General Studies Paper 2

• Context: Union Budget 2023-2024  has allocated nearly Rs 100 crore for the National Action for Mechanized Sanitation Ecosystem (NAMASTE) and the government is looking to enable 100% mechanical desludging of septic tanks and sewers in all cities and towns.
• The process of extending the Scheme to all the Urban Local Bodies (ULBs)  of the country has been initiated.

NAMASTE Scheme:

• It was launched in 2022 as a Central Sector Scheme.
• The scheme is being undertaken jointly by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs and the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment (MoSJE) and aims to eradicate unsafe sewer and septic tank cleaning practices.

• Objectives:
  • Zero fatalities in sanitation work in India.
  • All sanitation work is performed by skilled workers.
  • No sanitation workers come in direct contact with human faecal matter.
  • Sanitation workers are collectivised into Self Help Groups (SHGs)  and are empowered to run sanitation enterprises.
  • Strengthened supervisory and monitoring systems at National, State and Urban Local Body (ULB) levels to ensure enforcement and monitoring of safe sanitation work.
  • Increased awareness among sanitation services seekers (individuals and institutions) to seek services from registered and skilled sanitation workers.

Key Features of the Scheme to be Implemented in all ULBs:

• Identification:NAMASTE envisages identifying the Sewer/Septic Tank Workers (SSWs).
• Occupational Training and distribution of PPE Kits to SSWs.
• Assistance for Safety Devices to Sanitation Response Units (SRUs).
• Extending Health Insurance Scheme Benefits to identified SSWs and their families under the Ayushman Bharat- Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY).
• Livelihood Assistance: The Action Plan will promote mechanization and enterprise development by providing funding support and subsidy (capital +interest) to the sanitation workers, to procure sanitation related equipments.
• IEC (Information Education and Communication) Campaign:Massive campaigns would be undertaken jointly by the ULBs & NSKFDC (National Safai Karamcharis Finance & Development Corporation) to spread awareness about the interventions of NAMASTE.

What is Manual Scavenging?

• Manual scavenging is defined as “the removal of human excrement from public streets and dry latrines, cleaning septic tanks, gutters and sewers”.
• India banned the practice under the Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation Act, 2013 (PEMSR).
  • The Act recognizes manual scavenging as a “dehumanizing practice.

Steps taken to tackle the Menace of Manual Scavenging:

• The Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation (Amendment) Bill, 2020:
  • It proposes to completely mechanise sewer cleaning, introduce ways for ‘on-site’ protection and provide compensation to manual scavengers in case of sewer deaths.
  • It will be an amendment to The Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation Act, 2013.
  • It is still awaiting cabinet approval.
• The Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation Act, 2013:
  • Superseding the 1993 Act, the 2013 Act goes beyond prohibitions on dry latrines, and outlaws all manual excrement cleaning of insanitary latrines, open drains, or pits.
• The Building and Maintenance of Insanitary Latrines Act of 2013:
  • It outlaws construction or maintenance of unsanitary toilets, and the hiring of anybody for their manual scavenging, as well as of hazardous cleaning of sewers and septic tanks.
• Prevention of Atrocities Act:
  • In 1989, the Prevention of Atrocities Act  became an integrated guard for sanitation workers, more than 90% people employed as manual scavengers belonged to the Scheduled Caste. This became an important landmark to free manual scavengers from designated traditional occupations.
• SC Judgment:
  • In 2014, a  Supreme Court order made it mandatory for the government to identify all those who died in sewage work since 1993 and provide Rs. 10 lakh each as compensation to their families.

General Studies Paper 3

• Context:  India’s nuclear power capacity experienced a significant increase. By 2021-22, it had risen to 47,112 Million Units.
• In 2017, the government gave simultaneous approval for 11 indigenous pressurised heavy water reactors with a total capacity of 7,000 MegaWatts.

What is the Status of India’s Nuclear Energy?

• Nuclear energy is the fifth-largest source of electricity for India which contributes about 3% of the total electricity generation in the country.
• India has over 22 nuclear reactors in 7 powerplants across the country which produces 6780 MW of nuclear power. In addition, one reactor,   Kakrapar Atomic Power Project (KAPP-3) has also been connected to the grid in January- 2021.
  • 18 reactors are Pressurised Heavy Water Reactors (PHWRs) and 4 are Light Water Reactors (LWRs).
  • KAPP-3is the India’s first 700 MWe unit, and the biggest indigenously developed variant of the PHWR.
• Recent Developments:
  • Joint Ventures with Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs):
    • Government has also allowed Joint Ventures with PSUs to enhance India’s nuclear program.
    • As a result, the Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL)  is now in two joint ventures with the National Thermal Power Corporation Limited (NTPC) and the Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL).
  • Expansion of Nuclear Installations:
    • In the past,India’s nuclear installations were mostly located in South India or in Maharashtra and Gujarat in the west.
      • However, the government is now promoting its expansion to other parts of the country. As an example, the upcoming nuclear power plant in Gorakhpur town of Haryana, which will become operational in the near future.
    • India’s Indigenous Move:
      • The world’s first thorium-based nuclear plant,“Bhavni,” using Uranium-233, is being set up at Kalpakkam in Tamil Nadu.
      • This plant will be entirely indigenous and will be the first of its kind. The experimental thorium plant “Kamini”  already exists in Kalpakkam.
    • Challenges:
      • Limited Domestic Resources:India has limited domestic resources of uranium, which is the fuel for nuclear reactors.
        • This has forced the country to import a significant portion of its uranium requirements, making the country’s nuclear energy program vulnerable to global market conditions and political tensions.
      • Public Opposition:The construction of nuclear power plants often faces opposition from local communities due to concerns over the safety of the reactors and the potential impact on the environment.
      • Technical Challenges:The development of nuclear power plants involves complex technical challenges, including the design and construction of reactors, the management of nuclear waste, and the maintenance of nuclear safety standards.
      • International Sanctions:India is not a member of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) and has faced international sanctions in the past for its nuclear weapons program.
        • This has limited its access to advanced nuclear technology and fuel supplies from other countries.
      • Regulatory Barriers:The regulatory framework for the development of nuclear power in India is complex and has been criticised for being slow and bureaucratic, leading to delays in the implementation of projects.

How India Can Enhance its Nuclear Power Capacity?

• Overcoming Public Opposition:Addressing public concerns and increasing public awareness about the safety of nuclear power is critical to overcoming opposition to the construction of new reactors.
  • This can be achieved through transparent communication and consultation with local communities, as well as the implementation of rigorous safety standards.
• Technical Innovation:To overcome the technical challenges faced by the nuclear energy sector, India needs to focus on innovation in reactor design, waste management, and safety systems.
  • This could involve investment in research and development and the deployment of advanced technologies.
• Financial Sustainability: To overcome the financial challenges faced by the nuclear energy sector, India needs to find ways to make nuclear energy more cost-competitive with other forms of energy.
  • This could involve reducing construction and operation costs, as well as developing innovative financing models.
• Improving International Collaboration:India needs to strengthen its international partnerships to overcome the limitations posed by international sanctions and access to advanced nuclear technology and fuel supplies.
  • This could involve the development of joint ventures with other countries, the participation in international research initiatives, and the negotiation of nuclear trade agreements.

General Studies Paper 3

Context:

In the  Union Budget 2023-24,  the government has set a disinvestment    target of Rs 51,000 crore, down nearly 21% from the budget estimate for the current year and just Rs 1,000 crore more than the revised estimate. It is also the lowest target in seven years.

What is Disinvestment?

• The disinvestment process involves the sale of government stake in public sector enterprises to strategic or financial buyers,either through the sale of shares on stock exchanges or through the sale of shares directly to buyers.
• The proceeds from the disinvestment are used to finance various social and infrastructure projects and to reduce the government’s fiscal deficit.

• Approaches:
  • Minority Disinvestment:The government retains a majority in the company, typically greater than 51%, thus ensuring management control.
  • Majority Divestment:The government hands over control to the acquiring entity but retains some stake.
  • Complete Privatisation: 100% control of the company is passed on to the buyer.
• Process:
  • In India, the disinvestment process is conducted by the Department of Investment and Public Asset Management (DIPAM), which comes under the Ministry of Finance.
  • The primary objective of DIPAM is to manage the government’s investments in public sector enterprises and to oversee the disinvestment of government equity in these enterprises.
  • Government had constituted the National Investment Fund (NIF) in 2005 into which the proceeds from disinvestment of Central Public Sector Enterprises were to be channelized.
    

Need For Disinvestment:

• Reduce the Fiscal Burden:The government may disinvest in order to reduce the fiscal burden or bridge the revenue shortfall for that year.
  • It also uses disinvestment proceeds to finance the fiscal deficit, to invest in the economy and development or social sector programmes, and to retire government debt.
• Encourages Private Player:Disinvestment also encourages private ownership of assets and trading in the open market.
  • Encourage private sector investment in the economy, as it signals the government’s commitment to reforms and to creating a more conducive business environment.
  • If successful, it also means that the government does not have to fund the losses of a loss-making unit anymore.
• Improves Efficiency:By divesting from public sector enterprises, the government can improve the efficiency and competitiveness of these enterprises, as private sector ownership and management can bring in new ideas and a more market-oriented approach.
• Better Allocation of Resources:The government can reallocate the resources freed up through disinvestment towards other priorities, such as social and infrastructure development.
• Increases Transparency:Disinvestment can bring in greater transparency and accountability in the functioning of public sector enterprises, as private sector ownership and management can lead to more stringent financial and operational reporting.

How has Disinvestment Fared in Recent Years?

• Since 2014, the government has met (and overachieved) its disinvestment targets twice.
  • In 2017-18, the government earned disinvestment receipts of a little over ₹1 lakh crore as against a target of ₹72,500 crore, and in 2018-19, it brought in ₹94,700 crore when the target was set at ₹80,000 crore.
• The Government has not met the disinvestment target for 2022-23 so far, having realised Rs 31,106 crore to date, of which, Rs 20,516 crore or close to a third of the budgeted estimate came from the IPO (Initial Public Offering)  of 3.5% of its shares in the Life Insurance Corporation (LIC).

What is the Disinvestment Plan in 2023-24?

• The Centre is not going to add new companies to the list of CPSEs to be divested in 2023-24.
• The government has decided to stick to the already-announced and planned privatisation of State-owned companies.
  • These include IDBI Bank, the Shipping Corporation of India (SCI), the Container Corporation of India Ltd (Concor), NMDC Steel Ltd, BEML, HLL Lifecare, and so on.
  • Incidentally, the disinvestments of Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited, SCI, and ConCor had been approved by the government in 2019 but have not gone through yet.

Challenges of Disinvestment in India:

• Political Opposition: Disinvestment is a politically sensitive issue in India, and the process has often been opposed by political parties and trade unions who are opposed to the sale of public sector enterprises.
• Valuation Issues:The valuation of public sector enterprises can be a challenge, as these enterprises may not be able to compete effectively in the market due to their bureaucratic and non-market-oriented structures.
• Labor Issues:Disinvestment can also lead to labor-related issues, as workers in public sector enterprises may fear job losses or wage cuts following the sale of these enterprises.
• Lack of Interest from Buyers:In some cases, the government may struggle to find buyers for its stakes in public sector enterprises, especially if these enterprises are not performing well financially.
• Regulatory Challenges:The process of disinvestment is subject to a range of regulations and approval processes, which can slow down the process and add to its complexity.
• Legal Challenges: The process of disinvestment can also be challenged in the courts, as litigants may challenge the validity of the sale or the terms and conditions under which it was conducted.

Way Forward

• Overall, disinvestment is seen as an important tool for promoting economic growth and development in India. The government in India has continued to pursue its disinvestment program, with the objective of generating revenue, improving the efficiency of public sector enterprises, and promoting economic growth and helping create a more dynamic and sustainable economy.

General Studies Paper 1

• Context: Recently, a new study has been published on Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF)   which threatens millions of people globally.
• It is the first global attempt to map potential hotspots for such floods.The study assessed the conditions of glacial lakes and the number of people living downstream from them, which has also increased significantly.

Key Highlights of the Report:

• Vulnerability:
  • Up to 15 million people face the risk of catastrophic flooding   from glacial lakes which could burst their natural dams at any moment.
  • Those facing the greatest threat live in mountainous countries in Asia and South America.
    • The majority of the globally exposed population– 9.3 million (62%) are located in the region of high mountain Asia (HMA).
    • In Asia, around one million people live within just 10 km of a glacial lake.
  • People living in India, Pakistan, Peru and China account for over half of those at risk(globally).
• Most Dangerous Basins:
  • The most dangerous of Glacial basins are found in Pakistan (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa basin), Peru (Santa basin) and Bolivia (Beni basin) containing 1.2 million, 0.9 million and 0.1 million people respectively who could be exposed to GLOF impacts.
  • Glaciers across the Andes  (S America) have undergone rapid deglaciation over the last 20 years in response to climate changes.
• Threat to India:
  • In the Himalayas, 25 glacial lakes and water bodies have witnessed an increase in water spread area since 2009.
  • There has been a 40% increase in water spread in India, China and Nepal, posing a huge threat to seven Indian states and Union Territories.
    • Of these,six are Himalayan states / UTs: Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Assam and Arunachal Pradesh.
  • The rapid onset and high discharge of GLOFs means there is often insufficient time to effectively warn downstream populations and for effective action to be taken, particularly for populations located within 10-15 km of the source lake.
• Impact:
  • The floods that follow come thick and fast, in many cases being powerful enough to destroy vital infrastructure.
  • GLOF has the potential to catastrophically threaten people’s lives, livelihoods and regional infrastructure.
• Suggestions:
  • Improvements are urgently needed in designing Early Warning Systems  alongside evacuation drills and other forms of community outreach to enable more rapid warnings and emergency action in these highly exposed areas.

What is a GLOF?

• About:
  • A glacial lake outburst flood (GLOF) is a type of catastrophic flood that occurs when the dam containing a glacial lake fails, releasing a large volume of water.
  • This type of flood is typically caused by rapid melting of glaciers or the buildup of water in the lake due to heavy precipitation or the inflow of meltwater.
    • In February 2021, Chamoli district in Uttarakhand witnessed flash floods which are suspected to have been caused by GLOFs.
  • Causes:
    • These floods can be triggered by a number of factors, including changes in the volume of the glacier,changes in the water level of the lake, and earthquakes.
    • According to NDMA (National Disaster Management Authority),  glacial retreat due to climate change occurring in most parts of the Hindu Kush Himalayas has given rise to the formation of numerous new glacial lakes, which are the major cause of GLOFs.

What are the NDMA’s Guidelines to Tackle Glacial Burst?

• Identifying Potentially Dangerous Lakes:
  • Potentially dangerous lakes can be identified based on field observations, records of past events,geomorphologic and geotechnical characteristics of the lake/dam and surroundings, and other physical conditions.
• Use of Technology:
  • Promoting use of Synthetic-Aperture Radar imagery (a form of radar that is used to create two-dimensional images) to automatically detect changes in water bodies, including new lake formations, during the monsoon months.
• Channeling Potential Floods:
  • Reducing the volume of water with methods such as controlled breaching, pumping or siphoning out water, and making a tunnel through the moraine barrier or under an ice dam.
• Uniform Codes for Construction Activity:
  • Developing a broad framework for infrastructure development, construction and excavation in vulnerable zones.
  • There is a need to accept procedures for land use planning in the GLOF prone areas.
• Enhancing Early Warning Systems (EWS):
  • The number of implemented and operational GLOF EWS is very small, even at the global scale.
  • In the Himalayan region, there are at least three reported instances (two in Nepal and one in China) of implementation of sensor- and monitoring-based technical systems for GLOF early warning.
• Training Local Manpower:
  • Apart from pressing specialised forces such as  National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), ITBP and the Army, NDMA has emphasised the need for trained local manpower.
  • It has been observed that over 80% of search and rescue is carried out by the local community before the intervention of the state machinery and specialised search and rescue teams.
• Comprehensive Alarm Systems:
  • Besides classical alarm infrastructure consisting of acoustic alarms by sirens, modern communication technology using cell and smartphones can complement or even replace traditional alarming infrastructure.

General Studies Paper 3

• Context: Business Correspondents (BCs) are the vital cog for the financial inclusion strategy of every bank, with over 95% of banking outlets in rural regions being operated by them. Critically relevant for women customers, BCs have been able to conduct banking transactions, from the convenience of their homes (or nearby their homes), cutting down the transportation cost, time and hesitancy barriers.
• BCs are intermediaries who offer financial services on behalf of financial institutions,such as banks and microfinance organizations, in areas where it is difficult or costly to set up traditional branches. BCs use various delivery channels, including mobile technology, to bring financial services to the doorsteps of underbanked populations.
• Many people, especially those in rural and underprivileged areas, face significant barriers to accessing financial services. This is where Business Correspondents (BCs) come into play.
• Despite the proliferation of BCs, the representation of female BCs is dismally low and the available figures suggest that they form less than 10% of the total BC network. In the current ecosystem, there are still some challenges that make this profession unviable for them and require urgent attention to increase financial inclusion.

Challenges with Women BCs:

• Lack of Financial Inclusion:
  • Many WBCs face difficulties in accessing financial services and credit to grow their businesses due to their lower socio-economic status and lack of collateral.
• Digital Illiteracy:
  • A large number of WBCs are not familiar with digital technology and lack the necessary skills to use digital financial services effectively.
• Minimum Qualification:
  • Minimum qualification is another hurdle that hinders the on boarding of female BCs,especially in underserved rural areas.
  • The current BC/Business Facilitator certification mandated by the RBI from the Indian Institute of Banking and Finance provides a10^th pass as the minimum qualification to appear for the examination.
    • However, many banks have made this onerous by keeping their minimum qualification as 12^th
  • Societal Attitudes:
    • WBCs often face societal attitudes that view women as homemakers and not as entrepreneurs, which can limit their opportunities to grow their businesses.
  • Lack of Support from Government and Financial Institutions:
    • WBCs often lack support from government and financial institutions, which makes it difficult for them to access the resources they need to grow their businesses.
  • Safety Concerns:
    • Many WBCs operate in rural areas where there is a high risk of violence and crime,which can limit their mobility and put them in danger when they are out conducting transactions.
  • Limited Financial Support:
    • There is limited additional financial support provided by Business Correspondent Network Managers or the banks to address the socio-economic hurdles such as mobility and safety faced by a female BC.

Other Challenges with Financial Inclusion in India:

• Lack of Awareness:
  • Many individuals and small businesses in rural and remote areas are unaware of the financial services available to them and their benefits.
• Digital Literacy:
  • With the rise of digital financial services, there is a need for digital literacy and access to technology, which is still lacking in many parts of India.
• Infrastructure:
  • Inadequate physical infrastructure such as roads, telecommunication network and power supply hampers the reach of financial services to remote and rural areas.
• Cost:
  • The cost of providing financial services in remote and rural areas is higher due to the lack of infrastructure, which makes it uneconomical for financial institutions.
• Trust:
  • Building trust among unbanked populations is a major challenge, as many individuals are distrustful of formal financial institutions due to a lack of experience or previous negative experiences.

How can Women BCs help in Deepening Financial Inclusion?

• Rapport:They are capable of buiding a rapport with diverse customer groups and promoting demand-driven incremental revenue while promoting small savings schemes and social security offerings.
• Transparency:The higher number of women agents can increase system transparency. Women BC agents have more patience and are more willing to address queries or explain product features.
• Encourage Other Females: Female customers are willing to share their family’s financial issues and needs more openly with female BC agents leading to a better understanding of product sell.
• Performance:On the performance front, female BC agents bring similar or more business and might serve more of the underserved. They are more likely to serve customers in remote areas, the elderly, and other underserved sections of the population, according to customer perspectives. They are less susceptible to malpractices and are less prone to commit fraudulent acts towards customers.

What are the Related Steps taken?

• One Gram Panchayat One BC Sakhi:
  • It was initiated by the Ministry of Rural Development as an ambitious plan to increase these numbers and deploy at least one BC Sakhi in every Gram Panchayat   by the end of 2023-24.
  • Studies indicate that female BCs show higher profitability, wider cross-selling of financial products and lower attrition rates.
  • During the lockdown, Self-Help Group (SHG) members engaged as BC Sakhis (female banker friend) played a crucial role in creating awareness and enabling access to  Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojana cash transfers and other Direct Benefit Transfers  at the doorstep as well as reducing the rush of the beneficiaries at bank branches.
• Other Schemes:
  • Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana
  • Digital Identity (Aadhaar)
  • National Centre for Financial Education (NCFE)
  • Centre for Financial Literacy (CFL) Project

Way Forward:

• Designing Gendered Recruitment Strategy to attract BCs:
  • By designing a gendered recruitment strategy to attract more women BCs , including setting specific targets for their staff and corporate BCs, and training and incentivising corporate BCs to identify potential women candidates can help overcome the structural barriers that women face.
  • The key is to reduce entry barriers by taking favourable actions such as providing equipment and rental support (rather than requiring women to make upfront capital investments), adding incentives such as an initial stipend for the first year, solving mobility issues, offering flexible hours of operation and providing protection to women BCs and their families, on the lines of health insurance, etc. which will encourage more women to opt in.
  • Finally, creating a supportive environment for women BCs through training, mentoring, ensuring ongoing support (through dedicated officials) and creating women agent communities, will then help them thrive long term.
• Expansion of Digital Infrastructure:
  • The Indian government and financial institutions can focus on expanding digital infrastructure, such as broadband connectivity and mobile phone penetration, to reach remote and underdeveloped areas.
  • This will enable people to access financial services from the comfort of their homes.
• Promotion of Digital Literacy:
  • Promoting digital literacy among the population particularly among those who are less educated and live in rural areas is also needed.
    • This can be achieved through various initiatives, such as financial literacy programs and awareness campaigns.
  • Provision of Affordable Financial Products:
    • Financial institutions can provide affordable financial products that cater to the specific needs of low-income groups,such as small loans, microinsurance, and savings accounts with low minimum balances.
  • Collaboration between the Public and Private Sectors:
    • To increase financial inclusion, it is important for the public and private sectors to collaborate and work towards a common goal.The government can create a favorable regulatory environment, while financial institutions can provide the necessary financial services.
  • Focus on Women’s Financial Empowerment:
    • Women are often left out of the traditional banking system, and they need to be specifically targeted to increase financial inclusion.
    • This can be achieved by providing women with access to financial services, promoting their participation in the labor force, and addressing the gender-based barriers that prevent them from accessing financial services.

General Studies Paper 2

• Context: Recently, the 11^thmeeting of the India-Mongolia Joint Working Group was held in India.
• While acknowledging the growing ties between both the countries, they expressed satisfaction at the ongoing defense cooperation despite the limitations imposed by Covid-19 pandemic.

How have been the India-Mongolia Relations?

• Historical Relations:
  • India and Mongolia have interacted through Buddhism through out history.
  • Mongolia regards India as its “third” neighbor along with US, Japan, and Germany and a “spiritual neighbour”.
• Diplomatic Relations:
  • India established diplomatic relations with Mongolia in 1955and it was the first country outside the Soviet bloc to open diplomatic relations with Mongolia.
  • The Indian Resident Mission in Ulaanbaatar was opened in 1971.
    • This relationship was upgraded to “strategic partnership” in 2015 when the Indian Prime Minister visited Mongolia and declared it as an essential component of  ‘Act East Policy’.
  • International Cooperation:
    • Mongolia has publicly reiterated its support for India’s membership to the permanent seat of the expanded United Nations Security Council (UNSC).
    • India has played an important role in getting Mongolia membership to key international forums, including the United Nations (UN),   despite strong opposition from China and Taiwan.
    • India also championed the inclusion of Mongolia in the Non-Aligned Movement.
      • In a reciprocal gesture, Mongolia co-sponsored a 1972 UN resolution with India and Bhutan for the recognition of the newly liberated Bangladesh.
    • Economic Cooperation:
      • In 2022, an India-built oil refinery at the cost of more than USD 1 billion and with a capacity of 1.5 million metric tonnes was opened near Sainshand in southern Dornogovi province of Mongolia.
        • This refinery will take care of 75 % of Mongolia’s oil refining needs.
      • India – Mongolia bilateral trade was USD 35.3 million in 2020, down from USD 38.3 million in 2019.
    • Cultural Cooperation:
      • The India-Mongolian Agreement on Cultural Cooperation, signed in 1961,has governed the Cultural Exchange Programme (CEP) between the two countries.
      • The Agreement envisages co-operation in the fields of education by way of scholarships, exchange of experts, participation in conferences, etc.
    • Defence Cooperation:
      • Joint defence exercises code-named  Nomadic Elephant
      • India is also an active participant in an annual week-long joint training exercise called the Khaan Quest, hosted by Mongolia.
    • Cooperation over Environmental Issues:
      • Part of the  Bishkek Declaration (snow leopard).

Way Forward

• The way forward for India-Mongolia relations is to build on the existing foundation of historical and cultural ties, while also seeking to expand political, economic, and cultural cooperation.
• Mongolia’s strategic position at the cross junction of Central Asia, Northeast Asia, far East, China and Russia attract major powers towards it.India should consider Mongolia as a green zone of economic development that absorbs hi-tech features and production skills in a modernization process.
• With both countries facing common challenges in the region, there is tremendous potential for further strengthening the relationship in the coming years.

General Studies Paper 3

• Context: Rising number of children in the extraction of the e-waste  sector is a crude and hazardous process that goes unregulated.
• According to the Global E-waste Monitor 2020, the world dumped 53.6 million metric tons of e-waste in 2019. India produced 3.2 million metric tons of e-waste, much of which is dumped for dismantling and recycling in Seelampur with no regulations.

About e-waste:

• The term electronic and electrical waste (e-waste) refers to “electrical or electronic equipment, which is waste, including all components, subassemblies, and consumables, which are part of the equipment at the time the equipment becomes waste”.
• E-waste includes large, discarded appliances, such as refrigerators, air conditioners, and washing machines, as well as small personal items, including computers, televisions, mobile phones, and many other devices that are operated by electrical currents or batteries.

What health risks are the children exposed to?

• Toxic substances: Toxic substances such as lead, cadmium, mercury, and flame retardants, can be harmful if not properly disposed of. Serious skin diseases and chronic lung infections due to continuous exposure to these chemical-laden toxins.
• Disabilities: Even relatively low lead exposure in children can result in a reduction in total intelligence quotient (IQ) and several behavioural abnormalities, including a decrease in attention span and an increase in frustration and disruptive behaviour.
• Exposure to hazardous waste: Like Nickel, Mercury can cause long-term incurable diseases.
• Environmental contamination: Contaminated soil and water potentially affect the health of local populations, including children.
• Loss of access to educational opportunities: In some developing countries, e-waste dumping has caused environmental degradation and health problems, leading to school closures and limiting children’s access to education.

India’s initiatives to tackle e-waste:

• Extended Producer Responsibility; Design for Environment; (3Rs) Reduce, Reuse, Recycle technology platform for linking the market facilitating the circular economy aim to encourage consumers to correctly dispose of the e-waste.
• E-waste (Management) rules 2022
• India has tried to tackle this unregulated industry and introduced a series of laws in 2011 and 2016mandating the authorization and registration of all e-waste recycling facilities, along with directives for workers to use protective equipment while dismantling the waste.
• India’s first e-waste clinic to be set up in Bhopal

Way Forward:

• Recycling electronic devices through certified e-waste recycling programs or donating them to organizations that can reuse them can help reduce the issue of e-waste.

General Studies Paper 1

• Content: India is expected to cross China and become the world’s most populous country in April this year.

Population projections for India and China:

• According to United Nations Population Division data, India will surpass China in 2023 by 3 million people and the gap will only widen with time.
• The two countries have accounted for around 36% of the world’s population since the 1950s. In 2022, it was 35.6% and is estimated to be 5% in 2023. By 2100, India and China will account for 22.2% of the world’s population.

What does the statistics say about the demographic dividend in India?

• According to an analysis by Pew Research Center, roughly one-in-five people globally who are under the age of 25 live in India.
• Those below 25 years of age accounted for 13% share in India’s total population in 1950. By July 2023, it will be 42.7%.
• The share of those in the age group of 25-64 will be 2% by July 2023. However, the share is projected to change by 2100. Share of those below 25 years of age will further decline to 23.9%. The share of those in the age group of 25-64 will rise to 46.3%.

What does the statistics say about fertility rate in India?

• India’s total fertility rate (TFR) was 5.73compared to a global rate of 4.86 in 1950.
• In 2022, India’s rate was estimated to be 2.01while the global rate is 2.31. China’s TFR declined from 5.81 in 1950 to 1.18 in 2022.
• Data from the National Family Health Survey shows that the fertility rate in urban India has fallen from 2.06 in 2005-06 to 1.63 in 2019-21. The decline in rural India was from 2.98 to 2.14 in the same period.

Migration in India:

• In 2022, more than 487,000 people migrated from India. As per the UN projections, the country is likely to face net negative migration till 2100.
• Pew Research Center highlights that India’s net migration has not always been negative. In 2016, India gained an estimated 68,000 people due to migration.

India also recorded increases in net migration on several occasions in the second half of the 20th century.

General Studies Paper 2

Context: Trade Ministers of Norway and Finland are currently visiting India together.

Importance of the Nordic region

• Over the last decades, Nordic countries have been at the forefront of developing new green technologies and solutions such as hydrogen, offshore wind, and carbon capture and storage.
• The Nordics have succeeded in building stable, secure, welfare based societies to a large extent.
• The Nordic region has ambitions to become the most sustainable and integrated region in the world by 2030.

Current status of relations between India and Nordic countries

• The Nordic ­India Summit was held in Copenhagen in May 2022. The five Nordic leaders and Indian Prime Minister agreed to intensify cooperation on digitalisation, renewable energy, maritime industries, and the circular economy.
• PM of India expressed an interest in joint Nordic solutions that can support India’s green transition.
• The Nordic business community in India is also growing. There are now 240 Norwegian and Finnish companies in India.
• India and Finland– The past year has seen a significant rise in trade and investments between Finland and India.
• India has grown to become a priority country for Finland. Finland has recently opened a new Consulate General in Mumbai.
• Several Indian companies are looking towards Finland for its expertise in areas of technology and innovation, sustainability, digitalisation, carbon neutrality and more.
• An increasing number of Indian students, researchers, and experts have been moving to Finland as well. Finnish companies such as Nokia and Fortum have some of their most significant investments in India.
• India and Norway– Trade between Norway and India has doubled in the last three years. The Norwegian Sovereign Wealth Fund is likely to become one of India’s largest single foreign investors with around $17.6 Billion investment.
• The Norwegian government has also recently established a new Climate Investment Fund for investments in renewables abroad, and India has been defined as a focus country. Almost ₹1,500 crore have been invested so far in India through the climate investment fund.

Scope for future collaborations between India and Nordic countries

• Both Norway and Finland have ongoing free trade agreement and investments negotiations with India. Finland, is a part of the EU­ India FTA negotiations, and Norway is negotiating through the European Free Trade Association.
• Finalising the free trade and investments agreements should be a priority.
• There is a great deal of complementarities in our trade relations. In addition,trade in services is an area of significant potential, especially with tourism, education, IT, energy, maritime and financial services.
• Together, the Nordics and India can power the green transition the world needs.

General Studies Paper 2

Context:

• Recently, India’s National Security Advisor held talks with the US counterpart on the first dialogue on the Initiative for Critical and Emerging Technologies (iCET) in the US.

About Indo-US “strategic partnership” in the past

• Both countries signed a)“Next Steps in Strategic Partnership” in 2004; b) “Defence Framework Agreement” in 2005, c) “Indo-US Civil Nuclear Agreement” in 2008 and d) all four key “foundational agreements”.
• Both nations also launched the “Defence Technology and Trade Initiative” in 2012. The US accorded “Major Defence Partner” status to India in 2016, c)“2+2 dialogue” in 2018.
• All of Indo-US “strategic partnership” has delivered $22 billion worth of military hardware purchases by India via the foreign military sales programme.

Advantages of iCET

• iCET could 1)Be a “game changer” in catalysing Indo-US technology cooperation by persuading the US to lift existing export control restrictions, 2) Encourage the private sector of both countries to cooperate in sensitive sectors, 3) Demonstrate a mutual commitment to investing in advanced technologies, such as quantum computing, AI and space, as well as the critical field of semiconductor design and manufacture.

Challenges faced by India’s defence sector

• India’s massive defence industrial complex, including the DRDO, defence public sector undertakings (DPSU) and the (erstwhile) Ordnance Factory Board, are associated with closely the Soviet/Russian arms
• India’s previous transfer of technology (ToT) resulted in engineers and designers acquiring only the “knowhow” of methods and procedures required for assembling or building aircraft, aero engines and armoured vehicles from parts or material supplied. Hence, the principles and laws of defence equipments are not completely understood.

Challenges faced by iCET:

• The US Arms Export Control Act not only requires clearances from the Departments of State and Defence for ToT but also imposes certain restrictions on the recipient state.
• The iCET aims to make the US a dominant player in India’s defence procurements by replacing Russia. But, this will face stiff resistance from Russia.
• While India is in dire need of technology, the US industry remains firmly focused on trade.

What India needs to do to make iCET comprehensive?

• India need to leverage its considerable purchases in the arms, energy, civil aviation, nuclear and other sectors in a holistic manner to extract technology from the US.
• Atmanirbharta must remain India’s ultimate aim. Hence, India should break free of Russia’s and US’s defence products and also regain “strategic autonomy” in international affairs.