General Studies Paper 2

Context: The Supreme Court has recently dismissed petitions challenging the Delhi HC’s judgement that upheld the Agnipath scheme for recruitment to the armed forces.

• An argument on Doctrine of Promissory Estoppel was floated in the Supreme Court related to petitions of shortlisted candidates in the earlier recruitment process to Army and Air Force which was cancelled when Agnipath scheme was notified.

What is the Doctrine of Promissory Estoppel?

• About:
  • Promissory estoppel is a concept developed in contractual laws. It prevents a “promisor” from backing out of an agreement on the grounds that there is no “consideration.”
  • The doctrine is invoked in court by a plaintiff (the party moving court in a civil action) against the defendant to ensure the execution of a contract or seek compensation for failure to perform the contract.
• Related Case:
  • In the Chhaganlal Keshavalal Mehta v. Patel Narandas Haribhai (1981)case, the Supreme Court listed out a checklist for when the doctrine can be applied.
    • Firstly, there must be a clear and unambiguous promise.
    • Secondly, the plaintiff must have acted relying reasonably on that promise.
    • Thirdly, the plaintiff must have suffered a loss.
  • Current Stance of SC over Agnipath Petition:
    • The Supreme Court pointed out that “promissory estoppel is always subject to overarching public interest”.
      • It also added that“this is not a contract matter where promissory estoppel in public law was applied, it is a public employment” and that “the question of applying this principle will not arise in this case”.

What is the Agnipath Scheme?

• About:
  • It allows patriotic and motivated youth to serve in the Armed Forces for a period of four years.
    • They outh joining the army will be called Agniveer.
  • Under the new scheme, around 45,000 to 50,000 soldiers will be recruited annually.
    • However, after four years, only 25% of the batch will be recruited back into their respective services,for a period of 15 years.
  • Objectives:
    • It is expected to bring down the average age profile of the Indian Armed Forces by about 4 to 5 years.
      • The scheme envisions that the average age in the forces is 32 years today, which will go down to 26 in six to seven years.
    • Eligibility Criteria:
      • It is only for personnel below officer ranks(those who do not join the forces as commissioned officers).
        • Commissioned officers are the army’s highest ranked officers. They hold an exclusive rank in the Indian armed forces. They often hold a commission under  the president’s sovereign power and are officially instructed to protect the country.
      • Aspirants between the ages of 5 years and 23 years will be eligible to apply.
    • Benefits for Agniveers:
      • Upon the completion of the 4-years of service, a one-time ‘Seva Nidhi’ package of Rs 11.71 lakhs will be paid to the Agniveers that will include their accrued interest thereon.
        • They will also get a Rs 48 lakh life insurance cover for the four years.
      • In case of death, the payout will be over Rs 1 crore,including pay for the unserved tenure.
        • The government will help rehabilitate soldiers who leave the services after four years. They will be provided with skill certificates and bridge courses.

General Studies Paper 3

Context: According to a recently released white paper by  the National Council of Applied Economic Research (NCAER), the farm machinery industry in India faces significant challenges in meeting the demands of small and marginal farmers.

The farm machinery industry is characterised by both demand and supply-side challenges. Farm mechanisation in India, at 40-45%, remains low compared to the rest of the world; in the US it is 95%, Brazil 75%, and China 57%.

Despite low levels of farm mechanization in India, skills shortages and a lack of awareness among farmers about technology and machinery management pose significant obstacles to progress.

What is the Farm Machinery Industry?

• The Farm Machinery Industry is an industry sector that produces and supplies a range of machinery, equipment, and tools used in agriculture and farming activities such as ploughing, planting, harvesting, and more.
• These machines are designed to improve productivity and efficiency in farming operations, and the industry encompasses both small-scale and large-scale farming equipment.
  • Some examples of products offered by this industry include tractors, combine harvesters, irrigation systems, tillers, and more.

What are the Challenges with the Farm Machinery Industry?

• Skills Shortage:
  • The shortage of skills is a pressing issue that creates a low-equilibrium trap for the industry.
  • At the bottom of the industry pyramid,village craftsmen represent the largest group, primarily catering to Indian farmers by supplying, repairing, and maintaining farm machinery.
• Lack of Adequate Information:
  • There is a lack of adequate information and awareness amongst farmers about the technology and the management of machinery.
  • Consequently, their selection of machinery is poor, often making it a wasted investment.
• Lack of Skilled Personnel:
  • The  Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) face a shortage of skilled personnel. Semi-skilled workers, lacking proper equipment, often fabricate agricultural tools and machinery. The absence of qualified supervisors in small-scale fabrication makes it challenging to ensure quality. Moreover, finding qualified personnel for testing machinery is also difficult.
• High Capital Cost:
  • Farm machinery is expensive, and farmers may not have the resources to invest in new equipment.This can lead to a lack of access to the latest technology and reduced efficiency in farming operations.
• Rapidly Changing Technology:
  • Farm machinery technology is evolving rapidly, and manufacturers must continually invest in research and development to keep up. This can be challenging for smaller manufacturers who may not have the resources to innovate quickly.
• Dependence on Weather Conditions:
  • Farm machinery is highly dependent on weather conditions and adverse weather can cause delays and disrupt farming operations. This can result in lost productivity and reduced profitability.
• Maintenance and Repair:
  • Farm machinery requires regular maintenance and repairs to keep it running efficiently. This can be costly and time-consuming, especially for smaller farmers who may not have the resources to maintain their equipment properly.
• Environmental Concerns:
  • There is growing concern over the environmental impact of farming, including the use of fossil fuels in farm machinery. Manufacturers are under pressure to develop more sustainable and environmentally friendly equipment.

What Should be the Way Forward?

• Training Young Farmers/Owners/Operators:
  • Tractor training   centres,Krishi Vigyan Kendras, and industry should be made responsible for training young farmers/owners/operators on how to select, operate and service farm machinery.
  • They should also provide information on developments in mechanisation including the availability of new and better farm equipment for different applications.
• Strengthening Front-line Demonstration:
  • Front-line demonstration of farm machinery should be strengthened and handheld training to users of new-generation farm machinery may encourage the extension and adoption of farm power.
• Address Skilling Shortages:
  • The Agricultural Skills Council of India should work at the district level to address skills shortages on the demand side.
  • Public-private partnerships with Custom Hiring Centres may be especially useful, and Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) institutes can offer short courses that address skills shortages on the demand side.
  • Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs)can be leveraged to address the skill gaps in repair and maintenance, and service centres at the regional and State levels may be promoted in the private and industrial sectors.
• Provisioning available Technical Knowledge and Skills:
  • The District Industries Centre should work with local industrial clusters so that ITIs can provide relevant courses with the latest available technical knowledge and skills.
  • Dual vocational skilling programmes will greatly benefit industrial clusters located in tier-II and tier-III cities, and MSMEs should also leverage the Apprentices Policy of the Central Government.

General Studies Paper 2

Context: The growth of Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies and their deployment has raised questions about privacy, monopolisation and job losses.

Why AI is not a threat for the society?

• Technological change improves aggregate productivity. Output of society also goes up. People today are better off than they were because of technology.
• There is nothing special or different this time around with AI. This is just another round of machines being used to increase productivity.
• The primary risks emerging from AI happen to be the same risks with other digital technologies, like how political systems integrate those technologies.
• Some AI based systems are already operational and have been used for some time. AI is used today in facial recognition in airports in India and by law enforcement agencies.
• The human mind has general intelligence. They are able to think from scratch and be able to try to solve a problem. Machines don’t know what to do.
• ChatGPT is just one big, glorified database of everything that has been written on the Internet.

What are issues related to the regulatory system to deal with the privacy and competition threats arising from AI?

• One important question in the field of technology policy in India is about checks and balances. There are questions related to the kind of data the government should own and its surveillance powers over us.
• There is also one big concern about the use of modern computer technology and its impact on our lives.
• There is also a need for laws for the deployment of AI­ -based systems to comply with the Supreme Court right to privacy judgement for specific use cases such as facial recognition.
• A lot of police departments and State governments are using this technology. It comes with error rates. This may result in exclusion, harassment. So, there needs to be a level of restraint.
• The government should pay greater attention to the conversations happening in Europe around AI and the risk assessment approach.
• The presence or absence of competition in this field is not cause of worry. On a global scale, there are many players. OpenAI and Microsoft collaborating on AI. Facebook is also building in this space. Google also has a big presence.
• This shows the extent to which technical dynamism generates checks and balances of its own. ChatGPT has raised a new level of competitive dynamics around Google Search.
• Indians are spectators. When it comes to issues such face recognition, nobody else is going to solve it for us. India is a poor country where regulatory and state capacity is very limited. So, the work done here will generally be of low quality.
• The tech landscape is dominated by Big Tech. They have a computing power advantage, a data advantage, and a geopolitical advantage.
• It is possible that the pre existing firms like Microsoft, Google, Meta may deepen their domination in AI.

How India ‘s handling of AI can be compared with China’s authoritarian use of AI?

• China has built a Chinese firewall and cut off users in China from the Internet. The people connected with the ruling party in China get monopoly powers to build products that look like global products.
• They steal ideas and then design and make local versions in China. But it also comes at the price of mediocrity and stagnation. They’re just copying things and not at the frontier. It will not lead to the development of genuine scientific and technical knowledge.
• So far in India, there is decent political support for globalisation,integration into the world economy and full participation by foreign companies in India. Economic nationalism is not yet a dominant impulse here. So, there is fundamental superiority in the Indian way.

Will AI completely replace all existing jobs?

• There should be focus on theword ‘productivity’. It’s good for society when human beings produce more output per unit hour as that makes us more prosperous.
• People who lose jobs will see job opportunities multiplying in other areas. The labour market does relocation of jobs every day.
• There were 1­2 million jobs operating an STD ISD booth in India. Then mobile phones came and there were apprehensions that millions of people would lose their jobs. In the end, the productivity of the country went up.

General Studies Paper 2

Context: ‘A HELP Program’ launched in the State of Uttarakhand.

What is an A-HELP Program?

• About: 
  • The ‘A-HELP’ training programme is being run jointly by the Union Ministry of Rural Development and Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying.
  • In the programme, members of women self-help groups registered under State Rural Livelihood Mission, who are helping in various animal husbandry activities in the form of Pashu Sakhi, will be trained as ‘A-HELP’ (Accredited Agent for Health and Extension of Livestock Production).
• Significance:
  • A-HELP are community-based women activists, who assist veterinarians in local departmental activities, help livestock farmers to take loans for entrepreneurship development, fill applications, mark the ear tagging of animals and register them in INAF portal and help with insurance etc.
  • ‘A-HELP’ assistance can be taken in implementation of various schemes and in providing information to the farmers at grassroots level.

Rashtriya Gokul Mission

• The Rashtriya Gokul Mission (RGM) has been implemented for development and conservation of indigenous bovine breeds since December 2014.
• The scheme is also continued under the umbrella scheme Rashtriya Pashudhan Vikas Yojana from 2021 to 2026.
• Objectives:
  • To enhance productivity of bovines and increase milk production in a sustainable manner using advanced technologies.
  • To propagate use of high genetic merit bulls for breeding purposes.
  • To enhance Artificial insemination coverage through strengthening breeding network and delivery of Artificial insemination services at farmers doorstep.
  • To promote indigenous cattle & buffalo rearing and conservation in a scientific and holistic manner.

National Animal Disease Control Programme (NADCP)

• To vaccinate over 600 million cattle in the country in an effort to mitigate the two diseases namely, the Foot & Mouth Disease, & brucellosis.
• To control livestock diseases by 2025, and eradicate them by 2030.
• The livestock that will be covered under the programme includes cattle, buffalo, sheep, goats, and pigs against the FMD.
• The project will be fully funded by the Central Government.
• The programme envisages 100% ear tagging of the eligible animal population.

Other Initiatives 

• Dairy Sahakar scheme: It is an initiative of the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, introduced in 2014-15, with the objective of sustainable development of livestock.
• Animal Husbandry Infrastructure Development Fund (AHIDF): Fund helps to  increase milk and meat processing capacity and product diversification thereby providing greater access for unorganized rural milk and meat producers to organized milk and meat markets.
• Pashu-Aadhar:It is a unique ID on a digital platform for traceability for the
• National Digital Livestock Mission (NDLM)
• Livestock Health & Disease Control (LH&DC) Scheme: It aims to reduce risk to animal health by prophylactic vaccination against diseases of animals, capacity building of Veterinary services, disease surveillance and strengthening veterinary infrastructure.
• Dairy Processing and Infrastructure Development Fund (DIDF) Scheme: 
  • Launched: 21st December 2017
  • Objectives: To modernize the milk processing & chilling plants including value addition
• E-GOPALA app
• Nationwide Artificial Insemination Programme

General Studies Paper 3

Context: The LHC (Large Hadron Collider) has recently undergone upgrades to make it more accurate and sensitive and will start collecting data in May 2023.

• The LHC has undergone upgrades to increase its sensitivity and accuracy, allowing scientists to study particles with even higher energy.

What is Hadron?

• Hadron is any member of a class of subatomic particles that are built from quarks and thus react through the agency of the strong force. The hadrons embrace mesons, baryons (e.g., protons, neutrons, and sigma particles), and their many resonances.

What is LHC?

• About:
  • The LHC is a huge experiment that collides two beams of particles to study physics at very high energies. It’s the largest science experiment in the world and is operated by CERN (European Organisation for Nuclear Research)
  • The LHC is a circular pipe that is 27 km long and is located on the Franco-Swiss border near Geneva, Switzerland.
  • It consists of two D-shaped magnetic fields created by almost 9,600 magnets.
• Working Mechanism:
  • Protons, which are subatomic particles made up of quarks and gluons, are accelerated inside the LHC using these magnets.
    • Quarks and gluons are subatomic particles that make up protons and neutrons. Quarks come in six different “flavors”: up, down, charm, strange, top, and bottom. Gluons are particles that “glue” quarks together inside protons and neutrons through the strong nuclear force.
    • Protons are not the only particles accelerated in the LHC.
  • By switching the direction of the magnetic field rapidly, protons can be accelerated through the beam pipe.
  • Other components help to focus the particles and keep them from hitting the pipe’s walls.
  • The protons eventually move at 99.999999% of the speed of light. 
• Significance:
  • At such high energies, the LHC can create conditions that existed only fractions of a second after the Big Bang.
  • Scientists use detectors placed along the beam pipe to observe the interactions of the accelerated particles, which can reveal new insights into the nature of matter and the universe.
  • The LHC has already discovered the Higgs boson in 2012 and confirmed their findings in 2013, which is a particle that gives other particles mass.
  • The LHC also helps to test theories in particle physics, such as supersymmetry and extra dimensions.

What are Supersymmetry and Extra Dimensions?

• Supersymmetry:
  • It proposes that every known particle in the universe has a yet-to-be-discovered “superpartner” particle,which would have opposite spin and different quantum numbers.
  • This would mean that every particle in the universe would have a partner that has not yet been observed,and it could help to solve some of the problems with the current standard model of particle physics, such as the hierarchy problem.
• Extra Dimensions:
  • Extra dimensions propose that the universe has more than the three dimensions of space and one dimension of time that we are familiar with.
  • The idea is that there may be additional dimensions that are “curled up”or compactified and are too small to be detected by our current experiments.
  • The concept of extra dimensions arises in certain theories of gravity, such as string theory, which suggest that gravity is stronger than expected at small distances because it “feels” extra dimensions.

What are the Related Challenges?

• The LHC faces many technical challenges, such as maintaining the stability of the magnets and avoiding collisions between particles and the pipe’s walls.
• The LHC generates enormous amounts of data. Handling and processing this data is a challenge that requires advanced computing and storage systems.
• The LHC is an international collaboration that involves thousands of scientists from different countries and institutions. Coordinating this collaboration and ensuring that all participants have access to the data and facilities they need is a challenge.

Way Forward

• The LHC is a remarkable scientific achievement, but operating it requires a coordinated effort from many people and institutions. Addressing the challenges associated with the LHC is crucial to advancing our understanding of the universe.
• The LHC has tested and disproved some theories that aim to explain the limitations of the Standard Model, causing uncertainty in the physics community. To move forward, two ideas have emerged: upgrading the LHC to increase its luminosity and building a bigger and more expensive version in the hopes of finding new physics.
• While CERN and China have proposed such a machine, some physicists question whether the money would be better spent on less-expensive experiments with guaranteed results.

General Studies Paper 2

Context: By March 2024, India aims to digitise 100 per cent of its land records and the land registration process and give a unique 14-digit alpha-numeric identity, also called Bhu-Aadhaar.

ULPIN (Unique Land Parcel Identification Number)/ Bhu-Aadhaar

• About:
  • Department of Land Resources (DoLR) along with the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, the Department of Science and Technology and the National Remote Sensing Centre came up with the Unique Land Parcel Identification Number system.
• Digital India Land Record Modernisation Programme (DILRMP):
  • DILRMP, which integrates the computerisation of land records, strengthening of revenue administration, and updating of land records.
  • Once this has been done and the system is cleaned up, every plot/parcel of land (both urban and rural) can get the 14-digit alpha-numeric ULPIN (Unique Land Parcel Identification Number) which is also named as Bhu-Aadhaar.
• Key aspects:
  • Data mapping:
    • The Unique Land Parcel Identification Number (ULPIN) or Bhu-Aadhaar will have the longitude and latitude coordinates of the land parcel and is based on detailed surveys and geo-referenced cadastral maps.
    • It will cover all land parcels rural as well as urban.
  • Language processing:
    • Currently, the Records of Rights in each state and Uion territory are maintained in local languages.
    • The Digital India Land Records Modernisation Programme will also process transliterating the Records of Rights to any of the 22 languages recognised by the Constitution.
  • How?
    • Technology helps and hand-held devices can lock in latitude-longitude coordinates and marry land records with satellite imagery.
    • Computerisation and strengthening revenue administration is the easier part and there are efficiencies because of a standard template throughout the country for registration and record of rights, including addressing of the multilingual issue.
  • Implementation:
    • The Bhu-Aadhaar project has been introduced in 26 states and is currently being implemented in the remaining states, except for Meghalaya.
      • Meghalaya’s tradition of communal land ownership has resulted in the project not being implemented in the state.

Significance

• Unified Nation wide ID:
  • So far, different states were using different methods for assigning unique IDs to land parcels in computerisation of land records.
  • This made extraction of important information on farmers and their land difficult and cumbersome.
  • In many instances, the land parcel numbers were repeated in each village, making it difficult to establish farmer-land relationships.
  • A unique ID will help in sharing of land record data across departments, financial institutions and all stakeholders.
• Prevention of Land Fraud: 
  • The uniquely identified number will prevent land fraud, especially in rural India, where land records are outdated and often disputed.
• Mitigating disputes pendency:
  • Once the digitisation process of land records and registration is complete, it is expected to mitigate the huge pendency of court cases involving land disputes.
• Record for collateral:
  • It will also help farmers leverage their land and use it as a collateral to borrow money from banks.

Challenges

• Issues with updating of land records:
  • Digitisation of Cadastral maps will typically not have latitude/longitude data. There could be elevation and projection problems.
  • The record we have of the title must reflect ownership, with new registrations and mutation being automatic. With or without title insurance, this guarantees title and just as Aadhaar captures biometry, ULPIN captures everything about that plot/parcel. Which in all is a difficult process.
• Difficulty in accomplishing target:
  • Given the history and the complex nature of land laws, it is claimed that this process certainly cannot be accomplished by March 2024 (or even March 2026), both target dates.
• Feasibility and sustainability:
  • The feasibility and sustainability of the project have also raised concerns due to the cost of implementation, particularly considering the Department of Land Resources’ restricted financial resources.

Way ahead

• Need of overall modernisation:
  • As a cause of litigation, land/property issues are indeed important. But the quantitative case for modernisation of land records alone, in absence of other changes(such as multiplicity of laws on land and rural/urban silos), should not be overstated.
    • For instance, in a similar vein, Economic Survey 2014-15 tracked stalling of projects and found that land acquisition is not as much of an issue as is commonly made out.
  • Setting an example:
    • There are parts where land titles and records are in a mess, cleaning up requiring a gargantuan effort. But there are parts where titles and records are clean.
    • Those can readily have their ULPIN, those efficiency gains acting like a demonstration effect for others to come on board.
  • Definite potential:
    • Despite the challenges and controversies surrounding the Bhu Aadhaar project, it has the potential to bring significant benefits to India’s land management system.

General Studies Paper 3

Context: India is faced with a milk shortage & the Centre has reportedly been considering the import of butter and ghee.

India’s dairy sector

• India’s success story in milk production was scripted by Dr Verghese Kurien, known as the “Father of the White Revolution”in India
• Dairy: It is the single largest agricultural commodity contributing 5 percent of the national economy and employing more than 8 crore farmers directly.
  • India is ranked 1st in milk production contributing 23 percent of global milk production.
  • Milk production in the country has grown at a compound annual growth rate of about 6.2 percent to reach 209.96 million tonnes in 2020-21 from 146.31 million tonnes in 2014-15.
• Stakeholders in the sector:
  • Notably, 228 dairy cooperatives reach out to 17 million farmers, many of whom are likely to be assured of their milk being procured at the right time and at a fair price.
  • This time, private players have wrested some market share from cooperatives by offering higher prices in a buoyant market.
• Stagnation in the sector:
  • The Union Animal Husbandry Secretary recently said that cooperatives reported a 1-2 percent milk production increase in 2022-23, while the data from other players in the organised and unorganised sector point to stagnant output.
• Outcomes:
  • Rise in milk prices:
    • Milk prices,which have been on the uptrend in the country, could soon hit an all-time high, forcing the world’s biggest producer to step up imports to boost supplies and ease cost of living pressures.
  • Demand supply mismatch:
    • Industry officials estimate demand for dairy products to rise 7 percent this year.
    • But milk production is likely to have risen just 1 per cent in the fiscal year to March 2023, well below the average annual rate of 5.6 per cent in the past decade

Challenges faced by India’s Dairy sector

• Following factors have majorly played a role in the drying up of milk output vis-a-vis the annual growth trend of 5-6 percent.
• Pandemic:
  • Demand destruction during Covid led to a crash in prices and with it the inability of dairy farmers to invest in the upkeep of their cattle.
  • Cattle breeding suffered during pandemic lockdowns due to a shortage of the village-level veterinarians needed to conduct artificial insemination.
• Lumpy skin disease:
  • Lumpy skin disease has, by all accounts, wreaked havoc. The official death count of 1.9 lakh cattle could be an underestimate.
  • Although the Centre claims that at least a third of the livestock has been vaccinated since last August and that the worst is over, the effects of the disease will perhaps linger for a while as dairy farmers need to recoup income and capital losses.
  • Long-term effects:
    • Lumpy skin disease, which causes blisters and reduces milk production in cows, has infected millions of cattle and killed more than 184,000 in India, including around 76,000 in Rajasthan, according to government data.
    • Farmers in Rajasthan who managed to protect their cattle through vaccinations, now complain about lower incomes as the disease has left them with low-yielding cattle.
  • Fodder inflation:
    • Fodder inflation at 30 percent has been a critical factor. According to ICAR scientists, fodder and feed account for 70 percent of the cost of milk.
    • Fodder inflation is an endemic issue, as supply has not kept pace with the demand. It has for decades been grown on just 4 percent of farmland.
    • Fodder development does not find much of a place in animal husbandry budgets.

Government’s Initiatives Related to the Dairy Sector

• Several measures have been initiated by the government to increase the productivity of livestock, which has resulted in increasing milk production significantly.
• “Dairy Sahakar” scheme:
  • Union Minister of Home Affairs and Corporation launched the “Dairy Sahakar” scheme at Anand, Gujarat, during the function organised by Amul for the celebration of the 75th Foundation Year of Amul.
    • The Dairy Sahakar with a total investment of  Rs 5000 crore will be implemented by NCDC  under the Ministry of Cooperation to realize the vision, “from cooperation to prosperity”.
  • Lumpi-ProVacInd:
    • It is jointly developed by ICAR’s National Research Centre on Equines (NRCE) and the Indian Veterinary Research Institute (IVRI).
      • It is a live attenuated vaccine, similar to those used against tuberculosis, measles, mumps and rubella.
    • National Animal Disease Control Programme (NADCP): 
      • It is a flagship scheme launched in September 2019 for control of Foot & Mouth Disease and Brucellosis by vaccinating 100% cattle, buffalo, sheep, goat and pig population for FMD and 100% bovine female calves of 4-8 months of age for brucellosis in five years (2019-20 to 2023-24).
    • Dairy Entrepreneurship Development Scheme (DEDS): 
      • The department of Animal Husbandry, dairying and fisheries is implementing DEDS for generating self-employment opportunities in the dairy sector, covering activities such as enhancement of milk production, procurement, preservation, transportation, processing and marketing of milk by providing back ended capital subsidy for bankable projects.
    • e-GOPALA: 
      • The web version of the e-GOPALA application developed by the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) has been launched to aid dairy farmers.
    • Launching of Dairy mark:
      • The National Dairy Development Board (NDDB)and Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) together developed a dedicated ‘Dairy Mark’ logo as a unified quality mark across India to boost the confidence of consumers in milk and milk products.
        • A unified Conformity Assessment Scheme has been chalked out by BIS with the help of NDDB after extensive stakeholder consultations.

Suggestions & way ahead

• Dairy product demand is growing rapidly with rising population, incomes, urbanisation and changing diets.
• For a sector that supports more than 80 million farmers, and one that can provide a livelihood to many more small and marginal farmers (120 million of them, with plots too small for viable farming),it is worth investing in policies to address embedded supply constraints.
• Today, there is room for all players to grow, given the demand scenario.
• For producers:
  • For sustainable dairy development, it is important that producers, most of whom are poor, are spared price volatility— they deserve price assurance of some sort.
• Cooperatives:
  • Cooperatives revolutionised dairying, but due to a variety of factors their success has not gone beyond Gujarat and Karnataka.
• For private players:
  • Private players should be nudged to invest in supply chains in this capital-intensive business.

General Studies Paper 3

Context: India is celebrating its 75th anniversary as the world’s youngest and largest democracy. The Prime Minister has set a goal of making India a developed nation by 2047, and the next 25 years have been dubbed “Amrit Kaal.” This period will usher in the Swarnim Yug, which would see India become a developed nation by 2047. Providing opportunities for Youth will be crucial in accomplishing this goal. The government is enacting several programmes to fully realise their potential. With a billion Indians under the age of 35, India’s demographic dividend is set to provide the country with a bright future.

Why does New India need to provide opportunities for youth in Startup Ecosystem?

• Startups Catering to Market Demands: The Indian domestic market and demand is projected to reach an enormous $384 trillion by 2047. India’s villages currently house 11% of the world’s population, but around 30 people are moving from villages to cities every minute. By 2047, 20% of the world’s middle class will be in India, creating a new urban population that will require various services such as housing, infrastructure, education, health, and entertainment. Young entrepreneurs have a vast range of sectors to innovate in and meet the growing demand, offering tremendous opportunities for startups to disrupt the market positively.
• India’s Rapid Digitisation: India is at the forefront of digitisation, with 41 percent of the world’s real-time transactions occurring in the country. The IT industry in India is booming, with a YoY growth of 15.5 percent in FY22 and revenue surpassing USD 200 billion. Startups have the opportunity to leverage the development in tech sub-sectors like Al, blockchain, XaaS, cloud computing, and more. The Government of India is committed to promoting homegrown businesses and supporting Indian innovators in emerging as global leaders in futuristic technology.
• Record FDI and Inclusive Growth: Out of the $950 billion in FDI received since independence, $532 billion came in the last 8 years from 162 countries in 61 sectors across 31 states and UTs. The Digital India initiative has helped drive the growth of the startup ecosystem, especially in remote parts of the nation. The ‘MARG’ portal is providing crucial opportunities and funding for innovators and startups in remote areas, highlighting inclusive development in New India. The new engine of the Indian growth story lies in semi-urban and rural India.
• India-Knowledge and content hub of the world: Along with sports, our yoga-spirituality, music cinema, and philosophy-literature, etc., also have the power to establish Indian hegemony in the whole world. Today, India’s Yoga Day and International Millets Day are the most popular among the programmes celebrated by the United Nations. So, India must develop ways of fully leveraging the potential of Indian soft power through startups also.
• Opportunities in energy sector: India holds the fourth position in the world, in the field of solar energy. The recently-discovered lithium deposits in Jammu and Kashmir are also likely to open up new opportunities. The energy sector promises guaranteed success and must be leveraged by the youth and startups so that India can become self-sufficient and a net exporter nation of energy by 2047.

What are the steps taken by the government to enhance the opportunities for Youth in Startup Ecosystem?

• Startup India acts as a Catalyst for India’s Youth: Startup India has been a decisive and phenomenal intervention by the Government of India to make India’s youth the best in the world. Launched in 2016, it has become a globally known journey of India’s fast-paced, always innovating and resilient entrepreneurial ecosystem.
• Through Startup India, the youth have been given access to new opportunities and empowered to drive India’s sustainable economic growth and create large-scale employment opportunities. This has transformed India into a New India where good economics is driving much-needed change.
• Working towards digitizing: The Union Budget 2023-24 aims to transform India into a scientific and digitized economy. The government is working towards digitizing all government processes to make them more citizen-centric.
• Green Hydrogen Mission: There is a provision of Rs. 35,000 crores for the energy transition in this budget. Rs. 20,000 crore have been given for the Green Hydrogen Mission. Agricultural startups: The Agricultural Budget which was less than Rs. 25,000 crores in 2014 has been increased to more than Rs. 1,25,000 crore today.
• India is home to more than 3000 agri-startups today compared to almost nothing 9 years ago. The introduction of accelerator funds for agri-tech startups is not only creating digital infrastructure but also preparing funding avenues. Shree Anna is being promoted for the benefit of our small farmers as well as to increase the growth possibilities of startups in this sector.
• Lowering the cost of logistics to increase competitiveness: The National Logistics Policy (NLP), launched in September 2022, aims to lower the cost of logistics and increase the competitiveness of Indian products. The policy targets reducing the cost of logistics from the existing range of 13%-14% to levels on par with other developed countries.
• Combining Policies: The NLP’s transformational capacities are further increased when combined with previous connectivity and infrastructure improvement schemes like Gati Shakti, Sagarmala, and Bharatmala. This synergy will further increase the efficiency efforts across all sectors of the economy and encourage value addition and enterprise.

How does the Knowledge-Based Digital Economy provide opportunities for youth in the startup ecosystem?

• Building a knowledge-based digital economy: A Digital Public Infrastructure will be developed for the benefit of farmers, while ICMR labs will be made available to private medical colleges and R&D companies for health-based research. Additionally, a Centre of Excellence will be set up to promote research and innovation in pharmaceuticals. District Institutes of Education and Training Centres will also be established to revolutionize teacher training, and a National Digital Library will be built.
• Focus on skill development and training: The Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana will provide training in artificial intelligence, coding, 3D printing, and the Internet of Things. The government will open 30 Skill India international centers, three Centers of Excellence for Artificial Intelligence, and 100 labs for the development of 5G applications. Moreover, stipends will be given to 47 lakh youth to ensure equal opportunities for everyone.
• Introducing the National Data Governance Policy: To facilitate the use of data arising from digitization, the government will soon introduce the National Data Governance Policy. This policy will make India’s data available to the country’s youth to develop new technologies and innovations.

How do sectors of defence and space provide opportunities for Youth in Startup Ecosystem?

• India’s Defence Exports: India’s defence exports have been growing steadily over the past few years, with the goal of raising them from $1.5 billion to $5 billion by 2024-25.
• Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX) Framework: To promote innovation and technological growth in the defence and aerospace sectors, the government established the Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX) framework. This framework integrates industries such as MSMEs, startups, and individual innovators, as well as R&D institutes and academia, to promote self-sufficiency.
• Defence India Startup Challenge (DISC): The iDEX framework launched seven versions of the Defence India Startup Challenge (DISC) to encourage startups and inventors to develop successful prototypes. The Military India Startup Challenge has seen a huge number of firms participate in various rounds.
• Success Stories of iDEX Framework: So far, 136 startups have been engaged, and 102 contracts for prototype development have been signed. The Ministry has also granted Acceptance of Necessity (AN) for 14 iDEX goods, opening the door for orders to be placed with iDEX winners.
• Central Sector Scheme for iDEX: The government has authorised a central sector scheme for iDEX with a financial support of Rs 498.78 crore from 2021-22 to 2025-26. The problem statements generated by the defence forces are launched within the iDEX framework for the development of technologies and prototypes, thereby addressing the defence forces’ real-time problems.
• Conclusion
• The youth of India are being praised for their innovative spirit, which has led to the success of the country’s startup ecosystem. The Prime Minister has recognized their passion, sincerity, and integrity as the driving force behind this success. India’s startups are constantly evolving and adapting, which is why they are creating waves in the world. Young entrepreneurs are encouraged to continue playing and exploring new opportunities while upholding the spirit of Vasudhaiv Kutumbakam.

General Studies Paper 2

Context: At the Delhi Arbitration Weekend in February 2023, Union Law Minister emphasised the need for institutional arbitration to enhance the ease of doing business. India has shown tremendous improvement in the World Bank’s Ease of Doing Business report (now World bank stopped publishing) rising from the 142nd rank among 190 countries in 2014 to 63rd in 2019.

However, India is still struggling in terms of enforcing contracts, with a rank of 163^rd out of 190 countries. While India may have missed the bus in becoming an international arbitration hub, there is potential for the country to catch up with Online Dispute Redressal (ODR).

• With the current issue of cases pending for prolonged periods, Online Dispute Resolution (ODR) has the capability to provide accessible justice to everyone,thereby tackling the problem.

What is India’s Current Position in Institutional Arbitration?

• India has made significant progress in institutional arbitration in recent years.
• The Indian government has taken several measures to promote institutional arbitration, including the establishment of the Mumbai Centre for International Arbitration (MCIA)and the Delhi International Arbitration Centre (DIAC). These institutions aim to provide a world-class platform for conducting international arbitration in India.
• In 2022, to speed up dispute resolution, Finance Minister announced the setting up of an international arbitration centre at GIFT City.
• In addition to these institutions, the Indian government has also enacted the Arbitration and Conciliation (Amendment) Act, 2019,which seeks to streamline the arbitration process in India and make it more time-bound and cost-effective.
  • The Act provides for the establishment of the Arbitration Council of India (ACI)to promote the development of arbitration in India and to regulate the conduct of arbitrators.

How Online Dispute Redressal can improve India’s Business Environment?

• Faster Resolution of Disputes:
  • The traditional legal system in India is known for its slow and cumbersome process. ODR can help resolve disputes faster as it is based on technology-enabled processesand does not involve physical presence.
• Cost-Effective:
  • Litigation can be an expensive affair, and small and medium enterprises (SMEs) often find it difficult to bear the high costs. ODR can help reduce costs by eliminating the need for physical hearings, travel, and other related expenses.
• Access to Justice:
  • India is a diverse country with a large population, and many people in remote areas do not have easy access to courts. ODR can help bridge this gap by providing a platform for remote dispute resolution.
• Increased Efficiency:
  • ODR can bemore efficient than traditional dispute resolution methods as it uses technology to streamline the process. This can lead to faster resolution of disputes and reduce the burden on the judiciary.
• Better Compliance:
  • ODR can help improve compliance as it provides a structured process for dispute resolution.This can help businesses avoid disputes in the first place by ensuring that contracts are clear and that all parties are aware of their obligations.

What are the Challenges with Online Dispute Redressal?

• Lack of Physical Presence:
  • ODR takes place entirely in the digital realm, which makes it challenging to verify the identity of the parties involved in a dispute. This lack of physical presence can also make it difficult to enforce judgments,as there is no way to physically seize assets or property.
• Jurisdictional Issues:
  • Online transactions can involve parties from different countries,which can create jurisdictional challenges. Different countries have different laws, and it can be difficult to determine which laws apply to a particular dispute. This can make it challenging to enforce judgments, as there may be conflicting laws or no legal framework in place for cross-border enforcement.
• Privacy Concerns:
  • ODR platforms must balance the need for privacy with the need for transparency.Parties may be hesitant to share sensitive information online, which can hinder the resolution process. Additionally, online platforms must comply with data privacy laws, which can be challenging in cross-border disputes.
• Technology Limitations:
  • ODR platformsrely on technology, which can be vulnerable to technical glitches or cyber attacks. Technical issues can delay or disrupt the resolution process and cyber-attacks can compromise the security of sensitive information.
• Limited Access to Justice:
  • Not all parties haveequal access to ODR platforms, which can exacerbate power imbalances.
    • For example, parties with limited financial resources may not be able to access the necessary technologyor legal support to participate in ODR. This can result in unequal outcomes and undermine the legitimacy of the ODR process.

Way Forward:

• Incentivise use of ODR:
  • Government can incentivise use of ODR by way of legislative measures such as setting ODR as a default dispute resolution tool for categories of disputes arising out of online transactions, fast-tracking enforcement of ODR outcomes, and exempting or reducing stamp duty and court fees.
• Solving Infrastructural Challenges:
  • Government needs to address the Infrastructural challenges, curb the digital divide, and catalyse ODR’s growth by optimising existing setups such as Aadhaar kendras to also function as ODR kiosks.
  • Each court can have an ODR cell along with supplemental technical and administrative support.
  • On the lines of the finance minister allocating Rs. 7,000 crore for the third phase of thee-Courts project in the Union Budget 2023  (aimed at digitising the justice system), a dedicated fund must be set up for furthering ODR.
• Exploring ODR as a Grievance Redress Mechanism:
  • Government departments should explore ODR as a grievance redress mechanism.
  • Proactive use of ODR by government entities will not only increase trust in the process but also ensure that citizens have access to a convenient and cost-effective means of resolving disputes with the government.

General Studies Paper 2

Context: Himachal Pradesh passed Sukhashraya (Care, Protection, and Self-Reliance of Children of the State) Act, 2023 to ensure the welfare of orphans  and persons with special needs.

What are the Key Details of Sukhashraya Act, 2023?

• About:
  • The Act defines orphans as those without biological parents or whose parents are incapacitatedand includes children in need of care and protection such as those without homes or those at risk of forced marriage, crime, or drug abuse.
  • The Act offers financial and institutional benefits to the beneficiaries between the age of 18-27 years, along with vocational training, skill development, and coaching to help them become active members of society.
  • The Act is a step towards ensuring the protection and care of the most vulnerable section of society.
• Benefits under the Act:
  • AMukhya Mantri Sukhashraya Sahayata Kosh fund of Rs 101 crore has been formed, and a child welfare committee will be established in each district to oversee the scheme.
  • Orphans and persons with special needs will become ‘children of the state’.
  • Financial benefits include Rs 5,000 in summer and winter, Rs 500 for major festivals, and Rs 4,000 monthly allowance for daily expenses in college.
  • Institutional benefits include sponsored train tickets and accommodation for 10 days within the state, and hostel fees for beneficiaries in ITI and government colleges.
  • The government will give a fixed amount of money at the time of marriage and three biswas of land to build their own homes.
  • Orphans who wish to establish their own start-ups will be given a token corpus to incentivize entrepreneurial pursuits.
    • D. students will also receive the monthly allowance.
  • Other Safeguards Mentioned in the Act:
    • Ex-residents of child care institutions will be supported by the state government till the age of 21 years.
    • Recurring deposit accounts will be opened for each child and orphan, and the state government shall make contributions to these accounts as per prevalent rates.
    • The child welfare committee will carry out surveys to identify orphans and will look into the demands of children in need.
      

Note: As per the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015, orphan and destitute children in the country are “Children in need of care and protection (CNCP). The primary responsibility of execution of the Act lies with the States/UTs.

What is the Similar Initiative of Union Government?

• Child Protection Services (CPS) Scheme or “Mission Vatsalya”:
  • Launched by Ministry of Women and Child Development.
  • Under the provisions of the CPS, Central Government is providing financial assistance to the States/UTs for undertaking a situational analysis of children in difficult circumstances, inter-alia.
  • Under the scheme institutional care to Children in need of care and protection and Children in Conflict with Law is provided in Child Care Institutions (CCIs).
  • The scheme also provides for non-institutional care wherein support is extended for adoption, foster care and sponsorship.