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112th Annual Day of National Centre for Disease Control

Why in News Recently, the Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare presided over the 112th Annual Day celebrations of National Centre for Disease...

02 Aug 2021 Governance
Menace of Manual Scavenging

Why in News Recently, the centre has claimed that no deaths due to manual scavenging have been reported in the past five years. However,...

31 Jul 2021 Governance
National Education Policy And Higher Education

This article is based on How NEP can transform higher education in India which was published in The Hindustan Times on 30/07/2021. It talks about...

30 Jul 2021 Governance
New Initiatives for Education Sector

Why in News Recently, the Prime Minister launched multiple initiatives in the education sector at a conference, to mark the completion of one year...

30 Jul 2021 Governance
Social Audit of Social Sector Schemes

Why in News The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment has formulated a scheme, namely Information-Monitoring, Evaluation and Social Audit...

30 Jul 2021 Governance
Emigration Bill 2021

Why in News Recently, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) invited public inputs to the Emigration Bill 2021. The Bill presents a long overdue...

27 Jul 2021 Governance
India’s Forest Cover & Wasteland

Why in News Recently, the Minister for Environment, Forests and Climate Change (MoEFCC) informed Rajya Sabha about the forest area in the...

27 Jul 2021 Governance
Suspension of FCRA Certificate

Why in News The Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative (CHRI) has challenged the suspension of its Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA)...

27 Jul 2021 Governance
I-STEM Enters Phase-II

Why in News The Indian Science Technology and Engineering facilities Map (I-STEM) project has been accorded an extension for five years, until 2026...

26 Jul 2021 Governance
Antimicrobial Resistance

Why in News Recently, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare highlighted various measures to address the challenges posed by Antimicrobial...

24 Jul 2021 Governance
Surveillance Laws in India and Privacy

Why in News Recently, a global collaborative investigative effort has revealed that, at least 300 individuals in India, were potentially identified...

23 Jul 2021 Governance
Essential Defence Services Bill, 2021

Why in News Recently, the government introduced the Essential Defence Services Bill, 2021 in Lok Sabha. It seeks to replace the ordinance issued...

23 Jul 2021 Governance
Extension to OBC Sub-Categorisation Commission

Why in News Recently, the Union Cabinet has approved a six-month extension to the commission appointed to examine sub-categorisation of Other...

22 Jul 2021 Governance
New Vintage Vehicles Policy

Why in News Recently, the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MORTH) has made amendments to the Central Motor Vehicles Rules 1989. It has...

22 Jul 2021 Governance
Geospatial Technologies for the Water Sector in India

Why in News Recently, the Association of Geospatial Industries released a report titled “Potential of Geospatial Technologies for the Water...

22 Jul 2021 Governance
New Initiatives in Building Energy Efficiency

Why in News Recently, “Aiming for Sustainable Habitat: New Initiatives in Building Energy Efficiency 2021” was launched by the Bureau of...

22 Jul 2021 Governance
Roadmap for India’s Offshore Wind Energy

Why in News Recently, the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has set a target of installing 5 GW of offshore capacity by 2022 and 30 GW by...

21 Jul 2021 Governance
Domestic Manufacturing in Solar Energy

Why in News Recently, the Union Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has released the first list of photovoltaic module manufacturers in...

21 Jul 2021 Governance
Provisions of 97th Amendment Struck Down: SC

Why in News Recently, the Supreme Court (SC) upheld a 2013 judgment of the Gujarat High Court and struck down certain provisions of the Constitution...

21 Jul 2021 Governance
The Big Picture: Draft Drone Rules: Impetus to Future Tech

Why in News Recently, the Union Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) released the Draft Drone Rules, 2021, based on “trust, self-certification...

21 Jul 2021 Governance

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		'article_id' => (int) 9046,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => '112th Annual Day of National Centre for Disease Control',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare presided over the <strong>112<sup>th</sup> Annual Day celebrations of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/national-centre-for-disease-control-ncdc" target="_blank" rel="noopener">National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC)</a>.</strong></p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Initiatives Launched at the Event:</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Genome Lab:</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The <strong>Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS) National Reference Laboratory</strong> for&nbsp;<strong><a href="/to-the-points/paper3/to-the-point-paper-3-antimicrobial-resistance-amr#:~:text=What%20is%20Antimicrobial%20Resistance%3F,are%20used%20to%20treat%20infections." target="_blank" rel="noopener">Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR)</a></strong> was inaugurated.</li>
<li>WGS is a <strong>comprehensive method for analyzing entire genomes.</strong> Genomic information <strong>has been instrumental in identifying inherited disorders, characterizing the mutations</strong> that drive cancer progression, and tracking disease outbreaks.
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Rapidly <strong>dropping sequencing costs and the ability to produce large volumes of data</strong> with today&rsquo;s sequencers <strong>make whole-genome sequencing a powerful tool for genomics research.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>AMR is the resistance acquired by any microorganism (bacteria, viruses, fungi, parasite, etc.) against antimicrobial drugs (such as antibiotics, antifungals, antivirals, antimalarials, and anthelmintics) that are used to treat infections.</li>
<li>The application of WGS for global surveillance can provide information on the early emergence and spread of AMR and further inform timely policy development on AMR control.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Adaptation Plans under NPCCHH:</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The <strong>National Health Adaptation Plan on Air Pollution</strong> and <strong>National Health Adaptation Plan on Heat Related Illness</strong> were launched under the <strong>"National Programme on Climate Change and Human Health (NPCCHH)".</strong></li>
<li>The<strong> plan suggests setting up of a committee on <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/air-pollution-concerted-efforts" target="_blank" rel="noopener">air pollution</a></strong> and health in the hospital, to preferably involve health officials from the departments of medicine, respiratory,medicine, paediatrics, cardiology, neurology, endocrinology etc, including emergency and nursing department.</li>
<li>It also <strong>highlights the need for preparations for logistics, drugs and equipment</strong> that may be required to address such health problems, particularly respiratory and cardiovascular emergencies.</li>
<li>It also <strong>highlights the need for identification of vulnerable areas</strong>, selection of air pollution hotspots as per<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/dashboard-for-monitoring-air-quality#:~:text=AQI%3A%20Air%20Quality%20Index%20(AQI,eight%20pollutants%20(PM10%2C%20PM2." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> Air Quality Index (AQI)</strong></a> levels, vulnerable population covering people less than five years of age, adolescents, pregnant women and the elderly.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>InformatIon, EducatIon &amp; Communication (IEC) Materials:</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Under the "National One health Programme for prevention and Control of Zoonoses" IEC materials on 7 priority <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/zoonotic-diseases" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>zoonotic diseases</strong> </a>has been created namely:
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/shortage-of-anti-rabies-vaccine#:~:text=According%20to%20the%20Health%20Ministry%27s,96%25%20of%20rabies%20in%20humans." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Rabies</strong></a>, Scrub Typhus, <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/brucellosis-2#:~:text=It%20is%20a%20bacterial%20disease,Infertility" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Brucellosis</strong></a>, <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/anthrax-vaccine" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Anthrax</strong></a>, Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever (CCHF) , <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/nipah-outbreak-in-kerala" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Nipah</a>, <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/kyasanur-forest-disease-2" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Kyasanur Forest Disease</a></strong> in India.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Objectives of NPCCHH</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>To <strong>create awareness among the general population (vulnerable community)</strong>, health-care providers and Policy makers regarding impacts of climate change on human health.</li>
<li>To <strong>strengthen the capacity of the healthcare system</strong> to reduce illnesses/ diseases due to variability in climate.</li>
<li>To <strong>strengthen health preparedness and response</strong> by performing situational analysis at national/ state/ district/ below district levels.</li>
<li>To <strong>develop partnerships</strong> and create synchrony/ synergy with other missions and ensure that health is adequately represented in the climate change agenda in the country.</li>
<li>To <strong>strengthen research capacity</strong> to fill the evidence gap on climate change impact on human health.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>National Centre for Disease Control:</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>About:</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), formerly <strong>National Institute of Communicable Diseases (NICD)</strong>, had its origin as the Central Malaria Bureau, <strong>established at Kasauli (Himachal Pradesh) in 1909.</strong></li>
<li><strong>NICD was transformed into the NCDC</strong> with a larger mandate of controlling emerging and re-emerging diseases in <strong>2009</strong>.</li>
<li>It functions as the <strong>nodal agency in the country for disease</strong> surveillance facilitating prevention and control of communicable diseases.</li>
<li>It is also a <strong>national level institute for training specialized manpower for public health, laboratory sciences and entomological services</strong> and is involved in various applied research activities.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Control &amp; Headquarter:</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The Institute is under administrative control of the <strong>Director General of Health Services, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.</strong></li>
<li>The Institute has its headquarters in Delhi.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Functions:</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Undertakes<strong> investigations of disease outbreaks</strong> all over the country.</li>
<li>Provides referral <strong>diagnostic services to individuals</strong>, community, medical colleges, research institutions and state health directorates.</li>
<li>Engaged in <strong>generation and dissemination of knowledge</strong> in various areas like Epidemiology, Surveillance, and Laboratories etc.</li>
<li>Applied integrated<strong> research in various aspects of communicable as well as some aspects of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/non-communicable-diseases-in-india#:~:text=According%20to%20Indian%20Council%20of,compared%20to%2037.9%25%20in%201990." target="_blank" rel="noopener">non-communicable diseases</a></strong> has been one of the prime functions of the Institute.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1740628" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: PIB</strong></a></p>',
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		'article_id' => (int) 9033,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'Menace of Manual Scavenging',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the centre has claimed that no deaths due to manual scavenging have been reported in the past five years.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>However, according to the <strong>National Convener of the Safai Karmachari Andolan,</strong> 472 manual scavenging deaths across the country were recorded between 2016 and 2020, and 26 so far in 2021.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Safai Karmachari Andolan is <strong>a movement for elimination of manual scavenging.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Article 21 of the Constitution</strong> guarantees <strong>&lsquo;Right to Life&rsquo; and that also with dignity.</strong> This right is available to<strong> both citizens and non-citizens.</strong></li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Manual Scavenging:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Manual scavenging is defined as &ldquo;the removal of human excrement from public streets and dry latrines, cleaning septic tanks, gutters and sewers&rdquo;.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Reasons for the Prevalence:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Indifferent Attitude:</strong> A number of independent surveys have talked about the continued reluctance on the part of state governments to admit that the practice prevails under their watch.</li>
<li><strong>Issues due to Outsourcing:</strong> Many times local bodies outsource sewer cleaning tasks to private contractors. However, many of them fly-by-night operators, do not maintain proper rolls of sanitation workers.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>In case after case of workers being asphyxiated to death, these contractors have denied any association with the deceased.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Social Issue:</strong> The practice is <strong>driven by caste, class and income divides.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It is linked to India&rsquo;s caste system where so-called lower castes are expected to perform this job.</li>
<li>In <strong>1993,</strong> India<strong> banned the employment of people as manual scavengers</strong> (The Employment of Manual Scavengers and Construction of Dry Latrines (Prohibition) Act, 1993), however, the stigma and discrimination associated with it still linger on.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>This makes it difficult for liberated manual scavengers to secure alternative livelihoods.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Steps Taken:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/initiatives-to-eliminate-manual-scavenging" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation (Amendment) Bill, 2020</a>:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It proposes to completely mechanise sewer cleaning, introduce ways for &lsquo;on-site&rsquo; protection and provide compensation to manual scavengers in case of sewer deaths.</li>
<li>It will be an amendment to <strong>The Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation Act, 2013.</strong></li>
<li>It is <strong>still awaiting cabinet approval.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>The Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation Act, 2013:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Superseding the 1993 Act, the 2013 Act goes beyond prohibitions on dry latrines, and outlaws all manual excrement cleaning of insanitary latrines, open drains, or pits.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Prevention of Atrocities Act:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>In 1989, the <strong>Prevention of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/sc-upholds-changes-to-sc-st-atrocities-law" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Atrocities Act</a></strong> became an integrated guard for sanitation workers; more than <strong>90% people employed as manual scavengers belonged to the Scheduled Caste.</strong> This became an important landmark to free manual scavengers from designated traditional occupations.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Safaimitra Suraksha Challenge:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It was launched by the <strong>Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs on<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/world-toilet-day" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> World Toilet Day</a> (19<sup>th</sup> November)</strong> in 2020.</li>
<li>The Government launched this &ldquo;challenge&rdquo; for<strong> all states to make sewer-cleaning mechanised by April 2021 &mdash;</strong> if any human needs to enter a sewer line in case of unavoidable emergency, proper gear and oxygen tanks, etc., are to be provided.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>&lsquo;Swachhta Abhiyan App&rsquo;:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It has been developed to <strong>identify and geotag the data of insanitary latrines and manual scavengers</strong> so that the insanitary latrines can be replaced with sanitary latrines and rehabilitate all the manual scavengers to provide dignity of life to them.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>SC Judgement:</strong> In 2014, a <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-national-institutions/supreme-court-of-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Supreme Court</strong></a> order made it <strong>mandatory</strong> for the government to <strong>identify all those who died in sewage work</strong> since 1993 and provide <strong>Rs. 10 lakh each</strong> as compensation to their families.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Proper Identification:</strong> States need to accurately enumerate the workers engaged in cleaning toxic sludge.</li>
<li><strong>Empowering Local Administration:</strong> With <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/swachh-bharat-mission-urban" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Swachh Bharat Mission</strong></a> identified as a top priority area by the<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/j-k-and-15th-finance-commission" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> 15<sup>th</sup> Finance Commission</strong> </a>and funds available for smart cities and urban development providing for a strong case to address the problem of manual scavenging.</li>
<li><strong>Social Sentisitation:</strong> To address the social sanction behind manual scavenging, it is required first to acknowledge and then understand how and why manual scavenging continues to be embedded in the caste system.</li>
<li><strong>Need For a Stringent Law:</strong> If a law creates a statutory obligation to provide sanitation services on the part of state agencies, it will create a situation in which the rights of these workers will not hang in the air.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/centre-says-no-death-reported-due-to-manual-scavenging-activists-decry-govt-response/article35621742.ece/amp/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: TH</strong></a></p>',
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		'article_id' => (int) 9029,
		'category_id' => (int) 22,
		'title' => 'National Education Policy And Higher Education',
		'description' => '<div class="border">
<p>This article is based on <a href="https://www.hindustantimes.com/opinion/how-nep-can-transform-higher-education-in-india-101627470511761.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>How NEP can transform higher education in India</strong> </a>which was published in The Hindustan Times on 30/07/2021. It talks about issues with higher education institutions and how National Education Policy can be a game changer for such institutions.</p>
</div>
<p>India today has over 1,000<strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/higher-education-in-india-3" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> Higher Educational Institutions (HEIs)</a>,</strong> including over 150 of national importance. Over the years, it has also become a hub of scientific research. HEIs have shown a consistent growth in both the quality and the quantity of research in the past decade.</p>
<p>India currently ranks third globally in terms of the total research output, accounting for 5.31% of the total of research publications. Of three aspects &mdash; education, knowledge generation (research and development) and innovation &mdash; Indian HEIs have performed very well, in relative terms, in the first two aspects, but <strong>lack on the innovation front.</strong></p>
<p><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/national-education-policy-2020" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>National Education Policy (NEP)</strong></a> is expected to transform the landscape of higher education in India by making HEIs work on<strong> &ldquo;solutions to the problems&rdquo; rather than &ldquo;solutions looking for a problem&rdquo;.</strong></p>
<h3>Issues With Indian HEIs</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Enrollment:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>According to the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/aishe-2020" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>All-India Survey on Higher Education (AISHE) report 2019-20</strong></a>, the <strong>Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER)</strong> in Higher education in India is only <strong>27.1%,</strong> which is quite low as compared to the developed as well as, other developing countries.</li>
<li>With the increase of enrollments at the school level, the supply of higher education institutes is insufficient to meet the growing demand in the country.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Quality:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Ensuring quality in higher education is amongst the foremost challenges being faced in India today.</li>
<li>A large number of colleges and universities in India are unable to meet the minimum requirements laid down by the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/ukieri-ugc-higher-education-leadership-development-programme" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>University Grant Commission (UGC).</strong></a></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Political Interference:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Increasing interference of politicians in the management of higher education jeopardises the autonomy of HEIs.</li>
<li>Also, students organise campaigns, forget their own objectives and begin to develop their careers in politics.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Poor Infrastructure and Facilities:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Poor infrastructure is another challenge to the higher education system of India, particularly the institutes run by the public sector suffer from poor physical facilities and infrastructure.</li>
<li>Faculty shortages and the inability of the state educational system to attract and retain well-qualified teachers have been posing challenges to quality education for many years.</li>
<li>Large numbers of NET/PhD candidates are unemployed even though there are a lot of vacancies in higher education.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Inadequate Research:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>There is inadequate focus on research in HEIs.</li>
<li>There are insufficient resources and facilities, as well as limited numbers of quality faculty to advise students.</li>
<li>Most of the research scholars are without fellowships or not getting their fellowships on time which directly or indirectly affects their research. Moreover, Indian HEIs are poorly connected to research centres and to industries.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Poor Governance Structure:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Management of Indian education faces challenges of over-centralization, bureaucratic structures and lack of accountability, transparency, and professionalism.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Prospects of NEP For HEIs</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>National Research Foundation (NRF):</strong> Indian academia has traditionally been focused on R&amp;D without much emphasis on relevance and delivery. The establishment of the <strong>National Research Foundation (NRF)</strong> is expected to connect our academia with ministries and industry and fund research that is relevant to local needs. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Under the framework of NRF, each government ministry, be it central or state, is expected to allocate separate funds for research.</li>
<li>NRF, therefore, is expected to pose well-defined problems to the researchers, so that they can find solutions in a goal-oriented and time bound manner.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Multi-disciplinary University:</strong> In order to unleash the technology development potential of HEIs, our institutions need to not only become<strong> multi-disciplinary</strong> in their scope and offerings, but also<strong> collaborate among themselves.</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Bringing &ldquo;unlike&rdquo; minds together in terms of disciplines, cultures (international programmes) and attitudes (academia-industry collaborations) is the need of the hour.</li>
<li>Multi-disciplinary universities, as envisaged in NEP, rightly emphasises on the creative potential of researchers.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Scaling up existing HEIs:</strong> With the goal of increasing the gross enrollment ratio (GER) from the current 27% to 50% by 2035, India needs to not only open new HEIs and universities but also scale-up existing HEIs. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>This massive expansion will not only require additional financial resources but also calls for a new governance model.</li>
<li>NEP speaks of achieving graded autonomy for HEIs. Over time, independent boards will manage the HEIs with active participation from alumni and experts from academia, research and industry.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Funding For HEIs:</strong> NEP is expected to bring in significant funding. For higher education, for the first time, the government promises a <strong>budget allocation for education as a fixed percentage of Gross Domestic Product at 6%.</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>This will be a game changer for HEIs.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Right Focus:</strong> Under NEP 2020, Indian HEIs will focus on 3Is &ndash; Interdisciplinary research, Industry connect and Internationalisation, the three pillars needed to elevate our institutions to global standards.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Until now, Indian HEIs lacked international diversity and remained predominantly local; they hired only Indian faculty and trained only domestic talent.</li>
<li>The lack of international faculty and students in Indian elite institutions is one reason for the poor rankings of Indian institutions.</li>
<li>NEP has enabled mechanisms for Indian HEIs, such as IITs, to venture out and open international campuses across the world. This will not only increase their international footprint but also improve their perception globally.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Conclusion</h3>
<p>The new National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, is a good policy as it aims at making the education system holistic, flexible, multidisciplinary, aligned to the needs of the 21st century. The intent of policy seems to be ideal in many ways but it is the implementation where lies the key to success.</p>
<table border="1" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="width: 100%; border-style: dotted; border-color: #ff0000; background-color: #fbfff7;">
<p><span style="color: #800000;"><em><strong>Drishti Mains Question</strong></em></span></p>
<p>Discuss the issues faced by Higher Education Institutions in India and examine how National Education Policy would bring the transformation in Indian higher education.</p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
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		'article_id' => (int) 9026,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'New Initiatives for Education Sector',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the Prime Minister launched<strong> multiple initiatives in the education sector</strong> at a conference, to mark the completion of one year of reforms under the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/national-education-policy-2020" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>National Education Policy 2020</strong></a> which aims at making<strong> India a global knowledge superpower.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Prime Minister also noted the role played by portals like<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/classes-in-distance-mode" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> Digital Infrastructure for Knowledge Sharing (DIKSHA)</strong></a> and <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/important-facts-for-prelims-10th-august-2018" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Study Webs of Active Learning for Young Aspiring Minds (SWAYAM)</strong></a> in online education during the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/comprehensive-action-plan-for-covid-19" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>pandemic.</strong></a></li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Academic Bank of Credit:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It is <strong>envisaged as a digital bank</strong> that holds the <strong>credit earned by a student</strong> in any course. It is <strong>a major instrument for facilitating multidisciplinary and holistic education.</strong> It will provide <strong>multiple entry and exit options</strong> for students in <strong>Higher education.</strong></li>
<li>It will make the youth <strong>future-oriented and open the way for an <a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/in-depth-artificial-intelligence" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Artificial Intelligence (AI)</a> -driven economy.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Engineering in Regional Languages:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>14 engineering colleges in<strong> eight States</strong> are going to start engineering studies in five Indian languages: <strong>Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Marathi and Bangla.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>This emphasis on mother tongue as the medium of instruction will<strong> instil confidence in the students from poor, rural and tribal backgrounds.</strong></li>
<li>In a recent survey, the<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/initiatives-of-aicte" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> All India Council of Technical Education</strong></a> (AICTE) discovered that <strong>42% of the students surveyed nationally, favoured pursuing Engineering in regional languages.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The<strong> AICTE</strong> is creating a <strong>database of resources to allow colleges to offer more programmes in regional languages</strong> and developed a tool to translate engineering content into<strong> 11 languages.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Vidya Pravesh &amp; SAFAL:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Vidya Pravesh, a <strong>three month play based school preparation module for Grade 1</strong> students will be released along with<strong> SAFAL</strong> (Structured Assessment For Analyzing Learning Levels), <strong>a competency based assessment framework for Grades 3, 5 and 8 in CBSE schools.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>National Digital Education Architecture (NDEAR):</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It will help in<strong> building up a new education ecosystem that will create a digital foundation leading to self-governance</strong> of all parties involved, particularly states and the Centre.</li>
<li>It lets <strong>educationists do evaluation based on talents and abilities,</strong> helping students understand their area of specialties that can be utilised in their future profession.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>National Education Technology Forum (NETF):</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It will provide independent<strong> evidence-based advice to central and state government agencies</strong> on technology-based interventions. A <strong>special focus will be on improving technology access</strong> at the grassroot education level.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Schools will be required to <strong>have skilled professionals.</strong> In addition, <strong>schools will have to hire qualified candidates</strong> to teach emerging technological skills to students.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Once the forum is set up, <strong>school-wise information will be sought on how technology is being used</strong> for imparting academic content and what steps are being taken to enhance research.</li>
<li>It will be <strong>funded by the government</strong> but at a later stage, <strong>private funding and support from industry bodies would be invited.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>NISHTHA 2.0:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It will provide <strong>training to teachers as per their needs</strong> and they will be able to give their suggestions to the department. It will have <strong>68 modules including 12 generic and 56 subject-specific modules</strong> and will cover around <strong>10 lakh teachers.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/nishtha-teachers-training-programme" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>NISHTHA</strong> </a>is the largest teachers&rsquo; training programme, first of its kind in the world to motivate and equip teachers to encourage and foster critical thinking in students.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Sign Language as a Subject:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Indian sign language,<strong> for the first time, has been accorded the status of language subject.</strong> Students will be able to study it as a language also.</li>
<li>There are more than 3 lakh students who need sign language for their education. This will give a boost to Indian sign language and will help the <strong>divyang people.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Related Previous Initiatives</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/digital-education-learning-amid-the-pandemic" target="_blank" rel="noopener">National Programme on Technology Enhanced Learning</a>.</strong></li>
<li><strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/important-facts-for-prelims-7th-august-2018" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Rashtriya Ucchatar Shiksha Abhiyan</a> (RUSA).</strong></li>
<li><strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/prime-minister-s-research-fellows-pmrf-scheme" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Prime Minister's Research Fellowship</a> (PMRF).</strong></li>
<li><strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/scheme-for-promotion-of-academic-and-research-collaboration-sparc" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Scheme for Promotion of Academic and Research Collaboration</a> (SPARC).</strong></li>
<li><strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/samagra-shiksha" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan</a>.</strong></li>
<li><strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/national-educational-alliance-for-technology-neat-scheme" target="_blank" rel="noopener">NEAT</a>.</strong></li>
<li><strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/pragyata-guidelines-on-digital-education" target="_blank" rel="noopener">PRAGYATA</a>.</strong></li>
<li><strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/mid-day-meal" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Mid Day Meal Scheme</a>.</strong></li>
<li><strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/Implementation-of-Section-12-1c-of-the-RTE-Act-A-Progress-Report" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Right To Education (RTE) Act, 2009</a>.</strong></li>
<li><strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/performance-of-beti-bachao-beti-padhao-scheme" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Beti Bachao Beti Padhao</a>.</strong></li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1740401" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: PIB</strong></a></p>',
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		'article_id' => (int) 9018,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'Social Audit of Social Sector Schemes',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>The <a href="/to-the-points/Paper2/year-end-review-2019-ministry-of-social-justice-and-empowerment" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment</strong></a> has formulated a scheme, namely <strong>Information-Monitoring, Evaluation and Social Audit (I-MESA)</strong> in FY 2021-22.</p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>About the I-MESA Scheme:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Under this scheme, Social Audits are to be conducted for all the schemes of the Department starting FY 2021-22.</li>
<li>These social audits are done through <strong>Social Audit Units (SAU)</strong> of the <strong>States </strong>and<strong> National Institute for Rural Development and Panchayati Raj.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Important Schemes of the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment: </strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Schemes for Economic Development:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Credit Enhancement Guarantee Scheme for the Scheduled Castes (SCs)</li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/personal-protective-equipment-for-sanitation-workers" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>National Safai Karamcharis Finance and Development Corporation (NSKFDC)</strong></a></li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/nbcfdc-and-nisd" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>National Scheduled Castes Finance and Development Corporation (NSFDC)</strong></a></li>
<li>Special Central Assistance to Scheduled Caste Sub Plan (SCA to SCSP)</li>
<li>Scheme of Assistance to Scheduled Castes Development Corporations (SCDCs)</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Self Employment:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/initiatives-to-eliminate-manual-scavenging" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Scheme for Rehabilitation of Manual Scavengers (SRMS)</a></strong></li>
<li><a href="/printpdf/ambedkar-social-innovation-and-incubation-mission#:~:text=Implemented%20By%3A%20Venture%20Capital%20Fund,to%20set%20up%20business%20ventures." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Venture Capital Fund For Scheduled Castes</strong></a></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Schemes for Social Empowerment:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Centrally Sponsored Scheme for implementation of the <strong>Protection of Civil Rights Act, 1955</strong> and the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/sc-upholds-changes-to-sc-st-atrocities-law" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989</strong></a></li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/important-facts-for-prelims-27th-july-2018" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Pradhan Mantri Adarsh Gram Yojana (PMAGY)</strong></a></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Social Audit</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>About:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Meaning:</strong> Social Audit is the <strong>audit of a scheme jointly by the Government and the people,</strong> especially by those who are affected by the scheme or its beneficiaries.</li>
<li><strong>Benefits:</strong> It is a powerful tool <strong>to promote transparency, accountability and people&rsquo;s participation</strong> in the schemes meant for them.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>A social audit helps to <strong>narrow gaps between vision/goal and reality,</strong> between <strong>efficiency</strong> and <strong>effectiveness.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Status:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/sub-group-of-chief-ministers-on-coordination-between-mgnrega-and-agriculture" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Mahatma Gandhi National National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA)</a> was the first Act to mandate Social Audit</strong> by the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/appointment-of-government-servants-as-gram-panchayat-administrator" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Gram Sabha</strong></a> of all the projects taken up in the Gram Panchayat.</li>
<li>Most States have set up an independent<strong> Social Audit Unit (SAU)</strong> and some have even begun to facilitate Social Audit in other programmes, including <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/pradhan-mantri-awaas-yojana-gramin" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana</strong></a>, <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/proposal-to-hike-monthly-pensions" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>National Social Assistance Programme</strong></a>, <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/expansion-of-mid-day-meal-scheme" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Midday Meal Scheme</strong></a> and<a href="/to-the-points/paper3/public-distribution-system-1#:~:text=The%20Public%20distribution%20system%20(PDS,food%20grains%20at%20affordable%20prices." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> Public Distribution System.</strong></a></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Challenges:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The<strong> lack of adequate administrative and political will</strong> in institutionalising social audits to deter corruption has meant that social audits in many parts of the country are not independent of the influence of implementing agencies.</li>
<li>Social audit units, including village social audit facilitators, <strong>continue to face resistance and intimidation</strong> and find it difficult to even access primary records for verification.</li>
<li><strong>People&rsquo;s participation has been minuscule</strong> due to the lack of education, awareness and capacity building among the common masses.</li>
<li>There is <strong>an absence of an independent agency</strong> to investigate and act on social audit findings.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Suggestions:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Citizens groups need to<strong> campaign for strengthening social audits</strong> and make real progress in holding the political executive and implementing agencies accountable.</li>
<li><strong>Team of social audit experts should be established</strong> in each district who are responsible for training social audit committee members (stakeholders).</li>
<li><strong>Training programmes should be created on social auditing methods</strong> such as conducting and preparing social audit reports, and presentation at Gram Sabha.</li>
<li>The <strong>system of social audits needs a synergetic endorsement</strong> and a push by multiple authorities to establish an institutionalised framework which cannot be undermined by any vested interests.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=1739891" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: PIB</strong></a></p>',
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		'article_id' => (int) 8993,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'Emigration Bill 2021',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) invited public inputs to the <strong>Emigration Bill 2021.</strong> The Bill presents a long overdue opportunity to reform the <strong>recruitment process for nationals seeking employment abroad.</strong></p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Key Features of the Bill:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The Bill intends to replace the <strong>Emigration Act of 1983.</strong></li>
<li>The Bill envisages<strong> comprehensive emigration management, institutes regulatory mechanisms governing overseas employment</strong> of Indian nationals and establishes a <strong>framework for protection and promotion</strong> of welfare of emigrants.</li>
<li>The bill proposes<strong> a three-tier institutional framework:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It launches a new emigration policy division in (MEA) which will be referred to as the <strong>Central Emigration Management Authority.</strong></li>
<li>It proposes a<strong> Bureau of Emigration Policy and Planning, and a Bureau of Emigration Administration</strong> shall handle day-to-day operational matters and oversee the welfare of emigrants.</li>
<li>It proposes <strong>nodal agencies under a Chief Emigration Officer</strong> to ensure the welfare and protection of the emigrants.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>It permits government authorities to <strong>punish workers by cancelling or suspending their passports</strong> and imposing fines up to Rs 50,000 for violating any of the Bill&rsquo;s provisions. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>When enforced, it can be used as a tool to <strong>crackdown on workers who migrate through unregistered brokers</strong> or via irregular arrangements such as on tourist visas.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The proposed legislation will also maintain registration of human resources agencies, validity and renewal and cancellation of a certificate. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Besides, authorities will be empowered to have certain powers of the <strong>civil court.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Need for the Bill:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Labour migration is governed by the Emigration Act, 1983</strong> which sets up a mechanism for hiring through government-certified recruiting agents - individuals or public or private agencies. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It outlines obligations for agents to conduct due diligence of prospective employers, sets up a cap on service fees, and establishes a government review of worker travel and employment documents (known as emigration clearances).</li>
<li>The Emigration Act, 1983 enacted in the<strong> specific context of large-scale emigration</strong> to the Gulf, <strong>falls short</strong> in addressing the wide geo-economic, geo-political and geo-strategic impact that emigration has today.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>For years, independent investigations into migrant worker conditions have <strong>underlined serious exploitative practices</strong> which include:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Large recruitment charges,</li>
<li>Contract substitution,</li>
<li>Deception,</li>
<li>Retention of passports,</li>
<li>Non-payment or underpayment of wages,</li>
<li>Poor living conditions,</li>
<li>Discrimination and other forms of ill-treatment.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>For instance, in recent months, media reports have highlighted how the majority of migrant worker deaths in the <strong>Arab Gulf States/West Asia</strong> are attributed to heart attacks and respiratory failures, whose causes are unexplained and poorly understood.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Associated Issues:</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Lacks a Human Rights Framework:</strong> The bill is criticised to be<strong> lacking a human rights framework</strong> aimed at securing the rights of migrants and their families. For example:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The penal provisions under the law, criminalizes the choices migrant workers make either because they are <strong>unaware of the law, under the influence of their recruiters, or simply desperate to find a decent job.</strong></li>
<li>Further, migrants in an irregular situation who fear that they could be fined or have their passports revoked, are also<strong> less likely to make complaints or pursue remedies for abuses faced.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Not in Sync With International Standards:</strong> The Bill permits manpower agencies to charge workers&rsquo; service fees, and even allows agents to set their own limits. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>However, International labour standards and the International Labour organization (<a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/international-labour-organization" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>ILO</strong></a>) general principles recognise that it is employers, not workers who should bear recruitment payments.</li>
<li>Worker-paid recruitment fees eat into their savings, force them to take high-interest loans, leave workers in situations of debt bondage &mdash; <strong>a form of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/child-labour-and-forced-labour-in-india#:~:text=The%20Supreme%20Court%20of%20India,human%20beings%20and%20forced%20labour." target="_blank" rel="noopener">forced labour.</a></strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Scant Gender Dimensions:</strong> This Bill does not also adequately reflect the gender dimensions of labour migration.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Women have limited agency in recruitment compared to their counterparts and are more likely to be employed in marginalised and informal sectors and/or isolated occupations in which labour, physical, psychological, and sexual abuse are common.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>India needs to formulate migration centric policies, strategies, and institutional mechanisms in order to ensure inclusive growth and development and reduce distress induced migration.</li>
<li>This will increase India&rsquo;s prospects for poverty reduction and achieving <strong><a href="/to-the-points/paper3/sustainable-development-3" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Sustainable Development Goals</a>.</strong></li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/an-emigration-bill-that-does-not-go-far-enough/article35549345.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: TH</strong></a></p>',
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		'article_id' => (int) 8991,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'India’s Forest Cover & Wasteland',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the Minister for Environment, Forests and Climate Change (MoEFCC) informed<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/role-of-rajya-sabha" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> Rajya Sabha</strong></a> about the<strong> forest area in the country.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The data provided was as per the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/india-state-of-forest-report-isfr-2019" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>India State of Forest Report, 2019</strong></a> that is the <a href="/summary-of-important-reports/india-state-of-forest-report-2019" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>16<sup>th</sup> biennial assessment of India&rsquo;s forests</strong> </a>by <strong>Forest Survey of India,</strong> Dehradun an organisation under the MoEFCC.</li>
<li>Information about the <strong>Wasteland</strong> in the country was also provided as per the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/wasteland-atlas-2019" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Wasteland Atlas, 2019.</strong></a></li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Definition of Forest:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The word<strong> &lsquo;forest&rsquo;</strong> is not defined in any Central Forest Act, namely the <a href="/to-the-points/Paper2/indian-forest-act-1927" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Indian Forest Act (1927)</strong></a>, or the <strong>Forest Conservation Act (1980).</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The Central government has <strong>not laid down any criterion to define forest.</strong></li>
<li>The Indian Forest Act, 1927 <strong>gives states the rights to notify Reserved Forests in their areas.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>States are responsible for determining their definition of forests; this prerogative stems from a <strong>Supreme Court</strong> order called the<strong><em> T.N. Godavarman Thirumulpad vs the Union of India</em> 1996</strong> judgment.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>In the judgement, the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-national-institutions/supreme-court-of-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Supreme Court</strong></a> interpreted that the word &ldquo;forest&rdquo; must be understood according to its <strong>&ldquo;dictionary meaning&rdquo;.</strong></li>
<li>This description <strong>covers all statutorily recognised forests, whether designated as reserved, protected or otherwise.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Total Forest Area:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The recorded forest area in the country is<strong> 7,67,419 sq km,</strong> however the ministry has so far <strong>not quantified the forest area that has been under dispute.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Category-Wise Forest:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Reserved Forests category:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It is under<strong> direct supervision of the Government.</strong></li>
<li><strong>No public entry</strong> allowed for the commercial purpose of cattle grazing.</li>
<li>Total area under this category is<strong> 4,34,853 sq km.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Protected Forests category:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It is <strong>looked after by the government.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Local people are allowed</strong> to collect forest produce and cattle grazing without causing any serious damage.</li>
<li>Total area under this category is<strong> 2,18,924 sq km.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Unprotected Forest Category:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>They are unclassified Forests.</li>
<li>No restriction on cutting trees or grazing cattle.</li>
<li>Total area under this category is<strong> 1,13,642 sq km.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Wasteland:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>As per the<strong> Wasteland Atlas, 2019,</strong> published by the Ministry of Rural Development, the<strong> total wasteland in the country is 5,57,665.51 sq km.</strong></li>
<li>Wasteland is defined not as desertified land, but <strong>land that is not used for agriculture, commercial use or as forest land.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>For instance, it could use grasslands that are used by communities for grazing.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Governments Initiatives:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>National Mission for a Green India:</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It 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>
<li>It was launched in February, 2014 with the objective <strong>to safeguard the biological resources of our nation and associated livelihoods against the peril of adverse <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/climate-change-and-development-in-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener">climate change</a></strong> and to recognise the vital impact of forestry on ecological sustainability, biodiversity conservation and food-, water- and livelihood-security</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong><a href="/to-the-points/paper3/desertification-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">National Afforestation Programme (NAP)</a>:</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It has been implemented since 2000 for the afforestation of degraded forest lands.</li>
<li>It is being implemented by the MoEFCC.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/compensatory-afforestation-fund" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority, (CAMPA Funds)</a>:</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Launched in 2016, <strong>90% of the fund is to be given to the states while 10% is to be retained by the Centre.</strong></li>
<li>The <strong>funds can be used for</strong> treatment of catchment areas, assisted natural generation, forest management, wildlife protection and management, relocation of villages from protected areas, managing human-wildlife conflicts, training and awareness generation, supply of wood saving devices and allied activities.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>National Action Programme to Combat Desertification:</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It was <strong>prepared in 2001 to address issues of increasing <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/dialogue-on-desertification-land-degradation-and-drought" target="_blank" rel="noopener">desertification</a></strong> and to take appropriate actions.</li>
<li>It is implemented by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Constitutional Provisions for Forests</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Forests are included in the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/sc-upheld-authority-of-delhi-s-peace-and-harmony-committee" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Concurrent List</strong></a> in the (Seventh Schedule) of the Constitution of India.</li>
<li>Through the <a href="/to-the-points/Paper2/major-constitutional-amendments-part-2" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>42<sup>nd</sup> Amendment Act,</strong></a> 1976 Forests and Protection of Wild Animals and Birds were transferred from State to Concurrent List.</li>
<li><strong>Article 51 A (g)</strong> of the Constitution states that it shall be the <a href="/mains-practice-question/question-180" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>fundamental duty</strong></a> of every citizen to protect and improve the natural environment including forests and Wildlife.</li>
<li><strong>Article 48 A</strong> in the<a href="/mains-practice-question/question-180" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> Directive Principles of State policy</strong></a>, mandates that the State shall endeavor to protect and improve the environment and to safeguard the forests and wildlife of the country.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Legislations</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>India&rsquo;s forests are currently governed by the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/review-of-national-forest-policy-1988" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>National Forest Policy, 1988</strong></a> which has environmental balance and livelihood at its centre.</li>
<li>The <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/forest-rights-act-2006-3" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Scheduled Tribes And Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition Of Forest Rights) Act, 2006</strong></a> recognizes the rights of the forest dwelling tribal communities and other traditional forest dwellers to forest resources, on which these communities were dependent for a variety of needs, including livelihood, habitation and other socio-cultural needs.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/india/over-7-lakh-sq-km-of-forest-land-in-country-rajya-sabha-informed-7423882/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: IE</strong></a></p>',
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	(int) 7 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {

		'article_id' => (int) 8989,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'Suspension of FCRA Certificate',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>The <strong>Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative (CHRI)</strong> has challenged the suspension of its <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/fcra-clearance-of-6-ngos-suspended" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA)</a> certificate</strong> for 180 days.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The <strong>Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) suspended CHRI&rsquo;s certificate</strong> in violation of various provisions of the FCRA Act.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA), 2010:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Foreign funding of persons in India is regulated under<strong> FCRA act</strong> and is implemented by the <strong>Ministry of Home Affairs.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Individuals</strong> are permitted to accept foreign contributions<strong> without permission of MHA.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>However, the <strong>monetary limit for acceptance</strong> of such foreign contributions <strong>shall be less than Rs. 25,000.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The Act ensures that the recipients of foreign contributions adhere to the stated purpose for which such contribution has been obtained.</li>
<li>Under the Act, organisations are required to register themselves every five years.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Act, 2020:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Prohibition to accept foreign contribution:</strong> The Act bars public servants from receiving foreign contributions. Public servant includes any person who is in service or paid by the government, or remunerated by the government for the performance of any public duty.</li>
<li><strong>Transfer of foreign contribution:</strong> The Act prohibits the transfer of foreign contribution to any other person not registered to accept foreign contributions.</li>
<li><strong>Aadhaar for registration:</strong> The Act makes Aadhaar number mandatory for all office bearers, directors or key functionaries of a person receiving foreign contribution, as an identification document.</li>
<li><strong>FCRA account:</strong> The Act states that foreign contributions must be received only in an account designated by the bank as FCRA account in such branches of the State Bank of India, New Delhi.</li>
<li><strong>Reduction in use of foreign contribution for administrative purposes:</strong> The Act proposes that not more than 20% of the total foreign funds received could be defrayed for administrative expenses. In FCRA 2010, the limit was 50%.</li>
<li><strong>Surrender of certificate:</strong> The Act allows the central government to permit a person to surrender their registration certificate.</li>
<li><strong>Other Regulations:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Widening the Scope of Foreign Contribution:</strong> Under the issued regulations, donations given in Indian rupees (INR) by any foreigner/foreign source including foreigners of Indian origin like<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/overseas-citizenship-of-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> Overseas Citizen of India (OCI)</strong></a> or Person of India Origin (PIO) cardholders should also be treated as foreign contribution.</li>
<li><strong>Meeting the Standards of FATF:</strong> The guidelines mandate that good practices should be followed by NGOs in accordance with standards of the global financial watchdog- <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/financial-action-task-force-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Financial Action Task Force (FATF)</a>.</strong></li>
<li>It asked NGOs to inform the Ministry about &ldquo;suspicious activities&rdquo; of any donor or recipient and &ldquo;take due diligence of its employees at the time of recruitment.&rdquo;</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Argument of CHRI:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The suspension order is contrary to the framework of the scheme set out under the FCRA Act and even the <strong>suspension was passed without initiating any inquiry.</strong></li>
<li>The suspension order was based on wholly incorrect facts and violates basic <strong>principles of natural justice.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Issues Related to FCRA:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Scope not defined:</strong> It prohibits the receipt of foreign contributions &ldquo;for any activities detrimental to the national interest&rdquo; or the &ldquo;economic interest of the state&rdquo;.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>However, there is no clear guidance on what constitutes &ldquo;public interest&rdquo;.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Limits Fundamental Rights:</strong> The FCRA restrictions have serious consequences on both the rights to free speech and freedom of association under <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/rights-to-freedom" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Articles 19(1)(a)</strong></a> and <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/rights-to-freedom" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>19(1)(c)</strong></a> of the Constitution.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative (CHRI)</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>CHRI is an<strong> independent, non-partisan, international <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/ngos-to-update-on-covid-19-fight-every-month" target="_blank" rel="noopener">non-governmental organisation</a></strong>, working for the practical realisation of human rights across the Commonwealth.</li>
<li><strong>Headquarters:</strong> New Delhi</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>The Commonwealth</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Origin:</strong> It is one of the world&rsquo;s oldest political associations of states. Its roots go back to the British Empire when some countries were ruled directly or indirectly by Britain. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Some of these countries became self-governing while retaining Britain&rsquo;s monarch as Head of State. They formed the British <strong>Commonwealth of Nations.</strong></li>
<li>In 1949, the Commonwealth came into being. Since then, independent countries from Africa, the Americas, Asia, Europe and the Pacific have joined the Commonwealth.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Membership:</strong> The Commonwealth is a voluntary association of 54 independent and equal sovereign states.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Membership is based on free and equal voluntary cooperation. Rwanda and Mozambique - have no historical ties to the British Empire.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Excessive regulation on foreign contribution may affect working of the NGOs which are helpful in implementing government schemes at the grassroots. They fill the gaps, where the government fails to do their jobs.</li>
<li>The regulation should not hamper sharing of resources across national boundaries essential to the functioning of a global community, and should not be discouraged unless there is reason to believe the funds are being used to aid illegal activities.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Delhi/hc-allows-centre-to-give-details-in-sealed-cover-over-chris-plea/article35550705.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: TH</strong></a></p>',
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	(int) 8 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {

		'article_id' => (int) 8980,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'I-STEM Enters Phase-II',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>The <strong>Indian Science Technology and Engineering facilities Map (I-STEM) project has been accorded an extension for five years,</strong> until 2026 and enters its<strong> second phase</strong> with added features.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1627296979_image7.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1627296979_image7.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" caption="false" width="750" height="433" /></a></p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>I-STEM:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>About:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>I-STEM is <strong>a National Web portal for sharing R&amp;D</strong> (Research and Development) facilities.</li>
<li>The portal <strong>facilitates researchers to access slots for the use of equipment,</strong> as well as to share the details of the outcomes, such as, patents, publications and technologies.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Launch:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Launched in January 2020. It is an initiative of Office of the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/important-facts-for-prelims-4th-may-2019" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Principal Scientific Adviser</strong></a> to the Government of India under the aegis of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/nine-science-and-technology-missions" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Prime Minister Science, Technology and Innovation Advisory Council (PM-STIAC) mission.</strong></a><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>PM-STIAC:</strong> It is an overarching Council that facilitates the Principal Scientific Adviser&rsquo;s Office to <strong>assess the status in specific science and technology domains, comprehend challenges in hand, formulate specific interventions, develop a futuristic roadmap</strong> and advise the Prime Minister accordingly.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Goal:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The goal of I-STEM is to strengthen the R&amp;D ecosystem of the country by connecting researchers with resources.</li>
<li>Promoting <strong>technologies and scientific equipment development indigenously,</strong> and <strong>providing necessary supplies and support to researchers</strong> by enabling them an access to existing publicly funded R&amp;D facilities in the country through the I-STEM web portal.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Phase-I:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>In the first phase, the portal is listed with more than 20,000 pieces of equipment from 1050 institutions across the country and has more than 20,000 Indian researchers.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Phase-II:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The portal<strong> will host indigenous technology products listed through a digital catalogue.</strong> It will also <strong>host and provide access to selected R&amp;D</strong> (Research and Development) <strong>software</strong> required to undertake research projects by students and scientists.</li>
<li>The portal will also<strong> provide a platform for the various City Knowledge and Innovation Clusters</strong> to enhance effective use of R&amp;D infrastructure through leveraging collaboration and partnership built on a shared STI <strong>(Science Technology and Innovation)</strong> ecosystem.</li>
<li>New phase will be designed as a dynamic digital platform that will provide a <strong>boost to research and innovation especially for 2 tier and 3 tier cities</strong> and also for the emerging start-up ecosystem.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1738848" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: PIB</strong></a></p>',
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	(int) 9 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {

		'article_id' => (int) 8963,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'Antimicrobial Resistance',
		'description' => '<h3><span style="font-weight: 400;">Why in News</span></h3>
<p>Recently, the <strong>Ministry of Health and Family Welfare</strong> highlighted <strong>various measures to address the challenges posed by Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR)</strong> in the country.</p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>About:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Antimicrobial resistance is the <strong>resistance acquired by any microorganism</strong> (bacteria, viruses, fungi, parasite, etc.) <strong>against antimicrobial drugs</strong> (such as antibiotics, antifungals, antivirals, antimalarials, and anthelmintics) that are used to treat infections.</li>
<li>As a result, <strong>standard treatments become ineffective,</strong> infections persist and may spread to others.</li>
<li>Microorganisms that develop antimicrobial resistance are sometimes referred to as <strong>&ldquo;superbugs&rdquo;.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Reasons for Spread of AMR:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The <strong>misuse of antimicrobials in medicine </strong>and <strong>inappropriate use in agriculture.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Contamination around pharmaceutical manufacturing sites</strong> where untreated waste releases large amounts of active antimicrobials into the environment.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>AMR in India:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>India, with its combination of large population, rising incomes that facilitate purchase of antibiotics, <strong>high burden of infectious diseases and easy over-the-counter access to antibiotics,</strong> is an important locus for the generation of resistance genes (such genes help bacteria in surviving on being exposed to antibiotics).</li>
<li>The multi-drug resistance determinant, <strong>New Delhi Metallo-beta-lactamase-1 (NDM-1),</strong> emerged from this region to spread globally.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Africa, Europe and other parts of Asia have also been affected by multi-drug resistant typhoid originating from South Asia.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>In India, <strong>over 56,000 newborn deaths each year due to sepsis</strong> are<strong> caused by organisms that are resistant to first line antibiotics.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Measures Taken to Address AMR:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>National Programme on AMR containment:</strong> Launched in 2012. Under this programme, AMR Surveillance Network has been strengthened by establishing labs in State Medical College.</li>
<li><strong>National Action Plan on AMR:</strong> It focuses on <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/onehealth-approach" target="_blank" rel="noopener">One Health approach</a> and was</strong> launched in April 2017 with the aim of involving various stakeholder ministries/departments.</li>
<li><strong>AMR Surveillance and Research Network (AMRSN):</strong> It was launched in 2013, to generate evidence and capture trends and patterns of drug resistant infections in the country.</li>
<li><strong>AMR Research &amp; International Collaboration: <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/icmr-recommends-use-of-hydroxy-chloroquine" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR)</a></strong> has taken initiatives to develop new drugs /medicines through international collaborations in order to strengthen medical research in AMR.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>ICMR along with Research Council of Norway (RCN) initiated a joint call for research in antimicrobial resistance in 2017.</li>
<li>ICMR along with the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF), Germany has a joint Indo-German collaboration for research on AMR.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Antibiotic Stewardship Program:</strong> ICMR has initiated antibiotic stewardship program (AMSP) on a pilot project across India to control misuse and overuse of antibiotics in hospital wards and ICUs.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>DCGI has banned 40 fixed dose combinations (FDCs) which were found inappropriate.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Integrated One Health Surveillance Network for AMR:</strong> To assess the preparedness of Indian Veterinary laboratories to participate in integrated AMR surveillance network. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>ICMR has also created a veterinary standard operating procedure (Vet-SOPs) for enabling comparison of antimicrobial resistance patterns in animals and humans.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Others:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>India has undertaken many activities <strong>like <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/intensified-mission-indradhanush-3-0-scheme" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Mission Indradhanush</a></strong> &mdash; to address <strong>low vaccination coverage</strong> &mdash; strengthened micro-planning and additional mechanisms to improve monitoring and accountability.</li>
<li>The Ministry of Health &amp; Family Welfare (MoHFW) identified AMR as one of the top 10 priorities for the ministry&rsquo;s collaborative work with the World Health Organisation (WHO).</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>WHO&rsquo;s take on AMR:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/world-health-organization-who" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>World Health Organization (WHO)</strong> </a>has identified AMR as one of the top ten threats to global health.</li>
<li>WHO recommends that countries must prioritize their national action plans to scale up financing and capacity building efforts, put in place stronger regulatory systems and support awareness programmes for responsible and prudent use of antimicrobials by professionals in humans, animals and plants health.</li>
<li>The WHO also suggests a number of steps that can be taken at various levels to reduce the impact and also limit the spread of this resistance.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=1738156" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: PIB</strong></a></p>',
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	(int) 10 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {

		'article_id' => (int) 8953,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'Surveillance Laws in India and Privacy',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, a global collaborative investigative effort has revealed that, at least 300 <strong>individuals in India, were potentially identified for targeted surveillance</strong> using sophisticated <strong>spyware called <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/pegasus-spyware" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Pegasus</a>.</strong> However, the government has claimed that all interception in India takes place lawfully.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Communication surveillance in India takes place primarily under <strong>two laws</strong> - the <strong>Telegraph Act, 1885 and the Information Technology Act, 2000.</strong></li>
<li>While the <strong>Telegraph Act deals with interception of calls</strong>, the <strong>IT Act was enacted to deal with surveillance of all electronic communication.</strong></li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1627027666_image%202.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1627027666_image 2.png" width="400" caption="false" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></strong></a></p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Telegraph Act:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Under <strong>Section 5(2) of this law</strong>, the government can intercept calls only in certain situations:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Interests of the sovereignty and integrity of India,</li>
<li>Security of the state,</li>
<li>Friendly relations with foreign states or public order,</li>
<li>Preventing incitement to the commission of an offence.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>These are the same restrictions imposed on free speech under <strong>Article 19(2) of the Constitution.</strong></li>
<li>However, these restrictions can be imposed only when there is a <strong>condition precedent</strong> - the <strong>occurrence of any public emergency, or in the interest of public safety.</strong></li>
<li>Further, the grounds of selecting a person for surveillance and extent of information gathering has to be <strong>recorded in writing.</strong></li>
<li>This lawful interception <strong>cannot take place against journalists.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Provided that press messages intended to be published in India of correspondents accredited to the Central Government or a State Government, unless their transmission has been prohibited under this subsection.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Supreme Court Intervention:</strong> In <em><strong>Public Union for Civil Liberties v Union of India (1996)</strong></em>, the SC pointed out lack of procedural safeguards in the provisions of the Telegraph Act and laid down following observations:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Tapping is a <strong>serious invasion of an individual&rsquo;s privacy.</strong></li>
<li>It is no doubt correct that every Government exercises some degree of surveillance operation as a <strong>part of its intelligence</strong> outfit but at the same time <strong>citizen&rsquo;s right to privacy has to be protected.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Sanction for Interception:</strong> The abovementioned Supreme Court&rsquo;s observations formed the basis of <strong>introducing Rule 419A</strong> in the Telegraph Rules in 2007 and later in the rules prescribed under the IT Act in 2009.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Rule 419A states that a <strong>Secretary to the Government of India (not below the rank of a Joint Secretary)</strong> in the Ministry of Home Affairs can pass orders of interception in the case of Centre, and similar provisions exist at the state level.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>IT Act, 2000:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Section 69 of the Information Technology Act and the Information Technology (Procedure for Safeguards for Interception, Monitoring and Decryption of Information) Rules, 2009</strong> were enacted to further the legal framework for electronic surveillance.</li>
<li>However, the scope of <strong>Section 69 the IT Act</strong> is much broader and vague than the Telegraph Act as the only condition precedent for engaging electronic surveillance is for the<strong> &ldquo;investigation of an offence&rdquo;.</strong></li>
<li>These provisions are problematic and offer the <strong>government total opacity in respect of its interception and monitoring activities.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Associated Issues with the Surveillance:</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Legal Loopholes:</strong> According to the Centre for Internet &amp; Society, the <strong>gaps in laws allow surveillance and affect privacy.</strong> For example:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Ambiguity on issues</strong> like type of interception, granularity of information that can be intercepted and the <strong>degree of assistance from service providers</strong> helps in bypassing the law and aids surveillance by the state.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Affects Fundamental Rights:</strong> The very existence of a surveillance system impacts the right to privacy (held by the SC in <strong><a href="/to-the-points/Paper2/important-judgements-of-independent-india#:~:text=Union%20of%20India%20(2017),21%20of%20the%20Indian%20constitution.&amp;text=The%20Puttaswamy%20judgement%20of%202017,fundamental%20right%20in%20Indian%20Jurisprudence." target="_blank" rel="noopener">K.S. Puttaswamy v. Union of India case, 2017</a>)</strong> and the exercise of freedom of speech and personal liberty under <a href="/to-the-points/Paper2/fundamental-rights-part-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Articles 19 and 21 of the Constitution.</strong></a></li>
<li><strong>Authoritarian Regime:</strong> The surveillance promotes spread of authoritarianism in the government functioning since it allows the executive to exercise a disproportionate amount of power on the citizen and impacts their personal lives.</li>
<li><strong>Threat to Freedom of Press:</strong> Current revelations over the use of Pegasus highlights that surveillance was also conducted on many journalists. This affects freedom of press.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>There is a need for reforms in the Indian surveillance regime, which should incorporate <strong>ethics of surveillance</strong> and considers the moral aspects of how surveillance is employed.</li>
<li>In this context, there is a need for a holistic debate before the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/personal-data-protection-bill-2019" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Personal Data Protection (PDP) Bill, 2019</strong></a> is enacted.</li>
<li>So that the law can be tested against the <strong>cornerstone of fundamental rights</strong> and <strong>growth of the digital economy and security of the country</strong> can be balanced.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/project-pegasus-the-laws-for-surveillance-in-india-and-the-concerns-over-privacy-7417714/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: IE</strong></a></p>',
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	(int) 11 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {

		'article_id' => (int) 8951,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'Essential Defence Services Bill, 2021',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the government introduced the <strong>Essential Defence Services Bill, 2021</strong> in Lok Sabha.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It seeks to <strong>replace the ordinance issued in June 2021 </strong>and<strong> prohibits any agitation and strike</strong> by anyone engaged in the <strong>essential defence services.</strong></li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Essential Defence Services:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It includes any service in any <strong>establishment or undertaking dealing with production of goods or equipment required for defence</strong> related purposes or any <strong>establishment of the armed forces</strong> or connected with them or defence. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It also includes services that, <strong>if ceased, would affect the safety of the establishment engaged in such services</strong> or its employees.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>In addition, the <strong>government may declare any service as an essential defence service if</strong> its cessation would affect the:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Production of defence equipment or goods.</li>
<li>Operation or maintenance of industrial establishments or units engaged in such production.</li>
<li>Repair or maintenance of products connected with defence.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Defined Strikes:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It is defined as<strong> cessation of work by a body of persons acting together,</strong> which includes: <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Mass</strong> casual <strong>leave.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Coordinated refusal</strong> of any number of persons to continue to work or accept employment.</li>
<li><strong>Refusal to work overtime,</strong> where such work is necessary for maintenance of essential defence services.</li>
<li>Any other conduct which results in, or is likely to result in, <strong>disruption of work in essential defence services.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Prohibition on strikes, lock-outs, and lay-offs:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Government <strong>may prohibit strikes, lock-outs, and lay-offs in units engaged in essential defence services.</strong></li>
<li>It may issue such an order if necessary in the interest of <strong>sovereignty and integrity</strong> of India, <strong>security</strong> of any state,<strong> public order, public, decency and morality.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Punishment:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Illegal Lock-Outs and Lay-Offs:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Employers violating the prohibition order through illegal lock-outs or lay-offs will be punished with up to <strong>one year imprisonment or Rs 10,000 fine, or both.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Strikes: </strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Persons commencing or participating in illegal strikes -</strong> Up to <strong>one year</strong> imprisonment or <strong>Rs 10,000 fine,</strong> or both.</li>
<li><strong>Persons instigating, inciting, or taking actions to continue illegal strikes, or knowingly supplying money</strong> for such purposes- Up to two years imprisonment or Rs 15,000 fine, or both. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Such an employee will be liable to <strong>disciplinary action</strong> including dismissal as per the terms and conditions of his service.</li>
<li>In such cases, the <strong>concerned authority is allowed to dismiss or remove the employee without any inquiry,</strong> if it is not reasonably practicable to hold such inquiry.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>All offences punishable will be<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/re-imagining-cognizable-offences#:~:text=According%20to%20177th%20Law%20Commission,registered%20only%20in%20cognizable%20crimes." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> cognisable</strong></a> <strong>and non-bailable.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Cognisable</strong> offences are those that require an immediate arrest.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Public Utility Service:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It will amend the<strong> Industrial Disputes Act, 1947</strong> to include essential defence services under <strong>public utility services.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The undertakings which supply the <strong>basic necessary services</strong> such as electricity, water, gas, power, transport etc. comes under the purview of the public utility services.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Right to Strikes</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Right to strike is recognized globally. <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/right-to-dissent" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Article 19(1)</strong></a> the Constitution of India guarantees the protection of certain freedoms as fundamental rights such as:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Freedom of <strong>speech and expression.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Assemble peaceably</strong> and without arms.</li>
<li>Form <strong>associations or unions.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Move freely</strong> throughout the territory of India.</li>
<li><strong>Reside and settle</strong> in any part of the territory of India.</li>
<li><strong>Practise any profession,</strong> or to carry on any occupation, trade or business.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>However, <strong>strike is not expressly recognized in the Constitution of India.</strong> The <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-national-institutions/supreme-court-of-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Supreme Court</strong> </a>settled the case of<em><strong> Kameshwar Prasad v. The State of Bihar 1958</strong> </em>by stating that<strong> strike is not a fundamental right.</strong> Government employees have no legal or moral rights to go on strikes.</li>
<li>India recognized strike as a <strong>statutory right under the Industrial Disputes Act, 1947.</strong></li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Industrial Disputes Act 1947</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It defines public utility service and strike, it also puts certain prohibitions on the right to strike. It provides that <strong>no person employed in public utility service shall go on strike in breach of contract:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Without</strong> giving the employer <strong>notice of strike</strong> within six weeks before striking.</li>
<li>Within <strong>fourteen days of giving such notice.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Before the expiry of the date</strong> of strike specified in any such notice as aforesaid.</li>
<li>During the<strong> pendency of any conciliation proceedings</strong> before a conciliation officer and seven days after the conclusion of such proceedings.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>It is to be noted that <strong>these provisions do not prohibit the workmen</strong> from going on strike but <strong>require them to fulfill the condition before going on strike.</strong> Further these provisions apply to a <strong>public utility service only.</strong></li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/india/lok-sabha-bill-prohibit-strikes-essential-defence-services-7417067/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: IE</strong></a></p>',
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	(int) 12 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {

		'article_id' => (int) 8945,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'Extension to OBC Sub-Categorisation Commission',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the Union Cabinet has approved<strong> a six-month extension</strong> to the commission appointed to examine<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/panel-to-examine-obc-sub-categorisation-seeks-third-extension" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> sub-categorisation of Other Backward Classes</strong></a> (OBCs), up to 31<sup>st</sup> January 2022.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>This is the <strong>eleventh extension for the commission,</strong> which was initially due to submit its report in March 2018.</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 will enable the Commission to <strong>submit a comprehensive report on the issue of sub-categorization of OBCs,</strong> after consultation with various stakeholders.</li>
<li>Its<strong> objectives</strong> include working out a mechanism, criteria, norm and parameters through a scientific approach for sub-categorisation within the OBCs and identifying the respective castes or communities or sub-castes or synonyms in the Central List of OBCs and classifying them into their respective sub-categories.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Commission:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Also called Rohini Commission, constituted under <strong>Article 340 of the Constitution</strong> with the approval of the President on 2<sup>nd</sup> October 2017.</li>
<li>It had been constituted<strong> to complete the task of sub-categorising 5000-odd castes in the central OBC list</strong> so as to ensure more equitable distribution of opportunities in central government jobs and educational institutions.</li>
<li>In 2015, the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-national-institutions/national-commission-for-backward-classes-ncbc" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>National Commission for Backward Classes (NCBC)</strong> </a>had recommended that OBCs should be categorised into <strong>extremely backward classes, more backward classes </strong>and<strong> backward classes.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>NCBC has the <strong>authority to examine complaints and welfare measures</strong> regarding socially and educationally backward classes.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Work Done:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It has met <strong>representatives of state governments,</strong> state backward classes commissions, community associations etc. apart from <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/progress-report-of-commission-for-sub-categorisation-of-obcs" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>obtaining caste-wise data of OBCs</strong></a> in higher educational institutions and recruits in central departments, public sector banks and financial institutions.</li>
<li>Earlier this year the commission<strong> proposed to divide OBCs into four subcategories</strong> numbered 1, 2, 3 and 4 and <strong>split the 27% into 2, 6, 9 and 10%, respectively.</strong></li>
<li>It also recommended <strong>complete digitisation of all OBC records</strong> and <strong>a standardised system of issuing OBC certificates.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Possible Outcomes:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The commission may make recommendations which will benefit the communities in the existing list of OBCs which have not been able to get any major benefit of the OBCs reservation scheme for appointment in central government posts and for admission in central government educational institutions.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Article 340 of the Indian Constitution</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The President may by order appoint a Commission consisting of such persons as he thinks <strong>fit to investigate the conditions of socially and educationally backward classes</strong> within the territory of India and the difficulties under which they labour and to make recommendations as to the steps that should be taken by the Union or any State to remove such difficulties.</li>
<li>A Commission<strong> so appointed shall investigate the matters referred to them</strong> and present to the President a report setting out the facts as found by them and making <strong>such recommendations</strong> as they think proper.</li>
<li>The President shall <strong>cause a copy of the report</strong> so presented together with a memorandum explaining the action taken thereon to be laid before each House of Parliament.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>OBC Reservation</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The <strong>Kalelkar Commission, set up in 1953,</strong> was the <strong>first to identify backward classes other than</strong> the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/national-commission-for-scheduled-castes-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Scheduled Castes (SCs)</strong></a> and Scheduled Tribes (STs) at the national level.</li>
<li>The <strong>Mandal Commission Report, 1980</strong> estimated the<strong> OBC population at 52% and classified 1,257 communities</strong> as backward.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It recommended increasing the existing quotas, which were only for SC/ST, from 22.5% to 49.5% to include the OBCs.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>The central government reserved 27%</strong> of seats in union civil posts and services for OBCs [Article 16(4)]. The quotas were subsequently enforced in central government educational institutions [Article 15 (4)].<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In 2008, the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-national-institutions/supreme-court-of-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Supreme Court</strong></a> directed the central government to<strong> exclude the creamy layer (advanced sections) among the OBCs.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The<strong> 102<sup>nd</sup> Constitution Amendment Act, 2018</strong> provided constitutional status to the National Commission for Backward Classes (NCBC), which was previously a statutory body under the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1735376" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: PIB</strong></a></p>',
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	(int) 13 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {

		'article_id' => (int) 8938,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'New Vintage Vehicles Policy',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the <strong>Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MORTH)</strong> has made amendments to the <strong>Central Motor Vehicles Rules 1989.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It has<strong> some special provisions for vintage vehicles</strong> that are over 50 years old.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Definition of Vintage Vehicles:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>All <strong>two- and four-wheelers that are 50+ years old and have been maintained in their original form</strong> and which have not undergone any substantial overhaul, shall be defined as Vintage Motor Vehicles.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Regulation:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>These<strong> will not be driven for regular and commercial purposes</strong> and will have to get a special registration.</li>
<li>Other than that, the owners <strong>can use</strong> their vintage cars in any way they wish - such <strong>as an exhibition, or a ride from time to time.</strong></li>
<li>The new registration rules say <strong>vehicles that are already registered can retain their original Registration Mark</strong> and<strong> fresh registrations will take place under a unique VA (Vintage) series.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Registration information will be on the<strong> Parivahan portal</strong> of the MORTH.</li>
<li>The registration certificate <strong>will be valid for 10 years,</strong> renewable thereafter.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Sale and purchase</strong> of vehicles registered as vintage<strong> is permissible;</strong> the buyer and seller have to inform their respective State Transport Authorities.</li>
<li>Vintage vehicles <strong>are insulated from the scrappage policy.</strong> If a vehicle is more than 15 years old but within 50 years, the owner can continue to keep it by passing fitness tests every five years.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Significance:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>No existing rules</strong> for regulating the process of registration across different states for Vintage Vehicle.</li>
<li>The new rules<strong> will provide a hassle-free process</strong> for fresh registration.</li>
<li>This is aimed at <strong>preserving and promoting the heritage of old vehicles</strong> in India.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="/admin/articles/edit/Why%20in News Recently, the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MORTH) has made amendments to the Central Motor Vehicles Rules 1989. It has some special provisions for vintage vehicles that are over 50 years old. Key Points Definition of Vintage Vehicles: All two- and four-wheelers that are 50+ years old and have been maintained in their original form and which have not undergone any substantial overhaul, shall be defined as Vintage Motor Vehicles. Regulation: These will not be driven for regular and commercial purposes and will have to get a special registration. Other than that, the owners can use their vintage cars in any way they wish - such as an exhibition, or a ride from time to time. The new registration rules say vehicles that are already registered can retain their original Registration Mark and fresh registrations will take place under a unique VA (Vintage) series. Registration information will be on the Parivahan portal of the MORTH. The registration certificate will be valid for 10 years, renewable thereafter.  Sale and purchase of vehicles registered as vintage is permissible; the buyer and seller have to inform their respective State Transport Authorities. Vintage vehicles are insulated from the scrappage policy. If a vehicle is more than 15 years old but within 50 years, the owner can continue to keep it by passing fitness tests every five years. Significance: No existing rules for regulating the process of registration across different states for Vintage Vehicle. The new rules will provide a hassle-free process for fresh registration. This is aimed at preserving and promoting the heritage of old vehicles in India. Source: IE" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: IE</strong></a></p>',
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		'article_id' => (int) 8937,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'Geospatial Technologies for the Water Sector in India',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the <strong>Association of Geospatial Industries</strong> released a report titled <strong>&ldquo;Potential of Geospatial Technologies for the Water Sector in India''.</strong> The report mentions opportunities in the Water sector that can benefit from the use of Geospatial technologies.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>As the severity of the water crisis in India increases every year, central and state government agencies are using a variety of resources to tackle the water crisis. One among them is the adoption of Geospatial technologies.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Overview of Water Sector in India: </strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Demand-Supply Mismatch:</strong> India has about <strong>17% of the world population,</strong> but <strong>only about 4% of the world&rsquo;s freshwater reserves,</strong> and is currently facing a severe water challenge.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Further, total capacity of India&rsquo;s reservoirs stands at 250 billion cubic meters (bcm), while its total water bearing capacity over the surface is around 320 bcm.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Low Rate of Collection:</strong> India receives 3,000 billion cubic metres of water every year through rainfall or other sources such as glaciers; of this, only 8% is collected.</li>
<li><strong>Over-extraction &amp; Over-reliance on Groundwater:</strong> India fills groundwater aquifers at the rate of 458 bcm per year, while it extracts around 650 bcm of water from the earth.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>89% of India&rsquo;s water resources are used for agriculture, out of which 65% is withdrawn from under the ground.</li>
<li>Thus, one of India&rsquo;s biggest challenges is to conserve groundwater.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Water Stress:</strong> As per a <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-national-institutions/niti-aayog-national-institution-for-transforming-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>NITI Aayog</strong> </a>report, currently nearly 820 million people in 12 major river basins of India face extreme water stress.</li>
<li><strong>Qualitative Issue:</strong> Adding to the issue of lack of water availability is the issue of water quality. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Groundwater in one-third of India&rsquo;s 600 districts is <strong>contaminated mainly through fluoride and arsenic.</strong></li>
<li>Further, there has been <strong>a 136% increase in the number of grossly polluting industries</strong> between 2011- 2018, according to the <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/state-of-environment-report-2021-cse" target="_blank" rel="noopener">State of India&rsquo;s Environment report</a>, 2019.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Need to Conserve Water:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Given the <strong>population density </strong>and <strong>requirement of water for agriculture,</strong> India is heavily dependent on groundwater and is one of the worst hit countries as far as the water crisis is concerned.</li>
<li>Availability of clean water to all for personal, industrial, and agricultural use will not only ensure India reaches its vision of<strong> becoming a <a href="/be-mains-ready-daily-answer-writing-practice-question/papers/2019/economic-survey-2018-19-virtuous-cycle-help-indian-economy-to-become-a-usd-5-trillion-economy-by-2024-25" target="_blank" rel="noopener">USD 5 Trillion economy</a></strong> but will also enable it to achieve the <strong><a href="/to-the-points/paper3/sustainable-development-3#:~:text=To%20bring%20sustainable%20development%20in,over%20the%20next%2015%20years." target="_blank" rel="noopener">United Nations Sustainable Development Goals</a>.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>About Geospatial Technologies:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Geospatial technologies is a term used to describe the range of modern tools <strong>contributing to the geographic mapping and analysis of the Earth and human societies.</strong></li>
<li>The term 'geospatial' refers not to one single technology, but a collection of technologies that help to collect, analyse, store, manage, distribute, integrate, and present geographic information.</li>
<li>Broadly speaking, it consists of the following technologies:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/cartosat-3" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Remote Sensing</a></strong></li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/coast-india#:~:text=of%20migrant%20workers.-,Geographic%20Information%20System,understand%20spatial%20patterns%20and%20relationships." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>GIS (Geographic Information System)</strong></a></li>
<li><a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/in-depth-visual-positioning-system" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System)</strong></a></li>
<li>Survey</li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/formulation-of-policy-for-3d-printing" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>3D modelling</strong></a></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Benefits:</strong> Geospatial technology enables better measurement, management, and maintenance of assets, monitoring of resources and even providing predictive and prescriptive analysis for forecasting and planned interventions.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Geospatial Technology for Water Sector:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Geospatial and digital technologies like<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/cartosat-3#:~:text=Cartosat%2D3%20is%20an%20earth,typically%20from%20aircraft%20or%20satellites." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> Satellite Based Remote Sensing</strong></a>, <a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/in-depth-visual-positioning-system" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>GPS</strong></a> Based Equipment and Sensors, <a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/in-depth-artificial-intelligence" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Artificial Intelligence</strong></a>, <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/big-data-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Big Data Analytics</strong></a>, <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/india-must-get-on-the-iot-highway-fast#:~:text=Internet%20Of%20Things%20(IoT)%20is%20a%20computing%20concept%20that%20describes,than%20the%20object%20by%20itself." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Internet of Things</strong></a>, <a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/the-big-picture-5g-the-road-ahead" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>5G</strong></a>, <a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/policy-watch-robotics-and-automation-in-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Robotics</strong></a> and <strong>Digital Twin</strong>, can be effectively used to combat the water crisis.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1626936050_image2.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1626936050_image2.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" caption="false" width="700" height="411" /></a></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Major Ongoing Water Projects in India:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Recognising the water crisis in India, the government of India formed a single ministry i.e <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/jal-shakti-mantralaya" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Ministry of Jal Shakti</strong></a>. Previously, water was a subject which was dealt with by almost nine Ministries.</li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/jal-jeevan-mission-urban" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Jal Jeevan Mission</strong></a></li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/drip-phase-ii-and-phase-iii" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Dam Rehabilitation and Improvement Project (DRIP)</strong></a></li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/namami-gange-programme#:~:text=Namami%20Gange%20Programme%20is%20an,rejuvenation%20of%20National%20River%20Ganga." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Namami Gange </strong></a></li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/challenges-of-river-interlinking" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>National River Linking Project (NRLP) </strong></a></li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/amrut-mission" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT) </strong></a></li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/mid-term-review-of-national-hydrology-project#:~:text=It%20was%20started%20in%202016,a%20budget%20outlay%20of%20Rs." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>National Hydrology Programme</strong></a></li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/pradhan-mantri-krishi-sinchayee-yojana" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayi Yojana (PMKSY)</strong></a></li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/national-aquifer-mapping-and-management-programme" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>National Aquifer Mapping and Management Programme (NAQUIM)</strong></a></li>
<li><a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/policy-watch-national-water-policy" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>River Basin Management</strong></a></li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/atal-bhujal-yojana" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Atal Bhujal Yojana (ABHY) </strong></a></li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/catch-the-rain-national-water-mission" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>National Water Mission</strong></a></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Digital Twin</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Digital Twin is a <strong>virtual replica of the physical world,</strong> its dynamics, and processes, which allow us to simulate real life situations and analyse its impact.</li>
<li>Digital twins are <strong>composed of three parts:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>the physical entities in the physical world,</li>
<li>the virtual models in the virtual world, and</li>
<li>the connected data that tie the two worlds.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Digital Twins not only integrate the digital representation of physical assets, like physical systems of pipes, pumps, valves, and tanks, but also include historical data sets such as weather records and realtime dynamic interactions, which allow them to be used for multiple analyses.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Long-term Geospatial Vision:</strong> In order to derive maximum benefit from geospatial technology implementation in various programmes, user departments need to build a long-term vision of the outcomes of geospatial implementation.</li>
<li><strong>Integrated Geospatial Platform:</strong> An integrated collaborative platform to connect the data and technology used by various organizations need to be developed for seamless access to information both locally and nationally and enable decision making.</li>
<li><strong>Data and System Integration:</strong> Various datasets including demography, socio-cultural, economic, and other parameters need to be integrated with spatial and non-spatial data related to water, like soil moisture, annual rainfall, rivers, aquifer, groundwater levels, water quality etc.</li>
<li><strong>Improving Water Use Efficiency:</strong> Agriculture sector is the largest user of water resources in our country. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>They use 80-85% of water resources, while have only about 30-35% efficiency of water use.</li>
<li>Geospatial technologies can be used for increasing water use efficiency, so that this can be increased to at least 50%.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Sharing of Best Practices:</strong> A lot of good work has taken place in pockets within state governments or within programmes related to the water sector. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>A lot of knowledge exists that can help stakeholders to leverage from and not reinvent the wheel.</li>
<li>A central repository of such a knowledge base, in the form of a Knowledge Portal can be created and maintained by the Ministry of Jal Shakti that includes case studies, best practices, tools, information on data sources etc.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetailm.aspx?PRID=1737365" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: PIB</strong></a></p>',
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	(int) 15 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {

		'article_id' => (int) 8936,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'New Initiatives in Building Energy Efficiency',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, <strong>&ldquo;Aiming for Sustainable Habitat: New Initiatives in Building Energy Efficiency 2021&rdquo;</strong> was launched by the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/bee-star-rating-programme" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE).</strong></a></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>These initiatives <strong>seek to enhance energy efficiency in the building sector</strong> and were launched as part of <strong>'Azadi Ka Amrut Mahotsav'.</strong></li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Bureau of Energy Efficiency</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The BEE is a <strong>statutory body</strong> established through the <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/national-energy-conservation-day-2020" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Energy Conservation Act, 2001</a> under the Union Ministry of Power.</strong></li>
<li>It <strong>assists in developing policies and strategies</strong> with the primary objective of reducing the energy intensity of the Indian economy.</li>
<li>BEE<strong> coordinates</strong> with designated consumers, designated agencies, and other organizations <strong>to identify and utilize the existing resources and infrastructure, in performing its functions.</strong></li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Initiatives Launched:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Eco Niwas Samhita 2021:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It is an <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/national-energy-conservation-day-2020#:~:text=Energy%20Conservation%20Building%20Code%20(ECBC)%3A" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Energy Conservation Building Code</a> for Residential Buildings (ECBC-R)</strong> to give a further fillip to India&rsquo;s energy conservation efforts.</li>
<li>It specifies code compliance approaches and minimum energy performance requirements for building services, and verification framework with <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/eco-niwas-samhita-2018" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Eco Niwas Samhita</a> 2021.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Hand Book for Learning:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The web-based platform <strong>&lsquo;The Handbook of Replicable Designs for Energy Efficient Residential Buildings&rsquo;</strong> as a learning tool, which can be used to create a pool of ready-to-use resources of replicable designs to construct energy-efficient homes in India.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Online Directory of Building Materials:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Creating an Online Directory of Building Materials that <strong>would envisage the process of establishing standards for energy efficient building materials.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>NEERMAN Awards:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>NEERMAN Awards,</strong> (National Energy Efficiency Roadmap for Movement towards Affordable &amp; Natural Habitat) were announced, with the<strong> goal of encouraging exceptionally efficient building designs</strong> complying with BEE&rsquo;s Energy Conservation Building Codes.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Online Star Rating Tool:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It <strong>provides performance analysis to help professionals</strong> decide the best options to pick for energy-efficiency of their homes.</li>
<li>It was launched for <strong>Energy Efficient Homes,</strong> created to improve energy-efficiency and reduce energy consumption in individual homes.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Training:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Training of over 15,000 Architects, Engineers and Government officials on <strong>Energy Conservation Building Code (ECBC) 2017</strong> and <strong>Eco Niwas Samhita 2021.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Significance:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The<strong> building sector is the second largest consumer of electricity</strong> after industry but it is expected to become the <strong>largest energy consuming sector by 2030.</strong></li>
<li>These initiatives will <strong>help enhance the energy-efficiency levels in residential buildings across the country,</strong> thereby leading to sustainable habitation.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The initiatives will go a long way to <strong>make India more energy-efficient.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Energy Efficiency in India</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Energy Efficiency:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Energy efficiency means<strong> using less energy to perform the same task &ndash;</strong> that is, <strong>eliminating energy waste.</strong></li>
<li>Energy efficiency<strong> brings a variety of benefits:</strong> reducing <a href="/infographics/info-paper3/greenhouse-gas-emission" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>GreenHouse Gas (GHG)</strong></a> emissions, reducing demand for energy imports, and lowering our costs on a household and economy-wide level.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Transition:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>India&rsquo;s energy sector is set for a transition with recent developmental ambitions of the government e.g. <a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/the-big-picture-budget-2021-for-green-energy#:~:text=Renewable%20energy%3A%20The%20Government%20of,GW%20from%20small%20hydro%20power." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>175 GW of installed capacity of renewable energy by 2022</strong></a>, 24X7 Power for all,<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/pradhan-mantri-awaas-yojana-gramin" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> Housing for all by 2022</strong></a>, 100 <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/smart-cities-command-centres" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>smart cities mission</strong></a>, promotion of e- mobility, electrification of railway sector, 100% electrification of households, Solarization of agricultural pump sets, and promotion of clean cooking.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Potential of Energy Efficiency:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Energy Efficiency <strong>has the maximum GHG abatement potential</strong> of around 51% followed by renewables (32%), biofuels (1%), nuclear (8%), carbon capture and storage (8%) as per the <strong>World Energy Outlook</strong> (WEO 2010). <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>World Energy Outlook (WEO) is the flagship publication of the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/india-energy-outlook-2021-iea" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>International Energy Agency.</strong></a></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>India can <strong>avoid building 300 GW of new power generation up to 2040</strong> with implementation of ambitious energy efficiency policies.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Positives:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Successful implementation of Energy Efficiency Measures contributed to electricity <strong>savings of 7.14% of total electricity consumption of the country</strong> and emission <strong>reduction of 108.28 million tonnes of CO<sub>2</sub> during 2017-18.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Other initiatives to Promote Energy Conservation and Energy Efficiency:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>PAT Scheme:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/national-energy-conservation-awards" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Perform Achieve and Trade Scheme (PAT)</strong></a> is a market based mechanism to enhance the cost effectiveness in improving the Energy Efficiency in Energy Intensive industries through certification of energy saving which can be traded.</li>
<li>It is a part of the National Mission for Enhanced Energy Efficiency (NMEEE), which is one of the eight missions under the <a href="/to-the-points/Paper2/national-action-plan-on-climate-change#:~:text=It%20was%20launched%20in%202010,energy%20in%20India%27s%20energy%20mix.&amp;text=Emphasis%20on%20manufacturing%20solar%20panels,local%20research%20with%20international%20efforts." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC).</strong></a></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Standards and Labeling:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The scheme was <strong>launched in 2006</strong> and is currently invoked for equipments/appliances Room Air Conditioner (Fixed/VariableSpeed), Ceiling Fan, Colour Television, Computer, Direct Cool Refrigerator, Distribution Transformer, Domestic Gas Stove, General Purpose Industrial Motor, LED Lamps, Agricultural Pumpset, etc.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Energy Conservation Building Code (ECBC):</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It was developed for<strong> new commercial buildings in 2007.</strong></li>
<li>It sets<strong> minimum energy standards for new commercial buildings</strong> having a connected load of 100kW (kilowatt) or contract demand of 120 KVA (kilovolt-ampere) and above.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Demand Side Management:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>DSM is the<strong> selection, planning, and implementation of measures</strong> intended to have an influence on the demand or customer-side of<strong> the electric meter.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=1736246" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: PIB</strong></a></p>',
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		'article_id' => (int) 8931,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'Roadmap for India’s Offshore Wind Energy',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the <strong>Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE)</strong> has set a target of installing 5 GW of offshore capacity by 2022 and 30 GW by 2030.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>India can generate 127 GW of offshore wind energy with its 7,600 km of coastline.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>About Offshore Wind Energy:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Wind energy</strong> today typically comes in <strong>two different &ldquo;types&rdquo;:</strong> <strong>onshore wind farms</strong> which are large installations of <strong>wind turbines located on land, and offshore wind farms</strong> which are <strong>installations located in bodies of water.</strong></li>
<li>Offshore wind energy refers to the <strong>deployment of wind farms inside the water bodies.</strong> They utilise the sea winds to generate electricity. These wind farms either use fixed-foundation turbines or floating wind turbines. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>A <strong>fixed-foundation turbine is built in shallow water,</strong> whereas <strong>a floating wind turbine is built in deeper waters</strong> where its foundation is anchored in the seabed. Floating wind farms are still in their infancy.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Offshore wind farms must be<strong> at least 200 nautical miles</strong> from the shore and<strong> 50 feet deep in the ocean.</strong></li>
<li>Offshore wind turbines produce electricity which is <strong>returned to shore through cables buried</strong> in the ocean floor.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Status of Wind Energy in India:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>India&rsquo;s <strong>electricity generation from wind reached 39.2 gigawatts (GW) a year</strong> in March 2021. An addition of <strong>another 20 GW</strong> over the next five years is expected to happen soon.</li>
<li>The<strong> compound annual growth rate for wind generation</strong> has been <strong>11.39% between 2010 and 2020, </strong>and<strong> for installed capacity, it has been 8.78%.</strong></li>
<li>More than 95% of commercially exploitable resources are<strong> located in seven states:</strong> Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Rajasthan and Tamil Nadu.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1626861473_image3.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1626861473_image3.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="450" caption="false" /></a></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Benefits:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Wind speed <strong>over water bodies is high</strong> and is consistent in direction. As a result, offshore wind farms<strong> generate more electricity</strong> per installed capacity.</li>
<li>Fewer offshore turbines are required<strong> to produce the same capacity</strong> of energy as <strong>compared to onshore ones.</strong></li>
<li>Offshore wind farms <strong>have a higher CUF</strong> (capacity utilisation factor) than onshore wind farms. Therefore, offshore wind power <strong>allows for longer operating hours.</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>A wind turbine's CUF is equal to the average output power divided by the maximum power capabilities.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>It's <strong>possible to build bigger and taller</strong> offshore windmills, resulting in increased energy harvest.</li>
<li>Furthermore, the <strong>wind flow is not restricted by hills or buildings.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Challenges:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Higher Installation Cost:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Local substructure manufacturers, installations vessels and<strong> trained workers are lacking in India.</strong> Offshore wind turbines<strong> require stronger structures and foundations</strong> than onshore wind farms. This <strong>can cause higher installation costs.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Higher Maintenance Cost:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The action of <strong>waves and even high winds,</strong> particularly during storms or hurricanes, <strong>can damage wind turbines.</strong> Eventually, offshore wind farms<strong> require maintenance</strong> that is <strong>more costly and difficult to perform.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Policies related to Wind Energy:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/policy-watch-indias-wind-energy-potential#:~:text=A%20Solar%2DWind%20Hybrid%20policy,resources%2C%20transmission%20infrastructure%20and%20land." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>National Wind-Solar Hybrid Policy</strong></a>: The main objective of the National Wind-Solar Hybrid Policy, 2018 is to provide a framework for promotion of large grid connected wind-solar PV hybrid systems for optimal and efficient utilization of wind and solar resources, transmission infrastructure and land.</li>
<li><a href="/to-the-points/Paper2/year-end-review-2019-ministry-of-new-and-renewable-energy" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>National Offshore Wind Energy Policy</strong></a>: The National Offshore wind energy policy was notified in October 2015 with an objective to develop the offshore wind energy in the Indian <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/unclos-maritime-zones#:~:text=Exclusive%20Economic%20Zone%20(EEZ)%3A,200%20nm%20from%20its%20baselines." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ)</strong></a> along the Indian coastline of 7600 km.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Renewable purchase obligation:</strong> Power distribution companies, open access consumers and captive users can purchase clean energy as part of their total electricity consumption through a renewable purchase obligation.</li>
<li><strong>Lower taxes:</strong> In India, the GST Law exempts electricity and power sales from GST. In contrast, wind power generation companies cannot claim <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/four-years-of-the-gst" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>input tax credits</strong></a> when they pay GST to purchase goods and/or services for setting up the project.</li>
<li><strong>Feed-in tariff:</strong> Discoms can adopt feed-in tariff (FiT) regulations and make offshore wind power procurement mandatory. FiT can be tailored to suit each offshore wind project. FiT can be used to promote offshore wind power in the early stages of development until it becomes economically viable.</li>
<li><strong>Deemed generation provision:</strong> Offshore wind projects need to be protected against curtailment concerns because of the <strong>inability of State Load Dispatch Centres (SLDCs)</strong> to absorb large quantities of power that may be generated. For this, the offshore wind can be given a &ldquo;deemed generation provision&rdquo;.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.downtoearth.org.in/blog/energy/india-s-offshore-wind-energy-a-roadmap-for-getting-started-78010" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: DTE</strong></a></p>',
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	(int) 17 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {

		'article_id' => (int) 8929,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'Domestic Manufacturing in Solar Energy',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the <strong>Union Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE)</strong> has released the<strong> first list of photovoltaic module manufacturers in India.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>MNRE has made it mandatory for solar cell and module manufacturers to register under the<strong> Approved List of Models and Manufacturers (ALMM)</strong> - an initial step towards <strong>reducing India&rsquo;s dependence on solar imports and self-reliance.</strong></li>
<li>However, given the capacity constraints for domestic manufacturers, ALMM<strong> may pose near-term challenges for the Indian developers for planning the procurement of imported photovoltaic modules.</strong></li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Solar Technologies</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Solar PhotoVoltaic (SPV):</strong> SPV cells convert solar radiation (sunlight) into electricity. A solar cell is a semi-conducting device made of silicon and/or other materials, which, when exposed to sunlight, generates electricity.</li>
<li><strong>Solar Thermal:</strong> Solar Thermal Power systems, also known as Concentrating Solar Power systems, use concentrated solar radiation as a high temperature energy source to produce electricity.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>About ALMM:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The ALMM lists eligible models and manufacturers of solar cells and modules complying with the <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/bureau-of-indian-standards-bis-act-2016" target="_blank" rel="noopener">BIS (Bureau of Indian Standards) certification</a>.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It was announced in 2019.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>It aims to have a <strong>quality benchmark for modules and prevent low-quality Chinese manufacturers</strong> from dumping their products in India.</li>
<li>Enlisting in ALMM is <strong>mandatory for manufacturers supplying to the government-owned solar projects.</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Only the models and manufacturers included in this list shall be eligible for use in projects under Government schemes &amp; Programmes, installed in the country.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Further, the word<strong> "Government"</strong> includes Central Government, State Government, Central Public Sector Enterprises, State Public Sector Enterprises and Central and State Organizations/Autonomous bodies.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Issues Related to ALMM:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>May Impact Bankability of Solar Projects:</strong> Lack of clarity about ALMM means supply uncertainty, limited module choices, no access to newer technologies, and cost increases for developers of large-scale projects. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>This may also result in a hike in solar power tariff prices which may undermine the prospects of solar energy.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Overlap Between BIS and ALMM:</strong> The ALMM was put in place to ensure the quality of solar products, but it overlaps the existing Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) certification in many aspects. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>BIS is related to product certification, ALMM is more of a process and manufacturing facility/original equipment manufacturer certification.</li>
<li>This has created a compliance burden for domestic manufactures.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Supply-side Bottlenecks:</strong> Many developers believe that the implementation of ALMM <strong>will deter foreign players from supplying to the Indian market.</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>With the domestic market still far away from being self-reliant, project developers are staring at a supply bottleneck in the foreseeable future.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Domestic Capacity of Solar Power in India:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>There has been <strong>a significant progress in solar capacity addition since 2014,</strong> with India progressively emerging as the <strong>world&rsquo;s third largest solar market.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>However, India&rsquo;s solar story is <strong>largely built over imported products.</strong></li>
<li>The domestic solar equipment manufacturing industry has largely failed to capitalise on the opportunity.</li>
<li>Nearly<strong> 80% of the solar inputs and components are imported from China.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The reason for this is that <strong>Solar cell manufacturing is a complicated process</strong> that is technology and capital intensive and it also upgrades every 8-10 months.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Further, the <strong>global market of solar wafer and ingot manufacturing is dominated by China,</strong> who uses anti-competitive measures to dump cheap solar equipment into India.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Solar Energy and India</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Just before the<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/five-years-of-paris-climate-accord" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> Paris climate summit</strong></a> in 2015, the Government of India had said it would install 175 GW of renewable power by 2022, including 100 GW of solar power.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In this context, the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/india-may-miss-100-gw-solar-power-target-by-2022-crisil-report" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>National Solar Mission</strong></a> is a major initiative of the Government of India and State Governments to promote ecologically sustainable growth while addressing India's energy security challenge.</li>
<li>Further, India&rsquo;s commitment as part of INDC at Paris climate deal to reduce the emissions intensity of its GDP by 33 to 35% by 2030 from 2005 level.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><a href="/to-the-points/paper3/solar-energy" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Sustainable rooftop implementation of Solar transfiguration of India (SRISTI) scheme</strong></a> envisages to promote rooftop solar power projects in India.</li>
<li>The <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/pm-kusum" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>KUSUM scheme</strong></a> would provide additional income to farmers, by giving them the option to sell additional power to the grid, through solar power projects set up on their barren lands.</li>
<li>Through the establishment of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/third-assembly-of-isa" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>International Solar Alliance (ISA)</strong></a>, India envisages the world to leverage solar energy potential of more than 122 countries, which lie either completely or partly between the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn to promote solar energy. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Further, ISA&rsquo; s vision is to enable <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/one-sun-one-world-one-grid" target="_blank" rel="noopener">One World, One Sun, One Grid (OSOWOG)</a>.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>ALMM and BIS certification could have been better managed by <strong>combining these two objectives</strong> and making it a single-window process.</li>
<li><strong>Strong financial measures</strong> are required to finance the solar projects, innovative steps like <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/green-bonds" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>green bonds</strong></a>, institutional loans and clean energy funds can play a crucial role.</li>
<li>Promotion of <strong>research and development in the renewable energy sector,</strong> especially in storage technology.</li>
<li>Proper mechanism should be provided to tackle China's dumping of solar equipment.</li>
<li>Framework to avoid unnecessary delays in policy decision making and implementation. India <strong>needs a Solar Waste Management and Manufacturing Standards Policy.</strong></li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.downtoearth.org.in/blog/energy/how-the-renewable-energy-ministry-s-new-order-will-impact-india-s-solar-energy-target-77982" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: DTE</strong></a></p>',
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	(int) 18 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {

		'article_id' => (int) 8927,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'Provisions of 97th Amendment Struck Down: SC',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the<a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-national-institutions/supreme-court-of-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> Supreme Court (SC)</strong> </a>upheld a 2013 judgment of the Gujarat High Court and struck down certain provisions of the<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/Scheme%20to%20Promote%20Young%20Entrepreneurs%20in%20Cooperatives" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> Constitution (97<sup>th</sup> Amendment) Act, 2011.</strong></a></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It gave a major boost for <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/federalism-and-emerging-challenges" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>federalism</strong></a> as the<strong> 97<sup>th</sup> Amendment shrank the exclusive authority of States</strong> over its <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/ministry-of-co-operation-a-new-push-to-co-operatives" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>co-operative societies</strong></a>, a sector considered as a massive contributor to the economy.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Co-operatives</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>According to the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/international-labour-organization" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>International Labour Organisation (ILO)</strong></a>,<strong> a cooperative is an autonomous association of persons united voluntarily to meet their common economic, social and cultural needs</strong> and aspirations through a jointly owned and democratically controlled enterprise.</li>
<li>There are <strong>many types of cooperatives</strong> such as Consumer Cooperative Society, Producer Cooperative Society, Credit Cooperative Society, Housing Cooperative Society and Marketing Cooperative Society.</li>
<li>The <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/united-nations-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>United Nations General Assembly</strong></a> had declared the year <strong>2012 as the International Year of Cooperatives.</strong></li>
<li>India is an agricultural country and laid the foundation of <strong>World&rsquo;s biggest cooperative movement in the world.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Recently, a separate<strong> &lsquo;Ministry of Co-operation&rsquo;</strong> has been created by the Central Government to give a new push to the cooperative movement.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Issue:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Part IXB, introduced into the Constitution through the <strong>97<sup>th</sup></strong> Amendment, <strong>dictated the terms for running co-operative societies.</strong></li>
<li>The provisions in the Amendment, <strong>passed</strong> by Parliament <strong>without getting them ratified by State legislatures</strong> as required by the Constitution.</li>
<li>It went to the extent of <strong>determining the number of directors</strong> a society should have or their <strong>length of tenure</strong> and even the <strong>necessary expertise required</strong> to become a member of the society.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Other Major Provisions of the 97<sup>th</sup> Amendment</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The word <strong>&ldquo;cooperatives&rdquo; was added after &ldquo;unions and associations&rdquo; in <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/rights-to-freedom" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Article 19</a>(1)(c) under Part III of the Constitution.</strong> This enables all the citizens to form cooperatives by giving it the status of fundamental right of citizens.</li>
<li>A new <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/the-code-on-wages-bill#:~:text=The%20Article%2043%20of%20the,and%20social%20and%20cultural%20opportunities." target="_blank" rel="noopener">Article 43</a>B</strong> was added in the <a href="/to-the-points/Paper2/directive-principles-of-state-policy-dpsp#:~:text=Directive%20Principles%20are%20affirmative%20directions,is%20not%20subordinate%20to%20FRs." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Directive Principles of State Policy</strong></a> (Part IV) regarding the &ldquo;promotion of cooperative societies&rdquo;.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Central Government's Argument:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It justified that the government was<strong> injecting &lsquo;professionalism&rsquo; and autonomy</strong> into the functioning of the societies.</li>
<li><strong>Lack of accountability</strong> by the members has <strong>led to poor services and low productivity.</strong></li>
<li>Even <strong>elections are not held on time.</strong> Co-operatives <strong>need to run on well-established democratic principles.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>SC&rsquo;s Ruling:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Exclusive Legislation of States:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The constitution has been described as <strong>quasi-federal</strong> in that, so far as legislative powers are concerned, though<strong> there is a tilt in favour of the Centre vis-&agrave;-vis the States</strong> given the <strong>federal supremacy</strong> principle.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Quasi-federalism</strong> means an intermediate form of state between a unitary state and a federation.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>However, within their own sphere, the <strong>States have exclusive power to legislate on topics reserved exclusively to them.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Part IX B,</strong> which consists of<strong> Articles 243ZH to 243ZT,</strong> has &ldquo;significantly and substantially<strong> impacted&rdquo; State legislatures&rsquo; &ldquo;exclusive legislative power&rdquo; over its co-operative sector under Entry 32 of the State List.</strong></li>
<li>The court pointed out how<strong> Article 243ZI</strong> makes it clear that a <strong>State may only make law on the incorporation, regulation and winding up of a society</strong> subject to the provisions of Part IXB of the 97<sup>th</sup> Amendment.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Not Ratified by the States:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It held that the <strong>97<sup>th</sup></strong> Constitutional Amendment <strong>required ratification by at least one-half of the state legislatures as per Article 368(2)</strong> of the Constitution, since it dealt with an entry which was an exclusive state subject (co-operative societies). <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Under <strong>Article 368(2),</strong> Parliament can amend the Constitution by passing a Bill with a <a href="/to-the-points/Paper2/debate-on-the-procedure-of-amendment" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>special majority.</strong></a></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Since such ratification was not done in the case of the 97<sup>th</sup> amendment, it was liable to be struck down.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Upheld the Validity of Provisions related to Multi State Cooperative Societies:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It did not strike down the portions of Part IXB of the Amendment concerning <strong>&lsquo;Multi State Co-operative Societies (MSCS)&rsquo; due to the lack of ratification.</strong></li>
<li>When it comes to MSCS with objects not confined to one State, the <strong>legislative power would be that of the Union of India</strong> which is contained in Entry 44 List I <strong>(Union List).</strong></li>
<li>It is declared that <strong>Part IXB of the Constitution is operative only insofar as it concerns multi-State cooperative societies</strong> both within the various States and in the Union Territories.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Lists to Differentiate Legislative Powers</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>There are <strong>three Lists</strong> which provide for distribution of legislative powers <strong>(under 7<sup>th</sup> Schedule to the Constitution):</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Union List (List I) -</strong> It contains <strong>98 subjects (originally 97)</strong> and comprises the <strong>subjects which are of national importance</strong> and admit of uniform laws for the whole of the country.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Only the Union Parliament can legislate with respect to these matters e.g. Defence, Foreign Affairs, Banking, Currency, Union Taxes, etc.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>State List (List II) -</strong> It contains <strong>59 subjects (originally 66)</strong> and comprises <strong>subjects of local or State interest.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It lies within the legislative competence of the State Legislatures, viz. Public Order and Police, Health, Agriculture, etc.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Concurrent List (List III) -</strong> It contains <strong>52 subjects (Originally 47)</strong> with respect to which; both Union Parliament and the State Legislature have concurrent power of legislation. The Concurrent List (not found in any federal Constitution) was to serve as a device to avoid excessive rigidity to a two-fold distribution.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It is a <strong>'twilight zone',</strong> as for not so important matters, the States can take initiative, while for the important matters, the Parliament can do so.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/india/sc-majority-verdict-quashes-part-of-97th-constitutional-amendment-on-cooperatives-7413479/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: IE</strong></a></p>',
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		'article_id' => (int) 8924,
		'category_id' => (int) 15,
		'title' => 'The Big Picture: Draft Drone Rules: Impetus to Future Tech',
		'description' => '<p style="text-align: center;"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/rCuoCDDx_GU" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p>
<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the <strong>Union Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA)</strong> released the <strong>Draft Drone Rules, 2021,</strong> based on<strong> &ldquo;trust, self-certification and non-intrusive monitoring&rdquo;.</strong></p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The updated draft Drone Rules, 2021 will replace the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/draft-unmanned-aircraft-system-uas-rules-2020" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) Rules, 2021.</strong></a></li>
<li>The focus of the rules here is to give push to a new age technology and its implementation on the ground.</li>
<li>The cumulative market potential for the drone sector in India by the next 8-10 years is expected to grow as much as three lakh crore rupees.</li>
<li>The rules make it much easier for the individuals and companies to go ahead and operate drones.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It makes the <strong>certification process simpler</strong> for manufacturers and other stakeholders.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Drone Technology Sector</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Drone:</strong> It is a layman terminology for <strong>Unmanned Aircraft (UA).</strong> There are three subsets of Unmanned Aircraft- <strong>Remotely Piloted Aircraft, Autonomous Aircraft</strong> and <strong>Model Aircraft.</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Remotely Piloted Aircraft</strong> consists of remote pilot station(s), the required command and control links and any other components, as specified in the type design.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Application of Drone Technology:</strong> Drones are a transformative technology. They have been and can be used in various significant areas:
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Defence:</strong> Drone system can be used as a symmetric weapon against terrorist attacks.
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The unmanned aircraft systems or drones can be integrated into the national airspace system.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>SVAMITVA Scheme:</strong> The drone technology in the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/svamitva-scheme" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>SVAMITVA scheme</strong> </a>launched by the Government of India, within less than a year, has helped about half a million village residents to get their<strong> property cards</strong> by mapping out the abadi areas.</li>
<li><strong>Delivery Purposes:</strong> Recently, the Ministry of Civil Aviation has approved a project with the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/medicine-from-the-sky-project-telangana" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Telangana government for using drone technology to deliver vaccines</strong></a> in remote areas.</li>
<li><strong>Agriculture:</strong> In the agriculture sector, micronutrients can be spread with the help of drones.
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It can also be used for performing surveys for identifying the challenges faced by the farmers.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Commercial Purposes:</strong> Commercial opportunities are also there for drone technology:
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The railways are using drones for track monitoring.</li>
<li>Telecom companies are using drones for monitoring the tower.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Other Purposes:</strong> Drones are also significant for the law enforcement agencies, the fire and emergency services wherever human intervention is not safe and the healthcare services.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>R&amp;D in Drone Sector:</strong> Drones are<strong> one of the 24 sectors that are taken care of by the Government of India</strong> under the <a href="/to-the-points/Paper2/year-end-review-2019-ministry-of-commerce-industry" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Ministry of Commerce and Industry</strong></a> as the area where the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/atmanirbhar-bharat-and-economic-stimulus" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Atma Nirbhar Bharat scheme</strong></a> <strong>can be well implemented.</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>India not only has a very extensive <strong>R&amp;D being carried out at institutions</strong> like IIT-Kanpur, IIT-Bombay, IIT-Delhi etc but also at the same time the <strong>research is being transformed into products.</strong></li>
<li>India has<strong> more than 130 startups</strong> registered with IITs and other companies for introducing drones in multiple application areas.</li>
<li>The end users are also<strong> eager to adopt drone technology</strong> because it helps them <strong>generate significant value</strong> not only in<strong> reducing costs</strong> but also in increasing the opportunity to leverage drones in their<strong> digital value chains.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Draft Drone Rules, 2021</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Unique Identification Number:</strong> Each drone has been specified to have a <strong>unique identification number</strong> with the transmission of their location, altitude, speed etc.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Any drone missing a unique id number with the other details will be a rogue drone.</li>
<li>Every flight of the drone will be monitored in the <strong>digital sky platform</strong> so when any remote pilot tries to fly a drone, its fly path will automatically be registered in the platform.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Digital Sky Platform:</strong> It is an initiative by MoCA to provide a secure and a scalable platform that supports drone technology frameworks, such as <strong>NPNT</strong> <strong>(no permission, no take-off)</strong>, designed to enable flight permission digitally and manage unmanned aircraft operations and traffic efficiently.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>There will be minimal human interface on the digital sky platform and most permissions will be self-generated.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Simplified Requirements:</strong> Requirements for granting permission for acquisition and usage of drones have been simplified.</li>
<li><strong>Prototypes:</strong> Requirements for manufacturers and other stakeholders have been eased for getting prototypes.</li>
<li><strong>Ease of Doing Business:</strong> The new draft rules provide the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/ease-of-doing-business-2020" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Ease of Doing Business</strong></a> for the industries.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Earlier there used to be 25 forms to be filled up which now has been reduced to 5.</li>
<li>Clarity about registration and remote-pilot licensing have been given.</li>
<li>Insurance of drones has also been taken care of.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Division of Country in Zones:</strong> The digital sky platform will have an interactive airspace map dividing the country into<strong> green, yellow,</strong> and red<strong> zones.</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>While the yellow zone has been reduced from 45 km to 12 km from nearby airport perimeter, no flight permission is required up to 400 feet in green zones and up to 200 feet in the area between 8 and 12 km from the airport perimeter.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Issues Associated</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Increased Risk of Armed Attacks:</strong> Operation of drones without any adequate legal backing can pose several security threats.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Incidents of arms being dropped by drones are also there such as the recent <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/jammu-drone-attacks" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Jammu drone attacks.</strong></a></li>
<li>They can be put to destructive use, to slam into critical targets, destroy infrastructure and so on.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Paramilitary Not Exempted from the Rules:</strong> As per the new draft, the rules and regulations are not applicable to the army, navy or the airforce.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>However, it still includes paramilitary forces. BSF is suffering a lot of issues due to the drones coming across the lines.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Cheaper Cost Enables a Larger Population to Procure Drones:</strong> Drones are relatively cheaper in comparison to conventional weapons and yet can achieve far more destructive results which is the primary reason for increased number of drone attacks.</li>
<li><strong>Delivery of Mass Destruction Weapons:</strong> What makes combat drones most dangerous is the threat of them being used to deliver weapons of mass destruction.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Procurement of combat drones by <strong>non-state actors</strong> poses serious threats.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Training Programs:</strong> There has to be training programs for drone pilots. The drone technology alone will not be enough, there have to be a few more aspects to take care of for using the technology to its fullest.</li>
<li><strong>Balancing Security and Benefits:</strong> We need to ensure that the guidelines are in such a manner that the security concerns are not at all compromised but the drone technology is also used to the maximum of its advantages.</li>
<li><strong>Developing Anti-Drone System:</strong> The <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-national-institutions/defence-research-and-development-organisation-drdo" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>DRDO</strong></a> has started developing an anti-drone system, one is already in place. There are soft kill and hard kill options available.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Soft kill options include jamming the drone.</li>
<li>Hard kill options include the laser technology, missiles or other drones to shoot it down the drone.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Increasing Investments:</strong> India needs to invest in its own <strong>Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) systems</strong> and <strong>counter-drone technology</strong> to detect and track threats, especially around critical assets.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Conclusion</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The drone technology in India has immense significance and potential. The security concerns should be dealt with judiciously and not just be allowed to restrict us from adopting the technology.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>However, security concerns must not be compromised.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>In years to come, drone technology is expected to be the most cost effective choice and the most utilised system in the civilian as well as militarian domain.</li>
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