Monthly Current Affairs April 2020

Easy to PICK401 - “UPSC Monthly Magazine” - April 2020  Determining and maintaining standards  Component-3 will fund high impact of teaching, examination and research in universities. research projects in the identified  Framing regulations on minimum thrust areas in humanities and standards of education. human sciences through national  Monitoring developments in the field of collegiate and university education; network of eminent scientists from disbursing grants to the universities and colleges. leading institutions. Grant available  Serving as a vital link between the under this component is upto Rs. 1 Union and State governments and institutions of higher learning. crore for one Higher Educational  Advising the Central and State Institution and upto Rs. 5 crores for a governments on the measures necessary for the improvement of multi institutional network. university education. Expected Benefits from the Scheme Other news releated to UGC 1. STRIDE  It will help The University Grants Commission strengthen transdisciplinary (UGC) has approved a new initiative, Scheme for Trans-Disciplinary research culture in colleges and Research for India’s Developing Economy (STRIDE), to support socially universities. relevant, local need-based, nationally important and globally significant research o Trans-disciplinary research is a team projects.  The UGC has set up an advisory effort of investigators from different committee under its Vice Chairman disciplines to create new conceptual, Bhushan Patwardhan, to oversee the entire scheme. theoretical, methodological Components of the Scheme  Component 1: The Scheme will innovations that integrates and provide for research capacity building in diverse disciplines by transcends beyond discipline-specific mentoring, nurturing and supporting young talents to innovate pragmatic approaches to address a common solutions for local, regional, national and global problems. Grant available is problem. upto Rs. 1 crore.  Component 2: It will mainly focus o It goes beyond mere production of on enhancing problem solving skills with the help of social knowledge and extends to innovation and action research to improve wellbeing of people and the practical use of the contribute for India’s developing economy. Grant upto Rs. 50 lakh to 1 knowledge outside academic crore is available for projects under this component. endeavour.  It will provide opportunity to build multi sectoral linkages between university-government- community-industry for national development and wellbeing of people.  It will give major impetus to high impact research in Humanities and Human Sciences. 2.Life will soon become easier for students migrating from one college to another or from another university. The University Grants Commission (UGC) has approved a uniform academic calendar for all universities across the country.This would mean that results of all courses will be declared before June and classes for first year students shall commence by the first week of August. WHO caution against the idea of immunity passport

Easy to PICK402 - “UPSC Monthly Magazine” - April 2020 The World Health Organization is supplement its member countries’ cautioning against the idea of immunity official reserves passports. It says there is currently no  The SDR is neither a currency nor a evidence that people who have recovered claim on the IMF. from COVID-19 and have antibodies are  Initially SDR was defined as protected against a second infection. equivalent to 0.888671 grams of fine The concept of immunity passports or risk- gold, which at the time, was free certificates has been floated as a way also equivalent to one U.S. of allowing people protected against dollar. After the collapse of the reinfection to return to work. Bretton Woods system, the SDR was WHO argues that people who assume they redefined as a basket of currencies. are immune to reinfection may ignore o This basket Includes five public health advice, and such certificates currencies—the U.S. dollar, the euro, could raise the risks of continued virus the Chinese renminbi, the Japanese transmission. yen, and the British pound sterling. RBI REPORT ON FOREX RESERVES  The collapse of Bretton Woods According to the latest data from the system in 1973 and the shift of major Reserve Bank of India, in the reporting currencies to floating exchange rate week ended April 17, foreign currency regimes lessened the reliance on the assets (FCA), a major component of the SDR as a global reserve asset. overall reserves, rose USD 1.55 billion to  Officially, the RBI targets neither a USD 441.88 billion. particular exchange rate nor foreign The RBI data showed that gold reserves exchange reserves, but maintains forex increased USD 1.54 billion to USD 32.68 reserves to reduce volatility in the billion in the reporting week.While, forex market. special drawing rights with the o Forex reserves act as an International Monetary Fund,IMF were insurance when the rupee tends to be up by USD 3 million to USD 1.43 volatile against the dollar, billion.The country's reserve position with o In the process of supporting the IMF remained stable at USD 3.58 weakening rupee, RBI needs to buy billion during the reporting. dollars, ultimately, leading to higher PT SHOT forex buildups.. The Forex Reserves (‘foreign exchange o But when RBI purchases dollars, it reserves’) of an economy is its ‘foreign leads to infusion of rupee into the currency assets’ added with its gold system which leaves inflationary reserves, SDRs (Special Drawing effect on the economy. Rights) and Reserve Tranche in the  Citing the example of China, the IMF. Economic Survey 2014–15 held that Reserve tranche India could target foreign exchange  Reserve tranche is a portion of the reserves of US$750 billion to $1 trillion. required quota of currency each member country must provide to  China has highest forex reserves in the International Monetary Fund the world i.e., $3.2 trillion. India is (IMF)that can be utilized for its own currently the sixth largest holder of purposes. forex reserves Special Drawing Rights  The SDR is an international reserve asset, created by the IMF in 1969 to

Easy to PICK403 - “UPSC Monthly Magazine” - April 2020 Great Barrier Reef suffers third major bleaching event Part of: GS-III- Environment and Coral Also, the abundance and diversity of fish reefs (PT-MAINS-PERSONALITY serve as an important indicator of overall TEST) reef health The Great Barrier Reef, the world’s Growth conditions for Coral Reefs largest coral reef ecosystem located in 1. The temperature of the water should Australia, recently experienced its third major bleaching event in five years. not be below 20°C. The most 1. It is considered to be the most favourable temperature for the growth of the coral reefs is between 23°C to widespread coral bleaching event on 25°C. The temperature should not record, owing to the rise in exceed 35°C. temperatures due to climate change. 2. Corals can survive only under saline 2. The Great Barrier Reef contains the conditions with an average salinity world’s largest collection of coral between 27% to 40%. reefs, with 400 types of coral, 1,500 3. Coral reefs grow better in shallow species of fish and 4,000 types of water having a depth less than 50 m. molluscs. The depth of the water should not 3. No other World Heritage property exceed 200m. contains such biodiversity. 4. It has suffered several mass bleaching Types of Coral Reefs events in the past due to warmer than Coral Reefs are differentiated into three normal ocean temperatures. categories based on their shape, nature and Researchers are constantly mode of occurrence. experimenting with new ways to save 1. Fringing Reef: The coral reefs that are the Great Barrier Reef. found very close to the land and form a About coral reef shallow lagoon known as Boat Coral reefs are among the world’s most Channel are called Fringing Coral diverse ecosystems, with more than 800 Reefs. The Fringing Reefs develop species of corals providing habitat and along the islands and the continental shelter for approximately 25% of global margins. They grow from the deep marine life. Coral reefs are also extremely bottom of the sea and have their beneficial to humans: They protect seaward side sloping steeply into the coastlines from tropical storms, provide deep sea. Fringing Reefs are the most food and income for 1 billion people, and commonly found coral reefs among the generate $9.6 billion in tourism and three. For example Sakau Island in recreation each year. But according to the New Hebrides, South Florida Reef. United Nations Environment Programme, 2. Barrier Reef: Barrier Reefs are coral reefs are endangered and rapidly considered as the largest, highest and degrading due to overfishing, bottom widest reefs among the three coral trawling, warming temperatures and reefs. They develop off the coast and unsustainable coastal development. parallel to the shore as a broken and irregular ring. Being the largest reef among the all, they run for 100kms and is several kilometres wide. One

Easy to PICK404 - “UPSC Monthly Magazine” - April 2020 example of Barrier Reef is the Great The Andaman and Nicobar Islands fall Barrier Reef of Australia which is 1200 between 6°-14° N lat and 91 °-94° E mile long. longitude. They are situated at the south- 3. Atolls: An atoll can be defined as a eastern part of the Bay of Bengal and reef that is roughly circular and consist of 350 islands, of which only 38 surrounds a large central lagoon. This are inhabited. These islands extend lagoon is mostly deep having a depth southward from the Irrawaddy Delta of of 80-150 metres. The atolls are Burma to the Arakan Yoma Range. All the situated away from the deep sea islands of the Andaman and Nicobar platforms and are found around an groups are almost fringing reefs. island or on a submarine platform in an elliptical form. For example Fiji Atolls, The Gulf of Kutch Suvadivo in Maldives and Funafoothis The Gulf of Kutch is situated in the Atoll of Ellice. northern part of Saurashtra Peninsula and is located between 22°15′-23°40′ N Coral Reefs in India Latitude and 68°20′-70°40′ East Longitude India has its coastline extending over 7500 having an area of about 7350 sq km. These kilometres. It is due to the subtropical reefs are of fringing type and are about 170 climatic conditions, there are a very few km long and 75 km wide at the mouth coral reefs in India. The major coral reefs which narrows down at a longitude of 72° in India include the Palk Bay, the Gulf of 20′. Due to the mud deposits on various Mannar, the Gulf of Kutch, the Andaman coral reefs, these coral reefs are in a highly and Nicobar Islands and Lakshadweep degraded condition. Islands. Among all these coral reefs, the Lakshadweep reef is an example of atoll Lakshadweep Islands while the rest are all fringing reefs. Located between 8°N – 12°3’N latitude and 71 °E- 74°E longitude, the Palk Bay Lakshadweep Islands which lies scattered Situated in the south-east coast of India, in the Arabian Sea are situated at about Palk Bay is separated from the Gulf of 225 km to 450 km from the Kerala Coast. Mannar by the Mandapam Peninsula and The islands covering an area of 32 km2 the Rameshwaram Island and is centered consist of 36 tiny islands, 12 atolls, 3 reefs on 9 °17’N and 79° 15′. The one fringing and 5 submerged banks, with lagoons reef in the Palk Bay is 25-30km long, and occupying about 4200 km2. less than 200m wide lies in the east-west Due to the warm humid climate of these direction of the Pamban channel. This reef islands, the temperature of the water varies has a maximum depth of around 3 m. between 28-31 °C with salinity ranging from 34% – 37%. The Gulf of Mannar Situated around a chain of 21 islands, the Coral Bleaching Gulf of Mannar lies between Tuticorin and The United Nations has reported that: Rameswaram at a stretch of 140 km. These o 70% of the Earth's coral reefs are 21 islands fall between latitude 8°47′ N and 9° 15′ N and longitude 78° 12′ E and threatened, 79° 14’E and form a part of the Mannar o 20% have been destroyed with no hope Barrier Reef which is 140 km long and 25 km wide. for recovery, o 24% are under imminent risk of Andaman and Nicobar Islands collapse, and o an additional 26% are at risk due to longer-term threats.

Easy to PICK405 - “UPSC Monthly Magazine” - April 2020 According to a recent report, if stern  Solar radiation and ultraviolet measures to bring down the greenhouse gas emission levels are not adopted radiation: Changes in tropical weather urgently, then Australia’s Great Barrier Reef might be in danger of coral bleaching patterns result in less cloud cover and as frequently as every two years by 2034.Large scale coral bleaching in 2016 more radiations which induce coral destroyed thousands of square kilometres of the Great Barrier Reef. bleaching. Hawaii became the first U.S. state to put curbs on the sale of sunscreens containing  Infectious Diseases: Penetration of oxybenzone and octinoxate, which can cause coral bleaching. bacterium like vibrio shiloi inhibits What is Coral Bleaching? photosynthesis of zooxanthellae. These  When corals face stress by changes in bacteria become more potent with conditions such as temperature, light, or nutrients, they expel the symbiotic elevated sea temperatures. algae zooxanthellae living in their tissues, causing them to turn  Chemical Pollution: Increased completely white. This phenomenon is called coral bleaching. nutrient concentrations affect corals by  The pale white colour is of the translucent tissues of calcium promoting phytoplankton growth, carbonate which are visible due to the loss of pigment producing which in turn supports increased zooxanthellae.  Corals can recover if the stress-caused numbers of organisms that compete bleaching is not severe.  Coral bleaching has occurred in the with coral for space. Caribbean, Indian, and Pacific oceans on a regular basis.  Increased Sedimentation: Land Causes of Coral Bleaching? clearing and coastal construction result  Rise in Sea Temperature: Most coral in high rates of erosion and a higher species live in waters close to the warmest temperature they can tolerate density of suspended silt particles i.e., a slight increase in ocean temperature can harm corals. El Nino which can elevates the sea temperature and destroys coral reefs. o smother corals when particles settle out  Ocean Acidification: Due to rise in carbon dioxide levels, oceans absorb (sedimentation), more carbon dioxide. This increases the acidity of ocean water and inhibits o reducing light availability (turbidity) the corals ability to create calcareous skeletons, which is essential for their and survival. o potentially reducing coral photosynthesis and growth.  Human Induced Threats: Over- fishing, pollution from agricultural and industrial runoff, coral mining, development of industrial areas near coral ecosystems also adversely impact corals. Consequences  Changes in coral communities can affect the species that depend on them, such as the fish and invertebrates that rely on live coral for food, shelter. Loss of such marine animals can disturb the entire food chain.  Declines in genetic and species diversity may occur when corals die as a result of bleaching.  Healthy coral reefs attract divers and other tourists. Bleached and degraded reefs can discourage tourism, which can affect the local economy.

Easy to PICK406 - “UPSC Monthly Magazine” - April 2020  Coral bleaching can cause large shifts Even though it is an “off-year” for the in fish communities. This can translate mango crop, Karnataka was expecting a into reduced catches for fishers, which yield of about 8 lakh tonnes, with the first in turn impacts food supply and batch of fruits harvested from trees with associated economic activities. “manipulated” flowering already hitting the markets and fetching a handsome  Coral reefs protect coastlines by price. absorbing constant wave energy from the ocean, thereby protecting people The fruit varieties, mainly Alphonso, living near the coast from increased Badam, Saindoora, Mallika, Baganpalli storm damage, erosion and flooding. and Kesar, are also exported to the Middle East, especially the UAE market, Way Forward and the United States, but Europe has been the major market and the largest importer  Solutions for protecting the future for of mangoes. coral must transcend social, economic India top fifth sextortion countries Part of: GS-III- Internal security Cyber and cultural boundaries. crime (PT-MAINS-PERSONALITY TEST)  Halting unplanned coastal As per a report by SophosLab, India is among the top 10 countries from where the development would play a significant sextortion spam emails originate. Researchers from the British cybersecurity role in reversing the decline of reefs in firm Sophos traced the origin of millions of sextortion spam emails sent between some locations. September 2019 and February 2020 to conclude that India is among the top 10  Promoting sustainable fishing and sextortion mail source countries. Being the source of 3.73 per cent of all providing opportunities for ecotourism sextortion emails, India is placed at fifth position preceded by Vietnam at the top can help conserve corals. (7.01 per cent), Brazil at second (5.89 per cent), Argentina at third (4.76 per cent),  There is a need to minimise the use of and Korea at fourth (4.76 per cent). chemically enhanced fertilizers, What is sextortion? Sextortion is a widely used form of spam insecticides, pesticides, and herbicides attack where cybercriminals extort money by claiming to have receiver’s which are non degradable and harm compromising pictures or evidence of their sexual activity. The attacker threatens to corals. share such pieces of evidence with the receiver’s friends and family unless they  Harmful industrial waste must be pay ransom money. Sextortion email is not different from any treated before being disposed of in other phishing. It’s more of a subcategory of ransomware emails. It includes malware bodies of water.  Water pollution should be avoided wherever possible by not dumping chemicals or oils in water bodies.  Taking all possible measures to prevent actions that worsen global warming since Climate change is the greatest global threat to coral reef ecosystems. With Europe hit by COVID-19, mango exports from Karnataka look uncertain With most European countries in the grip of the COVID-19 pandemic and many of them going through an extended lockdown period, uncertainty looms over mango exports from Karnataka. Growers producing export-quality fruits are keeping their fingers crossed with limited cargo flight operations.

Easy to PICK407 - “UPSC Monthly Magazine” - April 2020 that can hack the system upon accepting or activating the link. The National Cyber Security Policy (NCSP) 2013 is a policy framework by the Department of Electronics and Information Technology (DeitY) under the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MoCIT). The NCSP underscores the need for the creation of a secure computing environment and generating adequate trust in online systems and networks. National Cyber Security Policy 2013 Objectives  To create a secure cyber ecosystem and build adequate confidence in IT systems and transactions.  To strengthen the regulatory framework for ensuring secure cyber ecosystem.  To create and enhance mechanisms for monitoring and resolving cyber security threats.  To enhance the protection and resilience of the nation’s critical information infrastructure.  To create a workforce of five lakh specialists in cyber security over the next five years. Key Highlights of National Cyber Security Policy 2013  To meet with the various objectives of the cyber security policy, here are the strategy that will be put in place.  Policy aims at creating a national level nodal agency that will co-ordinate all matters related to cyber security in the country  It will encourage organizations to develop their own security policies as per international best practices.  The policy will ensure that all organizations earmark a specific budget to implement their security policies and initiatives.  Policy plans to offer various schemes and incentives to ensure that proactive actions are taken for security compliance.  To create an assurance framework, policy will create conformity assessment and certification of compliance to cyber security best practices, standards and guidelines  Policy aims at encouraging open standards that facilitate interoperability and data exchange among different IT products and services.  A legal framework will be created to address cyber security challenges arising out of technological developments in cyber space.  The policy also plans to enforce a periodic audit and evaluation of adequacy and effectiveness of security of Information infrastructure in India. The policy will create mechanisms to get early warnings in case of security threats, vulnerability management and response to the security threats thereof  A 24X7 operational national level computer emergency response team (CERT- in) will function as an umbrella organization that will handle all communication and coordination in deal with cyber crisis situations.  To secure e-governance services, policy will take various steps like encouraging wider usage of Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) standards in communications and engagement of expert security professionals / organizations to assist in e-governance.  The policy will encourage and mandate use of tested, validated and certified IT products in all sensitive security areas  The policy also plans to undertake and invest in various R&D programs in area of national cyber security.

Easy to PICK408 - “UPSC Monthly Magazine” - April 2020 RBI announces 50,000crore Special Liquidity Facility for Mutual Funds Part of: GS-III- Economy-Capital wind up six debt funds that have markets (PT-MAINS-PERSONALITY combined assets under management of TEST) nearly ₹26,000 crore on account of illiquid, low rated instruments in their The Reserve Bank of India announced a portfolio last weak. Special Liquidity Facility for Mutual The fund house had said it decided to wind Funds (SLF-MF) of 50,000 crore rupees up the schemes to preserve the value at with a view to easing liquidity pressures least at the current levels, as the value was on Mutual Funds. The RBI has stated that getting eroded due to a combination of it remains vigilant and will take whatever redemption pressures and mark-to- steps are necessary to mitigate the market losses due to lack of liquidity on economic impact of COVID-19 and account of the coronavirus impact on the preserve financial stability. markets. “RBI move is very timely. This move will Imp points first improve the confidence; second, it can 1. The Apex bank has said that under the help in providing the necessary liquidity to mutual fund industry if anyone needs to Special Liquidity Facility for Mutual avail it. With the yields dropping, one Funds (SLF-MF), the RBI shall would assume banks may go down the conduct repo operations of 90 days credit curve and extend facilities,” s tenor at the fixed repo rate. “Heightened volatility in capital markets in 2. The SLF-MF is on-tap and open-ended reaction to COVID-19 has imposed and banks can submit their bids to liquidity strains on mutual funds (MFs), avail funding on any day from Monday which have intensified in the wake of to Friday (excluding holidays). redemption pressures related to closure of 3. The scheme is available from today till some debt MFs and potential contagious 11th of May or up to utilization of the effects therefrom. The stress is, however, allocated amount, whichever is earlier. confined to the high-risk debt MF The Reserve Bank will review the segment at this stage; the larger timeline and amount, depending upon industry remains liquid,” the central market conditions. bank said. 4. Funds availed under this facility will “With excess liquidity of around ₹4.85 be used by banks exclusively for trillion as on April 24, 2020, banks, meeting the liquidity requirements of however, continue to remain largely risk MFs by extending loans, and averse. We expect the liquidity of the undertaking outright purchase of higher rated papers to improve on the back and/or repos against the collateral of of this facility. Accordingly, active investment grade corporate bonds, participation from the banks will be key to commercial papers (CPs), debentures the success of this scheme,” and certificates of Deposit (CDs) held by MFs, the central bank said. About Mutual FUNDS and PAST news 1. The markets regulator Securities and Franklin Templeton Exchange Board of India (SEBI)has The move comes after Franklin Templeton Mutual Fund decided to

Easy to PICK409 - “UPSC Monthly Magazine” - April 2020 tightened norms on investments by How to Invest in Mutual funds? mutual funds(MFs).  You can either invest directly with a  MF schemes can now invest only in mutual fund or hire the services of a listed debt or equity. mutual fund advisor. If you are  Valuation of securities in debt investing directly, you will invest in the direct plan of a mutual fund funds will now be on mark-to-market scheme. If you are investing through basis instead of the earlier practice of an advisor or intermediary, you will considering it on an amortisation basis. invest in the regular plan of the  Liquid funds can now invest a scheme. maximum of 20% of their assets in a  If you want to invest directly, you will single sector as against the current cap have to visit the website of the mutual of 25%, and must keep aside at least a fund or its authorized branches with fifth of their assets in cash equivalents relevant documents. to meet sudden redemption pressures.  The advantage of investing in a direct plan is that you save on the Mutual Fund: A mutual fund collects commission and the money invested money from investors and invests the would add sizeable returns over a long money, on their behalf, in securities (debt, period. equity or both). It charges a small fee for  The biggest drawback of this method is managing the money. that you will have to complete the Liquid Funds: These are debt mutual formalities, do the research, monitor funds that invest in securities up to a your investment all by yourself. Types maturity of 91 days. of Mutual Funds in India – The Securities and Exchange Board of 2. Theredemption issues faced by fixed India has categorised mutual fund in maturity plans (FMPs) of mutual funds India under four broad categories: due to their exposure towards Essel Group o Equity Mutual Funds entities have only begun as there are nearly o Debt Mutual Funds 80 FMP schemes with such exposure o Hybrid Mutual Funds towards the corporate entity.The o Solution-oriented Mutual Funds cumulative amount at stake is about ₹1,400 crore with more than 40 schemes Equity Mutual fund scheme: maturing later this year. More  These schemes invest directly in importantly, about 14 schemes, with an exposure of nearly ₹475 crore (April stocks. These schemes can give 2019), will mature this month. superior returns but can be risky in the short-term as their fortunes depend on Background: how the stock market performs.  A mutual fund collects money from Investors should look for a longer investment horizon of at least five to investors and invests the money on 10 years to invest in these schemes. their behalf. There are 10 different types of equity  It charges a small fee for managing the schemes. money. Mutual funds are an ideal investment vehicle for regular Debt Mutual fund schemes: investors who do not know much about  These schemes invest in debt investing.  Investors can choose a mutual fund securities. Investors should opt for debt scheme based on their financial goal schemes to achieve their short-term and start investing to achieve the goal. goals that are below five years. These

Easy to PICK410 - “UPSC Monthly Magazine” - April 2020 schemes are safer than equity schemes 5. To urge respective companies to list and provide modest returns. There are their shares in stock exchanges and 16 sub-categories under the debt manage the registration of distributors mutual fund category. or brokers. Hybrid Mutual fund Schemes:  SEBI board has three main powers –  These schemes invest in a mix of Quasi judicial, quasi legislative and quasi executive. equity and debt, and an investor must pick a scheme based on his risk Mutual fund redemption appetite. Based on their allocation and Mutual fund redemption is how the investing style, hybrid schemes are investors sell their fund units. However, if categorised into six types. there is an exit load, then the investors necessarily pay it on redeeming their units. Solution-Oriented Schemes: When investors redeem their units, they  These schemes are devised for earn taxable capital gains. The taxability of capital gains depends on the type of fund particular solutions or goals like and the period of holding. Here, investors retirement and child’s should mandatorily consider all the  education. These schemes have a expenses that they would incur on mandatory lock-in period of five years. redeeming their units. Mutual Fund Charges: When to exit and redeem a fund  The total expenses incurred by your The right time to sell or redeem mutual funds depends on investors’ financial mutual fund scheme are collectively goals. One might be invested in a mutual called expense ratio. The expense ratio fund for ten years to fifteen years to measures the per unit cost of managing purchase a house or finance their child’s a fund. The expense ratio is generally wedding. In some cases, it could also be a in between 1.5-2.5 per cent of the short-term goal, such as buying a car or an average weekly net assets of the appliance. Once an investor gets close to schemes. realising his/her financial goal, then he/she should consider redeeming their fund units Securities and Exchange Board of India irrespective of the state of the market. (SEBI)  It was established in 1992 in Key Points : accordance with the provisions of the Securities and Exchange Board of India Act, 1992 (SEBI Act).  The basic functions of SEBI 1. To protect the investors interests in securities. 2. To be a platform to promote, develop and regulate the securities market in India as well as the relating matters that are connected with it. 3. To approve rules and laws pertaining to the stock exchanges. 4. Examines books of accounts of financial mediators and recognized stock exchanges.

Easy to PICK411 - “UPSC Monthly Magazine” - April 2020 Digital India programme Part of: GS-III- S&T (PT-MAINS- o Universal Access to Mobile PERSONALITY TEST) Connectivity India is amongst the top 2 countries globally, just behind China on many o Public Internet Access Programme dimensions of digital adoption. By 2022, o e-Governance: Reforming Government India’s digital economy is likely to cross $1 trillion. This was the focus at the India through Technology Digital Summit 2019, held in New Delhi. o e-Kranti - Electronic Delivery of The summit deliberated on what India needs to become a trillion dollar digital Services economy, the challenges on the way o Information for All forward as well as the threats to o Electronics Manufacturing cybersecurity. o IT for Jobs o Early Harvest Programmes Imp Points Digital India programme Progress and Impact of Digital India  Vision Areas Programme o Digital infrastructure as Utility to  Overall 12000 rural post office Every Citizen branches have been linked o Governance and services on demand electronically. o Digital empowerment of citizens  Increased in electronic transactions related to e-governance as it is  Objectives estimated that there are more than 100 o To prepare India for a knowledge cr mobile phones in India.  2, 74,246 km of optical fiber network future. has connected over 1.15lakh Gram o For being transformative that is to Panchayats under the Bharat Net programme. realize IT (Indian Talent) + IT (Information Technology) = IT (India *Common Service Center Tomorrow).  A Common Service Center (CSC) is an o Making technology central to enabling change. information and communication o On being an Umbrella Programme – technology (ICT) access point created covering many departments. under the National e-Governance o The programme weaves together a Project of the Indian government. large number of ideas and thoughts  A CSC is essentially a kiosk with a into a single, comprehensive vision so personal computer, a wireless that each of them is seen as part of a connection, and other equipment. larger goal. Through computer and Internet access, o The Digital India Programme will pull the CSCs provide multimedia content together many existing schemes which related to e-governance, education, would be restructured and re-focused health, telemedicine, entertainment, and implemented in a synchronized and other government and private manner. services.  There is a rapid expansion in the Nine pillars of Digital India network of Common Service Centers. o Broadband Highways  DigiGaon or Digital Village conceptualized as the connected village where the citizen can avail various e-

Easy to PICK412 - “UPSC Monthly Magazine” - April 2020 services. These DigiGaons are Gram Panchayats to register at least projected to be change agents, 200-300 candidates each. promoting rural entrepreneurship, building rural capacities and India’s Digital Economy livelihoods through community  India’s digital economy will touch $1 participation.  Digital villages have been equipped trillion by the year 2022. India would with solar lighting facility, LED be $10 trillion economy by 2030 and assembly unit, sanitary napkin half of it would be the digital production unit, Wi-Fi choupal. economy.  The aim of the programme is to turn  Fintech sector—the Fintech sector in a each village into a self-sustaining unit. recent couple of years has seen a huge  It has been estimated that the internet jump in growth. Digital currency and service sector is expected to reach $74 online payments platforms have played billion in 2022. Internet data has a major role in financial inclusion. become the major tool for the delivery  Public Services Sector—steady and of the services. efficient digital transformation across  India till Dec 2017 had made areas like e-governance and this has tremendous progress in urban internet also considerably brought down penetration with 64%. However, four leakages and corruption. In recent fifth of rural India is yet to get access years India performed well in to the internet. transparency index.  Presently, there are 300 million daily  Health care sector—it is catching up to active users which have risen from 10- meet the demands of its tech-savvy 15 million daily users in 2011. And, it population. Demand is shifting now to is estimated that by 2020 the number quality and affordable healthcare, would double. much of it being fulfilled by a public- private partnership. Initiatives launched by the Government  Digital healthcare startups are playing of India a major role in addressing areas like  Digilockers—it is a \"digital locker\" preventive healthcare, analytics, emergency services and engage with service operated by the Government of super-aggregation platforms like India that enables Indian citizens to Facebook and Google. store certain official documents on the  Enterprise and Deep Technology cloud. The service is aimed towards sector—startups in this sector have reducing the need to carry physical made their presence felt globally with documents. their success. The IT services in the  BHIM app—It is an app to enable country are set to reach USD 13.2 digital payments. BHIM app was used billion by the end of this year. to facilitate 913 million transactions in  E-commerce and Consumer internet 2017-18. sector—India’s e-commerce market is  Pradhan Mantri Gramin Digital set to grow three times to surpass USD Saksharta Abhiyan to make citizen 100 billion by 2022. digitally literate. The project is  Travel and Hospitality sector—this expected to be one of the largest sector has enjoyed rapid online growth initiatives of the country with an since the beginning of this century. overall target of training 6 crore The growth is also attributed to the students until the financial year, 2019. increase in disposable income, The government has accepted 250,000 especially, among the millennials, who

Easy to PICK413 - “UPSC Monthly Magazine” - April 2020 are changing decades of traditional  It is a Special Purpose Vehicle set up travel trends. by the Government of India under the Companies Act, 1956 with an Challenges authorized capital of ₹1000 crore. Slow roll-out of Wi-Fi hotspots and the  It comes under the Ministry of Communications and Information slow speed, in comparison to other Technology. developed nation.Most small and medium  In 2011, it was mandated to create the National Optical Fiber Network scale industry is struggling to adapt to (NOFN) in India which was later renamed as the BharatNet project In modern technology.Entry level 2015. smartphones have limited capabilities for Key Points : smooth internet access, and the outreach of the ‘smartphones’ is limited.There is an absence of enough skilled manpower in digital technology.Lack of user education and there are limited facilities to train personnel. India needs over one million cybersecurity experts to check and monitor the growing menace of digital crime. Dark fibre  It is an unused optical fibre that has been laid but is not currently being used in fibre-optic communications. Since fibre-optic cable transmits information in the form of light pulses, a \"dark\" cable refers to one through which light pulses are not being transmitted.  Companies lay extra optical fibres in order to avoid cost repetition when more bandwidth is needed.  It is also known as unlit fibre. National Digital Literacy Mission  National Digital Literacy Mission (NDLM) has been initiated with the vision to empower at least one person per household with crucial digital literacy skills by 2020.  NDLM is an effort to complement the government’s vision to transform one from each household as digitally literate.  The project aims at helping adults with low technological literacy develop the skills they need to interact in an increasingly digital world. Bharat Broadband Network Limited

Easy to PICK414 - “UPSC Monthly Magazine” - April 2020 Lockdown impact: Domestic sugar consumption Part of: GS-III- Economy-Sugar policy contracted close to 3.5-4 million tonne for (PT-MAINS-PERSONALITY TEST) export, it said, adding that the exports are likely to resume from June-July 2020. According to rating agency Icra, the In Maharashtra, he said the crushing national lockdown due to COVID-19 operations have been impacted due to pandemic has adversely impacted the issues on harvesting and transportation sugar demand, resulting in a decline in owing to labour shortage with most of the the sugar prices to closer to minimum migrant workers returning to their support price (MSP) levels of Rs 31 per respective states. kg from Rs 32.5 per kg in February 2020. PIB addition The demand for sugar has witnessed a The Union Cabinet has cleared a proposal significant decline following the to create an emergency sugar reserve of 4 nationwide lockdown and the overall million tonne and approved the Fair and adverse impact on sugar consumption Remunerative Prices for sugarcane for would be at least one million tonne in the the year 2019-20. domestic market. Sugar Industry The report further said that the sugar mills  Sugar industry is an important agro- are unable to fulfill their monthly sales quota allocated by the government owing based industry that impacts rural to demand squeeze. livelihood of about 50 million sugarcane farmers and around 5 lakh The various reasons - workers directly employed in sugar 1. With nationwide lockdown, the ice mills.  India is the world’s second largest cream, soft drinks and confectionery sugar producer after Brazil and also manufacturers have shut down their the largest consumer. operations. In spite of summer season where sale is high they cannot Price Determination of Sugarcane manufacture and sell. 2. With most countries under lockdown  Sugarcane prices are determined by: globally, the demand has also declined resulting in a fall of the global sugar o Federal Government prices, 3. Further the decline in crude prices, o State Government Brazil is likely to divert more cane towards sugar production which could  The Federal/Central Government exert pressure on global sugar prices. These factors have consequently led to a announces Fair and Remunerative pressure on the working capital requirements of sugar mills and thus a rise Prices which are determined on in cane dues to farmers. However, the mills exporting sugar are likely to gain on the recommendation of rupee depreciation to an extent.The domestic sugar mills have already the Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices (CACP) and are announced by the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, which is chaired by Prime Minister.  The State Advised Prices (SAP) are announced by key sugarcane producing

Easy to PICK415 - “UPSC Monthly Magazine” - April 2020 states which are generally higher than Key Points FRP. Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices (CACP)  The Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices (CACP) is an attached office of the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Government of India. It came into existence in January 1965.  It is an advisory body whose recommendations are not binding on Government.

Easy to PICK416 - “UPSC Monthly Magazine” - April 2020 Largest hole in the ozone layer heals itself: Is it Coronavirus effect? Part of: GS-III- S&T-Ozone (PT- closing of the hole is because of the same MAINS-PERSONALITY TEST) polar vortex and not because of the lower Scientists believe the closing of the hole is pollution levels during the coronavirus because of the same polar vortex and lockdown. not because of the lower pollution levels during the coronavirus lockdown. Aspire Addition Ozone is a molecule that contains three Earlier this month, scientists reported a atoms of oxygen. The ozone layer was strong reduction of ozone discovered in 1913 by two French concentrations over the Arctic beloved physicists Charles Fabry and Henri to have been caused by unusual Buisson. atmospheric conditions. The hole -- first identified in March 2020 -- is now being Ozone Hole - Causes and Measures to reported to have closed. Mitigate Earth s atmosphere consists of several The Copernicus Climate Change Service layers: Troposphere, Stratosphere, (C3S) and Copernicus Atmosphere Mesosphere, Thermosphere and Monitoring Service (CAMS) by the Exosphere. In the stratosphere of the Earth European Centre for Medium-Range s atmosphere, at a height of about 30 Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) confirmed 40kms ozone layer or ozone shield is that the largest hole in the Ozone later present which protects Earth s surface above the Arctic has closed. from harmful Ultraviolet (UV) rays from What is ozone layer the Sun. The layer contains relatively The ozone layer is a protective layer of gas higher concentrations of ozone when in the stratosphere. It shields the planet compared to the other parts of the from Sun’s harmful ultraviolet radiation, atmosphere. which can otherwise cause skin cancer and At any given time, thousands of ozone cataracts along with other environmental molecules are created and destroyed in the issues. atmosphere. In a way, it can be said that Scientists noticed the unusually strong the UV rays have created the ozone layer depletion of ozone over the northern since they break up Oxygen molecule into polarregions in March, which is believed individual Oxygen atoms to recombine to have been the largest hole in the Ozone them into a three atom Ozone. For layer. The hole could have led to a bigger decades, the total amount of Ozone threat had it moved towards the south. remained relatively stable, until the post- Although mini ozone holes over the North industrial revolution when ozone layer Pole aren’t rare, the depletion over the depletion started. Arctic this year was much larger compared to previous years. The reason for this Ozone Depletion year’s ozone hole is said to have occurred Ozone depletion is the destruction of due to the polar vortex — a circling stratospheric ozone by free radicals like whirlpool of stratospheric winds chlorine, bromine when they reach the responsible for bringing cold air to the upper atmosphere. The UV radiations polar. Scientists also believe that the break down the Chlorine molecules into

Easy to PICK417 - “UPSC Monthly Magazine” - April 2020 Chlorine atoms. These chlorine atoms refrigeration, fire suppression, foam combine with Oxygen atoms broken from insulation, and vehicular exhaust. Natural Ozone molecules to form ClO molecules processes like volcanic eruptions also leaving fewer amounts of Oxygen atoms to contribute indirectly to ozone depletion by form Ozone again. This process reduces the release of aerosols. the number of Ozone molecules in the stratosphere resulting in depletion of Effects of Ozone layer Depletion Ozone layer. Ozone layer depletion has a number of If depletion is concentrated at one place effects on living beings and also the for example at the poles, it forms a hole in environment. the ozone layer, often referred to as Ozone hole. On living beings The depletion of ozone layer paves the Reasons for more pronounced Ozone way for high energy Ultraviolet radiation Hole at the Poles to enter into the Earth s lower atmosphere Ozone Hole first appeared over Antarctica which causes health effects on human because of atmospheric and chemical beings like skin cancer (malignant conditions unique to the region. However, melanoma) eye damage and cataract it is wrong to say that the Arctic does not problems due to direct exposure to UV have an Ozone hole. Even the Northern rays A weakening of the immune system Hemisphere shows Ozone Hole like Acceleration of the ageing process of the phenomenon but to a lesser degree when skin Difficulty in breathing, chest and compared to that of the Southern throat pain Hemisphere. In amphibians, it affects every stage of life At Antarctica, during winter months when cycle, i.e. in the growth and development the region receives no sunlight, the of the larvae and is said to be one of the stratosphere becomes cold enough to form primary reasons for declining number of high-level clouds called Polar amphibian species. Stratospheric Clouds (PSCs). The PSCs provide an ideal catalytic surface on which On environment the chlorine can react with the ozone, thus Ozone layer depletion leads to decrease in destroying the ozone layer. This reaction, the ozone in the stratosphere and increase however, requires sunlight and therefore in ozone present in the lower atmosphere. begins only when Sun returns to Ozone in the lower atmosphere is Antarctica during early spring, before the considered to be a pollutant and a PSCs begin to melt. Hence the Ozone hole greenhouse gas as it contributes to global is more pronounced at the poles when warming and the effect trickles down to compared to other regions. melting polar ice caps, rising sea levels, and climate change. Causes of Ozone Depletion Measures to mitigate Ozone depletion The causes for ozone depletion are free Ozone depletion can be arrested by reducing the number of ozone-depleting radicals like chlorine and bromine which substances in the atmosphere. This can be done by reducing the use of harmful ODSs are called Ozone Depleting Substances and substituting them with other substances that do not cause ozone (ODS). ODSs are found in stable organic depletion. compounds like chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs), Volatile organic compounds (VOCs), carbon tetrachloride, and methyl chloroform which are released from

Easy to PICK418 - “UPSC Monthly Magazine” - April 2020 The ozone layer is not something that is Countries under Kigali Amendment have specific to any region or country. It hence been divided into three groups and leaves all countries of the vulnerable to the given different timelines for phasing out effects of depletion which means all the of HFCs. This will be the first time that countries have to try to mitigate the effects developing countries like India and China collectively. have been separated and been given different timelines. (China is in the second International efforts to reduce Ozone group while India is in the third group). Depletion: Montreal Protocol ‘Proactive steps’: Egypt seeks IMF help to fight coronavirus Montreal Protocol is an international treaty Egypt asked for emergency financing to signed in 1987 after the Vienna support investor confidence as it suffers an economic hit from the virus. Convention and came into force in 1989. Egypt has asked the International Monetary Fund for financial assistance to According to this treaty, many countries of shore up investor confidence in the economy as authorities work to offset the the world have agreed to phase out of impact of the coronavirus pandemic.Assistance involves the use of ODSs. the IMF's Rapid Financing Instrument and a Stand-By Arrangement. These Montreal Protocol is the first international lending tools offer rapid and flexible funding without the strings of a full treaty to have achieved universal program The emergency financing under the RFI ratification in the history of United will allow the Egyptian government to \"address any immediate balance of Nations. It is also highly successful payments needs and support the most affected sectors and vulnerable groups of international arrangement, as it has people\",The IMF is also working with the Egyptian government to \"support its strong phased-out more than 95% of the ODS so set of macroeconomic policies through an SBA. far as per its main mandate (CFCs) in less Key Points : than 30 years of its existence. Currently, under the Montreal Protocol, accelerated phase-out of Hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) is underway with the target year being 2030. Kigali Amendment to Montreal Protocol Kigali Amendment amends the Montreal Protocol of 1987. It aims to phase out Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), a family of potent greenhouse gases. Though HFCs are not ozone-depleting substances, they have been brought under Montreal Protocol as they have high global warming potential and also because Montreal Protocol has been more successful that climate change agreements like Kyoto Protocol (1997) which still do not have universal ratification and face staunch opposition from developed countries like the United States. Under Kigali Amendment, in all 197 countries, including India have agreed to a timeline to reduce the use of HFCs by roughly 85% of their baselines by 2045.

Easy to PICK419 - “UPSC Monthly Magazine” - April 2020 Blockchain technology boost economic recovery: WEF Part of: GS-III- S&T (PT-MAINS- that offer a “shared truth”, the WEF PERSONALITY TEST) said. 5. It further said the current pandemic The WEF said crises such as the underscores the need for businesses coronavirus pandemic dramatically and governments to improve the increase pressure on governments and integrity and provenance of businesses to maintain resilient supply pharmaceutical products and medical chains.Blockchain technology can help supplies, as well as food, goods and tackle supply chain failures exposed by industrial and consumer products. the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and also boost the economic recovery PT UPDATES process, the World Economic Forum What are Blockchains? (WEF). Blockchains are a new data structure that 1. Releasing a ‘blockchain deployment is secure, cryptography-based, and distributed across a network. The toolkit’ to help organisations improve technology supports cryptocurrencies such future pandemic preparedness and as Bitcoin, and the transfer of any data or accelerate an economic rebound post digital asset.Spearheaded by Bitcoin, COVID-19, Geneva-based WEF said blockchains achieve consensus among it is aimed at helping leaders maximise distributed nodes, allowing the transfer of the benefits and minimise the risks of digital goods without the need for the technology. centralized authorisation of transactions. 2. The WEF said the first of its kind The present blockchain ecosystem is like toolkit is culmination of more than a the early Internet, a permissionless year of efforts to capture best practices innovation environment in which email, from blockchain deployment across the World Wide Web, Napster, Skype, and industries and has drawn on global Uber were built. expertise of more than 100 stakeholders, including governments, How it operates? companies, startups, academic 1. The technology allows transactions institutions, civil society, international to be simultaneously anonymous and organisations and technology and secure, peer-to-peer, instant and supply chain experts. frictionless. It does this by distributing 3. The WEF, which describes itself as an trust from powerful intermediaries to a international organisation for public- large global network, which through mass private partnership, said crises such as collaboration, clever code and the coronavirus pandemic dramatically cryptography, enables a tamper-proof increase pressure on governments and public ledger of every transaction that’s businesses to maintain resilient supply ever happened on the network. chains. 2. A block is the “current” part of a 4. Resilience in supply chains depends on blockchain which records some or all of trust, transparency and integrity, which the recent transactions, and once can be improved through responsible completed, goes into the blockchain as deployment of blockchain technologies permanent database. Each time a block

Easy to PICK420 - “UPSC Monthly Magazine” - April 2020 gets completed, a new block is generated. 2. All the transactions made are Blocks are linked to each other (like a authorized by miners, which makes the chain) in proper linear, chronological order transactions immutable and prevent it from with every block containing a hash of the the threat of hacking. previous block. 3. Blockchain technology discards the Benefits of blockchain technology: need of any third-party or central authority 1. As a public ledger system, for peer-to-peer transactions. blockchain records and validate each and 4. It allows decentralization of the every transaction made, which makes it technology. secure and reliable. Key Points :

Easy to PICK421 - “UPSC Monthly Magazine” - April 2020 No improvement in Ganga water quality Part of: GS-III- Environment (PT- 4. Domestic wastewater from 97 towns MAINS-PERSONALITY TEST) situated near river Ganga, and The lockdown in the wake of coronavirus industrial effluents, are the main (COVID-19) outbreak may have sources of water pollution in the river, dramatically reduced air pollution with an estimated quantity of 3,500 across the country but it hasn’t MLD (Million Litres per Day) of significantly reduced pollution in the sewage, out of which 1,100 MLD is Ganga, according to a report by the treated and remaining 2,400 MLD gets Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). discharged untreated. 1. The dissolved oxygen (DO) 5. Industrial effluent is estimated to be concentration, a measure of the amount about 300 MLD, which is about 9% of of free oxygen available in river total wastewater being discharged into systems, “rose marginally” from the river every day. March 22-April 15. A high DO value is considered a good indicator of river Highest in U.P health. The pollution in the river is highest in 2. However, two other measures, BOD Uttar Pradesh. The bulk of the sewage (Biological Oxygen Demand) and treatment plants commissioned under COD (Chemical Oxygen Demand) Ganga are in Uttar Pradesh towns and both indicators of the amount of though projects worth ₹23,000 crore have oxygen necessary to break down been commissioned (across 11 Ganga organic and inorganic pollution basin States), a noticeable increase in the showed “insignificant reductions”, the cleanliness of the river isn't yet apparent. CPCB report notes. The lower these The CPCB, however, said that there was numbers are the better they indicate notable improvement in water quality in river health. the Yamuna. “Analysis results indicate there is considerable improvement in the ‘Marginal reduction’ water quality of river Yamuna with respect 1. “Reduction in BOD concentration has to DO, BOD and COD when compared with pre-lockdown and lockdown period,” been less significant owing to the CPCB notes. However, this was done continual discharge of untreated or basis an assessment at only three locations inadequately treated sewage. in Delhi and the gains were significantly 2. Further, there is gradual increase in due to reduced industrial activity. BOD levels towards downstream stretches of the river, with the What is CPCB? maximum values in West Bengal,” according to the CPCB report.  The Central Pollution Control Board 3. “Reduction in COD concentration has (CPCB) of India is also been less significant. Few a statutory organisation under the locations show increase in the COD Ministry of Environment, Forests and values, while in remaining stations Climate Change. reduction in COD levels was not significant. This marginal reduction  Established in 1974 under the Water can be attributed due to stoppage of (Prevention and Control of Pollution) industrial activities.” Act and later entrusted with functions and responsibilities under the Air

Easy to PICK422 - “UPSC Monthly Magazine” - April 2020 (Prevention and Control of Pollution)  Planning and organising training Act, 1981. programs for people involved in  Water Pollution: activities for the prevention,  Water pollution can be defined as improvement and control of Air and Water pollution. the contamination of water bodies. Water pollution is caused when  Collecting, compiling, and publishing water bodies such as rivers, lakes, statistical and technical reports related oceans, groundwater, and aquifers to Air & Water Pollution. These get contaminated with industrial reports are used to develop preventive and agricultural effluents. measures to control and reduce  Air Pollution: pollution. Air pollution refers to any physical, chemical or biological change in the air. It  Preparing manuals, codes and is the contamination of air by harmful guidelines relating to treatment and gases, dust and smoke which affects disposal of sewage and trade effluents plants, animals, and humans drastically. as well as for stack gas cleaning Click here to read about Air Pollutants. It devices, stacks and ducts. coordinates the activities of the State Pollution Control Boards by providing Key Points : technical assistance and guidance and also resolves disputes among them. CPCB Organisational Structure CPCB is led by its Chairman followed by the Member Secretary, and other members. The CPCB performs its various functions through the following nine major project budget heads. 1. Pollution assessment (survey and monitoring). 2. R&D and laboratory management. 3. Development of standards and guidelines for industry-specific emissions and effluent standards 4. Training 5. Information database management and library 6. Pollution control technology 7. Pollution control enforcement 8. Mass awareness and publications 9. Hazard waste management Powers and Functions of CPCB  Advising the Central and State Government on matters related to prevention, improvement and control of Air and Water pollution.  Planning various programs to control and prevent Air & Water pollution

Easy to PICK423 - “UPSC Monthly Magazine” - April 2020 Gearing up for floods during coronavirus pandemic Part of: GS-III- Disaster management flash floods during monsoon, leading to several deaths and displacement of lakhs (PT-MAINS-PERSONALITY TEST) of people in the affected areas, had asked for monsoon pre-deployment of NDRF The National Disaster Response Force is teams. preparing to face the twin challenges in Low pressure The NDRF has taken note of the latest many States. IMD warning of the likely formation of a low pressure area over the south Andaman With monsoon around the corner, the Sea and the neighbourhood around April 30, which is likely to intensify into a National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) depression during the subsequent 48 hours, triggering moderate and heavy to extreme is preparing to face the twin challenge of rainfall in isolated areas. Following the COVID-19 outbreak, coronavirus (COVID-19) and floods in NDRF teams in several States joined the local administration in implementing different parts of the country. The India the preventive measures and distributing essentials, including Meteorological Department (IMD) has medical supplies. They also stepped in to alleviate the problems faced by thousands forecast a normal monsoon, which is of stranded migrant labourers, particularly in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. expected to hit Kerala on June 1. Action plan Over the past week, the NDRF has been working on an action plan to meet all possible exigencies. The top brass has been briefing the field formations on measures to be taken. The organisation has been in constant touch with the IMD and the local administration in the respective States. Assam, which witnesses heavy rains and NDRF About NDRF: Defined in Section 46 of the Disaster Management Act, 2005 (DM Act). It is a fund managed by the Central Government for meeting the expenses for emergency response, relief and rehabilitation due to any threatening disaster situation or disaster. Constituted to supplement the funds of the State Disaster Response Funds (SDRF) of the states to facilitate immediate relief in case of calamities of a severe nature. National Calamity Contingency Fund (NCCF) was renamed as National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) with the enactment of the Disaster Management Act in 2005. What is it to be used for? NDRF amount can be spent only towards meeting the expenses for emergency response, relief and rehabilitation. For projects exclusively for the purpose of mitigation, i.e, measures aimed at reducing the risk, impact or effect of a disaster or threatening disaster situation a separate fund called National Disaster Mitigation Fund has to be constituted. Sources of Financing NDRF:

Easy to PICK424 - “UPSC Monthly Magazine” - April 2020 Financed through the levy of a cess on certain items, chargeable to excise and customs duty, and approved annually through the Finance Bill. The requirement for funds beyond what is available under the NDRF is met through general budgetary resources. Currently, a National Calamity Contingency Duty (NCCD) is levied to finance the NDRF and additional budgetary support is provided as and when necessary. A provision also exists in the DM Act to encourage any person or institution to make a contribution to the NDRF. Key features of NDRF: Located in the “Public Accounts” of Government of India under “Reserve Funds not bearing interest“. Monitoring: Department of Agriculture and Cooperation under Ministry of Agriculture (MoA) monitors relief activities for calamities associated with drought, hailstorms, pest attacks and cold wave /frost while rest of the natural calamities are monitored by Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA). Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) audits the accounts of NDRF. Key Points :

Easy to PICK425 - “UPSC Monthly Magazine” - April 2020 India continues to be on the ‘Priority Watch List’ of the United States Trade Representative (USTR)-Intellectual property (IP) rights Part of: GS-III- CULTURE (PT- commercialisation of content; and an MAINS-PERSONALITY TEST) outdated trade secrets framework. While India made “meaningful “India also further restricted the progress” to enhance IP protection and transparency of information provided on enforcement in some areas, it did not state-issued pharmaceutical manufacturing resolve recent and long-standing licenses, continues to apply restrictive challenges, and created new ones, the patentability criteria to reject United States Trade Representative’s pharmaceutical patents, and still has not report said. established an effective system for protecting against the unfair commercial IMP POINTS use, as well as the unauthorized disclosure, India continues to be on the ‘Priority of undisclosed test or other data generated Watch List’ of the United States Trade to obtain marketing approval for Representative (USTR) for lack of pharmaceuticals and certain agricultural adequate intellectual property (IP) rights chemical products,” the report said. protection and enforcement, the USTR The report also mentioned high customs said in its Annual Special 301 Report, duties on medical devices and Information released. and Communications Technology. These 1. India remained one of the most goods categories were have been persistent challenges in trade talks between the two challenging economies for IP countries last year — the language used in enforcement and protection, the report the 2020 report in this context is the same said, using language it has used as in the 2019 report. previously. “Despite India’s justifications of limiting 2. Algeria, Argentina, Chile, China, IP protections as a way to promote access Indonesia, Russia, Saudi Arabia, to technologies, India maintains extremely Ukraine and Venezuela are also on the high customs duties directed to IP- Priority Watch List. intensive products such as medical 3. While India made “meaningful devices, pharmaceuticals, Information and progress” to enhance IP protection and Communications Technology (ICT) enforcement in some areas over the products, solar energy equipment, and past year, it did not resolve recent and capital goods,” it said. long-standing challenges, and created Online IP enforcement in India has new ones, the report said. The same improved, the report said, but progress is assessment was made in the 2019 undercut by factors including weak report. enforcement by courts and the police, lack 4. These long-standing concerns were of familiarity with investigative techniques about innovators being able to receive, and no centralised IP enforcement agency. maintain and enforce patents The USTR also noted that India was particularly in the pharmaceutical ranked among the top five source sector; concerns over copyright laws economies for fake goods by the not incentivising the creation and

Easy to PICK426 - “UPSC Monthly Magazine” - April 2020 Organization of Economic Development 1. Long-standing IP challenges and Cooperation (OECD) in 2019. facing US businesses in India Not good for online rights include those which make it difficult for The government’s 2019 draft Copyright innovators to receive and maintain patents Amendment Rules, if implemented, would in that country, particularly for have “ severe” consequences for Internet- pharmaceuticals, insufficient enforcement content rights holders, the report said, as actions, copyright policies that do not the proposed rules broadened the scope of properly incentivise the creation and compulsory licensing from radio and commercialisation of content, and an television broadcasting to online outdated and insufficient trade secrets broadcasting. legal framework. Trademark counterfeiting levels were 2. India also further restricted the “problematic”, the report said and there transparency of information provided on were “excessive delays” in obtaining state-issued pharmaceutical manufacturing trademarks due to a lack of examination licenses, and expanded the application of quality. The U.S., the report noted, patentability exceptions to reject continues to urge India to join the pharmaceutical patents. Singapore Treaty on the Law of 3. India also missed an opportunity to Trademarks, a treaty that harmonises establish an effective system for protecting trademark registration. against the unfair commercial use, as well as the unauthorised disclosure, of Analyis- Priority watch list (Mains shot) undisclosed test or other data generated to What is priority watch list? obtain marketing approval for certain “Priority Watch List” and “Watch List” agricultural chemical products. countries are identified by the annual 4. Last year it engaged with India to Special 301 Report. “Priority Watchlist secure meaningful IP reforms on long- countries” are judged by the USTR as standing issues, including patentability having “serious intellectual property rights criteria, criteria for compulsory deficiencies” that require increased USTR licensing and protection against unfair attention. “Watch List” countries have commercial use, as well as unauthorised been identified by the USTR as having disclosure, or test of other data generated “serious intellectual property rights to obtain marketing approval for deficiencies” but are not yet placed on the pharmaceutical products. “Priority Watchlist”. The USTR can move countries from one list to the other, or Implications: remove them from the lists, throughout the 1. Countries under priority watch list will year. be the subject of increased bilateral Why India is placed under this? (PT engagement with the USTR to address SHOT) Intellectual Property (IP) concerns. Lack of sufficient measurable 2. USTR would be reviewing the improvements to its Intellectual developments against the benchmarks Property (IP) framework on long- established in the Special 301 action standing and new challenges, which has plans for countries that have been on negatively affected American right holders the ‘Priority Watch List’ for multiple over the past year. India remains one of the years. world’s most challenging major economies 3. For countries that fail to address US’ with respect to protection and enforcement concerns, the USTR will take of IP. appropriate actions, such as enforcement actions under Section

Easy to PICK427 - “UPSC Monthly Magazine” - April 2020 301 of the Trade Act or pursuant to Act of 1988.The Special 301 Report was World Trade Organisation or other trade agreement dispute settlement first published in 1989. procedures, necessary to combat unfair trade practices and to ensure that Priority watch list countries:USA uses trading partners follow through with “carrot” policy to incentivize IPR reforms their international commitments. e.g. funding, training, capacity building, What needs to be done- demands by USTR? bilateral exchanges and conferences. To maintain the integrity and predictability Priority foreign countries:“sticks” policy of IP systems, governments should use compulsory licenses only in to force IPR reforms e.g. putting trade extremely limited circumstances and after making every effort to obtain authorisation sanctions, approaching WTO dispute from the patent owner on reasonable commercial terms and conditions. resolution. Such licenses should not be used as a tool to implement industrial policy, including Past News providing advantages to domestic companies, or as undue leverage in pricing The office of the United States Trade negotiations between governments and right holders.It is also critical that foreign Representative (USTR) has taken off governments ensure transparency and due process in any actions related to India from the list of developing and compulsory licenses.India has yet to take steps to address long-standing patent least-developed countries that are eligible issues that affect innovative industries. to claim benefits for preferential treatment Special 301 (PT SHOT) The Special 301 Report is prepared with respect to Countervailing duties annually by the Office of the United States Trade Representative(USTR) that (CDs) investigations. identifies trade barriers to United States companies and products due to  The preferential treatment with respect the intellectual propertylaws, such as copyright, patentsand trademarks, in to CVDs investigations falls under the other countries. By April 30 of each year, the USTR must identify countries which US’ Generalized System of do not provide \"adequate and effective\" protection of intellectual property rights or Preferences (GSP) scheme. \"fair and equitable market access to United States persons that rely upon intellectual o Generalized System of Preferences property rights\". The Special 301 Report is published (GSP) is an umbrella that comprises pursuant to Section 301of the Trade Act of 1974 as amended by Section 1303 of the bulk of preferential schemes the Omnibus Trade and Competitiveness granted by industrialized nations to developing countries. o Countervailing duty (CVD) is an import tax imposed on certain goods in order to prevent dumping or counter export subsidies.  Along with India, USTR has also eliminated other countries including Brazil, Indonesia, Hong Kong, South Africa, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam and Argentina from getting preferential treatment. o The new lists consist of 36 developing countries and 44 least developed countries.  The move comes ahead of US President Donald Trump’s visit to India to talk and potentially sign a trade deal. Background  The USA had come up with lists of countries classified as per their level

Easy to PICK428 - “UPSC Monthly Magazine” - April 2020 of development to harmonise the USA o As the G20 members account preferential treatment laws with for large shares of global the World Trade Organization’s economic output and trade. (WTO)Subsidies and Countervailing Measures (SCM) Agreement in 1998.  Further, being a part of G20 India can o The WTO Agreement on Subsidies and be classified as a developed Countervailing Measures disciplines country despite having a per capita the use of subsidies, and it regulates GNI below $12,375. the actions countries can take to counter the effects of subsidies. Impact on India o Under the agreement, a country can  India is the largest beneficiary nation use the WTO’s dispute-settlement procedure to seek the withdrawal of the under the GSP, with total benefits subsidy or the removal of its adverse from tariff exemptions amounting to effects. Or the country can launch its $260 million in 2018, according to the own investigation and ultimately data from the USTR’s office. charge extra duty (“countervailing  In 2018, India exported goods worth duty”) on subsidized imports that are $6.3 billion (as per USTR figures) to found to be hurting domestic the US under the GSP, accounting for producers. around 12.1% of India’s total export to  The classification of the that country. countries (developed, developing and  India no longer in the list of least-developed) is done according to developing countries allows the USA the following criteria: to hold a CVD investigation. o Per capita Gross National Income or o The CVD laws allow the US to hold an GNI. investigation into the trade policies of o Share of world trade. other countries to determine whether o Other factors such as Organisation for they are harming the US trade. Economic Co-operation and o If the investigation finds that India’s Development (OECD)membership or policies allow exporters to sell their application for membership, EU products in the US at a lower rate the membership, and Group of Twenty US can impose a countervailing duty, (G20) membership, etc. to make the Indian goods more  Thus the country with per capita GNI expensive in the US markets. above $12,375 or Rs 8.82 lakh, the  Despite having a minimal impact on share of more than 0.5% to the world India's overall outbound trade with trade and membership to the above- the US, specific exports from India in mentioned organisations is considered a diverse set of sectors such as as a developed country by USTR. jewellery, leather, pharmaceuticals, chemicals and agricultural India- As a USTR’s Developed Country products may face higher costs and  According to USTR, India’s share in competition. global trade was 2.1 % for exports and Key Points : 2.6% for imports in 2017.  Also India, along with nations like Argentina, Brazil, Indonesia, and South Africa, is part of the G20 bloc and G20 membership indicates that a country is developed.

Easy to PICK429 - “UPSC Monthly Magazine” - April 2020 National Infrastructure Pipeline Part of: GS-III- Economy- About  The task force was set up after the Infrastructure (PT-MAINS- Prime Minister, in his Independence PERSONALITY TEST) Day speech of 2019, promised to roll out an infrastructure push worth Recently, the task force headed by Atanu ₹100 trillion over five years to make India a $5 trillion economy. Chakraborty (economic affairs secretary)  The summary report for, National Infrastructure Pipeline (NIP), 2020-25 on National Infrastructure Pipeline was released by the finance minister on 31 December, 2019. (NIP) submitted its final report to the  Out of the total expected capital expenditure of Rs 111 lakh crore Finance Minister. o Projects worth Rs 44 lakh crore (40 % of NIP) are under implementation. Imp Points o Projects worth Rs 33 lakh crore (30 % of NIP) are at conceptual stage.  Revised Investment Need: The o Projects worth Rs 22 lakh crore (20 % of NIP) are under development. taskforce has forecast an investment need of ₹111 lakh crore over the next National Infrastructure Pipeline  NIP will enable a forward outlook five years (2020-2025) to build on infrastructure projects which will infrastructure projects and drive create jobs, improve ease of living, and provide equitable access to economic growth. infrastructure for all, thereby making growth more inclusive. `The final report has revised up NIP from  NIP includes economic and social infrastructure projects. earlier Rs 100 lakh crore in light of  It also includes both greenfield and brownfield projects. additional data provided by central  It will help in stepping-up annual infrastructure investment to achieve ministries/state governments since the the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of $5 trillion by 2024-25. release of summary NIP report.  The Centre and states are expected to have almost equal share in  Bulk Share: Energy, roads, railways implementing NIP, while the private sector contribution is expected to be and urban projects are estimated to around 21%. account for the bulk of projects Limitations of online learning By,Shyam Menon is a Professor at the (around 70%). Central Institute of Education, University of Delhi and former Vice Chancellor,  Measures Suggested: Ambedkar University Delhi o Aggressive push towards asset sales o Monetisation of infrastructure assets o Setting up of development finance institutions o Strengthening the municipal bond market  Streamlining Process: The task force has also recommended to set up of three committees: o Timely Execution: Panel to monitor NIP progress and eliminate delays. o Follow Up: Steering committee in each infrastructure ministry for following up implementation o Raising Financial Resources: Committee in the Department of Economic Affairs for raising financial resources for the NIP

Easy to PICK430 - “UPSC Monthly Magazine” - April 2020 Introduction Issues arising in full-fledged e-learning  India has been under lockdown in a in higher education  Higher education has an influx of desperate attempt to contain the COVID-19 pandemic. Even when the students who are first-generation lockdown gets lifted eventually, the aspirants. They have no cultural government may not allow large capital to bank on while struggling congregations in restricted physical their way through college. spaces, including campuses.  Access is not merely enrolment.  Universities and colleges were in the  It also includes effective participation middle of the second semester of their in curricular processes, which academic year when the lockdown was includes negotiating through enforced. language and social barriers.  There were attempts from individual  These students are also from the other teachers to keep their students side of the digital divide which makes engaged. A few universities made them vulnerable to a double arrangements for teachers to hold their disadvantage if digital modes become classes virtually through video the mainstay of education. conferencing services such as Zoom.  Unless they receive consistent hand-  Direct human engagement is a crucial holding and backstopping, they tend component of education. to remain on the margins and eventually drop out or fail. Strategy to enhance enrolment?  It is therefore necessary to think deeply  An April 13 report quoted the UGC and gather research-based evidence on the extent to which online education Chairman as saying that to maintain can be deployed to help enhance the social distancing, e-education was access and success rates. the only way out. This was clearly meant to prepare the higher education What is learning ? Why offline community for the exigencies of a education is far better than online protracted period of closure of learning ? campuses.  Learning is the acquisition of given  He was also quoted as saying that online education was likely to be knowledge that can be transmitted adopted as a strategy to enhance the didactically by a teacher and a text gross enrolment ratio in higher constitutes only one minor segment of education. curricular content.  It is this segment that is largely Questions that can arise in a full-fledged amenable to online and digital forms of e-learning in higher education transaction. 1. How far will online education help  Learning in higher education means much more than this. It involves support greater access to and success in development of analytical and other higher education among those who are intellectual skills, the ability to on the margins? critically deconstruct and evaluate 2. How equipped are digital forms of given knowledge, and the creativity education to support the depth and to make new connections and diversity of learning in higher syntheses. education?  It also means to acquire practical 3. Is there an unstated political skills, inquire, seek solutions to motivation for this shift in strategy?

Easy to PICK431 - “UPSC Monthly Magazine” - April 2020 complex problems, and learn to work Key Points : in teams.  All these assume direct human engagement – not just teacher- student interaction, but also peer interactions.  Deconstructing given knowledge in relative isolation is never the same as doing it in a group.  Arguably, some of this can, to some extent, be built on to a digital platform.  In digital mode of education, learning gets collapsed into largely information-based content when transacted through standard structures of teaching-learning and examination.  While digital forms of learning have the potential to enable students to pursue independent learning, conventional and digital forms of education should not be considered mutually exclusive.  Online learning needs to be understood as one strand in a complex tapestry of curricular communication that may still assign an important central role to direct human engagement and social learning. Institutions of open and distance learning (ODL), established during the mid-1960s to 1980s, were a consequence of explorations for less expensive models for provisioning access to higher education. ODL may also have been considered by governments at that time “as a safe strategy (in the light of instances of campus turbulence) for managing mass aspirations for higher education without necessarily effecting large congregations on campuses” (Menon, 2016). One wonders whether there is a similar motivation behind the enthusiasm for online education.

Easy to PICK432 - “UPSC Monthly Magazine” - April 2020 MHA issued guidelines to allow inter-State movement of stranded migrant workers Part of: GS-III- Economy (PT-MAINS- Nitish Kumar had requested the Centre to change its guidelines and allow students PERSONALITY TEST) and workers living outside to return home. More than a month after the countrywide “All States and Union Territories [UTs]have been asked to designate lockdown owing to nodal authorities and develop standard protocols for receiving and sending the the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, stranded persons. The authorities shall also register the stranded persons within the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) their States and UTs. In case, a group of stranded persons wish to move between issued guidelines to allow inter-State one State to another State, the sending and receiving authorities may consult each movement of stranded migrant workers, other and mutually agree to the movement by road,” the MHA guidelines said. tourists, pilgrims, students and others. The moving person would be screened Important points and those found asymptomatic would be allowed to proceed. “Buses shall be used 1. Public transport, including trains for transport of groups of persons which and buses, continue to remain will be sanitized and shall follow safe suspended and the State governments social distancing norms in seating.” The have been asked to appoint nodal States falling on the transit route would authorities to register such stranded allow the movement of such persons. persons and facilitate their movement. “On arrival at their destination, they would be assessed by the local health 2. The MHA said such persons should authorities, and kept in home be kept in home quarantine for 14 quarantine, unless the assessment days unless an assessment by a requires keeping a person in medical team recommended institutional quarantine. They would be institutional quarantine. kept under watch with periodic health check-ups. For this purpose, such persons 3. For individuals who wanted to travel in may be encouraged to use Aarogya Setu their private cars, permission should app through which their health status can be taken from the State authorities, be monitored and tracked,” the MHA said. an official said. The country was initially placed under lockdown on March 24 and it was 4. “If someone has to cross multiple extended till May 3. With all forms of States to reach their destination, then public transport, including railways, the State authority where the travel suspended and State borders sealed, lakhs will originate, will coordinate with of migrant workers in urban areas started the respective State authorities and walking hundreds of kilometres to reach issue a pass accordingly,” a senior their homes. On March 28, the MHA Home Ministry official stated. 5. The Uttar Pradesh was one of the first States to arrange for the return of stranded migrant workers to return to their homes. The guidelines issued by the MHA on April 19 asserted that there would be no inter-State movement of labourers. Following U.P., States like Punjab, Odisha, West Bengal and Maharashtra were coordinating inter-State movement of migrant workers. Bihar Chief Minister

Easy to PICK433 - “UPSC Monthly Magazine” - April 2020 asked the States to stop their movement and arrange relief camps. Note: The first set of guidelines by the MHA were issued on March 24 under the Disaster Management Act, 2005, invoked for the first time in the country in the wake of the pandemic. Key Points :

Easy to PICK434 - “UPSC Monthly Magazine” - April 2020 International Financial Services Centres Part of: GS-III- Economy (PT-MAINS- Term: All members of the IFSC Authority will have a term of three years, subject PERSONALITY TEST) to reappointment. The central government has  Possible Benefits: o Unification under one authority: The established International Financial banking, capital markets and insurance Services Centres Authorityto regulate all sectors in IFSC which are regulated by multiple regulators - the RBI, SEBI, financial services in International Financial and IRDAI will be unified under the IFSC authority. Services Centres (IFSCs) with o The single window regulatory institution would accelerate the headquarters in Gandhinagar (Gujarat). development of India's first IFSC at GIFT City, Gandhinagar. Important Points o Both national and international  Functions: institutions dealing with international o The authority will regulate financial financial services would utilise the IFSC platform for inbound and products such as securities, deposits outbound investments with or contracts of insurance, financial improved ease of doing services, and financial institutions business, thereby making GIFT IFSC which have been previously approved a global financial hub. by any appropriate regulator such as Reserve Bank of India (RBI), International Financial Services Centre: the Securities and Exchange Board  An IFSC enables bringing back the of India (SEBI)etc., in an IFSC. o It will also regulate any other financial financial services and transactions products, financial services, or that are currently carried out in financial institutions in an IFSC, which offshore financial centres by Indian may be notified by the central corporate entities and overseas government. branches/subsidiaries of Financial o It may also recommend to the central Institutions (such as banks, insurance government any other financial companies, etc.) to India. products, financial services, or o It offers a business and regulatory financial institutions, which may be environment that is comparable to permitted in an IFSC. other leading international financial centres in the world like London and Members: The International Financial Singapore.  IFSCs are intended to provide Indian Services Centres Authority will consist corporates with easier access to global financial markets, and to complement of nine members, appointed by the and promote further development of financial markets in India. central government.They will  The first IFSC in India has been set up at the Gujarat International Finance include chairperson of the authority, a member each from the RBI, SEBI, the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI), and the Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA); and two members from the Ministry of Finance. In addition, two other members will be appointed on the recommendation of a Selection Committee.

Easy to PICK435 - “UPSC Monthly Magazine” - April 2020 Tec-City (GIFT City) in Special Economic Zone (SEZ) Gandhinagar.  In India, the Special Economic Zones (SEZs) Policy was announced in Past news April 2000. The Union Cabinet has  The Special Economic Zones Act, approved International Financial 2005, was passed by Parliament in Services Centres Authority Bill, May, 2005 and came into effect in 2019 which seeks to establish a unified 2006. authority for regulating all financial  SEZs addresses the issue of services in International Financial multiplicity of controls and clearances, Services Centres (IFSCs) in India. have world-class infrastructure, and a stable fiscal regime. International Financial Service Centre  SEZs focus on economic growth (IFSC)  An IFSC caters to customers outside supported by quality infrastructure the jurisdiction of the domestic complemented by an attractive fiscal economy. Such centres deal with flows of finance, financial products and package, both at the Centre and the services across borders.  An expert panel headed by State level, with the minimum former World Bank economist Percy Mistry submitted a report on possible regulations. making Mumbai an international financial centre in 2007. However,  GIFT (Gujarat International the global financial crisis in 2008 made countries including India cautious Finance Tec-City), located in about rapidly opening up their financial sectors. Gandhinagar is India’s first  In India, IFSC has been defined in SEZ Act, 2005 (PT). As per the act: International Financial Services o The Central Government may approve the setting up of an Centre. International Financial Service Centre in a Special Economic Zone and may Background prescribe the requirements for setting  Currently, the banking, capital markets up and operation of such centre. o The Central Government shall and insurance sectors in IFSC approve only one International are regulated by multiple regulators, Financial Services Centre in a i.e. RBI, SEBI and IRDAI. Special Economic Zone.  The dynamic nature of business in the  Since India has many restrictions on IFSCs necessitates a high degree of the financial sector, such as partial inter-regulatory coordination. It also capital account convertibility, high requires regular clarifications and SLR (statutory liquidity ratio) frequent amendments in the existing requirements and foreign investment regulations governing financial restrictions, an SEZ can serve as a activities in IFSCs. testing ground for financial sector  The development of financial services reforms before they are rolled out in and products in IFSCs would require the entire nation. focussed and dedicated regulatory interventions. Hence, a need for a unified financial regulator for IFSCs in India to provide world class regulatory environment to financial market participants.  Further, this would also be essential from an ease of doing business perspective. The unified authority would also provide the much needed impetus to further development of

Easy to PICK436 - “UPSC Monthly Magazine” - April 2020 IFSC in India in-sync with the global think fit for being utilized for the best practices. purposes of the Authority.  Transactions in foreign Salient Features of the Authority currency: The transactions of financial services in the IFSCs shall be done in  Composition: The Authority shall the foreign currency as specified by the Authority in consultation with the consist of a Chairperson, one Central Govt. Member each to be nominated by Key Points : the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), the Securities Exchange Board of India (SEBI), the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) and the Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority(PFRDA), two members to be dominated by the Central Government and two other whole-time or full-time or part-time members.  Functions: The Authority shall regulate all such financial services, financial products and Financial Institutions in an IFSC. It may also recommend to the Central Government such other financial products, financial services and financial institutions which may be permitted in the IFSCs.  Powers: All powers exercisable by the respective financial sector regulatory (viz. RBI, SEBI, IRDAI, and PFRDA etc.) under the respective Acts shall be solely exercised by the Authority in the IFSCs in so far as the regulation of financial products, financial services and FIs that are permitted in the IFSC are concerned.  Processes and procedures: The processes and procedures to be followed by the Authority shall be governed in accordance with the provisions of the respective Acts of Parliament of India applicable to such financial products, services or institutions, as the case may be.  Grants by the Central Govt.: The Central Govt. may, after due appropriation made by Parliament by law in this behalf, make to the Authority grants of such sums of money as the Central Government may

Easy to PICK437 - “UPSC Monthly Magazine” - April 2020 COVID-19 – eLearning - SWOT analysis Part of: GS-IV- ETHICS and Problem The situation described above may present solving (PT-MAINS-PERSONALITY a gloomy picture, but it shouldn’t. Why? TEST) Looking at it positively, for the first time With the pandemic forcing everyone to many teachers, parents and students have seriously consider e-learning tools and thought about the purpose of education and resources, now is a good time to assess asked some useful and relevant questions. its strengths and opportunities, and adapt to the new normal The unprecedented situation has made The coronavirus pandemic has shuttered them look at things critically. Here are educational institutions across the globe. some such interesting questions: Closure of schools, colleges and 1. Will ‘education’ be defined in a universities, shutdown of routine life of students and teachers, disruptions in different way, in the future? education and the education ministry 2. Is there a need to learn differently? remaining incommunicado, have created 3. Will the transition have a positive or an unprecedented situation and thrown many unexpected challenges to negative impact on students and their administrators, educators, teachers, parents learning? and students. The situation has created the 4. How should students’ knowledge and new normal. How to cope with the new skills be assessed? normal is the question that everyone is 5. Will online education be successful in now asking. our country where millions of students do not own computers and have access It is good to carry out a SWOT — to the Internet? Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities 6. How important is home learning? and Threats — analysis of the COVID-19 7. How important is learner autonomy? situation and its impact on education. This 8. Is it good to depend on teachers and exercise can help us set new goals and cling to the traditional way of learning? objectives and move forward. Many more questions… Strengths The pandemic should have a positive As educational institutions across India impact on our education system. It should have remained closed for weeks, parents not be the same after the situation eases. are worried about their children’s There should be some positive changes. education. Some parents have forced their children to take up some online courses, Weaknesses but students do not seem to show interest The weaknesses in our system include in learning online. Some educational lack of innovative thinking, inadequate institutions have asked teachers to prepare infrastructure, untrained teachers, online material, but most teachers do not unequal accessibility, exam-centric have the experience of preparing e- assessment, and lack of learner material. Some universities and colleges autonomy. want to move classes/courses online in How do these weaknesses act as hurdles order to engage students, but do not know now at the time of the pandemic and how to go about. lockdown? Remote learning, distance learning, home learning, online learning, e-learning, and

Easy to PICK438 - “UPSC Monthly Magazine” - April 2020 webinar are the buzz-words that we hear Gen Z learners (born between 1997 and today. 2010) are true digital natives. Recently, the Delhi government They are born in the digital era and are announced that it would conduct online familiar with computers, multimedia classes for class XII students, but school content and Internet-based activities from teachers say that it is impractical since an early age. As they live in the online most students do not have access to the environment, enjoy watching YouTube required facilities. Yes, we are challenged videos, love connecting with people by these questions: through social media and speak the Can everyone in the country afford e- language of technology, they need to be learning? taught differently. Now is the right time to Is online education an elite concept in move our classes to a different platform, India? Will the digital divide further introduce e-learning and develop learner cement inequality and create an academic autonomy. divide in the country? The COVID-19 lockdown has enabled Teachers working in elite schools in cities teachers to become creative. They can now and big towns proudly state that they create e-material such as YouTube videos conduct classes online using and help and PPTs and share the links with their students make use of the lockdown period students and engage them during the in a useful manner. What about teachers lockdown period. Some teachers are using working in government-aided and video conferencing facilities such as Zoom government schools in cities and towns and BlueJeans Meetings for online and private schools in rural areas? Neither teaching. teachers nor students have access to These video conference facilities have computers and the Internet. features such as one-click scheduling, They may neither have the awareness of screen sharing and collaboration, Cloud online tools such as Google Classroom streaming and recording, and so on. Some available for such purposes, nor have the educators use Google Meet. expertise to use them. Is it possible for Look up more Google resources available such teachers to even think of conducting for distance learning at Google for classes online? Education’s Teacher Center online. Since our education system has not trained our teachers and students to think Threats creatively and manage in a crisis situation, India is far behind some developing and has underplayed the importance of e- countries where digital education is getting learning, they are unprepared for the increased attention. In countries where e- transition from the classroom to online. learning is popular, students have access to various online resources such as Massive Opportunities Open Online Courses (MOOCs) which All systems have strengths and help students, teachers and professionals weaknesses. Maximising strengths and upgrade their skills. E-learning promotes minimising weaknesses in order not to learner autonomy and enables students to miss the opportunity to move forward acquire knowledge and skills without should be the goal. The three main depending on teachers. India needs to take opportunities that we have are: the threat of many developed and i) our students who belong to Gen Z, developing countries leading the way in ii) numerous web resources, and online education seriously and promote it iii) enthusiastic teachers. earnestly.

Easy to PICK439 - “UPSC Monthly Magazine” - April 2020 To summarise, education must continue. Students should keep learning. The lockdown period should be productive. Educators should think creatively and introduce innovative ways of learning. In a country where access to the Internet and high-speed connectivity is a problem, and the digital divide is an issue, it is important to address the challenges. Those who are involved in education planning and administration should give a serious thought to reducing the digital divide in the country and popularise digital learning. Key Points :

Easy to PICK440 - “UPSC Monthly Magazine” - April 2020 Quarantine and Quality time Part of: GS-IV- Ethics-Interpersonal caretakers for the elderly at home is missing — we need to help out. relationship (PT-MAINS- Everybody at home, most certainty needs to chip in. PERSONALITY TEST) You are an integral part of the family and it is crucial that you contribute and Lockdown can get a little overwhelming showcase some responsible behaviour. with the family staying together indoors Mum and dad really can’t do much for long periods. How can you make the without your timely help and support. most of your time in a healthy manner? Choose chores that you like (even when Many parents are having a hard time you really-really don’t like them) and pitch navigating our “new normal” of working in. Cooking, chopping, washing dishes, from home in the current times. Being a cleaning the home, drying and folding mother of two teens, I have attempted to clothes, taking care of pets, — the list is put together some useful tips for teens and rather exhaustive and endless. So, grab adolescents to step up and take your pick. responsibility during such trying times. Technology / Internet / Gadget (ab)use Discipline, discipline, discipline “The difference between technology and “Early to bed and early to rise makes a slavery is that slaves are fully aware that they are not free!” man healthy, wealthy and wise.” India has the second largest internet users after China. Teens’ continuous, incessant At the cost of not sounding regimental and and relentless gadget and screen usage bordering on addiction is a huge problem old school, ensure that you are able to today for parents and teens themselves. Given the current quarantine and manage a timely schedule and follow basic lockdown, we need to cut ourselves a little slack — given these extenuating activities of daily living (ADLs) in a circumstances, but beware of the time that you tend to spend on your gadgets and reasonable time frame. Waking up in the gizmos and the sites and activities that you are engaging in online. It is not always a morning and having a fresh start is not safe place. It is better to be safe than sorry. There is excessive information on social only important but also essential as it sets media, most of which is untrue can be harmful for your consumption. FaceTime, the tone for the day that follows. Zoom, Facebook video calls, Skype are all virtual tools for you to chat and catch up While keeping awake all night, watching with your friends and extended family. TikTock, online games and many other movies, binging on Netflix, gaming or interactive apps increase your vulnerabilities to share plenty of socialising with your cliques is thrilling at information that might not be necessary and warranted. Use caution. Be mindful of this point, there can be a tendency to stay your language and aggression levels as, awake till the wee hours of morning. However, not being able to have a good night’s rest and lack of adequate sleep (seven to eight relaxed hours) is enough to create sleep deprivation and cause laziness, irritability, moodiness, fatigue, forgetfulness, a lack of appetite, and a depressed mood. Cut down the entitlement “There ain’t no such thing like a free lunch.” Given the fact the current support system in the form of paid help — maids, cooks, baby sitters (for smaller siblings),

Easy to PICK441 - “UPSC Monthly Magazine” - April 2020 many a times, you tend to loose grounding Key Points : in a virtual world. Rationing screen time is well worth it. Excessive usage of screen time can also result in symptoms such as dysfunctional daily schedule, lack of a routine, anxiety, depression, dishonesty, avoidance of work, isolation, mood swings, fear, boredom with routine tasks, agitation and procrastination. Schedule time with family “The family that prays together, stays together.” Ensure that you engage with the family and do something meaningful for at least 30 minutes to an hour, every day. These can be simple activities together beyond the cleaning rituals and the chores that can become mundane. Cards, board games, old family stories sharing time, television/show viewing of common shows and serials, yoga, meditation, chatting and/or evening prayers are examples of what can become a ‘Family Ritual’. Build memories with your loved ones before you fly from the nest. Academic mindfulness “The early summer break in not going to last forever” For those who have not been able to complete their board exams, please set aside some time for reading up and revising the subjects that are pending. These holidays are eventually going to end and yes, the suspense around that can create a lot of anxiety. But, the only way around is to be prepared. Those of you, preparing for CETs and various other entrance exams, schedule in some time for a good enough prep, so that you are not taken by surprise should the lockdown be lifted on May 3 and dates get preponed. Many virtual content and classes have commenced to keep students afloat and so get on with your tasks on time as well.