IAS Prayojan's Magazine June 2019

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IAS
PRAYOJAN
Monthly current affairs
JUNE 2019
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Table of Contents
1. POLITY AND GOVERNANCE ........................ 3 4. DEFENCE AND SECURITY .......................... 37
1.1. JUDICIAL BACKLOG ........................................ 3 4.1 DERADICALIZATION...................................... 37
1.2. ELECTION COMMISSION AND AUTONOMY .. 4 4.2 HOT PERSUIT ................................................ 38
1.3. CJI IN SEXUAL HARASSMENT CASE................ 5 4.3 ARTILLERY GUN DHANUSH .......................... 39
1.4. NORTH-EAST AUTONOMOUS COUNCILS ...... 6 4.4 RECENT DRDO ACHIEVEMENTS ................... 39
1.5. NEED FOR PERMANENT FINANCE 4.5 INDIAN NAVY NEW FACILITY ........................ 40
COMMISSION ....................................................... 7 4.6 BORDER AREA DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME
(BADP) ................................................................ 42
2. INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS ...................... 8 4.7 LONE WOLF ATTACKS................................... 44
2.1. IRAN WARNS- THE STRATEGIC HORMUZ

STRAIT .................................................................. 8 5. ENVIRONMENT ....................................... 45
2.2. CHINA AND INDIAN OCEAN REGION ........... 10 5.1 WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY ....................... 45
2.3. GILGIT-BALTISTAN ....................................... 12 5.2 THE WORLD DAY TO COMBAT
2.4. IBSA DIALOGUE FORUM .............................. 13 DESERTIFICATION AND DROUGHT (WDCDD) .... 46
2.5. NORTH ATLANTIC TREATY ORGANISATION 14 5.3 ECO-SENSITIVE ZONE ................................... 47
2.6. USA TO WITHDRAW FROM AFGHANISTAN 15 5.4 RAMSAR WETLAND ...................................... 47
2.7. RUSSIA AND INDIA ...................................... 17 5.5 INDIA AND ARCTIC COUNCIL........................ 48
2.8 INDIAN PEACEKEEPING FORCES ................... 20 5.6 PROTECTED AREAS IN NEWS ....................... 49
2.8 INDIA-ASEAN ................................................ 21 5.7 BS IV AND BS VI NORMS .............................. 50
2.9 KUBHUSHAN JADHAV CASE ......................... 23 5.8. NORTH INDIAN ROSEWOOD ....................... 51
2.10 SENKAKU/ DIAOYU ISLANDS DISPUTE........ 24 5.9 GANGETIC DOLPHIN..................................... 52
2.11 INDIA AN OBSERVER IN CTBT ..................... 24 5.10 NILGIRI TAHR.............................................. 53
2.12 FINANCIAL ACTION TASK FORCE ................ 25 5.11 OTTER ......................................................... 53
5.12 BASEL CONVENTION .................................. 54
3. ECONOMY ............................................... 26 5.13 PLASTIC POLLUTION ................................... 54
3.1 FACEBOOK’S CRYPTOCURRENCY, 5.14 FOREST RIGHTS ACT ................................... 56

‘GLOBALCOIN’ .................................................... 26 5.15 GREAT INDIAN BUSTARD ........................... 57
3.2 COMPETITION COMMISSION OF INDIA (CCI)
............................................................................ 27
6 SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY ..................... 57
3.3 MASALA BONDS ........................................... 27
6.1 DEEP EARTH ................................................. 57
3.4 OFF-BUDGET FINANCING ............................. 28
6.2 ULTIMA THULE ............................................. 57
3.5 PONZI SCHEME ............................................. 29
6.3 GRAPES 3 MOUN TELESCOPE....................... 58
3.6. PRADHAN MANTRI FASAL BIMA YOJANA
(PMFBY) .............................................................. 30 6.4 PSLV C-45 ..................................................... 59
3.7 FARM LOAN WAIVERS .................................. 31 6.5 WORLD MALARIA DAY, 2019 ....................... 59
3.8 IPR VIOLATION ............................................. 32 6.6 GAS HYDRATES ............................................. 60
3.9. NATIONAL INVESTMENT AND 6.7 WORLD TELECOMMUNICATION AND

INFRASTRUCTURE FUND .................................... 34 INFORMATION SOCIETY DAY (WTISD) ............... 61
3.10 PREPAID PAYMENT INSTRUMENTS (PPIS).. 35 6.8 ISRO FOR OWN SPACE STATION .................. 62
©IAS Prayojan Education
6.9 TIME ZONES IN INDIA ................................... 62
7 MISCELLANEOUS ...................................... 64
7.1 RASHTRIYA VAYOSHRI YOJANA .................... 64
7.2 KISAN CREDIT CARD (KCC) ............................ 64
7.3 GLOBAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP SUMMIT 2019
............................................................................ 65
7.5 SHRINKING AND SHAKING OF PLANETS ....... 66
7.6 KERALA TO DE-LINK ICU CARE FROM ORGAN
DONATION ......................................................... 66
7.7 LEADERSHIP .................................................. 67
7.8 NORTH EAST AUTONOMOUS COUNCILS ..... 69
7.9 SERVICE VOTERS........................................... 69
7.10 GANDHIAN ETHICS ..................................... 70
7.11 BROWN FAT ............................................... 71
7.12 TIGER IN THE SNOW ................................... 72
©IAS Prayojan Education

1. POLITY AND GOVERNANCE

1.1. JUDICIAL BACKLOG
Delhi High Court has recently released a report that talks about the problem of increasing backlog and pendency of
cases. Prompted by the urgent need to ensure timely justice, the Delhi High Court started a Pilot Project titled “Zero
Pendency Courts” in certain subordinate courts in Delhi. The primary goal of the project was to study the flow of cases
in the absence of backlog.
Status of Judicial Backlog
Causes for Judicial Pendency
 According to National Judicial Data Grid
o According to the Report of Supreme Court of India (NJDG), in 2018, 2.93 crore cases are
titled “Subordinate Judiciary-Access to Justice 2016” pending in the subordinate courts, 49 lakhs
capacity constraints are the main reasons for high in High Courts and 57,987 cases in Supreme
level of pendency. The 3 report states that the Court. {Uttar Pradesh (61.58 lakh),
Maharashtra (33.22 lakh), West Bengal
mounting pendency of cases in subordinate courts is
(17.59 lakh)}
because the subordinate judiciary works under a  Between 2006 and 2018 (up to April), there
severe shortage of courtrooms, secretarial and has been an 8.6% rise in the pendency of
support staff and residential accommodation for cases across all courts.
judges.  In 2016, compared to 2006, number of cases
disposed of increased approximately from
o Overall, vacancies have increased across all courts
57,000 to 76,000 in Supreme Court; from
from 23% in 2006 to 35% in 2018 (up to April). In the 14.4 lakh cases to 16 lakh cases in High
Supreme Court, it has increased from 8% to 23%; in Courts and from 1.6 crore cases to 1.9 crore
the High Courts from 16% to 38%; and in the cases in subordinate courts. Despite an
subordinate courts from 19% to 26%. increase in disposal of cases in most years,
the pendency of cases has increased due to
o Police are unable to provide proper evidence in
the number of new cases outpacing the
court because they are quite often handicapped in number of cases disposed of.
undertaking effective investigation for want of  In the High Courts, 23% of cases have been
modern and scientific tools to collect evidences. pending for over ten years. Further, over
o Economic Survey 2018 shows that the Centre and 29% of all cases have been pending between
two and five years.
the States were responsible for over 46% of the
pending cases in Indian courts.
Impacts of Judicial Pendency

o Increase in the pendency of cases for long periods over the years has resulted in an increase in the number of
undertrials in prisons (accused prisoners awaiting trial). As of 2015, there were over four lakh prisoners in jails.
Of these, two-thirds were undertrials (2.8 lakh) and the remaining one-third were convicts. “Justice delayed is
justice denied”
o The issues arising out of pendency such as administration of justice; protection of contracts and property
rights; etc. are stifling the growth in Indian economy.
o As per the Economic Survey 2017-18 pendency hampers dispute resolution, contract enforcement, discourage
investments, stall projects, hamper tax collection and escalate legal costs which leads to Increasing cost of
doing business.
o In the words of South African Chief Justice Mogoeng Mogoeng, the 6 undesirable consequences of Judicial
Pendency are-
● High cost of legal fees
● Loss of memory by witness, thereby aﬀec ng the quality of jus ce
● Disappearance of witnesses
● Repeat oﬀences
● Jus ce system is held in disrepute
● Economic loss
● Corrup on within the jus ce system
● Disinterest in judicial careers
● Waste of limited resources.
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Measures to reduce pendency

o The use of technology for tracking and monitoring cases and in providing relevant information to make justice
litigant friendly.
o Alternate dispute resolution (ADR) such as Lok Adalat should be organized regularly for settling civil and family
matters. Gram Nyayalayas is also an effective way to manage small claim disputes from rural areas which will
help in decreasing the workload of the judicial institution.
o Having a definite time frame to dispose the cases by setting annual targets and action plans for the subordinate
judiciary and the High Courts.
o Improving infrastructure for fast and proper functioning of courts.
There is of course no one magic bullet solution which can resolve the long-standing problem of backlog and delayed
cases in the Indian judicial system. The magnitude of the problem requires a multi-pronged approach which, among
other, should include efforts to improve the efficiency of courts in disposing of cases within a short time frame.
1.2. ELECTION COMMISSION AND AUTONOMY

o The Election Commission of India has demanded more autonomy and sought complete independence from
government control including financial autonomy. It has also demanded constitutional protection for the other
two Election Commissioners who as of now do not enjoy the same constitutional status in terms of tenure and
removal as enjoyed by the Chief Election Commissioner.
o Currently, only the CEC can be removed through impeachment whereas the other two Election Commissioners
can be removed by the government on the recommendation of the CEC.
o The Election Commission with respect to financial
autonomy wants its budget to be “charged” to the  Article 266
Consolidated Fund of India – all revenues received by the
Consolidated Fund of India (like CAG & UPSC) as
Government of India, all loans raised by that Government
opposed to the current practice of being voted and by the issue of treasury bills, loans or ways and means
approved by Parliament as it gives discretion to the advances and all moneys received by that Government in
Parliament on approving the budget of Election repayment of loans shall form one consolidated fund to be
Commission. entitled “the Consolidated Fund of India”
Consolidated Fund of States – all revenues received by the
Election Commission of India (ECI) Government of a State, all loans raised by that
o Article 324 of the Constitution of India provides for Government by the issue of treasury bills, loans or ways
an independent Election Commission. It was and means advances and all moneys received by that
established in accordance with the Constitution on Government in repayment of loans shall form one
consolidated fund to be entitled “the Consolidated Fund
25th January 1950.
of the State”.
o It has the powers of superintendence, direction and  Article 322 - The expenses of the Service
conduct of elections to the Parliament, the state Commission including any salaries, allowances
legislatures, the office of the President and the office and pensions payable shall be charged
of the Vice-President. respectively on:
o Originally the commission had only a Chief Election • Consolidated Fund of India – Union
Commissioner. It currently consists of Chief Election Public Service Commission
Commissioner and two Election Commissioners. • Consolidated Fund of states - State
o Parliament has been empowered to make provisions Public Service Commission
with respect to all matters relating to elections.  Article 148(6) - The administrative expenses of
the office of Comptroller & Auditor General
However, the ECI can also take necessary measures
(CAG) including all salaries, allowances and
under Article 324 to ensure free and fair elections. pensions payable to or in respect of the persons
Article 112(3) - The following expenditure shall be serving in that office, shall be charged upon the
expenditure charged on the Consolidated Fund of India: Consolidated Fund of India.
a) the emoluments and allowances of the President and  Article 146(3) - The administrative expenses of
other expenditure relating to his office; the Supreme Court, including all salaries,
b) the salaries and allowances of the Chairman and the allowances and pensions payable to or in respect
Deputy Chairman of the Council of States and the Speaker of the officers and servants of the Court, shall be
and the Deputy Speaker of the House of the People; charged upon the Consolidated Fund of India,
c) debt charges for which the Government of India is liable and any fees or other moneys taken by the Court
shall form part of that Fund.
including interest, sinking fund charges and redemption
charges, and other expenditure relating to the raising of loans and the service and redemption of debt;
d)
(i) the salaries, allowances and pensions payable to or in respect of Judges of the Supreme Court;
(ii) the pensions payable to or in respect of Judges of the Federal Court;
(iii) the pensions payable to or in respect of Judges of any High Court which exercises jurisdiction in relation to any
area included in the territory of India;
e) the salary, allowances and pension payable to or in respect of the Comptroller and Auditor- General of India;
f) any sums required to satisfy any judgment, decree or award of any court or arbitral tribunal;
g) any other expenditure declared by this Constitution or by Parliament by law to be so charged.
Suggestions to strengthen the ECI

o Give constitutional protection for all three-election commissioners as opposed to just one at present.
o Institutionalize the convention where the senior most EC should be automatically elevated as CEC in order to
instil a feeling of security in the minds of the ECs and that they are insulated from executive interference in
the same manner as CEC.
o Reducing the ECI’s dependence on DoPT, Law Ministry, Home Ministry. The ECI should have an independent
secretariat for itself and frame its own recruitment rules and shortlist and appoint officers on its own.
o Its expenditures must be charged upon the Consolidated Fund of India similar to other constitutional bodies
such as the UPSC. The government the Election Commission (Charging of Expenses on the Consolidated Fund
of India) Bill, 1994 in the 10th Lok Sabha which lapsed on the dissolution of the 10th Lok Sabha in 1996 and was
never re-introduced.
o Equal status to all ECs – For this, there is a case filed in the Supreme court which demands the equal security
of tenure and constitutional protection to all the ECs.
Way Forward
o The Election Commission has, at least since the 1990s, enjoyed enormous public trust. Even the recent
uncertainties over the trustworthiness of electronic voting machines, and the lacunae in updated electoral
rolls have not visibly dented the faith Indians have in the commission.
o Elections are the bedrock of democracy and the EC’s credibility is central to democratic legitimacy. Hence, the
guardian of elections itself needs urgent institutional safeguards to protect its autonomy.
o In its 255th report, the Law Commission recommended a collegium, consisting of the Prime Minister, the
Leader of the Opposition and the Chief Justice of India for the appointment of the Election Commissioners.
1.3. CJI IN SEXUAL HARASSMENT CASE

The Justice S.A.Bobde in-house committee appointed by SC has found “no substance” in the sexual harassment
allegations levelled by a former Supreme Court staff member against Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi.
Background
The complaint made by the victim of sexual harassment to the judges of the Supreme Court had two equally serious
facets.
• One related to sexual harassment, a very serious charge.
• The other related to the victimisation of the complainant and her family “at the hands of the Chief Justice of India
[CJI]”
Meanwhile her husband, and the latter’s brother, also a constable with the Delhi Police, were suspended over
telephone, and the orders followed.
Details
• As part of the in-house procedure, the report would not be placed in the public domain-
o The Supreme Court quoted its reported decision of 2003 in Indira Jaising versus Supreme Court of India,
which had held that an in-house inquiry report was “discreet” and “not for the purpose of disclosure to any
other person”.
o The 2003 decision, however, does not contemplate a situation when the Chief Justice of India is himself under
inquiry as in this case.
o This can also be seen otherwise, because the inquiry in the present case was into the allegations made against
the CJI, the report has advisedly been given to the next seniormost judge (next in seniority to Justice S.A.
Bobde and Justice N.V. Ramana).

o It said copies of the report were given to Chief

Supreme Court cases about Administrative procedures
Justice Gogoi and the “next senior judge
 The Constitution Bench of the Supreme Court in
competent to receive the report” that is Justice Olga Tellis v. Bombay Municipal Corporation
Arun Mishra who is the fourth seniormost judge. recognised procedural safeguards as necessary.
This institutional check on arbitrary action on the
Why delay in filing the case? part of public authorities is missing in this case.
o Those who have doubts about the so-called delay in  In Uma Shankar Sistani v. Commissioner of Police,
the complaint must be prepared to put themselves Delhi (1996), the Supreme Court ordered the
in the shoes of the victim, a Class III employee pitted Central Bureau of Investigation to investigate the
against the Chief Justice of India, one of the highest circumstances under which a false complaint was
and the most powerful constitutional functionaries. registered against the petitioner, leading to his
arrest. The FIR against the victim in this case
o Her approaching lawyers who are widely respected
needs the same treatment. Equally, the
as human rights activists was natural and cannot be punishment of dismissal imposed on her is grossly
viewed with suspicion under any circumstances. disproportionate, even assuming that the
charges against her were proved.
Series of flaws  The Supreme Court has consistently frowned
o The first reaction was by the court’s Secretary upon such punishments. In Ranjit Thakur v. UOI
General quickly discarding the complaint as one by (1987), the court interpreted the doctrine of
“mischievous forces”. proportionality “as part of the concept of judicial
o The second was unprecedented in the review” to ensure that if the sentence is an
constitutional history of India. The CJI himself outrageous defiance of logic, then it can be
corrected.
constituted an extraordinary hearing in the
Supreme Court, along with two other judges, on a non-working day in a case titled “Matter of great public
importance touching upon the independence of the judiciary”.
o The third development was the constitution of an “in-house” panel comprising three judges of the Supreme
Court. It did not seem to be of concern that to ensure independence of the inquiry and check for bias, members
other than judges should have constituted the committee. How can judges inquire into allegations against a
colleague, no less the CJI, who is the ‘master of roster’ assigning cases to fellow judges and, most significantly,
the highest judicial authority in the country, wielding an enormous amount of power and influence?
Grounds for judicial review

o Irrationality and perversity are recognised grounds of judicial review. The court has held that if the punishment
is outrageously disproportionate and the court considers it arbitrary in that it is wholly irrational or “a
punishment is so excessive or disproportionate to the offence as to shock the conscience of the Court the
same can be interfered with”.
o On each one of these counts the punishment of dismissal imposed upon the victim is completely arbitrary and
perverse. It must go.
What should be done?

o It matters not that the respondent is the head of the judiciary. He or she must be held to the same standard
that is used in all other such cases. The independence of the judiciary and constitutional protections given to
judges should not transform into an immunity shield.
o Justice needs not only to be done, but needs to be seen as manifestly done.
o Members of the Bar, the staff of the court registry and the general public have enough of a stake in an
independent judicial system to say, “It is my court too.”
Conclusion
What matters today is that the Supreme Court was called upon to do justice in a case involving claims of sexual
harassment. And it has failed, in every possible way, to do that.
1.4. NORTH-EAST AUTONOMOUS COUNCILS

About autonomous councils and 6th schedule
o 6th schedule deals with the administration of the tribal areas in four north-eastern states of Assam,
Meghalaya, Tripura and Mizoram. o They are treated differently by the constitution because the tribes in these
states have not assimilated much the life and ways of the other people in these states.

o The tribal areas in these states have been constituted as autonomous districts, each of which has an
autonomous district council consisting of 30 members. Currently, there are 10 such councils.
o Some of the powers and functions of autonomous councils include:
 They can make laws on certain specified matters like land, forest, canal water, shifting cultivation,
inheritance of property, marriage, divorce etc. These require assent of the governor.
 They can constitute village councils or courts within their jurisdiction, for trials of suits and cases between
the tribes.
 They can establish, construct or manage primary schools, dispensaries, markets, ferries, fisheries, roads
and so on in the district.
 They can make regulations for the control of money lending and trading by non-tribals, but these require
the assent of the governor.
 They are empowered to assess and collect land revenue and to impose certain specified taxes.
Other issues with autonomous councils in 6th schedule areas

o Overlapping functional responsibilities between the States and the District councils: Despite the fact that Sixth
Schedule has declared that certain matters stand fully transferred to District and Regional Councils, some
matters are not fully transferred to the Councils.
o Lack of skilled professionals: Almost all Councils do not have access to planning professionals which results in
ad-hoc conceiving of development projects without proper technical and financial consideration.
o Lack of clarity in the role of Governor: certain special provisions have been inserted into the Sixth Schedule
which highlights matters where discretionary powers of Governor is applicable. However, there is conflicting
opinion on whether the Governor should exercise his role on the basis of individual discretion or on the advice
by the Council of Ministers of the State concerned.
o Lack of codification of customary law: Customary laws need to be codified and brought into practical use to
ensure protection of tribal cultural identity.
o Misuse of funds: Some ADCs misuse government funds since there is no expert inspecting officers and proper
auditing of the initiatives undertaken by ADCs.
o Lack of efficient usage of existing powers: Although the ADCs have power to make laws for land development
and land revenue, hardly any significant steps have been taken to initiate land reforms which hold the key to
prosperity in tribal society.
1.5. NEED FOR PERMANENT FINANCE COMMISSION

Recently, Reserve Bank of India governor Shaktikanta Das called for a permanent status to Finance Commission and
a robust expenditure planning without compromising on fiscal consolidation as fiscal federalism gathers momentum
in the era of uniform goods and services tax (GST).
Background
o Over past several decades, Finance Commissions have adopted different approaches with regard to principles
of tax devolution, grants to be given to states and fiscal consolidation issues.
o While at one level, there has to be a framework for fresh and innovative thinking by every Finance Commission;
at another level, there is a need to ensure broad consistency between Finance Commissions so that there is
some degree of certainty in the flow of funds, especially to the states.
o This has become even more critical in the post GST scenario and there has been a demand to bring in continuity
as well as change between Finance Commissions.
How this permanent status accord intends to boost local governance:

o The principle of decentralisation works better when powers and functions are delegated based on which tier
of governance is best suited to fulfil that responsibility.
o State Finance Commissions are constituted every five years as per the mandate in Article 243I of the
Constitution.
o Although the provision under Article 243I is identical to the provision under Article 280, its implementation
has fallen short.

What could be the model (to be replicated) by FC if given Permanent Fifteenth Finance Commission
status?  The Government of India, with the
o Co-operative federalism has opened new chapters in co- approval of President of India, has
operation between Centre and States. The GST Council is constituted Fifteenth Finance
functioning on the principle of shared sovereignty. Commission in pursuance of clause
o The sacrifice of fiscal autonomy at both levels of government in (1) of article 280 of the Constitution,
favour of the Council needs to be seen as a ‘trade-off’ so as to read with the provisions of the
reap the benefits of tax harmonisation. Finance Commission (Miscellaneous
Provisions) Act, 1951 w.e.f. 27th
o Indian model of GST preserves the essence of Indian federalism.
November, 2017.
 The Commission will make
How would the FC work (Post availing the status of Permanency)? recommendations for the fi ve years
o The Commission can function as a leaner entity in the commencing on April 1, 2020.
intervening period till the next Finance Commission is set up in  Shri. N.K.Singh is the head of 15th
a full-fledged manner. Finance Commission.
o This would be similar to the role of Lok Sabha Speaker who
otherwise does not resign from the post and continues to discharge positional functions till the newly
constituted Lok Sabha meets for the first time.
o During the intervening period, the FC can also address issues arising from implementation of the
recommendations of the Finance Commissions.
o This will also help add knowledge and capacities and boost Fiscal prudence. The upcoming FC will be able to
get a clear hearing on the challenges and rate of effectiveness of its likely recommendations.
o If the Union Finance Commission gets permanent status, it will boost the dismal conditions of various State
Finance Commissions. In their effectiveness, lies the efficiency and effectiveness of the state, PRI and
Municipalities’ financial health.
o To reciprocate, the government can mull over equating FC with that of Election Commission of India.
2. INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
2.1. IRAN WARNS- THE STRATEGIC HORMUZ STRAIT
Iran’s top general Mohammad Bagheri has warned that Tehran could close down the strategic Hormuz Strait tension
rises further. Recently, USA has imposed some sanctions and lifted off Significant Reduction Exceptions (SREs) waivers.
o The Strait of Hormuz, a vital shipping route linking Middle East oil producers to markets in Asia, Europe, North
America and beyond, has been at the heart of regional tensions for decades.
About Hormuz Strait

o The waterway separates Iran and Oman, linking
the Gulf to the Gulf of Oman and Arabian Sea. The
Strait is 21 miles (33 km) wide at its narrowest
point, but the shipping lane is just two miles (three
km) wide in either direction.
o Most crude exported from Saudi Arabia, Iran, the
United Arab Emirates, Kuwait and Iraq — all
members of the Organization of the Petroleum
Exporting Countries — is shipped through the
waterway.
o It is also the route used for nearly all the liquefied
natural gas (LNG) produced by the world’s biggest
LNG exporter, Qatar.
What would be the Impact?

o Crude oil prices can be surged due to supply concerns and unsettled stock markets. The closure may also
have serious geopolitical repercussions as United States Navy’s Central Command is located in the Persian
Gulf.

o Any confrontation between the US and Iran may escalate and will have larger security implications in the
whole region.
INDIA – IRAN RELATIONS

o Present advice of the U.S. administration to the oil importing countries to stop all oil purchases from Iran is
definitely not a good news for New Delhi.
o Iran was until 2006 India’s second-largest supplier of crude oil. But it dropped to number seven by the end of
2013-14 importing only 6 per cent.
o However, India continues to be Iran’s second largest buyer, next only to China. In terms of quantity, India’s
imports came down from 27.14 million tonnes in 2016-17 to 17.62 million tonnes during 2018-2019.
o More than oil, the current diplomatic tussle gives an opportunity to analyze the criticality of:
o How to re-balance and stick to long term policy alignments in the wake of USA’s shifting stance?
o Can USA guarantee stability in Oil supply and price levels post departure of Iran’s oil from the market?
o Who would ‘tame’ OPEC’s hegemony and why?
o If not Iran, where else will India go to access Central Asia?
BACKGROUND:
o India’s indifferent relations with China and Pakistan mean that Iran provides the only access to the untapped
markets of Afghanistan and Central Asia for Indian goods, as well as India’s only option for tapping the vast
untapped energy and other mineral resources of the region.
o Iran also provides India the shortest access to the vast energy resources of the Caspian basin and the Caucasus
region.
o The growing Indian economy not only requires the vast untapped markets of the central Eurasian landmass,
but also needs newer sources of energy supplies.
o For five centuries prior to the British rule, the Persian language was the second language in most of South Asia.
It became the language of the elite in many princely states and the medium for higher education.
o The Urdu language, which is the official language of Pakistan and is spoken widely across India and other
countries in South Asia, is written in the Persian script and is deeply influenced by the Persian language. There
are similarities between the oldest Indian scriptures, the Vedas, and the Iranian Avesta.
Criticality of the Civilizational links:

o Iran has come to symbolise the aspirations of Shias worldwide. Accordingly, in India, there is strong support
for the Iranian viewpoint amongst the Shia clergy as well as the masses.
o In cities like Lucknow, this pro-Iran sentiment is clearly discernable to any observer. There are approximately
25 million Shias in India, who visit various places of pilgrimage in Iran and look up to Iran and the Iranian clergy
for spiritual guidance.
o Besides Shias, the miniscule but economically significant Parsi (Zoroastrian) population of India has its centres
of pilgrimage in Iran. It also has a small Zoroastrian minority still living there, with whom Indian Parsees have
emotional bonds.
o One of the oldest continuously inhabited civilizations, it forms a bridge between the Semitic world and the
Indo-Aryan civilization of South Asia and has had strong historical linkages with the Indian civilization.
o Despite strong convergence, Indo-Iran relations in recent times have been affected by Iranian relations with
the US.
o The identification of Shiite masses with Iran allows it a significant role in Afghanistan, which not only is a
neighbouring country, but also has a substantial Shia population.
Geo-economic significance of Iran:

o The main contributory factor to Iran’s significance continues to be its huge hydrocarbon resource, which
contributes to 80 per cent of its exports.
o Moreover, Iran’s energy resources have gained further significance with the depletion of energy resources in
other oil producing states.
o From India’s point of view, Iran’s energy resources provide one of the closest and cheapest energy resources
available to fuel India’s growth.

Accordingly, India has been looking at the North South Transport

Corridor and Iran-Pakistan-India (IPI) gas pipeline to resolve its
energy shortages.
o The IPI was proposed as a pipeline that would transport 36
billion cubic metres of gas every year from Bandar Abbas to
Calcutta. Of this, 70 per cent gas was meant for India while
10 and 20 percent were meant for Iran and Pakistan
respectively.
o Despite huge oil reserves, Iran lacks adequate refining
capacity and as against an annual consumption of 64.5
million litres of petrol, its refineries can refi ne only 43
million litres, which forces it to import approximately one-
third of its consumption.
o Iran has been a major destination for the products of some Indian refineries in the private sector, which are
unable to market their products locally as the petroleum products are subsidised by the government.
Iran factor can influence remittance earning:

o Iran has the capability to create disturbances in any of the Persian Gulf states. The presence of a substantive
Shia population in most of these states further increases Iran’s leverage.
o There is a huge Indian Diaspora in these states and a major source of foreign exchange earnings for India are
the remittances sent by overseas Indians. In fact, India tops the global list of countries receiving remittances.
Iran is geo-politically important for India:

o Iran’s significance for India as gateway to Eurasia, its growing role and levers in West Asia and Afghanistan
make it difficult for India to abandon Iran under the U.S pressure.
o Regionally, India needs Iran both for its connectivity projects INSTC and Chabahar, support and engagement
in Afghanistan and its cooperation to maintain balanced ties with China, Pakistan and Russia.
To Conclude:
o To conclude, it would not be incorrect to state that Iran’s unique geography, its population and nature have
bestowed upon it a unique strategic significance, making it one of the important players in the global arena.
o From India’s perspective, good relations with Iran are an essential imperative for India’s sustained growth and
development.
o Its energy resources could easily speed up India’s growth and its landmass could provide Indian manufacturers’
access to Central Asia and the Caucasus.
o On the other hand, Iran’s nuclear weapons programme does pose a threat to regional and global peace. It
could also irrevocably disturb the balance of power in the geo-strategically significant Persian Gulf.
o Any disturbance in the region could adversely affect India’s economic well-being. The recent accord between
the West and Iran has given diplomacy a chance.
2.2. CHINA AND INDIAN OCEAN REGION

China's engagement in the India Ocean Region poses new challenges for India. It is high time that India makes strategic
partnerships, going beyond the current defensive mindset.
Recent exercises by India:

o A series of bilateral exercises with regional navies were conducted in the Indian Ocean.
o In April, 2019 in their biggest and most complex exercise, Indian and Australian warships held drills in the Bay
of Bengal.
o This was followed by a much-publicised anti-submarine exercise with the U.S. Navy near Diego Garcia.
o Very recently, the Indian Navy held a joint exercise ‘Varuna’ with the French Navy off the coast of Goa and
Karwar.
o Alongside, two Indian warships participated in a ‘group sail’ with warships from Japan, the Philippines and the
U.S. on return from a fleet review in Qingdao, China.
What is the geo-political drive?

China - The trigger for India’s increased engagement at sea is the rapid expansion of China’s naval footprint in the
Indian Ocean.
o Reports suggest that People’s Liberation Army (PLA) was planning an expansion of its logistics base for non-
peacekeeping missions. This raises the possibility of an operational overlap with the Indian Navy’s areas of
interest.
o It is anticipated that Djibouti could be a future where China would control key nodes covering important
shipping lanes in Indian Ocean. This would in turn allow the PLA’s Navy (PLAN) to dominate the security
dynamic.
o South Asia - South Asian navies too have been making their presence felt in the seas of the Indian
subcontinent.
o Sri Lanka has expanded engagement with Pacific powers which includes the Royal Australian Navy and the U.S.
Navy.
o With China’s assistance, Pakistan is becoming an increasingly potent actor in the northern Indian Ocean, a key
region of Indian interest.
o Beijing has also been instrumental in strengthening the navies of Bangladesh and Myanmar.
In these circumstances, India has had little option but to intensify its own naval engagements in South Asia.
What seems to be China's strategy?

o Submarine - China’s expanding submarine engagements in Indian Ocean indicate its strategic ambitions in
India’s neighbourhood. Reportedly, PLAN has been studying the operating environment in the Indian Ocean.
This comes in the context of a larger endeavour to develop capabilities for sustained operations in the Indian
Ocean Region. As a result, the Indian Navy’s recent bilateral exercises have focussed on under-sea surveillance
and anti-submarine warfare.
o Less sightings - Despite the above developments, notably, Chinese submarine sightings are said to have
decreased in recent times. With the Wuhan summit, it is believed that India and China are on a collaborative
path.
o Also, India is silent on China’s continuing
aggression in the South China Sea. Indian
warships were sent for the Chinese fleet
review in Qingdao. All these largely suggest a
conciliatory stance.
o Nevertheless, reduced visibility of Chinese
submarines does not necessarily prove
absence. Chinese submarines are quieter,
craftier and stealthier than earlier. As
suspected, PLAN could be on a quest to
master undersea ‘quieting’ technologies.
o South Asia focus - China has been
downplaying its strategic interests in South
Asia. It is concerned that too much talk about
its growing naval power could prove
detrimental to the cause of promoting the
BRI. The concerns raised at the recent BRI
summit on Chinese ‘debt traps’ has led
Beijing to revise some of its infrastructure projects. India’s refusal to participate in the BRI may have also
prompted China to rethink its economic and military strategies in Indian Ocean.
How is China's engagement in African region?

China hasn’t indicated any change of plan in West Asia and the east coast of Africa. Most of China’s energy and
resource shipments originate there. Chinese investments in port infrastructure in Kenya, Sudan, Tanzania and
Mozambique have grown at a steady pace.

In response, India has moved to deepen its own regional

engagement, seeking naval logistical access to French bases
in Reunion and Djibouti.
How significant are partnerships now?

Despite the bilateral and trilateral naval engagements, India
hasn’t succeeded in leveraging partnerships for strategic
gains. India’s political leadership is reluctant to militarise the
Quadrilateral grouping or to expand naval operations in the
Western Pacific. Consequently, the power-equation with
China remains skewed in favour of China.
Indian Navy’s regional strategy seems to be a mere ‘risk
management’ tactic, with limited approach to shape events
in littoral-Asia. For long, the Indian Navy has played a
prominent role in the fight against non-traditional challenges
in the Indian Ocean.
o These include Indian Navy's -
i. contribution to the counter-piracy mission off the Somalia
coast
ii. humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (including in
cyclone-hit Mozambique)
However, a paucity of assets and capacity has forced the Navy to seek partners willing to invest resources in joint
security endeavours. In all, partnerships are vital to the Indian Navy, especially in deterring Chinese undersea
deployments in South Asia.
2.3. GILGIT-BALTISTAN
Gilgit Baltistan (GB) region
o The region was a part of the erstwhile princely state of Jammu and Kashmir, but has been under Pakistan’s
control since November 4, 1947, following the invasion of Kashmir by tribal militias and the Pakistan army.
o The region was renamed ‘The Northern Areas of Pakistan’ and put under the direct control of Islamabad. The
Northern Areas were distinct from Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), the part of J&K that Pakistan calls “Azad
Kashmir”. The Northern Areas are, however, more than six times the size of PoK.
o After the Pakistani government enacted the Gilgit-Baltistan
Empowerment and Self-Governance Order in August 2009, Importance of Gilgit-Baltistan?
the ‘Northern Areas’ came to be known as Gilgit-Baltistan.  Strategic Location: GB lies at the
o Pakistan Government in 2018 had also passed orders intersection of the Indian Subcontinent,
towards incorporating the disputed region as its fifth Central Asia and China.
province. Balochistan, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, Punjab and  Large Territory: The territory of GB is
Sindh being the other four. more than five times larger than Azad
Kashmir. It consists of two ethno-
geographically distinct territories:
Present Status: Baltistan, which was part of Ladakh, and
o It has an elected Assembly and a Council headed by the Gilgit.
Prime Minister of Pakistan. This Council wields all powers,  Water and energy Security: GB is also
and controls the resources and revenues from the region. significant due to its water and energy
o GB do not find any mention in the Pakistani constitution: it resources. Before entering Pakistan, the
is neither independent, nor does it have provincial status. It Indus River passes through GB.
was treated as a separate geographical entity by Pakistan till Important glaciers, including the
now. bitterly-contested Siachen Glacier are
also located in GB. The Hydro-electric
potential of the Indus river makes it vital
India’s concerns in the region
for energy security as well.
o Kashmir Issue: India has objected to the possible merger of
GB with Pakistan as it will fundamentally alter the nature of the so-called Kashmir dispute due to GB being
part of erstwhile Jammu and Kashmir.
o Chinese Interference: China–Pakistan Economic Corridor is passing through Gilgit Baltistan making India more
reluctant to join the multinational transport and infrastructure corridor projects sponsored by China.




ADMIN1: ADMIN2:
2.4. IBSA DIALOGUE FORUM

Recently, India, Brazil and South Africa took the initiative to revive the Trilateral IBSA Dialogue Forum.
Introduction:
The idea of creating a grouping composed of major democracies of three continents, Asia, Africa and South America,
emerged from the disarray at the end of the 20th century, and the perceived need for developing countries to forge
decisive leadership.
o It has galvanized “South-South co-operation”
o IBSA is the true inheritor of solidarity among developing countries, which was nurtured from the Bandung
Conference (1955) through UNCTAD and G-77 to the BAPA+40 Declaration (2018).
o BAPA+40-> 40 years after the Buenos Aires Plan of Action
o On 12 September 1978 in Buenos Aires, capital of Argentina, delegations from 138 States adopted by
consensus a Plan of Action for Promoting and Implementing Technical Cooperation among Developing
Countries (TCDC).
o They gave it the name of the city that had been host to their United Nations Conference on TCDC.
Details:
o The grouping was formalized and named the IBSA Dialogue Forum when the Foreign Ministers of the three
countries met in Brasilia in 2003. (IBSA was launched through the Brasilia Declaration in 2003)
o The principles, norms and values reinforcing the IBSA Dialogue Forum are participatory democracy, respect
for human rights, the Rule of Law and the strengthening of multilateralism.
o In his address at IBSA’s first summit in Brasilia, in 2006, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said, “The idea of
IBSA is without precedent.”
o The forum’s 2007 Tshwane declaration and 2008 Delhi declaration called for greater cooperation between the
countries of the global South, guided by the principles of equality, economic and political non-conditionality,
mutual benefit, and non-interference in each other’s domestic affairs.
Cooperation in IBSA is on three fronts:
o First, as a forum for consultation and coordination on global and regional political issues,
 It involves the reform of the global institutions of political and economic governance, WTO
Development Agenda, climate change, terrorism etc.;
 In particular, it is strongly committed to the expansion of the UN Security Council.
o Second, trilateral collaboration on concrete areas/ projects,
 This will be implemented by fourteen working groups and six People-to-People Forums, for the
common benefit of three countries;
o Third, assisting other developing countries by taking up projects in the latter through IBSA Fund.
IBSA Fund:
o The IBSA Fund was set up in 2004 for the Alleviation of Poverty and Hunger
o The three countries will contribute US$ 1 million each annually to the Fund.
o The IBSA Fund undertakes development projects in third countries.
o The first project to be financed by the IBSA Fund was in support of agriculture and livestock development.
o It has succeeded in implementing 31 development projects in diverse countries: Burundi, Guinea-Bissau, State
of Palestine, Cambodia and Vietnam, among others.
 In Palestine, a sports complex has been built with IBSA Fund.
 Also the group has announced reconstruction of a medical centre in Gaza
o IBSA Fund received the 2010 MDG Award for South- South cooperation in 2010 in New York recognizing the
work of the three countries in using innovative approaches to share development experiences in other parts
of the world.
How will India benefit from IBSA?
o Energy has often been cited as an ideal field where each country has special expertise which is of benefit to
others:
 Brazil in Bio-fuels,
 South Africa in coal liquid technology
 India in renewable sources of energy.

o IBSA could articulate the need for maritime peace,

IBSA Visiting Fellows Programme:
stability and the rule of law in the Indian Ocean and o India has been running an innovative IBSA
the South Atlantic. Visiting Fellows Programme through the Delhi-
o There are an association of democracies that believe based think tank, RIS or Research and
they have a right to claim permanent membership of Information System for Developing Countries.
the UNSC. o The Programme aims to promote academic
o With the development works initiated in the third exchange of young scholars in the field of
world they will be able to garner support and goodwill economics and social sciences to strengthen
of Govt. and people. research collaboration among India, Brazil and
o Strategically too, IBSA member countries regularly South Africa
 A strong case exists for expanding its
conduct naval exercises in the Indian Ocean
reach.
 IBSAMAR are a series of naval exercises o The Fellowship programme focuses on
between the navies of India, Brazil, and South multilateral institutional frameworks to
Africa. coordinate, support and enable sustainable
development globally; joint research for
Concerns raised about IBSA cooperation and exchange of information in the
o As a contribution to the IBSA fund, the three fields of macro-economy, trade and
countries promised that each of them will pitch in an development; and any other area as may be
annual contribution of $1 million to the fund. Though found of interest within the IBSA framework.
o Both South Africa and Brazil should initiate their
operational the fund has received has very less
own editions of this programme, as an
contributions as a whole.
investment in building intellectual capital.
o Meetings which was part of agenda is not conducted
regularly to enhance the partnership.
o IBSA has faced even greater challenges in its attempts to influence international affairs and shift the global
balance of power. Joint initiatives have been few and far between and largely fallen short of expectations.
o IBSA countries face similar internal challenges ranging from socio economic inequality, low levels of public
education and rapid urbanization.
o Also the working group counterparts lacked the authority to take any decisions which severely slowed down
cooperation. Some policy makers privately concede that the working groups have yet to produce any tangible
results, largely because they lack high-level political support.
What IBSA needs to do?

o Although considerable progress has been made both in-terms of its commitments and implementation of
projects, the grouping faces a fundamental challenge; How to maintain its relevance in the wake of the
emergence of similar groupings such as BRICS. To overcome this challenge, IBSA member states must ensure
regular meets both at the level of Heads of State and Government, as well at the Ministerial level.
o The grouping must work together as a joint lobby in other groupings of which they are members of, such as
BRICS and G20.
o IBSA should establish effective maritime and civil aviation connectivity, develop a liberal visa scheme
o More substance should be imparted to people-to people contacts.
2.5. NORTH ATLANTIC TREATY ORGANISATION

Macedonia is expected to become the 30th member of NATO. Its membership was being opposed by Greece, whereby
Greece had insisted that Macedonia change its name to North Macedonia. Now that, Macedonia is willing to change
name, Greece is willing to support Macedonia's membership to NATO.
Background
o The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) is an alliance of 29 countries from North America and Europe
committed to fulfilling the goals of the North Atlantic Treaty (Washington treaty) signed in 1949.
o NATO originated after World War II to counter the expansion of Soviet Union into Central and Western Europe.
Mandate
o Strategic Concepts lay down NATO’s core tasks and principles and the 2010 Strategic Concept defines NATO’s
cores tasks as: Collective defence | Crisis-management | Cooperative security.

The main principle of NATO are:

o Guarantee of freedom and security of its members through political and military means.
o Promotion of democratic values and enables members to consult and cooperate on defence and security-
related issues to solve problems, build trust and, in the long run, prevent conflict.
o Peaceful resolution of disputes. If diplomatic efforts fail, it has the military power to undertake crisis
management operations.
o Principe of ‘Collective Defence’ under which an attack against one or several of NATO members is considered
as an attack against all. The principle of collective defence been invoked once – in response to the 9/11
terrorist attacks in the United States in 2001.
Membership Structure
o NATO is an alliance of countries from Europe and North America. It provides a link between the ‘Western
countries’ of the two continents.
o NATO membership is open to any other European which adheres to the principles of NATO and to contribute
to the security of the North Atlantic area.
o A NATO decision is the expression of the collective will of all the member countries since all decisions are taken
by consensus. This was the reason as to why Greece was able to block the membership of Macedonia from
NATO.
Current Concerns
o Every NATO country contributes in both direct funding and material contributions. NATO allies pledged
towards spending 2% of GDP on defence by 2024.
o The United States has been pressuring other members especially Germany to increase their defence spending
to 2%, wherein any deficit in spending by NATO members is currently being filled by US.
o Post disintegration of USSR, the main requirement of NATO has become diluted, therefore there is a
requirement to evolve NATO to counter the perceived threats from China and Russia that Europe and US may
face in the future.
2.6. USA TO WITHDRAW FROM AFGHANISTAN

There is a prospect that United States may withdraw troops from Afghanistan by 2020.
Why was there a war?

o During the time that the Taliban controlled Afghanistan, they allowed an organisation called al-Qaeda to have
training camps there.

o In September 2001, nearly 3,000 people were killed in the

Background:
9/11 terrorist attacks. The United States believed that Osama The war in Afghanistan began back in 2001. A
Bin Laden - who was the head of al-Qaeda - was the man group called the Taliban had controlled most of
behind these attacks. the country since 1996 but they were
o There was a lot of international pressure on the Afghan overthrown in November 2001 by British and
leaders to hand over Osama Bin Laden. When the Taliban American armed forces, as well as lots of Afghan
didn't do this, the United States decided they would use their fighters from a group called the Northern
armed forces. Alliance.
o In October 2001, the USA began bombing Afghanistan. They
targeted bin Laden's al-Qaeda fighters and also the Taliban.
o In November 2001, the Northern Alliance took control of the Afghan capital Kabul. They were being helped by
the US and other countries that agreed with it, including the UK.
o The Taliban were quickly driven out of the capital city, Kabul, but even today Afghanistan remains a dangerous
place.
o It was in 2011, ten years after the war in Afghanistan began that Osama bin Laden was eventually found by
American soldiers in Pakistan, where he was shot and killed.
o British troops and forces from other countries are still in Afghanistan, trying to help the government build a
stable nation.
Loya Jirga and Bonn Conference II

o The U.S. to ensure a peaceful withdrawal from Afghanistan may push for a new version of the 2001 Bonn
Conference to set up an interim government that can plan a Loya Jirga and an election in 2020-2021.
o The Bonn Agreement was signed in 2001 after the US invasion and defeat of Taliban government. It intended
to re-create the State of Afghanistan and called for a Loya Jirga to be convened to discuss the formation of an
Afghan constitution and transitional government in Afghanistan.
o Loya Jirga is a grand assembly comprising of elders and tribal chiefs. It predates modern-day written or fixed
laws and is mostly favoured by the Pashtun people and to a lesser extent by other nearby groups in Afghan
region. Loya Jirga’s have been reportedly organized since the Kushan Empire under Kanishka in Ancient history
to the Durrani dynasties in Modern history of Afghan and is similar the concept of Sabha used in Indian sub-
continent.
o The new Conference would have greater participation of Russia, China and the Taliban, which was missing in
the earlier Bonn conference. This conference allow the US to form a scenario to allow regional powers to
engage themselves in Afghanistan, provide Taliban legitimacy in Afghan politics and thus pave the way for US
to withdraw from Afghanistan.
US partner: India and/ or Pakistan?

o The U.S. government has asked for assistance from Pakistan’s for negotiations with the Taliban due to
Pakistan's close relationship with the Taliban leadership.
o Similarly, the US has asked for India's assistance for reconciliation and rebuilding efforts in Afghanistan due to
India's economic capabilities.
o This has raised a dilemma for US especially in context of its withdrawal that if the role of Pakistan is increased
in reconciliation & reconstruction efforts then India won’t be keen to get involved. While, if India increases its
stake hold in Afghan. politics especially with engagement with the Taliban then Pakistan may well step back
from its assistance to US.
o India has shown that it does not seek a stake in Afghan politics and intends to work through the elected Afghan
government and also does not want presence of Indian troops within Afghanistan. Similarly, Pakistan currently
does not have the capability of providing assistance for reconstruction for Afghanistan.
o Therefore, the US is able to balance India and Pakistan in Afghanistan but nevertheless, India must remain
fully informed about any developments that result from Pakistan's assistance to U.S. in Afghanistan in view of
strengthening Indo-US cooperation in Afghanistan post-US withdrawal.
New Ruler: Taliban and/or Afghan govt.?

o Taliban still does not acknowledge the Afghan government’s legitimacy and the current direct discussions by
US & Russia with Taliban without the Afghan govt. increases the legitimacy of Taliban as sole stakeholder in
Afghan.

o The U.S. has also agreed to pull out troops, the biggest Taliban demand, without any clear agreement on the
future role of Taliban in Afghan electoral democracy.
o Opium fuelled financing of terrorist organisations continue to exist in Afghan and separating the 'Good Taliban'
from other terrorist organisation is being intentionally overlooked by US for quick withdrawal. External sources
of funding would undermine the Afghan government and if any other political organisation in Afghanistan in
electoral politics.
o There is an assumption in international politics that "according to Americans whenever America retreats,
chaos often follows, however according to others “Whenever and wherever US interferes, chaos, repression,
and resentment follow.” Within that regard, US withdrawal to occur, it was necessary to direct negotiations
with the Taliban since participation of Taliban in a solution to current Afghan chaos and thereby can ensure
that it is not problem for chaos once US withdraws.
India’s principled position that it will not directly or publicly talk to the Taliban until it engages the Afghan government,
however this may cut India from Afghan negotiations, cut out India from future Afghan resolution process and increase
significance of Pakistan in both aspects. India may also therefore need Indian intelligence agencies to indulge in
informal and covert dialogue process with important leaders of Taliban, whereby Taliban has announced their support
to India’s developmental projects in Afghan and for Chabahar port.
2.7. RUSSIA AND INDIA

Cold war period lay the foundation of the Indian Russian relations especially the signing of India Russia Peace and
Friendship treaty of 1971. For India, Russia has been at the fulcrum of its strategic interests which it manifested by
inferring special and privileged strategic partnership status to this relation. The relation between the two has been
one of ‘Multi diverse partnership’, highly influenced by their defence relations. Various aspects of their Multi diverse
partnership include-
o Defence partnership- For India, Russia remains Ashgabat Agreement
the sheet anchor of India’s security policy. The  It aims to create multi modal international
defence ties, one of the highly influential aspect of transport transit corridor.
their relation, rest on 3 features of technology  It has Oman, Iran, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan as
transfer, joint development, marketing & selling founding members. Kazakhstan has also joined this
and export of equipment, an agreement non- arrangement subsequently.
existent with any other country. This arrangement  Pakistan joined Ashgabat agreement in 2016.
has provided significant enhancement to India’s  India has also become member of the agreement,
which would enable India to utilize this existing
indigenous defence manufacturing. For example,
transport and transit corridor to facilitate trade and
besides providing us a range of equipment from commercial interaction with the Eurasian region.
tanks to fighter aircraft and frigates, the Russians  Further, this would synchronise with our efforts to
have helped us perfect our ballistic missiles and implement the International North South Transport
build a ballistic missile submarine. They have Corridor for enhanced connectivity.
leased us a nuclear attack submarine, and are a  The Lapis Lazuli Corridor is an agreement between
crucial partner in the ongoing BrahMos program. Afghanistan, Turkmenistan, Azerbaijan, Georgia
o Economic Relations- It is an important pillar of the and Turkey seeking to foster transit and trade
relations yet there remains a lot of scope to cooperation by reducing barriers facing transit
improve it further. India and Russia are exploring trade.
various ways for enhancing bilateral trade.
o Energy Security- In Energy sector Russia has built nuclear reactors in India (kudankulam reactors), adopted
strategic vision in nuclear energy, offered oil, gas and investment opportunities in the fuel sector of Russia e.g.
Sakhalin I etc.
o Space technology- India and Russia have a four-decade strong relationship in the field of space. The former
Soviet Union launched India’s first two satellites, Aryabhata and Bhaskar. It has provided India Cryogenic
technology to build heavy rockets.
o Regional balancing- Russia is more inclined to align itself with India’s interests. It has supported India on
Kashmir. The two shared the opposition to Taliban rule in Afghanistan. Russia is India’s solution to the China
problem. It has observed a self imposed moratorium in selling offensive weapon to China. Also it has
maintained an arms distance from Pakistan.
o International standing- Russia has supported India’s bid for permanent seat in UNSC. It has been favouring
Indian entry to Nuclear Supplier Group. In international grouping it sponsors India’s membership e.g. Shanghai
Cooperation Organization. Also, both are members of important organizations like BRICS.

o Cultural Relations- This is one the crucial aspects of cooperation between the two. From people to people
contacts (through programs like ‘Namaste Russia’) to sharing educational brilliance of both the countries
through institutes like Jawaharlal Nehru Cultural Centre, both the countries have had good cultural links. India
Russia relations have remained close but they have lost intensity of India-Soviet relation. Recently, we have
seen a definitive decline in India Russia Relation.
Why this downturn?

o Changing Geopolitical Order- With rise of China, America see a threat to a global liberal order it created. Thus
America is reasserting itself by dismantling this order through an America first policy. India is reacting to this
change by adopting an enhanced partnership with US as China is becoming a real threat in the neighbour. For
Russia it has been a period of great hostility with West, thus pushing it to align with China.
o Defence partnership- India has been recently diversifying its defence relations with US, Israel etc. Russia’s
share of Indian defense imports fell from 79 percent between 2008 and 2012 to 62 percent between 2013 and
2017. India withdrew from Russia’s fifth-generation fighter aircraft project because of delays and differences
over cost, technologies and flexibility for future upgrades. India has signed logistic agreements like LEMOA,
LSA with US. India US has seen enhanced interoperability between the two militaries a result of agreements
and exercises between the two. India Russia relation lacks this aspect.
o One Dimensional Trade-Trade has been one-dimensional i.e. defence based. Despite a 42 percent boost from
the previous year, trade still only touched $10.7 billion in 2017-18 — compare that to India’s trade with China
($89.7 billion), the United States ($74.5 billion), or even Germany ($22 billion). There are a number of issues
that hinder India-Russia trade – connectivity issues, distance, weak banking links, cumbersome regulations on
both sides and Russia’s restrictive visa regime.
o Regional Fallouts- Russia’s developing relationship with Pakistan has got under India’s skin. Driven in part by
concerns about Afghanistan, Moscow’s diplomatic and military exchanges with Islamabad have witnessed an
uptick. Russia and Pakistan conducted a military exercise in September 2016, reportedly in disputed territory.
Moreover, Pakistan and Russia have since formed a joint military consultative committee and signed a military
training agreement. Moscow has also sold attack helicopters to the Pakistani military.
 Russia is showing inclination towards Taliban in Afghanistan while India continues to have concerns
about the group.
 Russia’s partnership with China has further complicated its relations with India. Despite assurances to
the contrary, Moscow has sold advanced military technology to Beijing. It has endorsed China’s One
Belt One Road and has urged India to overcome its objections to it. There has also been concern about
Moscow leaning toward Beijing in forums like the BRICS. Amidst this came the much-awaited Summit
between India Russia which has more or less tried to arrest the downturn in the relation.
What has this summit achieved?

o Re-established the trust and cooperation- This meet along with an informal meeting at Sochi has regained the
mutual trust, confidence and close understanding of each other’s position. Both countries have pledged to
cooperate and converge on all major issues which are essential in rebuilding the multi polar world order.
o Reinforced Defence-The major breakthrough was the materializing of the S-400 deal despite threats of
sanctions by US under the Countering America’s Adversaries through Sanctions Act (CAATSA). It’s the biggest
arms deal in recent times. Both sides realized that Military and Military-Technical cooperation is essential to
their strategic partnership. The meeting of the Indian-Russian Intergovernmental Commission on Military-
Technical cooperation in December 2018 is a step to increase this cooperation. The continuation of INDRA
Exercise, the Military Industrial Conference and High-Level Committee on Cooperation in High Technologies
(2017) will bolster the cooperation between the militaries and industry.
Breathing new life into trade:

o Both countries evaluated the two way USD 30 billion investment goal to be achieved by 2025. In 2017 trade
between both countries increased by 20%. Both the sides agreed to actively promote joint projects in third
countries in sectors such as railways, energy and others.

o In 2018 there will be a first meeting of Strategic International North South Transport Corridor
Economic dialogue between NITI Aayog and Russian  It is a multimodal network of land and sea
ministry of economic development. A consultation on routes for moving freight between India, Iran,
the Free Trade Agreement between the Eurasian Afghanistan, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Russia,
Economic Union and its member states, on one side, Central Asia and Europe.
and India will start. A MoU between National Small  Major objective is to improve trade
Industries Corporation of India and the Russian Small connectivity between the connecting cities
and Medium Business Corporation was signed in order (countries).
to give a fillip to small and medium industries.  It is expected to substantially reduce time
taken and cost for transport of goods
o For increasing connectivity both sides called for the
between India and Eurasia once fully
development of International North South Transport functional and increase economic activities
Corridor (INSTC). Iran, India and Russia transport links between India and the resource-rich Russia as
will be explored to increase connectivity. The early well as markets of Europe.
launch of the Green Corridor project aim at the
simplification of customs operations in respect of goods
being transported between India and Russia. Also, there are talks of the signing of an FTA between Indian and
the Eurasian Economic Union (EaEU).
o Interstate ties will be promoted like Assam and Sakhalin etc and participation by regional delegations in major
events like Saint Petersburg International Economic Forum, Eastern Economic Forum and
Partnership/Investment Summits and also welcomed the intention to organize and hold the India-Russia
interregional forum.
o A joint Declaration – "India-Russia Economic Cooperation: The Way Forward was signed. Also the decision to
hold the first ever India-Russia Start-Up Summit in december. The idea to launch an online portal that would
enable startups, investors, incubators and aspiring entrepreneurs of both countries to interact and provide
relevant resources to expand and enable globalization of start-ups is promoted.
Strengthening Energy and science & technology:

o Both countries aimed at widening the energy relations by strengthening the nuclear energy and also
diversifying it to hydro, renewable energy, piped gas, LNG, oil etc.
o Both sides will cooperate in development of oil in Russia including its arctic shelf and joint development of
projects on the shelf of the Pechora and Okhotsk Seas.
o Both sides expressed their interests in Science and technology. They aimed to increase academic, research
and development work between both the countries. Russia will support India in its first man mission to space
i.e. Gaganyan.
Other Areas of Cooperation:

o International Cooperation- Respect for
BRICS
International Law and multilateral trade-Both
 It is an association of 5 major emerging national
sides reaffirmed "equality, mutual respect and
economies: Brazil, Russia, India, China and
non-interference as universally acknowledged
South Africa.
norms of international law basis for a just , equal
 All five are G-20 members.
and multipolar world order. Both sides favoured
 It represents over 40% of the world‟s
strengthening of multilateral trade regimes.
population and accounts for 22% of global GDP.
o Regional Balance- In Afghanistan both countries
 Since 2009, the BRICS nations have met
sided a Afghan govt led peace process supported
annually at formal summits.
through Shanghai Cooperation Organization,
 The 10th summit of the BRICS grouping was
Moscow Format and joint developmental
held recently in Johannesburg, South Africa.
activities etc. On Syria and Iran both political
 It has produced Johannesburg Declaration,
solutions based on UNSC resolution 2254 and
which mentions about looming trade wars
underlined the importance of Joint
among major powers and calls for a
Comprehensive Plan of Action in Iran.
transparent, open and inclusive multilateral
trading based on WTO.
 It also discussed the problem of international
terrorism.

o Terrorism and chemical war- They rejected the possible arms race in the space. Efforts and initiatives are
aimed at preserving the role of the Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production, Stockpiling
and Use of Chemical Weapons and on their Destruction, and preventing the politicization of the activities of
the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons. Both sides called for importance of adopting the
Comprehensive Convention on International S-400
Terrorism, pending in the United Nations.  The Russian-built S-400 Triumf — identified by
o Reiterated support- Russia has backed India’s NATO as the SA-21 Growler — is the world’s most
entry in NSG and UNSC permanent membership. dangerous operationally deployed modern long-
Both will advance low carbon economy and range surface-to-air missile system.
promote Sustainable Development Goals. They  It is considered much more effective than the
will establish Regional Security architecture that Terminal High Altitude Area Defense system
developed by the US.
provides equal and indivisible security to all
 The S-400 is a mobile system that integrates
countries in Asia and in the regions of Pacific and
multifunction radar, autonomous detection and
Indian Oceans. BRICS, SCO, G20 etc. will be targeting systems, anti-aircraft missile systems,
strengthened together. launchers, and a command and control centre.
 It can be deployed within five minutes, and is
Conclusion: capable of firing three types of missiles to create a
India Russia today needs each other more than ever in this layered defense.
changing geopolitical landscape and both has to learn the  It can engage all types of aerial targets including
art of balancing in order to sustain the newly found aircraft, unmanned aerial vehicles, and ballistic and
bonhomie. cruise missiles within a range of 400 km, at an
altitude up to 30 km.
2.8 INDIAN PEACEKEEPING FORCES

Peacekeeping Forces
o The United Nations Charter gives the United State of Libya
Nations Security Council the power and  Libya, officially the State of Libya, (largest city and
responsibility to take collective action to capital, Tripoli) is a country in the Maghreb region in
maintain international peace and security. North Africa, bordered by the Mediterranean Sea to
o Most of these operations are established and the north, Egypt to the east, Sudan to the southeast,
implemented by the United Nations itself, with Chad to the south, Niger to the southwest, Algeria to
troops serving under UN operational control. In the west, and Tunisia to the north-west.
 Libya is the fourth largest country in Africa, and is the
these cases, peacekeepers remain members of
16th largest country in the world.
their respective armed forces, and do not  Libya has the 10th-largest proven oil reserves of any
constitute an independent “UN army,” as the country in the world.
UN does not have such a force.  Libya became independent as a kingdom in 1951 and
o In cases where direct UN involvement is not bloodless military coup by Muammar Gaddafi in 1969
considered appropriate or feasible, the Council overthrew King Idris I.
authorizes regional organizations such as the  Muammar Gaddafi ruled the country from 1969 and
North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), the the Libyan Cultural Revolution in 1973 until he was
Economic Community of West African States, or overthrown and killed in the 2011 Libyan Civil War.
coalitions of willing countries to undertake  Chaos-ridden Libya has emerged as a major transit
point for people trying to reach Europe and more than
peacekeeping or peace-enforcement tasks.
700,000 migrants have reached Italy by boat since
o Department of Peacekeeping Operations’s 2013.
highest level doctrine document, is “United  Libya is a member of the United Nations (since 1955),
Nations Peacekeeping Operations: Principles the Non-Aligned Movement, the Arab League, the OIC
and Guidelines”. and OPEC.
o Peacekeepers monitor and observe peace  Resulting from years-long civil conflict, Libya has no
processes in post-conflict areas and assist ex- single government currently, with Libyan National
combatants in implementing the peace Army (LNA) backing the Tobruk-based parliament
agreements they may have signed. which governs the East of Libya, and the Government
o Such assistance comes in many forms, including of National Accord (GNA) which controls Libya’s
western parts from Tripoli.
confidence-building measures, power sharing
arrangements, electoral support, strengthening the rule of law, and economic and social development.
o Accordingly, UN peacekeepers (often referred to as Blue Berets or Blue Helmets because of their light blue
berets or helmets) can include soldiers, police officers, and civilian personnel.

India’s Contribution
o So far India has taken part in 43 Peacekeeping missions with a total contribution exceeding 180,000 troops
and a significant number of police personnel having been deployed.
o In 2014 India is the third largest troop contributor [TCC] with 7,860 personnel deployed with ten UN
Peacekeeping Missions of which 995 are police personnel, including the first Female Formed Police Unit under
the UN.
o Recently Indian Peacekeepers were lauded by the UN for their efforts in preventing a carnage in the South
Sudan conflict which resulted in the death of two of its soldiers.
2.8 INDIA-ASEAN
o The Association of Southeast Asian Nations, or ASEAN, was established in 1967 in Bangkok, Thailand, with the
signing of the ASEAN Declaration (Bangkok Declaration) by Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore and
Thailand.
o Brunei Darussalam, Vietnam, Laos, Myanmar, and Cambodia joined later, and led to the 10 members that
currently form ASEAN.
o The ASEAN Member States adopted the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia (TAC) in 1976.
Pillars of ASEAN
ASEAN Political-Security Community (APSC), ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) and ASEAN Socio- Cultural
Community.
Dialogue Partners ASEAN Charter
o Australia, Canada, China, European  The ASEAN Charter entered into force in 2008 and, it provides the
Council, Japan, India, New Zealand, legal status and institutional framework for ASEAN. It also codifies
Russia, South Korea, United States ASEAN norms, rules and values and presents the objectives for
and United Nations. ASEAN.
o ASEAN has mechanism – ASEAN  The ASEAN Charter provided a new legal framework and has
Post Ministerial Conference (PMC) become a legally binding agreement among the 10 ASEAN Member
States. It established a number of new organs to boost its
+1 Session with each of the ASEAN
community building process.
Dialogue Partner.
ASEAN Regional Forum

o The ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) was set up in 1993 as a Regional security cooperation and dialogue platform
for confidence-building and preventive diplomacy in the Asia-Pacific region. India became a member of the
ARF in 1996.
o ARF has 27 member states. These include the 10 ASEAN member, 10 ASEAN Dialogue Partners, and 7 other
countries, which are Bangladesh, South Korea, Mongolia, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Timor Leste and Sri
Lanka.
INDIA-ASEAN RELATIONS
o India became a Sectorial Partner of the ASEAN in 1992, Dialogue Partner in 1996 and Summit Level Partner in
2002 and India-ASEAN relations were upgraded to a strategic partnership in 2012. India became a full member
of the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) in 1996.
o India and ASEAN nations signed the ‘Delhi Declaration’ in 2018 to celebrate 25 years of partnership at the
Republic Day celebrations. It also commemorated 15 years of Summit Level partnership and 5 years of
Strategic partnership.
Plan of Action
o The Plan of Action (POA) is intended to implement the ASEAN-India Partnership for Peace, Progress and Shared
Prosperity that intends form a framework for long term engagement between India and ASEAN.
o A Plan of Action (POA) for the period 2004-2010 was signed at the 3rd ASEAN-India Summit in 2004 in
Vientiane. It was succeeded by the Plan of Action (POA) developed to implement the Partnership for the period
from 2010 to 2015.
Current POA
o The POA 2016-2020 was adopted at the Post Ministerial Conference (PMC) Plus One Session with India in 2015
in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
o The POA 2016-2020 comprises three broad priorities: political and security cooperation, economic
cooperation and socio-cultural cooperation.
Act East Policy

o The ‘Look East Policy ‘was upgraded to the ‘Act East Policy’ by in 2014 at the India-ASEAN Summit held in Nay
Pyi Taw in Myanmar.
o ASEAN is now considered the main regional grouping of engagement for India under its Act East policy.
ASEAN-India Green Fund

o The ASEAN-India Green Fund was considered during the 6th ASEAN-India Summit held in 2007.
o The ASEAN-India Green Fund with an initial contribution of US$ 5 million was set up in 2010 to support
cooperative pilot projects between ASEAN and India for promotion of technologies aimed at promoting
adaptation to and mitigation of climate change.
ASEAN-India S&T Development Fund (AISTDF)

The ASEAN-India S&T Development Fund (AISTDF) was established to encourage collaborative R&D and technology
development between ASEAN and India, at the 6th ASEAN-India Summit in 2007.
Master Plan on ASEAN Connectivity (MPAC)

o Master Plan on ASEAN Connectivity (MPAC) was adopted in 2010, and focussed on India’s current and future
support for ASEAN Connectivity.
o The MPAC 2025, which succeeds MPAC 2010, was adopted at the 28th ASEAN Summit in Laos in 2016.
o India-Myanmar-Thailand Trilateral Highway has been proposed to be extended towards an India-Myanmar-
Laos-Vietnam Cambodia Highway, under the Plan of Action to implement the ASEAN-India Partnership for
Peace, Progress and Shared Prosperity (2016-2020).
o A Project Development Fund was formed at the 13th ASEAN-India Summit in 2015 to develop manufacturing
hubs in Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, and Vietnam (CLMV) countries.
o India and ASEAN intend for an early conclusion of Maritime Transport Agreement (AI-MTA) between India and
ASEAN.
Diplomatic Engagement
o India established a separate Diplomatic Mission to ASEAN, EAST ASIA SUMMIT
which was inaugurated in 2015. India has 30 sectorial dialogue  EAS is an initiative of ASEAN and is
mechanisms and seven ministerial level interactions with based on the premise of the centrality
of ASEAN.
ASEAN, in fields such as external affairs, defence, connectivity,
 East Asia Summit was established in
commerce, telecommunications, agriculture, energy, 2005 with the Kuala Lampur
environmental issues, and tourism. Declaration. It included the ASEAN
o The ASEAN- Post Ministerial Conference (PMC) and the ASEAN member nations and China, Japan,
Defence Ministerial Meeting- Plus (ADMM-Plus) provide a South Korea, Australia, India and New
platform for India and ASEAN to deliberate on the security Zealand and culminated in the 1st
issues concerning this region. East Asia Summit.
o ‘Delhi Dialogue’ platform was formed in 2009 as an annual  USA and Russia were included as
Track 1.5 discussion on politico-security and economic issues members of the EAS at the 6th EAS
between ASEAN and India. held in Bali, Indonesia in 2011.
Objective
 The East Asia Summit is a unique
India-ASEAN Cooperation Fund Leaders-led forum of 18 countries of
o ASEAN-India Cooperation Fund was formed at the 7th ASEAN- the Indo-Pacific region.
India Summit in 2009 to support implementation of the  It was formed with the objectives of
ASEAN-India Plan of Action. regional peace, security and
prosperity. It has evolved as a forum
Free Trade Agreement

o India signed a free trade agreement in goods in 2009 and an FTA in services and investments in 2014 with
ASEAN. Apart from this, India has a Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement with various countries
of the ASEAN region.

o India is currently in negotiations under the RCEP platform with ASEAN and other member countries in forming
a regional FTA.
Security Architecture
o India also supported the process of negotiations between ASEAN and China in forming a Code of Conduct to
be pursued in the South China Sea.
o The framework seeks to advance a 2002 Declaration of Conduct (DOC) of Parties in the South China Sea, which
has mostly been ignored by countries, in particular China.
o India and ASEAN have yet to engage with each other to form a common security framework and vision for the
Indo-Pacific region, whereby India has supported ASEAN centrality in forming the security architecture in Indo-
Pacific region.
ASEAN-India Space Cooperation Programme

o India and ASEAN nations would continue to collaborate in peaceful exploitation of outer space through the
implementation of the ASEAN-India Space Cooperation Programme.
o It includes launching of satellites, their monitoring through Telemetry Tracking and Command Stations and
usage of satellite image data for sustainable exploitation of ground, sea, atmospheric, cooperation in R&D in
emerging space technologies such as small satellites, inter-satellite communications, satellite propulsion, and
analytics for space data.
2.9 KUBHUSHAN JADHAV CASE

o Background Pakistan has alleged that they arrested Kulbhushan Jadhav from Baluchistan province in, 2016
after he reportedly entered from Iran. However, India maintains that Jadhav was kidnapped by terrorist
organisations from Iran and handed over to Pakistan.
o In 2017, Pakistan’s military announced that Kulbhushan Jadhav had been convicted and sentenced to death
by a military court for “espionage and sabotage activities against Pakistan.”
o Subsequently, the Kulbhushan Jadhav case was presented towards the International Court of Justice whereby
the Court up till now has only directed Pakistan to “take all measures to ensure Jadhav is not executed pending
the final decision of the Court.
Consular Access
o India has accused Pakistan of violating the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations, 1963 by not giving India
consular access to Kulbhushan Jadhav. In response, Pakistan has asserted that Vienna Convention is not
applicable to spies or terrorists and therefore it reserves the right to deny consular access to Kulbhushan
Jadhav who has been accused of spying.
o However, it is to be noted that the Vienna Convention does not make any exception for people suspected of
committing espionage or terrorism-related offences and the ICJ has in the past also not interpreted the treaty
to exclude offences such as espionage or terrorism.
Military Court Ruling
o India has asserted that the trial of Kulbhushan Jadhav by a Military Court was not free and fair.
o India was supported by observations from The International Commission of Jurists which has documented
how Pakistani military courts are not independent and the proceedings before them fall far short of national
and international fair trial standards.
In 2008 India and Pakistan signed a bilateral agreement on consular access in 2008. The agreement does Agreement
provide a provision of consular access within three months of arrest or detention however this provision can be
reconsidered on the grounds of arrest, detention or sentence made on political or security grounds.
• Pakistan considers that the 2008 agreement provides its ability to deny access to India to Kulbhushan Jadhav and
that it also overrides the obligations under the Vienna Convention.
• However, India has asserted that the 2008 agreement does not override the Vienna Convention.

2.10 SENKAKU/ DIAOYU ISLANDS DISPUTE

o China and Taiwan claim the Senkaku islands as part of
Chinese territory since the 16th century. However, the
Japanese claim that when the island was surveyed by them
in the 1800’s, it was uninhabited and showed no signs of
Chinese occupation.
o The Senkaku islands were subsequently incorporated into
Japanese territory in 1895 after their victory in the First
Sino-Japanese War. The islands briefly came under
American occupation in 1945, when Japan surrendered at
the end of World War II, but were soon returned in 1972.
o Before 1971, neither China nor Taiwan made any claims to the “territorial sovereignty” of the of Claims to
Senkaku Islands and neither government expressed any objection to Japanese sovereignty over the islands.
o However, in the late 1960s, Economic Commission for Asia and the Far East (ECAFE) surveyed the waters
around the Senkaku and suggested potentially rich oil deposits beneath the seabed. After the ECAFE released
its findings in 1971, Taiwan and China made their first territorial claim to the islands.
Significance of Senkaku Islands

o Senkaku islands contain fishing areas and possible natural resources like oil, gas, and mineral deposits around
the islands. Sovereign control over Senkaku islands would increase the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) under
United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
o In addition, the Senkaku islands would give the country strategic control in East Asia sea.
2.11 INDIA AN OBSERVER IN CTBT

o The Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organisation (CTBTO) has invited India to become an “Observer”
with access to International Monitoring System data, so it can take an informed decision on ratifying a much-
debated nuclear disarmament treaty.
o Stating its reservations with the treaty, India has not signed CTBT till date. With changing nature of the
organization, renewed efforts are made to get India onboard.
Benefits of being an observer:

o Informed decision: It will allow India to attend CTBTO meeting, observe how
the organization works, and accordingly take the time needed to make the
decision.
o Access to information: The CTBTO runs the International Monitoring System
(IMS), which can detect nuclear tests anywhere across the world. Being an
observer, India would get access to data from the IMS. When complete,
o IMS will consist of 337 facilities (321 monitoring stations and 16 radionuclide
labs) located in 89 countries.
o It can detect even small nuclear explosions using seismology, hydro-acoustics,
infrasound and radionuclide technology.
o The IMS also helps in warning of earthquakes, tsunamis and volcanic ash, and
identifies plane crash sites.
o Symbolism: Being an observer will not change India‘s status with respect to
the CTBT. It only gives the advantage of following what’s happening, learning
what China is doing in the organization, and where the US comes in. Among
the non-signatory, Pakistan too is an observer.
India’s apprehensions with CTBT:

o Discrimination: India claims that the CTBT is discriminatory because it favours “five nuclear weapon states”-
the United States, United Kingdom, China, France and Russia - when it comes to fulfilling obligations for
eliminating nuclear weapons.
o India wants the CTBT to have a clause on complete nuclear disarmament in a time bound manner because
there are technological differences between the ‘have’ and ‘have not’ countries.

o India is concerned about the likelihood of those already Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty
possessing nuclear weapons upgrading their arsenals Organization (CTBTO)
through sub-critical and laboratory simulated testing.  It was founded in 1996 to promote the
Treaty so that it can enter into force.
Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT)  It also establishes a verification regime to
o It is a global treaty that aims to ban all nuclear explosions monitor adherence to the Treaty.
across the world. Upon entering into force, it provides a  The CTBT verification includes-
International Monitoring System (IMS),
legally binding norm against nuclear testing.
International Data Centre (IDC), On-site
o The Treaty’s entry into force depends on 44 specific inspections (OSI).
States that must have signed and ratified the Treaty.  It constantly monitors the planet for nuclear
These States had nuclear facilities at the time the Treaty explosions and shares its findings with
was negotiated and adopted. 35 of these States have Member States.
ratified the Treaty.
o Nine States still need to do so: China, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Egypt, India, Indonesia, Iran,
Israel, Pakistan and the United States. India, North Korea and Pakistan have not yet signed the Treaty.
o Between 1945 and 1996, over 2,000 nuclear tests were carried out all over the world. Ten nuclear tests have
been conducted ever since the CTBT opened for signature in 1996.
o The signature to a treaty indicates that the country accepts the treaty and is signed by a senior representative
of a country such as the president or the foreign minister.
o The ratification of a treaty may require the adjustment of a country’s legislation, reflecting its commitments
under the treaty.
2.12 FINANCIAL ACTION TASK FORCE

During the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) Week in Paris, India had lobbied hard to get the global financial body to
blacklist Pakistan for non-compliance in curbing terror financing.
o Indian security agencies have prepared a dossier to show the culpability of Pakistan in the Pulwama terror
strike, which was the worst such attack in J&K in decades.
o Pakistan was placed on the ‘grey list’ in June last year and was lobbying hard to be removed from this list at
the meeting.
o Pakistan has to complete its action plan until May 2019. If the country does not meet the targets by October,
it could be blacklisted. Black List and Grey List?
 Those are two types of list that FATF
ABOUT FATF: maintains.
o It was established in July 1989 by a Group of Seven (G-7)  Black list is given to the countries that FATF
Summit in Paris, initially to examine and develop considers as uncooperative tax havens.
measures to combat money laundering. These countries are known as Non-
o In October 2001, the FATF expanded its mandate to Cooperative Countries or Territories
(NCCTs).
incorporate efforts to combat terrorist financing, in
 Grey list is a warning given to the country
addition to money laundering. that it might come in Black list. But even
o Since its inception, the FATF has operated under a fixed when a country comes under Grey list it
life-span, requiring a specific decision by its Ministers to faces many problems like:
continue.  Problem in getting loans
o The current mandate of the FATF (2012-2020) was  Economic sanctions
adopted at a Ministerial meeting in April 2012.  Reduction in trade
o Its secretariat is housed administratively at the OECD.
o FATF was not formed as a formal international organisation. Rather, the FATF is a task force composed of
member governments who agree to fund the FATF on temporary basis with specific goals and projects.
Objectives of the FATF:

o To set standards and promote effective implementation of legal, regulatory and operational measures for
combating money laundering, terrorist financing and other related threats to the integrity of the international
financial system.
o To monitor countries’ progress in implementing the FATF Recommendations; reviews money laundering and
terrorist financing techniques and counter-measures;
o To promote the adoption and implementation of the FATF Recommendations globally.
How many countries are there in the FATF?

The FATF, which reportedly comprises 36 countries and two regional organisations (European Commission and Gulf
Cooperation Council), works to identify national level vulnerabilities with the aim of protecting the international
financial system from misuse.
3. ECONOMY
3.1 FACEBOOK’S CRYPTOCURRENCY, ‘GLOBALCOIN’
Facebook is planning to launch its own cryptocurrency, likely to be named GlobalCoin. The currency would initially be
launched in just around a dozen countries and Facebook may start testing it by the end of this year.
What is Cruptocurrency?
o Cryptocurrency is an encrypted decentralized digital currency transferred between peers and confirmed in a
public ledger via a process known as mining.
o Facebook is planning to have physical portals for users to purchase the cryptocurrency, which, according to
previous reports, is called GlobalCoin. It is finally code named as Libra.
o Facebook has registered a company called Libra Networks in Switzerland for financial services, Reuters
reported. Libra could be a play on the word LIBOR, an abbreviation for the London Inter-bank Offered Rate
that’s used as a benchmark interest rate for borrowing between banks. LIBOR is for banks, while Libra is meant
to be for the people.
o The cryptocurrency will be a stablecoin — a token designed to have a stable price to prevent discrepancies
and complications due to price fluctuations during a payment or negotiation process. Facebook is working
with various countries to pre-approve the rollout of the stablecoin.
Advantages of Libra
o Libra could unlock a new era of commerce and payments for the social network.
o It is apparently aimed to allow users to make transactions via the social media platform, and might also be
offered to Facebook employees who want to be paid in the cryptocurrency.
o It could be used to offer low or no-fee payments between friends or remittance of earnings to family’s from
migrant workers abroad who are often gouged by money transfer services.
o It will be transferrable with zero fees via Facebook products including Messenger and WhatsApp.
Governance issues
o Facebook is in talks to create an independent foundation to oversee its cryptocurrency.
o It’s asking companies to pay $10 million to operate a node that can validate transactions made with its
cryptocurrency in exchange for a say in governance of the token.
o It’s possible that node operators could benefit financially too. By introducing a level of decentralization to the
governance of the project, Facebook may be able to avoid regulation related to its holding too much power
over a global currency.
Risk associated with Libra

o Digital currencies, being in electronic format, are prone to losses arising out of hacking, loss of password etc.
This step by Facebook will drop the secrecy and will lead to lack of privacy for example if someone is browsing,
then Facebook can collect such data and track every dollar spend by that person, which is threat to privacy.
o The exchanges are located in various parts of the world, making the law enforcement a tricky thing for the
multiple jurisdictions available.
o This can easily be used for illegal activities anonymously.
Facebook may further set up physical portals for users to purchase the cryptocurrency. Facebook is working with
merchants to accept the token as payment, and may offer sign-up bonuses.

3.2 COMPETITION COMMISSION OF INDIA (CCI)

o It is a statutory body of the Government of India The Competition Act:
responsible for enforcing The Competition Act, 2002  The idea of Competition Commission was
throughout India and to prevent activities that have conceived and introduced in the form of
an appreciable adverse effect on competition in The Competition Act, 2002.
India.  A need was felt to promote competition
o It was established in 2003 and private enterprise especially in the light
o CCI consists of a Chairperson and 6 Members of 1991 Indian economic liberalisation.
appointed by the Central Government.  The Competition Act, 2002, as amended by
o It is the duty of the Commission to eliminate practices the Competition (Amendment) Act, 2007,
having adverse effect on competition, promote and follows the philosophy of modern
sustain competition, protect the interests of competition laws.
consumers and ensure freedom of trade in the  The Act prohibits anti-competitive
markets of India. agreements, abuse of dominant position by
o The Commission is also required to give an opinion on enterprises and regulates combinations
competition issues on a reference received from a (acquisition, acquiring of control and
statutory authority established under any law and to Merger and acquisition), which causes or
undertake competition advocacy, create public likely to cause an appreciable adverse effect
awareness and impart training on competition issues. on competition within India.
3.3 MASALA BONDS

What are masala bonds?
o Masala bonds are those bonds issued outside India but Kerala became the first state to tap into masala
denominated in Indian Rupees, rather than dollar or the local bond market by listing the Kerala Infrastructure
currency. Investment Fund Board (KIIFB)’s masala bond
o They are used by the companies to raise funds. Till now Indian worth Rs 2,150 crore in London Stock Exchange
companies have been raising debt from overseas markets for (LSE)’s International Securities Market (ISM).
decades through bond offerings, which have been It has a fixed interest rate of 9.72% per annum.
denominated in dollar or other currencies. Through this government focuses to get
multinational corporations to invest in the
o Any corporate, body corporate and Indian bank is eligible to
state.
issue Rupee denominated bonds overseas.
o The objective of these bonds is to fund infrastructure projects in India, fuel internal growth via borrowings and
internationalise the Indian currency.
o RBI mandates that the money raised through such bonds cannot be used for real estate activities other than
for development of integrated township or affordable housing projects.
o It also can’t be used for investing in capital markets, purchase of land and on-lending to other entities for such
activities.
How Masala Bonds help in supporting the rupee?

o The bonds are directly pegged to the Indian currency. So, investors will directly take the currency risk or
exchange rate risks. If the value of Indian currency falls, the foreign investor will have to bear the losses, not
the issuer which is an Indian entity or a corporate.
o If foreign investors eagerly invest in Masala Bonds or bring money into India, this would help in supporting the
rupee.
o The issuer of these bonds is shielded against the risk of currency fluctuation, typically associated with
borrowing in foreign currency. Besides helping in diversifying funding sources, the costs of borrowing via
masala bonds could also turn out to be lower than domestic markets.
Where can these bonds be issued and who can subscribe?

o The Rupee denominated bonds can only be issued in a country and subscribed by a resident of such country
that is a member of financial action task force and whose securities market regulator is a member of
International Organisation of Securities Commission.
o While residents of such countries can subscribe to the bonds, it can also be subscribed by multilateral and
regional financial institutions where India is a member country.

What is the minimum maturity period of such bonds?

o According to RBI, the minimum maturity period for Masala Bonds raised up to Rupee equivalent of USD 50
million in a financial year should be 3 years and for bonds raised above USD 50 million equivalent in INR per
financial year should be 5 years.
o The conversion for such bonds will happen at the market rate on the date of settlement of transactions
undertaken for issue and servicing of the bonds, including its redemption.
3.4 OFF-BUDGET FINANCING

o The Off-Budget Financing refers to the expenditure undertaken by the Public sector undertakings (PSUs)
through the market borrowings based upon guarantee of repayment of loans given by Government. For
example, let's say the government needs to invest in the Railways. It may ask the Indian Railway Finance
Corporation to borrow money from the market and finance railway projects. However, the Government
guarantees the repayment of principal and interest for the money borrowed by Indian Railway Finance
Corporation in case it fails to repay the borrowed money.
o Such kind of expenditure undertaken by Indian Railway Finance Corporation can be considered to be "Off
Budget" financing.
o It is to be noted that this guarantee of the government could become a liability in future, however it is not
accounted under the Government Budget.
Off-Budget Financing for Capital Expenditure:

o The Accelerated Irrigation Benefit Programme (AIBP) was launched during 1996-97 to give assistance to States
to help them complete irrigation projects. Earlier, expenditure for AIBP was provided through the budget
appropriation.
o However, a dedicated Long Term Irrigation Fund (LTIF) was created in 2016 under National Bank for Agriculture
and Rural Development (NABARD) for funding and fast tracking the implementation of irrigation projects. The
money to be spent under Long Term Irrigation Fund (LTIF) was raised through issuance of bonds by NABARD.
o On the similar lines, money was raised by Indian Railway Finance Corporation (IRFC) and Power finance
corporation (PFC) through the issue of bonds for investing in Capital Projects.
Mechanism of Off-Budget Financing

o The Government has also used off-budget financing for revenue expenditure by deferring the payment of
subsidies to the Food Corporation of India and Fertilizer companies.
o FCI procures food grains at minimum support price (MSP) notified by Government of India and provides food
grains for public distribution system (PDS). The difference
CONCERNS WITH OFF-BUDGET FINANCING
between the cost of procurement and cost of providing it  The Government’s strategy to meet capital
to fair price shops is worked out as subsidy bill and it is expenditure through off-budget financing
required to be paid by the Government. provides flexibility in meeting requirement
o When the budget allocation of a financial year to Ministry of capital intensive projects. However, such
of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution is not financing remains outside budgetary control
sufficient to clear all the dues of food subsidies bill raised of the Parliament.
by FCI, the dues of such subsidies are carried over to next  Further, it would pose fiscal risk in the long
financial year. term in cases the entity that raises the funds
o In order to cover financial requirements arising out of the fails to meet debt servicing.
 Despite being solely dependent on
subsidy arrears, FCI resorts to issuance of Bonds to raise
Government’s implicit/explicit guarantees,
money. such borrowings are not being included in
o On similar lines, the Government has deferred the accounts either as debts or guarantees.
payment of subsidies to fertilizer Companies. To  Hence, the Off-Budget Financing would also
overcome the liquidity problems of the fertilizer lead to understating of Government's
companies due to deferred subsidies, the Government borrowings and do not present correct
has made ‘Special Banking Arrangement’ (SBA) in which picture related to fiscal indicators such as
loans from PSU banks are arranged to make payments Fiscal Deficit and Revenue Deficit.
against arrears of subsidies with some selected companies.

WAY FORWARD
o Off-budget financing remains outside the parliamentary control and hence reduces the Parliament's control
over the Government's Finances. It also understates the Government's expenditure and has implication on
the fiscal indicators.
o Hence, the Government should put in place a policy framework for off-budget financing. Such a framework
should provide for the Government's disclosure on rationale, objective and quantum of off-budget financing
for a financial year.
o Further, it should explicitly state the extent of off-budget financing in the Budget Documents.
o Such a framework would lead to improvement in the transparency and accountability of the Government and
also strengthens parliamentary control over finances of the Government.
3.5 PONZI SCHEME

o It is a form of fraud in which belief in the success of a non-existent enterprise is fostered by the payment of
heavy returns to the first investors from money invested by later investors.
o The scheme leads victims to believe that profits are coming from product sales or other means, and they
remain unaware that the later investors are the source of their returns.
o A Ponzi scheme can maintain the illusion of a sustainable business as long as new investors contribute to funds
and as long as most of the investors do not demand full repayment and still believe in the non-existent assets
of the enterprise.
o The scheme traces its origin to a person named Charles Ponzi, who became notorious for using the technique
in the 1920s.
Characteristics of Ponzi scheme?

o High investment returns with little or no risk: Every investment carries some degree of risk, and investments
yielding higher returns typically involve more risk. The Ponzi schemes give guaranteed investment opportunity
which is suspicious.
o Overly consistent returns: Investment values tend to go up and down over time, especially those offering
potentially high returns. A Ponzi scheme continues to generate regular positive returns regardless of overall
market conditions and hence is considered suspicious.
o Unregistered investments: Ponzi schemes typically involve investments that have not been registered with
state regulators. Registration is important because it provides investors with access to key information about
the company’s management, products, services, and finances.
o Unlicensed sellers: Most Ponzi schemes involve unlicensed individuals or unregistered firms.
o Secretive or complex strategies: The investments in Ponzi schemes cannot be understood and do not give
complete information.
o Difficulty receiving payments: Clients have failures to receive a payment or have difficulty cashing out their
investments in these schemes. The scheme’s promoters routinely encourage participants to “roll over”
investments and sometimes promise even higher returns on the amount rolled over.
What are the Government efforts to control it?

o Currently the Ponzi scheme frauds are dealt by Enforcement Directorate under Prevention of Money
Laundering Act, 2002.
o Attempts to regulate Ponzi schemes have taken the form of SEBI’s ‘collective investment scheme’ regulations.
By law, any scheme that amasses more than ₹100 crore requires SEBI’s permission.
o The regulations allow SEBI to take action where it comes across an illegal collective investment scheme. To
apprehend Ponzi scheme perpetrators, the watchdog can comb through phone records and conduct search-
and-seizure operations.
o The central government has formulated Banning of Unregulated Deposit Schemes Bill. This was approved by
Lok Sabha but is pending in the Rajya Sabha. To protect the savings of over-trustful investors, the ordinance
has stringent provisions to clamp down on ponzi schemes, including imprisonment up to 10 years for
wrongdoers and confiscation of assets of firms found to have accepted deposits without authorisation.

3.6. PRADHAN MANTRI FASAL BIMA YOJANA (PMFBY)

o In April, 2016, the government of India had Objectives:
launched Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana  Providing financial support to farmers suffering
(PMFBY) after rolling back the earlier crop loss/damage arising out of unforeseen
insurance schemes viz. National Agriculture events.
Insurance Scheme (NAIS), Weather-based  Stabilizing the income of farmers to ensure their
Crop Insurance scheme and Modified National continuance in farming.
Agricultural Insurance Scheme (MNAIS).  Encouraging farmers to adopt innovative and
o It envisages a uniform premium of only 2% to modern agricultural practices.
be paid by farmers for Kharif crops, and 1.5%  Ensuring flow of credit to the agriculture sector
for Rabi crops. The premium for annual which contributes to food security, crop
commercial and horticultural crops will be 5%. diversification and enhancing growth and
o The scheme is mandatory for farmers who competitiveness of agriculture sector besides
have taken institutional loans from banks. It’s protecting farmers from production risks.
optional for farmers who have not taken
institutional credit
Issues with the implementation of the scheme:

o Farmers in seven States and four Union Territories nationwide will not be covered by the scheme in this kharif
or summer season, for which sowing begins next month.
o This lack of coverage has left thousands of maize farmers devastated by losses from the fall armyworm pest
there without any hope of insurance.
o Some large States like Bihar and West Bengal have withdrawn from PMFBY to set up their own State level
schemes and Punjab has never participated in the scheme, while UTs like Delhi and Chandigarh are largely
urban spaces.
o However, States in the Northeast, as well as the Union Territory of Daman and Diu, face challenges such as
the lack of interest by insurance companies and the lack of State budgetary resources to pay their share of the
premium.
o Insurance companies have been reluctant to bid for these States, as the administrative costs are high. There
are no proper land records. Historic yield data is not available for these States, particularly at the gram
panchayat and block level.
Challenges at present: Insufficient reach and the issue

of penetration:
Data constraints: With just around 45% of the claims
made by farmers over the last three crop seasons data
for the last rabi season is not available paid by the
insurance companies.
Low payout of claims: The reason for the very low
payout of claims is that only few state governments are
paying their share of the premiums on time and till they
do, the central government doesn’t pay its share either.
Till they get the premium, insurance companies simply
sit on the claims.
Gaps in assessment of crop loss: There is hardly any use
of modern technology in assessing crop damages. There
is lack of trained outsourced agencies, scope of
corruption during implementation and the non-utilisation of technologies like smart phones and drones to improve
reliability of such sampling
Less number of notified crops than can avail insurance, Inadequate and delayed claim payment.
High actuarial premium rates: Insurance companies charged high actuarial premium rates. If states delay notifications,
or payment of premiums, or crop cutting data, companies cannot pay compensation to the farmers in time.
Poor capacity to deliver: There has been no concerted effort by the state government and insurance companies to
build awareness of farmers on PMFBY. Insurance companies have failed to set-up infrastructure for proper
Implementation of PMFBY. PMBY is not beneficial for farmers in vulnerable regions as factors like low indemnity levels,

low threshold yields, low sum insured and default on loans make it a poor scheme to safeguard against extreme
weather events.
3.7 FARM LOAN WAIVERS
The rural India is presently staring at agrarian distress due to decline in the farm incomes. To address the agrarian
distress, some of the state governments have resorted to farm loan waivers to alleviate the rural distress.
Newly elected governments in Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Rajasthan have all announced loan waivers. It may
cost the state exchequers more than Rs 50,000 crore.
Similarly, in 2016-17, India faced a cumulative loan waiver of Rs 3.1 lakh crore which was around 2.6% of the country’s
gross domestic product (GDP). A waiver of this scale could have paid for 16 times the rural roads budget or increased
India’s irrigation potential by 55%. Given the amount of money spent on loan waivers, certain valid questions can be
raised here - Can the Loan Waivers be considered as a panacea to address the present rural distress? Do they address
the present structural problems presently afflicting the agriculture? More importantly, do they actually benefit the
farmers?
WHAT IS FARM LOAN WAIVER?

o Farm loans may be crop loans or investment loans taken to buy equipment. But when there is a poor monsoon
or natural calamity, farmers may be unable to repay loans.
o The rural distress in such situations often prompts States or the Centre to offer relief in terms of reduction or
Complete waiver of loans.
o Essentially, the Centre or States take over the liability of farmers and repay the banks. Waivers are usually
selective only certain loan types, categories of farmers or loan sources may qualify. For example, crop loans
and investment loans could be waived for marginal and small farmers who have taken loans.
PROBLEM WITH FARM LOAN WAIVER
Do not address the structural Problems
o Agriculture in India has been facing many issues such as poor marketing infrastructure, fragmented land
holding, depleting water table levels, deteriorating soil quality, rising input costs, low productivity etc.
o Due to these problems, the farmers are unable to get remunerative prices for their agriculture produce leading
to rural distress.
o Under such circumstances, loan waivers do not address the core problems of the Indian agriculture. The
waivers can be considered as Band-Aid for the current agriculture inefficiency and do not address a deeper
malaise gripping India’s agrarian economy. Credit Culture in the Economy
 Farm loan waivers can have an adverse
Do not benefit the Small and Marginal Farmers impact on the credit culture in the
o Unfortunately, the loan waivers do not benefit the small country as even those farmers who have
and marginal farmers (with less than 2 hectares of the capacity to repay back the loans
landholding size) as only 15% of these farmers have access would default on the anticipation that
to institutional credit (formal credit). This is because the the loans would be waived off by the
loan waiver schemes typically cater to farmers who have government.
 Such willful defaults by the farmers are
availed formal loans.
likely to disrupt the functioning of the
o Based on the recent research, the big and mid-size farmers
entire credit system.
(with more than 2 hectares of landholding size) are the ones
who gain from farm loan waivers.
No Reduction in Farmers' suicides

o According to the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) Data, there has been no decrease in the farmers'
suicides even in those states where the loan waivers have been announced in the past.
o This can be attributed to the fact that the small and marginal farmers who have availed informal credit such
as from the money lenders have not got benefitted.
Increase in NPAs
o The loan waivers have led to a rise in the non-performing assets (NPAs) of banks. According to the recent
study, the agricultural loans account for around 40% of the NPAs of the Public Sector Banks.
o The increase in the NPAs adversely affects the financial health of the banks and can have negative impact on
the economy.

Decrease in Capital Investment in Agriculture

o To address the present structural problems of the Indian agriculture, there is need for greater amount of
capital investment such as irrigation, marketing infrastructure etc. The Banking sector has to play a critical role
to help improve the capital Investment.
o However, the World Bank has highlighted that it may not happen. This is because banks would anticipate
future default on the loans taken by the farmers and hence would channelize lesser amount of credit to
agriculture in order to cut down on their losses.
o Hence, rather than solving the present agrarian distress, the loan waivers could actually aggravate the problem
in the future.
Impact on the Finances

o The loan waivers can adversely affect the finances of the centre and the states. According to the recent report
published by Bank of America Merill Lynch (BofAML), the loan waivers can cost 2% of India's GDP in 2019.
o It is to be noted that fiscal deficit in India touched 115% of the full-year target of Rs 6.24 lakh crore at the end
of November 2018.
o Last year, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra and Punjab undertook large-scale farm debt waivers, costing 0.5% of
the GDP of India.
Fool Proof Insurance Mechanism
o The Government has launched Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) in order to provide agricultural
insurance to the farmers with an aim to reduce the rural distress.
o However, the implementation of this scheme is facing multifaceted challenges and hence needs to be urgently
addressed by the government.
Finding Alternatives to Loan Waivers
o There is a need to find smarter, viable and long ALTERNATIVES TO FARM LOAN WAIVER
lasting alternatives to farm loan waivers. For Address Investment Needs
example, Telangana has been able to address the o The money presently used by the government
farmers suicide through its unique Rythu Bandhu for the loan waivers could instead be used for
Scheme. addressing the investment needs of the
o Under this scheme, the government provides for agriculture such as irrigation canals, rain water
investment support to the farmers for increasing harvesting projects, marketing infrastructure,
the agricultural productivity. cold chain storage etc.
o As part of this scheme, the government is o As highlighted before, loan waivers in 2016-17
providing Rs 4000 per acre per season to all the could have alternatively increased irrigation
farmers irrespective of their land holdings. This potential in India by 55%.
scheme is expected to give a much needed push for o Such investments could have multiplier effect
improving the farmers' income. on the farmer’s income and would enable the
government to realise its vision of doubling
WAY FORWARD the farmers' income by 2022.
As discussed, the farm loan waivers do not the address the present structural problems of the Indian Agriculture. The
loan waivers adversely affect the credit culture in the economy and lead to moral hazard. Further, they also have an
adverse impact on the long term investment needs of the agriculture. Hence, it can be argued that even though the
loan waivers may have been announced for political gains, they are actually based on bad economics.
In this regard, the government should give up the policy of announcement of loan waivers and instead focus on
addressing the bottlenecks in the agriculture.
3.8 IPR VIOLATION

o A tussle had broken out between potato farmers in Gujarat and multinational food giant PepsiCo India
Holdings Pvt Ltd (PIH).
o The issue: alleged infringement of Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) of a plant variety registered under the
Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers’ Rights (PPV&FR) Act, 2001.
o India has two laws for protecting agricultural IPRs.
 Genetically-modified (GM) traits like bollworm resistance and herbicide tolerance in cotton, for
instance, being artificial nucleic acid sequences, are protected by the Indian Patent Act.

 India also has a unique law, enacted in 2001, Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers’ Rights
which protects the rights of farmers and Act, 2001 (PPV&FR)
communities in plant varieties they have  In order to provide for the establishment of
conserved over time. an effective system for the protection of
Details plant varieties, the rights of farmers and
o PepsiCo sued four Gujarati farmers, asking them to pay plant breeders and to encourage the
₹1.05 crore each as damages for ‘infringing its rights’ by development of new varieties of plants it
growing the potato variety used in its Lays chips. has been considered necessary to
recognize and to protect the rights of the
o They were growing a variety of Potato — FL 2027, also
farmers in respect of their contributions
called FC5 — on which PepsiCo claimed exclusive rights by made at any time in conserving, improving
virtue of a Plant Variety Certificate (PVC) under the Act. and making available plant genetic
 PepsiCo has a wafer-quality potato variety called resources for the development of new
FL-2027 registered in the United States. plant varieties.
 FL stands for Frito-Lay, PepsiCo’s snack foods  The Govt. of India enacted “The
subsidiary. Protection of Plant Varieties and
 This variety has high dry matter (23 percent) and Farmers’ Rights (PPV&FR) Act, 2001”
low levels of reducing sugars which make it ideal adopting sui generis system.
for frying. It also has the desired texture and appearance.
o PepsiCo has invoked Section 64 of the PPV&FR Act, 2001 to claim infringement of its rights.
o Farmers groups cite Section 39 of the same Act, which specifically says that a farmer is allowed “to save, use,
sow, re-sow, exchange, share or sell his farm produce including seed of a variety protected under this Act” so
long as he does not sell “branded seed”.
Issue with the law

o Some provisions of the PPVFR Act diminish IPR protection. ‘Brown bagging’ allows a farmer to sell the produce
or seed of a protected variety if they are not labelled as such.
 The market for produce or seed sold in this manner cannot be large, because the transactions have to
be based on trust.
o The Act’s definition of “farmer” is wide. Even farmers with large holdings are included. Even farmers with large
holdings and groups of farmers are included.
 These provisions have fallen foul of the Convention of the International Union for the Protection of
New Varieties of Plants, called the UPOV Convention.
 India is not a member of the union, and has observer status.
Concerns for the farmers

o Once upon a (capitalism) time, transnational corporations were the biggest votaries of a free-markt economy.
o They wanted a level playing field, wanted trade barriers to be removed so that every corporation, irrespective
of their country of origin, could participate freely without being discriminated against.
o This is the kernel of the GATT agreement and the driving logic of the WTO. So, why can’t the farmer be left
free to cultivate a variety of potato that he considers as a profitable proposition? In this “free world”, why is
it that a PepsiCo India feels emboldened to take away this freedom from nine farmers?
o The dominant framework of international intellectual property (IP) law — TRIPS (Trade Related Aspects of
Intellectual property Rights) and the UPOV (Union for the Protection of Plant Varieties) — gives plant breeders
exclusive rights over the varieties they develop, and mostly disregards customary rights of indigenous and
farming communities to their genetic resources and associated knowledges.
o This bias has percolated to various national laws, rendering ownership claims of farmers subordinate to
corporate breeders’ rights.
Have the laws been violated by farmers?

o Recognising the bias in international law, the Indian PPV & FRA law (2001), entitles not just the breeder but
also the farmer.
o The conjoining of the two rights, it was argued, would facilitate the growth of the seed industry, ensure the
availability of high-quality seeds, as well as secure the livelihood and plant varieties of the farmers.

o Accommodating these twin purposes meant granting recognition of the proprietary claims of both the farmers
and breeders, more accurately, of farmers as breeders (Section 2(c)). It gives the farmer the right to “save,
use, sow, re-sow, exchange, share or sell” produce/seeds (S. 39 (1)(iv)).
o Importantly, the Indian farmer is permitted to even
EU Regulation on Organic Production and Labelling
“brown bag seeds” — sell any variety of seed on the of Organic Products
condition that they are sold in an unbranded form.  It was adopted in 2018
o This means that the nine farmers were well within their  It for the first time permits and encourages,
rights to cultivate the potato FL 2027 variety without inter alia, the use and marketing for organic
entering into a licencing or technology agreement with agriculture, of “plant reproductive material
PepsiCo. of organic heterogenous material” without
having to comply with most of the arduous
Minimise harm, maximise gain registration and certification requirements
under various EU laws.
How can a biodiversity-rich nation like India shift its agriculture
 Accordingly, the regulation removes the
from a high-yield ideal to a high-value one, where the ‘values’
legal bar on marketing of “heterogenous
include striving to minimise environmental harm while materials” and encourages its sale for
maximising nutritional gains and farmer welfare? organic agriculture, thus clearing the way to
o First, small farmers must be educated and encouraged much more expansive use of indigenous
with proper incentive structures, to engage with varieties.
agriculture that conserves and improves traditional/ desi  Once the delegated acts under the EU
(heterogenous) seeds in situ, rather than with regulation are formulated, they will support
“improved”, proprietary varieties. the creation of markets, especially markets
 Currently, in the garb of protecting this diversity and marketplaces facilitating trade of
heterogenous seeds, including by small
against biopiracy, India is preventing its effective
farmers who are currently the most active in
use, management and monetisation for the maintaining and improving such seeds in
benefit of its farmers. situ.
o Second, an immutable record-keeping system, perhaps
blockchain or DLT, is needed to break the link between
the profitable and the proprietary.
 Such a system would allow India and its rural communities to keep proper track of where and how
their seeds/propagation materials and the genetic resources contained therein are being transferred
and traded.
 It would also ensure, through smart-contract facilitated micropayments, that monetary returns come
in from users and buyers of these seeds, from around the globe.
 These monetary returns would effectively incentivise continuous cultivation and improvement of
indigenous seeds on the one hand, and ensure sustainable growth of agriculture and of rural
communities on the other.
o Third, and as a key pre-requisite to the execution of the first two plans, India’s invaluable traditional ecological
knowledge systems need to be revived and made a part of mainstream agricultural research, education and
extension services.
 Know-how contained in ancient Indian treatises like the Vrikshayurveda and the Krishi Parashar falls
within the scope of what international conventions such as the Convention on Biological Diversity
refer to as ‘indigenous and traditional technologies’.
 The revival of these technologies is central to promoting sustainable ‘high value’ agriculture, not least
because of the growing global demand for organic and Ayurvedic products.
Conclusion
o The withdrawal of the lawsuit by PepsiCo may be a welcome relief to several farmers who can neither afford
to defend themselves in court, nor to abandon the cultivation of proprietary varieties.
o It must, however, be a wake-up call to the government and policymakers who need to do much more to secure
sustainable rural societies, protect soil health and promote seed sovereignty for the economic development
of Indian farmers and of the entire nation.
3.9. NATIONAL INVESTMENT AND INFRASTRUCTURE FUND

About NIIF
o NIIF is India’s first sovereign wealth fund that seeks to create long-term value for domestic and international
investors seeking investment in Greenfield, Brownfield and Stalled infrastructure projects.
o This fund will invest only in commercially viable projects, which can pay back returns.
o NIIF is registered with SEBI as a Category II Alternative Investment Fund with a planned corpus of Rs. 40,000
crore.
o It is a quasi-sovereign wealth fund, where 49 percent stake is with the Government and the rest held by
marquee foreign and domestic investors such as Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, Temasek and HDFC Group.
o It is run as a professional body with a full time CEO. But, Governing Council headed by Finance Minister
oversees the activities.
Different Approaches adopted by NIIF

o Investment through different types of fund so Master Fund- for primarily investing in operating assets in core
infrastructure sectors such as roads, ports, airports, power etc.
o Fund of Funds- for investing with experienced fund managers who have a strong track record and enable them
to attract further institutional investors to invest in their funds.
o Strategic Fund- aimed at growth and development stage investments in projects/companies in a broad range
of sectors that are of economic and commercial importance and are likely to benefit from India’s growth
trajectory over the medium to long-term
 Monetization of assets- by converting non-revenue Alternative Investment Fund
generating assets into sources of revenue. o It refers to any privately pooled investment
 Tapping Sovereign Funds- by channelizing money of fund in form of a trust or a company or a body
other countries into India. E.g.- corporate or limited liability partnership which
o Partnering with Abu Dhabi Investment Authority do not come jurisdiction of any regulatory
agency in India.
(ADIA) focused on ports, terminals, transportation and
o AIFs have been defined in Regulation 2(1)(b) of
logistics businesses in India. SEBI (Alternate Investment Fund) Regulations
o India and the UK announced joint UK-India Fund, 2012. And its definition includes venture
namely a Green Growth Equity Fund that aims to capital fund, hedge fund, private equity fund
leverage private sector investment to invest in green etc.
infrastructure projects in India.
o Directly Investing in Infrastructure- by using the Sovereign wealth fund
revenue generating through its various sources. Some o It consists of pools of money derived from a
examples are Partnered with HDFC in an investment country's reserves, set aside for investment
platform for mid-income and affordable housing in purposes to benefit the country's economy
and citizens.
India.
o The funding for a sovereign wealth fund comes
o Acquired IDFC Infrastructure Finance Limited from from central bank reserves that accumulate as
IDFC. a result of budget and trade surpluses, and
from revenue generated from the exports of
Significance of NIIF natural resources.
o Given its implementation is being done by experts, the
working and management of its resources is being done with professionalism and strategic long-term vision.
o It will help move forward various stalled projects as well as greenfield projects. This in turn, help companies
to reduce their outstanding loans, thus help reducing bank bad loans. It helps in overall stimulation of the
economy.
o It has adopted a different approach to go about its business and is advancing more aggressively than many
such institutions created earlier like IFCI (1948), IDFC (1997) and even the currently troubled IL&FS set up in
1987.
3.10 PREPAID PAYMENT INSTRUMENTS (PPIS)

What are PPIs?
o The PPIs are instruments that facilitate purchase of goods and services, including financial services, remittance
facilities, etc., against the value stored on such instruments. PPIs that can be issued in the country are classified
under three types viz. (i) Closed System PPIs, (ii) Semi-closed System PPIs, and (iii) Open System PPIs.
Who is an issuer of PPI?

o PPI issuer is an entity participating in a payment system for issuing PPIs to individuals or organisations. The
money so collected is used by the entity to make payment to the merchants who are part of the acceptance
arrangement and for facilitating funds transfer or remittance services.

Who is a holder of a PPI?

o A holder is an individual / organisation who purchases PPI from the PPI issuer and uses the same for purchase
of goods and services, including financial services, remittance facilities, etc. However, in case of a Gift PPI, the
targeted beneficiary (though not being a purchaser) can also be a holder.
Who can issue and operate PPIs in India?

o A company incorporated in India and registered under the Companies Act, 1956 / Companies Act, 2013 can
issue and operate PPIs after receiving authorisation from RBI.
What are various types of PPIs?

o Closed System PPIs: These PPIs are issued by an entity for facilitating the purchase of goods and services from
that entity only and do not permit cash withdrawal. As these instruments cannot be used for payments or
settlement for third party services, the issuance and operation of such instruments is not classified as payment
system requiring authorisation by the RBI.
Indian Railway Finance Corporation (IRFC)
o Semi-closed System PPIs: These PPIs are  It is financing arm of Indian Railways that was set up in 1986.
issued by banks (approved by RBI) and  It works toward mobilizing funds from domestic and
non-banks (authorized by RBI) for international capital markets.
purchase of goods and services, including  It is complete government owned entity and is registered as
financial services, remittance facilities, Non-Banking Finance Company (NBFC).
etc., at a group of clearly identified merchant locations / establishments which have a specific contract with
the issuer (or contract through a payment aggregator or payment gateway) to accept the PPIs as payment
instruments. These instruments do not permit cash withdrawal, irrespective of whether they are issued by
banks or non-banks. Asian Development Bank (ADB)
o Open System PPIs: These PPIs are issued  It is regional development bank and multilateral lending
only by banks (approved by RBI) and are agency. It was established on 19 December 1966 and is
used at any merchant for purchase of headquartered in Manila, Philippines.
goods and services, including financial  It is an official United Nations (UN) Observer.
services, remittance facilities, etc. Cash  It envisions inclusive, resilient, prosperous, and sustainable
withdrawal at ATMs / Points of Sale (PoS) Asia and Pacific, and aims towards sustaining efforts to
terminals / Business Correspondents (BCs) eradicate extreme poverty in region.
 In 1966 ADB was started with 31 member countries. At
are also allowed through such PPIs.
present there are 68 member nation which includes 49
from Asia-Pacific region (including India) and 19 from
Does a holder earn any interest on PPI balances? outside. It is collectively owned by its members.
o No interest is payable on PPI balances.  It is closely modeled on World Bank (WB) and has similar
weighted voting system i.e votes are distributed in
How can a PPI be loaded? proportion with member’s capital subscriptions to bank. As
o PPIs can be loaded by cash, by debit to a of 2016 United States and Japan hold largest proportion of
bank account, by a credit / debit card, or shares.
from other PPIs. The loading / reloading of  It gives finance assistance to both sovereign countries and
PPIs shall be through payment instruments to private entities. It also provides soft loans to poorer
countries and hard loans to middle-income countries.
issued by entities regulated in India and
shall be in Indian Rupees (INR) only. Banks and non-banks are permitted to issue and reload such payment
instruments through their authorised branches / ATMs or through their authorised agents.
o Asian Development Bank to provide USD 750 million loan to India for railway track electrification project
Relevance IN – Prelims (about ABD and about IRFC) + Mains (GS III infrastructure development).
o Multilateral funding agency Asian Development Bank (ADB) has signed an agreement to provide USD 750
million equivalent in Indian rupee long-term financing to electrify railway tracks in India.
o It is the largest single non-sovereign loan ever committed by ADB to Indian Railway Finance Corporation (IRFC)
to fund the railways track electrification project, ADB said in a release.

4. DEFENCE AND SECURITY

4.1 DERADICALIZATION
o “De-radicalization,” refers to the process of divorcing a person, voluntarily, emotionally though the family or
otherwise, from their extreme views.
o “Disengagement” refers to the process of moving a person away from their extreme group’s activities, without
necessarily de-radicalizing that person or changing their views.
o “Counter radicalization,” are those measures taken to prevent a new generation of extremists.
Why people get radicalized?

o The victims of extremism who fall prey are “spiritually hungry” and dedicated to their faith, but having limited
knowledge of their religion; and being desperate, naïve, or simply in need of money.
o This is when the person closer to this individual through some channel get to know and make use of the
gullibility.
o Those seeking to recruit such people try to cater to their needs and interests and also by pressure tactics.
o The victim then gets indoctrinated, starts trusting this person already involved with a radical group.
Approaches
o “Hard” Approaches to counterterrorism are more Austria’s ‘counselling centre for extremism’
militaristic in approach—involving targeted • The counselling centre is aimed at family members,
assassinations or even warfare. teachers and friends who fear that someone close to
o “Soft” Counterterrorism programs seek to undo the them is in danger of becoming radicalized.
radicalization process by engineering the individual’s • There is set up of hotline, with a group of advisers
return to moderate society, usually by providing them who
with a stable support network, probing their original have been trained in crisis intervention, who can visit
reasons for radicalizing, and divorcing them from their worried families or friends quickly.
• The De-radicalization centre also conducts
extreme beliefs and social contacts. educational
lectures
Measures taken to Prevent radicalization • The advice is free and anonymous.
o At present, if the law enforcement agencies in the
country find an individual to be a highly radicalised person, they determine whether the person can be referred
for de-radicalisation.
o The person receives counselling either by the police or scholars of the ideological or religious affiliation to
which the individual belongs.
o The person’s activities are monitored to prevent backsliding.
o These measures are currently being pursued with diligence in the states of Maharashtra and Telangana.
o The media campaigns of the ISIS in social networks to attract supporters are also being analysed and public
relations programmes are on anvil for the propagation of ‘moderate’ interpretations of the religion to counter
the ISIS ideology of violent extremism.
o Indian anti-terrorist squads continue to prevent people from travelling to Iraq and Syria in an attempt to join
the ISIS.
Significance of de-radicalization
o It will yield valuable intelligence and evidence against active terrorist groups.
o These programs are for the most part cheaper than other approaches to counterterrorism.
o There will be growing sense of animosity generated due to hard power approach since it may involve loss of
lives but de-radicalisation helps in addressing the root cause.
o While military and other “hard” counterterrorism programs aren’t themselves an answer, neither are de-
radicalization programs.
o Indeed, many participants described De-radicalization as just one part of a holistic counterterrorism approach;
de-radicalization will meet with only limited success when deployed in isolation.
Conclusion
Radicalization is a reality of the contemporary world that will not disappear any time soon. Indeed, some radicals may
never leave behind their extreme views, but, if most can be persuaded to, and if more still can disengage from violence,
de-radicalization programs represent the best means of achieving such progress via soft counterterrorism.

4.2 HOT PERSUIT

Hot pursuit owes its origin to the law of the seas against vessels that are involved in piracy or smuggling. The coastal
country would take action in spite of the principle of freedom of the high seas — the rights of vessels of all nations to
navigate freely on the high seas.
High Seas
The term “high seas” means all parts of the sea that are not included in the territorial sea or in the internal waters of
a State.
o The high seas are open to all States, whether coastal or land-locked.
o The high seas shall be reserved for peaceful purposes.
o No State may validly purport to subject any part of the high seas to its sovereignty.
Geneva Convention
The Geneva Convention on the High Seas was
eventually folded into the United Nations
Convention on the Law of the Sea. Article 111 of
the treaty grants a coastal state the right to pursue
and arrest ships escaping to international waters,
as long as:
o The pursuers are competent authorities of
the state;
o They have good reason to believe that the
pursued ship has violated the state’s laws
or regulations;
o The pursuit begins while the pursuing ship
is in the State’s internal waters or
territorial waters; and
o The pursuit is continuous.
Exceptions to Hot Pursuit

o The right of hot pursuit ceases as soon as the ship pursued enters the territorial sea of a foreign state.
o Where a coastal state, stopping or arresting a foreign ship
outside the territorial sea on the basis of its right of hot Hot Pursuit Examples
• Because of terror camps in Myanmar, Nepal,
pursuit, fails to justify the exercise, it shall be liable to
Bhutan and Bangladesh, India has gone inside these
compensate the ship for any loss or damage caused to it countries and taken action against armed groups.
due to the exercise of this right. • The operation to assassinate Osama Bin Laden
could not have taken place without a secret
Adaptation to land understanding between the US and a section of
There is no international law governing ‘hot pursuit’ over land. senior Pakistani military leadership.
Over the years, this doctrine has been expanded on land, to justify • For instance, in 1986, South Africa sought to
the breaches of territorial sovereignty of foreign states as part of justify its incursions into neighbouring African
the ongoing pursuit of offenders. So nations have time and again states on the basis of the doctrine of hot pursuit,
used the argument of self defence to enter the territory of another inviting the condemnation of the United Nations
Security Council.
country in pursuit of a terrorist, terrorist organisation, criminals or
anyone that is threat to the defence of the pursuing country.
o Also, article 51 of the UN charter defines self-defence. It is the action necessary to preserve a country’s
territorial integrity and political independence.
o It is considered a better and a less consequential alternative to a full blown war. However, critics argue that
hot pursuit can escalate tensions between nations which can eventually result in a war.
o The phrase hot pursuit has been used as a ‘threat’ by nations when a country does not act against elements
of threat in its own territory or is incapable of handling it.

4.3 ARTILLERY GUN DHANUSH

o Dhanush is the first indigenous artillery Ordnance Factory Board
gun with a calibre of 155mm x 45mm. It is  Indian Ordnance Factories organisation is a family of 41
the first long range artillery gun to be Ordnance Factories under the aegis of its corporate
produced in India, having a range of 38 headquarters Ordnance Factory Board, Kolkata.
km, which is equipped with a navigation-  It works under the aegis of Ministry of Defence.
based sighting system, on board ballistic  The ordnance factories form an integrated base for the
computation and an advanced day and indigenous production of defence hardware and
night direct firing system. equipment. The primary objective of the ordnance
o It has been developed by Ordnance factories is achieving self-reliance in equipping the
Factory Board (OFB), Kolkata based on armed forces with state of the art battlefield
requirements of Indian Army and equipment.
manufactured by Jabalpur-based Gun
Carriage Factory (GCF) and 81 % of its components are indigenously sourced.
Features of Dhanush
o It has several significant advance features, including an all-electric drive, high mobility, quick deployability,
auxiliary power mode, advanced communication system and automated command and control system.
o It has six round magazine, instead of standard three round.
o It weighs slightly more than normal due to the larger chamber.
Significance
o It is a part of the army’s mediumisation of the artillery plan.
o It will be deployed along the borders with Pakistan and China. Self-propulsion unit allows the gun to deploy
itself in mountainous terrains with ease.
o Dhanush gun has emerged as a reliable and robust gun system at par with the latest in the world and will
increase the fire power of the Indian artillery manifold. It is truly Make in India marvel.
o Dhanush gun system has laid the foundations for India catapulting itself straight on to the world stage, India
will soon emerge as a leading Artillery Gun design and manufacturer in the form of evolution of ATAGS, which
would be the highly advanced version of Dhanush.
o In future, it will potentially take over guns in this category. Dhanush’s long-range, lightweight and automation
features will help it immensely.
4.4 RECENT DRDO ACHIEVEMENTS

Guided bomb from Sukhoi combat jet
o Guided bombs are meant to precisely hit a designated target to minimize collateral damage.
o DRDO test fi red an indigenously-developed 500 kg class Inertial Guided Bomb from Su-30 MKI Aircraft from
the Pokhran test range in Rajasthan.
o It achieved the desired range and hit the target with high precision.
o It is capable of carrying different warheads.
o The weapon being developed is similar to the SPICE (Smart, Precise Impact, Cost- Effective), an Israel made
bomb which was used by the Indian Air Force to hit terror camps in Pakistan’s Balakot on February 26, 2019.
Supersonic BrahMos cruise missile

o A BrahMos Supersonic Cruise Missile was successfully test-fired by a Unit of Eastern Command, Indian Army
from Car Nicobar Islands as part of joint training by Indian Army, Indian Navy and Indian Air Force,
demonstrating high standards of Inter Service Synergy.
o The Combat missile was test fired on a specially designed target chosen at a range of 270 Kms, thus validating
deep penetration capability by the supersonic cruise missile and accurate engagement of targets in depth.
o The 2.5 tonne air-to-surface missile has a range of around 300 km, and this step will significantly enhance the
IAF’s combat capability.
o The BrahMos cruise missile travels at a speed of Mach 2.8, nearly three times that of sound.
o This missile has by now established itself as a major ‘Force Multiplier’ in modern day battlefield with
impeccable multi role and multi-platform launch capabilities furthering the confidence amongst Indian troops.
o The missile is a derivative of the Russian anti-ship cruise missile and it is thought to be one of the world’s
fastest cruise missiles currently in operational use. The missile was inducted into the Army in 2007.
AKASH-MK-1S Missile
o DRDO has successfully test fi red AKASH-MK-1S missile with a strike range of 25 km and capability to carry
warhead of 60 kg from Odisha.
o The supersonic missile has a range up to the altitude of 18,000 metres.
o The missile uses high-energy solid propellant for the booster and ramjet-rocket propulsion for the sustainer
phase. The missile system is said to be highly mobile.
o The medium range multi-target engagement capable missile was developed as part of the Integrated Guided-
Missile Development Programme (IGMDP) other than Nag, Agni, Trishul, and Prithvi missiles.
o AKASH MK-1S is an upgrade of existing AKASH missile with indigenous Seeker.
o It is a surface to air missile which can neutralize advanced aerial targets.
o The Akash weapon system has combination of both command guidance and active terminal seeker guidance.
o Seeker and guidance performance have been consistently established in both the missions.
o The missile is guided by a phased array fi re control radar called ‘Rajendra’ which is termed as Battery Level
Radar (BLR) with a tracking range of about 60 km.
o The Akash-MK-1S is capable of striking down enemy fighter jets and drones very effectively and accurately.
Way Ahead
o DRDO is also reportedly developing two such glide bombs named - Garuthmaa and Garuda.
o Garuthmaa is the winged version with a range of 100 km while Garuda is the non-winged version with a range
of 30 km.
o DRDO is also developing a Smart Anti Airfield Weapon (SAAW) which can be used to damage enemy airfields
during war.
o It had been bogged in controversies with a Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) report in 2017 stating that
30% of the missiles failed when tested.
o The Army too had said in 2017 that the missile did not meet its operational requirements due to higher
reaction time. India is slowly plugging the holes in its air defence elements by developing the advanced
surface-to-air missile named MRSAM — Medium Range Surface to Air Missile in collaboration with Israel.
o Besides that, five regiments of the renowned S-400 air defence system are under procurement from Russia.
4.5 INDIAN NAVY NEW FACILITY

The Indian Navy has commissioned a new airbase, INS Kohasa, 100 miles north of Port Blair in the strategically located
Andaman and Nicobar islands.
o This will be India’s fourth air base and the third naval air facility in the archipelago. The Navy currently operates
air strips at Port Blair and INS Baaz at Campbell Bay, while the Air Force has a base in Car Nicobar. The islands
also house India’s only tri-service command.
o With increased contestation in the region and in
an effort to keep an eye on movements, India has
considerably upgraded military infrastructure in
the islands.
Importance of Andaman Islands

Emerging Sino-Indian competition: It can be seen
through the routine deployment of submarines by China,
development of underwater surveillance networks and
expansion of Chinese naval bases with the establishment
of a military base in Djibouti.
o Further, China is challenging India’s hegemony in

the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) by extending the
reach of the Belt & Road Initiative (BRI) as
Maritime Silk Route, even as India has joined
hands with Japan and US in the Malabar Naval
Exercises.

o Strategic Importance: o India’s Look East Policy (LEP) and Indo-Pacific Strategy is critically hinged on the role
that Andaman & Nicobar could play in the developing security scenario of the region.
o These Islands have a unique location for India for they extend India’s land surface and maritime border right
up to the mouth of Strait of Malacca. Leveraging these islands can enhance India’s relationship with ASEAN
countries.
o Economic Importance: Nearly 30% of India’s EEZ is derived from the existence of these islands, which could be
a potential source of underwater wealth. o Fisheries, mainstay of populace of these regions, can be given a
thrust to develop modernized and sustainable inland fisheries and aquaculture ecosystem integrated with the
‘Blue Economy’ vision.
o Large scale hydrocarbon exploration including deep sea oil drilling & development of methane gas hydrates
etc. is possible.
o The varied ecosystem can be explored for its medicinal plants and exotic plant species and sustainable
agriculture and horticulture practices conducive to the agro-climatic conditions of the regions can be
propagated.
o Due to its rich flora & fauna and attractive geographical locations & topography the tourism can be promoted
to further help boost the economy of the region to a large extent.
Importance of Lakshadweep Islands

o The spread of these islands has bestowed upon India 20,000 sq. km. of territorial waters and approximately
400,000 sq. km. of Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).
o The lagoons and EEZ around Lakshadweep Islands have significant fishery and mineral resources which are of
immense economic importance.
o The Nine Degree Channel, located near Lakshadweep
Islands, is the most direct route for ships sailing from the
Persian Gulf bound for East Asia. Proximity to the Indian
western coast as well as to other island nations such as Sri
Lanka and Maldives, nearness to busy shipping lanes, and
wide geographical spread makes these islands extremely
important for ensuring security of Sea Lanes of
Communications (SLoCs) and also for maritime security of
India.
o Post Mumbai attacks of 2008 the islands have gained
significance in terms of national security. India’s efforts for
Island Development:
o The Ministry of Defence (MoD) created a unified tri-service
(land, sea & air) theatre command to leverage the strategic
advantage offered by these islands in 2001.
o Security agencies have been conducting regular coastal
security exercises off the coasts of Andaman (E.g. Tat
Rakshak) & Lakshadweep (E.g. Neptune II).
o To attract private investors, Govt. recently held pre-bid meeting with potential investors for a wideranging
social and infrastructure development programme of the Islands. NITI Aayog has been mandated to steer the
process of "Holistic Development of Islands".
o In 2017, the Island Development Agency (IDA) was established for the holistic development of the islands,
focusing on community-based tourism. Key Infrastructure projects are being undertaken under its aegis on
priority basis like upgradation of Diglipur Airport near Port Blair & construction of Minicoy Airport,
augmentation of satellite bandwidth, etc.
o To boost tourism, Ministry of Home Affairs has also lifted restrictions on foreigners like requirement Restricted
Areas Permit (RAP) to visit 29 inhabited islands.
Challenges
o Environmental: Over 90% of the islands are forests and are environmentally fragile and many islands are short
of drinking water, the idea of any new settlement cannot be considered. o Even mass tourism will impact the
fragile eco-system and therefore the only possible method is to allow high value-low volume tourism in various
islands, which also has the approval of the Supreme Court of India.

o Geographical: Any development plan must account for challenges like regular earthquake (2004 tsunami
caused by an earthquake close to Nicobar Islands).
o Infrastructural: Due to bureaucratic hurdles, even after several years, an undersea cable link between India’s
mainland and the islands remains incomplete. Internet connectivity, even at the naval base in the capital Port
Blair, is reported to be erratic.
o Road building, airstrip construction, and even the building of jetties is slow, as heavy rainfall restricts building
activity and the distance from mainland adds to the cost of construction.
o Surveillance in the southern group of islands is a major challenge. The destruction of the road by the tsunami
has meant that the two groups of islands are linked only by air and sea.
o Social: Andaman and Nicobar (Protection of Aboriginal Tribes) Regulation (ANPATR), promulgated in 1956,
protects indigenous communities and has declared areas inhabited by them as reserves. No visitor is allowed
to venture close to these reserves without permission. Further, many tribes such as Sentinelese resist any
contact with the outsiders, as evident from the recent death of American adventurer John Chau at the hands
of local inhabitants.
Way Forward
o Improve engagement: Encourage migration from the mainland and carefully open up some of the strategically
located uninhabited islands to tourism. Other ways include-
o Open up these islands for commercial operations to complement the Strait of Malacca, as a matter of soft
strategy.
o Strengthen military infrastructure: Construction of necessary infrastructure on the islands will allow creation
of an anti-access and area-denial maritime exclusion zone in the event of a conflict.
o Improve implementation of the Coastal Security Scheme, where special focus has been put on setting up
Coastal Police Stations, equipped with adequate manpower & interceptor boats.
o Enhance vigilance of the uninhabited islands by maintaining watch at entry and exit points. Station air assets
in the island region and put in place watchtowers and radar sensors.
o Resolve the issues of turf wars, funding, and slow decision making at the unified command at Andaman.
o Position permanent naval fleet in the Islands to complement the Eastern Fleet stationed at Vishakhapatnam.
o Deploy electronic sensors to enable the automatic identification of vessels and long range identification and
tracking systems.
o Enhance economic activities in the region through various ways like: Develop deep sea fishing off the coast of
Andaman as fishing is highly sustainable in these islands.
o Expedite the plan of developing a transhipment terminal at Campbell Bay at Great Nicobar, only 90 km from
Malacca Strait (principal sea route between the South China Sea and the Indian Ocean).
o Attract private sector and international collaborations to meet the huge financial requirements and
operational and managerial expertise to optimally deliver on these projects.
o Tourism as soft power: In the past, India has promoted mountaineering/adventure expeditions along
international borders in the Himalayas as well as opened Tawang for foreign tourists to convey that it has an
effective jurisdiction and control in these areas.
o Open up uninhabited islands, where access is restricted currently, by allowing Indian and foreign tourists
(similar to China’s approach in South China Sea, where it has developed Hainan Island as a tourist hub).
o Create attractive tourism enclaves within national parks of these islands (as done in Kruger National Park in
South Africa).
o Put in place a well-defined policy for sea based activities like scuba diving, sailing, deep sea fishing, live-on-
board diving, etc. incorporating adequate safety. Such activities can keep a check on security issues like
poaching etc. and environment issues like degradation of marine life etc.
o Seek stronger international collaboration: o The Quad Alliance (India, USA, Japan & Australia) can install sonar
surveillance systems in the islands to track Chinese submarines in the Indian Ocean.
o Deeper engagement with Indonesia for import of materials required for infrastructure development, which
would be far cheaper.
4.6 BORDER AREA DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME (BADP)

o India’s border areas face poor accessibility, inadequate infrastructure, depressed economic growth, rampant
poverty and a sense of insecurity among the people. The development of border areas has therefore been
envisaged as an important element in border management. Towards this end, the BADP was initiated as early
as 1987 as a Centrally Sponsored Scheme.
o It has three primary objectives: (a) to create infrastructure (b) provide economic opportunities to the border
people, and (c) to instil a sense of security among them.
o BADP covers 111 border districts in 17 States to meet special development needs of border population with
focus on people living within 50 kilometres of the International Border.
o Initially, the programme was implemented in the Western Border States with an emphasis on the
development of infrastructure to facilitate deployment of the Border Security Force.
o Later, the ambit of the programme was widened to include other socio-economic aspects such as education,
health, agriculture and other allied sectors.
o The implementation of BADP is on participatory and decentralized basis through the Panchayati Raj
institutions, Autonomous Councils and local bodies.
Constraints in Implementation of BADP Scheme
o Its first phase is to be implemented in the 0-10 km range from the border areas. When all the development
works for this area are completed, the state Government can then start the work in the area beyond 10 km
and so on. This is problematic because to reach the phase one areas one must go through utterly
underdeveloped areas which are to be covered in later phase, which makes the project expensive.
o Further, BADP mandates that no work should be allotted beyond 10 km unless 0-10 km (from border) area is
‘saturated’; except that there are no criteria to judge whether or not the area is saturated.
o In some remote areas, heavy rainfall during the rainy season and snow fall during the winter season creates a
great difficulty in implementation of the scheme, especially construction work.
o The money under the scheme gets spent on infrastructure which other schemes also create. The impact of the
specific goals of BADP thus stands diluted.
o There is no proper formula for the allocation of funds. This creates a lot of scope for subjectivity and monopoly.
A fund allocation ratio should be decided as per the distance from border.
Recommendations for Better Implementation of BADP

Among various other recommendations of NITI Aayog, few of the important ones are-
o Inspection and Monitoring of Program- There should be a uniform format throughout the country for
evaluating the financial status of such developmental schemes. At present, each State has its own
format/Proforma for this purpose. Also, Blocks should be involved at every stage from framing and sending a
proposal to the implementation of tasks under BADP.
o Employment and Skill Generating Schemes- The agriculture sector has become saturated and there is an
increase in number of both educated and uneducated unemployed youth who feel that the wages under the
scheme are low. There has to be a high degree diversification in the rural economy to bring home non-farming
employment opportunities like Small-Scale Industry Promotion.
o Political Involvement should be Reduced- Although there is political and popular pressure that influences and
informs the selection of the work, yet diversification of the works is advisable on the basis of local needs.
o Awareness about BADP- Along with good coordination among various line departments there is an urgent
need for awareness building campaigns in all selected districts and blocks regarding various assets covered
under BADP.
o Construction of all-weather Roads- The problem of inadequacy of funds and a limited flow of funds from the
Centre is further exaggerated because these villages are not connected by roads. In cases emergency, the
people of these villages find it extremely difficult to access basic amenities.
o More Funds/Timely Release of Funds- This remains a major constraint to the timely completion of work under
BADP.
o Power to Panchayats in Planning- Panchayat Samiti of the Border villages should be involved in the planning
and implementation of the programme because they would be in the best position to evaluate the work of
the agencies involved at all levels as well as to forward all the information to the BDOs and Nodal Officers in
the district.
o Confidence Building among People- Due to socio-economic stress, border areas need special treatment when
it comes to planning for development, i.e. accelerated and integrated sustainable development. Here,
confidence building measures are integral to any developmental strategy hoping to be successful in these
areas.

Impact of the Scheme

o The impact of scheme varied in different states. For example 32% of the people of Manipur, 54% of the people
of Mizoram and 100% of people in Himachal Pradesh were satisfied in terms of impact of community
development work of the scheme.
 82% of the people of Tripura and 14% of the people of Nagaland settled said they do not feel secure.
100% of the people of Gujarat settled said they feel secure.
 In almost all areas (except Himachal Pradesh) the women’s participation remained varied and
unsatisfactory.
o Also, in terms of convergence with other schemes, it is not very successful because none of the clusters seem
satisfied with it.
o As observed, the bigger villages having village panchayat get most of their works done while small villages
associated with that village panchayat fail to get much attention. Thus, there need to be some formula for the
distribution of funds. Political connections play a major role in sanction of work under BADP.
4.7 LONE WOLF ATTACKS

Lone Wolf Attacks
o A "lone wolf" is a person who prepares and commits violent acts alone, outside of any command structure
and without material assistance from any group.
o It is an efficient way of spreading terror in hard-to-access places for organised terrorist groups.
o Volunteers are likely to come from the middle class and educated families.
o Prominent recent examples across the globe include Boston marathon bombing of 2013, Sydney hostage crisis
of 2014, recent attacks in New York and London where vehicles were used to run over and kill a number of
people.
Causes of Lone wolf Attacks:

o Alienation of communities: As communities get isolated and become less trustful of law, they become
alienated. It then provides grievances for terrorists to exploit as individuals from such communities tend to
easily be self-radicalized by accessing material online.
o Mental and psychological disorders can also often be a trigger for carrying out random attacks by individuals.
o Lax gun control (for example in USA) create a fertile ground for carrying out of Lone wolf attacks. Challenges
o Difficult to Apprehend: Traditional terror groups with command and control “are easier for government to
control. “Leaderless Resistance" like lone wolf attacks create an intelligence nightmare.
o Use of Social Media by terror groups:
 Since the IS has been able to successfully Some Steps Taken by India
recruit Indians via social media for the war  Education and skilling - Modernization of
in Syria it is a matter of time before they madrassas, Employment and skilling schemes for
find recruits willing to employ violence in jobless youth like Nai Manzil, Himayat etc
India itself.  Specific programmes like 'Operation Chakravyuh'
 The head of Al-Qaeda Indian Subcontinent of the IB, where a dedicated set of officers
called on Indian Muslims to follow the monitor the web, tracing the activities of the
example of lone wolves in Europe and kill youth who are in touch terror operatives.
 NATGRID is in the process of being scaled up.
officers in India.
 National Cyber Coordination Centre(NCCC) has
o Possibilities of a complex Network: Recent
been established as a cyber security and
investigations have shown that often these attacks surveillance agency in India.
are not entirely independent and leaders operating  WHAM (winning hearts and minds) strategy
remotely exercise various degrees of influence, approach by security forces to prevent alienation.
acting as confidants and coaches and coaxing  Deployment of private security at high value
recruits to embrace violence. targets like malls, hotels and schools has been
upgraded, which acts as a deterrent to an
Lone wolf attacks in India individual aiming to target them.
o Volatile neighbourhood of India acting as terror hotbeds, fast growing population especially youth with access
to mass media and social media, heavy concentration of people in public areas with limited security and
inadequate capacities of local police increase India’s vulnerability to lone wolf attacks.
o However various other factors tend to pose challenges in growth of lone wolf attacks in India: o Unlike in the
US where sophisticated weapons can be easily bought by ordinary citizens, gaining access to such weaponry
in India is difficult.
 Indians have not displayed the psychological willingness to undertake high risk attacks.
 The absence of past examples of lone wolf attacks in India inculcates the fear of the unknown in the
minds of potential volunteers.
Way Forward
o Monitoring of Online content –
 Better vigilance regarding online radicalization by terror groups is required to curb this challenge.
 Big data analytics must be used to discern the level of radicalisation of potential recruits, their
networks and sources of information, funding and leadership in order to help unravel the roots of
radicalisation.
o Enhancing Social capital: Enhancing the “sense of belonging” among different groups rather creating division
can be of great impact. For example, preventing polarisation along religious or ethnic lines through effective
social integration is needed.
o Influence of Family and Peer Groups: must be utilised by the state to pre-empt any radicalisation of young
individuals to any terror group’s ideology.
o Providing access to Mental Healthcare and counselling.
 Helplines by professional counsellors to counsel against radicalization once it is reported by some
friend or family member.
o Coordination:
 Coordination and intelligence sharing between agencies such as IB, NIA, State police, etc is a must to
prevent such incidents.
 The nature of threat that groups like the IS represent is transnational in nature. Therefore there is also
a need to improve intelligence sharing, faster processing of information requests, countering the
finance mechanisms, and facilitate easier extradition.
o Providing training to police personnel: State police forces should be trained to develop counterterror
capabilities as they are the "first responders" when an attack takes place.
5. ENVIRONMENT
5.1 WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY
o Since its inception in 1974, the World Environment Day is celebrated every year on
June 5 in more than 100 countries.
o The World Environment Day provides an opportunity to broaden the “basis for an
enlightened opinion and responsible conduct by individuals, enterprises and communities in preserving and
enhancing the environment,” according to the United
Nations. Causes of Air Pollution
 The UN says that understanding the different
o Every year, the World Environment Day is organized
types of pollution, and how it affects our health
around a theme in order to draw attention towards
and environment, will help people take steps
pressing environmental issues. towards improving the air around them.
Types of Air Pollution
Beginning- • Household air pollution caused due to indoor
o After the Conference on the Human Environment, or burning of fossil fuels, wood and other
the Stockholm Conference in June 1972, the United biomass-based fuels leads to around 3.8 million
Nation General Assembly (UNGA) adopted a premature deaths, mostly in developing
resolution in December 1972 to designate June 5 as countries.
World Environment Day. • Industrial and transport pollution have been
linked to thousands of premature deaths
o The date 5 June coincides with the first day of
worldwide annually. Around 24 percent of
landmark Stockholm Conference. The day was first
greenhouse gas emission worldwide come from
celebrated in 1974, and since then it is widely agriculture, forestry and other land-use.
celebrated in more than 100 countries and continues • Waste burning and dumping release harmful
to grow to become a global platform for public dioxins, methane and black carbon into the
outreach. atmosphere while volcanic eruptions, dust
storms and other natural processes also
contribute to global air pollution.

Theme for World Environment Day 2019

o ‘Beat Air Pollution’, the theme for World Environment Day 2019, is a call for action call to combat the global
crisis and has been chosen by this year’s host, China
o The topic invites people to consider how they can change their everyday lives to reduce the amount of air
pollution and thwart its contribution to global warming and its effects on health, according to the global body.
5.2 THE WORLD DAY TO COMBAT DESERTIFICATION AND DROUGHT

(WDCDD)
o World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought is a unique event that remind people in the world that land
degradation neutrality can be achieved when there will be cooperation at all levels, strong involvement of the
community and problem-solving.
o This day also celebrates the progress made by the countries on sustainable land management and what should
be done in the world so that land degradation neutrality will provide a solid basis for poverty reduction, food,
water security, climate change, mitigation and adaptation.
Desertification
o Desertification is the degradation of land in various areas like arid, semi-arid and dry sub-humid. Primarily, it
is caused by human activities and then by climatic variations.
o It does not mean expansion of existing deserts but it is caused due to dry land ecosystems, deforestation, over
grazing, bad irrigation practices etc. which affects the productivity of the land.
o The theme of 2019 for World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought is “Let’s Grow the Future Together”.
o In 2019, the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) celebrates the 25th years of
progress made by countries on sustainable land management.
The World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought

o Since 1995 the World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought is observed
on 17 June, 2019.
o As, in 1994, the United Nations General Assembly declared 17 June as “The
World Day to Combat Desertification” to raise public awareness about the
issue and implementation of the United Nations convention to combat
Desertification especially in those areas which is experiencing serious drought
or desertification.
Steps taken by India to combat Desertification

o India will be hosting the fourteenth session of Conference of Parties (COP -
14) from 29th August – 14th September 2019.
o In India about 30% of country’s total geographical area being affected by land degradation; India has high
stakes and stands strongly committed to the Convention.
o Various schemes have been launched by the Government of India such as: Pradhan Mantri FasalBima Yojana
(PMFBY), Soil Health Card Scheme, Soil Health Management Scheme, Pradhan Mantri Krishi SinchayeeYojna
(PKSY), Per Drop More Crop, , etc. which are helping to reduce land degradation.
o The Union Minister also launched a flagship project on enhancing capacity on forest landscape restoration
(FLR) and Bonn Challenge in India, through a pilot phase of 3.5 years implemented in the States of Haryana,
Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Nagaland and Karnataka.
o Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) in partnership with The International Union
for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), through this flagship project aims to develop and adapt best practices and
monitoring protocols for the Indian states and build capacity within the five pilot states on FLR and Bonn
Challenge.
The Bonn Challenge

o The Bonn Challenge is a global effort to bring 150 million hectares of the world’s deforested and degraded
land into restoration by 2020, and 350 million hectares by 2030.
o At the UNFCC Conference of the Parties (COP) 2015 in Paris, India also joined the voluntary Bonn Challenge
pledge to bring into restoration 13 million hectares of degraded and deforested land by the year 2020, and
additional 8 million hectares by 2030. India’s pledge is one of the largest in Asia.

The three Rio Conventions

o United Nations has 3 Rio Conventions namely, United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change
(UNFCCC), Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification
(UNCCD).
o Established in 1994, the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) is the only legally
binding international agreement linking environment and development issues to the land agenda.
o One of the primary functions of the COP is to review reports submitted by the Country Parties detailing how
they are carrying out their commitments. India will take-over the COP presidency from China for two years
until the next COP is hosted in 2021.
5.3 ECO-SENSITIVE ZONE

Eco-Sensitive Zone (ESZ)
o Eco-Sensitive Zones or Ecologically Fragile Areas are areas The Ministry of Environment and Forests (MOEF) had
notified by the Ministry of Environment, Forests and issued a new draft notification for Bannerghatta
Climate Change (MoEFCC), Government of India around National Park (BNP), nearly 2.5 years after the first
Protected Areas, National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries. draft notification had declared an ESZ of 268.96 sq.km.
o Activities conducted in eco-sensitive zones are regulated In the latest notification, the Eco-Sensitive Zones (ESZs)
under the Environment (Protection Act) of 1986 and no was reduced to 169 sq.km.
The reduction in the ESZ, which regulates and prohibits
polluting industry or mining is allowed to come up in such
certain activities that may destroy the forest, may open
areas.
up more areas in the vicinity for mining and
o As a general principle width of the eco-sensitive zone
commercial development around the rapidly-
could go up to 10 km around a protected area. In case of urbanising Bengaluru city.
places with sensitive corridors, connectivity and Areas, where ESZ has been cut down drastically, are
ecologically important patches, crucial for landscape either being mined or are prospective mining areas.
linkage, even area beyond 10 km width can also be The other sector that will benefit from the cutting
included in the eco-sensitive zone. down of ESZ is real estate as land has now been freed
o Industries classified as prohibited under guidelines for from environmental constraints along highways close
declaration of eco-sensitive zones around national parks to BNP.
and wildlife sanctuaries are not allowed to operate in
these zones.
o The guidelines prohibit activities such as commercial mining, commercial use of firewood and major hydropower
projects.
o Activities such as felling of trees, commercial use of natural water resources, including groundwater harvesting and
setting up of hotels and resorts, are regulated in these areas.
o The basic aim is to regulate certain activities around National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries so as to minimise the
negative impacts of such activities on the fragile ecosystem encompassing the protected areas.
Significance of ESZ
o In order to preserve certain regions/areas bestowed with unique plants, animals, terrains Government has declared
them as national parks, wildlife sanctuaries, etc.
o Further, to minimise the impact of urbanisation and other developmental activities, areas adjacent to such
protected areas have been declared as Eco-Sensitive Zones.
5.4 RAMSAR WETLAND

According to Global Wetland Outlook, released by the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands, approximately 35% of the world’s
wetlands were lost between 1970-2015.
In some places the pace of wetlands destruction occurs at incredible speeds. For example, In the Philippines, 80% of coastal
wetlands have been degraded, drained or destroyed in the last 30 years.
‘Wise Use’ of Wetlands

o According to Ramsar Convention on Wetlands, ‘Wise use’ of wetlands is the maintenance of their ecological
character, achieved through the implementation of ecosystem approaches, within the spirit of sustainable
development. ‘Wise Use’ guidelines encourage Contracting Parties to: Adopt national wetland policies with
legislations and institutional arrangements to deal with wetland;

o Develop programmes of wetland inventory, monitoring, research, training, education and public awareness;
and
o Take actions involving the development of integrated management plans covering every aspect of the
wetlands and their relationships with their catchments.
Ramsar Convention Montreux Record

The Convention on Wetlands, called the Ramsar Montreux Record under the Ramsar Convention is a
Convention, is the intergovernmental treaty that provides register of wetland sites on the List of Wetlands of
the framework for the conservation and wise use of International Importance where changes in ecological
wetlands and their resources. character have occurred, are occurring, or are likely to
The Convention was adopted in the Iranian city of Ramsar occur as a result of technological developments,
in 1971 and came into force in 1975. Since then, almost pollution or other human interference.
90% of UN member states, from all the world’s geographic It is maintained as a part of the Ramsar List.
regions, have acceded to become “Contracting Parties”. Currently, two wetlands of India are in Montreux
India has 27 Ramsar Sites which are the Wetlands of record: Keoladeo National Park (Rajasthan) and Loktak
International importance. Lake (Manipur).
5.5 INDIA AND ARCTIC COUNCIL

India was re-elected as an Observer to the Arctic Council in its recent ministerial meeting at Rovaniemi, Finland.
Arctic Council
o The Arctic Council is an intergovernmental forum for discussing and addressing issues concerning the Arctic
region. These include scientific research, and peaceful and sustainable use of resources in the region.
o The Council was established by the 8 Arctic States through the Ottawa Declaration of 1996. These are Canada,
Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Russia, Sweden and the US. Besides these, 6 organisations representing
the indigenous people of the Arctic region is granted the status of permanent participants.
o All decision-making happens through consensus between the eight members, and in consultation with the
permanent participants.
What are the objectives?

o The Arctic Council is not a treaty-based international legal entity like the UN bodies or trade or regional
groupings like NATO or ASEAN. It is only an intergovernmental ‘forum’, to promote cooperation in regulating
activities in the Arctic region, a much informal grouping.
o The six working groups each deal with a specific subject. Through this, the Arctic Council seeks to evolve a
consensus on the activities that can be carried out in the Arctic region.
o It is driven by the overall objective of conserving the pristine environment, and biodiversity. The interests and
well-being of the local populations are also its focus.
Who are the other participants?

o India had been given the Observer status in 2013, along with 5 other
countries - China, Italy, Japan, South Korea, and Singapore. India,
along with 12 other countries now, has the Observer status in the
Arctic Council.
o 13 other intergovernmental and inter-parliamentary organisations
like the UN Environment Programme, UN Development Programme
and 12 other NGOs also enjoy the Observer status. The Observer
status is granted to entities that support the objectives of the Arctic
Council.
o Those which have demonstrated capabilities in this regard, including
the ability to make financial contributions, are included.
 The Observers are not part of the decision-making
processes.
 They are invited to attend the meetings of the Council,
especially at the level of the working groups.
 The renewal of Observer status is just a formality.

 The status, once granted, continues until the Observer engages in any activities that run counter to
the objectives of the Council, and there is a consensus on this.
What is India’s role in the Arctic?

o India is one of the very few countries to set up a permanent station in the Arctic for the purposes of scientific
research. Why is it significant to India?
o The polar regions offer some unique opportunities to  The Arctic Council does not prohibit the
carry out research related to atmospheric and climate commercial exploitation of resources in the
sciences. Arctic.
o The Himadri research station, located in Ny Alesund,  It only seeks to ensure that it is done in a
Svalbard in Norway, was started in 2008. sustainable manner. So countries with
o The Goa-based National Centre for Antarctic and Ocean ongoing activities in the Arctic hope to have
Research (NCOAR) is the nodal organisation coordinating a stake in the commercial exploitation of
natural resources there.
the research activities at this station.
 India could derive some commercial and
o The station has been used to carry out a variety of strategic benefits, given the fact that the
biological, glaciological and atmospheric and climate Arctic region is rich in some minerals, and
sciences research projects. oil and gas, With some parts of the Arctic
o Besides, India’s first permanent station in Antarctica was melting due to global warming, the region
set up way back in 1983. also opens up the possibility of new
o India has almost 3-decade experience in carrying out shipping routes.
scientific research in the polar regions of Antarctica.
o India is now among the very few countries which have multiple research stations in the Antarctic.]
5.6 PROTECTED AREAS IN NEWS

WAYANAD SANCTURY
o Was formed in 1973.
o Located: In Kerala
o The sanctuary is a part of Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve.
o It is significant because of ecological and geographic continuity with other protected areas such as Bandipur
Tiger Reserve, Nagarhole National Park Karnataka in north-eastern portion Mudumalai Tiger Reserve of Tamil
Nadu in south-eastern side.
o It is a unique ecosystem enriched with wildlife, forming natural corridor for the seasonal migration of long
ranging animals within the greater conservation unit.
Fauna- Elephant, spotted deer. Bison, tiger, cheetah, wild bear, etc.
Flora- Large extent of marshy grass lands (Swamps) locally known as Vayals is seen in the sanctuary. The sanctuary has
plantation comprising of teak, eucalyptus, soft wood species.
The presence of bamboo formations is one of the dominant features of vegetation in the area. They are more or less
spread in patches.
o Drainage- The Kabini River, one of the three east flowing rivers of Kerala, is an important tributary of the Kaveri
River.
o Almost the entire Wayanad district is drained by Kabini and its three tributaries, the Panamaram,
Mananthavady, and Kalindy rivers.
KAZIRANGA NATIONAL PARK

o The park is located in the edge of the Eastern Himalayan biodiversity hotspots.
o Declared as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.
o The area sprinkled with elephant-grass meadows, swampy lagoons, and dense forests is home to huge
population of the Indian one-horned rhinoceros, approximately 2/3rd of their total world population.
o Kaziranga was declared as Tiger Reserve in 2006.
o Other Fauna - Hoolock Gibbon, Tiger, Leopard, Indian Elephant, Sloth Bear, Wild water buffalo, swamp deer,
etc.
o Also, the park is recognized as an Important Bird Area by BirdLife International for the conservation of
avifaunal species.

o Birds like lesser white-fronted goose, ferruginous duck, Baer's pochard duck and lesser adjutant, greater
adjutant, black-necked stork, and Asian Openbill stork specially migrate from the Central Asia during the
winter season.
o Flora- is composed of mainly four types of vegetation' like alluvial inundated grasslands, alluvial savanna
woodlands, tropical moist mixed deciduous forests, and tropical semi-evergreen forests.
Elephant Corridors:
o These are linear, narrow, natural habitat linkages that allow elephants to move between secure habitats
without being disturbed by humans.
Why do we need elephant corridors?
o Human Elephant Conflict is a very serious issue in India today and elephants are the most persecuted wildlife
in India. They are large, need a lot of resources and move long distances to forage.
o The space they traditionally used is now crowded by people.
o Elephant movements can be classified as daily and seasonal.
o Elephants are a keystone species
o Their nomadic behaviour – the daily and seasonal migrations they make through their home ranges – is
immensely important to the environment.
o Research shows that the more forest habitat is degraded, the farther an elephant herd has to roam in search
of food and water.
o To have elephants in isolated populations, unable to About NTCA (National tiger Conservation Authority)
move freely through their home ranges, would  It is a statutory body under the Ministry of
therefore have a devastating effect on India’s natural Environment, Forests and Climate Change
heritage. constituted under enabling provisions of the
Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, as amended
BANDIPUR TIGER RESERVE in 2006, for strengthening tiger conservation,
o The tiger reserve is located Karnataka. as per powers and functions assigned to it
under the said Act.
o It forms a very important component of the first
 Aim: strengthening tiger conservation in the
Biosphere Reserve in the country i.e. Nilgiri Biosphere country by retaining an oversight through-
Reserve. Advisories/normative guidelines and
o It constitutes an important component of a forest Ongoing conservation initiatives.
landscape comprising Nagarahole (Karnataka),  Objectives of NTCA
Mudumalai and Sathyamangalam (Tamil Nadu) and • Providing statutory authority to Project Tiger
Wayanad (Kerala). so that compliance of its directives become
o The Tiger and the Elephants are the flagship and legal.
umbrella species for the conservation of all the Biota • Fostering accountability of Center-State in
that this ecosystem represents. management of Tiger Reserves, by providing
a basis for MoU with States within our federal
o The viable population of these two species is indicative
structure.
of a healthy Ecosystem. • Addressing livelihood interests of local
o The Kabini Reservoir separates the Bandipur and people in areas surrounding Tiger Reserves.
Nagarahole Tiger Reserve.
o The tiger reserve is home to nearly 120 to 150 tigers as per the 2014 estimates made by the National Tiger
Conservation Authority (NTCA).
5.7 BS IV AND BS VI NORMS

o These are emission control standards introduced by government in 2000 to check air pollution.
o These are based on the European regulations (Euro norms).
o They set limits for release of air pollutants from equipment using internal combustion engines, including
vehicles.
o Typically, the higher the stage, the more stringent the norms.
BS IV norms
o The BS IV norms were introduced in 13 cities apart from the National Capital Region from April 2010 onwards.
According to the roadmap, the entire nation was covered under BS IV by April 1, 2017.
o BS IV norms stipulate only 50 parts per million sulphur compared with up to 350 parts per million under BS III.
Also, hydrocarbon, carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxide and particulate matter emissions are lower under BS IV.
BS VI norms
o India is lagging behind even after implementation of BS IV norms. To compensate for this, BS V standards will
be skipped and BS VI norms are proposed to come in by April 2020.
o Vehicles must be fitted with DPF (diesel particulate filter) for Particulate Matter (PM) reduction. It is a
cylindrical object mounted vertically inside the engine compartment.
o Vehicles also have to be equipped with an SCR (selective catalytic reduction) module to reduce oxides of
nitrogen.
o To attain the specified super low emissions, all reactions have to be precise, and controlled by
microprocessors.
o Manufacturers will also need to make petrol engines more fuel-efficient as CO emission levels will also need
to be controlled. This may lead to a shift towards gasoline direct injection engines.
o Engine downsizing will get big thrust. Smaller engines means lower fuel consumption, especially at lower
speeds where most cars spend most of their times.
o Hybrids will get more and more popular, as this is a good way to cut down on emissions, maintain performance
levels and boost fuel economy.
BS VI norms will have more impact
on diesel vehicles than petrol ones:
o It will be easier for petrol
engines to meet BS VI
emission standards engine
mapping along with some
exhaust after-treatment, the
diesel cars will need a whole
new type of technology in
order to reduce emissions.
o These new add-ons are said to
increase the prices of diesel
cars and increase the gap
between a new petrol car and
a new diesel car by nearly 2.5
lakh rupees.
o The increase in cost will mainly
be because of the fact that new diesel cars will have to add several new layers into the diesel after treatment
such as a DPF or a Diesel Particulate Filter and more importantly, the SCR system or Selective Catalytic
Reduction system.
5.8. NORTH INDIAN ROSEWOOD About CITES

India has proposed to remove rosewood (Dalbergia  It is an inter-governmental agreement which aims to
sissoo) from Appendix II of CITES. ensure that international trade in specimens of wild
o The entire genus of Dalbergia was put in the animals and plants does not threaten their survival.
appendix based on the “lookalike” criterion.  It has three appendices. o Appendix I has species
This criterion is not based on the level of threat threatened with extinction. Trade in specimens of
these species is permitted only in exceptional
the species face, but the difficulty of
circumstances.
distinguishing the species from other o Appendix II has species not necessarily threatened with
threatened species of the genus. extinction, but in which trade must be controlled to avoid
o The regulation of trade in the species is not utilisation incompatible with their survival.
necessary to avoid it becoming eligible for o Appendix III contains species that are protected in at least one
inclusion in Appendix I in the near future and country, which has asked other CITES parties for assistance in
the harvest of its specimens from the wild is not controlling trade.
reducing the wild population to a level at which  CITES is legally binding on the Parties and it provides a
its survival might be threatened by continued framework to be respected by each Party, which has to
harvesting or other influences. adopt its own domestic legislation to ensure that CITES
is implemented at the national level.
o India has also proposed to transfer small
 3 March, the day of signature of the CITES has been
clawed otters (Aonyx cinereus), smooth coated proclaimed as UN World Wildlife Day.
otters (Lutrogale perspicillata), Indian Star
Tortoise (Geochelone elegans) from Appendix II
to Appendix I, and inclusion of Gekko gecko and Wedge fish (Rhinidae) in Appendix II of CITES. Gekko gecko is
traded highly for Chinese traditional medicine.




ADMIN1: ADMIN2:
About North Indian Rosewood/Shisham (Dalbergia sissoo)

o It is a deciduous tree found in tropical to subtropical climates and is economically important for its value in
forestry, agroforestry, and horticulture.
o Uses:
• Medicinal properties: It has been used for a variety of ailments including: skin diseases, blood diseases,
syphilis, stomach problems, dysentery, nausea etc.
• Erosion control: Its extensive root system makes it ideally suited for stabilizing and controlling erosion.
• Soil fertility: Native to the Indian sub-continent it is a member of the legume family and can fix nitrogen
from the atmosphere through bacteria nodules on its root system.
• It also has insecticidal and larvicidal properties, as well as resistance to some wood boring insects.
• The wood of Indian rosewood is highly durable with excellent finishing colour and smoothness; used
for veneer, furniture, cabinets, panelling, carving, small timber, plywood and musical instruments.
o The species grows at a very fast rate and has the capacity to become naturalised outside its native range and
is invasive in some parts of the world.
5.9 GANGETIC DOLPHIN

The population of the Gangetic river dolphin at the Vikramshila Gangetic Dolphin Sanctuary has declined to 154 from
207 in 2015.
Ganges River Dolphin
o The Ganges River dolphin inhabits the Ganges-Brahmaputra-Meghna and Karnaphuli-Sangu river systems of
Nepal, India, and Bangladesh.
o The Ganges Dolphin is among the four freshwater dolphins found in the world – the other three are found in
the Yangtze River (China), the ‘bhulan’ of the Indus (Pakistan) and the ‘boto’ of the Amazon River (Latin
America).
o It is National Aquatic animal of India.
o It has been categorised as endangered on the Red List of Threatened Species by the IUCN.
o It is also protected under the Schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act (1972).
o A long thin snout, rounded belly and large flippers are characteristics of the Ganges River dolphin.
o It is a mammal and cannot breathe in the water and must surface every 30-120 seconds. Because of the sound
it produces when breathing, the animal is popularly referred to as the 'Susu'.
o The presence of the Dolphin in a river system signals its good health and biodiversity.
o Vikramshila Gangetic Dolphin Sanctuary (VGDS) in Bihar is India's only sanctuary for the Gangetic dolphin.
Reasons for decline

o Habitat loss and degradation: due to increased
human interference. Siltation and decreasing water
flow and water level in the river due to construction
of dams and irrigation projects have impacted the
habitat.
o Pollution: from industrial waste and pesticides;
municipal sewage discharge and noise from vessel
traffic have threatened the gangetic river dolphin
population. Due to effective blindness of dolphins
and, dependence on echolocation, the Gangetic
dolphins suffer from the noise pollution created by large ship propellers, and by dredging.
o Directed harvest: through illegal killing for dolphin oil, which is used as a fish attractant and for medicinal
purposes.
o Bycatch in gillnets and line hooks is also a major source of mortality for this subspecies mainly due to the
widespread use of non-selective fishing gear.
Steps taken
o A Conservation Action Plan for the Gangetic Dolphin 2010-2020 has been formulated by the Ministry of
Environment, Forest and Climate Change. It provides following recommendations:
• Potential sites for intense dolphin conservation should be demarcated in the Ganga River System.

• Each state with Gangetic Dolphin populations should have a regional Dolphin Conservation Center,
with a nodal agency responsible for its operation.
• The use of nylon monofilament fishing gillnets in stretch of rivers having dolphin population should be
banned.
• Universities and research organisations should be encouraged to develop dolphin research programs.
• The establishment of Trans-boundary Protected Areas for Gangetic Dolphins may also be considered
between India, Nepal and Bangladesh.
• Intensive development projects proposed in the river basins that have direct impacts on the dolphins
and their habitat need to be identified. Environmental Impacts Assessments (EIAs) of such projects
need to focus and indicate the possible impact of the proposed activities on dolphins.
• Critical water flow and minimum depths for all river dolphin habitats should be determined, and
management actions should be set in place to ensure such flow and depth.
o National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) in its efforts of biodiversity conservation in Ganga River basin has
been working further on the Ganges River Dolphin Conservation Action Plan and has taken up steps to
coordinate with various institutions to:
• build capacity for Ganga River Dolphin Conservation and Management;
• minimize fisheries interface and incidental capture of Ganga River Dolphins;
• restore river dolphin habitats by minimizing and mitigating the impacts of developmental projects;
• involve communities and stakeholders for sustainable efforts in Ganga River Dolphin conservation;
• educate and create awareness and set off targeted research.
5.10 NILGIRI TAHR

o Scientists found that tahr strongholds such as Chinnar, Eravikulam and Parambikulam in Kerala will still be
stable habitats under different climate change scenarios.
o Other regions, including parts of Tamil Nadu’s Kalakkad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve and the wildlife
sanctuaries of Peppara, Neyyar, Schenduruny and Srivilliputhur, could experience severe habitat loss in future
causing the loss.
o Nilgiri tahrs exist only in small, isolated populations due to extreme habitat fragmentation and illegal hunting.
They are, as a result, vulnerable to local extinction.
o The species has always been under severe stress on account of the construction of numerous hydroelectric
projects, timber felling and monoculture plantation of eucalyptus and wattles.
o All these development activities, especially the plantation activities affect the heart of the tahr habitat, which
are the grasslands – sholas
About Nilgiri Tahr

o The Nilgiri tahr inhabits the open montane grassland habitats at elevations from 1200 to 2600 m (generally
above 2000 m) of the South Western Ghats.
o Their range extends over 400 km from north to south, and Eravikulam National Park is home to the largest
population.
o Listed in Schedule I of Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 and as Endangered on IUCN Red List.
o Adult males develop a light grey area or “saddle” on their backs and are hence called “saddlebacks”.
o It is state animal of Tamil Nadu.
5.11 OTTER
Recently Uttar Pradesh has started census of otters in its protected areas for the first time.
About Otter
o They are carnivorous mammals and adapt to a variety of habitats ranging from marine to freshwater
environments.
o The threats for otter population include: habitat destruction, poaching and illegal trade for fur and meat.
o In India, the nomadic hunting tribes such as Gilhara, Badiya and Jogis are known to regularly kill otters for their
skin and flesh.
o India is home to 3 of the 13 species of otters found worldwide.
• These are: o Eurasian Otter (Lutra lutra): IUCN: Near Threatened; CITES Appendix I; Wildlife
(Protection) Act Schedule II.

• Smooth-coated Otter (Lutra perspicillata): IUCN: Vulnerable; CITES Appendix II; Wildlife (Protection)
Act Schedule II.
• Small-clawed otter (Aonyx cinereus): IUCN: Vulnerable; CITES Appendix II; Wildlife (Protection) Act
Schedule II.
o First ever otter reserve has been opened in Karnataka- The Tungabhadra Otter Reserve Sanctuary.
5.12 BASEL CONVENTION

• The Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and their Disposal was
adopted in 1989 by the Conference of Plenipotentiaries in Basel, Switzerland, in response to a public outcry following
the discovery, in the 1980s, in Africa and other parts of the developing world of deposits of toxic wastes imported
from abroad.
• It does not, address the movement of radioactive waste.
• Haiti and the United States have signed the Convention but not ratified it.
Objective
o The objective of the Basel Convention is to protect human health and the environment against the adverse
effects of hazardous wastes.
o Its scope of application covers a wide range of wastes defined as “hazardous wastes” based on their origin
and/or composition and their characteristics, as well as two types of wastes defined as “other wastes” -
household waste and incinerator ash.
The provisions of the Convention centre around the following principal aims:
o The reduction of hazardous waste generation and the promotion of environmentally sound management of
hazardous wastes, wherever the place of disposal;
o The restriction of transboundary movements of hazardous wastes except where it is perceived to be in
accordance with the principles of environmentally sound management; and
• hazardous wastes may not be exported to Antarctica, to a State not party to the Basel Convention, or
to a party having banned the import of hazardous wastes.
• Parties may, however, enter into bilateral or multilateral agreements on hazardous waste
management with other parties or with non-parties, provided that such agreements are “no less
environmentally sound” than the Basel Convention.
• A regulatory system applying to cases where transboundary movements are permissible.
Context
o Around 180 governments agreed on a new UN accord to regulate the export of plastic waste, some eight
million tonnes of which ends up in the oceans each year.
o The Geneva meeting amended the 1989 Basel Convention on the control of hazardous wastes to include
plastic waste in a legally-binding framework.
o The meeting also undertook to eliminate two toxic chemical groups — Dicofol and Perfluorooctanoic Acid,
plus related compounds.
• The latter has been used in a wide variety of industrial and domestic applications including non-stick cookware
and food processing equipment, as well as carpets, paper and paints.
Significance
The amendment will make the global trade in plastic waste more transparent and better regulated, protecting humans
and the environment.
5.13 PLASTIC POLLUTION

Recently, the Ocean Cleanup project was started in the Pacific Ocean.
Background
o Situation in India: According to Litterbase database, seas near Mumbai, Kerala and the Andaman and Nicobar
Islands are among the worst polluted in the world.

o Global Scenario: More than 8

million tonnes of plastic leaks
into the ocean each year –
equal to dumping a garbage
truck of plastic every minute.
o Every year Marine plastic gets
trapped in the gyres (revolving
water system in the world’s
oceans) which breaks down
into micro-plastic and
becomes harmful for marine
as well as human life. The
Great Pacific Garbage Patch is
the largest collection of
marine debris in the North
Pacific Ocean gyre.
o Financial cost: US$13 billion a
year is the cost of
environmental damage as
plastic wreaks havoc on
fisheries, marine ecosystems
and economies.
o Composition: About 60-90 per
cent of marine litter is made
up of plastic polymers, plastic
bags, fishing gear and food
and beverage containers.
o According to some estimates, at the rate we are dumping items such as plastic bottles, bags and cups after a
single use, by 2050 oceans will carry more plastic than fish and an estimated 99 per cent of seabirds will have
ingested plastic.
About Ocean Cleanup Project

o Ocean Cleanup is a non-profit organisation which is developing advanced technologies to rid the world’s
oceans of plastics.
o It is directed at cleaning The Great Pacific Garbage Patch (GPGP) which is a zone between Hawaii and
California. About 1.8 Trillion pieces of plastic float the surface of the GPGP.
Impact of Increasing level of Plastics in Ocean

o Bio-accumulation: Many persistent organic pollutants (for example, pesticides, PCBs, DDT, and dioxins) float
around the oceans at low concentrations, but their hydrophobic nature concentrates them on the surface of
plastic particles. Marine animals mistakenly feed on the microplastics, and at the same time ingest the toxic
pollutants. The chemicals accumulate in the animal tissues and then increase in concentration as the
pollutants are transferred up the food chain.
o Leaching of harmful chemical: As the plastics degrade and become brittle, they leach out monomers like
Bisphenol which can then be absorbed by marine life, with relatively little known consequences.
o Threat to Biodiversity: Beside the associated chemical loads, Microplastics
ingested plastic materials can be damaging for marine  Microplastics or Microbeads are plastic
organisms, as they can lead to digestive blockage or internal pieces or fibre which is very small,
damage from abrasion. There is still much research needed generally measuring less than 1mm.
to properly evaluate this issue.  They have a variety of use, most notably
being personal care products like
o Source of vector borne diseases: Being so numerous,
toothpaste, body creams, clothing and
microplastics provide abundant surfaces for small organisms
industrial use.
to attach. This dramatic increase in colonization They have an ability to spread easily and provide
opportunities can have population-level consequences. In silky texture and colours to the product. Thus,
addition, these plastics are essentially rafts for organisms to adding visual appeal of the cosmetic products.

travel further then they usually would, making them vectors for spreading invasive marine species.
Challenges in Tackling Plastics Debris

o Ubiquitous Transboundary Movement of marine plastics and microplastics: It is becoming a major concern as
their property of durability makes their debris remain intact for long period of time throughout the ocean.
o Ineffective Waste Collection: Greatest burden of plastic waste entering the sea is likely to arise where waste
collection systems are ineffective or even non-existent.
o Lack of resources with less developed countries: Less developed and developing countries in particular may
face challenges in managing the rapidly growing volume of plastic waste.
5.14 FOREST RIGHTS ACT

What does the Forest Rights Act do?
o Grants legal recognition to the rights of traditional forest dwelling communities, partially correcting the
injustice caused by the forest laws.
o Makes a beginning towards giving communities and the public a voice in forest and wildlife conservation.
Highlights of the Act:

o The Scheduled Tribes (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act seeks to recognise forest rights of forest dwelling
Scheduled Tribes (FDSTs) who have been occupying the land before October 25, 1980 (or three generation till
2005).
o An FDST nuclear family would be entitled to the land currently occupied subject to a maximum of 2.5 hectares.
The land may be allocated in all forests including core areas of National Parks and Sanctuaries.
o In core areas, an FDST would be given provisional land rights for five years, within which period he would be
relocated and compensated. If the relocation does not take place within five years, he gets permanent right
over the land.
o The Bill outlines 12 forest rights which include the right to live in the forest, to self cultivate, and to use minor
forest produce. Activities such as hunting and trapping are prohibited.
How are the rights recognised under the Act?

o The Gram Sabha is empowered to initiate the process of determining the extent of forest rights that may be
given to each eligible individual or family. It would then pass a resolution to that effect and forward a copy to
the Sub-Divisional Level Committee (SDLC).
o The SDLC, which shall be constituted by the State Government, would examine the resolution passed by the
Gram Sabha and prepare the record of forest rights.
o It would then be forwarded to the District Level Committee (DLC) through the Sub- Divisional Officer for a final
decision.
o The DLC would be the final authority to approve the record of forest rights prepared by the SDLC.
o If a person is not satisfied by the ruling of the Gram Sabha, he can file a petition to the SDLC who would
consider and dispose of such petition.
o If a person is not satisfied by the decision of the SDLC, he can petition to the DLC within 60 days of date of
decision of the SDLC. The DLC’s decision would be final and binding.
Rights under the Forest Rights Act

The Act delineates 12 rights of FDSTs over a variety of subjects including:
o living in the forest for habitation or for self cultivation for livelihood,
o community rights such as nistar,
o right to own, use or dispose of minor forest produce,
o conversion of forest village to revenue village,
o conversion of pattas or leases issued by any local authority or any state government on forest land to titles,
and other traditional customary rights.
o Customary rights exclude hunting, trapping or extracting body parts of any wild animal.
o FDSTs also cannot indulge in any activity that adversely affects wild animals, forests and the biodiversity in the
local area and need to ensure that adjoining catchments areas and water sources are adequately protected.

5.15 GREAT INDIAN BUSTARD

The Great Indian Bustard that was being christened India’s national bird is now on the brink of extinction.
o Categorised as Critically endangered as per IUCN.
o Listed in Schedule I of the Indian Wildlife (Protection)Act, 1972.
o Listed in Appendix I of CITES.
o One the heaviest flying birds in the world, it inhabits dry grasslands and scrublands on the Indian subcontinent
o Its largest populations are found in the Indian state of Rajasthan.
o It has also been identified as one of the species for the recovery programme under the Integrated
Development of Wildlife Habitats of the Ministry of Environment and Forests, Government of India.
o Bustards generally favour flat open landscapes with minimal visual obstruction and disturbance, therefore
adapt well in grasslands.
o It has also been identified as one of the species for the recovery programme under the Integrated
Development of Wildlife Habitats of the Ministry of Environment and Forests, Government of India.
o They breed mostly during the monsoon season when females lay a single egg on open ground.
Concerns
o The biggest threat to this species is hunting,
which is still prevalent in Pakistan.
o Poaching outside Protected Areas
o Collisions with high tension electric wires
o Fast moving vehicles and free-ranging dogs in
villages.
o Habitat loss and alteration as a result of
widespread agricultural expansion.
o Mechanized farming
o Infrastructural development such as irrigation,
roads electric poles, as well as mining and
industrialization.
6 SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

6.1 DEEP EARTH
Breakthroughs in deep ocean drilling technologies have made it possible for researchers to take their first detailed
look at the composition of the deep biosphere.
o The deep biosphere constitutes a world that can be viewed as a sort of "subterranean Galapagos" and includes
members of all three domains of life: bacteria, archaea (microbes with no membrane-bound nucleus), and
Eukarya (microbes or multicellular organisms with cells that contain a nucleus as well as membrane-bound
organelles).
Note: Galapagos Islands (Equador) is famous on the basis of Charles Darwin’s ‘Theory of Evolution’
o Two types of microbes -- bacteria and archaea -dominate Deep Earth.
o Deep microbes are often very different from their surface cousins.
o The genetic diversity of life below the surface is comparable to or exceeds that above the surface.
o The subsurface microbial communities differ greatly between environments
o Though, Certain genera and higher taxonomic groups are ubiquitous -- they appear planetwide
o Microbial community richness relates to the age of marine sediments where cells are found.
o The record depth at which life has been found in the continental subsurface is approximately 5 km and the
record in marine waters is 10.5 km from the ocean surface.
6.2 ULTIMA THULE

o NASA has found evidence of a unique mixture of methanol, water ice, and organic molecules on Ultima Thule’s
surface — the farthest world ever explored by mankind.
Ultima Thule:
o Ultima Thule is a trans-Neptunian object located in the Kuiper belt.
o It is a contact binary, with two distinctly differently shaped lobes.

o The lobes likely once orbited each other until some process brought them together in what scientists have
shown to be a “gentle” merger.
o At about 36 kilometers long, Ultima Thule consists of a large, strangely flat lobe — nicknamed “Ultima” —
connected to a smaller, somewhat rounder lobe — dubbed “Thule” — at a juncture.
Details:
o The U.S. space agency has published the first profile of Ultima Thule — an ancient relic from the era of planet
formation — revealing details about the complex space object.
o Researchers are also investigating a range of surface features on Ultima Thule, such as bright spots and
patches, hills and troughs, and craters and pits.
o The largest depression is a 8-kilometer-wide feature the team has nicknamed Maryland crater — which likely
formed from an impact.
o Some smaller pits on the Kuiper Belt object, however, may have been created by material falling into
underground spaces, or due to exotic ices going from a solid to a gas and leaving pits in its place.
o In colour and composition, Ultima Thule resembles many other objects found in its area of the Kuiper Belt. Its
reddish hue is believed to be caused by modification of the organic materials on its surface.
o New Horizons continues to carry out new observations of additional Kuiper Belt objects it passes in the
distance.
6.3 GRAPES 3 MOUN TELESCOPE

o For the first time in the world, researchers at the GRAPES-3 muon telescope facility in Ooty have measured
the electrical potential, size and height of a thundercloud that passed overhead on December 1, 2014.
o At 1.3 gigavolts (GV), this cloud had 10 times higher potential than the previous record in a cloud.
o This is not because clouds with such high potentials are a rarity, but rather, because the methods of detection
have not been successful so far.
o Clouds have negative charges along their lower side and positive charges on top and can be several kilometres
thick.
o Using a computer simulation and the observed muon intensity variations, the group worked out the
relationship with the electric potential of the cloud.
o Scientists calculated that the potential of the cloud they were studying was approximately 1.3 GV.
o Until now, no one has ever measured potential, size and Mouns
height of a thundercloud simultaneously. That is the  Muons and other particles are produced
reason for all the excitement. when cosmic rays bombard air particles
surrounding the earth.
What is GRAPES 3 Experiment?  The muons produced can have positive or
o The GRAPES-3 experiment located at Ooty in India negative charge. When a positively charged
started as a collaboration of the Tata Institute of muon falls through a cloud, it loses energy.
Fundamental Research, Mumbai, India and the Osaka  If its energy falls below 1 giga electron volt
(GeV), which is the threshold of detection of
City University, Osaka, Japan.
the GRAPES-3 muon telescope, it goes
o At present many institutions from India and Japan are in undetected.
collaboration.  On the contrary, a negatively charged muon
o GRAPES-3 (Gamma Ray Astronomy PeV EnergieS phase- gains energy when falling through the cloud
3) is designed to study cosmic rays with an array of air and gets detected.
shower detectors and a large area muon detector.  Since there are more positive than negative
o It aims to probe acceleration of cosmic rays in the muons produced in nature, the two effects
following four astrophysical settings. don’t cancel out, and a net change in
These include acceleration of particles to, (i) ~100 MeV in intensity is detected.
atmospheric electric fields through muons, (ii) ~10 GeV in Solar system through muons, (iii) ~1 PeV in our galaxy
through nuclear composition of cosmic rays, (iv) ~100 EeV in nearby universe through measurement of diffuse γ-ray
flux.
o The GRAPES-3 is located at N11.4o, E76.7o, and 2200m above mean sea level. The observations began with
217 plastic scintillators and a 560 m² area muon detector in 2000.
o The scintillators detect charged particles contained in extensive air showers produced by interaction of high
energy cosmic rays in the atmosphere.
o At present the array is operating with ~400 scintillators that are spread over an area of 25,000 m². The energy
threshold of muon detectors is 1 GeV.
6.4 PSLV C-45

Why in news?
Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) successfully launched the PSLV-C45 rocket from Satish Dhawan Space
Centre SHAR, Sriharikota (Andhra Pradesh), which injected EMISAT and 28 international customer satellites into their
designated orbits.
Unique Features of PSLV-C45
o It was the first time ISRO launched a rocket that injected About EMISAT
satellites in three different orbits. Till now, these satellites  Developed by DRDO under Project
have been ejected in two different orbits at the most, with Kautilya, it is the primary satellite placed in
only a marginal difference in the vertical distances sun-synchronous polar orbit of 748 km
between the satellites’ orbits. height by PSLV-C45, intended for
o For placing the satellites in 3 different orbits, the rocket electromagnetic spectrum measurement.
needed to undertake 2 revolutions around the Earth. This  It is India's 1st Electronic Intelligence
was achieved by reigniting the 4th stage engines Satellite. It will increase the situational
awareness of the armed forces by
(employed for the first time). Earlier missions used to be
providing the location and information of
“single-shot” operations in which the engines used to fire hostile radars placed at the borders.
just once.
o The 4th and last stage of the rocket will function as a satellite itself for some time, instead of being rendered
junk after ejecting its payloads. o Though it has a lifespan much smaller than a satellite, it carries many
instruments for measurements and short-duration experiments like:
 AMSAT (Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation) for amateur radio operators use to track and monitor
position data
 Automatic Identification System for capturing messages transmitted from ships
 Advanced Retarding Potential Analyzer for Ionospheric Studies (ARIS) to study composition and
structure of ionosphere
o Also, the rocket carried four strap-on motors for first time.
 Strap-ons are booster rockets attached externally to the main rocket, and provide additional thrust,
or energy, by firing themselves midway during the flight.
 In earlier flights, ISRO has used two or six strap-on motors. The four extra-large strap-ons used this
time reduced the overall weight while still delivering the power equivalent to six motors.
Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV)

o It is designed mainly to deliver the “earth-observation” or “remote sensing” satellites with lift-off mass of up
to about 1750 Kg to Sun-Synchronous circular polar orbits of 600-900 Km altitude.
o It is also used to launch the satellites of lower lift-off mass of up to about 1400 Kg to the elliptical
Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO).
o PSLV is a four-staged launch vehicle with alternating solid and liquid stages.
o It is the first Indian launch vehicle to be equipped with liquid stages. It is also equipped with strap-on external
motors.
o It has successfully launched Indian Remote Sensing (IRS) satellites, Chandrayaan (2008), Mangalyaan (2013),
Astrosat, INRSS etc.
6.5 WORLD MALARIA DAY, 2019

• April 25 is observed as World Malaria Day. This World Malaria Day, make the effort of spreading as much awareness
about malaria as possible and take up tips for prevention at all times. This year the theme is “Zero malaria starts with
me”.
What is Malaria?
o Malaria is caused by a Plasmodium Parasites that is transmitted from one human to another by the bite of
infected Anopheles mosquitoes.
o In humans, the parasites (called sporozoites) migrate to the liver where they mature and release another form,
the merozoites.
o The majority of Malaria symptoms are caused by the massive release of merozoites into the bloodstream such
as anaemia is caused by the destruction of the red blood cells.
o There are five parasites that can cause Malaria in humans and the deadliest of all is Plasmodium Falciparum.

o Children under the age of 5 and pregnant women are most susceptible to the disease.
o More than 70 per cent or two thirds of total malaria deaths constitute children under the age of 5.
Symptoms of Malaria :
o People who have malaria usually have high fever, experience shaking chills and feel very sick.
o Apart from fever and chills, malaria also causes headaches, nausea, vomiting, muscle pain, fatigue, chest pain,
cough and sweating.
Spread
o If an infected mosquito bites one person then that person becomes infected with malaria parasites and can
spread them to other people.
o Malaria can also spread from mother to unborn child, through blood transfusions and by sharing needles used
to inject drugs.
Malaria prevention
o Malaria can be prevented by avoiding travelling to place where incidence of the disease is high - like tropical
and sub tropical areas. Those who are at high risk of malaria include older adults, young children and infants,
pregnant women and their unborn children, travellers coming from areas where there is no malaria.
o Wear clothes that cover the whole body properly, especially if going to damp areas where mosquitoes can
breed.
o Apply insect repellents on skin and even on clothes. In times when malaria incidence is high in surroundings,
sleep under a net.
o Anyone who exhibits signs of malaria should go for diagnosis immediately. A parasitological test is important
for malaria diagnosis.
o India has the third-highest burden of malaria cases in the world and contributes to more than 89 per cent
cases in the south-east region.
ICMR LAUNCHES MERA INDIA TO ELIMINATE MALARIA Highlights of ‘MERA India’ alliance
o The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) on  The National Vector Borne Diseases Control
April 25, 2019 launched the ‘Malaria Elimination Program (NVBDCP) developed a comprehensive
Research Alliance (MERA) India’, a gathering of framework to achieve “Malaria free India by
2030”.
partners working together to plan and scale up
 The NVBDCP’s National Strategic Plan recognises
research to eliminate Malaria from India by 2030. the critical role of research to support and guide
o MERA India alliance holds utmost importance to the malaria elimination efforts.
Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare for the  The MERA India does not duplicate the
operational research. The World Health Organisation international efforts to eliminate Malaria rather
(WHO) had earlier appreciated India’s research in complement the efforts on a national scale.
malaria and hence, the country now aims to ensure  The alliance will facilitate trans-institutional
its elimination by 2030. coordination and collaboration around a
o The alliance was launched on the occasion of the collaborative research agenda.
World Malaria Day 2019.
Objectives
o The principal motive of the ‘MERA India’ alliance is to prioritise, plan, conduct, and scale up research in a
coordinated way to have a solid impact on the population who are at risk of malaria.
o India has made impressive progress in malaria control in the recent years. The malaria burden in India declined
by over 80 percent from 2.03 million cases in 2000 to 0.39 million in 2018. Deaths by malaria also declined by
over 90 percent from 932 deaths in 2000 to 85 in 2018.
6.6 GAS HYDRATES

Why in news?
Researchers at Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras have experimentally shown that methane and carbon
dioxide (CO2) can exist as gas hydrates.
What are gas hydrates?
o They are formed when a gas such as methane gets trapped in well-defined cages of water molecules forming
crystalline solids. It is a solid ice-like form of water that contains gas molecules in its molecular cavities.
o Natural gas hydrates occur on continental margins and shelves worldwide from Polar Regions to the tropics.
o Gas hydrate reservoirs are generally associated with biologically rich cold seep ecosystems at the seafloor.
Cold seeps are locations where hydrocarbon-rich fluid seeps up from below the sea floor, often as methane
or hydrogen sulfide.
o It is estimated that total amount of carbon in the form of methane hydrates, far exceeds the carbon content
in all the fossil fuel reserves put together and hence these are supposed to be the future potential energy
resource.
o Combustion of methane, is more CO2 efficient than that of any other hydrocarbon. Hence, using methane
from gas hydrate compared to other hydrocarbons is relatively climate friendly.
o According to the latest estimates of the US Geological Survey, India has the second largest gas hydrate reserves
after America. The Krishna-Godavari (KG), Cauvery and Kerala basins alone have 100-130 trillion cubic feet of
estimated reserves.
o The carbon dioxide hydrate produced in the lab by the IIT team raises the possibility of sequestering or storing
carbon dioxide as hydrates under the sea bed.
o Extraction of gas hydrates: The natural gas from gas hydrate can be produced via: • Depressurization: Drilling
of hole into the layer of hydrate and reducing the pressure beneath. This technique is implemented for
hydrates only in polar regions beneath the permafrost.
o Thermal stimulation: via steam injection, hot brine solution etc. that raises the temperature of the local
reservoir outside the hydrate region to cause the dissociation of the hydrate, thus releasing free gas which can
be collected.
However, no country in the world has so far developed the technology to produce gas hydrates commercially and
economically.
Issues with extraction:
o Gas hydrates are also important for seafloor stability studies, because "melting" gas hydrate may cause
seafloor "land" slides. Methane released from gas hydrate may therefore play a significant role in climate
change.
Indian Initiative
o The National Gas Hydrate Programme (NGHP) is of national importance considering India’s phenomenal
growing energy demand. The programme was initiated in 1997. It first conducted studies in 2006.
o India has entered into an agreement with Canada to develop technology in this regard.
o IIT Madras, in collaboration with GAIL, is working to recover methane from methane hydrate from the Krishna-
Godavari Basin and sequester CO2 simultaneously.
6.7 WORLD TELECOMMUNICATION AND INFORMATION SOCIETY DAY

(WTISD)
About ITU
o ITU was established in 1865 and is headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland.
o It is the specialized agency of United Nations (UN) for issues concerning information and communication
technologies (ICTs).
o The fundamental pillar of ITU’s mission is setting standards. ITU standards also help accelerate ICTs for all
Sustainable Development Goals(SDG).
o It is a member of United Nations Development Group (UNDP).
Since 1869 India is an active member of ITU. It became a regular member of ITU Council in 1952. In November 2018,
India was re-elected as a ITU Council’s Member for another 4-year term beginning 2019 to 2022.
o The year 2019 marks the 50th anniversary of WTISD.
o The World Telecommunication and Information Society Day was first observed on 17 May since 1969.
o The day marks the establishment of International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and also the signing of the
first International Telegraph Convention in 1865 in Paris. Since 1969 it is being celebrated every year.
o It seeks to help raise awareness about possibilities which can be brought to societies and economies with the
use of Internet and other information and communication technologies (ICT).
o This year’s theme was: ‘Bridging the standardization gap’. 2019 theme will allow International
Telecommunication Union (ITU) Members and other stakeholders to focus on opportunities.
o To promote implementation of international standards in developing countries.
o To Increase participation of developing countries in ITU’s standards-making process.
o To empower local experts in standardization process at national, regional and international levels.

6.8 ISRO FOR OWN SPACE STATION

o ISRO, in one of its most ambitious projects, is planning to launch its own space station by 2030. The
announcement was made by ISRO Chairman K Sivan. The project will enable ISRO to send more astronauts to
space.
o The ISRO Chairman clarified that India will not join the International Space Station (ISS) but instead build its
own.
o The full details of the mission will be revealed after the successful completion of India’s first manned space
mission – Gaganyaan.
o The construction of India’s own space station will be an extension of the Gaganyaan project.
o India’s space station is going to be very small. ISRO will launch a small module and that will be used for carrying
out microgravity experiments. ISRO is not thinking of
space tourism by planning a space station. Space station
 A space station is like a habitable artificial
satellite that is designed to remain in space and
India’s own Space Station
is capable of being inhabited by crew members
o The proposal for the space station will first be sent to for an extended period of time.
the central government for approval after India’s first  The space station also enables other spacecraft
Gaganyaan mission by 2022. to dock on it for re-stocking of supplies and for
o The execution of the space station programme is the to and fro of astronauts from the earth.
expected to take around 5-7 years time.  Presently, there is only one fully functional
o The weight of ISRO’s own space station is likely to be space station in the Earth’s lower orbit, the
20 tonnes. It will be used to conduct microgravity International Space Station.
experiments.
o The initial plan of ISRO is to accommodate astronauts for 15-20 days in space. The space station is expected
to be placed at an orbit of 400 km above the earth.
o This mission will enhance India’s space activity as the Upcoming ISRO projects
station would function as an independent facility in  ISRO would first be launching its second lunar
space. mission, Chandrayaan-2 on July 15. ISRO aims
to land the mission near the south pole of the
ISS moon, where no other nation has attempted
o The International Space Station was built in partnership to land before.
between the space agencies of the United States  It would be followed by a mission to the Sun-
(NASA), European countries (ESA), Japan (JAXA), Canada Aditya-L1 in the first half of 2020. The Aditya
(CSA) and Russia (Roscosmos). L1 mission will study the corona of the Sun,
which is the outermost part of its
o The ISS is the world’s largest international cooperative
atmosphere. According to scientists, the
programme in science and technology. It is also the corona has a major impact on climate
largest human-made body in low Earth orbit and can change.
often be seen with the naked eye from Earth.  ISRO is also planning an interplanetary
o The space station’s first component was launched into mission to Venus, which is expected to be
space in 1998 and the first long-term crew members launched in the next 2-3 years. The mission
arrived on it on November 2000, and since then, it has will be a collaboration between India and
been inhabited continuously. France.
o The space station comprises pressurised habitation modules, structural trusses, solar arrays, radiators, docking
ports, experiment bays and robotic arms. The ISS components were launched by Russian Proton and Soyuz
rockets and American Space Shuttles.
o It serves as a microgravity and space environment research laboratory in which crew members conduct
experiments in biology, human biology, physics, astronomy, meteorology and other fields.
o The space station orbits the Earth in roughly 92 minutes and completes 15.5 orbits per day. The station is
expected to operate until 2030.
6.9 TIME ZONES IN INDIA

Need for two time zones
o At present, the country observes a single time zone based on the longitude passing through 82°30′E.
o India extends from 68°7’E to 97°25’E, with the spread of 29° representing almost two hours from the
geographic perspective. Early sunrise in the easternmost parts- (as early as 4AM in June) in the Northeast -
causes the loss of many daylight hours by the time offices or educational institutions open, and that early
sunset (4PM in winters), for its part, leads to higher consumption of electricity.
o The researchers estimated energy savings at 20 million kWh if we follow two time zones. This will have
ecological and environmental benefits too.
o More use of sunlight would lead to more agricultural production.
o It will have an impact on circadian rhythm of the body and thus would have health benefits due to better
leisure time and sleep. This, in turn, would enhance the productivity of people.
Proposal for new time zone

o The research paper proposes to call the two time zones IST-I (UTC + 5.30 h) and IST-II (UTC + 6.30 h).
o The proposed line of demarcation is at 89°52’E, the narrow border between Assam and West Bengal. States
west of the line would continue to follow IST (to be called IST-I). States east of the line — Assam, Meghalaya,
Nagaland, Arunanchal Pradesh, Manipur, Mizoram, Tripura, Andaman & Nicobar Islands —would follow IST-
II.
o Location of the line is explained as: “As the railway signals have not yet been fully automated in the country,
the border between the two time zones should have a very narrow spatial-width with minimum number of
train stations so that the train timings while crossing the border can be managed manually without any
untoward incidents.”
Problems with multiple Time zones
o Having more than one time zone will create confusion and different timings would have to be framed for
airlines, railways and communications services. For example; our railway schedules, signaling and track
utilization will be a nightmare to manage. It might lead to accidents at the zone of crossing.
More Info:
o There is also a strong political implication that comes with o Since independence in 1947, the IST
having multiple time zones. Awarding the north-east a has been the official time for the whole
separate time zone, given the region's long history of self- country.
determination movements, would indicate an unstated o India’s time zones were first
support towards their spatial independence. established in 1884. Pre-independence
o Different time zones can be potentially problematic in India. India had two time zones. In the East,
Calcutta Time was 5:30:21 hours ahead
Government offices in those states will close at different
of GMT, while Bombay Time in the
times and would be accessible only 75% of the time which can West was 4:51:00 hours ahead of GMT.
cause a potential loss of productivity. o Calcutta Time was abandoned in 1948
o The lack of time coordination w.r.t essential services such as and Bombay Time in 1955.
banking etc. might further alienate the NE region from the o Assam already has a Bagaan (tea
rest of the India. garden) Time, set an hour ahead of
Alternative to Multiple Time Zones Indian Standard Time (IST)
Given the energy saving benefits, a 2012 research paper o Countries with most number of time
commissioned by the Union Ministry of Power recommends to zones
advance IST by half-an-hour. Also the National Institute of Advanced  France: 12
Studies (NIAS) in Bangalore recommended advancing IST by half-an-  United States of America: 11
 Russia: 11
hour so that it is six hours ahead of GMT.
 United Kingdom: 9
o All states will save electricity with amounts of savings varying Legal/Govt Position on Time Zones
 In 2002, based on a suggestion by then
in different states from 0.2% to 0.7% of daily consumption. As
governor of Tripura, the Department
a percentage of peaking energy consumption, however, the
of Science and Technology (DST)
savings are very significant, about 17-18%. formed a high-level committee to
o This also keeps us away from the complicated process of explore the feasibility of two time
Daylight Saving's Time (DST) followed in western countries. zones. The committee rejected the
o As per NIAS research, advancing the IST by half an hour will- idea of separate time zones.
 Save energy 2.7 billion units every year. The energy  In 2006, the Planning Commission
demand in the evenings due to domestic lighting will recommended the introduction of two
be reduced by about 16 per cent. time zones in the country, saying it
would save “a lot of energy”.
 Result in estimated saving of about Rs 1,500 crore per
The Gauhati High Court, last year dismissed a
annum for the nation.
PIL seeking a direction to the Centre to have a
 Increase the productivity of the general population. separate time zone for the Northeast.
India is primarily an agrarian economy and utilising
sunlight is essential for maximum productivity.

7 MISCELLANEOUS
7.1 RASHTRIYA VAYOSHRI YOJANA
o Rashtriya Vayoshri Yojana is a ‘Scheme for providing Physical Aids and Various Devices supported?
Assisted-living Devices for Senior citizens belonging to BPL category’ was • Walking sticks
launched in District Nellore, Andhra Pradesh on 1st April, 2017. • Elbow crutches
o This is a Central Sector Scheme, fully funded by the Central Government. The • Walkers/Crutches
expenditure for implementation of the scheme will be met from the “Senior • Tripods/Quadpods
Citizens’ Welfare Fund”. • Hearing Aids
• Wheelchair
o The Scheme will be implemented through the sole implementing agency –
• Artificial Dentures
Artificial Limbs Manufacturing Corporation (ALIMCO), a PSU under the • Spectacles
Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.
Who is the beneficiary?

o The physical aids are being provided only to the senior citizens of the nation. This implies those who are aged
above 60 years will get free assisted living aids and physical devices which are required for their sustainability.
o Also the govt. has selected the list of cities where the scheme will be implemented.
o The main criteria for the senior citizens to get full benefits of Artificial Limbs Manufacturing Corporation of
Rashtriya Vayoshri Yojana (RVY) scheme is that they must India (ALIMCO)
belong to BPL family and should hold valid BPL card issued by  ALIMCO is a “Not For Profit” Central
the concerned authority. Public Sector Undertaking working
Eligiblity? under the administrative control of
o Senior Citizens, belonging to BPL category and suffering from Ministry of Social Justice &
any of the age related disability/infirmity viz. Low vision, Empowerment.
 It has been manufacturing various
Hearing impairment, Loss of teeth and Locomotor disability will
types of aids & appliances on mass
be provided with such assisted-living devices which can restore scale to meet the requirements of the
near normalcy in their bodily functions, overcoming the Persons with Disabilities (PwDs),
disability/infirmity manifested. across the country.
 Currently, ALIMCO has 5 Auxiliary
Duration of the scheme Production Centres (AAPCs) situated
The Scheme duration is for period of the 3 years ie. upto 2019-20. at Bhubaneswar (Orissa), Jabalpur
Salient features of the scheme? (MP), Bengaluru (Karnataka),
o Free of cost distribution of the devices, commensurate with the Chanalon (Punjab) and a new
extent of disability/ infirmity that is manifested among the production unit in Ujjain.
eligible senior citizens.
o In case of multiple disabilities/infirmities manifested in the same person, the assistive devices will be given in
respect of each disability/impairment.
o Artificial Limbs Manufacturing Corporation (ALIMCO) will undertake one year free maintenance of the aids &
assisted living devices.
o Beneficiaries in each district will be identified by the State Governments/UT Administrations through a
Committee chaired by the Deputy Commissioner/District Collector.
o As far as possible, 30% of the beneficiaries in each district shall be women.
o The State Government/UT Administration/District Level Committee can also utilize the data of BPL
beneficiaries receiving Old Age Pension under the NSAP or any other Scheme of the State/UT for identification
of senior citizens belonging to BPL category.
o The devices will be distributed in Camp mode.
7.2 KISAN CREDIT CARD (KCC)

o KCC scheme was prepared by National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) on the
recommendation of R.V. Gupta committee in 1998-99 to fulfil the financial requirements of the farmers at
various stages of farming through institutional credit.
o Small and Marginal farmers, share croppers, lessee and tenant farmers and self-help groups (SHGs) or Joint
Liability Groups (JLGs)are eligible to get the benefits of the KCC Scheme.

o In case of credit limit above Rs. 1 lakh, beneficiary has to Objectives of KCC Scheme
pledge the crops or pledge his land as mortgage. o To provide institutional credit to the
o However, collateral security may be obtained at the farmers at the cheap rate of interest
discretion of bank in some cases. o To provide credit at the time of
o KCC is valid for 5 years subject to annual review and requirement
performance of the borrower. o To support Post-harvest expenses
o Working capital for maintenance of
Who implemented this scheme? farm assets and activities allied to
agriculture
o The KCC scheme is being implemented by the all Co-operative
o Investment credit requirement for
banks, Regional Rural Banks and public sector banks
agriculture and allied activities (land
throughout the country. NABARD monitors the scheme in development, pump sets, plantation,
terms of the Cooperative Banks & RRBs and RBI in respect of drip irrigation etc.)
Commercial Banks. o Consumption requirements of farmers
o A new feature is started in the KCC scheme by the RBI and
NABARD which provides ATM card to farmers which can be used at all ATMs and point of sale terminals.
RuPay Kisan Credit Card

o RuPay is an Indian domestic card scheme conceived and launched by the National Payments Corporation of
India (NPCI). It was created to fulfill the Reserve Bank of India’s desire to have a domestic, open loop, and
multilateral system of payments in India.
o RuPay facilitates electronic payment at all Indian banks and financial institutions, and competes with
MasterCard and Visa in India.
o NABARD, in January, 2013 set up Special Project Unit- Kisan Credit Card (SPU-KCC) with a mandate for
encouraging cooperative banks and Regional Rural Banks across the country to issue Rupay KCC debit cards.
o The overarching goal is to develop cash-less eco system by enabling the farming community to avail all new
banking facilities at par with urban area of the country.
7.3 GLOBAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP SUMMIT 2019

o The Netherlands and the United States are jointly organising the Global Entrepreneurship Summit (GES), to be
held at the World Forum in The Hague on 4 and 5 June 2019.
o The Summit will bring together some 2,000 entrepreneurs, investors, policymakers, and other participants
from around the world.
About the Summit
o The ninth edition of the Global Entrepreneurship Summit is all set to roll out in on Tuesday (June 4), with a
number of entrepreneurs from across the world, including 27 from India, gathering to share their insights and
showcase their ideas on a world stage.
o The Global Entrepreneurship Summit (GES) 2019 is being hosted by the governments of the United States of
America and the Kingdom of the Netherlands, and is the first edition of the event to be held in the European
Union.
o Overall, the summit will feature about 1,200 entrepreneurs from across 140 countries, and will also provide
an avenue for these entrepreneurs to showcase their ideas and work to 300 investors.
o The key focus areas of the summit include the five global challenges surrounding water, agriculture,
healthcare, connectivity, and energy.
About the GES

o The GES is all about encouraging, fostering, and promoting the idea of entrepreneurship and the value and
ideals that go along with that
o Fostering the entrepreneurial spirit with young, innovative, creative people who just have a passion for being
successful but also a passion for doing good.
o The GES 2017 event in India in November of that year in Hyderabad hosted more than 1,500 entrepreneurs
from around the world, and focussed on the issue of ‘Women First, Prosperity for All’. It was the first edition
of the GES to take place in South Asia, and more than 50% of the delegates at the event were women.
o Twenty seven Indian firms are taking part in GES 2019 across the subject areas of agriculture (3), water (8),
energy (6), healthcare (3), and connectivity (7).

o GES offers a unique, international platform for companies to demonstrate their innovative solutions to major
challenges facing the world today; in order to take their ideas and innovations to the next level, they not only
need investments, but often adapted regulations as well.
o Central to GES 2019 is ‘The Future Now’ – the question what is needed in order to sustainably keep the world
provided of Agriculture/Food, Connectivity, Energy, Health, and Water.
7.5 SHRINKING AND SHAKING OF PLANETS

o In a recent study published by NASA it has been revealed that moon is shrinking from millions of years and still
counting.
o NASA study said that moon is shrinking as its interior cools, getting more than about 150 feet skinnier over the
last several hundred million years.
o NASA claims that as per first evidence these faults of shrinking is still active and producing moonquakes today
as the Moon continues to gradually cool. NASA study finds that some of these quakes can be fairly strong,
around five on the Richter scale
Major Findings Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO)

o Nasa’s Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) sent 3D images  Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO)
of moon surface that revealed its surface is shrinking. takes 3D images of moon and it entered
o NASA found that a number of the quakes recorded in the lunar orbit on June 23, 2009. Its
Apollo data happened very close to the faults seen in the exploration mission began on September
LRO images. 15, 2009.
o Apollo missions dropped the instruments and seismic data  For planning NASA’s future human and
robotic missions to the Moon LRO’s data
was taken from that only.
keeps much importance for all.
o After using the algorithm method, NASA team found that  Its detailed mapping program is
eight of the 28 shallow quakes were within 30 kilometers identifying safe landing sites, locating
(18.6 miles) of faults visible in lunar images. potential resources on the Moon,
characterizing the radiation
The role of Apollo missions environment, and demonstrating new
o During the Apollo 11, 12, 14, 15, and 16 missions astronauts technologies.
placed various tools and devices on the lunar surface.
o Only one, Apollo 11 seismometer worked for three weeks, but remaining four seismometers recorded 28
shallow moonquakes. Scientists believed that this type of faults may be related to the faults from 1969 to
1977. Scientists found these quakes ranged from almost 2 to around 5 on the Richter scale.
Mercury also shrinking

o NASA study explained that Mercury shrank much more than the Moon.
o NASA has found that planet Mercury also has various thrust faults, it ranges up to 600 miles (1,000 kilometers)
long and over a mile (3 kilometers) high, that are significantly larger relative to its size than those on the Moon.
o When planets heat up they expand their size and when they cool size of planet gets shrink. Mercury’s large
faults reveal that is was likely hot enough to be completely molten after its formation.
o NASA is still studying to understand the Moon’s origin and to compare it with Mercury whether the same
happened to the Moon or not.
o NASA also said that it is quite possible an ocean of magma is slowly heating deep interior of moon.
7.6 KERALA TO DE-LINK ICU CARE FROM ORGAN DONATION

Context
o Kerala is moving towards the mandatory certification of brain death at intensive care units in all medical
facilities in the State, irrespective of whether organ donation takes place or not.
What is brain death?

o Brain death is the complete loss of brain function.
o When someone is brain dead, it means that the brain is no longer working in any capacity and never will again.
o Other organs, such as the heart, kidneys or liver, can still work for a short time if the breathing machine is left
in place, but when brain death is declared, it means the person has died.

Current Scenario in India:

o At present, there is lack of clarity on how clinicians should proceed if there is a brain-dead patient in the ICU
and the family has refused consent for organ donation.
o In India, brain death has been defined only in connection with organ donation, in the Transplantation of
Human Organs Act, 1994.
o The Act does not specify whether ventilation and ICU care may be withdrawn if a patient is brain-dead but
organ donation has not been proposed.
o Lack of clarity in the law had been posing a lot of problems for clinicians.
What is the Standard practice followed across the globe?

o Once brain death declaration becomes a standard ICU procedure (after performing the first apnea test as
specified under the THO Act), treatment can be terminated post discussion with the families.
o Any new therapeutic ventilatory strategies would only be adopted for preserving organs for organ donation,
which is the standard practice all over the world.
Details:
o The government, after legal consultations, will soon issue executive orders delinking brain death certification
and organ donation, so that there is more clarity as to how clinicians should proceed with intensive care unit
(ICU) care in the case of a patient who has been declared brain-dead, but whose family has refused consent
for organ donation.
o Once brain death is diagnosed as per the existing legal and clinical requirements and the certification process
is completed, ICU care will be continued only if organs are to be retrieved for possible donation.
o If organ donation is not a possibility, then all care will be stopped so that the much valuable ICU resources are
not wasted and may be utilised for a salvageable person.
o The decisions were taken at a meeting of senior health administrators, transplant surgeons, neurologists, and
critical care specialists on developing parameters for universal brain death certification.
7.7 LEADERSHIP
Right leadership shapes the destiny of nation. India had great leaders in the past who despite their differences in
thinking, still had conformity on basic values and ethics that contributed in a common unified platform for a common
goal i.e. liberation of India from the colonial rule.
Contrast to above, with increasing criminalisation of politics, the political ethics is on decline. Divide and Rule & Divert
and Rule are the course of India’s politics today rather than awareness and convergence of people on the common
issues of benefit. This impacts ethics in governance because an ethical governance requires ethical people in active
politics as only they can generate right political will to transform the quality of overall governance.
What Are the Characteristics of a Good Leader?

Leaders shape our nation, communities, and organizations. We need good leaders to help guide us and make the
essential large-scale decisions that keep the world moving. Our society is usually quick to identify a bad leader, but
how to identify a good one? What would most people say makes a good leader?
o Honesty and Integrity

The supreme quality of leadership is unquestionably integrity. Without it, no real success is possible. How can you
expect your followers to be honest when you lack these qualities yourself? Leaders succeed when they stick to their
values and core beliefs and without ethics, this will not be possible.
o Confidence
To be an effective leader, you should be confident enough to ensure that other follow your commands. If you are
unsure about your own decisions and qualities, then your subordinates will never follow you. As a leader, you have to
be oozing with confidence and assertiveness to gain the respect of your subordinates. This does not mean that you
should be overconfident, but you should at least reflect the degree of confidence required to ensure that your
followers trust you as a leader.
o Inspire Others
Probably the most difficult job for a leader is to persuade others to follow. It can only be possible if you inspire your
followers by setting a good example. When the going gets tough, they look up to you and see how you react to the

situation. If you handle it well, they will follow you. As a leader, should think positive and this positive approach should
be visible through your actions. Stay calm under pressure and keep the motivation level up.
If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader. If you are
successful in inspiring your subordinates, you can easily overcome any current and future challenge easily.
o Commitment and Passion

Our teams look up to you and if you want them to give them their all, you will have to be passionate about it too.
When your teammates see you getting your hands dirty, they will also give their best shot.
It will also help you to gain the respect of your subordinates and infuse new energy in your team members, which
helps them to perform better. If they feel that you are not fully committed or lacks passion, then it would be an uphill
task for the leader to motivate your followers to achieve the goal.
o Good Communicator
Until you clearly communicate your vision to your team and tell them the strategy to achieve the goal, it will be very
difficult for you to get the results you want. Simply put, if you are unable to communicate your message effectively to
your team, you can never be a good leader. A good communicator can be a good leader. Words have the power to
motivate people and make them do the unthinkable. If you use them effectively, you can also achieve better results.
o Decision- Making Capabilities

Apart from having a futuristic vision, a leader should have the ability to take the right decision at the right time.
Decisions taken by leaders have a profound impact on masses. A leader should think long and hard before taking a
decision but once the decision is taken, stand by it. Although, most leaders take decisions on their own, but it is highly
recommended that you consult key stakeholders before taking a decision. After all, they are the ones who will benefit
or suffer from your decisions.
o Accountability
A good leader takes little more than his share of the blame and little less than his share of the credit. Make sure that
every one of your subordinates is accountable for what they are doing. If they do well, give them a pat on the back but
if they struggle, make them realize their mistakes and work together to improve. Holding them accountable for their
actions will create a sense of responsibility among your subordinates and they will go about the business more
seriously.
o Delegation and Empowerment

You cannot do everything, right. It is important for a leader to focus on key responsibilities while leaving the rest to
others. By that, I mean empowering your followers and delegating tasks to them. If you continue to micromanage your
subordinates, it will develop a lack of trust and more importantly, you will not be able to focus on important matters,
as you should be. Delegate tasks to your subordinates and see how they perform. Provide them with all the resources
and support they need to achieve the objective and give them a chance to bear the responsibility.
o Creativity and Innovation

Innovation distinguishes between a leader and a follower.” In order to get ahead in today’s fastpaced world, a leader
must be creative and innovative at the same time.
Creative thinking and constant innovation is what makes you and your team stand out from the crowd. Think out of
the box to come up with unique ideas and turn those ideas and goals into reality.
o Empathy
Last but certainly not the least, is empathy. Leaders should develop empathy with their followers. Unfortunately, most
leaders follow a dictatorial style and neglect empathy altogether. Due to this, they fail to make a closer connection
with their followers. Understanding the problems of your followers and feeling their pain is the first step to become
an effective leader. Even that is not enough until you work hard and provide your followers with the suitable solution
to their problems.

7.8 NORTH EAST AUTONOMOUS COUNCILS

The Union Cabinet approved a constitutional amendment to increase the powers of the autonomous councils in the
Sixth Schedule areas of the Northeast.
Further, after the amendments in Article 280, the Finance Commission will be mandated to recommend devolution of
financial resources to them.
Most important part of these amendments is that these will significantly improve the financial resources and powers
of the autonomous districts councils in the sixth-schedule states. It deals with the provisions relating to the
administration of tribal areas in the states of Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura and Mizoram.
Article 280
• As per Article 280, President of India shall at the expiration of every fifth year, or earlier, constitute a Finance
Commission which shall consist of a Chairman and four other members to be appointed by the President. The
Commission shall make recommendations with respect to:
o The distribution between the Union and the States of the net proceeds of taxes and the allocation between
the States of the respective shares of such proceeds.
o The principles which should govern the grants-in-aid of the revenues of the States out of the Consolidated
Fund of India and the sums to be paid to the States by way of grants-in-aid of their revenues under Article 275
of the Constitution.
o The measures needed to augment the Consolidated Fund of a State to supplement the resources of the
Panchayats and Municipalities in the State on the basis of the recommendations made by the Finance
Commission of the State.
o The Commission shall review the current status of the finance, deficit, debt levels, cash balances and fiscal
discipline efforts of the Union and the States, and recommend a fiscal consolidation roadmap for sound fiscal
management.
o Recommendations of Finance Commission together with an explanatory memorandum as to the action taken
thereon shall be laid before each House of Parliament by the President.
7.9 SERVICE VOTERS

The first vote for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections (2019) was casted in Arunachal Pradesh by service voters from
Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) unit located in the eastern tip of the state of Arunachal Pradesh.
ABOUT:
There are voters who aren’t residing in their constituency due to certain constraints and can vote in the elections via
proxy voting or postal ballot voting, they are known as Service voters.
Who are Service Voters?

o Service voters are those who have service qualification and include members of Armed Forces of the Union of
India, members of Armed Police forces of the States serving outside that state and persons employed
Government of India on posts outside India.
o They are provided with an option to cast the votes through postal ballots and send them to the returning
officer of the constituency.
o A service voter can also cast his vote through a proxy. The proxy can cast the vote on behalf of the service
personnel at the polling station. The proxy should be a registered voter of that constituency. The provision for
voting through proxy is valid till the person making the appointment is a service voter.
o No person can be enrolled simultaneously as a service voter at his native place as well as a general voter at
the place of posting.
Prerequisites for Service Voter:

o Service voter is a voter having service qualification. According to the provisions of sub – section (8) of Section
20 of Representation of People Act, 1950, service qualification means:
 Being a member of the armed Forces of the Union
 Being a member of a force to which provisions of the Army Act, 1950 (46 of 1950), have been made
applicable whether with or without modification.
 Being a member of an Armed Police Force of a State, and serving outside that state.
 Being a person who is employed under the Government of India, in a post outside India.

o As per the existing arrangements, members of Indian Army, Navy and Air Force and personnel of General
Reserve Engineer Force (Border Road Organization), Border Security Force, Indo Tibetan Border Police, Assam
Rifles, National Security Guards, Central Reserve Police Force, Central Industrial Security Force and Sashastra
Seema Bal are eligible to be registered as service voters.
Is wife or son/daughter of a service voter also enrolled as a service voter?

o The wife of a service voter shall, if she is ordinarily residing with him, be also deemed to be a service voter in
the constituency specified by that person. The wife will be enrolled as a service voter on the basis of
declaration made by her husband in the application form itself submitted by him and no separate declaration
is required to be made by the wife.
o A son/daughter/relative/servant etc. residing ordinarily with a service voter cannot be enrolled as service
voter.
How is a service voter different from an ordinary elector?
o While an ordinary elector is registered in the electoral roll of the constituency in which his place of ordinary
residence is located, person having service qualification can get enrolled as ‘service voter’ at his native place
even though he actually may be residing at a different place (of posting). He has, however, an option to get
himself enrolled as general elector at the place of his posting where he factually, at the point of time, is residing
ordinarily with his family for a sufficient span of time.
7.10 GANDHIAN ETHICS

Gandhi and Morality
• The "highest form of morality" in Gandhi's ethical system is the practice of altruism (self-sacrificing behaviour
performed for the benefit of others). For Gandhiji "true morality" disregards loss or gain, life or death, and is ever
ready to sacrifice the self for an ideal.
• His religiosity was also unique, for he was a rationalist among believers and a believer amid rationalists. He says that
‘the true sign of man's nobility is the fact that, instead of being driven about like a cloud before the wind, he stands
firm and does what he deems proper’. He exerted that "morality should be observed as a religion".
• For Gandhiji, the substance of truth is morality, and non-violence is its essential part. Both need to be practiced
because Truth finds expression through non-violence.
Gandhi on Violence
Most philosophers equate Violence with hatred, and non-violence with love. But, Gandhi focuses on the violence of
the status quo: economic violence, cultural violence, psychological violence, and so forth. For Gandhi, if X is
accumulating wealth and power, and his neighbour is in great need, and X does nothing to help alleviate the suffering
of the other, then X contributes to and is complicit in the violence of the status quo.
Gandhi on Self-Realisation (Realisation of ultimate truth):

• He considers self-realisation as the summum bonum (ultimate purpose and goal) of life. For him, o Self-realisation
presupposes a search for truth.
o Himsa (Violence) makes complete self-realisation impossible.
o Himsa against another is himsa against the self
• Happiness in Gandhi's metaphysics is expressed as "an enlightened realisation of dignity and a craving for human
liberty which prizes itself above mere selfish
satisfaction of personal comforts and material wants", while the meaning of life is based on striving to actualise what
he calls the law of love in action (the scheme of the universe).
Gandhi on western pattern of production and consumption:

• He considered the manner of industrialisation in West as unsustainable and a chaos if adopted by populous countries
like India and China.
• He believed in meeting needs rather than multiplying wants and meeting them in a ceaseless race.
• He proposed a humane economy which could develop human personality in a holistic way (instead of focusing on
material possession), promote human creativity, and help in the realization of human potential.
• He advocated production by the masses, in place of mass production, to the extent that some industries and services
would have to be on large scale, they would be run on no-profit basis by the state or a philanthropic minded private
enterprise.




ADMIN1: ADMIN2:
Gandhi’s ethics of interconnectedness and mutuality:

• Gandhi believed in looking within oneself, change oneself and then change the world. For him, cultures and nations
were not isolated entities, because they all played a special role in the making of human history.
• He believed in ‘enlarged Pluralism’ that every culture should learn from others. This was a way for him to open up
the world to a harmonic exchange and a transformative dialogue among nations.
• For him, a spirit of genuine reciprocity and solidarity was not only a moral requirement, but also a geopolitical
necessity.
• He said that Non-violent organizations of the world should help in bringing peace and interconnectedness among
cultures and civilizations.
Global Influence:
• Satyagraha has been used globally as an instrument of non-violent dissent against authoritarianism and a pragmatic
tool of the powerless against the powerful.
• Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan, Martin Luther King, Jr., Nelson Mandela, Lech Walesa, Vaclav Havel, Benigno Aquino, Jr.
and many others successfully used it in their countries for political and social integration.
• In many countries, organized civic pressure and a principled commitment not to resort to violence has been used to
fight colonialism and foreign occupation, advance women’s and minority rights, and improve transparency and good
governance.
He adapted and changed his views throughout his life. He started movements, called them off, he was always willing
to negotiate and begin discussions. His boycotts, too, were based on principles, never against individuals. He shunned
British goods but not British people. He used the ideas of Christianity, Islam, Jainism, and Buddhism and remained a
devout Hindu.
His life is a message regarding how to lead a public life as no security men were posted outside his Ashram, he was
reachable to all, and his experiments were minutely dissected and criticised as well. There are scarcely few people in
world who lived what they preached, and lived to such rightness, in spite of being engrossed so much in politics as
Mahatma Gandhi did. He however followed a simple ideology that “it is not enough for thought to be based on truth,
the life must express it’.
Gandhian Ethics and other Ethical theories

• Virtue Ethics: Gandhian ethics is normative and virtue based. His non-violence is based on the principle of universal
love, even for enemies and those involved in terrible acts. It is rooted in truth, courage and standing against injustice.
• Deontology: Like Kant, Gandhi focuses much of his attention on motives and intentions. But he is not a Kantian. He
describes himself as a ‘pragmatic idealist’. He focuses on results as well.
• Utilitarianism: Gandhi emphasised on the integral, mutually reinforcing relationship between means and ends. He
believed that one cannot use impure or immoral means to achieve worthy goals. That is why he rejected utilitarianism.
• Religious Ethics: Gandhi’s approach expresses an activist philosophy similar to the action-oriented philosophy of
karma yoga in the Bhagavad-Gita: Act to fulfil your ethical duties with an attitude of nonattachment to the results of
your actions. Gandhi claimed that an individual's "highest duty in life is to serve mankind and take his share in bettering
its condition”.
7.11 BROWN FAT

• Brown adipose tissue (BAT) or brown fat makes up the adipose organ together with white adipose tissue (or white
fat).
• Brown adipose tissue is found in almost all mammals.
• It is especially abundant in new-borns and in hibernating mammals, also present and metabolically active in adult
humans, but its prevalence decreases as humans age.
• Brown fat contains many more mitochondria than does white fat.
• These mitochondria are the “engines” in brown fat that burn calories to produce heat.
• Because of brown fats ability to burn calories, scientists are looking for ways to exploit its power to help fight obesity.
• In adults exposed to cold temperatures, brown fat may serve as an ‘internal heating jacket’ to keep blood warm as
it flows back to the heart and brain from our chilly extremities.
• Brown fat helps babies — who do not have the ability to shiver — to stay warm.
• It offers potential to combat the Metabolic syndrome conditions.

• Metabolic syndrome conditions IS cluster of conditions that includes -increased blood pressure, high blood sugar,
excess body fat around the waist, and abnormal cholesterol or triglyceride levels — that occur together, increasing
risk of heart disease, stroke and diabetes.
7.12 TIGER IN THE SNOW

According to a recent study by the researchers of the Wildlife Institute of India, the Royal Bengal Tiger has been found
in the snow-capped regions of the Eastern Himalaya.
• The study that began about three years ago has recorded 11 tigers in Arunachal Pradesh’s Dibang Valley.
• The Namdapha National Park in the state is known to be the country’s only reserve to have four big cat species —
the tiger, leopard and the severely endangered clouded and snow leopards.
• Their presence in the Dibang Valley is the evidence of tiger at the highest altitude in the Indian part of the Eastern
Himalayas — the animals have been found at an altitude of more than 4,000m in Bhutan.
• A large part of the Dibang Valley is home to the Mishmi tribes.
• The cosmology of this tribal group holds tigers to be in special relationship with humans. Killing the animal is deemed
fratricidal.
Reasons for concern?

• The Dibang Valley tiger is reportedly genetically isolated from the other variety of the species in Arunachal Pradesh.
• Inbreeding could jeopardise the prospects of an already fragile population.
• The story of the newly-discovered tigers is also complicated by the fact that the rivers in the Valley are slated to be
harnessed for hydropower projects.
Namdapha National Park-Arunachal Pradesh

• It is the largest protected area in the Eastern Himalaya biodiversity hotspot.
• Third largest national park in India in terms of area.
• The park harbours the northernmost lowland evergreen rainforests in the world at 27°N latitude.
• The area is also known for extensive Dipterocarp forests.
• Because of many different vegetation zones, the park is home to a great diversity of mammal species.
• Four big cat species occur in the park: snow leopards, clouded leopards, common leopards and tigers.
• Other large predators are dholes, wolves, and Asiatic black bears. Smaller carnivores include red panda, red fox,
yellow-throated marten, Eurasian otter, Oriental small-clawed otter, spotted linsang, binturong, common palm civet,
small Indian civet, large Indian civet, masked palm civet, marbled cat, fishing cat, Asiatic golden cat, and two species
of mongoose.
• Large herbivores are represented by elephant, wild boar, forest musk deer, Indian muntjac, hog deer, sambar, gaur,
common goral, mainland serow, takin and bharal.
• There are five species of Hornbills recorded from the area.
• The Snowy Throated Babbler is a rare species of Babbler found only in the Patkai and Mishmi hills and nearby areas
in Northern Myanmar, is found in Namdapha.

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EBOOKS & UPSC PRELIMS USPC MAINS VIDEO FOR DAILY

SECUREIAS UPSC PRELIMS UPSC MAINS DELHI CIVILSERVICES

OPTIONAL SUBJECTS BOOKS, STATE PCS, SSC, BANKING

2.1. IRAN WARNS- THE STRATEGIC HORMUZ

3.1 FACEBOOK’S CRYPTOCURRENCY, 5.14 FOREST RIGHTS ACT ................................... 56

3.8 IPR VIOLATION ............................................. 32 6.6 GAS HYDRATES ............................................. 60

3.9. NATIONAL INVESTMENT AND 6.7 WORLD TELECOMMUNICATION AND

6.9 TIME ZONES IN INDIA ................................... 62

©IAS Prayojan Education

1. POLITY AND GOVERNANCE

Impacts of Judicial Pendency

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Measures to reduce pendency

1.2. ELECTION COMMISSION AND AUTONOMY

Suggestions to strengthen the ECI

1.3. CJI IN SEXUAL HARASSMENT CASE

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o It said copies of the report were given to Chief

Grounds for judicial review

What should be done?

1.4. NORTH-EAST AUTONOMOUS COUNCILS

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Other issues with autonomous councils in 6th schedule areas

1.5. NEED FOR PERMANENT FINANCE COMMISSION

How this permanent status accord intends to boost local governance:

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About Hormuz Strait

What would be the Impact?

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INDIA – IRAN RELATIONS

Criticality of the Civilizational links:

Geo-economic significance of Iran:

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Accordingly, India has been looking at the North South Transport

Iran factor can influence remittance earning:

Iran is geo-politically important for India:

2.2. CHINA AND INDIAN OCEAN REGION

Recent exercises by India:

What is the geo-political drive?

What seems to be China's strategy?

How is China's engagement in African region?

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In response, India has moved to deepen its own regional

How significant are partnerships now?

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EBOOKS & UPSC PRELIMS USPC MAINS VIDEO FOR DAILY

SECUREIAS UPSC PRELIMS UPSC MAINS DELHI CIVILSERVICES

OPTIONAL SUBJECTS BOOKS, STATE PCS, SSC, BANKING

2.4. IBSA DIALOGUE FORUM

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o IBSA could articulate the need for maritime peace,

What IBSA needs to do?

2.5. NORTH ATLANTIC TREATY ORGANISATION

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The main principle of NATO are:

2.6. USA TO WITHDRAW FROM AFGHANISTAN

Why was there a war?

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o In September 2001, nearly 3,000 people were killed in the

Loya Jirga and Bonn Conference II

US partner: India and/ or Pakistan?

New Ruler: Taliban and/or Afghan govt.?

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IAS Prayojan's Magazine June 2019

IAS Prayojan's Magazine June 2019