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ARIIA 2020 Rankings

Why in News Recently, the Atal Ranking of Institutions on Innovation Achievements (ARIIA) 2020 rankings was announced. Around 674 institutions...

21 Aug 2020 News Analysis
Military Coup in Mali

Why in News Recently, Mali's President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita has resigned after soldiers had arrested him and Prime Minister Boubou Cisse in the...

21 Aug 2020 News Analysis
Organic Farming in India

Why in News India ranks 1st in number of organic farmers and 9th in terms of area under organic farming. Key Points Indian Scenario Regarding...

21 Aug 2020 News Analysis
Expansion of the NCC

Why in News Recently, the Ministry of Defence has approved the proposal to expand the National Cadet Corps (NCC) in border and coastal...

21 Aug 2020 News Analysis
Day 32

Defence Every year several questions have been asked from defence technology. The scope of questions that can come from this topic is very broad....

21 Aug 2020 60 days refresher
Revamping of Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana

This article is based on “PM-Fasal Bima Yojana 2.0” which was published in The Financial Express on 13/08/2020. It talks about the...

20 Aug 2020 News Editorials
The Big Picture: National Infrastructure Pipeline (NIP) Dashboard

Introduction The National Infrastructure Pipeline (NIP) dashboard would allow monitoring of all the infrastructure projects under the 111...

20 Aug 2020 Lok Sabha & Rajya Sabha Discussions
Turkey-Greece Stand-off

Why in News Recently, France has deployed its military in the eastern Mediterranean Sea amid tensions between Greece and Turkey over...

20 Aug 2020 News Analysis
Sutlej-Yamuna Link Canal Project

Why in News Recently, the Chief Minister of Punjab has warned the Centre of political unrest in the state if asked to proceed with the Sutlej-Yamuna...

20 Aug 2020 News Analysis
Shortcomings of Indian Chemical Industry: TIFAC

Why in News Recently, a report by the Technology Information Forecasting and Assessment Council (TIFAC) has highlighted the shortcomings of the...

20 Aug 2020 News Analysis
Black Box on Aircraft

Why in News The black boxes of the Boeing 737-800 aircraft which recently crashed in Kozhikode (Kerala) have been found. These boxes will help...

20 Aug 2020 News Analysis
Issues Related to Minimum Wage

Why in News Recently, the International Labour Organization (ILO) has termed the current minimum wage fixing criteria in the Draft Code on Wages...

20 Aug 2020 News Analysis
Contempt of Court

Why in News The Supreme Court found civil rights lawyer Prashant Bhushan guilty of criminal contempt of court. The lawyer had made a defamatory...

20 Aug 2020 News Analysis
Plastic Marine Pollution

Why in News A study published in ‘Nature Communications’ has estimated the amount of microplastic pollution in the Atlantic Ocean and...

20 Aug 2020 News Analysis
Revamp of Lingaraj Temple: Odisha

Why in News The Odisha government has decided to give a facelift to the 11th century Lingaraj Temple, akin to its pre-350-year structural...

20 Aug 2020 News Analysis
National Recruitment Agency

Why in News The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister has decided to set up a National Recruitment Agency (NRA) to conduct a common...

20 Aug 2020 News Analysis
Jurisdictional Conflict in Delhi

This article is based on Jurisdictional conflict in the running of Delhi” which was published in The Hindu on 19/08/2020. It talks about the...

19 Aug 2020 News Editorials
National Cancer Registry Programme Report 2020

Why in News According to the recently released National Cancer Registry Programme Report 2020, cancer cases in India are likely to increase to 15.6...

19 Aug 2020 News Analysis
Digital Quality of Life Index 2020: SurfShark

Why in News Recently, the Digital Quality of Life (DQL) Index 2020 has been released by SurfShark, an online privacy solutions...

19 Aug 2020 News Analysis
Invisible Shield against Electromagnetic Interference

Why in News Recently, scientists from the Centre for Nano and Soft Matter Sciences (CeNS), Bengaluru, have designed a metal mesh structure to...

19 Aug 2020 News Analysis

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		(int) 0 => [
			'title' => 'ARIIA 2020 Rankings',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the<strong> Atal Ranking of Institutions on Innovation Achievements (ARIIA) 2020</strong> rankings was announced.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Around 674 institutions participated in the ARIIA rankings in 2020 compared with 496 in 2019.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Atal Ranking of Institutions on Innovation Achievements (ARIIA)</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It is an<strong> initiative of the Ministry of Education,</strong> Government of India to systematically rank all the major higher educational institutions and universities in India on indicators related to <strong>&ldquo;Innovation and Entrepreneurship Development&rdquo;</strong> amongst students and faculties.</li>
<li>More than quantity, ARIIA<strong> focuses on quality of innovations</strong> and tries to measure the real impact created by these innovations nationally and internationally.</li>
<li><strong>Rank Categorisation:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Two broad categories: <strong>publicly funded institutions and private or self-financed institutions.</strong></li>
<li>The <strong>publicly funded institutions</strong> have been further categorized into:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Institute of National Importance, Central Universities &amp; Central Funded Technical Institutes.</li>
<li>State University &amp; Deemed Universities (Government &amp; Government Aided)</li>
<li>Government and Government / Aided College/Institutes</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The<strong> private or self-financed institutions</strong> have been categorized further into:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>private or self-financed universities</li>
<li>private or self-financed college/institutes</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>A <strong>6<sup>th</sup> sub- category</strong> for higher educational institutions<strong> for women</strong> has been introduced in 2020 <strong>to encourage women</strong> and bringing <strong>gender parity</strong> in the areas of innovation and entrepreneurship</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Major Indicators For Rankings:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Budget &amp; Funding Support.</li>
<li>Infrastructure &amp; Facilities.</li>
<li>Awareness, Promotions &amp; support for Idea Generation &amp; Innovation.</li>
<li>Promotion &amp; Support for Entrepreneurship Development.</li>
<li>Innovative Learning Methods &amp; Courses.</li>
<li>Intellectual Property Generation, Technology Transfer &amp; Commercialization.</li>
<li>Innovation in Governance of the Institution.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>List of Topper Institutes in 2020:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras</strong> in<strong> Institute of National Importance, Central Universities &amp; Central Funded Technical Institutes </strong>category.</li>
<li><strong>Maharashtra&rsquo;s Institute of Chemical Technology</strong> in the<strong> government and government-aided universities </strong>category.</li>
<li><strong>College of Engineering Pune </strong>in the<strong> government and government aided college/institutions </strong>category.</li>
<li><strong>Odisha&rsquo;s Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT) </strong>in the<strong> private or self-financed universities </strong>category.</li>
<li><strong>SR Engineering College, Telangana </strong>in the<strong> private colleges </strong>category.</li>
<li><strong>Avinashilingam Institute for Home Sciences and Higher Education, Coimbatore </strong>in the<strong> higher educational institutions for women </strong>category.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/news/education/iit-madras-tops-ariia-rankings/article32383875.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: TH</strong></a></p>',
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			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/ariia-2020-rankings'
		],
		(int) 1 => [
			'title' => 'Military Coup in Mali',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, <strong>Mali's President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita has resigned</strong> after soldiers had arrested him and Prime Minister Boubou Cisse in the capital, Bamako as part of a coup.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It has prompted its West African neighbours to threaten border closures and sanctions against the coup leaders.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Background:</strong> The <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/crisis-in-libya" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>2011 crisis in Libya</strong></a> led Mali along the path to chaos.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Weapons from Libya were supplied across the Sahara Desert</strong> and fuelled a <strong>separatist conflict</strong> in northern Mali. This turned into an <strong>Islamist militant offensive</strong> which prompted a coup in the capital Bamako (Mali).</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Reasons:</strong> Mali has <strong>three overlapping sets</strong> of problems:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Political crisis</strong> that grew out of the disputed legislative elections of March 2020.</li>
<li><strong>Economic crisis</strong> due to economic stagnation, corruption and further complications by the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/covid-19-now-pandemic-who" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Covid-19 pandemic.</strong></a> There was dissatisfaction among the troops due to poor payments.</li>
<li><strong>Security crisis</strong> due to the failure to contain <a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/the-big-picture-international-convention-on-terrorism" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>terrorism</strong></a> and jihadists and the actions of the military against civilians.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Military Coup:</strong> It calls itself the <strong>National Committee for the Salvation of the People</strong> and has <strong>pledged to stabilise the country</strong> by enacting a <strong>political transition and stage elections</strong> within a reasonable time.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It has imposed a curfew and closed the borders sealing the country.</li>
<li>It would respect all the past agreements, including<strong> Mali&rsquo;s support for anti-jihadist missions</strong> in the region and its <strong>commitment to the Algiers process</strong> which is a<strong> 2015 peace agreement between the Malian government and armed groups in the north of the country.</strong></li>
<li>It held that <strong>United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali</strong> (MINUSMA), <strong>France&rsquo;s Barkhane force,</strong> the <strong>G5 Sahel</strong> (Institutional framework of Burkina Faso, Chad, Mali, Mauritania and Niger), <strong>Takuba</strong> (a European special-forces initiative) will remain Mali&rsquo;s partners.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Reactions:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>France has urged Mali to return to civilian rule,</strong> saying "the fight against terrorist groups and the defence of democracy and the rule of law are inseparable".<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>France, Mali's former colonial ruler,</strong> has several thousand troops based in Mali fighting Islamist militant groups.</li>
<li>Various jihadist groups, some linked to <strong>al-Qaeda</strong> and the <strong>Islamic State group,</strong> are based in the deserts of northern Mali, from where they have spread to neighbouring countries, especially Burkina Faso and Niger.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The <a href="/current-affairs-news-analysis-editorials/news-editorials/09-07-2019" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>African Union</strong> </a>had already <strong>suspended Mali</strong> on the account that military coups were something of the past and cannot be accepted in present times.</li>
<li>The <strong>15-member Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS)</strong> has also<strong> taken swift action against Mali</strong> by closing borders, suspending financial flows and ejecting it from decision-making bodies.</li>
<li>The <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/un-security-council-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>UN's Security Council</strong> </a>has <strong>demanded the immediate release</strong> of all government officials and the <strong>restoration of constitutional order.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Republic of Mali<a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1597995063_image1.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1597995063_image1.png" style="float: right;" width="350" caption="false" /></a></strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Mali is a vast country stretching into the <strong>Sahara Desert in western Africa.</strong></li>
<li>Once home to several pre-colonial empires, the <strong>landlocked, arid African country</strong> of Mali is <strong>one of the largest on the continent</strong> and is <strong>among the poorest in the world.</strong></li>
<li>After <strong>independence from France in 1960,</strong> Mali suffered droughts, rebellions, a coup and 23 years of military dictatorship until <strong>democratic elections in 1992.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It has experienced <strong>several military takeovers</strong> and is currently battling to contain a wave of jihadist attacks and ethnic violence.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Capital:</strong> Bamako.</li>
<li><strong>Population:</strong> Around 19 million.</li>
<li><strong>Area:</strong> 1.25 million sq km.</li>
<li><strong>Major languages:</strong> French, Bambara, Berber and Arabic.</li>
<li><strong>Religions:</strong> Islam and Indigenous beliefs.</li>
<li><strong>Currency:</strong> Communaute Financiere Africaine (CFA) franc.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The latest military coup is apparently a reaction to the security challenges but also to corruption, disputed elections, and political drift. However, it itself seems unlikely to fix anything.</li>
<li>It highlights a familiar truth that while foreign intervention has its uses, the key to repairing a nation like Mali lies in its own hands and with its own faltering democratic institutions.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/mali-wakes-up-to-military-rule-after-president-is-forced-out/article32389817.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: TH</strong></a></p>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/military-coup-in-mali'
		],
		(int) 2 => [
			'title' => 'Organic Farming in India',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p><strong>India ranks 1<sup>st</sup> in number of organic farmers</strong> and 9<sup>th</sup> in terms of area under organic farming.</p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Indian Scenario Regarding Organic Farming</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Sikkim</strong> became the first State in the <strong>world</strong> to become <strong>fully organic in 2016.</strong></li>
<li><strong>North East India</strong> has traditionally been organic and the consumption of chemicals is far less than the rest of the country.</li>
<li>Similarly the tribal and island territories have been traditionally practicing organic farming.</li>
<li>The major organic exports from India have been <strong>flax seeds, sesame, soybean, tea, medicinal plants, rice and pulses.</strong></li>
<li>There was an increase of nearly 50% in organic exports in 2018-19, touching Rs. 5151 crore.</li>
<li>Commencement of exports from Assam, Mizoram, Manipur and Nagaland to UK, USA, Eswatini and Italy have proved the potential by increasing volumes and expanding to new destinations as the demand for <strong>health foods</strong> increases.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Government Initiatives to Promote Organic Farming</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Mission Organic Value Chain Development for North East Region (MOVCD)</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Mission Organic Value Chain Development for North East Region (MOVCD-NER) is a <strong>Central Sector Scheme,</strong> a sub-mission under <strong>National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA)</strong></li>
<li>It was launched by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare in 2015 for implementation in the states of Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim and Tripura.</li>
<li>The scheme aims to develop certified organic production in a value chain mode to link growers with consumers and to support the development of the entire value chain.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY)</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana, launched in 2015 is an elaborated component of <strong>Soil Health Management (SHM)</strong> of major project <strong>National Mission of Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA).</strong></li>
<li>Under PKVY, Organic farming is promoted through adoption of organic villages by cluster approach and Participatory Guarantee System (PGS) certification.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Certification Schemes</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-national-institutions/food-safety-and-standards-authority-of-india-fssai" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI)</strong> </a>is the food regulator in the country and is also responsible for regulating organic food in the domestic market and imports.</li>
<li><strong>Participatory Guarantee System (PGS):</strong> PGS is a process of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/agriculture-export-policy-2018" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>certifying organic products</strong></a>, which ensures that their production takes place in accordance with laid-down quality standards. <strong>PGS Green</strong> is given to chemical free produce under transition to &lsquo;organic&rsquo; which takes 3 years. It is mainly for <strong>domestic purpose.</strong></li>
<li><strong>National Program for Organic Production (NPOP):</strong> NPOP grants organic farming certification through a process of third party certification for<strong> export purposes.</strong></li>
<li><a href="/to-the-points/paper3/to-the-point-paper-3-soil-health-card-scheme" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Soil Health Card Scheme</strong></a> has led to a <strong>decline of 8-10%<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/soil-health-card-scheme-2" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> in the use of chemical fertilizers</a></strong> and also raised productivity by 5-6%.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Agri-export Policy 2018</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Focus on clusters</strong> and <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/agriculture-export-policy-2018" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Marketing and promotion of &ldquo;Produce of India&rdquo;</strong> </a>have positively impacted the organic farming in India</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>One District - One Product (ODOP)</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The programme aims to encourage more<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/important-facts-for-prelims-11th-august-2018" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> visibility and sale of indigenous and specialized products/crafts of Uttar Pradesh</strong></a>, generating employment at the district level.</li>
<li>The presence of aggregators is imperative to bring about economies of scale for the small and marginal farmers.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>PM Formalization of Micro Food Processing Enterprises (PM FME)</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The <strong>Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI)</strong> launched the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/pm-formalization-of-micro-food-processing-enterprises-scheme" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>PM FME scheme</strong> </a>as a part of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/atmanirbhar-bharat-and-economic-stimulus" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>&lsquo;Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan&rsquo;.</strong></a></li>
<li>It aims to bring in new technology, apart from affordable credit to help small entrepreneurs penetrate new markets.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Zero Budget Natural Farming</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/pm-formalization-of-micro-food-processing-enterprises-scheme" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Zero budget natural farming</strong></a> is a method of chemical-free agriculture drawing from traditional Indian practices.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Organic Farming</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>According to FSSAI,&rsquo;organic farming&rsquo; is a system of farm design and management to create an ecosystem of agriculture production <strong>without the use of synthetic external inputs</strong> such as chemical fertilisers, pesticides and synthetic hormones or genetically modified organisms.</li>
<li><strong>Organic farm produce</strong> means the produce obtained from <strong>organic agriculture,</strong> while <strong>organic food</strong> means food products that have been produced in accordance with <strong>specified standards for organic production.</strong></li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Natural farming is not a new concept in India, with farmers having tilled their land without the use of chemicals - largely relying on organic residues, cow dung, composts, etc. since time immemorial. This is also in sync with the <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/sustainable-development-3" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Sustainable Development Goal</strong></a> 2 targeting &lsquo;end hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture&rsquo;.</li>
<li>Hence with <strong>greater awareness</strong> and<strong> capacity building</strong> of the producers in compliance with international standards, Indian organic farmers will soon be reinforcing their rightful place in global agri trade.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1645497" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: PIB</strong></a></p>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/organic-farming-in-india'
		],
		(int) 3 => [
			'title' => 'Expansion of the NCC',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the Ministry of Defence has approved the proposal to expand the <strong>National Cadet Corps (NCC)</strong> in border and coastal districts.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The expansion of the NCC was announced by the Prime Minister in his Independence Day speech.</li>
<li>Restructuring of the NCC was one of the<strong> key recommendations of the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/abolition-of-posts-in-mes" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Committee of Experts (CoE) headed by Lt Gen DB Shekatkar (Retd)</a></strong> in 2016.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Shekatkar Committee</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Ministry of Defence under the chairmanship of Lt. Gen (Retd) DB Shekatkar had constituted a committee to recommend measures to<strong> enhance combat capability and rebalance defence expenditure of the armed forces</strong> which submitted its report in December 2016.</li>
<li>Few Recommendations:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Closure of Military Farms and Army Postal Establishments in peace locations.</li>
<li>Enhancement in standards for recruitment of clerical staff and drivers in the Army.</li>
<li>Improving the <strong>efficiency of the National Cadet Corps.</strong></li>
<li>Recommended a roll-on defence budget to have enough capital expenditure available for modernisation as against the present practice of surrendering unspent capital budget at the end of each financial year.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Expansion:</strong> A total of one lakh cadets from <strong>173 border and coastal districts</strong> will be inducted into the NCC of which <strong>one-third of them will be girls.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The expansion plan would be implemented in partnership with the States.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Training and Administration:</strong> The <strong>Army</strong> will provide training and administrative support to the NCC units located<strong> in the border areas, Navy</strong> to the units in the <strong>coastal areas</strong> and<strong> Indian Air Force</strong> to the units<strong> close to Air Force stations.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Benefit:</strong> It will provide<strong> trained manpower for disaster management</strong> and <strong>skill training to youth</strong> for making their career in the armed forces.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It will increase <strong>youth&rsquo;s interest in careers</strong> in Navy, Coast Guard and also Merchant shipping avenues.</li>
<li>In the border area, the trained cadets<strong> can play supporting roles</strong> to the Armed forces in various forms.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>National Cadet Corps</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The NCC was <strong>formed in 1948</strong> (on the recommendation of H. N. Kunzru Committee-1946), and has its roots to British era uniformed youth entities like University Corps or University Officer Training Corps. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Currently it has a strength of around 14 lakh cadets from Army, Navy and Air Force wings.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The NCC falls under the <strong>purview of the Ministry of Defence</strong> and is headed by a <strong>Director General of three-star military rank.</strong></li>
<li>It <strong>enrolls cadets at high school and college level</strong> and also awards certificates on completion of various phases. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The NCC cadets receive basic military training at various levels and also have academic curriculum basics related to Armed forces and their functioning.</li>
<li>Various training camps, adventure activities and military training camps are an important aspect of NCC training.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Significance:</strong> NCC cadets have played an important role over the years in relief efforts during various emergency situations. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>During the ongoing pandemic, over 60,000 NCC cadets have been deployed for voluntary relief work in coordination with district and state authorities across the country.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/defence-minister-approves-proposal-to-expand-ncc-in-173-border-coastal-districts/article32366589.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source:TH</strong></a></p>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/expansion-of-the-ncc'
		],
		(int) 4 => [
			'title' => 'Day 32',
			'catname' => '60 days refresher',
			'desc' => '<h2 style="text-align: center;">Defence</h2>
<p>Every year several questions have been asked from defence technology. The scope of questions that can come from this topic is very broad. However, by analysing the previous year questions it can be depicted that a lot of times questions are asked on those events which have remained in news. Thus, we have picked some current affairs for this type of questions</p>
<h2>Defence Policy &amp; Framework</h2>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/defence-acquisition-council" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Defence Acquisition Council</strong></a></li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/def-connect-2019" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Def Connect 2019</strong></a></li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/national-anti-drone-guidelines" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>National Anti-Drone Guidelines</strong></a></li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/reviewing-defence-procurement-procedure" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Reviewing Defence Procurement Procedure</strong></a></li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/defence-space-research-agency-dsra" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Defence Space Research Agency (DSRA)</strong></a></li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/indias-new-sop-for-arms-export" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>India's New SOP for Arms Export</strong></a></li>
<li><a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-national-institutions/defence-research-and-development-organisation-drdo" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO)</strong></a></li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/defense-manufacturing-rules-eased" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Defense Manufacturing Rules Eased</strong></a></li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/mission-raksha-gyan-shakti" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Mission Raksha Gyan Shakti</strong></a></li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/a-flawed-defence-procurement-policy" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>A Flawed Defence Procurement Policy</strong></a></li>
</ul>
<h2>Indigenisation of Defence Technology</h2>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/advanced-torpedo-decoy-system-maareech" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Advanced Torpedo Decoy System: Maareech</strong></a></li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/a-sat-and-adtcr" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>A-SAT and ADTCR</strong></a></li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/defence-industrial-corridors" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Defence Industrial Corridors</strong></a></li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/pinaka-missile-system" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Pinaka Missile System</strong></a></li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/brahmos-missile-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>BrahMos Missile</strong></a></li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/drdo-successfully-tests-indigenous-anti-tank-missile" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>DRDO Successfully Tests Indigenous Anti-tank Missile</strong></a></li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/lcu-l-56-commissioned-into-indian-navy" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>LCU L-56 Commissioned into Indian Navy</strong></a></li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/bhabha-kavach" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Bhabha Kavach</strong></a></li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/third-generation-nag-missile" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Third Generation NAG Missile</strong></a></li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/ins-viraat-to-be-scrapped" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>INS Viraat to be Scrapped</strong></a></li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/ins-shivalik-and-sindhukirti" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>INS 'Shivalik' and 'Sindhukirti'</strong></a></li>
<li><a href="/to-the-points/paper3/indigenisation-of-defence" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Indigenisation of Defence</strong></a></li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/varunastra" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Varunastra</strong></a></li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/successful-test-firing-of-agni-v" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Successful Test Firing of Agni V</strong></a></li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/indias-nuclear-triad-complete" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>India's Nuclear Triad Complete</strong></a></li>
</ul>
<h2>Modernization of the Defence Industry</h2>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/iaf-gets-apache-helicopters" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>IAF Gets Apache Helicopters</strong></a></li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/spike-lr-anti-tank-guided-missiles" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Spike-LR Anti-Tank Guided Missiles</strong></a></li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/innovations-for-defence-excellence-idex-initiative" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX) Initiative</strong></a></li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/draft-unmanned-aircraft-system-uas-rules-2020" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Draft Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) Rules, 2020</strong></a></li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/us-nod-to-integrated-air-defence-weapon-system" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>US Nod to Integrated Air Defence Weapon System</strong></a></li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/apache-helicopters-for-indian-army" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Apache Helicopters for Indian Army</strong></a></li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/mk-45-naval-guns" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>MK-45 Naval Guns</strong></a></li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/electromagnetic-interference-compatibility-and-pulse" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Electromagnetic Interference, Compatibility and Pulse</strong></a></li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/spice-2000-bombs" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>SPICE-2000 Bombs</strong></a></li>
<li><a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/akula-class-attack-submarine" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Akula Class &ndash; Attack Submarine</strong></a></li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/advanced-medium-combat-aircraft" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft</strong></a></li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/china-successfully-tests-its-first-hypersonic-aircraft" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>China Successfully Tests its First Hypersonic Aircraft</strong></a></li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/india-going-ahead-with-purchase-of-S-400-air-defence-systems" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>S-400 Air Defense Systems</strong></a></li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/induction-of-french-rafale-aircrafts-in-iaf" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Induction of French Rafale Aircrafts in IAF</strong></a></li>
<li><a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/the-big-picture-need-to-modernise-indian-air-force" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Need to Modernise Indian Air Force</strong></a></li>
</ul>
<h2>Security Organisations</h2>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/naval-innovation-and-indigenisation-organisation" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Naval Innovation and Indigenisation Organisation</strong></a></li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/navy-day" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Navy Day</strong></a></li>
<li><strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/navy-gets-its-first-woman-pilot" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Navy Gets its First Woman Pilot</a> </strong></li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/87th-air-force-day" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>87<sup>th</sup> Air Force Day</strong></a></li>
</ul>
<h3><span style="color: #000080;">Previous Years Questions</span></h3>
<p>Q. Consider the following statements: (2017)</p>
<ol>
<li>The Nuclear Security Summits are periodically held under the aegis of the United Nations.</li>
<li>The International Panel on Fissile Materials&middot; is an organ of International Atomic Energy Agency.</li>
</ol>
<p>Which of the statements given above is/are correct?</p>
<p>(a) 1 only </p>
<p>(b) 2 only</p>
<p>(c) Both 1 and 2 </p>
<p><strong><span style="color: #008000;">(d) Neither 1 nor 2</span></strong></p>
<hr />
<p>Q. With reference to &lsquo;Indian Ocean Rim Association for Regional Cooperation (IOR-ARC)&rsquo;, consider the following statements: (2015)</p>
<ol>
<li>It was established very recently in response to incidents of piracy and accidents of oil spills.</li>
<li>It is an alliance meant for maritime security only.</li>
</ol>
<p>Which of the statements given above is/ are correct?</p>
<p>(a) 1 only </p>
<p>(b) 2 only</p>
<p>(c) Both 1 and 2 </p>
<p><strong><span style="color: #008000;">(d) Neither 1 nor 2</span></strong></p>
<hr />
<p>Q. Match List-I with List-II and select the correct answer using the code given below the Lists: (2008)</p>
<table border="1" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="width: 4.29936%; border-style: hidden;"></td>
<td style="width: 45.7006%; border-style: hidden;">
<p><strong>List-I </strong></p>
<p><strong>(Service/Agency)</strong></p>
</td>
<td style="width: 3.82166%; border-style: hidden;"></td>
<td style="width: 20.7006%; border-style: hidden;">
<p><strong>List-II</strong></p>
<p><strong>(Country)</strong></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 4.29936%; border-style: hidden;">A.</td>
<td style="width: 45.7006%; border-style: hidden;">Foreign Intelligence Service</td>
<td style="width: 3.82166%; border-style: hidden;">1.</td>
<td style="width: 20.7006%; border-style: hidden;">Israel</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 4.29936%; border-style: hidden;">B.</td>
<td style="width: 45.7006%; border-style: hidden;">Ministry of State Security</td>
<td style="width: 3.82166%; border-style: hidden;">2.</td>
<td style="width: 20.7006%; border-style: hidden;">Britain</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 4.29936%; border-style: hidden;">C.</td>
<td style="width: 45.7006%; border-style: hidden;">Secret Intelligence Service</td>
<td style="width: 3.82166%; border-style: hidden;">3.</td>
<td style="width: 20.7006%; border-style: hidden;">China</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 4.29936%; border-style: hidden;">D.</td>
<td style="width: 45.7006%; border-style: hidden;">The Mossad</td>
<td style="width: 3.82166%; border-style: hidden;">4.</td>
<td style="width: 20.7006%; border-style: hidden;">Russia</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p>Code:</p>
<p>A B C D</p>
<p>(a) 4 1 2 3</p>
<p>(b) 2 3 4 1</p>
<p><span style="color: #008000;"><strong>(c) 4 3 2 1</strong></span></p>
<p>(d) 2 1 4 3</p>
<hr />
<p>Q. &lsquo;Hand-in-Hand 2007&rsquo; a joint anti-terrorism military training was held by the officers of the Indian Army and officers of Army of which one of the following countries? (2008)</p>
<p><span style="color: #008000;"><strong>(a) China</strong> </span></p>
<p>(b) Japan</p>
<p>(c) Russia </p>
<p>(d) USA</p>
<hr />
<p>Q. Which one of the following is the best description of &lsquo;INS Astradharini&rsquo;, that was in the news recently? (2016)</p>
<p>(a) Amphibious warfare ship</p>
<p>(b) Nuclear-powered submarine</p>
<p><span style="color: #008000;"><strong>(c) Torpedo launch and recovery vessel</strong></span></p>
<p>(d) Nuclear-powered aircraft carrier</p>
<hr />
<p>Q. With reference to Agni-IV Missile, which of the following statements is/are correct? (2014)</p>
<ol>
<li>It is a surface-to-surface missile.</li>
<li>It is fuelled by liquid propellant only.</li>
<li>It can deliver one-tonne nuclear warheads about 7500 km away.</li>
</ol>
<p>Select the correct answer using the code given below:</p>
<p><span style="color: #008000;"><strong>(a) 1 only</strong> </span></p>
<p>(b) 2 and 3 only</p>
<p>(c) 1 and 3 only </p>
<p>(d) 1, 2 and 3</p>
<hr />
<p>Q. In the context of Indian defence, consider the following statements: (2009)</p>
<ol>
<li>The Shourya missile flies with a speed of more than 8 Mach.</li>
<li>The range of Shourya missile is more than 1600 km.</li>
</ol>
<p>Which of the statements given above is/are correct?</p>
<p>(a) 1 only </p>
<p>(b) 2 only</p>
<p>(c) Both 1 and 2 </p>
<p><strong><span style="color: #008000;">(d) Neither 1 nor 2</span></strong></p>
<hr />
<p>Q. What is &ldquo;Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD)&rdquo;, sometimes seen in the news? (2018)</p>
<p>(a) An Israeli radar system</p>
<p>(b) India&rsquo;s indigenous anti-missile programme</p>
<p><strong><span style="color: #008000;">(c) An American anti-missile system</span></strong></p>
<p>(d) A defence collaboration between Japan and South Korea.</p>
<hr />
<p>Q. From which one of the following did India buy the Barak anti-missile defence systems? (2008)</p>
<p><strong><span style="color: #008000;">(a) Israel</span> </strong></p>
<p>(b) France</p>
<p>(c) Russia </p>
<p>(d) USA</p>
<hr />
<p>Q. In the context of the Indian defence, what is &lsquo;Dhruv&rsquo;? (2008)</p>
<p>(a) Aircraft-carrying warship</p>
<p>(b) Missile-carrying submarine</p>
<p><span style="color: #008000;"><strong>(c) Advanced light helicopter</strong></span></p>
<p>(d) Intercontinental ballistic missile</p>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/60-days-refresher-programme/day-32'
		],
		(int) 5 => [
			'title' => 'Revamping of Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana',
			'catname' => 'News Editorials',
			'desc' => '<div class="border">
<p>This article is based on <a href="https://www.financialexpress.com/opinion/pm-fasal-bima-yojana-2-0-centre-revamps-flagship-scheme-to-ensure-quick-payment-of-claims-to-farmers/2053505/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>&ldquo;PM-Fasal Bima Yojana 2.0&rdquo;</strong></a> which was published in The Financial Express on 13/08/2020. It talks about the Centre government&rsquo;s decision to revamp Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana in order to ensure quick payment of claims to farmers.</p>
</div>
<p>The frequent occurrence of rainfall deficits, dry spells, and the late onset of rainfall due to climate change have underlined the importance of crop insurance for farmers. Citing the significance of crop insurance, the union government had earlier launched the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/pradhan-mantri-fasal-bima-yojana-(pmfby)" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY).</strong></a></p>
<p>PMFBY aims to increase production in agriculture by providing support to ensure inclusive risk cover for crops of farmers against all non-preventable natural risks from pre-sowing to the post-harvest stage.</p>
<p>Since the launch of the PMFBY in 2016, millions of farmers have benefited from the scheme. However, in order to ensure more efficient and effective implementation of the scheme, the central government has approved the revamping of the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY).</p>
<p>With the revamped PMFBY 2.0, the government envisages leveraging technology in a comprehensive manner to address the issues impacting timely assessment and payment of claims.</p>
<h3>Need for Revamping</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Non-Voluntary Uptil Now:</strong> PMFBY has until now been a<strong> voluntary scheme only for non-loanee farmers, while mandatory for those availing crop loans from banks.</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In the case of loanee farmers, banks have been deducting their share of the premium (2-5%) against loan accounts on a compulsory basis and remitting the same to the insurance companies.</li>
<li>Farmers haven&rsquo;t taken kindly to this, not the least as the said companies are neither in direct contact with them and nor do they issue any policy certificates, unlike in car or health insurance.</li>
<li>The current scheme, it would seem, has served to provide the insurance to the loans of banks more than the crops of farmers.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>No Upper Limit of Central Subsidy:</strong> Until now, there was <strong>no upper limit for the central subsidy</strong> and as a result of it the insurers never showed the needed willingness or intention to actively involve themselves in the scheme.</li>
<li><strong>Huge Pendency:</strong> There has been a huge <strong>pendency of settlement of state subsidy to the insurance companies, over the last three to four seasons in several states.</strong> This has affected the timely payment of claims.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It will be worth mentioning here that delay in the release of the state share of subsidy is the major reason for the delay in payment of claims to farmers.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>PMFBY to PMFBY 2.0</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Completely Voluntary:</strong> It has been decided to make enrolment 100% voluntary for all farmers from 2020 Kharif.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>From now on, insurance companies will have to make efforts to create real awareness among farmers about the benefits of crop risk coverage.</li>
<li>Crop insurance would, thus, become an informed choice for loanee farmers, just as it already is for their non-loanee counterparts.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Limit to Central Subsidy:</strong> The Cabinet has decided to cap the Centre&rsquo;s premium subsidy under these schemes for premium rates up to 30% for unirrigated areas/crops and 25% for irrigated areas/crops.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>This will shift the onus to the insurance companies&rsquo;, as they would have to actively seek out farmers and convince them of the importance of crop insurance.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>More Flexibility to States:</strong> The government has given the flexibility to states/UTs to implement PMFBY and given them the option to select any number of additional risk covers/features like prevented sowing, localised calamity, mid-season adversity, and post-harvest losses.</li>
<li><strong>Penalising the Pendency:</strong> In the revamped PMFBY, a provision has been incorporated wherein if states don&rsquo;t release their share before March 31 for the Kharif season and September 30 for rabi, they would not be allowed to participate in the scheme in subsequent seasons.</li>
<li><strong>Investing in ICE Activities:</strong> Insurance companies have to now spend 0.5% of the total premium collected on<strong> information, education and communication (IEC)</strong> activities.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>A central advisory committee has also been set up with the implementing state governments and insurance companies to ensure uniformity of message across the country and remove gaps in dissemination of information.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Awareness Generation:</strong> The changes made in the scheme are welcome but there are some challenges too.<strong> Awareness generation</strong> will be one of the major challenges in the smooth implementation of the scheme.</li>
<li><strong>Bringing Behavioural Change:</strong> Apart from this, a lot more needs to be done in bringing about a<strong> behavioural change</strong> regarding the cost of insurance being a necessary input and not a money-back investment.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Conclusion</h3>
<p>With the revamping of PMFBY, the entire effort of the government is to ensure transparent and timely assessment of the yield, and quick computation and payment of claims to the farmers, to realise the <strong>goal of Atmanirbhar Krishi in general and Atmanirbhar Farmers in particular.</strong></p>
<p>Further, the voluntariness and the time-bound implementation of crop insurance under the revamped PMFBY will help it become a<strong> true insurance scheme now.</strong></p>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) and the success story so far</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana was launched in 2016 by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare.</li>
<li>It is a replacement scheme of the National Agriculture Insurance Scheme (NAIS) and the Modified National Agriculture Insurance Scheme (MNAIS)</li>
<li>Under this scheme there will be a uniform premium of only 2% to be paid by farmers for all Kharif crops and 1.5% for all Rabi crops. In case of annual commercial and horticultural crops, the premium to be paid by farmers will be only 5%. The rest of the premium will be borne by the Government.</li>
<li>It aims to provide insurance coverage and financial support to the farmers in the event of failure of any of the notified crops as a result of natural calamities, pests &amp; diseases.</li>
<li>PMFBY aims to support production in agriculture by providing support to ensure inclusive risk cover for crops of farmers against all non-preventable natural risks from pre-sowing to the post-harvest stage.</li>
<li>Since the launch of the PMFBY in 2016, millions of farmers have benefited from the scheme. In the first three years, farmers paid Rs 13,000 crore as premium, while they received Rs 60,000 crore as insurance claim under PMFBY.</li>
<li>The scheme has completed four years and has been implemented in 27 states and UTs.The sum insured has almost doubled under this scheme from Rs 22,000 per hectare to Rs 39,000 per hectare.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<table border="1" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="width: 100%; border-style: dotted; border-color: #ff0000; background-color: #efffeb;">
<p><span style="color: #000080;"><em><strong>Drishti Mains Question</strong></em></span></p>
<p>Enumerate the reasons why the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima yojana has not been very successful in meeting its objectives. Also, analyse how far the modifications brought up by the government will help in its effective implementation.</p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p style="text-align: center;"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/_TZB78I9hWA" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p>
<p>This editorial is based on <a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/editorials/peace-is-precious-6560333/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>&ldquo;Peace is precious&rdquo;</strong></a> which was published in the Indian Express on August 19<sup>th</sup>, 2020. Now watch this on our Youtube Channel.</p>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/revamping-of-pradhan-mantri-fasal-bima-yojana'
		],
		(int) 6 => [
			'title' => 'The Big Picture: National Infrastructure Pipeline (NIP) Dashboard',
			'catname' => 'Lok Sabha & Rajya Sabha Discussions',
			'desc' => '<p style="text-align: center;"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/D1vn0pYQ7ns" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p>
<h3>Introduction</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The National Infrastructure Pipeline (NIP) dashboard would allow monitoring of all the infrastructure projects under the 111 trillion rupees <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/national-infrastructure-pipeline-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>National infrastructure pipeline (NIP).</strong></a></li>
<li>NIP dashboard will be a digital platform to ensure data and updated information for investments across various sectors.</li>
<li>All the infrastructure projects will be mapped and evaluated by the concerned departments.</li>
<li>The Finance ministry will monitor the implementation and actual progress compared to the initial estimates of the NIP for each project.</li>
<li>The move assumes significance as focus on infrastructure projects will help revive the economy following the covid-19 crisis.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>National Infrastructure Pipeline</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>NIP will enable a forward outlook on infrastructure projects which will create jobs, improve ease of living, and provide equitable access to infrastructure for all, thereby making growth more inclusive.</li>
<li>NIP includes economic and social infrastructure projects.</li>
<li>It also includes both greenfield and brownfield projects.</li>
<li>It will help in stepping-up annual infrastructure investment to achieve the Gross Domestic Product <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/highlights-of-economic-survey-2018-19" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>(GDP) of $5 trillion by 2024-25.</strong></a></li>
<li>The Centre and states are expected to have almost equal share in implementing NIP, while the private sector contribution is expected to be around 21%</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Utility of NIP dashboard</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The NIP dashboard will <strong>link the national infrastructure pipeline to the India investment grid</strong> which manages and monitors investments across various sectors capturing data on Investments from States and Central Government.</li>
<li>The dashboard would provide<strong> real-time information</strong> about the projects for prospective investors also letting the people of the country know how many projects are being implemented.</li>
<li>If any approval stucks somewhere it would be highlighted on the dashboard. This would increase accountability.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Issues of implementation in infrastructure sector</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>In Infrastructure development there are several stages: design stage, finance stage, bidding stage, construction stage and operation stage.</li>
<li><strong>Design stage:</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It involves making blueprint of the projects, finance stage deals with getting funds or investments, bidding is mainly about assigning the projects to suitable companies, and construction and operational stage deals with on ground physical implementations of the projects.</li>
<li>There are few caveats at each stage, in the design stage, India lags behind countries like China which focus more on the design stage than any other stage to enhance the standards of their infrastructure.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Finance stage</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>To develop projects from ideas on paper, corporate bonds and long term financing is required for the development of the projects.</li>
<li>Government resources like tax money are not adequate therefore there is a need to raise money capital from the private sector and foreign investments.</li>
<li>However the borrowed money is to be paid back, announcing freebies like free electricity to get political mileage increases the economic stress on infrastructure.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Bidding Stage</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Many companies are awarded contracts in corrupt ways through crony capitalism. Many times in the bidding of a project design and past record of the bidder are not properly scrutinised.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Construction Stage:</strong> Due to land acquisition delays and litigation issues, the rate of implementation of projects is very slow on global standards, due to which India is behind than most of the countries in rate of project execution, the NIP dashboard does not address these issues.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Getting approvals are very difficult in terms of land access, environmental clearances,impending litigation in court delays the infrastructure projects.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Operational Stage:</strong> Lot of foreign investment is available for completed assets for example Delhi and Hyderabad metro, but new projects are not looked at by the foreign investors.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Thus it is the responsibility of the government to initiate the primary construction which could be done by using Indian rupees.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The data provided on the dashboard should not just provide data on investments for economic analysis, but also be made more actionable by providing information about upcoming projects.</li>
<li>In infrastructure projects initiated by the government, they could too use private consultants in designing and determining techno-economic feasibility.</li>
<li>The private sector should also be involved on a collaboration basis with the governments, whether it is a detailed project report or anything it should be done in a partnership mode rather than shifting responsibility. The onus of implementation of the project should be shared.</li>
<li>Online bidding can be a viable option to bring about transparency in bidding.</li>
<li>In monetizing the infrastructural assets, <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/national-infrastructure-pipeline" target="_blank" rel="noopener">National interest infrastructure investment</a> trust</strong> could play crucial role</li>
</ul>
<h3>Conclusion</h3>
<p>The NIP dashboard is a step in the right direction to provide real time information and data on Infrastructure projects. This would facilitate assimilation of data and information from all the stakeholders like Central and State Governments, Urban Local Bodies, Banks and Financial Institution, PE funds, and private investors, both local and foreign on one platform to increase accountability and transparency in the infrastructure sector.</p>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/the-big-picture-national-infrastructure-pipeline-nip-dashboard'
		],
		(int) 7 => [
			'title' => 'Turkey-Greece Stand-off',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, France has deployed its military in the eastern Mediterranean Sea amid <strong>tensions between Greece and Turkey</strong> over <strong>recently-discovered gas reserves.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>According to France the military has been deployed <strong>to strengthen the autonomous assessment of the situation</strong> and to <strong>affirm France&rsquo;s commitment to free movement,</strong> to the security of maritime navigation in the Mediterranean and<strong> respect for international law.</strong></li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>The Stand-off:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Reason:</strong> The<strong><a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/european-union" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> European Union</a> (EU)</strong> and its allies in West Asia and North Africa made <strong>plans to build a gas pipeline</strong> from the Mediterranean to Europe&rsquo;s mainland to transport the gas. However,<strong> they have kept Turkey out of it,</strong> which has infuriated Turkey. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The gas transport would help <strong>reduce the EU's dependency on Russia.</strong></li>
<li>Earlier in 2019, the <strong>EastMed Gas Forum</strong> was formed by <strong>Cyprus, Egypt, Greece, Israel, Italy, Jordan and Palestine, </strong>and<strong> Turkey was again excluded.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Turkey&rsquo;s Counter:</strong> Turkey challenged the EU pipeline project and reached an agreement with <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/crisis-in-libya" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Libya</strong> </a>to form an <strong>Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ)</strong> from its southern shores to Libya&rsquo;s northern coast across the Mediterranean. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>However, Greece<strong> claimed the Turkish zone violated its maritime sovereignty</strong> and later announced its EEZ with Egypt, which clashed with Turkey&rsquo;s zone.</li>
<li>Reacting to the deal, Turkey sent its survey ship near the <strong>island of Kastellorizo</strong> area mentioned in the <strong>Greece-Egypt agreement.</strong></li>
<li>This is not the first time Greece and Turkey have been at odds. Over the past four decades, the <strong>countries have gone to war at least three times. </strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1597921345_image1.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1597921345_image1.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="750" caption="false" /></strong></a></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Issues Involved:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Overlapping Claims: Turkey and Greece, vehemently <strong>disagree over overlapping claims to hydrocarbon resources</strong> in the region based on <strong>conflicting views on the extent of their continental shelves in waters</strong> dotted with mostly Greek islands. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Turkey says that despite having <strong>the longest coastline in the eastern Mediterranean</strong> it is<strong> confined into a narrow strip of waters due to the extension of Greece's continental shelf,</strong> based on the presence of many Greek islands near its shore.</li>
<li>The island of Kastellorizo, which is about 2 km off Turkey's southern coast and 570 km from the Greek mainland, is a particular source of Turkish frustration.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Involvement of Many Countries:&nbsp;</strong>The highly complicated issue now has the <strong>potential to involve Europe, West Asia and North Africa.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>France, the EU&rsquo;s most powerful military force, has<strong> thrown its weight behind Greece and Cyprus.</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Cyprus is physically divided</strong> with the <strong>southern part ruled by the internationally-recognised government</strong> and the <strong>northern part controlled by Turkey.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>An <strong>alliance</strong> is also emerging among Greece, Cyprus, Italy and France, which is backed by Egypt, Israel and the UAE.</li>
<li>Turkey stands <strong>almost isolated,</strong> but remains a <strong>key power</strong> in the Mediterranean.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>If the EU wants to transport gas from the coast of Israel to Europe via Cyprus and Italy, an<strong> open conflict with Turkey cannot help.</strong> What is in everybody&rsquo;s interest is to <strong>bring down tensions </strong>and <strong>find a diplomatic and mutually acceptable solution</strong> to the gas conflict.</li>
<li>Excluding Turkey, which has a long Mediterranean coast, is unwise. Allowing a resurgent Turkey to bully smaller powers in the region would be strategically disastrous. The EU has to <strong>strike a balance</strong> between these two options.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/france-reinforces-naval-forces-in-mediterranean/article32347629.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: TH</strong></a></p>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/turkey-greece-stand-off'
		],
		(int) 8 => [
			'title' => 'Sutlej-Yamuna Link Canal Project',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the Chief Minister of Punjab has warned the Centre of political unrest in the state if asked to proceed with the <strong>Sutlej-Yamuna Link (SYL) canal project.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Punjab has staked claims to Yamuna&rsquo;s waters and also reiterated the need for a tribunal on water sharing.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1597921034_image3.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1597921034_image3.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" caption="false" width="284" height="362" /></a></p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Background:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>1960:</strong> The dispute can be traced back to the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/indus-waters-treaty-1960" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Indus Water Treaty</strong></a> between<strong> India and Pakistan,</strong> allowing the former<strong> &lsquo;free and unrestricted use&rsquo; of Ravi, Beas and Sutlej.</strong></li>
<li><strong>1966: Creation of Haryana from the old (undivided) Punjab</strong>&nbsp;presented the problem of giving Haryana its share of river waters.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>For Haryana to get its share of the waters of the Sutlej and its tributary Beas, a <strong>canal linking the Sutlej with the Yamuna</strong> was planned (SYL Canal).</li>
<li><strong>Punjab refused to share waters with Haryana</strong> stating it was against the <strong>riparian principle</strong> which dictates that the water of a river belongs only to the State and country or States and countries through which the river in question flows.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>1981:</strong> Both states <strong>mutually agreed for the re-allocation of water.</strong></li>
<li><strong>1982: Construction of 214-km SYL was launched</strong> in Kapoori village, Punjab.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Agitations, protests and assassinations</strong> were carried out in protest creating the environment of <strong>terrorism</strong> in the state and making the<strong> issue of national security.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>1996:</strong> Haryana moved the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-national-institutions/supreme-court-of-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Supreme Court</strong></a> (SC) seeking directions to Punjab to complete the work on the SYL.</li>
<li><strong>2002 and 2004:</strong> SC directed Punjab to complete the work in its territory.</li>
<li><strong>2004:</strong> Punjab Assembly passed the <strong>Punjab Termination of Agreements Act, terminating its water-sharing agreements</strong> and thus jeopardising the construction of SYL in Punjab.</li>
<li><strong>2016:</strong> SC started hearings into a <strong>presidential reference (Article 143) to decide on the legality of the 2004 Act</strong> and declared that Punjab reneged on its promise to share the waters of rivers. Thus, the<strong> act was termed constitutionally invalid.</strong></li>
<li><strong>2020:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>SC has directed the Chief Ministers of both states to <strong>negotiate and settle the SYL canal issue</strong> at the highest political level to be mediated by the Centre.</li>
<li>Punjab has <strong>asked for a tribunal for fresh time-bound assessment</strong> of the water availability.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Punjab holds that there has been <strong>no adjudication or scientific assessment of river waters</strong> in the state till date.</li>
<li>The availability of Ravi-Beas water has also come down from the estimated 17.17 MAF in 1981 to 13.38 MAF in 2013. A fresh tribunal would ascertain all this.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Reasons for Punjab&rsquo;s Unwillingness:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Punjab is <strong>facing severe water crisis due to <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/depleting-groundwater" target="_blank" rel="noopener">over-exploitation of its underground aquifers</a></strong> for the <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/cropping-patterns-and-major-crops-of-india-part-one" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>wheat/paddy</strong></a> monocycle.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>According to the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/national-aquifer-mapping-and-management-programme" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Central Ground Water Authority&rsquo;s</strong></a> <strong>report,</strong> its underground water is over-exploited in about 79% of the state.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Punjab feels that it has <strong>utilised its precious groundwater resources to grow the crop for the entire country</strong> and should not be forced to share its waters as it <strong>faces the threat of<a href="/to-the-points/paper3/desertification-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> desertification.</a></strong></li>
<li>Also, the<strong> youth of the state may start feeling that the state has been discriminated against</strong> once the construction of the canal restarts.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Pakistan and secessionist organisations like Sikh For Justice</strong> could exploit the situation to foment trouble in the state.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Article 143: Advisory Jurisdiction</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Constitution under Article 143<strong> authorises the President to seek the opinion of the Supreme Court</strong> in the <strong>two categories</strong> of matters:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>On any <strong>question of law or fact of public importance</strong> which has arisen or which is likely to arise. The SC <strong>may tender or may refuse to tender its opinion</strong> to the President.</li>
<li>On any <strong>dispute arising out of any pre-constitution</strong> treaty, agreement, covenant, engagement, sanador other similar instruments. Here, the<strong> SC must tender its opinion</strong> to the President.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>In both the cases, the opinion expressed by the Supreme Court is<strong> only advisory and not a judicial pronouncement.</strong> Hence, it is <strong>not binding on the President.</strong></li>
<li>The references made by the President under Article 143 are <strong>decided by a Bench consisting of at least five judges.</strong></li>
<li>Few important references made by the President to the SC under its advisory jurisdiction are:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Berubari Union, 1960.</li>
<li>Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal, 1992.</li>
<li>Rama Janma Bhumi case, 1993.</li>
<li>Punjab Termination of Agreements Act, 2004.</li>
<li>2G spectrum case verdict and the mandatory auctioning of natural resources across all sectors, 2012.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Punjab needs to understand the importance of the canal for Haryana and should rethink its previous stands. Adequate measures should be put in place before any new decision to keep the possible political turmoil in control. Neighbouring states and centre will have to play a crucial role.</li>
<li>It&rsquo;s time for the Centre to chart a new course centred on Punjab&rsquo;s demand for a fresh tribunal for the division of the river waters. For that, it&rsquo;s imperative that all stakeholders stop further complicating the situation.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-why-punjab-cm-has-warned-against-restarting-syl-canal-work-6561662/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: IE</strong></a></p>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/sutlej-yamuna-link-canal-project'
		],
		(int) 9 => [
			'title' => 'Shortcomings of Indian Chemical Industry: TIFAC',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, a report by the <strong>Technology Information Forecasting and Assessment Council</strong> (TIFAC) has <strong>highlighted the shortcomings of the Indian chemical industry</strong> which prove to be barriers in competing with China.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>TIFAC is an<strong> autonomous organisation and think-tank of the Department of Science and Technology</strong> and it commissioned the report in March 2020 when the <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/coronavirus-disease-named-covid-19" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Covid-19&nbsp;</a></strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/covid-19-now-pandemic-who" target="_blank" rel="noopener">pandemic</a> had started accelerating in India.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>India <strong>does not have enough technology, plants and infrastructure</strong> to manufacture key chemicals in a cost-effective and less polluting manner.</li>
<li>India has nearly <strong>stopped manufacturing several key Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients</strong> (API).<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>India has <strong>given up the manufacturing of APIs</strong> for ascorbic acid, aspartame and antibiotics like rifampicin, doxycycline, tazobactam acid and even steroids.</li>
<li><strong>Production of intermediates</strong> such as atorvastatin, chloroquine, gabapentin, ciprofloxacin, cephalosporins, immunosuppressants has also been <strong>stopped.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>India <strong>depends on China for 67% of chemical intermediates and API</strong> that it needs to manufacture drugs and export.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>India <strong>also depends on the USA and Italy</strong> for API.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The chemical industry is almost entirely <strong>dependent on China for chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine</strong> (HCQ).<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Hydroxychloroquine is an <strong>oral drug</strong> used in the <strong>treatment of autoimmune diseases</strong> like rheumatoid arthritis.</li>
<li>In March 2020, the <strong>Indian Council of Medical Research</strong> (ICMR) <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/icmr-recommends-use-of-hydroxy-chloroquine" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>suggested its use to contain the spread of Covid-19</strong></a> for restricted populations.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Manufacturers are <strong>unable to meet the price</strong> at which chemicals are produced by China.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Solvent and chemicals <strong>manufacturing costs in India are over 15% more</strong> than in China.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The <strong>share of Indian bulk drugs and intermediates in the total pharmaceutical export mix reduced</strong> to 20% in 2018 from 42% in 2008.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>These are significant ingredients in the manufacturing of drugs and are also called bulk drugs.</li>
<li>The Hubei province of China is the hub of the API manufacturing industry.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Pharmaceutical Intermediates</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>These are chemical compounds which form the building blocks of the APIs and are produced as a by-product during the production of API.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Suggestions</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Need for mission mode chemical engineering</strong> with defined targets for uninterrupted synthesis of API molecules.</li>
<li><strong>Creation of mega drug manufacturing clusters</strong> with common infrastructure in India.</li>
<li><strong>Development of a technology platform for biocatalysis</strong> for cost optimization and investing in the fermentation sector of large capacity.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Biocatalysis</strong> refers to the use of natural substances from biological sources (such as enzymes) to speed up (catalyze) chemical reactions.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Government encouragement for Indian companies</strong> working in chemical segments.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Implementation of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/report-on-active-pharmaceutical-ingredients-tifac" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>various recommendations</strong></a> by TIFAC will help India to become <strong><a href="/prs-capsule/prs-capsule-may-2020#6" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Atmanirbhar</a></strong> (self-reliant) in the pharmaceutical sector by reducing its import dependence.</li>
<li>More schemes like the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/schemes-approved-to-promote-drug-manufacturing" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Promotion of Bulk Drug Parks and Production Linked Incentives</strong></a> (PLI) are needed to reduce the manufacturing cost of bulk drugs and promote domestic manufacturing.</li>
</ul>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/shortcomings-of-indian-chemical-industry-tifac'
		],
		(int) 10 => [
			'title' => 'Black Box on Aircraft',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>The black boxes of the Boeing 737-800 aircraft which recently crashed in Kozhikode (Kerala) have been found.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>These boxes will help investigators gather information about the crucial events that led to the crash.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>About:</strong> A black box, technically known as an <strong>Electronic Flight Data Recorder,</strong> is an orange-coloured heavily protected recording device placed in a flight. It is used to investigate the details of the events immediately preceding an accident.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Black Boxes are <strong>compulsory on any commercial flight or corporate jet</strong> where they are usually<strong> kept in the tail of an aircraft,</strong> where they are more likely to survive a crash.</li>
<li>It usually takes at least <strong>10-15 days to analyse the data</strong> recovered from the black boxes.</li>
<li>Black boxes are also used in vehicles other than planes like <strong>railways, cars</strong> etc.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Invention:</strong> Australian Scientist<strong> David Warren</strong> was the first to build a FDR/CVR prototype in 1958.</li>
<li><strong>Parts:</strong> The "black box" is made up of two separate pieces of equipment: the Flight Data Recorder (FDR) and a Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR). <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>FDR records things like airspeed, altitude, vertical acceleration and fuel flow.</li>
<li>CVR records the conversations in the cockpit.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Technology:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Older black boxes used <strong>magnetic tape,</strong> a technology that was first introduced in the 1960s. Magnetic tape works like any tape recorder.</li>
<li>These days, black boxes use solid-state memory boards, which came along in the 1990s.<strong> Solid state memory boards</strong> use stacked arrays of memory chips, and are stronger.</li>
<li>The FDR contains <strong>Crash-Survivable Memory Units</strong> (CSMUs) which are engineered to withstand extreme heat, jarring crashes and tons of pressure.</li>
<li>To make black boxes discoverable in situations where they are under water, they are equipped with a <strong>Beacon</strong> that sends out ultrasound signals for 30 days.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Other Methods to Investigate an Aircrash</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Accounts from Air Traffic Control (ATC) personnel.</li>
<li>Recordings of the conversation between ATC and the pilots moments before the crash.</li>
<li>Various data recorders at the airport, which would tell about the precise point and speed of touchdown on the runway.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Limitations:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In certain cases &ndash; like the Malaysian Airlines MH370 flight, they are not found.</li>
<li>They still lack video recording capabilities.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Alternatives:</strong> It is being tried to <strong>stream</strong> all of their essential data <strong>directly to a ground-based station</strong> in <strong>realtime</strong> which would eliminate the desperate search for a box that may have been destroyed in a crash, and will be more dependable.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Aircraft Security</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>The <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/international-civil-aviation-organisation" target="_blank" rel="noopener">International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO)</a></strong> is a UN specialized agency, established in <strong>1944</strong> to manage the administration and governance of the <strong>Convention on International Civil Aviation (Chicago Convention).</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The Chicago Convention was signed on 7<sup>th</sup> December, 1944 in Chicago (USA) by 52 signatory states including <strong>India.</strong></li>
<li>It coordinates international air travel, establishes rules of airspace, aircraft registration and safety, security, and sustainability, and details the rights of the signatories in relation to air travel.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>The <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/counter-drone-strategy-for-countrys-airports-is-ready" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Bureau of Civil Aviation Security</a> (BCAS)</strong> is an attached office of the Ministry of Civil Aviation (India). <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It is the regulatory authority for civil aviation security in India.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB)</strong> is a division of the Ministry of Civil Aviation which investigates aircraft accidents and incidents in India.</li>
<li>Recently, the Lok Sabha passed the<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/aircraft-amendment-bill-2020" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> Aircraft (Amendment) Bill, 2020</strong> </a>which seeks to amend the<strong> Aircraft Act, 1934.</strong></li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-why-black-boxes-are-important-to-an-air-crash-investigation-6545872/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: IE</strong></a></p>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/black-box-on-aircraft'
		],
		(int) 11 => [
			'title' => 'Issues Related to Minimum Wage',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/100th-anniversary-of-ilo" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>International Labour Organization (ILO)</strong> </a>has termed the<strong> current minimum wage fixing criteria</strong> in the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/code-on-wages-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Draft Code on Wages (Central) Rules, 2020</strong> </a>as ambiguous.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>On 7<sup>th</sup> July 2020, the Central government published the<strong> Draft Code on Wages (Central) Rules, 2020</strong> in the Official Gazette and placed it in the public domain inviting objections and suggestions.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Fixation of the Minimum Wage:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Number of Consumption Units:</strong> The Wage Code provides for the fixation of the minimum wage keeping in view the standard working class family,<strong> the equivalent of 3 adult consumption units.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The assumption that a standard working class family consists just of 3 adult consumption units is questionable.</li>
<li>This number has been arrived at by counting the male worker as 1 consumption unit, his wife as 0.8 consumption unit and two children as 0.6 consumption units each.</li>
<li>Such an assumption about the food requirements of the members of a family seems flawed. Furthermore, families with dependent elders are not considered.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Expenses:</strong> The minimum wage under the code has been fixed by considering the estimate of expenses incurred towards food, clothing, shelter, fuel, electricity, children's education and medical requirements. It also includes expenses on contingencies and miscellaneous items. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>However, the criteria prescribed for the fixation of the minimum wage<strong> have not taken into consideration all the expenses incurred to meet the minimum needs of a family in the present day.</strong></li>
<li>For instance, the expenses incurred towards transport, mobile phone bills and internet connection bills have not been considered at all.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Clothing:</strong> The clothing requirement at 66 metres of cloth per year per standard working class family is unrealistically low. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It also does not take into consideration the additional clothing requirements of people in cold regions.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Housing:</strong> The housing rent expenditure will be factored at 10% of the expenditure on food and clothing, which is unrealistic considering that the rent towards decent housing for a family in and around metropolitan areas will amount to at least Rs. 5000 per month.</li>
<li><strong>Basis of Fixation of Wages:</strong> The fixation of minimum wages under the draft code has been kept on a day basis. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>However, trade union leaders have opined that fixation of wages on a day basis could disadvantage workers when compared to the fixation of minimum wages on a monthly basis.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Fixation of Floor Wage:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The Code on Wages, 2020 mentions the concept of a<strong> floor wage,</strong> which empowers the central government to fix floor wages taking into account the minimum living standards of workers.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The<strong> floor wage is a baseline wage</strong> below which minimum wages cannot be fixed by state governments.</li>
<li>The Wage Code permits the fixation of <strong>different floor level wages for different geographical areas.</strong> However, this has <strong>given rise to the fear of flight of capital</strong> from areas where the wage is higher to areas where the wage is lower.</li>
<li>There is also fear that it will lead to <strong>fixation of low wages by state governments</strong> in a bid to attract greater investments thus depressing the minimum wage.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Also, the wage rules do not outline the exact criteria and methods for fixation of floor wage rates by the Central Government.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Suggestions:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Stating the exact methods of fixation of floor wage.</strong> This would enable the setting of the floor wage at an appropriate level after the wage code comes into effect.</li>
<li><strong>Fixing the periodicity of revision of the minimum wage.</strong> Of the two components of the minimum wage &mdash; basic wage and dearness allowance &mdash; the paper suggests revision of the basic wage every five years, a part which is missing in the proposed minimum wage rules.</li>
<li><strong>Refining the rules</strong> and suggesting relying on the evidence-based approach by holding consultations with representative organizations of workers and employers.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/business/minimum-wage-criteria-rules-ambiguous-ilo-6561799/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: IE</strong></a></p>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/issues-related-to-minimum-wage'
		],
		(int) 12 => [
			'title' => 'Contempt of Court',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3 style="padding-left: 30px;">Why in News</h3>
<p>The Supreme Court found civil rights lawyer Prashant Bhushan guilty of criminal contempt of court.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The lawyer had made a defamatory tweet against the Chief Justice of India.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Defamation of SC:</strong> The judgment said that the tweet <strong>scandalised</strong> the Supreme Court as an institution. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It held that being the epitome of the Indian judiciary, an attack on the Supreme Court can lead to ordinary litigants and judges of High Courts across the country <strong>losing the confidence in the Supreme Court.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Not to vindicate judges:</strong> However, the court acknowledged that its contempt powers could be used <strong>only to uphold the majesty of law</strong> and not to vindicate an individual judge against whom a defamatory remark is made.</li>
<li><strong>Suo Moto cognizance:</strong> The court said that the <strong>prior consent</strong> of the<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/attorney-general-of-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> Attorney General (AG) of India</strong></a> is not required to suo motu initiate the inherent contempt powers of the Supreme Court.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The <em>suo motu</em> contempt powers of the top court is drawn from <strong>Article 129 of the Constitution.</strong></li>
<li>The Contempt of Court Act of 1971 cannot limit this power of the court. The statute <strong>only provides the procedure in which such contempt is to be initiated.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Contempt of Court Act of 1971</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>According to the Contempt of Court Act of 1971, contempt of court is of <strong>two types:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Civil contempt:</strong> It is the <strong>wilful disobedience</strong> to any judgment, decree, direction, order, writ or other process of a court or wilful breach of an undertaking given to a court.</li>
<li><strong>Criminal contempt:</strong> It is the publication of any matter or the doing of any other act which<strong> scandalises</strong> or lowers the authority of any court, or<strong> interferes</strong> with the due course of any judicial proceeding, or <strong>obstructs</strong> the administration of justice in any other manner.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Punishment:</strong> The Contempt of Court Act of 1971 punishes the guilty with imprisonment that may extend to<strong> six months or fine of ₹ 2,000 or both.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Amendment:</strong> It was amended in 2006 to include<strong> &ldquo;truth and good faith&rdquo;</strong> as a defence.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It was added that the court may impose punishments only if the act of the other person <strong>substantially</strong> interferes, or tends to interfere with the due course of justice</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Criticism:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It is criticized to be<strong> reminiscent of british colonialism</strong> in india as the contempt laws have been abolished from the United Kingdom itself.</li>
<li>Demands have been raised to <strong>restrict contempt</strong> to only &ldquo;wilful disobedience&rdquo; of directions/judgments of the court and remove &ldquo;scandalizing the court&rdquo;.</li>
<li>It is also said that it may lead to <strong>judicial overreach.</strong></li>
<li>There are<strong> high numbers of contempt cases pending</strong> in various High Courts and the Supreme Courts, which delays the justice administration by an already <strong>overburdened judiciary.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Review by the Law Commission:</strong> The Law Commission reviewed the Contempt of Court Act of 1971 in 2018 and noted:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The powers of the contempt of the Supreme Court and High Courts are independent of the Act, 1971&rdquo; and the <strong>contempt powers of the higher courts are derived from the articles 129 and 215 of the Constitution of India itself.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Article 129:</strong> The <strong>Supreme Court shall be a court of record</strong> and shall have all the powers of such a court including the<strong> power to punish for contempt of itself.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Article 215:</strong> Every High Court shall be a court of record and shall have all the powers of such a court including the power to punish for contempt of itself.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Therefore, deletion of the offence from the Act<strong> will not impact the inherent constitutional powers of the superior courts</strong> to punish anyone for its contempt.</li>
<li>India continues to have a high number of criminal contempt cases, while the last offence of Scandalising the Court in the UK was in 1931 which may be a reason for its abolition in the UK.</li>
<li>The Commission observed that abolishing the offence in India would <strong>leave a legislative gap.</strong></li>
<li>It empowers the High Court to act if someone is in contempt of the subordinate courts. Diluting the Act would <strong>expose the subordinate judiciary to acts of contempt of court.</strong></li>
<li>The 1971 Act <strong>contains adequate safeguards</strong> to exclude instances which may not amount to criminal contempt as defined under Section 2(c) of the Act 1971.</li>
<li>The statute has stood the<strong> test of judicial scrutiny for about five decades.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Suo Moto Cognizance</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>A Suo Moto cognizance is a <strong>Latin term</strong> which means an action taken by a government agency, court or other central authority on their own apprehension.</li>
<li>A court takes a Suo Moto Cognizance of a legal matter when it receives information about the<strong> violation of rights or breach of duty</strong> through media or a third party&rsquo;s notification.</li>
<li><strong>Article 32 of the Indian Constitution and Article 226 of the Indian Constitution</strong> lay down the provisions for filing<a href="/to-the-points/Paper2/public-interest-litigation" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> Public Interest Litigation (PIL)</strong></a> in Supreme Court and High Courts respectively. This has given rise to the court's power to initiate legal action on their cognizance of a matter.</li>
<li>Suo Moto&rsquo;s power of supreme court has been provided under <a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/the-big-picture-article-131-special-powers-of-supreme-court" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Article 131</strong></a> of the Indian Constitution.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Article 131 vests the Supreme Court with <strong>original jurisdiction</strong> over any dispute arising between the states or between the centre and state. The article gives the Supreme Court the power to take up such cases straight instead of going through a lower court or reviewing a lower court's judgement</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Suo Moto&rsquo;s actions by Indian courts are a reflection of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/evolution-of-indian-judiciary" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>judicial activism.</strong></a></li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/suo-motu-contempt-power-is-inherent-sc/article32364132.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: TH</strong></a></p>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/contempt-of-court-3'
		],
		(int) 13 => [
			'title' => 'Plastic Marine Pollution',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>A study published in &lsquo;Nature Communications&rsquo; has estimated the <strong>amount of microplastic pollution in the Atlantic Ocean </strong>and put it at<strong> 11.6-21.1 million tonnes.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>There has been an uncertainty about the magnitude of <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/plastic-waste-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>plastic pollution</strong></a> in marine environments.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Estimated Pollution:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Measurements of the<strong> top 200 meters</strong> of the Atlantic found 11.6 - 21.1 million tonnes of microscopic particles.</li>
<li>Scientists studied pollution of the Atlantic Ocean caused by <strong>three types of plastics - polyethylene, polypropylene, </strong>and <strong>polystyrene -</strong> which were suspended in the top 200 metres of the ocean.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>These three types of plastic are <strong>most commonly used for packaging.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Based on plastic waste generation trends from 1950-2015 and considering that the Atlantic Ocean has received 0.3-0.8% of the global plastic waste for 65 years, the Atlantic waters could hold <strong>17-47 million tonnes of plastic waste.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Conclusion:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Smaller plastic particles are a hazard,</strong> as it is easier for them to sink to greater ocean depths and some marine species such as zooplanktons show preferential ingestion of smaller particles, making them easier to enter the food chain.</li>
<li>Considering that plastics of other sizes and polymer types will be found in the deeper ocean and in the sediments, the study indicates that both inputs and<strong> stocks of ocean plastics are much higher than determined.</strong></li>
<li>It is thus critical to <strong>assess across all size categories and polymer groups</strong> to determine the fate and danger of plastic contamination.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Plastic Pollution</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Issue:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Plastic is a <strong>synthetic organic polymer made from petroleum</strong> with properties ideally suited for a wide variety of applications, including packaging, building and construction, household and sports equipment, vehicles, electronics and agriculture. Plastic is<strong> cheap, lightweight, strong and malleable. </strong></li>
<li><strong>Over 300 million tons of plastic</strong> are produced every year,<strong> half of which is used to design single-use items</strong> such as shopping bags, cups and straws.</li>
<li>According to the<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/iucn-red-list" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)</strong></a>, at least <strong>8 million tons of plastic end up in the oceans every year. </strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Sources of Marine Plastic:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The main sources of marine plastic are<strong> land-based,</strong> from urban and storm runoff, <strong>sewer overflows,</strong> beach visitors, inadequate waste disposal and management, <strong>industrial activities,</strong> construction and illegal dumping.</li>
<li><strong>Ocean-based plastic</strong> originates mainly from the <strong>fishing industry, nautical activities and aquaculture.</strong></li>
<li>Under the influence of<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/ultraviolet-light-and-viruses" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> solar UV radiation,</strong></a> wind, currents and other natural factors, plastic fragments into small particles, termed <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/microplastics-in-deep-oceans" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>microplastics</strong></a> <strong>(particles smaller than 5 mm) </strong>or <strong>nanoplastics (particles smaller than 100 nm).</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>In addition,<strong> microbeads,</strong> a type of microplastic, are very tiny pieces of manufactured polyethylene plastic that are added as exfoliants in health and beauty products, such as cleansers and toothpastes. These tiny particles <strong>easily pass through water filtration systems and end up in the ocean</strong> and lakes.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Impact of Plastic Pollution:</strong> Plastic can take hundreds to thousands of years to decompose depending on the type of plastic and where it has been dumped.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>On Marine Environment:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The most visible and disturbing impacts of marine plastics are the<strong> ingestion, suffocation and entanglement of hundreds of marine species.</strong></li>
<li>Floating plastics also contribute to the <strong>spread of invasive marine organisms</strong> and bacteria, which disrupt ecosystems.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>On Food and Health:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Toxic contaminants accumulate on the surface of plastic materials as a result of prolonged exposure to seawater. When marine organisms ingest plastic debris, these contaminants enter their digestive systems, and overtime accumulate in the food web.</li>
<li>The <strong>transfer of contaminants between marine species and humans through consumption of seafood</strong> has been identified as a health hazard, but has not yet been adequately researched.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Impacts on Climate Change:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Plastic, which is a petroleum product, also contributes to<strong> global warming.</strong> If plastic waste is incinerated, it releases carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, thereby increasing carbon emissions.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Impacts on Tourism:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Plastic waste damages the aesthetic value of tourist destinations, leading to decreased tourism-related incomes and <strong>major economic costs</strong> related to the cleaning and maintenance of the sites.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>India&rsquo;s Plastic Waste Crisis</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Single-use plastics or disposable plastics, are commonly used for packaging. Nearly half of the plastics produced in India are single use plastics.</li>
<li>Most cities and towns have not implemented the provisions of the <strong>Plastic Waste Management Rules of 2016 or PWR.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>According to PWR, plastic manufacturers and retail establishments that use plastics are legally bound to collect back plastic waste. This is referred to as <strong>&lsquo;extended producers responsibility&rsquo;.</strong></li>
<li>The rules also mandate the responsibilities of local bodies, gram panchayats, waste generators and retailers to manage waste.</li>
<li>This includes collecting and segregating recyclable plastic, non-recyclable plastic and other waste separately for processing.</li>
<li>But most cities and towns have not implemented these provisions due to the lack of a disciplined system of segregation and recycling.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>India<strong> banned imports of solid plastic waste only in 2019.</strong></li>
<li>The government has set an ambitious <strong>target of eliminating single-use plastics by 2022.</strong></li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Suggestions</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Existing international instruments should be further explored</strong> to address plastic pollution. The most important are:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>The 1972 Convention on the Prevention of Marine Pollution by Dumping Wastes and Other Matter (or the London Convention).</strong></li>
<li><strong>The 1996 Protocol to the London Convention (the London Protocol).</strong></li>
<li><strong>The 1978 Protocol to the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL).</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Recycling and reuse of plastic materials</strong> are the most effective actions available to reduce the environmental impacts of open landfills and open-air burning that are often practiced to manage domestic waste.</li>
<li>Governments, research institutions and industries also need to work collaboratively <strong>redesigning products, and rethink their usage and disposal,</strong> in order to reduce microplastics waste from pellets, synthetic textiles and tyres.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<p>Knowledge of the full extent of plastic pollution and its impacts would provide policy-makers, manufacturers and consumers with scientific evidence needed to spearhead appropriate technological, behavioural and policy solutions. It would also accelerate the conceptualisation of new technology, materials or products to replace plastics.</p>
<p><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-how-severe-is-plastic-pollution-in-atlantic-ocean-6561382/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: IE</strong></a></p>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/plastic-marine-pollution'
		],
		(int) 14 => [
			'title' => 'Revamp of Lingaraj Temple: Odisha',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>The Odisha government has decided to give a facelift to the 11<sup>th</sup> century Lingaraj Temple, akin to its pre-350-year structural status.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>This announcement has come despite the massive financial burden on the State economy in the wake of <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/coronavirus-disease-named-covid-19" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Covid-19 pandemic.</a></strong></li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The efforts will be to create a <strong>spiritual and ecological ambience</strong> in and around the Lingaraj Temple.</li>
<li>The <strong>redevelopment plan of the peripheral area of the temple,</strong> known as <strong>&lsquo;Ekamravan Kshetra&rsquo;,</strong> in Bhubaneswar, has been approved.</li>
<li>Further, the government is planning a <strong>barrier-free access between the Temple and Bindusagar lake.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>After the Lingaraj Temple, the Bindusagar (a sprawling pond) is the second major attraction for devotees. The pond has a religious relationship with the main temple.</li>
<li>Historical records suggest that about 350 years ago, there was nothing between the Temple and the Lake except some temples.</li>
<li><strong>Bindhyabasini, Bhabani Shankar, Shukasari and Mohini temples</strong> will be part of the redevelopment plan.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>This is a part of the <strong>Lingaraj Temple Heritage Development Project</strong> under <strong>Ekamra plan.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Through Ekmara plan, it is expected that heritage redevelopment will enhance the attraction of <strong>Bhubaneswar</strong> as a tourist site and<strong> claim for a <a href="/to-the-points/paper1/world-heritage-sites-in-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener">UNESCO heritage site</a> will be stronger.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1597910389_image1.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1597910389_image1.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" caption="false" width="550" height="412" /></strong></a></p>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Lingaraj Temple</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Lingaraj Temple, built in <strong>11<sup>th</sup> century AD,</strong> is dedicated to<strong> Lord Shiva</strong> and is considered as the largest temple of the city<strong> Bhubaneswar.</strong></li>
<li>It is <strong>believed</strong> to have been <strong>built by the Somvanshi King Yayati I.</strong></li>
<li>The main tower of this temple measures <strong>180-feet in height.</strong></li>
<li>It is built in<strong> red stone</strong> and is a classic example of <a href="/to-the-points/paper1/temple-architecture" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Kalinga style of architecture</strong></a>.</li>
<li>The temple is divided into <strong>four sections</strong>―Garbh Griha (sanctum sanctorum), Yajna Shala (the hall for prayers), Bhoga Mandap (the hall of offering) and the Natya Shala (hall of dance).</li>
<li>The sprawling temple complex has <strong>one hundred and fifty subsidiary shrines.</strong></li>
<li>Lingaraj is referred to as<strong> &lsquo;Swayambhu&rdquo; &ndash;</strong> self-originated Shivling.</li>
<li>Another important aspect of the temple is that it signifies the <strong>syncretisation of Shaivism and Vaishnavism sects in Odisha.</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Perhaps the rising cult of Lord Jagannath (considered an incarnation of Lord Vishnu) which coincided with the completion of the Lingaraja Temple had a role to play.</li>
<li>The presiding deity in the Temple is known as Hari-Hara; Hari denotes Lord Vishnu and Hara meaning Lord Shiva.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The temple is <strong>out of bounds for non-Hindus.</strong></li>
<li>The other attraction of the temple is the<strong> Bindusagar Lake,</strong> located in the north side of the temple.</li>
<li>On the western banks of Bindusagar, lies the <strong>garden of Ekamra Van</strong> named after the Hindu mythological texts where Bhubaneswar the capital city of Odisha was referred as Ekamra Van or a forest of a single mango tree.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Other Important Monuments in Odisha</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/solarisation-of-konark-sun-temple" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Konark Sun Temple</strong></a> (UNESCO World Heritage Site)</li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/construction-of-rath-yatra-chariots-allowed" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Jagannath Temple</strong></a></li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/tara-tarini-temple" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Tara Tarini Temple</strong></a></li>
<li>Udaygiri and Khandagiri Caves</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/odisha-to-give-facelift-to-11th-century-lingaraj-temple/article32379704.ece#:~:text=Notwithstanding%20the%20massive%20financial%20burden,%2D350%2Dyear%20structural%20status." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: TH</strong></a></p>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/revamp-of-lingaraj-temple-odisha'
		],
		(int) 15 => [
			'title' => 'National Recruitment Agency',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister has decided to set up a<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/national-recruitment-agency" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> National Recruitment Agency (NRA)</strong></a> to conduct a <strong>common preliminary examination</strong> for various recruitments in the central government.</p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>About:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The NRA will conduct the <strong>Common Eligibility Test (CET)</strong> for recruitment to<strong> non-gazetted posts</strong> in government and public sector banks. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Approximately 1.25 lakh government jobs are advertised every year for which 2.5 crore aspirants appear in various examinations.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>This test aims to <strong>replace multiple examinations</strong> conducted by different recruiting agencies for selection to government jobs advertised each year, with a <strong>single online</strong> test.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The Government also plans to provide outreach and awareness facilities to assist candidates in rural and far flung areas to familiarize them with the online examination system.</li>
<li>A 24x7 helpline will be set up for answering queries, complaints and queries.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The present recruitment agencies&ndash;<strong> Staff Selection Commission (SSC), Railway Recruitment Board (RRB) and the Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS)&mdash;</strong> will remain in place.</li>
<li>Based on the preliminary screening done at the CET score level, final selection for recruitment shall be made through <strong>separate specialised Tiers</strong> (II, III, etc.) of examination which shall be <strong>conducted by the respective recruitment agencies.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Salient Features of CET:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The Common Eligibility Test will be held<strong> twice a year.</strong></li>
<li>There will be different CETs for <strong>graduate level, 12<sup>th</sup> Pass level and 10<sup>th</sup> pass level</strong> to facilitate recruitment to vacancies at various levels.</li>
<li>The curriculum for CET would be <strong>common.</strong></li>
<li>The CET will be conducted in<strong> 12 major Indian languages.</strong> This is a major change, as hitherto examinations for recruitment to Central Government jobs were held <strong>only in English and Hindi.</strong></li>
<li>Initially, CET will cover recruitments made by three agencies : viz. SSC, RRB and IBPS at <strong>Group B and C (non -technical)</strong> posts. This will be expanded in a phased manner.</li>
<li>CET will be held in <strong>1,000 centres</strong> across India in a bid to remove the currently prevalent urban bias. There will be an examination centre in<strong> every district</strong> of the country. There will be a special thrust on creating <strong>examination infrastructure in the 117 <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/aspirational-districts-programme" target="_blank" rel="noopener">aspirational districts.</a></strong></li>
<li>CET will be a first level test to shortlist candidates and the score will be <strong>valid for three years.</strong></li>
<li>There shall be <strong>no restriction on the number of attempts</strong> to be taken by a candidate to appear in the CET subject to the <strong>upper age limit.</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Age relaxation for<strong> SC/ST and OBC</strong> candidates as per existing rules will apply.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>About NRA:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>National Recruitment Agency will be a Society registered under the <strong>Societies Registration Act,1860.</strong></li>
<li>It will be headed by a <strong>Chairman</strong> of the rank of the Secretary to the Government of India. It will have<strong> representatives</strong> of the Ministry of Railways, Ministry of Finance/Department of Financial Services, the SSC, RRB &amp; IBPS.</li>
<li>The Government has sanctioned a sum of Rs. 1517.57 crore for the National Recruitment Agency (NRA).</li>
<li>The expenditure will be undertaken over a <strong>period of three years.</strong></li>
<li>It is envisioned that the NRA would be a specialist body bringing the state-of-the-art technology and best practices to the field of Central Government recruitment.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Need:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>At present, candidates seeking government jobs have to appear for separate examinations conducted by <strong>multiple recruiting agencies</strong> for various posts.</li>
<li>Candidates have to <strong>pay fees</strong> to multiple recruiting agencies and also have to travel long distances for appearing in various exams.</li>
<li><strong>Women candidates</strong> especially from rural areas<strong> face constraints</strong> in appearing in multiple examinations as they have to arrange for transportation and places to stay in places that are far away.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Advantages for Students:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Removes the <strong>hassle</strong> of appearing in multiple examinations.</li>
<li>Single examination fee would <strong>reduce the financial burden</strong> that multiple exams imposed.</li>
<li>Since exams will be held in every district, it would substantially <strong>save travel and lodging cost</strong> for the candidates. Examination in their own district would encourage more and <strong>more women candidates</strong> also to apply for government jobs.</li>
<li>Applicants are required to register on a <strong>single Registration portal.</strong></li>
<li>It will also prevent the issue of <strong>clashing examination dates.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Advantages for Institutions:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Removes the <strong>hassle of conducting preliminary/screening tests</strong> of candidates.</li>
<li>Drastically <strong>reduces the time of recruitment cycle.</strong></li>
<li>Brings <strong>standardization</strong> in examination pattern.</li>
<li><strong>Reduces costs</strong> for different recruiting agencies. <strong>Rs 600 crore savings</strong> expected.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Staff Selection Commission</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Staff Selection Commission is an <strong>attached office of the Department of Personnel and Training</strong> under the<strong> Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions.</strong></li>
<li>The Government of India, in the Department of Personnel and Administrative Reforms, vide its resolution dated the 4<sup>th</sup> November 1975 constituted a Commission called the Subordinate Services Commission. The same was re-designated as Staff Selection Commission effective from 26<sup>th</sup> September 1977.</li>
<li>It makes recruitment to various <strong>Group &ldquo;B&rdquo; and Group &ldquo;C&rdquo; posts</strong> in the various Ministries/Departments of the Government of India and in Subordinate Offices.</li>
<li>It has its headquarters in <strong>New Delhi.</strong></li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Institute of Banking Personnel Selection</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>IBPS is an <strong>autonomous body</strong> formed in 1984.</li>
<li>It is registered under the Societies Registration Act, 1860 and also a Public Trust under the Bombay Public Trust Act, 1950.</li>
<li>It was created to render <strong>assistance to organisations in the areas of personnel such as recruitment, selection, placement, etc.</strong></li>
<li>It has its headquarters in <strong>Mumbai, Maharashtra.</strong></li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><strong><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/national-recruitment-agency-nra-government-jobs-6561491/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Source: IE</a></strong></p>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/national-recruitment-agency-1'
		],
		(int) 16 => [
			'title' => 'Jurisdictional Conflict in Delhi',
			'catname' => 'News Editorials',
			'desc' => '<div class="border">
<p>This article is based on <a href="https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/lead/jurisdictional-conflict-in-the-running-of-delhi/article32378854.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Jurisdictional conflict in the running of Delhi&rdquo;</strong></a> which was published in The Hindu on 19/08/2020. It talks about the never-ending power tussle between the Lieutenant Governor and state government of Delhi</p>
</div>
<p>Recently, the Delhi government has appointed the public prosecutors for conducting the Delhi riot cases in the High Court. However, the Lieutenant Governor (LG) has stalled this decision, by referring it to the President under proviso to Article 239AA(4).</p>
<p>Delhi Government has held that the appointment of prosecutors to the Supreme Court and High Court, is exclusively within the purview of the State government. On the other hand, LG appointed all the prosecutors whose names were submitted by the Delhi Police (under the control of Ministry of Home Affairs) and thus the State government&rsquo;s list was rejected.</p>
<p>This development has reignited the LG vs Delhi Government&rsquo;s jurisdiction debate that the Supreme Court sought to address in <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/sc-judgement-on-delhi-centre-tussle" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>NCT of Delhi vs. Union of India (2018).</strong></a></p>
<h3>Legal Controversy Between LG &amp; Delhi Government</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Due to the co-existence of Article 239 and 239AA, there is a jurisdictional conflict between the government of NCT and the Union Government and its representative, the Lieutenant Governor.</li>
<li>According to the Union government, New Delhi being a Union Territory Article 239 empowers the Lieutenant Governor to act independently of his Council of Ministers.</li>
<li>However, the state government of Delhi held that the Article 239AA of the Constitution bestows special status to Delhi of having its own legislatively elected government.</li>
<li>This creates a tussle around the administrative powers of the LG and state government of NCT of Delhi.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Highlights of the 2018 Judgement</h3>
<p><strong>Status of Delhi under the Constitution</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Administration of Union Territory under Article 239(1) is different from Article 239AA which provides for an elected Legislature.</li>
<li>The court held that Parliament can legislate for Delhi on any matter in the State List and the Concurrent List but the executive power in relation to Delhi except the &lsquo;Police&rsquo;, &lsquo;Land&rsquo; and &lsquo;Public Orders&rsquo; vests only in the state government headed by the Chief Minister.</li>
<li>It also held that the executive power of the Union does not extend to any of the matters which come within the jurisdiction of the Delhi Assembly.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>LG to act on 'aid and advice' of the Council of Ministers</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The court held that for establishing a democratic and representative form of government for NCT of Delhi, Government of Delhi that enjoys the confidence of the people of Delhi should have the functional autonomy to legislate for the NCT of Delhi.</li>
<li>Hence, through the judgement, the Supreme Court has settled the law in regard to the &lsquo;aid and advice&rsquo; of the Council of Ministers by affirming that the LG is bound to act on the aid and advice except in respect of &lsquo;Land&rsquo;, &lsquo;Public Order&rsquo; and the &lsquo;Police&rsquo;.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>LG cannot refer 'every' matter to the President</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Article 239AA (4) says that in the case of a difference of opinion between the LG and his Ministers on<strong> any matter,</strong> the LG shall refer it to the President for final decision and act according to it.</li>
<li>However, the court inferred that the words &lsquo;any matter&rsquo; employed in the proviso to Article 239AA (4) cannot be inferred to mean &lsquo;every matter&rsquo;.</li>
<li>The power of the Lieutenant Governor under the said proviso represents the exception and not the general rule which has to be exercised in exceptional circumstances by the LG.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Limited References to be made to the President</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>LG does not to refer to the President normal administrative matters as that would disturb the concept of Constitutional governance, principles of collaborative federalism and the standards of Constitutional morality.</li>
<li>The Court also held that the President is the highest Constitutional authority and his decision should be sought only on constitutionally important issues.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Unresolved Areas in the Judgement</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Overlapping Areas:</strong> Though the court has settled that LG is bound to act on the aid and advice except in respect of &lsquo;Land&rsquo;, &lsquo;Public Order&rsquo; and the &lsquo;Police&rsquo;. However, Public Order is a very wide connotation, which subsequently leads to overlapping executive powers.</li>
<li><strong>Still No Clarity on Article 239AA (4):</strong> The court did not very clearly delineate the issues in respect of which the LG can refer a decision taken by the Council of Ministers to the President in the event of a difference of opinion between the LG and the State government.</li>
<li><strong>Open-Ended Terminologies:</strong> In the event of referring any matter to the President, the Court enunciated that LG must adhere to the constitutional principles of <strong>collaborative federalism, constitutional balance and the concept of constitutional governance.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>However, these terms are very wide and open-ended and subject to different interpretations.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Harmonious Functioning:</strong> Constitutional scheme adopted for the NCT of Delhi conceives of the Council of Ministers as the representatives of the people on the one hand and the LG as the nominee of the President on the other.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>For the sake of adhering to the principle of representative democracy and cooperative federalism, it is required that both the constitutional offices should function in harmony within the Constitutional parameters.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Incorporating the Washington DC Model:</strong> Indian Government can emulate the model of administrative sharing of power between the Federal Government of US and state of Washington.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Under that scheme, only the strategic areas and buildings are under the effective control of the federal government and the rest of the areas are under jurisdiction of Washington state.</li>
<li>Given this, the institution of strategic importance like Parliament, Supreme Court etc. can remain under the jurisdiction of Union Government and areas other than these can be given statehood.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Conclusion</h3>
<p>The Supreme Court in NCT of Delhi vs. Union of India (2018) case did well in resolving the legal controversy between the LG and Delhi Government. However, the present controversy shows there are still many areas to be resolved. Thus, the Supreme court must leverage the present controversy to resolve this jurisdictional conflict for good.</p>
<table border="1" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="width: 100%; border-style: dotted; background-color: #edfcff; border-color: #ff0000;">
<p><span style="color: #000080;"><em><strong>Drishti Mains Question</strong></em></span></p>
<p>The tussle between the LG and Delhi government can only be solved by showing true statesmanship by both the offices. Comment.</p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p style="text-align: center;"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/1CK_eKoulPU" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p>
<p>This editorial is based on <a href="https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/editorial/historic-ratification-the-hindu-editorial-on-universal-ratification-of-a-labour-standard/article32347515.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>&ldquo;Historic ratification: On universal ratification of a labour standard&rdquo;</strong></a> which was published in The Hindu on August 14<sup>th</sup>, 2020. Now watch this on our Youtube channel.</p>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/jurisdictional-conflict-in-delhi'
		],
		(int) 17 => [
			'title' => 'National Cancer Registry Programme Report 2020',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>According to the recently released <strong>National Cancer Registry Programme Report 2020, cancer cases in India are likely to increase</strong> to 15.6 lakhs by 2025, a 12% increase from the current estimated cases.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The report has been released by the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/icmr-recommends-use-of-hydroxy-chloroquine" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Indian Council of Medical Research</strong> </a>(ICMR) and the <strong>National Centre for Disease Informatics and Research</strong> (NCDIR), Bengaluru.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Number of Cases:</strong> The number of cases are likely to touch 15.6 lakhs by 2025 from the current 13.9 lakhs in 2020.</li>
<li><strong>Major Cause: Tobacco-related cancers</strong> are estimated to contribute<strong> 27.1% of the total cancer burden.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Regional Distribution:</strong> Cancers related to use of any form of tobacco were <strong>highest in the northeastern region</strong> of the country and in <strong>higher proportions in men.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Gender Prevalence:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Among <strong>women, breast cancers</strong> are estimated to contribute 14.8% and <strong>cervical cancer</strong> (tumour of the cervix, the lowermost part of the uterus) are estimated to contribute 5.4%.</li>
<li>For <strong>both men and women, cancers of the gastrointestinal tract</strong> are estimated to contribute 19.7% of the total cancer burden.</li>
<li>Cancers of the<strong> lung, mouth, stomach and oesophagus</strong> (the muscular tube that runs from the throat to the stomach) are the most common cancers among men.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Detection and Spread:</strong> <strong>Cancers of the lung</strong> were diagnosed at a <strong>stage of spread to distant sites,</strong> while <strong>cancers of head and neck, stomach, breast and cervix</strong> were in <strong>higher proportions with a locoregional</strong> (restricted to a localized region of the body) <strong>spread.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Cancer Incidence Rate:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>For the <strong>male population,</strong> it ranges from 269.4 (Aizawl, Mizoram) to 39.5 (Osmanabad and Beed, Maharashtra) per 1,00,000 population.</li>
<li>For the <strong>female population,</strong> it ranges from 219.8 (Papumpare, Arunachal Pradesh) to 49.4 (Osmanabad and Beed, Maharashtra) per 1,00,000 population.</li>
<li>A significant <strong>increase in the incidence rates of breast cancers in women</strong> and <strong>lung and head and neck cancers in both men and women</strong> was observed.</li>
<li>A <strong>declining trend</strong> was seen in most of the registries for <strong>cancer of the cervix.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Cancer</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Cancer is a generic term for a <strong>large group of diseases characterized by the growth of abnormal cells beyond their usual boundaries</strong> that can then invade adjoining parts of the body and/or spread to other organs.</li>
<li>Other common terms used for cancer are <strong>malignant tumors and neoplasms.</strong></li>
<li>Cancer is one of the <strong>leading causes of death globally.</strong></li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/world-cancer-day-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>World Cancer Day</strong></a> is organized by the<strong> Union for International Cancer Control</strong> (UICC) and celebrated each year on<strong> 4<sup>th</sup> February.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>2020 theme: &lsquo;I Am and I Will&rsquo;,</strong> which acknowledges that everyone has the capacity to address the cancer burden.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Indian Council of Medical Research</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It is the <strong>apex body in India for the formulation, coordination and promotion</strong> of biomedical research.</li>
<li><strong>Mandate:</strong> To conduct, coordinate and implement medical research for the benefit of the society, translating medical innovations into products/processes and introducing them into the public health system.</li>
<li>It is <strong>funded by the Government of India</strong> through the Department of Health Research, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>National Centre for Disease Informatics and Research</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It is one of its kind of unique institution which <strong>utilizes information science for health research</strong> as its integral component.</li>
<li><strong>Objective:</strong> To <strong>sustain and develop a national research data-base</strong> on cancer, <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/world-diabetes-day-2019#:~:text=Diabetes%20is%20a%20Non%2DCommunicable,use%20the%20insulin%20it%20produces." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>diabetes</strong></a>, <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/higher-mortality-from-cardio-vascular-diseases" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>cardiovascular disease</strong></a> (CVD) and stroke through recent advances in electronic information technology with a national collaborative network.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/health/report-predicts-12-rise-in-indias-cancer-burden/article32386880.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: TH</strong></a></p>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/national-cancer-registry-programme-report-2020'
		],
		(int) 18 => [
			'title' => 'Digital Quality of Life Index 2020: SurfShark',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the <strong>Digital Quality of Life (DQL) Index 2020</strong> has been released by <strong>SurfShark,</strong> an online privacy solutions provider.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>According to it,<strong> India ranks among the lowest</strong> in the world in terms of Internet quality.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Coverage:</strong> It is <strong>global research on the quality of digital wellbeing in 85 countries</strong> (81% of the global population).<a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1597831230_image2.PNG" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1597831230_image2.PNG" style="float: right;" width="600" caption="false" /></a></li>
<li><strong>Parameters:</strong> The study indexes the countries by looking at<strong> five fundamental pillars</strong> that define the digital quality of life namely,<strong> internet affordability, internet quality, electronic infrastructure, electronic security and electronic government.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Underpinning these pillars are 12 indicators that are interrelated and work together to provide a measure of the overall digital quality of life.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>GDP and DQL:</strong> Although<strong> GDP per capita has a strong correlation with the DQL,</strong> there are countries that have a better digital quality of life with a lower GDP per capita than expected.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>13 countries</strong> (Azerbaijan, Bulgaria, China, Croatia, Greece, etc.) <strong>exceed the expected digital quality of life by outperforming others</strong> in providing higher levels of e-security and more affordable internet connectivity.</li>
<li><strong>Bahrain, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia</strong> with relatively high GDP per capita are <strong>underperforming</strong> in providing better digital wellbeing for their citizens due to low levels of internet quality and e-security.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Affordability:</strong> The <strong>affordability of the internet plays a major role in ensuring accessibility</strong> but has a notably <strong>lower correlation with the DQL</strong> than the other pillars.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>For instance, the internet is less affordable in some Southern or Eastern European countries but people there still enjoy higher than the average digital quality of life.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Internet Infrastructure:</strong> The<strong> stability of the internet infrastructure</strong> has become of crucial importance during the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/covid-19-now-pandemic-who" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Covid-19 pandemic</strong> </a>when video conferences replaced live meetings. Consequently, it impacted the quality of people&rsquo;s digital lives.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>During the first month of the lockdowns, 49 of 85 countries experienced deteriorated speeds of mobile internet and 44 countries experienced deteriorated speeds of broadband connection.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Global Rankings:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>7 out of 10 countries with the highest DQL are in Europe,</strong> with <strong>Denmark leading</strong> among 85 countries.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Scandinavian countries excel</strong> in offering high-quality digital wellbeing to their citizens.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Canada leads in American continents, Japan in Asia, South Africa in Africa and News Zealand in Oceania.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Indian Rankings:</strong> India stands at the<strong> overall rank of 57</strong> out of the 85 countries.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Internet Affordability: 9<sup>th</sup> place</strong> and outperforms countries like the UK, the USA and China.</li>
<li><strong>Internet Quality: 78<sup>th</sup> place</strong> and is almost at the bottom of the pillar.</li>
<li><strong>E-infrastructure: 79<sup>th</sup> place</strong> and below countries like Guatemala and Sri Lanka.</li>
<li><strong>Electronic Security: 57<sup>th</sup> position.</strong></li>
<li><strong>E-government: 15<sup>th</sup> place</strong> and just below countries like New Zealand and Italy.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Government Initiatives Related to Internet</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/digital-india-atmanirbhar-bharat-innovate-challenge" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Digital India Programme</strong></a>: It is an umbrella program to prepare India for a knowledge-based transformation.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>e-Kranti:</strong> <a href="/to-the-points/Paper2/e-governance-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>National e-Governance Plan 2.0</strong></a> which is an essential pillar of the Digital India initiative.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/digilocker" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Digilockers:</strong> </a>It enables Indian citizens to store certain official documents on the cloud.</li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/bhim-2-0" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>BHIM App:</strong> </a>To enable digital payments.</li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/conference-on-digital-cashless-economy" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Pradhan Mantri Gramin Digital Saksharta Abhiyan:</strong></a> To make citizens digitally literate.</li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/important-facts-for-prelims-22nd-february-2019" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Bharat Net programme:</strong> </a>To provide an optical fibre network in all gram panchayats.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/india-ranks-among-lowest-in-terms-of-internet-quality/article32385913.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: TH</strong></a></p>',
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		(int) 19 => [
			'title' => 'Invisible Shield against Electromagnetic Interference',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, scientists from the <strong>Centre for Nano and Soft Matter Sciences (CeNS),</strong> Bengaluru, have <strong>designed a metal mesh structure</strong> to construct an <strong>invisible shield</strong> against<strong> Electromagnetic Interference (EMI).</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>CeNS is an autonomous institute under the Department of Science &amp; Technology, Government of India.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Electromagnetic Interference</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>EMI is an <strong>electromagnetic emission</strong> that <strong>causes a disturbance</strong> in another piece of electrical equipment. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Any device that has an electronic circuit can be susceptible to EMI.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>It <strong>compromises the performance</strong> of electrical equipment by obstructing and degrading data, sometimes even losing data completely.</li>
<li>EMI can be<strong> attributed to a wide span of the electromagnetic spectrum</strong> including radio and microwave frequencies.</li>
<li>In 1933, the <strong>International Special Committee on Radio Interference (CISPR)</strong> was created to address emerging concerns over EMI.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Metal Mesh Structure:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The scientists have developed a <strong>copper metal mesh on polyethylene terephthalate (PET) sheet,</strong> instead of continuous film, which exhibits a <strong>visible transmittance</strong> of about 85%.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Transmittance</strong> describes how much light passes through a sample. In other words, it is light that is not absorbed, scattered, or reflected. It is usually measured in percentage.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The <strong>metal mesh networks on the substrate are more transparent than continuous film </strong>because it covers only 7% area of the substrate, unlike 100% coverage of continuous film.</li>
<li>Metal mesh provides <strong>better electromagnetic shielding</strong> compared to the same thickness of continuous metal film where transparency can be compromised.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Benefits:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The main purpose of the EMI shield is to <strong>isolate a device's energy</strong> so it doesn't affect anything else and <strong>blocks external energy</strong> from getting in. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Without shielding, electronics wouldn't function as designed or may even stop working altogether.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>This &lsquo;invisible&rsquo; shield can be<strong> used in various military stealth applications</strong> and can cover electromagnetic wave emitter or absorber devices without compromising aesthetics.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Besides the physical shape, reducing the electromagnetic signature, which includes radar waves and radio signals, is an important element for enhancing the stealth capability of a weapon platform.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1646583" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: PIB</strong></a></p>',
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	(int) 0 => [
		'title' => 'ARIIA 2020 Rankings',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the<strong> Atal Ranking of Institutions on Innovation Achievements (ARIIA) 2020</strong> rankings was announced.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Around 674 institutions participated in the ARIIA rankings in 2020 compared with 496 in 2019.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Atal Ranking of Institutions on Innovation Achievements (ARIIA)</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It is an<strong> initiative of the Ministry of Education,</strong> Government of India to systematically rank all the major higher educational institutions and universities in India on indicators related to <strong>&ldquo;Innovation and Entrepreneurship Development&rdquo;</strong> amongst students and faculties.</li>
<li>More than quantity, ARIIA<strong> focuses on quality of innovations</strong> and tries to measure the real impact created by these innovations nationally and internationally.</li>
<li><strong>Rank Categorisation:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Two broad categories: <strong>publicly funded institutions and private or self-financed institutions.</strong></li>
<li>The <strong>publicly funded institutions</strong> have been further categorized into:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Institute of National Importance, Central Universities &amp; Central Funded Technical Institutes.</li>
<li>State University &amp; Deemed Universities (Government &amp; Government Aided)</li>
<li>Government and Government / Aided College/Institutes</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The<strong> private or self-financed institutions</strong> have been categorized further into:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>private or self-financed universities</li>
<li>private or self-financed college/institutes</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>A <strong>6<sup>th</sup> sub- category</strong> for higher educational institutions<strong> for women</strong> has been introduced in 2020 <strong>to encourage women</strong> and bringing <strong>gender parity</strong> in the areas of innovation and entrepreneurship</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Major Indicators For Rankings:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Budget &amp; Funding Support.</li>
<li>Infrastructure &amp; Facilities.</li>
<li>Awareness, Promotions &amp; support for Idea Generation &amp; Innovation.</li>
<li>Promotion &amp; Support for Entrepreneurship Development.</li>
<li>Innovative Learning Methods &amp; Courses.</li>
<li>Intellectual Property Generation, Technology Transfer &amp; Commercialization.</li>
<li>Innovation in Governance of the Institution.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>List of Topper Institutes in 2020:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras</strong> in<strong> Institute of National Importance, Central Universities &amp; Central Funded Technical Institutes </strong>category.</li>
<li><strong>Maharashtra&rsquo;s Institute of Chemical Technology</strong> in the<strong> government and government-aided universities </strong>category.</li>
<li><strong>College of Engineering Pune </strong>in the<strong> government and government aided college/institutions </strong>category.</li>
<li><strong>Odisha&rsquo;s Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT) </strong>in the<strong> private or self-financed universities </strong>category.</li>
<li><strong>SR Engineering College, Telangana </strong>in the<strong> private colleges </strong>category.</li>
<li><strong>Avinashilingam Institute for Home Sciences and Higher Education, Coimbatore </strong>in the<strong> higher educational institutions for women </strong>category.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/news/education/iit-madras-tops-ariia-rankings/article32383875.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: TH</strong></a></p>',
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	(int) 1 => [
		'title' => 'Military Coup in Mali',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, <strong>Mali's President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita has resigned</strong> after soldiers had arrested him and Prime Minister Boubou Cisse in the capital, Bamako as part of a coup.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It has prompted its West African neighbours to threaten border closures and sanctions against the coup leaders.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Background:</strong> The <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/crisis-in-libya" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>2011 crisis in Libya</strong></a> led Mali along the path to chaos.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Weapons from Libya were supplied across the Sahara Desert</strong> and fuelled a <strong>separatist conflict</strong> in northern Mali. This turned into an <strong>Islamist militant offensive</strong> which prompted a coup in the capital Bamako (Mali).</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Reasons:</strong> Mali has <strong>three overlapping sets</strong> of problems:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Political crisis</strong> that grew out of the disputed legislative elections of March 2020.</li>
<li><strong>Economic crisis</strong> due to economic stagnation, corruption and further complications by the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/covid-19-now-pandemic-who" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Covid-19 pandemic.</strong></a> There was dissatisfaction among the troops due to poor payments.</li>
<li><strong>Security crisis</strong> due to the failure to contain <a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/the-big-picture-international-convention-on-terrorism" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>terrorism</strong></a> and jihadists and the actions of the military against civilians.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Military Coup:</strong> It calls itself the <strong>National Committee for the Salvation of the People</strong> and has <strong>pledged to stabilise the country</strong> by enacting a <strong>political transition and stage elections</strong> within a reasonable time.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It has imposed a curfew and closed the borders sealing the country.</li>
<li>It would respect all the past agreements, including<strong> Mali&rsquo;s support for anti-jihadist missions</strong> in the region and its <strong>commitment to the Algiers process</strong> which is a<strong> 2015 peace agreement between the Malian government and armed groups in the north of the country.</strong></li>
<li>It held that <strong>United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali</strong> (MINUSMA), <strong>France&rsquo;s Barkhane force,</strong> the <strong>G5 Sahel</strong> (Institutional framework of Burkina Faso, Chad, Mali, Mauritania and Niger), <strong>Takuba</strong> (a European special-forces initiative) will remain Mali&rsquo;s partners.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Reactions:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>France has urged Mali to return to civilian rule,</strong> saying "the fight against terrorist groups and the defence of democracy and the rule of law are inseparable".<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>France, Mali's former colonial ruler,</strong> has several thousand troops based in Mali fighting Islamist militant groups.</li>
<li>Various jihadist groups, some linked to <strong>al-Qaeda</strong> and the <strong>Islamic State group,</strong> are based in the deserts of northern Mali, from where they have spread to neighbouring countries, especially Burkina Faso and Niger.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The <a href="/current-affairs-news-analysis-editorials/news-editorials/09-07-2019" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>African Union</strong> </a>had already <strong>suspended Mali</strong> on the account that military coups were something of the past and cannot be accepted in present times.</li>
<li>The <strong>15-member Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS)</strong> has also<strong> taken swift action against Mali</strong> by closing borders, suspending financial flows and ejecting it from decision-making bodies.</li>
<li>The <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/un-security-council-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>UN's Security Council</strong> </a>has <strong>demanded the immediate release</strong> of all government officials and the <strong>restoration of constitutional order.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Republic of Mali<a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1597995063_image1.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1597995063_image1.png" style="float: right;" width="350" caption="false" /></a></strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Mali is a vast country stretching into the <strong>Sahara Desert in western Africa.</strong></li>
<li>Once home to several pre-colonial empires, the <strong>landlocked, arid African country</strong> of Mali is <strong>one of the largest on the continent</strong> and is <strong>among the poorest in the world.</strong></li>
<li>After <strong>independence from France in 1960,</strong> Mali suffered droughts, rebellions, a coup and 23 years of military dictatorship until <strong>democratic elections in 1992.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It has experienced <strong>several military takeovers</strong> and is currently battling to contain a wave of jihadist attacks and ethnic violence.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Capital:</strong> Bamako.</li>
<li><strong>Population:</strong> Around 19 million.</li>
<li><strong>Area:</strong> 1.25 million sq km.</li>
<li><strong>Major languages:</strong> French, Bambara, Berber and Arabic.</li>
<li><strong>Religions:</strong> Islam and Indigenous beliefs.</li>
<li><strong>Currency:</strong> Communaute Financiere Africaine (CFA) franc.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The latest military coup is apparently a reaction to the security challenges but also to corruption, disputed elections, and political drift. However, it itself seems unlikely to fix anything.</li>
<li>It highlights a familiar truth that while foreign intervention has its uses, the key to repairing a nation like Mali lies in its own hands and with its own faltering democratic institutions.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/mali-wakes-up-to-military-rule-after-president-is-forced-out/article32389817.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: TH</strong></a></p>',
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	],
	(int) 2 => [
		'title' => 'Organic Farming in India',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p><strong>India ranks 1<sup>st</sup> in number of organic farmers</strong> and 9<sup>th</sup> in terms of area under organic farming.</p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Indian Scenario Regarding Organic Farming</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Sikkim</strong> became the first State in the <strong>world</strong> to become <strong>fully organic in 2016.</strong></li>
<li><strong>North East India</strong> has traditionally been organic and the consumption of chemicals is far less than the rest of the country.</li>
<li>Similarly the tribal and island territories have been traditionally practicing organic farming.</li>
<li>The major organic exports from India have been <strong>flax seeds, sesame, soybean, tea, medicinal plants, rice and pulses.</strong></li>
<li>There was an increase of nearly 50% in organic exports in 2018-19, touching Rs. 5151 crore.</li>
<li>Commencement of exports from Assam, Mizoram, Manipur and Nagaland to UK, USA, Eswatini and Italy have proved the potential by increasing volumes and expanding to new destinations as the demand for <strong>health foods</strong> increases.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Government Initiatives to Promote Organic Farming</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Mission Organic Value Chain Development for North East Region (MOVCD)</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Mission Organic Value Chain Development for North East Region (MOVCD-NER) is a <strong>Central Sector Scheme,</strong> a sub-mission under <strong>National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA)</strong></li>
<li>It was launched by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare in 2015 for implementation in the states of Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim and Tripura.</li>
<li>The scheme aims to develop certified organic production in a value chain mode to link growers with consumers and to support the development of the entire value chain.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY)</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana, launched in 2015 is an elaborated component of <strong>Soil Health Management (SHM)</strong> of major project <strong>National Mission of Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA).</strong></li>
<li>Under PKVY, Organic farming is promoted through adoption of organic villages by cluster approach and Participatory Guarantee System (PGS) certification.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Certification Schemes</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-national-institutions/food-safety-and-standards-authority-of-india-fssai" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI)</strong> </a>is the food regulator in the country and is also responsible for regulating organic food in the domestic market and imports.</li>
<li><strong>Participatory Guarantee System (PGS):</strong> PGS is a process of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/agriculture-export-policy-2018" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>certifying organic products</strong></a>, which ensures that their production takes place in accordance with laid-down quality standards. <strong>PGS Green</strong> is given to chemical free produce under transition to &lsquo;organic&rsquo; which takes 3 years. It is mainly for <strong>domestic purpose.</strong></li>
<li><strong>National Program for Organic Production (NPOP):</strong> NPOP grants organic farming certification through a process of third party certification for<strong> export purposes.</strong></li>
<li><a href="/to-the-points/paper3/to-the-point-paper-3-soil-health-card-scheme" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Soil Health Card Scheme</strong></a> has led to a <strong>decline of 8-10%<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/soil-health-card-scheme-2" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> in the use of chemical fertilizers</a></strong> and also raised productivity by 5-6%.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Agri-export Policy 2018</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Focus on clusters</strong> and <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/agriculture-export-policy-2018" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Marketing and promotion of &ldquo;Produce of India&rdquo;</strong> </a>have positively impacted the organic farming in India</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>One District - One Product (ODOP)</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The programme aims to encourage more<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/important-facts-for-prelims-11th-august-2018" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> visibility and sale of indigenous and specialized products/crafts of Uttar Pradesh</strong></a>, generating employment at the district level.</li>
<li>The presence of aggregators is imperative to bring about economies of scale for the small and marginal farmers.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>PM Formalization of Micro Food Processing Enterprises (PM FME)</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The <strong>Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI)</strong> launched the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/pm-formalization-of-micro-food-processing-enterprises-scheme" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>PM FME scheme</strong> </a>as a part of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/atmanirbhar-bharat-and-economic-stimulus" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>&lsquo;Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan&rsquo;.</strong></a></li>
<li>It aims to bring in new technology, apart from affordable credit to help small entrepreneurs penetrate new markets.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Zero Budget Natural Farming</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/pm-formalization-of-micro-food-processing-enterprises-scheme" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Zero budget natural farming</strong></a> is a method of chemical-free agriculture drawing from traditional Indian practices.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Organic Farming</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>According to FSSAI,&rsquo;organic farming&rsquo; is a system of farm design and management to create an ecosystem of agriculture production <strong>without the use of synthetic external inputs</strong> such as chemical fertilisers, pesticides and synthetic hormones or genetically modified organisms.</li>
<li><strong>Organic farm produce</strong> means the produce obtained from <strong>organic agriculture,</strong> while <strong>organic food</strong> means food products that have been produced in accordance with <strong>specified standards for organic production.</strong></li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Natural farming is not a new concept in India, with farmers having tilled their land without the use of chemicals - largely relying on organic residues, cow dung, composts, etc. since time immemorial. This is also in sync with the <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/sustainable-development-3" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Sustainable Development Goal</strong></a> 2 targeting &lsquo;end hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture&rsquo;.</li>
<li>Hence with <strong>greater awareness</strong> and<strong> capacity building</strong> of the producers in compliance with international standards, Indian organic farmers will soon be reinforcing their rightful place in global agri trade.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1645497" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: PIB</strong></a></p>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/organic-farming-in-india'
	],
	(int) 3 => [
		'title' => 'Expansion of the NCC',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the Ministry of Defence has approved the proposal to expand the <strong>National Cadet Corps (NCC)</strong> in border and coastal districts.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The expansion of the NCC was announced by the Prime Minister in his Independence Day speech.</li>
<li>Restructuring of the NCC was one of the<strong> key recommendations of the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/abolition-of-posts-in-mes" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Committee of Experts (CoE) headed by Lt Gen DB Shekatkar (Retd)</a></strong> in 2016.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Shekatkar Committee</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Ministry of Defence under the chairmanship of Lt. Gen (Retd) DB Shekatkar had constituted a committee to recommend measures to<strong> enhance combat capability and rebalance defence expenditure of the armed forces</strong> which submitted its report in December 2016.</li>
<li>Few Recommendations:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Closure of Military Farms and Army Postal Establishments in peace locations.</li>
<li>Enhancement in standards for recruitment of clerical staff and drivers in the Army.</li>
<li>Improving the <strong>efficiency of the National Cadet Corps.</strong></li>
<li>Recommended a roll-on defence budget to have enough capital expenditure available for modernisation as against the present practice of surrendering unspent capital budget at the end of each financial year.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Expansion:</strong> A total of one lakh cadets from <strong>173 border and coastal districts</strong> will be inducted into the NCC of which <strong>one-third of them will be girls.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The expansion plan would be implemented in partnership with the States.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Training and Administration:</strong> The <strong>Army</strong> will provide training and administrative support to the NCC units located<strong> in the border areas, Navy</strong> to the units in the <strong>coastal areas</strong> and<strong> Indian Air Force</strong> to the units<strong> close to Air Force stations.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Benefit:</strong> It will provide<strong> trained manpower for disaster management</strong> and <strong>skill training to youth</strong> for making their career in the armed forces.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It will increase <strong>youth&rsquo;s interest in careers</strong> in Navy, Coast Guard and also Merchant shipping avenues.</li>
<li>In the border area, the trained cadets<strong> can play supporting roles</strong> to the Armed forces in various forms.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>National Cadet Corps</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The NCC was <strong>formed in 1948</strong> (on the recommendation of H. N. Kunzru Committee-1946), and has its roots to British era uniformed youth entities like University Corps or University Officer Training Corps. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Currently it has a strength of around 14 lakh cadets from Army, Navy and Air Force wings.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The NCC falls under the <strong>purview of the Ministry of Defence</strong> and is headed by a <strong>Director General of three-star military rank.</strong></li>
<li>It <strong>enrolls cadets at high school and college level</strong> and also awards certificates on completion of various phases. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The NCC cadets receive basic military training at various levels and also have academic curriculum basics related to Armed forces and their functioning.</li>
<li>Various training camps, adventure activities and military training camps are an important aspect of NCC training.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Significance:</strong> NCC cadets have played an important role over the years in relief efforts during various emergency situations. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>During the ongoing pandemic, over 60,000 NCC cadets have been deployed for voluntary relief work in coordination with district and state authorities across the country.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/defence-minister-approves-proposal-to-expand-ncc-in-173-border-coastal-districts/article32366589.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source:TH</strong></a></p>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/expansion-of-the-ncc'
	],
	(int) 4 => [
		'title' => 'Day 32',
		'catname' => '60 days refresher',
		'desc' => '<h2 style="text-align: center;">Defence</h2>
<p>Every year several questions have been asked from defence technology. The scope of questions that can come from this topic is very broad. However, by analysing the previous year questions it can be depicted that a lot of times questions are asked on those events which have remained in news. Thus, we have picked some current affairs for this type of questions</p>
<h2>Defence Policy &amp; Framework</h2>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/defence-acquisition-council" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Defence Acquisition Council</strong></a></li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/def-connect-2019" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Def Connect 2019</strong></a></li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/national-anti-drone-guidelines" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>National Anti-Drone Guidelines</strong></a></li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/reviewing-defence-procurement-procedure" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Reviewing Defence Procurement Procedure</strong></a></li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/defence-space-research-agency-dsra" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Defence Space Research Agency (DSRA)</strong></a></li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/indias-new-sop-for-arms-export" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>India's New SOP for Arms Export</strong></a></li>
<li><a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-national-institutions/defence-research-and-development-organisation-drdo" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO)</strong></a></li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/defense-manufacturing-rules-eased" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Defense Manufacturing Rules Eased</strong></a></li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/mission-raksha-gyan-shakti" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Mission Raksha Gyan Shakti</strong></a></li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/a-flawed-defence-procurement-policy" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>A Flawed Defence Procurement Policy</strong></a></li>
</ul>
<h2>Indigenisation of Defence Technology</h2>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/advanced-torpedo-decoy-system-maareech" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Advanced Torpedo Decoy System: Maareech</strong></a></li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/a-sat-and-adtcr" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>A-SAT and ADTCR</strong></a></li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/defence-industrial-corridors" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Defence Industrial Corridors</strong></a></li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/pinaka-missile-system" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Pinaka Missile System</strong></a></li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/brahmos-missile-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>BrahMos Missile</strong></a></li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/drdo-successfully-tests-indigenous-anti-tank-missile" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>DRDO Successfully Tests Indigenous Anti-tank Missile</strong></a></li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/lcu-l-56-commissioned-into-indian-navy" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>LCU L-56 Commissioned into Indian Navy</strong></a></li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/bhabha-kavach" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Bhabha Kavach</strong></a></li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/third-generation-nag-missile" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Third Generation NAG Missile</strong></a></li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/ins-viraat-to-be-scrapped" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>INS Viraat to be Scrapped</strong></a></li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/ins-shivalik-and-sindhukirti" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>INS 'Shivalik' and 'Sindhukirti'</strong></a></li>
<li><a href="/to-the-points/paper3/indigenisation-of-defence" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Indigenisation of Defence</strong></a></li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/varunastra" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Varunastra</strong></a></li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/successful-test-firing-of-agni-v" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Successful Test Firing of Agni V</strong></a></li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/indias-nuclear-triad-complete" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>India's Nuclear Triad Complete</strong></a></li>
</ul>
<h2>Modernization of the Defence Industry</h2>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/iaf-gets-apache-helicopters" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>IAF Gets Apache Helicopters</strong></a></li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/spike-lr-anti-tank-guided-missiles" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Spike-LR Anti-Tank Guided Missiles</strong></a></li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/innovations-for-defence-excellence-idex-initiative" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX) Initiative</strong></a></li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/draft-unmanned-aircraft-system-uas-rules-2020" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Draft Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) Rules, 2020</strong></a></li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/us-nod-to-integrated-air-defence-weapon-system" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>US Nod to Integrated Air Defence Weapon System</strong></a></li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/apache-helicopters-for-indian-army" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Apache Helicopters for Indian Army</strong></a></li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/mk-45-naval-guns" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>MK-45 Naval Guns</strong></a></li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/electromagnetic-interference-compatibility-and-pulse" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Electromagnetic Interference, Compatibility and Pulse</strong></a></li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/spice-2000-bombs" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>SPICE-2000 Bombs</strong></a></li>
<li><a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/akula-class-attack-submarine" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Akula Class &ndash; Attack Submarine</strong></a></li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/advanced-medium-combat-aircraft" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft</strong></a></li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/china-successfully-tests-its-first-hypersonic-aircraft" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>China Successfully Tests its First Hypersonic Aircraft</strong></a></li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/india-going-ahead-with-purchase-of-S-400-air-defence-systems" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>S-400 Air Defense Systems</strong></a></li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/induction-of-french-rafale-aircrafts-in-iaf" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Induction of French Rafale Aircrafts in IAF</strong></a></li>
<li><a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/the-big-picture-need-to-modernise-indian-air-force" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Need to Modernise Indian Air Force</strong></a></li>
</ul>
<h2>Security Organisations</h2>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/naval-innovation-and-indigenisation-organisation" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Naval Innovation and Indigenisation Organisation</strong></a></li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/navy-day" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Navy Day</strong></a></li>
<li><strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/navy-gets-its-first-woman-pilot" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Navy Gets its First Woman Pilot</a> </strong></li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/87th-air-force-day" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>87<sup>th</sup> Air Force Day</strong></a></li>
</ul>
<h3><span style="color: #000080;">Previous Years Questions</span></h3>
<p>Q. Consider the following statements: (2017)</p>
<ol>
<li>The Nuclear Security Summits are periodically held under the aegis of the United Nations.</li>
<li>The International Panel on Fissile Materials&middot; is an organ of International Atomic Energy Agency.</li>
</ol>
<p>Which of the statements given above is/are correct?</p>
<p>(a) 1 only </p>
<p>(b) 2 only</p>
<p>(c) Both 1 and 2 </p>
<p><strong><span style="color: #008000;">(d) Neither 1 nor 2</span></strong></p>
<hr />
<p>Q. With reference to &lsquo;Indian Ocean Rim Association for Regional Cooperation (IOR-ARC)&rsquo;, consider the following statements: (2015)</p>
<ol>
<li>It was established very recently in response to incidents of piracy and accidents of oil spills.</li>
<li>It is an alliance meant for maritime security only.</li>
</ol>
<p>Which of the statements given above is/ are correct?</p>
<p>(a) 1 only </p>
<p>(b) 2 only</p>
<p>(c) Both 1 and 2 </p>
<p><strong><span style="color: #008000;">(d) Neither 1 nor 2</span></strong></p>
<hr />
<p>Q. Match List-I with List-II and select the correct answer using the code given below the Lists: (2008)</p>
<table border="1" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="width: 4.29936%; border-style: hidden;"></td>
<td style="width: 45.7006%; border-style: hidden;">
<p><strong>List-I </strong></p>
<p><strong>(Service/Agency)</strong></p>
</td>
<td style="width: 3.82166%; border-style: hidden;"></td>
<td style="width: 20.7006%; border-style: hidden;">
<p><strong>List-II</strong></p>
<p><strong>(Country)</strong></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 4.29936%; border-style: hidden;">A.</td>
<td style="width: 45.7006%; border-style: hidden;">Foreign Intelligence Service</td>
<td style="width: 3.82166%; border-style: hidden;">1.</td>
<td style="width: 20.7006%; border-style: hidden;">Israel</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 4.29936%; border-style: hidden;">B.</td>
<td style="width: 45.7006%; border-style: hidden;">Ministry of State Security</td>
<td style="width: 3.82166%; border-style: hidden;">2.</td>
<td style="width: 20.7006%; border-style: hidden;">Britain</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 4.29936%; border-style: hidden;">C.</td>
<td style="width: 45.7006%; border-style: hidden;">Secret Intelligence Service</td>
<td style="width: 3.82166%; border-style: hidden;">3.</td>
<td style="width: 20.7006%; border-style: hidden;">China</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 4.29936%; border-style: hidden;">D.</td>
<td style="width: 45.7006%; border-style: hidden;">The Mossad</td>
<td style="width: 3.82166%; border-style: hidden;">4.</td>
<td style="width: 20.7006%; border-style: hidden;">Russia</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p>Code:</p>
<p>A B C D</p>
<p>(a) 4 1 2 3</p>
<p>(b) 2 3 4 1</p>
<p><span style="color: #008000;"><strong>(c) 4 3 2 1</strong></span></p>
<p>(d) 2 1 4 3</p>
<hr />
<p>Q. &lsquo;Hand-in-Hand 2007&rsquo; a joint anti-terrorism military training was held by the officers of the Indian Army and officers of Army of which one of the following countries? (2008)</p>
<p><span style="color: #008000;"><strong>(a) China</strong> </span></p>
<p>(b) Japan</p>
<p>(c) Russia </p>
<p>(d) USA</p>
<hr />
<p>Q. Which one of the following is the best description of &lsquo;INS Astradharini&rsquo;, that was in the news recently? (2016)</p>
<p>(a) Amphibious warfare ship</p>
<p>(b) Nuclear-powered submarine</p>
<p><span style="color: #008000;"><strong>(c) Torpedo launch and recovery vessel</strong></span></p>
<p>(d) Nuclear-powered aircraft carrier</p>
<hr />
<p>Q. With reference to Agni-IV Missile, which of the following statements is/are correct? (2014)</p>
<ol>
<li>It is a surface-to-surface missile.</li>
<li>It is fuelled by liquid propellant only.</li>
<li>It can deliver one-tonne nuclear warheads about 7500 km away.</li>
</ol>
<p>Select the correct answer using the code given below:</p>
<p><span style="color: #008000;"><strong>(a) 1 only</strong> </span></p>
<p>(b) 2 and 3 only</p>
<p>(c) 1 and 3 only </p>
<p>(d) 1, 2 and 3</p>
<hr />
<p>Q. In the context of Indian defence, consider the following statements: (2009)</p>
<ol>
<li>The Shourya missile flies with a speed of more than 8 Mach.</li>
<li>The range of Shourya missile is more than 1600 km.</li>
</ol>
<p>Which of the statements given above is/are correct?</p>
<p>(a) 1 only </p>
<p>(b) 2 only</p>
<p>(c) Both 1 and 2 </p>
<p><strong><span style="color: #008000;">(d) Neither 1 nor 2</span></strong></p>
<hr />
<p>Q. What is &ldquo;Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD)&rdquo;, sometimes seen in the news? (2018)</p>
<p>(a) An Israeli radar system</p>
<p>(b) India&rsquo;s indigenous anti-missile programme</p>
<p><strong><span style="color: #008000;">(c) An American anti-missile system</span></strong></p>
<p>(d) A defence collaboration between Japan and South Korea.</p>
<hr />
<p>Q. From which one of the following did India buy the Barak anti-missile defence systems? (2008)</p>
<p><strong><span style="color: #008000;">(a) Israel</span> </strong></p>
<p>(b) France</p>
<p>(c) Russia </p>
<p>(d) USA</p>
<hr />
<p>Q. In the context of the Indian defence, what is &lsquo;Dhruv&rsquo;? (2008)</p>
<p>(a) Aircraft-carrying warship</p>
<p>(b) Missile-carrying submarine</p>
<p><span style="color: #008000;"><strong>(c) Advanced light helicopter</strong></span></p>
<p>(d) Intercontinental ballistic missile</p>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/60-days-refresher-programme/day-32'
	],
	(int) 5 => [
		'title' => 'Revamping of Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana',
		'catname' => 'News Editorials',
		'desc' => '<div class="border">
<p>This article is based on <a href="https://www.financialexpress.com/opinion/pm-fasal-bima-yojana-2-0-centre-revamps-flagship-scheme-to-ensure-quick-payment-of-claims-to-farmers/2053505/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>&ldquo;PM-Fasal Bima Yojana 2.0&rdquo;</strong></a> which was published in The Financial Express on 13/08/2020. It talks about the Centre government&rsquo;s decision to revamp Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana in order to ensure quick payment of claims to farmers.</p>
</div>
<p>The frequent occurrence of rainfall deficits, dry spells, and the late onset of rainfall due to climate change have underlined the importance of crop insurance for farmers. Citing the significance of crop insurance, the union government had earlier launched the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/pradhan-mantri-fasal-bima-yojana-(pmfby)" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY).</strong></a></p>
<p>PMFBY aims to increase production in agriculture by providing support to ensure inclusive risk cover for crops of farmers against all non-preventable natural risks from pre-sowing to the post-harvest stage.</p>
<p>Since the launch of the PMFBY in 2016, millions of farmers have benefited from the scheme. However, in order to ensure more efficient and effective implementation of the scheme, the central government has approved the revamping of the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY).</p>
<p>With the revamped PMFBY 2.0, the government envisages leveraging technology in a comprehensive manner to address the issues impacting timely assessment and payment of claims.</p>
<h3>Need for Revamping</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Non-Voluntary Uptil Now:</strong> PMFBY has until now been a<strong> voluntary scheme only for non-loanee farmers, while mandatory for those availing crop loans from banks.</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In the case of loanee farmers, banks have been deducting their share of the premium (2-5%) against loan accounts on a compulsory basis and remitting the same to the insurance companies.</li>
<li>Farmers haven&rsquo;t taken kindly to this, not the least as the said companies are neither in direct contact with them and nor do they issue any policy certificates, unlike in car or health insurance.</li>
<li>The current scheme, it would seem, has served to provide the insurance to the loans of banks more than the crops of farmers.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>No Upper Limit of Central Subsidy:</strong> Until now, there was <strong>no upper limit for the central subsidy</strong> and as a result of it the insurers never showed the needed willingness or intention to actively involve themselves in the scheme.</li>
<li><strong>Huge Pendency:</strong> There has been a huge <strong>pendency of settlement of state subsidy to the insurance companies, over the last three to four seasons in several states.</strong> This has affected the timely payment of claims.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It will be worth mentioning here that delay in the release of the state share of subsidy is the major reason for the delay in payment of claims to farmers.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>PMFBY to PMFBY 2.0</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Completely Voluntary:</strong> It has been decided to make enrolment 100% voluntary for all farmers from 2020 Kharif.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>From now on, insurance companies will have to make efforts to create real awareness among farmers about the benefits of crop risk coverage.</li>
<li>Crop insurance would, thus, become an informed choice for loanee farmers, just as it already is for their non-loanee counterparts.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Limit to Central Subsidy:</strong> The Cabinet has decided to cap the Centre&rsquo;s premium subsidy under these schemes for premium rates up to 30% for unirrigated areas/crops and 25% for irrigated areas/crops.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>This will shift the onus to the insurance companies&rsquo;, as they would have to actively seek out farmers and convince them of the importance of crop insurance.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>More Flexibility to States:</strong> The government has given the flexibility to states/UTs to implement PMFBY and given them the option to select any number of additional risk covers/features like prevented sowing, localised calamity, mid-season adversity, and post-harvest losses.</li>
<li><strong>Penalising the Pendency:</strong> In the revamped PMFBY, a provision has been incorporated wherein if states don&rsquo;t release their share before March 31 for the Kharif season and September 30 for rabi, they would not be allowed to participate in the scheme in subsequent seasons.</li>
<li><strong>Investing in ICE Activities:</strong> Insurance companies have to now spend 0.5% of the total premium collected on<strong> information, education and communication (IEC)</strong> activities.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>A central advisory committee has also been set up with the implementing state governments and insurance companies to ensure uniformity of message across the country and remove gaps in dissemination of information.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Awareness Generation:</strong> The changes made in the scheme are welcome but there are some challenges too.<strong> Awareness generation</strong> will be one of the major challenges in the smooth implementation of the scheme.</li>
<li><strong>Bringing Behavioural Change:</strong> Apart from this, a lot more needs to be done in bringing about a<strong> behavioural change</strong> regarding the cost of insurance being a necessary input and not a money-back investment.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Conclusion</h3>
<p>With the revamping of PMFBY, the entire effort of the government is to ensure transparent and timely assessment of the yield, and quick computation and payment of claims to the farmers, to realise the <strong>goal of Atmanirbhar Krishi in general and Atmanirbhar Farmers in particular.</strong></p>
<p>Further, the voluntariness and the time-bound implementation of crop insurance under the revamped PMFBY will help it become a<strong> true insurance scheme now.</strong></p>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) and the success story so far</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana was launched in 2016 by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare.</li>
<li>It is a replacement scheme of the National Agriculture Insurance Scheme (NAIS) and the Modified National Agriculture Insurance Scheme (MNAIS)</li>
<li>Under this scheme there will be a uniform premium of only 2% to be paid by farmers for all Kharif crops and 1.5% for all Rabi crops. In case of annual commercial and horticultural crops, the premium to be paid by farmers will be only 5%. The rest of the premium will be borne by the Government.</li>
<li>It aims to provide insurance coverage and financial support to the farmers in the event of failure of any of the notified crops as a result of natural calamities, pests &amp; diseases.</li>
<li>PMFBY aims to support production in agriculture by providing support to ensure inclusive risk cover for crops of farmers against all non-preventable natural risks from pre-sowing to the post-harvest stage.</li>
<li>Since the launch of the PMFBY in 2016, millions of farmers have benefited from the scheme. In the first three years, farmers paid Rs 13,000 crore as premium, while they received Rs 60,000 crore as insurance claim under PMFBY.</li>
<li>The scheme has completed four years and has been implemented in 27 states and UTs.The sum insured has almost doubled under this scheme from Rs 22,000 per hectare to Rs 39,000 per hectare.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<table border="1" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="width: 100%; border-style: dotted; border-color: #ff0000; background-color: #efffeb;">
<p><span style="color: #000080;"><em><strong>Drishti Mains Question</strong></em></span></p>
<p>Enumerate the reasons why the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima yojana has not been very successful in meeting its objectives. Also, analyse how far the modifications brought up by the government will help in its effective implementation.</p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p style="text-align: center;"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/_TZB78I9hWA" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p>
<p>This editorial is based on <a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/editorials/peace-is-precious-6560333/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>&ldquo;Peace is precious&rdquo;</strong></a> which was published in the Indian Express on August 19<sup>th</sup>, 2020. Now watch this on our Youtube Channel.</p>',
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		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/revamping-of-pradhan-mantri-fasal-bima-yojana'
	],
	(int) 6 => [
		'title' => 'The Big Picture: National Infrastructure Pipeline (NIP) Dashboard',
		'catname' => 'Lok Sabha & Rajya Sabha Discussions',
		'desc' => '<p style="text-align: center;"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/D1vn0pYQ7ns" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p>
<h3>Introduction</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The National Infrastructure Pipeline (NIP) dashboard would allow monitoring of all the infrastructure projects under the 111 trillion rupees <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/national-infrastructure-pipeline-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>National infrastructure pipeline (NIP).</strong></a></li>
<li>NIP dashboard will be a digital platform to ensure data and updated information for investments across various sectors.</li>
<li>All the infrastructure projects will be mapped and evaluated by the concerned departments.</li>
<li>The Finance ministry will monitor the implementation and actual progress compared to the initial estimates of the NIP for each project.</li>
<li>The move assumes significance as focus on infrastructure projects will help revive the economy following the covid-19 crisis.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>National Infrastructure Pipeline</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>NIP will enable a forward outlook on infrastructure projects which will create jobs, improve ease of living, and provide equitable access to infrastructure for all, thereby making growth more inclusive.</li>
<li>NIP includes economic and social infrastructure projects.</li>
<li>It also includes both greenfield and brownfield projects.</li>
<li>It will help in stepping-up annual infrastructure investment to achieve the Gross Domestic Product <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/highlights-of-economic-survey-2018-19" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>(GDP) of $5 trillion by 2024-25.</strong></a></li>
<li>The Centre and states are expected to have almost equal share in implementing NIP, while the private sector contribution is expected to be around 21%</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Utility of NIP dashboard</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The NIP dashboard will <strong>link the national infrastructure pipeline to the India investment grid</strong> which manages and monitors investments across various sectors capturing data on Investments from States and Central Government.</li>
<li>The dashboard would provide<strong> real-time information</strong> about the projects for prospective investors also letting the people of the country know how many projects are being implemented.</li>
<li>If any approval stucks somewhere it would be highlighted on the dashboard. This would increase accountability.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Issues of implementation in infrastructure sector</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>In Infrastructure development there are several stages: design stage, finance stage, bidding stage, construction stage and operation stage.</li>
<li><strong>Design stage:</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It involves making blueprint of the projects, finance stage deals with getting funds or investments, bidding is mainly about assigning the projects to suitable companies, and construction and operational stage deals with on ground physical implementations of the projects.</li>
<li>There are few caveats at each stage, in the design stage, India lags behind countries like China which focus more on the design stage than any other stage to enhance the standards of their infrastructure.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Finance stage</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>To develop projects from ideas on paper, corporate bonds and long term financing is required for the development of the projects.</li>
<li>Government resources like tax money are not adequate therefore there is a need to raise money capital from the private sector and foreign investments.</li>
<li>However the borrowed money is to be paid back, announcing freebies like free electricity to get political mileage increases the economic stress on infrastructure.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Bidding Stage</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Many companies are awarded contracts in corrupt ways through crony capitalism. Many times in the bidding of a project design and past record of the bidder are not properly scrutinised.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Construction Stage:</strong> Due to land acquisition delays and litigation issues, the rate of implementation of projects is very slow on global standards, due to which India is behind than most of the countries in rate of project execution, the NIP dashboard does not address these issues.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Getting approvals are very difficult in terms of land access, environmental clearances,impending litigation in court delays the infrastructure projects.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Operational Stage:</strong> Lot of foreign investment is available for completed assets for example Delhi and Hyderabad metro, but new projects are not looked at by the foreign investors.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Thus it is the responsibility of the government to initiate the primary construction which could be done by using Indian rupees.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The data provided on the dashboard should not just provide data on investments for economic analysis, but also be made more actionable by providing information about upcoming projects.</li>
<li>In infrastructure projects initiated by the government, they could too use private consultants in designing and determining techno-economic feasibility.</li>
<li>The private sector should also be involved on a collaboration basis with the governments, whether it is a detailed project report or anything it should be done in a partnership mode rather than shifting responsibility. The onus of implementation of the project should be shared.</li>
<li>Online bidding can be a viable option to bring about transparency in bidding.</li>
<li>In monetizing the infrastructural assets, <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/national-infrastructure-pipeline" target="_blank" rel="noopener">National interest infrastructure investment</a> trust</strong> could play crucial role</li>
</ul>
<h3>Conclusion</h3>
<p>The NIP dashboard is a step in the right direction to provide real time information and data on Infrastructure projects. This would facilitate assimilation of data and information from all the stakeholders like Central and State Governments, Urban Local Bodies, Banks and Financial Institution, PE funds, and private investors, both local and foreign on one platform to increase accountability and transparency in the infrastructure sector.</p>',
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	],
	(int) 7 => [
		'title' => 'Turkey-Greece Stand-off',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, France has deployed its military in the eastern Mediterranean Sea amid <strong>tensions between Greece and Turkey</strong> over <strong>recently-discovered gas reserves.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>According to France the military has been deployed <strong>to strengthen the autonomous assessment of the situation</strong> and to <strong>affirm France&rsquo;s commitment to free movement,</strong> to the security of maritime navigation in the Mediterranean and<strong> respect for international law.</strong></li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>The Stand-off:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Reason:</strong> The<strong><a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/european-union" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> European Union</a> (EU)</strong> and its allies in West Asia and North Africa made <strong>plans to build a gas pipeline</strong> from the Mediterranean to Europe&rsquo;s mainland to transport the gas. However,<strong> they have kept Turkey out of it,</strong> which has infuriated Turkey. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The gas transport would help <strong>reduce the EU's dependency on Russia.</strong></li>
<li>Earlier in 2019, the <strong>EastMed Gas Forum</strong> was formed by <strong>Cyprus, Egypt, Greece, Israel, Italy, Jordan and Palestine, </strong>and<strong> Turkey was again excluded.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Turkey&rsquo;s Counter:</strong> Turkey challenged the EU pipeline project and reached an agreement with <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/crisis-in-libya" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Libya</strong> </a>to form an <strong>Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ)</strong> from its southern shores to Libya&rsquo;s northern coast across the Mediterranean. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>However, Greece<strong> claimed the Turkish zone violated its maritime sovereignty</strong> and later announced its EEZ with Egypt, which clashed with Turkey&rsquo;s zone.</li>
<li>Reacting to the deal, Turkey sent its survey ship near the <strong>island of Kastellorizo</strong> area mentioned in the <strong>Greece-Egypt agreement.</strong></li>
<li>This is not the first time Greece and Turkey have been at odds. Over the past four decades, the <strong>countries have gone to war at least three times. </strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1597921345_image1.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1597921345_image1.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="750" caption="false" /></strong></a></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Issues Involved:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Overlapping Claims: Turkey and Greece, vehemently <strong>disagree over overlapping claims to hydrocarbon resources</strong> in the region based on <strong>conflicting views on the extent of their continental shelves in waters</strong> dotted with mostly Greek islands. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Turkey says that despite having <strong>the longest coastline in the eastern Mediterranean</strong> it is<strong> confined into a narrow strip of waters due to the extension of Greece's continental shelf,</strong> based on the presence of many Greek islands near its shore.</li>
<li>The island of Kastellorizo, which is about 2 km off Turkey's southern coast and 570 km from the Greek mainland, is a particular source of Turkish frustration.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Involvement of Many Countries:&nbsp;</strong>The highly complicated issue now has the <strong>potential to involve Europe, West Asia and North Africa.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>France, the EU&rsquo;s most powerful military force, has<strong> thrown its weight behind Greece and Cyprus.</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Cyprus is physically divided</strong> with the <strong>southern part ruled by the internationally-recognised government</strong> and the <strong>northern part controlled by Turkey.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>An <strong>alliance</strong> is also emerging among Greece, Cyprus, Italy and France, which is backed by Egypt, Israel and the UAE.</li>
<li>Turkey stands <strong>almost isolated,</strong> but remains a <strong>key power</strong> in the Mediterranean.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>If the EU wants to transport gas from the coast of Israel to Europe via Cyprus and Italy, an<strong> open conflict with Turkey cannot help.</strong> What is in everybody&rsquo;s interest is to <strong>bring down tensions </strong>and <strong>find a diplomatic and mutually acceptable solution</strong> to the gas conflict.</li>
<li>Excluding Turkey, which has a long Mediterranean coast, is unwise. Allowing a resurgent Turkey to bully smaller powers in the region would be strategically disastrous. The EU has to <strong>strike a balance</strong> between these two options.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/france-reinforces-naval-forces-in-mediterranean/article32347629.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: TH</strong></a></p>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/turkey-greece-stand-off'
	],
	(int) 8 => [
		'title' => 'Sutlej-Yamuna Link Canal Project',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the Chief Minister of Punjab has warned the Centre of political unrest in the state if asked to proceed with the <strong>Sutlej-Yamuna Link (SYL) canal project.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Punjab has staked claims to Yamuna&rsquo;s waters and also reiterated the need for a tribunal on water sharing.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1597921034_image3.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1597921034_image3.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" caption="false" width="284" height="362" /></a></p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Background:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>1960:</strong> The dispute can be traced back to the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/indus-waters-treaty-1960" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Indus Water Treaty</strong></a> between<strong> India and Pakistan,</strong> allowing the former<strong> &lsquo;free and unrestricted use&rsquo; of Ravi, Beas and Sutlej.</strong></li>
<li><strong>1966: Creation of Haryana from the old (undivided) Punjab</strong>&nbsp;presented the problem of giving Haryana its share of river waters.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>For Haryana to get its share of the waters of the Sutlej and its tributary Beas, a <strong>canal linking the Sutlej with the Yamuna</strong> was planned (SYL Canal).</li>
<li><strong>Punjab refused to share waters with Haryana</strong> stating it was against the <strong>riparian principle</strong> which dictates that the water of a river belongs only to the State and country or States and countries through which the river in question flows.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>1981:</strong> Both states <strong>mutually agreed for the re-allocation of water.</strong></li>
<li><strong>1982: Construction of 214-km SYL was launched</strong> in Kapoori village, Punjab.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Agitations, protests and assassinations</strong> were carried out in protest creating the environment of <strong>terrorism</strong> in the state and making the<strong> issue of national security.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>1996:</strong> Haryana moved the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-national-institutions/supreme-court-of-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Supreme Court</strong></a> (SC) seeking directions to Punjab to complete the work on the SYL.</li>
<li><strong>2002 and 2004:</strong> SC directed Punjab to complete the work in its territory.</li>
<li><strong>2004:</strong> Punjab Assembly passed the <strong>Punjab Termination of Agreements Act, terminating its water-sharing agreements</strong> and thus jeopardising the construction of SYL in Punjab.</li>
<li><strong>2016:</strong> SC started hearings into a <strong>presidential reference (Article 143) to decide on the legality of the 2004 Act</strong> and declared that Punjab reneged on its promise to share the waters of rivers. Thus, the<strong> act was termed constitutionally invalid.</strong></li>
<li><strong>2020:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>SC has directed the Chief Ministers of both states to <strong>negotiate and settle the SYL canal issue</strong> at the highest political level to be mediated by the Centre.</li>
<li>Punjab has <strong>asked for a tribunal for fresh time-bound assessment</strong> of the water availability.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Punjab holds that there has been <strong>no adjudication or scientific assessment of river waters</strong> in the state till date.</li>
<li>The availability of Ravi-Beas water has also come down from the estimated 17.17 MAF in 1981 to 13.38 MAF in 2013. A fresh tribunal would ascertain all this.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Reasons for Punjab&rsquo;s Unwillingness:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Punjab is <strong>facing severe water crisis due to <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/depleting-groundwater" target="_blank" rel="noopener">over-exploitation of its underground aquifers</a></strong> for the <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/cropping-patterns-and-major-crops-of-india-part-one" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>wheat/paddy</strong></a> monocycle.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>According to the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/national-aquifer-mapping-and-management-programme" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Central Ground Water Authority&rsquo;s</strong></a> <strong>report,</strong> its underground water is over-exploited in about 79% of the state.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Punjab feels that it has <strong>utilised its precious groundwater resources to grow the crop for the entire country</strong> and should not be forced to share its waters as it <strong>faces the threat of<a href="/to-the-points/paper3/desertification-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> desertification.</a></strong></li>
<li>Also, the<strong> youth of the state may start feeling that the state has been discriminated against</strong> once the construction of the canal restarts.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Pakistan and secessionist organisations like Sikh For Justice</strong> could exploit the situation to foment trouble in the state.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Article 143: Advisory Jurisdiction</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Constitution under Article 143<strong> authorises the President to seek the opinion of the Supreme Court</strong> in the <strong>two categories</strong> of matters:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>On any <strong>question of law or fact of public importance</strong> which has arisen or which is likely to arise. The SC <strong>may tender or may refuse to tender its opinion</strong> to the President.</li>
<li>On any <strong>dispute arising out of any pre-constitution</strong> treaty, agreement, covenant, engagement, sanador other similar instruments. Here, the<strong> SC must tender its opinion</strong> to the President.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>In both the cases, the opinion expressed by the Supreme Court is<strong> only advisory and not a judicial pronouncement.</strong> Hence, it is <strong>not binding on the President.</strong></li>
<li>The references made by the President under Article 143 are <strong>decided by a Bench consisting of at least five judges.</strong></li>
<li>Few important references made by the President to the SC under its advisory jurisdiction are:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Berubari Union, 1960.</li>
<li>Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal, 1992.</li>
<li>Rama Janma Bhumi case, 1993.</li>
<li>Punjab Termination of Agreements Act, 2004.</li>
<li>2G spectrum case verdict and the mandatory auctioning of natural resources across all sectors, 2012.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Punjab needs to understand the importance of the canal for Haryana and should rethink its previous stands. Adequate measures should be put in place before any new decision to keep the possible political turmoil in control. Neighbouring states and centre will have to play a crucial role.</li>
<li>It&rsquo;s time for the Centre to chart a new course centred on Punjab&rsquo;s demand for a fresh tribunal for the division of the river waters. For that, it&rsquo;s imperative that all stakeholders stop further complicating the situation.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-why-punjab-cm-has-warned-against-restarting-syl-canal-work-6561662/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: IE</strong></a></p>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/sutlej-yamuna-link-canal-project'
	],
	(int) 9 => [
		'title' => 'Shortcomings of Indian Chemical Industry: TIFAC',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, a report by the <strong>Technology Information Forecasting and Assessment Council</strong> (TIFAC) has <strong>highlighted the shortcomings of the Indian chemical industry</strong> which prove to be barriers in competing with China.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>TIFAC is an<strong> autonomous organisation and think-tank of the Department of Science and Technology</strong> and it commissioned the report in March 2020 when the <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/coronavirus-disease-named-covid-19" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Covid-19&nbsp;</a></strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/covid-19-now-pandemic-who" target="_blank" rel="noopener">pandemic</a> had started accelerating in India.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>India <strong>does not have enough technology, plants and infrastructure</strong> to manufacture key chemicals in a cost-effective and less polluting manner.</li>
<li>India has nearly <strong>stopped manufacturing several key Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients</strong> (API).<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>India has <strong>given up the manufacturing of APIs</strong> for ascorbic acid, aspartame and antibiotics like rifampicin, doxycycline, tazobactam acid and even steroids.</li>
<li><strong>Production of intermediates</strong> such as atorvastatin, chloroquine, gabapentin, ciprofloxacin, cephalosporins, immunosuppressants has also been <strong>stopped.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>India <strong>depends on China for 67% of chemical intermediates and API</strong> that it needs to manufacture drugs and export.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>India <strong>also depends on the USA and Italy</strong> for API.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The chemical industry is almost entirely <strong>dependent on China for chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine</strong> (HCQ).<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Hydroxychloroquine is an <strong>oral drug</strong> used in the <strong>treatment of autoimmune diseases</strong> like rheumatoid arthritis.</li>
<li>In March 2020, the <strong>Indian Council of Medical Research</strong> (ICMR) <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/icmr-recommends-use-of-hydroxy-chloroquine" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>suggested its use to contain the spread of Covid-19</strong></a> for restricted populations.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Manufacturers are <strong>unable to meet the price</strong> at which chemicals are produced by China.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Solvent and chemicals <strong>manufacturing costs in India are over 15% more</strong> than in China.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The <strong>share of Indian bulk drugs and intermediates in the total pharmaceutical export mix reduced</strong> to 20% in 2018 from 42% in 2008.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>These are significant ingredients in the manufacturing of drugs and are also called bulk drugs.</li>
<li>The Hubei province of China is the hub of the API manufacturing industry.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Pharmaceutical Intermediates</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>These are chemical compounds which form the building blocks of the APIs and are produced as a by-product during the production of API.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Suggestions</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Need for mission mode chemical engineering</strong> with defined targets for uninterrupted synthesis of API molecules.</li>
<li><strong>Creation of mega drug manufacturing clusters</strong> with common infrastructure in India.</li>
<li><strong>Development of a technology platform for biocatalysis</strong> for cost optimization and investing in the fermentation sector of large capacity.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Biocatalysis</strong> refers to the use of natural substances from biological sources (such as enzymes) to speed up (catalyze) chemical reactions.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Government encouragement for Indian companies</strong> working in chemical segments.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Implementation of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/report-on-active-pharmaceutical-ingredients-tifac" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>various recommendations</strong></a> by TIFAC will help India to become <strong><a href="/prs-capsule/prs-capsule-may-2020#6" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Atmanirbhar</a></strong> (self-reliant) in the pharmaceutical sector by reducing its import dependence.</li>
<li>More schemes like the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/schemes-approved-to-promote-drug-manufacturing" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Promotion of Bulk Drug Parks and Production Linked Incentives</strong></a> (PLI) are needed to reduce the manufacturing cost of bulk drugs and promote domestic manufacturing.</li>
</ul>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/shortcomings-of-indian-chemical-industry-tifac'
	],
	(int) 10 => [
		'title' => 'Black Box on Aircraft',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>The black boxes of the Boeing 737-800 aircraft which recently crashed in Kozhikode (Kerala) have been found.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>These boxes will help investigators gather information about the crucial events that led to the crash.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>About:</strong> A black box, technically known as an <strong>Electronic Flight Data Recorder,</strong> is an orange-coloured heavily protected recording device placed in a flight. It is used to investigate the details of the events immediately preceding an accident.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Black Boxes are <strong>compulsory on any commercial flight or corporate jet</strong> where they are usually<strong> kept in the tail of an aircraft,</strong> where they are more likely to survive a crash.</li>
<li>It usually takes at least <strong>10-15 days to analyse the data</strong> recovered from the black boxes.</li>
<li>Black boxes are also used in vehicles other than planes like <strong>railways, cars</strong> etc.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Invention:</strong> Australian Scientist<strong> David Warren</strong> was the first to build a FDR/CVR prototype in 1958.</li>
<li><strong>Parts:</strong> The "black box" is made up of two separate pieces of equipment: the Flight Data Recorder (FDR) and a Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR). <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>FDR records things like airspeed, altitude, vertical acceleration and fuel flow.</li>
<li>CVR records the conversations in the cockpit.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Technology:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Older black boxes used <strong>magnetic tape,</strong> a technology that was first introduced in the 1960s. Magnetic tape works like any tape recorder.</li>
<li>These days, black boxes use solid-state memory boards, which came along in the 1990s.<strong> Solid state memory boards</strong> use stacked arrays of memory chips, and are stronger.</li>
<li>The FDR contains <strong>Crash-Survivable Memory Units</strong> (CSMUs) which are engineered to withstand extreme heat, jarring crashes and tons of pressure.</li>
<li>To make black boxes discoverable in situations where they are under water, they are equipped with a <strong>Beacon</strong> that sends out ultrasound signals for 30 days.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Other Methods to Investigate an Aircrash</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Accounts from Air Traffic Control (ATC) personnel.</li>
<li>Recordings of the conversation between ATC and the pilots moments before the crash.</li>
<li>Various data recorders at the airport, which would tell about the precise point and speed of touchdown on the runway.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Limitations:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In certain cases &ndash; like the Malaysian Airlines MH370 flight, they are not found.</li>
<li>They still lack video recording capabilities.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Alternatives:</strong> It is being tried to <strong>stream</strong> all of their essential data <strong>directly to a ground-based station</strong> in <strong>realtime</strong> which would eliminate the desperate search for a box that may have been destroyed in a crash, and will be more dependable.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Aircraft Security</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>The <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/international-civil-aviation-organisation" target="_blank" rel="noopener">International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO)</a></strong> is a UN specialized agency, established in <strong>1944</strong> to manage the administration and governance of the <strong>Convention on International Civil Aviation (Chicago Convention).</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The Chicago Convention was signed on 7<sup>th</sup> December, 1944 in Chicago (USA) by 52 signatory states including <strong>India.</strong></li>
<li>It coordinates international air travel, establishes rules of airspace, aircraft registration and safety, security, and sustainability, and details the rights of the signatories in relation to air travel.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>The <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/counter-drone-strategy-for-countrys-airports-is-ready" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Bureau of Civil Aviation Security</a> (BCAS)</strong> is an attached office of the Ministry of Civil Aviation (India). <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It is the regulatory authority for civil aviation security in India.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB)</strong> is a division of the Ministry of Civil Aviation which investigates aircraft accidents and incidents in India.</li>
<li>Recently, the Lok Sabha passed the<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/aircraft-amendment-bill-2020" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> Aircraft (Amendment) Bill, 2020</strong> </a>which seeks to amend the<strong> Aircraft Act, 1934.</strong></li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-why-black-boxes-are-important-to-an-air-crash-investigation-6545872/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: IE</strong></a></p>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/black-box-on-aircraft'
	],
	(int) 11 => [
		'title' => 'Issues Related to Minimum Wage',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/100th-anniversary-of-ilo" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>International Labour Organization (ILO)</strong> </a>has termed the<strong> current minimum wage fixing criteria</strong> in the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/code-on-wages-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Draft Code on Wages (Central) Rules, 2020</strong> </a>as ambiguous.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>On 7<sup>th</sup> July 2020, the Central government published the<strong> Draft Code on Wages (Central) Rules, 2020</strong> in the Official Gazette and placed it in the public domain inviting objections and suggestions.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Fixation of the Minimum Wage:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Number of Consumption Units:</strong> The Wage Code provides for the fixation of the minimum wage keeping in view the standard working class family,<strong> the equivalent of 3 adult consumption units.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The assumption that a standard working class family consists just of 3 adult consumption units is questionable.</li>
<li>This number has been arrived at by counting the male worker as 1 consumption unit, his wife as 0.8 consumption unit and two children as 0.6 consumption units each.</li>
<li>Such an assumption about the food requirements of the members of a family seems flawed. Furthermore, families with dependent elders are not considered.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Expenses:</strong> The minimum wage under the code has been fixed by considering the estimate of expenses incurred towards food, clothing, shelter, fuel, electricity, children's education and medical requirements. It also includes expenses on contingencies and miscellaneous items. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>However, the criteria prescribed for the fixation of the minimum wage<strong> have not taken into consideration all the expenses incurred to meet the minimum needs of a family in the present day.</strong></li>
<li>For instance, the expenses incurred towards transport, mobile phone bills and internet connection bills have not been considered at all.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Clothing:</strong> The clothing requirement at 66 metres of cloth per year per standard working class family is unrealistically low. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It also does not take into consideration the additional clothing requirements of people in cold regions.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Housing:</strong> The housing rent expenditure will be factored at 10% of the expenditure on food and clothing, which is unrealistic considering that the rent towards decent housing for a family in and around metropolitan areas will amount to at least Rs. 5000 per month.</li>
<li><strong>Basis of Fixation of Wages:</strong> The fixation of minimum wages under the draft code has been kept on a day basis. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>However, trade union leaders have opined that fixation of wages on a day basis could disadvantage workers when compared to the fixation of minimum wages on a monthly basis.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Fixation of Floor Wage:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The Code on Wages, 2020 mentions the concept of a<strong> floor wage,</strong> which empowers the central government to fix floor wages taking into account the minimum living standards of workers.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The<strong> floor wage is a baseline wage</strong> below which minimum wages cannot be fixed by state governments.</li>
<li>The Wage Code permits the fixation of <strong>different floor level wages for different geographical areas.</strong> However, this has <strong>given rise to the fear of flight of capital</strong> from areas where the wage is higher to areas where the wage is lower.</li>
<li>There is also fear that it will lead to <strong>fixation of low wages by state governments</strong> in a bid to attract greater investments thus depressing the minimum wage.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Also, the wage rules do not outline the exact criteria and methods for fixation of floor wage rates by the Central Government.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Suggestions:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Stating the exact methods of fixation of floor wage.</strong> This would enable the setting of the floor wage at an appropriate level after the wage code comes into effect.</li>
<li><strong>Fixing the periodicity of revision of the minimum wage.</strong> Of the two components of the minimum wage &mdash; basic wage and dearness allowance &mdash; the paper suggests revision of the basic wage every five years, a part which is missing in the proposed minimum wage rules.</li>
<li><strong>Refining the rules</strong> and suggesting relying on the evidence-based approach by holding consultations with representative organizations of workers and employers.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/business/minimum-wage-criteria-rules-ambiguous-ilo-6561799/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: IE</strong></a></p>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/issues-related-to-minimum-wage'
	],
	(int) 12 => [
		'title' => 'Contempt of Court',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3 style="padding-left: 30px;">Why in News</h3>
<p>The Supreme Court found civil rights lawyer Prashant Bhushan guilty of criminal contempt of court.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The lawyer had made a defamatory tweet against the Chief Justice of India.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Defamation of SC:</strong> The judgment said that the tweet <strong>scandalised</strong> the Supreme Court as an institution. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It held that being the epitome of the Indian judiciary, an attack on the Supreme Court can lead to ordinary litigants and judges of High Courts across the country <strong>losing the confidence in the Supreme Court.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Not to vindicate judges:</strong> However, the court acknowledged that its contempt powers could be used <strong>only to uphold the majesty of law</strong> and not to vindicate an individual judge against whom a defamatory remark is made.</li>
<li><strong>Suo Moto cognizance:</strong> The court said that the <strong>prior consent</strong> of the<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/attorney-general-of-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> Attorney General (AG) of India</strong></a> is not required to suo motu initiate the inherent contempt powers of the Supreme Court.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The <em>suo motu</em> contempt powers of the top court is drawn from <strong>Article 129 of the Constitution.</strong></li>
<li>The Contempt of Court Act of 1971 cannot limit this power of the court. The statute <strong>only provides the procedure in which such contempt is to be initiated.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Contempt of Court Act of 1971</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>According to the Contempt of Court Act of 1971, contempt of court is of <strong>two types:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Civil contempt:</strong> It is the <strong>wilful disobedience</strong> to any judgment, decree, direction, order, writ or other process of a court or wilful breach of an undertaking given to a court.</li>
<li><strong>Criminal contempt:</strong> It is the publication of any matter or the doing of any other act which<strong> scandalises</strong> or lowers the authority of any court, or<strong> interferes</strong> with the due course of any judicial proceeding, or <strong>obstructs</strong> the administration of justice in any other manner.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Punishment:</strong> The Contempt of Court Act of 1971 punishes the guilty with imprisonment that may extend to<strong> six months or fine of ₹ 2,000 or both.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Amendment:</strong> It was amended in 2006 to include<strong> &ldquo;truth and good faith&rdquo;</strong> as a defence.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It was added that the court may impose punishments only if the act of the other person <strong>substantially</strong> interferes, or tends to interfere with the due course of justice</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Criticism:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It is criticized to be<strong> reminiscent of british colonialism</strong> in india as the contempt laws have been abolished from the United Kingdom itself.</li>
<li>Demands have been raised to <strong>restrict contempt</strong> to only &ldquo;wilful disobedience&rdquo; of directions/judgments of the court and remove &ldquo;scandalizing the court&rdquo;.</li>
<li>It is also said that it may lead to <strong>judicial overreach.</strong></li>
<li>There are<strong> high numbers of contempt cases pending</strong> in various High Courts and the Supreme Courts, which delays the justice administration by an already <strong>overburdened judiciary.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Review by the Law Commission:</strong> The Law Commission reviewed the Contempt of Court Act of 1971 in 2018 and noted:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The powers of the contempt of the Supreme Court and High Courts are independent of the Act, 1971&rdquo; and the <strong>contempt powers of the higher courts are derived from the articles 129 and 215 of the Constitution of India itself.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Article 129:</strong> The <strong>Supreme Court shall be a court of record</strong> and shall have all the powers of such a court including the<strong> power to punish for contempt of itself.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Article 215:</strong> Every High Court shall be a court of record and shall have all the powers of such a court including the power to punish for contempt of itself.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Therefore, deletion of the offence from the Act<strong> will not impact the inherent constitutional powers of the superior courts</strong> to punish anyone for its contempt.</li>
<li>India continues to have a high number of criminal contempt cases, while the last offence of Scandalising the Court in the UK was in 1931 which may be a reason for its abolition in the UK.</li>
<li>The Commission observed that abolishing the offence in India would <strong>leave a legislative gap.</strong></li>
<li>It empowers the High Court to act if someone is in contempt of the subordinate courts. Diluting the Act would <strong>expose the subordinate judiciary to acts of contempt of court.</strong></li>
<li>The 1971 Act <strong>contains adequate safeguards</strong> to exclude instances which may not amount to criminal contempt as defined under Section 2(c) of the Act 1971.</li>
<li>The statute has stood the<strong> test of judicial scrutiny for about five decades.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Suo Moto Cognizance</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>A Suo Moto cognizance is a <strong>Latin term</strong> which means an action taken by a government agency, court or other central authority on their own apprehension.</li>
<li>A court takes a Suo Moto Cognizance of a legal matter when it receives information about the<strong> violation of rights or breach of duty</strong> through media or a third party&rsquo;s notification.</li>
<li><strong>Article 32 of the Indian Constitution and Article 226 of the Indian Constitution</strong> lay down the provisions for filing<a href="/to-the-points/Paper2/public-interest-litigation" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> Public Interest Litigation (PIL)</strong></a> in Supreme Court and High Courts respectively. This has given rise to the court's power to initiate legal action on their cognizance of a matter.</li>
<li>Suo Moto&rsquo;s power of supreme court has been provided under <a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/the-big-picture-article-131-special-powers-of-supreme-court" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Article 131</strong></a> of the Indian Constitution.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Article 131 vests the Supreme Court with <strong>original jurisdiction</strong> over any dispute arising between the states or between the centre and state. The article gives the Supreme Court the power to take up such cases straight instead of going through a lower court or reviewing a lower court's judgement</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Suo Moto&rsquo;s actions by Indian courts are a reflection of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/evolution-of-indian-judiciary" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>judicial activism.</strong></a></li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/suo-motu-contempt-power-is-inherent-sc/article32364132.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: TH</strong></a></p>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/contempt-of-court-3'
	],
	(int) 13 => [
		'title' => 'Plastic Marine Pollution',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>A study published in &lsquo;Nature Communications&rsquo; has estimated the <strong>amount of microplastic pollution in the Atlantic Ocean </strong>and put it at<strong> 11.6-21.1 million tonnes.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>There has been an uncertainty about the magnitude of <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/plastic-waste-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>plastic pollution</strong></a> in marine environments.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Estimated Pollution:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Measurements of the<strong> top 200 meters</strong> of the Atlantic found 11.6 - 21.1 million tonnes of microscopic particles.</li>
<li>Scientists studied pollution of the Atlantic Ocean caused by <strong>three types of plastics - polyethylene, polypropylene, </strong>and <strong>polystyrene -</strong> which were suspended in the top 200 metres of the ocean.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>These three types of plastic are <strong>most commonly used for packaging.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Based on plastic waste generation trends from 1950-2015 and considering that the Atlantic Ocean has received 0.3-0.8% of the global plastic waste for 65 years, the Atlantic waters could hold <strong>17-47 million tonnes of plastic waste.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Conclusion:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Smaller plastic particles are a hazard,</strong> as it is easier for them to sink to greater ocean depths and some marine species such as zooplanktons show preferential ingestion of smaller particles, making them easier to enter the food chain.</li>
<li>Considering that plastics of other sizes and polymer types will be found in the deeper ocean and in the sediments, the study indicates that both inputs and<strong> stocks of ocean plastics are much higher than determined.</strong></li>
<li>It is thus critical to <strong>assess across all size categories and polymer groups</strong> to determine the fate and danger of plastic contamination.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Plastic Pollution</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Issue:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Plastic is a <strong>synthetic organic polymer made from petroleum</strong> with properties ideally suited for a wide variety of applications, including packaging, building and construction, household and sports equipment, vehicles, electronics and agriculture. Plastic is<strong> cheap, lightweight, strong and malleable. </strong></li>
<li><strong>Over 300 million tons of plastic</strong> are produced every year,<strong> half of which is used to design single-use items</strong> such as shopping bags, cups and straws.</li>
<li>According to the<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/iucn-red-list" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)</strong></a>, at least <strong>8 million tons of plastic end up in the oceans every year. </strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Sources of Marine Plastic:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The main sources of marine plastic are<strong> land-based,</strong> from urban and storm runoff, <strong>sewer overflows,</strong> beach visitors, inadequate waste disposal and management, <strong>industrial activities,</strong> construction and illegal dumping.</li>
<li><strong>Ocean-based plastic</strong> originates mainly from the <strong>fishing industry, nautical activities and aquaculture.</strong></li>
<li>Under the influence of<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/ultraviolet-light-and-viruses" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> solar UV radiation,</strong></a> wind, currents and other natural factors, plastic fragments into small particles, termed <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/microplastics-in-deep-oceans" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>microplastics</strong></a> <strong>(particles smaller than 5 mm) </strong>or <strong>nanoplastics (particles smaller than 100 nm).</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>In addition,<strong> microbeads,</strong> a type of microplastic, are very tiny pieces of manufactured polyethylene plastic that are added as exfoliants in health and beauty products, such as cleansers and toothpastes. These tiny particles <strong>easily pass through water filtration systems and end up in the ocean</strong> and lakes.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Impact of Plastic Pollution:</strong> Plastic can take hundreds to thousands of years to decompose depending on the type of plastic and where it has been dumped.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>On Marine Environment:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The most visible and disturbing impacts of marine plastics are the<strong> ingestion, suffocation and entanglement of hundreds of marine species.</strong></li>
<li>Floating plastics also contribute to the <strong>spread of invasive marine organisms</strong> and bacteria, which disrupt ecosystems.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>On Food and Health:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Toxic contaminants accumulate on the surface of plastic materials as a result of prolonged exposure to seawater. When marine organisms ingest plastic debris, these contaminants enter their digestive systems, and overtime accumulate in the food web.</li>
<li>The <strong>transfer of contaminants between marine species and humans through consumption of seafood</strong> has been identified as a health hazard, but has not yet been adequately researched.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Impacts on Climate Change:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Plastic, which is a petroleum product, also contributes to<strong> global warming.</strong> If plastic waste is incinerated, it releases carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, thereby increasing carbon emissions.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Impacts on Tourism:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Plastic waste damages the aesthetic value of tourist destinations, leading to decreased tourism-related incomes and <strong>major economic costs</strong> related to the cleaning and maintenance of the sites.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>India&rsquo;s Plastic Waste Crisis</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Single-use plastics or disposable plastics, are commonly used for packaging. Nearly half of the plastics produced in India are single use plastics.</li>
<li>Most cities and towns have not implemented the provisions of the <strong>Plastic Waste Management Rules of 2016 or PWR.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>According to PWR, plastic manufacturers and retail establishments that use plastics are legally bound to collect back plastic waste. This is referred to as <strong>&lsquo;extended producers responsibility&rsquo;.</strong></li>
<li>The rules also mandate the responsibilities of local bodies, gram panchayats, waste generators and retailers to manage waste.</li>
<li>This includes collecting and segregating recyclable plastic, non-recyclable plastic and other waste separately for processing.</li>
<li>But most cities and towns have not implemented these provisions due to the lack of a disciplined system of segregation and recycling.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>India<strong> banned imports of solid plastic waste only in 2019.</strong></li>
<li>The government has set an ambitious <strong>target of eliminating single-use plastics by 2022.</strong></li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Suggestions</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Existing international instruments should be further explored</strong> to address plastic pollution. The most important are:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>The 1972 Convention on the Prevention of Marine Pollution by Dumping Wastes and Other Matter (or the London Convention).</strong></li>
<li><strong>The 1996 Protocol to the London Convention (the London Protocol).</strong></li>
<li><strong>The 1978 Protocol to the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL).</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Recycling and reuse of plastic materials</strong> are the most effective actions available to reduce the environmental impacts of open landfills and open-air burning that are often practiced to manage domestic waste.</li>
<li>Governments, research institutions and industries also need to work collaboratively <strong>redesigning products, and rethink their usage and disposal,</strong> in order to reduce microplastics waste from pellets, synthetic textiles and tyres.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<p>Knowledge of the full extent of plastic pollution and its impacts would provide policy-makers, manufacturers and consumers with scientific evidence needed to spearhead appropriate technological, behavioural and policy solutions. It would also accelerate the conceptualisation of new technology, materials or products to replace plastics.</p>
<p><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-how-severe-is-plastic-pollution-in-atlantic-ocean-6561382/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: IE</strong></a></p>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/plastic-marine-pollution'
	],
	(int) 14 => [
		'title' => 'Revamp of Lingaraj Temple: Odisha',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>The Odisha government has decided to give a facelift to the 11<sup>th</sup> century Lingaraj Temple, akin to its pre-350-year structural status.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>This announcement has come despite the massive financial burden on the State economy in the wake of <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/coronavirus-disease-named-covid-19" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Covid-19 pandemic.</a></strong></li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The efforts will be to create a <strong>spiritual and ecological ambience</strong> in and around the Lingaraj Temple.</li>
<li>The <strong>redevelopment plan of the peripheral area of the temple,</strong> known as <strong>&lsquo;Ekamravan Kshetra&rsquo;,</strong> in Bhubaneswar, has been approved.</li>
<li>Further, the government is planning a <strong>barrier-free access between the Temple and Bindusagar lake.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>After the Lingaraj Temple, the Bindusagar (a sprawling pond) is the second major attraction for devotees. The pond has a religious relationship with the main temple.</li>
<li>Historical records suggest that about 350 years ago, there was nothing between the Temple and the Lake except some temples.</li>
<li><strong>Bindhyabasini, Bhabani Shankar, Shukasari and Mohini temples</strong> will be part of the redevelopment plan.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>This is a part of the <strong>Lingaraj Temple Heritage Development Project</strong> under <strong>Ekamra plan.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Through Ekmara plan, it is expected that heritage redevelopment will enhance the attraction of <strong>Bhubaneswar</strong> as a tourist site and<strong> claim for a <a href="/to-the-points/paper1/world-heritage-sites-in-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener">UNESCO heritage site</a> will be stronger.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1597910389_image1.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1597910389_image1.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" caption="false" width="550" height="412" /></strong></a></p>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Lingaraj Temple</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Lingaraj Temple, built in <strong>11<sup>th</sup> century AD,</strong> is dedicated to<strong> Lord Shiva</strong> and is considered as the largest temple of the city<strong> Bhubaneswar.</strong></li>
<li>It is <strong>believed</strong> to have been <strong>built by the Somvanshi King Yayati I.</strong></li>
<li>The main tower of this temple measures <strong>180-feet in height.</strong></li>
<li>It is built in<strong> red stone</strong> and is a classic example of <a href="/to-the-points/paper1/temple-architecture" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Kalinga style of architecture</strong></a>.</li>
<li>The temple is divided into <strong>four sections</strong>―Garbh Griha (sanctum sanctorum), Yajna Shala (the hall for prayers), Bhoga Mandap (the hall of offering) and the Natya Shala (hall of dance).</li>
<li>The sprawling temple complex has <strong>one hundred and fifty subsidiary shrines.</strong></li>
<li>Lingaraj is referred to as<strong> &lsquo;Swayambhu&rdquo; &ndash;</strong> self-originated Shivling.</li>
<li>Another important aspect of the temple is that it signifies the <strong>syncretisation of Shaivism and Vaishnavism sects in Odisha.</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Perhaps the rising cult of Lord Jagannath (considered an incarnation of Lord Vishnu) which coincided with the completion of the Lingaraja Temple had a role to play.</li>
<li>The presiding deity in the Temple is known as Hari-Hara; Hari denotes Lord Vishnu and Hara meaning Lord Shiva.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The temple is <strong>out of bounds for non-Hindus.</strong></li>
<li>The other attraction of the temple is the<strong> Bindusagar Lake,</strong> located in the north side of the temple.</li>
<li>On the western banks of Bindusagar, lies the <strong>garden of Ekamra Van</strong> named after the Hindu mythological texts where Bhubaneswar the capital city of Odisha was referred as Ekamra Van or a forest of a single mango tree.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Other Important Monuments in Odisha</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/solarisation-of-konark-sun-temple" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Konark Sun Temple</strong></a> (UNESCO World Heritage Site)</li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/construction-of-rath-yatra-chariots-allowed" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Jagannath Temple</strong></a></li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/tara-tarini-temple" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Tara Tarini Temple</strong></a></li>
<li>Udaygiri and Khandagiri Caves</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/odisha-to-give-facelift-to-11th-century-lingaraj-temple/article32379704.ece#:~:text=Notwithstanding%20the%20massive%20financial%20burden,%2D350%2Dyear%20structural%20status." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: TH</strong></a></p>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/revamp-of-lingaraj-temple-odisha'
	],
	(int) 15 => [
		'title' => 'National Recruitment Agency',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister has decided to set up a<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/national-recruitment-agency" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> National Recruitment Agency (NRA)</strong></a> to conduct a <strong>common preliminary examination</strong> for various recruitments in the central government.</p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>About:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The NRA will conduct the <strong>Common Eligibility Test (CET)</strong> for recruitment to<strong> non-gazetted posts</strong> in government and public sector banks. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Approximately 1.25 lakh government jobs are advertised every year for which 2.5 crore aspirants appear in various examinations.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>This test aims to <strong>replace multiple examinations</strong> conducted by different recruiting agencies for selection to government jobs advertised each year, with a <strong>single online</strong> test.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The Government also plans to provide outreach and awareness facilities to assist candidates in rural and far flung areas to familiarize them with the online examination system.</li>
<li>A 24x7 helpline will be set up for answering queries, complaints and queries.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The present recruitment agencies&ndash;<strong> Staff Selection Commission (SSC), Railway Recruitment Board (RRB) and the Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS)&mdash;</strong> will remain in place.</li>
<li>Based on the preliminary screening done at the CET score level, final selection for recruitment shall be made through <strong>separate specialised Tiers</strong> (II, III, etc.) of examination which shall be <strong>conducted by the respective recruitment agencies.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Salient Features of CET:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The Common Eligibility Test will be held<strong> twice a year.</strong></li>
<li>There will be different CETs for <strong>graduate level, 12<sup>th</sup> Pass level and 10<sup>th</sup> pass level</strong> to facilitate recruitment to vacancies at various levels.</li>
<li>The curriculum for CET would be <strong>common.</strong></li>
<li>The CET will be conducted in<strong> 12 major Indian languages.</strong> This is a major change, as hitherto examinations for recruitment to Central Government jobs were held <strong>only in English and Hindi.</strong></li>
<li>Initially, CET will cover recruitments made by three agencies : viz. SSC, RRB and IBPS at <strong>Group B and C (non -technical)</strong> posts. This will be expanded in a phased manner.</li>
<li>CET will be held in <strong>1,000 centres</strong> across India in a bid to remove the currently prevalent urban bias. There will be an examination centre in<strong> every district</strong> of the country. There will be a special thrust on creating <strong>examination infrastructure in the 117 <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/aspirational-districts-programme" target="_blank" rel="noopener">aspirational districts.</a></strong></li>
<li>CET will be a first level test to shortlist candidates and the score will be <strong>valid for three years.</strong></li>
<li>There shall be <strong>no restriction on the number of attempts</strong> to be taken by a candidate to appear in the CET subject to the <strong>upper age limit.</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Age relaxation for<strong> SC/ST and OBC</strong> candidates as per existing rules will apply.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>About NRA:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>National Recruitment Agency will be a Society registered under the <strong>Societies Registration Act,1860.</strong></li>
<li>It will be headed by a <strong>Chairman</strong> of the rank of the Secretary to the Government of India. It will have<strong> representatives</strong> of the Ministry of Railways, Ministry of Finance/Department of Financial Services, the SSC, RRB &amp; IBPS.</li>
<li>The Government has sanctioned a sum of Rs. 1517.57 crore for the National Recruitment Agency (NRA).</li>
<li>The expenditure will be undertaken over a <strong>period of three years.</strong></li>
<li>It is envisioned that the NRA would be a specialist body bringing the state-of-the-art technology and best practices to the field of Central Government recruitment.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Need:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>At present, candidates seeking government jobs have to appear for separate examinations conducted by <strong>multiple recruiting agencies</strong> for various posts.</li>
<li>Candidates have to <strong>pay fees</strong> to multiple recruiting agencies and also have to travel long distances for appearing in various exams.</li>
<li><strong>Women candidates</strong> especially from rural areas<strong> face constraints</strong> in appearing in multiple examinations as they have to arrange for transportation and places to stay in places that are far away.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Advantages for Students:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Removes the <strong>hassle</strong> of appearing in multiple examinations.</li>
<li>Single examination fee would <strong>reduce the financial burden</strong> that multiple exams imposed.</li>
<li>Since exams will be held in every district, it would substantially <strong>save travel and lodging cost</strong> for the candidates. Examination in their own district would encourage more and <strong>more women candidates</strong> also to apply for government jobs.</li>
<li>Applicants are required to register on a <strong>single Registration portal.</strong></li>
<li>It will also prevent the issue of <strong>clashing examination dates.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Advantages for Institutions:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Removes the <strong>hassle of conducting preliminary/screening tests</strong> of candidates.</li>
<li>Drastically <strong>reduces the time of recruitment cycle.</strong></li>
<li>Brings <strong>standardization</strong> in examination pattern.</li>
<li><strong>Reduces costs</strong> for different recruiting agencies. <strong>Rs 600 crore savings</strong> expected.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Staff Selection Commission</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Staff Selection Commission is an <strong>attached office of the Department of Personnel and Training</strong> under the<strong> Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions.</strong></li>
<li>The Government of India, in the Department of Personnel and Administrative Reforms, vide its resolution dated the 4<sup>th</sup> November 1975 constituted a Commission called the Subordinate Services Commission. The same was re-designated as Staff Selection Commission effective from 26<sup>th</sup> September 1977.</li>
<li>It makes recruitment to various <strong>Group &ldquo;B&rdquo; and Group &ldquo;C&rdquo; posts</strong> in the various Ministries/Departments of the Government of India and in Subordinate Offices.</li>
<li>It has its headquarters in <strong>New Delhi.</strong></li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Institute of Banking Personnel Selection</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>IBPS is an <strong>autonomous body</strong> formed in 1984.</li>
<li>It is registered under the Societies Registration Act, 1860 and also a Public Trust under the Bombay Public Trust Act, 1950.</li>
<li>It was created to render <strong>assistance to organisations in the areas of personnel such as recruitment, selection, placement, etc.</strong></li>
<li>It has its headquarters in <strong>Mumbai, Maharashtra.</strong></li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><strong><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/national-recruitment-agency-nra-government-jobs-6561491/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Source: IE</a></strong></p>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/national-recruitment-agency-1'
	],
	(int) 16 => [
		'title' => 'Jurisdictional Conflict in Delhi',
		'catname' => 'News Editorials',
		'desc' => '<div class="border">
<p>This article is based on <a href="https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/lead/jurisdictional-conflict-in-the-running-of-delhi/article32378854.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Jurisdictional conflict in the running of Delhi&rdquo;</strong></a> which was published in The Hindu on 19/08/2020. It talks about the never-ending power tussle between the Lieutenant Governor and state government of Delhi</p>
</div>
<p>Recently, the Delhi government has appointed the public prosecutors for conducting the Delhi riot cases in the High Court. However, the Lieutenant Governor (LG) has stalled this decision, by referring it to the President under proviso to Article 239AA(4).</p>
<p>Delhi Government has held that the appointment of prosecutors to the Supreme Court and High Court, is exclusively within the purview of the State government. On the other hand, LG appointed all the prosecutors whose names were submitted by the Delhi Police (under the control of Ministry of Home Affairs) and thus the State government&rsquo;s list was rejected.</p>
<p>This development has reignited the LG vs Delhi Government&rsquo;s jurisdiction debate that the Supreme Court sought to address in <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/sc-judgement-on-delhi-centre-tussle" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>NCT of Delhi vs. Union of India (2018).</strong></a></p>
<h3>Legal Controversy Between LG &amp; Delhi Government</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Due to the co-existence of Article 239 and 239AA, there is a jurisdictional conflict between the government of NCT and the Union Government and its representative, the Lieutenant Governor.</li>
<li>According to the Union government, New Delhi being a Union Territory Article 239 empowers the Lieutenant Governor to act independently of his Council of Ministers.</li>
<li>However, the state government of Delhi held that the Article 239AA of the Constitution bestows special status to Delhi of having its own legislatively elected government.</li>
<li>This creates a tussle around the administrative powers of the LG and state government of NCT of Delhi.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Highlights of the 2018 Judgement</h3>
<p><strong>Status of Delhi under the Constitution</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Administration of Union Territory under Article 239(1) is different from Article 239AA which provides for an elected Legislature.</li>
<li>The court held that Parliament can legislate for Delhi on any matter in the State List and the Concurrent List but the executive power in relation to Delhi except the &lsquo;Police&rsquo;, &lsquo;Land&rsquo; and &lsquo;Public Orders&rsquo; vests only in the state government headed by the Chief Minister.</li>
<li>It also held that the executive power of the Union does not extend to any of the matters which come within the jurisdiction of the Delhi Assembly.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>LG to act on 'aid and advice' of the Council of Ministers</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The court held that for establishing a democratic and representative form of government for NCT of Delhi, Government of Delhi that enjoys the confidence of the people of Delhi should have the functional autonomy to legislate for the NCT of Delhi.</li>
<li>Hence, through the judgement, the Supreme Court has settled the law in regard to the &lsquo;aid and advice&rsquo; of the Council of Ministers by affirming that the LG is bound to act on the aid and advice except in respect of &lsquo;Land&rsquo;, &lsquo;Public Order&rsquo; and the &lsquo;Police&rsquo;.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>LG cannot refer 'every' matter to the President</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Article 239AA (4) says that in the case of a difference of opinion between the LG and his Ministers on<strong> any matter,</strong> the LG shall refer it to the President for final decision and act according to it.</li>
<li>However, the court inferred that the words &lsquo;any matter&rsquo; employed in the proviso to Article 239AA (4) cannot be inferred to mean &lsquo;every matter&rsquo;.</li>
<li>The power of the Lieutenant Governor under the said proviso represents the exception and not the general rule which has to be exercised in exceptional circumstances by the LG.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Limited References to be made to the President</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>LG does not to refer to the President normal administrative matters as that would disturb the concept of Constitutional governance, principles of collaborative federalism and the standards of Constitutional morality.</li>
<li>The Court also held that the President is the highest Constitutional authority and his decision should be sought only on constitutionally important issues.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Unresolved Areas in the Judgement</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Overlapping Areas:</strong> Though the court has settled that LG is bound to act on the aid and advice except in respect of &lsquo;Land&rsquo;, &lsquo;Public Order&rsquo; and the &lsquo;Police&rsquo;. However, Public Order is a very wide connotation, which subsequently leads to overlapping executive powers.</li>
<li><strong>Still No Clarity on Article 239AA (4):</strong> The court did not very clearly delineate the issues in respect of which the LG can refer a decision taken by the Council of Ministers to the President in the event of a difference of opinion between the LG and the State government.</li>
<li><strong>Open-Ended Terminologies:</strong> In the event of referring any matter to the President, the Court enunciated that LG must adhere to the constitutional principles of <strong>collaborative federalism, constitutional balance and the concept of constitutional governance.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>However, these terms are very wide and open-ended and subject to different interpretations.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Harmonious Functioning:</strong> Constitutional scheme adopted for the NCT of Delhi conceives of the Council of Ministers as the representatives of the people on the one hand and the LG as the nominee of the President on the other.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>For the sake of adhering to the principle of representative democracy and cooperative federalism, it is required that both the constitutional offices should function in harmony within the Constitutional parameters.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Incorporating the Washington DC Model:</strong> Indian Government can emulate the model of administrative sharing of power between the Federal Government of US and state of Washington.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Under that scheme, only the strategic areas and buildings are under the effective control of the federal government and the rest of the areas are under jurisdiction of Washington state.</li>
<li>Given this, the institution of strategic importance like Parliament, Supreme Court etc. can remain under the jurisdiction of Union Government and areas other than these can be given statehood.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Conclusion</h3>
<p>The Supreme Court in NCT of Delhi vs. Union of India (2018) case did well in resolving the legal controversy between the LG and Delhi Government. However, the present controversy shows there are still many areas to be resolved. Thus, the Supreme court must leverage the present controversy to resolve this jurisdictional conflict for good.</p>
<table border="1" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="width: 100%; border-style: dotted; background-color: #edfcff; border-color: #ff0000;">
<p><span style="color: #000080;"><em><strong>Drishti Mains Question</strong></em></span></p>
<p>The tussle between the LG and Delhi government can only be solved by showing true statesmanship by both the offices. Comment.</p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p style="text-align: center;"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/1CK_eKoulPU" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p>
<p>This editorial is based on <a href="https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/editorial/historic-ratification-the-hindu-editorial-on-universal-ratification-of-a-labour-standard/article32347515.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>&ldquo;Historic ratification: On universal ratification of a labour standard&rdquo;</strong></a> which was published in The Hindu on August 14<sup>th</sup>, 2020. Now watch this on our Youtube channel.</p>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/jurisdictional-conflict-in-delhi'
	],
	(int) 17 => [
		'title' => 'National Cancer Registry Programme Report 2020',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>According to the recently released <strong>National Cancer Registry Programme Report 2020, cancer cases in India are likely to increase</strong> to 15.6 lakhs by 2025, a 12% increase from the current estimated cases.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The report has been released by the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/icmr-recommends-use-of-hydroxy-chloroquine" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Indian Council of Medical Research</strong> </a>(ICMR) and the <strong>National Centre for Disease Informatics and Research</strong> (NCDIR), Bengaluru.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Number of Cases:</strong> The number of cases are likely to touch 15.6 lakhs by 2025 from the current 13.9 lakhs in 2020.</li>
<li><strong>Major Cause: Tobacco-related cancers</strong> are estimated to contribute<strong> 27.1% of the total cancer burden.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Regional Distribution:</strong> Cancers related to use of any form of tobacco were <strong>highest in the northeastern region</strong> of the country and in <strong>higher proportions in men.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Gender Prevalence:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Among <strong>women, breast cancers</strong> are estimated to contribute 14.8% and <strong>cervical cancer</strong> (tumour of the cervix, the lowermost part of the uterus) are estimated to contribute 5.4%.</li>
<li>For <strong>both men and women, cancers of the gastrointestinal tract</strong> are estimated to contribute 19.7% of the total cancer burden.</li>
<li>Cancers of the<strong> lung, mouth, stomach and oesophagus</strong> (the muscular tube that runs from the throat to the stomach) are the most common cancers among men.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Detection and Spread:</strong> <strong>Cancers of the lung</strong> were diagnosed at a <strong>stage of spread to distant sites,</strong> while <strong>cancers of head and neck, stomach, breast and cervix</strong> were in <strong>higher proportions with a locoregional</strong> (restricted to a localized region of the body) <strong>spread.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Cancer Incidence Rate:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>For the <strong>male population,</strong> it ranges from 269.4 (Aizawl, Mizoram) to 39.5 (Osmanabad and Beed, Maharashtra) per 1,00,000 population.</li>
<li>For the <strong>female population,</strong> it ranges from 219.8 (Papumpare, Arunachal Pradesh) to 49.4 (Osmanabad and Beed, Maharashtra) per 1,00,000 population.</li>
<li>A significant <strong>increase in the incidence rates of breast cancers in women</strong> and <strong>lung and head and neck cancers in both men and women</strong> was observed.</li>
<li>A <strong>declining trend</strong> was seen in most of the registries for <strong>cancer of the cervix.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Cancer</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Cancer is a generic term for a <strong>large group of diseases characterized by the growth of abnormal cells beyond their usual boundaries</strong> that can then invade adjoining parts of the body and/or spread to other organs.</li>
<li>Other common terms used for cancer are <strong>malignant tumors and neoplasms.</strong></li>
<li>Cancer is one of the <strong>leading causes of death globally.</strong></li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/world-cancer-day-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>World Cancer Day</strong></a> is organized by the<strong> Union for International Cancer Control</strong> (UICC) and celebrated each year on<strong> 4<sup>th</sup> February.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>2020 theme: &lsquo;I Am and I Will&rsquo;,</strong> which acknowledges that everyone has the capacity to address the cancer burden.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Indian Council of Medical Research</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It is the <strong>apex body in India for the formulation, coordination and promotion</strong> of biomedical research.</li>
<li><strong>Mandate:</strong> To conduct, coordinate and implement medical research for the benefit of the society, translating medical innovations into products/processes and introducing them into the public health system.</li>
<li>It is <strong>funded by the Government of India</strong> through the Department of Health Research, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>National Centre for Disease Informatics and Research</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It is one of its kind of unique institution which <strong>utilizes information science for health research</strong> as its integral component.</li>
<li><strong>Objective:</strong> To <strong>sustain and develop a national research data-base</strong> on cancer, <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/world-diabetes-day-2019#:~:text=Diabetes%20is%20a%20Non%2DCommunicable,use%20the%20insulin%20it%20produces." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>diabetes</strong></a>, <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/higher-mortality-from-cardio-vascular-diseases" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>cardiovascular disease</strong></a> (CVD) and stroke through recent advances in electronic information technology with a national collaborative network.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/health/report-predicts-12-rise-in-indias-cancer-burden/article32386880.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: TH</strong></a></p>',
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		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/national-cancer-registry-programme-report-2020'
	],
	(int) 18 => [
		'title' => 'Digital Quality of Life Index 2020: SurfShark',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the <strong>Digital Quality of Life (DQL) Index 2020</strong> has been released by <strong>SurfShark,</strong> an online privacy solutions provider.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>According to it,<strong> India ranks among the lowest</strong> in the world in terms of Internet quality.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Coverage:</strong> It is <strong>global research on the quality of digital wellbeing in 85 countries</strong> (81% of the global population).<a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1597831230_image2.PNG" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1597831230_image2.PNG" style="float: right;" width="600" caption="false" /></a></li>
<li><strong>Parameters:</strong> The study indexes the countries by looking at<strong> five fundamental pillars</strong> that define the digital quality of life namely,<strong> internet affordability, internet quality, electronic infrastructure, electronic security and electronic government.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Underpinning these pillars are 12 indicators that are interrelated and work together to provide a measure of the overall digital quality of life.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>GDP and DQL:</strong> Although<strong> GDP per capita has a strong correlation with the DQL,</strong> there are countries that have a better digital quality of life with a lower GDP per capita than expected.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>13 countries</strong> (Azerbaijan, Bulgaria, China, Croatia, Greece, etc.) <strong>exceed the expected digital quality of life by outperforming others</strong> in providing higher levels of e-security and more affordable internet connectivity.</li>
<li><strong>Bahrain, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia</strong> with relatively high GDP per capita are <strong>underperforming</strong> in providing better digital wellbeing for their citizens due to low levels of internet quality and e-security.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Affordability:</strong> The <strong>affordability of the internet plays a major role in ensuring accessibility</strong> but has a notably <strong>lower correlation with the DQL</strong> than the other pillars.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>For instance, the internet is less affordable in some Southern or Eastern European countries but people there still enjoy higher than the average digital quality of life.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Internet Infrastructure:</strong> The<strong> stability of the internet infrastructure</strong> has become of crucial importance during the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/covid-19-now-pandemic-who" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Covid-19 pandemic</strong> </a>when video conferences replaced live meetings. Consequently, it impacted the quality of people&rsquo;s digital lives.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>During the first month of the lockdowns, 49 of 85 countries experienced deteriorated speeds of mobile internet and 44 countries experienced deteriorated speeds of broadband connection.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Global Rankings:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>7 out of 10 countries with the highest DQL are in Europe,</strong> with <strong>Denmark leading</strong> among 85 countries.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Scandinavian countries excel</strong> in offering high-quality digital wellbeing to their citizens.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Canada leads in American continents, Japan in Asia, South Africa in Africa and News Zealand in Oceania.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Indian Rankings:</strong> India stands at the<strong> overall rank of 57</strong> out of the 85 countries.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Internet Affordability: 9<sup>th</sup> place</strong> and outperforms countries like the UK, the USA and China.</li>
<li><strong>Internet Quality: 78<sup>th</sup> place</strong> and is almost at the bottom of the pillar.</li>
<li><strong>E-infrastructure: 79<sup>th</sup> place</strong> and below countries like Guatemala and Sri Lanka.</li>
<li><strong>Electronic Security: 57<sup>th</sup> position.</strong></li>
<li><strong>E-government: 15<sup>th</sup> place</strong> and just below countries like New Zealand and Italy.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Government Initiatives Related to Internet</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/digital-india-atmanirbhar-bharat-innovate-challenge" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Digital India Programme</strong></a>: It is an umbrella program to prepare India for a knowledge-based transformation.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>e-Kranti:</strong> <a href="/to-the-points/Paper2/e-governance-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>National e-Governance Plan 2.0</strong></a> which is an essential pillar of the Digital India initiative.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/digilocker" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Digilockers:</strong> </a>It enables Indian citizens to store certain official documents on the cloud.</li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/bhim-2-0" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>BHIM App:</strong> </a>To enable digital payments.</li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/conference-on-digital-cashless-economy" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Pradhan Mantri Gramin Digital Saksharta Abhiyan:</strong></a> To make citizens digitally literate.</li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/important-facts-for-prelims-22nd-february-2019" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Bharat Net programme:</strong> </a>To provide an optical fibre network in all gram panchayats.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/india-ranks-among-lowest-in-terms-of-internet-quality/article32385913.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: TH</strong></a></p>',
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		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/digital-quality-of-life-index-2020-surfshark'
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	(int) 19 => [
		'title' => 'Invisible Shield against Electromagnetic Interference',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, scientists from the <strong>Centre for Nano and Soft Matter Sciences (CeNS),</strong> Bengaluru, have <strong>designed a metal mesh structure</strong> to construct an <strong>invisible shield</strong> against<strong> Electromagnetic Interference (EMI).</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>CeNS is an autonomous institute under the Department of Science &amp; Technology, Government of India.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Electromagnetic Interference</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>EMI is an <strong>electromagnetic emission</strong> that <strong>causes a disturbance</strong> in another piece of electrical equipment. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Any device that has an electronic circuit can be susceptible to EMI.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>It <strong>compromises the performance</strong> of electrical equipment by obstructing and degrading data, sometimes even losing data completely.</li>
<li>EMI can be<strong> attributed to a wide span of the electromagnetic spectrum</strong> including radio and microwave frequencies.</li>
<li>In 1933, the <strong>International Special Committee on Radio Interference (CISPR)</strong> was created to address emerging concerns over EMI.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Metal Mesh Structure:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The scientists have developed a <strong>copper metal mesh on polyethylene terephthalate (PET) sheet,</strong> instead of continuous film, which exhibits a <strong>visible transmittance</strong> of about 85%.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Transmittance</strong> describes how much light passes through a sample. In other words, it is light that is not absorbed, scattered, or reflected. It is usually measured in percentage.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The <strong>metal mesh networks on the substrate are more transparent than continuous film </strong>because it covers only 7% area of the substrate, unlike 100% coverage of continuous film.</li>
<li>Metal mesh provides <strong>better electromagnetic shielding</strong> compared to the same thickness of continuous metal film where transparency can be compromised.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Benefits:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The main purpose of the EMI shield is to <strong>isolate a device's energy</strong> so it doesn't affect anything else and <strong>blocks external energy</strong> from getting in. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Without shielding, electronics wouldn't function as designed or may even stop working altogether.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>This &lsquo;invisible&rsquo; shield can be<strong> used in various military stealth applications</strong> and can cover electromagnetic wave emitter or absorber devices without compromising aesthetics.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Besides the physical shape, reducing the electromagnetic signature, which includes radar waves and radio signals, is an important element for enhancing the stealth capability of a weapon platform.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1646583" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: PIB</strong></a></p>',
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