reactors.</li>
<li><strong>Stage 2 Fast Breeder Reactor (FBR):</strong> India&rsquo;s second stage of nuclear power generation uses the Pu-239 obtained from the first stage reactor operation, as the main fissile element of fuel core in fast breeder reactors (FBR). A blanket of U-238 surrounding the fuel core undergoes nuclear transmutation to produce fresh Pu-239 as more and more Pu-239 is consumed during the operation. The Fast Breeder Programme is in the technology demonstration stage. Sodium, because of its good heat transfer and nuclear properties, is used as the coolant to remove the heat generated in the reactor.</li>
<li><strong>Stage 3 Thorium based Reactor:</strong> Thorium utilization is the long term objective of the Indian Nuclear Power Programme. The third phase of India&rsquo;s Nuclear Power Generation programme is breeder reactors based on Thorium- Uranium-233 cycle.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1588250181_image7.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1588250181_image7.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="650" caption="false" /></a></h3>
<h3>Civil Nuclear Cooperation</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Progress has been made in India&rsquo;s bilateral international engagement in civil nuclear cooperation with major partners.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Discussions are underway with Russia (ROSATOM) for building 6x1200 MWe nuclear power plant at a new site.</li>
<li>Negotiations with France are in an advanced stage for implementation of the Jaitapur project (6x1650 MWe).</li>
<li>Discussions are underway with USA for building 6x1100 MWe nuclear power plant in Kovvada (A.P.)</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Significant outcomes have been achieved in fuel supply arrangements with major global suppliers viz, Canada, Kazakhstan and Australia.</li>
</ul>
<h3>NCG-Vishwam Cancer Care Connect</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>DAE has launched a global cancer care network,<strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/cancer-care-infrastructure" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> &ldquo;National Cancer Grid (NCG)-Vishwam Cancer Care Connect&rdquo; (NCG-Vishwam 3C)</a> </strong>on 17<sup>th</sup> September 2019.</li>
<li>NCG-Vishwam envisages integration of the hospitals and relevant cancer care institutes in partner countries with the National Cancer Grid (NCG) of India.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>National Cancer Grid</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>National Cancer Grid (NCG)</strong> is a <strong>network of major cancer centers, research institutes, patient groups and charitable institutions across India</strong> with the mandate of establishing uniform standards of patient care for prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of cancer, providing specialized training and education in oncology and facilitating collaborative basic, translational and clinical research in cancer.</li>
<li>It was formed in <strong>August 2012.</strong></li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Glass Vitrified Cesium Pencil</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>World&rsquo;s first of its kind Glass vitrified Cesium pencil, extracted from high level radioactive waste for blood irradiation application has been developed and 7 such blood irradiators have been supplied to hospitals.</li>
<li>The irradiation of blood is very much essential to prevent Transfusion Associated &ndash; Graft Vs Host Disease (TA-GVHD) particularly for immune-deficient patients. Various qualities of Cesium, such as longer half life, lower shielding requirement and amenability to be used in non dispersive glass form makes it a more suitable irradiation source over the currently used Cobalt-60.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Radiopharmaceuticals</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Ready to use 4 new Radiopharmaceuticals for imaging of Neuro-endocrinetumours, bone pain palliation, and treatment of liver have been launched. These are in addition to 14 varieties of medicinal radioisotopes/radiopharmaceutical products developed and supplied for diagnostics, therapeutics and palletic use.</li>
<li>Radiopharmaceuticals are unique medicinal formulations containing radioisotopes which are used in major clinical areas for diagnosis and/or therapy.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Radioisotopes</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Different isotopes of the same element have the same number of protons in their atomic nuclei but differing numbers of neutrons.</li>
<li>Radioisotopes are radioactive isotopes of an element. They can also be defined as atoms that contain an unstable combination of neutrons and protons, or excess energy in their nucleus.</li>
<li>Some radioisotopes used in nuclear medicine have short half-lives, which means they decay quickly and are suitable for diagnostic purposes; others with longer half-lives take more time to decay, which makes them suitable for therapeutic purposes.</li>
<li>Industry uses radioisotopes in a variety of ways to improve productivity and gain information that cannot be obtained in any other way.</li>
</ul>
</div>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/to-the-points/Paper2/year-end-review-2019-department-of-atomic-energy'
		],
		(int) 14 => [
			'title' => 'Rights of Minority Institutes not Absolute: SC',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-national-institutions/supreme-court-of-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Supreme Court of India</strong></a> gave its judgement on the <strong>admission criteria of minority institutions.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It held that <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/national-testing-agency-postpones-neet-2020" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test</strong> </a><strong>(NEET)</strong> is mandatory for admission to all the medical colleges and the <strong>right of minority institutions is not absolute and is amenable to regulation.</strong></li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Background:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Few colleges challenged the notifications issued by the <strong>Medical Council of India</strong> (MCI) and the <strong>Dental Council of India</strong> (DCI) under <strong>Sections 10D of the Indian Medical Council Act of 1956 and the Dentists Act of 1948</strong> for <strong>uniform entrance</strong> examinations.</li>
<li>The management of such minority-run medical institutions held that <strong>uniformly bringing them under the ambit of NEET</strong> would be a <strong>violation of their fundamental right</strong> to <strong>occupation, trade and business [Article 19(1)(g)]</strong> and would <strong>violate</strong> their<strong> fundamental rights of religious freedom and to manage their religious affairs (Article 25-28) and to administer their institutions (Article 30).</strong></li>
<li>Few petitioners claimed that <strong>rules notified by Andhra Pradesh government are violative of rights of minority educational institutions</strong> under <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/state-can-regulate-minority-institutions-sc" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Article 30(1) of the Constitution.</strong></a></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Highlights of the Judgement:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The SC held that the <strong>fundamental and religious rights of minorities</strong> and rights available under Article 30 are <strong>not violated by provisions</strong> carved out in Section 10D of the MCI and Dentists Act.</li>
<li>The <strong>right to freedom of trade or business is not absolute.</strong> It is subject to <strong>reasonable restriction</strong> in the interest of the students&rsquo; community to<strong> promote merit, recognition of excellence, and to curb the malpractices.</strong> A uniform entrance test qualifies the test of proportionality and is reasonable.</li>
<li>The <strong>NEET is mandatory for admission to medical colleges run by religious and linguistic minority communities</strong> and it would<strong> apply for both aided and unaided</strong> medical colleges administered by minorities.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>NEET was started to <strong>check several malpractices in the medical education,</strong> to <strong>prevent capitation fee</strong> by admitting students which are lower in merit and to <strong>prevent exploitation, profiteering, and commercialisation</strong> of education.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Uniform entrance exams will<strong> ensure improvement in future public health</strong> by encouraging merit which will further enhance the <a href="/mains-practice-question/question-180" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Directive Principles</strong></a> enshrined in the Constitution.</li>
<li>The SC also upheld <strong>rules framed by the Andhra Pradesh government</strong> making <strong>Secondary School Certificate (SSC)/Transfer Certificate (TC) the basis for a candidate&rsquo;s claim of minority status for admission to B.Ed courses.</strong> The rules also<strong> require minority institutions to allot vacant seats under management quota to non-minority students on merit.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Major Issues:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It was noted that<strong> conversion certificates were obtained by students</strong> from other communities for admission under the management quota.</li>
<li>According to statistical data, <strong>minority seats are highly disproportionate</strong> and <strong>far in excess</strong> due to the number of colleges and total seats availability.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Upholding the Andhra Pradesh government&rsquo;s rules will <strong>safeguard the interests of genuine minority students</strong> against the false overnight conversions.</li>
<li>Providing admission to non-minority students will also <strong>not interfere with the right of a Minority Educational Institution</strong> to manage its affairs for the benefit of the Minority Community.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Minority Educational Institutions</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The term <strong>&lsquo;minority&rsquo;</strong> has <strong>not been defined anywhere in the Constitution.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Article 30</strong> grants the following rights to minorities, whether religious or linguistic:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>All minorities shall have the <strong>right to establish and administer educational institutions</strong> of their choice.</li>
<li>The<strong> compensation</strong> amount fixed by the State for the compulsory acquisition of any property of a minority educational institution<strong> shall not restrict or abrogate the right guaranteed</strong> to them. (added by the <strong>44<sup>th</sup> Amendment Act of 1978)</strong></li>
<li>In granting aid, the<strong> State shall not discriminate</strong> against any educational institution managed by a minority.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Minority educational institutions are of three types:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Institutions that <strong>seek recognition as well as aid</strong> from the State.</li>
<li>Institutions that <strong>seek only recognition</strong> from the State and <strong>not aid.</strong></li>
<li>Institutions that <strong>neither seek recognition nor aid</strong> from the State.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The institutions of<strong> first and second type are subject to the regulatory power of the state</strong> with regard to syllabus prescription, academic standards, discipline, sanitation, employment of teaching staff and so on. The institutions of<strong> third type are free to administer their affairs but subject to operation of general laws</strong> like contract law, labour law, industrial law, tax law, economic regulations, and so on.</li>
<li>The SC <strong>allowed the minority educational institutions to admit eligible students of their choice</strong> and to <strong>set up a reasonable fee structure</strong> in the judgement delivered in the <strong>Secretary of Malankara Syrian Catholic College case (2007).</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>However, it also held that the<strong> right to establish and administer educational institutions is not absolute.</strong> Nor does it include the right to maladminister.</li>
<li>There can be regulatory measures for ensuring educational character and standards and maintaining academic excellence.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/education/neet-applies-to-minority-run-medical-colleges-supreme-court/article31465082.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: TH</strong></a>/<strong><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/india/supreme-court-right-of-minority-institutions-not-absolute-amenable-to-rules-6029473/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">IE</a></strong></p>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/rights-of-minority-institutes-not-absolute-sc'
		],
		(int) 15 => [
			'title' => 'Mutual Funds and Emerging Indian Economy',
			'catname' => 'News Editorials',
			'desc' => '<div class="border">
<p>This article is based on <a href="https://www.business-standard.com/article/opinion/why-franklin-type-fiasco-will-keep-repeating-120042601138_1.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>&ldquo;Why Franklin-type fiasco will keep repeating&rdquo;</strong></a> which was published in the Business standard on 27/04/2020. It talks about the Franklin Templeton Crisis and its impact on the overall Mutual fund market in India.</p>
</div>
<p>India is going through a phase of Demographic Dividend, where the working population forms nearly 65% of total population, the venture of investments in the Bond market like Mutual Fund (MF) provides for ample opportunities of growth in India&rsquo;s financial sector.</p>
<p>However, due to the recent <strong>Franklin Templeton Crisis,</strong> the Mutual Fund industry is currently experiencing a state of flux. This incident could well trigger a systemic crisis of confidence for investors and there are concerns over its possible ripple effects on the overall financial market.</p>
<h3>Franklin Templeton Mutual Fund Crisis</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Franklin Templeton Mutual Fund has decided to wind up six debt schemes that held more than Rs 27,000 crore.</li>
<li>The fund house held that investors will not be able to redeem their investments for the time being as the fund</li>
<li>house has barred both purchases and redemptions.</li>
<li>This decision was taken as the value of Mutual funds was getting eroded following the lack of liquidity on account of the Covid-19 impact on markets.</li>
<li>The Reserve Bank of India&rsquo;s decision to open a special facility to ensure the availability of adequate liquidity for the mutual fund industry is a timely move in signalling to investors that the central bank is alert to the need to preserve financial stability in these challenging times.</li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/rbi-s-liquidity-offer-for-mutual-funds" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>RBI has assigned ₹50,000 crore</strong></a> exclusively for commercial banks to lend to mutual funds. With this step, RBI wants to contain any liquidity crunch in the mutual fund market.</li>
</ul>
<h3>What is a Mutual Fund?</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>A mutual fund collects money from investors and invests the money, on their behalf, in securities (debt, equity or both).</li>
<li>It charges a small fee for managing the money.</li>
<li>Mutual fund sectors are one of the fastest growing sectors in Indian economy that have potential for sustained future growth.</li>
<li>Mutual funds make saving and investing simple and affordable. Anybody with an investible surplus of as little as a few hundred rupees can invest in mutual funds.</li>
<li>The other advantages of mutual funds include professional management, diversification, variety, liquidity, convenience as well as strict government regulations and full disclosure.</li>
<li><a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-national-institutions/securities-and-exchange-board-of-india-sebi" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>SEBI</strong></a> is the regulatory body to control and regulate the securities market and mutual funds industry in India.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/initial-public-offer-ipo" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Infrastructure investment Trust (InvIt) and Real estate Investment Trust (ReITs)</strong></a> are examples of <strong>mutual funds.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Issues Related to Mutual Fund Market</h3>
<p><strong>Investments Are Subject to Market Risk</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The mutual funds investment in companies even with weaker balance sheets do well during the period of higher growth rate with no undue pressure of liquidity.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>However, when there is stress in the economy, such weaker balance sheets and high leverage are the first to default.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Further, Indian Financial markets are volatile: nearly 30% of market value of India&rsquo;s stock exchange have eroded in the last 4 months.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>This lowers the attraction towards mutual funds as a lucrative investment option and affects the overall economy.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>No Accountability of Credit Rating Agencies</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Fund Houses abdicate their responsibility to credit rating agencies. Based on these ratings of assets (AAA rated assets - being the most secure investment option) done by these agencies, investments are made.</li>
<li>However, sometimes even the most secure investment/companies that default or engage in corrupt practices.</li>
<li>Moreover, there is no accountability of these agencies.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Menace of Misinformation</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The main objective of the fund houses is asset-gathering, and don't play the fiduciary role as a trustee of other people&rsquo;s money.</li>
<li>Moreover, Debt investment is the specialised domain of a small group of finance professionals. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Many investors in mutual funds don&rsquo;t even understand that debt schemes are mislabelled as fixed-income schemes, which give investors the impression that they are similar to fixed deposits.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>SEBI should revise rules to crack down on mis-labelling and mis-selling, and segregate debt funds run for institutional and retail investors.</li>
<li>Regulatory reforms, such as a simplified KYC to make onboarding hassle-free; making Aadhar interchangeable with PAN; and allowing investments on the basis of Bank KYC, should be taken.</li>
<li>Technology will be the biggest enabler for growth as mutual funds are already noticing increasing traction from online channels like fintech platforms, mobile apps and websites.</li>
<li>There is a need to fix the accountability of credit-rating companies and fund companies.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>This can be done by linking their income to returns and/or certain outcomes.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p>There is a need to engage domestic investment in India&rsquo;s financial market. This will reduce dependence on the foregin investment (hot money), which in turn, will curb volatility and provide stability to Indian financial market.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1588244646_image4.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1588244646_image4.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="500" caption="false" /></a></p>
<table border="1" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="width: 100%; border-style: dotted; border-color: #ff0000; background-color: #e8fffb;">
<p><span style="color: #000080;"><em><strong>Drishti Mains Question</strong></em></span></p>
<p>Discuss the challenges and solutions pertaining to the Mutual Funds market In India.</p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p style="text-align: center;"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/quKLI7n90x0" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p>
<p>This editorial is based on <strong><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/editorial/signalling-support-the-hindu-editorial-on-rbi-relief-for-mutual-funds/article31457485.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener">&ldquo;Signalling support: On RBI relief for mutual funds&rdquo;</a></strong> which was published in The Hindu on April 29<sup>th</sup>, 2020. Now watch this on our Youtube channel.</p>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/mutual-funds-and-emerging-indian-economy'
		],
		(int) 16 => [
			'title' => 'New List of Names of Tropical Cyclones',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>The <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/india-warming-trends" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>India Meteorological Department (IMD)</strong></a> has released a list with the names of 169 <a href="/to-the-points/Paper2/year-end-review-ministry-of-earth-sciences" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>tropical cyclones</strong></a> that are likely to emerge over the north Indian Ocean, including the Bay of Bengal and the Indian Ocean.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The report was adopted by WMO/ESCAP Panel on Tropical Cyclones (PTC) with consensus in April, 2020.</li>
<li>The current list has a total of 169 names including 13 names each for 13 WMO/ESCAP member countries.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>IMD, one of the six <strong>Regional Specialised Meteorological Centres (RSMC)</strong> in the world, is mandated to <strong>issue advisories and name tropical cyclones</strong> in the north Indian Ocean region.</li>
<li>The advisories are issued to <strong>13 member countries under WMO/ESCAP Panel</strong> including Bangladesh, India, Iran, Maldives, Myanmar, Oman, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Sri Lanka, Thailand, United Arab Emirates and Yemen.</li>
<li><strong>Benefits of naming :</strong> Naming of tropical cyclones helps the scientific community, disaster managers, media and general masses to<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Identify each individual cyclone.</li>
<li>Create awareness of its development.</li>
<li>Remove confusion in case of simultaneous occurrence of tropical cyclones over a region.</li>
<li>Remember a tropical cyclone easily,</li>
<li>Rapidly and effectively disseminate warnings to a much wider audience.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Naming of the Tropical Cyclones</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The <strong>WMO/ESCAP Panel on Tropical Cyclones (PTC)</strong> at its 27<sup>th</sup> Session held in 2000 in Muscat, Oman agreed in principle to assign names to the tropical cyclones in the <strong>Bay of Bengal and Arabian Sea.</strong></li>
<li>The naming of the tropical cyclones over the north Indian Ocean <strong>commenced from September 2004.</strong></li>
<li>This list contained names proposed by then<strong> eight member countries</strong> of WMO/ESCAP PTC, viz., Bangladesh, India, Maldives, Myanmar, Oman, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Thailand.</li>
<li>The requirement for a fresh list of tropical cyclones <strong>including representation from five new member countries:</strong> Iran, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates and Yemen (total 13 member countries) was tabled during the<strong> 45<sup>th</sup> session of WMO/ESCAP, held in September 2018.&nbsp;</strong>The session was hosted by <strong>Oman.</strong></li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Panel on Tropical Cyclones</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The <strong>World Meteorological Organization (WMO)</strong> and the <strong>Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP)</strong> jointly established the <strong>Panel on Tropical Cyclones (PTC)in 1972 as an intergovernmental body.</strong></li>
<li>Its membership comprises countries affected by <strong>tropical cyclones in the Bay of Bengal and the Arabian Sea.</strong></li>
<li>The Panel is one of the five <strong>regional tropical cyclone bodies</strong> established as part of the <strong>WMO Tropical Cyclone Programme (TCP)</strong> which aims at promoting and coordinating the planning and implementation of measures to <strong>mitigate tropical cyclone disasters</strong> on a worldwide basis. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>For this purpose, there are Regional Specialized Meteorological Centre (RSMC)- Tropical cyclone and Tropical Cyclone Warning Centres (TCWC) for different regions.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The main objective of the WMO/ESCAP Panel on Tropical Cyclones is to promote measures to<strong> improve tropical cyclone warning systems in the Bay of Bengal and the Arabian Sea.</strong></li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Tropical Cyclone</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Tropical cyclone is an intense circular storm that <strong>originates over warm tropical oceans</strong> and is characterized by low atmospheric pressure, high winds, and heavy rain.</li>
<li>A characteristic feature of tropical cyclones is the eye, a <strong>central region of clear skies, warm temperatures, and low atmospheric pressure.</strong></li>
<li>Storms of this type are called <strong>hurricanes in the North Atlantic and eastern Pacific and typhoons in SouthEast Asia and China.</strong> They are called <strong>tropical cyclones in the southwest Pacific and Indian Ocean region.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Formation:&nbsp;</strong>Tropical cyclones<strong> form near the equator and gain their energy from the heat</strong> that is released when water vapour condenses into rain.</li>
<li>In the <strong>southern hemisphere storms rotate clockwise and anti-clockwise in the northern hemisphere.</strong></li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=1619051" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: PIB</strong></a></p>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/new-list-of-names-of-tropical-cyclones'
		],
		(int) 17 => [
			'title' => 'UNESCO',
			'catname' => 'International Institutions',
			'desc' => '<p>&ldquo;Since wars begin in the minds of men and women, it is in the minds of men and women that the defences of peace must be constructed&rdquo; - UNESCO</p>
<p><strong>United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)</strong> is a specialized agency of the <strong><a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/united-nations-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">United Nations (UN)</a></strong>. It seeks to <strong>build peace through international cooperation in Education, the Sciences and Culture.</strong></p>
<p>It is also a member of the <strong>United Nations Sustainable Development Group (UNSDG),</strong> a coalition of UN agencies and organizations aimed at fulfilling the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>UNESCO&rsquo;s <strong>Headquarters</strong> are located in <strong>Paris</strong> and the Organization has more than 50 field offices around the world.</li>
<li>It has <strong>193 Members and 11 Associate Members</strong> (As of April 2020) and is governed by the General Conference and the Executive Board.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Three UNESCO member states are not UN members: <strong>Cook Islands, Niue, and Palestine.</strong></li>
<li>While three UN member states <strong>(Israel, Liechtenstein, United States)</strong> are not UNESCO members.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Objectives</h3>
<p>UNESCO focuses on a set of objectives such as:</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Attaining quality education for all and lifelong learning</li>
<li>Mobilizing science knowledge and policy for sustainable development</li>
<li>Addressing emerging social and ethical challenges</li>
<li>Fostering cultural diversity, intercultural dialogue and a culture of peace</li>
<li>Building inclusive knowledge societies through information and communication</li>
<li>Focuses on global priority areas - <strong>&ldquo;Africa&rdquo; and &ldquo;Gender Equality&rdquo;.</strong></li>
</ul>
<h3>History</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>In 1942, during the Second World War, the governments of the European countries, which were confronting Germany and its allies, met in the United Kingdom for the <strong>Conference of Allied Ministers of Education (CAME).</strong></li>
<li>Upon the proposal of CAME, a United Nations Conference for the establishment of an educational and cultural organization was convened in London in November 1945.</li>
<li>At the end of the conference, UNESCO was founded on 16 November 1945.</li>
<li>The <strong>first session</strong> of the General Conference of UNESCO was held in<strong> Paris</strong> during November-December of 1946.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Areas of Specialization of UNESCO</h3>
<p><strong>Education Transforms Lives</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Education transforms lives and is at the heart of UNESCO&rsquo;s mission to build peace, eradicate poverty and drive sustainable development.</li>
<li>The Organization is the only United Nations agency with a mandate to cover all aspects of education.</li>
<li>It has been entrusted to <strong>lead the Global Education 2030 Agenda</strong> through Sustainable Development Goal - 4. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>&lsquo;Education 2030 Framework for Action&rsquo; (Incheon Declaration)</strong> is the roadmap to achieve the global education 2030 agenda..</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Its work encompasses educational development from pre-school to higher education and beyond.</li>
<li>Themes include global citizenship and sustainable development, human rights and gender equality, health and HIV and AIDS, as well as technical and vocational skills development.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Protecting Our Heritage and Fostering Creativity</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It is becoming a fact that no development can be sustainable without a strong culture component.</li>
<li>UNESCO has adopted a <strong>three-pronged approach</strong> to make culture takes it rightful place in development strategies and processes:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Spearheads worldwide advocacy</strong> for culture and development.</li>
<li><strong>Engages with the international community</strong> to set clear policies and legal frameworks</li>
<li>Works on the ground to <strong>support governments and local stakeholders</strong> to safeguard heritage, strengthen creative industries and encourage cultural pluralism.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Some important conventions and International treaties of UNESCO to protect and safeguard the world&rsquo;s cultural and natural heritage:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions (2005)</li>
<li>The Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage (2003)</li>
<li>The Universal Declaration on Cultural Diversity (2001)</li>
<li>The Convention on the Protection of the Underwater Cultural Heritage (2001)</li>
<li>The Convention for the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage (1972)</li>
<li>The Convention on the Means of Prohibiting and Preventing the Illicit Traffic of Cultural Property (1970)</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Science for a Sustainable Future</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Science equips us to find solutions to today&rsquo;s acute economic, social and environmental challenges and to achieving sustainable development and greener societies.</li>
<li>UNESCO works to assist countries to invest in Science, Technology and Innovation (STI), to develop national science policies, to reform their science systems and to build capacity to monitor and evaluate performance through STI indicators..</li>
<li>Also, UNESCO works with its member states to foster informed decisions about the use of science and technology, in particular in the field of bioethics.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Social and Human Sciences</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>UNESCO helps to enable people to create and use knowledge for just and inclusive societies, support them in understanding each other and working together to build lasting peace.</li>
<li>It promotes mutual understanding among member states through its intergovernmental Programme like <strong>Management of Social Transformations (MOST),</strong> its <strong>Youth Programme</strong> and the<strong> Culture of Peace and Non-Violence Programme</strong> which include initiatives for democracy and global citizenship, intercultural dialogue, peace-building.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Communication and Information</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>UNESCO <strong>advances freedom of expression</strong> and the safety of journalists, combats online hate speech, as well as disinformation and misinformation through awareness raising initiatives.</li>
<li>It also supports universal access to information and knowledge through promoting Open Solutions, including Open Educational Resources, access for marginalized people, and multilingualism in Cyberspace.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Global Priorities Of UNESCO - &lsquo;Africa&rsquo; and &lsquo;Gender Equality&rsquo;</h3>
<p><strong>Africa</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>UNESCO is attentive to 54 African countries with a stronger and better-targeted strategy.</li>
<li>The adoption of the <strong>African Union Agenda 2063</strong> and the <strong>2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development</strong> paving the ground for the African Economic Community and the African Renaissance.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Gender Equality</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>UNESCO holds that women and men must enjoy equal opportunities, choices, capabilities, power and knowledge as equal citizens.</li>
<li>Equipping girls and boys, women and men with the knowledge, values, attitudes and skills to tackle gender disparities is a precondition to building a sustainable future for all.</li>
<li>Some important initiatives to achieve the objective of Gender equality are: <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>UNESCO Priority Gender Equality Action Plan</li>
<li>Gender Equality Tools</li>
<li>Gender Views</li>
<li>Gender-related UNESCO Chairs and Networks</li>
<li>UNESCO Prize for Girls&rsquo; and Women&rsquo;s Education</li>
<li>UNESCO Youth Mobile</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Some of the Important Initiatives of UNESCO</h3>
<p><strong>World Heritage Convention and List</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>World Heritage Convention -1972 links together the concepts of nature conservation and the preservation of cultural properties.</li>
<li>The Convention defines the kind of natural or cultural sites (World Heritage Sites) which can be considered for inscription on the <strong>World Heritage List.</strong></li>
<li>The States Parties of convention are encouraged to integrate the protection of the cultural and natural heritage into regional planning programmes, set up staff and services at their sites, undertake scientific and technical conservation research.</li>
<li>It explains how the <strong>World Heritage Fund</strong> is to be used and managed.</li>
<li>Globally there are 1121 World Heritage sites in the 167 countries. Meanwhile, India has 38 <a href="/to-the-points/paper1/world-heritage-sites-in-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>World Heritage Sites</strong></a> that include 30 Cultural properties, 7 Natural properties and 1 mixed site</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Programme</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It is an<strong> intergovernmental scientific programme</strong> that aims to establish a scientific basis for enhancing the relationship between people and their environments.</li>
<li>It promotes innovative approaches to economic development that are socially and culturally appropriate and environmentally sustainable.</li>
<li>The <strong>World Network of Biosphere Reserves</strong> currently counts 701 sites in 124 countries all over the world, including 21 transboundary sites.</li>
<li>India has <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/biosphere-reserves-in-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>18 Biosphere reserves</strong></a> out of which 11 have been recognized internationally under Man and Biosphere (MAB) program:</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>International Geoscience and Global Geoparks Programme (IGGP)</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>International Geoscience Programme (IGCP)</strong> harnesses the intellectual capacity of a worldwide network of geoscientists to lay the foundation for our planet&rsquo;s future, focusing on responsible resource extraction, natural hazard resilience and preparedness, and adaptability in the era of a changing climate.</li>
<li><strong>UNESCO Global Geoparks (UGGp)</strong> are laboratories for sustainable development which promote the recognition and management of Earth heritage, and the sustainability of local communities. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>As of April 2019, there are 147 UNESCO Global Geoparks within 41 Member States, covering a total area of 288,000 km&sup2;</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>International Hydrological Programme (IHP)</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Intergovernmental Hydrological Programme (IHP) is the only intergovernmental programme of the United Nations system devoted to water research and management, and related education and capacity development</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>World Water Assessment Programme (WWAP)</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The growing global water crisis threatens the security, stability and environmental sustainability of developing nations.</li>
<li>The programme focuses on assessing the developing situation of freshwater throughout the world. It also coordinates the work of 31 UN-Water members and partners in the <strong>World Water Development Report (WWDR).</strong></li>
</ul>
<p><strong>International Basic Sciences Programme (IBSP)</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It is an international multidisciplinary programme established by UNESCO Member States in order to reinforce intergovernmental cooperation in science to strengthen national capacities in the basic sciences and science education.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Important Reports of UNESCO</h3>
<p><strong>UNESCO Science Report</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>UNESCO Science Report maps Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) governance around the world on a regular basis. The report is published every five years, on 10 November, to mark <strong>World Science Day for Peace and Development.</strong></li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Global Education Monitoring Report</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Global Education Monitoring (GEM) Report carries out its assessment of progress towards the Sustainable Development Goal on education (SDG4) and its 10 targets, as well as other related education targets in the SDG agenda.</li>
<li>The report examines different accountability mechanisms that are used to hold governments, schools, teachers, parents, the international community, and the private sector accountable for inclusive, equitable and quality education.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>McBride Report of 1980</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The comprehensive report of the MacBride Commission is also named<strong> &ldquo;Many Voices, OneWorld&rdquo;.</strong></li>
<li>It analyzed communication problems in modern societies, particularly relating to mass media and news, consider the emergence of new technologies, and to suggest a kind of communication order (<strong>New World Information and Communication Order</strong>) to diminish these problems to further peace and human development</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>UNESCO State of the Education Report for India: Children With Disabilities</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The 2019 report is the first edition of the annual report to be published by UNESCO in India.</li>
<li>It highlights accomplishments and challenges with regards to the right to education of children with disabilities (CWDs).</li>
<li>UNESCO&rsquo;s State of the Education Report 2019 is expected to help the education system better respond to the learning needs of CWDs. This will enable significant progress towards our collective objective of leaving no one behind and provide to all children and youth equitable opportunities for quality learning.</li>
</ul>
<h3>UNESCO And INDIA</h3>
<p><strong>Indian National Commission for Cooperation with UNESCO (INCCU)</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>India has been a member of the UNESCO since its inception in 1946.</li>
<li>UNESCO constitution requires that each Member State should have a principle body that shall work with the Organization. Thus, in India, <strong>Indian National Commission for Cooperation with UNESCO (INCCU)</strong> was commissioned.</li>
<li>UNESCO has two Offices in India<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The<strong> New Delhi cluster office</strong> for eleven countries in South and Central Asia (Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Iran, Maldives, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka)</li>
<li>The <strong>MGIEP &ndash; the Mahatma Gandhi Institute of Education for Peace</strong> and Sustainable Development fully supported and funded by the Government of India.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>UNESCO&rsquo;s International Prizes and India</h3>
<p><strong>UNESCO-Madanjeet Singh Prize for the Promotion of Tolerance and Non-Violence</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It is established through the generous donation of the UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador, Indian artist, writer and diplomat Mr Madanjeet Singh, the prize honors his lifelong commitment to the cause of peace and tolerance.</li>
<li>The creation of the Prize in 1995 marked the United Nations Year for Tolerance and the 125<sup>th</sup> anniversary of the birth of Mahatma Gandhi.</li>
<li>Since 1996, the Prize has been awarded every two years and, since 2002, it amounts to US $ 100,000.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>The UNESCO Kalinga Prize for the Popularization of Science</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It is an international distinction created by UNESCO in 1951 following a donation from Mr Bijoyanand Patnaik, Founder and President of the Kalinga Foundation Trust in India.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1588248520_Image3.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1588248520_Image3.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="600" caption="false" /></a></p>
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		(int) 18 => [
			'title' => 'Aero India',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the Ministry of Defence has announced that the <strong>13<sup>th</sup> edition of Aero India</strong> will be held from February 3 to 7, 2021 at Air Force Station Yelahanka (Karnataka).</p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Aero India is a<strong> biennial international military and civil airshow.</strong></li>
<li>It is a premier event that draws<strong> international and Indian military and civil aircraft makers,</strong> their support industries, military brass and government dignitaries, and business visitors.</li>
<li>The Yelahanka air base, about 30 km from the city centre Bangluru has been hosting the air show in February<strong> since it was started in 1996.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The 2021 Aero India will be organised by the <strong>Defence Exhibition Organisation, Ministry of Defence.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>In 2019 it was organised by Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL).</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Defence Exhibition Organisation</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It is an <strong>autonomous organisation of the Indian Government</strong> established in 1981.</li>
<li>The organisation was<strong> established to promote export potential of the Indian defence industry.</strong></li>
<li>The agency is responsible for <strong>organising international exhibitions such as <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/defexpo-2020" target="_blank" rel="noopener">DEFEXPO</a></strong> and Indian participation at overseas exhibitions.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/karnataka/aero-india-2021-is-on-at-the-same-time-and-place/article31465885.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: TH</strong></a></p>',
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		(int) 19 => [
			'title' => 'Final Report on National Infrastructure Pipeline',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the<strong> task force headed by Atanu Chakraborty</strong> (economic affairs secretary) on <strong>National Infrastructure Pipeline (NIP)</strong> submitted its final report to the Finance Minister.</p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Revised Investment Need:</strong> The taskforce has <strong>forecast an investment need of ₹111 lakh crore</strong> over the<strong> next five years (2020-2025)</strong> to build infrastructure projects and drive economic growth.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The final report has revised up NIP from earlier Rs 100 lakh crore in light of additional data provided by central ministries/state governments since the release of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/national-infrastructure-pipeline-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>summary NIP report.</strong></a></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Bulk Share: Energy, roads, railways and urban projects</strong> are estimated to account for the bulk of projects (around 70%).</li>
<li><strong>Measures Suggested:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Aggressive push towards asset sales</li>
<li>Monetisation of infrastructure assets</li>
<li>Setting up of development finance institutions</li>
<li>Strengthening the municipal bond market</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Streamlining Process:</strong> The task force<strong> has also recommended to set up of three committees:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Timely Execution:</strong> Panel to monitor NIP progress and eliminate delays.</li>
<li><strong>Follow Up:</strong> Steering committee in each infrastructure ministry for following up implementation</li>
<li><strong>Raising Financial Resources:</strong> Committee in the Department of Economic Affairs for raising financial resources for the NIP</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Background</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The<strong> task force was set up</strong> after the Prime Minister, in his Independence Day speech of 2019, promised to roll out an <strong>infrastructure push worth ₹100 trillion</strong> over five years to make India a $5 trillion economy.</li>
<li>The summary report for, National Infrastructure Pipeline (NIP), 2020-25 was released by the finance minister on 31 December, 2019.</li>
<li>Out of the total expected capital expenditure of Rs 111 lakh crore<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Projects worth Rs 44 lakh crore (40 % of NIP) are<strong> under implementation.</strong></li>
<li>Projects worth Rs 33 lakh crore (30 % of NIP) are at <strong>conceptual stage.</strong></li>
<li>Projects worth Rs 22 lakh crore (20 % of NIP) are <strong>under development.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>National Infrastructure Pipeline</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>NIP will enable a forward outlook on<strong> infrastructure projects which will create jobs, improve ease of living, and provide equitable access to infrastructure</strong> for all, thereby making growth more inclusive.</li>
<li>NIP includes <strong>economic and social infrastructure</strong> projects.</li>
<li>It also includes both<strong> greenfield and brownfield projects.</strong></li>
<li>It will help in stepping-up annual infrastructure investment<strong> to achieve the Gross Domestic Product <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/highlights-of-economic-survey-2018-19" target="_blank" rel="noopener">(GDP) of $5 trillion by 2024-25</a>.</strong></li>
<li>The Centre and states are expected to have almost equal share in implementing NIP, while the private sector contribution is expected to be around 21%.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/business/2020-25-infra-funding-pegged-at-rs-111l-crore-energy-roads-railways-to-get-lions-share-6385402/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: IE</strong></a></p>',
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		'title' => 'Open Budget Survey 2019: IBP',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the <strong>International Budget Partnership (IBP)</strong> has released an <strong>Open Budget Survey (OBS) 2019.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The survey evaluates each country on the basis of the availability of key budget documents of the Central or Federal Government, and assesses whether these are made public, in a timely manner, and provide comprehensive information.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Open Budget Survey</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Open Budget Survey is<strong> part of the International Budget Partnership's Open Budget Initiative,</strong> a global research and advocacy program to promote public access to budget information and the adoption of accountable budget systems.</li>
<li>It is a <strong>biennial</strong> survey.</li>
<li>The survey covers <strong>117</strong> countries.</li>
<li>It rates the level of budget transparency across countries on a <strong>scale of 0-100,</strong> based on several normative, internationally comparable indicators.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Key Findings</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Global Scenario:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Improvement in Overall Score:</strong> OBS 2019 finds a <strong>modest global improvement</strong> in budget transparency, which is consistent with the overall trend measured by the survey over the past years.</li>
<li><strong>Global Avg. Transparency Score:</strong> The <strong>global average transparency score</strong> has turned out to be <strong>45 out of 100</strong> and thus levels of publicly available budget information remains limited.</li>
<li><strong>Top Scorers: New Zealand tops</strong> the chart with a<strong> score of 87.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Further, South Africa (87), Mexico (82) and Brazil (81) are among the top six countries providing extensive information to the public for scrutiny.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Citizens&rsquo; Participation:</strong> The citizens&rsquo; participation in the budget process continued to be at a dismal level and thus average global scores on the OBS participation measure remains <strong>14 out of 100. </strong></li>
<li><strong>Publication of Audit and Legislative Reports:</strong> Only 30 of the 117 surveyed countries have adequate scores both for audit and for legislative oversight.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Indian Scenario:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>India's Global Ranking:</strong> India has been placed at <strong>53<sup>rd</sup></strong> position among 117 nations in terms of budget transparency and accountability.</li>
<li><strong>Transparency Score:</strong> India's Union Budget process has a <strong>transparency score of 49 out of 100,</strong> which is <strong>higher than the global average of 45.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Some of the other large developing countries, with the exception of China, have got much higher transparency scores compared to India.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Citizens&rsquo; Participation:</strong> The public participation in its budgets has been flagged as an area of improvement required for India.</li>
<li><strong>Publication of Audit Reports:</strong> India performs well in publishing timely and relevant information in the audit reports and in-year reports and has scored well and above many other countries.</li>
<li><strong>Publication of Pre-Budget Statement:</strong> The absence of a published Pre-Budget Statement and not bringing out a Mid-Year Review in 2018-19 pulled down the transparency score for the Union Budget of India.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>While many governments and citizens have embraced the open budgeting agenda, more efforts to translate good intentions into better practice are required.</li>
<li>A global effort of joint, sustained activism is needed to accelerate progress and deliver the promises of open budgeting to all citizens.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>International Budget Partnership</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The International Budget Partnership (IBP) is a <strong>collaborative effort of multiple actors &ndash;</strong> including civil society, state actors, international institutions and the private sector.</li>
<li>IBP was <strong>formed in 1997</strong> to promote transparent and inclusive government budget processes as a means to improve governance and service delivery in the developing world.</li>
<li>It intends to bring citizens participation in open, inclusive budgeting processes to shape policies and practices that promote equity and justice on a sustainable basis.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>IBP&rsquo;s focus on citizens and civil society organizations (CSOs) was driven by the pioneering civil society budget monitoring efforts in a small number of middle-income countries in the early 1990s.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>IBP&rsquo;s ultimate aim is to ensure that public resources are used more effectively to fight poverty and promote equitable and sustainable development in countries around the world.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://www.business-standard.com/article/economy-policy/india-at-53rd-position-in-budget-transparency-accountability-ibp-survey-120043000118_1.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source:BS</strong></a></p>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/open-budget-survey-2019-ibp'
	],
	(int) 1 => [
		'title' => 'Forex Reserves',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>According to the recent data from the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-national-institutions/important-institutions-national-institution-reserve-bank-of-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Reserve Bank of India</strong></a>, India&rsquo;s <strong>Foreign Exchange (Forex) reserves declined by $113 million</strong> to $479.45 billion in the week to 24 April, 2020 due to a fall in <strong>foreign currency assets.</strong></p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Changes in forex reserves holdings.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The <strong>foreign currency assets (FCAs)</strong> decreased by $321 million to $441.56 billion.</li>
<li><strong>Gold reserves</strong> rose by $221 million to $32.901 billion.</li>
<li>The <strong>special drawing rights</strong> with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) fell by $6 million to $1.42 billion.</li>
<li>The country&rsquo;s <strong>reserve position with the IMF</strong> also was down by $8 million to $3.57 billion.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Earlier, the reserve<strong> had touched a life-time high of $487.23</strong> billion in the week ended by 6 March, 2020.</li>
<li>During 2019-20, the country&rsquo;s foreign exchange reserves rose by almost $62 billion.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Foreign Exchange Reserves</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Foreign exchange reserves are<strong> assets held on reserve by a central bank in foreign</strong> currencies, which can include bonds, treasury bills and other government securities.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It needs to be noted that most foreign exchange reserves are held in U.S. dollars.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>These assets serve many purposes but are most significantly held to ensure that the central bank has backup funds if the national currency rapidly devalues or becomes altogether insolvent.</li>
<li><strong>India&rsquo;s Forex Reserve include:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Foreign Currency Assets</li>
<li>Gold reserves</li>
<li>Special Drawing Rights</li>
<li>Reserve position with the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/international-monetary-fund-imf" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>International Monetary Fund (IMF)</strong></a></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Foreign Currency Assets (FCA)</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>FCAs are assets that are valued based on a currency other than the country's own currency.</li>
<li>FCA is the <strong>largest component of the forex reserve.</strong> It is expressed in dollar terms.</li>
<li>The FCAs include <strong>the effect of appreciation or depreciation of non-US units</strong> like the euro, pound and yen held in the foreign exchange reserves.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Special drawing rights (SDR)</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The SDR is an <strong>international reserve asset,</strong> created by the IMF in 1969 to supplement its member countries&rsquo; official reserves.</li>
<li>The SDR is neither a currency nor a claim on the IMF. Rather, it is a potential claim on the freely usable currencies of IMF members. SDRs can be exchanged for these currencies.</li>
<li>The value of the SDR is calculated from a weighted basket of<strong> major currencies,</strong> including the U.S. dollar, the euro, Japanese yen, Chinese yuan, and British pound.</li>
<li>The interest rate on SDRs or (SDRi) is the interest paid to members on their SDR holdings.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Reserve Position</strong> in the International Monetary Fund</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>A reserve tranche position implies a <strong>portion of the required quota of currency each member country must provide to the International Monetary Fund (IMF)</strong> that can be utilized for its own purposes.</li>
<li>The reserve tranche is basically <strong>an emergency account</strong> that IMF members can access at any time without agreeing to conditions or paying a service fee.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/business/economy/forex-reserves-fall-113-mn-to-479-45-bn-6389572/" 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/forex-reserves-2'
	],
	(int) 2 => [
		'title' => 'Year End Review 2019: Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare',
		'catname' => 'Paper 2',
		'desc' => '<h3>Important Schemes and Policies</h3>
<p><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/pradhan-mantri-kisan-maan-dhan-yojana-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Pradhan Mantri Kisan Maan Dhan Yojana (PM-KMY)</strong></a></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Launched in September 2019, the central sector scheme aims to provide the social security net for the Small and Marginal Farmers (who own cultivable land up to 2 hectares).</li>
<li>It provides for payment of <strong>minimum pension of Rs.3000/- per month</strong> to the eligible small and marginal farmers on attaining the age of 60 years.</li>
<li>It is a voluntary and contributory pension scheme, with <strong>entry age of 18 to 40 years.</strong></li>
<li>The monthly contribution by farmer ranges between Rs.55 to 200.</li>
<li>Central Government will contribute an equal amount in the pension scheme.</li>
<li>The Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) is the Pension Fund Manager for the Scheme.</li>
<li>On exit from the scheme, the beneficiary will receive his/her accumulated share and the Government&rsquo;s contribution will be deposited in the LIC Fund.</li>
<li>After the subscriber&rsquo;s death, the spouse or heir shall be entitled to receive 50% of the pension as family pension, provided he/she is not already an SMF beneficiary of the Scheme.</li>
<li>On the death of the subscriber during the period of contribution, the spouse shall have the option of continuing the Scheme by paying regular contribution.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/one-year-of-pm-kisan" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN)</strong></a></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Launched in February 2019, the central sector scheme, provides for transfer of an amount of<strong> Rs. 6000/- per year</strong> in three equal instalments each of Rs. 2000/- directly into the bank account of beneficiary farmer families.</li>
<li><a href="/current-affairs-news-analysis-editorials/news-editorials/08-02-2019" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>The Scheme</strong></a> initially covered only small and marginal farmer families as beneficiaries, subject to certain exclusion criteria for higher-income status. The Government later <strong>extended the scheme to all farmer families irrespective of landholding size.</strong></li>
<li>The entire responsibility of identification of beneficiary farmer families rests with the State/UT Governments.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/minimum-support-price" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Increased MSP for Kharif and Rabi Crops- 2019-2020</strong></a></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Union Government increased the Minimum Support Price (MSP) for Kharif and Rabi 2019-20 seasons.</li>
<li>The MSP is the rate at which the government buys grains from farmers.</li>
<li>Reason behind the idea of MSP is to counter price volatility of agricultural commodities due to the factors like variation in their supply, lack of market integration and information asymmetry.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/msp-agrarian-crisis-and-reform" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Fixation of MSP</strong></a></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The MSP is fixed on the recommendations of the Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices (CACP).</li>
<li>Factors taken into consideration for fixing MSP include:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Demand and supply;</li>
<li>Cost of production (A2 + FL method)</li>
<li>Price trends in the market, both domestic and international;</li>
<li>Inter-crop price parity;</li>
<li>Terms of trade between agriculture and non-agriculture;</li>
<li>A minimum of 50% as the margin over cost of production; and</li>
<li>Likely implications of MSP on consumers of that product.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices (CACP)</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The CACP is an attached office of the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, formed in 1965. It is a statutory body that submits separate reports recommending prices for Kharif and Rabi seasons.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>National Commission on Farmers: Swaminathan Committee</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>On 18<sup>th</sup> November, 2004, the Union government formed the National Commission on Farmers (NCF) with MS Swaminathan as its chairman.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The main aim of the committee was to come up with a sustainable farming system, make farm commodities cost-competitive and more profitable.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>It, in 2006, recommended that MSPs must be at least 50% more than the cost of production.</li>
<li>It talked about the cost of farming at three levels:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>A2:</strong> All the types of cash expenditure to generate the crop like seeds, manure, chemicals, labour costs, fuel costs and irrigation costs.</li>
<li><strong>A2+FL:</strong> It includes A2 plus an imputed value of unpaid family labour.</li>
<li><strong>C2:</strong> Under C2, the estimated land rent and the cost of interest on the money taken for farming are added to A2 and FL.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1588334730_Image4.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1588334730_Image4.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="700" caption="false" /></a></p>
<p><a href="/to-the-points/paper3/cropping-patterns-and-major-crops-of-india-part-one" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Read TTP on Cropping Patterns in India-I</strong></a></p>
<p><a href="/to-the-points/paper3/cropping-patterns-and-major-crops-of-india-part-two" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Read TTP on Cropping Patterns in India-II</strong></a></p>
<p><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/new-features-added-to-e-nam" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>e-NAM &ndash;One Nation One Market</strong></a></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>421 new mandis have been approved for integration under the e-NAM. Along with these, FPOs have also been on-boarded on e-NAM portal and they have started uploading their produce for trading from their premise.</li>
<li>e-NAM was launched on 14<sup>th</sup> April 2016 as a pan-India electronic trade portal linking Agricultural Produce Market Committees (APMCs) across the States.</li>
<li><a href="/current-affairs-news-analysis-editorials/news-editorials/04-07-2019" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>It is an electronic national agriculture market (eNAM)</strong></a> to connect all regulated wholesale produce markets through a pan-India trading portal.</li>
<li>It provides for contactless remote bidding and mobile-based anytime payment for which traders do not need to either visit mandis or banks for the same.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Seed-Hub Centres</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>25 Seed-Hub Centres have been sanctioned across the country for increasing availability of quality seeds of <strong>Nutri-Cereals (Millets).</strong></li>
<li>In 2018-19, the Government of India launched a National Millet Mission which included renaming millets as <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/india-s-nutrition-problem" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>&ldquo;Nutri-cereals&rdquo;.</strong></a></li>
<li>Millet is a collective term referring to a number of small-seeded annual grasses that are cultivated as grain crops, primarily on marginal lands in dry areas in temperate, subtropical and tropical regions.</li>
<li>Some of the common millets available in India are Ragi (Finger millet), Jowar (Sorghum), Sama (Little millet), Bajra (Pearl millet), and Variga (Proso millet).</li>
<li>Millets are cultivated in low-fertile land, mountainous, tribal and rain-fed areas. These areas include Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, and Telangana.</li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/alternative-cereals-can-save-water%20" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Millets also are known as &lsquo;nutri-cereals&rsquo;</strong> </a>and have a high protein content, short growing season, climate change resilience and low water requirement.</li>
<li>India's proposal to observe an <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/2023-is-the-international-year-of-millets-fao" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>International Year of Millets in 2023</strong></a> has been approved at the by the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO).</li>
<li>India celebrated 2018 as the national year of millets.</li>
</ul>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/to-the-points/Paper2/year-end-review-2019-ministry-of-agriculture-farmers-welfare'
	],
	(int) 3 => [
		'title' => 'Power Sector in India',
		'catname' => 'News Editorials',
		'desc' => '<div class="border">
<p>This article is based on <a href="https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/blogs/et-editorials/toothless-reform-move-for-power-sector/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>&ldquo;Toothless reform move for power sector&rdquo;</strong></a> published in The Economic Times on 29/04/2020. It talks about the challenges and solutions pertaining to India&rsquo;s power sector.</p>
</div>
<p>Indian government&rsquo;s <strong>Power for all by 2022 vision,</strong> aims to provide access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy. In order to achieve this mission, the government has recently announced to make certain amendments to the Electricity Act 2003.</p>
<p>Some major changes being proposed by<strong> draft Electricity (Amendment) Bill, 2020,</strong> includes the <strong>constitution of the Electricity Contracts Enforcement Authority,</strong> the <strong>appointment of distribution sub-franchisees,</strong> development of an exhaustive <strong>National Renewable Energy</strong> Policy, and <strong>rationalisation of tariffs,</strong> among others.</p>
<p>The draft is well-intentioned but it may not address the systemic flaws in the power sector.</p>
<h3>Systemic Issues Faced by Power Sector in India</h3>
<p><strong>Power Generation Issues</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Fossil fuel derived energy generation:</strong> Thermal power based on fossil fuel such as coal, natural gas and diesel accounts for 80% of the country's generation.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Moreover, the majority of plants in India are old and inefficient.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Higher Cost of Fuel:</strong> Coal extraction from state-run Coal India (a near-monopoly), has stagnated due to delayed environmental clearances, land acquisition troubles and little investment in advanced technologies.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Many power companies have to look for coal mines overseas and source more expensive imports (despite having abundant coal reserves).</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Transmission and Distribution Issues</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Tariffs haven't risen enough for years to cover costs for subsidies in the agriculture sector. Also, high <strong>aggregate technical and commercial (AT&amp;C) losses,</strong> has forced electricity distributors (discoms) into losses as high as 40% in some states, while the country-wide average is 27%.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Note:</strong></p>
<p>The discoms suffer <strong>Aggregate Technical and Commercial (AT&amp;C) Losses.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Technical Loss:</strong> It is due to the flow of power in transmission and distribution systems.</li>
<li><strong>Commercial Loss</strong>: It is due to the theft of electricity, deficiencies in metering, etc.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Discoms are not able to pay the power generators regularly simply because they have a cash flow problem, which stems from the low tariffs awarded by the regulatory commissions.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Such low tariffs result in a wide gap between the <strong>average per-unit cost of supply (ACS) and average revenue realised (ARR).</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>These issues have resulted in the outstanding dues of discoms, which has even increased after the implementation of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/ujwal-discom-assurance-yojana" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>UDAY (Ujwal Discom Assurance Yojana)</strong></a>.</li>
<li>Owing to the poor financial health of the dicoms, there are less new investments in the electricity sector (particularly by the private sector).</li>
<li>High industrial/commercial tariff and the <strong>cross-subsidy regime</strong> have affected the competitiveness of the industrial and commercial sectors.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Subsidy Reforms:</strong> For agriculture, the direct subsidy per acre of land through <strong>Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT)</strong> may be considered instead of providing separate subsidies for fertilizers, electricity, crop insurance etc.</li>
<li>The <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/annadata-to-urjadata" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>KUSUM scheme</strong></a> provides a suitable alternative to the power subsidy model in agriculture.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The scheme intends to promote the use of solar pumps for agriculture and make provisions the local discoms should buy surplus power from the farmer.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>There is a need to ensure effective enforcement of <strong>rationalization of cross-subsidy.</strong></li>
<li>The government needs to actively promote cross-border electricity trade to utilize existing/upcoming generation assets.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The SAARC electricity grid is a step in the right direction.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>To manage the demand for power, it is necessary to introduce <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/smart-meter-national-programme" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>100% metering-net metering, smart meters</strong></a>, and metering of electricity supplied to agriculture.</li>
<li>There is also a need to Introduce performance-based incentives in the tariff structure.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1588398750_Image%203.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1588398750_Image 3.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="800" caption="false" /></a></p>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1588333622_image2.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1588333622_image2.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="500" caption="false" /></a></p>
<table border="1" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="width: 100%; border-style: dotted; border-color: #ff0000; background-color: #faf9e1;">
<p><span style="color: #000080;"><em><strong>Drishti Mains Question</strong></em></span></p>
<p>Discuss the challenges in achieving the Indian government&rsquo;s vision of Power for all by 2022.</p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p style="text-align: center;"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/n2qd-VVmq3E" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p>
<p>This editorial is based on<a href="https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/editorial/strategic-shift-the-hindu-editorial-on-home-isolation-of-mild-coronavirus-cases/article31466604.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> &ldquo;Strategic shift: On home isolation of mild coronavirus cases&rdquo;</strong></a> which was published in The Hindu on April 30<sup>th</sup>, 2020. Now watch this on our youtube channel.</p>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/power-sector-in-india'
	],
	(int) 4 => [
		'title' => 'Erosion in Ladakh and Zanskar',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>The scientists and students from the <strong>Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology (WIHG)</strong> have explored the <strong>Zanskar catchment area.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The study was conducted to understand the landform evolution in transitional climatic zones, using<strong> morphostratigraphy, Optically Stimulated Luminescence (OSL) dating and provenance analysis</strong> of landforms like<strong> valley fill terraces</strong> and <strong>alluvial fans.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Valley Fill Terrace:</strong> The<strong> fill terrace</strong> is created either a stream or river starts to incise into the material that it deposited in the valley. Once this occurs benches composed completely of alluvium form on the sides of the valley. The upper most benches are the fill terraces.</li>
<li><strong>Alluvial Fans:</strong> Triangle-shaped deposit of gravel, sand and even smaller pieces of sediment, such as silt.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>WHIG is an <strong>autonomous institute</strong> under the <strong>Department of Science &amp; Technology,</strong> Government of India.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Zanskar River</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It is <strong>one of the largest tributaries</strong> of the<strong> upper Indus catchment.</strong></li>
<li>It drains <strong>transversely northward from the Higher Himalaya, dominated by the Indian summer monsoon,</strong> to <strong>flow through</strong> the arid, westerlies-dominated, highly folded and thrusted <strong>Zanskar ranges in Ladakh.</strong></li>
<li>The <strong>Doda</strong> and the <strong>Tsarap Lingti Chu confluence</strong> at Padam to form the Zanskar, which in turn <strong>joins the Indus at Nimu.</strong></li>
<li>Zanskar valley can be divided into <strong>upper and lower divisions, separated by a gorge of nearly 60 km in length.</strong></li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Morphostratigraphy:</strong> The organization of rock or sediment strata into units based on their surface <strong>morphology (landforms).</strong></p>
<p><strong>Optically-Stimulated Luminescence:</strong> It is a late Quaternary dating technique <strong>used to date the last time a quartz sediment was exposed to light.</strong> As sediment is transported by wind, water or ice, it is exposed to sunlight and zeroed of any previous luminescence signal.</p>
<p><strong>Provenance Analysis:</strong> It aims to <strong>determine the source region (provenance) of a sediment sample.</strong> It is aimed to reconstruct the parent rock or rocks of sand bodies, the time of deposition of the sand and, if possible, the climate conditions during the formation of the sediments.</p>
</div>
<h3>Key Findings</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Scientists traced where the rivers draining Himalaya and its foreland erode the most and identified the zones which receive these eroded sediments and fill up.</li>
<li>The study suggested that the <strong>wide valley of Padam in the upper Zanskar</strong> is a <strong>hotspot of sediment buffering</strong> and has stored a vast amount of sediments.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The sediment contribution from such transient basins is significant when compared to the sediment reportedly eroded from the entire<strong> Indus system in Ladakh.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Most of the sediments in the Padam valley were <strong>derived from Higher Himalayan crystalline</strong> that lie in the <strong>headwater region of Zanskar.</strong></li>
<li>The dominant <strong>factors responsible</strong> for sediment erosion were <strong>deglaciation</strong> and <strong>Indian Summer Monsoon derived precipitation</strong> in the headwaters.</li>
<li>The provenance analysis suggested that <strong>despite the presence of the deep narrow gorge and a low gradient,</strong> the upper and lower Zanskar valleys remained <strong>connected throughout their aggradational history.</strong></li>
</ul>
<h3>Significance</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The study will help to <strong>understand river-borne erosion and sedimentation,</strong> which are the main drivers that make large riverine plains, terraces and deltas that eventually become the evolving grounds for civilizations.</li>
<li>The study brought forwards the <strong>35 thousand-year history of river erosion and identified hotspots of erosion and wide valleys</strong> that act as buffer zones.</li>
<li>It showed <strong>how rivers in drier Ladakh Himalaya operated on longer time scales</strong> and how they <strong>responded to varying climates.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The Ladakh Himalaya forms a <strong>high altitude desert between Greater Himalayan ranges and Karakoram Ranges</strong> and the Indus and its tributaries are major rivers flowing through the terrain.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Understanding of <strong>water and sediment routing becomes crucial</strong> while developing infrastructure and for other development works in the river catchment area.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1588330285_image1.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1588330285_image1.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" caption="false" width="552" height="279" /></a></p>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1588330309_image2.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1588330309_image2.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" caption="false" width="533" height="576" /></a></p>
<p><a href="https://pib.gov.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=202669" 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/erosion-in-ladakh-and-zanskar'
	],
	(int) 5 => [
		'title' => 'J&K and Article 54',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, in a reply to a <a href="/to-the-points/paper4/right-to-information-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Right to Information (RTI)</strong></a> query <strong>&ldquo;if the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir will be part of the Electoral College for the election of the President of India&rdquo;</strong>, the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-national-institutions/election-commission-of-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Election Commission of India (ECI)</strong></a> has asked to refer to Article 54 of the Constitution of India.</p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Article 54 specifically mentions NCT of Delhi and Puducherry</strong> as eligible to be part of the Electoral College. There is <strong>no word about the newly-formed UT of Jammu &amp; Kashmir (J&amp;K).</strong></li>
<li>Under Article 54, the President is elected by an Electoral College, which consists of the <strong>elected members of both Houses of Parliament </strong>and the<strong> elected members of the Legislative Assemblies of all the States </strong>and also of <strong>NCT of Delhi and the Union Territory of Puducherry.</strong></li>
<li>Also the<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/centre-defines-j-k-domicile-rules" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> J&amp;K Reorganisation Act</strong></a>, which came into existence from August 2019, <strong>does not specify anything</strong> about whether the legislature of J&amp;K would be able to vote in the election for a President.</li>
<li><strong>Inclusion</strong> of new members in the Electoral College in Article 54 would <strong>require a Constitutional Amendment</strong> to be carried out through two-thirds majority in Parliament and ratification by over 50% of the States. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Delhi and Puducherry were included as Electoral College members under Article 54 through the <strong>70<sup>th</sup> Constitution Amendment Act of 1992.</strong></li>
<li>Before that, Article 54 consisted of only the elected Members of Parliament as well as the Legislative Assemblies of the States.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>However, according to<strong> some experts, Union territory of J&amp;K would be able to participate in the President&rsquo;s elections</strong> even without any Constitutional amendment.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>According to <strong>Section 13 of the J&amp;K Reorganisation Act, 2019,</strong> the provisions contained in article 239A, which are applicable to &ldquo;Union territory of Puducherry&rdquo;, shall also apply to the &ldquo;Union territory of Jammu &amp; Kashmir&rdquo;.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Election of the President of India</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The President<strong> is elected indirectly by members of electoral college</strong> consisting of:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>the elected members of both the Houses of Parliament;</li>
<li>the elected members of the legislative assemblies of the states;</li>
<li>the elected members of the legislative assemblies of the Union Territories of Delhi and Puducherry.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The election is held in accordance with the <strong>system of proportional representation by means of the single transferable vote. Secret ballot</strong> is used in voting.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In the proportional representation system, each voter will have only one vote but a voter can indicate his preference for as many contesting candidates as he likes in order of his/her preference or choice.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The <strong>President&rsquo;s tenure is for five years</strong> and he is eligible for immediate re- election and can serve any number of terms.</li>
<li>There is a <strong>uniformity in the scale of representation of different states</strong> as well as <strong>parity between the states as a whole and the Union</strong> at the election of the President.</li>
<li>All <strong>doubts and disputes in connection with election</strong> are inquired into and decided by the <strong>Supreme Court</strong> whose decision is final.</li>
<li>If the election of a person as President is declared void by the Supreme Court, acts done by him before the date of such declaration of the Supreme Court are not invalidated and continue to remain in force.</li>
<li><strong>Article 324</strong> of the Constitution provides that the power of superintendence, direction and control of elections to parliament, state legislatures, the office of president of India and the office of vice-president of India shall be vested in the election commission.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/ec-vague-on-rti-query-on-whether-jk-is-part-of-electoral-college/article31475745.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/j-k-and-article-54'
	],
	(int) 6 => [
		'title' => 'International Workers’ Day',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Every year, <strong>1<sup>st</sup> May</strong> is celebrated as the<strong> International Workers&rsquo; Day</strong> and as <strong>Labour Day</strong> in different parts of the world to commemorate the contributions of workers and the historic labour movements.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It is a day when the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/international-labour-organization" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>International Labour Organisation</strong></a> (ILO), nations, employers and workers from all over the world commit themselves towards the collective efforts of promoting decent work for all.</li>
<li>In <strong>1889,</strong> the <strong>Second International,</strong> an <strong>organisation created by socialist and labour parties,</strong> declared that 1<sup>st</sup> May would be commemorated as International Workers&rsquo; Day from then on.</li>
<li>On 1<sup>st</sup> May<strong> 1904,</strong> the <strong>International Socialist Congress</strong> at <strong>Amsterdam, the Netherlands</strong> called for the legal establishment of the<strong> 8-hour day for the class demands of the proletariat</strong> and made it mandatory upon the proletarian organisations of all countries to stop work on this day.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Historical Perspective</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>USA</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The USA celebrates Labor day on the <strong>first Monday of September, every year.</strong> The USA recognised the day as a <strong>federal holiday in 1894.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Canada also celebrates the Labour day on the same day as the US.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Labor day was designated as a day in support of workers by trade unions and socialist groups in the memory of the <strong>Haymarket affair of 1886 in Chicago, USA.</strong> It gave the workers&rsquo; movement a great impetus.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Haymarket Affair was a peaceful rally in support of workers which led to a violent clash with the police, leading to severe casualties. Those who died were hailed as <strong>&ldquo;Haymarket Martyrs&rdquo;.</strong></li>
<li>Workers&rsquo; rights violations, straining work hours, poor working conditions, low wages and child labour were the issues highlighted in the protest.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>USSR</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The<strong> Soviet Union</strong> and the Eastern bloc nations started celebrating the Labor day <strong>after the Russian Revolution, 1917.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Impact of Russian Revolution:</strong> New ideologies such as <strong>Marxism</strong> and<strong> Socialism</strong> inspired many socialist and communist groups and they attracted peasants and workers and made them an integral part of national movement.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>It became a <strong>national holiday</strong> during the <a href="/to-the-points/paper1/cold-war" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Cold War</strong></a>.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>India</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In India, Labor day was first celebrated in 1923, after the <strong>Labour Kisan Party of Hindustan</strong> initiated the celebrations and <strong>Comrade Singaravelar</strong> (Singaravelu Chettiar) continued the celebrations.</li>
<li>Comrade Singaravelar was<strong> one of the leaders of the<a href="/mains-practice-question/question-344" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> Self Respect movement</a> in the Madras Presidency</strong> and passed a resolution stating the government should allow everybody a national holiday on Labour Day.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-why-may-1-is-observed-as-labour-day-6386983/" 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/international-workers-day'
	],
	(int) 7 => [
		'title' => 'Permanent Mission to UN',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>India has appointed <strong>T S Tirumurti</strong> as its <strong>Permanent Representative to the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/united-nations-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">United Nations</a></strong> (UN).</p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Permanent Mission to the United Nations</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It is the <strong>diplomatic mission</strong> that every member state deputes to the UN.</li>
<li>It is <strong>headed by a Permanent Representative</strong> who is also referred to as the <strong>UN ambassador.</strong></li>
<li>According to <strong>Article 1(7) </strong>of the<strong> Vienna Convention on the Representation of States in their Relations with International Organizations of a Universal Character, 1975</strong> it is a mission of permanent character, representing the State, sent by a State member of an international organization to the organization.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Other important Vienna Conventions are the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/protecting-power" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, 1961</strong></a> and the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/consular-access-kulbhushan-jadhav-case" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Vienna Convention on Consular Relations of 1963</strong></a>.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>According to the <strong>UN General Assembly resolution 257(III) of 3<sup>rd</sup> December, 1948,</strong> permanent missions assist in the realization of the purposes and principles of the UN.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>They keep the <strong>necessary liaison between the Member States and the Secretariat</strong> in periods between sessions of the different organs of the UN.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>UN Permanent Representatives are assigned to the UN <strong>headquarters in New York City,</strong> and at other offices in <strong>Geneva, Vienna</strong> and <strong>Nairobi</strong> as well.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Indian Permanent Mission at the United Nations</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>There are <strong>currently eight Indians</strong> in <strong>senior leadership positions</strong> at the UN at the levels of Under Secretary General and Assistant Secretary General.</li>
<li>The <strong>first Indian delegates</strong> at the UN included statesman <strong>Arcot Ramasamy Mudaliar</strong> and freedom fighters <strong>Hansa Mehta, Lakshmi N. Menon</strong> and <strong>Vijayalakshmi Pandit</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Mehta and Pandit were among the 15 women members of the Indian Constituent Assembly.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>India was among the select members</strong> of the UN that signed the <strong>United Nations Declaration</strong> at <strong>Washington</strong> on 1<sup>st</sup> January, <strong>1942.</strong></li>
<li>India also participated in the historic <strong>UN Conference of International Organization</strong> at <strong>San Francisco</strong> from 25<sup>th</sup> April to 26<sup>th</sup> June,<strong> 1945.</strong></li>
<li>As a <strong>founding member</strong> of the United Nations, India strongly <strong>supports the purposes and principles of the UN</strong> and has made significant contributions to implementing the goals of the Charter, and the evolution of the UN&rsquo;s specialized programmes and agencies.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Arcot Ramasamy Mudaliar (1887-1976)</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>One of the prominent lawyers</strong> of his time and joined the Justice Party in 1917.</li>
<li>Took part in <strong>Joint Parliamentary Committee on Constitutional Reforms</strong> in India and the <strong>Round Table Conferences.</strong></li>
<li>He was <strong>India&rsquo;s delegate to the San Francisco Conference.</strong></li>
<li>In 1946 he was elected the <strong>first President of the United Nations&rsquo; Economic and Social Council</strong> (ECOSOC).</li>
<li>He also served as the <strong>chair of the executive boards</strong> of the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/world-health-organization-who" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>World Health Organisation</strong></a> (WHO) and <strong><a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/unesco-5" target="_blank" rel="noopener">United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization</a> </strong>(UNESCO).</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Hansa Mehta (1897-1995)</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>After studying Journalism and Sociology from England, she returned to India and served as the<strong> President</strong> of the <strong>Bhagini Samaj</strong> and played a crucial role during the <strong>campaign against the <a href="/be-mains-ready-daily-answer-writing-practice-question/papers/simon-commission-british-government-immediate-response-indians-struggle-for-freedom-be-mains-ready" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Simon Commission.</a></strong></li>
<li>She was the <strong>first woman to be elected to the Bombay Legislative Council in 1931.</strong></li>
<li>She <strong>represented India on the Nuclear Sub-Committee</strong> on the status of women in 1946.</li>
<li>As the Indian delegate on the <strong>UN Human Rights Commission (now known as the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/unhrc-s-upr" target="_blank" rel="noopener">UN Human Rights Council</a>)</strong> in 1947&ndash;48, she was <strong>responsible for changing the language Justice Party&nbsp;</strong>of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights from <strong>&ldquo;all men are created equal&rdquo; </strong>to<strong> &ldquo;all human beings&rdquo;,</strong> highlighting the need for gender equality.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Lakshmi Menon (1899-1994)</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>She was <strong>one of the founder</strong> members of the <strong>All India Women&rsquo;s Conference.</strong></li>
<li>She was <strong>India&rsquo;s delegate to the Third Committee in 1948</strong> and argued forcefully in <strong>favour of non-discrimination based on sex</strong> and &ldquo;the equal rights of men and women&rdquo; in the in the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/international-human-rights-day" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Universal Declaration of Human Rights</strong></a>.</li>
<li>In 1949-1950, she <strong>headed</strong> the <strong>UN Section on the Status of Women and Children.</strong></li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Vijaya Lakshmi Pandit (1900-1990)</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>She <strong>led the Indian delegation to the UN</strong> (1946-48 and 1952-53).</li>
<li>In 1953, she became the <strong>first woman to be elected president of the UN General Assembly.</strong></li>
<li>In 1978, she was appointed the <strong>Indian representative to the UN Human Rights Commission.</strong></li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/indias-permanent-mission-to-the-united-nations-explained-6386259/" 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/permanent-mission-to-un'
	],
	(int) 8 => [
		'title' => 'Lifeline Udan Initiative',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>A total of 415 flights have been operated under the <strong>&lsquo;Lifeline Udan&rsquo;</strong> initiative by various air carriers.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The cargo transported till date is around 779.86 tons and aerial distance covered by Lifeline Udan flights is over 4 lakh kilometres.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Lifeline Udan</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The &lsquo;Lifeline Udan&rsquo; intends<strong> to transport essential medical cargo to remote parts of the country</strong> amid the lockdown to support India&rsquo;s fight against <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/coronavirus-disease-named-covid-19" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Covid-19</strong></a>. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The essential cargo include goods such as regents, enzymes, medical equipment, testing kits and PPE, masks, gloves and other essential items as applicable by the State and Union Territory Governments.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>It is launched by the <strong>Ministry of Civil Aviation</strong> to ensure a steady supply of essentials, even in the most remote locations in the country. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>However, the special focus has been on the North East Region, island territories and the hill states.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The flights under the initiative &lsquo;Lifeline Udan&rsquo; have been operated by Air India, Alliance Air, Indian Air Force, Pawan Hans and private carriers.</li>
<li>It is to be noted that<strong> &lsquo;Lifeline Udan&rsquo; is different from the UDAN</strong> where the former focuses on the transport of medical essentials to fight against Covid-19 and latter focuses purely on the regional connectivity in the country.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>UDAN</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Ude Desh Ka Aam Naagrik (UDAN) was launched as a regional connectivity scheme under the Ministry of Civil Aviation in 2016.</li>
<li>It is an innovative scheme to develop the regional aviation market.</li>
<li>It aims to create affordable yet economically viable and profitable flights on regional routes so that flying becomes affordable to the common man even in small towns.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1619655" 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/lifeline-udan-initiative'
	],
	(int) 9 => [
		'title' => 'GI Tags to Two Products',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, <strong>Chak-Hao,</strong> the black rice of <strong>Manipur</strong> and the <strong>Gorakhpur (Uttar Pradesh) terracotta</strong> have bagged the <strong>Geographical Indication (GI) tag.</strong></p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Chak-Hao:<a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1588320560_image4.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1588320560_image4.jpg" style="float: right;" width="250" caption="false" /></a></strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Chak-Hao is a <strong>scented glutinous (sticky) rice</strong> which has been in cultivation in Manipur over centuries, and is characterised by its special aroma.</li>
<li>The<strong> rice is black in colour</strong> and takes the longest cooking time of 40-45 minutes due to the presence of a <strong>fibrous bran layer and higher crude fibre content.</strong></li>
<li>It is normally eaten during community feasts and is served as <strong>Chak-Hao kheer.</strong></li>
<li>Chak-Hao has also been<strong> used by traditional medical practitioners</strong> as part of traditional medicine.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Gorakhpur terracotta:<a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1588320532_image5.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1588320532_image5.jpg" style="float: right;" width="250" caption="false" /></a></strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The terracotta work of Gorakhpur is a centuries-old traditional art form.</li>
<li>The <strong>entire work is done with bare hands.</strong></li>
<li>The clay used in the terracotta products is<strong> &lsquo;Kabis&rsquo; clay</strong> which is found in the ponds of Aurangabad, Bharwalia and Budhadih village areas. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Also, such <strong>clay is found only in the months of May and June,</strong> as for the rest of the year, the ponds are filled with water.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The potters <strong>do not use any colour,</strong> they only dip the clay structure in a mixture of soda and mango tree barks, and bake it. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The <strong>red colour of terracotta does not fade</strong> for years.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Major products of craftsmanship include the <strong>Hauda elephants, Mahawatdar horse, deer, camel, five-faced Ganesha, single-faced Ganesha, elephant table, chandeliers, hanging bells etc.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Geographical Indication (GI)</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It is an<strong> insignia on products</strong> having a unique geographical origin and evolution over centuries with regard to its special quality or reputed attributes.</li>
<li>It is a <strong>mark of authenticity</strong> and ensures that registered authorized users or at least those residing inside the geographic territory are allowed to use the popular product names.</li>
<li>GI tag in India is governed by <strong>Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration &amp; Protection) Act, 1999.</strong> It is issued by the <strong>Geographical Indications Registry (Chennai).</strong></li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Benefits of GI Tag</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It provides<strong> legal protection</strong> to Indian Geographical Indications thus preventing unauthorized use of the registered GIs by others.</li>
<li>It <strong>promotes economic prosperity</strong> of producers of goods produced in a geographical territory.</li>
<li>The GI protection in India leads to <strong>recognition of the product in other countries thus boosting exports.</strong></li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/gi-tag-to-manipur-black-rice-gorakhpur-terracotta/article31475958.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/gi-tags-to-two-products'
	],
	(int) 10 => [
		'title' => 'Atulya: Microwave Steriliser',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the Defence Institute of Advanced Technology has developed a microwave steriliser named as<strong> &lsquo;Atulya&rsquo;</strong> to disintegrate <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/coronavirus-disease-named-covid-19" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Covid-19</strong></a> virus.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Covid-19 virus gets disintegrated by <strong>differential heating</strong> of Atulya in the range of 56&deg; to 60&deg; Celsius temperatures.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>NOTE:</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Defence Institute of Advanced Technology, Pune is a deemed university supported by <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-national-institutions/defence-research-and-development-organisation-drdo" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).</strong></a></li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Key Points<a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1588319853_image6.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1588319853_image6.png" style="float: right;" width="250" caption="false" /></a></h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Atulya is a cost effective solution, which can be operated in <strong>portable or fixed installations.</strong></li>
<li>It has been tested for human/operator safety and found to be safe.</li>
<li>The time of sterilisation can be varied from 30 seconds to one minute depending upon size and shape of various objects.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Sterilisation</strong> refers to any process that eliminates, removes, kills, or deactivates all forms of life (in particular referring to microorganisms such as fungi, bacteria, viruses, spores, etc.) and other biological agents.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Approximate <strong>weight</strong> of the system is <strong>3 kilogrammes</strong> and<strong> it can be used for non-metallic objects only.</strong></li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1619643" 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/atulya-microwave-steriliser'
	],
	(int) 11 => [
		'title' => 'Global Energy Review 2020 : IEA',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/opec" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>International Energy Agency (IEA)</strong></a> has released a report namely, <strong>Global Energy Review:2020</strong> which also includes the impact of the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/coronavirus-disease-named-covid-19" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Covid-19</strong></a> crisis on global energy demand and CO2 emissions.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/covid-19-and-lockdown" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>imposition of lockdown</strong></a> in several countries has largely restricted transportation such as road and air travel. In turn, the drastic reduction in the global energy demands has been observed.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Global Energy Demands</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The countries in<strong> full lockdown</strong> are experiencing an average decline of <strong>25% in energy demand per week,</strong> while in those with a<strong> partial lockdown,</strong> the fall in energy demand is about <strong>18% per week.</strong></li>
<li>Global energy demand<strong> declined by 3.8%</strong> in the first quarter of 2020 compared to the first quarter of 2019.</li>
<li>Further, it is expected that the impact of Covid‑19 on energy demand in 2020 would be <strong>more than seven times larger</strong> than the impact of the 2008 financial crisis on global energy demand.</li>
<li>Considering the above scenario the global demand of various energy sources can be analysed as given below:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Coal Demand:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It has been declined by 8% compared with the first quarter of 2019.</li>
<li>The reasons for such decline include, China &ndash; a coal-based economy &ndash; was the country hardest hit by Covid‑19 in the first quarter and cheap gas and continued growth in renewables elsewhere challenged coal.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Oil Demand:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It has declined by 5% in the first quarter, majorly due to curtailment in mobility and aviation, which account for nearly 60% of global oil demand.</li>
<li>The report also estimates that the global demand for oil could further drop by 9% on average in 2020, which will return oil consumption to 2012 levels.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Gas Demand:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The impact of the pandemic on gas demand has been <strong>moderate, at around 2%,</strong> as gas-based economies were not strongly affected in the first quarter of 2020.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Renewables Energy Resources Demand:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It is the only source that has <strong>registered a growth in demand,</strong> driven by larger installed capacity.</li>
<li>Further, the demand for renewables is<strong> expected to rise by 1% by 2020</strong> because of low operating costs and preferential access for many power systems.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Electricity Demand:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It has been <strong>declined by 20%</strong> during periods of full lockdown in several countries.</li>
<li>However, the residential demand is outweighed by reductions in commercial and industrial operations.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Covid-19 and CO<sub>2</sub> Emissions</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Overall, the emissions decline in 2020 could be<strong> 8% lower than in 2019,</strong> which would be the lowest level of emissions since 2010.</li>
<li>It is also the largest level of emission reduction &mdash; <strong>six times larger than witnessed during the 2009 financial crisis,</strong> and twice as large as the combined total of all reductions witnessed since World War II.</li>
<li>In the first quarter of 2020, the decline in CO<sub>2</sub> emissions is more than the fall in global energy demand.</li>
</ul>
<h3>India&rsquo;s Energy Demands</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>India, which is <strong>one of the IEA association countries,</strong> has experienced a <strong>reduction in its energy demands by 30%</strong> as a result of the nation-wide lockdown.</li>
<li>Moreover, in India, where economic growth and power production are slowing significantly, the demand for coal is expected to decline steeply. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>China and India are the largest and third-largest electricity users in the world respectively, and coal use is dominant in both these countries shaping the global demand for this fuel.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>International Energy Agency</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The International Energy Agency (IEA) is an autonomous organisation which works to ensure reliable, affordable and clean energy.</li>
<li>It was established in the wake of 1973 (set up in 1974) oil crisis after the OPEC cartel had shocked the world with a steep increase in oil prices.</li>
<li>It is headquartered in Paris, France.</li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/world-energy-outlook-2018" target="_blank" rel="noopener">World Enegry Outlook report</a> is released by IEA annually.</li>
<li><strong>India</strong> became an<strong> associate member</strong> of the International Energy Agency in <strong>2017.</strong></li>
<li>Mexico officially became the International Energy Agency&rsquo;s 30th member country in February 2018, and its first member in Latin America.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/covid-19-lockdown-impact-global-energy-sector-demand-explained-6386515/" 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/global-energy-review-2020-iea'
	],
	(int) 12 => [
		'title' => 'Core Sector Shrinks by 6.5%',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>According to the data released by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, <strong>the eight core sector industries</strong> contracted by 6.5% in March, 2020.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The cumulative growth of eight core sector industries during 2019-20 was 0.6%.</li>
<li>In February, 2020, the eight core sector industries <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/core-sector-growth-at-5-5" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>recorded a growth of 5.5%.</strong></a></li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Seven out of eight core sectors contracted in the month of March.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The contraction was led by steel production, electricity, cement production, natural gas production, fertiliser production, crude oil production and petroleum &amp; refinery production.</li>
<li><strong>Coal was the only core sector</strong> which saw growth.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The contraction in the core sector has occurred <strong>despite the fact that several of the core sector industries were given exemptions under the lockdown.</strong> E.g electricity and steel which are continuous processes and were not stopped.</li>
<li>However, the <strong>movement of goods faced major restrictions</strong> due the nationwide lockdown, <strong>resulting in reduced demand</strong> which led to <strong>reduced production.</strong></li>
<li>The March core sector data also reflected <strong>the cut in capital expenditure</strong> by both state and central governments in order to make up for falling tax revenues.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The <strong>capital expenditure</strong> is defined as the money spent on the acquisition of assets like land, buildings, machinery, equipment, as well as investment in shares.</li>
<li>High capital expenditure usually means more investment by the government towards the creation of infrastructure and other assets that are crucial for rapid economic growth.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Core Sector Industries</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The <strong>eight core sector industries</strong> include coal, crude oil, natural gas, refinery products, fertiliser, steel, cement and electricity</li>
<li>The eight core industries <strong>comprise 40.27% of the weight of items</strong> included in the <strong>Index of Industrial Production (IIP).</strong></li>
<li>The eight Core Industries in <strong>decreasing order</strong> of their weightage: <strong>Refinery Products&gt; Electricity&gt; Steel&gt; Coal&gt; Crude Oil&gt; Natural Gas&gt; Cement&gt; Fertilizers.</strong></li>
</ul>
<table border="1" style="height: 162px; border-collapse: collapse;" width="910">
<tbody>
<tr style="height: 19px;">
<td style="width: 455px; height: 19px; background-color: #9cffd4;"><strong>Industry</strong></td>
<td style="width: 454px; height: 19px; background-color: #9cffd4;"><strong>Weight (In percentage)</strong></td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 19px;">
<td style="width: 455px; height: 19px; background-color: #e8fce1;">Petroleum &amp; Refinery production</td>
<td style="width: 454px; height: 19px; background-color: #e8fce1;">28.04</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 19px;">
<td style="width: 455px; height: 19px; background-color: #e8fce1;">Electricity generation</td>
<td style="width: 454px; height: 19px; background-color: #e8fce1;">19.85</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 19px;">
<td style="width: 455px; height: 19px; background-color: #e8fce1;">Steel production</td>
<td style="width: 454px; height: 19px; background-color: #e8fce1;">17.92</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 19px;">
<td style="width: 455px; height: 19px; background-color: #e8fce1;">Coal production</td>
<td style="width: 454px; height: 19px; background-color: #e8fce1;">10.33</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 19px;">
<td style="width: 455px; height: 19px; background-color: #e8fce1;">Crude Oil production</td>
<td style="width: 454px; height: 19px; background-color: #e8fce1;">8.98</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 19px;">
<td style="width: 455px; height: 19px; background-color: #e8fce1;">Natural Gas production</td>
<td style="width: 454px; height: 19px; background-color: #e8fce1;">6.88</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 19px;">
<td style="width: 455px; height: 19px; background-color: #e8fce1;">Cement production</td>
<td style="width: 454px; height: 19px; background-color: #e8fce1;">5.37</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 19px;">
<td style="width: 455px; height: 19px; background-color: #e8fce1;">Fertilizers production</td>
<td style="width: 454px; height: 19px; background-color: #e8fce1;">2.63</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<h3>Index of Industrial Production</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Index of Industrial Production (IIP) is an indicator that<strong> measures the changes in the volume of production of industrial products</strong> during a given period.</li>
<li>It is compiled and published monthly by the <strong>National Statistical Office (NSO), Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation.</strong></li>
<li>IIP is a <strong>composite indicator</strong> that measures the growth rate of industry groups classified under:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Broad sectors,</strong> namely, Mining, Manufacturing, and Electricity.</li>
<li><strong>Use-based sectors,</strong> namely Basic Goods, Capital Goods, and Intermediate Goods.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Base Year</strong> for IIP is <strong>2011-2012.</strong></li>
<li>The <strong>eight core industries</strong> of India represent <strong>about 40% of the weight of items</strong> that are included in the IIP.</li>
<li><strong>Significance of IIP :</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It is <strong>used by government agencies</strong> including the Ministry of Finance, the Reserve Bank of India, etc, for policy-making purposes.</li>
<li>IIP remains extremely relevant for the calculation of the quarterly and<strong> advance GDP estimates.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/business/Economy/march-core-sector-output-slumps-65/article31477076.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/core-sector-shrinks-by-6-5'
	],
	(int) 13 => [
		'title' => 'Year End Review 2019: Department of Atomic Energy',
		'catname' => 'Paper 2',
		'desc' => '<h3>Important Policies and Programmes</h3>
<p><strong>Nuclear Power Programme</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Kaiga Atomic Power Station (KGS-1) has set the world record of 962 days of continuous operation.</li>
<li>Tarapur Atomic Power Station Units (TAPS 1 &amp;2), connected to the grid in April and May 1969, have completed 50 years of safe operation. TAPS- 1&amp;2 are currently the oldest operating power reactors in the world, producing reliable power at about two rupees per unit.</li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/nuclear-power-plants-in-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>At present, there are 22 reactors</strong></a> with an installed capacity of 6780 MWe operating above 80% plant load factor in the country.</li>
</ul>
<table border="1" style="border-collapse: collapse;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="vertical-align: top; background-color: #0026ff; width: 34.5114%;"><span style="color: #ffffff;"><strong>Nuclear Power plants in Operation</strong></span></td>
<td style="vertical-align: top; background-color: #0026ff; width: 30.7692%;"><span style="color: #ffffff;"><strong>Nuclear Power Plants under Construction</strong></span></td>
<td style="vertical-align: top; background-color: #0026ff; width: 34.6154%;"><span style="color: #ffffff;"><strong>Planned Nuclear Power Plants</strong></span></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="vertical-align: top; background-color: #dcecfc; width: 34.5114%;">
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Rawatbhata (Rajasthan)</li>
<li>Tarapur (Maharashtra)</li>
<li>Kudankulam (Tamil Nadu)</li>
<li>Kakrapar (Gujarat)</li>
<li>Kalpakkam (Tamil Nadu)</li>
<li>Narora (Uttar Pradesh)</li>
<li>Kaiga (Karnataka)</li>
</ul>
</td>
<td style="vertical-align: top; background-color: #dcecfc; width: 30.7692%;">
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Kakrapar 3&amp;4 (Gujarat)</li>
<li>Rawatbhata (Rajasthan)</li>
<li>Kudankulam 3&amp;4 (Tamil Nadu)</li>
<li>Kalpakkam PFBR (Tamil Nadu)</li>
</ul>
</td>
<td style="vertical-align: top; background-color: #dcecfc; width: 34.6154%;">
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Jaitapur (Maharashtra)</li>
<li>Kovvada (Andhra Pradesh)</li>
<li>Mithi Virdi (Gujarat)</li>
<li>Haripur (West Bengal)</li>
<li>Gorakhpur (Haryana)</li>
<li>Bhimpur (Madhya Pradesh)</li>
<li>Mahi Banswara (Rajasthan)</li>
<li>Kaiga (Karnataka)</li>
<li>Chutka (Madhya Pradesh)</li>
<li>Tarapur (Maharashtra)</li>
</ul>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Among these eighteen reactors are Pressurised Heavy Water Reactors (PHWRs) and four are Light Water Reactors (LWRs).<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/nuclear-energy-conclave" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>nuclear energy programme</strong></a> in India was launched around the time of independence under the leadership of Homi J Bhabha.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor (PFBR) is being implemented by the Bharatiya Nabhikiya Vidyut Nigam Limited (BHAVINI), a wholly owned Enterprise of the Government of India under the administrative control of the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE).</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Indian Nuclear Energy Programme</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The main objectives of the <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/india-s-prospects-as-a-nuclear-power" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Indian Nuclear Energy programme</strong></a> are to provide safe and reliable electric power for the country&rsquo;s social and economic progress and to be self reliant in all aspects of nuclear technology.</li>
<li>Exploration of atomic minerals in India, undertaken since the early fifties, has indicated that <strong>India has limited reserves of uranium</strong> (natural uranium consists of mostly 238U, with 0.7 % 235U), but <strong>fairly abundant reserves of thorium (232Th).</strong></li>
<li>Accordingly, India has adopted a three stage strategy of nuclear power generation:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Stage 1 Pressurised Heavy Water Reactor (PHWR):</strong> The PHWR is a pressure tube type reactor using heavy water (D2O) moderator, heavy water coolant and natural uranium dioxide fuel. Considering the growing energy demands and the necessity to increase the energy potential, a second line of light water reactors have been added to the current indigenous programme of Pressurised Heavy Water Reactors.</li>
<li><strong>Stage 2 Fast Breeder Reactor (FBR):</strong> India&rsquo;s second stage of nuclear power generation uses the Pu-239 obtained from the first stage reactor operation, as the main fissile element of fuel core in fast breeder reactors (FBR). A blanket of U-238 surrounding the fuel core undergoes nuclear transmutation to produce fresh Pu-239 as more and more Pu-239 is consumed during the operation. The Fast Breeder Programme is in the technology demonstration stage. Sodium, because of its good heat transfer and nuclear properties, is used as the coolant to remove the heat generated in the reactor.</li>
<li><strong>Stage 3 Thorium based Reactor:</strong> Thorium utilization is the long term objective of the Indian Nuclear Power Programme. The third phase of India&rsquo;s Nuclear Power Generation programme is breeder reactors based on Thorium- Uranium-233 cycle.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1588250181_image7.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1588250181_image7.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="650" caption="false" /></a></h3>
<h3>Civil Nuclear Cooperation</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Progress has been made in India&rsquo;s bilateral international engagement in civil nuclear cooperation with major partners.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Discussions are underway with Russia (ROSATOM) for building 6x1200 MWe nuclear power plant at a new site.</li>
<li>Negotiations with France are in an advanced stage for implementation of the Jaitapur project (6x1650 MWe).</li>
<li>Discussions are underway with USA for building 6x1100 MWe nuclear power plant in Kovvada (A.P.)</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Significant outcomes have been achieved in fuel supply arrangements with major global suppliers viz, Canada, Kazakhstan and Australia.</li>
</ul>
<h3>NCG-Vishwam Cancer Care Connect</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>DAE has launched a global cancer care network,<strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/cancer-care-infrastructure" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> &ldquo;National Cancer Grid (NCG)-Vishwam Cancer Care Connect&rdquo; (NCG-Vishwam 3C)</a> </strong>on 17<sup>th</sup> September 2019.</li>
<li>NCG-Vishwam envisages integration of the hospitals and relevant cancer care institutes in partner countries with the National Cancer Grid (NCG) of India.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>National Cancer Grid</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>National Cancer Grid (NCG)</strong> is a <strong>network of major cancer centers, research institutes, patient groups and charitable institutions across India</strong> with the mandate of establishing uniform standards of patient care for prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of cancer, providing specialized training and education in oncology and facilitating collaborative basic, translational and clinical research in cancer.</li>
<li>It was formed in <strong>August 2012.</strong></li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Glass Vitrified Cesium Pencil</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>World&rsquo;s first of its kind Glass vitrified Cesium pencil, extracted from high level radioactive waste for blood irradiation application has been developed and 7 such blood irradiators have been supplied to hospitals.</li>
<li>The irradiation of blood is very much essential to prevent Transfusion Associated &ndash; Graft Vs Host Disease (TA-GVHD) particularly for immune-deficient patients. Various qualities of Cesium, such as longer half life, lower shielding requirement and amenability to be used in non dispersive glass form makes it a more suitable irradiation source over the currently used Cobalt-60.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Radiopharmaceuticals</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Ready to use 4 new Radiopharmaceuticals for imaging of Neuro-endocrinetumours, bone pain palliation, and treatment of liver have been launched. These are in addition to 14 varieties of medicinal radioisotopes/radiopharmaceutical products developed and supplied for diagnostics, therapeutics and palletic use.</li>
<li>Radiopharmaceuticals are unique medicinal formulations containing radioisotopes which are used in major clinical areas for diagnosis and/or therapy.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Radioisotopes</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Different isotopes of the same element have the same number of protons in their atomic nuclei but differing numbers of neutrons.</li>
<li>Radioisotopes are radioactive isotopes of an element. They can also be defined as atoms that contain an unstable combination of neutrons and protons, or excess energy in their nucleus.</li>
<li>Some radioisotopes used in nuclear medicine have short half-lives, which means they decay quickly and are suitable for diagnostic purposes; others with longer half-lives take more time to decay, which makes them suitable for therapeutic purposes.</li>
<li>Industry uses radioisotopes in a variety of ways to improve productivity and gain information that cannot be obtained in any other way.</li>
</ul>
</div>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/to-the-points/Paper2/year-end-review-2019-department-of-atomic-energy'
	],
	(int) 14 => [
		'title' => 'Rights of Minority Institutes not Absolute: SC',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-national-institutions/supreme-court-of-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Supreme Court of India</strong></a> gave its judgement on the <strong>admission criteria of minority institutions.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It held that <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/national-testing-agency-postpones-neet-2020" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test</strong> </a><strong>(NEET)</strong> is mandatory for admission to all the medical colleges and the <strong>right of minority institutions is not absolute and is amenable to regulation.</strong></li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Background:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Few colleges challenged the notifications issued by the <strong>Medical Council of India</strong> (MCI) and the <strong>Dental Council of India</strong> (DCI) under <strong>Sections 10D of the Indian Medical Council Act of 1956 and the Dentists Act of 1948</strong> for <strong>uniform entrance</strong> examinations.</li>
<li>The management of such minority-run medical institutions held that <strong>uniformly bringing them under the ambit of NEET</strong> would be a <strong>violation of their fundamental right</strong> to <strong>occupation, trade and business [Article 19(1)(g)]</strong> and would <strong>violate</strong> their<strong> fundamental rights of religious freedom and to manage their religious affairs (Article 25-28) and to administer their institutions (Article 30).</strong></li>
<li>Few petitioners claimed that <strong>rules notified by Andhra Pradesh government are violative of rights of minority educational institutions</strong> under <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/state-can-regulate-minority-institutions-sc" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Article 30(1) of the Constitution.</strong></a></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Highlights of the Judgement:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The SC held that the <strong>fundamental and religious rights of minorities</strong> and rights available under Article 30 are <strong>not violated by provisions</strong> carved out in Section 10D of the MCI and Dentists Act.</li>
<li>The <strong>right to freedom of trade or business is not absolute.</strong> It is subject to <strong>reasonable restriction</strong> in the interest of the students&rsquo; community to<strong> promote merit, recognition of excellence, and to curb the malpractices.</strong> A uniform entrance test qualifies the test of proportionality and is reasonable.</li>
<li>The <strong>NEET is mandatory for admission to medical colleges run by religious and linguistic minority communities</strong> and it would<strong> apply for both aided and unaided</strong> medical colleges administered by minorities.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>NEET was started to <strong>check several malpractices in the medical education,</strong> to <strong>prevent capitation fee</strong> by admitting students which are lower in merit and to <strong>prevent exploitation, profiteering, and commercialisation</strong> of education.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Uniform entrance exams will<strong> ensure improvement in future public health</strong> by encouraging merit which will further enhance the <a href="/mains-practice-question/question-180" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Directive Principles</strong></a> enshrined in the Constitution.</li>
<li>The SC also upheld <strong>rules framed by the Andhra Pradesh government</strong> making <strong>Secondary School Certificate (SSC)/Transfer Certificate (TC) the basis for a candidate&rsquo;s claim of minority status for admission to B.Ed courses.</strong> The rules also<strong> require minority institutions to allot vacant seats under management quota to non-minority students on merit.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Major Issues:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It was noted that<strong> conversion certificates were obtained by students</strong> from other communities for admission under the management quota.</li>
<li>According to statistical data, <strong>minority seats are highly disproportionate</strong> and <strong>far in excess</strong> due to the number of colleges and total seats availability.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Upholding the Andhra Pradesh government&rsquo;s rules will <strong>safeguard the interests of genuine minority students</strong> against the false overnight conversions.</li>
<li>Providing admission to non-minority students will also <strong>not interfere with the right of a Minority Educational Institution</strong> to manage its affairs for the benefit of the Minority Community.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Minority Educational Institutions</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The term <strong>&lsquo;minority&rsquo;</strong> has <strong>not been defined anywhere in the Constitution.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Article 30</strong> grants the following rights to minorities, whether religious or linguistic:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>All minorities shall have the <strong>right to establish and administer educational institutions</strong> of their choice.</li>
<li>The<strong> compensation</strong> amount fixed by the State for the compulsory acquisition of any property of a minority educational institution<strong> shall not restrict or abrogate the right guaranteed</strong> to them. (added by the <strong>44<sup>th</sup> Amendment Act of 1978)</strong></li>
<li>In granting aid, the<strong> State shall not discriminate</strong> against any educational institution managed by a minority.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Minority educational institutions are of three types:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Institutions that <strong>seek recognition as well as aid</strong> from the State.</li>
<li>Institutions that <strong>seek only recognition</strong> from the State and <strong>not aid.</strong></li>
<li>Institutions that <strong>neither seek recognition nor aid</strong> from the State.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The institutions of<strong> first and second type are subject to the regulatory power of the state</strong> with regard to syllabus prescription, academic standards, discipline, sanitation, employment of teaching staff and so on. The institutions of<strong> third type are free to administer their affairs but subject to operation of general laws</strong> like contract law, labour law, industrial law, tax law, economic regulations, and so on.</li>
<li>The SC <strong>allowed the minority educational institutions to admit eligible students of their choice</strong> and to <strong>set up a reasonable fee structure</strong> in the judgement delivered in the <strong>Secretary of Malankara Syrian Catholic College case (2007).</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>However, it also held that the<strong> right to establish and administer educational institutions is not absolute.</strong> Nor does it include the right to maladminister.</li>
<li>There can be regulatory measures for ensuring educational character and standards and maintaining academic excellence.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/education/neet-applies-to-minority-run-medical-colleges-supreme-court/article31465082.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: TH</strong></a>/<strong><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/india/supreme-court-right-of-minority-institutions-not-absolute-amenable-to-rules-6029473/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">IE</a></strong></p>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/rights-of-minority-institutes-not-absolute-sc'
	],
	(int) 15 => [
		'title' => 'Mutual Funds and Emerging Indian Economy',
		'catname' => 'News Editorials',
		'desc' => '<div class="border">
<p>This article is based on <a href="https://www.business-standard.com/article/opinion/why-franklin-type-fiasco-will-keep-repeating-120042601138_1.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>&ldquo;Why Franklin-type fiasco will keep repeating&rdquo;</strong></a> which was published in the Business standard on 27/04/2020. It talks about the Franklin Templeton Crisis and its impact on the overall Mutual fund market in India.</p>
</div>
<p>India is going through a phase of Demographic Dividend, where the working population forms nearly 65% of total population, the venture of investments in the Bond market like Mutual Fund (MF) provides for ample opportunities of growth in India&rsquo;s financial sector.</p>
<p>However, due to the recent <strong>Franklin Templeton Crisis,</strong> the Mutual Fund industry is currently experiencing a state of flux. This incident could well trigger a systemic crisis of confidence for investors and there are concerns over its possible ripple effects on the overall financial market.</p>
<h3>Franklin Templeton Mutual Fund Crisis</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Franklin Templeton Mutual Fund has decided to wind up six debt schemes that held more than Rs 27,000 crore.</li>
<li>The fund house held that investors will not be able to redeem their investments for the time being as the fund</li>
<li>house has barred both purchases and redemptions.</li>
<li>This decision was taken as the value of Mutual funds was getting eroded following the lack of liquidity on account of the Covid-19 impact on markets.</li>
<li>The Reserve Bank of India&rsquo;s decision to open a special facility to ensure the availability of adequate liquidity for the mutual fund industry is a timely move in signalling to investors that the central bank is alert to the need to preserve financial stability in these challenging times.</li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/rbi-s-liquidity-offer-for-mutual-funds" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>RBI has assigned ₹50,000 crore</strong></a> exclusively for commercial banks to lend to mutual funds. With this step, RBI wants to contain any liquidity crunch in the mutual fund market.</li>
</ul>
<h3>What is a Mutual Fund?</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>A mutual fund collects money from investors and invests the money, on their behalf, in securities (debt, equity or both).</li>
<li>It charges a small fee for managing the money.</li>
<li>Mutual fund sectors are one of the fastest growing sectors in Indian economy that have potential for sustained future growth.</li>
<li>Mutual funds make saving and investing simple and affordable. Anybody with an investible surplus of as little as a few hundred rupees can invest in mutual funds.</li>
<li>The other advantages of mutual funds include professional management, diversification, variety, liquidity, convenience as well as strict government regulations and full disclosure.</li>
<li><a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-national-institutions/securities-and-exchange-board-of-india-sebi" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>SEBI</strong></a> is the regulatory body to control and regulate the securities market and mutual funds industry in India.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/initial-public-offer-ipo" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Infrastructure investment Trust (InvIt) and Real estate Investment Trust (ReITs)</strong></a> are examples of <strong>mutual funds.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Issues Related to Mutual Fund Market</h3>
<p><strong>Investments Are Subject to Market Risk</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The mutual funds investment in companies even with weaker balance sheets do well during the period of higher growth rate with no undue pressure of liquidity.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>However, when there is stress in the economy, such weaker balance sheets and high leverage are the first to default.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Further, Indian Financial markets are volatile: nearly 30% of market value of India&rsquo;s stock exchange have eroded in the last 4 months.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>This lowers the attraction towards mutual funds as a lucrative investment option and affects the overall economy.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>No Accountability of Credit Rating Agencies</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Fund Houses abdicate their responsibility to credit rating agencies. Based on these ratings of assets (AAA rated assets - being the most secure investment option) done by these agencies, investments are made.</li>
<li>However, sometimes even the most secure investment/companies that default or engage in corrupt practices.</li>
<li>Moreover, there is no accountability of these agencies.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Menace of Misinformation</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The main objective of the fund houses is asset-gathering, and don't play the fiduciary role as a trustee of other people&rsquo;s money.</li>
<li>Moreover, Debt investment is the specialised domain of a small group of finance professionals. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Many investors in mutual funds don&rsquo;t even understand that debt schemes are mislabelled as fixed-income schemes, which give investors the impression that they are similar to fixed deposits.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>SEBI should revise rules to crack down on mis-labelling and mis-selling, and segregate debt funds run for institutional and retail investors.</li>
<li>Regulatory reforms, such as a simplified KYC to make onboarding hassle-free; making Aadhar interchangeable with PAN; and allowing investments on the basis of Bank KYC, should be taken.</li>
<li>Technology will be the biggest enabler for growth as mutual funds are already noticing increasing traction from online channels like fintech platforms, mobile apps and websites.</li>
<li>There is a need to fix the accountability of credit-rating companies and fund companies.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>This can be done by linking their income to returns and/or certain outcomes.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p>There is a need to engage domestic investment in India&rsquo;s financial market. This will reduce dependence on the foregin investment (hot money), which in turn, will curb volatility and provide stability to Indian financial market.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1588244646_image4.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1588244646_image4.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="500" caption="false" /></a></p>
<table border="1" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="width: 100%; border-style: dotted; border-color: #ff0000; background-color: #e8fffb;">
<p><span style="color: #000080;"><em><strong>Drishti Mains Question</strong></em></span></p>
<p>Discuss the challenges and solutions pertaining to the Mutual Funds market In India.</p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p style="text-align: center;"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/quKLI7n90x0" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p>
<p>This editorial is based on <strong><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/editorial/signalling-support-the-hindu-editorial-on-rbi-relief-for-mutual-funds/article31457485.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener">&ldquo;Signalling support: On RBI relief for mutual funds&rdquo;</a></strong> which was published in The Hindu on April 29<sup>th</sup>, 2020. Now watch this on our Youtube channel.</p>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/mutual-funds-and-emerging-indian-economy'
	],
	(int) 16 => [
		'title' => 'New List of Names of Tropical Cyclones',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>The <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/india-warming-trends" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>India Meteorological Department (IMD)</strong></a> has released a list with the names of 169 <a href="/to-the-points/Paper2/year-end-review-ministry-of-earth-sciences" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>tropical cyclones</strong></a> that are likely to emerge over the north Indian Ocean, including the Bay of Bengal and the Indian Ocean.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The report was adopted by WMO/ESCAP Panel on Tropical Cyclones (PTC) with consensus in April, 2020.</li>
<li>The current list has a total of 169 names including 13 names each for 13 WMO/ESCAP member countries.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>IMD, one of the six <strong>Regional Specialised Meteorological Centres (RSMC)</strong> in the world, is mandated to <strong>issue advisories and name tropical cyclones</strong> in the north Indian Ocean region.</li>
<li>The advisories are issued to <strong>13 member countries under WMO/ESCAP Panel</strong> including Bangladesh, India, Iran, Maldives, Myanmar, Oman, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Sri Lanka, Thailand, United Arab Emirates and Yemen.</li>
<li><strong>Benefits of naming :</strong> Naming of tropical cyclones helps the scientific community, disaster managers, media and general masses to<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Identify each individual cyclone.</li>
<li>Create awareness of its development.</li>
<li>Remove confusion in case of simultaneous occurrence of tropical cyclones over a region.</li>
<li>Remember a tropical cyclone easily,</li>
<li>Rapidly and effectively disseminate warnings to a much wider audience.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Naming of the Tropical Cyclones</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The <strong>WMO/ESCAP Panel on Tropical Cyclones (PTC)</strong> at its 27<sup>th</sup> Session held in 2000 in Muscat, Oman agreed in principle to assign names to the tropical cyclones in the <strong>Bay of Bengal and Arabian Sea.</strong></li>
<li>The naming of the tropical cyclones over the north Indian Ocean <strong>commenced from September 2004.</strong></li>
<li>This list contained names proposed by then<strong> eight member countries</strong> of WMO/ESCAP PTC, viz., Bangladesh, India, Maldives, Myanmar, Oman, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Thailand.</li>
<li>The requirement for a fresh list of tropical cyclones <strong>including representation from five new member countries:</strong> Iran, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates and Yemen (total 13 member countries) was tabled during the<strong> 45<sup>th</sup> session of WMO/ESCAP, held in September 2018.&nbsp;</strong>The session was hosted by <strong>Oman.</strong></li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Panel on Tropical Cyclones</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The <strong>World Meteorological Organization (WMO)</strong> and the <strong>Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP)</strong> jointly established the <strong>Panel on Tropical Cyclones (PTC)in 1972 as an intergovernmental body.</strong></li>
<li>Its membership comprises countries affected by <strong>tropical cyclones in the Bay of Bengal and the Arabian Sea.</strong></li>
<li>The Panel is one of the five <strong>regional tropical cyclone bodies</strong> established as part of the <strong>WMO Tropical Cyclone Programme (TCP)</strong> which aims at promoting and coordinating the planning and implementation of measures to <strong>mitigate tropical cyclone disasters</strong> on a worldwide basis. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>For this purpose, there are Regional Specialized Meteorological Centre (RSMC)- Tropical cyclone and Tropical Cyclone Warning Centres (TCWC) for different regions.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The main objective of the WMO/ESCAP Panel on Tropical Cyclones is to promote measures to<strong> improve tropical cyclone warning systems in the Bay of Bengal and the Arabian Sea.</strong></li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Tropical Cyclone</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Tropical cyclone is an intense circular storm that <strong>originates over warm tropical oceans</strong> and is characterized by low atmospheric pressure, high winds, and heavy rain.</li>
<li>A characteristic feature of tropical cyclones is the eye, a <strong>central region of clear skies, warm temperatures, and low atmospheric pressure.</strong></li>
<li>Storms of this type are called <strong>hurricanes in the North Atlantic and eastern Pacific and typhoons in SouthEast Asia and China.</strong> They are called <strong>tropical cyclones in the southwest Pacific and Indian Ocean region.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Formation:&nbsp;</strong>Tropical cyclones<strong> form near the equator and gain their energy from the heat</strong> that is released when water vapour condenses into rain.</li>
<li>In the <strong>southern hemisphere storms rotate clockwise and anti-clockwise in the northern hemisphere.</strong></li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=1619051" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: PIB</strong></a></p>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/new-list-of-names-of-tropical-cyclones'
	],
	(int) 17 => [
		'title' => 'UNESCO',
		'catname' => 'International Institutions',
		'desc' => '<p>&ldquo;Since wars begin in the minds of men and women, it is in the minds of men and women that the defences of peace must be constructed&rdquo; - UNESCO</p>
<p><strong>United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)</strong> is a specialized agency of the <strong><a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/united-nations-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">United Nations (UN)</a></strong>. It seeks to <strong>build peace through international cooperation in Education, the Sciences and Culture.</strong></p>
<p>It is also a member of the <strong>United Nations Sustainable Development Group (UNSDG),</strong> a coalition of UN agencies and organizations aimed at fulfilling the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>UNESCO&rsquo;s <strong>Headquarters</strong> are located in <strong>Paris</strong> and the Organization has more than 50 field offices around the world.</li>
<li>It has <strong>193 Members and 11 Associate Members</strong> (As of April 2020) and is governed by the General Conference and the Executive Board.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Three UNESCO member states are not UN members: <strong>Cook Islands, Niue, and Palestine.</strong></li>
<li>While three UN member states <strong>(Israel, Liechtenstein, United States)</strong> are not UNESCO members.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Objectives</h3>
<p>UNESCO focuses on a set of objectives such as:</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Attaining quality education for all and lifelong learning</li>
<li>Mobilizing science knowledge and policy for sustainable development</li>
<li>Addressing emerging social and ethical challenges</li>
<li>Fostering cultural diversity, intercultural dialogue and a culture of peace</li>
<li>Building inclusive knowledge societies through information and communication</li>
<li>Focuses on global priority areas - <strong>&ldquo;Africa&rdquo; and &ldquo;Gender Equality&rdquo;.</strong></li>
</ul>
<h3>History</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>In 1942, during the Second World War, the governments of the European countries, which were confronting Germany and its allies, met in the United Kingdom for the <strong>Conference of Allied Ministers of Education (CAME).</strong></li>
<li>Upon the proposal of CAME, a United Nations Conference for the establishment of an educational and cultural organization was convened in London in November 1945.</li>
<li>At the end of the conference, UNESCO was founded on 16 November 1945.</li>
<li>The <strong>first session</strong> of the General Conference of UNESCO was held in<strong> Paris</strong> during November-December of 1946.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Areas of Specialization of UNESCO</h3>
<p><strong>Education Transforms Lives</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Education transforms lives and is at the heart of UNESCO&rsquo;s mission to build peace, eradicate poverty and drive sustainable development.</li>
<li>The Organization is the only United Nations agency with a mandate to cover all aspects of education.</li>
<li>It has been entrusted to <strong>lead the Global Education 2030 Agenda</strong> through Sustainable Development Goal - 4. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>&lsquo;Education 2030 Framework for Action&rsquo; (Incheon Declaration)</strong> is the roadmap to achieve the global education 2030 agenda..</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Its work encompasses educational development from pre-school to higher education and beyond.</li>
<li>Themes include global citizenship and sustainable development, human rights and gender equality, health and HIV and AIDS, as well as technical and vocational skills development.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Protecting Our Heritage and Fostering Creativity</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It is becoming a fact that no development can be sustainable without a strong culture component.</li>
<li>UNESCO has adopted a <strong>three-pronged approach</strong> to make culture takes it rightful place in development strategies and processes:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Spearheads worldwide advocacy</strong> for culture and development.</li>
<li><strong>Engages with the international community</strong> to set clear policies and legal frameworks</li>
<li>Works on the ground to <strong>support governments and local stakeholders</strong> to safeguard heritage, strengthen creative industries and encourage cultural pluralism.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Some important conventions and International treaties of UNESCO to protect and safeguard the world&rsquo;s cultural and natural heritage:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions (2005)</li>
<li>The Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage (2003)</li>
<li>The Universal Declaration on Cultural Diversity (2001)</li>
<li>The Convention on the Protection of the Underwater Cultural Heritage (2001)</li>
<li>The Convention for the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage (1972)</li>
<li>The Convention on the Means of Prohibiting and Preventing the Illicit Traffic of Cultural Property (1970)</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Science for a Sustainable Future</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Science equips us to find solutions to today&rsquo;s acute economic, social and environmental challenges and to achieving sustainable development and greener societies.</li>
<li>UNESCO works to assist countries to invest in Science, Technology and Innovation (STI), to develop national science policies, to reform their science systems and to build capacity to monitor and evaluate performance through STI indicators..</li>
<li>Also, UNESCO works with its member states to foster informed decisions about the use of science and technology, in particular in the field of bioethics.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Social and Human Sciences</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>UNESCO helps to enable people to create and use knowledge for just and inclusive societies, support them in understanding each other and working together to build lasting peace.</li>
<li>It promotes mutual understanding among member states through its intergovernmental Programme like <strong>Management of Social Transformations (MOST),</strong> its <strong>Youth Programme</strong> and the<strong> Culture of Peace and Non-Violence Programme</strong> which include initiatives for democracy and global citizenship, intercultural dialogue, peace-building.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Communication and Information</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>UNESCO <strong>advances freedom of expression</strong> and the safety of journalists, combats online hate speech, as well as disinformation and misinformation through awareness raising initiatives.</li>
<li>It also supports universal access to information and knowledge through promoting Open Solutions, including Open Educational Resources, access for marginalized people, and multilingualism in Cyberspace.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Global Priorities Of UNESCO - &lsquo;Africa&rsquo; and &lsquo;Gender Equality&rsquo;</h3>
<p><strong>Africa</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>UNESCO is attentive to 54 African countries with a stronger and better-targeted strategy.</li>
<li>The adoption of the <strong>African Union Agenda 2063</strong> and the <strong>2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development</strong> paving the ground for the African Economic Community and the African Renaissance.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Gender Equality</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>UNESCO holds that women and men must enjoy equal opportunities, choices, capabilities, power and knowledge as equal citizens.</li>
<li>Equipping girls and boys, women and men with the knowledge, values, attitudes and skills to tackle gender disparities is a precondition to building a sustainable future for all.</li>
<li>Some important initiatives to achieve the objective of Gender equality are: <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>UNESCO Priority Gender Equality Action Plan</li>
<li>Gender Equality Tools</li>
<li>Gender Views</li>
<li>Gender-related UNESCO Chairs and Networks</li>
<li>UNESCO Prize for Girls&rsquo; and Women&rsquo;s Education</li>
<li>UNESCO Youth Mobile</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Some of the Important Initiatives of UNESCO</h3>
<p><strong>World Heritage Convention and List</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>World Heritage Convention -1972 links together the concepts of nature conservation and the preservation of cultural properties.</li>
<li>The Convention defines the kind of natural or cultural sites (World Heritage Sites) which can be considered for inscription on the <strong>World Heritage List.</strong></li>
<li>The States Parties of convention are encouraged to integrate the protection of the cultural and natural heritage into regional planning programmes, set up staff and services at their sites, undertake scientific and technical conservation research.</li>
<li>It explains how the <strong>World Heritage Fund</strong> is to be used and managed.</li>
<li>Globally there are 1121 World Heritage sites in the 167 countries. Meanwhile, India has 38 <a href="/to-the-points/paper1/world-heritage-sites-in-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>World Heritage Sites</strong></a> that include 30 Cultural properties, 7 Natural properties and 1 mixed site</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Programme</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It is an<strong> intergovernmental scientific programme</strong> that aims to establish a scientific basis for enhancing the relationship between people and their environments.</li>
<li>It promotes innovative approaches to economic development that are socially and culturally appropriate and environmentally sustainable.</li>
<li>The <strong>World Network of Biosphere Reserves</strong> currently counts 701 sites in 124 countries all over the world, including 21 transboundary sites.</li>
<li>India has <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/biosphere-reserves-in-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>18 Biosphere reserves</strong></a> out of which 11 have been recognized internationally under Man and Biosphere (MAB) program:</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>International Geoscience and Global Geoparks Programme (IGGP)</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>International Geoscience Programme (IGCP)</strong> harnesses the intellectual capacity of a worldwide network of geoscientists to lay the foundation for our planet&rsquo;s future, focusing on responsible resource extraction, natural hazard resilience and preparedness, and adaptability in the era of a changing climate.</li>
<li><strong>UNESCO Global Geoparks (UGGp)</strong> are laboratories for sustainable development which promote the recognition and management of Earth heritage, and the sustainability of local communities. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>As of April 2019, there are 147 UNESCO Global Geoparks within 41 Member States, covering a total area of 288,000 km&sup2;</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>International Hydrological Programme (IHP)</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Intergovernmental Hydrological Programme (IHP) is the only intergovernmental programme of the United Nations system devoted to water research and management, and related education and capacity development</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>World Water Assessment Programme (WWAP)</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The growing global water crisis threatens the security, stability and environmental sustainability of developing nations.</li>
<li>The programme focuses on assessing the developing situation of freshwater throughout the world. It also coordinates the work of 31 UN-Water members and partners in the <strong>World Water Development Report (WWDR).</strong></li>
</ul>
<p><strong>International Basic Sciences Programme (IBSP)</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It is an international multidisciplinary programme established by UNESCO Member States in order to reinforce intergovernmental cooperation in science to strengthen national capacities in the basic sciences and science education.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Important Reports of UNESCO</h3>
<p><strong>UNESCO Science Report</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>UNESCO Science Report maps Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) governance around the world on a regular basis. The report is published every five years, on 10 November, to mark <strong>World Science Day for Peace and Development.</strong></li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Global Education Monitoring Report</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Global Education Monitoring (GEM) Report carries out its assessment of progress towards the Sustainable Development Goal on education (SDG4) and its 10 targets, as well as other related education targets in the SDG agenda.</li>
<li>The report examines different accountability mechanisms that are used to hold governments, schools, teachers, parents, the international community, and the private sector accountable for inclusive, equitable and quality education.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>McBride Report of 1980</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The comprehensive report of the MacBride Commission is also named<strong> &ldquo;Many Voices, OneWorld&rdquo;.</strong></li>
<li>It analyzed communication problems in modern societies, particularly relating to mass media and news, consider the emergence of new technologies, and to suggest a kind of communication order (<strong>New World Information and Communication Order</strong>) to diminish these problems to further peace and human development</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>UNESCO State of the Education Report for India: Children With Disabilities</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The 2019 report is the first edition of the annual report to be published by UNESCO in India.</li>
<li>It highlights accomplishments and challenges with regards to the right to education of children with disabilities (CWDs).</li>
<li>UNESCO&rsquo;s State of the Education Report 2019 is expected to help the education system better respond to the learning needs of CWDs. This will enable significant progress towards our collective objective of leaving no one behind and provide to all children and youth equitable opportunities for quality learning.</li>
</ul>
<h3>UNESCO And INDIA</h3>
<p><strong>Indian National Commission for Cooperation with UNESCO (INCCU)</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>India has been a member of the UNESCO since its inception in 1946.</li>
<li>UNESCO constitution requires that each Member State should have a principle body that shall work with the Organization. Thus, in India, <strong>Indian National Commission for Cooperation with UNESCO (INCCU)</strong> was commissioned.</li>
<li>UNESCO has two Offices in India<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The<strong> New Delhi cluster office</strong> for eleven countries in South and Central Asia (Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Iran, Maldives, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka)</li>
<li>The <strong>MGIEP &ndash; the Mahatma Gandhi Institute of Education for Peace</strong> and Sustainable Development fully supported and funded by the Government of India.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>UNESCO&rsquo;s International Prizes and India</h3>
<p><strong>UNESCO-Madanjeet Singh Prize for the Promotion of Tolerance and Non-Violence</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It is established through the generous donation of the UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador, Indian artist, writer and diplomat Mr Madanjeet Singh, the prize honors his lifelong commitment to the cause of peace and tolerance.</li>
<li>The creation of the Prize in 1995 marked the United Nations Year for Tolerance and the 125<sup>th</sup> anniversary of the birth of Mahatma Gandhi.</li>
<li>Since 1996, the Prize has been awarded every two years and, since 2002, it amounts to US $ 100,000.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>The UNESCO Kalinga Prize for the Popularization of Science</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It is an international distinction created by UNESCO in 1951 following a donation from Mr Bijoyanand Patnaik, Founder and President of the Kalinga Foundation Trust in India.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1588248520_Image3.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1588248520_Image3.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="600" caption="false" /></a></p>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1588248541_image6.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1588248541_image6.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="800" caption="false" /></a></p>',
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	],
	(int) 18 => [
		'title' => 'Aero India',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the Ministry of Defence has announced that the <strong>13<sup>th</sup> edition of Aero India</strong> will be held from February 3 to 7, 2021 at Air Force Station Yelahanka (Karnataka).</p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Aero India is a<strong> biennial international military and civil airshow.</strong></li>
<li>It is a premier event that draws<strong> international and Indian military and civil aircraft makers,</strong> their support industries, military brass and government dignitaries, and business visitors.</li>
<li>The Yelahanka air base, about 30 km from the city centre Bangluru has been hosting the air show in February<strong> since it was started in 1996.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The 2021 Aero India will be organised by the <strong>Defence Exhibition Organisation, Ministry of Defence.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>In 2019 it was organised by Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL).</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Defence Exhibition Organisation</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It is an <strong>autonomous organisation of the Indian Government</strong> established in 1981.</li>
<li>The organisation was<strong> established to promote export potential of the Indian defence industry.</strong></li>
<li>The agency is responsible for <strong>organising international exhibitions such as <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/defexpo-2020" target="_blank" rel="noopener">DEFEXPO</a></strong> and Indian participation at overseas exhibitions.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/karnataka/aero-india-2021-is-on-at-the-same-time-and-place/article31465885.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/aero-india'
	],
	(int) 19 => [
		'title' => 'Final Report on National Infrastructure Pipeline',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the<strong> task force headed by Atanu Chakraborty</strong> (economic affairs secretary) on <strong>National Infrastructure Pipeline (NIP)</strong> submitted its final report to the Finance Minister.</p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Revised Investment Need:</strong> The taskforce has <strong>forecast an investment need of ₹111 lakh crore</strong> over the<strong> next five years (2020-2025)</strong> to build infrastructure projects and drive economic growth.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The final report has revised up NIP from earlier Rs 100 lakh crore in light of additional data provided by central ministries/state governments since the release of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/national-infrastructure-pipeline-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>summary NIP report.</strong></a></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Bulk Share: Energy, roads, railways and urban projects</strong> are estimated to account for the bulk of projects (around 70%).</li>
<li><strong>Measures Suggested:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Aggressive push towards asset sales</li>
<li>Monetisation of infrastructure assets</li>
<li>Setting up of development finance institutions</li>
<li>Strengthening the municipal bond market</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Streamlining Process:</strong> The task force<strong> has also recommended to set up of three committees:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Timely Execution:</strong> Panel to monitor NIP progress and eliminate delays.</li>
<li><strong>Follow Up:</strong> Steering committee in each infrastructure ministry for following up implementation</li>
<li><strong>Raising Financial Resources:</strong> Committee in the Department of Economic Affairs for raising financial resources for the NIP</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Background</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The<strong> task force was set up</strong> after the Prime Minister, in his Independence Day speech of 2019, promised to roll out an <strong>infrastructure push worth ₹100 trillion</strong> over five years to make India a $5 trillion economy.</li>
<li>The summary report for, National Infrastructure Pipeline (NIP), 2020-25 was released by the finance minister on 31 December, 2019.</li>
<li>Out of the total expected capital expenditure of Rs 111 lakh crore<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Projects worth Rs 44 lakh crore (40 % of NIP) are<strong> under implementation.</strong></li>
<li>Projects worth Rs 33 lakh crore (30 % of NIP) are at <strong>conceptual stage.</strong></li>
<li>Projects worth Rs 22 lakh crore (20 % of NIP) are <strong>under development.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>National Infrastructure Pipeline</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>NIP will enable a forward outlook on<strong> infrastructure projects which will create jobs, improve ease of living, and provide equitable access to infrastructure</strong> for all, thereby making growth more inclusive.</li>
<li>NIP includes <strong>economic and social infrastructure</strong> projects.</li>
<li>It also includes both<strong> greenfield and brownfield projects.</strong></li>
<li>It will help in stepping-up annual infrastructure investment<strong> to achieve the Gross Domestic Product <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/highlights-of-economic-survey-2018-19" target="_blank" rel="noopener">(GDP) of $5 trillion by 2024-25</a>.</strong></li>
<li>The Centre and states are expected to have almost equal share in implementing NIP, while the private sector contribution is expected to be around 21%.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/business/2020-25-infra-funding-pegged-at-rs-111l-crore-energy-roads-railways-to-get-lions-share-6385402/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: IE</strong></a></p>',
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