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Cleaning Ganga

This article is based on “River of life” which was published in The Indian Express on 17/04/2021. It talks about the reason for...

17 Apr 2021 GS Paper - 3
Whitest Ever Paint Reflects 99% of Sunlight

Why in News The team of researchers from Purdue University have created an ultra-white paint. The newer paint is whiter and keeps the surface...

17 Apr 2021 GS Paper - 3
India in US Currency Practices Monitoring List

Why in News Recently, the United States (US) placed 11 countries, including India in the Currency Practices Monitoring List (Currency Manipulators...

17 Apr 2021 GS Paper - 3
NEFT & RTGS Direct Membership for Payment System Operators

Why in News Recently, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has proposed to enable, in a phased manner, payment system operators to take direct membership...

17 Apr 2021 GS Paper - 3
Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children

Why in News Recently, doctors in the United States have reported neurological symptoms in children with Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in...

17 Apr 2021 GS Paper - 3
FASTag and Right to Freedom of Movement

Why in News Recently, the Union government told the Bombay High Court that making FASTag mandatory for all vehicles does not breach a...

17 Apr 2021 GS Paper - 3
Resurge in Covid Cases and Economic Recovery

This Article is based upon “A Looming Economic Crisis” which was published in the Hindustan Times on 15 April, 2021. It talks about how...

16 Apr 2021 GS Paper - 3
Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Grameen Kaushalya Yojana

Why in News Recently, alumni meets were organized across the country under Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Kaushalya Yojana (DDU-GKY) to commemorate 75 years...

16 Apr 2021 GS Paper - 3
Initiatives of National Internet Exchange of India

Why in News Recently, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has inaugurated three new initiatives/services of National...

16 Apr 2021 GS Paper - 3
Monkeydactyl: Pterosaur Species

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16 Apr 2021 GS Paper - 3
Dolphin Population in Odisha

Why in News Recently, Odisha has released the final data on the dolphin census, indicating a spectacular growth in numbers. Key Points Census...

16 Apr 2021 GS Paper - 3
Aahaar Kranti Mission

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16 Apr 2021 GS Paper - 3
Depreciation in Rupee

Why in News Recently, the Indian Rupee depreciated to a nine-month low of 75.4 against the USD, it is one of the biggest losers among the emerging...

15 Apr 2021 GS Paper - 3
Research on Lithium Ion Battery Performance

Why in News Researchers from IIT Guwahati have developed a technique to improve the performance of rechargeable lithium-ion batteries, which power...

15 Apr 2021 GS Paper - 3
Narrow-Line Seyfert 1 (NLS1): Farthest Gamma-Ray Emitting Galaxy

Why in News Recently, Astronomers have discovered a new active galaxy called Narrow-Line Seyfert 1 (NLS1) which has been identified as the farthest...

15 Apr 2021 GS Paper - 3
India & BIMSTEC

This article is based on “BIMSTEC needs to reinvent itself” which was published in The Hindu on 14/04/2021. It talks about the...

14 Apr 2021 GS Paper - 3
Indian Rhino Vision 2020

Why in News The Indian Rhino Vision 2020 (IRV2020) program has come to a close with the recent translocation of two rhinos to Manas National Park in...

14 Apr 2021 GS Paper - 3
e-SANTA

Why in News Recently the Union Commerce and Industry Minister has inaugurated an electronic platform named e-SANTA, which will connect aqua farmers...

14 Apr 2021 GS Paper - 3
HGCO19: mRNA Vaccine Candidate

Why in News India's mRNA-based Covid-19 vaccine candidate-HGCO19 has received additional government funding for its clinical studies. This...

14 Apr 2021 GS Paper - 3
National Mission on Sustaining Himalayan Ecosystem

Why in News Scientists, with support from the National Mission on Sustaining Himalayan Ecosystem (NMSHE) Programme, have been able to disseminate...

14 Apr 2021 GS Paper - 3

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		'article_id' => (int) 8176,
		'category_id' => (int) 22,
		'title' => 'Cleaning Ganga',
		'description' => '<div class="border">
<p>This article is based on <a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/namami-gange-project-kumbh-mela-gathering-religious-congregation-7277020/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>&ldquo;River of life&rdquo;</strong></a> which was published in The Indian Express on 17/04/2021. It talks about the reason for pollution in the river Ganga and steps taken to deal with it.</p>
</div>
<p>Recently, India witnessed the world&rsquo;s largest religious congregation as millions of pilgrims gathered for a holy dip in the Ganga during the Kumbh Mela. Since time immemorial, the Kumbh Mela has been a melting pot for varied beliefs, practices, philosophies, and ideologies.</p>
<p>Unfortunately, over time, the increase in population, coupled with unregulated industrialization and unsustainable agricultural practices, have led to a significant increase in pollutants in the Ganga river and its tributaries.</p>
<p>However, after the launch of the flagship program called <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/national-mission-for-clean-ganga" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Namami Gange</strong></a>, the pollution in River Ganga has significantly reduced. It has adopted a holistic approach to public policy, technology intervention, and community participation.</p>
<h3>Reasons for Polluted River Ganga</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Urbanization:</strong> Rapid urbanization in India during the recent decades has given rise to a number of environmental problems such as water supply, wastewater generation and its collection, treatment, and disposal. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Many towns and cities which came upon the banks of river Ganga have not given proper thought to the problem of wastewater, sewerage, etc. </li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Industries:</strong> Unrestricted flow of sewage and industrial effluents into the Ganga has adversely affected its purity. All these industrial wastes are toxic to life forms that consume this water.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The other significant contributors to wastewater are paper mills, steel plants, textile, and sugar industries.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Agricultural Runoff and Improper Agricultural Practices:</strong> Traces of fertilizers and pesticides are washed into the nearest water-bodies at the onset of the monsoons or whenever there are heavy rains.</li>
<li><strong>Withdrawal of Water:</strong> According to a report of the Ministry of Water Resources on the study of minimum flows in the Ganga, impact on river water quality resulting from discharges of treated or untreated wastewater into the river will depend on the dilution offered by the quantum of flows in the river. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>However, River Ganga gets starved of water when they enter the plain area. For instance, the Upper Ganga Canal and the Lower Ganga Canal have left the Ganga downstream almost dry.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Religious and Social Practices:</strong> Religious faith and social practices also add to the pollution of the river Ganga. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Dead bodies are cremated on the river banks. Partially burnt bodies are also flung into the river.</li>
<li>Mass bathing in a river during religious festivals is another environmentally harmful practice.</li>
<li>All this is done as a matter of religious faith and in keeping with ancient rituals. These practices pollute the river water and adversely affect the water quality. </li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Steps Taken to Reduce Pollution in River Ganga</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Public Policy:</strong> In 2016, the government issued a notification to authorize the National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) to exercise powers under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>NMCG also issued directives regulating mining activities on river banks, prohibiting encroachment, and regulating activities like the immersion of idols.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Technology Intervention:</strong> NMCG adopted cutting-edge technologies like satellite imagery, remote sensing, and geospatial solutions which facilitated real-time monitoring of pollutants in Ganga and its tributaries.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Scientific forecast models were deployed for designing new sewage treatment infrastructure.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Community Participation:</strong> To encourage community participation in cleaning the river, an awareness campaign is regularly carried out in cities, towns, and villages alongside Ganga through a newly-established community force called &ldquo;Ganga Praharis&rdquo;. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Through them, the government seeks to transform &ldquo;jal chetna&rdquo; into &ldquo;jan chetna&rdquo; and turn it into a &ldquo;jal aandolan&rdquo;.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Conclusion</h3>
<p>The Constitution of India mandates the central and state governments to provide both a clean and decent environment and clean drinking water for the people (Article 48A, Art. 51 (A) (g), Article 21). Also, the Supreme Court has declared that the right to a decent and clean environment is a fundamental right.</p>
<p>In this context, the Namami Gange project is a step in the right direction to clean the river Ganga and should be emulated to deal with pollution in other rivers of India.</p>
<table border="1" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;">
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<p><span style="color: #000080;"><em><strong>Drishti Mains Question</strong></em></span></p>
<p>Namami Gange project is a step in the right direction to clean river Ganga and should be emulated to deal with pollution in other rivers of India. Comment.</p>
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		'article_id' => (int) 8173,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'Whitest Ever Paint Reflects 99% of Sunlight',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>The team of researchers from Purdue University have created an ultra-white paint.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The newer paint is whiter and<strong> keeps the surface areas it is painted on cooler</strong> and thus can act as a breakthrough in<strong> combating the woes of global warming.</strong></li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>About:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The new ultrawhite white paint <strong>reflects 99% of all light</strong> that hits it, remaining significantly cooler than the ambient temperature, even when sitting in full sunlight.</li>
<li><strong>Typical commercial white paint gets warmer instead of cooler</strong> and paints currently available in the market reflect only 80-90% of the sunlight and therefore, they can&rsquo;t make surfaces cooler than their surroundings.</li>
<li><strong>Older formulations of white paints were made of calcium carbonate,</strong> while the <strong>new one is made up of barium sulphate</strong> making it more white. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Barium Sulphate is used to make photo paper and cosmetics white. Different sized particles of this chemical compound, helps in scattering different amounts of light. This allows for light to scatter in a broad range, resulting in the highest reflectance.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The paint could be the <strong>closest equivalent to the blackest black paint Vantablack,</strong> which is able to absorb 99.9% of visible light.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Vantablack has a diverse range of applications including high performance infrared cameras, sensors, satellite borne calibration sources etc.</li>
<li>Its ability to absorb light energy and convert it to heat is also of relevance in solar power development.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Reflection or Absorption of a Light by a Color:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Every object is seen by the eye because of absorption or reflection of light.</li>
<li>The<strong> light is made up of seven different colours</strong> (Violet, Indigo, Blue, Green, Yellow, Orange and Red or VIBGYOR). Specifically, light is made up of wavelengths of different colours.</li>
<li>The <strong>colour of any object or thing is determined by the wavelength the molecules are not able to absorb.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>This is <strong>dependent on how electrons are arranged in an atom</strong> (the building block of life, an atom is made up of electrons, protons and neutrons).</li>
<li>For example, if an individual is looking at a sofa that is green, this is because the fabric or material it is made up of is able to absorb all the colours except green (reflect the green coloured wavelengths).</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>If <strong>an object is black,</strong> it is because<strong> it has absorbed all the wavelengths and therefore no light is reflected from them.</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>This is the reason that darker objects, as a result absorbing all wavelengths <strong>tend to heat up faster</strong> (as during absorption the light energy is converted into heat energy).</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Significance:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The new paint technology will help buildings covered by this paint to be cooler for longer, eliminating the effects of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/cities-are-turning-into-lightening-magnets" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Urban Heat Island.</strong></a></li>
<li>The paint could help in the<strong> fight against global warming</strong> by reducing our reliance on electrically powered air conditioning.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>As <strong>Air conditioning</strong> injects heat into Earth's atmosphere in multiple ways, including pushing hot air out of buildings, the heat of running the machines, and the usually fossil fuel-generated electricity that runs them that contributes to carbon dioxide emissions.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>It can not only prevent heat-related deaths and illnesses but also limit water quality depletion that is caused by heated ground.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>India&rsquo;s Related Initiative:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>India is one of the first countries in the world to develop a comprehensive <a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/india-cooling-action-plan-icap" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Cooling Action plan</strong></a> which has a long term vision to address the cooling requirement across sectors and lists out actions which can help reduce the cooling demand.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>With climate change leading to a rise in temperatures and rapid concretisation exacerbating global warming, it has become important to develop adaptation strategies to reduce and combat heat stress.</li>
<li>Key actions include cooling buildings naturally through better design, improving efficiency of cooling appliances, promoting renewable energy-based energy efficient cold chains and investing in research and development (R&amp;D) of refrigerant gases that do not harm or warm the planet.</li>
<li>Plant trees and other vegetation, space in urban areas might be limited, but one can easily integrate small green infrastructure practices into grassy or barren areas, vacant lots, and street rights-of-way.</li>
<li>Greener rooftops, light-coloured concrete, making the road surface greyish or even pinkish can also be used as they absorb less heat and reflect more sunlight.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/white-paint-research-sunlight-weather-7276431/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: IE</strong></a></p>',
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		'article_id' => (int) 8172,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'India in US Currency Practices Monitoring List',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the United States (US) placed 11 countries, including India in the<strong> Currency Practices Monitoring List (Currency Manipulators Watch List).</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>India was <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/us-puts-india-on-currency-watchlist" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>on the list in the December 2020 report</strong></a> as well. In 2019, the US Treasury Department had <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/usa-removes-india-from-currency-monitoring-watch-list" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>removed India from its currency manipulator watch list</strong></a> of major trading partners.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Currency Manipulators:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>This is a<strong> label given by the US government</strong> to countries it feels are engaging in <strong>&ldquo;unfair currency practices&rdquo;</strong> by <strong>deliberately devaluing their currency</strong> against the dollar.</li>
<li>The practice would mean that the <strong>country in question is artificially lowering the value of its currency to gain an unfair advantage</strong> over others.</li>
<li>This is because the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/depreciation-of-rupee#:~:text=The%20rupee%20depreciated%20by%2016,stable%20US%20dollar%20over%20rupee." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>devaluation</strong> </a><strong>would reduce the cost of exports</strong> from that country and artificially show a reduction in trade deficits as a result.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Currency Manipulator Watch List:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The US Department of Treasury releases the<strong> semi-annual report where it has to track developments in international economies</strong> and inspect foreign exchange rates.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It <strong>reviews currency practices of the US&rsquo; 20 biggest trading partners. </strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Criteria:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>An economy meeting two of the three criteria in the <strong>Trade Facilitation and Trade Enforcement Act of 2015</strong> is placed on the Watch List. This includes:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>A <strong>&ldquo;significant&rdquo; bilateral trade surplus with the US &mdash;</strong> one that is at least USD 20 billion over a 12-month period.</li>
<li>A material <strong>current account surplus equivalent</strong> to at least 2% of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/gdp-decreases-to-11-year-low" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Gross Domestic Product (GDP)</strong> </a>over a 12-month period.</li>
<li><strong>&ldquo;Persistent&rdquo;, one-sided intervention &mdash;</strong> when net purchases of foreign currency totalling at least 2% of the country&rsquo;s GDP over a 12 month period are conducted repeatedly, in at least six out of 12 months.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Countries <strong>that meet all three of the criteria are labeled as currency manipulators</strong> by the Treasury.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Current List:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Countries on the List:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The other 10 countries on the list with India that merit &ldquo;close attention to their currency practices&rdquo; are <strong>China, Japan, Korea, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, and Mexico. </strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Questionable Chinese Growth:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The <strong>Chinese economic growth in 2020 exceeded that of other large economies</strong> but has been driven by the early resumption of manufacturing and increased external demand, especially for medical supplies, personal protection equipment and electronics.</li>
<li><strong>Questions remain about the continued strength of the Chinese recovery</strong> absent a sustained increase in household consumption.</li>
<li>China's<strong> failure to publish foreign exchange intervention</strong> and<strong> lack of transparency</strong> of its<strong> exchange rate mechanism</strong> and the activities of state-owned banks warrant close monitoring of renminbi (China&rsquo;s currency) developments going forward.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>India&rsquo;s Status:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>India <strong>met two of the three criteria</strong> that is the <strong>trade surplus</strong> criterion and the <strong>&ldquo;persistent, one-sided intervention&rdquo;</strong> criterion.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Consequence:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Inclusion in the list <strong>does not subject to any kind of penalty and sanctions</strong> but it <strong>deteriorates the global financial image</strong> of the country in the financial markets in terms of foreign exchange policies including undervaluation of currencies to gain export advantages.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1618655331_image1.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1618655331_image1.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="500" caption="false" /></a></p>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/business/us-treasury-keeps-india-on-currency-watch-list/article34339096.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source:TH</strong></a></p>',
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		'article_id' => (int) 8171,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'NEFT & RTGS Direct Membership for Payment System Operators',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, 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 (RBI)</strong></a> has <strong>proposed to enable</strong>, in a phased manner, <strong>payment system operators</strong> to take <strong>direct membership in RTGS and NEFT.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/round-the-clock-rtgs-facility#:~:text=It%20enables%20real%2Dtime%20transfer,funds%20transfer%20instructions%20occurs%20individually." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Real Time Gross Settlement System (RTGS)</strong></a> and <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/national-electronic-fund-transfer-neft" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>National Electronic Fund Transfer (NEFT)</strong></a> are the <strong>Centralised Payment Systems (CPSs) of the RBI.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Non-bank payment system operators</strong>, regulated by the RBI, will be allowed to take direct membership in CPSs.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Centralised &amp; Decentralised Payment Systems</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The <strong>centralised payment systems</strong> will include <strong>Real Time Gross Settlement (RTGS) System and National Electronic Fund Transfer (NEFT) system</strong> and any other system as may be decided by RBI from time to time. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>RTGS:</strong> It enables real-time transfer of funds to a beneficiary&rsquo;s account and is primarily meant for large-value transactions.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Real time means the processing of instructions at the time they are received and gross settlement implies that settlement of funds transfer instructions occurs individually.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>NEFT:</strong> It is an electronic fund transfer system in which the transactions received up to a particular time are <strong>processed in batches.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It is <strong>generally used for fund transfers of up to Rs. 2 lakh.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The <strong>decentralised payment systems</strong> will include <strong>clearing houses managed by RBI</strong> (Cheque Truncation System (CTS) centres) as well as other banks (Express Cheque Clearing System (ECCS) centres) and any other system as decided by RBI from time to time.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Direct Membership of NEFT &amp; RTGS to Payment System Operators:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>About:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>This is <strong>expected to minimise settlement risk in the financial system and enhance the reach of digital financial services</strong> to all user segments.</li>
<li>These entities will, however, <strong>not be eligible for any liquidity facility</strong> from RBI to facilitate settlement of their transactions in these <strong>Centralised Payment Systems (CPSs).</strong></li>
<li>This <strong>will be subject to an overall limit of Rs. 2 lakh for non-banks.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Non- Bank Entities becoming the Members of CPS:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><a href="/summary-of-important-reports/niti-aayog-digital-payments-trends-issues-and-opportunities" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Prepaid Payment Instrument (PPI)</strong></a> issuers, Card Networks, <a href="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/white-label-atm&amp;sa=D&amp;source=editors&amp;ust=1618656478082000&amp;usg=AOvVaw0mhlFVBsatqkkdXknj2cKf" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>White Label ATM</strong></a> operators, <a href="/current-affairs-news-analysis-editorials/news-analysis/03-11-2018#:~:text=Trade%20Receivables%20Discounting%20System%20(TReDS,PSUs)%2C%20through%20multiple%20financiers." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Trade Receivables Discounting System (TReDS)</strong></a> platforms are going to become members of CPS.</li>
<li><strong>Mobile wallets</strong> like Google Pay, Mobikwik, etc. can provide NEFT and RTGS facilities etc to their customers. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Transfer will be allowed only to <strong>KYC (know your customer)-compliant entities.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Facility of Cash Withdrawal:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>RBI has also <strong>proposed to allow the facility of cash withdrawal</strong>, subject to a limit, to non-bank entities &mdash; full-KYC PPIs of non-bank PPI issuers.</li>
<li><strong>Currently, cash withdrawal is allowed only for full-KYC PPIs issued by banks</strong> and this facility is available through ATMs and Point of Sale terminals.</li>
<li>Holders of such <strong>PPIs, given the comfort that they can withdraw cash, are less incentivised to carry cash and consequently more likely to perform digital transactions.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Advantages:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Increase Digital Transactions:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Just as use of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/upi-transactions" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Unified Payment Interface (UPI)</strong> </a>increased over the last 4-5 years since it was opened to third-party aggregators, opening the payment system to non-banks would increase digital payments and transactions significantly.</li>
<li>It will <strong>enable non-banks to go for full KYC</strong> compliance and interoperability.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Better Record of Transactions:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It will prepare a <strong>digital trail of all individuals doing digital transactions on channels outside the banking system</strong>, which could help the overall financial system.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Increase in Market Size:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Interoperability of the PPI wallet will <strong>expand the market size and will be beneficial to the end consumers.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Financial Inclusion:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>This will <strong>open new opportunities for PPI issuers</strong> as they will be able to provide RTGS and NEFT services to the wallet users. Overall, this will take financial inclusion deeper in the country.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Concerns:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The opening up of fund transfer and cash withdrawal through non-banks is certainly a sign of a changing banking horizon. <strong>Traditional brick-and-mortar banking is slowly disappearing</strong> with non-banks entering the space.</li>
<li>The RBI says <strong>India is on the way to becoming Asia&rsquo;s top FinTech hub with an 87% FinTech adoption rate as against the global average of 64%.</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Fintech (Financial technology)</strong> refers to the integration of technology into offerings by financial services companies in order to improve their use and delivery to consumers.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The FinTech market in India was valued at <strong>Rs. 1.9 lakh crore in 2019 and is expected to reach Rs. 6.2 lakh crore by 2025</strong> across diversified fields such as <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/rise-in-digital-transactions" target="_blank" rel="noopener">digital payments</a></strong>,<strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/digital-lending" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> digital lending</a></strong>,<strong><a href="/current-affairs-news-analysis-editorials/news-analysis/25-03-2019" target="_blank" rel="noopener">peer-to-peer (P2P) lending</a></strong>,<strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/crowdfunding" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> crowdfunding</a></strong>,<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/blockchain-technology-in-voting#:~:text=Blockchain%20is%20a%20system%20in,time%20transaction%20transparency%20and%20auditability." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> block chain technology</strong></a>, distributed ledgers technology, <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/big-data-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>big data</strong></a>, RegTech and SupTech.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>In a world where FinTech companies are leading in terms of the volume of digital transactions and playing a more active role in the banking and finance industry, <strong>it is important that commercial banks adapt to the technological changes and work in tandem with these entities</strong> so that in future they are part of the ecosystem rather than competing with FinTech companies for business.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/what-money-transfer-outside-banking-system-signals-7275472/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source:IE</strong></a></p>',
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		'article_id' => (int) 8170,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, doctors in the United States have reported <strong>neurological symptoms in children with Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (MIS-C).</strong></p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (MIS-C):</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>MIS-C is a rare but severe <strong>hyperinflammatory condition in children and adolescents</strong> that typically <strong>occurs 2-6 weeks after a <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/coronavirus-disease-named-covid-19" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Covid-19</a> infection.</strong></li>
<li>It is<strong> a potentially deadly condition</strong> where<strong> different body parts can become inflamed,</strong> including the heart, lungs, kidneys, brain, skin, eyes, or gastrointestinal organs.</li>
<li>Children with MIS-C <strong>may have a fever and various symptoms,</strong> including abdominal (gut) pain, vomiting, diarrhea, neck pain, rash, bloodshot eyes, or feeling extra tired.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>MIS-C with Neurological Complications:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In a recent study, <strong>young people with the MIS-C syndrome have shown neurological issues</strong> which were life-threatening such as strokes or severe encephalopathy (any brain disease that alters brain function or structure).</li>
<li>Neurological symptoms include hallucinations, confusion, speech impairments, and problems with balance and coordination.</li>
<li>The new findings <strong>strengthen the theory</strong> that the syndrome is related to a surge of inflammation triggered by an immune response to the virus.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Causes of MIS-C:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>As the Syndrome is less researched, there are varied theories as to what causes MIS-C.</li>
<li>While some researchers believe that MIS-C is <strong>a delayed response to the coronavirus</strong> which in turn causes massive inflammation in the body and as a result damages organs.</li>
<li>Some believe that it <strong>can also be a result of the children&rsquo;s immune response making antibodies against the virus.</strong></li>
<li>There <strong>may be a genetic component as not every child develops MIS-C</strong> and the presenting symptoms are so varied.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Treatment:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It <strong>involves symptonic relief such as supportive care</strong> or use of various medicines to treat inflammation.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/world/some-children-covid-syndrome-develop-neurological-symptoms-7273013/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: IE</strong></a></p>',
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		'article_id' => (int) 8169,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'FASTag and Right to Freedom of Movement',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the Union government told the Bombay High Court that making<strong> FASTag</strong> mandatory for all vehicles does not breach a citizen&rsquo;s <a href="/to-the-points/Paper2/fundamental-rights-part-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>fundamental right to freedom of movement</strong></a> in any way.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>A <a href="/to-the-points/Paper2/public-interest-litigation" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Public Interest Litigation</strong></a> was filed in the Court challenging the government's decision to make FASTag, the electronic toll collection chip, mandatory for all vehicles at toll plazas on national highways.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>About FASTag:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The FASTag is <strong>a reloadable tag</strong> that allows <strong>automatic deduction of toll</strong> without having to stop for carrying out the cash transaction.</li>
<li>The tag <strong>uses Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology</strong> and is fixed on the windscreen of the vehicle once active.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>RFID</strong> is the <strong>use of radio waves</strong> to read and capture information stored on a tag attached to an object.</li>
<li>A tag can be read from up to several feet away and does not need to be within the direct line-of-sight of the reader to be tracked.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Government&rsquo;s Response:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>FASTag ensures seamless traffic movement, cut travel time short, and that all decisions had been taken in accordance with the<strong> Central Motor Vehicles (CMV) Rules.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Section 136A of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/the-motor-vehicles-bill-for-road-safety" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Motor Vehicles Amendment Act 2019</a></strong> puts the responsibility on the Central Government to make rules for the electronic monitoring and enforcement of road safety.</li>
<li>Legislating the establishment of robust electronic enforcement for traffic violations will result in reduction in human intervention and the associated corruption.</li>
<li>A robust electronic enforcement system including speed cameras, closed-circuit televisions cameras, speed guns and such other technology will ensure violations being captured at a greater scale.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Provisions</strong> had been made at all toll plazas along national highways<strong> to fit the chip in vehicles</strong> that did not have FASTag. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>In cases where it was not possible to fit vehicles with FASTag on the spot for any reason, the <strong>vehicle was permitted to still ply on highways, on extreme left of the FASTag lanes.</strong></li>
<li>However, such vehicles were<strong> required to pay twice the toll amount.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The<strong> double user fees</strong> or penalties imposed on vehicles without FASTag on national highways were also in accordance with the <strong>National Highway Fee (determination of rates and collection) Rules, 2008.</strong></li>
<li>Entertaining such petitions would cause "irreparable loss" to the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/nhai-achieves-highest-ever-construction-of-national-highways" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>National Highways Authority of India.</strong></a></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Right to Freedom of Movement</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Right to Freedom of movement is <strong>guaranteed under Article 19 of the Indian Constitution.</strong> It entitles every citizen to move freely throughout the territory of the country.</li>
<li>This right is <strong>protected against only state action and not private individuals.</strong> Moreover, it is available only to the citizens and to shareholders of a company but<strong> not to foreigners or legal persons</strong> like companies or corporations, etc.</li>
<li><strong>Restrictions</strong> on this freedom can only be imposed on<strong> two grounds</strong> which are mentioned in the Article 19 of the constitution itself, namely, the interests of the general public and the protection of interests of any scheduled tribe.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The entry of outsiders in tribal areas is restricted to protect the distinctive culture, language, customs and manners of scheduled tribes and to safeguard their traditional vocation and properties against exploitation.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The Supreme Court held that the freedom of movement of prostitutes can be restricted on the ground of public health and in the interest of public morals.</li>
<li>The freedom of movement has <strong>two dimensions,</strong> viz, internal (right to move inside the country) and external (right to move out of the country and right to come back to the country). <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Article 19 protects only the first dimension. The <strong>second dimension is dealt by Article 21</strong> (right to life and personal liberty).</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/fastag-does-not-violate-right-to-free-movement-centre/article34321579.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: TH</strong></a></p>',
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		'article_id' => (int) 8168,
		'category_id' => (int) 22,
		'title' => 'Resurge in Covid Cases and Economic Recovery ',
		'description' => '<div class="border">
<p><em><strong>This Article is based upon &ldquo;<a href="https://www.hindustantimes.com/editorials/bracing-for-economic-disruption-101618492329640.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A Looming Economic Crisis</a>&rdquo; which was published in the Hindustan Times on 15 April, 2021. It talks about how the drastic increase in the number of Covid-19 cases is acting as a barrier in India&rsquo;s slowly recovering economy, once again.</strong></em></p>
</div>
<p>The last fiscal year, FY 2020-21 was no less than a roller coaster ride for India&rsquo;s economy, witnessing nationwide partial and complete lockdowns, curfews and increase in unemployment with no projections of the economy returning to the 2019-20 levels of GDP even in FY 2021-22.</p>
<p>However, with the easing of lockdown restrictions, these projections were revised favourably in late 2020.</p>
<p>Just when there was growing optimism over India&rsquo;s economic rebound, when the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/world-economic-outlook-imf-2" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>IMF upgraded India&rsquo;s GDP forecast for FY 21-22 to 12.5%</strong></a>, the second <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/comprehensive-action-plan-for-covid-19" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Covid-19</strong></a> wave has come as a rude shock to businesses and consumers alike.</p>
<p>India&rsquo;s daily new cases have been hitting higher peaks every day, with the country contributing almost 20% to the global tally of fresh daily cases. The situation is worse than last year&rsquo;s peak situation where the only sigh of relief is India now has access to vaccines.</p>
<h3>India&rsquo;s Economic Recovery</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Factors Facilitating the Growth:</strong>The gross tax collections are estimated to have touched ₹20.16 lakh crore (₹20.16 Trillion), up ₹1.2 lakh crore from the revised estimates detailed in the Union Budget a few months ago.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The Centre&rsquo;s indirect tax collections have touched ₹10.71 lakh crore in 2020-21, even higher than the collections in 2019-20.</li>
<li>Indicators like the Purchasing Managers&rsquo; Index (PMI), tractor &amp; two-wheeler sales, Goods and Services Tax collection, E-way bills, and rail freight traffic showed sustained growth in 2021.</li>
<li>The exports figures have also seen a huge jump standing at 31 billion dollar</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Impacts of Resurging Covid Cases and Consequent Lockdowns</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Highest Week-on-Week Decline as per NIBRI:</strong> The <strong>Nomura India Business Resumption Index (NIBRI)</strong>, is a weekly tracker of the pace of normalisation of economic activity.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The index reached 99 points in February, 2021 but slipped down to 90.5 in the month of April, registering its biggest week-on-week fall.</li>
<li>The reason for this downfall is mainly the second wave of Covid-19.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>City-wise Impact:</strong> States like Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, and Chhattisgarh, which are witnessing the highest surge in COVID-19 cases, account for over 30% of India&rsquo;s GDP. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Even partial lockdowns and curbs in these states will impact economic activity majorly and if the lockdowns are extended further due to uncontrolled infections, the damage will be even more extensive.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Contraction in Industrial Output:</strong> The Index of Industrial Production (IIP) has witnessed the sharpest contraction in the month of February 2021 (since August 2020), at the rate of 3.6%. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The recent spike in Covid-19 cases has raised concerns over the economic recovery, especially with the imposition of harsher restrictions on activities now being a possibility.</li>
<li>The restrictions currently being imposed such as night curfews and weekend lockdowns are economically less painful. However, if the situation worsens, harsher measures cannot be ruled out.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Manufacturing and Other Sectors:</strong> While manufacturing may not be directly hit due to partial lockdowns, the impact on the contact services sectors like hospitality, travel, and tourism will have a multiplier effect, as these sectors have strong backward linkages with other sectors of the economy.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Significant Role of Vaccines:</strong> The only effective way to safeguard the economy from another massive disruption is to relax both demand and supply for vaccines.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>More than 10 crore shots have been administered so far, however, it accounts for only 8% of the country&rsquo;s population that has received at least one shot, the US and the UK, in contrast, have vaccinated close to 50% of their total population.</li>
<li>Vaccination is a key element in controlling the second wave of Covid-19, but a shortage of vaccines could slow the progress of vaccine rollout.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Therefore, the government shall now increase the reach of the vaccines and make the eligibility criteria for vaccination more expansive.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Reducing the Tax Levies:</strong> The RBI, which has been stridently seeking a reduction in the tax levies, foresees inflation averaging 5.2% in the April-June quarter. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The price pressures are unlikely to ease significantly in the near term, unless the Centre and the States bite the bullet by agreeing to forego some near-term revenue from petroproducts and reduce fuel taxes.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Role of Policy Makers:</strong> More efforts and better policies are needed on the part of Policymakers, to nurse back demand and this must be done without letting quickening inflation undermine purchasing power and overall economic stability.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Moreover, policymakers should not lose sight of the fact that India is better equipped to fight the virus compared to last year. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>At this juncture, the primary objective of governments, both at the Centre and states, should be to ramp up the vaccination drive.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Expenditures as Proposed in the Union Budget:</strong> The support from the rebound in global growth and implementation of the Union Budget&rsquo;s proposed capital expenditures will reinforce India&rsquo;s economic revival.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Moreover, the agricultural growth and rural demand have been quite robust until now, which is also expected to support growth.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Conclusion</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>If the choice between flattening the Covid-19 curve and economic hardship was difficult last year, it will be even more difficult this year, as businesses and workers are still nursing the wounds of the first lockdown. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The second wave has coincided with the beginning of the new fiscal year which means that even the conservative revenue targets in the Budget could be jeopardised.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>In all these difficult circumstances, the only silver lining that India has is the availability of the Vaccines and its ongoing Vaccination Drive. It must be taken advantage to the fullest.</li>
</ul>
<table border="1" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;">
<tbody>
<tr style="height: 92px;">
<td style="width: 100%; height: 92px; border-color: #ff0000; background-color: #f5fcff; border-style: dotted;">
<p><span style="color: #333399;"><em><strong>Drishti Mains Question:</strong></em></span></p>
<p>&ldquo;Flattening the Covid-19 curve or dealing with the economic hardships. Choosing sides between these two is not exactly a wise decision to make, maintaining a balance is the need of the hour&rdquo;. Discuss.</p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p></p>
<p></p>',
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		'article_id' => (int) 8165,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Grameen Kaushalya Yojana',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, alumni meets were organized across the country under <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/kaushal-se-kal-badlenge-ddu-gky" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Kaushalya Yojana (DDU-GKY)</strong></a> to commemorate 75 years of Independence.</p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>About:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The <strong>Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD)</strong> announced it on <strong>Antyodaya Diwas in 2014.</strong></li>
<li>It is a demand-driven placement linked skill training initiative working under the <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/national-rural-economic-transformation-project" target="_blank" rel="noopener">National Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM)</a>.</strong></li>
<li>It <strong>uses skill training and placement in wage employment as a tool</strong> to diversify income and enable sustained upward movement out of poverty.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Beneficiaries:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>DDU-GKY is uniquely focused on rural youth between the ages of 15 and 35 years from poor families.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Objective:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Adding <strong>diversity to the incomes</strong> of rural poor families</li>
<li>Cater to the <strong>career aspirations of rural youth.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Alumni Meet:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Alumni meet is an <strong>important component of the scheme.</strong></li>
<li>The Alumni meets <strong>provide healthy ground for experience sharing by the former trainees with their present counterparts</strong> on topics like placements, career goals, challenges they faced in finding employment before undertaking the training and the benefits they reaped after.</li>
<li>Some of the <strong>former trainees are also felicitated</strong> at the events for their exemplary performances at their workplaces.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Coverage:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The program is currently being implemented in <strong>27 States and 3 Union Territories</strong> and has over <strong>2198 Training Centres in 1822 projects</strong>, in partnership with <strong>839 Project Implementing Agencies</strong> conducting <strong>training across 56 sectors, and over 600 job-roles.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Achievements:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Since inception of the scheme, a total <strong>10.81 lakh candidates have been trained in 56 sectors and 600 Trades and 6.92 lakh placed.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Significance:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>DDU-GKY and integrated farming initiatives for rural development across the country are important for greater success in <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/the-problem-of-skilling-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>skilling</strong></a> and placing the rural youth.</li>
<li>DDU-GKY has played a significant role in the context of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/atma-nirbhar-bharat-abhiyan-challenges" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Atmanirbhar Bharat</strong> </a>through skilling.</li>
<li>As a part of the<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/the-problem-of-skilling-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> Skill India campaign</strong></a>, it plays an instrumental role in supporting the social and economic programs.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Some Other Initiatives Related to Skill Development:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/pradhan-mantri-kaushal-vikas-yojana-3-0" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana 3.0:</a></strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It was launched in 2021 in a bid to empower India&rsquo;s youth with employable skills by making over 300 skill courses available to them.</li>
<li>It was launched by the <strong>Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE).</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/aseem-portal" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Atmanirbhar Skilled Employee Employer Mapping (ASEEM):</strong></a> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Launched in 2020 (by MSDE), it is a portal to help skilled people find sustainable livelihood opportunities.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/shreyas-scheme" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Scheme for Higher Education Youth in Apprenticeship and Skills (SHREYAS):</strong></a> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The scheme is to provide industry apprenticeship opportunities to the general graduates exiting in April 2019 through the National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (NAPS). It was launched by the <strong>Ministry of Education.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/kaushalacharya-awards" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Kaushal Acharya Awards:</strong></a> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Launched (by MSDE) to recognize the contribution made by skill trainers and to motivate more trainers to join the Skill India Mission.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Pradhan Mantri YUVA Yojana (Yuva Udyamita Vikas Abhiyan):</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Launched in the year 2016 (by MSDE), it aims at creating an enabling ecosystem for Entrepreneurship development through Entrepreneurship education and training; Advocacy and easy access to entrepreneurship support network and Promoting social enterprises for inclusive growth.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Antyodaya Diwas</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Every year, <strong>25<sup>th</sup> September is observed as Antyodaya Diwas</strong> to mark the birth anniversary of <strong>Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya</strong>, one of the great thinkers and philosophers of the nationalist movement of the country.</li>
<li>The Government of India announced it for the first time in 2014 along with the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/skilling-under-mgnrega" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana.</strong></a></li>
<li>Antyodaya means <strong>"uplifting the poorest of the poor"</strong> and the day aims to reach the person in the last mile.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID%3D1712013%23:~:text%3DAs%2520part%2520of%2520the%2520%27Amrit,75%2520years%2520of%2520Indian%2520Independence.&amp;sa=D&amp;source=editors&amp;ust=1618575874299000&amp;usg=AOvVaw06MYYSx1Qo60vbC5NKA1gP" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source:PIB</strong></a></p>',
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	(int) 8 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {

		'article_id' => (int) 8163,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'Initiatives of National Internet Exchange of India',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the <strong>Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY)</strong> has inaugurated <strong>three new initiatives/services</strong> of <strong>National Internet Exchange of India (NIXI).</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>IP Guru, NIXI Academy, NIXI-IP-INDEX</strong> have been launched to facilitate adoption of IPv6 and create an environment to ensure smooth transition from IPv4 to IPv6.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>About the National Internet Exchange of India (NIXI):</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>NIXI is a <strong>not-for-profit organization</strong> (<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/personal-protective-equipment-for-sanitation-workers" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>section 8</strong></a> of the Companies Act 2013) working <strong>since 2003</strong> for <strong>spreading the internet infrastructure</strong> to the citizens of India through the following activities:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Internet Exchanges</strong> through which the internet data is exchanged amongst Internet Service Providers (ISP&rsquo;s), Data Centers and Content Delivery Network (CDNs).</li>
<li>.IN Registry, <strong>managing and operation of .IN country code domain</strong> and .BHARAT IDN (Internationalized Domain Name) domain for India.</li>
<li>Indian Registry for Internet <strong>Names and Numbers</strong> (IRINN), managing and operating <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/mac-binding" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Internet Protocol</a> (IPv4/IPv6).</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>About the Three New Initiatives:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>IPv6 Expert Panel (IP Guru):</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It is <strong>a group to extend support to all the Indian entities</strong> who are finding it technically challenging <strong>to migrate and adopt IPv6.</strong> It will be <strong>offering its services free of cost.</strong></li>
<li>It&rsquo;s a joint effort of the Department of Telecom <strong>(DOT), MeitY</strong> and industry.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>NIXI Academy:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>NIXI Academy is created <strong>to educate technical/non-technical people</strong> in India to learn and relearn technologies like IPv6 which are normally not taught in Educational Institutes.</li>
<li>Successful candidates (after passing examination) <strong>can take a certificate from NIXI</strong>, which will be useful to find/upgrade jobs in the Industry.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>NIXI-IP-INDEX:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>NIXI has developed <strong>an IPv6 index portal</strong> for the Internet community.</li>
<li>NIXI-IP-INDEX portal will <strong>showcase the IPv6 adoption rate in India and across the world.</strong> It can be used to compare IPv6 Indian adoption rate with other economies in the world.</li>
<li>It will also include <strong>details about web adoption in IPv6, IPv6 traffic etc.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Transition from IPv4 to IPv6</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>IP:</strong> &lsquo;IP&rsquo; stands for &lsquo;Internet Protocol&rsquo;. It is a <strong>set of rules</strong> that dictate how data should be delivered over the public network (Internet).</li>
<li><strong>IPv4:</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>IPv4 was the first major version of IP. It was deployed for production in the ARPANET in 1983.</li>
<li>It is the most widely used IP version. It is used to identify devices on a network using an addressing system.</li>
<li>The IPv4 <strong>uses a 32-bit address scheme.</strong> Till date, it is considered the primary Internet Protocol and carries 94% of Internet traffic.</li>
<li>It provides <strong>an addressing capability of approximately 4.3 billion addresses.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>IPv6:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It is the <strong>most recent version of the Internet Protocol.</strong> The Internet Engineer Task Force initiated it in early 1994. The design and development of that suite is now called IPv6.</li>
<li>This new IP address version is being deployed to fulfill the need for more Internet addresses.</li>
<li>IPv6 is <strong>also called IPng (Internet Protocol next generation).</strong></li>
<li>It has the <strong>capability to provide an infinite number of addresses.</strong></li>
<li>With <strong>128-bit address space</strong>, it allows 340 undecillion unique address space. It can easily accommodate the growing number of networks worldwide and help solve the IP address exhaustion problem.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Benefit of Transitioning to IPv6:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The most well-known benefit that IPv6 offers is the <strong>exponential address space</strong>, practically inexhaustible in the foreseeable future. Therefore, it allows <strong>simple, seamless, and cost-effective connectivity</strong> for service providers, enterprises and end-users.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It is considered especially important with the impending move to <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/5g-technology-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>5G</strong></a>, which will massively increase the total number of devices connecting to the Internet.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The IPv6 operating systems <strong>automatically create two IPv6 addresses.</strong> One IPv6 with randomised MAC address in the suffix to hide the device identity and another IPv6 with real MAC address which is only used for end-to-end encrypted applications.</li>
<li>IPv6 has <strong>a privacy protocol</strong> to protect end-user privacy. The current internet (v4) lacks effective privacy and effective authentication mechanisms.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Importance for India:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The sustainable development and evolution of internet infrastructure is <strong>essential to the global cyberspace and digital economy</strong>, and IPv6 root server, which controls and manages the internet, can serve as a great tool.</li>
<li>Creating such critical infrastructure at the national level is important. As a critical internet resource, the IPv6 root server system is <strong>pivotal to manage the security and stability of the internet.</strong></li>
<li>It will <strong>contribute to in-country expertise building on critical information infrastructure</strong> as well as promoting &lsquo;a major technological knowledge base within the country&rsquo;, and having a root server within the country would facilitate surveillance by Indian legal authorities.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1712056" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: PIB</strong></a></p>',
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	(int) 9 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {

		'article_id' => (int) 8161,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'Monkeydactyl: Pterosaur Species',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>The<strong> new pterosaur fossil was discovered in the Tiaojishan Formation of Liaoning, China,</strong> and is thought to be 160 million years old.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It has been <strong>named Kunpengopterus antipollicatus,</strong> also <strong>dubbed &ldquo;Monkeydactyl&rdquo;.</strong></li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Tiaojishan Formation</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Geographically, the Tiaojishan Formation is <strong>widely distributed in western Liaoning Province and the neighboring northern Hebei Province (China).</strong></li>
<li>This formation is lithologically composed of intermediate lava and pyroclastic rocks, interlayered with basic volcanic rocks and sedimentary deposits.</li>
<li>It <strong>contains abundant and well-preserved fossil plants,</strong> including leaves, seeds and fruits, permineralized rhizomes and wood.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1618560360_image1.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1618560360_image1.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="500" caption="false" /></a></p>
</div>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>About Pterosaurs:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The pterosaur species were <strong>reptiles,</strong> close cousins of dinosaurs and the <strong>first animals after insects to evolve powered flight.</strong></li>
<li>They evolved into<strong> various species,</strong> while some were as large as an F-16 fighter jet, others were as small as paper airplanes.</li>
<li>They <strong>flourished</strong> during all periods <strong>(Triassic, Jurassic, and Cretaceous)</strong> of the <strong>Mesozoic Era</strong> (252.2 million to 66 million years ago).</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>About the Monkeydactyl Fossil (Kunpengopterus antipollicatus):</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>&ldquo;Antipollicatus&rdquo;</strong> in ancient Greek means <strong>&ldquo;opposite thumbs&rdquo;,</strong> and it was attached to the name because the researchers&rsquo; findings<strong> could be the first discovery of a pterosaur with an opposed thumb.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It could <strong>likely be the earliest-known instance of the limb.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>It is<strong> far older than the one identified in 2019.</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Paleontologists had identified that species as <strong>a pterosaur that lived over 77 million years ago</strong> in what is <strong>Western Canada</strong> today.</li>
<li>Named<strong> Cryodrakon boreas,</strong> it was believed to be one of the largest flying animals, which &ldquo;flew over the heads of dinosaurs&rdquo;, with a wingspan of <strong>over 10 metres.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Opposability of the Thumb:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>About:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Opposability of the thumb is defined as being able to <strong>&ldquo;simultaneously flex, abduct and medially rotate the thumb&rdquo;</strong> in a way that one is able to bring the tip of the thumb to touch the tips of the other fingers.</li>
<li>Along with humans, some ancient monkeys and apes also had opposable thumbs.</li>
<li>Humans, however, have a <strong>relatively longer</strong> and<strong> distally placed thumb,</strong> and larger<strong> thumb muscles.</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>This means that humans&rsquo; tip-to-tip precision grip when holding smaller objects is superior to non-human primates. This is the reason that humans are able to <strong>hold a pen, unscrew an earring stopper, or put a thread through a needle hole.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Monkeydactyl and Opposability of the Thumb:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The research team scanned the fossil of K. antipollicatus using micro-computed tomography (micro-CT), a technique making use of X-ray to image an object.</li>
<li>By studying its forelimb morphology and musculature, they suggest that K. antipollicatus could have used its hand for grasping, which is likely an adaptation for <strong>arboreal life</strong> (living in trees).</li>
<li>The grasping hands of primates developed as a result of their life in the trees &mdash; an opposable thumb made it easier for the common ancestor of all primates to cling on to tree branches.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-what-is-monkeydactyl-the-flying-reptile-with-the-oldest-opposable-thumbs-7272513/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source:IE</strong></a></p>',
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	(int) 10 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {

		'article_id' => (int) 8160,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'Dolphin Population in Odisha',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, Odisha has released the final data on the dolphin census, indicating a spectacular growth in numbers.</p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Census Data:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The<strong> population of dolphins in <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/odisha-s-lake-conservation" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Chilika</a>,</strong> India&rsquo;s largest brackish water lake, and along the Odisha coast has <strong>doubled this year</strong> (2021) compared with last year.</li>
<li><strong>Three species were recorded</strong> during the census, with 544<strong> Irrawaddy, bottle-nose and humpback dolphins</strong> sighted this year, compared with 233 last year.</li>
<li>The<strong> rise in the Irrawaddy dolphin population in Chilika</strong> can be attributed to the <strong>eviction of illegal fish enclosures.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>About Irrawaddy Dolphins:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Habitat:</strong> Irrawaddy dolphins are<strong> found in coastal areas in South and Southeast Asia,</strong> and in<strong> three rivers:</strong> the Ayeyarwady (Myanmar), the Mahakam (Indonesian Borneo) and the Mekong. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The Mekong River Irrawaddy dolphins inhabit a 118-mile stretch of the river between Cambodia and Lao PDR.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Conservation Status:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/iucn-red-list" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>IUCN Red List</strong></a>: Endangered</li>
<li><a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/cites" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>CITES</strong></a>: Appendix I</li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/cms-cop-13-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>CMS</strong></a> <strong>(Convention on Migratory Species):</strong> Appendix I</li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/wild-life-protection-act-implementation-and-failure" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Wildlife Protection Act, 1972</strong></a>: Schedule I</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>About Indo- Pacific Bottlenose Dolphins:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Habitat:</strong> Indo-Pacific Bottlenose Dolphins generally occur in shallow coastal waters of the<strong> Indian Ocean, Southeast Asia and Australia.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Conservation Status:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>IUCN Red List:</strong> Near Threatened</li>
<li><strong>CITES:</strong> Appendix II</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>About Indian Ocean Humpback Dolphins:</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Habitat:</strong> The Indian Ocean Humpback Dolphin occurs within the Indian Ocean from South Africa to India.</li>
<li><strong>Conservation Status:</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>IUCN Red List:</strong> Endangered</li>
<li><strong>CITES:</strong> Appendix I</li>
<li><strong>Wildlife Protection Act, 1972:</strong> Schedule I</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Chilika Lake</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Chilika is <strong>Asia's largest and world's second largest lagoon.</strong></li>
<li>It<strong> lies on the east coast of India in the state of Odisha,</strong> separated from the mighty Bay of Bengal by a small strip of sand.</li>
<li>It spreads over Puri, Khurda and Ganjam districts of Odisha on the east coast of India, at the mouth of the Daya River, flowing into the Bay of Bengal, covering an area of over 1,100 square kilometers.</li>
<li>It is the <strong>largest wintering ground for migratory birds</strong> on the Indian sub-continent and is home to a number of threatened species of plants and animals.</li>
<li>In 1981, Chilika Lake was designated the<strong> first Indian wetland of international importance</strong> under the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/india-backs-dhanauri-for-ramsar-site-tag" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Ramsar Convention.</strong></a></li>
<li>Major attraction at Chilika is <strong>Irrawaddy dolphins</strong> which are often spotted off Satapada Island.</li>
<li>The <strong>large Nalabana Island (Forest of Reeds)</strong> covering about 16 sq km in the lagoon area was declared <strong>a bird sanctuary</strong> in 1987.</li>
<li><strong>Kalijai Temple -</strong> Located on an island in the Chilika Lake.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/energy-and-environment/dolphin-boom-in-odishas-chilika-lake/article34292274.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source:TH</strong></a></p>',
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	(int) 11 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {

		'article_id' => (int) 8159,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'Aahaar Kranti Mission',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>The Government has launched 'Aahaar Kranti', a <strong>mission dedicated to spread awareness about nutrition.</strong></p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>About:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The initiative &lsquo;Aahaar Kranti&rsquo; will focus on <strong>addressing the problem of hunger and diseases in abundance</strong> across India and the world.</li>
<li>The initiative will shine a light on the <strong>richness and value of India&rsquo;s traditional diet</strong>, the miracles of <strong>local fruits and vegetables</strong>, and the healing powers of a <strong>balanced diet.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Organisations Involved:</strong> Pravasi Bharatiya Academic and Scientific Sampark (PRABHASS), Global Indian Scientists and Technocrats&rsquo; Forum (GIST), <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/fifth-india-international-science-festival" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Vijnana Bharati (Vibha)</strong></a> and Vigyan Prasar (an autonomous body of the Department of Science and Technology) have come together to launch the mission &lsquo;Aahaar Kranti&rsquo;.</li>
<li>The <strong>motto</strong> of the Mission is <strong>&ldquo;Uttam Aahaar- Uttam Vichaar or Good Diet-Good Cognition&rdquo;.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Implementation Strategy:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The messages <strong>will be imparted through the curriculum</strong> in the form of `what&rsquo;s and `why&rsquo;s of nutrition, or through the forms of games or as instructions such as `how to&rsquo;.</li>
<li>The content will be provided both online and offline, in all vernacular languages besides English and Hindi.</li>
<li>The programme <strong>will focus on training teachers</strong>, who, in turn, will pass on the message to the multitudes of students, and through them to their families and finally the society at large.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Significance:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The United Nations (UN) has also declared <strong>2021 as the International Year of Fruits and Vegetables</strong>, which vibes very well with Aahaar Kranti.</li>
<li>Further, it is in line with the <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/sustainable-development-3" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>UN sustainable goal 3</strong></a> that emphasizes human well-being.</li>
<li>It will <strong>help in applying the rich knowledge of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/national-commission-for-indian-system-of-medicine-bill-2018" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Ayurveda</a>-based nutrition</strong> to practice.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Performance of India on Global Hunger Index 2020</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>India has been <strong>ranked at 94</strong> among 107 countries in the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/global-hunger-index-2020" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Global Hunger Index (GHI) 2020.</strong></a><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>With a score of 27.2, India has a level of hunger that is<strong> &ldquo;serious&rdquo;.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<li><strong>Performance on the Indicators:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Undernourishment:</strong> 14% of India&rsquo;s population is undernourished (2017-19). It was 16.3% during 2011-13.</li>
<li><strong>Child Wasting:</strong> 17.3% (2015-19), it was 15.1% in 2010-14.</li>
<li><strong>Child Stunting:</strong> 34.7%, it has improved significantly, from 54% in 2000 to less than 35% now.</li>
<li><strong>Child Mortality:</strong> 3.7%, it was 5.2% in 2012.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID%3D1711729&amp;sa=D&amp;source=editors&amp;ust=1618553875541000&amp;usg=AOvVaw3ZnBVP6DHbLSIwybxBcKLH" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: PIB</strong></a></p>',
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	(int) 12 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {

		'article_id' => (int) 8157,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'Depreciation in Rupee',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the <strong>Indian <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/depreciation-of-rupee#:~:text=The%20rupee%20depreciated%20by%2016,account%20of%20global%20risk%20aversion.&amp;text=Under%20risk%20aversion%2C%20an%20investor,higher%20returns%20with%20unknown%20risks." target="_blank" rel="noopener">Rupee depreciated</a> to a nine-month low</strong> of 75.4 against the USD, it is<strong> one of the biggest losers among the emerging market currencies.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Over the last three weeks <strong>since 22<sup>nd</sup> March 2021,</strong> Rupee has<strong> lost 4.2%</strong> against the USD.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1618483631_image11.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1618483631_image11.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="350" caption="false" /></a></p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Reasons for the Decline:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Rising Covid Cases:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Rising <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/comprehensive-action-plan-for-covid-19#:~:text=Covid%2D19%20pandemic%20is%20a,crises%20in%20recent%20human%20history." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Covid-19</strong></a> cases have emerged as a key concern. As several states are now considering more stringent <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/covid-19-and-lockdown" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>lockdown</strong></a> measures, market participants are <strong>concerned over delay in the recovery of the economy,</strong> which was hit hard in 2020-21 by the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/future-pandemics-and-reduction-measures" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>pandemic.</strong></a></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Strengthening of USD:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The strengthening of USD in line with expectations of <strong>better growth in the US economy,</strong> has also put pressure on the Rupee.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Reserve Bank of India's (RBIs) G-SAP:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-national-institutions/important-institutions-national-institution-reserve-bank-of-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>RBI&rsquo;s</strong> </a>announcement of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/monetary-policy-report-rbi-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Government Securities Acquisition Programme (G-SAP)</strong></a> programme to infuse liquidity has also put additional pressure on the Rupee.</li>
<li>This is being read as a sort of <strong>quantitative easing policy</strong> the global central banks had followed, in which the RBI will <strong>support the government&rsquo;s elevated borrowing programme</strong> through infusion of liquidity.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Decreasing FPI Investments:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Another factor that is putting additional pressure is the <strong>decreasing support of the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/increased-foreign-portfolio-investments" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Foreign Portfolio Investors (FPIs)</a>,</strong> who pumped huge inflows into Indian equity markets between October 2020 and February 2021. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>While the FPIs invested a net of Rs. <strong>1.94 lakh crore between October 2020 and February 2021</strong> (in the Indian markets), in the month of <strong>April 2021 they have pulled out a net of Rs 2,263 crore</strong> (till date).</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Impact of Depreciating Rupee:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Losers:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>People <strong>Importing</strong> from outside.</li>
<li>People seeking <strong>foreign education.</strong></li>
<li>People <strong>travelling abroad.</strong></li>
<li>People <strong>investing abroad.</strong></li>
<li>People seeking <strong>medical treatment abroad</strong> etc.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Gainers:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>People<strong> exporting</strong> from India.</li>
<li>People receiving <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/impact-of-covid-19-on-remittance-wb#:~:text=A%20remittance%20is%20money%20sent,recipient%20a%20relative%20back%20home."><strong>remittances</strong> </a>from <strong><a href="/to-the-points/Paper2/indian-diaspora" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Non Resident Indian (NRI).</a></strong></li>
<li>Foreign tourists as <strong>travel to India</strong> gets cheaper.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Currency Depreciation</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Currency depreciation is a <strong>fall in the value of a currency</strong> in a<strong> floating exchange rate system.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In a floating exchange rate system, <strong>market forces (based on demand and supply of a currency) determine the value of a currency.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Rupee depreciation means that<strong> rupee has become less valuable</strong> with respect to dollar.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It means that the rupee is now weaker than what it used to be earlier.</li>
<li><strong>For example:</strong> USD 1 used to equal to Rs. 70, now USD 1 is equal to Rs. 76, implying that the rupee has depreciated relative to the dollar i.e. it takes more rupees to purchase a dollar.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Some of the factors that influence the value of a currency:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/inflation-data-august-2020#:~:text=Inflation%20measures%20the%20average%20price,a%20deceleration%20in%20economic%20growth." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Inflation</strong></a></li>
<li>Interest rates</li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/india-s-trade-deficit-with-china-at-five-year-low-in-2020" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Trade deficit</strong></a></li>
<li>Macroeconomic policies</li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/taxes-and-india-s-equity-market" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Equity market</strong></a></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Currency <strong>depreciation increases a country&rsquo;s export activity</strong> as its products and services become cheaper to buy.</li>
<li>The<strong> RBI intervenes</strong> in the currency market<strong> to support the rupee as a weak domestic unit can increase a country&rsquo;s import bill.</strong></li>
<li>There are a <strong>variety of methods</strong> by which RBI intervenes:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It can intervene<strong> directly in the currency market by buying and selling dollars.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>If the RBI wishes to increase the rupee value, then it can sell dollars and when it needs to bring down rupee value, it can buy dollars.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The central bank can also<strong> influence the value of rupee</strong> by the way of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/repo-rate-unchanged" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>monetary policy.</strong></a><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>RBI can adjust the<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/rbi-s-covid-19-economic-relief-package" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> repo rate</strong></a> (the rate at which RBI lends to banks) and the liquidity ratio (the portion of money banks are required to invest in government bonds) to control rupee.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/why-the-rupee-is-among-biggest-losers-over-the-past-few-weeks-7272922/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: IE</strong></a></p>',
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	(int) 13 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {

		'article_id' => (int) 8152,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'Research on Lithium Ion Battery Performance',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Researchers from IIT Guwahati have developed a technique to improve the performance of rechargeable lithium-ion batteries, which power most of the portable devices used today.</p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Lithium Ion Batteries:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Development:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/nobel-prize-in-chemistry-2019" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>2019 Nobel Prize in Chemistry</strong></a> was jointly awarded to <strong>Stanley Whittingham, John Goodenough and Akira Yoshino</strong> for work that led to the development of <strong>lithium-ion batteries.</strong></li>
<li>The <strong>foundation of the lithium-ion (Li-ion) battery was laid during the oil crisis of the 1970s</strong>, around which time Whittingham started working on developing methods that could lead to fossil fuel-free energy technologies.</li>
<li>The <strong>first commercially viable Li-ion battery</strong> was created by Yoshino <strong>in 1985.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Utility:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Li-ion batteries provide portable electricity, powering electronic gadgets such as mobile phones, laptops and tablets.</li>
<li>Today, most <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/electric-vehicles-evs" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Electrical Vehicles (EV)</strong></a><strong> use Li-ion batteries</strong> as well, but are slowly reaching their theoretical limits of being able to provide roughly up to <strong>300-watt hour per kilogram</strong> of energy.</li>
<li>These batteries can also be used to <strong>store solar and wind power</strong>, which means that with their widespread use it may even be possible to <strong>live in a fuel free society.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Disadvantage:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Some of the disadvantages of Li-ion batteries include their <strong>susceptibility to overheating</strong> and their <strong>being prone to damage at high voltages.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Since they are made with <strong>flammable and combustible materials.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Such batteries also start <strong>losing their capacity over time</strong>&mdash;for instance, a laptop battery in use for a few years does not function as well as a new one.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>New Research:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Researchers <strong>from IIT Guwahati</strong> have developed a technique which can <strong>precisely estimate</strong> one of the most important battery internal states known as <strong>SOC, state of charge.</strong></li>
<li><strong>SOC reflects the remaining capacity of the battery</strong>, that is how much more charge can be withdrawn from the battery before it gets fully discharged.</li>
<li>The knowledge of remaining capacity helps to optimize battery&rsquo;s capacity utilization, prevent overcharging and undercharging of the battery, <strong>increases its lifespan, reduces cost, and ensures safety of the battery and its surroundings.</strong></li>
<li>To improve a battery&rsquo;s lifespan and optimize its capacity, it is <strong>important to predict its various states accurately. One of these states is the SOC</strong>, which has so far been difficult to estimate.</li>
<li>Through their work, the <strong>researchers have proposed</strong> an approach that avoids overestimation and therefore helps in <strong>taking accurate measurements.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>State Of Charge</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The state of charge (SOC) of a cell denotes the capacity that is currently available as a function of the rated capacity.</li>
<li>The value of the SOC varies between 0% and 100%. If the SOC is 100%, then the cell is said to be fully charged, whereas a SOC of 0% indicates that the cell is completely discharged.</li>
<li>In practical applications, the SOC is not allowed to go beyond 50% and therefore the cell is recharged when the SOC reaches 50%.</li>
<li>Similarly, as a cell starts aging, the maximum SOC starts decreasing. This means that for an aged cell, a 100% SOC would be equivalent to a 75%&ndash;80% SOC of a new cell.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Related Developments:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The <strong>Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory</strong> developed <strong>a Lithium-ion battery that does not catch fire.</strong></li>
<li>Earlier in January 2020, researchers from <strong>Australia</strong> claimed that they developed the world&rsquo;s most efficient <strong>lithium-sulfur (Li-S) battery</strong>, capable of powering a smartphone for five continuous days.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>While the materials used in the <strong>Li-S batteries</strong> are not different from those in <strong>Li-ion batteries</strong>, the Australian researchers <strong>reconfigured the design of the sulfur cathodes</strong> (a type of electrical conductor through which electrons move) to accommodate higher stress without a drop in overall capacity.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>India, through a newly-floated state-owned company <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/lithium-ion-technology" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Khanij Bidesh India Ltd</strong></a>, has <strong>inked a pact with an Argentine firm</strong> to jointly prospect lithium in Argentina, a country that has the one of the largest reserves of Lithium in the world.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Potential Alternatives to Li-ion Technology:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Lithium-Sulfur Batteries:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Li-S batteries</strong> are generally considered <strong>the successors of Li-ion batteries</strong> because of their <strong>lower cost of production, energy efficiency and improved safety.</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Their cost of production is lower because sulfur is abundantly available.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Even so, there have been some difficulties when it comes to commercialising these batteries, mainly <strong>due to their short life cycle</strong> and poor <strong>instantaneous power capabilities.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Graphene Batteries:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Graphene batteries may be an important alternative to lithium-ion batteries, with the latter having limitations due to the frequency with which lithium requires charging. Graphene is a newly stabilized and isolated material.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Fluoride Batteries:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Fluoride Batteries have the potential to last eight times longer than lithium batteries.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Sand Battery:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>This alternative type of lithium-ion battery <strong>uses silicon</strong> to achieve three times better performance than current graphite Li-ion batteries. The battery is still lithium-ion like the one found in a smartphone, but it uses silicon instead of graphite in the anodes.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Ammonia-powered Batteries:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Ammonia-powered batteries may not be coming any time soon, but the chemical commonly known as a household cleaner is still an alternative to lithium in the way it can power fuel cells in vehicles and other equipment.</li>
<li>If scientists can figure out a way to produce ammonia without creating the greenhouse gas emissions that result right now, they can ship it anywhere in the world to be converted into hydrogen to power those fuel cells.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Vertically Aligned Carbon Nanotube Electrode:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>These are good candidates for lithium-ion battery electrodes which require high rate capability and capacity.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Solid-state Batteries:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It uses alternatives to aqueous electrolyte solutions, an innovation that could lower the risk of fires, sharply increase energy density and potentially take only 10 minutes to charge an EV, cutting the recharging time by two-thirds.</li>
<li>These cells can extend the driving distance of a compact electric vehicle while maintaining legroom - a quantum leap in battery tech.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-iit-guwahati-lithium-ion-battery-7267366/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: IE</strong></a></p>',
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	(int) 14 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {

		'article_id' => (int) 8150,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'Narrow-Line Seyfert 1 (NLS1): Farthest Gamma-Ray Emitting Galaxy',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, Astronomers have discovered a <strong>new active galaxy</strong> called <strong>Narrow-Line Seyfert 1 (NLS1)</strong> which has been identified as the <strong>farthest gamma-ray emitting galaxy.</strong></p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>The Study:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Scientists from <strong>Aryabhatta Research Institute of Observational Sciences (ARIES)</strong> in collaboration with researchers from other institutions, studied around 25,000 luminous <strong>Active Galactic Nuclei (AGN)</strong> from the <strong>Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS).</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>AGN</strong> are the most <strong>powerful, long-lived objects and steady sources of luminosity in the Universe.</strong> The emission is spread widely across the <strong>electromagnetic spectrum</strong>, often peaking in the Ultra-Violet , but with significant luminosity in the x-ray and infrared bands.</li>
<li><strong>SDSS</strong> is a major <strong>multi-spectral imaging and spectroscopic <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/einstein-was-right:-astronomers-confirm-key-theory-of-relativity" target="_blank" rel="noopener">redshift</a></strong> <strong>survey</strong> using a dedicated 2.5-m wide-angle optical telescope at Apache Point Observatory in New Mexico, United States. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It has created the <strong>most detailed three-dimensional maps of the Universe</strong> ever made, with deep multi-color images of one third of the sky, and spectra for more than three million astronomical objects.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Findings:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>They found <strong>a unique object that emits high-energy gamma rays</strong> located at a <strong>high redshift (more than 1)</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It was identified as a <strong>gamma-ray emitting NLS1 galaxy</strong>, which is a rare entity in space.</li>
<li>The new gamma-ray emitting NLS1 was <strong>formed when the Universe was only about 4.7 billion years old</strong> as compared to its current age of about 13.8 billion years.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Redshift</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>About:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It is the <strong>displacement of spectral lines towards longer wavelengths</strong> (the red end of the spectrum) in radiation from distant galaxies and celestial objects.</li>
<li>It <strong>reveals how an object is moving in space and enables astronomers to discover otherwise-invisible planets and the movements of galaxies</strong>, and to uncover the beginnings of our universe.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Significance:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Astronomers use redshifts <strong>to measure how the universe is expanding</strong>, and thus to <strong>determine the distance to our universe&rsquo;s most distant (and therefore oldest) objects.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Measurement:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The most accurate way to measure redshift is by using<strong> spectroscopy.</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>When a beam of white light strikes a triangular prism it is separated into its various components <strong>(ROYGBIV)</strong>. This is known as a spectrum (plural: spectra).</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Astronomers can look at the <strong>spectra created by different elements and compare these with the spectra of stars.</strong> If the absorption or emission lines they see in the star's spectra are shifted, they know the object is moving either towards us or away from us.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1618465198_image%200.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1618465198_image 0.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" caption="false" /></a></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Astronomers calculate redshift in terms of the redshift parameter (z) which helps in calculating the distance of the object (galaxy,planet etc).<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>With <strong>increasing value of z the distance of the object increases.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Instrument Used:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The scientists used the Japanese <strong>8.2 m Subaru Telescope</strong> which is one of the <strong>largest ground-based telescopes in the world</strong>, located at Hawaii, USA.</li>
<li>Its powerful light collecting capability can capture weak light from celestial objects. A <strong>major feature</strong> of the Subaru Telescope is that its <strong>prime focus boasts an overwhelming wide field of view compared to other large telescopes</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Significance:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Detection of gamma-ray emission from NLS1 <strong>challenges the idea of how relativistic jets</strong> are formed because <strong>NLS1s are a unique class of AGN</strong> that are powered by <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/first-images-of-a-black-hole" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>black holes</strong> </a>of low mass and hosted in spiral galaxies. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Relativistic Jets:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Supermassive black holes in the centers of some active galaxies that create <strong>powerful jets of radiation and particles travelling close to the speed of light</strong> are called relativistic jets.</li>
<li>These jets are believed to be the <strong>sources of the fastest-travelling particles in the Universe that are cosmic rays.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>No method was present till date to find <strong>NLS1 at redshifts larger than one.</strong></li>
<li>This discovery <strong>opens up a new way to find gamma-ray emitting NLS1 galaxies</strong> in the early Universe.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Aryabhatta Research Institute of Observational Sciences</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>ARIES is one of the <strong>leading research Institutes</strong> which <strong>specializes in observational Astronomy &amp; Astrophysics and Atmospheric Sciences </strong>situated in<strong> Nainital,</strong> Uttarakhand.</li>
<li>It was <strong>established in 1955</strong> and its primary objective has been <strong>to develop facilities for modern astrophysical research in stellar, solar &amp; theoretical branches of astrophysics.&nbsp;</strong>On some selected clear nights the visitors are also shown some celestial objects through the telescopes.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Galaxy</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>A galaxy is a <strong>huge collection of gas, dust, and billions of stars and their solar systems, all held together by gravity.</strong></li>
<li>Earth is the part of the <strong>Milky Way Galaxy</strong>, which also has a super Massive Blackhole in the middle.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1618465463_image%201.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1618465463_image 1.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="350" caption="false" /></a></p>
<p><strong>Black Hole</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It refers to a point in space where the <strong>matter is so compressed as to create a gravity field from which even light cannot escape.</strong></li>
<li>The concept was <strong>theorized by Albert Einstein in 1915</strong> and the term &lsquo;black hole&rsquo; was coined in the mid-1960s by American physicist John Archibald Wheeler.</li>
<li>All the black holes observed so far belong to <strong>two categories:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>One category ranges between a few solar masses and tens of solar masses. These are thought to form when massive stars die.</li>
<li>The other category is of <strong>supermassive black holes.</strong> These range from hundreds of thousands to billions of times that of the sun from the Solar system to which Earth belongs.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Gamma Ray Astronomy</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It is the study of astronomical objects and <strong>phenomena that emit gamma rays.</strong> Gamma-ray telescopes are designed to <strong>observe high-energy astrophysical systems.</strong></li>
<li>As Earth&rsquo;s atmosphere blocks most gamma rays, <strong>observations are generally conducted by high-altitude balloons or spacecraft.</strong></li>
<li>Gamma-ray astronomy presents unique <strong>opportunities to explore exotic objects.</strong> By exploring the universe at these high energies, <strong>scientists can search for new physics, testing theories and performing experiments which are not possible in earth-bound laboratories.</strong></li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1711362" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source:PIB</strong></a></p>',
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	(int) 15 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {

		'article_id' => (int) 8149,
		'category_id' => (int) 22,
		'title' => 'India & BIMSTEC',
		'description' => '<div class="border">
<p>This article is based on <a href="https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/bimstec-needs-to-reinvent-itself/article34313033.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>&ldquo;BIMSTEC needs to reinvent itself&rdquo;</strong> </a>which was published in The Hindu on 14/04/2021. It talks about the obstacles that limit the BIMSTEC (the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation) in realizing its full potential.</p>
</div>
<p>Recently, the foreign ministers of <a href="/to-the-points/Paper2/india-bimstec" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>BIMSTEC (the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation)</strong> </a>met in a virtual conference. This is the first ministerial since the globe has been hit by the Covid-19 pandemic.</p>
<p>BIMSTEC as a regional organization has achieved a lot in Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief and security, including counterterrorism, cybersecurity, and coastal security cooperation.</p>
<p>However, there are many obstacles that limit the regional body in realizing its full potential.</p>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Highlights of the Meeting</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The foreign ministers cleared the draft for the BIMSTEC charter, recommending its early adoption.</li>
<li>They endorsed the rationalization of sectors and sub-sectors of activity, with each member-state serving as a lead for the assigned areas of special interest.</li>
<li>The ministers also conveyed their support for the Master Plan for Transport Connectivity, which will be adopted at the next summit in Sri Lanka.</li>
<li>Preparations have been completed for the signing of three agreements relating to mutual legal assistance in criminal matters, cooperation between diplomatic academies, and the establishment of a technology transfer facility.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Evolution of BIMSTEC</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>BIMSTEC was established as a grouping of four nations &mdash; India, Thailand, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka &mdash; through the<strong> Bangkok Declaration of 1997.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>BIMSTEC was expanded later to include three more countries &mdash; Myanmar, Nepal, and Bhutan.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Initially, BIMSTEC didn&rsquo;t hold much geopolitical weight. This can be reflected by only just three summits in the first 20 years of its formation.</li>
<li>However, BIMSTEC suddenly received special attention as India chose to treat it as a more practical instrument for regional cooperation, as SAARC continues to remain defunct.</li>
<li>The BIMSTEC Leaders&rsquo; Retreat, followed by their Outreach Summit with the BRICS leaders in Goa in October 2016, drew considerable international limelight to the low-profile regional grouping.</li>
<li>At the second swearing-in of the Indian Prime Minister in May 2019, the leaders of BIMSTEC, not SAARC, were invited as honored guests.</li>
<li>Soon thereafter, the External Affairs Minister observed that India saw a mix of &ldquo;energy, mindset and possibility&rdquo; in BIMSTEC.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Associated Challenges</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Unfinished Economic Agenda:</strong> BIMSTEC Free Trade Area Framework Agreement, was signed in 2004, but over 20 rounds of negotiations it is still to be operationalized.</li>
<li><strong>Internal Tussle:</strong> A strong BIMSTEC presupposes cordial and tension-free bilateral relations among all its member-states. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>This has not been the case, given the trajectory of India-Nepal, India-Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh-Myanmar ties in recent years.</li>
<li>Moreover, both Nepal and Sri Lanka want the SAARC summit revived. However, India maintains that terror and talks can&rsquo;t go hand in hand.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>China&rsquo;s Intrusion:</strong> China&rsquo;s decisive intrusion in the South-Southeast Asian space is causing a limiting effect on India&rsquo;s zone of influence.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Moreover, a renowned Bangladeshi scholar argued at a recent conference that BIMSTEC would make progress if China is accepted as its principal interlocutor and partner.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Myanmar Coup:</strong> The military coup in Myanmar, brutal crackdown of protesters, and continuation of popular resistance resulting in a protracted impasse have produced a new set of border management challenges for India.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>BIMSTEC FTA:</strong> In 2018, a study by the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry had suggested that BIMSTEC urgently needed a comprehensive Free Trade Agreement to be a real game-changer.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It should cover trade in goods, services, and investment; promote regulatory harmonization; adopt policies that develop regional value chains, and eliminate non-tariff barriers.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Balancing Security &amp; Economy:</strong> India has led through constant focus and follow-up &mdash; to the extent that some member-states have complained about the &lsquo;over securitization of BIMSTEC. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Hence, there is a need to ensure maintaining security and forging solid arrangements for economic cooperation.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Gujral Doctrine:</strong> India would have to counter the impression that BIMSTEC is an India-dominated bloc, in that context India can follow the Gujral doctrine that intends to chalk out the effect of transactional motive in bilateral relations.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Conclusion</h3>
<p>As BIMSTEC readies itself to celebrate the silver jubilee of its formation next year, it faces a serious challenge: to effect &ldquo;a paradigm shift in raising the level of our cooperation and regional integration.&rdquo;</p>
<table border="1" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="width: 100%; border-style: dotted; border-color: #ff0000; background-color: #f0f7fc;">
<p><span style="color: #000080;"><em><strong>Drishti Mains Question</strong></em></span></p>
<p>BIMSTEC needs a paradigm shift in raising the level of cooperation and regional integration. Discuss.</p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>',
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	(int) 16 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {

		'article_id' => (int) 8146,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'Indian Rhino Vision 2020',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>The <strong>Indian Rhino Vision 2020 (IRV2020) program</strong> has come to a close with the recent translocation of two rhinos to Manas National Park in Assam.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It was the eighth round of rhino translocation under IRV2020.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>About Indian Rhino Vision 2020:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Launched in 2005,</strong> Indian Rhino Vision 2020 was an ambitious effort<strong> to attain a wild population of at least 3,000 greater one-horned rhinos</strong> spread over seven protected areas <strong>in the Indian state of Assam by the year 2020.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Seven protected areas</strong> are <strong>Kaziranga, Pobitora, Orang National Park, Manas National Park, Laokhowa wildlife sanctuary, Burachapori wildlife sanctuary </strong>and<strong> Dibru Saikhowa wildlife sanctuary.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Wild-to-wild translocations</strong> were an essential part of IRV2020 &ndash; moving rhinos from densely populated parks like Kaziranga NP, to ones in need of more rhinos, like Manas NP.</li>
<li>It is <strong>a collaborative effort</strong> between various organisations, including the International Rhino Foundation, Assam&rsquo;s Forest Department, Bodoland Territorial Council, World Wide Fund - India, and the US Fish and Wildlife Service.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Performance of the Program:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Target of attaining a population of 3,000 rhinos almost achieved</strong> but the<strong> animal could be reintroduced in only one of the four protected areas planned.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The plan to spread the Greater one-horned rhino across four protected areas beyond Kaziranga National Park, Orang National Park and Pobitora could not materialise.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The translocated rhinos <strong>helped<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/important-facts-for-prelims-29th-october-2018" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> Manas National Park</a> get back its<a href="/to-the-points/paper1/world-heritage-sites-in-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> World Heritage Site status in 2011. </a></strong></li>
<li><strong>2018 and 2019 saw significant decreases in poaching,</strong> the results of forestry, local and national government officials coordinating efforts to combat wildlife crime across Assam.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>About Greater One-Horned Rhino:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>There are<strong> three species of rhino in Asia &mdash;</strong> Greater one-horned <em>(Rhinoceros unicornis)</em>, Javan and Sumatran.</li>
<li><strong>Poaching for the horns and habitat loss</strong> are the two greatest threats to the survival of Asia's rhinos.</li>
<li>The <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/asian-rhino-range-countries-meeting" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>five rhino range nations</strong></a> (India, Bhutan, Nepal, Indonesia and Malaysia) have signed a declaration &lsquo;The New Delhi Declaration on Asian Rhinos 2019&rsquo; for the conservation and protection of the species.</li>
<li><strong>Protection Status:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Javan and Sumatran Rhino</strong> are<strong> critically endangered</strong> and the <strong>Greater one-horned (or Indian) rhino</strong> is <strong>vulnerable</strong> under the<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/iucn-red-list" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> IUCN Red List.</strong></a></li>
<li>All three listed under <strong>Appendix I <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/cites" target="_blank" rel="noopener">(CITES)</a>.</strong></li>
<li>Greater one-horned rhino is listed under the <strong>Schedule I of the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/wild-life-protection-act-implementation-and-failure" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.</a></strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Habitat of Greater One-Horned Rhino:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The species is restricted to small habitats in Indo-Nepal terai and northern West Bengal and Assam.</li>
<li>In India, rhinos are mainly found in<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/kaziranga-national-park-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> Kaziranga NP</strong></a>, <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/pobitora-wildlife-sanctuary" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Pobitora WLS</strong></a>, Orang NP, Manas NP in Assam, Jaldapara NP and Gorumara NP in West Bengal and<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/dudhwa-national-park" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> Dudhwa TR</strong></a> in Uttar Pradesh.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/last-rhinos-translocated-in-assam-under-vision-2020-to-increase-population/article34309773.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source:TH</strong></a></p>',
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	(int) 17 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {

		'article_id' => (int) 8145,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'e-SANTA',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently the Union Commerce and Industry Minister has inaugurated an <strong>electronic platform</strong> named <strong>e-SANTA</strong>, which will connect <strong>aqua farmers and the buyers.</strong></p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>About:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The term <strong>e-SANTA</strong> was coined for the web portal, meaning <strong>Electronic Solution for Augmenting NaCSA farmers' Trade in Aquaculture.</strong></li>
<li>e-SANTA is a <strong>digital bridge</strong> to end the market divide and will act as an alternative marketing tool between farmers &amp; buyers by eliminating middlemen.</li>
<li>The farmers can <strong>freely list their produce and quote their price</strong> while the exporters have the freedom to list their requirements and also to choose the products based on their requirements such as desired size, location, harvest dates etc.</li>
<li>The Platform is available in <strong>many languages</strong>, which will help the local population.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Significance:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>e-SANTA will <strong>RAISE</strong> income, lifestyle, self-reliance, quality levels, traceability, and provide new options for aqua farmers by: <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Reducing Risk</li>
<li>Awareness of Products &amp; Markets</li>
<li>Increase in Income</li>
<li>Shielding Against Wrong Practice</li>
<li>Ease of Processes</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>It will enable the farmers and buyers to have greater control over the trade and enables them to make informed decisions.</li>
<li>It will provide a cashless, contactless and paperless electronic trade platform between farmers and exporters.</li>
<li>e-SANTA can become a tool to advertise collectively the kind of products the buyers, fishermen &amp; fish producing organisations are harvesting.</li>
<li>It will help people in India &amp; internationally to know about the products availability and has the potential of becoming an auction platform in future.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>National Centre for Sustainable Aquaculture</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>National Centre for Sustainable Aquaculture (NaCSA) is an extension arm of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/5th-aqua-aquaria-india-2019" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA)</strong></a>, Ministry of Commerce &amp; Industry Govt. of India.</li>
<li>The objectives of NaCSA are to <strong>encourage and uplift the small and marginal farmers</strong> through organization of clusters and maintaining Best Management Practices in shrimp culture.</li>
<li>The primary advantage of cluster approach to shrimp farming is that it contributes to substantial reduction in cost of production.</li>
<li>It also enables participating farmers to organize:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The schedule of farm operations,</li>
<li>Quality seed procurement,</li>
<li>Simultaneous stocking,</li>
<li>Water exchange</li>
<li>Harvesting regimes</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1711426" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: PIB </strong></a></p>',
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		'article_id' => (int) 8142,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'HGCO19: mRNA Vaccine Candidate',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>India's <strong>mRNA-based Covid-19 vaccine candidate-HGCO19&nbsp;</strong>has received additional government funding for its clinical studies.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>This funding has been awarded under the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/mission-covid-suraksha" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>'Mission Covid Suraksha&rsquo;</strong></a>.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>HGCO19:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The novel <strong>mRNA vaccine candidate, HGCO19</strong> has been developed by <strong>Pune-based biotechnology company Gennova Biopharmaceuticals Ltd.</strong> in collaboration with <strong>HDT Biotech Corporation, USA.</strong></li>
<li>HGCO19 has already demonstrated safety, immunogenicity, neutralization antibody activity in the rodent and non-human primate models.</li>
<li>Gennova has initiated the enrolment of volunteers for <a href="/to-the-points/Paper2/drugs-and-clinical-trials-rules-2019" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Phase 1/2 clinical trials</strong></a> for its vaccine candidate HGCO19.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>mRNA Vaccine vs Traditional Vaccines:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Vaccines work by training the body to recognise and respond to the proteins produced by disease-causing organisms, such as a virus or bacteria.</li>
<li><strong>Traditional vaccines</strong> are made up of small or inactivated doses of the whole disease-causing organism, or the proteins that it produces, which are introduced into the body to provoke the immune system into mounting a response.</li>
<li><strong>mRNA vaccines</strong> tricks the body into producing some of the viral proteins itself.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>They work by using mRNA, or messenger RNA, which is the molecule that essentially puts DNA instructions into action. Inside a cell, mRNA is used as a template to build a protein.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Functioning of mRNA Vaccines:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>To produce a mRNA vaccine, scientists produce a synthetic version of the mRNA that a virus uses to build its infectious proteins.</li>
<li>This mRNA is delivered into the human body, whose cells read it as instructions to build that viral protein, and therefore create some of the virus&rsquo;s molecules themselves.</li>
<li>These proteins are solitary, so they do not assemble to form a virus.</li>
<li>The immune system then detects these viral proteins and starts to produce a defensive response to them.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Advantages of Using mRNA based Vaccines:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>mRNA vaccines <strong>are considered safe</strong> as mRNA is non-infectious, non-integrating in nature, and degraded by standard cellular mechanisms.</li>
<li>They <strong>are</strong> <strong>highly efficacious</strong> because of their inherent capability of being translatable into the protein structure inside the cell cytoplasm.</li>
<li>Additionally, <strong>mRNA vaccines are fully synthetic</strong> and do not require a host for growth, e.g., eggs or bacteria. Therefore, they can be quickly manufactured inexpensively to ensure their "availability" and "accessibility" for mass vaccination on a sustainable basis.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Mission Covid Suraksha</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Mission Covid Suraksha is India&rsquo;s targeted effort to enable the development of indigenous, affordable and accessible vaccines for the country.</li>
<li>The Centre had announced this package during the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/economic-stimulus-iii" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>third economic stimulus.</strong></a></li>
<li>The Mission with its end-to-end focus from preclinical development through clinical development and manufacturing and regulatory facilitation for deployment consolidate all available and funded resources towards accelerated product development.</li>
<li>It is led by the Department of Biotechnology and implemented by a dedicated Mission Implementation Unit at <strong>Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance</strong> <strong>Council (BIRAC).</strong></li>
</ul>
<p><strong>BIRAC</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC) is a not-for-profit <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/personal-protective-equipment-for-sanitation-workers" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Section 8</strong></a>, Schedule B, <strong><a href="/to-the-points/paper3/sectors-of-indian-economy" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Public Sector Enterprise</a>.</strong></li>
<li>It has been set up by the Department of Biotechnology (DBT) as an Interface Agency to strengthen and empower the emerging Biotech enterprise to undertake strategic research and innovation, addressing nationally relevant product development needs.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1711304#:~:text=of%20Science%20%26%20Technology-,Department%20of%20Biotechnology%20provides%20under%20Mission%20COVID%20Suraksha%20for%20Gennova,COVID%2019%20Vaccine%20candidate%20%E2%80%93HGCO19.&amp;text=II%20clinical%20trials.-,mRNA%20vaccines%20are%20considered%20safe%20as%20mRNA%20is%20non%2Dinfectious,degraded%20by%20standard%20cellular%20mechanisms." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>SOURCE: PIB</strong></a></p>',
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		'article_id' => (int) 8141,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'National Mission on Sustaining Himalayan Ecosystem',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Scientists, with support from the <strong>National Mission on Sustaining Himalayan Ecosystem (NMSHE)</strong> Programme, have been able to disseminate available scientific information to the farmers to enable sustainable and climate-resilient agriculture in the Leh region.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>NMSHE is one of the eight missions under the <a href="/to-the-points/Paper2/national-action-plan-on-climate-change" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC).</strong></a></li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>About:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It was <strong>launched in 2010</strong> but was formally <strong>approved by the government in 2014.</strong></li>
<li>It is a <strong>multi-pronged, cross-cutting mission</strong> across various sectors.</li>
<li>It <strong>contributes to the sustainable development of the country</strong> by enhancing the understanding of climate change, its likely impacts and adaptation actions required for the Himalayas- a region on which a significant proportion of India&rsquo;s population depends for sustenance.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>States Covered:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Eleven states:</strong> Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, Tripura, Meghalaya, Assam and West Bengal.</li>
<li><strong>Two Union Territories:</strong> Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Objective:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>To <strong>facilitate formulation of appropriate policy</strong> measures and time-bound action programmes to sustain ecological resilience and ensure the continued provisions of key <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/natural-capital-accounting-and-valuation-of-the-ecosystem-services-project" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>ecosystem services</strong></a> in the Himalayas.</li>
<li>To <strong>evolve suitable management and policy measures</strong> for sustaining and safeguarding the Himalayan ecosystem along with developing capacities at the national level to continuously assess its health status.</li>
<li>To <strong>address a variety of important issues</strong>, including studying the <a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/in-depth-melting-himalayas" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Himalayan glaciers</strong></a> and <strong>associated hydrological consequences</strong> and prediction and management of natural hazards.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Himalayas:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>About:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The Himalayas are the <strong>highest and the youngest fold mountain ranges</strong> of the world.</li>
<li>Their geological structure is young, weak and flexible since the Himalayan uplift is an ongoing process, making them <strong>one of the highest earthquake-prone regions of the world.</strong></li>
<li>It separates India, along its north-central and northeastern frontier, from China (Tibet).</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Area:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The Indian part of Himalayas covers an area about <strong>5 lakh km<sup>2</sup> (about 16.2% of the country's total geographical area)</strong> and forms the northern boundary of the country.</li>
<li>The region is <strong>responsible for providing water to a large part of the Indian subcontinent.</strong> Many rivers considered holy like the Ganga and Yamuna flow from the Himalayas.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Ranges:</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The Himalayas are a <strong>series of parallel mountain ranges</strong> extending along the North-West to the South-East direction (known as the Strike of the Himalayas). These ranges are separated by longitudinal valleys. They include,<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Trans-Himalayas</li>
<li>The Greater Himalayas or Himadri</li>
<li>The Lesser Himalayas or Himachal</li>
<li>Shiwaliks or the Outer Himalayas</li>
<li>The Eastern Hills or Purvanchal</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>National Action Plan on Climate Change</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>About:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It was <strong>launched in 2008</strong> by the Prime Minister's Council on <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/climate-change-and-development-in-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Climate Change.</strong></a></li>
<li>The <strong>Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC)</strong> is the coordinating Ministry of NAPCC.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Aim:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Creating awareness among the representatives of the public, different agencies of the government, scientists, industry and the communities on the threat posed by climate change and the steps to counter it.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Missions:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>There are 8 national missions forming the core of the NAPCC which represent multi-pronged, long term and integrated strategies for achieving key goals in climate change.<a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1618385920_image%201.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1618385920_image 1.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="450" caption="false" /></a>
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>National Solar Mission:</strong> This initiative started in 2010 to promote the use of solar power.</li>
<li><strong>National Mission for Enhanced Energy Efficiency:</strong> The initiative was undertaken in 2009 to promote the market for energy efficiency by fostering innovative policies and effective market instruments.</li>
<li><strong>National Mission on Sustainable Habitat:</strong> Approved in 2011, it aims to make cities sustainable through improvements in energy efficiency in buildings, management of solid waste and shift to public transport.</li>
<li><strong>National Water Mission:</strong> The mission was put in place to ensure integrated water resource management helping to conserve water, minimize wastage and ensure more equitable distribution both across and within states.</li>
<li><strong>National Mission for Sustaining the Himalayan Ecosystem:</strong> It is aimed at protecting the Himalayas, it has mapped institutes and civil society organisations working on the Himalayan ecology for ease of coordination between governmental and non-governmental agencies.</li>
<li><strong>National Mission for A Green India:</strong> It aims at protecting; restoring and enhancing India's diminishing forest cover and responding to climate change by a combination of adaptation and mitigation measures. It was started in 2014.</li>
<li><strong>National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture:</strong> It has been formulated for enhancing agricultural productivity especially in rain-fed areas focusing on integrated farming, water use efficiency, soil health management and synergizing resource conservation. It was started in 2010.</li>
<li><strong>National Mission on Strategic Knowledge for Climate Change:</strong> It seeks to build a dynamic and vibrant knowledge system that informs and supports national policy and action for responding effectively to climate change challenges, while not compromising on the nation's growth goals.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1711116#:~:text=NMSHE's%20ICAR%20Team%20awarded%20for%20agricultural%20information%20dissemination%20in%20Leh&amp;text=A%20team%20of%20scientists%20from,Today%2C%20a%20National%20Agriculture%20Magazine." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source:PIB</strong></a></p>',
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