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Muslim Women Rights Day

Why in News Recently, 1st August has been recorded as “Muslim Women Rights Day” in the country’s history to mark first anniversary...

01 Aug 2020 News Analysis
National Education Policy (NEP) 2020

This article is based on “A long road: On National Education Policy 2020” which was published in The Hindu on 31/07/2020. It talks...

31 Jul 2020 News Editorials
CHRI Report on Slavery

Why in News Recently, the Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative (CHRI) and Walk Free (an international anti-slavery organisation) releaed a report on...

31 Jul 2020 News Analysis
International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER) Assembly

Why in News Recently, the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER) celebrated the start of Assembly of the ITER Tokamak at...

31 Jul 2020 News Analysis
AIM-iCREST: NITI Aayog

Why in News Recently, the Atal Innovation Mission (AIM) has launched an incubator capabilities enhancement program ‘AIM-iCREST’. Atal...

31 Jul 2020 News Analysis
Dispute Panels Against India: WTO

Why in News Recently, the Dispute Settlement Body (DSB) of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) has set up two dispute settlement panels targeting...

31 Jul 2020 News Analysis
Efficacy of Anti-Defection Law

This editorial is based on “Why the anti-defection law has failed to deliver” which was published in The Hindustan Times on 30/7/2020....

30 Jul 2020 News Editorials
Natesa: Pratihara Style of Rajasthan

Why in News Natesa, a rare sandstone idol from the 9th century (Pratihara Style of Rajasthan) has been retrieved after 22 years by Rajasthan...

30 Jul 2020 News Analysis
Earthquake

An earthquake in simple words is the shaking of the earth. It is a natural event. It is caused due to release of energy, which generates waves that...

30 Jul 2020 Paper 1
India Report on Digital Education, 2020

Why in News Recently, the Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD) has launched India Report on Digital Education, 2020. Recently the MHRD...

30 Jul 2020 News Analysis
Induction of French Rafale Aircrafts in IAF

Why in News Recently, Indian Air Force (IAF) has received its first batch (5 out of 36) of French Rafale aviation combat aircraft at Ambala Air base...

30 Jul 2020 News Analysis
AIIB and India

Why in News Jin Liqun has been re-elected as the President of the China-based Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) for a second five-year...

30 Jul 2020 News Analysis
High Level of Ammonia in Yamuna

Why in News Recently, high levels (around 3 parts per million) of ammonia in the Yamuna river has been detected in Delhi which led to the disruption...

30 Jul 2020 News Analysis
Aerial Seeding in Haryana

Why in News Recently, the Haryana government has employed aerial seeding techniques to improve green cover in the Aravalli area of the state. The...

30 Jul 2020 News Analysis
National Education Policy, 2020

Why in News Recently, the Union Cabinet has approved the new National Education Policy (NEP), 2020 with an aim to introduce several changes in the...

30 Jul 2020 News Analysis
Protesting is a Fundamental Right: UN

Why in News Recently, the United Nations (UN) Human Rights Committee has reaffirmed that protesting peacefully, online or in person, is a...

30 Jul 2020 News Analysis
Militarising Andaman and Nicobar Islands

This article is based on “Militarising Andamans: The costs and the benefits” which was published in The Hindustan Times on 29/07/2020....

29 Jul 2020 News Editorials
100% FDI in Air India for NRIs

Why in News Recently, the Ministry of Finance has allowed Non Resident Indians (NRIs) to have 100% Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in Air...

29 Jul 2020 News Analysis
Centre’s Inability to Pay GST Dues

Why in News In a recent meeting, the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Finance has been informed that the government is not in a position to pay...

29 Jul 2020 News Analysis
Signs of Economic Recovery: CII

Why in News Recently, the Confederation of Indian Industries (CII) has said that there are early signs of a V-shaped recovery in the economy in the...

29 Jul 2020 News Analysis

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			'title' => 'Muslim Women Rights Day',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, <strong>1<sup>st</sup> August</strong> has been recorded as<strong> &ldquo;Muslim Women Rights Day&rdquo;</strong> in the country&rsquo;s history to mark <strong>first anniversary</strong> of the passage of <strong>Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Act, 2019.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The law made triple talaq a<strong> criminal offence.</strong></li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Triple Talaq</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Triple talaq is a practice mainly <strong>prevalent among India&rsquo;s Muslim community</strong> following the <strong>Hanafi Islamic school of law.</strong></li>
<li>Under the practice, a Muslim man can divorce his wife by simply uttering &ldquo;talaq&rdquo; three times but women<strong> cannot</strong> pronounce triple talaq and are required to move a court for getting divorce under the <strong>Sharia Act, 1937.</strong></li>
<li>Triple talaq divorce is<strong> banned</strong> by many Islamic countries, including <strong>Pakistan, Bangladesh and Indonesia.</strong></li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Provisions of the Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Act, 2019</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The Act makes all declaration of talaq, including in written or electronic form, to be <strong>void (i.e. not enforceable in law) and illegal.</strong></li>
<li>It also makes a declaration of talaq a <strong>cognizable offence</strong> ( only if information relating to the offence is given by a married woman against whom talaq has been declared), attracting up to <strong>three years</strong> imprisonment with a fine.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>A cognizable offence is one for which a police officer may arrest an accused person without warrant.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The Magistrate <strong>may grant bail</strong> to the accused. The bail may be granted <strong>only after hearing the woman</strong> (against whom talaq has been pronounced), and if the Magistrate is satisfied that there are reasonable grounds for granting bail.</li>
<li>The offence <strong>may be compounded</strong> (i.e. the parties may arrive at a compromise) by the Magistrate upon the request of the woman (against whom talaq has been declared).</li>
<li>A Muslim woman against whom talaq has been declared, is entitled to seek <strong>subsistence allowance</strong> from her husband for herself and for her dependent children.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Constitutional Provisions:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The Triple Talaq was held to be <strong>violative of Article 14 (the right to equality),</strong> which is held by the Supreme Court from <strong>Shah Bano case (1986) to Shayara Bano case in 2017.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Article 25</strong> of the Constitution guarantees religious freedom as Freedom of Practice and Propagation of Religion. Like all other Fundamental Rights, it is<strong> subject to restrictions</strong> and does not protect religious practices that can negatively affect the welfare of citizens.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Hence, Article 25 is <strong>overridden</strong> by Article 14, which guarantees the Right to Equality as triple talaq denies a Muslim woman&rsquo;s equality before the law.</li>
<li>Article 25 is also <strong>subject to Article 15 (1)</strong> which states that the State &ldquo;shall not discriminate against any citizen on grounds only of religion, race, caste, sex&hellip;&rdquo; Since triple talaq does not work in the favour of women, it violates Article 15 (1) of the Constitution.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The implementation of the Act has shown a <strong>decline of about 82% in Triple Talaq cases</strong> in India. It has strengthened <strong>&ldquo;self-reliance, self-respect and self-confidence&rdquo;</strong> of the Muslim women of the country.</li>
<li>The law is a step towards ensuring <strong>gender equality</strong> and strengthening constitutional, fundamental and democratic rights of the Muslim women.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=1642559#:~:text=Shri%20Naqvi%20said%20that%20%E2%80%9C1,Indian%20democracy%20and%20Parliamentary%20history.%E2%80%9D" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source:PIB</strong></a></p>',
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		(int) 1 => [
			'title' => 'National Education Policy (NEP) 2020',
			'catname' => 'News Editorials',
			'desc' => '<div class="border">
<p>This article is based on <a href="https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/editorial/a-long-road-the-hindu-editorial-on-national-education-policy-2020/article32233472.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>&ldquo;A long road: On National Education Policy 2020&rdquo;</strong></a> which was published in The Hindu on 31/07/2020. It talks about the significance of National Education policy 2020.</p>
</div>
<p>Recently, the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/national-education-policy-2020" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>National Education Policy (NEP) 2020</strong></a> was announced by the Ministry of Human Resource Development (soon to be called the Ministry of Education). The policy is aimed at transforming the Indian education system to meet the needs of the 21<sup>st</sup> Century.</p>
<p>The new policy seeks rectification of poor literacy and numeracy outcomes associated with primary schools, reduction in dropout levels in middle and secondary schools and adoption of the multi-disciplinary approach in the higher education system.</p>
<p>Apart from this, the policy also focuses on early childhood care, restructuring curriculum and pedagogy; reforming assessments and exams, and investing in teacher training and broad-basing their appraisal.</p>
<p>Though the NEP 2020 seeks to bring a holistic change in the education system of India, its success depends on the will and way in which it will be implemented.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1596197883_image0.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1596197883_image0.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="700" caption="false" /></a></p>
<h3>Significance of National Education Policy 2020</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Recognising Importance of Formative years:</strong> In adopting a <strong>5+3+3+4 model for school education starting at age 3,</strong> the policy recognises the primacy of the formative years from ages 3 to 8 in shaping the child&rsquo;s future.</li>
<li><strong>Departure from Silos Mentality:</strong> Another key aspect of school education in the new policy is the breaking of the strict division of arts, commerce and science streams in high school. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>This can lay the foundation for a multi-disciplinary approach in high education.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>The Confluence of Education and Skills:</strong> Another laudable aspect of the scheme is the introduction of vocational courses with an internship. This may nudge the vulnerable sections of society to send their children to school.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Also, it would help in realisation of the goal of<strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/the-problem-of-skilling-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> Skill India Mission.</a></strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Making Education More Inclusive:</strong> The NEP proposes the extension of the Right to Education (RTE) to all children up to the age of 18.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Further, the policy seeks to leverage the huge potential of online pedagogy and learning methodologies for increasing gross enrolment in higher education.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Light But Tight Oversight:</strong> According to the policy, in spite of periodic inspection, transparency, maintaining quality standards and a favourable public perception will become a 24X7 pursuit for the institutions, leading to all-round improvement in their standard. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The policy also seeks to establish a super-regulator for education which will be responsible for standards-setting, funding, accreditation and regulation of higher education India.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Allowing Foreign Universities:</strong> The document states universities from among the top 100 in the world will be able to set up campuses in India.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>This will lead to an infusion of international perspective and innovation, which will make the Indian education system more efficient and competitive.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Ending Hindi vs English Debate:</strong> Most crucially, NEP, once and for all, buries the strident Hindi versus English language debate; instead, it emphasises on making mother tongue, local language or the regional language the medium of instruction at least till Grade 5, which is considered the best medium of teaching.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Issues Related to NEP 2020</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Knowledge-Jobs Mismatch:</strong> There is a persistent mismatch between the knowledge &amp; skills imparted and the jobs available. This has been one of the main challenges that have affected the Indian education system since Independence.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>NEP 2020 failed to check this, as it is silent on education related to emerging technological fields like artificial intelligence, cyberspace, nanotech, etc.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>The Requirement of Enormous Resources.</strong> An ambitious target of public spending at 6% of GDP has been set. Mobilising financial resources will be a big challenge, given the low tax-to-GDP ratio and competing claims on the national exchequer of healthcare, national security and other key sectors.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Need For Cooperative Federalism:</strong> Since education is a concurrent subject (both the Centre and the state governments can make laws on it), the reforms proposed can only be implemented collaboratively by the Centre and the states.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Thus, the Centre has the giant task of building a consensus on the many ambitious plans.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Strive Towards Universalisation of Education:</strong> There is a need for the creation of &lsquo;inclusion funds&rsquo; to help socially and educationally disadvantaged children pursue education.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Also, there is a need to set up a regulatory process that can check profiteering from education in the form of unaccounted donations.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Bridging Digital Divide</strong>: If technology is a force-multiplier, with unequal access it can also expand the gap between the haves and have nots.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Thus, the state needs to address the striking disparities in access to digital tools for universalization of education.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Interministerial Coordination:</strong> There is an emphasis on vocational training, but to make it effective, there has to be close coordination between the education, skills and labour ministry.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Conclusion</h3>
<p>The new National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, is a good policy as it aims at making the education system holistic, flexible, multidisciplinary, aligned to the needs of the 21<sup>st</sup> century and the <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/sustainable-development-3#:~:text=To%20bring%20sustainable%20development%20in,over%20the%20next%2015%20years." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>2030 Sustainable Development Goals.</strong></a> The intent of policy seems to be ideal in many ways but it is the implementation where lies the key to success.</p>
<table border="1" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="width: 100%; border-style: dotted; border-color: #ff0000; background-color: #fffeeb;">
<p><span style="color: #000080;"><em><strong>Drishti Mains Question</strong></em></span></p>
<p>Discuss the salient features of National Education policy 2020 and how can it bring holistic changes in the Indian education system?</p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p style="text-align: center;"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/oD-Kn4Z9CYM" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p>
<p>This editorial is based on <a href="https://www.hindustantimes.com/analysis/why-the-anti-defection-law-has-failed-to-deliver/story-JtDhlEFHZ8VPpnNBD7Fv9J.html%E2%80%9D" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>&ldquo;Why the anti-defection law has failed to deliver&rdquo;</strong></a> which was published in The Hindustan Times on July 30<sup>th</sup>, 2020. Now watch this on our Youtube channel.</p>',
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		],
		(int) 2 => [
			'title' => 'CHRI Report on Slavery',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the <strong>Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative (CHRI)</strong> and <strong>Walk Free</strong> (an international anti-slavery organisation) releaed a <strong>report on slavery</strong> on the occasion of <strong>World Day Against Trafficking in Persons (30<sup>th</sup> July).</strong></p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>The Report:</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It<strong> assessed the progress made by Commonwealth countries</strong> on the promises made in 2018<strong> to end modern slavery by 2030</strong> and achieve the <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/sustainable-development-3" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Sustainable Development Goal</strong></a> <strong>(Target 8.7)</strong> of <strong>ending forced labour, <a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/the-big-picture-war-against-human-trafficking" target="_blank" rel="noopener">human trafficking</a> and <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/world-day-against-child-labour" target="_blank" rel="noopener">child labour.</a></strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Commonwealth countries <strong>accounts for about 40% of people living in conditions of modern slavery in the world.</strong></li>
<li>It is estimated that 1 in every 150 people in the Commonwealth countries live in conditions of modern slavery.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>It found that Commonwealth countries have made little progress <strong>towards their commitment to eradicate modern slavery</strong> and have been <strong>lacking in actions</strong> to eradicate the modern slavery <strong>by 2030.</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>One-third of the Commonwealth countries had criminalised forced marriage, while 23 had not criminalised commercial sexual exploitation of children.</li>
<li>All Commonwealth countries report gaps in victim assistance programs.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>India Specific Outcome:</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>India had fared the worst in terms of coordination. It has no national coordinating body</strong> or<strong> National Action Plan</strong> in place to deal with modern day slavery.</li>
<li>India accounted for <strong>one-third of all child brides</strong> in the world.</li>
<li>India, like all other Commonwealth countries in Asia, had not ratified the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/minimum-wages-act-for-domestic-workers" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>International Labour Organisation&rsquo;s</strong> </a>2011 <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/minimum-wages-act-for-domestic-workers" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Domestic Workers Convention</strong></a> or the 2014<strong> Forced Labour Protocol.</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The 2014 Forced Labour Protocol obligates state parties to provide protection and appropriate remedies, including compensation, to victims of forced labour and to sanction the perpetrators of forced labour.</li>
<li>It also obligates state parties to develop a national policy and plan of action for the effective and sustained suppression of forced or compulsory labour.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Steps Taken by India</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Constitutional Provisions:</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Article 21</strong> deals with the Right to Life and Personal Liberty.</li>
<li><strong>Article 23</strong> of the Constitution <strong>prohibits</strong> forced labour.</li>
<li><strong>Article 24</strong> <strong>prohibits</strong> the employment of children (below the age of fourteen years) in factories, etc.</li>
<li><strong>Article 39</strong> directs the State to secure the health and strength of workers, men and women, and to see the tender age of children are not abused and that citizens are not forced by economic necessity to enter avocations unsuited to their age or strength.</li>
<li><strong>Article 42</strong> directs the State to make provision for securing just and humane conditions of work and for maternity relief.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Legal Provision:</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Various sections in <strong>Indian Penal Code (IPC)</strong> such as <strong>366A, 366B, 370 and 374.</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Section 370 and 370A of Indian Penal Code (IPC) provide for comprehensive measures to counter the menace of human trafficking including trafficking of children for exploitation in any form including physical exploitation or any form of sexual exploitation, slavery, servitude, or the forced removal of organs.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The <strong>Juvenile Justice Act, 2015</strong> and the <strong>Information Technology (IT) Act, 2000</strong> and also the<strong> Immoral Traffic Act, Prevention of Child Labour Act 1956,</strong> the <strong>Bonded Labour (Abolition) Act 1976,</strong> among others aims to eradicate various forms of slavery.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Other Initiatives:</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>India has <strong>ratified the United Nations Convention on Transnational Organised Crime (UNCTOC)</strong> which among others has a Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, especially Women and Children.</li>
<li>India has <strong>ratified the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/south-asian-association-for-regional-cooperation-saarc" target="_blank" rel="noopener">South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC)</a> Convention on Preventing and Combating Trafficking</strong> in Women and Children for Prostitution.</li>
<li><strong>A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between India and Bangladesh</strong> has been signed on bilateral Cooperation for Prevention of Human Trafficking in Women and Children, Rescue, Recovery, Repatriation and Re-integration of Victims of Trafficking was signed in June, 2015.</li>
<li><strong>Anti-Trafficking Nodal Cell</strong> was set up in the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) in 2006 to act as a focal point for communicating various decisions and follow up on action taken by the State Governments to combat the crime of Human Trafficking.</li>
<li><strong>Judicial Conferences:</strong> In order to train and sensitize the trial court judicial officers, Judicial conferences on human trafficking are held at the High court level. The aim is to <strong>sensitize the judicial officers</strong> about the various issues concerning human trafficking and to ensure speedy court process.</li>
<li>To enhance the capacity building of law enforcement agencies and generate awareness among them, various<strong> Training of Trainers (TOT) workshops on &lsquo;Combating Trafficking in Human Beings&rsquo; for Police officers</strong> and for Prosecutors at Regional level, State level and District level have been organized by the government throughout the country.</li>
<li>Ministry of Home Affairs under a Comprehensive Scheme<strong> &lsquo;Strengthening Law Enforcement Response in India against Trafficking in Persons&rsquo;</strong> through Training and Capacity Building, has released fund for <strong>establishment of Anti Human Trafficking Units</strong> for 270 districts of the country.
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The primary role of an <strong>Anti Human Trafficking Unit (AHTU)</strong> is law enforcement and liaising with other concerned agencies for care &amp; rehabilitation of victims.</li>
<li>MHA conducts coordination meetings with the Nodal Officers of Anti Human Trafficking Units nominated in all States/UTs periodically.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Modern Slavery</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Modern slavery refers to <strong>situations of exploitation</strong> that a person cannot escape because of threats, violence, coercion, and abuse of power or deception. They may be held in debt bondage on fishing boats, against their will as domestic servants or trapped in brothels.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative (CHRI)</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It is an independent, non-partisan, <strong>international non-governmental organisation, headquartered in New Delhi,</strong> working for the practical realisation of human rights across the Commonwealth.</li>
<li>The Commonwealth is a <strong>voluntary association of 54 independent and equal sovereign states.</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It is <strong>one of the world&rsquo;s oldest political associations of states.</strong> Its roots go back to the British Empire when some countries were ruled directly or indirectly by Britain. Some of these countries became self-governing while retaining Britain&rsquo;s monarch as Head of State. They formed the British Commonwealth of Nations.</li>
<li><strong>In 1949, the Commonwealth came into being.</strong> Since then, independent countries from Africa, the Americas, Asia, Europe and the Pacific have joined the Commonwealth.</li>
<li>Membership is <strong>based on free and equal voluntary cooperation. Rwanda and Mozambique -</strong> have no historical ties to the British Empire.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/commonwealth-countries-lagging-behind-on-action-against-modern-slavery-says-report/article32233622.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/chri-report-on-slavery'
		],
		(int) 3 => [
			'title' => 'International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER) Assembly',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER) celebrated the start of <strong>Assembly of the ITER Tokamak at Saint-Paul-Lez-Durance, France.</strong></p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Significance of the Event:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The Celebration was hosted <strong>virtually</strong> by the French President and <strong>all ITER member</strong> countries<strong> participated</strong> either in person, or electronically through remote mode.</li>
<li>India also participated in the celebrations and considered the <strong>global participation of scientists</strong> to project as a perfect illustration of the age-old Indian belief - <strong>Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam is a Sanskrit phrase which means<strong> &lsquo;The World is One Family&rsquo;.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>India&rsquo;s Contribution:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>India also mentioned about its fair share in terms of its in-kind contributions, viz., the cryostat, cryogenic and cryo-distribution systems, auxiliary heating devices, multi megawatt power supplies, etc.</li>
<li>ITER cryostat is manufactured by <strong>India (Larsen and Tourbo).</strong> Cryostat is a chamber that can maintain <strong>very low temperatures.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It is the largest stainless steel high-vacuum pressure chamber ever built (16,000 m<sup>3</sup>) providing the high vacuum, ultra cool environment for the ITER vacuum vessel and the superconducting magnets.</li>
<li>The target for the<strong> first plasma is 2025.</strong> At extreme temperatures, electrons are separated from nuclei and a gas becomes a plasma&mdash;<strong>an ionized state of matter similar to a gas.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>European Union (EU)</strong> is responsible for the<strong> largest portion of construction costs</strong> (45.6%); the remainder is <strong>shared equally</strong> by China, Japan, South Korea, Russia, USA including<strong> India (9.1% each).</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Nuclear Reactions</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Description:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>A nuclear reaction is the process in which <strong>two nuclei,</strong> or a nucleus and an external subatomic particle, collide to produce one or more new nuclides.</li>
<li>Thus, a nuclear reaction must cause a transformation of at least one nuclide to another.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Types:<a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1596183299_image2.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1596183299_image2.png" style="float: right;" width="450" caption="false" /></a></strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Nuclear Fission:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The nucleus of an <strong>atom splits</strong> into two daughter nuclei.</li>
<li>This decay can be<strong> natural</strong> spontaneous splitting by radioactive decay, or can actually be<strong> simulated</strong> in a lab by achieving necessary conditions (bombarding with neutrons, alpha particles, etc.).</li>
<li>The resulting fragments tend to have a combined<strong> mass which is less than the original.</strong> The missing mass is usually converted into nuclear energy.</li>
<li>Currently all commercial nuclear reactors are <strong>based on nuclear fission.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Nuclear Fusion:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Nuclear Fusion is defined as the combining of two lighter nuclei into a heavier one.</li>
<li>Such nuclear fusion reactions are the<strong> source of energy in the Sun and other stars.</strong></li>
<li>It takes considerable energy to force the nuclei to fuse. The conditions needed for this process are extreme &ndash; millions of degrees of temperature and millions of pascals of pressure.</li>
<li>The <strong>hydrogen bomb</strong> is based on a thermonuclear fusion reaction. However, a <strong>nuclear bomb based on the fission</strong> of uranium or plutonium is<strong> placed at the core of the hydrogen bomb</strong> to provide initial energy.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Establishment:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER) is a collaboration of <strong>35 nations</strong> launched in <strong>1985.</strong></li>
<li>It is located in <strong>France.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Aim:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It aims to build the <strong>world's largest tokamak</strong> to prove the <strong>feasibility of fusion</strong> as a <strong>large-scale and carbon-free</strong> source of energy.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The <strong>tokamak</strong> is an experimental machine designed to harness the energy of fusion. Inside a tokamak, the energy produced through the fusion of atoms is absorbed as heat in the walls of the vessel. Like a conventional power plant, a fusion power plant uses this heat to produce steam and then electricity by way of turbines and generators.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Applicable Principle:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The project is based on<strong> fusion</strong> which is also an<strong> energy source</strong> for the<strong> Sun and stars.</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Every fusion reaction in the Sun, in which two hydrogen atoms fuse into one helium atom, releases two <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/high-energy-neutrinos-detected#:~:text=Neutrinos%20are%20produced%20during%20natural,and%20explosions%20happening%20in%20space." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>neutrinos.</strong></a></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Significance:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>ITER will be the <strong>first fusion device</strong> to maintain <strong>fusion for long periods</strong> of time and also<strong> to test the integrated technologies,</strong> materials, and physics regimes necessary for the commercial production of fusion-based electricity.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Participation:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The ITER members include <strong>China, the European Union, India, Japan, South Korea, Russia and the United States.</strong></li>
<li>According to the <strong>ITER Agreement (2006),</strong> the above mentioned seven members will share the cost of project construction, operation and decommissioning.</li>
<li>They also share the experimental results and any intellectual property generated by the fabrication, construction and operation phases.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1642139" 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/international-thermonuclear-experimental-reactor-iter-assembly'
		],
		(int) 4 => [
			'title' => 'AIM-iCREST: NITI Aayog',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the <strong>Atal Innovation Mission (AIM)</strong> has launched an incubator capabilities enhancement program <strong>&lsquo;AIM-iCREST&rsquo;.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Atal Innovation Mission (AIM) is a <strong>flagship initiative set up by the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-national-institutions/niti-aayog-national-institution-for-transforming-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener">NITI Aayog</a></strong> to promote a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship in the country.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>AIM-iCREST is an <strong>Incubator Capabilities Enhancement program for a Robust Ecosystem</strong> focused on <strong>creating high performing Startups.</strong></li>
<li>It has been designed to act as a<strong> growth support for AIM&rsquo;s Atal and Established Incubators</strong> across the country. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>For the same, AIM has joined hands with Bill &amp; Melinda Gates Foundation and Wadhwani Foundation - organizations that can lend credible support and expertise in the entrepreneurship and innovation space.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The <strong>AIM&rsquo;s incubators are set to be upscaled and provided requisite support</strong> to foster the incubation enterprise economy, that will help them to significantly enhance their performance. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>This will be complemented by <strong>providing training to entrepreneurs,</strong> through technology driven processes and platforms.</li>
<li>The focus will be on<strong> supporting start-up entrepreneurs in knowledge creation and dissemination</strong> as well as in developing robust and active networks.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>AIM&rsquo;s Atal and Established Incubators:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Business incubators</strong> are institutions that <strong>support entrepreneurs in developing their businesses,</strong> especially in initial stages. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Incubation is usually done by institutions which have experience in the business and technology world.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Atal Incubation Centres:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>AIM intends to support the establishment of new incubation centres called <strong>Atal Incubation Centres (AICs)</strong> that would nurture innovative start-ups in their pursuit to become scalable and sustainable business enterprises.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Established Incubation Centres:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>In recent years, academia, industry, investors, small and big entrepreneurs, government organizations, and non-governmental organizations have taken an initiative to set up incubation centres across the country.</li>
<li>AIM envisages to <strong>upgrade these Established Incubation Centres (EICs) to world-class standards.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Atal Innovation Mission</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>AIM is Government of India&rsquo;s flagship initiative to promote a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship in the country.</li>
<li>It&rsquo;s <strong>objective</strong> is to develop new programmes and policies for fostering innovation in different sectors of the economy, provide platform and collaboration opportunities for different stakeholders, create awareness and create an umbrella structure to oversee the innovation ecosystem of the country.</li>
<li><strong>Major Initiatives:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/launch-of-collabcad-in-atal-tinkering-labs" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Atal Tinkering Labs:</strong></a> Creating problem solving mindset across <strong>schools in India.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Atal Incubation Centers:</strong> Fostering world class startups and adding a new dimension to the incubator model.</li>
<li><strong>Atal New India Challenges:</strong> Fostering product innovations and aligning them to the needs of various sectors/ministries.</li>
<li><strong>Mentor India Campaign:</strong> A national mentor network in collaboration with the public sector, corporates and institutions, to support all the initiatives of the mission.</li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/atal-community-innovation-centre" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Atal Community Innovation Center</strong></a>: To stimulate community centric innovation and ideas in the <strong>unserved /underserved regions of the country</strong> including Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities.</li>
<li><strong>Atal Research and Innovation for Small Enterprises (ARISE):</strong> To stimulate innovation and research in the MSME industry.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1596179609_image1.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1596179609_image1.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="350" caption="false" /></a></p>
</div>
<p><a href="https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetail.aspx?PRID=1642441" 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/aim-icrest-niti-aayog'
		],
		(int) 5 => [
			'title' => 'Dispute Panels Against India: WTO',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/issues-in-wtos-dispute-resolution-mechanism" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Dispute Settlement Body</strong></a> (DSB) of the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/world-trade-organisation-wto" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>World Trade Organisation</strong></a> (WTO) has set up <strong>two dispute settlement panels</strong> targeting import duties imposed by India on a number of<strong> Information and Communication Technology (ICT) products</strong> including mobile phones.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It was done on the <strong>request of Japan and Taiwan,</strong> taking up the number of panels constituted to examine the same tariff-related issue to three.</li>
<li>In <strong>June 2020</strong>, the <strong><a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/european-union" target="_blank" rel="noopener">European Union</a></strong> (EU) had a panel established against India on the same issue.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The panels would determine whether <strong>India&rsquo;s customs duties on imports of certain ICT products infringe the WTO&rsquo;s norms or not.</strong></li>
<li>The panels have been set up to decide on <strong>20% customs duty levied by India</strong> on mobile phones and some other ICT products.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>India decided to levy <strong>10% customs duty</strong> on these products for the first time in July 2017 which was <strong>increased to 15% in the same year.</strong></li>
<li>These custom duties were <strong>further increased to 20%</strong> despite opposition from a number of WTO members.</li>
<li>The EU, USA, China, Singapore, Taiwan, Canada, Japan and Thailand initiated consultations with India on the matter claiming that the move substantially affects them.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The <strong>goods covered in the complaint</strong> include telephones for cellular networks or for other wireless networks; base stations; machines for the reception, conversion and transmission or regeneration of voice, images or other data, etc.</li>
<li><strong>Complainants&rsquo; Arguments:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Japan and Taiwan said that their <strong>failed consultations with India prompted</strong> them to submit the requests for panels.</li>
<li>Japan, Taiwan and the EU have argued that<strong> these products fall within the scope of the relevant tariff lines</strong> for which India has set the<strong> bound rate of 0% for its WTO schedule of commitments.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Bound Rates</strong> are the <strong>legally bound commitments on customs duty rates,</strong> which <strong>act as ceilings</strong> on the tariffs that member governments can set.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Once a rate of duty is bound, it may not be raised without compensating</strong> the affected parties</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>They held that India is applying tariffs on ITC goods falling under five <strong>tariff lines</strong> in excess of the 0% bound rate and that for some products, the applied tariff rate was <strong>as high as 20% some times.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Tariff Line</strong> refers to the classification codes of goods, applied by individual countries, that are longer than the 6-digit level of the <strong>Harmonized System</strong> (HS).<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>HS is a <strong>system of code numbers for identifying products.</strong> The codes are <strong>standard up to six digits.</strong> Beyond that countries can introduce national distinctions for tariffs and many other purposes.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>India&rsquo;s Stand:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>India managed to<strong> block Japan&rsquo;s first request</strong> for a panel on the grounds that the complaint <strong>undermined India&rsquo;s sovereignty.</strong></li>
<li>India also<strong> rejected the EU&rsquo;s suggestion of agreeing to one consolidated panel</strong> combining complaints from all three of them and saving time and resources.</li>
<li>India argued that all <strong>three complainants are seeking to get the country to take on commitments under the Information Technology Agreement-II (ITA-II) which it never agreed to.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Information Technology Agreement</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It is a<strong> plurilateral agreement</strong> enforced by the WTO and concluded by<strong> 29 participants </strong>in the<strong> Ministerial Declaration on Trade in Information Technology Products at Singapore in 1996.</strong></li>
<li>It entered into force on <strong>1<sup>st</sup> July 1997.</strong></li>
<li>It seeks to<strong> accelerate and deepen the reduction of trade barriers</strong> for the critically important ICT industry.</li>
<li>Currently, the number of participants has grown to 82, representing about 97% of world trade in IT products.</li>
<li><strong>India is a signatory.</strong></li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Information Technology Agreement-II</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Few developed countries <strong>proposed to broaden the scope and coverage of the ITA.</strong></li>
<li>At the <strong>Nairobi Ministerial Conference in December 2015,</strong> over 50 members concluded the<strong> expansion of the Agreement,</strong> which now covers an additional 201 products valued at over USD 1.3 trillion per year.</li>
<li>Its<strong> aim</strong> was to<strong> increase the coverage of IT products</strong> on which customs duty would be bound at zero, <strong>addressing non-tariff measures and expanding the number of signatory countries</strong> to include countries such as Argentina, Brazil and South Africa.</li>
<li><strong>India has decided not to participate</strong> in this for the time being because India&rsquo;s experience with the ITA-I has been most discouraging, which almost wiped out the IT industry from India.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The <strong>real gainer</strong> from that agreement has been <strong>China which raised its global market share from 2% to 14% between 2000-2011.</strong> China is a <strong>significant exporter of ICT goods.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/economy/wto-sets-up-dispute-panels-against-indias-tech-tariffs-on-japan-taiwans-request/article32221738.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: BL</strong></a></p>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/dispute-panels-against-india-wto'
		],
		(int) 6 => [
			'title' => 'Efficacy of Anti-Defection Law',
			'catname' => 'News Editorials',
			'desc' => '<div class="border">
<p>This editorial is based on<a href="https://www.hindustantimes.com/analysis/why-the-anti-defection-law-has-failed-to-deliver/story-JtDhlEFHZ8VPpnNBD7Fv9J.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> &ldquo;Why the anti-defection law has failed to deliver&rdquo;</strong> </a>which was published in The Hindustan Times on 30/7/2020. It talks about the reasons for the ineffectiveness of Anti-Defection Law.</p>
</div>
<p>Recent<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/refusal-of-rajasthan-speaker-s-plea-by-supreme-court" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> events in Rajasthan</strong></a>, whereby MLAs violating party&rsquo;s whip or joining another political party, with an aim to topple an elected government by depriving it of its majority have brought renewed focus on the efficacy of <a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/the-big-picture-anti-defection-law-karnataka-political-crisis" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Anti-defection law</strong></a>.</p>
<p>This ongoing political crisis in Rajasthan is neither new nor uncommon, as the &ldquo;switching of sides&rdquo; by elected representatives has been increasingly frequent in recent months. The political defections in Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Goa and Manipur which amounted to undermining of democratic values.</p>
<p>Given the context, it has become necessary to figure out the reasons that affect the Anti-defection law to act an effective check on the incidences of defection.</p>
<h3>Issues With Anti-Defection Law</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Circumvention of Anti-Defection Law:</strong> Defecting MLAs have found an innovative method to sidestep the restrictions in the Tenth Schedule and Supreme Court&rsquo;s direction.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Instead of formally &ldquo;crossing the floor&rdquo; or voting against their party in a confidence motion, they resign from the party.</li>
<li>This brings down the party&rsquo;s strength in the House, and the government is toppled.</li>
<li>A few months later, when by-elections are held, the same MLAs then stand for election on the ticket of the opposition party and are returned to the assembly.</li>
<li>This, it should be clear, is defection in all, but the most formal sense.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Supreme Court Guidelines on Ant-defection Law</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>In the Kihoto Hollohan judgment (1992), the Supreme Court held that Members of Parliament (MPs) and Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs) are elected on the political and ideological platform of their party.</li>
<li>So it is legitimate, the SC said, to hold them to that. If they wish to step away from that ideology, they are free to do so but must seek a fresh mandate from the people.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Violating Neutrality:</strong> BR Ambedkar pointed out soon after the framing of the Constitution, &ldquo;every constitutional text can be subverted if those charged with running the affairs of government are inclined to do so&rdquo;.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Thus, no matter how well-drafted a constitutional provision is, ultimately, its implementation depends upon constitutional functionaries acting in good faith.</li>
<li>However, in recent times, it can be observed that the office of governors and the speakers have acted in a non-partisan way (acted as an agent of the union government).</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Judiciary Stopped Playing a Proactive Role:</strong> Judiciary itself has not proved up to the mark, in pursuit of checking defections.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>During the Karnataka crisis last year, the Supreme Court failed to prevent the toppling of the government, as many MLAs resigned with a motive to reduce the effective majority of the government.</li>
<li>The validity of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/electoral-bonds" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Electoral bonds schemes</strong></a> has been challenged against the allegations of allowing for unlimited and anonymous funding to political parties.</li>
<li>However, despite multiple election cycles, the apex court has taken no action upon it.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<p>Menace of Defection in India is among many issues that affect the process of a free and fair election in India, such as the legally-sanctioned influence of big money in politics, Criminalisation of politics.</p>
<p>Thus, there is a need to carry out holistic electoral reforms to strengthen Indian democracy. Some of the electoral reforms are as follows:</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Need to Regulate Political Parties:</strong> There is an ardent need for legislation that regulates political parties in India. Such a law should bring political parties under RTI, strengthen intra-party democracy, etc.</li>
<li><strong>Minimising Role of Money:</strong> To minimise the role of money<a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/in-depth-political-funding" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> State funding of elections</strong> </a>can be an effective option.</li>
<li><strong>Statutory backing to Model Code of Conduct (MCC):</strong> Giving statutory backing to the<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/model-code-of-conduct-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> Model Code of Conduct</strong></a> will leave no vacuum for the<a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-national-institutions/election-commission-of-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> Election Commission of India (ECI)</strong></a> to exercise its residuary power to enforce the Model Code of Conduct.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Also, the power of the ECI to derecognise political parties on account of violation of the Model Code of Conduct may be incorporated in the <a href="/to-the-points/Paper2/the-representation-of-the-people-act-part-ii" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Representation of People Act, 1951.</strong></a></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Final Authority of Election Commission:</strong> Chairman/Speaker of the house, being the final authority in terms of defection, affects the doctrine of separation of powers.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Designating Election Commission as the final authority in dealing with matters of defections may help in curbing the menace of defection.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1596110906_image0.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1596110906_image0.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" caption="false" width="497" height="478" /></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: #fffed6;">
<p><span style="color: #000080;"><em><strong>Drishti Mains Question</strong></em></span></p>
<p>&ldquo;Anti-defection law is failing to achieve its intended objectives&rdquo;. Analyse the statement and discuss some measures to reform the anti-defection framework in India.</p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p style="text-align: center;"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/mwpP5_rZSy0" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p>
<p>This editorial is based on<a href="https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/editorial/the-cost-of-haste-the-hindu-editorial-on-drugs-vaccines-and-regulators/article32215774.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> &ldquo;The Cost of Haste&rdquo;</strong> </a>which was published in The Hindu on July 29<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/efficacy-of-anti-defection-law'
		],
		(int) 7 => [
			'title' => 'Natesa: Pratihara Style of Rajasthan',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p><strong>Natesa,</strong> a rare sandstone idol from the 9<sup>th</sup> century <strong>(Pratihara Style of Rajasthan)</strong> has been retrieved after 22 years by Rajasthan police.</p>
<h3>Key Points<a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1596106745_image6.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1596106745_image6.jpg" style="float: right;" width="250" caption="false" /></a></h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Description:</strong> The Natesa icon, currently at the Indian High Commission, London, was originally from the <strong>Ghateswar Temple, Baroli, Rajasthan.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It was<strong> smuggled out of the country</strong> in 1998.</li>
<li>A few archaeologists behind the <strong>&lsquo;India Pride Project&rsquo;</strong> have also taken consistent efforts for the <strong>restitution of the Natesa</strong> icon.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>India Pride Project:</strong> It is a <strong>group of art enthusiasts who use social media</strong> to identify stolen religious artefacts from Indian temples and secure their return.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Features:</strong> The sandstone Natesa figure <strong>stands tall at almost 4 ft.</strong> in a rare and brilliant depiction of Shiva.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>A beautiful depiction of <strong>Nandi is shown behind the right leg</strong> of the Natesa icon.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Significance:</strong> The <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/bibi-ka-maqbara-of-aurangabad" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Archaeological Survey of India</strong> </a>(ASI) and the Ministry of Culture should use this restitution as a much-needed impetus to go after thousands of artefacts stolen since the 1960s.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Pratihara Style</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It is a <strong>famous temple architecture</strong> belonging to the <strong>Gurjara-Pratihara dynasty</strong> of Rajasthan.</li>
<li>They ruled much of Northern India from the mid-8<sup>th</sup> to the 11<sup>th</sup> century.</li>
<li><strong>Significant Rulers:</strong> Nagabhata Il, Mhir Bhoj, Mahenedra pal I</li>
<li><strong>Style:</strong> The architecture is known for their sculptures, carved panels and open pavilion style temples belonging to <a href="/to-the-points/paper1/temple-architecture#:~:text=Nagara%20or%20North%20Indian%20Temple%20Style&amp;text=The%20garbhagriha%20is%20always%20located%20directly%20under%20the%20tallest%20tower.&amp;text=Their%20roofs%20are%20composed%20of,like%20sharply%20rising%20tall%20towers." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Nagara Style of temple Architecture.</strong></a></li>
<li>They used most common sandstones for idols that have various shades of red, caused by iron oxide (rust).</li>
<li>The greatest development of their style of building is at <strong>Khajuraho</strong>, Madhya Pradesh, now a <a href="/to-the-points/paper1/world-heritage-sites-in-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>UNESCO World Heritage Site.</strong></a></li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/natesa-of-rajasthan-temple-returns-to-india/article32225514.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/natesa-pratihara-style-of-rajasthan'
		],
		(int) 8 => [
			'title' => 'Earthquake',
			'catname' => 'Paper 1',
			'desc' => '<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>An earthquake in simple words is the shaking of the earth. It is a natural event. It is caused due to release of energy, which generates waves that travel in all directions.</li>
<li>The vibrations called seismic waves are generated from earthquakes that travel through the Earth and are recorded on instruments called seismographs.</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>
</ul>
<h3>Types of Earthquake and Causes</h3>
<p><strong>Fault Zones:</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The release of energy occurs along a fault. A fault is a sharp break in the crustal rocks.</li>
<li>Rocks along a fault tend to move in opposite directions. As the overlying rock strata press them, the friction locks them together.</li>
<li>However, their tendency to move apart at some point of time overcomes the friction. As a result, the blocks get deformed and eventually, they slide past one another abruptly.</li>
<li>This causes earthquake in the form of release of energy, and the energy waves travel in all directions.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1596106918_image6.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1596106918_image6.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="600" caption="false" /></a></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Fig: Earthquakes in the faults</p>
<p><strong>Tectonic Earthquakes:</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The most common ones are the <strong>tectonic earthquakes.</strong></li>
<li>Although the Earth looks like a pretty solid place from the surface, it&rsquo;s actually extremely active just below the surface.</li>
<li>The Earth is made of four basic layers (generally three): a <strong>solid crust, a hot, nearly solid mantle, a liquid outer core and a solid inner core.</strong></li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1596107013_image2.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1596107013_image2.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="600" caption="false" /></strong></a></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Tectonic plates (Lithospheric plates) are constantly shifting as they drift around on the viscous, or slowly flowing, mantle layer below.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1596107229_image7.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1596107229_image7.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="600" caption="false" /></a></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>This non-stop movement causes stress on Earth&rsquo;s crust. When the stresses get too large, it leads to cracks called faults.</li>
<li>When tectonic plates move, it also causes movements at the faults. Thus, the slipping of land along the faultline along convergent, divergent and transform boundaries cause earthquakes.</li>
<li>The point where the energy is released is called the <strong>focus of an earthquake,</strong> alternatively, it is called the <strong>hypocentre.</strong> The energy waves travelling in different directions reach the surface.</li>
<li>The point on the surface, nearest to the focus, is called<strong> epicentre.</strong> It is the first one to experience the waves. It is a point directly above the focus.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1596107262_image1.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1596107262_image1.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="600" caption="false" /></a></p>
<p><strong>Volcanic Earthquake</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>A special class of tectonic earthquake is sometimes recognised as volcanic earthquake. However, these are confined to areas of active volcanoes.</li>
<li>Earthquakes produced by stress changes in solid rock due to the injection or withdrawal of magma (molten rock) are called volcano earthquakes.</li>
<li>These earthquakes can cause land to subside and can produce large ground cracks. These earthquakes can occur as rock is moving to fill in spaces where magma is no longer present.</li>
<li>Volcano-tectonic earthquakes don't indicate that the volcano will be erupting but can occur at any time.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Human Induced Earthquakes</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>In the areas of<strong> intense mining activity,</strong> sometimes the roofs of underground mines collapse causing minor tremors. These are called<strong> collapse earthquakes.</strong></li>
<li>Ground shaking may also occur due to the explosion of chemical or nuclear devices. Such tremors are called <strong>explosion earthquakes.</strong></li>
<li>The earthquakes that occur in the areas of large reservoirs are referred to as reservoir <strong>induced earthquakes.</strong></li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Earthquakes based on the depth of focus</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The earthquakes are divided into three zones: shallow, intermediate, and deep based on their depth which range between 0 &ndash; 700 km.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Shallow earthquakes</strong> have a focus 0 &ndash; 70 km deep.</li>
<li><strong>Intermediate earthquakes</strong> have a focus 70 &ndash; 300 km deep.</li>
<li><strong>Deep earthquakes</strong> have a focus 300 &ndash; 700 km deep.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Wadati&ndash;Benioff zone</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Deep earthquakes (300-700 km) are produced in this zone.</li>
<li>It is a zone of subduction, along which earthquakes are common, which are produced by the interaction of a downgoing oceanic crustal plate against a continental plate.</li>
<li>Some of the most powerful earthquakes occur along this zone.</li>
<li>These earthquakes can be produced by slip along the subduction thrust fault or by slip on faults within the downgoing plate as the plate is pulled into the mantle.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1596107385_image8.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1596107385_image8.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" caption="false" width="297" height="243" /></a></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Fig: Cross-section of the Benioff zone.</p>
</div>
<h3>Distribution of Earthquakes</h3>
<p>Earthquakes can strike any location at any time, but history shows they occur in the same general patterns year after year, principally in three large zones of the earth:</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The world's greatest earthquake belt, the<strong> circum-Pacific seismic belt,</strong> is found along the rim of the Pacific Ocean, where about 81 percent of our planet's largest earthquakes occur. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It has earned the nickname <strong>"Ring of Fire".</strong></li>
<li>The belt exists along boundaries of tectonic plates, where plates of mostly oceanic crust are sinking (or subducting) beneath another plate. Earthquakes in these subduction zones are caused by slip between plates and rupture within plates.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The<strong> Alpide earthquake belt (mid Continental belt)</strong> extends from Java to Sumatra through the Himalayas, the Mediterranean, and out into the Atlantic. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>This belt accounts for about 17 percent of the world's largest earthquakes, including some of the most destructive.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The third prominent belt follows the submerged<strong> mid-Atlantic Ridge.</strong> The ridge marks where two tectonic plates are spreading apart (a divergent plate boundary). <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Most of the mid-Atlantic Ridge is deep underwater and far from human development.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1596107476_image5.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1596107476_image5.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="600" caption="false" /></a></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Fig: Distribution of Earthquake</p>
<p><strong>Measurement of Earthquakes</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The energy from an earthquake travels through Earth in vibrations called<strong> seismic waves.</strong></li>
<li>Scientists can measure these seismic waves on instruments called <strong>seismometers.</strong></li>
<li>A seismometer detects seismic waves below the instrument and records them as a series of zig-zags.</li>
<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>
<li>The earthquake events are scaled either according to the magnitude or intensity of the shock. The magnitude scale is known as the <strong>Richter scale.</strong> The magnitude relates to the energy released during the quake. The magnitude is expressed in absolute numbers, 0-10.</li>
<li>The intensity scale is named after <strong>Mercalli,</strong> an Italian seismologist. The intensity scale takes into account the visible damage caused by the event. The range of intensity scale is from 1-12.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Seismic Waves (Earthquake Waves)</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Seismic waves are the waves of energy caused by earthquakes or an explosion. They are the energy that travels through the earth and is recorded on seismographs.</li>
<li>Earthquake waves are basically of two types &mdash; <strong>body waves and surface waves.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Body waves</strong> are generated due to the release of energy at the focus and move in all directions travelling through the body of the earth. Hence, the name body waves. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>There are <strong>two types of body waves.</strong> They are called <strong>P and S-waves. </strong></li>
<li><strong>P-waves</strong> move faster and are the first to arrive at the surface. These are also called &lsquo;primary waves&rsquo;. The P-waves are similar to sound waves. They travel through gaseous, liquid and solid materials.</li>
<li><strong>S-waves</strong> arrive at the surface with some time lag. These are called secondary waves. An important fact about S-waves is that they can travel only through solid materials.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The body waves interact with the surface rocks and generate a new set of waves called <strong>surface waves.</strong> These waves move along the surface.</li>
<li>The surface waves are the last to report on seismographs. These waves are more destructive. They cause displacement of rocks, and hence, the collapse.</li>
<li>Thus, the characteristics of the seismic waves are quite important. It has helped scientists to <strong>understand the structure of the interior of the earth.</strong></li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1596107533_image3.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1596107533_image3.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="600" caption="false" /></strong></a></p>
<p><strong>Effects of Earthquake</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Earthquakes are a natural hazard. If a tremor of high magnitude takes place, it can cause heavy damage to the life and property of people. The following are the immediate hazardous effects of earthquake:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Ground Shaking</li>
<li>Differential ground settlement</li>
<li>Land and mudslides</li>
<li>Fires</li>
<li>Ground lurching</li>
<li>Avalanches</li>
<li>Ground displacement</li>
<li>Floods from dam and levee failures</li>
<li>Structural collapse</li>
<li>Tsunami</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Earthquake in India</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>India is one of the highly earthquake affected countries because of the presence of technically active young fold mountains - Himalaya.</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/1596107581_image4.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1596107581_image4.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="600" caption="false" /></a></p>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/to-the-points/paper1/earthquake-4'
		],
		(int) 9 => [
			'title' => 'India Report on Digital Education, 2020',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD) has launched <strong>India Report on Digital Education, 2020.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Recently the MHRD has been<strong> renamed as the Ministry of Education.</strong></li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>The Report:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It has been prepared by the <strong>digital education division of MHRD</strong> in consultation with education departments of the states and union territories.</li>
<li>It <strong>elaborates the innovative methods</strong> adopted by the MHRD, for <strong>ensuring accessible and inclusive education</strong> to children at home and reducing learning gaps during the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/covid-19-and-india-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Covid-19 pandemic</strong></a>.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>MHRD Initiatives:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It has initiated many projects to assist teachers, scholars and students in their pursuit of learning like <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/classes-in-distance-mode" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>DIKSHA platform</strong></a>, <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/online-classes-due-to-covid-19" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Swayam Prabha TV Channel</strong></a>, <strong>On Air - Shiksha Vani, <a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/the-big-picture-primary-education-challenges-and-opportunities" target="_blank" rel="noopener">e-PathShala</a></strong> and telecast through TV channels.</li>
<li>It also released <strong>guidelines on <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/education-in-post-covid-era" target="_blank" rel="noopener">digital education</a></strong> called <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/pragyata-guidelines-on-digital-education" target="_blank" rel="noopener">'PRAGYATA'</a>.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>State Initiatives:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>States and Union Territories have provided digital education at the doorstep of the students. Some of them are:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Social Media Interface for Learning Engagement (SMILE)</strong> in Rajasthan.</li>
<li><strong>Project Home Classes</strong> in Jammu.</li>
<li><strong>Padhai Tunhar Duvaar</strong> (Education at your doorstep) in Chhattisgarh.</li>
<li><strong>Unnayan Initiatives</strong> in Bihar.</li>
<li><strong>Mission Buniyaad</strong> in NCT of Delhi.</li>
<li><strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/first-bell-kerala" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Kerala&rsquo;s own educational TV channel</a> (KITE VICTERS).</strong></li>
<li><strong>E-scholar portal</strong> as well as free online courses for teachers in Meghalaya.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>They <strong>used social media tools</strong> like WhatsApp Group, Online classes through YouTube channel and Google meet to connect to the students.</li>
<li>Some of the states/UTs like Lakshadweep, Nagaland and Jammu &amp; Kashmir have also <strong>distributed tablets, DVDs and pendrives, equipped with e-contents</strong> to students.</li>
<li>They have <strong>also distributed textbooks at children&rsquo;s doorsteps to ensure inclusive learning</strong> in remote areas where internet connectivity and electricity is poor.</li>
<li>Several states have also focussed on the <strong>mental well-being of the children e.g Delhi conducted happiness classes.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>MHRD has also launched the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/manodarpan-mental-health-initiative" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>'Manodarpan' initiative</strong></a>, which aims to provide psychosocial support to students, family members and teachers for their mental health and well-being during the times of Covid-19.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The report will serve the purpose of cross-learning, adapting and adopting best practices across the country.</li>
<li>While the education is moving towards blended learning through online and offline mode, it shall be the endeavour of all the stakeholders in the field of education to ensure that no student is left behind for want of affordability and accessibility of quality education.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetailm.aspx?PRID=1641850#:~:text=Union%20Minister%20for%20HRD%20Shri%20Ramesh%20Pokhriyal%20'Nishank'%20today%20virtually,Report%20on%20Digital%20Education%2C%202020.&amp;text=School%20Education%20is%20envisaged%20as,nursery%20to%20higher%20secondary%20classes." 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/india-report-on-digital-education-2020'
		],
		(int) 10 => [
			'title' => 'Induction of French Rafale Aircrafts in IAF',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/87th-air-force-day" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Indian Air Force</strong></a> (IAF) has received its<strong> first batch (5 out of 36)</strong> of French Rafale aviation combat aircraft at Ambala Air base (Haryana).</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Rafales are <strong>India's first major acquisition of fighter planes in 23 years</strong> after the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/sukhoi-30-mki-equipped-with-the-brahmos-missile" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Sukhoi jets</strong></a> were imported from Russia.</li>
<li>All the 36 jets will be delivered to India by the<strong> end of 2021.</strong></li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Rafales<a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1596103673_image5.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1596103673_image5.png" style="float: right;" width="400" caption="false" /></a></strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Introduced in 2001, the Rafale is a <strong>French twin-engine</strong> and<strong> multirole fighter aircraft designed and built by Dassault Aviation</strong> being produced for both the French Air Force and for carrier-based operations in the French Navy.</li>
<li>India has inked a Rs 59,000-crore deal in<strong> 2016 to procure 36 Rafale jets from French aerospace major Dassault Aviation</strong> after a nearly seven-year exercise to procure 126 Medium Multi-Role Combat Aircraft (MMRCA) for the Indian Air Force did not fructify.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The MMRCA deal was stalled due to disagreements over production in India.</li>
<li>In comparison to the earlier deal i.e. MMRCA, Rafale has much technological advancement, lower life cycle cost and specifications according to the warfare needs of India.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Specification</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Air Supremacy:</strong> Equipped with a wide range of weapons, the Rafale is intended to perform air supremacy, interdiction (act of disrupting), aerial reconnaissance (observation to locate an enemy), ground support, in-depth strike, anti-ship strike and nuclear deterrence missions.</li>
<li><strong>Wide Range of Weapons: Meteor missile, Scalp cruise missile and MICA weapons system</strong> will be the mainstay of the weapons package of the Rafale jets.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Meteor:</strong> It is the next generation of <strong>Beyond Visual Range (BVR) air-to-air missile</strong> (BVRAAM) designed to revolutionise air-to-air combat.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The Meteor missile can target enemy aircraft from 150 km away. It can destroy enemy aircraft before they actually even get close to the Indian aircraft.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>SCALP Cruise Missiles:</strong> It can<strong> hit targets 300 km away. </strong></li>
<li><strong>MICA Missile System:</strong> It is a very <strong>versatile air-to-air missile.</strong> It comes with a radar seeker and can be fired for the short-range to long-range as well right up to 100 km.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It's already in service with the IAF i.e. Mirages and is the primary weapon system of Rafales as well.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Air to Air Target:</strong> The ability to strike <strong>air-to-air targets</strong> from up to 150 km away and safely hit land targets 300 km within enemy territory make them some of the deadliest fighter jets flying in the world.</li>
<li><strong>Flight Hours:</strong> The aircraft has 30,000 <strong>flight hours in operations.</strong></li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Significance For India:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Joint Strategic Vision:</strong> The Rafale would be an aid to<strong> the Joint Strategic Vision of India-France Cooperation</strong> in the <a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/the-big-picture-indian-ocean-islands-diplomacy" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Indian Ocean Region</strong></a> to curb over-flights and the threat of weapons of mass destruction in the area.</li>
<li><strong>Upgradation of Air Combat Capabilities:</strong> It will significantly <strong>bolster India's air combat capabilities</strong> especially when it is facing <strong>hostile neighbours like Pakistan and China.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Unmatched Capabilities:</strong> The aircraft proved its <strong>unmatched capabilities</strong> in air combat missions in <strong>Afghanistan, Libya, Mali, Iraq and Syria</strong> in the last few years. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>India is the fourth country</strong> to have the strategic platform with Rafale after France, Egypt and Qatar.</li>
<li>The Indian Air Force is also in the process of procuring a new generation medium-range modular air-to-ground <strong>weapon system Hammer</strong> to integrate with the Rafale jets. The <strong>Hammer (Highly Agile Modular Munition Extended Range)</strong> is a precision-guided missile developed by French defence major Safran.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Game Changer:</strong> Rafales could be a <strong>game-changer for India after all the 36 jets join the Indian Air Force</strong> as no aircraft in possession of any country in the neighbourhood will be able to match their superior kinematic performance and powerful electronic warfare systems.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The Rafale jet is<strong> often compared with the USA stealth F-35</strong> aircraft and F-22.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Border Clash with China:</strong> It is much more advanced and lethal than the current fighter aircraft <strong>available with China i.e.jet J-20.</strong> Therefore, it is definitely a boost to<strong> India's defence preparedness</strong> especially at the<strong> times of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/galwan-valley-clash" target="_blank" rel="noopener">border clash with China.</a></strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Related Concerns:</strong> The induction of Rafale aircraft will be a game changer in many ways, however, it may not make up for the <a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/the-big-picture-need-to-modernise-indian-air-force" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>challenges faced by the Indian Air Force</strong> </a>in near future:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>IAF&rsquo;s Depleting Strength of Fighter Jets:</strong> The <strong>emergency acquisition was made primarily to check the depleting combat capability</strong> of the IAF as the number of its fighter squadrons had come down to a worrying 31 against the authorised strength of at least 42.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>At present, its<strong> fleet comprises 30 squadrons of fighter</strong> jets.</li>
<li>Therefore, <strong>one of main focus areas is to build up the authorised strength</strong> of fighter squadrons at the earliest.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Increasing Potential of Hostile Neighbours:</strong> By 2023 the Pakistan Air Force will have 27 fighter squadrons while China&rsquo;s PLA Air Force is assessed to have the capacity to bear at least 42 squadrons against India.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Hence, India can<strong> not lose sight of the developments in the North and West,</strong> with both the adversaries i.e. China and Pakistan are continuously<strong> increasing and upgrading their inventories.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Two Front Challenge:</strong> Even though the IAF desires a strength of 45 fighter squadrons for a<strong> two-front challenge ( War with China and Pakistan),</strong> the last time it had its authorised complement of 42 squadrons was in 2002 after the terror attack on Parliament.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Since then, the <strong>numbers have steadily fallen,</strong> and the trend will continue with five squadrons of old Russian MiG aircraft getting decommissioned subsequently.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Delay of Supplies:</strong> The IAF has planned to <strong>procure <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/naval-variant-of-lca-tejas" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Mk I and MK II</a> from Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).</strong> However, the supplies from HAL are behind the scheduled induction plan.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Similarly, IAF<strong> issued a request for information for 114 multirole fighters in June 2018 to foreign manufacturers</strong> i.e. Boeing, Lockheed Martin, Airbus Defence and Space, Russian Aircraft Corporation and Sukhoi Company. It plans to induct the aircraft within 12 years of the contract. However a request for proposal is awaited.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Issues with Russia:</strong> The <strong>12 Su-30MKIs, lost in accidents, are also being replenished by HAL through a contract with Russia,</strong> which has been approved by the government.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>However, the <strong>Russian connection is also limited</strong> as the IAF had earlier pulled out of the collaborative venture with Sukhoi to develop the<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/advanced-medium-combat-aircraft" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> Fifth Generation Fighter Aircraft (FGFA)</strong></a> after 11 years, citing disagreements over cost sharing plans, technology transfers and the test aircraft&rsquo;s technological capabilities.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Assimilation of Rafale has the capability to boost the defence sector of India. For the same there is need for the <strong>constant dialogue mechanism</strong> between India and France to further enhance its strategic and military ties.</li>
<li>Meanwhile, India must <strong>procure 21 MiG-29 aircraft from Russia</strong> which would be inducted into service as an additional squadron. Along with the same, IAF must strive towards replenishing the old fighter aircrafts.</li>
<li>The fitting of <strong>additional India-specific enhancements in Rafale</strong> is a necessary aspect which must be done through exchange of technological intervention with France.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/india/rafale-a-game-changer-now-iaf-challenge-is-to-boost-jet-strength-6529980/" 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/induction-of-french-rafale-aircrafts-in-iaf'
		],
		(int) 11 => [
			'title' => 'AIIB and India',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p><strong>Jin Liqun</strong> has been<strong> re-elected as the President of the China-based <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/asian-infrastructure-investment-bank" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB)</a></strong> for a second five-year term.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The President stated that the <strong>bank would remain an &ldquo;apolitical institution&rdquo;</strong> and continue to back projects in India.</li>
<li>The management will look at the proposed projects from the <strong>economic and financial point of view</strong> and not with a political view.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>India and AIIB:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>India was<strong> among the AIIB&rsquo;s 57 founding members</strong> in 2016.</li>
<li>It is also its <strong>second-largest shareholder</strong> (with 7.62% voting shares) <strong>after China</strong> (26.06%).</li>
<li>It has <strong>received USD 4.35 billion</strong> from the Bank.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>This is the<strong> highest of any country,</strong> with the bank so far approving loans of USD 19.6 billion to support 87 projects in 24 countries.</li>
<li><strong>Turkey is second</strong> with USD 1.95 billion.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>AIIB has approved financing projects in India in a host of sectors like energy, transport and water including the <strong>Bangalore metro rail project</strong> (USD 335 million), <strong>Gujarat rural roads project</strong> (USD 329 million) and <strong>Phase 3 of the Mumbai urban transport project</strong> (USD 500 million).</li>
<li>In a recent virtual meeting, <strong>India said that it expects AIIB to introduce new financing instruments,</strong> provide financing for social infrastructure and to integrate development of climate resilient and sustainable energy access infrastructure into AIIB&rsquo;s recovery response to the Covid-19 crisis.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>This implies that <strong>India is unlikely to alter its engagement with the China-led Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), despite a host of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/economic-measures-by-india-against-china" target="_blank" rel="noopener">offensive measures</a> announced recently to reduce its trade and investment links with China.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Chinese Angle:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In June 2020, AIIB approved USD 500 million for Covid-19 Emergency Response Fund and Health Systems Preparedness Project and another <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/aiib-loan-for-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>USD 750 million for Covid-19 Active Response and Expenditure Support</strong></a>, in a co-financing arrangement with the <strong>Asian Development Bank (ADB).</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>USD 750 million loan was <strong>approved two days after the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/india-china-conflict" target="_blank" rel="noopener">clash in Galwan Valley in Ladakh</a></strong> along the India-China border.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>It has <strong>supported several projects under the <a href="/to-the-points/Paper2/obor-cpec" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Belt and Road Initiative</a> (BRI) framework,</strong> but is not formally linked to the plan.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>India has <strong>concerns over the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor -</strong> a part of the BRI.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The AIIB is a <strong>multilateral development bank</strong> with a mission to improve social and economic outcomes in Asia.</li>
<li><strong>Headquartered in Beijing (China),</strong> it began operations in January 2016 and has now grown to 103 approved members worldwide.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>India should continue to engage with AIIB as it will be able to access resources for the financing of national and cross-border infrastructure projects from the Bank.</li>
<li>AIIB is also significant as the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/world-bank-group" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>World Bank</strong></a> <strong>is continued to be dominated by the USA</strong> while <strong>Japan has more influence over Asian Development Bank (ADB).</strong></li>
<li>Further, India needs to ensure that its own interests are served by its membership very explicitly. It should make sure that <strong>AIIB doesn&rsquo;t end up becoming a tool of Chinese geopolitical agenda.</strong></li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/business/aiib-to-look-at-indias-project-proposals-from-economic-view/article32225257.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/aiib-and-india'
		],
		(int) 12 => [
			'title' => 'High Level of Ammonia in Yamuna',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently,<strong> high levels (around 3 parts per million) of ammonia in the Yamuna river</strong> has been detected in Delhi which led to the disruption of water supply in Delhi.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>As per the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/bureau-of-indian-standards-bis-act-2016" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS)</strong></a>, the acceptable <strong>maximum limit of ammonia in drinking water is 0.5 parts per million (ppm)</strong></li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Ammonia:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Its<strong> chemical formula is NH<sub>3</sub>.</strong></li>
<li>It is a <strong>colourless gas</strong> and is <strong>used as an industrial chemical</strong> in the production of fertilisers, plastics, synthetic fibres, dyes and other products.</li>
<li>It <strong>occurs naturally in the environment</strong> from the breakdown of organic waste matter, and may also find its way to ground and surface water sources<strong> through industrial effluents, contamination by sewage</strong> or through <strong>agricultural runoff.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Effect of High Level of Ammonia:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Ammonia <strong>reduces the amount of oxygen in water</strong> as it is transformed to oxidised forms of nitrogen. Hence, it also increases <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/no-improvement-in-ganga-water-quality" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Biochemical oxygen demand (BOD).</strong></a></li>
<li>If the concentration of ammonia in water is above 1 ppm it is toxic to fishes.</li>
<li>In humans, long term ingestion of water having ammonia levels of 1 ppm or above may <strong>cause damage to internal organs.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Treatment:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Mixing of freshwater with ammonia polluted water.</li>
<li>Chlorination.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Chlorination is the process of adding chlorine or chlorine compounds such as sodium hypochlorite to water.</li>
<li>This method is used to kill certain bacteria and other microbes in tap water. However, chlorine is highly toxic.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Long Term Solution:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Stringent implementation of guidelines against dumping harmful waste into the river.</li>
<li>Making sure untreated sewage does not enter the water.</li>
<li>Maintain a sustainable minimum flow, called the <strong>ecological flow. </strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Ecological flow</strong> is the minimum amount of water that should flow throughout the river at all times to sustain underwater and estuarine ecosystems and human livelihoods, and for self regulation.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Yamuna</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The river Yamuna, a <strong>major tributary of river Ganges,</strong> originates from the <strong>Yamunotri glacier</strong> near <strong>Bandarpoonch peaks</strong> in the <strong>Mussoorie range of the lower Himalayas </strong>in<strong> Uttarkashi </strong>district of <strong>Uttarakhand.</strong></li>
<li>It <strong>meets the Ganges</strong> at the <strong>Sangam in <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/prayagraj-on-the-verge-of-an-epidemic-after-kumbh-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Prayagraj</a>, <a href="/know-your-state/know-your-state-uttar-pradesh" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Uttar Pradesh</a></strong> after flowing through <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/gairsain-summer-capital-of-uttarakhand" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Uttarakhand</strong></a>, <strong>Himachal Pradesh, <a href="/know-your-state/haryana" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Haryana</a> and Delhi.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Length:</strong> 1376 km</li>
<li><strong>Important Dam:</strong> Lakhwar-Vyasi Dam (Uttarakhand), Tajewala Barrage Dam (Haryana) etc.</li>
<li><strong>Important Tributaries: <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/ramgarh-dam" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Chambal</a>, </strong>Sindh<strong>, <a href="/to-the-points/paper1/ken-betwa-interlink-project" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Betwa and Ken</a>.</strong></li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1596099379_image4.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1596099379_image4.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="650" caption="false" /></strong></a></p>
</div>
<p><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/high-levels-of-ammonia-in-yamuna-water-6527247/" 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/high-level-of-ammonia-in-yamuna'
		],
		(int) 13 => [
			'title' => 'Aerial Seeding in Haryana',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the Haryana government has employed<strong> aerial seeding techniques to improve green cover in the Aravalli area</strong> of the state.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The project is being carried out on a <strong>pilot basis</strong> to <strong>regenerate the low vegetation density</strong> or denuded areas on <strong>inaccessible or difficult sites of Aravalli and Shivalik hills.</strong></li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Aerial Seeding</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Description:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Aerial Seeding is a plantation technique wherein <strong>seed balls</strong> &mdash; seeds covered with a mixture of clay, compost, char and other components &mdash; are sprayed using aerial devices, including planes, helicopters or drones.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Working:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Seeds balls/pellets are dispersed in a targeted area by<strong> low-flying drones,</strong> with the coating providing the required weight for seeds to airdrop on a predetermined location rather than getting deterred by the wind.</li>
<li>These pellets sprout when there is enough rain, with nutrients present within them helping in initial growth.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Advantages:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Areas that are <strong>inaccessible,</strong> having steep slopes or no forest routes, can be targeted using this method.</li>
<li>The process of the seed&rsquo;s germination and growth is such that it requires no attention after it is dispersed and thus seed pellets are known as the<strong> &ldquo;fire and forget&rdquo; way of plantation.</strong></li>
<li>They<strong> eliminate</strong> any need for <strong>ploughing</strong> and do not need to be planted since they are already surrounded by soil, nutrients, and microorganisms. The clay shell also protects them from birds, ants and rats.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Species to be Used for Aerial Seeding:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The plant species which are native to the area and hardy, with seeds that are of an appropriate size for preparing seedballs are usually used for aerial seeding, with a higher survival percentage.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Use of Seeding Drone:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The method involves spraying seed balls or seed pellets from the air using seeding drones.</li>
<li>It is equipped with a precise delivery mechanism for<strong> seeds of different sizes</strong> from a <strong>height</strong> of <strong>25 to 50 metres.</strong></li>
<li>A single drone can plant <strong>20,000-30,000 seeds a day.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Implementation:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The method is being implemented on <strong>100 acres of land to test efficacy of the seed dispersal mechanism</strong> and review the success rate.</li>
<li>The species that will be planted through aerial seeding include <strong>Acacia senegal (Khairi), Ziziphus mauritiana (Beri), and Holarrhena spp (Inderjo),</strong> all of which have a higher chance of survival in these areas. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Also, <strong>site specific grass seeds</strong> will also be added to the mix as they serve as good soil binders.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Significance:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It will provide<strong> work opportunities</strong> to the local community, especially women, who can prepare the seed balls.</li>
<li>The method will be useful since there are many areas that are either <strong>difficult to reach or inaccessible</strong> altogether, making traditional methods of plantation difficult.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/delhi/aerial-seeding-to-increase-green-cover-in-aravallis-6530045/#:~:text=The%20Haryana%20Forest%20Department%20has,other%20components%20%E2%80%94%20from%20the%20air." 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/aerial-seeding-in-haryana'
		],
		(int) 14 => [
			'title' => 'National Education Policy, 2020',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the Union Cabinet has approved the<strong> new National Education Policy (NEP), 2020</strong> with an aim to introduce several changes in the Indian education system - <strong>from the school to college level.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The NEP 2020 aims at making <strong>&ldquo;India a global knowledge superpower&rdquo;.</strong></li>
<li>The Cabinet has also approved the<strong> renaming</strong> of the Ministry of Human Resource Development to the<strong> Ministry of Education.</strong></li>
<li>The NEP cleared by the Cabinet is<strong> only the third major revamp of the framework of education</strong> in India since independence. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The<strong> two earlier education policies</strong> were brought in <strong>1968 and 1986.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>School Education:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Universalization</strong> of education from <strong>preschool to secondary level</strong> with <strong>100% Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER)</strong> in school education by <strong>2030.</strong></li>
<li>To bring 2 crore out of school children back into the mainstream through an <strong>open schooling system.</strong></li>
<li>The current <strong>10+2 system</strong> to be <strong>replaced</strong> by a new <strong>5+3+3+4</strong> curricular structure corresponding to <strong>ages 3-8, 8-11, 11-14, and 14-18 years respectively.<a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1596098224_image3.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1596098224_image3.jpg" style="float: right;" width="500" caption="false" /></a></strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It will bring the uncovered age group of <strong>3-6 years</strong> under school curriculum, which has been recognized globally as the <strong>crucial</strong> <strong>stage for development of mental faculties of a child.</strong></li>
<li>It will also have 12 years of schooling with three years of Anganwadi/ pre schooling.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Class 10 and 12 board examinations to be made easier,</strong> to test core competencies rather than memorised facts, with all students allowed to<strong> take the exam twice.</strong></li>
<li><strong>School governance</strong> is set to change, with a <strong>new accreditation framework and an independent authority</strong> to regulate both public and private schools.</li>
<li>Emphasis on <strong>Foundational Literacy and Numeracy,</strong> no rigid separation between academic streams, extracurricular, vocational streams in schools.</li>
<li><strong>Vocational Education</strong> to start from <strong>Class 6 with Internships.</strong></li>
<li>Teaching up to at<strong> least Grade 5</strong> to be in <strong>mother tongue/regional language.</strong> No language will be imposed on any student.</li>
<li>Assessment reforms with <strong>360 degree Holistic Progress Card,</strong> tracking Student Progress for achieving Learning Outcomes</li>
<li>A new and comprehensive <strong>National Curriculum Framework for Teacher Education (NCFTE) 2021,</strong> will be formulated by the <strong>National Council for Teacher Education (NCTE)</strong> in consultation with <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/pragyata-guidelines-on-digital-education" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT).</strong> </a><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>By 2030, the minimum degree qualification for teaching will be a 4-year integrated B.Ed. degree.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Higher Education:<a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1596098257_image1.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1596098257_image1.jpg" style="float: right;" width="500" caption="false" /></a></strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Gross Enrolment Ratio</strong> in higher education to be<strong> raised to 50% by 2035.</strong> Also, <strong>3.5 crore seats</strong> to be added in higher education.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The <strong>current</strong> Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) in higher education is <strong>26.3%.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Holistic Undergraduate education with a flexible curriculum can be of <strong>3 or 4 years with multiple exit options</strong> and appropriate certification within this period.</li>
<li><strong>M.Phil</strong> courses will be<strong> discontinued</strong> and all the courses at undergraduate, postgraduate and PhD level will now be interdisciplinary.</li>
<li><strong>Academic Bank of Credits</strong> to be established to facilitate Transfer of Credits.</li>
<li><strong>Multidisciplinary Education and Research Universities (MERUs),</strong> at par with IITs, IIMs, to be set up as models of best multidisciplinary education of global standards in the country.</li>
<li>The<strong> National Research Foundation</strong> will be created as an <strong>apex body</strong> for fostering a strong research culture and building research capacity across higher education.</li>
<li><strong>Higher Education Commission of India (HECI)</strong> will be set up as a <strong>single umbrella body</strong> for the entire higher education, <strong>excluding medical and legal education.</strong> Public and private higher education institutions will be governed by the <strong>same set of norms</strong> for regulation, accreditation and academic standards. Also, HECI will be having<strong> four independent verticals namely,</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>National Higher Education Regulatory Council (NHERC) for<strong> regulation,</strong></li>
<li>General Education Council (GEC) for <strong>standard setting,</strong></li>
<li>Higher Education Grants Council (HEGC) for <strong>funding,</strong></li>
<li>National Accreditation Council (NAC) for <strong>accreditation.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Affiliation of colleges</strong> is to be <strong>phased out in 15 years</strong> and a stage-wise mechanism to be established for granting graded autonomy to colleges.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Over a period of time, every college is expected to develop into either an autonomous degree-granting College, or a constituent college of a university.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Other Changes:<a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1596098279_image2.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1596098279_image2.jpg" style="float: right;" width="500" caption="false" /></a></strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>An autonomous body, the <strong>National Educational Technology Forum (NETF),</strong> will be created to provide a platform for the<strong> free exchange of ideas</strong> on the use of technology to enhance learning, assessment, planning, administration.</li>
<li>National Assessment Centre- <strong>'PARAKH'</strong> has been created to assess the students.</li>
<li>It also paves the way for <strong>foreign universities to set up campuses</strong> in India.</li>
<li>It emphasizes setting up of <strong>Gender Inclusion Fund, Special Education Zones</strong> for disadvantaged regions and groups.</li>
<li>National Institute for <strong>Pali, Persian and Prakrit,</strong> Indian Institute of <strong>Translation and Interpretation</strong> to be set up.</li>
<li>It also aims to<strong> increase</strong> the public investment in the Education sector to reach <strong>6% of GDP</strong> at the earliest.</li>
<li>Currently, India <strong>spends around 4.6 % of its total GDP on education.</strong></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><strong>Part IV</strong> 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 to the Constitution in 1976</strong> moved education from the State to the <strong>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. But 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 <strong>right under 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 <strong>primary education to all children 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 for disadvantaged sections</strong> of the society where disadvantaged groups</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Government Initiatives:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/samagra-shiksha" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan</a>, <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/mid-day-meal" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Mid Day Meal Scheme</a></strong>, 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>A New Education Policy aims to facilitate an<strong> inclusive, participatory and holistic approach,</strong> which takes into consideration field experiences, empirical research, stakeholder feedback, as well as lessons learned from best practices.</li>
<li>It is a progressive shift towards a more scientific approach to education. The prescribed structure will help to cater the ability of the child &ndash; stages of cognitive development as well as social and physical awareness. If <strong>implemented in its true vision,</strong> the new structure can bring India at par with the leading countries of the world.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/education/new-education-policy-4-year-ug-courses-in-mphil-out/article32225828.ece#:~:text=The%20new%20National%20Education%20Policy,both%20private%20and%20public%20institutions." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source:TH</strong></a></p>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/national-education-policy-2020'
		],
		(int) 15 => [
			'title' => 'Protesting is a Fundamental Right: UN',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the<strong><a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/united-nations-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> United Nations (UN)</a> Human Rights Committee</strong> has reaffirmed that <strong>protesting peacefully, online or in person, is a fundamental human right.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>This statement has come in the backdrop of <strong>increasing demonstrations</strong> over issues like <strong>political rights and racial justice.</strong></li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>UN Human Rights Committee:</strong> It is tasked with monitoring how countries implement the <strong>International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) 1976,</strong> which under Article 21 guarantees the right to peaceful assembly.</li>
<li><strong>Latest Interpretation of the Right to Peaceful Assembly:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Fundamental Human Right for People:</strong> To gather<strong> to celebrate or to air grievances</strong> in <strong>public</strong> and in <strong>private spaces,</strong> outdoors, indoors and <strong>online</strong> is a fundamental human right.</li>
<li><strong>Protesters:</strong> Everyone, including children, foreign nationals, women, migrant workers, asylum seekers and refugees, can exercise the right of peaceful assembly.</li>
<li><strong>Protection:</strong> Protesters have the <strong>right to wear masks or hoods to cover their face</strong> and that Governments should not collect personal data to harass or intimidate participants.</li>
<li><strong>Role of Journalists and Human Rights Observers:</strong> They have the right to monitor and document any assembly, including violent and unlawful ones.</li>
<li><strong>Government Obligations:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Governments <strong>could not prohibit protests by making &ldquo;generalised references to public order or public safety,</strong> or an unspecified risk of potential violence&rdquo;.</li>
<li>Governments <strong>cannot block internet networks</strong> or close down any website because of their roles in organising or soliciting a peaceful assembly.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Significance:</strong> The Committee&rsquo;s interpretation will be<strong> important guidance for judges in national and regional courts</strong> around the world, as it now forms part of what is known as &lsquo;soft law&rsquo;.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The interpretation is a form of legal advice (not mandatory) from the Committee that monitors<strong> the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) 1976.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Indian Scenario:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>India is a <strong>state party to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR).</strong></li>
<li>The right to protest, to publicly question and force the government to answer, is a fundamental political right of the people that flows directly from a democratic reading of <strong>Article 19 of the Constitution of India.</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Article 19 (1) (a)</strong> states that all citizens shall have the right to freedom of <strong>speech and expression.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Article 19 (1) (b)</strong> states that all citizens shall have the right to<strong> assemble peaceably and without arms.</strong></li>
<li>However, the State can impose <strong>reasonable restrictions</strong> on the exercise of right of assembly on <strong>two grounds,</strong> namely, <strong>sovereignty and integrity of India</strong> and <strong>public order</strong> including the maintenance of traffic in the area concerned.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Further, Indian courts have reiterated that the <strong>right to protest is a fundamental right <em>(Ramlila Maidan Incident v. Home Secretary, Union Of India &amp; Ors. case -2012).</em></strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The ICCPR is a key international human rights treaty, providing a range of protections for civil and political rights.</li>
<li>The <strong>ICCPR,</strong> together with the <strong>Universal Declaration of Human Rights</strong> and the <strong>International Covenant on Economic Social and Cultural Rights,</strong> are considered the <strong>International Bill of Human Rights.</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The Bill influences the decisions and actions of Government, State and Non-State actors to make economic, social and cultural rights a top-priority in the formation and implementation of national, regional and international policy and law.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The ICCPR obligates countries that have ratified the treaty to<strong> protect and preserve basic human rights,</strong> such as: the right to life and human dignity; equality before the law; freedom of speech, assembly, and association; religious freedom and privacy; freedom from torture, ill-treatment, and arbitrary detention; gender equality; the right to a fair trial; right family life and family unity; and minority rights.</li>
<li>The Covenant <strong>compels governments</strong> to take administrative, judicial, and legislative measures in order to protect the rights enshrined in the treaty and to provide an effective remedy.</li>
<li>The Covenant was adopted by the UN General Assembly in 1966 and came into force in 1976.<strong> 173 countries including India</strong> have ratified the Covenant.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/protesting-is-a-fundamental-right-un/article32225267.ece/amp/" 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/protesting-is-a-fundamental-right-un'
		],
		(int) 16 => [
			'title' => 'Militarising Andaman and Nicobar Islands',
			'catname' => 'News Editorials',
			'desc' => '<div class="border">
<p>This article is based on <a href="https://www.hindustantimes.com/analysis/militarising-andamans-the-costs-and-the-benefits/story-J3mGWFQS3NgLUiPYwIVb2N.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>&ldquo;Militarising Andamans: The costs and the benefits&rdquo;</strong></a> which was published in The Hindustan Times on 29/07/2020. It talks about the challenges and opportunities associated with militarising Andaman and Nicobar islands.</p>
</div>
<p>The <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/aksai-chin" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Galwan valley face-off</strong></a> with China has rendered many Indian security experts mooted the idea of balancing China in the maritime domain. In this context, strengthening military presence at the Andaman and Nicobar Islands (ANI) remains very critical for India.</p>
<p>The idea of militarizing the Andaman and Nicobar Islands is not new. Since the 1980s, Indian defense experts have advocated building strong strategic infrastructure at the ANI.</p>
<p>However, the strategic development of the ANI is not a straightforward choice for India&rsquo;s defence and foreign policy establishments. Therefore, India must conduct a cost-benefit analysis before going for militarization of ANI.</p>
<h3>Significance of Andaman and Nicobar Islands</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Andaman and Nicobar Islands are located at the juncture of the Bay of Bengal and the Andaman Sea.</li>
<li>It is a group of 572 islands, which straddles some of the busiest trade routes in the world.</li>
<li>ANI spans 450 nautical miles in a roughly north-south configuration adjacent to the western entrance to the Malacca Strait, which is itself a major Indian Ocean chokepoint.</li>
<li>Geopolitically, the ANI connects South Asia with South-East Asia. While the northernmost point of the archipelago is only 22 nautical miles from Myanmar, the southernmost point, Indira Point, is a mere 90 nautical miles from Indonesia.</li>
<li>The islands dominate the Bay of Bengal, the Six Degree and the Ten Degree Channels that more than sixty thousand commercial vessels traverse each year.</li>
<li>The Andaman and Nicobar Islands constitute just 0.2% of India&rsquo;s landmass but provide near 30% of its Exclusive Economic Zone.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1596026494_image%200.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1596026494_image 0.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="750" caption="false" /></a></p>
<h3>Opportunities in Militarising ANI</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Crucial for a Robust Indo-Pacific Strategy:</strong> As the geopolitical importance of the <a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/the-big-picture-indo-pacific-strategic-importance" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Indo-Pacific</strong></a> has been increasing, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, located in the Bay of Bengal, have attained increased strategic significance.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>ANI could also become an important element of<strong> India&rsquo;s <a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/the-big-picture-india-s-act-east-policy" target="_blank" rel="noopener">&ldquo;Act East Policy&rdquo;</a></strong> of engaging with countries in the region east of India.</li>
<li>Further, the Andaman and Nicobar chain of islands could be used as a basis for Indian maritime power projection into the Indo-Pacific and even beyond into the south-west Pacific.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Strategic and Commercial Advantages:</strong> The ANI could be used for India&rsquo;s Third Fleet and the trans-shipment hub at Car Nicobar, could potentially be a strategic game-changer, rivalling the ports of Singapore or Colombo.</li>
<li><strong>Strengthening Tri-Service Command:</strong> Changing nature of warfare in the 21st century has led to the expansion of scope of a Tri-Command Service. As Andaman and Nicobar is the only Tri-Command structure in India, development of military infrastructure at ANI is a key requirement in India&rsquo;s security strategy.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Challenges in Militarising ANI</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>May Portray the Image of Big Brother:</strong> When India first began developing the ANI in the mid-1980s, countries like Malaysia and Indonesia feared that India would use its military facilities in the ANI to dominate its region, and project power east of Malacca.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Hence, it is not uncommon for India to be vilified as the &lsquo;Big Brother&rsquo; by many of its neighbours in South Asia and South-East Asia.</li>
<li>Therefore, a section of India&rsquo;s diplomatic community has opposed militarising the ANI, arguing that turning ANI into a strategic-military garrison would militarise the littoral states and disrupt Indian ocean as a zone of peace.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Ecological And Anthropogenic Aspect:</strong> Military infrastructure projects could devastate the fragile ecology of the ANI. Already many islands are facing significant damage from the climate crisis.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Also, to establish a credible Aerial and Naval presence in an ethnographically extremely sensitive region presents complex challenges.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Antagonising China</strong>: While China&rsquo;s presence in the Indian Ocean is growing, it hasn&rsquo;t so far militarised key <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/belt-and-road-initiative-perspectives-from-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Belt and Road Initiative (BRI)</strong></a> outposts in the Bay of Bengal (Hambantota, Chittagong and Kyaukpyu). <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>If India pushes for greater military presence in the ANI, China could well seek military access in its friendly countries in Indian ocean .</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Bandwagoning with QUAD:</strong> In order to counter China&rsquo;s expanding footprint in India&rsquo;s sphere of maritime interest, India must permit friendly foreign navies (QUAD members, France etc.) access to the ANI&rsquo;s military bases.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The plan to integrate India&rsquo;s undersea sensor chain with the existing US-Japan &ldquo;Fish Hook&rdquo; SOSUS network which seeks to monitor submarine activity in the South China Sea and the Indian Ocean Rim, is a step in the right direction.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Balanced Development:</strong> Militarising ANI will aid India&rsquo;s strategic capabilities, but such development should not come at the cost the ruthless exploitation of Biodiversity hotspot i.e ANI.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Conclusion</h3>
<p>Militarising ANI is not a bad idea, but India must also take into account the downsides of such a move and the final decision should be based on a dispassionate weighing of costs and benefits.</p>
<table border="1" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="width: 100%; border-style: dotted; border-color: #ff0000; background-color: #ffffeb;">
<p><span style="color: #000080;"><em><strong>Drishti Mains Question</strong></em></span></p>
<p>&ldquo;The policy towards the Andaman and Nicobar islands should be transformed into something more robust strategic outlook, with an eye to India&rsquo;s larger geopolitical interests&rdquo;. Critically Discuss.</p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p style="text-align: center;"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/-v_4Dx_iko0" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p>
<p>This editorial is based on<a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/editorials/coronavirus-lockdown-rbi-loans-economic-recovery-6526351/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> &ldquo;Stress test&rdquo;</strong> </a>published in The Indian Express on July 28<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/militarising-andaman-and-nicobar-islands'
		],
		(int) 17 => [
			'title' => '100% FDI  in Air India for NRIs',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the <strong>Ministry of Finance</strong> has allowed <strong>Non Resident Indians</strong> (NRIs) to have <strong>100% <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/rise-in-foreign-direct-investment" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Foreign Direct Investment</a></strong> (FDI) in Air India.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>For the same, necessary amendments have been made in the <strong>Foreign Exchange Management Rules (Non-debt Instruments), 2019.</strong></li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Background:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In March 2020, the <strong>Cabinet approved a policy</strong> to permit foreign investment up to 100% by those NRIs who are Indian Nationals in Air India through the automatic route.</li>
<li>Foreign investments in Air India Limited, including that of <strong>foreign airlines shall not exceed 49%</strong> either directly or indirectly except in case of those NRIs, who are Indian nationals.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>New Rules:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Category of Citizens:</strong> The amendment removes the exception which permitted <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/overseas-citizenship-of-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Overseas Citizens of India</a></strong> (OCI) 100% FDI in air transport, but not Air India. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>This<strong> category of citizens has been replaced with NRIs,</strong> now allowed to commit 100% FDI in air transport, including Air India, through automatic route.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Role of RBI:</strong> The <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-national-institutions/important-institutions-national-institution-reserve-bank-of-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Reserve Bank of India</strong></a> (RBI) has been vested with the sole <strong>power to issue/interpret the rules</strong> regarding<strong> 100% FDI of NRIs.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Previously, it was required to do so in consultation with the Central Government.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Significance:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Disinvestment:</strong> It would likely to<strong> smoothen the divestment of Air India</strong> and have an impact on the sale of the national carrier.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Substantial<strong> ownership and effective control of Air India</strong> will have to remain in the hands of <strong>Indian nationals</strong> after the divestment.</li>
<li>Further, it will lead to increased FDI inflows and thereby contribute to higher investment, income and employment.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Liberalisation of FDI:</strong> The amendment is meant to liberalise and simplify the FDI policy to provide <strong>ease of doing business</strong> in the country.</li>
<li><strong>Global Visibility of Air India:</strong> The amendment would boost Brand India and provide <strong>global visibility, alternate sources of capital</strong> and <strong>broaden the investor base</strong> for Air india.</li>
<li><strong>Need for Privatisation:</strong> <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/privatisation-of-pses" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Privatisation</strong></a> is necessary as airlines have been under strain due to <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/covid-19-and-india-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Covid-19 pandemic.</strong></a><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Further, the<strong> government may not be in a position</strong> to fulfill the demands being made by Air India in the current situation, like providing measures for relief to its employees.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Foreign Direct Investment</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>FDI is an <strong>investment made by a firm or individual</strong> in one country into business interests located in another country.</li>
<li>Generally, FDI takes place when an investor establishes foreign business operations or acquires foreign business assets, including establishing ownership or controlling interest in a foreign company.</li>
<li>It is different from <strong>Foreign Portfolio Investment</strong> where the foreign entity merely buys equity shares of a company. FPI does not provide the investor with control over the business.</li>
<li>Routes through which India gets FDI:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Automatic Route:</strong> In this, the foreign entity does not require the prior approval of the government or the RBI.</li>
<li><strong>Government route:</strong> In this, the foreign entity has to take the approval of the government.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The<strong> Foreign Investment Facilitation Portal</strong> (FIFP) facilitates the single window clearance of applications which are through approval route.</li>
<li>This portal is administered by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Ministry of Commerce and Industry.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/business/Industry/govt-notifies-100-fdi-in-air-india-for-nris/article32215469.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/100-fdi-in-air-india-for-nris'
		],
		(int) 18 => [
			'title' => 'Centre’s Inability to Pay GST Dues',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>In a recent meeting, the <strong>Parliamentary Standing Committee on Finance</strong> has been informed that the government is not in a position to pay the <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/goods-and-services-tax-gst-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Goods and Services Tax</strong></a> (GST) <strong>share of States</strong> as per the current revenue sharing formula.</p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Centre had released the <strong>final instalment of Rs. 13,806 crore of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/gst-compensation" target="_blank" rel="noopener">GST compensation</a> for the FY 2019-20.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It comes as a relief for States seeking to finance efforts to ramp up public health-care capacity and contain <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/coronavirus-disease-named-covid-19" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Covid-19</strong></a> effects.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>For the <strong>FY 2020-21,</strong> there is going to be a<strong> revenue shortfall</strong> due to the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/covid-19-now-pandemic-who" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>pandemic.</strong></a><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Even the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/fall-in-goods-and-services-tax-gst-collections" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>GST collections for March 2020 also saw a dip.</strong></a></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>For such times, the<strong> GST Act</strong> has <strong>provisions to rework the formula for paying compensation</strong> to the State governments if the <strong>revenue collection drops below a certain threshold.</strong></li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>GST Compensations</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The GST became applicable from <strong>1<sup>st</sup> July 2017</strong> after the enactment of the<strong> 101<sup>st</sup> Constitution Amendment Act, 2016</strong> and with it, a large number of central and state indirect taxes merged into a single tax.</li>
<li>The Centre<strong> promised compensation</strong> to the States for any shortfall in tax revenue due to GST implementation for a <strong>period of five years.</strong> This promise <strong>convinced a large number of reluctant States to sign</strong> on to the new indirect tax regime.</li>
<li>As per the GST Act, states are <strong>guaranteed compensation for any revenue shortfall below 14% growth (base year 2015-16)</strong> for the<strong> first five years ending 2022.</strong></li>
<li>GST compensation is <strong>paid out of Compensation Cess every two months</strong> by the Centre to states.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The Compensation Cess are <strong>collected on the supply of select goods</strong> (luxury and sin goods) <strong>and/or services or both</strong> till 1<sup>st</sup> July 2022.</li>
<li>All the taxpayers, except those who export specific notified goods and those who have opted for the <strong>GST composition scheme,</strong> are liable to collect and remit the GST compensation cess to the central government.</li>
<li>Subsequently, the central government distributes it to the states.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Concerns</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Deviated Priorities:</strong> The committee held its first meeting after the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/21-days-lockdown" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>lockdowns</strong></a> and instead of discussing the state of the Indian economy amidst the ongoing pandemic and the fight against it, it chose the topic of <strong>&lsquo;Financing the Innovation Ecosystem and India&rsquo;s Growth Companies&rsquo;</strong> which is not so relevant given the times.</li>
<li><strong>Unclear Finances:</strong> The<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/union-budget-2020-21-economy" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> Budget 2020-21</strong> </a><strong>may no longer be relevant</strong> since it was based on certain assumptions about the revenue collections and there is <strong>no clarity so far from the government on overall revenue shortfall</strong> this year.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>There is <strong>no clarity over the efficacy of the government&rsquo;s rescue package</strong> in the form of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/economic-stimulus-v" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>different Economic Stimulus.</strong></a></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Widening Gaps:</strong> The <strong>gap between the compensation cess and the payment to states is expected to widen further</strong> with expected economic contraction denting GST collections as well.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Compensation cess inflows could reduce because of <strong>people curbing discretionary spending on luxury goods</strong> in order to conserve capital in the pandemic-hit economy.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>More Difficult Payments: Paying compensation to States this year is going to be even more difficult</strong> for the Centre because, for the FY 2019-20, the Compensation cess was almost Rs. 70,000 crore less than the payments due to States.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It was <strong>overcome</strong> by tapping cess balances from the<strong> first two years of GST implementation</strong> and from the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/mp-s-salaries-cut-and-mplads-suspended#:~:text=Government%20Accounts-,Consolidated%20Fund,and%20all%20non%2Dtax%20revenues." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Consolidated Fund of India</strong> </a>by debiting <strong>Integrated GST (IGST) funds.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>IGST is levied on inter-State supply of goods and services</strong> and some of this levy collected in 2017-18, had not yet been allocated to States.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Delayed Meetings:</strong> The <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/gst-council-meet" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>GST Council</strong></a> was <strong>scheduled to meet in July</strong> to try and work out the formula to rework the compensation<strong> but the meeting has not been convened</strong> so far.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The chief solution officials have suggested the Centre to raise special loans against future GST cess accruals (an amount of money that accumulates) in order to help meet its compensation promise to States.</li>
<li>The pandemic has thrown multiple challenges in front of the Centre and the States. They need to have more certainty and clarity on the cash at their disposal which would help them to battle the virus more effectively.</li>
<li>There is a need to boost the economic growth of the country and the government needs to think about the ways through which it can increase GST collections.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/business/Economy/centre-unable-to-pay-gst-dues-to-states-union-finance-secretary/article32216329.ece#:~:text=Finance%20Secretary%20Ajay%20Bhushan%20Pandey,revenue%20sharing%20formula%2C%20sources%20said." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: TH</strong></a></p>',
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		],
		(int) 19 => [
			'title' => 'Signs of Economic Recovery: CII',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the<strong> Confederation of Indian Industries (CII)</strong> has said that there are early signs of a <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/drop-in-fpi-outflows" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>V-shaped recovery</strong></a> in the economy in the immediate aftermath of the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/21-days-lockdown" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>lockdown.</strong></a></p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Economic Recovery:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Economic recovery is being<strong> driven mostly by agriculture and rural lending.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>CII noted that rural lending by <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/liquidity-boost-to-nbfcs" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Non-Banking Financial Companies (NBFCs)</strong></a> is at about 80% of the usual levels.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The <strong>Fast-Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG), pharma and construction</strong> have also contributed to the positive trends of economic recovery.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>FMCG is likely to grow at 15-20%, on account of an increase in in-house consumption of food and greater demand for sanitation and hygiene products.</li>
<li>The construction sector, which has a large employment multiplier impact on the economy is also recovering back, with most construction sites resuming operations.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Reasons:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The positive recovery has been predicted based on the increase in <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/goods-and-services-tax-gst-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Goods and Services Tax (GST)</strong></a> collections, railway freight traffic, petrol consumption, peak power demand and electronic toll collections.</li>
<li>There are also expectations of a <strong>bumper harvest</strong> in the wake of a normal monsoon.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Suggestions:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In order to nurture the nascent signs of economic recovery, CII has argued to <strong>mitigate the uncertainties</strong> that are currently prevailing due to mini lockdowns imposed due to <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/covid-19-now-pandemic-who" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Covid-19 pandemic.</strong></a>
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It has argued to <strong>limit the containment zones</strong> to micro areas to ensure that business activities are allowed to function seamlessly.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>CII has recommended a <strong>dashboard approach,</strong> where the progression of infections would trigger predictable responses in a way that would reduce uncertainty and boost consumer and industry confidence.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Confederation of Indian Industries</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>CII is a<strong> non-government, not-for-profit,</strong> industry-led and industry-managed organization.</li>
<li>It works to create and sustain an environment conducive to the development of India, partnering industry, Government and civil society, through advisory and consultative processes.</li>
<li>Founded in <strong>1895,</strong> it is headquartered in <strong>New delhi.</strong></li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/business/Industry/rural-lending-reviving-agri-gives-hope/article32215524.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: TH</strong></a></p>',
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	(int) 0 => [
		'title' => 'Muslim Women Rights Day',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, <strong>1<sup>st</sup> August</strong> has been recorded as<strong> &ldquo;Muslim Women Rights Day&rdquo;</strong> in the country&rsquo;s history to mark <strong>first anniversary</strong> of the passage of <strong>Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Act, 2019.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The law made triple talaq a<strong> criminal offence.</strong></li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Triple Talaq</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Triple talaq is a practice mainly <strong>prevalent among India&rsquo;s Muslim community</strong> following the <strong>Hanafi Islamic school of law.</strong></li>
<li>Under the practice, a Muslim man can divorce his wife by simply uttering &ldquo;talaq&rdquo; three times but women<strong> cannot</strong> pronounce triple talaq and are required to move a court for getting divorce under the <strong>Sharia Act, 1937.</strong></li>
<li>Triple talaq divorce is<strong> banned</strong> by many Islamic countries, including <strong>Pakistan, Bangladesh and Indonesia.</strong></li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Provisions of the Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Act, 2019</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The Act makes all declaration of talaq, including in written or electronic form, to be <strong>void (i.e. not enforceable in law) and illegal.</strong></li>
<li>It also makes a declaration of talaq a <strong>cognizable offence</strong> ( only if information relating to the offence is given by a married woman against whom talaq has been declared), attracting up to <strong>three years</strong> imprisonment with a fine.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>A cognizable offence is one for which a police officer may arrest an accused person without warrant.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The Magistrate <strong>may grant bail</strong> to the accused. The bail may be granted <strong>only after hearing the woman</strong> (against whom talaq has been pronounced), and if the Magistrate is satisfied that there are reasonable grounds for granting bail.</li>
<li>The offence <strong>may be compounded</strong> (i.e. the parties may arrive at a compromise) by the Magistrate upon the request of the woman (against whom talaq has been declared).</li>
<li>A Muslim woman against whom talaq has been declared, is entitled to seek <strong>subsistence allowance</strong> from her husband for herself and for her dependent children.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Constitutional Provisions:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The Triple Talaq was held to be <strong>violative of Article 14 (the right to equality),</strong> which is held by the Supreme Court from <strong>Shah Bano case (1986) to Shayara Bano case in 2017.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Article 25</strong> of the Constitution guarantees religious freedom as Freedom of Practice and Propagation of Religion. Like all other Fundamental Rights, it is<strong> subject to restrictions</strong> and does not protect religious practices that can negatively affect the welfare of citizens.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Hence, Article 25 is <strong>overridden</strong> by Article 14, which guarantees the Right to Equality as triple talaq denies a Muslim woman&rsquo;s equality before the law.</li>
<li>Article 25 is also <strong>subject to Article 15 (1)</strong> which states that the State &ldquo;shall not discriminate against any citizen on grounds only of religion, race, caste, sex&hellip;&rdquo; Since triple talaq does not work in the favour of women, it violates Article 15 (1) of the Constitution.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The implementation of the Act has shown a <strong>decline of about 82% in Triple Talaq cases</strong> in India. It has strengthened <strong>&ldquo;self-reliance, self-respect and self-confidence&rdquo;</strong> of the Muslim women of the country.</li>
<li>The law is a step towards ensuring <strong>gender equality</strong> and strengthening constitutional, fundamental and democratic rights of the Muslim women.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=1642559#:~:text=Shri%20Naqvi%20said%20that%20%E2%80%9C1,Indian%20democracy%20and%20Parliamentary%20history.%E2%80%9D" 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/muslim-women-rights-day'
	],
	(int) 1 => [
		'title' => 'National Education Policy (NEP) 2020',
		'catname' => 'News Editorials',
		'desc' => '<div class="border">
<p>This article is based on <a href="https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/editorial/a-long-road-the-hindu-editorial-on-national-education-policy-2020/article32233472.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>&ldquo;A long road: On National Education Policy 2020&rdquo;</strong></a> which was published in The Hindu on 31/07/2020. It talks about the significance of National Education policy 2020.</p>
</div>
<p>Recently, the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/national-education-policy-2020" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>National Education Policy (NEP) 2020</strong></a> was announced by the Ministry of Human Resource Development (soon to be called the Ministry of Education). The policy is aimed at transforming the Indian education system to meet the needs of the 21<sup>st</sup> Century.</p>
<p>The new policy seeks rectification of poor literacy and numeracy outcomes associated with primary schools, reduction in dropout levels in middle and secondary schools and adoption of the multi-disciplinary approach in the higher education system.</p>
<p>Apart from this, the policy also focuses on early childhood care, restructuring curriculum and pedagogy; reforming assessments and exams, and investing in teacher training and broad-basing their appraisal.</p>
<p>Though the NEP 2020 seeks to bring a holistic change in the education system of India, its success depends on the will and way in which it will be implemented.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1596197883_image0.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1596197883_image0.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="700" caption="false" /></a></p>
<h3>Significance of National Education Policy 2020</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Recognising Importance of Formative years:</strong> In adopting a <strong>5+3+3+4 model for school education starting at age 3,</strong> the policy recognises the primacy of the formative years from ages 3 to 8 in shaping the child&rsquo;s future.</li>
<li><strong>Departure from Silos Mentality:</strong> Another key aspect of school education in the new policy is the breaking of the strict division of arts, commerce and science streams in high school. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>This can lay the foundation for a multi-disciplinary approach in high education.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>The Confluence of Education and Skills:</strong> Another laudable aspect of the scheme is the introduction of vocational courses with an internship. This may nudge the vulnerable sections of society to send their children to school.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Also, it would help in realisation of the goal of<strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/the-problem-of-skilling-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> Skill India Mission.</a></strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Making Education More Inclusive:</strong> The NEP proposes the extension of the Right to Education (RTE) to all children up to the age of 18.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Further, the policy seeks to leverage the huge potential of online pedagogy and learning methodologies for increasing gross enrolment in higher education.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Light But Tight Oversight:</strong> According to the policy, in spite of periodic inspection, transparency, maintaining quality standards and a favourable public perception will become a 24X7 pursuit for the institutions, leading to all-round improvement in their standard. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The policy also seeks to establish a super-regulator for education which will be responsible for standards-setting, funding, accreditation and regulation of higher education India.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Allowing Foreign Universities:</strong> The document states universities from among the top 100 in the world will be able to set up campuses in India.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>This will lead to an infusion of international perspective and innovation, which will make the Indian education system more efficient and competitive.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Ending Hindi vs English Debate:</strong> Most crucially, NEP, once and for all, buries the strident Hindi versus English language debate; instead, it emphasises on making mother tongue, local language or the regional language the medium of instruction at least till Grade 5, which is considered the best medium of teaching.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Issues Related to NEP 2020</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Knowledge-Jobs Mismatch:</strong> There is a persistent mismatch between the knowledge &amp; skills imparted and the jobs available. This has been one of the main challenges that have affected the Indian education system since Independence.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>NEP 2020 failed to check this, as it is silent on education related to emerging technological fields like artificial intelligence, cyberspace, nanotech, etc.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>The Requirement of Enormous Resources.</strong> An ambitious target of public spending at 6% of GDP has been set. Mobilising financial resources will be a big challenge, given the low tax-to-GDP ratio and competing claims on the national exchequer of healthcare, national security and other key sectors.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Need For Cooperative Federalism:</strong> Since education is a concurrent subject (both the Centre and the state governments can make laws on it), the reforms proposed can only be implemented collaboratively by the Centre and the states.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Thus, the Centre has the giant task of building a consensus on the many ambitious plans.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Strive Towards Universalisation of Education:</strong> There is a need for the creation of &lsquo;inclusion funds&rsquo; to help socially and educationally disadvantaged children pursue education.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Also, there is a need to set up a regulatory process that can check profiteering from education in the form of unaccounted donations.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Bridging Digital Divide</strong>: If technology is a force-multiplier, with unequal access it can also expand the gap between the haves and have nots.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Thus, the state needs to address the striking disparities in access to digital tools for universalization of education.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Interministerial Coordination:</strong> There is an emphasis on vocational training, but to make it effective, there has to be close coordination between the education, skills and labour ministry.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Conclusion</h3>
<p>The new National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, is a good policy as it aims at making the education system holistic, flexible, multidisciplinary, aligned to the needs of the 21<sup>st</sup> century and the <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/sustainable-development-3#:~:text=To%20bring%20sustainable%20development%20in,over%20the%20next%2015%20years." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>2030 Sustainable Development Goals.</strong></a> The intent of policy seems to be ideal in many ways but it is the implementation where lies the key to success.</p>
<table border="1" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="width: 100%; border-style: dotted; border-color: #ff0000; background-color: #fffeeb;">
<p><span style="color: #000080;"><em><strong>Drishti Mains Question</strong></em></span></p>
<p>Discuss the salient features of National Education policy 2020 and how can it bring holistic changes in the Indian education system?</p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p style="text-align: center;"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/oD-Kn4Z9CYM" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p>
<p>This editorial is based on <a href="https://www.hindustantimes.com/analysis/why-the-anti-defection-law-has-failed-to-deliver/story-JtDhlEFHZ8VPpnNBD7Fv9J.html%E2%80%9D" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>&ldquo;Why the anti-defection law has failed to deliver&rdquo;</strong></a> which was published in The Hindustan Times on July 30<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/national-education-policy-nep-2020'
	],
	(int) 2 => [
		'title' => 'CHRI Report on Slavery',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the <strong>Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative (CHRI)</strong> and <strong>Walk Free</strong> (an international anti-slavery organisation) releaed a <strong>report on slavery</strong> on the occasion of <strong>World Day Against Trafficking in Persons (30<sup>th</sup> July).</strong></p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>The Report:</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It<strong> assessed the progress made by Commonwealth countries</strong> on the promises made in 2018<strong> to end modern slavery by 2030</strong> and achieve the <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/sustainable-development-3" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Sustainable Development Goal</strong></a> <strong>(Target 8.7)</strong> of <strong>ending forced labour, <a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/the-big-picture-war-against-human-trafficking" target="_blank" rel="noopener">human trafficking</a> and <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/world-day-against-child-labour" target="_blank" rel="noopener">child labour.</a></strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Commonwealth countries <strong>accounts for about 40% of people living in conditions of modern slavery in the world.</strong></li>
<li>It is estimated that 1 in every 150 people in the Commonwealth countries live in conditions of modern slavery.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>It found that Commonwealth countries have made little progress <strong>towards their commitment to eradicate modern slavery</strong> and have been <strong>lacking in actions</strong> to eradicate the modern slavery <strong>by 2030.</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>One-third of the Commonwealth countries had criminalised forced marriage, while 23 had not criminalised commercial sexual exploitation of children.</li>
<li>All Commonwealth countries report gaps in victim assistance programs.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>India Specific Outcome:</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>India had fared the worst in terms of coordination. It has no national coordinating body</strong> or<strong> National Action Plan</strong> in place to deal with modern day slavery.</li>
<li>India accounted for <strong>one-third of all child brides</strong> in the world.</li>
<li>India, like all other Commonwealth countries in Asia, had not ratified the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/minimum-wages-act-for-domestic-workers" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>International Labour Organisation&rsquo;s</strong> </a>2011 <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/minimum-wages-act-for-domestic-workers" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Domestic Workers Convention</strong></a> or the 2014<strong> Forced Labour Protocol.</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The 2014 Forced Labour Protocol obligates state parties to provide protection and appropriate remedies, including compensation, to victims of forced labour and to sanction the perpetrators of forced labour.</li>
<li>It also obligates state parties to develop a national policy and plan of action for the effective and sustained suppression of forced or compulsory labour.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Steps Taken by India</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Constitutional Provisions:</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Article 21</strong> deals with the Right to Life and Personal Liberty.</li>
<li><strong>Article 23</strong> of the Constitution <strong>prohibits</strong> forced labour.</li>
<li><strong>Article 24</strong> <strong>prohibits</strong> the employment of children (below the age of fourteen years) in factories, etc.</li>
<li><strong>Article 39</strong> directs the State to secure the health and strength of workers, men and women, and to see the tender age of children are not abused and that citizens are not forced by economic necessity to enter avocations unsuited to their age or strength.</li>
<li><strong>Article 42</strong> directs the State to make provision for securing just and humane conditions of work and for maternity relief.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Legal Provision:</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Various sections in <strong>Indian Penal Code (IPC)</strong> such as <strong>366A, 366B, 370 and 374.</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Section 370 and 370A of Indian Penal Code (IPC) provide for comprehensive measures to counter the menace of human trafficking including trafficking of children for exploitation in any form including physical exploitation or any form of sexual exploitation, slavery, servitude, or the forced removal of organs.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The <strong>Juvenile Justice Act, 2015</strong> and the <strong>Information Technology (IT) Act, 2000</strong> and also the<strong> Immoral Traffic Act, Prevention of Child Labour Act 1956,</strong> the <strong>Bonded Labour (Abolition) Act 1976,</strong> among others aims to eradicate various forms of slavery.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Other Initiatives:</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>India has <strong>ratified the United Nations Convention on Transnational Organised Crime (UNCTOC)</strong> which among others has a Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, especially Women and Children.</li>
<li>India has <strong>ratified the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/south-asian-association-for-regional-cooperation-saarc" target="_blank" rel="noopener">South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC)</a> Convention on Preventing and Combating Trafficking</strong> in Women and Children for Prostitution.</li>
<li><strong>A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between India and Bangladesh</strong> has been signed on bilateral Cooperation for Prevention of Human Trafficking in Women and Children, Rescue, Recovery, Repatriation and Re-integration of Victims of Trafficking was signed in June, 2015.</li>
<li><strong>Anti-Trafficking Nodal Cell</strong> was set up in the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) in 2006 to act as a focal point for communicating various decisions and follow up on action taken by the State Governments to combat the crime of Human Trafficking.</li>
<li><strong>Judicial Conferences:</strong> In order to train and sensitize the trial court judicial officers, Judicial conferences on human trafficking are held at the High court level. The aim is to <strong>sensitize the judicial officers</strong> about the various issues concerning human trafficking and to ensure speedy court process.</li>
<li>To enhance the capacity building of law enforcement agencies and generate awareness among them, various<strong> Training of Trainers (TOT) workshops on &lsquo;Combating Trafficking in Human Beings&rsquo; for Police officers</strong> and for Prosecutors at Regional level, State level and District level have been organized by the government throughout the country.</li>
<li>Ministry of Home Affairs under a Comprehensive Scheme<strong> &lsquo;Strengthening Law Enforcement Response in India against Trafficking in Persons&rsquo;</strong> through Training and Capacity Building, has released fund for <strong>establishment of Anti Human Trafficking Units</strong> for 270 districts of the country.
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The primary role of an <strong>Anti Human Trafficking Unit (AHTU)</strong> is law enforcement and liaising with other concerned agencies for care &amp; rehabilitation of victims.</li>
<li>MHA conducts coordination meetings with the Nodal Officers of Anti Human Trafficking Units nominated in all States/UTs periodically.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Modern Slavery</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Modern slavery refers to <strong>situations of exploitation</strong> that a person cannot escape because of threats, violence, coercion, and abuse of power or deception. They may be held in debt bondage on fishing boats, against their will as domestic servants or trapped in brothels.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative (CHRI)</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It is an independent, non-partisan, <strong>international non-governmental organisation, headquartered in New Delhi,</strong> working for the practical realisation of human rights across the Commonwealth.</li>
<li>The Commonwealth is a <strong>voluntary association of 54 independent and equal sovereign states.</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It is <strong>one of the world&rsquo;s oldest political associations of states.</strong> Its roots go back to the British Empire when some countries were ruled directly or indirectly by Britain. Some of these countries became self-governing while retaining Britain&rsquo;s monarch as Head of State. They formed the British Commonwealth of Nations.</li>
<li><strong>In 1949, the Commonwealth came into being.</strong> Since then, independent countries from Africa, the Americas, Asia, Europe and the Pacific have joined the Commonwealth.</li>
<li>Membership is <strong>based on free and equal voluntary cooperation. Rwanda and Mozambique -</strong> have no historical ties to the British Empire.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/commonwealth-countries-lagging-behind-on-action-against-modern-slavery-says-report/article32233622.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/chri-report-on-slavery'
	],
	(int) 3 => [
		'title' => 'International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER) Assembly',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER) celebrated the start of <strong>Assembly of the ITER Tokamak at Saint-Paul-Lez-Durance, France.</strong></p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Significance of the Event:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The Celebration was hosted <strong>virtually</strong> by the French President and <strong>all ITER member</strong> countries<strong> participated</strong> either in person, or electronically through remote mode.</li>
<li>India also participated in the celebrations and considered the <strong>global participation of scientists</strong> to project as a perfect illustration of the age-old Indian belief - <strong>Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam is a Sanskrit phrase which means<strong> &lsquo;The World is One Family&rsquo;.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>India&rsquo;s Contribution:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>India also mentioned about its fair share in terms of its in-kind contributions, viz., the cryostat, cryogenic and cryo-distribution systems, auxiliary heating devices, multi megawatt power supplies, etc.</li>
<li>ITER cryostat is manufactured by <strong>India (Larsen and Tourbo).</strong> Cryostat is a chamber that can maintain <strong>very low temperatures.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It is the largest stainless steel high-vacuum pressure chamber ever built (16,000 m<sup>3</sup>) providing the high vacuum, ultra cool environment for the ITER vacuum vessel and the superconducting magnets.</li>
<li>The target for the<strong> first plasma is 2025.</strong> At extreme temperatures, electrons are separated from nuclei and a gas becomes a plasma&mdash;<strong>an ionized state of matter similar to a gas.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>European Union (EU)</strong> is responsible for the<strong> largest portion of construction costs</strong> (45.6%); the remainder is <strong>shared equally</strong> by China, Japan, South Korea, Russia, USA including<strong> India (9.1% each).</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Nuclear Reactions</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Description:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>A nuclear reaction is the process in which <strong>two nuclei,</strong> or a nucleus and an external subatomic particle, collide to produce one or more new nuclides.</li>
<li>Thus, a nuclear reaction must cause a transformation of at least one nuclide to another.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Types:<a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1596183299_image2.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1596183299_image2.png" style="float: right;" width="450" caption="false" /></a></strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Nuclear Fission:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The nucleus of an <strong>atom splits</strong> into two daughter nuclei.</li>
<li>This decay can be<strong> natural</strong> spontaneous splitting by radioactive decay, or can actually be<strong> simulated</strong> in a lab by achieving necessary conditions (bombarding with neutrons, alpha particles, etc.).</li>
<li>The resulting fragments tend to have a combined<strong> mass which is less than the original.</strong> The missing mass is usually converted into nuclear energy.</li>
<li>Currently all commercial nuclear reactors are <strong>based on nuclear fission.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Nuclear Fusion:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Nuclear Fusion is defined as the combining of two lighter nuclei into a heavier one.</li>
<li>Such nuclear fusion reactions are the<strong> source of energy in the Sun and other stars.</strong></li>
<li>It takes considerable energy to force the nuclei to fuse. The conditions needed for this process are extreme &ndash; millions of degrees of temperature and millions of pascals of pressure.</li>
<li>The <strong>hydrogen bomb</strong> is based on a thermonuclear fusion reaction. However, a <strong>nuclear bomb based on the fission</strong> of uranium or plutonium is<strong> placed at the core of the hydrogen bomb</strong> to provide initial energy.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Establishment:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER) is a collaboration of <strong>35 nations</strong> launched in <strong>1985.</strong></li>
<li>It is located in <strong>France.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Aim:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It aims to build the <strong>world's largest tokamak</strong> to prove the <strong>feasibility of fusion</strong> as a <strong>large-scale and carbon-free</strong> source of energy.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The <strong>tokamak</strong> is an experimental machine designed to harness the energy of fusion. Inside a tokamak, the energy produced through the fusion of atoms is absorbed as heat in the walls of the vessel. Like a conventional power plant, a fusion power plant uses this heat to produce steam and then electricity by way of turbines and generators.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Applicable Principle:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The project is based on<strong> fusion</strong> which is also an<strong> energy source</strong> for the<strong> Sun and stars.</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Every fusion reaction in the Sun, in which two hydrogen atoms fuse into one helium atom, releases two <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/high-energy-neutrinos-detected#:~:text=Neutrinos%20are%20produced%20during%20natural,and%20explosions%20happening%20in%20space." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>neutrinos.</strong></a></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Significance:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>ITER will be the <strong>first fusion device</strong> to maintain <strong>fusion for long periods</strong> of time and also<strong> to test the integrated technologies,</strong> materials, and physics regimes necessary for the commercial production of fusion-based electricity.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Participation:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The ITER members include <strong>China, the European Union, India, Japan, South Korea, Russia and the United States.</strong></li>
<li>According to the <strong>ITER Agreement (2006),</strong> the above mentioned seven members will share the cost of project construction, operation and decommissioning.</li>
<li>They also share the experimental results and any intellectual property generated by the fabrication, construction and operation phases.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1642139" 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/international-thermonuclear-experimental-reactor-iter-assembly'
	],
	(int) 4 => [
		'title' => 'AIM-iCREST: NITI Aayog',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the <strong>Atal Innovation Mission (AIM)</strong> has launched an incubator capabilities enhancement program <strong>&lsquo;AIM-iCREST&rsquo;.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Atal Innovation Mission (AIM) is a <strong>flagship initiative set up by the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-national-institutions/niti-aayog-national-institution-for-transforming-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener">NITI Aayog</a></strong> to promote a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship in the country.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>AIM-iCREST is an <strong>Incubator Capabilities Enhancement program for a Robust Ecosystem</strong> focused on <strong>creating high performing Startups.</strong></li>
<li>It has been designed to act as a<strong> growth support for AIM&rsquo;s Atal and Established Incubators</strong> across the country. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>For the same, AIM has joined hands with Bill &amp; Melinda Gates Foundation and Wadhwani Foundation - organizations that can lend credible support and expertise in the entrepreneurship and innovation space.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The <strong>AIM&rsquo;s incubators are set to be upscaled and provided requisite support</strong> to foster the incubation enterprise economy, that will help them to significantly enhance their performance. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>This will be complemented by <strong>providing training to entrepreneurs,</strong> through technology driven processes and platforms.</li>
<li>The focus will be on<strong> supporting start-up entrepreneurs in knowledge creation and dissemination</strong> as well as in developing robust and active networks.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>AIM&rsquo;s Atal and Established Incubators:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Business incubators</strong> are institutions that <strong>support entrepreneurs in developing their businesses,</strong> especially in initial stages. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Incubation is usually done by institutions which have experience in the business and technology world.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Atal Incubation Centres:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>AIM intends to support the establishment of new incubation centres called <strong>Atal Incubation Centres (AICs)</strong> that would nurture innovative start-ups in their pursuit to become scalable and sustainable business enterprises.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Established Incubation Centres:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>In recent years, academia, industry, investors, small and big entrepreneurs, government organizations, and non-governmental organizations have taken an initiative to set up incubation centres across the country.</li>
<li>AIM envisages to <strong>upgrade these Established Incubation Centres (EICs) to world-class standards.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Atal Innovation Mission</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>AIM is Government of India&rsquo;s flagship initiative to promote a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship in the country.</li>
<li>It&rsquo;s <strong>objective</strong> is to develop new programmes and policies for fostering innovation in different sectors of the economy, provide platform and collaboration opportunities for different stakeholders, create awareness and create an umbrella structure to oversee the innovation ecosystem of the country.</li>
<li><strong>Major Initiatives:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/launch-of-collabcad-in-atal-tinkering-labs" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Atal Tinkering Labs:</strong></a> Creating problem solving mindset across <strong>schools in India.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Atal Incubation Centers:</strong> Fostering world class startups and adding a new dimension to the incubator model.</li>
<li><strong>Atal New India Challenges:</strong> Fostering product innovations and aligning them to the needs of various sectors/ministries.</li>
<li><strong>Mentor India Campaign:</strong> A national mentor network in collaboration with the public sector, corporates and institutions, to support all the initiatives of the mission.</li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/atal-community-innovation-centre" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Atal Community Innovation Center</strong></a>: To stimulate community centric innovation and ideas in the <strong>unserved /underserved regions of the country</strong> including Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities.</li>
<li><strong>Atal Research and Innovation for Small Enterprises (ARISE):</strong> To stimulate innovation and research in the MSME industry.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1596179609_image1.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1596179609_image1.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="350" caption="false" /></a></p>
</div>
<p><a href="https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetail.aspx?PRID=1642441" 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/aim-icrest-niti-aayog'
	],
	(int) 5 => [
		'title' => 'Dispute Panels Against India: WTO',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/issues-in-wtos-dispute-resolution-mechanism" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Dispute Settlement Body</strong></a> (DSB) of the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/world-trade-organisation-wto" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>World Trade Organisation</strong></a> (WTO) has set up <strong>two dispute settlement panels</strong> targeting import duties imposed by India on a number of<strong> Information and Communication Technology (ICT) products</strong> including mobile phones.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It was done on the <strong>request of Japan and Taiwan,</strong> taking up the number of panels constituted to examine the same tariff-related issue to three.</li>
<li>In <strong>June 2020</strong>, the <strong><a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/european-union" target="_blank" rel="noopener">European Union</a></strong> (EU) had a panel established against India on the same issue.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The panels would determine whether <strong>India&rsquo;s customs duties on imports of certain ICT products infringe the WTO&rsquo;s norms or not.</strong></li>
<li>The panels have been set up to decide on <strong>20% customs duty levied by India</strong> on mobile phones and some other ICT products.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>India decided to levy <strong>10% customs duty</strong> on these products for the first time in July 2017 which was <strong>increased to 15% in the same year.</strong></li>
<li>These custom duties were <strong>further increased to 20%</strong> despite opposition from a number of WTO members.</li>
<li>The EU, USA, China, Singapore, Taiwan, Canada, Japan and Thailand initiated consultations with India on the matter claiming that the move substantially affects them.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The <strong>goods covered in the complaint</strong> include telephones for cellular networks or for other wireless networks; base stations; machines for the reception, conversion and transmission or regeneration of voice, images or other data, etc.</li>
<li><strong>Complainants&rsquo; Arguments:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Japan and Taiwan said that their <strong>failed consultations with India prompted</strong> them to submit the requests for panels.</li>
<li>Japan, Taiwan and the EU have argued that<strong> these products fall within the scope of the relevant tariff lines</strong> for which India has set the<strong> bound rate of 0% for its WTO schedule of commitments.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Bound Rates</strong> are the <strong>legally bound commitments on customs duty rates,</strong> which <strong>act as ceilings</strong> on the tariffs that member governments can set.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Once a rate of duty is bound, it may not be raised without compensating</strong> the affected parties</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>They held that India is applying tariffs on ITC goods falling under five <strong>tariff lines</strong> in excess of the 0% bound rate and that for some products, the applied tariff rate was <strong>as high as 20% some times.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Tariff Line</strong> refers to the classification codes of goods, applied by individual countries, that are longer than the 6-digit level of the <strong>Harmonized System</strong> (HS).<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>HS is a <strong>system of code numbers for identifying products.</strong> The codes are <strong>standard up to six digits.</strong> Beyond that countries can introduce national distinctions for tariffs and many other purposes.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>India&rsquo;s Stand:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>India managed to<strong> block Japan&rsquo;s first request</strong> for a panel on the grounds that the complaint <strong>undermined India&rsquo;s sovereignty.</strong></li>
<li>India also<strong> rejected the EU&rsquo;s suggestion of agreeing to one consolidated panel</strong> combining complaints from all three of them and saving time and resources.</li>
<li>India argued that all <strong>three complainants are seeking to get the country to take on commitments under the Information Technology Agreement-II (ITA-II) which it never agreed to.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Information Technology Agreement</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It is a<strong> plurilateral agreement</strong> enforced by the WTO and concluded by<strong> 29 participants </strong>in the<strong> Ministerial Declaration on Trade in Information Technology Products at Singapore in 1996.</strong></li>
<li>It entered into force on <strong>1<sup>st</sup> July 1997.</strong></li>
<li>It seeks to<strong> accelerate and deepen the reduction of trade barriers</strong> for the critically important ICT industry.</li>
<li>Currently, the number of participants has grown to 82, representing about 97% of world trade in IT products.</li>
<li><strong>India is a signatory.</strong></li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Information Technology Agreement-II</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Few developed countries <strong>proposed to broaden the scope and coverage of the ITA.</strong></li>
<li>At the <strong>Nairobi Ministerial Conference in December 2015,</strong> over 50 members concluded the<strong> expansion of the Agreement,</strong> which now covers an additional 201 products valued at over USD 1.3 trillion per year.</li>
<li>Its<strong> aim</strong> was to<strong> increase the coverage of IT products</strong> on which customs duty would be bound at zero, <strong>addressing non-tariff measures and expanding the number of signatory countries</strong> to include countries such as Argentina, Brazil and South Africa.</li>
<li><strong>India has decided not to participate</strong> in this for the time being because India&rsquo;s experience with the ITA-I has been most discouraging, which almost wiped out the IT industry from India.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The <strong>real gainer</strong> from that agreement has been <strong>China which raised its global market share from 2% to 14% between 2000-2011.</strong> China is a <strong>significant exporter of ICT goods.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/economy/wto-sets-up-dispute-panels-against-indias-tech-tariffs-on-japan-taiwans-request/article32221738.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: BL</strong></a></p>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/dispute-panels-against-india-wto'
	],
	(int) 6 => [
		'title' => 'Efficacy of Anti-Defection Law',
		'catname' => 'News Editorials',
		'desc' => '<div class="border">
<p>This editorial is based on<a href="https://www.hindustantimes.com/analysis/why-the-anti-defection-law-has-failed-to-deliver/story-JtDhlEFHZ8VPpnNBD7Fv9J.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> &ldquo;Why the anti-defection law has failed to deliver&rdquo;</strong> </a>which was published in The Hindustan Times on 30/7/2020. It talks about the reasons for the ineffectiveness of Anti-Defection Law.</p>
</div>
<p>Recent<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/refusal-of-rajasthan-speaker-s-plea-by-supreme-court" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> events in Rajasthan</strong></a>, whereby MLAs violating party&rsquo;s whip or joining another political party, with an aim to topple an elected government by depriving it of its majority have brought renewed focus on the efficacy of <a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/the-big-picture-anti-defection-law-karnataka-political-crisis" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Anti-defection law</strong></a>.</p>
<p>This ongoing political crisis in Rajasthan is neither new nor uncommon, as the &ldquo;switching of sides&rdquo; by elected representatives has been increasingly frequent in recent months. The political defections in Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Goa and Manipur which amounted to undermining of democratic values.</p>
<p>Given the context, it has become necessary to figure out the reasons that affect the Anti-defection law to act an effective check on the incidences of defection.</p>
<h3>Issues With Anti-Defection Law</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Circumvention of Anti-Defection Law:</strong> Defecting MLAs have found an innovative method to sidestep the restrictions in the Tenth Schedule and Supreme Court&rsquo;s direction.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Instead of formally &ldquo;crossing the floor&rdquo; or voting against their party in a confidence motion, they resign from the party.</li>
<li>This brings down the party&rsquo;s strength in the House, and the government is toppled.</li>
<li>A few months later, when by-elections are held, the same MLAs then stand for election on the ticket of the opposition party and are returned to the assembly.</li>
<li>This, it should be clear, is defection in all, but the most formal sense.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Supreme Court Guidelines on Ant-defection Law</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>In the Kihoto Hollohan judgment (1992), the Supreme Court held that Members of Parliament (MPs) and Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs) are elected on the political and ideological platform of their party.</li>
<li>So it is legitimate, the SC said, to hold them to that. If they wish to step away from that ideology, they are free to do so but must seek a fresh mandate from the people.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Violating Neutrality:</strong> BR Ambedkar pointed out soon after the framing of the Constitution, &ldquo;every constitutional text can be subverted if those charged with running the affairs of government are inclined to do so&rdquo;.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Thus, no matter how well-drafted a constitutional provision is, ultimately, its implementation depends upon constitutional functionaries acting in good faith.</li>
<li>However, in recent times, it can be observed that the office of governors and the speakers have acted in a non-partisan way (acted as an agent of the union government).</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Judiciary Stopped Playing a Proactive Role:</strong> Judiciary itself has not proved up to the mark, in pursuit of checking defections.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>During the Karnataka crisis last year, the Supreme Court failed to prevent the toppling of the government, as many MLAs resigned with a motive to reduce the effective majority of the government.</li>
<li>The validity of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/electoral-bonds" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Electoral bonds schemes</strong></a> has been challenged against the allegations of allowing for unlimited and anonymous funding to political parties.</li>
<li>However, despite multiple election cycles, the apex court has taken no action upon it.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<p>Menace of Defection in India is among many issues that affect the process of a free and fair election in India, such as the legally-sanctioned influence of big money in politics, Criminalisation of politics.</p>
<p>Thus, there is a need to carry out holistic electoral reforms to strengthen Indian democracy. Some of the electoral reforms are as follows:</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Need to Regulate Political Parties:</strong> There is an ardent need for legislation that regulates political parties in India. Such a law should bring political parties under RTI, strengthen intra-party democracy, etc.</li>
<li><strong>Minimising Role of Money:</strong> To minimise the role of money<a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/in-depth-political-funding" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> State funding of elections</strong> </a>can be an effective option.</li>
<li><strong>Statutory backing to Model Code of Conduct (MCC):</strong> Giving statutory backing to the<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/model-code-of-conduct-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> Model Code of Conduct</strong></a> will leave no vacuum for the<a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-national-institutions/election-commission-of-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> Election Commission of India (ECI)</strong></a> to exercise its residuary power to enforce the Model Code of Conduct.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Also, the power of the ECI to derecognise political parties on account of violation of the Model Code of Conduct may be incorporated in the <a href="/to-the-points/Paper2/the-representation-of-the-people-act-part-ii" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Representation of People Act, 1951.</strong></a></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Final Authority of Election Commission:</strong> Chairman/Speaker of the house, being the final authority in terms of defection, affects the doctrine of separation of powers.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Designating Election Commission as the final authority in dealing with matters of defections may help in curbing the menace of defection.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1596110906_image0.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1596110906_image0.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" caption="false" width="497" height="478" /></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: #fffed6;">
<p><span style="color: #000080;"><em><strong>Drishti Mains Question</strong></em></span></p>
<p>&ldquo;Anti-defection law is failing to achieve its intended objectives&rdquo;. Analyse the statement and discuss some measures to reform the anti-defection framework in India.</p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p style="text-align: center;"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/mwpP5_rZSy0" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p>
<p>This editorial is based on<a href="https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/editorial/the-cost-of-haste-the-hindu-editorial-on-drugs-vaccines-and-regulators/article32215774.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> &ldquo;The Cost of Haste&rdquo;</strong> </a>which was published in The Hindu on July 29<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/efficacy-of-anti-defection-law'
	],
	(int) 7 => [
		'title' => 'Natesa: Pratihara Style of Rajasthan',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p><strong>Natesa,</strong> a rare sandstone idol from the 9<sup>th</sup> century <strong>(Pratihara Style of Rajasthan)</strong> has been retrieved after 22 years by Rajasthan police.</p>
<h3>Key Points<a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1596106745_image6.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1596106745_image6.jpg" style="float: right;" width="250" caption="false" /></a></h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Description:</strong> The Natesa icon, currently at the Indian High Commission, London, was originally from the <strong>Ghateswar Temple, Baroli, Rajasthan.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It was<strong> smuggled out of the country</strong> in 1998.</li>
<li>A few archaeologists behind the <strong>&lsquo;India Pride Project&rsquo;</strong> have also taken consistent efforts for the <strong>restitution of the Natesa</strong> icon.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>India Pride Project:</strong> It is a <strong>group of art enthusiasts who use social media</strong> to identify stolen religious artefacts from Indian temples and secure their return.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Features:</strong> The sandstone Natesa figure <strong>stands tall at almost 4 ft.</strong> in a rare and brilliant depiction of Shiva.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>A beautiful depiction of <strong>Nandi is shown behind the right leg</strong> of the Natesa icon.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Significance:</strong> The <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/bibi-ka-maqbara-of-aurangabad" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Archaeological Survey of India</strong> </a>(ASI) and the Ministry of Culture should use this restitution as a much-needed impetus to go after thousands of artefacts stolen since the 1960s.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Pratihara Style</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It is a <strong>famous temple architecture</strong> belonging to the <strong>Gurjara-Pratihara dynasty</strong> of Rajasthan.</li>
<li>They ruled much of Northern India from the mid-8<sup>th</sup> to the 11<sup>th</sup> century.</li>
<li><strong>Significant Rulers:</strong> Nagabhata Il, Mhir Bhoj, Mahenedra pal I</li>
<li><strong>Style:</strong> The architecture is known for their sculptures, carved panels and open pavilion style temples belonging to <a href="/to-the-points/paper1/temple-architecture#:~:text=Nagara%20or%20North%20Indian%20Temple%20Style&amp;text=The%20garbhagriha%20is%20always%20located%20directly%20under%20the%20tallest%20tower.&amp;text=Their%20roofs%20are%20composed%20of,like%20sharply%20rising%20tall%20towers." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Nagara Style of temple Architecture.</strong></a></li>
<li>They used most common sandstones for idols that have various shades of red, caused by iron oxide (rust).</li>
<li>The greatest development of their style of building is at <strong>Khajuraho</strong>, Madhya Pradesh, now a <a href="/to-the-points/paper1/world-heritage-sites-in-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>UNESCO World Heritage Site.</strong></a></li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/natesa-of-rajasthan-temple-returns-to-india/article32225514.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/natesa-pratihara-style-of-rajasthan'
	],
	(int) 8 => [
		'title' => 'Earthquake',
		'catname' => 'Paper 1',
		'desc' => '<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>An earthquake in simple words is the shaking of the earth. It is a natural event. It is caused due to release of energy, which generates waves that travel in all directions.</li>
<li>The vibrations called seismic waves are generated from earthquakes that travel through the Earth and are recorded on instruments called seismographs.</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>
</ul>
<h3>Types of Earthquake and Causes</h3>
<p><strong>Fault Zones:</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The release of energy occurs along a fault. A fault is a sharp break in the crustal rocks.</li>
<li>Rocks along a fault tend to move in opposite directions. As the overlying rock strata press them, the friction locks them together.</li>
<li>However, their tendency to move apart at some point of time overcomes the friction. As a result, the blocks get deformed and eventually, they slide past one another abruptly.</li>
<li>This causes earthquake in the form of release of energy, and the energy waves travel in all directions.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1596106918_image6.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1596106918_image6.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="600" caption="false" /></a></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Fig: Earthquakes in the faults</p>
<p><strong>Tectonic Earthquakes:</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The most common ones are the <strong>tectonic earthquakes.</strong></li>
<li>Although the Earth looks like a pretty solid place from the surface, it&rsquo;s actually extremely active just below the surface.</li>
<li>The Earth is made of four basic layers (generally three): a <strong>solid crust, a hot, nearly solid mantle, a liquid outer core and a solid inner core.</strong></li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1596107013_image2.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1596107013_image2.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="600" caption="false" /></strong></a></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Tectonic plates (Lithospheric plates) are constantly shifting as they drift around on the viscous, or slowly flowing, mantle layer below.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1596107229_image7.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1596107229_image7.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="600" caption="false" /></a></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>This non-stop movement causes stress on Earth&rsquo;s crust. When the stresses get too large, it leads to cracks called faults.</li>
<li>When tectonic plates move, it also causes movements at the faults. Thus, the slipping of land along the faultline along convergent, divergent and transform boundaries cause earthquakes.</li>
<li>The point where the energy is released is called the <strong>focus of an earthquake,</strong> alternatively, it is called the <strong>hypocentre.</strong> The energy waves travelling in different directions reach the surface.</li>
<li>The point on the surface, nearest to the focus, is called<strong> epicentre.</strong> It is the first one to experience the waves. It is a point directly above the focus.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1596107262_image1.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1596107262_image1.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="600" caption="false" /></a></p>
<p><strong>Volcanic Earthquake</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>A special class of tectonic earthquake is sometimes recognised as volcanic earthquake. However, these are confined to areas of active volcanoes.</li>
<li>Earthquakes produced by stress changes in solid rock due to the injection or withdrawal of magma (molten rock) are called volcano earthquakes.</li>
<li>These earthquakes can cause land to subside and can produce large ground cracks. These earthquakes can occur as rock is moving to fill in spaces where magma is no longer present.</li>
<li>Volcano-tectonic earthquakes don't indicate that the volcano will be erupting but can occur at any time.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Human Induced Earthquakes</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>In the areas of<strong> intense mining activity,</strong> sometimes the roofs of underground mines collapse causing minor tremors. These are called<strong> collapse earthquakes.</strong></li>
<li>Ground shaking may also occur due to the explosion of chemical or nuclear devices. Such tremors are called <strong>explosion earthquakes.</strong></li>
<li>The earthquakes that occur in the areas of large reservoirs are referred to as reservoir <strong>induced earthquakes.</strong></li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Earthquakes based on the depth of focus</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The earthquakes are divided into three zones: shallow, intermediate, and deep based on their depth which range between 0 &ndash; 700 km.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Shallow earthquakes</strong> have a focus 0 &ndash; 70 km deep.</li>
<li><strong>Intermediate earthquakes</strong> have a focus 70 &ndash; 300 km deep.</li>
<li><strong>Deep earthquakes</strong> have a focus 300 &ndash; 700 km deep.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Wadati&ndash;Benioff zone</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Deep earthquakes (300-700 km) are produced in this zone.</li>
<li>It is a zone of subduction, along which earthquakes are common, which are produced by the interaction of a downgoing oceanic crustal plate against a continental plate.</li>
<li>Some of the most powerful earthquakes occur along this zone.</li>
<li>These earthquakes can be produced by slip along the subduction thrust fault or by slip on faults within the downgoing plate as the plate is pulled into the mantle.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1596107385_image8.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1596107385_image8.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" caption="false" width="297" height="243" /></a></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Fig: Cross-section of the Benioff zone.</p>
</div>
<h3>Distribution of Earthquakes</h3>
<p>Earthquakes can strike any location at any time, but history shows they occur in the same general patterns year after year, principally in three large zones of the earth:</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The world's greatest earthquake belt, the<strong> circum-Pacific seismic belt,</strong> is found along the rim of the Pacific Ocean, where about 81 percent of our planet's largest earthquakes occur. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It has earned the nickname <strong>"Ring of Fire".</strong></li>
<li>The belt exists along boundaries of tectonic plates, where plates of mostly oceanic crust are sinking (or subducting) beneath another plate. Earthquakes in these subduction zones are caused by slip between plates and rupture within plates.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The<strong> Alpide earthquake belt (mid Continental belt)</strong> extends from Java to Sumatra through the Himalayas, the Mediterranean, and out into the Atlantic. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>This belt accounts for about 17 percent of the world's largest earthquakes, including some of the most destructive.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The third prominent belt follows the submerged<strong> mid-Atlantic Ridge.</strong> The ridge marks where two tectonic plates are spreading apart (a divergent plate boundary). <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Most of the mid-Atlantic Ridge is deep underwater and far from human development.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1596107476_image5.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1596107476_image5.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="600" caption="false" /></a></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Fig: Distribution of Earthquake</p>
<p><strong>Measurement of Earthquakes</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The energy from an earthquake travels through Earth in vibrations called<strong> seismic waves.</strong></li>
<li>Scientists can measure these seismic waves on instruments called <strong>seismometers.</strong></li>
<li>A seismometer detects seismic waves below the instrument and records them as a series of zig-zags.</li>
<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>
<li>The earthquake events are scaled either according to the magnitude or intensity of the shock. The magnitude scale is known as the <strong>Richter scale.</strong> The magnitude relates to the energy released during the quake. The magnitude is expressed in absolute numbers, 0-10.</li>
<li>The intensity scale is named after <strong>Mercalli,</strong> an Italian seismologist. The intensity scale takes into account the visible damage caused by the event. The range of intensity scale is from 1-12.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Seismic Waves (Earthquake Waves)</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Seismic waves are the waves of energy caused by earthquakes or an explosion. They are the energy that travels through the earth and is recorded on seismographs.</li>
<li>Earthquake waves are basically of two types &mdash; <strong>body waves and surface waves.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Body waves</strong> are generated due to the release of energy at the focus and move in all directions travelling through the body of the earth. Hence, the name body waves. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>There are <strong>two types of body waves.</strong> They are called <strong>P and S-waves. </strong></li>
<li><strong>P-waves</strong> move faster and are the first to arrive at the surface. These are also called &lsquo;primary waves&rsquo;. The P-waves are similar to sound waves. They travel through gaseous, liquid and solid materials.</li>
<li><strong>S-waves</strong> arrive at the surface with some time lag. These are called secondary waves. An important fact about S-waves is that they can travel only through solid materials.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The body waves interact with the surface rocks and generate a new set of waves called <strong>surface waves.</strong> These waves move along the surface.</li>
<li>The surface waves are the last to report on seismographs. These waves are more destructive. They cause displacement of rocks, and hence, the collapse.</li>
<li>Thus, the characteristics of the seismic waves are quite important. It has helped scientists to <strong>understand the structure of the interior of the earth.</strong></li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1596107533_image3.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1596107533_image3.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="600" caption="false" /></strong></a></p>
<p><strong>Effects of Earthquake</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Earthquakes are a natural hazard. If a tremor of high magnitude takes place, it can cause heavy damage to the life and property of people. The following are the immediate hazardous effects of earthquake:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Ground Shaking</li>
<li>Differential ground settlement</li>
<li>Land and mudslides</li>
<li>Fires</li>
<li>Ground lurching</li>
<li>Avalanches</li>
<li>Ground displacement</li>
<li>Floods from dam and levee failures</li>
<li>Structural collapse</li>
<li>Tsunami</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Earthquake in India</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>India is one of the highly earthquake affected countries because of the presence of technically active young fold mountains - Himalaya.</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/1596107581_image4.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1596107581_image4.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="600" caption="false" /></a></p>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/to-the-points/paper1/earthquake-4'
	],
	(int) 9 => [
		'title' => 'India Report on Digital Education, 2020',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD) has launched <strong>India Report on Digital Education, 2020.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Recently the MHRD has been<strong> renamed as the Ministry of Education.</strong></li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>The Report:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It has been prepared by the <strong>digital education division of MHRD</strong> in consultation with education departments of the states and union territories.</li>
<li>It <strong>elaborates the innovative methods</strong> adopted by the MHRD, for <strong>ensuring accessible and inclusive education</strong> to children at home and reducing learning gaps during the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/covid-19-and-india-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Covid-19 pandemic</strong></a>.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>MHRD Initiatives:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It has initiated many projects to assist teachers, scholars and students in their pursuit of learning like <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/classes-in-distance-mode" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>DIKSHA platform</strong></a>, <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/online-classes-due-to-covid-19" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Swayam Prabha TV Channel</strong></a>, <strong>On Air - Shiksha Vani, <a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/the-big-picture-primary-education-challenges-and-opportunities" target="_blank" rel="noopener">e-PathShala</a></strong> and telecast through TV channels.</li>
<li>It also released <strong>guidelines on <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/education-in-post-covid-era" target="_blank" rel="noopener">digital education</a></strong> called <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/pragyata-guidelines-on-digital-education" target="_blank" rel="noopener">'PRAGYATA'</a>.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>State Initiatives:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>States and Union Territories have provided digital education at the doorstep of the students. Some of them are:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Social Media Interface for Learning Engagement (SMILE)</strong> in Rajasthan.</li>
<li><strong>Project Home Classes</strong> in Jammu.</li>
<li><strong>Padhai Tunhar Duvaar</strong> (Education at your doorstep) in Chhattisgarh.</li>
<li><strong>Unnayan Initiatives</strong> in Bihar.</li>
<li><strong>Mission Buniyaad</strong> in NCT of Delhi.</li>
<li><strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/first-bell-kerala" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Kerala&rsquo;s own educational TV channel</a> (KITE VICTERS).</strong></li>
<li><strong>E-scholar portal</strong> as well as free online courses for teachers in Meghalaya.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>They <strong>used social media tools</strong> like WhatsApp Group, Online classes through YouTube channel and Google meet to connect to the students.</li>
<li>Some of the states/UTs like Lakshadweep, Nagaland and Jammu &amp; Kashmir have also <strong>distributed tablets, DVDs and pendrives, equipped with e-contents</strong> to students.</li>
<li>They have <strong>also distributed textbooks at children&rsquo;s doorsteps to ensure inclusive learning</strong> in remote areas where internet connectivity and electricity is poor.</li>
<li>Several states have also focussed on the <strong>mental well-being of the children e.g Delhi conducted happiness classes.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>MHRD has also launched the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/manodarpan-mental-health-initiative" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>'Manodarpan' initiative</strong></a>, which aims to provide psychosocial support to students, family members and teachers for their mental health and well-being during the times of Covid-19.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The report will serve the purpose of cross-learning, adapting and adopting best practices across the country.</li>
<li>While the education is moving towards blended learning through online and offline mode, it shall be the endeavour of all the stakeholders in the field of education to ensure that no student is left behind for want of affordability and accessibility of quality education.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetailm.aspx?PRID=1641850#:~:text=Union%20Minister%20for%20HRD%20Shri%20Ramesh%20Pokhriyal%20'Nishank'%20today%20virtually,Report%20on%20Digital%20Education%2C%202020.&amp;text=School%20Education%20is%20envisaged%20as,nursery%20to%20higher%20secondary%20classes." 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/india-report-on-digital-education-2020'
	],
	(int) 10 => [
		'title' => 'Induction of French Rafale Aircrafts in IAF',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/87th-air-force-day" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Indian Air Force</strong></a> (IAF) has received its<strong> first batch (5 out of 36)</strong> of French Rafale aviation combat aircraft at Ambala Air base (Haryana).</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Rafales are <strong>India's first major acquisition of fighter planes in 23 years</strong> after the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/sukhoi-30-mki-equipped-with-the-brahmos-missile" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Sukhoi jets</strong></a> were imported from Russia.</li>
<li>All the 36 jets will be delivered to India by the<strong> end of 2021.</strong></li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Rafales<a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1596103673_image5.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1596103673_image5.png" style="float: right;" width="400" caption="false" /></a></strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Introduced in 2001, the Rafale is a <strong>French twin-engine</strong> and<strong> multirole fighter aircraft designed and built by Dassault Aviation</strong> being produced for both the French Air Force and for carrier-based operations in the French Navy.</li>
<li>India has inked a Rs 59,000-crore deal in<strong> 2016 to procure 36 Rafale jets from French aerospace major Dassault Aviation</strong> after a nearly seven-year exercise to procure 126 Medium Multi-Role Combat Aircraft (MMRCA) for the Indian Air Force did not fructify.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The MMRCA deal was stalled due to disagreements over production in India.</li>
<li>In comparison to the earlier deal i.e. MMRCA, Rafale has much technological advancement, lower life cycle cost and specifications according to the warfare needs of India.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Specification</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Air Supremacy:</strong> Equipped with a wide range of weapons, the Rafale is intended to perform air supremacy, interdiction (act of disrupting), aerial reconnaissance (observation to locate an enemy), ground support, in-depth strike, anti-ship strike and nuclear deterrence missions.</li>
<li><strong>Wide Range of Weapons: Meteor missile, Scalp cruise missile and MICA weapons system</strong> will be the mainstay of the weapons package of the Rafale jets.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Meteor:</strong> It is the next generation of <strong>Beyond Visual Range (BVR) air-to-air missile</strong> (BVRAAM) designed to revolutionise air-to-air combat.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The Meteor missile can target enemy aircraft from 150 km away. It can destroy enemy aircraft before they actually even get close to the Indian aircraft.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>SCALP Cruise Missiles:</strong> It can<strong> hit targets 300 km away. </strong></li>
<li><strong>MICA Missile System:</strong> It is a very <strong>versatile air-to-air missile.</strong> It comes with a radar seeker and can be fired for the short-range to long-range as well right up to 100 km.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It's already in service with the IAF i.e. Mirages and is the primary weapon system of Rafales as well.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Air to Air Target:</strong> The ability to strike <strong>air-to-air targets</strong> from up to 150 km away and safely hit land targets 300 km within enemy territory make them some of the deadliest fighter jets flying in the world.</li>
<li><strong>Flight Hours:</strong> The aircraft has 30,000 <strong>flight hours in operations.</strong></li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Significance For India:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Joint Strategic Vision:</strong> The Rafale would be an aid to<strong> the Joint Strategic Vision of India-France Cooperation</strong> in the <a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/the-big-picture-indian-ocean-islands-diplomacy" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Indian Ocean Region</strong></a> to curb over-flights and the threat of weapons of mass destruction in the area.</li>
<li><strong>Upgradation of Air Combat Capabilities:</strong> It will significantly <strong>bolster India's air combat capabilities</strong> especially when it is facing <strong>hostile neighbours like Pakistan and China.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Unmatched Capabilities:</strong> The aircraft proved its <strong>unmatched capabilities</strong> in air combat missions in <strong>Afghanistan, Libya, Mali, Iraq and Syria</strong> in the last few years. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>India is the fourth country</strong> to have the strategic platform with Rafale after France, Egypt and Qatar.</li>
<li>The Indian Air Force is also in the process of procuring a new generation medium-range modular air-to-ground <strong>weapon system Hammer</strong> to integrate with the Rafale jets. The <strong>Hammer (Highly Agile Modular Munition Extended Range)</strong> is a precision-guided missile developed by French defence major Safran.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Game Changer:</strong> Rafales could be a <strong>game-changer for India after all the 36 jets join the Indian Air Force</strong> as no aircraft in possession of any country in the neighbourhood will be able to match their superior kinematic performance and powerful electronic warfare systems.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The Rafale jet is<strong> often compared with the USA stealth F-35</strong> aircraft and F-22.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Border Clash with China:</strong> It is much more advanced and lethal than the current fighter aircraft <strong>available with China i.e.jet J-20.</strong> Therefore, it is definitely a boost to<strong> India's defence preparedness</strong> especially at the<strong> times of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/galwan-valley-clash" target="_blank" rel="noopener">border clash with China.</a></strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Related Concerns:</strong> The induction of Rafale aircraft will be a game changer in many ways, however, it may not make up for the <a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/the-big-picture-need-to-modernise-indian-air-force" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>challenges faced by the Indian Air Force</strong> </a>in near future:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>IAF&rsquo;s Depleting Strength of Fighter Jets:</strong> The <strong>emergency acquisition was made primarily to check the depleting combat capability</strong> of the IAF as the number of its fighter squadrons had come down to a worrying 31 against the authorised strength of at least 42.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>At present, its<strong> fleet comprises 30 squadrons of fighter</strong> jets.</li>
<li>Therefore, <strong>one of main focus areas is to build up the authorised strength</strong> of fighter squadrons at the earliest.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Increasing Potential of Hostile Neighbours:</strong> By 2023 the Pakistan Air Force will have 27 fighter squadrons while China&rsquo;s PLA Air Force is assessed to have the capacity to bear at least 42 squadrons against India.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Hence, India can<strong> not lose sight of the developments in the North and West,</strong> with both the adversaries i.e. China and Pakistan are continuously<strong> increasing and upgrading their inventories.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Two Front Challenge:</strong> Even though the IAF desires a strength of 45 fighter squadrons for a<strong> two-front challenge ( War with China and Pakistan),</strong> the last time it had its authorised complement of 42 squadrons was in 2002 after the terror attack on Parliament.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Since then, the <strong>numbers have steadily fallen,</strong> and the trend will continue with five squadrons of old Russian MiG aircraft getting decommissioned subsequently.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Delay of Supplies:</strong> The IAF has planned to <strong>procure <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/naval-variant-of-lca-tejas" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Mk I and MK II</a> from Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).</strong> However, the supplies from HAL are behind the scheduled induction plan.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Similarly, IAF<strong> issued a request for information for 114 multirole fighters in June 2018 to foreign manufacturers</strong> i.e. Boeing, Lockheed Martin, Airbus Defence and Space, Russian Aircraft Corporation and Sukhoi Company. It plans to induct the aircraft within 12 years of the contract. However a request for proposal is awaited.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Issues with Russia:</strong> The <strong>12 Su-30MKIs, lost in accidents, are also being replenished by HAL through a contract with Russia,</strong> which has been approved by the government.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>However, the <strong>Russian connection is also limited</strong> as the IAF had earlier pulled out of the collaborative venture with Sukhoi to develop the<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/advanced-medium-combat-aircraft" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> Fifth Generation Fighter Aircraft (FGFA)</strong></a> after 11 years, citing disagreements over cost sharing plans, technology transfers and the test aircraft&rsquo;s technological capabilities.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Assimilation of Rafale has the capability to boost the defence sector of India. For the same there is need for the <strong>constant dialogue mechanism</strong> between India and France to further enhance its strategic and military ties.</li>
<li>Meanwhile, India must <strong>procure 21 MiG-29 aircraft from Russia</strong> which would be inducted into service as an additional squadron. Along with the same, IAF must strive towards replenishing the old fighter aircrafts.</li>
<li>The fitting of <strong>additional India-specific enhancements in Rafale</strong> is a necessary aspect which must be done through exchange of technological intervention with France.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/india/rafale-a-game-changer-now-iaf-challenge-is-to-boost-jet-strength-6529980/" 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/induction-of-french-rafale-aircrafts-in-iaf'
	],
	(int) 11 => [
		'title' => 'AIIB and India',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p><strong>Jin Liqun</strong> has been<strong> re-elected as the President of the China-based <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/asian-infrastructure-investment-bank" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB)</a></strong> for a second five-year term.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The President stated that the <strong>bank would remain an &ldquo;apolitical institution&rdquo;</strong> and continue to back projects in India.</li>
<li>The management will look at the proposed projects from the <strong>economic and financial point of view</strong> and not with a political view.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>India and AIIB:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>India was<strong> among the AIIB&rsquo;s 57 founding members</strong> in 2016.</li>
<li>It is also its <strong>second-largest shareholder</strong> (with 7.62% voting shares) <strong>after China</strong> (26.06%).</li>
<li>It has <strong>received USD 4.35 billion</strong> from the Bank.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>This is the<strong> highest of any country,</strong> with the bank so far approving loans of USD 19.6 billion to support 87 projects in 24 countries.</li>
<li><strong>Turkey is second</strong> with USD 1.95 billion.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>AIIB has approved financing projects in India in a host of sectors like energy, transport and water including the <strong>Bangalore metro rail project</strong> (USD 335 million), <strong>Gujarat rural roads project</strong> (USD 329 million) and <strong>Phase 3 of the Mumbai urban transport project</strong> (USD 500 million).</li>
<li>In a recent virtual meeting, <strong>India said that it expects AIIB to introduce new financing instruments,</strong> provide financing for social infrastructure and to integrate development of climate resilient and sustainable energy access infrastructure into AIIB&rsquo;s recovery response to the Covid-19 crisis.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>This implies that <strong>India is unlikely to alter its engagement with the China-led Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), despite a host of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/economic-measures-by-india-against-china" target="_blank" rel="noopener">offensive measures</a> announced recently to reduce its trade and investment links with China.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Chinese Angle:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In June 2020, AIIB approved USD 500 million for Covid-19 Emergency Response Fund and Health Systems Preparedness Project and another <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/aiib-loan-for-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>USD 750 million for Covid-19 Active Response and Expenditure Support</strong></a>, in a co-financing arrangement with the <strong>Asian Development Bank (ADB).</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>USD 750 million loan was <strong>approved two days after the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/india-china-conflict" target="_blank" rel="noopener">clash in Galwan Valley in Ladakh</a></strong> along the India-China border.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>It has <strong>supported several projects under the <a href="/to-the-points/Paper2/obor-cpec" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Belt and Road Initiative</a> (BRI) framework,</strong> but is not formally linked to the plan.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>India has <strong>concerns over the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor -</strong> a part of the BRI.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The AIIB is a <strong>multilateral development bank</strong> with a mission to improve social and economic outcomes in Asia.</li>
<li><strong>Headquartered in Beijing (China),</strong> it began operations in January 2016 and has now grown to 103 approved members worldwide.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>India should continue to engage with AIIB as it will be able to access resources for the financing of national and cross-border infrastructure projects from the Bank.</li>
<li>AIIB is also significant as the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/world-bank-group" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>World Bank</strong></a> <strong>is continued to be dominated by the USA</strong> while <strong>Japan has more influence over Asian Development Bank (ADB).</strong></li>
<li>Further, India needs to ensure that its own interests are served by its membership very explicitly. It should make sure that <strong>AIIB doesn&rsquo;t end up becoming a tool of Chinese geopolitical agenda.</strong></li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/business/aiib-to-look-at-indias-project-proposals-from-economic-view/article32225257.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/aiib-and-india'
	],
	(int) 12 => [
		'title' => 'High Level of Ammonia in Yamuna',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently,<strong> high levels (around 3 parts per million) of ammonia in the Yamuna river</strong> has been detected in Delhi which led to the disruption of water supply in Delhi.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>As per the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/bureau-of-indian-standards-bis-act-2016" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS)</strong></a>, the acceptable <strong>maximum limit of ammonia in drinking water is 0.5 parts per million (ppm)</strong></li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Ammonia:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Its<strong> chemical formula is NH<sub>3</sub>.</strong></li>
<li>It is a <strong>colourless gas</strong> and is <strong>used as an industrial chemical</strong> in the production of fertilisers, plastics, synthetic fibres, dyes and other products.</li>
<li>It <strong>occurs naturally in the environment</strong> from the breakdown of organic waste matter, and may also find its way to ground and surface water sources<strong> through industrial effluents, contamination by sewage</strong> or through <strong>agricultural runoff.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Effect of High Level of Ammonia:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Ammonia <strong>reduces the amount of oxygen in water</strong> as it is transformed to oxidised forms of nitrogen. Hence, it also increases <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/no-improvement-in-ganga-water-quality" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Biochemical oxygen demand (BOD).</strong></a></li>
<li>If the concentration of ammonia in water is above 1 ppm it is toxic to fishes.</li>
<li>In humans, long term ingestion of water having ammonia levels of 1 ppm or above may <strong>cause damage to internal organs.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Treatment:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Mixing of freshwater with ammonia polluted water.</li>
<li>Chlorination.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Chlorination is the process of adding chlorine or chlorine compounds such as sodium hypochlorite to water.</li>
<li>This method is used to kill certain bacteria and other microbes in tap water. However, chlorine is highly toxic.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Long Term Solution:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Stringent implementation of guidelines against dumping harmful waste into the river.</li>
<li>Making sure untreated sewage does not enter the water.</li>
<li>Maintain a sustainable minimum flow, called the <strong>ecological flow. </strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Ecological flow</strong> is the minimum amount of water that should flow throughout the river at all times to sustain underwater and estuarine ecosystems and human livelihoods, and for self regulation.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Yamuna</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The river Yamuna, a <strong>major tributary of river Ganges,</strong> originates from the <strong>Yamunotri glacier</strong> near <strong>Bandarpoonch peaks</strong> in the <strong>Mussoorie range of the lower Himalayas </strong>in<strong> Uttarkashi </strong>district of <strong>Uttarakhand.</strong></li>
<li>It <strong>meets the Ganges</strong> at the <strong>Sangam in <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/prayagraj-on-the-verge-of-an-epidemic-after-kumbh-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Prayagraj</a>, <a href="/know-your-state/know-your-state-uttar-pradesh" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Uttar Pradesh</a></strong> after flowing through <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/gairsain-summer-capital-of-uttarakhand" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Uttarakhand</strong></a>, <strong>Himachal Pradesh, <a href="/know-your-state/haryana" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Haryana</a> and Delhi.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Length:</strong> 1376 km</li>
<li><strong>Important Dam:</strong> Lakhwar-Vyasi Dam (Uttarakhand), Tajewala Barrage Dam (Haryana) etc.</li>
<li><strong>Important Tributaries: <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/ramgarh-dam" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Chambal</a>, </strong>Sindh<strong>, <a href="/to-the-points/paper1/ken-betwa-interlink-project" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Betwa and Ken</a>.</strong></li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1596099379_image4.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1596099379_image4.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="650" caption="false" /></strong></a></p>
</div>
<p><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/high-levels-of-ammonia-in-yamuna-water-6527247/" 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/high-level-of-ammonia-in-yamuna'
	],
	(int) 13 => [
		'title' => 'Aerial Seeding in Haryana',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the Haryana government has employed<strong> aerial seeding techniques to improve green cover in the Aravalli area</strong> of the state.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The project is being carried out on a <strong>pilot basis</strong> to <strong>regenerate the low vegetation density</strong> or denuded areas on <strong>inaccessible or difficult sites of Aravalli and Shivalik hills.</strong></li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Aerial Seeding</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Description:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Aerial Seeding is a plantation technique wherein <strong>seed balls</strong> &mdash; seeds covered with a mixture of clay, compost, char and other components &mdash; are sprayed using aerial devices, including planes, helicopters or drones.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Working:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Seeds balls/pellets are dispersed in a targeted area by<strong> low-flying drones,</strong> with the coating providing the required weight for seeds to airdrop on a predetermined location rather than getting deterred by the wind.</li>
<li>These pellets sprout when there is enough rain, with nutrients present within them helping in initial growth.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Advantages:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Areas that are <strong>inaccessible,</strong> having steep slopes or no forest routes, can be targeted using this method.</li>
<li>The process of the seed&rsquo;s germination and growth is such that it requires no attention after it is dispersed and thus seed pellets are known as the<strong> &ldquo;fire and forget&rdquo; way of plantation.</strong></li>
<li>They<strong> eliminate</strong> any need for <strong>ploughing</strong> and do not need to be planted since they are already surrounded by soil, nutrients, and microorganisms. The clay shell also protects them from birds, ants and rats.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Species to be Used for Aerial Seeding:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The plant species which are native to the area and hardy, with seeds that are of an appropriate size for preparing seedballs are usually used for aerial seeding, with a higher survival percentage.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Use of Seeding Drone:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The method involves spraying seed balls or seed pellets from the air using seeding drones.</li>
<li>It is equipped with a precise delivery mechanism for<strong> seeds of different sizes</strong> from a <strong>height</strong> of <strong>25 to 50 metres.</strong></li>
<li>A single drone can plant <strong>20,000-30,000 seeds a day.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Implementation:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The method is being implemented on <strong>100 acres of land to test efficacy of the seed dispersal mechanism</strong> and review the success rate.</li>
<li>The species that will be planted through aerial seeding include <strong>Acacia senegal (Khairi), Ziziphus mauritiana (Beri), and Holarrhena spp (Inderjo),</strong> all of which have a higher chance of survival in these areas. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Also, <strong>site specific grass seeds</strong> will also be added to the mix as they serve as good soil binders.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Significance:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It will provide<strong> work opportunities</strong> to the local community, especially women, who can prepare the seed balls.</li>
<li>The method will be useful since there are many areas that are either <strong>difficult to reach or inaccessible</strong> altogether, making traditional methods of plantation difficult.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/delhi/aerial-seeding-to-increase-green-cover-in-aravallis-6530045/#:~:text=The%20Haryana%20Forest%20Department%20has,other%20components%20%E2%80%94%20from%20the%20air." 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/aerial-seeding-in-haryana'
	],
	(int) 14 => [
		'title' => 'National Education Policy, 2020',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the Union Cabinet has approved the<strong> new National Education Policy (NEP), 2020</strong> with an aim to introduce several changes in the Indian education system - <strong>from the school to college level.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The NEP 2020 aims at making <strong>&ldquo;India a global knowledge superpower&rdquo;.</strong></li>
<li>The Cabinet has also approved the<strong> renaming</strong> of the Ministry of Human Resource Development to the<strong> Ministry of Education.</strong></li>
<li>The NEP cleared by the Cabinet is<strong> only the third major revamp of the framework of education</strong> in India since independence. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The<strong> two earlier education policies</strong> were brought in <strong>1968 and 1986.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>School Education:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Universalization</strong> of education from <strong>preschool to secondary level</strong> with <strong>100% Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER)</strong> in school education by <strong>2030.</strong></li>
<li>To bring 2 crore out of school children back into the mainstream through an <strong>open schooling system.</strong></li>
<li>The current <strong>10+2 system</strong> to be <strong>replaced</strong> by a new <strong>5+3+3+4</strong> curricular structure corresponding to <strong>ages 3-8, 8-11, 11-14, and 14-18 years respectively.<a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1596098224_image3.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1596098224_image3.jpg" style="float: right;" width="500" caption="false" /></a></strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It will bring the uncovered age group of <strong>3-6 years</strong> under school curriculum, which has been recognized globally as the <strong>crucial</strong> <strong>stage for development of mental faculties of a child.</strong></li>
<li>It will also have 12 years of schooling with three years of Anganwadi/ pre schooling.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Class 10 and 12 board examinations to be made easier,</strong> to test core competencies rather than memorised facts, with all students allowed to<strong> take the exam twice.</strong></li>
<li><strong>School governance</strong> is set to change, with a <strong>new accreditation framework and an independent authority</strong> to regulate both public and private schools.</li>
<li>Emphasis on <strong>Foundational Literacy and Numeracy,</strong> no rigid separation between academic streams, extracurricular, vocational streams in schools.</li>
<li><strong>Vocational Education</strong> to start from <strong>Class 6 with Internships.</strong></li>
<li>Teaching up to at<strong> least Grade 5</strong> to be in <strong>mother tongue/regional language.</strong> No language will be imposed on any student.</li>
<li>Assessment reforms with <strong>360 degree Holistic Progress Card,</strong> tracking Student Progress for achieving Learning Outcomes</li>
<li>A new and comprehensive <strong>National Curriculum Framework for Teacher Education (NCFTE) 2021,</strong> will be formulated by the <strong>National Council for Teacher Education (NCTE)</strong> in consultation with <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/pragyata-guidelines-on-digital-education" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT).</strong> </a><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>By 2030, the minimum degree qualification for teaching will be a 4-year integrated B.Ed. degree.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Higher Education:<a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1596098257_image1.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1596098257_image1.jpg" style="float: right;" width="500" caption="false" /></a></strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Gross Enrolment Ratio</strong> in higher education to be<strong> raised to 50% by 2035.</strong> Also, <strong>3.5 crore seats</strong> to be added in higher education.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The <strong>current</strong> Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) in higher education is <strong>26.3%.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Holistic Undergraduate education with a flexible curriculum can be of <strong>3 or 4 years with multiple exit options</strong> and appropriate certification within this period.</li>
<li><strong>M.Phil</strong> courses will be<strong> discontinued</strong> and all the courses at undergraduate, postgraduate and PhD level will now be interdisciplinary.</li>
<li><strong>Academic Bank of Credits</strong> to be established to facilitate Transfer of Credits.</li>
<li><strong>Multidisciplinary Education and Research Universities (MERUs),</strong> at par with IITs, IIMs, to be set up as models of best multidisciplinary education of global standards in the country.</li>
<li>The<strong> National Research Foundation</strong> will be created as an <strong>apex body</strong> for fostering a strong research culture and building research capacity across higher education.</li>
<li><strong>Higher Education Commission of India (HECI)</strong> will be set up as a <strong>single umbrella body</strong> for the entire higher education, <strong>excluding medical and legal education.</strong> Public and private higher education institutions will be governed by the <strong>same set of norms</strong> for regulation, accreditation and academic standards. Also, HECI will be having<strong> four independent verticals namely,</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>National Higher Education Regulatory Council (NHERC) for<strong> regulation,</strong></li>
<li>General Education Council (GEC) for <strong>standard setting,</strong></li>
<li>Higher Education Grants Council (HEGC) for <strong>funding,</strong></li>
<li>National Accreditation Council (NAC) for <strong>accreditation.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Affiliation of colleges</strong> is to be <strong>phased out in 15 years</strong> and a stage-wise mechanism to be established for granting graded autonomy to colleges.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Over a period of time, every college is expected to develop into either an autonomous degree-granting College, or a constituent college of a university.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Other Changes:<a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1596098279_image2.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1596098279_image2.jpg" style="float: right;" width="500" caption="false" /></a></strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>An autonomous body, the <strong>National Educational Technology Forum (NETF),</strong> will be created to provide a platform for the<strong> free exchange of ideas</strong> on the use of technology to enhance learning, assessment, planning, administration.</li>
<li>National Assessment Centre- <strong>'PARAKH'</strong> has been created to assess the students.</li>
<li>It also paves the way for <strong>foreign universities to set up campuses</strong> in India.</li>
<li>It emphasizes setting up of <strong>Gender Inclusion Fund, Special Education Zones</strong> for disadvantaged regions and groups.</li>
<li>National Institute for <strong>Pali, Persian and Prakrit,</strong> Indian Institute of <strong>Translation and Interpretation</strong> to be set up.</li>
<li>It also aims to<strong> increase</strong> the public investment in the Education sector to reach <strong>6% of GDP</strong> at the earliest.</li>
<li>Currently, India <strong>spends around 4.6 % of its total GDP on education.</strong></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><strong>Part IV</strong> 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 to the Constitution in 1976</strong> moved education from the State to the <strong>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. But 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 <strong>right under 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 <strong>primary education to all children 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 for disadvantaged sections</strong> of the society where disadvantaged groups</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Government Initiatives:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/samagra-shiksha" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan</a>, <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/mid-day-meal" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Mid Day Meal Scheme</a></strong>, 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>A New Education Policy aims to facilitate an<strong> inclusive, participatory and holistic approach,</strong> which takes into consideration field experiences, empirical research, stakeholder feedback, as well as lessons learned from best practices.</li>
<li>It is a progressive shift towards a more scientific approach to education. The prescribed structure will help to cater the ability of the child &ndash; stages of cognitive development as well as social and physical awareness. If <strong>implemented in its true vision,</strong> the new structure can bring India at par with the leading countries of the world.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/education/new-education-policy-4-year-ug-courses-in-mphil-out/article32225828.ece#:~:text=The%20new%20National%20Education%20Policy,both%20private%20and%20public%20institutions." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source:TH</strong></a></p>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/national-education-policy-2020'
	],
	(int) 15 => [
		'title' => 'Protesting is a Fundamental Right: UN',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the<strong><a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/united-nations-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> United Nations (UN)</a> Human Rights Committee</strong> has reaffirmed that <strong>protesting peacefully, online or in person, is a fundamental human right.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>This statement has come in the backdrop of <strong>increasing demonstrations</strong> over issues like <strong>political rights and racial justice.</strong></li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>UN Human Rights Committee:</strong> It is tasked with monitoring how countries implement the <strong>International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) 1976,</strong> which under Article 21 guarantees the right to peaceful assembly.</li>
<li><strong>Latest Interpretation of the Right to Peaceful Assembly:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Fundamental Human Right for People:</strong> To gather<strong> to celebrate or to air grievances</strong> in <strong>public</strong> and in <strong>private spaces,</strong> outdoors, indoors and <strong>online</strong> is a fundamental human right.</li>
<li><strong>Protesters:</strong> Everyone, including children, foreign nationals, women, migrant workers, asylum seekers and refugees, can exercise the right of peaceful assembly.</li>
<li><strong>Protection:</strong> Protesters have the <strong>right to wear masks or hoods to cover their face</strong> and that Governments should not collect personal data to harass or intimidate participants.</li>
<li><strong>Role of Journalists and Human Rights Observers:</strong> They have the right to monitor and document any assembly, including violent and unlawful ones.</li>
<li><strong>Government Obligations:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Governments <strong>could not prohibit protests by making &ldquo;generalised references to public order or public safety,</strong> or an unspecified risk of potential violence&rdquo;.</li>
<li>Governments <strong>cannot block internet networks</strong> or close down any website because of their roles in organising or soliciting a peaceful assembly.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Significance:</strong> The Committee&rsquo;s interpretation will be<strong> important guidance for judges in national and regional courts</strong> around the world, as it now forms part of what is known as &lsquo;soft law&rsquo;.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The interpretation is a form of legal advice (not mandatory) from the Committee that monitors<strong> the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) 1976.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Indian Scenario:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>India is a <strong>state party to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR).</strong></li>
<li>The right to protest, to publicly question and force the government to answer, is a fundamental political right of the people that flows directly from a democratic reading of <strong>Article 19 of the Constitution of India.</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Article 19 (1) (a)</strong> states that all citizens shall have the right to freedom of <strong>speech and expression.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Article 19 (1) (b)</strong> states that all citizens shall have the right to<strong> assemble peaceably and without arms.</strong></li>
<li>However, the State can impose <strong>reasonable restrictions</strong> on the exercise of right of assembly on <strong>two grounds,</strong> namely, <strong>sovereignty and integrity of India</strong> and <strong>public order</strong> including the maintenance of traffic in the area concerned.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Further, Indian courts have reiterated that the <strong>right to protest is a fundamental right <em>(Ramlila Maidan Incident v. Home Secretary, Union Of India &amp; Ors. case -2012).</em></strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The ICCPR is a key international human rights treaty, providing a range of protections for civil and political rights.</li>
<li>The <strong>ICCPR,</strong> together with the <strong>Universal Declaration of Human Rights</strong> and the <strong>International Covenant on Economic Social and Cultural Rights,</strong> are considered the <strong>International Bill of Human Rights.</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The Bill influences the decisions and actions of Government, State and Non-State actors to make economic, social and cultural rights a top-priority in the formation and implementation of national, regional and international policy and law.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The ICCPR obligates countries that have ratified the treaty to<strong> protect and preserve basic human rights,</strong> such as: the right to life and human dignity; equality before the law; freedom of speech, assembly, and association; religious freedom and privacy; freedom from torture, ill-treatment, and arbitrary detention; gender equality; the right to a fair trial; right family life and family unity; and minority rights.</li>
<li>The Covenant <strong>compels governments</strong> to take administrative, judicial, and legislative measures in order to protect the rights enshrined in the treaty and to provide an effective remedy.</li>
<li>The Covenant was adopted by the UN General Assembly in 1966 and came into force in 1976.<strong> 173 countries including India</strong> have ratified the Covenant.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/protesting-is-a-fundamental-right-un/article32225267.ece/amp/" 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/protesting-is-a-fundamental-right-un'
	],
	(int) 16 => [
		'title' => 'Militarising Andaman and Nicobar Islands',
		'catname' => 'News Editorials',
		'desc' => '<div class="border">
<p>This article is based on <a href="https://www.hindustantimes.com/analysis/militarising-andamans-the-costs-and-the-benefits/story-J3mGWFQS3NgLUiPYwIVb2N.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>&ldquo;Militarising Andamans: The costs and the benefits&rdquo;</strong></a> which was published in The Hindustan Times on 29/07/2020. It talks about the challenges and opportunities associated with militarising Andaman and Nicobar islands.</p>
</div>
<p>The <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/aksai-chin" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Galwan valley face-off</strong></a> with China has rendered many Indian security experts mooted the idea of balancing China in the maritime domain. In this context, strengthening military presence at the Andaman and Nicobar Islands (ANI) remains very critical for India.</p>
<p>The idea of militarizing the Andaman and Nicobar Islands is not new. Since the 1980s, Indian defense experts have advocated building strong strategic infrastructure at the ANI.</p>
<p>However, the strategic development of the ANI is not a straightforward choice for India&rsquo;s defence and foreign policy establishments. Therefore, India must conduct a cost-benefit analysis before going for militarization of ANI.</p>
<h3>Significance of Andaman and Nicobar Islands</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Andaman and Nicobar Islands are located at the juncture of the Bay of Bengal and the Andaman Sea.</li>
<li>It is a group of 572 islands, which straddles some of the busiest trade routes in the world.</li>
<li>ANI spans 450 nautical miles in a roughly north-south configuration adjacent to the western entrance to the Malacca Strait, which is itself a major Indian Ocean chokepoint.</li>
<li>Geopolitically, the ANI connects South Asia with South-East Asia. While the northernmost point of the archipelago is only 22 nautical miles from Myanmar, the southernmost point, Indira Point, is a mere 90 nautical miles from Indonesia.</li>
<li>The islands dominate the Bay of Bengal, the Six Degree and the Ten Degree Channels that more than sixty thousand commercial vessels traverse each year.</li>
<li>The Andaman and Nicobar Islands constitute just 0.2% of India&rsquo;s landmass but provide near 30% of its Exclusive Economic Zone.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1596026494_image%200.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1596026494_image 0.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="750" caption="false" /></a></p>
<h3>Opportunities in Militarising ANI</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Crucial for a Robust Indo-Pacific Strategy:</strong> As the geopolitical importance of the <a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/the-big-picture-indo-pacific-strategic-importance" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Indo-Pacific</strong></a> has been increasing, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, located in the Bay of Bengal, have attained increased strategic significance.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>ANI could also become an important element of<strong> India&rsquo;s <a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/the-big-picture-india-s-act-east-policy" target="_blank" rel="noopener">&ldquo;Act East Policy&rdquo;</a></strong> of engaging with countries in the region east of India.</li>
<li>Further, the Andaman and Nicobar chain of islands could be used as a basis for Indian maritime power projection into the Indo-Pacific and even beyond into the south-west Pacific.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Strategic and Commercial Advantages:</strong> The ANI could be used for India&rsquo;s Third Fleet and the trans-shipment hub at Car Nicobar, could potentially be a strategic game-changer, rivalling the ports of Singapore or Colombo.</li>
<li><strong>Strengthening Tri-Service Command:</strong> Changing nature of warfare in the 21st century has led to the expansion of scope of a Tri-Command Service. As Andaman and Nicobar is the only Tri-Command structure in India, development of military infrastructure at ANI is a key requirement in India&rsquo;s security strategy.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Challenges in Militarising ANI</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>May Portray the Image of Big Brother:</strong> When India first began developing the ANI in the mid-1980s, countries like Malaysia and Indonesia feared that India would use its military facilities in the ANI to dominate its region, and project power east of Malacca.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Hence, it is not uncommon for India to be vilified as the &lsquo;Big Brother&rsquo; by many of its neighbours in South Asia and South-East Asia.</li>
<li>Therefore, a section of India&rsquo;s diplomatic community has opposed militarising the ANI, arguing that turning ANI into a strategic-military garrison would militarise the littoral states and disrupt Indian ocean as a zone of peace.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Ecological And Anthropogenic Aspect:</strong> Military infrastructure projects could devastate the fragile ecology of the ANI. Already many islands are facing significant damage from the climate crisis.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Also, to establish a credible Aerial and Naval presence in an ethnographically extremely sensitive region presents complex challenges.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Antagonising China</strong>: While China&rsquo;s presence in the Indian Ocean is growing, it hasn&rsquo;t so far militarised key <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/belt-and-road-initiative-perspectives-from-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Belt and Road Initiative (BRI)</strong></a> outposts in the Bay of Bengal (Hambantota, Chittagong and Kyaukpyu). <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>If India pushes for greater military presence in the ANI, China could well seek military access in its friendly countries in Indian ocean .</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Bandwagoning with QUAD:</strong> In order to counter China&rsquo;s expanding footprint in India&rsquo;s sphere of maritime interest, India must permit friendly foreign navies (QUAD members, France etc.) access to the ANI&rsquo;s military bases.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The plan to integrate India&rsquo;s undersea sensor chain with the existing US-Japan &ldquo;Fish Hook&rdquo; SOSUS network which seeks to monitor submarine activity in the South China Sea and the Indian Ocean Rim, is a step in the right direction.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Balanced Development:</strong> Militarising ANI will aid India&rsquo;s strategic capabilities, but such development should not come at the cost the ruthless exploitation of Biodiversity hotspot i.e ANI.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Conclusion</h3>
<p>Militarising ANI is not a bad idea, but India must also take into account the downsides of such a move and the final decision should be based on a dispassionate weighing of costs and benefits.</p>
<table border="1" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="width: 100%; border-style: dotted; border-color: #ff0000; background-color: #ffffeb;">
<p><span style="color: #000080;"><em><strong>Drishti Mains Question</strong></em></span></p>
<p>&ldquo;The policy towards the Andaman and Nicobar islands should be transformed into something more robust strategic outlook, with an eye to India&rsquo;s larger geopolitical interests&rdquo;. Critically Discuss.</p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p style="text-align: center;"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/-v_4Dx_iko0" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p>
<p>This editorial is based on<a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/editorials/coronavirus-lockdown-rbi-loans-economic-recovery-6526351/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> &ldquo;Stress test&rdquo;</strong> </a>published in The Indian Express on July 28<sup>th</sup>, 2020. Now watch this on our Youtube channel.</p>',
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		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/militarising-andaman-and-nicobar-islands'
	],
	(int) 17 => [
		'title' => '100% FDI  in Air India for NRIs',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the <strong>Ministry of Finance</strong> has allowed <strong>Non Resident Indians</strong> (NRIs) to have <strong>100% <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/rise-in-foreign-direct-investment" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Foreign Direct Investment</a></strong> (FDI) in Air India.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>For the same, necessary amendments have been made in the <strong>Foreign Exchange Management Rules (Non-debt Instruments), 2019.</strong></li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Background:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In March 2020, the <strong>Cabinet approved a policy</strong> to permit foreign investment up to 100% by those NRIs who are Indian Nationals in Air India through the automatic route.</li>
<li>Foreign investments in Air India Limited, including that of <strong>foreign airlines shall not exceed 49%</strong> either directly or indirectly except in case of those NRIs, who are Indian nationals.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>New Rules:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Category of Citizens:</strong> The amendment removes the exception which permitted <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/overseas-citizenship-of-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Overseas Citizens of India</a></strong> (OCI) 100% FDI in air transport, but not Air India. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>This<strong> category of citizens has been replaced with NRIs,</strong> now allowed to commit 100% FDI in air transport, including Air India, through automatic route.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Role of RBI:</strong> The <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-national-institutions/important-institutions-national-institution-reserve-bank-of-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Reserve Bank of India</strong></a> (RBI) has been vested with the sole <strong>power to issue/interpret the rules</strong> regarding<strong> 100% FDI of NRIs.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Previously, it was required to do so in consultation with the Central Government.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Significance:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Disinvestment:</strong> It would likely to<strong> smoothen the divestment of Air India</strong> and have an impact on the sale of the national carrier.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Substantial<strong> ownership and effective control of Air India</strong> will have to remain in the hands of <strong>Indian nationals</strong> after the divestment.</li>
<li>Further, it will lead to increased FDI inflows and thereby contribute to higher investment, income and employment.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Liberalisation of FDI:</strong> The amendment is meant to liberalise and simplify the FDI policy to provide <strong>ease of doing business</strong> in the country.</li>
<li><strong>Global Visibility of Air India:</strong> The amendment would boost Brand India and provide <strong>global visibility, alternate sources of capital</strong> and <strong>broaden the investor base</strong> for Air india.</li>
<li><strong>Need for Privatisation:</strong> <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/privatisation-of-pses" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Privatisation</strong></a> is necessary as airlines have been under strain due to <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/covid-19-and-india-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Covid-19 pandemic.</strong></a><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Further, the<strong> government may not be in a position</strong> to fulfill the demands being made by Air India in the current situation, like providing measures for relief to its employees.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Foreign Direct Investment</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>FDI is an <strong>investment made by a firm or individual</strong> in one country into business interests located in another country.</li>
<li>Generally, FDI takes place when an investor establishes foreign business operations or acquires foreign business assets, including establishing ownership or controlling interest in a foreign company.</li>
<li>It is different from <strong>Foreign Portfolio Investment</strong> where the foreign entity merely buys equity shares of a company. FPI does not provide the investor with control over the business.</li>
<li>Routes through which India gets FDI:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Automatic Route:</strong> In this, the foreign entity does not require the prior approval of the government or the RBI.</li>
<li><strong>Government route:</strong> In this, the foreign entity has to take the approval of the government.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The<strong> Foreign Investment Facilitation Portal</strong> (FIFP) facilitates the single window clearance of applications which are through approval route.</li>
<li>This portal is administered by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Ministry of Commerce and Industry.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/business/Industry/govt-notifies-100-fdi-in-air-india-for-nris/article32215469.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/100-fdi-in-air-india-for-nris'
	],
	(int) 18 => [
		'title' => 'Centre’s Inability to Pay GST Dues',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>In a recent meeting, the <strong>Parliamentary Standing Committee on Finance</strong> has been informed that the government is not in a position to pay the <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/goods-and-services-tax-gst-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Goods and Services Tax</strong></a> (GST) <strong>share of States</strong> as per the current revenue sharing formula.</p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Centre had released the <strong>final instalment of Rs. 13,806 crore of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/gst-compensation" target="_blank" rel="noopener">GST compensation</a> for the FY 2019-20.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It comes as a relief for States seeking to finance efforts to ramp up public health-care capacity and contain <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/coronavirus-disease-named-covid-19" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Covid-19</strong></a> effects.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>For the <strong>FY 2020-21,</strong> there is going to be a<strong> revenue shortfall</strong> due to the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/covid-19-now-pandemic-who" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>pandemic.</strong></a><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Even the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/fall-in-goods-and-services-tax-gst-collections" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>GST collections for March 2020 also saw a dip.</strong></a></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>For such times, the<strong> GST Act</strong> has <strong>provisions to rework the formula for paying compensation</strong> to the State governments if the <strong>revenue collection drops below a certain threshold.</strong></li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>GST Compensations</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The GST became applicable from <strong>1<sup>st</sup> July 2017</strong> after the enactment of the<strong> 101<sup>st</sup> Constitution Amendment Act, 2016</strong> and with it, a large number of central and state indirect taxes merged into a single tax.</li>
<li>The Centre<strong> promised compensation</strong> to the States for any shortfall in tax revenue due to GST implementation for a <strong>period of five years.</strong> This promise <strong>convinced a large number of reluctant States to sign</strong> on to the new indirect tax regime.</li>
<li>As per the GST Act, states are <strong>guaranteed compensation for any revenue shortfall below 14% growth (base year 2015-16)</strong> for the<strong> first five years ending 2022.</strong></li>
<li>GST compensation is <strong>paid out of Compensation Cess every two months</strong> by the Centre to states.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The Compensation Cess are <strong>collected on the supply of select goods</strong> (luxury and sin goods) <strong>and/or services or both</strong> till 1<sup>st</sup> July 2022.</li>
<li>All the taxpayers, except those who export specific notified goods and those who have opted for the <strong>GST composition scheme,</strong> are liable to collect and remit the GST compensation cess to the central government.</li>
<li>Subsequently, the central government distributes it to the states.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Concerns</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Deviated Priorities:</strong> The committee held its first meeting after the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/21-days-lockdown" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>lockdowns</strong></a> and instead of discussing the state of the Indian economy amidst the ongoing pandemic and the fight against it, it chose the topic of <strong>&lsquo;Financing the Innovation Ecosystem and India&rsquo;s Growth Companies&rsquo;</strong> which is not so relevant given the times.</li>
<li><strong>Unclear Finances:</strong> The<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/union-budget-2020-21-economy" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> Budget 2020-21</strong> </a><strong>may no longer be relevant</strong> since it was based on certain assumptions about the revenue collections and there is <strong>no clarity so far from the government on overall revenue shortfall</strong> this year.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>There is <strong>no clarity over the efficacy of the government&rsquo;s rescue package</strong> in the form of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/economic-stimulus-v" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>different Economic Stimulus.</strong></a></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Widening Gaps:</strong> The <strong>gap between the compensation cess and the payment to states is expected to widen further</strong> with expected economic contraction denting GST collections as well.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Compensation cess inflows could reduce because of <strong>people curbing discretionary spending on luxury goods</strong> in order to conserve capital in the pandemic-hit economy.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>More Difficult Payments: Paying compensation to States this year is going to be even more difficult</strong> for the Centre because, for the FY 2019-20, the Compensation cess was almost Rs. 70,000 crore less than the payments due to States.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It was <strong>overcome</strong> by tapping cess balances from the<strong> first two years of GST implementation</strong> and from the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/mp-s-salaries-cut-and-mplads-suspended#:~:text=Government%20Accounts-,Consolidated%20Fund,and%20all%20non%2Dtax%20revenues." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Consolidated Fund of India</strong> </a>by debiting <strong>Integrated GST (IGST) funds.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>IGST is levied on inter-State supply of goods and services</strong> and some of this levy collected in 2017-18, had not yet been allocated to States.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Delayed Meetings:</strong> The <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/gst-council-meet" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>GST Council</strong></a> was <strong>scheduled to meet in July</strong> to try and work out the formula to rework the compensation<strong> but the meeting has not been convened</strong> so far.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The chief solution officials have suggested the Centre to raise special loans against future GST cess accruals (an amount of money that accumulates) in order to help meet its compensation promise to States.</li>
<li>The pandemic has thrown multiple challenges in front of the Centre and the States. They need to have more certainty and clarity on the cash at their disposal which would help them to battle the virus more effectively.</li>
<li>There is a need to boost the economic growth of the country and the government needs to think about the ways through which it can increase GST collections.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/business/Economy/centre-unable-to-pay-gst-dues-to-states-union-finance-secretary/article32216329.ece#:~:text=Finance%20Secretary%20Ajay%20Bhushan%20Pandey,revenue%20sharing%20formula%2C%20sources%20said." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: TH</strong></a></p>',
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	],
	(int) 19 => [
		'title' => 'Signs of Economic Recovery: CII',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the<strong> Confederation of Indian Industries (CII)</strong> has said that there are early signs of a <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/drop-in-fpi-outflows" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>V-shaped recovery</strong></a> in the economy in the immediate aftermath of the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/21-days-lockdown" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>lockdown.</strong></a></p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Economic Recovery:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Economic recovery is being<strong> driven mostly by agriculture and rural lending.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>CII noted that rural lending by <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/liquidity-boost-to-nbfcs" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Non-Banking Financial Companies (NBFCs)</strong></a> is at about 80% of the usual levels.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The <strong>Fast-Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG), pharma and construction</strong> have also contributed to the positive trends of economic recovery.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>FMCG is likely to grow at 15-20%, on account of an increase in in-house consumption of food and greater demand for sanitation and hygiene products.</li>
<li>The construction sector, which has a large employment multiplier impact on the economy is also recovering back, with most construction sites resuming operations.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Reasons:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The positive recovery has been predicted based on the increase in <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/goods-and-services-tax-gst-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Goods and Services Tax (GST)</strong></a> collections, railway freight traffic, petrol consumption, peak power demand and electronic toll collections.</li>
<li>There are also expectations of a <strong>bumper harvest</strong> in the wake of a normal monsoon.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Suggestions:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In order to nurture the nascent signs of economic recovery, CII has argued to <strong>mitigate the uncertainties</strong> that are currently prevailing due to mini lockdowns imposed due to <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/covid-19-now-pandemic-who" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Covid-19 pandemic.</strong></a>
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It has argued to <strong>limit the containment zones</strong> to micro areas to ensure that business activities are allowed to function seamlessly.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>CII has recommended a <strong>dashboard approach,</strong> where the progression of infections would trigger predictable responses in a way that would reduce uncertainty and boost consumer and industry confidence.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Confederation of Indian Industries</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>CII is a<strong> non-government, not-for-profit,</strong> industry-led and industry-managed organization.</li>
<li>It works to create and sustain an environment conducive to the development of India, partnering industry, Government and civil society, through advisory and consultative processes.</li>
<li>Founded in <strong>1895,</strong> it is headquartered in <strong>New delhi.</strong></li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/business/Industry/rural-lending-reviving-agri-gives-hope/article32215524.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: TH</strong></a></p>',
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		'articles__pdf_name' => 'string',
		'articles.pdf_name' => 'string',
		'pdf_name' => 'string',
		'articles__display_archive' => 'integer',
		'articles.display_archive' => 'integer',
		'display_archive' => 'integer'
	],
	'decorators' => (int) 0,
	'executed' => false,
	'hydrate' => true,
	'buffered' => true,
	'formatters' => (int) 0,
	'mapReducers' => (int) 0,
	'contain' => [],
	'matching' => [],
	'extraOptions' => [],
	'repository' => object(App\Model\Table\ArticlesTable) {}

}
$page = (int) 78
$search = 'class'
$totalPages = (float) 301
$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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