Easy to PICK201 - “UPSC Monthly Magazine” Quantum computing Syllabus subtopic: Awareness in the Significance of Quantum computing for fields of IT, Space, Computers, Robotics, India Nano-technology, Bio-technology and Quantum computers will open up issues relating to Intellectual Property Rights. enormous opportunities for India, particularly in the field of defence, Prelims and Mains focus: about the move space research, weather forecasting, and its significance; about quantum and healthcare by crunching large computing and its applications amounts of data and solving problems infinitely faster than existing News: The Union Budget 2020-21 supercomputers. proposal to earmark Rs.8,000 crore for quantum computing over the next five The quantum science and technology years can boost critical areas of the Indian initiative in India has been broadly economy, including space research and defined around computing, defence capabilities. communications, and measurements. Of these, quantum computing is About the move expected to provide the ability to solve hitherto intractable problems The quantum of money proposed for in resource optimisation, machine the sector is almost on a par with the learning, and data security, and also amount invested by the US to help to design new materials with develop the technology. futuristic applications. However, the success of the initiative Quantum Computing: Global scenario The recent advancements in the field of will depend on careful planning and quantum computing, including IBM’s implementation. Moreover, unveiling of the world’s first quantum computing system for scientific and considering that there are no private commercial use, Google’s quantum supremacy, and Microsoft taking companies in India working on quantum computing to the cloud, have made the world realise the possibilities quantum computing, the initiative, by it can offer. Google’s 54-bit quantum computer took merely 200 seconds and large, will have to be led by state- for an experimental computation that a supercomputer would have run institutions. taken 10,000 years to solve. Need Governments the world over are The announcement is significant as the starting to grasp the potential of the scale of investments necessary to make technology. China already has a headway in quantum computing is not national strategy on quantum possible without the support of the computing, having spent $400 million government or large corporations. It on a national quantum lab and filing should boost attempts of domestic technology providers, who have been keen to enter this field, but did not have the necessary scale or resources.
Easy to PICK202 - “UPSC Monthly Magazine” twice as many patents as the US on said to “dance” in instantaneous, quantum technology. perfect unison, even when placed at opposite ends of the universe. This The US government had also seemingly impossible connection announced a National Quantum inspired Einstein to describe Initiative in 2019 with an outlay of entanglement as “spooky action at a $1.2 billion ( Rs.8,500 crore). distance.” What is quantum computing? Why do these quantum effects matter? Quantum computing is essentially First of all, they’re fascinating. Even harnessing and exploiting the better, they’ll be extremely useful to amazing laws of quantum mechanics the future of computing and to process information. communications technology. A traditional computer uses long Thanks to superposition and strings of “bits,” which encode either a entanglement, a quantum computer zero or a one. A quantum computer, can process a vast number of on the other hand, uses quantum bits, calculations simultaneously. Think of or qubits. it this way: whereas a classical computer works with ones and zeros, a What's the difference? quantum computer will have the Well a qubit is a quantum system that advantage of using ones, zeros and “superpositions” of ones and zeros. encodes the zero and the one into two Certain difficult tasks that have long distinguishable quantum states. But, been thought impossible (or because qubits behave quantumly, we “intractable”) for classical computers can capitalize on the phenomena of will be achieved quickly and \"superposition\" and \"entanglement.\" efficiently by a quantum computer. Superposition is essentially the ability Applications of a quantum system to be in 1. Cybersecurity multiple states at the same time — 2. Drug Development that is, something can be “here” and 3. Financial Modeling “there,” or “up” and “down” at the 4. Better Batteries same time. 5. Cleaner Fertilization 6. Traffic Optimization Entanglement is an extremely strong 7. Weather Forecasting and Climate correlation that exists between Change quantum particles — so strong, in 8. Artificial Intelligence fact, that two or more quantum 9. Solar Capture particles can be inextricably linked in 10. Electronic Materials Discovery perfect unison, even if separated by great distances. The particles are so intrinsically connected, they can be
Easy to PICK203 - “UPSC Monthly Magazine”
Easy to PICK204 - “UPSC Monthly Magazine” Global Medical Data Leak Syllabus subtopic: Basics of Cyber offering access to 6,97,89,685 images. Security The next is Karnataka, with 1,82,865 data troves giving access to Prelims and Mains focus: about the 1,37,31,001 images. report: its findings and concerns associated; about PACS The report says that in 60 days after News: Greenbone Sustainable the first report was put out, the Resilience, a German cybersecurity firm recently published an updated report on number of data troves bearing the medical data leaks. patients’ information went up from About the report 6,27,000 to 1.01 million, and that the The first report was published in images of patients’ details rose from October last year, in which Greenbone 105 million to 121 million. revealed a widespread data leak of a massive number of records, including It is a notable fact for the systems images of CT scans, X-rays, MRIs located in India, that almost 100% of and even pictures of the patients. the studies (data troves) allow full access to related images. The follow-up report, which was published in November, classifies Why is it a concern? countries in the “good”, “bad” and The leak is worrying because the “ugly” categories based on the action taken by their governments after the affected patients can include anyone first report was made public. from the common working man to politicians and celebrities. In image- India ranks second in the “ugly” driven fields like politics or category, after the U.S. entertainment, knowledge about certain ailments faced by people from these Key findings of the report fields could deal a huge blow to their Medical details of over 120 million image. Indian patients have been leaked and The other concern is of fake identities made freely available on the being created using the details, Internet. which can be misused in any possible number of ways. What is even more worrying is that the number of data troves containing How was the data leaked? this sensitive data went up by a significant number in the Indian Greenbone’s original report says the context a month after Greenbone’s initial report was published. leak was facilitated by the fact that the Maharashtra ranks the highest in Picture Archiving and terms of the number of data troves available online, with 3,08,451 troves Communications Systems (PACS) servers, where these details are stored, are not secure and linked to the public Internet without any protection, making them easily accessible to malicious elements.
Easy to PICK205 - “UPSC Monthly Magazine” The fact that PACS servers are in the past. No report, however, has vulnerable to attack or are accessible is dealt with the breadth and depth of the not new information, and there have problem associated with unsecured been a number of reports on this topic PACS servers. About PACS 3. workstations for interpreting and A picture archiving and reviewing images, and communication system (PACS) is a 4. archives for the storage and retrieval of medical imaging technology which images and reports. provides economical storage and convenient access to images from Combined with available and emerging multiple modalities (source machine web technology, PACS has the ability types). to deliver timely and efficient access to images, interpretations, and related Electronic images and reports are data. PACS reduces the physical and transmitted digitally via PACS; this time barriers associated with eliminates the need to manually file, traditional film-based image retrieval, retrieve, or transport film jackets, the distribution, and display. folders used to store and protect X-ray film. A PACS consists of four major components: 1. The imaging modalities such as X-ray plain film (PF), computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) 2. a secured network for the transmission of patient information
Easy to PICK206 - “UPSC Monthly Magazine” Pollution by Thermal power plants Syllabus subtopic: Conservation, Steps taken to limit air pollution Environmental Pollution and Degradation, To limit particulate matter, sulphur Environmental Impact Assessment. dioxide and nitrous oxide emission Prelims and Mains focus: about the move from thermal plants, India put in to curb air pollution from thermal power place a phased-approach that directs plants; about NGT; CPCB 440 coal-fired units — responsible for about 166,000 MW of power — to put News: The Central Pollution Control in place measures to limit pollution Board (CPCB) has pulled up 14 thermal by December 2022. power plants for not complying with a December 31, 2019 deadline to limit However 11 plants in a 300 km radius sulphur dioxide emissions. of Delhi were to comply by December 31, 2019 because of the poor air Where are these plants located? quality in the city as well as the These are 5 plants in Haryana, 3 in surrounding Gangetic plain. Punjab, 2 in Uttar Pradesh, 2 in Some of them claimed to have set in Andhra Pradesh, 2 in Telangana and place the process for acquiring flu-gas 1 in Tamil Nadu with a total capacity desulphurisation technology where as of approx 15 GW that have missed the others said they were yet to award deadline. tenders. Only one of these plants has actually implemented technology to The 14 plants have been given until the limit emissions. end of this month to explain to the CPCB why they have not complied As per Centre for Science and with the norms and why action should Environment (CSE) estimates, these not be taken. norms can help reduce PM emissions by about 35%, NOx emission by about Background 70%, and SO2 emissions by more than Non-compliance by the thermal power 85% by 2026-27 against a business-as- usual scenario with no pollution plants is an ongoing dispute being control technologies. contested at the National Green Tribunal through a petition filed in Cost of installing technology to control April 2017. toxic emissions A latest study has estimated that it There is an ongoing case in the Supreme Court regarding the would cost coal-fired power plants extensions given to these plants. about Rs 730-860 billion to install technology to control toxic emissions Can CPCB punish them for violating of sulphur oxides, nitrogen oxides and the guidelines? particulate matter from them. The CPCB has the power to impose steep fines or shut a unit under the provisions On average, this could translate into an of the Environment Protection Act, increase of about Rs 0.6 per unit of 1986. electricity for consumers. However, the cost of not abating pollution from
Easy to PICK207 - “UPSC Monthly Magazine” power plants is higher and will impact the health of millions of people across the country, caution the authors. India’s environment ministry had come out with strict emission norms for coal power plants in December 2015 mandating them to install such technology by December 2017, but later the date was postponed till 2022. The study recommended to the government to take strict measures in case the power plants fail to adhere to strict emission standards even by 2022.
Easy to PICK208 - “UPSC Monthly Magazine” India’s tariff policy Syllabus subtopic: Indian Economy and sought to protect domestic industries, bred issues relating to Planning, Mobilization of an uncompetitive manufacturing sector. Resources, Growth, Development and Mint explains the pitfalls of protectionism. Employment. Prelims and Mains focus: about import Tariffs in India vis-a-vis other countries tariff regime in India; amended proposed At 11.7%, India’s weighted average tariff to it and its implications is much higher than that of South Korea, News: Some of the budget proposals have the US and Japan. India was also way the potential to revive the import behind these countries in terms of substitution regime of the pre-1991 machinery and transport equipment liberalization era. The old regime, which exports. How are import tariffs expected to Customs duty exemptions are also change? being withdrawn from 80 items that The 2020 Union budget proposes to were found to be outdated. increase customs duties on imports Will duty hikes push up domestic of a variety of items. While one set of prices? duty changes seeks to create a level Yes. Import substitution forces playing field for micro small and medium enterprises, another is for consumers to pay more for promoting Make In India. competitively produced imports, so that small producers, which will never In addition, the Customs Tariff Act, become competitive, get protection. 1975, is proposed to be amended by Prices will rise for porcelain or china way of the Finance Bill to give the kitchenware, padlocks, brooms, hand government the power to impose sieves, combs, vacuum flasks and safeguard duties and tariff rate appliances such as wall fans, quota on imports on the pretext of grinders/mixers, water heaters, ovens, threat of injury to domestic industry. toasters, coffee/tea makers, insect
Easy to PICK209 - “UPSC Monthly Magazine” repellents, footwear, mattresses, dolls India’s tariff reduction in the post- and toys, compressors of refrigerators reforms period led to simple, average and ACs, furniture and stationery. tariffs in 2015-16 being only about a tenth of the level in 1990-91. Exports Prices will also rise where customs soared over 17 times from $18.1 exemptions have been withdrawn such billion in 1990-91 to $309 billion in as for skimmed milk. 2014-15. Will there be unintended consequences? Yes. Empowering government officials to take decisions on individual items raises the scope for corruption and policy errors. The outdated items on which customs duty has been withdrawn includes CD writers, MP3/MP4/MPEG 4 players, pre-recorded and audio cassettes. This also affects cassettes used by blind students and CDs used for educational purposes. Will officials get more power and control? Yes. Like in the 1980s when bureaucrats exercised powers to decide duties on individual items, scope for concentration and abuse of economic controls has risen. The budget proposes to introduce a new provision in the Customs Act, 1962, so that the Centre will have the power to prohibit import and export of any item. At present, it has this power only for gold and silver. Instead, it needs to return to the strategy of lower, simplified and predictable tariffs to improve the ability of exporters to link up with evolving global value chains. Will the economy turn more competitive? No. Being a global player and sustaining high growth demand a higher share of exports in global value chains. The report of the high-level advisory group found that with value chains, exports and imports build competitiveness.
Easy to PICK210 - “UPSC Monthly Magazine” RBI steps in to revive economy Syllabus subtopic: Indian Economy and ratio (CRR)—which requires banks issues relating to Planning, Mobilization of to set aside 4% of their deposits—for Resources, Growth, Development and every new retail loan made to finance Employment. automobiles, homes, and to small Prelims and Mains focus: about the steps businesses. This move, while making it taken by the MPC and their implications; attractive for banks to lend to retail and repo rate; CRR; MPC; CPI small businesses, essentially translates News: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) into a short-term cut in cash reserve stepped in to do the heavy lifting to revive ratio. This scheme will be available for the economy, after the Union budget new loans given till 31 July. appeared to have few measures to spur In addition, the central bank will now credit growth and boost demand. conduct one- year and three-year About the RBI’s move term repo auctions to inject up to The central bank introduced a direct Rs.1 trillion into the banking system, incentive framework to boost credit giving lenders the opportunity to raise growth, even as the six- member money at current rates. When viewed monetary policy committee (MPC) kept in the context of elevated headline benchmark rates unchanged because of inflationary pressures, this is another uncertainty in the inflation outlook. The incentive for banks to lock medium- repo rate, the rate at which banks term funding at current low rates. borrow from RBI, remained unchanged at This should encourage banks to 5.15%. undertake maturity transformation What steps has it taken? smoothly and seamlessly so as to To improve credit flow, RBI augment credit flows to productive sectors. temporarily removed the cash reserve
Easy to PICK211 - “UPSC Monthly Magazine” Observations made by the RBI committee on inflation Given the uncertainty, MPC pegged consumer price inflation for the first half of FY21 at 5-5.4% as compared to 3.8-4% earlier. For the third quarter of FY21, the forecast stands at 3.2% with risks broadly balanced. According to the committee, the recent increase in prices of milk, pulses and crude oil are likely to weigh on inflation. MPC also noted that the inflation trajectory will be determined by several factors, including the pass- through of telecom charges, increase in prices of drugs and pharmaceuticals and the impact of new emission norms. MPC projected economic growth for fiscal 2021 at 6%—in the range of 5.5-6% in the first half and 6.2% in the third quarter. This is in line with its past GDP growth projections and that of the Economic Survey, which has pegged growth at 6-6.5%. The committee noted that the economy continues to be weak and the output gap remains negative.
Easy to PICK212 - “UPSC Monthly Magazine” Cancer genes mutation mapped Syllabus subtopic: Science and Significance of the research Technology- Developments and their It is an exciting development. Applications and Effects in Everyday Life. Identifying the driver gene means a Prelims and Mains focus: about the study lot because that decides whether and its significance; about cancer doctors can do targeted treatment or go with traditional options like News: In a series of papers published in chemotherapy. But the time taken for the journal ‘Nature’, scientists from developing a drug from identifying a several international consortium have gene varies. In case of ALK-1, identified as the driver gene for 5-7 per mapped the handful of genes whose cent lung cancers, the time from its mutation causes several different kinds identification in 2006-7 to a drug was just five years.” of cancer. However the path is not always as short. Currently, when a tumour is sent Why is it important for genetic analysis, there is capacity to Cancer is often said to be many diseases, analyse about 1,000 genes in a rather than one disease, because of the standard laboratory. Of these, less than vastly different way that different kinds 200 are implicated in various cancers, of cancers are known to behave. This of which there are medicines for less mapping raises hopes of treatment than 40,. tailored for specific cancers. For more than 30 cancers we now know what specific genetic changes About the research are likely to happen and when these are likely to take place. Unlocking these On average, cancer genomes contained patterns means it should now be possible to develop new diagnostic 4-5 driver mutations when combining tests that pick up signs of cancer earlier. coding and non-coding genomic About Cancer elements; however, in around 5% of Cancer is a group of diseases cases no drivers were identified, involving abnormal cell growth with the potential to invade or spread to suggesting that cancer driver discovery other parts of the body. These contrast with benign tumors, which do is not yet complete. not spread. Possible signs and symptoms include a About half of these mutations occurred lump, abnormal bleeding, prolonged cough, unexplained weight loss, and a in the same set of nine genes. The change in bowel movements. While these symptoms may indicate scientists analysed 2,658 whole- cancer, they can also have other causes. Over 100 types of cancers cancer genomes and their matching affect humans. normal tissues across 38 tumour types from the Pan-Cancer Analysis of Whole Genomes (PCAWG) Consortium of the International Cancer Genome Consortium (ICGC) and The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA). Driver genes are genes whose mutations are linked to development of a disease, in this case cancer.
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Easy to PICK214 - “UPSC Monthly Magazine” Genome India Project Syllabus subtopic: Achievements of About the project Indians in Science & Technology; The Rs 238-crore Genome India Indigenization of Technology and Developing New Technology. Project, which will involve 20 leading institutions including the Indian Prelims and Mains focus: about the Institute of Science (IISc) in Bengaluru project and its significance and a few IITs, will be rolled out soon. News: The government has cleared an Cleared by the Department of ambitious gene-mapping project that is Biotechnology (under the Department being described by those involved as the of Science and Technology) the first “first scratching of the surface of the stage of the project will look at vast genetic diversity of India”. samples of “10,000 persons from all over the country” to form a “grid” that Background will enable the development of a Steps to get the project underway “reference genome”. started in 2017 when Infosys co- The IISc’s Centre for Brain founder Kris Gopalakrishnan set up the Research, an autonomous institute, Centre for Brain Research at IISc for will serve as the nodal point of the research in ageing and diseases such as project and its director will be the Alzheimer’s. coordinator. As part of a two-pronged approach, The project is said to be among the Gopalakrishnan provided funding of most significant of its kind in the Rs 275 crore for a rural pilot project in world because of its scale and the Kolar and Tata Trusts came up with Rs diversity it would bring to genetic 75 crore to fund the corresponding studies. urban project in Bengaluru. The institutions involved will work on The group involved in the initiative different aspects of the project, then approached the central including providing clinical samples government for a nationwide project and assisting with research. Some IITs to sequence the Indian gene and push will help with new methods of research in medicine. computation, which are essential. Referring to “new schemes” in the Benefits of collaborations Budget 2020-21, the government said To really arrive at a breakthrough with that mapping of India’s genetic landscape is critical for next generation modern lifestyle diseases such as medicine, agriculture and for bio- cardiac diseases, diabetes or other diversity management. To support this mental health issues, large development, it will initiate two new collaborations were the need of the national level Science Schemes, to hour, combined with huge create a comprehensive database. technological and computational endeavours.
Easy to PICK215 - “UPSC Monthly Magazine” For instance, “Nature” and its affiliated journals reported the results of a decade-long global collaboration involving 1,300 scientists to map genetic mutations that drive the development of cancer. This is expected to play a significant role in reducing the mortality rate linked to cancer. Significance of the project Mapping the diversity of India’s genetic pool will lay the bedrock of personalised medicine and put it on the global map. Considering the diversity of population in India, and the disease burden of complex disorders, including diabetes, mental health, etc., once we have a genetic basis, it may be possible to take action before the onset of a disease. Scientists linked to the Indian project say genetic studies so far are based on “almost 95% white caucasian samples”. “What makes the IISc’s pilot rural Kolar study unique is that it is not of urban and rich or middle- class samples, and that could potentially have revolutionary implications on world research. It is established that the first migrations of humans were from Africa to India, and then there were several waves of migration that provided vast horizontal diversity. And, with endogamy being practiced over many generations, across groups, the project may help to get a sharper understanding of diseases transmitted genetically down the line as well as some healthy attributes.
Easy to PICK216 - “UPSC Monthly Magazine” GST rates to be revised yearly Syllabus subtopic: Indian Economy and they will not have to track rates after issues relating to Planning, Mobilization of every GST Council meeting. Resources, Growth, Development and Employment. However, there could be problem in case there is any urgent need to revise Prelims and Mains focus: about the move rate or fix anomalies and its benefits; about inverted duty structure; about GST; GST Council Background This is the first time that the Centre News: GST Council, the federal indirect tax body, is set to make changes in tax has spoken about going slow with the rates of goods and services a yearly affair, frequency of GST rate cuts. There moving away from frequent rate have been more than half a dozen revisions to remove ‘uncertainty’ for rounds of rate cuts since the businesses and the government. implementation of GST from 1 July 2017, which also impacted the Centre’s Reason behind the move revenue. Besides, being a sensitive Rate revision every three months brings in issue, rate cuts would often snowball uncertainty. Frequent changes in GST into a political issue, putting pressure rates have led to an inverted duty on government to revise rate, ahead of structure, where the raw materials ended the elections. up becoming costlier than the finished product, in some cases which also In December 2019, Finance Minister created problems with tax refunds. who also heads the GST Council said the government is working on Impact of frequent GST rate revisions streamlining the GST regime to When the rate of tax of one item is eventually have three slabs. brought down, a whole lot of other Currently, there are four key tax ripple effects are created. With that slabs—5%, 12%, 18% and 28%. ripple effect, refund is affected. Besides, there have also been discussions on increasing tax rates As a result, businesses claimed that on some items. However, in the last they are not able to plan how much meeting in December 2019, the they need to keep aside for taxation in Council abstained from raising rates, a whole year. Similarly, governments after official data showed that (states and Centre) are not able to consumer goods output had shrunk make an assessment of what they 18% in October, its fifth straight month will earn from GST in the whole year. of contraction. Several state ministers also said the time was not right for Benefits raising GST rates. Yearly revision of rates is a great Inverted Tax Structure in the GST approach as rates will be stable for at regime least a year and as a result it will be The term ‘Inverted Tax Structure’ refers to less cumbersome for businesses as a situation where the rate of tax on inputs
Easy to PICK217 - “UPSC Monthly Magazine” purchased (i.e. GST Rate paid on inputs received) is more than the rate of tax (i.e. GST Rate Payable on outward supplies) on outward supplies. Refund in case of Inverted Duty Structure under GST A registered person may claim a refund of unutilized ITC (Input tax credit) on account of Inverted Duty Structure at the end of any tax period where the credit has accumulated on account of rate of tax on inputs being higher than the rate of tax on output supplies. Exceptions where refund of unutilized input tax credit shall not be allowed in these cases: 1. Output supplies are nil rated or fully exempt supplies except supplies of goods or services or both as may be notified by the Government on the recommendations of the Council. 2. If the goods exported out of India are subject to export duty. 3. If supplier claims refund of output tax paid under IGST Act. 4. If the supplier avails duty drawback or refund of IGST on such supplies. Tax period: A tax period is a period for which return is required to be furnished.
Easy to PICK218 - “UPSC Monthly Magazine” Li-ion battery Syllabus subtopic: Science and The cost of these imports rose from Technology- Developments and their $383 million (Rs.2,600 crore approx) Applications and Effects in Everyday Life. in 2016 to $727.24 million (Rs.5,000 crore approx.) in 2017, $1254.94 Prelims and Mains focus: about the million (Rs.8,700 crore) in 2018 and working of Li-ion battery: advantages and $929 million (Rs.6,500 crore) in 2019. disadvantages; about India’s efforts to indigenously manufacture them Indias efforts to manufacture Li-ion batteries News: The Union Science Ministry To promote indigenous development responded to a query in Lok Sabha on India’s import of Li-ion batteries from of such batteries, the Union Cabinet in 2016-18. 2019 approved a programme, called a National Mission on Transformative Background Mobility and Battery Storage in the Indian manufacturers source Li-ion NITI Aayog to “drive clean, connected, shared, sustainable and batteries from China, Japan and holistic mobility initiatives.” South Korea and the country is among the largest importers in the Electric vehicles are expected to world. account for a significant share in the growth of the Li-ion battery demand China dominates the Li-ion battery in India though reports say this is market. According to a report by unlikely at least until 2025, because BloombergNEF “.. Around three- electric cars are still significantly quarters of battery cell manufacturing costlier than their combustion-engine capacity is in China, and Chinese counterparts. The government has companies have unparalleled control of announced investments worth $1.4 required domestic and foreign battery billion to make India one of the raw materials and processing largest manufacturing hubs for facilities.” electric vehicles by 2040. What figures did the ministry provide The Indian Space Research on battery imports? Organisation (ISRO) manufactures India has quadrupled its imports of such batteries but volumes are limited and they are restricted for use in lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries and more space applications. than tripled its import bill on the product, vital for powering a range of In June 2018, Central Electro devices from cellphones to electric Chemical Research Institute (CECRI) vehicles, from 2016-2018. in Tamil Nadu’s Karaikudi, under the Council of Scientific & Industrial 175 million such batteries were Research (CSIR) and RAASI Solar imported in 2016, 313 million in 2017, Power Pvt Ltd signed a Memorandum 712 million in 2018 and 450 million of Agreement for transfer of from January 1, 2019, till November 30 of that year.
Easy to PICK219 - “UPSC Monthly Magazine” technology for India’s first lithium- lithium ion batteries is a distinct ion (Li-ion) battery project. advantage. Electric vehicles also need a battery technology that has a high About Li-ion battery energy density. Li-ion battery (abbreviated as LIB) is a type of rechargeable battery. Lithium- Self-discharge: One issue with many ion batteries are commonly used for rechargeable batteries is the self portable electronics and electric vehicles discharge rate. Lithium ion cells is that and are growing in popularity for their rate of self-discharge is much military and aerospace applications. lower than that of other rechargeable cells such as Ni-Cad and Components: NiMH forms. It is typically around 5% Li-ion batteries use an intercalated in the first 4 hours after being charged but then falls to a figure of around 1 or lithium compound as one electrode 2% per month. material, compared to the metallic lithium used in a non-rechargeable Low maintenance: They do not lithium battery. require and maintenance to ensure their performance. The electrolyte, which allows for ionic movement, and the two electrodes are Cell voltage: The voltage produced by the constituent components of a each lithium ion cell is about 3.6 volts. lithium-ion battery cell. This has many advantages. Being higher than that of the standard nickel Working: In this, lithium ions move from cadmium, nickel metal hydride and the negative electrode to the positive even standard alkaline cells at around electrode during discharge and back when 1.5 volts and lead acid at around 2 charging. volts per cell, the voltage of each lithium ion cell is higher, requiring Advantages: less cells in many battery High energy density: With electronic applications. For smartphones a single cell is all that is needed and this equipment such as mobile phones simplifies the power management. needing to operate longer between charges while still consuming more Load characteristics: The load power, there is always a need to characteristics of a lithium ion cell or batteries with a much higher energy battery are reasonably good. They density. In addition to this, there are provide a reasonably constant 3.6 many power applications from power volts per cell before falling off as the tools to electric vehicles. The much last charge is used. higher power density offered by No requirement for priming: Some rechargeable cells need to be primed when they receive their first charge. One advantage of lithium ion batteries is that there is no requirement for this they are supplied operational and ready to go.
Easy to PICK220 - “UPSC Monthly Magazine” Variety of types available: There are Cost: A major lithium ion battery several types of lithium ion cell disadvantage is their cost. Typically available. This advantage of lithium they are around 40% more costly to ion batteries can mean that the right manufacture than Nickel cadmium technology can be used for the cells. This is a major factor when particular application needed. Some considering their use in mass produced forms of lithium ion battery provide a consumer items where any additional high current density and are ideal for costs are a major issue. consumer mobile electronic equipment. Others are able to provide much higher Developing technology: Although current levels and are ideal for power lithium ion batteries have been tools and electric vehicles. available for many years, it can still be considered an immature technology Disadvantages by some as it is very much a Protection required: Lithium ion developing area. This can be a disadvantage in terms of the fact that cells and batteries are not as robust as the technology does not remain some other rechargeable technologies. constant. However as new lithium ion They require protection from being technologies are being developed all over charged and discharged too far. In the time, it can also be an advantage as addition to this, they need to have the better solutions are coming available. current maintained within safe limits. Accordingly one lithium ion battery disadvantage is that they require protection circuitry incorporated to ensure they are kept within their safe operating limits. Ageing: Lithium ion batteries suffer from ageing. Not only is this time or calendar dependent, but it is also dependent upon the number of charge discharge cycles that the battery has undergone. Often batteries will only be able to withstand 500 - 1000 charge discharge cycles before their capacity falls. With the development of li-ion technology, this figure is increasing, but after a while batteries may need replacing and this can be an issue if they are embedded in the equipment. Transportation: This li-ion battery disadvantage has come to the fore in recent years. Many airlines limit the number of lithium ion batteries they take, and this means their transportation is limited to ships.
Easy to PICK221 - “UPSC Monthly Magazine” Three-dimensional Variational Data Analysis (3DVAR) Syllabus subtopic: Research, USA, have jointly worked Conservation, Environmental Pollution on it. and Degradation, Environmental Using the three-dimensional Impact Assessment. Variational Data Analysis (3DVAR) Achievements of Indians in Science & devised by the group, the variations in Technology; Indigenization of PM2.5 level were tracked and Technology and Developing New validated during two winter seasons Technology. between 2017 and 2019. Prelims and Mains focus: about the new Why is predicting air quality in advance device and its significance in forecasting difficult? air quality Predicting air quality in advance over News: A team of researchers, with any region is difficult due to the funding from the Earth Sciences direct link between local weather Ministry (MoES), has devised a system and the concentration of chemical capable of almost accurately tracking gaseous matter that mix with the air. variations in air quality in Delhi during events of biomass burning and Still, large uncertainties are present correspondingly issuing timely forecasts in the prediction of atmospheric up to 72 hours in advance. aerosols and locating the emission inventories, and limited understanding Background in the formation of secondary aerosols, Every year between October and among other factors. December, the air quality over Delhi drops to dangerous levels, triggering respiratory- Chemical data is needed in model related illnesses and hitting visibility. assimilation, which has been found to provide better outputs in terms of real- About the new device time forecasts. Chemical data The newly-devised air quality assimilation can boost operational weather forecast as the variability of prediction system is an upgrade over PM2.5 over Delhi was found to be the one operated by MoES, which very large. Local weather also plays a mainly detects the presence of PM2.5 major role in accurate forecast of dust particles. PM2.5, which has high levels of uncertainties due to wind speeds at A team of Pune-based scientists, led surface and inventory chemicals. by Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM), along with those from Savitribai Phule Pune University (SPPU), Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC), and researchers from Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bangalore, and National Centre for Atmospheric
Easy to PICK222 - “UPSC Monthly Magazine” Convention on Conservation of Migratory Species (CMS) Syllabus subtopic: Conservation, countries. The elephant faces risks Environmental Pollution and Degradation, particularly in neighbouring Environmental Impact Assessment. Bangladesh and Nepal. Prelims and Mains focus: about the move and its benefits; about CMS; about GIB; How will this move benefit? efforts made by India for conservation of Having the elephant and the Great Indian migratory species Bustard in the list — more formally News: The 13th Conference of Parties known as Appendix 1 — would coax (COP) of the Convention on the countries neighbouring India, where wild Conservation of Migratory Species of animals such as tigers and elephant foray Wild Animals (CMS) is scheduled from into, to direct more resources and February 17 to 22 in Gandhinagar, attention to protecting them. There are Gujarat. now 173 species in the Appendix 1. About the COP meet Migratory species in India and efforts at Representatives from across the conservation India is home to several migratory world, and conservationists and international NGOs working in species of wildlife, including the snow wildlife conservation, are expected to leopard, Amur falcons, bar- headed attend the COP, which will also see geese, black-necked cranes, marine PM Modi address the gathering via turtles, dugongs and hump-backed video conference. India has been whales. designated the President of the COP for the next three years. The Indian sub-continent is also part of the major bird flyway network, India will be moving to include the i.e, the Central Asian Flyway (CAF) Asian Elephant and the Great Indian that covers areas between the Arctic Bustard in the list of species that and Indian Oceans, and covers at least merit heightened conservation 279 populations of 182 migratory measures. water bird species, including 29 globally threatened species. India has The list will be debated at the 13th also launched the National Action COP of the CMS, an environment Plan for conservation of migratory treaty under the United Nations species under the Central Asian Environment Programme (UNEP). Flyway. There are 130 parties to the convention and India has been a The Union Environment Ministry member since 1983. reports India as having 29,964 elephants according to the Project It is expected that the COP will clear Elephant Census in 2017. It merits the inclusion of the Great Indian the highest level of protection, or Bustard and the Asian Elephant as it Schedule 1, under the Wildlife has been vetted by technical experts Protection Act. and reflects the consensus of several
Easy to PICK223 - “UPSC Monthly Magazine” The government of India has been partners in the media as well as in the taking necessary actions to protect corporate sector. and conserve migratory marine species. Seven species that include Under this convention, migratory Dugong, Whale Shark, Marine Turtle species threatened with extinction (two species), have been identified for are listed on Appendix I and Parties preparation of Conservation and strive towards strictly protecting Recovery Action Plan. these animals, conserving or restoring the places where they live, mitigating About the Convention on Migratory obstacles to migration and controlling Species (CMS) other factors that might endanger them. Migratory species are those animals Migratory species that need or would that move from one habitat to another during different times of the significantly benefit from year, due to various factors such as food, sunlight, temperature, climate, international co-operation are listed etc. The movement between habitats, can sometimes exceed thousands of in Appendix II of the Convention. miles/kilometres for some migratory birds and mammals. A migratory route About Great Indian Bustard (GIB) can involve nesting and also requires A large bird of the bustard family the availability of habitats before and after each migration. (Otididae), one of the heaviest flying birds in the world. It inhabits dry In order to protect the migratory grasslands and scrublands on the species throughout their range Indian subcontinent; its largest countries, a Convention on populations are found in the Indian Conservation of Migratory Species state of Rajasthan. (CMS), has been in force, under the aegis of United Nations Environment Conservation status: listed as Programme (UNEP). critically endangered species on the International Union for Conservation Also referred to as the Bonn of Nature’s (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species. Convention, it provides a global Threats: Habitat loss and platform for the conservation and degradation appear to be the primary causes of decline. Ecologists have sustainable use of migratory animals estimated that approximately 90 percent of the species’s natural and their habitats and brings together geographic range, which once spanned the majority of northwestern and west- the States through which migratory central India, has been lost, fragmented by road-building and mining activities animals pass, the Range States, and and transformed by irrigation and mechanized farming. Many croplands lays the legal foundation for that once produced sorghum and millet seeds, on which the great Indian internationally coordinated bustard thrived, have become fields of sugarcane and cotton or grape conservation measures throughout a migratory range. The convention complements and co- operates with a number of other international organizations, NGOs and
Easy to PICK224 - “UPSC Monthly Magazine” orchards. Hunting and poaching have conservation program to protect the also contributed to the decrease in great Indian bustard, along with the population. These activities, combined Bengal florican (Houbaropsis with the species’s low fecundity and bengalensis), the lesser florican the pressure of natural predators, (Sypheotides indicus), and their have left the great Indian bustard in a habitats from further declines. The precarious position. program was modelled after Project Tiger, a massive national effort In 2012 the Indian government initiated in the early 1970s to protect launched Project Bustard, a national the tigers of India and their habitat.
Easy to PICK225 - “UPSC Monthly Magazine” Solar Orbiter Mission Syllabus subtopic: Awareness in the particles emitted by the sun that fields of IT, Space, Computers, Robotics, reach across our solar system. Nano-technology, Bio-technology and issues relating to Intellectual Property It will take Solar Orbiter about two Rights. years to reach its highly elliptical orbit around the sun. Gravity Prelims and Mains focus: about the assists from Earth and Venus will mission and its significance; about Ulysses help swing the spacecraft out of the and Parker missions; about Heliosphere ecliptic plane, or the space that aligns with the sun's equator, so it News: The Solar Orbiter spacecraft was can study the sun's poles from launched from Cape Canaveral (USA) on above and below. a United Launch Alliance Atlas V 411 rocket and is on a 10-year voyage. Solar Orbiter also has a seven-year mission and will come within 26 Background million miles of the sun. It will be able to brave the heat of the sun This follows the Ulysses because it has a custom titanium heat shield coated in calcium spacecraft, another collaboration phosphate so that it can endure temperatures up to 970 degrees between ESA and NASA that launched Fahrenheit. in 1990 and also flew over the sun's poles. Ulysses completed three passes of the sun before its mission ended in 2009, but its view was limited to what it could see from the sun's equator. About the Space orbiter mission What’s so special about the mission? The mission, which is a joint This is the first mission that will collaboration between NASA and provide images of the sun's north the European Space Agency set off and south poles using a suite of six on a blazing hot journey to the instruments on board that will sun to take the first close-up look at capture the spacecraft's view. the star's polar regions, a mission expected to yield insight Up until Solar Orbiter, all solar into how solar radiant energy imaging instruments have been affects Earth within the ecliptic plane or very close to it. Now, we'll be able to look Solar Orbiter is equipped with ten down on the sun from above. instruments that can capture observations of the sun's corona Significance of the mission (which is its atmosphere), the poles Understanding the sun's magnetic and the solar disk. It can also use its field and solar wind are key because variety of instruments to measure they contribute to space weather, the sun's magnetic fields and solar which impacts Earth by interfering wind, or the energized stream of with networked systems like GPS,
Easy to PICK226 - “UPSC Monthly Magazine” communications and even and magnetic fields at the sources of astronauts on the International the solar wind; and exploring Space Station. The sun's magnetic mechanisms that accelerate and field is so massive that it stretches transport energetic particles. beyond Pluto, providing a pathway for solar wind to travel directly Together, the missions can help across the solar system. unlock the mysteries of the sun and provide more data to researchers than Observations of the poles either could accomplish on its own. could explain why the sun's Parker can sample particles coming magnetic field changes, alternating off the sun up close, while Solar over an 11-year period. When the Orbiter will fly farther back to magnetic field is active, it produces capture more encompassing dark sunspots on the sun's surface, observations and provide broader and then there are calmer periods context. with less activity. At times, the spacecraft will both Solar Orbiter's observations of the align to take measurements of the poles could also lead to better solar wind or magnetic field. predictions of space weather because it can provide a About Heliosphere better view of the magnetic field. Solar Orbiter Mission addresses The poles are particularly important for the scientists to be a central question of able to model more accurately. For forecasting space weather events, heliophysics: How does the Sun scientists need a pretty accurate model of the global magnetic field of create and control the constantly the sun. changing space environment Cooperation with Parker Mission The Space Orbiter mission will work throughout the solar system? in tandem with NASA's Parker Solar Probe, which is currently The Sun creates what’s known as orbiting the sun on a seven-year the heliosphere — a giant bubble of mission and just completed its fourth charged particles and magnetic close approach of the star. fields blown outward by the It launched in August 2018 and Sun that stretches more than twice will eventually come within four the distance to Pluto at its nearest million miles of the sun -- edge, enveloping every planet in the closest a spacecraft has ever our solar system and shaping the flown by our star. space around us. The Parker probe is tracing the flow To understand it, Solar Orbiter will of energy that heats and travel as close as 26 million miles accelerates the sun's corona and from the Sun, inside the orbit of solar wind; determining the Mercury. There, it will measure the structure and dynamics of the plasma magnetic fields, waves, energetic particles and plasma escaping the Sun while they are in their pristine state, before being modified and mixed in their long journey from the Sun.
Easy to PICK227 - “UPSC Monthly Magazine” Indian pilots begin astronaut training in Russia Syllabus subtopic: designed for parabolic flights of Achievements of Indians in Science & trainee astronauts and space tourists. The candidates will also be Technology; Indigenization of trained to take appropriate actions Technology and Developing New during emergencies — for example Technology. should the spacecraft make an Awareness in the fields of IT, Space, abnormal landing in (unplanned) Computers, Robotics, Nano- climate and geographic zones. technology, Bio-technology and issues relating to Intellectual Property Rights. Much of the training will take place at the GCTC facilities. The full Prelims and Mains focus: about the programme includes basic or generic highlights of the training programme; astronaut training followed by about Gaganyaan mission and its activities specific to the first Indian significance human space mission, Gaganyaan. News: The four Indian pilots chosen as The four candidates are fighter pilots candidate-astronauts began their 12- from the Indian Air Force and were month training at the Gagarin Research chosen from among hundreds of and Test Cosmonaut Training Centre applicants over the last few months. At (GCTC) in Moscow, Russian space the end of all training modules in India business company Glavkosmos has and Russia, one or two of the four will announced. be finally named to circle the earth in the first crewed Gaganyaan, which is Background planned around 2022. In June 2019, the Human Space Flight Centre of the Indian Space Research Organisation and the Russian government-owned Glavkosmos signed a contract for the training, which includes Russian support in the selection of candidates, their medical examination, and space training. About the training programme The 12-month training programme includes comprehensive and biomedical training of the Indian candidates, combined with regular physical practices. They will study in detail the systems of the Soyuz manned spaceship, as well as be trained in short-term weightlessness mode aboard the Il-76MDK aircraft. The Il-76MDK is an Ilyushin-78 military transport plane specially re-
Easy to PICK228 - “UPSC Monthly Magazine” RBI to set up new umbrella entity (NUE) Syllabus subtopic: Indian Economy and As per the RBI, no single promoter or issues relating to Planning, Mobilization of promoter group should have more Resources, Growth, Development and than 40 per cent investment in the Employment. capital of the entity. Prelims and Mains focus: about the The promoters should upfront functions and eligibility criteria for setting demonstrate capital contribution of up of NUEs; other guidelines issued by not less than 10 per cent — Rs 50 RBI crore — at the time of making an application for setting up of the entity. News: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has proposed to set up a new pan-India The promoter or the promoter group new umbrella entity (NUE) or entities shareholding should be diluted to a focussing on retail payment systems minimum of 25 per cent after 5 years with a minimum paid-up capital of Rs of the commencement of business. 500 crore. A minimum net worth of Rs 300 Functions of the new entity crore should be maintained always. The proposed entity will set up, The entity eligible to apply as promoter manage and operate new payment or the promoter group for the NUE systems especially in the retail space should be ‘owned and controlled by comprising of, but not limited to residents’ with 3 years’ experience in ATMs, white label PoS, Aadhaar- the payments ecosystem as Payment based payments and remittance System Operator (PSO) or Payment services, develop payment methods, Service Provider (PSP) or Technology standards and technologies, monitor Service Provider (TSP). related issues and internationally, take care of developmental objectives like The shareholding pattern should be enhancement of awareness about the diversified. Any entity holding more payment systems. than 25 per cent of the paid-up capital of the NUE will be deemed to It will operate clearing and be a promoter. settlement systems, identify and manage relevant risks such as Regulations for setting up of NUEs settlement, credit, liquidity and The NUE should conform to the operational and preserve the integrity of the system, monitor retail payment norms of corporate governance along system developments and related with ‘fit and proper’ criteria for issues in the country and persons to be appointed on its board. internationally to avoid shocks, frauds and contagions that may adversely The RBI retains the right to approve affect the system and the economy in the appointment of directors as also general. to nominate a member on the board of the NUE. Eligibility criteria to apply as promoter/promoter group
Easy to PICK229 - “UPSC Monthly Magazine” The application for setting up the NUE should contain a detailed business plan covering the payment systems proposed to be set-up or operated along with other documents to duly establish its experience in the payments ecosystem. A proposed organisational strategy in terms of fulfilling its responsibility as an umbrella entity should also be given in the business plan. Such an entity will be a company incorporated in India under the Companies Act, 2013. The Company may be a ‘for- profit’ or a Section 8 company as may be decided by it.
Easy to PICK230 - “UPSC Monthly Magazine” Sovereign Credit Rating Syllabus subtopic: Indian Economy and What Is a Sovereign Credit Rating? issues relating to Planning, Mobilization of 1. A sovereign credit rating is an Resources, Growth, Development and Employment. independent assessment of the creditworthiness of a country or Prelims and Mains focus: about the sovereign entity. sovereign credit ratings and their significance 2. Sovereign credit ratings can give investors insights into the level of News: Global ratings agency Standard risk associated with investing in the and Poor’s affirmed India’s sovereign debt of a particular country, including rating at ‘BBB-’ with stable outlook. any political risk. Reason 3. At the request of the country, a credit According to S&P, despite a notable rating agency will evaluate its economic and political environment deceleration in India’s economy in to assign it a rating. recent quarters, its structural growth outperformance remains intact. Real 4. Obtaining a good sovereign credit GDP growth is therefore likely to rating is usually essential for gradually recover toward longer- developing countries that want access term trend rates over the next two to to funding in international bond three years. markets. It expects the economic growth rate to Credit Rating Agencies improve to 6 per cent during 2020-21, The global credit rating industry is highly 7 per cent in the next fiscal and 7.4 per concentrated, with three agencies— cent thereafter. Moody's, Standard & Poor's and Fitch—controlling nearly the entire Suggestions/warnings market. Together, they provide a much- Supportive monetary, fiscal, and needed service for both borrowers and lenders, as well as to lenders. cyclical factors should support economic recovery, with real GDP Standard & Poor's gives a BBB- or growth averaging 7.1 per cent in fiscals higher rating to countries it considers 2020-2024. investment grade, and grades of BB+ or lower are deemed to be The agency, however pointed out that speculative or \"junk\" grade. India’s fiscal position remains precarious, with elevated fiscal Moody’s considers a Baa3 or higher deficits and net government rating to be of investment grade, and a indebtedness. rating of Ba1 and below is speculative. What does BBB rating mean? ‘BBB’ rating refers to adequate capacity of the rated entity to meet its financial commitments.
Easy to PICK231 - “UPSC Monthly Magazine” Future of Earth, 2020 report Syllabus subtopic: Conservation, amounts of stored carbon from affected Environmental Pollution and Degradation, ecosystems, and at the same time Environmental Impact Assessment. intensify water crises and/ or food scarcity. The loss of biodiversity also Prelims and Mains focus: about the weakens the capacity of natural and report and its key highlights agricultural systems to cope with climate extremes, increasing our News: “The Future of Earth, 2020” report vulnerability to food crises. was released in Bengaluru by the South Asia Future Earth Regional Office, B. Climate change Divecha Centre for Climate Change, and Over the last 18 months, major the Indian Institute of Science. assessments by the About the report Intergovernmental Panel on Climate As many as 222 leading scientists Change (IPCC), the US National Climate Assessment, and the from 52 countries conducted the Intergovernmental Science-Policy survey by Future Earth, an Platform on Biodiversity and international sustainability research Ecosystem Services, have all argued network. The Bengaluru launch was that time is running out to reduce among similar parallel ones across greenhouse gas emissions. other parts of the world scheduled between February 13 and 21. This has inspired declarations of a climate crisis or climate emergency by The report was prepared with the aim the leaders of more than 700 cities, of reducing carbon footprint and States and governments. Yet, during halting global warming below 2 2019, the concentration of carbon degree Celsius by 2050. dioxide in the atmosphere reached more than 415 ppm, and the five Key highlights of the report years from 2014 to 2018 were the A. Global risks warmest recorded over land and It has listed five global risks that have the ocean since 1880. potential to impact and amplify one another in ways that may cascade to C. Populism create global systemic crisis. Right-wing populism, a breed of politics These 5 global risks are: that exploits people’s fears during times of 1. failure of climate change mitigation economic decline and growing inequality, and that focuses on nationalist tendencies and adaptation; to clamp down on borders and reject 2. extreme weather events; immigrants, is on the rise around the 3. major biodiversity loss and ecosystem world. This often leads to a denial of climate change facts or impacts. collapse; 4. food crises; and D. Biodiversity 5. water crises, Humans have now “significantly How are these global risks interrelated? altered” 75% of Earth’s land area; Extreme heat waves can accelerate global warming by releasing large
Easy to PICK232 - “UPSC Monthly Magazine” about a quarter of species in assessed government rules and policies can be plant and animal groups are threatened. helpful. In 2018, the world’s last male northern white rhino died in his Kenyan enclosure, while the Brazillian blue parrot, Spix’s Macaw, was declared extinct in the wild. Reversing the trends of loss of life on Earth will require some new ways of thinking about conservation. E. Food crisis Strains on food production are expected to increase, as a result of various forces including climate change, biodiversity loss, and a global population on the rise. F. False news False news travels six times faster and can reach up to 100 times more people. The flow of information in the world is changing, as today, around half of the planet’s 7.6 billion people are online, deeply influenced by social media, search engines and e-commerce algorithms. These digital platforms tend to favour the spread of information designed to engage with emotion over reason, can cause the propagation of “fake news”, and can lead to social harms like an erosion of trust in vaccines. Efforts of India in environment education The National Education Policy (NEP) will address the question of environmental health and education at the school level. Children in the last four years of secondary education will have a reasonable grounding to be sensitive towards the environment. Without it no
Easy to PICK233 - “UPSC Monthly Magazine” Energy Neutral railway station Syllabus subtopic: Science and In addition, the generation of clean Technology- Developments and their solar energy will help reduce carbon Applications and Effects in Everyday Life. footprints to the tune of 1,170 tonnes per annum. Prelims and Mains focus: about the concept and its benefits; about SPV cells; All the power needs of 13 stations like India’s efforts at tapping solar energy lighting, fans, pumps and other electrical appliances are met through News: South Central Railway (SCR) has the solar energy generated and this is become the first on Indian Railways to bringing down the net traditional come up with the concept of ‘Energy energy consumption at these stations Neutral’ railway stations. to zero. What does it mean? About the Energy neutral station The SCR is now capable of meeting concept 100% energy requirements by tapping This eco-friendly concept is based on natural solar power through Solar Photo Voltaic (SPV) panels commissioned on the principle of developing railway about13 station buildings. The total station buildings with total solar capacity of solar panels installed at the 13 power tapping capabilities ‘energy neutral’ stations is 99 kWp with commensurate to exact load the cost incurred, being around Rs.50 lakh. requirements of those particular stations. What are the benefits? The anticipated energy generation from This is done by installation of SPV panels on the rooftops which are these stations comes to around 1.3 lakh integrated with the on-grid or off- units annually and it is expected that grid solar energy plants to derive solar power will also lead to savings power supply to the entire station. of Rs.13 lakh each year.
Easy to PICK234 - “UPSC Monthly Magazine” Adjusted Gross Revenue (AGR) dues of telecos Syllabus subtopic: Effects of The dispute between DoT and the Liberalization on the Economy, Changes mobile operators was mainly on the in Industrial Policy and their Effects on definition of AGR. The DoT argued Industrial Growth. that AGR includes all revenues (before discounts) from both telecom and non- Prelims and Mains focus: about the SC telecom services. The companies judgement and its implication; about AGR claimed that AGR should comprise just dispute the revenue accrued from core services and not dividend, interest income or News: The Supreme Court pulled up profit on sale of any investment or mobile service operators and the fixed assets. department of telecommunications (DoT) for failing to comply with its verdict, In 2005, Cellular Operators which mandated telecom companies to Association of India (COAI) pay the adjusted gross revenue (AGR) challenged the government’s definition dues of over Rs.1 trillion to the DoT by for AGR calculation. 23 January, 2020. In 2015, the TDSAT (Telecom Background Disputes Settlement and Appellate The telecom sector was liberalised Tribunal) stayed the case in favour of telecom companies and held that AGR under the National Telecom Policy, includes all receipts except capital 1994 after which licenses were issued receipts and revenue from non-core to companies in return for a fixed sources such as rent, profit on the sale license fee. To provide relief from the of fixed assets, dividend, interest and steep fixed license fee, the miscellaneous income. government in 1999 gave an option to the licensees to migrate to the However, setting aside TDSAT’s revenue sharing fee model. order, Supreme Court on October 24, 2019 upheld the definition of AGR Under this, mobile telephone operators as stipulated by the DoT. were required to share a percentage of their AGR with the government as Why is it important? annual license fee (LF) and spectrum The definition of AGR has been such usage charges (SUC). License agreements between the Department of a contentious issue because it has Telecommunications (DoT) and the huge financial implications for both telecom companies define the gross telcos and the government. The revenues of the latter. AGR is then revenue shared by telcos with the computed after allowing for certain government goes into the deductions spelt out in these license consolidated fund of India. It was agreements. The LF and SUC were set estimated, after the SC’s judgment, at 8 per cent and between 3-5 per cent that the telecom operators owe the of AGR respectively, based on the government about ₹92,000 crore in agreement. back charges, interest and penalties on license fee alone.
Easy to PICK235 - “UPSC Monthly Magazine” While the government has been (average revenue per user). Implications of the SC judgement deprived of the extra revenue, the The development comes as a fresh blow for Vodafone Idea—once India’s largest financial implications for telecom telco by subscriber base. The company is companies — who now have to cough in a parlous state after an over-three-year up overdue amounts piled up for years battle in the hyper-competitive telecom — are serious too. Especially at the sector, which has shrunk its revenue streams and saddled it with debt. current juncture, when profits for telcos are under pressure from severe competition and the falling ARPUs
Easy to PICK236 - “UPSC Monthly Magazine” Indian pangolin Syllabus subtopic: Conservation, World Pangolin Day, celebrated on Environmental Pollution and Degradation, the third Saturday in February, is an Environmental Impact Assessment. international attempt to raise awareness of pangolins and bring Prelims and Mains focus: about Indian together stakeholders to help protect Pangolin: features, threat and conservation these unique species from extinction. efforts. Conservation efforts in India News: Scientists have, for the first time, The Special Task Force of the Madhya radio-tagged the Indian pangolin, an endangered animal (IUCN status: EN) Pradesh Forest Department has been that is rarely sighted in forests. actively working to curb wildlife poaching in the State. In recent years, About Radio-tagging technique it has successfully busted pangolin- Radio-tagging involves attaching a smuggling syndicates that involved poachers and smugglers from more transmitter to an animal to monitor than nine States. its movements. Several wild animals — tigers, leopards and migratory birds In anti-poaching operations, during — have been tagged over decades. which pangolin scales are recovered, those animals are already dead. Where Researchers say tagging the animal live pangolins are involved, globally will help understand the habits of the there is about 50% death rate among reclusive, nocturnal animal. released pangolins. Given that several pangolins are rescued in the central About Indian Pangolin and threats Indian landscape, this new initiative by related to their survival the Madhya Pradesh Forest The Indian pangolin, which resembles Department and the Wildlife Conservation Trust (WCT) is to ensure an ant-eater but dons a thick scaly better survival rates of these released skin, is hunted for meat and use in individuals in the wild, and thus have a traditional Chinese medicine. positive impact on the population of this endangered species. Out of the eight species of pangolin, the Indian Pangolin and the Chinese Pangolin are found in India. Both these species are listed under Schedule I Part I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. Pangolins are among the most trafficked wildlife species in the world. The International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) says these toothless animals have seen a rapid reduction in population. The projected population declines range from 50% to 80 % across the genus.
Easy to PICK237 - “UPSC Monthly Magazine” Bank Frauds in India Syllabus subtopic: Indian Economy and Context: Banking frauds have been rising. issues relating to Planning, Mobilization of During the first six months of this fiscal, Resources, Growth, Development and frauds of Rs.1 lakh and above, as reported Employment. by commercial banks, touched Rs.1.13 Prelims and Mains focus: about the trillion. This, after frauds worth Rs.41,167 frauds in Indian banks: causes and link to crore had been reported in 2017-18. slow growth By how much have bank frauds risen? points out, “It has been observed that As the above chart shows, total bank frauds are, at times, detected in banks long after their perpetration.\" What this frauds reported in 2015-16 stood at basically means is that frauds reported Rs.18,699 crore. In a matter of four during the current fiscal didn’t years, they have jumped more than six- necessarily happen during this year. fold. By the time we get around to the end of this fiscal, the amount involved Why has there been a jump in bank in frauds would be Rs.1 trillion higher frauds? than in 2015-16. There is no straight answer to this. But as John Kenneth Galbraith wrote in The An important distinction needs to be Great Crash, 1929: “At any given time made here. As the Reserve Bank of there exists an inventory of undisclosed India (RBI) Master Circular on frauds
Easy to PICK238 - “UPSC Monthly Magazine” embezzlement. This inventory—it should have led to these people defaulting on perhaps be called the bezzle—amounts at loans after siphoning off the money. This any moment to many millions of dollars. has only incentivized fraudsters to become In good times, people are relaxed, trusting, bolder. Only proper investigations leading and money is plentiful... (so) the rate of to convictions can stop this practice. embezzlement grows, the rate of discovery falls off, and the bezzle increases rapidly. In depression all this is reversed.\" As per this theory, bank frauds have been building up over the years and there has been an explosion in their recognition this year. What’s the link between frauds and slow growth? Growth during the first half of FY20 fell to 4.8%. According to Galbraith, the rate of discovery of what he calls bezzle rises in a depression. While India’s economy is nowhere near a depression, it is in the middle of a slowdown. This is why fraud recognition has increased. A rapid build-up in fraud recognition doesn’t mean the system has turned more corrupt this year. Why has there been a build-up in frauds? The frauds being recognized now were committed earlier. Why was there a jump in frauds at all? As Urjit Patel, RBI governor from September 2016-December 2018, said in a speech in March 2018: “Indeed, RBI data on banking frauds suggests that only a handful of cases over the past five years have had closure, and cases of substantive economic significance remain open. As a result, the overall enforcement mechanism… is not perceived to be a major deterrent to frauds relative to economic gains from fraud.\" What does this tell us about bank frauds? The RBI top brass has openly talked about big businessmen siphoning off money from different projects. This was money they had borrowed from banks to finance the projects. Such incidents haven’t been properly investigated over the years and
Easy to PICK239 - “UPSC Monthly Magazine” GISAT-1 satellite to be launched Syllabus subtopic: About the satellite Awareness in the fields of IT, Space, GISAT-1 — Geo Imaging Satellite Computers, Robotics, Nano- — will be the first of two planned technology, Bio-technology and issues Indian EO spacecraft to be placed in relating to Intellectual Property Rights. a geostationary orbit of around Achievements of Indians in Science & 36,000 km. It will apparently be in a Technology; Indigenization of fixed spot looking over the Indian Technology and Developing New continent at all times. Technology. All Indian EOs have been placed so far Prelims and Mains focus: about GISAT- in a 600-odd-km orbits and circle the 1: its orbit and significance; about earth pole to pole. GISAT-1 will be Gaganyaan; ISRO launched from Sriharikota satellite launch centre. News: Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is preparing to With this satellite, which has high- launch GISAT-1, a new earth resolution cameras, scientists can observation (EO) satellite, in the first keep a constant watch on India’s week of March 2020. borders, monitor any changes in the geographical condition of the country, etc.
Easy to PICK240 - “UPSC Monthly Magazine” Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary (WWS) Syllabus subtopic: Conservation, Conservation Authority (NTCA), better Environmental Pollution and Degradation, conservation and management of the Environmental Impact Assessment. tiger population and help generate more Prelims and Mains focus: about the employment opportunities failed to proposal of notifying as a tiger reserve: impress the State authorities. arguements for and against; about NTCA News: The Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary Arguement against the proposal (WWS), though home to more than half Kerala Chief Minister, who chaired the the number of tigers present in Kerala, may not be notified as a tiger reserve as meeting, flagged the issue of human- the proposal lacks public support. wildlife conflicts in the district. Referring to the public protests that Background were staged in Wayanad earlier against The ‘Status of Tigers in India’ report the proposal, the CM expressed released in 2019 had estimated the tiger concern over the possible impact of the population of Wayanad as between 75 and proposal. Any such proposal should be 80 individuals. Periyar Tiger Reserve, implemented only after holding wide the first one in Kerala, has an estimated public consultations. population of 30 to 35 big cats, whereas Parambikulam, the second reserve, has a Cattle lifting by the ailing tigers and population of 20 to 25 tigers. their straying into human habitations had often triggered widespread Proposal rejected public protests in the district. The The attempts of the Kerala Forest department had to backtrack from its earlier attempts to notify the reserve Department to push forward the following stiff public resistance. proposal for notifying the sanctuary as the third tiger reserve in the State There were speculations that the came a cropper at the recently held notification would bring in stringent State Wildlife Advisory Board. restrictions on development activities Citing the public resistance against in the district, though the department the earlier attempts, the board tried to counter the campaign. rejected the proposal. Support from NTCA Piloting the Wayanad proposal, the Each year, the NTCA supports the department officials pointed out that more than half of the tiger population tiger reserves by funding the in the State was found in Wayanad. proposals put forward through its There were five tiger reserves in the Annual Plan of Operations. The neighbouring States that share authority also supports the reserves for boundaries with Wayanad. implementing the tiger conservation plan. Arguements put foward in favour of the proposal While Periyar Tiger Reserve gets an The arguments of the officials that the annual support of around Rs. 9 crore, notification would ensure financial aid the Parambikulam TR gets around Rs.6 from the Centre and the National Tiger crore from the authority.
Easy to PICK241 - “UPSC Monthly Magazine” Kashi Mahakal Express Syllabus subtopic: Infrastructure: Energy, IRCTC’s first overnight, long- Ports, Roads, Airports, Railways etc. Prelims and Mains focus: about the train: distance train to run on a regular route, significance etc; about jyotirlingas News: PM Modi flagged off the latest basis. religion-themed train, the Kashi Mahakal Express in Varanasi, the PM’s Apart from selling tickets to the train, constituency. IRCTC has also worked out packages that involve taking pilgrims on all- inclusive tours of Kashi Dharshan, Ayodhya, Prayag visit, trips to the jyotirlingas (temples) including hotel Details of the train stays and the like. There will be The Lord Shiva-themed train packages for cities and religious sites connects, for the first time, places covered by the train such as Kashi, related to three jyotirlingas— Omkareshwar, Mahakaleshwar, Omkareshwar near Indore, Bhopal, Sanchi, Ujjain, Bhimbetka, Mahakaleshwar in Ujjain, and Kashi Ayodhya and Prayag. The packages, Vishwanath in Varanasi. designed into various durations, cost The commercial run of the thrice-a- between Rs 4950 and Rs 12450 per week train will start from February 20. person. Railway PSU Indian Railway Catering The train’s fare is Rs 1951 between and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) Varanasi and Indore. After 70 per will be running this as the third cent of the seats are booked, there will “corporate” train after two Tejas be an increase of 10 per cent for the Express trains. next 20 per cent of the tickets and a With a side-upper berth converted further increase of 10 per cent for the into a permanent puja place or last 10 per cent of the tickets in the “temple” complete with pictures of dynamic fare scheme. Each ticket Lord Shiva, incense sticks, flowers et comes with a Rs 10 lakh life al, waiters dressed in traditional UP- insurance cover free of cost and every style attire and a vegetarian menu, coach is fitted with six CCTV cameras the train leaves virtually no stone for security along with two guards. unturned to play to the theme. Like its other two Tejas trains, this The train will cover 1131 km train will also not entertain any of the between Varanasi and Indore via concessions on fare offered by Lucknow and a distance of 1102 km Indian Railways. between Varanasi and Indore via Prayagraj (Allahabad) in Another religion-themed train to be launched approximately 19 hours. The route of This Lord Shiva-themed train will be the train will be via Sultanpur – followed by a Ramayan-themed train to Lucknow/Prayagraj – Kanpur – Jhansi be launched next month from across – Bina – Sant Hiradnagar – Ujjain – India in a big way, marking Indian Railways’ major push in the religious Indore and back. tourism segment. The Ramayan Express will touch places related to the Railways says that there has been mythology of Ram, including Ayodhya. demands from devotees for a train like this. The overnight train, which is a collection of 15 upgraded 3-AC Humsafar type coaches, is also
Easy to PICK242 - “UPSC Monthly Magazine”
Easy to PICK243 - “UPSC Monthly Magazine” Google’s Station programme Syllabus subtopic: Awareness in the RailTel, Google’s partner in India fields of IT, Space, Computers, Robotics, for the programme. The technology Nano-technology, Bio-technology and giant said that through the year 2020, it issues relating to Intellectual Property would be working with its partners Rights. to transition existing sites so that they could remain useful resources Prelims and Mains focus: about the for the community. programme and reasons for its shutdown; about internet penetration in India The challenge of varying technical requirements and infrastructure News: After five years of providing free among Google’s partners across internet access to people in developing countries has also made it difficult for countries, Google plans to shut down its Station to scale and be sustainable, Station program. especially for its partners. What was the Station programme? Despite the shutdown, it seems Station The initiative saw the search giant had been widely successful. In 2018, Google said Station had 8 million offer free public WiFi at 400 railway monthly active users in India, with stations in India and more than 5,000 people who were using the service other places around the world, consuming an average of 350MB per including in Brazil, South Africa, session at the time. Mexico, Thailand and Vietnam. Initiatives by other companies The programme was kick-started in Besides Google, several other tech India in 2015 as a partnership companies have tried to narrow the digital between Google, Indian Railways divide in developing countries, with some and RailTel to bring fast, free public finding more success than others. For WiFi to over 400 of the busiest example, Facebook's Free Basics railway stations by mid-2020. initiative was banned in India in 2016 However, the company crossed that over net neutrality concerns. number by June 2018, following which more locations were added across the Internet consumption in India country in partnership with India, specifically now has among the telecommunication companies, ISPs and local authorities. cheapest mobile data per GB in the world, with mobile data prices having Why is it shutting down the reduced by 95% in the last 5 years, as programme? per Telecom Regulatory Authority of Google believes that better data plans India (TRAI) in 2019. Today, Indian users consume close to 10 GB of data, and improving mobile connectivity each month, on average. have made it “simpler and cheaper” According to a TRAI report, globally for users to get online. there is one WiFi hotspot for every 150 people, and in India, 8 million However, users in India will be able additional hotspots needed to be to continue using the existing installed to achieve the same ratio, facilities at the over 400 stations via
Easy to PICK244 - “UPSC Monthly Magazine” creating new market opportunities for infrastructure providers and internet service providers. Currently, India is said to have only 52,000 Wi-Fi hotspots across the country. Besides the Indian government’s continuous impetus for internet penetration through the Digital India programme, private sector initiatives such as Vodafone’s SuperWi-fi coupled with the entry of Reliance Jio 4G services have drastically brought down the cost of internet subscription. This has been instrumental to the growth of internet users in India.
Easy to PICK245 - “UPSC Monthly Magazine” State of India’s Birds 2020 (SoIB) report Syllabus subtopic: Conservation, The report raises the alarm that Environmental Pollution and Degradation, several spectacular birds, many of Environmental Impact Assessment. them endemic to the sub-continent, face a growing threat from loss of Prelims and Mains focus: about the habitat due to human activity, report: key findings and recommendations widespread presence of toxins including pesticides, hunting and News: The State of India’s Birds 2020 trapping for the pet trade. (SoIB), a new scientific report was jointly released by 10 organisations that included Diminishing population sizes of many ATREE, BNHS, Foundation for birds because of one factor brings Ecological Security, NCF, National them closer to extinction because of Biodiversity Authority of India, National the accelerated effects of others. For Centre for Biological Sciences, SACON every bird species that was found to be (Salim Ali Centre for Ornithology and increasing in numbers over the long Natural History), Wetlands International, term, 11 have suffered losses, some WII and WWF. catastrophically. About the report Of 101 species categorised as being of The SoIB was produced using a base High Conservation Concern — 59 based on range and abundance and the of 867 species (among 1,333 birds ever rest included from high-risk birds on recorded in India), and analysed with the IUCN Red List — endemics such the help of data uploaded by as the Rufous-fronted Prinia, Nilgiri birdwatchers to the online platform, Thrush, Nilgiri Pipit and Indian vulture eBird. Adequate data on how birds were confirmed as suffering current fared over a period of over 25 years decline, and all except 13 had a (long-term trend) are available only for restricted or highly restricted range, 261 species. Current annual trends are indicating greater vulnerability to calculated over a five-year period. man-made threats. The report is built on a large-scale Among widely known species, the collaborative effort between common sparrow, long seen as thousands of citizen birders and a declining in urban spaces, has a stable consortium of researchers across population overall, although the data multiple institutions. from major cities such as Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata, Bengaluru, Hyderabad Key findings of the report and Chennai confirm the view that Over a fifth of India’s bird diversity, they have become rare in cities and urban areas. Among the possible ranging from the Short-toed Snake reasons for this is a decrease in insect Eagle to the Sirkeer Malkoha, has populations as well as nesting places, suffered strong long-term declines but there is no conclusive evidence in over a 25-year period, while more the scientific literature on radiation recent annual trends point to a drastic 80% loss among several common birds.
Easy to PICK246 - “UPSC Monthly Magazine” from mobile phone towers playing a particularly in the past five years, calls part. for detailed investigation. Peafowl (peacock), on the other hand, From a dietary viewpoint, meat-eater are rising in numbers, expanding their populations have fallen by half, and range into places such as Kerala, which birds that depend on insects is drying overall, and areas in the Thar exclusively have also suffered over the desert where canals and irrigation have long term. But there has been some been introduced. Stricter protection stabilisation for omnivores, seed and for peacocks under law also could be fruit eaters in recent years. Habitat at work. impacts have decimated ‘specialist’ birds, which need specific One of India’s major conservation environmental conditions to survive, concerns, the Great Indian Bustard particularly those dependent on forests. (GIB), is being brought back from the This is followed by declines in brink. Having lost about 90% of its numbers of grassland, scrubland and population and range over a five- wetland species, the researchers said, decade period, a viable population of calling for urgent investigation into the GIB at Jaisalmer in Rajasthan is the causes. focus of programmes run by the Bombay Natural History Society Suggestions given in the report (BNHS), Wildlife Institute of India Forward-looking actions suggested by (WII), Birdlife International and other agencies, to eliminate the threat the report include an update to the of fatal collisions with power lines. Red List of endangered species published by IUCN (International Raptors: Looking at the health of Union for Conservation of Nature) avifauna based on scientific groupings using the SoIB, collaborative research such as raptors (birds of prey), by scientists and citizens aided by habitat, diet, migratory status and policy with special emphasis on endemicity (exclusively found in an removing gaps in data, and urgent area), the analysis concludes that emphasis on habitats of species of raptors overall are in decline, with high concern, notably grasslands, ‘open country’ species such as the scrublands, wetlands and the Pallid and Montagu Harriers, White- Western Ghats. bellied Sea Eagle and Red-necked Falcon suffering the most. The severe long-term decline of vultures, recorded and analysed for years now, is underscored by the report. Migratory shorebirds, along with gulls and terns, seem to have declined the most among waterbirds, the report states, consistent with population trends among Arctic-breeding shorebirds based on independent assessments. Within India, the losses suffered by resident waterbirds,
Easy to PICK247 - “UPSC Monthly Magazine” Steps taken by the office of Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) Syllabus subtopic: Various Security Force will go to the peninsula Forces and Agencies and their Mandate. command”. Prelims and Mains focus: about Chief of The Andaman and Nicobar Defence Staff: mandate and significance; Command, the first tri-services about other initiatives in the Indian command already in place, will not be defence sector tampered with, and will continue to report to the Integrated Defence News: The office of Chief of Defence Staff. While the archipelago has Staff is working on a tentative timeline “surveillance” threat, “for the that will see the establishment of an air peninsula, the defence of territory” is defence command by end of the year, a the main threat. peninsula command by 2021-end, and the first of the theatre commands by the 4. Theatre Command end of 2022. By the end of the year, studies for 1. Air Defence Command theatre commands will be initiated. It is the first joint command to be The first theatre command will be created and will be headed by the Indian rolled out by the end of 2022. Air Force (IAF). A study on the air defence command, being headed by the There could be two commands, for the Vice Chief of the IAF, has already been eastern and the western borders, or up initiated and a report is expected by April to five commands, with a single 10. command looking after the entire Jammu and Kashmir border, while the 2. Peninsula Command rest of the western border could be The peninsula command, headed by handled by another command. the Navy, will be created by merging 5. Joint Training Command the eastern and western commands Apart from these, the idea of a joint by treating the Indian Ocean Region training command is also under (IOR) as one entity. consideration. There is a need for a doctrine command so that all services have A study on the peninsula command the same doctrine and training of personnel will be ordered March 31, with the will also happen as per the doctrine. report expected in three to four months, and it “will take shape by the 6. Synergy in Acquisition of equipment end of next year”. While the Department of Military 3. Joint Commands Affairs, headed by the CDS as Within these commands, which will Secretary, has exclusive rights on revenue acquisitions, capital be joint commands, “not all the assets acquisitions is with the Defence of the Navy will go to the air defence Secretary but prioritisation is with the command and not all assets of the Air office of CDS.
Easy to PICK248 - “UPSC Monthly Magazine” The procurement of 114 fighter jets for the IAF will happen in a staggered manner and submarines could also be bought in similar manner. The second aircraft carrier for the Navy will come in 2021 and the need for a third carrier can be assessed after looking at the indigenously-built second carrier’s performance.
Easy to PICK249 - “UPSC Monthly Magazine” Karbis against ST status for hill Bodos in Assam Syllabus subtopic: Security Challenges After the conclusion of the latest Bodo and their Management in Border Areas pact, the Karbi Longri and North Cachar Hills Liberation Front Prelims and Mains focus: about the issue (KLNLF), a militant group that and concerns raised by Karbis; about Bodo signed a ceasefire pact with the Accord; about CAA; Assam Accord Centre in 2009, has said a “political settlement” should be reached soon. News: An Assam-based insurgent group of Karbis, which signed a ceasefire The identity of Karbis will come under agreement with the Centre, has threat if Bodos who live in the hill demanded that the Bodos in the hill areas areas along with Karbis are also given not be given the Scheduled Tribe status a Scheduled Hill Tribe status. as it will affect the “identity of the Karbis”. The Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council has 26 seats, and the Background elections to the councils are due in The Home Ministry, the Assam 2022. It is one of the oldest councils in existence since 1951. Nagaland and government and Bodo groups signed Mizoram that were autonomous the pact on January 27 to redraw and councils initially became States years rename the Bodoland Territorial ago; only Karbi Anglong and Dima Area District (BTAD), spread over Hasao remain. Karbis want a ST Kokrajhar, Chirang, Baksa and status for the entire region so that Udalguri districts. non-tribals will not be able to contest in the elections. The non-tribals Under the agreement, the Bodos in the comprise 46% of the 9.6 lakh hills will be given the Scheduled Hill population of the council. According Tribe status and villages dominated to Karbis, the Bodos could not have by the Bodos outside the BTAD will a separate reservation in hills and be included and those with non-Bodos plains. excluded. What next? The Bodos, an ethnic group in After the peace accord with all Bodo Assam, had been demanding a separate State since 1972, and are groups, the Centre is at a very recognised as a Scheduled Tribe advanced stage of sealing a peace deal (Plain). with other key militant groups, including the pro-talks faction of the Tribal composition in Assam United Liberation Front of Asom In Assam, there are 14 recognised Plain (ULFA) and the Karbi insurgent Tribe communities, 15 Hills Tribe group. communities and 16 Scheduled Caste communities. But, with the Assembly election in Assam due in April-May next year, Why are Karbis against the move? the final announcements could be
Easy to PICK250 - “UPSC Monthly Magazine” tailored to suit the ruling BJP electorally. The BJP is expected to do well in the 15 Assembly constituencies in the Bengali-dominated Barak Valley because of the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA). The recent Bodo peace deal will give the ruling party an edge in 12 seats under the BTAD. Similarly, a Karbi peace deal will give the party an edge in the 5 seats in the hill districts. Citizenship Amendment Act’s applicability in Assam There are 33 districts in Assam, and seven have been exempted from the CAA as they fall in the areas protected by the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution. The exempted districts comprise three autonomous district councils: BTAD, Karbi Anglong and Dima Hasao.
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