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Trade Policy Review at WTO

At the recent trade policy review at the WTO, India has cautioned China that its $63 billion trade deficit with the country was unsustainable and...

13 Jul 2018 News Analysis
Model Villages under Border Area Development Programme

Issues related to the implementation of the Border Area Development Programme (BADP) were discussed by the Union Home Minister in his interaction...

13 Jul 2018 News Analysis
Important Facts for Prelims (July 13, 2018)

Bengei Nacha In the State of Odisha, ‘Bengei Nacha’ or ‘frog dance’ is a traditionally performed ritual to appease the rain...

13 Jul 2018 News Analysis
India to Sign MoU on Easing Visa Curbs

India will sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on “revised travel arrangements” with Bangladesh to ease visa restrictions for...

13 Jul 2018 News Analysis
NITI Aayog Annual Report 2017-18

This ‘Think-Tank’ of government of India was founded on 1st january 2015. This institution designs strategic and long term policy and...

12 Jul 2018 Summary of Important Reports
Important Facts for Prelims (July 12, 2018)

India Emerges as World's 6th Largest Economy According to an analysis done by the World Bank, India surpassed France to become 6th largest economy of...

12 Jul 2018 News Analysis
Government Approves Net Neutrality in India

The Government of India has approved the principles of net neutrality in India. The decision will ensure that netizens continue to have free and fair...

12 Jul 2018 News Analysis
India’s Genetically Modified Crop Area Fifth largest in the World

The International Service for the Acquisition of Agri-Biotech Applications’(ISAAA) latest ‘Global Status of Commercialized Biotech/GM...

12 Jul 2018 News Analysis
US to hold Talks with India, Others at WTO over Tariffs

On July 20, 2018, the US will engage in consultations with India and other countries at the World Trade Organization (WTO) over its unilateral...

12 Jul 2018 News Analysis
Government On Adultery Law

The central government has contended in the Supreme Court (SC) that Section 497 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) which deals with adultery should...

12 Jul 2018 News Analysis
Spend 4% of GDP on Defense: Trump

The leaders of 29 NATO member countries and many partner nations met in Brussels (Belgium) for the annual NATO summit. The theme for this...

12 Jul 2018 News Analysis
Breathe India

Recently the NITI Aayog proposed a 15-point action plan titled “Breathe India” for combating air pollution in ten most polluted cities in...

12 Jul 2018 News Analysis
India Cuts Iranian Oil Imports Ahead of U.S. Sanctions

India has reduced her monthly oil imports from Iran in June by 16% (as compared to May) to avoid sanctions by the United States that are set to take...

12 Jul 2018 News Analysis
Panel for Automatic Suspension in Rajya Sabha

The rules review committee, in its interim report, has made few key recommendations: Automatic Suspension of Willful Offenders Currently,...

12 Jul 2018 News Analysis
Strategy on Resource Efficiency

Background India’s large population, rapid urbanization and expanding industrial production have led to exploitation of available limited...

12 Jul 2018 Summary of Important Reports
Korean President on a State Visit to India

President of the Republic of Korea (ROK) Moon Jae-in paid a State Visit to India from July 8-11, 2018. Key Highlights Chief on the bilateral...

11 Jul 2018 News Analysis
Important Facts for Prelims (July 11th, 2018)

Rajasthan signs MoU with Microsoft Rajasthan became the first State to sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Microsoft to provide digital...

11 Jul 2018 News Analysis
Choosing a Partner is a Person’s Fundamental Right: SC

The Supreme Court has observed that choice of a partner is a person’s fundamental right, and it can be a same-sex partner. The observation came...

11 Jul 2018 News Analysis
Strict Clinical Trial Rules will Drive Away Drug Firms: WHO

The World Health Organisation has informed India that its work in the country would be hampered and drug companies are driven away if the government...

11 Jul 2018 News Analysis
North India’s Obsession with the Male Child Unchanged

According to the latest data available with the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Indians continue to show a preference for a male child....

11 Jul 2018 News Analysis

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			'title' => 'Trade Policy Review at WTO',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<p>At the recent trade policy review at the WTO, India has cautioned China that its $63 billion trade deficit with the country was unsustainable and promises had to be converted into actions.</p>
<h3>Key Highlights</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>China needed to make serious efforts to lower trade barriers for rice, meat, pharmaceuticals and IT products from India to make a difference to the trade imbalance.</li>
<li>Farm exports, including bovine meat, continued to face hindrances in the form of stringent and opaque Chinese regulatory requirements.</li>
<li>Despite <g class="gr_ gr_52 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar replaceWithoutSep" id="52" data-gr-id="52">of</g> several protocols being signed between India and China, the hindrances remain on <g class="gr_ gr_51 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar only-ins replaceWithoutSep" id="51" data-gr-id="51">import</g> of farm products, especially bovine meat.</li>
<li>Due to complex and onerous regulatory requirements, Indian generic medicine producers were unable to access the Chinese market.</li>
<li>In the service sector, the challenges for Indian companies include complex requirements for participating in contracts of State Owned Enterprise (SOEs) and also include issues related to qualification requirements, licensing and taxation etc.</li>
</ul>
<h3>US-China Trade War: A Silver lining for India?</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Given its trade tensions between the US, China plans to import more from India, along with other countries, to counterbalance the imports of high tariff products from <g class="gr_ gr_60 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar only-ins replaceWithoutSep" id="60" data-gr-id="60">USA</g>.</li>
<li>This is evident from the fact that China has imposed a 25% duty on US soybean. However, China has removed all tariffs on soybean imported from five APTA (Asia-Pacific Trade Agreement) countries: India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, South Korea and Laos. All of them, barring India, are insignificant suppliers.</li>
<li>In addition, India dominates the world&rsquo;s generic drugs market, exporting $17.3 billion of drugs in, including to the U.S. and the EU. But only 1% of that went to China. With the protracted <g class="gr_ gr_63 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Punctuation only-ins replaceWithoutSep" id="63" data-gr-id="63">trade-war</g> China is preparing to give swift regulatory approvals to India-manufactured drugs.</li>
<li>This would allow Indian companies to boost revenue at a time when pricing scrutiny and regulatory troubles have hurt U.S. sales.</li>
<li><g class="gr_ gr_50 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Punctuation only-ins replaceWithoutSep" id="50" data-gr-id="50">Also</g> Indian firms are looking to fill gaps in Chinese demand for software, sugar and some varieties of rice.</li>
<li>US exports to China currently under threat <g class="gr_ gr_49 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling ins-del" id="49" data-gr-id="49">makeup</g> for nearly a fifth of total US exports. With that huge a market at risk, US sellers will now offer attractive selling prices to Indian businesses.</li>
<li>However, the lack of manufacturing capability in technology items could deprive India <g class="gr_ gr_58 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar multiReplace" id="58" data-gr-id="58">from</g> taking advantage of the trade war. &nbsp;</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Trade Policy Review Mechanism</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Trade Policy Review Mechanism (TPRM) was an early result of the Uruguay Round.</li>
<li>The reviews take place in the Trade Policy Review Body which is actually the WTO General Council &mdash; comprising the WTO&rsquo;s full membership &mdash; operating under special rules and procedures.</li>
<li>The trade policy review allows members to put the overall trade and economic policies of a country under the scanner. The trade policies of developing countries are taken up for review every four years while developed ones face similar scrutiny every two years.</li>
<li>The mandate of the TPRM was broadened to cover services trade and intellectual property.</li>
<li>The objectives of the TPRM include facilitating the smooth functioning of the multilateral trading system by enhancing the transparency of Members&rsquo; trade policies.</li>
<li>All WTO Members are subject to review under the TPRM.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p></p>',
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			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/trade-policy-review-at-wto'
		],
		(int) 1 => [
			'title' => 'Model Villages under Border Area Development Programme',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<p>Issues related to the implementation of the Border Area Development Programme (BADP) were discussed by the Union Home Minister in his interaction with Field and State Level Officers.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The border population is the strategic asset to the country and important element to maintain border security.</li>
<li>Social and economic infrastructure like connectivity, safe drinking water, schools, hospitals and other facilities to ensure sustainable living in these areas must be improved.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Model Villages</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>For the comprehensive and all-round development of border villages, the government has decided to develop 61 model villages under the Border Area Development Programme.</li>
<li>Each model village will provide all basic facilities like primary health center, primary education, community center, connectivity, drainage, drinking water, etc. to enable sustainable living in border areas.</li>
<li>BADP Online Management System for better planning, monitoring, and implementation of various projects under BADP was launched on the occasion.</li>
<li>Border States can submit their respective Annual Action Plans online and receive approvals from Ministry of Home Affairs in the electronic mode which will bring in transparency in the sanction process and improve quality of planning and implementation.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg"><strong>Border Area Development Programme</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The BADP was <strong>launched in the year 1986-87</strong> for balanced development of border areas of States bordering Pakistan, namely, Jammu &amp; Kashmir, Punjab, Gujarat and Rajasthan and subsequently it was extended to all the land borders.</li>
<li>It is <strong>a centrally sponsored scheme.</strong> Funds are provided to the states <strong>as a non-lapsable special central assistance</strong> for the execution of projects relating to infrastructure, livelihood, education, health, agriculture and allied sector.</li>
<li>BADP now <strong>covers 111 border districts in 17 States</strong> (Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Meghalaya, Manipur, Mizoram, Nagaland, Tripura, Sikkim, West Bengal, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Jammu &amp; Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Rajasthan and Gujarat) to meet special development needs of border population with focus on <strong>people living within 50 kilometers of the International Border.</strong></li>
<li>The main objective of the BADP is to meet the special developmental needs and well being of the people living in remote and inaccessible areas situated near the international border and to saturate the border areas with the entire essential infrastructure through the convergence of Central, State, BADP and local schemes by following a participatory approach.</li>
</ul>
</div>',
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		],
		(int) 2 => [
			'title' => 'Important Facts for Prelims (July 13, 2018)',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3><g class="gr_ gr_33 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling ins-del multiReplace" id="33" data-gr-id="33">Bengei</g> Nacha</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li style="text-align: justify;">In the State of Odisha, &lsquo;Bengei Nacha&rsquo; or &lsquo;frog dance&rsquo; is a traditionally performed ritual to appease the rain gods.</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">As per belief, the croaking sounds made by frogs during the ritual would alert rain god &lsquo;Indra Devata&rsquo; to the lack of precipitation in a village.</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">Amid much fanfare, villagers catch a frog and put it inside a pitcher partly filled with water which is carried by two people at the head of a procession.</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">Monsoon rains are vital for Indian agriculture, which is a major source of employment in the country.</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">Rituals devoted to rain gods vary from State to State depending upon local customs and traditions.</li>
</ul>
<h3 style="text-align: justify;">Scientists Perform First Color X-ray on a Human</h3>
<ul>
<li style="text-align: justify;">Scientists from New Zealand performed the first ever 3D color X-Ray on a human being using a technique that could improve the field of medical diagnostics.</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">The new device, named Medipix, is based on the traditional black-and-white X-Ray but has incorporated a particle-tracking technology developed by CERN for its Large Hadron Collider.</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">The color X-ray imaging technique could produce clearer and more accurate pictures and help doctors give their patients more accurate diagnoses.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Buddha of Swat</h3>
<p><img class="content-img" src="http://drishtiias.com/images/uploads/162Buddha of Swat 1.jpg" width="454" height="256" caption="false" style="float: right;" data-pagespeed-url-hash="1227474212" onload="pagespeed.CriticalImages.checkImageForCriticality(this);" /></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Buddha seated in a meditative posture is an iconic 7th-century sculpture and is considered one of the largest rock sculptures in South Asia.</li>
<li>The Buddha sits in Jehanabad, the epicenter of Swat's Buddhist heritage, a beautiful valley in the foothills of the Himalayas.</li>
<li>The holy figure, depicted in a lotus position at the base of a granite cliff in northern Pakistan, was severely damaged by Islamists insurgents.</li>
<li>Swat was for centuries a pilgrimage site for the Buddhist faithful, especially from the Himalayas.</li>
<li>The Vajrayana school even consider it a "holy land", from where their faith originated.</li>
<li>They continued to visit right up until the 20th century when borders hardened with the independence of British India and creation of Pakistan in 1947.</li>
</ul>',
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		],
		(int) 3 => [
			'title' => 'India to Sign MoU on Easing Visa Curbs',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<p style="text-align: justify;">India will sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on &ldquo;revised travel arrangements&rdquo; with Bangladesh to ease visa restrictions for citizens from the neighboring country.</p>
<h3 style="text-align: justify;">Background</h3>
<ul style="text-align: justify; list-style-type: square;">
<li>In 2014, India had decided to relax visa restrictions for Bangladeshis above the age of 65 and below the age of 13. They were allowed five-year multiple entry visas.</li>
<li>Last year India announced a five-year multiple entry visa to the 1971 war veterans from Bangladesh.</li>
<li>However, Bangladesh has demanded that travel restrictions for senior citizens be eased and further concessions are given to <strong>Muktijoddhas</strong> &mdash; those who participated in the 1971 Liberation War.</li>
<li>Citizens from 161 countries can travel to India on e-tourist visas procured online. However, this facility is not extended to Bangladesh.</li>
<li>India has on several occasions raised the issue of the influx of illegal migrants from Bangladesh.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg" style="text-align: justify;">
<p><strong>E-Tourist Visa</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The E-Tourist Visa enables the prospective visitor to apply for an Indian Visa from his/her home country online without visiting the Indian Mission and also pay the visa fee online. The categories include E-Tourist, &nbsp;E-Business, and E-Medical.</li>
<li>The E-visa facility is now available for nationals of 161 countries for entry through 24 airports as well as 3 seaports (Cochin, Goa <g class="gr_ gr_28 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Punctuation only-ins replaceWithoutSep" id="28" data-gr-id="28">and</g> Mangalore).</li>
<li>The new visa regime is meant to make India a more favorable tourism destination.</li>
<li>It will facilitate the Make in India programme that requires multiple business visits by foreign investors.</li>
<li>The scheme is also in sync with the vision of Digital India.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p style="text-align: justify;"></p>',
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			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/india-to-sign-mou-on-easing-visa-curbs'
		],
		(int) 4 => [
			'title' => 'NITI Aayog Annual Report 2017-18',
			'catname' => 'Summary of Important Reports',
			'desc' => '<p>This <strong>&lsquo;Think-Tank&rsquo;</strong> of <g class="gr_ gr_515 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_disable_anim_appear Grammar only-ins doubleReplace replaceWithoutSep" id="515" data-gr-id="515">government</g> of India was founded on<strong> 1<sup>st</sup> <g class="gr_ gr_514 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_disable_anim_appear ContextualSpelling ins-del multiReplace" id="514" data-gr-id="514">january</g> 2015</strong>. This institution designs strategic and <g class="gr_ gr_516 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_disable_anim_appear ContextualSpelling ins-del multiReplace" id="516" data-gr-id="516">long term</g> policy and programme frameworks and initiatives and monitors their progress and efficacy regularly.</p>
<p><strong><g class="gr_ gr_520 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_disable_anim_appear ContextualSpelling multiReplace" id="520" data-gr-id="520">It&rsquo;s</g> activities are divided into&ndash;</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Team India hub:</strong> Carries out <g class="gr_ gr_519 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_disable_anim_appear Grammar only-ins doubleReplace replaceWithoutSep" id="519" data-gr-id="519">mandate</g> of fostering Cooperative federalism and Designing policy and frameworks.</li>
<li><strong>Knowledge and innovation hub:</strong> Ensures fulfilling the mandate of maintaining a state of art resource <g class="gr_ gr_518 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_disable_anim_appear ContextualSpelling multiReplace" id="518" data-gr-id="518">centre</g>.</li>
</ul>
<p>Team India Hub consists of <strong>6 Verticals</strong> and Knowledge and Innovation Hub consists of <strong>10 Verticals</strong>. Some of these verticals are Administration, HRD, Industry, Rural Development, Science and Technology, <g class="gr_ gr_509 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_disable_anim_appear ContextualSpelling ins-del multiReplace" id="509" data-gr-id="509">Governnance</g> and Research etc.</p>
<p><strong>Offices attached to the NITI Aayog:</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Development Monitoring and Evaluation Office.</li>
<li>National Institute of Labour Economics Research and Development.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Policy Making and Programme</h3>
<p><strong>1. Atal Innovation Mission (AIM)</strong></p>
<p>It is an umbrella innovation organization set up by the NITI Aayog to promote innovation and entrepreneurship.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Atal tinkering labs:</strong> To promote creative and innovative mindset in school children.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Implemented in schools across all 700 plus districts across the country.</li>
<li>Miniature electronics do it yourself kits are installed so that students from grade 6 to grade 12 can tinker with technology.</li>
<li>Vision: Every school <g class="gr_ gr_501 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_disable_anim_appear Grammar multiReplace" id="501" data-gr-id="501">have</g> access to at least one or more <g class="gr_ gr_500 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_disable_anim_appear ContextualSpelling ins-del multiReplace" id="500" data-gr-id="500">atal</g> tinkering labs in each district of the country.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Atal incubators:</strong> To promote entrepreneurship in Universities and industries, NGOs, corporate industry level.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>AIM is providing a grant of <g class="gr_ gr_499 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_disable_anim_appear ContextualSpelling ins-del multiReplace" id="499" data-gr-id="499">upto</g> 10 crores to successful applicants for setting up <g class="gr_ gr_497 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_disable_anim_appear ContextualSpelling ins-del" id="497" data-gr-id="497">Green field</g> incubators or scaling up existing ones.</li>
<li>To <g class="gr_ gr_494 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_disable_anim_appear Punctuation only-ins replaceWithoutSep" id="494" data-gr-id="494">date</g> 19 Atal incubators have been selected.</li>
<li>Women led incubators and entrepreneurial startups are strongly encouraged.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Atal Vikas Challenges and Atal Grand Challenges:</strong> To promote point tech innovations and product creations for social and commercial impact.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>To promote specific product innovation with social, economic impact.</li>
<li>AIM is also partnering with corporate and other institutions to launch challenges such as AIM-YES Bank Transformation Series 2017 Smart Agri Nation Challenge had 27000 students from B-schools of India participating in it with <g class="gr_ gr_506 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_disable_anim_appear ContextualSpelling multiReplace" id="506" data-gr-id="506">high quality</g> presentations on the same.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>2. Reform in Homeopathy and Medicine law</strong></p>
<p>Draft National Commission for Homeopathy (NCH) Bill, 2017 and National Commission for Indian System of Medicine Bill, 2017 have been tabled in the parliament.</p>
<p><strong>3. Joint Committee meeting on Mumbai-Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail (<g class="gr_ gr_505 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_disable_anim_appear ContextualSpelling ins-del multiReplace" id="505" data-gr-id="505">MAHSR</g>) Corridor Project</strong></p>
<p><strong>4. Holistic development of islands </strong></p>
<p>NITI Aayog has shortlisted 10 islands for holistic development.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Package 1:</strong> Smith, Ross, Long <g class="gr_ gr_493 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_disable_anim_appear Punctuation only-ins replaceWithoutSep" id="493" data-gr-id="493">and</g> Aves of Andaman and Nicobar Islands.</li>
<li><strong>Package 2:</strong> Little Andaman of Andaman and Nicobar Islands.</li>
<li><strong>Package 3:</strong> Minicoy, Bangaram, Tinnakara, Cheriyam and Suheli islands of Lakshadweep.</li>
<li><strong>Island development agency:</strong> Under the chairmanship of the Home Minister. NITI Aayog is in process of the identification of 15 more islands in Andaman and Nicobar and Lakshadweep for development.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Competitive Cooperative Federalism</h3>
<p>This involves&ndash;</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Joint development of National Development Agenda by the Centre and States.</li>
<li>Advocacy of State perspectives with Central Ministries.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>1. Development Support Service for states/UTs</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>NITI Aayog has implemented a structured initiative for <strong>&ldquo;Development Support ServiceS for States&rdquo;</strong> (D3S).</li>
<li><strong>Vision:</strong> To achieve transformational, sustained delivery of infrastructure projects with state of art capacity disseminated at all levels of the governance.</li>
<li><strong>Objectives:</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Establish <g class="gr_ gr_490 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_disable_anim_appear Grammar only-ins replaceWithoutSep" id="490" data-gr-id="490">Centre-State</g> partnership model for cooperation</li>
<li>Demonstrates successful implementation of high impact projects</li>
<li>Establish PPPs as governance tools supporting larger development agenda</li>
<li>Address key structural issues related to infrastructure projects</li>
<li>Build institutional and organizational capacities of states and state level institutions for infrastructure projects</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>2. Reforms in agriculture</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Model Act on agricultural land </strong>leasing: A national workshop on Agricultural land leasing reforms was held.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><g class="gr_ gr_483 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_disable_anim_appear Grammar only-ins doubleReplace replaceWithoutSep" id="483" data-gr-id="483">Government</g> of Uttar <g class="gr_ gr_478 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_disable_anim_appear ContextualSpelling ins-del multiReplace" id="478" data-gr-id="478">pradesh</g> and Uttarakhand have modified their tenancy laws to promote land leasing.</li>
<li><strong>Madhya Pradesh</strong> assembly has passed a bill <strong>Bhumiswami</strong> <strong>Evam Bataidar <g class="gr_ gr_479 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_disable_anim_appear ContextualSpelling ins-del multiReplace" id="479" data-gr-id="479">ke</g> Hito <g class="gr_ gr_480 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_disable_anim_appear ContextualSpelling" id="480" data-gr-id="480">mein</g> Sanrakshan Vidheyak</strong>.</li>
<li>Odisha, Telangana and Andhra Pradesh have also initiated <g class="gr_ gr_484 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_disable_anim_appear Grammar only-ins doubleReplace replaceWithoutSep" id="484" data-gr-id="484">process</g> to modify or enact their own land leasing Acts based on NITI Aayog&rsquo;s model.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Reforms of Agricultural Produce Marketing Committee Act.</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Three critical areas were discussed for reforms:
<ol>
<li>Agricultural market reforms.</li>
<li>Felling and transit laws for tree produce grown <g class="gr_ gr_476 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_disable_anim_appear Grammar multiReplace" id="476" data-gr-id="476">at</g> private land.</li>
<li>Agricultural land leasing.</li>
</ol>
</li>
<li>NITI Aayog has developed first ever <strong>"Agricultural marketing and <g class="gr_ gr_466 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_disable_anim_appear ContextualSpelling ins-del multiReplace" id="466" data-gr-id="466">farmer friendly</g> reforms index"</strong> to sensitize states about the need to undertake reforms in agriculture market reforms, land lease reforms and forestry on private land.</li>
<li><strong>Maharashtra</strong> ranks highest in <g class="gr_ gr_471 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_disable_anim_appear Grammar only-ins doubleReplace replaceWithoutSep" id="471" data-gr-id="471">implementation</g> of various agricultural reforms, followed by <strong>Gujarat, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh</strong>.</li>
<li><strong>"Doubling Farmers&rsquo; Income &ndash;&nbsp;</strong>Rationale, Strategy, Prospects and Action Plan" has <g class="gr_ gr_495 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_disable_anim_appear ContextualSpelling ins-del multiReplace" id="495" data-gr-id="495">three pronged</g> <g class="gr_ gr_503 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_disable_anim_appear Grammar multiReplace" id="503" data-gr-id="503">strategy</g> focusing on (i) development initiatives, (ii) technology and (iii) policy reforms in agriculture.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>3. Reforms in healthcare, education and water sector</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>NITI Aayog has initiated <g class="gr_ gr_507 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_disable_anim_appear Grammar only-ins replaceWithoutSep" id="507" data-gr-id="507">web</g> portal for social indicators by establishing an outcome monitoring framework.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>4. Champions of change</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>With Young CEOs &amp; Entrepreneurs on 2017 titled Champions of Change &ndash; Transforming India through G2B partnership was organized.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>5. Dashboard</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>NITI Aayog has developed the Dashboard, a Progress Tracker for Union Territories of India (<g class="gr_ gr_498 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_disable_anim_appear ContextualSpelling ins-del multiReplace" id="498" data-gr-id="498">UTs</g>) to monitor and track the monthly progress of various developmental schemes/ projects/ initiatives of the government.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>6. Capacity building of urban local bodies </strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Three frameworks developed by <g class="gr_ gr_502 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_disable_anim_appear ContextualSpelling ins-del multiReplace" id="502" data-gr-id="502">participantss</g> of the first phase of capacity building programme:
<ol>
<li>Integrated Data Management Framework</li>
<li>Strategic Framework for Water Recycling</li>
<li>Strategic Framework for Solid Waste Management and PPP</li>
</ol>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Think Tank Functions</h3>
<p><strong>1. Vision Document for India</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It is a fifteen-year plan for India. A three-year action Agenda for the period from 2017-18 to 2019-20 has been prepared as its first part.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>2. Appraisal Document</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Appraisal Document of the 12th Five Year Plan has been <g class="gr_ gr_513 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_disable_anim_appear ContextualSpelling multiReplace" id="513" data-gr-id="513">finalised</g> and circulated in the meeting of Governing Council of NITI Aayog held under the Chairmanship of Hon&rsquo;ble Prime Minister.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>3. Doubling of Farmers&rsquo; Income</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The first ever policy document on &ldquo;Doubling Farmers&rsquo; Income &ndash;Rationale, Strategy, Prospects and Action Plan&rdquo; was prepared.</li>
<li>It has <g class="gr_ gr_465 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_disable_anim_appear ContextualSpelling ins-del multiReplace" id="465" data-gr-id="465">three pronged</g> <g class="gr_ gr_473 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_disable_anim_appear Grammar multiReplace" id="473" data-gr-id="473">strategy</g> focusing on (i) development initiatives, (ii) technology and (iii) policy reforms in agriculture.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>4. Monitoring of Outcome Budget 2017-18</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>DMEO has developed a web-based interactive dashboard for Monitoring of Outcome Budget.</li>
<li>Qualitative improvement in the Output-Outcome Framework by reviewing and identifying relevant outputs and outcomes, and quantifiable and measurable indicators to monitor them.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>5. Global entrepreneurship summit -2017</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>India and US</strong> co-hosted this summit in <strong>Hyderabad</strong>.</li>
<li><strong>Theme:</strong> Women first, prosperity for all.</li>
<li>The summit focused on four key industry sectors: Energy and Infrastructure, Healthcare and Life Sciences, Financial Technology and Digital Economy, and Media and Entertainment.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>6. <g class="gr_ gr_457 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_disable_anim_appear Grammar only-ins replaceWithoutSep" id="457" data-gr-id="457">Launch</g> of <g class="gr_ gr_459 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_disable_anim_appear Grammar only-ins doubleReplace replaceWithoutSep" id="459" data-gr-id="459">programme</g> to transform identified aspirational districts</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>115 districts in 28 States</strong> have been identified on the basis of a transparent process by using a composite index.</li>
<li>States are the main drivers of this programme with the help of Prabhari Officers.</li>
<li>Aims to make development a mass movement in these districts.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>7. Interaction with economists and experts</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Interactive session with over 40 renowned economists on the theme <strong>"Economic Policy and the Road Ahead" was held</strong>.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Sectoral Objective and Achievements</h3>
<p><strong>1. Agriculture</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Demand and supply projects on crop, horticulture <g class="gr_ gr_449 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Punctuation only-ins replaceWithoutSep" id="449" data-gr-id="449">and</g> livestock:</strong> This report provides information regarding <g class="gr_ gr_446 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar only-ins replaceWithoutSep" id="446" data-gr-id="446">performance</g> of Indian agriculture and growth trends.</li>
<li><strong>Price support to <g class="gr_ gr_467 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_disable_anim_appear Grammar only-ins doubleReplace replaceWithoutSep" id="467" data-gr-id="467">farmer</g>:</strong> Model Agricultural Land Leasing act, 2016; Agricultural Marketing Reforms Index and <strong>Policy Paper on doubling farmers income-</strong> Rationale, Strategy, Prospects And Action Plan.</li>
<li><strong>Development agenda for India @ 75:</strong> Development agenda for agriculture in new India focuses on seven goals in agriculture namely growth; stability; efficiency; food and nutrition security; food safety; sustainability; and farmers income.</li>
<li><strong>Roadmap for Bamboo development:</strong> Action plan being prepared in consultation with <g class="gr_ gr_444 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar only-ins replaceWithoutSep" id="444" data-gr-id="444">Department</g> of Agriculture Cooperation and Farmers Welfare, Ministry of Environment Forest, Department of Land Resources, Science and Technology and Ministry of Social Welfare.</li>
<li><strong>Price deficiency payments:</strong> Government of Madhya Pradesh is implementing a pilot project on deficiency price payments <strong>(Bhavantar Bhugtan Yojana)</strong> in 8 crops viz soybean, groundnut, sesame, niger, maize, urad, moong <g class="gr_ gr_438 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Punctuation only-ins replaceWithoutSep" id="438" data-gr-id="438">and</g> <g class="gr_ gr_440 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Style multiReplace" id="440" data-gr-id="440">tur .</g></li>
<li><strong>Production of timber sources</strong> from non-forest lands would meet <g class="gr_ gr_453 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar only-ins replaceWithoutSep" id="453" data-gr-id="453">vision</g> for doubling farmers&rsquo; income, job creation, reducing heavy dependence on imports and contributing to carbon sink of 2.5-3 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide through additional tree cover for meeting India&rsquo;s international climate change commitments.</li>
<li><strong>Drought assessment and relief:</strong> Agriculture Vertical has been actively engaged in Inter-Ministerial Central Teams (IMCTs) constituted by Ministry of to assess the damage caused due to drought, hailstorms, cold waves, etc to crops and livestock.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>2. Health</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>As a nation, we have shown significant declines in infant mortality, maternal mortality and total fertility rates, however, the inter-state variation in achievements remain a matter of concern.</li>
<li><strong><g class="gr_ gr_468 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_disable_anim_appear ContextualSpelling multiReplace" id="468" data-gr-id="468">3 year</g> action agenda:</strong> It was developed as the<strong> first part of the larger 15 year Vision</strong> of India. Priority Actions outlined <g class="gr_ gr_463 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_disable_anim_appear Punctuation only-del replaceWithoutSep" id="463" data-gr-id="463">are:</g> Public and preventive health, Assurance of health care, Fiscal transfers for better health outcomes, <g class="gr_ gr_456 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_disable_anim_appear Grammar only-ins doubleReplace replaceWithoutSep" id="456" data-gr-id="456">Human</g> resource for health, Access to medicines, Health research.</li>
<li><g class="gr_ gr_441 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar only-ins replaceWithoutSep" id="441" data-gr-id="441">Committee</g> finalized the draft <strong>National Medical Commission Bill</strong> for replacing the Medical Council of India with the proposed National Medical Commission. The bill has been approved by the Union Cabinet.</li>
<li>NITI Aayog has spearheaded the <strong>Health index initiative,</strong> to measure the annual performance of States and UTs, and rank States on the basis of change, while also providing an overall status of States&rsquo; performance. Indicators: outcomes, governance &amp; information and key inputs/processes.</li>
<li><strong>Sustainable action for transforming human capital (SATH):</strong> NITI Aayog has launched the Development of Support Services for States (DSSS) rechristened as SATH Programme for transforming the health sector, to foster cooperative federalism through structured support initiatives with States. The <strong>three states</strong> which have been selected under the programme are <strong>Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka <g class="gr_ gr_426 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Punctuation only-ins replaceWithoutSep" id="426" data-gr-id="426">and</g> Assam</strong>.</li>
<li>NITI Aayog was mandated to create the framework for tracking the performance of district hospitals and <strong>Indian Statistical Institute</strong> has been selected to develop portal.</li>
<li>NITI Aayog is carrying out <strong><g class="gr_ gr_420 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar only-ins doubleReplace replaceWithoutSep" id="420" data-gr-id="420">evaluation</g></strong> of existing <strong>NIPERs</strong>. (NIPERs are institutes set up under the aegis of the Department of Pharmaceuticals, Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers, Government of India.)</li>
<li>It is also working on implementing <strong>Electronic health record</strong> across India.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>3. Women and child development</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>NITI Aayog has been assigned for Monitoring and Evaluation of the Maternity Benefit Programme. Accordingly, first<strong> Quarterly Report</strong> and <strong>Dashboard</strong> have been prepared with inputs received from MWCD and State and shared with PMO.</li>
<li>NITI Aayog undertook <strong>field visits</strong> to four States &ndash; <strong>Rajasthan, Uttarakhand, Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat</strong> to document the State&rsquo;s initiatives on <g class="gr_ gr_425 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar multiReplace" id="425" data-gr-id="425">Take</g> Home Ration (THR) and managing Severely Acute Malnourished (SAM) children.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>4. Governance and research</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Networking with other think tanks:</strong> NITI has launched a major initiative viz. <strong><g class="gr_ gr_423 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling ins-del multiReplace" id="423" data-gr-id="423">SAMAVESH</g></strong> aimed at networking and partnership with knowledge and research institutions using a hub and spoke model, which was followed by a focused meeting on <strong>IMPRINT (Impacting Research, Innovation <g class="gr_ gr_431 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Punctuation only-ins replaceWithoutSep" id="431" data-gr-id="431">and</g> Technology)</strong>.</li>
<li>NITI Aayog conducted an evaluation study of DBT in Fertilizers through M/s <g class="gr_ gr_419 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling ins-del multiReplace" id="419" data-gr-id="419">Microsave</g>, which has shown encouraging results and remarkable success in implementation.</li>
<li>NITI Aayog undertook <g class="gr_ gr_418 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar only-ins doubleReplace replaceWithoutSep" id="418" data-gr-id="418">in-depth</g> review of autonomous bodies of Union Government.</li>
<li>It also set up <strong>Ratan Watal committee</strong> to find the ways and means to<strong> transform India&rsquo;s gold market</strong>.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>5. Human resource development</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Human Resources Development (HRD) Division, restructured as HRD Vertical in the Team India Hub of NITI Aayog, is dealing with issues related to School Education &amp; Higher Education.</li>
</ul>
<table border="1" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="vertical-align: top; width: 40.5405%;">
<p><strong>School Education and Literacy</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Sarva <g class="gr_ gr_427 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling ins-del multiReplace" id="427" data-gr-id="427">shiksha</g> Abhiyan (SSA)</li>
<li>Mid-Day Meal in Schools (MDMS)</li>
<li>Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan (RMSA)</li>
<li>Vocationalisation of <g class="gr_ gr_429 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling ins-del multiReplace" id="429" data-gr-id="429">secondary</g> Education</li>
<li>Teacher Education</li>
<li>[email protected]</li>
<li>Saakshar Bharat Programme</li>
<li>National Bal Bhavan, KVs, NVs, NIOS, NCERT etc.</li>
</ul>
</td>
<td style="vertical-align: top; width: 57.5883%;">
<p><strong>Higher and Technical Education</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Rashtriya Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan (RUSA)</li>
<li>Technical Education Quality Improvement <g class="gr_ gr_432 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_disable_anim_appear ContextualSpelling ins-del" id="432" data-gr-id="432">ProgramMe</g> (TEQIP)</li>
<li>Pandit Madan Mohan Malviya National Mission on Teachers and Teaching (PMMMNMTT)</li>
<li>Scholarships</li>
<li>National Mission on Education through ICT (NMEICT)</li>
<li>Book promotion</li>
<li>Language Development</li>
<li>Technical Education&nbsp; Including IITs, NITs<g class="gr_ gr_439 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Style replaceWithoutSep" id="439" data-gr-id="439">,<g class="gr_ gr_428 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling ins-del multiReplace" id="428" data-gr-id="428">IIMs</g></g>, IISERs, NTTRs, IIs etc.</li>
</ul>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Under <g class="gr_ gr_412 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar only-ins replaceWithoutSep" id="412" data-gr-id="412">NITI</g> Internship Programme, interns from various leading institutions from across the country have been provided internship training.</li>
<li><strong>Other achievements:</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>School Education Quality Index (SEQI):</strong> It is in the final stages of development by the NITI Aayog in consultation with the Department of School Education &amp; Literacy, Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD), State Education Departments of all States &amp; UTs and various stakeholders, including educationists.</li>
<li><strong>Development Support Services for States/UTs (D3S) for Education Projects:</strong> The key objective of this policy is to identify and build three future &lsquo;Role Model&rsquo; States for education systems. <g class="gr_ gr_415 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar only-ins replaceWithoutSep" id="415" data-gr-id="415">First</g> workshop was held in <g class="gr_ gr_416 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Style multiReplace" id="416" data-gr-id="416">Orissa .</g></li>
<li><strong>Reforms in Higher Education:</strong> A Committee for Reforms in Higher Education was constituted based on NITI&rsquo;s presentation on <strong>&lsquo;Proposed Reforms in Regulatory Frameworks of the UGC and AICTE&rsquo;</strong>.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>6. Culture</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>This Vertical examined the EFC/SFC proposals on
<ol>
<li>Museum Grant Scheme</li>
<li>Scheme for setting up of Science Cities/Science Centres/Innovation Hubs</li>
<li>Continuation of the National Mission on Libraries-<g class="gr_ gr_443 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling" id="443" data-gr-id="443">upgradation</g> of Libraries providing services to the Public</li>
<li>Appraisal of ongoing five Schemes after merging them in a single Scheme namely &ldquo;Scheme of Financial Assistance for Promotion of Art &amp; Culture&rdquo;</li>
<li>Dandi related Projects and Gandhi Heritage Sites Mission</li>
<li>Scheme for Promotion of International Cultural Relations</li>
<li>Appraisal of ongoing two Schemes after merging them in a single Scheme namely &ldquo;Scheme of Financial Assistance for <g class="gr_ gr_448 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar only-ins replaceWithoutSep" id="448" data-gr-id="448">creation</g> of Cultural Infrastructure&rdquo;.</li>
</ol>
</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>7. Skill development and employment unit</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Skill Development &amp; Employment Division published a Compendium<strong> &lsquo;Skilling for Employability: Best Practices&rsquo;</strong> highlighting best practices in overcoming challenges such as equity, access, quality and relevance in the government, civil society and private sectors.</li>
<li>Schemes/Programmes
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Strengthening the Apprenticeship Ecosystem in India</li>
<li>North East Rural Livelihood Project</li>
<li>Upgradation of Existing Government Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) into Model Industrial Training Institutes</li>
<li>Re-structuring of National Skill Development Fund (NSDF) and National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) to strengthen governance, implementation and monitoring framework</li>
<li>Memorandum on National Career Service Centre for Differently Abled</li>
<li>National Career Service Project/Employment Exchanges Mission Mode Project (<g class="gr_ gr_435 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling ins-del multiReplace" id="435" data-gr-id="435">EEMMP</g>)</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>8. Managing urbanization</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Managing Urbanization (MU) Vertical in NITI Aayog deals with urban sector/issues and works in close association with <g class="gr_ gr_436 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar only-ins replaceWithoutSep" id="436" data-gr-id="436">Ministry</g> of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA).</li>
<li>The Vertical collaborates with various departments of Centre and State Governments, Urban Local Bodies (ULBs), Knowledge Bodies/Institutions, Think Tanks, Experts, Policy Makers in planning, coordinating, formulating, processing, appraisal, analysis and monitoring of various urban sector schemes, programmes and projects.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>9. Rural development</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Rural Development Vertical of the NITI Aayog provides overall policy guidance to the D/o Rural Development, Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation and Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs in programmes and schemes implemented by them.</li>
<li>NITI Aayog has developed Monthly &amp; Quarterly Dashboard on Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY) and Quarterly Dashboard on Deendayal Antyodya Yojana &ndash; National Rural Livelihood Mission (DAY-NRLM).</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>10. Energy and international cooperation</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Joint Research Projects between NITI Aayog and Institute of Energy Economics Japan (IEEJ) - A statement of intent (SOI) was signed between NITI Aayog and IEEJ, working on project namely <strong>&ldquo;High Penetration of Renewable Power: Comparative Study of Japan and India by <g class="gr_ gr_410 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar only-ins replaceWithoutSep" id="410" data-gr-id="410">year</g> 2032"</strong>.</li>
<li>International Energy Agency (IEA) and NITI Aayog <g class="gr_ gr_411 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar multiReplace" id="411" data-gr-id="411">has</g> signed Statement of Intent (SoI) for collaboration on energy sector related joint study projects.</li>
<li>NITI Aayog and Energy Policy Institute at the University of Chicago (EPIC) India has signed Statement of Intent (SoI) for collaboration on energy sector related joint study projects.</li>
<li>NITI Aayog has entrusted the responsibility of <strong>formulation of GIS Energy Map of India to Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO)</strong> for providing <g class="gr_ gr_397 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling ins-del multiReplace" id="397" data-gr-id="397">energy related</g> information to stakeholders.</li>
<li>The unit coordinate with Ministry of Power for up-dating of NITI Aayog Dashboard for <strong>&ldquo;Power for All&rdquo;</strong>.</li>
<li>NITI Aayog has launched the <strong>India Energy Portal (IEP)</strong> (www.indiaenergy.gov.in) which presently houses its flagship initiative India Energy Security Scenarios (IESS) 2047.</li>
<li>NITI Aayog has constituted a Technical Committee to recommend suitable technology on surface coal gasification which is being served by coal unit.</li>
<li>NITI Aayog has been entrusted with <g class="gr_ gr_394 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar only-ins replaceWithoutSep" id="394" data-gr-id="394">task</g> of framing <strong>National Energy Policy</strong>.</li>
<li>NITI Aayog has set up Energy Dashboard- an <g class="gr_ gr_409 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling multiReplace" id="409" data-gr-id="409">endeavour</g> towards assimilating all <g class="gr_ gr_406 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling ins-del multiReplace" id="406" data-gr-id="406">energy related</g> data at one place in <g class="gr_ gr_408 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar only-ins replaceWithoutSep" id="408" data-gr-id="408">first</g> phase.2nd phase to create <g class="gr_ gr_407 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar only-ins doubleReplace replaceWithoutSep" id="407" data-gr-id="407">online</g> system of data.</li>
<li>Bilateral cooperation between NITI Aayog and Government of UK, the imitative to develop state energy calculator have been taken up, <strong>first phase</strong> three states &ndash; <strong>Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat and Assam</strong> <g class="gr_ gr_398 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar multiReplace" id="398" data-gr-id="398">was</g> taken up.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>11. Industry</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Inter-Ministerial Committee (IMC)</strong> was constituted by Ministry of Shipping under the chairmanship of CEO NITI Aayog for preparing a road-map for the Coastal Economic Zone (CEZ) development and for steering the development of the related CEZ. <strong>NITI Aayog was <g class="gr_ gr_396 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar only-ins replaceWithoutSep" id="396" data-gr-id="396">nodal</g> agency for the committee</strong>.</li>
<li>NITI Aayog released the <strong>report on Ease of Doing Business</strong> based on an Enterprise Survey, conducted jointly with the IDFC Institute.</li>
<li>A <strong>new Cell</strong> under the Industry Vertical, NITI Aayog to <strong>promote Women Entrepreneurship</strong> in the Country has been set up under Adviser (Industry &amp; DM&amp;A).</li>
<li>A Statement of Intent on <g class="gr_ gr_392 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar only-ins doubleReplace replaceWithoutSep" id="392" data-gr-id="392">bilateral</g> economic partnership for mutual understanding and cooperation between NITI Aayog, and the Australian Treasury, Australian Government was signed.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>12. Infrastructure</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>NITI Aayog&rsquo;s Infrastructure-Connectivity vertical is mandated to provide an integrated approach to transport sector by promoting efficient, sustainable, <g class="gr_ gr_393 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling multiReplace" id="393" data-gr-id="393">environment friendly</g> and regionally balanced transportation system.</li>
<li>A report titled <strong>&ldquo;India Leaps Ahead: Transformative Mobility Solutions for All&rdquo;</strong> was unveiled by NITI Aayog. It was prepared in collaboration with Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI).</li>
<li><g class="gr_ gr_384 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar only-ins replaceWithoutSep" id="384" data-gr-id="384">Signing</g> of Statement of Intent (SoI) with International Road Federation (IRF) on Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS).</li>
<li>An independent <strong>&lsquo;Rashtriya Rail Sanraksha Kosh (RRSK) Monitoring Committee&rsquo;</strong> is created for monitoring railway safety fund.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>13. Financial resources</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>To foster co-operative and competitive federalism among States, the Financial Resources Division of NITI Aayog has assumed the role of assessing financial health of the States, including assessment of transfers to the States from Centre, social sector expenditure by States, analyzing closely the financially unhealthy States, critical review of the fund transfer mechanism for appropriate policy interventions.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>14. Natural resources and environment</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Environment and Forest division of Natural Resources and Environment (NRE) Vertical is involved in <g class="gr_ gr_390 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar only-ins replaceWithoutSep" id="390" data-gr-id="390">formulation</g> of policies and development of strategies for sustainable management of forests; protection of wildlife and their habitats; and maintenance of a clean, green and healthy environment.</li>
<li>Formulation of appropriate strategies for maintaining a clean, green and healthy environment was a priority for NITI Aayog.</li>
<li>It has been working closely with <strong><g class="gr_ gr_382 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar only-ins replaceWithoutSep" id="382" data-gr-id="382">Confederation</g> of Indian Industry (CII)</strong> and other stakeholders for controlling air pollution <g class="gr_ gr_383 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Punctuation only-ins replaceWithoutSep" id="383" data-gr-id="383">especially</g> in Delhi NCR.</li>
<li>Four Task Forces were constituted in NITI Aayog with experts as members to recommend suitable interventions for <strong>Clean Fuel, Clean Transport, Clean Industries and Biomass Management</strong>.</li>
<li>Research studies in the E&amp;F sector were completed under the NITI Aayog's Research study grant scheme, Ex-Coal Mining, Displacement and <strong>Rural Livelihoods: A Study in Mahanadi Coal Field, Odisha</strong> conducted by the National Institute of Technology, Rourkela.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>15. Science and technology</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Based on the recommendations of NITI Aayog, Department and Science &amp; Technology <g class="gr_ gr_402 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar multiReplace" id="402" data-gr-id="402">has</g> formulated a Cabinet Note for financial and administrative reforms for effective functioning and delivery of Science and Technology in India, which is under Inter-Ministerial consultation.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>16. Social justice and empowerment</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Social Justice and Empowerment (SJ&amp;E) Division in NITI Aayog is actively functioning to provide inputs in <g class="gr_ gr_401 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar only-ins doubleReplace replaceWithoutSep" id="401" data-gr-id="401">formulation</g> and strengthening of policies and programmes to promote and safeguard the interest of the socially, educationally and economically weaker sections of the society.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>17. Voluntary action cell</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>An important initiative of the VAC is maintaining an electronic database of VOs/NGOs which is done through the NGO Darpan Portal. The <strong>NGO-DARPAN</strong> (NGO-PS) Portal is an e-governance application to electronically maintain data regarding Non-Government organizations (NGOs)/ Voluntary Organizations (VOs) in the country.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>18. Development Monitoring And Evaluation Office</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>The Development Monitoring and Evaluation Office (DMEO)</strong> was established by the Government on 2015 as an attached office of the NITI Aayog by merging the erstwhile Programme Evaluation Organization and the Independent Evaluation Office.</li>
<li>DMEO has developed a web-based interactive dashboard which is accessed by the concerned Ministries to upload data on the progress made by them in the implementation of <g class="gr_ gr_376 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling ins-del multiReplace" id="376" data-gr-id="376">PMAY</g>.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>19. Appraisal of programmes/schemes/project</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>One of the important functions undertaken in NITI Aayog <g class="gr_ gr_388 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar multiReplace" id="388" data-gr-id="388">relate</g> to <g class="gr_ gr_386 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar only-ins doubleReplace replaceWithoutSep" id="386" data-gr-id="386">appraisal</g> of programmes/ schemes/projects. The appraisal work is undertaken through two divisions namely:
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Project Appraisal Management Division (PAMD)</strong> undertakes <g class="gr_ gr_387 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar only-ins doubleReplace replaceWithoutSep" id="387" data-gr-id="387">appraisal</g> of public-funded programmes/schemes/projects.</li>
<li><strong><g class="gr_ gr_369 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling ins-del multiReplace" id="369" data-gr-id="369">Public Private</g> Partnership Appraisal Unit (PPPAU)</strong> appraises Public Private Partnership (PPP) projects received from Central and State/UT Governments for Viability Gap Funding (VGF) under the Scheme for Financial Support to PPP in Infrastructure.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>20. Water resources</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The <strong>Inter-Ministerial Team constituted by the NITI Aayog</strong> has conducted the evaluation of the projects and the reports have been shared with the PMO, MoWR, RD &amp; GR, State Governments &amp; Rainfed Area Authority.</li>
<li><strong>Composite Water Management Index</strong> has been developed in NITI Aayog with 28 Key Performance Indicators covering source management, supply and demand side management - inter-alia covering irrigation, drinking water (rural and urban), watershed development, and policy and governance. The index will rank the States on the basis of verifiable data provided by them.</li>
<li>The document <strong>&ldquo;Best Practices in Water Sector&rdquo;</strong> has been prepared in consultation with TERI University, New Delhi. The <strong>&ldquo;Best Practices in Water Sector&rdquo;</strong> are to be uploaded on <g class="gr_ gr_372 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar only-ins doubleReplace replaceWithoutSep" id="372" data-gr-id="372">web</g> portal.</li>
<li>The Water Resources Vertical has assisted DMEO, NITI Aayog in the preparation of Water Resource part of Output-Outcome Budget (2018-19). The same is communicated to the Ministry of Water Resources, RD &amp; GR.</li>
<li>The Vertical has assisted DMEO, NITI Aayog in the preparation of Land Resource part of<strong> Output-Outcome Budget</strong> (2018-19).</li>
<li>A Draft report of the Committee on <strong>&ldquo;Land Titling &ndash; A Way forward&rdquo;</strong> has been prepared in consultation with the concerned ministries and departments, and states. The final draft has been sent to PMO for further consideration.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>21. Data management and analysis</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>NITI Aayog proposes to institute a <strong>Digital Transformation index</strong> for states. The index includes parameters which can allow states to examine their progress towards digital transformation and compare it to that of others, thus acting as a catalyst to reform.</li>
</ul>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/summary-of-important-reports/niti-aayog-annual-report-2017-18'
		],
		(int) 5 => [
			'title' => 'Important Facts for Prelims (July 12, 2018)',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>India Emerges as World's 6<sup>th</sup> Largest Economy</h3>
<p>According to an analysis done by the World Bank, India surpassed France to become <g class="gr_ gr_48 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar only-ins doubleReplace replaceWithoutSep" id="48" data-gr-id="48">6</g><sup><g class="gr_ gr_48 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_disable_anim_appear Grammar only-ins doubleReplace replaceWithoutSep" id="48" data-gr-id="48">th</g></sup> largest economy of the world in terms of Gross Domestic Product (GDP).</p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;"><img class="content-img" src="http://drishtiias.com/images/uploads/205image1.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="619" height="467" data-pagespeed-url-hash="239393262" onload="pagespeed.CriticalImages.checkImageForCriticality(this);" /></span></p>
<p>Earlier in 2014, India displaced Japan to become the world&rsquo;s <g class="gr_ gr_41 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling ins-del multiReplace" id="41" data-gr-id="41">third biggest</g> economy in terms of purchasing power parity (PPP).</p>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Purchasing Power Parity<strong></strong></strong></p>
<p>The rate at which the currency of one country would have to be converted into that of another country to buy the same amount of goods and services in each country.</p>
</div>
<h3>Nilgiri Tahr Threatened Due to Climate Change</h3>
<p>A new study has predicted that most of the existing habitats of the Nilgiri Tahr in the Western Ghats will become unsuitable because of global warming.</p>
<div class="border-bg"><strong>Nilgiri Tahr</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Nilgiri tahrs are stocky goats with short, coarse fur and a bristly mane. Males are larger than the <g class="gr_ gr_57 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Punctuation only-del replaceWithoutSep" id="57" data-gr-id="57">females,</g> and have a darker <g class="gr_ gr_58 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling multiReplace" id="58" data-gr-id="58">colour</g> when mature.</li>
<li>Adult males develop a light grey area or &ldquo;saddle&rdquo; on their backs and are hence called &ldquo;saddlebacks&rdquo;.</li>
<li>The distribution of Nilgiri tahr is limited to the Western Ghats and that too in the states of Kerala and Tamil Nadu only. They are more or less confined to altitudes of 1,200 to 2,600 meters.</li>
<li><strong>IUCN Status: Endangered</strong></li>
<li>Wildlife (Protection) Act, <g class="gr_ gr_54 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Style multiReplace" id="54" data-gr-id="54">1972 :</g> Schedule 1 (absolute protection and <g class="gr_ gr_51 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling multiReplace" id="51" data-gr-id="51">offences</g> under these are prescribed the highest penalties)</li>
<li>The study predicted a maximum habitat loss of 61.2 percent, 61.4 <g class="gr_ gr_52 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling multiReplace" id="52" data-gr-id="52">per cent</g> and 63 <g class="gr_ gr_53 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling multiReplace" id="53" data-gr-id="53">per cent</g> for 2030, 2050 and 2080 respectively if there is no fall in <g class="gr_ gr_50 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar only-ins replaceWithoutSep" id="50" data-gr-id="50">level</g> of emissions.</li>
<li>The reasons for <g class="gr_ gr_46 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar only-ins doubleReplace replaceWithoutSep" id="46" data-gr-id="46">decline</g> in Tahr populations are hunting, conflict with livestock grazing and habitat loss over the years.</li>
<li>This is the first time that a study has looked into the likely effect of climate change on the Nilgiri Tahr.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Anayootu</h3>
<p>The &lsquo;Anayootu&rsquo; (feeding of elephants) ritual is held annually at the Sree Vadakkunnatha temple, Thrissur, Kerala. The rituals are meant for propitiating Lord <g class="gr_ gr_61 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Punctuation only-del replaceWithoutSep" id="61" data-gr-id="61">Ganesha,</g> and will start with Ashta Dravya Mahaganapathy <g class="gr_ gr_43 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling" id="43" data-gr-id="43">homam</g>.</p>
<p><strong>Sree Vadakkunnatha Temple</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>An ancient Hindu temple dedicated to Shiva.</li>
<li>It has monumental towers on all four sides and also has a Kuttambalam (theatre hall).</li>
<li>It has mural paintings depicting various episodes from Mahabharata</li>
<li>It has been declared as a National Monument under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1958.</li>
</ul>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/important-facts-for-prelims-july-12-2018'
		],
		(int) 6 => [
			'title' => 'Government Approves Net Neutrality in India',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<p>The Government of India has approved the principles of net neutrality in India. The decision will ensure that netizens continue to have free and fair access to the internet. The Telecom Commission had approved the recommendations of the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI).</p>
<h3>Key Highlights</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The recommendations (net neutrality rules) bars service providers from discriminating against Internet content and services by blocking, throttling or granting them higher speed access.</li>
<li>Telecom and Internet service providers must treat all data on the Internet equally, and not discriminate or charge differently by user, content, site, platform, or application.</li>
<li>They cannot engage in practices such as blocking, slowing down or granting preferential speeds to any content.</li>
<li>However, some mission-critical applications or services like remote surgery and autonomous cars will, however, be kept out of the purview of net neutrality framework.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Telecom Commission</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Telecom Commission was set up with administrative and financial powers of the Government of India to deal with various aspects of Telecommunications.</li>
<li>It consists of a Chairman, four full-time members, and four part-time members.</li>
<li>The Secretary in the Department of Telecommunications is the ex-officio Chairman of the Telecom Commission.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>The Telecom Commission is responsible for:</strong></p>
<ol>
<li>Formulating the policy of the Department of Telecommunications for approval of the Government</li>
<li>Preparing the budget for the Department of Telecommunications for each financial year and getting it approved by the Government</li>
<li>Implementation of Government's policy in all matters concerning telecommunication.</li>
</ol>
</div>
<h3>Background</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>In December 2015, social media giant, Facebook launched &lsquo;Free Basics&rsquo; (earlier known as internet.org) while Indian telecom giant Airtel launched &lsquo;Airtel Zero&rsquo;.</li>
<li>Both &lsquo;Free Basics&rsquo; and &lsquo;Airtel Zero&rsquo; let users access certain apps and websites for free (they were just charged for the data used). However, both the companies decided to charge or subsidize other companies that wanted to be a part of the &lsquo;Free Basics&rsquo; or &lsquo;Airtel Zero&rsquo; program.</li>
<li>Facebook and Airtel&rsquo;s arguments were that they were trying to make the internet more accessible to people, especially the ones that could not afford high data charges.</li>
<li>In 2016, TRAI banned both the projects as it went against the very principles of net neutrality since the companies could inevitably favor some content over the others.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>What is Net Neutrality?</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Oxford dictionary defines net neutrality as &lsquo;the principle that Internet service providers should enable access to all content and applications regardless of the source, and without favoring or blocking particular products or websites.</li>
<li>This means when a customer pays an internet service provider or ISP for a data plan, he/she should be able to access all content online &ndash; news, social media, videos, games etc &ndash; at the same broadband speed which he had opted for.</li>
</ul>
</div>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/government-approves-net-neutrality-in-india'
		],
		(int) 7 => [
			'title' => 'India’s Genetically Modified Crop Area Fifth largest in the World',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<p>The International Service for the Acquisition of Agri-Biotech Applications&rsquo;(ISAAA) latest &lsquo;Global Status of Commercialized Biotech/GM Crops in 2017&rsquo; report shows farmers across the world to have planted 189.8 million hectares (<g class="gr_ gr_28 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling ins-del multiReplace" id="28" data-gr-id="28">mh</g>) under transgenic crops.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The report has estimated the highest share in the world&rsquo;s total crop area for 2017 to be of <g class="gr_ gr_27 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling ins-del multiReplace" id="27" data-gr-id="27">soyabean</g>, followed by maize, cotton, canola, alfalfa <g class="gr_ gr_35 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Punctuation only-ins replaceWithoutSep" id="35" data-gr-id="35">and</g> sugar-beet.</li>
<li>The GM traits in these crops included both insect-resistance and tolerance for application of herbicide.</li>
</ul>
<h3>India</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>India has the world&rsquo;s fifth largest cultivated area under genetically modified crops, at 11.4 <g class="gr_ gr_25 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling ins-del multiReplace" id="25" data-gr-id="25">mh</g> in 2017.</li>
<li>Unlike other big growers, its entire GM crop area is under a single crop &ndash; cotton &ndash; incorporating genes from the Bacillus <g class="gr_ gr_57 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling" id="57" data-gr-id="57">thuringiensis</g> or BT soil bacterium to resist Heliothis bollworm insect pests.</li>
<li>In India, the GM crops under regulatory consideration &ndash; apart from the already commercialized BT Cotton &ndash; include glyphosate tolerant cotton and hybrid mustard.</li>
<li>Though both have undergone all the mandated bio-safety research and open field trials, their commercial release has been delayed due to opposition from environmental activists.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC) functions in the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&amp;CC).</li>
<li>It is responsible for the appraisal of activities involving <g class="gr_ gr_42 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar only-ins replaceWithoutSep" id="42" data-gr-id="42">large-scale</g> use of hazardous microorganisms and recombinants in research and industrial production from the environmental angle.</li>
<li>The committee is also responsible for the appraisal of proposals relating to the release of genetically engineered (GE) organisms and products into the environment including experimental field trials.</li>
<li>GEAC is chaired by the Special Secretary/Additional Secretary of MoEF&amp;CC and co-chaired by a representative from the Department of Biotechnology (DBT).</li>
</ul>
</div>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/indias-genetically-modified-crop-area-fifth-largest-in-the-world'
		],
		(int) 8 => [
			'title' => 'US to hold Talks with India, Others at WTO over Tariffs',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<p>On July 20, 2018, the US will engage in consultations with India and other countries at the World Trade Organization (WTO) over its unilateral increase in steel and aluminum tariffs that has set off a global trade war.</p>
<h3>Background</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>India had dragged the US to the WTO over the 25% steel tariff and 10% aluminum tariff imposed by it on grounds of national security.</li>
<li>India in retaliation targeted 29 US products worth $10.6 billion, including almonds, apples and phosphoric acid.</li>
<li>The US has argued that the tariffs are issues of national security that are not susceptible to review or capable of resolution by WTO dispute <g class="gr_ gr_33 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Punctuation only-del replaceWithoutSep" id="33" data-gr-id="33">settlement,</g> and that the consultations provision in the agreement on safeguards is not applicable.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>NOTE</strong>: Every member of the WTO retains the authority to determine for itself those matters that it considers necessary for the protection of its essential security interests.</p>
</div>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>However, India and other countries and the EU have argued that the tariff hikes by the US need to be treated as safeguard duties that give them the right to retaliate.</li>
<li>The other countries that have raised the issue at the WTO include China, European Union, Canada, Switzerland, Russia, Norway <g class="gr_ gr_39 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Punctuation only-ins replaceWithoutSep" id="39" data-gr-id="39">and</g> Mexico.</li>
</ul>
<h3>India-US Trade Dispute</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The United States has regularly accused India of enjoying a trade surplus by prohibiting US exports through higher tariffs -the latest salvo <g class="gr_ gr_40 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar multiReplace" id="40" data-gr-id="40">being</g> the tariffs on Harley-Davidson motorcycles.</li>
<li>The US has challenged almost all of India&rsquo;s export subsidies at WTO. It is also reviewing the generalized system of preferences programme, under which India exports goods worth $5.6 billion to the US at preferential rates.</li>
<li>Earlier, US had dragged India to the WTO over its ban on US poultry imports and its subsidy programme for domestic solar panel manufacturers while India has taken the US to the WTO over allegations of trade-restrictive measures.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>WTO Dispute Settlement Body</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Resolving trade disputes is one of the core activities of the WTO.</li>
<li>A dispute arises when a member government believes another member government is violating an agreement or a commitment that it has made in the WTO.</li>
<li>The General Council convenes as the Dispute Settlement Body (DSB) to deal with disputes between WTO members.</li>
<li>The DSB has authority to establish dispute settlement panels, refer matters to arbitration, adopt panel, Appellate Body <g class="gr_ gr_37 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Punctuation only-ins replaceWithoutSep" id="37" data-gr-id="37">and</g> arbitration reports, maintain surveillance over the implementation of recommendations and rulings contained in such reports, and authorize suspension of concessions in the event of non-compliance with those recommendations and rulings.</li>
</ul>
</div>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/us-to-hold-talks-with-india-others-at-wto-over-tariffs'
		],
		(int) 9 => [
			'title' => 'Government On Adultery Law',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The central government has contended in the Supreme Court (SC) that Section 497 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) which deals with adultery should remain a criminal offense.</span></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><span style="font-weight: 400;">It submitted in the SC that striking down the penal provision of adultery would go against Indian ethos and destroy the institution of marriage.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-weight: 400;">It told the top court that Section 497 was enacted so as to safeguard the sanctity of marriage and diluting it would be detrimental to matrimonial bond.</span></li>
</ul>
<h3><span style="font-weight: 400;">Background</span></h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><span style="font-weight: 400;">The Constitution Bench of SC is scheduled to decide whether the provision of adultery in the IPC treats a married woman as her husband&rsquo;s &ldquo;subordinate&rdquo; and violates the constitutional concepts of gender equality and sensitivity.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-weight: 400;">The petition seeks to amend the provision to make men and women equally liable for the crime of adultery.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-weight: 400;">It will consider whether Section 497 treats the man as the adulterer and the married woman as a victim.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-weight: 400;">The bench will also examine why the offense of adultery ceases the moment it is established that the husband connived with or consented to the adulterous act, i.e. the question of a married woman being a mere &ldquo;property&rdquo; of her husband or a passive object.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-weight: 400;">Earlier in 2017, the Supreme Court observed that the section 497 is archaic.</span></li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Section 497 of the IPC</strong></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">It provides that whoever has sexual intercourse with the wife of another man, without the consent or connivance of that man, such sexual intercourse not amounting the offense of rape is guilty of the offense of adultery and shall be punished. In such case, the wife shall not be punishable as an abettor.</span></p>
</div>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/government-on-adultery-law'
		],
		(int) 10 => [
			'title' => 'Spend 4% of GDP on Defense: Trump',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<p>The leaders of 29 NATO member countries and many <g class="gr_ gr_34 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar multiReplace" id="34" data-gr-id="34">partner</g> nations met in Brussels (Belgium) for the annual NATO summit. The theme for this year&rsquo;s summit was to strengthen NATO&rsquo;s deterrence and defense, step up the fight against terrorism, and achieve a fairer burden-sharing mechanism.</p>
<h3>Key Highlights</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The summit was held against a backdrop of deepening transatlantic tensions in fields ranging from trade to energy and defense.</li>
<li>The United States (US) demanded that members double their <g class="gr_ gr_29 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling multiReplace" id="29" data-gr-id="29">defence</g> spending commitments.</li>
<li>At the 2014 summit, NATO allies had agreed to spend 2% of their GDP on <g class="gr_ gr_31 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling multiReplace" id="31" data-gr-id="31">defence</g>. However, the US suggested that countries not only meet their commitment of 2% expenditure on <g class="gr_ gr_32 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling multiReplace" id="32" data-gr-id="32">defence</g> but also increase it to 4% immediately.</li>
<li>At the end of the summit, all 29 NATO members backed a joint statement committing themselves to greater &lsquo;burden sharing&rsquo; and to the alliance&rsquo;s founding commitment that an attack on one member is an attack on them all.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>North Atlantic Treaty Organisation<strong></strong></strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), also called the North Atlantic Alliance, is an intergovernmental military alliance between 29 North American and European countries.</li>
<li>The alliance is based on the North Atlantic Treaty that was signed on April 4, 1949.</li>
<li>It constitutes a system of collective <g class="gr_ gr_26 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling multiReplace" id="26" data-gr-id="26">defence</g> whereby its independent member states agree to mutual <g class="gr_ gr_27 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling multiReplace" id="27" data-gr-id="27">defence</g> in response to an attack by any external party.</li>
<li>NATO Headquarters is located in Brussels, Belgium, while the headquarters of Allied Command Operations is near Mons, Belgium.</li>
</ul>
</div>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/spend-4-of-gdp-on-defense-trump'
		],
		(int) 11 => [
			'title' => 'Breathe India',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Recently the NITI Aayog proposed a 15-point action plan titled &ldquo;Breathe India&rdquo; for combating air pollution in ten most polluted cities in the country, including Delhi, Kanpur <g class="gr_ gr_44 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Punctuation only-ins replaceWithoutSep" id="44" data-gr-id="44">and</g> Varanasi.</span></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><span style="font-weight: 400;">According to a recent WHO database (2018), Kanpur, Faridabad, Gaya, Varanasi, Agra, Gurgaon, Muzaffarpur, Lucknow, Delhi <g class="gr_ gr_46 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Punctuation only-ins replaceWithoutSep" id="46" data-gr-id="46">and</g> Patna are the top ten most polluted cities in India.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-weight: 400;">Major Suggestions:</span></li>
</ul>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><span style="font-weight: 400;">Electrify last mile connectivity by 2022, including public transport, taxis <g class="gr_ gr_48 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Punctuation only-ins replaceWithoutSep" id="48" data-gr-id="48">and</g> three-wheelers.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-weight: 400;">Prohibit transition traffic in these cities.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-weight: 400;">Phase out private diesel vehicles by 2022. &nbsp;</span></li>
<li><span style="font-weight: 400;">Survey and <g class="gr_ gr_41 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling multiReplace" id="41" data-gr-id="41">analyse</g> power plants around the most polluted cities to <g class="gr_ gr_42 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling multiReplace" id="42" data-gr-id="42">prioritise</g> their decommissioning in the next five years.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-weight: 400;">Revamp the regulatory framework around industrial air pollution.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-weight: 400;">Implement a National Emissions Trading System based on the concept of &lsquo;polluters pay&rsquo;.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-weight: 400;">Establish smog-free towers at all major construction sites by 2019.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-weight: 400;">Incentivise procurement and utilization of crop residue.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-weight: 400;">Implement a policy on landfill taxes and incentivize waste processing over landfilling by 2019.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-weight: 400;">Mandate compulsory mechanized dust removal in the most polluted cities by 2019.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-weight: 400;">Integrate Efforts to Tackle Forest Fires.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-weight: 400;">Implement a policy on mandatory use of cleaner forms of cooking to reduce indoor air pollution.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-weight: 400;">Develop stakeholder-specific awareness campaigns in these cities to ensure that all participants are aware of the impacts of air pollution and the repercussions of engaging in pollution-causing activities.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-weight: 400;">Define city-level plans with clear timelines and emission targets across various sources of pollution (construction, vehicular, indoor) by the end of 2018.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-weight: 400;">Establish accurate and comprehensive air quality monitoring systems in the worst affected cities by 2019.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-weight: 400;">It has suggested the policy towards air pollution adopted in many European countries, i.e. implementation of a large-scale feebate programme from 2020 onwards. </span><i><span style="font-weight: 400;">(Feebate is a policy by which inefficient or polluting vehicles incur a surcharge (fee), while efficient ones receive a rebate (bate)).</span></i><i><span style="font-weight: 400;"></span></i></li>
</ul>
<p><i><span style="font-weight: 400;"><img class="content-img" onload="pagespeed.CriticalImages.checkImageForCriticality(this);" src="http://drishtiias.com/images/uploads/327Dh0_lnVVAAEnSul.jpg" data-pagespeed-url-hash="3192141769" /></span></i></p>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/breathe-india'
		],
		(int) 12 => [
			'title' => 'India Cuts Iranian Oil Imports Ahead of U.S. Sanctions',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<p>India has reduced her monthly oil imports from Iran in June by 16% (as compared to May) to avoid sanctions by the United States that are set to take effect in November.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Government of India asked Indian oil refiners to prepare for drastic reductions or even zero Iranian oil imports.</li>
<li>The Indian refiners will have to comply with the limits to maintain their access to the U.S. financial system.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Background</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>In June 2018, the United States (US) withdrew from the landmark Iran nuclear deal and re-imposed sanctions that had been suspended in return for curbs on Iran&rsquo;s nuclear programme.</li>
<li>The United States has asked India and other countries to cut oil imports from Iran to &ldquo;zero&rdquo; by November 4 or face sanctions.</li>
<li>The US also gave foreign companies either 90 or 180 days to wind down their business with Iranian counterparts.</li>
<li>The request is part of US efforts to isolate streams of Iranian funding and is looking to highlight the totality of Iran&rsquo;s &lsquo;malign behavior&rsquo; across the region.</li>
</ul>
<h3>How Does it Impact India?</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Given the huge energy needs, Iran is India&rsquo;s third-largest oil supplier behind Iraq and Saudi Arabia.</li>
<li>Further, after China, India is Iran&rsquo;s top oil importer of Iranian oil.</li>
<li>Iran oil sale terms were the most attractive for Indian refiners - besides a liberal credit period, it also shipped the oil to India for a nominal ocean freight.</li>
<li>Though Iran understands the &lsquo;challenges&rsquo; India faces on the energy front, the former has threatened to end &ldquo;special privileges&rdquo; for India if she tried to replace Iranian crude oil with supplies from Saudi Arabia, Russia, and the United States.</li>
<li>India&rsquo;s decisions on procuring Iran oil, however, is not so much about securing energy as it is about securing India&rsquo;s standing in the world.</li>
<li>If it rejects U.S. pressure, it risks sanctions as well as incurring the displeasure of its all-powerful friend and <g class="gr_ gr_49 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling multiReplace" id="49" data-gr-id="49">defence</g> partner.</li>
<li>If it yields, it risks its relationship with traditional partner Iran, access to important trade routes through Chabahar and the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC), as well as its international reputation.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>What is the Iran Nuclear Deal?</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>In July 2015, Iran and six countries (United States, Russia, France, UK, China, and Germany) &amp; the EU, reached a historic agreement called the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), popularly known as the Iran nuclear deal.</li>
<li>As part of the deal, Iran agreed to reduce its number of nuclear centrifuges by two-thirds.</li>
<li>Iran also agreed to reduce its stockpile of enriched uranium by 98% and limit uranium enrichment to 3.67%, i.e., it will have enough enriched uranium to maintain the country's energy needs, without having the ability to build a nuclear bomb.</li>
<li>The deal aimed to restrict Iran's ability to develop nuclear weapons in exchange for lifting economic sanctions against Iran.</li>
<li>The JCPOA ensured the comprehensive <g class="gr_ gr_46 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling ins-del" id="46" data-gr-id="46">lifting</g> of all UN Security Council sanctions as well as multilateral and national sanctions related to Iran&rsquo;s nuclear programme.</li>
<li>Inspectors from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) were given access to Iran&rsquo;s nuclear facilities for inspection on a regular basis.</li>
</ul>
</div>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/india-cuts-iranian-oil-imports-ahead-of-us-sanctions'
		],
		(int) 13 => [
			'title' => 'Panel for Automatic Suspension in Rajya Sabha',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The rules review committee, in its interim report, has made few key recommendations: </span></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li style="font-weight: 400;"><strong>Automatic Suspension of Willful Offenders</strong></li>
</ul>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Currently, the Rajya Sabha Chairman cannot suspend a member of her own and a motion needs to be adopted by the House for the suspension of a member.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-weight: 400;">That&rsquo;s unlike in the Lok Sabha, where the Speaker can suspend a member from the service of the House for five consecutive sittings or the remainder of the session, whichever is less.</span></li>
</ul>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Changing Question-hour Timing</strong></li>
</ul>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><span style="font-weight: 400;">Question Hour is the slot in which members of Parliament seek replies from the government on subjects related to various ministries. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-weight: 400;">The first hour of every sitting of Parliament is generally reserved for the asking and answering of questions. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-weight: 400;">Question Hour is mentioned in the Rules of Procedure of Parliament.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-weight: 400;">The panel suggested restoring the question hour to 11 a.m. from noon.</span><span style="font-weight: 400;"></span></li>
</ul>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;"><img class="content-img" onload="pagespeed.CriticalImages.checkImageForCriticality(this);" src="http://drishtiias.com/images/uploads/417inparliament.jpg" data-pagespeed-url-hash="3232508421" /></span></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;" start="3">
<li><strong> The Rule 267 of Rajya Sabha may be amended, under which business of the day can be suspended to discuss something of extraordinary importance.</strong></li>
</ul>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">It has been noticed that many members had a tendency to use it on a regular basis to disrupt the house.</span></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"></p>
<h3>Background</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><span style="font-weight: 400;">Earlier the two-member committee headed by former Secretary General of Rajya Sabha V.K. Agnihotri and S.R. Dhaleta, a former Joint Secretary in the Union Ministry of Law and Justice was formed to review the rules of procedure and conduct of business in the Rajya Sabha.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-weight: 400;">The report has to be approved by the Rules Committee of the Upper House, which is headed by the Chairman of Rajya Sabha and has members from across parties.</span></li>
</ul>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/panel-for-automatic-suspension-in-rajya-sabha'
		],
		(int) 14 => [
			'title' => 'Strategy on Resource Efficiency',
			'catname' => 'Summary of Important Reports',
			'desc' => '<h3>Background</h3>
<p>India&rsquo;s large population, rapid urbanization and expanding industrial production have led to exploitation of available limited natural resources with concerns regarding resource depletion and future availability becoming more pronounced. Ensuring resource security requires <strong>integrated, concerted and collaborative approach</strong> in order to fulfill the needs of a vast and growing population. Enhancing <strong>resource efficiency (RE)</strong> and promoting the use of <strong>secondary raw materials (SRM)</strong> is a pertinent strategy to address these challenges and reduce dependence on primary resource.</p>
<h3>Definition</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Resource efficiency</strong> or resource productivity is the <strong>ratio between a given benefit or result and the natural resource use required for it.</strong></li>
<li>Resource efficiency is a strategy to achieve the maximum possible benefit with <g class="gr_ gr_165 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar only-ins replaceWithoutSep" id="165" data-gr-id="165">least</g> possible resource input.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Indian Resource Panel (<g class="gr_ gr_169 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling ins-del multiReplace" id="169" data-gr-id="169">InRP</g>)</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Government of India has established the <strong>Indian Resource Panel (<g class="gr_ gr_170 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling ins-del multiReplace" id="170" data-gr-id="170">InRP</g>)</strong> &mdash; an advisory body under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) &mdash; through the support of Indo-German bilateral cooperation, to assess resource-related issues facing India and advice the government on a comprehensive strategy for RE.</li>
<li>The focus of the outputs from the InRP is on <strong>abiotic resources that are not used for energy production</strong> (ores, industrial minerals, construction minerals) supplemented by <g class="gr_ gr_167 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Style multiReplace" id="167" data-gr-id="167">the </g><strong><g class="gr_ gr_167 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_disable_anim_appear Style multiReplace" id="167" data-gr-id="167"> material</g> use of biotic resources</strong> for future.</li>
<li><strong>Selection of resources</strong> was done on the basis of following parameters:
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><g class="gr_ gr_171 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar only-ins replaceWithoutSep" id="171" data-gr-id="171">Economic</g> importance of the material based on its usage across different sectors</li>
<li>Environmental impact due to extraction and production</li>
<li>Embodied energy</li>
<li>Supply risks determined through:
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Limited geological availability and criticality</li>
<li>High import dependency</li>
<li>Geopolitical constraints</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3><g class="gr_ gr_172 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar only-ins doubleReplace replaceWithoutSep" id="172" data-gr-id="172">Rationale</g> for Resource Efficiency</h3>
<p><strong>1. Economic benefits</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>RE has the potential to <strong>improve resource availability</strong> that is critical to the growth of industries.</li>
<li>RE/SRM can help to <strong>reduce price spikes due to supply constraints</strong> or disruptions.</li>
<li>Import dependency and cost of imports would decrease.</li>
<li>RE/SRM can <strong>improve <g class="gr_ gr_154 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar only-ins replaceWithoutSep" id="154" data-gr-id="154">competitiveness</g> and profitability of industries,</strong> especially <g class="gr_ gr_155 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling ins-del multiReplace" id="155" data-gr-id="155">material intensive</g> manufacturing industries.</li>
<li>Give <g class="gr_ gr_157 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar only-ins doubleReplace replaceWithoutSep" id="157" data-gr-id="157">boost</g> to our <strong>export market.</strong></li>
<li>RE/SRM based approaches can lead to <strong><g class="gr_ gr_158 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar only-ins replaceWithoutSep" id="158" data-gr-id="158">establishment</g> of new industries,</strong> especially in recycling, that can contribute significantly to economic growth.</li>
<li>RE/SRM based innovation in design and manufacturing has the potential to create highly skilled jobs.</li>
<li>There is a potential to create <strong>new jobs in green product certification, eco-labeling, and green marketing</strong>.</li>
<li>A strong governmental push for improving recycling economy-wide should result in the <g class="gr_ gr_152 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling" id="152" data-gr-id="152">upgradation</g> of the informal sector and its integration with the formal sector.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>2. Social benefits</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Reduced extraction pressures due to <g class="gr_ gr_160 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar only-ins replaceWithoutSep" id="160" data-gr-id="160">adoption</g> of RE strategies have the potential to <strong>reduce conflict and displacement in mining areas,</strong> as well as improve health and welfare of local communities.</li>
<li>RE can contribute to <g class="gr_ gr_148 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar only-ins replaceWithoutSep" id="148" data-gr-id="148">improved</g> <strong>affordability of and access to resources</strong> critical for poverty reduction and human development.</li>
<li>RE/SRM will lead to <strong><g class="gr_ gr_162 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar only-ins doubleReplace replaceWithoutSep" id="162" data-gr-id="162">reduced</g> waste generation</strong> which will contribute to cleaner cities and rivers/water bodies through reduced disposal and associated pollution.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>3. Environmental benefits</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Reduced extraction pressures due to <g class="gr_ gr_163 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar only-ins replaceWithoutSep" id="163" data-gr-id="163">adoption</g> of RE strategies will help to <strong>reduce <g class="gr_ gr_164 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling" id="164" data-gr-id="164">ecological</g> degradation and pollution</strong> associated with mining.</li>
<li>RE and reuse of secondary resources <g class="gr_ gr_144 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar multiReplace" id="144" data-gr-id="144">has</g> enormous potential to <strong>save energy</strong>.</li>
<li>Reduced waste generation will not only reduce pollution associated with disposal but also <strong>save related costs</strong>.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Global Context</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Due to economic development and population growth, countries which are currently importing scarce raw materials will have to <strong>pay higher prices or accept constraints</strong> in <g class="gr_ gr_140 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar only-ins replaceWithoutSep" id="140" data-gr-id="140">supply</g> of crucial raw materials.</li>
<li>At a global level, UNEP established the <strong>International Resource Panel (IRP) in 2007</strong> as a central institution to provide independent scientific assessments on sustainable use of natural resources and their environmental impacts and policy approaches to promote decoupling economic growth from environmental degradation.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Indian Context</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>In India, <g class="gr_ gr_142 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar only-ins replaceWithoutSep" id="142" data-gr-id="142">extraction</g> of primary raw materials increased by around 420% between 1970 and 2010 which is lower than the Asian average but higher than the world average.</li>
<li>Compared to extraction, <strong>India&rsquo;s exports and imports are still small</strong> in terms of quantity. However, both have grown significantly.</li>
<li><strong>Biomass and non-metal minerals are the most important material groups</strong> in India and domestic extraction is more important than trade.</li>
<li>India has experienced <strong>a remarkable growth of GDP, resource consumption <g class="gr_ gr_151 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Punctuation only-ins replaceWithoutSep" id="151" data-gr-id="151">and</g> resource productivity</strong> but still is lagging behind many other countries with comparable economies which suggests that there is much scope for improvement.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Congruence of RS with Government Schemes and Priorities</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Judicious use of resources is an important part of several <strong>SDGs</strong> i.e.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>GOAL 2: Zero Hunger</li>
<li>GOAL 6: Clean Water and Sanitation</li>
<li>GOAL 7: Affordable and Clean Energy</li>
<li>GOAL 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth</li>
<li>GOAL 9: Industry, Innovation <g class="gr_ gr_166 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Punctuation only-ins replaceWithoutSep" id="166" data-gr-id="166">and</g> Infrastructure</li>
<li>GOAL 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities</li>
<li>GOAL 12: Responsible Consumption and Production</li>
<li>GOAL 13: Climate Action</li>
<li>GOAL 14: Life Below Water</li>
<li>GOAL 15: Life on Land</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>RE can help meet India&rsquo;s <strong>Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC)</strong> commitments under the <strong>2015 Paris Climate Change Agreement</strong>.</li>
<li><strong>National Housing and Habitat Policy, 2007</strong> and the <strong>Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (<g class="gr_ gr_135 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling ins-del multiReplace" id="135" data-gr-id="135">PMAY</g>),</strong> 2015 emphasize on developing appropriate ecological design standards for building components, materials and construction methods.</li>
<li>At the manufacturing stage, flagship programmes like <strong>&ldquo;Make in India&rdquo;</strong> that provide special assistance to energy efficient, water efficient and pollution control technologies through <strong>Technology Acquisition and Development Fund (TADF)</strong> can promote RE and SRM approaches.</li>
<li>Reduced waste generation by RE will contribute towards fulfilling the goals of <strong>Swachh Bharat</strong>.</li>
<li>MoEFCC is running an <strong><g class="gr_ gr_130 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling multiReplace" id="130" data-gr-id="130">eco-labelling</g> scheme.</strong></li>
<li>There are policies existing to tackle all types of waste ranging from hazardous waste to Municipal Solid Waste (MSW), Construction and Demolition (C&amp;D) waste, plastic waste and e-waste.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Indicators used to measure Resource Efficiency</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Resource efficiency = GDP/Domestic Material Consumption</li>
<li>It also calculated as, RE = GDP/Material flow indicator (MFA)</li>
</ul>
<h3>Recommendations Regarding RE Strategy</h3>
<p><strong>1. Promotion:</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Eco-labelling</strong> and standard certification of products.</li>
<li><strong>Technology development</strong> to promote quality in manufacture and performance of <g class="gr_ gr_136 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar only-ins doubleReplace replaceWithoutSep" id="136" data-gr-id="136">product</g></li>
<li>Strengthen <strong>awareness</strong> regarding green products</li>
<li>Improve <strong><g class="gr_ gr_137 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar only-ins replaceWithoutSep" id="137" data-gr-id="137">availability</g> of green products</strong> in the markets</li>
<li><strong>Lowering costs of green products</strong></li>
<li><strong>Green public procurement</strong></li>
<li><strong>Industrial clusters</strong> development.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>2. Regulation, Economic Instruments:</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Viability Gap Funding (VGF)</strong> that can help businesses overcome the barriers and become competitive over time by building scale and <g class="gr_ gr_133 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling ins-del multiReplace" id="133" data-gr-id="133">upgradation</g> of technology.</li>
<li><strong>Policy reforms</strong> across life cycle stages focussing on their design, emphasis, integration or implementation.</li>
<li><strong>Tax reforms</strong> can play an important role in steering the economy towards resource efficient practices and circular economy. Value-added taxes should be levied on value-added activities like mining, construction, and manufacturing.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>3. Institutional Development:</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Capacity development</strong> of key actors responsible for undertaking or overseeing RE/SRM strategies, including ULBs, MSMEs, as well as the informal sector.</li>
<li>A dedicated <strong>institutional set up</strong> for development, assessment of RE measures should be established.</li>
<li>Baseline data collection and development of <strong>indicators</strong>.</li>
</ul>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/summary-of-important-reports/strategy-on-resource-efficiency'
		],
		(int) 15 => [
			'title' => 'Korean President on a State Visit to India',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<p>President of the Republic of Korea (ROK) Moon Jae-in paid a State Visit to India from July 8-11, 2018.</p>
<h3>Key Highlights</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Chief on the bilateral agenda was improving business and investment ties, including taking bilateral trade from $20 billion to $50 billion by 2030.</li>
<li>With its huge market and emergence of India as a key economic partner for South Korea, the latter is committed to raising its relations with India to the level of those with China, Japan, Russia and the US.</li>
<li>India and South Korea have sought to expand trade and economic ties with each other in areas such as shipbuilding, aerospace, manufacture of medical devices and food processing.</li>
<li>The two sides signed 11 agreements covering a broad spectrum of areas for cooperation, including artificial intelligence, biotechnology, railways, culture, and trade.</li>
<li>It also included a statement on expanding the 2010 Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement and a joint vision statement that committed to more military exchanges and enhancing defense projects together.</li>
<li>India and South Korea also have agreed to cooperate on a &lsquo;tripartite&rsquo; basis in development assistance in third countries, beginning with a project in Afghanistan.</li>
<li>Both the countries also committed to strengthening the &ldquo;special strategic partnership&rdquo; in the region and aligning India&rsquo;s Act East Policy with South Korea&rsquo;s New Southern Policy.</li>
<li>South Korean conglomerate Samsung Electronics inaugurated the world&rsquo;s largest mobile factory in India that will have a capacity of 120 million handsets a year.</li>
</ul>
<p><img class="content-img" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" onload="pagespeed.CriticalImages.checkImageForCriticality(this);" src="http://drishtiias.com/images/uploads/751Indo Korea - MoU.jpg" data-pagespeed-url-hash="143277089" /></p>
<h3>Analysis</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>President Moon&rsquo;s India visit marks the 45th anniversary of the establishment of bilateral diplomatic ties.</li>
<li>Though India had dispatched a medical mission during the 1950-53 inter-Korean war, the ties between the two countries remained tepid during the Cold War era.</li>
<li>With the advent of democracy in South Korea in 1987 and initiation of India&rsquo;s Look (now Act) East Policy (AEP) and economic reforms in 1991, the relationship began to acquire momentum.</li>
<li>The two concluded a CEPA (Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement) in 2010, a civil nuclear cooperation agreement in 2011 and established a defense wing at the Indian Embassy in Seoul in 2012.</li>
<li>Korean majors like Samsung, LG, Hyundai, and Kia have invested over $5 billion in India and are looking at scaling things up further.</li>
<li>Indian FDI has crossed $3 billion in ROK.</li>
<li>However, bilateral trade between Asia&rsquo;s 3rd (India) and 4th largest economies, remains below par at around $20 billion, essentially because talks to upgrade CEPA have remained inconclusive, more due to opposition from Indian industry.</li>
<li>Given that India mostly exports primary products and imports electronic and manufactured items, ROK enjoys a trade surplus.</li>
<li>During Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to South Korea in 2015, the bilateral relationship was upgraded to 'special strategic partnership'.</li>
<li>More recently, South Korean President Moon Jae-in&rsquo;s maiden visit to India aims to strengthen relations between the two countries as part of his New Southern Policy as there is a great complementarity between it and India&rsquo;s Act East Policy.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>New Southern Policy</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>President Moon announced his New Southern Policy in 2017 that seeks to make the regional bloc of &nbsp;Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) as a diplomatic and economic partner.</li>
<li>It aims to better connect South Korea to ASEAN and expand the economic influence of Korea - which is Asia&rsquo;s fourth-largest economy and home to more than half a billion people.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>On the geopolitical front, the importance of the Indo-Pacific region is increasing. With increased Chinese assertiveness in the region and the developing US-China trade war, it is in their mutual interest for India and Korea to strengthen relations and face those challenges together.</li>
<li>On the economic front, India offers Korea a more predictable business environment as it seeks to diversify beyond its biggest export destination, especially after its businesses were hit hard last year by China suddenly turning against them following Seoul&rsquo;s deployment of the US missile shield &ndash; THAAD.</li>
<li>For India, Korea offers a potentially game-changing partnership in manufacturing, high technology industries, and infrastructure building.</li>
</ul>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img width="503" height="356" class="content-img" onload="pagespeed.CriticalImages.checkImageForCriticality(this);" src="http://drishtiias.com/images/uploads/295South Korea.png" data-pagespeed-url-hash="2170478379" /></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>',
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		],
		(int) 16 => [
			'title' => 'Important Facts for Prelims (July 11th, 2018)',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Rajasthan signs MoU with Microsoft</h3>
<p>Rajasthan became the first State to sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Microsoft to provide digital training to 9,500 students of government colleges. It will also train 500 faculty members.</p>
<h3>Google&rsquo;s Launchpad Accelerator</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Google launched its India-focused programme &ldquo;Launchpad Accelerator&rdquo; to mentor startups that use artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML).</li>
<li>Google will shortlist 8-10 start-ups that will go through <g class="gr_ gr_180 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar only-ins replaceWithoutSep" id="180" data-gr-id="180">three-month</g> mentorship wherein they can avail support from Google in AI/ML, Cloud, Android, web, product strategy, and marketing. They will also get up to $100,000 of Google Cloud Credits.</li>
<li>The application criteria are:
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The technology start-up should be based in India.</li>
<li>Start-ups should have seed funding.</li>
<li>They should focus on building a solution that addresses a real challenge for the country, and</li>
<li>They should use advanced technology like AI/ML to power the solution.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The initiative comes after the Google ran a pilot project in Bengaluru last year named &ldquo;Solve for India&rdquo;.</li>
<li>The Google accelerator team includes a network of investors, industry experts, and technical professionals who will train the startups.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Rajya Sabha Members Can Use All 22 Scheduled Languages</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The members of Parliament in Rajya Sabha can now speak in any of 22 scheduled languages mentioned in the Eighth Schedule to the Constitution of India from upcoming Monsoon Session.</li>
<li>The Rajya Sabha has added simultaneous interpretation facility in five more languages: Dogri, Kashmiri, Konkani, Santhali and Sindhi.</li>
<li>Of the 22 scheduled languages, Rajya Sabha already had Simultaneous Interpretation Service for 12 languages.</li>
<li>The interpreters of the Lok Sabha are being deployed for five languages: Bodo, Maithili, Manipuri, Marathi, and Nepali.</li>
<li>However, the members have to give notice of a reasonable period for the interpreter.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Eat Right Movement</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) launched &lsquo;The Eat Right Movement&rsquo; which aims to engage and enable citizens to improve their health and well-being by making the right food choices.</li>
<li>The programme is built on two broad pillars of &lsquo;Eat Healthy&rsquo; and &lsquo;Eat Safe&rsquo;.</li>
<li>It aims to cut down salt/sugar and oil consumption by 30% in three years.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI)</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has been established under Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 which consolidates various acts &amp; orders that have hitherto handled food related issues in various Ministries and Departments.</li>
<li>FSSAI has been created for laying down science-based standards for articles of food and to regulate their manufacture, storage, distribution, sale, and import to ensure availability of safe and wholesome food for human consumption.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Western Ghats: Best Tourist Spot</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Western Ghats bagged the fourth place in Lonely Planet&rsquo;s &ldquo;2018 Best in Asia&rdquo; list, a collection of 10 of the best destinations to visit in Asia for the year.</li>
<li>Neelakurinji (Strobilanthes <g class="gr_ gr_80 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling" id="80" data-gr-id="80">kunthiana</g>), which has started blooming after 12 years in the famed hill station of Munnar (Kerala) has also found mention in the report.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Western Ghats</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Western Ghats are older than the Himalaya Mountains, running along the entire west coast of India along with Sri Lanka.</li>
<li>Western Ghats are known as Sahyadri in northern Maharashtra, Sahya Parvatam in Kerala and Nilagiri Malai in Tamil Nadu.</li>
<li>The Ghats traverse the States of Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Goa, Maharashtra and Gujarat.</li>
<li>A number of flagship species such as the Asian Elephant, Gaur, and Tiger are found in the region.</li>
<li>Endangered species such as the Lion-tailed Macaque, Nilgiri Tahr, and Nilgiri Langur are endemic to the region.</li>
<li>The Western Ghats also find mention in the Hottest Biodiversity Hotspots and UNESCO World Heritage site lists.</li>
<li>Highest peak: Anamudi peak (also the highest peak of peninsular India)</li>
<li>Important Passes:
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Thal Ghat: links Nasik to Mumbai.</li>
<li>Bhor Ghat: links Mumbai to Pune.</li>
<li>Pal Ghat: connects Kerala to Tamil Nadu (link Kochi to Chennai).</li>
<li><g class="gr_ gr_78 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling ins-del multiReplace" id="78" data-gr-id="78">Senkota</g> pass: located between the Nagercoil and the Cardamom hills, links Thiruvanathpuram and Madurai.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The rivers that originate in the Western Ghats:
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>West Flowing: Periyar, Bharathappuzha, Netravati, Sharavathi, Mandovi etc.</li>
<li>East Flowing: <g class="gr_ gr_81 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar only-ins replaceWithoutSep" id="81" data-gr-id="81">Godavari</g>, Krishna <g class="gr_ gr_82 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Punctuation only-ins replaceWithoutSep" id="82" data-gr-id="82">and</g> Kaveri, etc.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</div>',
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		],
		(int) 17 => [
			'title' => 'Choosing a Partner is a Person’s Fundamental Right: SC',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<p>The Supreme Court has observed that <g class="gr_ gr_32 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar only-ins replaceWithoutSep" id="32" data-gr-id="32">choice</g> of a partner is a person&rsquo;s fundamental right, and it can be a same-sex partner. The observation came on the first day of hearing by a Constitution Bench of petitions challenging the constitutionality of Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code. Section 377 <g class="gr_ gr_33 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling multiReplace" id="33" data-gr-id="33">criminalises</g> private consensual sex between adults.</p>
<h3>Key Observations</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The right to sexual orientation was meaningless without the right to choose a partner.</li>
<li>The observations were drawn from the March 2018 judgment in the Hadiya case, which held that influencing an adult&rsquo;s choice of partner would be a violation of the fundamental right to privacy.</li>
<li>It is to be further tested whether Section 377 stood in conformity with Articles 21 (right to life), 19 (right to liberty) and 14 (right to equality) of the Constitution.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Background</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Section 377 of the IPC dates back to 1861 and <g class="gr_ gr_27 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling multiReplace" id="27" data-gr-id="27">criminalises</g> sexual activities against the order of nature and the ambit of this law extends to any sexual union involving penile insertion.</li>
<li>In 2009, in a landmark judgment, the Delhi High Court had described Section 377 as a violation of the fundamental rights guaranteed by the Constitution. Following this, religious groups moved the Supreme Court for a direction against the verdict.</li>
<li>However, the Supreme Court in 2013 overruled the Delhi High Court&rsquo;s order and reinforced <g class="gr_ gr_28 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling multiReplace" id="28" data-gr-id="28">criminalisation</g> of homosexuality stating that changes to the legislation should be made by the Parliament</li>
<li>This judgment was highly criticised by the LGBTQ community in India and was seen as a setback for human rights.</li>
<li>In January 2018, the Supreme Court observed that the 2013 judgment requires to be reconsidered because of the constitutional issues involved.</li>
</ul>',
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		(int) 18 => [
			'title' => 'Strict Clinical Trial Rules will Drive Away Drug Firms: WHO',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The World Health Organisation has informed India that its work in the country would be hampered and drug companies are driven away if the government goes ahead with stringent draft rules for compensation in case of death or injury from clinical trials.</span></p>
<h3>Background</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">In 2013, 2,644 people died during clinical trials of 475 new drugs between 2005 and 2012. There were 11,972 serious adverse event cases in the same period. Of these, 506 cases were related to clinical trials.</span></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">In February 2018, the Union Health Ministry released a proposal on clinical trials that included a provision for the deceased party in a trial to be compensated in event of any mishap.</span></li>
</ul>
<h3>What has the Centre proposed?</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Drug firms to pay 60% of the compensation within 15 days if a patient dies or suffers disability in the course of a clinical trial.</span></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Compensation to be given taking into account the age, health risk of the patient.</span></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">If a patient suffers from any other illness during the trial, the sponsor will provide medical management and ancillary care.</span></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">The ethics committee will complete the probe within 30 days from the date of death of a patient or a serious adverse event or permanent disability suffered by him/her. &nbsp;</span></li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Ethics Committee</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It is a proposed government body that will ensure medical experiments and research on humans are carried out in an ethical manner and provide feedback on the ethical appropriateness of the trial.</li>
<li>It will consist of seven members, including experts from medical science, non-medical stream, scientific and non-scientific members, a layman and a woman member.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Concerns of WHO</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Many sponsors of clinical trials are likely to consider the proposals harsh and unacceptable. Hence, there is a possibility that sponsors will not conduct clinical trials in India and go elsewhere.</li>
<li>Also in a likely scenario whereby the ethics committee determines a death or permanent disability is related to the product - the 60% fee has to be paid upfront by the sponsor and is not reimbursable regardless of the decision of the expert review process.</li>
</ul>',
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		],
		(int) 19 => [
			'title' => 'North India’s Obsession with the Male Child Unchanged',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">According to the latest data available with the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Indians continue to show a preference for a male child. </span></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Haryana, followed by Rajasthan and Punjab continue to top the list of offenders seeking to illegally ascertain the gender of the unborn baby. This practice manifests in a low child-sex ratio. </span></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">At present, India has a child sex ratio (0-6 years) of 919 females per 1,000 males.</span></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Convicted offenders have been registered under Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (PC &amp; PNDT) (Prohibition of Sex Selection) Act, 1994.</span></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">The Ministry is expanding the </span><b>Beti Bachao Beti Padhao programme</b><span style="font-weight: 400;"> now on a pan-India level. Implementation of the PC-PNDT Act is a part of this programme. </span></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">The registration of cases and convictions have increased gradually because of the government&rsquo;s stringent action and zero tolerance towards the issue.</span></li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Beti Bachao Beti Padhao</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The scheme was launched by the Prime Minister in 2015 as a comprehensive programme to address the declining Child Sex Ratio (CSR) and related issues to the empowerment of women over a life-cycle continuum.</li>
<li>The scheme is being implemented as a convergent effort of, Ministries of Women and Child Development, Health &amp; Family Welfare and Human Resource Development.</li>
<li>The campaign focuses on awareness and advocacy campaign, multi-sectoral action in select 161 districts, enabling girls&rsquo; education and effective enforcement of Pre-Conception &amp; Pre Natal Diagnostic Techniques (PC &amp; PNDT) Act.</li>
<li><strong>Objectives:</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Preventing <g class="gr_ gr_29 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling ins-del multiReplace" id="29" data-gr-id="29">gender biased</g> <g class="gr_ gr_30 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling ins-del multiReplace" id="30" data-gr-id="30">sex selective</g> elimination.</li>
<li>Ensuring survival and protection of the girl child.</li>
<li>Ensuring education and participation of the girl child.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<ul></ul>
</div>',
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		'title' => 'Trade Policy Review at WTO',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<p>At the recent trade policy review at the WTO, India has cautioned China that its $63 billion trade deficit with the country was unsustainable and promises had to be converted into actions.</p>
<h3>Key Highlights</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>China needed to make serious efforts to lower trade barriers for rice, meat, pharmaceuticals and IT products from India to make a difference to the trade imbalance.</li>
<li>Farm exports, including bovine meat, continued to face hindrances in the form of stringent and opaque Chinese regulatory requirements.</li>
<li>Despite <g class="gr_ gr_52 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar replaceWithoutSep" id="52" data-gr-id="52">of</g> several protocols being signed between India and China, the hindrances remain on <g class="gr_ gr_51 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar only-ins replaceWithoutSep" id="51" data-gr-id="51">import</g> of farm products, especially bovine meat.</li>
<li>Due to complex and onerous regulatory requirements, Indian generic medicine producers were unable to access the Chinese market.</li>
<li>In the service sector, the challenges for Indian companies include complex requirements for participating in contracts of State Owned Enterprise (SOEs) and also include issues related to qualification requirements, licensing and taxation etc.</li>
</ul>
<h3>US-China Trade War: A Silver lining for India?</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Given its trade tensions between the US, China plans to import more from India, along with other countries, to counterbalance the imports of high tariff products from <g class="gr_ gr_60 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar only-ins replaceWithoutSep" id="60" data-gr-id="60">USA</g>.</li>
<li>This is evident from the fact that China has imposed a 25% duty on US soybean. However, China has removed all tariffs on soybean imported from five APTA (Asia-Pacific Trade Agreement) countries: India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, South Korea and Laos. All of them, barring India, are insignificant suppliers.</li>
<li>In addition, India dominates the world&rsquo;s generic drugs market, exporting $17.3 billion of drugs in, including to the U.S. and the EU. But only 1% of that went to China. With the protracted <g class="gr_ gr_63 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Punctuation only-ins replaceWithoutSep" id="63" data-gr-id="63">trade-war</g> China is preparing to give swift regulatory approvals to India-manufactured drugs.</li>
<li>This would allow Indian companies to boost revenue at a time when pricing scrutiny and regulatory troubles have hurt U.S. sales.</li>
<li><g class="gr_ gr_50 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Punctuation only-ins replaceWithoutSep" id="50" data-gr-id="50">Also</g> Indian firms are looking to fill gaps in Chinese demand for software, sugar and some varieties of rice.</li>
<li>US exports to China currently under threat <g class="gr_ gr_49 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling ins-del" id="49" data-gr-id="49">makeup</g> for nearly a fifth of total US exports. With that huge a market at risk, US sellers will now offer attractive selling prices to Indian businesses.</li>
<li>However, the lack of manufacturing capability in technology items could deprive India <g class="gr_ gr_58 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar multiReplace" id="58" data-gr-id="58">from</g> taking advantage of the trade war. &nbsp;</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Trade Policy Review Mechanism</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Trade Policy Review Mechanism (TPRM) was an early result of the Uruguay Round.</li>
<li>The reviews take place in the Trade Policy Review Body which is actually the WTO General Council &mdash; comprising the WTO&rsquo;s full membership &mdash; operating under special rules and procedures.</li>
<li>The trade policy review allows members to put the overall trade and economic policies of a country under the scanner. The trade policies of developing countries are taken up for review every four years while developed ones face similar scrutiny every two years.</li>
<li>The mandate of the TPRM was broadened to cover services trade and intellectual property.</li>
<li>The objectives of the TPRM include facilitating the smooth functioning of the multilateral trading system by enhancing the transparency of Members&rsquo; trade policies.</li>
<li>All WTO Members are subject to review under the TPRM.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p></p>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/trade-policy-review-at-wto'
	],
	(int) 1 => [
		'title' => 'Model Villages under Border Area Development Programme',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<p>Issues related to the implementation of the Border Area Development Programme (BADP) were discussed by the Union Home Minister in his interaction with Field and State Level Officers.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The border population is the strategic asset to the country and important element to maintain border security.</li>
<li>Social and economic infrastructure like connectivity, safe drinking water, schools, hospitals and other facilities to ensure sustainable living in these areas must be improved.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Model Villages</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>For the comprehensive and all-round development of border villages, the government has decided to develop 61 model villages under the Border Area Development Programme.</li>
<li>Each model village will provide all basic facilities like primary health center, primary education, community center, connectivity, drainage, drinking water, etc. to enable sustainable living in border areas.</li>
<li>BADP Online Management System for better planning, monitoring, and implementation of various projects under BADP was launched on the occasion.</li>
<li>Border States can submit their respective Annual Action Plans online and receive approvals from Ministry of Home Affairs in the electronic mode which will bring in transparency in the sanction process and improve quality of planning and implementation.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg"><strong>Border Area Development Programme</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The BADP was <strong>launched in the year 1986-87</strong> for balanced development of border areas of States bordering Pakistan, namely, Jammu &amp; Kashmir, Punjab, Gujarat and Rajasthan and subsequently it was extended to all the land borders.</li>
<li>It is <strong>a centrally sponsored scheme.</strong> Funds are provided to the states <strong>as a non-lapsable special central assistance</strong> for the execution of projects relating to infrastructure, livelihood, education, health, agriculture and allied sector.</li>
<li>BADP now <strong>covers 111 border districts in 17 States</strong> (Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Meghalaya, Manipur, Mizoram, Nagaland, Tripura, Sikkim, West Bengal, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Jammu &amp; Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Rajasthan and Gujarat) to meet special development needs of border population with focus on <strong>people living within 50 kilometers of the International Border.</strong></li>
<li>The main objective of the BADP is to meet the special developmental needs and well being of the people living in remote and inaccessible areas situated near the international border and to saturate the border areas with the entire essential infrastructure through the convergence of Central, State, BADP and local schemes by following a participatory approach.</li>
</ul>
</div>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/model-villages-under-border-area-development-programme'
	],
	(int) 2 => [
		'title' => 'Important Facts for Prelims (July 13, 2018)',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3><g class="gr_ gr_33 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling ins-del multiReplace" id="33" data-gr-id="33">Bengei</g> Nacha</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li style="text-align: justify;">In the State of Odisha, &lsquo;Bengei Nacha&rsquo; or &lsquo;frog dance&rsquo; is a traditionally performed ritual to appease the rain gods.</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">As per belief, the croaking sounds made by frogs during the ritual would alert rain god &lsquo;Indra Devata&rsquo; to the lack of precipitation in a village.</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">Amid much fanfare, villagers catch a frog and put it inside a pitcher partly filled with water which is carried by two people at the head of a procession.</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">Monsoon rains are vital for Indian agriculture, which is a major source of employment in the country.</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">Rituals devoted to rain gods vary from State to State depending upon local customs and traditions.</li>
</ul>
<h3 style="text-align: justify;">Scientists Perform First Color X-ray on a Human</h3>
<ul>
<li style="text-align: justify;">Scientists from New Zealand performed the first ever 3D color X-Ray on a human being using a technique that could improve the field of medical diagnostics.</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">The new device, named Medipix, is based on the traditional black-and-white X-Ray but has incorporated a particle-tracking technology developed by CERN for its Large Hadron Collider.</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">The color X-ray imaging technique could produce clearer and more accurate pictures and help doctors give their patients more accurate diagnoses.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Buddha of Swat</h3>
<p><img class="content-img" src="http://drishtiias.com/images/uploads/162Buddha of Swat 1.jpg" width="454" height="256" caption="false" style="float: right;" data-pagespeed-url-hash="1227474212" onload="pagespeed.CriticalImages.checkImageForCriticality(this);" /></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Buddha seated in a meditative posture is an iconic 7th-century sculpture and is considered one of the largest rock sculptures in South Asia.</li>
<li>The Buddha sits in Jehanabad, the epicenter of Swat's Buddhist heritage, a beautiful valley in the foothills of the Himalayas.</li>
<li>The holy figure, depicted in a lotus position at the base of a granite cliff in northern Pakistan, was severely damaged by Islamists insurgents.</li>
<li>Swat was for centuries a pilgrimage site for the Buddhist faithful, especially from the Himalayas.</li>
<li>The Vajrayana school even consider it a "holy land", from where their faith originated.</li>
<li>They continued to visit right up until the 20th century when borders hardened with the independence of British India and creation of Pakistan in 1947.</li>
</ul>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/important-facts-for-prelims-july-13-2018'
	],
	(int) 3 => [
		'title' => 'India to Sign MoU on Easing Visa Curbs',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<p style="text-align: justify;">India will sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on &ldquo;revised travel arrangements&rdquo; with Bangladesh to ease visa restrictions for citizens from the neighboring country.</p>
<h3 style="text-align: justify;">Background</h3>
<ul style="text-align: justify; list-style-type: square;">
<li>In 2014, India had decided to relax visa restrictions for Bangladeshis above the age of 65 and below the age of 13. They were allowed five-year multiple entry visas.</li>
<li>Last year India announced a five-year multiple entry visa to the 1971 war veterans from Bangladesh.</li>
<li>However, Bangladesh has demanded that travel restrictions for senior citizens be eased and further concessions are given to <strong>Muktijoddhas</strong> &mdash; those who participated in the 1971 Liberation War.</li>
<li>Citizens from 161 countries can travel to India on e-tourist visas procured online. However, this facility is not extended to Bangladesh.</li>
<li>India has on several occasions raised the issue of the influx of illegal migrants from Bangladesh.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg" style="text-align: justify;">
<p><strong>E-Tourist Visa</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The E-Tourist Visa enables the prospective visitor to apply for an Indian Visa from his/her home country online without visiting the Indian Mission and also pay the visa fee online. The categories include E-Tourist, &nbsp;E-Business, and E-Medical.</li>
<li>The E-visa facility is now available for nationals of 161 countries for entry through 24 airports as well as 3 seaports (Cochin, Goa <g class="gr_ gr_28 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Punctuation only-ins replaceWithoutSep" id="28" data-gr-id="28">and</g> Mangalore).</li>
<li>The new visa regime is meant to make India a more favorable tourism destination.</li>
<li>It will facilitate the Make in India programme that requires multiple business visits by foreign investors.</li>
<li>The scheme is also in sync with the vision of Digital India.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p style="text-align: justify;"></p>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/india-to-sign-mou-on-easing-visa-curbs'
	],
	(int) 4 => [
		'title' => 'NITI Aayog Annual Report 2017-18',
		'catname' => 'Summary of Important Reports',
		'desc' => '<p>This <strong>&lsquo;Think-Tank&rsquo;</strong> of <g class="gr_ gr_515 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_disable_anim_appear Grammar only-ins doubleReplace replaceWithoutSep" id="515" data-gr-id="515">government</g> of India was founded on<strong> 1<sup>st</sup> <g class="gr_ gr_514 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_disable_anim_appear ContextualSpelling ins-del multiReplace" id="514" data-gr-id="514">january</g> 2015</strong>. This institution designs strategic and <g class="gr_ gr_516 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_disable_anim_appear ContextualSpelling ins-del multiReplace" id="516" data-gr-id="516">long term</g> policy and programme frameworks and initiatives and monitors their progress and efficacy regularly.</p>
<p><strong><g class="gr_ gr_520 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_disable_anim_appear ContextualSpelling multiReplace" id="520" data-gr-id="520">It&rsquo;s</g> activities are divided into&ndash;</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Team India hub:</strong> Carries out <g class="gr_ gr_519 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_disable_anim_appear Grammar only-ins doubleReplace replaceWithoutSep" id="519" data-gr-id="519">mandate</g> of fostering Cooperative federalism and Designing policy and frameworks.</li>
<li><strong>Knowledge and innovation hub:</strong> Ensures fulfilling the mandate of maintaining a state of art resource <g class="gr_ gr_518 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_disable_anim_appear ContextualSpelling multiReplace" id="518" data-gr-id="518">centre</g>.</li>
</ul>
<p>Team India Hub consists of <strong>6 Verticals</strong> and Knowledge and Innovation Hub consists of <strong>10 Verticals</strong>. Some of these verticals are Administration, HRD, Industry, Rural Development, Science and Technology, <g class="gr_ gr_509 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_disable_anim_appear ContextualSpelling ins-del multiReplace" id="509" data-gr-id="509">Governnance</g> and Research etc.</p>
<p><strong>Offices attached to the NITI Aayog:</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Development Monitoring and Evaluation Office.</li>
<li>National Institute of Labour Economics Research and Development.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Policy Making and Programme</h3>
<p><strong>1. Atal Innovation Mission (AIM)</strong></p>
<p>It is an umbrella innovation organization set up by the NITI Aayog to promote innovation and entrepreneurship.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Atal tinkering labs:</strong> To promote creative and innovative mindset in school children.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Implemented in schools across all 700 plus districts across the country.</li>
<li>Miniature electronics do it yourself kits are installed so that students from grade 6 to grade 12 can tinker with technology.</li>
<li>Vision: Every school <g class="gr_ gr_501 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_disable_anim_appear Grammar multiReplace" id="501" data-gr-id="501">have</g> access to at least one or more <g class="gr_ gr_500 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_disable_anim_appear ContextualSpelling ins-del multiReplace" id="500" data-gr-id="500">atal</g> tinkering labs in each district of the country.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Atal incubators:</strong> To promote entrepreneurship in Universities and industries, NGOs, corporate industry level.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>AIM is providing a grant of <g class="gr_ gr_499 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_disable_anim_appear ContextualSpelling ins-del multiReplace" id="499" data-gr-id="499">upto</g> 10 crores to successful applicants for setting up <g class="gr_ gr_497 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_disable_anim_appear ContextualSpelling ins-del" id="497" data-gr-id="497">Green field</g> incubators or scaling up existing ones.</li>
<li>To <g class="gr_ gr_494 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_disable_anim_appear Punctuation only-ins replaceWithoutSep" id="494" data-gr-id="494">date</g> 19 Atal incubators have been selected.</li>
<li>Women led incubators and entrepreneurial startups are strongly encouraged.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Atal Vikas Challenges and Atal Grand Challenges:</strong> To promote point tech innovations and product creations for social and commercial impact.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>To promote specific product innovation with social, economic impact.</li>
<li>AIM is also partnering with corporate and other institutions to launch challenges such as AIM-YES Bank Transformation Series 2017 Smart Agri Nation Challenge had 27000 students from B-schools of India participating in it with <g class="gr_ gr_506 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_disable_anim_appear ContextualSpelling multiReplace" id="506" data-gr-id="506">high quality</g> presentations on the same.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>2. Reform in Homeopathy and Medicine law</strong></p>
<p>Draft National Commission for Homeopathy (NCH) Bill, 2017 and National Commission for Indian System of Medicine Bill, 2017 have been tabled in the parliament.</p>
<p><strong>3. Joint Committee meeting on Mumbai-Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail (<g class="gr_ gr_505 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_disable_anim_appear ContextualSpelling ins-del multiReplace" id="505" data-gr-id="505">MAHSR</g>) Corridor Project</strong></p>
<p><strong>4. Holistic development of islands </strong></p>
<p>NITI Aayog has shortlisted 10 islands for holistic development.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Package 1:</strong> Smith, Ross, Long <g class="gr_ gr_493 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_disable_anim_appear Punctuation only-ins replaceWithoutSep" id="493" data-gr-id="493">and</g> Aves of Andaman and Nicobar Islands.</li>
<li><strong>Package 2:</strong> Little Andaman of Andaman and Nicobar Islands.</li>
<li><strong>Package 3:</strong> Minicoy, Bangaram, Tinnakara, Cheriyam and Suheli islands of Lakshadweep.</li>
<li><strong>Island development agency:</strong> Under the chairmanship of the Home Minister. NITI Aayog is in process of the identification of 15 more islands in Andaman and Nicobar and Lakshadweep for development.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Competitive Cooperative Federalism</h3>
<p>This involves&ndash;</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Joint development of National Development Agenda by the Centre and States.</li>
<li>Advocacy of State perspectives with Central Ministries.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>1. Development Support Service for states/UTs</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>NITI Aayog has implemented a structured initiative for <strong>&ldquo;Development Support ServiceS for States&rdquo;</strong> (D3S).</li>
<li><strong>Vision:</strong> To achieve transformational, sustained delivery of infrastructure projects with state of art capacity disseminated at all levels of the governance.</li>
<li><strong>Objectives:</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Establish <g class="gr_ gr_490 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_disable_anim_appear Grammar only-ins replaceWithoutSep" id="490" data-gr-id="490">Centre-State</g> partnership model for cooperation</li>
<li>Demonstrates successful implementation of high impact projects</li>
<li>Establish PPPs as governance tools supporting larger development agenda</li>
<li>Address key structural issues related to infrastructure projects</li>
<li>Build institutional and organizational capacities of states and state level institutions for infrastructure projects</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>2. Reforms in agriculture</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Model Act on agricultural land </strong>leasing: A national workshop on Agricultural land leasing reforms was held.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><g class="gr_ gr_483 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_disable_anim_appear Grammar only-ins doubleReplace replaceWithoutSep" id="483" data-gr-id="483">Government</g> of Uttar <g class="gr_ gr_478 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_disable_anim_appear ContextualSpelling ins-del multiReplace" id="478" data-gr-id="478">pradesh</g> and Uttarakhand have modified their tenancy laws to promote land leasing.</li>
<li><strong>Madhya Pradesh</strong> assembly has passed a bill <strong>Bhumiswami</strong> <strong>Evam Bataidar <g class="gr_ gr_479 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_disable_anim_appear ContextualSpelling ins-del multiReplace" id="479" data-gr-id="479">ke</g> Hito <g class="gr_ gr_480 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_disable_anim_appear ContextualSpelling" id="480" data-gr-id="480">mein</g> Sanrakshan Vidheyak</strong>.</li>
<li>Odisha, Telangana and Andhra Pradesh have also initiated <g class="gr_ gr_484 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_disable_anim_appear Grammar only-ins doubleReplace replaceWithoutSep" id="484" data-gr-id="484">process</g> to modify or enact their own land leasing Acts based on NITI Aayog&rsquo;s model.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Reforms of Agricultural Produce Marketing Committee Act.</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Three critical areas were discussed for reforms:
<ol>
<li>Agricultural market reforms.</li>
<li>Felling and transit laws for tree produce grown <g class="gr_ gr_476 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_disable_anim_appear Grammar multiReplace" id="476" data-gr-id="476">at</g> private land.</li>
<li>Agricultural land leasing.</li>
</ol>
</li>
<li>NITI Aayog has developed first ever <strong>"Agricultural marketing and <g class="gr_ gr_466 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_disable_anim_appear ContextualSpelling ins-del multiReplace" id="466" data-gr-id="466">farmer friendly</g> reforms index"</strong> to sensitize states about the need to undertake reforms in agriculture market reforms, land lease reforms and forestry on private land.</li>
<li><strong>Maharashtra</strong> ranks highest in <g class="gr_ gr_471 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_disable_anim_appear Grammar only-ins doubleReplace replaceWithoutSep" id="471" data-gr-id="471">implementation</g> of various agricultural reforms, followed by <strong>Gujarat, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh</strong>.</li>
<li><strong>"Doubling Farmers&rsquo; Income &ndash;&nbsp;</strong>Rationale, Strategy, Prospects and Action Plan" has <g class="gr_ gr_495 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_disable_anim_appear ContextualSpelling ins-del multiReplace" id="495" data-gr-id="495">three pronged</g> <g class="gr_ gr_503 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_disable_anim_appear Grammar multiReplace" id="503" data-gr-id="503">strategy</g> focusing on (i) development initiatives, (ii) technology and (iii) policy reforms in agriculture.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>3. Reforms in healthcare, education and water sector</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>NITI Aayog has initiated <g class="gr_ gr_507 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_disable_anim_appear Grammar only-ins replaceWithoutSep" id="507" data-gr-id="507">web</g> portal for social indicators by establishing an outcome monitoring framework.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>4. Champions of change</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>With Young CEOs &amp; Entrepreneurs on 2017 titled Champions of Change &ndash; Transforming India through G2B partnership was organized.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>5. Dashboard</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>NITI Aayog has developed the Dashboard, a Progress Tracker for Union Territories of India (<g class="gr_ gr_498 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_disable_anim_appear ContextualSpelling ins-del multiReplace" id="498" data-gr-id="498">UTs</g>) to monitor and track the monthly progress of various developmental schemes/ projects/ initiatives of the government.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>6. Capacity building of urban local bodies </strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Three frameworks developed by <g class="gr_ gr_502 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_disable_anim_appear ContextualSpelling ins-del multiReplace" id="502" data-gr-id="502">participantss</g> of the first phase of capacity building programme:
<ol>
<li>Integrated Data Management Framework</li>
<li>Strategic Framework for Water Recycling</li>
<li>Strategic Framework for Solid Waste Management and PPP</li>
</ol>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Think Tank Functions</h3>
<p><strong>1. Vision Document for India</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It is a fifteen-year plan for India. A three-year action Agenda for the period from 2017-18 to 2019-20 has been prepared as its first part.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>2. Appraisal Document</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Appraisal Document of the 12th Five Year Plan has been <g class="gr_ gr_513 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_disable_anim_appear ContextualSpelling multiReplace" id="513" data-gr-id="513">finalised</g> and circulated in the meeting of Governing Council of NITI Aayog held under the Chairmanship of Hon&rsquo;ble Prime Minister.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>3. Doubling of Farmers&rsquo; Income</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The first ever policy document on &ldquo;Doubling Farmers&rsquo; Income &ndash;Rationale, Strategy, Prospects and Action Plan&rdquo; was prepared.</li>
<li>It has <g class="gr_ gr_465 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_disable_anim_appear ContextualSpelling ins-del multiReplace" id="465" data-gr-id="465">three pronged</g> <g class="gr_ gr_473 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_disable_anim_appear Grammar multiReplace" id="473" data-gr-id="473">strategy</g> focusing on (i) development initiatives, (ii) technology and (iii) policy reforms in agriculture.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>4. Monitoring of Outcome Budget 2017-18</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>DMEO has developed a web-based interactive dashboard for Monitoring of Outcome Budget.</li>
<li>Qualitative improvement in the Output-Outcome Framework by reviewing and identifying relevant outputs and outcomes, and quantifiable and measurable indicators to monitor them.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>5. Global entrepreneurship summit -2017</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>India and US</strong> co-hosted this summit in <strong>Hyderabad</strong>.</li>
<li><strong>Theme:</strong> Women first, prosperity for all.</li>
<li>The summit focused on four key industry sectors: Energy and Infrastructure, Healthcare and Life Sciences, Financial Technology and Digital Economy, and Media and Entertainment.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>6. <g class="gr_ gr_457 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_disable_anim_appear Grammar only-ins replaceWithoutSep" id="457" data-gr-id="457">Launch</g> of <g class="gr_ gr_459 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_disable_anim_appear Grammar only-ins doubleReplace replaceWithoutSep" id="459" data-gr-id="459">programme</g> to transform identified aspirational districts</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>115 districts in 28 States</strong> have been identified on the basis of a transparent process by using a composite index.</li>
<li>States are the main drivers of this programme with the help of Prabhari Officers.</li>
<li>Aims to make development a mass movement in these districts.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>7. Interaction with economists and experts</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Interactive session with over 40 renowned economists on the theme <strong>"Economic Policy and the Road Ahead" was held</strong>.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Sectoral Objective and Achievements</h3>
<p><strong>1. Agriculture</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Demand and supply projects on crop, horticulture <g class="gr_ gr_449 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Punctuation only-ins replaceWithoutSep" id="449" data-gr-id="449">and</g> livestock:</strong> This report provides information regarding <g class="gr_ gr_446 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar only-ins replaceWithoutSep" id="446" data-gr-id="446">performance</g> of Indian agriculture and growth trends.</li>
<li><strong>Price support to <g class="gr_ gr_467 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_disable_anim_appear Grammar only-ins doubleReplace replaceWithoutSep" id="467" data-gr-id="467">farmer</g>:</strong> Model Agricultural Land Leasing act, 2016; Agricultural Marketing Reforms Index and <strong>Policy Paper on doubling farmers income-</strong> Rationale, Strategy, Prospects And Action Plan.</li>
<li><strong>Development agenda for India @ 75:</strong> Development agenda for agriculture in new India focuses on seven goals in agriculture namely growth; stability; efficiency; food and nutrition security; food safety; sustainability; and farmers income.</li>
<li><strong>Roadmap for Bamboo development:</strong> Action plan being prepared in consultation with <g class="gr_ gr_444 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar only-ins replaceWithoutSep" id="444" data-gr-id="444">Department</g> of Agriculture Cooperation and Farmers Welfare, Ministry of Environment Forest, Department of Land Resources, Science and Technology and Ministry of Social Welfare.</li>
<li><strong>Price deficiency payments:</strong> Government of Madhya Pradesh is implementing a pilot project on deficiency price payments <strong>(Bhavantar Bhugtan Yojana)</strong> in 8 crops viz soybean, groundnut, sesame, niger, maize, urad, moong <g class="gr_ gr_438 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Punctuation only-ins replaceWithoutSep" id="438" data-gr-id="438">and</g> <g class="gr_ gr_440 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Style multiReplace" id="440" data-gr-id="440">tur .</g></li>
<li><strong>Production of timber sources</strong> from non-forest lands would meet <g class="gr_ gr_453 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar only-ins replaceWithoutSep" id="453" data-gr-id="453">vision</g> for doubling farmers&rsquo; income, job creation, reducing heavy dependence on imports and contributing to carbon sink of 2.5-3 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide through additional tree cover for meeting India&rsquo;s international climate change commitments.</li>
<li><strong>Drought assessment and relief:</strong> Agriculture Vertical has been actively engaged in Inter-Ministerial Central Teams (IMCTs) constituted by Ministry of to assess the damage caused due to drought, hailstorms, cold waves, etc to crops and livestock.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>2. Health</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>As a nation, we have shown significant declines in infant mortality, maternal mortality and total fertility rates, however, the inter-state variation in achievements remain a matter of concern.</li>
<li><strong><g class="gr_ gr_468 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_disable_anim_appear ContextualSpelling multiReplace" id="468" data-gr-id="468">3 year</g> action agenda:</strong> It was developed as the<strong> first part of the larger 15 year Vision</strong> of India. Priority Actions outlined <g class="gr_ gr_463 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_disable_anim_appear Punctuation only-del replaceWithoutSep" id="463" data-gr-id="463">are:</g> Public and preventive health, Assurance of health care, Fiscal transfers for better health outcomes, <g class="gr_ gr_456 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_disable_anim_appear Grammar only-ins doubleReplace replaceWithoutSep" id="456" data-gr-id="456">Human</g> resource for health, Access to medicines, Health research.</li>
<li><g class="gr_ gr_441 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar only-ins replaceWithoutSep" id="441" data-gr-id="441">Committee</g> finalized the draft <strong>National Medical Commission Bill</strong> for replacing the Medical Council of India with the proposed National Medical Commission. The bill has been approved by the Union Cabinet.</li>
<li>NITI Aayog has spearheaded the <strong>Health index initiative,</strong> to measure the annual performance of States and UTs, and rank States on the basis of change, while also providing an overall status of States&rsquo; performance. Indicators: outcomes, governance &amp; information and key inputs/processes.</li>
<li><strong>Sustainable action for transforming human capital (SATH):</strong> NITI Aayog has launched the Development of Support Services for States (DSSS) rechristened as SATH Programme for transforming the health sector, to foster cooperative federalism through structured support initiatives with States. The <strong>three states</strong> which have been selected under the programme are <strong>Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka <g class="gr_ gr_426 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Punctuation only-ins replaceWithoutSep" id="426" data-gr-id="426">and</g> Assam</strong>.</li>
<li>NITI Aayog was mandated to create the framework for tracking the performance of district hospitals and <strong>Indian Statistical Institute</strong> has been selected to develop portal.</li>
<li>NITI Aayog is carrying out <strong><g class="gr_ gr_420 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar only-ins doubleReplace replaceWithoutSep" id="420" data-gr-id="420">evaluation</g></strong> of existing <strong>NIPERs</strong>. (NIPERs are institutes set up under the aegis of the Department of Pharmaceuticals, Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers, Government of India.)</li>
<li>It is also working on implementing <strong>Electronic health record</strong> across India.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>3. Women and child development</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>NITI Aayog has been assigned for Monitoring and Evaluation of the Maternity Benefit Programme. Accordingly, first<strong> Quarterly Report</strong> and <strong>Dashboard</strong> have been prepared with inputs received from MWCD and State and shared with PMO.</li>
<li>NITI Aayog undertook <strong>field visits</strong> to four States &ndash; <strong>Rajasthan, Uttarakhand, Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat</strong> to document the State&rsquo;s initiatives on <g class="gr_ gr_425 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar multiReplace" id="425" data-gr-id="425">Take</g> Home Ration (THR) and managing Severely Acute Malnourished (SAM) children.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>4. Governance and research</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Networking with other think tanks:</strong> NITI has launched a major initiative viz. <strong><g class="gr_ gr_423 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling ins-del multiReplace" id="423" data-gr-id="423">SAMAVESH</g></strong> aimed at networking and partnership with knowledge and research institutions using a hub and spoke model, which was followed by a focused meeting on <strong>IMPRINT (Impacting Research, Innovation <g class="gr_ gr_431 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Punctuation only-ins replaceWithoutSep" id="431" data-gr-id="431">and</g> Technology)</strong>.</li>
<li>NITI Aayog conducted an evaluation study of DBT in Fertilizers through M/s <g class="gr_ gr_419 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling ins-del multiReplace" id="419" data-gr-id="419">Microsave</g>, which has shown encouraging results and remarkable success in implementation.</li>
<li>NITI Aayog undertook <g class="gr_ gr_418 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar only-ins doubleReplace replaceWithoutSep" id="418" data-gr-id="418">in-depth</g> review of autonomous bodies of Union Government.</li>
<li>It also set up <strong>Ratan Watal committee</strong> to find the ways and means to<strong> transform India&rsquo;s gold market</strong>.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>5. Human resource development</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Human Resources Development (HRD) Division, restructured as HRD Vertical in the Team India Hub of NITI Aayog, is dealing with issues related to School Education &amp; Higher Education.</li>
</ul>
<table border="1" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="vertical-align: top; width: 40.5405%;">
<p><strong>School Education and Literacy</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Sarva <g class="gr_ gr_427 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling ins-del multiReplace" id="427" data-gr-id="427">shiksha</g> Abhiyan (SSA)</li>
<li>Mid-Day Meal in Schools (MDMS)</li>
<li>Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan (RMSA)</li>
<li>Vocationalisation of <g class="gr_ gr_429 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling ins-del multiReplace" id="429" data-gr-id="429">secondary</g> Education</li>
<li>Teacher Education</li>
<li>[email protected]</li>
<li>Saakshar Bharat Programme</li>
<li>National Bal Bhavan, KVs, NVs, NIOS, NCERT etc.</li>
</ul>
</td>
<td style="vertical-align: top; width: 57.5883%;">
<p><strong>Higher and Technical Education</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Rashtriya Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan (RUSA)</li>
<li>Technical Education Quality Improvement <g class="gr_ gr_432 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_disable_anim_appear ContextualSpelling ins-del" id="432" data-gr-id="432">ProgramMe</g> (TEQIP)</li>
<li>Pandit Madan Mohan Malviya National Mission on Teachers and Teaching (PMMMNMTT)</li>
<li>Scholarships</li>
<li>National Mission on Education through ICT (NMEICT)</li>
<li>Book promotion</li>
<li>Language Development</li>
<li>Technical Education&nbsp; Including IITs, NITs<g class="gr_ gr_439 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Style replaceWithoutSep" id="439" data-gr-id="439">,<g class="gr_ gr_428 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling ins-del multiReplace" id="428" data-gr-id="428">IIMs</g></g>, IISERs, NTTRs, IIs etc.</li>
</ul>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Under <g class="gr_ gr_412 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar only-ins replaceWithoutSep" id="412" data-gr-id="412">NITI</g> Internship Programme, interns from various leading institutions from across the country have been provided internship training.</li>
<li><strong>Other achievements:</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>School Education Quality Index (SEQI):</strong> It is in the final stages of development by the NITI Aayog in consultation with the Department of School Education &amp; Literacy, Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD), State Education Departments of all States &amp; UTs and various stakeholders, including educationists.</li>
<li><strong>Development Support Services for States/UTs (D3S) for Education Projects:</strong> The key objective of this policy is to identify and build three future &lsquo;Role Model&rsquo; States for education systems. <g class="gr_ gr_415 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar only-ins replaceWithoutSep" id="415" data-gr-id="415">First</g> workshop was held in <g class="gr_ gr_416 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Style multiReplace" id="416" data-gr-id="416">Orissa .</g></li>
<li><strong>Reforms in Higher Education:</strong> A Committee for Reforms in Higher Education was constituted based on NITI&rsquo;s presentation on <strong>&lsquo;Proposed Reforms in Regulatory Frameworks of the UGC and AICTE&rsquo;</strong>.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>6. Culture</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>This Vertical examined the EFC/SFC proposals on
<ol>
<li>Museum Grant Scheme</li>
<li>Scheme for setting up of Science Cities/Science Centres/Innovation Hubs</li>
<li>Continuation of the National Mission on Libraries-<g class="gr_ gr_443 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling" id="443" data-gr-id="443">upgradation</g> of Libraries providing services to the Public</li>
<li>Appraisal of ongoing five Schemes after merging them in a single Scheme namely &ldquo;Scheme of Financial Assistance for Promotion of Art &amp; Culture&rdquo;</li>
<li>Dandi related Projects and Gandhi Heritage Sites Mission</li>
<li>Scheme for Promotion of International Cultural Relations</li>
<li>Appraisal of ongoing two Schemes after merging them in a single Scheme namely &ldquo;Scheme of Financial Assistance for <g class="gr_ gr_448 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar only-ins replaceWithoutSep" id="448" data-gr-id="448">creation</g> of Cultural Infrastructure&rdquo;.</li>
</ol>
</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>7. Skill development and employment unit</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Skill Development &amp; Employment Division published a Compendium<strong> &lsquo;Skilling for Employability: Best Practices&rsquo;</strong> highlighting best practices in overcoming challenges such as equity, access, quality and relevance in the government, civil society and private sectors.</li>
<li>Schemes/Programmes
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Strengthening the Apprenticeship Ecosystem in India</li>
<li>North East Rural Livelihood Project</li>
<li>Upgradation of Existing Government Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) into Model Industrial Training Institutes</li>
<li>Re-structuring of National Skill Development Fund (NSDF) and National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) to strengthen governance, implementation and monitoring framework</li>
<li>Memorandum on National Career Service Centre for Differently Abled</li>
<li>National Career Service Project/Employment Exchanges Mission Mode Project (<g class="gr_ gr_435 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling ins-del multiReplace" id="435" data-gr-id="435">EEMMP</g>)</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>8. Managing urbanization</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Managing Urbanization (MU) Vertical in NITI Aayog deals with urban sector/issues and works in close association with <g class="gr_ gr_436 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar only-ins replaceWithoutSep" id="436" data-gr-id="436">Ministry</g> of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA).</li>
<li>The Vertical collaborates with various departments of Centre and State Governments, Urban Local Bodies (ULBs), Knowledge Bodies/Institutions, Think Tanks, Experts, Policy Makers in planning, coordinating, formulating, processing, appraisal, analysis and monitoring of various urban sector schemes, programmes and projects.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>9. Rural development</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Rural Development Vertical of the NITI Aayog provides overall policy guidance to the D/o Rural Development, Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation and Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs in programmes and schemes implemented by them.</li>
<li>NITI Aayog has developed Monthly &amp; Quarterly Dashboard on Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY) and Quarterly Dashboard on Deendayal Antyodya Yojana &ndash; National Rural Livelihood Mission (DAY-NRLM).</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>10. Energy and international cooperation</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Joint Research Projects between NITI Aayog and Institute of Energy Economics Japan (IEEJ) - A statement of intent (SOI) was signed between NITI Aayog and IEEJ, working on project namely <strong>&ldquo;High Penetration of Renewable Power: Comparative Study of Japan and India by <g class="gr_ gr_410 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar only-ins replaceWithoutSep" id="410" data-gr-id="410">year</g> 2032"</strong>.</li>
<li>International Energy Agency (IEA) and NITI Aayog <g class="gr_ gr_411 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar multiReplace" id="411" data-gr-id="411">has</g> signed Statement of Intent (SoI) for collaboration on energy sector related joint study projects.</li>
<li>NITI Aayog and Energy Policy Institute at the University of Chicago (EPIC) India has signed Statement of Intent (SoI) for collaboration on energy sector related joint study projects.</li>
<li>NITI Aayog has entrusted the responsibility of <strong>formulation of GIS Energy Map of India to Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO)</strong> for providing <g class="gr_ gr_397 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling ins-del multiReplace" id="397" data-gr-id="397">energy related</g> information to stakeholders.</li>
<li>The unit coordinate with Ministry of Power for up-dating of NITI Aayog Dashboard for <strong>&ldquo;Power for All&rdquo;</strong>.</li>
<li>NITI Aayog has launched the <strong>India Energy Portal (IEP)</strong> (www.indiaenergy.gov.in) which presently houses its flagship initiative India Energy Security Scenarios (IESS) 2047.</li>
<li>NITI Aayog has constituted a Technical Committee to recommend suitable technology on surface coal gasification which is being served by coal unit.</li>
<li>NITI Aayog has been entrusted with <g class="gr_ gr_394 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar only-ins replaceWithoutSep" id="394" data-gr-id="394">task</g> of framing <strong>National Energy Policy</strong>.</li>
<li>NITI Aayog has set up Energy Dashboard- an <g class="gr_ gr_409 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling multiReplace" id="409" data-gr-id="409">endeavour</g> towards assimilating all <g class="gr_ gr_406 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling ins-del multiReplace" id="406" data-gr-id="406">energy related</g> data at one place in <g class="gr_ gr_408 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar only-ins replaceWithoutSep" id="408" data-gr-id="408">first</g> phase.2nd phase to create <g class="gr_ gr_407 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar only-ins doubleReplace replaceWithoutSep" id="407" data-gr-id="407">online</g> system of data.</li>
<li>Bilateral cooperation between NITI Aayog and Government of UK, the imitative to develop state energy calculator have been taken up, <strong>first phase</strong> three states &ndash; <strong>Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat and Assam</strong> <g class="gr_ gr_398 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar multiReplace" id="398" data-gr-id="398">was</g> taken up.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>11. Industry</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Inter-Ministerial Committee (IMC)</strong> was constituted by Ministry of Shipping under the chairmanship of CEO NITI Aayog for preparing a road-map for the Coastal Economic Zone (CEZ) development and for steering the development of the related CEZ. <strong>NITI Aayog was <g class="gr_ gr_396 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar only-ins replaceWithoutSep" id="396" data-gr-id="396">nodal</g> agency for the committee</strong>.</li>
<li>NITI Aayog released the <strong>report on Ease of Doing Business</strong> based on an Enterprise Survey, conducted jointly with the IDFC Institute.</li>
<li>A <strong>new Cell</strong> under the Industry Vertical, NITI Aayog to <strong>promote Women Entrepreneurship</strong> in the Country has been set up under Adviser (Industry &amp; DM&amp;A).</li>
<li>A Statement of Intent on <g class="gr_ gr_392 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar only-ins doubleReplace replaceWithoutSep" id="392" data-gr-id="392">bilateral</g> economic partnership for mutual understanding and cooperation between NITI Aayog, and the Australian Treasury, Australian Government was signed.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>12. Infrastructure</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>NITI Aayog&rsquo;s Infrastructure-Connectivity vertical is mandated to provide an integrated approach to transport sector by promoting efficient, sustainable, <g class="gr_ gr_393 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling multiReplace" id="393" data-gr-id="393">environment friendly</g> and regionally balanced transportation system.</li>
<li>A report titled <strong>&ldquo;India Leaps Ahead: Transformative Mobility Solutions for All&rdquo;</strong> was unveiled by NITI Aayog. It was prepared in collaboration with Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI).</li>
<li><g class="gr_ gr_384 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar only-ins replaceWithoutSep" id="384" data-gr-id="384">Signing</g> of Statement of Intent (SoI) with International Road Federation (IRF) on Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS).</li>
<li>An independent <strong>&lsquo;Rashtriya Rail Sanraksha Kosh (RRSK) Monitoring Committee&rsquo;</strong> is created for monitoring railway safety fund.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>13. Financial resources</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>To foster co-operative and competitive federalism among States, the Financial Resources Division of NITI Aayog has assumed the role of assessing financial health of the States, including assessment of transfers to the States from Centre, social sector expenditure by States, analyzing closely the financially unhealthy States, critical review of the fund transfer mechanism for appropriate policy interventions.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>14. Natural resources and environment</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Environment and Forest division of Natural Resources and Environment (NRE) Vertical is involved in <g class="gr_ gr_390 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar only-ins replaceWithoutSep" id="390" data-gr-id="390">formulation</g> of policies and development of strategies for sustainable management of forests; protection of wildlife and their habitats; and maintenance of a clean, green and healthy environment.</li>
<li>Formulation of appropriate strategies for maintaining a clean, green and healthy environment was a priority for NITI Aayog.</li>
<li>It has been working closely with <strong><g class="gr_ gr_382 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar only-ins replaceWithoutSep" id="382" data-gr-id="382">Confederation</g> of Indian Industry (CII)</strong> and other stakeholders for controlling air pollution <g class="gr_ gr_383 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Punctuation only-ins replaceWithoutSep" id="383" data-gr-id="383">especially</g> in Delhi NCR.</li>
<li>Four Task Forces were constituted in NITI Aayog with experts as members to recommend suitable interventions for <strong>Clean Fuel, Clean Transport, Clean Industries and Biomass Management</strong>.</li>
<li>Research studies in the E&amp;F sector were completed under the NITI Aayog's Research study grant scheme, Ex-Coal Mining, Displacement and <strong>Rural Livelihoods: A Study in Mahanadi Coal Field, Odisha</strong> conducted by the National Institute of Technology, Rourkela.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>15. Science and technology</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Based on the recommendations of NITI Aayog, Department and Science &amp; Technology <g class="gr_ gr_402 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar multiReplace" id="402" data-gr-id="402">has</g> formulated a Cabinet Note for financial and administrative reforms for effective functioning and delivery of Science and Technology in India, which is under Inter-Ministerial consultation.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>16. Social justice and empowerment</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Social Justice and Empowerment (SJ&amp;E) Division in NITI Aayog is actively functioning to provide inputs in <g class="gr_ gr_401 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar only-ins doubleReplace replaceWithoutSep" id="401" data-gr-id="401">formulation</g> and strengthening of policies and programmes to promote and safeguard the interest of the socially, educationally and economically weaker sections of the society.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>17. Voluntary action cell</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>An important initiative of the VAC is maintaining an electronic database of VOs/NGOs which is done through the NGO Darpan Portal. The <strong>NGO-DARPAN</strong> (NGO-PS) Portal is an e-governance application to electronically maintain data regarding Non-Government organizations (NGOs)/ Voluntary Organizations (VOs) in the country.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>18. Development Monitoring And Evaluation Office</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>The Development Monitoring and Evaluation Office (DMEO)</strong> was established by the Government on 2015 as an attached office of the NITI Aayog by merging the erstwhile Programme Evaluation Organization and the Independent Evaluation Office.</li>
<li>DMEO has developed a web-based interactive dashboard which is accessed by the concerned Ministries to upload data on the progress made by them in the implementation of <g class="gr_ gr_376 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling ins-del multiReplace" id="376" data-gr-id="376">PMAY</g>.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>19. Appraisal of programmes/schemes/project</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>One of the important functions undertaken in NITI Aayog <g class="gr_ gr_388 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar multiReplace" id="388" data-gr-id="388">relate</g> to <g class="gr_ gr_386 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar only-ins doubleReplace replaceWithoutSep" id="386" data-gr-id="386">appraisal</g> of programmes/ schemes/projects. The appraisal work is undertaken through two divisions namely:
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Project Appraisal Management Division (PAMD)</strong> undertakes <g class="gr_ gr_387 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar only-ins doubleReplace replaceWithoutSep" id="387" data-gr-id="387">appraisal</g> of public-funded programmes/schemes/projects.</li>
<li><strong><g class="gr_ gr_369 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling ins-del multiReplace" id="369" data-gr-id="369">Public Private</g> Partnership Appraisal Unit (PPPAU)</strong> appraises Public Private Partnership (PPP) projects received from Central and State/UT Governments for Viability Gap Funding (VGF) under the Scheme for Financial Support to PPP in Infrastructure.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>20. Water resources</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The <strong>Inter-Ministerial Team constituted by the NITI Aayog</strong> has conducted the evaluation of the projects and the reports have been shared with the PMO, MoWR, RD &amp; GR, State Governments &amp; Rainfed Area Authority.</li>
<li><strong>Composite Water Management Index</strong> has been developed in NITI Aayog with 28 Key Performance Indicators covering source management, supply and demand side management - inter-alia covering irrigation, drinking water (rural and urban), watershed development, and policy and governance. The index will rank the States on the basis of verifiable data provided by them.</li>
<li>The document <strong>&ldquo;Best Practices in Water Sector&rdquo;</strong> has been prepared in consultation with TERI University, New Delhi. The <strong>&ldquo;Best Practices in Water Sector&rdquo;</strong> are to be uploaded on <g class="gr_ gr_372 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar only-ins doubleReplace replaceWithoutSep" id="372" data-gr-id="372">web</g> portal.</li>
<li>The Water Resources Vertical has assisted DMEO, NITI Aayog in the preparation of Water Resource part of Output-Outcome Budget (2018-19). The same is communicated to the Ministry of Water Resources, RD &amp; GR.</li>
<li>The Vertical has assisted DMEO, NITI Aayog in the preparation of Land Resource part of<strong> Output-Outcome Budget</strong> (2018-19).</li>
<li>A Draft report of the Committee on <strong>&ldquo;Land Titling &ndash; A Way forward&rdquo;</strong> has been prepared in consultation with the concerned ministries and departments, and states. The final draft has been sent to PMO for further consideration.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>21. Data management and analysis</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>NITI Aayog proposes to institute a <strong>Digital Transformation index</strong> for states. The index includes parameters which can allow states to examine their progress towards digital transformation and compare it to that of others, thus acting as a catalyst to reform.</li>
</ul>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/summary-of-important-reports/niti-aayog-annual-report-2017-18'
	],
	(int) 5 => [
		'title' => 'Important Facts for Prelims (July 12, 2018)',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>India Emerges as World's 6<sup>th</sup> Largest Economy</h3>
<p>According to an analysis done by the World Bank, India surpassed France to become <g class="gr_ gr_48 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar only-ins doubleReplace replaceWithoutSep" id="48" data-gr-id="48">6</g><sup><g class="gr_ gr_48 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_disable_anim_appear Grammar only-ins doubleReplace replaceWithoutSep" id="48" data-gr-id="48">th</g></sup> largest economy of the world in terms of Gross Domestic Product (GDP).</p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;"><img class="content-img" src="http://drishtiias.com/images/uploads/205image1.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="619" height="467" data-pagespeed-url-hash="239393262" onload="pagespeed.CriticalImages.checkImageForCriticality(this);" /></span></p>
<p>Earlier in 2014, India displaced Japan to become the world&rsquo;s <g class="gr_ gr_41 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling ins-del multiReplace" id="41" data-gr-id="41">third biggest</g> economy in terms of purchasing power parity (PPP).</p>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Purchasing Power Parity<strong></strong></strong></p>
<p>The rate at which the currency of one country would have to be converted into that of another country to buy the same amount of goods and services in each country.</p>
</div>
<h3>Nilgiri Tahr Threatened Due to Climate Change</h3>
<p>A new study has predicted that most of the existing habitats of the Nilgiri Tahr in the Western Ghats will become unsuitable because of global warming.</p>
<div class="border-bg"><strong>Nilgiri Tahr</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Nilgiri tahrs are stocky goats with short, coarse fur and a bristly mane. Males are larger than the <g class="gr_ gr_57 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Punctuation only-del replaceWithoutSep" id="57" data-gr-id="57">females,</g> and have a darker <g class="gr_ gr_58 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling multiReplace" id="58" data-gr-id="58">colour</g> when mature.</li>
<li>Adult males develop a light grey area or &ldquo;saddle&rdquo; on their backs and are hence called &ldquo;saddlebacks&rdquo;.</li>
<li>The distribution of Nilgiri tahr is limited to the Western Ghats and that too in the states of Kerala and Tamil Nadu only. They are more or less confined to altitudes of 1,200 to 2,600 meters.</li>
<li><strong>IUCN Status: Endangered</strong></li>
<li>Wildlife (Protection) Act, <g class="gr_ gr_54 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Style multiReplace" id="54" data-gr-id="54">1972 :</g> Schedule 1 (absolute protection and <g class="gr_ gr_51 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling multiReplace" id="51" data-gr-id="51">offences</g> under these are prescribed the highest penalties)</li>
<li>The study predicted a maximum habitat loss of 61.2 percent, 61.4 <g class="gr_ gr_52 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling multiReplace" id="52" data-gr-id="52">per cent</g> and 63 <g class="gr_ gr_53 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling multiReplace" id="53" data-gr-id="53">per cent</g> for 2030, 2050 and 2080 respectively if there is no fall in <g class="gr_ gr_50 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar only-ins replaceWithoutSep" id="50" data-gr-id="50">level</g> of emissions.</li>
<li>The reasons for <g class="gr_ gr_46 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar only-ins doubleReplace replaceWithoutSep" id="46" data-gr-id="46">decline</g> in Tahr populations are hunting, conflict with livestock grazing and habitat loss over the years.</li>
<li>This is the first time that a study has looked into the likely effect of climate change on the Nilgiri Tahr.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Anayootu</h3>
<p>The &lsquo;Anayootu&rsquo; (feeding of elephants) ritual is held annually at the Sree Vadakkunnatha temple, Thrissur, Kerala. The rituals are meant for propitiating Lord <g class="gr_ gr_61 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Punctuation only-del replaceWithoutSep" id="61" data-gr-id="61">Ganesha,</g> and will start with Ashta Dravya Mahaganapathy <g class="gr_ gr_43 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling" id="43" data-gr-id="43">homam</g>.</p>
<p><strong>Sree Vadakkunnatha Temple</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>An ancient Hindu temple dedicated to Shiva.</li>
<li>It has monumental towers on all four sides and also has a Kuttambalam (theatre hall).</li>
<li>It has mural paintings depicting various episodes from Mahabharata</li>
<li>It has been declared as a National Monument under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1958.</li>
</ul>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/important-facts-for-prelims-july-12-2018'
	],
	(int) 6 => [
		'title' => 'Government Approves Net Neutrality in India',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<p>The Government of India has approved the principles of net neutrality in India. The decision will ensure that netizens continue to have free and fair access to the internet. The Telecom Commission had approved the recommendations of the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI).</p>
<h3>Key Highlights</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The recommendations (net neutrality rules) bars service providers from discriminating against Internet content and services by blocking, throttling or granting them higher speed access.</li>
<li>Telecom and Internet service providers must treat all data on the Internet equally, and not discriminate or charge differently by user, content, site, platform, or application.</li>
<li>They cannot engage in practices such as blocking, slowing down or granting preferential speeds to any content.</li>
<li>However, some mission-critical applications or services like remote surgery and autonomous cars will, however, be kept out of the purview of net neutrality framework.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Telecom Commission</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Telecom Commission was set up with administrative and financial powers of the Government of India to deal with various aspects of Telecommunications.</li>
<li>It consists of a Chairman, four full-time members, and four part-time members.</li>
<li>The Secretary in the Department of Telecommunications is the ex-officio Chairman of the Telecom Commission.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>The Telecom Commission is responsible for:</strong></p>
<ol>
<li>Formulating the policy of the Department of Telecommunications for approval of the Government</li>
<li>Preparing the budget for the Department of Telecommunications for each financial year and getting it approved by the Government</li>
<li>Implementation of Government's policy in all matters concerning telecommunication.</li>
</ol>
</div>
<h3>Background</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>In December 2015, social media giant, Facebook launched &lsquo;Free Basics&rsquo; (earlier known as internet.org) while Indian telecom giant Airtel launched &lsquo;Airtel Zero&rsquo;.</li>
<li>Both &lsquo;Free Basics&rsquo; and &lsquo;Airtel Zero&rsquo; let users access certain apps and websites for free (they were just charged for the data used). However, both the companies decided to charge or subsidize other companies that wanted to be a part of the &lsquo;Free Basics&rsquo; or &lsquo;Airtel Zero&rsquo; program.</li>
<li>Facebook and Airtel&rsquo;s arguments were that they were trying to make the internet more accessible to people, especially the ones that could not afford high data charges.</li>
<li>In 2016, TRAI banned both the projects as it went against the very principles of net neutrality since the companies could inevitably favor some content over the others.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>What is Net Neutrality?</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Oxford dictionary defines net neutrality as &lsquo;the principle that Internet service providers should enable access to all content and applications regardless of the source, and without favoring or blocking particular products or websites.</li>
<li>This means when a customer pays an internet service provider or ISP for a data plan, he/she should be able to access all content online &ndash; news, social media, videos, games etc &ndash; at the same broadband speed which he had opted for.</li>
</ul>
</div>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/government-approves-net-neutrality-in-india'
	],
	(int) 7 => [
		'title' => 'India’s Genetically Modified Crop Area Fifth largest in the World',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<p>The International Service for the Acquisition of Agri-Biotech Applications&rsquo;(ISAAA) latest &lsquo;Global Status of Commercialized Biotech/GM Crops in 2017&rsquo; report shows farmers across the world to have planted 189.8 million hectares (<g class="gr_ gr_28 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling ins-del multiReplace" id="28" data-gr-id="28">mh</g>) under transgenic crops.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The report has estimated the highest share in the world&rsquo;s total crop area for 2017 to be of <g class="gr_ gr_27 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling ins-del multiReplace" id="27" data-gr-id="27">soyabean</g>, followed by maize, cotton, canola, alfalfa <g class="gr_ gr_35 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Punctuation only-ins replaceWithoutSep" id="35" data-gr-id="35">and</g> sugar-beet.</li>
<li>The GM traits in these crops included both insect-resistance and tolerance for application of herbicide.</li>
</ul>
<h3>India</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>India has the world&rsquo;s fifth largest cultivated area under genetically modified crops, at 11.4 <g class="gr_ gr_25 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling ins-del multiReplace" id="25" data-gr-id="25">mh</g> in 2017.</li>
<li>Unlike other big growers, its entire GM crop area is under a single crop &ndash; cotton &ndash; incorporating genes from the Bacillus <g class="gr_ gr_57 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling" id="57" data-gr-id="57">thuringiensis</g> or BT soil bacterium to resist Heliothis bollworm insect pests.</li>
<li>In India, the GM crops under regulatory consideration &ndash; apart from the already commercialized BT Cotton &ndash; include glyphosate tolerant cotton and hybrid mustard.</li>
<li>Though both have undergone all the mandated bio-safety research and open field trials, their commercial release has been delayed due to opposition from environmental activists.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC) functions in the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&amp;CC).</li>
<li>It is responsible for the appraisal of activities involving <g class="gr_ gr_42 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar only-ins replaceWithoutSep" id="42" data-gr-id="42">large-scale</g> use of hazardous microorganisms and recombinants in research and industrial production from the environmental angle.</li>
<li>The committee is also responsible for the appraisal of proposals relating to the release of genetically engineered (GE) organisms and products into the environment including experimental field trials.</li>
<li>GEAC is chaired by the Special Secretary/Additional Secretary of MoEF&amp;CC and co-chaired by a representative from the Department of Biotechnology (DBT).</li>
</ul>
</div>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/indias-genetically-modified-crop-area-fifth-largest-in-the-world'
	],
	(int) 8 => [
		'title' => 'US to hold Talks with India, Others at WTO over Tariffs',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<p>On July 20, 2018, the US will engage in consultations with India and other countries at the World Trade Organization (WTO) over its unilateral increase in steel and aluminum tariffs that has set off a global trade war.</p>
<h3>Background</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>India had dragged the US to the WTO over the 25% steel tariff and 10% aluminum tariff imposed by it on grounds of national security.</li>
<li>India in retaliation targeted 29 US products worth $10.6 billion, including almonds, apples and phosphoric acid.</li>
<li>The US has argued that the tariffs are issues of national security that are not susceptible to review or capable of resolution by WTO dispute <g class="gr_ gr_33 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Punctuation only-del replaceWithoutSep" id="33" data-gr-id="33">settlement,</g> and that the consultations provision in the agreement on safeguards is not applicable.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>NOTE</strong>: Every member of the WTO retains the authority to determine for itself those matters that it considers necessary for the protection of its essential security interests.</p>
</div>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>However, India and other countries and the EU have argued that the tariff hikes by the US need to be treated as safeguard duties that give them the right to retaliate.</li>
<li>The other countries that have raised the issue at the WTO include China, European Union, Canada, Switzerland, Russia, Norway <g class="gr_ gr_39 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Punctuation only-ins replaceWithoutSep" id="39" data-gr-id="39">and</g> Mexico.</li>
</ul>
<h3>India-US Trade Dispute</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The United States has regularly accused India of enjoying a trade surplus by prohibiting US exports through higher tariffs -the latest salvo <g class="gr_ gr_40 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar multiReplace" id="40" data-gr-id="40">being</g> the tariffs on Harley-Davidson motorcycles.</li>
<li>The US has challenged almost all of India&rsquo;s export subsidies at WTO. It is also reviewing the generalized system of preferences programme, under which India exports goods worth $5.6 billion to the US at preferential rates.</li>
<li>Earlier, US had dragged India to the WTO over its ban on US poultry imports and its subsidy programme for domestic solar panel manufacturers while India has taken the US to the WTO over allegations of trade-restrictive measures.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>WTO Dispute Settlement Body</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Resolving trade disputes is one of the core activities of the WTO.</li>
<li>A dispute arises when a member government believes another member government is violating an agreement or a commitment that it has made in the WTO.</li>
<li>The General Council convenes as the Dispute Settlement Body (DSB) to deal with disputes between WTO members.</li>
<li>The DSB has authority to establish dispute settlement panels, refer matters to arbitration, adopt panel, Appellate Body <g class="gr_ gr_37 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Punctuation only-ins replaceWithoutSep" id="37" data-gr-id="37">and</g> arbitration reports, maintain surveillance over the implementation of recommendations and rulings contained in such reports, and authorize suspension of concessions in the event of non-compliance with those recommendations and rulings.</li>
</ul>
</div>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/us-to-hold-talks-with-india-others-at-wto-over-tariffs'
	],
	(int) 9 => [
		'title' => 'Government On Adultery Law',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The central government has contended in the Supreme Court (SC) that Section 497 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) which deals with adultery should remain a criminal offense.</span></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><span style="font-weight: 400;">It submitted in the SC that striking down the penal provision of adultery would go against Indian ethos and destroy the institution of marriage.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-weight: 400;">It told the top court that Section 497 was enacted so as to safeguard the sanctity of marriage and diluting it would be detrimental to matrimonial bond.</span></li>
</ul>
<h3><span style="font-weight: 400;">Background</span></h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><span style="font-weight: 400;">The Constitution Bench of SC is scheduled to decide whether the provision of adultery in the IPC treats a married woman as her husband&rsquo;s &ldquo;subordinate&rdquo; and violates the constitutional concepts of gender equality and sensitivity.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-weight: 400;">The petition seeks to amend the provision to make men and women equally liable for the crime of adultery.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-weight: 400;">It will consider whether Section 497 treats the man as the adulterer and the married woman as a victim.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-weight: 400;">The bench will also examine why the offense of adultery ceases the moment it is established that the husband connived with or consented to the adulterous act, i.e. the question of a married woman being a mere &ldquo;property&rdquo; of her husband or a passive object.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-weight: 400;">Earlier in 2017, the Supreme Court observed that the section 497 is archaic.</span></li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Section 497 of the IPC</strong></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">It provides that whoever has sexual intercourse with the wife of another man, without the consent or connivance of that man, such sexual intercourse not amounting the offense of rape is guilty of the offense of adultery and shall be punished. In such case, the wife shall not be punishable as an abettor.</span></p>
</div>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/government-on-adultery-law'
	],
	(int) 10 => [
		'title' => 'Spend 4% of GDP on Defense: Trump',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<p>The leaders of 29 NATO member countries and many <g class="gr_ gr_34 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar multiReplace" id="34" data-gr-id="34">partner</g> nations met in Brussels (Belgium) for the annual NATO summit. The theme for this year&rsquo;s summit was to strengthen NATO&rsquo;s deterrence and defense, step up the fight against terrorism, and achieve a fairer burden-sharing mechanism.</p>
<h3>Key Highlights</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The summit was held against a backdrop of deepening transatlantic tensions in fields ranging from trade to energy and defense.</li>
<li>The United States (US) demanded that members double their <g class="gr_ gr_29 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling multiReplace" id="29" data-gr-id="29">defence</g> spending commitments.</li>
<li>At the 2014 summit, NATO allies had agreed to spend 2% of their GDP on <g class="gr_ gr_31 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling multiReplace" id="31" data-gr-id="31">defence</g>. However, the US suggested that countries not only meet their commitment of 2% expenditure on <g class="gr_ gr_32 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling multiReplace" id="32" data-gr-id="32">defence</g> but also increase it to 4% immediately.</li>
<li>At the end of the summit, all 29 NATO members backed a joint statement committing themselves to greater &lsquo;burden sharing&rsquo; and to the alliance&rsquo;s founding commitment that an attack on one member is an attack on them all.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>North Atlantic Treaty Organisation<strong></strong></strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), also called the North Atlantic Alliance, is an intergovernmental military alliance between 29 North American and European countries.</li>
<li>The alliance is based on the North Atlantic Treaty that was signed on April 4, 1949.</li>
<li>It constitutes a system of collective <g class="gr_ gr_26 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling multiReplace" id="26" data-gr-id="26">defence</g> whereby its independent member states agree to mutual <g class="gr_ gr_27 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling multiReplace" id="27" data-gr-id="27">defence</g> in response to an attack by any external party.</li>
<li>NATO Headquarters is located in Brussels, Belgium, while the headquarters of Allied Command Operations is near Mons, Belgium.</li>
</ul>
</div>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/spend-4-of-gdp-on-defense-trump'
	],
	(int) 11 => [
		'title' => 'Breathe India',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Recently the NITI Aayog proposed a 15-point action plan titled &ldquo;Breathe India&rdquo; for combating air pollution in ten most polluted cities in the country, including Delhi, Kanpur <g class="gr_ gr_44 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Punctuation only-ins replaceWithoutSep" id="44" data-gr-id="44">and</g> Varanasi.</span></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><span style="font-weight: 400;">According to a recent WHO database (2018), Kanpur, Faridabad, Gaya, Varanasi, Agra, Gurgaon, Muzaffarpur, Lucknow, Delhi <g class="gr_ gr_46 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Punctuation only-ins replaceWithoutSep" id="46" data-gr-id="46">and</g> Patna are the top ten most polluted cities in India.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-weight: 400;">Major Suggestions:</span></li>
</ul>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><span style="font-weight: 400;">Electrify last mile connectivity by 2022, including public transport, taxis <g class="gr_ gr_48 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Punctuation only-ins replaceWithoutSep" id="48" data-gr-id="48">and</g> three-wheelers.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-weight: 400;">Prohibit transition traffic in these cities.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-weight: 400;">Phase out private diesel vehicles by 2022. &nbsp;</span></li>
<li><span style="font-weight: 400;">Survey and <g class="gr_ gr_41 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling multiReplace" id="41" data-gr-id="41">analyse</g> power plants around the most polluted cities to <g class="gr_ gr_42 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling multiReplace" id="42" data-gr-id="42">prioritise</g> their decommissioning in the next five years.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-weight: 400;">Revamp the regulatory framework around industrial air pollution.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-weight: 400;">Implement a National Emissions Trading System based on the concept of &lsquo;polluters pay&rsquo;.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-weight: 400;">Establish smog-free towers at all major construction sites by 2019.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-weight: 400;">Incentivise procurement and utilization of crop residue.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-weight: 400;">Implement a policy on landfill taxes and incentivize waste processing over landfilling by 2019.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-weight: 400;">Mandate compulsory mechanized dust removal in the most polluted cities by 2019.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-weight: 400;">Integrate Efforts to Tackle Forest Fires.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-weight: 400;">Implement a policy on mandatory use of cleaner forms of cooking to reduce indoor air pollution.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-weight: 400;">Develop stakeholder-specific awareness campaigns in these cities to ensure that all participants are aware of the impacts of air pollution and the repercussions of engaging in pollution-causing activities.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-weight: 400;">Define city-level plans with clear timelines and emission targets across various sources of pollution (construction, vehicular, indoor) by the end of 2018.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-weight: 400;">Establish accurate and comprehensive air quality monitoring systems in the worst affected cities by 2019.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-weight: 400;">It has suggested the policy towards air pollution adopted in many European countries, i.e. implementation of a large-scale feebate programme from 2020 onwards. </span><i><span style="font-weight: 400;">(Feebate is a policy by which inefficient or polluting vehicles incur a surcharge (fee), while efficient ones receive a rebate (bate)).</span></i><i><span style="font-weight: 400;"></span></i></li>
</ul>
<p><i><span style="font-weight: 400;"><img class="content-img" onload="pagespeed.CriticalImages.checkImageForCriticality(this);" src="http://drishtiias.com/images/uploads/327Dh0_lnVVAAEnSul.jpg" data-pagespeed-url-hash="3192141769" /></span></i></p>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/breathe-india'
	],
	(int) 12 => [
		'title' => 'India Cuts Iranian Oil Imports Ahead of U.S. Sanctions',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<p>India has reduced her monthly oil imports from Iran in June by 16% (as compared to May) to avoid sanctions by the United States that are set to take effect in November.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Government of India asked Indian oil refiners to prepare for drastic reductions or even zero Iranian oil imports.</li>
<li>The Indian refiners will have to comply with the limits to maintain their access to the U.S. financial system.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Background</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>In June 2018, the United States (US) withdrew from the landmark Iran nuclear deal and re-imposed sanctions that had been suspended in return for curbs on Iran&rsquo;s nuclear programme.</li>
<li>The United States has asked India and other countries to cut oil imports from Iran to &ldquo;zero&rdquo; by November 4 or face sanctions.</li>
<li>The US also gave foreign companies either 90 or 180 days to wind down their business with Iranian counterparts.</li>
<li>The request is part of US efforts to isolate streams of Iranian funding and is looking to highlight the totality of Iran&rsquo;s &lsquo;malign behavior&rsquo; across the region.</li>
</ul>
<h3>How Does it Impact India?</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Given the huge energy needs, Iran is India&rsquo;s third-largest oil supplier behind Iraq and Saudi Arabia.</li>
<li>Further, after China, India is Iran&rsquo;s top oil importer of Iranian oil.</li>
<li>Iran oil sale terms were the most attractive for Indian refiners - besides a liberal credit period, it also shipped the oil to India for a nominal ocean freight.</li>
<li>Though Iran understands the &lsquo;challenges&rsquo; India faces on the energy front, the former has threatened to end &ldquo;special privileges&rdquo; for India if she tried to replace Iranian crude oil with supplies from Saudi Arabia, Russia, and the United States.</li>
<li>India&rsquo;s decisions on procuring Iran oil, however, is not so much about securing energy as it is about securing India&rsquo;s standing in the world.</li>
<li>If it rejects U.S. pressure, it risks sanctions as well as incurring the displeasure of its all-powerful friend and <g class="gr_ gr_49 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling multiReplace" id="49" data-gr-id="49">defence</g> partner.</li>
<li>If it yields, it risks its relationship with traditional partner Iran, access to important trade routes through Chabahar and the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC), as well as its international reputation.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>What is the Iran Nuclear Deal?</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>In July 2015, Iran and six countries (United States, Russia, France, UK, China, and Germany) &amp; the EU, reached a historic agreement called the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), popularly known as the Iran nuclear deal.</li>
<li>As part of the deal, Iran agreed to reduce its number of nuclear centrifuges by two-thirds.</li>
<li>Iran also agreed to reduce its stockpile of enriched uranium by 98% and limit uranium enrichment to 3.67%, i.e., it will have enough enriched uranium to maintain the country's energy needs, without having the ability to build a nuclear bomb.</li>
<li>The deal aimed to restrict Iran's ability to develop nuclear weapons in exchange for lifting economic sanctions against Iran.</li>
<li>The JCPOA ensured the comprehensive <g class="gr_ gr_46 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling ins-del" id="46" data-gr-id="46">lifting</g> of all UN Security Council sanctions as well as multilateral and national sanctions related to Iran&rsquo;s nuclear programme.</li>
<li>Inspectors from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) were given access to Iran&rsquo;s nuclear facilities for inspection on a regular basis.</li>
</ul>
</div>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/india-cuts-iranian-oil-imports-ahead-of-us-sanctions'
	],
	(int) 13 => [
		'title' => 'Panel for Automatic Suspension in Rajya Sabha',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The rules review committee, in its interim report, has made few key recommendations: </span></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li style="font-weight: 400;"><strong>Automatic Suspension of Willful Offenders</strong></li>
</ul>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Currently, the Rajya Sabha Chairman cannot suspend a member of her own and a motion needs to be adopted by the House for the suspension of a member.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-weight: 400;">That&rsquo;s unlike in the Lok Sabha, where the Speaker can suspend a member from the service of the House for five consecutive sittings or the remainder of the session, whichever is less.</span></li>
</ul>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Changing Question-hour Timing</strong></li>
</ul>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><span style="font-weight: 400;">Question Hour is the slot in which members of Parliament seek replies from the government on subjects related to various ministries. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-weight: 400;">The first hour of every sitting of Parliament is generally reserved for the asking and answering of questions. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-weight: 400;">Question Hour is mentioned in the Rules of Procedure of Parliament.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-weight: 400;">The panel suggested restoring the question hour to 11 a.m. from noon.</span><span style="font-weight: 400;"></span></li>
</ul>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;"><img class="content-img" onload="pagespeed.CriticalImages.checkImageForCriticality(this);" src="http://drishtiias.com/images/uploads/417inparliament.jpg" data-pagespeed-url-hash="3232508421" /></span></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;" start="3">
<li><strong> The Rule 267 of Rajya Sabha may be amended, under which business of the day can be suspended to discuss something of extraordinary importance.</strong></li>
</ul>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">It has been noticed that many members had a tendency to use it on a regular basis to disrupt the house.</span></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"></p>
<h3>Background</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><span style="font-weight: 400;">Earlier the two-member committee headed by former Secretary General of Rajya Sabha V.K. Agnihotri and S.R. Dhaleta, a former Joint Secretary in the Union Ministry of Law and Justice was formed to review the rules of procedure and conduct of business in the Rajya Sabha.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-weight: 400;">The report has to be approved by the Rules Committee of the Upper House, which is headed by the Chairman of Rajya Sabha and has members from across parties.</span></li>
</ul>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/panel-for-automatic-suspension-in-rajya-sabha'
	],
	(int) 14 => [
		'title' => 'Strategy on Resource Efficiency',
		'catname' => 'Summary of Important Reports',
		'desc' => '<h3>Background</h3>
<p>India&rsquo;s large population, rapid urbanization and expanding industrial production have led to exploitation of available limited natural resources with concerns regarding resource depletion and future availability becoming more pronounced. Ensuring resource security requires <strong>integrated, concerted and collaborative approach</strong> in order to fulfill the needs of a vast and growing population. Enhancing <strong>resource efficiency (RE)</strong> and promoting the use of <strong>secondary raw materials (SRM)</strong> is a pertinent strategy to address these challenges and reduce dependence on primary resource.</p>
<h3>Definition</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Resource efficiency</strong> or resource productivity is the <strong>ratio between a given benefit or result and the natural resource use required for it.</strong></li>
<li>Resource efficiency is a strategy to achieve the maximum possible benefit with <g class="gr_ gr_165 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar only-ins replaceWithoutSep" id="165" data-gr-id="165">least</g> possible resource input.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Indian Resource Panel (<g class="gr_ gr_169 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling ins-del multiReplace" id="169" data-gr-id="169">InRP</g>)</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Government of India has established the <strong>Indian Resource Panel (<g class="gr_ gr_170 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling ins-del multiReplace" id="170" data-gr-id="170">InRP</g>)</strong> &mdash; an advisory body under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) &mdash; through the support of Indo-German bilateral cooperation, to assess resource-related issues facing India and advice the government on a comprehensive strategy for RE.</li>
<li>The focus of the outputs from the InRP is on <strong>abiotic resources that are not used for energy production</strong> (ores, industrial minerals, construction minerals) supplemented by <g class="gr_ gr_167 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Style multiReplace" id="167" data-gr-id="167">the </g><strong><g class="gr_ gr_167 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_disable_anim_appear Style multiReplace" id="167" data-gr-id="167"> material</g> use of biotic resources</strong> for future.</li>
<li><strong>Selection of resources</strong> was done on the basis of following parameters:
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><g class="gr_ gr_171 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar only-ins replaceWithoutSep" id="171" data-gr-id="171">Economic</g> importance of the material based on its usage across different sectors</li>
<li>Environmental impact due to extraction and production</li>
<li>Embodied energy</li>
<li>Supply risks determined through:
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Limited geological availability and criticality</li>
<li>High import dependency</li>
<li>Geopolitical constraints</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3><g class="gr_ gr_172 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar only-ins doubleReplace replaceWithoutSep" id="172" data-gr-id="172">Rationale</g> for Resource Efficiency</h3>
<p><strong>1. Economic benefits</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>RE has the potential to <strong>improve resource availability</strong> that is critical to the growth of industries.</li>
<li>RE/SRM can help to <strong>reduce price spikes due to supply constraints</strong> or disruptions.</li>
<li>Import dependency and cost of imports would decrease.</li>
<li>RE/SRM can <strong>improve <g class="gr_ gr_154 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar only-ins replaceWithoutSep" id="154" data-gr-id="154">competitiveness</g> and profitability of industries,</strong> especially <g class="gr_ gr_155 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling ins-del multiReplace" id="155" data-gr-id="155">material intensive</g> manufacturing industries.</li>
<li>Give <g class="gr_ gr_157 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar only-ins doubleReplace replaceWithoutSep" id="157" data-gr-id="157">boost</g> to our <strong>export market.</strong></li>
<li>RE/SRM based approaches can lead to <strong><g class="gr_ gr_158 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar only-ins replaceWithoutSep" id="158" data-gr-id="158">establishment</g> of new industries,</strong> especially in recycling, that can contribute significantly to economic growth.</li>
<li>RE/SRM based innovation in design and manufacturing has the potential to create highly skilled jobs.</li>
<li>There is a potential to create <strong>new jobs in green product certification, eco-labeling, and green marketing</strong>.</li>
<li>A strong governmental push for improving recycling economy-wide should result in the <g class="gr_ gr_152 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling" id="152" data-gr-id="152">upgradation</g> of the informal sector and its integration with the formal sector.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>2. Social benefits</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Reduced extraction pressures due to <g class="gr_ gr_160 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar only-ins replaceWithoutSep" id="160" data-gr-id="160">adoption</g> of RE strategies have the potential to <strong>reduce conflict and displacement in mining areas,</strong> as well as improve health and welfare of local communities.</li>
<li>RE can contribute to <g class="gr_ gr_148 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar only-ins replaceWithoutSep" id="148" data-gr-id="148">improved</g> <strong>affordability of and access to resources</strong> critical for poverty reduction and human development.</li>
<li>RE/SRM will lead to <strong><g class="gr_ gr_162 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar only-ins doubleReplace replaceWithoutSep" id="162" data-gr-id="162">reduced</g> waste generation</strong> which will contribute to cleaner cities and rivers/water bodies through reduced disposal and associated pollution.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>3. Environmental benefits</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Reduced extraction pressures due to <g class="gr_ gr_163 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar only-ins replaceWithoutSep" id="163" data-gr-id="163">adoption</g> of RE strategies will help to <strong>reduce <g class="gr_ gr_164 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling" id="164" data-gr-id="164">ecological</g> degradation and pollution</strong> associated with mining.</li>
<li>RE and reuse of secondary resources <g class="gr_ gr_144 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar multiReplace" id="144" data-gr-id="144">has</g> enormous potential to <strong>save energy</strong>.</li>
<li>Reduced waste generation will not only reduce pollution associated with disposal but also <strong>save related costs</strong>.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Global Context</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Due to economic development and population growth, countries which are currently importing scarce raw materials will have to <strong>pay higher prices or accept constraints</strong> in <g class="gr_ gr_140 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar only-ins replaceWithoutSep" id="140" data-gr-id="140">supply</g> of crucial raw materials.</li>
<li>At a global level, UNEP established the <strong>International Resource Panel (IRP) in 2007</strong> as a central institution to provide independent scientific assessments on sustainable use of natural resources and their environmental impacts and policy approaches to promote decoupling economic growth from environmental degradation.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Indian Context</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>In India, <g class="gr_ gr_142 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar only-ins replaceWithoutSep" id="142" data-gr-id="142">extraction</g> of primary raw materials increased by around 420% between 1970 and 2010 which is lower than the Asian average but higher than the world average.</li>
<li>Compared to extraction, <strong>India&rsquo;s exports and imports are still small</strong> in terms of quantity. However, both have grown significantly.</li>
<li><strong>Biomass and non-metal minerals are the most important material groups</strong> in India and domestic extraction is more important than trade.</li>
<li>India has experienced <strong>a remarkable growth of GDP, resource consumption <g class="gr_ gr_151 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Punctuation only-ins replaceWithoutSep" id="151" data-gr-id="151">and</g> resource productivity</strong> but still is lagging behind many other countries with comparable economies which suggests that there is much scope for improvement.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Congruence of RS with Government Schemes and Priorities</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Judicious use of resources is an important part of several <strong>SDGs</strong> i.e.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>GOAL 2: Zero Hunger</li>
<li>GOAL 6: Clean Water and Sanitation</li>
<li>GOAL 7: Affordable and Clean Energy</li>
<li>GOAL 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth</li>
<li>GOAL 9: Industry, Innovation <g class="gr_ gr_166 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Punctuation only-ins replaceWithoutSep" id="166" data-gr-id="166">and</g> Infrastructure</li>
<li>GOAL 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities</li>
<li>GOAL 12: Responsible Consumption and Production</li>
<li>GOAL 13: Climate Action</li>
<li>GOAL 14: Life Below Water</li>
<li>GOAL 15: Life on Land</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>RE can help meet India&rsquo;s <strong>Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC)</strong> commitments under the <strong>2015 Paris Climate Change Agreement</strong>.</li>
<li><strong>National Housing and Habitat Policy, 2007</strong> and the <strong>Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (<g class="gr_ gr_135 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling ins-del multiReplace" id="135" data-gr-id="135">PMAY</g>),</strong> 2015 emphasize on developing appropriate ecological design standards for building components, materials and construction methods.</li>
<li>At the manufacturing stage, flagship programmes like <strong>&ldquo;Make in India&rdquo;</strong> that provide special assistance to energy efficient, water efficient and pollution control technologies through <strong>Technology Acquisition and Development Fund (TADF)</strong> can promote RE and SRM approaches.</li>
<li>Reduced waste generation by RE will contribute towards fulfilling the goals of <strong>Swachh Bharat</strong>.</li>
<li>MoEFCC is running an <strong><g class="gr_ gr_130 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling multiReplace" id="130" data-gr-id="130">eco-labelling</g> scheme.</strong></li>
<li>There are policies existing to tackle all types of waste ranging from hazardous waste to Municipal Solid Waste (MSW), Construction and Demolition (C&amp;D) waste, plastic waste and e-waste.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Indicators used to measure Resource Efficiency</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Resource efficiency = GDP/Domestic Material Consumption</li>
<li>It also calculated as, RE = GDP/Material flow indicator (MFA)</li>
</ul>
<h3>Recommendations Regarding RE Strategy</h3>
<p><strong>1. Promotion:</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Eco-labelling</strong> and standard certification of products.</li>
<li><strong>Technology development</strong> to promote quality in manufacture and performance of <g class="gr_ gr_136 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar only-ins doubleReplace replaceWithoutSep" id="136" data-gr-id="136">product</g></li>
<li>Strengthen <strong>awareness</strong> regarding green products</li>
<li>Improve <strong><g class="gr_ gr_137 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar only-ins replaceWithoutSep" id="137" data-gr-id="137">availability</g> of green products</strong> in the markets</li>
<li><strong>Lowering costs of green products</strong></li>
<li><strong>Green public procurement</strong></li>
<li><strong>Industrial clusters</strong> development.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>2. Regulation, Economic Instruments:</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Viability Gap Funding (VGF)</strong> that can help businesses overcome the barriers and become competitive over time by building scale and <g class="gr_ gr_133 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling ins-del multiReplace" id="133" data-gr-id="133">upgradation</g> of technology.</li>
<li><strong>Policy reforms</strong> across life cycle stages focussing on their design, emphasis, integration or implementation.</li>
<li><strong>Tax reforms</strong> can play an important role in steering the economy towards resource efficient practices and circular economy. Value-added taxes should be levied on value-added activities like mining, construction, and manufacturing.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>3. Institutional Development:</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Capacity development</strong> of key actors responsible for undertaking or overseeing RE/SRM strategies, including ULBs, MSMEs, as well as the informal sector.</li>
<li>A dedicated <strong>institutional set up</strong> for development, assessment of RE measures should be established.</li>
<li>Baseline data collection and development of <strong>indicators</strong>.</li>
</ul>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/summary-of-important-reports/strategy-on-resource-efficiency'
	],
	(int) 15 => [
		'title' => 'Korean President on a State Visit to India',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<p>President of the Republic of Korea (ROK) Moon Jae-in paid a State Visit to India from July 8-11, 2018.</p>
<h3>Key Highlights</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Chief on the bilateral agenda was improving business and investment ties, including taking bilateral trade from $20 billion to $50 billion by 2030.</li>
<li>With its huge market and emergence of India as a key economic partner for South Korea, the latter is committed to raising its relations with India to the level of those with China, Japan, Russia and the US.</li>
<li>India and South Korea have sought to expand trade and economic ties with each other in areas such as shipbuilding, aerospace, manufacture of medical devices and food processing.</li>
<li>The two sides signed 11 agreements covering a broad spectrum of areas for cooperation, including artificial intelligence, biotechnology, railways, culture, and trade.</li>
<li>It also included a statement on expanding the 2010 Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement and a joint vision statement that committed to more military exchanges and enhancing defense projects together.</li>
<li>India and South Korea also have agreed to cooperate on a &lsquo;tripartite&rsquo; basis in development assistance in third countries, beginning with a project in Afghanistan.</li>
<li>Both the countries also committed to strengthening the &ldquo;special strategic partnership&rdquo; in the region and aligning India&rsquo;s Act East Policy with South Korea&rsquo;s New Southern Policy.</li>
<li>South Korean conglomerate Samsung Electronics inaugurated the world&rsquo;s largest mobile factory in India that will have a capacity of 120 million handsets a year.</li>
</ul>
<p><img class="content-img" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" onload="pagespeed.CriticalImages.checkImageForCriticality(this);" src="http://drishtiias.com/images/uploads/751Indo Korea - MoU.jpg" data-pagespeed-url-hash="143277089" /></p>
<h3>Analysis</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>President Moon&rsquo;s India visit marks the 45th anniversary of the establishment of bilateral diplomatic ties.</li>
<li>Though India had dispatched a medical mission during the 1950-53 inter-Korean war, the ties between the two countries remained tepid during the Cold War era.</li>
<li>With the advent of democracy in South Korea in 1987 and initiation of India&rsquo;s Look (now Act) East Policy (AEP) and economic reforms in 1991, the relationship began to acquire momentum.</li>
<li>The two concluded a CEPA (Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement) in 2010, a civil nuclear cooperation agreement in 2011 and established a defense wing at the Indian Embassy in Seoul in 2012.</li>
<li>Korean majors like Samsung, LG, Hyundai, and Kia have invested over $5 billion in India and are looking at scaling things up further.</li>
<li>Indian FDI has crossed $3 billion in ROK.</li>
<li>However, bilateral trade between Asia&rsquo;s 3rd (India) and 4th largest economies, remains below par at around $20 billion, essentially because talks to upgrade CEPA have remained inconclusive, more due to opposition from Indian industry.</li>
<li>Given that India mostly exports primary products and imports electronic and manufactured items, ROK enjoys a trade surplus.</li>
<li>During Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to South Korea in 2015, the bilateral relationship was upgraded to 'special strategic partnership'.</li>
<li>More recently, South Korean President Moon Jae-in&rsquo;s maiden visit to India aims to strengthen relations between the two countries as part of his New Southern Policy as there is a great complementarity between it and India&rsquo;s Act East Policy.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>New Southern Policy</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>President Moon announced his New Southern Policy in 2017 that seeks to make the regional bloc of &nbsp;Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) as a diplomatic and economic partner.</li>
<li>It aims to better connect South Korea to ASEAN and expand the economic influence of Korea - which is Asia&rsquo;s fourth-largest economy and home to more than half a billion people.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>On the geopolitical front, the importance of the Indo-Pacific region is increasing. With increased Chinese assertiveness in the region and the developing US-China trade war, it is in their mutual interest for India and Korea to strengthen relations and face those challenges together.</li>
<li>On the economic front, India offers Korea a more predictable business environment as it seeks to diversify beyond its biggest export destination, especially after its businesses were hit hard last year by China suddenly turning against them following Seoul&rsquo;s deployment of the US missile shield &ndash; THAAD.</li>
<li>For India, Korea offers a potentially game-changing partnership in manufacturing, high technology industries, and infrastructure building.</li>
</ul>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img width="503" height="356" class="content-img" onload="pagespeed.CriticalImages.checkImageForCriticality(this);" src="http://drishtiias.com/images/uploads/295South Korea.png" data-pagespeed-url-hash="2170478379" /></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/korean-president-on-a-state-visit-to-india'
	],
	(int) 16 => [
		'title' => 'Important Facts for Prelims (July 11th, 2018)',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Rajasthan signs MoU with Microsoft</h3>
<p>Rajasthan became the first State to sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Microsoft to provide digital training to 9,500 students of government colleges. It will also train 500 faculty members.</p>
<h3>Google&rsquo;s Launchpad Accelerator</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Google launched its India-focused programme &ldquo;Launchpad Accelerator&rdquo; to mentor startups that use artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML).</li>
<li>Google will shortlist 8-10 start-ups that will go through <g class="gr_ gr_180 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar only-ins replaceWithoutSep" id="180" data-gr-id="180">three-month</g> mentorship wherein they can avail support from Google in AI/ML, Cloud, Android, web, product strategy, and marketing. They will also get up to $100,000 of Google Cloud Credits.</li>
<li>The application criteria are:
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The technology start-up should be based in India.</li>
<li>Start-ups should have seed funding.</li>
<li>They should focus on building a solution that addresses a real challenge for the country, and</li>
<li>They should use advanced technology like AI/ML to power the solution.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The initiative comes after the Google ran a pilot project in Bengaluru last year named &ldquo;Solve for India&rdquo;.</li>
<li>The Google accelerator team includes a network of investors, industry experts, and technical professionals who will train the startups.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Rajya Sabha Members Can Use All 22 Scheduled Languages</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The members of Parliament in Rajya Sabha can now speak in any of 22 scheduled languages mentioned in the Eighth Schedule to the Constitution of India from upcoming Monsoon Session.</li>
<li>The Rajya Sabha has added simultaneous interpretation facility in five more languages: Dogri, Kashmiri, Konkani, Santhali and Sindhi.</li>
<li>Of the 22 scheduled languages, Rajya Sabha already had Simultaneous Interpretation Service for 12 languages.</li>
<li>The interpreters of the Lok Sabha are being deployed for five languages: Bodo, Maithili, Manipuri, Marathi, and Nepali.</li>
<li>However, the members have to give notice of a reasonable period for the interpreter.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Eat Right Movement</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) launched &lsquo;The Eat Right Movement&rsquo; which aims to engage and enable citizens to improve their health and well-being by making the right food choices.</li>
<li>The programme is built on two broad pillars of &lsquo;Eat Healthy&rsquo; and &lsquo;Eat Safe&rsquo;.</li>
<li>It aims to cut down salt/sugar and oil consumption by 30% in three years.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI)</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has been established under Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 which consolidates various acts &amp; orders that have hitherto handled food related issues in various Ministries and Departments.</li>
<li>FSSAI has been created for laying down science-based standards for articles of food and to regulate their manufacture, storage, distribution, sale, and import to ensure availability of safe and wholesome food for human consumption.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Western Ghats: Best Tourist Spot</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Western Ghats bagged the fourth place in Lonely Planet&rsquo;s &ldquo;2018 Best in Asia&rdquo; list, a collection of 10 of the best destinations to visit in Asia for the year.</li>
<li>Neelakurinji (Strobilanthes <g class="gr_ gr_80 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling" id="80" data-gr-id="80">kunthiana</g>), which has started blooming after 12 years in the famed hill station of Munnar (Kerala) has also found mention in the report.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Western Ghats</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Western Ghats are older than the Himalaya Mountains, running along the entire west coast of India along with Sri Lanka.</li>
<li>Western Ghats are known as Sahyadri in northern Maharashtra, Sahya Parvatam in Kerala and Nilagiri Malai in Tamil Nadu.</li>
<li>The Ghats traverse the States of Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Goa, Maharashtra and Gujarat.</li>
<li>A number of flagship species such as the Asian Elephant, Gaur, and Tiger are found in the region.</li>
<li>Endangered species such as the Lion-tailed Macaque, Nilgiri Tahr, and Nilgiri Langur are endemic to the region.</li>
<li>The Western Ghats also find mention in the Hottest Biodiversity Hotspots and UNESCO World Heritage site lists.</li>
<li>Highest peak: Anamudi peak (also the highest peak of peninsular India)</li>
<li>Important Passes:
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Thal Ghat: links Nasik to Mumbai.</li>
<li>Bhor Ghat: links Mumbai to Pune.</li>
<li>Pal Ghat: connects Kerala to Tamil Nadu (link Kochi to Chennai).</li>
<li><g class="gr_ gr_78 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling ins-del multiReplace" id="78" data-gr-id="78">Senkota</g> pass: located between the Nagercoil and the Cardamom hills, links Thiruvanathpuram and Madurai.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The rivers that originate in the Western Ghats:
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>West Flowing: Periyar, Bharathappuzha, Netravati, Sharavathi, Mandovi etc.</li>
<li>East Flowing: <g class="gr_ gr_81 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar only-ins replaceWithoutSep" id="81" data-gr-id="81">Godavari</g>, Krishna <g class="gr_ gr_82 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Punctuation only-ins replaceWithoutSep" id="82" data-gr-id="82">and</g> Kaveri, etc.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</div>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/important-facts-for-prelims-july-11th-2018'
	],
	(int) 17 => [
		'title' => 'Choosing a Partner is a Person’s Fundamental Right: SC',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<p>The Supreme Court has observed that <g class="gr_ gr_32 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar only-ins replaceWithoutSep" id="32" data-gr-id="32">choice</g> of a partner is a person&rsquo;s fundamental right, and it can be a same-sex partner. The observation came on the first day of hearing by a Constitution Bench of petitions challenging the constitutionality of Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code. Section 377 <g class="gr_ gr_33 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling multiReplace" id="33" data-gr-id="33">criminalises</g> private consensual sex between adults.</p>
<h3>Key Observations</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The right to sexual orientation was meaningless without the right to choose a partner.</li>
<li>The observations were drawn from the March 2018 judgment in the Hadiya case, which held that influencing an adult&rsquo;s choice of partner would be a violation of the fundamental right to privacy.</li>
<li>It is to be further tested whether Section 377 stood in conformity with Articles 21 (right to life), 19 (right to liberty) and 14 (right to equality) of the Constitution.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Background</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Section 377 of the IPC dates back to 1861 and <g class="gr_ gr_27 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling multiReplace" id="27" data-gr-id="27">criminalises</g> sexual activities against the order of nature and the ambit of this law extends to any sexual union involving penile insertion.</li>
<li>In 2009, in a landmark judgment, the Delhi High Court had described Section 377 as a violation of the fundamental rights guaranteed by the Constitution. Following this, religious groups moved the Supreme Court for a direction against the verdict.</li>
<li>However, the Supreme Court in 2013 overruled the Delhi High Court&rsquo;s order and reinforced <g class="gr_ gr_28 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling multiReplace" id="28" data-gr-id="28">criminalisation</g> of homosexuality stating that changes to the legislation should be made by the Parliament</li>
<li>This judgment was highly criticised by the LGBTQ community in India and was seen as a setback for human rights.</li>
<li>In January 2018, the Supreme Court observed that the 2013 judgment requires to be reconsidered because of the constitutional issues involved.</li>
</ul>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/choosing-a-partner-is-a-persons-fundamental-right-sc'
	],
	(int) 18 => [
		'title' => 'Strict Clinical Trial Rules will Drive Away Drug Firms: WHO',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The World Health Organisation has informed India that its work in the country would be hampered and drug companies are driven away if the government goes ahead with stringent draft rules for compensation in case of death or injury from clinical trials.</span></p>
<h3>Background</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">In 2013, 2,644 people died during clinical trials of 475 new drugs between 2005 and 2012. There were 11,972 serious adverse event cases in the same period. Of these, 506 cases were related to clinical trials.</span></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">In February 2018, the Union Health Ministry released a proposal on clinical trials that included a provision for the deceased party in a trial to be compensated in event of any mishap.</span></li>
</ul>
<h3>What has the Centre proposed?</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Drug firms to pay 60% of the compensation within 15 days if a patient dies or suffers disability in the course of a clinical trial.</span></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Compensation to be given taking into account the age, health risk of the patient.</span></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">If a patient suffers from any other illness during the trial, the sponsor will provide medical management and ancillary care.</span></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">The ethics committee will complete the probe within 30 days from the date of death of a patient or a serious adverse event or permanent disability suffered by him/her. &nbsp;</span></li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Ethics Committee</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It is a proposed government body that will ensure medical experiments and research on humans are carried out in an ethical manner and provide feedback on the ethical appropriateness of the trial.</li>
<li>It will consist of seven members, including experts from medical science, non-medical stream, scientific and non-scientific members, a layman and a woman member.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Concerns of WHO</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Many sponsors of clinical trials are likely to consider the proposals harsh and unacceptable. Hence, there is a possibility that sponsors will not conduct clinical trials in India and go elsewhere.</li>
<li>Also in a likely scenario whereby the ethics committee determines a death or permanent disability is related to the product - the 60% fee has to be paid upfront by the sponsor and is not reimbursable regardless of the decision of the expert review process.</li>
</ul>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/strict-clinical-trial-rules-will-drive-away-drug-firms-WHO'
	],
	(int) 19 => [
		'title' => 'North India’s Obsession with the Male Child Unchanged',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">According to the latest data available with the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Indians continue to show a preference for a male child. </span></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Haryana, followed by Rajasthan and Punjab continue to top the list of offenders seeking to illegally ascertain the gender of the unborn baby. This practice manifests in a low child-sex ratio. </span></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">At present, India has a child sex ratio (0-6 years) of 919 females per 1,000 males.</span></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Convicted offenders have been registered under Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (PC &amp; PNDT) (Prohibition of Sex Selection) Act, 1994.</span></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">The Ministry is expanding the </span><b>Beti Bachao Beti Padhao programme</b><span style="font-weight: 400;"> now on a pan-India level. Implementation of the PC-PNDT Act is a part of this programme. </span></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">The registration of cases and convictions have increased gradually because of the government&rsquo;s stringent action and zero tolerance towards the issue.</span></li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Beti Bachao Beti Padhao</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The scheme was launched by the Prime Minister in 2015 as a comprehensive programme to address the declining Child Sex Ratio (CSR) and related issues to the empowerment of women over a life-cycle continuum.</li>
<li>The scheme is being implemented as a convergent effort of, Ministries of Women and Child Development, Health &amp; Family Welfare and Human Resource Development.</li>
<li>The campaign focuses on awareness and advocacy campaign, multi-sectoral action in select 161 districts, enabling girls&rsquo; education and effective enforcement of Pre-Conception &amp; Pre Natal Diagnostic Techniques (PC &amp; PNDT) Act.</li>
<li><strong>Objectives:</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Preventing <g class="gr_ gr_29 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling ins-del multiReplace" id="29" data-gr-id="29">gender biased</g> <g class="gr_ gr_30 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling ins-del multiReplace" id="30" data-gr-id="30">sex selective</g> elimination.</li>
<li>Ensuring survival and protection of the girl child.</li>
<li>Ensuring education and participation of the girl child.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<ul></ul>
</div>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/north-indias-obsession-with-the-male-child-unchanged'
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