General Studies Paper 3

Context: A recent analysis found that sludge found in Indian sewage treatment plants (STP)has high potential for use as fertilizer but required treatment before it could be used unrestrictedly in farms, or as a potential biofuel.

About Sludge 

• It is the thick residue filtered out of sewage treatment plants
• It is rich in organic chemicals and is also a repository of heavy metals, industrial effluents, and bacterial contaminants.

Classification of Treated sludge

• Treated sludge can be classified as class A or class B as per the standards of the United States Environmental Protection Agency with class A being safe to be disposed of in the open and useful as organic fertilizer.
• Class B means that the sludge can be used in “restricted” agricultural applications, the edible parts of the crop not be exposed to the sludge-mixed soil, and animals and people have not come into extensive contact.

Efforts of India 

• Arth Ganga is a sustainable viable economic model conceptualized under the “Namami-Gange” program to integrate people in the basin with Ganga Rejuvenation.
  • One of the measures, under this ‘Arth Ganga’ (economic value from Ganga), is to “monetize” and reuse treated wastewater and sludge.
    • This means converting sludge into usable products such as manure and bricks.

Challenges 

• India doesn’t yet have standards classifying sludge as class A or B.
  • Currently, those awarded contracts for developing and maintaining STPs under the Namami Ganga Mission are also apportioned land for disposing of the sludge.
  • However, this is rarely treated, and during rains, such sludge — with its accompanying chemical and metallic constituents — often makes its way back into rivers and local water sources.
• A study by the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT)-Roorkee found that most of the sludge analysed after drying fell into the class B category.
• Nitrogen and phosphorous levels were higher than those recommended by India’s fertilizer standards (FCO, 2009).
  • However, the potassium levels of some sludges were less than recommended.

Suggestions

• To improve the quality of sludge, the report recommends the sludge needs to be stored for at least three months to kill pathogens, and blended with cattle manure and husk or local soil to reduce the heavy metal.
• This, however, would still put it in class B and converting it into grade A sludge would require far more extensive treatment.

Before standards were made, it was necessary to understand the characteristics of the sludge from these STPs before ways could be devised to incentivize private players to treat and dispose of sludge.

General Studies Paper 2

Context: In May 2023, the Union Ministry for Women and Child Development launched the Centre’s flagship programme ‘Poshan Bhi, Padhai Bhi’.

About

• Objective: The programme will focus on Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) at anganwadis across the country. The aim is to make anganwadi centres as nutrition hubs as well as education-imparting centres.
• Funding: The ministry has allocated Rs 600 crore for the training of anganwadi workers to implement the ECCE.
• Governance:The National Institute of Public Cooperation and Child Development (NIPCCD) will provide training of Anganwadi workers. NIPCCD is an autonomous organization under the Union Ministry for Women and Child Development.

Strategy 

• Anganwadi Centres will be strengthened with high-quality infrastructure, play equipment, and well-trained Anganwadi workers/teachers
• Every child (till the age of 6-years) would be provided with at least two hours of high-quality pre-school instruction in the mother tongue on a daily basis, as per the New Education Policy.
• Target is to ensure that the ECCE material, which was prepared based on the New Education Policy, percolates to every anganwadi in the country through new training methodologies (such as visual aids, audio aids, audio-visual and bodily-kinesthetic aids).
• Government will target children’s development in every domain mentioned in the National Curriculum Framework, , physical and motor development, cognitive development, socio-emotional-ethical development, cultural/artistic development, and the development of communication and early language, literacy, and numeracy.

Significance of ECCE via Anganwadi centres

• Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) is an important component of Mission Saksham Anganwadi and Poshan 2.0 (Mission Poshan 2.0) and the National Education Policy.
• Close to 13.9 lakh operational Anganwadi centres across the country are providing supplementary nutrition and early care and education to around 8 crore beneficiary children under the age of 6 years.
• Considering global evidence on 85% of brain development being achieved by the age of 6 years, the Anganwadi eco-system becomes a critical access point for building the children’s base.

General Studies Paper 1

Context: According to the latest report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change the world is currently at around 1.1°C of warming whereas the warming trends over the Indian region are very different.

About

• The annual mean temperature of the world is known to have increased by 1.1 degree Celsius from the average of the 1850-1900 period.
• An assessment of climate change over the Indian subcontinent, published by the Ministry of Earth Sciences in 2020, said annual mean temperatures had risen by 0.7 degree Celsius from 1900.
• This is significantly lower than the 1.59 degree Celsius rise for land temperatures across the world.
• It could give the impression that the problem of climate change over India was not as acute as other parts of the world.

Temperature

• Temperature is the measure of the average heat or thermal energy in a substance.
• Air and water temperatures are primarily determined by the amount of sunlight that is absorbed by the surface of the Earth, and the amount of heat that is re-radiated in the atmosphere by the greenhouse gases.
• Atmospheric and ocean circulation redistribute heat across the surface of the Earth and shape regional temperature patterns.

Are Warming Trends Different Across the Globe?

• Average of Warming Temperature: The planet as a whole has warmed by 1.1 degree Celsius compared with pre industrial times but, this is just the average. Different regions have seen very different levels of warming.
• Arctic Region:The polar regions, particularly the Arctic, have seen significantly greater warming. The Arctic region has warmed at least twice as much as the world average. Its current annual mean temperatures are about 2 degrees Celsius higher than pre-industrial times.
  • The ice cover in the Arctic is melting, because of which more land or water is getting exposed to the Sun. Ice traps the least amount of heat and reflects most of the solar radiation when compared with land or water.
  • More recent research suggests that the higher warming in the polar region could be attributed to a host of factors, including the albedo effect, changes in clouds, water vapour and atmospheric temperatures.
  • The warming in the polar regions account for a substantial part of the 1.1 degree Celsius temperature rise over the entire globe.

Factors that Affects the Warming of Regions

• Altitude: The increase in temperatures is known to be more prominent in the higher altitudes, near the polar regions, than near the equator.
  • This is attributable to a complex set of atmospheric phenomena, including heat transfers from the tropics to the poles through prevailing systems of air circulation. 
• Albedo effect: Another prominent cause is what is known as the albedo effect, or how much sunlight a surface reflects. The ice cover in the Arctic is melting, because of which more land or water is getting exposed to the Sun.
  • Ice traps the least amount of heat and reflects most of the solar radiation when compared with land or water.
• Aerosols: Aerosols refer to all kinds of particles suspended in the atmosphere. These particles have the potential to affect the local temperature in multiple ways.
  • Many of these scatter sunlight back, so that less heat is absorbed by the land. Aerosols also affect cloud formation.Clouds, in turn, have an impact on how much sunlight is reflected or absorbed.
• Land-Ocean Atmospheric Interactions: Variation in the amount of solar radiation absorbed, and the amount of heat re-radiating from Earth’s land and oceans results in temperature differences in air over different types of terrain. 

For example, sea breezes occur because land heats up and cools down faster than water, so that the land is warmer during the day and breezes flow from the sea inland, but the ocean is warmer than land at night, so the wind blows from land to sea

General Studies Paper 2

Context: The year 2023 is evidently important for India as it hosts multiple global events, including that of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO).

Significance of Eurasia for India

• Varanasi – Cultural and Tourism Capital of SCO:
  • The holy city of Varanasi, showcasing India’s culture and traditions over the ages, is the first “Cultural and Tourism Capital” of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation for 2022-23.
  • It is a new initiative by the eight-member organisation to promote people-to-people contacts and tourism among the member states.
    • Thetitle of ‘Cultural and Tourism Capital’ will be rotated among the member states.
  • Security:
    • RATS can help India to improve its counterterrorism abilities by working toward intelligence sharing, law enforcement and developing best practices and technologies.
    • Through the SCO, India can also work on anti-drug trafficking and small arms proliferation.
  • Regional Integration:
    • SCO can help in achieving regional integration and promote connectivity and stability across borders.
    • Further, it also helps India to have a multilateral talk with friends like Russia and adversaries like China and Pakistan.
  • Geopolitical Advantage:
    • Central Asia is a part of India’s Extended Neighbourhood.
    • And SCO provides India with an opportunity to pursue the “Connect Central Asian Policy”.
    • It will also help India to check on the ever-growing influence of China in Eurasia.

Opportunities & potential

• Trade & commerce:
  • SCO assumes importance given India’s interest in signing free trade agreements (FTAs) with countries in Eurasia.
  • The Eurasian states can be long-term partners in energy (oil, natural gas) and natural resources (uranium, iron ore, etc).
  • India’s trade relations with China, Russia and Pakistan are known, hence exploring other markets in the SCO would be worthwhile.
• Pharmaceutical sector:
  • Focussing on pharma and allied products could be a good starting point. In fact, India will have much scope to enhance pharmaceutical exports to Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan.
  • In the current geopolitical scenario it is almost impossible for India to enter into the Chinese space in these four economies.
  • However, in pharmaceuticals, India has the potential to make greater inroads.
• Infrastructure development:
  • Opportunities in infrastructure development remain largely unexplored by India in Eurasia.
  • TAPI pipeline:
    • Over the years, India had multiple plans to link itself with Central Asia. For instance, the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan- Pakistan-India gas pipeline, which has the potential to meet India’s energy needs.
  • Hospitals and clinics:
    • India, through the infrastructure development initiative, could also extend cooperation by setting up hospitals and clinics in Eurasia given its experience in other developing economies.
  • Central Asian e-network for education & medicines:
    • India also has been planning to set up a Central Asian e-network with its hub in India, to deliver, tele-education and tele-medicine connectivity, linking Central Asian states.
  • Project exporters:
    • Indian companies have in the past successfully implemented projects in a variety of sectors and in diversified markets overseas, including in Africa.
    • They have also demonstrated capabilities to successfully execute a range of projects in challenging environments.
    • Given that Eurasia provides a wide range of opportunities across sectors, Indian project exporters could collaborate with overseas entities to get into this market. However, they will be required to compete with China in the region.

Challenges:

• Volatility of the region:
  • A volatile Afghanistan and terror sanctuaries in the Af-Pak region have created many bottlenecks in connectivity projects initiated by SCO member states and other regional countries of Eurasia.
• Pakistan’s refusal for connectivity projects:
  • Pakistan has impeded strategic, economic and cultural interests by blocking by refusing to facilitate connectivity via its territory.
  • For instance, the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) pipeline has been stalled since 2006 due to instability in Afghanistan and hindrances created by Pakistan.
• Illicit drug trade:
  • Another common challenge to the SCO region is the illicit drug trade emanating from the Af-Pak region.
    • In 2021, more than 80 per cent of opium and heroin supplies originated from Afghanistan via different routes to the global opium market.
  • The greater involvement of terror outfits in the narcotic trade has sprung new geo-political challenges to the SCO.
• Perception of anti-West forum:
  • There continues to be a perception in the West that SCO is an anti-West forum.

Way ahead

• While it is imperative for India to bring security issues to the fore at SCO meetings, the potential for economic and trade cooperation with members of the SCO, like those in Eurasia, must be explored.
• SCO is, perhaps, the only platform where India comes together with countries of this region.

General Studies Paper 3

Context: The European Union (EU) has announced that its Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) will be introduced in its transitional phase from October 2023, which will levy a carbon tax on imports of products made from the processes which are not Environmentally sustainable or non-Green. CBAM will translate into a 20-35 % tax on select imports into the EU starting 1st January 2026.

What is CBAM?

CBAM is part of the “Fit for 55 in 2030 package”, which is the EU’s plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55% by 2030 compared to 1990 levels in line with the European Climate Law.

The CBAM is a policy tool aimed at reducing Carbon Emissions by ensuring that imported goods are subject to the same carbon costs as products produced within the EU.

Implementation:

• The CBAM will be implemented by requiring importers to declare the quantity of goods imported into the EU and their embedded Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions on an annual basis.
• To offset these emissions, importers will need to surrender a corresponding number of CBAM certificates, the price of which will be based on the weekly average auction price of EU Emission Trading System (ETS) allowances in €/tonne of CO2 emitted.
• Objectives: CBAM will ensure its climate objectives are not undermined by carbon-intensive imports and spur cleaner production in the rest of the world.

Significance:

• It can encourage non-EU countries to adopt more stringent environmental regulations, which would reduce global carbon emissions.
• It can prevent carbon leakage by discouraging companies from relocating to countries with weaker environmental regulations.
• The revenue generated from CBAM will be used to support EU climate policies, which can be learned by other countries to support Green Energy.

How can it Impact India?

Impact India’s Export: It will have an adverse impact on India’s exports of metals such as Iron, Steel and aluminum products to the EU, because these will face extra scrutiny under the mechanism.

• India’s major exports to the EU, such as iron ore and steel, face a significant threat due to the carbon levies ranging from 19.8% to 52.7%.
• From 1st January 2026, the EU will start collecting the carbon tax on each consignment of steel, aluminum, cement, fertilizer, hydrogen and electricity.

Carbon Intensity and Higher Tariffs:

• The carbon intensity of Indian products is significantly higher than that of the EU and many other countries because coal dominates the overall energy consumption.
• The proportion of coal-fired power in India is close to 75%, which is much higher than the EU (15%) and the global average (36%).
• Therefore, direct and indirect emissions from iron and steel and aluminium are a major concern for India as higher emissions would translate to higher carbon tariffs to be paid to the EU.

Risk to Export Competitiveness:

• It will initially affect a few sectors but may expand to other sectors in the future, such as refined petroleum products, organic chemicals, pharma medicaments, and textiles, which are among the top 20 goods imported from India by the EU.
• Since India has no domestic carbon pricing scheme in place, this poses a greater risk to export competitiveness, as other countries with a carbon pricing system in place might have to pay less carbon tax or get exemptions.

What Measures can India Take to Mitigate the Impact of CBAM?

Decarbonization Principle:

• On the domestic front, the government has schemes like National Steel Policy, and the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme aims to increase India’s production capacity, but carbon efficiency has been out of the objectives of such schemes.
• The government can complement these schemes with a Decarbonization Principle.
• Decarbonization refers to the process of reducing or eliminating greenhouse gas emissions, especially carbon dioxide (CO2), from human activities such as transportation, power generation, manufacturing, and agriculture.

Negotiation with EU for Tax Reduction:

• India could negotiate with the EU to recognize its energy taxes as equivalent to a carbon price, which would make its exports less susceptible to CBAM.
• For example, India could argue that its tax on coal is a measure to internalize the costs of carbon emissions, and therefore equivalent to a carbon tax.

Transfer of Clean Technologies:

• India should negotiate with the EU to transfer clean technologies and financing mechanisms to aid in making India’s production sector more carbon efficient.
• One way to finance this is to propose to the EU to set aside a portion of their CBAM revenue for supporting India’s climate commitments.
• Besides, India should also begin preparing for the new system just as China and Russia are doing by establishing a Carbon Trading System.

Incentivizing Greener Production:

• India can begin preparations and in fact, seize the opportunity to make production greener and sustainable by incentivizing cleaner production which will benefit India in both remaining competitive in a more carbon-conscious future.
• International economic system and achieving its 2070 Net Zero Targets without compromising on its developmental goals and economic aspirations.

Take on EU’s Tax Framework:

• India, as the leader of the G-20 2023, should use its position to advocate for other countries and urge them to oppose the EU’s carbon tax framework.
• India should not only focus on its own interests but also consider the negative impact that the CBAM will have on poorer countries that heavily rely on mineral resources.

Conclusion

• The CBAM is a policy to reduce carbon emissions from imported goods and create a fair-trade environment.
• It can encourage other countries to have stricter environmental regulations and reduce global carbon emissions

General Studies Paper 2

Context: Recently, the three social security (Jan Suraksha) schemes – Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana (PMSBY), Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana (PMJJBY) and Atal Pension Yojana (APY) – completed 8 years of providing social security net.

PMJJBY and PMSBY were launched to ensure that the people from the unorganised section of the country are financially secure while APY was introduced to cover the exigencies in old age.

What is Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana (PMSBY)?

• It is a one-year accidental insurance scheme renewable from year to year offering coverage for death or disability due to accident.
• Administered By: It is administered by Public Sector General Insurance Companies (PSGICs) or any other general insurance company in partnership with banks / Post offices.
• Eligibility: Individuals in the age group of 18-70 years having a savings bank or a post office account are entitled to enroll.
• Benefits: Accidental death cum disability cover of Rs. 2 lakhs (Rs. 1 lakh in case of partial disability) for death or disability due to an accident against a premium of Rs.20/- per annum.
• Achievements: As of April 2023, the cumulative enrolments under the scheme have been more than 34.18 crore and an amount of Rs. 2,302.26 crore has been paid for 1,15,951 claims.

What is Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana (PMJJBY)?

• It is a one-year life insurance scheme renewable from year to year offering coverage for death due to any reason.
• Administered By: It is administered by LIC or any other life insurance company in partnership with banks / Post office.
• Eligibility: Individuals in the age group of 18-50 years having a savings bank or a post office account are entitled to enroll under the scheme.
• Benefits: Life cover of Rs. 2 Lakhs in case of death due to any reason against a premium of Rs. 436/- per annum.
• Achievements: As of April 2023, the cumulative enrolments under the scheme have been more than 16.19 crore and an amount of Rs. 13,290.40 crore has been paid for 6,64,520 claims.

What is Atal Pension Yojana (APY)?

• It was launched to create a universal social security system for all Indians, especially the poor, the under-privileged and the workers in the unorganised sector.
• It is an initiative of the Government to provide financial security and cover future exigencies for the people in the unorganized sector.
• Administered By: Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA) through the National Pension System (NPS).
• Eligibility: All bank account holders in the age group of 18 to 40 years (the contributions differ, based on the pension amount chosen).
• Benefits: Subscribers would receive the guaranteed minimum monthly pension of Rs. 1000 or Rs. 2000 or Rs. 3000 or Rs. 4000 or Rs. 5000 at the age of 60 years, based on the contributions made by them after joining the scheme.
• Payment Frequency: Subscribers can make contributions to APY on a monthly/ quarterly / half-yearly basis.
• Withdrawal from the Scheme: Subscribers can voluntarily exit from APY subject to certain conditions, on deduction of Government co-contribution and return/interest thereon.
• Achievements: As of April 2023, more than 5 crore individuals have subscribed to APY.

What are the Significances of these Schemes?

• These three social security schemes are dedicated to the welfare of the citizens, recognising the need for securing human life from unforeseen risks/losses and financial uncertainties.
• The PMJJBY and PMSBY provide access to low-cost life/accidental insurance cover to the people, the APY provides an opportunity for saving in the present for getting a regular pension in old age.
• The number of people who have enrolled and benefitted from these schemes over the last seven years is a testimony to their success.
• These low-cost insurance schemes and the guaranteed pension scheme are ensuring that financial security, which was available to a select few earlier, is now reaching the last person of the society.

General Studies Paper 2

Context: As environmental concerns take centre stage, India contemplates a significant shift in its automotive industry. A government panel, the Energy Transition Advisory Committee (ETAC), recommends a ban on diesel vehicles in cities with a population of over a million by 2027.

This bold step aims to curb emissions and promote a transition to electric and gas-fueled vehicles. However, the proposed ban brings its own set of challenges, from upsetting the automotive industry to disrupting public transport and logistics.

What are the recommendations of the Indian government panel to Ban on diesel vehicles?

• Ban on Diesel Vehicles in Major Cities: The panel recommends banning the use of diesel-based four-wheeler vehicles by 2027 in cities with a population of over a million (10 lakh) and in polluted towns.
• Transition to Electric and Gas Vehicles: They proposed a transition to electric and gas-fuelled vehicles in such places to reduce emissions.
• No New Diesel Buses: The committee suggests that by 2030, no city buses should be added which are not electric, and diesel buses for city transport should not be added from 2024 onwards.
• Promotion of Electric Vehicles (EVs): The panel advises the government to extend the incentives under the Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Electric and Hybrid Vehicles scheme (FAME) beyond March 2024 to promote the use of EVs.
• Increase Use of Railways and Gas-Powered Trucks: The panel also recommends ramping up the use of railways and gas-powered trucks for transporting cargo.
• These recommendations aim to help the Indian government reach its goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions and producing 40% of its electricity from renewables to meet its 2070 net zero goal.

What is the rationale behind the recommendation to Ban on diesel vehicles?

• Environmental Impact: A shift to electric and gas-powered vehicles would likely result in significant reductions in greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution, which is a major issue in many Indian cities. This could improve public health and contribute to global efforts to combat climate change.
• Health Concerns: Diesel vehicles contribute significantly to air pollution. They emit higher levels of particulate matter (PM) and noxious gases, which can lead to severe health issues like heart and lung diseases. For instance, the Automotive Research Association of India reported that the transport sector contributes up to 20% of the PM 2.5 emissions, a key air pollutant.
• Alignment with Global Trends: Many countries are moving towards cleaner energy sources for transportation to meet their climate goals. Banning diesel vehicles aligns India with these global trends. For example, European countries like France and the UK have already announced plans to phase out diesel and petrol vehicles in the coming years.
• Fostering Clean Technology: Banning diesel vehicles can stimulate the development and adoption of cleaner technologies, such as electric and hybrid vehicles. Such as, with a clear end date for diesel vehicles, automakers would be incentivized to invest more in developing and improving electric vehicle technology.

What are the other countries which are looking to ban diesel vehicles?

Many countries around the world have announced plans to ban diesel vehicles in the coming years to combat air pollution and climate change. Here are a few:

• United Kingdom: The United Kingdom has planned to ban the sale of new petrol- and diesel-engined cars by 2030, while all new cars and vans sold must be fully zero emission by 2035.
• France: has pledged to stop selling fossil fuel cars by 2040.
• Germany: German cities started putting restrictions on older diesel vehicles that emit larger amounts of pollutants in 2018.
• Norway: wants to ditch fossil fuel-powered cars by 2025, much before other countries.
• Netherlands: The Netherlands aims to have only emissions-free vehicles on its roads by 2030. United States: announced it would ban the sale of diesel and petrol cars by 2030.
• European Union: European Parliament gave the green light to new legislation to ban the sale of petrol and diesel cars from 2035. Under the law, all cars and vans sold in the European Union must be zero-emission by 2035.

What will be the impact of the Ban on diesel vehicles?

1. Impact on Environment

• Reduction in Air Pollution: With diesel vehicles off the roads, there will be a significant reduction in the emission of particulate matter and harmful gases. This will improve air quality, especially in cities.
• Lower Carbon Emissions: As electric vehicles (EVs) replace diesel cars, CO2 emissions will decrease, helping India meet its climate change commitments and move towards a more sustainable future.

2. Impact on Carmakers

• Need for Technological Shift: Car manufacturers will have to invest heavily in EV technology and other technology and associated infrastructure. This might prove to be challenging, especially for those heavily invested in diesel technology.
• Potential Financial Loss: Companies that have recently invested in making their diesel engines compliant with new emission standards might face financial losses if a diesel ban is implemented.

3. Impact on Consumers

• Initial High Costs: EVs typically have a higher upfront cost than diesel vehicles. This could make the transition difficult for some consumers, especially those in lower income brackets.
• Maintenance and Running Costs: While the initial cost of EVs is high, they have lower running and maintenance costs compared to diesel vehicles. Over time, this can offset the initial investment.
• Need for Infrastructure: The lack of adequate charging infrastructure might be a challenge for potential EV owners. However, with the government’s push for EVs, infrastructure development is expected to improve.

What are the potential alternatives to diesel vehicles?

• Electric vehicles (EV): It is one that operates on an electric motor, instead of an internal-combustion engine that generates power by burning a mix of fuel and gases. However, the most significant disadvantage of electric vehicles is that they must be charged regularly.
• Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) Vehicles: CNG vehicles use compressed natural gas, a cleaner-burning alternative to diesel. CNG vehicles produce fewer emissions and are often cheaper to run than diesel vehicles. However, the shortage of CNG stations and reduced storage space due to large CNG tanks are the major disadvantages of this vehicle.
• Fuel Cell Vehicles (FCVs): FCVs use hydrogen gas to power an electric motor. They produce no tailpipe emissions, with water vapour being the only by-product. However, the infrastructure for hydrogen fueling is less developed compared to other alternatives.
• Biofuel Vehicles: Biofuel vehicles run on fuels derived from organic materials, such as corn or sugarcane. These fuels can be used in traditional internal combustion engines and can help reduce greenhouse gas emissions. However, there are concerns about the impact of large-scale biofuel production on food supply and prices.
• Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) Vehicles: LPG, also known as autogas, is a clean-burning fossil fuel that can be used in internal combustion engines. LPG vehicles produce fewer emissions than diesel vehicles and are often cheaper to run.

What are the challenges in executing the ban on diesel vehicles?

• Infrastructure for Alternatives: One of the major challenges is establishing the infrastructure for alternative fuels or electric vehicles. For instance, electric vehicles require a network of charging stations, which are currently not as widely available as diesel refuelling stations.
• Investment Recovery: Automakers have invested heavily in diesel technology to meet existing emission standards. The proposed ban could lead to significant financial losses for them.
• Transition of Commercial Vehicles: Commercial vehicles, including trucks and buses, mostly run on diesel. Transitioning this sector to cleaner alternatives will be challenging due to the specific requirements of these vehicles, such as the need for high torque and long-range capabilities.
• Consumer Acceptance: Changing consumer behaviour and preferences is always challenging. Consumers may have concerns about the cost, performance, and reliability of alternative vehicles.

Way forward:

• Incentives for Clean Vehicles: The government should provide incentives to consumers and manufacturers for adopting cleaner vehicles. This could be in the form of tax rebates, subsidies, or discounts on electric vehicles (EVs).
• Investment in Infrastructure: Significant investment should be made in developing the necessary infrastructure for alternative vehicles, especially charging stations for EVs. For example, Public and private entities could collaborate to establish charging stations at convenient locations like shopping centers, public parking lots, and along major highways.
• Public Awareness Campaigns: Public awareness campaigns should be conducted to educate consumers about the benefits of clean vehicles and the potential harm caused by diesel emissions.
• Support for Commercial Vehicles: Specific programs should be implemented to support the transition of commercial vehicles from diesel to cleaner alternatives. For instance, subsidies could be offered to transport companies to offset the cost of replacing their diesel trucks with electric or hybrid models.
• Phased Implementation: Instead of an abrupt ban, a phased implementation could be considered. This allows consumers and manufacturers time to adjust and plan accordingly. Such as the ban could start with major cities and gradually extend to smaller towns. It could also start with specific types of vehicles, like public buses or delivery vehicles, before expanding to all types of diesel vehicles.
• Research and Development: Encourage research and development in cleaner technologies and alternative fuels. This can be done through government funding and by fostering partnerships between academia and industry. Like, a government-funded research program could be established to develop more efficient batteries for electric vehicles or more effective emission control technologies for biofuel vehicles.

General Studies Paper 2

Context: The Assam government will soon move to ban the practice of polygamy through “legislative action”.

• Constituting “expert committee”:
  • Assam Chief Minister recently said that an “expert committee”would be formed to examine whether the state legislature was empowered to prohibit polygamy.
  • This committee, comprising legal experts and scholars, would examine the provisions of the Muslim Personal Law (Shariat) Act, 1937 read with Article 25 of the Constitution of India.
• Significance:
  • Recently, the authorities found that many aged men got “married multiple times”, and often to minor girls.
  • Therefore crackdown against child marriage is not the only solution, banning polygamy is also important.

More about the Polygamy 

• About:
  • Polygamy is defined as “the act or custom of maintaining more than one spouse at the same time”.
• Polygamy under Hindu Law:
  • The Hindu Marriage Act,which came into effect on May 18, 1955, made it clear that Hindu polygamy would be abolished and criminalised.
    • Monogamy was the sole option available to Hindus.
  • The Hindu Marriage Act, 1955states that polygamous marriages are void.
    • It was made explicit that a Hindu spouse may not marry again until the first one is terminated, either through a divorce or the death of one of the spouses.
  • Because Buddhists, Jains, and Sikhs are all considered Hindus and do not have their own laws, the provisions in the Hindu Marriage Act apply to these three religious denominations as well.
• Polygamy under the Muslim personal law:
  • Crucially, while the Hindu personal law outlaws bigamy and polygamy, the Muslim personal law does not.
  • The clauses under the‘Muslim Personal Law Application Act (Shariat) of 1937, as construed by the All India Muslim Personal Law Board, apply to Muslims in India.
  • A Muslim man can marry and maintain four women or spouses at the same time, according to Muslim personal law.
    • Under Muslim personal law, such a relationship is recognised and legal.
  • While a Muslim man can have four wives at the same time, however, the same is not applicable to a Muslim woman.
    • A Muslim woman is not allowed to marry more than one
  • Global practice:
    • Polygamy is permissible and legal exclusively for Muslims in nations such as India, Singapore, as well as Malaysia.
    • Polygamy is still recognised and practiced in nations such as Algeria, Egypt, and Cameroon.

Issues & criticisms

• In conflict with constitutional values:
  • Article 14 states that the state shall not refuse any individual under India’s territory equal treatment under the law and equal protection under the law. The state is prohibited from discriminating against any person solely based on faith, ethnicity, gender, religion, or birthplace, according to Article 15(1) of the Indian Constitution.
  • Only because polygamy has already been embraced among the Islamic culture since the ancient period and has been adjusted as a topic of personal laws.
• Discriminatory in nature:
  • According to academicians and some other knowledgeable people, permitting polygamy in one faith while condemning others is discriminatory, and this prejudice must be addressed by the law.
• Barbarous consequences:
  • As a man cannot please all of his women emotionally or economically, it creates a purely barbarous consequence in a poygamous relationship.
  • When the male partner dies, polygamy causes property disputes.
• Impact on children:
  • Polygamy has an impact not only on the married couple but also on the offspring who are the result of such a relationship.
  • This troubling issue causes trauma in youngsters, which has an impact on their education and interpersonal attitudes towards life.
• Gender discrimination:
  • Polygamy regulations vary depending on a person’s gender within a single faith. Governments, on the other hand, have failed to consider the situation of women, particularly those who embrace Islam.
• Not a religious duty:
  • Polygamy is not at all a preferred lifestyle choice & comes with several drawbacks. It is not at all a religious duty or religious conduct,as the court system has often acknowledged.

Way Ahead

• In patriarchal societies, religious laws have often been lopsided, favouring men.
• Laws such as polygamy, triple talaq and nikah halala are not only archaic, but they are also debilitating for Muslim women.
• The legality of such laws needs to be challenged and subsequently discarded.

General Studies Paper 1

Context: India hosted a two-day global Buddhist summit in New Delhi (April 20-21), which was organized by the Ministry of Culture in collaboration with the International Buddhist Confederation.

Buddhist Summit(Delhi Summit):

• Key figures from the global Buddhist community, including the Dalai Lama.
• The Prime Minister laid emphasis on the continuing relevance of the Buddha’s teachings in today’s world.
• It saw a diverse group of 171 foreign delegates from South Korea, Thailand, Cambodia, Japan, and Taiwan, along with 150 delegates from Indian Buddhist organizations.
• Attendance of prominent scholars, sangha leaders,and dharma practitioners.

India’s efforts so far:

• Promoting tourism through the development of the “Buddhist tourist circuit”.
• Visit Buddhist sitesby the PM during his Southeast and East Asian
• Against the backdrop of the Russia-Ukraine crisis, the PM said:“India has not given ‘Yuddha’ to the world but ‘Buddha’.”
• The Delhi summit’s theme, “Responses to Contemporary Challenges: Philosophy to Praxis”: It highlights India’s attempts to provide an alternative to contested global politics, with morality as the guiding principle.
• Government’s guiding principles for foreign policy, Panchamrit principles include “Sanskriti Evam Sabhyata” which means cultural and civilizational links.
• It was highlighted during the Delhi summit.
• India hopes to reinforce its image as a responsible global power committed to peaceful cooperation and regional stability.
• By laying an emphasis on cultural and civilisational ties, India seeks to promote greater understanding and cooperation between nations.
• It demonstrates the unique role it can play in shaping the region’s future.
• India recognises the importance of Buddhism as a means of conducting public diplomacy and has utilized it to its advantage

What will be the impact of the summit?

• The Indian government demonstrates its commitment to preserving and promoting Buddhist culture and heritage
• Strengthening ties with the global Buddhist community.
• Buddhist diplomacy has the potential to promote regional cohesion.
• Nearly 97%of the global Buddhist population is based in Asia.
• During the Cold War,China effectively used Buddhist diplomacy to engage with its neighboring countries.
• It employed this approach to gain legitimacy for its Belt and Road Initiative.
• India and China compete to dominate the Buddhist heritage as a tool for soft power: India holds an advantage due to the faith’s origins in the country.

Issue:

• Despite being home to a number of key Buddhist sites, such as Bodhgaya, Sarnath, and Kushinagar,
• India has struggled to attract Buddhist tourists, who tend to favor sites in Thailand and Cambodia.

Way Forward

• The summit was a significant opportunity for India to project and connect with the Buddhist population around the world, thereby strengthening the country’s soft power.
• With its strong historical and cultural ties to Buddhism,India is well-positioned to play a leading role in shaping the discourse around Buddhist issues on the global stage.
• China is actively seeking to exert control over the appointment of the next Dalai Lama, which would be a blow to India’s efforts to project its soft power through Buddhism.
• India must act to ensure that it remains a key player in the global Buddhist community.
• To further strengthen its Buddhist diplomacy,India should continue promoting Buddhism at the highest levels of government.
• Organize cultural events to showcase the country’s rich Buddhist history.
• The Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) could play a significant role in promoting such events within and outside India.
• India should work to strengthen its ties with key Buddhist institutions and leaders around the world.
• The Delhi summit was a step in the right direction, providing a valuable opportunity for cultural exchange and the sharing of ideas.
• India also needs to utilize the reach of Bollywood in promoting its Buddhist heritage.
• China, with its influence over Hollywood,has completely dominated the narrative around Buddhism through cinema.
• India’s G-20 presidency this year could be used to promote Buddhist diplomacy on a bigger scale through various cultural meetings.
• The Buddhist teachingsalign with the motto of India’s G-20 presidency, ‘One Earth, One Family, One Future’.
• As Buddha was the first diplomat of peace,his teachings of peace and cooperation in these tough times can become the guiding light of Indian diplomacy on the world stage.

General Studies Paper 2

Context: The new India-US relations on the Gulf is a major departure from the traditional approaches to the Middle East in both India and the US. In India, one of the entrenched principles of the earlier foreign policy was the proposition that India must either oppose US or keep its distance from it in the Middle East.

The Recent meeting in Riyadh between Saudi Crown Prince and the national security advisers of the US, UAE, and India underlines the growing strategic convergence between India and US in the Gulf. It also highlights India’s new possibilities in the Arabian Peninsula.

What was the Ideological Taboo in India’s Foreign Policy?

Any proposition that India would sit down with the US, Israel and the Gulf countries were considered as a fantasy just a few years ago. Some of the reasons behind this ideological taboo are:

• Traditionally, India pursued a policy of non-alignment, aiming to maintain neutrality and independence in its foreign relations.
• India historically prioritized its relationships with neighbouring countries in South Asia. It concentrated on building regional alliances, resolving conflicts, and promoting economic integration within its immediate neighbourhood.
• In the past, India had limited resources to invest in projecting influence in regions beyond its immediate neighbourhood, including the Gulf. India focused on its own domestic development and addressing internal economic issues, which somewhat constrained its engagement with the Gulf nations.
• Also, seeing India’s deep ties with Russia, India increasing its ties with US was also seen as a taboo in the past.
• Because of Arab-Isreal conflict of Palestine issue, there was a notion among the policy framers that India can’t be visibly friendly to Israel.

How has India Shifted its Foreign Policy?

• After recognizing the significance of Middle East in India’s Foreign Policy, it started increasing its ties with Gulf. The landmark shift towards this was seen with the formation of a four-nation grouping — unveiled in October 2021 — called I2U2 that brought the US, India, Israel, and the UAE together.
• India shifted its policy by rejecting the notion that India can’t be visibly friendly to Israel and maintained a fine balance of ties with both Israel and Arab.
• India’s uneasy relations were also transformed with the two Arabian kingdoms, Saudi Arabia and the UAE, into solid strategic partnerships.

Significance of India’s Increasing Ties with the Gulf:

• Countering Terrorism and Pakistan: If India sheds its “anti-Western” lens in the Middle East, the US would lead the West to discard its pro-Pakistan bias in thinking about the relationship between the Subcontinent and the Gulf. They can help India in countering terrorism as well.
• Pakistan’s continuing strategic decline makes it a lot less relevant to the changing geopolitics of the Gulf.
• Gulf Nations have seen an ideological shift from religion to Nationalism. The engagement with them would also help India overcome the dangerous forces of violent religious extremism within the Subcontinent.

Energy Security: The Gulf countries, including Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Qatar, and Kuwait, are major oil and gas producers. India is heavily dependent on Gulf nations for its energy needs, as they account for a significant portion of its oil and gas imports. Strengthening ties ensures a stable and reliable energy supply, which is crucial for India’s growing economy.

• They are also thriving to reduce dependence on oil in the long run which could be beneficial for India as well.
• Between 2014-18, the total renewable electricity installed in the GCC states increased by over 300 percent.
• UAE, Saudi Arabia, Oman and Bahrain are the members of International Solar Alliance initiated by India.
• Economic Cooperation: The Gulf countries have robust economies with substantial investment potential. India seeks to enhance trade and economic cooperation with these nations, exploring opportunities for investment, infrastructure development, and bilateral trade. It opens avenues for Indian businesses to tap into the Gulf’s lucrative markets and benefit from their diverse sectors such as construction, real estate, finance, and tourism.
• Investment from Gulf to India has increased significantly during past few years. India can utilise its relations to attract more investments from the Gulf.
• Also, there is a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) being negotiated between India and Gulf Cooperation Council.
• Remittances and Diaspora: The Gulf nations house millions of Indian people who play a vital role in India’s economy through remittances. Strengthening ties with these nations benefits Indian workers by providing better welfare and protection, enhancing labor migration, and creating more employment opportunities.
• During FY 2021-22, India received highest ever remittances. UAE contributed the most after USA.
• Geostrategic Importance: The Gulf holds geostrategic significance due to its location connecting Europe, Asia, and Africa. India’s enhanced engagement in the region provides it with a platform to expand its influence and shape regional dynamics. It allows India to participate in dialogues, initiatives, and organizations such as the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), Arab League, and Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA), strengthening its diplomatic ties and strategic partnerships.
• Cultural and People-to-People Exchanges: India shares historical, cultural, and social ties with the Gulf countries, dating back centuries. Strengthening bilateral relations promotes cultural exchanges, tourism, and people-to-people interactions, fostering mutual understanding and goodwill between the nations. It helps preserve and promote the shared heritage, traditions, and values of the Indian diaspora in the Gulf.

What are the Challenges in India-Gulf ties?

• Geopolitical Dynamics: The Gulf region is strategically important due to its energy resources and its location at the crossroads of major international trade routes. Geopolitical rivalries and conflicts in the region, such as the Iran-Saudi Arabia rivalry, the Yemeni civil war, and the Qatar diplomatic crisis, can impact India’s relations with Gulf countries.
• Regional Instability: The Gulf region has witnessed political instability and security threats in recent years. Ongoing conflicts, such as the Syrian civil war and the rise of extremist groups such as ISIS have created challenges for regional stability. These issues can have spill-over effects on India’s relations with Gulf countries and pose security concerns for Indian citizens residing in the region.
• China Factor: China has emerged as an important player in the geopolitics and its diplomatic and political influence in the region will continue to rise. Yet, China is nowhere near displacing US as the principal external actor in the Gulf. Thus, it also makes India heavily dependent on US for fostering its relations with gulf nations.

Way Forward:

• Economic Cooperation Frameworks: Establishing bilateral economic cooperation frameworks, such as free trade agreements or preferential trade agreements, can facilitate smoother trade and investment flows. India must thrive to finalize negotiations on India-GCC free trade agreement.
• Cultural Exchanges and People-to-People Contacts: Strengthening cultural exchanges, promoting tourism, and facilitating people-to-people contacts will foster greater mutual understanding and strengthen the bonds between India and the Gulf nations. Encouraging cultural festivals, educational exchanges, and promoting tourism initiatives can contribute to building stronger ties at the grassroots level.

Sister city relationships can play a significant role in enhancing cultural relations.

• Diversification of Trade: While India and the Gulf countries have a significant trade relationship, there is room for diversification. Both sides can explore new sectors and expand the scope of trade beyond oil and gas. Encouraging investments in sectors like renewable energy, technology, healthcare, and agriculture can enhance bilateral trade and reduce dependence on a single commodity.

India has signed CEPA with UAE, signing such agreements with other gulf countries would help India diversify its trade.

Conclusion

• India needs to update its approach to the Gulf region in order to take advantage of new opportunities. This would involve modernizing the way India thinks about its strategic interests in the Gulf and changing the outdated ways in which people talk about the Arabian Peninsula.