General Studies Paper 2

• Context: The challenges that civil society organisations (CSO) in India face are new and enduring.

About the Civil Society Organizations in India

• About:
  • India has a long history of civil society based on the concepts of daana(giving) and seva (service).
  • Civil society organization (CSO)or non-governmental organization (NGO) are the organizations that are voluntary in spirit and without profit-making objectives—have been active in cultural promotion, education, health, and natural disaster relief.
• Data on NGOs:
  • Today, about 5 million NGOs work in India(i.e., nonprofit, voluntary citizens’ groups organized on a local, national, or international level).
    • According to a survey conducted by Society for Participatory Research in Asia (PRIA),
      • 5% of NGOs are engaged in religious activities,
      • while 21.3% work in the area of community and/or social service.
      • About one in five NGOs works in education,
      • while 17.9% are active in the fields of sports and culture.
      • Only 6.6% work in the health sector.

About Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA)

• Background: 
  • The FCRA was enacted during the Emergency in 1976 amid apprehensions that foreign powers were interfering in India’s affairs by pumping money into the country through independent organisations.
  • These concerns were, in fact, even older; they had been expressed in Parliament as early as in 1969.
• Aim: 
  • The law sought to regulate foreign donations to individuals and associations so that they functioned in a manner consistent with the values of a sovereign democratic republic.

FCRA regulations for the Civil Society Organizations in India

• Tighter control:
  • The Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act was amended by the current government in 2020, giving the government tighter control and scrutiny over the receipt and utilisation of foreign funds by NGOs. 
• Designated FCRA account: 
  • All NGOs seeking foreign donations have to open a designated FCRA account at the SBI branch.
  • The NGOs can retain their existing FCRA account in any other bank but it will have to be mandatorily linked to the SBI branch in New Delhi.
• Only banking channels allowed:
  • Foreign contribution has to be received only through banking channels and it has to be accounted for in the manner prescribed.
• OCI or PIO: 
  • Donations are given in Indian rupees by any foreign source including foreigners of Indian origin like OCI or PIO cardholders” should also be treated as foreign contributions.
• Sovereignty and integrity: 
  • It requires NGOs to give an undertaking that the acceptance of foreign funds is not likely to prejudicially affect the sovereignty and integrity of India or impact friendly relations with any foreign state and does not disrupt communal harmony.

Challenges & criticisms

• Related to FCRA regulations:
  • No voice for NGOs:
    • FCRA laws are criticised for throttling voice of NGOs and ending the scope for popular global causes such as environmental issues, ensuring rights for forest dwellers or capacity building of most marginalised.
    • Advocacy-based institutions are most likely to be hit by new laws.
  • Joblessness in SCOs:
    • Thousands working in the social sector, particularly in grassroots organisations, have already been rendered jobless as the ban on sub-granting has caused resource starvation for these organisations.
  • Draining of resources:
    • There are also talks doing the rounds that civil society should collectively challenge the new laws.
    • But most of them are wary of fighting this long battle legally as many of them who have lost their licenses have already drained their resources and are finding it difficult to pay the pending salaries of their staff.
  • Challenge of localisation:
    • In the current scenario, the prominent challenge is localisation. The initiation of the fight for rights is strongly rooted in the factors at the local level. It requires local leadership.
  • Other Challenges:
    • No depiction of vulnerable children:
      • Recently, the government has warned CSOs against using representative visuals for fundraising activities concerning development issues such as malnutrition.
      • The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) issued a directive to non-profits not to depict vulnerable children.
      • So, every new directive is a new challenge for civil society.
    • Structural deficiencies:
      • Many CSOs need to ramp up clear governance structures and policies. Without these structures, it can be difficult to maintain accountability and ensure that resources are used effectively.
      • Many CSOs lack the skills and resources to create and maintain professional management systems.
    • Societal misinterpretations:
      • CSOs often face misconceptions about their role in society. They are the targets of political interference and manipulation, which can limit their ability to operate.

Suggestions

• For government:
  • The governments should also realise that some of its prominent acts or laws, such as the Right to Information Act, The Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act and the National Food Security Act, among others, will remain relevant if the foundations of civil society are strong.
    • Any attempt to disturb civil society will be tantamount to diluting these laws.
  • Any stringent measures would also adversely impact the monitoring of the implementation of various government schemes, such as the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act, the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana and the Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana, etc.
• For NGOs:
  • Alternate ways of funding:
    • Post new FCRA laws, many organisations have already started looking up to local resource mobilisation (LRM)and are largely focused on corporate funding through corporate social responsibility (CSR).
  • Charitable funding:
    • Civil society should explore how to encourage more collective giving, a form of charitable giving where groups pool their donations to create larger funds to tackle problems.
  • Utilizing technology:
    • There is increasing awareness that increased use of data and digital technology can make charities stronger and even better at what they do.

Way ahead

• The collectivisation of national-level forums for supporting marginalised communities through the articulation of their needs, empowering identity or voices and deconstructing the old arrangements that have failed in performance and ideation is the way forward.

General Studies Paper 2

• Context: According to the Annual Status of Education Report 2022   report, government schools saw a sharp rise in enrolment for the first time in 16 years; basic literacy levels of children have taken a big hit, with their reading ability as compared to numeracy skills worsening much more sharply and dropping to pre-2012 levels.
• Government schools in many states are predominantly attended by children from vulnerable social groups,where girls’ education is often treated as a formality for marriage prospects. In addition to funding issues, there is a need to improve governance in schools and renovate dilapidated facilities due to Covid-19
• As ASER 2023 confirms, boys and girls of elementary school-going age have all come back to schools, but the current education system is failing them. However, it is possible to make learning attractive for children with little effort.
• While a lot has been done to improve the schools on the supply side with Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan and subsequent efforts, there is a need for rejuvenating and re-imagining learning in schools.

Issues with the Functioning of Government Schools:

• Poor Infrastructure:
  • Many government schools lack basic facilities such as proper classrooms, clean drinking water, toilets, libraries, and playgrounds. This affects the overall quality of education provided to the students.
• Lack of Trained Teachers:
  • A significant number of government schools do not have well-trained and qualified teachers. This results in poor quality of teaching and a lack of enthusiasm among students.
• Outdated Curriculum:
  • The curriculum followed by many government schools is outdated and does not provide relevant skills required in the current job market. This results in a lack of employability among students.
• Inadequate Funding:
  • Many government schools suffer from inadequate funding, which affects their ability to provide basic facilities and attract well-qualified teachers.
• Lack of Accountability:
  • There is often a lack of accountability among school administrators and teachers in government schools. This results in poor quality of education and a lack of motivation among students.
• Poor Teacher-Student Ratio:
  • The teacher-student ratio in government schools is often low, resulting in inadequate attention given to individual students.
    • According to a report, India has nearly 1.2 lakh schools with just one teacher each.
    • The  Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education (RTE) Act2009 in its Schedule lays down Pupil Teacher Ratio (PTR) for both primary and upper primary schools.
    • At primary level the PTR should be 30:1 and at the upper primary level it should be 35:1.

Constitutional Provisions and Laws related to Education in India:

• Constitutional Provisions:
  • Part IV of Indian Constitution,Article 45 and Article 39 (f) of Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSP), has a provision for state-funded as well as equitable and accessible education.
  • The 42^ndAmendment to the Constitution in 1976 moved education from the State to the Concurrent List.
    • The education policies by the Central government provides a broad direction and state governments are expected to follow it. But it is not mandatory, for instance Tamil Nadu does not follow the three-language formula prescribed by the first education policy in 1968.
  • The 86^thAmendment in 2002 made education an enforceable right under Article 21-A.
    • Article 21Aof the Constitution makes it obligatory on the State to provide free and compulsory education to children between the age of 6 and 14 years.
  • Related Laws:
    • Right To Education (RTE) Act, 2009aims to provide primary education to all children aged 6 to 14 years and enforces education as a Fundamental Right.
      • It also mandates 25% reservation for disadvantaged sections of the society.
    • Government Initiatives:
      • Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan, Mid Day Meal Scheme, National Programme on Technology Enhanced Learning, PRAGYATA, Beti Bachao Beti Padhao,PM SHRI Schools

Way Forward:

• Making Local Government Responsible with Funds:
  • Local governments and women’s collectives should be given the responsibility for elementary schools with funds and functionaries.
  • They must be authorised to fill any vacancy by rationalisation or recruiting a community volunteer who has cleared the Teacher Eligibility Test.
  • The devolved funds should be sufficient to meet the needs for basic learning and support. The school should become a community institution rather than be a government entity, whichcan draw on voluntarism/donations and get the support of gadgets to ensure healthy learning outcomes.
• Training Teachers:
  • All teachers and teacher educators (block and cluster coordinators, State/District resource persons)should be trained in the use of gadgets and course material that can facilitate learning.
  • Every classroom must have a large TV and a good sound system to provide online lessonsthat supplement what is taught in class.
• Utilising SHGs:
  • The Mid-Day Meal responsibility must be handed over to the village level  Self-Help Group (SHG)  of women.
  • The  Panchayat and School Management Committee shall be the supervisors of the SHG.
  • Teachers should not have any role in the Mid-Day Meal scheme, except teaching.
• Developing Public Libraries:
  • Public libraries should be developed where youths in the village can study and prepare for jobs and admissions to good institutions.
  • Such community institutions attract volunteers.
    • Karnataka has done outstanding work on strengthening its public libraries and this has gains for school learning outcomes as well.
  • Using Innovating Methods:
    • Sound boxes, video films, play-way learning items, indoor and outdoor sports, cultural activities for learning on a scale can be used.
    • With support from Integrated Child Development Services,toys-based learning in early childhood can be started.
      • The  New Education Policy 2022 mandates a continuum from ages 3 to 8 to ensure this important early beginning in life.
    • Healthcare Management:
      • The school leadership should take responsibility for the nutrition challenge as too many committees can weaken concerted efforts.
      • It is important to assign accountability for the well-being of children to field functionaries such as Aanganwadi Sevikas,  Ashas, Auxiliary Nurse Midwifes (ANMS), and Panchayat Secretaries.
      • Collaborating with the local government is crucial for effective healthcare management and to make a positive impact.
    • Promoting Community Campaigns:
      • There should be community campaigns and regular school level interactions with parents.
      • Teachers must build a relationship with every household to ensure children’s care and learning.
      • The Nipun Bharat Mission  to ensure oral and written literacy and numeracy, should become a people’s movement like the Total Literacy Campaign.

General Studies Paper 1

• Context: The destruction caused by earthquakes in Turkey should be alarming for us as the geologists have warned of a probable massive earthquake in the Himalayan state.

India’s Vulnerability:

• Earthquakes are a prominent danger in India’s disaster profile which has caused huge loss of life and material.
• India has seen some of the greatest earthquakes in the last century.
• Nearly 58 percent of the Indian landmass is vulnerable to earthquakes.
• Frequent tremors:
  • In recent period earthquakes in different parts of India, albeit of small magnitudes, have occurred. Few experts warn that frequent tremors were a matter of concern in the subcontinent, where several areas are prone to major seismic activities.
  • Whereas, acccording to others, India is witnessing micro tremors regularly which, in turn, is helping release tectonic stress and offering protection from the possibility of a devastating event.

India’s earthquake preparedness

• Seismic Zones:
  • Earthquake-prone areas of India have been identified on the basis of 3 factors, namely
    • Scientific inputs related to seismicity.
    • Earthquakes occurred in the past.
    • Tectonic setup of the region.
  • Based on these conditions, the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) divided the country into four seismic zones, viz. Zone II, Zone III, Zone IV and Zone V.

• India’s policy on earthquake preparedness: 
  • Currently, India’s policy on earthquake preparedness operates primarily at the scale of structural details.
  • Guided by the National Building Codes, this includes specifying dimensions of the structural members — columns, beams, etc. — and details of the reinforcements that join these elements together.
  • While scientifically sound, this view on earthquake preparedness is criticised for being myopic.
• National Seismic Risk Mitigation Programme (NSRMP):
  • It is aimed at reducing the vulnerability of communities and their assets to natural disaster by taking appropriate mitigation measures and to strengthen the capacity of national and state entities to effectively plan for and respond to earthquakes.
• Delhi High Court’s recent action:
  • Recently Delhi High Court has asked the state government to file a status report and action plan on the structural safety of buildings in Delhi.

Issues & Challenges

• Shortcomings of India’s policy on earthquake preparedness:
  • The policy ignores the buildings that were constructed before such codes were published in 1962.
    • Such buildings form a large part of our cities.
  • It assumes infallibility in the processes of enforcement— relying only on penalisation and illegalities.
  • It treats earthquakes as a problem of individual buildings considering that they exist and behave in complete isolation from their urban context.
    • The truth is that buildings exist in clusters and in the event of an earthquake, behave as a system.
    • They collapse on nearby buildings and on the abutting streets — damaging buildings that might have otherwise survived and blocking evacuation routes.

Suggestions & way ahead

• Earthquake preparedness needs to act at the scale of building details and cities.
  • Cities:
    • At the scale of cities, the problem is more complex, massive, and unattended.
      • None of the urban renewal programmes — including the latest Smart Cities Mission — have devised an urban policy for earthquake preparedness.
    • Bulding details:
      • At the scale of building details, we need to create a system of retrofitting existing structures and enforcing seismic codes with more efficiency.
    • Need of a policy:
      • We must look at Earthquake preparedness in the realm of policy and not just as legal enforcement. Such a policy should include two measures:
        • First,to create a system of tax-based or development rights-based incentives for retrofitting one’s building up to seismic codes.
        • Such a system of incentives will enable the growth of an industry around retrofitting and will generate a body of well-trained professionals and competent organisations.
      • Second, by ensuring better enforcement of seismic codes through a similar model.
        • A step forward in this direction was the National Retrofitting Programme launched in 2014.
        • Under the programme, the Reserve Bank of India directed banks to deny loans for any building activity that does not meet the standards of earthquake-resistant design.
      • Urban-level policy:
      • An urban-level policy should start with surveys and audits that can generate earthquake vulnerability maps showing parts of the city that are more prone to serious damage.
      • This should follow following criteria:
        • The percentage of vulnerable structures in the area;
        • The availability of evacuation routes and distances from the nearest open ground;
        • Density of the urban fabric; and
        • Location of nearest relief services and the efficiency with which these services can reach affected sites.
      • Using such maps,enforcement, incentives, and response centres can be proportionally distributed across the urban terrain.
      • Utilizing Urban platforms:
      • Programmes like the ongoing Urban 20 meetings are an excellent opportunity for international knowledge exchange on earthquake preparedness.

Global examples

• Cases like that of Japan and San Francisco are good examples of their Earthquake Preparedness.
  • Japan:
    • Japan has invested heavily in technological measures to mitigate the damage from the frequent earthquakes that it experiences.
    • Skyscrapers are built with counterweights and other high-tech provisions to minimise the impact of tremors.
    • Small houses are built on flexible foundations and public infrastructure is integrated with automated triggers that cut power, gas, and water lines during earthquakes.
  • San Francisco:
    • Another of the world’s famous earthquake-prone cities San Francisco was devastated by an earthquake in April 1906.

• • • • The city saw more than 3,000 deaths and massive destruction of property.

Following the disaster, San Francisco implemented policy changes similar to Japan’s and when the next major earthquake hit in 1989, the city recorded just 63 casualties.

General Studies Paper 2

Context: Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change expressed that India and Denmark can jointly demonstrate the feasibility of achieving ambitious climate and sustainable energy goals during the ‘India-Denmark: Partners for Green and Sustainable Progress Conference’ in New Delhi.

• Since the launch of the Green Strategic Partnership in 2020, the bilateral cooperation is focused on promoting green and sustainable development.

What is Green Strategy Partnership?

• The Green Strategic Partnership is a mutually beneficial arrangement to advance political cooperation, expand economic relations and green growth, create jobs, and strengthen cooperation on addressing global challenges and opportunities;  with a focus on an ambitious implementation of the Paris Agreement and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
• Danish companies with niche technologies and expertise have offered to help India in meeting its air pollution control targets, including in the key area of tackling the problem of burning crop stubble.
• Other key points under the partnership include dealing with the Covid-19 pandemic and cooperation in water efficiency and water loss.
• The creation of India-Denmark energy parks in areas with large numbers of Danish firms and an India-Denmark skill institute to train Indian manpower has been proposed.
• The Green Strategic Partnership will build on an existing Joint Commission for Cooperation and existing joint working groups.

State of India Denmark Cooperation:

• Background:
  • The diplomatic relations between India and Denmark,  established in September 1949, are marked by regular high-level exchanges.
  • Both countries share historical links, common democratic traditions and a shared desire for regional, as well as international peace and stability.
  • Bilateral relations were elevated to the level of “Green Strategic Partnership”during the Virtual Summit held in 2020.
• Commercial and Economic Relations:
  • Bilateral trade in goods and services between India and Denmark has grown by 78%, from USD 2.8 billion in 2016 to USD 5 billion in 2021.
  • The major export items from India to Denmark are textiles, apparels and yarns related, vehicles and components, metal goods, iron and steel, footwear, and travel goods.
  • Major Danish exports to India are medicinal/pharmaceutical goods, power generating machinery, industrial machinery, metal waste and ore, and organic chemicals.
• Cultural Exchange:
  • India’s 75^thIndependence Day was celebrated in Copenhagen with a great enthusiasm with a flag hoisting ceremony and vibrant Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav celebrations, attended by a large number of the diaspora.
  • Important streets and public places have been named after Indian leaders which include the Gandhi Plaene (Gandhi Park), Copenhagen and a Nehru Road near Aarhu University in Aarhus.
• Intellectual Property Cooperation:
  • The MoU signed in 2020 aims at increasing IP co-operation between the two countries by way of, exchange of information and best practices on processes for disposal of applications for patents, trademarks, industrial designs, and Geographical Indications, and cooperation in the field of protection of Traditional Knowledge.
  • It will be a landmark step forward in India’s journey towards becoming a major player in global innovation and further the objectives of the National Intellectual Property Rights Policy, 2016.

Way Forward

• India and Denmark must cooperate in multilateral fora like the World Trade Organization, International Solar Alliance, Arctic Council to advance democracy and human rights and promote a rule-based multilateral system.

General Studies Paper 2

• Context: The Supreme Court refused to hear a bail plea by the Deputy CM of Delhi in the excise policy case, as he had approached the court directly under Article 32 of the Constitution instead of first seeking remedy in the High Court under Section 482 of the CrPC.
• SC argued that though in previous cases petitions were entertained directly under Article 32,t those cases involved free speech issues while this case is about Prevention of Corruption act.

What is the Background?

• Previously, Special CBI Judge had granted  Central Bureau of Investigation(CBI) custody of Deputy CM on the ground that he ‘failed to provide satisfactory answers.’
  • The court had rejected the argument that it was a violation of right against self-incrimination.

What is an Individual’s Right against Self-incrimination?

• Constitutional Provisions:
• Article 20grants protection against arbitrary and excessive punishment to an accused person, whether citizen or foreigner or legal person like a company or a corporation. It contains three provisions in that direction:
• It contains provisions related to No ex-post-facto law, No double jeopardy, No self-incrimination.
• No self-incrimination: No person accused of any offence shall be compelled to be a witness against himself.
• The protection against self-incrimination extends to both oral evidence and documentary evidence.
• However, it does not extend to
  • compulsory production of material objects,
  • compulsion to give thumb impression, specimen signature, blood specimens, and
  • compulsory exhibition of the body.
  • Further, it extends only to criminal proceedings and not to civil proceedings or proceedings which are not of criminal nature.

General Studies Paper 2

Context: India should follow a path of multi-engagement and not multi-alignment.

 Background: India has consistently resisted international pressure to criticise Russia and its actions.

• For example, India has once again abstained from voting on a UN General Assembly resolution that condemns Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

The global order in international relations:

• After the end of the 2nd World War: A bipolar world, led by the U.S. and the Soviet Union, emerged.
• Following the disintegration of the Soviet Union (1991): Unipolarity replaced bipolarity, with the U.S. being its centre.
• However, there have been discussions about whether American unipolarity has passed and a new world order (multipolar) has emerged.

Signs of the new world order:

• China’s rapid rise
• Russia’s aggressive foreign policy – the invasion of Ukraine, challenged the post-Cold War security equilibrium in Europe.
• The S.’s ability to shape geopolitical outcomes is clearly in decline (withdrawal from Afghanistan)

Impact of this transition (from uni to multipolarity):

• Leaving the world in flux. Lack of clarity on which direction the world is headed makes policy-making harder for middle powers like India.
• While many governments (including India, Russia and China), welcome multipolarity, the U.S. remains the world’s most powerful military power.

 India and the Non-alignment success:

• When India became independent, the Cold War was in its early stages.
• India’s non-alignment foreign policy doctrine (equidistant from both blocs) did well in managing most of its (ideological and geopolitical) challenges.
• Criticised as too idealistic, India has actually been flexible in readapting itself to the changes in the global and regional equations.
• In the 1970s, after China started moving closer to the U.S., India started tilting towards the Soviet Union but stayed out of any Soviet-led military alliances.
• When the Soviet Union collapsed, India sought to transform its ties with the U.S. and integrate itself with the global economy in the new era of globalisation.
• But it also maintained close defence and strategic ties with Russia and built a vibrant economic partnership with China.

A new set of challenges for India in the new global disorder:

• S.-China’s great power contest in Asia is unfolding right in India’s neighbourhood.
• The power imbalance between India and China, tempted India to join the American bloc.
• Abandoning its strategic autonomy and joining the U.S.-led bloc would limit India’s options, besides provoking China.
• Border disputes between India and China.
• China has developed a strategic partnership with Pakistan and is raising its influence in other South Asian and Indian Ocean countries.
• So, on all fronts (including challenges to India’s maritime influence), India faces the heat of China’s rise.

Other challenges faced by India: U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan and the Taliban’s return to power.

How Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has complicated the situation for India?

• Russia is a traditional partner with which India has deep defence ties.
• As the West has moved to isolate Russia with heavy sanctions, India is under huge pressure to take a more critical position on Russia’s actions.
• The West’s move to isolate Russia in Europe would push the country further into the Chinese embrace.

Way ahead for India:

• Learning from China. In the 1970s, China broke away from the Soviet communist fold and built a quasi-alliance with the U.S. and helped the ‘imperialist bloc’ defeat the Soviet communists.
  • Once China acquired enough economic and military power, it started gradually challenging the U.S.
• Therefore, India’s primary focus should be on transforming itself economically and militarily, bridging the gap with China.
• India should present itself as a natural stabilising power in South Asia and the Indian Ocean Region, and a source of prosperity.
• To address its continental security challenges, India has to work with Eurasian powers such as Russia and Iran, both of which are at odds with the U.S.

Conclusion: India should opt for multi-engagement (not multi-alignment) for a multipolar world, creating new pillars of the new global order through engagement and partnership with middle powers.

General Studies Paper 3

• Context: The past few incidents have highlighted the vulnerabilities of our fast-expanding digital networks.The first one targeted the servers of India’s All India Institute of Medical Science(AIIMS), compromising around 40 million health records and causing a two-week-long system outage.
• Another attack involved a ransomware group, BlackCat, breaching the parent company of Solar Industries Limited, a Ministry of Defence ammunition and explosives manufacturer, and stealing over 2 Terabytes of data.
• These incidents highlight the urgent need for increased cybersecurity measures to prevent such attacks from happening in the future.

What are the Challenges related to Cyber Security?

• Recent Cyber Attacks:
  • Ransomware attacks are becoming more frequent and costly, with over 75% of Indian organizations having faced such attacks and each breach costing an average of ₹35 crore of damage.
• Vulnerability of Critical Infrastructure:
  • The lines between the physical and digital realms are blurring rapidly, making Critical infrastructure extremely vulnerable to attacks from hostile state and non-state actors.
  • Cyber capabilities can be used to undermine critical infrastructure, industry, and security, as seen in the ongoing conflict in Ukraine where electronic systems in warheads, radars, and communication devices have reportedly been rendered ineffective using hacking and GPS jamming.
• Under-Preparedness:
  • CERT-In has introduced guidelines for organizations to comply with when connected to the digital realm, but most organizations lack the tools to identify and prevent cyberattacks.
  • Also, there is an acute scarcity of cybersecurity professionals in India.
• Limited Private Sector Participation:
  • Private sector participation remains limited in India’s cybersecurity structures, and collaboration with like-minded intergovernmental and state frameworks is necessary to protect users and customers from cyber breaches.
• Added Complexity:

With more inclusion of artificial intelligence (AI) machine learning (ML), data analytics, cloud computing and Internet of Things (IoT) cyberspace will become a complex domain, giving rise to issues of a techno-legal nature.

• The introduction of 5G and the arrival of quantum computing will increase the potency of malicious software.

What are the Initiatives Regarding Cyber Security?

• Global Initiatives:
  • Budapest Convention on Cybercrime:It is an international treaty  that seeks to address Internet and computer crime by harmonizing national laws, improving investigative techniques, and increasing cooperation among nations. It came into force on 1^st July 2004. India is not a signatory to this convention.
  • Internet Governance Forum (IGF): It brings together all stakeholders i.e., government, private sector and civil society on the Internet governance debate.
  • UNGA Resolutions:The United Nations General Assembly established two processes on the issues of security in the information and communication technologies (ICT) environment.
    • The Open-ended Working Group (OEWG) through resolution by Russia
    • The Group of Governmental Experts(GGE) through resolution by USA
  • Indian Initiatives:
    • National Cyber Security Strategy 2020:It seeks to improve cyber awareness and cybersecurity through more stringent audits.Empanelled cyber auditors will look more carefully at the security features of organisations than are legally necessary now.
    • National Critical Information Infrastructure Protection Centre (NCIIPC):The NCIIPC, created under Information Technology Act, 2000, operates as the nodal agency for protection and resilience of critical information infrastructure
    • Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C):It was setup in 2020 to deal with all types of cybercrimes in a comprehensive and coordinated manner.
    • Cyber Surakshit Bharat Initiative: It was launched in 2018 with an aim to spread awareness about cybercrime and building capacity for safety measures for Chief Information Security Officers (CISOs) and frontline IT staff across all government departments.
    • Cyber Swachhta Kendra: In 2017, this platform was introduced for internet users to clean their computers and devices by wiping out viruses and malware.
    • Information Technology Act, 2000:The Act regulates use of computers, computer systems, computer networks and also data and information in electronic format.
    • National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal:It is a citizen-centric initiative which will enable citizens to report cybercrimes online and all the complaints will be accessed by the concerned law enforcement agencies for taking action as per law.
    • Computer Emergency Response Team – India (CERT-In):It is an organization of the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology which collects, analyses and disseminates information on cyber incidents, and also issues alert on cybersecurity incidents.
    • Cybersecurity Treaties:India has already signed cybersecurity treaties with countries such as the US, Russia, the UK, South Korea, and the European Union.
    • Multilateral Frameworks:Efforts are being made in multinational frameworks such as the Quad and the I2U2 to enhance cooperation in cyber incident responses, technology collaboration, capacity building, and in the improvement of cyber resilience.
    • India’s draft Digital Personal Data Protection Bill 2022:It seeks to ensure usage of personal data for lawful purposes only and proposes a penalty of up to ₹500 crore for data breaches.
    • Defence Cyber Agency (DCyA):It is created by Indian armed forces and is capable of offensive and defensive manoeuvres.

How can India Utilize G20 Summit to Build Consensus on Cyber Security?

• Utilizing the Opportunity of the G20 Summit:As the host nation for the G20 summit, India can use this opportunity to bring together all the stakeholders driving the global levers of power to discuss cybersecurity.
• Creating a Global Framework:India could take the lead in conceptualizing a global framework of common minimum acceptance for cybersecurity. This would be a significant contribution to collective security and a step towards building consensus on cybersecurity.
• Raising Awareness:India can use the G20 summit to raise awareness about cybersecurity issues, emphasizing the importance of taking preventive measures and developing effective cybersecurity policies.

What can be the Way Forward?

• International Cooperation:It is of critical importance to ensure global cooperation through information sharing and strengthening joint efforts in cybersecurity research and development as most cyberattacks originate from beyond the borders.
  • India can consider joining Budapest Convention along with Multilateral initiatives like QUAD.
• Plugging the Gaps:It is important for the corporates or the respective government departments to find the gaps in their organisations and address those gaps and create a layered security system, wherein security threat intelligence sharing is happening between different layers.
• A Truly Global Framework:It is needed as the current efforts are operating in silos. An apex body will be able to ensure operational coordination amongst various agencies.
• Coordination and Information Dissemination:Formalize the coordination and prioritization of cyber security research and development activities; disseminate vulnerability advisories and threat warnings in a timely manner.

General Studies Paper 3

• Context: Recently, India ranks 42^ndamong 55 leading global economies on the International Intellectual Property (IP) Index 2023 released by the S. Chambers of Commerce, according to which India is ripe to become a leader for emerging markets seeking to transform their economy through IP-driven innovation.
• US topped the International IP Index followed by United Kingdom and France.

What is International IP Index?

• The Index evaluates the IP framework in each economy across 50 unique indicators which industry believes represent economies with the most effective IP systems.
• The indicators create a snapshot of an economy overall IP ecosystem and span nine categories of protection:Patents, Copyrights, Trademarks, Design Rights, Trade Secrets, Commercialization of IP Assets, Enforcement, Systemic Efficiency, Membership and Ratification of International Treaties.

What is Intellectual Property?

• About:
  •  Intellectual Property (IP)refers to creations of the mind, such as inventions, literary and artistic works, symbols, names, and images used in commerce.
  • It is a form of legal protection in the form of Intellectual Property Rights (IPR)given to individuals or companies for their creative and innovative works.
    • These rights are outlined in Article 27 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.  
  • These legal protections allow the creators to control use of their work and prevent others from using or reproducing them without permission.
• Types:
  • The main types of IP include patents for inventions, trademarks for branding, copyrights for artistic and literary works, trade secrets for confidential business information, and industrial designs for product appearance.
• India and IPR:
  • India is a member of the World Trade Organisation and committed to the Agreement on Trade Related Aspects of Intellectual Property (TRIPS Agreement)
  • India is also a member of World Intellectual Property Organization, a body responsible for the promotion of the protection of intellectual property rights throughout the world.
  • The National Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) Policy 2016 was adopted in May 2016 as a vision document to guide future development of IPRs in the country.
    • Its clarion call is“Creative India; Innovative India”.
  • Issues Related to IPR:
    • Enforcement:Despite efforts to strengthen IP enforcement, piracy and counterfeiting remain significant problems in India.
      • Enforcement agencies often lack the resources and expertise to effectively combat these issues, leading to low rates of prosecution and conviction.
    • Patent Backlog:The backlog of patent applications in India is a major challenge.
      • This leads to delays in granting patents and creates uncertainty for innovators seeking to protect their inventions.
    • Lack of IP Awareness:There is still a lack of awareness and understanding of IPR among many businesses and individuals in India.
      • This can lead to inadvertent infringement of IP rights,as well as challenges in enforcing these rights.

Way Forward

• Enhancing Enforcement:India needs to strengthen its IP enforcement mechanisms, including increasing resources and expertise for enforcement agencies, improving coordination between different agencies, and streamlining legal procedures for IP disputes.
• Streamlining Regulations:India needs to simplify and streamline the regulatory environment for IPR, including reducing administrative burdens and increasing transparency in IP registration and enforcement procedures.
• Encouraging Innovation: India needs to incentivize innovation by offering tax incentives and funding for research and development, as well as promoting collaborations between industry, academia, and government.

General Studies Paper 1

• Context: In March of last year (2022), meteorologists in India issued the first heat wave warning of the year. They were anticipating an exceptionally early summer with some of India’s highest temperatures ever recorded.
• But, this year, India Meteorological Agency issued the year’s first heat wave advisory in February. It stated that regions of India’s western region could reach temperatures of 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit or higher (37C). Some parts of India, on the other hand, are experiencing temperatures that are exceptional for mid-March and are at least 9 degrees above averag Experts are concerned about the exceptionally high temperatures.
• Similarly, several parts of Europe witnessed an unprecedented winter heat wave at the beginning of 2023. The Washington Post report called it an “extreme event”. Experts said that temperatures increased 10 to 20 degrees Celsius above normal.
• According to the report, at least seven countries recorded their hottest January weather ever. These included Poland, Denmark, the Czech Republic, the Netherlands, Belarus, Lithuania, and Latvia.
• Therefore, it becomes important to understand the reason behind the winter heat wave that has become a global phenomenon this year.

Factors causing winter heat waves:

In India

• Weak Western Disturbances: Western disturbance is the factor that keeps the temperature in control during Feb and march. However, this year, western disturbances have been weak due to which wind is lacking moisture for adequate rainfall. It is causing dry spells over the plains and subdued rainfall or snowfall over hills
• Climate change:In terms of climate change, the Middle East is warming faster than other regions near the equator, and it is acting as a source of warm air that blows toward India.
• Anti-cyclone formation:The anticyclone is forming over the northeastern part of the Arabian Sea, which has now moved over southwest Rajasthan. Due to this anticyclone, hot and dry winds from Balochistan, South Sindh, and Thar Desert are reaching northwest India as well as Gujarat, Maharashtra, and Karnataka.
• Possibility of El Nino Year:The last three years have been La Nia years. Scientists have predicted a high likelihood that this year will be an El Nino year. It has a significant impact on weather and climate patterns and is linked to drought and poor monsoons in India. This may also contribute to a winter heat wave in India.

In Europe

• Heat dome:According to the Washington Post, the European continent is experiencing an unusually warm spell due to the creation of a heat dome over the region.

Other General Factors

• Air flowing in from the northwest rolls in over the mountains of Afghanistan and Pakistan, so some of the compression also happens on the leeward side of these mountains, entering India with a bristling warmth.
• Lapse rate– the rate at which temperatures cool from the surface to the upper atmosphere – is declining under global warming. In other words, global warming tends to warm the upper atmosphere faster than the air near the surface. This in turn means that the sinking air is warmer due to global warming, and thus produces heat waves as it sinks and compresses.

What are heat waves?

• Qualitatively, heat wave is a condition of air temperature which becomes fatal to the human body when exposed. Quantitatively, it is defined based on the temperature thresholds over a region in terms of actual temperature or its departure from normal. In certain countries, it is defined in terms of the heat index based on temperature and humidity or based on the extreme percentile of the temperatures.

How heat waves are different from Heat domes?

• While both are connected, they are not the same. Weather patterns with a high-pressure system aloft and sinking air at the surface are called heat domes. Whereas A heat wave is a lengthy period of extremely hot weather that can be generated by a variety of weather patterns, including heat domes, as well as other factors such as a strong ridge of high pressure or a lack of cloud cover.

Implications of heat waves:

• Reduced agricultural productivity: Crops, like human bodies, thrive within a fairly narrow range of temperatures. While a small temperature increase can lead some plants to produce more, heat over 90 degrees Fahrenheit leads to a sharp drop in yields for grains like wheat, chickpeas, and mustard seeds. Last year’s (2022) heat brought wheat production down by roughly 10 percent or almost 11 million metric tons. This year has already seen not just issues with wheat production, but also with chickpeas and mustard seeds — crucial Indian crops.
• Low rainfall: A lack of moisture in the winds restricts the amount of winter rain and snow in certain Himalayan cities, resulting in record-breaking temperatures.
• Economic consequences: Employees are less productive during hot weather, even if they work inside, while children struggle to learn in extreme heat, resulting in lower lifetime earnings which in turn hurts future economic growth. A 2018 study found that the economies of US states tend to grow at a slower pace during hot summers. “The data shows that annual growth falls 0.15 to 0.25 percentage points for every 1 degree Fahrenheit that a state’s average summer temperature was above normal.”
• Energy crisis: Moreover, a coal shortage last year (2021-2022) led to a fuel crisis in India’s thermal power plants, as electricity demand for air conditioners and fans shot up alongside a recovering post-pandemic economy. One study anticipates that by 2100, greater use of air conditioning could increase residential energy consumption by 83% globally.
• Health impacts: That health can suffer greatly without spring during the transition from winter to summer. The heat index, a combination of heat and humidity, is often used to convey this danger by indicating what the temperature will feel like to most people. The high humidity also reduces the amount of cooling at night. Warm nights can leave people without air conditioners unable to cool off, which increases the risk of heat illnesses and deaths. With global warming, temperatures are already higher.
• Equity and justice: Not everyone experiences heat waves in the same ways and the ill effects of heat impact most heavily those in already-disadvantaged groups.

Strategies to deal with heat waves:

Global

• The United Farm Workers are doing everything they can to get a new national heat regulating measure passed.
• Climate activists are continuing their campaigns for the requirements of a Green New Deal, including the need that public housing be environmentally friendly, and are also continuing their efforts to halt the development of fossil fuel

India

Prior to 2015

• Prior to 2015, there was no comprehensive national strategy to combat heat waves.
• According to the NDMA, before 2015, it was mostly up to the state governments to deal with disaster risk
• Heat waves have been declared a local disaster in Chhattisgarh, Odisha, Kerala, Rajasthan, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, and
• Under the rules for disaster relief in place at the national level, heat waves were not considered to be a disaster. But, state governments were authorized to spend up to 10 percent of funds under certain heads for the heat wave

After 2015

• After 2015, the natural disaster started figuring in the priority list of topmost officials in the country including the Prime Minister as chairman of the
• Following this in 2016, the NDMA drew up the first national guidelines for heat waves titled ‘Preparation of Action Plan–Prevention and Management of Heat Wave‘.
• The guidelines were twice revised, first in 2017 and then in 2019. They were enriched with recommendations for more specific actions, based on scientific inputs derived from various research papers, reports, and best practices in heat wave assessment and mapping
• Ward-level Heat Action Plans have improved cities’ and states’ capacity to manage heat stress and respond to heat wave-related
• The revisions in 2019 included a new section, ‘Built Environment’; the revisions focused on short-term, medium-term, and long-term measures for heat wave risk
• Fixing responsibility: The National Guidelines on Heat Wave spell out in a matrix format the roles and responsibilities of central and state government agencies, district administrations, local self-governments, NGOs, civil society organizations, and other stakeholders.

Way forward:

• Over the years, the NDMA has also taken a host of measures that include rescheduling of working hoursfor outdoor workers, the creation of drinking water kiosks, the supply of water through tankers, the erection of special shelter homes, an increase in health facilities, the stocking of ORS packets at health centers and the nearest anganwadi centers, the placement of cooling systems, and construction of gaushalas with fodder banks, etc. However, there are more steps that can be take:

1. States need to compare mortality numbers to previous years to ascertain heat-related deaths, a data set that is underdeveloped in the country.
2. Awareness should be created of the symptoms of heat stroke and its consequences as also the precautions that should be taken.
3. The Medical and Health department should keep stock of ORS, IV fluids, glucose, Pot Chlor (Potassium Chloride), derma allergic creams, and other essentials in adequate quantities while it should ensure uninterrupted telephone link to all its facilities (institutions) so that people in distress could make emergency contact with them.
4. The village secretaries and other officials concerned should conduct gram sabhas and publicize the do’s and don’ts besides ensuring dependable water
5. Persons hailing from the weaker sections who suffer heat strokes should be given free treatment at government hospitals while effort should be made to rope in NGOs and other voluntary bodies to run water and butter milk supply centres.
6. There is a need to adapt their buildings, infrastructure, and working hours to higher temperatures.
7. There are also benefits to so-called ‘urban greening’, where more trees and other vegetation can help to cool down cities and towns.

General Studies Paper 3

Context:

• Agriculture is the mainstay of Indian economy, despite the rise of manufacturing and services sectors. The sector contributes 15% to the GDP and provides livelihood to almost two-thirds of the total working population in the country. Agriculture is also the key source of raw materials for textile, sugar, food, medicine (primarily Ayurveda), and new age health and fitness products. Like other industries agriculture, especially irrigation, requires substantial energy inputs. According to estimates, agriculture uses 20% of electricity consumed at national level. Farmers have installed nine million diesel pump sets for groundwater irrigation. The high consumption of power in the agriculture sector is concerning especially in context of India’s climate goals. The Government has set a target to eliminate the use of diesel in the sector by 2024, thus making the agriculture power sector green. Renewable energy (RE) has emerged as the most viable and sustainable option to address the environment concerns. It can also boost farmer income and conserve natural resources. The Government has taken several steps to empower farmers with RE Systems to make them energy self-sufficient. The Union Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) administers several Central Government-sponsored initiatives and facilitates associated research, design, development, and manufacturing to promote RE systems/devices in agriculture.

Renewable Sources to Power Agriculture Sector

Biogas

• Biogas is one of the most popular and versatile form of RE deployed extensively in rural India to serve many purposes. At present, over five million biogas plants of various capacities are operational in the country. Biogas plants generate the high calorific value (5,000 kcal per cu.m.) gas by decomposition of organic materials such as cattle dung, agricultural wastes, poultry droppings, night soil and municipal wastes.
• Biogas is used as clean fuel for cooking, lighting, motive power etc. It is also used in diesel engines to substitute diesel up to 80%, however, 100% replacement of diesel may be achieved by using Biogas Engines. The digested slurry from biogas plants, a by-product, is used as a nutrient enriched organic manure for improving crop yield and also maintain soil health.
• Biogas plants help with waste management, reduce energy costs, improve soil fertility and curb carbon emissions. Proper waste management on farms leads to better cleanliness and hygiene which improves the living conditions and health of the community. The biogas sector has helped generate employment for both skilled and unskilled rural people.
• Government of India is promoting installation of biogas plants by providing subsidy through two major schemes:
• (a)New National Biogas and Organic Manure Programme (NNBOMP) for biogas plants in size range of 1 cu.m. to 25 cu.m. per day;
• (b) Biogas Power Generation (off-grid) and Thermal Energy Application Programme (BPGTP) for setting up biogas plants in the size range of 30 cu.m. to 2500 cu.m. per day. This corresponds to power generation capacity range of 3 kW to 250 kW for thermal energy/cooling applications.
• GOBARdhan: The Government of India has launched a dedicated GOBARdhan (Galvanising Organic Bio-Agro Resources Dhan) scheme (Swachh Bharat Mission Grameen Phase-2) with twin objectives:
•  (a)To make the villages clean;
• (b) Generate clean power from organic wastes. The scheme also aims to increase income of farmers by converting biodegradable waste into compressed biogas (CBG). Technical and financial assistance under the scheme is attracting entrepreneurs for establishing community based CBG plants in rural areas. CBG is a purified form of biogas (98% purity of methane content) which makes it suitable for use as green and clean fuel for transportation or filling in cylinders at high pressure (250 bar). Scheme is also promoting rural employment and income generation opportunities for rural youth and others.
• Recently, Asia’s largest CBG plant was inaugurated at Sangrur, Punjab with an FDI investment of INR 220 crores. CBG plant offers a much needed substitute for burning crop stubbles. The Sangrur plant can consume 300 tonnes of paddy straw every day.  It is claimed that this plant will reduce the burning of stubble on 40,000-45,000 acres of fields, resulting in an annual reduction of 150,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions. This will help India meet its CoP-26 climate change targets of reducing carbon emissions.

Biomass

• Biomass is another potential source of RE in rural India that provides power for household needs and irrigation. Biomass materials used for power generation primarily include bagasse, rice husk, straw, crop waste and agricultural residues. A study estimated surplus biomass availability at about 230 million metric tones per annum covering agricultural residues corresponding to a power potential of 28GW.
• MNRE has been implementing biomass power/cogeneration programs since mid-90s. Over 800 biomass power and bagasse/ non-bagasse cogeneration projects aggregating to over 10,206 MW capacity have been installed with central financial assistance from the Government of India.
• Power from biomass is generated by installing biomass gasifiers in proximity to the source of raw materials to reduce costs. In Bihar, a gasifier based business model for power generation and distribution uses rice-husk as source material. A series of more than 80 biomass gasifier plants supplies power to nearly 300 villages and hamlets on payment basis. People generally use electricity for household, business lighting, charging of mobile phones and operation of irrigation pumpsets. Irrigation pumps powered by rice-husk electricity are cheaper, long lasting and more eco-friendly than diesel powered pumps. Irrigation facility at low cost allows farmers to increase crop intensity and also improves crop yield. It can help reduce the emission intensity of power use in agriculture sector.

Solar

• Government of India has made a strong commitment to explore and tap the vast potential of solar energy for driving the development of various economic sectors vis-à-vis meeting the targets of COP-26. Addressing the energy concerns in agriculture sector, a large number of solar devices/ equipments have been developed and deployed that include solar water pumps, solar dryers, solar dusters etc.

PM-KUSUM

• PM-KUSUM (Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Surkasha Evan Utthaan Mahaabhiyan) scheme, launched in 2019, has emerged as a real game changer for energy security of farming community and greening the power use in agriculture sector. It is one of the largest initiatives of the world to provide clean energy to more than 35 lakh farmers and enhance their income. The scheme is being implemented through its three components with specific objectives.
• Component A: Decentralised Grid Connected Solar Power Plants (Target – 10,000 MW): This component intends to make farmers ‘Urja Data‘ by installing small solar power plant (up to 2 MW capacity) on barren, fallow, pasture or marshy land, and selling the generated power to electricity Distribution Companies (DISCOMS) on a pre-determined rate. In case of cultivated lands, solar panels may be set up in such a manner that chosen crops may grow under the panels. In addition to individual farmers, cooperatives, panchayats, and Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) can also be beneficiary under the scheme.
• A farmer may earn up to INR 25,000 per acre per year if the plant is installed by a developer; and up to INR 65,000 if the plant is installed individually through loan. The RBI has notified this component under priority sector lending that allows competitive rates and soft terms. The Union Government provides financial incentive to DISCOMS for purchase of power from such solar plants. About 73.45 MW cumulative capacity of small solar plants have been installed under this component so far, out of which 48.2 MW has been added during 2022.
• Component B: Installation of Standalone Solar Powered Agriculture Pumps (Target – 20 lakh): Under this component, individual farmers can replace their existing diesel pumps with solar pumps through Central Financial Assistance (30% of the benchmark cost) and State Government’s subsidy (30%). The remaining 40% will be borne by the farmer, but bank finance for 30% is available, so farmer will have to initially pay only 10% of the cost.
• Groups of farmers, water user associations and community/ cluster-based irrigation systems are also eligible for financial assistance. All solar pumps installed under the scheme will be equipped with remote monitoring systems to facilitate their monitoring on a real time basis. Solar pumps will reduce the irrigation costs of about INR 50,000 per year for a 5 HP pump.
• Component C: Solarisation of existing Grid-connected agriculture pumps (Target – 15 lakh): Under this component, exclusive power feeders for agricultural purposes will be solarised by installing solar power plants of required capacity. The farmer will get day time reliable power for irrigation free of cost or at a tariff as fixed by their respective States.
• In addition to day time reliable power and increase in farmer’s income, the scheme also has direct employment generation potential. According to estimates, each solar installation creates ~ 25 job years per MW. After complete implementation, the scheme will lead to an annual reduction of 1.38 billion litres in diesel consumption per year, thus, reducing the import bill on account of petroleum products. The scheme will also lead to reducing carbon emissions by as much as 32 million tones per annum.

Solar PV (Photo Voltaic) Pumping Systems

• Among many solar devices/equipments developed so far, solar water pumps are the most popular ones with wide scale adoption across the country. Technically called Solar PV (Photo Voltaic) pumping systems, these are of great utility specifically in low head situations like water lifting from canals, shallow wells and dug wells, farm ponds etc. Solar PV systems can be best used with pressurized systems. Large size solar pumps in a canal command area to irrigate crops with sprinklers.

Conclusion

• Renewable Energy can play a vital role in providing power to agriculture sector. Due to immense potential and scope of renewable energy in agriculture sector, Government is focusing on decentralised RE systems and products. MNRE has recently released a framework (2022) to promote RE based applications that are used for earning livelihoods. A special focus on engaging all stakeholders, skill development and capacity building would scale up RE-based livelihood applications. However, financing for the end-users and enterprises would be critical to enable the adoption of solutions and scale-up of the sector. There has been a visible impact of renewable energy in the Indian agriculture during the last few years. RE based decentralised and distributed applications have benefitted millions of farmers in villages by meeting their energy needs in an environment friendly manner.