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India’s Draft Arctic Policy

Why in News Recently, India drafted a new Arctic policy that aims at expanding scientific research, sustainable tourism and exploration of mineral...

23 Jan 2021 News Analysis
China’s New Villages in Arunachal Pradesh

Why in News Recently, there have been reports of Chinese construction of three villages in Arunachal Pradesh 5 kilometres from the Bum La...

23 Jan 2021 News Analysis
Parakram Diwas: Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Jayanti

Why in News The central government has decided to observe Subhas Chandra Bose Jayanti as 'Parakram Diwas' to be celebrated on 23rd January. A...

23 Jan 2021 News Analysis
Smart Anti Airfield Weapon

Why in News The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has conducted a successful trial of the indigenously developed Smart...

23 Jan 2021 News Analysis
Digital Education: Learning amid the Pandemic

This article is based upon “Digital Education cannot Substitute for Real Learning” which was published in The Times of India on...

22 Jan 2021 News Editorials
Governor’s Delay on Mercy Petition

Why in News Recently, the Solicitor General told the Supreme Court (SC) that Tamil Nadu Governor will take a decision in the next three or four days...

22 Jan 2021 News Analysis
UV-Bright Stars Spotted in Globular Structure NGC 2808

Why in News Recently, astronomers have spotted rare hot Ultra Violet (UV)-bright stars in the massive intriguing globular cluster in the Milky Way...

22 Jan 2021 News Analysis
Egypt Resumes Severed Relations With Qatar

Why in News Recently, Egypt resumed the severed diplomatic and economic ties with Qatar. Egypt was part of an Arab quartet (other members were...

22 Jan 2021 News Analysis
Alternative Anti-Cancer Therapy

Why in News An Innovation in Science Pursuit for Inspired Research (INSPIRE) faculty from the Department of Science & Technology (DST) is...

22 Jan 2021 News Analysis
Ratle Hydro Electric Project

Why in News The Union Cabinet has given its approval for 850 MegaWatt (MW) Ratle hydropower project on Chenab river in Jammu and Kashmir. Key...

22 Jan 2021 News Analysis
Question Hour to Resume during Budget Session

Why in News Question Hour, which had been suspended by the government during the monsoon session, will resume when Parliament meets for the budget...

22 Jan 2021 News Analysis
India's Vaccine Diplomacy

Why in News India has decided to ship out doses of the novel coronavirus vaccine to 'neighbouring and key partner countries'. The first batches...

22 Jan 2021 News Analysis
Female Labor Force Participation In India

This article is based on “Enhancing women’s employment is key to economic recovery” which was published in The Hindustan Times on...

21 Jan 2021 News Editorials
5th India – Singapore Defence Ministers’ Dialogue

Why in News Recently, the 5th Defence Ministers' Dialogue (DMD) between India and Singapore was successfully held through a video...

21 Jan 2021 News Analysis
India Innovation Index 2020: NITI Aayog

Why in News Recently, India Innovation Index Report 2020 was released by NITI Aayog in which Karnataka retained its top position in the major States...

21 Jan 2021 News Analysis
S-400 Triumf Missile System

Why in News The first group of Indian military specialists are scheduled to depart for Moscow (Russia) soon to undergo training courses on the S-400...

21 Jan 2021 News Analysis
Bio Medical Waste

Why in News The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has recently directed various authorities to ensure compliance from the biomedical waste management...

21 Jan 2021 News Analysis
Electronic Waste Management

Why in News Citing huge gaps in compliance of electronic waste-management rules, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) has recently ordered that...

21 Jan 2021 News Analysis
Regulatory Compliance Portal: DPIIT

Why in News Recently, the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) has launched a regulatory compliance portal that will act...

21 Jan 2021 News Analysis
KIIFB Borrowings Issue

Why in News Recently, the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India has opined that the off-budget borrowings made by the Kerala Infrastructure...

21 Jan 2021 News Analysis

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			'title' => 'India’s Draft Arctic Policy',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, India drafted a<strong> new Arctic policy</strong> that aims at expanding scientific research, sustainable tourism and<strong> exploration of mineral oil and gas</strong> in the Arctic region.</p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>About the Policy:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Nodal Body:</strong> India has designated Goa-based <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/national-centre-for-polar-and-ocean-research-ncpor-" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research</strong> </a>to lead scientific research and act as a nodal body to coordinate among various scientific bodies to promote domestic scientific research capacities in the Arctic.</li>
<li><strong>Objectives: </strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Promoting Scientific Study of Arctic:</strong> Orient the curriculum on earth sciences, biological sciences, geosciences, climate change and space related programmes with Arctic imperatives in Indian Universities.</li>
<li><strong>Planning Explorations:</strong> Formulating effective plans for Arctic related programmes for mineral/oil and gas exploration in petroleum research institutes</li>
<li><strong>Promoting Arctic Tourism:</strong> Encouraging tourism and hospitality sectors by building specialised capacities and awareness by engaging with Arctic enterprises.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>About Arctic:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The Arctic is a <strong>polar region</strong> located at the northernmost part of Earth.</li>
<li>The Arctic consists of the Arctic Ocean, adjacent seas, and parts of Alaska (United States), Canada, Finland, Greenland (Denmark), Iceland, Norway, Russia, and Sweden.</li>
<li>Land within the Arctic region has seasonally varying snow and ice cover.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1611393660_image3.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1611393660_image3.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" caption="false" width="459" height="462" /></a></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Ecological Impact of Warming on Arctic:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Rising Sea Levels:</strong> The loss of ice and the warming waters affects sea levels, salinity levels, and current and precipitation patterns.</li>
<li><strong>Deterioration of Tundra:</strong> The Tundra is returning to swamp, the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/oil-spill-in-siberia" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>permafrost</strong> </a>is thawing, sudden storms are ravaging coastlines and <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/wildfires-in-uttarakhand" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>wildfires</strong></a> are devastating interior Canada and Russia.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Tundra:</strong> Found in regions north of the Arctic Circle and south of the Antarctic Circle. These are <strong>treeless regions.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Threat to Biodiversity:</strong> The phenomenally rich biodiversity of the Arctic region is under serious threat.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The absence of year-long ice and higher temperatures are making the survival of Arctic marine life, plants and birds difficult while encouraging species from lower latitudes to move north.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Extinction of Indegenous Cultures:</strong> The Arctic is also home to about 40 different indigenous groups, whose culture, economy and way of life is in danger of being swept away.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Increasing human encroachment with its attendant stresses will only aggravate this impact and upset a fragile balance.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Commercial Importance of Arctic:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Abundant Resources:</strong> The opening of the Arctic presents huge commercial and economic opportunities, particularly in shipping, energy, fisheries and mineral resources.</li>
<li><strong>Commercial Navigation:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>The Northern Sea Route (NSR):</strong> It is a shipping lane connecting the North Atlantic to the North Pacific through a short polar arc which could revolutionise the prospects of trade in Russia and Scandinavian countries.</li>
<li>It is approx 40% shorter than via the Suez Canal or 60% shorter via the Cape of Good Hope.</li>
<li>It would cause substantial reductions in transportation time, fuel consumption, limit environmental emission and eliminate piracy risk.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Oil and Natural Gas Deposits:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Estimated to be 22% of the world&rsquo;s unexplored resources, mostly in the Arctic ocean, will be open to access along with mineral deposits including 25% of the global reserves of rare earths, buried in Greenland.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Issues Involved:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Navigation conditions are dangerous and restricted to the summer.</li>
<li>Lack of deep-water ports, a need for ice-breakers, shortage of workers trained for polar conditions, and high insurance costs add to the difficulties.</li>
<li>Mining and deep-sea drilling carry massive costs and environmental risks.</li>
<li>Unlike <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/covid-in-antarctica" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Antarctica</strong></a>, the Arctic is not a global common and there is no overarching treaty that governs it.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Conflict over Arctic:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Russia, Canada, Norway and Denmark have put in <strong>overlapping claims for extended continental shelves,</strong> and the right to sea-bed resources.</li>
<li>Russia is the dominant power, with the longest Arctic coastline, half the Arctic population, and a full-fledged strategic policy.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Claiming that the NSR falls within its territorial waters, Russia anticipates huge dividends from commercial traffic including through the use of its ports, pilots and ice-breakers.</li>
<li>Russia has also activated its northern military bases, refurbished its nuclear armed submarine fleet and demonstrated its capabilities, including through an exercise with China in the eastern Arctic.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>China, playing for economic advantage, has moved in fast, projecting the<strong> Polar Silk Road</strong> as an extension of the <a href="/printpdf/italy-joins-belt-road-initiative" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Belt and Road Initiatives</strong></a>, and has invested heavily in ports, energy, undersea infrastructure and mining projects.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>India&rsquo;s Interests in Arctic:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Environmental Interest:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>India&rsquo;s extensive coastline makes it vulnerable to the impact of Arctic warming on ocean currents, weather patterns, fisheries and most importantly, the <a href="/to-the-points/paper1/monsoon-2" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>monsoon</strong></a>.</li>
<li>Arctic research will help India&rsquo;s scientific community to study melting rates of the Himalayan glaciers, which are endowed with the largest freshwater reserves in the world outside the geographic poles.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Scientific Interest:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Research Stations:</strong> India launched its first scientific expedition to the Arctic in 2007 and set up a research station<strong> &lsquo;Himadri&rsquo;</strong> in the international Arctic research base at Ny-&Aring;lesund in Spitsbergen, Svalbard, Norway. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>India has two other observatories in <strong>Kongsforden and Gruvebadet</strong> in Norway.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Studying Himalayan Glaciers:</strong> Scientific research in Arctic developments, in which India has a good record, will contribute to its understanding of climatic changes in the third Pole, the Himalayas.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Strategic Interest:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Countering Chinese Influence:</strong> The strategic implications of an active China in the Arctic and its growing economic and strategic relationship with Russia are self-evident and need close monitoring.</li>
<li><strong>Arctic Council Membership:</strong> Since 2013, India has had observer status in the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/arctic-council" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Arctic Council</strong></a>, which is the predominant inter-governmental forum for cooperation on the environmental and development aspects of the Arctic.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It is high time that India&rsquo;s presence in the Arctic expands from the dimension of scientific exploration to strategic, economic, environmental and political aspects. Thus, drafting of New Arctic policy suits the need of the hour.</li>
</ul>',
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		(int) 1 => [
			'title' => 'China’s New Villages in Arunachal Pradesh',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, there have been<strong> reports of Chinese construction of three villages in Arunachal Pradesh</strong> 5 kilometres from the<strong> Bum La pass.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Bum La Pass</strong> is <strong>one of the four officially agreed BPM</strong> (Border Personnel Meeting) points between the Indian Army and the People&rsquo;s Liberation Army of China.</li>
<li>Earlier in 2020, China had<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/chinas-railway-near-arunachal-border" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> begun work on a strategically significant railway line</strong> </a>that will link Sichuan province with Nyingchi in Tibet, which lies close to Arunachal Pradesh border.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1611390168_image1.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1611390168_image1.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" caption="false" width="512" height="414" /></a></p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>About the New Village built Last Year:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The satellite images, dated November 2020, show that a full-fledged village has been <strong>built on the banks of the River Tsari Chu</strong> in the Upper Subansiri district of Arunachal Pradesh.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The village is located a couple of kilometres across the<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/india-china-conflict#:~:text=Demarcation%20Line%3A%20The%20Line%20of,UN)%20after%20the%20Kashmir%20War." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> Line of Actual Control (LAC).</strong></a></li>
<li>China had earlier built a <strong>permanent construction of military barracks in this area.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The area has been <strong>under Chinese control since 1959.</strong></li>
<li>It is at least 2 km south (in Indian territory) of the <a href="/to-the-points/Paper2/disputed-territories-of-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>McMahon Line</strong></a>, which China doesn&rsquo;t recognise. After the <strong>1962 war,</strong> India stopped patrolling the area.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>China considers the <strong>McMahon Line illegal and unacceptable</strong> claiming that Tibetan representatives who had signed the 1914 Convention held in Shimla which delineated the McMahon line on the map were not having rights to do so.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Other Spots of Disagreement:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>There are close to <strong>two dozen spots along the entire length of the Line of Actual Control (LAC)</strong> in all sectors where India and China do not agree on its alignment.</li>
<li><strong>Line of Actual Control:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It is divided into <strong>three sectors:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The<strong> eastern sector</strong> which spans Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim (1346 km).</li>
<li>The <strong>middle sector</strong> in Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh (545 km).</li>
<li>The <strong>western sector</strong> in Ladakh (1597 km).</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The alignment of the LAC in the eastern sector is <strong>along the 1914 McMahon Line.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Case of Arunachal Pradesh:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>India's claim line is different from that of the LAC. It is the line seen in the official boundary marked on the maps as released by the Survey of India, including Aksai Chin (occupied by China). The <strong>state of Arunachal Pradesh is an &lsquo;integral and inalienable&rsquo; part of India.</strong></li>
<li><strong>In China&rsquo;s case,</strong> LAC corresponds mostly to its claim line, but in the eastern sector, <strong>it claims the entire Arunachal Pradesh as South Tibet.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>China&rsquo;s Intention:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The construction of the village has been seen by analysts as a move <strong>to bolster China&rsquo;s claim to the area,</strong> and part of a <strong>broader recent push by China</strong> to build civilian settlements in disputed frontier areas, which <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/new-chinese-village-in-bhutan" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>it has also done with Bhutan</strong></a>.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Implications on India:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Security Concerns:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>A village near the border will largely improve the efficiency and convenience of military personnel and material transportation and logistical supplies in the border area.</li>
<li>In situations of direct standoff near Arunachal Pradesh border, as was seen during Doklam or recent <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/face-off-between-india-and-china" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Ladakh standoff</strong></a>, <strong>China might be at an advantageous position.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Doklam Issue:</strong> Indian troops intervened to block the path of Chinese soldiers engaged in building road-works on the Doklam plateau of Bhutan&rsquo;s territory that Beijing laid claim.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Recent Steps Taken by India:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>India will spend 10% funds of the<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/boosting-infrastructure-along-china-border" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> Border Area Development Programme (BADP)</strong> </a>only to improve the infrastructure along the China border.</li>
<li>The Border Roads Organisation (BRO) constructed the<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/daporijo-bridge" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> Daporijo bridge</strong> </a>over Subansiri river in Arunachal Pradesh in a record span of just 27 days.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It links roads leading upto the LAC between India and China.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Recently the Defence Minister virtually laid the foundation of a <strong>tunnel at Nechiphu in West Kameng district of Arunachal Pradesh.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It will <strong>shorten travel time for troops</strong> till the LAC through Tawang, which China claims to be its territory.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The BRO is already<strong> constructing an all-weather tunnel under the Se La pass in Arunachal Pradesh</strong> which connects Tawang to the rest of Arunachal and Guwahati.</li>
<li>The state government of Arunachal Pradesh has advocated <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/depopulation-in-border-areas-of-arunachal-pradesh" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>selection of 10 census towns along the India-China border</strong> </a>as pilot projects for infrastructure development in order to stop people living along its international borders, specifically with China, from migrating to faraway urban centres in the State.</li>
<li>Recently, the Defence Minister inaugurated the<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/sisseri-river-bridge" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> Sisseri River Bridge</strong></a> located at <strong>lower Dibang Valley in Arunachal Pradesh</strong> connecting Dibang Valley and Siang.</li>
<li>In 2019, the Indian Air Force inaugurated resurfaced runway at India&rsquo;s <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/india-s-eastern-most-village" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>easternmost Village-Vijaynagar (Changlang district)</strong> </a>in Arunachal Pradesh.</li>
<li>In 2019, the Indian Army conducted <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/exercise-himvijay" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>exercise &lsquo;HimVijay&rsquo;</strong> </a>in Arunachal Pradesh and Assam with its newly <strong>created Integrated Battle Groups (IBG).</strong></li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/bogibeel-bridge" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Bogibeel bridge</strong></a>, which is India&rsquo;s longest road-rail bridge connecting Dibrugarh in Assam to Pasighat in Arunachal Pradesh was inaugurated in 2018.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It will<strong> facilitate quicker movement of troops and equipment to areas near the India-China border.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>India needs to be vigilant enough for any new development in China near its border to protect its interests efficiently. Further, it needs to build robust Infrastructure in difficult border areas in its territory to ensure movement of personnel and other logistical supplies in an efficient manner.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/china-defends-new-village-in-arunachal-amid-border-construction-push/article33627391.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/china-s-new-villages-in-arunachal-pradesh'
		],
		(int) 2 => [
			'title' => 'Parakram Diwas: Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Jayanti',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>The central government has decided to observe <a href="/to-the-points/paper1/subhash-chandra-bose-3" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Subhas Chandra Bose</strong></a> <strong>Jayanti as 'Parakram Diwas'</strong> to be celebrated on 23<sup>rd</sup> January.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>A high-level committee headed by the Prime Minister has also been formed to plan year-round programmes to mark the anniversary of Bose.</li>
<li>Recently the Government of India has also instituted <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/subhash-chandra-bose-aapda-prabandhan-puraskar" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Subhash Chandra Bose Aapda Prabandhan Puraskaar</strong></a> to recognise the excellent work done by the individuals and institutions in the field of disaster management.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Birth:</strong> <a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1611390734_IMG_7962.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1611390734_IMG_7962.jpg" width="462" height="650" style="float: right;" caption="false" /></a><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Subhas Chandra Bose was born on <strong>23<sup>rd</sup> January 1897, in Cuttack, Orissa Division, Bengal Province,</strong> to Prabhavati Dutt Bose and Janakinath Bose.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>About:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In 1919, he had cleared Indian Civil Services (ICS) examination. Bose, however, resigned later.</li>
<li>He was highly<strong> influenced by <a href="/to-the-points/paper4/to-the-point-paper-4-indian-thinker-swami-vivekanand-1863-1902" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Vivekananda's teachings</a></strong> and considered him as his spiritual Guru.</li>
<li>His <strong>political mentor</strong> was <strong>Chittaranjan Das.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Association with Congress:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>He stood for<strong> unqualified swaraj (independence),</strong> and opposed Motilal Nehru Report which spoke for dominion status for India.</li>
<li>He actively participated in the <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/pm-dedicates-salt-satyagraha-memorial-to-nation#:~:text=On%20March%2012%2C%201930%2C%20Gandhiji,Dandi%20on%20the%20Arabian%20Sea.&amp;text=In%20August%201931%2C%20Gandhiji%20traveled,the%20nationalist%20Indian%20National%20Congress." target="_blank" rel="noopener">Salt Satyagraha</a> of 1930</strong> and vehemently opposed the suspension of Civil Disobedience Movement and signing of the <strong>Gandhi-Irwin Pact in 1931.</strong></li>
<li>In the 1930s, he was closely associated with left politics in Congress along with <strong>Jawaharlal Nehru and M.N. Roy.</strong></li>
<li>Bose won the <strong>congress presidential</strong> elections at Haripura in<strong> 1938.</strong></li>
<li>Again in <strong>1939 at Tripuri,</strong> he won the presidential elections against Gandhi's candidate Pattabhi Sitarammayya. Due to ideological differences with Gandhi, Bose resigned and left congress. Rajendra Prasad was appointed in his place.</li>
<li>He found a new party, <strong>'the Forward Bloc'.</strong> The purpose was to consolidate the political left and major support base in his home state Bengal.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Indian National Army:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>He reached Japanese-controlled Singapore from Germany in July 1943, issued from there his famous call, <strong>&lsquo;Delhi Chalo&rsquo;,</strong> and announced the formation of the <strong>Azad Hind Government</strong> and the <strong>Indian National Army</strong> on 21<sup>st</sup> October 1943.</li>
<li>The INA was first formed under <strong>Mohan Singh</strong> and Japanese Major Iwaichi Fujiwara and comprised Indian prisoners of war of the British-Indian Army captured by Japan in the Malayan (present-day Malaysia) campaign and at Singapore.</li>
<li>The INA included both, the Indian prisoners of war from Singapore and Indian civilians in South-East Asia. It's strength grew to 50,000.</li>
<li>The INA fought allied forces in 1944 inside the borders of India in Imphal and in Burma.</li>
<li>In November 1945, a British move to put the INA men on trial immediately sparked massive demonstration all over the country.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/pm-narendra-modi-to-visit-kolkata-to-celebrate-netaji-s-125th-birth-anniversary-101611379498256-amp.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: HT</strong></a></p>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/parakram-diwas-netaji-subhash-chandra-bose-jayanti'
		],
		(int) 3 => [
			'title' => 'Smart Anti Airfield Weapon',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>The <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-national-institutions/defence-research-and-development-organisation-drdo" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO)</strong></a> has conducted a successful trial of the<strong> indigenously developed Smart Anti-Airfield Weapon (SAAW)</strong> off the Odisha coast from the Hawk-I jet of <a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/the-big-picture-need-to-modernise-indian-air-force" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL)</strong></a>.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>This was the<strong> ninth successful test</strong> of the system<strong> conducted over the last five years.</strong></li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Background:</strong> The system <strong>belongs to the glide bomb category</strong> and its <strong>development began around 2012-13,</strong> with crucial inputs from the<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/indian-air-force-day" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> Indian Air Force (IAF)</strong></a> and the <strong>first test</strong> was carried out in<strong> 2016. </strong></li>
<li><strong>Manufactured by:</strong> DRDO&rsquo;s Research Centre Imarat (RCI) Hyderabad.</li>
<li><strong>Features:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The weapon is designed to strike ground targets, especially adversary airfield infrastructure or similar strategically important installations.</li>
<li>This is a <strong>125-kilogram</strong> class smart weapon, capable of engaging ground enemy airfield assets such as radars, bunkers, taxi tracks, and runways, up to a <strong>range of 100 kilometres.</strong></li>
<li>The<strong> high precision guided bomb is lightweight</strong> compared to weapon systems of the same class.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Other Related Development:</strong> The test of SAAW comes months after<strong> another weapon system designed to target enemy radar and communication assets, <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/anti-radiation-missile-rudram-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Rudram</a>,</strong> was tested in October 2020.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Rudram,</strong> an air-to-surface missile, has been developed <strong>to primarily to enhance the Suppression of Enemy Air Defence (SEAD) capability of the IAF</strong> and can detect, track and neutralise the radar, communication assets and other radio frequency sources belonging to the adversary, which are generally their air defence systems.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1691176" 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/smart-anti-airfield-weapon'
		],
		(int) 4 => [
			'title' => 'Digital Education: Learning amid the Pandemic',
			'catname' => 'News Editorials',
			'desc' => '<div class="border">
<p>This article is based upon <a href="https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/blogs/the-interviews-blog/digital-education-cannot-substitute-for-real-learning-staring-at-a-screen-learners-only-act-as-remote-receptors-of-whats-beamed/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>&ldquo;Digital Education cannot Substitute for Real Learning&rdquo;</strong> </a>which was published in The Times of India on 21/01/2021. It talks about how the pandemic has completely shifted the present education system into a digital mode of learning and if it is actually substituting real learning or not.</p>
</div>
<p>The<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/coronavirus-disease-named-covid-19" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> Covid-19</strong></a> outbreak has disrupted children&rsquo;s lives, pushed out many, and stalled classes and examinations across the country. To ensure students do not miss out on studies, schools shifted the classes to online mode.</p>
<p>With the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/covid-19-now-pandemic-who" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>pandemic</strong></a> forcing the teaching and learning process to migrate to the online mode, the education system has faced an upheaval like never before. Many of the students have been left clinging to their phones and computer screens.</p>
<p>However, the 2017-18 <strong>National Sample Survey</strong> suggested that less than 15% of rural Indian households have Internet as opposed to 42% of their urban counterparts.</p>
<p>Therefore, this shift to the e-learning system has sparked a debate on whether it helped the students to learn or has impeded their progress, social and emotional well-being, and more importantly if this is indeed education.</p>
<h3>Digital Education</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Digital education is the innovative use of digital tools and technologies during teaching and learning and is often referred to as Technology Enhanced Learning (TEL) or e-Learning. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Exploring the use of digital technologies gives educators the opportunity to design engaging learning opportunities in the courses they teach, and these can take the form of blended or fully online courses and programs.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1611319201_image10.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1611319201_image10.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="600" caption="false" /></a></p>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Government Initiatives for Smooth Conduct of E-Learning</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Several initiatives have been taken to enable online education in India, such as: <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>E-PG Pathshala:</strong> An initiative of the Ministry of Human Resource Development to provide e-content for studies.</li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/swayam-and-swayam-prabha" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>SWAYAM</strong></a>: it provides for an integrated platform for online courses.</li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/national-educational-alliance-for-technology-neat-scheme" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>NEAT</strong></a>: It aims to use <a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/in-depth-artificial-intelligence" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Artificial Intelligence</strong></a> to make learning more personalized and customized as per the requirements of the learner</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Other initiatives include: <strong>National Project on Technology Enhanced Learning (NPTEL)</strong>, <a href="/mains-practice-question/question-210" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>National Knowledge Network, (NKN)</strong></a>, and National Academic Depository (NAD), among others.</li>
<li><strong>PRAGYATA:</strong> The Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD) released guidelines on <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/education-in-post-covid-era" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>digital education</strong> </a>titled <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/pragyata-guidelines-on-digital-education" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>PRAGYATA.</strong></a> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Under the PRAGYATA guidelines, only 30 minutes of screen time per day for interacting with parents is recommended for kindergarten, nursery and pre-school.</li>
<li>Schools can hold live online classes for a maximum of 1.5 hours per day for Classes 1-8, and 3 hours per day for Classes 9-12.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>National Programme on Technology Enhanced Learning</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The NPTEL is a project of MHRD initiated by seven Indian Institutes of Technology (IIT), along with the Indian Institute of Science Bangalore.</li>
<li>It was created in 2003 to provide online education.</li>
<li>The aim was to have web and video courses in engineering, sciences, and management.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Technology as a Saviour</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Flexibility:</strong> Online education enables both the teacher as well as the students to set their own learning pace plus provides the flexibility of setting a schedule that fits everyone&rsquo;s agenda. Consequently, providing a better work-study balance.</li>
<li><strong>A Wide Range of Courses:</strong> In a space as vast and wide as the internet, infinite skills and subjects are there to teach and learn. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>A growing number of universities and higher education schools are coming forward to offer online versions of their programs for various levels and disciplines.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>More Cost-Effective than Conventional Learning:</strong> Lesser monetary investment is there with better results. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>With the online mode of learning, the money spent on study materials along with commute charges is considerably less.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>A Comfortable Learning Environment:</strong> Online learning allows students to work in the environment that best suits them.</li>
</ul>
<h3>The Other Side of the Coin</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Lack of a Healthy Learning Environment:</strong> Education is not just about classes but interactions, broadening of ideas, and free-flowing open discussions. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Students learn more from each other while engaging in challenging collective tasks and thinking together.</li>
<li>There is substantial learning that is lost when education goes online. Staring at a screen prevents them from using their mind and acting as remote receptors of what is beamed.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Lack of Technology Access:</strong> Not everyone who can afford to go to school can afford to have phones, computers, or even a quality internet connection for attending classes online.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Due to this, the mental stress that students have to undergo is very high.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>In Contradictory with Right to Education:</strong> Technology is not affordable to all, shifting towards online education completely is like taking away the<a href="/to-the-points/Paper2/right-to-education" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> Right to Education</strong></a> of those who cannot access the technology. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Moreover, the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/national-education-policy-2020" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>National Education Policy</strong></a> that talks about the digitization of education is also in contradiction with the right to education.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Health - Eye issues:</strong> Younger students, especially in classes 1 to 3 were most likely to suffer from eye-health issues due to staring at the computer or mobile screen for extended periods. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Other health issues like neck and back pain etc. due to bad posture and lack of movement have been noticed in older students.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>A Multi-Pronged Approach:</strong> Flexible rescheduling the academic timetable and exploring options in collaboration with schools, teachers, and parents for providing access to education to a larger section of students. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Staggering teacher-student interactions in physical mode with not more than 50% of the total strength attending schools on alternate days.</li>
<li>Giving priority to the less advantaged students who do not have access to e-learning.</li>
<li>Genuine efforts must be invested to ensure every child gets good quality equitable education as a fundamental right.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Making Online Education More Effective:</strong> Shorter but quality discussions rather than long hours of monotonous sitting and one-way communication, should be preferred. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The teacher&rsquo;s role has to go beyond just being in control of the class to being a facilitator for the transfer of knowledge.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Focussing more on Knowledge Aspect:</strong> Education is not about competence but more about motivation. The students are meant to discover not just cover the syllabus.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The system should not just heartlessly push the students and teachers in only finishing the course regardless of any gain of knowledge, stress should be upon quality learning and not quantity cramming.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Conclusion</h3>
<p>&lsquo;Equality of Opportunity&rsquo; is one of the basic principles of the Indian Constitution. Shifting to a system that benefits only a section of people and leaves behind the neediest ruins the very notion of this statement.</p>
<p>Moreover, digital education is something where India is not successful yet. There is still a lot to do in terms of checking if students&rsquo; entitlements are not being compromised or in providing meaningful academic curriculum alternatives.</p>
<table border="1" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="width: 100%; border-style: dotted; border-color: #ff0000; background-color: #fbfff0;">
<p><span style="color: #000080;"><em><strong>Drishti Mains Question</strong></em></span></p>
<p>Shifting to the e-learning system has sparked a debate about whether it has made education more inclusive or widened the digital divide. Discuss.</p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p style="text-align: center;"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/JfmRv-Nj3cM" 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://economictimes.indiatimes.com/blogs/et-editorials/president-biden-hope-and-responsibility/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>&ldquo;President Biden: Hope And Responsibility&rdquo;</strong></a> published in The Economic Times on January 21<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/digital-education-learning-amid-the-pandemic'
		],
		(int) 5 => [
			'title' => 'Governor’s Delay on Mercy Petition',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the <strong>Solicitor General</strong> told the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-national-institutions/supreme-court-of-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Supreme Court (SC)</strong></a> that Tamil Nadu <a href="/to-the-points/Paper2/governor" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Governor</strong></a> will take a decision in the next three or four days on<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/mercy-petition" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> mercy petition</strong> </a>of a convict in the 1991 Rajiv Gandhi assassination case.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The <strong>concept of Mercy Petition is followed in many nations</strong> like the USA, UK, Canada etc. including India.</li>
<li>In India, the power to grant pardon is entrusted to the President and the Governors of various states under Article 72 and Article 161 of the Constitution. It adds a human touch to the country&rsquo;s judicial process by conferring powers to grant pardon or show Mercy to criminals sentenced to death.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Background:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>A<strong> pardon request moved by the convict in 2015</strong> was not considered by the Governor, however, a SC order on a related petition in September 2018 <strong>clarified that the Governor was &ldquo;deemed fit&rdquo; to decide on the pardon.</strong></li>
<li>Thereafter a recommendation to remit his life sentence was advised by the Cabinet under <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/mercy-petition" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Article 161</strong></a>.</li>
<li>However, the Governor's decision is still pending.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Centre&rsquo;s Stand:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The pleas for pardon and release should go to the <strong>President</strong> instead of the Governor as the case is being investigated by a central agency.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Petitioner's Argument:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>A convict was<strong> free to choose between the President and the Governor for pardon.</strong></li>
<li>Referred to the Constitution Bench&rsquo;s judgment in the <em><strong>Union of India versus Sriharan 2015</strong></em>, which said the<strong> &ldquo;exercise of executive clemency&rdquo; was &ldquo;vested in the President or the Governor&rdquo;.</strong></li>
<li>Centre&rsquo;s rejection in 2018 of the Tamil Nadu government proposal to remit the sentence of the convicts under <strong>Section 432</strong> of the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/re-imagining-cognizable-offences" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Code of Criminal Procedure</strong> </a>(CrPC) did not stop the convicts from separately moving the Governor for pardon under <strong>Article 161.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Section 432 of the CrPC:</strong> It lays down that <strong>the appropriate government,</strong> at any time, without conditions or upon any conditions which the person sentenced accepts, <strong>can suspend the execution of his sentence or remit the whole or any part of the punishment to which he has been sentenced.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>SC&rsquo;s Observation:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The SC termed the Governor&rsquo;s delay<strong> &ldquo;extraordinary&rdquo;.</strong> It also noted how a decision was <strong>not forthcoming despite the State government&rsquo;s recommendation.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It needs to be noted that<strong> the Governor cannot reject the state&rsquo;s recommendation but there is no time prescribed to take a decision.</strong></li>
<li>The Governor <strong>had already returned the file to reconsider the government&rsquo;s decision but the government stood by its decision.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Pardoning Power</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Pardoning Power of the President in India:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>About:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Under<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/commutation-of-death-sentence" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> Article 72 of the Constitution</strong></a>, the President shall have the power to grant pardons, reprieves, respites or remissions of punishment or to suspend, remit or commute the sentence of any person convicted of any offence where the sentence is a sentence of death.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Limitation:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The President<strong> cannot exercise his power of pardon independent of the government.</strong></li>
<li>In several cases, the SC has ruled that the <strong>President has to act on the advice of the Council of Ministers</strong> while deciding mercy pleas. These include <em><strong>Maru Ram vs Union of India in 1980</strong></em>, and <em><strong>Dhananjoy Chatterjee vs State of West Bengal in 1994.</strong></em></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Reconsideration:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Although the President is bound by the Cabinet&rsquo;s advice, <strong>Article74 (1) empowers him to return it for reconsideration once.</strong> If the Council of Ministers decides against any change, the <strong>President has no option but to accept it.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Governor&rsquo;s Pardoning Power:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Article 161:</strong> The Governor of a State shall have the<strong> power to grant pardons, reprieves, respites or remissions of punishment or to suspend, remit or commute the sentence</strong> of any person convicted of any offence against any law relating to a matter to which the executive power of the State extends.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Difference Between Pardoning Powers of President and Governor:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The scope of the <strong>pardoning power of the President under Article 72 is wider than the pardoning power of the Governor under Article 161</strong> which differs in the following two ways:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Court Martial:</strong> The <strong>power of the President</strong> to grant pardon <strong>extends in cases where the punishment or sentence is by a Court Martial</strong> but Article 161 <strong>does not provide any such power to the Governor.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Death sentence:</strong> The <strong>President can grant pardon in all cases</strong> where the sentence given is the sentence of death but the<strong> pardoning power of the Governor does not extend to death sentence cases.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/rajiv-gandhi-assassination-case-tamil-nadu-governor-will-decide-on-perarivalan-plea-in-3-4-days/article33625615.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/governor-s-delay-on-mercy-petition'
		],
		(int) 6 => [
			'title' => 'UV-Bright Stars Spotted in Globular Structure NGC 2808',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, astronomers have spotted rare hot <strong>Ultra Violet (UV)-bright stars</strong> in the <strong>massive intriguing globular cluster</strong> in the<strong> Milky Way Galaxy</strong> called <strong>NGC 2808.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>India's first multi-wavelength space satellite AstroSat</strong> helped astronomers in this.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Data:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Scientists combined data of <strong>Ultraviolet Imaging Telescope (on board AstroSat)</strong> with observations made using other space missions such as the <strong>Hubble Space Telescope</strong> and the<strong> Gaia telescope</strong> along with<strong> ground-based optical observations.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Hubble Space Telescope:</strong> The HST or Hubble <strong>(NASA)</strong> is a space telescope that was launched into <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/types-of-orbit" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Low Earth orbit</strong> </a>in 1990 and remains in operation. It is one of the <strong>largest and most versatile space telescopes</strong> till date.</li>
<li><strong>Gaia</strong> is a space observatory of the<strong> European Space Agency,</strong> launched in <strong>2013 and expected to operate until 2022.</strong> The spacecraft is designed for astrometry: measuring the positions, distances and motions of stars with unprecedented precision.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Findings:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>About <strong>34 UV-bright stars</strong> were found to be members of the globular cluster (NGC 2808). One of the UV-bright stars was found to be about<strong> 3000 times brighter</strong> than the Sun with a surface temperature of about <strong>1,00,000 K.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Hot UV-bright stars</strong> have been distinguished from the<strong> relatively cooler red giant and main-sequence stars.</strong></li>
<li>Most of the stars were found to have evolved from a solar stage called the <strong>horizontal branch stars</strong> with hardly any outer envelope. Thus, they were bound to skip the last major phase of life called the <strong>asymptotic giant phase (it is one of the last major phases in the life of stars)</strong> and directly become dead remnants or white dwarfs.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The<strong> horizontal branch</strong> (HB) is a stage of stellar evolution that immediately follows the<strong> red giant branch</strong> in stars.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Significance:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Properties of Stars:</strong> The findings will help in determining properties of these stars such as their surface temperatures, luminosities and radii.</li>
<li><strong>Evolution of Stars:</strong> These present <strong>excellent laboratories</strong> where astronomers can understand<strong> how stars evolve through various phases</strong> between their birth and death.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Death of star:</strong> It is not clear how these stars end their lives as not many of them are detected in these fast-evolving phases, making their study crucial.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>UV radiations:</strong> UV-bright stars are speculated to be the reason for the ultraviolet radiation coming from old stellar systems.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>About NGC 2808:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>NGC 2808 is a <strong>globular cluster in the constellation Carina.</strong> The cluster belongs to the <strong>Milky Way,</strong> and is one of our home galaxy's <strong>most massive clusters,</strong> millions of stars. It is estimated to be 12.5-billion years old.</li>
<li>It is said to have at least <strong>five generations of stars.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Stellar Evolution</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Nebula:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>A nebula is a cloud of gas (mostly hydrogen and helium) and dust in space.</li>
<li>Nebulae are the birthplaces of stars.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Main Sequence Stars:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Main sequence stars are stars that are fusing hydrogen atoms to form helium atoms in their cores.</li>
<li>Most of the stars in the universe i.e. about 90% of them are main sequence stars. The<strong> sun</strong> is a main sequence star.</li>
<li>Towards the end of its life, a star like the Sun <strong>swells up into a red giant,</strong> before losing its <strong>outer layers</strong> as a<strong> planetary nebula and finally shrinking to become a white dwarf.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Red Dwarf:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The <strong>faintest (less than 1/1000th the brightness of the Sun) main sequence stars</strong> are called the red dwarfs.</li>
<li><strong>Proxima Centauri,</strong> the nearest star to the Sun, is a red dwarf.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Red Giant:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Red giants have diameters between 10 and 100 times that of the Sun.</li>
<li>They are very bright, although their surface temperature is lower than that of the Sun.</li>
<li>A red giant is formed during the<strong> later stages of the evolution as it runs out of hydrogen fuel at its centre.</strong></li>
<li>A very large red giant is often called <strong>Red Supergiant.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Planetary Nebula:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Planetary nebula is an outer layer of gas and dust that are lost <strong>when the star changes from a red giant to a white dwarf.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>White Dwarf:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>A white dwarf is a <strong>very small, hot star, the last stage in the life cycle of a star.</strong></li>
<li>White dwarfs are the remains of normal stars, whose nuclear energy supplies <strong>have been used up.</strong></li>
<li>White dwarf consists of degenerate matter with a <strong>very high density</strong> due to gravitational effects.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Nova:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Novae occur on the surface of a <strong>white dwarf</strong> in a binary system.</li>
<li>If the two stars of the system are sufficiently near to one another, material (hydrogen) can be pulled from the companion star&rsquo;s surface onto the white dwarf.</li>
<li>When enough material builds up on the surface of the white dwarf, it triggers a nuclear fusion on a white dwarf which causes a sudden brightening of the star.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Supernova:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>A supernova is the<strong> explosive death of a star</strong> and often results in the star obtaining the brightness of <strong>100 million suns for a short time.</strong></li>
<li>The extremely luminous burst of radiation expels much or all of a<strong> star&rsquo;s material at a great velocity,</strong> driving a shock wave into the surrounding interstellar medium.</li>
<li>These shock waves trigger condensation which is a nebula paving the way for the birth of a new star.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>A <strong>neutron star</strong> is the <strong>collapsed core of a massive supergiant star.</strong></li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1611312148_image7.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1611312148_image7.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="700" caption="false" /></strong></a></p>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>AstroSat</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It is a <strong>multi-wavelength astronomy mission</strong> on an IRS-class (Indian Remote Sensing-Class) satellite in a<strong> 650-km, near-equatorial orbit.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Launch:</strong> It was launched by the Indian launch vehicle <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/50th-pslv-launch" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>PSLV</strong></a> from Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota in 2015 by ISRO.</li>
<li>It is the<strong> first dedicated Indian astronomy mission aimed at studying celestial sources in X-ray, optical and UV spectral bands</strong> simultaneously with its five unique X-ray and ultraviolet telescopes working in tandem.</li>
<li>One of the unique features of AstroSat mission is that it enables the <strong>simultaneous multi-wavelength observations</strong> of various astronomical objects with a single satellite.</li>
<li>The Ground Command and Control Centre for ASTROSAT is located at <strong>ISRO Telemetry, Tracking and Command Network</strong> (ISTRAC), <strong>Bangalore, India.</strong></li>
<li>This has put India in an exclusive club of countries which have multi wavelength space observatories.</li>
<li>The minimum life of the AstroSat mission was expected to be <strong>5 years.</strong></li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=1690854#:~:text=With%20spectacular%20ultraviolet%20images%20of,appear%20dim%20in%20these%20images." 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/uv-bright-stars-spotted-in-globular-structure-ngc-2808'
		],
		(int) 7 => [
			'title' => 'Egypt Resumes Severed Relations With Qatar',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently,<strong> Egypt resumed the severed diplomatic and economic ties with Qatar.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Egypt was part of an <strong>Arab quartet</strong> (other members were Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates and Bahrain) which had accused Qatar of supporting terrorism and being too close to Iran due to which they had imposed a land, air and naval blockade on Qatar in <strong>2017.</strong></li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1611311004_image8.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1611311004_image8.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="450" caption="false" /></strong></a></p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Reasons for the Reassumption of Ties:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Solidarity and Stability Deal:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Recently, Gulf states signed a <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/solidarity-and-stability-deal-gulf-countries" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>&lsquo;solidarity and stability&rsquo;</strong> </a>deal at the 41<sup>st</sup> <strong>Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC)</strong> summit. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and UAE</strong> are the members of GCC.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>In this summit, members of the GCC removed all the sanctions over Qatar and <strong>reopened their land, sea and air borders</strong> to Qatar.</li>
<li>In solidarity with the Arab quartet (whose three members are in GCC), Egypt too resumed its ties with Qatar.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>To Unite Against Iran:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Egypt conciliated with Qatar to strengthen the Gulf region against the threats posed by the <strong>Iranian regime&rsquo;s nuclear and ballistic missile programme</strong> which has always been opposed by the USA and GCC members.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Growing Power of Qatar:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Qatar is one of the<strong> world&rsquo;s largest natural gas producers</strong> and among the countries with <strong>the highest per-capita income,</strong> and is also <strong>host of the 2022 Football World Cup.</strong></li>
<li>Under the Government of Mohamad Morsi (2012-13), Qatar was the highest investor in Egypt.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Support from USA:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The United States and Qatar have extensive economic ties. The USA is the largest foreign direct investor and its single largest destination of exports.</li>
<li>Due to good mutual relations between Qatar and USA, the USA <strong>mediated the solidarity and stability deal</strong> to unite all the gulf countries against Iran which also triggered Egypt's reconciliation.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Reasons For Earlier Discord:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Ties with Muslim Brotherhood:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Post <a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/the-big-picture-syria-crisis-us-backs-out" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Arab spring</strong> </a>and the downfall of Mohamad Morsi (former president of Egypt whom Qatar favoured) regime, Qatar supported Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt to secure its influence within that country as well as domestic support from other Islamist groups.</li>
<li>However, the <strong>Muslim brotherhood were outpowered</strong> by the current regime under<strong> Abdel Fattah el-Sisi</strong> which has allegiance with the Arab quartet. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Gulf states monarchs and dictators are against the Islamist movements under Muslim Brotherhood because it aims for <strong>political reforms</strong> that might <strong>threaten their regime.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Independent Foreign Policy Approach:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>In the past, Qatar has long been dominated by Saudi Arabia. Since 1995, Qatar initiated an independent foreign policy approach and established friendly relations not only with other countries such as the USA, Europe, Israel and Iran but also with the<a href="/to-the-points/Paper2/israel-palestine" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> Palestinian</strong></a>, Hamas and the Islamist parties as well.</li>
<li>Assumption of such<strong> high-profile roles in regional mediation and cooperation</strong> did not go well with the GCC members and Egypt.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Good Relationship with Iran:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Qatar shares a <strong>huge gas field with Iran,</strong> which is an incentive for it to retain good relations with the Iraninan regime.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Significance for India:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>India has good relationships with Egypt as well as all the GCC states including Qatar. Such reconciliation and rapprochement between countries in the region could expand the opportunities for India.</li>
<li>The Gulf region is one of the <strong>biggest markets for Indian goods</strong> and is the most important supplier of hydrocarbons to its economy. Peaceful relationships between these gas and oil reserve rich states are favourable to <strong>catering to the energy needs of India.</strong></li>
<li>The Gulf countries host more than millions of Indian migrants. They are mostly the workers who carry out development activities and they are the prime sources of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/india-remained-the-highest-recipient-of-remittances" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>remittances</strong></a> to India.</li>
<li>Improved mutual relationships with gulf countries and Egypt could provide employment and investments opportunities for India in areas such as <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/food-processing-in-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>food processing</strong></a>, healthcare, education, culture, defence and security.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/egypt-resumes-severed-relations-with-qatar'
		],
		(int) 8 => [
			'title' => 'Alternative Anti-Cancer Therapy',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>An <strong>Innovation in Science Pursuit for Inspired Research (INSPIRE)</strong> faculty from the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/50th-foundation-day-of-dst" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Department of Science &amp; Technology</strong></a> (DST) is working on an <strong>Alternative Anti-<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/national-cancer-awareness-day" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Cancer</a> Therapy (Anti-Angiogenic)</strong> using <strong>transgenic zebrafish.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>INSPIRE</strong> is an<strong> innovative programme</strong> sponsored and managed by the DST for <strong>attraction of talent to Science</strong> and was launched in 2008.</li>
<li><strong>Objective</strong> of INSPIRE is<strong> to communicate to the youth of the country the excitements of creative pursuit of science, attract talent to the study of science</strong> at an early age and thus<strong> build the required critical human resource pool</strong> for strengthening and expanding the Science &amp; Technology system and R&amp;D base.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Angiogenesis:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It is the <strong>physiological process</strong> through which <strong>new blood vessels form from pre-existing vessels.</strong></li>
<li>It is <strong>critical in the growth of cancer</strong> because tumors need blood supply to grow. Tumors trigger the growth of blood cells by giving off chemical signals that stimulate angiogenesis.</li>
<li><strong>Inhibition of tumor angiogenesis</strong> has become a popular <strong>anti-cancer strategy</strong> after chemotherapy.
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Angiogenesis inhibitors</strong> are unique cancer-fighting agents because they <strong>block the growth of blood vessels that support tumor growth</strong> rather than blocking the growth of tumor cells themselves.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Limitation of Anti-Angiogenic Drugs:</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The clinically approved <strong>anti-angiogenic drugs</strong> are ineffective due to <strong>parallel activation of various compensatory mechanisms</strong> involving a cascade of molecules, which <strong>aids tumor angiogenesis</strong> and investigation of these mechanisms are essential for developing anti-angiogenic therapies.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Alternative Anti-Cancer Therapy:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Scientists are exploring an alternative anti-cancer therapy that involves <strong>targeting tumor generated formation of new blood vessels</strong> which <strong>allows the delivery of oxygen and nutrients to the body's tissues.</strong></li>
<li>An INSPIRE faculty is exploring the role of<strong> compensatory mechanisms</strong> signaling cues as key targets for cancer therapy.</li>
<li>He has also found that<strong> nitric oxide (NO) plays a key role in switching off angiogenesis</strong> under tumor microenvironment and that the <strong>melatonin hormone</strong> suppresses tumor angiogenesis.</li>
<li>The research has shown that<strong> compensatory mechanisms could be a potential therapeutic target</strong> for developing effective anti-cancer treatment regimes.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Transgenic Zebrafish Platform (TZP):<a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1611307173_image2.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1611307173_image2.jpg" style="float: right;" width="300" caption="false" /></a></strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>About:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The INSPIRE faculty is further working to develop <strong>transgenic zebrafish</strong> (which have exogenous genes added to their genome) model by use of the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/crispr-technology" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>CRISPR/Cas9 gene-editing tool</strong></a> to study the compensatory angiogenesis mechanism in tumor microenvironment.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Reason for Using Zebrafish Model:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It has been selected for the study because of its <strong>rapid development, optically transparent, high yield in offspring, and easy techniques for forward and reverse gene manipulation.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Cancer</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>About:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It is a <strong>large group of diseases</strong> that can start in almost any organ or tissue of the body when<strong> abnormal cells grow uncontrollably,</strong> go beyond their usual boundaries to invade adjoining parts of the body and/or spread to other organs. The latter process is called <strong>metastasizing</strong> and is a major cause of death from cancer.</li>
<li>A <strong>neoplasm</strong> and <strong>malignant</strong> tumor are other common names for cancer.</li>
<li>Lung, prostate, colorectal, stomach and liver cancer are the <strong>most common types of cancer in men,</strong> while breast, colorectal, lung, cervical and thyroid cancer are the<strong> most common among women.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Cancer Burden:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Cancer remains as one of the<strong> leading causes of adult illness and death</strong> due to chronic and <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/non-communicable-diseases-in-india#:~:text=National%20Programme%20for%20Prevention%20and,National%20Health%20Mission%20(NHM).&amp;text=The%20initiative%20will%20help%20in,on%20risk%20factors%20of%20NCDs." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Non-Communicable Diseases (NCD)</strong></a> world-over including in India.</li>
<li>According to the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/world-health-organization-who" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>World Health Organisation (WHO)</strong></a>, cancer is the second <strong>leading cause of death globally and in 2018</strong>, there were approximately 18 million cases globally, of which 1.5 million were in India alone.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Prevention:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Between 30% and 50% of cancer deaths could be prevented <strong>by modifying or avoiding the key risk factors.</strong> Key risk factors include <strong>tobacco use, alcohol use, diet, exposure to ultraviolet radiation, pollution, chronic infections, etc.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Treatment:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Options include<strong> surgery, cancer medicines and/or radiotherapy,</strong> administered alone or in combination.</li>
<li><strong>Palliative care,</strong> which focuses on improving the quality of life of patients and their families, is an essential component of cancer care.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1690326" 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/alternative-anti-cancer-therapy'
		],
		(int) 9 => [
			'title' => 'Ratle Hydro Electric Project',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>The Union Cabinet has given its approval for <strong>850 MegaWatt</strong> (MW)<strong> Ratle hydropower project</strong> on <strong>Chenab river</strong> in Jammu and Kashmir.</p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>About the Ratle Hydroelectric Project:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Location:</strong> It is a<strong> run-of-the-river hydroelectric</strong> power station <strong>on the Chenab River, Kishtwar district</strong> of the Indian Union Territory of <strong>Jammu and Kashmir.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Features:</strong> It includes<strong> a 133 m tall gravity dam</strong> and <strong>two power stations</strong> adjacent to one another. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The installed capacity of both power stations will be <strong>850 MW.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Background:</strong> In June 2013, the then Indian Prime Minister laid the foundation stone for the dam. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Pakistan has frequently alleged</strong> that it violates the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/60-years-of-indus-water-treaty" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Indus Water Treaty, 1960.</strong></a></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>The Latest Approval:</strong> It <strong>envisages an investment of about Rs. 5282 crore</strong> and the project shall be <strong>commissioned within a span of 60 months. </strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Pakistan&rsquo;s Objections and Indus Water Treaty:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The Pakistan government in 2013 had objected to the construction of the dam, claiming that it was not in conformity with the <strong>Indus Water Treaty.</strong></li>
<li>In<strong> August 2017,</strong> the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/world-bank-group" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>World Bank</strong></a> <strong>allowed India to construct the dam.</strong></li>
<li>Pakistan has approached the World Bank <strong>with fresh protests,</strong> but the Centre has now <strong>decided to go ahead with the construction.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The <strong>Indus Waters Treaty</strong> was signed in 1960 after<strong> nine years of negotiations</strong> between India and Pakistan <strong>with the help of the World Bank, which is also a signatory.</strong></li>
<li>The Treaty <strong>provides India an absolute control of all the waters of Eastern Rivers</strong> while <strong>Pakistan shall receive for unrestricted use all those waters of the Western Rivers</strong> which <strong>India</strong> is under obligation to let flow beyond the <strong>permitted uses.</strong></li>
<li>The <strong>Ravi, the Beas and the Sutlej</strong> are together called as<strong> Eastern Rivers</strong> while the <strong>Chenab, the Jhelum and the Indus main</strong> are called as <strong>Western Rivers. </strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Benefits:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Strategic:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>This comes in the backdrop of India&rsquo;s<strong> plan to expedite strategically important hydropower projects</strong> in the union territory post its reorganization, as the government <strong>plans to fully utilize its share of water under the Indus Waters Treaty of 1960.</strong></li>
<li>The task is seen as strategically vital in the context of China developing the controversial <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/viability-of-bri-and-cpec" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>China-Pakistan Economic Corridor</strong></a> (CPEC), part of its<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/italy-joins-belt-road-initiative" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> One Belt One Road</strong></a> (OBOR) infrastructure initiative.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Socio-Economic Development:</strong> The construction activities of the Project will result in<strong> direct</strong> and <strong>indirect employment</strong> to around 4000 persons. Increase in <strong>disposable income</strong> will in turn lead to <strong>socio-economic development</strong> of the region.</li>
<li><strong>Power at Cheaper Rates:</strong> Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir will be benefitted by getting <strong>free power</strong> worth Rs. 5289 crore.</li>
<li><strong>Surplus Power:</strong> The Power generated from the Project will help in providing <strong>balancing of Grid</strong> and will improve the <strong>power supply position.</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Grid balancing involves increasing existing power generating infrastructure to smooth out the supply of power.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Government Revenue:</strong> Through levy of <strong>Water Usage Charges</strong> from Ratle Hydro Electric Project, during project life cycle of <strong>40 years.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Other Projects on Chenab Basin:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Kiru Hydro Electric (HE) Project:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The Kiru HE Project of 624 MW installed capacity is proposed on river Chenab (Kishtwar district).</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Pakal Dul (Drangdhuran) Hydroelectric Project:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It is a reservoir based scheme proposed on river<strong> Marusudar,</strong> the main <strong>right bank tributary of river Chenab</strong> in Kishtwar Tehsil of Doda District in Jammu &amp; Kashmir.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Dulhasti Power Station:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It is run-of-the-river with an installed capacity of 390 MW to harness the hydropower potential of<strong> river Chenab</strong> (Kishtwar district).</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Salal Power Station:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It is a run-of-the-river scheme with an installed capacity of 690 MW to harness the Hydropower potential of <strong>river Chenab.</strong> It is located in <strong>Reasi district of Jammu &amp; Kashmir.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Chenab River</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Source:</strong> It rises in the upper Himalayas in the <strong>Lahaul and Spiti district </strong>of<strong> Himachal Pradesh state.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The river is formed by the confluence of two rivers, <strong>Chandra and Bhaga, at Tandi, 8 km southwest of Keylong,</strong> in the <strong>Lahaul and Spiti district.</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The <strong>Bhaga river</strong> originates from <strong>Surya taal lake,</strong> which is situated a few kilometers west of the<strong> Bara-lacha la pass</strong> in Himachal Pradesh.</li>
<li>The <strong>Chandra river</strong> originates from <strong>glaciers east of the same pass</strong> (near Chandra Taal).</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Flows Through:</strong> It flows through the <strong>Jammu region of Jammu and Kashmir into the plains of Punjab, Pakistan, before flowing into the Indus River.</strong></li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1611302190_image6.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1611302190_image6.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="550" caption="false" /></strong></a></p>
</div>
<p><a href="https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1690419" 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/ratle-hydro-electric-project'
		],
		(int) 10 => [
			'title' => 'Question Hour to Resume during Budget Session',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p><strong>Question Hour,</strong> which had been <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/question-hour-and-zero-hour" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>suspended by the government during the monsoon session</strong></a>, <strong>will resume</strong> when Parliament meets<strong> for the budget session.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The suspension was done in view of the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/covid-19-and-india-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Covid-19</strong> </a>pandemic. The government <strong>had also cancelled the winter session of Parliament</strong> citing a rising number of Covid cases.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Question Hour (Description):</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The<strong> first hour of every parliamentary sitting</strong> is slotted for the Question Hour. However, in 2014, the Question Hour was<strong> shifted in the Rajya Sabha</strong> from 11 am to 12 noon.</li>
<li>During this one hour, <strong>Members of Parliament (MPs) ask questions to ministers</strong> and hold them accountable for the functioning of their ministries.</li>
<li>The <strong>questions can also be asked to the private members</strong> (MPs who are not ministers).</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Regulation:</strong> It is regulated according to<strong> parliamentary rules.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The <strong>presiding officers of the both Houses</strong> (<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/role-of-rajya-sabha" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Rajya Sabha</strong></a> and Lok Sabha) are the final authority with respect to the conduct of Question Hour.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Types of Questions:</strong> There are<strong> three</strong> kinds of questions asked:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Starred question</strong> (distinguished by an asterisk): This requires an<strong> oral answer</strong> and hence supplementary questions can follow.</li>
<li><strong>Unstarred question:</strong> This requires a written answer and hence, <strong>supplementary questions cannot follow.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Short notice question:</strong> It is one that is asked by giving a notice of less than ten days. It is answered orally.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Frequency:</strong> Question Hour in both Houses is held <strong>on all days</strong> of the session. But there are two days when an <strong>exception</strong> is made.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>When the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/president-s-powers-to-pardon#:~:text=Pardoning%20Power%20of%20the%20President%20in%20India%3A,is%20a%20sentence%20of%20death." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>President</strong></a> addresses MPs from both Houses.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The President&rsquo;s speech takes place at the beginning of a new Lok Sabha and on the first day of a new Parliament year.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>On the day the Finance Minister presents the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/union-budget-2020-21-economy" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Budget</strong></a>.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Previous Sessions Without Question Hour:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In the past too, the Question Hour has been suspended. They were suspended <strong>during national emergencies. </strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Importance of Question Hour:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Parliamentarian right:</strong> Asking of questions is an inherent and unfettered parliamentary right of members.</li>
<li><strong>Holds government accountable:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It is during the Question Hour that the members can ask questions on <strong>every aspect of administration and Governmental activity.</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Government policies in national as well as international spheres come into<strong> sharp focus.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Like in trials,</strong> during the Question Hour, every Minister has to answer for their acts of <strong>administrative omission and commission.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Adaptation of policies:</strong> Through the Question Hour, the Government is able to quickly feel the <strong>pulse of the nation</strong> and adapt its policies and actions accordingly.</li>
<li><strong>Appointment of a Commission:</strong> Sometimes questions may lead to the appointment of a Commission, a <strong>Court of Enquiry</strong> or even Legislation when matters raised by Members are of wide public importance.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Sessions of Parliament</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Summoning of Parliament:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The summoning of Parliament is specified in<strong> Article 85 of the Constitution.</strong></li>
<li>The <strong>power to convene a session</strong> of Parliament <strong>rests with the government.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The decision is taken by the <strong>Cabinet Committee on Parliamentary Affairs</strong> which is formalised by the President, in whose name MPs are summoned to meet for a session.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Schedule of the Sessions:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>India does not have a fixed parliamentary calendar.</li>
<li>However, the gap between two sessions of the Parliament cannot exceed 6 months, which means the <strong>Parliament meets at least two times in one year.</strong></li>
<li>By convention (i.e. not provided by the Constitution), Parliament meets for <strong>three sessions</strong> in a year.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Budget session:</strong> The<strong> longest,</strong> Budget Session (1<sup>st</sup> session), starts towards the end of January, and concludes by the end of April or first week of May. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The session has a recess so that Parliamentary Committees can discuss the budgetary proposals.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Monsoon session:</strong> The second session is the three-week Monsoon Session, which usually begins in July and finishes in August.</li>
<li><strong>Winter Session:</strong> It is the third session held from November to December.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/question-hour-to-resume-during-budget-session/article33610764.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/question-hour-to-resume-during-budget-session'
		],
		(int) 11 => [
			'title' => 'India's Vaccine Diplomacy',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>India has decided to ship out doses of the <strong>novel coronavirus vaccine to 'neighbouring and key partner countries'.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The first batches of vaccine have been <strong>already delivered to Bhutan and Maldives</strong> by special planes as a<strong> grant or gift.</strong></li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>India&rsquo;s Coronavirus Vaccines</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Recently, the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/no-clinical-trials-in-india-for-new-drugs" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Drug Controller General of India (DCGI)</strong></a> granted the approval for two vaccines - <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/phase-ii-iii-clinical-trials-of-covishield" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>COVISHIELD</strong></a> by Serum Institute of India and <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/covaxin-approved-for-human-clinical-trials" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>COVAXIN</strong> </a>by Bharat Biotech.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>COVISHIELD:</strong> It is the name given to an<strong> Oxford-AstraZeneca</strong> Covid-19 vaccine which is technically referred to as<strong> AZD1222</strong> or <strong>ChAdOx 1 nCoV-19.</strong></li>
<li><strong>COVAXIN:</strong> It is <strong>India&rsquo;s only indigenous Covid-19 vaccine.</strong> This vaccine has been found to be safe and no major side effects are expected.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Of the two vaccines, <strong>COVAXIN</strong> is an<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/inactivated-virus-vaccine-in-focus-for-covid-19" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> inactivated vaccine</strong> </a>whereas<strong> COVISHIELD</strong> is a <strong>live vaccine.</strong></li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Vaccine Diplomacy:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Meaning:</strong> Vaccine diplomacy is the <strong>branch of global health diplomacy</strong> in which a nation uses the development or delivery of vaccines to strengthen ties with other nations.</li>
<li><strong>Collaborative Effort:</strong> It also includes the joint development of life-saving vaccines and related technologies, with the major actors typically <strong>scientists coming together to work irrespective of the kind of diplomatic relationship</strong> between the participating countries.</li>
<li><strong>Benefit for India:</strong> It could provide innovative opportunities to promote India&rsquo;s foreign policy and diplomatic relations between nations in its neighbourhood and across the globe. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>India had<strong> earlier supplied</strong> hydroxychloroquine, Remdesivir and paracetamol tablets, as well as diagnostic kits, ventilators, masks, gloves and other medical supplies to a large number of countries to help them deal with the pandemic.</li>
<li>India has also <strong>carried out capacity building and training workshops</strong> for neighbouring countries.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>India&rsquo;s Vaccine Diplomacy Plan:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Shipments have begun arriving in the <strong>Maldives, Bhutan, Bangladesh and Nepal. Myanmar and the Seychelles</strong> are next in line to get consignments.</li>
<li>In cases of <strong>Sri Lanka, Afghanistan and Mauritius,</strong> India is awaiting their confirmation of necessary regulatory clearances.</li>
<li>The <strong>only exception to India&rsquo;s regional vaccine diplomacy would be Pakistan,</strong> which has cleared the AstraZeneca vaccine for use, but has neither requested nor discussed any doses from India yet.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Importance of India&rsquo;s Vaccine Diplomacy:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Strategic:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Earning long term goodwill:</strong> By financing shipments from India&rsquo;s assistance programmes for cash-strapped neighbouring countries desperately needing such assistance, India shall earn the long-term goodwill of its immediate neighbours and across Indian ocean countries<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It is in line with <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/what-is-indias-neighbourhood" target="_blank" rel="noopener">India&rsquo;s neighborhood first initiative</a></strong>.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Advantage over Chinese:</strong> China recently offered its vaccines to Nepal, Afghanistan, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh as it held a <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/china-s-rising-influence-in-south-asia" target="_blank" rel="noopener">multilateral dialogue</a></strong> with the four countries and Pakistan on anti-epidemic prevention. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Early shipment from India in these countries could help counter China&rsquo;s vaccine and mask diplomacy in its neighbourhood.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Leverage over western countries:</strong> While the affluent western world, notably the US and Europe, are focused almost exclusively on their own problems, India is being appreciated for helping its neighbours and developing countries, who could not afford US and European vaccines.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Economic: </strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Make India global supply centre:</strong> Beyond India's immediate neighbours, South Korea, Qatar, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Morocco and South Africa have all shown inclinations to purchase vaccines from India which is estimated to be 60% of the global supply of inoculants.</li>
<li><strong>Boost Pharma Manufacturing in India:</strong> India can become the pharmacy of the world. If Indian vaccines help developing countries to meet their urgent needs, they can become the future long term destination for market expansion of Indian pharmas.</li>
<li><strong>Help in reviving the economy:</strong> If India becomes the manufacturing hub to corona vaccines across the world, it shall give a boost to the GDP of India.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Rescue from cold war over vaccine:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/new-cold-war#:~:text=It's%20growth%20is%20based%20on,between%20the%20US%20and%20USSR." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>US-China cold war</strong> </a>has been accused of making distribution of vaccines &ldquo;political football&rdquo;, which caused the inordinate delay in commencing the inoculation programmes by <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/world-health-organization-who" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>WHO</strong></a>. Thus, early shipment of vaccines by India is seen as a rescue from this bipolar tussle.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Earning moral right:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>India's vaccine distribution comes at a time when WHO director-General has criticised moral corruption of drug manufacturers from rich countries for delaying distribution of vaccines and targeting shipments to rich countries only. This could help India have a moral right to have <strong>greater say in international forums. </strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Disrupts vaccine nationalism:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Vaccine Nationalism is the mechanism through which a country manages to secure doses of vaccines for its own citizens or residents and prioritises its own domestic markets before they are made available in other countries through<strong> pre-purchase agreements</strong> with a vaccine manufacturer.</li>
<li>The major drawback of vaccine nationalism is that it puts countries with fewer resources and bargaining power at a disadvantage. India&rsquo;s intervention by making vaccines available to needy countries disrupted the vaccine nationalism.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Facilitating global collaboration:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>India vaccines supply could cater greatly to the global collaboration which is being done through the<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/gavi-covax-facility" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> WHO-backed COVAX Facility mechanism</strong></a>.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>India needs to balance its domestic needs with diplomatic commitments. <a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/the-big-picture-india-and-the-vaccination-drive" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The vaccination drive in India</a></strong> commenced in January, 2021 is going to be the <strong>World's Largest Vaccination Program.</strong> India has the challenge that while it distributes the vaccine to the world, it should ensure the much needed vaccine supply to those in India who cannot afford it.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/india-begins-massive-push-for-neighbourhood-vaccine-lakhs-to-be-shipped-out-on-wednesday/article33611977.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-s-vaccine-diplomacy'
		],
		(int) 12 => [
			'title' => 'Female Labor Force Participation In India',
			'catname' => 'News Editorials',
			'desc' => '<div class="border">
<p>This article is based on<a href="https://www.hindustantimes.com/opinion/enhancing-women-s-employment-is-key-to-economic-recovery-101610976913528.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> &ldquo;Enhancing women&rsquo;s employment is key to economic recovery&rdquo;</strong> </a>which was published in The Hindustan Times on 19/01/2021. It talks about constraints and solutions regarding declining Female Labor Force Participation in India.</p>
</div>
<p>India continues to struggle to provide its women with equal opportunity. In 2019, before the Covid-19 pandemic, female labor force participation in India was 23.5%, according to ILO estimates.</p>
<p>The pandemic has made this situation worse. It has hit women disproportionately &mdash; because they work in sectors that have been the hardest hit; work more than men do in the informal economy; or because they are the primary caregivers at home.</p>
<p>As the recovery of the Indian economy requires a concerted effort of both government and citizenry, women can become a critical part of the economic recovery. Thus, there is a need to ameliorate long-standing issues that hamper female labor force participation in India.</p>
<h3>Constraints In Female Labor Force Participation</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Stereotyping In Society:</strong> India&rsquo;s societal norms are such that women are expected to take the responsibility of family care and childcare. This stereotype is a critical barrier to women&rsquo;s labor force participation.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Due to this, women are in constant conflict over-allotment of time for work and life is a war of attrition for them.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Digital Divide:</strong> In India in 2019, internet users were 67% male and 33% female, and this gap is even bigger in rural areas.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>This divide can become a barrier for women to access critical education, health, and financial services, or to achieve success in activities or sectors that are becoming more digitized.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Technological Disruption:</strong> Women hold most of the administrative and data-processing roles that artificial intelligence and other technologies threaten to usurp.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>As routine jobs become automated, the pressure on women will intensify and they will experience higher unemployment rates.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Lack of Gender-Related Data:</strong> Globally, major gaps in gendered data and the lack of trend data make it hard to monitor progress.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In India, too, significant gaps in data on the girl child prevent a systematic longitudinal assessment of the lives of girls.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Impact of Covid-19:</strong> Owing to Covid-19, global female employment is 19% more at risk than male employment (ILO estimates).
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>For India, several estimates show that, compared to men, women were 9.5% less likely to be employed in August 2020 compared to August 2019.</li>
<li>In the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/global-gender-gap-index-2020-wef" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>World Economic Forum&rsquo;s Global Gender Gap Index</strong></a> (which measures gaps that exist in the economic participation of women), India slipped to 112th place this year, simply because over 70 lakh Indian women have dropped out of work.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<p>As a report by McKinsey Global Institute suggests that if women participated in the Indian economy at the level men do, annual GDP could be increased by 60% above its projected GDP by 2025. Given this, governments at all levels, civil society, and citizenry should take adequate measures to ensure gender equality.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Full-Time Child Care:</strong> The Integrated Child Development Scheme provides some support, but it is not a full-time child care solution.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>However, the &ldquo;Sangini Centres&rdquo; of Self Employed Women&rsquo;s Association (SEWA) provide full-day child care for 0-5-year-olds, including nutrition, health, and child care.</li>
<li>Thus, similar centers should be significantly expanded.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Bridging Digital Divide:</strong> To address this, partnerships between the public and private sectors will be most effective.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Actions will need to address affordability of phones and computers, female digital literacy and its social context, and inadequate technical content dedicated to women and girls.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Flexible Working:</strong> The pandemic-induced remote working scenario has taught the corporate world that seamless work-life integration is possible not only for women but for male professionals as well.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Even as India Industries adds more diversity and inclusion initiatives such as increased maternity leave, mandatory paternity leave, the right to and choice of work for women depends greatly on organizations continuing the practice of flexible working.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Fiscal Incentives:</strong> Women have a higher elasticity of labor supply than men (their labor supply is more responsive to their take-home wages) &mdash; lower income taxes for women can incentivize their participation.</li>
<li><strong>Encouraging Women Entrepreneurship:</strong> Creating job opportunities is the need of the hour. However, encouraging more women to become entrepreneurs will provide a long-term solution.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>By creating jobs, fuelling innovation, and furthering investment in health and education, entrepreneurship among women could transform India&rsquo;s economy and society.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Prioritizing Gender Statistics:</strong> A UN Women Initiative called &ldquo;Making Every Woman and Girl Count&rdquo; was launched in 2016 to help prioritize gender data, ensure regular production of quality and comparable gender statistics, and ensure that data are accessible and used to inform policy.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>There is a need to incorporate such an initiative in India as well.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Conclusion</h3>
<p>World Bank, noted that &ldquo;no country can develop and achieve its full potential if half of its population is locked in non-remunerative, less productive and non-economic activities.&rdquo;</p>
<p>Therefore, in a country where young women&rsquo;s education is now at par with men&rsquo;s, ignoring that half of the population isn&rsquo;t participating equally in the economy means we are missing out on innovation, entrepreneurship, and productivity gains.</p>
<table border="1" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="width: 100%; border-style: dotted; border-color: #ff0000; background-color: #fffff7;">
<p><span style="color: #333399;"><em><strong>Drishti Mains Question</strong></em></span></p>
<p>Since the woman&rsquo;s economic engagement is related to her own and her family&rsquo;s well-being, the continuing decline in women&rsquo;s labor force participation is a cause for concern, and both affect and reflects these worrying gender gaps. Discuss.</p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p style="text-align: center;"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/JfmRv-Nj3cM" 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://economictimes.indiatimes.com/blogs/et-editorials/dont-put-all-eggs-in-manufacturing-basket/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>&ldquo;Don&rsquo;t put all eggs in manufacturing basket&rdquo;</strong></a> published in The Economic Times on January 20<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/female-labor-force-participation-in-india'
		],
		(int) 13 => [
			'title' => '5th India – Singapore Defence Ministers’ Dialogue',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the <strong>5<sup>th</sup> Defence Ministers' Dialogue (DMD)</strong> between <strong>India and Singapore</strong> was successfully held through a video conferencing.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1611231329_image6.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1611231329_image6.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" caption="false" width="559" height="559" /></a></p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Agreement Signed :</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Implementing Agreement on Submarine Rescue Support and Cooperation</strong> between the two Navies was signed.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Joint Stand:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Bilateral Cooperation:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Both the countries conveyed their full support towards the early conclusion of agreements to <strong>facilitate conduct of live firings and to establish reciprocal arrangements for the cross-attendance of military courses.</strong></li>
<li>They welcomed the initiatives to expand bilateral defence cooperation including the implementing agreement on<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/tiger-triumph" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR)</strong></a> cooperation in August 2020.</li>
<li>The<strong> cyber agencies</strong> of both armed forces have also <strong>stepped up engagements.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Impact of Covid-19:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Both countries exchanged views on the impact of the global <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/comprehensive-action-plan-for-covid-19" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Covid-19 pandemic</strong></a> on the defence and security engagements, including the best practices adopted by their Armed Forces.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Defence Exercises:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Both the countries successfully conducted the <strong>27<sup>th</sup> edition of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/important-facts-for-prelims-20th-may-2019" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Singapore-India Maritime Bilateral Exercise (SIMBEX)</a></strong> and also participated in the second edition of the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/trilateral-maritime-exercise-sitmex-20" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Singapore-India-Thailand Maritime Exercise (SITMEX)</strong></a>, both held in November 2020.</li>
<li>These <strong>exercises enhance interoperability</strong> amongst the navies and<strong> underscore the shared responsibility</strong> of the countries to <strong>work together to keep sea lines of communications open.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>India&rsquo;s Stand:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>India<strong> conveyed gratitude</strong> for the role of the<strong> Singapore Armed Forces,</strong> in supporting foreign workers, many of whom were Indian Nationals, at the peak of pandemic.</li>
<li>India reaffirmed <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/asean" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)</strong></a> centrality in the regional security architecture and pledged India&rsquo;s support to all endeavours of the<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/asean-defence-ministers-meeting-plus" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> ASEAN Defence Ministers' Meeting (ADMM)-Plus.</strong></a></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Singapore&rsquo;s Stand:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Singapore complimented India&rsquo;s successes in bringing down the overall numbers of <strong>Covid-19 cases</strong> despite challenges of scale in terms of geography and population.</li>
<li>It also expressed <strong>support for India&rsquo;s upcoming co-chairmanship</strong> of the <strong>ADMM-Plus Experts&rsquo; Working Group on HADR.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Note:</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Singapore</strong> has been <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/henley-passport-index-2021" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>ranked 2<sup>nd</sup></strong></a> in the most powerful passport report<strong> &lsquo;Henley Passport Index 2021&rsquo;.</strong></li>
<li>The <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/singapore-convention-on-mediation" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>first UN treaty to be named after Singapore</strong></a>, the United Nations Convention on International Settlement Agreements Resulting from Mediation (or, <strong>Singapore Convention on Mediation</strong>) recently came into force.</li>
<li>Recently, the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/unesco-list-of-intangible-cultural-heritage-of-humanity" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Hawker Culture in Singapore</strong></a> was inscribed on the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity at the 15<sup>th</sup> session of the Intergovernmental Committee (IGC).</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>India-Singapore Relation</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Defence and Security Cooperation:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>India and Singapore share <strong>similar concerns</strong> about<strong> the challenges posed by terrorism and extremism</strong> and have found it mutually beneficial to evolve a broad framework of security cooperation.</li>
<li>Singapore participates in <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/important-facts-for-prelims-14th-november-2018#:~:text=IONS%20is%20a%20voluntary%20initiative,of%20regionally%20relevant%20maritime%20issues." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS)</strong></a> and multilateral Exercise<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/naval-exercise-milan-2020" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> MILAN</strong></a> hosted by Indian Navy.</li>
<li>Singapore&rsquo;s membership of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/19th-iora-council-of-ministers-meeting" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA)</strong></a> and India&rsquo;s membership of ADDM+ (ASEAN Defence Ministers&rsquo; Meeting - Plus) <strong>provides a platform for both countries to coordinate positions</strong> on regional issues of mutual concern.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Science &amp; Technology Cooperation:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><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> launched Singapore&rsquo;s first indigenously built micro-satellite in 2011, 2 more in 2014 and 6 in 2015.</li>
<li>In June 2018, both the countries signed six Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in the area of <a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/in-depth-artificial-intelligence" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>artificial intelligence</strong></a>, <strong>machine learning, cognitive computing and big data analytics</strong> to improve<strong> healthcare, cybersecurity, automation, mobility, smart energy systems and e-governance.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Trade and Economic Cooperation:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Singapore is<strong> India&rsquo;s 2<sup>nd</sup> largest trade partner</strong> among ASEAN countries.</li>
<li><strong>Total <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/fdi-inflow" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Foreign Direct Investment (FDI)</a></strong> from Singapore into India was <strong>USD 73.3 billion</strong> (till June 2018) which was 19% of total FDI inflow.</li>
<li>The <strong>outward Indian FDI to Singapore was USD 62.9 billion</strong> (till August 2018), making Singapore one of the top destinations for Indian investments.</li>
<li>In 2018, the High Commission of India also launched a<strong> startup engagement platform, India-Singapore Entrepreneurship Bridge (InSpreneur).</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Infrastructure and Connectivity:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Connectivity:</strong> Singapore is directly connected to 18 Indian cities by 8 airlines, there are now <strong>308 weekly services (616 weekly flights) by Indian and Singaporean airlines.</strong></li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/smart-cities-command-centres" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Smart Cities</strong></a>: A consortium of Singapore companies is developing<strong> Amaravati, the new capital city of Andhra Pradesh.</strong> Singapore is also working with Rajasthan in preparing Concept Plans for <strong>townships in Udaipur and Jodhpur;</strong> with Himachal Pradesh for developing an integrated <strong>township of Greater Shimla;</strong> and with Maharashtra for <strong>development of Orange Smart City and master planning of Pune Metropolitan Region.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Cultural Cooperation:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Singapore&rsquo;s large Indian diaspora through a number of cultural societies and Singapore&rsquo;s official support sustains a<strong> high level of cultural activity in Singapore.</strong></li>
<li>They celebrated the 4<sup>th</sup><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/international-day-of-yoga" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> International Day of Yoga (IDY)</strong></a> through 173 yoga sessions and attended by approx. 8000 people.</li>
<li>Even on <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/mahatma-gandhi-jayanti" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Mahatma Gandhi&rsquo;s 150<sup>th</sup> birth anniversary</strong></a>, celebrations were launched with a projection of Gandhiji&rsquo;s video on the world&rsquo;s largest HD video screen at Suntec Convention Centre.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Indian Community:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Ethnic Indians constitute about <strong>9.1% or around 3.5 lakhs of the resident population of 3.9 million in Singapore.</strong></li>
<li><strong>ASEAN-India <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/pravasi-bharatiya-divas#:~:text=Pravasi%20Bharatiya%20Divas%20(PBD)%20is,ko%20Janiye%20Quiz%20are%20organised." target="_blank" rel="noopener">Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD)</a></strong> was held in Singapore on 6-7 January 2018 as part of commemoration of 25 years of <strong>ASEAN-India Partnership.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=1690391#:~:text=The%205th%20Defence%20Ministers,defence%20partnership%20over%20the%20years." 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/5th-india-singapore-defence-ministers-dialogue'
		],
		(int) 14 => [
			'title' => 'India Innovation Index 2020: NITI Aayog',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3 style="padding-left: 30px;">Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently,<strong> India Innovation Index Report 2020</strong> was released by<strong> NITI Aayog</strong> in which<strong> Karnataka retained its top position</strong> in the major States category.</p>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>India Innovation Index</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Institutions Involved:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-national-institutions/niti-aayog-national-institution-for-transforming-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>NITI (National Institution for Transforming India) Ayog</strong> </a>with <strong>the Institute for Competitiveness.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Modelled on GII:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The index has been developed on the lines of the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/global-innovation-index-2019" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Global Innovation Index (GII)</strong></a>, to ameliorate the innovation ecosystem of Indian states and Union Territories (UTs) and to design policies to drive innovation across regions.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Approach:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The index goes beyond traditional approaches by <strong>considering the best parameters in measuring innovation</strong> such as <strong>patents per million</strong> of population, <strong>publication in scientific journals, percentage of GDP spending on research.</strong></li>
<li>It also adds parameters that are specific to the Indian economy (eg. Demographic dividend), to give it a more holistic coverage.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Indicators Used:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The indicators that the survey uses includes the level and quality of education and parameters such as:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Number of PhD students</strong> and<strong> knowledge-intensive</strong> employment.</li>
<li>Enrolment in <strong>engineering and technology</strong> and number of<strong> highly skilled professionals.</strong></li>
<li>Investment in<strong> R&amp;D</strong> and number of patents and trademark applications filed.</li>
<li><strong>Internet subscribers.</strong></li>
<li><strong>FDI inflows,</strong> business environment and safety and legal environment.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Categories:</strong> The Innovation Index is divided into three categories&mdash;<strong>major states, Union Territories, and hill and North East states.</strong></li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1611225938_image2.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1611225938_image2.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="550" caption="false" /></strong></a></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Major States:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Top States: Karnataka topped with a score of 42.5</strong> for the second year running. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The state&rsquo;s success has been attributed to a high number of <strong>venture capital deals, registered</strong> <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/potential-of-gis-is-waiting-to-be-tapped" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>GIs</strong></a> and <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/use-of-ict-in-education" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>ICT exports</strong></a>, and high <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/fdi-inflow" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>FDI inflow</strong></a>.</li>
<li>Four southern states &ndash; <strong>Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Telangana and Kerala &mdash;occupy the top positions on the index,</strong> apart from<strong> Maharashtra which ranked second.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Bottom States: Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh and Bihar</strong> scored the lowest on the index, which put them at the bottom in the &ldquo;major States&rdquo; category. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Bihar raked last</strong> with 14.5 points.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Hill and North-East States:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Himachal Pradesh topped the rankings</strong> of hill and North-East states, followed by Uttarakhand, Manipur and Sikkim.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Union territories/Small States:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Delhi has scored the highest on the index</strong> in the country with a score of 46.6, while <strong>Lakshadweep has the lowest score at 11.7.</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Delhi recorded the highest number of<strong> trademark and patent applications,</strong> along with the establishment of<strong> new start-ups and companies</strong> in the last financial year.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Challenges:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Attracting Private Investment in Research:</strong> The <strong>Indian government is a major spender in R&amp;D,</strong> while the investment of the private sector is very low when compared to Israel where private companies account for 70% of private investment in R&amp;D.</li>
<li><strong>Bridging North-South Divide:</strong> In the findings of the report the southern states have fared much better than the North Indian states. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>There is a need to establish to interlink innovative capacities of the states (with differential per capita GDP) to decrease regional disparity in innovation.</li>
<li>Best practices observed within the States should often be documented and disseminated to encourage peer-to-peer learning.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Need for micro-analysis of State-level policies:</strong> For a country as large as India, the state of innovation needs to be understood at the regional level for effective policy formulation.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Based on the index each state needs to formulate its own policy, based on its unique resources and strengths and which caters to its specific needs.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Suggestions:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Investing More in Research:</strong> India needs to increase its spending on R&amp;D which is around <strong>0.6-0.7% of its GDP,</strong> way below the expenditure level of countries like Israel (4.3%), South Korea (4.2%), the US (2.8%) and China (2.1%). <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Increased spending on research and development with greater collaboration between the industry and educational institutions may help to enhance innovation capability.</li>
<li>It could broaden and improve the capability of top rung educational institutions in the country to produce greater innovation outputs.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Establish a Collaborative Platform:</strong> To link all the stakeholders of innovation - innovators, researchers, and investors from the industry, a common platform should be developed.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It will help to strengthen the industry-academia linkages and will ease the process of technology transfer by providing a platform for innovators to showcase their inventions.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/india/karnataka-most-innovative-major-state-niti-index-7155081/" 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-innovation-index-2020-niti-aayog'
		],
		(int) 15 => [
			'title' => 'S-400 Triumf Missile System',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>The first group of Indian military specialists are scheduled to depart for Moscow (Russia) soon to undergo training courses on the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/india-going-ahead-with-purchase-of-S-400-air-defence-systems" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>S-400 Triumf missile defence system.</strong></a></p>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1611225126_image1.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1611225126_image1.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="450" caption="false" /></a></p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Background:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In October <strong>2018, India signed a 5.43 billion USD deal with Russia</strong> for the<strong> S-400 Triumf missile system despite</strong> objections from the US and the threat of sanctions under <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/u-s-a-s-position-on-caatsa" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Countering America&rsquo;s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act</strong> </a>(CAATSA).</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>About the S-400 Triumf Missile System:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The S-400 Triumf is a mobile, surface-to-air missile system (SAM) designed by Russia. It is the most dangerous operationally deployed modern long-range SAM (MLR SAM) in the world, considered much ahead of the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/china-s-opposition-to-thaad" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>US-developed Terminal High Altitude Area Defense system (THAAD)</strong></a>.</li>
<li>The system<strong> can engage all types of aerial targets</strong> including aircraft, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) and ballistic and cruise missiles within the range of 400km, at an altitude of up to 30km.</li>
<li>The system <strong>can track 100 airborne targets and engage six of them simultaneously.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Significance for India:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>From India&rsquo;s point of view,<strong> China is also buying the system.</strong> In 2015, China signed an agreement with Russia to purchase six battalions of the system. Its delivery began in January 2018.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>China&rsquo;s acquisition of the S-400 system has been viewed as a &ldquo;game changer&rdquo; in the region. However, its effectiveness against India is limited.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>India&rsquo;s acquisition is <strong>crucial to counter attacks in a two-front war,</strong> including even high-end F-35 US fighter aircraft.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>India Russia Defence Cooperation</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Important Pillar:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Defence cooperation is an important pillar of the<strong> India-Russia strategic partnership. </strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Regular Meetings:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The<strong> two Defence Ministers meet annually,</strong> alternately in Russia and India, to discuss and review the status of ongoing projects and other issues of military technical cooperation.</li>
<li>In 2008, the <strong>High Level Monitoring Committee</strong> (HLMC) was set up with<strong> Defence Secretary</strong> from the Ministry of Defence (India) and <strong>Director of Federal Service</strong> for Military Technical Cooperation (FSMTC - Russia) as its co-chairs.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Downturn:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>While India and Russia&rsquo;s economic relationship has been a weak point in the <strong>post-Cold War period,</strong> the US emerged as the top arms supplier to India, pushing Russia to the second position based on data for the years 2011-13.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Current Scenario:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The low of 2013-14 has since been corrected and the crucial deal of S-400 Triumf Air Defence Missile System was initiated despite fears of sanctions under CAATSA.</li>
<li>As India has been spreading its supplier base with Israel, US and France, Russia still remains a major supplier. This is indicated by following latest developments:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>India has approved proposals to acquire<strong> Mig29</strong> and <strong>Su30 MKI</strong> fighter aircraft from Russia for 2.4 billion USD.</li>
<li>The two sides are successfully moving towards the implementation of a <strong>AK-203 rifle contract</strong> and <strong>200 <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/kamov-226t-utility-helicopters" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Ka-226T utility helicopters</a></strong> supplies.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/indian-military-equipment-of-russian-origin#:~:text=Stockholm%20International%20Peace%20Research%20Institute,India%20in%20the%20same%20period." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>According to a paper published</strong></a> by<strong> Stimson Center,</strong> 86% of the equipment, weapons and platforms currently in military service in India are of <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/recalibration-of-india-russia-ties" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Russian</a></strong> origin.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>From Imports to Joint Production:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Over the years, cooperation in the military technical sphere has evolved from a <strong>purely buyer-seller relationship to joint research, design development and production</strong> of state of the art military platforms. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Production of the<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/brahmos-missile" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> Brahmos cruise missile</strong></a> is an example of this trend.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Joint Exercises:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/indra-2020-to-be-held-in-andaman-sea" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Exercise INDRA</strong></a>, is a joint, tri services exercise between India and Russia.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Russia's Military Equipment Deployed by India:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Navy:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The Navy's only active aircraft carrier<strong> INS Vikramaditya</strong> is from Russia. A <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/india-russia-nuclear-attack-submarine-deal" target="_blank" rel="noopener">nuclear attack submarine</a> Chakra II</strong> is also in service.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Army:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Army&rsquo;s<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/mine-ploughs-on-t-90-tanks" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> T-90</strong></a> and <strong>T-72</strong> main battle tanks.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Air Force:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>IAF&rsquo;s <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/sukhoi-30-mki-equipped-with-the-brahmos-missile" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Su30</strong></a> MKI fighter.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/indian-military-personnel-for-moscow-soon-for-s-400-training/article33612314.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/s-400-triumf-missile-system'
		],
		(int) 16 => [
			'title' => 'Bio Medical Waste',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>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> (NGT) has recently directed various authorities to ensure compliance from the <strong>biomedical waste management facilities</strong> in the country.</p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Central Level:</strong> The<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/cpcb-notifies-contaminated-sites" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB)</strong></a> to ensure strict compliance of biomedical waste management rules and scientific disposal of the waste.</li>
<li><strong>State Level:</strong> The Chief Secretaries of all the States/UTs to oversee compliance and ensure that authorisation is secured by every health care facility in their respective jurisdiction and also there is adherence to the norms.</li>
<li><strong>District Level:</strong> The District Magistrates in accordance with the District Environmental Plans.</li>
<li><strong>Groundwater Contamination:</strong> While permitting deep burials, it may be ensured that groundwater contamination does not take place.</li>
<li><strong>Segregation:</strong> Ensure that hazardous bio-medical waste is not mixed with the general waste.</li>
<li><strong>Frequent Violation of Rules:</strong> The direction came as a result of regular fines being imposed on various healthcare facilities and biomedical waste treatment facilities</li>
<li><strong>Earlier Observation:</strong> The segregation of<strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/coronavirus-disease-named-covid-19" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> Covid-&shy;19</a> biomedical waste</strong> from general garbage is a must to avoid further contamination adversely affecting public health.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Bio-Medical Waste Management Rules, 2016</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Definition:</strong> Biomedical waste is defined as<strong> human</strong> and <strong>animal anatomical waste, treatment apparatus like needles, syringes and other materials used in health care</strong> facilities in the process of treatment and research.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Objective:</strong> The objective of the rules is to <strong>properly manage</strong> the per day bio-medical waste from <strong>Healthcare Facilities</strong> (HCFs) across the country.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Ambit:</strong> The ambit of the rules has been expanded to include <strong>vaccination camps, blood donation camps, surgical camps </strong>or any other<strong> healthcare activity.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Phase Out: Chlorinated plastic bags, gloves and blood bags</strong> has been phased out <strong>within two years</strong> starting<strong> from March 2016.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Pre-treatment:</strong> Pre-treatment of the laboratory waste, microbiological waste, blood samples and blood bags through disinfection or sterilisation on-site in the manner prescribed by the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/world-health-organization-who" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>World Health Organization</strong> </a>(WHO) or by the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/hiv-aids-outreach" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>National AIDS Control Organisation</strong> </a>(NACO).</li>
<li><strong>Categorisation:</strong> Bio-medical waste has been classified into<strong> 4 categories instead of the earlier 10 categories</strong> to improve the segregation of waste at source.</li>
<li><strong>Stringent Standards for Pollutants:</strong> The rules prescribe more stringent standards for<strong> incinerators to reduce the emission</strong> of pollutants in the environment.</li>
<li><strong>Role of State Government:</strong> The State Government provides the<strong> land for setting up common bio-medical waste treatment and disposal facility.es</strong></li>
<li><strong>Concerns:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Pandemic:</strong> The pandemic has presented a challenge in terms of capacity to scientifically dispose of generated waste and a challenge for civic authorities in charge of its collection and disposal.</li>
<li><strong>Poor Compliance:</strong> States are not following the<strong> CPCB guidelines</strong> on Covid-19 related waste.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>In some states, improper segregation of waste has been reported from <strong>Covid-19 facilities and quarantine homes.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Non Segregation:</strong> The non-&shy;segregation of waste results in the incineration of contaminated plastics producing toxic gases and adding to air pollution.</li>
<li><strong>Increase in Waste:</strong> The<strong> rise in residential biomedical waste</strong> and its collection without adhering to safety protocols could also trigger a surge in caseload.</li>
<li><strong>Health of Workers Associated:</strong> Without proper scientific management of such waste, it can potentially affect patients and can affect the <strong>concerned workers and professionals.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Discarded masks and gloves risk the lives of thousands of<strong> sanitation workers</strong> who work often without any protection or training to handle such hazardous material.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Suggestions:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Proper Segregation:</strong> Left-over food, disposable plates, glasses, used masks, tissues, toiletries, etc used by Covid-19 patients should be put in<strong> yellow-coloured bags,</strong> while used gloves should be put in <strong>red bags</strong> and sent for sterilisation and recycling at the CBWTFs.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Where waste is not going to incinerators,<strong> deep burial systems</strong> should be properly maintained as per protocols taking all due precautions to prevent harm to the environment. A deep burial system involves burying biomedical waste in <strong>2-meter-deep ditches and covering them with a layer of lime and soil.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Awareness Campaign:</strong> Initiatives like conducting an appropriate programme on Doordarshan, All India Radio and other media platforms to create mass awareness about the correct disposal of biomedical waste.</li>
<li><strong>Creating Infrastructure:</strong> The government should set up recycling plants <strong>across the country</strong> (as envisaged under the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/smart-cities-command-centres" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Smart cities project</strong></a>) under the <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/ppp-investment-model#:~:text=Public%2DPrivate%20Partnership%20Model%3A%20PPP,be%20completed%20with%20private%20funding." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Public-Private Partnership</strong></a> (PPP) Model.</li>
<li><strong>Coherency in Rules:</strong> The Centre should form a national protocol combining the Biomedical Waste Management Rules, 2016 with the guidelines on Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) for producers of plastic.</li>
<li><strong>Innovation:</strong> Incentivise <strong>start-ups</strong> and <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/micro-small-and-medium-enterprises-msme" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Small and Medium Enterprises</strong></a> (SMEs) offering solutions for waste segregation and treatment.</li>
<li><strong>Monitoring:</strong> There should be constant and regular monitoring by the central and state PCBs, Health Departments in the states/UTs and by the high-level task team at Central level with further coordination by CPCB.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-otherstates/biomedical-waste-sites-must-get-authorisation/article33622323.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/bio-medical-waste'
		],
		(int) 17 => [
			'title' => 'Electronic Waste Management',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Citing huge gaps in compliance of<strong> electronic waste-management rules,</strong> 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>(NGT) has recently ordered that scientific disposal of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/increasing-e-waste" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>e-waste</strong></a> should be ensured as per rules.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The direction has been issued to <strong>central</strong> and all<strong> state pollution control boards.</strong></li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>E-Waste</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>E-Waste is short for Electronic-Waste and the term is used to describe old, end-of-life or<strong> discarded electronic appliances.</strong> It includes their components, consumables, parts and spares.</li>
<li>It is categorised into 21 types under <strong>two broad categories:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Information technology and communication equipment.</li>
<li>Consumer electrical and electronics.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Laws to manage e-waste have been in place in India since 2011,</strong> mandating that only authorised dismantlers and recyclers collect e-waste. <strong>E-waste (Management) Rules, 2016</strong> was enacted in 2017.</li>
<li><strong>India&rsquo;s first <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/india-s-first-e-waste-clinic" target="_blank" rel="noopener">e-waste clinic</a></strong> for segregating, processing and disposal of waste from household and commercial units has been be set-up in <strong>Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh.</strong></li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>E-waste Generation in India:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>According to the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/cpcb-notifies-contaminated-sites" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Central Pollution Control Board</strong> </a>(CPCB), India generated more than <strong>10 lakh tonnes of e-waste in 2019-20,</strong> an increase from <strong>7 lakh tonnes in 2017-18.</strong> Against this, the <strong>e-waste dismantling capacity</strong> has not been increased from <strong>7.82 lakh tonnes</strong> since 2017-18.</li>
<li>In 2018, the Ministry of Environment had told the tribunal that <strong>95% of e-waste</strong> in India is <strong>recycled by the informal sector</strong> and <strong>scrap dealers unscientifically dispose of it</strong> by burning or dissolving it in acids.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>NGT&rsquo;s Directions:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Further steps should be taken for scientific enforcement of E-Waste Management Rules, 2016 (EWMR)</strong> in the light of the reports of the CPCB.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It <strong>noted gaps in collection targets,</strong> as the amount of e-waste collected in 2018-19 was 78,000 tonnes against a target of 1.54 lakh tonnes. There are <strong>clear governance deficits</strong> on the subject.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The CPCB <strong>may consider steps for compliance of Rule 16 requiring reduction in the use of Hazardous substances</strong> in the manufacture of electrical and electronic equipment and their components or consumables or parts or spares.</li>
<li>It took note that <strong>a large number of accidents take place in residential areas on account of unscientific handling of e-waste.</strong> This needs special attention for constant vigilance in such hotspots. This also requires<strong> review and updation of siting norms for e-waste by the CPCB</strong> which may be done within three months.</li>
<li>All the<strong> state pollution control boards need to identify the hotspots</strong> by constant vigil and to coordinate with the District Administration at local levels to prevent damage to the environment and public health and meaningful enforcement of rule of law.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>E-Waste Management Rules, 2016</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change notified the<strong> E-Waste Management Rules, 2016</strong> in supersession of the <strong>E-waste (Management &amp; Handling) Rules, 2011.</strong></li>
<li>Over 21 products (Schedule-I) were included under the purview of the rule. It included <strong>Compact Fluorescent Lamp (CFL) and other mercury containing lamps,</strong> as well as other such equipment.</li>
<li>For the first time, the rules brought the <strong>producers under Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), along with targets.</strong> Producers have been made responsible for the collection of E-waste and for its exchange.</li>
<li>Various producers can have a separate <strong>Producer Responsibility Organisation</strong> (PRO) and ensure collection of E-waste, as well as its disposal in an environmentally sound manner.</li>
<li><strong>Deposit Refund Scheme</strong> has been introduced as an additional economic instrument wherein the producer charges an additional amount as a deposit at the time of sale of the electrical and electronic equipment and returns it to the consumer along with interest when the end-of-life electrical and electronic equipment is returned.</li>
<li>The role of <strong>State Governments has been also introduced</strong> to ensure safety, health and skill development of the workers involved in dismantling and recycling operations.</li>
<li>A provision of <strong>penalty for violation of rules</strong> has also been introduced.</li>
<li><strong>Urban Local Bodies</strong> (Municipal Committee/Council/Corporation) have been assigned the duty to collect and channelize the <strong>orphan products to authorized dismantlers or recyclers.</strong></li>
<li>Allocation of <strong>proper space to existing and upcoming industrial units for e-waste dismantling and recycling.</strong></li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/india/electronic-waste-management-appears-that-violation-of-environmental-law-is-not-priority-says-ngt-7153446/" 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/electronic-waste-management'
		],
		(int) 18 => [
			'title' => 'Regulatory Compliance Portal: DPIIT',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the <strong>Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT)</strong> has launched a<strong> regulatory compliance portal</strong> that will act as a bridge for citizens, industries and the government <strong>to minimise burdensome compliances.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>DPIIT</strong> comes under the <strong>Ministry of Commerce and Industry.</strong> It is acting as the <strong>nodal department</strong> for coordinating the exercise of minimizing regulatory compliance burden for citizens and businesses which have an adverse impact on time and cost of businesses.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Objective:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Reduce the <strong>compliance burden,</strong> simplify further the <strong>citizen-government interface</strong> whether online or offline, and <strong>remove antiquated and obsolete acts</strong> which don&rsquo;t add value.</li>
<li>To<strong> boost manufacturing and make Indian industry competitive,</strong> there are issues of quality and manufacturing of scale but the <strong>compliance burden is a major cost.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>About the Portal:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>All <strong>Central Ministries/Departments and States/UTs</strong> would <strong>examine laws</strong>/regulations/rules under their purview and<strong> implement an Action Plan to</strong> rationalize and simplify all the processes and <strong>remove burdensome compliances, decriminalize laws and repeal redundant Acts.</strong> These <strong>details would be captured and tracked on the Regulatory Compliance Portal.</strong></li>
<li>It will act as a<strong> first-of-its-kind central online repository</strong> of all central and State-level compliances.</li>
<li><strong>Industry stakeholders</strong> from trade bodies such as<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/fiscal-performance-index" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> CII</strong></a>, <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/india-asean-expo-and-summit" target="_blank" rel="noopener">FICCI</a> and <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/international-conference-on-electric-mobility" target="_blank" rel="noopener">ASSOCHAM</a></strong> would also <strong>submit recommendations</strong> to minimize the regulatory compliance burden.</li>
<li><strong>Customized reports</strong> of action taken by each Ministry/Department and State/UT will also get generated for monitoring and evaluation.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Other Related Steps:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/ease-of-doing-business-rankings-of-the-states-dpiit" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Business Reform Action Plan (BRAP) ranking of states</strong> </a>was started in 2015. BRAP 2019 contained a list of 80 reforms (187 reform action points) to be implemented by 19 State departments. These reforms covered 12 business regulatory areas such as Access to Information, Single Window System, Labour, Environment, etc.</li>
<li><a href="/to-the-points/paper3/industrial-corridors-2" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Industrial Corridors</strong> </a>are being developed with the objective of fast-tracking growth and facilitating development of a well-planned and resource-efficient industrial base served by world-class sustainable connectivity infrastructure, bringing significant benefits in terms of innovation, manufacturing, job creation and resource security to the nation.</li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/united-nations-investment-promotion-award-2020" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Invest India</strong> </a>is the National Investment Promotion and Facilitation Agency of India. It is transforming the country&rsquo;s investment climate by simplifying the business environment for investors.&nbsp;Recently it was even declared as <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/united-nations-investment-promotion-award-2020" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>winner of the United Nations Investment Promotion Award 2020</strong></a> announced by the <strong>United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD).</strong></li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/assessment-of-make-in-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Make in India initiative</strong></a> was launched in 2014, along with action plans for 25 sectors with the objective of facilitating investment, fostering innovation, building best in class manufacturing infrastructure, making it easy to do business and enhancing skill development.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Significance:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Rise of India&rsquo;s rank in <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/ease-of-doing-business-2020" target="_blank" rel="noopener">World Bank&rsquo;s Ease of Doing Business Report</a></strong> from 142<sup>nd</sup> in 2014 to 63<sup>rd</sup> in 2019.</li>
<li>The steps taken will be instrumental in achieving the vision of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/atmanirbhar-bharat-and-economic-stimulus" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Atmanirbhar Bharat</strong></a> and help usher ease of doing business for industry and ease of living for citizens.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetailm.aspx?PRID=1690454" 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/regulatory-compliance-portal-dpiit'
		],
		(int) 19 => [
			'title' => 'KIIFB Borrowings Issue',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-national-institutions/comptroller-and-auditor-general-of-india-cag" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG)</strong></a> of India has opined that the <strong>off-budget borrowings</strong> made by the <strong>Kerala Infrastructure Investment Fund Board (KIIFB)</strong> for critical infra projects have <strong>bypassed the limits set on government borrowings under Article 293 (1) of the Constitution</strong> and such borrowings do not have legislative approval.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Off-budget borrowings</strong> are a means by which the government keeps its fiscal deficit in check by making quasi-government entities borrow on its behalf, to partly fund its expenditure plan for the year.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Provisions of Borrowings under Constitution</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Borrowing by Centre and the States:</strong> Chapter II in Part XII of the Constitution of India deals with borrowing. Article 292 covers borrowing by the Central Government, and Article 293 covers borrowing by States.</li>
<li><strong>Empowering State Legislatures:</strong> Article 293(1) provides State legislatures the power by law to enable or limit the State&rsquo;s executive powers of borrowing and giving guarantees.</li>
<li><strong>Consent of the Centre:</strong> Under clauses (3) and (4) of Article 293, State Governments need to obtain the consent of the Centre for raising fresh loans in case they are indebted to the latter, and such consent may be granted subject to conditions.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Issues:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Bypassed Constitutional Limit:</strong> CAG reported that KIIFB has bypassed the limits set on government borrowings under Article 293 of the Constitution as these borrowings did not have legislative approval.</li>
<li><strong>Encroachment on Powers of Centre:</strong> The CAG said that<strong> Entry 37 of the List 1 of the Seventh schedule of the Constitution</strong> gives powers of raising foreign loans only to the Centre. Thus, KIIFB borrowings are in violation of the Constitution and encroachment on the powers of the Centre.</li>
<li><strong>Lack of Transparency:</strong> KIIFB borrowings have not been disclosed in the Budget documents or in the accounts. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It raises doubts on transparency, and of inter-generational equity of the borrowings, the State has to furnish to Centre all the financial statements showing the estimates of receipts and payments of all sources of borrowings, including Open Market borrowings.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Burdened State Finances:</strong> KIIFB raised funds by issuance of bonds which were to be repaid from the petroleum cess and motor vehicle tax. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>CAG reported that since the KIIFB has no source of income, the borrowings by the KIIFB for which the State stood as guarantor, may ultimately turn out to be a <strong>direct liability of the State government.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Risk of Mounting External Liabilities:</strong> The RBI was criticised for granting approval to the state to float<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/kerala-the-first-indian-state-to-issue-masala-bond" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> masala bonds.</strong></a> The CAG raised concerns that if this mode was followed by other States, the <strong>external liabilities of the country</strong> would rise substantially without the Centre&rsquo;s knowledge of such liabilities.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Kerala Infrastructure Investment Fund Board (KIIFB)</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Establishment:</strong> KIIFB came into existence in 1999 through the <strong>Kerala Infrastructure Investment Fund Act.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Aim:</strong> To provide investment for critical and large infrastructure projects in the State of Kerala.</li>
<li><strong>Features:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>KIIFB was the <strong>first sub-sovereign entity</strong> in India<strong> to tap the offshore rupee international bond market.</strong></li>
<li>In 2019, KIIFB issued its <strong>masala bond</strong> of ₹2,150 crore on the <strong>London Stock Exchange. <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/kerala-the-first-indian-state-to-issue-masala-bond" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Masala Bonds</a></strong> are <strong>rupee-denominated bonds</strong> i.e. the funds would be raised from overseas market in Indian rupees.</li>
<li><strong>Attracted investments:</strong> The bond issue helped Kerala government to get multinational corporations to invest in the state, which has traditionally been known for its unfriendly business policies, bureaucratic delays and recurrent industrial strikes.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Change in Role:</strong> In 2016, the role of KIIFB was changed<strong> from handler of investment bonds to an entity to mobilize the resources</strong> for developmental projects over and beyond the budget.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Kerala Government's Concerns:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Detrimental to State development:</strong> According to the government of Kerala, funds from KIIFB are being used to build public infrastructures such as schools, roads, hospitals etc. and such a move by CAG could hurt the interests of the State.</li>
<li><strong>Unilateralism:</strong> Kerala government raised concerns over not giving the State an opportunity to offer its comments, observations or explanation before publishing of the report by the CAG.</li>
<li><strong>Already RBI Approved:</strong> The Kerala government also highlighted the fact that the KIIFB Bonds were raised with the approval of RBI- which is a central body under Government of India, then how such borrowings can be unconstitutional. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Role of RBI:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The<a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-national-institutions/important-institutions-national-institution-reserve-bank-of-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> RBI</strong> </a>is authorised to act as <strong>an agent of the Central and State Governments</strong> for the issue and management of the latter&rsquo;s bonds and debentures.</li>
<li>The<strong> Internal Debt Management Department</strong> of the RBI has the power to float State Government loans, facilitating investment of surplus cash balances of State Governments in dated securities under various funds.</li>
<li>It is also authorised to make<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/wma-borrowings-of-states" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> Ways and Means Advances (WMAs)</strong></a> to the Centre and States, and to fix the limits thereof.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Undermines Federalism:</strong> For decentralisation of financial autonomy, it is necessary to provide a mechanism for regulation of state subnational debt. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It could promote macroeconomic fiscal stability of the states. Hence, exercise of power conferred to the centre by the article 293 should be strictly confined to the purposes and circumstances.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Review of sub-national Fiscal Policy:</strong> Since the state debt burdens have been rising because of recent fiscal shocks such as<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/four-years-of-demonetisation" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> demonetisation</strong></a>, introduction of <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/goods-and-services-tax-gst-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>GST</strong></a> and <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/covid-19-and-india-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Covid 19 crisis</strong></a>, sub-national fiscal policy of India needs to be reviewed to enable states for subnational borrowings. It shall provide them more opportunities to avail fiscal autonomy.</li>
<li><strong>Validating State Fiscal Responsibility Laws:</strong> Even the Kerala High Court in <strong>Matthew vs Union of India</strong> ruled that that Article 293 is an enabling provision authorising State borrowing and it empowers the states to pass their own<strong> Fiscal Responsibility Laws (FRLs).</strong></li>
<li><strong>Cooperative Federalism:</strong> There is a need to address the legislative concerns of KIIB raised by CAG, and the Centre and Kerala government should take out remedial measures in public interest.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/kiifb-borrowings-bypass-limits-for-state-cag/article33603716.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: TH</strong></a></p>',
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	(int) 0 => [
		'title' => 'India’s Draft Arctic Policy',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, India drafted a<strong> new Arctic policy</strong> that aims at expanding scientific research, sustainable tourism and<strong> exploration of mineral oil and gas</strong> in the Arctic region.</p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>About the Policy:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Nodal Body:</strong> India has designated Goa-based <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/national-centre-for-polar-and-ocean-research-ncpor-" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research</strong> </a>to lead scientific research and act as a nodal body to coordinate among various scientific bodies to promote domestic scientific research capacities in the Arctic.</li>
<li><strong>Objectives: </strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Promoting Scientific Study of Arctic:</strong> Orient the curriculum on earth sciences, biological sciences, geosciences, climate change and space related programmes with Arctic imperatives in Indian Universities.</li>
<li><strong>Planning Explorations:</strong> Formulating effective plans for Arctic related programmes for mineral/oil and gas exploration in petroleum research institutes</li>
<li><strong>Promoting Arctic Tourism:</strong> Encouraging tourism and hospitality sectors by building specialised capacities and awareness by engaging with Arctic enterprises.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>About Arctic:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The Arctic is a <strong>polar region</strong> located at the northernmost part of Earth.</li>
<li>The Arctic consists of the Arctic Ocean, adjacent seas, and parts of Alaska (United States), Canada, Finland, Greenland (Denmark), Iceland, Norway, Russia, and Sweden.</li>
<li>Land within the Arctic region has seasonally varying snow and ice cover.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1611393660_image3.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1611393660_image3.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" caption="false" width="459" height="462" /></a></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Ecological Impact of Warming on Arctic:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Rising Sea Levels:</strong> The loss of ice and the warming waters affects sea levels, salinity levels, and current and precipitation patterns.</li>
<li><strong>Deterioration of Tundra:</strong> The Tundra is returning to swamp, the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/oil-spill-in-siberia" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>permafrost</strong> </a>is thawing, sudden storms are ravaging coastlines and <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/wildfires-in-uttarakhand" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>wildfires</strong></a> are devastating interior Canada and Russia.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Tundra:</strong> Found in regions north of the Arctic Circle and south of the Antarctic Circle. These are <strong>treeless regions.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Threat to Biodiversity:</strong> The phenomenally rich biodiversity of the Arctic region is under serious threat.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The absence of year-long ice and higher temperatures are making the survival of Arctic marine life, plants and birds difficult while encouraging species from lower latitudes to move north.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Extinction of Indegenous Cultures:</strong> The Arctic is also home to about 40 different indigenous groups, whose culture, economy and way of life is in danger of being swept away.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Increasing human encroachment with its attendant stresses will only aggravate this impact and upset a fragile balance.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Commercial Importance of Arctic:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Abundant Resources:</strong> The opening of the Arctic presents huge commercial and economic opportunities, particularly in shipping, energy, fisheries and mineral resources.</li>
<li><strong>Commercial Navigation:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>The Northern Sea Route (NSR):</strong> It is a shipping lane connecting the North Atlantic to the North Pacific through a short polar arc which could revolutionise the prospects of trade in Russia and Scandinavian countries.</li>
<li>It is approx 40% shorter than via the Suez Canal or 60% shorter via the Cape of Good Hope.</li>
<li>It would cause substantial reductions in transportation time, fuel consumption, limit environmental emission and eliminate piracy risk.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Oil and Natural Gas Deposits:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Estimated to be 22% of the world&rsquo;s unexplored resources, mostly in the Arctic ocean, will be open to access along with mineral deposits including 25% of the global reserves of rare earths, buried in Greenland.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Issues Involved:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Navigation conditions are dangerous and restricted to the summer.</li>
<li>Lack of deep-water ports, a need for ice-breakers, shortage of workers trained for polar conditions, and high insurance costs add to the difficulties.</li>
<li>Mining and deep-sea drilling carry massive costs and environmental risks.</li>
<li>Unlike <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/covid-in-antarctica" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Antarctica</strong></a>, the Arctic is not a global common and there is no overarching treaty that governs it.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Conflict over Arctic:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Russia, Canada, Norway and Denmark have put in <strong>overlapping claims for extended continental shelves,</strong> and the right to sea-bed resources.</li>
<li>Russia is the dominant power, with the longest Arctic coastline, half the Arctic population, and a full-fledged strategic policy.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Claiming that the NSR falls within its territorial waters, Russia anticipates huge dividends from commercial traffic including through the use of its ports, pilots and ice-breakers.</li>
<li>Russia has also activated its northern military bases, refurbished its nuclear armed submarine fleet and demonstrated its capabilities, including through an exercise with China in the eastern Arctic.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>China, playing for economic advantage, has moved in fast, projecting the<strong> Polar Silk Road</strong> as an extension of the <a href="/printpdf/italy-joins-belt-road-initiative" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Belt and Road Initiatives</strong></a>, and has invested heavily in ports, energy, undersea infrastructure and mining projects.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>India&rsquo;s Interests in Arctic:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Environmental Interest:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>India&rsquo;s extensive coastline makes it vulnerable to the impact of Arctic warming on ocean currents, weather patterns, fisheries and most importantly, the <a href="/to-the-points/paper1/monsoon-2" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>monsoon</strong></a>.</li>
<li>Arctic research will help India&rsquo;s scientific community to study melting rates of the Himalayan glaciers, which are endowed with the largest freshwater reserves in the world outside the geographic poles.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Scientific Interest:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Research Stations:</strong> India launched its first scientific expedition to the Arctic in 2007 and set up a research station<strong> &lsquo;Himadri&rsquo;</strong> in the international Arctic research base at Ny-&Aring;lesund in Spitsbergen, Svalbard, Norway. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>India has two other observatories in <strong>Kongsforden and Gruvebadet</strong> in Norway.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Studying Himalayan Glaciers:</strong> Scientific research in Arctic developments, in which India has a good record, will contribute to its understanding of climatic changes in the third Pole, the Himalayas.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Strategic Interest:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Countering Chinese Influence:</strong> The strategic implications of an active China in the Arctic and its growing economic and strategic relationship with Russia are self-evident and need close monitoring.</li>
<li><strong>Arctic Council Membership:</strong> Since 2013, India has had observer status in the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/arctic-council" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Arctic Council</strong></a>, which is the predominant inter-governmental forum for cooperation on the environmental and development aspects of the Arctic.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It is high time that India&rsquo;s presence in the Arctic expands from the dimension of scientific exploration to strategic, economic, environmental and political aspects. Thus, drafting of New Arctic policy suits the need of the hour.</li>
</ul>',
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	(int) 1 => [
		'title' => 'China’s New Villages in Arunachal Pradesh',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, there have been<strong> reports of Chinese construction of three villages in Arunachal Pradesh</strong> 5 kilometres from the<strong> Bum La pass.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Bum La Pass</strong> is <strong>one of the four officially agreed BPM</strong> (Border Personnel Meeting) points between the Indian Army and the People&rsquo;s Liberation Army of China.</li>
<li>Earlier in 2020, China had<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/chinas-railway-near-arunachal-border" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> begun work on a strategically significant railway line</strong> </a>that will link Sichuan province with Nyingchi in Tibet, which lies close to Arunachal Pradesh border.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1611390168_image1.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1611390168_image1.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" caption="false" width="512" height="414" /></a></p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>About the New Village built Last Year:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The satellite images, dated November 2020, show that a full-fledged village has been <strong>built on the banks of the River Tsari Chu</strong> in the Upper Subansiri district of Arunachal Pradesh.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The village is located a couple of kilometres across the<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/india-china-conflict#:~:text=Demarcation%20Line%3A%20The%20Line%20of,UN)%20after%20the%20Kashmir%20War." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> Line of Actual Control (LAC).</strong></a></li>
<li>China had earlier built a <strong>permanent construction of military barracks in this area.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The area has been <strong>under Chinese control since 1959.</strong></li>
<li>It is at least 2 km south (in Indian territory) of the <a href="/to-the-points/Paper2/disputed-territories-of-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>McMahon Line</strong></a>, which China doesn&rsquo;t recognise. After the <strong>1962 war,</strong> India stopped patrolling the area.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>China considers the <strong>McMahon Line illegal and unacceptable</strong> claiming that Tibetan representatives who had signed the 1914 Convention held in Shimla which delineated the McMahon line on the map were not having rights to do so.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Other Spots of Disagreement:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>There are close to <strong>two dozen spots along the entire length of the Line of Actual Control (LAC)</strong> in all sectors where India and China do not agree on its alignment.</li>
<li><strong>Line of Actual Control:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It is divided into <strong>three sectors:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The<strong> eastern sector</strong> which spans Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim (1346 km).</li>
<li>The <strong>middle sector</strong> in Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh (545 km).</li>
<li>The <strong>western sector</strong> in Ladakh (1597 km).</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The alignment of the LAC in the eastern sector is <strong>along the 1914 McMahon Line.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Case of Arunachal Pradesh:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>India's claim line is different from that of the LAC. It is the line seen in the official boundary marked on the maps as released by the Survey of India, including Aksai Chin (occupied by China). The <strong>state of Arunachal Pradesh is an &lsquo;integral and inalienable&rsquo; part of India.</strong></li>
<li><strong>In China&rsquo;s case,</strong> LAC corresponds mostly to its claim line, but in the eastern sector, <strong>it claims the entire Arunachal Pradesh as South Tibet.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>China&rsquo;s Intention:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The construction of the village has been seen by analysts as a move <strong>to bolster China&rsquo;s claim to the area,</strong> and part of a <strong>broader recent push by China</strong> to build civilian settlements in disputed frontier areas, which <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/new-chinese-village-in-bhutan" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>it has also done with Bhutan</strong></a>.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Implications on India:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Security Concerns:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>A village near the border will largely improve the efficiency and convenience of military personnel and material transportation and logistical supplies in the border area.</li>
<li>In situations of direct standoff near Arunachal Pradesh border, as was seen during Doklam or recent <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/face-off-between-india-and-china" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Ladakh standoff</strong></a>, <strong>China might be at an advantageous position.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Doklam Issue:</strong> Indian troops intervened to block the path of Chinese soldiers engaged in building road-works on the Doklam plateau of Bhutan&rsquo;s territory that Beijing laid claim.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Recent Steps Taken by India:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>India will spend 10% funds of the<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/boosting-infrastructure-along-china-border" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> Border Area Development Programme (BADP)</strong> </a>only to improve the infrastructure along the China border.</li>
<li>The Border Roads Organisation (BRO) constructed the<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/daporijo-bridge" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> Daporijo bridge</strong> </a>over Subansiri river in Arunachal Pradesh in a record span of just 27 days.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It links roads leading upto the LAC between India and China.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Recently the Defence Minister virtually laid the foundation of a <strong>tunnel at Nechiphu in West Kameng district of Arunachal Pradesh.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It will <strong>shorten travel time for troops</strong> till the LAC through Tawang, which China claims to be its territory.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The BRO is already<strong> constructing an all-weather tunnel under the Se La pass in Arunachal Pradesh</strong> which connects Tawang to the rest of Arunachal and Guwahati.</li>
<li>The state government of Arunachal Pradesh has advocated <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/depopulation-in-border-areas-of-arunachal-pradesh" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>selection of 10 census towns along the India-China border</strong> </a>as pilot projects for infrastructure development in order to stop people living along its international borders, specifically with China, from migrating to faraway urban centres in the State.</li>
<li>Recently, the Defence Minister inaugurated the<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/sisseri-river-bridge" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> Sisseri River Bridge</strong></a> located at <strong>lower Dibang Valley in Arunachal Pradesh</strong> connecting Dibang Valley and Siang.</li>
<li>In 2019, the Indian Air Force inaugurated resurfaced runway at India&rsquo;s <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/india-s-eastern-most-village" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>easternmost Village-Vijaynagar (Changlang district)</strong> </a>in Arunachal Pradesh.</li>
<li>In 2019, the Indian Army conducted <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/exercise-himvijay" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>exercise &lsquo;HimVijay&rsquo;</strong> </a>in Arunachal Pradesh and Assam with its newly <strong>created Integrated Battle Groups (IBG).</strong></li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/bogibeel-bridge" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Bogibeel bridge</strong></a>, which is India&rsquo;s longest road-rail bridge connecting Dibrugarh in Assam to Pasighat in Arunachal Pradesh was inaugurated in 2018.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It will<strong> facilitate quicker movement of troops and equipment to areas near the India-China border.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>India needs to be vigilant enough for any new development in China near its border to protect its interests efficiently. Further, it needs to build robust Infrastructure in difficult border areas in its territory to ensure movement of personnel and other logistical supplies in an efficient manner.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/china-defends-new-village-in-arunachal-amid-border-construction-push/article33627391.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source:TH</strong></a></p>',
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	(int) 2 => [
		'title' => 'Parakram Diwas: Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Jayanti',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>The central government has decided to observe <a href="/to-the-points/paper1/subhash-chandra-bose-3" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Subhas Chandra Bose</strong></a> <strong>Jayanti as 'Parakram Diwas'</strong> to be celebrated on 23<sup>rd</sup> January.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>A high-level committee headed by the Prime Minister has also been formed to plan year-round programmes to mark the anniversary of Bose.</li>
<li>Recently the Government of India has also instituted <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/subhash-chandra-bose-aapda-prabandhan-puraskar" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Subhash Chandra Bose Aapda Prabandhan Puraskaar</strong></a> to recognise the excellent work done by the individuals and institutions in the field of disaster management.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Birth:</strong> <a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1611390734_IMG_7962.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1611390734_IMG_7962.jpg" width="462" height="650" style="float: right;" caption="false" /></a><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Subhas Chandra Bose was born on <strong>23<sup>rd</sup> January 1897, in Cuttack, Orissa Division, Bengal Province,</strong> to Prabhavati Dutt Bose and Janakinath Bose.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>About:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In 1919, he had cleared Indian Civil Services (ICS) examination. Bose, however, resigned later.</li>
<li>He was highly<strong> influenced by <a href="/to-the-points/paper4/to-the-point-paper-4-indian-thinker-swami-vivekanand-1863-1902" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Vivekananda's teachings</a></strong> and considered him as his spiritual Guru.</li>
<li>His <strong>political mentor</strong> was <strong>Chittaranjan Das.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Association with Congress:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>He stood for<strong> unqualified swaraj (independence),</strong> and opposed Motilal Nehru Report which spoke for dominion status for India.</li>
<li>He actively participated in the <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/pm-dedicates-salt-satyagraha-memorial-to-nation#:~:text=On%20March%2012%2C%201930%2C%20Gandhiji,Dandi%20on%20the%20Arabian%20Sea.&amp;text=In%20August%201931%2C%20Gandhiji%20traveled,the%20nationalist%20Indian%20National%20Congress." target="_blank" rel="noopener">Salt Satyagraha</a> of 1930</strong> and vehemently opposed the suspension of Civil Disobedience Movement and signing of the <strong>Gandhi-Irwin Pact in 1931.</strong></li>
<li>In the 1930s, he was closely associated with left politics in Congress along with <strong>Jawaharlal Nehru and M.N. Roy.</strong></li>
<li>Bose won the <strong>congress presidential</strong> elections at Haripura in<strong> 1938.</strong></li>
<li>Again in <strong>1939 at Tripuri,</strong> he won the presidential elections against Gandhi's candidate Pattabhi Sitarammayya. Due to ideological differences with Gandhi, Bose resigned and left congress. Rajendra Prasad was appointed in his place.</li>
<li>He found a new party, <strong>'the Forward Bloc'.</strong> The purpose was to consolidate the political left and major support base in his home state Bengal.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Indian National Army:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>He reached Japanese-controlled Singapore from Germany in July 1943, issued from there his famous call, <strong>&lsquo;Delhi Chalo&rsquo;,</strong> and announced the formation of the <strong>Azad Hind Government</strong> and the <strong>Indian National Army</strong> on 21<sup>st</sup> October 1943.</li>
<li>The INA was first formed under <strong>Mohan Singh</strong> and Japanese Major Iwaichi Fujiwara and comprised Indian prisoners of war of the British-Indian Army captured by Japan in the Malayan (present-day Malaysia) campaign and at Singapore.</li>
<li>The INA included both, the Indian prisoners of war from Singapore and Indian civilians in South-East Asia. It's strength grew to 50,000.</li>
<li>The INA fought allied forces in 1944 inside the borders of India in Imphal and in Burma.</li>
<li>In November 1945, a British move to put the INA men on trial immediately sparked massive demonstration all over the country.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/pm-narendra-modi-to-visit-kolkata-to-celebrate-netaji-s-125th-birth-anniversary-101611379498256-amp.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: HT</strong></a></p>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/parakram-diwas-netaji-subhash-chandra-bose-jayanti'
	],
	(int) 3 => [
		'title' => 'Smart Anti Airfield Weapon',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>The <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-national-institutions/defence-research-and-development-organisation-drdo" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO)</strong></a> has conducted a successful trial of the<strong> indigenously developed Smart Anti-Airfield Weapon (SAAW)</strong> off the Odisha coast from the Hawk-I jet of <a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/the-big-picture-need-to-modernise-indian-air-force" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL)</strong></a>.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>This was the<strong> ninth successful test</strong> of the system<strong> conducted over the last five years.</strong></li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Background:</strong> The system <strong>belongs to the glide bomb category</strong> and its <strong>development began around 2012-13,</strong> with crucial inputs from the<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/indian-air-force-day" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> Indian Air Force (IAF)</strong></a> and the <strong>first test</strong> was carried out in<strong> 2016. </strong></li>
<li><strong>Manufactured by:</strong> DRDO&rsquo;s Research Centre Imarat (RCI) Hyderabad.</li>
<li><strong>Features:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The weapon is designed to strike ground targets, especially adversary airfield infrastructure or similar strategically important installations.</li>
<li>This is a <strong>125-kilogram</strong> class smart weapon, capable of engaging ground enemy airfield assets such as radars, bunkers, taxi tracks, and runways, up to a <strong>range of 100 kilometres.</strong></li>
<li>The<strong> high precision guided bomb is lightweight</strong> compared to weapon systems of the same class.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Other Related Development:</strong> The test of SAAW comes months after<strong> another weapon system designed to target enemy radar and communication assets, <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/anti-radiation-missile-rudram-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Rudram</a>,</strong> was tested in October 2020.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Rudram,</strong> an air-to-surface missile, has been developed <strong>to primarily to enhance the Suppression of Enemy Air Defence (SEAD) capability of the IAF</strong> and can detect, track and neutralise the radar, communication assets and other radio frequency sources belonging to the adversary, which are generally their air defence systems.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1691176" 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/smart-anti-airfield-weapon'
	],
	(int) 4 => [
		'title' => 'Digital Education: Learning amid the Pandemic',
		'catname' => 'News Editorials',
		'desc' => '<div class="border">
<p>This article is based upon <a href="https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/blogs/the-interviews-blog/digital-education-cannot-substitute-for-real-learning-staring-at-a-screen-learners-only-act-as-remote-receptors-of-whats-beamed/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>&ldquo;Digital Education cannot Substitute for Real Learning&rdquo;</strong> </a>which was published in The Times of India on 21/01/2021. It talks about how the pandemic has completely shifted the present education system into a digital mode of learning and if it is actually substituting real learning or not.</p>
</div>
<p>The<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/coronavirus-disease-named-covid-19" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> Covid-19</strong></a> outbreak has disrupted children&rsquo;s lives, pushed out many, and stalled classes and examinations across the country. To ensure students do not miss out on studies, schools shifted the classes to online mode.</p>
<p>With the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/covid-19-now-pandemic-who" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>pandemic</strong></a> forcing the teaching and learning process to migrate to the online mode, the education system has faced an upheaval like never before. Many of the students have been left clinging to their phones and computer screens.</p>
<p>However, the 2017-18 <strong>National Sample Survey</strong> suggested that less than 15% of rural Indian households have Internet as opposed to 42% of their urban counterparts.</p>
<p>Therefore, this shift to the e-learning system has sparked a debate on whether it helped the students to learn or has impeded their progress, social and emotional well-being, and more importantly if this is indeed education.</p>
<h3>Digital Education</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Digital education is the innovative use of digital tools and technologies during teaching and learning and is often referred to as Technology Enhanced Learning (TEL) or e-Learning. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Exploring the use of digital technologies gives educators the opportunity to design engaging learning opportunities in the courses they teach, and these can take the form of blended or fully online courses and programs.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1611319201_image10.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1611319201_image10.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="600" caption="false" /></a></p>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Government Initiatives for Smooth Conduct of E-Learning</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Several initiatives have been taken to enable online education in India, such as: <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>E-PG Pathshala:</strong> An initiative of the Ministry of Human Resource Development to provide e-content for studies.</li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/swayam-and-swayam-prabha" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>SWAYAM</strong></a>: it provides for an integrated platform for online courses.</li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/national-educational-alliance-for-technology-neat-scheme" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>NEAT</strong></a>: It aims to use <a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/in-depth-artificial-intelligence" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Artificial Intelligence</strong></a> to make learning more personalized and customized as per the requirements of the learner</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Other initiatives include: <strong>National Project on Technology Enhanced Learning (NPTEL)</strong>, <a href="/mains-practice-question/question-210" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>National Knowledge Network, (NKN)</strong></a>, and National Academic Depository (NAD), among others.</li>
<li><strong>PRAGYATA:</strong> The Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD) released guidelines on <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/education-in-post-covid-era" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>digital education</strong> </a>titled <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/pragyata-guidelines-on-digital-education" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>PRAGYATA.</strong></a> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Under the PRAGYATA guidelines, only 30 minutes of screen time per day for interacting with parents is recommended for kindergarten, nursery and pre-school.</li>
<li>Schools can hold live online classes for a maximum of 1.5 hours per day for Classes 1-8, and 3 hours per day for Classes 9-12.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>National Programme on Technology Enhanced Learning</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The NPTEL is a project of MHRD initiated by seven Indian Institutes of Technology (IIT), along with the Indian Institute of Science Bangalore.</li>
<li>It was created in 2003 to provide online education.</li>
<li>The aim was to have web and video courses in engineering, sciences, and management.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Technology as a Saviour</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Flexibility:</strong> Online education enables both the teacher as well as the students to set their own learning pace plus provides the flexibility of setting a schedule that fits everyone&rsquo;s agenda. Consequently, providing a better work-study balance.</li>
<li><strong>A Wide Range of Courses:</strong> In a space as vast and wide as the internet, infinite skills and subjects are there to teach and learn. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>A growing number of universities and higher education schools are coming forward to offer online versions of their programs for various levels and disciplines.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>More Cost-Effective than Conventional Learning:</strong> Lesser monetary investment is there with better results. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>With the online mode of learning, the money spent on study materials along with commute charges is considerably less.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>A Comfortable Learning Environment:</strong> Online learning allows students to work in the environment that best suits them.</li>
</ul>
<h3>The Other Side of the Coin</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Lack of a Healthy Learning Environment:</strong> Education is not just about classes but interactions, broadening of ideas, and free-flowing open discussions. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Students learn more from each other while engaging in challenging collective tasks and thinking together.</li>
<li>There is substantial learning that is lost when education goes online. Staring at a screen prevents them from using their mind and acting as remote receptors of what is beamed.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Lack of Technology Access:</strong> Not everyone who can afford to go to school can afford to have phones, computers, or even a quality internet connection for attending classes online.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Due to this, the mental stress that students have to undergo is very high.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>In Contradictory with Right to Education:</strong> Technology is not affordable to all, shifting towards online education completely is like taking away the<a href="/to-the-points/Paper2/right-to-education" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> Right to Education</strong></a> of those who cannot access the technology. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Moreover, the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/national-education-policy-2020" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>National Education Policy</strong></a> that talks about the digitization of education is also in contradiction with the right to education.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Health - Eye issues:</strong> Younger students, especially in classes 1 to 3 were most likely to suffer from eye-health issues due to staring at the computer or mobile screen for extended periods. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Other health issues like neck and back pain etc. due to bad posture and lack of movement have been noticed in older students.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>A Multi-Pronged Approach:</strong> Flexible rescheduling the academic timetable and exploring options in collaboration with schools, teachers, and parents for providing access to education to a larger section of students. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Staggering teacher-student interactions in physical mode with not more than 50% of the total strength attending schools on alternate days.</li>
<li>Giving priority to the less advantaged students who do not have access to e-learning.</li>
<li>Genuine efforts must be invested to ensure every child gets good quality equitable education as a fundamental right.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Making Online Education More Effective:</strong> Shorter but quality discussions rather than long hours of monotonous sitting and one-way communication, should be preferred. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The teacher&rsquo;s role has to go beyond just being in control of the class to being a facilitator for the transfer of knowledge.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Focussing more on Knowledge Aspect:</strong> Education is not about competence but more about motivation. The students are meant to discover not just cover the syllabus.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The system should not just heartlessly push the students and teachers in only finishing the course regardless of any gain of knowledge, stress should be upon quality learning and not quantity cramming.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Conclusion</h3>
<p>&lsquo;Equality of Opportunity&rsquo; is one of the basic principles of the Indian Constitution. Shifting to a system that benefits only a section of people and leaves behind the neediest ruins the very notion of this statement.</p>
<p>Moreover, digital education is something where India is not successful yet. There is still a lot to do in terms of checking if students&rsquo; entitlements are not being compromised or in providing meaningful academic curriculum alternatives.</p>
<table border="1" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="width: 100%; border-style: dotted; border-color: #ff0000; background-color: #fbfff0;">
<p><span style="color: #000080;"><em><strong>Drishti Mains Question</strong></em></span></p>
<p>Shifting to the e-learning system has sparked a debate about whether it has made education more inclusive or widened the digital divide. Discuss.</p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p style="text-align: center;"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/JfmRv-Nj3cM" 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://economictimes.indiatimes.com/blogs/et-editorials/president-biden-hope-and-responsibility/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>&ldquo;President Biden: Hope And Responsibility&rdquo;</strong></a> published in The Economic Times on January 21<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/digital-education-learning-amid-the-pandemic'
	],
	(int) 5 => [
		'title' => 'Governor’s Delay on Mercy Petition',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the <strong>Solicitor General</strong> told the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-national-institutions/supreme-court-of-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Supreme Court (SC)</strong></a> that Tamil Nadu <a href="/to-the-points/Paper2/governor" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Governor</strong></a> will take a decision in the next three or four days on<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/mercy-petition" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> mercy petition</strong> </a>of a convict in the 1991 Rajiv Gandhi assassination case.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The <strong>concept of Mercy Petition is followed in many nations</strong> like the USA, UK, Canada etc. including India.</li>
<li>In India, the power to grant pardon is entrusted to the President and the Governors of various states under Article 72 and Article 161 of the Constitution. It adds a human touch to the country&rsquo;s judicial process by conferring powers to grant pardon or show Mercy to criminals sentenced to death.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Background:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>A<strong> pardon request moved by the convict in 2015</strong> was not considered by the Governor, however, a SC order on a related petition in September 2018 <strong>clarified that the Governor was &ldquo;deemed fit&rdquo; to decide on the pardon.</strong></li>
<li>Thereafter a recommendation to remit his life sentence was advised by the Cabinet under <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/mercy-petition" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Article 161</strong></a>.</li>
<li>However, the Governor's decision is still pending.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Centre&rsquo;s Stand:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The pleas for pardon and release should go to the <strong>President</strong> instead of the Governor as the case is being investigated by a central agency.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Petitioner's Argument:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>A convict was<strong> free to choose between the President and the Governor for pardon.</strong></li>
<li>Referred to the Constitution Bench&rsquo;s judgment in the <em><strong>Union of India versus Sriharan 2015</strong></em>, which said the<strong> &ldquo;exercise of executive clemency&rdquo; was &ldquo;vested in the President or the Governor&rdquo;.</strong></li>
<li>Centre&rsquo;s rejection in 2018 of the Tamil Nadu government proposal to remit the sentence of the convicts under <strong>Section 432</strong> of the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/re-imagining-cognizable-offences" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Code of Criminal Procedure</strong> </a>(CrPC) did not stop the convicts from separately moving the Governor for pardon under <strong>Article 161.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Section 432 of the CrPC:</strong> It lays down that <strong>the appropriate government,</strong> at any time, without conditions or upon any conditions which the person sentenced accepts, <strong>can suspend the execution of his sentence or remit the whole or any part of the punishment to which he has been sentenced.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>SC&rsquo;s Observation:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The SC termed the Governor&rsquo;s delay<strong> &ldquo;extraordinary&rdquo;.</strong> It also noted how a decision was <strong>not forthcoming despite the State government&rsquo;s recommendation.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It needs to be noted that<strong> the Governor cannot reject the state&rsquo;s recommendation but there is no time prescribed to take a decision.</strong></li>
<li>The Governor <strong>had already returned the file to reconsider the government&rsquo;s decision but the government stood by its decision.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Pardoning Power</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Pardoning Power of the President in India:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>About:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Under<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/commutation-of-death-sentence" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> Article 72 of the Constitution</strong></a>, the President shall have the power to grant pardons, reprieves, respites or remissions of punishment or to suspend, remit or commute the sentence of any person convicted of any offence where the sentence is a sentence of death.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Limitation:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The President<strong> cannot exercise his power of pardon independent of the government.</strong></li>
<li>In several cases, the SC has ruled that the <strong>President has to act on the advice of the Council of Ministers</strong> while deciding mercy pleas. These include <em><strong>Maru Ram vs Union of India in 1980</strong></em>, and <em><strong>Dhananjoy Chatterjee vs State of West Bengal in 1994.</strong></em></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Reconsideration:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Although the President is bound by the Cabinet&rsquo;s advice, <strong>Article74 (1) empowers him to return it for reconsideration once.</strong> If the Council of Ministers decides against any change, the <strong>President has no option but to accept it.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Governor&rsquo;s Pardoning Power:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Article 161:</strong> The Governor of a State shall have the<strong> power to grant pardons, reprieves, respites or remissions of punishment or to suspend, remit or commute the sentence</strong> of any person convicted of any offence against any law relating to a matter to which the executive power of the State extends.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Difference Between Pardoning Powers of President and Governor:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The scope of the <strong>pardoning power of the President under Article 72 is wider than the pardoning power of the Governor under Article 161</strong> which differs in the following two ways:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Court Martial:</strong> The <strong>power of the President</strong> to grant pardon <strong>extends in cases where the punishment or sentence is by a Court Martial</strong> but Article 161 <strong>does not provide any such power to the Governor.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Death sentence:</strong> The <strong>President can grant pardon in all cases</strong> where the sentence given is the sentence of death but the<strong> pardoning power of the Governor does not extend to death sentence cases.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/rajiv-gandhi-assassination-case-tamil-nadu-governor-will-decide-on-perarivalan-plea-in-3-4-days/article33625615.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/governor-s-delay-on-mercy-petition'
	],
	(int) 6 => [
		'title' => 'UV-Bright Stars Spotted in Globular Structure NGC 2808',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, astronomers have spotted rare hot <strong>Ultra Violet (UV)-bright stars</strong> in the <strong>massive intriguing globular cluster</strong> in the<strong> Milky Way Galaxy</strong> called <strong>NGC 2808.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>India's first multi-wavelength space satellite AstroSat</strong> helped astronomers in this.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Data:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Scientists combined data of <strong>Ultraviolet Imaging Telescope (on board AstroSat)</strong> with observations made using other space missions such as the <strong>Hubble Space Telescope</strong> and the<strong> Gaia telescope</strong> along with<strong> ground-based optical observations.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Hubble Space Telescope:</strong> The HST or Hubble <strong>(NASA)</strong> is a space telescope that was launched into <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/types-of-orbit" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Low Earth orbit</strong> </a>in 1990 and remains in operation. It is one of the <strong>largest and most versatile space telescopes</strong> till date.</li>
<li><strong>Gaia</strong> is a space observatory of the<strong> European Space Agency,</strong> launched in <strong>2013 and expected to operate until 2022.</strong> The spacecraft is designed for astrometry: measuring the positions, distances and motions of stars with unprecedented precision.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Findings:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>About <strong>34 UV-bright stars</strong> were found to be members of the globular cluster (NGC 2808). One of the UV-bright stars was found to be about<strong> 3000 times brighter</strong> than the Sun with a surface temperature of about <strong>1,00,000 K.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Hot UV-bright stars</strong> have been distinguished from the<strong> relatively cooler red giant and main-sequence stars.</strong></li>
<li>Most of the stars were found to have evolved from a solar stage called the <strong>horizontal branch stars</strong> with hardly any outer envelope. Thus, they were bound to skip the last major phase of life called the <strong>asymptotic giant phase (it is one of the last major phases in the life of stars)</strong> and directly become dead remnants or white dwarfs.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The<strong> horizontal branch</strong> (HB) is a stage of stellar evolution that immediately follows the<strong> red giant branch</strong> in stars.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Significance:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Properties of Stars:</strong> The findings will help in determining properties of these stars such as their surface temperatures, luminosities and radii.</li>
<li><strong>Evolution of Stars:</strong> These present <strong>excellent laboratories</strong> where astronomers can understand<strong> how stars evolve through various phases</strong> between their birth and death.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Death of star:</strong> It is not clear how these stars end their lives as not many of them are detected in these fast-evolving phases, making their study crucial.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>UV radiations:</strong> UV-bright stars are speculated to be the reason for the ultraviolet radiation coming from old stellar systems.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>About NGC 2808:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>NGC 2808 is a <strong>globular cluster in the constellation Carina.</strong> The cluster belongs to the <strong>Milky Way,</strong> and is one of our home galaxy's <strong>most massive clusters,</strong> millions of stars. It is estimated to be 12.5-billion years old.</li>
<li>It is said to have at least <strong>five generations of stars.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Stellar Evolution</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Nebula:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>A nebula is a cloud of gas (mostly hydrogen and helium) and dust in space.</li>
<li>Nebulae are the birthplaces of stars.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Main Sequence Stars:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Main sequence stars are stars that are fusing hydrogen atoms to form helium atoms in their cores.</li>
<li>Most of the stars in the universe i.e. about 90% of them are main sequence stars. The<strong> sun</strong> is a main sequence star.</li>
<li>Towards the end of its life, a star like the Sun <strong>swells up into a red giant,</strong> before losing its <strong>outer layers</strong> as a<strong> planetary nebula and finally shrinking to become a white dwarf.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Red Dwarf:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The <strong>faintest (less than 1/1000th the brightness of the Sun) main sequence stars</strong> are called the red dwarfs.</li>
<li><strong>Proxima Centauri,</strong> the nearest star to the Sun, is a red dwarf.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Red Giant:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Red giants have diameters between 10 and 100 times that of the Sun.</li>
<li>They are very bright, although their surface temperature is lower than that of the Sun.</li>
<li>A red giant is formed during the<strong> later stages of the evolution as it runs out of hydrogen fuel at its centre.</strong></li>
<li>A very large red giant is often called <strong>Red Supergiant.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Planetary Nebula:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Planetary nebula is an outer layer of gas and dust that are lost <strong>when the star changes from a red giant to a white dwarf.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>White Dwarf:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>A white dwarf is a <strong>very small, hot star, the last stage in the life cycle of a star.</strong></li>
<li>White dwarfs are the remains of normal stars, whose nuclear energy supplies <strong>have been used up.</strong></li>
<li>White dwarf consists of degenerate matter with a <strong>very high density</strong> due to gravitational effects.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Nova:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Novae occur on the surface of a <strong>white dwarf</strong> in a binary system.</li>
<li>If the two stars of the system are sufficiently near to one another, material (hydrogen) can be pulled from the companion star&rsquo;s surface onto the white dwarf.</li>
<li>When enough material builds up on the surface of the white dwarf, it triggers a nuclear fusion on a white dwarf which causes a sudden brightening of the star.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Supernova:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>A supernova is the<strong> explosive death of a star</strong> and often results in the star obtaining the brightness of <strong>100 million suns for a short time.</strong></li>
<li>The extremely luminous burst of radiation expels much or all of a<strong> star&rsquo;s material at a great velocity,</strong> driving a shock wave into the surrounding interstellar medium.</li>
<li>These shock waves trigger condensation which is a nebula paving the way for the birth of a new star.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>A <strong>neutron star</strong> is the <strong>collapsed core of a massive supergiant star.</strong></li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1611312148_image7.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1611312148_image7.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="700" caption="false" /></strong></a></p>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>AstroSat</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It is a <strong>multi-wavelength astronomy mission</strong> on an IRS-class (Indian Remote Sensing-Class) satellite in a<strong> 650-km, near-equatorial orbit.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Launch:</strong> It was launched by the Indian launch vehicle <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/50th-pslv-launch" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>PSLV</strong></a> from Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota in 2015 by ISRO.</li>
<li>It is the<strong> first dedicated Indian astronomy mission aimed at studying celestial sources in X-ray, optical and UV spectral bands</strong> simultaneously with its five unique X-ray and ultraviolet telescopes working in tandem.</li>
<li>One of the unique features of AstroSat mission is that it enables the <strong>simultaneous multi-wavelength observations</strong> of various astronomical objects with a single satellite.</li>
<li>The Ground Command and Control Centre for ASTROSAT is located at <strong>ISRO Telemetry, Tracking and Command Network</strong> (ISTRAC), <strong>Bangalore, India.</strong></li>
<li>This has put India in an exclusive club of countries which have multi wavelength space observatories.</li>
<li>The minimum life of the AstroSat mission was expected to be <strong>5 years.</strong></li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=1690854#:~:text=With%20spectacular%20ultraviolet%20images%20of,appear%20dim%20in%20these%20images." 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/uv-bright-stars-spotted-in-globular-structure-ngc-2808'
	],
	(int) 7 => [
		'title' => 'Egypt Resumes Severed Relations With Qatar',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently,<strong> Egypt resumed the severed diplomatic and economic ties with Qatar.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Egypt was part of an <strong>Arab quartet</strong> (other members were Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates and Bahrain) which had accused Qatar of supporting terrorism and being too close to Iran due to which they had imposed a land, air and naval blockade on Qatar in <strong>2017.</strong></li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1611311004_image8.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1611311004_image8.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="450" caption="false" /></strong></a></p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Reasons for the Reassumption of Ties:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Solidarity and Stability Deal:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Recently, Gulf states signed a <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/solidarity-and-stability-deal-gulf-countries" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>&lsquo;solidarity and stability&rsquo;</strong> </a>deal at the 41<sup>st</sup> <strong>Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC)</strong> summit. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and UAE</strong> are the members of GCC.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>In this summit, members of the GCC removed all the sanctions over Qatar and <strong>reopened their land, sea and air borders</strong> to Qatar.</li>
<li>In solidarity with the Arab quartet (whose three members are in GCC), Egypt too resumed its ties with Qatar.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>To Unite Against Iran:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Egypt conciliated with Qatar to strengthen the Gulf region against the threats posed by the <strong>Iranian regime&rsquo;s nuclear and ballistic missile programme</strong> which has always been opposed by the USA and GCC members.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Growing Power of Qatar:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Qatar is one of the<strong> world&rsquo;s largest natural gas producers</strong> and among the countries with <strong>the highest per-capita income,</strong> and is also <strong>host of the 2022 Football World Cup.</strong></li>
<li>Under the Government of Mohamad Morsi (2012-13), Qatar was the highest investor in Egypt.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Support from USA:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The United States and Qatar have extensive economic ties. The USA is the largest foreign direct investor and its single largest destination of exports.</li>
<li>Due to good mutual relations between Qatar and USA, the USA <strong>mediated the solidarity and stability deal</strong> to unite all the gulf countries against Iran which also triggered Egypt's reconciliation.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Reasons For Earlier Discord:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Ties with Muslim Brotherhood:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Post <a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/the-big-picture-syria-crisis-us-backs-out" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Arab spring</strong> </a>and the downfall of Mohamad Morsi (former president of Egypt whom Qatar favoured) regime, Qatar supported Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt to secure its influence within that country as well as domestic support from other Islamist groups.</li>
<li>However, the <strong>Muslim brotherhood were outpowered</strong> by the current regime under<strong> Abdel Fattah el-Sisi</strong> which has allegiance with the Arab quartet. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Gulf states monarchs and dictators are against the Islamist movements under Muslim Brotherhood because it aims for <strong>political reforms</strong> that might <strong>threaten their regime.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Independent Foreign Policy Approach:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>In the past, Qatar has long been dominated by Saudi Arabia. Since 1995, Qatar initiated an independent foreign policy approach and established friendly relations not only with other countries such as the USA, Europe, Israel and Iran but also with the<a href="/to-the-points/Paper2/israel-palestine" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> Palestinian</strong></a>, Hamas and the Islamist parties as well.</li>
<li>Assumption of such<strong> high-profile roles in regional mediation and cooperation</strong> did not go well with the GCC members and Egypt.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Good Relationship with Iran:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Qatar shares a <strong>huge gas field with Iran,</strong> which is an incentive for it to retain good relations with the Iraninan regime.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Significance for India:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>India has good relationships with Egypt as well as all the GCC states including Qatar. Such reconciliation and rapprochement between countries in the region could expand the opportunities for India.</li>
<li>The Gulf region is one of the <strong>biggest markets for Indian goods</strong> and is the most important supplier of hydrocarbons to its economy. Peaceful relationships between these gas and oil reserve rich states are favourable to <strong>catering to the energy needs of India.</strong></li>
<li>The Gulf countries host more than millions of Indian migrants. They are mostly the workers who carry out development activities and they are the prime sources of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/india-remained-the-highest-recipient-of-remittances" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>remittances</strong></a> to India.</li>
<li>Improved mutual relationships with gulf countries and Egypt could provide employment and investments opportunities for India in areas such as <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/food-processing-in-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>food processing</strong></a>, healthcare, education, culture, defence and security.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/egypt-resumes-severed-relations-with-qatar'
	],
	(int) 8 => [
		'title' => 'Alternative Anti-Cancer Therapy',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>An <strong>Innovation in Science Pursuit for Inspired Research (INSPIRE)</strong> faculty from the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/50th-foundation-day-of-dst" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Department of Science &amp; Technology</strong></a> (DST) is working on an <strong>Alternative Anti-<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/national-cancer-awareness-day" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Cancer</a> Therapy (Anti-Angiogenic)</strong> using <strong>transgenic zebrafish.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>INSPIRE</strong> is an<strong> innovative programme</strong> sponsored and managed by the DST for <strong>attraction of talent to Science</strong> and was launched in 2008.</li>
<li><strong>Objective</strong> of INSPIRE is<strong> to communicate to the youth of the country the excitements of creative pursuit of science, attract talent to the study of science</strong> at an early age and thus<strong> build the required critical human resource pool</strong> for strengthening and expanding the Science &amp; Technology system and R&amp;D base.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Angiogenesis:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It is the <strong>physiological process</strong> through which <strong>new blood vessels form from pre-existing vessels.</strong></li>
<li>It is <strong>critical in the growth of cancer</strong> because tumors need blood supply to grow. Tumors trigger the growth of blood cells by giving off chemical signals that stimulate angiogenesis.</li>
<li><strong>Inhibition of tumor angiogenesis</strong> has become a popular <strong>anti-cancer strategy</strong> after chemotherapy.
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Angiogenesis inhibitors</strong> are unique cancer-fighting agents because they <strong>block the growth of blood vessels that support tumor growth</strong> rather than blocking the growth of tumor cells themselves.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Limitation of Anti-Angiogenic Drugs:</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The clinically approved <strong>anti-angiogenic drugs</strong> are ineffective due to <strong>parallel activation of various compensatory mechanisms</strong> involving a cascade of molecules, which <strong>aids tumor angiogenesis</strong> and investigation of these mechanisms are essential for developing anti-angiogenic therapies.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Alternative Anti-Cancer Therapy:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Scientists are exploring an alternative anti-cancer therapy that involves <strong>targeting tumor generated formation of new blood vessels</strong> which <strong>allows the delivery of oxygen and nutrients to the body's tissues.</strong></li>
<li>An INSPIRE faculty is exploring the role of<strong> compensatory mechanisms</strong> signaling cues as key targets for cancer therapy.</li>
<li>He has also found that<strong> nitric oxide (NO) plays a key role in switching off angiogenesis</strong> under tumor microenvironment and that the <strong>melatonin hormone</strong> suppresses tumor angiogenesis.</li>
<li>The research has shown that<strong> compensatory mechanisms could be a potential therapeutic target</strong> for developing effective anti-cancer treatment regimes.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Transgenic Zebrafish Platform (TZP):<a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1611307173_image2.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1611307173_image2.jpg" style="float: right;" width="300" caption="false" /></a></strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>About:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The INSPIRE faculty is further working to develop <strong>transgenic zebrafish</strong> (which have exogenous genes added to their genome) model by use of the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/crispr-technology" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>CRISPR/Cas9 gene-editing tool</strong></a> to study the compensatory angiogenesis mechanism in tumor microenvironment.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Reason for Using Zebrafish Model:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It has been selected for the study because of its <strong>rapid development, optically transparent, high yield in offspring, and easy techniques for forward and reverse gene manipulation.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Cancer</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>About:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It is a <strong>large group of diseases</strong> that can start in almost any organ or tissue of the body when<strong> abnormal cells grow uncontrollably,</strong> go beyond their usual boundaries to invade adjoining parts of the body and/or spread to other organs. The latter process is called <strong>metastasizing</strong> and is a major cause of death from cancer.</li>
<li>A <strong>neoplasm</strong> and <strong>malignant</strong> tumor are other common names for cancer.</li>
<li>Lung, prostate, colorectal, stomach and liver cancer are the <strong>most common types of cancer in men,</strong> while breast, colorectal, lung, cervical and thyroid cancer are the<strong> most common among women.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Cancer Burden:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Cancer remains as one of the<strong> leading causes of adult illness and death</strong> due to chronic and <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/non-communicable-diseases-in-india#:~:text=National%20Programme%20for%20Prevention%20and,National%20Health%20Mission%20(NHM).&amp;text=The%20initiative%20will%20help%20in,on%20risk%20factors%20of%20NCDs." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Non-Communicable Diseases (NCD)</strong></a> world-over including in India.</li>
<li>According to the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/world-health-organization-who" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>World Health Organisation (WHO)</strong></a>, cancer is the second <strong>leading cause of death globally and in 2018</strong>, there were approximately 18 million cases globally, of which 1.5 million were in India alone.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Prevention:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Between 30% and 50% of cancer deaths could be prevented <strong>by modifying or avoiding the key risk factors.</strong> Key risk factors include <strong>tobacco use, alcohol use, diet, exposure to ultraviolet radiation, pollution, chronic infections, etc.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Treatment:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Options include<strong> surgery, cancer medicines and/or radiotherapy,</strong> administered alone or in combination.</li>
<li><strong>Palliative care,</strong> which focuses on improving the quality of life of patients and their families, is an essential component of cancer care.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1690326" 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/alternative-anti-cancer-therapy'
	],
	(int) 9 => [
		'title' => 'Ratle Hydro Electric Project',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>The Union Cabinet has given its approval for <strong>850 MegaWatt</strong> (MW)<strong> Ratle hydropower project</strong> on <strong>Chenab river</strong> in Jammu and Kashmir.</p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>About the Ratle Hydroelectric Project:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Location:</strong> It is a<strong> run-of-the-river hydroelectric</strong> power station <strong>on the Chenab River, Kishtwar district</strong> of the Indian Union Territory of <strong>Jammu and Kashmir.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Features:</strong> It includes<strong> a 133 m tall gravity dam</strong> and <strong>two power stations</strong> adjacent to one another. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The installed capacity of both power stations will be <strong>850 MW.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Background:</strong> In June 2013, the then Indian Prime Minister laid the foundation stone for the dam. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Pakistan has frequently alleged</strong> that it violates the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/60-years-of-indus-water-treaty" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Indus Water Treaty, 1960.</strong></a></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>The Latest Approval:</strong> It <strong>envisages an investment of about Rs. 5282 crore</strong> and the project shall be <strong>commissioned within a span of 60 months. </strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Pakistan&rsquo;s Objections and Indus Water Treaty:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The Pakistan government in 2013 had objected to the construction of the dam, claiming that it was not in conformity with the <strong>Indus Water Treaty.</strong></li>
<li>In<strong> August 2017,</strong> the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/world-bank-group" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>World Bank</strong></a> <strong>allowed India to construct the dam.</strong></li>
<li>Pakistan has approached the World Bank <strong>with fresh protests,</strong> but the Centre has now <strong>decided to go ahead with the construction.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The <strong>Indus Waters Treaty</strong> was signed in 1960 after<strong> nine years of negotiations</strong> between India and Pakistan <strong>with the help of the World Bank, which is also a signatory.</strong></li>
<li>The Treaty <strong>provides India an absolute control of all the waters of Eastern Rivers</strong> while <strong>Pakistan shall receive for unrestricted use all those waters of the Western Rivers</strong> which <strong>India</strong> is under obligation to let flow beyond the <strong>permitted uses.</strong></li>
<li>The <strong>Ravi, the Beas and the Sutlej</strong> are together called as<strong> Eastern Rivers</strong> while the <strong>Chenab, the Jhelum and the Indus main</strong> are called as <strong>Western Rivers. </strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Benefits:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Strategic:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>This comes in the backdrop of India&rsquo;s<strong> plan to expedite strategically important hydropower projects</strong> in the union territory post its reorganization, as the government <strong>plans to fully utilize its share of water under the Indus Waters Treaty of 1960.</strong></li>
<li>The task is seen as strategically vital in the context of China developing the controversial <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/viability-of-bri-and-cpec" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>China-Pakistan Economic Corridor</strong></a> (CPEC), part of its<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/italy-joins-belt-road-initiative" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> One Belt One Road</strong></a> (OBOR) infrastructure initiative.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Socio-Economic Development:</strong> The construction activities of the Project will result in<strong> direct</strong> and <strong>indirect employment</strong> to around 4000 persons. Increase in <strong>disposable income</strong> will in turn lead to <strong>socio-economic development</strong> of the region.</li>
<li><strong>Power at Cheaper Rates:</strong> Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir will be benefitted by getting <strong>free power</strong> worth Rs. 5289 crore.</li>
<li><strong>Surplus Power:</strong> The Power generated from the Project will help in providing <strong>balancing of Grid</strong> and will improve the <strong>power supply position.</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Grid balancing involves increasing existing power generating infrastructure to smooth out the supply of power.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Government Revenue:</strong> Through levy of <strong>Water Usage Charges</strong> from Ratle Hydro Electric Project, during project life cycle of <strong>40 years.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Other Projects on Chenab Basin:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Kiru Hydro Electric (HE) Project:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The Kiru HE Project of 624 MW installed capacity is proposed on river Chenab (Kishtwar district).</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Pakal Dul (Drangdhuran) Hydroelectric Project:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It is a reservoir based scheme proposed on river<strong> Marusudar,</strong> the main <strong>right bank tributary of river Chenab</strong> in Kishtwar Tehsil of Doda District in Jammu &amp; Kashmir.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Dulhasti Power Station:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It is run-of-the-river with an installed capacity of 390 MW to harness the hydropower potential of<strong> river Chenab</strong> (Kishtwar district).</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Salal Power Station:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It is a run-of-the-river scheme with an installed capacity of 690 MW to harness the Hydropower potential of <strong>river Chenab.</strong> It is located in <strong>Reasi district of Jammu &amp; Kashmir.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Chenab River</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Source:</strong> It rises in the upper Himalayas in the <strong>Lahaul and Spiti district </strong>of<strong> Himachal Pradesh state.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The river is formed by the confluence of two rivers, <strong>Chandra and Bhaga, at Tandi, 8 km southwest of Keylong,</strong> in the <strong>Lahaul and Spiti district.</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The <strong>Bhaga river</strong> originates from <strong>Surya taal lake,</strong> which is situated a few kilometers west of the<strong> Bara-lacha la pass</strong> in Himachal Pradesh.</li>
<li>The <strong>Chandra river</strong> originates from <strong>glaciers east of the same pass</strong> (near Chandra Taal).</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Flows Through:</strong> It flows through the <strong>Jammu region of Jammu and Kashmir into the plains of Punjab, Pakistan, before flowing into the Indus River.</strong></li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1611302190_image6.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1611302190_image6.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="550" caption="false" /></strong></a></p>
</div>
<p><a href="https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1690419" 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/ratle-hydro-electric-project'
	],
	(int) 10 => [
		'title' => 'Question Hour to Resume during Budget Session',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p><strong>Question Hour,</strong> which had been <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/question-hour-and-zero-hour" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>suspended by the government during the monsoon session</strong></a>, <strong>will resume</strong> when Parliament meets<strong> for the budget session.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The suspension was done in view of the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/covid-19-and-india-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Covid-19</strong> </a>pandemic. The government <strong>had also cancelled the winter session of Parliament</strong> citing a rising number of Covid cases.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Question Hour (Description):</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The<strong> first hour of every parliamentary sitting</strong> is slotted for the Question Hour. However, in 2014, the Question Hour was<strong> shifted in the Rajya Sabha</strong> from 11 am to 12 noon.</li>
<li>During this one hour, <strong>Members of Parliament (MPs) ask questions to ministers</strong> and hold them accountable for the functioning of their ministries.</li>
<li>The <strong>questions can also be asked to the private members</strong> (MPs who are not ministers).</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Regulation:</strong> It is regulated according to<strong> parliamentary rules.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The <strong>presiding officers of the both Houses</strong> (<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/role-of-rajya-sabha" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Rajya Sabha</strong></a> and Lok Sabha) are the final authority with respect to the conduct of Question Hour.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Types of Questions:</strong> There are<strong> three</strong> kinds of questions asked:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Starred question</strong> (distinguished by an asterisk): This requires an<strong> oral answer</strong> and hence supplementary questions can follow.</li>
<li><strong>Unstarred question:</strong> This requires a written answer and hence, <strong>supplementary questions cannot follow.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Short notice question:</strong> It is one that is asked by giving a notice of less than ten days. It is answered orally.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Frequency:</strong> Question Hour in both Houses is held <strong>on all days</strong> of the session. But there are two days when an <strong>exception</strong> is made.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>When the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/president-s-powers-to-pardon#:~:text=Pardoning%20Power%20of%20the%20President%20in%20India%3A,is%20a%20sentence%20of%20death." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>President</strong></a> addresses MPs from both Houses.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The President&rsquo;s speech takes place at the beginning of a new Lok Sabha and on the first day of a new Parliament year.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>On the day the Finance Minister presents the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/union-budget-2020-21-economy" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Budget</strong></a>.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Previous Sessions Without Question Hour:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In the past too, the Question Hour has been suspended. They were suspended <strong>during national emergencies. </strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Importance of Question Hour:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Parliamentarian right:</strong> Asking of questions is an inherent and unfettered parliamentary right of members.</li>
<li><strong>Holds government accountable:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It is during the Question Hour that the members can ask questions on <strong>every aspect of administration and Governmental activity.</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Government policies in national as well as international spheres come into<strong> sharp focus.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Like in trials,</strong> during the Question Hour, every Minister has to answer for their acts of <strong>administrative omission and commission.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Adaptation of policies:</strong> Through the Question Hour, the Government is able to quickly feel the <strong>pulse of the nation</strong> and adapt its policies and actions accordingly.</li>
<li><strong>Appointment of a Commission:</strong> Sometimes questions may lead to the appointment of a Commission, a <strong>Court of Enquiry</strong> or even Legislation when matters raised by Members are of wide public importance.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Sessions of Parliament</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Summoning of Parliament:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The summoning of Parliament is specified in<strong> Article 85 of the Constitution.</strong></li>
<li>The <strong>power to convene a session</strong> of Parliament <strong>rests with the government.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The decision is taken by the <strong>Cabinet Committee on Parliamentary Affairs</strong> which is formalised by the President, in whose name MPs are summoned to meet for a session.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Schedule of the Sessions:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>India does not have a fixed parliamentary calendar.</li>
<li>However, the gap between two sessions of the Parliament cannot exceed 6 months, which means the <strong>Parliament meets at least two times in one year.</strong></li>
<li>By convention (i.e. not provided by the Constitution), Parliament meets for <strong>three sessions</strong> in a year.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Budget session:</strong> The<strong> longest,</strong> Budget Session (1<sup>st</sup> session), starts towards the end of January, and concludes by the end of April or first week of May. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The session has a recess so that Parliamentary Committees can discuss the budgetary proposals.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Monsoon session:</strong> The second session is the three-week Monsoon Session, which usually begins in July and finishes in August.</li>
<li><strong>Winter Session:</strong> It is the third session held from November to December.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/question-hour-to-resume-during-budget-session/article33610764.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/question-hour-to-resume-during-budget-session'
	],
	(int) 11 => [
		'title' => 'India's Vaccine Diplomacy',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>India has decided to ship out doses of the <strong>novel coronavirus vaccine to 'neighbouring and key partner countries'.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The first batches of vaccine have been <strong>already delivered to Bhutan and Maldives</strong> by special planes as a<strong> grant or gift.</strong></li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>India&rsquo;s Coronavirus Vaccines</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Recently, the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/no-clinical-trials-in-india-for-new-drugs" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Drug Controller General of India (DCGI)</strong></a> granted the approval for two vaccines - <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/phase-ii-iii-clinical-trials-of-covishield" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>COVISHIELD</strong></a> by Serum Institute of India and <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/covaxin-approved-for-human-clinical-trials" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>COVAXIN</strong> </a>by Bharat Biotech.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>COVISHIELD:</strong> It is the name given to an<strong> Oxford-AstraZeneca</strong> Covid-19 vaccine which is technically referred to as<strong> AZD1222</strong> or <strong>ChAdOx 1 nCoV-19.</strong></li>
<li><strong>COVAXIN:</strong> It is <strong>India&rsquo;s only indigenous Covid-19 vaccine.</strong> This vaccine has been found to be safe and no major side effects are expected.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Of the two vaccines, <strong>COVAXIN</strong> is an<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/inactivated-virus-vaccine-in-focus-for-covid-19" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> inactivated vaccine</strong> </a>whereas<strong> COVISHIELD</strong> is a <strong>live vaccine.</strong></li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Vaccine Diplomacy:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Meaning:</strong> Vaccine diplomacy is the <strong>branch of global health diplomacy</strong> in which a nation uses the development or delivery of vaccines to strengthen ties with other nations.</li>
<li><strong>Collaborative Effort:</strong> It also includes the joint development of life-saving vaccines and related technologies, with the major actors typically <strong>scientists coming together to work irrespective of the kind of diplomatic relationship</strong> between the participating countries.</li>
<li><strong>Benefit for India:</strong> It could provide innovative opportunities to promote India&rsquo;s foreign policy and diplomatic relations between nations in its neighbourhood and across the globe. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>India had<strong> earlier supplied</strong> hydroxychloroquine, Remdesivir and paracetamol tablets, as well as diagnostic kits, ventilators, masks, gloves and other medical supplies to a large number of countries to help them deal with the pandemic.</li>
<li>India has also <strong>carried out capacity building and training workshops</strong> for neighbouring countries.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>India&rsquo;s Vaccine Diplomacy Plan:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Shipments have begun arriving in the <strong>Maldives, Bhutan, Bangladesh and Nepal. Myanmar and the Seychelles</strong> are next in line to get consignments.</li>
<li>In cases of <strong>Sri Lanka, Afghanistan and Mauritius,</strong> India is awaiting their confirmation of necessary regulatory clearances.</li>
<li>The <strong>only exception to India&rsquo;s regional vaccine diplomacy would be Pakistan,</strong> which has cleared the AstraZeneca vaccine for use, but has neither requested nor discussed any doses from India yet.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Importance of India&rsquo;s Vaccine Diplomacy:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Strategic:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Earning long term goodwill:</strong> By financing shipments from India&rsquo;s assistance programmes for cash-strapped neighbouring countries desperately needing such assistance, India shall earn the long-term goodwill of its immediate neighbours and across Indian ocean countries<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It is in line with <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/what-is-indias-neighbourhood" target="_blank" rel="noopener">India&rsquo;s neighborhood first initiative</a></strong>.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Advantage over Chinese:</strong> China recently offered its vaccines to Nepal, Afghanistan, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh as it held a <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/china-s-rising-influence-in-south-asia" target="_blank" rel="noopener">multilateral dialogue</a></strong> with the four countries and Pakistan on anti-epidemic prevention. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Early shipment from India in these countries could help counter China&rsquo;s vaccine and mask diplomacy in its neighbourhood.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Leverage over western countries:</strong> While the affluent western world, notably the US and Europe, are focused almost exclusively on their own problems, India is being appreciated for helping its neighbours and developing countries, who could not afford US and European vaccines.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Economic: </strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Make India global supply centre:</strong> Beyond India's immediate neighbours, South Korea, Qatar, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Morocco and South Africa have all shown inclinations to purchase vaccines from India which is estimated to be 60% of the global supply of inoculants.</li>
<li><strong>Boost Pharma Manufacturing in India:</strong> India can become the pharmacy of the world. If Indian vaccines help developing countries to meet their urgent needs, they can become the future long term destination for market expansion of Indian pharmas.</li>
<li><strong>Help in reviving the economy:</strong> If India becomes the manufacturing hub to corona vaccines across the world, it shall give a boost to the GDP of India.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Rescue from cold war over vaccine:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/new-cold-war#:~:text=It's%20growth%20is%20based%20on,between%20the%20US%20and%20USSR." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>US-China cold war</strong> </a>has been accused of making distribution of vaccines &ldquo;political football&rdquo;, which caused the inordinate delay in commencing the inoculation programmes by <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/world-health-organization-who" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>WHO</strong></a>. Thus, early shipment of vaccines by India is seen as a rescue from this bipolar tussle.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Earning moral right:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>India's vaccine distribution comes at a time when WHO director-General has criticised moral corruption of drug manufacturers from rich countries for delaying distribution of vaccines and targeting shipments to rich countries only. This could help India have a moral right to have <strong>greater say in international forums. </strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Disrupts vaccine nationalism:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Vaccine Nationalism is the mechanism through which a country manages to secure doses of vaccines for its own citizens or residents and prioritises its own domestic markets before they are made available in other countries through<strong> pre-purchase agreements</strong> with a vaccine manufacturer.</li>
<li>The major drawback of vaccine nationalism is that it puts countries with fewer resources and bargaining power at a disadvantage. India&rsquo;s intervention by making vaccines available to needy countries disrupted the vaccine nationalism.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Facilitating global collaboration:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>India vaccines supply could cater greatly to the global collaboration which is being done through the<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/gavi-covax-facility" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> WHO-backed COVAX Facility mechanism</strong></a>.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>India needs to balance its domestic needs with diplomatic commitments. <a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/the-big-picture-india-and-the-vaccination-drive" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The vaccination drive in India</a></strong> commenced in January, 2021 is going to be the <strong>World's Largest Vaccination Program.</strong> India has the challenge that while it distributes the vaccine to the world, it should ensure the much needed vaccine supply to those in India who cannot afford it.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/india-begins-massive-push-for-neighbourhood-vaccine-lakhs-to-be-shipped-out-on-wednesday/article33611977.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-s-vaccine-diplomacy'
	],
	(int) 12 => [
		'title' => 'Female Labor Force Participation In India',
		'catname' => 'News Editorials',
		'desc' => '<div class="border">
<p>This article is based on<a href="https://www.hindustantimes.com/opinion/enhancing-women-s-employment-is-key-to-economic-recovery-101610976913528.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> &ldquo;Enhancing women&rsquo;s employment is key to economic recovery&rdquo;</strong> </a>which was published in The Hindustan Times on 19/01/2021. It talks about constraints and solutions regarding declining Female Labor Force Participation in India.</p>
</div>
<p>India continues to struggle to provide its women with equal opportunity. In 2019, before the Covid-19 pandemic, female labor force participation in India was 23.5%, according to ILO estimates.</p>
<p>The pandemic has made this situation worse. It has hit women disproportionately &mdash; because they work in sectors that have been the hardest hit; work more than men do in the informal economy; or because they are the primary caregivers at home.</p>
<p>As the recovery of the Indian economy requires a concerted effort of both government and citizenry, women can become a critical part of the economic recovery. Thus, there is a need to ameliorate long-standing issues that hamper female labor force participation in India.</p>
<h3>Constraints In Female Labor Force Participation</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Stereotyping In Society:</strong> India&rsquo;s societal norms are such that women are expected to take the responsibility of family care and childcare. This stereotype is a critical barrier to women&rsquo;s labor force participation.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Due to this, women are in constant conflict over-allotment of time for work and life is a war of attrition for them.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Digital Divide:</strong> In India in 2019, internet users were 67% male and 33% female, and this gap is even bigger in rural areas.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>This divide can become a barrier for women to access critical education, health, and financial services, or to achieve success in activities or sectors that are becoming more digitized.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Technological Disruption:</strong> Women hold most of the administrative and data-processing roles that artificial intelligence and other technologies threaten to usurp.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>As routine jobs become automated, the pressure on women will intensify and they will experience higher unemployment rates.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Lack of Gender-Related Data:</strong> Globally, major gaps in gendered data and the lack of trend data make it hard to monitor progress.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In India, too, significant gaps in data on the girl child prevent a systematic longitudinal assessment of the lives of girls.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Impact of Covid-19:</strong> Owing to Covid-19, global female employment is 19% more at risk than male employment (ILO estimates).
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>For India, several estimates show that, compared to men, women were 9.5% less likely to be employed in August 2020 compared to August 2019.</li>
<li>In the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/global-gender-gap-index-2020-wef" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>World Economic Forum&rsquo;s Global Gender Gap Index</strong></a> (which measures gaps that exist in the economic participation of women), India slipped to 112th place this year, simply because over 70 lakh Indian women have dropped out of work.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<p>As a report by McKinsey Global Institute suggests that if women participated in the Indian economy at the level men do, annual GDP could be increased by 60% above its projected GDP by 2025. Given this, governments at all levels, civil society, and citizenry should take adequate measures to ensure gender equality.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Full-Time Child Care:</strong> The Integrated Child Development Scheme provides some support, but it is not a full-time child care solution.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>However, the &ldquo;Sangini Centres&rdquo; of Self Employed Women&rsquo;s Association (SEWA) provide full-day child care for 0-5-year-olds, including nutrition, health, and child care.</li>
<li>Thus, similar centers should be significantly expanded.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Bridging Digital Divide:</strong> To address this, partnerships between the public and private sectors will be most effective.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Actions will need to address affordability of phones and computers, female digital literacy and its social context, and inadequate technical content dedicated to women and girls.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Flexible Working:</strong> The pandemic-induced remote working scenario has taught the corporate world that seamless work-life integration is possible not only for women but for male professionals as well.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Even as India Industries adds more diversity and inclusion initiatives such as increased maternity leave, mandatory paternity leave, the right to and choice of work for women depends greatly on organizations continuing the practice of flexible working.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Fiscal Incentives:</strong> Women have a higher elasticity of labor supply than men (their labor supply is more responsive to their take-home wages) &mdash; lower income taxes for women can incentivize their participation.</li>
<li><strong>Encouraging Women Entrepreneurship:</strong> Creating job opportunities is the need of the hour. However, encouraging more women to become entrepreneurs will provide a long-term solution.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>By creating jobs, fuelling innovation, and furthering investment in health and education, entrepreneurship among women could transform India&rsquo;s economy and society.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Prioritizing Gender Statistics:</strong> A UN Women Initiative called &ldquo;Making Every Woman and Girl Count&rdquo; was launched in 2016 to help prioritize gender data, ensure regular production of quality and comparable gender statistics, and ensure that data are accessible and used to inform policy.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>There is a need to incorporate such an initiative in India as well.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Conclusion</h3>
<p>World Bank, noted that &ldquo;no country can develop and achieve its full potential if half of its population is locked in non-remunerative, less productive and non-economic activities.&rdquo;</p>
<p>Therefore, in a country where young women&rsquo;s education is now at par with men&rsquo;s, ignoring that half of the population isn&rsquo;t participating equally in the economy means we are missing out on innovation, entrepreneurship, and productivity gains.</p>
<table border="1" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="width: 100%; border-style: dotted; border-color: #ff0000; background-color: #fffff7;">
<p><span style="color: #333399;"><em><strong>Drishti Mains Question</strong></em></span></p>
<p>Since the woman&rsquo;s economic engagement is related to her own and her family&rsquo;s well-being, the continuing decline in women&rsquo;s labor force participation is a cause for concern, and both affect and reflects these worrying gender gaps. Discuss.</p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p style="text-align: center;"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/JfmRv-Nj3cM" 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://economictimes.indiatimes.com/blogs/et-editorials/dont-put-all-eggs-in-manufacturing-basket/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>&ldquo;Don&rsquo;t put all eggs in manufacturing basket&rdquo;</strong></a> published in The Economic Times on January 20<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/female-labor-force-participation-in-india'
	],
	(int) 13 => [
		'title' => '5th India – Singapore Defence Ministers’ Dialogue',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the <strong>5<sup>th</sup> Defence Ministers' Dialogue (DMD)</strong> between <strong>India and Singapore</strong> was successfully held through a video conferencing.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1611231329_image6.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1611231329_image6.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" caption="false" width="559" height="559" /></a></p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Agreement Signed :</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Implementing Agreement on Submarine Rescue Support and Cooperation</strong> between the two Navies was signed.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Joint Stand:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Bilateral Cooperation:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Both the countries conveyed their full support towards the early conclusion of agreements to <strong>facilitate conduct of live firings and to establish reciprocal arrangements for the cross-attendance of military courses.</strong></li>
<li>They welcomed the initiatives to expand bilateral defence cooperation including the implementing agreement on<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/tiger-triumph" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR)</strong></a> cooperation in August 2020.</li>
<li>The<strong> cyber agencies</strong> of both armed forces have also <strong>stepped up engagements.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Impact of Covid-19:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Both countries exchanged views on the impact of the global <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/comprehensive-action-plan-for-covid-19" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Covid-19 pandemic</strong></a> on the defence and security engagements, including the best practices adopted by their Armed Forces.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Defence Exercises:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Both the countries successfully conducted the <strong>27<sup>th</sup> edition of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/important-facts-for-prelims-20th-may-2019" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Singapore-India Maritime Bilateral Exercise (SIMBEX)</a></strong> and also participated in the second edition of the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/trilateral-maritime-exercise-sitmex-20" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Singapore-India-Thailand Maritime Exercise (SITMEX)</strong></a>, both held in November 2020.</li>
<li>These <strong>exercises enhance interoperability</strong> amongst the navies and<strong> underscore the shared responsibility</strong> of the countries to <strong>work together to keep sea lines of communications open.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>India&rsquo;s Stand:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>India<strong> conveyed gratitude</strong> for the role of the<strong> Singapore Armed Forces,</strong> in supporting foreign workers, many of whom were Indian Nationals, at the peak of pandemic.</li>
<li>India reaffirmed <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/asean" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)</strong></a> centrality in the regional security architecture and pledged India&rsquo;s support to all endeavours of the<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/asean-defence-ministers-meeting-plus" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> ASEAN Defence Ministers' Meeting (ADMM)-Plus.</strong></a></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Singapore&rsquo;s Stand:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Singapore complimented India&rsquo;s successes in bringing down the overall numbers of <strong>Covid-19 cases</strong> despite challenges of scale in terms of geography and population.</li>
<li>It also expressed <strong>support for India&rsquo;s upcoming co-chairmanship</strong> of the <strong>ADMM-Plus Experts&rsquo; Working Group on HADR.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Note:</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Singapore</strong> has been <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/henley-passport-index-2021" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>ranked 2<sup>nd</sup></strong></a> in the most powerful passport report<strong> &lsquo;Henley Passport Index 2021&rsquo;.</strong></li>
<li>The <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/singapore-convention-on-mediation" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>first UN treaty to be named after Singapore</strong></a>, the United Nations Convention on International Settlement Agreements Resulting from Mediation (or, <strong>Singapore Convention on Mediation</strong>) recently came into force.</li>
<li>Recently, the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/unesco-list-of-intangible-cultural-heritage-of-humanity" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Hawker Culture in Singapore</strong></a> was inscribed on the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity at the 15<sup>th</sup> session of the Intergovernmental Committee (IGC).</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>India-Singapore Relation</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Defence and Security Cooperation:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>India and Singapore share <strong>similar concerns</strong> about<strong> the challenges posed by terrorism and extremism</strong> and have found it mutually beneficial to evolve a broad framework of security cooperation.</li>
<li>Singapore participates in <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/important-facts-for-prelims-14th-november-2018#:~:text=IONS%20is%20a%20voluntary%20initiative,of%20regionally%20relevant%20maritime%20issues." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS)</strong></a> and multilateral Exercise<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/naval-exercise-milan-2020" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> MILAN</strong></a> hosted by Indian Navy.</li>
<li>Singapore&rsquo;s membership of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/19th-iora-council-of-ministers-meeting" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA)</strong></a> and India&rsquo;s membership of ADDM+ (ASEAN Defence Ministers&rsquo; Meeting - Plus) <strong>provides a platform for both countries to coordinate positions</strong> on regional issues of mutual concern.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Science &amp; Technology Cooperation:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><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> launched Singapore&rsquo;s first indigenously built micro-satellite in 2011, 2 more in 2014 and 6 in 2015.</li>
<li>In June 2018, both the countries signed six Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in the area of <a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/in-depth-artificial-intelligence" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>artificial intelligence</strong></a>, <strong>machine learning, cognitive computing and big data analytics</strong> to improve<strong> healthcare, cybersecurity, automation, mobility, smart energy systems and e-governance.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Trade and Economic Cooperation:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Singapore is<strong> India&rsquo;s 2<sup>nd</sup> largest trade partner</strong> among ASEAN countries.</li>
<li><strong>Total <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/fdi-inflow" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Foreign Direct Investment (FDI)</a></strong> from Singapore into India was <strong>USD 73.3 billion</strong> (till June 2018) which was 19% of total FDI inflow.</li>
<li>The <strong>outward Indian FDI to Singapore was USD 62.9 billion</strong> (till August 2018), making Singapore one of the top destinations for Indian investments.</li>
<li>In 2018, the High Commission of India also launched a<strong> startup engagement platform, India-Singapore Entrepreneurship Bridge (InSpreneur).</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Infrastructure and Connectivity:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Connectivity:</strong> Singapore is directly connected to 18 Indian cities by 8 airlines, there are now <strong>308 weekly services (616 weekly flights) by Indian and Singaporean airlines.</strong></li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/smart-cities-command-centres" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Smart Cities</strong></a>: A consortium of Singapore companies is developing<strong> Amaravati, the new capital city of Andhra Pradesh.</strong> Singapore is also working with Rajasthan in preparing Concept Plans for <strong>townships in Udaipur and Jodhpur;</strong> with Himachal Pradesh for developing an integrated <strong>township of Greater Shimla;</strong> and with Maharashtra for <strong>development of Orange Smart City and master planning of Pune Metropolitan Region.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Cultural Cooperation:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Singapore&rsquo;s large Indian diaspora through a number of cultural societies and Singapore&rsquo;s official support sustains a<strong> high level of cultural activity in Singapore.</strong></li>
<li>They celebrated the 4<sup>th</sup><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/international-day-of-yoga" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> International Day of Yoga (IDY)</strong></a> through 173 yoga sessions and attended by approx. 8000 people.</li>
<li>Even on <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/mahatma-gandhi-jayanti" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Mahatma Gandhi&rsquo;s 150<sup>th</sup> birth anniversary</strong></a>, celebrations were launched with a projection of Gandhiji&rsquo;s video on the world&rsquo;s largest HD video screen at Suntec Convention Centre.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Indian Community:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Ethnic Indians constitute about <strong>9.1% or around 3.5 lakhs of the resident population of 3.9 million in Singapore.</strong></li>
<li><strong>ASEAN-India <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/pravasi-bharatiya-divas#:~:text=Pravasi%20Bharatiya%20Divas%20(PBD)%20is,ko%20Janiye%20Quiz%20are%20organised." target="_blank" rel="noopener">Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD)</a></strong> was held in Singapore on 6-7 January 2018 as part of commemoration of 25 years of <strong>ASEAN-India Partnership.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=1690391#:~:text=The%205th%20Defence%20Ministers,defence%20partnership%20over%20the%20years." 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/5th-india-singapore-defence-ministers-dialogue'
	],
	(int) 14 => [
		'title' => 'India Innovation Index 2020: NITI Aayog',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3 style="padding-left: 30px;">Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently,<strong> India Innovation Index Report 2020</strong> was released by<strong> NITI Aayog</strong> in which<strong> Karnataka retained its top position</strong> in the major States category.</p>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>India Innovation Index</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Institutions Involved:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-national-institutions/niti-aayog-national-institution-for-transforming-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>NITI (National Institution for Transforming India) Ayog</strong> </a>with <strong>the Institute for Competitiveness.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Modelled on GII:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The index has been developed on the lines of the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/global-innovation-index-2019" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Global Innovation Index (GII)</strong></a>, to ameliorate the innovation ecosystem of Indian states and Union Territories (UTs) and to design policies to drive innovation across regions.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Approach:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The index goes beyond traditional approaches by <strong>considering the best parameters in measuring innovation</strong> such as <strong>patents per million</strong> of population, <strong>publication in scientific journals, percentage of GDP spending on research.</strong></li>
<li>It also adds parameters that are specific to the Indian economy (eg. Demographic dividend), to give it a more holistic coverage.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Indicators Used:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The indicators that the survey uses includes the level and quality of education and parameters such as:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Number of PhD students</strong> and<strong> knowledge-intensive</strong> employment.</li>
<li>Enrolment in <strong>engineering and technology</strong> and number of<strong> highly skilled professionals.</strong></li>
<li>Investment in<strong> R&amp;D</strong> and number of patents and trademark applications filed.</li>
<li><strong>Internet subscribers.</strong></li>
<li><strong>FDI inflows,</strong> business environment and safety and legal environment.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Categories:</strong> The Innovation Index is divided into three categories&mdash;<strong>major states, Union Territories, and hill and North East states.</strong></li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1611225938_image2.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1611225938_image2.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="550" caption="false" /></strong></a></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Major States:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Top States: Karnataka topped with a score of 42.5</strong> for the second year running. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The state&rsquo;s success has been attributed to a high number of <strong>venture capital deals, registered</strong> <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/potential-of-gis-is-waiting-to-be-tapped" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>GIs</strong></a> and <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/use-of-ict-in-education" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>ICT exports</strong></a>, and high <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/fdi-inflow" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>FDI inflow</strong></a>.</li>
<li>Four southern states &ndash; <strong>Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Telangana and Kerala &mdash;occupy the top positions on the index,</strong> apart from<strong> Maharashtra which ranked second.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Bottom States: Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh and Bihar</strong> scored the lowest on the index, which put them at the bottom in the &ldquo;major States&rdquo; category. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Bihar raked last</strong> with 14.5 points.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Hill and North-East States:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Himachal Pradesh topped the rankings</strong> of hill and North-East states, followed by Uttarakhand, Manipur and Sikkim.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Union territories/Small States:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Delhi has scored the highest on the index</strong> in the country with a score of 46.6, while <strong>Lakshadweep has the lowest score at 11.7.</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Delhi recorded the highest number of<strong> trademark and patent applications,</strong> along with the establishment of<strong> new start-ups and companies</strong> in the last financial year.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Challenges:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Attracting Private Investment in Research:</strong> The <strong>Indian government is a major spender in R&amp;D,</strong> while the investment of the private sector is very low when compared to Israel where private companies account for 70% of private investment in R&amp;D.</li>
<li><strong>Bridging North-South Divide:</strong> In the findings of the report the southern states have fared much better than the North Indian states. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>There is a need to establish to interlink innovative capacities of the states (with differential per capita GDP) to decrease regional disparity in innovation.</li>
<li>Best practices observed within the States should often be documented and disseminated to encourage peer-to-peer learning.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Need for micro-analysis of State-level policies:</strong> For a country as large as India, the state of innovation needs to be understood at the regional level for effective policy formulation.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Based on the index each state needs to formulate its own policy, based on its unique resources and strengths and which caters to its specific needs.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Suggestions:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Investing More in Research:</strong> India needs to increase its spending on R&amp;D which is around <strong>0.6-0.7% of its GDP,</strong> way below the expenditure level of countries like Israel (4.3%), South Korea (4.2%), the US (2.8%) and China (2.1%). <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Increased spending on research and development with greater collaboration between the industry and educational institutions may help to enhance innovation capability.</li>
<li>It could broaden and improve the capability of top rung educational institutions in the country to produce greater innovation outputs.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Establish a Collaborative Platform:</strong> To link all the stakeholders of innovation - innovators, researchers, and investors from the industry, a common platform should be developed.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It will help to strengthen the industry-academia linkages and will ease the process of technology transfer by providing a platform for innovators to showcase their inventions.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/india/karnataka-most-innovative-major-state-niti-index-7155081/" 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-innovation-index-2020-niti-aayog'
	],
	(int) 15 => [
		'title' => 'S-400 Triumf Missile System',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>The first group of Indian military specialists are scheduled to depart for Moscow (Russia) soon to undergo training courses on the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/india-going-ahead-with-purchase-of-S-400-air-defence-systems" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>S-400 Triumf missile defence system.</strong></a></p>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1611225126_image1.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1611225126_image1.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="450" caption="false" /></a></p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Background:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In October <strong>2018, India signed a 5.43 billion USD deal with Russia</strong> for the<strong> S-400 Triumf missile system despite</strong> objections from the US and the threat of sanctions under <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/u-s-a-s-position-on-caatsa" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Countering America&rsquo;s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act</strong> </a>(CAATSA).</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>About the S-400 Triumf Missile System:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The S-400 Triumf is a mobile, surface-to-air missile system (SAM) designed by Russia. It is the most dangerous operationally deployed modern long-range SAM (MLR SAM) in the world, considered much ahead of the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/china-s-opposition-to-thaad" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>US-developed Terminal High Altitude Area Defense system (THAAD)</strong></a>.</li>
<li>The system<strong> can engage all types of aerial targets</strong> including aircraft, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) and ballistic and cruise missiles within the range of 400km, at an altitude of up to 30km.</li>
<li>The system <strong>can track 100 airborne targets and engage six of them simultaneously.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Significance for India:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>From India&rsquo;s point of view,<strong> China is also buying the system.</strong> In 2015, China signed an agreement with Russia to purchase six battalions of the system. Its delivery began in January 2018.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>China&rsquo;s acquisition of the S-400 system has been viewed as a &ldquo;game changer&rdquo; in the region. However, its effectiveness against India is limited.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>India&rsquo;s acquisition is <strong>crucial to counter attacks in a two-front war,</strong> including even high-end F-35 US fighter aircraft.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>India Russia Defence Cooperation</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Important Pillar:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Defence cooperation is an important pillar of the<strong> India-Russia strategic partnership. </strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Regular Meetings:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The<strong> two Defence Ministers meet annually,</strong> alternately in Russia and India, to discuss and review the status of ongoing projects and other issues of military technical cooperation.</li>
<li>In 2008, the <strong>High Level Monitoring Committee</strong> (HLMC) was set up with<strong> Defence Secretary</strong> from the Ministry of Defence (India) and <strong>Director of Federal Service</strong> for Military Technical Cooperation (FSMTC - Russia) as its co-chairs.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Downturn:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>While India and Russia&rsquo;s economic relationship has been a weak point in the <strong>post-Cold War period,</strong> the US emerged as the top arms supplier to India, pushing Russia to the second position based on data for the years 2011-13.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Current Scenario:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The low of 2013-14 has since been corrected and the crucial deal of S-400 Triumf Air Defence Missile System was initiated despite fears of sanctions under CAATSA.</li>
<li>As India has been spreading its supplier base with Israel, US and France, Russia still remains a major supplier. This is indicated by following latest developments:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>India has approved proposals to acquire<strong> Mig29</strong> and <strong>Su30 MKI</strong> fighter aircraft from Russia for 2.4 billion USD.</li>
<li>The two sides are successfully moving towards the implementation of a <strong>AK-203 rifle contract</strong> and <strong>200 <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/kamov-226t-utility-helicopters" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Ka-226T utility helicopters</a></strong> supplies.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/indian-military-equipment-of-russian-origin#:~:text=Stockholm%20International%20Peace%20Research%20Institute,India%20in%20the%20same%20period." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>According to a paper published</strong></a> by<strong> Stimson Center,</strong> 86% of the equipment, weapons and platforms currently in military service in India are of <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/recalibration-of-india-russia-ties" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Russian</a></strong> origin.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>From Imports to Joint Production:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Over the years, cooperation in the military technical sphere has evolved from a <strong>purely buyer-seller relationship to joint research, design development and production</strong> of state of the art military platforms. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Production of the<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/brahmos-missile" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> Brahmos cruise missile</strong></a> is an example of this trend.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Joint Exercises:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/indra-2020-to-be-held-in-andaman-sea" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Exercise INDRA</strong></a>, is a joint, tri services exercise between India and Russia.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Russia's Military Equipment Deployed by India:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Navy:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The Navy's only active aircraft carrier<strong> INS Vikramaditya</strong> is from Russia. A <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/india-russia-nuclear-attack-submarine-deal" target="_blank" rel="noopener">nuclear attack submarine</a> Chakra II</strong> is also in service.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Army:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Army&rsquo;s<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/mine-ploughs-on-t-90-tanks" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> T-90</strong></a> and <strong>T-72</strong> main battle tanks.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Air Force:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>IAF&rsquo;s <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/sukhoi-30-mki-equipped-with-the-brahmos-missile" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Su30</strong></a> MKI fighter.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/indian-military-personnel-for-moscow-soon-for-s-400-training/article33612314.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/s-400-triumf-missile-system'
	],
	(int) 16 => [
		'title' => 'Bio Medical Waste',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>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> (NGT) has recently directed various authorities to ensure compliance from the <strong>biomedical waste management facilities</strong> in the country.</p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Central Level:</strong> The<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/cpcb-notifies-contaminated-sites" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB)</strong></a> to ensure strict compliance of biomedical waste management rules and scientific disposal of the waste.</li>
<li><strong>State Level:</strong> The Chief Secretaries of all the States/UTs to oversee compliance and ensure that authorisation is secured by every health care facility in their respective jurisdiction and also there is adherence to the norms.</li>
<li><strong>District Level:</strong> The District Magistrates in accordance with the District Environmental Plans.</li>
<li><strong>Groundwater Contamination:</strong> While permitting deep burials, it may be ensured that groundwater contamination does not take place.</li>
<li><strong>Segregation:</strong> Ensure that hazardous bio-medical waste is not mixed with the general waste.</li>
<li><strong>Frequent Violation of Rules:</strong> The direction came as a result of regular fines being imposed on various healthcare facilities and biomedical waste treatment facilities</li>
<li><strong>Earlier Observation:</strong> The segregation of<strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/coronavirus-disease-named-covid-19" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> Covid-&shy;19</a> biomedical waste</strong> from general garbage is a must to avoid further contamination adversely affecting public health.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Bio-Medical Waste Management Rules, 2016</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Definition:</strong> Biomedical waste is defined as<strong> human</strong> and <strong>animal anatomical waste, treatment apparatus like needles, syringes and other materials used in health care</strong> facilities in the process of treatment and research.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Objective:</strong> The objective of the rules is to <strong>properly manage</strong> the per day bio-medical waste from <strong>Healthcare Facilities</strong> (HCFs) across the country.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Ambit:</strong> The ambit of the rules has been expanded to include <strong>vaccination camps, blood donation camps, surgical camps </strong>or any other<strong> healthcare activity.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Phase Out: Chlorinated plastic bags, gloves and blood bags</strong> has been phased out <strong>within two years</strong> starting<strong> from March 2016.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Pre-treatment:</strong> Pre-treatment of the laboratory waste, microbiological waste, blood samples and blood bags through disinfection or sterilisation on-site in the manner prescribed by the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/world-health-organization-who" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>World Health Organization</strong> </a>(WHO) or by the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/hiv-aids-outreach" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>National AIDS Control Organisation</strong> </a>(NACO).</li>
<li><strong>Categorisation:</strong> Bio-medical waste has been classified into<strong> 4 categories instead of the earlier 10 categories</strong> to improve the segregation of waste at source.</li>
<li><strong>Stringent Standards for Pollutants:</strong> The rules prescribe more stringent standards for<strong> incinerators to reduce the emission</strong> of pollutants in the environment.</li>
<li><strong>Role of State Government:</strong> The State Government provides the<strong> land for setting up common bio-medical waste treatment and disposal facility.es</strong></li>
<li><strong>Concerns:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Pandemic:</strong> The pandemic has presented a challenge in terms of capacity to scientifically dispose of generated waste and a challenge for civic authorities in charge of its collection and disposal.</li>
<li><strong>Poor Compliance:</strong> States are not following the<strong> CPCB guidelines</strong> on Covid-19 related waste.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>In some states, improper segregation of waste has been reported from <strong>Covid-19 facilities and quarantine homes.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Non Segregation:</strong> The non-&shy;segregation of waste results in the incineration of contaminated plastics producing toxic gases and adding to air pollution.</li>
<li><strong>Increase in Waste:</strong> The<strong> rise in residential biomedical waste</strong> and its collection without adhering to safety protocols could also trigger a surge in caseload.</li>
<li><strong>Health of Workers Associated:</strong> Without proper scientific management of such waste, it can potentially affect patients and can affect the <strong>concerned workers and professionals.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Discarded masks and gloves risk the lives of thousands of<strong> sanitation workers</strong> who work often without any protection or training to handle such hazardous material.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Suggestions:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Proper Segregation:</strong> Left-over food, disposable plates, glasses, used masks, tissues, toiletries, etc used by Covid-19 patients should be put in<strong> yellow-coloured bags,</strong> while used gloves should be put in <strong>red bags</strong> and sent for sterilisation and recycling at the CBWTFs.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Where waste is not going to incinerators,<strong> deep burial systems</strong> should be properly maintained as per protocols taking all due precautions to prevent harm to the environment. A deep burial system involves burying biomedical waste in <strong>2-meter-deep ditches and covering them with a layer of lime and soil.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Awareness Campaign:</strong> Initiatives like conducting an appropriate programme on Doordarshan, All India Radio and other media platforms to create mass awareness about the correct disposal of biomedical waste.</li>
<li><strong>Creating Infrastructure:</strong> The government should set up recycling plants <strong>across the country</strong> (as envisaged under the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/smart-cities-command-centres" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Smart cities project</strong></a>) under the <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/ppp-investment-model#:~:text=Public%2DPrivate%20Partnership%20Model%3A%20PPP,be%20completed%20with%20private%20funding." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Public-Private Partnership</strong></a> (PPP) Model.</li>
<li><strong>Coherency in Rules:</strong> The Centre should form a national protocol combining the Biomedical Waste Management Rules, 2016 with the guidelines on Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) for producers of plastic.</li>
<li><strong>Innovation:</strong> Incentivise <strong>start-ups</strong> and <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/micro-small-and-medium-enterprises-msme" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Small and Medium Enterprises</strong></a> (SMEs) offering solutions for waste segregation and treatment.</li>
<li><strong>Monitoring:</strong> There should be constant and regular monitoring by the central and state PCBs, Health Departments in the states/UTs and by the high-level task team at Central level with further coordination by CPCB.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-otherstates/biomedical-waste-sites-must-get-authorisation/article33622323.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/bio-medical-waste'
	],
	(int) 17 => [
		'title' => 'Electronic Waste Management',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Citing huge gaps in compliance of<strong> electronic waste-management rules,</strong> 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>(NGT) has recently ordered that scientific disposal of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/increasing-e-waste" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>e-waste</strong></a> should be ensured as per rules.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The direction has been issued to <strong>central</strong> and all<strong> state pollution control boards.</strong></li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>E-Waste</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>E-Waste is short for Electronic-Waste and the term is used to describe old, end-of-life or<strong> discarded electronic appliances.</strong> It includes their components, consumables, parts and spares.</li>
<li>It is categorised into 21 types under <strong>two broad categories:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Information technology and communication equipment.</li>
<li>Consumer electrical and electronics.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Laws to manage e-waste have been in place in India since 2011,</strong> mandating that only authorised dismantlers and recyclers collect e-waste. <strong>E-waste (Management) Rules, 2016</strong> was enacted in 2017.</li>
<li><strong>India&rsquo;s first <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/india-s-first-e-waste-clinic" target="_blank" rel="noopener">e-waste clinic</a></strong> for segregating, processing and disposal of waste from household and commercial units has been be set-up in <strong>Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh.</strong></li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>E-waste Generation in India:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>According to the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/cpcb-notifies-contaminated-sites" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Central Pollution Control Board</strong> </a>(CPCB), India generated more than <strong>10 lakh tonnes of e-waste in 2019-20,</strong> an increase from <strong>7 lakh tonnes in 2017-18.</strong> Against this, the <strong>e-waste dismantling capacity</strong> has not been increased from <strong>7.82 lakh tonnes</strong> since 2017-18.</li>
<li>In 2018, the Ministry of Environment had told the tribunal that <strong>95% of e-waste</strong> in India is <strong>recycled by the informal sector</strong> and <strong>scrap dealers unscientifically dispose of it</strong> by burning or dissolving it in acids.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>NGT&rsquo;s Directions:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Further steps should be taken for scientific enforcement of E-Waste Management Rules, 2016 (EWMR)</strong> in the light of the reports of the CPCB.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It <strong>noted gaps in collection targets,</strong> as the amount of e-waste collected in 2018-19 was 78,000 tonnes against a target of 1.54 lakh tonnes. There are <strong>clear governance deficits</strong> on the subject.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The CPCB <strong>may consider steps for compliance of Rule 16 requiring reduction in the use of Hazardous substances</strong> in the manufacture of electrical and electronic equipment and their components or consumables or parts or spares.</li>
<li>It took note that <strong>a large number of accidents take place in residential areas on account of unscientific handling of e-waste.</strong> This needs special attention for constant vigilance in such hotspots. This also requires<strong> review and updation of siting norms for e-waste by the CPCB</strong> which may be done within three months.</li>
<li>All the<strong> state pollution control boards need to identify the hotspots</strong> by constant vigil and to coordinate with the District Administration at local levels to prevent damage to the environment and public health and meaningful enforcement of rule of law.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>E-Waste Management Rules, 2016</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change notified the<strong> E-Waste Management Rules, 2016</strong> in supersession of the <strong>E-waste (Management &amp; Handling) Rules, 2011.</strong></li>
<li>Over 21 products (Schedule-I) were included under the purview of the rule. It included <strong>Compact Fluorescent Lamp (CFL) and other mercury containing lamps,</strong> as well as other such equipment.</li>
<li>For the first time, the rules brought the <strong>producers under Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), along with targets.</strong> Producers have been made responsible for the collection of E-waste and for its exchange.</li>
<li>Various producers can have a separate <strong>Producer Responsibility Organisation</strong> (PRO) and ensure collection of E-waste, as well as its disposal in an environmentally sound manner.</li>
<li><strong>Deposit Refund Scheme</strong> has been introduced as an additional economic instrument wherein the producer charges an additional amount as a deposit at the time of sale of the electrical and electronic equipment and returns it to the consumer along with interest when the end-of-life electrical and electronic equipment is returned.</li>
<li>The role of <strong>State Governments has been also introduced</strong> to ensure safety, health and skill development of the workers involved in dismantling and recycling operations.</li>
<li>A provision of <strong>penalty for violation of rules</strong> has also been introduced.</li>
<li><strong>Urban Local Bodies</strong> (Municipal Committee/Council/Corporation) have been assigned the duty to collect and channelize the <strong>orphan products to authorized dismantlers or recyclers.</strong></li>
<li>Allocation of <strong>proper space to existing and upcoming industrial units for e-waste dismantling and recycling.</strong></li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/india/electronic-waste-management-appears-that-violation-of-environmental-law-is-not-priority-says-ngt-7153446/" 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/electronic-waste-management'
	],
	(int) 18 => [
		'title' => 'Regulatory Compliance Portal: DPIIT',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the <strong>Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT)</strong> has launched a<strong> regulatory compliance portal</strong> that will act as a bridge for citizens, industries and the government <strong>to minimise burdensome compliances.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>DPIIT</strong> comes under the <strong>Ministry of Commerce and Industry.</strong> It is acting as the <strong>nodal department</strong> for coordinating the exercise of minimizing regulatory compliance burden for citizens and businesses which have an adverse impact on time and cost of businesses.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Objective:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Reduce the <strong>compliance burden,</strong> simplify further the <strong>citizen-government interface</strong> whether online or offline, and <strong>remove antiquated and obsolete acts</strong> which don&rsquo;t add value.</li>
<li>To<strong> boost manufacturing and make Indian industry competitive,</strong> there are issues of quality and manufacturing of scale but the <strong>compliance burden is a major cost.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>About the Portal:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>All <strong>Central Ministries/Departments and States/UTs</strong> would <strong>examine laws</strong>/regulations/rules under their purview and<strong> implement an Action Plan to</strong> rationalize and simplify all the processes and <strong>remove burdensome compliances, decriminalize laws and repeal redundant Acts.</strong> These <strong>details would be captured and tracked on the Regulatory Compliance Portal.</strong></li>
<li>It will act as a<strong> first-of-its-kind central online repository</strong> of all central and State-level compliances.</li>
<li><strong>Industry stakeholders</strong> from trade bodies such as<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/fiscal-performance-index" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> CII</strong></a>, <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/india-asean-expo-and-summit" target="_blank" rel="noopener">FICCI</a> and <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/international-conference-on-electric-mobility" target="_blank" rel="noopener">ASSOCHAM</a></strong> would also <strong>submit recommendations</strong> to minimize the regulatory compliance burden.</li>
<li><strong>Customized reports</strong> of action taken by each Ministry/Department and State/UT will also get generated for monitoring and evaluation.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Other Related Steps:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/ease-of-doing-business-rankings-of-the-states-dpiit" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Business Reform Action Plan (BRAP) ranking of states</strong> </a>was started in 2015. BRAP 2019 contained a list of 80 reforms (187 reform action points) to be implemented by 19 State departments. These reforms covered 12 business regulatory areas such as Access to Information, Single Window System, Labour, Environment, etc.</li>
<li><a href="/to-the-points/paper3/industrial-corridors-2" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Industrial Corridors</strong> </a>are being developed with the objective of fast-tracking growth and facilitating development of a well-planned and resource-efficient industrial base served by world-class sustainable connectivity infrastructure, bringing significant benefits in terms of innovation, manufacturing, job creation and resource security to the nation.</li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/united-nations-investment-promotion-award-2020" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Invest India</strong> </a>is the National Investment Promotion and Facilitation Agency of India. It is transforming the country&rsquo;s investment climate by simplifying the business environment for investors.&nbsp;Recently it was even declared as <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/united-nations-investment-promotion-award-2020" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>winner of the United Nations Investment Promotion Award 2020</strong></a> announced by the <strong>United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD).</strong></li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/assessment-of-make-in-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Make in India initiative</strong></a> was launched in 2014, along with action plans for 25 sectors with the objective of facilitating investment, fostering innovation, building best in class manufacturing infrastructure, making it easy to do business and enhancing skill development.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Significance:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Rise of India&rsquo;s rank in <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/ease-of-doing-business-2020" target="_blank" rel="noopener">World Bank&rsquo;s Ease of Doing Business Report</a></strong> from 142<sup>nd</sup> in 2014 to 63<sup>rd</sup> in 2019.</li>
<li>The steps taken will be instrumental in achieving the vision of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/atmanirbhar-bharat-and-economic-stimulus" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Atmanirbhar Bharat</strong></a> and help usher ease of doing business for industry and ease of living for citizens.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetailm.aspx?PRID=1690454" 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/regulatory-compliance-portal-dpiit'
	],
	(int) 19 => [
		'title' => 'KIIFB Borrowings Issue',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-national-institutions/comptroller-and-auditor-general-of-india-cag" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG)</strong></a> of India has opined that the <strong>off-budget borrowings</strong> made by the <strong>Kerala Infrastructure Investment Fund Board (KIIFB)</strong> for critical infra projects have <strong>bypassed the limits set on government borrowings under Article 293 (1) of the Constitution</strong> and such borrowings do not have legislative approval.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Off-budget borrowings</strong> are a means by which the government keeps its fiscal deficit in check by making quasi-government entities borrow on its behalf, to partly fund its expenditure plan for the year.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Provisions of Borrowings under Constitution</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Borrowing by Centre and the States:</strong> Chapter II in Part XII of the Constitution of India deals with borrowing. Article 292 covers borrowing by the Central Government, and Article 293 covers borrowing by States.</li>
<li><strong>Empowering State Legislatures:</strong> Article 293(1) provides State legislatures the power by law to enable or limit the State&rsquo;s executive powers of borrowing and giving guarantees.</li>
<li><strong>Consent of the Centre:</strong> Under clauses (3) and (4) of Article 293, State Governments need to obtain the consent of the Centre for raising fresh loans in case they are indebted to the latter, and such consent may be granted subject to conditions.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Issues:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Bypassed Constitutional Limit:</strong> CAG reported that KIIFB has bypassed the limits set on government borrowings under Article 293 of the Constitution as these borrowings did not have legislative approval.</li>
<li><strong>Encroachment on Powers of Centre:</strong> The CAG said that<strong> Entry 37 of the List 1 of the Seventh schedule of the Constitution</strong> gives powers of raising foreign loans only to the Centre. Thus, KIIFB borrowings are in violation of the Constitution and encroachment on the powers of the Centre.</li>
<li><strong>Lack of Transparency:</strong> KIIFB borrowings have not been disclosed in the Budget documents or in the accounts. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It raises doubts on transparency, and of inter-generational equity of the borrowings, the State has to furnish to Centre all the financial statements showing the estimates of receipts and payments of all sources of borrowings, including Open Market borrowings.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Burdened State Finances:</strong> KIIFB raised funds by issuance of bonds which were to be repaid from the petroleum cess and motor vehicle tax. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>CAG reported that since the KIIFB has no source of income, the borrowings by the KIIFB for which the State stood as guarantor, may ultimately turn out to be a <strong>direct liability of the State government.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Risk of Mounting External Liabilities:</strong> The RBI was criticised for granting approval to the state to float<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/kerala-the-first-indian-state-to-issue-masala-bond" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> masala bonds.</strong></a> The CAG raised concerns that if this mode was followed by other States, the <strong>external liabilities of the country</strong> would rise substantially without the Centre&rsquo;s knowledge of such liabilities.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Kerala Infrastructure Investment Fund Board (KIIFB)</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Establishment:</strong> KIIFB came into existence in 1999 through the <strong>Kerala Infrastructure Investment Fund Act.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Aim:</strong> To provide investment for critical and large infrastructure projects in the State of Kerala.</li>
<li><strong>Features:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>KIIFB was the <strong>first sub-sovereign entity</strong> in India<strong> to tap the offshore rupee international bond market.</strong></li>
<li>In 2019, KIIFB issued its <strong>masala bond</strong> of ₹2,150 crore on the <strong>London Stock Exchange. <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/kerala-the-first-indian-state-to-issue-masala-bond" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Masala Bonds</a></strong> are <strong>rupee-denominated bonds</strong> i.e. the funds would be raised from overseas market in Indian rupees.</li>
<li><strong>Attracted investments:</strong> The bond issue helped Kerala government to get multinational corporations to invest in the state, which has traditionally been known for its unfriendly business policies, bureaucratic delays and recurrent industrial strikes.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Change in Role:</strong> In 2016, the role of KIIFB was changed<strong> from handler of investment bonds to an entity to mobilize the resources</strong> for developmental projects over and beyond the budget.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Kerala Government's Concerns:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Detrimental to State development:</strong> According to the government of Kerala, funds from KIIFB are being used to build public infrastructures such as schools, roads, hospitals etc. and such a move by CAG could hurt the interests of the State.</li>
<li><strong>Unilateralism:</strong> Kerala government raised concerns over not giving the State an opportunity to offer its comments, observations or explanation before publishing of the report by the CAG.</li>
<li><strong>Already RBI Approved:</strong> The Kerala government also highlighted the fact that the KIIFB Bonds were raised with the approval of RBI- which is a central body under Government of India, then how such borrowings can be unconstitutional. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Role of RBI:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The<a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-national-institutions/important-institutions-national-institution-reserve-bank-of-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> RBI</strong> </a>is authorised to act as <strong>an agent of the Central and State Governments</strong> for the issue and management of the latter&rsquo;s bonds and debentures.</li>
<li>The<strong> Internal Debt Management Department</strong> of the RBI has the power to float State Government loans, facilitating investment of surplus cash balances of State Governments in dated securities under various funds.</li>
<li>It is also authorised to make<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/wma-borrowings-of-states" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> Ways and Means Advances (WMAs)</strong></a> to the Centre and States, and to fix the limits thereof.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Undermines Federalism:</strong> For decentralisation of financial autonomy, it is necessary to provide a mechanism for regulation of state subnational debt. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It could promote macroeconomic fiscal stability of the states. Hence, exercise of power conferred to the centre by the article 293 should be strictly confined to the purposes and circumstances.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Review of sub-national Fiscal Policy:</strong> Since the state debt burdens have been rising because of recent fiscal shocks such as<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/four-years-of-demonetisation" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> demonetisation</strong></a>, introduction of <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/goods-and-services-tax-gst-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>GST</strong></a> and <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/covid-19-and-india-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Covid 19 crisis</strong></a>, sub-national fiscal policy of India needs to be reviewed to enable states for subnational borrowings. It shall provide them more opportunities to avail fiscal autonomy.</li>
<li><strong>Validating State Fiscal Responsibility Laws:</strong> Even the Kerala High Court in <strong>Matthew vs Union of India</strong> ruled that that Article 293 is an enabling provision authorising State borrowing and it empowers the states to pass their own<strong> Fiscal Responsibility Laws (FRLs).</strong></li>
<li><strong>Cooperative Federalism:</strong> There is a need to address the legislative concerns of KIIB raised by CAG, and the Centre and Kerala government should take out remedial measures in public interest.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/kiifb-borrowings-bypass-limits-for-state-cag/article33603716.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/kiifb-borrowings-issue'
	]
]
$updates = object(Cake\ORM\Query) {

	'(help)' => 'This is a Query object, to get the results execute or iterate it.',
	'sql' => 'SELECT articles.article_id AS `articles__article_id`, articles.category_id AS `articles__category_id`, articles.title AS `articles__title`, articles.description AS `articles__description`, articles.shortdescription AS `articles__shortdescription`, articles.featuredimage AS `articles__featuredimage`, articles.tag_id AS `articles__tag_id`, articles.secondary_tag AS `articles__secondary_tag`, articles.type AS `articles__type`, articles.publishon AS `articles__publishon`, articles.posturl AS `articles__posturl`, articles.metatitle AS `articles__metatitle`, articles.metadescription AS `articles__metadescription`, articles.metakeyword AS `articles__metakeyword`, articles.status AS `articles__status`, articles.sort_order AS `articles__sort_order`, articles.addedby AS `articles__addedby`, articles.updatedby AS `articles__updatedby`, articles.added AS `articles__added`, articles.modified AS `articles__modified`, articles.whatsnewid AS `articles__whatsnewid`, articles.display_printpdf AS `articles__display_printpdf`, articles.display_comments AS `articles__display_comments`, articles.pdf_name AS `articles__pdf_name`, articles.display_archive AS `articles__display_archive` FROM articles articles WHERE status = :c0 ORDER BY publishon desc LIMIT 10',
	'params' => [
		':c0' => [
			[maximum depth reached]
		]
	],
	'defaultTypes' => [
		'articles__article_id' => 'integer',
		'articles.article_id' => 'integer',
		'article_id' => 'integer',
		'articles__category_id' => 'integer',
		'articles.category_id' => 'integer',
		'category_id' => 'integer',
		'articles__title' => 'string',
		'articles.title' => 'string',
		'title' => 'string',
		'articles__description' => 'text',
		'articles.description' => 'text',
		'description' => 'text',
		'articles__shortdescription' => 'string',
		'articles.shortdescription' => 'string',
		'shortdescription' => 'string',
		'articles__featuredimage' => 'string',
		'articles.featuredimage' => 'string',
		'featuredimage' => 'string',
		'articles__tag_id' => 'integer',
		'articles.tag_id' => 'integer',
		'tag_id' => 'integer',
		'articles__secondary_tag' => 'text',
		'articles.secondary_tag' => 'text',
		'secondary_tag' => 'text',
		'articles__type' => 'integer',
		'articles.type' => 'integer',
		'type' => 'integer',
		'articles__publishon' => 'datetime',
		'articles.publishon' => 'datetime',
		'publishon' => 'datetime',
		'articles__posturl' => 'string',
		'articles.posturl' => 'string',
		'posturl' => 'string',
		'articles__metatitle' => 'string',
		'articles.metatitle' => 'string',
		'metatitle' => 'string',
		'articles__metadescription' => 'string',
		'articles.metadescription' => 'string',
		'metadescription' => 'string',
		'articles__metakeyword' => 'text',
		'articles.metakeyword' => 'text',
		'metakeyword' => 'text',
		'articles__status' => 'integer',
		'articles.status' => 'integer',
		'status' => 'integer',
		'articles__sort_order' => 'integer',
		'articles.sort_order' => 'integer',
		'sort_order' => 'integer',
		'articles__addedby' => 'integer',
		'articles.addedby' => 'integer',
		'addedby' => 'integer',
		'articles__updatedby' => 'integer',
		'articles.updatedby' => 'integer',
		'updatedby' => 'integer',
		'articles__added' => 'timestamp',
		'articles.added' => 'timestamp',
		'added' => 'timestamp',
		'articles__modified' => 'timestamp',
		'articles.modified' => 'timestamp',
		'modified' => 'timestamp',
		'articles__whatsnewid' => 'integer',
		'articles.whatsnewid' => 'integer',
		'whatsnewid' => 'integer',
		'articles__display_printpdf' => 'integer',
		'articles.display_printpdf' => 'integer',
		'display_printpdf' => 'integer',
		'articles__display_comments' => 'integer',
		'articles.display_comments' => 'integer',
		'display_comments' => 'integer',
		'articles__pdf_name' => 'string',
		'articles.pdf_name' => 'string',
		'pdf_name' => 'string',
		'articles__display_archive' => 'integer',
		'articles.display_archive' => 'integer',
		'display_archive' => 'integer'
	],
	'decorators' => (int) 0,
	'executed' => false,
	'hydrate' => true,
	'buffered' => true,
	'formatters' => (int) 0,
	'mapReducers' => (int) 0,
	'contain' => [],
	'matching' => [],
	'extraOptions' => [],
	'repository' => object(App\Model\Table\ArticlesTable) {}

}
$page = (int) 26
$search = 'class'
$totalPages = (float) 302
$title = 'Search'
$lastyear = (int) 2018
$year = '2021'
$i = (int) 2017
$selected = ''
$m = (int) 13
$month = 'December'

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

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