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India & Oman

Why in News Recently, a meeting of the India-Oman Strategic Consultative Group (IOSCG) was held with the first high-level official visit from Oman...

16 Jan 2021 News Analysis
Kashmir Debate in UK’s Parliament

Why in News Recently, India has expressed its concern over a debate on Kashmir in the Houses of Parliament complex in London. Earlier in october...

16 Jan 2021 News Analysis
Avian Flu Crisis

This article is based on “Handling the avian flu crisis” which was published in The Hindustan Times on 12/01/2021. It talks about the...

15 Jan 2021 News Editorials
India’s NSA Visit to Afghanistan

Why in News Recently, the National Security Advisor (NSA) of India visited Afghanistan for talks on strategic issues with the leadership in...

15 Jan 2021 News Analysis
ASMI:The Machine Pistol

Why in News India’s first indigenous 9mm Machine Pistol has been jointly developed by Infantry School, Mhow and DRDO’s Armament Research...

15 Jan 2021 News Analysis
Indian Army day

Why in News Army Day is celebrated every year on 15th January in India to commemorate the jawans and the Indian Army. This year India is...

15 Jan 2021 News Analysis
Impeachment of the President of the USA

Why in News Donald Trump has become the first President of the USA in history to be impeached twice by the House of Representatives. He was charged...

15 Jan 2021 News Analysis
India as Counterbalance to China: USA

Why in News Recently, the Trump administration declassified a document which asserted that a strong India, in cooperation with like-minded...

15 Jan 2021 News Analysis
Supreme Court’s View on Pollution in Yamuna

Why in News Recently, the Supreme Court (SC) has taken suo motu cognizance of pollution of water bodies by untreated sewage. The SC was hearing...

15 Jan 2021 News Analysis
World's Oldest Cave Art

Why in News Recently, archaeologists have discovered the world’s oldest known cave art which is a life-sized picture of a wild pig that was...

15 Jan 2021 News Analysis
India’s Potential to Increase Cereals Export

Why in News The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) has noted in its latest Grain: World Markets and Trade report that exports of wheat and rice...

15 Jan 2021 News Analysis
PRS Capsule December 2020

Key Highlights of PRS Governance Online Gaming and Fantasy Sports Advertisements Telecom Connectivity in Remote Areas Prime Minister’s Wi-Fi...

15 Jan 2021 PRS Capsule
SAARC Revival

This article is based on “Reclaiming SAARC from the ashes of 2020” which was published in The Hindu on 13/01/2021. It talks about the...

14 Jan 2021 News Editorials
LCA Tejas

Why in News The Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) has recently cleared a deal worth Rs. 48,000 crore for the acquisition of 83 Tejas Light Combat...

14 Jan 2021 News Analysis
Harvest Festivals in India

Why in News The harvest festivals like Lohri, Makar Sankranti and Pongal have recently been celebrated all across the country. Key Points Makar...

14 Jan 2021 News Analysis
USA Redesignates Cuba as State Sponsor of Terrorism

Why in News Recently, the USA State Department has designated Cuba as a State Sponsor of Terrorism for repeatedly providing support for acts of...

14 Jan 2021 News Analysis
Two Dimensional Electron Gas

Why in News Scientists at Institute of Nano Science and Technology (INST), Mohali, Punjab have produced an ultra-high mobility Two dimensional...

14 Jan 2021 News Analysis
Nanobodies

Why in News An international research team led by the University of Bonn (Germany) has identified and further developed novel antibody fragments...

14 Jan 2021 News Analysis
Draft National Science, Technology and Innovation Policy

This article is based on “Building a vibrant science ecosystem” which was published in The Indian Express on 12/01/2021. It talks about...

13 Jan 2021 News Editorials
Data on Retail Inflation and Factory Output

Why in News Separate data on retail inflation and factory output have been recently released by the Ministry of Statistics & Programme...

13 Jan 2021 News Analysis

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			'title' => 'India & Oman',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, a meeting of the<strong> India-Oman Strategic Consultative Group</strong> (IOSCG) was held with the first <strong>high-level official visit</strong> from Oman to India since the onset of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/covid-19-now-pandemic-who" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Covid-19 pandemic</strong></a>.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1610789405_image7.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1610789405_image7.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="500" caption="false" /></a></p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Partnership during Pandemic:</strong> India assured assistance to Oman in its requirement for <strong>Covid-19</strong> vaccines. India had also facilitated<strong> food and medical supplies to Oman</strong> during the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/covid-19-now-pandemic-who" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>pandemic.</strong></a><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Previously both the countries have expressed satisfaction on the operationalisation of the <strong>Air Bubble arrangement</strong> between the two countries during <strong>covid-19.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/travel-bubble" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Air bubbles</strong></a> (travel corridors or travel bubbles) are systems established between <strong>two countries</strong> that perceive each other <strong>to be safe and allow carriers of both the countries to fly passengers either way</strong> without any restrictions.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Comprehensive Review:</strong> Both sides reviewed the entire spectrum of India-Oman relationship including in political, energy, trade, investment, defence, security, space, mining, Science &amp; Technology, culture and consular fields.</li>
</ul>
<h3>India Oman Relations</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Background:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The two countries across the Arabian Sea are linked by<strong> geography, history and culture</strong> and enjoy warm and cordial relations, which are attributed to <strong>historical maritime trade linkages.</strong></li>
<li>While people-to-people contact between India and Oman can be traced back <strong>5000 years, diplomatic relations were established in 1955</strong> and the relationship was upgraded to <strong>Strategic partnership in 2008.</strong> Oman has been a key pillar of<strong> India's West Asia Policy.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Political Relations:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Visits at the highest level have been exchanged frequently between India and Oman. Ministerial level visits have taken place regularly.</li>
<li>The Sultanate of Oman is a<strong> strategic partner of India</strong> in the Gulf and an important interlocutor at the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/gulf-cooperation-council-and-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Gulf Cooperation Council</strong></a> (GCC), <strong>Arab League</strong> and <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/19th-iora-council-of-ministers-meeting" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Indian Ocean Rim Association</strong> </a>(IORA) fora.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Defence Cooperation:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The Ministries of Defence of both countries review their relations annually under the aegis of <strong>Joint Military Cooperation Committee</strong> meeting.</li>
<li>India and Oman conduct <strong>regular biennial bilateral exercises</strong> between all three services. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Army exercise: <strong>Al Najah</strong></li>
<li>Air Force exercise: <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/ex-eastern-bridge-v" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Eastern Bridge</strong></a></li>
<li>Naval Exercise: <strong>Naseem Al Bahr</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Since 2008, Oman has been extending its support to Indian Navy&rsquo;s <strong>anti-piracy missions</strong> and Indian Naval Ships are regularly welcomed by Oman for <strong>Overseas Deployments.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Economic &amp; Commercial Relations:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>India accords a high priority to expanding its economic and commercial ties with Oman. Institutional mechanisms like<strong> Joint Commission Meeting</strong> (JCM) and<strong> Joint Business Council</strong> (JBC) oversee economic cooperation between India and Oman.</li>
<li>The bilateral trade and investment between India and Oman remain <strong>robust and buoyant.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>India is among Oman&rsquo;s <strong>top trading partners.</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>For Oman, India was the<strong> 3<sup>rd</sup> largest</strong> (after UAE and China) source for its imports and <strong>3<sup>rd</sup> largest market</strong> (after UAE and Saudi Arabia) for its non-oil exports in 2018.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Major items of India&rsquo;s <strong>exports to Oman</strong> include mineral fuels, mineral oils and products of their distillation; boilers, machinery and mechanical appliances; articles of iron or steel; electrical machinery and equipment, textiles and garments, chemicals, tea, coffee, spices etc</li>
<li>Main items of<strong> India&rsquo;s imports</strong> from Oman include fertilizers; mineral fuels, mineral oils and products of their distillation; bituminous substances etc.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Indian financial institutions such as State Bank of India, Public Sector Undertakings such as Air India, Life Insurance Corporation(LIC), have presence in Oman. Indian companies have invested in Oman in sectors like iron and steel, cement, fertilizers, textile etc.</li>
<li><strong>India-Oman Joint Investment Fund</strong> (OIJIF), a JV between <strong>State Bank of India and State General Reserve Fund</strong> (SGRF) of Oman, a special purpose vehicle to invest in India, has been operational.</li>
<li><strong>Access to Duqm Port:</strong> Oman has allowed India, including its navy, access to its Duqm port, about 550 km south of the capital Muscat. The Port of Duqm SEZ is earmarked to be the Indian Ocean&rsquo;s largest deep-sea port.</li>
<li>An agreement to <strong>develop Little India, an integrated tourism complex project in Duqm</strong> worth 748 million USD, has been signed between the two countries.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Cultural Cooperation:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>India and Oman have close cultural relations. The vibrant Indian expatriate community in Oman regularly hosts<strong> cultural performances and invites celebrity artists and singers from India.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Indian Community in Oman:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The large, diverse and highly regarded expatriate Indian community in Oman is spread over the<strong> entire spectrum of professions.</strong> Thousands of Indians are working as doctors, engineers,etc.</li>
<li>There are many<strong> Indian schools offering CBSE syllabus</strong> catering to the educational needs of about <strong>45,000</strong> Indian children.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>India does not have enough energy resources to serve its current or future energy requirements. The rapidly growing energy demand has contributed to the need for <strong>long term energy partnerships with countries like Oman.</strong></li>
<li>Oman&rsquo;s Duqm Port is situated in the <strong>middle of international shipping lanes connecting East with West Asia.</strong></li>
<li>India needs to engage with Oman and <strong>take initiatives to utilise opportunities arising out of the Duqm Port industrial city.</strong></li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/india-oman-review-ties-vow-to-step-up-trade-and-investment/article33576897.ece#:~:text=Secretary%20(CPV%26OIA)%20thanked%20the%20Omani,to%20Oman%20during%20the%20pandemic." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source:TH</strong></a></p>',
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		(int) 1 => [
			'title' => 'Kashmir Debate in UK’s Parliament',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, India has expressed its concern over a <strong>debate on Kashmir in the Houses of Parliament complex in London.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Earlier in october 2020 a delegation of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/members-of-european-parliament-visit-kashmir" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>European Union Members of Parliament (MEPs)</strong></a>, comprising 27 Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) from Italy, Britain, France, Germany, Czech <strong>Republic, and Poland, visited Srinagar,</strong> nearly three months after the <a href="/to-the-points/Paper2/to-the-point-article-370" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>revocation of Article 370</strong></a>.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1610781039_image2.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1610781039_image2.png" width="450" caption="false" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></a></p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Background:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>A debate was organised by some <strong>Members of Parliament</strong> in <strong>the United Kingdom (UK),</strong> titled <strong>"Political situation in Kashmir".</strong></li>
<li>It raised concerns of <strong>alleged <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/international-human-rights-day-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">human rights</a> violations</strong> and called on the UK government to seek access to the region for direct reports from Jammu and Kashmir and <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/pakistan-s-provincial-status-to-gilgit-baltistan" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK)</strong></a> to be presented in the UK Parliament in future.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>India&rsquo;s Concern:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The<strong> terminology</strong> used in the debate was problematic, regarding the reference to <strong>'Kashmir''</strong> in the title - there is a need to differentiate between<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/uts-j-k-and-ladakh" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir</strong></a>, which is an integral part of India, and <strong>Pakistan Occupied Kashmir</strong> (when the erstwhile princely state of Kashmir legally acceded to India in October 1947, this part was forcibly and illegally occupied by Pakistan).</li>
<li>The debate ignored current ground reality of<strong> the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir</strong> and, instead chose to reflect false assertions of the kind promoted by a third country (Pakistan), such as unsubstantiated allegations of <strong>'genocide'', 'rampant violence'' and 'torture'.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>India&rsquo;s Stand:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The Indian High Commission in London sought to highlight that since last year, a smart wi-fi project has enabled <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/restoration-of-4g-internet-in-j-k#:~:text=Background%3A,two%20Union%20Territories%20(UTs)." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>high-speed internet access in the region</strong></a> and that despite threats of terror attacks, challenging weather conditions and the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/comprehensive-action-plan-for-covid-19" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Covid-19</strong> </a>pandemic, landmark <strong>District Development Council (DDC) elections were concluded in December 2020.</strong></li>
<li>India stands ready to engage with Pakistan on all outstanding issues &ndash; including on Jammu and Kashmir in accordance with the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/external-intervention-on-kashmir-issue" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Shimla Agreement (1972)</strong> </a>and the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/kargil-vijay-diwas" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Lahore Declaration (1999)</strong> </a>in an atmosphere free from terror, hostility and violence.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>UK Government&rsquo;s Stand:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Although there were human rights concerns on both sides of the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/india-china-conflict" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Line of Control (LoC)</strong></a>, the UK will <strong>not play any mediatory role in a bilateral <a href="/to-the-points/Paper2/india-pakistan-scope-of-soft-diplomacy" target="_blank" rel="noopener">India-Pakistan</a> matter.</strong></li>
<li>The government's policy (on Kashmir) remains stable,<strong> it's unchanged.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It continues to believe that India and Pakistan need to find a lasting political resolution to the situation that takes into account the wishes of the Kashmiri people as laid out in the <strong>Simla Agreement (1972).</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/india-deplores-false-assertions-in-uk-parliament-kashmir-debate/article33575979.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: TH</strong></a></p>',
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		],
		(int) 2 => [
			'title' => 'Avian Flu Crisis',
			'catname' => 'News Editorials',
			'desc' => '<div class="border">
<p>This article is based on<a href="https://www.hindustantimes.com/opinion/handling-the-avian-flu-crisis-hteditorial-101610461818610.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> &ldquo;Handling the avian flu crisis&rdquo;</strong> </a>which was published in The Hindustan Times on 12/01/2021. It talks about the frequent occurrence of bird flu and its impact.</p>
</div>
<p>Just three months after India declared itself free of the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/bird-flu-threat" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>avian influenza outbreak (Bird Flu)</strong></a>, the year 2021 started with an unprecedented bird flu epidemic. The recent occurrence of bird flu has caused the death of thousands of wild and poultry birds in 10 states.</p>
<p>Avian influenza, commonly known as bird flu, is a highly contagious viral disease affecting a variety of birds. The most common strain of the virus that causes severe respiratory disease in birds is H5N1. However, other strains, such as H7N1, H8N1, or H5N8, also cause bird flu.</p>
<p>The frequent occurrences of bird flu cause a high degree of mortality in birds and subsequent economic loss to the fast-growing poultry industry. Moreover, there are risks associated with the mutation of the virus and infection to the human.</p>
<p>Given the disruption caused by Covid-19, it is important that any viral outbreak must be handled with adequate preventive and curative steps.</p>
<h3>Reason For Frequent Occurrence of Bird Flu</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Source:</strong> Wild birds are considered the natural reservoirs of the bird flu viruses, and it is typical of an outbreak to coincide with the season of arrival of migratory birds.</li>
<li><strong>Migration of Virus:</strong> Migratory birds from faraway countries in the northern hemisphere such as Mongolia and Kazakhstan are said to have brought the virus to India.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The bird flu spreads through their droppings, contaminating the water bodies they visit.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Destination:</strong> According to the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/world-health-organization-who" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>World Health Organization (WHO)</strong></a>, more than half of the world&rsquo;s bird flu incidents take place in the <a href="/current-affairs-news-analysis-editorials/news-analysis/22-04-2019" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Central Asian Flyway (CAF)</strong></a>, which covers almost the entire Indian subcontinent.</li>
<li><strong>Man-Made Reason:</strong> Further, WHO believes that continuous growth in poultry farming under poor sanitary conditions was sustaining the virus, with multiple susceptible species living in the same area.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Threats Emanating From Bird Flu</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Threat to Humans:</strong> The viral strain, H5N1 has a history of spreading over to humans from birds, but the instances of bird flu among humans have been uncommon.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>However, according to WHO, human cases of bird flu occur &ldquo;occasionally,&rdquo; but the mortality rate is about 60% when it happens.</li>
<li>It further states that there is a possibility of the H5N1 mutating and posing a pandemic threat among humans.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Economic Impact:</strong> The response to a bird flu outbreak is a containment strategy, which is primarily centered around removing the diseased birds through culling. Such mass destruction causes a severe impact on farmers.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>According to the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, India&rsquo;s poultry sector is worth ₹80,000 crores. The organized sector represents 80%, and the rest is distributed among unorganized sectors, including backyard poultry-keeping which is crucial for income and nutritional security.</li>
<li>Also, India exports processed poultry products such as egg powder, yolk powder, chicken products, and also pharmaceutical ingredients from the poultry sector worth hundreds of crores every year.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Preventive Measures:</strong> It is very difficult to eradicate influenza viruses because they persist in a vast reservoir of aquatic birds. However, the spread of bird flu can be contained if there is early sharing of information between the 29 CAF countries.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In this context, the United Nations and WHO should work with countries in the CAF region for disease surveillance of the migratory birds.</li>
<li>In India, the Central government requires veterinary staff to conduct inspections periodically under the Prevention and Control of Infectious and Contagious Diseases in Animals Act, 2009, to catch any signs of disease among birds and other animals early.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Curative Measures:</strong> In India, the Centre has the right thing by asking the state governments to follow the <strong>National Action Plan for Prevention, Control, and Containment of Avian Influenza 2021.</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The plan emphasizes the practice of building a biosafety bubble around poultry farms to mitigate the chances of wild birds coming in close contact with reared birds.</li>
<li>Also, where birds&rsquo; culling is undertaken to combat bird flu, the National Action Plan prescribes compensation to farmers at fixed rates.</li>
<li>However, the farmers complain that compensations do not cover the profit they could have earned from regular business. Given the economic slowdown amid the Covid-19 pandemic, the governments must do needful help from the farmers.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Need For Research:</strong> Experts say preventing bird flu is very difficult as little research has been done on the virus-carrying capability of migratory birds in CAF.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Therefore, it is also important to undertake genome sequencing of virus samples to track the virus&rsquo;s evolution.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Measure to be Taken by Farmers:</strong> The measures, which have general relevance to farmers everywhere, include cleansing and disinfecting, reduction of people&rsquo;s movement in the farm bird areas to reduce contamination, reducing contact between captive and wild birds.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Conclusion</h3>
<p>Covid-19 pandemic showed the world how a microorganism could bring the whole world to a standstill. Therefore, it is imperative to treat the viral outbreak with utmost urgency and adopt sustainable ways of living.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1610713011_image%200.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1610713011_image 0.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="450" caption="false" /></a></p>
<table border="1" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="width: 100%; border-style: dotted; border-color: #ff0000; background-color: #fefff5;">
<p><span style="color: #000080;"><em><strong>Drishti Mains Question</strong></em></span></p>
<p>The frequent bird flu occurrences pose a high biosafety risk &amp; economic loss to the fast-growing poultry industry. Discuss.</p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p style="text-align: center;"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/vCx4L7kBdn8" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p>
<p>This editorial is based on <a href="https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/blogs/et-editorials/growth-cure-for-financial-stress/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>&rdquo;Growth Cure for Financial Stress&rdquo;</strong></a> which was published in The Economic Times on January 13<sup>th</sup>, 2020. Now watch this on our Youtube channel.</p>',
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		],
		(int) 3 => [
			'title' => 'India’s NSA Visit to Afghanistan',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/a-vote-on-national-security" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> National Security Advisor (NSA)</strong></a> of India visited Afghanistan for talks on strategic issues with the leadership in Kabul.</p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>First official visit since initiation of Intra-afghan talks:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>This visit is significant because it was the first visit by any senior Indian official amidst the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/intra-afghan-talks-role-of-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Intra-Afghan Talks.</strong></a></li>
<li><strong>Intra-Afghan</strong> talks refer to the <strong>negotiation meetings between the Taliban and the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/afghanistan-s-power-sharing-deal" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Afghan High Council for National Reconciliation</a></strong> (representative of Afghan Government) opened in Doha in 2020.</li>
<li>These talks are <strong>facilitated and supervised by the United States,</strong> representatives of the Ghani government and the Taliban aimed at ending the decades-old war and forging a political settlement.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Issues discussed:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Exchanged views</strong> on the <strong>Peace Process,</strong> the beginning of <strong>2<sup>nd</sup> round of (Intra-Afghan) talks,</strong> and the <strong>role of India in establishing peace in Afghanistan.</strong></li>
<li>Emphasis to <strong>synchronise efforts to combat terrorism</strong> and maintain peace in Aghanistan which shall become more challenging after the USA troops withdraw after <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/us-taliban-deal" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Doha Peace Pact (2020).</strong> </a><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Doha Peace Pact:</strong> In February 2020, the USA and the Tabilan signed an agreement in Doha, (Qatar&rsquo;s capital) which included: <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>USA to withdraw all of its troops from Afghanistan in 14 months and would also release Taliban prisoners, held captive by the Afghan government.</li>
<li>Assurance by Taliban that they would not allow transnational jihadist organisations such as al-Qaeda and the Islamic State to use Afganistan as their base and also committed to start direct talks with the Afghan government, which began in September 2020.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>India's Role in establishing Peace in Afghanistan:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>By <strong>participating in the intra-Afghan inaugural dialogue</strong> in Doha, India has shown its willingness to engage with all Afghan parties including the Taliban for peace in Kabul.</li>
<li>India conveyed that the peace process must: <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Be Afghan-led, Afghan-owned and Afghan-controlled;</li>
<li>Respect national sovereignty and territorial integrity of Afghanistan; and</li>
<li>Promote human rights and democracy.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>India has a major stake in the stability of Afghanistan since it has<strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/india-s-assistance-to-afghanistan" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> invested considerable resources</a> in Afghanistan's development.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1610709018_image4.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1610709018_image4.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" caption="false" /></strong></a></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Significance of Stable Afghanistan for India:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>A stable Afghanistan government in power is a <strong>strategic asset vis-&agrave;-vis Pakistan.</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>An increased political and military role for the Taliban</strong> and the expansion of its territorial control should be of great concern to India since the Taliban is widely believed to be a prot&eacute;g&eacute; of Islamabad.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The country has the <strong>Central Asian Republics</strong> to the North, Pakistan to its East, and through Iran and Pakistan the Indian Ocean deeper south.</li>
<li>Withdrawal of the USA troops could result in the<strong> breeding of the fertile ground for various anti-India terrorist</strong> outfits like <a href="/printpdf/pakistan-on-fatf-grey-list" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Lashkar-e-Taiba</strong></a> or Jaish-e-Mohammed.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>India has reaffirmed its <strong>support to the Doha Agreement (2020) and intra-Afghan peace negotiations</strong> facilitating Afghan peace process and reiterated its commitment to Afghanistan&rsquo;s pursuit of <strong>&ldquo;sustainable peace and reconciliation&rdquo;.</strong></li>
<li>India&rsquo;s vision of a<strong> sovereign, united, stable, plural and democratic Afghanistan</strong> is one that is shared by Afghanistan, cutting across ethnic and provincial lines.</li>
<li><strong>Continuing such active engagement</strong> will enable India to work with like-minded forces in the region to ensure that the vacuum created by the USA withdrawal does not lead to an unravelling of the gains registered during the last two decades.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/india/ajit-doval-goes-to-afghanistan-focus-on-terror-7145469/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source:IE</strong></a></p>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/india-s-nsa-visit-to-afghanistan'
		],
		(int) 4 => [
			'title' => 'ASMI:The Machine Pistol',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>India&rsquo;s<strong> first indigenous 9mm Machine Pistol</strong> has been jointly developed by <strong>Infantry School, Mhow</strong> and <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-national-institutions/defence-research-and-development-organisation-drdo" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>DRDO&rsquo;s</strong></a> <strong>Armament Research &amp; Development Establishment (ARDE), Pune.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Machine pistols are primarily self-loading versions of pistols which are either fully automatic or can also fire bursts of bullets.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1610704562_image5.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1610704562_image5.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" caption="false" width="567" height="319" /></a></p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Pistol is named <strong>&ldquo;Asmi&rdquo;</strong> meaning <strong>&ldquo;Pride&rdquo;, &ldquo;Self-Respect" &amp; &ldquo;Hard Work&rdquo;.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Features of Asmi:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The Machine Pistol fires the in-service <strong>9mm ammunition.</strong></li>
<li>With an overall <strong>empty weight of less than 2 Kg,</strong> it features an<strong> 8-inch barrel</strong> and <strong>33 rounds high capacity magazine.</strong></li>
<li>It has an upper receiver made from Aircraft <strong>grade Aluminium</strong> and lower receiver from <strong>Carbon Fibre.</strong></li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/make-it-the-indian-way" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>3D Printing process</strong></a> has been used in designing and prototyping of various parts including trigger components made by metal 3D printing.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Significance:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The weapon has huge potential in Armed forces as <strong>personal weapon for heavy weapon detachments, commanders, tank, aircraft crews, counter insurgency and counter terrorism</strong> operations etc.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Cost Effective:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The Machine Pistol is likely to have production cost under Rs.<strong> 50000</strong> each and has <strong>potential for exports.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1688547" 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/asmi-the-machine-pistol'
		],
		(int) 5 => [
			'title' => 'Indian Army day',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Army Day is <strong>celebrated every year on 15<sup>th</sup> January</strong> in India to commemorate the jawans and the Indian Army.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>This year India is celebrating its <strong>73<sup>rd</sup> Army Day.</strong></li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1610704285_image6.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1610704285_image6.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="350" caption="false" /></strong></a></p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Historical Background:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>On <strong>15<sup>th</sup> January 1949, Field Marshal Kodandera M. Cariappa,</strong> who was then a Lieutenant General, <strong>took over as the first Indian Commander-in-Chief of the Indian Army</strong> from General Sir Francis Butcher, the last British person to hold that post.</li>
<li><strong>K. M. Cariappa</strong> adopted the slogan 'Jail Hindi' which means 'Victory of India'. He is also one of only two Indian Army officers to hold the Five-star rank of Field Marshal, the other being Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Army Day :</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Army Day is <strong>celebrated every year to honor the soldiers of the country,</strong> who have set the greatest example of selfless service and brotherhood and more than anything the love for the country.</li>
<li>In the celebration of Army Day, the<strong> parade is organised every year at the Cariappa Parade Ground of Delhi Cantonment.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Indian Army:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The Indian army <strong>originated from the forces of the East India Company,</strong> which later became the <strong>'British Indian Army',</strong> and eventually, after Independence, the <strong>Indian Army.</strong></li>
<li>The Indian Army was founded almost <strong>126 years ago by the British on 1<sup>st</sup> April, 1895.</strong></li>
<li>According to the<strong> Global Fire Power Index 2021,</strong> India's army is considered the <strong>world's fourth strongest army.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Global Fire Power Index:</strong> The<strong> rankings for the index are reached after judging the countries on 50 parameters,</strong> including military resources, natural resources, industry and geographical features and available manpower.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/swift-and-decisive-action-on-lac-general-navarne-s-message-on-army-day-101610674286883.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source:HT</strong></a></p>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/indian-army-day-1'
		],
		(int) 6 => [
			'title' => 'Impeachment of the President of the USA',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p><strong>Donald Trump</strong> has become the <strong>first President of the USA</strong> in history<strong> to be impeached twice</strong> by the<strong> House of Representatives.</strong> He was charged for <strong>inciting an insurrection.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>On 6<sup>th</sup> January, 2021, as the USA Congress assembled to<strong> certify <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/impact-of-us-election-results-on-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener">President-elect Joe Biden</a>'s victory,</strong> a mob of Donald Trump supporters occupied the USA Capitol in a failed bid to overturn the election results.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Mechanism of Impeachment of President in USA:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Two Houses:</strong> The legislature of the United States of America i.e. Congress of the United States consists of two houses: <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>The Senate,</strong> in which each state, regardless of its size, is represented by two senators.</li>
<li><strong>House of Representatives,</strong> to which members are elected on the basis of population.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Reasons for Impeachment:</strong> The USA Constitution states that the President can be removed for conviction of <strong>treason, bribery, or other high crimes or misdemeanour.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Earlier Impeachments:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Three USA Presidents, Trump</strong> in 2019, <strong>Bill Clinton</strong> in 1998 and <strong>Andrew Johnson</strong> in 1868, previously were impeached by the House but<strong> acquitted by the Senate.</strong></li>
<li>Thus, <strong>no USA President ever has been removed from office through impeachment.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Mechanism of Impeachment of President in India:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In India, the President can be removed only for<strong> &lsquo;violation of the Constitution&rsquo;</strong> and the Constitution<strong> does not define the meaning</strong> of the phrase &lsquo;violation of the Constitution&rsquo;.</li>
<li>The <strong>impeachment charges can be initiated by either House of Parliament -</strong> Lok Sabha or Rajya Sabha.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Mechanism of Impeachment of President in India and the USA</h3>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1610703511_image1.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1610703511_image1.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="750" caption="false" /></a></p>
<p><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/world/president-donald-trump-impeached-by-us-house-for-incitement-of-insurrection-at-capitol-7145417/" 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/impeachment-of-the-president-of-the-usa'
		],
		(int) 7 => [
			'title' => 'India as Counterbalance to China: USA',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the <strong>Trump administration declassified a document</strong> which asserted that a <strong>strong India,</strong> in cooperation with like-minded countries, would <strong>act as a counterbalance to China</strong> in the <a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/new-indo-pacific-strategy" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>strategic Indo-Pacific region.</strong></a></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The document on the<strong> USA strategic framework for the Indo-Pacific</strong> from 2018 outlines objectives, challenges and strategies with regard to China, North Korea, India and other countries in the Indo-Pacific region.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Challenges for USA:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Maintaining <strong>USA's strategic primacy in the Indo-pacific</strong> and <strong>stopping China</strong> from establishing illiberal spheres of influence.</li>
<li>Ensuring that <strong>North Korea does not threaten the USA.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Advancing the USA economic leadership globally</strong> while pushing fair and reciprocal trade.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Aspects Related to India:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>India is a<strong> preferred partner on security issues</strong> and to cooperate to preserve maritime security and <strong>counter Chinese influence</strong> in South Asia and Southeast Asia. To achieve this,<strong> USA aims to:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Support India&rsquo;s aspiration to be a leading global power,</strong> highlighting its compatibility with the USA, Japanese and Australian vision of the Indo-Pacific.</li>
<li>Work with India<strong> &ldquo;toward domestic economic reform&rdquo;.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Enhance defence cooperation</strong> and interoperability.</li>
<li><strong>Provide greater leadership roles for India</strong> in the<a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/east-asia-summit" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> East Asia Summit</strong></a> and <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/asean-defence-ministers-meeting-plus#:~:text=The%20ADMM%2DPlus%20is%20a,and%20development%20in%20the%20region." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>ASEAN Defence Ministers&rsquo; Meeting Plus.</strong></a></li>
<li><strong>Support <a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/the-big-picture-india-s-act-east-policy" target="_blank" rel="noopener">India&rsquo;s Act East policy</a>.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>India vis-a-vis China:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Help India addressing disputes with China:</strong> USA aims to support India via military, diplomatic and intelligence channels to<strong> help address continental challenges</strong> such as the<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/galwan-valley-clash" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> border dispute with China</strong></a> and resolution of disputes over rivers, including the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/india-china-on-brahmaputra" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Brahmaputra</strong></a> and other rivers facing diversion by China.</li>
<li><strong>Supporting India's reservations against Belt Road Initiative:</strong> USA seeks the transparent infrastructure-debt practices in the countries facing debt due to Chinese financing under <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/belt-and-road-initiative-perspectives-from-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Belt Road Initiative.</strong> </a></li>
<li><strong>Working with India and Japan:</strong> To help finance projects that enhance regional connectivity between India and countries of the region.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>India-USA Relations:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Shared democratic values</strong> and increasing convergence of interests on bilateral, regional and global issues.</li>
<li><strong>Broad-based and multi-sectoral relationship</strong> covering trade and investment, defence and security, education, science and technology and <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/cyber-security" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>cyber security</strong></a> etc.</li>
<li><strong>People to people connection:</strong> Vibrant people-to-people interaction and support across the political spectrum in both countries nurture bilateral relationships between the two countries.</li>
<li>USA has signed <strong>defence agreements</strong> with India to provide <strong>military information and mutual logistics support.</strong> These are: <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The General Security of Military Information Agreement (GSOMIA).</li>
<li>The Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Agreement (LEMOA).</li>
<li>The Communication Compatibility and Security Agreement (COMCASA).</li>
<li>The Basic Exchange and Cooperation Agreement (BECA): It was the result of the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/india-usa-2-2-dialogue-2020" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Indo-United States (US) 2+2 talks.</strong></a></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Recent USA-China Rivalries:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Competition for dominating world finances:</strong> To counter the USA-dominated International Monetary Fund, World Bank and World Trade Organization, China has come out with alternative financial institutions like <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/asian-infrastructure-investment-bank" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Asia Infrastructure Investment Bank</strong></a>, and<strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/5th-annual-meeting-of-ndb" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> New Development Bank</a>.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Contending influence over international groupings:</strong> In order to contain rising China&rsquo;s assertiveness, the USA under its &lsquo;pivot to Asia policy&rsquo; has launched a <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/quad-3#:~:text=Quadrilateral%20Security%20Dialogue%20(Quad)%20is,prosperous%E2%80%9D%20Indo%2DPacific%20region.&amp;text=However%2C%20the%20idea%20couldn't,apparently%20due%20to%20Chinese%20pressure." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Quad initiative</strong></a>, <a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/the-big-picture-indo-pacific-strategic-importance" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Indo pacific narrative</strong></a>. Most recently, the USA proposed to expand G7 to G-11 without including China in it.</li>
<li><strong>New Cold War:</strong> USA-China confrontation is on multiple fronts including ideological and cultural hegemonic rivalry, trade wars which has often been called the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/new-cold-war" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>New Cold War</strong></a>.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Maintain interest oriented balancing:</strong> India should realise its rising global power and rather than getting enmeshed in USA-China rivalry, <strong>it should prioritize its own interests and growth by maintaining peaceful mutual relationships.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Promote Multilateralism:</strong> India can promote new multilateralism under the aegis of <strong>Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam-</strong> which relies on restructuring both the economic order and societal behaviour for equitable sustainable development.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/a-strong-india-would-act-as-counterbalance-to-china-says-declassified-white-house-document/article33565659.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: TH</strong></a></p>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/india-as-counterbalance-to-china-usa'
		],
		(int) 8 => [
			'title' => 'Supreme Court’s View on Pollution in Yamuna',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-national-institutions/supreme-court-of-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Supreme Court (SC)</strong></a> has taken suo motu cognizance of pollution of water bodies by untreated sewage.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The SC was hearing an urgent petition filed by the <strong>Delhi Jal Board (DJB),</strong> to immediately stop Haryana from discharging <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/yamuna-s-high-ammonia-level" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>pollutants into the Yamuna river.</strong></a></li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Background:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In the 2017<em><strong> Paryavaran Suraksha Samiti v. Union of India case,</strong></em> the SC directed that <strong>norms for generating funds, for setting up and/or operating</strong> the <strong>Common Effluent Treatment Plant and Sewage Treatment Plants,</strong> shall be finalised by the State Pollution Control Board&rsquo;s on or before 31<sup>st</sup> march 2017.</li>
<li>It was<strong> directed that for the purpose of setting up these plants, the state government will prioritise such cities, towns and villages,</strong> which discharge industrial pollutants and sewer directly in rivers and water bodies.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>SC&rsquo;s Ruling:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Constitutional Provisions Highlighted: </strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Article 243W</strong> of the Constitution <strong>vests municipalities and local authorities with the performance of functions and implementation of schemes as may be entrusted to them,</strong> including those in relation to the matters listed in <strong>item 6 of the 12<sup>th</sup> schedule.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Item 6 of the Schedule includes <strong>&ldquo;public health, sanitation conservancy and solid waste management&rdquo;.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Article 21:</strong> The right to clean the environment, and further, pollution-free water, has been protected under the broad rubric of the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/fundamental-rights-and-oci-cardholders" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>right to life</strong></a>.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Directions to Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB):</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The court directed the<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/cpcb-notifies-contaminated-sites" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> CPCB</strong></a> to<strong> submit a report identifying municipalities along the river Yamuna, which have not installed total treatment plants for sewage</strong> as per the requirement or have gaps in ensuring that the sewage is not discharged untreated into the river.</li>
<li>It asked CPCB to <strong>highlight any other source of prominent contamination within the limits of Municipalities</strong> and to<strong> submit priority-wise list of Municipalities,</strong> river stretches adjacent to which have been found to be most polluted.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Pollution in Yamuna</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Causes of Pollution in Yamuna:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Industrial Pollution:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The Yamuna flows into Delhi from Haryana and the state has industrial units in Sonipat (on the banks of Yamuna). <strong>Ammonia is used as an industrial chemical</strong> in the production of fertilisers, plastics and dyes.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Mixing of Drains:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Mixing of <strong>two drains carrying drinking water and sewage or industrial waste, or both,</strong> in Sonipat. The two drains often mix due to overflow or damage to the wall that separates them.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Effects of Rising Ammonia:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Ammonia reduces the amount of oxygen in water as it is transformed to oxidised forms of nitrogen. Hence, it also<strong> increases Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD).</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Water pollution by organic wastes is measured in terms of BOD.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>If the <strong>concentration</strong> of ammonia in water is<strong> above 1 ppm,</strong> it is<strong> toxic to fishes.</strong></li>
<li>In humans,<strong> long term ingestion</strong> of water having ammonia levels of 1 ppm or above may cause <strong>damage to internal organs.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Yamuna</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Source:</strong> The river Yamuna, a<strong> major tributary of river Ganges,</strong> originates from the Yamunotri glacier near Bandarpoonch peaks in the Mussoorie range of the lower Himalayas in Uttarkashi district of Uttarakhand.</li>
<li><strong>Basin:</strong> It <strong>meets the Ganges at the Sangam in Prayagraj,</strong> Uttar Pradesh after flowing through Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Haryana and Delhi.</li>
<li><strong>Length:</strong> 1376 km.</li>
<li><strong>Important Dam:</strong> Lakhwar-Vyasi Dam (Uttarakhand), Tajewala Barrage Dam (Haryana) etc.</li>
<li><strong>Important Tributaries:</strong> Chambal, Sindh, Betwa, Ken, Tons, Hindon.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1610702530_image2.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1610702530_image2.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="600" caption="false" /></a></p>
</div>
<p><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/india/sc-initiates-process-to-clean-rivers-polluted-by-untreated-sewage-7145519/" 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/supreme-court-s-view-on-pollution-in-yamuna'
		],
		(int) 9 => [
			'title' => 'World's Oldest Cave Art',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, archaeologists have discovered the<strong> world&rsquo;s oldest known cave art</strong> which is a life-sized picture of a <strong>wild pig</strong> that was painted at least <strong>45,500 years ago in Indonesia.</strong></p>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1610699109_image3.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1610699109_image3.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" caption="false" /></strong></a></p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Location:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The picture was found in the <strong>Leang Tedongnge cave in a remote valley on the island of Sulawesi, Indonesia.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Sulawesi Warty Pig Painting:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It dates to at least <strong>45,500 years ago.</strong></li>
<li>It <strong>shows a pig with a short crest of upright hairs and a pair of horn-like facial warts in front of the eyes,</strong> a characteristic feature of adult male Sulawesi warty pigs.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Sulawesi warty pigs</strong> were the most <strong>commonly portrayed animal in the ice age rock art of the island,</strong> suggesting they have long been valued both as food and a focus of creative thinking and artistic expression.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Painted using <strong>red ochre pigment,</strong> the pig appears to be observing a<strong> fight or social interaction between two other warty pigs.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Previous Oldest Painting :</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The previously oldest dated rock art &lsquo;scene&rsquo; at least 43,900 years old, was a depiction of <strong>hybrid human-animal beings hunting Sulawesi warty pigs and dwarf bovids.</strong></li>
<li>It was discovered by the same research team at a nearby limestone cave site.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Some of the Caves with Paintings in India:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/ajanta-and-ellora-caves" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Ajanta</a> :</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>This cave is located in <strong>Aurangabad district of Maharashtra.</strong></li>
<li>Famous fresco paintings of Ajanta are dying princesses, flying apsara and preaching Buddha.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/ajanta-and-ellora-caves" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Ellora</strong> </a>: <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It is located in the <strong>Aurangabad district of Maharashtra.</strong></li>
<li>It is famous for the<strong> largest monolithic excavation</strong> in the world- the great Kailasa.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/india-s-first-and-longest-sea-ropeway" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Elephanta</strong></a> :<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It is located on <strong>Elephanta Islands in Mumbai.</strong></li>
<li>There are seven cave excavations in the Elephanta group.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><a href="/current-affairs-news-analysis-editorials/news-analysis/03-06-2019" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Bhimbetka</strong> </a>:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It is located between Hoshangabad and Bhopal, in the foothills of the Vindhya Mountains.</li>
<li>It has one of the <strong>oldest paintings in India and the world.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/lifestyle/art-and-culture/worlds-oldest-known-cave-painting-wild-pig-found-in-indonesia-7146043/" 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/world-s-oldest-cave-art'
		],
		(int) 10 => [
			'title' => 'India’s Potential to Increase Cereals Export',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>The <strong>US Department of Agriculture</strong> (USDA) has noted in its latest <strong>Grain: World Markets and Trade report</strong> that<strong> exports of wheat and rice from India are likely to increase.</strong></p>
<h3>Key points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Findings:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Increase in Wheat Exports:</strong> The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) has recently <strong>upped its forecast of Indian wheat exports </strong>for<strong> 2020-21</strong> (July-June) to <strong>1.8 million tonnes</strong> (mt), as against its earlier estimate of<strong> 1 mt.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Increase in Rice Exports:</strong> USDA has also estimated India&rsquo;s rice exports to have hit a record <strong>14.4 mt</strong> in 2020, up from the <strong>preceding two years.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Causes for Increase in Wheat Exports:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Chinese Stockpiling:</strong> The key driver of global price turnaround seems to be China. The reasons for its building strategic stockpiles of everything aren&rsquo;t as fully clear as their effect on international prices.</li>
<li><strong>Rising Global Prices:</strong> For example, the<strong> Russian government</strong> is levying an export tax on wheat in response to high domestic prices. <strong>Bangladesh,</strong> a potential importer of wheat from Russia is beginning to <strong>shift its purchases towards India.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Ultra-low interest rate</strong> money increasingly being invested into <strong>agri-commodity markets.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>In the wake of Covid 19 Pandemic Various Countries such as the USA, India, Russia are reducing their interest rates.</li>
<li><strong>For example:</strong> Bank of England current bank rate: 0.1%<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Reserve Bank of India current RBI repurchase rate: 4%</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Causes for Rise in Rice Exports:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Impact of drought:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The country&rsquo;s closest competitors<strong> Thailand and Vietnam</strong> have been facing drought leading to <strong>decline</strong> in rice productivity.</li>
<li>Increase in <strong>demand in Bangladesh</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Potential Challenges to Rise in Export:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Indian wheat is still not competitive at the government&rsquo;s<strong> minimum support price</strong> (MSP) of <strong>Rs 19,750 per tonne.</strong> Further additional cost of<strong> cleaning, bagging, loading and transport to port</strong> would be in addition making export uncompetitive.</li>
<li><strong>Solution:</strong> Procurement of wheat below MSP from Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Gujarat and Maharashtra, where not much government procurement happens.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Significance:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Estimates for increase in these exports will be beneficial as India&rsquo;s<strong> own domestic production of rice and wheat</strong> has touched an all-time-high of 118.43 mt and 107.59 mt, respectively, in 2019-20.</li>
<li>Government agencies also procured <strong>an all time high in 2019 -20</strong> thus burdening <strong>government exchequer.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Cereals Exports of India</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>India is one of the<strong> largest producers</strong> as well as<strong> exporter of cereal products in the world.</strong></li>
<li>The important cereals are -<strong> wheat, paddy, sorghum, millet (Bajra), barley</strong> and <strong>maize.</strong></li>
<li>Previously in 2008, India had imposed a ban<strong> on export of rice and wheat etc.</strong> to meet <strong>domestic needs.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Owing to <strong>huge demand in the global market and country's surplus production,</strong> India allowed limited amounts of export of the commodity.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Rice (including Basmati and Non Basmati) occupy the <strong>major share in India's total cereals export with 95.7% in 2019-20.</strong> Whereas, other cereals including wheat represent only <strong>4.3% share in total cereals exported from India during the year 2019-20.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Major Export Destinations</strong> (2019-20) of <strong>Wheat :</strong> Nepal, Bangladesh , UAE, Somalia.</li>
<li><strong>Major Export Destinations</strong> (2019-20) of<strong> Non Basmati rice:</strong> Nepal, Benin, UAE, Somalia.</li>
<li><strong>Major Export Destinations</strong> (2019-20) of <strong>Basmati Rice:</strong> Iran, Saudi Arab, Iraq, UAE.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/india/first-rice-now-wheat-india-rides-on-global-grain-trade-bandwagon-7145485/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source:IE</strong></a></p>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/india-s-potential-to-increase-cereals-export'
		],
		(int) 11 => [
			'title' => 'PRS Capsule December 2020',
			'catname' => 'PRS Capsule',
			'desc' => '<p><em><strong>Key Highlights of PRS</strong></em></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><a href="#1">Governance</a>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><a href="#2">Online Gaming and Fantasy Sports Advertisements</a></li>
<li><a href="#3">Telecom Connectivity in Remote Areas</a></li>
<li><a href="#4">Prime Minister&rsquo;s Wi-Fi Access Network Interface (PM-WANI)</a></li>
<li><a href="#5">National Strategy for Additive Manufacturing</a></li>
<li><a href="#6">Report of the Expert Committee on Non-personal Data</a></li>
<li><a href="#7">Draft Indian Ports Bill, 2020</a></li>
<li><a href="#8">Draft National Rail Plan</a></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><a href="#9">Economy</a>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><a href="#10">Draft National Fisheries Policy released</a></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><a href="#11">Social Justice</a>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><a href="#12">National Family Health Survey-5</a></li>
<li><a href="#13">Policy on School Bag, 2020</a></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><a href="#14">Environment</a>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><a href="#15">Implementation of Paris Agreement</a></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><a href="#16">Science and Technology</a>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><a href="#17">Technology Transfer Policy and Guidelines</a></li>
<li><a href="#18">Scheme for Increasing Ethanol Production</a></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h2 id="1">Governance</h2>
<h3 id="2">Online Gaming and Fantasy Sports Advertisements</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The<strong> Ministry of Information and Broadcasting</strong> observed that a large number of advertisements on online gaming and fantasy sports have been appearing on the television. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In view of this, it has issued an advisory to all private satellite television channels to ensure compliance with the guidelines issued in November 2020 by the <strong>Advisory Standards Council of India (ASCI).</strong></li>
<li>The guidelines by ASCI provide: <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Advertisements must not depict any person under the age of 18 or anyone who appears below the age of 18 engaged in playing an online game for winning real money.</li>
<li>It must carry a disclaimer stating that the game involves financial risk and may be addictive. Such disclaimer should occupy at least 20% of the advertisement space.</li>
<li>The advertisements must not present &lsquo;online gaming for real money winnings&rsquo; as an income opportunity or alternative career. Further, it should not suggest that the person engaged in gaming activity is in any way more successful than others.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Advertising Standards Council of India (ASCI)</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Advertising Standards Council of India (ASCI), established in 1985, is committed to the cause of Self-Regulation in Advertising, ensuring the protection of the interests of consumers.</li>
<li>It is a self-regulatory voluntary organization of the advertising industry in India. It is a non-Government body.</li>
<li>ASCI was formed with the support of all four sectors connected with Advertising, viz. Advertisers, Advertising Agencies, Media (including Broadcasters and the Press) and others like PR Agencies, Market Research Companies etc.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3 id="3">Telecom Connectivity in Remote Areas</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Union Cabinet approved two projects for improvement in telecom connectivity in remote areas. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>These projects will be funded from the Universal Service Obligation Fund (USOF).<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>USOF has been established to provide widespread, non-discriminatory, and affordable access to information and communication technology services to people in rural and remote areas.</li>
<li>Resources for USOF are raised through a levy on the revenue of all the telecom operators under various licenses.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The projects are:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Submarine optical fibre cable link between Kochi and Lakshadweep Islands:</strong> Under this project, a direct communication link through a dedicated submarine optical fibre cable will be created between Kochi and 11 islands of Lakshadweep.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Currently, the only medium of providing telecom connectivity to Lakshadweep islands is through satellites, and the bandwidth available is limited to 1 Gbps.</li>
<li>The estimated cost of the project is Rs 1,072 crore. The project is targeted to be completed by May 2023.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Mobile coverage in Arunachal Pradesh and parts of Assam:</strong> This project will provide mobile coverage to 1,683 uncovered villages in Arunachal Pradesh, and 691 villages in Karbi Anglong and Dima Hasao districts of Assam. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The estimated cost of the project is Rs 2,029 crore. The project is targeted to be completed by December 2022.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Universal Service Obligation Fund (USOF)</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>USOF ensures that there is universal non-discriminatory access to quality ICT services at economically efficient prices to people in rural and remote areas.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Currently, it is charged at the rate of 5%, while the TSPs demand it to be reduced to 3%.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>It was created under the Department of Telecommunications in 2002.</li>
<li>It is a non-lapsable fund, i.e., the unspent amount under a targeted financial year does not lapse and is accrued for next years&rsquo; spending.</li>
<li>All credits to this fund require parliamentary approval and it has statutory support under Indian Telegraph (Amendment) Act, 2003.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3 id="4">Prime Minister&rsquo;s Wi-Fi Access Network Interface (PM-WANI)</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>In a bid to fuel broadband internet proliferation across the country, the Government of India launched the <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cm2T-gZTJJc" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>PM WANI (Prime Minister Wi-Fi Access Network Interface) Scheme.</strong></a> The scheme aims to bring large scale deployment of Wi-Fi hotspots through the country to drive up connectivity options and improve digital access.</li>
<li>The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) released a new framework called the <strong><a href="/current-affairs-news-analysis-editorials/news-editorials/14-12-2020" target="_blank" rel="noopener">PM-WANI</a></strong> for the proliferation of broadband through public wi-fi networks.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The framework seeks to improve last-mile broadband connectivity through a network of public wi-fi access points.</li>
<li>The framework will facilitate local shops and small establishments in becoming wi-fi service providers.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>The PM-WANI framework will involve the following:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Public Data Office (PDO):</strong> PDOs are entities which will procure internet bandwidth from telecom/internet service providers and establish and operate PM-WANI compliant wi-fi access points.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>PDOs will not be required to obtain any licence or register with any authority. No fees will be charged to PDOs for providing services.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Public Data Officer Aggregator (PDOA):</strong> PDOA will be an aggregator of PDOs and will perform the functions relating to authorisation of users and accounting of subscription charges on their behalf. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>PDOAs will need to register with the DoT.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>App provider:</strong> App providers will develop an app to register a user, discover the PM-WANI compliant wi-fi access points in the nearby area, and display the same within the App to the users for accessing the internet. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>App providers will be required to register with the DoT. The registration with DoT will provide permission for pan India operations to both PDOA and App providers.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Central Registry:</strong> The central registry will maintain the details of PDOs, PDOAs, and App providers (made available through PDOAs).<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It will certify the systems and software applications of PDOA and app providers for compliance with the specifications of the framework.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The potential user will need to download the app from any of the app providers, get authenticated, and thereafter access the internet from any PM-WANI compliant wi-fi access point.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3 id="5">National Strategy for Additive Manufacturing</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology invited comments on the <strong>Draft National Strategy for Additive Manufacturing.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Additive manufacturing:</strong> It is popularly known as 3D printing. It refers to the construction of a three-dimensional object from a digital 3D model by adding materials layer by layer. The technology is being utilised in a variety of industries such as aerospace, electronics, and consumer goods.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The Ministry noted that the additive manufacturing industry is growing rapidly and is expected to be at USD 36 billion by 2023.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>However, in comparison to countries such as the USA, China, and Germany, the adoption of additive manufacturing has not seen much traction in India.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>It identifies certain key challenges in the adoption of additive manufacturing. These include: <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>(i) high cost of equipment and material due to dependence on import, (ii) lack of formal industry standards, (iii) lack of skilled manpower, and (iv) uncertainty in the regulatory and legal framework.</li>
<li><strong>Key recommendations under the draft strategy include:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Promotion of additive manufacturing:</strong> Government procurement policies should encourage the purchase of additive manufacturing machines, manufactured components, and systems for their operations.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Preferential market access policy should be developed to support local manufacturers.</li>
<li>Additive manufacturing should be included in the government schemes for technology upgradation for MSMEs.</li>
<li>Following benefits to the industry are suggested: (i) long term tax benefits, (ii) ready to use facilities at a subsidised rental cost, and (iii) benefit in electricity tariffs for units with high consumption requirements.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>National Additive Manufacturing Centre:</strong> A dedicated Centre may be constituted to lead the national initiative for development and adoption of additive manufacturing technologies. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The Centre may take initiatives such as a study of the sectoral potential for integrating additive manufacturing and development of standards and certifications.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Research:</strong> A centre of excellence dedicated to additive manufacturing may be established. The research efforts in the area of additive manufacturing could be supported by an increase in grants-in-aid. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Intellectual property developed through government-funded projects should be made accessible.</li>
<li>International partnership for research and development at government as well as industry level should be encouraged.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Skill development:</strong> For the development of manpower for additive manufacturing, engineering curriculum, as well as industry-driven apprenticeship programs, should include additive manufacturing. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Free online resources, certifications, and diplomas should be provided with training modules for all educational levels.</li>
<li>A special curriculum for the training of teachers should be developed to acclimatise them with the technology.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3 id="6">Report of the Expert Committee on Non-personal Data</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>In July 2020, an Expert Committee constituted by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology to study various issues relating to non-personal data had published a draft report for public consultation.</li>
<li>Based on the feedback received, the Committee has released a revised version of the draft report.</li>
<li>Key recommendations under the revised draft are:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Definition of non-personal data:</strong> Under the first draft, non-personal data was defined as any data which is not personal data as defined under the Personal Data Protection Bill, 2019 (PDP Bill) or data without any personally identifiable information.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The PDP Bill defines personal data to include data pertaining to characteristics, traits, or attributes of identity, which can be used to identify an individual. The revised draft retains this definition.</li>
<li>The Committee recommended that the PDP Bill should be amended to remove provisions related to non-personal data so that there is no overlap between the two regulatory frameworks.</li>
<li>Currently, the PDP Bill empowers the central government to direct any entity to provide non-personal data for targeting of delivery of services or formulation of evidence-based policies by the government.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The first draft had categorised non-personal data among:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>public:</strong> data collected or generated by government</li>
<li><strong>community:</strong> raw or factual data which is sourced from a community of natural persons</li>
<li><strong>private:</strong> data which is collected or generated by private entities through privately owned processes (derived insights or proprietary knowledge). <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>In the revised draft, the Committee has removed this classification.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>High-value datasets:</strong> The first draft provided that the government may specify certain datasets as high-value datasets at a national level. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The revised draft defines a high-value dataset as a dataset beneficial to the community at large and is shared as a public good, subject to certain guidelines.</li>
<li>It will include datasets useful for: (i) creation of new and high-quality jobs, (ii) creation of new businesses, and (iii) socio-economic objectives such as financial inclusion, healthcare, and urban planning.</li>
<li>A representative entity called data trustee may be appointed for creation, maintenance, and sharing of high-value datasets.</li>
<li>The data trustee will request the data custodian (entity collecting, processing, and storing data) to provide the required data.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Sharing of non-personal data:</strong> As per the first draft, sharing of non-personal data could be mandated for defined purposes including: <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>sovereign:</strong> national security, law enforcement, or regulatory purposes</li>
<li><strong>public interest:</strong> community benefits, research and innovation, policy making for better delivery of public services, and</li>
<li><strong>economic:</strong> to encourage competition or provide a level-playing field among for-profit entities. The revised draft only requires data sharing for public good purposes.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It only mandates sharing of high-value datasets managed by data trustees.</li>
<li>The Committee observed that data sharing for sovereign purposes, and for business purposes between for-profit entities, already exists and hence, has not made any recommendations on it.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3 id="7">Draft Indian Ports Bill, 2020</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways released the draft Indian Ports Bill, 2020 for public comments.</li>
<li>The draft Bill seeks to repeal the Indian Ports Act, 1908. It seeks to enable growth of ports and increased investment by establishing effective administration and management of all ports in India.</li>
<li>Key features of the draft Bill include: <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Maritime Port Regulatory Authority:</strong> The draft Bill proposes to establish the Maritime Port Regulatory Authority.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The Authority will consist of: (i) a Chairperson, two full-time members (with a term of five years) appointed by the central government, of which one will be in the legal field, and (iii) two part-time members (with a term of two years) nominated in rotation by coastal states.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Functions of the Authority include:</strong> (i) advising the central government on formulation of the National Port Policy, (ii) aiding in formulating and implementing short-term plans, (iii) monitoring and assessing ports, (iv) specifying standards for safety and quality of vessels and port assets, and (v) determining measures to promote investment, technological advancement, and growth in the sector.</li>
<li><strong>State Maritime Board:</strong> Every state government must establish a State Maritime Board for ports other than Major Ports (notified by the central government). State Maritime Boards can initiate plans for development of ports, and license infrastructure and services.</li>
<li><strong>Dispute redressal:</strong> For Major Ports, a Bench consisting of nominated members from the Authority will receive and adjudicate on complaints concerning: (i) anti-competitive practices, (ii) abuse of dominant positions, or (iii) disputes between Port service providers and terminal operators. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>For all other ports, Adjudicatory Boards constituted by state governments can adjudicate on disputes concerning: (i) rights and obligations of ports, (ii) port officials, users, service providers and licensees, and (iii) private operators.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The draft Bill lays down safety and security requirements to be followed by all ports and vessels. For instance, every port must appoint officers and prepare plans to ensure security based on requirements notified by the central government. It also mandates all ports and terminals to provide facilities for waste and pollution management.</li>
</ul>
<h3 id="8">Draft National Rail Plan</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Ministry of Railways invited comments on the Draft National Rail Plan. The plan seeks to improve the infrastructural capacity of Railways to cater to growth in demand up to the year 2050. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It aims to increase the modal share of Railways in freight from 27% currently to 45% by 2030. The implementation cost of projects under the plan will be about Rs 38 lakh crore.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>These projects will be executed between 2021 and 2051. The plan envisages an initial surge in capital investment up to 2030. Post 2030, it is expected that revenue surplus generated would be adequate to finance future capital investments and government funding will not be required.</li>
<li><strong>Dedicated freight corridors:</strong> Three new dedicated freight corridors with a cumulative length of 5,750 km will be developed: (i) East coast (Kharagpur-Vijayawada), (ii) East-West (Palghar-Dankuni), and (iii) North-South (Pirthala-Arakkonam).53</li>
<li><strong>High-speed rail corridors:</strong> Several high-speed rail corridors with a cumulative length of 7,479 km will be developed.</li>
<li><strong>Network improvements:</strong> Number of lines will be increased on specified routes with higher capacity utilisation or high traffic demand such as Delhi-Howrah, Mumbai-Chennai, and Kharagpur-Udhna. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Connectivity with ports and industrial corridors will be improved.</li>
<li>These projects will cover 75,194 network kilometres.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h2 id="9">Economy</h2>
<h3 id="10">Draft National Fisheries Policy released</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Department of Fisheries released a revised draft of the National Fisheries Policy for public comments. The previous draft of the policy was released in February 2020. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The policy aims to integrate the various policies relating to different aspects of fisheries (such as inland fisheries, marine plants and animals, processing, and marketing) for its comprehensive development.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Key features of the revised draft policy include:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Objectives:</strong> The objectives of the policy include: (i) sustainable development of the fisheries sector during 2021-30, (ii) sound management and sustainable development of the resources and associated habitats, (iii) meeting the food and nutritional security of the growing population, (iv) protecting the rights of fishing communities and building their resilience, and (v) making Indian fish and fish products globally competitive.</li>
<li><strong>Legal framework:</strong> The Marine Fishing Regulation Acts of coastal states need to be amended to align them with international agreements to ensure that they cover all the aspects of fisheries management.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The central government will prepare a model Bill in this regard for consideration of the states. Similarly, there is a need to prepare a model Bill for regulation of inland fisheries and aquaculture, which can be used by states to replace or amend their existing Acts to make them contemporary and in compliance with the topical requirements.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Sustainability:</strong> The expertise of scientific institutions and fishers will be utilised to optimise fishing efforts and implement measures to check resource depletion and ensure sustainability. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Comprehensive fisheries management plans will be made to conserve and sustainably manage natural fisheries resources. The policy will also focus on improving the ecological health of the riverine ecosystem and curbing the flow of pollution into rivers and their tributaries.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Coordination:</strong> Kerala, Puducherry, and Tamil Nadu have set up co-management structures at different tiers for management of fisheries resources by the government and the community, through instruments such as a charter of rights and duties. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The policy aims to take forward such initiatives to the other inland and coastal states.</li>
<li>The policy also aims to enhance the mandate of the present Ministry under the Ministry of Fisheries and Maritime Affairs, an umbrella agency for effective fisheries governance.</li>
<li>The new Ministry will converge the various institutions working on aspects related to fisheries under different Ministries.</li>
<li>The policy also aims to set up a mechanism to allow for better coordination between all concerned agencies of the central and state governments through coordinating bodies.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3 id="11">Social Justice</h3>
<h3 id="12">National Family Health Survey-5</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has completed the first round of the fifth phase of the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/national-family-health-survey-5" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>National Family Health Survey (NFHS).</strong></a></li>
<li>The fourth round of NFHS was conducted five years ago in 2015-16. The survey covers key indicators on population, reproductive and child health, family welfare, and nutrition. The first phase covers 17 states and 5 union territories.</li>
<li><strong>Key results of the survey include:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Fertility rate:</strong> The replacement level of fertility at which population stability is achieved (i.e., population replaces itself) has been achieved in 19 out of the 22 states and union territories.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Three states (Bihar, Manipur, and Meghalaya) have a total fertility rate (average number of children born to a woman) higher than the replacement level.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Sex ratio:</strong> Sex ratio at birth refers to the number of female children born per 1,000 male children. It was below 900 in Telangana, Himachal Pradesh, Goa, Daman and Diu, and Dadra and Nagar Haveli.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Infant mortality:</strong> Infant mortality rate has marginally declined in nearly all states. Assam has seen one of the largest drops in it, from 48 deaths (per 1,000 live births) to 32 deaths. It remains high in Bihar (47 deaths per 1,000 live births).</li>
<li><strong>Malnutrition:</strong> Nutritional status of children below 5 years of age is worsening. Stunting or chronic malnutrition (i.e., low height with respect to age) has increased in 11 of the 17 states.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Proportion of severely wasted children has increased in 13 of the 17 states. Wasting or acute malnutrition refers to low weight with respect to height. Children who are stunted or wasted are more vulnerable to diseases and illness.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Internet usage:</strong> Across all states, the proportion of men who have used the internet was higher than women, with the difference being higher than 25%-point in states such as Telangana, Gujarat, and Andhra Pradesh. In Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, and Tripura, less than 25% women have used the internet.</li>
</ul>
<h3 id="13">Policy on School Bag, 2020</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>A working group constituted by the Ministry of Education, has released the <strong>School Bag Policy, 2020.</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The working group was constituted in 2018 after a Madras High Court ruling that directed the central government to formulate a policy for school bags.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The Policy provides recommendations for the reduction in the weight of the school bag.</li>
<li>The Policy recommended that the universally accepted norm of limiting the weight of the school bag to 10% of the student&rsquo;s weight should be followed from Class 1 to Class 10.</li>
<li>It observed that a heavy bag can affect a student&rsquo;s spinal posture, foot shape, and walk. It recommended that the weight of the school bag needs to be monitored and checked on a regular basis in the school.</li>
<li>Lockers may be installed for storing and retrieving books and other items for students with disabilities.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Further, it recommended that NCERT must develop guidelines to conduct bagless days in schools using different timetables, experiential pedagogies, and team teaching.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Note:</strong> The National Education Policy, 2020 had recommended a 10-day bagless period for grades 6-8 where they intern with local vocational experts such as artists and gardeners.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT)</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The<strong> National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT)</strong> is an <strong>autonomous organisation set up in 1961</strong> by the Government of India to assist and advise the Central and State Governments on policies and programmes for qualitative improvement in school education. <strong>Hence, statement 1 is correct.</strong></li>
<li>The major objectives of NCERT and its constituent units are to: <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Undertake, promote and coordinate research in areas related to school education;</li>
<li>Prepare and publish model textbooks, supplementary material, newsletters, journals and develop educational kits, multimedia digital materials, etc.</li>
<li>Organise pre-service and in-service training of teachers;</li>
<li>Develop and disseminate innovative educational techniques and practices;</li>
<li>Collaborate and network with state educational departments, universities, NGOs and other educational institutions;</li>
<li>Act as a clearing house for ideas and information in matters related to school education;</li>
<li>Act as a nodal agency for achieving the goals of Universalisation of Elementary Education.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>In addition to research, development, training, extension, publication and dissemination activities, NCERT is an <strong>implementation agency</strong> for bilateral cultural exchange programmes with other countries in the field of school education.</li>
<li>The NCERT also interacts and <strong>works in collaboration with the international organisations,</strong> visiting foreign delegations and offers various training facilities to educational personnel from developing countries.</li>
<li>NCERT acts as a <strong>nodal agency</strong> for achieving the goals of <strong>Universalization of Elementary Education. Hence, statement 2 is correct.</strong></li>
</ul>
</div>
<h2 id="14">Environment</h2>
<h3 id="15">Implementation of Paris Agreement</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF) constituted a high-level inter-ministerial <strong>Apex Committee for Implementation of <a href="/printpdf/five-years-of-paris-climate-accord" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Paris agreement</a> (AIPA).</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Paris agreement is an international treaty on climate change, which is aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions globally.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The Committee consists of 17 members, which include: (i) Secretary of MoEF as Chairperson, (ii) Additional Secretary, MoEF as Vice-Chairperson, (iii) Additional Director General (Forest), MoEF, and (iii) Joint Secretaries from 14 ministries including Finance, Health and Power, as members.</li>
<li>The Committee will be the national regulatory authority for carbon markets in India.</li>
<li>Its functions include: <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Developing policies and programmes to make India&rsquo;s domestic climate change compliant to international obligations.</li>
<li>Coordinating communications of <strong>nationally determined contributions (NDCs)</strong> to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), and (iii) define responsibilities of concerned ministries for achieving India&rsquo;s NDC goals. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>NDCs refer to the climate action plans of various countries around the world. It includes actions planned by countries to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to achieve goals under the Paris agreement.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Paris Climate Accord</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Paris Agreement (also known as the Conference of Parties 21 or COP 21) is a landmark environmental accord that was adopted in 2015 to address climate change and its negative impacts.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It replaced the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/cop25-climate-summit" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Kyoto Protocol</strong></a> which was an earlier agreement to deal with climate change.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Aims: To reduce global GHG emissions in an effort to limit the global temperature increase in this century to well below 2&deg;C above pre-industrial levels, while pursuing means to limit the increase to 1.5&deg;C by 2100.</li>
<li><strong>Legal status:</strong> It is a<strong> legally binding</strong> international treaty on climate change.</li>
<li><strong>Adoption:</strong> It was adopted by 196 countries at <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/cop25-climate-summit" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Conference of the Parties</strong></a> COP 21 in Paris in December 2015.</li>
<li><strong>Goal:</strong> To limit global warming to well below 2&deg; Celsius, and preferably limit it to 1.5&deg; Celsius, compared to pre-industrial levels.</li>
<li><strong>Objective:</strong> To achieve the long-term temperature goal, countries aim to reach global peaking of greenhouse gas emissions as soon as possible to achieve a climate-neutral world by mid-century.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h2 id="16">Science and Technology</h2>
<h3 id="17">Technology Transfer Policy and Guidelines</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Department of Space has released Technology Transfer Policy and Guidelines 2020. The guidelines provide the principle and mechanism for the transfer of technologies developed by the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-national-institutions/indian-space-research-organisation-isro" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO)</strong></a> to the Indian industries.</li>
<li>ISRO will be responsible for identifying technologies for transfer. The Department of Space will be the approval body. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>All transfer of technologies will be given effect through the <strong>New Space India Limited (NSIL)</strong> which will fix the license fee and other charges for the transfer.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Each centre of the ISRO must identify technologies which can be transferred, based on factors such as: (i) readiness of the technology, (ii) proven use of the technology, (iii) chances of success in the recipient organisation, and (iv) socio-economic or commercial viability.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>A <strong>dedicated Technology Transfer Cell</strong> will be responsible for end-to-end coordination to ensure successful commercialisation of technologies.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Further, the guidelines state that transfer of technology must not be made to any individual.</li>
<li>For non-profit or non-government organisations seeking transfer of technologies which have societal application, no transfer of technology cost will be payable.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>The cost of transfer will include:</strong> (i) cost of direct material or components, (ii) direct staff costs, (iii) travel and logistics expenses, and (iv) intellectual expenses (nominal, up to 5% of total estimated cost).</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>New Space India Limited (NSIL)</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>NSIL is a Central Public Sector Enterprise of the Government of India.</li>
<li>It was established in 2019 under the administrative control of the Department of Space.</li>
<li>Headquarter: Bengaluru</li>
<li>NSIL is the commercial arm of Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) with the primary responsibility of enabling Indian industries to take up high technology space related activities and is also responsible for promotion and commercial exploitation of the products and services emanating from the space industry.</li>
<li>NSIL is incorporated to carry forward the industry production of space systems and the ISRO&rsquo;s efforts in realising <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/50th-pslv-launch#:~:text=Polar%20Satellite%20Launch%20Vehicle%20(PSLV)%20is%20the%20third%20generation%20launch,be%20equipped%20with%20liquid%20stages." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Polar Satellite Launch Vehicles (PSLV)</strong> </a>from industry.</li>
<li>NSIL differs from ISRO&rsquo;s existing commercial arm Antrix Corporation:
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Antrix will handle ISRO&rsquo;s commercial deals for satellites and launch vehicles with foreign customers.</li>
<li>NSIL will deal with capacity building of local industry for space manufacturing.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3 id="18">Scheme for Increasing Ethanol Production</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Union Cabinet approved an expansion of the scheme to provide <strong>interest subvention to sugar mills and distilleries</strong> on loans for augmentation of <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/biofuels-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>ethanol</strong> </a>production capacity.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Biofuel:</strong> Any hydrocarbon fuel that is produced from an organic matter (living or once living material) in a short period of time (days, weeks, or even months) is considered a biofuel.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Interest subvention is provided at the rate of 6% per annum, or 50% of the rate of interest charged, whichever is lower. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The <strong>revised scheme aims</strong> to enhance the capacity for production of first-generation ethanol from other feed stocks as well such as sugar beet, and cereals including rice, wheat, sorghum, maize, and barley. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Earlier, only sugar mills and molasses-based standalone distilleries which produce ethanol from sugarcane juice, sugar syrup, sugar, and B-heavy molasses were eligible under the scheme.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Target:</strong> The Government had fixed a target of 10% blending of fuel grade ethanol with petrol by 2022 and 20% blending by 2030 but now Government is preparing a plan to prepone achievement of 20% blending target.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food &amp; Public Distribution noted that the blending target cannot be achieved only from the production of ethanol from sugarcane and sugar.</li>
<li>This also requires the production of ethanol from other feed stocks, but their current production capacity is not sufficient.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Extension of interest subvention:</strong> Under the revised scheme, interest subvention will be extended to loans taken for setting up or expanding: (i) distilleries to produce ethanol from other feed stocks producing<strong> first-generation ethanol,</strong> (ii) grain-based distilleries using dry milling process, and (iii) dual feed distilleries (using both molasses and grain or any other feed stocks). <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It will also be provided on loans taken for conversion of molasses-based distilleries or grain-based distilleries to dual feed distilleries.</li>
<li>Only those distilleries will be eligible under the revised scheme which supply at least 75% of the ethanol produced from added capacity to oil marketing companies for blending with petrol.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Govt Initiatives to Promote Biofuels</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Blending of biofuels: <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/Government-Allows-Ethanol-Extraction-for-Blending-from-Foodgrains." target="_blank" rel="noopener">Ethanol Blended Petrol (EBP) programme</a></strong>, Administrative price mechanism for ethanol, Simplifying the procurement procedures by Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs), amending the provisions of Industries (Development &amp; Regulation) Act, 1951 etc are some of the initiatives taken to promote blending of biofuels.</li>
<li>Researchers at the International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB) are developing a method to use <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/biofuel-from-microorganisms" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>cyanobacterium for biofuel production.</strong></a></li>
<li>Recently, the Central government has also allowed the<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/conversion-of-surplus-rice-to-ethanol" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> conversion of surplus rice to ethanol.</strong></a></li>
<li>Initiatives by Department of Biotechnology, Ministry of Science and Technology:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Development of 2G Ethanol and transfer of the technology to OMCs.</li>
<li>Development of Indigenous Cellulolytic Enzyme for the production of biofuels.</li>
<li>Strengthened the international collaboration to accelerate innovation in Sustainable Biofuel through multilateral programs like <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/aim-icrest-niti-aayog" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Atal Innovation Mission (AIM)</strong></a> and Biofuture Platform.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/pradhan-mantri-ji-van-yojana" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Pradhan Mantri JI-VAN Yojana</strong></a>, 2019: The objective of the scheme is to create an ecosystem for setting up commercial projects and to boost Research and Development in 2G Ethanol sector</li>
<li><strong>GOBAR (Galvanizing Organic Bio-Agro Resources) DHAN scheme, 2018:</strong> It focuses on managing and converting cattle dung and solid waste in farms to useful compost,biogas and bio-CNG, thus keeping villages clean and increasing the income of rural households.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It was launched under Swachh Bharat Mission (Gramin).</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/scheme-for-used-cooking-oil" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Repurpose Used Cooking Oil</a> (RUCO)</strong>: It was launched by<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>aims for an ecosystem that will enable the collection and conversion of used cooking oil to biodiesel.</li>
<li><strong>National Policy on Biofuels, 2018:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The Policy categorises biofuels as "Basic Biofuels'' viz. First Generation (1G) bio ethanol &amp; biodiesel and "Advanced Biofuels''- Second Generation (2G) ethanol, Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) to drop-in fuels, Third Generation (3G) biofuels, bio-CNG etc. to enable extension of appropriate financial and fiscal incentives under each category.</li>
<li>It expands the scope of raw material for ethanol production by allowing use of sugarcane juice, sugar containing materials like sugar beet, sweet sorghum, starch containing materials like corn, cassava, damaged food grains like wheat,broken rice, rotten potatoes, unfit for human consumption for ethanol production.</li>
<li>The Policy allows use of surplus food grains for production of ethanol for blending with petrol with the approval of National Biofuel Coordination Committee.</li>
<li>With a thrust on Advanced Biofuels, the Policy indicates a viability gap funding scheme for 2G ethanol Bio refineries of Rs. 5000 crore in 6 years in addition to additional tax incentives, higher purchase price as compared to 1G biofuels.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</div>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/prs-capsule/prs-capsule-december-2020'
		],
		(int) 12 => [
			'title' => 'SAARC Revival',
			'catname' => 'News Editorials',
			'desc' => '<div class="border">
<p>This article is based on <a href="https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/lead/reclaiming-saarc-from-the-ashes-of-2020/article33561545.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>&ldquo;Reclaiming SAARC from the ashes of 2020&rdquo;</strong></a> which was published in The Hindu on 13/01/2021. It talks about the need for the revival of SAARC.</p>
</div>
<p>The year 2020 marked the sixth year since the leaders of the eight nations that make up the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/revival-of-saarc" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC)</strong></a> were able to meet.</p>
<p>India&rsquo;s problems with Pakistan on terrorism, territorial claims, and its role in blocking SAARC initiatives on connectivity and trade are the main reasons that even after thirty-six years of its formation, SAARC appears to be a defunct body.</p>
<p>However, if India aspires to become a global power, it must keep its neighbourhood peaceful, prosperous and supportive. In this context, reviving SAARC becomes very important.</p>
<h3>Need For Reviving SAARC</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Regional Disconnect:</strong> Over the past year, India-Pakistan issues have impacted other meetings of SAARC. This makes it easier for member countries and international agencies, to deal with South Asia as a fragmented group rather than a collective one.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>No other regional power is as disconnected from its immediate neighbourhood as India.</li>
<li>This disconnect is a challenge to India&rsquo;s economic and security interests.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Impact of Covid-19:</strong> The impact of Covid-19, is a growing distaste for &lsquo;globalisation&rsquo; and growing preference for nativism, self-dependence and localising supply chains.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>While it will be impossible for countries to entirely cut themselves off from the global market, regional initiatives will become the golden mean between globalisation and hyper-nationalism.</li>
<li>Moreover, reviving SAARC is crucial to countering the common challenges brought about by the pandemic.</li>
<li>According to a World Bank report, the South Asian countries are expected to lose nearly about 10.77 million jobs and $52.32 billion in GDP alone from the impact of the pandemic.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Dealing With China:</strong> It is clear that tensions with Pakistan and Nepal amplify the threat perception from China, while other SAARC members (minus Bhutan), all of whom are <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/belt-and-road-initiative-perspectives-from-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Belt and Road Initiative (BRI)</strong></a> partners of China will be hard placed to help individually.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Also, in the current pandemic, China is sending medicines, personal protective equipment kits, and promising vaccines to most SAARC countries as part of its<strong> &ldquo;Health Silk Road&rdquo;</strong> initiative.</li>
<li>Therefore, in dealing with China&rsquo;s challenge, both at India&rsquo;s borders and in its neighbourhood, a unified South Asian platform remains India&rsquo;s most potent countermeasure.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Engaging With Pakistan:</strong> China&rsquo;s incursions in Ladakh doesn&rsquo;t stop India to attend meetings with the Chinese leadership at the SCO, the Russia-India-China trilateral, the G-20.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Therefore, it is misplaced that India applies the same logic, for not engaging with Pakistan. India must understand that engagement with Pakistan is very crucial for the revival of SAARC.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Application of Gujral Doctrine:</strong> India&rsquo;s conduct of foreign relations with immediate neighbours should be guided by the<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/gujral-doctrine" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> Gujral Doctrine</strong></a>.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In this present context of Covid-19 pandemic, India can apply Gujral doctrine by pursuing Vaccine diplomacy with SAARC countries, whereby India can supply vaccines either free or at affordable costs and counter future pandemics.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>All-of South Asia Approach:</strong> South Asian countries need to work as a collective to set common standards and promote a more intra-regional, transnational approach towards health security, food security, and job security.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In this context, India can follow the European model of regional integration.</li>
<li>Moreover, India can strengthen its position as an education hub for students from its neighbourhood. This will help to form closer political ties and spread its cultural influence and values to the surrounding region.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Regional Development:</strong> Being the biggest economy in South Asia, India can carry out infrastructure projects to improve connectivity, including the laying of new pipelines, building electricity networks, upgrading port, rail, and airport infrastructure, and reinvigorating people-to-people exchanges.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Conclusion</h3>
<p>India must find its prism to view its South Asian neighbourhood having a shared future and acting as a force-multiplier for India&rsquo;s ambitions on the global stage.</p>
<table border="1" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="width: 100%; border-style: dotted; border-color: #ff0000; background-color: #fffdf5;">
<p><span style="color: #000080;"><em><strong>Drishti Mains Question</strong></em></span></p>
<p>&ldquo;India must find its prism to view its South Asian neighbourhood having a shared future and acting as a force-multiplier for India&rsquo;s ambitions on the global stage&rdquo;. In light of the statement, discuss the need for the revival of SAARC.</p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p style="text-align: center;"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/QX_ethKYaCs" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p>
<p>This editorial is based on<a href="https://www.hindustantimes.com/opinion/handling-the-avian-flu-crisis-hteditorial-101610461818610.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> &ldquo;Handling the avian flu crisis&rdquo;</strong> </a>which was published in The Hindustan Times on January 12<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/saarc-revival'
		],
		(int) 13 => [
			'title' => 'LCA Tejas',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>The <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/cabinet-committees-formed" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Cabinet Committee on Security</strong></a> (CCS) has recently cleared a deal worth Rs. 48,000 crore for the acquisition of<strong> 83 Tejas Light Combat Aircraft</strong> for the Indian Air Force.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>83 Tejas includes <strong>73 LCA Tejas Mk-1A fighter aircraft</strong> and <strong>10 LCA Tejas Mk-1 trainer aircraft. MK-1A variant</strong> is a improved version of MK-1 with an <strong>electronic warfare system, advanced electronically scanned array (AESA) radar, beyond visual range (BVR) missiles and</strong> a network warfare system comprising<strong> software defined radio</strong> (SDR)</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Cabinet Committee on Security</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>CCS is chaired by the <strong>Prime Minister</strong> of India.</li>
<li>Major decisions with respect to the <strong>significant appointments, issues of national security, defence expenditure of India are taken by the Cabinet Committee on Security</strong> (CCS).</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>About:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/advanced-medium-combat-aircraft" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Light Combat Aircraft</strong></a> (LCA) programme was started by the<strong> Government of India in 1984</strong> when they established the <strong>Aeronautical Development Agency</strong> (ADA) to manage the <strong>LCA programme.</strong></li>
<li>It replaced the ageing <strong>Mig 21 fighter planes.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Designed by:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Aeronautical Development Agency</strong> under the <strong>Department of Defence Research and Development.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Manufactured by:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>State-owned <a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/the-big-picture-need-to-modernise-indian-air-force" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Hindustan Aeronautics Limited</strong> </a>(HAL).</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Features:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The<strong> lightest, smallest and tailless multi-role supersonic fighter</strong> aircraft in its class.</li>
<li>Designed to <strong>carry a range of air-to-air, air-to-surface, precision-guided,</strong> weapons.</li>
<li><strong>Air to air refuelling capability.</strong></li>
<li>Maximum <strong>payload capacity of 4000 kg.</strong></li>
<li>It can attend the maximum speed of <strong>Mach 1.8.</strong></li>
<li>The range of the aircraft is <strong>3,000km</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Variants of Tejas:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Tejas Trainer:</strong> 2-seater operational conversion trainer for training air force pilots.</li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/naval-variant-of-lca-tejas" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>LCA Navy</strong></a>: Twin- and single-seat carrier-capable for the Indian Navy.</li>
<li><strong>LCA Tejas Navy MK2:</strong> This is phase 2 of the LCA Navy variant.</li>
<li><strong>LCA Tejas Mk-1A:</strong> This is an improvement over the LCA Tejas Mk1 with a higher thrust engine.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://epaper.thehindu.com/Home/ShareArticle?OrgId=GGT85USP4.1" 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/lca-tejas-1'
		],
		(int) 14 => [
			'title' => 'Harvest Festivals in India',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>The harvest festivals like <strong>Lohri, Makar Sankranti and Pongal</strong> have recently been <strong>celebrated all across the country.</strong></p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Makar Sankranti:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Makar Sankranti denotes the entry of the sun into the zodiac sign of Makara (Capricorn) as it travels on its celestial path.</li>
<li>The day marks the onset of summer and the <strong>six months auspicious period for Hindus known as Uttarayan,</strong> the northward movement of the sun.</li>
<li>As a part of the official celebration of <strong>'Uttarayan',</strong> the Gujarat government has been hosting the <strong>International Kite Festival since 1989.</strong></li>
<li>The festivities associated with the day are known by different names in different parts of the country - <strong>Lohri by north Indian Hindus and Sikhs, Sukarat in central India, Bhogali Bihu by Assamese Hindus, and Pongal by Tamil and other South Indian Hindus.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Lohri:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Lohri is primarily celebrated by <strong>Sikhs and Hindus.</strong></li>
<li>It marks the end of the winter season and is traditionally believed to welcome the sun to the northern hemisphere.</li>
<li>It is observed <strong>a night before Makar Sankranti,</strong> this occasion involves a <strong>Puja Parikrama (revolve)</strong> around the bonfire with prasad.</li>
<li>It is essentially termed as the festival of the farmers and harvest, whereby, the farmers thank the Supreme Being.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Pongal</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The word Pongal means <strong>&lsquo;overflow&rsquo;</strong> or<strong> &lsquo;boiling over&rsquo;.</strong></li>
<li>Also known as Thai Pongal, the four-day occasion is<strong> observed in the month of Thai,</strong> when crops such as rice are harvested and people show their gratitude to the almighty and the generosity of the land.</li>
<li>Tamilians celebrate the occasion by making<strong> traditional designs known as kolams</strong> in their homes with rice powder.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Bihu</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It is celebrated when the <strong>annual harvest takes place in Assam.</strong> People celebrate <strong>Rongali/Magh Bihu</strong> to mark the<strong> beginning of the Assamese new year.</strong></li>
<li>It is believed that the festival started from the time when people of the valley<strong> started tilling the land.</strong> Bihu is believed to be as old as<strong> river Brahmaputra.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Makaravilakku festival in Sabarimala:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It is celebrated at the sacred grove of Lord Ayyappa at Sabarimala.</li>
<li>It is an<strong> annual seven-day festival,</strong> beginning on the day of Makar Sankranti when the sun is in the summer solstice.</li>
<li>The highlight of the festival is the appearance of Makarajyothi- a celestial star which appears on the day of Makar Sankranti on top of <strong>Kantamala Hills.</strong></li>
<li>Makara Vilakku ends with the ritual called <strong>'Guruthi',</strong> an offering made to appease the god and goddesses of the wilderness.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1610622176_image%200.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1610622176_image 0.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="500" caption="false" /></a></p>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/harvest-festivals-in-india-1'
		],
		(int) 15 => [
			'title' => 'USA Redesignates Cuba as State Sponsor of Terrorism',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the USA State Department has designated Cuba as a <strong>State Sponsor of Terrorism</strong> for repeatedly providing <strong>support for acts of international terrorism</strong> in granting safe harbour to terrorists.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1610620875_image7.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1610620875_image7.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="550" caption="false" /></a></p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Provisions for sanctions on countries:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The State Department of the USA can place <strong>four categories</strong> to enlist any country as sanctioned:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Restrictions on foreign assistance by the USA.</li>
<li>A ban on defence exports and sales.</li>
<li>Certain controls over exports of dual use items.</li>
<li>Sanctions can also be placed on countries and persons that engage in certain trade with designated countries.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Four countries remain on the list: <strong>Syria, Iran, North Korea and Cuba.</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Cuba was delisted in 2015 and has been blacklisted again.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Cuba Designated as a State Sponsor of Terrorism:</strong> The USA government had been accusing the Castro regime for: <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Illegitimate interference in internal politics Venezuela.</li>
<li>Oppressing the people of Cuba.</li>
<li>Supporting international terrorism.</li>
<li>Subversion of the USA justice.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>USA-Cuba Relationship:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The United States and Cuba have had a strained relationship for more than sixty years, rooted in Fidel Castro&rsquo;s overthrow of a USA-backed government in 1959.</li>
<li>Presidents Barack Obama and Raul Castro took several steps to normalize bilateral relations, including restoring diplomatic ties and expanding travel and trade.</li>
<li>The Trump administration has reversed aspects of the past agreements by reimposing restrictions on tourism and other commerce.</li>
<li><strong>Havana Syndrome:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>In late 2016, USA diplomats and other employees stationed in Havana (capital of Cuba) reported feeling ill after hearing strange sounds and experiencing odd physical sensations.</li>
<li>The symptoms included nausea, severe headaches, fatigue, dizziness, sleep problems, and hearing loss, which have since come to be known as the <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/havana-syndrome#:~:text=The%20symptoms%20included%20nausea%2C%20severe,well%20as%20insomnia%20and%20headache." target="_blank" rel="noopener">Havana Syndrome.</a> </strong>The USA had accused Cuba of carrying out &ldquo;attacks&rdquo;, but Cuba denied any knowledge of the illnesses.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Historical Reasons for Strained Relationship:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Cuban Revolution:</strong> The tumultuous USA-Cuba relationship has its roots in the Cold War. In 1959, Fidel Castro and a group of revolutionaries seized power in Havana (city capital of Cuba). They overthrew the USA-backed government of Fulgencio Batista.</li>
<li><strong>Cuban Missile Crisis:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The United States <strong>severed diplomatic ties with</strong> Cuba and began pursuing covert operations to overthrow the Fidel Castro regime in 1961.</li>
<li>The missile crisis arose after<strong> Cuba allowed the Soviet Union to secretly install nuclear missiles</strong> on the island following an attempt by the USA agencies to topple Cuban Government, known as the<strong> Bay of Pigs invasion.</strong></li>
<li>In the end, Soviet Union head Khrushchev agreed to withdraw the missiles in exchange for a pledge from Kennedy (USA) not to invade Cuba and to remove the USA nuclear missiles from Turkey.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Trade with Soviet Union:</strong> After the Cuban Revolution, the United States recognized Fidel Castro&rsquo;s government but began imposing economic penalties as the new regime increased its trade with the Soviet Union, nationalized American-owned properties, and hiked taxes on the USA imports.</li>
<li><strong>Embargo by Kennedy Government (1962):</strong> After slashing Cuban sugar imports, the USA instituted a ban on nearly all its exports to Cuba, which President John F. Kennedy expanded into a full economic embargo that included stringent travel restrictions.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>India's Stand:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Supports Lifting Economic Blockade of Cuba:</strong> Recently when the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/usa-opposes-cuba-in-unhrc" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>USA opposed Cuba&rsquo;s membership in UNHRC</strong></a> in 2019, India joined the majority of countries from all continents that raised their voices in the UN General Assembly to demand an end to the unjust and long economic blockade of the United States against Cuba.</li>
<li><strong>Criticised the USA Embargo:</strong> In the UN General Assembly, India stressed that the continued existence of this siege by the USA against Cuba contravenes world opinion, undermines multilateralism and the credibility of the United Nations.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>UN General Assembly&rsquo;s Stand:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Since 1992, the<a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/united-nations-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> UN General Assembly</strong></a> has approved every year a resolution acknowledging the necessity of ending the economic, commercial and financial blockade imposed by the United States of America against Cuba.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Reinitiating Bilateral Talks:</strong> Resuming Washington&rsquo;s blockade against Cuba appears to be the most unjust, prolonged system of unilateral sanctions applied against any country. There is an urgent need to improve the relationship between the two countries through bilateral talks.</li>
<li><strong>Respecting the Spirit of Democracy:</strong> As a large population of Cuban immigrants and people with Cuban roots reside in the USA, it is for the sake of democracy and spirit of internationalism that the two countries make efforts towards reconciliation.</li>
<li><strong>For India:</strong> India has good ties with both the countries. If the tension between the two - USA and Cuba escalates, it is important for India to rationally balance the relationships.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/world/us-puts-cuba-back-state-sponsor-of-terrorism-list-7143094/" 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/usa-redesignates-cuba-as-state-sponsor-of-terrorism'
		],
		(int) 16 => [
			'title' => 'Two Dimensional Electron Gas',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Scientists at <strong>Institute of Nano Science and Technology (INST),</strong> Mohali, Punjab have produced an <strong>ultra-high mobility Two dimensional (2D)-electron gas</strong> (2DEG).</p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Two Dimensional Electron Gas (2DEG):</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It is an electron gas that is free to move in<strong> two dimensions,</strong> but tightly<strong> confined in the third.</strong> This tight confinement leads to <strong>quantized energy levels for motion in the third direction.</strong> Thus the electrons appear to be a<strong> 2D sheet embedded in a 3D world.</strong></li>
<li>One of the most important recent developments in<strong> semiconductors,</strong> has been the achievement of structures in which the electronic behavior is essentially <strong>two-dimensional</strong> (2D).</li>
<li>Most 2DEGs are found in <strong>transistor-like structures</strong> made from <strong>semiconductors.</strong></li>
<li>2DEG is a valuable system for exploring the physics of <strong>superconductivity magnetism and their coexistence.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Superconductivity is a phenomenon whereby a <strong>charge moves through a material without resistance.</strong> In theory this <strong>allows electrical energy to be transferred between two points</strong> with perfect efficiency, losing<strong> nothing to heat.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Cause for Development of 2DEG:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The need for attaining new functionalities in modern electronic devices has led to the <strong>manipulation of property of an electron</strong> called<strong> spin degree of freedom along with its charge.</strong> This has given rise to an altogether new field of spin-electronics or <strong>&lsquo;spintronics&rsquo;.</strong></li>
<li>The manipulation of<strong> electron spin</strong> offers<strong> new dimensions for basic and applied research,</strong> and the potential for <strong>new capabilities for electronics technology.</strong> This motivates studies of spin polarized electrons in a<strong> high mobility two dimensional electron gas</strong> (2DEG).<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Spintronics is the study of the <strong>intrinsic spin of the electron</strong> and its associated <strong>magnetic moment,</strong> in addition to its fundamental electric charge, in solid-state devices.<a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1610618735_image4.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1610618735_image4.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="350" caption="false" /></a></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>It has been realized that a phenomenon called the <strong>&lsquo;Rashba effect&rsquo;,</strong> which consists of splitting of spin-bands in an electronic system, might play a key role in spintronic devices.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Rashba Effect:</strong> Also called <strong>Bychkov&ndash;Rashba effect,</strong> it is a <strong>momentum-dependent splitting of spin bands</strong> in bulk crystals and low-dimensional condensed matter systems.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Mechanism and Importance:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Due to the <strong>high mobility of the electron gas,</strong> electrons <strong>do not collide</strong> inside the medium for a<strong> long distance</strong> and hence <strong>do not lose the memory and information.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Hence, it can speed up transfer of quantum information and signal from one part of a device to another and increase data storage and memory.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Since they collide<strong> less during their flow, their resistance is very low, and hence they don&rsquo;t dissipate energy as heat.</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>So, such devices <strong>do not heat up easily and need less input energy</strong> to operate.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=1687916" 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/two-dimensional-electron-gas'
		],
		(int) 17 => [
			'title' => 'Nanobodies',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>An international research team led by the University of Bonn (Germany) has identified and further <strong>developed novel antibody fragments (nanobodies) against SARS-CoV-2,</strong> the virus that causes <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/coronavirus-disease-named-covid-19#:~:text=The%20World%20Health%20Organisation%20(WHO,31st%20December%2C%202019)." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Covid-19.</strong></a></p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Nanobodies Against SARS-CoV-2:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Produced along with Antibodies:</strong> On injection of surface protein of the coronavirus into an alpaca and a llama, their immune system not only produced antibodies directed against the virus but also a simpler antibody variant that can serve as the basis of nanobodies.</li>
<li><strong>More Effective:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>They had also<strong> combined the nanobodies into potentially particularly effective molecules,</strong> which <strong>attack different parts of the virus simultaneously.</strong> This new approach <strong>could prevent the pathogen from evading the effect of antibodies through <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/mutated-novel-coronavirus#:~:text=A%20mutation%20means%20a%20change,virus%20that%20causes%20Covid%2D19." target="_blank" rel="noopener">mutations.</a></strong></li>
<li>Nanobodies<strong> appear to trigger a structural change</strong> before the virus encounters its target cell - an unexpected and novel mode of action. The change is likely to be irreversible; the virus is therefore no longer able to bind to host cells and infect them.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Antibodies:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Antibodies are <strong>an important weapon in the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/immunity-against-covid-19" target="_blank" rel="noopener">immune system</a>&rsquo;s defense against infections.</strong></li>
<li>They<strong> bind to the surface structures of bacteria or viruses </strong>and<strong> prevent their replication.</strong></li>
<li>One strategy in the fight against disease is therefore to produce effective antibodies in large quantities and inject them into patients. However, <strong>producing antibodies is difficult and time-consuming;</strong> they are, therefore, <strong>probably not suitable for widespread use.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Nanobodies:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Nanobodies are <strong>antibody fragments</strong> that are so simple that they<strong> can be produced by bacteria or yeast,</strong> which is<strong> less expensive.</strong></li>
<li>These are <strong>antibodies with a single variable domain located on a heavy chain,</strong> also known as<strong> VHH antibodies.</strong></li>
<li>These are <strong>often seen as an alternative to conventional antibodies,</strong> and have <strong>significant differences</strong> in both <strong>production</strong> and <strong>use</strong> that influence their suitability.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Difference between Nanobodies and Conventional Antibodies:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Difference in Structure and Domains:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Conventional antibodies</strong> have<strong> two variable domains, called VH and VL,</strong> which offer each other stability and binding specificity.</li>
<li><strong>Nanobodies have VHH domains</strong> and<strong> lack VL domains,</strong> but are still highly stable. Lacking the VL domain also means nanobodies have a <strong>hydrophilic</strong> (having a tendency to dissolve in a water) side. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Hydrophilic side means they <strong>do not have issues with solubility and aggregation</strong> otherwise associated with conventional antibodies.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Nanobody production follows many of the same protocols as used in traditional antibody production. However, it also has distinct advantages not available with traditional antibodies, such as <strong>improved screening, improved isolation techniques, and no animal sacrifice.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1610615855_image1.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1610615855_image1.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="600" caption="false" /></strong></a></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Use:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Nanobodies</strong> are much smaller than classic antibodies and they, therefore, <strong>penetrate the tissue better</strong> and can be produced more easily in<strong> larger quantities.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Nanobodies</strong> are<strong> stable in a wide range of temperatures,</strong> remaining functional at temperatures as high as 80&deg;C. As an added bonus, <strong>unfolding of the nanobody due to high temperatures</strong> has been shown to be <strong>fully reversible, unlike conventional antibody fragments.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Nanobodies are <strong>also stable at extreme pH levels,</strong> able to survive exposure to gastric fluid.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Nanobodies</strong> are also <strong>compatible with genetic engineering methods,</strong> which allow alteration of amino acids to improve binding.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Limitations of Nanobodies:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies</strong> are slightly<strong> safer to produce than nanobodies,</strong> as there are biohazards involved in nanobody production not present for conventional antibody production. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The biohazards result mainly from <strong>use of hazardous bacteriophages</strong> (any of a group of viruses that infect bacteria) for selection of nanobodies. Other sources include plasmids, antibiotics, and recombinant DNA. These materials require safe disposal.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Polyclonal antibodies</strong> are made using several different immune cells.</li>
<li><strong>Monoclonal antibodies</strong> are made using identical immune cells that are all clones of a specific parent cell.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/more-effective-nanobodies-to-fight-novel-coronavirus-7145747/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: IE</strong></a></p>',
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		(int) 18 => [
			'title' => 'Draft National Science, Technology and Innovation Policy',
			'catname' => 'News Editorials',
			'desc' => '<div class="border">
<p>This article is based on <a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/building-a-vibrant-science-ecosystem-7143793/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>&ldquo;Building a vibrant science ecosystem&rdquo;</strong></a> which was published in The Indian Express on 12/01/2021. It talks about the significance of the proposal in the draft National Science, Technology and Innovation Policy (STIP 2020).</p>
</div>
<p>Covid-19 pandemic has shown the world that it has to take research in science and technology more seriously than before. In India, the pandemic presented an opportunity for R&amp;D institutions, academia, and industry to work with a shared purpose, synergy, collaboration and cooperation.</p>
<p>With the growing realisation, that science can address many of society&rsquo;s pressing problems, the Government of India has released a draft <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/draft-national-science-technology-and-innovation-policy-2020" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>National Science, Technology and Innovation Policy (STIP 2020).</strong></a></p>
<p>The STIP will be guided by the vision of positioning India among the top three scientific superpowers in the decade to come. Apart from it, the policy outlines strategies for strengthening India&rsquo;s STI ecosystem to achieve the larger goal of Atmanirbhar Bharat.</p>
<h3>Novel Ideas of the Policy &amp; their Significance</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Open Science Framework &amp; Inclusiveness:</strong> Open Science fosters more equitable participation in science through increased access to research output, greater transparency and accountability in research.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Apart from this, it would ensure better resource utilisation through minimal restrictions and a constant exchange of knowledge between the producers and users of knowledge.</li>
<li>This framework will be largely community-driven and supported with necessary institutional mechanisms and operational modalities.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>One Nation, One Subscription &amp; Democratization:</strong> The STIP envisions free access to all journals, Indian and foreign, for every Indian against a centrally-negotiated payment mechanism.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In the present mechanisms, consumers of knowledge such as line departments, innovators, industry, the society at large, etc., do not have access to these research journals.</li>
<li>Hence, the policy seeks to democratise science by providing access to scholarly knowledge to not just researchers but also to every individual in the country.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Science &amp; Gender Parity:</strong> India has valued women&rsquo;s participation in science and education from ancient times.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Some of the earliest women scientists, including Leelavati, Gargi, and Khana, made significant contributions to mathematics, natural science, and astronomy.</li>
<li>Over the last six years, women&rsquo;s participation in S&amp;T has doubled in India; however, women&rsquo;s overall participation in R&amp;D continues to be only about 16%.</li>
<li>Therefore, the policy has envisaged gender parity by addressing career breaks for women by considering academic age rather than biological/physical age.</li>
<li>Apart from this, it proposes an inclusive culture that'll be facilitated through the equal opportunity candidates from rural-remote areas, marginalised communities, differently-abled, Divyangjans, irrespective of their socio-economic backgrounds.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Traditional Knowledge &amp; Carving Own Niche:</strong> The policy envisages establishing an institutional architecture to integrate Traditional Knowledge Systems (TKS) and grassroots innovation into the overall education, research and innovation system.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>This focus on indigenous know-how may help India shine globally, standing on its merit and unique technologies based on timeless ancient wisdom curated/enhanced by modern science and technology.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Collaboration &amp; Ease of Doing Research:</strong> The proposed Science Technology Innovation Observatory will have an important governance role in the collaboration networks.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The policy proposes creating a National STI Observatory that will act as a central repository for all kinds of data related to and generated from the STI ecosystem.</li>
<li>Further, an STI Development Bank will be set up to facilitate a corpus fund for investing in direct long term investments in select strategic areas.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Operationalise Clusters:</strong> When the draft policy takes the shape of the actual procedure, it must acknowledge the cluster-based approach and incorporate it.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Clusters consist of multiple organisations including suppliers, producers, customers, labour markets, HEIs, financial intermediaries, professional and industry associations, regulatory institutions and government departments.</li>
<li>They nurture strong science and technology research capabilities in a specific domain and help translate these capabilities into applications.</li>
<li>An example of an electronics hardware cluster is in Silicon Valley.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Increasing Funding For Research:</strong> At 0.6% of GDP, India&rsquo;s gross domestic expenditure on R&amp;D (GERD) is relatively low compared to other major economies with a GERD-to-GDP ratio of 1.5% to 3%.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>One way to increase R&amp;D spend in the country is to make it attractive for companies to invest.</li>
<li>In this regard, reformed bureaucracy, tax benefits and market access for the infant companies should also be considered.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Enabling Research in Disruptive technology:</strong> Technologies that are collectively called Industrial revolution 4.0 are undoubtedly the future of science and technology landscape.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>India must take advantage of these disruptive and impactful technologies.</li>
<li>More research on these associated technologies may positively impact many industries such as defence, education, health etc.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Science Diplomacy:</strong> India should indulge in international S&amp;T engagement and STIP diplomacy.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>This will help in achieving collective and inclusive global development through international engagement by maximising the scope of indigenisation and sustainability for national advancement and promotion of global commons.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Conclusion</h3>
<p>India&rsquo;s STI growth trajectory over recent years has been impressive. Our entry into the club of the top 50 countries in the global innovation Index with a rank of 48 (a massive improvement from 81st place in 2015) speaks volumes for our potential.</p>
<p>To continue this feat, the draft Science, Technology and Innovation Policy contains progressive proposals that could be game-changers for the scientific research community and the way ordinary Indians interact with Science.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1610541362_image4.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1610541362_image4.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="600" caption="false" /></a></p>
<table border="1" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="width: 100%; border-style: dotted; border-color: #ff0000; background-color: #f7f7ff;">
<p><span style="color: #800000;"><em><strong>Drishti Mains Question</strong></em></span></p>
<p>&ldquo;India needs science that solves, a technology that transforms and innovation that impacts&rdquo;. In light of this statement, discuss the draft Science, Technology and Innovation Policy, 2020.</p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p style="text-align: center;"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/sot1Ty_08PE" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p>
<p>This editorial is based on <a href="https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/editorial/bridging-the-gulf-on-gulf-reconciliation-summit/article33552856.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>&ldquo;Bridging the Gulf: On Gulf reconciliation summit&rdquo;</strong> </a>which was published in The Hindu on January 12<sup>th</sup>, 2020. Now watch this on our Youtube channel.</p>',
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		(int) 19 => [
			'title' => 'Data on Retail Inflation and Factory Output',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Separate data on<strong> retail <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/return-of-inflation" target="_blank" rel="noopener">inflation</a> and factory output</strong> have been recently released by the<strong> Ministry of Statistics &amp; Programme Implementation</strong> (MoSPI).</p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Retail Inflation:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Measured by the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/cpi-iw-base-year-revised-to-2016" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Consumer Price Index</strong></a> (CPI),<strong> eased to 4.59%</strong> in the month of December 2020.</li>
<li>The retail inflation for the <strong>month of November</strong> was 6.93%.</li>
<li>The December CPI data has come within the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-national-institutions/important-institutions-national-institution-reserve-bank-of-indiahttps://www.drishtiias.com/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-national-institutions/important-institutions-national-institution-reserve-bank-of-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Reserve Bank of India&rsquo;s</strong></a> (RBI) upper margin of 6%. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The government has <strong>mandated the central bank</strong> to keep retail inflation within the<strong> range of 4% with a margin of 2% on either side as per its <a href="/current-affairs-news-analysis-editorials/news-editorials/29-06-2019#:~:text=Inflation%20targeting%20involves%20using%20monetary,close%20to%20the%20agreed%20target.&amp;text=As%20per%20terms%20of%20the,mind%20the%20objective%20of%20growth." target="_blank" rel="noopener">inflation targeting.</a></strong></li>
<li>CPI inflation has been above RBI&rsquo;s upper bound inflation target of 4 +/-2% for more than 11 months.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>RBI primarily factors in retail inflation while making its <strong>bi-monthly monetary policy.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>In its <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/monetary-policy-rbi" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>bi-monthly monetary policy</strong></a> meeting in<strong> December 2020,</strong> the Indian central bank had kept its key interest rates unchanged (repo and reverse repo rates) and decided to maintain an<strong> &lsquo;accommodative stance&rsquo;</strong> as long as necessary at least through the current financial year.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Causes of decline:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Decline in food prices:</strong> Inflation in the food basket eased to 3.41% in the month of December, down from 9.50% in November.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Factory Output:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>India&rsquo;s factory output, which is measured in terms of<strong> Index of Industrial Production</strong> (IIP), witnessed a contraction of <strong>-1.9%</strong> during the <strong>month of November</strong> 2020.</li>
<li>The industrial growth so far in the fiscal year 2020-21 (April-November) has contracted <strong>-15.5%,</strong> compared to a <strong>0.3%</strong> rise in the corresponding period in 2019.</li>
<li><strong>Causes of Contraction:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Mining and Manufacturing sectors.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The<strong> mining sector</strong> saw a decline of -7.3% in November, while the <strong>manufacturing sector</strong> witnessed a fall of -1.7%.</li>
<li>However, the <strong>electricity sector grew</strong> 3.5%.</li>
<li>In <strong>November 2019,</strong> the <strong>manufacturing sector</strong> had witnessed a <strong>growth of 3.0%.</strong> During the same period, the <strong>mining sector had risen 1.9%,</strong> while the <strong>electricity sector</strong> had witnessed a<strong> fall</strong> of<strong> -5.0%.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Consumer Price Index</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It measures <strong>price changes from the perspective of a retail buyer.</strong> It is released by the <strong>National Statistical Office</strong> (NSO).</li>
<li>The CPI calculates the difference in the price of commodities and services such as food, medical care, education, electronics etc, which Indian consumers buy for use.</li>
<li>The CPI<strong> has several sub-groups</strong> including food and beverages, fuel and light, housing and clothing, bedding and footwear.</li>
<li>At present, India has <strong>five consumer price indexes</strong> (CPIs), <strong>three</strong> of which are <strong>working-class specific.</strong> These are:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>CPI for Industrial Workers (IW).</li>
<li>CPI for Agricultural Labourer (AL).</li>
<li>CPI for Rural Labourer (RL).</li>
<li>These three indexes are compiled by the <strong>Labour Bureau</strong> in the <strong>Ministry of Labour and Employment.</strong></li>
<li><strong>CPIs AL and RL</strong> are <strong>used to fix minimum wages of agricultural labourers and rural unskilled employees.</strong></li>
<li>The <strong>CPI-IW</strong> is mainly used for<strong> determining dearness allowance</strong> (DA) paid to central/state government employees and workers in the industrial sectors besides measuring inflation in retail prices, fixation and revision of minimum wages in scheduled employments.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The Base Year for CPI-IW has <strong>recently</strong> been <strong>changed to 2016</strong> from <strong>previous 2001.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The Labour Bureau is also expected to bring out the new series of the CPI- AL/RL, which currently has the base year of <strong>1986-87</strong> by August 2021.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The other two are <strong>CPI-Urban and CPI Rural.</strong> These two indexes are compiled by the <strong>National Statistical Office (NSO) in the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The combined rise in retail prices is captured by CPI Combined.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Index of Industrial Production</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Index of Industrial Production (IIP) is an index that <strong>shows the growth rates in different industry groups</strong> of the economy in a <strong>fixed period of time.</strong></li>
<li>It is compiled and published monthly by the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/restructuring-of-indian-statistical-system" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>National Statistical Office</strong></a> (NSO), Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation.</li>
<li>IIP is a composite indicator that measures the <strong>growth rate of industry groups</strong> classified under:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Broad Sectors:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Mining, Manufacturing, and Electricity.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Use-based sectors:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Basic Goods, Capital Goods, and Intermediate Goods.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The eight core sector industries represent about <strong>40%</strong> of the<strong> weight of items that are included in the IIP.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The eight core industries in decreasing order of their weightage: Refinery Products (28.04 %)&gt; Electricity (19.85 %)&gt; Steel (17.92 %) &gt; Coal (10.33 %)&gt; Crude Oil (8.98 %)&gt; Natural Gas (6.88 %)&gt; Cement (5.37 %)&gt; Fertilizers (2.63 %).</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Base Year</strong> for IIP calculation is <strong>2011-2012.</strong></li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/business/economy/india-cpi-retail-inflation-december-2020-iip-factory-output-november-2020-data-7143378/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source:IE</strong></a></p>',
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		'title' => 'India & Oman',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, a meeting of the<strong> India-Oman Strategic Consultative Group</strong> (IOSCG) was held with the first <strong>high-level official visit</strong> from Oman to India since the onset of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/covid-19-now-pandemic-who" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Covid-19 pandemic</strong></a>.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1610789405_image7.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1610789405_image7.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="500" caption="false" /></a></p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Partnership during Pandemic:</strong> India assured assistance to Oman in its requirement for <strong>Covid-19</strong> vaccines. India had also facilitated<strong> food and medical supplies to Oman</strong> during the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/covid-19-now-pandemic-who" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>pandemic.</strong></a><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Previously both the countries have expressed satisfaction on the operationalisation of the <strong>Air Bubble arrangement</strong> between the two countries during <strong>covid-19.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/travel-bubble" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Air bubbles</strong></a> (travel corridors or travel bubbles) are systems established between <strong>two countries</strong> that perceive each other <strong>to be safe and allow carriers of both the countries to fly passengers either way</strong> without any restrictions.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Comprehensive Review:</strong> Both sides reviewed the entire spectrum of India-Oman relationship including in political, energy, trade, investment, defence, security, space, mining, Science &amp; Technology, culture and consular fields.</li>
</ul>
<h3>India Oman Relations</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Background:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The two countries across the Arabian Sea are linked by<strong> geography, history and culture</strong> and enjoy warm and cordial relations, which are attributed to <strong>historical maritime trade linkages.</strong></li>
<li>While people-to-people contact between India and Oman can be traced back <strong>5000 years, diplomatic relations were established in 1955</strong> and the relationship was upgraded to <strong>Strategic partnership in 2008.</strong> Oman has been a key pillar of<strong> India's West Asia Policy.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Political Relations:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Visits at the highest level have been exchanged frequently between India and Oman. Ministerial level visits have taken place regularly.</li>
<li>The Sultanate of Oman is a<strong> strategic partner of India</strong> in the Gulf and an important interlocutor at the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/gulf-cooperation-council-and-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Gulf Cooperation Council</strong></a> (GCC), <strong>Arab League</strong> and <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/19th-iora-council-of-ministers-meeting" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Indian Ocean Rim Association</strong> </a>(IORA) fora.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Defence Cooperation:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The Ministries of Defence of both countries review their relations annually under the aegis of <strong>Joint Military Cooperation Committee</strong> meeting.</li>
<li>India and Oman conduct <strong>regular biennial bilateral exercises</strong> between all three services. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Army exercise: <strong>Al Najah</strong></li>
<li>Air Force exercise: <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/ex-eastern-bridge-v" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Eastern Bridge</strong></a></li>
<li>Naval Exercise: <strong>Naseem Al Bahr</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Since 2008, Oman has been extending its support to Indian Navy&rsquo;s <strong>anti-piracy missions</strong> and Indian Naval Ships are regularly welcomed by Oman for <strong>Overseas Deployments.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Economic &amp; Commercial Relations:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>India accords a high priority to expanding its economic and commercial ties with Oman. Institutional mechanisms like<strong> Joint Commission Meeting</strong> (JCM) and<strong> Joint Business Council</strong> (JBC) oversee economic cooperation between India and Oman.</li>
<li>The bilateral trade and investment between India and Oman remain <strong>robust and buoyant.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>India is among Oman&rsquo;s <strong>top trading partners.</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>For Oman, India was the<strong> 3<sup>rd</sup> largest</strong> (after UAE and China) source for its imports and <strong>3<sup>rd</sup> largest market</strong> (after UAE and Saudi Arabia) for its non-oil exports in 2018.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Major items of India&rsquo;s <strong>exports to Oman</strong> include mineral fuels, mineral oils and products of their distillation; boilers, machinery and mechanical appliances; articles of iron or steel; electrical machinery and equipment, textiles and garments, chemicals, tea, coffee, spices etc</li>
<li>Main items of<strong> India&rsquo;s imports</strong> from Oman include fertilizers; mineral fuels, mineral oils and products of their distillation; bituminous substances etc.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Indian financial institutions such as State Bank of India, Public Sector Undertakings such as Air India, Life Insurance Corporation(LIC), have presence in Oman. Indian companies have invested in Oman in sectors like iron and steel, cement, fertilizers, textile etc.</li>
<li><strong>India-Oman Joint Investment Fund</strong> (OIJIF), a JV between <strong>State Bank of India and State General Reserve Fund</strong> (SGRF) of Oman, a special purpose vehicle to invest in India, has been operational.</li>
<li><strong>Access to Duqm Port:</strong> Oman has allowed India, including its navy, access to its Duqm port, about 550 km south of the capital Muscat. The Port of Duqm SEZ is earmarked to be the Indian Ocean&rsquo;s largest deep-sea port.</li>
<li>An agreement to <strong>develop Little India, an integrated tourism complex project in Duqm</strong> worth 748 million USD, has been signed between the two countries.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Cultural Cooperation:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>India and Oman have close cultural relations. The vibrant Indian expatriate community in Oman regularly hosts<strong> cultural performances and invites celebrity artists and singers from India.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Indian Community in Oman:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The large, diverse and highly regarded expatriate Indian community in Oman is spread over the<strong> entire spectrum of professions.</strong> Thousands of Indians are working as doctors, engineers,etc.</li>
<li>There are many<strong> Indian schools offering CBSE syllabus</strong> catering to the educational needs of about <strong>45,000</strong> Indian children.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>India does not have enough energy resources to serve its current or future energy requirements. The rapidly growing energy demand has contributed to the need for <strong>long term energy partnerships with countries like Oman.</strong></li>
<li>Oman&rsquo;s Duqm Port is situated in the <strong>middle of international shipping lanes connecting East with West Asia.</strong></li>
<li>India needs to engage with Oman and <strong>take initiatives to utilise opportunities arising out of the Duqm Port industrial city.</strong></li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/india-oman-review-ties-vow-to-step-up-trade-and-investment/article33576897.ece#:~:text=Secretary%20(CPV%26OIA)%20thanked%20the%20Omani,to%20Oman%20during%20the%20pandemic." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source:TH</strong></a></p>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/india-oman'
	],
	(int) 1 => [
		'title' => 'Kashmir Debate in UK’s Parliament',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, India has expressed its concern over a <strong>debate on Kashmir in the Houses of Parliament complex in London.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Earlier in october 2020 a delegation of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/members-of-european-parliament-visit-kashmir" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>European Union Members of Parliament (MEPs)</strong></a>, comprising 27 Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) from Italy, Britain, France, Germany, Czech <strong>Republic, and Poland, visited Srinagar,</strong> nearly three months after the <a href="/to-the-points/Paper2/to-the-point-article-370" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>revocation of Article 370</strong></a>.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1610781039_image2.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1610781039_image2.png" width="450" caption="false" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></a></p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Background:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>A debate was organised by some <strong>Members of Parliament</strong> in <strong>the United Kingdom (UK),</strong> titled <strong>"Political situation in Kashmir".</strong></li>
<li>It raised concerns of <strong>alleged <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/international-human-rights-day-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">human rights</a> violations</strong> and called on the UK government to seek access to the region for direct reports from Jammu and Kashmir and <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/pakistan-s-provincial-status-to-gilgit-baltistan" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK)</strong></a> to be presented in the UK Parliament in future.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>India&rsquo;s Concern:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The<strong> terminology</strong> used in the debate was problematic, regarding the reference to <strong>'Kashmir''</strong> in the title - there is a need to differentiate between<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/uts-j-k-and-ladakh" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir</strong></a>, which is an integral part of India, and <strong>Pakistan Occupied Kashmir</strong> (when the erstwhile princely state of Kashmir legally acceded to India in October 1947, this part was forcibly and illegally occupied by Pakistan).</li>
<li>The debate ignored current ground reality of<strong> the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir</strong> and, instead chose to reflect false assertions of the kind promoted by a third country (Pakistan), such as unsubstantiated allegations of <strong>'genocide'', 'rampant violence'' and 'torture'.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>India&rsquo;s Stand:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The Indian High Commission in London sought to highlight that since last year, a smart wi-fi project has enabled <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/restoration-of-4g-internet-in-j-k#:~:text=Background%3A,two%20Union%20Territories%20(UTs)." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>high-speed internet access in the region</strong></a> and that despite threats of terror attacks, challenging weather conditions and the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/comprehensive-action-plan-for-covid-19" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Covid-19</strong> </a>pandemic, landmark <strong>District Development Council (DDC) elections were concluded in December 2020.</strong></li>
<li>India stands ready to engage with Pakistan on all outstanding issues &ndash; including on Jammu and Kashmir in accordance with the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/external-intervention-on-kashmir-issue" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Shimla Agreement (1972)</strong> </a>and the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/kargil-vijay-diwas" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Lahore Declaration (1999)</strong> </a>in an atmosphere free from terror, hostility and violence.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>UK Government&rsquo;s Stand:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Although there were human rights concerns on both sides of the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/india-china-conflict" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Line of Control (LoC)</strong></a>, the UK will <strong>not play any mediatory role in a bilateral <a href="/to-the-points/Paper2/india-pakistan-scope-of-soft-diplomacy" target="_blank" rel="noopener">India-Pakistan</a> matter.</strong></li>
<li>The government's policy (on Kashmir) remains stable,<strong> it's unchanged.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It continues to believe that India and Pakistan need to find a lasting political resolution to the situation that takes into account the wishes of the Kashmiri people as laid out in the <strong>Simla Agreement (1972).</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/india-deplores-false-assertions-in-uk-parliament-kashmir-debate/article33575979.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/kashmir-debate-in-uk-s-parliament'
	],
	(int) 2 => [
		'title' => 'Avian Flu Crisis',
		'catname' => 'News Editorials',
		'desc' => '<div class="border">
<p>This article is based on<a href="https://www.hindustantimes.com/opinion/handling-the-avian-flu-crisis-hteditorial-101610461818610.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> &ldquo;Handling the avian flu crisis&rdquo;</strong> </a>which was published in The Hindustan Times on 12/01/2021. It talks about the frequent occurrence of bird flu and its impact.</p>
</div>
<p>Just three months after India declared itself free of the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/bird-flu-threat" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>avian influenza outbreak (Bird Flu)</strong></a>, the year 2021 started with an unprecedented bird flu epidemic. The recent occurrence of bird flu has caused the death of thousands of wild and poultry birds in 10 states.</p>
<p>Avian influenza, commonly known as bird flu, is a highly contagious viral disease affecting a variety of birds. The most common strain of the virus that causes severe respiratory disease in birds is H5N1. However, other strains, such as H7N1, H8N1, or H5N8, also cause bird flu.</p>
<p>The frequent occurrences of bird flu cause a high degree of mortality in birds and subsequent economic loss to the fast-growing poultry industry. Moreover, there are risks associated with the mutation of the virus and infection to the human.</p>
<p>Given the disruption caused by Covid-19, it is important that any viral outbreak must be handled with adequate preventive and curative steps.</p>
<h3>Reason For Frequent Occurrence of Bird Flu</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Source:</strong> Wild birds are considered the natural reservoirs of the bird flu viruses, and it is typical of an outbreak to coincide with the season of arrival of migratory birds.</li>
<li><strong>Migration of Virus:</strong> Migratory birds from faraway countries in the northern hemisphere such as Mongolia and Kazakhstan are said to have brought the virus to India.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The bird flu spreads through their droppings, contaminating the water bodies they visit.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Destination:</strong> According to the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/world-health-organization-who" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>World Health Organization (WHO)</strong></a>, more than half of the world&rsquo;s bird flu incidents take place in the <a href="/current-affairs-news-analysis-editorials/news-analysis/22-04-2019" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Central Asian Flyway (CAF)</strong></a>, which covers almost the entire Indian subcontinent.</li>
<li><strong>Man-Made Reason:</strong> Further, WHO believes that continuous growth in poultry farming under poor sanitary conditions was sustaining the virus, with multiple susceptible species living in the same area.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Threats Emanating From Bird Flu</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Threat to Humans:</strong> The viral strain, H5N1 has a history of spreading over to humans from birds, but the instances of bird flu among humans have been uncommon.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>However, according to WHO, human cases of bird flu occur &ldquo;occasionally,&rdquo; but the mortality rate is about 60% when it happens.</li>
<li>It further states that there is a possibility of the H5N1 mutating and posing a pandemic threat among humans.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Economic Impact:</strong> The response to a bird flu outbreak is a containment strategy, which is primarily centered around removing the diseased birds through culling. Such mass destruction causes a severe impact on farmers.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>According to the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, India&rsquo;s poultry sector is worth ₹80,000 crores. The organized sector represents 80%, and the rest is distributed among unorganized sectors, including backyard poultry-keeping which is crucial for income and nutritional security.</li>
<li>Also, India exports processed poultry products such as egg powder, yolk powder, chicken products, and also pharmaceutical ingredients from the poultry sector worth hundreds of crores every year.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Preventive Measures:</strong> It is very difficult to eradicate influenza viruses because they persist in a vast reservoir of aquatic birds. However, the spread of bird flu can be contained if there is early sharing of information between the 29 CAF countries.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In this context, the United Nations and WHO should work with countries in the CAF region for disease surveillance of the migratory birds.</li>
<li>In India, the Central government requires veterinary staff to conduct inspections periodically under the Prevention and Control of Infectious and Contagious Diseases in Animals Act, 2009, to catch any signs of disease among birds and other animals early.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Curative Measures:</strong> In India, the Centre has the right thing by asking the state governments to follow the <strong>National Action Plan for Prevention, Control, and Containment of Avian Influenza 2021.</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The plan emphasizes the practice of building a biosafety bubble around poultry farms to mitigate the chances of wild birds coming in close contact with reared birds.</li>
<li>Also, where birds&rsquo; culling is undertaken to combat bird flu, the National Action Plan prescribes compensation to farmers at fixed rates.</li>
<li>However, the farmers complain that compensations do not cover the profit they could have earned from regular business. Given the economic slowdown amid the Covid-19 pandemic, the governments must do needful help from the farmers.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Need For Research:</strong> Experts say preventing bird flu is very difficult as little research has been done on the virus-carrying capability of migratory birds in CAF.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Therefore, it is also important to undertake genome sequencing of virus samples to track the virus&rsquo;s evolution.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Measure to be Taken by Farmers:</strong> The measures, which have general relevance to farmers everywhere, include cleansing and disinfecting, reduction of people&rsquo;s movement in the farm bird areas to reduce contamination, reducing contact between captive and wild birds.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Conclusion</h3>
<p>Covid-19 pandemic showed the world how a microorganism could bring the whole world to a standstill. Therefore, it is imperative to treat the viral outbreak with utmost urgency and adopt sustainable ways of living.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1610713011_image%200.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1610713011_image 0.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="450" caption="false" /></a></p>
<table border="1" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="width: 100%; border-style: dotted; border-color: #ff0000; background-color: #fefff5;">
<p><span style="color: #000080;"><em><strong>Drishti Mains Question</strong></em></span></p>
<p>The frequent bird flu occurrences pose a high biosafety risk &amp; economic loss to the fast-growing poultry industry. Discuss.</p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p style="text-align: center;"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/vCx4L7kBdn8" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p>
<p>This editorial is based on <a href="https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/blogs/et-editorials/growth-cure-for-financial-stress/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>&rdquo;Growth Cure for Financial Stress&rdquo;</strong></a> which was published in The Economic Times on January 13<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/avian-flu-crisis'
	],
	(int) 3 => [
		'title' => 'India’s NSA Visit to Afghanistan',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/a-vote-on-national-security" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> National Security Advisor (NSA)</strong></a> of India visited Afghanistan for talks on strategic issues with the leadership in Kabul.</p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>First official visit since initiation of Intra-afghan talks:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>This visit is significant because it was the first visit by any senior Indian official amidst the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/intra-afghan-talks-role-of-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Intra-Afghan Talks.</strong></a></li>
<li><strong>Intra-Afghan</strong> talks refer to the <strong>negotiation meetings between the Taliban and the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/afghanistan-s-power-sharing-deal" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Afghan High Council for National Reconciliation</a></strong> (representative of Afghan Government) opened in Doha in 2020.</li>
<li>These talks are <strong>facilitated and supervised by the United States,</strong> representatives of the Ghani government and the Taliban aimed at ending the decades-old war and forging a political settlement.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Issues discussed:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Exchanged views</strong> on the <strong>Peace Process,</strong> the beginning of <strong>2<sup>nd</sup> round of (Intra-Afghan) talks,</strong> and the <strong>role of India in establishing peace in Afghanistan.</strong></li>
<li>Emphasis to <strong>synchronise efforts to combat terrorism</strong> and maintain peace in Aghanistan which shall become more challenging after the USA troops withdraw after <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/us-taliban-deal" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Doha Peace Pact (2020).</strong> </a><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Doha Peace Pact:</strong> In February 2020, the USA and the Tabilan signed an agreement in Doha, (Qatar&rsquo;s capital) which included: <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>USA to withdraw all of its troops from Afghanistan in 14 months and would also release Taliban prisoners, held captive by the Afghan government.</li>
<li>Assurance by Taliban that they would not allow transnational jihadist organisations such as al-Qaeda and the Islamic State to use Afganistan as their base and also committed to start direct talks with the Afghan government, which began in September 2020.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>India's Role in establishing Peace in Afghanistan:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>By <strong>participating in the intra-Afghan inaugural dialogue</strong> in Doha, India has shown its willingness to engage with all Afghan parties including the Taliban for peace in Kabul.</li>
<li>India conveyed that the peace process must: <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Be Afghan-led, Afghan-owned and Afghan-controlled;</li>
<li>Respect national sovereignty and territorial integrity of Afghanistan; and</li>
<li>Promote human rights and democracy.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>India has a major stake in the stability of Afghanistan since it has<strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/india-s-assistance-to-afghanistan" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> invested considerable resources</a> in Afghanistan's development.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1610709018_image4.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1610709018_image4.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" caption="false" /></strong></a></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Significance of Stable Afghanistan for India:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>A stable Afghanistan government in power is a <strong>strategic asset vis-&agrave;-vis Pakistan.</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>An increased political and military role for the Taliban</strong> and the expansion of its territorial control should be of great concern to India since the Taliban is widely believed to be a prot&eacute;g&eacute; of Islamabad.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The country has the <strong>Central Asian Republics</strong> to the North, Pakistan to its East, and through Iran and Pakistan the Indian Ocean deeper south.</li>
<li>Withdrawal of the USA troops could result in the<strong> breeding of the fertile ground for various anti-India terrorist</strong> outfits like <a href="/printpdf/pakistan-on-fatf-grey-list" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Lashkar-e-Taiba</strong></a> or Jaish-e-Mohammed.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>India has reaffirmed its <strong>support to the Doha Agreement (2020) and intra-Afghan peace negotiations</strong> facilitating Afghan peace process and reiterated its commitment to Afghanistan&rsquo;s pursuit of <strong>&ldquo;sustainable peace and reconciliation&rdquo;.</strong></li>
<li>India&rsquo;s vision of a<strong> sovereign, united, stable, plural and democratic Afghanistan</strong> is one that is shared by Afghanistan, cutting across ethnic and provincial lines.</li>
<li><strong>Continuing such active engagement</strong> will enable India to work with like-minded forces in the region to ensure that the vacuum created by the USA withdrawal does not lead to an unravelling of the gains registered during the last two decades.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/india/ajit-doval-goes-to-afghanistan-focus-on-terror-7145469/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source:IE</strong></a></p>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/india-s-nsa-visit-to-afghanistan'
	],
	(int) 4 => [
		'title' => 'ASMI:The Machine Pistol',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>India&rsquo;s<strong> first indigenous 9mm Machine Pistol</strong> has been jointly developed by <strong>Infantry School, Mhow</strong> and <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-national-institutions/defence-research-and-development-organisation-drdo" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>DRDO&rsquo;s</strong></a> <strong>Armament Research &amp; Development Establishment (ARDE), Pune.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Machine pistols are primarily self-loading versions of pistols which are either fully automatic or can also fire bursts of bullets.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1610704562_image5.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1610704562_image5.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" caption="false" width="567" height="319" /></a></p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Pistol is named <strong>&ldquo;Asmi&rdquo;</strong> meaning <strong>&ldquo;Pride&rdquo;, &ldquo;Self-Respect" &amp; &ldquo;Hard Work&rdquo;.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Features of Asmi:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The Machine Pistol fires the in-service <strong>9mm ammunition.</strong></li>
<li>With an overall <strong>empty weight of less than 2 Kg,</strong> it features an<strong> 8-inch barrel</strong> and <strong>33 rounds high capacity magazine.</strong></li>
<li>It has an upper receiver made from Aircraft <strong>grade Aluminium</strong> and lower receiver from <strong>Carbon Fibre.</strong></li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/make-it-the-indian-way" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>3D Printing process</strong></a> has been used in designing and prototyping of various parts including trigger components made by metal 3D printing.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Significance:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The weapon has huge potential in Armed forces as <strong>personal weapon for heavy weapon detachments, commanders, tank, aircraft crews, counter insurgency and counter terrorism</strong> operations etc.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Cost Effective:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The Machine Pistol is likely to have production cost under Rs.<strong> 50000</strong> each and has <strong>potential for exports.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1688547" 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/asmi-the-machine-pistol'
	],
	(int) 5 => [
		'title' => 'Indian Army day',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Army Day is <strong>celebrated every year on 15<sup>th</sup> January</strong> in India to commemorate the jawans and the Indian Army.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>This year India is celebrating its <strong>73<sup>rd</sup> Army Day.</strong></li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1610704285_image6.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1610704285_image6.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="350" caption="false" /></strong></a></p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Historical Background:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>On <strong>15<sup>th</sup> January 1949, Field Marshal Kodandera M. Cariappa,</strong> who was then a Lieutenant General, <strong>took over as the first Indian Commander-in-Chief of the Indian Army</strong> from General Sir Francis Butcher, the last British person to hold that post.</li>
<li><strong>K. M. Cariappa</strong> adopted the slogan 'Jail Hindi' which means 'Victory of India'. He is also one of only two Indian Army officers to hold the Five-star rank of Field Marshal, the other being Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Army Day :</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Army Day is <strong>celebrated every year to honor the soldiers of the country,</strong> who have set the greatest example of selfless service and brotherhood and more than anything the love for the country.</li>
<li>In the celebration of Army Day, the<strong> parade is organised every year at the Cariappa Parade Ground of Delhi Cantonment.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Indian Army:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The Indian army <strong>originated from the forces of the East India Company,</strong> which later became the <strong>'British Indian Army',</strong> and eventually, after Independence, the <strong>Indian Army.</strong></li>
<li>The Indian Army was founded almost <strong>126 years ago by the British on 1<sup>st</sup> April, 1895.</strong></li>
<li>According to the<strong> Global Fire Power Index 2021,</strong> India's army is considered the <strong>world's fourth strongest army.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Global Fire Power Index:</strong> The<strong> rankings for the index are reached after judging the countries on 50 parameters,</strong> including military resources, natural resources, industry and geographical features and available manpower.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/swift-and-decisive-action-on-lac-general-navarne-s-message-on-army-day-101610674286883.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source:HT</strong></a></p>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/indian-army-day-1'
	],
	(int) 6 => [
		'title' => 'Impeachment of the President of the USA',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p><strong>Donald Trump</strong> has become the <strong>first President of the USA</strong> in history<strong> to be impeached twice</strong> by the<strong> House of Representatives.</strong> He was charged for <strong>inciting an insurrection.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>On 6<sup>th</sup> January, 2021, as the USA Congress assembled to<strong> certify <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/impact-of-us-election-results-on-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener">President-elect Joe Biden</a>'s victory,</strong> a mob of Donald Trump supporters occupied the USA Capitol in a failed bid to overturn the election results.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Mechanism of Impeachment of President in USA:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Two Houses:</strong> The legislature of the United States of America i.e. Congress of the United States consists of two houses: <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>The Senate,</strong> in which each state, regardless of its size, is represented by two senators.</li>
<li><strong>House of Representatives,</strong> to which members are elected on the basis of population.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Reasons for Impeachment:</strong> The USA Constitution states that the President can be removed for conviction of <strong>treason, bribery, or other high crimes or misdemeanour.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Earlier Impeachments:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Three USA Presidents, Trump</strong> in 2019, <strong>Bill Clinton</strong> in 1998 and <strong>Andrew Johnson</strong> in 1868, previously were impeached by the House but<strong> acquitted by the Senate.</strong></li>
<li>Thus, <strong>no USA President ever has been removed from office through impeachment.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Mechanism of Impeachment of President in India:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In India, the President can be removed only for<strong> &lsquo;violation of the Constitution&rsquo;</strong> and the Constitution<strong> does not define the meaning</strong> of the phrase &lsquo;violation of the Constitution&rsquo;.</li>
<li>The <strong>impeachment charges can be initiated by either House of Parliament -</strong> Lok Sabha or Rajya Sabha.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Mechanism of Impeachment of President in India and the USA</h3>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1610703511_image1.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1610703511_image1.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="750" caption="false" /></a></p>
<p><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/world/president-donald-trump-impeached-by-us-house-for-incitement-of-insurrection-at-capitol-7145417/" 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/impeachment-of-the-president-of-the-usa'
	],
	(int) 7 => [
		'title' => 'India as Counterbalance to China: USA',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the <strong>Trump administration declassified a document</strong> which asserted that a <strong>strong India,</strong> in cooperation with like-minded countries, would <strong>act as a counterbalance to China</strong> in the <a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/new-indo-pacific-strategy" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>strategic Indo-Pacific region.</strong></a></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The document on the<strong> USA strategic framework for the Indo-Pacific</strong> from 2018 outlines objectives, challenges and strategies with regard to China, North Korea, India and other countries in the Indo-Pacific region.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Challenges for USA:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Maintaining <strong>USA's strategic primacy in the Indo-pacific</strong> and <strong>stopping China</strong> from establishing illiberal spheres of influence.</li>
<li>Ensuring that <strong>North Korea does not threaten the USA.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Advancing the USA economic leadership globally</strong> while pushing fair and reciprocal trade.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Aspects Related to India:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>India is a<strong> preferred partner on security issues</strong> and to cooperate to preserve maritime security and <strong>counter Chinese influence</strong> in South Asia and Southeast Asia. To achieve this,<strong> USA aims to:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Support India&rsquo;s aspiration to be a leading global power,</strong> highlighting its compatibility with the USA, Japanese and Australian vision of the Indo-Pacific.</li>
<li>Work with India<strong> &ldquo;toward domestic economic reform&rdquo;.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Enhance defence cooperation</strong> and interoperability.</li>
<li><strong>Provide greater leadership roles for India</strong> in the<a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/east-asia-summit" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> East Asia Summit</strong></a> and <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/asean-defence-ministers-meeting-plus#:~:text=The%20ADMM%2DPlus%20is%20a,and%20development%20in%20the%20region." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>ASEAN Defence Ministers&rsquo; Meeting Plus.</strong></a></li>
<li><strong>Support <a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/the-big-picture-india-s-act-east-policy" target="_blank" rel="noopener">India&rsquo;s Act East policy</a>.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>India vis-a-vis China:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Help India addressing disputes with China:</strong> USA aims to support India via military, diplomatic and intelligence channels to<strong> help address continental challenges</strong> such as the<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/galwan-valley-clash" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> border dispute with China</strong></a> and resolution of disputes over rivers, including the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/india-china-on-brahmaputra" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Brahmaputra</strong></a> and other rivers facing diversion by China.</li>
<li><strong>Supporting India's reservations against Belt Road Initiative:</strong> USA seeks the transparent infrastructure-debt practices in the countries facing debt due to Chinese financing under <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/belt-and-road-initiative-perspectives-from-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Belt Road Initiative.</strong> </a></li>
<li><strong>Working with India and Japan:</strong> To help finance projects that enhance regional connectivity between India and countries of the region.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>India-USA Relations:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Shared democratic values</strong> and increasing convergence of interests on bilateral, regional and global issues.</li>
<li><strong>Broad-based and multi-sectoral relationship</strong> covering trade and investment, defence and security, education, science and technology and <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/cyber-security" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>cyber security</strong></a> etc.</li>
<li><strong>People to people connection:</strong> Vibrant people-to-people interaction and support across the political spectrum in both countries nurture bilateral relationships between the two countries.</li>
<li>USA has signed <strong>defence agreements</strong> with India to provide <strong>military information and mutual logistics support.</strong> These are: <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The General Security of Military Information Agreement (GSOMIA).</li>
<li>The Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Agreement (LEMOA).</li>
<li>The Communication Compatibility and Security Agreement (COMCASA).</li>
<li>The Basic Exchange and Cooperation Agreement (BECA): It was the result of the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/india-usa-2-2-dialogue-2020" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Indo-United States (US) 2+2 talks.</strong></a></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Recent USA-China Rivalries:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Competition for dominating world finances:</strong> To counter the USA-dominated International Monetary Fund, World Bank and World Trade Organization, China has come out with alternative financial institutions like <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/asian-infrastructure-investment-bank" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Asia Infrastructure Investment Bank</strong></a>, and<strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/5th-annual-meeting-of-ndb" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> New Development Bank</a>.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Contending influence over international groupings:</strong> In order to contain rising China&rsquo;s assertiveness, the USA under its &lsquo;pivot to Asia policy&rsquo; has launched a <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/quad-3#:~:text=Quadrilateral%20Security%20Dialogue%20(Quad)%20is,prosperous%E2%80%9D%20Indo%2DPacific%20region.&amp;text=However%2C%20the%20idea%20couldn't,apparently%20due%20to%20Chinese%20pressure." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Quad initiative</strong></a>, <a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/the-big-picture-indo-pacific-strategic-importance" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Indo pacific narrative</strong></a>. Most recently, the USA proposed to expand G7 to G-11 without including China in it.</li>
<li><strong>New Cold War:</strong> USA-China confrontation is on multiple fronts including ideological and cultural hegemonic rivalry, trade wars which has often been called the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/new-cold-war" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>New Cold War</strong></a>.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Maintain interest oriented balancing:</strong> India should realise its rising global power and rather than getting enmeshed in USA-China rivalry, <strong>it should prioritize its own interests and growth by maintaining peaceful mutual relationships.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Promote Multilateralism:</strong> India can promote new multilateralism under the aegis of <strong>Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam-</strong> which relies on restructuring both the economic order and societal behaviour for equitable sustainable development.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/a-strong-india-would-act-as-counterbalance-to-china-says-declassified-white-house-document/article33565659.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: TH</strong></a></p>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/india-as-counterbalance-to-china-usa'
	],
	(int) 8 => [
		'title' => 'Supreme Court’s View on Pollution in Yamuna',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-national-institutions/supreme-court-of-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Supreme Court (SC)</strong></a> has taken suo motu cognizance of pollution of water bodies by untreated sewage.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The SC was hearing an urgent petition filed by the <strong>Delhi Jal Board (DJB),</strong> to immediately stop Haryana from discharging <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/yamuna-s-high-ammonia-level" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>pollutants into the Yamuna river.</strong></a></li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Background:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In the 2017<em><strong> Paryavaran Suraksha Samiti v. Union of India case,</strong></em> the SC directed that <strong>norms for generating funds, for setting up and/or operating</strong> the <strong>Common Effluent Treatment Plant and Sewage Treatment Plants,</strong> shall be finalised by the State Pollution Control Board&rsquo;s on or before 31<sup>st</sup> march 2017.</li>
<li>It was<strong> directed that for the purpose of setting up these plants, the state government will prioritise such cities, towns and villages,</strong> which discharge industrial pollutants and sewer directly in rivers and water bodies.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>SC&rsquo;s Ruling:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Constitutional Provisions Highlighted: </strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Article 243W</strong> of the Constitution <strong>vests municipalities and local authorities with the performance of functions and implementation of schemes as may be entrusted to them,</strong> including those in relation to the matters listed in <strong>item 6 of the 12<sup>th</sup> schedule.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Item 6 of the Schedule includes <strong>&ldquo;public health, sanitation conservancy and solid waste management&rdquo;.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Article 21:</strong> The right to clean the environment, and further, pollution-free water, has been protected under the broad rubric of the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/fundamental-rights-and-oci-cardholders" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>right to life</strong></a>.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Directions to Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB):</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The court directed the<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/cpcb-notifies-contaminated-sites" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> CPCB</strong></a> to<strong> submit a report identifying municipalities along the river Yamuna, which have not installed total treatment plants for sewage</strong> as per the requirement or have gaps in ensuring that the sewage is not discharged untreated into the river.</li>
<li>It asked CPCB to <strong>highlight any other source of prominent contamination within the limits of Municipalities</strong> and to<strong> submit priority-wise list of Municipalities,</strong> river stretches adjacent to which have been found to be most polluted.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Pollution in Yamuna</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Causes of Pollution in Yamuna:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Industrial Pollution:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The Yamuna flows into Delhi from Haryana and the state has industrial units in Sonipat (on the banks of Yamuna). <strong>Ammonia is used as an industrial chemical</strong> in the production of fertilisers, plastics and dyes.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Mixing of Drains:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Mixing of <strong>two drains carrying drinking water and sewage or industrial waste, or both,</strong> in Sonipat. The two drains often mix due to overflow or damage to the wall that separates them.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Effects of Rising Ammonia:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Ammonia reduces the amount of oxygen in water as it is transformed to oxidised forms of nitrogen. Hence, it also<strong> increases Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD).</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Water pollution by organic wastes is measured in terms of BOD.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>If the <strong>concentration</strong> of ammonia in water is<strong> above 1 ppm,</strong> it is<strong> toxic to fishes.</strong></li>
<li>In humans,<strong> long term ingestion</strong> of water having ammonia levels of 1 ppm or above may cause <strong>damage to internal organs.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Yamuna</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Source:</strong> The river Yamuna, a<strong> major tributary of river Ganges,</strong> originates from the Yamunotri glacier near Bandarpoonch peaks in the Mussoorie range of the lower Himalayas in Uttarkashi district of Uttarakhand.</li>
<li><strong>Basin:</strong> It <strong>meets the Ganges at the Sangam in Prayagraj,</strong> Uttar Pradesh after flowing through Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Haryana and Delhi.</li>
<li><strong>Length:</strong> 1376 km.</li>
<li><strong>Important Dam:</strong> Lakhwar-Vyasi Dam (Uttarakhand), Tajewala Barrage Dam (Haryana) etc.</li>
<li><strong>Important Tributaries:</strong> Chambal, Sindh, Betwa, Ken, Tons, Hindon.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1610702530_image2.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1610702530_image2.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="600" caption="false" /></a></p>
</div>
<p><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/india/sc-initiates-process-to-clean-rivers-polluted-by-untreated-sewage-7145519/" 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/supreme-court-s-view-on-pollution-in-yamuna'
	],
	(int) 9 => [
		'title' => 'World's Oldest Cave Art',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, archaeologists have discovered the<strong> world&rsquo;s oldest known cave art</strong> which is a life-sized picture of a <strong>wild pig</strong> that was painted at least <strong>45,500 years ago in Indonesia.</strong></p>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1610699109_image3.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1610699109_image3.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" caption="false" /></strong></a></p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Location:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The picture was found in the <strong>Leang Tedongnge cave in a remote valley on the island of Sulawesi, Indonesia.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Sulawesi Warty Pig Painting:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It dates to at least <strong>45,500 years ago.</strong></li>
<li>It <strong>shows a pig with a short crest of upright hairs and a pair of horn-like facial warts in front of the eyes,</strong> a characteristic feature of adult male Sulawesi warty pigs.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Sulawesi warty pigs</strong> were the most <strong>commonly portrayed animal in the ice age rock art of the island,</strong> suggesting they have long been valued both as food and a focus of creative thinking and artistic expression.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Painted using <strong>red ochre pigment,</strong> the pig appears to be observing a<strong> fight or social interaction between two other warty pigs.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Previous Oldest Painting :</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The previously oldest dated rock art &lsquo;scene&rsquo; at least 43,900 years old, was a depiction of <strong>hybrid human-animal beings hunting Sulawesi warty pigs and dwarf bovids.</strong></li>
<li>It was discovered by the same research team at a nearby limestone cave site.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Some of the Caves with Paintings in India:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/ajanta-and-ellora-caves" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Ajanta</a> :</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>This cave is located in <strong>Aurangabad district of Maharashtra.</strong></li>
<li>Famous fresco paintings of Ajanta are dying princesses, flying apsara and preaching Buddha.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/ajanta-and-ellora-caves" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Ellora</strong> </a>: <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It is located in the <strong>Aurangabad district of Maharashtra.</strong></li>
<li>It is famous for the<strong> largest monolithic excavation</strong> in the world- the great Kailasa.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/india-s-first-and-longest-sea-ropeway" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Elephanta</strong></a> :<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It is located on <strong>Elephanta Islands in Mumbai.</strong></li>
<li>There are seven cave excavations in the Elephanta group.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><a href="/current-affairs-news-analysis-editorials/news-analysis/03-06-2019" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Bhimbetka</strong> </a>:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It is located between Hoshangabad and Bhopal, in the foothills of the Vindhya Mountains.</li>
<li>It has one of the <strong>oldest paintings in India and the world.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/lifestyle/art-and-culture/worlds-oldest-known-cave-painting-wild-pig-found-in-indonesia-7146043/" 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/world-s-oldest-cave-art'
	],
	(int) 10 => [
		'title' => 'India’s Potential to Increase Cereals Export',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>The <strong>US Department of Agriculture</strong> (USDA) has noted in its latest <strong>Grain: World Markets and Trade report</strong> that<strong> exports of wheat and rice from India are likely to increase.</strong></p>
<h3>Key points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Findings:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Increase in Wheat Exports:</strong> The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) has recently <strong>upped its forecast of Indian wheat exports </strong>for<strong> 2020-21</strong> (July-June) to <strong>1.8 million tonnes</strong> (mt), as against its earlier estimate of<strong> 1 mt.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Increase in Rice Exports:</strong> USDA has also estimated India&rsquo;s rice exports to have hit a record <strong>14.4 mt</strong> in 2020, up from the <strong>preceding two years.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Causes for Increase in Wheat Exports:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Chinese Stockpiling:</strong> The key driver of global price turnaround seems to be China. The reasons for its building strategic stockpiles of everything aren&rsquo;t as fully clear as their effect on international prices.</li>
<li><strong>Rising Global Prices:</strong> For example, the<strong> Russian government</strong> is levying an export tax on wheat in response to high domestic prices. <strong>Bangladesh,</strong> a potential importer of wheat from Russia is beginning to <strong>shift its purchases towards India.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Ultra-low interest rate</strong> money increasingly being invested into <strong>agri-commodity markets.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>In the wake of Covid 19 Pandemic Various Countries such as the USA, India, Russia are reducing their interest rates.</li>
<li><strong>For example:</strong> Bank of England current bank rate: 0.1%<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Reserve Bank of India current RBI repurchase rate: 4%</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Causes for Rise in Rice Exports:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Impact of drought:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The country&rsquo;s closest competitors<strong> Thailand and Vietnam</strong> have been facing drought leading to <strong>decline</strong> in rice productivity.</li>
<li>Increase in <strong>demand in Bangladesh</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Potential Challenges to Rise in Export:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Indian wheat is still not competitive at the government&rsquo;s<strong> minimum support price</strong> (MSP) of <strong>Rs 19,750 per tonne.</strong> Further additional cost of<strong> cleaning, bagging, loading and transport to port</strong> would be in addition making export uncompetitive.</li>
<li><strong>Solution:</strong> Procurement of wheat below MSP from Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Gujarat and Maharashtra, where not much government procurement happens.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Significance:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Estimates for increase in these exports will be beneficial as India&rsquo;s<strong> own domestic production of rice and wheat</strong> has touched an all-time-high of 118.43 mt and 107.59 mt, respectively, in 2019-20.</li>
<li>Government agencies also procured <strong>an all time high in 2019 -20</strong> thus burdening <strong>government exchequer.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Cereals Exports of India</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>India is one of the<strong> largest producers</strong> as well as<strong> exporter of cereal products in the world.</strong></li>
<li>The important cereals are -<strong> wheat, paddy, sorghum, millet (Bajra), barley</strong> and <strong>maize.</strong></li>
<li>Previously in 2008, India had imposed a ban<strong> on export of rice and wheat etc.</strong> to meet <strong>domestic needs.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Owing to <strong>huge demand in the global market and country's surplus production,</strong> India allowed limited amounts of export of the commodity.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Rice (including Basmati and Non Basmati) occupy the <strong>major share in India's total cereals export with 95.7% in 2019-20.</strong> Whereas, other cereals including wheat represent only <strong>4.3% share in total cereals exported from India during the year 2019-20.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Major Export Destinations</strong> (2019-20) of <strong>Wheat :</strong> Nepal, Bangladesh , UAE, Somalia.</li>
<li><strong>Major Export Destinations</strong> (2019-20) of<strong> Non Basmati rice:</strong> Nepal, Benin, UAE, Somalia.</li>
<li><strong>Major Export Destinations</strong> (2019-20) of <strong>Basmati Rice:</strong> Iran, Saudi Arab, Iraq, UAE.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/india/first-rice-now-wheat-india-rides-on-global-grain-trade-bandwagon-7145485/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source:IE</strong></a></p>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/india-s-potential-to-increase-cereals-export'
	],
	(int) 11 => [
		'title' => 'PRS Capsule December 2020',
		'catname' => 'PRS Capsule',
		'desc' => '<p><em><strong>Key Highlights of PRS</strong></em></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><a href="#1">Governance</a>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><a href="#2">Online Gaming and Fantasy Sports Advertisements</a></li>
<li><a href="#3">Telecom Connectivity in Remote Areas</a></li>
<li><a href="#4">Prime Minister&rsquo;s Wi-Fi Access Network Interface (PM-WANI)</a></li>
<li><a href="#5">National Strategy for Additive Manufacturing</a></li>
<li><a href="#6">Report of the Expert Committee on Non-personal Data</a></li>
<li><a href="#7">Draft Indian Ports Bill, 2020</a></li>
<li><a href="#8">Draft National Rail Plan</a></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><a href="#9">Economy</a>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><a href="#10">Draft National Fisheries Policy released</a></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><a href="#11">Social Justice</a>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><a href="#12">National Family Health Survey-5</a></li>
<li><a href="#13">Policy on School Bag, 2020</a></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><a href="#14">Environment</a>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><a href="#15">Implementation of Paris Agreement</a></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><a href="#16">Science and Technology</a>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><a href="#17">Technology Transfer Policy and Guidelines</a></li>
<li><a href="#18">Scheme for Increasing Ethanol Production</a></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h2 id="1">Governance</h2>
<h3 id="2">Online Gaming and Fantasy Sports Advertisements</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The<strong> Ministry of Information and Broadcasting</strong> observed that a large number of advertisements on online gaming and fantasy sports have been appearing on the television. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In view of this, it has issued an advisory to all private satellite television channels to ensure compliance with the guidelines issued in November 2020 by the <strong>Advisory Standards Council of India (ASCI).</strong></li>
<li>The guidelines by ASCI provide: <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Advertisements must not depict any person under the age of 18 or anyone who appears below the age of 18 engaged in playing an online game for winning real money.</li>
<li>It must carry a disclaimer stating that the game involves financial risk and may be addictive. Such disclaimer should occupy at least 20% of the advertisement space.</li>
<li>The advertisements must not present &lsquo;online gaming for real money winnings&rsquo; as an income opportunity or alternative career. Further, it should not suggest that the person engaged in gaming activity is in any way more successful than others.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Advertising Standards Council of India (ASCI)</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Advertising Standards Council of India (ASCI), established in 1985, is committed to the cause of Self-Regulation in Advertising, ensuring the protection of the interests of consumers.</li>
<li>It is a self-regulatory voluntary organization of the advertising industry in India. It is a non-Government body.</li>
<li>ASCI was formed with the support of all four sectors connected with Advertising, viz. Advertisers, Advertising Agencies, Media (including Broadcasters and the Press) and others like PR Agencies, Market Research Companies etc.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3 id="3">Telecom Connectivity in Remote Areas</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Union Cabinet approved two projects for improvement in telecom connectivity in remote areas. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>These projects will be funded from the Universal Service Obligation Fund (USOF).<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>USOF has been established to provide widespread, non-discriminatory, and affordable access to information and communication technology services to people in rural and remote areas.</li>
<li>Resources for USOF are raised through a levy on the revenue of all the telecom operators under various licenses.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The projects are:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Submarine optical fibre cable link between Kochi and Lakshadweep Islands:</strong> Under this project, a direct communication link through a dedicated submarine optical fibre cable will be created between Kochi and 11 islands of Lakshadweep.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Currently, the only medium of providing telecom connectivity to Lakshadweep islands is through satellites, and the bandwidth available is limited to 1 Gbps.</li>
<li>The estimated cost of the project is Rs 1,072 crore. The project is targeted to be completed by May 2023.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Mobile coverage in Arunachal Pradesh and parts of Assam:</strong> This project will provide mobile coverage to 1,683 uncovered villages in Arunachal Pradesh, and 691 villages in Karbi Anglong and Dima Hasao districts of Assam. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The estimated cost of the project is Rs 2,029 crore. The project is targeted to be completed by December 2022.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Universal Service Obligation Fund (USOF)</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>USOF ensures that there is universal non-discriminatory access to quality ICT services at economically efficient prices to people in rural and remote areas.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Currently, it is charged at the rate of 5%, while the TSPs demand it to be reduced to 3%.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>It was created under the Department of Telecommunications in 2002.</li>
<li>It is a non-lapsable fund, i.e., the unspent amount under a targeted financial year does not lapse and is accrued for next years&rsquo; spending.</li>
<li>All credits to this fund require parliamentary approval and it has statutory support under Indian Telegraph (Amendment) Act, 2003.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3 id="4">Prime Minister&rsquo;s Wi-Fi Access Network Interface (PM-WANI)</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>In a bid to fuel broadband internet proliferation across the country, the Government of India launched the <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cm2T-gZTJJc" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>PM WANI (Prime Minister Wi-Fi Access Network Interface) Scheme.</strong></a> The scheme aims to bring large scale deployment of Wi-Fi hotspots through the country to drive up connectivity options and improve digital access.</li>
<li>The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) released a new framework called the <strong><a href="/current-affairs-news-analysis-editorials/news-editorials/14-12-2020" target="_blank" rel="noopener">PM-WANI</a></strong> for the proliferation of broadband through public wi-fi networks.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The framework seeks to improve last-mile broadband connectivity through a network of public wi-fi access points.</li>
<li>The framework will facilitate local shops and small establishments in becoming wi-fi service providers.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>The PM-WANI framework will involve the following:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Public Data Office (PDO):</strong> PDOs are entities which will procure internet bandwidth from telecom/internet service providers and establish and operate PM-WANI compliant wi-fi access points.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>PDOs will not be required to obtain any licence or register with any authority. No fees will be charged to PDOs for providing services.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Public Data Officer Aggregator (PDOA):</strong> PDOA will be an aggregator of PDOs and will perform the functions relating to authorisation of users and accounting of subscription charges on their behalf. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>PDOAs will need to register with the DoT.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>App provider:</strong> App providers will develop an app to register a user, discover the PM-WANI compliant wi-fi access points in the nearby area, and display the same within the App to the users for accessing the internet. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>App providers will be required to register with the DoT. The registration with DoT will provide permission for pan India operations to both PDOA and App providers.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Central Registry:</strong> The central registry will maintain the details of PDOs, PDOAs, and App providers (made available through PDOAs).<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It will certify the systems and software applications of PDOA and app providers for compliance with the specifications of the framework.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The potential user will need to download the app from any of the app providers, get authenticated, and thereafter access the internet from any PM-WANI compliant wi-fi access point.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3 id="5">National Strategy for Additive Manufacturing</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology invited comments on the <strong>Draft National Strategy for Additive Manufacturing.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Additive manufacturing:</strong> It is popularly known as 3D printing. It refers to the construction of a three-dimensional object from a digital 3D model by adding materials layer by layer. The technology is being utilised in a variety of industries such as aerospace, electronics, and consumer goods.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The Ministry noted that the additive manufacturing industry is growing rapidly and is expected to be at USD 36 billion by 2023.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>However, in comparison to countries such as the USA, China, and Germany, the adoption of additive manufacturing has not seen much traction in India.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>It identifies certain key challenges in the adoption of additive manufacturing. These include: <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>(i) high cost of equipment and material due to dependence on import, (ii) lack of formal industry standards, (iii) lack of skilled manpower, and (iv) uncertainty in the regulatory and legal framework.</li>
<li><strong>Key recommendations under the draft strategy include:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Promotion of additive manufacturing:</strong> Government procurement policies should encourage the purchase of additive manufacturing machines, manufactured components, and systems for their operations.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Preferential market access policy should be developed to support local manufacturers.</li>
<li>Additive manufacturing should be included in the government schemes for technology upgradation for MSMEs.</li>
<li>Following benefits to the industry are suggested: (i) long term tax benefits, (ii) ready to use facilities at a subsidised rental cost, and (iii) benefit in electricity tariffs for units with high consumption requirements.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>National Additive Manufacturing Centre:</strong> A dedicated Centre may be constituted to lead the national initiative for development and adoption of additive manufacturing technologies. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The Centre may take initiatives such as a study of the sectoral potential for integrating additive manufacturing and development of standards and certifications.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Research:</strong> A centre of excellence dedicated to additive manufacturing may be established. The research efforts in the area of additive manufacturing could be supported by an increase in grants-in-aid. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Intellectual property developed through government-funded projects should be made accessible.</li>
<li>International partnership for research and development at government as well as industry level should be encouraged.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Skill development:</strong> For the development of manpower for additive manufacturing, engineering curriculum, as well as industry-driven apprenticeship programs, should include additive manufacturing. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Free online resources, certifications, and diplomas should be provided with training modules for all educational levels.</li>
<li>A special curriculum for the training of teachers should be developed to acclimatise them with the technology.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3 id="6">Report of the Expert Committee on Non-personal Data</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>In July 2020, an Expert Committee constituted by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology to study various issues relating to non-personal data had published a draft report for public consultation.</li>
<li>Based on the feedback received, the Committee has released a revised version of the draft report.</li>
<li>Key recommendations under the revised draft are:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Definition of non-personal data:</strong> Under the first draft, non-personal data was defined as any data which is not personal data as defined under the Personal Data Protection Bill, 2019 (PDP Bill) or data without any personally identifiable information.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The PDP Bill defines personal data to include data pertaining to characteristics, traits, or attributes of identity, which can be used to identify an individual. The revised draft retains this definition.</li>
<li>The Committee recommended that the PDP Bill should be amended to remove provisions related to non-personal data so that there is no overlap between the two regulatory frameworks.</li>
<li>Currently, the PDP Bill empowers the central government to direct any entity to provide non-personal data for targeting of delivery of services or formulation of evidence-based policies by the government.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The first draft had categorised non-personal data among:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>public:</strong> data collected or generated by government</li>
<li><strong>community:</strong> raw or factual data which is sourced from a community of natural persons</li>
<li><strong>private:</strong> data which is collected or generated by private entities through privately owned processes (derived insights or proprietary knowledge). <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>In the revised draft, the Committee has removed this classification.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>High-value datasets:</strong> The first draft provided that the government may specify certain datasets as high-value datasets at a national level. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The revised draft defines a high-value dataset as a dataset beneficial to the community at large and is shared as a public good, subject to certain guidelines.</li>
<li>It will include datasets useful for: (i) creation of new and high-quality jobs, (ii) creation of new businesses, and (iii) socio-economic objectives such as financial inclusion, healthcare, and urban planning.</li>
<li>A representative entity called data trustee may be appointed for creation, maintenance, and sharing of high-value datasets.</li>
<li>The data trustee will request the data custodian (entity collecting, processing, and storing data) to provide the required data.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Sharing of non-personal data:</strong> As per the first draft, sharing of non-personal data could be mandated for defined purposes including: <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>sovereign:</strong> national security, law enforcement, or regulatory purposes</li>
<li><strong>public interest:</strong> community benefits, research and innovation, policy making for better delivery of public services, and</li>
<li><strong>economic:</strong> to encourage competition or provide a level-playing field among for-profit entities. The revised draft only requires data sharing for public good purposes.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It only mandates sharing of high-value datasets managed by data trustees.</li>
<li>The Committee observed that data sharing for sovereign purposes, and for business purposes between for-profit entities, already exists and hence, has not made any recommendations on it.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3 id="7">Draft Indian Ports Bill, 2020</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways released the draft Indian Ports Bill, 2020 for public comments.</li>
<li>The draft Bill seeks to repeal the Indian Ports Act, 1908. It seeks to enable growth of ports and increased investment by establishing effective administration and management of all ports in India.</li>
<li>Key features of the draft Bill include: <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Maritime Port Regulatory Authority:</strong> The draft Bill proposes to establish the Maritime Port Regulatory Authority.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The Authority will consist of: (i) a Chairperson, two full-time members (with a term of five years) appointed by the central government, of which one will be in the legal field, and (iii) two part-time members (with a term of two years) nominated in rotation by coastal states.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Functions of the Authority include:</strong> (i) advising the central government on formulation of the National Port Policy, (ii) aiding in formulating and implementing short-term plans, (iii) monitoring and assessing ports, (iv) specifying standards for safety and quality of vessels and port assets, and (v) determining measures to promote investment, technological advancement, and growth in the sector.</li>
<li><strong>State Maritime Board:</strong> Every state government must establish a State Maritime Board for ports other than Major Ports (notified by the central government). State Maritime Boards can initiate plans for development of ports, and license infrastructure and services.</li>
<li><strong>Dispute redressal:</strong> For Major Ports, a Bench consisting of nominated members from the Authority will receive and adjudicate on complaints concerning: (i) anti-competitive practices, (ii) abuse of dominant positions, or (iii) disputes between Port service providers and terminal operators. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>For all other ports, Adjudicatory Boards constituted by state governments can adjudicate on disputes concerning: (i) rights and obligations of ports, (ii) port officials, users, service providers and licensees, and (iii) private operators.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The draft Bill lays down safety and security requirements to be followed by all ports and vessels. For instance, every port must appoint officers and prepare plans to ensure security based on requirements notified by the central government. It also mandates all ports and terminals to provide facilities for waste and pollution management.</li>
</ul>
<h3 id="8">Draft National Rail Plan</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Ministry of Railways invited comments on the Draft National Rail Plan. The plan seeks to improve the infrastructural capacity of Railways to cater to growth in demand up to the year 2050. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It aims to increase the modal share of Railways in freight from 27% currently to 45% by 2030. The implementation cost of projects under the plan will be about Rs 38 lakh crore.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>These projects will be executed between 2021 and 2051. The plan envisages an initial surge in capital investment up to 2030. Post 2030, it is expected that revenue surplus generated would be adequate to finance future capital investments and government funding will not be required.</li>
<li><strong>Dedicated freight corridors:</strong> Three new dedicated freight corridors with a cumulative length of 5,750 km will be developed: (i) East coast (Kharagpur-Vijayawada), (ii) East-West (Palghar-Dankuni), and (iii) North-South (Pirthala-Arakkonam).53</li>
<li><strong>High-speed rail corridors:</strong> Several high-speed rail corridors with a cumulative length of 7,479 km will be developed.</li>
<li><strong>Network improvements:</strong> Number of lines will be increased on specified routes with higher capacity utilisation or high traffic demand such as Delhi-Howrah, Mumbai-Chennai, and Kharagpur-Udhna. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Connectivity with ports and industrial corridors will be improved.</li>
<li>These projects will cover 75,194 network kilometres.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h2 id="9">Economy</h2>
<h3 id="10">Draft National Fisheries Policy released</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Department of Fisheries released a revised draft of the National Fisheries Policy for public comments. The previous draft of the policy was released in February 2020. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The policy aims to integrate the various policies relating to different aspects of fisheries (such as inland fisheries, marine plants and animals, processing, and marketing) for its comprehensive development.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Key features of the revised draft policy include:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Objectives:</strong> The objectives of the policy include: (i) sustainable development of the fisheries sector during 2021-30, (ii) sound management and sustainable development of the resources and associated habitats, (iii) meeting the food and nutritional security of the growing population, (iv) protecting the rights of fishing communities and building their resilience, and (v) making Indian fish and fish products globally competitive.</li>
<li><strong>Legal framework:</strong> The Marine Fishing Regulation Acts of coastal states need to be amended to align them with international agreements to ensure that they cover all the aspects of fisheries management.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The central government will prepare a model Bill in this regard for consideration of the states. Similarly, there is a need to prepare a model Bill for regulation of inland fisheries and aquaculture, which can be used by states to replace or amend their existing Acts to make them contemporary and in compliance with the topical requirements.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Sustainability:</strong> The expertise of scientific institutions and fishers will be utilised to optimise fishing efforts and implement measures to check resource depletion and ensure sustainability. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Comprehensive fisheries management plans will be made to conserve and sustainably manage natural fisheries resources. The policy will also focus on improving the ecological health of the riverine ecosystem and curbing the flow of pollution into rivers and their tributaries.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Coordination:</strong> Kerala, Puducherry, and Tamil Nadu have set up co-management structures at different tiers for management of fisheries resources by the government and the community, through instruments such as a charter of rights and duties. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The policy aims to take forward such initiatives to the other inland and coastal states.</li>
<li>The policy also aims to enhance the mandate of the present Ministry under the Ministry of Fisheries and Maritime Affairs, an umbrella agency for effective fisheries governance.</li>
<li>The new Ministry will converge the various institutions working on aspects related to fisheries under different Ministries.</li>
<li>The policy also aims to set up a mechanism to allow for better coordination between all concerned agencies of the central and state governments through coordinating bodies.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3 id="11">Social Justice</h3>
<h3 id="12">National Family Health Survey-5</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has completed the first round of the fifth phase of the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/national-family-health-survey-5" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>National Family Health Survey (NFHS).</strong></a></li>
<li>The fourth round of NFHS was conducted five years ago in 2015-16. The survey covers key indicators on population, reproductive and child health, family welfare, and nutrition. The first phase covers 17 states and 5 union territories.</li>
<li><strong>Key results of the survey include:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Fertility rate:</strong> The replacement level of fertility at which population stability is achieved (i.e., population replaces itself) has been achieved in 19 out of the 22 states and union territories.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Three states (Bihar, Manipur, and Meghalaya) have a total fertility rate (average number of children born to a woman) higher than the replacement level.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Sex ratio:</strong> Sex ratio at birth refers to the number of female children born per 1,000 male children. It was below 900 in Telangana, Himachal Pradesh, Goa, Daman and Diu, and Dadra and Nagar Haveli.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Infant mortality:</strong> Infant mortality rate has marginally declined in nearly all states. Assam has seen one of the largest drops in it, from 48 deaths (per 1,000 live births) to 32 deaths. It remains high in Bihar (47 deaths per 1,000 live births).</li>
<li><strong>Malnutrition:</strong> Nutritional status of children below 5 years of age is worsening. Stunting or chronic malnutrition (i.e., low height with respect to age) has increased in 11 of the 17 states.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Proportion of severely wasted children has increased in 13 of the 17 states. Wasting or acute malnutrition refers to low weight with respect to height. Children who are stunted or wasted are more vulnerable to diseases and illness.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Internet usage:</strong> Across all states, the proportion of men who have used the internet was higher than women, with the difference being higher than 25%-point in states such as Telangana, Gujarat, and Andhra Pradesh. In Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, and Tripura, less than 25% women have used the internet.</li>
</ul>
<h3 id="13">Policy on School Bag, 2020</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>A working group constituted by the Ministry of Education, has released the <strong>School Bag Policy, 2020.</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The working group was constituted in 2018 after a Madras High Court ruling that directed the central government to formulate a policy for school bags.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The Policy provides recommendations for the reduction in the weight of the school bag.</li>
<li>The Policy recommended that the universally accepted norm of limiting the weight of the school bag to 10% of the student&rsquo;s weight should be followed from Class 1 to Class 10.</li>
<li>It observed that a heavy bag can affect a student&rsquo;s spinal posture, foot shape, and walk. It recommended that the weight of the school bag needs to be monitored and checked on a regular basis in the school.</li>
<li>Lockers may be installed for storing and retrieving books and other items for students with disabilities.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Further, it recommended that NCERT must develop guidelines to conduct bagless days in schools using different timetables, experiential pedagogies, and team teaching.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Note:</strong> The National Education Policy, 2020 had recommended a 10-day bagless period for grades 6-8 where they intern with local vocational experts such as artists and gardeners.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT)</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The<strong> National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT)</strong> is an <strong>autonomous organisation set up in 1961</strong> by the Government of India to assist and advise the Central and State Governments on policies and programmes for qualitative improvement in school education. <strong>Hence, statement 1 is correct.</strong></li>
<li>The major objectives of NCERT and its constituent units are to: <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Undertake, promote and coordinate research in areas related to school education;</li>
<li>Prepare and publish model textbooks, supplementary material, newsletters, journals and develop educational kits, multimedia digital materials, etc.</li>
<li>Organise pre-service and in-service training of teachers;</li>
<li>Develop and disseminate innovative educational techniques and practices;</li>
<li>Collaborate and network with state educational departments, universities, NGOs and other educational institutions;</li>
<li>Act as a clearing house for ideas and information in matters related to school education;</li>
<li>Act as a nodal agency for achieving the goals of Universalisation of Elementary Education.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>In addition to research, development, training, extension, publication and dissemination activities, NCERT is an <strong>implementation agency</strong> for bilateral cultural exchange programmes with other countries in the field of school education.</li>
<li>The NCERT also interacts and <strong>works in collaboration with the international organisations,</strong> visiting foreign delegations and offers various training facilities to educational personnel from developing countries.</li>
<li>NCERT acts as a <strong>nodal agency</strong> for achieving the goals of <strong>Universalization of Elementary Education. Hence, statement 2 is correct.</strong></li>
</ul>
</div>
<h2 id="14">Environment</h2>
<h3 id="15">Implementation of Paris Agreement</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF) constituted a high-level inter-ministerial <strong>Apex Committee for Implementation of <a href="/printpdf/five-years-of-paris-climate-accord" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Paris agreement</a> (AIPA).</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Paris agreement is an international treaty on climate change, which is aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions globally.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The Committee consists of 17 members, which include: (i) Secretary of MoEF as Chairperson, (ii) Additional Secretary, MoEF as Vice-Chairperson, (iii) Additional Director General (Forest), MoEF, and (iii) Joint Secretaries from 14 ministries including Finance, Health and Power, as members.</li>
<li>The Committee will be the national regulatory authority for carbon markets in India.</li>
<li>Its functions include: <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Developing policies and programmes to make India&rsquo;s domestic climate change compliant to international obligations.</li>
<li>Coordinating communications of <strong>nationally determined contributions (NDCs)</strong> to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), and (iii) define responsibilities of concerned ministries for achieving India&rsquo;s NDC goals. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>NDCs refer to the climate action plans of various countries around the world. It includes actions planned by countries to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to achieve goals under the Paris agreement.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Paris Climate Accord</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Paris Agreement (also known as the Conference of Parties 21 or COP 21) is a landmark environmental accord that was adopted in 2015 to address climate change and its negative impacts.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It replaced the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/cop25-climate-summit" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Kyoto Protocol</strong></a> which was an earlier agreement to deal with climate change.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Aims: To reduce global GHG emissions in an effort to limit the global temperature increase in this century to well below 2&deg;C above pre-industrial levels, while pursuing means to limit the increase to 1.5&deg;C by 2100.</li>
<li><strong>Legal status:</strong> It is a<strong> legally binding</strong> international treaty on climate change.</li>
<li><strong>Adoption:</strong> It was adopted by 196 countries at <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/cop25-climate-summit" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Conference of the Parties</strong></a> COP 21 in Paris in December 2015.</li>
<li><strong>Goal:</strong> To limit global warming to well below 2&deg; Celsius, and preferably limit it to 1.5&deg; Celsius, compared to pre-industrial levels.</li>
<li><strong>Objective:</strong> To achieve the long-term temperature goal, countries aim to reach global peaking of greenhouse gas emissions as soon as possible to achieve a climate-neutral world by mid-century.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h2 id="16">Science and Technology</h2>
<h3 id="17">Technology Transfer Policy and Guidelines</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Department of Space has released Technology Transfer Policy and Guidelines 2020. The guidelines provide the principle and mechanism for the transfer of technologies developed by the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-national-institutions/indian-space-research-organisation-isro" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO)</strong></a> to the Indian industries.</li>
<li>ISRO will be responsible for identifying technologies for transfer. The Department of Space will be the approval body. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>All transfer of technologies will be given effect through the <strong>New Space India Limited (NSIL)</strong> which will fix the license fee and other charges for the transfer.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Each centre of the ISRO must identify technologies which can be transferred, based on factors such as: (i) readiness of the technology, (ii) proven use of the technology, (iii) chances of success in the recipient organisation, and (iv) socio-economic or commercial viability.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>A <strong>dedicated Technology Transfer Cell</strong> will be responsible for end-to-end coordination to ensure successful commercialisation of technologies.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Further, the guidelines state that transfer of technology must not be made to any individual.</li>
<li>For non-profit or non-government organisations seeking transfer of technologies which have societal application, no transfer of technology cost will be payable.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>The cost of transfer will include:</strong> (i) cost of direct material or components, (ii) direct staff costs, (iii) travel and logistics expenses, and (iv) intellectual expenses (nominal, up to 5% of total estimated cost).</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>New Space India Limited (NSIL)</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>NSIL is a Central Public Sector Enterprise of the Government of India.</li>
<li>It was established in 2019 under the administrative control of the Department of Space.</li>
<li>Headquarter: Bengaluru</li>
<li>NSIL is the commercial arm of Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) with the primary responsibility of enabling Indian industries to take up high technology space related activities and is also responsible for promotion and commercial exploitation of the products and services emanating from the space industry.</li>
<li>NSIL is incorporated to carry forward the industry production of space systems and the ISRO&rsquo;s efforts in realising <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/50th-pslv-launch#:~:text=Polar%20Satellite%20Launch%20Vehicle%20(PSLV)%20is%20the%20third%20generation%20launch,be%20equipped%20with%20liquid%20stages." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Polar Satellite Launch Vehicles (PSLV)</strong> </a>from industry.</li>
<li>NSIL differs from ISRO&rsquo;s existing commercial arm Antrix Corporation:
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Antrix will handle ISRO&rsquo;s commercial deals for satellites and launch vehicles with foreign customers.</li>
<li>NSIL will deal with capacity building of local industry for space manufacturing.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3 id="18">Scheme for Increasing Ethanol Production</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Union Cabinet approved an expansion of the scheme to provide <strong>interest subvention to sugar mills and distilleries</strong> on loans for augmentation of <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/biofuels-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>ethanol</strong> </a>production capacity.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Biofuel:</strong> Any hydrocarbon fuel that is produced from an organic matter (living or once living material) in a short period of time (days, weeks, or even months) is considered a biofuel.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Interest subvention is provided at the rate of 6% per annum, or 50% of the rate of interest charged, whichever is lower. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The <strong>revised scheme aims</strong> to enhance the capacity for production of first-generation ethanol from other feed stocks as well such as sugar beet, and cereals including rice, wheat, sorghum, maize, and barley. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Earlier, only sugar mills and molasses-based standalone distilleries which produce ethanol from sugarcane juice, sugar syrup, sugar, and B-heavy molasses were eligible under the scheme.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Target:</strong> The Government had fixed a target of 10% blending of fuel grade ethanol with petrol by 2022 and 20% blending by 2030 but now Government is preparing a plan to prepone achievement of 20% blending target.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food &amp; Public Distribution noted that the blending target cannot be achieved only from the production of ethanol from sugarcane and sugar.</li>
<li>This also requires the production of ethanol from other feed stocks, but their current production capacity is not sufficient.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Extension of interest subvention:</strong> Under the revised scheme, interest subvention will be extended to loans taken for setting up or expanding: (i) distilleries to produce ethanol from other feed stocks producing<strong> first-generation ethanol,</strong> (ii) grain-based distilleries using dry milling process, and (iii) dual feed distilleries (using both molasses and grain or any other feed stocks). <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It will also be provided on loans taken for conversion of molasses-based distilleries or grain-based distilleries to dual feed distilleries.</li>
<li>Only those distilleries will be eligible under the revised scheme which supply at least 75% of the ethanol produced from added capacity to oil marketing companies for blending with petrol.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Govt Initiatives to Promote Biofuels</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Blending of biofuels: <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/Government-Allows-Ethanol-Extraction-for-Blending-from-Foodgrains." target="_blank" rel="noopener">Ethanol Blended Petrol (EBP) programme</a></strong>, Administrative price mechanism for ethanol, Simplifying the procurement procedures by Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs), amending the provisions of Industries (Development &amp; Regulation) Act, 1951 etc are some of the initiatives taken to promote blending of biofuels.</li>
<li>Researchers at the International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB) are developing a method to use <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/biofuel-from-microorganisms" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>cyanobacterium for biofuel production.</strong></a></li>
<li>Recently, the Central government has also allowed the<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/conversion-of-surplus-rice-to-ethanol" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> conversion of surplus rice to ethanol.</strong></a></li>
<li>Initiatives by Department of Biotechnology, Ministry of Science and Technology:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Development of 2G Ethanol and transfer of the technology to OMCs.</li>
<li>Development of Indigenous Cellulolytic Enzyme for the production of biofuels.</li>
<li>Strengthened the international collaboration to accelerate innovation in Sustainable Biofuel through multilateral programs like <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/aim-icrest-niti-aayog" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Atal Innovation Mission (AIM)</strong></a> and Biofuture Platform.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/pradhan-mantri-ji-van-yojana" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Pradhan Mantri JI-VAN Yojana</strong></a>, 2019: The objective of the scheme is to create an ecosystem for setting up commercial projects and to boost Research and Development in 2G Ethanol sector</li>
<li><strong>GOBAR (Galvanizing Organic Bio-Agro Resources) DHAN scheme, 2018:</strong> It focuses on managing and converting cattle dung and solid waste in farms to useful compost,biogas and bio-CNG, thus keeping villages clean and increasing the income of rural households.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It was launched under Swachh Bharat Mission (Gramin).</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/scheme-for-used-cooking-oil" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Repurpose Used Cooking Oil</a> (RUCO)</strong>: It was launched by<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>aims for an ecosystem that will enable the collection and conversion of used cooking oil to biodiesel.</li>
<li><strong>National Policy on Biofuels, 2018:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The Policy categorises biofuels as "Basic Biofuels'' viz. First Generation (1G) bio ethanol &amp; biodiesel and "Advanced Biofuels''- Second Generation (2G) ethanol, Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) to drop-in fuels, Third Generation (3G) biofuels, bio-CNG etc. to enable extension of appropriate financial and fiscal incentives under each category.</li>
<li>It expands the scope of raw material for ethanol production by allowing use of sugarcane juice, sugar containing materials like sugar beet, sweet sorghum, starch containing materials like corn, cassava, damaged food grains like wheat,broken rice, rotten potatoes, unfit for human consumption for ethanol production.</li>
<li>The Policy allows use of surplus food grains for production of ethanol for blending with petrol with the approval of National Biofuel Coordination Committee.</li>
<li>With a thrust on Advanced Biofuels, the Policy indicates a viability gap funding scheme for 2G ethanol Bio refineries of Rs. 5000 crore in 6 years in addition to additional tax incentives, higher purchase price as compared to 1G biofuels.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</div>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/prs-capsule/prs-capsule-december-2020'
	],
	(int) 12 => [
		'title' => 'SAARC Revival',
		'catname' => 'News Editorials',
		'desc' => '<div class="border">
<p>This article is based on <a href="https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/lead/reclaiming-saarc-from-the-ashes-of-2020/article33561545.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>&ldquo;Reclaiming SAARC from the ashes of 2020&rdquo;</strong></a> which was published in The Hindu on 13/01/2021. It talks about the need for the revival of SAARC.</p>
</div>
<p>The year 2020 marked the sixth year since the leaders of the eight nations that make up the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/revival-of-saarc" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC)</strong></a> were able to meet.</p>
<p>India&rsquo;s problems with Pakistan on terrorism, territorial claims, and its role in blocking SAARC initiatives on connectivity and trade are the main reasons that even after thirty-six years of its formation, SAARC appears to be a defunct body.</p>
<p>However, if India aspires to become a global power, it must keep its neighbourhood peaceful, prosperous and supportive. In this context, reviving SAARC becomes very important.</p>
<h3>Need For Reviving SAARC</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Regional Disconnect:</strong> Over the past year, India-Pakistan issues have impacted other meetings of SAARC. This makes it easier for member countries and international agencies, to deal with South Asia as a fragmented group rather than a collective one.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>No other regional power is as disconnected from its immediate neighbourhood as India.</li>
<li>This disconnect is a challenge to India&rsquo;s economic and security interests.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Impact of Covid-19:</strong> The impact of Covid-19, is a growing distaste for &lsquo;globalisation&rsquo; and growing preference for nativism, self-dependence and localising supply chains.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>While it will be impossible for countries to entirely cut themselves off from the global market, regional initiatives will become the golden mean between globalisation and hyper-nationalism.</li>
<li>Moreover, reviving SAARC is crucial to countering the common challenges brought about by the pandemic.</li>
<li>According to a World Bank report, the South Asian countries are expected to lose nearly about 10.77 million jobs and $52.32 billion in GDP alone from the impact of the pandemic.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Dealing With China:</strong> It is clear that tensions with Pakistan and Nepal amplify the threat perception from China, while other SAARC members (minus Bhutan), all of whom are <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/belt-and-road-initiative-perspectives-from-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Belt and Road Initiative (BRI)</strong></a> partners of China will be hard placed to help individually.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Also, in the current pandemic, China is sending medicines, personal protective equipment kits, and promising vaccines to most SAARC countries as part of its<strong> &ldquo;Health Silk Road&rdquo;</strong> initiative.</li>
<li>Therefore, in dealing with China&rsquo;s challenge, both at India&rsquo;s borders and in its neighbourhood, a unified South Asian platform remains India&rsquo;s most potent countermeasure.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Engaging With Pakistan:</strong> China&rsquo;s incursions in Ladakh doesn&rsquo;t stop India to attend meetings with the Chinese leadership at the SCO, the Russia-India-China trilateral, the G-20.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Therefore, it is misplaced that India applies the same logic, for not engaging with Pakistan. India must understand that engagement with Pakistan is very crucial for the revival of SAARC.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Application of Gujral Doctrine:</strong> India&rsquo;s conduct of foreign relations with immediate neighbours should be guided by the<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/gujral-doctrine" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> Gujral Doctrine</strong></a>.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In this present context of Covid-19 pandemic, India can apply Gujral doctrine by pursuing Vaccine diplomacy with SAARC countries, whereby India can supply vaccines either free or at affordable costs and counter future pandemics.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>All-of South Asia Approach:</strong> South Asian countries need to work as a collective to set common standards and promote a more intra-regional, transnational approach towards health security, food security, and job security.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In this context, India can follow the European model of regional integration.</li>
<li>Moreover, India can strengthen its position as an education hub for students from its neighbourhood. This will help to form closer political ties and spread its cultural influence and values to the surrounding region.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Regional Development:</strong> Being the biggest economy in South Asia, India can carry out infrastructure projects to improve connectivity, including the laying of new pipelines, building electricity networks, upgrading port, rail, and airport infrastructure, and reinvigorating people-to-people exchanges.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Conclusion</h3>
<p>India must find its prism to view its South Asian neighbourhood having a shared future and acting as a force-multiplier for India&rsquo;s ambitions on the global stage.</p>
<table border="1" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="width: 100%; border-style: dotted; border-color: #ff0000; background-color: #fffdf5;">
<p><span style="color: #000080;"><em><strong>Drishti Mains Question</strong></em></span></p>
<p>&ldquo;India must find its prism to view its South Asian neighbourhood having a shared future and acting as a force-multiplier for India&rsquo;s ambitions on the global stage&rdquo;. In light of the statement, discuss the need for the revival of SAARC.</p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p style="text-align: center;"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/QX_ethKYaCs" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p>
<p>This editorial is based on<a href="https://www.hindustantimes.com/opinion/handling-the-avian-flu-crisis-hteditorial-101610461818610.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> &ldquo;Handling the avian flu crisis&rdquo;</strong> </a>which was published in The Hindustan Times on January 12<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/saarc-revival'
	],
	(int) 13 => [
		'title' => 'LCA Tejas',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>The <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/cabinet-committees-formed" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Cabinet Committee on Security</strong></a> (CCS) has recently cleared a deal worth Rs. 48,000 crore for the acquisition of<strong> 83 Tejas Light Combat Aircraft</strong> for the Indian Air Force.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>83 Tejas includes <strong>73 LCA Tejas Mk-1A fighter aircraft</strong> and <strong>10 LCA Tejas Mk-1 trainer aircraft. MK-1A variant</strong> is a improved version of MK-1 with an <strong>electronic warfare system, advanced electronically scanned array (AESA) radar, beyond visual range (BVR) missiles and</strong> a network warfare system comprising<strong> software defined radio</strong> (SDR)</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Cabinet Committee on Security</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>CCS is chaired by the <strong>Prime Minister</strong> of India.</li>
<li>Major decisions with respect to the <strong>significant appointments, issues of national security, defence expenditure of India are taken by the Cabinet Committee on Security</strong> (CCS).</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>About:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/advanced-medium-combat-aircraft" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Light Combat Aircraft</strong></a> (LCA) programme was started by the<strong> Government of India in 1984</strong> when they established the <strong>Aeronautical Development Agency</strong> (ADA) to manage the <strong>LCA programme.</strong></li>
<li>It replaced the ageing <strong>Mig 21 fighter planes.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Designed by:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Aeronautical Development Agency</strong> under the <strong>Department of Defence Research and Development.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Manufactured by:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>State-owned <a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/the-big-picture-need-to-modernise-indian-air-force" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Hindustan Aeronautics Limited</strong> </a>(HAL).</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Features:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The<strong> lightest, smallest and tailless multi-role supersonic fighter</strong> aircraft in its class.</li>
<li>Designed to <strong>carry a range of air-to-air, air-to-surface, precision-guided,</strong> weapons.</li>
<li><strong>Air to air refuelling capability.</strong></li>
<li>Maximum <strong>payload capacity of 4000 kg.</strong></li>
<li>It can attend the maximum speed of <strong>Mach 1.8.</strong></li>
<li>The range of the aircraft is <strong>3,000km</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Variants of Tejas:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Tejas Trainer:</strong> 2-seater operational conversion trainer for training air force pilots.</li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/naval-variant-of-lca-tejas" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>LCA Navy</strong></a>: Twin- and single-seat carrier-capable for the Indian Navy.</li>
<li><strong>LCA Tejas Navy MK2:</strong> This is phase 2 of the LCA Navy variant.</li>
<li><strong>LCA Tejas Mk-1A:</strong> This is an improvement over the LCA Tejas Mk1 with a higher thrust engine.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://epaper.thehindu.com/Home/ShareArticle?OrgId=GGT85USP4.1" 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/lca-tejas-1'
	],
	(int) 14 => [
		'title' => 'Harvest Festivals in India',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>The harvest festivals like <strong>Lohri, Makar Sankranti and Pongal</strong> have recently been <strong>celebrated all across the country.</strong></p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Makar Sankranti:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Makar Sankranti denotes the entry of the sun into the zodiac sign of Makara (Capricorn) as it travels on its celestial path.</li>
<li>The day marks the onset of summer and the <strong>six months auspicious period for Hindus known as Uttarayan,</strong> the northward movement of the sun.</li>
<li>As a part of the official celebration of <strong>'Uttarayan',</strong> the Gujarat government has been hosting the <strong>International Kite Festival since 1989.</strong></li>
<li>The festivities associated with the day are known by different names in different parts of the country - <strong>Lohri by north Indian Hindus and Sikhs, Sukarat in central India, Bhogali Bihu by Assamese Hindus, and Pongal by Tamil and other South Indian Hindus.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Lohri:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Lohri is primarily celebrated by <strong>Sikhs and Hindus.</strong></li>
<li>It marks the end of the winter season and is traditionally believed to welcome the sun to the northern hemisphere.</li>
<li>It is observed <strong>a night before Makar Sankranti,</strong> this occasion involves a <strong>Puja Parikrama (revolve)</strong> around the bonfire with prasad.</li>
<li>It is essentially termed as the festival of the farmers and harvest, whereby, the farmers thank the Supreme Being.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Pongal</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The word Pongal means <strong>&lsquo;overflow&rsquo;</strong> or<strong> &lsquo;boiling over&rsquo;.</strong></li>
<li>Also known as Thai Pongal, the four-day occasion is<strong> observed in the month of Thai,</strong> when crops such as rice are harvested and people show their gratitude to the almighty and the generosity of the land.</li>
<li>Tamilians celebrate the occasion by making<strong> traditional designs known as kolams</strong> in their homes with rice powder.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Bihu</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It is celebrated when the <strong>annual harvest takes place in Assam.</strong> People celebrate <strong>Rongali/Magh Bihu</strong> to mark the<strong> beginning of the Assamese new year.</strong></li>
<li>It is believed that the festival started from the time when people of the valley<strong> started tilling the land.</strong> Bihu is believed to be as old as<strong> river Brahmaputra.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Makaravilakku festival in Sabarimala:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It is celebrated at the sacred grove of Lord Ayyappa at Sabarimala.</li>
<li>It is an<strong> annual seven-day festival,</strong> beginning on the day of Makar Sankranti when the sun is in the summer solstice.</li>
<li>The highlight of the festival is the appearance of Makarajyothi- a celestial star which appears on the day of Makar Sankranti on top of <strong>Kantamala Hills.</strong></li>
<li>Makara Vilakku ends with the ritual called <strong>'Guruthi',</strong> an offering made to appease the god and goddesses of the wilderness.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1610622176_image%200.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1610622176_image 0.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="500" caption="false" /></a></p>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/harvest-festivals-in-india-1'
	],
	(int) 15 => [
		'title' => 'USA Redesignates Cuba as State Sponsor of Terrorism',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the USA State Department has designated Cuba as a <strong>State Sponsor of Terrorism</strong> for repeatedly providing <strong>support for acts of international terrorism</strong> in granting safe harbour to terrorists.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1610620875_image7.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1610620875_image7.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="550" caption="false" /></a></p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Provisions for sanctions on countries:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The State Department of the USA can place <strong>four categories</strong> to enlist any country as sanctioned:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Restrictions on foreign assistance by the USA.</li>
<li>A ban on defence exports and sales.</li>
<li>Certain controls over exports of dual use items.</li>
<li>Sanctions can also be placed on countries and persons that engage in certain trade with designated countries.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Four countries remain on the list: <strong>Syria, Iran, North Korea and Cuba.</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Cuba was delisted in 2015 and has been blacklisted again.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Cuba Designated as a State Sponsor of Terrorism:</strong> The USA government had been accusing the Castro regime for: <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Illegitimate interference in internal politics Venezuela.</li>
<li>Oppressing the people of Cuba.</li>
<li>Supporting international terrorism.</li>
<li>Subversion of the USA justice.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>USA-Cuba Relationship:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The United States and Cuba have had a strained relationship for more than sixty years, rooted in Fidel Castro&rsquo;s overthrow of a USA-backed government in 1959.</li>
<li>Presidents Barack Obama and Raul Castro took several steps to normalize bilateral relations, including restoring diplomatic ties and expanding travel and trade.</li>
<li>The Trump administration has reversed aspects of the past agreements by reimposing restrictions on tourism and other commerce.</li>
<li><strong>Havana Syndrome:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>In late 2016, USA diplomats and other employees stationed in Havana (capital of Cuba) reported feeling ill after hearing strange sounds and experiencing odd physical sensations.</li>
<li>The symptoms included nausea, severe headaches, fatigue, dizziness, sleep problems, and hearing loss, which have since come to be known as the <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/havana-syndrome#:~:text=The%20symptoms%20included%20nausea%2C%20severe,well%20as%20insomnia%20and%20headache." target="_blank" rel="noopener">Havana Syndrome.</a> </strong>The USA had accused Cuba of carrying out &ldquo;attacks&rdquo;, but Cuba denied any knowledge of the illnesses.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Historical Reasons for Strained Relationship:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Cuban Revolution:</strong> The tumultuous USA-Cuba relationship has its roots in the Cold War. In 1959, Fidel Castro and a group of revolutionaries seized power in Havana (city capital of Cuba). They overthrew the USA-backed government of Fulgencio Batista.</li>
<li><strong>Cuban Missile Crisis:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The United States <strong>severed diplomatic ties with</strong> Cuba and began pursuing covert operations to overthrow the Fidel Castro regime in 1961.</li>
<li>The missile crisis arose after<strong> Cuba allowed the Soviet Union to secretly install nuclear missiles</strong> on the island following an attempt by the USA agencies to topple Cuban Government, known as the<strong> Bay of Pigs invasion.</strong></li>
<li>In the end, Soviet Union head Khrushchev agreed to withdraw the missiles in exchange for a pledge from Kennedy (USA) not to invade Cuba and to remove the USA nuclear missiles from Turkey.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Trade with Soviet Union:</strong> After the Cuban Revolution, the United States recognized Fidel Castro&rsquo;s government but began imposing economic penalties as the new regime increased its trade with the Soviet Union, nationalized American-owned properties, and hiked taxes on the USA imports.</li>
<li><strong>Embargo by Kennedy Government (1962):</strong> After slashing Cuban sugar imports, the USA instituted a ban on nearly all its exports to Cuba, which President John F. Kennedy expanded into a full economic embargo that included stringent travel restrictions.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>India's Stand:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Supports Lifting Economic Blockade of Cuba:</strong> Recently when the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/usa-opposes-cuba-in-unhrc" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>USA opposed Cuba&rsquo;s membership in UNHRC</strong></a> in 2019, India joined the majority of countries from all continents that raised their voices in the UN General Assembly to demand an end to the unjust and long economic blockade of the United States against Cuba.</li>
<li><strong>Criticised the USA Embargo:</strong> In the UN General Assembly, India stressed that the continued existence of this siege by the USA against Cuba contravenes world opinion, undermines multilateralism and the credibility of the United Nations.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>UN General Assembly&rsquo;s Stand:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Since 1992, the<a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/united-nations-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> UN General Assembly</strong></a> has approved every year a resolution acknowledging the necessity of ending the economic, commercial and financial blockade imposed by the United States of America against Cuba.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Reinitiating Bilateral Talks:</strong> Resuming Washington&rsquo;s blockade against Cuba appears to be the most unjust, prolonged system of unilateral sanctions applied against any country. There is an urgent need to improve the relationship between the two countries through bilateral talks.</li>
<li><strong>Respecting the Spirit of Democracy:</strong> As a large population of Cuban immigrants and people with Cuban roots reside in the USA, it is for the sake of democracy and spirit of internationalism that the two countries make efforts towards reconciliation.</li>
<li><strong>For India:</strong> India has good ties with both the countries. If the tension between the two - USA and Cuba escalates, it is important for India to rationally balance the relationships.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/world/us-puts-cuba-back-state-sponsor-of-terrorism-list-7143094/" 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/usa-redesignates-cuba-as-state-sponsor-of-terrorism'
	],
	(int) 16 => [
		'title' => 'Two Dimensional Electron Gas',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Scientists at <strong>Institute of Nano Science and Technology (INST),</strong> Mohali, Punjab have produced an <strong>ultra-high mobility Two dimensional (2D)-electron gas</strong> (2DEG).</p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Two Dimensional Electron Gas (2DEG):</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It is an electron gas that is free to move in<strong> two dimensions,</strong> but tightly<strong> confined in the third.</strong> This tight confinement leads to <strong>quantized energy levels for motion in the third direction.</strong> Thus the electrons appear to be a<strong> 2D sheet embedded in a 3D world.</strong></li>
<li>One of the most important recent developments in<strong> semiconductors,</strong> has been the achievement of structures in which the electronic behavior is essentially <strong>two-dimensional</strong> (2D).</li>
<li>Most 2DEGs are found in <strong>transistor-like structures</strong> made from <strong>semiconductors.</strong></li>
<li>2DEG is a valuable system for exploring the physics of <strong>superconductivity magnetism and their coexistence.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Superconductivity is a phenomenon whereby a <strong>charge moves through a material without resistance.</strong> In theory this <strong>allows electrical energy to be transferred between two points</strong> with perfect efficiency, losing<strong> nothing to heat.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Cause for Development of 2DEG:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The need for attaining new functionalities in modern electronic devices has led to the <strong>manipulation of property of an electron</strong> called<strong> spin degree of freedom along with its charge.</strong> This has given rise to an altogether new field of spin-electronics or <strong>&lsquo;spintronics&rsquo;.</strong></li>
<li>The manipulation of<strong> electron spin</strong> offers<strong> new dimensions for basic and applied research,</strong> and the potential for <strong>new capabilities for electronics technology.</strong> This motivates studies of spin polarized electrons in a<strong> high mobility two dimensional electron gas</strong> (2DEG).<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Spintronics is the study of the <strong>intrinsic spin of the electron</strong> and its associated <strong>magnetic moment,</strong> in addition to its fundamental electric charge, in solid-state devices.<a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1610618735_image4.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1610618735_image4.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="350" caption="false" /></a></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>It has been realized that a phenomenon called the <strong>&lsquo;Rashba effect&rsquo;,</strong> which consists of splitting of spin-bands in an electronic system, might play a key role in spintronic devices.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Rashba Effect:</strong> Also called <strong>Bychkov&ndash;Rashba effect,</strong> it is a <strong>momentum-dependent splitting of spin bands</strong> in bulk crystals and low-dimensional condensed matter systems.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Mechanism and Importance:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Due to the <strong>high mobility of the electron gas,</strong> electrons <strong>do not collide</strong> inside the medium for a<strong> long distance</strong> and hence <strong>do not lose the memory and information.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Hence, it can speed up transfer of quantum information and signal from one part of a device to another and increase data storage and memory.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Since they collide<strong> less during their flow, their resistance is very low, and hence they don&rsquo;t dissipate energy as heat.</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>So, such devices <strong>do not heat up easily and need less input energy</strong> to operate.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=1687916" 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/two-dimensional-electron-gas'
	],
	(int) 17 => [
		'title' => 'Nanobodies',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>An international research team led by the University of Bonn (Germany) has identified and further <strong>developed novel antibody fragments (nanobodies) against SARS-CoV-2,</strong> the virus that causes <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/coronavirus-disease-named-covid-19#:~:text=The%20World%20Health%20Organisation%20(WHO,31st%20December%2C%202019)." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Covid-19.</strong></a></p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Nanobodies Against SARS-CoV-2:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Produced along with Antibodies:</strong> On injection of surface protein of the coronavirus into an alpaca and a llama, their immune system not only produced antibodies directed against the virus but also a simpler antibody variant that can serve as the basis of nanobodies.</li>
<li><strong>More Effective:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>They had also<strong> combined the nanobodies into potentially particularly effective molecules,</strong> which <strong>attack different parts of the virus simultaneously.</strong> This new approach <strong>could prevent the pathogen from evading the effect of antibodies through <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/mutated-novel-coronavirus#:~:text=A%20mutation%20means%20a%20change,virus%20that%20causes%20Covid%2D19." target="_blank" rel="noopener">mutations.</a></strong></li>
<li>Nanobodies<strong> appear to trigger a structural change</strong> before the virus encounters its target cell - an unexpected and novel mode of action. The change is likely to be irreversible; the virus is therefore no longer able to bind to host cells and infect them.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Antibodies:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Antibodies are <strong>an important weapon in the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/immunity-against-covid-19" target="_blank" rel="noopener">immune system</a>&rsquo;s defense against infections.</strong></li>
<li>They<strong> bind to the surface structures of bacteria or viruses </strong>and<strong> prevent their replication.</strong></li>
<li>One strategy in the fight against disease is therefore to produce effective antibodies in large quantities and inject them into patients. However, <strong>producing antibodies is difficult and time-consuming;</strong> they are, therefore, <strong>probably not suitable for widespread use.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Nanobodies:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Nanobodies are <strong>antibody fragments</strong> that are so simple that they<strong> can be produced by bacteria or yeast,</strong> which is<strong> less expensive.</strong></li>
<li>These are <strong>antibodies with a single variable domain located on a heavy chain,</strong> also known as<strong> VHH antibodies.</strong></li>
<li>These are <strong>often seen as an alternative to conventional antibodies,</strong> and have <strong>significant differences</strong> in both <strong>production</strong> and <strong>use</strong> that influence their suitability.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Difference between Nanobodies and Conventional Antibodies:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Difference in Structure and Domains:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Conventional antibodies</strong> have<strong> two variable domains, called VH and VL,</strong> which offer each other stability and binding specificity.</li>
<li><strong>Nanobodies have VHH domains</strong> and<strong> lack VL domains,</strong> but are still highly stable. Lacking the VL domain also means nanobodies have a <strong>hydrophilic</strong> (having a tendency to dissolve in a water) side. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Hydrophilic side means they <strong>do not have issues with solubility and aggregation</strong> otherwise associated with conventional antibodies.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Nanobody production follows many of the same protocols as used in traditional antibody production. However, it also has distinct advantages not available with traditional antibodies, such as <strong>improved screening, improved isolation techniques, and no animal sacrifice.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1610615855_image1.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1610615855_image1.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="600" caption="false" /></strong></a></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Use:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Nanobodies</strong> are much smaller than classic antibodies and they, therefore, <strong>penetrate the tissue better</strong> and can be produced more easily in<strong> larger quantities.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Nanobodies</strong> are<strong> stable in a wide range of temperatures,</strong> remaining functional at temperatures as high as 80&deg;C. As an added bonus, <strong>unfolding of the nanobody due to high temperatures</strong> has been shown to be <strong>fully reversible, unlike conventional antibody fragments.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Nanobodies are <strong>also stable at extreme pH levels,</strong> able to survive exposure to gastric fluid.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Nanobodies</strong> are also <strong>compatible with genetic engineering methods,</strong> which allow alteration of amino acids to improve binding.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Limitations of Nanobodies:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies</strong> are slightly<strong> safer to produce than nanobodies,</strong> as there are biohazards involved in nanobody production not present for conventional antibody production. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The biohazards result mainly from <strong>use of hazardous bacteriophages</strong> (any of a group of viruses that infect bacteria) for selection of nanobodies. Other sources include plasmids, antibiotics, and recombinant DNA. These materials require safe disposal.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Polyclonal antibodies</strong> are made using several different immune cells.</li>
<li><strong>Monoclonal antibodies</strong> are made using identical immune cells that are all clones of a specific parent cell.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/more-effective-nanobodies-to-fight-novel-coronavirus-7145747/" 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/nanobodies'
	],
	(int) 18 => [
		'title' => 'Draft National Science, Technology and Innovation Policy',
		'catname' => 'News Editorials',
		'desc' => '<div class="border">
<p>This article is based on <a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/building-a-vibrant-science-ecosystem-7143793/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>&ldquo;Building a vibrant science ecosystem&rdquo;</strong></a> which was published in The Indian Express on 12/01/2021. It talks about the significance of the proposal in the draft National Science, Technology and Innovation Policy (STIP 2020).</p>
</div>
<p>Covid-19 pandemic has shown the world that it has to take research in science and technology more seriously than before. In India, the pandemic presented an opportunity for R&amp;D institutions, academia, and industry to work with a shared purpose, synergy, collaboration and cooperation.</p>
<p>With the growing realisation, that science can address many of society&rsquo;s pressing problems, the Government of India has released a draft <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/draft-national-science-technology-and-innovation-policy-2020" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>National Science, Technology and Innovation Policy (STIP 2020).</strong></a></p>
<p>The STIP will be guided by the vision of positioning India among the top three scientific superpowers in the decade to come. Apart from it, the policy outlines strategies for strengthening India&rsquo;s STI ecosystem to achieve the larger goal of Atmanirbhar Bharat.</p>
<h3>Novel Ideas of the Policy &amp; their Significance</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Open Science Framework &amp; Inclusiveness:</strong> Open Science fosters more equitable participation in science through increased access to research output, greater transparency and accountability in research.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Apart from this, it would ensure better resource utilisation through minimal restrictions and a constant exchange of knowledge between the producers and users of knowledge.</li>
<li>This framework will be largely community-driven and supported with necessary institutional mechanisms and operational modalities.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>One Nation, One Subscription &amp; Democratization:</strong> The STIP envisions free access to all journals, Indian and foreign, for every Indian against a centrally-negotiated payment mechanism.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In the present mechanisms, consumers of knowledge such as line departments, innovators, industry, the society at large, etc., do not have access to these research journals.</li>
<li>Hence, the policy seeks to democratise science by providing access to scholarly knowledge to not just researchers but also to every individual in the country.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Science &amp; Gender Parity:</strong> India has valued women&rsquo;s participation in science and education from ancient times.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Some of the earliest women scientists, including Leelavati, Gargi, and Khana, made significant contributions to mathematics, natural science, and astronomy.</li>
<li>Over the last six years, women&rsquo;s participation in S&amp;T has doubled in India; however, women&rsquo;s overall participation in R&amp;D continues to be only about 16%.</li>
<li>Therefore, the policy has envisaged gender parity by addressing career breaks for women by considering academic age rather than biological/physical age.</li>
<li>Apart from this, it proposes an inclusive culture that'll be facilitated through the equal opportunity candidates from rural-remote areas, marginalised communities, differently-abled, Divyangjans, irrespective of their socio-economic backgrounds.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Traditional Knowledge &amp; Carving Own Niche:</strong> The policy envisages establishing an institutional architecture to integrate Traditional Knowledge Systems (TKS) and grassroots innovation into the overall education, research and innovation system.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>This focus on indigenous know-how may help India shine globally, standing on its merit and unique technologies based on timeless ancient wisdom curated/enhanced by modern science and technology.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Collaboration &amp; Ease of Doing Research:</strong> The proposed Science Technology Innovation Observatory will have an important governance role in the collaboration networks.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The policy proposes creating a National STI Observatory that will act as a central repository for all kinds of data related to and generated from the STI ecosystem.</li>
<li>Further, an STI Development Bank will be set up to facilitate a corpus fund for investing in direct long term investments in select strategic areas.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Operationalise Clusters:</strong> When the draft policy takes the shape of the actual procedure, it must acknowledge the cluster-based approach and incorporate it.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Clusters consist of multiple organisations including suppliers, producers, customers, labour markets, HEIs, financial intermediaries, professional and industry associations, regulatory institutions and government departments.</li>
<li>They nurture strong science and technology research capabilities in a specific domain and help translate these capabilities into applications.</li>
<li>An example of an electronics hardware cluster is in Silicon Valley.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Increasing Funding For Research:</strong> At 0.6% of GDP, India&rsquo;s gross domestic expenditure on R&amp;D (GERD) is relatively low compared to other major economies with a GERD-to-GDP ratio of 1.5% to 3%.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>One way to increase R&amp;D spend in the country is to make it attractive for companies to invest.</li>
<li>In this regard, reformed bureaucracy, tax benefits and market access for the infant companies should also be considered.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Enabling Research in Disruptive technology:</strong> Technologies that are collectively called Industrial revolution 4.0 are undoubtedly the future of science and technology landscape.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>India must take advantage of these disruptive and impactful technologies.</li>
<li>More research on these associated technologies may positively impact many industries such as defence, education, health etc.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Science Diplomacy:</strong> India should indulge in international S&amp;T engagement and STIP diplomacy.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>This will help in achieving collective and inclusive global development through international engagement by maximising the scope of indigenisation and sustainability for national advancement and promotion of global commons.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Conclusion</h3>
<p>India&rsquo;s STI growth trajectory over recent years has been impressive. Our entry into the club of the top 50 countries in the global innovation Index with a rank of 48 (a massive improvement from 81st place in 2015) speaks volumes for our potential.</p>
<p>To continue this feat, the draft Science, Technology and Innovation Policy contains progressive proposals that could be game-changers for the scientific research community and the way ordinary Indians interact with Science.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1610541362_image4.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1610541362_image4.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="600" caption="false" /></a></p>
<table border="1" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="width: 100%; border-style: dotted; border-color: #ff0000; background-color: #f7f7ff;">
<p><span style="color: #800000;"><em><strong>Drishti Mains Question</strong></em></span></p>
<p>&ldquo;India needs science that solves, a technology that transforms and innovation that impacts&rdquo;. In light of this statement, discuss the draft Science, Technology and Innovation Policy, 2020.</p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p style="text-align: center;"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/sot1Ty_08PE" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p>
<p>This editorial is based on <a href="https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/editorial/bridging-the-gulf-on-gulf-reconciliation-summit/article33552856.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>&ldquo;Bridging the Gulf: On Gulf reconciliation summit&rdquo;</strong> </a>which was published in The Hindu on January 12<sup>th</sup>, 2020. Now watch this on our Youtube channel.</p>',
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	(int) 19 => [
		'title' => 'Data on Retail Inflation and Factory Output',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Separate data on<strong> retail <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/return-of-inflation" target="_blank" rel="noopener">inflation</a> and factory output</strong> have been recently released by the<strong> Ministry of Statistics &amp; Programme Implementation</strong> (MoSPI).</p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Retail Inflation:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Measured by the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/cpi-iw-base-year-revised-to-2016" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Consumer Price Index</strong></a> (CPI),<strong> eased to 4.59%</strong> in the month of December 2020.</li>
<li>The retail inflation for the <strong>month of November</strong> was 6.93%.</li>
<li>The December CPI data has come within the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-national-institutions/important-institutions-national-institution-reserve-bank-of-indiahttps://www.drishtiias.com/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-national-institutions/important-institutions-national-institution-reserve-bank-of-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Reserve Bank of India&rsquo;s</strong></a> (RBI) upper margin of 6%. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The government has <strong>mandated the central bank</strong> to keep retail inflation within the<strong> range of 4% with a margin of 2% on either side as per its <a href="/current-affairs-news-analysis-editorials/news-editorials/29-06-2019#:~:text=Inflation%20targeting%20involves%20using%20monetary,close%20to%20the%20agreed%20target.&amp;text=As%20per%20terms%20of%20the,mind%20the%20objective%20of%20growth." target="_blank" rel="noopener">inflation targeting.</a></strong></li>
<li>CPI inflation has been above RBI&rsquo;s upper bound inflation target of 4 +/-2% for more than 11 months.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>RBI primarily factors in retail inflation while making its <strong>bi-monthly monetary policy.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>In its <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/monetary-policy-rbi" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>bi-monthly monetary policy</strong></a> meeting in<strong> December 2020,</strong> the Indian central bank had kept its key interest rates unchanged (repo and reverse repo rates) and decided to maintain an<strong> &lsquo;accommodative stance&rsquo;</strong> as long as necessary at least through the current financial year.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Causes of decline:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Decline in food prices:</strong> Inflation in the food basket eased to 3.41% in the month of December, down from 9.50% in November.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Factory Output:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>India&rsquo;s factory output, which is measured in terms of<strong> Index of Industrial Production</strong> (IIP), witnessed a contraction of <strong>-1.9%</strong> during the <strong>month of November</strong> 2020.</li>
<li>The industrial growth so far in the fiscal year 2020-21 (April-November) has contracted <strong>-15.5%,</strong> compared to a <strong>0.3%</strong> rise in the corresponding period in 2019.</li>
<li><strong>Causes of Contraction:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Mining and Manufacturing sectors.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The<strong> mining sector</strong> saw a decline of -7.3% in November, while the <strong>manufacturing sector</strong> witnessed a fall of -1.7%.</li>
<li>However, the <strong>electricity sector grew</strong> 3.5%.</li>
<li>In <strong>November 2019,</strong> the <strong>manufacturing sector</strong> had witnessed a <strong>growth of 3.0%.</strong> During the same period, the <strong>mining sector had risen 1.9%,</strong> while the <strong>electricity sector</strong> had witnessed a<strong> fall</strong> of<strong> -5.0%.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Consumer Price Index</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It measures <strong>price changes from the perspective of a retail buyer.</strong> It is released by the <strong>National Statistical Office</strong> (NSO).</li>
<li>The CPI calculates the difference in the price of commodities and services such as food, medical care, education, electronics etc, which Indian consumers buy for use.</li>
<li>The CPI<strong> has several sub-groups</strong> including food and beverages, fuel and light, housing and clothing, bedding and footwear.</li>
<li>At present, India has <strong>five consumer price indexes</strong> (CPIs), <strong>three</strong> of which are <strong>working-class specific.</strong> These are:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>CPI for Industrial Workers (IW).</li>
<li>CPI for Agricultural Labourer (AL).</li>
<li>CPI for Rural Labourer (RL).</li>
<li>These three indexes are compiled by the <strong>Labour Bureau</strong> in the <strong>Ministry of Labour and Employment.</strong></li>
<li><strong>CPIs AL and RL</strong> are <strong>used to fix minimum wages of agricultural labourers and rural unskilled employees.</strong></li>
<li>The <strong>CPI-IW</strong> is mainly used for<strong> determining dearness allowance</strong> (DA) paid to central/state government employees and workers in the industrial sectors besides measuring inflation in retail prices, fixation and revision of minimum wages in scheduled employments.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The Base Year for CPI-IW has <strong>recently</strong> been <strong>changed to 2016</strong> from <strong>previous 2001.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The Labour Bureau is also expected to bring out the new series of the CPI- AL/RL, which currently has the base year of <strong>1986-87</strong> by August 2021.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The other two are <strong>CPI-Urban and CPI Rural.</strong> These two indexes are compiled by the <strong>National Statistical Office (NSO) in the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The combined rise in retail prices is captured by CPI Combined.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Index of Industrial Production</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Index of Industrial Production (IIP) is an index that <strong>shows the growth rates in different industry groups</strong> of the economy in a <strong>fixed period of time.</strong></li>
<li>It is compiled and published monthly by the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/restructuring-of-indian-statistical-system" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>National Statistical Office</strong></a> (NSO), Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation.</li>
<li>IIP is a composite indicator that measures the <strong>growth rate of industry groups</strong> classified under:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Broad Sectors:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Mining, Manufacturing, and Electricity.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Use-based sectors:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Basic Goods, Capital Goods, and Intermediate Goods.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The eight core sector industries represent about <strong>40%</strong> of the<strong> weight of items that are included in the IIP.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The eight core industries in decreasing order of their weightage: Refinery Products (28.04 %)&gt; Electricity (19.85 %)&gt; Steel (17.92 %) &gt; Coal (10.33 %)&gt; Crude Oil (8.98 %)&gt; Natural Gas (6.88 %)&gt; Cement (5.37 %)&gt; Fertilizers (2.63 %).</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Base Year</strong> for IIP calculation is <strong>2011-2012.</strong></li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/business/economy/india-cpi-retail-inflation-december-2020-iip-factory-output-november-2020-data-7143378/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source:IE</strong></a></p>',
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