Syllabus Affairs Aug'21

August
August,, 2021

SYLLABUS AFFAIRS
(Comprehensive Analysis of Relevant News Articles)

Unique Features:
Content designed as per the relevance in
UPSC Civil Service Exam.
One Prelims and Mains Question on each
topic for practice.
Basic facts and key terms associated with
the topics.
Simple Language & Effective Presentation
Targeted for Outcome Based Learning.

For queries and feedback, mail us at dashovidya.upsc@gmail.com

Contents
Polity & Governance

1 Ministry of Cooperation 1-3
2 Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojna (PMJDY) 4-7
3 Reservation 8-10
4 Right to be Forgotten 11-13
5 Tribunal Reforms 14-16
International Relations
1 India and Taliban 17-19
2 Malabar Exercise of Quad Nations 20-22
3 UNSC Reforms and India 23-25
Social Sector & Social Justice

1 Food Biofortification 26-28
2 Industry-Academia Gap in Higher Education 29-31
3 Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojna 32-35
4 Quality of Life for Elderly Index 36-38
5 Samagra Shiksha Scheme 2.0 39-41
Economy
1 Agriculture Exports 42-44
2 Conundrum of Nuclear Energy 45-48
3. Electric Vehicles in India 49-51
4 Food Processing in India 52-54
5 Forum for Decarbonizing Transport 55-57
6 MSMEs 58-60
7 National Monetisation Pipeline 61-63
8 Technology Missions in Agriculture 64-66
Environment
1 India's Wetlands 67-69
2 Land Degradation & Desertification 70-72
Geography
1 Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation 73-75
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DashoVidya IAS – Syllabus Affairs
GOVERNANCE (Week 3 – August, 2021)
TOPIC –MINISTRY OF COOPERATION
Issue in brief - Recently, government announced the formation of a separate Union Ministry of
Cooperation, a subject that till date was looked after by the Ministry of Agriculture.
https://www.hindustantimes.com/opinion/an-agenda-for-the-ministry-of-cooperation-
101627995811276.html
Where in Syllabus:
GS2: Government Policies and Interventions for Development in various sectors, Development
Processes and the Development Industry
 What will be the mandate of Ministry of Cooperation?

 It is established to fulfil the dream
of SAHKAR SE SAMRIDDHI.
 It will provide a separate
administrative legal and policy
framework for strengthening the
COOPERATIVE MOVEMENT
in the country.
 It will help deepen Co-operatives
as a true people based movement
reaching upto the grassroots.
 The Ministry will work to
streamline processes for ‘Ease of
doing business’ for co-operatives
and enable development of Multi-
State Co-operatives (MSCS)
 It is in line with the Budget 2021
announcement of setting up a
separate administrative structure
for cooperatives.
 What are Cooperatives?

 Cooperatives are people-centred enterprises owned, controlled and run by and for their
members to realise their common economic, social, and cultural needs and aspirations.
 As per International Labour Organisation (ILO), a cooperative is an autonomous
association of persons united voluntarily to meet their common economic, social and cultural
needs and aspirations through a jointly owned and democratically controlled enterprise.
 In India, a cooperative society can be formed under provisions of the Co-operative Societies
Act, 1912
 These are mentioned in Article 19(1)(c) under Part III, Part IXB (97th Amendment Act),
and Article 43B of DPSP of constitution of India.
 The country has 1,94,195 cooperative dairy societies and 330 cooperative sugar mill
operations.
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 As per the Act, at least 10 people above 18 years, having the capacity to enter into a contract
with common economic objectives, such as farming and weaving among others, can form a
cooperative society.
 How has the Cooperative Movement in India evolved?

Cooperative movement in India can be divided into Two Phases:
Pre-Independence Phase Post-Independence Phase
1. Cooperative Credit Societies Act, 1904 1. National Development Council (NDC) in

2. Under the Montague-Chelmsford Reforms 1958 recommended a national policy on
1919, cooperation became a provincial cooperatives.
subject and provinces were authorised to 2. Multi-State Cooperative Societies Act 1984
make their own cooperative laws to declutter different laws governing the same
3. Categorization was followed in 1935 Act types of societies.
also. 3. National Policy on Cooperatives 2002 to
4. Multi-Unit Cooperative Societies Act support the promotion and development of
1942, to cover such societies whose cooperatives.
operations extended to more than one 4. 97th Constitution amendment act 2011 to
province. give cooperatives constitutional status.
 What is the significance of having strong cooperative sector in India?

 Social:
 Being a group of members irrespective of their castes, cooperatives help in breaking the
chains of caste divide.
 They seek to prevent the exploitation of the weaker members of society.
 They promote mutual understanding and education among their members and people in
general.
 Economic:
 Cooperatives provide members working capital, mortgage for loan from banks and capital
for R&D etc, prevent distress sales and ensure bargaining power
 They aim to protect the rights of people both as producers and consumers.
 They aim to eliminate the unnecessary profits of middlemen in trade and commerce.
 Political: Government can delegate its some functions related to catering the needs of
businesses thus helping in DECENTRALIZED DEVELOPMENT.
 Technological: As cooperatives are equipped with basic infrastructure and financial
resources, they can help in providing latest technologies to the members.
 Legal: Provide members legal support in the cases of disputes etc.
 What was the need for creating a separate ministry only for the
cooperatives?
 Concentrated Attention is needed for this sector because of the significances of the same for
whole socio-economic structure of India.
 Converting limited success into National success: Cooperatives are successful only in a
few states e.g. Maharashtra, Gujarat, Karnataka. New Ministry can give required financial and
legal power to the cooperatives to penetrate into other states also.
 New Ministry can help cooperatives in tackling the issues of funds and functionaries.

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 Need of technological upgradation can be met by the new Ministry by way of providing soft
loans to the co-operatives
 Reduction of political interference: New Ministry can help in reduction of political
interference in working of cooperatives by having specific roles and rules of governance.
 Reduction of complex regulatory regime: Currently cooperative societies are regulated by
RBI and state government ministries thus New Ministry will help in reducing this regulatory
cholesterol.
 Improving awareness: People are not well informed about the objectives of the cooperative
Movement, rules and regulations of co-operative institutions.
 What can be done further to improve the status of cooperatives?

 Working towards economies of scale for better productivity and profits. E.g. success of Amul
cooperative
 Promoting the brand of cooperatives through upgradation and value addition to the quality
of products and services delivered by them
 The integrity of the managing committees and their operational autonomy is necessary.
 Imparting training and necessary skills to deal with the market and technology disruptions.
 Providing opportunities to private sector to compete with cooperatives so that quality of
products becomes better.
Basic terms/concepts:
Article 19(1)(c) under Part III: All citizens shall have the right—to form associations or unions
or CO-OPERATIVE SOCITIES.
Part IXB (97th Amendment Act): It has the defining powers of the state legislature and the
Centre to regulate incorporation, elections and governing of these cooperative societies
Article 43B: States shall endeavour to promote voluntary formation, autonomous functioning,
democratic control and professional management of cooperative societies.
Practice questions –
1. Before Ministry of Cooperation, which ministry handled cooperative subject?

a) Ministry of Commerce
b) Ministry of Agriculture
c) Ministry of Rural Development
d) Ministry of Finance.
Answer. (b)
2. Recently, The Government of India made a new ministry named MINISTRY OF

COOPERATION. In this context, discuss the need for having this ministry and how is it going
to help in strengthening the cooperative sector in India. (15 marks, 250 words)
3. Do It Yourself (DIY): Cooperative Societies from the book Indian Polity by M Laxmikanth.

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GOVERNMENT POLICIES (Week 4 – August, 2021)
TOPIC –PRADHAN MANTRI JAN-DHAN YOJANA (PMJDY)
Issue in brief - Pradhan Mantri Jan-Dhan Yojana (PMJDY) - National Mission for Financial
Inclusion, completes seven years of successful implementation
https://pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetail.aspx?PRID=1749749
Where in Syllabus:
GS2: Government Policies and Interventions for Development in various sectors
GS3: Mobilization of Resources, Inclusive Growth
 What is the PRADHAN MANTRI JAN-DHAN YOJANA?

 National Mission for Financial Inclusion to ensure access to
financial services, namely, Banking/ Savings & Deposit
Accounts, Remittance, Credit, Insurance, Pension in an
affordable manner.
 Objectives:
a. Ensure access of financial products & services at an
affordable cost
b. Use of technology to lower cost & widen reach
c. To integrate the poorest of the poor with bank accounts.
 What are the basic tenets and pillars of PMJDY?

 Banking the unbanked - Opening of basic savings bank deposit (BSBD) account with
minimal paperwork, relaxed KYC, e-KYC, account opening in camp mode, zero balance &
zero charges
 Securing the unsecured - Issuance of Indigenous Debit cards for cash withdrawals &
payments at merchant locations, with free accident insurance coverage of Rs. 2 lakh
 Funding the unfunded - Other financial products like micro-insurance, overdraft for
consumption, micro-pension & micro-credit
 6 pillars:
 Universal access to banking services – Branch and Banking Correspondences
 Basic savings bank accounts with overdraft facility of Rs. 10,000/- to every eligible adult
 Financial Literacy Program– Promoting savings, use of ATMs, getting ready for credit,
availing insurance and pensions, using basic mobile phones for banking
 Creation of Credit Guarantee Fund – To provide banks some guarantee against defaults
 Insurance – Accident cover up to Rs. 1,00,000 and life cover of Rs. 30,000 on account
opened between 15 Aug 2014 to 31 January 2015
 Pension scheme for Unorganized sector
 What is the change in approach adopted for PMJDY based on past

experience?
 Indian Accounts opened are online accounts in core banking system of banks, in place of
earlier method of offline accounts opening with technology lock-in with the vendor

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 Inter-operability through RuPay debit card or Aadhaar enabled Payment System (AePS)
 Fixed-point Business Correspondents
 Simplified KYC / e-KYC in place of cumbersome KYC formalities
 What are the new features of PMJDY to improve its performance?

 Focus shift from ‘Every Household’ to Every Unbanked Adult’
 RuPay Card Insurance - Free accidental insurance cover on RuPay cards increased from
Rs. 1 lakh to Rs. 2 lakh for PMJDY accounts opened after 28.8.2018.
 Enhancement in overdraft facilities -
 OD limit doubled from Rs 5,000/- to Rs 10,000/-; OD upto Rs 2,000/- (without conditions).
 Increase in upper age limit for OD from 60 to 65 years
 What are the achievements of PMJDY?

 PMJDY Accounts
 As on 18th August ’21 number of total PMJDY Accounts: 43.04 Crore; 55.47% of total
Jan-Dhan account holders are women and 66.69% of total Jan Dhan accounts are in rural
and semi-urban areas
 There is Continuous increase in no of accounts under PMJDY
 Operative PMJDY Accounts
 In August’21, out of total 43.04 crore PMJDY accounts, 85.6% are operativeContinuous
increase in % of operative accounts is an indication that more an more of these accounts are
being used by customers on a regular basis
 Deposits under PMJDY accounts -
 Deposits have increased about 6.38 times with increase in accounts 2.4 times (Aug’21 /
Aug’15)

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 Average Deposit per PMJDY account -
 Avg. Deposit per account has increased over 2.7 times over Aug’15
 Increase in average deposit is another indication of increased usage of accounts and
inculcation of saving habit among account holders
 Rupay Card issued to PMJDY account holders
 Number of RuPay cards & their usage has increased over time.
 What can be the way ahead to further improve the performance?

 Endeavour to ensure coverage of PMJDY account holders under micro insurance
schemes. Eligible PMJDY accountholders will be sought to be covered under PMJJBY and
PMSBY.
 Promotion of digital payments including RuPay debit card usage amongst PMJDY
accountholders through creation of acceptance infrastructure across India
 Improving access of PMJDY account holders to Micro-credit and micro investment such
as flexi-recurring deposit etc.

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Financial Inclusion: Process of ensuring access to financial services and timely and adequate
credit where needed by vulnerable groups such as weaker sections and low income groups at an
affordable cost.
Inoperative account: As per extant RBI guidelines, a PMJDY account is treated as inoperative if
there are no customer induced transactions in the account for over a period of two years.
PMJJBY (PM JEEVAN JYOTI BIMA YOJANA): Government-backed Life insurance

scheme for age group of 18 to 50 and having a bank account.
PMSBY (PM SURAKSHA BIMA YOJANA): Government-backed Life insurance scheme for
age group 18 to 70 years with a bank account.
Micro-insurance: These products offer coverage to low-income households or to individuals

who have little savings. It is tailored specifically for lower valued assets and compensation for
illness, injury, or death.
Micro-finance: Micro-credit, is a type of banking service provided to unemployed or low-

income individuals or groups who otherwise would have no other access to financial services.
Practice questions-
1. Which of the following statements are true with respect to PMJDY?

1. PMJDY has been the foundation stone for people-centric economic initiatives like
PM-KISAN, NREGA payments etc.
2. Focus of the scheme has shifted from ‘Every Household’ to Every Unbanked Adult’
3. It does not provide for life and accident insurance coverage.
a) 1, 2 and 3
b) 1 and 3
c) 1 and 2
d) 1 only.
Answer: (c)
2. The government has said that financial inclusion of vast number of poor population under
PMJDY has helped a number of welfare programmes, including cash transfer, in reaching
their target population. Critically discuss.

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DashoVidya IAS–Syllabus Affairs
TOPIC –RESERVATION
Issue in brief - A proposal to revise the criteria for defining the “creamy layer” among OBCs has
been pending for years, and MPs have raised the issue during the ongoing Monsoon Session of
Parliament.
https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/creamy-layer-obc-reservation-quota-7430996/
Where in Syllabus:
GS2: Social empowerment, issues related to SC/ST/OBCs
 What is the current status of reservation in India??

 Reservation in India is a system of affirmative action that provides representation for
historically and currently disadvantaged groups in Indian society in education,
employment, and politics
 Reservation in India is provided to Scheduled Castes (SCs), Scheduled Tribes (STs) and
Other Backward Classes (OBCs) at the rate of 15%, 7.5% and 27%, respectively, in
case of direct recruitment on all India bases by open competition.
 In direct recruitment on all India basis, other than by open competition, the percentage fixed
is 16.66% for SCs, 7.5% for STs and 25.84% for OBCs
 10% reservation under the Economically Weaker Section (EWS) category applies to
those not covered under the existing scheme of reservations
 What is the need of having reservations?

 Redressal of historical injustice which was faced by SC/ST/OBC castes in the country
 For providing equality of opportunities for backward section because there would be on
competition without equality of means and resources.
 To increase the representation of backward classes in the services under the State
 To improve overall socio-economic status of backward classes
 To create a supportive and facilitative ecosystem for backward classes so that they can
achieve their true potential
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 What are the constitutional provisions related to reservations in

India?
 Part XVI: Deals with reservation of SC and ST in Central and State legislatures.
 Article 15(4) and 16(4): Enables the State and Central Governments to reserve seats in
government services for the members of the SC and ST.
 Article 16(4A): Enables the government to provide reservation in promotion (77th
constitutional Amendment) Act, 1995. It was modified by the Constitution (85th
Amendment) Act, 2001 to provide consequential seniority to SC and ST candidates promoted
by giving reservation.
 Article 16(4B): Enables the state to fill the unfilled vacancies of a year which are reserved
for SCs/STs in the succeeding year. (81 Amendment Act, 2000)
 Article 330 and 332: Provides for specific representation through reservation of seats for SCs
and STs in the Parliament and in the State Legislative Assemblies respectively.
 Article 243D and 243T: Provides for reservation of seats for SCs and STs in every
Panchayat and in every Municipality respectively.
 Article 335: The claims of SCs and STs shall be taken into consideration constituently with
the maintenance of efficacy of the administration
 Article 338, 338A and 338B: provide for National commission for SC, National Commission
for ST, and National commission for Backward Classes respectively.
 What is the view of Supreme Court on the issue of reservations?

 Champakam Dorairajan Case (1951): Supreme Court , declared reservation as a violation of
Fundamental Rights.
 In the C. A. Rajendran Case, 1967, SC stated that the Constitution does not impose an
obligation on the State to make reservations.
 In IndraSawhney v. Union of India (1992) case: It went on to cap reservation at 50 per cent
and restricted reservation in promotion only for five subsequent years.
 M. Nagaraj v. Union Of India 2006 case: the Court said that if the state wants to continue or
to introduce reservation, it has to prove the backwardness of the SC/ST, their inadequate
representation in public services and that the reservation would maintain the overall efficiency
of administration.
 In Jarnail Singh vs LachhmiNarain Gupta case of 2018: The Court held that creamy layer
exclusion extends to SC/STs and, hence the State cannot grant reservations in promotion to
SC/ST individuals who belong to the creamy layer of their community.
 Mukesh Kumar Case 2020: SC reiterated that there is no fundamental right to claim
reservation.
 Provide the overview of the current issue in OBC reservation.

 Issue of revision of creamy layer criteria: Increasing the total annual income to decide
creamy layer + whether to take salary in calculation of annual income or not.
 Justice Rohini committee: To consider the sub-categorization of OBC quota and to make it
more equitable
 127th constitutional amendment bill: to clarify “some provisions in the 102nd Constitutional
amendment Bill” to restore the power of the states to identify backward classes.
 27% reservation for OBCs and 10% quota for EWSin the All India Quota (AIQ) scheme
for undergraduate & postgraduate medical/dental courses

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 What is creamy layer and how is it determined?

 A concept that sets a threshold within which OBC reservation benefits are applicable.Creamy
layer is not eligible for OBC reservation benefits.
 The concept was brought by the SC in Indira Sawhney case.
 Two categories: a) For those not in government, the current threshold is an income of Rs 8
lakh per year b) For children of government employees, the threshold is based on their
parents’ rank and not income e.g. a person comes in creamy layer if either of his or her parents
is in a constitutional post.
 Income from salaries or agriculture land is not clubbed while determining the creamy layer,
according to a DoPT clarification issued on October 14, 2004.
Scheduled caste – Those castes/races in the country that suffer from extreme social, economic
and educational backwardness arising out of age old practice of untouchability and need special
safeguards for their development. These are notified as per the clause 1 of article 341 of the
Indian constitution.
Scheduled tribes – Article 366 defines scheduled tribes as such tribes or tribal communities as
are deemed under article 342 to be the scheduled tribes.
Article 342 – The President may with respect to any State or Union territory, and where it is a
State, after consultation with the Governor thereof, by public notification, specify the tribes or
tribal communities or parts of or groups within tribes or tribal communities which shall for the
purposes of this Constitution be deemed to be Scheduled Tribes in relation to that State or
Union territory, as the case may be.
Other backward classes - socially and educationally backward classes in India. OBCs are distinct
from Scheduled Classes (SC) or Scheduled Tribes (ST). The Central Government of India
maintains a list of castes/communities to be considered as OBC.
Practice question –
1. Reservation system in India has on the one hand improved the accessibility of services
for the vulnerable groups but on the other it has also strengthened the cast based
stratification especially among the youths. Comment. (15 marks, 250 words)
DIY: National commission for SC, National Commission for ST, and National commission
for Backward Classes chapters of Laxmikant

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POLITY (Week 1 – August, 2021)
TOPIC –RIGHT TO BE FORGOTTEN
Issue in brief - Ashutosh Kaushik, who won reality shows Bigg Boss in 2008 and MTV Roadies
5.0, wants videos, photographs and articles of him to be removed from the internet. He has cited
his "Right to be Forgotten".
https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/the-right-to-be-forgotten-india-explained-7418661/
Where in Syllabus:
GS2 -Indian Constitution - Significant Provisions (Fundamental Rights)
 What is the concept of Right to be forgotten?
 It is the right to have publicly

available personal information
removed from the internet, search,
databases, websites or any other
public platforms, once the personal
information in question is no longer
necessary, or relevant.
 It is a civil right of an individual to

request removal of personal
information from Internet.
 The ‘right to be forgotten’ has

gained prominence since a matter
was referred to the Court of Justice
of European Union (CJEU) in 2014
by a Spanish court in the Google
Spain case.
 What is the status of ‘Right to be Forgotten’ in the India?

 In 2017, Puttuswamy Judgement of Supreme Court, Right to Privacy was declared as
intrinsic part of Right to Life under part 3 of the Indian Constitution. However, The Court did
not make it clear if this Right to Privacy was inclusive of Right to be Forgotten or not. But it
also observed that “right of an individual to exercise control over his personal data and to be
able to control his/her own life would also encompass his right to control his existence on the
Internet”
 According to Personal data protection bill 2019, Right to be Forgotten falls under the purview
of an individual’s right to privacy.
 The Information Technology Rules, 2011 — which is the current regime governing digital
data — does not have any provisions relating to the right to be forgotten.

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 Delhi High Court in an order earlier this year reportedly directed Google and an Indian website
covering legal matters to take down information related to an American citizen of Indian origin.
 Karnataka High Court took a different approach and recognised the right to be forgotten “in
sensitive cases involving women in general.
 On the contraty Gujarat High Court was approached by a person, demanding removal of a
judgment acquitting him in a kidnapping and murder case, passed by the same court but the
HC refused to grant him relief.
 What are the challenges associated with right to be forgotten?
 Contradicts with freedom of expression; eg- a newspaper wanting to publish a story (under
its freedom of expression) of an accused who demands right to be forgotten.
 Contradicts with right to information; a rape victim has a right that her past is forgotten and
at the same time a criminal cannot claim that he has the right to insist that his conviction should
not be referred to by the media.
 Challenges in internet field; internet today stores data at many platforms and servers. Erasing
data from all of them will be a difficult task.
 Conflicts in authorities; data protection authority (which will decide on matters of right to be
forgotten) might contradict with central information commission (mandated to provide
information) to the citizens.
Basic concepts:
Right to privacy: According to Supreme Court, it is protected as an intrinsic part of right to life
and personal liberty under article 21. It attaches to the person covering all information about that
person and the choices that he/she makes.
Article 21: Part 3 – fundamental right - No person shall be deprived of his life or personal liberty
except according to a procedure established by law
Data principal - The person/company/entity whose information is being collected

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 What do the provisions in Personal Data Protection bill say on right to

be forgotten?
 Data fiduciary: Section 20 of the bill talks about an entity that stores or processes such
data, to “restrict or prevent the continuing disclosure of data principal’s personal data" in
specific circumstances.
 Right to Erasure of personal data: section 18(1)(d)says that data principal shall where
necessary, have the right to erasure of personal data which is no longer necessary for the
purpose for which it was processed (subject to regulations made for this matter)
 To seek erasure of data, it is necessary to establish that it “has served the purpose for
which it was collected or is no longer necessary for the purpose.
 Data Protection Authority: section 49(1) provides that it shall be the duty of the Authority
to protect the interests of data principals, prevent any misuse of personal data, ensure
compliance with the provisions of this Act, and promote awareness on data protection.
 What should be a way ahead?
 Adding privacy as a ground for reasonable restriction under article 19 (2)

 Ensuring balance between the right to privacy and protection of personal data (as covered
under Article 21), on the one hand, and the freedom of information of internet users (under
Article 19), on the other.
 Enacting and implementation of the personal data protection law.
1. The right based movements on one hand have led to the emergence of several innovative
and empowering rights but on the other hand have also threatened the already existing rights
based system. According to you, isn’t this trend dangerous and will further complicate the
things? Discuss in context of “right to be forgotten.” (15 marks – 250 words)

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TOPIC –TRIBUNAL REFORMS
Issue in brief - The Tribunals Reforms Bill, 2021 was introduced in Lok Sabha by Finance
Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and was passed on August 3
https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/tribunal-reforms-whats-abolished-what-happens-
to-pending-cases-7455500/
Where in Syllabus:
GS2: Statutory, Regulatory and various Quasi-judicial Bodies.
 What are Tribunals?

 Institutions established for
discharging judicial or quasi-
judicial duties.
 Objective: To reduce case load of
the judiciary or to bring in subject
expertise for technical matters.
 As per Supreme Court, tribunals
should have the same level of
independence from the executive as
the judiciary
 Tribunals are part of Indian
constitution as by 42nd amendment
provided for articles 323A and 323B.
 Article 323A: Administrative
Tribunals
 Article 323B: Other tribunals.
 Performs a number of functions
like adjudicating disputes,
determining rights between
contesting parties, making an
administrative decision, reviewing
an existing administrative
decision and so forth.
 What is Tribunal Reforms Bill 2021?

 Replaces the earlier Tribunals Reforms (Rationalisation and Conditions of Service)
Ordinance, 2021
 Provides for uniform pay and rules for the search and selection committees across tribunal
 Provides for removal of tribunal members.
 Chairpersons and judicial members of tribunals are former judges of High Courts and the
Supreme Court Bill with term of office of four years
 Bill specifies that a person should be at least 50 years of age to be eligible for appointment
as a Chairperson or member.

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 In the Search-cum-Selection Committee for state tribunals, there will be Chief Secretary of the
state and the Chairman of the State Public Service and Secretary or Principal Secretary of
state’s General Administrative Department. The Chief Justice of the High Court, who would
head the committee, will not have a casting vote.
 Abolishing of appellate bodies and transfer of functions:
 What are the issues in this bill?

 Burdening the already burdened judiciary with abolishment of some tribunals.
 Violation of SC direction: Term of office for the Chairperson and other members must be five
years (subject to a maximum age limit of 70 years for the Chairperson and 67 years for other
members) as per Supreme Court.
 50 years entry age may discourage the young talent from being part of the system.
 Challenged by the Supreme court: Provisions of the struck down ordinance has been brought
back by the government in the bill.
 Lack of proper debate in the parliament upon this bill showing it as non-democratic.
 What are the issues being faced by the tribunals as a whole?

 Lack of independence: Executive plays a vital role in appointments, providing funds and
functionaries to the tribunals.
 Lack of accessibility: Few branches located at faraway places
 Non-uniformity across tribunals in terms of service conditions, tenure of members, varying
nodal ministries in charge of different tribunals.
 Poor Adjudication & Delay in Judgement: The 272nd Law Commission Report mentions
the Tribunals such as Central Administrative Tribunals and others had a pendency of 2.5 Lakh
cases. Combined with the Vacancy they cannot determine the appeals. So the ordinance is
necessary.
 Very high vacancy: Due to different qualification requirements for different tribunal. For
example, In 13 tribunals alone, nearly 138 posts lying vacant out of 352 posts

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 Poor Infrastructure: Inadequate workforce and infrastructure with lack of information

available on the functioning of tribunals due to unresponsive website.
 Over-tribunalization: Numerous tribunals with varied and overlapping jurisdictions.
 What should be done to tackle these issues?

 Setting up of an independent autonomous body such as a National Tribunals Commission
(NTC), responsible for oversight as well as administration of tribunals
 Providing status similar to courts in terms of independence of working.
 Creation of National Tribunal Services to address the issue of vacancies of functionaries.
 Location of branches in such a way that they become more accessible to the public.
 Implementation of recommendations of law commission with respect to appointment,
qualification, selection and tenure of members, location of tribunals should be implemented at
the earliest.
 Earliest possible implementation of Judicial Impact Assessment.
 Removing the entry barrier age from the bill along-with creation of proper infrastructure before
abolition of existing tribunals.
Basic Terms/Basic concepts:
Quasi-judicial body: Body which has powers and procedures resembling those of a court of law or
judge such as an arbitrator or tribunal board.
Administrative Tribunals: Tribunals handling disputes related to public service matters.
Law Commission: Executive body established by an order of the Government of India. Its major
function is to work for legal reform
Judicial impact assessment: A process whereby the government can anticipate the likely cost of
implementing a legislation through the courts and help deliver timely justice to litigants.
1. Which of the following is empowered to establish administrative tribunals?
a) President
b) Parliament
c) Supreme court
d) State governments
Answer: (b)
2. Enumerate the provisions of the tribunal reforms bill 2021. Also, critically analyse the
importance of bill in the context of overall reforms of the tribunals in the country. (15
Marks, 250 Words)

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INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS(Week 4 – August, 2021)
TOPIC –INDIA AND TALIBAN
Issue in brief - The swift takeover of Afghanistan by the Taliban almost exactly 20 years after
they were militarily ousted by the United States forces in response to the 9/11 attacks, has
shocked the world.
https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-taliban-takeover-and-indias-options-
7466019/
Where in Syllabus:
GS2:India and its Neighbourhood- Relations, Effect of Politics of Developing Countries on
India’s interests, and Indian Diaspora.
 What is the current crisis in Afghanistan?

 Taliban (a fundamentalist
Islamic militant group that
ran the country in the late
1990s) have seized power in
Afghanistan
 The insurgents stormed across
the country and captured all
major cities in a matter of days
 It comes after foreign forces
announced their withdrawal
following a deal between the
US and the Taliban.
 The conflict has killed tens of
thousands of people and
displaced millions.
 What are the challenegs for Afghanistan due to this power capture?
 Political: Threat to democracy and individual rights casuing instability.
 Economic: Broken supply chain due to chaos and violence in the country, damage to
infrastructure, export disruptions, lack of future investments and resulting unemployment.
 Social:
 People fear that the Taliban will reimpose the harsh interpretation of Islamic law in a
way that women will bebarred from attending school or working outside the home. They
have to wear the all-encompassing burqa and be accompanied by a male relative
whenever they go outside. Banning music, cutting off the hands of thieves and stoning
adulterers.
 Hazaras of Afghanistan face a threat to Survival because of shia – sunni conflict.
 Security: Threat to internal security of the country and life to people present in the country.

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 What are the challenges before India due to Taliban Rule on

Afghanistan?
 Threat to Indian diaspora in Afghanistan: Challenge of securely evacuating the diaspora

and remaining diplomatic personnel.
 Resurgence of cross-border terrorism that could destabilise Kashmir and escalate the
conflict between India and Pakistan.
 Threat of spreading fundamentalism: Persecution of minorities may affect India’s internal
security.
 Economic challenges as with the earlier government in Afghanistan, India was engaged in
different infrastructural projects connecting it with Central Asia.
 Chances of regional geopolitical alignment against India when the US moves out from
Afghanistan. It would become obvious that China will try to fill this vacuum and may form an
alliance with Taliban and Pakistan.
 Chances of flourishing drugs trade, human trafficking and arms smuggling directly
impacting India’s security.
 What can be the options for India to tackle Afghan Crisis?

 FIRST: To stick to its principle of backing only a democratically-elected government in
Kabul, and providing political and humanitarian support while that lasts, however it may
create more tension between India and Taliban and challenegs may worsen.
 SECOND: To go further and supply the ANDSF(Afghan National Defence Security
Force) with military supplies, including ammunition and air power, possibly via the Iranian
route.
 THIRD: To accelerate contacts with the Taliban. However, this is unlikely to give India
much leverage bacause of Taliban’s closeness with Pakistan.
 FOURTH: India could simply wait and watch, until the chaos of conflict reveals a winning
side, and weigh its options accordingly. This option may seem easier but this will project
India as a fenchsitter and indecisive power.
 What steps should India take to handle these challenegs?

 Arranging evacuation of Indian Diaspora as well as Afghan people engaged with
development of Indian project there.
 De-linking Taliban and Pakistan using diplomacy.
 Leveraging India’s Goodwill among the Afghan population: Indian USD 3 billion assistance
to Afghanistan is in concrete projects that serve its population and have earned it their
goodwill that will endure.
 Starting talks with Taliban with the help of special envoy.
 Support from International community to counter redicalization and terrorism that can
spread due to this power struggle in the Afghan region.
 Use of bodies like Financial Action Task Force to counter the moneylaundering and other
organized crimes in the region.
 Engaging with Russia and Central Asian Countries to counter the spillovers on Kashmir in
India.

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HAZARAS: Persian-speaking ethnic group native to, and primarily residing in, the mountainous
region of Hazarajat, in central Afghanistan. An ethnic minority group that have been subjected to
repeated persecution and torture by the Taliban in the past.
Radicalization: Radicalization is the process by which an individual or group comes to adopt

increasingly radical views in opposition to a political, social, or religious status quo.
Financial Action Task Force: Intergovernmental organisation founded in 1989 on the initiative
of the G7 to develop policies to combat money laundering.
Practice questions-
1. Find out which of the following countries border Afghanistan:

a. Iran, Pakistan, China, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, and Tajikistan
b. Iran, Iraq, Pakistan, China, Kazakhstan, and Tajikistan
c. Iran, Pakistan, China, Azerbaijan, Uzbekistan
d. Iran, Pakistan, China, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan
Answer: (a)
2. For New Delhi, an unfriendly government in Kabul can complicate its strategic options.
Critically discuss. Also provide options that India has in this scenario along-with the
way forward. (15 Marks 250 Words)

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INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS (Week 4 – August, 2021)
TOPIC – MALABAR EXERCISE OF QUAD NATIONS
Issue in brief -Navies of the four member nations of the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue, or the
Quad — India, the United States, Japan, and Australia — are participating in the 25th edition of
the Malabar Exercise, which began off the coast of Guam in the Pacific Ocean on Thursday
https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/malabar-exercise-of-quad-nations-why-it-matters-to-
india-7472058/
Where in Syllabus:
GS2: Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting
India’s interests.
 What is the MALABAR EXERCISE of QUAD GROUP?
 Malabar is a multilateral war-

gaming naval exercise that was
started in 1992 in Indo-Pacific region.
 It began as a bilateral exercise
between the navies of India and the
United States.
 From 2002 onward, the exercise has
been conducted every year.
 Japan and Australia first
participated in 2007, and since 2014,
India, the US and Japan have
participated in the exercise every
year.
 It is held alternately in the Indian
and Pacific Oceans.
 Aims to support free, open and
inclusive Indo-Pacific and remain
committed to a rules based
international order.
 QUAD: Quadrilateral Security
Dialogue among INDIA, USA,
JAPAN, AUSTRALIA.

 What is the significance of such exercise for India ?
 Strengthening strategic relations: It complements diplomatic efforts and ensures inter-
operability between the nations.
 India’s long coastline is vulnerable to different threats like insurgency and disasters, such
exercises help India in keeping its coast safer and secure.

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 It helps to test strategies and their use in actual hostilities, ensures combat readiness and
creates understanding between military and ancillary personnel
 It can deepen the international alliance that can serve as a source of symbolic and
substantive support, including in the maritime domain against the string of pearls.
 It is major step towards building a sustainable Indo-Pacific coalition thereby addressing the
massive strategic imbalance generated by an economically and militarily powerful China.
 It can help in keeping Indian Ocean a “ZONE OF PEACE”.
 What are the other engagements of India with QUAD members?

INDIA- USA INDIA-JAPAN INDIA-AUSTRALIA
1. (COMCASA 1. Exercises JIMEX (naval 1. Trade Ministers of India,
Communications exercise), SHINYUU Japan and Australia have
Compatibility and Security Maitri (air force formally launched the
Agreement)Foundational exercise), and Dharma Supply Chain Resilience
military agreement; Guardian (military Initiative (SCRI);
2. India in a privileged exercise); 2. India-Australia Circular
category of NATO and 2. New Delhi and Tokyo Economy Hackathon (I-
non-NATO U.S. allies; have collaborated to ACE);
3. New ‘2+2’ foreign and build infrastructure in 3. India and Australia are
defence ministers dialogue; Iran and Africa; members of Indian
4. Bilateral Strategic Energy 3. Special Economic Ocean Rim Association
Partnership; Partnership Initiative (IORA), ASEAN
5. Inclusion of India and South (SEPI); Regional Forum, Asia
Asia in the US Maritime 4. Japanese Official Pacific Partnership on
Security Initiative; Development Assistance Climate and Clean
6. Exercises Yudha Abhyas (ODA) Development,;
(Army), Vajra Prahar 5. ASIAN Highway; 4. Civil Nuclear
(Military), Spitting Cobra, 6. Mumbai Ahmedabad Cooperation Agreement;
SANGAM, RED FLAG, bullet Train project. 5. Mutual Legal Assistance
COPE INDIA. Treaty (MLAT) and the
Extradition Treaty.
 What can be the challenges before India due to such engagements?

 Growing proximity with countries like USA is seen by China as counter-measure against
itself thus impacting the bilateral relations adversely.
 Against the policy of Non-Alignment: Such specific engagements of India are seen by other
nations against its non-alignment policy.
 Lack of trust among India and USA due to political scenario and economic issues at WTO
 Competition among QUAD group members with respect to Economic gains.
 Secutiry Challenges: Terrorist groups working against USA, Australia may target India as
well due to its proximity with these nations.
 India may lose its strategic autonomy due to the influence of these powerful nationas.
 How should India proceed with its foreign policy in Indo-Pacific?

 Qualitative engagements by India at the international level like in United National security
council, Permanent Court of Arbitration and WTO
 India must continue its engagements with QUAD group to protect its strategic and economic
interest.

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 Maintenance of strategic autonomy to take measures as per the needs of the country.
 India needs to collaborate with all the stakeholders of the region to ensure freedom of
navigation in the region and counter any unilateral attempt to change in balance of power.
 Act East Policy with ASEAN, BIMSTEC, SAARC should be worked upon to make them
more relevant and efficient.
 India needs to move beyond non-alignment towards an issue-based alliance with no formal
agreements.
NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization): An intergovernmental military alliance between

28 European countries and 2 North American countries. The organization implements the North
Atlantic Treaty that was signed on 4 April 1949
CIRCULAR ECONOMY: Concept describing an industrial economy, which produces no

wastes and no emissions through its design, considering all the phases of the life cycle of
products.
ASEAN (Association of South East Asian Nations): An economic union comprising 10

member states in Southeast Asia, which promotes intergovernmental cooperation and facilitates
economic, political, security, military, educational, and sociocultural integration between its
members and other countries in Asia.
BIMSTEC (Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic

Cooperation): An international organisation of seven South Asian and Southeast Asian nations,
housing 1.73 billion people and having a combined gross domestic product of $3.8 trillion (2021).
Member states – Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Thailand.
SAARC (South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation): Regional intergovernmental

organization and geopolitical union of states in South Asia. Its member states are Afghanistan,
Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, the Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.
Practice questions-
1. Malabar, which began as a bilateral exercise, is now one of the cornerstones of

military interoperability of the Quad forces. In the context of the statement, critically
discuss the significance of this exercise. Also provide the way ahead for India in the
Indo-Pacific region. (15 Marks, 250 words)
2. DIY: INDIA- ASEAN RELATIONSHIP

https://www.ibef.org/pages/asean-india
https://www.livemint.com/opinion/online-views/patience-please-india-s-asean-
journey-has-much-further-to-go-11614184689235.html

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DashoVidyaIAS–Syllabus Affairs
TOPIC – UNSC REFORMS AND INDIA
Issue in brief- Biden administration non-committal on support for permanent UNSC seat for
India
https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/biden-administration-non-committal-on-support-
for-permanent-unsc-seat-for-india/article35757993.ece
Where in Syllabus:
GS2 - Bilateral, Regional and Global Groupings and Agreements involving India and/or affecting
India’s interests.
 What is United Nation Security Council (UNSC)?

 Creation – United Nations Security Council is one of the six principal organs of the
UN. It was created after World War II to address the failings of the League of
Nations in maintaining world peace.
 Composition - Fifteen UN member States(5 permanent members + 10 non-permanent
members)
 Five permanent members are USA, UK, France, Russia and China.
 The permanent members have the power to“veto”a substantive decision of the
Council by voting against it.
 It is the international community’s principal organ for peacekeeping and conflict
management.
 Unlike the decisions made by the General Assembly, its decisions (known as
resolutions) are binding on all member states.
 Why is there a need to reform UNSC?

 It does not reflect realities of 21st century because the composition of UNSC still
reflects the geopolitical situation of 1945 when USA, Russia and other European powers
were very strong. However 21st century geopolitics has given rise to new big powers like
G4.
 Lack of proper regional representation as in UNSC except two regions (North America
and Europe) other regions like Asia and Africa are either not represented or under
represented.

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 Misuse of VETO power by the permanent members. E.g. – China vetoed the decision to
blacklist Masood Azhar.
 Increasing complexity of challenges faced by the world like climate change, terrorism
and pandemics require new innovative and inclusive institutions to tackle.
 What is the stand of India in this regard?

 India’s stand presents the need for reformed multilateralism to suit the interests of 21st
century geopolitics.
 India wants to transform UNSC into human-centric and inclusive platformby giving a
voice for the developing world.
 India is putting forward its demand for Permanent Seat because of its high stature in
World geopolitics - the undisputed leader of the Third world countries as well as the
biggest contributors to peacekeeping forces/missions.
 What can be the benefits for India by these reforms?

 India will get immense power and influence in global decision-making. e.g. India will
come at par with China.
 It would help India to safeguard its national interest whenever there is a conflict afoot
E.g. India can get support for tackling state sponsored terrorism.
 India will become a global rule-maker that can help the third world countries in getting
their real rights.
 India’s permanent status will help in improving its economic clout in the world.
 As with great power comes, great responsibility, India can prove the world its
responsible decision making nature.
 What are the constraints before India in getting the permanent status
in UNSC?
 Indian foreign policy discourse is starkly withdrawn from politically sensitive matters in
UNSC like African peace and security matters, which shows India’s lack of decision
making power
 Pursuing policy of silence or giving vague or ambiguous statements on matters like
nuclear proliferation in Iran and North Korea, to human rights violations in Syria, shows
its deliberate attempt to play both sides of any conflict and its fear of consequences.
 Non-signing of Non-Proliferation Treaty creates mistrust among few members
regarding India’s responsible nature.
 As reforming UNSC would need vote of all the current members, China one of the
permanent members, is not in favour of giving India a permanent seat.
 Poor human development index creates shadow on India’s ability to govern its
population which in turn affects it image at UN.
 India’s strained relations with its neighbours and high imports of weapons can raise
questions on India’s military strength.

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 What can be the way forward for India?

 Reforming foreign policy; Recently India has become member of the UNSC, it should
try to play a more proactive role on sensitive political issues around the world which
include problems that plague millions in Africa, the Middle East, and elsewhere.
 Collaboration with small neighbour states so that they will give support in reforming
the UNSC
 Improving the human development indices with the help of effective implementation
of socio-economic policies and schemes
 Giving more importance to R&D on technology and science along-with technology
sharing agreements so that import dependence can be decreased
 Working with G4 group to persuade China and other permanent members and to tackle
United For Consensus Group (COFFEE CLUB)
Basic concepts:
 Veto power: The power or right vested in permanent members to cancel or postpone the
decisions, enactments of UNSC.
 Non-permanent members (temporary members): Elected for 2 years term on rotation basis.
 UN General Assembly: one of the six principal organs of the United Nations (UN), serving as
the main deliberative, policymaking, and representative organ of the UN. Responsible for the UN
budget, appointing the non-permanent members to the Security Council, appointing the
Secretary-General of the United Nations, and making recommendations through resolutions. The
only UN organ wherein all member states have equal representation.
 G4 Group: A group of countries that are seeking permanent membership of UNSC- India, Japan,
Brazil and Germany are its members.
 United For Consensus Group (COFFEE CLUB): A movement that developed in the 1990s in
opposition to the possible expansion of permanent seats in the UNSC. It has 12 members. Under
the leadership of Italy, it aims to counter the bids for permanent seats proposed by G4 and is
calling for a consensus before any decision is reached on the form and size of the Security
Council.
1. UN Secretary General heads which principal organ of the United NationsOrganisation?

a. General Assembly
b. Security Council
c. Economic and Social Council
d. The Secretariat
Ans. (d)
2. India is pressing hard for a permanent membership at UNSC. Present a case in favour of
India. Also discuss the associated challenges. (15 marks -250 words)

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SOCIAL SECTOR (Week 4 – August, 2021)
TOPIC – FOOD BIOFORTIFICATION
Issue in brief - PM Modi ON 15th August announced that, by 2024, rice provided to the poor
under any government scheme — PDS, mid-day-meal, anganwadi — will be fortified.
https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/narendra-modi-red-fort-independence-day-
nutrition-biofortified-crops-7475993/
Where in Syllabus:
GS2: Issues Relating to Development and Management of Social Sector/Services relating to
Health.
 What is Bio fortification?
 It is the process of increasing

nutritional value of food crops by
increasing the density of vitamins and
minerals in a crop.
 This is done through either
conventional plant breeding;
agronomic practices or
biotechnology.
 Conventional crop breeding
techniques are used to identify
varieties with particularly high
concentration of desired nutrients
which are cross-bred with varieties
with other desirable traits from the
target areas (such a virus resistance,
drought tolerance) to develop bio
fortified varieties that have high
levels of micronutrients (for example,
vitamin A, iron or zinc.
 How can bio fortification help in fighting malnutrition?

 They have 1.5 to 3 times higher levels of protein, vitamins, minerals and amino acids
compared to the traditional varieties which will ensure a balanced diet and can be handy in
resolving the problems of wasting, stunting and under weight.
 Micro nutrients like zinc can help to fight hidden hunger (micro nutirent deficiency)
 The method is cost effective as well as easy to adopt . Farmers will find it easy to implement
and thus increasing the potential multifold.

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 It further helps to adopt a targetted uproach. It is especially beneficial for poor sections of
society who could not afford a diversified food basket
 These crops also serve as an excellent source of balanced feed for livestock in improving
their nutritional outcomes.
 How far has India come in this sector?

 ICAR has been developing bio fortified crops in India with a view to eradicate malnutrition
amongst the poor sections of the society. As per the ICAR website, they had developed 21
varieties of bio fortified staples including wheat, rice, maize, millets, mustard, groundnut by
2019-20.
 ICAR is collaborating with harvet plus programme of Consultative group for International
Agriculture Research, seed companies and farmer organisations to accelerate production and
improve the access of the poor in India to iron-rich pearl millet and zinc-rich wheat.
 Recently PM has mentioned new bio fortified varities like zinc rice CR Dhan 315, Pusa
mustard 32 and HI 1633 Wheat varity etc.
 What are the associated risks?

 Over consumption of bio fortified food can also lead to nutritional imbalace because of
over nourishment. The risks of obesity are real
 It is restricted to increasing the access of nutrients however the issue of malnutrition is
multi dimensional in nature as several reasons like cultural beliefs, poor sanitation and
hygien, lack of safe drinking water lead to malnutrition.
 It might also reduce the dietary diversity as it aims at concentrationg more nutrients in a
fue staples.
 It reduces the the importance of conventional staples and make people think that
conventional crops are inadequate and inferior.
 How should India proceed to tackle malnourishment?

 First, there is a direct correlation between mothers’ education and the wellbeing of
children. Children with mothers who have no education have the least diversified diets and
suffer from stunting and wasting and are anaemic. Hence, targeted programmes for
improving the educational status of girls and reducing the school dropout rates, particularly
at the secondary and higher educational levels, need to be promoted.
 Second, childcare knowledge and information on holistic nourishment should be
compulsorily included in the school curriculum
 Third, innovations in biofortified food along with supporting policies- increasing
expenditure on agri-R&D and incentivising farmers by linking their produce to lucrative
markets through sustainable value chains.
 Fourth, national awareness drive on the lines of the ―Salt Iodisation Programme‖ can play
an important role at the individual and community levels to achieve the desired goals of
poshan for all.
 Branding, awareness campaigns, social and behavioural change initiatives, such as
community-level counselling, dialogue, media engagement and advocacy, especially amongst
marginalised communities, can promote consumption of locally-available, nutrient-dense
affordable foods among the poor and children.

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27
Basic concepts / facts:
 Of country’s total population 15.3% is undernourished.
 India has the highest proportion of ―stunted‖ (30%) and ―wasted‖ children (17.3%) below
five years of age, as per the FAO’s recent publication, ‘The State of Food Security and
Nutrition in the World, 2021’
 Hidden hunger refers to a more insidious type of deficiency caused by eating food that is
cheap and filling but deficient in essential vitamins and micronutrients. Though, the
consequences of subclinical deficiency of micronutrients are better understood and
monitored, they often go unnoticed within the community. It is for these reasons that
micronutrient deficiencies have been referred to as "hidden hunger".
o Poshan Abhiyan - Launched in 2018, is the Government of India’s flagship programme to

improve nutritional outcomes for children, pregnant women and lactating mothers. It is
backed by a National Nutrition Strategy prepared by the NITI Aayog with the goal of
attaining ―Kuposhan Mukt Bharat" or malnutrition-free India, by 2022.
Practice questions-
1. Which of the following statements are correct with respect to Bio – fortified
crops?
1. They are developed either by genetic engineering or by cross breeding.

2. They can also be developed during food processing stage.
Options:
a) 1 only
b) 2 only
c) 1 and 2 both
d) None.
Answer – (a)
2. Though food fortification technologies hold good promise to tackle India’s

Malnutrition challenges yet narrowing down this multi dimensional phenomenon
will be a fatal mistake. Discuss. Also suggest the supporting initiatives which
must accompany bio fortification in order to achieve the SDG goals related to
hunger and malnourishment by 2030. (15 marks, 250 Words)

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28
TOPIC- INDUSTRY-ACADEMIA GAP IN

HIGHER EDUCATION
Issue in brief- There is a need for a truly autonomous quality assurance body at an arms-length
from the government, manned by eminent persons both from industry as well as academia.
https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/addressing-the-quality-deficit-in-indias-
technical-education-7443755/
Where in Syllabus:
GS2 - Issues Relating to Development and Management of Social Sector/Services relating to
Education
 What isIndustry – academia gap?
 It is the gap between the higher

education system and industries
expectation from entry level
graduate/post-graduate.
 When the academic curriculum is not
designed in such a way that it suits the
demands of the industries, this gap gets
created.
 Lack of skills lack of employability 
lack of employment  children pushed
to get low quality education and the
vicious circle continues.
 What are the reasons behind this gap??

 Academicians and industrialists have a different mind-set therefore both have
different perspectives and expectations. E.g. academicians focusing on theoretical
knowledge and industry focusing on practical knowledge.
 Deficit of the government institutions in specialised sectors as compared to the rising
young population levels.
 Rise of private sector in engineering institutions with lack of expertise in the
specialised areas deteriorated the quality of curriculum. Subjects like material, applied
physics and thermodynamics suffered the most.
 Regulatory gaps combined with poor infrastructure and lack of qualified faculty
further deteriorated the situation.
 Lack of consultation between the education planners and industry bodies like CII,
ASSOCHAM,FICCI
 Lack of credible information on demand side numbers force institutions to take
decisions on the basis of perception only.
 The curriculum is static in nature while its application is dynamic.
DashoVidya IAS, email id: dashovidya.upsc@gmail.com; Telegram channel: DashoVidyaIAS 1

Contact no - 8595852855
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 Lukewarm attitude of lecturers to surrender themselves for trainings and workshops

 Excessive focus on marks promotes rote learning and kills the innovative and critical
thinking abilities.
 Lack of integrated curriculum and seeing the education from the prism of science and
non-science subjects.
 What are the implications of this gap?

 Reduced employability of the youth which can change the demographic dividend into a
demographic disaster.
 Reduction in national output and per capita income.
 Drastic closing up of institutions leading to large scale unemployment of the faculty.
For e.g. - Since 2015-16, at least 50 colleges have been closed each year and this year,
AICTE approved the closure of 63 institutes.
 Brain drain forcing India to lose it valuable human capital.
 Financial burden on companies: Freshers are not accustomed to working in the practical
industrial environment and companies have to shun out extra money and time to
orientand train them.
 Lack of transformational leadership, business ethics and values, group dynamics and
team building leading to non-suitability of new entrants of labour force for this highly
competitive cutting edge market.
 What has government done in this regard?

 National education policy 2020 provides for industry and Higher Education Institutes
collaboration e.g. MHRD will constitute a National Committee for the Integration of
Vocational Education (NCIVE), consisting of experts, representatives from across
Ministries, and industry.
 IMPacting Research, INnovation and Technology (IMPRINT): unique technology
development initiative of Ministry of Human resource Development (MHRD) for
translation of research knowledge into viable technology (products and processes) with
the collaboration of academia and industry.
 UchhatarAvishkar Yojana (UAY): focuses on a viable industry-academic collaboration
where industry shares a part of the cost of research to promote innovation of a higher
order that directly impacts the needs of the Industry
 VAJRA (Visiting Advanced Joint Research): it enables NRIs and overseas scientific
community to participate and contribute to research and development in India.
 Institute of Eminence: To provide for high quality teaching and research and for the
advancement of knowledge and its dissemination with the help of industry and academia.
 Global Initiative for Academics Network (GIAN): to invite distinguished
academicians, entrepreneurs, scientists, experts from premier institutions from across the
world, to teach in the higher educational institutions in India.
 What can be done further to fix the gap?

 Create a truly autonomous quality assurance body at an arms-length from the
government, manned by eminent persons both from industry as well as academia.

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 Integrating humanities with STEM subjects in higher education so as to develop all
round skills. NEP 2020 also aims at it. Moreover, RadhaKrishnan committee report also
suggested the same.
 Market ready skills like entrepreneurship, business acumen and managing small
businesses must be included.
 Promoting internships and apprenticeships programme. Developing a system where
from day one the student is engaged with some industry and the courses are designed in
such manner.
 Funding mechanism needs to be changed. Financial autonomy should be promoted and
encouraging the sponsorship programs by companies for the institutions.
 terms/concepts:
Basic Promoting learning by doing culture and rewarding innovation and creativity.
CII (Confederation of Indian Industry): works to create and sustain an environment conducive to
the development of India, partnering industry,partnering industry, Government, and civil society,
through advisory and consultative processes.
ASSOCHAM (Associated Chambers of Commerce of India):non-governmental trade association
and advocacy group which represents the interests of trade and commerce in India, and acts as an
interface between issues and initiatives
FICCI (Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry): voice of India's business and
industry. From influencing policy to encouraging debate, engaging with policy makers and civil
society, FICCI articulates the views and concerns of industry.
AICTE (All India Council for Technical Education): statutory body, and a national-level council
for technical education, under the Department of Higher Education.
Brain drain or Human capital flight: refers to the emigration of individuals who have received
advanced training at home.
STEM subjects: science, technology, engineering and mathematics and refers to any subjects that
fall under these four disciplines.
1. With respect to VAJRA scheme, which of these are the correct statements:
1. It is launched by Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB).
2. Scheme offers adjunct / visiting faculty assignments to overseas scientists, faculty members
and R&D professionals including Non-resident Indians (NRI) and Overseas Citizen of India
(OCI).
Options:
a) 1 only
b) 2 only
c) 1 and 2, both
d) None.
Answer. (c)
2. An Effective Framework for Bridging the Gap between Industry and Academia is the need of
the hour. Discuss. Also provide the solutions in this regard. (15 marks, 250 Words)

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31
WELFARE SCHEMES (Week 2 – August, 2021)
TOPIC – PRADHAN MANTRI UJJWALA YOJANA
Issue in brief - Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday launched the second phase of the
Ujjwala gas connection scheme for the poor
https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/pm-launches-ujjwala-20-targets-previous-govts-for-
taking-decades-to-fulfil-peoples-basic-needs/article35837614.ece
Where in Syllabus:
GS2: Welfare Schemes for Vulnerable Sections of the population by the Centre and States and
the Performance of these Schemes
 What is PRADHAN MANTRI UJJWALA YOJANA?

 Scheme of the Ministry of
Petroleum & Natural Gas for
providing LPG connections to
women from Below Poverty Line
(BPL) households
 Launched in 2016 to boost the usage
of clean cooking fuels and control the
related disease burden
 Under the scheme, an adult woman
belonging to a poor family not
having LPG connection in her
household is an eligible beneficiary
under the expanded scheme.
 Release of LPG connection under
this Scheme shall be in the name of
the women belonging to the BPL
family.
 What are the features of PMUY?

 Aim: To provide 5 crore (later 8 crore) LPG connections to BPL families.
 Financial support of Rs.1,600/- for each LPG connection given to BPL families.
 EMI facilities to be given for stove and refill cost (Interest-free loan).
 The administrative cost of Rs.1,600/- for installation of the LPG to be borne by the
Government.

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 The scheme is complementary to the Prime Minister’s ‘Give It Up Campaign’ through
which a huge number of middle-class families have voluntarily surrendered their cooking gas
subsidy.
 Have a look at the analysis of the performance of PMUY.

 As a social movement it has brought a sea change in women’s life by offering them a
smokeless and hassle-free cooking option as well as a healthy lifestyle and empowering
them financially.
 The following graph shows that LPG reached almost all households by April 2019.
 By 1st April 2021, LPG coverage reached to 99.8%.

 Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) as on date have conducted more than 80,000 LPG
Panchayats and safety clinics for education and awareness programs among PMUY
beneficiaries.
 Despite wide coverage, LPG refills ordered by consumers have been constantly declining
in recent years.
 A survey showed that 35.44% reverted to traditional fuels mainly due to higher price of
LPG refills and easy availability of traditional fuel which is considered "unclean".
 Around 33.02 per cent beneficiaries consumed just one to three refills- CAG report
 In the past five years, there has been only a 20% increase in the overall usage of clean
cooking fuel.

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33
 What is UJJWALA 2.0?

 Second phase of Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY)
 Part of the ambitious agenda for behavioural change that will help India transit to a $5
trillion economy by 2024.
 Aimed to provide maximum benefit to the migrants who live in other states and find it
difficult to submit address proof. They will only have to give “Self-Declaration” to avail
the benefit.
 Will provide the first refill and a hotplate free of cost to the beneficiaries.
 An additional 10 million LPG connections will be provided to the beneficiaries.
 Government has also fixed a target of providing piped gas to 21 lakh homes in 50
districts.
 What was the need of bringing UJJWALA 2.0?

 COVID Crisis: During outmigration phase many of the poor must have lost their
identification certificates, leading to the need to upgrade PMUY.
 Large number of poor population was not get covered by the first phase.
 Limited usage of cylinders: While the number of LPG connections across India has
increased by an impressive 16.26%, the use of gas cylinders increased by only 9.83%.
 Diversion of cylinder: Many inactive accounts were identified, with some accounts
bearing false beneficiaries using LPG for commercial and profitable purposes.
 Lower impact of behavioural components of PMUY 1.0 scheme like LPG Panchayat,
safety clinics.
Basic concepts:
BPL (Below poverty line): An economic benchmark related to threshold income, fixed by the
Government of India. It can help one identify the financially weaker people and households in
immediate need of government aid.
LPG: Liquefied petroleum gas is a flammable mixture of hydrocarbon gases such as propane and
butane.
#Give it Up Campaign: Launched by Government of India to motivate LPG users who can afford
to pay the market price for LPG to voluntarily surrender their LPG subsidy.
 What can be done to further promote the UJJWALA 2.0?

 Promoting health benefits through health messages and a loan of a second cylinder
to households that currently own one cylinder
 Dividing further specific categories like providing an LPG connection and free fuel
to any pregnant woman in India who still cooks on an indoor chulha.
 Making people aware about the health risks of a smoky indoor fire.
 Increase logistical and financial support to rural distributors in order to offset the
increased costs of providing remote, rural homes with LPG refills.

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34
 Enable paying the distributor the LPG subsidy directly, so households pay only the
subsidized cylinder price. LPG has a subsidy, but it arrives after the fuel purchase.
Many households find the unsubsidized lump sum cost of refills challenging.
 Data collection and build in mechanisms to enable rapid evaluations to assess the
program’s impact.
1. With respect to PMUY, which of the following are correct?

1) The applicant must be a woman aged above 18 years. She must also be a citizen of
India.
2) She should belong to a family below the poverty line even if someone else from the
household already own an LPG connection.
3) The overall monthly income of the family should not exceed a certain limit that is
prescribed by the UT/State Governments.
Options:
A) 1only
B) 1& 3 only
C) 1, 2 and 3 or All of the above
D) 1 & 2 only
Ans. (B) 1 & 3 only
2. How effective has the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana been? Examine. Also discuss the
need for launching UJJWALA 2.0 with enumeration of its features. (15 Marks, 250Words)

Contact no - 8595852855
35
TOPIC - QUALITY OF LIFE FOR ELDERLY INDEX
Issue in brief - “Quality of Life for Elderly Index assesses well-being of India’s ageing
population”
https://pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetail.aspx?PRID=1744755
Where in Syllabus:
GS2: Mechanisms, Laws, Institutions and Bodies constituted for the Protection and Betterment of
these Vulnerable Sections
 What is Quality of Life for Elderly Index?

1. Released by Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister (EAC-PM) and
created by the Institute for Competitiveness
2. It sheds light on problems faced by the elderly.
3. Identifies the regional patterns of ageing across Indian States and assesses the overall
ageing situation in India.
4. Presents a deeper insight into how well India is doing to support the well-being of its
ageing population.
4 pillars
Financial Social
Health Income
Well- Well-
being System Security
being
Educational and Enabling

Economic Social Status Physical Security Psychological Social Security
Attainment & Basic Health Environment.
Empowerment Wellbeing
Employment
 What are the key highlights of the index?

 Health System pillar: Highest National average, 66.97 at an all-India level,
 Social well-being pillar: National average: 62.34.
 Financial Well-being pillar: National average 44.7, lowered by the low performance of 21
States across the Education Attainment & Employment pillar
 Worse performance in Income Security pillar as more than half of the states got score less
than 33%.
 Rajasthan and Himachal Pradesh are top-scoring regions in Aged and Relatively Aged
States, respectively.
 Chandigarh and Mizoram are top-scoring regions in Union Territory and North-East
States category.

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36
 What are the benefits for having this index?

 Expands the way we understand the needs and the opportunities of the elderly population in
India.
 It measures the core domains of economic, health, and social well-being of older people to
provide the in-depth situation of elderly people and to ease the complexity of issues being
faced by elderly class
 Will help the policy makers to identify areas that need improvement
 Promotes healthy competition among States through fair rankings hence boosting
competitive federalism.
 For better knowledge of status of elderly population in India: As there are nearly 104
million elderly persons; 53 million females and 51 million males (census 2011). Growing at
around 3% annually, the number will rise to 319 million in 2050.
 What are the challenges being faced by elderly people and nation as a
whole due to aging?
 Challenges faced by elderly:
 Disintegration of joint families leading to negligence by the children.
 Financial dependence and sudden out of pocket expenditure.
 Health issues & multiple disabilities
 Lack of suitable infrastructure and accessibility to healthcare services
 Social inequality e.g. most vulnerable during disasters
 Challenges before the nation: India is ageing much faster and is expected to have nearly
20% population of the world’s 60 years and above by 2050 with the largest number of older
adults in the world
 Excess expenditure on subsidized healthcare facilities, and pension payments
 Opportunity creation for integration of elderly in economy.
 Handling crime against elderly, and tackling feminization of aging
 Increasing dependency ratio giving rise to reduced savings & investment by the labour
force.
 Elderly suitable infrastructure is lacking in India currently.
 What are the steps taken by the government in this regard?

 National Programme for Healthcare of Elderly for providing dedicated care services to an
ageing population.
 Rashtriya Vayoshri Yojana (RVY): For providing Physical Aids and Assisted-living
Devices for Senior citizens belonging to BPL category.
 Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme (IGNOAPS)&Pradhan Mantri Vaya
Vandana Yojana (Pension Scheme) + Jeevan Pramaanbiometric enabled digital service
for pensioners
 SAGE (Seniorcare Aging Growth Engine): To identify, evaluate, verify, aggregate, and
deliver products, solutions and services directly to the stakeholders (elderly & startups).
 Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens (MWPSC) Act, 2007 for
ensuring need-based maintenance for Parents and Senior Citizens and their welfare.

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 National Council for Senior Citizens to implement the assurances given to old age people as
per constitution.
 What can be the further steps to tackle these challenges?

 Creation of job opportunities: Steps for turing passive aging into active aging by integration
in national economy and reaping the 2nd demographic dividend.
 Revival of traditional family structure, neighborhood bonding, community bonding and
community participation.
 Partnership with civil society/NGOs for creating enabing environment for elderly.
 Economic helps: Tax benefits, increased pension, accessible healthcare infrastructure.
 Recognition to active senior citizens contributing in the growth and development of the
country.
Terms/Basic concepts:
Institute for Competitiveness: International initiative centred in India, dedicated to enlarging and
purposeful disseminating of the body of research and knowledge on competition and strategy, part
of Institute for Strategy and Competitiveness at Harvard Business School.
Aged States: States with an elderly population of more than 5 million, whereas Relatively Aged
States refer to States with an Elderly population of less than 5 million.
Elderly Population:A person who is of age 60 years or above.
Dependency ratio: Dependency ratio is an age-population ratio of those typically not in the labour
force (the dependent part) and those typically in the labour force (the productive part).
Labour force: Persons who were either 'working' (or employed) or 'seeking or available for work'
(or unemployed) constituted the labour force.
2nd demographic dividend: results from an increase in adult longevity, which causes individuals
to save more in preparation for old age. This increase in savings can thus contribute to capital
accumulation and economic growth.
1. With respect to Rashtriya Vayoshri Yojana which of the following is/are correct?
1. Scheme is launched by Ministry of Finance.
2. a central sector scheme funded from the Senior Citizens’ Welfare Fund
3. It is being implemented by Artificial Limbs Manufacturing Corporation of India
(ALIMCO)
Options:
a) 1, 2and 3
b) 1 & 2
c) 2 & 3
d) 1 & 3
Ans. (c)
2. Advocacy of old age issues at all levels of governance and most importantly
implementation of policies pertaining to protection of interests of older persons should be
ensured. Discuss. (15 Marks, 250 Words)

Contact no - 8595852855
38
TOPIC –SAMAGRA SHIKSHA SCHEME 2.0
Issue in brief- Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, chaired by Prime Minister Shri
Narendra Modi, has given its approval for continuation of the revised SamagraShiksha Scheme
for a period of five years i.e., from 2021-22 to 2025-26.
https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1742287
Where in Syllabus:
GS2 - Issues Relating to Development and Management of Social Sector/Services relating to
Education
 What is SamagraShiksha Scheme?

 An overarching programme for
the school education sector
extending from pre-school to
class 12
 Broader goal of improving
school effectiveness measured
in terms of equal opportunities
for schooling and equitable
learning outcomes.
 Subsumes the three Schemes of
SarvaShikshaAbhiyan (SSA),
RashtriyaMadhyamikShiksha
Abhiyan (RMSA) and
Teacher Education (TE) and
was launched in 2018.
 Covers 1.16 million schools,
over 156 million students and
5.7 million Teachers of Govt.
and Aided schools (from pre-
primary to senior secondary
level).
 What is SamagraShiksha 2.0?

 Upgraded version of SamagraShiksha Scheme which has been aligned with the
recommendations of National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.

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39
 What are the features of SamagraShiksha Scheme 2.0?

 Direct benefit transfer: To enhance the direct outreach of the scheme, all child centric
interventions will be provided directly to the students through DBT mode on an IT based
platform over a period of time.
 Effective convergence architecture with various Ministries/ developmental agencies of the
Centre and State Governments. E.g. expansion of vocational education to be done in
convergence with the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship and other
Ministries providing funding for Skills.
 Training of Master Trainers: For training of Anganwadi workers and In-service teacher
training for ECCE teachers.
 NIPUN Bharat: (National Mission on Foundational Literacy and Numeracy): To ensure
that every child achieves the desired learning competencies in reading, writing and numeracy
at the end of grade III and not later than grade V has been launched under the scheme with
provision of TLM (Teaching Learning Materials)uptoRs 500 per child per annum, Rs 150 per
teacher for teacher manuals and resources, Rs 10-20 lakh per district for assessment.
 Holistic Progress Card (HPC):Holistic, 360-degree, multi-dimensional report showing
progress/ uniqueness of each learner in the cognitive, affective, and psychomotor domains
 Support for activities of PARAKH, a national assessment centre (Performance,
Assessments, Review and Analysis of Knowledge for Holistic Development)
 'Rani LaxmibaiAtmaRakshaPrashikshan': Training for 3 months for inculcating self-
defence skills + Incinerator and sanitary pad vendingmachines in all girls' hostels.
 Classroom cum workshop for Vocational Education in schools serving as Hub for other
schools in the neighbourhood. Provision of transport and assessment cost for schools serving
as spokes has been made.
 Provision of ICT labs, Smart classrooms including support for digital boards, smart
classrooms, virtual classrooms and DTH channels have been provided.
 What is the current status of school education in India?

 Infrastructure status as per Unified District Information System for Education Plus
2019-20 Report:-
Infrastructure 2012-13 2019-20

Hand wash facility 36.3% 90.2%
Electricity 54.6% 83.4%
Medical checkup in schools in a 61.1% 82.3%
year
Boys’ toilet 67.8% 95.9%
Girls’ toilet 88.7% 96.9%
Library/ reading room/ reading 69.2% 84.1%
corner
Computer 22.2% 38.5%
Internet 6.2% 22.3%

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 Enrolment status As per ASER report, since the year 2007, the enrollment of children
in the age group 6 to 14 years has been above 95%. However, for the first time ever, the
number of children not enrolled in schools has gone below 3%.
 Inadequate finacial resourcesUnion Budget 2021 budget allocates only 2.75 percent
of the GDP to education.
 Poor state of learning As per ASER report pnly 16% of children in Class 1 can read
the text at the prescribed level, while almost 40% cannot even recognise letters, of 6 year
olds in Class 1, nearly 42% of those in private schools could read words in comparison
to only 19% from government schools.
 Dropouts Nationally, 29 percent of children drop out before completing five years of
primary school, and 43 percent before finishing upper primary school. High school
completion is only 42 percent.
 How will this scheme help in improving the school education system
in the country?
 Focus on digital educationand digital literacy along-withfocus on skill development and

vocational education will lead to better employability
 It will make schools and societyinclusive.
 Coordination of different ministries and departments will lead to better efficiency and
effectiveness of policies
 Integration of Teacher Education will facilitate effective linkages and convergence
between various support structures in school education through interventions such as
innovations in pedagogy, unified training calendar, mentoring and monitoring, etc.
 It will increase financial support to schools and states governments
 Encouraging Indian languages will help in tackling the problem of extinction of
regional languages
 Academic and extra curricular development of the students will lead to effective
human capital and social capital generation
Basic concepts:
Human Capital:skills, knowledge, and experience possessed by an individual or population, viewed

in terms of their value or cost to an organization or country.
Social Capital: Defined by the OECD as “networks together with shared norms, values and
understandings that facilitate co-operation within or among groups”.
1. India faces many challenges in providing education to its children. How SamagraShiksha 2.0
(SS2.0) scheme can help in tackling these challenges? Discuss with the help of specific features of
SS2.0 scheme.

Contact no - 8595852855
41
DashoVidyaIAS – Syllabus Affairs
ECONOMY (Week 1 – August, 2021)
TOPIC – AGRICULTURE EXPORTS
Issue in brief - NERAMC initiates first ever export consignment of maize to Bangladesh
https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/economy/agriculture/neramc-initiates-first-ever-
export-consignment-of-maize-to-bangladesh/articleshow/85019304.cms
Where in Syllabus:
GS3 – Transport and Marketing of Agricultural Produce and Issues and Related Constraints
 What is the current status of India’s agriculture exports?

 According to the Ministry of
Commerce and Industry, farm exports
have registered 9.8% growth for the
period of April-December 2020
 Agricultural, horticultural and
processed foods are exported to more
than 100 countries in the world.
 WTO has included India amongst top
10 exporters of agricultural products
in the world
 Major destination for India includes
USA, Saudi Arabia, Iran, Nepal, and
Bangladesh
 Major commodities in export
basket include rice (both Basmati and
non-basmati), spices, cotton, wheat,
marine products and buffalo meat.
 What are the potential and opportunities for India?

 India has Surplus grain production as well as it is one of the largest producers of dairy
products, sugar and spices.
 Government renewed focus like recent farm laws, doubling of farmers’ income program,
agriculture export policy leads to increase in investor’s confidence
 Rising foreign investments further multiply India’s potential; e.g. - Indian food processing
industry has cumulatively attracted FDI equity inflow of about US$ 10.24 billion between April
2000 and December 2020.
 The market is estimated to reach ~US$ 60 billion by 2022, driven by strong demand from
markets such as the West Asia and China

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 What are the challenges faced by agriculture export sector?

 Fragmented land holdings, Lower productivity and small and marginal farmers allow the crops
to grow only for self-consumption.
 Uncertain foreign trading regimes, trade and non - trade barriers like phytosanitary & sanitary
barriers negatively impact Indian agro produce especially in European markets.
 Policy decisions like export restrictions on imported food items to control inflation in
domestic market.
 Lack of branding and promotion hurt competitiveness.
 Obstruction in global value chain due to COVID has further affected the smooth flow of
agro produce.
Basic concepts:
APEDA – established by the Government of India under the Agricultural and Processed Food
Products Export Development Authority Act, 1985. It functions under the Ministry of Commerce
and Industry. The Authority has its headquarters in New Delhi.
Functions- APEDA is mandated with the responsibility of export promotion and development of
the scheduled products viz. fruits, vegetables, meat products, poultry products; dairy products etc.
 What are the steps taken by Government to enhance agriculture

exports?
 Dedicated body - Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority
(APEDA) to provide assistance to agriculture exporters.
 Agriculture Export Policy with the objectives of doubling exports to $60b by 2022 and
diversification of export basket
 Recent farm laws to provide more opportunities to farmers for increasing production and
market access.
 (a)The Farmers’ Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) act
 (b) The Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement on Price Assurance and
Farm Services act
 (c) The Essential Commodities (Amendment) act to liberalise the entire agriculture
sector.
 ‘Transport and Marketing Assistance for Specified Agriculture Products scheme for
assisting the international component of freight handling and marketing of agricultural
products.
 100% FDI under automatic route e.g. Floriculture, Horticulture, Apiculture; Development
and production of Seeds and planting material; Animal Husbandry (including breeding of
dogs), Pisciculture, and Services related to agro and allied sectors.

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43
 What should be a way ahead?

 Providing Infrastructure status to agricultural value chains, such as warehousing, pack-
houses, ripening chambers, and cold storage, etc. to avail credit from banks with more ease.
 Augmenting cargo handling facilities at airports, ports, etc.
 Establishing regional production belts and linking the Mission for Integrated Development of
Horticulture and Self Help Groups.
 Creating a Green channel clearance for perishable agro products in toll, air, and freight cargo
stations.
 Establishing strong quality regimen and attracting private players
 Marketing and promotion of “brand India”
 Providing timely information to farmers for taking cropping decisions.
1. Which of the following statements is true regarding APEDA?

1) It is a statutory body.
2) It is responsible for export promotion and development of agriculture related items.
3) It functions under Ministry of Agriculture.
a) 1 and 2 only
b) 2 and 3 only
c) 1,2 and 3 only
d) 1 and 3 only
Answer – (a)
2. Foreign markets unleash vast potential to double the farm incomes in India. Discuss the
strategy which should be adopted to tap this potential. Also discuss how far the
government has been able to achieve boost India’s farm exports. (15 marks – 250 words)

Contact no - 8595852855
44
TOPIC – CONUNDRUM OF NUCLEAR ENERGY
Issue in brief - Bill Gates has taken decision to launch his own nuclear reactor with an eye on the
possibility of exporting fast breeder reactors to power hungry nations.
https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-opinion/the-draw-of-space-and-nuclear-
technologies/article35672896.ece
Where in Syllabus:
GS3 – Infrastructure – energy, ports, roads, airports, railways etc
 What is nuclear energy?

 Nuclear energy is the energy stored
in the nucleus or the core of the
atom
 The energy can be generated via two
main methods; a)Nuclear fission
and b) Nuclear fusion.
 In nuclear fission the nucleus of
an atom, such as that
of uranium or plutonium breaks up
into two lighter nuclei of roughly
equal mass and the chain reaction
begins.
 Reactors are used to control such
reactions and produced required
amount of energy.
 In nuclear fusion, the lighter
elements mix together to make a
heavier element.
 This method holds promise but has
not been perfected till now.
 What are the advantages associated with nuclear energy?

 Low cost of energy: After the initial cost of construction, nuclear energy has the advantage of
being one of the most cost-effective energy solutions available.
 Reliable Source of Energy: While some energy sources are dependent upon weather
conditions, like solar and wind power, nuclear energy has no such constraints. It doesn’t
matter if the wind isn’t blowing or if the day is cloudy.

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 High Energy Density: Nuclear fission is nearly 8,000 times more efficient at producing
energy than traditional fossil fuels. That’s a considerable amount of energy density.
 Environment friendly: Overall output of pollution from a nuclear power plant is quite low
compared with energy production from fossil fuels.
 National security: India is surrounded by hostile nuclear neighbours, thus there is need to
have strong civilian nuclear sector.
 Helping in development of other Industries: Nuclear energy touches multiple industries,
including (but not limited to): the medical sector, which uses radiation to diagnose and treat
diseases such as cancer, food and agriculture, which uses radiation to genetically modify
crops, consumer product, which relies on radioisotopes, and other wide range of industrial
applications, which are fuelled by nuclear power.
 What are the challenges associated with nuclear energy?
 Radioactive wastes: Although nuclear energy production does not create any emissions, it
does produce radioactive waste that must be securely stored so it doesn’t pollute the
environment.
 Impact on Environment due to Mining and enrichment of Uranium: Open-pit mining
leaves behind radioactive particles, causes erosion, and even pollutes nearby sources of
water. Underground mining exposes miners to high amounts of radiation while producing
radioactive waste rock during extraction and processing.
 People Perception: Commercial nuclear power is sometimes viewed by the general public
as a dangerous or unstable process. This perception is often based on three global nuclear
accidents i.e. Chernobyl, Fukushima, Three mile island. Due to this, India witnessed
Kudankulam nuclear power project protest.
 Security threat: State/non-state actors might target nuclear power plants with the intention
of creating a disaster, and the uranium used to produce the power can be turned into nuclear
weapons if they end up in the wrong hands.
 Expensive to Build: Despite being relatively inexpensive to operate, nuclear power plants
are incredibly expensive to build—and the cost keeps rising.
 Limited Fuel Supply: Nuclear energy is dependent upon uranium and thorium reserves
which are not infinite in the nature.

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Basic concepts:
India’s Three-Stage Nuclear Power Programme:
Stage 1: Pressurized Heavy Water Reactor [PHWR]  natural uranium fuelled pressurized
heavy water reactors (PHWR) produce electricity while generating plutonium-239 as by-
product.
Stage 2: Fast breeder reactor: A nuclear reactor that generates more fissile material than it
consumes. These are designed to extend the nuclear fuel supply for electric power generation.
Breeder reactors achieve this because their neutron economy is high enough to create more
fissile fuel than they use, by irradiation of a fertile material, such as Uranium-238 or Thorium-
232.
Stage 3: Thorium Based Reactors Advanced nuclear power system involves a self-
sustaining series of thorium-232-uranium-233 fuelled reactors.This would be a thermal breeder
reactor, which in principle can be refuelled – after its initial fuel charge – using only naturally
occurring thorium.
Radioisotope: unstable form of an element that emit radiation to transform into a more stable
form.
Energy Density: the amount of energy that can be stored in a given mass of a substance or
system. The higher the energy density of a system or material, the greater the amount of energy
stored in its mass
Nuclear Supplier Group: A group of nuclear supplier countries that seeks to contribute to the
non-proliferation of nuclear weapons through the implementation of guidelines for nuclear
exports and nuclear-related exports + was set up as a response to India’s nuclear tests conducted
in 1974 + India is not its part.
 What is the current status of nuclear energy development in India?
 Nuclear power produced a total of 43 TWh in 2020-21, contributing 3.11% of total

power generation in India (1,382 TWh).
 10 more reactors are under construction with a combined generation capacity of 8,000
MW.
 India has been making advances in the field of thorium-based fuels and low enriched
uranium, a key part of India's three stage nuclear power programme.

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 What should be the way ahead?
1. Working on deep geological repositories into which tightly sealed containers of nuclear
waste can be buried within concrete and rock. Finland and Germany are already working
in this direction.
2. Formation of Nuclear friendly policies by the government to attract private investment
and to increase investment risk capacity of private sector.
3. Diplomatic initiatives to ensure membership in Nuclear Supplier Group.
4. Strict implementation of EIA (there were reports that EIA norms were flouted in
Mithivirdi nuclear plant, Gujrat)
5. Ensuring diversity in energy basket with the help of solar, wind and hydro energy.
Ques: With growing energy needs should India keep on expanding its nuclear energy
programme? Discuss the facts and fears associated with nuclear energy. (UPSC 2018)

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TOPIC – ELECTRIC VEHICLES IN INDIA
Issue in brief - Hefty subsidies are being offered by the central government, and the state
governments of Delhi, Maharashtra,Gujarat for electric vehicles.
https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/why-switching-to-electric-vehicles-is-fiscally-
imprudent-7438814/
Where in Syllabus:
GS3 – Infrastructure – energy, ports, roads, airports, railways etc.
 What are electric vehicles?

 Vehicles which are either
fully or partially powered on
electric motor, instead of an
internal-combustion engine.
 They are said to be the

possible replacement for
current-generation DoshoVidy a
automobile.
 Electric vehicles are of two

types All-electric vehicles
(AEVs) and Plug-in hybrid
electric vehicles (PHEVs).
Basic concepts:
 AEVs (all-electric vehicles)powered by one or more electric motors receive

electricity by plugging into the grid and store it in batteries consume no petroleum-
based fuel and produce no tailpipe emissions.
 PHEVs (plug-in hybrid electric vehicles) use batteries to power an electric motor,
plug into the electric grid to charge use a petroleum-based or alternative fuel to power
the internal combustion engine.
 NEMMP (FAME India) Ministry of heavy industries & public enterprises led scheme
to manufacture and encourage electric vehicles by providing subsidies.

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 What is the current status of electric vehicles in India?

 At present, EVs represent <1% of the total vehicle sales in India.
 The industry body SMEV projects it to become 5% a few years down the line.
 In FY 2020, EV sales for two-wheelers in India increased by 21%, EV buses by 50%. But for
electric cars there was 5% decline
 In January 2021, , the maximum units were sold in Uttar Pradesh, followed by Bihar and
Delhi
 What is the significance of electric vehicles in India?

 Mitigation of Global Warming - India faces average 3% GDP loss every year because of
global warming.
 Controlling Air pollution - India has 21/30 global cities with the worst air pollution. World
Air Quality Report confirms that much of the pollution load due to vehicular emissions based
on fossil fuels.
 Manufacturing of e-vehicles and their associated components will help manufacturing share
of India to rise to 25% by 2022.
 Large-scale adoption of electric vehicles will also save$60 billion on oil imports by 2030.
DoshoVidy a
 What are the challenges in promoting electric vehicles?

 Developing quality batteries and related infrastructure as it require Lithium which India
lacks. This will make India import dependent.
 Lack of favourable policies and dedicated guidelines for safety assurance systems in
Electric vehicles.
 Apprehension of job losses as the sector will require more skilled labour. Moreover
automation impact will further reduce the job potential for semi-skilled workforce.
Poor roads and lack of advanced logistics infrastructure.
 Limited Grid Capacity:India is able to add only 20GW/ annum to its grid. Whereas India’s
EVs market needs a minimum of 10 GW of cells by 2022.
 What will it take for India to be ready for electric vehicles?

 Enabling charging infrastructure + battery swapping model + improving electric grid
capacity.
 Increasing R&D in technologies like fuel cells
 Strengthening bilateral relations with countries having lithium reserves like Chile, Bolivia,
Australia, Congo.
 Focus on efficient manufacturing of EVs in the country using MAKE In INDIA
 Formation of robust electric waste handling policy

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 Why does the future of electric vehicles appear bright in India?

 Favourable government steps have been taken like:
a) Setting up at least one EV charging kiosk at each of the 69,000 petrol pumps across the
country
b) National Electric Mobility Mission Plan (NEMMP) Faster Adoption and Manufacturing
of (Hybrid) and Electric Vehicles (FAME)
c) Loan subventions,
 NTPC, India’s largest power generation utility has commissioned its 1st EV charging
station.
 Awareness and outreach campaigns like‘Switch Delhi’ Campaign have seen tremendous
public participation
 Foreign investment is rising; e.g. -Tesla is setting up a manufacturing unit in the country
which will increase the competitiveness and make EVs more accessible to people.
 NITI Ayog+ ITF (International Transport Forum) have launched decarbonising India’s
transport initiative.
DoshoVidy a
1. Which amongst the following countries are called “Lithium Triangle?”

a) Argentina, Chile and Bolivia
b) Peru, Argentina, and Chile
c) Brazil, Bolivia and Paraguay
d) Peru, Bolivia and Brazil.
Answer– (a)
2. Electric vehicles hold good promise to decarbonise India’s transport, however they are
not free from challenges either. In your opinion what should be the future strategy for India
to decarbonise its transport sector?(15 marks, 250 words)

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TOPIC –FOOD PROCESSING IN INDIA
Issue in brief -The estimates reported by the Ministry of Food Processing Industries show the
average value of export of processed food to be $32.8 billion from 2015-16 to 2019-20
https://theprint.in/opinion/processed-food-can-repeat-indias-automobile-export-success/711539/
Where in Syllabus:
GS3 – Food Processing and Related Industries in India- Scope’ and Significance, Location,
Upstream and Downstream Requirements, Supply Chain Management
 What is food processing?

 It is a variety of operations by which raw food
stuffs are made suitable for consumption,
cooking or storage
 It includes basic preparation of food,
transforming from one form to other,
preservation, and packaging techniques.
 This value addition leads to increased shelf life
 Processes of washing, chopping, pasteurising,
freezing and adding nutrients are part of food
processing.
 Concentrated juices, instant foods, nutritious fish
meal etc. are the examples of processed food.
 Food processing and value addition are key steps
in the food value chain.
 Fortification of food items also comes under
food processing.
 What arethe potential and opportunities for food processing industry

in India?
 One of the largest food processing industries in the world and further expected to reach $
535 Billion by 2025-26.
 Under PMKSY(Pradhan MantriKisanSampadaYojana), 41 Mega Food Parks, 353 Cold
Chain projects, 63 Agro-Processing Clusters& 6 Operation Green projects have been
approved by the government.
 India produces 300 million tonnes of horticulture crops, 200 million tonnes of milk. It is
the 2nd largest producer of fish and holds diversity in crops due to many agro climatic zones.
 Food Retail market segments of Food Grocery and food services are growing at CAGR 25%
and CAGR 15% respectively.
 Online food delivery businesses growing exponentially at 150% yearly growth e.g. Zomato,
Swiggy, Food panda.
 Foreign investments in this sector is also rising Amazon, Uber eats, Parleagro
 Due to increased income level and changes in life styles fast to cook food is becoming the
norm mostly in urban areas.

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 What is the significance of Food processing sector for India?
 It can help in rising farm income and employment generation because it engages around
1.93 million people with aggregate output of $ 158 Billion.
 NITI AYOG estimated value of post-harvest losses at 90,000/- crore, this sector by way of
grading and sorting can help in reduction of these losses.
 By fortification of food, malnutrition can be tackled.
 With the help of processed food, agro-exports can be increased leading to reduced current
account deficit.
 What are the challenges associated with Food processing sector in

India?
 Infrastructure challenges like high logistics cost (14%), lack of cold storage and all
weather connectivity. This leads to huge wastage and erratic supply of raw materials.
 Strcutural challenges: Informal and unorganised natureof the indutry, fragmented
holdings, low productivity, high dependence of seasons and small & dispersed market,
Inadequate quality control, high taxation rates, high cost of finance and erratic power supply
to industries.
 Regulatory challenges: Due to overlapping nature of task of multiple reguatory bodies gives
rise to unnecessary delays.
 Behavioural challenges: Indians prefer fresh food because processed food is still considered
as stale and unhealthy by large section of society
 What are the steps taken by the govenrment for promotion of this
industry?
 Pradhan MantriKisanSampadaYojana (PMKSY) under which mega food parks,

integrated value chains and agro processing clusters are being formed by the government.
 PM formalisation of micro food processing enterprises scheme (PMFME) is providing
financial, technical and business support for upgradation of existing micro food processing
enterprises.
 Operation greens for dedicated focus on tomato, onion potato. This operation has now been
upgraded to all fruits and vegetables.
 Production linked incentives scheme for food processing sector is launched to incentivise
incremental sales, inviting foreign companies and for expanding domestic units.
 Scheme for human resource development in food processing sector for providing: a)
Degree/diploma course, b) Entrepreneurship dev programme,c) Food processing training
centres.
 What should be the way ahead to improve the performace of this

industry?
 Maintenance of stringent hygiene and quality norms e.g. using total quality management
(TQM) IS0 9000, ISO 22000 etc.

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 Effective implementations of recent farms laws especially the essential commodity

amendment act and Model contract farming act 2018.
 Improving storage and infrastructure facilities with the help of multi modal logistics, cold
storage grid and scientific warehouses.
 It is important to raise stakes in global value chains with the help of reforms in agriculture
marketing e.g. e-NAM, uniform implementation of APMC act.
NITI AYOG: Public policy think tank of the Government of India, established with the aim to
achieve sustainable development goals with cooperative federalism by fostering the involvement
of State Governments of India in the economic policy-making process using a bottom-up
approach.
Fortified foods/fortification: Supplementation of one or more components, regardless of

whether it is naturally found in the food, to improve the properties of newly designed functional
food products.
global value chains: Refer to international production sharing, a phenomenon where production
is broken into activities and tasks carried out in different countries.
(TQM) IS0 9000, ISO 22000: A set of international standards on quality management and
quality assurance developed to help companies effectively document the quality system
elements needed to maintain an efficient quality system.
Q.1. Consider the following statements regarding food processing industry in India.
1. It is expected to riseup-to $5350 Billion by 2025-26

2. The sector is marred with high rate of informalization.
3. Pradhan Mantri Kisan SampadaYojana is the umbrella scheme to promote food
processing industry in India
Select the correct statements.

a) 1 and 2 only
b) 2 and 3 only
c) 1 and 3 only
d) 1, 2 and 3
Ans. - (b)
Q.2. Indian food processing industry can help in boosting agriculture and manufacturing
simultaneously by connecting India’s farm with its industries. Analyse. (15 marks, 250
words)

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ENVIRONMENT (Week 4 – August, 2021)
TOPIC – FORUM FOR DECARBONIZING TRANSPORT
Issue in brief - NITI Aayog and World Resources Institute (WRI), India, jointly launched the
‘Forum for Decarbonizing Transport’ in India as part of the NDC-Transport Initiative for Asia
(NDC-TIA) project
https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1748514
Where in Syllabus:
GS3: Environmental Pollution and Degradation, Infrastructure: Energy, Ports, Roads, Airports,
Railways etc.
❖ What is the Forum for decarbonizing transport?

• A platform to initiate
dialogues for the
development of uniform
policies and help achieve
specific results in reducing
carbon emissions from the
transport sector by
promoting electric
vehicles.
• Part of the NDC-
Transport Initiative for
Asia (NDC-TIA) project
• It aims at bringing down
the peak level of GHG
emissions (transport
sector) in India (in line
with a well below 2-
degree pathway), resulting
in problems like
congestion and air
pollution
❖ What is the need of having such forum?

• For development of innovative business models for targeted results and the holistic growth
of the electric mobility space in India.
• For effective collaboration, cooperation and convergence to usher clean mobility in India
• For bringing diverse voices and needs at one place to adopt an integrated approach for
greening the transport sector in India
• To leverage and streamline EVs across the country, there is a need is to create a favourable
ecosystem for different stakeholders

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❖ Why is it essential to decarboize the transport sector?

• The Indian transport sector is showing a growing trend, and accounting for 13.5 per cent of
India’s energy-related CO2 emissions, with road transport accounting for 90 per cent of
the sector’s total final energy consumption
• To help in achieving SDGs and INDCs of Paris Climate agreement by helping India in
controlling its emissions as India is the third-largest emitter of greenhouse gases:
• To help India in keeping itself competitive in the market of electric vehicle: With
increasing urbanization, road vehicles are increasing at a rapid pace. This provides an
opportunity for India to do R&D in this sector.
• To control the air pollution: Air pollution, resulting from hazardous PM2.5 fine particulate
matter, claimed around 54,000 deaths in Delhi alone in 2020.
• To reduce import dependency on fossil fuels: Tackling fiscal deficit issue.
❖ What are the challenges in decarbonization of transport sector?

• Lack of raw material like Lithium for battries, natural gas for CNG. Also India lacks basic
infratructure like charging points, and multi-modal connectivity.
• Poor funding for R&D and technology upgradion by the government.
• Haphazard urban development, increasing number of vehicles, and congested roads.
• Transit oriented development is not properly developed in the country.
• Energy demand for transport is growing much faster than other sectors. Transport still
relies heavily on fossil fuels and has the lowest share of renewables among end-use sectors.
• Competiting priorities like poverty,malnututrition, and food insecurity.
• Lack of stable policy discourages the private sector from investing in this sector.
• Lack of willingness and awareness among the people about shared-mobility adoption.
❖ What are the other steps already taken by the government?

• National Electric Mobility Mission Plan (NEMMP) 2020: To accelerate the adoption and
manufacture of electric and hybrid vehicles in the country, with the aim of achieving national
fuel security
• Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Hybrid and EV (FAME): For reducing the upfront
purchase price of hybrid and EVs to stimulate early adoption and market creation
• National E-Mobility Programme, implemented by Energy Efficiency Services Limited
(EESL): To incentivise vehicle manufacturers, charging infrastructure companies, fleet
operators and service providers for the long-term growth of the EV industry.
• National Mission on Transformative Mobility and Battery Storage: To promote clean,
connected, shared, sustainable and holistic mobility initiatives.
• National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC) →National Mission on Sustainable
Habitat outlines measures to reduce emissions in the transport sector.
• Decarbonizing Transport in Emerging Economies (DTEE): Launched jointly by NITI
Aayog and the International Transport Forum (ITF) of OECD.
• National Urban Transport Policy (NUTP): to promote public transport, integrate walking
and cycling and manage the use of private vehicles, by way of comprehensive mobility plans
❖ What can be the way ahead?

• Promotion of walking, cycling and public transport coupled with electrification of motor
vehicles

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• Sustainable urban mobility plans are needed with giving states and municipalities the
freedom to enable their own vision to decarbonize the sector in the local context.
• Sustainable and urban planning to counter-act urban spraw
• Behavioural incentives for zero emission vehicles
• Establish a level-playing field and tax air travel to limit an exponential growth of air travel
e.g. Aviation Tax.
• International cooperation for raw materials needed for EVs and technology sharing.
NDC Transport Initiative for Asia (TIA 2020-2023): A joint programme of seven organisations that
will engage China, India, and Vietnam in promoting a comprehensive approach to decarbonizing
transport in their respective countries. The project is part of the International Climate Initiative (IKI).
NITI Aayog is the implementing partner for the India component of the project.
International Climate Initiative (IKI): A key element of Germany’s climate financing and the
funding commitments in the framework of the Convention on Biological Diversity.
World Resources Institute (WRI): global research organization that works with governments,
businesses, multilateral institutions and civil society groups to develop practical solutions that improve
people’s lives and protect nature
INDCs: Intended Nationally Determined Contribution to the United Nations Framework

Convention on Climate Change.
Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL): Energy service company under Ministry of Power and
is the world's largest public ESCO. 100% government-owned, a joint venture of state-owned NTPC
Limited, Power Finance Corporation, REC Limited and POWERGRID
Urban Sprawl: Unrestricted growth in many urban areas of housing, commercial development, and
roads over large expanses of land, with little concern for urban planning.
Practice questions-
1. Forum for Decarbonizing Transport has been launched by which of the following:
a) NITI Aayog + WRI
b) EESL + NITI Aayog
c) WRI + Ministry of road & transport
d) Ministry of road & transport + NITI Aayog
Answer: (a)
2. India has the unique opportunity to build clean, connected and cutting-edge
transport systems. Critically discuss. What are the steps taken by the government
in this regard? (15 marks, 250 Words)
3. DIY: India’s INDCs (https://vikaspedia.in/energy/environment/climate-

change/indias-intended-nationally-determined-contribution)

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TOPIC –MSMEs
Issue in brief - Most of the MSMEs are in rural and semi-urban areas where access to credit is
extremely limited
https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/opinion/msmes-are-hit-by-risk-averse-
banks/article35961778.ece
Where in Syllabus:
GS3:Mobilization of Resources, Growth, Development and Employment.
 What are MSMEs?
 Micro, Small, and

Medium Enterprises
 First time defined under
MSME development Act
2006.
 Redefined by the MSME
Development
(Amendment) Bill, 2018
 Two categories:
a) Manufacturing; and
b) Those engaged in
providing/rendering of
services.
 Classification of
enterprises into MSMEs
(in Rs.): given in the
table
Kind of Act of 2006 Bill of 2018

enterprise
Manufacturing Services All enterprises
Investment towards plant Investment towards Annual Turnover

& machinery equipment
Micro 25 lacs 10 lacs 5 Cr
Small 25 lacs to 5 Cr 10 lacs to 2 Cr 5 Cr to 75 Cr
Medium 5 Cr to 10 Cr 2 Cr to 5 Cr 75 Cr to 250 Cr

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 What are the opportunities in India for MSMEs?

 Less Capital Intensive thus suitable to India’s low/middle income economy.
 Extensive Promotion & Support by Government for e.g. single window registration and
credit facilities etc.
 Reservation for Exclusive Purchase by Government i.e. 25% procurement from MSMEs
 Export Promotion and branding may increase in accessibility of MSME products
 Growth in demand in the domestic market size due to overall economic growth
 What is the significance of MSMEs for Indian Economy?

 Backbone of Indian economy: More than 6 crore MSMEs making around 95% of total
industrial establishment in India.
 Contributes 30% to India’s output/GDP and 45% to manufacturing output/GDP
 Boost Exports: Contributes around half of the exports
 Employment generation: Employs more than 11 crore workers which is four times more
labour intensive than normal industries.
 Provides diversity to manufacturing and services ranging from textiles to space equipment
to food processing.
 Reduction in reginal disparity: Supporting rural areas, semi-urban areas economy.
 What are the challenges being faced by the MSMEs?

 Credit Issues:
 Non-availability, dependence on informal sector, delay in payments, debt trap
 Lack of Paperwork or Digital Footprint for small MSMEs holds them back from being
integrated into the formal economy and deprives the MSMEs to take advantage of the
formal credit system
 Biased credit assessment: While determining creditworthiness, there are two errors that
are common  false Acceptance of a bad applicant and False Rejection of a good applicant.
 Policies creatingDwarfs e.g. if the firms grow beyond the thresholds that these policies get
implemented and MSME becomes unable to obtain the said benefit.
 Unorganized nature: 90% of the MSMEs works as informal sector
 Lack of investment from private sector giving rise to lack of working capital and low
innovation
 Technology Disruptions: Technology constraints and obsolete machinery leading to low
production, poor productivity and low quality products.
 Obsolete marketing strategy because of poor branding and skeptic attitude towards their
products
 Lack of skilled labour force: Maximum presence of semi-skilled and unskilled workforce
in the sector
 What are the steps taken by the government for promotion of

MSMEs?
 UdyogAadhar Number is a unique identifier which offers one stop solution for MSMEs
offered by all Ministries and Departments.
 ASPIRE (a Scheme for Promoting Innovation and Rural Entrepreneurs) for setting up
network of technology centers and incubation centers.

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 Credit in 59 minutes scheme to provide cheap and fast access to credit, working capital, and
term loan worth Rs. 1 lakh to Rs. 1 crore.
 Atma nirbhar bharat abhiyan is giving Special attention to MSMEs
 Udyam registration (based on self certification): To deal with informal nature in a way that
incentives are attached to registration e.g. payment within 45 days.
 Subordinate debt scheme: In this the promoter will give credit to the MSME and the
government will bear the risk of loan to promotor by the bank
 Funds of Fund Scheme with a corpus of `10,000 crore for financial relief and funding to
MSMEs
 CHAMPIONS portal: To help the MSMEs in terms of finance, raw materials, labour,
permissions, etc.
 Trade Receivable System (TReDS)by RBI: For timely payment to MSMEs.
 Zero effect-Zero defect policy: For making MSMEs efficient and environment friendly
 What can be done further in order to improve the performance of

MSMEs?
 Greening of MSMEs: With the use of Efficient technology and increasing working on green
sectors like renewable energies
 Implementing Clusterization model: e.g. Kanpur leather industry and Ahmedabad textile
industry
 Implementing new labour codes to balance full time and part time workforce
 Providing cheaper electricity and natural gas to MSMEs: Currently, power DISCOMs and
city gas distribution companies do not permit MSMEs to procure their own electricity or
natural gas and charge them higher rates than their global counterparts
 Promoting sectors with high spill-over effectson other sectors e.g. Tourism impacts the
business of hotel &catering, transport, real estate, entertainment etc. for job creation.
 Awareness generation regarding their IPR(Intellectual property rights) to register
trademarks and patents
1. MSMEs have not only acted as shock absorbers for India but also have boosted India’s
economic growth. Discuss the significance of MSMEs for India in the light of recent
initiatives taken by government.

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TOPIC – NATIONAL MONETISATON PIPELINE
Issue in brief - Finance Minister said monetisation will create further value for infrastructure
creation in the country and explore innovative ways of private participation without transfer of
government ownership.
https://indianexpress.com/article/business/economy/finance-minister-fm-nirmala-sitharaman-
launches-national-monetisation-pipeline-nmp-7466745/
Where in Syllabus:
GS3: Mobilization of Resources, Infrastructure: Energy, Ports, Roads, Airports, Railways etc
 What is National Monetisation Pipeline??

 It is the process developed by NITI
Aayog for unlocking the value of
investment made in public assets.
 Part of 3 pronged strategy of the
government a) DFI b) Monetising the
public sector assets c) Increasing capital
expenditure.
 Launched in Budget 2021 to assess the
value of unutilised/underutilised govt
assets
 There will be a National asset
monetisation plan dashboard to track the
progress of the project and increase the
visibility to investors.
 Estimates aggregate monetisation
potential of Rs 6.0 lakh crores through
core assets of the Central Government,
over a four-year period, from FY 2022 to
FY 2025.
 Recommended by Vijay Kelkar
committee on roadmap for fiscal
consolidation

 What
. are the objectives of this scheme?
 To give boost to infrastructure projects: By unlocking the value in brownfield projects by
engaging the private sector, transferring to them revenue rights, and using the funds so
generated for infrastructure creation across the country.
 To tackle fiscal deficit: Due to Covid pandemic, Government had to increase the spending
even with reduced revenues. Thus, during this time borrowing got increased by 2.3 times.
 To boost private sector investments in infratructure.

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 How this pipeline will work?

 Transferring of assets to a trust like Real estate investment trusts (REITs) and infrastructure
investment trusts (InvITs)
 Leveraging InvITS + PPP models like toll-operate-transfer: Under the plan, private firms
can invest in projects for a fixed return using these methods and develop the assets for a
certain period before transferring them back to the government agency.
 Leasing / renting out of assets: Ownership of assets will remain with the government and
there will be a mandatory hand back after a certain time
 Monetisation of under-utilised assets so that their full potential can be reaped.
 What are the core infrastructure assets that will be rolled out?
 Roads, railways and power sector assets will comprise over 66% of the total estimated
value of the assets to be monetised.
 Upcoming sectors including telecom, mining, aviation, ports, natural gas and petroleum
product pipelines, warehouses and stadiums e.g Oil and gas pipelines of GAIL, IOCL, HPCL,
AAI airports in tier 2 and 3 cities, Sports stadium, Warehousing assets of CPSEs.
 NMP will run co-terminus with the National Infrastructure Pipeline of Rs 100 lakh crore
announced in December 2019
 What are the expected benefits of this pipeline?

 It will bring investments in the economy and there will be better utilization of private
capital.
 Higher public sector capital expenditure will lead to multiplier effect and crowding in of
private investments.
 Proceeds of the pipeline can be used in fresh projects thus brownfield projects financing
green field ones.
 India’s vision of $5 trillion economy can be achieved with infrastructure development under
this pipeline project.
 NMP provides ‘visibility’ on the volume of assets to be monetised and the potential value
that can be unlocked.
 What are the challenges in implementation of this pipeline?

 Lack of identifiable revenues streams in various assets.
 Poor level of capacity utilisation in gas and petroleum pipeline networks which leads to
insufficent returns.
 Dispute resolution mechanism: As private players will be involved, government needs to
build a robust system to redress the issues.
 Regulated tariffs in power sector assets will be a hurdle in attracting the private players.
 Low interest among investors in national highways below four lanes.
 The slow pace of privatisation in government companies including Air India and BPCL, and
less-than-encouraging bids in the recently launched PPP initiative in trains, indicate that
attracting private investors interest is not that easy.

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DFI (Development Finance Institutions): Organizations owned by the government or charitable

institution to provide funds for low-capital projects or where their borrowers are unable to get it
from commercial lenders.
Brownfield Projects: Those projects where the preliminary development of the site,
identification of the actual business to be carried out, etc. are already done and the investors
comes in with the required expertise and funds and kick-start the Project.
Greenfield Project: Those projects where everything connected with the Project, from
identifying the site, to the development plan, support services, etc. are all to be done from the
scratch
Fiscal Deficit: A shortfall in a government's income compared with its spending. The
government that has a fiscal deficit is spending beyond its means
Real estate Investment Trusts (REITs): An entity that is created with the main purpose of
channelising the funds that could be invested in operational functioning or ownership of the real
estate to further generate income for the investors.
Infrastructure Investment Trusts (InvITs): Instruments that work like mutual funds. They are
designed to pool small sums of money from a number of investors to invest in assets that give
cash flow over a period of time.
National Infrastructure Pipeline: An initiative that will provide world-class infrastructures

across the country. The initiative will improve project preparations and attract both domestic and
foreign direct investments for the Indian economy.
Practice questions-
1. National Monetization pipeline process is developed by which of the following:

a. NITI Ayog
b. Ministry of Infrastructure
c. Ministry of Finance
d. RBI
Answer: (a)
2. Besides providing visibility to investors, NMP will also serve as a medium-term

roadmap for the asset monetisation initiative of the government. Discuss in the context
of recently launched National Monetization Plan. Also highlight the challenges that
can be faced while implementing this scheme. (15 Marks, 250 Words)
3. DIY: PPP models and its examples. (Source  Ramesh Singh Chapter 9 INDUSTRY
AND INFRASTRUCTURE)

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AGRICULTURE (Week 3 – August, 2021)
TOPIC –TECHNOLOGY MISSIONS IN AGRICLUTURE
Issue in brief - Encouraging GM crops is a sure shot to doubling farmers’ incomes and relieving
rural distress.
https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/opinion/driving-a-2nd-green-revolution-via-agri-
biotech/article35928444.ece
Where in Syllabus:
GS3: Agriculture- Technology missions
 What are Technology Missions?
• It is a focused initiative to
drive attention and modern
technology development into
particular fields like
technology missions in
Agriculture.
• To improve services,
dependability and
accessibility.
• These are made with
measurable outcomes and
time bound targets.
• To provide technology
support to the farming
community and other
stakeholders
 What are the advantages of technology missions for agriculture?

• Economic survey 2020-21 pointed out that national mission on sustainable agriculture is
increasing the farmer’s knowledge of technology.
• These missions have helped in increasing the production of normal crops with the help of
GM seeds and production of horticulture also as the total production of horticulture crops
has surpassed the food grains production.
• These can help in tapping of foreign market e.g. saffron sales in West Asia and Europe
• Better availability of timely and reliable sources of information.
• Help in improving the quality of the agriculture produce e.g. fortification of food crops
• Help in reducing the post-harvest losses with the help of packaging, handling, transportation
and storage with modern infrastructure, latest machinery, thermal processing, and low-cost
preservation techniques.
• Agri-fintech mission can help in improving financial condition of the farmers.

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• Monitoring and controlling crop irrigation systems and pest control via smartphone and
drones respectively.
 What are the challenges being faced while utilizing the technology in
agriculture?
• Gap between labs and farms: Technology is being produced in R&D centres and labs but
the farmers are not aware about these modern technologies.
• On field demonstrations are lacking thus farmers not convinced about new technology.
• Lack of coordination mechanism: Stakeholders like ministries/departments,
PRIs/NGOs/SHGs and FPOs are not integrated in different missions.
• Lack of capital with the farmers: Most of the farmers in India are small & marginal thus not
able to afford expensive technologies.
• Smaller land holding size: In India due to fragmentation of land, the size of particular
landholdings has reduced up-to a great extent thus not viable to use large technological
equipment.
• Inadequate infrastructure: Like lack of cold storage facilities discourage farmers to grow
perishable item like fruits and vegetables
• Technology Divide between urban and rural population.
 What technology missions have been started by government to boost

agriculture sector?
• Technology mission on oilseeds, pulses, and maize (TMOPM) with oilseeds production
program, national pulses development project, accelerated maize development program and
oil palm development program.
• National livestock mission: To develop indigenous breeds and improve their productvity
• Technology mission on cotton: To develop new varieties of cotton +increasing the yield via
cotton research and technology generation.
• Jute technology mission: To carry out research and marketing of raw jute.
• Technology mission on coconut: To disseminate technology in participatory mode
• Mission for integrated development of horticulture: To integrate all the ongoing schemes
in the field of horticulture.
• Thrust areas of National mission on sustainable agriculture: Bio technology, risk
management, dry land agriculture and access to information
• National mission on agriculture extention and technology: To connect farms and labs
• National mission on food processing: To facilitate post harvest operations and setting up of
food processing industries.
• National saffron mission: Scheme under rashtriya krishi vikas yojna
 What can be done further in order to integrate technology with

agriculture in a better way?
• Better integration of farm and labs by leveraging Krishi Vikas Yojna, Soil Health cards,
Krishi Vigyan Kendras and agriculture universities.

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• Increasing on field demonstration and providing handholding to the farmers to familiarize

them with technology.
• Stakeholders like SHGs, NGOs, and FPOs should be integrated in these missions to create
awareness
• Enhancing credit facilities with the help of bank correspondent model, digital banking, and
white/green label ATMs.
• Brining innovative financial models like rental model for machines like tractors to facilitate
small and marginal farmers e.g. Kamyaab Kisan Khushaal Punjab” (K3P) scheme.
• Strengthening infrastructure like cold storage, warehouses, and multi modal logistics.
• Training of farmers to make them equipped with technology e.g. kondagao distt
(Chhatisgarh) administration started 550 “Kisan clubs” to impart technical training to farmers
and solutions that are in line with local realities
Basic Terms/Basic concepts:
GM Seeds/crops: Genetically modified seeds/crops which are made by modification of DNA using
genetic engineering.
SHG (Self-help Groups): Informal groups of people who come together to address their common
problems.
FPO (Farmer producer organization): Agriculture cooperatives to empower small landholder

farmers and to ensure their prosperity.
White label ATM: ATMs set up, owned, and operated by non-bank entities.
Green label ATM: Specifically for agriculture transactions.
1. Which of the schemes are implemented under Technology mission on oilseeds, pulses, and
maize (TMOPM) :
1. Oilseeds Production Program
2. National Pulses Development Project
3. Accelerated Maize Development Program
4. Post-Harvest Technology
Options:
a. 1, 2, 3, and 4
b. 1, 2, 3
c. 1, 3, 4
d. 1, 4
Ans. (a)
2. What are technology missions? Provide the advantages of technology usage in Indian
agriculture and also discuss the steps taken by the government in this regard. (15 marks. 250
words)

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TOPIC –INDIA’S WETLANDS
Issue in brief - Recently, four more Indian sites - two each from Haryana and Gujarat - have
been recognised as wetlands of international importance under the Ramsar Convention
https://www.downtoearth.org.in/blog/environment/the-state-of-india-s-urban-wetlands-and-why-
they-need-to-be-protected-urgently-78456
Where in Syllabus:
GS3: Conservation, Environmental Pollution and Degradation
 What are wetlands?

 Areas where water is the primary factor controlling the environment and the associated
plant and animal life.
 Occur where the water table is at or near the surface of the land, or where the land is
covered by water.
 Support both aquatic and terrestrial species.
 Favour the growth of specially adapted plants (hydrophytes) and promote the
development of characteristic wetland (hydric) soils.
 Categories of wetlands:
a) Coastal or tidal wetlands, b) Inland or non-tidal wetlands.
 Why wetlands are considered vital for human survival?

 Water-related ecosystem services: Regulation of water quantity, groundwater recharge, and
erosion control and sediment transport.
 Wetlands burst with biodiversity: Habitat for water-birds, migratory species and
freshwater fishes.
 Wetlands feed humanity. Rice, grown in wetland paddies, is the staple diet of nearly three
billion people.
 Recreation services: High historical, scientific, and cultural values.
 Wetlands act as nature’s sponges: E.g. mangrove forests and floodplains controlling flood
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 What are the different types of wetlands?

Marine (coastal wetlands including coastal lagoons, rocky shores, and coral reefs)
Estuarine (including deltas, tidal marshes, and mangrove swamps
Riverine (wetlands along rivers and streams)
Lacustrine (wetlands associated with lakes)
Palustrine (meaning “marshy” - marshes, swamps and bogs
 What is the status of wetlands in India?

 Ramsar designated wetlands: 46
 India has maximum wetlands in
South Asia—7.7 lakh—covering the
country’s 4.6% geographical area,
according to Wetland International.
 As per recent estimates by Wetlands
International South Asia, nearly
30% of the natural wetlands in
India have been lost in the last
three decades.
 4 new sites added: Bhindawas
Wildlife Sanctuary, Sultanpur
National Park,(both Haryana)
Thol Lake Wildlife Sanctuary,
Wadhwana Wetland (both Gujarat)
 What are the threats faced by the wetlands?

 Anthopogenic activities: Unplanned urban and agricultural development, industries, road
construction, impoundment, resource extraction and dredge disposal.
 Deforestation: Removal of vegetation in the catchment leads to soil erosion and siltation
 Pollution: Unrestricted dumping of sewage and toxic chemicals.
 Exotic species: Clogging waterways and competing with native vegetation
 Climate Change: weather and climate events becoming more erratic leading to destrcution
of wetlands.
 Rapidly growing population, and technological development increasing stress on wetlands.
 What are the steps taken by the govenrment for preservation of

wetlands?
 National Plan for Conservation of Aquatic Ecosystems (NPCA): For conservation of both
wetlands and lakes.

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 Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules, 2017: To decentralise wetlands

management.
 Integrated Management Plan: To help manage wetland by the respective governments.
 Legal steps: Water (Prevention and Control of Pol1ution) Act, 1974, Forest (Conservation
Act), 1980, Environmental (Protection) Act, 1986, and Biodiversity Act 2002.
 National wetland-mapping project and National Wetland Atlas provide information on
wetlands in India using the latest technology
 Membership of Ramsar Convention on conservation and wise use of wetlands
 What can be done further to preserve the wetlands?

 Enacting a wetland conservation act to have a concentrated approach of conservation.
 Participation of local communities to utilize their traditional knowledge in preserving these
ecosystems.
 Giving penalizing powers to Central Wetland Regulatory Authority for making it more
effective.
 Formation of well defined National Urban Water Policy to cater to the water demand of the
cities
 Performance Audit of bodies working for conservation of waterbodies/wetlands.
 Penalizing illegal encroachment of wetlands.
Ramsar Convention/ Convetion on wetlands: An international treaty for the conservation and
sustainable use of wetlands
Hydrophytes: Aquatic plants that have adapted to living in aquatic environments
Hydric soil: Soil which is permanently or seasonally saturated by water, resulting in anaerobic
conditions, as found in wetlands.
1. Which of the following is not a Ramsar Site?

a) Sukhna Lake
b) Deepor Beel
c) Rudrasagar Lake
d) Chandra Taal
Ans: (a)
2. The Government of India should enact a wetland conservation act, on the lines of the
Forest Conservation Act, 1980. Do you agree? If yes provide reasons with suitable
examples.

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TOPIC –LAND DEGRADATION & DESERTIFICATION
Issue in brief - Findings of a new document prepared by the Indian Space Research Organisation
(ISRO) have revealed poor state of land degradation in India.
https://www.downtoearth.org.in/news/climate-change/despite-pm-modi-s-assurance-land-
degradation-desertification-increasing-78586
Where in Syllabus:
GS3: Environment pollution and degradation
 What is the meaning of Land degradation and Desertification??

 Land degradation: Reduction or loss
of the biological or economic
productivity and complexity of rainfed
cropland, irrigated cropland, or range,
pasture, forest or woodlands.
 Deterioration or loss of the productive
capacity of the soils for present and
future
 Desertification: Land degradation in DashoVidy a
typically dry areas resulting from

various factors, including climatic
variations and human activities.

 What is the current status of land degradation and desertification in
India and the World?
 Globally, about 25 percent of the total land area has been degraded
 Globally, 3.2 billion people are affected by land degradation, especially rural communities,
smallholder farmers, and the very poor.
FOR INDIA:
 Some 99.85 million ha, or about 30% of the country’s total area, is undergoing
degradation an increase of 0.58% as compared to 2003-2005 as per Desertification
and Land Degradation Atlas published by the ISRO’S Space Application Centre
(SAC) 2018-19.
 Besides land degradation, desertification had also increased. Some 83.69 mha
underwent desertification in 2018-19.
 India witnessed an increase in the level of desertification in 28 of 31 states and
Union territories between 2011-13 and 2018-19.
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 What are the causes of land degradation and desertification?

 Natural hazards: Conditions of the physical environment which lead to the existence of a
high degradation hazard, for example steep slopes as a hazard for water erosion, cyclones and
storm surges in coastal areas, wind erosion in sandy areas, floods on the flat plains and
climate change.
 Direct causes: Unsuitable land use and inappropriate land management practices, for example
the cultivation of steep slopes without measures for soil conservation, deforestation,
concretization, urbanization etc.
 Underlying causes: Reasons why these inappropriate types of land use and management are
DashoVidy a
practised; for example, the slopes may be cultivated because the landless poor need food and
conservation measures not adopted because these farmers lack security of tenure or habitation
needs of increasing population and industrial needs for economic growth.
 What can be the impacts of land degradation & desertification on

global and Indian population?

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 Whatare the steps taken internationally and nationally to tackle this

issue?
 UN Convention to combat Dertification
 Changwon Initiative: By Republic of Korea to help achieve targets of UNCCD
 Bonn Challenge : To bring 150 million hectares of the world’s deforested and degraded land into
restoration by 2020, and 350 million hectares by 2030.
 Great Green Wall: By African Union, aims to restore Africa’s degraded landscapes and
transform millions of lives in one of the world’s poorest regions, the Sahel.
 Global Land Outlook (GLO): Strategic communications platform and associated publications of
the UNCCD secretariat.
 Sustainability, Stability and Security (3S) Initiative: Inter-governmental action launched by
Morocco and Senegal to address the root causes of instability in Africa
 Partner with UNCCD + Desert Development Programme
 National Action Programme to Combat Desertification + National Mission on Green India
 Integrated Watershed Management program + National Afforestation Program
 Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana, Soil Health Card Scheme, and Pradhan Mantri Krishi
Sinchayee Yojana as tools to tackle the problem of land degradation.
Dryland systems: Ecosystems characterised by a lack of water. They include cultivated lands, scrublands,
shrublands, grasslands, savannas, semi-deserts and true deserts.
Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana: To provide insurance coverage and financial support to the farmers in
the event of failure of any of the notified crop as a result of natural calamities, pests & diseases.
DashoVidy a
Soil Health card: To assess the current status of soil health and, when used over time, to determine changes in
soil health that are affected by land management
PM Krishi Sinchai Yojana: To ensure access to some means of protective irrigation to all agricultural farms in
the country, to produce ‘per drop more crop’
1. Find the correct statements:

1. India has increased its target of restoring degraded land from 21 million ha to 26 million
ha by 2030.
2. The Delhi Declaration of 2019, signed by 14th CoP of the UNCCD, called for better
access and stewardship over land, and emphasised gender-sensitive transformative
projects.
Options:
a. 1 only
b. 2 only
c. Both
d. None
Answer. (c)
2. What is land degradation? How is it affecting the developing world more than the developed
world? Discuss and also provide measures to tackle this menace. (15 marks 250 words)

Contact no - 8595852855
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GEOGRAPHY (Week 2 – August, 2021)
TOPIC- ATLANTIC MERIDIONAL OVERTURNING

CIRCULATION
Issue in brief-A recent study notes that the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation
(AMOC) is losing its stability. Modelling studies have shown that an AMOC shutdown would
cool the northern hemisphere and decrease rainfall over Europe.
https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-atlantic-ocean-current-system-slowing-
implications-7445388/
Where in Syllabus:
GS1- Important Geophysical Phenomena- Changes in critical geographical features (including
water-bodies and ice-caps)
 What is Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC)?
 A large system of ocean

currents that carry warm
water from the tropics
northwards into the DoshoVidy a
North Atlantic Ocean.

 Atlantic branch of the
ocean conveyor belt or
Thermohaline circulation
(THC)
 Distributes heat and
nutrients throughout the
world‟s ocean basins.
 Important component
ofthe Earth‟s climate
system, characterized by
a northward flow of
warm, salty water in
theupper layers of the
Atlantic, and a
southward flow of colder
water in the deep
Atlantic.
 How does the AMOC work???

 Works like a conveyor belt, driven by differences in temperature and salt content – the
water‟s density.
 As warm water flows northwards it cools and some evaporation occurs, which increases
the salinity.

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 Low temperature and a high salt content make the water denser, and this dense water
sinks deep into the ocean.
 The cold, dense water slowly spreads southwards, several kilometres below the surface.
 Eventually, it gets pulled back to the surface and warms in a process called “upwelling”
and the circulation is complete.
 This global process makes sure that the world‟s oceans are continually mixed, and that
heat and energy are distributed around the earth.
 What is the concern related to AMOC?

 Scientists have been warning for years that the Atlantic Meridional Overturning
Circulation (AMOC) is at its weakest in more than 1000 years, partly due to climate
change and could be heading for a dangerous “tipping point”.
 There is a debate about whether this was caused by an actual loss in dynamical stability,
or was just a change to the average circulation rate.
 A new study, published in Nature Climate Change, suggests the weakening is more
likely to be associated with a loss of stability – and the circulation system could be
approaching a critical threshold beyond which it could collapse.
 What happens if AMOC collapses??

 A breakdown in the system in real life can bring abrupt changes including fast sea level
rise and changes to the monsoon in the tropics.
 It can also destabilise the Antarctic ice sheet and Amazon rainforest.
DoshoVidy a
 Gulf Stream, a part of the AMOC, is a warm current responsible for mild climate at the
Eastern coast of North America as well as Europe. Without a proper AMOC and Gulf
Stream, Europe will be very cold.
 It would cool the northern hemisphere and decrease rainfall over Europe.
 It can also have an effect on the El Nino.
 Sea ice increases over the Greenland-Iceland-Norwegian seas and to the south of
Greenland
 What will be the effect of climate change on the AMOC?
As the atmosphere warms due to excessive GHG emissions, the

surface ocean beneath it retains more of its heat.
As the Indian Ocean warms faster and faster, it generates

additional precipitation and ice melt which in turn redcues the
salinity.
All these changes make the ocean water lighter and thus
reduce the sinking in the „conveyor belt‟, leading to a weaker
AMOC.

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 Are there any other reasons for AMOC Weakening except

anthropogenic reasons?
Natural reason: AMOC and THC strength has always been fluctuating, since the late
Pleistocene time period (last 1 million years).
Extreme glacial stages weaker circulation and slowdown in AMOC
Glacial terminationsstronger AMOC and circulation
Ocean conveyor belt: A constantly moving system of deep-ocean circulation driven by temperature
and salinity
Thermohaline circulation (THC):Movement caused by differences in the temperature and salinity

of the water. Because cold, salt-laden water is heavier than warm water, it sinks to the bottom of
oceans. To replace it, warmer water fills in, and as it subsequently cools, the rotation is repeated.
Meridional Circulation: Air circulation in a cell, or general flow to or from different latitudes,
usually with a marked south-to-north or north-to-south component.
Salinity: Amount of dissolved salts that are present in water. The concentration is the amount (by
weight) of salt in water, as expressed in "parts per million" (ppm).
Density: A measure of mass per volume. The average density of an object equals its total mass
DoshoVidy a
divided by its total volume.
El Nino: A climate pattern that describes the unusual warming of surface waters in the eastern
equatorial Pacific Ocean.
La Nina: Opposite effect of El Niño. During La Niña events, trade winds are even stronger than
usual, pushing more warm water toward Asia. Off the west coast of the Americas, upwelling
increases, bringing cold, nutrient-rich water to the surface
1. What are two things that drive the global conveyor belt?
a) Salinity and temperature
b) Temperature and tides
c) The moon and salinity
d) Temperature and the moon
Ans. (a)
2. What is Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation? Provide the reasons for slowing down of
this circulation along-with its implications. Also discuss the way forward. (15marks, 250 words)

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Complement your Preparation with:
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relevant NCERTs from basic to higher classes
 Mains Answer Assessment Program
 Prelims Test Series
 Academic Doubt Solving
 Personalised Mentorship & Guidance Program – Strategy,
Approach, Time Management, Optional Selection etc.
For Personalised mentoring/Counselling/Query/Feedback:

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Polity & Governance

Social Sector & Social Justice

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TOPIC –MINISTRY OF COOPERATION

 What will be the mandate of Ministry of Cooperation?

 What are Cooperatives?

DashoVidya IAS, email id: dashovidya.upsc@gmail.com; Telegram: https://t.me/DashoVidyaIAS 1

 How has the Cooperative Movement in India evolved?

Pre-Independence Phase Post-Independence Phase

1. Cooperative Credit Societies Act, 1904 1. National Development Council (NDC) in

 What is the significance of having strong cooperative sector in India?

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 What can be done further to improve the status of cooperatives?

1. Before Ministry of Cooperation, which ministry handled cooperative subject?

2. Recently, The Government of India made a new ministry named MINISTRY OF

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TOPIC –PRADHAN MANTRI JAN-DHAN YOJANA (PMJDY)

 What is the PRADHAN MANTRI JAN-DHAN YOJANA?

 What are the basic tenets and pillars of PMJDY?

 What is the change in approach adopted for PMJDY based on past

DashoVidya IAS, email id: dashovidya.upsc@gmail.com; Telegram: https://t.me/DashoVidyaIAS 1

 What are the new features of PMJDY to improve its performance?

 What are the achievements of PMJDY?

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 Average Deposit per PMJDY account -

 What can be the way ahead to further improve the performance?

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PMJJBY (PM JEEVAN JYOTI BIMA YOJANA): Government-backed Life insurance

Micro-insurance: These products offer coverage to low-income households or to individuals

Micro-finance: Micro-credit, is a type of banking service provided to unemployed or low-

1. Which of the following statements are true with respect to PMJDY?

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 What is the current status of reservation in India??

 What is the need of having reservations?

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 What are the constitutional provisions related to reservations in

 What is the view of Supreme Court on the issue of reservations?

 Provide the overview of the current issue in OBC reservation.

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 What is creamy layer and how is it determined?

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TOPIC –RIGHT TO BE FORGOTTEN

 What is the concept of Right to be forgotten?

 It is the right to have publicly

 It is a civil right of an individual to

 The ‘right to be forgotten’ has

 What is the status of ‘Right to be Forgotten’ in the India?

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 What are the challenges associated with right to be forgotten?

Data principal - The person/company/entity whose information is being collected

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 What do the provisions in Personal Data Protection bill say on right to

 What should be a way ahead?

 Adding privacy as a ground for reasonable restriction under article 19 (2)

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TOPIC –TRIBUNAL REFORMS

 What are Tribunals?

 What is Tribunal Reforms Bill 2021?

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 What are the issues in this bill?

 What are the issues being faced by the tribunals as a whole?

Syllabus Affairs Aug'21

Syllabus Affairs Aug'21