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New Species in Andaman

Why in News Recently a group of scientists has reported a new genus of treefrog from the Andaman Islands called Striped Bubble-nest frog. Key...

13 Nov 2020 News Analysis
Technological Revolution, Covid-19 & Labour Market

This article is based on “The Future of Work in the Post-COVID-19 World” which was published in The Economic & Political Weekly on...

12 Nov 2020 News Editorials
MoUs Between India-Maldives

Why in News Recently, India and the Maldives have signed four Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs). Key Points Four MoUs: Two MoUs for High...

12 Nov 2020 News Analysis
PLI Scheme for Ten More Sectors

Why in News The Union Cabinet has given its approval to introduce the Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme in 10 more sectors for enhancing...

12 Nov 2020 News Analysis
India-Maldives Relations

This article is based on “Strategic comfort’ with the Maldives” which was published in The Hindu on 09/11/2020. It talks about...

11 Nov 2020 News Editorials
National Water Awards

Why in News The Department of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation of the Ministry of Jal Shakti, is organising the 2nd...

11 Nov 2020 News Analysis
Armenia Azerbaijan Peace Deal

Why in News Recently, Russia has brokered a new peace deal between Armenia and Azerbaijan. Both counties have been in a military conflict over the...

11 Nov 2020 News Analysis
SCO Summit

Why in news The 20th Summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Council of Heads of State was held recently via Video...

11 Nov 2020 News Analysis
National Education Day

Why in News The Union Minister of Education virtually inaugurated the National Education Day programme organised by IIT Bombay. Key...

11 Nov 2020 News Analysis
The Big Picture: Natural Gas Economy

Why in News? Recently, the Government of India has allowed complete marketing freedom for natural gas produced from non-regulated fields. The...

11 Nov 2020 Lok Sabha & Rajya Sabha Discussions
Panna Biosphere Reserve

Why in News Recently, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has included the Panna Biosphere Reserve (PBR)...

11 Nov 2020 News Analysis
Startups In India

This article is based on “India is in the middle of a much-needed start-up revolution” which was published in The Hindustan Times on...

10 Nov 2020 News Editorials
Chabahar Project

Why in News Recently, Iran’s Port and Maritime Organisation (PMO) has conveyed to India a request for locomotives and signalling equipment for...

10 Nov 2020 News Analysis
CCI to Probe Google

Why in News The Competition Commission of India (CCI) has initiated a probe into alleged abuse of dominant position by the company to promote its...

10 Nov 2020 News Analysis
Earthquake Concentrations in Dharchula Region

Why in News Recently, scientists at Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology (WIHG) have unearthed large concentrations of micro and moderate magnitude...

10 Nov 2020 News Analysis
Biodiversity Governance

This article is based on “Biodiversity governance” which was published in The Down to Earth on 06/11/2020. It talks about the issues...

09 Nov 2020 News Editorials
Petition for Declaring ESA Unconstitutional

Why in News Recently, a Kerala-based NGO for farmers has moved the Supreme Court (SC) to declare the draft notification on the Western Ghats...

09 Nov 2020 News Analysis
Dobra Chanti bridge

Why in News Recently, the Uttarakhand Chief Minister has inaugurated Dobra-Chanthi suspension bridge in Tehri-Garhwal district. Key points The...

09 Nov 2020 News Analysis
Warli Art

Why in News Artists in Hyderabad are using traditional Warli art (Maharashtra) form not just to beautify Hyderabad, but also to create awareness on...

09 Nov 2020 News Analysis
Impact of US Election Results on India

Why in News Joseph Robinette Biden Jr. has defeated Donald Trump to become the 46th US President. Biden’s running mate Kamala Devi Harris...

09 Nov 2020 News Analysis

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			'title' => 'New Species in Andaman',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently a group of scientists has reported a new genus of treefrog from the<strong> Andaman Islands</strong> called <strong>Striped Bubble-nest frog.</strong></p>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1605253789_image4.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1605253789_image4.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>Biological name:</strong> <em>Rohanixalus vittatus</em> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The new genus<strong> &lsquo;Rohanixalus&rsquo;</strong> is <strong>named</strong> after <strong>Sri Lankan taxonomist</strong> Rohan Pethiyagoda.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Striped Bubble-nest frog belongs to the genus of the Old World treefrog family <strong>Rhacophoridae.</strong></li>
<li>This is the first report of a tree frog species from the Andaman Islands.</li>
<li><strong>Bodily Features</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Small and slender body <strong>(2-3 cm long).</strong></li>
<li>A<strong> pair</strong> of <strong>contrastingly coloured lateral lines</strong> on either side of the body. Minute brown speckles scattered throughout the upper body.</li>
<li>Light green-coloured eggs laid in <strong>arboreal</strong> bubble-nests.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Arboreal means living in trees or related trees</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>They are also known as Asian Glass Frog or see through frogs.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>While the general background coloration of most glass frogs is primarily <strong>lime green,</strong> the abdominal skin of some members of this family is <strong>translucent</strong> (allowing light to pass through). The internal viscera, including the heart, liver, and gastrointestinal tract, <strong>are visible through this translucent skin, hence the common name.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The genus has several unique behavioural traits:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Maternal egg attendance:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The female (mother) attends the egg clutches until hatching and assists in release of the tadpoles into the water.</li>
<li>During the <strong>first three days</strong> after egg laying, the <strong>female sits over the eggs</strong> and produces a <strong>gelatinous secretion</strong> with which she glazes (covers) the egg mass through<strong> clockwise movement of her legs.</strong> This behaviour provides <strong>necessary moisture to the eggs laid on exposed leaf surfaces</strong> and protects them from <strong>insect predation.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Community egg attendance:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>A large number of egg clutches <strong>(over 50)</strong> of different developmental stages on a single leaf or plant. <strong>Multiple females</strong> usually attend such clutches in a behaviour termed as <strong>&lsquo;community&rsquo; egg attendance.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Frequent <strong>male-male combats</strong> involving pushing, kicking and dislodging to <strong>mate with a female.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/energy-and-environment/new-genus-of-treefrog-discovered-in-andaman-islands/article33083907.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: TH</strong></a></p>',
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		(int) 1 => [
			'title' => 'Technological Revolution, Covid-19 & Labour Market',
			'catname' => 'News Editorials',
			'desc' => '<div class="border">
<p>This article is based on<a href="https://www.epw.in/journal/2020/44/commentary/future-work-post-covid-19-world.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> &ldquo;The Future of Work in the Post-COVID-19 World&rdquo;</strong></a> which was published in The Economic &amp; Political Weekly on 31/10/2020. It talks about the impact of the fourth industrial revolution and the pandemic on the labour market.</p>
</div>
<p>The emergence of the ongoing <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/comprehensive-action-plan-for-covid-19" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Covid-19 pandemic</strong></a> has caused dra&shy;stic impacts on almost every aspect of human life. One of the large uncertainties is related to the economic impact of this pandemic.</p>
<p>In the economic arena, the impact on the global labour market will undergo many important changes. However, the global labour market was already going through radical changes over the last few decades due to the upcoming <a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/in-depth-industrial-revolution-4-0" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>fourth industrial revolution</strong></a> and the pandemic is likely to &shy;increase this rate.</p>
<p>Future prospects of the labour market are unpromising due to the advances and challenges generated by technologies &shy;related to <a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/in-depth-artificial-intelligence" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>arti&shy;ficial intelligence (AI)</strong></a>, &shy;machine learning (ML), robotics, and industrial automatisation.</p>
<p>Therefore, the real need right now is to evaluate how the Covid-19 crisis will &shy;affect this ongoing transformation and adequate policy responses.</p>
<h3>Ongoing Changes in Labour Market</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>In current times, the role of technology has become self-contradictory. Even if technology has been created to support humankind, there exists an &shy;underlying fear about its impact on the labour market.</li>
<li>Traditio&shy;nally, changes affected only employees in charge of highly repetitive tasks, that is the so-called blue-collar workers.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>However, the recent impact of the fourth industrial revolution is also threatening those that carry out highly skilled tasks, that is, the so-called white-collar workers.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Before the Covid-19 pandemic, the<a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/international-labour-organization" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> International Labour Organization</strong></a> (ILO) estimated that 1,400 million workers in the world (around 37.5% of the &shy;total workers) worked in vulnerable employment.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Impact of 4<sup>th</sup> Industrial Revolution &amp; Covid-19 on Labour Market</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Process of Automation:</strong> According to ILO, the manufacturing sector employs approximately 1,600 million robots at a global scale, a number with exponential growth in recent years.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The Covid-19 pandemic will quite likely ensure that companies will strive to organise supply chains that are safe and free from viruses.</li>
<li>For this, deployments of swarm robots, that is &shy;robots linked to each other for coordinated action, present important functional benefits. Therefore, in some way, it is quite likely that Covid-19 will accelerate the process of automation.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Social Polarisation:</strong> The pandemic is also increasing social inequalities due to the disparate impact of the virus on different classes.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>However, before the pandemic, the most vulnerable jobs and with more risk to be automated were precisely the low-&shy;income ones.</li>
<li>The virus has a social &shy;impact that is quite undemocratic, which besides the ongoing robotisation and automation processes will drive up the &shy;levels of social polarisation.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Change in Work Culture:</strong> The ongoing technological revolution and the impact of the novel coronavirus might radically change the work conditions.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>With this new wave of forced remote working, some tech companies in Silicon Valley (such as Twitter, Square, or Facebook) have already decided to shift to <strong>permanent working from home</strong> even after the pandemic.</li>
<li>These changes will have a vast impact on the urban economies of the regions where these companies are located by affecting &shy;aspects, such as real estate, transpor&shy;tation, leisure, and social diversity, among others.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Post-Labour Society:</strong> Some theorists predict a post-work scenario where robots would mostly replace human workforces. Among the consequences, it would mean the end of the traditional labour structure, which will require us to redefine the term work itself.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>This can lead to the emergence of a massive and new unworking class.</li>
<li>In addition, with the pace of technological shifts, the skills required of employees will prob&shy;ably change faster over time, creating a group of people whose skills get constantly outdated.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Change in Society:</strong> Beyond the real impact of AI and robo&shy;tics on the labour market, strong chan&shy;ges are expected to disrupt societies.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Without employment providing a structure in the people&rsquo;s lives and with technology replacing many human activities, the societies are likely to shift towards more individualistic entities with less human interaction.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Positive Trends:</strong> There are many studies which signify that the fourth Industrial revolution would create as many jobs as it eradicated, showing a slightly positive trend.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>These studies indicate that the healthcare and educational sectors will have a growing job demand, while the manufacturing and transport sectors will suffer the largest &shy;losses of jobs.</li>
<li>Further, technology and automation could lead to a fairer economic model with lower prices, greater social awareness. Thus, there is a need for re-skilling of the workforce.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Necessity of Inclusive Development:</strong> Some governments are trying to &shy;develop strategies to face the very negative scenarios that might emerge.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In this sense, one of such countermeasures is the<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/universal-basic-income" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> Universal Basic Income (UBI).</strong></a></li>
<li>However, developing countries like India need to develop alternative strategies. This is because providing UBI in the world's second-largest populous country would not be feasible, especially in the near future.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Conclusion</h3>
<p>It is expected that the ongoing technological revolution, besides the upcoming economic crisis due to the coronavirus, might reduce the level of regulated &shy;employment. In this scenario, the relationship between employer and employee would be reduced to a minimum.</p>
<p>The supporters of this policy argue that it will boost the labour market, while critics argue that the employee will be completely unprotected.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1605184704_image4.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1605184704_image4.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" caption="false" width="737" height="242" /></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: #f5faff;">
<p><span style="color: #333399;"><em><strong>Drishti Mains Question</strong></em></span></p>
<p>Critically analyse the impact of the fourth industrial revolution and the Covid-19 pandemic on the labour market.</p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p style="text-align: center;"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/scVWS-a-Qjg" 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/road-bumps-the-hindu-editorial-on-fifteenth-finance-commission-report/article33069233.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>&ldquo;Road bumps: On Fifteenth Finance Commission report&rdquo;</strong></a> which was published in The Hindu on November 11<sup>th</sup>, 2020. Now watch this on our Youtube channel.</p>',
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		(int) 2 => [
			'title' => 'MoUs Between India-Maldives',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/india-maldives-relations" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>India and the Maldives</strong></a> have signed <strong>four Memorandums of Understanding</strong> (MoUs).</p>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1605180167_image2.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1605180167_image2.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="350" caption="false" /></a></p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Four MoUs:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Two MoUs for High Impact Community Development Projects.</li>
<li>An MoU on Cooperation in Sports and Youth Affairs.</li>
<li>An MoU for a USD 100 million grant to fund the <strong>Greater Male Connectivity Project</strong> (GMCP) which is the largest ever such infrastructure project undertaken in the Maldives.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>GMCP is a financial package by India, consisting of a grant of USD 100 million and a new line of credit of USD 400 million.</li>
<li>This will be the largest civilian infrastructure project in the Maldives, connecting<strong> Mal&eacute;</strong> (the capital) with <strong>three neighbouring islands</strong> viz. Villingili, Gulhifalhu (where a port is being built under Indian <strong>line of credit</strong>) and Thilafushi (new industrial zone) by the <strong>construction of a bridge-and-causeway link.</strong></li>
<li>This will<strong> boost economic activity, generate employment and promote holistic urban development</strong> in the Mal&eacute; region.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Other Recent Initiatives:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In<strong> April 2020,</strong> India supplied 6.2 tonnes of essential medicines to the Maldives, under <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/operation-sanjeevani" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Operation Sanjeevani</strong></a> to tackle the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/covid-19-now-pandemic-who" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>pandemic.</strong></a></li>
<li>In<strong> May 2020,</strong> India under <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/mission-sagar" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Mission Sagar,</strong> </a>supplied food items and medical assistance teams to the countries in the southern Indian Ocean including the Maldives.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Indian Government assures that the <strong>Maldives will be among the first countries to receive <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/pfizer-s-covid-19-vaccine-candidate" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Covid-19 vaccines</a></strong> as soon as one is developed in India.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>In <strong>August 2020,</strong> the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/travel-bubble" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>bilateral Air Travel Bubble</strong> </a>was established which connects five Indian cities with Male through 13 weekly flights leading to a steep increase in the number of tourists.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Creating a travel bubble <strong>involves reconnecting countries or states which have shown a good level of success in containing the Covid-19 </strong>domestically.</li>
<li>Such a bubble would <strong>allow the members of the group to restart trade ties</strong> with each other and <strong>open travel and<a href="/to-the-points/paper3/tourism-in-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> tourism.</a></strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>In <strong>October 2020,</strong> both governments inked a deal for a <strong>USD 400 million line of credit</strong> from the<strong> Export-Import Bank of India</strong> (Exim Bank), <strong>premier export finance institution</strong> of India.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The soft loans to the Maldives have funded connectivity, water, sewerage projects, Addu Development Project, an international cricket stadium, Gulhifalhu port, etc.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Significance:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The <strong>MoUs are symbolic of India-Maldives&rsquo; <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/india-announces-package-to-maldives" target="_blank" rel="noopener">strong development partnership</a></strong> which is multi-faceted and designed to meet the specific requirements of the government and people.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The Maldives enjoys a special and central place in India&rsquo; <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/what-is-indias-neighbourhood" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Neighbourhood First policy</strong></a> and itself has a<strong> foreign policy of India First.</strong></li>
<li>India is supportive of <strong>Maldivian Foreign Minister&rsquo;s candidature</strong> for the <strong>Presidency of the 76<sup>th</sup> session</strong> of the <strong><a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/united-nations-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">United Nations General Assembly</a> in 2021.</strong></li>
<li>Both nations have consistently supported each other in multilateral fora such as the UN, the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/important-facts-for-prelims-14th-january-2019" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Commonwealth</strong></a>, the <a href="/to-the-points/Paper2/non-aligned-movement-nam" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Non-Aligned Movement</strong> </a>(NAM) and the<a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/south-asian-association-for-regional-cooperation-saarc" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation</strong></a> (SAARC).</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Amid India&rsquo;s growing concern over <a href="/mains-practice-question/question-27" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>China&rsquo;s increasing influence</strong> </a>in the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/new-and-emerging-concerns-in-indian-ocean-neighbourhood" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Indian Ocean Region</strong> </a>(IOR), the ties with the Maldives are of crucial importance.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The<strong> current Maldivian President</strong> is being criticised by the opposition for having an <strong>&ldquo;India-tilt&rdquo;.</strong> The Former President was dislodged from office in 2018 and was widely perceived as a close ally of China.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/india-maldives-sign-four-mous-to-boost-ties/article33060726.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/mous-between-india-maldives'
		],
		(int) 3 => [
			'title' => 'PLI Scheme for Ten More Sectors',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>The Union Cabinet has given its approval to introduce the <strong>Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme in 10 more sectors</strong> for enhancing India&rsquo;s manufacturing capabilities and exports <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/atmanirbhar-bharat-and-economic-stimulus" target="_blank" rel="noopener">(Atmanirbhar Bharat)</a>.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Earlier, the government<strong> had announced a <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/schemes-for-electronic-manufacturing" target="_blank" rel="noopener">production linked incentive</a> or PLI scheme for medical devices, mobile phones and specified active pharmaceutical ingredients,</strong> with a proposed outlay of Rs. 51,311 crore.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>PLI Scheme:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>A scheme that aims to give companies <strong>incentives on incremental</strong> sales from products manufactured in domestic units.</li>
<li>The scheme invites foreign companies to set units in India, however, it also aims to encourage local companies to set up or expand existing manufacturing units.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1605176667_image1.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1605176667_image1.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="350" caption="false" /></a></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Expansion of PLI Scheme to Ten More Sectors:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The ten sectors include <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/food-processing-in-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>food processing</strong></a>, <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/telecom-sector-issues-and-challenges" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>telecom</strong></a>, <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/electronics-manufacturing-in-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>electronics</strong></a>, <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/textile-sector-and-atmanirbharta" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>textiles</strong></a>, <strong>specialty steel, automobiles and auto components, solar photo-voltaic modules and white goods such as air conditioners and LEDs.</strong></li>
<li>The sectors had been identified on the basis of their potential to create jobs and make India self-reliant.</li>
<li>The PLI scheme for these ten sectors will be operational for<strong> five years</strong> with a <strong>total estimated outlay of Rs 1.45 lakh crore.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The PLI scheme will be<strong> implemented by</strong> the concerned ministries/departments.</li>
<li>Savings from one PLI scheme of an approved sector can be utilized to fund another sector.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The scheme for these sectors will be <strong>in addition to</strong> the PLI schemes for <strong>mobile phones and allied equipment manufacturing, pharmaceutical ingredients and medical devices.</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Several <strong>more pharmaceutical products have been brought under the aegis of the PLI scheme,</strong> including complex generics, anti-cancer and diabetic drugs, in-vitro diagnostic devices and special empty capsules.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Benefits:</strong> The PLI scheme across these 10 key specific sectors will make <strong>Indian manufacturers globally competitive,</strong> attract<strong> investment</strong> in the areas of core competency and cutting-edge technology; ensure efficiencies; create <strong>economies of scale;</strong> enhance exports and make India an integral part of the <strong>global supply chain.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Push to Digital Economy:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>India is expected to have a <strong>USD 1 trillion digital economy</strong> by 2025. Additionally, the Government's push for <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/Data-Localisation" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>data localization</strong></a>, <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/india-must-get-on-the-iot-highway-fast" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Internet of Things</strong></a>, projects such as <strong>Smart City and Digital India</strong> are expected to increase the demand for electronic products.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Increase Exports:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The Indian pharmaceutical industry is the<strong> third largest</strong> in the world by volume and 14<sup>th</sup> largest in terms of value. It contributes<strong> 3.5%</strong> of the <strong>total drugs and medicines exported</strong> globally.</li>
<li>India is the world's<strong> second largest steel producer in the world.</strong> It is a <strong>net exporter of finished steel.</strong> A PLI scheme in <strong>Specialty Steel</strong> will help in enhancing manufacturing capabilities for value added steel leading to increase in total exports.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Specialty steel is made by adding various elements to iron, to achieve various properties, such as heat resistance, hardness, and corrosion resistance.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Secure Telecom Infrastructure:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Telecom equipment forms a<strong> critical and strategic element of building a secured telecom infrastructure</strong> and India aspires to become a major original equipment manufacturer of telecom and networking products.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Doubling Farmers&rsquo; Income:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The growth of the processed food industry leads to <strong>better price</strong> for farmers and <strong>reduces high levels of wastage.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Growth in production and exports of industrial goods will greatly <strong>expose the Indian industry to foreign competition and ideas,</strong> which will help in improving its capabilities to innovate further.</li>
<li>Promotion of the manufacturing sector and creation of a conducive manufacturing ecosystem will not only enable <strong>integration with global supply chains</strong> but also establish backward linkages with the <strong>MSME sector</strong> in the country.</li>
<li>It will lead to overall growth in the economy and<strong> create huge employment</strong> opportunities.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1671912" 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/pli-scheme-for-ten-more-sectors'
		],
		(int) 4 => [
			'title' => 'India-Maldives Relations',
			'catname' => 'News Editorials',
			'desc' => '<div class="border">
<p>This article is based on<a href="https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/strategic-comfort-with-the-maldives/article33053574.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> &ldquo;Strategic comfort&rsquo; with the Maldives&rdquo;</strong> </a>which was published in The Hindu on 09/11/2020. It talks about the relations between India and Maldives.</p>
</div>
<p>Maldives holds strategic importance for India under the Modi government&rsquo;s <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/indias-neighbourhood-diplomacy#:~:text=Policy%20of%20the%20Government%20of,other%20countries%20in%20the%20neighborhood." target="_blank" rel="noopener">&lsquo;Neighbourhood First&rsquo; policy</a> </strong>due to its location in the Indian Ocean. However, the relations between the two countries was strained under the pro-China regime of their former President Abdulla Yameen.</p>
<p>This can be reflected in the recent &lsquo;India Out&rsquo; campaign led by Abdulla Yameen, against India&rsquo;s massive developmental funding for creating physical, social and community infrastructure, and incumbent President Solih&rsquo;s government retaining two India-gifted helicopters and their operational military personnel.</p>
<p>While India-Maldives relations have always been close, cordial and multi-dimensional, recent regime instability in the Maldives has posed some limitations, especially in the political &amp; strategic arena . Therefore, the main challenge to India&rsquo;s diplomacy is balancing out all these contradictions into harmonious relations.</p>
<h3>Geo-Strategic Importance of Maldives to India</h3>
<p>Despite being the smallest Asian country with a land area, Maldives is one of the world&rsquo;s most geographically dispersed countries straddling a 960-km-long submarine ridge running north to south and which forms a wall in the middle of the Indian Ocean. Its strategic location defines the geo-strategic importance of Maldives far beyond its physical size, which can be reflected as the following:</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Maldives, a Toll Gate in Indian Ocean:</strong> Located at the southern and northern parts of this island chain lies the two important sea lanes of communication (SLOCs).
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>These SLOCs are critical for maritime trade flow between the Gulf of Aden and Gulf of Hormuz in West Asia and the Strait of Malacca in Southeast Asia.</li>
<li>While the Indian Ocean is considered as the key highway for global trade and energy flow, Maldives virtually stands as a toll gate.</li>
<li>While SLOCs in the vicinity of the Maldives have broader strategic significance for global maritime trade, these are of vital importance for India since nearly 50% of India&rsquo;s external trade and 80% of her energy imports transit these westward SLOCs in the Arabian Sea.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Increasing Maritime Activity:</strong> As maritime economic activity in the Indian Ocean has risen dramatically in recent decades, the geopolitical competition too in the Indian Ocean has intensified.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Due to this, China&rsquo;s strategic interests and logistical limitations in the Indian Ocean have prompted it to increase its presence in the Indian Ocean.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>India&rsquo;s Strategic Priority:</strong> A favourable and positive maritime environment in the Indian Ocean is essential for the fulfilment of India&rsquo;s Strategic priority.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Thus, India continuously aims at promoting an ever-expanding area of peace and stability around it.</li>
<li>In addition, Maldives is an important partner in India&rsquo;s role as the net security provider in the Indian Ocean Region.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Cooperation Between India &amp; Maldives</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Security Cooperation</strong>: Through the decades, India has rushed emergency assistance to the Maldives, whenever sought.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In 1988, when armed mercenaries attempted a coup against President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, India sent paratroopers and Navy vessels and restored the legitimate leadership under<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/operation-sanjeevani" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> Operation Cactus.</strong></a></li>
<li>Further, joint naval exercises have been conducted in the Indian ocean and India still contributes to the security of the maritime island.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Disaster Management:</strong> The 2004 tsunami and the drinking water crisis in Male a decade later were other occasions when India rushed assistance.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>At the peak of the continuing COVID-19 disruption, the Maldives has been the biggest beneficiary of the Covid-19 assistance given by India among its all of India&rsquo;s neighbouring countries.</li>
<li>When the world supply chains were blocked because of the pandemic, India continued to provide crucial commodities to the Maldives under <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/mission-sagar" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Mission SAGAR.</strong></a></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>People To People Contact:</strong> Technology has made connectivity easier for everyday contact and exchanges. Maldivian students attend educational institutions in India and patients fly here for superspeciality healthcare, aided by a liberal visa-free regime extended by India.</li>
<li><strong>Economic Cooperation:</strong> Tourism is the mainstay of Maldivian economy. The country is now a major tourist destination for some Indians and a job destination for others.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Given the geographical limitations imposed on the Maldives, India has exempted the nation from export curbs on essential commodities.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Irritants in Relations</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Political Instability:</strong> India&rsquo;s major concern has been the impact of political instability in the neighbourhood on its security and development.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The February 2015 arrest of opposition leader Mohamed Nasheed on terrorism charges and the consequent political crisis have posed a real diplomatic test for India&rsquo;s neighbourhood policy.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Radicalisation:</strong> In the past decade or so, the number of Maldivians drawn towards terrorist groups like the Islamic State (IS) and Pakistan-based madrassas and jihadist groups has been increasing.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Political instability and socio-economic uncertainty are the main drivers fuelling the rise of Islamist radicalism in the island nation.</li>
<li>Events in West Asia, Afghanistan and Pakistan have also influenced Maldivian radicalisation.</li>
<li>This gives rise to the possibility of Pakistan based terror groups using remote Maldivian islands as a launch pad for terror attacks against India and Indian interests.</li>
<li>Further, India's concern is regarding how radical Islamist forces have been gaining political influence in the neighbourhood.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>China Angle:</strong> China&rsquo;s strategic footprint in India&rsquo;s neighbourhood has increased. The Maldives has emerged as an important 'pearl' in China&rsquo;s <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/new-sri-lanka-leadership" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>&ldquo;String of Pearls&rdquo;</strong> </a>construct in South Asia.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Given the Maldives's strategic location in the Indian Ocean, there are speculations about China trying to develop strategic bases in the archipelago.</li>
<li>Given the uncertain dynamics of Sino-Indian relation, China&rsquo;s potential strategic presence in Maldives remains a concern.</li>
<li>Also, the Maldives have started using the China card to bargain with India.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Conclusion</h3>
<p>In accordance with the &ldquo;Neighbourhood First&rdquo; policy of the government, India remains a committed development partner for a stable, prosperous and peaceful Maldives. However, for adherence of strategic comfort in relations, Maldives on its part should abide by its India First&rsquo; policy.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1605094129_image.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1605094129_image.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" caption="false" width="624" height="462" /></a></p>
<table border="1" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="width: 100%; background-color: #f4fff0; border-style: dotted; border-color: #ff0000;">
<p><span style="color: #000080;"><em><strong>Drishti Mains Question</strong></em></span></p>
<p>Maldives holds strategic importance for India under &lsquo;Neighbourhood First&rsquo; policy due to its location in the Indian Ocean. Discuss.</p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p>This editorial is based on <a href="https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/editorial/no-fireworks-on-ngt-ban-on-sale-and-use-of-firecrackers/article33061044.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>&ldquo;No fireworks: On NGT ban on sale and use of firecrackers&rdquo;</strong></a> which was published in The Hindu on November 10<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/india-maldives-relations'
		],
		(int) 5 => [
			'title' => 'National Water Awards',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>The <strong>Department of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation of the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/jal-shakti-mantralaya" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Ministry of Jal Shakti</a></strong>, is organising the<strong> 2<sup>nd</sup> National Water Awards</strong> (NWAs) for the year 2019.</p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>National Water Awards:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The awards are organised by the <strong>Department of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation, Ministry of Jal Shakti.</strong></li>
<li>The NWAs were launched in <strong>2007</strong> for the first time along with the <strong>Ground Water Augmentation Awards</strong> and the winners in different categories are given a <strong>citation, trophy and cash prize.</strong></li>
<li>These focus on the good work and efforts made by individuals and organisations across the country, and the government&rsquo;s vision for the path to <em><strong>&lsquo;Jal Samridh Bharat&rsquo;.</strong></em></li>
<li><strong>Objectives:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>To<strong> motivate</strong> individuals/organisations who are doing commendable work in the field of <strong>water resources conservation and management.</strong></li>
<li>To <strong>create awareness</strong> among the people about the importance of water and encourage them to adopt the best water usage practices.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Opportunities Provided: Start-ups, leading organisations and people</strong> can <strong>engage, deliberate and strengthen existing partnerships</strong> on issues concerning water conservation and management activities.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Need for Water Conservation and Management:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Depletion of water resources due to <strong>overuse and decline in water supplies due to climate change</strong> is pushing India closer to the tipping point of water scarcity.</li>
<li>Apart from these, several government policies especially pertaining to agriculture resulted in <strong>over-exploitation of water.</strong> These factors make India a water-stressed economy. In this context there is a need for <strong>water resource conservation and management.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Initiatives by the Government</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/sub-group-of-chief-ministers-on-coordination-between-mgnrega-and-agriculture" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act:</strong></a><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The huge workforce employed under the MGNREGA has <strong>enabled the government to introduce water conservation</strong> as a project under the Act.</li>
<li>The government <strong>aims to improve groundwater harvesting, build water conservation</strong> and<strong> storage mechanisms</strong> through MGNREGA.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Jal Kranti Abhiyan:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Under it, the government is making active efforts to <strong>revolutionise villages and cities through block-level water conservation schemes.</strong></li>
<li>For example, the <strong>Jal Gram Scheme</strong> under the Jal Kranti Abhiyan is aimed at <strong>developing two model villages</strong> in water-starved areas to lead the other villages towards water conservation and preservation.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>National Water Mission:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It was launched with the objective of <strong>conservation of water, minimising wastage and ensuring more equitable distribution</strong> both across and within states through integrated water resources development and management.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/solution-to-indias-water-crisis" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>NITI Aayog's Composite Water Management Index:</strong></a><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>With the objective of achieving effective utilization of water, <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-national-institutions/niti-aayog-national-institution-for-transforming-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>NITI Aayog</strong></a> has developed the Composite Water Management Index.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Jal Shakti Ministry and <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/jal-jeevan-mission-2" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Jal Jeevan Mission</a>:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The efforts like the<strong> formation of Jal Shakti Ministry</strong> (to tackle water issues holistically) and the goal to provide <strong>piped water to all rural households by 2024,</strong> under the Jal Jeevan mission, are steps in the right direction.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/atal-bhujal-yojana" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Atal Bhujal Yojana</a>:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It is a <strong>central sector scheme worth Rs.6,000</strong> crore for sustainable management of groundwater with community participation.</li>
<li>It envisages people's participation through the formation of &lsquo;Water User Associations&rsquo;, water budgeting, preparation and implementation of Gram-panchayat-wise water security plans, etc.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/jal-shakti-abhiyan" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Jal Shakti Abhiyan</a>:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It was launched in <strong>July 2019</strong> as a<strong> campaign for water conservation and water security</strong> in the country.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>People tend to neglect the importance of water conservation because in most places it is <strong>free of cost or charged nominally,</strong> so it is important for them to realise its importance and be aware of its degrading status.</li>
<li>Initiatives like<strong> National Water Awards, along with the other government initiatives</strong> will help<strong> to create that awareness</strong> and motivate them to adopt the best water usage practices which will help India in becoming<strong> &lsquo;Jal Samridh Bharat&rsquo;.</strong></li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1671677" 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/national-water-awards'
		],
		(int) 6 => [
			'title' => 'Armenia Azerbaijan Peace Deal',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, <strong>Russia has brokered a new peace deal between <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/armenia-azerbaijan-conflict-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Armenia and Azerbaijan</a></strong>. Both counties have been in a <strong>military conflict</strong> over the <strong>disputed region of Nagorno-Karabakh</strong> in the South Caucasus.</p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Nagorno-Karabakh Region:<a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1605090880_image%200.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1605090880_image 0.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="550" caption="false" /></a></strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The region extends across <strong>western Asia and Eastern Europe.</strong></li>
<li>It has been <strong>part of Azerbaijan territory</strong> since the Soviet era and is being internationally recognised so but most of the region is <strong>controlled by Armenian separatists</strong> who have declared it a republic called the <strong>&ldquo;Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Oblast&rdquo;.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>While the <strong>Armenian government does not recognise Nagorno-Karabakh as independent,</strong> it<strong> supports the region</strong> politically and militarily.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Conflict and Ceasefire:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>When the <strong>Soviet Union began to collapse</strong> (with the end of the <a href="/to-the-points/paper1/cold-war" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Cold War</strong></a>) in the late 1980s, <strong>Armenia&rsquo;s regional parliament voted for the region&rsquo;s transfer to Armenia</strong> but the <strong>Soviet authorities turned down</strong> the demand.</li>
<li>Clashes and the violence lasted till<strong> 1994,</strong> when<strong> Russia brokered a ceasefire,</strong> by which time ethnic Armenians had taken control of the region.</li>
<li>In <strong>2016,</strong> the region saw a <strong>Four-Day War</strong> before Russia mediated peace.</li>
<li>The<strong> Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe</strong> (OSCE) <strong>Minsk Group,</strong> chaired by France, Russia and the USA, has also tried to get the two countries to reach a peace agreement for several years.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>OSCE</strong> is the <strong>world's largest security-oriented intergovernmental organisation.</strong> Its mandate includes issues such as arms control, promotion of human rights, freedom of the press, and fair elections.</li>
<li><strong>OSCE Minsk Group</strong> was created in<strong> 1992</strong> by the <strong>Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe</strong> (CSCE) to encourage a peaceful, negotiated resolution to the conflict between Azerbaijan and Armenia over Nagorno-Karabakh.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>In <strong>October 2020,</strong> both countries <strong>agreed to a Russia brokered ceasefire</strong> agreement, however, it also proved to be <strong>unsuccessful.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Reason for the Conflict:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Decades-old<strong> Ethnic tensions</strong> have a crucial role in the dispute. While the<strong> Azeris claim</strong> that the disputed <strong>region was under their control in known history, Armenians maintain</strong> that Karabakh was a <strong>part of the Armenian kingdom.</strong></li>
<li>Currently, the disputed region consists of a <strong>majority Armenian Christian population,</strong> even though it is <strong>internationally recognised as a part of Muslim-majority Azerbaijan.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>New Peace Deal:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Both sides will now maintain positions in the areas that they currently hold, which will mean a <strong>significant gain for Azerbaijan</strong> as it has<strong> reclaimed over 15-20% of its lost territory</strong> during the recent conflict.</li>
<li>All <strong>military operations are suspended</strong> and<strong> Russian peacekeepers will be deployed for a period of five years,</strong> along the line of contact in Nagorno-Karabakh and along the <strong>Lachin corridor</strong> which links the Karabakh capital, Stepanakert, to Armenia.</li>
<li><strong>Refugees and internally displaced persons will return</strong> to the region and the adjacent territories and the two sides will also <strong>exchange prisoners</strong> of wars and bodies.</li>
<li>A <strong>new corridor will be opened</strong> from Nakhchivan to Azerbaijan, which will be <strong>under Russian control.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Reactions: Armenian people are against</strong> the deal and have protested while <strong>Azerbaijan is pleased</strong> with the deal and considered it of &ldquo;historic importance&rdquo;.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Russia&rsquo;s Role:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Russia has always taken a <strong>balanced position</strong> on the matter and has traditionally <strong>good relations with both countries.</strong> It<strong> supplies arms to both</strong> countries.</li>
<li>Russia has a<strong> military base in Armenia</strong> and both are <strong>members</strong> of the<strong> Moscow-led</strong> <a href="/current-affairs-news-analysis-editorials/news-analysis/10-10-2020" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Collective Security Treaty Organisation.</strong></a><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The treaty envisages Russia's military support if Armenia is attacked. However, it does not include Nagorno-Karabakh or the other Azerbaijani regions around it seized by Armenian forces.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>At the same time, <strong>Russia also has strong ties to Azerbaijan,</strong> which is being <strong>openly backed by Turkey, a <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/nato-ally-status-to-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener">North Atlantic Treaty Organisation</a></strong> (NATO) member.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-what-is-the-new-peace-deal-between-armenia-and-azerbaijan-7046542/" 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/armenia-azerbaijan-peace-deal'
		],
		(int) 7 => [
			'title' => 'SCO Summit',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in news</h3>
<p><strong>The 20<sup>th</sup> Summit</strong> of the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/important-international-institutions-shanghai-cooperation-organisation-sco" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO)</strong> </a>Council of Heads of State was held <strong>recently</strong> via <strong>Video Conferencing.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Meeting was <strong>chaired</strong> by<strong> Russian President</strong> Mr. Vladimir Putin.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Significance of SCO Meet:</strong> 20<sup>th</sup> Summit of SCO Heads of State is important as it <strong>brought President Xi Jinping of China and Mr. Modi together</strong> in the virtual format even as <strong>both sides are caught in the high tension confrontation in Eastern Ladakh</strong> along the Line of Actual Control (LAC).<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>This was the <strong>first SCO Summit</strong> held in <strong>Virtual Format</strong> and the <strong>third meeting</strong> that India participated after becoming a <strong>full member in 2017.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>The Republic of Tajikistan assumed chairmanship</strong> of SCO for 2021-22.</li>
<li>India has proposed to set up a<strong> Special Working Group </strong>on Innovation and Startups and a <strong>Sub Group on Traditional Medicine</strong> within SCO.</li>
<li>The Prime Minister of India indirectly referred chinese infrastructure projects in <a href="/to-the-points/Paper2/obor-cpec" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Pakistan Occupied Kashmir</strong></a> and<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/galwan-valley-clash" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> India China standoff at line of actual control</strong> </a>and urged members of the SCO to respect <strong>&ldquo;territorial integrity&rdquo;</strong> and<strong> &ldquo;sovereignty&rdquo;</strong> of each other.</li>
<li><strong>Connectivity:</strong> PM highlighted India's role in<strong> supporting infrastructure and connectivity development</strong> projects in the SCO region. <strong>Examples: </strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/chabahar-project" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Chabahar port</a>,</strong></li>
<li>The <strong>International North&ndash;South Transport Corridor (INSTC)</strong> is a multi-modal connectivity project to establish transport networks <strong>(ship, rail, and road route)</strong> for moving freight between <strong>India, Russia, Iran, Europe and Central Asia.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Responsible Global Governance:</strong> Bringing changes in <strong>global governance</strong> will be the focus of India as a non-permanent member of the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/un-security-council-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>United Nation (UN) Security Council.</strong></a> From 2021 India will take part in the UN Security Council as a <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/india-s-non-permanent-seat-at-the-unsc" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>non-permanent member.</strong></a></li>
<li><strong>Reformed Multilateralism:</strong> In the context of the fallout of the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/covid-19-now-pandemic-who" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>pandemic</strong> </a>and the <strong>economic downturn,</strong> India sought support of the<strong> SCO members</strong> in attaining a reformed multilateralism.</li>
<li><strong>Organised Crime:</strong> India highlighted the challenges posed by the <strong>smuggling of illegal weapons, drugs and money laundering.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Strengthening Cultural Heritage:</strong> The <strong>National Museum of India</strong> will hold an exhibition on <strong>the Buddhist heritage of the SCO countries</strong> and India will host a<strong> food festival</strong> reflecting the <strong>culinary traditions of the SCO region.</strong></li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Shanghai Cooperation Organisation</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>SCO is a permanent intergovernmental international organisation.</li>
<li>It&rsquo;s a Eurasian<strong> political, economic and military</strong> organisation aiming to maintain peace, security and stability in the region.</li>
<li>It was <strong>created in 2001.</strong></li>
<li>The SCO Charter was signed in 2002, and entered into force in 2003.</li>
<li>The SCO's <strong>official languages are Russian and Chinese.</strong></li>
<li>SCO has <strong>two Permanent Bodies</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>SCO Secretariat in Beijing,</strong> and</li>
<li>Executive Committee of the <strong>Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure (RATS) in Tashkent.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The Chairmanship of SCO is by rotation for a year by Member States.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Genesis</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Prior to the creation of SCO in 2001, Kazakhstan, China, Kyrgyzstan, Russia and Tajikistan were members of the<strong> Shanghai Five.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Shanghai Five (1996)</strong> emerged from a series of border demarcation and demilitarization talks which the four former Soviet republics held with China to ensure stability along the borders.</li>
<li>Following the accession of Uzbekistan to the organisation in 2001, the Shanghai Five was renamed the SCO.</li>
<li><strong>India and Pakistan became members in 2017.</strong></li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The SCO must be used as a platform to <strong>deepen solidarity</strong> and <strong>mutual trust</strong> and <strong>resolve disputes and differences through dialogue and consultations.</strong> It will help in <strong>de-escalating tensions</strong> between India and its neighbouring countries China and Pakistan.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/prime-minister-narendra-modi-addresses-sco-summit-through-videoconference/article33066158.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/sco-summit-2'
		],
		(int) 8 => [
			'title' => 'National Education Day',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>The Union Minister of Education<strong> virtually</strong> inaugurated the <strong>National Education Day</strong> programme organised by IIT Bombay.</p>
<h3>Key Notes</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>National Education Day</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It has been observed every year on <strong>11<sup>th</sup> November,</strong> since 2008 to commemorate the<strong> birth anniversary of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/70-years-of-indian-council-for-cultural-relations" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Maulana Abul Kalam Azad</a>.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Maulana Abul Kalam Azad :</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>He was the<strong> first Union Education Minister</strong> of India.</li>
<li>He was a freedom fighter, scholar and eminent educationist.</li>
<li>He was a key architect of Independent India who was responsible for setting up apex education bodies like <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/initiatives-of-aicte" target="_blank" rel="noopener">All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE)</a></strong> and <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/ukieri-ugc-higher-education-leadership-development-programme" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>University Grants Commission (UGC).</strong> </a></li>
<li>He was posthumously awarded <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/important-facts-for-prelims-28th-january-2019" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Bharat Ratna</strong></a>, India&rsquo;s highest civilian award in 1992.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>About the Event</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In the event India's commitment to establish India as a <strong>global hub of education and to ensure high quality of education</strong> was reiterated through <strong>Study in India, Stay in India</strong> and <strong>Internationalization of Education.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Study in India, Stay in India</strong> is an extension of the <strong>Study in India programme, a</strong> flagship project of the Government of India, launched in collaboration with the <strong>Ministry of Education, Ministry of External Affairs, Ministry of Home Affairs, and Ministry of Commerce and Industry in April 2018.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Study in india programme objectives:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>To improve the soft power of India with focus on the neighbouring countries and use it as a tool in diplomacy.</li>
<li>To boost the number of inbound International students in India.</li>
<li>To double India&rsquo;s market share of global education exports from less than 1 percent to 2 percent.</li>
<li>Increase in contribution of international students in the form of direct spends, indirect spends, spillover effects.</li>
<li>Improvement in overall quality of higher education.</li>
<li>Increase in global ranking of India as an educational destination.</li>
<li>To reduce the export &ndash; Import imbalance in the number of International students.</li>
<li>Growth of India&rsquo;s global market share of International students.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>India is<strong> cooperating and coordinating with the leading universities of the world.</strong> This has been incorporated in <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/national-education-policy-2020" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>National Education Policy (NEP) 2020</strong></a> by inviting top 100 World Universities to set up campuses in India.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Education In India</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Constitutional Provisions:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Part IV of Indian Constitution,<strong> Article 45 and Article 39 (f)</strong> of Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSP), has a provision for <strong>state-funded as well as equitable and accessible education.</strong></li>
<li>The<strong> 42<sup>nd</sup> Amendment</strong> to the Constitution in 1976 moved education from the State to <strong>the Concurrent List.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The education policies by the Central government provides a broad direction and state governments are expected to follow it. However, it is <strong>not mandatory,</strong> for instance Tamil Nadu does not follow the three-language formula prescribed by the first education policy in 1968.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The<strong> 86<sup>th</sup> Amendment in 2002</strong> made education an enforceable right under <strong>Article 21-A.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Related Laws:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/Implementation-of-Section-12-1c-of-the-RTE-Act-A-Progress-Report" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Right To Education (RTE) Act, 2009</strong> </a>aims to provide primary education to all children <strong>aged 6 to 14 years</strong> and enforces education as a Fundamental Right.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It also mandates <strong>25% reservation</strong> for disadvantaged sections of the society where disadvantaged groups</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Government Initiatives:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/samagra-shiksha" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan</strong></a>, <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/mid-day-meal" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Mid Day Meal Scheme</strong></a>, Navodaya Vidyalayas (NVS schools), Kendriya Vidyalayas (KV schools) and use of IT in education are a result of the NEP of 1986.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Programmes like <strong>Study in India</strong> and the <strong>New Education Policy</strong> aim to facilitate an <strong>inclusive, global and high quality education,</strong> which takes into consideration field experiences, empirical research, stakeholder feedback, as well as lessons learned from best practices.</li>
<li>If <strong>implemented in its true vision,</strong> they will bring India at par with the leading countries of the world and establish India as a <strong>global hub of education.</strong></li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1671714" 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/national-education-day'
		],
		(int) 9 => [
			'title' => 'The Big Picture: Natural Gas Economy',
			'catname' => 'Lok Sabha & Rajya Sabha Discussions',
			'desc' => '<p style="text-align: center;"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/M62cF5PhNbg" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p>
<h3>Why in News?</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Recently, the Government of India has allowed complete marketing freedom for natural gas produced from non-regulated fields. The Union Cabinet has approved a standard e-bidding procedure to discover the price of gas. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The policy aims to provide <strong>standard procedure for sale of natural gas</strong> in a transparent and competitive manner to discover market price by issuing guidelines for sale by contractor through e-bidding.</li>
<li>This will bring <strong>uniformity in the bidding process</strong> across the various contractual regimes and policies to avoid ambiguity and contribute towards ease of doing business.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Ease of Doing Business:</strong> The whole ecosystem of policies (production, infrastructure and marketing of natural gas) has been made more transparent with a focus on <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/ease-of-doing-business-2020" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Ease of Doing Business.</strong></a></li>
<li><strong>Encourage investments:</strong> Fulfilling the notion of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/atmanirbhar-bharat-and-economic-stimulus" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Atmanirbhar Bharat</strong></a>, these reforms encourage investments in the domestic production of natural gas and <strong>reduce import dependence.</strong></li>
<li>Though the producers will continue to be barred from participating in such auctions, the affiliates would still be allowed to bid.</li>
<li>The domestic gas production will have complete marketing and pricing freedom.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>However, the existing pricing mechanism for gas produced by state-owned Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) and Oil India Ltd from fields given to them on a nomination basis would continue.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The reforms will also help India in shifting towards a <strong>gas based economy.</strong></li>
<li>The increased gas production consumption will help in the<strong> improvement of the environment.</strong></li>
<li>More <strong>employment opportunities</strong> will be there in the gas consuming sectors including <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/micro-small-and-medium-enterprises-msme" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>MSMEs.</strong></a></li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Oil and Natural Gas Corporation</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) is a Maharatna Public Sector Undertaking (PSU) of the Government of India.</li>
<li>It was set up in 1995 and is under the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas.</li>
<li>It is the largest crude oil and natural gas company in India, contributing around 70% to Indian domestic production.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Natural Gas</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Natural gas is found with petroleum deposits and is released when crude oil is brought to the surface. It can be used as a domestic and industrial fuel.</li>
<li>In India, Jaisalmer, Krishna Godavari delta, Tripura and some areas offshore in Mumbai have natural gas resources.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Why Natural Gas?</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Excess usage of fossil fuels:</strong> The average global share of fossil fuels in the <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/energy-security" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>energy basket</strong></a> is 84% which is even more for India.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>According to the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/opec" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>International Energy Agency (IEA)</strong></a>, India is the world's third largest consumer of oil.</li>
<li>Dependence on coal and oil needs to be reduced and natural gas has to be replaced as much as possible.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Share of Natural Gas:</strong> While the world average share of natural gas in the energy basket is 23%, it is only 6% for India.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>However, the government of India has set the target to make it 15% by 2030.</li>
<li>Our consumption has been 1/3<sup>rd</sup> of world average. That would increase in future.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Associated Challenges</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>ONGC under APM:</strong> In India, 80% of natural gas produced by ONGC and Oil India Limited falls under<strong> Administered Price Mechanism (APM)</strong> which means the government controls its price.</li>
<li><strong>Reform related challenge:</strong> Currently, the reform impacts only 20% of gas production,while the nominated fields account for 80% India&rsquo;s gas production. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The policy does not include existing producers.</li>
<li>These fields will be out of the benefit zone of the new policy.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>The fertilizer Industry:</strong> The impediment is most of the gas coming from the nominated fields is going to fertilizers which is highly subsidised, hence the sector does not have its control over marketing and setting prices.</li>
<li><strong>Limited Reserves:</strong> Resources of natural gas are limited in India; 55% of natural gas is imported in the form of <strong>Liquified Natural Gas (LNG)</strong> (which is even costlier).<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>India&rsquo;s reserves for natural gas are <strong>located in deep or ultradeep water</strong> which requires specific technology and higher cost and extraction is difficult.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Varied Prices:</strong> In India, natural gas is sold at varied prices- the gas under administered price regime at $1.79 per mBtu and other domestic gas in the range of $4.5 to $5.5 per mBtu.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Note:</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The<strong> unit MBtu</strong> is a measure unit of energy, defined as one thousand the British thermal unit (symbol: Btu). The "M" stands for one thousand, distinguishing with the SI mega (M) prefix, which stands for one million.</li>
<li><strong>Liquefied natural gas (LNG)</strong> is natural gas that has been cooled to a liquid state (liquefied), at about -260&deg; Fahrenheit, for shipping and storage. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The volume of natural gas in its liquid state is about 600 times smaller than its volume in its gaseous state in a natural gas pipeline.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Realising the Opportunity:</strong> At present, when the prices are low for importing natural gas, India should take the advantage and enter into contracts with the countries rich in natural gas resources such as Iran, Turkmenistan and Myanmar to bring ga to India through pipelines.</li>
<li><strong>More Reforms:</strong> More aggressive and dynamic reforms is what is needed in the field. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>To go ahead, we need to reform our whole structure (subsidies) to improve the production.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Putting the producers and buyers in charge:</strong> Government should allow the producers and buyers more control of the price. ONGC shall undergo reforms in terms of its marketing and pricing freedom, E-bidding etc.</li>
<li><strong>Alternative:</strong> No doubt natural gas is a cleaner fuel but<strong> cannot be called a green fuel,</strong> that&rsquo;s why more inclination should be there towards electricity; more dependence on electricity should be there as compared to natural gas or any other fuel.</li>
<li><strong>Government as a facilitator:</strong> The government should act as a facilitator and improve quality and quantity of the resources available.</li>
<li><strong>Self reliance:</strong> Infrastructure and facilities should be provided within the country. The import dependence of 55% should be taken on a serious note and should be brought down.</li>
<li><strong>Subsidy in fertilizers:</strong> The government should take action accordingly so that fertiliser subsidy goes directly into farmers account and fertiliser industry doesn't get subsidised so that they too could have their freedom in marketing and pricing.</li>
<li><strong>Extend to the entire gas sector:</strong> The policy should be extended to the entire gas sector, the government should move away from administrative price mechanism (APM).</li>
</ul>
<h3>Conclusion</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>There is Immense potential as far as gas consumption in India is concerned. The need is to scale up in a big way as natural gas is a far more cleaner fuel than any of the fossil fuel.</li>
<li>Natural Gas is going to be a very important part of the country's economy, at least for the next 3 decades, therefore, a holistic approach is needed to find the best suited source of energy from an economic as well as environmental point of view.</li>
</ul>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/the-big-picture-natural-gas-economy'
		],
		(int) 10 => [
			'title' => 'Panna Biosphere Reserve',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/unesco-5" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization</strong></a> (UNESCO) has included the Panna Biosphere Reserve (PBR) in its <strong>World Network of Biosphere Reserves</strong> (WNBR).</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The PBR is the <strong>third in Madhya Pradesh</strong> to be included in the list after <strong>Pachmarhi and Amarkantak.</strong></li>
<li>Along with PBR, the <strong>Fuvahmulahand Addu Atoll in the Maldives</strong> has also been included in the WNBR.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>About:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Established in <strong>1981,</strong> PBR is located in the <strong>Panna and Chhatarpur districts of Madhya Pradesh</strong> with an area of around 540 km. sq.</li>
<li>It is situated in the <strong>Vindhya mountain range</strong> in the northern part of Madhya Pradesh.</li>
<li><strong>Ken River</strong> (one of the least polluted tributaries of the Yamuna River) flows through the reserve and the <a href="/to-the-points/paper1/ken-betwa-interlink-project" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Ken-Betwa river interlinking project</strong> </a>will also be located in it.</li>
<li>The region is also famous for<strong> Panna diamond mining.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Conservation and Recognition:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>1994:</strong> The <strong>Panna National Park</strong> got the status of <strong>Project Tiger Reserve</strong> as <strong>India&rsquo;s 22<sup>nd</sup> tiger reserve.</strong></li>
<li><strong>2011:</strong> It was <strong>notified as a Biosphere Reserve</strong> by the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC).</li>
<li><strong>2018:</strong> By 2018, it witnessed a <strong>remarkable turnaround in tiger population</strong> by increasing their numbers remarkably from zero estimated a decade ago.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Madhya Pradesh has the <strong>highest number of tigers</strong> in the country followed by <strong>Karnataka and Uttarakhand.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>2020:</strong> UNESCO included it in the <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/biosphere-reserves-in-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Man and Biosphere Programme</strong></a> (MAB).</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Biosphere Reserves</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><a href="/to-the-points/paper3/biosphere-reserves-in-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Biosphere Reserves</strong></a> (BRs) are representative parts of natural and cultural landscapes extending over large areas of terrestrial or coastal/marine ecosystems or a combination thereof and representative examples of biogeographic zones/provinces.</li>
<li>The idea of the biosphere reserve was initiated by <strong>UNESCO in 1974 under the MAB</strong> with the <strong>objective</strong> of obtaining international cooperation for the <strong>conservation of the biospheres.</strong></li>
<li>The<strong> first biosphere reserve of the world</strong> was established in <strong>1979</strong> and since then the network has increased to <strong>more than 600 in 119 countries</strong> across the world.</li>
<li>A scheme called <strong>Biosphere Reserve</strong> has been <strong>implemented by the Government of India since 1986.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Under it, financial assistance is given in a<strong> 90:10 ratio to the North Eastern Region States and three Himalayan states</strong> and in the ratio of <strong>60:40 to other states</strong> for maintenance, improvement and development.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The<strong> State Governments</strong> prepare the <strong>Management Action Plan</strong> which is approved and monitored by the Central MAB Committee.</li>
<li>India has a <strong>total of 18 Biosphere Reserves</strong> and with the inclusion of PBR, the number of <strong>internationally designated WNBR has become 12.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In <strong>2000,</strong> the <strong>Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve became the 1<sup>st</sup> BR from India</strong> to be included in the WNBR.</li>
<li>In<strong> 2018,</strong> the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/khangchendzonga-to-be-included-in-the-world-network-of-biosphere-reserves" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Khangchendzonga Biosphere Reserve became the 11<sup>th</sup> BR</strong></a> to be included in the list.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Man and Biosphere Programme</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Launched by the UNESCO in 1971,</strong> it is an<strong> intergovernmental scientific programme</strong> that <strong>aims</strong> to establish a scientific basis for the improvement of relationships between people and their environments.</li>
<li><strong>Every year UNESCO designates new Biosphere reserves and removes others</strong> to promote the <strong>conservation of biodiversity and resolve <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/man-animal-conflict-mac" target="_blank" rel="noopener">man-animal conflict</a></strong> at that site and enable sustainable use of natural resources.</li>
<li>MAB combines the natural and social sciences, economics and education to improve human livelihoods and the equitable sharing of benefits, and to safeguard natural and managed ecosystems, thus <strong>promoting innovative approaches to economic development that are socially and culturally appropriate, and environmentally sustainable.</strong></li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/unesco-declares-panna-tiger-reserve-a-biosphere-reserve/story-UeIXY6iH9nlAfvI0CRvlsM.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/panna-biosphere-reserve'
		],
		(int) 11 => [
			'title' => 'Startups In India',
			'catname' => 'News Editorials',
			'desc' => '<div class="border">
<p>This article is based on <a href="https://www.hindustantimes.com/analysis/india-is-in-the-middle-of-a-much-needed-start-up-revolution/story-iJtS8APZFZgcHwPhOzNNLJ.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>&ldquo;India is in the middle of a much-needed start-up revolution&rdquo;</strong> </a>which was published in The Hindustan Times on 10/11/2020. It talks about the issues and way forward related to the startup ecosystem in India.</p>
</div>
<p>In recent years, startups have been receiving increased attention in many parts of the world. In India, the number of startups has increased fast and more support has become available in all dimensions. It is due to vast <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/policy-reforms-for-startups" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>commercial potential for startups</strong></a>, India is often described as <strong>&ldquo;the</strong> <strong>poster child of emerging markets&rdquo;.</strong></p>
<p>Today Startups are being widely recognised as important engines for growth and jobs generation. Through innovation and scalable technology, startups can generate impactful solutions, and thereby act as vehicles for socio-economic development and transformation.</p>
<p>However, still there are many challenges that act as a hindrance in realising the true potential of startups in India.</p>
<h3>Opportunities Available</h3>
<p>India now has 38,756 officially-recognised start-ups &ndash; with 27 <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/policy-reforms-for-startups" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>unicorns</strong></a>, eight of which achieved this status in 2020 &ndash; and is the third-largest tech start-up hub globally. Apart from it, India&rsquo;s economy, demography and government&rsquo;s active support provides a wide scope for establishing a thriving startup environment.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Growing Indian Economy:</strong> Just before sudden disruption by <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/comprehensive-action-plan-for-covid-19" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Covid-19 pandemic</strong></a>, the Indian economy continued to grow and purchasing power was increasing steadily.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>As economic recovery is expected in the short-term, the rising consumption will be driven by the growth of upper-middle income and high-income segments of the population.</li>
<li>Thus, the size of indian market provides ample opportunity for startups to grow.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Favourable Demography:</strong> The demographics of the Indian population is another advantage. Half of the country&rsquo;s population are below the age of 25 years.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The nearly 700 million people born through the late 1980s to the 2000s carry material ambitions and have the ability to spend.</li>
<li>This makes them a huge section of population that has the ability to absorb the innovative goods and services provided by startups.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Active Government Support:</strong> Government of India launched the flagship initiative, <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/the-start-up-india-fund" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>&ldquo;Startup India&rdquo;</strong></a> in 2016. The program envisages to build a strong ecosystem that is conducive for the growth of startup businesses and kickstarted an entrepreneurship revolution.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Further, the overhaul of the digital payments ecosystem is being led by State innovation (NPCI), with Aadhaar, Jan Dhan, UPI, and India Stack.</li>
<li>As India improved its digital connectivity, market access barriers have been brought down and created a favourable ecosystem for startups.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>High Scope in Rural Areas:</strong> As the majority of India&rsquo;s population still resides in rural areas, many startups have focused towards providing ease of living in rural areas. For example:
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>FIA Global - with a network of 26,000 banking agents - is using Artificial Intelligence (AI) to deliver financial products and services such as remittance services and access to credit in rural areas, and has reached over 34 million customers.</li>
<li>MFine provides an AI-powered health care platform for people to consult over 3,500 doctors.</li>
<li>PharmEasy connects local pharmacy stores and diagnostic centres to verify prescriptions and deliver over 100,000 medicines.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1605011882_image2.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1605011882_image2.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" caption="false" width="503" height="437" /></a></p>
<h3>Associated Challenges</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Issues Emanating From Regional Imbalance:</strong> India is a highly diverse country with a plethora of cultures, languages, ethnicities and religions.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Due to this, the startups&rsquo; understanding of them is often limited to certain regions. In that sense, comparative advantages are linked to specific regions.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Digital Divide:</strong> As nearly 70% of the Indian population lives in rural areas, the customers of the mass market tend to come from low-income backgrounds in villages.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>This often discourages many startups to come up with a pan-India approach.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Issues of Funding:</strong> For running a startup, a significant amount of working capital is required. Many startups, especially at early stages, are bootstrapped, i.e. self-funded through the founders&rsquo; own savings, or using capital from friends and family.</li>
<li><strong>Hiring Challenge:</strong> For many job-seekers, joining a startup as an employee is not an attractive career option, due to the inherent risk that the startup might fail.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In addition to this, many job applicants are not sufficiently skilled. Startups see a gap between the knowledge taught to students in colleges and the knowledge needed for the jobs, especially in sectors in which technologies change at a fast pace.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Complex Regulatory Environment:</strong> The government of India has introduced policies that aim to ease the business environment for startups. However, the present regulatory framework in which startups operate is widely seen as difficult, inefficient and unpredictable.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>For example, the government has imposed &ldquo;Angel Tax&rdquo;, which was introduced in 2012 with the aim to thwart money laundering, but it also discourages investment in startups.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Integration with School Curriculum:</strong> The <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/national-education-policy-2020" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>National Education Policy, 2020</strong></a> envisages to promote student entrepreneurs by offering vocational education in partnership with industries and introducing coding for schoolchildren.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>This can have a favourable impact on the startup ecosystem in India, if entrepreneurial skills are integrated with the education curriculum under new education policy.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Bridging Digital Divide:</strong> There is a need to fill infrastructure gaps esp in rural areas, promote digital literacy and help people become more knowledgeable about the digital world. In this regard, the government initiative of <a href="/search/Pradhan%20Mantri%20Gramin%20Digital%20Saksharta%20Abhiyan" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Digital Saksharta Abhiyaan</strong></a> is a step in the right direction.</li>
<li><strong>Promoting Agri-Startups:</strong> As still the majority of Indian workforce is employed in agriculture, there is a need to clear roadblocks and promote <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/agritech-startups" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>agri-startups.</strong></a>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The new farm acts give greater choice to farmers and incentivise start-ups to transform the agriculture value chain in storage, finance, transport, aggregation, and marketing.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Startups in High-end Technology:</strong> The recently-released Draft Space Policy states that &ldquo;Indian entities can undertake design, development and realization of satellites and associated communication systems.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>They can establish satellite systems through their own built satellite or procured satellite.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Conclusion</h3>
<p>In present times startups in India are witnessing a golden chapter in the history of Indian entrepreneurship. However, still the indian government has a crucial role to play in positioning India as the Tech Garage of the World. It should act as a catalyst, and bring together the synergies of the private sector with the aim of innovating for India and the world.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1605012004_image1.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1605012004_image1.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="700" 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: #fffbf7;">
<p><span style="color: #000080;"><em><strong>Drishti Mains Question</strong></em></span></p>
<p>Startups are recognised as important engines for growth and jobs generation. Discuss various challenges that act as a hindrance in realising the true potential of startups in India.</p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p style="text-align: center;"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Vlfe2oP4zj4" 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/india-and-biden-the-hindu-editorial-on-india-us-ties-after-donald-trump/article33053717.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>&ldquo;India and Biden: On post-Trump ties&rdquo;</strong></a> which was published in The Hindu on November 09<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/startups-in-india-1'
		],
		(int) 12 => [
			'title' => 'Chabahar Project',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, <strong>Iran&rsquo;s Port and Maritime Organisation</strong> (PMO) has <strong>conveyed to India a request</strong> for locomotives and signalling equipment for the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/india-dropped-from-chabahar-rail-project" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Chabahar-Zahedan railway line.</strong></a></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Iran has been facing <strong>difficulty in procuring</strong> them directly due to the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/us-reimposes-sanctions-on-iran" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>sanctions imposed by the USA.</strong></a></li>
<li>Iran has also asked India to activate the<strong> USD 150 million credit</strong> line which was offered to it by India during the Iranian President's visit in 2018.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Chabahar Port</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It is located on the <strong>Gulf of Oman</strong> and is only <strong>72 km away from the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/viability-of-bri-and-cpec" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Gwadar port</a></strong> in <strong>Pakistan</strong> which has been developed by China.</li>
<li>The port serves as the<strong> only oceanic port of Iran</strong> and consists of<strong> two separate ports named Shahid Beheshti and Shahid Kalantari.]</strong></li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1605009729_image4.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1605009729_image4.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" caption="false" /></strong></a></p>
</div>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Background:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In <strong>May 2016,</strong> India, Iran and Afghanistan signed the <strong>trilateral agreement</strong> which entailed the establishment of<strong> Transit and Transport Corridor</strong> among them using Chabahar port in Iran as one of the regional hubs for sea transportation.</li>
<li>Construction of a <strong>rail line from Chabahar port to Zahedan,</strong> along the border with Afghanistan as an <strong>alternate trade route to Afghanistan and Central Asia,</strong> was also a part of it.</li>
<li>The state-owned <strong>Indian Railways Construction Ltd.</strong> (IRCON) <strong>signed a Memorandum of Understanding</strong> (MoU) <strong>with the Iranian Rail Ministry</strong> to provide all services, superstructure work and financing (around USD 1.6 billion).</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Reasons for Excluding India:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Iran&rsquo;s Stand:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>In <strong>July 2020,</strong> Iran decided to proceed with the rail line construction on its own, citing <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/india-not-making-promised-investments-in-chabahar-port-iran" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>delays from the Indian side</strong> </a><strong>in beginning and funding</strong> the project.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>India&rsquo;s Stand:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>IRCON completed the site inspection and feasibility report, and had been<strong> waiting for the Iranian side to appoint a nodal authority.</strong></li>
<li>Although the project has<strong> secured a special waiver from the USA,</strong> India is <strong>hesitant to deal with the construction company</strong> which has links with the <strong>Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps</strong> (IRGC) and is under the sanctions.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The IRGC is a<strong> hard-line force which operates its own military infrastructure</strong> in parallel to Iran&rsquo;s regular armed forces. In<strong> April 2020</strong>, it launched <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/noor-iran-s-first-military-satellite" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Iran&rsquo;s first military satellite Noor.</strong></a></li>
<li>Fear of sanctions by the USA has also impacted Indian interest in the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/india-iran" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Farzad-B gas field project</strong> </a>of Iran.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Significance of Chabahar Port for India:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Trade:</strong> It is being considered a <strong>gateway to golden opportunities</strong> for trade by the three countries with other <strong>Central Asian countries</strong> in the wake of Pakistan denying transit access to India.</li>
<li><strong>Security:</strong> China is aggressively pursuing its own <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/belt-and-road-initiative-perspectives-from-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Belt and Road Initiative</strong></a> (BRI) under the <strong>One Belt One Road</strong> (OBOR) project. The port can also act as a counter to Pakistan&rsquo;s <strong>Gwadar Port,</strong> which is being developed with Chinese investment.</li>
<li><strong>Connectivity:</strong> In future, the Chabahar project and the <a href="/search/International%20North%20South%20Transport%20Corridor" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>International North South Transport Corridor</strong> </a>(INSTC) will complement each other by optimising Indian connectivity with Russia and Eurasia.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Evolving Scenarios:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>With the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/impact-of-us-election-results-on-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>results of the USA elections,</strong></a> both <strong>India and Iran look for the possibile ease of sanctions</strong> allowing for increased engagements.</li>
<li>India is also keeping an <strong>eye on the negotiations on a 25-year strategic cooperation agreement between China and Iran</strong> (worth USD 400 billion) which could fund other parts of the Chabahar development, including a <strong>free trade zone</strong> along the Makran coast, and <strong>oil infrastructure projects,</strong> impinging on India's strategic ties with Iran.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Farzad-B Gas Field</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It is located in <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/persian-gulf-region" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Persian Gulf</strong> </a>(Iran) and the contract for exploration of the field was signed in <strong>2002</strong> by Indian consortium comprising <strong>Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Limited (ONGC) Videsh, Indian Oil Corporation</strong> and <strong>Oil India.</strong></li>
<li>The contract <strong>expired in 2009</strong> after declaration of commerciality of the field, based on the gas discovery. Since then, the consortium has been <strong>trying to secure the contract</strong> for development of the field.</li>
<li>The <strong>major dispute</strong> between India and Iran was <strong>over setting up of two pipelines,</strong> and also over<strong> money to be quoted</strong> on the development plan.</li>
<li>Around 75% of the deal was finalised by <strong>May 2018,</strong> when the <strong>USA unilaterally withdrew from the nuclear deal and announced sanctions</strong> on Iran.</li>
<li>In <strong>January 2020,</strong> Iran clarified that it would develop the field on its own and would like to<strong> involve India appropriately at a later stage.</strong></li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1605010121_image3.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1605010121_image3.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" caption="false" width="360" height="260" /></strong></a></p>
</div>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>In a world where<strong> connectivity</strong> is seen as the <strong>new currency,</strong> India&rsquo;s loss on account of these projects can become gain for some other country, <strong>especially China.</strong> Thus, India needs to play a <strong>balancing act</strong> between the USA and Iran and proactively protect its interest in the region.</li>
<li>As an emerging power, India <strong>cannot remain confined to South Asia</strong> and a <strong>peaceful extended neighbourhood</strong> (Iran-Afghanistan) is <strong>not only good for trade and energy security</strong> but also plays a <strong>vital role in India's aspirations of becoming a superpower.</strong></li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/months-after-starting-chabahar-rail-project-without-india-iran-requests-help-with-equipment/article33048813.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/chabahar-project'
		],
		(int) 13 => [
			'title' => 'CCI to Probe Google',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>The <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-national-institutions/competition-commission-of-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Competition Commission of India (CCI)</strong></a> has initiated a probe into alleged abuse of dominant position by the company to promote its <strong>payments app, Google Pay.</strong></p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>CCI highlighted<strong> two main anti market practices</strong> by google to unfairly <strong>push Google Pay</strong> it&rsquo;s payment app:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Mandatory Use:</strong> Google&rsquo;s policy of <strong>mandatory use</strong> of <strong>Google Play&rsquo;s payment system</strong> for purchasing the apps and IAPs (in-app purchases) in the Play Store.</li>
<li><strong>Exclusionary Practices:</strong> It <strong>excluded</strong> other mobile<strong> wallets/<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/upi-20-launched-by-npci" target="_blank" rel="noopener">UPI (Unified Payments Interface)</a></strong> apps as one of the effective payment options in Google Play&rsquo;s payment system.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The CCI also criticised Google&rsquo;s policy to charge <strong>30% commission for all app and in-app purchases.&nbsp;</strong>Since Google&rsquo;s Play store cornered about 90% of all downloads, a <strong>significant volume of payments being processed</strong> in the market would thus be <strong>controlled</strong> by it.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>If the application developers raise their subscription fees <strong>to offset the costs</strong> of google&rsquo;s commission or remove/reduce premium/paid subscription offers for users,<strong> it may affect user experience, cost and choice.</strong> Such conditions imposed by the app stores<strong> limit the ability of the app developers</strong> to offer payment processing solutions of their choice to the users.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>CCI also highlighted reports of Google abusing its <strong>dominant position in the Android-television market by creating barriers for companies</strong> which wanted to use or modify its Android operating systems for their smart televisions.</li>
<li>The probe against Google Pay comes days after the<strong> National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI)</strong> allowed rival <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/whatsapp-upi-and-npci-regulations" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Facebook-owned WhatsApp to go live on the UPI</strong></a> in the multi-bank model.</li>
<li>This is Google&rsquo;s<strong> third major antitrust challenge</strong> in India:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In 2018, the CCI fined Google $21 million for<strong> &lsquo;search bias&rsquo;:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It was alleged that Google was indulging in abuse of a dominant position in the market for online search through practices leading to search bias and search manipulation, among others.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>In 2019, the CCI started probing Google for allegedly misusing its <strong>dominant position to reduce the ability of smartphone manufacturers</strong> to opt for alternate versions of its Android mobile operating system.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Other countries where Google facing antitrust probe:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Regulatory scrutiny in the European Union for anti-competitive behaviour.</li>
<li>The <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/antitrust-case-against-google-usa" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>United States Department of Justice (DoJ) also sued Google</strong></a> alleging the company had abused its dominant position in a way that had harmed its competitors as well as customers.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>The Competition Act, 2002</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It was passed in 2002 and was amended by the <strong>Competition (Amendment) Act,</strong> 2007. It follows the philosophy of modern competition laws.</li>
<li>The <strong>Monopolies and Restrictive Trade Practices Act, 1969 (MRTP Act)</strong> was repealed and<strong> replaced by the Competition Act, 2002,</strong> on the recommendations of <strong>Raghavan committee.</strong></li>
<li>The Act <strong>prohibits</strong> anti-competitive agreements, abuse of dominant position by enterprises and regulates combinations, which causes or likely to cause an appreciable adverse effect on competition within India.</li>
<li>In accordance with the provisions of the Amendment Act, the<strong> Competition Commission of India</strong> and the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/national-company-law-appellate-tribunal-nclat-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Competition Appellate Tribunal (COMPAT)</strong></a> were established.</li>
<li>The government replaced COMPAT with the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/national-company-law-appellate-tribunal-nclat-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT) in 2017.</strong></a></li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Competition Commission of India</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It is a statutory body responsible for enforcing the objectives of the <strong>Competition Act, 2002.</strong></li>
<li>Composition: A <strong>Chairperson and 6 Members</strong> appointed by the Central Government.</li>
<li><strong>Objectives:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>To eliminate practices having adverse effects on competition.</li>
<li>Promote and sustain competition.</li>
<li>Protect the interests of consumers.</li>
<li>Ensure freedom of trade in the markets of India.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The Commission is also required <strong>to give an opinion on competition issues</strong> on a reference received from a statutory authority established under any law and to undertake competition advocacy, create public awareness and impart training on competition issues.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/india/google-to-be-probed-for-alleged-abuse-of-dominance-7034715/lite/" 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/cci-to-probe-google'
		],
		(int) 14 => [
			'title' => 'Earthquake Concentrations in Dharchula Region',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, scientists at <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/tectonically-active-zone-of-himalayas" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology</strong></a> (WIHG) have unearthed large concentrations of micro and moderate magnitude <a href="/to-the-points/paper1/earthquake-4" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>earthquakes</strong> </a>in the Dharchula region and adjoining areas of Kumaon Himalaya.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>WIHG is an autonomous institute under the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/50th-foundation-day-of-dst" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Department of Science and Technology</strong> </a>(DST), Government of India.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Location:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The major concentration is in an area <strong>around 45 km from the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/new-road-to-kailash-mansarovar" target="_blank" rel="noopener">new Kailash Mansarovar road</a></strong>, connecting <strong>Dharchula in Uttarakhand to Lipu Lekh on the China border.</strong></li>
<li>The region is known as the<strong> Central Seismic Gap</strong> (CSG)<strong> region,</strong> despite the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/re-measuring-mount-everest#:~:text=China%20and%20Nepal%20are%20soon,and%20announce%20the%20findings%20together." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Himalayas</strong> </a>being one of the most tectonically and seismically active regions in the country.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>A gap is a term used to<strong> denote an area with little tectonic activity.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Methodology:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Scientists started investigating and mapping the region precisely to find out the <strong>reason behind the occurrence of crowded</strong> (closely located and frequently felt) <strong>earthquakes.</strong></li>
<li>They <strong>established a seismological network of 15 broadband seismological stations</strong> along the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/kalapani-territory" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Kali River</strong></a> valley to investigate the subsurface configuration in the Kumaon Himalaya region with support from the Ministry of Earth Sciences.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Findings:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>These large concentrations of earthquakes are <strong>&ldquo;release of stress&rsquo;&rsquo;</strong> building up in the region and the geological structure behind it.</li>
<li>The Dharchula region <strong>falls between two knee-like structures, </strong>which<strong> traps the stress in this region.</strong></li>
<li>This is the reason why there have been crowded earthquakes here within a span of years and numerous smaller earthquakes have occurred here and the stress keeps building up.</li>
<li>For the stress to be finally released, there is a<strong> likelihood of a high magnitude earthquake in the region.</strong> However it is not possible to predict the scale or the exact time that an earthquake will occur.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Earthquake</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>An earthquake in simple words is the<strong> shaking of the earth.</strong> It is a <strong>natural event which is caused due to release of energy,</strong> which generates <strong>seismic waves</strong> that travel in all directions.</li>
<li>The location below the earth&rsquo;s surface where the earthquake starts is called the <strong>hypocenter,</strong> and the location directly above it on the surface of the earth is called the <strong>epicenter.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Types of Earthquakes:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Based on <strong>reasons behind their origins:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Fault Zones Earthquake.</li>
<li>Tectonic Earthquake.</li>
<li>Volcanic Earthquake.</li>
<li>Human Induced Earthquakes.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Based on the <strong>depth of focus:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Shallow Earthquakes (0-70 km deep)</li>
<li>Intermediate Earthquakes (70-300 deep)</li>
<li>Deep Earthquakes (300-700 km deep).</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Measurement of Earthquakes:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Seismometers</strong> detects seismic waves below the instrument and records them as a series of zig-zags.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Scientists can determine the time, location and intensity of an earthquake from the information recorded by a seismometer. This record also provides information about the rocks the seismic waves traveled through.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The earthquake events are<strong> scaled either according to the magnitude or intensity of the shock.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The <strong>magnitude scale is known as the Richter scale.</strong> The magnitude relates to the energy released during the quake. The magnitude is <strong>expressed in absolute numbers, 0-10.</strong></li>
<li>The <strong>intensity scale is named after Mercalli,</strong> an Italian seismologist. The intensity scale takes into account the visible damage caused by the event. The <strong>range of intensity scale is from 1-12.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Earthquakes in India</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>India is<strong> one of the highly earthquake affected countries</strong> because of the presence of <strong>tectonically active young fold mountains, Himalayas.</strong></li>
<li>India has been divided into<strong> four seismic zones (II, III, IV, and V)</strong> based on scientific inputs relating to seismicity, earthquakes occurred in the past and tectonic setup of the region.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1604996922_image2.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1604996922_image2.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="650" caption="false" /></a></p>
</div>
<p><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/india/stress-build-up-in-dharchula-region-scientists-warn-of-major-earthquake-7036837/" 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/earthquake-concentrations-in-dharchula-region'
		],
		(int) 15 => [
			'title' => 'Biodiversity Governance',
			'catname' => 'News Editorials',
			'desc' => '<div class="border">
<p>This article is based on <a href="https://www.downtoearth.org.in/blog/wildlife-and-biodiversity/biodiversity-governance-the-agreements-and-laws-that-help-enforce-it-72094" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>&ldquo;Biodiversity governance&rdquo;</strong></a> which was published in The Down to Earth on 06/11/2020. It talks about the issues related to biodiversity governance in India.</p>
</div>
<p>Extensive biodiversity loss in the past decades has spared neither developed nor developing countries. This rapidly accelerating biodiversity loss led to a series of negotiations and agreements among countries like the <a href="/summary-of-important-reports/6th-national-report-to-cbd" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Convention of Biological Diversity (CBD).</strong></a></p>
<p>The CBD, in its spirit, laid the foundation for environmental ethics taking priority over mindless exploitation and recognised the right of states to their genetic resources and the rights of communities to their traditional knowledge.</p>
<p>With these guidelines in mind, most countries that signed the CBD Nagoya in Japan in 2010 and adopted the <a href="/current-affairs-news-analysis-editorials/news-analysis/31-12-2018" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Nagoya Protocol</strong></a> that aimed to give effect to the fair and equitable sharing provisions of the CBD.</p>
<p>However, even after a decade, most of the world&rsquo;s biotechnology-based patents are owned by developed countries, with the resources to make them sourced from <a href="/current-affairs-news-analysis-editorials/news-analysis/26-11-2018#:~:text=Biodiversity%20Hotspots%20of%20India,%2C%20Bhutan%2C%20China%20and%20Myanmar)" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>mega-biodiverse countries</strong></a> like India. Thus, there is a need for a biodiversity governance system that can ensure fair and equitable sharing of genetic resources.</p>
<h3>Biodiversity Governance in India</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Nagoya Protocol sought to ensure commercial and research utilisation of genetic resources led to sharing its benefits with the government and the community that conserved such resources.</li>
<li>India&rsquo;s <a href="/current-affairs-news-analysis-editorials/news-analysis/31-12-2018" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Biological Diversity Act 2002</strong></a> (BD Act), is in close synergy with the Nagoya Protocol.</li>
<li>The BD Act was hailed as an important step towards preserving India&rsquo;s vast biodiversity, as it recognised the sovereign right of countries over its natural resources.</li>
<li>Under the BD Act, an important regulatory mechanism was the emphasis on<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/sixth-national-report-to-the-convention-of-biological-diversity" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> access and benefit sharing</strong> </a>(ABS) to local populations.</li>
<li>The BD Act seeks to address issues of managing bio-resources in the most decentralised manner possible.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The BD Act envisages three layered structures: the National Biodiversity Authority (NBA) at the national level, the state biodiversity boards (SSBs) at the state level and biodiversity management committees (BMCs) at the local level.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>It assumes significance because it imposes prohibitions on the transfer of genetic material originating from India without specific approval from competent authorities.</li>
<li>The act also strengthens the country&rsquo;s stand with respect to anyone claiming an intellectual property right over biodiversity-related knowledge.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Associated Issues</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Exclusion of Agriculture &amp; Conventional Practices:</strong> The Nagoya Protocol noted that each party shall consider the importance of genetic resources for food and agriculture and their special role for food security.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Thus, traditional agriculture and conventional practices are exempted from the purview of benefit-sharing.</li>
<li>Due to this, India has been a victim of misappropriation or bio-piracy of its genetic resources and associated traditional knowledge. Well-known examples of this include neem and turmeric.</li>
<li>Further, the challenge would be to protect the intellectual property rights of the traditional farmer who is under constant threat from external agencies.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Erosion Traditional Breeding Systems:</strong> As industrialisation advanced, so did commercial agriculture and the need for more efficient breeds increased. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>This led to a gradual reduction of traditional breeding systems and a consequent loss of agro biodiversity.</li>
<li>Further, there was a steady loss of traditional knowledge associated with ancient breeding systems.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>No Adequate Protection for Animal Genetic Resources:</strong> Access to crop genetic resources is not covered under the purview of Nagoya Protocol, it is protected under the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>However, for animal genetic resources, an equivalent instrument is absent.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>No Recognition of Traditional Knowledge:</strong> The main hindrance to protection of local biodiversity is the absence of recognition of traditional knowledge and a lack of legal protection against usurping the knowledge of indigenous communities.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Promoting Agricultural Societies:</strong> Traditionally, most agricultural societies in India integrated preservation of crop species into the social and religious milieu.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>This has helped preserve hundreds of species that would have been lost otherwise with the rise of commercial agriculture.</li>
<li>Thus, there is a need for promotion and preservation of such agricultural societies.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Integration of International Treaties:</strong> ABS implementation of Nagoya Protocol cannot work in isolation and thus must be commensurate with other international treaties. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Therefore, integration between ABS and the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (ITPGRFA) need to consider the legislative, administrative and policy measures that cross each other&rsquo;s path.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Note:</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>ITPGRFA, popularly known as the International Seed Treaty, is a comprehensive international agreement in harmony with CBD.</li>
<li>It aims at guaranteeing food security through the conservation, exchange and sustainable use of the world&rsquo;s plant genetic resources for food and agriculture (PGRFA), as well as the fair and equitable benefit sharing arising from its use.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>People&rsquo;s Biodiversity Register (PBR):</strong> PBR should aim to document folk knowledge of status, uses, history, ongoing changes and forces driving changes in biodiversity resources, and people&rsquo;s perceptions of how these resources should be managed.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>PBRs can be useful to preserve the rights of farmers or communities over the traditional knowledge they may hold over a particular variety.</li>
<li>Additionally, PBRs provide geographical identity to the bioresources and can be useful in providing a tool for clarification when disputes over biopiracy and intellectual property rights arise.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Engaging Industries:</strong> The integration of legislations such as <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/corporate-social-responsibility-csr-expenditure" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>corporate social responsibility</strong></a> with ABS can be beneficial to industries who wish to closely share benefits accrued from use of biological resources.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Conclusion</h3>
<p>India is a key mega-biodiversity country and possesses a repository of genetic resources related to flora and fauna. It is, therefore, essential to re-evaluate the integration of resource availability with mankind&rsquo;s development needs.</p>
<p>Apart from it, biodiversity governance should ensure that any utilisation of knowledge of bio-resources has a direct benefit to the communities that have been custodian of this traditional knowledge.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1604924782_image%200.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1604924782_image 0.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="800" 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: #fefff0;">
<p><span style="color: #000080;"><em><strong>Drishti Mains Question</strong></em></span></p>
<p>Biodiversity governance should ensure that any utilisation of knowledge of bio-resources has a direct benefit to the local communities. Comment.</p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/biodiversity-governance'
		],
		(int) 16 => [
			'title' => 'Petition for Declaring ESA Unconstitutional',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, a Kerala-based NGO for farmers has moved the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-national-institutions/supreme-court-of-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Supreme Court</strong> </a>(SC) to declare the draft notification on the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/ecologically-sensitive-areas-in-western-ghats" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Western Ghats Ecologically Sensitive Area</strong> </a>(ESA) unconstitutional.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It has sought a direction to the government to <strong>not implement the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/green-tribunal-steps-in-to-conserve-ghats" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Madhav Gadgil and Kasturirangan committees&rsquo; reports</a></strong> on the conservation of the Western Ghats.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Background:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The <strong>Western Ghats Ecology Expert Panel</strong> (WGEEP), also known as<strong> Gadgil Committee,</strong> and the <strong>Kasturirangan Committee, a High-Level Working Group,</strong> were constituted to<strong> conserve and protect the biodiversity of Western Ghats</strong> while allowing for sustainable and inclusive development of the region.</li>
<li>They recommended that <strong>identified geographical areas falling in the six States of Kerala, Karnataka, Goa, Maharashtra, Gujarat and Tamil Nadu</strong> should be declared as ESA.</li>
<li>A <strong>draft notification related to the same was issued in 2018</strong> mentioning the areas to be notified in the ESA.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Issues Highlighted by the Petition:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The draft notification would declare 123 agricultural villages in Kerala as ESA <strong>converting the semi-urban villages in the region into forests with no facilities and roads.</strong> It will <strong>affect 22 lakh people</strong> and <strong>cripple the economy</strong> of Kerala.</li>
<li>The Centre had <strong>wrongly branded people</strong> who had been residing in the Western Ghats area,<strong> as the &ldquo;destroyers of the biodiversity and agents of ecological damage.&rdquo;</strong></li>
<li>Apart from that, it suggested that <strong>ESA in Kerala should be restricted to <a href="/to-the-points/Paper2/indian-forest-act-1927" target="_blank" rel="noopener">reserved forests</a> and <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/extension-of-krishna-wildlife-sanctuary" target="_blank" rel="noopener">protected areas.</a></strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Gadgil Committee:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It recommended that<strong> all of the Western Ghats should be declared as the ESA</strong> with only limited development allowed in graded zones.</li>
<li>It classified the Western Ghats into <strong>ESA 1, 2 and 3</strong> of which <strong>ESA-1 is a high priority zone</strong> where almost all of the <strong>developmental activities</strong> (mining, thermal power plants, etc) should be<strong> restricted.</strong></li>
<li>It also recommended the <strong>constitution of Western Ghats Ecology Authority</strong> (WGEA), as a statutory authority under the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change (MoEFCC) with the powers under <strong>Section 3 of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.</strong></li>
<li>It was <strong>criticised for being more environment-friendly</strong> and<strong> not in tune with the ground realities.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Kasturirangan Committee:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It sought to <strong>balance the development and environment protection</strong> in contrast to the system proposed by the Gadgil report.</li>
<li>The committee&rsquo;s <strong>major recommendations were:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Instead of the total area of Western Ghats, <strong>only 37% of the total area to be brought under ESA.</strong></li>
<li>A complete <strong>ban on mining, quarrying and sand mining</strong> in ESA.</li>
<li><strong>No thermal power projects</strong> to be allowed and <strong>hydropower projects to be allowed only after detailed study.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Red industries</strong> (highly polluting industries) to be strictly <strong>banned.</strong></li>
<li>Exclusion of inhabited regions and plantations from the purview of ESAs making it a <strong>pro-farmer approach.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Ecologically Sensitive Areas</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><a href="/to-the-points/paper3/eco-sensitive-zones" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Eco-Sensitive Zones or Ecologically Fragile Areas</strong></a> are located <strong>within 10 km of Protected Areas, National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries.</strong></li>
<li>ESAs are <strong>notified by the MoEFCC under Environment (Protection) Act 1986.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Aim:</strong> To regulate certain activities around National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries so as to minimise the negative impacts on the fragile ecosystem encompassing the protected areas.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The matter pertains to the debate of &lsquo;Development versus Conservation&rsquo;, which highlights that destruction in the name of development should not be encouraged and sustainable development should be given priority.</li>
<li>A proper analysis based on scientific study followed by consensus among various stakeholders by addressing respective concerns is required to solve the differences in a timely manner.</li>
<li>Delays in implementation will only accentuate degrading of the prized natural resources of the country hence, with a holistic view of threats and demands on the forest land, products and services, devising strategies must be developed to address them.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/plea-in-sc-against-centres-notification-demarcating-56825-sqkm-in-6-states-as-western-ghats-esa/article33052304.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/petition-for-declaring-esa-unconstitutional'
		],
		(int) 17 => [
			'title' => 'Dobra Chanti bridge',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the Uttarakhand Chief Minister has inaugurated <strong>Dobra-Chanthi suspension bridge</strong> in<strong> Tehri-Garhwal</strong> district.</p>
<h3>Key points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The <strong>440-metre</strong> long Dobra Chanti bridge is India's<strong> longest motorable single lane suspension bridge.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Built over Tehri Lake,</strong> it will cut<strong> travel time</strong> between <strong>Tehri and Pratapnagar districts from 5 5 to 1.5 hours.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Benefits of the bridge</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Better connectivity within the region.</li>
<li>Boost tourism potential.</li>
<li>Gateway to development in the region.</li>
<li>Local employment promotion.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Tehri dam</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Tehri Dam is the <strong>highest dam in India</strong> and fourth highest dam in the world.</li>
<li>It is around 260.5 metre high and 592 metre long. It is part of the Tehri Dam &amp; Hydro Power Project (the multi-purpose river valley project) taken up for construction on <strong>River Bhagirathi</strong> to tap its vast potential for<strong> irrigation and hydro-electric purposes.</strong></li>
<li>It is located in the Tehri district of Uttarakhand.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>River Bhagirathi</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The river stream originates in the Garhwal Himalaya. The river after reaching <strong>Devprayag</strong> meets another head stream, the<strong> Alaknanda,</strong> forming river Ganga.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://www.business-standard.com/article/news-ani/uttarakhand-dobra-chanti-bridge-to-open-for-public-use-by-march-2020-119091001093_1.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: BS</strong></a></p>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/dobra-chanti-bridge'
		],
		(int) 18 => [
			'title' => 'Warli Art',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Artists in Hyderabad are using traditional<strong> Warli art (Maharashtra)</strong> form not just to beautify Hyderabad, but also to create awareness on important issues.</p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<h3><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1604915664_image1.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1604915664_image1.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="450" caption="false" /></a></h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Warli is a traditional art form of <strong>Maharashtra.</strong></li>
<li>Its roots can be traced to as early as<strong> the 10<sup>th</sup> century A.D.</strong></li>
<li>These paintings are distinctive with their vivid contrast expressions.</li>
<li>These paintings are mainly <strong>dominated by basic geometric shapes like circles, triangles and squares.</strong></li>
<li>These geometric shapes stand as a symbol of natural elements in our environment.</li>
<li>For example, the <strong>circles represent the sun and moon, the triangles represent the mountains</strong> and the squares are considered as the central motifs of the painting.</li>
<li><strong>People and animals are represented by two inverted triangles</strong> joined together, where the upper triangle is the torso and the lower triangle is the pelvis.</li>
<li>The central theme of the paintings are scenes portraying huntin, fishing, farming, festival and dances, trees and animals are used to surround the central theme.</li>
<li>Warli art form is being used by many artists to beautify cities and spread awareness through wall paintings.</li>
<li>It is also being used to beautify bags, bed sheets and many other items.</li>
<li>Warli is the vivid expression of daily and social events of the <strong>Warli tribe of Maharashtra,</strong> used by them to embellish the walls of village houses.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Warli Tribe</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>They are an indigenous tribe or Adivasis, living in the Mountainous as well as coastal areas of Maharashtra-Gujarat border and surrounding areas.</li>
<li>They speak an unwritten<strong> Varli language</strong> which belongs to the southern zone of <strong>the Indo-Aryan languages.</strong></li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/art/the-figures-of-the-warli-art-form-is-finding-its-way-on-to-hyderabads-walls-and-bags-and-bedsheets-too/article31058499.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source:TH</strong></a></p>',
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		(int) 19 => [
			'title' => 'Impact of US Election Results on India',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p><strong>Joseph Robinette Biden Jr. has defeated Donald Trump</strong> to become the<strong> 46<sup>th</sup> US President.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Biden&rsquo;s <strong>running mate Kamala Devi Harris</strong> has become the first woman and first Indian- and African- American <strong>Vice President</strong> of the country. Biden and Harris will be <strong>sworn into office on 20<sup>th</sup> January 2021.</strong></li>
<li>The <strong>US</strong> has a<strong> Presidential System,</strong> whereas<strong> India</strong> has the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/parliamentary-vs-presidential-form-of-government" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Parliamentary System of Government.</strong></a></li>
<li>There are <strong>several ways</strong> in which the <strong>US economy,</strong> its health and the<strong> policy choices of its government affect India.</strong> Both the countries recently had<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/india-usa-2-2-dialogue-2020" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> 2+2 dialogue.</strong></a></li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>US Presidential System</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The US President is both the <strong>head of the State</strong> and <strong>head of the Government.</strong></li>
<li>The <strong>law making is done by the legislature</strong> (called the Congress in the US), but the President can veto any law.</li>
<li>S/he has a<strong> fixed tenure of four years</strong> and completes it even if her/his party does not have a majority in the Congress.</li>
<li>The President and the Vice President are <strong>chosen by &lsquo;electors&rsquo;</strong> through a process called the Electoral College.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The <strong>presidential candidate</strong> of each of the political parties, <strong>chooses a vice presidential running mate.</strong> Voters vote on the two&mdash;presidential and vice presidential candidates&mdash;as a team.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The President<strong> can be removed</strong> for conviction of treason, bribery, or other high crimes or misdemeanor.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Indian Parliamentary System</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>There is a<strong> President who is the formal Head of the state of India</strong> and the <strong>Prime Minister and the Council of Ministers,</strong> which <strong>run the government</strong> at the national level.</li>
<li>The <strong>Constitution of India vests the executive power of the Union formally in the President.</strong> In reality, the President exercises these powers through the Council of Ministers headed by the Prime Minister.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The Prime Minister has the support of majority in the Lok Sabha.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The President is<strong> elected for a period of five years.</strong> S/he is <strong>elected indirectly.</strong> This means that the President is elected not by the ordinary citizens but by the elected MLAs and MPs.</li>
<li>The President can be <strong>removed only for &lsquo;violation of the Constitution&rsquo; (<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/impeachment-of-us-president#:~:text=The%20US%20Constitution%20states%20that,%27violation%20of%20the%20Constitution%27." target="_blank" rel="noopener">impeachment procedure</a>).</strong></li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Economic Relations:</strong> Under Biden administration, India&rsquo;s trade with the US could recover from the dip since 2017-18.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Trade Surplus:</strong> A recent analysis by experts of CARE Ratings (a credit rating agency) shows that over the past 20 years, <strong>India has always had a trade surplus</strong> (exports exceeding imports) <strong>with the US.</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The trade surplus has widened from USD 5.2 billion in 2001-02 to USD 17.3 billion in 2019-20. Trade surplus had <strong>peaked at USD 21.2 billion in 2017-18</strong> and has moderated to some extent.</li>
<li>In 2019-20, India<strong> exported</strong> goods worth <strong>USD 53 billion</strong> to the US - that&rsquo;s roughly 17% of all Indian exports that year and <strong>imported</strong> goods worth USD 35.7 billion in return - that&rsquo;s roughly 7.5% of all Indian imports.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Trade in Services:</strong> India accounts for <strong>nearly 5% of USA&rsquo;s services imports</strong> from the World.</li>
<li><strong>Investment:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The <strong>US is the fifth-biggest source for <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/rise-in-foreign-direct-investment" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Foreign Direct Investment</a></strong> (FDI - investment in the physical assets inside India)<strong> into India.</strong> Only Mauritius, Singapore, Netherlands, and Japan have invested more FDI since 2000.</li>
<li>The US also accounts for <strong>one-third of all <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/increase-in-foreign-portfolio-investment" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Foreign Portfolio Investments</a></strong> (that is, investment in financial assets) into India.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>H1-B Visa Issue:</strong> How a US President looks at the H1-B visa issue, affects the prospects of Indian youth far more than the youth of any other country. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Under President Trump, who severely <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/urge-to-suspend-h-1b" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>curtailed the visa regime</strong></a>, owing to his policy of <strong>&ldquo;America First&rdquo;,</strong> India had suffered the most.</li>
<li>H-1B visa is a <strong>non-immigrant visa</strong> that allows American companies to employ foreign workers in speciality occupations that require theoretical or technical expertise.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>US&rsquo; Generalized System of Preference:</strong> India&rsquo;s exclusion from the US&rsquo; <strong>Generalized System of Preference (GSP)</strong> could come up for reconsideration under Biden.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In 2019, President Donald Trump had<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/us-withdraws-gsp-for-india-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> terminated India's designation as a beneficiary developing nation under the GSP</strong> </a><strong>trade programme</strong> after determining that it has not assured the US that it will provide "equitable and reasonable access" to its markets.</li>
<li>India <strong>was the largest beneficiary of the programme in 2017</strong> with USD 5.7 billion in imports to the US given duty-free status.</li>
<li>GSP is designed to promote economic development by allowing duty-free entry for thousands of products from designated beneficiary countries.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Other Issues:</strong> Other points of contention between India and US - such as the tricky issue of <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/Data-Localisation" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>data localisation</strong></a> or <strong>capping prices of medicines and medical devices -</strong> have a chance of getting towards a resolution.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Further, under the Trump administration, the <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/us-reimposes-sanctions-on-iran" target="_blank" rel="noopener">US sanctions on Iran</a> severely limited India&rsquo;s sourcing of cheap crude oil.</strong></li>
<li>On <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/india-china-conflict" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>China</strong></a>, it is more likely that<strong> a Biden administration will help India against China,</strong> instead of clubbing the two together.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Paris Climate Accord:</strong> Biden has promised to <strong>rejoin the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/china-s-renewed-support-for-paris-agreement" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Paris Climate Accord</a>,</strong> and this may help countries such as India in dealing with the massive challenges - both technical and financial - on this front.</li>
<li><strong>Civil Liberties and Democratic Rights in India:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Although some US Congressmen and women had raised red flags on the human rights situation following the revoking of J&amp;K&rsquo;s special status under <a href="/to-the-points/Paper2/to-the-point-article-370" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Article 370</strong></a> and passage of the <a href="/to-the-points/Paper2/citizenship-amendment-act-2019" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Citizenship (Amendment) Act</strong> </a>alongside the proposed nationwide <a href="/to-the-points/Paper2/to-the-point-paper-2-national-register-of-citizens-nrc" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>National Register of Citizens (NRC)</strong></a>, the Trump administration had not taken any actions beyond making some perfunctory statements.</li>
<li>According to the Biden campaign&rsquo;s policy paper, <strong>Biden</strong> has been<strong> &ldquo;disappointed</strong> by the measures that the Government of India has taken with the implementation and aftermath of the National Register of Citizens (NRC) in Assam and the passage of the Citizenship (Amendment) Act into law&rdquo;.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>India should be prepared to hold its own in tough conversations on sensitive issues. A Biden presidency may see a <strong>renewed push towards a rules-based trading system</strong> across the world - instead of outright ad-hocism as was the case under Trump - as well as a move away from the protectionist approach that has been getting strong across the world.</li>
<li>Combined with the control of Covid infections and the economic recovery, the US could yet again provide a growth impulse to the global economy that countries such as India need to boost their exports and grow.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/how-a-biden-presidency-may-affect-indias-economy-explainspeaking-7019832/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: IE</strong></a></p>',
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	(int) 0 => [
		'title' => 'New Species in Andaman',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently a group of scientists has reported a new genus of treefrog from the<strong> Andaman Islands</strong> called <strong>Striped Bubble-nest frog.</strong></p>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1605253789_image4.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1605253789_image4.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>Biological name:</strong> <em>Rohanixalus vittatus</em> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The new genus<strong> &lsquo;Rohanixalus&rsquo;</strong> is <strong>named</strong> after <strong>Sri Lankan taxonomist</strong> Rohan Pethiyagoda.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Striped Bubble-nest frog belongs to the genus of the Old World treefrog family <strong>Rhacophoridae.</strong></li>
<li>This is the first report of a tree frog species from the Andaman Islands.</li>
<li><strong>Bodily Features</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Small and slender body <strong>(2-3 cm long).</strong></li>
<li>A<strong> pair</strong> of <strong>contrastingly coloured lateral lines</strong> on either side of the body. Minute brown speckles scattered throughout the upper body.</li>
<li>Light green-coloured eggs laid in <strong>arboreal</strong> bubble-nests.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Arboreal means living in trees or related trees</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>They are also known as Asian Glass Frog or see through frogs.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>While the general background coloration of most glass frogs is primarily <strong>lime green,</strong> the abdominal skin of some members of this family is <strong>translucent</strong> (allowing light to pass through). The internal viscera, including the heart, liver, and gastrointestinal tract, <strong>are visible through this translucent skin, hence the common name.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The genus has several unique behavioural traits:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Maternal egg attendance:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The female (mother) attends the egg clutches until hatching and assists in release of the tadpoles into the water.</li>
<li>During the <strong>first three days</strong> after egg laying, the <strong>female sits over the eggs</strong> and produces a <strong>gelatinous secretion</strong> with which she glazes (covers) the egg mass through<strong> clockwise movement of her legs.</strong> This behaviour provides <strong>necessary moisture to the eggs laid on exposed leaf surfaces</strong> and protects them from <strong>insect predation.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Community egg attendance:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>A large number of egg clutches <strong>(over 50)</strong> of different developmental stages on a single leaf or plant. <strong>Multiple females</strong> usually attend such clutches in a behaviour termed as <strong>&lsquo;community&rsquo; egg attendance.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Frequent <strong>male-male combats</strong> involving pushing, kicking and dislodging to <strong>mate with a female.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/energy-and-environment/new-genus-of-treefrog-discovered-in-andaman-islands/article33083907.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: TH</strong></a></p>',
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	(int) 1 => [
		'title' => 'Technological Revolution, Covid-19 & Labour Market',
		'catname' => 'News Editorials',
		'desc' => '<div class="border">
<p>This article is based on<a href="https://www.epw.in/journal/2020/44/commentary/future-work-post-covid-19-world.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> &ldquo;The Future of Work in the Post-COVID-19 World&rdquo;</strong></a> which was published in The Economic &amp; Political Weekly on 31/10/2020. It talks about the impact of the fourth industrial revolution and the pandemic on the labour market.</p>
</div>
<p>The emergence of the ongoing <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/comprehensive-action-plan-for-covid-19" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Covid-19 pandemic</strong></a> has caused dra&shy;stic impacts on almost every aspect of human life. One of the large uncertainties is related to the economic impact of this pandemic.</p>
<p>In the economic arena, the impact on the global labour market will undergo many important changes. However, the global labour market was already going through radical changes over the last few decades due to the upcoming <a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/in-depth-industrial-revolution-4-0" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>fourth industrial revolution</strong></a> and the pandemic is likely to &shy;increase this rate.</p>
<p>Future prospects of the labour market are unpromising due to the advances and challenges generated by technologies &shy;related to <a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/in-depth-artificial-intelligence" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>arti&shy;ficial intelligence (AI)</strong></a>, &shy;machine learning (ML), robotics, and industrial automatisation.</p>
<p>Therefore, the real need right now is to evaluate how the Covid-19 crisis will &shy;affect this ongoing transformation and adequate policy responses.</p>
<h3>Ongoing Changes in Labour Market</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>In current times, the role of technology has become self-contradictory. Even if technology has been created to support humankind, there exists an &shy;underlying fear about its impact on the labour market.</li>
<li>Traditio&shy;nally, changes affected only employees in charge of highly repetitive tasks, that is the so-called blue-collar workers.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>However, the recent impact of the fourth industrial revolution is also threatening those that carry out highly skilled tasks, that is, the so-called white-collar workers.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Before the Covid-19 pandemic, the<a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/international-labour-organization" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> International Labour Organization</strong></a> (ILO) estimated that 1,400 million workers in the world (around 37.5% of the &shy;total workers) worked in vulnerable employment.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Impact of 4<sup>th</sup> Industrial Revolution &amp; Covid-19 on Labour Market</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Process of Automation:</strong> According to ILO, the manufacturing sector employs approximately 1,600 million robots at a global scale, a number with exponential growth in recent years.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The Covid-19 pandemic will quite likely ensure that companies will strive to organise supply chains that are safe and free from viruses.</li>
<li>For this, deployments of swarm robots, that is &shy;robots linked to each other for coordinated action, present important functional benefits. Therefore, in some way, it is quite likely that Covid-19 will accelerate the process of automation.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Social Polarisation:</strong> The pandemic is also increasing social inequalities due to the disparate impact of the virus on different classes.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>However, before the pandemic, the most vulnerable jobs and with more risk to be automated were precisely the low-&shy;income ones.</li>
<li>The virus has a social &shy;impact that is quite undemocratic, which besides the ongoing robotisation and automation processes will drive up the &shy;levels of social polarisation.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Change in Work Culture:</strong> The ongoing technological revolution and the impact of the novel coronavirus might radically change the work conditions.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>With this new wave of forced remote working, some tech companies in Silicon Valley (such as Twitter, Square, or Facebook) have already decided to shift to <strong>permanent working from home</strong> even after the pandemic.</li>
<li>These changes will have a vast impact on the urban economies of the regions where these companies are located by affecting &shy;aspects, such as real estate, transpor&shy;tation, leisure, and social diversity, among others.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Post-Labour Society:</strong> Some theorists predict a post-work scenario where robots would mostly replace human workforces. Among the consequences, it would mean the end of the traditional labour structure, which will require us to redefine the term work itself.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>This can lead to the emergence of a massive and new unworking class.</li>
<li>In addition, with the pace of technological shifts, the skills required of employees will prob&shy;ably change faster over time, creating a group of people whose skills get constantly outdated.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Change in Society:</strong> Beyond the real impact of AI and robo&shy;tics on the labour market, strong chan&shy;ges are expected to disrupt societies.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Without employment providing a structure in the people&rsquo;s lives and with technology replacing many human activities, the societies are likely to shift towards more individualistic entities with less human interaction.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Positive Trends:</strong> There are many studies which signify that the fourth Industrial revolution would create as many jobs as it eradicated, showing a slightly positive trend.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>These studies indicate that the healthcare and educational sectors will have a growing job demand, while the manufacturing and transport sectors will suffer the largest &shy;losses of jobs.</li>
<li>Further, technology and automation could lead to a fairer economic model with lower prices, greater social awareness. Thus, there is a need for re-skilling of the workforce.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Necessity of Inclusive Development:</strong> Some governments are trying to &shy;develop strategies to face the very negative scenarios that might emerge.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In this sense, one of such countermeasures is the<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/universal-basic-income" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> Universal Basic Income (UBI).</strong></a></li>
<li>However, developing countries like India need to develop alternative strategies. This is because providing UBI in the world's second-largest populous country would not be feasible, especially in the near future.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Conclusion</h3>
<p>It is expected that the ongoing technological revolution, besides the upcoming economic crisis due to the coronavirus, might reduce the level of regulated &shy;employment. In this scenario, the relationship between employer and employee would be reduced to a minimum.</p>
<p>The supporters of this policy argue that it will boost the labour market, while critics argue that the employee will be completely unprotected.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1605184704_image4.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1605184704_image4.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" caption="false" width="737" height="242" /></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: #f5faff;">
<p><span style="color: #333399;"><em><strong>Drishti Mains Question</strong></em></span></p>
<p>Critically analyse the impact of the fourth industrial revolution and the Covid-19 pandemic on the labour market.</p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p style="text-align: center;"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/scVWS-a-Qjg" 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/road-bumps-the-hindu-editorial-on-fifteenth-finance-commission-report/article33069233.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>&ldquo;Road bumps: On Fifteenth Finance Commission report&rdquo;</strong></a> which was published in The Hindu on November 11<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/technological-revolution-covid-19-labour-market'
	],
	(int) 2 => [
		'title' => 'MoUs Between India-Maldives',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/india-maldives-relations" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>India and the Maldives</strong></a> have signed <strong>four Memorandums of Understanding</strong> (MoUs).</p>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1605180167_image2.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1605180167_image2.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="350" caption="false" /></a></p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Four MoUs:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Two MoUs for High Impact Community Development Projects.</li>
<li>An MoU on Cooperation in Sports and Youth Affairs.</li>
<li>An MoU for a USD 100 million grant to fund the <strong>Greater Male Connectivity Project</strong> (GMCP) which is the largest ever such infrastructure project undertaken in the Maldives.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>GMCP is a financial package by India, consisting of a grant of USD 100 million and a new line of credit of USD 400 million.</li>
<li>This will be the largest civilian infrastructure project in the Maldives, connecting<strong> Mal&eacute;</strong> (the capital) with <strong>three neighbouring islands</strong> viz. Villingili, Gulhifalhu (where a port is being built under Indian <strong>line of credit</strong>) and Thilafushi (new industrial zone) by the <strong>construction of a bridge-and-causeway link.</strong></li>
<li>This will<strong> boost economic activity, generate employment and promote holistic urban development</strong> in the Mal&eacute; region.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Other Recent Initiatives:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In<strong> April 2020,</strong> India supplied 6.2 tonnes of essential medicines to the Maldives, under <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/operation-sanjeevani" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Operation Sanjeevani</strong></a> to tackle the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/covid-19-now-pandemic-who" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>pandemic.</strong></a></li>
<li>In<strong> May 2020,</strong> India under <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/mission-sagar" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Mission Sagar,</strong> </a>supplied food items and medical assistance teams to the countries in the southern Indian Ocean including the Maldives.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Indian Government assures that the <strong>Maldives will be among the first countries to receive <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/pfizer-s-covid-19-vaccine-candidate" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Covid-19 vaccines</a></strong> as soon as one is developed in India.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>In <strong>August 2020,</strong> the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/travel-bubble" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>bilateral Air Travel Bubble</strong> </a>was established which connects five Indian cities with Male through 13 weekly flights leading to a steep increase in the number of tourists.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Creating a travel bubble <strong>involves reconnecting countries or states which have shown a good level of success in containing the Covid-19 </strong>domestically.</li>
<li>Such a bubble would <strong>allow the members of the group to restart trade ties</strong> with each other and <strong>open travel and<a href="/to-the-points/paper3/tourism-in-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> tourism.</a></strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>In <strong>October 2020,</strong> both governments inked a deal for a <strong>USD 400 million line of credit</strong> from the<strong> Export-Import Bank of India</strong> (Exim Bank), <strong>premier export finance institution</strong> of India.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The soft loans to the Maldives have funded connectivity, water, sewerage projects, Addu Development Project, an international cricket stadium, Gulhifalhu port, etc.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Significance:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The <strong>MoUs are symbolic of India-Maldives&rsquo; <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/india-announces-package-to-maldives" target="_blank" rel="noopener">strong development partnership</a></strong> which is multi-faceted and designed to meet the specific requirements of the government and people.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The Maldives enjoys a special and central place in India&rsquo; <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/what-is-indias-neighbourhood" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Neighbourhood First policy</strong></a> and itself has a<strong> foreign policy of India First.</strong></li>
<li>India is supportive of <strong>Maldivian Foreign Minister&rsquo;s candidature</strong> for the <strong>Presidency of the 76<sup>th</sup> session</strong> of the <strong><a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/united-nations-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">United Nations General Assembly</a> in 2021.</strong></li>
<li>Both nations have consistently supported each other in multilateral fora such as the UN, the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/important-facts-for-prelims-14th-january-2019" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Commonwealth</strong></a>, the <a href="/to-the-points/Paper2/non-aligned-movement-nam" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Non-Aligned Movement</strong> </a>(NAM) and the<a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/south-asian-association-for-regional-cooperation-saarc" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation</strong></a> (SAARC).</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Amid India&rsquo;s growing concern over <a href="/mains-practice-question/question-27" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>China&rsquo;s increasing influence</strong> </a>in the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/new-and-emerging-concerns-in-indian-ocean-neighbourhood" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Indian Ocean Region</strong> </a>(IOR), the ties with the Maldives are of crucial importance.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The<strong> current Maldivian President</strong> is being criticised by the opposition for having an <strong>&ldquo;India-tilt&rdquo;.</strong> The Former President was dislodged from office in 2018 and was widely perceived as a close ally of China.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/india-maldives-sign-four-mous-to-boost-ties/article33060726.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/mous-between-india-maldives'
	],
	(int) 3 => [
		'title' => 'PLI Scheme for Ten More Sectors',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>The Union Cabinet has given its approval to introduce the <strong>Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme in 10 more sectors</strong> for enhancing India&rsquo;s manufacturing capabilities and exports <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/atmanirbhar-bharat-and-economic-stimulus" target="_blank" rel="noopener">(Atmanirbhar Bharat)</a>.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Earlier, the government<strong> had announced a <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/schemes-for-electronic-manufacturing" target="_blank" rel="noopener">production linked incentive</a> or PLI scheme for medical devices, mobile phones and specified active pharmaceutical ingredients,</strong> with a proposed outlay of Rs. 51,311 crore.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>PLI Scheme:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>A scheme that aims to give companies <strong>incentives on incremental</strong> sales from products manufactured in domestic units.</li>
<li>The scheme invites foreign companies to set units in India, however, it also aims to encourage local companies to set up or expand existing manufacturing units.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1605176667_image1.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1605176667_image1.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="350" caption="false" /></a></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Expansion of PLI Scheme to Ten More Sectors:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The ten sectors include <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/food-processing-in-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>food processing</strong></a>, <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/telecom-sector-issues-and-challenges" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>telecom</strong></a>, <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/electronics-manufacturing-in-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>electronics</strong></a>, <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/textile-sector-and-atmanirbharta" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>textiles</strong></a>, <strong>specialty steel, automobiles and auto components, solar photo-voltaic modules and white goods such as air conditioners and LEDs.</strong></li>
<li>The sectors had been identified on the basis of their potential to create jobs and make India self-reliant.</li>
<li>The PLI scheme for these ten sectors will be operational for<strong> five years</strong> with a <strong>total estimated outlay of Rs 1.45 lakh crore.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The PLI scheme will be<strong> implemented by</strong> the concerned ministries/departments.</li>
<li>Savings from one PLI scheme of an approved sector can be utilized to fund another sector.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The scheme for these sectors will be <strong>in addition to</strong> the PLI schemes for <strong>mobile phones and allied equipment manufacturing, pharmaceutical ingredients and medical devices.</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Several <strong>more pharmaceutical products have been brought under the aegis of the PLI scheme,</strong> including complex generics, anti-cancer and diabetic drugs, in-vitro diagnostic devices and special empty capsules.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Benefits:</strong> The PLI scheme across these 10 key specific sectors will make <strong>Indian manufacturers globally competitive,</strong> attract<strong> investment</strong> in the areas of core competency and cutting-edge technology; ensure efficiencies; create <strong>economies of scale;</strong> enhance exports and make India an integral part of the <strong>global supply chain.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Push to Digital Economy:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>India is expected to have a <strong>USD 1 trillion digital economy</strong> by 2025. Additionally, the Government's push for <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/Data-Localisation" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>data localization</strong></a>, <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/india-must-get-on-the-iot-highway-fast" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Internet of Things</strong></a>, projects such as <strong>Smart City and Digital India</strong> are expected to increase the demand for electronic products.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Increase Exports:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The Indian pharmaceutical industry is the<strong> third largest</strong> in the world by volume and 14<sup>th</sup> largest in terms of value. It contributes<strong> 3.5%</strong> of the <strong>total drugs and medicines exported</strong> globally.</li>
<li>India is the world's<strong> second largest steel producer in the world.</strong> It is a <strong>net exporter of finished steel.</strong> A PLI scheme in <strong>Specialty Steel</strong> will help in enhancing manufacturing capabilities for value added steel leading to increase in total exports.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Specialty steel is made by adding various elements to iron, to achieve various properties, such as heat resistance, hardness, and corrosion resistance.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Secure Telecom Infrastructure:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Telecom equipment forms a<strong> critical and strategic element of building a secured telecom infrastructure</strong> and India aspires to become a major original equipment manufacturer of telecom and networking products.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Doubling Farmers&rsquo; Income:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The growth of the processed food industry leads to <strong>better price</strong> for farmers and <strong>reduces high levels of wastage.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Growth in production and exports of industrial goods will greatly <strong>expose the Indian industry to foreign competition and ideas,</strong> which will help in improving its capabilities to innovate further.</li>
<li>Promotion of the manufacturing sector and creation of a conducive manufacturing ecosystem will not only enable <strong>integration with global supply chains</strong> but also establish backward linkages with the <strong>MSME sector</strong> in the country.</li>
<li>It will lead to overall growth in the economy and<strong> create huge employment</strong> opportunities.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1671912" 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/pli-scheme-for-ten-more-sectors'
	],
	(int) 4 => [
		'title' => 'India-Maldives Relations',
		'catname' => 'News Editorials',
		'desc' => '<div class="border">
<p>This article is based on<a href="https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/strategic-comfort-with-the-maldives/article33053574.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> &ldquo;Strategic comfort&rsquo; with the Maldives&rdquo;</strong> </a>which was published in The Hindu on 09/11/2020. It talks about the relations between India and Maldives.</p>
</div>
<p>Maldives holds strategic importance for India under the Modi government&rsquo;s <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/indias-neighbourhood-diplomacy#:~:text=Policy%20of%20the%20Government%20of,other%20countries%20in%20the%20neighborhood." target="_blank" rel="noopener">&lsquo;Neighbourhood First&rsquo; policy</a> </strong>due to its location in the Indian Ocean. However, the relations between the two countries was strained under the pro-China regime of their former President Abdulla Yameen.</p>
<p>This can be reflected in the recent &lsquo;India Out&rsquo; campaign led by Abdulla Yameen, against India&rsquo;s massive developmental funding for creating physical, social and community infrastructure, and incumbent President Solih&rsquo;s government retaining two India-gifted helicopters and their operational military personnel.</p>
<p>While India-Maldives relations have always been close, cordial and multi-dimensional, recent regime instability in the Maldives has posed some limitations, especially in the political &amp; strategic arena . Therefore, the main challenge to India&rsquo;s diplomacy is balancing out all these contradictions into harmonious relations.</p>
<h3>Geo-Strategic Importance of Maldives to India</h3>
<p>Despite being the smallest Asian country with a land area, Maldives is one of the world&rsquo;s most geographically dispersed countries straddling a 960-km-long submarine ridge running north to south and which forms a wall in the middle of the Indian Ocean. Its strategic location defines the geo-strategic importance of Maldives far beyond its physical size, which can be reflected as the following:</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Maldives, a Toll Gate in Indian Ocean:</strong> Located at the southern and northern parts of this island chain lies the two important sea lanes of communication (SLOCs).
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>These SLOCs are critical for maritime trade flow between the Gulf of Aden and Gulf of Hormuz in West Asia and the Strait of Malacca in Southeast Asia.</li>
<li>While the Indian Ocean is considered as the key highway for global trade and energy flow, Maldives virtually stands as a toll gate.</li>
<li>While SLOCs in the vicinity of the Maldives have broader strategic significance for global maritime trade, these are of vital importance for India since nearly 50% of India&rsquo;s external trade and 80% of her energy imports transit these westward SLOCs in the Arabian Sea.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Increasing Maritime Activity:</strong> As maritime economic activity in the Indian Ocean has risen dramatically in recent decades, the geopolitical competition too in the Indian Ocean has intensified.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Due to this, China&rsquo;s strategic interests and logistical limitations in the Indian Ocean have prompted it to increase its presence in the Indian Ocean.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>India&rsquo;s Strategic Priority:</strong> A favourable and positive maritime environment in the Indian Ocean is essential for the fulfilment of India&rsquo;s Strategic priority.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Thus, India continuously aims at promoting an ever-expanding area of peace and stability around it.</li>
<li>In addition, Maldives is an important partner in India&rsquo;s role as the net security provider in the Indian Ocean Region.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Cooperation Between India &amp; Maldives</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Security Cooperation</strong>: Through the decades, India has rushed emergency assistance to the Maldives, whenever sought.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In 1988, when armed mercenaries attempted a coup against President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, India sent paratroopers and Navy vessels and restored the legitimate leadership under<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/operation-sanjeevani" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> Operation Cactus.</strong></a></li>
<li>Further, joint naval exercises have been conducted in the Indian ocean and India still contributes to the security of the maritime island.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Disaster Management:</strong> The 2004 tsunami and the drinking water crisis in Male a decade later were other occasions when India rushed assistance.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>At the peak of the continuing COVID-19 disruption, the Maldives has been the biggest beneficiary of the Covid-19 assistance given by India among its all of India&rsquo;s neighbouring countries.</li>
<li>When the world supply chains were blocked because of the pandemic, India continued to provide crucial commodities to the Maldives under <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/mission-sagar" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Mission SAGAR.</strong></a></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>People To People Contact:</strong> Technology has made connectivity easier for everyday contact and exchanges. Maldivian students attend educational institutions in India and patients fly here for superspeciality healthcare, aided by a liberal visa-free regime extended by India.</li>
<li><strong>Economic Cooperation:</strong> Tourism is the mainstay of Maldivian economy. The country is now a major tourist destination for some Indians and a job destination for others.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Given the geographical limitations imposed on the Maldives, India has exempted the nation from export curbs on essential commodities.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Irritants in Relations</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Political Instability:</strong> India&rsquo;s major concern has been the impact of political instability in the neighbourhood on its security and development.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The February 2015 arrest of opposition leader Mohamed Nasheed on terrorism charges and the consequent political crisis have posed a real diplomatic test for India&rsquo;s neighbourhood policy.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Radicalisation:</strong> In the past decade or so, the number of Maldivians drawn towards terrorist groups like the Islamic State (IS) and Pakistan-based madrassas and jihadist groups has been increasing.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Political instability and socio-economic uncertainty are the main drivers fuelling the rise of Islamist radicalism in the island nation.</li>
<li>Events in West Asia, Afghanistan and Pakistan have also influenced Maldivian radicalisation.</li>
<li>This gives rise to the possibility of Pakistan based terror groups using remote Maldivian islands as a launch pad for terror attacks against India and Indian interests.</li>
<li>Further, India's concern is regarding how radical Islamist forces have been gaining political influence in the neighbourhood.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>China Angle:</strong> China&rsquo;s strategic footprint in India&rsquo;s neighbourhood has increased. The Maldives has emerged as an important 'pearl' in China&rsquo;s <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/new-sri-lanka-leadership" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>&ldquo;String of Pearls&rdquo;</strong> </a>construct in South Asia.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Given the Maldives's strategic location in the Indian Ocean, there are speculations about China trying to develop strategic bases in the archipelago.</li>
<li>Given the uncertain dynamics of Sino-Indian relation, China&rsquo;s potential strategic presence in Maldives remains a concern.</li>
<li>Also, the Maldives have started using the China card to bargain with India.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Conclusion</h3>
<p>In accordance with the &ldquo;Neighbourhood First&rdquo; policy of the government, India remains a committed development partner for a stable, prosperous and peaceful Maldives. However, for adherence of strategic comfort in relations, Maldives on its part should abide by its India First&rsquo; policy.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1605094129_image.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1605094129_image.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" caption="false" width="624" height="462" /></a></p>
<table border="1" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="width: 100%; background-color: #f4fff0; border-style: dotted; border-color: #ff0000;">
<p><span style="color: #000080;"><em><strong>Drishti Mains Question</strong></em></span></p>
<p>Maldives holds strategic importance for India under &lsquo;Neighbourhood First&rsquo; policy due to its location in the Indian Ocean. Discuss.</p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p>This editorial is based on <a href="https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/editorial/no-fireworks-on-ngt-ban-on-sale-and-use-of-firecrackers/article33061044.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>&ldquo;No fireworks: On NGT ban on sale and use of firecrackers&rdquo;</strong></a> which was published in The Hindu on November 10<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/india-maldives-relations'
	],
	(int) 5 => [
		'title' => 'National Water Awards',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>The <strong>Department of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation of the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/jal-shakti-mantralaya" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Ministry of Jal Shakti</a></strong>, is organising the<strong> 2<sup>nd</sup> National Water Awards</strong> (NWAs) for the year 2019.</p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>National Water Awards:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The awards are organised by the <strong>Department of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation, Ministry of Jal Shakti.</strong></li>
<li>The NWAs were launched in <strong>2007</strong> for the first time along with the <strong>Ground Water Augmentation Awards</strong> and the winners in different categories are given a <strong>citation, trophy and cash prize.</strong></li>
<li>These focus on the good work and efforts made by individuals and organisations across the country, and the government&rsquo;s vision for the path to <em><strong>&lsquo;Jal Samridh Bharat&rsquo;.</strong></em></li>
<li><strong>Objectives:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>To<strong> motivate</strong> individuals/organisations who are doing commendable work in the field of <strong>water resources conservation and management.</strong></li>
<li>To <strong>create awareness</strong> among the people about the importance of water and encourage them to adopt the best water usage practices.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Opportunities Provided: Start-ups, leading organisations and people</strong> can <strong>engage, deliberate and strengthen existing partnerships</strong> on issues concerning water conservation and management activities.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Need for Water Conservation and Management:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Depletion of water resources due to <strong>overuse and decline in water supplies due to climate change</strong> is pushing India closer to the tipping point of water scarcity.</li>
<li>Apart from these, several government policies especially pertaining to agriculture resulted in <strong>over-exploitation of water.</strong> These factors make India a water-stressed economy. In this context there is a need for <strong>water resource conservation and management.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Initiatives by the Government</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/sub-group-of-chief-ministers-on-coordination-between-mgnrega-and-agriculture" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act:</strong></a><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The huge workforce employed under the MGNREGA has <strong>enabled the government to introduce water conservation</strong> as a project under the Act.</li>
<li>The government <strong>aims to improve groundwater harvesting, build water conservation</strong> and<strong> storage mechanisms</strong> through MGNREGA.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Jal Kranti Abhiyan:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Under it, the government is making active efforts to <strong>revolutionise villages and cities through block-level water conservation schemes.</strong></li>
<li>For example, the <strong>Jal Gram Scheme</strong> under the Jal Kranti Abhiyan is aimed at <strong>developing two model villages</strong> in water-starved areas to lead the other villages towards water conservation and preservation.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>National Water Mission:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It was launched with the objective of <strong>conservation of water, minimising wastage and ensuring more equitable distribution</strong> both across and within states through integrated water resources development and management.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/solution-to-indias-water-crisis" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>NITI Aayog's Composite Water Management Index:</strong></a><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>With the objective of achieving effective utilization of water, <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-national-institutions/niti-aayog-national-institution-for-transforming-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>NITI Aayog</strong></a> has developed the Composite Water Management Index.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Jal Shakti Ministry and <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/jal-jeevan-mission-2" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Jal Jeevan Mission</a>:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The efforts like the<strong> formation of Jal Shakti Ministry</strong> (to tackle water issues holistically) and the goal to provide <strong>piped water to all rural households by 2024,</strong> under the Jal Jeevan mission, are steps in the right direction.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/atal-bhujal-yojana" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Atal Bhujal Yojana</a>:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It is a <strong>central sector scheme worth Rs.6,000</strong> crore for sustainable management of groundwater with community participation.</li>
<li>It envisages people's participation through the formation of &lsquo;Water User Associations&rsquo;, water budgeting, preparation and implementation of Gram-panchayat-wise water security plans, etc.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/jal-shakti-abhiyan" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Jal Shakti Abhiyan</a>:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It was launched in <strong>July 2019</strong> as a<strong> campaign for water conservation and water security</strong> in the country.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>People tend to neglect the importance of water conservation because in most places it is <strong>free of cost or charged nominally,</strong> so it is important for them to realise its importance and be aware of its degrading status.</li>
<li>Initiatives like<strong> National Water Awards, along with the other government initiatives</strong> will help<strong> to create that awareness</strong> and motivate them to adopt the best water usage practices which will help India in becoming<strong> &lsquo;Jal Samridh Bharat&rsquo;.</strong></li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1671677" 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/national-water-awards'
	],
	(int) 6 => [
		'title' => 'Armenia Azerbaijan Peace Deal',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, <strong>Russia has brokered a new peace deal between <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/armenia-azerbaijan-conflict-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Armenia and Azerbaijan</a></strong>. Both counties have been in a <strong>military conflict</strong> over the <strong>disputed region of Nagorno-Karabakh</strong> in the South Caucasus.</p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Nagorno-Karabakh Region:<a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1605090880_image%200.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1605090880_image 0.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="550" caption="false" /></a></strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The region extends across <strong>western Asia and Eastern Europe.</strong></li>
<li>It has been <strong>part of Azerbaijan territory</strong> since the Soviet era and is being internationally recognised so but most of the region is <strong>controlled by Armenian separatists</strong> who have declared it a republic called the <strong>&ldquo;Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Oblast&rdquo;.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>While the <strong>Armenian government does not recognise Nagorno-Karabakh as independent,</strong> it<strong> supports the region</strong> politically and militarily.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Conflict and Ceasefire:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>When the <strong>Soviet Union began to collapse</strong> (with the end of the <a href="/to-the-points/paper1/cold-war" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Cold War</strong></a>) in the late 1980s, <strong>Armenia&rsquo;s regional parliament voted for the region&rsquo;s transfer to Armenia</strong> but the <strong>Soviet authorities turned down</strong> the demand.</li>
<li>Clashes and the violence lasted till<strong> 1994,</strong> when<strong> Russia brokered a ceasefire,</strong> by which time ethnic Armenians had taken control of the region.</li>
<li>In <strong>2016,</strong> the region saw a <strong>Four-Day War</strong> before Russia mediated peace.</li>
<li>The<strong> Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe</strong> (OSCE) <strong>Minsk Group,</strong> chaired by France, Russia and the USA, has also tried to get the two countries to reach a peace agreement for several years.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>OSCE</strong> is the <strong>world's largest security-oriented intergovernmental organisation.</strong> Its mandate includes issues such as arms control, promotion of human rights, freedom of the press, and fair elections.</li>
<li><strong>OSCE Minsk Group</strong> was created in<strong> 1992</strong> by the <strong>Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe</strong> (CSCE) to encourage a peaceful, negotiated resolution to the conflict between Azerbaijan and Armenia over Nagorno-Karabakh.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>In <strong>October 2020,</strong> both countries <strong>agreed to a Russia brokered ceasefire</strong> agreement, however, it also proved to be <strong>unsuccessful.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Reason for the Conflict:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Decades-old<strong> Ethnic tensions</strong> have a crucial role in the dispute. While the<strong> Azeris claim</strong> that the disputed <strong>region was under their control in known history, Armenians maintain</strong> that Karabakh was a <strong>part of the Armenian kingdom.</strong></li>
<li>Currently, the disputed region consists of a <strong>majority Armenian Christian population,</strong> even though it is <strong>internationally recognised as a part of Muslim-majority Azerbaijan.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>New Peace Deal:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Both sides will now maintain positions in the areas that they currently hold, which will mean a <strong>significant gain for Azerbaijan</strong> as it has<strong> reclaimed over 15-20% of its lost territory</strong> during the recent conflict.</li>
<li>All <strong>military operations are suspended</strong> and<strong> Russian peacekeepers will be deployed for a period of five years,</strong> along the line of contact in Nagorno-Karabakh and along the <strong>Lachin corridor</strong> which links the Karabakh capital, Stepanakert, to Armenia.</li>
<li><strong>Refugees and internally displaced persons will return</strong> to the region and the adjacent territories and the two sides will also <strong>exchange prisoners</strong> of wars and bodies.</li>
<li>A <strong>new corridor will be opened</strong> from Nakhchivan to Azerbaijan, which will be <strong>under Russian control.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Reactions: Armenian people are against</strong> the deal and have protested while <strong>Azerbaijan is pleased</strong> with the deal and considered it of &ldquo;historic importance&rdquo;.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Russia&rsquo;s Role:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Russia has always taken a <strong>balanced position</strong> on the matter and has traditionally <strong>good relations with both countries.</strong> It<strong> supplies arms to both</strong> countries.</li>
<li>Russia has a<strong> military base in Armenia</strong> and both are <strong>members</strong> of the<strong> Moscow-led</strong> <a href="/current-affairs-news-analysis-editorials/news-analysis/10-10-2020" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Collective Security Treaty Organisation.</strong></a><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The treaty envisages Russia's military support if Armenia is attacked. However, it does not include Nagorno-Karabakh or the other Azerbaijani regions around it seized by Armenian forces.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>At the same time, <strong>Russia also has strong ties to Azerbaijan,</strong> which is being <strong>openly backed by Turkey, a <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/nato-ally-status-to-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener">North Atlantic Treaty Organisation</a></strong> (NATO) member.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-what-is-the-new-peace-deal-between-armenia-and-azerbaijan-7046542/" 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/armenia-azerbaijan-peace-deal'
	],
	(int) 7 => [
		'title' => 'SCO Summit',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in news</h3>
<p><strong>The 20<sup>th</sup> Summit</strong> of the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/important-international-institutions-shanghai-cooperation-organisation-sco" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO)</strong> </a>Council of Heads of State was held <strong>recently</strong> via <strong>Video Conferencing.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Meeting was <strong>chaired</strong> by<strong> Russian President</strong> Mr. Vladimir Putin.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Significance of SCO Meet:</strong> 20<sup>th</sup> Summit of SCO Heads of State is important as it <strong>brought President Xi Jinping of China and Mr. Modi together</strong> in the virtual format even as <strong>both sides are caught in the high tension confrontation in Eastern Ladakh</strong> along the Line of Actual Control (LAC).<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>This was the <strong>first SCO Summit</strong> held in <strong>Virtual Format</strong> and the <strong>third meeting</strong> that India participated after becoming a <strong>full member in 2017.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>The Republic of Tajikistan assumed chairmanship</strong> of SCO for 2021-22.</li>
<li>India has proposed to set up a<strong> Special Working Group </strong>on Innovation and Startups and a <strong>Sub Group on Traditional Medicine</strong> within SCO.</li>
<li>The Prime Minister of India indirectly referred chinese infrastructure projects in <a href="/to-the-points/Paper2/obor-cpec" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Pakistan Occupied Kashmir</strong></a> and<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/galwan-valley-clash" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> India China standoff at line of actual control</strong> </a>and urged members of the SCO to respect <strong>&ldquo;territorial integrity&rdquo;</strong> and<strong> &ldquo;sovereignty&rdquo;</strong> of each other.</li>
<li><strong>Connectivity:</strong> PM highlighted India's role in<strong> supporting infrastructure and connectivity development</strong> projects in the SCO region. <strong>Examples: </strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/chabahar-project" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Chabahar port</a>,</strong></li>
<li>The <strong>International North&ndash;South Transport Corridor (INSTC)</strong> is a multi-modal connectivity project to establish transport networks <strong>(ship, rail, and road route)</strong> for moving freight between <strong>India, Russia, Iran, Europe and Central Asia.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Responsible Global Governance:</strong> Bringing changes in <strong>global governance</strong> will be the focus of India as a non-permanent member of the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/un-security-council-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>United Nation (UN) Security Council.</strong></a> From 2021 India will take part in the UN Security Council as a <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/india-s-non-permanent-seat-at-the-unsc" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>non-permanent member.</strong></a></li>
<li><strong>Reformed Multilateralism:</strong> In the context of the fallout of the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/covid-19-now-pandemic-who" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>pandemic</strong> </a>and the <strong>economic downturn,</strong> India sought support of the<strong> SCO members</strong> in attaining a reformed multilateralism.</li>
<li><strong>Organised Crime:</strong> India highlighted the challenges posed by the <strong>smuggling of illegal weapons, drugs and money laundering.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Strengthening Cultural Heritage:</strong> The <strong>National Museum of India</strong> will hold an exhibition on <strong>the Buddhist heritage of the SCO countries</strong> and India will host a<strong> food festival</strong> reflecting the <strong>culinary traditions of the SCO region.</strong></li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Shanghai Cooperation Organisation</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>SCO is a permanent intergovernmental international organisation.</li>
<li>It&rsquo;s a Eurasian<strong> political, economic and military</strong> organisation aiming to maintain peace, security and stability in the region.</li>
<li>It was <strong>created in 2001.</strong></li>
<li>The SCO Charter was signed in 2002, and entered into force in 2003.</li>
<li>The SCO's <strong>official languages are Russian and Chinese.</strong></li>
<li>SCO has <strong>two Permanent Bodies</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>SCO Secretariat in Beijing,</strong> and</li>
<li>Executive Committee of the <strong>Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure (RATS) in Tashkent.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The Chairmanship of SCO is by rotation for a year by Member States.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Genesis</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Prior to the creation of SCO in 2001, Kazakhstan, China, Kyrgyzstan, Russia and Tajikistan were members of the<strong> Shanghai Five.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Shanghai Five (1996)</strong> emerged from a series of border demarcation and demilitarization talks which the four former Soviet republics held with China to ensure stability along the borders.</li>
<li>Following the accession of Uzbekistan to the organisation in 2001, the Shanghai Five was renamed the SCO.</li>
<li><strong>India and Pakistan became members in 2017.</strong></li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The SCO must be used as a platform to <strong>deepen solidarity</strong> and <strong>mutual trust</strong> and <strong>resolve disputes and differences through dialogue and consultations.</strong> It will help in <strong>de-escalating tensions</strong> between India and its neighbouring countries China and Pakistan.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/prime-minister-narendra-modi-addresses-sco-summit-through-videoconference/article33066158.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/sco-summit-2'
	],
	(int) 8 => [
		'title' => 'National Education Day',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>The Union Minister of Education<strong> virtually</strong> inaugurated the <strong>National Education Day</strong> programme organised by IIT Bombay.</p>
<h3>Key Notes</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>National Education Day</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It has been observed every year on <strong>11<sup>th</sup> November,</strong> since 2008 to commemorate the<strong> birth anniversary of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/70-years-of-indian-council-for-cultural-relations" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Maulana Abul Kalam Azad</a>.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Maulana Abul Kalam Azad :</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>He was the<strong> first Union Education Minister</strong> of India.</li>
<li>He was a freedom fighter, scholar and eminent educationist.</li>
<li>He was a key architect of Independent India who was responsible for setting up apex education bodies like <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/initiatives-of-aicte" target="_blank" rel="noopener">All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE)</a></strong> and <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/ukieri-ugc-higher-education-leadership-development-programme" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>University Grants Commission (UGC).</strong> </a></li>
<li>He was posthumously awarded <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/important-facts-for-prelims-28th-january-2019" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Bharat Ratna</strong></a>, India&rsquo;s highest civilian award in 1992.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>About the Event</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In the event India's commitment to establish India as a <strong>global hub of education and to ensure high quality of education</strong> was reiterated through <strong>Study in India, Stay in India</strong> and <strong>Internationalization of Education.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Study in India, Stay in India</strong> is an extension of the <strong>Study in India programme, a</strong> flagship project of the Government of India, launched in collaboration with the <strong>Ministry of Education, Ministry of External Affairs, Ministry of Home Affairs, and Ministry of Commerce and Industry in April 2018.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Study in india programme objectives:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>To improve the soft power of India with focus on the neighbouring countries and use it as a tool in diplomacy.</li>
<li>To boost the number of inbound International students in India.</li>
<li>To double India&rsquo;s market share of global education exports from less than 1 percent to 2 percent.</li>
<li>Increase in contribution of international students in the form of direct spends, indirect spends, spillover effects.</li>
<li>Improvement in overall quality of higher education.</li>
<li>Increase in global ranking of India as an educational destination.</li>
<li>To reduce the export &ndash; Import imbalance in the number of International students.</li>
<li>Growth of India&rsquo;s global market share of International students.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>India is<strong> cooperating and coordinating with the leading universities of the world.</strong> This has been incorporated in <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/national-education-policy-2020" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>National Education Policy (NEP) 2020</strong></a> by inviting top 100 World Universities to set up campuses in India.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Education In India</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Constitutional Provisions:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Part IV of Indian Constitution,<strong> Article 45 and Article 39 (f)</strong> of Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSP), has a provision for <strong>state-funded as well as equitable and accessible education.</strong></li>
<li>The<strong> 42<sup>nd</sup> Amendment</strong> to the Constitution in 1976 moved education from the State to <strong>the Concurrent List.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The education policies by the Central government provides a broad direction and state governments are expected to follow it. However, it is <strong>not mandatory,</strong> for instance Tamil Nadu does not follow the three-language formula prescribed by the first education policy in 1968.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The<strong> 86<sup>th</sup> Amendment in 2002</strong> made education an enforceable right under <strong>Article 21-A.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Related Laws:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/Implementation-of-Section-12-1c-of-the-RTE-Act-A-Progress-Report" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Right To Education (RTE) Act, 2009</strong> </a>aims to provide primary education to all children <strong>aged 6 to 14 years</strong> and enforces education as a Fundamental Right.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It also mandates <strong>25% reservation</strong> for disadvantaged sections of the society where disadvantaged groups</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Government Initiatives:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/samagra-shiksha" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan</strong></a>, <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/mid-day-meal" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Mid Day Meal Scheme</strong></a>, Navodaya Vidyalayas (NVS schools), Kendriya Vidyalayas (KV schools) and use of IT in education are a result of the NEP of 1986.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Programmes like <strong>Study in India</strong> and the <strong>New Education Policy</strong> aim to facilitate an <strong>inclusive, global and high quality education,</strong> which takes into consideration field experiences, empirical research, stakeholder feedback, as well as lessons learned from best practices.</li>
<li>If <strong>implemented in its true vision,</strong> they will bring India at par with the leading countries of the world and establish India as a <strong>global hub of education.</strong></li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1671714" 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/national-education-day'
	],
	(int) 9 => [
		'title' => 'The Big Picture: Natural Gas Economy',
		'catname' => 'Lok Sabha & Rajya Sabha Discussions',
		'desc' => '<p style="text-align: center;"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/M62cF5PhNbg" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p>
<h3>Why in News?</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Recently, the Government of India has allowed complete marketing freedom for natural gas produced from non-regulated fields. The Union Cabinet has approved a standard e-bidding procedure to discover the price of gas. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The policy aims to provide <strong>standard procedure for sale of natural gas</strong> in a transparent and competitive manner to discover market price by issuing guidelines for sale by contractor through e-bidding.</li>
<li>This will bring <strong>uniformity in the bidding process</strong> across the various contractual regimes and policies to avoid ambiguity and contribute towards ease of doing business.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Ease of Doing Business:</strong> The whole ecosystem of policies (production, infrastructure and marketing of natural gas) has been made more transparent with a focus on <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/ease-of-doing-business-2020" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Ease of Doing Business.</strong></a></li>
<li><strong>Encourage investments:</strong> Fulfilling the notion of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/atmanirbhar-bharat-and-economic-stimulus" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Atmanirbhar Bharat</strong></a>, these reforms encourage investments in the domestic production of natural gas and <strong>reduce import dependence.</strong></li>
<li>Though the producers will continue to be barred from participating in such auctions, the affiliates would still be allowed to bid.</li>
<li>The domestic gas production will have complete marketing and pricing freedom.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>However, the existing pricing mechanism for gas produced by state-owned Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) and Oil India Ltd from fields given to them on a nomination basis would continue.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The reforms will also help India in shifting towards a <strong>gas based economy.</strong></li>
<li>The increased gas production consumption will help in the<strong> improvement of the environment.</strong></li>
<li>More <strong>employment opportunities</strong> will be there in the gas consuming sectors including <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/micro-small-and-medium-enterprises-msme" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>MSMEs.</strong></a></li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Oil and Natural Gas Corporation</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) is a Maharatna Public Sector Undertaking (PSU) of the Government of India.</li>
<li>It was set up in 1995 and is under the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas.</li>
<li>It is the largest crude oil and natural gas company in India, contributing around 70% to Indian domestic production.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Natural Gas</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Natural gas is found with petroleum deposits and is released when crude oil is brought to the surface. It can be used as a domestic and industrial fuel.</li>
<li>In India, Jaisalmer, Krishna Godavari delta, Tripura and some areas offshore in Mumbai have natural gas resources.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Why Natural Gas?</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Excess usage of fossil fuels:</strong> The average global share of fossil fuels in the <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/energy-security" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>energy basket</strong></a> is 84% which is even more for India.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>According to the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/opec" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>International Energy Agency (IEA)</strong></a>, India is the world's third largest consumer of oil.</li>
<li>Dependence on coal and oil needs to be reduced and natural gas has to be replaced as much as possible.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Share of Natural Gas:</strong> While the world average share of natural gas in the energy basket is 23%, it is only 6% for India.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>However, the government of India has set the target to make it 15% by 2030.</li>
<li>Our consumption has been 1/3<sup>rd</sup> of world average. That would increase in future.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Associated Challenges</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>ONGC under APM:</strong> In India, 80% of natural gas produced by ONGC and Oil India Limited falls under<strong> Administered Price Mechanism (APM)</strong> which means the government controls its price.</li>
<li><strong>Reform related challenge:</strong> Currently, the reform impacts only 20% of gas production,while the nominated fields account for 80% India&rsquo;s gas production. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The policy does not include existing producers.</li>
<li>These fields will be out of the benefit zone of the new policy.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>The fertilizer Industry:</strong> The impediment is most of the gas coming from the nominated fields is going to fertilizers which is highly subsidised, hence the sector does not have its control over marketing and setting prices.</li>
<li><strong>Limited Reserves:</strong> Resources of natural gas are limited in India; 55% of natural gas is imported in the form of <strong>Liquified Natural Gas (LNG)</strong> (which is even costlier).<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>India&rsquo;s reserves for natural gas are <strong>located in deep or ultradeep water</strong> which requires specific technology and higher cost and extraction is difficult.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Varied Prices:</strong> In India, natural gas is sold at varied prices- the gas under administered price regime at $1.79 per mBtu and other domestic gas in the range of $4.5 to $5.5 per mBtu.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Note:</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The<strong> unit MBtu</strong> is a measure unit of energy, defined as one thousand the British thermal unit (symbol: Btu). The "M" stands for one thousand, distinguishing with the SI mega (M) prefix, which stands for one million.</li>
<li><strong>Liquefied natural gas (LNG)</strong> is natural gas that has been cooled to a liquid state (liquefied), at about -260&deg; Fahrenheit, for shipping and storage. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The volume of natural gas in its liquid state is about 600 times smaller than its volume in its gaseous state in a natural gas pipeline.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Realising the Opportunity:</strong> At present, when the prices are low for importing natural gas, India should take the advantage and enter into contracts with the countries rich in natural gas resources such as Iran, Turkmenistan and Myanmar to bring ga to India through pipelines.</li>
<li><strong>More Reforms:</strong> More aggressive and dynamic reforms is what is needed in the field. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>To go ahead, we need to reform our whole structure (subsidies) to improve the production.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Putting the producers and buyers in charge:</strong> Government should allow the producers and buyers more control of the price. ONGC shall undergo reforms in terms of its marketing and pricing freedom, E-bidding etc.</li>
<li><strong>Alternative:</strong> No doubt natural gas is a cleaner fuel but<strong> cannot be called a green fuel,</strong> that&rsquo;s why more inclination should be there towards electricity; more dependence on electricity should be there as compared to natural gas or any other fuel.</li>
<li><strong>Government as a facilitator:</strong> The government should act as a facilitator and improve quality and quantity of the resources available.</li>
<li><strong>Self reliance:</strong> Infrastructure and facilities should be provided within the country. The import dependence of 55% should be taken on a serious note and should be brought down.</li>
<li><strong>Subsidy in fertilizers:</strong> The government should take action accordingly so that fertiliser subsidy goes directly into farmers account and fertiliser industry doesn't get subsidised so that they too could have their freedom in marketing and pricing.</li>
<li><strong>Extend to the entire gas sector:</strong> The policy should be extended to the entire gas sector, the government should move away from administrative price mechanism (APM).</li>
</ul>
<h3>Conclusion</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>There is Immense potential as far as gas consumption in India is concerned. The need is to scale up in a big way as natural gas is a far more cleaner fuel than any of the fossil fuel.</li>
<li>Natural Gas is going to be a very important part of the country's economy, at least for the next 3 decades, therefore, a holistic approach is needed to find the best suited source of energy from an economic as well as environmental point of view.</li>
</ul>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/the-big-picture-natural-gas-economy'
	],
	(int) 10 => [
		'title' => 'Panna Biosphere Reserve',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/unesco-5" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization</strong></a> (UNESCO) has included the Panna Biosphere Reserve (PBR) in its <strong>World Network of Biosphere Reserves</strong> (WNBR).</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The PBR is the <strong>third in Madhya Pradesh</strong> to be included in the list after <strong>Pachmarhi and Amarkantak.</strong></li>
<li>Along with PBR, the <strong>Fuvahmulahand Addu Atoll in the Maldives</strong> has also been included in the WNBR.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>About:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Established in <strong>1981,</strong> PBR is located in the <strong>Panna and Chhatarpur districts of Madhya Pradesh</strong> with an area of around 540 km. sq.</li>
<li>It is situated in the <strong>Vindhya mountain range</strong> in the northern part of Madhya Pradesh.</li>
<li><strong>Ken River</strong> (one of the least polluted tributaries of the Yamuna River) flows through the reserve and the <a href="/to-the-points/paper1/ken-betwa-interlink-project" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Ken-Betwa river interlinking project</strong> </a>will also be located in it.</li>
<li>The region is also famous for<strong> Panna diamond mining.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Conservation and Recognition:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>1994:</strong> The <strong>Panna National Park</strong> got the status of <strong>Project Tiger Reserve</strong> as <strong>India&rsquo;s 22<sup>nd</sup> tiger reserve.</strong></li>
<li><strong>2011:</strong> It was <strong>notified as a Biosphere Reserve</strong> by the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC).</li>
<li><strong>2018:</strong> By 2018, it witnessed a <strong>remarkable turnaround in tiger population</strong> by increasing their numbers remarkably from zero estimated a decade ago.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Madhya Pradesh has the <strong>highest number of tigers</strong> in the country followed by <strong>Karnataka and Uttarakhand.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>2020:</strong> UNESCO included it in the <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/biosphere-reserves-in-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Man and Biosphere Programme</strong></a> (MAB).</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Biosphere Reserves</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><a href="/to-the-points/paper3/biosphere-reserves-in-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Biosphere Reserves</strong></a> (BRs) are representative parts of natural and cultural landscapes extending over large areas of terrestrial or coastal/marine ecosystems or a combination thereof and representative examples of biogeographic zones/provinces.</li>
<li>The idea of the biosphere reserve was initiated by <strong>UNESCO in 1974 under the MAB</strong> with the <strong>objective</strong> of obtaining international cooperation for the <strong>conservation of the biospheres.</strong></li>
<li>The<strong> first biosphere reserve of the world</strong> was established in <strong>1979</strong> and since then the network has increased to <strong>more than 600 in 119 countries</strong> across the world.</li>
<li>A scheme called <strong>Biosphere Reserve</strong> has been <strong>implemented by the Government of India since 1986.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Under it, financial assistance is given in a<strong> 90:10 ratio to the North Eastern Region States and three Himalayan states</strong> and in the ratio of <strong>60:40 to other states</strong> for maintenance, improvement and development.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The<strong> State Governments</strong> prepare the <strong>Management Action Plan</strong> which is approved and monitored by the Central MAB Committee.</li>
<li>India has a <strong>total of 18 Biosphere Reserves</strong> and with the inclusion of PBR, the number of <strong>internationally designated WNBR has become 12.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In <strong>2000,</strong> the <strong>Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve became the 1<sup>st</sup> BR from India</strong> to be included in the WNBR.</li>
<li>In<strong> 2018,</strong> the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/khangchendzonga-to-be-included-in-the-world-network-of-biosphere-reserves" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Khangchendzonga Biosphere Reserve became the 11<sup>th</sup> BR</strong></a> to be included in the list.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Man and Biosphere Programme</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Launched by the UNESCO in 1971,</strong> it is an<strong> intergovernmental scientific programme</strong> that <strong>aims</strong> to establish a scientific basis for the improvement of relationships between people and their environments.</li>
<li><strong>Every year UNESCO designates new Biosphere reserves and removes others</strong> to promote the <strong>conservation of biodiversity and resolve <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/man-animal-conflict-mac" target="_blank" rel="noopener">man-animal conflict</a></strong> at that site and enable sustainable use of natural resources.</li>
<li>MAB combines the natural and social sciences, economics and education to improve human livelihoods and the equitable sharing of benefits, and to safeguard natural and managed ecosystems, thus <strong>promoting innovative approaches to economic development that are socially and culturally appropriate, and environmentally sustainable.</strong></li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/unesco-declares-panna-tiger-reserve-a-biosphere-reserve/story-UeIXY6iH9nlAfvI0CRvlsM.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/panna-biosphere-reserve'
	],
	(int) 11 => [
		'title' => 'Startups In India',
		'catname' => 'News Editorials',
		'desc' => '<div class="border">
<p>This article is based on <a href="https://www.hindustantimes.com/analysis/india-is-in-the-middle-of-a-much-needed-start-up-revolution/story-iJtS8APZFZgcHwPhOzNNLJ.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>&ldquo;India is in the middle of a much-needed start-up revolution&rdquo;</strong> </a>which was published in The Hindustan Times on 10/11/2020. It talks about the issues and way forward related to the startup ecosystem in India.</p>
</div>
<p>In recent years, startups have been receiving increased attention in many parts of the world. In India, the number of startups has increased fast and more support has become available in all dimensions. It is due to vast <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/policy-reforms-for-startups" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>commercial potential for startups</strong></a>, India is often described as <strong>&ldquo;the</strong> <strong>poster child of emerging markets&rdquo;.</strong></p>
<p>Today Startups are being widely recognised as important engines for growth and jobs generation. Through innovation and scalable technology, startups can generate impactful solutions, and thereby act as vehicles for socio-economic development and transformation.</p>
<p>However, still there are many challenges that act as a hindrance in realising the true potential of startups in India.</p>
<h3>Opportunities Available</h3>
<p>India now has 38,756 officially-recognised start-ups &ndash; with 27 <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/policy-reforms-for-startups" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>unicorns</strong></a>, eight of which achieved this status in 2020 &ndash; and is the third-largest tech start-up hub globally. Apart from it, India&rsquo;s economy, demography and government&rsquo;s active support provides a wide scope for establishing a thriving startup environment.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Growing Indian Economy:</strong> Just before sudden disruption by <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/comprehensive-action-plan-for-covid-19" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Covid-19 pandemic</strong></a>, the Indian economy continued to grow and purchasing power was increasing steadily.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>As economic recovery is expected in the short-term, the rising consumption will be driven by the growth of upper-middle income and high-income segments of the population.</li>
<li>Thus, the size of indian market provides ample opportunity for startups to grow.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Favourable Demography:</strong> The demographics of the Indian population is another advantage. Half of the country&rsquo;s population are below the age of 25 years.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The nearly 700 million people born through the late 1980s to the 2000s carry material ambitions and have the ability to spend.</li>
<li>This makes them a huge section of population that has the ability to absorb the innovative goods and services provided by startups.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Active Government Support:</strong> Government of India launched the flagship initiative, <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/the-start-up-india-fund" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>&ldquo;Startup India&rdquo;</strong></a> in 2016. The program envisages to build a strong ecosystem that is conducive for the growth of startup businesses and kickstarted an entrepreneurship revolution.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Further, the overhaul of the digital payments ecosystem is being led by State innovation (NPCI), with Aadhaar, Jan Dhan, UPI, and India Stack.</li>
<li>As India improved its digital connectivity, market access barriers have been brought down and created a favourable ecosystem for startups.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>High Scope in Rural Areas:</strong> As the majority of India&rsquo;s population still resides in rural areas, many startups have focused towards providing ease of living in rural areas. For example:
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>FIA Global - with a network of 26,000 banking agents - is using Artificial Intelligence (AI) to deliver financial products and services such as remittance services and access to credit in rural areas, and has reached over 34 million customers.</li>
<li>MFine provides an AI-powered health care platform for people to consult over 3,500 doctors.</li>
<li>PharmEasy connects local pharmacy stores and diagnostic centres to verify prescriptions and deliver over 100,000 medicines.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1605011882_image2.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1605011882_image2.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" caption="false" width="503" height="437" /></a></p>
<h3>Associated Challenges</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Issues Emanating From Regional Imbalance:</strong> India is a highly diverse country with a plethora of cultures, languages, ethnicities and religions.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Due to this, the startups&rsquo; understanding of them is often limited to certain regions. In that sense, comparative advantages are linked to specific regions.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Digital Divide:</strong> As nearly 70% of the Indian population lives in rural areas, the customers of the mass market tend to come from low-income backgrounds in villages.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>This often discourages many startups to come up with a pan-India approach.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Issues of Funding:</strong> For running a startup, a significant amount of working capital is required. Many startups, especially at early stages, are bootstrapped, i.e. self-funded through the founders&rsquo; own savings, or using capital from friends and family.</li>
<li><strong>Hiring Challenge:</strong> For many job-seekers, joining a startup as an employee is not an attractive career option, due to the inherent risk that the startup might fail.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In addition to this, many job applicants are not sufficiently skilled. Startups see a gap between the knowledge taught to students in colleges and the knowledge needed for the jobs, especially in sectors in which technologies change at a fast pace.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Complex Regulatory Environment:</strong> The government of India has introduced policies that aim to ease the business environment for startups. However, the present regulatory framework in which startups operate is widely seen as difficult, inefficient and unpredictable.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>For example, the government has imposed &ldquo;Angel Tax&rdquo;, which was introduced in 2012 with the aim to thwart money laundering, but it also discourages investment in startups.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Integration with School Curriculum:</strong> The <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/national-education-policy-2020" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>National Education Policy, 2020</strong></a> envisages to promote student entrepreneurs by offering vocational education in partnership with industries and introducing coding for schoolchildren.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>This can have a favourable impact on the startup ecosystem in India, if entrepreneurial skills are integrated with the education curriculum under new education policy.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Bridging Digital Divide:</strong> There is a need to fill infrastructure gaps esp in rural areas, promote digital literacy and help people become more knowledgeable about the digital world. In this regard, the government initiative of <a href="/search/Pradhan%20Mantri%20Gramin%20Digital%20Saksharta%20Abhiyan" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Digital Saksharta Abhiyaan</strong></a> is a step in the right direction.</li>
<li><strong>Promoting Agri-Startups:</strong> As still the majority of Indian workforce is employed in agriculture, there is a need to clear roadblocks and promote <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/agritech-startups" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>agri-startups.</strong></a>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The new farm acts give greater choice to farmers and incentivise start-ups to transform the agriculture value chain in storage, finance, transport, aggregation, and marketing.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Startups in High-end Technology:</strong> The recently-released Draft Space Policy states that &ldquo;Indian entities can undertake design, development and realization of satellites and associated communication systems.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>They can establish satellite systems through their own built satellite or procured satellite.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Conclusion</h3>
<p>In present times startups in India are witnessing a golden chapter in the history of Indian entrepreneurship. However, still the indian government has a crucial role to play in positioning India as the Tech Garage of the World. It should act as a catalyst, and bring together the synergies of the private sector with the aim of innovating for India and the world.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1605012004_image1.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1605012004_image1.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="700" 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: #fffbf7;">
<p><span style="color: #000080;"><em><strong>Drishti Mains Question</strong></em></span></p>
<p>Startups are recognised as important engines for growth and jobs generation. Discuss various challenges that act as a hindrance in realising the true potential of startups in India.</p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p style="text-align: center;"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Vlfe2oP4zj4" 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/india-and-biden-the-hindu-editorial-on-india-us-ties-after-donald-trump/article33053717.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>&ldquo;India and Biden: On post-Trump ties&rdquo;</strong></a> which was published in The Hindu on November 09<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/startups-in-india-1'
	],
	(int) 12 => [
		'title' => 'Chabahar Project',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, <strong>Iran&rsquo;s Port and Maritime Organisation</strong> (PMO) has <strong>conveyed to India a request</strong> for locomotives and signalling equipment for the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/india-dropped-from-chabahar-rail-project" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Chabahar-Zahedan railway line.</strong></a></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Iran has been facing <strong>difficulty in procuring</strong> them directly due to the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/us-reimposes-sanctions-on-iran" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>sanctions imposed by the USA.</strong></a></li>
<li>Iran has also asked India to activate the<strong> USD 150 million credit</strong> line which was offered to it by India during the Iranian President's visit in 2018.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Chabahar Port</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It is located on the <strong>Gulf of Oman</strong> and is only <strong>72 km away from the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/viability-of-bri-and-cpec" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Gwadar port</a></strong> in <strong>Pakistan</strong> which has been developed by China.</li>
<li>The port serves as the<strong> only oceanic port of Iran</strong> and consists of<strong> two separate ports named Shahid Beheshti and Shahid Kalantari.]</strong></li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1605009729_image4.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1605009729_image4.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" caption="false" /></strong></a></p>
</div>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Background:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In <strong>May 2016,</strong> India, Iran and Afghanistan signed the <strong>trilateral agreement</strong> which entailed the establishment of<strong> Transit and Transport Corridor</strong> among them using Chabahar port in Iran as one of the regional hubs for sea transportation.</li>
<li>Construction of a <strong>rail line from Chabahar port to Zahedan,</strong> along the border with Afghanistan as an <strong>alternate trade route to Afghanistan and Central Asia,</strong> was also a part of it.</li>
<li>The state-owned <strong>Indian Railways Construction Ltd.</strong> (IRCON) <strong>signed a Memorandum of Understanding</strong> (MoU) <strong>with the Iranian Rail Ministry</strong> to provide all services, superstructure work and financing (around USD 1.6 billion).</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Reasons for Excluding India:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Iran&rsquo;s Stand:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>In <strong>July 2020,</strong> Iran decided to proceed with the rail line construction on its own, citing <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/india-not-making-promised-investments-in-chabahar-port-iran" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>delays from the Indian side</strong> </a><strong>in beginning and funding</strong> the project.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>India&rsquo;s Stand:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>IRCON completed the site inspection and feasibility report, and had been<strong> waiting for the Iranian side to appoint a nodal authority.</strong></li>
<li>Although the project has<strong> secured a special waiver from the USA,</strong> India is <strong>hesitant to deal with the construction company</strong> which has links with the <strong>Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps</strong> (IRGC) and is under the sanctions.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The IRGC is a<strong> hard-line force which operates its own military infrastructure</strong> in parallel to Iran&rsquo;s regular armed forces. In<strong> April 2020</strong>, it launched <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/noor-iran-s-first-military-satellite" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Iran&rsquo;s first military satellite Noor.</strong></a></li>
<li>Fear of sanctions by the USA has also impacted Indian interest in the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/india-iran" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Farzad-B gas field project</strong> </a>of Iran.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Significance of Chabahar Port for India:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Trade:</strong> It is being considered a <strong>gateway to golden opportunities</strong> for trade by the three countries with other <strong>Central Asian countries</strong> in the wake of Pakistan denying transit access to India.</li>
<li><strong>Security:</strong> China is aggressively pursuing its own <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/belt-and-road-initiative-perspectives-from-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Belt and Road Initiative</strong></a> (BRI) under the <strong>One Belt One Road</strong> (OBOR) project. The port can also act as a counter to Pakistan&rsquo;s <strong>Gwadar Port,</strong> which is being developed with Chinese investment.</li>
<li><strong>Connectivity:</strong> In future, the Chabahar project and the <a href="/search/International%20North%20South%20Transport%20Corridor" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>International North South Transport Corridor</strong> </a>(INSTC) will complement each other by optimising Indian connectivity with Russia and Eurasia.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Evolving Scenarios:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>With the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/impact-of-us-election-results-on-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>results of the USA elections,</strong></a> both <strong>India and Iran look for the possibile ease of sanctions</strong> allowing for increased engagements.</li>
<li>India is also keeping an <strong>eye on the negotiations on a 25-year strategic cooperation agreement between China and Iran</strong> (worth USD 400 billion) which could fund other parts of the Chabahar development, including a <strong>free trade zone</strong> along the Makran coast, and <strong>oil infrastructure projects,</strong> impinging on India's strategic ties with Iran.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Farzad-B Gas Field</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It is located in <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/persian-gulf-region" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Persian Gulf</strong> </a>(Iran) and the contract for exploration of the field was signed in <strong>2002</strong> by Indian consortium comprising <strong>Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Limited (ONGC) Videsh, Indian Oil Corporation</strong> and <strong>Oil India.</strong></li>
<li>The contract <strong>expired in 2009</strong> after declaration of commerciality of the field, based on the gas discovery. Since then, the consortium has been <strong>trying to secure the contract</strong> for development of the field.</li>
<li>The <strong>major dispute</strong> between India and Iran was <strong>over setting up of two pipelines,</strong> and also over<strong> money to be quoted</strong> on the development plan.</li>
<li>Around 75% of the deal was finalised by <strong>May 2018,</strong> when the <strong>USA unilaterally withdrew from the nuclear deal and announced sanctions</strong> on Iran.</li>
<li>In <strong>January 2020,</strong> Iran clarified that it would develop the field on its own and would like to<strong> involve India appropriately at a later stage.</strong></li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1605010121_image3.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1605010121_image3.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" caption="false" width="360" height="260" /></strong></a></p>
</div>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>In a world where<strong> connectivity</strong> is seen as the <strong>new currency,</strong> India&rsquo;s loss on account of these projects can become gain for some other country, <strong>especially China.</strong> Thus, India needs to play a <strong>balancing act</strong> between the USA and Iran and proactively protect its interest in the region.</li>
<li>As an emerging power, India <strong>cannot remain confined to South Asia</strong> and a <strong>peaceful extended neighbourhood</strong> (Iran-Afghanistan) is <strong>not only good for trade and energy security</strong> but also plays a <strong>vital role in India's aspirations of becoming a superpower.</strong></li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/months-after-starting-chabahar-rail-project-without-india-iran-requests-help-with-equipment/article33048813.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/chabahar-project'
	],
	(int) 13 => [
		'title' => 'CCI to Probe Google',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>The <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-national-institutions/competition-commission-of-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Competition Commission of India (CCI)</strong></a> has initiated a probe into alleged abuse of dominant position by the company to promote its <strong>payments app, Google Pay.</strong></p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>CCI highlighted<strong> two main anti market practices</strong> by google to unfairly <strong>push Google Pay</strong> it&rsquo;s payment app:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Mandatory Use:</strong> Google&rsquo;s policy of <strong>mandatory use</strong> of <strong>Google Play&rsquo;s payment system</strong> for purchasing the apps and IAPs (in-app purchases) in the Play Store.</li>
<li><strong>Exclusionary Practices:</strong> It <strong>excluded</strong> other mobile<strong> wallets/<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/upi-20-launched-by-npci" target="_blank" rel="noopener">UPI (Unified Payments Interface)</a></strong> apps as one of the effective payment options in Google Play&rsquo;s payment system.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The CCI also criticised Google&rsquo;s policy to charge <strong>30% commission for all app and in-app purchases.&nbsp;</strong>Since Google&rsquo;s Play store cornered about 90% of all downloads, a <strong>significant volume of payments being processed</strong> in the market would thus be <strong>controlled</strong> by it.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>If the application developers raise their subscription fees <strong>to offset the costs</strong> of google&rsquo;s commission or remove/reduce premium/paid subscription offers for users,<strong> it may affect user experience, cost and choice.</strong> Such conditions imposed by the app stores<strong> limit the ability of the app developers</strong> to offer payment processing solutions of their choice to the users.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>CCI also highlighted reports of Google abusing its <strong>dominant position in the Android-television market by creating barriers for companies</strong> which wanted to use or modify its Android operating systems for their smart televisions.</li>
<li>The probe against Google Pay comes days after the<strong> National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI)</strong> allowed rival <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/whatsapp-upi-and-npci-regulations" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Facebook-owned WhatsApp to go live on the UPI</strong></a> in the multi-bank model.</li>
<li>This is Google&rsquo;s<strong> third major antitrust challenge</strong> in India:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In 2018, the CCI fined Google $21 million for<strong> &lsquo;search bias&rsquo;:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It was alleged that Google was indulging in abuse of a dominant position in the market for online search through practices leading to search bias and search manipulation, among others.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>In 2019, the CCI started probing Google for allegedly misusing its <strong>dominant position to reduce the ability of smartphone manufacturers</strong> to opt for alternate versions of its Android mobile operating system.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Other countries where Google facing antitrust probe:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Regulatory scrutiny in the European Union for anti-competitive behaviour.</li>
<li>The <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/antitrust-case-against-google-usa" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>United States Department of Justice (DoJ) also sued Google</strong></a> alleging the company had abused its dominant position in a way that had harmed its competitors as well as customers.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>The Competition Act, 2002</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It was passed in 2002 and was amended by the <strong>Competition (Amendment) Act,</strong> 2007. It follows the philosophy of modern competition laws.</li>
<li>The <strong>Monopolies and Restrictive Trade Practices Act, 1969 (MRTP Act)</strong> was repealed and<strong> replaced by the Competition Act, 2002,</strong> on the recommendations of <strong>Raghavan committee.</strong></li>
<li>The Act <strong>prohibits</strong> anti-competitive agreements, abuse of dominant position by enterprises and regulates combinations, which causes or likely to cause an appreciable adverse effect on competition within India.</li>
<li>In accordance with the provisions of the Amendment Act, the<strong> Competition Commission of India</strong> and the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/national-company-law-appellate-tribunal-nclat-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Competition Appellate Tribunal (COMPAT)</strong></a> were established.</li>
<li>The government replaced COMPAT with the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/national-company-law-appellate-tribunal-nclat-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT) in 2017.</strong></a></li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Competition Commission of India</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It is a statutory body responsible for enforcing the objectives of the <strong>Competition Act, 2002.</strong></li>
<li>Composition: A <strong>Chairperson and 6 Members</strong> appointed by the Central Government.</li>
<li><strong>Objectives:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>To eliminate practices having adverse effects on competition.</li>
<li>Promote and sustain competition.</li>
<li>Protect the interests of consumers.</li>
<li>Ensure freedom of trade in the markets of India.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The Commission is also required <strong>to give an opinion on competition issues</strong> on a reference received from a statutory authority established under any law and to undertake competition advocacy, create public awareness and impart training on competition issues.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/india/google-to-be-probed-for-alleged-abuse-of-dominance-7034715/lite/" 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/cci-to-probe-google'
	],
	(int) 14 => [
		'title' => 'Earthquake Concentrations in Dharchula Region',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, scientists at <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/tectonically-active-zone-of-himalayas" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology</strong></a> (WIHG) have unearthed large concentrations of micro and moderate magnitude <a href="/to-the-points/paper1/earthquake-4" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>earthquakes</strong> </a>in the Dharchula region and adjoining areas of Kumaon Himalaya.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>WIHG is an autonomous institute under the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/50th-foundation-day-of-dst" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Department of Science and Technology</strong> </a>(DST), Government of India.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Location:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The major concentration is in an area <strong>around 45 km from the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/new-road-to-kailash-mansarovar" target="_blank" rel="noopener">new Kailash Mansarovar road</a></strong>, connecting <strong>Dharchula in Uttarakhand to Lipu Lekh on the China border.</strong></li>
<li>The region is known as the<strong> Central Seismic Gap</strong> (CSG)<strong> region,</strong> despite the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/re-measuring-mount-everest#:~:text=China%20and%20Nepal%20are%20soon,and%20announce%20the%20findings%20together." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Himalayas</strong> </a>being one of the most tectonically and seismically active regions in the country.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>A gap is a term used to<strong> denote an area with little tectonic activity.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Methodology:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Scientists started investigating and mapping the region precisely to find out the <strong>reason behind the occurrence of crowded</strong> (closely located and frequently felt) <strong>earthquakes.</strong></li>
<li>They <strong>established a seismological network of 15 broadband seismological stations</strong> along the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/kalapani-territory" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Kali River</strong></a> valley to investigate the subsurface configuration in the Kumaon Himalaya region with support from the Ministry of Earth Sciences.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Findings:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>These large concentrations of earthquakes are <strong>&ldquo;release of stress&rsquo;&rsquo;</strong> building up in the region and the geological structure behind it.</li>
<li>The Dharchula region <strong>falls between two knee-like structures, </strong>which<strong> traps the stress in this region.</strong></li>
<li>This is the reason why there have been crowded earthquakes here within a span of years and numerous smaller earthquakes have occurred here and the stress keeps building up.</li>
<li>For the stress to be finally released, there is a<strong> likelihood of a high magnitude earthquake in the region.</strong> However it is not possible to predict the scale or the exact time that an earthquake will occur.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Earthquake</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>An earthquake in simple words is the<strong> shaking of the earth.</strong> It is a <strong>natural event which is caused due to release of energy,</strong> which generates <strong>seismic waves</strong> that travel in all directions.</li>
<li>The location below the earth&rsquo;s surface where the earthquake starts is called the <strong>hypocenter,</strong> and the location directly above it on the surface of the earth is called the <strong>epicenter.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Types of Earthquakes:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Based on <strong>reasons behind their origins:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Fault Zones Earthquake.</li>
<li>Tectonic Earthquake.</li>
<li>Volcanic Earthquake.</li>
<li>Human Induced Earthquakes.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Based on the <strong>depth of focus:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Shallow Earthquakes (0-70 km deep)</li>
<li>Intermediate Earthquakes (70-300 deep)</li>
<li>Deep Earthquakes (300-700 km deep).</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Measurement of Earthquakes:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Seismometers</strong> detects seismic waves below the instrument and records them as a series of zig-zags.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Scientists can determine the time, location and intensity of an earthquake from the information recorded by a seismometer. This record also provides information about the rocks the seismic waves traveled through.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The earthquake events are<strong> scaled either according to the magnitude or intensity of the shock.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The <strong>magnitude scale is known as the Richter scale.</strong> The magnitude relates to the energy released during the quake. The magnitude is <strong>expressed in absolute numbers, 0-10.</strong></li>
<li>The <strong>intensity scale is named after Mercalli,</strong> an Italian seismologist. The intensity scale takes into account the visible damage caused by the event. The <strong>range of intensity scale is from 1-12.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Earthquakes in India</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>India is<strong> one of the highly earthquake affected countries</strong> because of the presence of <strong>tectonically active young fold mountains, Himalayas.</strong></li>
<li>India has been divided into<strong> four seismic zones (II, III, IV, and V)</strong> based on scientific inputs relating to seismicity, earthquakes occurred in the past and tectonic setup of the region.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1604996922_image2.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1604996922_image2.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="650" caption="false" /></a></p>
</div>
<p><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/india/stress-build-up-in-dharchula-region-scientists-warn-of-major-earthquake-7036837/" 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/earthquake-concentrations-in-dharchula-region'
	],
	(int) 15 => [
		'title' => 'Biodiversity Governance',
		'catname' => 'News Editorials',
		'desc' => '<div class="border">
<p>This article is based on <a href="https://www.downtoearth.org.in/blog/wildlife-and-biodiversity/biodiversity-governance-the-agreements-and-laws-that-help-enforce-it-72094" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>&ldquo;Biodiversity governance&rdquo;</strong></a> which was published in The Down to Earth on 06/11/2020. It talks about the issues related to biodiversity governance in India.</p>
</div>
<p>Extensive biodiversity loss in the past decades has spared neither developed nor developing countries. This rapidly accelerating biodiversity loss led to a series of negotiations and agreements among countries like the <a href="/summary-of-important-reports/6th-national-report-to-cbd" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Convention of Biological Diversity (CBD).</strong></a></p>
<p>The CBD, in its spirit, laid the foundation for environmental ethics taking priority over mindless exploitation and recognised the right of states to their genetic resources and the rights of communities to their traditional knowledge.</p>
<p>With these guidelines in mind, most countries that signed the CBD Nagoya in Japan in 2010 and adopted the <a href="/current-affairs-news-analysis-editorials/news-analysis/31-12-2018" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Nagoya Protocol</strong></a> that aimed to give effect to the fair and equitable sharing provisions of the CBD.</p>
<p>However, even after a decade, most of the world&rsquo;s biotechnology-based patents are owned by developed countries, with the resources to make them sourced from <a href="/current-affairs-news-analysis-editorials/news-analysis/26-11-2018#:~:text=Biodiversity%20Hotspots%20of%20India,%2C%20Bhutan%2C%20China%20and%20Myanmar)" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>mega-biodiverse countries</strong></a> like India. Thus, there is a need for a biodiversity governance system that can ensure fair and equitable sharing of genetic resources.</p>
<h3>Biodiversity Governance in India</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Nagoya Protocol sought to ensure commercial and research utilisation of genetic resources led to sharing its benefits with the government and the community that conserved such resources.</li>
<li>India&rsquo;s <a href="/current-affairs-news-analysis-editorials/news-analysis/31-12-2018" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Biological Diversity Act 2002</strong></a> (BD Act), is in close synergy with the Nagoya Protocol.</li>
<li>The BD Act was hailed as an important step towards preserving India&rsquo;s vast biodiversity, as it recognised the sovereign right of countries over its natural resources.</li>
<li>Under the BD Act, an important regulatory mechanism was the emphasis on<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/sixth-national-report-to-the-convention-of-biological-diversity" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> access and benefit sharing</strong> </a>(ABS) to local populations.</li>
<li>The BD Act seeks to address issues of managing bio-resources in the most decentralised manner possible.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The BD Act envisages three layered structures: the National Biodiversity Authority (NBA) at the national level, the state biodiversity boards (SSBs) at the state level and biodiversity management committees (BMCs) at the local level.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>It assumes significance because it imposes prohibitions on the transfer of genetic material originating from India without specific approval from competent authorities.</li>
<li>The act also strengthens the country&rsquo;s stand with respect to anyone claiming an intellectual property right over biodiversity-related knowledge.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Associated Issues</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Exclusion of Agriculture &amp; Conventional Practices:</strong> The Nagoya Protocol noted that each party shall consider the importance of genetic resources for food and agriculture and their special role for food security.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Thus, traditional agriculture and conventional practices are exempted from the purview of benefit-sharing.</li>
<li>Due to this, India has been a victim of misappropriation or bio-piracy of its genetic resources and associated traditional knowledge. Well-known examples of this include neem and turmeric.</li>
<li>Further, the challenge would be to protect the intellectual property rights of the traditional farmer who is under constant threat from external agencies.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Erosion Traditional Breeding Systems:</strong> As industrialisation advanced, so did commercial agriculture and the need for more efficient breeds increased. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>This led to a gradual reduction of traditional breeding systems and a consequent loss of agro biodiversity.</li>
<li>Further, there was a steady loss of traditional knowledge associated with ancient breeding systems.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>No Adequate Protection for Animal Genetic Resources:</strong> Access to crop genetic resources is not covered under the purview of Nagoya Protocol, it is protected under the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>However, for animal genetic resources, an equivalent instrument is absent.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>No Recognition of Traditional Knowledge:</strong> The main hindrance to protection of local biodiversity is the absence of recognition of traditional knowledge and a lack of legal protection against usurping the knowledge of indigenous communities.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Promoting Agricultural Societies:</strong> Traditionally, most agricultural societies in India integrated preservation of crop species into the social and religious milieu.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>This has helped preserve hundreds of species that would have been lost otherwise with the rise of commercial agriculture.</li>
<li>Thus, there is a need for promotion and preservation of such agricultural societies.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Integration of International Treaties:</strong> ABS implementation of Nagoya Protocol cannot work in isolation and thus must be commensurate with other international treaties. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Therefore, integration between ABS and the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (ITPGRFA) need to consider the legislative, administrative and policy measures that cross each other&rsquo;s path.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Note:</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>ITPGRFA, popularly known as the International Seed Treaty, is a comprehensive international agreement in harmony with CBD.</li>
<li>It aims at guaranteeing food security through the conservation, exchange and sustainable use of the world&rsquo;s plant genetic resources for food and agriculture (PGRFA), as well as the fair and equitable benefit sharing arising from its use.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>People&rsquo;s Biodiversity Register (PBR):</strong> PBR should aim to document folk knowledge of status, uses, history, ongoing changes and forces driving changes in biodiversity resources, and people&rsquo;s perceptions of how these resources should be managed.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>PBRs can be useful to preserve the rights of farmers or communities over the traditional knowledge they may hold over a particular variety.</li>
<li>Additionally, PBRs provide geographical identity to the bioresources and can be useful in providing a tool for clarification when disputes over biopiracy and intellectual property rights arise.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Engaging Industries:</strong> The integration of legislations such as <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/corporate-social-responsibility-csr-expenditure" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>corporate social responsibility</strong></a> with ABS can be beneficial to industries who wish to closely share benefits accrued from use of biological resources.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Conclusion</h3>
<p>India is a key mega-biodiversity country and possesses a repository of genetic resources related to flora and fauna. It is, therefore, essential to re-evaluate the integration of resource availability with mankind&rsquo;s development needs.</p>
<p>Apart from it, biodiversity governance should ensure that any utilisation of knowledge of bio-resources has a direct benefit to the communities that have been custodian of this traditional knowledge.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1604924782_image%200.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1604924782_image 0.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="800" 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: #fefff0;">
<p><span style="color: #000080;"><em><strong>Drishti Mains Question</strong></em></span></p>
<p>Biodiversity governance should ensure that any utilisation of knowledge of bio-resources has a direct benefit to the local communities. Comment.</p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>',
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		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/biodiversity-governance'
	],
	(int) 16 => [
		'title' => 'Petition for Declaring ESA Unconstitutional',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, a Kerala-based NGO for farmers has moved the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-national-institutions/supreme-court-of-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Supreme Court</strong> </a>(SC) to declare the draft notification on the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/ecologically-sensitive-areas-in-western-ghats" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Western Ghats Ecologically Sensitive Area</strong> </a>(ESA) unconstitutional.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It has sought a direction to the government to <strong>not implement the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/green-tribunal-steps-in-to-conserve-ghats" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Madhav Gadgil and Kasturirangan committees&rsquo; reports</a></strong> on the conservation of the Western Ghats.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Background:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The <strong>Western Ghats Ecology Expert Panel</strong> (WGEEP), also known as<strong> Gadgil Committee,</strong> and the <strong>Kasturirangan Committee, a High-Level Working Group,</strong> were constituted to<strong> conserve and protect the biodiversity of Western Ghats</strong> while allowing for sustainable and inclusive development of the region.</li>
<li>They recommended that <strong>identified geographical areas falling in the six States of Kerala, Karnataka, Goa, Maharashtra, Gujarat and Tamil Nadu</strong> should be declared as ESA.</li>
<li>A <strong>draft notification related to the same was issued in 2018</strong> mentioning the areas to be notified in the ESA.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Issues Highlighted by the Petition:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The draft notification would declare 123 agricultural villages in Kerala as ESA <strong>converting the semi-urban villages in the region into forests with no facilities and roads.</strong> It will <strong>affect 22 lakh people</strong> and <strong>cripple the economy</strong> of Kerala.</li>
<li>The Centre had <strong>wrongly branded people</strong> who had been residing in the Western Ghats area,<strong> as the &ldquo;destroyers of the biodiversity and agents of ecological damage.&rdquo;</strong></li>
<li>Apart from that, it suggested that <strong>ESA in Kerala should be restricted to <a href="/to-the-points/Paper2/indian-forest-act-1927" target="_blank" rel="noopener">reserved forests</a> and <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/extension-of-krishna-wildlife-sanctuary" target="_blank" rel="noopener">protected areas.</a></strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Gadgil Committee:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It recommended that<strong> all of the Western Ghats should be declared as the ESA</strong> with only limited development allowed in graded zones.</li>
<li>It classified the Western Ghats into <strong>ESA 1, 2 and 3</strong> of which <strong>ESA-1 is a high priority zone</strong> where almost all of the <strong>developmental activities</strong> (mining, thermal power plants, etc) should be<strong> restricted.</strong></li>
<li>It also recommended the <strong>constitution of Western Ghats Ecology Authority</strong> (WGEA), as a statutory authority under the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change (MoEFCC) with the powers under <strong>Section 3 of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.</strong></li>
<li>It was <strong>criticised for being more environment-friendly</strong> and<strong> not in tune with the ground realities.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Kasturirangan Committee:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It sought to <strong>balance the development and environment protection</strong> in contrast to the system proposed by the Gadgil report.</li>
<li>The committee&rsquo;s <strong>major recommendations were:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Instead of the total area of Western Ghats, <strong>only 37% of the total area to be brought under ESA.</strong></li>
<li>A complete <strong>ban on mining, quarrying and sand mining</strong> in ESA.</li>
<li><strong>No thermal power projects</strong> to be allowed and <strong>hydropower projects to be allowed only after detailed study.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Red industries</strong> (highly polluting industries) to be strictly <strong>banned.</strong></li>
<li>Exclusion of inhabited regions and plantations from the purview of ESAs making it a <strong>pro-farmer approach.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Ecologically Sensitive Areas</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><a href="/to-the-points/paper3/eco-sensitive-zones" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Eco-Sensitive Zones or Ecologically Fragile Areas</strong></a> are located <strong>within 10 km of Protected Areas, National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries.</strong></li>
<li>ESAs are <strong>notified by the MoEFCC under Environment (Protection) Act 1986.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Aim:</strong> To regulate certain activities around National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries so as to minimise the negative impacts on the fragile ecosystem encompassing the protected areas.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The matter pertains to the debate of &lsquo;Development versus Conservation&rsquo;, which highlights that destruction in the name of development should not be encouraged and sustainable development should be given priority.</li>
<li>A proper analysis based on scientific study followed by consensus among various stakeholders by addressing respective concerns is required to solve the differences in a timely manner.</li>
<li>Delays in implementation will only accentuate degrading of the prized natural resources of the country hence, with a holistic view of threats and demands on the forest land, products and services, devising strategies must be developed to address them.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/plea-in-sc-against-centres-notification-demarcating-56825-sqkm-in-6-states-as-western-ghats-esa/article33052304.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: TH</strong></a></p>',
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		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/petition-for-declaring-esa-unconstitutional'
	],
	(int) 17 => [
		'title' => 'Dobra Chanti bridge',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the Uttarakhand Chief Minister has inaugurated <strong>Dobra-Chanthi suspension bridge</strong> in<strong> Tehri-Garhwal</strong> district.</p>
<h3>Key points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The <strong>440-metre</strong> long Dobra Chanti bridge is India's<strong> longest motorable single lane suspension bridge.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Built over Tehri Lake,</strong> it will cut<strong> travel time</strong> between <strong>Tehri and Pratapnagar districts from 5 5 to 1.5 hours.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Benefits of the bridge</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Better connectivity within the region.</li>
<li>Boost tourism potential.</li>
<li>Gateway to development in the region.</li>
<li>Local employment promotion.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Tehri dam</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Tehri Dam is the <strong>highest dam in India</strong> and fourth highest dam in the world.</li>
<li>It is around 260.5 metre high and 592 metre long. It is part of the Tehri Dam &amp; Hydro Power Project (the multi-purpose river valley project) taken up for construction on <strong>River Bhagirathi</strong> to tap its vast potential for<strong> irrigation and hydro-electric purposes.</strong></li>
<li>It is located in the Tehri district of Uttarakhand.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>River Bhagirathi</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The river stream originates in the Garhwal Himalaya. The river after reaching <strong>Devprayag</strong> meets another head stream, the<strong> Alaknanda,</strong> forming river Ganga.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://www.business-standard.com/article/news-ani/uttarakhand-dobra-chanti-bridge-to-open-for-public-use-by-march-2020-119091001093_1.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: BS</strong></a></p>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/dobra-chanti-bridge'
	],
	(int) 18 => [
		'title' => 'Warli Art',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Artists in Hyderabad are using traditional<strong> Warli art (Maharashtra)</strong> form not just to beautify Hyderabad, but also to create awareness on important issues.</p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<h3><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1604915664_image1.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1604915664_image1.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="450" caption="false" /></a></h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Warli is a traditional art form of <strong>Maharashtra.</strong></li>
<li>Its roots can be traced to as early as<strong> the 10<sup>th</sup> century A.D.</strong></li>
<li>These paintings are distinctive with their vivid contrast expressions.</li>
<li>These paintings are mainly <strong>dominated by basic geometric shapes like circles, triangles and squares.</strong></li>
<li>These geometric shapes stand as a symbol of natural elements in our environment.</li>
<li>For example, the <strong>circles represent the sun and moon, the triangles represent the mountains</strong> and the squares are considered as the central motifs of the painting.</li>
<li><strong>People and animals are represented by two inverted triangles</strong> joined together, where the upper triangle is the torso and the lower triangle is the pelvis.</li>
<li>The central theme of the paintings are scenes portraying huntin, fishing, farming, festival and dances, trees and animals are used to surround the central theme.</li>
<li>Warli art form is being used by many artists to beautify cities and spread awareness through wall paintings.</li>
<li>It is also being used to beautify bags, bed sheets and many other items.</li>
<li>Warli is the vivid expression of daily and social events of the <strong>Warli tribe of Maharashtra,</strong> used by them to embellish the walls of village houses.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Warli Tribe</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>They are an indigenous tribe or Adivasis, living in the Mountainous as well as coastal areas of Maharashtra-Gujarat border and surrounding areas.</li>
<li>They speak an unwritten<strong> Varli language</strong> which belongs to the southern zone of <strong>the Indo-Aryan languages.</strong></li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/art/the-figures-of-the-warli-art-form-is-finding-its-way-on-to-hyderabads-walls-and-bags-and-bedsheets-too/article31058499.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/warli-art'
	],
	(int) 19 => [
		'title' => 'Impact of US Election Results on India',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p><strong>Joseph Robinette Biden Jr. has defeated Donald Trump</strong> to become the<strong> 46<sup>th</sup> US President.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Biden&rsquo;s <strong>running mate Kamala Devi Harris</strong> has become the first woman and first Indian- and African- American <strong>Vice President</strong> of the country. Biden and Harris will be <strong>sworn into office on 20<sup>th</sup> January 2021.</strong></li>
<li>The <strong>US</strong> has a<strong> Presidential System,</strong> whereas<strong> India</strong> has the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/parliamentary-vs-presidential-form-of-government" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Parliamentary System of Government.</strong></a></li>
<li>There are <strong>several ways</strong> in which the <strong>US economy,</strong> its health and the<strong> policy choices of its government affect India.</strong> Both the countries recently had<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/india-usa-2-2-dialogue-2020" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> 2+2 dialogue.</strong></a></li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>US Presidential System</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The US President is both the <strong>head of the State</strong> and <strong>head of the Government.</strong></li>
<li>The <strong>law making is done by the legislature</strong> (called the Congress in the US), but the President can veto any law.</li>
<li>S/he has a<strong> fixed tenure of four years</strong> and completes it even if her/his party does not have a majority in the Congress.</li>
<li>The President and the Vice President are <strong>chosen by &lsquo;electors&rsquo;</strong> through a process called the Electoral College.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The <strong>presidential candidate</strong> of each of the political parties, <strong>chooses a vice presidential running mate.</strong> Voters vote on the two&mdash;presidential and vice presidential candidates&mdash;as a team.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The President<strong> can be removed</strong> for conviction of treason, bribery, or other high crimes or misdemeanor.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Indian Parliamentary System</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>There is a<strong> President who is the formal Head of the state of India</strong> and the <strong>Prime Minister and the Council of Ministers,</strong> which <strong>run the government</strong> at the national level.</li>
<li>The <strong>Constitution of India vests the executive power of the Union formally in the President.</strong> In reality, the President exercises these powers through the Council of Ministers headed by the Prime Minister.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The Prime Minister has the support of majority in the Lok Sabha.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The President is<strong> elected for a period of five years.</strong> S/he is <strong>elected indirectly.</strong> This means that the President is elected not by the ordinary citizens but by the elected MLAs and MPs.</li>
<li>The President can be <strong>removed only for &lsquo;violation of the Constitution&rsquo; (<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/impeachment-of-us-president#:~:text=The%20US%20Constitution%20states%20that,%27violation%20of%20the%20Constitution%27." target="_blank" rel="noopener">impeachment procedure</a>).</strong></li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Economic Relations:</strong> Under Biden administration, India&rsquo;s trade with the US could recover from the dip since 2017-18.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Trade Surplus:</strong> A recent analysis by experts of CARE Ratings (a credit rating agency) shows that over the past 20 years, <strong>India has always had a trade surplus</strong> (exports exceeding imports) <strong>with the US.</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The trade surplus has widened from USD 5.2 billion in 2001-02 to USD 17.3 billion in 2019-20. Trade surplus had <strong>peaked at USD 21.2 billion in 2017-18</strong> and has moderated to some extent.</li>
<li>In 2019-20, India<strong> exported</strong> goods worth <strong>USD 53 billion</strong> to the US - that&rsquo;s roughly 17% of all Indian exports that year and <strong>imported</strong> goods worth USD 35.7 billion in return - that&rsquo;s roughly 7.5% of all Indian imports.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Trade in Services:</strong> India accounts for <strong>nearly 5% of USA&rsquo;s services imports</strong> from the World.</li>
<li><strong>Investment:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The <strong>US is the fifth-biggest source for <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/rise-in-foreign-direct-investment" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Foreign Direct Investment</a></strong> (FDI - investment in the physical assets inside India)<strong> into India.</strong> Only Mauritius, Singapore, Netherlands, and Japan have invested more FDI since 2000.</li>
<li>The US also accounts for <strong>one-third of all <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/increase-in-foreign-portfolio-investment" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Foreign Portfolio Investments</a></strong> (that is, investment in financial assets) into India.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>H1-B Visa Issue:</strong> How a US President looks at the H1-B visa issue, affects the prospects of Indian youth far more than the youth of any other country. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Under President Trump, who severely <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/urge-to-suspend-h-1b" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>curtailed the visa regime</strong></a>, owing to his policy of <strong>&ldquo;America First&rdquo;,</strong> India had suffered the most.</li>
<li>H-1B visa is a <strong>non-immigrant visa</strong> that allows American companies to employ foreign workers in speciality occupations that require theoretical or technical expertise.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>US&rsquo; Generalized System of Preference:</strong> India&rsquo;s exclusion from the US&rsquo; <strong>Generalized System of Preference (GSP)</strong> could come up for reconsideration under Biden.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In 2019, President Donald Trump had<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/us-withdraws-gsp-for-india-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> terminated India's designation as a beneficiary developing nation under the GSP</strong> </a><strong>trade programme</strong> after determining that it has not assured the US that it will provide "equitable and reasonable access" to its markets.</li>
<li>India <strong>was the largest beneficiary of the programme in 2017</strong> with USD 5.7 billion in imports to the US given duty-free status.</li>
<li>GSP is designed to promote economic development by allowing duty-free entry for thousands of products from designated beneficiary countries.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Other Issues:</strong> Other points of contention between India and US - such as the tricky issue of <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/Data-Localisation" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>data localisation</strong></a> or <strong>capping prices of medicines and medical devices -</strong> have a chance of getting towards a resolution.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Further, under the Trump administration, the <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/us-reimposes-sanctions-on-iran" target="_blank" rel="noopener">US sanctions on Iran</a> severely limited India&rsquo;s sourcing of cheap crude oil.</strong></li>
<li>On <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/india-china-conflict" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>China</strong></a>, it is more likely that<strong> a Biden administration will help India against China,</strong> instead of clubbing the two together.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Paris Climate Accord:</strong> Biden has promised to <strong>rejoin the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/china-s-renewed-support-for-paris-agreement" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Paris Climate Accord</a>,</strong> and this may help countries such as India in dealing with the massive challenges - both technical and financial - on this front.</li>
<li><strong>Civil Liberties and Democratic Rights in India:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Although some US Congressmen and women had raised red flags on the human rights situation following the revoking of J&amp;K&rsquo;s special status under <a href="/to-the-points/Paper2/to-the-point-article-370" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Article 370</strong></a> and passage of the <a href="/to-the-points/Paper2/citizenship-amendment-act-2019" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Citizenship (Amendment) Act</strong> </a>alongside the proposed nationwide <a href="/to-the-points/Paper2/to-the-point-paper-2-national-register-of-citizens-nrc" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>National Register of Citizens (NRC)</strong></a>, the Trump administration had not taken any actions beyond making some perfunctory statements.</li>
<li>According to the Biden campaign&rsquo;s policy paper, <strong>Biden</strong> has been<strong> &ldquo;disappointed</strong> by the measures that the Government of India has taken with the implementation and aftermath of the National Register of Citizens (NRC) in Assam and the passage of the Citizenship (Amendment) Act into law&rdquo;.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>India should be prepared to hold its own in tough conversations on sensitive issues. A Biden presidency may see a <strong>renewed push towards a rules-based trading system</strong> across the world - instead of outright ad-hocism as was the case under Trump - as well as a move away from the protectionist approach that has been getting strong across the world.</li>
<li>Combined with the control of Covid infections and the economic recovery, the US could yet again provide a growth impulse to the global economy that countries such as India need to boost their exports and grow.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/how-a-biden-presidency-may-affect-indias-economy-explainspeaking-7019832/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: IE</strong></a></p>',
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		'articles.display_printpdf' => 'integer',
		'display_printpdf' => 'integer',
		'articles__display_comments' => 'integer',
		'articles.display_comments' => 'integer',
		'display_comments' => 'integer',
		'articles__pdf_name' => 'string',
		'articles.pdf_name' => 'string',
		'pdf_name' => 'string',
		'articles__display_archive' => 'integer',
		'articles.display_archive' => 'integer',
		'display_archive' => 'integer',
		'articles__star_rating' => 'integer',
		'articles.star_rating' => 'integer',
		'star_rating' => 'integer'
	],
	'decorators' => (int) 0,
	'executed' => false,
	'hydrate' => true,
	'buffered' => true,
	'formatters' => (int) 0,
	'mapReducers' => (int) 0,
	'contain' => [],
	'matching' => [],
	'extraOptions' => [],
	'repository' => object(App\Model\Table\ArticlesTable) {}

}
$page = (int) 77
$search = 'class'
$totalPages = (float) 334
$title = 'Search'
$lastyear = (int) 2018
$year = '2021'
$i = (int) 2017
$selected = ''
$m = (int) 13
$month = 'December'

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

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