BYJUS Monthly Magazine November 2020 Final

NOVEMBER-2020
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Incredible Results
CSE 2019
4 Ranks 13 Ranks 22 Ranks
in top 10 in top 50 in top 100
Rank 3 Rank 6 Rank 8 Rank 10

Pratibha Verma Vishakha Yadav Abhishek Saraf Sanjita Mohapatra
CSE 2018 CSE 2017

11 Ranks 28 Ranks 183 Ranks 5 Ranks 34 Ranks 236 Ranks
in top 50 in top 100 in the final list in top 50 in top 100 in the final list
Rank 11 Rank 16 Rank 21 Rank 3 Rank 6 Rank 8

Pujya Priyadarshni Dhodmise Trupti Ankush Rahul Jain Sachin Gupta Koya Sree Harsha Anubhav Singh

Anuraj Jain Mainak Ghosh Soumya Sharma Abhishek Surana
CSE 2016 CSE 2015

8 Ranks 18 Ranks 215 Ranks 5 Ranks 14 Ranks 162 Ranks
in top 50 in top 100 in the final list in top 50 in top 100 in the final list

Anmol Sher Singh Bedi Abhilash Mishra Tejaswi Rana Vipin Garg Khumanthem Diana Devi Chandra Mohan Garg

Prabhash Kumar Avdhesh Meena Pulkit Garg Anshul Agarwal
CSE 2014
6 Ranks 12 Ranks 83 Ranks
in top 50 in top 100 overall selections

Vandana Rao Suharsha Bhagat Ananya Das Anil Dhameliya Kushaal Yadav Vivekanand T.S
NOVEMBER-2020
PRACTICE QUESTIONS
1. POLITY • Needed, a policy framework in
• Andhra Pradesh’s capital conundrums 01
step with technology 21
• Finance panel submits report with 02 • The financial capacity of States is
separate section on States’ finances 02
being weakened 22
• General consent to CBI 02 • Fixing the rules of the economy 23
• ‘Producing suspects before media violates • A recipe to tear down trade unions 24
their rights’ 03 • Shifting sands for Asian economies 26
• Right to recall panchayat member 04 • Right to work 27
• Uttar Pradesh Prohibition of Unlawful • Lakshmi Vilas Bank (LVB) 29
Conversion of Religion Ordinance, 2020 04 • Corporate houses in Indian banking 31
• Form a commission to monitor tribunals: SC 06 • India’s no to RCEP could still be a no 33
• Amid a judicial slide, a flicker of hope on
rights- Bail applications 07 3. INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
• Former CEC calls for a ban on opinion polls 08 • Bhutan establishes formal ties with Germany 36
• Kerala law to curb abusive content 08 • Canadian leaders’ comments on
protests are illinformed’ 36
2. ECONOMY • Chinese dam projects on Brahmaputra 36
• Centrally Sponsored Pilot Scheme on • Ethiopia political Crisis 38
Fortification of Rice & its distribution
• Five Eyes (FVEY) 38
through Public Distribution System 11
• G20 Leaders’ Summit 39
• Code on Social Security Bill, 2020 11
• India, Vietnam hold bilateral discussions 40
• Global Conference on Criminal Finances
• SIMBEX-20 40
and Cryptocurrencies 12
• SITMEX 41
• Luhri Stage-I Hydro Power Project 13
• UAE to widen ‘golden’ visa’s eligibility criteria 41
• National Animal Disease Control Programme
• China slaps 200% tax on Australian wine 41
for Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) and
• Terror funding: Saeed gets 10 years in jail 42
Brucellosis 13
• PM seeks respect for ‘territorial integrity’ 42
• RE-Invest 2020 13
• India and Biden 42
• Time Use Survey 14
• Mohsen Fakhrizadeh assassinated 44
• Virtual Global Investor Roundtable (VGIR) 15
• Myanmar Elections 45
• Centre unveils incentives to boost
• Basic Exchange and Cooperation Agreement
manufacturing 15
for Geo-Spatial Cooperation (BECA) 47
• Dumping by Vietnam hits Indian pepper 16
• Nagrota encounter 48
• India’s mask of economic liberalism is off 16
• India, Maldives sign MoUs to boost ties 48
• Jobs, exports and the trade pacts link 17
• Lessons from Vietnam and Bangladesh 18
4. ART AND CULTURE
• NHRC notes a drop in women workers 19
• Warli Paintings 51
• Reinforcing RBI’s accountability 20
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NOVEMBER-2020
5. SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY • Urban Mobility India (UMI) Conference 71
• Awareness in the fields of IT. 52 • ‘All insults not offence under SC/ST Act’ 71
• PSLV-C49/EOS-01 Mission 53 • The nutrition fallout of school closures 71
• Swarna Jayanti Fellowships 53 • SC lays down guidelines for matrimonial
• Traffic cops of Space 53
cases 73
• Reinventing cities 73
6. SECURITY AND DEFENCE • Poshan Abhiyaan 74
• MQ-9B Sea Guardian 55
• QRSAM Missile System 55 10. EDUCATION
• Scorpene submarine Vagir 56 • Academic Freedom Index (AFI) 76
• Vienna’s woes 56 • Annual State of Education Report (ASER)
Survey 77
7. ENVIRONMENT AND ECOLOGY • ATAL Faculty Development Programmes 77
• Climate action portal launched 57 • Lilavati Award 2020 78
• Kibber Wildlife Sanctuary 57 • National Education Day 78
• Odisha to compensate fishermen 57
• Operation Thunder 2020 57 11. HISTORY
• Punchakkari-Vellayani wetlands 58 • Aruna Asaf Ali 79
• ‘Sea sparkle’ has affected marine food • Kamaladevi Chattopadhyay 79
chain: CMFRI 58 • Lachit Borphukan 79
• The cost of clearing the air 58
• COVID-19, climate and carbon neutrality 59 12. DISASTER MANAGEMENT
• Aapda Mitra 81
8. HEALTH ISSUES • Coalition for Disaster Resilient
• Anti-Microbial Resistance (AMR) 61 Infrastructure (CDRI) 81
• Ayurveda PGs can do surgeries 62 • Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF) 81
• Kala-azar was eliminated from a highly • Cyclone Nivar 83
endemic district in Bihar 63
• National Organ Donation Day 64 13. GOVERNANCE
• RT-LAMP: a new technology for detecting • Attacks on journalists 85
COVID-19 65 • OTT platforms 86
• Dose of optimism 66 • TRP norms 87
• Strengthening public health capacities • Getting MGNREGS wages harder than
in disasters 67 the labour 87
• ‘India makes progress in vaccination • Govt. bans 43 more apps citing threat to
coverage’ 68 security 88
9. SOCIAL ISSUES 14. MISCELLANEOUS

• Ambedkar Social Innovation Incubation • ARTPARK (AI & Robotics Technology Park) 89
Mission (ASIIM) 70 • Gandhian Young Technological Awards (GYTI) 89
• Safaimitra Suraksha Challenge 70 • National Cancer Awareness Day 89

NOVEMBER-2020
• Sahakar Pragya 90
• SDG Investor Map 90
• World Toilet Day 90
15. PRACTICE QUESTIONS 92
16. ANSWER KEYS 106
17. MAINS PRACTICE QUESTIONS 109
18. INTERVIEW TRANSCRIPT 113

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NOVEMBER - 2020
1
POLITY
Indian Constitution
• The K.C. Sivaramakrishnan (KCS) Committee
1. Andhra Pradesh’s capital conundrums constituted in the aftermath of a bifurcation
driven by an agitation legitimised and politicised
»» Prelims: Article 2 and 3. by regional imbalances in development made
»» Mains: State reorganization acts and various recommendations along similar lines.
committee recommendations • Though the current government’s rationalisation
Context: of the three-capital plan leans on the KCS
committee’s recommendations, there is a
• The Andhra Pradesh government, in its previous difference between the two.
session, proposed a three-capital plan for the
state. • While the government’s formula of three
capitals — calling them judicial, legislative and
• As per the Andhra Pradesh Decentralisation and executive capitals — appears to be an imported
Inclusive Development of All Regions Bill, 2020, idea, perhaps inspired by the South African
the State will have Visakhapatnam, Amaravati example, the KCS committee stressed distributed
and Kurnool respectively as the executive, development through decentralised governance.
legislative and judicial capitals of the State.
• The essence of the ‘distributed development’
concept was to make deliberate efforts to
spatially deconcentrate executive power, driven
by region-specific economic activities. For
instance:
* While discussing the Vizag region’s
suitability, the committee recommended
having government offices relevant to
local economic potential, such as for
ports, shipping, fisheries and industry,
in Visakhapatnam. It recommended
developing the Visakhapatnam region as a
high-tech zone.
* In a similar manner, it recommended
developing the ‘Rayalaseema Arc’, building
on the Hyderabad-Kurnool-Anantpur-
Bengaluru highway.
* It recommended the ‘Kalahasti Spine’, using
the potential of the Nadikudi-Kalahasti
railway line.
Challenges:
For Government’s functioning:
Issues: • Running legislative business with most of the
secretariat located 400 km away can lead to
• The matter has become contentious and the Bill logistic inefficiencies, in the absence of efficient
is facing myriad legal and procedural challenges. infrastructure.
• The proposal is set to replace the ambitious • Andhra Pradesh can learn from Maharashtra’s
plan (of the previous government) of building experience of running Winter Sessions in
Amaravati as a world-class greenfield capital city. Nagpur, aimed essentially at placating regional
Origins of the three-capital plan: sentiments.
• It is opined that attribution to similar plans in • International experiences — including that of
South Africa and elsewhere can be shallow. South Africa — of deconcentrating executive
power by shifting capitals to address regional
* South Africa has three capital cities: sentiments do not inspire confidence either.
executive Pretoria, judicial Bloemfontein
and legislative Cape Town.

NOVEMBER - 2020
2
Ability to cope with intense development: Issues and challenges pertaining to the federal
• Infrastructure development within the proposed structure
growth centres is critical. The KCS committee
stressed this extensively. 2. Finance panel submits report with separate
section on States’ finances
• Visakhapatnam, as the executive capital, will
experience much stress. »» Prelims: Finance Commission devolution pattern
• Visakhapatnam, in spite of its excellent and »» Mains: Recommendations of the 15th Finance
natural advantages, is woefully lacking in Commission
its infrastructure. It could not even deliver a
functional Bus Rapid Transit system, even with Context:
the availability of resources. • The 15th Finance Commission has submitted its
Environmental impact: report.
• The KCS committee has warned about the Details:
environmental impact of intensification and • The Fifteenth Finance Commission has finalised
densification in cities, with a special reference to its report for fund devolution from the Centre to
Visakhapatnam. States for the five years from 2021-22 to 2025-26.
• The recent environmental disasters, including • The Commission was asked to give its
the LG Polymers gas leak, expose the city’s recommendations on many unique and wide-
vulnerabilities. ranging issues in its terms of reference.
• The ongoing processes of preparing the Master • Besides its main recommendation on devolution
Plan and Strategic Plan for the Visakhapatnam of funds between the Centre and the States for
Metropolitan Region are an opportunity to the period 2021-22 to 2025-26, the Commission
address these challenges. addressed all its unique terms of reference, such
• Adhocism and a casual approach can undo its as:
future potential. * Considering a new non-lapsable fund for
Way forward: financing national security and defence
spending.
• The Andhra Pradesh Decentralisation and
Inclusive Development of All Regions Bill, 2020 * Offering performance incentives to the
is thin in details but offers hope in its broad States that deliver on reforms.
contours of pursuing inclusive development • Apart from the main report, uniquely titled
through Zonal Planning and Development Finance Commission in Covid Times, the 15th
Boards. Finance Commission presented two volumes as
• There may be other reasons for the functionally part of its submissions.
organised, multiple-capital plan. But the key * One focuses on the state of the Centre’s
principle of distributed development must not finances, with in-depth scrutiny of the key
be lost in executing it. departments, medium-term challenges
• The success of distributed development depends facing the Centre and a road map for future.
on a well-developed infrastructural network * The other volume is dedicated to the States,
linking the growth centres. with the finances of each analysed in great
• Andhra Pradesh lacks these linkages now, and the depth. It has come up with State-specific
sooner the State focuses on these preconditions considerations to address the key challenges
the better for it. that individual States face.
• A re-invigorated focus on projects like the
Chennai-Visakhapatnam Industrial Corridor is Statutory, regulatory and various quasi-judicial
important. bodies
• The proposed three-capital plan claims to
produce decentralised growth, but it should also 3. General consent to CBI
be ensured that it achieves the primary goal of »» Prelims: CBI composition.
decentralised development, irrespective of how
the functionalised multiple-capital plan plays »» Mains: CBI powers, jurisdiction.
out. Context:
• A meeting of the Cabinet decided to withdraw
the general consent accorded to the Central
Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to operate in Kerala.

NOVEMBER - 2020
3
Details: • In case the search requires a surprise element,

• It would curb the agency’s operational there is CrPC Section 166, which allows a police
independence in the State. officer of one jurisdiction to ask an officer of
another to carry out searches on his behalf.
• Now, the CBI can probe local cases or chargesheet
suspects only with the permission of the State • And if the first officer feels that the searches by
administration. the latter may lead to loss of evidence, the section
allows the first officer to conduct searches
What is General Consent? himself after giving a notice to the latter.
• The CBI is governed by the Delhi Special Police Lack of consent won’t vitiate CBI probe: SC
Establishment Act that makes consent of a state
government mandatory for conducting an Context:
investigation in that state. • The Supreme Court has said that the cognisance
• The general consent is routinely given by State and trial in a CBI case against public servants
governments for periods ranging from six “cannot be set aside unless the illegality in the
months to a year to the CBI and all agencies investigation can be shown to have brought
under the Delhi Special Police Establishment about miscarriage of justice”.
(DSPE) Act, 1946. Details:
• The consent is necessary as the jurisdiction of • The Supreme Court has held that, once a
these agencies is confined to Delhi and Union court takes cognisance of a corruption case
Territories under this Act. investigated by the CBI, it cannot be set aside for
• There are two kinds of consent: case-specific lack of the State government’s prior consent for
and general. Given that the CBI has jurisdiction the probe against some of the accused, unless it
only over central government departments and is shown that it has resulted in prejudice.
employees, it can investigate a case involving • Thus, if the State had given a general consent
state government employees or a violent crime to CBI investigation in a corruption case and
in a given state only after that state government cognisance has been taken by the court, the case
gives its consent. cannot be set aside unless the public servants
• “General consent” is normally given to help the plead that prejudice has been caused to them
CBI seamlessly conduct its investigation into on account of non-obtaining of prior consent
cases of corruption against central government under Section 6 of the Delhi Special Police
employees in the concerned state. Almost all Establishment Act.
states have given such consent. Otherwise, the
CBI would require consent in every case. Fundamental Rights
• Other states such as West Bengal, Andhra
Pradesh, Rajasthan and Maharashtra have also 4. ‘Producing suspects before media violates their
withdrawn consent to the CBI to operate freely in rights’
their respective jurisdictions.
»» Prelims: Article 20, 21 and22.
Does withdrawal of General Consent mean that the
CBI can no longer probe any case in the state? »» Mains: Media trial.
• Withdrawal of consent will only bar the CBI from Context
registering a case within the jurisdiction of such • Observation of the Gwalior Bench of the Madhya
states. Pradesh High Court with respect to producing
• The CBI would still have the power to investigate suspects before media.
old cases registered when general consent • The court was examining whether the State
existed. government through an executive order could
• Also, cases registered anywhere else in the violate the privacy of an accused by publishing
country, but involving people stationed in a his face in the media or by parading them.
state that has withdrawn general consent, would Details:
allow CBI’s jurisdiction to extend to these states.
• It has observed that producing suspects
• There is ambiguity on whether the agency can before the media violates their fundamental
carry out a search in either of the two states in rights under Article 21 of the Constitution and
connection with an old case without the consent encourages media trials.
of the state government.
• Media Trial has lately become a trend to increase
• However, there are legal remedies to that as well. the circulation and TRP of newspapers and news
The CBI can always get a search warrant from a channels.
local court in the state and conduct searches.

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• The court observed that although the general • The Bill also proposed 8% reservation to the
public was entitled to know about the progress “more disadvantaged” among the Backward
of an investigation, producing suspects or victims Classes.
before the media had no foundation under any
statutory provision of the law, including the Supreme Court
Code of Criminal Procedure. • In the State of Madhya Pradesh vs Shri Ram Singh,
• The privacy of a citizen is an integral part of Article Supreme Court of India said that a corruption-
21 and cannot be infringed unless a reasonable free government is a basic need of the society; it
restriction was imposed under the law. can be argued that right to recall is undoubtedly
one way to achieve it.
• The justice observed: “Even if a person is a
hardcore criminal, but still his details/history Significance
sheet/surveillance has to be kept discreet and • India is witnessing a constant rise in unethical
there is no question of posting the photographs and irresponsible behaviour on the part of the
of history sheeters even at police stations”. elected legislators. The amendment is aimed at
• In addition, the court noted that the police must increasing their accountability to the voters.
concentrate on ensuring the timely appearance • They may not indulge in corrupt practices
of the police witnesses before the trial court, so because of the fear of recall.
that the guilt of a person could be established. * Such a right would be a significant
check on corruption along with ongoing
Devolution of powers and finances up to local levels criminalisation of politics.
and challenges therein. • If the people have no control over their elected
representatives, democracy will become
5. Right to recall panchayat member meaningless and the representatives and the
officials will act arbitrarily.
»» Prelims: Election of various Panchayat bodies.
»» Mains: Accountability mechanism, direct
democracy Indian Constitution.
Context 6. Uttar Pradesh Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion
• The Haryana Assembly passed the Haryana of Religion Ordinance, 2020
Panchayati Raj (Second Amendment) Bill, 2020. »» Prelims: Article 25
Details: »» Mains: Religious freedom, Right to marry, Right
• It gives women 50% reservation in the rural to convert.
bodies. Context:
* It is aimed at enhancing participation of • The Governor of Uttar Pradesh, has promulgated
women in the three-tier panchayati raj the Uttar Pradesh Prohibition of Unlawful
system. Conversion of Religion Ordinance 2020.
* It allows 50% reservation to them in gram What is Conversion?
panchayats, panchayat samitis and zila
parishads • The Ordinance defines conversion as renouncing
one’s existing religion and adopting another
• The Bill allows the recall of village sarpanches religion.
and members of the block-level panchayat
samitis and district-level zila parishads if they fail Details
to perform. • The Ordinance seeks to regulate religious
* The right to recall gives the power to ensure conversions and prohibits certain types of
accountability of a person in a democracy. religious conversions (including through
marriages).
* To recall a sarpanch and members of the two
bodies, 50% members of a ward or gram 1. Prohibition on conversions:
sabha have to give in writing that they want • The Ordinance prohibits conversion of
to initiate proceedings. This will be followed religion through means, such as: (i) force,
by a secret ballot, in which their recall will misrepresentation, undue influence, and
require two-third members voting against allurement, or (ii) fraud, or (iii) marriage.
them.
• It also prohibits a person from abetting,
* The amendment is aimed at increasing their convincing, and conspiring to such conversions.
accountability to the voters.
• The Ordinance assigns the burden of proof of the

NOVEMBER - 2020
5
lawfulness of religious conversion to the persons Supreme Court on Conversions

causing or facilitating such conversions. • While upholding the validity of the Freedom of
• However, a person reconverting to his/her Religion Acts of Madhya Pradesh and Odisha, in
immediate previous religion is allowed. Stanislaus (1977), the Supreme Court had held
that the “right to propagate” a religion did not
2. Marriages involving religious conversion: include the “right to convert”.
• Under the Ordinance, a marriage is liable to be * The Supreme Court said that the act of
declared void if it was done for the sole purpose religious proselytisation is not protected by
of unlawful conversion, or vice-versa. Article 25 of the Constitution
• However, a marriage involving religious • The Supreme Court of India, in both the Lily
conversion is permitted if the conversion is Thomas and Sarla Mudgal cases, has confirmed
undergone as per the procedure laid down that religious conversions carried out without
under the Ordinance. a bona fide belief and for the sole purpose of
3. Procedure for conversion: deriving some legal benefit do not hold water.
• The Ordinance requires individuals (seeking * Those cases concerned religious conversions
to convert) and religious convertors (who by Hindu men to Islam in order to conclude
perform such conversions) to submit an advance bigamous marriages.
declaration of the proposed religious conversion * This approach has also been confirmed by
to the District Magistrate (DM). the high courts of other states.
• The declarations have to be given with a notice Observations made by Courts in India on Marriage
of:
• In the Hadiya case, the Supreme Court ruled:
* 60 days by the individual,
* “The right to marry a person of one’s choice
* one month by the convertor. is integral to Article 21 (right to life and
• On receiving both the declarations, the DM is liberty) of the Constitution”.
required to conduct a police enquiry into the * “The choice of a partner whether within or
intention, purpose, and cause of the proposed outside marriage lies within the exclusive
conversion. domain of each individual. Intimacies of
Punishment for unlawful conversions marriage lie within a core zone of privacy,
The Ordinance provides for punishment for causing which is inviolable”.
or facilitating unlawful religious conversion. It also * The Supreme Court held that a person’s right
makes such an act of conversion a non-bailable to choose a religion and marry is an intrinsic
criminal offence part of her meaningful existence. Neither
the State nor “patriarchal supremacy” can
interfere in her decision.
Type of offence Term of im- Fine • Allahabad High Court has said the right to live
prisoment amount with a person of one’s choice is intrinsic to the
Mass conversion 3 -10 years Rs 50,000 right to life and personal liberty irrespective of
(conversion of two or or more religion.
more persons) * “The Courts and the Constitutional Courts
in particular are enjoined to uphold the
Conversion of a mi- 2 - 10 years Rs 25,000 life and liberty of an individual guaranteed
under Article 21 of the Constitution of India.
nor, woman, or person or more
Right to live with a person of his/her choice
belonging to SC or ST irrespective of religion professed by them, is
1 - 5 years Rs 15,000 intrinsic to right to life and personal liberty.
Any other conversion or more Interference in a personal relationship,
would constitute a serious encroachment
into the right to freedom of choice of the
two individuals”.
Why do we need such a law?
States that have anti-conversion laws
• The ordinance lays down a procedure to ensure
• The first state to implement it was Odisha in 1967. that any conversion from one religion to another
• This was followed by Madhya Pradesh in 1968. is only done with free consent. The procedure is
enforced to prevent conversions by unfair means.
• The other states which have this law are
Arunachal Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat,
Himachal Pradesh, Jharkhand and Uttarakhand.

NOVEMBER - 2020
6
• It is not against a community or a religion as and personal liberty, an integral part of the
nowhere in the ordinance, comprising of 14 Fundamental Right under Article 21 of the
sections and three schedules, the terms 'Hindu', Constitution of India (Salamat Ansari v State of
'Muslim', 'Christian' or 'Parsi' or 'religious majority' UP).
or 'minority' are used. It is equally applicable on • In the case of Lata Singh v State of U.P, the
everyone irrespective of their religion or gender. Supreme Court has very clearly laid down the
• The law would apply to people of all religions law regarding inter-faith and inter-religious
equally and would ban any kind of religious marriages, and has held thus-
conversions for marriage. * "This is a free and democratic country, and
Concerns once a person becomes a major he or she
1. The procedure which was adopted to enact the can marry whosoever he/she likes. If the
legislation parents of the boy or girl do not approve of
such inter-caste or inter-religious marriage
• Article 213 (1) of the Constitution of India the maximum they can do is that they can
* It provides: “If at any time, except when the cut-off social relations with the son or the
Legislative Assembly of a State is in session, daughter, but they cannot give threats or
or where there is a Legislative Council in commit or instigate acts of violence and
a State, except when both Houses of the cannot harass the person who undergoes
Legislature are in session, the Governor such inter-caste or inter-religious marriage."
is satisfied that circumstances exist 3. There is no data produced by the state government
which render it necessary for him to take on any harm from inter-faith marriages.
immediate action, he may promulgate such
Ordinances as the circumstances appear to 4. It treats women as property.
him to require: …” • It infantilises women and perceives them as
• Conspicuously, the situation of conversion for lacking any agency, as if they are property that
the purpose of marriage (and vice versa), is not needs to be recovered.
something that has come to light suddenly, or for • It assumes that women have no independent
that matter even as serious. thinking and cannot make decisions with respect
* If one fraudulent or coercive inter-faith to marriage and choice of religion.
marriage is taking place, the police can 5. The ordinance is prone to abuse and consequences
certainly prevent it, as they supposedly — of intimidation, bullying and arbitrary arrests.
do in child marriages. An ordinance is not • It vilifies all inter-faith marriages and places
required for it. unreasonable obstacles on consenting adults
* However, if more than one such fraudulent in exercising their personal choice of a partner,
or coercive inter-faith marriage is expected mocks the right to privacy and violates the right
to take place, the State government would to life, liberty and dignity.
have information of mass conversions for Conclusion
the purpose of marriage.
• The Supreme Court has now agreed to hear
* In the normal course, it is unlikely that these petitions challenging the constitutional validity
mass conversions would be in secret and of the laws passed against unlawful religious
almost simultaneous. Surely, these can also conversions
be prevented by an alert police force by
invoking existing legal provisions.
* With laws already present and if conversions Appointment to various Constitutional posts,
were prevalent from a long time, What was powers, functions and responsibilities of various
the need of passing an ordinance all of a Constitutional Bodies.
sudden?
7. Form a commission to monitor tribunals: SC
2. Infringes the Right to Privacy
»» Prelims: Tribunals – Article, types, functions.
• Through numerous decisions, the Courts have
recognised and upheld the sanctity of personal Context
space which includes the decisions with respect • The Supreme Court has directed the Centre
to marriage and family life. to constitute a National Tribunals Commission
• Right to choose a partner irrespective of caste, (NTC) which would act as an independent body
creed or religion, is inhered under right to life to supervise appointments and functioning
as well as take care of the administrative and
infrastructural needs of the tribunals in the
country.

NOVEMBER - 2020
7
Why constituting the commission is important? • character, behaviour, means, position and
• Impartiality, independence, fairness and standing of the accused;
reasonableness in decision-making are • likelihood of the offence being repeated;
characteristic of the judiciary, and, equally, of reasonable apprehension of the witnesses being
these tribunals. tampered with;
• But this is violated because the tribunals depend • danger of justice being thwarted by grant of bail.
on the sponsoring or parent department for Section 4(2) CrPC
infrastructure facilities or personnel which
undermines their independence • It gives power to special laws apart from the
Indian Penal Code (IPC) to lay down separate
• Dependence of tribunals for all their requirements procedures.
on the parent department would not let them
work free and the come under the control of the • Various statutes dealing with a special set of
executive. crimes have thus crafted distinct provisions for
bail and a few of them have made a grant of bail
• Stressing on the "imperative need" to ensure more stringent than CrPC.
that tribunals discharge the judicial functions
without any interference of the executive Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA)
whether directly or indirectly, the apex court said • Special statutes have additional restrictions apart
that till NTC is constituted, a separate wing in the from these eight conditions. The criteria for bail
Ministry of Finance shall be established to cater under UAPA therefore differ.
to the requirements of tribunals.
Background
Significance
• Zahoor Ahmad Shah Watali was alleged to
• Setting up of such commission would enhance have been involved in unlawful acts and terror
the image of tribunals and instil confidence in funding.
the minds of litigants
• He was accused of transferring funds received
The observations by the apex court came in its from Lashkar-e-Taiba chief Hafiz Saeed, the
judgement delivered on a batch of pleas challenging Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi,
the constitutional validity of the 'Tribunal, Appellate Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence, among
Tribunal and other Authorities (Qualification, others, to Hurriyat leaders.
Experience and Other Conditions of Service of
Members) Rules, 2020 • The NIA claimed Watali helped them wage war
against the government of India by repeated
attacks on security forces and government
Indian Constitution establishments.
National Investigation Agency (NIA) vs Zahoor
8. Amid a judicial slide, a flicker of hope on rights- Ahmad Shah Watali
Bail applications
• The Supreme Court on the interpretation of
»» Mains: Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act UAPA said the National Investigation Agency has
(UAPA) provisions. gathered enough evidence to believe that the
accusations against Watali are prima facie true.
General Criminal Procedure
• The Court has ruled that an accused must
• Sections 436-439 of the Criminal Procedure Code remain in custody throughout the period of a
(CrPC) has provisions for bail for various offences. trial, even if the evidence against the person is
Factors to be considered in bail application as eventually proven inadmissible (and the accused
decided in State of U.P. through CBI vs. Amarmani is acquitted).
Tripathi, (2005): • The SC under the UAPA said that the burden of
• whether there is any prima facie or reasonable proving whether the allegations made in the first
ground to believe that the accused had information report is correct or not rests on the
committed the offence; accused and he has to refute the allegations if
• nature and gravity of the charge; bail has to be granted to the accused.
• severity of the punishment in the event of • The Supreme Court’s interpretation was on
conviction; the UAPA alone, and not on general criminal
procedure.
• danger of the accused absconding or fleeing, if
released on bail; Concerns
• Broad offences included under the UAPA and
difficult bail conditions mean individuals can
be detained indefinitely even without the
conviction of the accused.

NOVEMBER - 2020
8
• Even if the person is eventually acquitted of Details:

the charges, the delays in conducting judicial • The ordinance had introduced a new provision,
proceedings mean the case may only get heard Section 118-A, to the Kerala Police Act, 2011.
several years after their arrest – failure to get bail
means they have to spend the entire time in jail. • The amendment proposed three years of
imprisonment and a fine of up to ₹10,000 for
• It has left a glaring loophole for rampant abuse those convicted of producing, publishing or
by the government, police and prosecution alike. disseminating derogatory content through any
Conclusion means of communication to intimidate, insult or
defame any person.
• Therefore, the bail provision under UAPA is
distinct. While other statutes require recording of Issues:
an opinion by the court that there are reasonable • The drastic amendment to the Kerala Police
grounds for believing that the accused is “not Act, 2011, would have given the local law
guilty” of the alleged offence, UAPA requires enforcement more powers to curb defamation.
recording of an opinion by the court deciding bail
that there are reasonable grounds for believing • The ordinance would have allowed whimsical
that the accusation against such person is “prima interpretations by law enforcement agencies.
facie” true. • It is opined that conferring power on the police to
gauge mental injury, loss of reputation and such
matters due to dissemination of information
Salient features of the Representation of People's would result in widespread abuse.
Act. • Section 118A lays down a three-year prison term.
9. Former CEC calls for a ban on opinion polls * It is two years under the IPC.
»» Mains: Opinion polls, criminalization of politics. • It is in conflict with the central laws.
Reforms suggested by former Chief Election * By making defamatory statements
Commissioner S.Y. Quraishi. cognisable and raising the prison term, the
Kerala ordinance effectively amends the IPC
• The former CEC called for a ban on opinion polls and Cr.P.C., a move for which the Centre’s
stating that they vitiate the purity of the election assent is mandatory.
process.
• The ordinance itself required prior presidential
• He also suggested counting of votes from the assent.
Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) slips
instead of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs). Section 66 A of the Information Technology Act, 2000:
• He suggested changing the process of removal • In 2015, the Supreme Court struck down Section
of Election Commissioners, who can be removed 66A of the Information Technology Act, 2000,
on the recommendation of the CEC while the which gave the government power to arrest and
removal of the CEC is by impeachment. imprison an individual for allegedly offensive
online posts.
• Stating that the EC should have the power to de-
register political parties, he said, that there were • The court ruled that as it did not distinguish
lots of defunct and bogus parties that only exist between speech that was merely “offensive or
for money laundering. annoying” and that which was guilty of inciting a
disruption of public order, Section 66A was liable
• He flagged the problem of criminalization, with to have a chilling effect on free speech.
30%-40% of the members of any legislature
having pending criminal cases. • The same judgment also declared as invalid
Section 118 (d) of the Kerala Police Act, which
prescribed a jail term for those who caused
Indian Constitution annoyance to others by indecent statements,
comments, calls or messages.
10. Kerala law to curb abusive content
In effect, the new ordinance tries to resurrect a section
»» Prelims: Ordinance power of Governor. struck down as unconstitutional by the apex court.
»» Mains: Free speech, defamation. Conclusion:
Context: • Despite the guarantees in the Constitution, free
• Kerala Governor had signed an ordinance speech, dissent and even legitimate criticism
amending the law to give the police more is looked at as an exercise in bad faith, and
powers to prosecute persons who exploit projected as an attack on democratically elected
various communication platforms to slander authority. As a result, existing laws are being
fellow citizens. weaponised to arrest journalists and citizens for
a tweet or a slogan or a Facebook post.

NOVEMBER - 2020
9
• The ordinance decides to strike a blow against * Section 67 in The Information Technology
liberty and is a sign of an endemic intolerance to Act, 2000
dissent, cutting across ideological lines. »» Punishment for publishing or transmitting
• The institutions of a mature democracy should obscene material in electronic form
shrug off such comments. * The IT Act also places obligations on
• The Kerala government must withdraw an intermediaries, where intermediaries have
ordinance that does not pass the constitutional a duty of due diligence; they have to take
test. down content based on a request by the
Are tougher laws the answer to check online government or a court order.
abuse? * This obligation is actually very broadly
Context worded — any information that is
grossly harmful, harassing, blasphemous,
• The Kerala government has decided to withdraw defamatory, obscene, pornographic,
an Ordinance that gives unbridled powers paedophilic, libellous, invasive of another’s
to the police to arrest anyone expressing privacy, hateful, or racially or ethnically
or disseminating any matter that it deems objectionable, disparaging, etc.
defamatory.
No- We need more stringent laws
• However, the move to introduce such a law in the
first place shows that State governments believe • Law Commission of India in its 2017 report
that existing laws are not adequate to deal with suggests adding new provisions to make speech
social media abuse. inciting hatred and speech that causes fear, alarm
or provocation of violence, a criminal offence
To what extent is this true? Yes we have enough laws under IPC
Our existing laws are actually adequate. * They wanted two new provisions be
• We have the Indian Penal Code (IPC) that introduced to the IPC to specifically deal
criminalises speech that is obscene, defamatory, with online hate speech.
that insults the modesty of women and intrudes • The Supreme Court in its judgment of 2015 struck
upon her privacy. down 66A of the IT Act? Has there been any
* Section 294 of the Indian Penal Code significant legislation or guidelines on grievance
(IPC) punishes obscene acts or words in a redressal or removal of offensive content and do
public place. To be considered a crime, the these work effectively?
obscenity must cause "annoyance to others". • A lot of the public discussion has focused on how
A person convicted under this law can face intermediaries need to do more to make the
up to three months imprisonment. Internet a safer place.
»» Obscene books are similarly criminalised * Changes were proposed in IT act but since it
under Section 292. drew criticism it was not considered.
* It punishes anonymous criminal * In the absence of any changes in the
intimidation, it punishes voyeurism, it legislative structure, courts and governments
punishes digitally enabled stalking, hate have largely resorted to blocking content or
speech, and even non-consensual sharing forcing intermediaries to take steps to limit
of sexual images online. the spread of illegal content.
»» Section 153A of the IPC criminalises and »» The Madras High Court threatened to ban
punishes making statements, speeches TikTok because it was supposedly enabling
or acts which have the effect of disturbing the circulation of obscene content.
public tranquillity or law and order by
promoting enmity »» It’s also important to remember that the
government from time to time issues
»» Section 505 of the IPC, on the other hand, directions, which has happened most
criminalises making statements, reports or recently in the context of WhatsApp,
rumours that encourage members of the where they have been asked to take
armed forces or a police officer to refuse certain steps pertaining to illegal content
to perform his duty, encourage a person on their platform.
to commit offences against the state
or disturb public tranquillity and incite
persons to disturb public tranquillity.
• In addition to that, we have the Information
Technology Act of 2000 that punishes speech
that is obscene.

NOVEMBER - 2020
10
Way forward
• As in the Kerala example, rather than rush into
making a new law that is likely to be struck down
by the courts, it might have been better if the
government had actually outlined the specific
problem and conducted more transparent
consultations with the stakeholders involved to
try and figure out solutions.
• The Kerala government has backtracked once
there was significant criticism, and that is very rare
to see. But we should also hope that the Kerala
government’s most recent move of withdrawing
the Ordinance will make other States stop and
think before they pass such laws, or have proper
public consultation.
• Governments can actually afford to be
responsive to criticism and take back laws that
face significant public opposition.

NOVEMBER - 2020
11
ECONOMY
Food processing and related industries in India risk to people. It also does not change the taste,
aroma or texture of food.
1. Centrally Sponsored Pilot Scheme on
• Fortification of rice is especially important since
Fortification of Rice & its distribution through micronutrient deficiency is particularly seen in
Public Distribution System countries where the consumption of rice is more
»» Prelims: Food fortification, key vitamins and prevalent.
minerals. • The World Health Organisation also recommends
»» Mains: Nutritional status of the population, PDS rice fortification in regions where rice is a staple
system. food as a health strategy to enhance the iron
status of populations.
Context:
• 15 States have been identified for implementing
the Centrally Sponsored Pilot Scheme on Industrial policy and their effects on industrial
Fortification of Rice & its distribution through growth.
Public Distribution System.
2. Code on Social Security Bill, 2020
About the Scheme:
»» Prelims: Social security schemes
• The “Centrally Sponsored Pilot Scheme on
Fortification of Rice & its distribution through »» Mains: Labour codes, social security measures
Public Distribution System”is being implemented taken
by the Department of Food & Public Distribution Background:
(DFPD).
• The Code on Social Security Bill, 2020, replaces
• The Pilot Scheme has been approved for a period nine laws related to social security. These include
of three years beginning 2019-2020 with a total the Employees’ Provident Fund Act, 1952, the
budget outlay of Rs.174.6 Crore. Maternity Benefit Act, 1961, and the Unorganised
• Fifteen State Governments have identified Workers’ Social Security Act, 2008.
their respective districts (1 district per state) for * Social security refers to protection measures
implementing the Pilot Scheme. provided to workers to ensure healthcare
• Already 5 states of Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, and income security in case of certain
Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu and Chhattisgarh have contingencies such as old age, maternity, or
started the distribution of fortified rice in their accidents.
respective identified districts. Significance:
Fortification of Rice: Defines platform work:
• Fortification is the addition of key vitamins and • The Code on Social Security Bill for the first time
minerals such as Iron, Iodine, Zinc, Vitamins A & in Indian law, attempted to define ‘platform work’
D to staple foods such as rice, wheat, oil, milk and outside of the traditional employment category.
salt to improve their nutritional content.
• As per this bill, “Platform work means a work
• Either these nutrients would have been lost arrangement outside of a traditional employer-
during the processing, or they would not have employee relationship in which organisations or
been present at all in these food items. individuals use an online platform to access other
• Fortified rice contains nutrients such as iron, folic organisations or individuals to solve specific
acid, zinc, vitamins A, B1 and B12. problems or to provide specific services or any
such other activities which may be notified by the
Benefits of fortification: Central Government, in exchange for payment.”
• Fortification of food helps address the issue of • This marks a significant move to recognize
micronutrient malnutrition, which is also known platform work.
as hidden hunger.
Social security to platform workers:
• Many times, due to the inadequate intake of a
balanced diet, or due to the lack of variety in food, • One of the major proposals of the Social Security
people do not get sufficient micronutrients. Code Bill is to bring the platform workers under
the ambit of social security schemes, including
• Fortification of food is a safe method of improving life and disability insurance, health and maternity
nutrition among people since the addition of benefits, provident fund and skill up-gradation.
micronutrients to food does not pose a health

NOVEMBER - 2020
12
Concerns: Way forward:

No differentiation between platform work and Employment status to platform workers:
unorganized work: • The global conversation on platform workers’
• The Code has drawn criticism from platform rights has been around the misclassification of
workers’ associations for failing to delineate platform workers as ‘independent contractors’
platform work from gig work and unorganised as against the granting of employee status to
work. Only such a categorical clarification could platform workers.
help ensure that social security measures are • The emerging amendments to labour laws in
provided to workers without compromising the Canada and the U.S. have shown that a move
flexibility and a sense of ownership character towards granting employee status to platform
associated with platform work. workers would help guarantee minimum wage
No fixed accountability: and welfare benefits to such workers.
• The Code states the provision of basic welfare • India too should work towards granting
measures as a joint responsibility of the Central employment status to platform workers.
government, platform aggregators, and workers Legal framework for platform workers:
without delineating the exact responsibility of
each stakeholder. • There should be an effort to acknowledge the
heterogeneity of work in the gig economy
Continued reliance on platform companies: through an appropriate socio-legal framework
• While platform work promises workers flexibility and have supportive policies for such jobs.
and ownership over the delivery of work, they are Ensuring social security:
still largely dictated by mechanisms of control
wired by the platform algorithms. This affects • To mitigate any operational breakdowns in
pricing per unit of work, allocation of work, and providing welfare services, a tripartite effort by
work hours. the State, companies, and workers is required
with a more robust responsibility to platform
• The entry into on-demand platform work like
aggregator companies and the State.
ride-sharing and food delivery is dependent on
existing access to vehicular assets. Given that the
average Indian worker on a ride-sharing platform
has limited access to such capital, platform Challenges to internal security, money laundering.
workers rely on intensive loan schemes, often 3. Global Conference on Criminal Finances and
facilitated by platform aggregator companies.
Cryptocurrencies
This results in dependence on platform
companies, driven by financial obligations, thus »» Prelims: 4th Global Conference on Criminal
rendering flexibility and ownership ineffective in Finances and Crypto currencies.
the short- to middle-term. »» Mains: Challenges to internal security, money
Benefits of platform work: laundering.
For the platform workers: • The conference is an initiative of the Working
Group on Cryptocurrencies and Money
• The flexibility available in platform work is a
Laundering established in 2016 by the three
significant attraction. The platform work offers a
organisations Interpol, Europol and the Basel
low barrier to entry and flexibility of work timings
Institute on Governance.
depending on the workers’ time availability and
intent. • It was launched with the objective of
strengthening knowledge, expertise and
For the society and economy:
best practices for investigations into financial
• The platform workers played a critical role crimes and intelligence on virtual assets and
during the pandemic. Platform workers were cryptocurrencies.
responsible for the delivery of essential services
Context:
during the pandemic at great personal risk to
themselves. • The 4th Global Conference on Criminal Finances
and Cryptocurrencies was organised by the
• They have also been responsible for helping
Interpol, Europol and the Basel Institute on
the demand-driven platform companies remain
Governance.
afloat despite the pandemic-induced financial
crisis. This also helped small businesses remain Details:
afloat during the lockdowns, hence playing a • Representatives from 132 countries attended
critical role economically. the virtual conference to shape international
cross-sector solutions against the criminal use of
cryptocurrencies.

NOVEMBER - 2020
13
• The conference’s agenda included trends Indian Economy

and investigations on cryptocurrency-related
offences, exploring criminal flows and operations 5. National Animal Disease Control Programme for
in the dark markets, ransomware and sextortion Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) and Brucellosis
case studies, money laundering involving virtual »» Prelims: Foot and Mouth Disease and Brucellosis
assets, and the transfer of drug proceeds using disease.
cryptocurrencies.
»» Mains: Livestock farming
Significance:
Aim:
• Recently, there has been an increase in the
number and quality of investigations in the • It aims to control Foot and Mouth Disease
field of cryptocurrency-facilitated crime and and Brucellosis by 2025 with vaccination and
subsequent money laundering. eventual eradication by 2030.
• Law enforcement and other public entities are Funding
continuing to enhance their level of knowledge • It is a 100% centrally funded programme, with a
and expertise in this crime area. total outlay of Rs.12,652 crore from 2019 to 2024.
• The conference serves as an opportunity to * The programme earlier was implemented
underline the need for countries and jurisdictions on cost sharing basis between the Central
to increase the exchange of tactical information and State Governments.
and best practices.
* In a rare instance of departure, the Central
Government has decided to now bear the
entire cost of the programme to ensure
Infrastructure: Energy
complete eradication of these diseases and
4. Luhri Stage-I Hydro Power Project better livelihood opportunities for all the
livestock rearing farmers in the country.
»» Prelims: River Satluj and its tributaries.
The threat of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) and
Context Brucellosis:
• Cabinet approves the investment proposal of the • These diseases are very common amongst the
210 MW Luhri Stage-I Hydro Power Project. livestock – cow-bulls, buffaloes, sheep, goats,
About the Project: pigs etc.
• The Luhri Stage-I Hydro Electric Project, located • If a cow/buffalo gets infected with FMD, the milk
on river Satluj, is situated in Shimla & Kullu loss is upto 100% which could last for four to six
districts of Himachal Pradesh. months.
• This project will generate 758.20 million units of * Further, in case of Brucellosis the milk output
electricity annually. reduces by 30%, during the entire life cycle
• This project is being implemented by Satluj Jal of animal. Brucellosis also causes infertility
Vidyut Nigam Limited (SJVNL) on Build-Own- amongst the animals.
Operate-Maintain (BOOM) basis with active • The infection of brucellosis can also be
support from the Government of India and the transmitted to the farm workers and livestock
HP State Government. owners.
Significance • Both the diseases have a direct negative impact
• The power generated from the project will help on the trade of milk and other livestock products.
in providing grid stability and will improve the Significance
power supply position. • The mission mode approach for eradication of
• Besides adding valuable renewable energy these diseases is the biggest step any country
to the grid, the project would also lead to a has ever taken either for human or animal
reduction of 6.1 lakh tons of carbon dioxide from vaccination programme to control any disease.
the environment annually, thus contributing to
an improvement in air quality.
• The construction activity will also generate Mobilization of Resources
employment for around 2000 people. 6. RE-Invest 2020
• The Project Affected Families will be provided
with 100 units of free electricity per month for »» Prelims: Details about RE-Invest 2020.
ten years. Context:
• PM inaugurates RE-Invest 2020.

NOVEMBER - 2020
14
About RE-Invest 2020: • Australia conducted its first full-scale national

• The 3rd Global Renewable Energy Investment survey in 1992, Canada has been doing it since
Meeting and Expo (RE-Invest 2020) was organised 1961.
by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy. • Germany, Austria, and Israel have also conducted
• The theme for RE-Invest 2020- ‘Innovations for these surveys.
Sustainable Energy Transition’. • The “NSS Report- Time Use in India 2019” whose
• The event was showcased as India’s biggest findings were revealed, is the first such pan India
renewable energy event. survey conducted.
• The 3-day event included conferences and Why measuring TUS is important?
exhibitions on renewables and future energy • It is because we have to implement the
choices for manufacturers, developers, investors Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) by 2030
and innovators. and the path-breaking Resolution of the 19th
• RE-Invest 2020 aimed to accelerate the International Conference on Labour Statistics
worldwide effort to scale up the development * The Government of India is fully committed
and deployment of renewable energy and to the SDGs and has also indicated its
connect the global investment community with inclination to implementing the second.
Indian energy stakeholders.
• TUS data are also required for understanding
• The first such event was held in 2015 followed by and monitoring major socioeconomic concerns
a second one in 2018. of countries.
SDG
Employment • Goal 5: Gender equality
7. Time Use Survey * Target 5.1 End all forms of discrimination
against all women and girls everywhere
»» Prelims: Components of survey
* 5.4 Recognize and value unpaid care and
»» Mains: participation of men and women in paid domestic work through the provision of
and unpaid activities. public services, infrastructure and social
Context: protection policies and the promotion of
shared responsibility within the household
• The all India Time Use Survey, 2019 has been
and the family as nationally appropriate
published by the Government of India.
* 5.5 Ensure women’s full and effective
Time Use Survey
participation and equal opportunities for
• The survey measures the participation rate and leadership at all levels of decision making in
time spent on paid activities, care activities, political, economic and public life
unpaid activities, etc.
Concerns
• It is an important source of information about the
• Experts have always argued that Indian
activities that are performed by the population
Employment/Unemployment Surveys (EUS),
and the time duration for which such activities
tend to under-report informal workers, due to the
are performed.
nature of informal employment. Being frequently
• The primary objective of Time Use Survey (TUS) intermittent, scattered, temporary, short term or
is to measure participation of men and women unstable, it is frequently not reported accurately
in paid and unpaid activities. by the EUS.
• TUS is an important source of information on * Again, women frequently view work as a
the time spent in unpaid caregiving activities, part of household work and under-report it.
volunteer work, unpaid domestic service
* Also, the EUS are not equipped to collect
producing activities of the household members.
data on multiple jobs performed by people,
• It also provides information on time spent on the time spent on work (i.e. intensity
learning, socializing, leisure activities, self-care of work), the scattered nature of work,
activities, etc., by the household members. subsistence work, and work performed
Has India conducted a TUS earlier? under simultaneous activities.
Over the last three decades, a number of developed • The Indian TUS data are not adequate.
countries have been conducting time use surveys * A TUS collects data only for one or two days
with increasing frequency. per person in a week, while according to the
• The United States has been doing one annually ILO, “a person is a worker if she/he has spent
since 2003. at least one hour on work in the reference
week”.

NOVEMBER - 2020
15
* As informal work is frequently intermittent * India is investing in massive infrastructure

and irregular, the TUS information on one building spree of highways, railways, metros,
day’s work (for less than one hour) or non- water-ways, airports across the country.
work cannot qualify the person to be a • Government has also aimed at improving the
worker or non-worker. manufacturing potential and improving ease of
»» It is quite likely that the person reporting doing business
as a non-worker on one day may be * One Nation One Tax system in the form GST,
working on other days, or one reporting one of the Lowest Corporate Tax rates and
work may not work for one hour totally added incentive for new manufacturing,
in the week. Thus, the TUS cannot Faceless regime for IT assessment and
provide information on the workforce/ appeal, a new labour laws regime balancing
employment status of persons. the welfare of workers and ease of doing
Conclusion business
• In short, the Indian TUS has missed two important * Production Linked Incentive schemes in
opportunities — of implementing the SDG 5.4 specific sectors and empowered institutional
and the ILO’s important resolution. arrangement to handhold investors
Why was this meeting important?
• RBI in the past has said that investment was
Mobilization of Resources
already in contraction mode and it suffered a
8. Virtual Global Investor Roundtable (VGIR) further massive pandemic shock.
»» Mains: India’s investment climate, need for • Fixed investment continues to face an uncertain
foreign investment. outlook given the weak consumption demand
and excess capacity in most industries, especially
Context: when coupled with stretched balance sheets that
• Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently addressed cramp businesses’ ability to borrow and invest.
at the Virtual Global Investor Roundtable (VGIR) • And the government’s ability to apportion more
2020 funds for growth-spurring capital projects is
VGIR hamstrung by a widening fiscal deficit amid a
• The VGIR was organized by the Ministry of protracted
Finance, Government of India, and National * Border stand-off,
Investment and Infrastructure Fund. * The health crisis
• It was an exclusive dialogue between leading * A debilitating revenue shortfall.
Global Institutional Investors, Indian business
leaders and the highest decision makers from
the Government of India and Financial Market Changes in industrial policy
Regulators.
* Union Finance Minister, Union Minister of 9. Centre unveils incentives to boost manufacturing
State for Finance, RBI Governor and other »» Mains: PLI scheme in the times of COVID-19,
dignitaries were present. India’s electronic manufacturing sector.
• VGIR 2020 focussed on discussions around India’s Context:
economic and investment outlook, structural
reforms and the government’s vision for the path • The Central government’s new Production-
to a USD 5 trillion economy. Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme.
• The event provided an opportunity to leading Background:
global investors and Indian business leaders to • Previously, a Production Linked Incentive scheme
engage and deliberate with senior policymakers was announced for the electronic manufacturing
on how to further accelerate the growth of sector.
international investments in India.
• The government had proposed expanding this
Highlights of the Meeting scheme to other sectors as well.
• PM Modi pitched India as the ideal destination Details:
* India offers the investors Democracy, • The new scheme focuses on 10 sectors. The
Demography, Demand as well as Diversity sectors have been identified on the basis of their
• India has an ambitious plan to invest $ 1.5 trillion employment creation potential and with the
under the National Infrastructure Pipeline vision to make India self-reliant. Sunrise sectors
and products with linkages with the global value
chain have been prioritized.

NOVEMBER - 2020
16
* The selected sectors include food * I n the case of dumping a country or

processing, telecom and networking company exports a product at a price that is
products, electronics, textiles, speciality lower in the foreign importing market than
steel, automobiles and auto components, the price in the exporter’s domestic market.
solar photovoltaic modules, advanced * Dumping leads to price-suppression in
chemistry cell battery, pharmaceuticals and destination countries and could lead to long
white goods, such as air conditioners and term ill effects on the domestic producers.
LEDs.
• Vietnam pepper exporters are making use of
• According to the scheme, companies will get bilateral trade concessions between India and
incentives on incremental sales from products Sri Lanka and Nepal to dump the pepper into the
manufactured in domestic units. Indian market. Sri Lanka and Nepal have lower
• The scheme has an estimated outlay of about Rs. custom duties on their pepper exports to India.
1.46 lakh crore for over the next five years, with * Under the FTA, Sri Lanka can export up to
around ₹57,000 crore allocated for automobiles 2,500 tonnes per year at zero duty to India,
and auto components production. while the duty is 8% under the SAARC
• Individual Ministries in charge of the sectors Agreement and 50% under the ASEAN Pact.
would be implementing the scheme. Concerns:
• Applications to avail of the benefits will be vetted • Indian pepper has suffered a sharp erosion in
by an Empowered Finance Committee, following domestic prices due to the glut in supply.
which they will be taken up to the Cabinet for
final approval. Way forward:
Significance: Rein in misuse of available provisions:
• The PLI scheme would encourage domestic • The Centre must take quick measures to curb
manufacturing investments in the considered misuse of imports. The recently introduced
sectors. Customs Administration of Rules of Origin under
Trade Agreements Rules, 2020 (CAROTAR, 2020),
• The increased domestic investments would will help rein in misuse of import provisions.
lead to job creation and assuage some of the
employment pressures in the Indian economy. • Also the governments must prohibit Export
Oriented Units (EOUs) and units in SEZs from
• Given the focus on cutting-edge technology, selling black pepper in the domestic market as
the scheme is expected to help fulfil the vision
of making India self-reliant. This will help reduce these units enjoy special import provisions.
imports.
• The scheme will help make Indian manufacturers Effects of liberalization on the economy
globally competitive, by creating economies of
scale. This will help enhance exports from India 11. India’s mask of economic liberalism is off
and make India an integral part of the global »» Prelims: RCEP countries
supply chain.
»» Mains: Pros and cons of trade agreements.
• The scheme is also aimed as a clear signal to
potential foreign investors that India is not Context:
turning protectionist as foreign companies • The article analyses the recent developments
are also encouraged to set shop in India as the and argues that trade protectionism seems to
government is providing incentives. have become the official policy in India.
• The above moves are expected to help India in Background:
its economic revival in the post-pandemic phase.
• India’s External Affairs Minister recently
disapproved of free trade and globalisation.
Indian Economy • He remarked that in the name of openness, India
10. Dumping by Vietnam hits Indian pepper had allowed subsidi[s]ed products and unfair
production advantages from abroad to prevail…
»» Prelims: Counterveiling duty and anti-dumping justified by the mantra of an open and globali[s]
duty ed economy.
Context: • He also said that it was quite extraordinary that
• Dumping of Vietnamese pepper in India. an economy as attractive as India allowed the
framework to be set by others.
Details:
• The dumping of Vietnamese pepper in India is
happening via Nepal and Sri Lanka.

NOVEMBER - 2020
17
• These comments came in the backdrop of • Post-1991, the Indian economy grew at a faster
the signing of the Regional Comprehensive pace, ushering in an era of economic prosperity.
Economic Partnership (RCEP) agreement, by 15 • According to Arvind Panagariya (economist),
countries of the Asia-Pacific region. poverty in rural and urban India, which stood at
Criticisms: close to 40% in 2004-05, almost halved to about
20% by 2011-12. This was due to India clocking
Not joining the Regional Comprehensive
an average economic growth rate of almost 8%
Economic Partnership (RCEP):
with international trade being a major engine of
• With trade multilateralism at the World Trade progress.
Organization (WTO) remaining sluggish, FTAs are
• India cannot expect foreign investors to invest if
the gateways for international trade.
trade protectionism is the government’s official
• By not being part of any major FTA, India cannot policy.
be part of the global value chains.
• India must work towards economic liberalisation,
• By refusing to sign RCEP India is now at the globalisation and free trade for its advantage. It
margins of the regional and global economy. would also help India gain an image as a global
• India’s competitors such as the East Asian nations, destination for foreign investment.
by virtue of being embedded in mega-FTAs, are
in a far superior position to be part of global
value chains and attract foreign investment. Effect of Liberalization on the Economy.
India continues to remain a relatively closed 12. Jobs, exports and the trade pacts link
economy: »» Prelims: Bilateral FTAs.
• While India is a much more open economy than »» Mains: Impact of trade agreements, Make in
it was three decades ago, globally, it continues India, export policy
to remain relatively closed when compared to
other major economies. Context:
• According to the WTO, India’s applied most • As per the figures presented by the Reserve Bank
favoured nation import tariffs are 13.8%, (highest of India, India is in an economic recession for the
for any major economy). first time in its independent history.
• According to the United Nations Conference Issues:
on Trade and Development, on the import Job loss:
restrictiveness index, India figures in the ‘very
• Jobs are the first casualty during a recession.
restrictive’ category.
* Thousands of people lost their jobs due to
• From 1995-2019, India has initiated anti-
the slowing economy in 2018-19 and 2019-
dumping measures 972 times (the highest in the
20. Unemployment had reached a 45-year
world), in an endeavour to protect the domestic
high.
industry.
* More than 2 crore people lost their jobs and
Blaming the FTAs for the woes of India’s
incomes during the lockdown.
manufacturing:
• In any country, the ultimate economic test is, to
• The external affairs minister took a dig at the
ensure that are there sufficient jobs, incomes
FTAs by stating that “the effect of past trade
and livelihoods for all in the workforce. The single
agreements has been to de-industriali[s]e some
biggest challenge confronting India today is jobs.
sectors.”
Reduction in export volumes:
• However, the economic survey concluded that
India has benefitted overall from FTAs signed so • Despite the “Make in India”, export volumes have
far. decreased in the last six years.
• Moreover, impugning FTAs for deindustrialisation • The reason for this is seen as the complete
means being oblivious to the real problem of the reversal in the direction of India’s foreign trade
Indian industry. policy with higher tariffs, non-tariff barriers,
quantitative limits, the return of licensing, border
• The real problems are:
country restrictions and the appreciating value
* Lack of competitiveness of the rupee.
* Absence of structural reforms Trade agreements:
Way forward: • Exports are linked to trade agreements.
• India has been one of the major beneficiaries of * The member-countries of a trade agreement
economic globalisation — a fact attested by the promote trade among themselves with easy
International Monetary Fund (IMF).

NOVEMBER - 2020
18
rules but restrict trade with non-members • Merchandise exports also create supporting
with hard rules. jobs. It is therefore very important to encourage
• Some historic trade agreements that were and incentivise exports to be able to create many
successful were the Association of Southeast new jobs in the country.
Asian Nations (ASEAN), North American Free Bilateral Free Trade Agreements:
Trade Agreement (NAFTA) and the Southern
• India needs to shed exaggerated fears of trade
Common Market (MERCOSUR). Half-hearted and
agreements.
hesitant agreements like the South Asia Free
Trade Agreement (SAFTA) failed. • India cannot protect its domestic industry with
high trade barriers while aspiring for bilateral
• Unfortunately, India has turned towards what
trade treaties to promote exports.
seems like an anti-FTA policy.
• Most manufacturing today has a long supply
Way Forward:
chain that cuts across many countries.
Job creation:
* To be able to export goods, India must
• The biggest priority for India must now be to import raw materials or equipment or
recover the jobs that were lost and create new technology from other countries in the
well-paying jobs. supply chain.
* According to the Economic Survey 2016- • Hence, India must re-learn to engage with
17: If the government makes available ₹10 other countries and negotiate favourable
lakh as a loan to four companies for capital trade agreements through the bilateral and
investment; a steel manufacturing company multilateral routes.
will create one new job with this amount. An
Conclusion
automobile manufacturer will create three
new jobs. A producer of leather goods will • The art of survival in a fiercely competitive world
create 70 new jobs. An apparel and garment is engagement and negotiation.
maker will create 240 new jobs including 80
for women (Economic Survey 2016-17).
* Large numbers of good quality jobs can Effect of Liberalization on the Economy.
be created only in sectors that are labour 13. Lessons from Vietnam and Bangladesh
intensive, and where India has a comparative
advantage, such as apparel, leather goods, »» Mains: Global value chains
value-added agriculture and so on. Context:
* These job-creating sectors depend not only • While Bangladesh has become the second-
on the domestic market but, significantly, largest apparel exporter after China, Vietnam’s
on export markets. exports have grown by about 240% in the past
* More than one-half of the leather goods and eight years. The article throws light upon the best
one-third of the apparel produced in India is practices followed in both the countries for and
exported to other countries. what India can learn from them.
Export promotion: Vietnam’s Success:
• India’s economy is in shambles and exports are • Vietnam’s exports rose from $83.5 billion in 2010
one of the main engines to revive economic to $279 billion in 2019.
growth and create many new jobs. • Vietnam pursues an open trade policy mainly
• In order to revive exports, India needs greater through Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) which
and frictionless access to global markets. ensure that its important trading partners like
the U.S., the EU, China, Japan, South Korea and
• India needs to find more export markets, nurture India do not charge import duties on products
them, and sustain them amid intense global made in Vietnam.
competition.
• Vietnam’s domestic market is open to the
* There is irrefutable evidence that India’s partners’ products.
new trade policy, unveiled first in 1991-92,
and taken forward by every subsequent * 99% of EU products will soon enter Vietnam
government until 2014, has paid rich duty-free.
economic dividends in generating jobs, • The country has agreed to change its domestic
incomes and consumption. laws to make the country attractive to investors.
* Also, exports were the most significant * Foreign firms can compete for local
factor that drove the Indian economy in the businesses.
‘boom years’ of 2003-2012.

NOVEMBER - 2020
19
* EU firms can open shops, enter the retail Setting up pre-approved factory spaces:
trade, and bid for both government and
private sector tenders. • India, unlike Vietnam, has a developed domestic
and capital market. To further promote
* They can take part in electricity, real estate, manufacturing and investment, India could set
hospital, defence, and railways projects. up sectoral industrial zones with pre-approved
• An open trade policy, a less inexpensive factory spaces.
workforce, and generous incentives to foreign Conclusion:
firms contributed to Vietnam’s success.
• For India, the focus is on organic economic growth
Constraints for India: through innovation and competitiveness.
• While Vietnam being a single-party state can • With reforms promoting innovation and lowering
ignore domestic voices, this model may not be the cost of doing business, India is poised to
good for India as it offers no protection to farmers attract the best investments and integrate
or local producers from imports. further with the global economy.
Bangladesh’s Strategy:
• In Bangladesh, most of the country’s export Employment
constitutes large export of apparels to the EU
and the U.S. 14. NHRC notes a drop in women workers
* The EU allows the import of apparel and »» Prelims: Labour force participation rate.
other products from least developed
»» Mains: Women in labour force, women safety at
countries (LDCs) like Bangladesh duty-free.
workplace.
* However, Bangladesh may not have this
Context:
advantage in a few years.
• The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC)
• The country is working to diversify its export
has noted a drop in women’s participation in the
basket.
workforce.
• In India, as a good neighbor, all of Bangladesh’s
Issue:
products are accepted duty-free (except alcohol
and tobacco). • According to the Periodic Labour Force Survey
reports released by the National Statistical Office,
Way Forward:
women’s participation in the workforce “fell to
Here are a few suggestions of elements followed in its lowest points since independence in the year
Vietnam and Bangladesh models that India can look 2017-18.
to emulate:
• The most major decline was seen since 2004,
Support Large Firms: from 29.4% to 17.5% in 2017-18.
• The key learning from Bangladesh is the need to • The decline has marginally increased to 18.6% in
support large firms for a quick turnover. the year 2018-19.
* Large firms are better positioned to Details:
invest in brand building, meeting quality
• NHRC would issue guidelines to the government
requirements, and marketing.
to improve the participation of women in the
* Small firms begin as suppliers to large firms workforce.
and eventually grow.
• The expert group met to discuss the reasons for
Export Diversification: the low participation of women in the workforce.
• Vietnam has changed domestic rules to meet the Suggestions to improve participation in the
needs of investors. Yet, most of Vietnam’s exports workforce:
happen in five sectors.
• Investments must be encouraged in the care
• In contrast, India’s exports are more diversified. economy while having a regulatory mechanism.
* The Economic Complexity Index (ECI), which • While there already exists a law against sexual
ranks a country based on how diversified harassment, much more needs to be done
and complex its manufacturing export in terms of ensuring its implementation and
basket is, illustrates this point. providing better working conditions.
* The ECI rank for China is 32, India 43, Vietnam • Gender sensitivity must be ensured at
79, and Bangladesh 127. workplaces.
• Equal sharing of household work will help in
increasing the participation of women in the
workforce.

NOVEMBER - 2020
20
• It was suggested that an urban employment Concerns:

guarantee scheme be started along the lines of Missed targets:
the MGNREGA with a reservation for women.
• In the last three quarters of the current financial
• There is a need for skilling and encouraging year, average inflation has exceeded the target
women to take up unconventional jobs like remaining above the upper tolerance limit set by
drivers and electricians. the Centre.
* Inflation, as measured by the Consumer
Indian Economy Price Index (CPI), was 6.7% in the
January-March quarter, 6.6% in the
15. Reinforcing RBI’s accountability April-June quarter (based on imputed
»» Prelims: Types of inflation, monetary policy data) and 6.9% in the July-September
committee composition. quarter.
»» Mains: Inflation targeting, inflation-growth Unjustified arguments:

dynamics. • The MPC in its August policy review has cited
Context: the lack of adequate and quality data and called
for a break in the CPI series for the purpose of
• The article analyzes the inflation targeting role monetary policy decisions and exempting the
played by the Reserve Bank of India. RBI from complying with the requirement of
Background: writing to the Finance Ministry, explaining why
inflation missed the set targets.
Inflation targeting in India:
* The normal data collection exercise
• Inflation targeting is a monetary policy strategy of the National Statistics Office was
used by central banks for maintaining inflation disrupted during the lockdown imposed
at a certain level or within a specific range. due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
With many central banks adopting it, inflation
targeting has emerged as an important monetary • The justification of data complications does not
policy framework. hold ground due to the following reasons:
* This approach was in contrast with * There has been a continuous upward
the multiple indicator approach that trend in the inflation figure. The break
predated this inflation targeting that the MPC referred to is not visible in
framework where the central bank the inflation data. The data for the last
focused on both growth and price four quarters — 5.8%, 6.7%, 6.6%, 6.9%
stability. — appear continuous.
Monetary Policy Committee and its mandate: * The range around the inflation
target (+/- 2%) provided to the RBI
• In 2016, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) signed an is for accommodating constraints
agreement with the Indian government that led and challenges like data limitations,
to the creation of the first-ever Monetary Policy projection errors, short-run supply
Committee (MPC) in the country. The MPC was gaps and fluctuations in the agriculture
given the target of keeping inflation at 4% with production.
a tolerance limit of 2%, over the next five years
till 2021. This meant that inflation should be Questions on the inflation-targeting regime:
between 2% and 6%. • Of late there have been calls from certain sections
• Average inflation overshooting the upper questioning the desirability of persisting with the
tolerance level or remaining below the lower inflation-targeting regime.
tolerance level for any three consecutive quarters • Such an approach would only help artificially
constitutes a failure to achieve the inflation prop up numbers like business revenues and
target. profits, or tax collection figures but would not be
• In case of failure to achieve the inflation target, good economically in the longer run given the
the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) is required to experience in some economies. Price stability is
send a report to the Centre, stating the reasons equally important as growth.
for the failure to achieve the inflation target, Way forward:
the remedial actions it proposes to initiate, and
an estimate of the time period within which it Upholding institutional mechanisms:
expects to achieve the inflation target through • RBI should not be allowed to side-step the
the corrective steps proposed. The report is institutional mechanism provided under the RBI
aimed at ensuring enhanced transparency and Act. RBI must abide by the law and apprise the
accountability of the RBI in its inflation targeting Centre of why it failed to control inflation and
role. what measures it intends to take.

NOVEMBER - 2020
21
• Transparency can enable more informed • Specialised departments and policies have been
decision-making within the government, greater formulated to govern those areas.
public scrutiny of the RBI’s performance, and an
improved inflation-targeting regime. This would • Over time, as each of these departments grew,
also help improve the credibility, transparency they have tended to operate in silos (isolation).
and predictability of monetary policy. • The recent developments in technology have,
Coordination and collaboration: however, blurred standard boundaries that
dictate policy frameworks in most governments.
• The central bank should also be allowed to state
expressly what support by way of government Way forward:
policy it needs to meet the inflation target. Capital formation through intangibles:
• Technology is driving an increasing share of the
Inclusive growth and issues arising from it. value addition coming from digitisation and data
analytics in products and services across industry
16. Needed, a policy framework in step with segments.
technology • There needs to be a way of encouraging capital
»» Mains: Fourth Industrial Revolution. formation by way of intangibles in traditionally
tangible industries.
The article argues that the rapid pace of technology
blurring standard boundaries that dictate policy * For example: increasing electronification
framework in the government, calls for a holistic view and digitisation of the automobile are not
of schemes. covered by industrial policies that govern
the Electronics and Information Technology
• With the evolution of technology in the latter Ministry.
part of the 20th century and the early part of the
21st century, the traditional boundaries between Inter-departmental cooperation:
goods and services have blurred. • There is a need for inter-departmental
• Computing capabilities have surged faster cooperation and synergy not only in policy
than capabilities in traditional industries. These framework but also in deployment.
information-based technologies have been Taking a holistic view of policies:
widely adopted across a broad range of industries
• Departmentalisation of policies is facing a
and products that traditionally have not been
challenge from technology that very often blurs
perceived as electronic or software-based.
the boundaries served by different policies.
Data is the new currency:
• There is a need to have a holistic view of policies
• Information is the new currency powering for economic development as technology is
economies. becoming a significant enabler in most industries.
• The expansion of computing power has driven • A change in policy framework regarding
the pace of information gathering and analysis. economic development that enables various
• The new currency drives processes and decision- ministries to work together is essential.
making across a wide range of products and • A sufficiently empowered policy clearing cell
services, making them more efficient and value could ensure a holistic view on policy across
accretive for consumers. departments of government, at the State and
• There is increasing digitisation and the Centre.
electronification of industrial activities, products Developing a nourishing ecosystem for attracting
and services. This influences the evolving skill investments and capital formation:
sets in the industry.
• For attracting investments, policies have always
• This revolution is taking place across products been driven by subsidies and incentives but
(information availability drives efficiency and increasingly, in a competitive scenario, these are
creates value for customers by providing greater becoming hygiene factors.
control over the product and its surrounding
• A nourishing ecosystem for industry, including
environment). And, therefore such products with
the hard infrastructure and softer areas such
evolving technologies are valued more.
as education, skilling, technical institutions,
Working in silos: laboratories, testing centres, etc., has to be
• As governments have focused on improving the cultivated.
lives of people, they have looked at economic • The creation of clusters of companies in adjacent
development and industry as catalysts to but complementary areas could constitute an
progress. ecosystem that encourages multi and cross-
disciplinary learning and spur innovation and
economic development.

NOVEMBER - 2020
22
Conclusion: • Between 2014-15 and 2019-20, cesses and

• There is also the larger issue of a shift of value surcharges soared from 9.3% to 15% of the gross
between manufacturing and services as tax revenue of the Union government.
technology changes. The policy, by and large, GST shortfall:
promotes and gives incentives for manufacturing.
• GST shortfalls have been persistent and growing
• It is important to include intangibles such from the inception of GST.
as software, research and development or
even servicing of products even in traditional • Compensation to state revenues has been
manufacturing companies to encourage paid from the GST cess revenue. However, the
innovation and technological development. COVID-19 pandemic induced lockdown has
drastically reduced GST collections.
• In this evolving policy framework, it is important
that there are close cooperation and alignment • Of the nearly ₹3 lakh crore GST shortfall to the
between the Centre and State to ensure effective States, the Centre will only compensate ₹1.8 lakh
implementation on the ground. crore. The States will not get the remaining ₹1.2
lakh crore this year.
• Some of these changes would help in navigating
through an ecosystem that is changing with Central grants:
technology. • Apart from the streams discussed above, Central
grants are also likely to drop significantly this year
due to lower than expected revenue collection
Mobilization of Resources for the government as well as the increased
expenditure on health.
17. The financial capacity of States is being
Consequences:
weakened
• Due to the combined effect of cutbacks in
»» Prelims: Finance Commission criteria for devolution, the shrinking divisible pool, failure
devolution of funds. to pay full GST compensation this year and fall in
»» Mains: Financial autonomy of states Central grants, the States may experience a fall of
Context: 20%-25% in their revenues for the current fiscal
year.
• The article discusses the decreasing financial
capacity of the states; the causative factors and Short term impact:
its consequences. • State governments drive a majority of the
Causative factors: country’s development programmes. A large
number of people depend on these programmes
Declining actual devolution: for their livelihood, development, welfare and
• There has been a notable shortfall in actual and security. Any shortfall in the availability of
recommended devolutions given by the Finance resources may have a negative impact on the
Commission. state’s ability to deliver on these development
programmes.
* In the year 2014-15, the actual devolution
was 14% less than the Finance Commission’s • There has been increasing consensus on the
projection. Subsequent devolutions have need for a fiscal stimulus to induce economic
been consistently less every year, with the recovery. Governments ought to spend money
period 2019-20 resulting in a 37% decrease. this year to stimulate demand. The reduced
spending capability with the states will impede
• Finance Commissions recommend the share the recovery process as well.
of States in the taxes raised by the Union
government. Their recommendations are Long term impact:
normally adhered to. But the current Union • Given the huge shortfalls, the States are now
Government has discarded this constitutional forced to resort to large borrowings. Repayment
obligation. burden will overwhelm State budgets for several
Shrinking divisible pool: years. This would impair the state’s ability to
spend on development and welfare activities.
• The Union government has resorted to imposing
or increasing cesses and surcharges instead of • The decreased investment in development
taxes wherever possible and, in some cases, even and welfare programmes will have an adverse
replaced taxes with cesses and surcharges. impact on per capita income, human resource
development and poverty thus impairing
• Various cesses and surcharges levied by the economic growth potential as well.
Union government are retained fully by it. They
do not go into the divisible pool. This allows the
Centre to raise revenues, yet not share them with
the States.

NOVEMBER - 2020
23
Conclusion: 3. Consequences of income inequality:

• States are at the forefront of development and Concentration of power:
growth. Strong states lead to a stronger India. • The power to influence policymaking has
• Given that the weakening of states serves neither become concentrated with wealthy investors
federalism nor national interest, there is the need and large multinational corporations. The rules
to guard against any such policies that weaken do not favour workers and tiny enterprises
the states’ status or capabilities. because they have too little power. This does not
augur well for the development process of the
large population which make up the labour class
Inclusive growth and issues arising from it. and the tiny enterprises.
Economic inefficiency:
18. Fixing the rules of the economy
• The growing inequality is not good for the
»» Prelims: Gini Co-efficient, OXFAM report on economic growth of the country.
inequality.
• The lower disposable income among the large
»» Mains: Income inequality. population does not augur well for demand in
Context: the economy which in turn has a vicious impact
• The article evaluates the current economic on investment decisions and economic growth.
policies in India and argues for a change keeping • The inequitable economic growth is not
in view both the short and long term needs of sustainable.
the Indian economy. Details:
Background: • There has been a growing emphasis on freeing up
1. Income inequality: markets, improving productivity, and applying
• Income inequality is a critical issue plaguing technology. The article calls for a re-examination
the Indian economy. The prevalent trend of the fundamental economic policies being
indicates that income inequality in India is rising propounded.
independent of absolute incomes. 1. Freeing up markets:
* Income inequality is how unevenly income • There has been a growing emphasis on
is distributed throughout a population. The liberalizing the economy through measures
less equal the distribution, the higher the such as freeing up the markets for agricultural
income inequality is. products to ensure higher price realization for
• Incomes of people in the lower half of the income the farmers or deregulation of labour laws to
pyramid are too low. India’s richest 1 per cent attract investments.
hold more than four-times the wealth held by Concerns:
953 million people who make up for the bottom • The freeing up markets for labour is expected to
70 per cent of the country’s population. reduce the burden of wage costs on investors.
2. Gini Coefficient: • This would have a degrading effect on the
• The Gini coefficient is indicative of income income of the labour class just when wages and
inequality in India. It is a statistical measure to the size of markets must be increased to counter
gauge the rich-poor income or wealth divide. the economic downturn. Without adequate
• The Gini Coefficient for India is estimated to be incomes, people cannot be a good market for
close to 0.50, which would be an all-time high. businesses. In fact, it is the inadequate growth of
incomes that has caused a slump in investments
* Its value varies between zero to 1, zero due to poor expectations of demand.
indicating perfect equality and one
indicating the perfect inequality. 2. Improving productivity:
* A Gini figure below 0.40 is generally • Improvement of ‘productivity’ is considered a key

considered to be within tolerable limits by aspect of economic progress.
economic experts. * Productivity measures the efficiency of
• A general rise in the Gini Coefficient indicates production. Productivity is expressed as
that government policies are not inclusive and the ratio of the aggregate output to the
may be benefiting the rich as much as (or even aggregate input i.e. output per unit of input,
more than) the poor. typically over a specific period of time. The
larger the output that is produced with a
unit of input, the higher the productivity of
the system.

NOVEMBER - 2020
24
• Economists generally use labour productivity • The current attempt of the ‘developing’ countries,
as a universal measure of the productivity of an supported by foreign aid, to infiltrate capital
economy. intensive technology into their economies
• The number of people in the system (the inevitably kills off the low-cost indigenous
country/the economy) is the denominator, and technology at an alarming rate, destroying
the gross domestic product the people produce traditional workplaces at a much faster rate
is the numerator. Companies also measure their than modern workplaces can be created and
labour productivity similarly, by dividing the producing the ‘dual economy’ with its attendant
total output of the enterprise by the number of issues of mass unemployment and mass
workers employed. migration.
Strategies for increasing productivity: Way forward:
• Labour productivity can be increased by either Following the social contract principle:
increasing the total output of the factory while • A good job implies a contract between workers
maintaining the number of workers or by and society. Workers provide the economy with
decreasing the number of workers involved in the products and services it needs. In return,
the production. society and the economy must create conditions
• The total output can be increased by adding whereby workers are treated with dignity and
more machines and technology to supplement can earn adequate incomes. Good jobs require
the capacity of workers to increase total output. good contracts between workers and their
This is a good strategy for capital-rich enterprises employers.
and countries. • The government should, apart from ensuring
• The total output can also be increased by ideal conditions for the investors, also ensure
enhancing the workers’ skills and create a culture a protective cover for the workers. This would
of continuous improvement in the factory, require it to regulate contracts between
whereby workers and managers cooperate employers and employees.
to improve the capability of their system to Empowering the most vulnerable:
produce more from limited resources. This is the • Small enterprises and workers must combine
strategy of ‘total quality management’, famously into larger associations, in new forms, using
employed in Japanese companies to reduce technology, to tilt reforms towards their needs
their costs of production and to improve the and their rights.
quality of their products. This contributed to the
improvement of the total productivity of their Employment promoting policies:
enterprises. • The economic reforms should incentivize the
Concerns: firms to employ more numbers of less-skilled
• The companies seem to be taking the easy way workers.
out to improve productivity in the economy.
• There seems to be the growing reliance on Industrial Policies
reducing the workforce and squeezing out
the maximum work possible from this limited 19. A recipe to tear down trade unions
workforce to increase productivity. »» Prelims: Trade union movement in pre-
• This has given rise to a ‘hire and fire’ strategy in independent India.
companies. This goes against the labour welfare »» Mains: Trade Union legislations, labour codes.
principle and could prove detrimental to the
labour class. Context:
3. Technology-led growth: • The article analyses how the new labour laws are
an attack on workers’ ability to safeguard their
• There is a growing emphasis on inducting high- rights.
end technology for economic growth. This is
evident in the recent push for technologies like Background:
Artificial Intelligence, Internet of Things, etc. • Labour law reform has been on the table since
Concerns: 1991 as every government’s favourite solution for
economic growth. Yet, there was no consensus
• The very idea of defining the level of technology between governments, political parties, workers
in terms of ‘equipment cost per work-place’ may and their trade unions, and employers, on what
be inappropriate. this meant.
• For capital-scarce and human resource-abundant • In 2019, the Central Government introduced four
countries, such as many developing countries, bills on labour codes to consolidate 29 central
such a policy may be inappropriate. laws.

NOVEMBER - 2020
25
• While the Wages Code was passed in 2019, * The code widens the grounds under which a
the other three bills were referred to a trade union may be deregistered.
Standing Committee on Labour. As per the
* Under the TUA, deregistration was limited to
recommendations of the Committee, the
the internal functioning of a union — in case
government replaced these bills with new ones
a union violated the financial rules set down
in September 2020, and these were passed in the
under the law or its own constitution.
same month.
* The Standing Orders Act and the Industrial
• The government, in 2020 passed three Bills
Disputes Act had nothing to do with the
(Labour codes) to amalgamate laws on social
internal functioning, and, therefore, with the
security, occupational safety and health and
existence of a trade union.
industrial relations.
Vague definitions:
Criticisms:
• Under the new IRC, a trade union can be
• Concerns are being raised that the Central
deregistered for contravention of unspecified
government has actively excluded trade unions
provisions of the code.
from pre-legislative consultations on drafting the
new labour codes, repealing all existing labour * The possibility of deregistering a trade
laws and replacing them with four new labour union in this unspecified manner shifts the
codes. balance completely in favour of employers,
who continue to enjoy protection under the
• It is opined that they dilute workers’ rights
Companies Act.
in favour of employers’ rights, and together
undermine the very idea of workers’ right to * This violates the principles of equality before
association and collective action. the law and of natural justice.
Long History of Trade Unions: • When a trade union is deregistered, it can no
longer represent its members (the workers)
• Trade unions first emerged in the 19th century
before the dispute resolution machinery or in
as self-managed organisations of workers in the
court and any collective decision taken by its
face of extreme exploitation.
members and elected officers can be treated as
* They provided, and continue to provide, a illegal.
collective voice to working people against
• The new code would deter collective action by
employers’ exploitative, unfair and often
workers’ unions.
illegal practices.
Extra-legal formations:
* It is through trade unions that workers
have been able to win better wages, fairer • With the threat of deregistration ever-present,
employment conditions, and safe and workers and their unions will be pushed to create
secure workplaces. extra-legal formations like ‘struggle committees’
and ‘workers’ fronts, that existed before the
* It also provided members (workers) and
TUA, in order to advance their demands against
elected officers of a union a degree of
unreasonable employers.
immunity, including against the law on
criminal conspiracy. • This would have two outcomes:
* The law recognised that actions based on * It will push employment dispute resolution
collective decisions by workers were legal outside the legal framework.
and did not constitute a criminal conspiracy. * It would lead to criminalising working-class
• In India, workers won the legal right to form trade dissent, since workers’ agitations will have to
unions under the colonial rule in 1926, when the take place through extra-legal formations.
Trade Union Act (TUA) was adopted. Conclusion:
* The law provided a mechanism for the • Once a trade union is deregistered or is effectively
registration of trade unions, from which silenced by a constant and amorphous threat
they derived their rights, and a framework of deregistration, workers effectively lose their
governing their functioning. fundamental right to freedom of association.
* The TUA also bound workers’ actions This has grave implications for the working class’s
within a legal framework by providing for ability to defend its rights.
deregistration if a trade union “contravened
any provisions of the Act”.
• The creation of the Industrial Relations Code
(IRC), has a very sinister outcome for workers’
right to association.

NOVEMBER - 2020
26
Effects of liberalization on the economy • These newly industrialised economies scaled up

their exports, while raising their own levels of
20. Shifting sands for Asian economies living.
»» Mains: Global value chains, impact of RCEP. Predictions about the post-pandemic global
Context: economy:
• The Article argues that India could face an uphill • The Asia region is expected to see remarkable
task in maintaining its viability against highly growth with the formal launch of the Regional
competitive countries in the post-pandemic Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP).
world. • Its growth would depend on the role of trade
Post-pandemic global economy: and investment flows into these economies, and
this would again be the centrepiece of global
• Discussions on the near future of the global
growth.
economy have often predicted that China’s
appeal as a business destination would fade, * T he 15 RCEP member countries account for
losing favour as the global manufacturing hub. nearly 30% of the global GDP.
• Arguments have been made that production * This largest free trade agreement in the
would be dispersed to Asia and even to those world includes provisions to cover the entire
outside. gamut of trade and commerce.
• It was expected that the relocation would benefit Challenges facing India and way forward:
emerging labour-abundant economies. • The RCEP and the ‘China +1 strategy’ are likely
However, while a few labour-intensive industries, to impact investment flows into Vietnam, India,
such as textiles and apparel, have been moving to Bangladesh and Indonesia, which have emerged
Bangladesh and Sri Lanka as labour costs in China as key investment destinations.
are increasing, trends in other industries show that Increasing public investments:
businesses have mostly remained in China.
• Private investments would continue to be
China’s importance: depressed, due to the uncertainty on the future
• An expert points out that the combination economic outlook. This calls for high-quality
of the trade war and the COVID-19 crisis has public investments.
resulted in firms establishing relatively small- * Domestic public investments have a central
scale operations elsewhere. This is perceived as role in economic activity, for both the
a buffer against being completely dependent on demand and supply sides.
China, referred to as the ‘China +1’ strategy.
* According to the IMF, “increasing public
• There are three reasons for firms to remain in investment by 1% of GDP could boost GDP
China and pursue this strategy: by 2.7%, private investment by 10%, and
* Starting an enterprise and maintaining employment by 1.2%, if investments are
operations in China are much easier than of high quality and if existing public and
elsewhere. private debt burdens do not weaken the
response of the private sector.”
* C
hinese firms are nimble and fast (evident
from the quick recovery of Chinese * It is an opportune time for India to bolster
manufacturing after the lockdown). public investments as interest rates are low
globally and savings are available.
* Many global companies have spent decades
building supply chains in China. Overhaul in trade policy:
• Hence, getting out would mean moving the • There is a need for a major overhaul in India’s
entire ecosystem, which involves time and trade policy. The challenge is to make the
expenditure. This strategy of global firms has led exporting activity more attractive for all firms in
to an intensification of competition among Asian the economy.
economies to be that ‘plus one’ in the emerging • In the pre-COVID-19 era, world trade had
manufacturing landscape. been rattled by tendencies of rising economic
Growth in Asia: nationalism and unilateralism leading to the
return of protectionist policies.
• In 1968, Swedish Nobel laureate Gunnar Myrdal
published ‘Asian Drama – An Inquiry into the • A revamped trade policy needs to take into
Poverty of Nations’, (focusing on South and cognizance the possibility of two effects of the
Southeast Asia). RCEP: the ‘Walmart effect’ and a ‘switching effect’.
• This was pessimistic about the development
prospects in the region. Half a century later, there
has been remarkable growth in the very region
with openness and exploding trade.
NOVEMBER - 2020
27
* Walmart Effect would sustain demand deteriorated the employment situation in India.
for basic products and help in keeping The unemployment rate has been soaring.
employee productivity at an optimum level, Right to Work:
but may also reduce wages and competition
due to sourcing from multiple vendors at • The right to work is the concept that people have
competitive rates. a human right to work, or engage in productive
employment, and may not be prevented from
* Switching effects would be an outcome of doing so.
developed economies scouting for new
sources to fulfil import demands, which Broader understanding of the right to work:
requires firms to be nimble and competitive. • Often ‘right to work’ is interpreted as the right
• Trade policy has to recognise the pitfalls of the to employment guarantee. This, however, is
present two-track mode, one for firms operating a narrow interpretation of the right to work.
in the ‘free trade enclaves’ and another for the Ensuring the right to work in the broader sense
rest. entails creating employment opportunities
which can ensure gainful employment and a
• A major fallout of this ‘policy dualism’ is the dignified living for the worker. This dignity is
dampening of export diversification. supposed to come from work conditions, such
Increasing women’s participation in the workforce: as being paid a fair wage and having regulated
• In India, three out of four Indian women are work hours which constitute the equally
neither working nor seeking paid work. important right ‘in work’ principle. Apart from
mere employment guarantee, such work should
• Globally, India ranks among the bottom ten be fulfilling, work should be creative.
countries in terms of women’s workforce
participation. • From a philosophical perspective, the demand
for the right to work should also involve aspects
• While India’s GDP has grown by around 6% such as the right to leisure given that work is
to 7% per year on an average in recent years, but just a part of life. The right to work is often
educational levels of women have risen, and criticized by some as being too narrow an
fertility rates have fallen, women’s labour force interpretation of the right to a life with dignity.
participation rate has fallen from 42.7% in 2004– If a person is guaranteed a good eight hours of
05 to 23.3% in 2017–18. work, then automatically he/she is guaranteed
• India could gain hugely if barriers to women’s right to leisure to enjoy one’s life.
participation in the workforce are removed. Legal status of the right to work:
• The manufacturing sector should consciously International status:
create labour-intensive jobs that rural and semi-
urban women are qualified for. • The Universal Declaration of Human Rights
includes the right to work in the International
Conclusion: Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural
• The intensity of competition is evident from Rights. They recognise the right to work in an
the fact that after India passed three labour employment of one’s choice and the State’s
code bills, the Indonesian Parliament passed responsibility to safeguard this right.
legislation slashing regulations, to open up the • India has acceded to both the Universal
country to more foreign investment, Bangladesh Declaration of Human Rights and the
on its part plans to start negotiations with a International Covenant on Economic, Social and
dozen countries, including the U.S. and Canada, Cultural Rights.
for signing preferential trade agreements.
Status in India:
• India’s approach to the changed scenario needs
to be well-calibrated. Constitutional status:
Indian Constitution • The Indian Constitution does not explicitly

recognise the ‘right to work’ as a fundamental
21. Right to work right. It is placed in Part IV (Directive Principles of
State Policy) of the Constitution under Article 41,
»» Prelims: Article 21 and 41.
which hence makes it unenforceable in the court
»» Mains: Employment guarantee programmes, of law.
labour codes. * Article 41 of the Constitution provides
Background: that “the State shall within the limits of its
economic capacity and development, make
• Given the large population in India, providing for effective provision for securing the right to
adequate employment for all has always been a work, to education and to public assistance
challenge in the Indian scenario. The pandemic in cases of unemployment, old age, sickness
and the subsequent lockdown have further and disablement, and in other cases of
undeserved want.”

NOVEMBER - 2020
28
Judicial interpretation: Inequitable growth:

• Despite the absence of an express wording of • Though the liberalization of the Indian
the ‘right to work’ in Part III (Fundamental Rights) economy has helped India record impressive
of the Constitution, it became a ‘fundamental growth numbers, the growth has been largely
right’ through a judicial interpretation. The wider inequitable.
interpretation of Article 21 made by the Hon’ble
Supreme Court through its judgement in Olga • Only economic growth with adequate
Tellis & Ors. v Bombay Municipal Corporation employment opportunities for all can ensure
& Ors.- ‘right to work’ was recognised as a equitable growth. Only this can result in
fundamental right inherent in the ‘right to life’. economic development which is a more
comprehensive measure of progress than mere
MGNREGA: economic growth.
• The Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment • Also, this makes economic sense because
Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), aims to guarantee only equitable growth can ensure adequate
the ‘right to work’ in a limited fashion. It aims disposable income in the hands of the larger
to enhance livelihood security in rural areas by population which in turn will drive demand in
providing at least 100 days of wage employment the economy and economic growth. This can
in a financial year to every household whose lead to a more sustainable economic growth
adult members volunteer to do unskilled manual model.
work. Notably, under MGNREGA, a person can
hold the state accountable for not fulfilling Profit motive:
the right by demanding an unemployment • Profit considerations alone may require the
allowance. industries to go in for the adoption of capital-
• However, it has to be noted that MGNREGA only intensive methods of production. However,
ensures the right to work as a statutory right, this approach may not be suitable for a country
which can be amended or withdrawn as per the like India which is essentially a labour surplus
government’s whims and fancies. economy. Increasing automation in a country
like India is likely to lead to jobless growth.
Arguments in favor of Right to Work:
Weak bargaining power of labour:
To meet basic needs:
• India being a labour surplus economy, in the
• The ‘right to work’ is an essential element of life capital-labour bargaining process, labour is
to be able to live. To enable the fulfilment of the structurally weak in India. This necessitates
basic need for food, water, clothing and shelter State’s regulation and the need for the State to
and also something more than just the basic provide support to labour. This necessitates the
requirements of life, one must work to earn. state’s active role in ensuring the right ‘in work’ to
Creation of public infrastructure: ensure the right ‘to work’.
• The right to work can help fill the gap created by * The recent amalgamation of 44 labour laws
the profound lack of public goods and assets, in into four labour codes has been criticized by
India. labour organisations as a dilution of workers’
rights. This dilution of rights ‘in work’, would
• The state’s responsibility to provide basic public have an impact on the right ‘to work’. In this
goods can be combined with an employment sense, the dilution of worker rights in India is
creation programme just like MGNREGA does in a cause of concern.
rural areas.
• An employment guarantee programme from the
* Three States — Odisha, Jharkhand and government can help significantly reduce the
Himachal Pradesh — have launched an surplus labour, particularly in the casual market
urban employment guarantee programme and could automatically create favourable
in the wake of COVID-19, focusing on the conditions for better treatment of workers.
creation of public infrastructure.
• An effective employment guarantee programme
Countering side effects of a market economy: can be an excellent solution to the structural
• Most countries have embraced the market weakness of labour.
economy where demand and supply are the Economic scenario in India:
major factors influencing economic decisions. In
such a scenario even labour is subject to the laws • India has been seeing a declining jobs-to-GDP
of the market. ratio, and mostly jobless growth.
• In a capitalist economy where welfare and • The path of economic development has not
employment are not a guaranteed by-product only failed to create adequate new employment
of private economic activity, the state has an opportunities, but has also led to displacement
inherent responsibility to ensure the right to and dispossession of people from their means of
work for all. livelihood. This necessitates the need to envision

NOVEMBER - 2020
29
the right to work in a creative way and make it 34 million are created in the government
legally enforceable. sector. Hence, private sector employment
• Current circumstances necessitate the need for through appropriate government policy is
greater focus on the principle of the right to work. crucial.
Way forward: • This could involve incentivizing domestic
investments through supportive measures and
• Some of the possible policy approaches to the provision of adequate infrastructure.
the right to work would involve the following
measures: • The state could also encourage entrepreneurship
and self-employment by providing quality skill
Urban employment programme: training and appropriate credit support.
• Together with MGNREGA, an Urban Employment Safeguarding right ‘in work’:
Guarantee scheme can help ensure the right to
work. • Apart from generating enough employment
opportunities, the state is also supposed to
• One approach is Decentralised Urban safeguard people’s employment through
Employment and Training, or DUET. For DUET, appropriate interventions and supportive
urban local bodies can issue job vouchers to measures.
certified public institutions such as schools
and universities for pre-approved tasks. These • The existing labour codes are applicable only to
institutions can only use the vouchers to hire a minuscule proportion of the labour force. For
labour for pre-defined tasks. the rest, there is very little legal protection, very
poor awareness of the protections that exist,
Government jobs: and weak implementation. The state should
• There are a considerable number of vacant posts take appropriate measures to overcome these
in government jobs. These are posts that are shortcomings.
sanctioned but not yet filled. This needs to be Employing suitable growth strategies:
filled in a time-bound manner.
• Each economy is unique given the underlying
• Also, there has been a massive decline in factors at play and any economic policy should
government sector job growth from 1.3 million consider this uniqueness. This necessitates a
per annum from 2005 to 2012 to only 0.4 million comprehensive deliberation of the growth
per annum from 2012 to 2018. The government strategy to be employed in India.
should consider increasing the availability of
government jobs. The focus will have to be the * Given the labour surplus status of India,
health and education sectors apart from the labor-intensive sectors should be adequately
police and the judiciary which too have few supported along with the capital intensive
government staff. These are sectors where the sectors. This requires some political will and
new government can expand government provisioning of adequate fiscal resources.
jobs. Many of these are essential services — * The state should focus on generating
teachers, nurses, ASHA workers, Anganwadi enough non-agricultural employment
workers, doctors, etc. So, not only will it create opportunities to absorb the labour exiting
employment, but it will also hopefully fill the the agricultural sector.
void in essential public services.
* As per the 2015-16 NSS survey, more
Increasing public expenditure: than 99% of Indian enterprises are micro-
• India should consider increasing its public enterprises (based on both investment and
expenditure on public goods. employment criteria). With appropriate
support, these enterprises can grow into
• The labour-intensive universal basic healthcare small and then medium enterprises.
system of Thailand is a model that could be
adopted in the Indian scenario as it would solve
two problems at the same time: it builds social
infrastructure, and creates jobs.
Mobilization of resources.
Encouraging private sector and self-employment:
22. Lakshmi Vilas Bank (LVB)
• Given the constraints in state capacity, it may not
be feasible to adopt an approach where the state »» Prelims: Deposit Insurance and Credit Guarantee
is the major employer. Apart from government Corporation (DICGC),
employment opportunities, there should also be »» Mains: NPAs, Bank run.
room for private job opportunities.
Context:
* O
nly about 7% of the total employment is
created in the government, including the • After the failures of IL&FS, Punjab & Maharashtra
public sector undertakings (NSS, 2017-18). Cooperative Bank and DHFL, and the bailout
Of the total 465 million jobs in India, only of Yes Bank, Lakshmi Vilas Bank (LVB) has been

NOVEMBER - 2020
30
in the headlines due to their bad loans fiasco, What is a moratorium?

management reshuffling and the consequent
• The RBI, the regulatory body overseeing the
controversies with the Reserve Bank of India
country’s financial system, has the power to ask
(RBI).
the government to have a moratorium placed on
Why is Lakshmi Vilas Bank (LVB) in trouble? a bank’s operations for a specified period of time.
It is a Chennai-based Bank, which has a network of Under such a moratorium, depositors will not be
563 branches and deposits of Rs 20,973 crore. able to withdraw funds at will.
• It has undergone a steady decline with the bank • Usually, there is a ceiling that limits the amount
incurring continuous losses over the last three of money that can be withdrawn by the bank’s
years, eroding its net worth. customers.
* The central bank also mentioned LVB’s • In most cases, the regulator allows for funds
inability to come up with a plan to counter of a larger quantum to be withdrawn in case
its negative net-worth and continuing of an urgent requirement, such as medical
losses. emergencies, but only after the depositor
provides the required proof.
• It has also experienced serious governance issues
and practices in the recent years which have led • Often, the moratorium is lifted even before the
to deterioration in its performance originally stipulated deadline is reached.
* Shareholders were not too happy with the When does it come into play?
management because of wealth destruction • Usually, the RBI steps in if it judges that a bank’s
and losses on the books. net worth is fast eroding and it may reach a state
* They recently ousted the bank's seven where it may not be able to repay its depositors.
directors, including RBI-appointed MD and How does a moratorium prevent a ‘run’ on the bank?
CEO.
• A moratorium primarily helps prevent what is
• In absence of any viable strategic plan, declining known as a ‘run’ on a bank, by clamping down on
advances and mounting Non-Performing Assets rapid outflow of funds by wary depositors, who
(NPAs), the losses are expected to continue. seek to take their money out in fear of the bank’s
* Almost one fourth of the bank’s advances imminent collapse.
have turned bad assets. • A moratorium gives both the regulator and the
• As bank-led and market-led revival efforts are acquirer time to first take stock of the actual
a preferred option over a regulatory resolution, financial situation at the troubled bank.
the RBI had made all possible efforts to facilitate • It allows for a realistic estimation of assets and
such a process, and gave enough opportunities liabilities, and for the regulator to facilitate capital
to the bank’s management to draw up a credible infusion, should it find that necessary.
revival plan, or an amalgamation scheme, which
Are depositors and the financial system safe?
did not materialise. In the meantime, the bank
was facing regular outflow of liquidity • The RBI, which put a cap of Rs 25,000 on
withdrawals, assured depositors of the bank that
• After taking into consideration these
their interest will be protected.
developments, the RBI has come to the conclusion
that in the absence of a credible revival plan, • One safety net for small depositors is the Deposit
with a view to protect depositors’ interest and Insurance and Credit Guarantee Corporation
in the interest of financial and banking stability, (DICGC), an RBI subsidiary, which gives insurance
there is no alternative but to apply to the Central cover on up to Rs 5 lakh deposits in banks.
Government for imposing a moratorium under Which banks are insured by the DICGC?
section 45 of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949.
• All commercial banks that include branches of
Steps taken by RBI foreign banks in India, local area banks as well as
• Accordingly, after considering the Reserve Bank’s regional rural banks are insured by the DICGC.
request, the central government imposed a • All State, Central and Primary cooperative banks,
moratorium for 30 days. or in other words, at present all co-operative
• It has superseded its board of directors and banks are covered by the DICGC.
announced a draft scheme for the amalgamation Significance
of the bank with DBS Bank India, a subsidiary
of DBS of Singapore, in the wake of “serious • The merger will provide stability and better
deterioration in the financial position of the prospects to Lakshmi Vilas Bank’s depositors,
bank”. customers and employees following a period of
uncertainty

NOVEMBER - 2020
31
• A key objective of a moratorium is to protect the • For all its liquidity bolstering measures, the RBI
interests of depositors. now faces the prospect of having to maintain
• Even if they are temporarily handicapped by a heightened vigil over scheduled commercial
facing restricted access to their funds, there is a banks, as well as non-banking financial
high probability that the bank would soon return companies and mortgage lenders, given the
to normal functioning once a bailout is arranged. threat of contagion from a failure here.
Concerns • The RBI has its task cut out in ensuring it keeps
the crucial engine of credit ticking over as the
• Overall banking sector health, however, remains economy strives to revive.
a significant concern notwithstanding the rescue
effort.
• Gita Gopinath, the IMF’s chief economist, Indian Economy
flagged the wide-ranging damage the COVID-19 23. Corporate houses in Indian banking
pandemic had inflicted on the global economy
more stress on corporate balance sheets and »» Prelims: Indian Banking.
governments burdened with large debt. »» Mains: Nationalization of banks, corporate
Crisis in the banking ownership of banks and its impact on the
• The collapse of IL&FS in 2018 had set off a economy.
chain reaction in the financial sector, leading to Context:
liquidity issues and defaults.
• Former RBI governor Raghuram Rajan and ex-
• Punjab & Maharashtra Co-op Bank was hit by a deputy governor Viral Acharya’s comments on
loan scam involving HDIL promoters and the the recent recommendations by RBI working
bank is yet to be bailed out. group to allow corporate houses to set up banks.
• The near-death experience of Yes Bank in March Background:
2020 sent jitters among depositors
• Since the nationalization of 14 large private
What are the issues facing old-generation private banks in 1969, the RBI has not given licenses to
banks? large corporate and industrial houses for setting
• The functioning of many such banks has been up banks.
under scrutiny in the last couple of years, as • At present, there are 12 old and nine new private
most of them do not have strong promoters, banks (established in the post-1991 period) with
making them targets for mergers or forced the majority of ownership held by individuals
amalgamation. and financial entities.
* Two other South-based banks – South Internal committee of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI)
Indian Bank and Federal Bank – have been
• Headed by Prasanna Kumar Mohanty, the RBI
operating as board-driven banks without a
had constituted a five-member Internal Working
promoter.
Group (IWG) to examine existing licensing and
* In Karur Vysya Bank, the promoter stake is regulatory guidelines related to private sector
2.11%, and in Karnataka Bank, there’s no banks within a larger context of meeting the
promoter. credit demands of a growing economy
Will loan stress caused by the pandemic impact the * fostering greater competition in the
banking system? domestic banking sector through the entry
• NPAs in the banking sector are expected to of new private players;
increase as the pandemic affects cash flows of * Scaling up the presence of India’s banks in
people and companies. the world rankings.
• However, the impact will differ depending upon Recommendation
the sector, as segments like pharmaceuticals and
• It had proposed an overhaul of the licensing
IT seem to have benefited in terms of revenues.
policy for private banks.
• NPA accretion in cash-rich sectors like IT,
• It suggested allowing large corporate and
pharmaceuticals, FMCG, chemicals, automobiles
industrial houses to float banks in India after
is expected to be smaller when compared to
suitable amendments to the Banking Regulation
areas like hospitality, tourism, aviation and other
Act, which should be aimed at preventing the
services.
concentration of risks and unabated lending
Way forward among group companies.
• RBI needs to review its broader framework of
dealing with weak lenders.

NOVEMBER - 2020
32
• The other significant proposal is to allow large • They noted that the rationales for not allowing
Non-Banking Financial Companies (NBFCs) with industrial houses into banking are two:
asset size of Rs 50,000 crore and above (including
those within the fold of corporate houses), and * Industrial houses need financing, and they
with a decade’s track record, to convert to banks. can get it easily, with no questions asked, if
they have an in-house bank.
• Reserve Bank may take steps to ensure
harmonisation and uniformity in different * It will further exacerbate the concentration
licensing guidelines, to the extent possible. of economic (and political) power in certain
business houses.
* Whenever new licensing guidelines are
issued, if new rules are more relaxed, benefit 2. India’s experience with corporate-owned banks
should be given to existing banks, and if • Surprisingly, the IWG report does not examine
new rules are tougher, legacy banks should India’s past experience with corporate-owned
also conform to new tighter regulations, private banks for over two decades after
but a non-disruptive transition path may be independence.
provided to affected banks.
• Before the nationalisation of banks in 1969, India’s
• For Payments Banks intending to convert to a banking system was in the hands of the private
Small Finance Bank, track record of 3 years of sector. Most of the privately-owned banks were
experience as Payments Bank may be considered in the form of joint-stock companies controlled
as sufficient. by big industrial houses.
• The minimum initial capital requirement for • In those times, connected lending practices were
licensing new banks should be enhanced from rampant in private banks. As promoters of private
₹500 crore to ₹1000 crore for universal banks, banks, corporate and industrial houses used
and from ₹200 crore to ₹300 crore for small to channel large sums of low-cost depositors’
finance banks. money into their group companies.
* Connected Lending is a system where the
Criticism owner of the bank gives their company or
companies or connected parties (his friends
1. Joint write-up by Raghuram Rajan and Viral and families) loans at lesser rates of interest
Acharya
• With many private banks pursuing imprudent
• In an article, the former RBI governor Raghuram lending, bank failures ballooned. During 1947-
Rajan and ex-deputy governor Viral Acharya have 58, for instance, 361 banks of varying sizes failed
opined that the RBI working group’s proposal in India. The failed banks were amalgamated or
to allow corporate houses to set up banks is a ceased to exist.
bombshell at this juncture and that it is more
important to stick to the tried and tested limits 3. RBI has maintained a cautious approach towards
on the involvement of business houses in the corporate ownership of banks.
banking sector. • Apart from the inherent conflict of interest, the
• For years, the question of allowing corporates to poor quality of corporate governance practices is
float banks has been a contentious issue with the another key reason why the RBI has not issued
banking laws barring it. banking licenses to corporate houses.
• The approach of the RBI regarding ownership • The pervasive use of front and shell companies
of banks by large corporate/industrial houses makes it difficult to identify the actual owner of
has, by and large, been a cautious one in view of businesses.
serious risks, governance concerns and conflicts • Opaque onshore and offshore ownership
of interest that could arise when banks are structures can easily circumvent any
owned and controlled by large corporate and regulatory measures put in place by the RBI
industrial houses. to curb connected lending within a corporate
• Rajan and Acharya have raised questions over conglomerate.
how the banks by corporate houses could make 4. ‘Circular banking’
good loans when it is owned by the borrowers
• It is another potential risk posed by corporate-
themselves.
owned banks because of the widespread
prevalence of cartels in corporate India.
• Under circular banking, a corporate-owned
bank A would finance the projects of corporate-
owned bank B, B would finance the projects of
corporate-owned bank C, and C would finance
the projects of A, hence completing the cycle.

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33
5. Corporate ownership of banks would further • RCEP negotiations were based on a framework for
concentrate economic power in the hands of a few investment to cover the four pillars of promotion,
corporate and industrial houses protection, facilitation and liberalization.
• Increased economic concentration would have Re-engaging India:
adverse effects on the domestic economy and
politics. It would not only widen inequalities but • In the months following India’s disengagement
would also lead to policy capture where special from RCEP negotiations, several members had
interests would shape public policies. expressed their strong desire to get India re-
engaged.
Conclusion
• The door has been left open to India to join the
• There is no robust evidence to support the entry RCEP Agreement as an original signatory.
of large corporate and industrial houses into the
Indian banking sector. * India would have to write expressing
intention to join the organisation to restart
• The potential benefits do not outweigh the negotiations for membership.
potential risks inherent in corporate ownership
of banks. It is an idea whose time has not yet • Further, India has been invited to participate in
come RCEP meetings as an observer and in economic
cooperation activities undertaken by RCEP
members.
Bilateral, regional and global groupings and Have the circumstances under which India had
agreements distanced itself from the RCEP negotiations become
any better for it to join the agreement in the near
24. India’s no to RCEP could still be a no
future?
»» Prelims: RCEP countries
• During the RCEP negotiations, India had raised
»» Mains: Utility of mega trade agreements, rules of a number of concerns, two of which, namely,
origin issue, India’s decision not to join. the levels of market access it was expected to
provide, especially the deep cuts in tariffs on
Context: imports from China, and provisions relating to
• The Regional Comprehensive Economic the investment chapter, have become even more
Partnership (RCEP)– a mega trade bloc significant over the past months.
comprising 15 countries led by China, has come * Since the border clashes, India has imposed
into existence. a number of import restrictions on Chinese
• It is expected to represent at least 30% of the products.
global GDP and will emerge as the largest free * India has also subjected investment flows
trade agreement in the world. from its northern neighbour to greater
• India had ended negotiations on the RCEP in scrutiny.
November 2019 over terms that were perceived * Both these measures would have been
to be against its interests. pointless if India were a party to the RCEP.
The objectives: • India’s initiative for its economic turnaround, the
• The initiative to establish RCEP was taken by the Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan, is primarily focused
member-states of the Association of Southeast on strengthening domestic value chains, while
Asian Nations (ASEAN) in 2011. RCEP, like any other FTA, is solely focused on
• These countries had adopted a resolution to promoting regional value chains.
establish an ASEAN-led process by setting out The circumstances under which New Delhi had
principles that would allow ASEAN members distanced itself from the RCEP negotiations have
to engage interested ASEAN FTA partners in hardly improved. Therefore, the answer seems to be
establishing a regional comprehensive economic unambiguously in the negative.
partnership agreement. Why did India stay out of the RCEP deal?
• The “Guiding Principles and Objectives” spoke India’s concerns:
of progressively eliminating tariff and non-tariff
barriers on substantially all trade in goods and • India had registered a bilateral trade deficit with
achieving a high level of tariff liberalization, 11 of 15 RCEP participating countries in 2018-
through building upon the existing liberalization 19. There was every reason to believe that these
levels between RCEP participating countries and deficits would increase if India joined the RCEP.
through tariff elimination on a high percentage The trade deficit with China has burgeoned from
of both tariff lines and trade value. about $4 billion in 2005-06 to nearly $50 billion
today, even without a trade agreement.

NOVEMBER - 2020
34
• One major observation from India’s experience • The growing trade deficits can be mainly
of prior preferential trade agreements with attributed to the downturn in India’s GDP since
East Asian countries has been the large rise in 2016, and the decline in manufacturing. The lack
manufactured goods imports, which displaces of goods like machinery, bulk drugs, chemicals in
many vulnerable domestic producers further sufficient amounts or at competitive prices may
worsening the unemployment situation. This be the factor for increasing imports from China.
had led to fears of de-industrialisation in some
sectors. Impact of the pandemic:
• Other sectors of the economy would have also • The COVID-19 pandemic has left the global
suffered. The farmer’s interests specifically the economy in a state of disarray. The economic
dairy sector and plantation sectors could have recession and trend worldwide against
been hit due to the dumping of the cheaper globalisation has led to a growing call for smaller
products from other members. trading coalitions outside of the World Trade
Organization.
• Another incentive to join RCEP would be the fact
that as the world’s second largest economy and
one of the only ones to show GDP growth this
year, China offers potential investment to RCEP
countries.
Several RCEP countries still hope India will reconsider
its decision of staying out.
• The RCEP has left a special window open for India
to rejoin at a future date.
Measures taken to incentivize India into joining RCEP:
• The special statement on India drafted under
the leadership of Japan, proposes waiving the
18-month mandatory waiting period if India
applied formally to rejoin the group.
• India’s concerns over guidelines on rules of
origin, find clear mention and an entire chapter
devoted to it in the final RCEP text of 20 chapters.
• There is also a chapter on allowing trade in services
particularly financial, telecommunications and
professional services, which was another key
demand by India during the negotiations.
Significance of India to RCEP:
• For Japan and Australia, the large size of the
Indian economy and its negotiating heft would
Counter-arguments: pose a valuable counterpoint to China within the
grouping.
Root cause for trade deficits:
• For ASEAN countries that led the RCEP
• While deficits have increased for India in all negotiations, India’s presence would provide
foreign trade, India’s FTAs or PTAs (Preferential weight to the centrality of the ASEAN grouping
Trade Agreements) do not account for a bigger in the region.
chunk of the trade deficit than they did before.
• For China, too, having India within the RCEP tent
would not just open up India’s market access
for it’s goods, but would also provide one more
forum on which to cooperate that does not
include its biggest rival the United States (U.S.).

NOVEMBER - 2020
35
Conclusion:
• Despite repeated invitations India has skipped
every meeting of the RCEP grouping and has
reiterated that there would be no rethinking on
the decision to stay out of the RCEP.
• There is the need to wait and watch if India will
accept the invitation from RCEP countries to be
an “observer” at their meetings.

NOVEMBER - 2020
36
INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
International Relations * Canada always stood for peaceful protests

and would continue to "defend" the rights
1. Bhutan establishes formal ties with Germany of peaceful protestors in India.
»» Mains: India-Bhutan relations. India’s Response
What’s in News? • The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) hit back at
Bhutan announced that it had established diplomatic Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and some Canadian
relations with Germany. leaders over their remarks on the ongoing
farmers' protest at Delhi's border areas, saying
• The ties with Germany mark the first new they were "ill-informed" and "unwarranted". Such
diplomatic agreement made by Bhutan since comments are unwarranted, especially when
March 2013, when it had established ties with pertaining to the internal affairs of a democratic
Oman. country.
• This has increased the restricted number of Double standards of Canada
capitals that it has formal ties with to 53 states
and the EU. • Canada, which had once opposed India’s farm
subsidies at the World Trade Organization (WTO),
• In 1949 Bhutan first signed a friendship has backed Indian farmers' protests on Minimum
agreement with India, which kept the two Support Price (MSP).
countries closely engaged on all foreign policy
issues. * Canada had challenged India at WTO
meetings when it sought to defend its
• Since then, Bhutan has been historically cautious agricultural programmes like the minimum
about establishing ties with other countries. support price (MSP) for staple crops such as
• Until 2007, when Bhutan conducted its first rice, wheat and pulses.
election, it had formal relations with just 22 • Canada, along with the US, Japan and the
countries, mostly donor countries such as Japan, European Union had questioned India on
Australia and several Nordic countries. exceeding the permitted limits on food subsidies
• It also made a firm decision not to open ties with • From 2015-18, attempts were made by Canada
any of the permanent five members of the UN and other developed nations to also question
Security Council, despite many requests from India’s food stocks programme.
them and in particular from the U.S. and China.
• Canada has repeatedly questioned India’s farm
Note: policies.
• After the election of Prime Minister Jigme Thinley
in 2008, the Bhutanese government rapidly
increased its diplomatic forays. India and its neighborhood- relations.
• It signed agreements with 31 countries in five 3. Chinese dam projects on Brahmaputra
years, possibly with a view to winning the
»» Prelims: Indian states through which the river
election for a non-permanent seat at the UNSC in
flows through, the tributaries of the river.
2013-14, which it eventually lost.
»» Mains: Need for water sharing agreement.
Context:
International Relations
• China’s dam constructions on the Brahmaputra
2. ‘Canadian leaders’ comments on protests are River in Tibet.
illinformed’ About the Brahmaputra
»» Mains: India-Canada relations, farm acts. • The 2,880 km-long Brahmaputra is a perennial
Context: river which originates in Tibet, where it is known
• Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was as Yarlung Tsangpo.
the first international leader to comment on the • It flows eastwards through southern Tibet
farmers' protest taking place in India. for a distance of 1,625 kilometers and at its
* He said that the farmers situation in India is easternmost point, it swings around to make a
concerning. spectacular U-turn at the Shuomatan Point or
Great Bend before it enters India’s easternmost

NOVEMBER - 2020
37
state, Arunachal Pradesh. Here it is known as the • While a majority of India’s population reside in
Siang River. the Gangetic plains, the southern and western
regions experience harsh and dry summer and
Issues faced by inhabitants along the river the rainfall is scarce and erratic in the eastern
• People living near the Brahmaputra region have coast.
to deal with two floods annually: • As in China, an equally ambitious north-south
* O
ne caused by the melting of the Himalayan river-linking project has been proposed in India,
snow in summer. though it has come under criticism for potentially
disturbing fragile ecosystems.
* The other due to the monsoon flows.
Concerns
• Climate change has further intensified the
frequency of floods in this region which has • First, they will eventually lead to degradation
posed a major threat to lower riparian countries of the entire basin: Massive amounts of silt
like India and Bangladesh, which is impacting carried by the river would get blocked by dams
their food security. leading to a fall in the quality of soil and eventual
reduction in agricultural productivity.
• The river is in itself dynamic as frequent landslides
and geological activity force it to change course • Second, the location of the dams in the
very often. Himalayas poses a risk. Seismologists consider
the Himalayas as most vulnerable to earthquakes
Why is China constructing more dams on the Chinese and seismic activity.
side?
* Landslides resulting from earthquakes
• China is growing economically and pose a significant threat — the 2015 Nepal
demographically, which is resulting in increased earthquake and the resultant landslides
water consumption. wiped out several dams and other facilities.
• China, which is home to close to 20 per cent of * The sheer size of the infrastructure projects
the world’s population, has only 7 per cent of its undertaken by China, and increasingly
water resources. by India, poses a significant threat to the
• Rapid industrialization has polluted the surface populations living downstream.
and the groundwater. * Close to a million people live in the
• China’s northern part is water-stressed and its Brahmaputra basin in India and tens of
southern part is water-rich. The southern region millions further downstream in Bangladesh.
is a major food producer and has a significant The projects in the Himalayas threaten the
industrial capacity as a consequence of more existence of hundreds of thousands of
people living there. people.
• China has an ambitious plan to link its south and • Third, for the Chinese, water is a key weapon in
north through canals, aqueducts and linking of their expansionist designs. China believes dam
major rivers to ensure water security. In pursuit of building on the Brahmaputra helps it assert a
these goals, China, being an upper riparian state claim over Arunachal Pradesh.
in Asia, has been blocking rivers like the Mekong • Fourth, dams, canals, irrigation systems can turn
and its tributaries. water into a political weapon to be wielded in
Impact war, or during peace to signal annoyance with a
• It is affecting Southeast Asian countries like co-riparian state.
Thailand, Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia. Dam * Many feel low lying areas in India will be
construction has resulted in widely fluctuating completely inundated if China suddenly
river flow, threatening fish productivity, which is releases all this stored up water.
key to the region’s people and economy. Way forward
• It has caused immense damage to the • Both sides must cease new constructions on the
environment. river and commit to potentially less destructive
Why India is worried? solutions.
Water scarcity in India • Building a decentralised network of check
• India is severely water-stressed as well. dams, rain-capturing lakes and using traditional
means of water capture have shown effective
• In summer, a vast majority of urban areas face results in restoring the ecological balance while
water shortages. Similar to China, India has 17 supporting the populations of the regions in a
per cent of the world’s population and 4 per cent sustainable manner.
of water.

NOVEMBER - 2020
38
International Relations • If the violence and conflict spill outside Ethiopia’s

borders, it may potentially destabilize the Horn
4. Ethiopia political Crisis of Africa region where the US and China have
»» Prelims: Mapping. several strategic military bases – the closest
being Djibouti.
Context:
* If these military bases were to be impacted
• Recently, Ethiopia’s Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed by the disturbances in any way, it may cause
declared war on the country’s Tigray region, foreign powers to get militarily involved in
which is ruled by the powerful Tigray People’s the region and the conflict.
Liberation Front (TPLF).
Way forward:
• It was in response to its attack on a federal
military base in Tigray. • The stability of Ethiopia is important for the entire
Horn of Africa region.
Tigray People’s Liberation Front • Measures must be taken for immediate de-
• The militia-turned-party – TPLF had played a escalation of tensions and a peaceful resolution
dominant role in the country’s ruling coalition to the dispute.
– the Ethiopian People’s Revolutionary • Instead of bombing his own country, Mr. Abiy
Democratic Front. should reach out to regional political leadership,
* It was part of the coalition that brought an especially the TPLF, find common ground, and
end to the military dictatorship in 1991. run the country peacefully by restoring the
balance between ethnicities and regions and
• A
fter Mr. Abiy came to power, he concentrated
decentralising the federal government.
more power in the hands of the government
and alienated the TPLF.
• Rising tensions led to the recent outburst, with International Relations
the attack on the base.
5. Five Eyes (FVEY)
»» Mains: China-Hong Kong protests
Details:
• It is an intelligence alliance comprising Australia,
• The Tigrayans, who make up roughly 6% of Canada, New Zealand, the United Kingdom and
Ethiopia’s 110 million people, have traditionally the United States
enjoyed outsized influence in the government
• The origins of the FVEY can be traced back to
whereas the Oromos, the largest ethnic group,
the post–World War II period, when the Atlantic
have complained of marginalisation.
Charter was issued by the Allies to lay out their
• Abiy (an Oromo) has said his mandate is to place goals for a post-war world.
Ethiopia’s interests over the regions and correct
Context:
the uneven distribution of power.
• China has rejected the attack on its Hong Kong
• The conflict between Tigray authorities and the
policy by the U.S. and several of its allies, saying
federal government can be traced to when Abiy
they “should face up to the reality” that the
Ahmed came to power in 2018.
former British colony has been returned to China.
Concerns:
Details
• Abiy’s actions often produced unintended
• The Five Eyes had accused China of violating
consequences.
international commitments by ousting pro-
• In the Oromo region, his critics complain that democracy lawmakers from Hong Kong's
he is trying to grab more powers for the federal legislature.
government, while the Tigrayans accuse him of
• Hong Kong, a city of 7.5 million people, was
taking away their rights.
promised autonomy over local affairs for 50 years
• Now, with his decision to bomb Tigray, he has after its return to China in 1997.
declared war on his people at a time when ethnic
• China's parliament body issued a decree that
tensions are running high.
local authorities could expel any politician who
What impact will this have on the Horn of Africa? was being seen a national security threat without
• If the conflict between the Ethiopian federal getting court orders.
government and Tigray authorities exacerbates,
it will spill over to neighbouring countries in the
Horn of Africa.
• Eritrea may be hardest hit, due to its proximity to
Tigray.

NOVEMBER - 2020
39
Important International institutions, agencies and • The three aims of the Summit were:
fora- their structure, mandate. * E mpowering People by creating the
conditions in which all people – especially
6. G20 Leaders’ Summit women and youth – can live, work and
»» Prelims: G20 grouping and its members. thrive.
»» Mains: The outcome of the summit. * Safeguarding the Planet: by fostering
collective efforts to protect our global
The 15th G20 Leaders’ Summit was held virtually in commons.
November 2020. The summit was hosted by Saudi
Arabia. It was a virtual event owing to the COVID-19 * Shaping New Frontiers: by adopting long-
pandemic. term and bold strategies to share the
benefits of innovation and technological
• G20 Summits are held every year and they hold advancement.
tremendous importance for international affairs
owing to its membership which spans the major • At the end of the Summit, the presidency of G20
economies of the world. 2021 was passed on to Italy. India will have its
turn at the presidency in 2023. Thus, India will
• The yearly summit of the G20 has been enter the G20 Troika in January 2021.
happening since 2008 and is attended by the
heads of government/state of the member * Originally, India was supposed to host
nations. the summit in 2021 and Italy in 2022.
However, after mutual consultations
• Throughout the year, other than the summit, and considerations, the presidency was
events, sherpa meetings, ministerial meetings, swapped.
working groups, etc. are organised.
• The summit concluded with a goal to create
About the G20 a free, fair, predictable, and stable trade and
G20 is an international grouping that comprises the investment environment.
major economies of the world. Its members account • The leaders also committed to ensuring that
for more than 80% of world GDP, 75% of global trade global transportation routes and supply
and 60% of the population of the planet. The forum is chains remain open, safe, and secure to ensure
an active space for countries to discuss financial and economic recovery following the adverse impact
socioeconomic issues and concerns. of COVID-19.
G20 Members: • The grouping announced that the top 20
Argentina Australia Brazil Canada economies have mobilized resources to address
the immediate financing needs in global
China France Germany Japan health to support the research, development,
India Indonesia Italy Mexico manufacturing, and distribution of safe and
Russia South South Korea Turkey effective COVID-19 diagnostics, therapeutics and
Africa vaccine.
UK USA European • The grouping reinforced its support to the
Union Financial Action Task Force (FATF) and also
supported the Anti-Money Laundering (AML)/
• Spain is a permanent guest invitee.
Counter-Terrorist Financing (CFT) policy
• In every Summit, guest countries and responses of the FATF, especially in response
organisations are also invited giving the forum a to India’s call for effectively controlling terror
broader representation. finances globally.
The G20 does not have a permanent secretariat. Its • Other areas the leaders reiterated support include
activities & agenda are established by the rotating fighting corruption, cooperation for a globally
Presidencies, in cooperation with the membership. fair, sustainable, and modern international tax
A "Troika", represented by the country that holds the system
Presidency, its predecessor and its successor, works
India and G20 Summit 2020
to ensure continuity within the G20.
• Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in his speech,
G20 Summit 2020
talked about the importance of effective global
• The 2020 Summit hosted by Saudi Arabia had governance and reformed multilateralism
the following theme: “Realizing Opportunities of through improvement in character, governance
the 21st Century for All”. and processes of multilateral institutions for a
sustainable recovery in the post-COVID phase.

NOVEMBER - 2020
40
• Talking about the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable and in support of all other marine activities,
Development Goals, Mr Modi mentioned India’s including economic development (resource
‘Reform-Perform-Transform’ strategy to move exploitation - fishing, minerals), security and
forward. defence, scientific research, and environmental
protection.
• He also talked about India’s adoption of the Self-
Reliant India (Atma Nirbhar Bharat) approach in Hydrographers
the changed situation after COVID-19. At a global • Measure water depth, and search for shoals, rocks,
level, India also took the initiative of establishing & wrecks that could be hazards to navigation.
institutions such as the International Solar They also collect information on:
Alliance and the Coalition for Disaster Resilient
Infrastructure. * Water level & tides
• Talking about climate change, the Prime Minister * Currents

talked about how India would be exceeding the * Temperature
Paris Agreement targets. * Salinity
Saudi Arabia Banknote Controversy Brahmos
To mark Saudi Arabia’s presidency of the G20, the • Vietnam is said to be interested in buying the
Kingdom had released 20 Riyal banknotes. However, Brahmos supersonic cruise missile --- a joint
the banknotes depicted a global map which showed venture between India and Russia --- to shore
the whole of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh as a up its defences at a time of Beijing’s aggressive
separate entity and not as part of India. posturing in the South China Sea.
• The Ministry of External Affairs took up the issue * Responding to China’s aggressive posturing
of misrepresentation of the Indian map with in the South China Sea, Vietnam has called
Saudi Arabia. on India to play a more proactive role in
• India has termed it an incorrect depiction of Southeast Asia.
India’s external territorial boundaries. * Supply of military spares, maintenance
• Reiterating that both Jammu & Kashmir and of hardware, and ship visits are also other
Ladakh are integral parts of India, the MEA important facets of the defense cooperation.
conveyed its serious concerns to the Saudi * The two sides have also signed a MoU for
Ambassador and also the Saudi government in Coast Guard-to-Coast Guard collaboration.
Riyadh.
• Both India and Vietnam have genuine interests
• After this, Saudi Arabia withdrew the controversial in collaborating to ensure an open, transparent,
banknotes. collaborative and productive regional order in
• The banknotes were released before the summit Indo Pacific region.
and the incorrect portrayal would have flared up • India and Vietnam could foster cooperation with
into a diplomatic issue had the map not been other middle-powers in the Asia Pacific such as
withdrawn in which case, it would have been Japan, South Korea, Indonesia, and Australia, to
untenable for India to participate in the summit. further check Chinese belligerence in disputed
waters.
7. India, Vietnam hold bilateral discussions International Relations
»» Prelims: South China Sea mapping 8. SIMBEX-20
»» Mains: India-Vietnam bilateral relations, Vietnam- »» Prelims: Bilateral maritime exercises.
China tensions in the South China Sea.
• India – Singapore Bilateral Maritime Exercise
Context:
• The annual bilateral exercise, started in 1994, is
• India and Vietnam signed an agreement for aimed at enhancing mutual inter-operability and
cooperation in the field of hydrography to imbibing best practices from each other.
enable sharing of data and assist in production
of navigational charts by both countries
What is Hydrography?
• It deals with the measurement and description
of the physical features of oceans and seas.
• It will help in the prediction of change over time,
for the primary purpose of safety of navigation

NOVEMBER - 2020
41
outstanding students.
9. SITMEX International Relations
»» Prelims: Details of trilateral maritime exercises. 11. China slaps 200% tax on Australian wine
• It is a trilateral maritime exercise between the »» Mains: Trade war and its implications on global
navies of India, Singapore and Thailand. economy.
• Commenced in 2019, the first exercise was Context:

hosted by India. • China has added wine to the growing list of
• The 2020 exercise was hosted by the Republic of Australian goods barred from its markets in a
Singapore Navy (RSN). trade war against Australia
• Besides improving inter-operability between the • Earlier, China stopped or reduced imports of
friendly navies, SITMEX series of exercise also aims beef, coal, barley, seafood, sugar and timber from
to strengthen mutual confidence and develop Australia
common understanding and procedures Why china has taken this decision?
towards enhancing the overall maritime security • The decision was taken because Australia had
in the region. supported calls for a probe into the origin of the
coronavirus pandemic
Effect of policies and politics of developed and • Australia is working on a mutual defence treaty
developing countries on India's interests, Indian with Japan, which Chinese leaders see as a
diaspora. strategic rival, and
10. UAE to widen ‘golden’ visa’s eligibility criteria • It has joined Washington and Southeast Asian
governments in expressing concern about
»» Mains: Indian expatriates In West Asia, China’s construction of military facilities on
remittances from UAE . islands in the disputed South China Sea, a busy
Context: trade route.
• The United Arab Emirates will extend its golden • Australia has also joined the United States in
visa system. imposing curbs on use of technology from
Chinese telecom equipment giant Huawei
What is the Golden visa system? Technologies Ltd. on security grounds.
• The golden visa system grants a 10-year Australia’s economy is heavily reliant on China
residency in the United Arab Emirates — to
certain professionals, specialised degree-holders • Australia needs to increase its competitiveness
and others. by expanding its export market opportunities.
• All holders of doctorate degrees, medical doctors • While Australian trade with India has grown
and also computer, electronics, programming, steadily, there is much more potential for export
electrical and biotechnology engineers are market access. India presents a lucrative option
eligible for the golden visa system. for Australian exporters to diversify.
• Those with specialised degrees in artificial Strategic benefits of closer ties with India
intelligence, big data and epidemiology, as • Economic relations aside, closer ties also present
well as high school students living in the UAE strategic political benefits. Unlike China, India
who rank top in the country and students from shares more in common with Australia. Both
certain universities with a GPA of 3.8 or higher are countries are federal democracies, former British
also eligible. colonies, and English is the primary language
Details: of both foreign ministries. These similarities
go a long way in ensuring smooth diplomatic
• Foreigners in the UAE usually have renewable communication
visas valid for only a few years tied to employment.
• The government in the past couple of years
has made its visa policy more flexible, offering
longer residencies for certain types of investors,
students and professionals.
• After first announcing a long-term visa plan in
2018, the UAE in 2019 started granting 5- and 10-
year renewable visas to certain foreign investors,
entrepreneurs, chief executives, scientists and

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42
Important International institutions, agencies and • As a member of the UNSC, India’s attention will
fora- their structure, mandate. be on changing the global rules of governance,
he said.
12. Terror funding: Saeed gets 10 years in jail
* From 2021 India will take part in the UN
»» Prelims: FATF and its functions. Security Council as a non-permanent
Context: member.
• Hafiz Saeed – the chief of Jamat-ud-Dawa (JuD) • He announced that in 2021, the National
and Mumbai terror attack mastermind has been Museum of India will hold an exhibition on the
sentenced to 10 years in jail by an anti-terrorism Buddhist heritage of the SCO countries.
court in Pakistan in two more terror financing • The President of China hinted at the difficulties
cases. among members and said differences should be
Details: resolved through dialogue.
• Saeed and his two close aides (Zafar Iqbal and Note:
Yahya Mujahid) have been sentenced to 10 and • This was the first SCO Summit held in Virtual
a half years each, while the chief’s brother-in- Format and the third meeting that India
law Abdul Rehman Makki was sentenced to six participated in after becoming a full member in
months’ imprisonment. 2017.
• The sentencing comes weeks after the Paris-
based global money laundering and terrorist
financing watchdog — the Financial Action International Relations
Task Force — retained Pakistan on its grey list till 14. India and Biden
February 2021.
»» Prelims: Various defence pacts signed
* Pakistan has failed to fulfil FATF’s six key
obligations, including failure to take action »» Mains: Election procedure of the US President,
against two of India’s most wanted terrorists India-USA bilateral relations.
— Saeed and Maulana Masood Azhar. Context
Earlier, Hafiz Saeed was sentenced to jail in Pakistan • Joe Biden won the US Presidential election and
for five-and-a-half years on terror finance charges. is expected to assume the Presidency in January
2021. Ever since the Democrat Biden defeated his
Important International institutions, agencies and republican rival, the current US President Donald
Trump, there has been a lot of speculation in
fora- their structure, mandate. India about the manner in which his Presidency
13. PM seeks respect for ‘territorial integrity’ would impact the India-US relationship.
»» Prelims: SCO members, its vision. Background
»» Mains: India’s role in SCO platform. • There are concerns that the current Indian
administration’s virtual endorsement of a Trump
What’s in News? re-election (as seen during the Houston and
20th Summit of SCO Council of Heads of State Ahmedabad rallies; India’s invitation to senior
was held on the 10th of November 2020 (in Video Trump officials, for “2+2” talks just before the U.S.
Conference Format). elections; and the Indian External Affairs Minister
refusing a meeting with the Democrat-led
• In the address, Prime Minister Narendra Modi House Foreign Affairs Committee) can have an
urged the members of the Shanghai Cooperation antagonising effect as far as the new president-
Organisation (SCO) to respect “territorial elect’s approach to India is concerned.
integrity” and “sovereignty”.
• However, there are arguments that the change in
• He reminded that India has traditionally administration in the world’s oldest democracy is
supported infrastructure and connectivity a mixed bag for India’s relations with the country.
projects in the SCO region and cited examples of
the Chabahar port and the North-South Corridor. Biden - History of relations with India
• He reiterated India’s firm belief in regional peace, • Biden had always advocated a strong Indo-
security and prosperity and raising voice against US relation, even before he took office as the
terrorism, smuggling of illegal weapons, drugs American Vice President in 2009.
and money-laundering.

NOVEMBER - 2020
43
• He played an important role in strengthening • This would foster the relationship between India
US ties with India during his vice presidency and and Iran in the right direction as it has been
also before, as Chairman of the Senate Foreign on a downturn off late. India could deepen its
Relations Committee. relationship with Iran without fearing American
• Even when Barack Obama was hesitant as a sanctions and also counter China’s influence in
senator to support the Indo-US civil nuclear deal, that region.
Biden worked with Democrats and Republicans • This will also facilitate India’s regional
to get support for the deal and push it through connectivity ambitions through projects such as
in 2008. the Chabahar port project and the construction
• During Biden’s term as VP, Washington officially of the Chabahar-Zahedan rail link.
declared its support for India’s membership in a Afghan Peace Process
reformed and expanded United Nations Security
Council. • Although Biden might not reverse the US pullout
of Afghanistan, the process could be more
* This had been a major demand of previous measured rather than an abrupt exit.
Indian governments.
• This augurs well not only for the war-torn
• The Obama-Biden Administration also named Afghanistan but also for India’s own security and
India a “Major Defense Partner” – a status interests in that country.
approved by the US Congress.
Multilateralism
* This holds significance because it was for the
first time that the US accorded this status to • Biden’s stated intention to re-energise the
a country outside its traditional alliance. multilateral global order is in line with India’s
support for global rule-based multilateralism.
* This move strengthened defence ties
between both countries as it became easier Trade Relations
to share advanced and critical technology to • Under Donald Trump, the US followed more
India. of a protectionist policy with his ‘America First’
• The Logistics Exchange Memorandum of rhetoric. India could expect a more favorable US
Agreement (LEMOA), the first of the three trade policy under Biden.
‘foundational pacts’ for stronger military ties was Leadership Style
signed in August 2016, during the end of the
• Another major change with respect to Biden’s
Obama presidency.
presidency is the working style. Biden is expected
• The remaining foundational agreements were to be more process-driven and not prone to
signed during the Trump presidency. sudden moves seen during Trump’s regime like
There could be positives and negatives for India as far the withdrawal of the GSP for India.
as Biden’s policies are concerned. Immigration and visas
Biden’s positions on various issues and how they • As Democrats are seen to be more liberal on
affect India are discussed below. immigration, Biden is expected to be softer
Climate Deal towards Indians who go to the US to study, work
and live there.
• The Biden presidency will probably return
America to the Paris Climate Agreement. • He has promised to support family-based
immigration, increase the number of visas offered
• This could augur well for India given India’s stance for permanent, work-based immigration, reform
of Common but Differentiated Responsibilities the temporary visa system for high-skill, specialty
(CBDR) in climate negotiations. jobs, eliminate the limits on employment-based
• The US’s return to the climate accord will make a green cards.
positive impact on global climate action and also • He has also promised to restore the naturalisation
help in the provision of finances and technology process for green card holders.
to developing countries such as India.
China Angle
Iran Nuclear Negotiations
• Though the new president is expected to
• Biden could once again bring the US to the maintain the pushback against China, the
negotiating table with Iran, which would water overtly pro-India and anti-China approach
down the tension between the two countries. under President Trump may not continue. This
• This is good for India as then India would not be may place India in a disadvantageous position
required to walk the tightrope between doing vis-a-vis China in the ongoing border dispute in
business with Iran and being in America’s good Ladakh.
books by not engaging with Iran.

NOVEMBER - 2020
44
• However, it is to be noted that Biden’s campaign * One of the most prominent scientists of Iran,
document stated that Biden’s administration Fakhrizadeh was also a member of the elite
would work with India to support a rules-based Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps
and stable Indo-Pacific region in which no
country, including China, is able to threaten its • Fakhrizadeh is sometimes described as Iran’s
neighbors with impunity. Robert Oppenheimer
India’s Internal Issues * Robert Oppenheimer, during the Manhattan

Project, was responsible for the research and
• Biden had made statements on India’s internal design of an atomic bomb.
matters like the revocation of Article 370 and
the passing of the Citizenship Amendment Act, • He was a "key player" something that Israel has
disapproving the Indian government’s stance. alleged in the past — especially since Iran started
breaching its nuclear deal commitments.
• This position, as well as the fact that his Vice
President elect Kamala Harris is a fierce champion * Iran started violating the terms of the
of human rights issues, could be a bone of nuclear deal, called Joint Comprehensive
contention for New Delhi. Plan of Action (JCPOA), after President
Trump unilaterally pulled the U.S. out of the
• Trump had ignored the CAA, J&K issues, in India, agreement in 2018.
or at best issued some perfunctory statement on
them, however, the Indian government should * Iran had also increased its stockpile of low-
be prepared for tough statements from the enriched uranium beyond the limits set by
Biden administration on issues of such nature. the 2015 nuclear deal
• The Indian government should hold its own Who killed Mohsen Fakhrizadeh?
ground on internal issues, but nevertheless, it • Iranian Foreign Minister has said there are
should also make adjustments in its responses to “serious indications” that Israel was involved in
the US administration. the attack.
Conclusion • In the past 10 years, at least six Iranian scientists
• International relations are always transactional were killed in bomb and gun attacks in which
and it does not matter which party/individual Israeli hands were suspected.
is in power unless and until there are mutual How was Mohsen Fakhrizadeh assassinated?
interests involved. The same holds true for the • Fakhrizadeh's car was targeted by an explosion
India-U.S. relationship. and machine gun in Absard, which is located
about 40 km east of Tehran.
International Relations What are the implications of his killing?
15. Mohsen Fakhrizadeh assassinated The main fear is that the killing will set off a chain
reaction within the regime, building pressure to
»» Prelims: Iran bordering countries. retaliate
»» Mains: West Asia tensions, Impact on India’s • The killing of Fakhrizadeh could "complicate" the
interests in the regiona, Iran Israel conflict. effort by US President-elect Joe Biden to revive
Context the 2015 Iranian nuclear deal, which Biden has
pledged to do.
• Iran's senior-most nuclear scientist Mohsen
Fakhrizadeh was assassinated near Tehran. • Significantly, ties between the US and Iran -
Fakhrizadeh was the head of the Research which first became acrimonious during the 1979
and Innovation Organisation of the Ministry of Iranian revolution — have continued to worsen
Defense. since President Donald Trump unilaterally
withdrew from the 2015 nuclear deal and
• It is the most high profile killing of an Iranian imposed sanctions on Iran.
regime figure since the assassination of General
Qassem Soleimani Will it be a setback to Iran Nuclear Program? Yes
Who was Mohsen Fakhrizadeh? • The loss of Fakhrizadeh, at a time when Iran
is taking baby steps to expand its nuclear
• Fakhrizadeh who is said to be the father of Iran’s programme, either as a strategy or as a bargaining
nuclear programme, according to the U.S. and chip, is a clear setback to its plans.
Israel, had overseen Iran’s nuclear weapons
programme in the 1990s and early 2000s, and
remained a key figure in the country’s nuclear
programme and the Defence Ministry.

NOVEMBER - 2020
45
• Therefore, his assassination could also be an India and its neighborhood - relations.
attempt to slow down Iran's nuclear ambitions.
16. Myanmar Elections
No
»» Prelims: Indian states bordering Myanmar, Indian
• There are many other scientists and his death projects in Myanmar.
would not impact their nuclear program
»» Mains:India-Myanmar bilateral relations,
Iran faces a growing dilemma.
Myanmar transition to democracy.
• If it doesn’t retaliate in the wake of repeated
Context
provocations, there would be questions, both
inside and outside the country, about its ability to • Myanmar's ruling National League for Democracy
protect the regime’s top leaders or take counter- (NLD) party headed by Aung San Suu Kyi has
measures against what it calls “terrorism” of its secured enough seats in parliament to form the
sworn enemies. next government defeating the military-backed
Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP).
• If it takes any major retaliatory steps, it could
escalate the conflict, providing room for Israel Election results
and the Trump administration to take rapid • The ruling party, the National League for
military steps, which would cut off the diplomatic Democracy (NLD) led by the Nobel Peace Prize-
path for Mr. Biden to take the U.S. back to the winning champion of democracy Aung San
nuclear deal. Suu Kyi, won 346 seats, more than the 322 seats
Role of Saudi Arabia needed to form the next government.
• The assassination of Fakhrizadeh appears to be • This showed the people of Myanmar are pushing
part of a larger Israeli plan in conjunction with forward for a functioning democracy, after years
Saudi Arabia to force the U.S. into taking military of military government.
action against Iran. • The main opposition party is the Union
• Mr. Netanyahu’s recent semi-clandestine trip Solidarity and Development Party, which is the
to Saudi Arabia to meet with the Crown Prince successor to the formerly ruling military junta's
along with the U.S. Secretary of State was aimed mass organisation, the Union Solidarity and
at cementing the anti-Iran front and putting Development Association.
pressure on the Trump administration to destroy Electoral system in Myanmar
Iran’s nuclear installations.
• Myanmar follows a first-past-the-post system.
• Riyadh considers Tehran to be its principal
adversary and the primary threat to its leadership • But a quarter of parliamentary seats are reserved
aspirations in West Asia. for the military under a controversial 2008
constitution drawn during junta rule.
Impact on India
* Even though the military allowed free
• West Asia being part of India’s extended elections, it made sure that its interests were
neighbourhood, instability in the region can preserved.
have economic, security implications on India.
* A bloc of seats in Parliament is reserved
• Further US sanctions on Iran might put India in for soldiers, which would prevent any
a tough spot, especially when India is seeing amendment to the Constitution.
Chabahar port as the gateway to Central Asia and
Iran is one of the key crude oil suppliers to India * The constitution also gives the military
and also not to forget India enjoys civilizational control of three key ministries - home affairs,
ties with Iran. defence, and border affairs.
• Escalation of ties will also cause fluctuation in To change constitution and bring reforms
crude oil supplies not only from Iran but from • The military will continue to control at least 25%
West Asia, which could increase the crude oil of the seats in national and regional legislatures.
prices and it can further have a domino effect There will be no possibility of effecting any
on various sectors of Indian economy which is change in the constitution as support of at least
already reeling under COVID stress. 75% of the houses is required for accomplishing
any amendment to the constitution.
• Any attempt to make the constitution more
democratic and representative of the wishes of
the people and reduce the power of the military
is most likely to be infructuous as it would most
likely be vetoed by the army.

NOVEMBER - 2020
46
Controversy about the elections Indian Projects in Myanmar

• According to some overseas observers, the • India’s total bilateral trade with Myanmar is
elections were controversial because of the worth $1.5 billion (2019-20), which is way behind
exclusion of virtually all of the Rohingyas. China’s economic engagement with the country.
* Myanmar's electoral commission had • Facilitating connectivity is central to improving
cancelled voting in large parts of Rakhine India-Myanmar economic relations.
state, which is the centre of the Rohingya
• Infrastructure projects are underway, such as the
crisis.
India-Myanmar-Thailand Trilateral Highway and
• There were cancellations of elections in a few Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Transport (KMMTT),
other areas as well which outraged ethnic which aims to connect the eastern Indian seaport
minority parties. Almost 2 million people were of Kolkata with the Sittwe deep-water port in
disenfranchised in a country of almost 37 million Myanmar’s Rakhine state by sea.
registered voters.
• India also developed the Sittwe Port as part of
• The NLD and Suu Kyi were subject to the policy for the Indian Ocean called Security
condemnation from various quarters and Growth for All in the Region (SAGAR), central
internationally owing to their alleged indifference to which is “port-led development”.
to the plight of the Rohingyas.
* India’s long-term strategic goal is to create
India and Myanmar a Special Economic Zone surrounding the
• India has traditionally taken a neutral stance vis- Sittwe port, and in so doing, cement India’s
a-vis Myanmar. footprint in Rakhine and boost its presence
in the Bay of Bengal.
• It has tried to keep a good relationship with both
the army and the civilian government. * The Sittwe port is meant to be India’s
answer to the Chinese-fronted Kyaukpyu
• Myanmar is strategically quite important to India port, which is intended to cement China’s
as it stands at the centre of the India-Southeast geostrategic footprint in Rakhine.
Asia geography.
• New Delhi is assisting Myanmar in areas such
• It is the only Southeast Asian country that shares as information technology, agriculture, and
a land border with northeastern India, stretching infrastructure.
some 1,624 kilometres. The neighbours also
share a 725-km maritime boundary in the Bay of • A number of Indian companies have also set up
Bengal. operations in Myanmar, including oil and gas
players like ONGC Videsh and GAIL.
• Given that the country sits at the intersection of
India’s ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy and the ‘Act Rohingya Issue
East’ policy, it is an important element in India’s • India has been tactful in its approach to the
practice of regional diplomacy in the Indo- Rohingya issue with Myanmar.
Pacific, and serves as a land bridge to connect
• India kept its distance even when Myanmar was
South Asia and Southeast Asia.
taken to the ICJ over the Rohingya genocide.
• It is therefore in India’s geostrategic interest
• India has played it safe by providing humanitarian
to see Myanmar prevail as a stable and
relief even while deporting Rohingya refugees
autonomous country, thereby making possible
from India for security reasons.
greater bilateral engagement in India-Myanmar
relations. * India provided 250 prefabricated houses
and relief materials for displaced persons in
• A failed Myanmar would lead it to fall into the lap
northern Rakhine in 2019.
of China as a ‘satellite state’, a move that would be
disastrous for India. • India will need to perform a balancing act
between Muslim-majority Bangladesh and
• India is trying to manoeuvre the relationship with
Buddhist-majority Myanmar as far as the
Myanmar in a manner which would make the
Rohingya issue is concerned.
country less dependent on China, and give India
the much-needed tilt in the balance of power in Election results
mainland Southeast Asia in its own favour. • For India, the victory of NLD, with which Delhi has
long-standing relations, will provide continuity
of policies

NOVEMBER - 2020
47
• The crushing defeat faced by many USDP • 3. Communications Compatibility and Security
candidates including senior (retired) army Agreement (COMCASA) – This agreement is to
officers will also work in India’s favour. share and secure communications exchange
* That’s because many USDP leaders who between both the nations during training
had served in the ‘Tatmadaw’ have close exercises and operations.
links with China and, had they been voted An extension to the GSOMIA, the Industrial Security
to power, would have furthered Beijing’s Annex (ISA), was signed in 2019.
interests in Myanmar.
What is BECA?
The Basic Exchange and Cooperation Agreement
International Relations (BECA) for geo-spatial cooperation is essentially
a communication agreement between the
17. Basic Exchange and Cooperation Agreement for National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency of the US
Geo-Spatial Cooperation (BECA) Department of Defence and the Ministry of Defence
of the Government of India.
»» Mains: India-US bilateral relations, defence
cooperation, other agreements • It will allow India and the US to share military
information including advanced satellite and
The Basic Exchange and Cooperation Agreement topographic data such as maps, nautical and
(BECA) was signed between the governments of aeronautical charts and geodetic, geophysical,
India and the United States in October 2020. geomagnetic and gravity data.
• The agreement is about the exchange of • Most of the information shared will be
geospatial information between the two nations, unclassified. However, the pact includes a
enhancing the operational efficiency of US provision for sharing classified information with
platforms currently operated by India. safeguards to prevent it from being shared with
• BECA was signed during the third 2+2 Ministerial any third party.
Dialogue. Benefits for India
What is the 2+2 Dialogue? • The BECA will allow US armed forces to provide
advanced navigational aids and avionics on US-
• The 2+2 dialogue is the highest-level supplied aircraft to India.
(Ministerial) institutional mechanism
between India and the USA. It is aimed at • It will allow India and the US to share geospatial
bringing together the perspectives of both and satellite data with each other, thereby
the countries on issues relating to foreign enhancing the geospatial cooperation between
policy, defence and other strategic issues. the two countries.
• India holds such dialogues with Japan also. • It will boost the Indian military’s accuracy of
With Australia, India holds a 2+2 dialogue automated hardware systems and weapons like
at the secretary level. cruise missiles, ballistic missiles and drones.
• Additionally, it is a major step for India when it
comes to acquiring armed drones such as MQ-9B
Foundational Military Communication Agreements from the US.
between India and the USA
Significance of the Agreement
Prior to the signing of the BECA, India and the US had
signed three foundational military agreements. They • The signing of the agreement came in the
are: backdrop of deteriorating US-China relations
and the recent India-China border clash in the
• 1. General Security of Military Information Galwan Valley.
Agreement (GSOMIA) – It was signed in 2002, to
facilitate sharing military intelligence between • BECA is to help India and the US counter growing
India and the USA. Chinese influence in the Indo-Pacific region.
• 2. Logistics Exchange Memorandum of
Agreement (LEMOA) – It was signed in 2016. As
per this agreement, India and the USA can use
each other’s military bases to carry out repairs
and for resupplying.

NOVEMBER - 2020
48
International Relations Significance:

18. Nagrota encounter • By apprising the international community of the
details of the Nagrota encounter, the government
»» Prelims: District Development Council. seems to have a multi-pronged strategy.
»» Mains: FATF action on Pakistan Cross border • The first imperative is to ensure that the full
terrorism, border infrastructure implications of the aborted attack and what
• The article talks about the steps taken by India to could have occurred are understood worldwide.
highlight the terror threat from Pakistan, in the • Secondly, India wants to ensure that the threat
backdrop of the Nagrota encounter. it continues to face from cross-border terror is
Background: acknowledged.
• Indian security forces recently defeated • India aims to put Pakistan, which has itself been
a nefarious plot to target grassroots level making allegations about a terror threat from
democratic exercises in Jammu and Kashmir by India, squarely on notice.
killing four terrorists belonging to the Pakistan- * It is important to note that Pakistan still faces
based terrorist organisation Jaish-e-Mohammad. the final FATF decision in February 2021 on
• District Development Council elections are due whether it will be blacklisted.
to start in Jammu and Kashmir. * Pakistan can be blacklisted for its inability
Details: to curb terror financing and to shut down
groups such as the JeM and the LeT.
• More details have been uncovered on the
planned terror strike in Jammu and Kashmir • It is opined that the government of Pakistan
by four men, believed to be members of the would be better positioned in fulfilling the action
Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammed. plan it has been tasked with rather than flashing
unsubstantiated dossiers with counter-claims
• The government believes that the recent attack
against India.
was planned on the same scale as the Pulwama
bombing that killed 40 Central Reserve Police Way forward:
Force personnel. • India must note that invoking the international
• The attack is believed to be timed for the community can be a double-edged sword in its
anniversary of the 2008 Mumbai attacks. bilateral conflict with Pakistan, that could invite
discomforting interventionary interest.
• Also, a tunnel has been discovered in the Samba
sector from where the men are supposed to have • Eventually, India’s success lies in protecting its
infiltrated into India. borders, as done in Nagrota, and by providing
a peaceful and stable environment in J&K so as
Steps taken by India to highlight the terror threat
to restart the much-delayed democratic process
from Pakistan:
despite all attempts to derail it.
• The government of India has decided to step
up its diplomatic campaign to hold Pakistan
accountable. India and its neighborhood - relations
• The Foreign Secretary briefed a select group of 19. India, Maldives sign MoUs to boost ties
ambassadors on the plot.
»» Prelims: Mapping
* The envoys were part of the first batch of
diplomats being briefed. »» Mains: Bilateral relations, maritime security
• Indian missions have been instructed to pass Context:
on details of the “information docket” handed • The visit of the Indian Foreign Secretary Harsh
over, which includes details of the encounter in Vardhan Shringla to the Maldives.
Nagrota between the suspected terrorists hiding
in a truck and security forces, as well as the Details:
equipment the men allegedly had. • MoU includes a $100 million Indian grant for an
ambitious connectivity project.
* This is a part of India’s “$500 million package”
for the Greater Male Connectivity Project
(GMCP).

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49
* The two governments had earlier inked a • The election of Ibrahim Solih as the Maldivian
deal for a $400 million line of credit from the President has provided the much-needed
Exim Bank of India. impetus to India-Maldives bilateral relations,
• Two MoUs have been signed for high impact especially on the economic front.
community development projects. * India has offered massive developmental
• A fourth MoU was signed on cooperation in funding for creating physical, social and
sports and youth affairs. community infrastructure in the Maldives.
Background: * The Solih government has propounded an
‘India First’ policy from day one of assuming
India-Maldives bilateral ties: the office and has proposed a balanced
People to people relations: approach towards trilateral equations
between India-Maldives-China.
• India and the Maldives have had bilateral
relations for centuries. Concerns:
• Maldivian students attend educational • There have been ‘India Out’ protests going on
institutions in India and Maldivian patients come in the Maldives, mainly headed by the Yameen
to India for super-specialty healthcare, aided camp. They are complaining against the Solih
by a liberal visa-free regime extended by India. government’s increasing reliance on Indian
This has increased the people to people contact funding and the administration’s decision to
between the two countries. retain two India-gifted helicopters and their
operational military personnel.
Economic relations:
• Though India can take respite in the ‘strategic
• Tourism is the mainstay of the Maldivian
comfort’ of the ‘India First’ policy of the Solih
economy accounting for a major proportion of
government, India should be concerned about
its economy. Indian tourists account for a large
the ‘India out’ protests.
share of tourist inflow into the Maldives.
• The intra-party rumblings within the ruling
Humanitarian assistance:
Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) do not augur
• India has always offered emergency assistance to well for its prospects in the upcoming 2023
the Maldives. presidential polls.
* In 1988, under Operation Cactus, India sent Significance of the bilateral relation:
paratroopers and Navy vessels when armed
For India:
mercenaries attempted a coup against
President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom. • The Maldives constitutes a major component
of India’s ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy given
* India offered medical aid and essential
its proximity to India. India and Maldives are
goods to the Maldives in the aftermath of
neighbours sharing a maritime border.
the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami.
• The Maldives is also important for India for
* When the Maldives faced a drinking water
its Indian Ocean region policy. The Maldives
crisis, India rushed fresh water supplies
could play a significant role in protecting India’s
through the Indian Navy.
increasing geostrategic concerns in the shared
* Considering the geographical limitations of seas. Closer India-Maldives relations can help
Maldives, India has exempted the Maldives limit the growing influence of China in the Indian
from export curbs on essential commodities Ocean region.
during the ongoing pandemic. India has
• The increasing influence of radical Islam in the
also offered $250 million aid to the Maldives
Maldives could pose a security threat for India in
apart from offering medical supplies.
the coming years. Engaging and supporting the
See-saw in India-Maldives relations: Maldives in its fight against extremism could also
• The robust bilateral relations between India help India.
and Maldives took a downturn under the For the Maldives:
Presidentship of Abdulla Yameen, under whom
• India contributes to maintaining security in the
the Maldives increasingly tilted towards China
Maldives. It has gifted defence equipment based
and exhibited a negative bias against India and
on Maldives’ requests.
its interests.
• India has provided extensive economic aid
and has participated in bilateral programmes
for the development of infrastructure, health,
telecommunications and labour resources.
• Given that India is a major power in the Indian

NOVEMBER - 2020
50
Ocean region, Maldives would be served well to

maintain a robust relationship with India.
Conclusion:
• India and Maldives must push for taking forward
the multifaceted cooperation between the two
nations to the next stage. This could serve the
mutual interests of both nations.
• India should also work towards building
bipartisan consensus in the Maldives for
strengthening the bilateral relations.

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51
ART AND
ART CULTURE
AND CULTURE
Salient aspects of Art Forms • Women are mainly engaged in the creation of these
paintings. These paintings do not depict mythological
1. Warli Paintings
characters or images of deities, but depict social life.
»» Prelims: Region and tribe associated with Warli
• These tribal paintings of Maharashtra are traditionally
paintings.
done in the homes of the Warlis.
Tribe
• Painted white on mud walls, they are pretty close to
• They are an indigenous tribe or Adivasis, living in pre-historic cave paintings in execution and usually
mountainous as well as coastal areas of Maharashtra- depict scenes of human figures engaged in activities
Gujarat border and surrounding areas like hunting, dancing, sowing and harvesting.
• The Warlis speak an unwritten Varli language, Features
classified as Konkani, with some degree of influence
• It uses very shapes: a circle, a triangle and a square.
from the Gujarati language.
The circle represents the sun and the moon, the
Painting triangle derived from mountains and pointed trees,
• It is vivid expression of daily & social events of Warli the square indicates a sacred enclosure or a piece of
tribe, used by them to embellish the walls of village land.
houses. • Painted on austre mud base using one color.
* While there are no records of the exact origins of • Human and animal bodies are represented by two
this art, its roots may be traced to as early as the triangles joined at the tip; the upper triangle depicts
10th century A.D. the trunk and the lower triangle the pelvis. Their
precarious equilibrium symbolizes the balance of the
universe

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52
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
Awareness in the fields of IT. Research Center of Parallel Computer Engineering &
Technology (NRCPC) in China.
1. Param Siddhi Supercomputer
• PARAM-Siddhi is the second Indian supercomputer to
»» Prelims: Supercomputers around the world. be entered in the top 100 on the Top500 list.
»» Mains: Application of supercomputers, National • Pratyush, a supercomputer used for weather
Supercomputing Mission. forecasting at the Indian Institute of Tropical
Context Meteorology, ranked 78th.
• I ndia’s AI supercomputer Param Siddhi 63rd among National Supercomputing Mission (NSM)
top 500 most powerful non-distributed computer
• L aunched in 2015, NSM is the only dedicated
systems in the world.
programme launched to boost India’s
About Param Siddhi: supercomputing capacity.
• P
aram Siddhi is a High-Performance Computing- • The Rs 4,500-crore, seven-year-long
Artificial Intelligence (HPC-AI) supercomputer programme is spearheaded by the Centre for
established under the National Supercomputing Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC)
Mission (NSM) at C-DAC. and Indian Institute of Science (IISc), under the
• The supercomputer with Rpeak of 5.267 Petaflops Department of Science and Technology (DST)
and 4.6 Petaflops Rmax (Sustained) was conceived and Ministry of Electronics and Information
by C-DAC and developed jointly with the support of Technology (MeitY).
the Department of Science and Technology (DST), • A
s part of the programme, a network of
Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology over 70 supercomputers will be installed in
(MeitY) under NSM. multiple national-level research and academic
• Param Siddhi Supercomputer is built on the NVIDIA institutions.
DGX Super POD reference architecture networking • T hese machines will be part of the National
along with C-DAC’s indigenously developed HPC- Supercomputing grid over the National
AI engine, software frameworks and cloud platform Knowledge Network (NKN)
and will help deep learning, visual computing, virtual
• U
nder NSM, the long-term plan is to build a
reality, accelerated computing, as well as graphics
strong base of 20,000 skilled persons who will
virtualization.
be equipped to handle the complexities of
Applications supercomputers.
• The AI system will strengthen application The broad objectives defined for National
development of packages in areas such as advanced Supercomputing Mission NSM are:
materials, computational chemistry and astrophysics,
• T o make India one of the world leaders in
and several packages being developed under the
Supercomputing and to enhance India’s
mission on platform for drug design and preventive
capability in solving grand challenge problems
healthcare system, flood forecasting package for
of national and global relevance
flood prone metro cities like Mumbai, Delhi, Chennai,
Patna and Guwahati • T o empower our scientists and researchers
with state-of-the-art supercomputing facilities
• It is a boon for application developers and will
and enable them to carry out cutting-edge
help testing of weather forecasting packages by
research in their respective domains
NCMRWF & IITM, geo-exploration packages for oil
and gas recovery; packages for aero-design studies; • T o minimize redundancies and duplication
computational physics and mathematical applications of efforts, and optimize investments in
and even online courses for education. supercomputing
Powerful supercomputers in the world • T o attain global competitiveness and
ensure self-reliance in the strategic area of
• J apanese supercomputer Fugaku (442 petaflops)
supercomputing technology
and IBM’s Summit (148.8 petaflops) are the two most
powerful supercomputers in the world, according to
the Top500 list.
• Chinese Sunway TaihuLight is number four on
the list (93 petaflops), developed by the National

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53
* T his points to the growing trust in ISRO and

also opens up enormous opportunities in
the commercial space sector for India.
Applications * Additionally, this approach also helps reduce
• It will have wide-scale applications in the fields the cost of launch for Indian satellites as a
of climate modelling, weather prediction, proportion of the launch cost is shared by
aerospace engineering, computational the customer satellite owners.
biology, molecular dynamics, atomic energy
simulations, national security and defence
applications, seismic analysis, disaster Indigenization of technology and developing new
prediction and management, computational technology
chemistry, big data analytics, finance and more.
3. Swarna Jayanti Fellowships
»» Prelims: Details about the fellowship.
Context:
Space
• 2
1 scientists have been selected by the Department of
2. PSLV-C49/EOS-01 Mission Science and Technology (DST) for the Swarna Jayanti
fellowship 2020.
»» Prelims: Important PSLV missions, applications of
PSLV-C49/EOS-01 Mission. Details:
Context: • The Swarna Jayanti Fellowships scheme was instituted
by the Govt. of India to commemorate India’s fiftieth
• India’s Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle, in its fifty-first
year of independence.
flight (PSLV-C49), successfully launched EOS-01 along
with nine international customer satellites from Satish • It provides special assistance and support to a selected
Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC) number of young scientists with a proven track record
to enable them to pursue basic research in frontier
Details
areas of science and technology.
• EOS-O1 carried an X-band synthetic-aperture radar.
• Under the scheme, the awardees are given support
• It is an earth observation satellite intended for by the DST, which will cover all the requirements for
applications in agriculture, forestry and disaster performing the research and will include a fellowship
management support. of Rs. 25,000/- per month for five years.
• The mission also included the placing in orbit of nine • In addition to this, DST supports the awardees by
other spacecrafts. The nine customer satellites were giving them a research grant of 5 lakh Rupees for 5
from the United States, Lithuania and Luxembourg. years. The fellowship is provided in addition to the
Significance salary they draw from their parent Institution.
• Mission amidst the pandemic: * They are also provided with grants for
equipment, computational facilities,
* This is ISRO’s first mission in 2020 after the consumables, contingencies, national
COVID-19 pandemic induced lockdown and international travel, and other special
disturbed 10 missions planned by the agency. requirements, if any, are covered based on
The success of the mission is an indication of merit.
the resilience of the organization to succeed
in the mission even in the face of restrictions • The fellowships are scientist specific and not
on the movement of goods and people. institution-specific, very selective, and have close
academic monitoring.
• Increasing commercial reach of ISRO:
* The launch of other smaller customer
satellites with India’s own satellites has Awareness in the fields of Space.
become a recurrent feature in ISRO’s 4. Traffic cops of Space
operation. ISRO has gained credence as
a leading provider of rideshare services »» Mains: Space situational awareness, space wars,
for small satellites, due to its numerous satellite collision.
multi-satellite deployment campaigns with
Context:
auxiliary payloads usually ride sharing along
an Indian primary payload. • Skylark would be the first dedicated satellite
constellation looking at managing the situation in
* As of December 2019, PSLV has launched
space such as congestion, threats of collisions, and
around 300 plus foreign satellites from 33
addressing space traffic management.
countries.

NOVEMBER - 2020
54
including active and inactive satellites and debris that
Concerns:
could pose a threat.
• Sputnik 1 was the first human-made object to orbit
• This is intended at helping in the management of
the Earth. Its launch created new opportunities in
space traffic in a safe and sustainable way.
space.
Advantages:
• However, it has also added 29,000 objects as debris
(larger than 10 centimetres in diameter) in addition to A space-based satellite system has certain advantages
the 2,500-plus active satellites in space. over ground-based systems, including:
• Numerous space missions have contributed to the • Having multiple points of view for an object.
build-up of debris and artificial space objects are only • Not reliant on weather changes and atmospheric
expected to grow. interferences.
• Most ‘space junk’ can reach a speed of nearly 29,000 • The ability to make frequent revisits.
kilometres per hour.
• According to NASA, because of the amount of debris
in low Earth orbit and the speed at which they are
moving, current and future space-based services,
explorations, and operations pose a safety risk to
people and property in space and on Earth.
Details:
• NorthStar plans to provide safe and sustainable
solutions through its Skylark satellite constellation
designed specifically for Space Situational Awareness
(SSA).
• It plans to provide the information to prevent
accidents as the number of satellites exponentially
increase.
• NorthStar Earth & Space is a Canada-based space
company that made headlines for its efforts to address
the threat of space debris, which has increased over
the recent years.
• It has received investments from the Canadian
government, the Québec government, Telesystem
Space, and the Space Alliance.
• It has announced signing the contract for the first
three satellites to build the constellation. It plans to
launch them by mid-2022 and the rest by 2024.
How does it work?
• The system works on NorthStar’s algorithms to
provide space traffic data and collision avoidance
navigation services.
• SSA tracks natural and artificial objects in the orbit
around the Earth, and predicts where the objects are
going to be at any given time.
* Each satellite weighs about 200 kilograms
and is equipped with a 60-centimetre long
sensor.
* The set of three satellites form a spiral, so
the constellation will have four spirals with
different orbits, all of which will be circular
and polar at about 575 kilometres from the
Earth’s surface in the low Earth orbit (LEO).
• The constellation of 12 satellites would be equipped
with optical sensors to monitor space objects

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55
SECURITY AND DEFENCE
Defence Defence
1. MQ-9B Sea Guardian 2. QRSAM Missile System
»» Prelims: Defence Procurement manual, Defence »» Prelims: Nature of the missile system, it’s
acquisition procedure. applications.
Context:
»» Mains: Maritime security.
• QRSAM Missile system achieves a major
Context
milestone.
• The Indian Navy has inducted two MQ-9B Sea
Details:
Guardian unarmed drones procured from the
U.S. on lease for one year. • Quick Reaction Surface to Air Missile (QRSAM)
System has achieved a major milestone by a
Details
direct hit on to a Banshee Pilotless target aircraft
• The Guardian, which is the maritime variant of at the medium range & medium altitude.
the Predator MQ-9 Unmanned Aerial Vehicle
• The missile launch took place from ITR Chandipur
(UAV), has a maximum endurance of 40 hours
off the coast of Odisha.
and a maximum flying altitude of 40,000 feet.
• The system is capable of detecting and tracking
• It has a maritime surveillance radar and an
targets on the move and engaging target with
optional multimode maritime surface search
short halts. The system is designed to give air
radar.
defence coverage against strike columns of the
• The drone can “perform over-the-horizon long- Indian Army.
endurance, medium-altitude Intelligence,
• The missile system was fully indigenous
Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) missions.”
with active radio frequency seekers, electro-
• The new Defence Acquisition Procedure, as mechanical actuation systems sourced from
well as the older Defence Procurement Manual various industries.
enables swifter leasing of military equipment and
About QSRAM:
platforms for urgent operational requirements. It
cuts down time delays and initial capital cost for • The QRSAM, like many modern missiles, is a
inductions. canister-based system, which means that it is
stored and operated from specially designed
Significance
compartments.
• These drones are going to help the Indian Navy
• In the canister, the inside environment is
to expand its monitoring of the Indian Ocean
controlled, thus along with making its transport
and to further strengthen its surveillance of its
and storage easier, the shelf life of weapons also
coastal boundaries.
improves significantly.
• With an endurance of 40 hours, the Navy can
• The QRSAM is a short-range surface-to-air missile
deploy the Sea Guardians to monitor all the
(SAM) system, primarily designed and developed
"choke points" from the Persian Gulf to Malacca
by DRDO to provide a protective shield to
Strait in the IOR.
moving armoured columns of the Army from
• The lease is yet another strong indicator of the enemy aerial attacks.
continuing strategic partnership between India
• The entire weapon system has been configured
and the US
on a mobile and manoeuvrable platform and is
Data Collection and storage capable of providing air defence on the move. It
• There will be an American crew for maintenance, has been designed for induction into the Army
technical and training purposes and has a range of 25 to 30 km.
• The Indian Navy is totally in control of the • The QRSAM weapon ensemble, which functions
operations and the huge amount of data being on the move, consists of a fully automated
generated in the ISR missions, as per the lease command and control system, two radars —
agreement. Active Array Battery Surveillance Radar, Active
Array Battery Multifunction Radar — and one
• The intelligence data from the two drones launcher.
is being fed into the NCO (Network- Centric
Operations) network of the Navy.

NOVEMBER - 2020
56
• Both radars have a 360-degree coverage with Steps to be taken:

“search on move”and“track on move”capabilities. Security aspects:
• The system is compact, uses a single-stage solid • The fact that the person involved in the Vienna
propelled missile and has a mid-course inertial incident had been previously convicted in
navigation system with two-way data link and a terrorism case and was still able to slip off
terminal active seeker developed indigenously the security radar and launch an attack in the
by DRDO. capital city at a time when Europe was on high
• The weapon system would be ready for induction alert poses serious questions on the security
by 2021. apparatus.
• Austria will also have to plug the security
loopholes.
Defence
• It should clamp down on terror networks, isolate
3. Scorpene submarine Vagir and punish the radical forces.
»» Prelims: Project 75, technology transfer, Kalvari Social aspects:
class submarines.
• The larger challenge in countering the threat
• It is the fifth Scorpene conventional submarine of terrorism is how to address the issue of
of Project 75, i.e, the fifth of the Indian Navy’s six radicalisation among youth and counter
Kalvari-class submarines being built in India. attempts to disrupt the social cohesion.
• It is built by the Mazagon Docks Ltd. with • Given that radical forces use violence to create
technology transfer from France. social discord, there is a need for unity in the fight
• After harbour and sea-acceptance trials, it will be against terrorism.
delivered to the Navy. * Leaders of France, Austria and other
Note: terror-hit countries should not allow the
fundamentalists to have their way.
• Scorpene submarines can undertake multifarious
types of missions i.e Anti-Surface warfare, Anti- * They should clamp down on terror networks,
Submarine warfare, intelligence gathering, mine isolate and punish, counter the ideology and
laying, area surveillance, etc. build on the values of pluralism, secularism,
democracy and equality, and step up
• The first two submarines of the Project-75 have deradicalisation efforts with help from
been commissioned into the Navy, third and communities. This is a fight they cannot
fourth submarines are progressing their Sea afford to lose.
Trials.
Security Challenges
4. Vienna’s woes
»» Mains: Measures to tackle terrorism, radicalization
of youth.
Context:
• The terror attacks in Vienna, Austria.
Background:
• The Vienna attack follows the beheading
incident of a schoolteacher in a Paris suburb and
a knife attack in Nice. These incidents point to
the transnational threat European countries face
from terrorist attacks.

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57
ENVIRONMENT
ENVIRONMENTAND
ANDECOLOGY
ECOLOGY
Environmental pollution and degradation. Conservation
1. Climate action portal launched 3. Odisha to compensate fishermen
»» Prelims: Details about the portal »» Prelims: IUCN status of Gharials, tributaries of
Context: River Mahanadi.
• Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Context
Climate Change launched a single point • The Odisha government has decided to
information source for climate action known as compensate fishermen for the loss or damage
the “India Climate Change Knowledge Portal”. of nets if gharials get entangled during fishing in
About the Portal: the Mahanadi River.
• The portal will provide information on the • The decision was taken recently after instances
different climate initiatives taken by various line of fishermen killing gharials coming to the fore.
ministries enabling users to access updated
Issue
status on these initiatives.
• Gharials were getting caught in fishing nets of
• The portal captures sector-wise adaptation and
fishermen.
mitigation actions that are being taken by the
various line ministries in one place including Details
updated information on their implementation. • Odisha is the only State in India having all
• The knowledge portal will help in disseminating three species of gharial, mugger and saltwater
knowledge among citizens about all the major crocodile.
steps the government is taking at both national • IUCN status of Gharial is Critically Endangered
and international levels to address climate
change issues. • The State government has been involved in
conservation of three crocodile species by
• The eight components of the portal are India’s establishing rearing centres —
climate profile, national policy framework,
India’s NDC goals, adaptation actions, mitigation * Tikarpada for gharial in Angul,
actions, bilateral and multilateral cooperation, * Ramatirtha for muggers in Mayurbhanj and
international climate negotiations, reports &
public. * Bhitarkanika for saltwater crocodile in
Kendrapara district.
* B
esides, there is a captive breeding centre at
Conservation Nandankanan for all the three crocodiles.
2. Kibber Wildlife Sanctuary
»» Prelims: Location, flora and fauna of the area. Conservation
• It is spread over a vast 2220 sq km area and is by 4. Operation Thunder 2020
far the largest sanctuary of Himachal which also
occupies some of the highest regions of the state. »» Prelims: Agencies involved
• Kibber happens to be the only cold desert wildlife »» Mains: Wildlife conservation measures.
sanctuary in India. • It was an operation against environmental crimes
• Extreme conditions, high altitudes and • It was coordinated by the Interpol and the World
remoteness keep the area isolated for about six Customs Organisation, which involved law
months, making it a naturally protected region enforcement agencies in 103 countries.
for rare flora and fauna to exist without human
intrusions. Herbs found in the sanctuary find use • It resulted in large seizures of protected wildlife
in traditional medicinal systems. and forestry specimens and products, triggering
arrests and investigations worldwide
• Kibber one of the highest villages of Spiti is on
the periphery of the sanctuary. The sanctuary • The participating countries focused mainly on
also offers magnificent views of snow-clad peaks the species protected under the Convention on
of Chau Chau Kang Nilda in the backdrop and International Trade in Endangered Species of
sweeping sandy basins of Spiti River flowing in Wild Fauna and Flora
the valley.

NOVEMBER - 2020
58
Background • The bloom of Noctiluca scintillans displacing

diatoms has deprived food for the planktivorous
• “Operation Thunder 2020” is the fourth in a series
fish.
of “Thunder” operations carried out annually
since 2017. • The toxic blooms of N. scintillans are linked to
massive fish and marine invertebrate kills.
Context
• Though the species does not produce a toxin, it
• The India Customs intercepted an 18-tonne is found to accumulate toxic levels of ammonia,
shipment of red sandalwood destined for which is then excreted into the surrounding
the United Arab Emirates, during “Operation waters, possibly acting as the killing agent in
Thunder 2020” blooms.
• The ammonia makes N. scintillans unpleasant
Conservation for most creatures. Only jellyfish and salps are
known to prey on it.
5. Punchakkari-Vellayani wetlands
• N. scintillans graze on other micro-organisms
»» Prelims: Freshwater lakes in the region, famous such as larvae, fish eggs, and diatoms.
migratory birds.
• But the unicellular phytoplankton that lives
• It is in the state of Kerala inside N. scintillans can photosynthesise, turning
• Vellayani Lake is the largest fresh water lake in sunlight into energy. They help their host cell
Thiruvananthapuram district survive even when food is scarce. Thus, N.
scintillans acts as both a plant and an animal.
• The Vellayani Lake and the adjacent Punchakkari
paddy fields are a major landing site for several Note:
migratory birds and home to many resident birds • Noctiluca scintillans are commonly known as
• The sighting of the bird reinforces the ecological “sea sparkle”.
significance of the Punchakkari-Vellayani • The bioluminescent Noctiluca scintillans also
wetland complex and the need for its protection brightens the seawater at night.
Context: • Bioluminescence is the production and emission
• Willow warbler (Phylloscopus trochilus), one of light by a living organism and occurs due to
of longest migrating small bird which breeds a chemical reaction, involving a light-emitting
throughout northern and temperate Europe and molecule and an enzyme, called luciferin and
the Palearctic, sighted for the first time in the luciferase.
country at Punchakkari
Details Environmental pollution and degradation.
• Weighing around 10gm, the long wing feathers
used to migrate a long distance makes it peculiar. 7. The cost of clearing the air
• It is usually seen in European and Palearctic »» Prelims: NCAP

regions and they migrate to sub Saharan Africa »» Mains : Health hazards of air pollution.
during early winter. Context:
• Warblers are generally difficult to identify due • In February 2020, the Finance Minister had
to the small size and change in plumage twice a announced a ₹4,400 crore package for 2020-
year. 21 to tackle air pollution in 102 of India’s most
polluted cities.
Environmental pollution and degradation. • The funds would be used to reduce particulate
matter by 20%-30% from 2017 levels by 2024
6. ‘Sea sparkle’ has affected marine food chain: under the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP).
CMFRI Concerns:
»» Mains: Eutrophication, waste water disposal • There is no clarity on what the budgetary outlays
measures in the coastal region for subsequent years are likely to be.
Context: • Though it was the largest-ever yearly allocation
• The Karnataka coast has been witnessing the by a government to specifically tackle air
bloom of Noctiluca scintillans that has displaced pollution, only half the money was finally allotted
microscopic algae called diatoms. to 15 States (and 42 cities in them) in November
2020.
Details:
• Diatoms form the basis of the marine food chain.

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59
* The rest will be given in January 2021 based Background:
on how cities achieve certain ‘performance
Ill effects of ecological disequilibrium:
parameters’ that are still being worked out
by the Centre. Epidemic diseases:
• It is unclear if this amount is adequate to handle • The COVID-19 pandemic reflects fundamental
the task of improving air quality as the scale of ecological disequilibrium. Available scientific
the problem itself is unknown. evidence points to the fact that the loss of
biodiversity and the ever-increasing human
• Historically, cites have used manual machines to
incursions into the natural world could be
measure specified pollutants and their use has
contributing to the outbreak and spread of
been inadequate.
epidemic diseases.
• Several States with the most polluted cities that
• The high levels of air pollution have been found
have been allotted NCAP funds are expected to
to exacerbate the health impact of COVID-19.
spend a substantial fraction of the amount in the
act of measurement than on tackling pollution. Negative impact on health:
• The funds don’t account for the trained • The environmental problems — such as
manpower and the support system necessary to air pollution, water pollution, chemical
effectively maintain the systems. These costs are contamination, deforestation, waste generation
likely to be significant. and accumulation, land degradation and
excessive use of pesticides — are having
• Budgetary allocations alone don’t reflect the true
profound public health consequences for
cost of reducing air pollution.
humans.
* Pollution clean-up activities have been
* The State of Global Air report notes that air
assigned 50% of this budget and another
pollution contributed to 6.7 million annual
₹11 crore are allotted for mechanical street
deaths globally in 2019 while India faced
sweepers.
1.67 million deaths due to polluted air.
* Depending on the specific conditions in
* Ambient air pollution also aggravates
every city, these proportions are likely to
respiratory and cardiovascular conditions
change.
including chronic bronchitis, lung cancer
Way forward: and asthma.
• Tackling pollution requires various other Climate Change:
measures besides the allocation of sufficient
• Climate change, the result of GHG emissions
funds.
is leading to uncertainties in the monsoon,
* In the case of the National Capital Region, at the retreat of the Himalayan glaciers and the
least ₹600 crore was spent by the Ministry increase in mean sea levels and is also increasing
of Agriculture over two years to provide the frequency and intensity of extreme events.
subsidised equipment to farmers in Punjab
Carbon neutrality:
and Haryana and dissuade them from
burning paddy straw. Yet in 2020, there have • Given that the traditional approach of ‘grow now,
been more farm fires than in the previous pay later’ model is not only unsustainable in the
year. medium- to long-term but also dangerous to
public health in the short term, there have been
• • While funds are critical, proper
growing calls for more active measures.
enforcement, adequate staff and stemming the
sources of pollution on the ground are vital to • Rather than resorting to ad hoc techniques like
the NCAP meeting its target. geo-engineering, which itself is riddled with
complications, there is the need for more long
term solutions like planning for carbon neutrality.
Environmental Impact Assessment • Carbon Neutrality is being proposed as a
8. COVID-19, climate and carbon neutrality necessary measure in global climate action.
»» Prelims: State of Global Air report * Carbon neutrality refers to achieving net-
zero carbon dioxide emissions by balancing
»» Mains: Principle of carbon neutrality, inter- carbon dioxide emissions with carbon
linkage between COVID-19 and air pollution absorption.
Context: Carbon neutrality commitments:
• The article written by former Union Minister for • In September 2018, the American State of
Environment, Jairam Ramesh argues for India to California became the first to commit itself to
pursue the carbon neutrality principle. carbon neutrality (by 2045).

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60
• In December 2019, the European Union also • India has committed to creating an additional
committed to carbon neutrality by 2050. carbon sink of 2.5 -3 billion tonnes of CO2
• In September 2020, China, the world’s largest equivalent through additional forest and tree
GHG emitter, also declared its goal of carbon cover by 2030. India’s commitment on carbon
neutrality by 2060. sequestration through forests could help increase
carbon absorption in India’s forest reserves.
• This was followed by the announcements
by Japan and South Korea to achieve carbon • Carbon neutrality is a worthwhile goal, the
neutrality by 2050. attainment of which has to be consciously
engineered through government action and
Way forward: policies.
Need for carbon neutrality: System level restructuring:
• The COVID-19 crisis provides an opportunity for • Renewable energy though may be an integral
reset, recalibration and rethink with respect to part of the solution, going forward they alone
environmentally sustainable economic growth may not be sufficient and there should be efforts
models. made at re-architecturing systems as a whole.
• Given India’s vulnerability to climate change, The overhaul in the German electricity sector is a
rather than arguing that its per capita emissions classical example of such re- architecturing.
continue to be low, India too should plan for • Given that much of the infrastructure we need
achieving carbon neutrality. for the future is still to be put in place — one
• India’s commitment to ensure 40% of its energy estimate widely quoted that something like
supply through renewable energy sources would 70% of the infrastructure required in India by the
help reduce India’s GHG emissions. year 2050 is waiting to be established, the future
investment decisions should have sustainability
as an important parameter.

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61
HEALTH ISSUES
Issues relating to development and management exceeds $1 billion.

of Social Sector/Services relating to Health * Even if one develops the antibiotics, since
there is a rapid development of resistance,
1. Anti-Microbial Resistance (AMR)
the life of new antibiotics becomes limited
»» Prelims: Red-line campaign and the return on investment on new
»» Mains: AMR as a threat to Public health, molecules gets diminished. This discourages
government initiatives and one health approach. the pharmaceutical industry to invest in
these initiatives.
Antibiotics
• The world is left with only one option: to use
• Antibiotics are chemical compounds used to kill the available antibiotics carefully to ensure their
or inhibit the growth of bacteria. efficacy for as long as possible.
• The discovery of antibiotics has helped in treating World Health Organization Global Action Plan on
human infections. AMR (2015)
• It has demonstrated its efficacy in many cases It sets out five strategic objectives:
but its impact has gradually reduced due to two
reasons: • to improve awareness and understanding of
antimicrobial resistance;
* The ingenuity and survival instinct of germs
and • to strengthen knowledge through surveillance
and research;
* The irrational use of antibiotics in humans
and animals. • to reduce the incidence of infection;
• It has resulted in Antimicrobial resistance. • to optimize the use of antimicrobial agents; and
What is Anti-Microbial Resistance (AMR)? • Develop the economic case for sustainable
investment that takes account of the needs of
• Antimicrobial resistance is the ability of all countries, and increase investment in new
microorganisms such as bacteria to nullify the medicines, diagnostic tools, vaccines and other
effects of antimicrobial drugs, resulting in these interventions.
drugs becoming ineffective.
These objectives are part of national action plans in
• The inability of antibiotics to treat patients and nearly 80 countries and the plan was also endorsed
animals is wreaking havoc on human health, by the UN General Assembly. These multi-sectoral,
nutrition safety and economies. multidisciplinary and multi-institutional actions
• The long-term impact of AMR is almost constitute the ‘One Health’ approach.
comparable to that of the COVID-19 pandemic. What is ‘One Health’?
A look at key stats • It is an approach to designing and implementing
• AMR is estimated to cause 10 million deaths programmes, policies, legislation and research
annually by 2050 unless concerted actions are in which multiple sectors communicate and
initiated now. work together to achieve better public health
outcomes.
• It will result in a 7.5 % reduction in livestock
production and negatively impact the global • The areas of work in which a One Health
GDP by 3.5%. approach is particularly relevant include food
safety, the control of zoonoses (diseases that can
Tackling the AMR challenge spread between animals and humans, such as
• There are two major possible solutions to combat flu, rabies and Rift Valley Fever), and combatting
the AMR menace: antibiotic resistance (when bacteria change after
* Discovery of new drugs, before the being exposed to antibiotics and become more
emergence of resistance in germs; and difficult to treat).
* Prudent use of available antibiotics. How does it work?
• The first option is an expensive and unpredictable • Many professionals with a range of expertise
process. who are active in different sectors, such as
public health, animal health, plant health and
* From the year 1984, the development of
new antibiotics is nil. It is said that for the
development of a new antibiotic the cost

NOVEMBER - 2020
62
the environment, join forces to support One • As per the new regulations, during the training
Health approach with a focus on inter-sectoral period, the PG students will be given practical
coordination, collaboration, and communication. training on the procedures so that after the
• Other relevant players in a One Health approach completion of their studies, they would be able
could include law enforcement, policymakers, to perform them independently.
agriculture, and communities. No one person, List of procedures which would be taught:
organization, or sector can address issues at the • All types of skin grafting
animal-human-environment interface alone.
• Ear lobe repair
• So the ‘one health’ approach advocates a multi-
sectoral response to public health problems, • Excision of simple cyst and benign tumours
particularly pandemics, as also to address issues (lipoma, fibroma, schwannoma, etc.) of non-vital
related to AMR. organs
* The approach supports focused actions on • Excision/amputation of gangrene
the human-animal-environment interface • Traumatic wound management — all types
for the prevention, detection and response of suturing, ligation and repair of tendon and
to the public health events that influence muscles
global health and food security.
• Foreign body removal from stomach
* AMR is one of the biggest challenges to
human and animal health. • Colostomy
Conclusion • Cataract surgery
• There is a need to optimally utilize emerging • Local anesthesia in the eye
technologies to improve human health and • Rhinoplasty
development.
• Hair lip repair, loose tooth extraction, caries
• One Health thus has been acknowledged as tooth/teeth, root canal treatment
the optimum approach to counter the impact
There are 58 surgical procedures that are being
of AMR and future pandemics and must be
allowed to be performed by PG scholars of Ayurveda.
adopted expeditiously.
Central Council of Indian Medicine (CCIM)
Issues relating to development and management CCIM is a statutory body under the Indian
of Social Sector/Services relating to Health Medicine Central Council Act which regulates
the Indian Medical systems of Ayurveda,
2. Ayurveda PGs can do surgeries Siddha, Sowa-Rigpa and Unani Medicine
(AYUSH)
»» Mains: AYUSH initiatives, National Medical
Commission Act.
Context: What is the issue/why the protest?
• According to a notification by the Central The Indian Medical Association (IMA) has been
Government, postgraduate students in Ayurveda opposing this move of the central government.
will now be trained and allowed to perform a • The IMA is against the mixing of traditional
variety of general surgery, ENT, ophthalmology, medicine and allopathy.
and dental procedures.
• Hence, it is opposed to the permission given
Details to traditional systems of Ayurveda, Yoga and
• The Central Council of Indian Medicine (CCIM) Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, and Homoeopathy
amended the Indian Medicine Central Council (AYUSH) to offer allopathic therapies and
(Post Graduate Ayurveda Education) Regulations, treatment.
2016, to include the regulation that will permit • IMA doctors also clarify that they are not against
PG students of Ayurveda to practise general traditional medicine systems developing their
surgery. own procedures and surgical processes, but they
• Accordingly, students will be trained in two were against ‘legitimising mixopathy’.
streams of surgery and would be awarded titles • According to people against this new regulation,
of: they give the impression that the skills or training
* MS (Ayurved) Shalya Tantra: General Surgery of the Ayurveda doctor in performing modern
surgeries are the same as those practising
* MS (Ayurved) Shalakya Tantra: Disease
modern medicine, and this was not true.
of Eye, Ear, Nose, Throat, Head and Oro-
Dentistry

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63
• They claim that even if Ayurvedic medicine is • Subsequently, as modern medicine made rapid
taught with modern medicine textbooks also, strides, Ayurvedic graduates experienced an
this is no reason for this kind of ‘encroachment’ identity crisis.
on its domain.
Importance of traditional medical practitioners in
What Ayurveda practitioners say? India
• According to them, the new regulations just • Non-MBBS doctors have become an increasingly
bring more clarity to procedures that they are important part of the modern medicine machine
already performing as part of their treatment. in India.
• They say that these are already part of their • They are resident doctors, intensive care duty
course but there was not much awareness about doctors and operation theatre assistant surgeons.
them.
* In Maharashtra, the ‘108’ emergency
• Earlier, people were not clear on what procedures response ambulance service is manned by
an Ayurveda practitioner could perform and now non-MBBS doctors.
the regulations only defined the skill sets that an
Ayurveda practitioner is capable of performing. * During COVID-19, a large number of the
quarantine centres were manned by these
Ayurveda and surgery doctors.
• Ayurveda is an ancient system and practice of • Incidentally, they work for less pay which allows
medicine and healing that originated in India. hospitals to control costs and even make profits.
• Sage Sushruta displayed his surgical dexterity at • Ayurvedic graduates including surgeons are a
a time when the world had not yet woken up to large workforce in India and given the right kind
the art and the science of surgery. of training, they can play a crucial role in the
• There are detailed descriptions in the Sushruta country’s healthcare system.
Samhita, the ancient Sanskrit text on medicine • The healthcare system in India is mired with many
and surgery, of procedures such as rhinoplasty problems, one of them being the inadequate
where the nose is reconstructed with tissue from number of healthcare professionals, especially in
the cheek. rural areas.
• It was thousands of years later that modern • The large number of non-MBBS doctors can
plastic surgeons described this procedure. be utilised to improve the provision of decent
• As a system of medicine, Ayurveda is still very healthcare to the citizens of the country.
popular in India. • Given the right training, pay and identity,
• However, currently, the complex nature of Ayurvedic surgeons can be trained to strengthen
surgeries performed in allopathic medicine has on site or ambulance care of trauma victims and
no parallels in the Ayurvedic system. save hundreds of lives.
• To allow doctors trained in Ayurveda to perform The current government’s move to standardize
modern surgeries, it might require re-training traditional medicine systems along with modern
Ayurvedic practitioners in the science of surgical medicine can be a step in the right direction, but only
approaches in modern medicine. Even then, if the treading is done with utmost caution and the
there might be a limit to what they are allowed right intentions.
to do.
What State did after independence? Issues relating to development and management
• After Independence, the Indian state was faced of Social Sector/Services relating to Health
with the difficult task of accommodating both
the ascendant modern medicine brought in 3. Kala-azar was eliminated from a highly endemic
by the British and India’s traditional systems of district in Bihar
medicine, notably Ayurveda. »» Prelims: Vector involved, causes for the disease.
• For a brief period, there actually existed »» Mains: Preventive measures.
integrated courses, wherein both Ayurveda and
modern medicine were taught to students. Background:
• But these withered away partly due to opposition • Kala-azar or Visceral Leishmaniasis (VL) is a
from purists in Ayurveda who were outraged by tropical disease characterised by irregular fever,
the dilution of their science. weight loss, anaemia and swelling of the spleen
and liver. It is caused by a protozoan Leishmania
• Therefore, the degree in Ayurvedic medicine parasite and is transmitted to humans by the bite
became largely an Ayurveda course. of infected female sandflies.

NOVEMBER - 2020
64
• According to the World Health Organisation Community awareness campaigns:

(WHO) India accounts for about two-thirds of • The population susceptible to the disease
the total 7 to 10 lakh new global cases annually, need to be made aware of suitable behavioural
and the disease is endemic to Bihar, Jharkhand, changes that could help prevent the spread of
Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal. An initiative was the disease and also help improve the immunity
launched by WHO to eliminate VL as a public
in the susceptible population.
health problem from the South East Asia region
by 2020, which has since been extended to 2023.
* A disease eliminated when the annual Issues relating to development and management of
incidence is reduced to less than 1 case per Social Sector/Services relating to Health
10,000 people at the sub-district or block
level. Eradication would mean there are zero 4. National Organ Donation Day
cases. »» Mains: Organ donation.
Details: Context:
• Integrated control strategy in Vaishali district has • 27 November is observed as ‘National Organ
helped drastically reduce Kala-azar cases. Donation Day’ in India.
Organ donation in India:
• To raise awareness of organ donation, the Indian
government observes this Day every year.
• Organ donations have always been abysmally
low in India. According to estimates, only 0.65
donations per million population take place in
the country, compared to 35 in Spain and 26 in
the US.
• The pandemic and the lockdown adversely
affected organ donations in India.
• However, even before the pandemic, organ
donations have always been low in India.
• According to data released by the All India
Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in 2019, 1.5-
2 lakh people require kidney transplants annually
but only about 8,000 (4 per cent) patients receive
them.
• Similarly, almost 80,000 patients require liver
transplants every year but only 1,800 of these
Chemical-based vector control: transplants are performed. About 1 lakh patients
• Once a person is diagnosed with VL, indoor require corneal or eye transplants annually but
residual spraying was done at his house and at less than half manage to get them.
the neighbouring houses within 500 metres. • Even for cardiac patients, of the 10,000 who
• Though the disease is not contagious, the require heart transplants, only about 200 of them
infected sand fly may be present in the area and match with viable donors.
the chemical spray will help kill them. • A major reason for this shortage is the lack of
Human resource management: awareness among people about the process of
donation.
• Hospital staff and medical doctors in these
regions were trained. Nearly 2,500 ASHA workers • Several myths associated with organ donations
and 1,000 field workers were also trained. also hamper the process in India, along with fears
of disfigurement, non-acceptance of brain death,
Monitoring disease: religious beliefs and migrant workers not having
• Sustained monitoring of active cases – track, relatives on-site to give consent.
test, and treat strategy – in the hotspot region • Those who wish to become organ donors
is a crucial aspect of the integrated strategy. This need to register themselves on online portals
would involve mapping of the case distribution like the National Organ and Tissue Transplant
and early case detection. Organization (NOTTO), Regional Organ and
• GIS-based mapping, and case data management Tissue Transplant Organization (ROTTO) or the
and spatial visualisation systems would aid in the Organ Retrieval Banking Organisation (ORBO).
disease monitoring phase and help in the proper
implementation of control strategies.

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65
• Family members of a deceased person can also RT-LAMP (Reverse Transcriptase loop-mediated
consent to donate their organs. isothermal amplification) technology.
• As per a 2019 report, only 3% of the population • Loop-mediated isothermal amplification, or
across 12 cities in the country have registered to LAMP, is an assay that can be used for viral RNA
donate organs. detection. Reverse-transcription LAMP (RT-LAMP)
allows for quicker analysis of genetic material
than traditional PCR and has been successfully
Issues relating to development and management used in the detection of the COVID-19 virus
of Social Sector/Services relating to Health • This is a one-step nucleic acid amplification
method to multiply specific sequences of RNA of
5. RT-LAMP: a new technology for detecting
the coronavirus.
COVID-19
• Here, the RNA is first made into cDNA (copy DNA)
»» Prelims: RT-LAMP technology, difference by the usual reverse transcription (the process in
between RNA and DNA. cells by which an enzyme makes a copy of DNA
Context: from RNA. The enzyme that makes the DNA copy
is called reverse transcriptase and is found in
• The high infective rate of the novel coronavirus, retroviruses), then the DNA is amplified by the
SARSCoV¬2 causing the Coronavirus disease LAMP technique.
2019 has meant that testing needs to be large in
scale and accurate in diagnosis. Advantages associated with Reverse-Transcription
LAMP (RT-LAMP)
Details:
• 1. Time– Result will be obtained within a span of
• The currently deployed Real-time reverse 30 minutes and in addition, the positive samples
transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT- are amplified in around 10 minutes. Such a
PCR) test and the COVID-19 serology tests have short testing time duration helps to meet the
highlighted the need to have a diagnostic tool increasing demand for testing.
that is accurate, scalable and quick.
• 2. Temperature– The desired temperature for
• The challenges with the Real-time reverse DNA amplification in LAMP technology is 65
transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT- degrees celsius whereas RT-PCR testing requires
PCR) test and its drawbacks has highlighted the a set of temperatures for DNA amplification,
need to have an improved diagnostic tool. The ranging from 92 degrees Celsius to 56 degrees
RT-LAMP (Reverse Transcriptase loop-mediated celsius, thus needing thermal cylinders which
isothermal amplification) technology offers would inflate the cost.
hope in this context.
• 3. Quantity of DNA amplified– Several hundred
The drawbacks experienced with the RT-PCR tests are thousand times more than the RT-PCR test,
as follows: therefore the final assay is possible with a simple
• Cost- The test requires expensive and complex colour reaction, removing the need for very
apparatus. costly real-time PCR machines.
• Human Resource training– This would require • 4. Reagents storage– Reagents used for chemical
high financial outlays. analysis can be stored at around 4 degrees celsius
• Specificity and sensitivity– Currently it is in LAMP technology whereas they need to be
estimated to be around 95% and there is a stored and transported at around -20 degree
possibility of false-negative results, which celsius, thus requiring deep freezers, which in
can have cast doubts in the minds of Health turn leads to an escalation of costs.
practitioners and policymakers. • 5. Simpler procedure entails minimum skill and
• Time– Turnaround time is estimated to be around minimum infrastructure thus paving the way for
10 hours and this can stretch to higher range in massive deployment.
remote areas. The high time interval will hinder • 6. Accuracy– Indian Council of Medical Research
efforts to contain the spread of the disease. has validated the sensitivity of LAMP technology
The serology tests which is used to discern antigens to be 98.7% and specificity of 100%.
associated with COVID-19, though it has the RT-LAMP is the perfect technology for use in the
advantage of being time-saving, it has been found COVID-19 pandemic due to its accuracy, relatively
wanting on the accuracy, the high false positives/ simple equipment, low cost. This means tests can
negatives have cast aspersions. be carried out in non-standard institutions, such as
airports or rural hospitals or medical centers, which
will help in decongesting the Health centres and also
help in ramping up testing which is a prerequisite for
containing the pandemic.

NOVEMBER - 2020
66
Issues relating to development and management Potential:

of Social Sector/Services relating to Health • mRNA medicines take advantage of normal
biological processes to express proteins and
6. Dose of optimism create a desired therapeutic effect. This would
»» Prelims: m-RNA technology. lead to minimal side effects.
»» Mains: Vaccine development stages. • mRNA medicines can go inside cells to direct
Context: protein production, something not possible
with other drug approaches. This enables the
• Multinational Drug Company Pfizer and potential treatment of a broad spectrum of
BioNTech have announced that their vaccine diseases, many of which cannot be addressed
candidate against COVID-19 based on the mRNA with current technologies. This could have a
technology has achieved success in the first positive effect on improving human health and
interim analysis from phase 3 study. impacting lives around the world. Using mRNA
Background: as a drug opens up a breadth of opportunities to
treat and prevent disease.
m-RNA technology:
• mRNA technology has the potential to transform
mRNA: how medicines are discovered, developed and
• Messenger ribonucleic acid or mRNA plays a vital manufactured.
role in human biology, specifically in a process
known as protein synthesis. mRNA is a single-
stranded molecule that carries genetic code
from DNA in a cell’s nucleus to ribosomes, the
cell’s protein-making machinery.
• Thus mRNA is the set of instructions by which
cells make all proteins and send them to various
parts of the body.
mRNA medicines: Details:

• Using mRNA as a medicine is a fundamentally • The early results of the phase 3 study have
different approach in drug therapy. indicated the candidate vaccine being “90%
• Unlike the traditional pharmaceuticals which protective” in the nearly 40,000 volunteers
are small therapeutic molecules or the involved in the trial.
traditional biologics (recombinant proteins and • The Pfizer vaccine candidate is based on mRNA
monoclonal antibodies), mRNA medicines are technology. The Pfizer vaccine candidate uses an
sets of instructions. These instructions direct cells infectious particle, such as a portion of the virus,
in the body to make proteins to prevent or fight and uses a piece of RNA that is then made into
disease.

NOVEMBER - 2020
67
an antigen by the body’s own machinery. This Issues relating to development and management
induces the development of antibodies by the of Social Sector/Services relating to Health
body’s immune system.
7. Strengthening public health capacities in
Significance:
disasters
• The mRNA technology-based vaccine reduces
»» Mains: Public sector investment in Indian health
the risks of untoward reactions in people who
sector.
have been administered the vaccine as it does
not introduce attenuated or inactivated viruses. Context:
• The mRNA technology-based vaccine also does • The article analyzes important lessons for India’s
not need to be cultured in chicken eggs or other health care sector from the COVID-19 pandemic
mammalian cells, allowing it to be made faster experience.
and at a cheaper price. Lacunae in India’s approach:
• The initial success validates the scientists’ basic Inadequacy of the Indian public health sector:
strategy of developing a vaccine to target the
spike protein of the virus. Given that a similar • Given that the public sector investment in the
approach is being followed by most vaccine health sector has been found to be inadequate
developers, the chances of several encouraging over the years, the health sector infrastructure
results are high. The mRNA technology-based has been found to be too inadequate to meet
vaccine marks a new frontier of novel vaccine the demands generated during the pandemic.
production methods. • Though the public health expenditure as a
Challenges: percentage of GDP has been increasing since
2015-16, it still remains within a narrow band of
• There are still no commercially available 1.02 – 1.28 per cent of GDP. The country has a
m-RNA based vaccines to accurately predict the long way to go in achieving the targeted public
efficacy of mRNA technology-based vaccines. expenditure of 2.5 per cent of the GDP by 2025
• These mRNA technology-based vaccines need under the National Health Programme.
to be refrigerated to nearly minus 70°C and India, Drawbacks in private sector:
with its limited cold chain infrastructure, lacks
efficient vaccine storage capacity. • The private sector accounts for a large share of
the Indian health sector. India also envisages
Way forward for India: a publicly financed health insurance based
• India should try to sign agreements with the hospital care service model, which would very
major vaccine developers to ensure that it is likely be private-sector led.
assured of early access to even a fraction of the • Though the private sector has been able to play
vaccine output. a crucial role in filling the vacuum left by the low
* In India ‘Covishield’ by the Serum Institute public health sector presence, there are several
and ‘Covaxin’ by Bharat Biotech Ltd., are drawbacks associated with the private health
undergoing trials. sector.
• India must keep a close watch on the mRNA- * A large majority of private hospitals in the
based vaccine technology and develop country are small enterprises. Many of these
expertise. Additionally, India should also focus on small hospitals are unsuitable for meeting
improving its cold chain infrastructure to meet disaster-related care needs.
the storage demands on any new COVID-19 * The Indian private health sector is
vaccine. characterized by weak regulation and poor
Conclusion: organization and is considered inadequate
for mounting a strong and coordinated
• Though the results are said to be announced
response to disasters.
by an expert independent committee, they
have not yet been announced by the standard * The private sector, led by the profit
procedure of a peer-reviewed journal. There is a motive, has in many instances indulged
need to ascertain whether the results would hold in overcharging despite the capping of
up in a wider population. treatment prices by the governments. This
illustrates how the requisitioning of private
sector services during disasters can hardly
be a dependable option in the Indian
context.
* Private hospitals do not prefer to invest in
disaster preparedness as they consider it
non-profitable or economically non-viable.

NOVEMBER - 2020
68
Neglect of public health in disaster management: Legal framework:

• In 2005, India enacted the Disaster Management • The legal framework for disaster management
Act, laying out an institutional framework for must push a legal mandate for strengthening the
managing disasters across the country. The act public health system with suitable regulation of
prescribed a systematic scheme for prevention, the critical private sector.
mitigation, and responding to disasters of all
kinds.
Issues relating to development and management
• Disaster management considerations were to be of Social Sector/Services relating to Health
incorporated into every aspect of development
and the activities of different sectors, including 8. ‘India makes progress in vaccination coverage’
health. Though some headway has been
»» Prelims: Mission Indradhanush, Universal
achieved, the approach continues to be largely
Immunization Programme.
reactive, and significant gaps remain particularly
in terms of medical preparedness for disasters. »» Mains: WASH programmes.
• The public health angle in disasters and Context:
disaster management has been largely under-
emphasised and this has been evident during • According to the latest annual Pneumonia
the pandemic. and Diarrhoea Progress Report released by the
International Vaccine Access Centre (IVAC), India
Neglect of critical public health issues: has made significant progress in its vaccination
• The Disaster Management Act fails to identify coverage to prevent child pneumonia and
progressive events as disasters, thus neglecting diarrhoea deaths.
pressing public health issues such as tuberculosis Details:
and recurrent dengue outbreaks.
• The report suggests that India has achieved the
• This has resulted in the neglect of many pressing global target of 90% coverage for three of the
public health issues which too have a substantial five vaccines whose coverage is monitored in the
impact on the health profile of the Indian report. These vaccines are:
population.
* Diphtheria, Pertussis and Tetanus (DPT)
Way forward: vaccine
Planning for future challenges: * Measles-containing-vaccine first dose
• The health services and their future development * Haemophilus influenzae type B
plans must consider the possibility of disaster-
imposed pressures as well. * Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine (PCV)
Greater role for public sector: * Rotavirus vaccine
• Given the lacunae in the private sector, a strong • While India’s coverage of rotavirus vaccine
public sector capacity is imperative for dealing increased by 18 percentage points (35% rotavirus
with disasters. Additionally, there is a need to coverage in 2018 expanded to 53% in 2019),
strengthen public sector capacities, including coverage against pneumococcal pneumonia
capacity-building of staff. increased by 9 percentage points (6% PCV
coverage in 2018 expanded to 15% in 2019).
Integration of disaster management with primary
health care: • In 2019, India completed the “100-day agenda”
(an unprecedented national scale-up of rotavirus
• There is ample scope for greater integration vaccine). This landmark vaccine expansion
of disaster management with primary care. will help protect 26 million children born each
Making primary health care central to disaster year against life-threatening cases of rotavirus
management can be a significant step towards diarrhoea.
building the health system and community
resilience to disasters. • Of the 15 focus countries included in the report,
India is one of just four countries that exceeded
• Community engagement, disease surveillance, targets for exclusive breastfeeding.
and essential health-care provision, important
characteristics of primary care, are central themes • The report tracked progress by analysing 10
to disaster management as well. indicators from the latest available data on how
countries are delivering key interventions —
• This becomes all the more relevant for a including breastfeeding, immunisation, care-
developing country like India, which owing to seeking and antibiotics, oral rehydration solution
its low-income settings cannot afford to invest (ORS), and zinc supplementation — shown to
in the costly secondary and tertiary health care prevent pneumonia and diarrhoea deaths.
sectors. The primary care sector offers a low cost
and highly effective investment opportunity in
the healthcare sector.
NOVEMBER - 2020
69
Concerns:
• Nearly every country included in the report
lagged in access to treatments against
pneumonia and diarrhoea.
• India failed to reach all four targets for treatment
and the treatment for diarrhoea has the lowest
coverage, with only 51% of children receiving
ORS and 20% getting zinc.
• Although there has been progress in India in
2019, the COVID-19 pandemic threatens the
hard-won gains because of disruptions caused
in routine health services like immunisation and
access to medical oxygen.

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70
SOCIAL ISSUES
Welfare schemes for vulnerable sections Welfare schemes for vulnerable sections
1. Ambedkar Social Innovation Incubation Mission 2. Safaimitra Suraksha Challenge
(ASIIM) »» Prelims: Prohibition of Employment as Manual
»» Prelims: Details about the scheme Scavengers and their Rehabilitation Act (2013)
»» Mains: Social welfare, inclusive growth. »» Mains: Social welfare schemes.
Context Context:
• With a view to developing entrepreneurship • The Minister for State for Housing & Urban Affairs
amongst the SC/Divyang youth and to enable launched the Safaimitra Suraksha Challenge
them to become 'job-givers’, Ministry of Social across 243 Cities.
Justice, Government of India had launched the Background:
Venture Capital Fund for SCs (VCF-SC)
• The Prohibition of Employment as Manual
The main objectives of the ASIIM initiative are: Scavengers and their Rehabilitation Act (2013)
• To promote entrepreneurship among the SC and various judgements of the Supreme Court
Youth with special preference to Divyangs. expressly prohibit hazardous cleaning, i.e.
manual entry into a septic tank or sewer without
• To support (1,000) innovative ideas till 2024 protective gear and observing operating
through a synergetic work with the Technology procedures.
Business Incubators (TBIs) set up by Department
of Science and Technology. • Despite this, recurring episodes of human
fatalities among those engaged in the cleaning
• To support, promote, handhold the start-up ideas of septic tanks and sewers, typically belonging
till they reach commercial stage by providing to the economically disadvantaged and
liberal equity support. marginalized communities of society, continue
• To incentivize students with innovative mind-set to be an issue of concern.
to take to entrepreneurship with confidence. About the Safaimitra Suraksha Challenge:
How does it work? • The challenge is aimed at preventing ‘hazardous
• Under this fund, 117 companies promoted by SC cleaning’ of sewers and septic tanks and promote
entrepreneurs have been sanctioned financial their mechanized cleaning.
assistance to set up business ventures. • The challenge will focus extensively on creating
• Additionally, 1,000 SC youth would be identified citizen awareness on this critical issue along with
in the next 4 years with start-up ideas through infrastructure creation for mechanized cleaning
the Technology Business Incubators (TBIs) in and capacity building of the workforce.
various higher educational institutions. • Along with this, a dedicated helpline number has
• They will then be funded INR 30 Lakhs in 3 years been set up to register complaints and provide
as equity funding so that they can translate their real-time solutions on desludging or sewer
start-up ideas into commercial ventures. overflow.
• Successful ventures would further qualify for • The actual on-ground assessment of participating
venture funding of up to INR 5 Crore from the cities will be conducted in May 2021 by an
Venture Capital Fund for SCs. independent agency and results of the same will
be declared on 15 August 2021.
Significance
• Cities will be awarded in three sub-categories –
• It will promote innovation in the SC youth and
would help them to become job-givers from job- * With a population of more than 10 lakhs
seekers * 3-10 lakhs
• It would further give fillip to the 'Stand up India' * Up to 3 lakhs
initiative.

NOVEMBER - 2020
71
• The total prize money is of Rs 52 crores and it will • In a judgement, the Supreme Court has said
be given to winning cities across all categories. that all insults or intimidations to persons
belonging to Dalit or tribal communities will not
be an offence under the Scheduled Castes and
Urbanization Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.
Details:
3. Urban Mobility India (UMI) Conference
• A three-judge bench said that an offence is
»» Prelims: Details of the conference
made out under the statute only if “such insult
»» Mains: National Urban Transport Policy of the or intimidation is on account of the victim
Government of India, problems of mobility in belonging to a Scheduled Caste or Scheduled
cities. Tribe”.
• The first UMI Conference was held in 2008 in New • “Offence under the Act is not established merely
Delhi. on the fact that the informant [complainant] is a
• The annual Urban Mobility India (UMI) member of Scheduled Caste unless there is an
Conference and Expo is a flagship event held intention to humiliate a member of Scheduled
under the aegis of the Ministry of Housing and Caste or Scheduled Tribe for the reason that the
Urban Affairs, Government of India. victim belongs to such caste,” the court said.
• The genesis of UMI is from the National Urban • The court said that in order to be considered an
Transport Policy of the Government of India, offence, the insult should be specifically intended
2006 (NUTP), which lays a very strong emphasis to humiliate the victim for his caste.
on building capabilities at the State and city level • The court said that the object of the Act is
to address the problems associated with urban to punish violators who inflict indignities,
transport and undertake the task of developing humiliations and harassment.
sustainable urban transport systems.
• The Act is intended at punishing the acts of
• The primary objective of the conference is to the upper caste against the vulnerable section
disseminate information to the cities, whose of society for the reason that they belong to a
officials attend the conference, and to help them particular community.
keep up-to-date with the best urban transport
practices.
Poverty and developmental issues.
• The conference provides an opportunity for key
decision-makers and delegates to interact with 5. The nutrition fallout of school closures
other professionals, experts, academia, industry,
civil society, technology, services providers and »» Prelims: Global Hunger Index, The State of Food
other stakeholders in Urban Transport both Security and Nutrition in the World 2020’.
domestic and international so that the delegates »» Mains: Nutritional status, Mid-day meal scheme.
can carry home ideas to develop their urban
transport along a sustainable path. Context:
• It is also a forum to discuss key issues relevant • The article analyzes the negative impact the
to the sector and suggest measures to address school closures have had on the nutrition status
them. of children.
Context Background:
• The 13th Urban Mobility India (UMI) Conference Mid-day meal scheme:
was organized by the Ministry of Housing and • The mid-day meal scheme (MDMS) guidelines
Urban Affairs. recommend providing one hot-cooked mid-day
• The theme of the UMI Conference 2020 is meal for school-going children. All school-going
“Emerging Trends in Urban Mobility”. children from classes I to VIII in government and
government-aided schools are eligible under
the scheme. The National Education Policy, 2020
Mechanisms, laws, institutions and Bodies recommends extending the MDMS to cover
constituted for the protection and betterment of other school-going children as well.
these vulnerable sections. • MDMS is the largest school-feeding programme
in the world, which has played an extremely
4. ‘All insults not offence under SC/ST Act’ significant role in increasing nutrition and
»» Prelims: Right to equality learning among school-going children.
»» Mains: The Scheduled Castes and Scheduled • The school’s mid-day meals are a major source
Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. of nutrition for children, particularly those from
vulnerable communities.
Context:

NOVEMBER - 2020
72
• The mid-day meal in India should provide Increase in child labour:

450 Kcal of energy, a minimum of 12 grams • There are also reports of children engaging in
of proteins, including adequate quantities of labour to supplement the fall in family incomes
micronutrients like iron, folic acid, Vitamin-A, etc. in vulnerable households.
This amounts to approximately one-third of the
nutritional requirement of the child. • A recent report by the International Labour
Organization and the UNICEF notes that unless
Challenges posed by the lockdown: school services and social security are universally
• The MDMS has been virtually dysfunctional due strengthened, there is a risk that some children
to the COVID-19 pandemic. Serving hot meals, at may not even return to schools when they
the children’s homes or even at the centre, poses reopen and may indulge in child labour.
many challenges in the present scenario. Way forward:
* Even states like Tamil Nadu, with a relatively Retrospective distribution of dry ration:
good infrastructure for the MDMS, are
unable to serve the mandated ‘hot cooked • Given that the distribution of dry ration started
meal’ during the lockdown. only in late May, there needs to be the immediate
distribution of the April quota with retrospective
Concerns: effect.
Loss of school meals: Innovative strategies:
• The report of ‘The State of Food Security and • Across the country and the world, innovative
Nutrition in the World 2020’, released by the Food learning methods are being adopted to ensure
and Agriculture Organization in partnership with children’s education outcomes, similar efforts are
other UN organisations estimates that in April necessary to ensure nutritional security of the
2020 at the peak of school closures, 369 million children.
children globally were losing out on school
meals, with an estimated 116 million of them Decentralised and local supply chains:
from India. • Nutrition experts have suggested local
Nutritional insecurity for children: smallholder farmers’ involvement in the school
feeding programme. This could involve a
• The current situation has exacerbated the livelihood model that links local smallholder
problem of child hunger and malnutrition. farmers with the mid-day meal system for the
• The recent Global Hunger Index (GHI) report for supply of cereals, vegetables, and eggs.
2020 ranks India at 94 out of 107 countries and • Locally produced vegetables and fruits may be
in the category ‘serious’. The Global Hunger Index added to the MDMS, also providing an income
is a combination of indicators of undernutrition to local farmers.
in the population and wasting, stunting, and
mortality in children below five years of age. • This would lead to decentralised models and
local supply chains.
Goal of Zero hunger:
• This envisaged system apart from enabling
• India is already far from achieving the ‘Zero nutritional security of children will also aid in
Hunger’ goal envisaged under the Sustainable diversifying production and farming systems,
Development Goals. The current circumstances transform rural livelihoods and the local
will only further increase the gap. economy, and fulfill the ‘Atmanirbhar Poshan’
Non-implementation of government orders: (nutritional self-sufficiency) agenda.
• Despite the orders in March and April 2020 School Nutrition (Kitchen) Garden:
that the usual hot-cooked mid-day meal or an • Initiatives such as the School Nutrition
equivalent food security allowance/dry ration (Kitchen) Garden under MDMS to provide fresh
would be provided to all eligible school-going vegetables for mid-day meals should be further
children even during vacation, to ensure that strengthened.
their immunity and nutrition is not compromised,
states are still struggling to implement this School mid-day meal centre:
decision. The dry ration distributions in lieu of • Hot meals can be provided to non-school going
school meals have been irregular. but eligible children in the school mid-day
• According to the Food Corporation of India’s (FCI) meal centres, similar to free urban canteens or
food grain bulletin, the off-take of grains under community kitchens for the elderly and others in
MDMS from FCI during April and May 2020 has some states.
been 22% lower than the corresponding off-take
during April and May 2019. Most states have
reported a decline in the grain offtake from FCI
in April-May 2020.

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Role of women and women's organization • That the maintenance must be granted from
the date when the application was made is
6. SC lays down guidelines for matrimonial cases based on the rationale that the primary object
»» Mains: Domestic violence, women’s rights, of maintenance laws is to protect a deserted wife
women rights NGOs. and dependent children from destitution.
Context: Legislations and constitutional provisions that
protect women’s rights:
• The Supreme Court has held that deserted
wives and children are entitled to alimony/ • Parliament and the courts have persistently
maintenance from their husbands from the date enacted legislation to give women better rights.
they apply for it in a court of law. • The two key constitutional safeguards are
Details: Article 15(3), which states ‘nothing in this article
shall prevent the State from making any special
• The judgement laid down uniform and provision for women and children’, read together
comprehensive guidelines for family courts, with Article 39, which directs state policy towards
magistrates and lower courts to follow while equal pay and opportunities for both men and
hearing applications filed by women seeking women, and protecting the health of women
maintenance from their estranged husbands. and children.
* The plea of the husband that he does not Significance
possess any source of income by the very
fact does not spare him of his moral duty to • A Bench of Justices Indu Malhotra and R. Subhash
maintain his wife, if he is able-bodied and Reddy, outlined specifics, including reasonable
has educational qualifications. needs of a wife and dependent children, her
educational qualification, whether she has an
* Both the applicant wife and the respondent independent source of income, and if she does,
husband have to disclose their assets and is it sufficient.
liabilities in a maintenance case.
* These guidelines have to be followed by the
* Factors such as “spiralling inflation rates and family courts, magistrates and lower courts
high costs of living” should be considered on alimony cases.
while calculating the alimony.
• Given the large and growing percentage
• Any violation would lead to punishment, such of matrimonial litigation, some clarity was
as civil detention and even attachment of the necessary.
property of the latter.
• The bench laid down criteria that must be
Issue: considered while calculating the quantum of
• In India, for many girls, marriage before maintenance.
completion of higher education is an inevitable • The Court laid down that while women can
reality. make a claim for alimony under different
• Girls are married off early and bear children long laws, including the Protection of Women from
before they should. Domestic Violence Act, 2005 and Section 125 of
the CrPC, or under the Hindu Marriage Act, 1955,
• This results in poor maternal health which is one it would be inequitable to direct the husband to
of the root causes of high levels of child stunting pay maintenance under each of the proceedings,
and wasting in India. urging civil and family courts to take note of
• There is also the possibility of a marriage not previous settlements.
working out for varied reasons, leaving the girl • Keeping in mind the vastness of India and its
or young woman in extreme distress because inequities, the Court also added how an “order or
often, she is not financially independent. decree of maintenance” may be enforced under
What was the need for the guidelines? various laws and Section 128 of the CrPC.
• Women deserted by husbands are often left in
difficult situations or are reduced to destitution
for lack of means to sustain themselves and their Urbanization
children. 7. Reinventing cities
• One of the judges reasoned that if maintenance »» Mains: Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, Urban
was not paid from the date of application, the
planning.
party seeking maintenance would be deprived
of sustenance, owing to the time taken for
disposal of the application, which often runs into
several years.

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74
Context: • Past scourges such as cholera, the plague and the

• Post COVID-19, Prime Minister (PM) Narendra global flu pandemic a century ago led to change
Modi has called for changes in urban planning in waste handling, social housing and health
to make our cities more liveable and sustainable, care. It is now important that governments show
with better amenities. the political will to reinvent the cities.
• He emphasized resetting the mindset, processes
and practices for safe urban living, and Social Issues
acknowledged that governments actually do
little for the working millions. 8. Poshan Abhiyaan
Liveable Cities »» Prelims: The various hunger and nutrition indices,
• According to the PM, liveable meant having POSHAN Abhiyaan, national nutrition strategy
better housing, better work environment and »» Mains: Nutritional status of the country, schemes
short and efficient travel facilities. to address hunger, public health, NFHS surveys.
Need for change Context:
• In the first hundred days of the pandemic, the • According to a report by NITI Aayog, the Poshan
top 10 cities affected worldwide accounted for Abhiyaan must be stepped up to meet the
15% of the total cases. targets set by the Centre to reduce stunting,
• In the Indian context, cities like Mumbai, Delhi, wasting and anaemia by 2022.
Bengaluru and Chennai, became the epicenters What is Malnutrition?
of the disease.
• Malnutrition refers to deficiencies, excesses or
* It was due to the density of the population imbalances in a person’s intake of energy and/or
infections erupted, and this eventually nutrients. The term malnutrition covers 2 broad
spread to smaller towns as well due to groups of conditions.
reverse migration from the cities.
• One is ‘undernutrition’—which includes
• Therefore the PM is looking at developing a
strategy beyond the current pandemic. * stunting (low height for age),
Affordable Housing * wasting (low weight for height),
• Mumbai is estimated to have added only 5% of * underweight (low weight for age) and
rental housing in New Residential Construction * Micronutrient deficiencies or insufficiencies
(1961-2000), and that too led by private funding. (a lack of important vitamins and minerals).
• The abject housing conditions of migrant • The other is overweight, obesity and diet-related
labourers in major cities in India has come noncommunicable diseases (such as heart
under scrutiny during the pandemic, with virus disease, stroke, diabetes, and cancer).
hotspots in slums.
• Malnutrition occurs when a person gets too
• Creating well-designed good affordable housing much or too little of certain nutrients.
to tackle inequality is one way governments can
POSHAN Abhiyaan:
help economies recover from the crisis.
• POSHAN Abhiyaan is also known as the National
* The post-COVID-19 era, therefore, presents
Nutrition Mission.
an opportunity to make schemes such as
the Centre’s Affordable Rental Housing • The term ‘Poshan’ in the name of the programme
Complexes deliver at scale, focusing on stands for ‘Prime Minister’s Overarching Scheme
new good houses built by the state — on for Holistic Nutrition’.
the lines of the post-war reconstruction in • It is the world’s largest nutrition programme for
Europe, Japan and South Korea. children and mothers.
Way forward • The mission is a multi-ministerial initiative and
• The Ministry of Housing, which until now has aims at removing malnutrition from the country
focused on smart cities, can work with State by 2022.
Governments to collect the data on housing • It aims to reduce stunting and wasting by 2% a
requirements to meet the demand and supply in year (total 6% until 2022) among children and
each city. anaemia by 3% a year (total 9%) among children,
• Laws on air pollution, municipal solid waste adolescent girls and pregnant women and
management and water quality should be lactating mothers.
implemented in its true spirit.

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Issues:
• More than a third of the children under five face
stunting and wasting and 40% aged between
one and four are anaemic.
• Over 50% of pregnant and other women were
found to be anaemic, said the National Family
Health Survey 4 released in 2016.
• India’s targets are conservative as compared to
the global targets defined by the World Health
Assembly (WHA), which is a prevalence rate
of 5% of stunting as opposed to India’s goal of
reducing stunting levels to 13.3% by 2022.
• The target of reducing prevalence levels of
anaemia among pregnant women from 50.3%
in 2016 to 34.4% in 2022 and among adolescent
girls from 52.9% in 2016 to 39.66%, is also
considered conservative.
Way forward:
• NITI Aayog’s third progress report on the Nutrition
Mission highlights the need to graduate to a
POSHAN-plus strategy
* I ts suggests continued strengthening
of the four pillars of the Abhiyaan and a
renewed focus on other social determinants
in addition to addressing the governance
challenges of National Health Mission
(NHM)/Integrated Child Development
Service (ICDS) scheme delivery mechanisms.
* The report calls for a need to lay as much
emphasis on complementary feeding as it
does on breastfeeding, which it points out
can help avert 60% of the total stunting
cases in India.
• A major shift in policy has to encompass
the immediate universalisation of the Public
Distribution System.
* There is a dire need for the distribution of
quality food items.
• Innovative interventions such as the setting up
of community kitchens must be planned, among
other things.
• The need of the hour remains the right utilisation
and expansion of existing programmes to ensure
that at least some part of this growing concern of
malnutrition in the country is addressed.

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EDUCATION
Issues relating to development and management of • Uruguay and Portugal top the list with scores
Social Sector/Services relating to Education. of 0.971 each, followed closely by Latvia and
Germany.
1. Academic Freedom Index (AFI)
• At the bottom are North Korea (0.011), Eritrea
»» Prelims: Source of report, components of report (0.015), Bahrain (0.039) and Iran (0.116).
»» Mains: Status of higher education institutions in Concerns:
India.
• India’s dismal score on the Academic Freedom
Context Index is a reflection of the critical issues plaguing
• India has scored low in the international the country’s education system, particularly the
Academic Freedom Index (AFI) with a score of higher education sector.
0.352. In the last five years, the AFI of India has * India has not fared well in components
dipped by 0.1 points. like institutional autonomy, campus
Details: integrity, freedom of academic and cultural
expression and constitutional protection of
• The index proposes a score for each country to
academic freedom.
help determine the level of academic freedom
its universities and academic centres really enjoy, Political interference:
and which the researchers behind the idea • Most universities in the country are subjected to
say could be used to understand a university’s unnecessary interference from governments in
attractiveness in addition to its infrastructure, both academic and non-academic issues.
research output.
Rent-seeking culture:
• Specifically, the index and accompanying report
try to quantify the freedom of university scholars • A majority of appointments, especially to top-
to debate politically and culturally controversial ranking posts like that of vice-chancellors, pro
topics without fearing for their safety or studies, vice-chancellors and registrars, have become
and without any external influence on the highly politicised.
institutions’ affairs, based on a combination • Such political appointments, apart from choking
of factual data and the assessments of 1,800 academic and creative freedom, also lead to
academicians worldwide. corrupt practices, including those in licensing
Eight components to evaluate the scores: and accreditation, thus promoting unhealthy
favoritism and nepotism in staff appointments
• Freedom to research and teach, and student admissions. This reflects a ‘rent-
• Freedom of academic exchange and seeking culture’ within the academic community.
dissemination, Bureaucratization of the education system:
• Institutional autonomy, • Currently, many public educational institutions
• Campus integrity, and regulatory bodies, both at the Central and
State levels, are headed by bureaucrats.
• Freedom of academic and cultural expression,
National Education Policy, 2020:
• Constitutional protection of academic freedom,
• India’s recently announced National Education
• International legal commitment to academic
Policy (NEP), 2020 aims at overhauling the
freedom under the International Covenant on
educational system in the country. The following
Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, and
provisions will go a long way in addressing some
• Existence of universities. of the issues plaguing the educational system in
Findings of the report India, particularly the higher education sector.
• India has an AFI of 0.352, comparable to the * The NEP 2020 aims to de-bureaucratise
scores of Saudi Arabia and Libya. the education system by giving
governance powers to academicians
• Countries that scored higher than India include and ensuring enhanced autonomy to
Pakistan (0.554), Brazil (0.466), Ukraine (0.422), higher education institutions by handing
Somalia (0.436) and Malaysia (0.582). over their administration to a board
comprising academicians. This may help

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77
de-bureaucratise the education system and • In Andhra Pradesh, less than 35% of children
reduce political interference to an extent. had textbooks, and only 60% had textbooks in
* The NEP 2020 emphasizes the principles of Rajasthan.
creativity and critical thinking and envisions • More than 98% had textbooks in West Bengal,
an education system that is free from political Nagaland and Assam.
or external interference. The NEP 2020 states
that faculty will be given the “freedom to • During the survey week:
design their own curricular and pedagogical * About one in three rural children had done
approaches within the approved framework, no learning activity at all.
including textbook and reading material * About two in three had no learning material
selections, assignments and assessments”. or activity given by their school.
Conclusion: * Only one in 10 had access to live online
• The NEP, 2020 envisions some much-needed classes.
measures for the Indian educational system and • Despite the levels of smartphone ownership
there is the need for political will to put these having almost doubled from 2018, a third of
provisions into practice. children with smartphone access also did not
• This can ensure the fulfilment of the vision of receive any learning materials.
making India a global knowledge superpower
and also achieve the United Nations Sustainable
Development Goal-4 (SDG 4). Issues relating to development and management of
Social Sector/Services relating to Education.
Issues relating to development and management of 3. ATAL Faculty Development Programmes
Social Sector/Services relating to Education. »» Mains: Technical education, measures to promote
2. Annual State of Education Report (ASER) Survey innovation and entrepreneurship.
»» Prelims: Publisher of the survey Context
»» Mains: Educational outcomes, regional variation • Union Education Minister inaugurates online
in the infrastructure. ATAL Faculty Development Programmes (FDPs)
organised by AICTE.
• ASER is a nationwide survey of rural education
and learning outcomes in terms of reading and Details:
arithmetic skills. • 46 online AICTE Training and Learning (ATAL)
• It has been conducted by the NGO Pratham for Academy Faculty Development Programmes
the last 15 years (Since 2005). (FDPs) were inaugurated to train teachers of
higher education institutions associated with the
• It provides reliable estimates of children’s
All India Council of Technical Education (AICTE) in
enrolment and basic learning levels for each
thrust and emerging areas in technology.
district and state in India.
• The FDPs will be conducted in 22 Indian states.
• ASER continues to be an important national
source of information about children’s ATAL Academies:
foundational skills across the country. • The main objective of the ATAL Academy is to
Context provide quality technical education in the country
and to promote research and entrepreneurship
• According to the Annual State of Education
through training in various emerging fields. IITs,
Report (ASER) survey, about 20% of rural children
IIITs, NITs CU and research labs are organizing
have no textbooks at home.
these ATAL FDPs.
Details:
• The ATAL Academy seeks to establish AICTE
• In 2020, the survey was conducted via phone Training and Learning (ATAL) cells in all the
calls, reaching 52,227 rural households with technical institutions, Universities, Deemed-to-
school-age children in 30 States and Union be Universities and other institutions of technical
Territories. learning.
• The ASER survey provides a glimpse into the • The ATAL Academies also conduct a series of
levels of learning loss that students in rural training programmes in various emerging fields
India are suffering, with varying levels of access across the country
to technology, school and family resources,
resulting in a digital divide in education.
Key Findings:

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78
Issues relating to development and management of that Muslims were a separate nation and so was
Social Sector/Services relating to Education. against the partition of India. He censured the
League leaders for putting their own interests
4. Lilavati Award 2020 ahead of the country’s.
»» Prelims: Details of the award • He was influenced by revolutionaries like
Aurobindo Ghosh and Shyam Sunder
»» Mains: Women in higher education. Chakravarty. Maulana Abul Kalam Azad He
Context protested against the partition of Bengal which
went against popular Muslim sentiment of the
• Union Minister of Education launches Lilavati day.
Award-2020.
• Even though he was educated towards
About the Lilavati Award 2020: becoming a cleric, he steered towards journalism
• The Lilavati Award is an initiative of the and politics.
technical education regulator, All India Council • His journals Al-Hilal and Al-Balagh were banned
for Technical Education (AICTE), and it aims to by the government.
recognise efforts by AICTE-approved institutions
to treat women with ‘equality and fairness’. • He supported the Khilafat Movement. He also
took part in the non-cooperation movement
• The theme of the Lilavati Award is women’s against the Rowlatt Act of 1919. He supported
empowerment. It aims to create awareness Mahatma Gandhi’s views of non-violent
about issues like sanitation, hygiene, health and satyagraha and was committed to the civil
nutrition using ‘traditional Indian values’. disobedience movement. He also promoted
• It also aims to create awareness about issues Swaraj and the Swadeshi movement.
like literacy, employment, technology, credit, • In 1923, he became the youngest president of
marketing, innovation, skill development, natural the Congress Party at the age of 35.
resources, and rights among women.
• Entries for the Award can be submitted at the
institution or team level, comprising students or
faculty or both from AICTE approved institutions.
Issues relating to development and management of

Social Sector/Services relating to Education.
5. National Education Day
»» Prelims: Details of Maulana Abul Kalam Azad
Context
• 11 November is observed as ‘National Education
Day’ in India.
About National Education Day:
• The day is observed in honour of India’s first
education minister Maulana Abul Kalam Azad,
whose birth anniversary falls on 11 November.
• During his stint as education minister from
1947 to 1958, Azad made several significant
contributions in the field of education.
• The Union HRD Ministry (currently the Education
Ministry) institutionalized the observance of the
National Education Day in 2008.
Maulana Abul Kalam Azad – Role in Independence
Struggle
• He developed an interest in nationalism quite
early. He was a vehement critic of the British
government for its racial policies and its blatant
disregard for the needs of the common Indians.
• He was also for Hindu-Muslim unity. He was
vehemently against the Muslim League’s idea

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79
HISTORY
Modern Indian History • Kamaladevi was a part of the seven-member

lead team, announced by Mahatma Gandhi, in
1. Aruna Asaf Ali the famous Salt Satyagraha (1930), to prepare
»» Prelims: Details about Aruna Asaf Ali salt at the Bombay beachfront.
»» Mains: Role of Aruna Asaf Ali in Indian freedom Social causes:
struggle, participation of women in freedom • Kamaladevi Chattopadhyay played a significant
movement role in the upliftment of the socio-economic
• Aruna Asaf Ali was an Indian political activist and standard of Indian women by pioneering the co-
freedom movement activist. operation movement among Indian women.
• An active participant in the Indian independence • She became the first woman to run for a
movement, Aruna Asaf Ali participated in public legislative seat in India (Madras Provincial
processions during the Salt Satyagraha and was Legislative Assembly).
arrested. • She played an active role in the All-India Women’s
• She rose to prominence during the Quit India Conference (AIWC).
movement when she hoisted the Indian National Indian art and culture:
flag at the Gowalia Tank Maidan, Bombay during
the Quit India Movement in 1942. In fact, when • Kamaladevi Chattopadhyay played a major
all the major leaders and all members of the role in the renaissance of Indian handicrafts,
Congress Working Committee were arrested, handlooms, and theatre in independent India.
young Aruna Asaf Ali presided over the remainder She played a stellar role in institutes such as
of the Congress session. the National School of Drama, Sangeet Natak
Akademi, Central Cottage Industries Emporium,
• She was called the Grand Old Lady of the and the Crafts Council of India.
Independence Movement in her later years.
• She stressed the significant role which handicrafts
• She also edited Inquilab, a monthly magazine and cooperative grassroots movements play in
of the Congress Party, along with Ram Manohar the social and economic upliftment of the Indian
Lohia. people.
• Post-independence, she remained active in
politics, becoming Delhi’s first Mayor.
Modern Indian History
Modern Indian History 3. Lachit Borphukan
2. Kamaladevi Chattopadhyay »» Prelims: Battle of Saraighat, Ahom dynasty.
»» Prelims: Details about Kamaladevi Chattopadhyay Context
»» Mains: Role of Kamaladevi Chattopadhyay in • 24th November is observed as Lachit Diwas
Indian freedom struggle, participation of women in Assam in honour of Lachit Borphukan to
in freedom movement commemorate his heroism and the victory of the
• Kamaladevi Chattopadhyay was an Indian social Assamese army at the Battle of Saraighat.
reformer and freedom activist. Who was Lachit Borphukan?
Freedom struggle: • Lachit Borphukan was a commander in the
• Kamaladevi Chattopadhyay is most remembered Ahom dynasty, located in present-day Assam.
for her contribution to the Indian independence • He showed exemplary leadership in the Battle of
movement. Saraighat (1671).
• Kamaladevi returned to India from London in * The Battle of Saraighat was a naval battle fought
1923 to take part in Mahatma Gandhi’s Non- between the Mughal Empire and the Ahom
Cooperation Movement. She joined the Seva Kingdom.
Dal, a Gandhian organisation set up to promote
* It was fought on the Brahmaputra River at
social upliftment. Made in charge of the women’s
Saraighat, in Guwahati.
section of the Dal, she got involved in recruiting,
training and organising girls and women of all
ages across India, to become voluntary workers,
‘sevikas’.

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80
* This battle was the last major attempt by the

Mughals to extend their empire into Assam.
* The smaller Ahom force defeated the mighty
Mughal Empire by the use of the terrain,
diplomatic negotiations, guerrilla tactics, and
also by exploiting the weak navy of the Mughals.
* The Mughal forces were led by the Kachhwaha
King Raja Ram Singh I while the Ahoms were led
by Lachit Borphukan.

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DISASTER MANAGEMENT
Disaster Management • CDRI thus aims to enable the achievement of

objectives of expanding universal access to basic
1. Aapda Mitra services and enabling prosperity as enshrined
»» Mains: Disaster management personnel. in the Sustainable Development Goals, while
also working at the intersection of the Sendai
• It is a centrally-sponsored scheme by the National
Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction and the
Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) aiming
Paris Climate Agreement.
to impart training to the 200 community
volunteers in disaster response in the 30 most When was the idea of CDRI proposed?
flood-prone districts identified across the • The CDRI was launched by the Prime Minister of
country on the basis of past floods. India during his speech at the UN Climate Action
• The focus of the scheme is to identify and train Summit in 2019.
community volunteers to build their capacity • The CDRI Secretariat is based in New Delhi, India.
for mitigating disasters. The volunteers will be
trained to respond to the immediate needs of What is the funding system of CDRI?
the community during emergency situations like • A large share of the estimated fund requirements
floods to cover the core costs over the first five years has
• Volunteers will undergo training in basic skills been invested by India.
with focus on flood relief • There are no obligations on the part of members
to make financial contributions to CDRI.
Significance
• However, at any point (during the first five years
• Volunteers will be able to act as first responders
or beyond), members of the CDRI may make
and assist the community in effective disaster
voluntary financial or in-kind contributions to
response and assist the district administration
the CDRI such as assignment of experts from
in providing immediate relief to the affected
national institutions to the CDRI Secretariat,
people.
hosting of thematic workshops and meetings
and travel support.
Disaster Management
2. Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure Disaster Management
(CDRI) 3. Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF)
»» Mains: Coordination of efforts in disaster »» Prelims: Glaciers of Himalayas
management among countries and agencies. »» Mains: Climate change, Environmental impact
• It is a multi-stakeholder global partnership assessment of industrial activities in the region.
of national governments, UN agencies and • A Glacial Lake Outburst Flood, or GLOF, is sudden
programmes, multilateral development banks release of water from a lake fed by glacier melt
and financing mechanisms, the private sector, that has formed at the side, in front, within,
and academic and knowledge institutions. beneath, or on the surface of a glacier.
• It aims to promote disaster-resilient infrastructure • GLOFs have three main features:
• CDRI will act as a convening body that pools * They involve sudden (and sometimes cyclic)
best practices and resources from around the releases of water.
world for reshaping construction, transportation,
energy, telecommunication and water * T hey tend to be rapid events, lasting hours
to days.
* CDRI envisions enabling measurable
reduction in infrastructure losses from * They result in large downstream river
disasters, including extreme climate events. discharges
* CDRI will provide member countries technical There are two types of GLOFs.
support and capacity development, • One type occurs when the moraine banks,
research and knowledge management, and deposited rock and mud that dam glacial lakes,
advocacy and partnerships to facilitate and burst when the earth is disturbed, such as by an
encourage investment in disaster resilient earthquake.
infrastructure systems.

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• Another type can occur when glacial lakes rise in Context

volume due to increased glacial melting caused • Study of the Gya glacial lake outburst.
by climate change (ICIMOD).
Details
Concerns
• Study of the Gya glacial lake incident has thrown
• GLOFs have immense potential of flooding light on the causes of the flood.
in downstream areas, causing disastrous
consequences due to release of large volumes of • The glacial lake outburst induced flood was not
water in very short interval of time. due to the spillovers due to an avalanche or
landslide but rather due to tunnelling drainage
• These floods wipe out villages, bridges and even process induced by the thawing of the ice cores
hydroelectric plants permanently damaging in the moraine. The water had drained out
important infrastructure. through the subsurface tunnels.
• GLOFs are an insidious danger, for which there * A moraine is any accumulation of
is no warning system. Consequently, floods can unconsolidated debris (regolith and rock)
wipe out families and culture associated with that occurs in both currently and formerly
geographical areas glaciated regions, and that has been
What can be done to address GLOF’s impact? previously carried along by a glacier or ice
sheet.
• Building artificially reinforced channels that lower
a lake’s volume, so that it does not overflow. Concerns
• Remote sensing that is used to map and record • Global warming:
the status of glacial lakes as a preliminary step for * Given that the thawing of ice cores is
creating an alert system. expected to accelerate in the future due to
* Alert system based on radar level and water global climate change, it is almost certain
content sensors that other glacial lake outburst floods will
happen all over the Indian Himalaya.
• Educating the community about the risks of
living near glacial lakes, so that they can be • Unsustainable development process:
prepared in times of emergency. * It is important to note that not all glacial lake
outbursts have catastrophic outcomes. It
largely depends on urban planning, the size
of the lake, the distance between the lake
and affected villages, the valley section etc.

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83
* The unsustainable development process • Cyclones are named to make their identification
in these areas will only increase the hazard easier. It is also believed that names like these
potential of glacial lake outbursts. make it easier for the media to report and
generates interest from the people, resulting
Way forward: in easier dissemination of information and
• Early warning system: increased preparedness.
* There is an urgent need to use multiple • The name Nisarga was given by Bangladesh, Gati
methods for better risk assessment and early was taken from India’s suggested names. Nivar or
warning. It is important to regularly monitor Nivara has been selected from the list of names
lake development and dynamics. given by Iran.
* This approach could help limit the damages How are cyclones classified?
caused by the glacial lake outburst events. Cyclones are classified on the basis of the wind
• Better land planning: speed by IMD.
* Further development processes in these • Cyclonic storm: speeds of between 39–54 mph
ecologically fragile areas should be guided (62–88 km/h)
by better land-use planning. • Severe Cyclonic Storm: Severe Cyclonic Storms
have storm force wind speeds of between 55–72
mph (89–117 km/h)
Disaster Management
• Very Severe Cyclonic Storm: Very Severe Cyclonic
4. Cyclone Nivar Storms have hurricane-force winds of 73–102
»» Prelims: Cyclone formation and conditions aiding mph (118–166 km/h).
it, classification on cyclones. • Extremely Severe Cyclonic Storm: Extremely
»» Mains: Early warning system, NDMA guidelines. Severe Cyclonic Storms have hurricane-force
winds of 166–221 km/h (104–137 mph).
Context
• Super Cyclonic Storm: The highest classification
• Cyclone Nivar made its landfall near Puducherry. used in the North Indian Ocean is a Super
What is landfall? Cyclonic Storm, which has hurricane-force winds
of above 138 mph (222 km/h).
• A landfall, in simple words, is the storm moving
over the land after its intensification in the ocean How are cyclones forecast?
(heat source). 1. Doppler Weather Radars (DWR)
• Landfall is the process of a storm moving from • Over the years, India’s ability to track the
sea to land formation of cyclones has improved significantly.
Impact There is a network of Doppler Weather Radars
(DWR) along India’s coast
• The landfall usually brings with it high-speed
winds, severe storm surge and torrential • The conventional radars (earlier generation of
downpour, all of which can have a severe impact radars), were able to track and predict cyclones,
on the region. but the DWR provides detailed information on
storm’s internal wind flow and structure.
Name of the cyclone
* The Doppler Weather Radar (DWR) provides
• The storm has been named Cyclone Nivar, based advance information, enhancing the lead-
on the guidelines of the World Meteorological time helps in saving lives and property, in
Organisation (WMO). the event of natural disaster associated with
• According to WMO guidelines, countries in every severe weather.
region are supposed to give names for cyclones. * The severity of the weather systems can thus
• North Indian Ocean Region covers tropical be quantitatively estimated more accurately
cyclones formed over Bay of Bengal and Arabian than ever before and more precise advance
Sea. The 13 members, which come under the warnings can be generated for saving
region, are Bangladesh, India, Maldives, Myanmar, human lives and property.
Oman, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Thailand. In 2018, 2. Collaboration
five more countries were added. These are Iran,
Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Yemen. • The IMD also collaborates with similar
international networks, such as the Japan
Meteorological Agency, the U.S. National
Hurricane Center, and the U.S. Central Pacific
Hurricane Center, and these bodies constantly
send warnings and forecasts about changes in
the ocean weather.

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3. Satellites Way forward:

• There are dedicated meteorological satellites to • The aftermath presents an opportunity to make
improve the odds of early detection. a full assessment not just for distribution of relief
• SCATSAT-1 (Scatterometer Satellite-1) is a but also to understand the impacts of extreme
satellite providing weather forecasting, cyclone monsoon weather.
prediction, and tracking services to India • To keep Tamil Nadu competitive, governments
4. Ocean-Buoys and local bodies should hardwire urban planning
and invest heavily for a future of frequent
• Ocean buoys are equipped with an array of disruptive weather.
sensors that measure all the parameters of air
and water.
• They measure a whole range of weather
variables such as wave height, swell period and
direction, wind speed and direction, air and
water temperature, and barometric pressure.
• They help in forecasting monsoon as well as
provide cyclone warnings. They send out real-
time data on wave parameters like height and
period.
How difficult was it to track Nivar’s progress?
• April-June and October-December are India’s
cyclone seasons.
* The arriving monsoon, as well as its retreat,
stir up the surrounding seas and generate
cyclones.
• Though the Bay of Bengal is three times more
likely to generate cyclones, the ones that
originate in the Arabian Sea are trickier, as the
cyclone, while ostensibly moving away from
India’s western coast, can suddenly ‘recurve’ and
move back in.
• There are also fewer radars along India’s west
coast than the eastern coast, and all these reasons
make the Bay of Bengal cyclones more tractable.
• In this context, Nivar, because it conformed to a
fairly predictable trajectory and was not super
cyclonic in intensity, gave State administrations
in Puducherry, Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh
time to prepare, and was far less damaging than
Amphan.
Areas affected by the cyclone
• Northern districts of Tamil Nadu faced the
maximum hazard.
• Coastal Andhra Pradesh, Nellore and Chittoor
districts of Rayalaseema, Telangana, south
interior Karnataka also received rainfall due to
this cyclone.
Damage
• Temporary houses and huts suffered damage.
• Power and communication lines, trees were
uprooted.
• Standing crops were hit due to the saline water
carried landwards by the cyclone.

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GOVERNANCE
Indian Constitution. Impact
1. Attacks on journalists • Violence against members of the press is an
»» Prelims: Article 19. attack on freedom of expression, which in turn is
an attack on democracy and human rights.
»» Mains: Freedom of speech, role of media,
independent media. • An attack on the press is an assault on
fundamental principles of democracy, namely
Context: “transparency, accountability, as well as the right
• Many instances of attacks on journalists have to hold opinions and to participate in public
come to light. debates.”
Examples • Assaults against media workers suppress one’s
right to access and attain information as well as
• A 26-year-old television journalist who reported
to express and share ideas.
on illegal encroachment of land and the sale of
ganja was hacked to death in Tamil Nadu. Measures taken
• Another journalist was found brutally murdered 1. Maharashtra has emerged as the first State in the
in a jungle on the outskirts of Bhopal. country to enact a law.
• A prominent journalist from Kashmir and the • Under the Maharashtra Media Persons and
Chief Editor of Kashmir Times was shot dead by Media Institutions (Prevention of Violence and
three militants in the heart of Srinagar, when he Damage or Loss to Property) Act, 2017, any
was returning home from office attack on journalists would be non-bailable
and cognisable, and would be investigated
A look at stats
by an officer not below the rank of Deputy
• According to the United Nations, “Journalism Superintendent of Police.
is one of the most dangerous professions in
• A conviction under this Act could lead to
the world”. Between 2006 and 2019, over 1,200
imprisonment of up to three years and/or a fine
journalist have been killed the world over.
of up to ₹50,000.
• In 2009, as many as 32 journalists were killed
• The attacker will also have to compensate
in Philippines; ten were killed in Afghanistan
for medical treatment in case of injuries to
in 2016, and ten journalists were among those
the journalist and also pay for damage to any
killed in a suicide bomb attack in Kabul in April
equipment.
2018.
2. Chhattisgarh is in the final stages of enacting a law
• India has been going down on the World Press
known as Chhattisgarh Protection of Mediapersons
Freedom Index during the last few years.
Act.
* In the annual reports of Reporters without
• It has a wider definition of journalists, covering
Borders, India has steadily gone down in
drivers, and even relatives of journalists.
the global index from a rank of 138 in 2018
to 140 in 2019, and further down to 142 in • On conviction, the attacker would be liable to be
2020. punished under relevant sections of the IPC.
How and when are Journalists silenced? • But any public servant found guilty of
dereliction of duties is liable to be punished with
• Violence against the press continues in the
imprisonment of up to one year and/or fine of up
form of harassment, threats, kidnappings, illegal
to ₹10,000.
detainment, physical attacks, or murder
Way forward
• They receive threats for publishing stories on
illegal sand mining, criminal mafia • The State needs to ensure stringent punishment
for the perpetrators if a journalist is assaulted or
• When they expose corruption in the system and
intimidated in connection with the performance
police brutality
of duty.
• When not hit with violence or murder, journalists
• The Chairman of the Press Council of India (PCI),
are being slapped with hefty civil defamation
counselled the government “to enact a special
suits. This tactic is often employed to intimidate
law for protection of journalists and speedy trial
reporters and harass them through legal fees.
of cases of attacks and assaults”.

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86
Indian Constitution. • The government wanted the platforms to come

up with a self-regulatory body on the lines of the
2. OTT platforms News Broadcasting Standards Authority, which
»» Mains: Regulation of media, IT Act 2000. governs the TV news channels.
Context • In January 2019, eight video streaming services
had signed a self-regulatory code that laid down
• Gazette notification placing ‘Over the Top’
a set of guiding principles for the content on
(OTT) platforms or video streaming service
these platforms. The code prohibited five types
providers like Netflix, Hotstar, Amazon Prime and
of content, including content which deliberately
digital news under the ambit of the Ministry of
and maliciously disrespects the national emblem
Information and Broadcasting.
or flag, any visuals or storylines that promote
• The change was made through the amendment child pornography, any content that “maliciously”
of the Allocation of Business Rules. intends to outrage religious sentiments; content
Key Stats that “deliberately and maliciously” promotes or
encourages terrorism; and any content that has
• With a market size of nearly Rs 500 crore at the been banned for exhibition or distribution by law
end of March 2019, the online video streaming or by a court.
platforms may become a Rs 4000-crore revenue
market by the end of 2025, according to reports. • The government had refused to support this
code.
• At the end of 2019, India had as many as 17 crore
OTT platform users. Need
What are OTT platforms? • The government had been receiving complaints
about unregulated, sexually-explicit, vulgar
• OTT, or over-the-top platforms, are audio and and legally restricted content being put out
video hosting and streaming services which by the OTT platforms and others. There was
started out as content hosting platforms, but soon no mechanism to redress the grievances that
branched out into the production and release of people had.
short movies, feature films, documentaries and
web-series themselves. • The ministry of electronics and information
technology, that could have any jurisdiction over
• These platforms offer a range of content and the digital media, is not equipped to monitor
use artificial intelligence to suggest users the content but only the technical aspects.
content they are likely to view based on their
past viewership on the platform. What might happen with this notification?
• Most OTT platforms generally offer some content • The central government’s move to bring the OTT
for free and charge a monthly subscription fee for platforms under the I&B Ministry could mean
premium content which is generally unavailable that these platforms would have to apply for
elsewhere. certification and approval of the content they
wish to stream.
• The premium content is usually produced and
marketed by the OTT platform themselves, in • This would imply that even international on-
association with established production houses demand streaming services such as Netflix and
which historically have made feature films. Amazon Prime Videos would be required to
register with the government and follow the
Laws regulating OTT platforms ground rules for the videos that they stream
• Currently, there is no law or autonomous Significance:
body governing digital content. Complaints
regarding these had largely been dealt with by • The gazette notification gives the government
the Communications and IT Ministry with laws control over the OTT platforms, which were
such as the Information Technology Act and the unregulated till now. The exponential growth in
Indian Penal Code being invoked. the reach of the OTT platforms and digital media
forums and their ability to influence necessitates
* Traditional media such as films, the need to regulate them and the current move
entertainment and news television channels is a step in this direction.
and newspapers are covered under
mechanisms such as government’s Central • The move will help tackle the issue of fake news
Board of Film Certification, the independent being propagated through some of the digital
Broadcasting Content Complaints Council, media platforms.
the cable and television act, and Press and • The move will also help create a level playing
Registration of Books (PRB) Act. field between linear TV and over-the-top (OTT)
services.

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87
• The government would be able to prevent technological advancements and for further
objectionable content that some smaller and strengthening of the procedures for a credible
newer companies in the space have been and transparent rating system.
distributing. Details:
Concerns: • The four-member committee will review the
• The move has raised fears of censorship. guidelines on television rating agencies notified
by the Ministry in 2014.
• Some digital media creators have lamented that
the move and the subsequent regulation could • The committee is headed by Shashi Shekhar
undermine creativity due to undue regulation. Vempati, CEO of Prasar Bharati.
Circumventing judicial scrutiny: Terms of Reference for the Committee:
• The move seems to neglect the fact that the • Study past recommendations made by various
issue of freedom of the press and freedom of forums on the subject of television rating systems
expression are currently under judicial scrutiny in in India and matters incidental thereto;
the Sudarshan News channel issue. • Study recent recommendations of Telecom
• Similarly, another public interest litigation Regulatory Authority on the subject;
is pending in the Supreme Court relating to • Suggest steps for enhancing competition in the
content on “Over The Top” (OTT) platforms not sector;
being subject to regulation or official oversight.
• Review of the presently notified guidelines to
• This move of the central government could see if the intended purpose(s) of issuing the
be aimed at circumventing any judicial guidelines have stood the test of time and has
pronouncement on this issue. met the needs of various stakeholders involved.
Fate of digital media: The lacunae, if any, shall be specially addressed
by the Committee;
• The fate of the digital media under the control
of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting • To make recommendations on way forward for
could leave a detrimental impact on the media a robust, transparent and accountable rating
practitioner and the media entrepreneur and for system in India.
the startups that have been the new vibrant face
of contemporary journalism.
Conclusion Welfare schemes for vulnerable sections
• It will also have to be seen as to what guidelines, 4. Getting MGNREGS wages harder than the labour
if any, does the I&B ministry put in place for »» Mains: Employment guarantee programmes.
regulating these OTT platforms.
Context:
• Problems being faced by the rural workers
Statutory, regulatory and various quasi-judicial dependent on the Mahatma Gandhi National
bodies Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme
(MGNREGS).
3. TRP norms
Issue:
»» Prelims: TRAI composition, mandate.
• According to a study by LibTech India, many of
»» Mains: Need for objective reporting, role of
the workers are forced to make multiple trips
media.
to the bank, adding travel costs and income
Context: losses, and face repeated rejections of payment,
• Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has biometric errors and wrong information, just to
constituted a committee to review “Guidelines get their hands on their wages.
on Television Rating Agencies in India”. * The study found that almost 40% of the
Background: workers must make multiple trips to the
bank branch to withdraw their money.
• The committee has been constituted in
the backdrop of the Mumbai police investigations * The branch is usually at the block
which revealed that a few news channels had headquarters, a significant distance from
tampered with the ratings. the home village, and the time spent at the
bank is three to four hours, a worker will also
• Another reason for having constituted the lose the day’s wages while he/she attempts
committee is to have a fresh look keeping in to withdraw money.
view of the recent recommendations of TRAI,

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88
* This effectively works out to spending a * These apps are very dangerous because the
third of the weekly wage just to withdraw it. Chinese can put any bug in the software.
• The study found that only one in 10 workers get Apps that were banned
an SMS message that their wages have been • Other banned apps include Alibaba’s
credited. A third of workers must visit the bank e-commerce platform AliExpress, streaming
branch just to find out whether their wages have app Taobao Live and workplace messaging app
been credited. DingTalk, as well as delivery app Lalamove India
• It was also found that despite being informed and a handful of dating sites.
that their wages had been credited, they found How will it work?
that the money was not in the accounts.
• Both Google and Apple will have to comply with
• The last mile challenges make it hard for workers the ruling and remove these apps from the Play
to access their own wages in a timely manner. Store and App Store respectively.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the situation is
exacerbated as transport becomes harder. • ISPs will also have to selectively block these apps
so existing users can’t access them until further
notice.
Challenges to internal security through Larger picture
communication networks
• First, this approach runs the risk of triggering
5. Govt. bans 43 more apps citing threat to security an unconventional battle between the two
»» Mains: Security threat,section 69A of the countries in the larger technology realm, if not
Information Technology Act, data protection in the larger business space. China, being an
important player in the technology global supply
laws.
chain, will be hard, if not impossible, to sideline.
Context
* The Chinese will lose ads from Indian
• India bans 43 more Chinese apps markets, and the vacuum that Indians
Details will feel will encourage them to develop
their own apps, which will generate good
• Under section 69A of the Information Technology domestic revenue and ultimately hit the
Act, the government reserves the right to block Chinese market
access to mobile apps deemed threat to national
security. • Second, there is a risk that moves such as
blocking apps would be perceived adversely by
* Power to issue directions for blocking for global investors and Internet companies.
public access of any information through
any computer resource. * While it is true that there has been some
push back against Chinese companies and
* The intermediary who fails to comply with technology globally, India must stick to
the direction issued under sub-section (1) a rules-based approach in regulating the
shall be punished with an imprisonment for Internet.
a term which may extend to seven years and
shall also be liable to fine. China’s Reaction
• This action was taken based on the inputs • China has accused India of discriminatory
regarding these apps for engaging in activities practices that violate World Trade Organization
which are prejudicial to sovereignty and integrity • China crying discrimination is ironical — its
of India, defence of India, security of state and version of the Internet is tightly controlled and
public order heavily censored
• The Ministry of Electronics and IT issued the order * Among the foreign sites banned by China are
for blocking the access of these apps by users Facebook, YouTube, Twitter and WhatsApp.
in India based on the comprehensive reports
Conclusion
received from Indian Cyber Crime Coordination
Center, Ministry of Home Affairs • There is a need to implement the long-pending
data protection law. It is also important to engage
Security concern
with the ecosystem and provide clarity on these
• A lot of apps collected massive amounts of issues as India has to win the technology battle
data which has nothing to do with the service it as well.
provides.
• It takes several security-sensitive and intrusive
permissions which the user doesn't understand
but ends up agreeing to.

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MISCELLANEOUS
Science and Technology - developments
Biotechnology
1. ARTPARK (AI & Robotics Technology Park)
3. National Cancer Awareness Day
»» Mains: Application of AI and Cyber physical
systems. »» Prelims: National Cancer Control Programme .
• It is a joint initiative of the Indian Institute of Context
Science & AI Foundry, set up as a Section 8 • The National Cancer Awareness Day is observed
company (Not for Profit) with a seed grant from in India on 7th November.
the Department of Science and Technology
(Govt. of India). About the National Cancer Awareness Day:
• It is set up as the premier research translation • The National Cancer Awareness Day is
park with a global collaborative ecosystem. observed to generate awareness about cancer
prevention and early detection.
• It is getting incubated at Robert Bosch Centre for
Cyber-Physical Systems at IISc. • The day coincides with the birth anniversary of
eminent scientist Madame Curie.
• ARTPARK is committed to leveraging AI &
Robotics in a mission-driven model to bring a * Marie Curie is remembered for her discovery
better quality of life for people. of radium and polonium, and her huge
contribution to the fight against cancer.
• Its mission includes lowering the cost of living
with AI and robotics, ensuring a better quality * Her work led to the development of nuclear
of life for everyone, and improving access to AI energy and radiotherapy for the treatment
awareness, education and enablement. of cancer.
• The first National Cancer Awareness Day was
observed in 2014 in India.
Science and Technology - developments Cancer in India: A look at stats
2. Gandhian Young Technological Awards (GYTI) • According to the World Health Organisation
»» Prelims: SITARE-GYTI, SRISTI-GYTI. (WHO), cancer is the second leading cause
of death globally and in 2018, there were
• Gandhian Young Technological Innovation approximately 18 million cases globally, of which
(GYTI) Awards celebrate the spirit of student 1.5 million were in India alone.
innovation in all the fields of engineering, science,
technology and design through extremely • There were around 0.8 million cancer deaths in
affordable/frugal solution or the ones pushing India in 2018 against 9.5 million globally.
the technological edge. • The number of new cases are estimated to
• The awards are given in two categories: double in India by 2040.
* SITARE-GYTI: Students Innovations for • In India, nearly 1.1 million new cases are being
Advancement of Research Explorations – reported annually.
Gandhian Young Technological Innovation • Two-thirds of cancer cases are diagnosed at an
[Under Biotechnology Industry Research advanced stage, reducing patients’ chances of
Assistance Council (BIRAC), Department of survival.
Biotechnology (DBT)]
• It is estimated that one woman dies of cervical
* SRISTI-GYTI: Society for Research and cancer every 8 minutes in India.
Initiatives for Sustainable Technological
• Tobacco (smoked and smokeless) use accounted
Innovations – Gandhian Young
for 3,17,928 deaths (approximately) in men and
Technological Innovation
women in 2018.
• The awards and appreciations are given under
• Cancers of oral cavity and lungs account for over
these two categories to encourage technology
25% of cancer deaths in males and cancer of
students to move towards setting up biotech
breast and oral cavity account for 25% cancers in
and other start-ups.
females.
Context
• Union Health Minister gave away the Gandhian
Young Technological Awards.

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• The National Cancer Control Programme • SDG Investor Maps translate SDG-needs and
was initiated in 1975 with a view to provide policy priorities into actionable investment
cancer treatment facilities in the country. The opportunities.
programme was modified in 1984-85 to provide * They identify concrete, investable solutions
thrust to prevention and early detection of to increasingly pressing needs at the country
cancer. level.
* By mapping the overlaps and gaps between
public sector priorities and private sector
Governance interest, the SDG Investor Map lays out
pathways that can bring together private-
4. Sahakar Pragya
sector investment and public sector support
»» Prelims: SAHAKAR-22, SAHAKAR MITRA , YUVA for six SDG-enabling sectors including
SAHAKAR, AYUSHMAN SAHAKAR. Education, Healthcare, Agriculture & Allied
Activities, Financial Services, Renewable
Context Energy & Alternatives and Sustainable
• Union Minister unveiled Sahakar Pragya. Environment.
Details: • Notable IOAs include ‘Online Supplementary
• The 45 new training modules of Sahakar Pragya Education for K12’ (Education), ‘Tech-Enabled
of the National Cooperative Development Remote Care Services’ (Healthcare), ‘Digital
Corporation (NCDC) will impart training to Platforms to service input/output needs of
primary cooperative societies in rural areas of farmers to enable easy access to markets’
the country along with Lakshmanrao Inamdar (Agriculture) and ‘Access to credit by Micro,
National Cooperative Research and Development Small and Medium Enterprises and Low-Income
Academy (LINAC). Groups especially through digital platforms for
Income Generating Purposes’(Financial Services).
• Sahakar Pragya is the latest in the series of farmer-
focused steps by NCDC.
• NCDC had earlier launched various initiatives Issues relating to development and management
and programmes like: of Social Sector/Services relating to Health,
* SAHAKAR-22 to develop cooperatives in 6. World Toilet Day
Focus 222 districts, including aspirational
districts »» Mains: WASH initiatives.
* SAHAKAR MITRA – Scheme on internship Context
programme • World Toilet Day is observed on 19th November
* YUVA SAHAKAR – Start-up scheme in annually.
cooperatives About World Toilet Day:
* AYUSHMAN SAHAKAR – for the creation of • World Toilet Day is a United Nations Observance
healthcare infrastructure and services that celebrates toilets and raises awareness of
the 4.2 billion people living without access to
safely managed sanitation.
Social sector.
• It is about taking action to tackle the global
5. SDG Investor Map sanitation crisis and achieve Sustainable
Development Goal 6: water and sanitation for all
»» Mains: Implementation of SDGs through various by 2030.
social sector programmes.
• The theme of World Toilet Day 2020: Sustainable
Context sanitation and climate change.
• UNDP and Invest India launch the SDG Investor • The first official World Toilet Day was observed in
Map for India. 2013.
Details: • Importance of this Day:
• The United Nations Development Programme * 1 in 3 people on this planet still don’t have
(UNDP) and Invest India have launched the SDG access to a clean and safe toilet; 1,000
Investor Map for India, laying out 18 Investment children die each day due to poor sanitation;
Opportunities Areas (IOAs) in six critical SDG and better sanitation supports better
enabling sectors, that can help India push the nutrition and improved health, especially for
needle forward on Sustainable Development. women and children.

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• In India, the Department of Drinking Water

and Sanitation (DDWS), Ministry of Jal Shakti
leads the observance of the Day under ‘Swachh
Bharat Mission – Grameen (SBMG)’ for promoting
awareness on access to safe sanitation and
felicitating districts/states for making a significant
contribution towards Swachhata.

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PRACTICE QUESTIONS
1. Arrange the following from West to East: 4. Punjab
1. Dibru Saikhowa National Park 5. Tamil Nadu
2. Manas National Park Choose the correct option:
3. Rajiv Gandhi Orang National Park A. 2 and 3 only
4. Kaziranga National Park B. 1, 2, and 5 only
Choose the correct option: C. 1, 4 and 5 only
A. 2, 4, 3, 1 D. 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5
B. 2, 3, 4, 1
C. 1, 4, 3, 2 5. Consider the following statements:
D. 1, 2, 4, 3 1. Both the Supreme Court and High Courts have the
jurisdiction to punish for contempt of court.
2. Consider the following statements: 2. Criminal contempt is committed when someone

willfully disobeys a court order or wilfully breaches an
1. Natal Indian Ambulance Corps was created by undertaking given to the court.
Mahatma Gandhi for use by the British during the
Second World War. 3. Civil contempt is committed when someone
interferes with or obstructs the administration of justice.
2. Mahatma Gandhi was bestowed with the ‘Kaiser-i-
Hind’ by the British for his work in Boer war. Which of the given statement/s is/are correct?
Which of the given statement/s is/are INCORRECT? A. 1 only
A. 1 only B. 1, 2 and 3
B. 2 only C. 2 and 3 only
C. Both 1 and 2 D. None of the above
D. Neither 1 nor 2
6. Consider the following statements with respect to
‘Red Sanders’:
3. Consider the following statements:
1. It is a tree endemic to the Western Ghats.
1. Basic Exchange and Cooperation Agreement
(BECA) was signed in the third India-U.S. 2+2 Ministerial 2. The tree is valued for its aromatic wood.
Dialogue. Which of the given statement/s is/are INCORRECT?
2. BECA would entitle India to receive highly classified A. 1 only
U.S. defence and sensitive geo-spatial intelligence
B. 2 only
information.
C. Both 1 and 2
3. India is a signatory to all U.S.-related foundational
military agreements. D. Neither 1 nor 2
Which of the given statement/s is/are INCORRECT?
A. 1 only 7. The Global Hunger Index is calculated using which
of the following indicators?
B. 1 and 2 only
1. Undernourishment
C. 3 only
2. Child Wasting
D. None of the above
3. Child Stunting
4. Child Mortality
5. Infant Mortality
4. Which of these states share their Formation Day?
6. Mortality rate
1. Andhra Pradesh
Choose the correct option:
2. Karnataka
A. 1, 2, 3 and 6 only
3. Kerala

NOVEMBER - 2020
93
B. 1, 2, 3 and 4 only 12. Consider the following statements with respect to

Kamala Devi Chattopadhyay:
C. 1, 2, 3, and 5 only
1. She became the first woman to contest for and win
D. 1, 4, 5 and 6 only
a legislative seat in India.
2. She is a Ramon Magsaysay Awardee.
Which of the given statement/s is/are correct?
Purchasing Managers’ Index:
A. 1 only
1. The Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) is an index
of the prevailing direction of economic trends in the B. 2 only
manufacturing sector. C. Both 1 and 2
2. It is published every month by the Central Statistical D. Neither 1 nor
Organization (CSO).
3. A PMI reading at 50 indicates no change as
compared to the previous month. 13. Consider the following statements with respect to
the District Development Council:
1. The Sixth Schedule of the Constitution of India
A. 1 only allows for the formation of the District Development
B. 1 and 3 only Council (DDC).
C. 1, 2 and 3 2. The term of the DDC will be five years.
D. 2 only 3. The members of the DDC will be selected through
direct elections.
9. Khudai Khidmatgar movement was led by:
A. 1 and 2 only
A. Mohammad Ali Jinnah
B. 1, 2 and 3
B. Abdul Ghaffar Khan
C. 2 and 3 only
C. Sir Syed Ahmed Khan
D. Syed Ahmed Barelvi
14. “Nurturing Neighborhoods Challenge” is

10. Which of the following is another term that describes
implemented by the-
“Whale Beaching”?
A. Ministry of External Affairs
A. Cetacean Stranding
B. Ministry of Home affairs
B. Whaling
C. Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs
C. Aqua Stranding
D. Ministry of Tribal Affairs
15. The Vohra Committee report dealt with:

Aruna Asaf Ali: A. Financial Inclusion
1. She hoisted the national flag in Bombay during the B. Reforms in Criminal Law
Quit India Movement. C. Centre-state relations
2. She was the editor of the “Inquilab” monthly D. Criminalisation of politics
magazine.
3. She is known as the Grand Old Lady of the
Independence Movement. 16. Which of the following states in India have a State
Butterfly?
1. Maharashtra
A. 1 only
2. Tamil Nadu
B. 1, 2 and 3
3. Telangana
C. 2 and 3 only
4. Kerala
D None of the above
5. Himachal Pradesh

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94
A. 1, 2 and 4 only C. 2, 3 and 5 only

B. 1, 4 and 5 only D. 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5
C. 1, 2, 3 and 4 only
D. 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 21. Consider the following statements with respect to
Commission for Air Quality Management in National
Capital Region and Adjoining Areas:
1. It is a statutory authority.
Guru Nanak Dev:
2. The Commission will supersede bodies such as
1. He founded the holy city of Amritsar.
the central and state pollution control boards of Delhi,
2. He started the institution of Guru ka Langar. Punjab, Haryana, UP and Rajasthan.
3. He was a contemporary of Mughal emperor Akbar. 3. The Commission does not have any penal powers.
Which of the given statement/s is/are correct? Which of the given statement/s is/are INCORRECT?
A. 1 and 3 only A. 3 only
B. 2 and 3 only B. 1 and 3 only
C. 2 only C. 1, 2 and 3
D. 1, 2 and 3 D. None of the above
18. “Tigray” recently seen in news is located in: 22. Pakke Tiger Reserve is located in:
A. Ethiopia A. Kerala
B. Sudan B. Tamil Nadu
C. Yemen C. Arunachal Pradesh
D. Kenya D. Odisha
19. Consider the following statements with respect to 23. Consider the following statements with respect to
the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Kalapani:
Europe:
1. It borders Himachal Pradesh in India and Nepal.
1. It is the largest security-oriented intergovernmental
2. It is controlled by India’s Indo-Tibetan Border Police.
organization in the world.
2. Its areas of work include arms control, promotion of
human rights, freedom of the press and fair elections. A. 1 only
3. Its decisions are legally binding on the participating B. 2 only
states. C. Both 1 and 2
Which of the given statement/s is/are INCORRECT? D. Neither 1 nor 2
A. 1 and 3 only
B. 3 only 24. Which of the following vitamins are added in fortified
C. 2 and 3 only Rice?
D. None of the above 1. Vitamin B12
2. Vitamin B1
20. Which of these countries do not border Austria? 3. Vitamin A
1. Hungary 4. Vitamin D
2. Croatia Choose the correct option:
3. Serbia A. 2 and 3 only
4. Germany B. 1 and 2 only
5. Albania C. 1, 2 and 3 only
Choose the correct option: D. 1, 2, 3 and 4
A. 1 and 4 only
B. 1, 3 and 4 only

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95
25. Which of the following are potential areas of Options:

application of earth observation satellites?
A. 1 and 4 only
1. Estimating agricultural crops inventory
B. None of the above
2. Water resources information system
C. All of the above
3. Ground water prospects
D. 1, 2, 4 and 6 only
4. Identifying potential fishing zones
5. Disaster management support
Options: National Air Quality Index (AQI):
A. 1, 2 and 4 only 1. The AQI has five categories of air quality with a
B. 1, 2, 4 and 5 only distinct colour scheme.
C. 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 2. AQI considers eight pollutants for which short-term
National Ambient Air Quality Standards are prescribed.
D. 1, 2 and 5 only
A. 1 only
26. Which of the following pairs is incorrectly matched?
B. 2 only
A. Warli paintings: Maharashtra
C. Both 1 and 2
B. Kalamkari: Andhra Pradesh
D. Neither 1 nor 2
C. Phad: West Bengal
D. Madhubani: Bihar
Ambedkar Social Innovation Incubation Mission:
27. Which of the following statement/s is/are correct?
1. The mission was launched by the Ministry of Skill
1. The Central Information Commission includes one Development and Entrepreneurship.
chief information commissioner and not more than ten
2. It has been launched under the Venture Capital
information commissioners
Fund for SCs.
2. The members of the Central Information
3. The beneficiaries will be funded with Rs. 30 lakhs in
Commission are appointed by the President of India on
3 years as equity funding.
the recommendation of a committee consisting of the
Prime Minister as Chairperson, the Leader of Opposition Which of the given statement/s is/are INCORRECT?
in the Lok Sabha and a Union Cabinet Minister to be A. 1 only
nominated by the Prime Minister.
B. 1 and 3 only
3. The Chief Information Commissioner and
Information Commissioners shall hold office for a C. 2 only
maximum term of five years and shall not be eligible for D. None of the above
reappointment.
Options:
31. “Carbon neutrality” refers to:
A. 1 only
A. The long-term removal, capture or sequestration of
B. 2 only carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.
C. 1 and 2 only B. Achieving net-zero carbon dioxide emissions
D. 1, 2 and 3 by balancing carbon dioxide emissions with carbon
absorption.
C. Achieving negative carbon dioxide emissions by
28. Which of the following is/are biodiversity heritage increasing the carbon absorption and measures such
site/s in India? as afforestation to remove carbon dioxide from the
1. Nallur tamarind grove atmosphere.
2. Hogrekan D. Removing carbon oxide from the atmosphere and
then storing it.
3. Dialong village
4. Majuli
5. Khlaw Kur Syiem Kmielng
Chlorpyrifos:
6. Asramam
1. It is an organophosphate pesticide used on crops
to kill a number of pests and insects.

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96
2. It is used to control ticks on cattle. C. 1, 2 and 3
3. It has the potential for acute toxicity and D. None of the above
neurological effects in foetuses and children.
Which of the given statement/s is/are INCORRECT? 36. Consider the following statements with respect to
A. 1 only Mission Shakti:
B. 2 only 1. It is a joint programme of the Defence Research
and Development Organisation (DRDO) and the Indian
C. 2 and 3 only Space Research Organisation (ISRO).
D. None of the above 2. Under the mission, an anti-satellite (A-SAT) weapon
was launched and it targeted an Indian satellite that
had been decommissioned.
OPEC+: 3. India is the first country to acquire the capability to
defend its assets in outer space.
1. OPEC+ refers to the alliance of crude producers,
who have been undertaking corrections in supply in the Which of the given statement/s is/are INCORRECT?
oil markets since 2017. A. 1 only
2. OPEC+ countries include Oman, Russia and B. 1 and 2 only
Malaysia.
C. 3 only
A. 1 only
B. 2 only
37. Which of these border the “West Bank” area?
C. Both 1 and 2
1. Lebanon
D. Neither 1 nor 2
2. Jordan
3. Dead Sea
4. Israel
1. Competition Commission of India (CCI) is a statutory
body established under the Monopolies and Restrictive Choose the correct option:
Trade Practices Act, 1969. A. 2, 3 and 4 only
2. The Competition Appellate Tribunal (COMPAT) B. 1, 2 and 3 only
hears and disposes of appeals against any direction
issued or decision made or order passed by the CCI. C. 1, 2 and 4 only
Which of the given statement/s is/are INCORRECT? D. 1, 2, 3 and 4
A. 1 only
B. 2 only 38. Consider the following statements with respect to
“Nagorno-Karabakh”:
C. Both 1 and 2
1. It is a mountainous land-locked region in the South
D. Neither 1 nor 2 Caucasus.
2. It is internationally recognised as a part of
35. Consider the following statements with respect to the Azerbaijan.
Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI): 3. The major ethnic group of the region is Armenian.
1. It is governed by the Delhi Special Police Which of the given statement/s is/are correct?
Establishment Act.
A. 1 only
2. The state governments have the power to withdraw
the general consent for investigation accorded to the B. 2 only
CBI. C. 2 and 3 only
3. Cases registered anywhere else in the country, D. 1, 2 and 3
but involving people stationed in states which
have withdrawn general consent, would allow CBI’s
jurisdiction to extend to these states. 39. Which of the following statement/s is/are correct
with respect to mRNA Technology-based vaccine
development?
A. 1 and 2 only
1. mRNA medicines are basically a set of instructions
B. 2 and 3 only that direct cells in the body to make proteins to prevent

NOVEMBER - 2020
97
or fight disease. 43. Which of the following correctly explains the term
2. The Polio vaccine is a successful adoption of mRNA viability gap funding?
technology to vaccine development. A. It means a grant to support projects that are
Options: economically justified but not financially viable.
A. 1 only B. It implies government equity in infrastructural PPP

projects.
B. 2 only
C. It means a loan at a low rate of interest to
C. Both 1 and 2 infrastructural PPP projects.
D. Neither 1 nor 2 D. It implies private-sector owned equity in
governmental projects.
40. Which of the following statement/s is/are correct with
respect to the National Policy on Health, 2017? 44. Which of the following statement/s is/are correct with
1. It aims to increase government healthcare spending respect to the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act?
to 2.5% of the GDP by 2025. 1. As per the FCRA, members of legislatures, political
2. It aims to reduce the Total Fertility Rate (TFR) to 2.1 parties, government officials, judges and media persons
at the national and sub-national levels by 2025. are prohibited from receiving any foreign contribution.
Options: 2. NGOs receiving foreign grants have to register with
the Ministry of Home Affairs and are also required to
A. 1 only renew their registration number every 5 years.
B. 2 only Options:
C. Both 1 and 2 A. 1 only
D. Neither 1 nor 2 B. 2 only
C. Both 1 and 2
41. When travelling from Gairsain to Challakere, what D. Neither 1 nor 2
is the minimum number of states that one would
pass through including the two states in which the
mentioned places lie in? 45. Consider the following statements with respect to
A. 5 the Index of Industrial Production (IIP):
B. 6 1. It is published by the Central Statistical Organisation
(CSO).
C. 7
2. It is used for estimating the Gross Value Added of
D. 8 the manufacturing sector quarterly.
3. The base year for calculating IIP is 2011 – 12.
42. Which of the following is/are correct with respect to Which of the given statement/s is/are correct?
the Convention on International trade in Endangered
Species of Wild Fauna and Flora? A. 1 only
1. It prohibits the trade of only such species of flora B. 1 and 3 only
and fauna which are listed as critically endangered C. 2 and 3 only
under the IUCN Red List.
D. 1, 2 and 3
2. In States that have agreed to be bound by CITES, the
Convention takes the place of national laws to ensure
there is a uniform legal framework in the countries 46. Consider the following statements with respect to
party to the CITES agreement. submarine ‘Vagir’:
Options: 1. It is the last one of the six Kalvari-class submarines
A. 1 only being built in India.
B. 2 only 2. It is a part of Indian Navy’s Project 75.
C. Both 1 and 2 3. It was built in India with technology transfer from

Russia.
D. Neither 1 nor 2
A. 2 only
B. 3 only

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98
C. 1 and 3 only A. 1 and 2 only

D. 1, 2 and 3 B. 2 only
C. 1, 2 and 3
47. “Nyingchi”, recently in news, is located in? D. None of the above
A. China
B. Bhutan 52. Consider the following statements with respect to
Birsa Munda:
C. Armenia
1. Birsa Munda proclaimed his rebellion directed
D. Indonesia
against the dikus.
2. He was referred to as ‘Dharti Abba’.
3. His rebellion forced the government to enact the
“Swarna Jayanti Fellowships
Chhotanagpur Tenancy Act, 1908.
1. The scheme was instituted by the Govt. of India to
commemorate India’s fiftieth year of independence.
A. 2 only
2. It provides special assistance and support to a
selected number of young scientists with a proven B. 2 and 3 only
track record to enable them to pursue basic research in C. 1 and 3 only
frontier areas of science and technology.
3. Under the scheme, the awardees are advanced a
research grant of 5 lakh rupees for 5 years.
Which of the given statement/s is/are correct? 53. Which of the following are the possible causes of
deflation?
A. 1 only
1. High Supply and Low Demand.
B. 2 and 3 only
2. High Demand and Low Supply.
C. 1, 2 and 3
3. A decrease in the money supply in the economy.
4. Net capital outflow.
49. Western Disturbance originates in the:
A. 1, 3 and 4 only
A. Mediterranean Sea
B. 2 and 3 only
B. Arabian Sea
C. 1 and 4 only
C. Pacific Ocean
D. 3 only
D. Indian Ocean

50. Which of the following gharanas of Kathak was
established by Wajid Ali Shah, the last Nawab of 1. The Global Gender Gap Report is an annual
Oudh? report published by the United Nations Development
Programme.
A. Raigarh Gharana
2. The Global Gender Gap Index ranks countries
B. Banaras Gharana according to the calculated gender gap between
C. Lucknow Gharana women and men in health, education, economy and
politics.
D. Jaipur Gharana
Which of the following statement/s is/are INCORRECT?
A. 1 only
Kuchipudi: B. 2 only
1. It is known as the fire dance. C. Both 1 and 2
2. Dancing on the rim of a brass plate and with D. Neither 1 nor 2
a pitcher full of water on the head is a feature of this
dance form.
55. Wholesale Price Index is released by:
3. The dance form originated in Kerala.
A. Office of Economic Advisor
B. National Statistical Office

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99
C. Reserve Bank of India Which of the given statement/s is/are INCORRECT?

D. National Sample Survey Office A. 1 only
B. 2 and 3 only
56. Which of the following is/are the mandate(s) of C. 1 and 2 only
the Department of Investment and Public Asset D. 1, 2 and 4 only
Management (DIPAM)?
1. Advise the government in matters of financial
restructuring of Central Public Sector Undertakings. 60. Consider the following statements:
2. Advise on matters relating to the sale of Central 1. Minsk Group was established to envisage a
Government equity through private placement. peaceful, negotiated resolution to the Nagorno-
Karabakh conflict.
3. Decisions in matters relating to Central Public
Sector Undertakings for purposes of Government 2. Nagorno-Karabakh is internationally recognised as
investment in equity-like capital restructuring, bonus, a part of Armenia.
dividends. 3. The major ethnic group in the Nagorno-Karabakh
Choose the correct option: region is Armenian.
A. 1 and 3 only Which of the given statement/s is/are INCORRECT?
B. 1 only A. 1 and 3 only
C. 3 only B. 2 only
D. 1, 2 and 3 C. 1 and 2 only

57. Sri Lanka has handed a 99-year lease to China for

which of these ports? 61. Consider the following statements:
A. Trincomalee Harbour 1. DNA sequencing is the process of determining the
B. Hambantota Port order of nucleotides in DNA.
C. Colombo Port 2. Human Genome is made up of 23 chromosome

pairs.
D. Port of Point Pedro
3. Genomics involves the sequencing and analysis
of genomes through the use of high throughput DNA
58. Brus/Reangs are recognised as Particularly Vulnerable sequencing.
Tribal Groups in which of these state/s? Which of the given statement/s is/are INCORRECT?
1. Manipur A. 2 only
2. Tripura B. 2 and 3 only
3. Mizoram C. 1 only
4. Nagaland D. None of the above
A. 2 only 62. Consider the following statements with respect to the
B. 1 and 3 only National Population Register (NPR):
C. 2 and 3 only 1. The NPR is a register of usual residents of the
country.
D. 1, 3 and 4 only
2. For the purpose of NPR, a person who has resided
in a local area for the past 7 years or more or a person
59. Consider the following statements with respect to the who intends to reside in that area for the next 7 years or
International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA): more is a usual resident.
1. It is an international organisation that seeks 3. The NPR database would contain demographic as
to promote the peaceful use of nuclear energy, well as biometric particulars.
headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland.
2. It has been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize twice.
A. 1 and 3 only
3. It reports to both the United Nations General
B. 1 and 2 only
Assembly and the Security Council.
C. 2 only
4. Program of Action for Cancer Therapy is one of its
key programmes. D. 2 and 3 only

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100
63. Global Prevention Coalition (GPC) for HIV Prevention 67. Consider the following statements with respect to
is under the aegis of: Vellayani-Punchakkari wetlands:
A. United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) 1. Vellayani-Punchakkari wetlands is located in Tamil
Nadu.
B. World Health Organisation (WHO)
2. It is included in the list of Ramsar wetlands of
C. International Health Organisation (IHO) international importance.
D. International HIV/AIDS Alliance (IHAA) Which of the given statement/s is/are INCORRECT?
A. 1 only
64. Consider the following statements: B. 2 only
1. Sex ratio is the number of men per thousand C. Both 1 and 2
women in a given population.
D. Neither 1 nor 2
2. Child sex ratio takes into account children in the
age group of 0-6 years.
Which of the given statement/s is/are correct? 68. Consider the following statements with respect to
Global Depository Receipt (GDR):
A. 1 only
1. It is a depository receipt which is issued by the
B. 2 only international depository bank, representing the foreign
C. Both 1 and 2 company’s stock.
D. Neither 1 nor 2 2. GDR is denominated in any foreign currency but
the underlying shares would be denominated in the
local currency of the issuer.
65. Consider the following statements with respect to the
3. GDRs enable a company to access investors in
Office of Profit:
capital markets outside of its home country.
1. The Constitution of India states that an MP or MLA
is not allowed to hold any office of profit.
A. 1 only
2. The office of profit comprises any place or position
that carries or offers some remuneration, financial B. 1 and 2 only
advantage, benefit, etc. C. 2 and 3 only
3. The office of profit concept has been adopted from D. 1, 2 and 3
the British parliamentary model.
A. 1 only Doklam:
B. 3 only 1. Doklam trijunction is the point where the borders
C. 1, 2 and 3 of Arunachal Pradesh in India, Bhutan and China meet.
D. None of the above 2. It is surrounded by China’s Chumbi Valley to the
north, Bhutan’s Ha Valley to the east and India’s Nathang
Valley to the west.
“Five Eyes”: 3. India claims it is at Batang La, China claims it at
Gymo chen.
1. It is an anglophone intelligence alliance.
2. It comprises Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the
A. 1 only
United Kingdom and the United States.
B. 1 and 2 only
3. The “Five Eyes” are parties to the multilateral UKUSA
Agreement. C. 3 only
Which of the given statement/s is/are correct? D. None of the above
A. 1 and 3 only
B. 2 and 3 only 70. Consider the following statements with respect to the
Arria Formula meeting:
C. 1, 2 and 3
1. It is an informal meeting of members of the United
D. 2 only
Nations Security Council.
2. It requires the presence of all 15 members of the
council.

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101
3. Arria formula meetings are presided over by a 2. It is caused by a protozoan Leishmania parasite and
member of the UNSC. is transmitted to humans by the bite of infected female
Which of the given statement/s is/are INCORRECT? sandflies.
A. 1 only 3. India accounts for about two-thirds of the total

global cases.
B. 2 and 3 only
Options:
C. 2 only
A. 1 only
B. 1 and 2 only
C. 1, 2 and 3
Inner Line Permit (ILP): D. 2 only
1. It is a document that allows an Indian citizen to visit

or stay in Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram and Nagaland. 75. Which of the following statement/s is/ are correct?
2. Its origin dates back to the Bengal Eastern Frontier 1. India is the world’s largest oil refiner and a net
Regulations, 1873. exporter of refined products.
Which of the given statement/s is/are correct? 2. Gas based fuels account for about 25% of the
A. 1 only energy consumed in India.
B. 2 only Options:
C. Both 1 and 2 A. 1 only

D. Neither 1 nor 2 B. 2 only
C. Both 1 and 2
72. Unnat Bharat Abhiyaan is an initiative of which of the D. Neither 1 nor 2

following ministries?
A. Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment 76. Which of the following statement/s is/are correct with
B. Ministry of Human Resource and Development respect to tropical cyclones?
C. Ministry of External Affairs 1. Tropical cyclones, form when water gets 37 °C or

hotter.
D. Ministry of Tourism
2. The tropical cyclones do not form very close to the
equator due to the absence of coriolis force near the
73. Which of the following are potential advantages of equator.
the ‘Pusa decomposer’ usage as against the other Options:
strategies for stubble management?
A. 1 only
1. Step towards organic farming practices
B. 2 only
2. Makes use of naturally occurring processes
C. Both 1 and 2
3. Helps increase soil carbon content
D. Neither 1 nor 2
4. Helps improve soil’s water retention potential
5. Improves soil fertility
77. “SITMEX” is a maritime exercise between the navies of
6. Cheaper method which of the following countries?
7. Easily scalable model 1. India
Options: 2. Singapore
A. 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 only 3. Thailand
B. 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 only 4. Malaysia
C. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 5. Maldives
D. 3, 4 and 5 only Choose the correct option:
A. 1 and 2 only
74. Which of the following statement/s is/are correct with B. 1, 2 and 3 only
respect to Kala Azar?
C. 1, 3 and 4 only
1. Kala-azar also known as visceral leishmaniasis (VL)
is a tropical disease. D. 1, 3 and 5 only

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102
78. Consider the following pairs: Choose the correct option:

1. INS Kamorta – Anti-Submarine Warfare stealth A. 4-3-2-1
corvette B. 2-4-3-1
2. INS Karmuk – Missile corvette C. 1-3-2-4
3. INS Kalvari – Scorpene-class submarine D. 3-1-2-4
Which of these is/are correctly matched?
A. 1 only 82. Which of the following describes the aim of the
B. 1 and 2 only KUSUM scheme introduced by the Government of
India?
C. 2 and 3 only
A. Providing irrigation facilities to every village in the
D. 1, 2 and 3
country
B. Promoting decentralized solar power production
79. Consider the following statements regarding the
C. Ensuring that the farmers growing oilseeds, pulses
United Nations Framework Convention on Climate
and copra get the minimum support prices
Change (UNFCCC):
D. Providing outcome-based skill training to
1. It sets a framework for limiting the emissions of
unemployed youth in rural areas
greenhouse gases by individual countries.
2. It is legally binding.
83. Which of the following pairs is/are correctly matched?
3. Nagoya Protocol is an international agreement
linked to the United Nations Framework Convention on Islands Country
Climate Change. 1. Assumption Island Seychelles
4. Paris Agreement is an agreement within the United 2. Agalega Islands Maldives
Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.
3. Gaadhoo Island Mauritius
A. 1, 2 and 4 only
A. 1 only
B. 2, 3 and 4 only
B. 1 and 3 only
C. 1 and 4 only
C. 2 only
D. 1, 3 and 4 only
D. 1, 2 and 3

River Brahmaputra: 84. Consider the following statements with respect to
Chang'e 5:
1. It originates in Tibet and is known as the Yarlung
Tsangpo there. 1. It is a Navigation Satellite of China to support its
global navigation and positioning network.
2. The river flows eastwards through southern Tibet
and makes a U-turn at the Shuomatan Point before it 2. It is being developed as an alternative to the Global
enters Arunachal Pradesh. Positioning System of the United States.
3. The river also flows through Bangladesh. Which of the given statement/s is/are correct?
Which of the given statement/s is/are correct? A. 1 only
A. 1 and 3 only B. 2 only
B. 1 and 2 only C. Both 1 and 2
C. 1 only D. Neither 1 nor 2
D. 1, 2 and 3
tropical cyclones:
81. Arrange the following capitals from North to South:
1. More cyclones are formed in the Bay of Bengal than
1. Astana the Arabian Sea.
2. Tashkent 2. Cyclones gain their energy from the heat and
3. Bishkek moisture generated from warm ocean surfaces.
4. Dushanbe 3. From the centre of a cyclonic storm, pressure

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103
increases outwards. 4. SLINEX: India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh

Which of the given statement/s is/are correct? Which of the pairs is/are correctly matched?
A. 1 only A. 1 and 3 only
B. 2 and 3 only B. 1, 2 and 3 only
C. 1, 2 and 3 C. 3 only
D. 1 and 2 only D. 2, 3 and 4 only
86. Consider the following statements with respect to 90. Which of the following statements best describes the
POSHAN Abhiyaan: UMANG App?
1. The scheme aims at improving the nutritional A. It provides an account in cloud to every Aadhaar
outcomes of adolescents, children, pregnant women holder to access authentic documents/certificates
and lactating mothers. in digital format from the original issuers of these
certificates.
2. The programme has specific targets for reducing
stunting, anaemia, under-nutrition and low birth B. It provides a single platform for all Indian citizens
weight. to access pan India e-government services ranging
from Central to local bodies and other citizen-centric
3. The chairman of NITI Aayog is the chairperson
services.
of the National Council on Nutrition set up under the
mission. C. It is an innovative web and mobile-phone-based
application to improve service delivery and programme
management of Integrated Child Development
A. 1 and 2 only Services.
B. 3 only D. It is an application designed to help women and
C. 1 and 3 only children travelling in taxis and autorickshaws to raise an
alarm in case of any emergency.

87. Consider the following statements: Jallikattu:
1. National Stock Exchange is Asia’s first stock 1. Jallikattu is a traditional bull-taming sport organised
exchange. in Tamil Nadu during Pongal.
2. Sensex is India’s benchmark stock index that 2. It is also known as Eruthazhuvuthal or Manju
represents 30 of the largest and most well-capitalized virattu.
stocks on the National Stock Exchange.
3. Silappatikaram has mentions of Jallikattu.
A. 1 only
A. 1 and 2 only
B. 2 only
B. 2 and 3 only
C. Both 1 and 2
C. 1, 2 and 3
D. Neither 1 nor 2
D. 1 only
88. “Lachit Borphukan” is associated with which of the

following? 92. North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) is
a free trade agreement between which of these
A. Battle of Saraighat countries?
B. Gorkha War 1. United States of America
C. First Anglo-Burmese War 2. Mexico
D. Moplah Rebellion 3. Cuba
4. Canada
89. Consider the following pairs: Choose the correct option:
1. SITMEX: India, Thailand, Singapore A. 1, 2 and 4 only
2. AUSINDEX: Australia, India, Japan B. 1, 2, 3 and 4
3. Malabar: India, USA, Japan C. 1, 3 and 4 only
D. 2, 3 and 4 only

NOVEMBER - 2020
104
93. Which of the following is the nodal agency to C. Indian Astronomical Observatory, Ladakh
implement price stabilization Measures under D. North Rhine-Westphalia region of Germany
Operation Greens:
A. Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices
(CACP) 98. Consider the following statements:
B. National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing 1. Gross Value Added (GVA) provides for the value
Federation of India Limited (NAFED) of the amount of goods and services that have been
produced in a country, minus the cost of all inputs
C. Farmer Producer Organisation (FPO) and raw materials that are directly attributable to that
D. Department of Agriculture, Cooperation and production.
Farmers’ Welfare 2. Gross domestic product (GDP) is the monetary
measure of the market value of all the final goods and
services produced in a specific time period in a country.
3. Gross national product (GNP) is the value of all
1. India is among the world’s top five honey producers.
goods and services made by a country’s residents and
2. Nosema disease is a fungal disease that affects businesses, regardless of production location.
honey bees.
3. A Beekeeping Development Committee was set up
A. 1 only
under the Chairmanship of Bibek Debroy for identifying
ways of advancing beekeeping in India. B. 3 only
Which of the given statement/s is/are correct? C. 2 and 3 only
A. 1 only D. None of the above
B. 1 and 2 only
C. 1, 2 and 3 99. Consider the following statements with respect to
Noctiluca scintillans:
D. 3 only
1. They accumulate toxic levels of ammonia, which is
then excreted into the surrounding waters.
2. They produce a toxin that acts as a killing agent in
1. The treaty of Sugauli was signed between the algal blooms.
British East India Company and the Gurkha rulers of
3. They are commonly known as “sea sparkle”.
Kathmandu.
2. It was signed at the end of the Anglo-Nepal War.
A. 2 only
3. Under the treaty, one-third of the Nepalese territory
was lost to the British. B. 1 and 3 only
Which of the given statement/s is/are correct? C. 1, 2 and 3 only
A. 1 only D. 1 and 2 only
B. 1 and 2 only
C. 2 and 3 only 100. Consider the following statements with respect
to exceptions under the Anti-defection Law:
D. 1, 2 and 3
1. The law allows a nominated member to join a party
within six months after he becomes a member of the
96. “Pichvai Paintings” is a traditional art form that has its legislature.
origin in which of these states?
2. The law allows a party to merge with or into another
A. Odisha party provided that at least one-third of its legislators
B. Maharashtra are in favour of the merger.
C. Bihar 3. The law allows an independent candidate to join a

political party within six months after the election.
D. Rajasthan
A. 1 and 2 only
97. Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope (GMRT) is located
in: B. 1 only
A. Devasthal, Nainital, Uttarakhand C. 2 and 3 only
B. Narayangaon, near Pune, Maharashtra D. 1, 2 and 3

NOVEMBER - 2020
105
101. Which among the following is not a member of 2. River Lohit

the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO)?
3. River Subansiri
A. Uzbekistan
4. River Dibang
B. Turkmenistan
5. River Kameng
C. Tajikistan
D. Kyrgyzstan
A. 1, 2 and 4 only
B. 2, 3 and 4 only
102. Consider the following statements with respect
to Central Bureau of Investigation. C. 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5
1. CBI is a statutory body D. 3, 4 and 5 only
2. CBI Director shall be appointed by the Central

Government on the recommendations of a selection 106. Which of the following rightly describes Mission
committee headed by the Home minister SAMPARK?
Which of the following statements are correct? A. The mission is aimed at tracing patients with HIV/
A. 1 only. AIDS, who are left to follow up and are to be brought
under Antiretroviral therapy (ART) services.
B. 2 only.
B. The mission is aimed at formulating developmental
C. Both 1 and 2. policies for accelerating growth of the
D. Neither 1 nor 2. telecommunication services.
C. The mission launched in the backdrop of the
COVID-19 pandemic to have a safe arrangement to
103. Which of the following places are correctly fly passengers between two countries.
matched:
D. The mission is aimed at assisting the needy
1. Neom : Qatar disabled persons in procuring standard aids and
2. Natanz : Iran appliances that can promote their physical, social
and psychological rehabilitation.
3. Mosul : Iraq
4. Absard : Saudi Arabia.
107. Consider the following statements with respect
Options:
to the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC):
A. 1 and 2.
1. It is the second-largest inter-governmental
B. 2 and 3. organization after the United Nations.
C. 3 and 4. 2. Its Permanent Secretariat is in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
D. 1 and 4. 3. The OIC has permanent delegations to the
European Union.
104. Arrange the following hills of Eastern Ghats Which of the given statement/s is/are INCORRECT?
from north to south. A. 1 only
1. Shevroy hills. B. 1 and 3 only
2. Nagari hills. C. 2 and 3 only
3. Nallamalla hills. D. None of the above
4. Palani hills.
Options: 108. Kibber Wildlife Sanctuary is located in:
A. 2-3-1-4 A. Uttarakhand
B. 3-2-1-4 B. Himachal Pradesh
C. 3-2-4-1 C. Punjab
D. 2-4-1-3 D. Uttar Pradesh
105. Which of the following are left-bank tributaries

of River Brahmaputra?
1. River Dhansiri

NOVEMBER - 2020
106
ANSWER KEYS
1 B 21 A
2 A 22 C
3 D 23 B
4 D 24 C
5 A 25 C
6 C 26 C
7 B 27 D
8 B 28 C
9 B 29 B
10 A 30 A
11 D 31 B
12 B 32 D
13 C 33 D
14 C 34 C
15 D 35 C
16 A 36 C
17 C 37 A
18 A 38 D
19 B 39 A
20 C 40 C
CLICK HERE TO READ EXPLANATION

NOVEMBER - 2020
107
41 A 61 D
42 D 62 C
43 A 63 A
44 C 64 B
45 D 65 D
46 C 66 C
47 A 67 C
48 C 68 D
49 A 69 A
50 C 70 C
51 B 71 C
52 D 72 B
53 A 73 C
54 A 74 C
55 A 75 D
56 D 76 B
57 B 77 B
58 A 78 D
59 C 79 C
60 B 80 D

NOVEMBER - 2020
108
81 C 101 B
82 B 102 D
83 A 103 B
84 D 104 B
85 C 105 A
86 B 106 A
87 D 107 D
88 A 108 B
89 A
90 B
91 C
92 A
93 B
94 C
95 D
96 D
97 B
98 D
99 B
100 B

NOVEMBER - 2020
109
MAINS PRACTICE QUESTIONS
GS Paper 1
Social Issues
1. The recent alimony guidelines by the Supreme Court offer a glimmer of hope to poor women who are often overlooked in
discourses. In the light of growing percentage of matrimonial litigation in India, discuss the significance of the judgement. (15
Marks, 250 Words)
2. Anti-conversion laws barring inter-faith marriages will lead to the path of social regression. Discuss. (10 Marks, 150 Words)
Geography
1. Explain the phenomenon of ‘recurving of cyclones’ with recent examples and also highlight the factors aiding such events.
(10 Marks, 150 Words)
GS Paper 2
1. Analyze the challenges/concerns that India could face from its perceived closer alignment with the U.S. (15 marks, 250 words)
2. How will the electoral outcome in the United States of America affect India-US relations? Analyse. (15 Marks, 250 Words)
3. International Relations are always transactional and it does not matter which party/individual is in power unless and until
there are mutual interests involved. Comment in the context of the change in U.S. president ship and its impact on the India-U.S.
relationship. (15 marks, 250 words)
4. The armed clashes in Ethiopia’s Tigray could spiral and impact the Horn of Africa region at large. Comment. (10 Marks, 150
Words)
5. In the backdrop of general elections being held in Myanmar, discuss the geopolitical dimension of Myanmar’s democratization.
What are the challenges facing the country? (15 Marks, 250 Words)
6. What is the new peace deal between Armenia and Azerbaijan? What are the stakes for Russia? (15 Marks, 250 Words)
7. What are Sri Lanka’s prospects with the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) in India’s absence? Examine.
(10 Marks, 150 Words)
8. Have the circumstances under which India had distanced itself from the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership
(RCEP) negotiations become any better for it to join the agreement in the near future? Critically comment. (15 Marks, 250 Words)
9. Evaluate India’s decision to not be part of the RCEP grouping. Also in the light of several measures proposed by the RCEP
to leave a window of opportunity for India to return to the group, discuss the significance of India to the RCEP grouping and its
member nations. (15 marks, 250 words)
10. Discuss the concerns of India and other lower riparian countries with China’s dam construction on the River Brahmaputra.
What are the alternative solutions in the interest of all the stakeholders? (15 Marks, 250 Words)
11. Discuss the security challenges and the problems faced by India in resisting infiltration or bringing it to a minimum level
along the international borders. What are the steps taken by the government in this regard? (10 Marks, 150 Words)
12. Explain the role and significance of West Asia to India’s economic and security goals. (10 Marks, 150 Words)

NOVEMBER - 2020
110
Nutrition
1. Analyze the negative impact the school closures due to the pandemic have had on the nutrition status of children and suggest
requisite short- and long-term measures to ensure nutritional security for the children. (10 marks, 150 words)
Education
1. The low score of India in the international Academic Freedom Index (AFI) is a reflection of the critical issues plaguing the
country’s education system, particularly the higher education sector. Analyze. (10 marks, 150 words)
Polity & Governance
1. Given that the weakening of States serves neither federalism nor national interest, there is the need to guard against any
such policies that weaken the state’s status or capabilities. Comment with respect to the issue of fiscal federalism in India. (10
marks, 150 words)
2. The central government’s move to bring ‘Over the Top’ (OTT) platforms or video streaming service providers and digital news
under the ambit of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting for their regulation is a much-needed step. Comment. (10 marks,
150 words)
3. Discuss the significance of the ‘Right to work’ principle in the Indian scenario and analyze the challenges in implementing
such a scheme. (15 marks, 250 words)
4. Undermining the trade unions poses a grave challenge for the working class in their ability to defend their rights. Examine
the statement in light of the newly introduced Labour Codes. (15 Marks, 250 Words)
5. With journalists facing various kinds of harassment and false cases across the country, there is an urgent need to enact
comprehensive legislations that protect media persons. Discuss. (15 Marks, 250 Words)
6. Judicial recusals have the potential to turn into a tool to manoeuvre justice. Critically comment. (15 Marks, 250 Words)
7. What do you understand by “Office of Profit”? Discuss the purpose of including the ‘Office of Profit’ as a criterion for
disqualification of legislators. (10 Marks, 150 Words)
8. Discuss the components and significance of the National Digital Health Mission. How would it address the current
requirements and gaps in the health system in the country? (15 Marks, 250 Words)
9. The Kerala Government’s law on social media posts violates the principles of free speech and individual liberty. Critically
analyze. (10 Marks, 150 Words)
10. Explain with relevant case laws the views of courts in India with reference to inter-caste and interfaith marriages. (10 Marks,
150 Words)
Health
1. Discuss the major challenges in the Indian health sector and analyze how the National Health Policy of 2017 aims to address
these challenges. (10 marks, 150 words)
2. The ‘One Health’ approach is the optimum approach to counter the impact of antimicrobial resistance. Discuss. (15 Marks, 250
Words)
3. India must utilise its large workforce of non-MBBS doctors to improve access to decent health care. Elucidate (10 Marks, 150
Words)

NOVEMBER - 2020
111
Social Justice
1. Providing affordable housing is an opportunity to make Indian cities more liveable for all residents, and can be a game-
changer in the urban sector. Explain. (10 Marks, 150 Words)
2. COVID-19 has exacerbated the existing issues of food insecurity and malnutrition across the world. In light of this statement,
examine the current scenario in India in comparison with other South Asian countries and suggest measures to check the growing
problem of malnutrition in India. (15 Marks 250 Words)
GS Paper 3
Economy
1. Discuss the salient provisions with respect to platform workers in the Code on Social Security Bill, 2020. Discuss the significance
of these provisions and also the lacunae in the code. Suggest appropriate measures to truly empower the platform workers. (15
marks, 250 words)
2. What is meant by inflation targeting? Discuss the significance of inflation targeting and also enumerate the inflation targeting
framework in India. (10 marks, 150 words)
3. The growing economic inequality poses serious challenges for India. Comment. Also evaluate the efficacy of the economic
policies being propounded to counter this challenge. (15 marks, 250 words)
4. Despite the recent signs of a rise in economic activity, the underlying economic conditions cast serious doubts on whether
this rise in economic activity is indicative of a sustainable recovery or not. Analyze. (15 marks, 250 words)
5. What is meant by dumping in the context of international trade? Discuss how it adversely affects the destination nation and
enumerate recent governmental measures to counter this challenge. (10 marks, 150 words)
6. The central government’s new production-linked incentive (PLI) scheme is envisioned to play a critical role in the economic
recovery process in the post-pandemic scenario. Comment. (15 marks, 250 words)
7. Providing adequate and quality employment to all is a sine qua non for sustainable economic growth and economic
development. Comment. (10 marks, 150 words)
8. With the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership likely to impact investment flows into India, the country faces
challenges in maintaining its viability against highly competitive countries in the post-pandemic world. Critically examine. (GS 3
Economy)
9. Will the Atmanirbhar Package and various incentives approved by the Government help in reviving the economy? Critically
examine. (15 Marks, 250 Words)
10. In the light of the IEA projections that India’s per capita energy needs will almost double by 2050, discuss what measures
should be taken by India to ensure secure, affordable and sustainable energy to all its citizens. (15 marks, 250 words)
11. Is the time ripe for granting bank licenses to corporate houses in India? Substantiate your answer. (15 Marks, 250 Words)
12. With India on the verge of an unprecedented economic catastrophe, it is time for India to let its guard down and consider
Free Trade Agreements. Critically comment. (15 Marks, 250 Words)
13. With the recently introduced labour reforms set to change industrial relations, trade unions must include effective social
dialogue to get their grievances redressed. Elucidate. What are the other options available to the trade unions to confront the
recent reforms? (15 Marks, 250 Words)
14. Ban on Chinese mobile applications is not only a geopolitical move but also a strategic trade manoeuvre that can have a
significant positive economic impact for India. Critically analyse. (15 Marks, 250 Words)
15. The recent farm acts aim to increase the availability of buyers for farmers’ produce thereby ensuring the goal of doubling
farmers’ income. Critically discuss various apprehensions in its effective implementation along with concerns it has generated in
various federal units. (15 Marks, 250 Words)

NOVEMBER - 2020
112
16. The pandemic has led the Indian economy into a recession. Discuss the measures needed to be taken by the Government to
revive private consumption in order to improve overall demand in the economy. (10 Marks, 150 Words)
Environment & Ecology
1. Climate action would not only help address the challenges posed by climate change but will also help capitalize on the long-
term economic and environmental benefits of a low-carbon world. Comment. (10 marks, 150 words)
2. What is meant by Carbon Neutrality? Discuss the significance of the carbon neutrality principle. Also analyze the viability of
such a principle for a developing country like India. (15 marks, 250 words)
3. Discuss measures to improve the outcomes of the National Clean Air Programme. What are the challenges involved in the
implementation? (15 Marks, 250 Words)
Internal Security
1. Apart from the security challenges in countering terrorism, the larger challenge is how to address the issue of radicalization
among youth and counter attempts to disrupt the social cohesion. Comment. (10 marks, 150 words)
Science & Technology
1. As the COVID-19 vaccine development efforts are progressing the focus would be shifting towards achieving the effective
delivery of COVID vaccines to all. Analyze the challenges in this regard. (10 marks, 150 words)
2. What is the mRNA technology-based vaccine development strategy? Discuss the significance of this novel vaccine
development strategy. (10 marks, 150 words)

NOVEMBER - 2020
113
INTERVIEW TRANSCRIPT
Candidate Details:
• Name: Varsha Meena
• AIR: 580 (CSE 2017)
• Chairperson: Manoj Soni
• Duration: 35 minutes
• Hometown: Dholpur, Rajasthan
About Varsha Meena

• Optional Subject: Geography
• Work Experience: No work experience
• Education: B.Tech in Electrical engineering, IIT Roorkee
• Hobbies:
* Playing volleyball, origami, clay art
* Gold medalist in Inter-IIT sports meet
* Captain of IIT Roorkee girls’ Volleyball team
Interview
Questions based on DAF and follow-up questions

• So you are from Dholpur, how does it feel like to come to Dholpur House?
• An important historical incident of Dholpur
• Why do you think an IAS officer is more important than an electrical engineer?
• Why do you think you are suitable for IAS?
Agriculture
• How far was the Green Revolution successful?
• What were the key elements of the Green Revolution?
• What are the problems our agriculture sector is facing?
• What is a greenhouse?
• Has the share of agriculture in GDP increased or decreased?
Science and Technology

• What are your views on artificial intelligence?
• Give an example where complete automation has happened in India?

NOVEMBER - 2020
114
Economy
• About the evolution of the telecommunication sector in India.
• Recently there was a player of the telecom industry in news? (Reliance Jio)
• So, has TRAI raised any objection regarding the schemes of Jio?
• What are the issues in the power sector in India?
• What are the issues with the manufacturing sector in India?
• What are smart cities?
• How are smart villages important for the success of smart cities?
• What are a few things that India should learn from China?
• Poverty, poor education and corruption are three main problems India is facing - so what will be your priority while
tackling these issues?
Security
• How far has the Indian government been successful in curbing insurgency in India?
• About Punjab insurgency.

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NOVEMBER-2020

Rank 3 Rank 6 Rank 8 Rank 10

CSE 2018 CSE 2017

Rank 11 Rank 16 Rank 21 Rank 3 Rank 6 Rank 8

Rank 24 Rank 31 Rank 9 Rank 10

CSE 2016 CSE 2015

Rank 2 Rank 5 Rank 12 Rank 20 Rank 24 Rank 25

Rank 30 Rank 32 Rank 27 Rank 47

Rank 4 Rank 5 Rank 16 Rank 23 Rank 28 Rank 39

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9. SOCIAL ISSUES 14. MISCELLANEOUS

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15. PRACTICE QUESTIONS 92

16. ANSWER KEYS 106

17. MAINS PRACTICE QUESTIONS 109

18. INTERVIEW TRANSCRIPT 113

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Click Here Click Here

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Details: • In case the search requires a surprise element,

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lawfulness of religious conversion to the persons Supreme Court on Conversions

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• Even if the person is eventually acquitted of Details:

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Concerns: Way forward:

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• The conference’s agenda included trends Indian Economy

About RE-Invest 2020: • Australia conducted its first full-scale national

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* As informal work is frequently intermittent * India is investing in massive infrastructure

* The selected sectors include food * I n the case of dumping a country or

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• It was suggested that an urban employment Concerns:

»» Mains: Inflation targeting, inflation-growth Unjustified arguments:

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Conclusion: • Between 2014-15 and 2019-20, cesses and

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Conclusion: 3. Consequences of income inequality:

* A Gini figure below 0.40 is generally • Improvement of ‘productivity’ is considered a key

Strategies for increasing productivity: Way forward:

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Effects of liberalization on the economy • These newly industrialised economies scaled up

Indian Constitution • The Indian Constitution does not explicitly

Judicial interpretation: Inequitable growth:

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in the headlines due to their bad loans fiasco, What is a moratorium?

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International Relations * Canada always stood for peaceful protests

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International Relations • If the violence and conflict spill outside Ethiopia’s

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• Talking about climate change, the Prime Minister * Currents

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• Commenced in 2019, the first exercise was Context: