RSTV/LSTV · to launch its first Sun Mission Aditya L1. OO With Aditya L1, ISRO will take a huge...

RSTV/LSTVJanuary 2020

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Summary

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RSTV / LSTV : January 2020

INDEX

S. No Topic Name Page No.

1 India’s Solar Mission 3

2 Australia Fire-Climate Emergency 5

3 The Extremist threat 7

4 China vs. Taiwan 9

5 Tackling Infant Mortality 11

6 National Statistical Mission 13

7 Electoral Politics-Need for reform 15

8 Gaganyaan Mission 18

9 Article 131- Special powers of Supreme Court 19

10 India’s Trade Diplomacy with Malaysia, Turkey 22

11 Police Commissioner System 24

12 Private Trains in India 26

13 Accident Shooting of Civilian aircraft- The Laws & Responsibilities 30

14 SDG India Index 2019-20 34

15 Higher Education Quality Mandate 37

16 US-Iran Tension 40

17 Government’s Employees & Right to free speech 43

18 Raisina Dialogue 2020 45

19 Alternative to Plastic 47

20 Coronavirus 49

21 India will shift BS VI norms 51

22 SCO Summit 2020 53

23 Carbon Trading & Climate Change 55

24 Multiple States Capital & Governance 58

25 ASER- Annual Status of Education Report 2019 60

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INDIA’S SOLAR MISSION- ADITYAIntroduction:OO If 2019 was all about the Moon for Indian space agency ISRO, year 2020 could well be about the Sun. ISRO’s plans

to launch its first Sun Mission Aditya L1.

OO With Aditya L1, ISRO will take a huge step forward in the study of solar corona. The solar Corona is the outer most part of the Sun’s atmosphere. It is usually hidden by the bright light of the Sun’s surface.

OO The 400 KG-Class Aditya L1 will carry six scientific payloads that will be inserted in a halo orbit around the Lagrangian point 1 or L1, Incidentally L1 is 1.5 million kilometres from the Earth.

Background: Aditya-1 project OO Aditya-1 was meant to observe the solar corona. The mission was conceived as a 400 kg-class satellite carrying

one payload, the Visible Emission Line Coronagraph (VELC) to study the corona from 1.05 to 1.5 solar radii.

OO It was planned to be launched in an 800 km Sun synchronous orbit. However, the requirements of the payload demanded a much larger satellite platform.

OO Hence, it was decided by the ISRO’s Advisory Committee for Space Science (ADCOS) that a full-fledged large satellite be designed with many more payloads, which could be launched into a halo orbit around the Sun–Earth Lagrangian point 1 (L1).

OO This allows for observations of the Sun without any occultation/eclipse and to study the Sun in a more comprehensive manner. With this in view, the Aditya-1 mission has been revised to ‘Aditya-L1 mission’.

Aditya-L1 mission:OO The satellite will be inserted in a halo orbit around

L1, which is 1.5 million kilometres from the Earth. The payloads cover the Sun’s photosphere (ultraviolet (UV) and soft and hard X-rays), chromospheres (UV) and corona (visible and NIR).

OO The spacecraft and payloads are under development. Aditya-L1 is expected to be launched during the 2020 timeframe by PSLV-XL.

Payloads and their objectives:

The payloads on-board Aditya-L1 are as follows: 1. Visible Emission Line Coronagraph: To study the

diagnostic parameters of solar corona, and dynamics and origin of CMEs (three visible and one infrared (IR) channels); magnetic field measurement of solar corona down to tens of Gauss.

2. Solar Ultraviolet Imaging Telescope (SUIT): To image the spatially resolved solar photosphere and chromosphere in near UV (NUV; 200–400 nm) and measure solar irradiance variations.

3. Solar Low Energy X-ray Spectrometer (SoLEXS): To monitor the X-ray flares for studying the heating mechanism of the solar corona.

4. High Energy L1 Orbiting X-ray Spectrometer (HEL1OS): To observe the dynamic events in the solar corona and provide an estimate of the energy used to accelerate the particles during the eruptive events.

5. Aditya Solar Wind Particle Experiment (ASPEX): To study the variation of solar wind properties as well as its distribution and spectral characteristics.

6. Plasma Analyser Package for Aditya (PAPA): To understand the composition of solar wind and its energy distribution.

7. Magnetometer: To estimate the magnitude and nature of the interplanetary magnetic field (IMF).



Lagrangian points:OO Lagrangian points are the locations in space where the combined gravitational pull of two large masses roughly

balance each other.

OO Any small mass placed at that location will remain at constant distances relative to the large masses. There are five such points in Sun-Earth system and they are denoted as L1, L2, L3, L4 and L5.

Halo Orbit:OO A halo orbit is a periodic, three-dimensional orbit near the L1, L2 or L3 Lagrange point in the three-body

problem of orbital mechanics.

OO Halo orbits can be thought of as resulting from an interaction between the gravitational pull of the two planetary bodies and the Coriolis and centrifugal accelerations on a spacecraft.

OO Halo orbits exist in any three-body system, e.g., the Sun–Earth–Orbiting Satellite system or the Earth–Moon–Orbiting Satellite system.

Need of the study of sun:OO The sun is the only star we can study up close. By studying this star we live with, we learn more about stars

throughout the universe.

OO The sun is a source of light and heat for life on Earth. The more we know about it, the more we can understand how life on Earth developed.

OO Disturbances in the solar wind shake Earth’s magnetic field and pump energy into the radiation belts, part of a set of changes in near-Earth space known as space weather.

OO Space weather can change the orbits of satellites, shorten their lifetimes, or interfere with onboard electronics. The more we learn about what causes space weather and how to predict it, the more we can protect the satellites we depend on.

OO The solar wind dominates the space environment. As we send spacecraft and astronauts further and further from home, we must understand this space environment just as early seafarers needed to understand the ocean.

ISRO’s Missions of 2019:OO Microsat-R: An imaging satellite was successfully injected into intended orbit of 274 km by PSLV-C44 on January

24, 2019.

OO GSAT-31: India’s telecommunication satellite, GSAT-31 was successfully launched on February 06, 2019 from Kourou launch base; French Guiana by Ariane-5 VA-247.The satellite provides Indian mainland and island coverage.

OO EMISAT: EMISAT is a satellite built around ISRO’s Mini Satellite-2 bus weighing about 436 kg. The satellite was successfully placed in its intended sun-synchronous polar orbit of 748 km height by PSLV-C45 on April 01, 2019. The satellite is intended for electromagnetic spectrum measurement.

OO RISAT-2B: It is radar imaging earth observation satellite developed by ISRO.

OO Chandrayaan-2: The mission is a highly complex mission, which represents a significant technological leap compared to the previous missions of ISRO. It comprised an Orbiter, Lander and Rover to explore the unexplored South Pole of the Moon.

OO Cartosat-3: The satellite is a third generation agile advanced satellite having high resolution imaging capability.

OO RISAT-2BR1: It is radar imaging earth observation satellite. The satellite will provide services in the field of Agriculture, Forestry and Disaster Management.

Conclusion:OO The Aditya-L1 mission is expected to provide a multipronged holistic approach to the understanding of some of the

outstanding concerns and the understanding approach to resolve the issues of solar physics.

Mains Question:1. What is Aditya L-1 Mission? How is different from the Aditya Mission? Discuss its objective and Importance of the

Mission?



AUSTRALIA FIRE- CLIMATE EMERGENCYIntroduction:OO Wild bushfires have been ravaging Australia especially severe in the New South Wales region. The State declared a

week-long state of emergency in response to the escalating disaster.

OO 916 homes have been destroyed this season, 363 more have been damaged. More than 100 fires are still burning in. Australian authorities told people to leave bushfire-affected areas in three states. Authorities in New South Wales urged people in high risk areas in the Snowy Valley to leave overnight.

OO Both New South Wales and Victoria have given firefighting authorities the power to forcibly relocate people.

Australia’s Hottest Summer:OO Australia recorded 2019 as its hottest year on record. Australia recorded its hottest day on record, with average

highs of 107.4 degrees Fahrenheit, or 41.9 degrees Celsius. With temperatures expected to reach 105 in Canberra, the capital.

OO Around 1.25 billion animals are believed to be dead in bush fires also destroyed more than 10 million hectares of land.

OO The Earth’s axis is tilted by about 23 degrees. Like a gyroscope, the angle and direction of tilt stays the same while the Earth orbits the sun.

OO On one side of the orbit, the northern hemisphere is angled towards the sun, while the southern hemisphere is angled away. On the opposite side of the orbit, the reverse is true north away, south towards.

Occurrence of bushfires in Australia:OO Bushfires are a routine occurrence in the Australia. The climate of the country is hot, dry and prone to droughts.

So, at any time of the year, some parts of Australia are prone to bushfires.

OO Such fires happen when grass, branches, trees start burning in an uncontrolled manner.

OO For New South Wales and Queensland, the peak risks for bushfires are during spring and early summer, which is around November-December.

OO This bushfire season is believed to be the worst and has started even before the beginning of the Southern Hemisphere summer.

OO Furthermore, these bushfires are also affecting the quality of air in the areas surrounding them.

OO The readings for PM 2.5 (223) and PM 10 (399) fell in the “hazardous” category (readings above 200) as per the Australian scale.

Causes of the bushfires:OO Record-breaking temperatures, extended drought and strong winds have converged to create disastrous fire

conditions. The extreme heat has followed the driest spring on record.

OO Most of New South Wales and Queensland have been experiencing shortfalls in rain since early 2017. The drought has hit the country’s most productive agricultural areas, including some of those now ablaze.

OO It is difficult to tame and control naturally occurring bushfires; but their consequences can be minimised if certain measures are taken.

OO These include factors such as fuel load (leaf litter, barks, and small branches), fuel moisture, wind speeds, high temperature, oxygen, low humidity and ignition source.

OO They can be caused by both human activity and lightning, which is responsible for about half of ignitions in Australia.

Australia fires and Climate Change:OO While the bushfires are not directly triggered by climate change, climate change is increasing the risk of more

frequent and intense bushfires. E.g. rainforests in northern NSW, tropical Queensland, and the formerly wet old-growth forests in Tasmania.



OO The drought being faced is more intense than the Millennium Drought, with higher levels of evaporation due to higher temperatures.

OO This year a natural weather phenomenon known as the Indian Ocean Dipole has meant a hot, dry spell across the country.

OO But the overwhelming scientific consensus is that rising levels of CO2 are warming the planet. And Australia has been getting hotter over recent decades and is expected to continue doing so.

OO This year, Australia twice set a new temperature record; an average maximum of 41.9C was recorded in December. That comes on top of a long period of drought.

OO Scientists have warned that this hotter, drier climate will contribute to fires becoming more frequent and more intense.

OO The more extreme weather patterns and higher temperatures increase the risk of bushfires and allow them to spread faster and wider.

Impact of Australian Fires:OO Fires taking massive tool on wildlife. Flames, heat, smoke in habitation having devastating impacts on vertebrates,

invertebrates not only killing them directly but also leading to longer term indirect effects like stress, loss of habitat, territories, shelter and food.

OO Vulnerable species may become more threatened and face extinction. Also causes displacements of territorial birds and mammals.

OO Contribute to global warming that leads to biodiversity changes. Subsequent effects for marine systems like coral reefs.

OO Smokes from fires reduce photosynthetic activity and can be detrimental to the health of human and animals.

OO Consequences of repeated burns are detrimental as it is the key factor in the impoverishment of biodiversity in rainforest ecosystem.

Damages so far:OO Entire towns have been engulfed in flames, and residents across several states have lost their homes. The heaviest

structural damage occurred in NSW, the country’s most populated state, where 1,588 homes have been destroyed and over 650 damaged.

OO In total, more than 7.3 million hectares (17.9 million acres) have been burned across Australia’s six states an area larger than the countries of Belgium and Denmark combined.

OO The worst-affected state is NSW, with more than 4.9 million hectares (12.1 million acres) burn.

Major loss of Animals:OO About half a billion animals have been affected by the fires across NSW, with millions likely dead and that’s a

conservative estimate.

OO The figures for NSW include birds, reptiles, and mammals, except bats. It also excludes insects and frogs, so the real sum is almost certain to be higher, the ecologists said.

OO Almost a third of koalas in NSW may have been killed in the fires, and a third of their habitat has been destroyed.

OO Animals that live in more niche environments with lower populations, including certain types of frogs and birds, could be wiped out entirely if their habitats are hit by the fires.

Preventive Measures:OO Obtaining a burning permit for burning grass, brush, slash or other debris in or within a prescribed distance

of forest land.

OO Keep firefighting equipment handy, a connected water hose or at least five gallons of water and a shovel should be nearby.

OO Don't burn if it's too windy to burn, if trees are swaying, flags are extended, or waves appear on open water.



OO Be prepared to extinguish the fire if it becomes a nuisance. And attend the fire until it is completely out.

OO Cars, trucks and machinery must have proper exhaust systems when operated in or near forest land. Exhaust spark arresters are a requirement on certain machines.

Conclusion:OO These creatures perished are the building blocks of the ecosystem and the fall in their population is bound to have

long-term impacts.

OO In Australia’s bushfires lies a warning about the complex ways in which climate variables interact.

Mains Question:1. Recent, Bushfire in Australia will affect the biodiversity and Climate on a large scale. How? Discuss in detail.

ThE ExTREMIST ThREATIntroduction:OO The Uttar Pradesh (UP) Government has written to the Union Home Ministry seeking a ban on Popular Front of

India (PFI).

OO This was the result of two dozen PFI members being arrested from various parts of the state for their alleged involvement in violence and instigating protestors to clash with the police during the protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA).

OO The State Police has impounded objectionable materials from those who were arrested and have sent a detailed report to the Home Ministry for further course of action.

Popular Front of India: OO Set up in February 17, 2007, the PFI initiated its operations as a branch of three state-level organisations:

1. The National Development Fund (NDF) Kerala,

2. Karnataka Forum for Dignity (KFD), Karnataka and

3. Manitha Neethi Pasiray (MNP) Tamil Nadu.

OO The outfit boasts of a structural presence in 17 states in India and is one of the fastest-growing organisations in the country.

OO Its website states it is a cadre-based social movement that aims to uplift the marginalised and backward sections of the society through various programmes.

OO PFI says that it gives special focus to the Muslim community "considering its socio-economic and political backwardness".

OO The organisation is headed by E. Aboobacker, who says its objectives are to promote national integration, communal amity, and social harmony among others.

OO The group has been termed as a militant, extremist group with a subversive agenda.

OO Over the years, several other organizations have joined the PFI giving it an edge of having access to most of the states in the country and forming a stronger and unified front. Some of the organizations which merged with the PFI are:

(a) Goa’s Citizen’s Forum,

(b) Rajasthan’s Community Social and Educational Society,

(c) Manipur’s Lilong Social Forum,

(d) Andhra Pradesh’s Association of Social Justice and,

(e) West Bengal’s Nagarik Adhikar Suraksha Samiti.

OO The PFI has come into the spotlight for instigating violence during the National Register of Citizens (NRC) and CAA protests in 2019.



PFI links to SIMI, ISIS, and Love Jihad: OO The PFI is currently under the National Investigation Agency's (NIA) scanner after some of its members were tracked

to Syria with Islamic State links.

OO The organisation, in an internal circular, has denied any association with IS.

OO According to reports, in raids over the years investigating agencies have found country-made bombs, weapons and CDs and several documents containing Taliban and Al-Qaeda propaganda from PFI activists.

OO The now-banned Students Islamic Movement of India (SIMI) too finds a mention in PFI's back-story. PFI leaders such as Abdul Rehman and Abdul Hameed were SIMI members prior to joining PFI.

OO The Karnataka Forum for Dignity, one of the three state-level organisation of which PFI was originally a part, has also been accused of being a SIMI branch.

OO Another case where PFI found itself tangled was the NIA's investigation into Love Jihad. Of 94 cases investigated by the NIA, 23 such marriages were believed to have been facilitated by PFI.

PFI’s Role in political killings:OO Political killings in southern states of India have often been linked to PFI. In May of 2019, the NIA conducted

searches at 20 PFI offices at Kumbakonam, Thanjavur, and Karaikal in connection with the investigation into the murder of 41-year-old Ramalingam, a resident of Thanjavur Tamil Nadu.

OO The case was first investigated by Thanjavur Police which arrested 10 accused. Six of the absconding was all active members and office bearers of PFI. During searches, a number of digital devices, including mobile phones, SIM cards, laptops, had been seized. The agency further claimed that sword, sharp-edged knife and cash of Rs 2 lakhs were also recovered from 3 different houses.

OO They’ve also found evidence that the group promotes ‘Jihad’ and that its members have been conducting discussions and classes on the same.

OO Their cadre attacks the right-wing organizations in the country, and most of their attacks are communal or political in nature.

OO PFI members have allegedly attacked professors and politicians repeatedly.

OO Kerala in 2012 submitted an affidavit in the state high court claiming that PFI workers were involved in 27 cases of murder of CPI (M) and RSS members.

OO According to reports, the Karnataka government has been contemplating recommending to the Centre to ban both the PFI and the KFD.

Why the Uttar Pradesh Government wants it banned?OO PFI National General Secretary, M Muhammad Ali Jinnah, has stated that the National Population Register is

nothing but a preliminary step towards the preparation of the National Register of Citizens.

OO After protests in various districts of Uttar Pradesh, 25 members of the outfit were arrested for their alleged involvement in propagating riots across the state against the amended citizenship law.

OO The police had found materials such as banners, flags and pamphlets. According to the police, the strategy was to call a large number of people for the protests for which groups were made on social media websites and photos and videos were shared to incite people against the CAA as well as NRC.

OO Uttar Pradesh deputy CM, said, "It was especially, the Popular Front of India which was behind all the damage done to property, arson and anarchy in the state. Such organisations will not be allowed to flourish, they will be banned."

Issues with the PFI:OO The PFI hides behind the cover of human rights groups, claiming to be a group advocating social change and

standing up for the underprivileged section of the society in the country. This makes it difficult for Law enforcement agencies to take strict action against them or, to even prove their involvement in anti-national activities.

OO PFI acts as a cross-linking platform and as a connecting bridge between the terrorist organizations. PFI has been banned in Jharkhand due to their connections with ISIS.



OO The organization often hijacks issues in the public domain for their own agenda.

OO This involves instigating the misinformed civilians to protest on public issues creating a disruption of peace and in some situations destruction of public property.

OO There is a lot of money which flows in, as donations from various parts of the world. These donations have to be monitored and controlled by the Government.

Way Forward:OO The individuals responsible for such crimes must be booked under appropriate sections, thereby preventing

the spread of anti-national activities and violence.

OO The civil servants must recognize their responsibility and present the facts involved, rather than ignoring the intricate details on grounds of sensitivity.

OO Ban such groups under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 2019 (UAPA). The UAPA Act’s main objective was to make powers available for dealing with activities directed against the integrity and sovereignty of India.

OO Foreign contributions must be regulated, as almost 60% of the foreign contributions went to Christian groups, 20-28% went to Islamic groups and the rest went to organizations involved in public interest litigations and human rights groups.

OO The flow of income to such groups and organizations, in accordance with the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA), must be regulated.

OO The Government of India should take cognizance of the gravity of the issue and come down with a heavy hand on the PFI.

Mains Question:1. What is Popular Front of India? Explain the issues and concerns related to it. Why Uttar Pradesh’s Government wants

to ban PFI? Also, suggest some measures to prevention against the Extremist.

ChINA vS. TAIwANIntroduction: OO Taiwan has rejected the Chinese formula of one country two systems. The Taiwanese President vowed to

defend the island nation's sovereignty saying the Hong Kong model would not work for Taiwan as democracy and authoritarianism cannot co exist in the same country.

OO China claims Taiwan as its territory and wants to bring it under Beijing's control even if it requires the use of force.

OO The anti Infiltration bill passed by Taiwanese Parliament recently has further sent the relations between the two to a new low.

OO This has been passed in the wake of the news that China has been influencing the media in Taiwan through illicit means, to influence the upcoming political elections.

Background:OO Taiwan was under the control of Japan, after the First Sino-Japanese War in 1895.

OO But with the end of World War II, the Republic of China (ROC) began ruling Taiwan with the support of its allies USA and UK.

OO Taiwan, officially known as the Republic of China (ROC), is an island off the southern coast of China that has been governed independently from mainland China since 1949.

OO The People’s Republic of China (PRC) views the island as a province, while in Taiwan a territory with its own democratically elected government that is home to twenty-three million people political leaders have differing views on the island’s status and relations with the mainland.

OO Referred to as the 1992 Consensus, it states that there is only “one China” but allows for differing interpretations, by which both Beijing and Taipei agree that Taiwan belongs to China, while the two still disagree on which entity



is China’s legitimate governing body. The tacit agreement underlying the 1992 Consensus is that Taiwan will not seek independence.

OO In Taiwan, the Chinese government’s objective has long been what it calls “peaceful reunification” even though Taiwan has never been under the jurisdiction or control of the People’s Republic of China or the Chinese Communist Party.

OO To achieve that goal, Beijing has for years tried to simultaneously coax and coerce Taiwan’s adhesion with both the promise of economic benefits and military threats.

OO While Taiwan rejected the Chinese proposal of “one country, two systems” during the 1980s, but it did relax its rules on visits to and investments in China.

One-China Policy:OO The One China policy recognizes the long-held position in Beijing that there is only one China, and that Taiwan

is a part of that.

OO According to the One-China policy: “Any country wishing to establish diplomatic relations with Beijing must acknowledge there is only “One China” and sever all formal ties with Taiwan”.

OO The One China policy is also different from the “One China principle”, which insists that both Taiwan and mainland China are inalienable parts of a single “China.”

“One country, Two systems” approach:OO The principle of “one country, two systems” was first proposed by Deng Xiaoping as a way to restore the relationship

between the communist mainland with historically Chinese territories (Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macau) that had capitalist economies.

OO This system was initially proposed to Taiwan demanded that if they were to accept the one country, two systems approach.

OO The People’s Republic of China (PRC) should be renamed as the Republic of China and, democratic elections would have to be conducted in mainland China. This was however not accepted by mainland China.

OO There would be only one China, but the distinct Chinese regions such as Hong Kong and Macau could retain their own economic and administrative systems, while the rest of China uses the socialism with Chinese characteristics system.

OO In 1984 the concept was enshrined in the Sino-British Joint Declaration, in which the two countries agreed that Britain would hand over sovereignty of Hong Kong to China.

OO China is responsible for defence and foreign affairs but Hong Kong runs its own internal security.

Anti-Infiltration Bill Passed by the Taiwan:OO Taiwan’s legislature passed an anti-infiltration act targeted at curbing Chinese influence in the island’s politics,

a move its supporters say is long overdue but critics say threatens the country’s democracy.

OO It comes just before Taiwan votes in January 11 presidential and legislative elections, leading to accusations by both sides that the law is being used as a political tool.

OO President of Taiwan defended the law by saying it is designed to safeguard Taiwan’s democracy and will not affect those who are not acting on behalf of the Chinese government.

OO The introduction of the Bill is a move to counter the threat of Chinese interference in the political matters of Taiwan through the illicit funding of politicians and the media.

OO It would also act as a shield against China’s motives to subvert the island’s democracy.

OO The Bill is in line with the views of the Taiwanese public, who are against the unification of Taiwan with mainland China.

Economic ties between Taiwan and China:OO Trade between China and Taiwan exceeded $181 billion in 2017, up from about $35.5 billion in 1999. But even

as the two economies grew closer, the number of people who identified as Taiwanese increased: from more than 48 percent to about 60 percent between 2008 and late 2015.



OO The Taiwanese have made an immense contribution to the economic and technological development of China. This has facilitated China in becoming the second-largest economy in the world.

OO But this relationship between China and Taiwan can only be categorized as commensalism, wherein Taiwan only derives a few benefits.

OO The Taiwanese, having come to this realization, are trying to become independent and invest in other countries such as India and New Zealand to prevent them from becoming completely dependent on China.

Conclusion:OO The upcoming elections will play a crucial role in determining the future relationship between Taiwan and China.

OO Taiwan is looking to invest in other countries to reduce their dependence on China, as most of the Taiwanese have invested in China.

Mains Question:1. Democracy and authoritarianism cannot co exists in the same country. Critically Examine the Statement.

TACkLING INFANT MORTALITYIntroduction:OO The death toll of infants in Rajasthan's Kota has reached 110 in the past 36 days. In Gujarat’s Rajkot and

Ahmadabad witnessed death of 134 and 85 infants respectively in the month of December, 2019.

OO While Rajasthan's Infant Mortality Rate in 2017 stood at 38 which is higher than the national average of 33, this figure for Gujarat was below the national average in 2017 at 30.

Background:OO The UN Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) consisted of eight goals which were set with earmarked deadlines

and measurable targets.

OO The declaration was signed by 189 countries at the United Nations Millennium Summit in 2000. Goal four was to reduce child mortality by two thirds, between 1990 and 2015.

OO The United Nations Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation (UNIGME) reported about 8, 00,000 infant deaths in India in 2017. It was the lowest in five years.

OO Child mortality rates have declined, but the world is not on track to reach the Sustainable Development Goal for child mortality.

What does the data say? OO India continues to show impressive decline in infant deaths: IMR substantially declined over the period from 79

per 1,000 live births in NFHS-1 (1992-93) to 41 per 1,000 live births in NFHS-4.

OO India has reduced its infant mortality rate (IMR) by 42% over 11 years: from 57 per 1,000 live births in 2006 to 33 in 2017, as per the latest government data released on May 30, 2019.

OO As per Sample Registration System (SRS) Report published by the Registrar General of India(RGI) in 2013, 15 States/UTs have already achieved Millennium Development Goal 4 (IMR ≤ 29) namely Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Goa, Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Chandigarh, Daman & Diu, Delhi, Lakshadweep, Puducherry, Manipur, Maharashtra, Nagaland, Tripura, Sikkim, Punjab.

OO State Wise performance: According to the latest report from the Sample Registration System (SRS) bulletin, with smaller, more literate states reporting IMRs close to or better than richer countries and larger, poorer states reporting more deaths than poorer countries, indicating the uneven nature of healthcare.

OO The rural-urban difference: In comparison to 2015, the rural-urban difference narrowed by one point (16 to 15). The rural IMR declined by 3 points (41 to 38).

Infant Mortality Rate (IMR):OO Death of children under the age of 1 is measured by Infant Mortality Rate, which is the number of deaths per

1000 live births while child mortality refers to the death of children under the age of five.



OO It is an important indicator of the overall physical health of a community. Preserving the lives of newborns has been a long-standing issue in public health, social policy, and humanitarian endeavours. High infant mortality rates are generally indicative of unmet human health needs in sanitation, medical care, nutrition, and education.

Significance of IMR:OO The factors that impact the IMR reflect the well-being of a nation. Environmental and living conditions, rates of

illness, the health of mothers and their access to quality pre- and post-natal care contribute to infant survival rates.

OO It acts as a measure of population health development. IMR also reflects the intuition that structural factors affecting the health of entire populations have an impact on the mortality rate of infants.

OO It provides key information about maternal and infant health; the infant mortality rate is an important marker of the overall health of a society.

OO It can also be used to analyse the strength of the health architecture of a country.

Causes of IMR:OO The main reasons for Infant Mortality in India as per the Registrar General of India (2001-03) are perinatal conditions

(46%), respiratory infections (22%), diarrhoeal diseases (10%), other infectious and parasitic diseases (8%) and congenital anomalies (3.1%).

OO Lack of education in the mother, malnutrition (more than half of the Indian women are anemic), age of the mother at the time of birth.

OO There are multiple medical causes which result in infant mortality, such as:

OP Birth defects such as cerebral palsy.OP Low birth weightOP Sudden Infant Death Syndrome(SIDS)OP Congenital malformations such as Down’s syndrome, and heart defects.OP Premature birthOP Birth asphyxiaOP Prolonged labour andOP Neonatal infections which make the infants susceptible to diseases such as malaria or measles.

OO Environmental factors such as air pollution are consistently associated with post-neonatal mortality due to respiratory effects and sudden infant death syndrome.

OO The additional presence of carbon monoxide in the air causes greater harm to the infants as their respiratory system is not developed yet.

OO Unavailability of the required equipment in hospitals and other medical centres.

Challenges:

India’s health systems remain weak due to the following reasons:OO Low doctor-patient ratio

OO Low nurse-patient ratio

OO Unavailability of equipment in major hospitals and primary health care centres.

OO The hospitals remain understaffed and unequipped.

OO The funds allocated for health constitute only 1.2% of GDP, i.e. insufficient fund to health sector.

Initiatives taken by the Indian Government:1. The National Rural Health Mission (NRHM): It was launched by the Government of India in 2013 to provide

accessible, affordable and quality health care to the rural population, especially the vulnerable groups. The scheme covers a wide range of aspects under its umbrella.



OO The various programmes and schemes under National Health Mission implemented by the States/ Union Territories are:

OP Facility Based Newborn and Child Care.OP Mother Newborn Care Units.OP Janani Shishu Suraksha Karyakram (JSSK).OP Facility Based Integrated Management of Neonatal and Childhood Illness (F- IMNCI).OP Integrated Management of Neonatal & Childhood Illnesses (IMNCI).OP Home Based New Born Care (HBNC).OP Home based care for young child (HBYC).OP Strengthening Facility based Pediatric Care.OP Family Participatory Care.OP Navjat Shishu Suraksha Karyakram (NSSK).OP Infant and Young Child Feeding.OP Nutritional Rehabilitation Centres (NRC).OP Reduction in morbidity and mortality due to Acute Respiratory Infections (ARI) and Diarrhoeal Diseases.OP Supplementation with micronutrients.

2. India Newborn Action Plan (INAP): It was launched in 2014. It aims to make concerted efforts towards the attainment of the goals of “Single Digit Neonatal Mortality Rate” and “Single Digit Stillbirth Rate,” by 2030. Strengthening of delivery points for providing comprehensive and quality Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child and Adolescent Health (RMNCH+A) Services.

3. Universal Immunization Programme (UIP): It has been set up to provide vaccination to all children against life-threatening diseases such as Tuberculosis, Diphtheria, and Polio etc. Guidelines on standardization of Labour Rooms and creation of Obstetric High Dependency Unit (HDU) and Obstetric Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at District Hospitals and Medical Colleges has also been prepared and disseminated to the States for improving quality of care during delivery and childbirth as health is a state subject.

4. Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram (RBSK): It is set up to provide quality health screening, early detection of birth defects, diseases, deficiencies, development delays and early intervention services.

Way Forward:OO The budget allocations for the health sector have to be improved. This would help enhance the socio-economic

conditions.

OO It also permits the hospitals and medical centres to buy the necessary equipment and upgrade their facilities and thus the quality of care provided.

OO The number of medical staff has to be increased in hospitals and district medical centres.

OO Quality research must be undertaken to support the diagnosis of untimely deaths of infants and the public in general. The results and the findings of the research must be shared and efforts must be taken to implement the suggestions given by scientists.

Mains Question:1. After so many efforts and initiatives taken by the Government, India’s Infant Mortality Rate is still very far from the

Sustainable Development Goal-4. What are the possible reasons for this? Explain. Also suggest some measures to improve the Infant Mortality Rate.

NATIONAL STATISTICAL COMMISSION BILL, 2019Introduction:OO The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation has sought comments and suggestions on the Draft

National Statistical Commission Bill 2019 to make data collection more transparent and reliable.



OO The present draft NSC Bill proposes to establish a National Statistical Commission as the nodal and autonomous body for core statistical activities for the country, to evolve, monitor and enforce priorities and standards and to ensure coordination.

Background:OO The Commission was set up in 2000 by the Government under the Chairmanship of C. Rangarajan to review the

statistical system and the entire gamut of official statistics in the country.

OO The Commission in its report (submitted in 2001) recommended establishing a permanent National Commission on Statistics that can serve as a nodal, independent and empowered advisory body dealing with all core statistical activities of the country.

OO However, it also recommended that the Commission can be initially set up through a Government order. In line with this recommendation, on 1st June 2005, the Centre by an executive notification created a National Statistical Commission which lacked statutory backing.

Key Provisions of the Bill:OO Composition: The draft Bill proposes for a full time Chairman and members nominated from amongst eminent

persons, including, Deputy Governor (RBI) as a member of the Commission and the Chief Economic Adviser as its ex-officio member.

OO Chief Statistician of India (CSI): This position has been created to head the National Statistical Office (NSO). CSI will be a member of NSC.

OO Statistical Audit: The bill provides for establishing a National Statistical Audit and Assessment Organization (within NSC) with a Chief Statistical Auditor in the rank of Secretary to the GOI.

OO Independent Secretariat: To strengthen the autonomy of the Commission, the Bill proposes setting up of an independent secretariat to be headed by a Secretary rank officer of GOI. It also envisages financial autonomy for the Commission through an independent National Statistical Fund.

Functions of the Commission:

Following are the major functions of the Nationals Statistics Commissions:1. To identify the core statistics, which are of national importance and are critical to the development of the economy.2. To constitute professional committees or working groups to assist the Commission on various technical issues.3. To evolve national policies and priorities relating to the statistical system.4. To evolve standard statistical concepts, definitions, classifications and methodologies in different areas in

statistics and lay down national quality standards on core statistics.5. To evolve national strategies for the collection, tabulation and dissemination of core statistics, including the release

calendar for various data sets.6. To evolve national strategies for human resource development on official statistics including information

technology and communication needs of the statistical system.7. To evolve measures for improving public trust in official statistics.8. To evolve measures for effective co-ordination with State Governments and Union Territory Administrations on

statistical activities including strengthening of existing institutional mechanisms.9. To exercise statistical co-ordination between Ministries, Departments and other agencies of the Central

Government.10. To recommend to the Central Government, or any State Government, as the case may be, measures to effectively

implement the standards, strategies and other measures.11. To advise the Government on the requirement of legislative measures on statistical matters including the statute

for the National Statistical Commission.12. To monitor and review the functioning of the statistical system in the light of the laid down policies, standards

and methodologies and recommend measures for enhanced performance.



Significance of the Bill:OO Collection: There was a need for the structured collection of data for many government programme interventions

in order to help policy-makers to solve policy-related issues.

OO Providing broad vision: The revised composition of NSC aims to reinforce its independence and align it with the vision and broad contours of national policies and priorities.

OO Credible Data: There is a dire need for the availability of credible robust data in the public domain so as to gain the trust of the people by preventing the spread of fake/ unreliable data. For instance, until now there was a data on homeless people in the country but it could not be shared with the agency providing housing.

OO Statutory Power: This Bill provides statutory backing to the data collecting agency so as to increase the credibility and legitimacy of the data.

Importance of improving the Statistical system:OO The Indian National Sample Survey is respected the world over because of its size, but also for its sample design,

that uses methods make perfect by some of the world’s most reputed statisticians.

OO We can, however, ensure that when we look back on this several years from now, it represents an anomaly rather than a lasting, irreparable loss of institutional credibility.

OO It is also imperative to use the scientific methods for data collection and estimation and their timely dissemination, which form vital public services.

International Monetary Fund and the Commission:OO In the globalised world, risks faced by one country impact other parts of the globe as well. As seen after the South-

East Asian crisis (1997), there were concerns regarding international surveillance of various risks related to fiscal and monetary policy.

OO Therefore, the IMF in 1998 took several steps to promote fiscal transparency, integrity of national accounts & financial statistics, etc.

OO It also established data dissemination standards to which India has subscribed and adhered. Indian agencies and IMF work together to frame such technical guidelines.

Way Forward:OO The use of emerging technologies like, big data analysis, artificial intelligence, etc. can help in robust

collection of legitimate data so that the data-driven governance could be actually realized in day-to-day working.

OO Also, with the help of technology, data from various sources (public or private entities) could be easily collaborated and managed.

OO There is a need to connect data collection with a larger public interest and good governance in order to achieve the dream of digitalized and formalized economy.

Mains Question:1. The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation has sought comments and suggestions on the Draft

National Statistical Commission Bill 2019 to make data collection more transparent and reliable. How this step will help the Commission to improve its functionary? Examine.

ELECTORAL pOLITICS – NEED FOR REFORMIntroduction:OO India is a vibrant democracy with people electing their representatives at several levels beginning from local

bodies and Panchayats to the Parliament.

OO Vice-President of India has termed Indian experience with democracy as a remarkable success story. However, Vice president also pointed out two distortions which need to be addressed urgently and those are use of enormous money power in politics and elections and the increasing attempts to entice the voters with short term benefits at the cost of long term goals of basic amenities, infrastructure, quality education, healthcare, growth and job opportunities, etc.



Electoral Reforms:OO Electoral reforms refer to the development and benign change in election processes in India in order to facilitate

better democracy, clean politics, ideal members of legislative houses, equality of representation and so on.

OO Articles 324-329 deal with elections and electoral reforms.

OO Electoral reforms are required to uphold the aspiration of our ancestors, to accomplish the ideals of our constitution and to have a true democracy in letter as well as in spirit by conducting fair elections.

Electoral Reforms committees:OO The Goswami Committee on Electoral Reforms, in 1990, highlighted the crippling effect of money and muscle

power in elections.

OO The N. Vohra Committee which submitted its report in October 1993 studied of the problem of criminalization of politics and the nexus among criminals, politicians, and bureaucrats in India.

OO The committee had concluded that agencies, including the CBI, IB, RAW, had unanimously expressed their opinion that the criminal network was virtually running a parallel government.

OO The Law Commission of India, in its 244th report, said that instead of politicians having suspected links to criminal networks, as was the case earlier, it was persons with extensive criminal backgrounds who began entering politics.

OO The Law Commission said that in the 10 years since 2004, 18% of the candidates contesting either national or State elections had criminal cases against them.

OO 18th Report presented by a parliamentary committee to the Rajya Sabha in March 2007 expressed feeling that politics should be cleansed of persons with established criminal background”.

Challenges faced by the Electoral Systems:OO Money power plays destructive role in our electoral system affecting seriously the working of periodic elections.

It leads to all round corruption and contributes mainly to the generation of black money economy.

OO A prospective candidate in each constituency has to spend millions of money towards transport, publicity and other essential items of election campaign. In recent years the election expenses have increased beyond any limits due to the desire on the part of every political party to spend more than their rivals in the fray.

OO The elections were not as costly in 1952 as they have become today. Political leaders and workers considered it unethical to work with a desire for any reward. But scenario now has changed.

OO Violence, pre-election intimidation, post-election victimisation, most of the riggings of any type, booth capturing both silent and violent are mainly the products of muscle power.

OO These are prevalent in many parts of the country like Bihar, Western Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra etc. and this cancerous disease is slowly spreading to south like in Andhra Pradesh.

OO Criminalization of politics and politicalisation of criminals, freely indulged in now, are like two sides of the same coin and are mainly responsible for the manifestation of muscle power at elections.

OO The misuse of official machinery takes different forms, such as issue of advertisements at the cost of government and public exchequer highlighting their achievements, disbursements out of the discretionary funds at the disposal of the ministers, use of government vehicles for canvassing etc. This leads to misuse of public funds for furthering the prospects of candidates of a particular party.

OO Freebies have actually compounded the problem of money power in politics. Free liquor or some goods or services to voters are acts of enticing voters.

OO Paid news is published as a news item in the form of advertisement. Fake news is news, stories or hoaxes created to deliberately misinform or deceive readers. Both are the threats to the free and fair electoral system.

OO At Present, the EC does not have independent staff of its own. Whenever elections take place, the Election Commission has to depend upon staff of Central and State Governments.

OO The dual responsibility of the administrative staff, to the government for ordinary administration and to the EC for electoral administration is not conducive to the impartiality an efficiency of the Commission. Along with it comes the



problem of disciplinary control over the staff deputed to do election work which generally generates confrontation between the Government and the EC.

Steps taken by the government:OO Lowering of Voting Age: The 61st Amendment Act to the Constitution reduced the minimum age for voting from

21 to 18 years.

OO Deputation to Election Commission: All personnel working in preparing, revising and correcting the electoral rolls for elections shall be considered to be on deputation to the EC for the period of such employment, and they shall be superintended by the EC.

OO Increase in the number of proposers and the security deposit: The number of electors required signing as proposers in the nomination papers for elections to the Rajya Sabha and the State Legislative Councils has been raised to 10% of the electors of the constituency or ten such electors, whichever is less chiefly to prevent frivolous candidates. The security deposit has also been hiked to prevent non-serious candidates.

OO Electronic Voting Machine (EVMs): First introduced in 1998 during the state elections of Delhi, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan, EVMs are used widely now as they are fool-proof, efficient and a better option in terms of the environment.

OO Disqualification on conviction for violating the National Honour Act, 1971: This shall lead to disqualification of the person for 6 years from contesting to the Parliament and the state legislatures.

OO Restriction on contesting from more than 2 constituencies: A candidate cannot contest from more than 2 constituencies.

OO Death of a contesting candidate: Previously, the election was countermanded on the death of a contesting candidate. In the future, no election will be countermanded on the death of a contesting candidate. If the deceased candidate, however, was set up by a recognized national or state party, then the party concerned will be given an option to nominate another candidate within 7 days of the issue of a notice to that effect to the party concerned by the Election Commission.

OO Prohibition on sale of liquor: No liquor or other intoxicants shall be sold or given or distributed at any shop, eating place, or any other place, whether private or public, within a polling area during the period of 48 hours ending with the hour fixed for the conclusion of poll.

OO Time limit for bye-elections: Bye-elections to any House of Parliament or a State Legislature will now be held within six months of the occurrence of the vacancy in that House.

OO Ceiling on election expenditure: At present, there is no limit on the amount a political party can spend in an election or on a candidate. But, the Commission has put a cap on individual candidates’ spending. For the Lok Sabha elections, it is Rs. 50 – 70 lakh (depending on the state they are contesting the Lok Sabha seat from), and Rs. 20 – 28 lakh for an assembly election.

OO Restriction on exit polls: The EC issued a statement before the 2019 Lok Sabha elections saying that exit poll results could be broadcast only after the final phase of the elections were over. This was done to avoid prospective voters being misguided or prejudiced in any manner.

OO Voting through postal ballot: In 2013, the EC decided to expand the ambit of postal ballot voting in the country. Previously, only Indian staff in missions abroad and defence personnel in a limited way, could vote via postal ballots. Now, there are 6 categories of voters who can use the postal ballot: service voters; special voters; wives of service voters and special voters; voters subjected to preventive detention; voters on election duty and Notified voters.

Way forward:OO When the elections have ceased to be a mere periodical affair, it is desirable that the EC should have a permanent

electoral administration with adequate disciplinary control over the staff.

OO The EC should not be at the mercy to Executive and Parliament for its requirements. It should have separate and independent election department to enhance its objectivity and impartiality.

OO Political corruption should be stopped by providing funds to genuine candidates through political parties whose account should be auditable. Candidate involving in corruption should be disqualified.

OO Mass Media should play a non-partisan role in election and as a safeguard of democracy.



OO Paid and fake news must be avoided and media must adopt self-regulation to prevent dissemination of misinformation.

OO Audit of the party expenditure should also be conducted regularly.

Mains Question:1. Why does India need Electoral Reforms, even after the establishment of several Electoral Committees? Explain and

also suggest some measures to strengthen the Electoral System.

GAGANYAAN MISSIONIntroduction:OO The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), unveiled a humanoid or human-robot named ‘Vyommitra’

which will be sent to space as part of the Gaganyaan mission, which is the most crucial mission in India’s human spaceflight programme.

OO Last month, ISRO had mentioned the launch of the first test-flight of Gaganyaan during the launch of geosynchronous satellite launch vehicle (GSLV) MKIII that will be carrying the humanoid to space by the end of 2020.

OO Once the humanoid is sent to space, ISRO scientists will be able to monitor the activities and progress of Vyommitra in order to prepare the robot for the manned mission in 2022.

Vyommitra, the Human Robot:OO As ISRO is preparing for its ambitious Gaganyaan mission, the ‘half-humanoid’ Vyommitra will lead the human

spaceflight programme.

OO It is called ‘half-humanoid’ because it does not have legs. It is designed in such a way that it always remains in contact with the ISRO command centre.

OO It is said to mimic humans, perform several mission-critical activities such as life support operations, switch panel operations and more.

OO The humanoid can also act as a companion for astronauts, converse with them and even recognise each individual on board.

OO Vyommitra is said to have several sensors on board which will help ISRO scientists gather data during the unmanned space mission which is scheduled to be launched in December 2020 and June 2021.

OO It is also capable of providing air pressure change warnings.

Gaganyaan Mission:OO The Gaganyaan project will be India’s first attempt to send Indians to space aboard an Indian spacecraft.

OO In 1984, wing commander Rakesh Sharma flew aboard Russia’s Soyuz T-11 and became the first Indian to go into space, but the series of missions under Gaganyaan will be ISRO’s most ambitious till date.

OO If it is successful, India will become the fourth nation after the USA, Russia and China, to send a human to space.

OO The astronauts to travel to space received their training in Russia. Gaganyaan Mission was first recommended by ISRO’s Policy Planning Committee in 2004. In 2006, the preliminary studies under the name “Orbital Vehicle” began.

OO In 2008, the design to carry two astronauts was finalized. In 2014, the testing of the launch vehicle GSLV-Mk III was successful. In 2018, the pad abort test was conducted and succeeded by ISRO scientists. In 2019, astronauts completed their training in Russia.

Applicability of a Manned Space Mission for India:OO Boost to industries: The Indian industry will find large opportunities through participation in the highly demanding

Space missions. Gaganyaan Mission is expected will source nearly 60% of its equipment from the Indian private sector.

OO Employment: According to the ISRO chief, the Gaganyaan mission would create 15,000 new employment opportunities, 13,000 of them in private industry and the space organisation would need an additional manpower of 900.



OO Technological development: Human Space flights are frontier field in the science and technology. The challenges the Human Space Flights provide to India, and the benefits accruing from taking up those missions will be very high and will lead to further thrust for technological developments in India

OO Boost research and development: It will boost good research and technology development. With a large number of researchers with proper equipment involved, HSF will thrust significant research in areas such as materials processing, astro-biology, resources mining, planetary chemistry, planetary orbital calculus and many other areas

OO Motivation and Inspiration: Human space flight will provide that inspiration to the youth and also the national public mainstream. It would inspire young generation into notable achievements and enable them to play their legitimate role in challenging future activities

OO Prestige: India will be the fourth country to launch human space mission. The Gaganyaan will not only bring about prestige to the nation but also establish India’s role as a key player in the space industry.

Challenges:OO A manned space mission is very different from all other missions that ISRO has so far completed. In terms

of complexity and ambition, it is much complicated than the missions to the Moon (Chandrayan) and Mars (Mangalyaan).

OO For a manned mission, the key distinguishing capabilities that ISRO has had to develop:

OP The ability to bring the spacecraft back to Earth after flight.

OP To build a spacecraft in which astronauts can live in Earth-like conditions in space.

OO The astronauts will have to adapt to the change in gravitational field. The change in gravity affects hand-eye and head-eye coordination. Bones may lose minerals adding to the risk of osteoporosis related fractures.

OO Once they are in space, astronauts will receive over 10 times more radiation than what people are subjected to on earth. It can cause cancer, nervous system damage and trigger nausea, vomiting, and anorexia and fatigue. Without pressure, human blood heats up.

Conclusion:OO After the success of Mangalyaan and the near-success of Chandrayaan-2 last year, ISRO has been in the global

space tech limelight. It remains to be seen whether Gaganyaan will earn the same plaudits as other high-profile Indian space missions.

OO These developments will help ISRO in perfecting the cryogenic technology for sending up heavier and heavier payloads and will reduce India’s dependency on other countries to launch heavier satellites.

Mains Question:1. ISRO unveiled a humanoid or human-robot named ‘Vyommitra’ which will be sent to space as part of the Gaganyaan

mission. What are the Challenges and Significance of the Mission? Discuss in detail.

ARTICLE 131-SpECIAL pOwERS OF SUpREME COURTIntroduction:OO The Government of Kerala moved to the Supreme Court against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), a first

by any state government.

OO They sought that the act be declared as violative of the basic structure of the Constitution- principle of equality, freedom and secularism.

OO The Kerala Assembly was also the first state in the country to pass a resolution against the Act. The CAA grants Indian citizenship to non-Muslim minorities who migrated to India from Afghanistan, Pakistan and Bangladesh, following persecution over their faith.

OO The Kerala government has said in its suit that there is no rationale in grouping together the three countries for the purpose of the CAA. In its suit, the state referred to Article 131 of the Constitution.



Article 131 of the Constitution:OO In Indian Constitution, it has been mentioned that the Supreme Court is the guardian of the Fundamental Rights

guaranteed to us under Article 14, thus any kind of violation of our fundamental rights we can go directly to the Supreme Court under Article 32 of the Constitution (this being a fundamental right too).

OO But when there is a dispute which arises between the States of India or between the State Government and the Union Government then it is the jurisdiction of the Supreme Court under Article 131 of the Constitution that gives it the power to resolve these kinds of disputes.

OO Article 32 gives the Supreme Court original jurisdiction but not exclusive jurisdiction because of the reason that even the High Courts have that jurisdiction under Article 226 of the Constitution.

OO Original jurisdiction of the Supreme Court Subject to the provisions of this Constitution, the Supreme Court shall, to the exclusion of any other court, have original jurisdiction in any dispute.

OP between the Government of India and one or more States; orOP between the Government of India and any State or States on one side and one or more other States on the

other; orOP Between two or more States, if and in so far as the dispute involves any question (whether of law or fact) on

which the existence or extent of a legal right depends.

Jurisdictions Powers of Supreme Court:OO The Supreme Court has three kinds of jurisdictions: original, appellate and advisory.

OO Under its advisory jurisdiction, the President has the power to seek an opinion from the apex court under Article 143 of the Constitution.

OO Under its appellate jurisdiction, the Supreme Court hears appeals from lower courts.

OO In its extraordinary original jurisdiction, the Supreme Court has exclusive power to adjudicate upon disputes involving elections of the President and the Vice President, those that involve states and the Centre, and cases involving the violation of fundamental rights.

Recent suits under Article 131:OO Kerala became the first state to challenge the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA) before the Supreme Court.

However, the legal route adopted by the state is different from the 60 petitions already pending before the court. The Kerala government has moved the apex court under Article 131 of the Constitution.

OO The Chhattisgarh government filed a suit in the Supreme Court under Article 131, challenging the National Investigation Agency (NIA) Act on the ground that it encroaches upon the state’s powers to maintain law and order.

Article 131 and petitions challenging the CAA:OO The petitions challenging the CAA have been filed under Article 32 of the Constitution, which gives the court

the power to issue writs when fundamental rights are violated.

OO A state government cannot move the court under this provision because only people and citizens can claim fundamental rights.

OO Under Article 131, the challenge is made when the rights and power of a state or the Centre are in question.

OO However, the relief that the state (under Article 131) and petitioners under Article 32 have sought in the challenge to the CAA is the same, declaration of the law as being unconstitutional.

Can the Supreme Court declare legislation unconstitutional under Article 131?OO In 2011, in State of MP v Union of India, the Supreme Court held that validity of central laws can be challenged

under Article 32 of the Constitution and not under Article 131.

OO In the case, Madhya Pradesh had sought to challenge under Article 131 the constitutional validity of certain provisions of the Madhya Pradesh Reorganisation Act, asserting that they violated Article 14 of the Constitution.

OO The two-judge bench of Justices P. Sathasivam and B.S. Chauhan, however, felt that a petition under Article 32 would’ve been more appropriate for the challenge.



OO Three years later, in 2014, another two-judge bench hearing the case of State of Jharkhand v State of Bihar.

OO This bench, comprising Justices J. Chelameswar and S.A. Bobde, held that Article 131 could be used to examine the constitutionality of a state.

OO The question was then referred to a three-judge bench, headed by Justice N.V. Ramana. It is currently pending there.

Can the Centre sue a state under Article 131?OO The Centre has other powers to ensure that its laws are implemented. The Centre can issue directions to a state

to implement the laws made by Parliament.

OO If states do not comply with the directions, the Centre can move the court seeking a permanent injunction against the states to force them to comply with the law.

OO Non-compliance of court orders can result in contempt of court, and the court usually hauls up the chief secretaries of the states responsible for implementing laws.

Is it unusual for states to challenge laws made by Parliament?OO Under the Constitution, laws made by Parliament are presumed to be constitutional until a court holds

otherwise. However, in India’s quasi-federal constitutional structure, inter-governmental disputes are not uncommon.

OO The framers of the Constitution expected such differences, and added the exclusive original jurisdiction of the Supreme Court for their resolution. The quasi-federal structure envisaged in 1950 has consolidated into defined powers of the states.

OO Under a powerful Centre with a clear majority in Parliament, fault lines in India’s federal structure are frequently exposed.

OO Since 2014, the government, debates around the 15th Finance Commission, the Goods and Services Tax, the linguistic divide on the National Education Policy, land acquisition, and the proposed All India Judicial Services has all emerged as flashpoints between the strong Centre and states ruled by the Opposition.

Kerala's arguments:OO The Kerala government has sought from the apex court that the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019 be declared

as violative of Articles 14 (Equality before law), Article 21 (Right to life and personal liberty) and Article 25 (Freedom of conscience and free profession, practice, and propagation of religion).

OO It also said that CAA is violative of the basic principle of secularism enshrined in the Constitution. Besides, the plea has stated that the Passport (Entry to India) Amendment Rules, 2015 and Foreigners (Amendment) Order are ultra vires (beyond Centre's authority) the Constitution and be declared void.

OO It said the CAA, the amended Passport Rules and Foreign Order are class legislations harping on the religious identity of an individual, thereby contravening the principles of secularism, which has been recognised by the court as a basic structure of the Constitution.

OO The suit claimed that these amendments make religion and a person's country of origin a criteria for grant of citizenship and result in classifications based on religion and country, which are discriminatory, arbitrary, unreasonable and have no rational nexus with the object sought to be achieved.

OO The plea added that the CAA and rules and orders are bereft of any standard principle or norm in discriminating migrants from other countries like Sri Lanka, Myanmar and Bhutan, which are sharing international borders with India and to which and from which there has been trans-border migration. It said if the object of the CAA is to protect the minorities who faced religious persecution in Afghanistan, Pakistan and Bangladesh, then the Ahmaddiyas and Shias from these countries are also entitled to treatment equal to that being now extended to Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, Jain, Parsi and Christian communities.

OO "In accordance with the mandate of Article 256 of the Constitution, the plaintiff state (Kerala) will be compelled to ensure compliance of Impugned Amendment Act (CAA) and the Rules and Orders, which are manifestly arbitrary, unreasonable, irrational and violative of fundamental rights.

Way Forward:OO Politically motivated pleas must be abandoned and must not be entertained by the SC. Instead, determined efforts

must be made to resolve them within the political arena.



OO Federalism is a two-way street. Both the parties to it must respect the boundaries of one another that has been drawn by the Constitution.

OO The States must restrain themselves while defying the implementation of Central laws, if done it might lead to the breakdown of constitutional machinery.

OO Hence, States are bound to implement the Central laws until and unless they are declared as void and unconstitutional by the Higher Courts of the country.

Mains Question:1. Discuss the administrative relation between Central and State Government in the context of Citizenship Amendment

Act, 2019.

INDIA’S TRADE DIpLOMACY wITh MALAYSIA, TURkEYIntroduction:OO India is planning to cut some imports from Turkey and widen curbs on palm oil from Malaysia to oil, gas and

other products. India is the world’s biggest buyer of edible oils, and has already effectively stopped importing palm oil from Malaysia by asking importers to look elsewhere.

OO According to the report, New Delhi is now planning to restrict buying of petroleum, aluminium ingots, liquefied natural gas, computer parts and microprocessors from Malaysia.

OO The same report goes on to add the government is also planning to cut imports of oil and steel products from Turkey. Meanwhile, another report said Malaysia will use diplomatic channels to try and resolve concerns over the palm oil exports.

Background of India-Malaysia Bilateral Relations:OO India established diplomatic relations with the Federation of Malaya (predecessor state of Malaysia) in 1957

immediately after Malaysia’s independence.

OO Presently, India and Malaysia have developed close political, economic and socio-cultural relations. India and Malaysia are witnessing growing engagements in all aspects of bilateral relationship, including political, economic and trade, defence and security, tourism and education, health, human resources, public administration, etc.

OO The two countries have signed Agreement on Promotion &Investment in 1993.

Major Exports and Imports between India and Malaysia:OO India’s major exports items to Malaysia are mineral fuels, mineral oils; aluminum and articles thereof, meat and

edible meat offal, iron and steel, copper and articles thereof, organic chemicals, nuclear reactors, boilers, machinery and mechanical appliances; electrical machinery and equipment; etc.

OO India’s major import items from Malaysia are mineral fuels, mineral oils, electrical machinery and equipment; animal or vegetable fats and oils and their cleavage products; nuclear reactors, boilers, machinery and mechanical appliances; copper and articles thereof, wood; wood charcoal, aluminum, organic chemicals, iron and steel and miscellaneous chemical products.

Background of India-Turkey Bilateral Relations:OO India established diplomatic relations with Turkey in 1948. India-Turkey economic and commercial cooperation

constitutes an important dimension of the bilateral relationship. The Bilateral Trade Agreement between India and Turkey was signed in 1973.

OO A cooperating agreement between Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FICCI) and Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey (TOBB) was also signed for establishing India-Turkey Working Committee and Investment Forums. August 2015, State Bank of India and Turkey’s Akbank entered into a cooperation agreement to support bilateral trade and investments.

OO On 6 An India Business Forum (IBF) was launched in Istanbul by the Ambassador in December 2018 which holds quarterly meetings.

OO India’s economic engagement with Turkey saw new momentum in recent years. Bilateral trade grew 22% to cross US$ 8.6 billion in 2018. India ranked 6 in Turkey’s overall imports in 2018.



Major Exports and Imports between India and Turkey:OO The major Indian exports to Turkey include: petroleum products, auto components/parts, man-made yarn, fabrics,

made ups, aircraft & spacecraft parts, plastic raw materials, organic chemicals, dyes, industrial machinery, etc.

OO Imports from Turkey include: industrial machinery, broken/unbroken poppy seeds; machinery and mechanical appliances, iron and steel articles thereof, inorganic chemicals, pearls and precious/semi precious stones and metals (including imitation jewellery), granite and marble, etc. Several Indian companies are registered in Turkey.

Backdrop for the stand-off between India’s trade with Malaysia and Turkey:OO Malaysia and Turkey have criticized India’s policy on Kashmir openly in public platforms Such as United Nations

General Assembly.

OO From the Indian side, the criticism of its policies is seen as strictly domestic in the case of abrogating Article 370. The status of the situation in Kashmir would no longer be just handled through the diplomatic channels or privately.

OO Turkey and Malaysia went out publically and criticised the Indian policies. In the case of Malaysia, it had a long record of criticizing India on Kashmir.

OO With Turkey, India does not have a major trading relationship and minor contracts have been canceled.

OO Malaysia is a relatively larger trade partner of India and palm oil is the single largest component of trade which is now being banned for import.

OO Turkey and Malaysia are trying to wrest the leadership of the Islamic countries in a subtle way away from Saudi Arabia.

Impacts of banning import of palm oil: OO India has placed restrictions on the free import of palm oil through a notification, in a move widely seen as aimed

at hitting Malaysia in an escalation of a diplomatic row between the two nations over Malaysian Prime Minister’s remarks on Kashmir and on the Citizenship Amendment Act.

OO Palm oil accounts for about 2.5 percent of Malaysia’s GDP and about 4.5 percent of its export.

OO India is the largest buyer of Malaysian palm oil and accounts for 28 percent of India’s import of 5 million tonnes.

OO India had already raised taxes on refined palm oil from Malaysia for six months in September to 50 percent from the previous 45 percent as a safeguard against import spikes.

OO There is enough refining capacity in India, so its consumers are not going to suffer from this event very much. India can buy the rest palm oil from Indonesia which earlier was a big exporter of Palm oil to India.

OO Indonesia accounts for nearly 60 percent of India’s palm oil imports and its share is likely to go up.

OO The impact on Malaysia especially on people who are working in this sector, mostly from rural areas, is going to be highest, which will prove to be a political and economic cost to pay for Malaysia.

Present status of the bilateral relationship between India and Malaysia:OO Malaysia is India's third largest trading partner in ASEAN besides Indonesia and Singapore.

OO India is the largest trading partner for Malaysia from among the countries of the South Asia, excluding Singapore and China.

OO India-Malaysia bilateral trade in 2016 was US$ 11.72 billion (RM 48.62 billion).

OO Malaysia’s exports to India were worth US$ 7.72 billion and imports from India were valued at US$ 4.00 billion in 2016.

OO India was Malaysia’s 10th largest trading partner in the world, accounting for 3.3 percent share of Malaysia’s global trade.

OO Malaysia is the 11th largest trading partner for India during FY 2016-17 (Apr-Feb) moving 3 places up from 14th position in 2015-16. India is 7th export destination for Malaysia.

Present status of the bilateral relationship between India and Turkey:OO More than 150 companies with Indian capital have registered businesses in Turkey in the form of joint ventures,

trade and representative offices.



OO Turkey ranks 41st overall in terms of FDI inflows to India. Cumulative Turkish direct investment into India amounts to USD 87.18 million (April 2000 – April 2014) accounting for 0.04% of total FDI inflows.

OO Since the establishment of diplomatic relations between India and Turkey in 1948, political and bilateral relations have been characterised by warmth and cordiality, although some sporadic tensions remain due to Turkey's support for Pakistan.

OO There is a lack of strategic convergence between the two countries on multiple issues, e.g. Ankara’s stance on the Kashmir issue, which is still pro-Pakistan and Turkey’s prioritisation of its relations with China over India. These factors currently complicate the equation between Turkey and India.

Way Forward:OO ‘Restricting trade’ should be used only as a last resort and only when the provocation is grave enough because

fundamentally India does not have a hostile relation with Malaysia and Turkey.

OO It has to be calibrated carefully so that it does not become a genuine trade war or affect the larger bilateral relationship.

Mains Question:1. India is planning to cut some imports from Turkey and widen curbs on palm oil from Malaysia to oil, gas and other

products. Examine the Causes and Impacts of the move taken by the India.

pOLICE COMMISSIONER SYSTEMIntroduction:OO UP Government has approved the Commissionerate system of policing state capital Lucknow and Noida. This

system gives more responsibilities including magisterial powers to IPS officers of the rank of Inspector general of Police who are posted as Commissioner.

OO Sixth National police Commission report released in 1983 had recommended introduction of Commissionerate system in cities with a population of 5 lakh and above.

OO Later in 2005 a draft Model Police Act framed by a committee set up by the Union Home Ministry also made similar recommendation saying metro cities and major urban areas with a population of 10 lakhs or more should have a Police Commissioner System.

Historical Background of Police: OO Till the middle of nineteenth century, there was no satisfactory police system. Policing was not taken away

from the zamindars till 1792.

OO Cornwallis abolished zamindari system of maintaining law and appointed thanedars who were now made responsible for the maintenance of law and order.

OO A Police Commission was appointed in August 1860 with the aim of making police an efficient instrument for the prevention and detection of crime.

OO The Indian Police Act (IPA) of 1861 imposed a uniform police system on the entire country. The Act established organized police forces the responsibility of the various provincial governments.

OO The Government of India established the Second All India Police Commission in 1902.

OO Other important developments during this period were setting up of Islington Commission (1912) and Lee Commission (1924). The recommendations of these commissions led to substantial Indianisation of the senior rank of the Police Force.

OO According to article 246 of the Indian Constitution and section 3 of the IPA, the police force is a state subject and not dealt with at central level. Each state government has the responsibility to draw guidelines, rules and regulations for its police force. These regulations are found in the state police manuals.

Police Commissionerate system:OO Under the 7th Schedule of the Constitution, ‘Police’ is under the State list, meaning individual states typically

legislate and exercise control over this subject.



OO In the arrangement in force at the district level, a ‘dual system’ of control exists, in which the Superintendent of Police (SP) has to work with the District Magistrate (DM) for supervising police administration.

OO At the metropolitan level, many states have replaced the dual system with the Commissionerate system, as it is supposed to allow for faster decision-making to solve complex urban-centric issues.

OO In the Commissionerate system, the Commissioner of Police (CP) is the head of a unified police command structure, is responsible for the force in the city, and is accountable to the state government.

OO The office also has magisterial powers, including those related to regulation, control, and licensing.

OO The CP is drawn from the Deputy Inspector General rank or above, and is assisted by Special/Joint/Additional/Deputy Commissioners.

OO In police commissioner system, police works as a team, under which the police commissioner has some magisterial powers in order to take forward smart and effective policing.

OO Under Section 20 of the CrPC, the Police Commissioner is delegated legal powers of an executive magistrate, while the Joint, Additional and Deputy Commissioners are accorded “special executive” powers of a magistrate under Section 21 of the CrPC.

States with Commissionerate System: OO In India, many states have a Police Commissionerate system for their big/major/capital cities. Near around 63 cities

are covered under this.

OO Almost all states barring Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, UT of J&K, and some Northeastern states have a Commissionerate system.

OO The first police commissioner in India was in Calcutta (before the 1861 act) in 1856 and followed it in Mumbai and Chennai presidencies.

OO Delhi turned into a Commissionerate in 1977 during then Prime Minister Morarji Desai Regime.

OO In 1978, an initiative to introduce the system in UP, beginning with Kanpur, never materialized.

Police Commissioner System (Model Police Act 2006): OO The Commissioner of Police will be empowered to make rules and regulations in consistent with the respective

Police Act and subject to the Government Order in respect of the following:

(a) For regulation the use of public roads, streets and public places by persons walking, driving, cycling, or accompanying animals, and for parking of vehicles including bicycles, with a view to ensuring smooth and orderly movement of traffic;

(b) Licensing, regulating, or if necessary in public interest, prohibiting for reasons to be recorded in writing, the keeping of a place of public amusement or public entertainment, or running cinemas and other forms of public amusement or public entertainment, for ensuring the safety and well-being of persons likely to be affected;

(c) Licensing, or regulating or, if necessary in public interest, prohibiting the playing of music in public streets or public places, and using of loud speaker any other sound system in any public place, or places of public entertainment; and

(d) Regulating the entry or exit at any place of public amusement, public entertainment, or at any public meeting or assembly, and providing for the maintenance of public peace and prevention of disturbance at such places.

What is different under the system? OO Policing is based on the Police Act of 1861. Under the colonial system, the overall in-charge of a district or region

was the district collector; the SP reported to him.

OO The powers of the executive magistrate, such as issuing orders for preventive arrests or imposition of Section 144 CrPC, were vested in the district collector. This was called the dual system of police administration.

OO The primary objective of the British was revenue collection in rural India. They needed a force that could support this objective and unleash tyranny and oppression when needed to suit the objective.

OO Under the Commissionerate system, the commissioner does not report to the DM. In Mumbai and Delhi, he reports directly to the government.



OO It helps fix responsibility with the Commissioner and eliminates blame game between civil administration and police when something goes wrong.

OO In a Commissionerate system, the executive magistrate powers are vested in the commissioner of police and his subordinate officers. They do not have to be depending on a magistrate to handle a particular situation; they are solely and exclusively responsible.

OO There is no diarchy, no division of authority and no duality in administration. Here we have one integrated set up which is responsible for maintaining law and order.

Importance of Commissionerate System for metropolitan cities:OO The Commissionerate system is considered the most authoritative system of policing in the progressive countries.

It is considered essential in metropolitan towns which have a heavy population.

OO These big cities are throwing up law and order problems almost every consecutive day. All kind of problems like the student demonstration, labour problems, communal problems, agitations or other regional tensions create law and order problems. These problems required much specialised handling by integrated machinery.

OO Presently law and order are divided between the magistracy and the police. The assessment of the situation is done by the magistracy whether how serious the situation is, whether private reorders need to be promulgated or not and then the executive action is taken by the police.

OO At the metropolitan level, there is a need for an integrated command to allow for faster decision-making to solve complex urban-centric issues and that is what the commissioner of police represents.

OO Hi-Tech nature and complexity of crimes, Organized crime menace like drugs and human trafficking and Cyber crimes. To curb all these issues, there is need for specialised machinery such as Commissionerate System.

Challenges for Commissionerate system:OO The most critical part is the selection of the police commissioner, who has to handle a variety of law and order

problems.

OO There might be the problem of adjustment, understanding and regarding functioning as executive magistrate.

OO Even after opting for this system, the coordination issue will remain to some extent.

OO The issue of delegation of authority will be there.

OO It’s going to take a while for the system to sink in and there would be some teething problem also.

OO This can be used to take advantage of fast making decisions as well as to exploit the system.

Conclusion:OO This is a step towards much awaited police reforms and system should ensure a unified command which helps

in fast decision making.

OO Integration and coordination among the officers are necessary to maintain law and order which this system is endorsing.

OO This gives not only more powers to the police force and officers but also added responsibility to ensure though those powers are handled in a very responsible manner.

Mains Question:1. UP Government has approved the Commissionerate system of policing in its state capital. Explain the necessity and

importance of the System. And how this system will help the state to maintain law and order effectively? Discuss

pRIvATE TRAINS IN INDIAIntroduction:OO Niti Aayog and Indian Railways have come out with a discussion paper for running 150 trains on 100 routes

by private operators.

OO The recommendations of the high powered committee envisaging an investment of 22500 crore rupees have been put in public domain for stakeholder consultations.



OO The 100 identified routes which include Mumbai Central-New Delhi, Patna-New Delhi, Howrah-Chennai and Lucknow-Jammu Tawi etc. have been split into 10-12 clusters.

OO As per the report the private operator will have the right to collect market linked fares and will be provided flexibility of class composition and halts.

Objective and Reasons to operate Private Trains:OO The aim for this is said to ensure world class service experience to passengers, reduce supply demand deficit

and introduce modern technology.

OO The Indian Railways is one of the few government-owned enterprises which is incurring losses year-after-year.

OO Indian Railways has not been able to keep pace with modernisation of its infrastructure and services and has not been able to expand at the pace and coverage that a country like India needs.

OO Almost all arms of the railways require modernisation of equipment, processes and training, all of which are still continuing as they have been, through the decades.

OO Freight fares in railways are kept high to cross-subsidize the passenger segment.

OO Rail Development Authority has been approved to determine rail fares to enhance affordability and utilize capacity in an efficient manner.

OO The perception is that almost all customer facing services like ticketing, ticket checking, porter services, catering and coach maintenance are not meeting people’s expectations and standards as they should be and this is the main reason for public resentment and dissatisfaction with the railways.

OO On the technical side, the railways lacks in providing proper services like track laying and maintenance, signal and transmission, engine & coach design and manufacture, engine and coach maintenance etc. All these services must all be given out to private companies that specialize in these.

OO Railways owns large tracts of land along its tracks, in various parts of the country and this can be optimally monetized by inviting private players to invest, build and manage properties that may be developed on these lands.

OO In this regard, Bibek Debroy Committee was constituted on September 22, 2014 to prepare a blueprint for reforming Indian Railways.

Recommendations of Bibek Debroy Committee:OO The Railway Board had constituted a Committee for mobilization of resources for major railway projects and

restructuring of Railway Ministry and Railway Board.

OO The Committee submitted its final report in June 2015, which has favoured privatisation of rolling stock: Wagons and Coaches.

Bibek Debroy highlighted the ten key recommendations:1. Transition to commercial accounting: The process of accounting in Indian Railways is "very complicated".

Refinements in the way Indian Railways prepares and maintains accounts, and costs its businesses, activities and services.

2. Streamline recruitment & HR processes: There is a multiplicity of different channels through which people enter the railway services. IR should consolidate and merge the existing eight organized Group 'A' services into two services i.e. the Indian Railway Technical Service (IRTechS) comprising the existing five technical services (IRSE, IRSSE, IRSEE, IRSME and IRSS) and the Indian Railway Logistics Service (IRLogS), comprising the three non-technical services (IRAS, IRPS and IRTS).

3. Focus on non-core areas: A lot of tasks carried out by the Indian Railways are not at the core of the prime business of rail transportation which includes running hospitals and schools, catering, real estate development, etc. Indian Railways should focus on core activities to efficiently compete with the private sector.

4. Decentralization: To ensure proper decentralization, there is a need to delegate enhanced powers, especially in respect of tenders connected with works, stores procurement, service or even revenue-earning commercial tenders, to the DRMs.

5. Indian Railway Manufacturing Company: The Committee proposes that all these existing production units should be placed under a government SPV known as the Indian Railway Manufacturing Company (IRMC).



6. Encouraging private entry: Private entry into running both freight and passenger trains in competition with Indian railways should be allowed.

7. Independent regulator: The independent regulator shall ensure fair and open access and set access charges; establish tariffs in cases where there the market fails to discover a price; and adjudicate disputes between the track-owning organization and train operators; and between competitors. This will make fair and open access a reality and open up both freight and passenger trains, in competition with IR.

8. Social costs & JVs to bear them: There are too many Zones and Divisions and thus a rationalization exercise is required. The freight rates should be left to market principles, once liberalization takes hold, and no such freight-related social cost should be imposed on Indian Railways.

9. Changing relationship between government & Railways: A separate Railway budget should be phased out progressively and merged with the General Budget, the report says.

10. Raising resources: For raising resources for investments, an Investment Advisory Committee may be set up, consisting of experts, investment bankers and representatives of SEBI, RBI, IDFC and other institutions. The modalities by which returns can be secured for such investments should also come under the purview of this Investment Advisory Committee.

Advantages of the Privatisation of trains:

1. Improved Infrastructure:OP A strong argument in favour of privatization is that it will lead to better infrastructure which in turn would

lead to improved amenities for travelers.OP As opposed to mismanagement in form of stinking washrooms, lack of water supply and dirty platforms,

it is expected that a private company will ensure better amenities.OP This would enable the Railways to procure the right global technology available.

2. Balancing Quality of Service with High Fares:OP Probably the most persistent complaint regarding Indian Railways is that the quality of services provided

hardly matches up to the phenomenal charges paid by the travelers.OP Protagonists of privatisation feel that this problem will be solved when private players are allowed to enter

the sector since the move would foster competition and hence lead to overall betterment in the quality of services.

3. Lesser Accidents:OP Any train-related mishap is like a nightmare come true for travelers and authorities alike courtesy of the physical,

mental and financial trauma that ensues.OP Because private ownership is synonymous with better maintenance, supporters of privatisation feel that it will

reduce the number of accidents, thus resulting in safe travel and higher monetary savings in the long run.

4. Improved efficiency:OP The main argument for privatisation is that private companies have a profit incentive to cut costs and be

more efficient. If you work for a government run industry, managers do not usually share in any profits.OP However, a private firm is interested in making a profit, and so it is more likely to cut costs and be efficient.

5. Shareholders:OP It is argued that a private firm has pressure from shareholders to perform efficiently. If the firm is inefficient

then the firm could be subject to a takeover.OP A state-owned firm doesn’t have this pressure and so it is easier for them to be inefficient.

6. Increased competition:OP Often privatisation of state-owned monopolies occurs alongside deregulation – i.e. policies to allow more firms

to enter the industry and increase the competitiveness of the market.OP It is this increase in competition that can be the greatest spur to improvements in efficiency. For example,

there is now more competition in telecoms and distribution of gas and electricity.



Disadvantages of Privatisation of Trains:

1. Coverage Limited to Lucrative Sectors:OP An advantage of Indian Railways being government- owned is that it provides nation-wide connectivity

irrespective of profit.OP This would not be possible with privatisation since routes which are less popular will be eliminated, thus having

a negative impact on connectivity.

2. Fares:OP Given that a private enterprise runs on profit, it is but natural to assume that the easiest way of accruing profits

in Indian Railways would be to hike fares, thus rendering the service out of reach for lower income groups.OP This will defeat the entire purpose of the system which is meant to serve the entire population of the country

irrespective of the level of income.

3. Accountability:OP The recent spat in the Tata boardroom is testimony to the fact that private companies are unpredictable in their

dealings and do not share their governance secrets with the world at large.OP In such a scenario it would be difficult to pin the accountability on a particular entity, should there be a

discrepancy.4. Unemployment: This move would render thousands of railway employees in production and ancillary units jobless

in the long run.5. Problem of regulating private monopolies: Privatisation creates private monopolies and thus, it needs regulations

to prevent abuse of monopoly power.6. Short-termism of firms:

OP To please shareholders, the private players may seek to increase short term profits and avoid investing in long term projects.

OP For example, the UK is suffering from a lack of investment in new energy sources; the privatized companies are trying to make use of existing plants rather than invest in new ones.

7. Concerns of a common man: In the long-run, privatisation of railways may no longer be a low-cost common man's mode of transport and will be more on the lines of privatized services.

Challenges to privatisation:OO The debate on privatization of Indian Railway services pertains to two aspects. One is the need to bring in private

capital and the other is to privatize certain aspects of operation and services.

OO The government needs to take bold steps on both accounts and this call for serious and proactive engagement with trade unions and political parties, to come to a common agreement.

OO The trade unions have been resisting privatisation of existing operations and are also suspicious of any attempt to involve private capital.

OO While this could be a welcome step, a change in thinking by the trade unions, otherwise the railways will continue to continue to bleed funds.

Way forward:OO In order to sustain growth, modernisation and efficiency, the Indian Railways must redefine its role and

responsibility.

OO It has to completely reposition its operating role from being a direct service provider to being a supervisor of services.

OO There is only one flip side to the privatisation of railways in India – and probably the most important one i.e., subsidised fares.

OO In order to keep Indian Railways affordable for the lower strata of the society (post privatisation), the government must offer subsidies and tax incentives to companies that would provide low cost services, similar to low cost airlines, to these very pocket of population.



Mains Question:1. Explain the recommendations of the Bibek Debroy committee on reform of Indian Railways. Comment your views

on Government’s Initiative of the Privatisation of Indian Railways.

ACCIDENTAL ShOOTING OF CIvILIAN AIRCRAFT - ThE LAwS & RESpONSIBILITIES

Introduction:OO Days after a Ukrainian passenger jet crashed in Iran, killing all 176 people on board, the Islamic Republic has

admitted that it "unintentionally" shot down the plane.

OO An Iranian military statement announced that it had struck the Boeing 737 with a missile by mistake. It said the plane had turned towards a "sensitive military centre" of the Revolutionary Guards and had the "flying posture and altitude of an enemy target".

OO Iran's Supreme Leader ordered the military to investigate "the possible shortcomings or mistakes" that led to the crash and also take necessary measures to prevent it from happening again.

The Plane Crash:OO On 8 January, UIA flight PS752 took off from Imam Khomeini International Airport. The plane was a Boeing

737-800, one of the international airline industry's most widely used aircraft models.

OO Before it had left the airport's air space, the plane appeared to turn around to return to the runway. Shortly afterwards, it crashed.

OO The aircraft's "black boxes", which record flight data and sound within the cockpit, were recovered from the wreckage.

OO But the incident, which claimed 176 innocent lives, has once again brought to the fore concerns over the safety of airline passengers in or even flying over conflict zones, and the laws and responsibilities involving the downing of an international flight, in particular a civil aviation plane.

Causes of the crash:OO The government in Tehran initially said the UIA plane suffered a technical problem shortly after take-off. It cited

witnesses including the crew of another passenger plane who said it was on fire prior to impact.

OO Authorities said they lost radar contact when the plane was at an altitude of about 8,000ft (2,400m), minutes after taking off.

Explanation given by Iran:OO An Iranian military statement announced that it had struck flight PS752 with a missile by mistake.

OO It said the plane had turned towards a "sensitive military centre" of the Revolutionary Guards, a force set up to defend the country's Islamic system. The statement said it had the "flying posture and altitude of an enemy target".

OO Because of heightened tensions with the US, Iran's military "was at its highest level of readiness", the statement added. "In such a condition, because of human error and in an unintentional way, the flight was hit."

OO The military apologized for downing the plane, saying it would upgrade its systems to prevent such "mistakes" in the future. It added that those responsible would be held accountable and prosecuted.

OO Ukraine International Airlines denies that the plane veered from its expected course before the crash. It says officials should have closed the airport.

OO Iran's Supreme Leader ordered the military to investigate "the possible shortcomings or mistakes" that led to the crash.

OO In a statement, the leader said that, there was "proof of human error" and confirmed that he had "requested the relevant authorities to take necessary measures to prevent" it happening again. This is a major admission at a crucial moment for Iran.

OO Iran has decided it has to own this disaster to avoid it triggering another war of words with the West or exacerbating further anger and anguish among its own people, who are reeling from one calamity after another.



How far has the investigation progressed?OO On January 9, 2020, the Aircraft Accident Investigation Board (AAIB), Civil Aviation Organisation, Islamic Republic

of Iran, put out an initial report (State File Number: A981018URPSR) on the “accident”.

OO It cited witnesses on the ground as well as the crew of over flights reporting an “intensifying fire” on the aircraft before it hit the ground, causing an explosion.

OO It also pointed to crash site track analysis indicating a change in aircraft direction “following a technical problem” and of it returning to the airport.

OO The AAIB is now in possession of the aircraft’s black boxes, which include the Flight Data Recorder (FDR) and Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR). While fire and the impact of the accident have damaged both devices, their “memory parts” are in good condition.

OO Iran has followed investigatory procedures based on Annex 13 to the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), the UN body. These include putting out relevant news and information, initiating forensic identification, protecting crash site evidence and sending an initial notifications to Ukraine, the U.S., and also to Sweden, Canada and Afghanistan (as countries of the passengers).

Black box technologies and their role in the investigation:OO The Ukrainian aircraft, which was delivered in 2016, is a new generation jet equipped with modern avionics.

OO Black box manufacturing is now a field populated by multiple manufacturers, the more prominent names being Honeywell Aerospace, L3Harris Technologies and Teledyne. Black boxes are multi-channel recording devices, nowadays solid-state, and no longer tape.

OO Tiny chips record hundreds of streams of data on parameters that include aircraft performance (speed, height, rate of climb or descent, flight path, location, fuel levels, engine temperature and exhaust as well as flap positions), the state of other systems and other equipment.

OO Earlier, data had to be recorded on separate devices, but technology is now advanced to have one device cover a range of data recording functions. Regulation is also moving towards an aircraft having two such devices. Together, the data and cockpit recorders (electronic flight data recorders) help understand the ‘what’, ‘how’ and ‘why’ of the event.

OO The voice recorder logs almost every sound in the flight deck which includes air traffic control transmissions, crew conversations and even the sounds of switches and engine noise. In newer devices, recording can go up to 120 minutes at a stretch before being overwritten. In modern aircraft, this is automatic.

OO In the final analysis, with the impact of some of the more recent air crashes/disappearances, such as Malaysia Airlines flight MH370, in 2014, technology could move in a new direction: of data streaming using cloud-based satellite links and a data centre, cockpit video recorders, or even deployable recorders.

OO The new European Aviation Safety Agency cockpit voice recording mandate, with effect from 2021, requires a 25-hour voice recording capability. All this should help make flying safer and event construction better.

In an air accident investigation, what are the obligations to be followed?OO In aviation journalist and consulting Editor, Flight Global, says accident investigation protocol is that the state

in which the accident happened is responsible for seeing that the investigation is carried out according to laid down international rules agreed at ICAO.

OO So, said Iran is responsible for the investigation, and can exercise control over it. It could contract out specialist tasks, such as downloading the black boxes, to an expert third country such as France -France’s The Bureau of Enquiry and Analysis for Civil Aviation Safety is an agency of the French government, responsible for investigating aviation accidents (BEA) is to take part in the investigation.

OO Normally, the accident investigator of the country that originally certificated the aircraft type (the U.S.) and the manufacturer (Boeing) would be invited to take part.

OO After Iran formally invited the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and Boeing to be a part of the investigation team, a senior NTSB official, in another email, said a number of challenges would need to be addressed to allow the NTSB to execute its role effectively. These include “long-standing country embargoes that preclude,



among other things, exchange of data and travel, hence its close coordination with the State Department and other U.S. Government agencies”.

OO Investigation is according to the standards and recommended practices as laid down in Annex 13 of the Convention on International Civil Aviation (Chicago Convention). Every contracting state is required to make domestic laws in this regard.

OO The most important point is that the purpose of an investigation is not to proportion liability of anyone but to find out the cause that led to the crash and prevent it from happening in the future.

OO ICAO puts forth standard and Recommended Practices, which states are expected to adhere to; they have legal basis for enforcement. Article 26 of the Chicago Convention requires the state (in whose jurisdiction the crash has occurred) to institute an inquiry into the cause.

OO Annex 13 also mandates that if a request is made by:

1. State of operator (in this case Ukraine)

2. State of registration (in cases covered by Article 83 bis agreements)

3. State of manufacturer/design (U.S. in this case) for preserving the evidences pending an inquiry instituted by such states, the state where the crash has occurred “shall” comply with such requests.

OO The state where the accident occurs is required to convey the news of the accident at the earliest to:

1. State of operator (Ukraine)

2. State of Registration (in cases covered by Article 83 bis agreements)

3. state of manufacturer/design (U.S.)

4. ICAO.’ Thus, under international law, four states participate in an investigation: state where the crash has occurred; state of the operator; the state of registration; state of the manufacturer.

OO The investigation is led by the state where the accident has taken place. For reasons of sovereignty, the state of occurrence has a right to disallow any state from taking part in the ongoing investigation.

OO In India, the air accident investigation is governed by the Aircraft (Investigation of Accidents and Incidents) Rules, 2012.

OO The Central government is under an obligation (and has the power) to investigate any accident that happens within the territory of India, and in cases of aircraft registered in India even if the accident occurs outside India. The DGCA can only investigate into incidents, and in cases of serious events, the Central government (through the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau) has to step in.

Does ICAO have any authority over a country’s investigation board?OO ICAO is not directly involved in any aircraft accident investigation. It simply lays down the recommended

practices, which states are expected to adhere to. Also, ICAO conducts annual audits of states and publishes its report. Thus, if a state has not adhered to ICAO’s recommended practices it gets bad publicity.

OO States (where the accident has occurred) have a right to disallow any state from taking part in an ongoing investigation. Thus, the state (where the accident has occurred) can conduct the investigation (including decoding of the black box) independently and this would not render the investigation invalid, provided ICAO’s recommendations are followed. It must be noted that only a few countries, mainly the U.S., the United Kingdom and France possess the proper technology to decode black boxes.

OO ICAO also releases various updates concerning the safety aspect of aviation, which includes updates on black box technology.

Procedure of compensation given to passengers and their families:OO Compensation is governed by various factors. For example, if the flight was on a domestic route. The local

consumer laws (many countries have dedicated legislation for compensation in cases of air accidents) shall apply.

OO But if the flight was operating on an international route, then the compensation shall be governed either by



the Montreal Convention or the Warsaw Convention (it depends whether the state of origin and the state of destination have ratified the same conventions or not).

OO But even these conventions just serve as guidance because in many cases (especially in the U.S.) courts often grant exemplary compensations. Further, in most cases involving fatal accidents (the cause of crash does not matter), the operators themselves award compensation based on the latest international (Montreal) convention.

Can a civilian aircraft be brought down by a state?OO The “law” over this point is not very clear. An amendment in the Chicago convention (many countries including

India have not ratified this amendment), provides that states should refrain from exercising the use of weapons against civilian aircraft.

OO But while suggesting that states should refrain from such acts, it does not make the act illegal, provided the state had reasonable reasons to believe that the aircraft was on a destructive path.

OO Legal scholars converge on the point that a state can shoot down an airliner if:

1. It has reason to believe that the aircraft is being used for terror.

2. The aircraft is not responding to any other means of interception.

3. It is headed towards a strategically important or a populated place.

OO In most cases, if it emerges that the airliner was wrongly judged, the state that took it down makes ex-gratia compensation to families.

OO For example in the 2001 Siberia Airlines case, after investigations showed Ukraine’s involvement, Ukraine and Israel signed an agreement where the family members of the Israeli citizens were awarded $200,000 each. In 1988, when the U.S. Navy shot down an Iran Air flight (Flight 655), the U.S. was insistent that there was no improper use of force, and thus, it did not have a duty to compensate. It did so later on humanitarian grounds. In all these cases, the states (that shot down) have always pleaded that they had exhausted all other practical means of stopping the intrusion by the aircraft.

Montreal Convention:OO The Montreal Convention is an international treaty that governs the liability airlines have for passengers,

baggage and the transportation of goods.

OO It came into force in 2003 and modernized rules established in the 1929 Warsaw convention. The Montreal Convention was adopted by some but not all of the member states of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).

OO When it comes to bodily injury or death, the treaty says an air carrier is liable for damages sustained in an accident that took place on board or while embarking or disembarking from an aircraft.

OO According to the Montreal Convention, an air carrier is liable for damages of up to 128,821SDR (Special Drawing Rights) approximately C$230,000. The airline is strictly liable up to this amount, meaning passengers do not have to prove fault, just an amount.

OO The airline can avoid paying more, though, if it can prove that the damage was not due to negligence or another wrongful act, or if it can prove the damage was due solely to the negligence or wrongful act of another party.

Conclusion:OO Iran has invited Ukraine, Canada, the United States and France to take part in the investigation of the crash,

in keeping with international norms.

OO The Boeing 737 was built in the United States and the engine was built by a U.S.-French consortium.

OO Ukraine’s president said its team of investigators, who are already on the ground in Iran, should continue their work with “full access and cooperation.”

Mains Question:1. What do you understand by the Black box Technologies and their role in the investigations of the crashed airlines?

Also discuss the role of the Montreal Convention in detail.



SDG INDIA INDEx 2019-2020 Introduction:OO NITI Aayog has recently released the second edition of Sustainable development goals India Index which

comprehensively documents the progress made by all states and union Territories towards achieving the 2030 SDG targets.

OO While Kerala has retained the top position in states, Bihar is at the bottom of SDG India Index 2019 though it has improved its score from 48 in 2018 to 50 this year.

OO Himachal Pradesh and Sikkim have joined all the southern states in the top tier of front runners who scored more than 65 points out of 100. India's progress in the SDGs is crucial for the world as we are home to about one sixth of the world's population.

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs):OO The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are a collection of 17 global goals designed to be a “blueprint to

achieve a better and more sustainable future for all”.

OO The SDGs, set in 2015 by the United Nations General Assembly and intended to be achieved by the year 2030, are part of UN Resolution 70/1, the 2030 Agenda.

OO In an effort to make the SDGs successful, data on the 17 goals has been made available in an easily-understood form.

OO A variety of tools exist to track and visualize progress towards the goals. NITI Aayog Releases SDG India Index.

OO NITI Aayog has the twin mandate to oversee the implementation of SDGs in the country and promote competitive and cooperative federalism among States and UTs.

OO India is the first country in the world with a government-led, sub-national measure of progress on Sustainable Development Goals.

OO The SDG India Index acts as a bridge between these mandates, aligning the SDGs with the Hon’ble Prime Minister’s clarion call of Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas, which embodies the five Ps of the global SDG movement: people, planet, prosperity, partnership and peace.

The SDG India Index:OO The world is now in the fifth year of the SDG era. India’s National Development Agenda is mirrored in the SDGs.

India’s progress in the global Goals is crucial for the world as the country is home to about one-sixth of the world’s population.

OO The SDG India Index 2019 is more robust than the first edition on account of wider coverage of goals, targets, and indicators with greater alignment with the NIF.

OO The UN has developed 232 indicators to measure compliance by member nations.

OO The NITI Aayog has adapted the monitoring approach to the Indian context, with 100 indicators of its own for the Index.

OO NITI Aayog released the second edition of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) India Index, which comprehensively documents the progress made by India’s States and Union Territories towards achieving the 2030 SDG targets.

OO The SDG India Index 2019 tracks the progress of all States and UTs on 100 indicators drawn from the MoSPI’s National Indicator Framework (NIF).

OO The process of selection of these indicators included multiple consultations with Union ministries/departments and States/UTs.

OO It has been developed in collaboration with the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI), United Nations in India, and Global Green Growth Institute.



Significance of the SDG India Index:OO It has cross-sectoral relevance across policy, civil society, business, and academia.

OO The Index is designed to function as a tool for focused policy dialogue, formulation and implementation, and moving towards development action pegged to globally recognizable metrics.

OO The Index also supplements NITI Aayog’s continuous efforts to encourage evidence-based policymaking by supporting States/UTs to benchmark their progress, identifying priority areas and sharing best practices.

OO The SDG India Index 2019 will also help highlight crucial gaps related to monitoring SDGs and the need for improving statistical systems at the National/State/UT levels.

OO Further, the Index highlights the need for improvements in data collection, reporting, and methodology.

OO NITI Aayog is also exploring partnerships for disaggregating data and developing capacity for real-time monitoring and measuring incremental progress.

Result of the Index:OO Among the 16 SDGs, marine ecosystems are for coastal states only, and scores on this one were not counted in the

composite total.

OO In the other SDGs, the best performers were:

OP Tamil Nadu for no poverty.OP Goa for zero hunger.OP Kerala for good health.OP Himachal Pradesh for quality education.OP Himachal again for gender equality.OP Andhra Pradesh for clean water and sanitation.OP Sikkim for affordable and clean energy.OP Telangana for decent work & economic growth.OP Gujarat for industry, innovation and infrastructure.OP Telangana for reduced inequalities.OP Goa for sustainable cities and communities.OP Nagaland for sustainable consumption and production.OP Karnataka for climate action.OP Manipur for life and land.OP Andhra Pradesh and Gujarat for peace, justice, strong institutions.

OO India’s composite score has improved from 57 in 2018 to 60 in 2019, thereby showing noticeable progress.

OO Ending hunger and achieving gender equality are the areas where most States fall far short, with the all-India scores at a dismal 35 and 42 points respectively.

OO On the other hand, the NITI Aayog has given India an overall score of 60 points, the maximum gains been made in Goals 6 (clean water and sanitation), 9 (industry, innovation, and infrastructure) and 7 (affordable and clean energy).

Classification criteria based on SDG India Index score is as follows:1. Aspirant: 0–49

2. Performer: 50–64

3. Front Runner: 65–99

4. Achiever: 100

OO All three states that were in the ‘Aspirant’ category (with score/s in the range of 0–49)

(a) Uttar Pradesh,



(b) Bihar and

(c) Assam

OO These states have graduated to the ‘Performer’ category (50–64).

OP Five states—Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka, Goa, and Sikkim—moved up from the ‘Performer’ category to the ‘Front Runner’ category (65–99).

OO Composite SDG Index with a score of 70:

OP Kerala achieved the first rank in the composite SDG Index with a score of 70,OP Followed by Himachal Pradesh at 69.OP Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Tamil Nadu ranked at the third position with a score of 67.

The biggest improvers since 2018 are:OO UP (which has moved from the 29th position to the 23rd),

OO Orissa (23rd to 15th),

OO And Sikkim (15th to 7th).

OO While Bihar improved its score from 48 in 2018 to 50 in 2019, it still has a long way to go in achieving the targets.

OO Additionally, this year, the SDG India Index report has a new section on profiles of all 37 States and UTs, which will be very useful to analyse their performance on all goals in a lucid manner.

How will the Index will be useful to States/UTs?OO Support States/UTs to assess their progress against national targets and performance of their peers to

understand reasons for differential performance and devise better strategies to achieve the SDGs by 2030.

OO Support States/UTs to identify priority areas in which they need to invest and improve by enabling them to measure incremental progress.

OO Highlight data gaps related across SDGs for India to develop its statistical systems at the national and State levels.

How will the SDGs be achieved? OO The successful implementations of the SDGs rely on countries’ own sustainable development policies, plans

and programmes, and are led by countries. Leaders agreed to develop ambitious responses to the 2030 Agenda.

OO Governments also have the primary responsibility for follow-up and review, at the national, regional and global levels, in relation to the progress made in implementing the SDGs.

OO Governments continue to develop national indicators to assist in monitoring progress made on the goals and targets, taking into account the global indicator framework.

OO The mobilization of resources at both the domestic and international levels is essential to achieve the goals.

OO The follow-up and review process at the global level is undertaken by the High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development and supported by an annual SDGs Report that is prepared by the United Nations Secretary General.

Conclusion:OO NITI Aayog has committed itself to building capacities and monitoring progress at the state level. Close

coordination with the states over the next 5 years will further accelerate SDG localization and ensure greater improvement.

OO In 2020, the world enters the final decade for achieving the SDGs the ‘Decade for Action’. And the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has indicated that 12 years left to save the planet from the worst effects of climate change. So, the time to act is now.

OO The SDG India Index 2.0 and the dashboard enables India to both track and encourage accelerated progress to meet the SDGs across all its States and Union Territories.

Mains Question:1. What is the importance of the SDG Index for India? And how will the SDGs be achieved? Explain.



hIGhER EDUCATION QUALITY MANDATEIntroduction:OO Aiming to improve the quality in Higher Education Institutions the University Grants Commission has adopted

the Higher Education Quality Improvement Programme Mandate.

OO 5 verticals of Quality Mandate developed by UGC cover evaluation reforms, eco friendly and sustainable university campuses, human values and professional ethics, faculty induction and academic research integrity.

OO The Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD) has adopted the Higher Education Quality Improvement Programme Mandate recently which aims at evolving higher education system to equip country’s next-generation with vital skills, knowledge and ethics for leading a rewarding life.

UNESCO’s SDG 4:OO The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development contains 17 goals including a new global education goal i.e.

Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 4.

OO SDG 4 is to ensure ‘inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all’ and has seven targets and three means of implementation.

OO Innovation and human capital the two pillars of labour productivity and GDP growth, largely depends on the quality of higher education.

OO According to the India Skills Report-2019, only 47% of Indian graduates are employable, which is exacerbated by startlingly low Faculty Figures.

OO As India is a signatory to the SDGs, the MHRD and UGC are striving towards the codification and implementation of laws aiming to achieve the goal.

UGC mandates Includes:OO The University Grants Commission (UGC) of India is a statutory body set up in 1956, and is charged with

coordination, determination and maintenance of standards of higher education.

OO Determining and maintaining standards of teaching, examination and research in universities.

OO Framing regulations on minimum standards of education.

OO Overseeing distribution of grants to universities and colleges in India.

OO Providing scholarships/fellowships to Beneficiaries.

OO Monitoring conformity to its regulations by universities and colleges.

OO Serving as a vital link between the Union and state governments and institutions of higher learning.

Reasons of failure of UGC:OO Though the number of universities and student enrolment has been increasing, the quality of education is still

lagging behind, which is attributed to UGC.

OO UGC’s policies suffer from two diametrically opposite issues under regulation and over-regulation. While it lets smaller substandard institutions slip by as deemed universities, it also instigates witch-hunts against reputed deemed universities.

OO Hence, it is argued that UGC has not only failed to fulfil its mandate but also has not been able to deal with emerging diverse complexities.

Five Verticals in Higher educational institutions developed by UGC:

1. SATAT:OO It is a framework for Eco-Friendly and Sustainable Campus development in Higher Educational Institutions.

OO The framework encourages universities to adopt reflective policies and practices to enhance the environmental quality of the campus and to adopt sustainable green and sustainable methods in its future.



2. MulyaPravah:OO Guidelines for Inculcation of Human values and Professionals Ethics.

OO It recognizes the need to discuss and streamline the process that helps to infuse the culture of human values and ethics in educational institutions.

3. Guru-Dakshta:OO It is a guide to one-month mandatory faculty induction Programme.

OO It is developed on the ‘Recruit, Retain, Role model’ to sensitize and motivate the faculty to adopt learner-centered approaches, ICT integrated learning and new pedagogic approaches to teaching-learning, assessment tools in higher education.

4. CARE:OO Consortium for Academic and Research Ethics (CARE): It is created with a purpose to continuously monitor

and identify quality journals across disciplines, create more awareness and help the cause of promoting academic integrity and ethical publishing.

5. Evaluation reforms:OO Since, student evaluation plays a crucial role in improving the quality of Higher Education in the country.

OO The reforms are intended to make student assessment more meaningful, effective and linked to Learning Outcomes.

Other Programs by UGC:

1. Deeksharambh:OO It is a guide to Student Induction Programme and to help new students adjust and feel comfortable in the new

environment, inculcate in them the ethos and culture of the institution.

OO Under the program about 1000 teachers have been trained to a customize students to the learning institution, with more than 500 institutions having following the model.

2. Paramarsh:OO It is a scheme for mentoring the institutions to get higher accreditation by National Accreditation and Assessment

Council (NAAC) in order to promote Quality Assurance in Higher Education.

OO UGC aims to accredit all the higher education institutions by 2022.

OO To infuse the culture of accreditation, more than 150 institutions with 3.5 plus OGPA by NAAC are mentoring other institutions.

OO It will also facilitate sharing of knowledge, information and opportunities for research collaboration and faculty development in Mentee Institutions.

3. STRIDE:OO Scheme for Trans-Disciplinary Research for India’s Developing Economy is an effort to support inter-disciplinary

and multi-disciplinary, socially relevant and need-based research.

OO The scheme has the components: Capacity Building, Undertaking research in all fields of sciences, High Impact Research in Human Sciences, Undertaking Research that is nationally important and globally significant.

Advantages of the Higher Education Quality Improvement Programme Mandate:OO The report on Evaluation Reforms has insisted on the implementation of a learning outcome-based curriculum

framework and supports the usage of a tiered intervention approach.

OO The Mandate requires the institutions to ensure that there’s an alignment between the learning outcome of the course and the acquisition of employable skill-set. Other attributes of the students would also be evaluated, such as the student’s competency in extracurricular activities.

OO The mandate places emphasis on scientific, practice-based learning and shifts the focus from rote learning. It supports internal assessment throughout the semester rather than conducting one exam at the end of the semester.



OO The mandate also places focus on quality research and promotes ethical integrity in research and publishing.

Structural flaws in Higher Education:

1. Faculty storage:OO Faculty vacancies at government institutions are at 50% on average. The problem lies in increased demand, and

stagnant supply.

OO The number of institutions has surged in India since the 2000s, while the number of students doing PhD has remained constant.

OO Meanwhile, there are over 1,00,000 India born PhDs in universities around the

OO world, kept away by paltry salaries and poor funding.

OO Indian R&D expenditure at 0.62% of GDP is one of the lowest in emerging economies.

2. Publications of Research:OO Faculties are under pressure to produce a certain number of papers to Gain Promotion.

OO This often makes them publish papers in journals that may not be of high quality.

OO This also means that there is more emphasis on publishing papers than on teaching.

3. Lack of quality faculty:OO Teaching and research in any university depends on the quality of faculty as well as the quality of students.

OO The quality of teaching depends on the quality of teachers.

OO For teachers to impart knowledge to students they must have a broad knowledge of their subject matter as well as enthusiasm and a desire for learning throughout the course of their career.

4. Raising Expenses:OO Quality education is expensive in India.

OO India has severely under-invested in education over the last 40 years, not much have been invested in R&D, and today even the top institutions are having very poor laboratory facilities.

5. Large scale expansion:OO We expanded education very rapidly; India has larger number of institutions than China, both in terms of colleges

and universities.

OO In the process of standardisation of such institutions, India has erred by creating one single framework, where examinations became the only way to judge merit.

6. Lack of leadership:OO The heads of universities are often appointed with Political Motivations.

OO Vice-Chancellors are selected merely because they have the right political connections in the Ministry of Human Resource Development in the case of central universities, or appropriate political or caste affiliations in the concerned state.

OO Also, in many cases, they pay huge amounts of money for the posts that are most visible symbols of the university system.

Suggestions to improve Higher Education:

1. Outcome oriented Education:OO There is a dire need to have programme specific outcomes and course specific outcomes, and linking programme

outcomes to each and every step of evaluation.

OO Behavioral outcomes should be emphasized, like apart from Cognitive learning (knowledge based learning), the focus should be on Connotation (reaction) & Affective learning (responsibility and ethics part of education).

OO The outcomes of education should be infusing leadership qualities, communication skills, industry ready skills, integrity and ethics etc.



2. Continuous evaluation:OO Continuous evaluation should be an integral part of higher education.

OO The focus should be to shift from rote system of learning to scientific reasoning.

OO Internal assessment should be throughout the semester rather than only at the end of semester.

3. Use of ICT:OO Information and communications technology (ICT) is a tool to instill transparency in the teaching-learning and

research process.

OO It can enhance the quality of education by increasing learner motivation and engagement, and by enhancing teacher training.

OO ICTs are transformational tools which can promote the shift to a learner-centered environment by emphasizing on the acquisition of a relevant skill set.

Way Forward:OO Education is a process revolving around the three pillars: Research, learner and educator.

OO An environment should be made for encouraging ethical research by imbibing the spirit of research in the individual.

OO Learners are required to possess self-discipline, personal ethics and transparency in their education process.

OO Teachers must follow professional ethics, deliver quality education, and be a true mentor.

OO The taste of pudding is in the eating. The codification of laws requires effective implementation.

OO UGC must check the loopholes within the higher education system, like poor infrastructure, lack of funds, shortage and retention of teachers, quality research and poor management system.

Mains Question:1. University Grants Commission has adopted the Higher Education Quality Improvement Programme Mandate. How

these mandates will help to improve the Quality Education in Higher Education of India? Discuss with the Structural flaws in the Higher Education System of India.

US-IRAN TENSIONIntroduction:OO The United States of America has struck a significant blow against Iran by killing the Commander of Iranian

Quds Force General in an air strike near Baghdad International Airport. This has led to escalation of tensions between the two nations.

OO While the Pentagon described the air strike as a decisive defensive action to protect US personnel abroad, Iran's Supreme Leader said that the jihad of resistance against all enemies will continue with a doubled motivation. Meanwhile US has urged all its citizens to leave Iraq immediately.

Background:OO The assassination of Soleimani (Commander of Iranian Quds Force General) triggered a dramatic escalation of

tensions in the region and marked the most significant confrontation between the United States and Iran in recent years.

OO The tensions between Iran and US were escalated after the US’ abandonment of nuclear deal with Iran and pressurizing it with enormous economic sanctions.

Reasons behind the rising tensions between Iran and US:OO Tensions between the U.S. and Iran are at one of the highest points since the 1979 Iranian revolution.

OO U.S. and Iranian hostilities have been mounting since US President took office and began a "maximum pressure" campaign on the regime.

OO US President pulled out of the deal that offered sanctions relief in exchange for a delay in Iran's nuclear weapons program. Since then, the U.S. has blamed Iran for attacks on oil tankers and Saudi oil refineries, as well as the downing of an American drone.



OO Recently, a barrage of rockets killed an American contractor and wounded four U.S. service members on a base in northeastern Iraq.

OO The U.S. blamed the attack on an Iranian-backed militia with ties to Iran's elite Quds Force led by Soleimani and responded with strikes on five targets in Iraq and Syria that left at least two dozen militia fighters dead.

OO Angry protesters led by a larger umbrella group of Shiite militias answered that attack by storming the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad.

OO Soleimani, Iran’s top most military leader was killed in a U.S. drone strike at the airport in Baghdad. According to administration officials, Soleimani was plotting attacks on Americans in the Middle East and that he presented an imminent threat.

Present situation of US and Iran: OO It started with the withdrawal of the U.S.

from the nuclear deal, as US President had promised, and the re-imposition of sanctions against Iran.

OO Iran has of course said that while it had earlier continued to abide by the deal, it has now said that unless the Europeans step up to ease the sanctions, which have been put into effect by the U.S., Iran will not adhere to certain elements of the nuclear deal, including the limits for the stockpile of low-enriched Uranium and that later on, it might start enriching Uranium below the low-enriched threshold.

OO So, Iran is also gradually stepping up the pressure on U.S. allies to either adhere to the waiver of sanctions which was implicit in the deal, or face the possibility that Iran could gradually renege from the agreement. There have been incidents in the Gulf against oil tankers.

OO Killing of a military head in a foreign land and that too in a sovereign nation is the provocative measure by the US. It can be considered a call for war.

OO Iranian would retaliate swiftly and has already told the most of the leaders in the region that if any of the American military bases fires from their territory then they will be also on Iran’s target.

Impact of Iran-US conflict to India:OO India is going to be directly affected by the stand-off between the two nations.

OO India was Iran's second largest buyer last year and Tehran was the third largest supplier of oil to India. After the US announcement of the cancellation of the sanction waiver, India completely stopped importing oil from Iran.

OO While India does not rely on Iranian oil, the stopping of import comes at a significant cost for India; importing oil from Iran was convenient both financially and geographically. International prices have gone up by 4% since the strike on Soleimani.

OO India's overall relationship with Iran can also get affected by the growing tensions, according to observers. For India, Iran provides an access to Central Asia and Europe by bypassing Pakistan.

OO India is developing the Chabahar project, which the US had said won't be affected by its refusal to renew sanction waivers. But the latest turbulence will create major problems.



OO Over 8 million Indian migrants live and work in West Asia, and they could be affected by a potential conflict in the region. The conflict would put them all in danger, as it did at the start of the 1990s when the US went to war with Iraq and New Delhi had to arrange an airlift of more than 110,000 Indian citizens.

OO The Indian economy is in an extremely precarious position. A sudden jolt can endanger the $40 billion (out of $70 billion total remittances of India) in remittances India receives from West Asia – more than 50% of all remittances to the country, a key source of foreign exchange.

Impact of Iran-US conflict to World:OO It clearly shows that the military-industrial complexes play an enormous influence on how politics is organized

among states.

OO Operation Desert Storm was often described as a museum of American technology.

OO This led to the creation of several world orders that emerged post Operation Desert Storm.

OO We also often witness Mike Pompeo and John Bolton making extremely harsh comments on Iran.

OO These are important individuals and they represent certain constituencies, and interests. However, the immediate implications of the ratcheting up of tensions would be felt on the Straits of Hormuz, which can be clearly blocked by Iran.

OO This means that the economies of the Gulf countries, who are the main suppliers of oil, and the economies in the East, which are rapidly growing economies, would be the ones who would suffer.

OO This would cause not just a regional chaos but a much larger, global chaos.

OO As a consequence, one can witness downtrends in global growth rates; downtrends in the global economy, etc. The IMF has already pointed out that the U.S.- China trade war has already shrunk the global economy this year by 0.5%.

OO The tensions in West Asia would add on to this percentage of slowdown. Thus, the economic impact of the tensions in West Asia is very high. However, having said this, it is highly unlikely that the U.S. would undertake the misadventure of attacking Iran.

Ways to pacify the grave situation:OO The major power of the world like Russia and even China can intervene in the situation. As conflicts in the region

are not in favour of Russia. The forces backed by Russia, Iran and Syria defeated ISIS in four years and now they do not want further tension in the region.

OO China has lots of stakes in Iran, as it is part of China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).

OO Many world leaders are trying to pacify the situation. European council called both the nations to avoid further conflicts.

OO Israel should resist creating unusual turbulence by supporting the war in the region.

OO UAE, Turkey and Saudi Arabia can also work to bring peace in the region.

OO India can play a vital role in this conflict. India would have a possibility of engaging in such a situation because India has had a long standing relationship with Iran and it also has close relations with the US.

OO India has a lot of stakes in the region. It is necessary from the Indian side because near about six to eight million Indians are working in the gulf and they formed a major part of India’s remittances.

Conclusion:OO The escalation between the US and Iran clearly spells out big trouble not only for the region but also for the entire

world.

OO There is a hope that both sides and several stakeholders and other key players will try and find a solution and ensure that the situation is de-escalated in time.

Mains Question:1. The escalation between the US and Iran clearly spells out big trouble not only for the region but also for the entire

world. How? Discuss in detail.



GOvERNMENT EMpLOYEES & RIGhT TO FREE SpEEChIntroduction:OO Tripura High Court has said that government servants are entitled to hold and express their political belief

subject to restrictions laid under service conduct rules.

OO Chief Justice of Tripura High court delivered this judgement whole dismissing an enquiry against a retired employee of the state fishing Department.

OO Last year the Kerala High Court had also ordered the reinstatement subject to disciplinary proceedings of a KSRTC conductor who was placed under suspension for allegedly circulating derogatory remarks against the chief minister of Kerala.

Key Points of the case:OO The petitioner Lipika Paul had been suspended from services as an Upper Division Clerk (UDC) in the State

Fisheries Department, before her retirement, for attending a political programme and for making a political post on Facebook.

OO She was charged under Rule 5 of the Conduct Rules and Rule 9(2) (b) of the Central Civil Services (Pension) Rules, 1972 for participating in a political rally and for canvassing against a political party with defamatory comments against the political leaders.

OO The Kerala High Court had also ordered the reinstatement, of a KSRTC conductor who was placed under suspension, subject to disciplinary proceedings for allegedly circulating derogatory remarks against the Chief Minister of Kerala.

OO The High Court has mandated that a distinction be drawn between participating in and attending a political event, as the mere presence of an individual is not sufficient to convey their political affiliations.

OO The issue is not regarding the Freedom of Speech but pertains to the extension of the right to political opinions.

Other Recent Judgments’:OO In another significant judgement, the High Court of Tripura ordered the police to refrain from prosecuting the

activist who was arrested over a social media post where he criticised online campaign in support of the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), 2019 and warned people against it.

OO The Supreme Court of India also gave judgement on the internet shutdown and curbing of other civil liberties in the Jammu and Kashmir. It upheld the Right to access the Internet and released guidelines on imposition of section 144 of CrPC.

OO Recently, the Kerala High Court, in Faheema Shirin v. the State of Kerala case, declared the Right to Internet Access as a fundamental right, forming a part of the right to privacy and the right to education under Article 21 of the Constitution.

Significance of the Judgement:OO Chief Justice of Tripura High Court held that “As a Government servant, the petitioner is not devoid of her right

to free speech, a Fundamental Right which can be curtailed only by a valid law. She was entitled to hold her own beliefs and express them in the manner she desired, of course, subject to not crossing the borders laid down in sub-rule (4) of Rule 5 of the Conduct Rules.”

OO Chief Justice differentiated between attending and participating in a rally and held that mere presence of the petitioner at a political rally did not convey her political affiliation.

OO One cannot be prevented from expressing his views merely because he is an employee. In a democratic society, every institution is governed by democratic norms. Healthy criticism is a better way to govern a public institution’, Justice had said in an order.

OO Restrictions applied through the service rule, which come in conflict with Article 19 (1) (a), right to free speech shall override unless the rules in question are covered under Article 19 (2), the framework that provides for reasonable restrictions.



OO In a nutshell, any restriction imposed even through the conduct rules will have to qualify the requirements of Article 19(2). The conduct rules are flexible enough to accommodate certain kinds of expression which may not necessarily be political in nature.

Service Conduct Rules:OO Rule 5 of the All India Services (Conduct) Rules, 1968 deals with the involvement of a government employee

in politics and elections. It places reasonable restrictions on the expression of opinions which extend to political issues.

OO Sub Rule 1 of Rule 5 prohibits “government servants from being members of or being associated with any political party or political activity.”

OO Sub Rule 4 of Rule 5 states that “no member of the Service shall canvass or otherwise interfere with, or use his influence in connection with, or take part in, an election to any legislature or local authority.”

Freedom of speech and expression:OO Article 19 is recognized as a Fundamental Right which provides an individual or a community, the freedom to

articulate their thoughts and opinions without the fear of a legal sanction or retaliation.

OO Article 19(1) (a) of the Constitution of India states that “all citizens shall have the right to freedom of speech and expression”.

OO The exercise of this right is subservient to “reasonable restrictions” being imposed under Article 19(2) of the Constitution of India.

OO Article 19 (2) contains the grounds on which restrictions on the freedom of speech and expression can be imposed:

(a) Security of State

(b) Friendly relations with foreign states

(c) Public Order

(d) Decency or morality

(e) Contempt of Court

(f ) Defamation

(g) Incitement to an offence

(h) Sovereignty and integrity of India

OO The right to Freedom of Speech and Expression plays a key role in the formation of public opinion on the political, social and economic matters. It is, therefore, quintessential for the functioning of democratic processes.

Grounds on which Service Conduct Rules impose restrictions on the Freedom of Speech:OO Freedom of speech and expression is a Fundamental Right; however, it is not absolute in nature, as there are

reasonable restrictions which can be imposed.

OO This is to ensure that the Indian bureaucracy, which has been perceived as a non-political organization, maintains neutrality.

OO The Freedom of speech can only be restricted on two grounds:

(a) The order restricting the right is enacted by the legislature.

(b) The order has to be reasonable.

OO The restrictions are placed to ensure that there is space for healthy criticism. However, emotional outbursts, which could turn into criticism is governed, as these could lead to the public losing faith in the Government.

OO A democratic Government asserts the importance of healthy criticisms, as these would allow the government to address the grievances of the public.

OO Additionally, an individual cannot be prohibited from expressing opinions merely because he/she is an employee of that particular institution.



Conclusion:OO The importance of the orders issued by Chief Justice of Tripura will hold precedential value similar to any other high

courts of the country and the orders would still hold persuasive value.

OO The court, setting aside the charge-sheet against the employee, directed that the Fisheries Department of the Government of Tripura shall release all the post-retirement benefits with 2 months.

Mains Question:1. Tripura High Court has said that government servants are entitled to hold and express their political belief subject

to restrictions laid under service conduct rules. Express your view in the Context. Also, explain the significance of the Judgement.

RAISINA DIALOGUE-2020Introduction:OO The 5th edition of the Raisina Dialogue will address some of the most challenging issues facing the global

community. The three-day event this year is addressing the theme ‘21@20: Navigating the Alpha Century’.

OO The Raisina Dialogue 2020 brings together 700 international participants from over 100 countries. Foreign Ministers from 12 countries are taking part in the Dialogue. The Raisina Dialogue is committed to addressing the most challenging issues facing the global community.

OO Structured as a multi-stakeholder discussion, it involves heads of state, cabinet ministers and local government officials, major private sector executives, members of the media and academics.

Organizer and objective of the Dialogue: OO The Observer Research Foundation has organized conference in collaboration with the Ministry of External

Affairs, Government of India. The foundation was formed on 5 September 1990 in New Delhi.

OO The dialogue aims to discover solutions, identify opportunities and provide stability to a century that has witnessed an eventful two decades.

Highlights of the Dialogue: OO The conference included intensive deliberations with over 80 sessions and panel discussions on topics including:

1. The India Way: Preparing for a Century of Growth and Contest,

2. Hacking Democracy: Defending Pluralism in the Digital Age Competing Nationalisms,

3. Universal Norms: Street Power in 21st Century Diplomacy,

4. Cracks on the Roof of the World: Growth, Stability and Assault Rifles in the Heart of Asia were held.

OO The dialogue covered 5 thematic pillars namely:

1. The nationalist impulses challenging global institutions and collective action.

2. The role of technologies in determining political.

3. The debate on the global trading architecture, economic and military power.

4. The global development agenda.

5. The state-individual relationship in the age of digital communities and cyberspace.

OO Participants:

1. Over 700 international officials, of which 40% were women, participated in the event.

2. Around 12 foreign ministers, including the foreign ministers of Australia, Maldives, Russia, Iran, Denmark, Africa, Estonia, Czech Republic, Hungary, Latvia, South, Uzbekistan and the European Union (EU), the National Security Adviser (NSA) of Afghanistan, the Deputy NSA of the United States and several other ministers of state were among others.



Raisina Dialogue:OO Raisina Dialogue was initiated in 2016. It is a multilateral conference which is organized to address the most

challenging issues facing the global community.

OO The dialogue is held every year in Delhi. It discusses cooperation on a wide range of pertinent international policy matters.

OO It explores prospects and opportunities for Asian integration and Asia's integration with the larger world.

Important Partnerships during the Dialogue:

1. India & Finland sign MoU: OP On January 15, 2020 India & Finland signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in order to enhance

cooperation in the field of production, procurement, research and development in defence sector. India’s defence secretary and the Finnish Defence Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, signed the MoU.

OP This MoU was previously under discussion since the 2018 Defence Expo (Defexpo) and has been finally formalised in the run up to Defence Expo 2020 which is to be held in Lucknow, the capital of Uttar Pradesh from February 5-9, 2020.

2. ‘Green Strategic Partnership’ with Denmark foreign minister explored: OP The Minister of External Affairs (MEA) met foreign Minister of Denmark and held discussions on ‘Green Strategic

Partnership’ between the two countries.

OP Foreign Minister of the Russian Federation held high level discussion with PM of India.

OP PM is to participate in the 75th anniversary of the victory day in Russia which will be held in May 2020. He will also participate in the July 2020 BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) and SCO (Shanghai Cooperation Organisation) summits.

3. 20th anniversary of partnership between India and Russia: OP The year 2020 marks the 20th anniversary of the establishment of the strategic partnership between India and

the Russian Federation.

4. Former international heads meeting: OP 7 former heads of international governments with rich experience in governance engaged in discussion on the

important challenges in the world like climate change and counter-terrorism etc. The heads were former PM of New Zealand; former President of Afghanistan; former PM of Canada; former PM of Sweden; former PM of Denmark; former PM of Bhutan and former PM of South Korea.

5. Meeting with Iran foreign minister: OP Foreign Minister of the Islamic Republic of Iran met PM of India and reiterated India’s commitment in developing

strong and friendly relationship with Iran.

OP Progress in the Chabahar project which is designated as a Special Economic Zone (SEZ) was discussed. It is situated in southeastern Iran, on the Gulf of Oman.

Conclusion:OO In the short space of five years, the Raisina Dialogue has acquired an enviable global profile uniting the best strategic

thinkers of the world.

OO The synergies and collaborations in the Raisina Dialogue represent India’s deliberative ethos, as well as its international credibility and convening power.

OO The Raisina Dialogue has grown along with India’s diplomatic profile, and will set the tone for its intensive diplomatic engagement this year.

Mains Question:1. Explain the Significance of the Raisina Dialogue. How important is the dialogue for challenging the global issues?

Discuss.



ALTERNATIvES TO pLASTICSIntroduction:OO Prime Minister of India has stressed on the need to find an alternative to Plastic in order to keep the

environment safe. Single use plastic was banned in India last year on the occasion of 150th Birth Anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi.

OO Almost half of the plastic produced in the world is designed to be used only once. There are several alternatives to plastic such as glass, paper, cardboard etc. However several aspects need to be looked in to such as recycling rate, safety, affordability etc.

Single use Plastic:OO Single-use plastics, or disposable plastics, are used only once before they are thrown away or recycled. These

items are things like plastic bags, straws, coffee stirrers, soda and water bottles and most food packaging.

OO We produce roughly 300 million tons of plastic each year and half of it is disposable. World-wide only 10-13% of plastic items are recycled.

OO The nature of petroleum based disposable plastic makes it difficult to recycle and they have to add new virgin materials and chemicals to it to do so. Additionally there are a limited number of items that recycled plastic can be used.

OO Petroleum based plastic is not biodegradable and usually goes into a landfill where it is buried or it gets into the water and finds its way into the ocean. Although plastic will not biodegrade (decompose into natural substance like soil,) it will degrade (break down) into tiny particles after many years.

OO In the process of breaking down, it releases toxic chemicals (additives that were used to shape and harden the plastic) which make their way into our food and water supply.

OO These toxic chemicals are now being found in our bloodstream and the latest research has found them to disrupt the Endocrine system which can cause cancer, infertility, birth defects, impaired immunity and many other ailments.

Common sources of Plastic pollution:OO Merchant ships expel cargo, sewage, used medical equipment, and other types of waste that contain plastic

into the ocean.

OO The largest ocean-based source of plastic pollution is discarded fishing gear (including traps and nets).

OO Continental plastic litter such as Food Wrappers & Containers, Bottles and container caps, Plastic bags, Straws and stirrers etc. enters the ocean largely through storm-water runoff.

Ways to limit the use of plastics:OO A ban on single use plastic items would have to lay down a comprehensive mechanism to certify the materials

marketed as alternatives, and the specific process required to biodegrade or compost them.

OO The solutions can be packaging innovation and up scaling waste segregation, collection and transmission.

OO Recovering materials from garbage should be a high priority, considering that India is the third highest consumer of materials.

OO A movement against plastic waste would have to prioritise the reduction of single use plastic such as multilayer packaging, bread bags, food wrap, and protective packaging. Consumers often have no choice in the matter.

OO Municipal and pollution control authorities must also be held accountable for the lapses.

OO Nowadays, in many cities, large plastic manufactures are paying plastic collectors for collecting Multilayer plastics (MLPs). The MLPs can use and co-processed in cement kilns as alternate fuels.

Technological Solutions:OO University of New South Wales, Australia has devised a technology to destroy non-segregated plastics at higher



temperatures and this technology requires temperature increase at a faster pace and quickly. This will result in decrease of plastic without causing pollution.

OO The cost for adopting is not too high as well and this is currently practiced on commercial basis in Australia.

OO We need at this moment is opening of opportunities to new start-up companies and using the knowledge of ISRO to make it an adaptable mission.

OO Plastic waste can be used as an alternate fuel for co-processing in cement kilns.

Construction of roads:OO At a time when the entire world is grappling with disposal problems of huge volumes of plastic waste, road

construction provides a solution to plastic waste.

OO To increase recycling rates, in 2015, the Indian government made the use of plastic waste in the road construction industry mandatory.

OO In this process, plastic products made of PET, PVC, HDPE, LDPE and polypropylene are first sorted from plastic waste, cleaned, dried and shredded. Once all the plastic waste is shredded, it is heated at 165 degree Celsius. Next, the shredded pieces are added to a bitumen mix, which is also heated at 165 degree Celsius. The final mix is used for constructing roads.

OO India has built 100,000 kilometers of roads in at least 11 states using discarded plastic since 2015. The roads made from waste plastic are more durable against extreme weather conditions like floods and heat as compared to conventional ones, points a report by the World Economic Forum.

OO According to the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, one tonne of plastic waste is used with nine tonnes of bitumen to lay a kilometre of road. Depending on the quality of tar, 10-30 per cent of it is replaced with the waste plastic.

OO In terms of economics, the plastic-layered roads are cost effective. To prevent plastics from reaching landfills and entering water bodies, recycling of plastic waste to build roads in the states and national highways should be stepped up further.

OO Incidentally, plants making fuels such as diesel and petrol from plastic waste have been built by the Indian Institute of Petroleum.

OO The fuel obtained from the conversion of plastic is completely environmentally friendly due to the absence of any toxic substances. Apart from producing petrol and diesel, this technology will also ensure that urban and semi-urban areas become plastic-free.

Alternatives of plastic:OO Alternatives made of natural material provide employment opportunities in the cottage industry. Although

compostable, biodegradable or even edible plastics made from various materials such as bagasse (the residue after extracting juice from sugarcane), corn starch, and grain flour are promoted as alternatives, these currently have limitations of scale and cost.

OO Glass bottles, aluminium containers (for milk), cloth and jute bags can be used while shopping.

OO Alternative materials to plastic should be environment-friendly and affordable.

Way forward:OO Promote alternatives like cotton, Khadi bags and bio-degradable plastics.

OO Support can include tax rebates, research and development funds, technology incubation, public-private partnerships, and support to projects that recycle single-use items and turn waste into a resource that can be used again.

OO Reduce or abolish taxes on the import of materials used to make alternatives.

OO Encouraging plogging: Picking up litter while jogging or strolling was kick-started on a small scale in a small part of Stockholm about a year ago, it has spread across the globe and India can adopt this as well.

Mains Question:1. How good are Construction of roads from plastic waste? Explain the process with its significance.



CORONAvIRUSIntroduction:OO China is struggling to contain the spread of a new virus that has claimed at least six lives so far since 31st

December. Almost 300 people have been hospitalized.

OO Worryingly enough doctors have confirmed that the infection is spreading rapidly among humans. The outbreak has triggered memories of SARS (severe acute respiratory syndrome) originated in China in 2002.

OO By 2003 it infected more than 8,000 people and killed 774 in a pandemic that ripped through Asia the present virus is called the Coronavirus.

Coronavirus:OO According to the World Health Organization (WHO), corona viruses are a family of viruses that cause illness ranging

from the common cold to more severe diseases such as SARS and Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS).

OO These viruses were originally transmitted between animals and people. SARS, for instance, was believed to have been transmitted from civet cats to humans while MERS travelled from a type of camel to humans.

OO The name Coronavirus comes from the Latin word corona, meaning crown or halo. Under an electron microscope, the image of the virus is reminiscent of a solar corona.

Novel Coronavirus:OO A novel Coronavirus, identified by Chinese authorities on

January 7 and named 2019-nCoV, is a new strain that had not been previously identified in humans.

OO Little is known about it, although human-to-human transmission has been confirmed.

OO It was first detected in Wuhan city that has cancelled the upcoming Lunar New Year celebrations, where hundreds of thousands of people were expected to attend.

OO Tour agencies have also been banned from taking groups out of Wuhan, even as Chinese President has ordered resolute efforts to curb the spread of the virus.

Symptoms of the Coronavirus:OO According to the WHO, signs of infection include fever, cough,

and shortness of breath and breathing difficulties.

OO In more severe cases, it can lead to pneumonia, severe acute respiratory syndrome, kidney failure and even death.

OO The incubation period of the Coronavirus remains unknown. Some sources say it could be between 10 and 14 days.

How deadly is it?OO Some experts say it may not be as deadly as other types of Coronavirus such as SARS, which killed nearly 800

people worldwide, more than 300 in China alone during 2002-03 outbreak that also originated in China.

OO MERS, which did not spread as widely, was more deadly, killing one-third of those it infected. In China, however, the infection is more widespread than SARS in terms of case numbers.

Number of Cases reported:OO Most cases have been reported in China. All deaths have been in China - the vast majority in Hubei Province.

OO The virus has spread too many Asian countries, as well as Australia, Europe, North America and the Middle East. Nearly all of the dozens of cases outside China are among people who recently travelled there.

OO China - 9,692: As of January 31, at least 9,692 people have been confirmed infected in mainland China, most of them in and around Wuhan.



OO France – 6: There are six confirmed of the Coronavirus in France, the first European country to be affected.

OO India – 1: India reported its first case of the Coronavirus on January 30 in the southern state of Kerala. The patient - a student at Wuhan University - has tested positive.

OO Japan – 14: As of January 31, Japan has at least 14 cases of Coronavirus, including two cases of human-to-human transmission.

OO Singapore – 13: Singapore has 13 cases. At least five of them involved people who arrived in the city-state from Wuhan for the Lunar New Year holidays.

OO Sri Lanka – 1: The patient was identified as a 43-year-old Chinese woman from Hubei Province who had arrived in Sri Lanka as a tourist.

OO United States – 6: The US has confirmed six cases of the virus - two in California, two more in Chicago and one each in Arizona and Washington states.

OO United Arab Emirates – 4: According to UAE authorities, at least four Chinese nationals coming from one family have been confirmed with Coronavirus. They are the first cases reported in the Middle East.

Initiatives to stop it from spreading:OO There is no vaccine yet for the new virus. Chinese authorities have effectively sealed off Wuhan.

OO The move was meant to "resolutely contain the momentum of the epidemic spreading" and protect lives, the central city's special command centre against the virus.

OO More than a dozen other Chinese cities also adopted transport restrictions, affecting 56 million people.

OO Several airlines, including United Airlines and British Airways, have cancelled flights to China.

OO Airports around the world have introduced screening measures and some countries are working to evacuate their citizens from Wuhan.

Origin of the Virus:OO Chinese health authorities are still trying to determine the origin of the virus, which they say came from a seafood

market in Wuhan where wildlife was also traded illegally.

OO The WHO also says an animal source appears most likely to be the primary source of the outbreak.

OO Snakes - including the Chinese krait and the cobra - may be the source of the newly discovered virus, according to Chinese scientists.

Global emergency:OO The outbreak constitutes a global health emergency, the WHO has said.

OO The decision to sound the top-level alarm was made after the first confirmed cases of transmission between people outside China.

OO The international health alert is a call on countries around the world to coordinate their response under the guidance of the United Nations health agency.

OO There have been five global health emergencies since 2005 when the declaration was formalised:

1. Swine flu in 2009;

2. Polio in 2014;

3. Ebola in 2014;

4. Zika in 2016 and

5. Ebola again in 2019.

Preventive measures to take:OO There is no vaccine for Coronavirus.

OO To help prevent a Coronavirus infection, do the same things you do to avoid the common cold:



OP Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and warm water or with an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.OP Keep your hands and fingers away from your eyes, nose, and mouth.OP Avoid close contact with people who are infected.OP Get plenty of rest.OP Drink fluids.OP Take over-the-counter medicine for a sore throat and fever. But don't give aspirin to children or teens younger

than 19; use ibuprofen or acetaminophen instead.

Conclusion:OO Corona viruses appear to jump easily between species, and the Wuhan virus could be the third incidence in humans

in the last 20 years.

OO In 2016, another Coronavirus was responsible for 24,000 pig deaths in southern China. Later named swine acute diarrhoea syndrome or SADS-CoV, it jumped from bats to pigs but did not spread to humans before it was contained.

Mains Question:1. World Health Organisation has declared Corona Virus as a Global Health Emergency. Explain the possible reasons

behind it; also explain some previous global health emergencies declared by WHO.

INDIA wILL ShIFT TO BS vI NORMSIntroduction:OO BS 6 is the new emission standard that all vehicles in the country will have to adhere to from April 1, 2020.

The sale of BS-4 vehicles will also cease from this day. The Supreme Court had ruled on October 24 2019 that no BS-4 vehicle would be sold with effect from April 1, 2020.

OO Bharat Stage Emission Standards are emission regulations implemented by the government to keep a check on emissions from motor vehicles.

The term ‘BS’:OO To start with, the ‘BS’ in BS VI stands for ‘Bharat Stage’ which signifies the emission regulation standards set by

Indian regulatory bodies.

OO The ‘VI’ is a roman numeric representation for six (6). The higher the number gets, the stricter the Bharat Stage emission norms get which eventually means it becomes trickier (and costlier) for automakers to meet them.

OO These emission standards were set by the central government to keep a check on the pollutant levels emitted by vehicles that use combustion engines. To bring them into force, the Central Pollution Control Board sets timelines and standards which have to be followed by automakers.

OO Also, the BS norms are based on European emission norms which, for example, are referred to in a similar manner like ‘Euro 4’ and ‘Euro 6’. These norms are followed largely by all automakers across the globe and act as a good reference point as to how much does a vehicle pollute.

Difference between BS-IV and the new BS-VI:OO The major difference in standards between the existing BS-IV and the new BS-VI auto fuel norms is the presence

of sulphur.

OO The newly introduced fuel is estimated to reduce the amount of sulphur released by 80%, from 50 parts per million to 10 ppm.

OO As per the analysts, the emission of NOx (nitrogen oxides) from diesel cars is also expected to reduce by nearly 70% and 25% from cars with petrol engines.

Importance of upgradation of norms:OO Upgrading to stricter fuel standards helps tackle air pollution.

OO Global automakers are betting big on India as vehicle penetration is still low here, when compared to developed countries.



OO At the same time, cities such as Delhi are already being listed among those with the poorest air quality in the world. The national capital’s recent odd-even car experiment and judicial activism against the registration of big diesel cars shows that governments can no longer afford to relax on this front.

OO With other developing countries such as China having already upgraded to the equivalent of Euro V emission norms a while ago, India has been lagging behind.

OO The experience of countries such as China and Malaysia shows that poor air quality can be bad for business. Therefore, these reforms can put India ahead in the race for investments too.

BS IV engine change to BS VI engine: OO Although the BS-4 car can run on BS-6 Fuel, but what will happen if we defer our purchase:

1. Emission: OP Cleaner fuel as the sulphur levels will be lower and lower PF (Particulate Filter). Thus, the emissions will be

relatively much lower than what emit by cars.OP Also, our BS-6 Car will get latest Technology and updates including changes in Catalytic, Diesel Particulate

Filter, and Fuel Injection for better compliance to Emission.

2. Engine Performance: OP The Sulphur levels will be lower, thus acids as formed will be lower and also the engine oil lives will improve.OP Even the fuel would be much cleaner and thus care for better efficiency from our car in terms of improved

Engine Oil Life, Engine Performance, Engine NVH Levels you will get all these benefits with BS-6 Fuel.

3. Fuel Efficiency: OP Been the fuel in BS-6 regime would be much cleaner – the overall fuel efficiency can also jump in when used

a BS-6 compliant car using BS-6 Fuel grade.

4. Safety Features: OP ABS, Airbags would be standard all across model Variants as sold from 2020. Even crash test regulations

would be improved.OP It involves Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR), which is an advanced active emissions control technology.

OO SCR converts nitrogen oxides to nitrogen, water, tiny amounts of CO2 by pumping in automotive grade liquid urea, which is known as Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF).

OO It achieves NOx reductions up to 90%. Tailpipe Particulate Matter filter is used. This reduces the Particulate Matter coming out of the vehicle to the required level.

BS-VI tech becomes expensive:OO The fuel costs need to be taken into account. But above all of this, there is a bigger target to be achieved. India

has some of the most polluted cities in the world and automobiles are often considered as one of the biggest factors responsible for it.

OO The need of the hour is to control the pollution levels by all means possible and since globally, countries are implying Euro 6 levels of emission regulations, India needs to step up its game and hence the BS IV to BS VI emission norm implication.

Expected future hopes:OO As of now, BS VI will be implemented from April 1, 2020, 3 years after BS IV was implemented in 2017. Those looking

to purchase a vehicle will have to spend a higher amount than before to own one. The larger aim for the automotive sector as a whole is to implement BS VI emission regulation by the year 2020 in India.



OO This will require a huge amount of investments to make the oil refineries capable of producing a better quality of fuel and also investments in the infrastructure to make that fuel available across the country.

OO Then, the automakers will have to make investments on their end too in order to speed up the research and development process and improve their own infrastructure – like the manufacturing plants – to make their offering BS VI compliant.

OO This, eventually, will make owning an internal combustion engine powered car more expensive to own, and maintain.

Conclusion:OO This outcome should be welcomed for the positive impact it will have on air quality and public health.

OO To attain the specified super low emissions, all reactions have to be precise, and controlled by microprocessors.

OO Improving air quality in the cities requires a transformative planning approach guided by the singular objective of reducing the use of polluting vehicles.

Mains Question:1. India will shift to BS IV norms emissions to BS VI norms emission from 1, April, 2020. How significant is this norm to

curb the air pollution? Explain.

SCO SUMMIT 2020Introduction:OO Prime Minister of Pakistan will be invited to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Heads of

Government meeting to be held in India at the end of this year.

OO The SCO has eight members – India, Kazakhstan, China, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan, and four observer states - Afghanistan, Belarus, Iran and Mongolia.

Background:OO In 2014, former Prime Minister of Pakistan had visited India after an invite for Prime Minister Swearing-in was

sent to all heads of SAARC countries.

OO Since then no Pakistan’s prime minister has visited India. India has scrapped all bilateral meetings with Pakistan and has held the neighbouring country responsible for sponsoring terror attacks in Kashmir.

Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO):OO Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) is a Eurasian political, economic and military organisation, which

was founded in Shanghai by the leaders of China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan in the year 2001.

OO It was preceded by the ‘Shanghai Five mechanism’.

OO India, Iran, and Pakistan gained observer status in the organization at a July 2005 SCO summit in Kazakhstan.

OO India and Pakistan joined SCO as full members on 9 June 2017 at a summit in Astana, Kazakhstan.

OO The SCO is widely regarded as an “alliance of the East” due to its growing centrality in Asia-Pacific, and has been the primary security pillar of the region.

OO SCO Secretariat in Beijing and Executive Committee of the Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure, Tashkent are the two permanent bodies of the SCO.

OO The SCO’s official languages are Russian and Chinese.

OO Objectives: The aim of SCO is to establish cooperation between member nations on:

(a) Security-related concerns.

(b) Resolving border issues.

(c) Military cooperation.

(d) Intelligence sharing.



(e) Countering terrorism.

(f ) Countering American influence in Central Asia.

Significance of SCO to India:OO The SCO’s significance for India lies in its economics and geopolitics with the Eurasian states.

OO The SCO provides India with a potential platform to advance its Connect Central Asia Policy, which is vital to diversify the country’s energy sources and expand its trade opportunities.

OO This would also enable India to gain access to intelligence and information from SCO’s counter-terrorism body – the Tashkent-based Regional Anti Terror Structure (RATS).

OO For India, two important objectives are counter-terrorism and connectivity. These sit with the SCO's main objective of working cooperatively against the 'three evils' - terrorism, separatism, and extremism.

OO Connectivity is important for India's Connect Central Asia policy. It will help India in trade opportunities. Energy cooperation dominates its interest - and it's in China's neighborhood.

OO In the absence of the SAARC, the SCO gives an opportunity for Indian and Pakistani leaders to meet informally, on the sidelines. Both sides have the obligation not to bring in bilateral disputes, but can cooperate on issues of mutual interest and importance.

Necessity of inviting Pakistan in the SCO summit 2020:OO India would be hosting the SCO summit for the first time.

OO The SCO protocol mandates that all heads of government be invited to the meeting for the meeting to take place.

OO India, being the host, had to invite the Pakistan Prime Minister, to carry out a constructive role and expand engagements in a multilateral forum like the SCO.

OO This can also open up the possibility of a bilateral meeting with Pakistan.

OO The global perspective of the organization and its multilateral nature should be maintained.

Relationship between India and Pakistan:OO The joining of India and Pakistan to the organization has shifted its focus from being Central Asia centric to

considering the issues and security of Southern Asia too.

OO India-Pakistan relations have been turbulent for the most part; however, things took a turn for the worse when Pakistani backed militants launched a terrorist attack on the armed forces base at Uri, Jammu & Kashmir. Following this, India had repudiated its relations with Pakistan.

OO However, the finalizing of the Kartarpur corridor has presented a narrow ray of hope for the initiation of talks between India and Pakistan.

Issues of concern for India:OO India’s prime concerns are to address terrorism and connectivity. These issues also happen to be in line with

SCO’s core objectives which are to work against terrorism, separatism, and extremism.

OO India should, therefore, try to highlight the issue of terrorism and put pressure on Pakistan to stop supporting terrorist organizations.

OO Connectivity stands as one of the most formidable hurdles before India.

OO The markets of Central Asia would open up tremendous trade opportunities for India; however, connectivity to these countries poses a problem.

OO The existing tensions between Iran and the US might result in an energy crisis within India.

India’s approach towards China:OO China is a rising hegemonic power, with the aim of creating a China-centric world economy.

OO China does not want India to compete with it in the global arena. That’s why not only with Pakistan but China likes to engage with each of India’s neighbours, basically to keep India confined to South Asia.



OO At the same time, China does not want that India should go to the US camp and became US ally. That’s why it does not completely oppose India at the global forum and on many issues has actually been supportive of India.

OO For India, China is a big trade partner and a major world power in its neighbour. Using its soft power, India should manage its relations with China.

Challenges for India:OO While India has made its opposition to the Belt and Road Initiative clear, all other SCO members have

embraced the Chinese project.

OO India’s bilateral trade with Central Asia and Russia is very low compared to China’s trade with Russia and Central Asia.

OO The lack of connectivity between regions rich in hydrocarbons and India has proved to be a hurdle in the development of energy ties between the Central Asian countries and India.

Way Forward:OO India has to utilize the opportunities that SCO provides for India to interact with the leadership of Central Asian

countries.

OO India should use this opportunity for promoting an informal dialogue process with the SCO member states.

OO India should utilize this opportunity to expand its trade relations with other countries.

OO It should also use the multilateral platform to put pressure on the issue of terrorism.

OO SCO is a great forum for India to showcase its potential and India must work to ensure that the coming summit is a success.

Mains Questions:1. Explain the significance of SCO for India. How India could utilize SCO as a forum to strengthen its relations between

other SCO Countries? Analyze.

CARBON TRADING & CLIMATE ChANGEIntroduction:OO India has been in the forefront of an intense battle to protect the environment by reducing its carbon foot print.

To this end, it has invested heavily in low-carbon intensive technologies, successfully switched to renewable energy and stepped up its efforts to protect forests.

OO In the process it earned hundreds of millions of carbon credits or emission reduction certificates that are also called CERs. Under the prevailing Kyoto Protocol climate agreement, carbon credits are used in market-based system of Carbon Trading.

Carbon Trade:OO Carbon trading allows countries and companies to sell their carbon credits for money. In December the UN

Climate Change Conference or COP 25 was held in Madrid.

OO COP 25 was to have finalised rules for a new global carbon market under the Paris Agreement. For India, one the goals and focus at the Madrid conference was to win the right to sell its hard-earned carbon credits.

OO Carbon trading is an exchange of credits between nations designed to reduce emissions of carbon dioxide.

OO Carbon trading is also referred to as carbon emissions trading. Carbon emissions trading accounts for most emissions trading.

OO It is a market-based system aimed at reducing greenhouse gases that contribute to global warming, particularly carbon dioxide emitted by burning fossil fuels.

Carbon Credits:OO A carbon credit (often called a carbon offset) is a tradable certificate or permit.

OO One carbon credit is equal to one tonne of carbon dioxide emitted.

OO Carbon credits can be acquired through afforestation, renewable energy, CO2 sequestration, methane capture, buying from an exchange (carbon credits trading) etc.



OO Carbon credits are traded at various exchanges across the world.

Use of Carbon Trade:OO The carbon trade originated with the 1997 Kyoto Protocol, with the objective of reducing carbon emissions and

mitigating climate change and future global warming. At the time, the measure devised was intended to reduce overall carbon dioxide emissions to roughly 5% below 1990 levels by between 2008 and 2012.

OO When countries use fossil fuels and produce carbon dioxide, they do not pay for the implications of burning those fossil fuels directly. There are some costs that they incur, like the price of the fuel itself, but there are other costs not included in the price of the fuel. These are known as externalities.

OO In the case of fossil fuel usage, often these externalities are negative externalities, meaning that the consumption of the good has negative effects on third parties.

OO These externalities include health costs, (like the contribution that burning fossil fuels makes to heart disease, cancer, stroke, and lung diseases) and environmental costs, (like environmental degradation, pollution, climate change, and global warming).

OO Interestingly, research has found that, often, the burdens of climate change most directly affect countries with the lowest greenhouse emissions.

Working of Carbon Trade:OO Basically, each country has a cap on the amount of carbon they are allowed to release. Carbon emissions trading

then allow countries that have higher carbon emissions to purchase the right to release more carbon dioxide into the atmosphere from countries that have lower carbon emissions.

OO The carbon trade also refers to the ability of individual companies to trade polluting rights through a regulatory system known as cap and trade. Companies that pollute less can sell their unused pollution rights to companies that pollute more.

OO The goal is to ensure that companies in the aggregate do not exceed a baseline level of pollution and to provide a financial incentive for companies to pollute less.

Kyoto Protocol:OO The Kyoto Protocol is an international agreement linked to the United Nations Framework Convention on

Climate Change (UNFCCC), which commits its Parties by setting internationally binding emission reduction targets.

OO The Kyoto Protocol was adopted in Kyoto, Japan, in December 1997 and entered into force in February 2005.

OO The first commitment period under the Kyoto Protocol was from 2008-2012. The Doha Amendment to the Kyoto Protocol was adopted in Qatar in December 2012.

OO The amendment includes new commitments for parties to the Kyoto Protocol who agreed to take on commitments in a second commitment period from January 2013 to December 2020 and a revised list of greenhouse gases to be reported on by Parties in the second commitment period.

OO Recognizing that developed countries are principally responsible for the current high levels of Greenhouse Gas (GHGs) in the atmosphere, the Kyoto Protocol places commitments on developed nations to undertake mitigation targets and to provide financial resources and transfer of technology to the developing nations.

OO Developing countries like India have no mandatory mitigation obligations or targets under the Kyoto Protocol.

Kyoto Protocol and Carbon Trading:OO Kyoto Protocol allows countries that have emission units – to sell this excess capacity to countries that are over

their targets.

OO Parties with commitments under the Kyoto Protocol (Annex B Parties) have accepted targets for limiting or reducing emissions.

OO These targets are expressed as levels of allowed emissions, or assigned amounts, at over the 2008-2012 commitment period.



OO The allowed emissions are divided into assigned amount units (AAUs).

OO A new commodity is created in the form of emission reductions or removals.

OO Since carbon dioxide is the principal greenhouse gas, people speak simply of trading in carbon. Carbon is now tracked and traded like any other commodity. This is known as the “Carbon Market.”

Other trading units under Kyoto Protocol:OO More than actual emissions units can be traded and sold under the Kyoto Protocols emissions trading scheme.

OO The other units which may be transferred under the scheme, each equal to one tonne of CO2, may be in the form of:

(a) A Removal Unit (RMU) on the basis of land use, land-use change and forestry (LULUCF) activities such as reforestation.

(b) An Emission Reduction Unit (ERU) generated by a joint implementation project.

(c) A Certified Emission Reduction (CER) generated from a clean development mechanism project activity.

OO Transfers and acquisitions of these units are tracked and recorded through the registry systems under the Kyoto Protocol.

Greenhouse Gases and Global Climate:OO Greenhouse gases occur naturally and are essential for the survival of living beings including humans.

OO They help their survival, by keeping some of the Sun’s warmth from reflecting back into space and making the Earth habitable.

OO As populations, economies and standards of living grew – human activities like industrialization, deforestation, and large-scale agriculture have increased the quantities of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.

OO The concentration of GHGs in the earth’s atmosphere is directly linked to the average global temperature on Earth.

OO The concentration has been rising steadily, and means global temperatures along with it, since the time of the Industrial Revolution.

OO Carbon dioxide (CO2), accounting for about two-thirds of GHGs, is largely the product of burning fossil fuels.

Paris Agreement:OO The Paris Agreement of 2016 is a historic international accord that brings almost 200 countries together in

setting a common target to reduce global greenhouse emissions in an effort to fight climate change.

OO The pact seeks to keep global temperature rise to below 2 degrees Celsius from pre-industrial levels, and to try and limit the temperature increase even further to 1.5 degrees Celsius.

OO To this end, each country has pledged to implement targeted action plans that will limit their greenhouse gas emissions.

OO The Agreement asks rich and developed countries to provide financial and technological support to the developing world in its quest to fight and adapt to climate change.

Advantages of emissions trading:OO Emissions trading achieve the environmental objective “reduced emissions” at the lowest cost. Emissions’ trading

incentivize innovation and identifies lowest-cost solutions to make businesses more sustainable.

OO Cap and trade has proven to be an effective policy choice. Emissions’ trading is better able to respond to economic fluctuations than other policy tools.

OO Cap and trade is designed to deliver an environmental outcome the cap must be met, or there are sanctions such as fines. Allowing trading within that cap is the most effective way of minimising the cost which is good for business and good for households.

OO By allowing the open market to set the price of carbon allows for better flexibility and avoids price shocks or undue burdens. For example, as seen in Europe, prices will fall during a recession as industrial output, and thus emissions, fall. A centrally-administered tax does not have the same flexibility.



OO The combination of an absolute cap on the level of emissions permitted and the carbon price signal from trading helps firms identify low-cost methods of reducing emissions on site, such as investing in energy efficiency which can lead to a further reduction in overheads. This helps make business more sustainable for the future. Imposing technology on business does not allow for creativity and can actually lead to higher costs as companies look merely to comply with regulations.

OO Emissions trading can provide a global response to a global challenge. Cap and trade provides a way of establishing rigour around emissions monitoring, reporting and verification essential for any climate policy to preserve integrity.

Disadvantages of Emission trading:OO These have often been given away for free, which has led to a collapse in the price and no effective reductions

in emissions.

OO Another problem is that offset permits, gained from paying for pollution reductions in poorer countries, are allowed to be traded as well.

OO The importance of these permits in reducing carbon emissions is questionable and the effectiveness of the overall cap and trade scheme is also reduced.

OO It would create higher prices for goods and services. Renewable energy resources are still relatively new, which means they are relatively expensive.

OO Different nations may have different standards as to what a maximum cap should be.

OO Some nations create more emissions than others. This means a maximum cap will be defined differently in every society. Some may be very lenient about emissions caps and credits. Others may be very strict.

Way Forward:OO For the cap trade system to be effective, some sort of time frame monitoring must be implemented so that

enforcement can take place.

OO There should be need to promote scarcity and you have to strictly limit the right to emit so that it can be traded.

OO The Cap Trade System is one of the best ideas available right now to Help Limit Emissions. Which doesn’t mean the system is perfect. It’s just the best idea we’ve got at the moment. It’s based on capitalistic tendencies, puts the environment first, and could provide some economic benefits. By evaluating all of the cap trade pros and cons, the best possible system can be created.

Mains Question:1. Explain Carbon Trading with its advantages and disadvantages. How it will help to achieve the goals of Kyoto Protocol

and Paris Agreement? Analyze.

MULTIpLE STATE CApITALS & GOvERNANCEIntroduction:OO The Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly passed the AP Decentralization and Inclusive Development of All

Regions Bill, 2020 that intended to give shape to state government's plan of having three capitals:

(a) Executive capital in Visakhapatnam,

(b) Legislative Capital in Amravati and

(c) Judicial capital in Kurnool.

OO The amendments to the Bill proposed by the Opposition were rejected by the House.

OO The cabinet approved the proposal on three capital cities aimed at “decentralised and inclusive development of all regions of the state”.

OO It also approved repealing the Capital Region Development Authority Act and establishes the Amravati Metropolitan Development Authority.



Background:OO Andhra government had set up an expert committee named “High Power Committee” on development

strategies for Andhra Pradesh.

OO The expert committee had come out with its recommendations and suggested the setting up of legislative, executive and judicial capitals in Amravati, Visakhapatnam and Kurnool respectively.

Other recommended Committees: OO According to the government, decentralization was the central theme in recommendations of all major

committees that were set up to suggest a suitable location for the capital of Andhra Pradesh.

OO It had been agreed in the November 16, 1937 Sri Bagh Pact (between leaders of coastal Andhra and Rayalaseema) that two university centres should be established in Waltair (Visakhapatnam) and Anantapur in Rayalaseema, and that the High Court and Metropolis should be in the coastal districts and Rayalaseema respectively.

OO In December 2010, the Justice B N Srikrishna Committee, set up to look into the demand for a Telangana state, said Rayalaseema and North Coastal Andhra were economically the most backward, and the “concentration of development efforts in Hyderabad is the key reason for demand of separate states”.

OO In August 2014, the K Sivaramakrishnan Committee appointed to identify locations for the new capital of AP said the state should see decentralised development, and that one mega capital city was not desirable.

OO G N Rao Committee: A Committee constituted by the YSRCP government under former IAS officer G N Rao, in its December 2019 report, recommended three capitals for balanced growth, and four regional Commissionerate along the lines of Karnataka.

OO BCG recommendation: The government sought an opinion from the global management consulting firm Boston Consultancy Group, which on January 3, 2020, recommended that Visakhapatnam should be the seat of the Governor, Chief Minister, and all government departments, and a High Court Bench, and have provisions for a Legislative Assembly for use in an emergency; Vijayawada/Amravati should have the Assembly and a High Court Bench; Kurnool should have the High Court and tribunals.

OO High-powered Committee: A high-power Committee appointed by the government to study the recommendations of the G N Rao Committee and the BCG suggested that the state should be demarcated into zones with separate zonal planning and development boards in order to ensure inclusive development, and that infrastructure projects focussed Rayalaseema and North Coastal Andhra should be prioritised.

Issues associated with Andhra Pradesh’s Assembly:OO Assembly meetings: The government argues that the Assembly meetings happen only after gaps of several months,

and government Ministers, officers, and staff can simply go to Amravati when required. However, coordinating between seats of legislature and executive in separate cities will be easier, and with the government offering no specifics of a plan, officers and common people alike fear a logistics nightmare.

OO Distance between the Government’s offices: The AP Police are headquartered in Mangalagiri, 14 km from Vijayawada, and senior IPS officers who may be required to visit the Secretariat will have to travel 400 km to Visakhapatnam. Likewise, government officers who may have to appear in the High Court will have to travel 700 km to Kurnool, which does not have an airport. All officers and Ministerial staff who may have to be at hand to brief Ministers when the Assembly is in session, will probably have to stay put in Amravati, leaving behind their other responsibilities in Visakhapatnam.

OO Not suitable for the Indian system of governance: The Constitution provides for a parliamentary form of government both at the centre and state levels in India. The parliamentary system requires close coordination between the legislature and the executive. The proposal to have the legislature and executive at different places will lead to an unnecessary drain of resources for the state.

Alternatives of the proposal:OO Decentralization to the grass root levels like the districts and panchayats and granting them more powers would

be more effective measures for inclusive growth. Several pieces of research have pointed out that the quality of life is more affected by such decentralization to lower levels.



OO Focusing on industrial development and infrastructure development would be better policy interventions for balanced growth.

Arguments for the abolishing of legislative councils in the states:OO Not all states in India have legislative councils. They are not mandatory as per the constitutional provisions.

OO There are concerns regarding the utility of the councils given the low value addition they offer to the legislative process.

OO The legislative councils in some instances have been used by the opposition to delay the government bills.

Advantages offered by legislative councils:OO It can act as the House of Elders or guide and assist the Legislative Assembly in its legislative business through

the wisdom of its members. This would help the government in governance.

OO It helps involve subject matter experts into the administration process, by nominating them to the legislative councils. They would otherwise not be able to manage the day-to-day politics and get into the legislatures through popular votes.

Conclusion:OO Given proposal leads to more concerns than benefits, there is a need for reconsideration on the part of the

government. All wings of the state involving the legislature, executive and judiciary need to sit together for effectiveness.

OO There is the need to evaluate the performance of the legislative councils and suggest suitable corrections in its functioning to make it truly effective.

Mains Question:1. How significant is the abolishing of legislative council? Examine this in context with the decision of scrapping of the

Andhra Pradesh’s Upper Assembly.

ASER - ANNUAL STATUS OF EDUCATION REpORT 2019Introduction:OO The recently released ASER 2019 report by NGO Pratham is completely focussed on exploring more deeply about

the mental ability of the young children.

OO It raises attention to children between four and eight years of age, and suggests that India’s learning crisis could be linked to the weakness of the country’s pre-primary system. The report is based on a survey conducted in 26 districts across 24 states in India, covering over 36,000 children in the age group of 4-8 years.

Findings of the report:OO More than 20 per cent of students in Standard (I) are less than six.

OO 36 per cent students in Standard 1 are older than the RTE-mandated age of six – close to five crore children currently in elementary school do not have foundational literacy and numeracy skills.

OO Parents choose government schools for girl students in the age group of 4 to 8 years while for boys, they prefer private schools among 4-5-year-old children, 56.8 per cent girls and 50.4 per cent boys are enrolled in government schools or pre-schools, while 43.2 per cent girls and 49.6 per cent boys are enrolled in private pre-schools or schools.

OO Across all age groups enrolled in standard I, girls in private schools are performing better than their male counterparts.

The mother’s education often determines the kind of pre-schooling or schooling:OO The report says that among children in the early years (ages 0-8), those with mothers who had completed eight

or fewer years of schooling are more likely to be attending Anganwadis or government pre-primary classes, whereas their peers whose mothers had studied beyond the elementary stage are more likely to be enrolled in private LKG/UKG classes.



OO ASER 2019 also shows how, among 4- and 5-year-olds who were administered a four-piece puzzle and 6- to 8-year-olds who were asked to solve a 6-piece puzzle, those whose mothers had completed Class 11 or more had a higher chance of solving these cognitive tasks.

OO Between 2011 and 2012, researchers at MIT’s Poverty Action Lab worked with Pratham to study whether literacy classes and other interventions for mothers could improve children’s learning outcomes.

OO They found that their interventions have “had small positive impacts on mothers’ math and literacy skills, the home learning environment, some forms of school attendance, and ultimately children are learning levels”.

Possible reasons of children entering school at age six:OO This is partly due to the lack of affordable and accessible options for pre-schooling. Therefore, too many children

go to Standard I with limited exposure to early childhood education.

OO Children from poor families have a double disadvantage lack of healthcare and nutrition on one side and the absence of a supportive learning environment on the other.

OO Although the Anganwadi network across India is huge, by and large, school readiness or early childhood development and education activities have not had high priority in the ICDS system.

OO Private preschools that are mushrooming in urban and rural communities have increased access to preschool but are often designed to be a downward extension of schooling. Thus, they bring in school-like features into the pre-school classroom, rather than developmentally appropriate activities by age and phase.

Measures could be taken in this regard:OO There is considerable scope for expanding Anganwadi outreach for three and four-year-old children. All-India

data from 2018 shows that slightly less than 30 per cent children at age three and 15.6 per cent of children at age four are not enrolled anywhere. But these figures are much higher in states like Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. Expanding access to Anganwadis is an important incremental step.

OO Strengthening the early childhood components in the ICDS system would help greatly in raising school readiness among young children.

OO It is commonly assumed that children enter Standard I at age six and that they proceed year by year from Std I to Std VIII, reaching the end of elementary school by age 14. The Right to Education Act also refers to free and compulsory education for the age group six to 14. However, the practice on the ground is quite different. ASER 2018 data show that 27.6 per cent of all children in Standard (I) are under age six.

OO There are important age implications for children’s learning. Data from ASER 2019 (26 rural districts) indicate that in Standard I, the ability to do cognitive activities among seven-eight-year olds can be 20 percentage points higher than their friends who are five years old but in the same class.

OO In terms of reading levels in Standard I, 37.1 per cent children who are under six can recognise letters whereas 76 per cent of those who are seven or eight can do the same. Interestingly, age distribution in Standard (I) varies considerably between government and private schools, with private schools in many states having a relatively older age distribution. A big part of the differences in learning levels between government and private school children may be due to these differences in age composition right from the beginning of formal schooling.

Way Forward:OO There is a need to leverage the existing network of Anganwadi centres to implement school readiness.

OO The core structure of the Anganwadis was developed more than 40 years ago as part of the Integrated Child Development Scheme (ICDS). Pre-school education is part of their mandate.

OO There is a need to expand and upgrade Anganwadis to ensure that children get adequate and correct educationa l inputs of the kind that are not modeled after the formal school.

Mains Question:1. “Early childhood education is the key to the betterment of the Society”. Discuss. qqq

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