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Institution of Eminence Scheme

Why in News Recently, the OP Jindal Global University officially got an ‘Institution of Eminence (IoE) tag. The university was selected by...

30 Oct 2020 News Analysis
Combating Deep Fakes

This article is based on “Countering deep fakes, the most serious AI threat” which was published in The Hindu on 20/10/2020. It talks...

29 Oct 2020 News Editorials
ASER Survey 2020

Why in News Recently, the Annual State of Education Report (ASER) survey has been released which provides a glimpse into the levels of learning loss...

29 Oct 2020 News Analysis
Second Meeting of India-Central Asia Dialogue

Why in News Recently, India virtually hosted the second meeting of the India-Central Asia Dialogue. The first meeting of the dialogue was held in...

29 Oct 2020 News Analysis
Earth Observation Satellite EOS-01: ISRO

Why in News India would launch its latest earth observation satellite EOS-01 and nine international customer satellites from Satish Dhawan Space...

29 Oct 2020 News Analysis
Kumhar Sashaktikaran Yojana

Why in News Recently, electric pottery wheels to 100 potter families in Maharashtra were distributed under the Kumhar Sashaktikaran Yojana (KSY) of...

29 Oct 2020 News Analysis
Dashboard for Monitoring Air Quality

Why in News CarbonCopy and Respirer Living Sciences, two environmental organisations, have released a dashboard which presents a comparative picture...

29 Oct 2020 News Analysis
India in Support of France

Why in News Recently, India came out in support of France’s President who has been criticised by Pakistan and Turkey for strongly defending...

29 Oct 2020 News Analysis
Amendment Related to Land in Jammu and Kashmir

Why in News Recently, the Centre notified ‘Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation (Adaptation of Central Laws) Third Order,...

29 Oct 2020 News Analysis
The Big Picture: Groundwater Extraction Norms

Why in News? With around one-sixth of assessed ground water units in the country facing over-exploitation, the Centre Govt has issued revised...

29 Oct 2020 Lok Sabha & Rajya Sabha Discussions
Basic Exchange and Cooperation Agreement

This article is based on “The Delhi-DC strategic dance” which was published in The Hindustan Times on 27/10/2020. It talks about the...

28 Oct 2020 News Editorials
Tectonically Active Zone of Himalayas

Why in News Recently, a group of scientists from the Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology (WIHG), Dehradun have found that the Indus-Tsangpo Suture...

28 Oct 2020 News Analysis
Computation Analysis of Indian Genes

Why in News Recently, the results from the computation analysis of the 1029 sequenced genomes from India were published in the scientific journal,...

28 Oct 2020 News Analysis
India-USA 2+2 Dialogue 2020

Why in News Recently, India and the USA have concluded the 3rd India-USA 2+2 dialogue in New Delhi. The USA reiterated its support to India in...

28 Oct 2020 News Analysis
Maritime Vision 2030

Why in News Recently, the Union Minister of State for Shipping has inaugurated the Direct Port Entry (DPE) facility of V O Chidambaranar Port Trust...

28 Oct 2020 News Analysis
Superconductivity at Room Temperature

Why in News Recently, researchers have created a material that is superconducting at room temperature, however, it only works at a pressure of 267...

28 Oct 2020 News Analysis
Electronic Exchange of Customs Data

Why in News Recently, the Department of Posts, Government of India (India Post) and United States Postal Service signed an agreement for electronic...

28 Oct 2020 News Analysis
AWAKE: Main Examination 2020

'AWAKE' : UPSC Civil Service Mains Examination 2020 (Answer Writing and Knowledge Enrichment Program) AWAKE is a special crash course...

27 Oct 2020 Online Courses
Stubble Waste Management

This article is based on “Wealth from stubble” which was published in The Indian Express on 27/10/2020. It talks about the issue of...

27 Oct 2020 News Editorials
Tsunami Early Warning System in India

Why in News According to experts from the Indian National Centre for Ocean Information System (INCOIS), India is much safer against tsunami threats...

27 Oct 2020 News Analysis

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			'title' => 'Institution of Eminence Scheme',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the OP Jindal Global University officially got an <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/institutions-of-eminence-ioe-scheme" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>&lsquo;Institution of Eminence (IoE)</strong></a> tag.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The university was selected by the UGC, along with 13 other higher education institutions, for IoE status in 2019. However, for official confirmation, the institution had to fulfil certain legislative and procedural requirements.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Background:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Earlier in 2018, the Empowered Expert Committee (EEC) chaired by <strong>former Chief Election Commissioner, N. Gopalasamy recommended</strong> a list of institutions for the consideration of the IoE status.</li>
<li>Under this, the government aims to <strong>establish 20 world class institutes in the country</strong> to provide support and prepare them<strong> to become world-class institutions</strong> and the <strong>ultimate aim</strong> is to make them<strong> secure top global rankings.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Objectives:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Excellence and Innovation:</strong> To provide for higher education leading to excellence and innovations in such branches of knowledge as may be deemed fit at post-graduate, graduate and research degree levels.</li>
<li><strong>Specialization:</strong> To engage in areas of specialization to make distinctive contributions to the objectives of the university education system.</li>
<li><strong>Global Rating:</strong> To aim to be rated internationally for its teaching and research as a top hundred Institution in the world over time.</li>
<li><strong>Quality teaching and Research:</strong> To provide for high quality teaching and research and for the advancement of knowledge and its dissemination</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Criteria:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Global/National Ranking:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>To get the status, the institutions should be among:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Top 50 in the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/nirf-and-ariia-rankings-2019" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>National Institution Ranking Framework (NIRF).</strong></a></li>
<li>Top 500 in internationally recognised rankings.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Public Institutes</strong> that are eligible to apply under Institutes of Eminence are as follows:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Central Universities</li>
<li>Government-owned and controlled Deemed to be Universities.</li>
<li>Institutions of National importance such as IITs, NITs, etc.</li>
<li>State Universities are set up under a law made by the Legislative Assembly of a State.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Private institutions</strong> are assessed on the basis of their ranking in the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/important-facts-for-prelims-16th-october-2018" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>QS India</strong></a> <strong>or NIRF,</strong> the NIRF ranking being used as a tie-breaker.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Any institution that did not appear in any rankings is excluded completely from the list of IoE tag.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Greenfield Proposals:</strong> Only after exhausting the above criterion, if any slot remains vacant, consideration shall be given to<strong> yet to be established (Greenfield)</strong> proposals.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The term greenfield project generally refers to the initiation of a project without the need to consider any prior work.</li>
<li>The Greenfield Institutions get a 3 <strong>year period</strong> to establish and operationalise the institution.</li>
<li><strong>Satya Bharti Foundation (telecom major Airtel&rsquo;s philanthropic arm)</strong> became the <strong>second greenfield institution</strong> to be given IoE status, <strong>after Reliance&rsquo;s Jio Institute.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Benefits:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Autonomy:</strong> Institutes with IoE tag will be given greater autonomy and freedom to decide fees, course durations and governance structures.</li>
<li><strong>Grant:</strong> The public institutions under IoE tag will receive a government grant of Rs. 1,000 crore, while the private institutions will not get any funding under the scheme.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/education/op-jindal-university-gets-institution-of-eminence-tag-6909196/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: IE</strong></a></p>',
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		(int) 1 => [
			'title' => 'Combating Deep Fakes',
			'catname' => 'News Editorials',
			'desc' => '<div class="border">
<p>This article is based on <a href="https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/lead/countering-deepfakes-the-most-serious-ai-threat/article32966578.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener">&ldquo;Countering deep fakes, the most serious AI threat&rdquo;</a> which was published in The Hindu on 20/10/2020. It talks about the dangers associated with the Deep Fakes.</p>
</div>
<p>Technological advancement that has fueled media creation today, has provided opportunities for all people, regardless of their demography, ethnicity, religion etc. It can give people a voice, purpose, and ability to make an impact at scale and with speed.</p>
<p>However, as access to synthetic media technology increases, so does the risk of exploitation. One such aspect of media creation is <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/deep-fakes" target="_blank" rel="noopener">deep fakes</a>. Deep Fakes are the digital media (video, audio, and images) manipulated using <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/artificial-intelligence-and-deepfakes-misuse-and-way-forward" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Artificial Intelligence</a>.</p>
<p>Deep fakes have evolved from mere annoyance to high stake warfare for creating social discord, increasing polarisation, and in some cases, influencing an election outcome. It allows hyper-realistic digital falsification that can inflict damage to individuals, institutions, businesses and democracy.</p>
<h3>Dangers Associated With Deep Fake</h3>
<p>Deep Fake makes it possible to fabricate media &mdash; swap faces, lip-syncing, and puppeteers &mdash; mostly without consent and bring threat to psychology, security, political stability, and business disruption.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>New Front of Warfare:</strong> A deepfake could act as a powerful tool by a nation-state to undermine public safety and create uncertainty and chaos in the target country.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Nation-state actors with geopolitical aspirations, ideological believers, violent extremists, and economically motivated enterprises can manipulate media narratives using deepfakes.</li>
<li>It can be used by insurgent groups and terrorist organisations, to represent their adversaries as making inflammatory speeches or engaging in provocative actions to stir up anti-state sentiments among people.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Targeting Women:</strong> The malicious use of a deepfake can be seen in pornography, inflicting emotional, reputational, and in some cases, violence towards the individual.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Pornographic deep fakes can threaten, intimidate, and inflict psychological harm and reduce women to sexual objects. Deepfake pornography majorly targets women.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Damage to Personal Reputation</strong>: Deepfake can depict a person indulging in antisocial behaviours and saying vile things.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>These can have severe implications on their reputation, sabotaging their professional and personal life.</li>
<li>Even if the victim could debunk the deep fake, it may come too late to remedy the initial harm.</li>
<li>Further, Deepfakes can be deployed to extract money, confidential information, or exact favours from individuals.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Undermining Democracy:</strong> A deepfake can also aid in altering the democratic discourse and undermine trust in institutions and impair diplomacy.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>False information about institutions, public policy, and politicians powered by a deepfake can be exploited to spin the story and manipulate belief.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Disrupting Electioneering:</strong> A deepfake of a political candidate can sabotage their image and reputation. A well-executed one, a few days before polling, of a political candidate spewing out racial epithets or indulging in an unethical act can damage their campaign.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>A high-quality deepfake can inject compelling false information that can cast a shadow of illegitimacy over the voting process and election results.</li>
<li>Leaders can also use them to increase populism and consolidate power.</li>
<li>Deepfakes can become a very effective tool to sow the seeds of polarisation, amplifying division in society, and suppressing dissent.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Enhancing Media Literacy:</strong> Media literacy for consumers and journalists is the most effective tool to combat disinformation and deep fakes.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Improving media literacy is a precursor to addressing the challenges presented by deepfakes.</li>
<li>Media literacy efforts must be enhanced to cultivate a discerning public.</li>
<li>As consumers of media, they must have the ability to decipher, understand, translate, and use the information.</li>
<li>Even a short intervention with media understanding, learning the motivations and context, can lessen the damage.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Need for Regulation:</strong> Meaningful regulations with a collaborative discussion with the technology industry, civil society, and policymakers can facilitate disincentivizing the creation and distribution of malicious deep fakes.</li>
<li><strong>Technological Interventions:</strong> There is also a need for easy-to-use and accessible technology solutions to detect deep fakes, authenticate media, and amplify authoritative sources.</li>
<li><strong>Behavioural Change:</strong> On the part of society, to counter the menace of deep fakes, there is a need to take the responsibility to be a critical consumer of media on the Internet, think and pause before sharing on social media, and be part of the solution to this infodemic.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Conclusion</h3>
<p>To defend the truth and secure freedom of expression, there is a need for a multi-stakeholder and multi-modal approach. Collaborative actions and collective techniques across legislative regulations, platform policies, technology intervention, and media literacy can provide effective and ethical countermeasures to mitigate the threat of malicious deep fakes.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1603972257_image1.webp" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1603972257_image1.webp" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="350" height="730" /></a></p>
<table border="1" style="border-collapse: collapse; background-color: #e3faf9; border-color: #03aba2;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="width: 1810px;"><em><strong>Drishti Mains Question<br /><br /></strong></em>Deep fakes allow hyper-realistic digital falsification that can inflict damage to individuals, institutions, businesses and democracy. Discuss.</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p style="text-align: center;"></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/s3IBTb9zAq4" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p>
<p style="text-align: left;">This editorial is based on <a href="https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/blogs/et-editorials/indo-us-ties-beyond-specific-leaders/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">&ldquo;Indo-US Ties: Beyond specific leaders&rdquo;</a> which was published in The Economic Times on October 28th,2020. Now watch this on our Youtube channel.</p>',
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			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/combating-deep-fakes'
		],
		(int) 2 => [
			'title' => 'ASER Survey 2020',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the <strong>Annual State of Education Report</strong> (ASER) survey has been released which provides a glimpse into the <strong>levels of learning loss that students in rural India are suffering,</strong> with varying levels of access to technology, school and family resources resulting in a <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/national-statistical-organisation-survey-on-digital-education-divide" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>digital divide</strong></a> in education.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>This year, in the wake of the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/covid-19-now-pandemic-who" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>pandemic</strong></a>, the survey was<strong> conducted via phone calls</strong>, reaching 52,227 rural households with school-age children in 30 States and Union Territories (UTs).</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Annual Status of Education Report</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It is <strong>a nationwide survey of rural education and learning outcomes</strong> in terms of <strong>reading and arithmetic skills</strong> that has been conducted by the <strong>NGO Pratham</strong> for the last 15 years.</li>
<li>It uses <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/census-2021" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Census</a> 2011</strong> as the sampling frame and continues to be <strong>an important national source of information about children&rsquo;s foundational skills</strong> across the country.</li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/aser-report-2018" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>ASER 2018</strong></a> surveyed children in the age group of 3 to 16 years and included almost all rural districts in India and generated estimates of foundational reading and arithmetic abilities of children in the age group 5 to 16 years.</li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/aser-report-2019" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>ASER 2019</strong></a> reported on the pre-schooling or schooling status of children in the age group 4 to 8 years in 26 rural districts, focused on the &ldquo;early years&rdquo; and laid emphasis on &ldquo;developing problem-solving faculties and building a memory of children, and not content knowledge&rdquo;.</li>
<li><strong>ASER 2020</strong> is the<strong> first ever phone-based</strong> ASER survey and it was conducted in <strong>September 2020</strong>, the sixth month of national school closures.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Key Points<a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1603969737_image3.webp" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1603969737_image3.webp" style="float: right;" width="483" height="311" /></a></h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Enrollments:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>5.5%</strong> of rural children are <strong>not currently enrolled for the 2020</strong> school year, up from 4% in 2018.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>This <strong>difference is the sharpest among the youngest children</strong> (6 to 10) where 5.3% of rural children had not yet enrolled in school in 2020, in comparison to just 1.8% in 2018.</li>
<li>Due to the <strong>disruptions caused by the pandemic, families are waiting for the physical opening of schools</strong> to enrol their youngest children, with about 10% of six-year-olds not in school.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Among 15-16 year-olds,</strong> however, <strong>enrollment levels are slightly higher</strong> than in 2018.</li>
<li>The <strong>proportion of boys</strong> enrolled in government schools<strong> has risen</strong> from 62.8% in 2018 to 66.4% in 2020, while <strong>for girls, that number has gone up</strong> from 70% to 73% in the corresponding period.</li>
<li>Patterns show a <strong>slight shift toward government schools</strong>, with private schools seeing a drop in enrolment in all age groups.</li>
<li>The <strong>Centre has now permitted States to start reopening schools</strong> if they can follow Covid-19 safety protocols but the majority of the country&rsquo;s 25 crore students are still at home.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Availability of Smartphones:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Among enrolled children,<strong> 61.8% live in families that own at least one smartphone</strong> which was merely 36.5% in 2018.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>About <strong>11% of families bought a new phone</strong> after the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/covid-19-and-lockdown" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>lockdown</strong></a>, of which 80% were smartphones.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>WhatsApp is by far the most popular mode of transmitting learning materials</strong> to students, with 75% of students receiving input via this app.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Availability of Learning Material:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Overall more than 80%</strong> of children said they <strong>had textbooks for their current grade</strong>.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>This proportion was<strong> higher among students enrolled in government schools</strong> (84.1%) than in private ones (72.2%).</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>In Bihar, less than 8% got such materials from their schools, along with 20% in West Bengal, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh.</li>
<li>More than 80% of rural children in Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Kerala and Gujarat received such input.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Learning Activities:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Most children (70.2%) did some form of a learning activity</strong> through material shared by tutors or family members themselves, with or without regular input.</li>
<li>11% had access to live online classes, and 21% had videos or recorded classes, with much higher levels in private schools.</li>
<li>About 60% studied from their textbooks and 20% watched classes broadcast on TV.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Suggestions</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Fluid Situation:</strong> When schools reopen, it will be important to continue to <strong>monitor who goes back to school</strong> as well as to understand <strong>whether there is learning loss</strong> as compared to previous years.</li>
<li><strong>Building on and Strengthening Family Support:</strong> Parents&rsquo; increasing levels of education can be integrated into planning for learning improvement, as advocated by <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/national-education-policy-2020" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>National Education Policy, 2020</strong></a>. <strong>Reaching parents at the right level</strong> is essential to understand how they can help their children and <strong>older siblings also play an important role</strong>.</li>
<li><strong>Hybrid Learning:</strong> As children do a variety of different activities at home, effective ways of hybrid learning need to be developed which <strong>combine traditional teaching-learning </strong>with <strong>newer ways of &ldquo;reaching-learning&rdquo;</strong>.</li>
<li><strong>Assessment of Digital Modes and Content:</strong> In order <strong>to improve digital content and delivery</strong> for the future, an <strong>in-depth assessment</strong> of what works, how well it works, who it reaches, and who it excludes is <strong>needed</strong>.</li>
<li><strong>Mediating the Digital Divide:</strong> Children from families who had<strong> low education</strong> and also <strong>did not have resources</strong> like smartphones had<strong> less access to learning opportunities</strong>. However, even among such households, there is evidence of effort with family members trying to help and schools trying to reach them. These children <strong>will need even more help than others when schools reopen</strong>.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Covid-19 has left the nation with deep economic distress and uncertainty over school-reopenings and thrown open new challenges in every sector.</li>
<li>The nationally representative sample highlighted the role played by the families where everyone in the family supported children regardless of their education levels.</li>
<li>This strength needs to be leveraged by reaching out to more students and reducing the distance between schools and homes.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/coronavirus-20-of-rural-school-children-had-no-textbooks-due-to-covid-19-impact-finds-aser-survey/article32966299.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/aser-survey-2020'
		],
		(int) 3 => [
			'title' => 'Second Meeting of India-Central Asia Dialogue',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, India virtually hosted the second meeting of the <a href="/to-the-points/Paper2/india-central-asia-relations" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>India-Central Asia Dialogue</strong></a>.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/india-central-asia-dialogue" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>first meeting of the dialogue</strong></a> was held in Samarkand, the Republic of Uzbekistan in January 2019.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Combat Terrorism:</strong> All the nations strongly <strong>condemned terrorism and reaffirmed their determination to combat</strong> it by destroying terrorist safe-havens, networks, infrastructure and funding channels.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>They also underlined the need for <strong>every country to ensure that their territory is not used to launch terrorist attacks</strong> against other countries.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Afghan Peace Process:</strong> All countries called for the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/india-s-position-shift-on-taliban" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>settlement of the Afghan conflict</strong> </a>on the basis of Afghan-led, Afghan-owned and Afghan-controlled peace process.</li>
<li><strong>Infrastructure:</strong> They appreciated <strong>India&rsquo;s efforts to modernise the infrastructure of the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/indian-firm-takes-over-chabahar-port-operations" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Chabahar port</a> in Iran</strong>, which could become an important link in trade and transport communications between the markets of Central and South Asia.</li>
<li><strong>Initiatives Announced by India:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>An additional <strong>USD 1 billion Line of Credit by India</strong> for the Central Asian countries.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It is expected that the money will be <strong>spent on major infrastructural and connectivity projects</strong>.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Grant financing for high impact community development projects</strong> in the countries.</li>
<li><strong>Establishment of working groups by India Central Asia Business Council</strong> comprising the key chambers of all participating countries.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The council was launched by the Government of India along with the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/india-asean-expo-and-summit" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry</strong></a> (FICCI) in February 2020.</li>
<li>It aims to promote business in the region and to collaborate and provide an industry view to the governments of the six countries.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Line of Credit</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It is a <strong>credit facility</strong> extended by a bank or any other financial institution to a government, business or an individual customer, that <strong>enables the customer to draw the maximum loan amount</strong>.</li>
<li>The borrower <strong>can access funds from the line of credit at any time as long as they do not exceed the maximum amount</strong> (or credit limit) set in the agreement and meet any other requirements such as making timely minimum payments.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>India-Central Asia Dialogue</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It is a <strong>ministerial-level dialogue</strong> between<strong> India</strong> and the <a href="/to-the-points/Paper2/connect-central-asia-policy" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Central Asian</strong></a> countries namely <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/exercise-kazind-2019" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Kazakhstan</a>, <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/india-kyrgyzstan" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Kyrgyzstan</a>, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan</strong> and <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/uzbekistans-president-visit-to-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Uzbekistan</strong></a>.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>All five nations became independent states after the <strong>collapse of the USSR in 1991, post-<a href="/to-the-points/paper1/cold-war" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Cold war</a></strong>.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>All the countries participating in the dialogue, <strong>except for Turkmenistan</strong>, are also members of the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/important-international-institutions-shanghai-cooperation-organisation-sco" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Shanghai Cooperation Organisation</strong></a>.</li>
<li>The dialogue focuses on a number of issues including ways to <strong>improve connectivity and stabilise war-ravaged Afghanistan</strong>.</li>
<li>In the first dialogue, <strong>India proposed</strong> setting up of <strong>&lsquo;India-Central Asia Development Group&rsquo;</strong> to take forward development partnership between India and Central Asian countries.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The group will enable India to <strong>expand its footprints in the resource-rich region</strong> amid an ongoing <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/india-china-conflict" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>standoff with China</strong></a> and to <a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/the-big-picture-international-convention-on-terrorism" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>fight terror</strong></a> effectively, including in Afghanistan.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1603969689_image2.webp" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1603969689_image2.webp" width="582" height="344" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></a></p>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/india-central-asian-republics-call-for-destruction-of-terror-safe-havens/article32966365.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/second-meeting-of-india-central-asia-dialogue'
		],
		(int) 4 => [
			'title' => 'Earth Observation Satellite EOS-01: ISRO',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>India would launch its latest <strong>earth observation satellite EOS-01</strong> and <strong>nine international customer satellites</strong> from <strong>Satish Dhawan Space Centre</strong> in Andhra Pradesh&rsquo;s Sriharikota.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/50th-pslv-launch#:~:text=Polar%20Satellite%20Launch%20Vehicle%20(PSLV)%20is%20the%20third%20generation%20launch,be%20equipped%20with%20liquid%20stages." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle</strong></a> (PSLV-C49) of the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-national-institutions/indian-space-research-organisation-isro" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO)</strong></a> will launch these ten satellites on 7th November 2020. It will be <strong>PSLV's 51<sup>st</sup> Mission</strong>.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>EOS-01:</strong> It is an <strong>earth observation satellite</strong> and is <strong>intended for applications</strong> in agriculture, forestry and disaster management support.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Earth observation satellites are the satellites <strong>equipped with remote sensing technology</strong>. Earth observation is the gathering of information about Earth's physical, chemical and biological systems.</li>
<li>Many earth observation satellites have been employed on <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/types-of-orbit" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>sun-synchronous orbit</strong></a>.</li>
<li><strong>Other earth observation satellites</strong> launched by ISRO include RESOURCESAT- 2, 2A, CARTOSAT-1, 2, 2A, 2B, RISAT-1 and 2, OCEANSAT-2, Megha-Tropiques, SARAL and SCATSAT-1, INSAT-3DR, 3D, etc.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Nine Customer Satellites:</strong> These are being launched <strong>as part of a commercial agreement with <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/important-facts-for-prelims-24th-may-2019" target="_blank" rel="noopener">NewSpace India Limited (NSIL)</a></strong>, Department of Space.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>NSIL, incorporated in 2019 (under the Companies Act, 2013), is a <strong>wholly owned Government of India company</strong>, under the administrative control of Department of Space (DOS).</li>
<li>NSIL is the <strong>commercial arm of ISRO</strong> with the primary responsibility of enabling Indian industries to take up high technology space related activities and is also responsible for promotion and commercial exploitation of the products and services emanating from the Indian space programme.</li>
<li>The <strong>major business areas</strong> of the NSIL include:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Production</strong> of Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) and <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/first-contract-for-nsil" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Small Satellite Launch Vehicle</strong></a> (SSLV) through industry.</li>
<li>Production and <strong>marketing of space-based services</strong>, including launch services and space-based applications like transponder leasing, remote sensing and mission support services.</li>
<li><strong>Building of Satellites</strong> (both Communication and Earth Observation) as per user requirements.</li>
<li><strong>Transfer of technology</strong> developed by ISRO centres/ units and constituent institutions of Dept. of Space.</li>
<li><strong>Marketing spin off technologies</strong> and products/ services emanating out of ISRO activities.</li>
<li><strong>Consultancy</strong> services.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Recently, the Government of India has created the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/indian-national-space-promotion-and-authorization-center" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Center (IN-SPACe)</strong></a>, an independent nodal agency under the Department of Space, to provide a boost to the private sector participating in space-related activities or using India&rsquo;s space resources.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>India&rsquo;s Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) is the <strong>third generation</strong> launch vehicle.</li>
<li>PSLV is the <strong>first launch vehicle which is equipped with liquid stages</strong>.</li>
<li>PSLV&rsquo;s first successful launch was in October 1994. PSLV was used for <strong>two of the most important missions</strong>. These are <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/chandrayaan-1-findings" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Chandrayaan-1</strong></a> in 2008 and <a href="/to-the-points/Paper2/year-end-review-2019-department-of-space#:~:text=India%27s%20first%20inter%2Dplanetary%20mission,2014%20in%20its%20first%20attempt." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Mars Orbiter Spacecraft</strong></a> in 2013.</li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/gsat-30" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV) Mark II</strong></a> and <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/gsat-29-satellite-launched-1-1#:~:text=Geosynchronous%20Transfer%20Orbit(GTO)%3A,to%20geostationary%20or%20geosynchronous%20orbit." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>GSLV MkIII</strong></a> are other two launch vehicles. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>GSLV Mk II</strong> is the <strong>largest launch vehicle developed by India,</strong> which is currently in operation. This <strong>fourth generation launch vehicle</strong> is a three stage vehicle with four liquid strap-ons. The indigenously developed <strong>cryogenic Upper Stage (CUS)</strong>, which is flight proven, forms the third stage of GSLV Mk II.</li>
<li><strong>GSLV MkIII,</strong> chosen to launch Chandrayaan-2 spacecraft, is a <strong>three-stage heavy lift launch vehicle</strong> developed by ISRO. The vehicle has two solid strap-ons, a core liquid booster and a cryogenic upper stage.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>GSLV Mk III is designed to carry a 4 ton class of satellites into Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO) or about 10 tons to Low Earth Orbit (LEO), which is about twice the capability of the GSLV Mk II.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/science/isro-to-launch-earth-observation-satellite-eos-01-on-november-7/article32965548.ece#:~:text=India%20would%20launch%20its%20latest,ISRO%20said%20on%20October%2028." 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/earth-observation-satellite-eos-01-isro'
		],
		(int) 5 => [
			'title' => 'Kumhar Sashaktikaran Yojana',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, electric pottery wheels to 100 potter families in Maharashtra were distributed under the <strong>Kumhar Sashaktikaran Yojana (KSY)</strong> of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/important-facts-for-prelims-7th-may-2019" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC)</strong></a>.</p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Kumhar Sashaktikaran Yojana (KSY)</strong> was launched in 2018.</li>
<li><strong>Aim:</strong> To strengthen and improve the living of potters in the country by making them self reliant <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/atma-nirbhar-bharat-abhiyan-challenges" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>(Atma Nirbhar)</strong></a>.</li>
<li><strong>Features:</strong> Providing potters with modern equipment and training to reconnect them with the society and revive their art.</li>
<li><strong>Implementation:</strong> KVIC has created proper marketing channels including tie-up with the Indian Railway for selling the products of potters.</li>
<li><strong>Benefits:</strong> Proper training and distribution of advanced equipment under the scheme has <strong>eliminated drudgery</strong> from the process of pottery making and also <strong>resulted in increasing the production by 3-4 times</strong>.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>This has led to an <strong>increase in income of potters</strong> manifolds.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Other Initiatives for Potters:</strong> The <a href="/to-the-points/Paper2/year-end-review-2019-ministry-of-micro-small-and-medium-enterprises" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME)</strong></a> has announced expansion of and doubling of support to potters. This include:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Encouraging successful traditional potters to set up units under the<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/pmegp-and-cgtmse" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> Prime Minister&rsquo;s Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP)</strong></a> scheme.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>PMEGP is a credit-linked subsidy scheme which promotes self-employment through setting up of micro-enterprises.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Setting up of <strong>clusters</strong> in <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/support-to-self-employment-schemes-msme" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Terracotta</strong></a>, <strong>Red clay pottery,</strong> with new innovative value added products to build pottery to crockery/tile making capabilities under the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/support-and-outreach-initiative-for-msme-sector" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>SFURTI scheme</strong></a>.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The <strong>Scheme of Fund for Regeneration of Traditional Industries</strong> (SFURTI) aims to make traditional industries more productive and competitive by organizing the traditional industries and artisans into clusters.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC)</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>KVIC is a <strong>statutory body</strong> established under the <strong>Khadi and Village Industries Commission Act, 1956</strong>.</li>
<li>The KVIC is charged with the <strong>planning, promotion, organisation and implementation of programmes</strong> for the development of Khadi and other village industries in the rural areas in coordination with other agencies engaged in rural development wherever necessary.</li>
<li>It functions under the <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/micro-small-and-medium-enterprises-msme" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises</strong></a>.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1668125" 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/kumhar-sashaktikaran-yojana'
		],
		(int) 6 => [
			'title' => 'Dashboard for Monitoring Air Quality',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>CarbonCopy and Respirer Living Sciences, two environmental organisations, have released a <strong>dashboard</strong> which presents a <strong>comparative picture of particulate matter (PM) for 122 Indian cities</strong> since 2016.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The dashboard establishes a <strong>three-year rolling average trend for PM2.5 and PM10 levels</strong> across the cities from <strong>2016 to 2018</strong>.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Recently, the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/state-of-global-air-2020-hei#:~:text=Recently%2C%20a%20global%20study%2C%20State,pollution%27s%20global%20impact%20on%20newborns." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>State of Global Air 2020</strong></a> revealed that <strong>India had faced the highest exposure to toxic air</strong> in the world last year.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>122 cities are referred to as <strong>non-attainment cities</strong> under the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/national-clean-air-programme" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>National Clean Air Programme (NCAP)</strong></a>.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Particulate Matter</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Also called <strong>particle pollution</strong>, it is a term for a mixture of solid particles and liquid droplets found in the air.</li>
<li><strong>It includes:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>PM10:</strong> inhalable particles, with diameters that are generally 10 micrometers and smaller; and</li>
<li><strong>PM2.5:</strong> fine inhalable particles, with diameters that are generally 2.5 micrometers and smaller.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Sources of PM:</strong> Some are emitted directly from a source, such as <strong>construction sites, unpaved roads, fields, smokestacks or fires</strong>.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Most particles form in the atmosphere as a result of <strong>complex reactions of chemicals</strong> such as sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides, which are pollutants emitted from power plants, industries and automobiles.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Harmful Effects:</strong> Small particles less than 10 micrometers in diameter pose the greatest problems, because they can get deep into the lungs, and some may even get into the bloodstream. Particle pollution exposure has been <strong>linked to a variety of problems</strong>, including irregular heartbeat, aggravated asthma, decreased lung function and increased respiratory symptoms, such as irritation of the airways, coughing or difficulty breathing.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>National Clean Air Programme</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Centre had launched the National Clean Air Programme in 2019 to <strong>address air pollution in 122 cities</strong>. These cities are referred to as <strong>non-attainment cities</strong> as they <strong>did not meet the national ambient air quality standards</strong> for the period of 2011-15 under the <strong>National Air Quality Monitoring Programme</strong>.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>About the Dashboard:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It is a <strong>National Air Quality Monitoring Programme (NAMP) based dashboard,</strong> built on data from the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/cpcb-notifies-contaminated-sites" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Central Pollution Control Board&rsquo;s</strong></a> <strong>National Ambient Air Quality Monitoring (NAAQM) Network</strong> which was started in 1984-85 and covers 344 cities/towns in 29 states and 6 UTs. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Under the NAMP, each station records about 104 observations a year covering <strong>four pollutants</strong>&ndash; Sulphur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), suspended particulate matter (SPM), and respirable suspended particulate matter (RSPM).</li>
<li><strong>State pollution control boards</strong> and the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/neeri-indair" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI)</strong></a>, Nagpur <strong>carry out the monitoring</strong>, and the <strong>Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change oversees the operation under the NCAP</strong>.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Other Monitoring Systems:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>SAFAR:</strong> System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting and Research, known as "SAFAR", for <strong>greater metropolitan cities of India</strong> to provide location specific information on air quality in near real time. It was introduced by the <strong>Ministry of Earth Science</strong>.</li>
<li><strong>AQI:</strong> Air Quality Index (AQI) is a tool for <strong>effective communication of air quality status to people</strong> in terms, which are easy to understand. There are <strong>six AQI categories</strong>, namely Good, Satisfactory, Moderately polluted, Poor, Very Poor, and Severe. AQ sub-index has been evolved for <strong>eight pollutants</strong> (PM10, PM2.5, NO<sub>2</sub>, SO<sub>2</sub>, CO, O<sub>3</sub>, NH<sub>3</sub>, and Pb) for which short-term (upto 24-hours) National Ambient Air Quality Standards are prescribed.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/graded-response-action-plan" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Graded Response Action Plan for Delhi and NCR</strong></a> has been prepared for implementation under different AQI categories.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Significance:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>A majority of health models which establish the relationship between air pollution and public health are based on western models due to a lack of health data available in Indian context.</li>
<li>When this data can be made available, it will give a true sense of the <strong>burden of respiratory diseases in the country by geographical distribution</strong>.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Performance on PM 2.5 level:</strong> A total of<strong> 59 of 122 cities</strong> had PM2.5 data available.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Noida ranked the worst</strong> with 119, followed by Agra, Delhi, Lucknow, Ghaziabad, Muzzaffarpur, Kanpur, Chandigarh, Howrah and Kolkata.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Performance on PM 10 level: Delhi ranked as the most polluted state</strong> on an average of 3 years&rsquo; PM10 monitoring data, followed by <strong>Jharkhand</strong> and <strong>Uttar Pradesh</strong>.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Maharashtra,</strong> which has the <strong>maximum number of non-attainment cities</strong> in the NCAP, has seen air quality worsen since 2016. State capital, Mumbai, for instance witnessed a year-on-year increase in PM10 levels from 119 in 2016, to 151 in 2017 and 165 in 2018.</li>
<li><strong>Tuticorin in Tamil Nadu</strong> has recorded <strong>progressive and substantial improvements in PM10 levels</strong> between 2016 and 2018 - by 24% in 2017, in comparison to 2016 levels, and another 23% in 2018 in comparison to the previous year.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The dashboard can help identify the need for more monitoring stations and address data gaps. At a time when the Central government aspires to bring out a new law to address air pollution in the National Capital Region, it is important to evaluate the existing regulations as the first step towards effective crisis management.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/india/dashboard-to-monitor-air-quality-of-indian-cities-6907849/" 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/dashboard-for-monitoring-air-quality'
		],
		(int) 7 => [
			'title' => 'India in Support of France',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, <strong>India came out in support of France&rsquo;s President</strong> who has been criticised by Pakistan and Turkey for strongly defending the French people&rsquo;s right to freedom of expression.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1603969644_image4.webp" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1603969644_image4.webp" width="634" height="377" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></a></p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Background:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Recently, a French schoolteacher was murdered for showing caricatures of the Prophet to his students.</li>
<li>Condemning the murder, French President defended the <strong>freedom of expression and secular values</strong>.</li>
<li>In response, Turkey and Pakistan accused French President of running an anti-Islamic agenda and provoking Muslims.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Iran and Saudi Arabia too condemned the cartoon. There was a call in the entire muslim world to boycott French products.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>India&rsquo;s Support to France:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>India condemned the criticism of Turkey and Pakistan</strong> on French President, by calling the criticism in violation of the <strong>most basic standards of international discourse</strong>. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>India also condemned the murder of schoolteacher as brutal terrorist attack.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>While France has seen repeated violent incidents around caricatures and cartoons that are deemed offensive, <strong>it is unusual for India to wade into a controversy over religion in another country</strong>.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>In 2015, after the attack on Charlie Hebdo journalists and cartoonists, India condemned the incident by calling that India was on the side of those who condemn this barbaric incident.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>India&rsquo;s support for French President could have been influenced by the fact that the charge against the French President has been led by <strong>Turkey and Pakistan, two countries that have <a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/the-big-picture-india-s-trade-diplomacy-with-malaysia-turkey" target="_blank" rel="noopener">repeatedly attacked India over Jammu and Kashmir and alleged human rights violations</a></strong>.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>India-France Ties:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Strategic:</strong> India has close strategic ties with France, especially on issues of mutual interest from <strong>counter-terrorism to defence, and nuclear to space</strong>.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Terror:</strong> France backed the India&rsquo;s proposal for a global conference on terrorism. Both the countries also support organising a new <strong>&ldquo;No Money for Terror&rdquo;&nbsp;</strong>- anInternational Conference on Fighting Terrorist Financing.<br />
<ol style="list-style-type: lower-alpha;">
<li>Two countries agreed to enhance their operational cooperation and launch fresh efforts to fight radicalisation, especially <strong>Online <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/how-does-india-deal-with-radicalisation" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Radicalisation</a></strong>.</li>
</ol>
</li>
<li><strong>Defence:</strong> Both countries have a <strong>defence dialogue</strong> at the Ministerial level. <br />
<ol style="list-style-type: lower-alpha;">
<li>The three services have regular defence exercises; viz. <br />
<ol style="list-style-type: lower-roman;">
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/indo-french-joint-exercise-shakti-2019" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Exercise Shakti</strong></a> (Army)</li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/important-facts-for-prelims-18th-april-2019" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Exercise Varuna</strong></a> (Navy)</li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/india-france-joint-patrolling" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Exercise Garuda</strong></a> (Air Force)</li>
</ol>
</li>
<li>Recently, the Indian Air Force (IAF) has <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/induction-of-french-rafale-aircrafts-in-iaf" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>received its first batch (5 out of 36) of French Rafale aviation</strong></a> combat aircraft at Ambala Air base (Haryana).</li>
</ol>
</li>
<li><strong>Space:</strong> Both have decided to deepen space cooperation to meet new challenges together, whether it concerns planetary exploration or human spaceflight.<br />
<ol style="list-style-type: lower-alpha;">
<li>France has agreed to be part of India's Venus mission, scheduled for 2025.</li>
<li>ISRO&rsquo;s Venus instrument, <strong>VIRAL (Venus Infrared Atmospheric Gases Linker)</strong> has been co-developed by Russian and French agencies.</li>
</ol>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Multilateral Platform:</strong> France has been <strong>extremely supportive of India at the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/un-security-council-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">UN Security Council</a></strong> on Kashmir and Pakistan-sponsored terrorism, among other issues. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The <strong>Prime Minister of India was a special invitee at the 45<sup>th</sup> <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/g-7-summit" target="_blank" rel="noopener">G-7 Summit</a> in Biarritz, France</strong> where India was one of the <strong>"Goodwill" partners</strong>.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Climate:</strong> The two countries have a close cooperation on climate change, and have formed the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/third-assembly-of-isa" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>International Solar Alliance</strong></a>.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>India&rsquo;s relations with France is built on a foundation of shared democratic values and are informed by a commonality of interest in issues such as sustainable development and climate change.</li>
<li>France also opens the pathway for deeper engagement with Europe on global issues, especially after uncertainty in the region due to <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/brexit-2" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Brexit</strong></a>.</li>
<li>The new partnerships with France, Germany and other like-minded countries like Japan would hopefully turn out to be far more consequential for India&rsquo;s influence on the global stage.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/india/emmanuel-macron-france-india-slams-turkey-pakistan-6907907/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: IE</strong></a></p>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/india-in-support-of-france'
		],
		(int) 8 => [
			'title' => 'Amendment Related to Land in Jammu and Kashmir',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the Centre notified <strong>&lsquo;Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation (Adaptation of Central Laws) Third Order, 2020'</strong>, which states that <strong>any Indian citizen can now buy land in Jammu and Kashmir (J&amp;K)</strong> without being a domicile.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1603969591_image1.webp" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1603969591_image1.webp" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></a></p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The introduction of the UT of J&amp;K Reorganisation (Adaptation of Central Laws) Third Order, 2020 has resulted in the <strong>repeal of at least 11 land laws in J&amp;K,</strong> including the J&amp;K Big Landed Estates Abolition Act that had resulted in famous &lsquo;Land to tiller&rsquo; rights.</li>
<li><strong>Features of Latest Order:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>No domicile or permanent resident certificate is required to purchase non-agricultural land</strong> in the UT. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>People as well as investors</strong> outside J&amp;K can now purchase land in the UT, ending the exclusive rights of locals over the land granted under Article 370 (now abrogated).</li>
<li>The Centre has been arguing that Article 370 hampered development in the U.T. as investors were unable to purchase land prior to 5th August 2019.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Amended the Jammu &amp; Kashmir Land Revenue Act, 1996,</strong> under which only agriculturists of J&amp;K can purchase agricultural land. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>However,<strong> it doesn't bar the agricultural land to be used for non-agricultural purposes</strong>. A District Collector can allow the agricultural land to be used for non-agricultural purposes.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The Centre also notified the<strong> Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Act, 2016</strong>, which paves the way for the acquisition of land in J&amp;K by all Indian citizens.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Previously, <strong>Article 35-A</strong> of J&amp;K Constitution placed prohibitions on the sale of land to those who were not state subjects.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Abolished the <strong>Big Land Estate Abolition Act, 1950</strong> &ndash; this provided for redistribution of land which paved the way for rural prosperity and ended landlordism in J&amp;K.</li>
<li>Empowers the Centre to declare any area in J&amp;K as &lsquo;strategic&rsquo; and intended for the direct operational and training requirement of the <strong>armed forces</strong>. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>However, this can be only done by an <strong>army officer of or above the rank of a corps commander</strong>.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Spouses</strong> of a J&amp;K domicile shall also be <strong>deemed as a domicile</strong>. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Earlier, spouses of domiciles were not considered domiciles.</li>
<li>Children of central government officials posted for over ten years in J&amp;K will also continue to be considered domiciles.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Issues Involved:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>For more than two years now, J&amp;K has been without an elected government. All the changes being introduced in the UT have been steamrolled by the Centre rather than being legislated by elected representatives of the people.</li>
<li>This has created suspicions in the J&amp;K that the Centre is gradually disempowering the local population and consolidating control through executive power.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Land Reforms in Kashmir</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Kashmir Valley had a history of cruel exploitation of tillers through the periods of Afghan, Sikh and Dogra rule.</li>
<li>The Sheikh Abdullah&rsquo;s government brought the <strong>Big Landed Estates Abolition Act, in 1950,</strong> through a slogan <strong>land to the tiller</strong>.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The Act <strong>placed a ceiling on land ownership</strong> at 186 kanals (about 22 acres).</li>
<li>The rest of the <strong>land of a landlord was redistributed</strong> among share-croppers and landless labourers, without any compensation to the landlord.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>This led to most <strong>radical land reform anywhere in the world outside the Communist bloc</strong>. It brought a <strong>social transformation</strong> that has few parallels. It <strong>ended landlordism in J&amp;K and paved the way for rural prosperity</strong>.</li>
<li>This land reform was so popular in Kashmir that it continued to be pushed for the next quarter-century. The ceiling was gradually decreased until the last of the reform Acts in 1975.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/now-outsiders-can-buy-land-in-jammu-and-kashmir/article32952629.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/amendment-related-to-land-in-jammu-and-kashmir'
		],
		(int) 9 => [
			'title' => 'The Big Picture: Groundwater Extraction Norms',
			'catname' => 'Lok Sabha & Rajya Sabha Discussions',
			'desc' => '<p style="text-align: center;"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/eTyaAyM3nbU" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p>
<h3>Why in News?</h3>
<p>With around one-sixth of assessed ground water units in the country facing over-exploitation, the Centre Govt has issued revised <strong>guidelines for groundwater use</strong>. The new guidelines aim to ensure a more robust groundwater regulatory mechanism in the country.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Earlier in December 2018, the <strong>CGWB (Central Ground Water Board)</strong> issued a draft notification that proposed a &lsquo;water conservation fee&rsquo; for industrial extraction and this was roundly criticised. The <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-national-institutions/national-green-tribunal-ngt" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>National Green Tribunal</strong></a> stayed the draft in January 2019 terming it &ldquo;unsustainable,&rdquo; and having &ldquo;serious shortcomings.&rdquo;</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The guidelines have <strong>pan-India applicability</strong> which was never there before.</li>
<li>Certain categories have been exempted from these guidelines under particular conditions.</li>
<li>The guidelines include the restoration and extraction charges for groundwater.</li>
<li>Saline groundwater is also exempted as it needs to be extracted as much as possible.</li>
</ul>
<h3>The Guidelines</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Prohibition of industries:</strong> The new guidelines prohibit new industry and mining projects in over-exploited zones and makes it mandatory for existing industries, commercial units and big housing societies to take &lsquo;no objection certificate&rsquo; (NOC).</li>
<li><strong>Exemption:</strong> The domestic consumers, rural drinking water schemes, armed forces, farmers and micro &amp; small enterprises (that withdraw upto 10 m3 water per day) are exempted from the requirement of a no objection certificate from the CGWB.</li>
<li>The guidelines have also encouraged the use of recycled and treated sewage water by industries, mentioned a provision of action against polluting industries and mandated the requirement of digital flow meters, piezometers and digital water level recorders</li>
<li><strong>Compensation:</strong> The guidelines notified by the CGWB under the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/jal-shakti-mantralaya" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Jal Shakti Ministry</strong></a> prescribes a minimum environmental compensation of ₹1 lakh on industrial, mining and infrastructure users for extracting groundwater without a no objection certificate (NOC). This can rise, depending on the quantum of water extracted and the duration of the breach.</li>
<li><strong>Abstraction charges:</strong> All residential apartments/ group housing societies/ Government water supply agencies in urban areas would be required to pay ground water abstraction charges.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>All industries/mining/ infrastructure projects drawing groundwater in safe, semi-critical and critical assessment units will have to pay groundwater abstraction charges based on the quantum of groundwater extraction and category of assessment unit.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Central Ground Water Board</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It is a subordinate office of the <strong>Ministry of Water Resources</strong> and is the <strong>National Apex Agency</strong> entrusted with the responsibilities of providing scientific inputs for management, exploration, monitoring, assessment, augmentation and regulation of groundwater resources of the country.</li>
<li>It was <strong>established in 1970</strong> by renaming the Exploratory Tubewells Organization under the Ministry of Agriculture and later on <strong>merged</strong> with the Groundwater Wing of the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/indian-navy-signs-mou-with-geological-survey-of-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Geological Survey of India</strong></a> during 1972.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>India and Groundwater</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>India is the <strong>largest user of groundwater in the world,</strong> extracting groundwater to the tune of <strong>253 billion cubic meter (bcm)</strong> per year.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It is about <strong>25%</strong> of the global groundwater extraction.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Out of the total of <strong>6584</strong> assessment units, <strong>1034</strong> have been categorized as <strong>&lsquo;Over-exploited&rsquo;</strong>, <strong>253</strong> as <strong>&lsquo;Critical&rsquo;</strong>, <strong>681</strong> as <strong>&lsquo;Semi-Critical&rsquo;</strong> and <strong>4520</strong> as <strong>&lsquo;Safe&rsquo;</strong>. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The remaining <strong>96</strong> assessment units have been classified as <strong>&lsquo;Saline&rsquo;</strong> due to non-availability of fresh groundwater due to salinity problems.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Availability of Water:</strong> India has about <strong>1123 billion m<sup>3</sup></strong> of water resources available, out of which <strong>690 bcm</strong> is surface water and rest <strong>433 bcm</strong> is groundwater. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Out of total groundwater available, <strong>90% of it is used for irrigation purposes</strong> which is mainly for agricultural purposes.</li>
<li>The remaining 10% accounts for domestic and industrial purposes combined.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Steps Taken</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/atal-bhujal-yojana" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Atal Bhujal Yojana</a>:</strong> It seeks to revive village-level Water User Associations (WUAs). The scheme will strengthen the financial state of the WUAs, including allowing these bodies to retain a significant portion of irrigation fees.</li>
<li><strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/national-aquifer-mapping-and-management-programme" target="_blank" rel="noopener">National Aquifer Mapping</a>:</strong> National Aquifer Mapping and Management program (NAQUIM) envisages mapping of aquifers (water bearing formations), their characterization and development of Aquifer Management Plans to facilitate <a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/india-s-water-crisis-every-drop-counts" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>sustainable management of groundwater</strong></a> resources.</li>
<li><strong>Read more:</strong> <a href="/summary-of-important-reports/selected-best-practices-In-water-management" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Selected Best Practices in Water Management</strong></a></li>
</ul>
<h3>Issues Involved</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Although the new rules exempt farmers from the need for obtaining an NOC from CGWA, it highlights a key factor that leads to excessive <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/depleting-groundwater" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>groundwater extraction</strong></a> in the agriculture sector. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Exempting the agricultural sector from the guidelines would not provide much improvement as the sector alone is responsible for 90% usage of groundwater.</li>
<li><strong>Water use efficiency</strong> is very low in the agricultural sector and water guzzling crops worsen the situation.</li>
<li>The <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/power-subsidy-in-agriculture-and-related-issue" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>free electricity supply</strong></a> provided to the farmers also contributes to excessive groundwater extraction.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>No consideration of incentive</strong> has been taken into account for those industrial sectors who use groundwater less than the defined limit.</li>
<li><strong>Impact on industries:</strong> Although industries are responsible for less than 10% of consumption, still it will be the highest affected sector by these guidelines.</li>
<li><strong>Use of money collected:</strong> Ensuring that the money collected from imposed charges is used for making reforms in the same field only is a possible challenge.</li>
<li><strong>Water is a state subject</strong>. The primary entry in the Constitution relating to water is indeed <strong>Entry 17</strong> in the <strong>State List</strong>. It brings water including water supplies, irrigation and canals, drainage and embankments, water storage and water power under state list.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>But it is explicitly made subject to the provisions of <strong>Entry 56 in the Union List</strong> which enables the Union to deal with inter-State rivers if Parliament legislates for the purpose.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Micro irrigation:</strong> or drip irrigation should be encouraged. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In drip irrigation, water is run through pipes (with holes in them) either buried or lying slightly above the ground next to the crops. Water slowly drips onto the crop roots and stems.</li>
<li>Unlike spray irrigation, very little is lost to evaporation and the water can be directed only to the plants that need it, cutting back on water waste.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Extraction charges:</strong> The extraction charges collected, should be used for restoration of groundwater.</li>
<li><strong>Water guzzling crops:</strong> Discouraging water guzzling crops such as sugar canes.</li>
<li><strong>Target specific areas:</strong> Although the guidelines are pan-India, they should certainly target the states that have exploited/ overexploited groundwater. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Punjab, Delhi, Haryana, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka are some of the states.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Artificial recharge of groundwater:</strong> It is the process of spreading or impounding water on the land to increase the infiltration through the soil and percolation to the aquifer or of injecting water by wells directly into the aquifer.</li>
<li><strong>Groundwater management plants:</strong> Installing groundwater management plants at local levels, will help the people in knowing the groundwater availability in their area making them use it wisely.</li>
</ul>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/groundwater-extraction-norms'
		],
		(int) 10 => [
			'title' => 'Basic Exchange and Cooperation Agreement',
			'catname' => 'News Editorials',
			'desc' => '<div class="border">
<p>This article is based on<a href="https://www.hindustantimes.com/editorials/the-delhi-dc-strategic-dance-ht-editorial/story-3StIXRnekFZN0vHDh76yvM.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> &ldquo;The Delhi-DC strategic dance&rdquo;</strong></a> which was published in The Hindustan Times on 27/10/2020. It talks about the implications of signing the Basic Exchange and Cooperation Agreement for Geospatial Intelligence (BECA) agreement between India and US.</p>
</div>
<p>Recently, the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/india-usa-2-2-dialogue-2020" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Indo-United States (US) 2+2 talks</strong> </a>were conducted. The most striking outcome from these talks was the formal signing of the<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/basic-exchange-and-cooperation-agreement-usa" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> Basic Exchange and Cooperation Agreement for Geospatial Intelligence (BECA).</strong></a></p>
<p>BECA is the last of<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/basic-exchange-and-cooperation-agreement-usa" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> four foundational defence agreements</strong></a> between the two countries that allow a much higher level of military cooperation in technology, interoperability, and defence manufacturing.</p>
<p>The signing of the BECA marks the end of the prolonged phase of mutual trust-building and sets the stage for more expansive security cooperation.</p>
<h3>What is BECA?</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Basic Exchange and Cooperation Agreement largely pertains to geospatial intelligence, and sharing information on maps and satellite images for defence.</li>
<li>BECA will provide Indian military systems with a high-quality GPS to navigate and missiles with real-time intelligence to precisely target the adversary.</li>
<li>It will give access to topographical and aeronautical data and products that will aid navigation and targeting.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Other Foundational Agreements</h3>
<p>The BECA follows three other agreements:</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The General Security of Military Information Agreement (GSOMIA) was signed by the government of Atal Bihari Vajpayee back in 2002.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It aims to protect the military information shared by the US.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Agreement (LEMOA) was signed a full 14 years later in 2016.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It aims to provide mutual logistics support around the world.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The Communication Compatibility and Security Agreement (COMCASA) was signed in 2018
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It aims to facilitate communication between the weapons platforms of the two armed forces.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Significance of Signing of BECA</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Converging Indo-Pacific Strategies:</strong> Signing of BECA will fast-forward the integration of the<a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/the-big-picture-indo-pacific-strategic-importance" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> Indo-Pacific strategies</strong> </a>of their two countries.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Further, this is in sync with increasing formalization of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/quad-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>QUAD</strong></a>, which can be seen in the recent joining of Australia in the Malabar naval exercises.</li>
<li>India will be able to keep a close watch on the movements of Chinese warships in the Indian Ocean.</li>
<li>Moreover, its signing comes at a time when India is locked in one of its most hostile standoffs with China along their disputed border in the Himalayan region.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Deep Military Implications:</strong> While LEMOA means one partner trusts the other enough to expose its valuable assets, COMCASA means one is confident that it can rely on encrypted systems to connect the two militaries, and BECA means it can share highly classified information in real time without fear of being compromised.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>All this signals the level of trust that has developed between the two countries and their militaries, faced with an increasingly aggressive China.</li>
<li>BECA allows more intensive engagement between the armed forces &mdash;from interoperability to intelligence-sharing and joint defence research to production of weapons.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Multi-Polar World Order:</strong> Substantive and institutionalised cooperation between the two defence establishments will serve the long-term interests of a rising India and an America that is restructuring its global security burden.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Associated Issues</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>India&rsquo;s Aversion to Alliance System:</strong> Signing of these four foundational agreements would mean India getting strategically more close to US.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>From the perspective of the US, in order to counter China, it would want India to be getting close to an alliance system.</li>
<li>However, one aspect which remains unchanged is the Indian strategic establishment&rsquo;s aversion to the term alliance.</li>
<li>From the heyday of non-alignment to the present day possibilities of multi-alignment, this idea that alliances are inherently bad has been a constant in India&rsquo;s mainstream strategic thinking.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Dependence on Russia:</strong> India is one of the world's biggest defence equipment buyers, but around 60-70% of its inventory is supplied by Russia.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Further, the US wants India to move away from Russian equipment and platforms, as it feels this may expose its technology and information to Russia.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Compromising Strategic Autonomy:</strong> Many foregin policy experts in India are of the view that, by synchronising its systems with those of the US, it will enable the US to enter its decision-making loop.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It is something that no sovereign country would like.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Divergence of Foregin Policy Interest:</strong> There is divergence on foregien policy interests between US and India, especially relating to Pakistan, Afghanistan and Iran.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>On account of Indian Ocean issues, the US would want India&rsquo;s cooperation in the South China Sea, but India&rsquo;s primary naval challenge is in the western and north-western Indian Ocean.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Expanding Scope of Convergence:</strong> If both the US and India want India to become a genuine strategic balancer to China, they need to leapfrog economic and technological cooperation.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Thus, the US and India are now in talks of an &ldquo;innovation partnership&rdquo; that must develop along with all the military-to-military bonhomie taking place.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Maintaining Strategic Autonomy:</strong> India must clarify to the US that, it can sign the civil nuclear pact, it can sign foundational defence agreements, it can converge on the Indo-Pacific but it won&rsquo;t lead to an alliance relationship.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Further, India should realise agreements are a scrap of paper, unless they are backed by a mutuality of interest at the given time. Therefore, must continue its efforts of strategic hedging with our global powers.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Conclusion</h3>
<p>Signing of BECA will allow India and the US to act together and get into a better position to shape the regional and global environment in favour of peace and stability. However, both countries must not glamourize this signing as these agreements are not an end in themselves they are a means to a larger end &ndash; security and prosperity of its citizens.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1603885711_image%200.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1603885711_image 0.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="650" 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: #fffef7;">
<p><span style="color: #000080;"><em><strong>Drishti Mains Question</strong></em></span></p>
<p>Signing of various defence agreements will allow India and the US to act together and get into a better position to shape the regional and global environment. Critically analyse.</p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p style="text-align: center;"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/N5yHKT0xjpI" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p>
<p>This editorial is based on <a href="https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/editorial/the-shade-of-grey-on-fatfs-mandated-tasks/article32947421.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>&ldquo;The shade of grey&rdquo;</strong></a> which was published in The Hindu on October 27<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/basic-exchange-and-cooperation-agreement-1'
		],
		(int) 11 => [
			'title' => 'Tectonically Active Zone of Himalayas',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, a group of scientists from the <strong>Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology</strong> (WIHG), Dehradun have found that the<strong> Indus-Tsangpo Suture Zone (ITSZ) of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/re-measuring-mount-everest" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Himalaya</a></strong>is<strong> tectonically active.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The suture zone of Himalaya was conventionally thought to be locked.</li>
<li>WIHG is an <strong>autonomous institute</strong> under the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/50th-foundation-day-of-dst" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Department of Science and Technology</strong> </a>(DST), Government of India.</li>
<li><strong>Tectonics</strong> is the <strong>scientific study of the deformation of the rocks</strong> that make up the Earth&rsquo;s crust and the forces that produce such deformation.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It deals with the <strong>folding and faulting</strong> associated with mountain building, the large-scale, <strong>gradual upward and downward movements</strong> of the crust and <strong>sudden horizontal displacements</strong> along faults.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Geological Features that Support the Finding:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Sedimentary beds are tilted and thrust broken.</li>
<li>Rivers are associated with uplifted terraces.</li>
<li>Bedrock shows brittle deformation at much shallower depths.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>These deformed geological features were <strong>dated using the technique of Optically Stimulated Luminescence</strong> (OSL) and data of <strong>seismicity</strong> and <strong>denudation rate</strong> was also reviewed.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Optically-Stimulated Luminescence:</strong> It is a late <strong>quaternary</strong> (geological time period that encompasses the most recent 2.6 million years) dating technique used to date the last time quartz sediment was exposed to light. As sediment is transported by wind, water or ice, it is exposed to sunlight and zeroed of any previous luminescence signal.</li>
<li><strong>Seismicity:</strong> It is the worldwide or local distribution of<a href="/to-the-points/paper1/earthquake-4" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> earthquakes</strong></a> in space, time, and magnitude. More specifically, it refers to the measure of the frequency of earthquakes in a region.</li>
<li><strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/50th-foundation-day-of-dst">Denudation:</a></strong> It is a long term process in which the wearing and tearing of the surface of the Earth take place. It includes all those processes that lower relief and acts both chemically <strong>(chemical weathering)</strong> and physically <strong>(mechanical weathering).</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>The region of the ITSZ has been neo-tectonically active since the last 78000-58000 years.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The ITSZ is a suture zone in the <strong>Ladakh region</strong> and marks the limit of the <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/seismicity-study-of-arunachal-himalaya" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Indian plate</a></strong> <strong>where it collides with the Eurasian plate</strong> and is subducted below the latter.</li>
<li>The ITSZ can be traced for<strong> more than 200 km</strong> and a wide variety of rock association along the ITSZ indicates that the collision at the plate boundary was of very <strong>complex nature.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The ITSZ was conventionally believed to be a locked zone till now.</li>
<li>This will have <strong>major implications</strong> in terms of earthquake study, prediction, understanding the seismic structure of the mountain chains well as its evolution.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Suture Zones</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>A suture zone is a<strong> linear belt of intense deformation,</strong> where distinct terranes, or tectonic units with different plate tectonic, metamorphic, and paleogeographic histories join together.</li>
<li>These zones also <strong>provide the only record of deep oceanic crust and of ancient seafloor processes</strong> for roughly the first 90% of Earth&rsquo;s history.</li>
<li>Their study provides a means to understand the end-product of<strong> plate tectonic processes</strong> in time and space. In plate tectonics, sutures are seen as the remains of subduction zones together with the terranes possibly representing fragments of different tectonic plates.</li>
<li>The suture zone is often <strong>represented on the surface by a mountain range comprising intensely deformed rocks.</strong></li>
<li>The <strong>Iapetus Suture from Great Britain,</strong> which is now concealed beneath younger rocks, and <strong>Indo-Tsangpo Suture</strong> well exposed in the Himalayas are some of the best examples of suture zones.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1667585" 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/tectonically-active-zone-of-himalayas'
		],
		(int) 12 => [
			'title' => 'Computation Analysis of Indian Genes',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the results from the computation analysis of the 1029 sequenced genomes from India were published in the scientific journal, Nucleic Acid Research.</p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The analysis has found that out of<strong> 55,898,122 single nucleotide variants</strong> in India 18,016,257 <strong>(32.23%) variants are unique and found only in the samples sequenced from India.</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>This emphasizes the need for an India centric population genomic initiative.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The <strong>analysis was carried out by <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-national-institutions/council-of-scientific-and-industrial-research" target="_blank" rel="noopener">CSIR</a></strong> constituent labs, Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology (IGIB), Delhi and Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB), Hyderabad.</li>
</ul>
<h3>IndiGenomes Resource Database</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It encompasses the <strong>genomic data from over 1000 whole genome sequences sequenced</strong> from across India as part of the<strong> IndiGen programme</strong> and represents diverse geographies and ethnicities. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The<strong> IndiGen Programme</strong> was launched in <strong>April 2019,</strong> under which <strong>genome sequencing</strong> of 1029 self-declared healthy Indians drawn from across the country has been completed.</li>
<li>Its <strong>objective</strong> was to enable genetic epidemiology and develop public health technologies applications using population genome data.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The resource provides<strong> access to over 55 million genetic variants representing the contemporary Indian population</strong> with an objective to classify variants involved in <strong>mendelian disorders</strong> and <strong>improve precision medicine outcomes.</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Mendelian disorder</strong> is a type of genetic disorder, resulting due to alterations in a gene or due to abnormalities in the genome.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>It enables the<strong> identification of markers for carrier screening, variations causing genetic diseases, prevention of adverse events</strong> and provides better diagnosis and optimal therapy <strong>through mining data.</strong></li>
<li>This resource can provide useful insights for clinicians and researchers in comprehending genetics not only at the population level but at the individual level.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Background</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Despite having this rich genetic diversity, India has been under-represented in global genome studies. Further, the population architecture of India has resulted in high prevalence of recessive alleles.</li>
<li>In the absence of large-scale whole genome studies from India, the population-specific genetic variants are not adequately captured and catalogued in global medical literature.</li>
<li>In order to fill the gap of whole genome sequences from different populations in India, CSIR initiated the <strong>IndiGen Programme.</strong></li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Genome</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>A genome is all the <strong>genetic matter</strong> in an organism. It is defined as an organism&rsquo;s complete set of <strong>Deoxyribose Nucleic Acid (DNA),</strong> including all of its genes.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Every organism&rsquo;s genetic code is contained in its<strong> DNA,</strong> the building blocks of life.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Each genome contains all of the information needed to build and maintain that organism.</li>
<li>In humans, a copy of the entire genome contains more than 3 billion DNA base pairs.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Genome sequencing</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Genome sequencing is figuring out the <strong>order of DNA nucleotides, or bases,</strong> in a genome&mdash;the order of <strong>Adenine, Cytosine, Guanines, and Thymine</strong> that make up an organism's DNA.</li>
<li><strong>Application:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Genome sequencing can play a crucial role for <strong>new advancements in medical science</strong> (like predictive diagnosis and precision medicine, genomic information) and in <strong>disease management.</strong></li>
<li>Through genome sequencing methodology, researchers and clinicians can <strong>easily detect the disease related to genetic disorder.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Importance of Genome Sequencing:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The study of entire genome sequences will help understand<strong> how the genome as a whole works&mdash;</strong>how genes work together to direct the growth, development and maintenance of an entire organism.</li>
<li>The genes account for less than 25% of the DNA in the genome, and so knowing the entire genome sequence will <strong>help scientists study the parts of the genome outside the genes.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1667949" 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/computation-analysis-of-indian-genes'
		],
		(int) 13 => [
			'title' => 'India-USA 2+2 Dialogue 2020',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, India and the USA have concluded the <strong>3<sup>rd</sup> India-USA 2+2 dialogue</strong> in New Delhi.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The<strong> USA reiterated its support to India </strong>in<strong> defending its territorial sovereignty</strong> in the background of the ongoing <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/india-china-conflict#:~:text=After%20the%20first%20round%20of,casualties%20on%20the%20Chinese%20side.&amp;text=India%20and%20China%20fought%20a%20war%20in%201962." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>standoff between India-China.</strong></a></li>
<li>It also referred to the greater <strong>threats posed by <a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/the-big-picture-indo-pacific-strategic-importance" target="_blank" rel="noopener">China in the Indo-Pacific region</a></strong> and by the<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/covid-19-now-pandemic-who" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> Covid-19 pandemic</strong></a> in general.</li>
<li>The <strong>first two rounds</strong> of these dialogues between both the countries were held in <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/india-to-host-2-2-dialogue-mechanism" target="_blank" rel="noopener">2018</a> and <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/indo-us-2-2-dialogue" target="_blank" rel="noopener">2019</a>.</strong></li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>India has signed the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/basic-exchange-and-cooperation-agreement-usa" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Basic Exchange and Cooperation Agreement</strong></a> (BECA) with the USA.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>BECA will enable the<strong> exchange of geospatial data and information</strong> between the two countries and will <strong>improve the accuracy of India&rsquo;s missiles</strong> in precision strikes.</li>
<li>The geospatial maps and charts to be shared, will be <strong>acquired from multiple sources</strong> like satellites, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), reconnaissance aircraft, aerostats among others.</li>
<li>As part of measures to enhance military to military cooperation, Liaison Officers at each other's establishments could be leveraged to enhance information sharing.</li>
<li>BECA is one of the<strong> four foundational military communication agreements between the two countries.</strong> The <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/india-us-mini-2-plus-2-talks" target="_blank" rel="noopener">other three</a></strong> are:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>General Security Of Military Information Agreement.</li>
<li>Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Agreement.</li>
<li>Communications and Information Security Memorandum of Agreement.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Both countries released a <strong>Joint Statement on shared Indo-USA goals in the Asia-Pacific region</strong> and emphasised that the <strong>Code of Conduct in the <a href="/to-the-points/Paper2/south-china-sea" target="_blank" rel="noopener">South China Sea</a></strong> should not prejudice the legitimate rights and interests of any nation in accordance with international law.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>They also decided to <strong>expand joint capacity building activities</strong> with partner countries in the <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/indo-pacific-trilateral-dialogue" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Indo-Pacific</a> region.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Other Steps Taken:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Memorandum of Understanding</strong> (MoU) on <strong>Technical Cooperation in Earth Observations and Earth Sciences.</strong></li>
<li>Agreement to <strong>extend the duration</strong> of the <strong>MoU on the Global Center for Nuclear Energy Partnership.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Agreement on the electronic exchange of customs data.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Letter of intent regarding cooperation in traditional Indian medicines.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Discussions on the status of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/india-s-afghan-policy-and-taliban" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Afghanistan</a></strong> and support for its peace process.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>&lsquo;2+2&rsquo; Dialogue</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>2+2 Ministerial is the <strong>highest-level institutional mechanism</strong> between the two countries.</li>
<li>It is a<strong> format of dialogue</strong> where the defence/foreign ministers or secretaries meet with their counterparts from another country.</li>
<li>India holds such talks with <strong>Australia, Japan and the USA.</strong></li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The signing of BECA is a significant achievement for India as it is a sign of the USA accepting the Indian request for cooperation in the advanced field of maritime domain awareness.</li>
<li>India-USA&rsquo;s national security convergences have grown closer in a more multipolar world and the meetings as well as the agreements not only advance their individual interests but also ensure that the bilateral cooperation between them makes a positive contribution in the world arena.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/india-us-22-dialogue-rajnath-singh-raises-chinas-action-in-ladakh/article32955117.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/india-usa-2-2-dialogue-2020'
		],
		(int) 14 => [
			'title' => 'Maritime Vision 2030',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the Union Minister of State for Shipping has inaugurated the <strong>Direct Port Entry</strong> (DPE) facility of<strong> V O Chidambaranar Port Trust</strong> (VOCPT).</p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The state-of-the-art DPE facility is created inside the <strong>Truck Parking Terminal</strong> which was developed under the<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/karwar-port" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> &lsquo;Sagarmala&rsquo;</strong> </a>for issuing customs clearance of export cargo.</li>
<li>The IT-enabled infrastructure at the ports will make Indian ports, world-class ports aligning with the <strong>&lsquo;Maritime Vision 2030&rsquo;</strong> of the <strong>Ministry of Shipping.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Significance:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It will <strong>reduce logistics cost</strong> and<strong> increase the velocity of the cargo.</strong></li>
<li>It would <strong>enable direct movement of containers from factories,</strong> without intermediate handling at any container freight stations (CFSs), on a <strong>24x7 basis.</strong></li>
<li>It will help in <strong>increasing <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/ease-of-doing-business-2020" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Ease of Doing Business</a></strong> for the exporters, as the facility will <strong>bring efficiency and reduce dwell time, lower tariff cost </strong>and<strong> improve the competitiveness of shippers</strong> in international trade.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Maritime India Vision 2030</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It is a <strong>ten-year blueprint for the maritime sector</strong> which <strong>will be released</strong> by the Prime Minister of India at the <strong>Maritime India Summit in November 2020.</strong></li>
<li>It will <strong>supersede the Sagarmala initiative</strong> and aims to boost waterways, give a <strong>fillip to the shipbuilding industry</strong> and <strong>encourage cruise tourism in India.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Policy Initiatives and Development Projects:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Maritime Development Fund:</strong> A Rs. <strong>25,000-crore fund,</strong> which will provide low cost, <strong>long-tenure financing to the sector</strong> with the Centre contributing Rs. 2,500 crore over seven years.</li>
<li><strong>Port Regulatory Authority: A pan-India</strong> port authority will be set up <strong>under the new Indian Ports Act</strong> (to replace the old <strong>Indian Ports Act 1908</strong>) for enabling oversight across major and non-major ports, enhance institutional coverage for ports and provide for structured growth of the ports sector to boost investor confidence.</li>
<li><strong>Eastern Waterways Connectivity Transport Grid project:</strong> It will aim to develop regional connectivity with Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan and Myanmar.</li>
<li><strong>Riverine Development Fund:</strong> Calls for extending low cost, long-term financing for inland vessels with the support of a Riverine Development Fund (RDF) and for extending the coverage of the tonnage tax scheme (applicable to ocean-going ships and dredgers) to inland vessels also to enhance the availability of such vessels.</li>
<li><strong>Rationalisation of Port Charges:</strong> It will make them more competitive, besides doing away with all hidden charges levied by ship liners to bring in more transparency.</li>
<li><strong>Promotion of Water Transport:</strong> For decongestion of urban areas, and developing waterways as an alternative means of urban transport.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1667782" 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/maritime-vision-2030'
		],
		(int) 15 => [
			'title' => 'Superconductivity at Room Temperature',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, <strong>researchers have created a material that is superconducting</strong> at room temperature, however, it <strong>only works at a pressure of 267 Gigapascals</strong> (GPa), which is equivalent to <strong>about three-quarters of pressure at the centre of Earth</strong> (360 GPa).</p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Material Used:</strong> A <strong>mixture of carbon, hydrogen and sulfur</strong> was put in a microscopic niche carved between the tips of two diamonds<strong> (diamond anvil)</strong> and laser light was used on them to<strong> trigger chemical reactions.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Process:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>As the experimental<strong> temperature was lowered, resistance</strong> to a current passed through the material <strong>dropped</strong> to a vanishingly small value below the <strong>critical temperature</strong> (Tc).</li>
<li>The <strong>transition of the sample to become superconductive</strong> occurred the best at <strong>transition temperature of around 15&deg;C at 267 GPa.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Verification:</strong> To verify that this phase was indeed a superconductor, the group ascertained that the <strong>magnetic susceptibility</strong> of the superconductor was that of a <strong>diamagnet.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>A <strong>superconducting material kept in a magnetic field expels the magnetic flux out</strong> its body when cooled below the critical temperature and<strong> exhibits perfect diamagnetism.</strong></li>
<li>It is also called the <strong>Meissner effect</strong> which simply means that <strong>magnetic lines do not pass through superconductors</strong> in a magnetic field.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Superconductors:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>A superconductor is a material that can<strong> conduct electricity or transport electrons from one atom to another with no resistance.</strong></li>
<li>No heat, sound or any other form of energy would be released from the material when it has <strong>reached critical temperature</strong> (Tc), or the temperature at which the material becomes superconductive.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The critical temperature for superconductors is the <strong>temperature at which the electrical resistivity of metal drops to zero.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Prominent examples</strong> include <strong>aluminium, niobium, magnesium diboride,</strong> etc.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Applications:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>From magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) machines, low-loss power lines, ultra powerful superconducting magnets to mobile-phone towers.</li>
<li>Researchers are also experimenting with them in high-performance generators for wind turbines.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Limitations:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Their usefulness is still<strong> limited by the need for bulky cryogenics</strong> (production of and behavior of materials at very low temperatures) as the common superconductors <strong>work at atmospheric pressures,</strong> but only if they are kept very cold.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Even the most sophisticated ones like <strong>copper oxide-based ceramic materials</strong> work only below &minus;140&deg;C.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Significance of the Research:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>If researchers can stabilise the material at ambient pressure,<strong> applications of superconductivity at room temperatures could be achieved</strong> and will be within reach.</li>
<li>Superconductors that work at room temperature could have a <strong>big technological impact, for example in electronics that run faster without overheating.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Diamagnetism</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It is a<strong> very weak form of magnetism</strong> that is <strong>induced by a change in the orbital motion of electrons</strong> due to an applied magnetic field.</li>
<li>This magnetism is <strong>non-permanent and persists only in the presence of an external field.</strong></li>
<li>The<strong> magnitude of the induced magnetic moment is very small, </strong>and its<strong> direction is opposite to that of the applied field.</strong></li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Meissner Effect</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>When a <strong>material makes the transition from the normal to the superconducting state,</strong> it<strong> actively excludes magnetic fields</strong> from its interior and this is called the Meissner effect.</li>
<li>This constraint to zero magnetic fields inside a superconductor is<strong> distinct from the perfect diamagnetism which would arise from its zero electrical resistance.</strong></li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/science/room-temperature-superconductivity-possible-but-under-severe-pressure/article32937247.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/superconductivity-at-room-temperature-1'
		],
		(int) 16 => [
			'title' => 'Electronic Exchange of Customs Data',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the <strong>Department of Posts, Government of India (India Post) and United States Postal Service</strong> signed an<strong> agreement</strong> for <strong>electronic exchange of customs data</strong> related to postal shipments between the two countries.</p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Objective:</strong> The primary objective of this agreement is to facilitate <strong>&lsquo;ease of exports&rsquo;</strong> for small and large exporters through postal channels from different parts of the country.</li>
<li><strong>Features:</strong> The agreement will make it <strong>possible to transmit and receive electronic data of international postal items prior to their physical arrival at the destination</strong> and would<strong> enable customs clearance of postal items in advance</strong> in line with the evolving global postal framework.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Exchange of Electronic Advance Data (EAD)</strong> will be a key driver towards <strong>promoting mutual trade</strong> with emphasis on the exports.
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>USA is the top export destination for India</strong> (~17%) which is also reflected in exchange of goods through postal channels.</li>
<li>In 2019, around 20% of international <strong>Express Mail Service (EMS)</strong> and 30% of Letters &amp; Small Packets transmitted by India Post were destined to the USA whereas 60% of the Parcels received by India Post were originated from the USA.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Benefit:</strong> This will fulfill a major demand of the export industry to expedite customs clearances of export items and will contribute towards making India an Export Hub for the world.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The agreement will also improve the performance of postal services in terms of reliability, visibility and security.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>India Post</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>India Post is the <strong>trade name for the Department of Posts (DoP), a</strong> government-operated postal system in <strong>India under the Ministry of Communications.</strong></li>
<li>With 1, 55,531 Post Offices, the DoP has the most widely distributed postal network in the world.</li>
<li><strong>Functions:</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Delivering mails, accepting deposits under <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/government-cuts-interest-rates-on-nsc-ppf" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Small Savings Schemes</strong></a>, providing life insurance cover under Postal Life Insurance (PLI) and Rural Postal Life Insurance (RPLI) and providing retail services like bill collection, sale of forms, etc.</li>
<li>It also acts as an agent for the Government of India in discharging other services for citizens such as <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/sub-group-of-chief-ministers-on-coordination-between-mgnrega-and-agriculture" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS)</strong> </a>wage disbursement and old age pension payments.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1667915" 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/electronic-exchange-of-customs-data'
		],
		(int) 17 => [
			'title' => 'AWAKE: Main Examination 2020',
			'catname' => 'Online Courses',
			'desc' => '<section class="article-list">
<div class="feature-text" style="padding: 0px;">
<div class="online-pendrive-course online-course">
<div class="wrapper">
<div class="content-block">
<div class="text-block">
<h2>'AWAKE' : UPSC Civil Service Mains Examination 2020 <br /><span style="font-size: 16px; color: #00008b;">(Answer Writing and Knowledge Enrichment Program)</span></h2>
<p>AWAKE is a special crash course designed for one single purpose &ndash; improving marks obtained in the CSE Mains Examination.</p>
<p>This program was launched in 2019 and more than 50% of aspirants who were successful in the Hindi medium for that year had been a part of the AWAKE program. Team Drishti, under the able guidance of Dr. Vikas Divyakirti, is now trying to recreate this success in the English medium as well.</p>
<p><strong>The AWAKE program has two primary components viz., identifying potential topics/questions that can be asked in the Mains Examination, and the developing of answer writing skills for every participating aspirant.</strong>Experienced teachers, as such, will be conducting classes where not only important topics will be discussed but also various answer writing methods, tips and tricks will be demonstrated.</p>
<p>The AWAKE program will cover all four GS papers and due to Covid related restrictions, will currently be conducted only in the online mode via the Drishti Learning App.</p>
</div>
<div class="red-block awake">Fees : <strong>₹ 5,000/-</strong><br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-weight: 500;">Registration Open</span></li>
<li><span style="font-weight: 500;">Classes Start - From 1st November</span></li>
<li><span style="font-weight: 500;"><strong>Mode</strong> - Online Classes (Drishti Learning App)</span></li>
</ul>
<div class="btn-block"><a href="/awake-online-courses-buy" class="btn red" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Join Now</a>
<div class="notice"><a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.drishti.academy.app&amp;hl=en_IN" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Download DRISHTI LEARNING APP</a><br /><i>*the AWAKE program is currently available only on Drishti Learning App.</i></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<!-- #end online pendrive course -->
<div class="why-pendrive-course">
<div class="wrapper">
<div class="image-block"><img src="/drishti/img/online-banner2.jpeg" alt="" /></div>
<div class="content-block">
<h2><span style="color: #00008b;">Key Features of AWAKE:</span></h2>
<ul style="display: block; font-size: 16px; line-height: 2;">
<li>A total of 120 hours or 40 classes &ndash; class discussions are concise and to the point.</li>
<li>Classes are easy to watch and prepare from &ndash; all you need is an Android based phone and an internet connection.</li>
<li>Along with video lectures, model answers to most important questions discussed in class will be provided in the PDF format.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Please Note:</strong></p>
<ul style="display: block; font-size: 16px; line-height: 2;">
<li>Due to the growing similarity in UPSC CSE and UPPCS Mains Examinations, this crash course can be attended by aspirants of either exams. For the same reason, the validity of this crash course will be until the CSE and UPPCS Main Exams are over. Also, each video lecture can be viewed upto three times.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p style="font-weight: bold; font-size: 16px; padding-top: 20px;">Schedule for the 40 video lectures (approximate) included in this program is as follows:</p>
<ol style="display: block; font-size: 16px; line-height: 2;">
<li>History of India and the World, and Art &amp; Culture (6 classes)</li>
<li>Economy (4 classes)</li>
<li>Geography, Environment and Disaster Management (6 classes)</li>
<li>International Relations (3 classes)</li>
<li>Science &amp; Technology (5 classes)</li>
<li>Polity, Governance, and Internal Security (respectively: 4+2+2 = 8 classes)</li>
<li>Indian Society and Social Justice (2 classes)</li>
<li>Ethics (2 classes)</li>
<li>Current Affairs (4 Classes)</li>
</ol>
</div>
</div>
<div class="imporant-info">
<div class="wrapper">
<p style="text-align: center; padding: 15px; font-size: 22px;"><strong>For additional information related to this course, call <a href="tel:8010440440">8010440440</a> / <a href="tel:7669806814">7669806814</a></strong></p>
</div>
</div>
<div class="learning-program">
<div class="section-payment">
<div class="wrapper">
<h2>Payment Options</h2>
<div class="row">
<div class="column three"><address>
<h4>Cash Deposit</h4>
<p>You can deposit cash at our Drishti office, Find our address below</p>
<p><span>Office Address</span></p>
<ul>
<li class="address">Drishti The Vision Foundation,<br />641, Ist Floor, Mukherjee Nagar, <br />Delhi-110009</li>
<li class="address">Drishti The Vision Foundation,<br />13/15, Tashkand Marg, Civil Lines (Near Patrika Chauraha), Prayagraj, <br />UP-211001</li>
<li class="phone"><a href="tel:011-47532596">011-47532596</a> <br />+91 - 9319290700 <br />+91 - 9319290701 <br />+91 - 9319290702</li>
</ul>
</address></div>
<!-- #end -->
<div class="column three"><address>
<h4>Bank Transfer/Account Deposit</h4>
<p>VDK Eduventures Pvt. Ltd. <br /><strong>Account No.</strong> 36726486454,<br /><strong>Bank </strong>State Bank of India,<br /><strong>IFSC Code</strong> SBIN0018166, <br /><strong>MICR Code</strong> 110002563, Branch Code 18166 , <br /><strong>Branch</strong> - Mukherjee Nagar New Delhi-110009</p>
<p><span>Contact Details:</span></p>
<ul>
<li class="phone">+91 - 9319290700 <br />+91 - 9319290701 <br />+91 - 9319290702</li>
<li class="phone"><a href="/admin/articles/edit/1800-121-6260">1800-121-6260</a></li>
</ul>
</address></div>
<!-- #end -->
<div class="column three"><address>
<h4>Demand Draft/Cheque</h4>
<p>Send your demand draft or local cheque of fee amount by registered post/courier at below address</p>
<p><span>Office Address</span></p>
<ul>
<li class="address">Drishti The Vision Foundation, <br />641, Ist Floor, Mukherjee Nagar, <br />Delhi-110009</li>
<li class="email"><a href="mailto:[email protected]">[email protected]</a></li>
</ul>
</address></div>
<!-- #end --></div>
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</div>
</div>
</div>
</section>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/online-classes/awake-mains-examination-2020'
		],
		(int) 18 => [
			'title' => 'Stubble Waste Management',
			'catname' => 'News Editorials',
			'desc' => '<div class="border">
<p>This article is based on <a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/wealth-from-stubble-burning-farmers-farmers-air-pollution-delhi-punjab-haryana-6884982/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>&ldquo;Wealth from stubble&rdquo;</strong></a> which was published in The Indian Express on 27/10/2020. It talks about the issue of stubble burning and suggests actionable programmes to address the same.</p>
</div>
<p>Every winter in northern India starts with the precarious news of dangerous levels of air pollution resulting from the Paddy <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/stubble-burning-2" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>stubble burning</strong></a>. This is because the quantity of the farm waste is humongous and the window for disposing of it is too small.</p>
<p>The regularity of air pollution from stubble burning led the state and central government to develop business models to discourage stubble burning and promote farm <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/waste-to-energy-plants" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>waste to energy</strong> </a>projects.</p>
<p>However, despite these interventions the farmers have less incentive to collect the stubble and subsequently the stubble burning issue largely remains unsolved. Therefore, stubble management should be broadly focussed on-field management, alternate cropping, processing to biofuels and proper implementation of existing schemes.</p>
<h3>Reason For Stubble Burning</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Stubble burning is the act of setting fire to crop residue to remove them from the field to sow the next crop.</li>
<li>In order to plant next winter crop (Rabi crop), farmers in Northern India have to move in a very short interval and if they are late, due to short winters these days, they might face considerable losses.</li>
<li>Therefore, burning is the cheapest and fastest way to get rid of the stubble.</li>
<li>Further, if stubble is left in the field, pests like termites may attack the upcoming crop.</li>
<li>Also, the precarious economic condition of farmers doesn&rsquo;t allow them to use expensive mechanised methods to remove stubble.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Issues in Stubble Waste to Energy</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Lax Implementation:</strong> In 2019, the governments of Punjab and Haryana announced Rs 2,500/acre as a bonus to small farmers who avoid burning stubble but there has been the negligible implementation of this scheme.</li>
<li><strong>Adverse Impact of Laws:</strong> Implementation of the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/punjab-water-law-responsible-for-air-pollution-in-delhi" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Punjab Preservation of Subsoil Water Act (2009)</strong> </a>made the time period of stubble burning coincident with the onset of winter in Northern India.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Late transplanting of paddy during Kharif season to prevent water loss as directed by PPSW Act (2009) had left farmers with little time between harvesting and preparing the field for the next crop and hence farmers are resorting to the burning of stubble.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Inadequate Supply as Raw Material:</strong> The costs of establishing a year-round &ldquo;bankable&rdquo; supply chain for paddy straw bales is another deterrent.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Albeit with limitations related to offtake agreements, the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/biofuel-day-2#:~:text=The%20Policy%20allows%20use%20of,of%20National%20Biofuel%20Coordination%20Committee.&amp;text=5000%20crore%20in%206%20years,as%20compared%20to%201G%20biofuels." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>National Policy on Biofuels</strong></a> was not able to achieve intended targets.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Increasing Competition With Solar &amp; Wind Energy:</strong> The government has actively supported the biomass power sector by provisioning for a high feed-in tariff.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>However, tariff orders for biomass gasifier/biogas power became inconsequential with solar and wind power tariffs declining to 33% of that of biomass power.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>On-field Management:</strong> It involves mulching the stubble into fields by customised machinery. In order to promote mulching there is a need for:
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Providing subsidy for purchasing equipment.</li>
<li>Establishing Farm Machinery Banks for custom hiring of in-situ crop residue management machinery.</li>
<li>Furthermore, Co-operative societies of farmers, <a href="/to-the-points/Paper2/self-help-groups-shgs" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>self-help groups</strong></a>, registered farmers societies/farmers groups, private entrepreneurs for establishment of farm machinery banks or custom hiring centres.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Alternate Cropping:</strong> There is a need to promote alternatives to wheat and rice, which could be the cultivation of silage crops (hybrid sorghum, hybrid napier grass, maize).
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>These alternatives have a high yield, enabling farmers to meet the feedstock needs of cattle, can also be used to produce biofuels plants and the cultivated area can be interspersed with horticulture.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Ensuring Adequate Supply with Biomass Depots:</strong> It is essential to undertake on-field baling of stubble, aggregate bales in a depot and enter into &ldquo;bankable&rdquo; agreements for supplies to Bio-Energy Plants.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In order to establish a biomass depot, there should be fiscal incentives for enabling green entrepreneurship.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Turning Stubble to Advanced Biofuels:</strong> Stubble should be used for production of gaseous <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/biofuels-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>biofuels</strong></a> like producer gas, biogas and green hydrogen.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas&rsquo;s <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/satat-scheme" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>SATAT scheme</strong></a> is a step in the right direction.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Conclusion</h3>
<p>Stubble burning poses a challenge to public health. However, by processing agriculture residues to biofuels and compost will benefit many more farmer households, with manifold collateral benefits that accrue from assured availability of sustainable energy.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1603801502_image3.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1603801502_image3.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" caption="false" width="550" height="515" /></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: #fefff2;">
<p><span style="color: #000080;"><em><strong>Drishti Mains Question</strong></em></span></p>
<p>Effective stubble management can convert the crisis of public health into an opportunity of sustainable energy. Comment.</p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p style="text-align: center;"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/_mO76JsnMB0" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p>
<p>This editorial is based on <a href="https://www.financialexpress.com/opinion/an-indian-spacex-policy-to-tap-private-sector-talent-for-space-taking-shape/2113451/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>&ldquo;An Indian SpaceX&rdquo;</strong> </a>which was published in The Financial Express on October 23<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/stubble-waste-management'
		],
		(int) 19 => [
			'title' => 'Tsunami Early Warning System in India',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>According to experts from the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/incois-launches-products" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Indian National Centre for Ocean Information System (INCOIS)</strong></a>, India is much safer against tsunami threats than it was in 2004, due to the establishment of a state-of-the-art tsunami early warning system at INCOIS.</p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Indian Tsunami Early Warning System:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The Indian Tsunami Early Warning System (ITEWS) was <strong>established in 2007</strong> and is based at &amp; operated by INCOIS, Hyderabad.</li>
<li>It is an <strong>integrated effort</strong> of different organizations including the Department of Space (DOS), Department of Science and Technology (DST), the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), Survey of India (SOI) and National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT).</li>
<li>ITEWS comprises a<strong> real-time network of seismic stations,</strong> tide gauges and a <strong>24X7 operational tsunami warning centre</strong> to detect tsunamigenic earthquakes, to monitor tsunamis and to provide timely advisories to vulnerable communities.</li>
<li>Indian scientists can detect large undersea earthquakes in Indian Ocean in real-time and provide a tsunami warning in 10-20 minutes after the earthquake occurs. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>In 2004, India didn&rsquo;t have any tsunami warning capability nor any public knowledge of tsunamis in the Indian Ocean.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>India is among the <strong>first few centres to introduce quantitative tsunami forecasts.</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC)</strong> of <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/unesco-5" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>UNESCO</strong></a> (also known as UNESCO-IOC) accredited<strong> Indian Tsunami Early Warning Centre</strong> (ITEWC) as <strong>Tsunami Service Provider</strong> (TSP) for 28 <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/19th-iora-council-of-ministers-meeting" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Indian Ocean Rim</strong></a> <strong>(IOR) countries</strong>, along with Indonesia and Australia in 2011, for issuing regional warnings.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Recent Focus in Tsunami Warning Capability:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The focus in recent times has been on <strong>enhancing community awareness and response</strong> through several <strong>capacity building activities, biennial Indian Ocean wide tsunami drills</strong> and<strong> piloting of the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/tsunami-ready-programme-unesco-ioc" target="_blank" rel="noopener">UNESCO-IOC Tsunami Ready initiative.</a></strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Tsunami Ready is a community performance-based programme</strong> to promote tsunami preparedness through active collaboration of public, community leaders, and national and local emergency management agencies.</li>
<li>The <strong>main objective of this programme is to improve coastal community's preparedness for tsunami emergencies,</strong> to minimize the loss of life and property and to ensure a structural and systematic approach in building community preparedness through fulfilling the best-practice indicators.</li>
<li><strong>Two villages of Odisha-</strong> Venkatraipur in Ganjam district and Noliasahi in Jagatsinghpur district<strong> are now &lsquo;Tsunami Ready&rsquo;.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>INCOIS is <strong>establishing a network of 35 stations to estimate the tectonic plate&rsquo;s movements in real-time</strong> and measure the vertical displacements under the sea directly.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>INCOIS</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>INCOIS was <strong>established in 1999</strong> as an <strong>autonomous body</strong> under the <strong>Ministry of Earth Sciences.</strong></li>
<li><strong>INCOIS</strong> through Indian Tsunami Early Warning Centre (ITEWC) is the <strong>nodal agency to provide tsunami advisories to India.</strong></li>
<li>It is coordinating with the Disaster Management Officials (DMOs) for implementation of <strong>Tsunami Ready</strong> programme in India.</li>
<li>It conducts <strong>IOWave Tsunami mock exercises biannually</strong> to strengthen the readiness to handle the emergency situations with stakeholders.</li>
<li>INCOIS also identifies the <strong>Potential Fishing Zones</strong> (PFZ) for the fishermen community.</li>
<li>It has also <strong>made improvement in overcoming the cloud cover</strong> through usage of geostationary satellites and numerical modelling.</li>
<li>INCOIS has also partnered with <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-national-institutions/indian-space-research-organisation-isro" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Indian Space Research Organisation</strong></a> (ISRO) and <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/wings-india-2020" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Airports Authority of India</strong></a> (AAI) to <strong>develop a satellite based message broadcasting services</strong> through the indigenous navigational satellite communication system <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/navic" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>'NAVIC'</strong></a>.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Tsunamis</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>These are a series of waves usually <strong>generated by movement of the sea floor.</strong> These movements are <strong>caused by different types of geophysical phenomena</strong> such as <a href="/to-the-points/paper1/earthquake-4" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>earthquakes</strong></a>,<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/international-conference-on-landslides-risk-reduction-and-resilience" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> landslides</strong> </a><strong>and volcanic eruptions.</strong></li>
<li>The word tsunami is a <strong>Japanese word,</strong> represented by two characters: tsu, meaning, "harbor", and nami meaning, "wave".</li>
<li>The tsunami waves behave very differently in deep water than in shallow water as their <strong>speed is related to the water depth.</strong></li>
<li>They <strong>frequently occur in the Pacific,</strong> where dense oceanic plates slide under the lighter continental plates. When these plates fracture they provide a vertical movement of the seafloor that allows a quick and efficient transfer of energy from the solid earth to the ocean.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Initiatives like Tsunami Ready has to be replicated in other vulnerable coastal communities as it enhances ability to respond to cyclones and storm surges too.</li>
<li>The best of warning systems could fail, if communities are not prepared, if they do not understand the official and natural warning signs of a tsunami, and if they do not take appropriate and timely response.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Hyderabad/india-much-safer-against-tsunami-threat-incois-director/article32947534.ece#:~:text=India%20is%20much%20safer%20against,Information%20System%20(INCOIS)%20here." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: TH</strong></a></p>',
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	(int) 0 => [
		'title' => 'Institution of Eminence Scheme',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the OP Jindal Global University officially got an <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/institutions-of-eminence-ioe-scheme" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>&lsquo;Institution of Eminence (IoE)</strong></a> tag.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The university was selected by the UGC, along with 13 other higher education institutions, for IoE status in 2019. However, for official confirmation, the institution had to fulfil certain legislative and procedural requirements.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Background:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Earlier in 2018, the Empowered Expert Committee (EEC) chaired by <strong>former Chief Election Commissioner, N. Gopalasamy recommended</strong> a list of institutions for the consideration of the IoE status.</li>
<li>Under this, the government aims to <strong>establish 20 world class institutes in the country</strong> to provide support and prepare them<strong> to become world-class institutions</strong> and the <strong>ultimate aim</strong> is to make them<strong> secure top global rankings.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Objectives:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Excellence and Innovation:</strong> To provide for higher education leading to excellence and innovations in such branches of knowledge as may be deemed fit at post-graduate, graduate and research degree levels.</li>
<li><strong>Specialization:</strong> To engage in areas of specialization to make distinctive contributions to the objectives of the university education system.</li>
<li><strong>Global Rating:</strong> To aim to be rated internationally for its teaching and research as a top hundred Institution in the world over time.</li>
<li><strong>Quality teaching and Research:</strong> To provide for high quality teaching and research and for the advancement of knowledge and its dissemination</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Criteria:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Global/National Ranking:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>To get the status, the institutions should be among:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Top 50 in the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/nirf-and-ariia-rankings-2019" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>National Institution Ranking Framework (NIRF).</strong></a></li>
<li>Top 500 in internationally recognised rankings.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Public Institutes</strong> that are eligible to apply under Institutes of Eminence are as follows:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Central Universities</li>
<li>Government-owned and controlled Deemed to be Universities.</li>
<li>Institutions of National importance such as IITs, NITs, etc.</li>
<li>State Universities are set up under a law made by the Legislative Assembly of a State.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Private institutions</strong> are assessed on the basis of their ranking in the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/important-facts-for-prelims-16th-october-2018" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>QS India</strong></a> <strong>or NIRF,</strong> the NIRF ranking being used as a tie-breaker.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Any institution that did not appear in any rankings is excluded completely from the list of IoE tag.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Greenfield Proposals:</strong> Only after exhausting the above criterion, if any slot remains vacant, consideration shall be given to<strong> yet to be established (Greenfield)</strong> proposals.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The term greenfield project generally refers to the initiation of a project without the need to consider any prior work.</li>
<li>The Greenfield Institutions get a 3 <strong>year period</strong> to establish and operationalise the institution.</li>
<li><strong>Satya Bharti Foundation (telecom major Airtel&rsquo;s philanthropic arm)</strong> became the <strong>second greenfield institution</strong> to be given IoE status, <strong>after Reliance&rsquo;s Jio Institute.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Benefits:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Autonomy:</strong> Institutes with IoE tag will be given greater autonomy and freedom to decide fees, course durations and governance structures.</li>
<li><strong>Grant:</strong> The public institutions under IoE tag will receive a government grant of Rs. 1,000 crore, while the private institutions will not get any funding under the scheme.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/education/op-jindal-university-gets-institution-of-eminence-tag-6909196/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: IE</strong></a></p>',
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	(int) 1 => [
		'title' => 'Combating Deep Fakes',
		'catname' => 'News Editorials',
		'desc' => '<div class="border">
<p>This article is based on <a href="https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/lead/countering-deepfakes-the-most-serious-ai-threat/article32966578.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener">&ldquo;Countering deep fakes, the most serious AI threat&rdquo;</a> which was published in The Hindu on 20/10/2020. It talks about the dangers associated with the Deep Fakes.</p>
</div>
<p>Technological advancement that has fueled media creation today, has provided opportunities for all people, regardless of their demography, ethnicity, religion etc. It can give people a voice, purpose, and ability to make an impact at scale and with speed.</p>
<p>However, as access to synthetic media technology increases, so does the risk of exploitation. One such aspect of media creation is <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/deep-fakes" target="_blank" rel="noopener">deep fakes</a>. Deep Fakes are the digital media (video, audio, and images) manipulated using <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/artificial-intelligence-and-deepfakes-misuse-and-way-forward" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Artificial Intelligence</a>.</p>
<p>Deep fakes have evolved from mere annoyance to high stake warfare for creating social discord, increasing polarisation, and in some cases, influencing an election outcome. It allows hyper-realistic digital falsification that can inflict damage to individuals, institutions, businesses and democracy.</p>
<h3>Dangers Associated With Deep Fake</h3>
<p>Deep Fake makes it possible to fabricate media &mdash; swap faces, lip-syncing, and puppeteers &mdash; mostly without consent and bring threat to psychology, security, political stability, and business disruption.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>New Front of Warfare:</strong> A deepfake could act as a powerful tool by a nation-state to undermine public safety and create uncertainty and chaos in the target country.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Nation-state actors with geopolitical aspirations, ideological believers, violent extremists, and economically motivated enterprises can manipulate media narratives using deepfakes.</li>
<li>It can be used by insurgent groups and terrorist organisations, to represent their adversaries as making inflammatory speeches or engaging in provocative actions to stir up anti-state sentiments among people.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Targeting Women:</strong> The malicious use of a deepfake can be seen in pornography, inflicting emotional, reputational, and in some cases, violence towards the individual.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Pornographic deep fakes can threaten, intimidate, and inflict psychological harm and reduce women to sexual objects. Deepfake pornography majorly targets women.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Damage to Personal Reputation</strong>: Deepfake can depict a person indulging in antisocial behaviours and saying vile things.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>These can have severe implications on their reputation, sabotaging their professional and personal life.</li>
<li>Even if the victim could debunk the deep fake, it may come too late to remedy the initial harm.</li>
<li>Further, Deepfakes can be deployed to extract money, confidential information, or exact favours from individuals.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Undermining Democracy:</strong> A deepfake can also aid in altering the democratic discourse and undermine trust in institutions and impair diplomacy.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>False information about institutions, public policy, and politicians powered by a deepfake can be exploited to spin the story and manipulate belief.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Disrupting Electioneering:</strong> A deepfake of a political candidate can sabotage their image and reputation. A well-executed one, a few days before polling, of a political candidate spewing out racial epithets or indulging in an unethical act can damage their campaign.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>A high-quality deepfake can inject compelling false information that can cast a shadow of illegitimacy over the voting process and election results.</li>
<li>Leaders can also use them to increase populism and consolidate power.</li>
<li>Deepfakes can become a very effective tool to sow the seeds of polarisation, amplifying division in society, and suppressing dissent.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Enhancing Media Literacy:</strong> Media literacy for consumers and journalists is the most effective tool to combat disinformation and deep fakes.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Improving media literacy is a precursor to addressing the challenges presented by deepfakes.</li>
<li>Media literacy efforts must be enhanced to cultivate a discerning public.</li>
<li>As consumers of media, they must have the ability to decipher, understand, translate, and use the information.</li>
<li>Even a short intervention with media understanding, learning the motivations and context, can lessen the damage.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Need for Regulation:</strong> Meaningful regulations with a collaborative discussion with the technology industry, civil society, and policymakers can facilitate disincentivizing the creation and distribution of malicious deep fakes.</li>
<li><strong>Technological Interventions:</strong> There is also a need for easy-to-use and accessible technology solutions to detect deep fakes, authenticate media, and amplify authoritative sources.</li>
<li><strong>Behavioural Change:</strong> On the part of society, to counter the menace of deep fakes, there is a need to take the responsibility to be a critical consumer of media on the Internet, think and pause before sharing on social media, and be part of the solution to this infodemic.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Conclusion</h3>
<p>To defend the truth and secure freedom of expression, there is a need for a multi-stakeholder and multi-modal approach. Collaborative actions and collective techniques across legislative regulations, platform policies, technology intervention, and media literacy can provide effective and ethical countermeasures to mitigate the threat of malicious deep fakes.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1603972257_image1.webp" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1603972257_image1.webp" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="350" height="730" /></a></p>
<table border="1" style="border-collapse: collapse; background-color: #e3faf9; border-color: #03aba2;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="width: 1810px;"><em><strong>Drishti Mains Question<br /><br /></strong></em>Deep fakes allow hyper-realistic digital falsification that can inflict damage to individuals, institutions, businesses and democracy. Discuss.</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p style="text-align: center;"></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/s3IBTb9zAq4" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p>
<p style="text-align: left;">This editorial is based on <a href="https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/blogs/et-editorials/indo-us-ties-beyond-specific-leaders/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">&ldquo;Indo-US Ties: Beyond specific leaders&rdquo;</a> which was published in The Economic Times on October 28th,2020. Now watch this on our Youtube channel.</p>',
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		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/combating-deep-fakes'
	],
	(int) 2 => [
		'title' => 'ASER Survey 2020',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the <strong>Annual State of Education Report</strong> (ASER) survey has been released which provides a glimpse into the <strong>levels of learning loss that students in rural India are suffering,</strong> with varying levels of access to technology, school and family resources resulting in a <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/national-statistical-organisation-survey-on-digital-education-divide" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>digital divide</strong></a> in education.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>This year, in the wake of the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/covid-19-now-pandemic-who" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>pandemic</strong></a>, the survey was<strong> conducted via phone calls</strong>, reaching 52,227 rural households with school-age children in 30 States and Union Territories (UTs).</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Annual Status of Education Report</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It is <strong>a nationwide survey of rural education and learning outcomes</strong> in terms of <strong>reading and arithmetic skills</strong> that has been conducted by the <strong>NGO Pratham</strong> for the last 15 years.</li>
<li>It uses <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/census-2021" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Census</a> 2011</strong> as the sampling frame and continues to be <strong>an important national source of information about children&rsquo;s foundational skills</strong> across the country.</li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/aser-report-2018" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>ASER 2018</strong></a> surveyed children in the age group of 3 to 16 years and included almost all rural districts in India and generated estimates of foundational reading and arithmetic abilities of children in the age group 5 to 16 years.</li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/aser-report-2019" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>ASER 2019</strong></a> reported on the pre-schooling or schooling status of children in the age group 4 to 8 years in 26 rural districts, focused on the &ldquo;early years&rdquo; and laid emphasis on &ldquo;developing problem-solving faculties and building a memory of children, and not content knowledge&rdquo;.</li>
<li><strong>ASER 2020</strong> is the<strong> first ever phone-based</strong> ASER survey and it was conducted in <strong>September 2020</strong>, the sixth month of national school closures.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Key Points<a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1603969737_image3.webp" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1603969737_image3.webp" style="float: right;" width="483" height="311" /></a></h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Enrollments:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>5.5%</strong> of rural children are <strong>not currently enrolled for the 2020</strong> school year, up from 4% in 2018.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>This <strong>difference is the sharpest among the youngest children</strong> (6 to 10) where 5.3% of rural children had not yet enrolled in school in 2020, in comparison to just 1.8% in 2018.</li>
<li>Due to the <strong>disruptions caused by the pandemic, families are waiting for the physical opening of schools</strong> to enrol their youngest children, with about 10% of six-year-olds not in school.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Among 15-16 year-olds,</strong> however, <strong>enrollment levels are slightly higher</strong> than in 2018.</li>
<li>The <strong>proportion of boys</strong> enrolled in government schools<strong> has risen</strong> from 62.8% in 2018 to 66.4% in 2020, while <strong>for girls, that number has gone up</strong> from 70% to 73% in the corresponding period.</li>
<li>Patterns show a <strong>slight shift toward government schools</strong>, with private schools seeing a drop in enrolment in all age groups.</li>
<li>The <strong>Centre has now permitted States to start reopening schools</strong> if they can follow Covid-19 safety protocols but the majority of the country&rsquo;s 25 crore students are still at home.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Availability of Smartphones:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Among enrolled children,<strong> 61.8% live in families that own at least one smartphone</strong> which was merely 36.5% in 2018.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>About <strong>11% of families bought a new phone</strong> after the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/covid-19-and-lockdown" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>lockdown</strong></a>, of which 80% were smartphones.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>WhatsApp is by far the most popular mode of transmitting learning materials</strong> to students, with 75% of students receiving input via this app.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Availability of Learning Material:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Overall more than 80%</strong> of children said they <strong>had textbooks for their current grade</strong>.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>This proportion was<strong> higher among students enrolled in government schools</strong> (84.1%) than in private ones (72.2%).</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>In Bihar, less than 8% got such materials from their schools, along with 20% in West Bengal, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh.</li>
<li>More than 80% of rural children in Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Kerala and Gujarat received such input.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Learning Activities:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Most children (70.2%) did some form of a learning activity</strong> through material shared by tutors or family members themselves, with or without regular input.</li>
<li>11% had access to live online classes, and 21% had videos or recorded classes, with much higher levels in private schools.</li>
<li>About 60% studied from their textbooks and 20% watched classes broadcast on TV.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Suggestions</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Fluid Situation:</strong> When schools reopen, it will be important to continue to <strong>monitor who goes back to school</strong> as well as to understand <strong>whether there is learning loss</strong> as compared to previous years.</li>
<li><strong>Building on and Strengthening Family Support:</strong> Parents&rsquo; increasing levels of education can be integrated into planning for learning improvement, as advocated by <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/national-education-policy-2020" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>National Education Policy, 2020</strong></a>. <strong>Reaching parents at the right level</strong> is essential to understand how they can help their children and <strong>older siblings also play an important role</strong>.</li>
<li><strong>Hybrid Learning:</strong> As children do a variety of different activities at home, effective ways of hybrid learning need to be developed which <strong>combine traditional teaching-learning </strong>with <strong>newer ways of &ldquo;reaching-learning&rdquo;</strong>.</li>
<li><strong>Assessment of Digital Modes and Content:</strong> In order <strong>to improve digital content and delivery</strong> for the future, an <strong>in-depth assessment</strong> of what works, how well it works, who it reaches, and who it excludes is <strong>needed</strong>.</li>
<li><strong>Mediating the Digital Divide:</strong> Children from families who had<strong> low education</strong> and also <strong>did not have resources</strong> like smartphones had<strong> less access to learning opportunities</strong>. However, even among such households, there is evidence of effort with family members trying to help and schools trying to reach them. These children <strong>will need even more help than others when schools reopen</strong>.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Covid-19 has left the nation with deep economic distress and uncertainty over school-reopenings and thrown open new challenges in every sector.</li>
<li>The nationally representative sample highlighted the role played by the families where everyone in the family supported children regardless of their education levels.</li>
<li>This strength needs to be leveraged by reaching out to more students and reducing the distance between schools and homes.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/coronavirus-20-of-rural-school-children-had-no-textbooks-due-to-covid-19-impact-finds-aser-survey/article32966299.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: TH</strong></a></p>',
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	(int) 3 => [
		'title' => 'Second Meeting of India-Central Asia Dialogue',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, India virtually hosted the second meeting of the <a href="/to-the-points/Paper2/india-central-asia-relations" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>India-Central Asia Dialogue</strong></a>.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/india-central-asia-dialogue" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>first meeting of the dialogue</strong></a> was held in Samarkand, the Republic of Uzbekistan in January 2019.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Combat Terrorism:</strong> All the nations strongly <strong>condemned terrorism and reaffirmed their determination to combat</strong> it by destroying terrorist safe-havens, networks, infrastructure and funding channels.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>They also underlined the need for <strong>every country to ensure that their territory is not used to launch terrorist attacks</strong> against other countries.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Afghan Peace Process:</strong> All countries called for the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/india-s-position-shift-on-taliban" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>settlement of the Afghan conflict</strong> </a>on the basis of Afghan-led, Afghan-owned and Afghan-controlled peace process.</li>
<li><strong>Infrastructure:</strong> They appreciated <strong>India&rsquo;s efforts to modernise the infrastructure of the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/indian-firm-takes-over-chabahar-port-operations" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Chabahar port</a> in Iran</strong>, which could become an important link in trade and transport communications between the markets of Central and South Asia.</li>
<li><strong>Initiatives Announced by India:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>An additional <strong>USD 1 billion Line of Credit by India</strong> for the Central Asian countries.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It is expected that the money will be <strong>spent on major infrastructural and connectivity projects</strong>.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Grant financing for high impact community development projects</strong> in the countries.</li>
<li><strong>Establishment of working groups by India Central Asia Business Council</strong> comprising the key chambers of all participating countries.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The council was launched by the Government of India along with the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/india-asean-expo-and-summit" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry</strong></a> (FICCI) in February 2020.</li>
<li>It aims to promote business in the region and to collaborate and provide an industry view to the governments of the six countries.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Line of Credit</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It is a <strong>credit facility</strong> extended by a bank or any other financial institution to a government, business or an individual customer, that <strong>enables the customer to draw the maximum loan amount</strong>.</li>
<li>The borrower <strong>can access funds from the line of credit at any time as long as they do not exceed the maximum amount</strong> (or credit limit) set in the agreement and meet any other requirements such as making timely minimum payments.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>India-Central Asia Dialogue</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It is a <strong>ministerial-level dialogue</strong> between<strong> India</strong> and the <a href="/to-the-points/Paper2/connect-central-asia-policy" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Central Asian</strong></a> countries namely <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/exercise-kazind-2019" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Kazakhstan</a>, <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/india-kyrgyzstan" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Kyrgyzstan</a>, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan</strong> and <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/uzbekistans-president-visit-to-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Uzbekistan</strong></a>.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>All five nations became independent states after the <strong>collapse of the USSR in 1991, post-<a href="/to-the-points/paper1/cold-war" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Cold war</a></strong>.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>All the countries participating in the dialogue, <strong>except for Turkmenistan</strong>, are also members of the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/important-international-institutions-shanghai-cooperation-organisation-sco" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Shanghai Cooperation Organisation</strong></a>.</li>
<li>The dialogue focuses on a number of issues including ways to <strong>improve connectivity and stabilise war-ravaged Afghanistan</strong>.</li>
<li>In the first dialogue, <strong>India proposed</strong> setting up of <strong>&lsquo;India-Central Asia Development Group&rsquo;</strong> to take forward development partnership between India and Central Asian countries.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The group will enable India to <strong>expand its footprints in the resource-rich region</strong> amid an ongoing <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/india-china-conflict" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>standoff with China</strong></a> and to <a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/the-big-picture-international-convention-on-terrorism" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>fight terror</strong></a> effectively, including in Afghanistan.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1603969689_image2.webp" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1603969689_image2.webp" width="582" height="344" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></a></p>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/india-central-asian-republics-call-for-destruction-of-terror-safe-havens/article32966365.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/second-meeting-of-india-central-asia-dialogue'
	],
	(int) 4 => [
		'title' => 'Earth Observation Satellite EOS-01: ISRO',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>India would launch its latest <strong>earth observation satellite EOS-01</strong> and <strong>nine international customer satellites</strong> from <strong>Satish Dhawan Space Centre</strong> in Andhra Pradesh&rsquo;s Sriharikota.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/50th-pslv-launch#:~:text=Polar%20Satellite%20Launch%20Vehicle%20(PSLV)%20is%20the%20third%20generation%20launch,be%20equipped%20with%20liquid%20stages." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle</strong></a> (PSLV-C49) of the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-national-institutions/indian-space-research-organisation-isro" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO)</strong></a> will launch these ten satellites on 7th November 2020. It will be <strong>PSLV's 51<sup>st</sup> Mission</strong>.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>EOS-01:</strong> It is an <strong>earth observation satellite</strong> and is <strong>intended for applications</strong> in agriculture, forestry and disaster management support.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Earth observation satellites are the satellites <strong>equipped with remote sensing technology</strong>. Earth observation is the gathering of information about Earth's physical, chemical and biological systems.</li>
<li>Many earth observation satellites have been employed on <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/types-of-orbit" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>sun-synchronous orbit</strong></a>.</li>
<li><strong>Other earth observation satellites</strong> launched by ISRO include RESOURCESAT- 2, 2A, CARTOSAT-1, 2, 2A, 2B, RISAT-1 and 2, OCEANSAT-2, Megha-Tropiques, SARAL and SCATSAT-1, INSAT-3DR, 3D, etc.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Nine Customer Satellites:</strong> These are being launched <strong>as part of a commercial agreement with <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/important-facts-for-prelims-24th-may-2019" target="_blank" rel="noopener">NewSpace India Limited (NSIL)</a></strong>, Department of Space.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>NSIL, incorporated in 2019 (under the Companies Act, 2013), is a <strong>wholly owned Government of India company</strong>, under the administrative control of Department of Space (DOS).</li>
<li>NSIL is the <strong>commercial arm of ISRO</strong> with the primary responsibility of enabling Indian industries to take up high technology space related activities and is also responsible for promotion and commercial exploitation of the products and services emanating from the Indian space programme.</li>
<li>The <strong>major business areas</strong> of the NSIL include:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Production</strong> of Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) and <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/first-contract-for-nsil" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Small Satellite Launch Vehicle</strong></a> (SSLV) through industry.</li>
<li>Production and <strong>marketing of space-based services</strong>, including launch services and space-based applications like transponder leasing, remote sensing and mission support services.</li>
<li><strong>Building of Satellites</strong> (both Communication and Earth Observation) as per user requirements.</li>
<li><strong>Transfer of technology</strong> developed by ISRO centres/ units and constituent institutions of Dept. of Space.</li>
<li><strong>Marketing spin off technologies</strong> and products/ services emanating out of ISRO activities.</li>
<li><strong>Consultancy</strong> services.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Recently, the Government of India has created the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/indian-national-space-promotion-and-authorization-center" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Center (IN-SPACe)</strong></a>, an independent nodal agency under the Department of Space, to provide a boost to the private sector participating in space-related activities or using India&rsquo;s space resources.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>India&rsquo;s Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) is the <strong>third generation</strong> launch vehicle.</li>
<li>PSLV is the <strong>first launch vehicle which is equipped with liquid stages</strong>.</li>
<li>PSLV&rsquo;s first successful launch was in October 1994. PSLV was used for <strong>two of the most important missions</strong>. These are <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/chandrayaan-1-findings" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Chandrayaan-1</strong></a> in 2008 and <a href="/to-the-points/Paper2/year-end-review-2019-department-of-space#:~:text=India%27s%20first%20inter%2Dplanetary%20mission,2014%20in%20its%20first%20attempt." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Mars Orbiter Spacecraft</strong></a> in 2013.</li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/gsat-30" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV) Mark II</strong></a> and <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/gsat-29-satellite-launched-1-1#:~:text=Geosynchronous%20Transfer%20Orbit(GTO)%3A,to%20geostationary%20or%20geosynchronous%20orbit." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>GSLV MkIII</strong></a> are other two launch vehicles. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>GSLV Mk II</strong> is the <strong>largest launch vehicle developed by India,</strong> which is currently in operation. This <strong>fourth generation launch vehicle</strong> is a three stage vehicle with four liquid strap-ons. The indigenously developed <strong>cryogenic Upper Stage (CUS)</strong>, which is flight proven, forms the third stage of GSLV Mk II.</li>
<li><strong>GSLV MkIII,</strong> chosen to launch Chandrayaan-2 spacecraft, is a <strong>three-stage heavy lift launch vehicle</strong> developed by ISRO. The vehicle has two solid strap-ons, a core liquid booster and a cryogenic upper stage.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>GSLV Mk III is designed to carry a 4 ton class of satellites into Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO) or about 10 tons to Low Earth Orbit (LEO), which is about twice the capability of the GSLV Mk II.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/science/isro-to-launch-earth-observation-satellite-eos-01-on-november-7/article32965548.ece#:~:text=India%20would%20launch%20its%20latest,ISRO%20said%20on%20October%2028." 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/earth-observation-satellite-eos-01-isro'
	],
	(int) 5 => [
		'title' => 'Kumhar Sashaktikaran Yojana',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, electric pottery wheels to 100 potter families in Maharashtra were distributed under the <strong>Kumhar Sashaktikaran Yojana (KSY)</strong> of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/important-facts-for-prelims-7th-may-2019" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC)</strong></a>.</p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Kumhar Sashaktikaran Yojana (KSY)</strong> was launched in 2018.</li>
<li><strong>Aim:</strong> To strengthen and improve the living of potters in the country by making them self reliant <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/atma-nirbhar-bharat-abhiyan-challenges" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>(Atma Nirbhar)</strong></a>.</li>
<li><strong>Features:</strong> Providing potters with modern equipment and training to reconnect them with the society and revive their art.</li>
<li><strong>Implementation:</strong> KVIC has created proper marketing channels including tie-up with the Indian Railway for selling the products of potters.</li>
<li><strong>Benefits:</strong> Proper training and distribution of advanced equipment under the scheme has <strong>eliminated drudgery</strong> from the process of pottery making and also <strong>resulted in increasing the production by 3-4 times</strong>.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>This has led to an <strong>increase in income of potters</strong> manifolds.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Other Initiatives for Potters:</strong> The <a href="/to-the-points/Paper2/year-end-review-2019-ministry-of-micro-small-and-medium-enterprises" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME)</strong></a> has announced expansion of and doubling of support to potters. This include:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Encouraging successful traditional potters to set up units under the<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/pmegp-and-cgtmse" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> Prime Minister&rsquo;s Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP)</strong></a> scheme.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>PMEGP is a credit-linked subsidy scheme which promotes self-employment through setting up of micro-enterprises.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Setting up of <strong>clusters</strong> in <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/support-to-self-employment-schemes-msme" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Terracotta</strong></a>, <strong>Red clay pottery,</strong> with new innovative value added products to build pottery to crockery/tile making capabilities under the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/support-and-outreach-initiative-for-msme-sector" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>SFURTI scheme</strong></a>.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The <strong>Scheme of Fund for Regeneration of Traditional Industries</strong> (SFURTI) aims to make traditional industries more productive and competitive by organizing the traditional industries and artisans into clusters.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC)</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>KVIC is a <strong>statutory body</strong> established under the <strong>Khadi and Village Industries Commission Act, 1956</strong>.</li>
<li>The KVIC is charged with the <strong>planning, promotion, organisation and implementation of programmes</strong> for the development of Khadi and other village industries in the rural areas in coordination with other agencies engaged in rural development wherever necessary.</li>
<li>It functions under the <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/micro-small-and-medium-enterprises-msme" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises</strong></a>.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1668125" 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/kumhar-sashaktikaran-yojana'
	],
	(int) 6 => [
		'title' => 'Dashboard for Monitoring Air Quality',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>CarbonCopy and Respirer Living Sciences, two environmental organisations, have released a <strong>dashboard</strong> which presents a <strong>comparative picture of particulate matter (PM) for 122 Indian cities</strong> since 2016.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The dashboard establishes a <strong>three-year rolling average trend for PM2.5 and PM10 levels</strong> across the cities from <strong>2016 to 2018</strong>.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Recently, the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/state-of-global-air-2020-hei#:~:text=Recently%2C%20a%20global%20study%2C%20State,pollution%27s%20global%20impact%20on%20newborns." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>State of Global Air 2020</strong></a> revealed that <strong>India had faced the highest exposure to toxic air</strong> in the world last year.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>122 cities are referred to as <strong>non-attainment cities</strong> under the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/national-clean-air-programme" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>National Clean Air Programme (NCAP)</strong></a>.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Particulate Matter</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Also called <strong>particle pollution</strong>, it is a term for a mixture of solid particles and liquid droplets found in the air.</li>
<li><strong>It includes:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>PM10:</strong> inhalable particles, with diameters that are generally 10 micrometers and smaller; and</li>
<li><strong>PM2.5:</strong> fine inhalable particles, with diameters that are generally 2.5 micrometers and smaller.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Sources of PM:</strong> Some are emitted directly from a source, such as <strong>construction sites, unpaved roads, fields, smokestacks or fires</strong>.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Most particles form in the atmosphere as a result of <strong>complex reactions of chemicals</strong> such as sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides, which are pollutants emitted from power plants, industries and automobiles.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Harmful Effects:</strong> Small particles less than 10 micrometers in diameter pose the greatest problems, because they can get deep into the lungs, and some may even get into the bloodstream. Particle pollution exposure has been <strong>linked to a variety of problems</strong>, including irregular heartbeat, aggravated asthma, decreased lung function and increased respiratory symptoms, such as irritation of the airways, coughing or difficulty breathing.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>National Clean Air Programme</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Centre had launched the National Clean Air Programme in 2019 to <strong>address air pollution in 122 cities</strong>. These cities are referred to as <strong>non-attainment cities</strong> as they <strong>did not meet the national ambient air quality standards</strong> for the period of 2011-15 under the <strong>National Air Quality Monitoring Programme</strong>.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>About the Dashboard:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It is a <strong>National Air Quality Monitoring Programme (NAMP) based dashboard,</strong> built on data from the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/cpcb-notifies-contaminated-sites" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Central Pollution Control Board&rsquo;s</strong></a> <strong>National Ambient Air Quality Monitoring (NAAQM) Network</strong> which was started in 1984-85 and covers 344 cities/towns in 29 states and 6 UTs. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Under the NAMP, each station records about 104 observations a year covering <strong>four pollutants</strong>&ndash; Sulphur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), suspended particulate matter (SPM), and respirable suspended particulate matter (RSPM).</li>
<li><strong>State pollution control boards</strong> and the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/neeri-indair" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI)</strong></a>, Nagpur <strong>carry out the monitoring</strong>, and the <strong>Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change oversees the operation under the NCAP</strong>.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Other Monitoring Systems:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>SAFAR:</strong> System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting and Research, known as "SAFAR", for <strong>greater metropolitan cities of India</strong> to provide location specific information on air quality in near real time. It was introduced by the <strong>Ministry of Earth Science</strong>.</li>
<li><strong>AQI:</strong> Air Quality Index (AQI) is a tool for <strong>effective communication of air quality status to people</strong> in terms, which are easy to understand. There are <strong>six AQI categories</strong>, namely Good, Satisfactory, Moderately polluted, Poor, Very Poor, and Severe. AQ sub-index has been evolved for <strong>eight pollutants</strong> (PM10, PM2.5, NO<sub>2</sub>, SO<sub>2</sub>, CO, O<sub>3</sub>, NH<sub>3</sub>, and Pb) for which short-term (upto 24-hours) National Ambient Air Quality Standards are prescribed.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/graded-response-action-plan" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Graded Response Action Plan for Delhi and NCR</strong></a> has been prepared for implementation under different AQI categories.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Significance:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>A majority of health models which establish the relationship between air pollution and public health are based on western models due to a lack of health data available in Indian context.</li>
<li>When this data can be made available, it will give a true sense of the <strong>burden of respiratory diseases in the country by geographical distribution</strong>.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Performance on PM 2.5 level:</strong> A total of<strong> 59 of 122 cities</strong> had PM2.5 data available.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Noida ranked the worst</strong> with 119, followed by Agra, Delhi, Lucknow, Ghaziabad, Muzzaffarpur, Kanpur, Chandigarh, Howrah and Kolkata.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Performance on PM 10 level: Delhi ranked as the most polluted state</strong> on an average of 3 years&rsquo; PM10 monitoring data, followed by <strong>Jharkhand</strong> and <strong>Uttar Pradesh</strong>.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Maharashtra,</strong> which has the <strong>maximum number of non-attainment cities</strong> in the NCAP, has seen air quality worsen since 2016. State capital, Mumbai, for instance witnessed a year-on-year increase in PM10 levels from 119 in 2016, to 151 in 2017 and 165 in 2018.</li>
<li><strong>Tuticorin in Tamil Nadu</strong> has recorded <strong>progressive and substantial improvements in PM10 levels</strong> between 2016 and 2018 - by 24% in 2017, in comparison to 2016 levels, and another 23% in 2018 in comparison to the previous year.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The dashboard can help identify the need for more monitoring stations and address data gaps. At a time when the Central government aspires to bring out a new law to address air pollution in the National Capital Region, it is important to evaluate the existing regulations as the first step towards effective crisis management.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/india/dashboard-to-monitor-air-quality-of-indian-cities-6907849/" 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/dashboard-for-monitoring-air-quality'
	],
	(int) 7 => [
		'title' => 'India in Support of France',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, <strong>India came out in support of France&rsquo;s President</strong> who has been criticised by Pakistan and Turkey for strongly defending the French people&rsquo;s right to freedom of expression.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1603969644_image4.webp" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1603969644_image4.webp" width="634" height="377" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></a></p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Background:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Recently, a French schoolteacher was murdered for showing caricatures of the Prophet to his students.</li>
<li>Condemning the murder, French President defended the <strong>freedom of expression and secular values</strong>.</li>
<li>In response, Turkey and Pakistan accused French President of running an anti-Islamic agenda and provoking Muslims.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Iran and Saudi Arabia too condemned the cartoon. There was a call in the entire muslim world to boycott French products.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>India&rsquo;s Support to France:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>India condemned the criticism of Turkey and Pakistan</strong> on French President, by calling the criticism in violation of the <strong>most basic standards of international discourse</strong>. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>India also condemned the murder of schoolteacher as brutal terrorist attack.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>While France has seen repeated violent incidents around caricatures and cartoons that are deemed offensive, <strong>it is unusual for India to wade into a controversy over religion in another country</strong>.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>In 2015, after the attack on Charlie Hebdo journalists and cartoonists, India condemned the incident by calling that India was on the side of those who condemn this barbaric incident.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>India&rsquo;s support for French President could have been influenced by the fact that the charge against the French President has been led by <strong>Turkey and Pakistan, two countries that have <a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/the-big-picture-india-s-trade-diplomacy-with-malaysia-turkey" target="_blank" rel="noopener">repeatedly attacked India over Jammu and Kashmir and alleged human rights violations</a></strong>.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>India-France Ties:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Strategic:</strong> India has close strategic ties with France, especially on issues of mutual interest from <strong>counter-terrorism to defence, and nuclear to space</strong>.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Terror:</strong> France backed the India&rsquo;s proposal for a global conference on terrorism. Both the countries also support organising a new <strong>&ldquo;No Money for Terror&rdquo;&nbsp;</strong>- anInternational Conference on Fighting Terrorist Financing.<br />
<ol style="list-style-type: lower-alpha;">
<li>Two countries agreed to enhance their operational cooperation and launch fresh efforts to fight radicalisation, especially <strong>Online <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/how-does-india-deal-with-radicalisation" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Radicalisation</a></strong>.</li>
</ol>
</li>
<li><strong>Defence:</strong> Both countries have a <strong>defence dialogue</strong> at the Ministerial level. <br />
<ol style="list-style-type: lower-alpha;">
<li>The three services have regular defence exercises; viz. <br />
<ol style="list-style-type: lower-roman;">
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/indo-french-joint-exercise-shakti-2019" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Exercise Shakti</strong></a> (Army)</li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/important-facts-for-prelims-18th-april-2019" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Exercise Varuna</strong></a> (Navy)</li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/india-france-joint-patrolling" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Exercise Garuda</strong></a> (Air Force)</li>
</ol>
</li>
<li>Recently, the Indian Air Force (IAF) has <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/induction-of-french-rafale-aircrafts-in-iaf" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>received its first batch (5 out of 36) of French Rafale aviation</strong></a> combat aircraft at Ambala Air base (Haryana).</li>
</ol>
</li>
<li><strong>Space:</strong> Both have decided to deepen space cooperation to meet new challenges together, whether it concerns planetary exploration or human spaceflight.<br />
<ol style="list-style-type: lower-alpha;">
<li>France has agreed to be part of India's Venus mission, scheduled for 2025.</li>
<li>ISRO&rsquo;s Venus instrument, <strong>VIRAL (Venus Infrared Atmospheric Gases Linker)</strong> has been co-developed by Russian and French agencies.</li>
</ol>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Multilateral Platform:</strong> France has been <strong>extremely supportive of India at the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/un-security-council-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">UN Security Council</a></strong> on Kashmir and Pakistan-sponsored terrorism, among other issues. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The <strong>Prime Minister of India was a special invitee at the 45<sup>th</sup> <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/g-7-summit" target="_blank" rel="noopener">G-7 Summit</a> in Biarritz, France</strong> where India was one of the <strong>"Goodwill" partners</strong>.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Climate:</strong> The two countries have a close cooperation on climate change, and have formed the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/third-assembly-of-isa" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>International Solar Alliance</strong></a>.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>India&rsquo;s relations with France is built on a foundation of shared democratic values and are informed by a commonality of interest in issues such as sustainable development and climate change.</li>
<li>France also opens the pathway for deeper engagement with Europe on global issues, especially after uncertainty in the region due to <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/brexit-2" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Brexit</strong></a>.</li>
<li>The new partnerships with France, Germany and other like-minded countries like Japan would hopefully turn out to be far more consequential for India&rsquo;s influence on the global stage.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/india/emmanuel-macron-france-india-slams-turkey-pakistan-6907907/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: IE</strong></a></p>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/india-in-support-of-france'
	],
	(int) 8 => [
		'title' => 'Amendment Related to Land in Jammu and Kashmir',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the Centre notified <strong>&lsquo;Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation (Adaptation of Central Laws) Third Order, 2020'</strong>, which states that <strong>any Indian citizen can now buy land in Jammu and Kashmir (J&amp;K)</strong> without being a domicile.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1603969591_image1.webp" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1603969591_image1.webp" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></a></p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The introduction of the UT of J&amp;K Reorganisation (Adaptation of Central Laws) Third Order, 2020 has resulted in the <strong>repeal of at least 11 land laws in J&amp;K,</strong> including the J&amp;K Big Landed Estates Abolition Act that had resulted in famous &lsquo;Land to tiller&rsquo; rights.</li>
<li><strong>Features of Latest Order:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>No domicile or permanent resident certificate is required to purchase non-agricultural land</strong> in the UT. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>People as well as investors</strong> outside J&amp;K can now purchase land in the UT, ending the exclusive rights of locals over the land granted under Article 370 (now abrogated).</li>
<li>The Centre has been arguing that Article 370 hampered development in the U.T. as investors were unable to purchase land prior to 5th August 2019.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Amended the Jammu &amp; Kashmir Land Revenue Act, 1996,</strong> under which only agriculturists of J&amp;K can purchase agricultural land. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>However,<strong> it doesn't bar the agricultural land to be used for non-agricultural purposes</strong>. A District Collector can allow the agricultural land to be used for non-agricultural purposes.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The Centre also notified the<strong> Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Act, 2016</strong>, which paves the way for the acquisition of land in J&amp;K by all Indian citizens.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Previously, <strong>Article 35-A</strong> of J&amp;K Constitution placed prohibitions on the sale of land to those who were not state subjects.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Abolished the <strong>Big Land Estate Abolition Act, 1950</strong> &ndash; this provided for redistribution of land which paved the way for rural prosperity and ended landlordism in J&amp;K.</li>
<li>Empowers the Centre to declare any area in J&amp;K as &lsquo;strategic&rsquo; and intended for the direct operational and training requirement of the <strong>armed forces</strong>. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>However, this can be only done by an <strong>army officer of or above the rank of a corps commander</strong>.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Spouses</strong> of a J&amp;K domicile shall also be <strong>deemed as a domicile</strong>. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Earlier, spouses of domiciles were not considered domiciles.</li>
<li>Children of central government officials posted for over ten years in J&amp;K will also continue to be considered domiciles.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Issues Involved:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>For more than two years now, J&amp;K has been without an elected government. All the changes being introduced in the UT have been steamrolled by the Centre rather than being legislated by elected representatives of the people.</li>
<li>This has created suspicions in the J&amp;K that the Centre is gradually disempowering the local population and consolidating control through executive power.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Land Reforms in Kashmir</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Kashmir Valley had a history of cruel exploitation of tillers through the periods of Afghan, Sikh and Dogra rule.</li>
<li>The Sheikh Abdullah&rsquo;s government brought the <strong>Big Landed Estates Abolition Act, in 1950,</strong> through a slogan <strong>land to the tiller</strong>.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The Act <strong>placed a ceiling on land ownership</strong> at 186 kanals (about 22 acres).</li>
<li>The rest of the <strong>land of a landlord was redistributed</strong> among share-croppers and landless labourers, without any compensation to the landlord.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>This led to most <strong>radical land reform anywhere in the world outside the Communist bloc</strong>. It brought a <strong>social transformation</strong> that has few parallels. It <strong>ended landlordism in J&amp;K and paved the way for rural prosperity</strong>.</li>
<li>This land reform was so popular in Kashmir that it continued to be pushed for the next quarter-century. The ceiling was gradually decreased until the last of the reform Acts in 1975.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/now-outsiders-can-buy-land-in-jammu-and-kashmir/article32952629.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/amendment-related-to-land-in-jammu-and-kashmir'
	],
	(int) 9 => [
		'title' => 'The Big Picture: Groundwater Extraction Norms',
		'catname' => 'Lok Sabha & Rajya Sabha Discussions',
		'desc' => '<p style="text-align: center;"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/eTyaAyM3nbU" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p>
<h3>Why in News?</h3>
<p>With around one-sixth of assessed ground water units in the country facing over-exploitation, the Centre Govt has issued revised <strong>guidelines for groundwater use</strong>. The new guidelines aim to ensure a more robust groundwater regulatory mechanism in the country.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Earlier in December 2018, the <strong>CGWB (Central Ground Water Board)</strong> issued a draft notification that proposed a &lsquo;water conservation fee&rsquo; for industrial extraction and this was roundly criticised. The <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-national-institutions/national-green-tribunal-ngt" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>National Green Tribunal</strong></a> stayed the draft in January 2019 terming it &ldquo;unsustainable,&rdquo; and having &ldquo;serious shortcomings.&rdquo;</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The guidelines have <strong>pan-India applicability</strong> which was never there before.</li>
<li>Certain categories have been exempted from these guidelines under particular conditions.</li>
<li>The guidelines include the restoration and extraction charges for groundwater.</li>
<li>Saline groundwater is also exempted as it needs to be extracted as much as possible.</li>
</ul>
<h3>The Guidelines</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Prohibition of industries:</strong> The new guidelines prohibit new industry and mining projects in over-exploited zones and makes it mandatory for existing industries, commercial units and big housing societies to take &lsquo;no objection certificate&rsquo; (NOC).</li>
<li><strong>Exemption:</strong> The domestic consumers, rural drinking water schemes, armed forces, farmers and micro &amp; small enterprises (that withdraw upto 10 m3 water per day) are exempted from the requirement of a no objection certificate from the CGWB.</li>
<li>The guidelines have also encouraged the use of recycled and treated sewage water by industries, mentioned a provision of action against polluting industries and mandated the requirement of digital flow meters, piezometers and digital water level recorders</li>
<li><strong>Compensation:</strong> The guidelines notified by the CGWB under the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/jal-shakti-mantralaya" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Jal Shakti Ministry</strong></a> prescribes a minimum environmental compensation of ₹1 lakh on industrial, mining and infrastructure users for extracting groundwater without a no objection certificate (NOC). This can rise, depending on the quantum of water extracted and the duration of the breach.</li>
<li><strong>Abstraction charges:</strong> All residential apartments/ group housing societies/ Government water supply agencies in urban areas would be required to pay ground water abstraction charges.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>All industries/mining/ infrastructure projects drawing groundwater in safe, semi-critical and critical assessment units will have to pay groundwater abstraction charges based on the quantum of groundwater extraction and category of assessment unit.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Central Ground Water Board</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It is a subordinate office of the <strong>Ministry of Water Resources</strong> and is the <strong>National Apex Agency</strong> entrusted with the responsibilities of providing scientific inputs for management, exploration, monitoring, assessment, augmentation and regulation of groundwater resources of the country.</li>
<li>It was <strong>established in 1970</strong> by renaming the Exploratory Tubewells Organization under the Ministry of Agriculture and later on <strong>merged</strong> with the Groundwater Wing of the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/indian-navy-signs-mou-with-geological-survey-of-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Geological Survey of India</strong></a> during 1972.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>India and Groundwater</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>India is the <strong>largest user of groundwater in the world,</strong> extracting groundwater to the tune of <strong>253 billion cubic meter (bcm)</strong> per year.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It is about <strong>25%</strong> of the global groundwater extraction.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Out of the total of <strong>6584</strong> assessment units, <strong>1034</strong> have been categorized as <strong>&lsquo;Over-exploited&rsquo;</strong>, <strong>253</strong> as <strong>&lsquo;Critical&rsquo;</strong>, <strong>681</strong> as <strong>&lsquo;Semi-Critical&rsquo;</strong> and <strong>4520</strong> as <strong>&lsquo;Safe&rsquo;</strong>. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The remaining <strong>96</strong> assessment units have been classified as <strong>&lsquo;Saline&rsquo;</strong> due to non-availability of fresh groundwater due to salinity problems.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Availability of Water:</strong> India has about <strong>1123 billion m<sup>3</sup></strong> of water resources available, out of which <strong>690 bcm</strong> is surface water and rest <strong>433 bcm</strong> is groundwater. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Out of total groundwater available, <strong>90% of it is used for irrigation purposes</strong> which is mainly for agricultural purposes.</li>
<li>The remaining 10% accounts for domestic and industrial purposes combined.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Steps Taken</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/atal-bhujal-yojana" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Atal Bhujal Yojana</a>:</strong> It seeks to revive village-level Water User Associations (WUAs). The scheme will strengthen the financial state of the WUAs, including allowing these bodies to retain a significant portion of irrigation fees.</li>
<li><strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/national-aquifer-mapping-and-management-programme" target="_blank" rel="noopener">National Aquifer Mapping</a>:</strong> National Aquifer Mapping and Management program (NAQUIM) envisages mapping of aquifers (water bearing formations), their characterization and development of Aquifer Management Plans to facilitate <a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/india-s-water-crisis-every-drop-counts" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>sustainable management of groundwater</strong></a> resources.</li>
<li><strong>Read more:</strong> <a href="/summary-of-important-reports/selected-best-practices-In-water-management" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Selected Best Practices in Water Management</strong></a></li>
</ul>
<h3>Issues Involved</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Although the new rules exempt farmers from the need for obtaining an NOC from CGWA, it highlights a key factor that leads to excessive <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/depleting-groundwater" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>groundwater extraction</strong></a> in the agriculture sector. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Exempting the agricultural sector from the guidelines would not provide much improvement as the sector alone is responsible for 90% usage of groundwater.</li>
<li><strong>Water use efficiency</strong> is very low in the agricultural sector and water guzzling crops worsen the situation.</li>
<li>The <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/power-subsidy-in-agriculture-and-related-issue" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>free electricity supply</strong></a> provided to the farmers also contributes to excessive groundwater extraction.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>No consideration of incentive</strong> has been taken into account for those industrial sectors who use groundwater less than the defined limit.</li>
<li><strong>Impact on industries:</strong> Although industries are responsible for less than 10% of consumption, still it will be the highest affected sector by these guidelines.</li>
<li><strong>Use of money collected:</strong> Ensuring that the money collected from imposed charges is used for making reforms in the same field only is a possible challenge.</li>
<li><strong>Water is a state subject</strong>. The primary entry in the Constitution relating to water is indeed <strong>Entry 17</strong> in the <strong>State List</strong>. It brings water including water supplies, irrigation and canals, drainage and embankments, water storage and water power under state list.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>But it is explicitly made subject to the provisions of <strong>Entry 56 in the Union List</strong> which enables the Union to deal with inter-State rivers if Parliament legislates for the purpose.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Micro irrigation:</strong> or drip irrigation should be encouraged. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In drip irrigation, water is run through pipes (with holes in them) either buried or lying slightly above the ground next to the crops. Water slowly drips onto the crop roots and stems.</li>
<li>Unlike spray irrigation, very little is lost to evaporation and the water can be directed only to the plants that need it, cutting back on water waste.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Extraction charges:</strong> The extraction charges collected, should be used for restoration of groundwater.</li>
<li><strong>Water guzzling crops:</strong> Discouraging water guzzling crops such as sugar canes.</li>
<li><strong>Target specific areas:</strong> Although the guidelines are pan-India, they should certainly target the states that have exploited/ overexploited groundwater. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Punjab, Delhi, Haryana, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka are some of the states.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Artificial recharge of groundwater:</strong> It is the process of spreading or impounding water on the land to increase the infiltration through the soil and percolation to the aquifer or of injecting water by wells directly into the aquifer.</li>
<li><strong>Groundwater management plants:</strong> Installing groundwater management plants at local levels, will help the people in knowing the groundwater availability in their area making them use it wisely.</li>
</ul>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/groundwater-extraction-norms'
	],
	(int) 10 => [
		'title' => 'Basic Exchange and Cooperation Agreement',
		'catname' => 'News Editorials',
		'desc' => '<div class="border">
<p>This article is based on<a href="https://www.hindustantimes.com/editorials/the-delhi-dc-strategic-dance-ht-editorial/story-3StIXRnekFZN0vHDh76yvM.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> &ldquo;The Delhi-DC strategic dance&rdquo;</strong></a> which was published in The Hindustan Times on 27/10/2020. It talks about the implications of signing the Basic Exchange and Cooperation Agreement for Geospatial Intelligence (BECA) agreement between India and US.</p>
</div>
<p>Recently, the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/india-usa-2-2-dialogue-2020" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Indo-United States (US) 2+2 talks</strong> </a>were conducted. The most striking outcome from these talks was the formal signing of the<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/basic-exchange-and-cooperation-agreement-usa" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> Basic Exchange and Cooperation Agreement for Geospatial Intelligence (BECA).</strong></a></p>
<p>BECA is the last of<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/basic-exchange-and-cooperation-agreement-usa" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> four foundational defence agreements</strong></a> between the two countries that allow a much higher level of military cooperation in technology, interoperability, and defence manufacturing.</p>
<p>The signing of the BECA marks the end of the prolonged phase of mutual trust-building and sets the stage for more expansive security cooperation.</p>
<h3>What is BECA?</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Basic Exchange and Cooperation Agreement largely pertains to geospatial intelligence, and sharing information on maps and satellite images for defence.</li>
<li>BECA will provide Indian military systems with a high-quality GPS to navigate and missiles with real-time intelligence to precisely target the adversary.</li>
<li>It will give access to topographical and aeronautical data and products that will aid navigation and targeting.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Other Foundational Agreements</h3>
<p>The BECA follows three other agreements:</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The General Security of Military Information Agreement (GSOMIA) was signed by the government of Atal Bihari Vajpayee back in 2002.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It aims to protect the military information shared by the US.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Agreement (LEMOA) was signed a full 14 years later in 2016.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It aims to provide mutual logistics support around the world.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The Communication Compatibility and Security Agreement (COMCASA) was signed in 2018
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It aims to facilitate communication between the weapons platforms of the two armed forces.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Significance of Signing of BECA</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Converging Indo-Pacific Strategies:</strong> Signing of BECA will fast-forward the integration of the<a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/the-big-picture-indo-pacific-strategic-importance" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> Indo-Pacific strategies</strong> </a>of their two countries.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Further, this is in sync with increasing formalization of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/quad-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>QUAD</strong></a>, which can be seen in the recent joining of Australia in the Malabar naval exercises.</li>
<li>India will be able to keep a close watch on the movements of Chinese warships in the Indian Ocean.</li>
<li>Moreover, its signing comes at a time when India is locked in one of its most hostile standoffs with China along their disputed border in the Himalayan region.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Deep Military Implications:</strong> While LEMOA means one partner trusts the other enough to expose its valuable assets, COMCASA means one is confident that it can rely on encrypted systems to connect the two militaries, and BECA means it can share highly classified information in real time without fear of being compromised.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>All this signals the level of trust that has developed between the two countries and their militaries, faced with an increasingly aggressive China.</li>
<li>BECA allows more intensive engagement between the armed forces &mdash;from interoperability to intelligence-sharing and joint defence research to production of weapons.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Multi-Polar World Order:</strong> Substantive and institutionalised cooperation between the two defence establishments will serve the long-term interests of a rising India and an America that is restructuring its global security burden.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Associated Issues</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>India&rsquo;s Aversion to Alliance System:</strong> Signing of these four foundational agreements would mean India getting strategically more close to US.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>From the perspective of the US, in order to counter China, it would want India to be getting close to an alliance system.</li>
<li>However, one aspect which remains unchanged is the Indian strategic establishment&rsquo;s aversion to the term alliance.</li>
<li>From the heyday of non-alignment to the present day possibilities of multi-alignment, this idea that alliances are inherently bad has been a constant in India&rsquo;s mainstream strategic thinking.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Dependence on Russia:</strong> India is one of the world's biggest defence equipment buyers, but around 60-70% of its inventory is supplied by Russia.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Further, the US wants India to move away from Russian equipment and platforms, as it feels this may expose its technology and information to Russia.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Compromising Strategic Autonomy:</strong> Many foregin policy experts in India are of the view that, by synchronising its systems with those of the US, it will enable the US to enter its decision-making loop.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It is something that no sovereign country would like.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Divergence of Foregin Policy Interest:</strong> There is divergence on foregien policy interests between US and India, especially relating to Pakistan, Afghanistan and Iran.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>On account of Indian Ocean issues, the US would want India&rsquo;s cooperation in the South China Sea, but India&rsquo;s primary naval challenge is in the western and north-western Indian Ocean.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Expanding Scope of Convergence:</strong> If both the US and India want India to become a genuine strategic balancer to China, they need to leapfrog economic and technological cooperation.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Thus, the US and India are now in talks of an &ldquo;innovation partnership&rdquo; that must develop along with all the military-to-military bonhomie taking place.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Maintaining Strategic Autonomy:</strong> India must clarify to the US that, it can sign the civil nuclear pact, it can sign foundational defence agreements, it can converge on the Indo-Pacific but it won&rsquo;t lead to an alliance relationship.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Further, India should realise agreements are a scrap of paper, unless they are backed by a mutuality of interest at the given time. Therefore, must continue its efforts of strategic hedging with our global powers.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Conclusion</h3>
<p>Signing of BECA will allow India and the US to act together and get into a better position to shape the regional and global environment in favour of peace and stability. However, both countries must not glamourize this signing as these agreements are not an end in themselves they are a means to a larger end &ndash; security and prosperity of its citizens.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1603885711_image%200.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1603885711_image 0.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="650" 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: #fffef7;">
<p><span style="color: #000080;"><em><strong>Drishti Mains Question</strong></em></span></p>
<p>Signing of various defence agreements will allow India and the US to act together and get into a better position to shape the regional and global environment. Critically analyse.</p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p style="text-align: center;"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/N5yHKT0xjpI" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p>
<p>This editorial is based on <a href="https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/editorial/the-shade-of-grey-on-fatfs-mandated-tasks/article32947421.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>&ldquo;The shade of grey&rdquo;</strong></a> which was published in The Hindu on October 27<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/basic-exchange-and-cooperation-agreement-1'
	],
	(int) 11 => [
		'title' => 'Tectonically Active Zone of Himalayas',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, a group of scientists from the <strong>Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology</strong> (WIHG), Dehradun have found that the<strong> Indus-Tsangpo Suture Zone (ITSZ) of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/re-measuring-mount-everest" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Himalaya</a></strong>is<strong> tectonically active.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The suture zone of Himalaya was conventionally thought to be locked.</li>
<li>WIHG is an <strong>autonomous institute</strong> under the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/50th-foundation-day-of-dst" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Department of Science and Technology</strong> </a>(DST), Government of India.</li>
<li><strong>Tectonics</strong> is the <strong>scientific study of the deformation of the rocks</strong> that make up the Earth&rsquo;s crust and the forces that produce such deformation.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It deals with the <strong>folding and faulting</strong> associated with mountain building, the large-scale, <strong>gradual upward and downward movements</strong> of the crust and <strong>sudden horizontal displacements</strong> along faults.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Geological Features that Support the Finding:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Sedimentary beds are tilted and thrust broken.</li>
<li>Rivers are associated with uplifted terraces.</li>
<li>Bedrock shows brittle deformation at much shallower depths.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>These deformed geological features were <strong>dated using the technique of Optically Stimulated Luminescence</strong> (OSL) and data of <strong>seismicity</strong> and <strong>denudation rate</strong> was also reviewed.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Optically-Stimulated Luminescence:</strong> It is a late <strong>quaternary</strong> (geological time period that encompasses the most recent 2.6 million years) dating technique used to date the last time quartz sediment was exposed to light. As sediment is transported by wind, water or ice, it is exposed to sunlight and zeroed of any previous luminescence signal.</li>
<li><strong>Seismicity:</strong> It is the worldwide or local distribution of<a href="/to-the-points/paper1/earthquake-4" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> earthquakes</strong></a> in space, time, and magnitude. More specifically, it refers to the measure of the frequency of earthquakes in a region.</li>
<li><strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/50th-foundation-day-of-dst">Denudation:</a></strong> It is a long term process in which the wearing and tearing of the surface of the Earth take place. It includes all those processes that lower relief and acts both chemically <strong>(chemical weathering)</strong> and physically <strong>(mechanical weathering).</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>The region of the ITSZ has been neo-tectonically active since the last 78000-58000 years.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The ITSZ is a suture zone in the <strong>Ladakh region</strong> and marks the limit of the <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/seismicity-study-of-arunachal-himalaya" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Indian plate</a></strong> <strong>where it collides with the Eurasian plate</strong> and is subducted below the latter.</li>
<li>The ITSZ can be traced for<strong> more than 200 km</strong> and a wide variety of rock association along the ITSZ indicates that the collision at the plate boundary was of very <strong>complex nature.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The ITSZ was conventionally believed to be a locked zone till now.</li>
<li>This will have <strong>major implications</strong> in terms of earthquake study, prediction, understanding the seismic structure of the mountain chains well as its evolution.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Suture Zones</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>A suture zone is a<strong> linear belt of intense deformation,</strong> where distinct terranes, or tectonic units with different plate tectonic, metamorphic, and paleogeographic histories join together.</li>
<li>These zones also <strong>provide the only record of deep oceanic crust and of ancient seafloor processes</strong> for roughly the first 90% of Earth&rsquo;s history.</li>
<li>Their study provides a means to understand the end-product of<strong> plate tectonic processes</strong> in time and space. In plate tectonics, sutures are seen as the remains of subduction zones together with the terranes possibly representing fragments of different tectonic plates.</li>
<li>The suture zone is often <strong>represented on the surface by a mountain range comprising intensely deformed rocks.</strong></li>
<li>The <strong>Iapetus Suture from Great Britain,</strong> which is now concealed beneath younger rocks, and <strong>Indo-Tsangpo Suture</strong> well exposed in the Himalayas are some of the best examples of suture zones.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1667585" 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/tectonically-active-zone-of-himalayas'
	],
	(int) 12 => [
		'title' => 'Computation Analysis of Indian Genes',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the results from the computation analysis of the 1029 sequenced genomes from India were published in the scientific journal, Nucleic Acid Research.</p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The analysis has found that out of<strong> 55,898,122 single nucleotide variants</strong> in India 18,016,257 <strong>(32.23%) variants are unique and found only in the samples sequenced from India.</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>This emphasizes the need for an India centric population genomic initiative.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The <strong>analysis was carried out by <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-national-institutions/council-of-scientific-and-industrial-research" target="_blank" rel="noopener">CSIR</a></strong> constituent labs, Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology (IGIB), Delhi and Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB), Hyderabad.</li>
</ul>
<h3>IndiGenomes Resource Database</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It encompasses the <strong>genomic data from over 1000 whole genome sequences sequenced</strong> from across India as part of the<strong> IndiGen programme</strong> and represents diverse geographies and ethnicities. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The<strong> IndiGen Programme</strong> was launched in <strong>April 2019,</strong> under which <strong>genome sequencing</strong> of 1029 self-declared healthy Indians drawn from across the country has been completed.</li>
<li>Its <strong>objective</strong> was to enable genetic epidemiology and develop public health technologies applications using population genome data.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The resource provides<strong> access to over 55 million genetic variants representing the contemporary Indian population</strong> with an objective to classify variants involved in <strong>mendelian disorders</strong> and <strong>improve precision medicine outcomes.</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Mendelian disorder</strong> is a type of genetic disorder, resulting due to alterations in a gene or due to abnormalities in the genome.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>It enables the<strong> identification of markers for carrier screening, variations causing genetic diseases, prevention of adverse events</strong> and provides better diagnosis and optimal therapy <strong>through mining data.</strong></li>
<li>This resource can provide useful insights for clinicians and researchers in comprehending genetics not only at the population level but at the individual level.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Background</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Despite having this rich genetic diversity, India has been under-represented in global genome studies. Further, the population architecture of India has resulted in high prevalence of recessive alleles.</li>
<li>In the absence of large-scale whole genome studies from India, the population-specific genetic variants are not adequately captured and catalogued in global medical literature.</li>
<li>In order to fill the gap of whole genome sequences from different populations in India, CSIR initiated the <strong>IndiGen Programme.</strong></li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Genome</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>A genome is all the <strong>genetic matter</strong> in an organism. It is defined as an organism&rsquo;s complete set of <strong>Deoxyribose Nucleic Acid (DNA),</strong> including all of its genes.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Every organism&rsquo;s genetic code is contained in its<strong> DNA,</strong> the building blocks of life.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Each genome contains all of the information needed to build and maintain that organism.</li>
<li>In humans, a copy of the entire genome contains more than 3 billion DNA base pairs.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Genome sequencing</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Genome sequencing is figuring out the <strong>order of DNA nucleotides, or bases,</strong> in a genome&mdash;the order of <strong>Adenine, Cytosine, Guanines, and Thymine</strong> that make up an organism's DNA.</li>
<li><strong>Application:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Genome sequencing can play a crucial role for <strong>new advancements in medical science</strong> (like predictive diagnosis and precision medicine, genomic information) and in <strong>disease management.</strong></li>
<li>Through genome sequencing methodology, researchers and clinicians can <strong>easily detect the disease related to genetic disorder.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Importance of Genome Sequencing:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The study of entire genome sequences will help understand<strong> how the genome as a whole works&mdash;</strong>how genes work together to direct the growth, development and maintenance of an entire organism.</li>
<li>The genes account for less than 25% of the DNA in the genome, and so knowing the entire genome sequence will <strong>help scientists study the parts of the genome outside the genes.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1667949" 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/computation-analysis-of-indian-genes'
	],
	(int) 13 => [
		'title' => 'India-USA 2+2 Dialogue 2020',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, India and the USA have concluded the <strong>3<sup>rd</sup> India-USA 2+2 dialogue</strong> in New Delhi.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The<strong> USA reiterated its support to India </strong>in<strong> defending its territorial sovereignty</strong> in the background of the ongoing <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/india-china-conflict#:~:text=After%20the%20first%20round%20of,casualties%20on%20the%20Chinese%20side.&amp;text=India%20and%20China%20fought%20a%20war%20in%201962." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>standoff between India-China.</strong></a></li>
<li>It also referred to the greater <strong>threats posed by <a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/the-big-picture-indo-pacific-strategic-importance" target="_blank" rel="noopener">China in the Indo-Pacific region</a></strong> and by the<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/covid-19-now-pandemic-who" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> Covid-19 pandemic</strong></a> in general.</li>
<li>The <strong>first two rounds</strong> of these dialogues between both the countries were held in <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/india-to-host-2-2-dialogue-mechanism" target="_blank" rel="noopener">2018</a> and <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/indo-us-2-2-dialogue" target="_blank" rel="noopener">2019</a>.</strong></li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>India has signed the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/basic-exchange-and-cooperation-agreement-usa" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Basic Exchange and Cooperation Agreement</strong></a> (BECA) with the USA.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>BECA will enable the<strong> exchange of geospatial data and information</strong> between the two countries and will <strong>improve the accuracy of India&rsquo;s missiles</strong> in precision strikes.</li>
<li>The geospatial maps and charts to be shared, will be <strong>acquired from multiple sources</strong> like satellites, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), reconnaissance aircraft, aerostats among others.</li>
<li>As part of measures to enhance military to military cooperation, Liaison Officers at each other's establishments could be leveraged to enhance information sharing.</li>
<li>BECA is one of the<strong> four foundational military communication agreements between the two countries.</strong> The <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/india-us-mini-2-plus-2-talks" target="_blank" rel="noopener">other three</a></strong> are:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>General Security Of Military Information Agreement.</li>
<li>Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Agreement.</li>
<li>Communications and Information Security Memorandum of Agreement.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Both countries released a <strong>Joint Statement on shared Indo-USA goals in the Asia-Pacific region</strong> and emphasised that the <strong>Code of Conduct in the <a href="/to-the-points/Paper2/south-china-sea" target="_blank" rel="noopener">South China Sea</a></strong> should not prejudice the legitimate rights and interests of any nation in accordance with international law.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>They also decided to <strong>expand joint capacity building activities</strong> with partner countries in the <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/indo-pacific-trilateral-dialogue" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Indo-Pacific</a> region.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Other Steps Taken:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Memorandum of Understanding</strong> (MoU) on <strong>Technical Cooperation in Earth Observations and Earth Sciences.</strong></li>
<li>Agreement to <strong>extend the duration</strong> of the <strong>MoU on the Global Center for Nuclear Energy Partnership.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Agreement on the electronic exchange of customs data.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Letter of intent regarding cooperation in traditional Indian medicines.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Discussions on the status of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/india-s-afghan-policy-and-taliban" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Afghanistan</a></strong> and support for its peace process.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>&lsquo;2+2&rsquo; Dialogue</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>2+2 Ministerial is the <strong>highest-level institutional mechanism</strong> between the two countries.</li>
<li>It is a<strong> format of dialogue</strong> where the defence/foreign ministers or secretaries meet with their counterparts from another country.</li>
<li>India holds such talks with <strong>Australia, Japan and the USA.</strong></li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The signing of BECA is a significant achievement for India as it is a sign of the USA accepting the Indian request for cooperation in the advanced field of maritime domain awareness.</li>
<li>India-USA&rsquo;s national security convergences have grown closer in a more multipolar world and the meetings as well as the agreements not only advance their individual interests but also ensure that the bilateral cooperation between them makes a positive contribution in the world arena.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/india-us-22-dialogue-rajnath-singh-raises-chinas-action-in-ladakh/article32955117.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/india-usa-2-2-dialogue-2020'
	],
	(int) 14 => [
		'title' => 'Maritime Vision 2030',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the Union Minister of State for Shipping has inaugurated the <strong>Direct Port Entry</strong> (DPE) facility of<strong> V O Chidambaranar Port Trust</strong> (VOCPT).</p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The state-of-the-art DPE facility is created inside the <strong>Truck Parking Terminal</strong> which was developed under the<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/karwar-port" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> &lsquo;Sagarmala&rsquo;</strong> </a>for issuing customs clearance of export cargo.</li>
<li>The IT-enabled infrastructure at the ports will make Indian ports, world-class ports aligning with the <strong>&lsquo;Maritime Vision 2030&rsquo;</strong> of the <strong>Ministry of Shipping.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Significance:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It will <strong>reduce logistics cost</strong> and<strong> increase the velocity of the cargo.</strong></li>
<li>It would <strong>enable direct movement of containers from factories,</strong> without intermediate handling at any container freight stations (CFSs), on a <strong>24x7 basis.</strong></li>
<li>It will help in <strong>increasing <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/ease-of-doing-business-2020" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Ease of Doing Business</a></strong> for the exporters, as the facility will <strong>bring efficiency and reduce dwell time, lower tariff cost </strong>and<strong> improve the competitiveness of shippers</strong> in international trade.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Maritime India Vision 2030</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It is a <strong>ten-year blueprint for the maritime sector</strong> which <strong>will be released</strong> by the Prime Minister of India at the <strong>Maritime India Summit in November 2020.</strong></li>
<li>It will <strong>supersede the Sagarmala initiative</strong> and aims to boost waterways, give a <strong>fillip to the shipbuilding industry</strong> and <strong>encourage cruise tourism in India.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Policy Initiatives and Development Projects:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Maritime Development Fund:</strong> A Rs. <strong>25,000-crore fund,</strong> which will provide low cost, <strong>long-tenure financing to the sector</strong> with the Centre contributing Rs. 2,500 crore over seven years.</li>
<li><strong>Port Regulatory Authority: A pan-India</strong> port authority will be set up <strong>under the new Indian Ports Act</strong> (to replace the old <strong>Indian Ports Act 1908</strong>) for enabling oversight across major and non-major ports, enhance institutional coverage for ports and provide for structured growth of the ports sector to boost investor confidence.</li>
<li><strong>Eastern Waterways Connectivity Transport Grid project:</strong> It will aim to develop regional connectivity with Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan and Myanmar.</li>
<li><strong>Riverine Development Fund:</strong> Calls for extending low cost, long-term financing for inland vessels with the support of a Riverine Development Fund (RDF) and for extending the coverage of the tonnage tax scheme (applicable to ocean-going ships and dredgers) to inland vessels also to enhance the availability of such vessels.</li>
<li><strong>Rationalisation of Port Charges:</strong> It will make them more competitive, besides doing away with all hidden charges levied by ship liners to bring in more transparency.</li>
<li><strong>Promotion of Water Transport:</strong> For decongestion of urban areas, and developing waterways as an alternative means of urban transport.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1667782" 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/maritime-vision-2030'
	],
	(int) 15 => [
		'title' => 'Superconductivity at Room Temperature',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, <strong>researchers have created a material that is superconducting</strong> at room temperature, however, it <strong>only works at a pressure of 267 Gigapascals</strong> (GPa), which is equivalent to <strong>about three-quarters of pressure at the centre of Earth</strong> (360 GPa).</p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Material Used:</strong> A <strong>mixture of carbon, hydrogen and sulfur</strong> was put in a microscopic niche carved between the tips of two diamonds<strong> (diamond anvil)</strong> and laser light was used on them to<strong> trigger chemical reactions.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Process:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>As the experimental<strong> temperature was lowered, resistance</strong> to a current passed through the material <strong>dropped</strong> to a vanishingly small value below the <strong>critical temperature</strong> (Tc).</li>
<li>The <strong>transition of the sample to become superconductive</strong> occurred the best at <strong>transition temperature of around 15&deg;C at 267 GPa.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Verification:</strong> To verify that this phase was indeed a superconductor, the group ascertained that the <strong>magnetic susceptibility</strong> of the superconductor was that of a <strong>diamagnet.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>A <strong>superconducting material kept in a magnetic field expels the magnetic flux out</strong> its body when cooled below the critical temperature and<strong> exhibits perfect diamagnetism.</strong></li>
<li>It is also called the <strong>Meissner effect</strong> which simply means that <strong>magnetic lines do not pass through superconductors</strong> in a magnetic field.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Superconductors:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>A superconductor is a material that can<strong> conduct electricity or transport electrons from one atom to another with no resistance.</strong></li>
<li>No heat, sound or any other form of energy would be released from the material when it has <strong>reached critical temperature</strong> (Tc), or the temperature at which the material becomes superconductive.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The critical temperature for superconductors is the <strong>temperature at which the electrical resistivity of metal drops to zero.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Prominent examples</strong> include <strong>aluminium, niobium, magnesium diboride,</strong> etc.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Applications:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>From magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) machines, low-loss power lines, ultra powerful superconducting magnets to mobile-phone towers.</li>
<li>Researchers are also experimenting with them in high-performance generators for wind turbines.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Limitations:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Their usefulness is still<strong> limited by the need for bulky cryogenics</strong> (production of and behavior of materials at very low temperatures) as the common superconductors <strong>work at atmospheric pressures,</strong> but only if they are kept very cold.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Even the most sophisticated ones like <strong>copper oxide-based ceramic materials</strong> work only below &minus;140&deg;C.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Significance of the Research:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>If researchers can stabilise the material at ambient pressure,<strong> applications of superconductivity at room temperatures could be achieved</strong> and will be within reach.</li>
<li>Superconductors that work at room temperature could have a <strong>big technological impact, for example in electronics that run faster without overheating.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Diamagnetism</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It is a<strong> very weak form of magnetism</strong> that is <strong>induced by a change in the orbital motion of electrons</strong> due to an applied magnetic field.</li>
<li>This magnetism is <strong>non-permanent and persists only in the presence of an external field.</strong></li>
<li>The<strong> magnitude of the induced magnetic moment is very small, </strong>and its<strong> direction is opposite to that of the applied field.</strong></li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Meissner Effect</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>When a <strong>material makes the transition from the normal to the superconducting state,</strong> it<strong> actively excludes magnetic fields</strong> from its interior and this is called the Meissner effect.</li>
<li>This constraint to zero magnetic fields inside a superconductor is<strong> distinct from the perfect diamagnetism which would arise from its zero electrical resistance.</strong></li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/science/room-temperature-superconductivity-possible-but-under-severe-pressure/article32937247.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/superconductivity-at-room-temperature-1'
	],
	(int) 16 => [
		'title' => 'Electronic Exchange of Customs Data',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the <strong>Department of Posts, Government of India (India Post) and United States Postal Service</strong> signed an<strong> agreement</strong> for <strong>electronic exchange of customs data</strong> related to postal shipments between the two countries.</p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Objective:</strong> The primary objective of this agreement is to facilitate <strong>&lsquo;ease of exports&rsquo;</strong> for small and large exporters through postal channels from different parts of the country.</li>
<li><strong>Features:</strong> The agreement will make it <strong>possible to transmit and receive electronic data of international postal items prior to their physical arrival at the destination</strong> and would<strong> enable customs clearance of postal items in advance</strong> in line with the evolving global postal framework.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Exchange of Electronic Advance Data (EAD)</strong> will be a key driver towards <strong>promoting mutual trade</strong> with emphasis on the exports.
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>USA is the top export destination for India</strong> (~17%) which is also reflected in exchange of goods through postal channels.</li>
<li>In 2019, around 20% of international <strong>Express Mail Service (EMS)</strong> and 30% of Letters &amp; Small Packets transmitted by India Post were destined to the USA whereas 60% of the Parcels received by India Post were originated from the USA.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Benefit:</strong> This will fulfill a major demand of the export industry to expedite customs clearances of export items and will contribute towards making India an Export Hub for the world.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The agreement will also improve the performance of postal services in terms of reliability, visibility and security.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>India Post</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>India Post is the <strong>trade name for the Department of Posts (DoP), a</strong> government-operated postal system in <strong>India under the Ministry of Communications.</strong></li>
<li>With 1, 55,531 Post Offices, the DoP has the most widely distributed postal network in the world.</li>
<li><strong>Functions:</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Delivering mails, accepting deposits under <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/government-cuts-interest-rates-on-nsc-ppf" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Small Savings Schemes</strong></a>, providing life insurance cover under Postal Life Insurance (PLI) and Rural Postal Life Insurance (RPLI) and providing retail services like bill collection, sale of forms, etc.</li>
<li>It also acts as an agent for the Government of India in discharging other services for citizens such as <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/sub-group-of-chief-ministers-on-coordination-between-mgnrega-and-agriculture" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS)</strong> </a>wage disbursement and old age pension payments.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1667915" 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/electronic-exchange-of-customs-data'
	],
	(int) 17 => [
		'title' => 'AWAKE: Main Examination 2020',
		'catname' => 'Online Courses',
		'desc' => '<section class="article-list">
<div class="feature-text" style="padding: 0px;">
<div class="online-pendrive-course online-course">
<div class="wrapper">
<div class="content-block">
<div class="text-block">
<h2>'AWAKE' : UPSC Civil Service Mains Examination 2020 <br /><span style="font-size: 16px; color: #00008b;">(Answer Writing and Knowledge Enrichment Program)</span></h2>
<p>AWAKE is a special crash course designed for one single purpose &ndash; improving marks obtained in the CSE Mains Examination.</p>
<p>This program was launched in 2019 and more than 50% of aspirants who were successful in the Hindi medium for that year had been a part of the AWAKE program. Team Drishti, under the able guidance of Dr. Vikas Divyakirti, is now trying to recreate this success in the English medium as well.</p>
<p><strong>The AWAKE program has two primary components viz., identifying potential topics/questions that can be asked in the Mains Examination, and the developing of answer writing skills for every participating aspirant.</strong>Experienced teachers, as such, will be conducting classes where not only important topics will be discussed but also various answer writing methods, tips and tricks will be demonstrated.</p>
<p>The AWAKE program will cover all four GS papers and due to Covid related restrictions, will currently be conducted only in the online mode via the Drishti Learning App.</p>
</div>
<div class="red-block awake">Fees : <strong>₹ 5,000/-</strong><br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-weight: 500;">Registration Open</span></li>
<li><span style="font-weight: 500;">Classes Start - From 1st November</span></li>
<li><span style="font-weight: 500;"><strong>Mode</strong> - Online Classes (Drishti Learning App)</span></li>
</ul>
<div class="btn-block"><a href="/awake-online-courses-buy" class="btn red" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Join Now</a>
<div class="notice"><a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.drishti.academy.app&amp;hl=en_IN" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Download DRISHTI LEARNING APP</a><br /><i>*the AWAKE program is currently available only on Drishti Learning App.</i></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<!-- #end online pendrive course -->
<div class="why-pendrive-course">
<div class="wrapper">
<div class="image-block"><img src="/drishti/img/online-banner2.jpeg" alt="" /></div>
<div class="content-block">
<h2><span style="color: #00008b;">Key Features of AWAKE:</span></h2>
<ul style="display: block; font-size: 16px; line-height: 2;">
<li>A total of 120 hours or 40 classes &ndash; class discussions are concise and to the point.</li>
<li>Classes are easy to watch and prepare from &ndash; all you need is an Android based phone and an internet connection.</li>
<li>Along with video lectures, model answers to most important questions discussed in class will be provided in the PDF format.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Please Note:</strong></p>
<ul style="display: block; font-size: 16px; line-height: 2;">
<li>Due to the growing similarity in UPSC CSE and UPPCS Mains Examinations, this crash course can be attended by aspirants of either exams. For the same reason, the validity of this crash course will be until the CSE and UPPCS Main Exams are over. Also, each video lecture can be viewed upto three times.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p style="font-weight: bold; font-size: 16px; padding-top: 20px;">Schedule for the 40 video lectures (approximate) included in this program is as follows:</p>
<ol style="display: block; font-size: 16px; line-height: 2;">
<li>History of India and the World, and Art &amp; Culture (6 classes)</li>
<li>Economy (4 classes)</li>
<li>Geography, Environment and Disaster Management (6 classes)</li>
<li>International Relations (3 classes)</li>
<li>Science &amp; Technology (5 classes)</li>
<li>Polity, Governance, and Internal Security (respectively: 4+2+2 = 8 classes)</li>
<li>Indian Society and Social Justice (2 classes)</li>
<li>Ethics (2 classes)</li>
<li>Current Affairs (4 Classes)</li>
</ol>
</div>
</div>
<div class="imporant-info">
<div class="wrapper">
<p style="text-align: center; padding: 15px; font-size: 22px;"><strong>For additional information related to this course, call <a href="tel:8010440440">8010440440</a> / <a href="tel:7669806814">7669806814</a></strong></p>
</div>
</div>
<div class="learning-program">
<div class="section-payment">
<div class="wrapper">
<h2>Payment Options</h2>
<div class="row">
<div class="column three"><address>
<h4>Cash Deposit</h4>
<p>You can deposit cash at our Drishti office, Find our address below</p>
<p><span>Office Address</span></p>
<ul>
<li class="address">Drishti The Vision Foundation,<br />641, Ist Floor, Mukherjee Nagar, <br />Delhi-110009</li>
<li class="address">Drishti The Vision Foundation,<br />13/15, Tashkand Marg, Civil Lines (Near Patrika Chauraha), Prayagraj, <br />UP-211001</li>
<li class="phone"><a href="tel:011-47532596">011-47532596</a> <br />+91 - 9319290700 <br />+91 - 9319290701 <br />+91 - 9319290702</li>
</ul>
</address></div>
<!-- #end -->
<div class="column three"><address>
<h4>Bank Transfer/Account Deposit</h4>
<p>VDK Eduventures Pvt. Ltd. <br /><strong>Account No.</strong> 36726486454,<br /><strong>Bank </strong>State Bank of India,<br /><strong>IFSC Code</strong> SBIN0018166, <br /><strong>MICR Code</strong> 110002563, Branch Code 18166 , <br /><strong>Branch</strong> - Mukherjee Nagar New Delhi-110009</p>
<p><span>Contact Details:</span></p>
<ul>
<li class="phone">+91 - 9319290700 <br />+91 - 9319290701 <br />+91 - 9319290702</li>
<li class="phone"><a href="/admin/articles/edit/1800-121-6260">1800-121-6260</a></li>
</ul>
</address></div>
<!-- #end -->
<div class="column three"><address>
<h4>Demand Draft/Cheque</h4>
<p>Send your demand draft or local cheque of fee amount by registered post/courier at below address</p>
<p><span>Office Address</span></p>
<ul>
<li class="address">Drishti The Vision Foundation, <br />641, Ist Floor, Mukherjee Nagar, <br />Delhi-110009</li>
<li class="email"><a href="mailto:[email protected]">[email protected]</a></li>
</ul>
</address></div>
<!-- #end --></div>
<!-- end row --></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</section>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/online-classes/awake-mains-examination-2020'
	],
	(int) 18 => [
		'title' => 'Stubble Waste Management',
		'catname' => 'News Editorials',
		'desc' => '<div class="border">
<p>This article is based on <a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/wealth-from-stubble-burning-farmers-farmers-air-pollution-delhi-punjab-haryana-6884982/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>&ldquo;Wealth from stubble&rdquo;</strong></a> which was published in The Indian Express on 27/10/2020. It talks about the issue of stubble burning and suggests actionable programmes to address the same.</p>
</div>
<p>Every winter in northern India starts with the precarious news of dangerous levels of air pollution resulting from the Paddy <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/stubble-burning-2" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>stubble burning</strong></a>. This is because the quantity of the farm waste is humongous and the window for disposing of it is too small.</p>
<p>The regularity of air pollution from stubble burning led the state and central government to develop business models to discourage stubble burning and promote farm <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/waste-to-energy-plants" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>waste to energy</strong> </a>projects.</p>
<p>However, despite these interventions the farmers have less incentive to collect the stubble and subsequently the stubble burning issue largely remains unsolved. Therefore, stubble management should be broadly focussed on-field management, alternate cropping, processing to biofuels and proper implementation of existing schemes.</p>
<h3>Reason For Stubble Burning</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Stubble burning is the act of setting fire to crop residue to remove them from the field to sow the next crop.</li>
<li>In order to plant next winter crop (Rabi crop), farmers in Northern India have to move in a very short interval and if they are late, due to short winters these days, they might face considerable losses.</li>
<li>Therefore, burning is the cheapest and fastest way to get rid of the stubble.</li>
<li>Further, if stubble is left in the field, pests like termites may attack the upcoming crop.</li>
<li>Also, the precarious economic condition of farmers doesn&rsquo;t allow them to use expensive mechanised methods to remove stubble.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Issues in Stubble Waste to Energy</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Lax Implementation:</strong> In 2019, the governments of Punjab and Haryana announced Rs 2,500/acre as a bonus to small farmers who avoid burning stubble but there has been the negligible implementation of this scheme.</li>
<li><strong>Adverse Impact of Laws:</strong> Implementation of the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/punjab-water-law-responsible-for-air-pollution-in-delhi" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Punjab Preservation of Subsoil Water Act (2009)</strong> </a>made the time period of stubble burning coincident with the onset of winter in Northern India.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Late transplanting of paddy during Kharif season to prevent water loss as directed by PPSW Act (2009) had left farmers with little time between harvesting and preparing the field for the next crop and hence farmers are resorting to the burning of stubble.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Inadequate Supply as Raw Material:</strong> The costs of establishing a year-round &ldquo;bankable&rdquo; supply chain for paddy straw bales is another deterrent.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Albeit with limitations related to offtake agreements, the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/biofuel-day-2#:~:text=The%20Policy%20allows%20use%20of,of%20National%20Biofuel%20Coordination%20Committee.&amp;text=5000%20crore%20in%206%20years,as%20compared%20to%201G%20biofuels." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>National Policy on Biofuels</strong></a> was not able to achieve intended targets.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Increasing Competition With Solar &amp; Wind Energy:</strong> The government has actively supported the biomass power sector by provisioning for a high feed-in tariff.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>However, tariff orders for biomass gasifier/biogas power became inconsequential with solar and wind power tariffs declining to 33% of that of biomass power.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>On-field Management:</strong> It involves mulching the stubble into fields by customised machinery. In order to promote mulching there is a need for:
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Providing subsidy for purchasing equipment.</li>
<li>Establishing Farm Machinery Banks for custom hiring of in-situ crop residue management machinery.</li>
<li>Furthermore, Co-operative societies of farmers, <a href="/to-the-points/Paper2/self-help-groups-shgs" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>self-help groups</strong></a>, registered farmers societies/farmers groups, private entrepreneurs for establishment of farm machinery banks or custom hiring centres.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Alternate Cropping:</strong> There is a need to promote alternatives to wheat and rice, which could be the cultivation of silage crops (hybrid sorghum, hybrid napier grass, maize).
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>These alternatives have a high yield, enabling farmers to meet the feedstock needs of cattle, can also be used to produce biofuels plants and the cultivated area can be interspersed with horticulture.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Ensuring Adequate Supply with Biomass Depots:</strong> It is essential to undertake on-field baling of stubble, aggregate bales in a depot and enter into &ldquo;bankable&rdquo; agreements for supplies to Bio-Energy Plants.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In order to establish a biomass depot, there should be fiscal incentives for enabling green entrepreneurship.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Turning Stubble to Advanced Biofuels:</strong> Stubble should be used for production of gaseous <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/biofuels-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>biofuels</strong></a> like producer gas, biogas and green hydrogen.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas&rsquo;s <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/satat-scheme" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>SATAT scheme</strong></a> is a step in the right direction.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Conclusion</h3>
<p>Stubble burning poses a challenge to public health. However, by processing agriculture residues to biofuels and compost will benefit many more farmer households, with manifold collateral benefits that accrue from assured availability of sustainable energy.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1603801502_image3.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1603801502_image3.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" caption="false" width="550" height="515" /></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: #fefff2;">
<p><span style="color: #000080;"><em><strong>Drishti Mains Question</strong></em></span></p>
<p>Effective stubble management can convert the crisis of public health into an opportunity of sustainable energy. Comment.</p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p style="text-align: center;"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/_mO76JsnMB0" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p>
<p>This editorial is based on <a href="https://www.financialexpress.com/opinion/an-indian-spacex-policy-to-tap-private-sector-talent-for-space-taking-shape/2113451/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>&ldquo;An Indian SpaceX&rdquo;</strong> </a>which was published in The Financial Express on October 23<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/stubble-waste-management'
	],
	(int) 19 => [
		'title' => 'Tsunami Early Warning System in India',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>According to experts from the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/incois-launches-products" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Indian National Centre for Ocean Information System (INCOIS)</strong></a>, India is much safer against tsunami threats than it was in 2004, due to the establishment of a state-of-the-art tsunami early warning system at INCOIS.</p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Indian Tsunami Early Warning System:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The Indian Tsunami Early Warning System (ITEWS) was <strong>established in 2007</strong> and is based at &amp; operated by INCOIS, Hyderabad.</li>
<li>It is an <strong>integrated effort</strong> of different organizations including the Department of Space (DOS), Department of Science and Technology (DST), the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), Survey of India (SOI) and National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT).</li>
<li>ITEWS comprises a<strong> real-time network of seismic stations,</strong> tide gauges and a <strong>24X7 operational tsunami warning centre</strong> to detect tsunamigenic earthquakes, to monitor tsunamis and to provide timely advisories to vulnerable communities.</li>
<li>Indian scientists can detect large undersea earthquakes in Indian Ocean in real-time and provide a tsunami warning in 10-20 minutes after the earthquake occurs. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>In 2004, India didn&rsquo;t have any tsunami warning capability nor any public knowledge of tsunamis in the Indian Ocean.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>India is among the <strong>first few centres to introduce quantitative tsunami forecasts.</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC)</strong> of <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/unesco-5" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>UNESCO</strong></a> (also known as UNESCO-IOC) accredited<strong> Indian Tsunami Early Warning Centre</strong> (ITEWC) as <strong>Tsunami Service Provider</strong> (TSP) for 28 <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/19th-iora-council-of-ministers-meeting" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Indian Ocean Rim</strong></a> <strong>(IOR) countries</strong>, along with Indonesia and Australia in 2011, for issuing regional warnings.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Recent Focus in Tsunami Warning Capability:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The focus in recent times has been on <strong>enhancing community awareness and response</strong> through several <strong>capacity building activities, biennial Indian Ocean wide tsunami drills</strong> and<strong> piloting of the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/tsunami-ready-programme-unesco-ioc" target="_blank" rel="noopener">UNESCO-IOC Tsunami Ready initiative.</a></strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Tsunami Ready is a community performance-based programme</strong> to promote tsunami preparedness through active collaboration of public, community leaders, and national and local emergency management agencies.</li>
<li>The <strong>main objective of this programme is to improve coastal community's preparedness for tsunami emergencies,</strong> to minimize the loss of life and property and to ensure a structural and systematic approach in building community preparedness through fulfilling the best-practice indicators.</li>
<li><strong>Two villages of Odisha-</strong> Venkatraipur in Ganjam district and Noliasahi in Jagatsinghpur district<strong> are now &lsquo;Tsunami Ready&rsquo;.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>INCOIS is <strong>establishing a network of 35 stations to estimate the tectonic plate&rsquo;s movements in real-time</strong> and measure the vertical displacements under the sea directly.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>INCOIS</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>INCOIS was <strong>established in 1999</strong> as an <strong>autonomous body</strong> under the <strong>Ministry of Earth Sciences.</strong></li>
<li><strong>INCOIS</strong> through Indian Tsunami Early Warning Centre (ITEWC) is the <strong>nodal agency to provide tsunami advisories to India.</strong></li>
<li>It is coordinating with the Disaster Management Officials (DMOs) for implementation of <strong>Tsunami Ready</strong> programme in India.</li>
<li>It conducts <strong>IOWave Tsunami mock exercises biannually</strong> to strengthen the readiness to handle the emergency situations with stakeholders.</li>
<li>INCOIS also identifies the <strong>Potential Fishing Zones</strong> (PFZ) for the fishermen community.</li>
<li>It has also <strong>made improvement in overcoming the cloud cover</strong> through usage of geostationary satellites and numerical modelling.</li>
<li>INCOIS has also partnered with <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-national-institutions/indian-space-research-organisation-isro" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Indian Space Research Organisation</strong></a> (ISRO) and <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/wings-india-2020" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Airports Authority of India</strong></a> (AAI) to <strong>develop a satellite based message broadcasting services</strong> through the indigenous navigational satellite communication system <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/navic" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>'NAVIC'</strong></a>.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Tsunamis</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>These are a series of waves usually <strong>generated by movement of the sea floor.</strong> These movements are <strong>caused by different types of geophysical phenomena</strong> such as <a href="/to-the-points/paper1/earthquake-4" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>earthquakes</strong></a>,<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/international-conference-on-landslides-risk-reduction-and-resilience" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> landslides</strong> </a><strong>and volcanic eruptions.</strong></li>
<li>The word tsunami is a <strong>Japanese word,</strong> represented by two characters: tsu, meaning, "harbor", and nami meaning, "wave".</li>
<li>The tsunami waves behave very differently in deep water than in shallow water as their <strong>speed is related to the water depth.</strong></li>
<li>They <strong>frequently occur in the Pacific,</strong> where dense oceanic plates slide under the lighter continental plates. When these plates fracture they provide a vertical movement of the seafloor that allows a quick and efficient transfer of energy from the solid earth to the ocean.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Initiatives like Tsunami Ready has to be replicated in other vulnerable coastal communities as it enhances ability to respond to cyclones and storm surges too.</li>
<li>The best of warning systems could fail, if communities are not prepared, if they do not understand the official and natural warning signs of a tsunami, and if they do not take appropriate and timely response.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Hyderabad/india-much-safer-against-tsunami-threat-incois-director/article32947534.ece#:~:text=India%20is%20much%20safer%20against,Information%20System%20(INCOIS)%20here." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: TH</strong></a></p>',
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Cake\View\View::_evaluate() - CORE/src/View/View.php, line 1196
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Cake\View\View::_render() - CORE/src/View/View.php, line 1157
Cake\View\View::_renderElement() - CORE/src/View/View.php, line 1554
Cake\View\View::element() - CORE/src/View/View.php, line 668
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Cake\View\View::_render() - CORE/src/View/View.php, line 1157
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