ILearnCANA - January Vol 1

Dear Aspirants
Team iLearn IAS is proud to present our weekly current affairs magazine.
Keeping in tune with the dynamic demands of the civil service examination, we
bring to aspirants on-going topics that are of relevance, particularly for the
mains exam.
The objective of this magazine is to make the aspirants exam ready in an

exhaustive list of topics. To this end, we provide detailed background notes on
the topics followed by an in-depth analysis of the issues, covering aspects such
as institutional mechanisms, policies, policy gaps, areas of focus, reforms
needed, suggestions and way forward.
We have also included all relevant Prelims topics from the past week.
In order to help the aspirants in monitoring their preparation, we have

included probable question that can be expected for the mains and Prelims
examination. You may also visit our integrated current affairs platform
www.ilearncana.com for your current affairs preparation.
We wish you all the very best and welcome you on board in our endeavors.
Happy Learning!
Team iLearn
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. COMPREHENSIVE PUBLIC HEALTH LAW ......................................................................... 4
1.1 IN NEWS: .......................................................................................................................... 4
1.2 SYLLABUS: ........................................................................................................................ 4
1.3 PRACTICE QUESTION:....................................................................................................... 4
1.4 ANALYSIS: ......................................................................................................................... 4
1.5. iTips: ................................................................................................................................ 7
2. CHALLENGES OF PUBLIC HEALTH SYSTEM IN INDIA ........................................................ 8
2.1 IN NEWS: .......................................................................................................................... 8
2.2 SYLLABUS: ........................................................................................................................ 8
2.3 PRACTICE QUESTION:....................................................................................................... 8
2.4 ANALYSIS: ......................................................................................................................... 8
2.5. iTips: .............................................................................................................................. 12
3. WATER CRISIS IN INDIA ............................................................................................... 13
3.1 IN NEWS: ........................................................................................................................ 13
3.2 SYLLABUS: ...................................................................................................................... 13
3.3 PRACTICE QUESTION:..................................................................................................... 13
3.4 ANALYSIS: ....................................................................................................................... 13
3.5. iTips: .............................................................................................................................. 16
4. AI DEVELOPMENTS IN INDIA ....................................................................................... 17
4.1 IN NEWS: ........................................................................................................................ 17
4.2 SYLLABUS: ...................................................................................................................... 17
4.4 ANALYSIS: ....................................................................................................................... 17
4.5. iTips: .............................................................................................................................. 23
5. DEDICATED FREIGHT CORRIDORS ............................................................................... 24
5.1 IN NEWS: ........................................................................................................................ 24
5.2 SYLLABUS: ...................................................................................................................... 24
5.4 ANALYSIS: ....................................................................................................................... 24
5.5. iTips: .............................................................................................................................. 27
WEEKLY PRELIMS COMPILATION..................................................................................... 28
• Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay Shramev Jayate Karyakram ....................................... 29
• National Common Mobility Card (NCMC) .............................................................. 29
• Adopt a Heritage Project ...................................................................................... 30
• Pneumococcal disease ......................................................................................... 31
• Star Tortoise ........................................................................................................ 32
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• Kolar leaf-nosed bat ............................................................................................. 33
• Digital Ocean ....................................................................................................... 34
• Lutyens' Delhi ...................................................................................................... 35
• Sea of Galilee ....................................................................................................... 36
• Paraguay ............................................................................................................. 37
• Savithri Bhai Phule ............................................................................................... 38
• Global Housing Technology Challenge - India (GHTC- India).................................... 39
• Double Jeopardy .................................................................................................. 40
• Voter Verified Paper Audit Trail ............................................................................ 41
• Aadhaar Authentication ....................................................................................... 42
• Statement on Climate of India 2020 ...................................................................... 44
• UJALA and SLNP Programs .................................................................................... 45
• Woolly Rhinoceros ............................................................................................... 46
• Digital Payment index .......................................................................................... 47
• Avian influenza .................................................................................................... 48
• Trans fatty acids................................................................................................... 49
• Chilika Lake.......................................................................................................... 50
• Food and Agriculture Organization ....................................................................... 50
• Safeguard Duties.................................................................................................. 52
• Payments Infrastructure Development Fund (PIDF) ............................................... 53
• FAO Food Price Index ........................................................................................... 54
• New Industrial Development Scheme for Jammu & Kashmir .................................. 55
• Ozone hole .......................................................................................................... 56
• Caracal ................................................................................................................ 58
• Dzuko Valley ........................................................................................................ 59
• National Internet Exchange of India (NIXI) ............................................................. 60
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1. COMPREHENSIVE PUBLIC HEALTH LAW
1.1 IN NEWS:
The Standing Committee on Home Affairs highlighted the need for a comprehensive
public health Act, in a report that was submitted to Rajya Sabha Chairman Venkaiah Naidu.
1.2 SYLLABUS:
GS 2: Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to
Health, Education.
1.3 PRACTICE QUESTION:
Q. In the light of the COVID-19 pandemic, discuss the need to have a Comprehensive Public
Health Law in India?
1.4 ANALYSIS:
WHY A PUBLIC HEALTH ACT IS NEEDED- The COVID lessons:
• Handle epidemics and pandemics: There is a vacuum due to absence of specific
legislation to tackle pandemic like covid19 in India. We were still depending on
British era legislation Epidemic diseases Act 1897 to tackle covid 19. Also, agencies
like NDMA lack specialised legislations and mandates to handle pandemics.
• To regulate private hospitals: COVID-19 has exposed the dangers of excessive
reliance on private tertiary care. In times of a pandemic, there were several reported
instances of beds reserved for COVID-19 patients in private hospitals being sold at
exorbitant rates.
• Overcome prolonged underinvestment: India’s public expenditure on health as a
percentage of GDP is a little over 1.4%, one of the lowest in the world. This has left
millions seeking help from a highly commercialised private sector with little
regulatory oversight.
• Better insurance facilities: Medical insurance was not extended to patients with
COVID-19 infection during initial days of pandemic. There is need to have regulatory
oversight on all hospitals working in the country to prevent refusal to accept
insurance claims.
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• To curb black marketing: For instance, Chloroquine tablets were hoarded by
pharmacies during initial days of pandemic and sold above the maximum retail price.
• Ensure uniform standards: To bring about product standardisation through legal
backing which will help curb spurious drugs.
• Foster better cooperation: a legal mandate can contribute to strengthening the
public health system at the grass-roots level. Thus it can eliminate lacunaes in
coordination between public sector, corporates and voluntary sector in extending
support to people during health disasters.
• Ensure child welfare: The committee expressed concern that with schools shut
down now for more than nine months, many children were deprived of mid-day
meal. Many States continued the scheme by delivering dry ration to students at their
homes or giving them allowances. But this was not uniform.
• Promote sustainable growth: India has committed itself to covenants such as the
Sustainable Development Goals, but continues to evade making the right to health a
full legal and justiciable right under the National Health Policy.
HEALTH RECOMMENDATIONS BY STANDING COMMITTEE ON HOME AFFAIRS

• A comprehensive Public Health Act, as a response to the extreme stresses caused by
COVID-19
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• An effective functional institutional mechanism is needed for co-ordination
between the Centre, states and Union Territories for quick response to such a crisis
in future.
• More fund should be allocated to public hospitals to strengthen the public health
infrastructure, so that they can equip themselves appropriately to handle such
pandemics in the future
• Government should be proactive by holding awareness campaigns on cheaper and
effective repurposed medicines to prevent people from panicking and spending a
huge amount of money on expensive drugs.
• Good quality and affordable medicines be provided to everyone, especially at a
cheaper or subsidised rate to the marginalised sections of the society especially at
the time of Pandemic like COVID-19
• A separate wing may be formed in the NDMA that will specialise in handling
/managing pandemics like COVID-19 in future. This wing may take a leading role in
building a partnership of government with the public sector, corporates, NGOs and
other stakeholders
• At the time of a pandemic, measures should be taken by the Government to avoid
social stigma and fear of isolation and quarantine, by making people aware and
treating them with respect and empathy,
• In light of the mental pressures the coronavirus pandemic caused on various sections
of people, the Committee recommended that health care centres across rural and
urban areas must have mental healthcare professionals.
• Ministry of Home Affairs, along with the Department of Food and Public Distribution,
shall take up the matter of distribution of mid day meals with the State governments
to ensure that the local administrations are delivering the rations/ allowances in
time and this should be continued until the schools reopen
COMPARISON WITH OTHER COUNTRIES:
• Australia:
o The Australian constitution provides its Government with legislative powers
to quarantine. An overarching law called the National Health Security Act
(‘NHS Act’) and Agreement is also in place to abide by the obligations toward
the IHR(International Health Regulations)
• The United States:
o the Health and Human Services (‘HHS’) Department has laid down specific
guidelines to assist states and prevent the spread of infectious diseases.
o The Robert T Stafford Act (‘RTS Act’) allowed unilateral invocation of
emergency by the President.
• The European Union:
o decision 1082/13 serves as the principal legal instrument for threats to
health, which endorses compliance with WHO’s IHR.
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o This decision of the EU requires signatory states to develop national plans for
pandemics such as rationing of resources, enforced isolation or quarantine,
and so on.
• China:
o the law on Prevention and Treatment of Infectious Diseases (‘PTID’)
categorizes infectious diseases into three classes based on their
infectiousness and likelihood to cause an epidemic.
o While China does have a legal framework to handle medical emergencies, the
implementation of the same often leads to grave human rights violations.
CONCLUSION:
• There is a need to bring in reform by formulating another comprehensive and ethical
overarching healthcare law once the pandemic is under control.
• This is the right time for the legislative body of India to introduce Public Health Bill-
2020 to empower the governments to handle such unforeseen situations like the
COVID-19 pandemic.
• This will dawn a new era of healthcare wherein every citizen of the country would be
able to avail the basic healthcare facilities with due deliberation.
1.5. iTips:
• For Prelims, questions on the various government schemes related to COVID revival
and public health can be expected.
• For Mains, the content can also be used in questions related to issues in public
health system of India.
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2. CHALLENGES OF PUBLIC HEALTH SYSTEM IN INDIA
2.1 IN NEWS:
The COVID pandemic has exposed the deep vulnerabilities of India’s healthcare
system. Much of this is blamed on India’s low expenditure on public health -1.29% of the
GDP
2.2 SYLLABUS:
GS 2: Issues Relating to Development and Management of Social Sector/Services relating to
Health, Education, Human Resources.
Q. Health-care spending by the government must be appropriate, based on evidence, and
transparent and accountable
2.4 ANALYSIS:
BACKGROUND:
• The WHO defines health as a state of complete physical, mental and social well-
being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.
• SDG Goal 3: Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages.
CONSTITUTIONAL PROVISIONS
• Directive Principles of State Policies:
• Article 39(e): Securing health of workers, men and women.
• Article 41: Public assistance basically for those who are sick and disable.
• Article 42: To protect the health of infant and mother by maternity benefit.
• Article 47: Raising of the level of nutrition and standard of living of its people
and improvement of public health
• Fundamental Rights:
• Article 21: Supreme Court of India in many cases interpreted the right to
health under Article 21. Examples: Bandhua Mukti Morcha v/s Union of India,
State of Punjab v/s Mohinder Singh Chawla etc.
CHALLENGES:
• Low level of public expenditure on health:
o India’s public expenditure on healthcare was 1.3% of its GDP in 2019-20
which was substantially lower that other BRICS countries (Brazil: 3.8%, China:
3.1%, Russia: 3.7%, South Africa: 4.2%)
• High out of pocket expenditure on health:
o Over 70% of ailing population in rural areas and almost 80% in urban areas
utilize private facilities.
• Lack of health infrastructure:
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o India faces an acute shortage of hospital beds with a ratio 0.5 per 1000
population for India as compared to 2.3 for China, 2.6 for Brazil and 3.2 for
the US.
• Human capital crunch:
o Healthcare sector requires highly skilled human resources from doctors to
other medical support staff like nurses, lab technicians, pharmacists, etc.
• Presence of quacks exacerbates the issue:
o WHO says that 57 per cent of the people who claim to hold an MBBS degree
in India actually have no medical qualification and 31 per cent have only been
educated up to Class X
• Shortage of staffs:
o India’s public system has a shortage of health workers
o For example we have 0.6 nurses per doctor while the World Health
Organization specification is three nurses per doctor.
• Regional disparities:
o Evident in differences between rural-urban gaps and inter-state gaps.
o According to a KPMG report, 74% of India’s doctors cater to a third of urban
population.
o As a consequence, India is 81% short of specialists at rural community health
centers.
• Rising cost of treatment:
o Per capita public expenditure on health in nominal terms has gone up from
Rs 621 in 2009-10 to Rs 1112 in 2015-16.
• Quality of health care services:
o The regulatory standards for public and private are not adequately defined
and ineffectively enforced.
o Low quality of training and skill building for medical staffs
• Poor track record in social determinants of health
o Unhealthy lifestyle, sedentary life, consumption of junk foods etc.
o Malnutrition still remains the most important risk factor (14.6 per cent) that
results in disease burden in the country, though dropping substantially since
1990.
o Anemia among women – 45% of Indian women are anemic
o Social divisions (casteism, patriarchy etc.) >> Low coverage of marginalised
sections
• Health insurance:
o Despite the increase in annual growth, more than 80% of the population still
does not have any significant health insurance coverage.
• Insufficient and inefficient role of public sector:
o About 70% of all outpatient care and 60% of inpatient treatments are
provided by private sector
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• Legislative hurdles:
o Health is under the state list, hence coordination issues and lack of uniformity
across the countries
o State governments also struggles with fiscal deficits >> low budget spending
on health
• Overlapping Jurisdiction:
o There is no single authority responsible for public health that is legally
empowered to issue guidelines and enforce compliance of the health
standards.
• Fragmented Health Information System:
o Data is incomplete and often it is duplicated.
SOLUTIONS:
• Adopt one health approach:
o One Health is "the collaborative efforts of multiple disciplines working locally,
nationally, and globally, to attain optimal health for people, animals and our
environment"
• Health financing and financial protection (ensuring affordability):
o Government should increase public expenditure on health from the current
1.2% of GDP to at least 3% of GDP by 2022.
o Expenditures on primary healthcare should account for at least 70 per cent of
all healthcare expenditure.
• Access to medicines, vaccines and technology:
o Price controls and price regulation, especially on essential drugs, should be
enforced.
o The Essential Drugs List should be revised and expanded, and rational use of
drugs ensured.
• Human Resources:
o More health professionals need to be deployed for primary care in rural
areas.
o Regional Faculty Development Centers should be selectively developed to
enhance the availability of adequately trained faculty and faculty-sharing
across institutions
• Governance and Institutional Reforms:
o All India and State Level Public Health Service Cadres and a specialized State
level Health Systems Management Cadre should be introduced in order to
give greater attention to Public Health.
• Community Participation and Citizen Engagement:
o Existing Village Health Committees should be transformed into participatory
Health Councils.
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o There is a need to build up institutions of citizens’ participation, in order to
strengthen accountability and complement what the regulatory architecture
seeks to do.
• Focus on primary health care:
o Primary health care should receive three times more allocation in the budget
and doctor and paramedic strength should be doubled merely on the basis of
population increase.
• Gender and Health:
o Improve access to health services for women, girls and other vulnerable
genders which goes beyond the maternal and child health.
• Access to services that are determinants of health:
o Ensure access to services that are determinants of health, such as safe
drinking water and sanitation, wholesome nutrition, basic education, safe
housing and hygienic environment are of utmost importance.
• Strengthening institutions:
o In order to promote preventive care, the Union government has announced
the conversion of primary health care centres into Health and Wellness
Centers (HWCs)
o These HWCs will act as the pillar of preventive care and ‘gateway’ for access
to secondary and tertiary health services.
o HWCs should be well-staffed and well-provisioned through a reasonable fee
which will cover at least part of the cost
• Use of ICT:
o Leverage the power of India’s innovation, technology and ICT capability- tele-
consultation
o National Digital Health Mission (NDHM) aims to bridge the existing gap
amongst different stakeholders of Healthcare ecosystem through digital
highways.
• Ensure robust Public- Private Partnership:
o Use PPPs judiciously and fit them to local circumstances, so they will
drastically change the healthcare landscape in India.
• Fiscal measures:
o Tax on fat:
▪ A fat tax is a tax or surcharge that is placed upon fattening food,
beverages or on overweight individuals.
▪ It aims to discourage unhealthy diets and offset the economic costs of
obesity.
o Tax reduction/exemption for low cost medical devices
o Tax holidays for domestic enterprises in drug/API manufacturing.
• Decentralisation:
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o There is a need to make nutrition, water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) part
of the core functions of Panchayati raj institutions and municipalities.
BEST/APPLICABLE MODELS
• The National Health Service of the United Kingdom
o Government-funded universal health care
• Arogyakeralam project of Kerala:
o Providing medical care and support to every citizen in need of palliative care
through community-based approach
o It is a holistic approach to medical care, focussing not only on health concerns
but also on the social, economic and psychological condition of a patient.
• Comprehensive Annual and Total Health Check-up for Healthy Sikkim (CATCH):
o It is a flagship programme launched by Sikkim to provide basic healthcare
services at the doorstep of the state’s rural population
2.5. iTips:
• For prelims, questions can be asked on National Digital Health Mission, National
Medical Commission etc.
• For mains, questions can be asked regarding issues of Indian public health care
system, steps taken to improve, measures required etc.
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3. WATER CRISIS IN INDIA
3.1 IN NEWS:
Speaking at the 5th India Water Impact Summit, Union Minister of Jal Shakti said
that the world needs to come together to meet the challenges of the water sector in the
same way as the world has united in fighting the COVID-19 pandemic.
3.2 SYLLABUS:
GS 3: Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation;
Q. Examine the role of water in ensuring inclusive growth in India?
3.4 ANALYSIS:
BASIC FACTS:
Distribution of Water Resources in The World:
A) Oceans: 1350 million BCM volume (97%)
B) Freshwater: 38 million BCM volume (3%), comprising of i) Surface water (E.g. River,
Lake, Backwaters, Ponds, Tanks), ii)Ground water, iii) Soil moisture, iv) Ice cap and
Glaciers and v) Water vapour in atmosphere
WATER RESOURCES IN INDIA:
• India has 4% of world’s water resources but supporting 16% of world’s population
WATER UTILIZATION IN INDIA:
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WATER STRESS AND WATER SCARCITY:
• Annual per-capita water availability of less than 1700 cubic meters is considered as
water stressed condition,
• Annual per-capita water availability below 1000 cubic meters is considered as a
water scarcity condition
FACTS/REPORTS/INDEXES DEPICTING WATER CRISIS IN INDIA:
1. Per capita water availability in India:
2. NITI Aayog Composite Water Management Index 2018 found that 600 million
people in India being under water stress, which is the worst water crisis in history.
3. UN Water Development Report 2019 found that 54% of groundwater declined in
just seven years.
4. According to the World Resources Institute, 54% of the total area in India is facing
water stress. India was ranked 13th among the 17 most water stressed countries of
the world.
REASONS FOR THE WATER CRISIS:

A) SOCIAL:
• Population expected to reach 1.6 billion in 2050 which increases water as well as
food grain requirement
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• Increasing urbanization led to increased water demand in cities
B) ECONOMIC:
• Increasing Per capita income led to increased consumption of sugar, fruits,
vegetables, milk, eggs etc which led to increased water demand.
• Irrigation intensive agriculture through canals, tanks and wells or tube wells
especially in agricultural regions like Punjab, West UP and Haryana
• Water intensive industrial growth
• Dependence on thermal power generation (86% according to CEA) which is highly
water intensive
• Inefficiency in water distribution and management e.g., open canals
• Infrastructural gaps in water conservation
C) ECOLOGICAL:
• Water Pollution from agriculture, industries and households leading to
eutrophication.
• Decline in groundwater table leads to increased concentration of arsenic and
fluoride.
• Saline water intrusion lowers the quality of freshwater sources
• Deforestation decreasing water holding capacity of soil
D) GEOGRAPHIC:
• Crystalline rocks decrease percolation and groundwater recharge
• Difference in rainfall distribution creates droughts in regions e.g. Rajasthan
• Drier regions becoming more drier due to climate change
E) POLITICAL:
• Interstate water disputes hampers efficient utilisation of water e.g. Cauvery dispute
• Comprehensive water framework law is absent in India
• Policy focus on surface irrigation led to neglect of Ground water exploitation
• Unrealistic pricing of water led to wastage of water
• Privatisation of tankers led to more ground water extraction
MEASURES TAKEN BY GOVERNMENT
• Jal Shakti Abhiyan- Water conservation and irrigation efficiency campaign
• World Water Day celebrated on March 22 to create awareness on water
conservation
• Water Scarce Cities Initiative by World Bank to which India is a party : Integrated
approach to manage water resources and service delivery
• Har Ghar Jal-Initiative to provide 100% piped water by 2030
• National Rural Drinking Water Program to provide 100% drinking water access in
rural habitations
• Water Conservation Fee by CGWA for domestic and industrial users , the revenue
being used to fund GW recharge projects
• Jal Mani Program to address water quality issues in rural areas
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• Swajal Yojana: To provide Sustained DW supply powered by Solar energy
• Atal Bhujan Yojana a 6000crore project aided by World Bank
• Nal Se Jal to provide piped water for every rural home
WAY FORWARD
• Afforestation: increase water holding capacity of soil
• Restore Flood Plains: increases groundwater recharge and decrease floods
• Wetland Restoration: reduce soil erosion and flooding, create Riparian buffer strip
near streams to protect them from impact of adjacent land use
• Improve Agricultural Practices:
o Micro Irrigation techniques like Drip or sprinkler irrigation using sensor based
technologies
o Organic farming reduces fertilizer and pesticide use
o Diversify crops with less water intensive ones
o Conservation tillage
o System of rice intensification technique to reduce water and labour intensity
o Participatory irrigation management
• Water Pollution Mitigation
o Increase Sewage treatment plants and recycle to industries
o Household wastes be used for kitchen gardening
o Strict law enforcement of Water Act 1974 and Environment Protection Act
1986
o Monitoring surface water with help of civil society organisations
• Implement National river water interlinking project
• Rationalize water pricing to disincentivize water wastage
• Formulation of comprehensive National water framework law
• Promote a decentralised approach, with a key focus on water conservation, source
sustainability, storage and reuse wherever possible
CASE STUDY:
CHINA’S SPONGE CITIES: A Sponge City is a city that has the capacity to mainstream urban
water management into the urban planning policies and designs. It should have the
appropriate planning and legal frameworks and tools in place to implement, maintain and
adapt the infrastructure systems to collect, store and treat (excess) rainwater.
3.5. iTips:
• For Prelims, For Prelims, questions on various government schemes and indices can
be expected.
• For Mains, the content can also be used in essays and other questions related to
water pollution, groundwater depletion & sustainable development.
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4. AI DEVELOPMENTS IN INDIA
4.1 IN NEWS:
The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has reinitiated
consultations with ministries and government departments on the use of AI, expressly for
the implementation of state-run services.
4.2 SYLLABUS:
GS 3: Science and Technology- Developments and their Applications and Effects in Everyday
Life.
GS 3: Awareness in the fields of IT, Space, Computers, Robotics, Nano-technology, Bio-
technology and issues relating to Intellectual Property Rights.
Q. How India can leverage the AI based technologies to ensure social and inclusive growth?
4.4 ANALYSIS:
WHAT IS ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE (AI):
• AI refers to the ability of machines to perform cognitive tasks like thinking,
perceiving, learning, problem solving and decision making.
• Initially conceived as a technology that could mimic human intelligence, AI has
evolved in ways that far exceed its original conception.
GLOBAL DEVELOPMENTS IN AI:

• Countries around the world are becoming increasingly aware of the potential
economic and social benefits of developing and applying AI.
• For example: China and U.K. estimate that 26% and 10% of their GDPs respectively
in 2030 will be sourced from AI-related activities and businesses.
• Most of the governments have established / utilised existing centralised umbrella
body for budgetary planning of AI interventions. For example
o U.K. has a dedicated department "Office of AI" to collaborate with multiple
departments, ministries and other stakeholders to deliver AI projects
o Strategic Council for AI technologies in Japan.
FACTORS AIDING AI:

• Unlimited access to computing power:
o The worldwide public cloud services market is projected to grow 21.4% in
2018 according to Gartner, Inc.
o The access is amplified by rapid increase in computational power.
• Huge fall in cost of storing data:
o Hard drive cost per gigabyte of data falling exponentially >> down from USD
500,000 a gigabyte in 1980 to 2 cents a gigabyte in 2017.
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POTENTIAL APPLICATION OF AI:
• Intelligent automation:
o It is the ability to automate complex physical world tasks that require
adaptability and agility across industries
• Labour and capital augmentation:
o Enabling humans to focus on parts of their role that add the most value,
complementing human capabilities and improving capital efficiency
• Innovation diffusion:
o Propelling innovations as it diffuses through the economy
SECTOR-WISE APPLICATION IN INDIAN CONTEXT:

• Healthcare:
o AI helps to address issues of high barriers to access to healthcare facilities,
particularly in rural areas that suffer from poor connectivity and limited
supply of healthcare professionals.
o AI driven diagnostics, personalized treatment, early identification of potential
pandemics, and imaging diagnostics
o Example: Sensely’s ‘Molly’, an AI-powered nurse used by UK’s NHS to interact
with patients
• Agriculture:
o AI holds the promise of driving a food revolution and meeting the increased
demand for food
o AI has the potential to address challenges such as inadequate demand
prediction, lack of assured irrigation, and overuse/misuse of pesticides and
fertilisers
o Improvement in crop yield through real time advisory, advanced detection of
pest attacks, and prediction of crop prices to inform sowing practices
o AI also aids in enhanced farmers’ income, increased farm productivity and
reduction of wastage
o Examples: PEAT – Machine Vision for Diagnosing Pests/Soil Defects
• Education:
o Augmenting and enhancing the learning experience through personalised
learning, automating and expediting administrative tasks,
o Predicting the need for student intervention to reduce dropouts or
recommend vocational training.
• Smart Cities and Infrastructure:
o Integration of AI in newly developed smart cities and infrastructure could also
help meet the demands of a rapidly urbanising population and providing
them with enhanced quality of life.
o Traffic control to reduce congestion and enhanced security through improved
crowd management.
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• Smart Mobility and Transportation:
o Potential use cases in this domain include autonomous fleets for ride sharing,
semi-autonomous features such as driver assist, and predictive engine
monitoring and maintenance.
o AI improves autonomous trucking and delivery, and improved traffic
management.
o Smarter and safer modes of transportation and better traffic
o Example: Intelligent traffic signals at Pittsburgh, U.S
• Retail:
o Use of AI applications improves user experience by providing personalised
suggestions, preference-based browsing and image-based product search.
o Customer demand anticipation, improved inventory management, and
efficient delivery management
• Manufacturing:
o AI enables 'Factory of the Future' through flexible and adaptable technical
systems to automate processes and machinery to respond to unfamiliar or
unexpected situations by making smart decisions.
o Impact areas include engineering (AI for R&D efforts), supply chain
management (demand forecasting), production (AI can achieve cost
reduction and increase efficiency), maintenance (predictive maintenance and
increased asset utilisation), quality assurance (e.g. vision systems with
machine learning algorithms to identify defects and deviations in product
features), and in-plant logistics and warehousing.
• Energy:
o Energy system modelling and forecasting to decrease unpredictability and
increase efficiency in power balancing and usage
o In renewable energy systems, AI can enable storage of energy through
intelligent grids enabled by smart meters
o Improve the reliability and affordability of photovoltaic energy
o AI can be deployed for predictive maintenance of grid infrastructure.
• Banking and financial services sector:
o Improved customer interaction through personalised engagement, virtual
customer assistance, and chat bots
o Improved processes through deployment of intelligent automation in rule
based back-office operations.
o Development of credit scores through analysis of bank history or social media
data.
o Fraud analytics for proactive monitoring and prevention of various instances
of fraud, money laundering, malpractice.
o Prediction of potential risks.
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o AI helps in wealth management viz. robo-advisory, algorithmic trading and
automated transactions.
o India’s competence in IT combined with opportunities, such as
interoperability between multiple languages, provides the much needed
impetus for finding scalable solutions for problems that have global
implications, such as NLP.
AI DEVLOPMENTS IN INDIA:
• Business:
o There has been an increase in AI focused start-ups
o According to a PwC research, 36 percent large financial establishments in
India have invested in AI technologies
o Artificial Intelligence Industry in India is currently estimated to be $180
million annually in revenues
• Defence:
o Center for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics (CAIR) in DRDO conducts
research in artificial intelligence
o Indian Army already has Wheeled Robot with Passive Suspension, Snake
Robot etc.
• Health Sector:
o NITI Aayog is working with Microsoft and Forus Health to introduce a
technology for early detection of diabetic retinopathy as a pilot project
• Agriculture:
o NITI Aayog and IBM have partnered to develop a crop yield prediction model
using AI to provide real time advisory to farmers.
• Education:
o Andhra Pradesh government has collaborated with Microsoft to predict drop-
outs and address the issue
• Urban infrastructure and Transport:
o Pune Street Light Project- energy efficient street lights: can be remote
controlled through a Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA)
systems.
o Surat has collaborated with Microsoft to develop solutions for water
management and urban planning.
SCOPE:
• India has the necessary building blocks to develop a thriving AI research and
development ecosystem such as:
o Availability of highly educated talent pool - India produced a whopping 2.6
million STEM graduates in 2016.
o World class educational institutes
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o Illustrious list of top notch IT companies dominating the global IT landscape.
o High data generation due to world’s second largest internet using
population, smartphone users etc.
CHALLENGES:
• Lack of expertise:
o Lack of broad based expertise in research and application of AI
o Inadequate availability of AI expertise, manpower and skilling opportunities.
• Poor ecosystem:
o Absence of enabling data ecosystems – access to intelligent data
• Cost:
o High resource cost and low awareness for adoption of AI
• Privacy issues:
o Privacy and security, including a lack of formal regulations around
anonymisation of data
o Unclear privacy, security and ethical regulations
• Lack of collaboration:
o Absence of collaborative approach to adoption and application of AI.
o Technical feasibility, availability of structured data, regulatory barriers,
privacy considerations, ethical issues, preference for human relationship
• Poor research:
o Low intensity of AI research and low budgetary allocation
o Challenges in transforming core research into market applications
• IPR issues:
o Unattractive Intellectual Property regime to incentivize research and
adoption of AI
• Adopting a narrow view:
o Adopting a narrow view and focusing on the challenges for a specific sector,
the barriers to developing a robust set of AI applications may seem
contextual and limited to that sector.
o Taking healthcare sector as an example, while India has adopted electronic
health record (EHR) policy, sharing of data between various hospital chains
still remains a work in progress, since different hospital chains have adopted
different interpretations of ‘digitising records’
• Not welfare driven:
o AI technology adoption till date has been driven primarily from a commercial
perspective.
WAY FORWARD:
• A two-tiered structure for promoting AI research:
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o Centre of Research Excellence (CORE) focused on developing a better
understanding of existing core research and pushing technology frontiers
through creation of new knowledge
o International Centres of Transformational AI (ICTAI) for developing and
deploying application-based research. Private sector collaboration is
considered to be a key aspect of ICTAIs.
• Kamakoti Committee recommendations:
o Set up digital data banks, marketplaces and exchanges to ensure availability
of cross-industry information
o Data ombudsman: to address data-related issues and grievances.
o Ensure availability of funds for R&D
o Setting up National Artificial Intelligence Mission (N-AIM)
• Government data sharing:
o Government of India has large amounts of data lying in silos across ministries.
o The government can launch a mission of making all these data available for
public good after undertaking proper privacy checks.
o For example – climate data, non-strategic remote sensing data, regional
language speech (from All India Radio), soil health data etc.
• Corporate data sharing:
o Corporates based in India may be mandated to share their data for social
good.
o For example, sharing transportation pattern of individuals/mass transits,
collected by service providers and aggregators, can help the city planners
help in planning routes, predicting and managing traffic.
• Digitised and crowd-sourced collection of data by government:
o Huge amounts of money and time is spend every few years to carry out the
household consumption survey.
o A mechanism, as adopted by online social networks, to incentivise individuals
to share details of their consumption pattern via an app can greatly reduce
the cost of manual surveys and lend itself to big data analysis and AI
applicability.
FIVE ESSENTIAL PILLARS OF AI ECOSYSTEM:
Multi-
Large
Policy makers stakeholder
companies
partnerships
Startups Universities
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BEST PRACTICE:
• EU’s Robotics Public Private Partnership, 2013:
o One of the biggest civilian research programme - has helped Europe in
emerging among top robot manufacturers.
4.5. iTips:
• For prelims, questions can be asked on the concept and applications of AI.
• For mains, questions can be asked on prospects and challenges of AI in India,
potential applications of AI, suggestions for its development etc.
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5. DEDICATED FREIGHT CORRIDORS
5.1 IN NEWS:
Prime Minister has inaugurated a 351-km section between Khurja and Bhaupur in UP
for commercial operations as a part of Eastern Dedicated Freight Corridor (EDFC).
5.2 SYLLABUS:
GS 3: Infrastructure: Energy, Ports, Roads, Airports, Railways etc.
Q. Discuss the significance of dedicated freight corridors in the revival of special economic
zones in India?
5.4 ANALYSIS:
DEDICATED FREIGHT CORRIDORS (DFC):
• These are freight-only railway lines to move goods between industrial heartlands in
the North and ports on the Eastern and Western coasts.
• The concept of Dedicated Freight Corridor (DFC) was mooted in 2006 to generate
substantial capacity for freight traffic by developing separate tracks on identified
routes.
WHY DO WE NEED DFCS?

• Increased burden: Covering a total of 10,122 km, these corridors carry the heaviest
traffic and are highly congested. The route carries 52% of passenger traffic and 58%
of freight traffic, according to the Make-in-India report of 2017. Also, these routes
are highly saturated, with line capacity utilisation reaching as high as 150%.
• Rise in demand: Considering increased transport demands, overtly congested routes
and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions associated with road transport, these freight
corridors will help reduce the cost and allow faster transportation.
• Revenue generation: They will open new avenues for investment, as this will lead to
the construction of industrial corridors and logistic parks along these routes.
TWO ARMS OF DFC
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Eastern DFC
• It is a 1,839-km line that starts from Sahnewal (Ludhiana) in Punjab and ends at
Dankuni in West Bengal.
• It is being majorly funded by the World Bank.
• The EDFC route covers Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand and West
Bengal
Western DFC
• It is around 1,500-km line that starts from Dadri in Uttar Pradesh to JNPT in Mumbai,
touching all major ports along the way.
• It is being majorly funded by Japan International Cooperation Agency.
• The WDFC covers Haryana, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh.
Connecting Link for Eastern and Western Arm:
It is under construction between Dadri and Khurja.
Dedicated Freight Corridor Corporation of India Limited (DFCCIL)

• It is a Public Sector Undertaking(PSU) corporation run by the Ministry of Railways to
undertake planning, development, and mobilisation of financial resources and
construction, maintenance and operation of the Dedicated Freight Corridors(DFC).
Benefits of DFCs
• Segregate freight infrastructure for focused approach on both passenger and freight
business of Railways
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• Decongestion: Around 70% of the freight trains currently running on the Indian
Railway network are slated to shift to the freight corridors, leaving the paths open
for more passenger trains.
• Increased Capacity: Tracks on DFC are designed to carry heavier loads than most of
Indian Railways.
• Increased revenue generation: DFC will get track access charge from the parent
Indian Railways and will also generate its own freight business.It will increase rail
share in freight market by providing customized logistic services
• Saves transit time: The DFCs will allow much shorter transit times from freight
source to destination which means it will reduce the time by up to 50% in some
cases.
• Punctuality: The new section means on the Indian Railway main line, more
passenger trains can be pumped in and those trains can, in turn, achieve better
punctuality.
• Reduces the cost and allow faster transportation: Reduce unit cost of
transportation by speeding up freight train operations & higher productivity
• Create additional rail infrastructure to cater high levels of transport demand
• Introduce of high-end technology & IT packing of Freight Services
• Helps in generating more employment
CHALLENGES
• Slow progress in land acquisition by states: For instance, Gujarat government cited
slow acquisition of land for approaches. Rehabilitation of People is one of the major
problems.
• Time taken in obtaining of statutory clearances for the procurement of construction
material has affected the schedule of implementing agencies.
• Sluggish work by contractors: Contractors such as Alstom, Hitachi, GMR Infra, TPL-
Aldesa (a joint venture of TATA Projects India and ALDESA of Spain), Texmaco Rail
and Engineering, among others, have either failed to mobilise labour or are facing
cash crunch or have been generally laggard in their work.
• Law and order situation: EDFC have been facing law and order issues and protests
in UP in Meerut, Muzaffarnagar and Saharanpur districts were areas of concern
where 46 road-over-bridges are to be constructed, but only three have been
completed, while work is still to be started on 13 such bridges.
• Slow progress in construction of the approach roads by the state government and
long pending arbitration cases.
• Delay in consent and subsequent sanction of cost sharing of all RoB’s by the state
Government’s falling the DFC alignment puts a threat on Timely execution of Project.
• Coronavirus pandemic: While the original deadline for completion of these DFCs was
December 2021, the Railways recently said it has been pushed back by six months to
June 2022 due to the covid19
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• Undue demand of lease rent by the Uttar Pradesh forest department also slowed
down the progress
• Problems in Co-ordination between Industrial Corridors
• PPP projects often over run time and cost than the private players who want more
revenue/ Profits.
• Environmental laws have become very stringent and getting Clearances from
National Green Tribunal (NGT) delayed the project.
WAY FORWARD
• Risk identification, its prioritization and for framing the mitigation plan
• Action would be taken against any entity causing delay in the project of such
importance.
• Strict monitoring is for all the working parties involved including entities in the
Railways.
• Balancing the need of local employment and requirement of trained labour
• Running of heavier trains on both DFCs, as planned, would require strengthening of
tracks from the DFC to the consumers’ locations.
5.5. iTips:
• For Prelims, questions on various DFCs, the locations through which they pass
through and features of DFCCIL can be asked.
• For mains, questions can also be asked on the significance of DFCs in regional
development and growth of logistics in India. The content can also be used in
questions related to economic development.
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WEEKLY PRELIMS COMPILATION
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Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay Shramev Jayate Karyakram
What is it?
o It seeks to create conducive environment for industrial development and
doing business with ease and also expanding government support to impart
skill training for workers.
Components:
o Shram Suvidha Portal to allot Labour Identification Number (LIN) to nearly 6
lakh units and allow them to file online compliance for 16 out of 44 labour
laws.
o All India Random Inspection Scheme to bring in transparency in the labour
inspection.
o Universal Account Number that Enables 4.17 crore employees to have their
Provident Fund account portable, hassle-free and universally accessible.
o Apprentice Protsahan Yojana to support manufacturing units mainly and other
establishments by reimbursing 50% of the stipend paid to apprentices during
first two years of their training.
o Revamped Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojana Introducing a Smart Card for the
workers in the unorganized sector seeded with details of two more social
security schemes.
PRELIMS QUESTION:
1.Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay Shramev Jayate Karyakram is implemented by:
(a) Ministry of skill development
(b) Ministry of Labour & Employment
(c) Ministry of Finance
(d) Ministry of Human resources
Answer: B
National Common Mobility Card (NCMC)

Why in news?
o Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the ambitious National Common
Mobility Card (NCMC) service for the Delhi Metro’s Airport Express Line via
video conferencing.
About NCMC:
o National Common Mobility Card (NCMC) is an inter-operable transport card
conceived by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs of the Government of
India.
o The idea of NCMC was floated by the Nandan Nilekani committee set up by
the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) called High level Committee on Deepening of
Digital Payments (CDDP).
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o The NCMC card is issuable as a prepaid, debit, or credit RuPay card from
partnered banks such as the State Bank of India, Bank of India, Punjab National
Bank, and others
o The NCMC card has 2 instruments on it – a regular debit card which can be
used at an ATM, and a local wallet (stored value account), which can be used
for contactless payments, without the need to go back to the server or
additional authentication. It is envisioned that a single card will be usable for all
local travel needs across the country.
o It was launched on 4 March 2019. The transport card enables the user to pay
for travel, toll duties (toll tax), retail shopping, and withdraw money.
o It is enabled through the RuPay card mechanism.
o All new metro, and transit payments should be made interoperable through
NCMC.
PRELIMS QUESTION:
2.Consider the following statements regarding National Common mobility Card (NCMC):
1. It was launched by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways.
2. It is enabled via RuPay card mechanism.
Which among the above statements is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: B
Adopt a Heritage Project

Why in news?
o In a significant development related to the “Adopt a Heritage: Apni Dharohar,
Apni Pehchaan” project, the Union Minister of Tourism Prahlad Singh Patel
headed the review meeting on Monday to take stock of the scheme’s progress
and its future plans.
What is “Adopt a Heritage” project?
o “Adopt a Heritage: Apni Dharohar, Apni Pehchaan” is an initiative that aims to
involve public and private sector companies and corporate citizens/individuals
to promote sustainable tourism.
Objectives:
o Develop synergy among all partners to effectively promote “responsible
tourism”.
o Making our heritage and tourism more sustainable.
o Creation of world class infrastructure and basic amenities including drinking
water, ease of access for the differently abled and senior citizens, standardised
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signage, cleanliness, public conveniences and illumination, along with advanced
amenities such as surveillance systems, night-viewing facilities and tourism
facilitation centres
Provisions:
o The involved companies/individuals would adopt heritage sites and would
become 'Monument Mitras'.
o ‘Monument Mitras’ could spend their CSR funds for the promotion of these
sites.
o The sites/monument are selected on the basis of tourist footfall and visibility.
o ‘Monument Mitras’ would be selected through “Vision Bidding”, where the
company with best vision for the heritage site would be picked and there is no
financial bid involved.
o The corporate sector is expected to use corporate social responsibility (CSR)
funds for the upkeep of the site.
o The Monument Mitras, in turn, will get limited visibility on the site premises
and on the Incredible India website
o No fund will be given by Ministry of Tourism.
o In 2019, Dalmia Bharat group became the first corporate house in India to
adopt a historical monument, as it took over the Red Fort to maintain and
preserve the heritage structure for a period of five years.
Nodal agencies:
o It is a collaborative effort between the Ministry of Tourism, Ministry of Culture
and Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) and State/UTs Governments.
PRELIMS QUESTION:
3.Consider the following statements regarding “Adopt a Heritage scheme”:
1. Ministry of Tourism will provide funds to companies chosen under the scheme.
2. Red Fort was the first monument to be adopted under the scheme.
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: B
Pneumococcal disease
Why in news?
o Pune-based Serum Institute of India (SII) unveiled India’s first indigenously
developed pneumococcal vaccine on Monday.
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What is Pneumococcal disease?
o Pneumococcal disease is an infection caused by the bacteria Streptococcus
pneumoniae or pneumococcus.
o People can be infected with the bacteria, or they can carry it in their throat, and
not be ill. Those carriers can still spread it, primarily in droplets from their nose
or mouth when they breathe, cough, or sneeze.
o Pneumococcal bacterium, which causes pneumonia and other serious life-
threatening diseases such as meningitis and sepsis, is estimated to cause nearly
four lakh deaths in children under five years of age each year worldwide.
o Pneumococcal disease is a significant contributor under-five mortality rate
worldwide.
About the new vaccine:
o SII’s pneumococcal vaccine, Pneumosil, was developed through a collaboration
with the non-profit health organisation PATH and the Bill and Melinda Gates
Foundation.
o World Health Organization in 2018 recommended the inclusion of the
pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV) in routine childhood immunisation
programmes in all countries.
o The new vaccine will be available in the market at an affordable price in single
dose (vial and prefilled syringe) and multidose (vial) presentations.
o The vaccine also makes SII the world’s third supplier of PCVs under the
pneumococcal Advance Market Commitment, and the first developing country
vaccine manufacturer to access the global PCV market.
PRELIMS QUESTION:
4.Consider the following statements:
1. As of 2020, Serum Institute of India is the world's largest vaccine producer by
number of doses produced.
2. A generic drug is a pharmaceutical drug that contains the same chemical substance
as a drug that was originally protected by patents.
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: C
Star Tortoise
About Star Tortoise
o The Indian star tortoise is a threatened species of tortoise found in dry areas
and scrub forest in Indian subcontinent.
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Distribution and habitat
o They can be found along their natural range in India, Sri Lanka and Pakistan.
o Their natural habitats include semi-desert grasslands, moist deciduous forest,
sand dunes, scrub forests, humid jungles and human-altered habitats.
Conservation status
o They have been classified as Vulnerable
in IUCN red data book.
o They are subjected to illegal wildlife
trade and is often smuggled out and
sold in the international market.
o It is protected under Wildlife protection
act (Schedule IV) and CITES agreement.
PRELIMS QUESTION:
5.Consider the following statements regarding Star Tortoise:
1. It is a critically endangered species of Tortoise.
2. It is endemic to north eastern India.
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: D
Kolar leaf-nosed bat

Why in news?
o Karnataka Forest Department, along with the Bat Conservation India Trust
(BCIT), is on a war footing to save the remaining Kolar leaf-nosed bats from
extinction.
About the bat:
o The Kolar leaf-nosed bat (Hipposideros hypophyllus), or leafletted leaf-nosed
bat is a species of bat in the family Hipposideridae.
o Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical dry forests and caves.
o It is endemic to India and is in fact found in only one cave in Hanumanahalli
village in the Kolar district of the state of Karnataka where its population is less
than 200 individuals.
o It is currently evaluated as critically endangered by the IUCN but is not listed
in Wildlife Protection Act.
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PRELIMS QUESTION:
6.Consider the following statements regarding Critically endangered species of India:
1. Sri Lankamalleswara Wildlife Sanctuary is the only habitat where Jerdon's courser,
a highly endangered bird species is found.
2. Great Indian bustard is currently found only in Rajasthan state.
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: A
Digital Ocean
Why in news?
o INCOIS has launched a web-based application called Digital Ocean.
About Digital Ocean:
o The Digital Ocean platform (www.do.incois.gov.in) includes a set of applications
developed to organise and present heterogeneous oceanographic data by
adopting rapid advancements in geospatial technology.
o The platform will serve as a one stop-solution for all the data related needs of a
wide range of users including research institutions, operational agencies,
strategic users, academic community, maritime industry, policy makers and the
public.
o It will play a central role in sustainable management of our oceans and
expanding our “Blue Economy” initiatives.
o It is a first of its kind platform for ocean data management and contributes to
the Digital India programme and is expected to bring a sea change in how the
oceanographic data is served for a better understanding of the oceans.
About INCOIS:
o Indian National Center for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS) is an
autonomous organization of the Government of India, under the Ministry of
Earth Sciences.
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o IT provides ocean information and advisory services to various stakeholders
including data based on oceanographic research.
o Advisory services include:
o Advisories on Potential Fishing Zone (PFZ)
o Ocean state forecast and high wave alerts
o Tsunami warning based on Tsunami Early Warning System (TEWS)
o storm surge and oil-spill.
PRELIMS QUESTION:
7.Consider the following statements regarding Indian Tsunami Early Warning System
(TEWS):
1. It was created after the Indian Ocean Tsunami of 2004.
2. It is operated by Indian National Center for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS).
3. ITEWS also provides tsunami advisories to the Indian Ocean rim countries.
(a) 1,2 and 3
(b) 1 and 3 only
(c) 2 and 3 only
(d) 3 only
Answer: A
Lutyens' Delhi
Why in news?
o The Central Vista project will change the face of Lutyens’ Delhi, which has been
a symbol of power since independence, Architecturally and spatially.
About Lutyen’s Delhi:
o Lutyens' Delhi is an area in New Delhi, India, named after the British architect
Sir Edwin Lutyens (1869–1944) along with Herbert Baker.
o The area was constructed after the British decided to move the capital of their
Indian Empire from Calcutta to Delhi, by creating a new district of the latter
entitled New Delhi
o Lutyens was responsible for design of the new capital and was responsible for
much of the architectural design and building during the period of the British
Raj in the 1920s and 1930s and 1940s.
o At the heart of the city was the impressive Rashtrapati Bhawan located on the
top of Raisina Hill designed by Lutyens himself.
o The Rajpath, also known as King's Way, connects India Gate to Rashtrapati
Bhawan, while Janpath, which crosses it at a right angle, connects South End
Road (renamed as Rajesh Pilot Marg) with Connaught Place.
o Sir Herbert Baker, designed the Secretariat Buildings (North and South Block),
the Parliament house and the bungalows on the then King George's Avenue for
high-ranking officials.
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o Other buildings designed by the team include the Connaught Place, the Eastern
and Western Courts on Janpath, Teen Murti House, Safdarjung Airport,
National Stadium etc
o It is on the 2002 World Monuments Watch list of 100 Most Endangered Sites
made by World Monuments Fund, a heritage organization based in New York.
PRELIMS QUESTION:
1. India’s capital was shifted from Calcutta to Delhi in 1901.
2. India Gate was built in 1911 as a permanent war memorial.
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: D
Sea of Galilee
Why in news?
o The Sea of Galilee, well-known in Jewish, Christian, and Islamic lore, has swelled
up due to heavy rainfall in the surrounding areas.
o The lake had facing rapid declines in water levels in recent years.
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About Sea of Galilee:
o The Sea of Galilee is a freshwater lake in Israel.
o It is the lowest freshwater lake on Earth and the second-lowest lake in the
world (after the Dead Sea, a saltwater lake).
o It is located at levels between 215 metres (705 ft) and 209 metres (686 ft)
below sea level.
o It is approximately 53 km in circumference, about 21 km long, and 13 km wide.
o Its area is 166.7 km2 at its fullest, and its maximum depth is approximately 43
m.
o The lake is fed partly by underground springs but its main source is the Jordan
River, which flows through it from north to south and exits the Sea at the
Degania Dam.
o Low water levels in drought years have stressed the lake's ecology. This may
have been aggravated by over-extraction of water to supply other parts of
Israel or, since 1994, for the supply of water to Jordan.
PRELIMS QUESTION:
9.Consider the following lakes:
1. Lake Superior
2. Caspian Sea
3. Sea of Galilee
4. Lake Victoria
Which of the lakes given above is/are
fresh-water lakes?
(a) 1,2 and 3 only
(b) 1,3 and 4 only
(c) 1 and 4 only
(d) 4 only
Answer: B
Paraguay
Why in news?
o The Union Cabinet on Wednesday approved the opening of Indian missions in
Estonia, Paraguay and Dominican Republic.
About Paraguay:
o Paraguay is a country in South America, bordered by Argentina to the south
and southwest, Brazil to the east and northeast, and Bolivia to the northwest.
o Paraguay is divided by the Paraguay river into two well differentiated
geographic regions. The eastern region consists mostly of grassy plains and
wooded hills and the western region having mostly low, marshy plains
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o Paraguay is a founding member of Mercosur, the United Nations, the
Organization of American States, the Non-Aligned Movement and the Lima
Group.
o Paraguay is a fast-growing developing economy and notably all of Paraguay's
electricity is generated by hydropower, thus making it one of the cleanest in
the world.
o Paraguay and Parana are the main
rivers passing through the country.
PRELIMS QUESTION:
10.Consider the following cities:
1. Caracas
2. Rio di Janeiro
3. Santiago
4. Talinn
Which of the cities given above are
capitals of South American countries?
(a) 1,2 and 3 only
(b) 1,3 and 4 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 4 only
Answer: C
Savithri Bhai Phule

Why in news?
o January 3 marks birth anniversary of Savithri Bhai Phule.
About Savithri Bhai Phule:
o Savitribai Phule (3 January 1831 – 10 March 1897) was an Indian social
reformer, educationalist, and poet from Maharashtra.
o She is regarded as the first female teacher of India. Along with her husband,
Jyotirao Phule, she played an important and vital role in improving women's
rights in India.
o She is regarded as the mother of Indian feminism and she established the
Mahila Seva Mandal to raise awareness for issues concerning women's rights.
o Phule and her husband Jyotiba Phule founded one of the first Indian girls'
school in Pune, at Bhide wada in 1848.
o She worked to abolish the discrimination and unfair treatment of people based
on caste and gender.
o She is regarded as an important figure of the social reform movement in
Maharashtra.
o A philosophical and an educationist, Phule was also a prolific Marathi writer.
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o In 2015, the University of Pune was renamed as Savitribai Phule Pune
University in her honour
PRELIMS QUESTION:
1. Servants of India society was formed by Gopala Krishna Gokhale.
2. Bharat Stree Mahamandal was a women's organisation founded by Sarala Devi
Chaudhurani.
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: C
Global Housing Technology Challenge - India (GHTC-

India)
Why in news?
o Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday laid the foundation of six Light House
Projects, as part of the Global Housing Technology Challenge-India (GHTC-India)
initiative, in Indore, Rajkot, Chennai, Ranchi, Agartala and Lucknow via
videoconference.
About GHTC:
o The Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, Government of India has
conceptualized a Global Housing Technology Challenge - India (GHTC- India).
o It aims to identify and mainstream a basket of innovative technologies from
across the globe that are sustainable and disaster resilient.
o Such technologies would be cost effective, speedier and ensure a higher quality
of construction of houses, meeting diverse geo-climatic conditions and
desired functional needs.
o The GHTC-India platform aspires to provide an eco-system for the adoption of
innovative technologies in the housing construction sector in a holistic manner.
o GHTC-India will encourage participation from across the affordable urban
housing and construction sectors, such as technology providers, researchers,
start-ups, developers, academia, public sector agencies, and civil society
organizations.
Light house Projects
o Pilot projects called Lighthouse projects are envisaged under the program
o These projects will be built using these innovative technologies and further
support will be provided to upcoming domestic technologies to foster an
environment of research and development.
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o About 1,000 houses at each location (given earlier) are to be constructed in a
year, using six distinct technologies from a basket of 54 such technologies
shortlisted under the GHTC-India, 2019.
PRELIMS QUESTION:
12.Consider the following statements regarding Global Housing Technology Challenge -
India (GHTC- India):
1. It is conceptualised by Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs.
2. It aims to identify and mainstream innovative housing technologies from across
the globe.
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: C
Double Jeopardy
What is double jeopardy?
o It is a right available to a person in case of conviction for offences. It is
mentioned in Article 20 of the Constitution.
o It gives people Immunity from Double Punishment (or No Double Jeopardy) :
Clause (2) of the Article 20 mandates that a person cannot be prosecuted or
punished twice for the same offence
About Article 20 of the Constitution:
o This Article deals with protection of certain rights in case of conviction for
offences. Other provisions in the act are:-
o Ex Post Facto Legislation: The clause (1) of Article 20 protects individuals
against ex post facto legislation, which means no individual can be
convicted for actions that were committed before the enactment of the
law.
o Immunity from self-incrimination: Article 20(3) of the constitution states
that the accused can never be compelled to be a witness against himself.
In short, no individual can be forced to accuse himself. This protection
extends to both oral evidence and documentary evidence.
Exceptions:
o Clause (1) of article 20 (Ex Post Facto Law) is applicable only on criminal laws
and not on civil laws or tax laws
o In other words, a civil liability or a tax can be imposed retrospectively.
o Protection under this provision cannot be claimed in case of preventive
detention.
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o The protection against double jeopardy is available only in proceedings before
a court of law or a judicial tribunal.
o In other words, it is not available in proceedings before departmental or
administrative authorities.
o The protection against self-incrimination does not extend to compulsory
production of material objects and compulsory exhibition of the body.
o Moreover, this protection extends only to criminal proceedings and not
to civil proceedings or proceedings which are not of criminal nature
PRELIMS QUESTION:
1. Article 20 provides protection against retrospective tax penalties.
2. Article 22 provides protections in case of arrests for citizens only.
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: D
Voter Verified Paper Audit Trail

Why in news:
o Former Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) S Y Quraishi had recently suggested
that VVPAT must be counted instead of EVM tallies while counting election
results.
What is it?
o The Voter Verified Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) is a method that provides
feedback to voters.
o It is an independent verification printer machine and is attached to electronic
voting machines.
o It allows voters to verify if their vote has gone to the intended candidate.
How VVPAT machines work?
o When a voter presses a button in the EVM, a paper slip is printed through the
VVPAT.
o The slip contains the poll symbol and name of the candidate.
o It allows the voter to verify his/her choice.
o After being visible to the voter from a glass case in the VVPAT for seven
seconds, the ballot slip will be cut and dropped into the drop box in the VVPAT
machine.
o VVPAT machines can be accessed by polling officers only.
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o VVPAT was introduced in all polling booths 543 Lok sabha constituencies in
2019 Indian general election.
PRELIMS QUESTION:
1. VVPAT trails are used for counting votes.
2. It was used in all polling booths during the 2019 Lok Sabha election.
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: B
Aadhaar Authentication
Why in news?
o The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI), which issues Aadhaar
cards to the citizens, has come out with certain updates in the backdrop of the
coronavirus pandemic.
o The new UIDAI updates would allow the Aadhaar cardholders to make changes
and rectify mistakes in their Aadhaar cards online from their homes.
About Aadhar:
o Aadhaar is a 12-digit unique identity number that can be obtained voluntarily
by residents or passport holders of India, based on their biometric and
demographic data.
o The data is collected by the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI), an
authority established in January 2009 and made a statutory body following the
provisions of the Aadhaar (Targeted Delivery of Financial and other Subsidies,
benefits and services) Act, 2016.
o Aadhaar is the world's largest biometric ID system.
o It is considered a proof of residence and not a proof of citizenship and
Aadhaar does not itself grant any rights to domicile in India
About UIDAI
o The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) is a statutory authority
established under the provisions of the Aadhaar Act, 2016.
o Under ministry of Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY).
o UIDAI was created with the objective to issue Unique Identification numbers
(UID), named as "Aadhaar", to all residents of India.
Under the Aadhaar Act UIDAI is responsible for:
o Aadhaar enrolment and authentication.
o Operation and management of all stages of Aadhaar life cycle.
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o Developing the procedure and system for issuing Aadhaar numbers and
perform authentication.
o To ensure the security of identity information and authentication records of
individuals.
Aadhaar Authentication:
o It is a process in which:
o Aadhaar number along with the demographic information or biometric
information of a Aadhaar number holder is submitted to the Central
Identities Data Repository (CIDR) for its verification and
o CIDR verifies the correctness on the basis of the information available with
it.(CIDR is regulated by UIDAI).
o The purpose of Aadhaar Authentication is to provide a digital, online identity
platform so that the identity of Aadhaar number holders can be validated
instantly anytime, anywhere.
o UIDAI offers Aadhaar-based authentication as a service that can be
availed by requesting entities.
o Requesting entities can be either government or private entities.
o This service from UIDAI can be utilized by the requesting entities to
authenticate the identity of their customers or employees or other
associates before providing them access to their consumer services or
subsidies or other benefits.
Add-Ons:
o The Aadhaar number or the authentication thereof shall not confer any right of
citizenship to the holder.
o While certain types of information such as birth date and gender will remain
unchanged, other demographic details may undergo changes with time.
PRELIMS QUESTION:
1. Aadhar can be used as a proof of residence.
2. Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) which manages Aadhaar is a
statutory body.
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: C
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Statement on Climate of India 2020
Why in news?
o Last year was the eighth warmest since India started keeping records in 1901,
according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD)’s Statement on
Climate of India in 2020.
What does the report say?
o The report by IMD looks at temperature and rainfall trends annually.
o The annual average temperature in 2020 in the country was 0.29 degree
Celsius (°C) above normal (29-year average from 1981-2010).
o The temperature during the pre-monsoon season was below normal by 0.03°C.
o But both monsoon and post-monsoon seasons were 0.43°C and 0.53°C above
normal, respectively, and that contributed to warming.
o The mean temperature during winter was 0.14°C above normal.
o This is despite the cooling effect of La Nina, a global weather pattern that
prevailed in 2020 and is linked to substantially below normal temperatures in
winter.
o The IMD statement said 12 out of the 15 warmest years were reported
between 2006 and 2020, and that the past decade (2011-2020) was the
warmest decade on record.
Effect on weather patterns and disasters:
o India experienced some extreme weather events such as heavy rainfall, floods,
landslide, thunderstorm, lightning, and cold waves that killed hundreds of
people in 2020.
o Bihar and Uttar Pradesh were the most affected states during the year with
over 350 deaths from each state due to thunderstorm, lightning and cold wave.
o Heavy rainfall and floods claimed over 600 lives from different parts of the
country during pre-monsoon, monsoon and post-monsoon seasons.
o Thunderstorms and lightning also claimed over 815 lives in different parts of
the country.
o Five cyclones formed over the North Indian Ocean including the Super cyclonic
storm Amphan which claimed 90 lives and about 4,000 livestock mainly in West
Bengal.
How does it compare to global climate patterns?
o India’s warming was significantly lower than the global average.
o The global mean temperature rise during 2020 (January to October, as per the
World Meteorological Organisation’s State of the Global Climate) was 1.2°C
above pre-industrial levels.
PRELIMS QUESTION:
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1. La Nina is generally associated with cooler winters in India.
2. Most Cyclones affecting India originate over Arabian Sea.
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: A
UJALA and SLNP Programs

Why in news?
o India’s zero subsidy Unnat Jyoti by Affordable LEDs for All (UJALA) and Street
Lighting National Programme (SLNP) marks their sixth anniversary today.
o Both the programmes are being implemented by Energy Efficiency Services
Limited (EESL),
UJALA scheme (Unnat Jyoti by Affordable LED’s for All):
o Under the scheme, every grid-connected consumer can get UJALA LED bulbs at
about 40% of the market price.
o The scheme also provided facility to pay for LED bulbs in EMIs.
o UJALA scheme is not a subsidy scheme.
o The total upfront investment and risk coverage is borne by EESL.
o The DISCOM pays EESL from actual energy savings over 5 years.
o Under UJALA, EESL has distributed over 36.69 crore LED bulbs across India.
Street Lighting National Programme (SLNP)
o It aims to replace 3.5 crore conventional street and domestic lights with
energy efficient LED lights.
o It is being implemented by Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL).
o With SLNP, EESL has installed about 1.14 crore LED streetlights across India.
About EESL:
o Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL) is a joint venture of PSUs under
Ministry of Power i.e.NTPC Limited, Power Finance Corporation, Rural
Electrification Corporation and POWERGRID.
o Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL), under the administration of Ministry
of Power, is working towards mainstreaming energy efficiency and is
implementing the world’s largest energy efficiency portfolio in the country.
o EESL aims to create market access for efficient and future-ready transformative
solutions.
PRELIMS QUESTION:
17.Consider the following statements regarding UJALA scheme:
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1. It is implemented by Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL).
2. It aims to increase the number of LED bulbs in domestic connections.
3. Government provides subsidy for the implementation of the scheme.
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 3 only
(d) 1,2 and 3
Answer: A
Woolly Rhinoceros
Why in news?
o A perfectly preserved woolly rhinoceros was found by scientists in Yakutia, in
Russia’s far north.
o The carcass was revealed due to melting permafrost and it had perfectly
preserved soft tissue, hair and a lump of fat.
About the species:
o The woolly rhinoceros (Coelodonta antiquitatis) is an extinct species of
rhinoceros that was common throughout Europe and northern Asia during the
Pleistocene epoch and survived until the end of the last glacial period.
o The woolly rhinoceros was covered with long, thick hair that allowed it to
survive in the extremely cold, harsh mammoth steppe.
o Mummified carcasses preserved in permafrost and many bone remains of
woolly rhinoceroses have been found.
What is Permafrost?
o Permafrost is ground that continuously remains below 0°C (32°F) for two or
more years, located on land or under the ocean.
o Permafrost does not have to be the first layer that is on the ground. It can be
from an inch to several miles deep under the Earth's surface.
o Some of the most common permafrost locations are in the Northern
Hemisphere.
o Almost a quarter of the Northern Hemisphere is underlain by permafrost,
including 85% of Alaska, Greenland, Canada and Siberia.
o It can also be located on mountaintops in the Southern Hemisphere.
o Permafrost is formed from ice holding various types of soil, sand, and rock in
combination.
o According to IPCC Fifth Assessment Report there is high confidence that
permafrost temperatures have increased in most regions since the early 1980s
primarily due to Global warming.
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o Permafrost thawing could exacerbate global warming by releasing methane
and other hydrocarbons, which are powerful greenhouse gases.
PRELIMS QUESTION:
18.Consider the following statements regarding Permafrost region:
1. It is found only in Northern Hemisphere.
2. Destruction of Permafrost can accelerate global warming.
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: B
Digital Payment index

Why in news?
o The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has constructed a composite Digital Payments
Index (DPI) to capture the extent of digitisation of payments in India.
About the index:
o Composite Digital Payments Index (DPI) will measure the extent of digitisation
of payments in India.
o The five parameters based on which RBI would measure the penetration of
digital payments included
o payment enablers
o payment infrastructure – demand-side factors
o payment infrastructure - supply-side factors
o payment performance
o consumer centricity
o Each of these parameters also consisted of sub-parameters which, in turn,
included various measurable indicators.
o The RBI-DPI has been constructed with March 2018 as the base period (Value
100).
o The DPI for March 2019 and March 2020 work out to 153.47 and 207.84
respectively, indicating appreciable growth.
o RBI-DPI will be published on a semi-annual basis from March 2021 onwards
with a lag of 4 months.
PRELIMS QUESTION:
19.”Digital Payments Index” for India is published by
(a) Reserve Bank of India
(b) National Payments Corporation of India
(c) Paytm payments bank
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(d) World Bank
Answer: A
Avian influenza
Why in News?
o Bird flu has been reported among wild geese in Himachal Pradesh, crows in
Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh and ducks in Kerala.
What is Avian influenza?
o Bird flu, or avian flu, is an infectious type of influenza virus that spreads among
birds.
o These viruses occur naturally among wild aquatic birds worldwide and can
infect domestic poultry and other bird and animal species.
o Although these viruses don't infect people easily and aren't usually
transmitted from human to human, several people have been infected around
the world, leading to a number of deaths.
o The most well-known strain of Avian influenza is H5N1. Other strains are H7N9,
H5N6 , H5N8.
How bird flu spreads to humans?
o Bird flu is spread through direct contact with infected birds (dead or alive), an
infected bird's droppings, or secretions from their eyes or respiratory tract.
o Bird flu isn't transmitted through cooked food as the virus is sensitive to heat
and dies in cooking temperatures.
o It was in 1997 when humans are first known to have contracted bird flu
following an outbreak in a live bird market of Hong Kong.
o It was the H5N1 strain of the virus, and 6 out of 18 infected humans died of the
disease.
o Unlike in birds, where it generally infects the gut, the avian influenza attacks
the respiratory tract of humans and may cause severe respiratory illnesses
such as pneumonia or Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS).
PRELIMS QUESTION:
20.Consider the following statements regarding Avian Flu:
1. It can rapidly transmit from human to human.
2. It is found only among aquatic birds like Ducks and Geese.
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: D
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Trans fatty acids
Why in news?
o India’s food regulatory body - the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India
(FSSAI) has reduced the percentage of content of trans fatty acids in fats and
oils to 3% for the year 2021 and aims at reducing it to 2% by the year 2022.
What are trans-fats?
o Trans fat, also called unsaturated fatty acids or trans fatty acids, are a type of
unsaturated fat.
o There are two broad types of trans fats found in foods: naturally-occurring and
artificial trans fats.
o Naturally-occurring trans fats are produced in the gut of some animals
and foods made from these animals may contain small quantities of
these fats.
o Artificial trans fats (or trans fatty acids) are created in an industrial
process that adds hydrogen to liquid vegetable oils (partially
hydrogenated oils) to make them more solid.
Why do some companies use trans fats?
o Trans fats are easy to use, inexpensive to produce and last a long time.
o Trans fats give foods a desirable taste and texture.
o Many restaurants and fast-food outlets use trans fats to deep-fry foods
because oils with trans fats can be used many times in commercial fryers.
What are the health risks associated with trans-fat?
o The primary health risk identified for trans-fat consumption is an elevated risk
of coronary artery disease.
o Various medical studies have also established connection between use of trans
fat and Alzheimer's Disease, Cancer, Diabetes, Obesity, Liver dysfunction,
Infertility in women etc.
PRELIMS QUESTION:
21.Consider the following statements regarding Trans Fats in Food products:
1. Trans Fats are Saturated Fatty acids.
2. They can be either naturally occurring or Artificially added.
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: B
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Chilika Lake
About Chilika Lake
o Chilika Lake is a brackish water lagoon in Odisha.
o It is located at the mouth of the Daya River, flowing into the Bay of Bengal.
o It is the largest coastal lagoon in India and the second largest coastal lagoon in
the world.
o Chilika Lake was designated the first Indian wetland of international
importance under the Ramsar Convention.
o Chilika Lake is the largest wintering ground for migratory birds, on the Indian
sub-continent.
o It has been listed as a tentative UNESCO World Heritage site.
Important Fauna
o It is the largest wintering ground for migratory birds on the Indian sub-
continent. The lake is home to a number of threatened species of plants and
animals.
o Green sea turtle (EN), dugong (VU), Irrawaddy dolphin (EN), blackbuck (least
concern), Spoon billed sandpiper (CR) and fishing cat (VU).
o Important birds include lesser flamingos, spoon-billed sandpiper (CR) and
spot-billed pelican (NT).
Nalbana Bird Sanctuary
o Nalbana Bird Sanctuary is located in the core area of the Ramsar designated
wetlands of Chilika Lake.
o It was declared a bird sanctuary under the Wildlife Protection Act in 1972.
PRELIMS QUESTION:
22.Consider the following statements regarding Chilka Lake:
1. It is a RAMSAR wetland of international importance.
2. Nalbana bird sanctuary is located in Chilka lake.
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: C
Food and Agriculture Organization

About FAO
o Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) is specialized agency of the United
Nations that leads international efforts to defeat hunger.
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Objectives of FAO
o Help eliminate hunger, food insecurity and malnutrition.
o Make agriculture, forestry and fisheries more productive and sustainable.
o Reduce rural poverty.
o Enable inclusive and efficient agricultural and food systems.
o Increase the resilience of livelihoods to threats and crises.
Important initiatives by FAO
Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems (GIAHS):-
o (GIAHS) Partnership Initiative was conceptualized and presented in 2002 during
World Summit on Sustainable Development in South Africa.
o Initiative aims to identify, support and safeguard Globally Important
Agricultural Heritage Systems and their livelihoods, agricultural and associated
biodiversity, landscapes, knowledge systems and cultures around the world.
Global Partnership Initiative for Plant Breeding Capacity Building
o (GIPB) is a global partnership dedicated to increasing plant breeding capacity
building.
o The mission is to enhance the capacity of developing countries to improve
crops for food security and sustainable development through better plant
breeding and delivery systems.
International Plant Protection Convention
o To prevent the international spread of pests and plant diseases in both
cultivated and wild plants.
Alliance Against Hunger and Malnutrition
o It aims to address how countries and organizations can be more effective in
advocating and carrying out actions to address hunger and malnutrition.
o The Alliance was founded by the Rome-based food agencies – the Food and
Agriculture Organization, UN World Food Programme (WFP), International
Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and Bioversity International.
World Food Summit
o In 1996, FAO organized the World Food Summit, which concluded with the
signing of the Rome Declaration, which established the goal of halving the
number of people who suffer from hunger by the year 2015.
Codex Alimentarius
o FAO and the World Health Organization created the Codex Alimentarius
Commission in 1961 to develop food standards, guidelines and texts such as
codes of practice etc.
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Global Forest Resources Assessment (FRA)
o FRA reports the extent of the world’s forest area as well as other variables,
including land tenure and access rights, sustainable forest management (SFM),
legal and institutional frameworks for forest conservation, and sustainable use.
PRELIMS QUESTION:
23.Consider the following statements regarding Food and Agricultural organisation:
1. It was responsible for creation of Codex Alimentarius standards.
2. It organised the World Food Summit.
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: C
Safeguard Duties
Why in news?
o The Philippines is imposing temporary duties on imported passenger cars and
light commercial vehicles to protect its tiny car making industry hit hard by the
pandemic.
What are Safeguard duties?
o Safeguard duties are the duties payable on import of goods which are already
being manufactured in India, but the cost of their domestic counterparts is
higher than the import price.
o For example, solar cells are already being manufactured in India, however, their
cost is more than that of imports from China and Malaysia.
o Hence, safeguard duties are imposed on the import of solar cells from China
and Malaysia.
Objective:
o Safeguard duties ensure that imports in excessive quantities do not cause injury
to the domestic industry.
o They provide domestic producers a period of grace to become more
competitive with respect to imports.
How are Safeguard duties applied?
o Safeguard duties are governed by the Agreement of Safeguards of the WTO
and India’s Customs Tariff Act, 1975.
o The Central Government is empowered to impose safeguard duties on imports
of a particular article through a notification.
o This can be done once it is satisfied that the import of a particular article into
India in increased quantities can cause serious injury to domestic industry.
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o These safeguard duties imposed shall cease to have effect after four years,
unless it is extended.
o They cannot be applied against a product originating in a developing country
whose share of imports of that product does not exceed 3 per cent.
Other Protectionist duties:
o Countervailing Duties:
o Tariffs levied on imported goods to offset subsidies made to producers of
these goods in the exporting country.
o It is generally equal to the excise duty paid by manufacturers when the
same product is produced in the home country.
o Anti-dumping duty:
o Tariffs imposed by domestic government on foreign imports that it
believes are priced below fair market value.
o Dumping is a process where a company exports a product at a price lower
than the price it normally charges on its own home market.
PRELIMS QUESTION:
24.Consider the following types of Tariffs:
1. Safeguard Duties
2. Countervailing Duties
3. Anti-dumping duties
Which among the above duties can be imposed without violating WTO agreements
related to Trade?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 3 only
(d) 1,2 and 3
Answer: D
Payments Infrastructure Development Fund (PIDF)

Why in news?
o The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) announced operational guidelines for the
Payments Infrastructure Development Fund (PIDF) scheme.
About Payments Infrastructure Development Fund (PIDF) scheme
o It is aimed at encouraging deployment of more digital payments infrastructure
across tier-3 to tier-6 centres.
o The fund will be used to subsidize banks and non-banks for deploying
payment infrastructure, which will be contingent upon specific targets being
achieved.
o RBI has constituted an advisory council under the chairmanship of B.P.
Kanungo, a deputy governor, to manage the fund.
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o The advisory council will devise a “transparent mechanism for allocation of
targets to acquiring banks, non-banks in different segments and locations".
o The PIDF will be operational for three years from 1 January 2021 and may be
extended for two more years based on progress.
o The fund has a corpus of ₹345 crore, of which ₹250 crore was contributed by
RBI and ₹95 crore by authorized card networks operating in India.
Objective
o The primary focus of the fund will be to create payments acceptance
infrastructure in tier-3 to tier-6 cities, with a special focus on the northeastern
states.
o The primary targets of this scheme will be merchants providing essential
services, such as transport and hospitality, government payments, fuel pumps,
public distribution system (PDS) shops, healthcare facilities, and kiranas,
especially those who do not have a payment acceptance device.
o Multiple payments acceptance devices and infrastructure supporting card
payments are covered under this scheme.
o These include physical PoS (point of sale terminals), mobile PoS, general
packet radio service (GPRS), public switched telephone network (PSTN), and
quick response (QR) code-based payments.
o PIDF shall receive annual contributions from card networks and card-issuing
banks. Card networks, such as Visa Mastercard and Rupay, will contribute 0.01
paisa per rupee of transaction.
PRELIMS QUESTION:
25.Consider the following statements regarding “Payment Infrastructure
Development Fund”:
1. It primarily targets small establishments in Tier I and Tier II cities.
2. The scope of the funding is limited to PoS (point of sale terminals) and quick
response (QR) code-based payments
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: D
FAO Food Price Index

Why in news?
o World food prices rose for a seventh consecutive month in December, with all
the major categories, barring sugar, posting gains last month, as per FAO.
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About the price index:
o The FAO Food Price Index is a measure of the monthly change in international
prices of a basket of food commodities.
o It consists of the average of five commodity group price indices [cereal,
vegetable, dairy, meat and sugar], weighted with the average export shares.
o For the whole of 2020, the benchmark index averaged 97.9 points, a three-year
high and a 3.1% increase from 2019.
PRELIMS QUESTION:
26.Which of the following organisations publish the global Hunger index?
(a) Food and agricultural organisation
(b) Action against Hunger
(c) Heifer International
(d) None of the above
Answer: D
New Industrial Development Scheme for Jammu &

Kashmir
Why in news?
o The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs approved the proposal of
Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade for Central Sector
Scheme for Industrial Development of Jammu & Kashmir.
About the scheme:
o The scheme is a Central Sector Scheme for the development of Industries in
the UT of Jammu & Kashmir.
o The main purpose of the scheme is to generate employment which directly
leads to the socio-economic development of the area.
o It is anticipated that the proposed scheme is likely to attract unprecedented
investment and give direct and indirect employment to about 4.5 lakh
persons.
o The scheme is also likely to give indirect support to about 35,000 persons.
Incentives under the scheme:
o The scheme is approved with a total outlay of Rs. 28,400 crore upto the year
2037.
o Capital Investment Incentive at the rate of 30% in Zone A and 50% in Zone B
on investment made in Plant & Machinery (in manufacturing) or construction of
building and other durable physical assets (in service sector) is available.
o Units with an investment up to Rs. 50 crores will be eligible to avail this
incentive.
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o Capital Interest subvention on loan amounts up to Rs. 500 crores for
investment in plant and machinery (in manufacturing) or construction of
building and all other durable physical assets (in service sector).
o GST Linked Incentive: 300% of the eligible value of actual investment made in
plant and machinery (in manufacturing) or construction in building and all other
durable physical assets (in service sector) for 10 years. The amount of incentive
in a financial year will not exceed one-tenth of the total eligible amount of
incentive.
o Working Capital Interest Incentive: All existing units at the annual rate of 5%
for maximum 5 years. Maximum limit of incentive is Rs 1 crore.
Key Features of the Scheme:
o The scheme aims to take industrial development to the block level in UT of
J&K, which is first time in any Industrial Incentive Scheme of the Government of
India and attempts for a more sustained and balanced industrial growth in the
entire UT
o Scheme has been simplified on the lines of ease of doing business by bringing
one major incentive- GST Linked Incentive- that will ensure less compliance
burden without compromising on transparency.
o Scheme envisages greater role of the UT of J&K in registration and
implementation of the scheme while having proper checks and balances by
having an independent audit agency before the claims are approved.
PRELIMS QUESTION:
27.Consider the following statements regarding recently unveiled “New Industrial
Development Scheme for Jammu & Kashmir”:
1. It is a central sector scheme for development of Jammu and Kashmir Union
Territory.
2. The scheme is a short-term program intended to run for five years only.
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: A
Ozone hole
Why in news?
o The Antarctic ozone hole — one of the deepest, largest gap in the ozone layer
in the last 40 years — has closed, according to World Meteorological
Organization (WMO) January 6, 2021.
56 | iLearn IAS
o The annually occurring ozone hole over the Antarctic had rapidly grown from
mid-August and peaked at around 24 million square kilometres — one of
the largest so far — in early October 2020.
About Ozone
o Ozone, made up of three oxygen atoms, occurs naturally in small amounts.
o Roughly 10 km to 40 km up in the atmosphere (the layer called the
stratosphere), the ozone layer is a sunscreen, shielding Earth from harmful
ultraviolet radiation.
o On the other hand, close to the surface, ozone created as a byproduct of
pollution can trigger health problems such as asthma and bronchitis.
o Manufactured chemicals deplete the ozone layer.
o The ozone hole results from ozone-depleting chemicals (e.g.
chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs)).
o When CFCs are hit by ultraviolet light, they release chlorine. Chlorine reacts
with ozone, destroying it to produce chlorine monoxide and diatomic oxygen.
o These reactions are most effective when they occur on the surface of ice
crystals, occurring in Polar Stratospheric Clouds in the stratosphere.
Why there is a larger hole in ozone over Antarctic?
o Polar Stratospheric Clouds occur mostly over the Antarctica than the Arctic
region.
o Each spring over Antarctica (it is now spring there), atmospheric ozone is
destroyed by chemical processes. This creates the ozone hole, which occurs
because of special meteorological and chemical conditions that exist in that
region.
o The Southern Hemisphere also receives higher intensity of net insolation
because the Perihelion coincides with the Southern Hemisphere summer. This
is the period during which the earth is closest to the Sun along its elliptical
orbit. This greater intensity of Solar radiation results in breakdown of CFCs
into free chlorine atoms that deplete the Ozone layer.
o On the other hand, Ozone depleting gases such as CFCs, HCFCs etc are emitted
more from the Northern Hemisphere because of the presence of large
industrial zones and highly populated regions.
PRELIMS QUESTION:
28.Consider the following statements regarding Ozone Hole:
1. The annual ozone hole is usually larger over the south pole region
compared to north pole region.
2. In warmer temperatures, more polar stratospheric clouds form and they
help in ozone-formation process.
(a) 1 only
57 | iLearn IAS
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: A
Caracal
Why in news?
o The National Board for Wildlife on Wednesday approved a recovery program
for the caracal, which is now a critically endangered species.
About Caracal:
o The caracal is a medium-sized wild cat native to Africa, the Middle East, Central
Asia, and India.
o It is characterised by a robust build, long legs, a short face, long tufted ears,
and long canine teeth.
o Typically nocturnal, the caracal is highly secretive and difficult to observe. It is
territorial, and lives mainly alone or in pairs.
o The caracal is a carnivore that typically preys upon small mammals, birds, and
rodents.
o It can leap higher than 4 metres (12 ft)
and catch birds in midair.
o It inhabits forests, savannas, marshy
lowlands, semideserts, and scrub forests,
but prefers dry areas with low rainfall and
availability of cover.
o The caracal is listed as Least Concern on
the IUCN Red List since 2002, mainly due
to their large numbers in Africa. But in
India they are ‘endangered’.
PRELIMS QUESTION:
29.Consider the following statements regarding Caracal:
1. It is considered as Least Concern by IUCN red list.
2. They are endemic to India and Pakistan.
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: A
58 | iLearn IAS
Dzuko Valley
Why in news?
o 10-day long wildfire in the famed Dzukou Valley on Nagaland-Manipur border
has been fully doused.
About Dzuko Valley:
o The Dzüko Valley is a valley located at the borders of the states of Nagaland
and Manipur in Northeast India.
o This valley is well known for its natural environment, seasonal flowers and flora
& fauna.
o It is situated at an altitude of 2452 m above sea level.
o The valley is famous for its wide range of flowers in every season but the most
famous one is the Dzüko Lily and it is found only in this valley.
o The valley borders a region of old-growth forest, and is home to several rare
and endangered species of flora and fauna, including the Dzüko Lily and the
Blyth's tragopan, which is the state bird of Nagaland.
o It has periodically been threatened by forest fires, which tend to spread quickly
due to prevalent wind conditions and are difficult to fight because of the
inaccessible terrain around the valley.
PRELIMS QUESTION:
30.Dzuko Valley is biodiversity rich region located in:
(a) Bhutan
(b) India
(c) China
(d) Japan
Answer: B
59 | iLearn IAS
National Internet Exchange of India (NIXI)
Why in news?
o The National Internet Exchange of India (NIXI) announced that it will offer a
free Internationalised Domain Name (IDN) in any of their preferred 22 official
Indian languages along with every IN domain booked by the registrant.
About NIXI:
o The National Internet Exchange of India (NIXI) is a non-profit Company
incorporated under Section 25 of the India Companies Act, 1956 (now section
8 under Companies Act 2013).
o It works with an objective of facilitating improved internet services in the
country.
o Its Primary purpose is to facilitate exchange of domestic Internet traffic
between the peering ISP, Content players and any other organizations with
their own AS number.
o This enables more efficient use of international bandwidth, saving foreign
exchange and also improves the Quality of Services (QoS) for Internet users by
avoiding multiple international hops and thus reducing latency.
o Utilising servers routed through and administered by India also reduces the
chances of Indian data being intercepted unlawfully by NSA and GCHQ.
o NIXI is managed and operated on a neutral basis and currently has eight
operational NOC located in Delhi (Noida), Mumbai (Vashi), Chennai, Kolkata,
Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad and Guwahati.
o Since December 2012, NIXI also manages the National Internet Registry of the
country delegation Internet Protocol addresses (IPv4 and IPv6) and
Autonomous System numbers to its Affiliates.
PRELIMS QUESTION:
31.Consider the following statements regarding National Internet exchange of
India:
1. It works with an objective of facilitating improved internet services.
2. It has been established by Government of India.
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: A
60 | iLearn IAS

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