General Studies Paper -2

Context: Recently, the Prime Minister of India and Mauritius jointly inaugurated an airstrip, jetty, and 6 other projects to ensure maritime security and connectivity to Mauritius’ Agalega islands.

About the India and Mauritius Relations

• India and Mauritius share a deep and historical bond, with Indian origin people comprising nearly 70% of the island’s population.
• The relationship between the two nations is rooted in shared history, culture, and democratic values.

Historical Ties:

• The first Indians were brought to Mauritius from the Puducherry region in 1729 to work as artisans and masons.
• Under British rule, about half a million Indian indentured workers were brought to Mauritius between 1834 and the early 1900s.
• About two-thirds of these workers permanently settled down in Mauritius.

Diplomatic Relations:

• India established diplomatic relations with Mauritius in 1948, even before the independence of Mauritius.
• India was represented by an Indian Commissioner in British-ruled Mauritius between 1948 and 1968 and thereafter, by a High Commissioner after Mauritius became independent in 1968.

Economic Cooperation:

• India and Mauritius signed a Comprehensive Economic Cooperation and Partnership Agreement (CECPA) in 2021.
• Under the CECPA, India and Mauritius would provide preferential access to a number of items like surgical equipment, medicine, and textile products that would cater to market requirements on both sides.
• Bilateral tradehas been disproportionately in favour of India. (For the FY 2022-2023, Indian exports to Mauritius was USD 462.69 mn, Mauritian exports to India was USD 91.50 mn and Total trade was USD 554.19 mn).
• It has grown by 132% in the last 17 years, from USD 206.76 million in 2005-06 to USD 554.19 million in 2022-23.
• FDI:Cumulative FDI worth USD 161 billion came from Mauritius to India in the two decades from 2000 – 2022 (26% of total FDI inflows into India).
• FDI inflows from Mauritius have dropped from USD 15.72 bn in 2016-17 to USD 6.13 bn in 2022-23, with Mauritius becoming India’s third largest source of FDI.
• Indian Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) in Mauritius:At present, 11 Indian PSUs are in Mauritius which include Life Insurance Corporation, Indian Oil (Mauritius) Limited, State Bank of India (Mauritius), Rail India Technical and Economic Service (RITES) etc.

Defence Cooperation:

• India is the preferred defence partner of Mauritius for acquiring platforms/equipment, capacity building, joint patrolling, hydrological services, etc.
• Indian defence officers are deputed to the Mauritian Defence Forces. An Indian Navy officer heads the Mauritian National Coast Guard; an Indian Air Force officer commands the Police Helicopter Squadron and an Indian Naval Officer heads the Mauritius Hydrography Services.
• In February 2021, India extended a Line of Creditof USD 100 mn to Mauritius for procuring defence products, under which Mauritius has already sourced a Passenger Variant Dornier aircraft and an Advanced Light Helicopter Dhruv.
• SAGAR:India recalled that it was in Mauritius, during 2015 that India’s maritime cooperation vision of SAGAR – ‘Security and Growth for All in the Region’ was outlined.

Others:

• India has traditionally been the ‘first responder’ for Mauritius in times of crisis, including during the recent Covid-19 and Wakashio oil-spill crisis.
• Mauritius has become the first country to join India’s Jan Aushadhi initiative which will benefit the people of Mauritius by providing better quality Made-in-India generic medicines.
• RuPay cards and UPI connectivity between two countries were established.

Associated Challenges and Concerns

• Tax Treaty Misuse:The Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement (DTAA) between India and Mauritius had been a point of concern due to its potential misuse for illicit activities like money laundering and round-tripping of funds.
• It led to amendments in the treaty in 2016 and the implementation of the General Anti-Avoidance Rule (GAAR) in 2017.
• Chagos Archipelago Dispute:It is an issue of sovereignty and sustainable development before the United Nations.
• In 2019, India voted at the U.N. General Assembly in support of the Mauritian position on the issue.
• Security Concerns:With Mauritius emerging as an important maritime entity in the Indo-Pacific region, security concerns are paramount.
• India and Mauritius have a strong defence partnership, but maintaining and enhancing this partnership in the face of evolving regional dynamics can be challenging.
• Logistical and Bureaucratic:While India and Mauritius have a robust development partnership, the ongoing implementation of various infrastructure projects and the delivery of promised assistance can pose logistical and bureaucratic challenges.

Conclusion

• The relationship between India and Mauritius is multifaceted and has grown stronger over the years. The two nations continue to work together in various fields, including infrastructure, FinTech, culture, and more.
• The special ties between India and Mauritius are a testament to their shared history, cultural affinities, and mutual respect.

General Studies Paper -2

Context: The Law Commission of India has worked out three major Constitutional amendments to set the ground for the ‘One Nation, One Election’ project in 2029.

• The 22nd Law Commission, headed by former Karnataka High Court Chief Justice Ritu Raj Awasthi, is set to recommend the addition of a new chapter on simultaneous polls in the Constitution.
• Currently, Part XV of the Constitution deals with elections. It prescribes the role of the Election Commission and for elections to be based on adult suffrage among other aspects.
• The Commission is likely to recommend insertion of a new chapter, Part XVA, that would make provisions for simultaneous polls.

Recommendations: Three major Constitutional Amendments

• While the law panel has not submitted its report to the government, it has made detailed presentations of its likely recommendations before the high-level committee, headed by former President Ram Nath Kovind.

1. Synchronization of Assembly elections: The Commission’s report is likely to suggest synchronising assembly elections in two stages in the next five years before all states can go to polls simultaneously with the next Lok Sabha elections in 2029.

• Then2029 can be the third election cycle where the Centre, all states, municipal and panchayat elections can be held together.”

2. Sustainability of simultaneous polls: One of the key concerns on simultaneous polls was tackling situations where the mandate results in a hung assembly or when a government falls midway when a no-confidence vote is instituted.

• Sources said that a second Constitutional amendment would deal with “sustainability of simultaneous polls” which would address these concerns.
• It is learnt that the Law Commission’s prescription is to first attempt setting up an all-party “unity” government if a government falls during its five-year tenure.
• “If that is not possible, then the alternative would be holding electionsonly for the term remaining before another cycle of simultaneous polls can be held”.
  • Contesting elections only to form a government for a short term could be a disincentive for political parties to bring down a government.

3. Common voter list: The third Constitutional amendment to be recommended by the law panel would specifically deal with a common voter list.

• Currently in many states, the voter list for the panchayat and municipal elections is different from the one used for Parliament and assembly elections.
• It said a common voter list will ensure every citizen gets the right to exercise his/her franchise for all public bodies.

Idea of Simultaneous Elections in India (One Nation One Election)

• Simultaneous Elections refer to the idea of holding Lok Sabha and State legislative assembly elections together, with the aim of reducing the frequency of elections and their associated costs.
• Simultaneous elections in India to the Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assemblies were held in the years 1951-52, 1957, 1962 and 1967. 
• Thereafter, the schedule could not be maintained and the elections to the Lok Sabha and the State legislative assembly have still not been realigned.
• The Election Commission in its annual report (1983)had recommended that a system should be evolved so that elections could be held simultaneously.
• The Law Commission (170th Report- 1999)stated that we must go back to the past where the elections to Lok Sabha and all the Vidhan Sabha were held simultaneously.
• The 79th Report of the Parliamentary Standing Committee (2015)also favored the idea of the simultaneous elections which was reiterated by a NITI Aayog paper in 2017.

Arguments In Favour of One Nation One Election

• It will reduce the huge expenditure incurred for conducting separate elections every year.
• The problem of frequent elections leads to imposition of MCC over prolonged periods of time which affects the normal governance. Simultaneous elections can overcome such issues.
• Simultaneous elections will free the crucial manpower which is often deployed for prolonged periods on election duties
• The focus on governance will increase, instead of being constantly in election mode.

Arguments Against One Nation One Election:

• Logistical Challenges:All states and the central government face massive logistical challenges including coordinating the schedules, resources etc.
• Disadvantage for regional parties:It may help the dominant national party or the incumbent at the Centre at the cost of regional parties and regions issues can be overshadowed by the national issues.
• Financial Implications:Conducting elections is expensive and requires significant resources like manpower.
• Issue of dissolution:Prematurely dissolution on account of a vote of no-confidence becomes difficult to deal with in case simultaneous elections are there.

Way Ahead

• Considering the fact that frequent elections led to a huge burden on human resources and affected the development process, a sustained debate is requiredon the subject.

All political parties need to arrive at a consensus on the issue of simultaneous elections before taking any step towards it.

General Studies Paper -2

Context: President Droupadi Murmu has approved the Kerala Government’s Lok Ayukta Amendment Bill 2022.

Highlights of the Bill

• The amendment sought to take away the Lok Ayukta’s powersto declare public servants ineligible to hold their positions if complaints of corruption and nepotism against them were proven.
• In the case of any unfavourable decision from the Lok Ayukta against the Chief Minister, the competent authority in the existing Act will now be the Assembly instead of the Governor.
• In the case of an MLA, the Speaker will be the competent authority.
• The competent authorities will also now have the option to accept or reject the LokAyukta recommendations.

What are Lokayukta?

• The Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act, 2013 came into effect in 2014.
• Lokayukta are anti-corruption ombudsman institutions in India, established in states.
• Concept:The concept of Lokayukta was inspired by the Scandinavian Countries Ombudsman system.
• Function:The Lokayukta are responsible for investigating allegations of corruption and maladministration against public servants and elected representatives.
• First Lokayukta:The establishment of Lokayukta institutions in India began with the first Lokayukta being constituted in Maharashtra in 1971. 
• Members:The Lokayukta is to be headed by a chairperson, who is or has been a Chief Justice or Judge of the High Court, and can have up to eight members, including judicial and non-judicial members.
• The Governor of the State appoints the members.
• Powers:Lokayukts have the authority to summon witnesses, examine evidence, and recommend punitive measures such as dismissal, suspension, or prosecution of guilty officials.
• However, their recommendations are usually not binding, and the final decision lies with the respective government authorities or judiciary.
• Jurisdictions:The Lokayukts typically have jurisdiction over public officials and employees within the state government and its agencies, including ministers, legislators, bureaucrats, and other elected representatives.
• Independence:To ensure impartiality and independence, Lokayukts are typically headed by retired judges or eminent persons with experience in public administration.

Challenges

• Limited Jurisdiction:The jurisdiction of Lokayuktas is often limited to certain categories of public servants or specific areas of governance, which may restrict their ability to address all forms of corruption comprehensively.
• Lack of Independence:Despite being intended as independent bodies, Lokayuktas often face political interference or pressure from the government, which can hinder their autonomy.
• Inadequate Resources: Lokayuktas often suffer from insufficient financial and human resources.
• Whistleblower Protection:Whistleblowers and complainants who report corruption may face threats, harassment, or retaliation, which discourages them from coming forward with information.
• Political Will:Ultimately, the effectiveness of Lokayuktas depends on the political will of the government to combat corruption and strengthen accountability mechanisms.

Measures Needed to Strengthen Lokayukta:

• Legislative Reforms: Enact comprehensive legislation granting Lokayuktas broader jurisdiction, including coverage of all public servants and entities receiving public funds.
• Appointment:Expedite the process of appointing Lokayuktas and ensure the selection process is transparent, merit-based, and free from political influence.
• Independence:Safeguard the independence of Lokayuktas by providing them with fixed tenures, adequate resources, and immunity from arbitrary removal or interference.
• Public Awareness:Launch awareness campaigns to educate the public about the role and functions of Lokayuktas, how to file complaints, and the importance of reporting corruption.
• Whistleblower Protection:Strengthen legal provisions for protecting whistleblowers who report corruption, including measures to ensure their confidentiality, safety, and immunity from retaliation.
• Accountability:Hold governments and public officials accountable for implementing Lokayukta recommendations and take disciplinary action against those found guilty of obstructing or undermining anti-corruption efforts.

Conclusion

• Over the years, there have been calls for strengthening Lokayukts and expanding their jurisdiction to cover more public officials and institutions.
• Some states have also introduced amendments to their Lokayukts Acts to address deficiencies and enhance accountability.
• By implementing the required measures, India can significantly enhance the effectiveness and credibility of Lokayuktas in combating corruption and promoting good governance at the state level.

General Studies Paper -3

Context: The Department of Biotechnology (DBT) announced the completion of the ‘10,000 genome’ project.

About

• The project was an attempt to create a reference database of whole-genome sequences out of India.
• The United Kingdom, China, and the United States are among the countries that have programmes to sequence at least 1,00,000 of their genomes.

What is Genome Sequencing?

• The human genome is the entire set of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA)residing in the nucleus of every cell of each human body.
• It carries the complete genetic information responsible for the development and functioning of the organism.
• The DNA consists of a double-stranded molecule built up by four bases – adenine (A), cytosine (C), guanine (G) and thymine (T). 
  • Every base on one strand pairs with a complementary base on the other strand (A with T and C with G).
• In all, the genome is made up of approximately 3.05 billion such base pairs.
• The process of deciphering the order of base pairs, to decode the genetic fingerprint of a human is called genome sequencing.

Significance of Genome Sequencing

• Disease-based human genetics: The Indian population of 1.3 billion consists of over 4,600 population groups, and many of them are endogamous.
  • These factors have contributed to the genetic diversity of the current population. Thus, the Indian population harbors distinct variations and often many disease-causing mutations are amplified within some of these groups.
  • Therefore, findings from population-based or disease-based human genetics research from other populations of the world cannot be extrapolated to Indians.
• Evaluation of disease: Genome sequencing has been used to evaluate rare disorders, preconditions for disorders, even cancer from the viewpoint of genetics, rather than as diseases of certain organs. Nearly 10,000 diseases, including cystic fibrosis and thalassemia are known to be the result of a single gene malfunctioning.
• Treatments of diseases:Advanced analytics and AI could be applied to essential datasets created by collecting genomic profiles across the population, allowing to develop greater understanding of causative factors and potential treatments of diseases.
• Help in customizing drugs and therapies:Creating a database of Indian genomes means that researchers anywhere can learn about genetic variants that are unique to India’s population groups and use that to customize drugs and therapies.

Way Ahead

• This project allows India to draw upon its tremendous genetic diversity, given the series of large migrations historically, and thus, add greatly to the current information about the human species.
• This initiative reflects India’s progress in gene therapies and precision medicine, and its movement towards emerging next-generation medicine which yields the possibilities for greater customization, safety, and earlier detection.

General Studies Paper -3

Context: There is a media highlight that the unsold electric two/three-wheeler vehicles will not be able to claim subsidy after expiry of Faster Adoption & Manufacturing of Electric Vehicles (FAME) II.

Market Growth and Potential of Electric Vehicles in India

• India is witnessing a significant shift towards electric vehicles (EVs), driven by the government’s ambitious targets and increasing consumer awareness about the environmental benefits of EVs.
• India has set a target that by 2030, 80% of two and three-wheelers, 40% of buses, and 30 to 70% of cars in India will be electric vehicles.
• India offers the world’s largest untapped EV market, especially in the two-wheeler segment.
• It is expected to be worth around at least ₹475 billion by 2025.
• The Economic Survey of 2023predicted that India’s domestic electric vehicle market will see a 49% Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) between 2022 and 2030, with 10 million annual sales by 2030.

Challenges associated with the EVs in India

• High Initial Cost:The upfront cost of EVs is a significant barrier to their adoption. Over 60% of consumers believe that an EV is beyond their budget.
• Lack of Charging Infrastructure: The lack of adequate charging infrastructure is a major hindrance to the mass adoption of EVs.
  • Compared to traditional petrol stations, charging stations are harder to find, normally limited by investment costs and difficult infrastructure development.
• Reduced Allocation:The government has ₹1,500 crore right now for disbursal from the revised estimate of nearly ₹4,807 crore allocated in FY24 for FAME schemes.
  • It has reduced the allocation by around 44% to ₹2,671 crore for FY25. Because of this cut, a slowdown is expected in the adoption of EVs in India in FY25. Last year too, the government slashed the incentive from ₹15,000 per kWh of battery to ₹10,000 per KWh from June 1, 2023.
• Battery Technology and Raw Material Availability:It is anticipated that there will be a shortage of nickel, and scaling up lithium production would be a challenge, leading to supply shortage that may cause manufacturers to use lower-quality mineral inputs, adversely affecting battery performance.
• Uneven Electricity Distribution:The issue of power shortage in India, especially in villages and smaller towns, can affect the EV switch on a large scale.
• Limited Choice and Performance of EVs: There is a lack of high performing EVs in the market, and the choices available to consumers are limited.
• Service and Repair Options:Consumers have concerns about the availability of service centres and repair options for EVs.

Government Initiatives

• FAME India Scheme:It was launched with a budgetary outlay of Rs. 10,000 crore for a period of five years starting from April 1, 2019.
  • It aims to promote hybrid/electric technology in transportation to reduce dependency on fossil fuels and address issues of vehicular emissions.
• Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Schemes:The government has launched PLI schemes for Advanced Chemistry Cell (ACC) and Auto and Automotive Components to boost the manufacturing of EVs and their components.
  • The budgetary outlay for the ACC PLI scheme is Rs. 18,100 crores, and for the Auto and Automotive Components PLI scheme, it is Rs. 25,938 crores.
• Tax Exemptions and Subsidies:The government is offering subsidies for purchasing electric vehicles.
  • A tax exemption of Rs 1.5 lakh is also given for people buying electric cars on loan.
  • The GST for the purchase of EVs is set at just 5% with zero cess.
• Infrastructure Development:Under the FAME scheme, the government has been trying to improve the infrastructure for electric vehicle manufacturing in the country.
  • There is also a plan for 22,000 EV charging stations to be set up by Oil Marketing Companies across the country.
• Battery Swapping Policy:In the Union Budget (2022), a battery swapping policy was announced as an easier way to charge EVs.

Conclusion

• The transition to electric vehicles is a key component of India’s strategy to reduce its carbon emissions and achieve its climate goals.
• While there are challenges to overcome, the potential benefits of this transition – in terms of improved air quality, reduced dependence on fossil fuels, and opportunities for economic growth – make it a journey worth pursuing.

General Studies Paper -2

Context: As per the latest data available with the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR), about one-third members of Rajya Sabha declared criminal cases against themselves.

Criminalisation of Politics in India

• It refers to the involvement of individuals with criminal charges or backgrounds in Indian politics. It means that persons with criminal backgrounds contest in the election and get selected as a member of parliament or state legislature.

Major Reasons

• Criminalization of political parties is a result of the connection between criminals and politicians and vote-bank politics.
• Lack of enforcement of laws and judgments.
• lack of ethics, and values, and loopholes in the function of the election commission.
• It is also linked to political control of state machinery and corruption.
• The political system is unwilling to change the law or the system.

Issues of Criminalization of Politics

• Question of safety & security:The main purpose of governance is to provide safety and security to citizens who elect their representatives for this role.
• But if the elected members themselves have criminal records, would they be interested in a criminal justice system that is prompt and efficient?
• Low conviction rate:As per the National Crime Records Bureau’s 2021 report, only 10,416 cases of murder were disposed of during the year with just a 42.4% conviction rate.
• The Law minister has admitted to more than 4.7 crore cases pending in various courts.
• Situation in police stations: Politicians play a very powerful role at police stations, compromising both integrity and impartiality of field staff.
• In due course, ordinary criminals graduate to be dreaded ones and form gangs extorting money, grabbing land, threatening witnesses in criminal cases, etc.

Measures to Curb Criminalisation

• TheVohra Committee set up by the Centre in 1993 sounded a note of warning saying that “some political leaders become the leaders of these groups and, over the years, get themselves elected to local bodies, state assemblies, and the national Parliament.
• Law Commission’s 179th report:It recommended an amendment to the Representation of People Act 1951, and suggested the people with criminal backgrounds should be disqualified for five years or until acquittal.
• It also recommended that the person who wants to contest the election must furnish details regarding any pending case, with the copy of the FIR/complaint, and also furnish details of all assets.

Related Supreme Court Judgement

• In 2002: Every candidate contesting election had to declare his criminal and financial records along with educational qualifications.
• In 2005: A sitting MP or MLA will be disqualified from contesting the election if convicted and sentenced to imprisonment for two years or more by a court of law.
• In 2014: The Supreme Court accepted the Law Commission recommendations and passed an order directing that trials against sitting MPs and MLAs should be concluded within a year of charges being framed and conducted on a day-to-day basis.
• As a follow-up to these directives, in 2017, the government started a scheme to establish 12 special courts for a year to fast-track the trial of criminal cases against MPs and MLAs.
• In 2021:The political parties need to upload on their websites and social media platforms the details of pending criminal cases against their candidates and the reasons for selecting them as also for not giving tickets to those without criminal antecedents.
• Recently,the Supreme Court published some necessary mandates to avert the criminalisation of politics as many lawsuits have been withdrawn against MPs and MLAs in the past.

Conclusion and Way Forward

• The criminalisation of politics in India is a grave issue that needs immediate attention. The involvement of criminals in politics not only undermines the democratic process but also hampers the development of the nation.
• There is a need to fix the role of Political Parties that should be more transparent and accountable in their candidate selection process.
• The Election Commission of India and other respective authorities need to take transparency measures about the Political Parties and their funding to the People of India so that they can make informed decisions while exercising their vote.
• It is high time that stringent measures are taken to curb this menace and restore faith in the democratic system.

General Studies Paper -2

Context: The Kerala Drug Control Department launched Operation AMRITH to prevent the overuse of antibiotics in the state.

Background

• In 2011, the Indian government introduced the H1 rule to prohibit the over-the-counter (OTC) sales of antibiotics without a prescription, responding to the growing concern over antimicrobial resistance (AMR).
• In 2013, the rule to limit the OTC restriction was limited to second- and third-line antibiotics, allowing the sale of first-line antibiotics without a prescription.
• Step was taken to ensure that life-saving antibiotics remained accessible to the public, especially in remote areas
• Operation AMRITH enforces the original H1 rule, mandating a doctor’s prescription for acquiring any class of antibiotics.

What is Antimicrobial Resistance?

• Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) occurs when bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites change over time and no longer respond to medicines making infections harder to treat and increasing the risk of disease spread, severe illness and death.
• Nearly 700,000 people die of AMR every year. The toll can rise to as many as 10 million by 2050 and eat up 8 per cent of annual global gross domestic product (GDP).

Causes for Antimicrobial Resistance

• Overuse and Misuse of Antibiotics:The excessive and inappropriate use of antibiotics in humans and animals is a major driver of antimicrobial resistance. This includes using antibiotics without a prescription, not completing the full course of prescribed antibiotics, and using antibiotics for non-bacterial infections.
• Inadequate Dosage and Duration: When antibiotics are not taken in the correct dosage and for the recommended duration, it can lead to incomplete eradication of the targeted microorganisms, allowing the surviving bacteria to develop resistance.
• Self-Medication: Self-prescription without proper medical guidance contributes to the misuse of antibiotics.
• Antibiotics Consumption in Food-Animals:Use of antibiotics as growth promoters in food animals and poultry is a common practice and later it evolves in the food chain.
• Unavailability of laboratory facilities:Over 50-70% of doctor-prescribed antibiotics are unnecessary due to lack of accurate infection diagnosis. Limited access to affordable rapid diagnostic tests contributes to this issue.

Challenges Posed by AMR

• Antibiotic resistance is emerging as the threat to successful treatment of infectious diseases, organ transplantation, cancer chemotherapy and major surgeries.
• The issue of AMR causes out of pocket expenditure on health care, especially on medicines. The use of high order drugs or second-line expensive antibiotics pushing treatment costs high.
• Poor Sanitation:The large proportion of sewage is disposed of untreated into receiving water bodies, leading to gross contamination of rivers with antibiotic residues, antibiotic-resistant organisms.

Global Efforts against Antimicrobial Resistance 

• Global Action Plan on Antimicrobial Resistance (GAP): Globally, countries committed to the framework set out in the Global Action Plan (GAP) 2015 on AMR during the 2015 World Health Assembly and committed to the development and implementation of multisectoral national action plans.
• World Antimicrobial Awareness Week (WAAW): It is a global campaign that aims to raise awareness of antimicrobial resistance worldwide.
• Global Antimicrobial Resistance and Use Surveillance System (GLASS): WHO launched it in 2015 to continue filling knowledge gaps and to inform strategies at all levels.
• GLASS has been conceived to progressively incorporate data from surveillance of AMR in humans, surveillance of the use of antimicrobial medicines, AMR in the food chain and the environment.
• Global Antibiotic Research and Development Partnership (GARDP): A joint initiative of WHO and the Drugs for Neglected Diseases Initiative (DNDi), GARDP encourages research and development through public-private partnerships.
• By 2025, the partnership aims to develop and deliver five new treatments that target drug-resistant bacteria identified by WHO as posing the greatest threat.
• Country wise initiatives:A multi-sectoral $1 billion AMR Action Fundwas launched in 2020 to support the development of new antibiotics, and the U.K. is trialing a subscription-based model for paying for new antimicrobials towards ensuring their commercial viability.
• Peru’s effortson patient education to reduce unnecessary antibiotic prescriptions.
• Australian regulatoryreforms to influence prescriber behaviour, and initiatives to increase the use of point-of-care diagnostics, such as the EU-supported VALUE-Dx programme.
• Denmark’s reformsto prevent the use of antibiotics in livestock have not only led to a significant reduction in the prevalence of resistant microbes in animals, but also improved the efficiency of farming.

Measures Taken against Antimicrobial Resistance in India 

• National Action Plan on Antimicrobial Resistance (NAP-AMR):It has a focus on the One Health approach & was launched with the aim of involving various stakeholders ministries/departments.
• AMR Surveillance Network:Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) established the AMR surveillance and research network (AMRSN) to generate evidence and capture trends and patterns of drug resistant infections in the country.
• India’s Red Line campaign:Which demands that prescription-only antibiotics be marked with a red line, to discourage the over-the-counter sale of antibiotics– is a step forward.
• FSSAI has set certain guidelines limiting the antibiotics in food products such as fish and honey.
• National Health Policy,2017: It terms antimicrobial resistance as one of the key healthcare issues and prioritizes the development of guidelines regarding antibiotic use and checks on restricting the growth of antibiotics.
• National Antibiotic Consumption Network (NAC-NET): The network sites compile data on antibiotic consumption in their respective health facilities and send it to National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC).

Way Ahead

• Antimicrobial resistance is a socioeconomic problem, and combating it requires measures to improve public health infrastructure, sanitation facilities, and governance.
• While enforcing the OTC regulation is a welcome step, curbing antimicrobial resistance requires a multipronged approach, including reformations to physicians’ prescribing practices and mandating that hospitals report healthcare-associated infection rates.

General Studies Paper -2

Context: NITI Aayog has claimed that India’s poverty level has fallen to just five percent, citing the Household Consumption Expenditure Survey (HCES) 2022-23.

Findings of HCES 2022-23

• The urban-rural consumption divide has narrowed to71% in 2022-23 from a peak of 91% in 2004-05, so inequality is declining.
• Rural households spending on food has dropped below 50%of their total expenditure for the first time ever.
• There is a sharp rise in urban and rural consumption by over 5 timesfrom 2011-12 levels in current prices, hence India’s growth is not restricted to a few, but is very broad-based.
• As per the Niti Aayog’s multi-dimensional poverty index 2023,11% of the population was below the poverty line, based on which it has argued that 25 crore people have escaped poverty.

Changes in Spending Pattern

• There is lower spending on pulses and cereals — dropped below 5% of per capita consumer expenditure — and higher expenditures on conveyances, consumer durables, and consumer services.
  • It indicates that people are earning more and need to spend a lesser share of their income on food.
• Within food, the consumption of beverages, processed food, milk, and fruits is going up, an indication of more diverse and balanced food consumption.

Government Steps for Poverty Elevation 

• Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS): It provides at least one hundred days of unskilled manual work in a financial year to every household in rural areas as per demand resulting in creation of productive assets of prescribed quality and durability.
• National Food Security Act (NFSA), 2013:It gives legal entitlement to 67% of the population (75% in rural areas and 50% in urban areas) to receive highly subsidized foodgrains.
• Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY) (2016): This initiative was introduced to provide LPG (liquefied petroleum gas) connections to women belonging to Below Poverty Line (BPL) families.
• Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana-National Rural Livelihood Mission (DAY-NRLM):  It aims to reduce poverty by enabling the poor household to access gainful self-employment and skilled wage employment opportunities resulting in sustainable and diversified livelihood options for the poor.
• Ayushman Bharat scheme:It offers health insurance coverage of up to ₹5 lakh per family per year to shield beneficiaries from the financial burden of expensive medical treatments, thereby preventing them from falling deeper into poverty due to healthcare costs.

Way Ahead

• Employment Generation:Creating more employment opportunities, especially in sectors that absorb large numbers of low-skilled and semi-skilled workers, can significantly reduce poverty.
• Skill Development:Investing in education and skill development programs like vocational training, apprenticeship programs etc. to enhance the employability of the workforce is necessary.
• Women’s Empowerment: Providing women with access to education, healthcare, financial services, and opportunities for employment can improve household income, enhance family well-being, and contribute to overall economic growth.

General Studies Paper -2

Context: Recently, the Union Government has agreed to examine whether the provisions of the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution can be implemented in Ladakh’s context

The Sixth Schedule

• It comes under Article 244that provides for the formation of Autonomous Administrative Divisions — Autonomous District Councils (ADCs) — that have some legislative, judicial, and administrative autonomy within a state.
• It applies to the Northeastern states of Assam, Meghalaya, Mizoram (three Councils each), and Tripura(one Council).

Significances of the Sixth Schedule in Indian Constitution

• Autonomy to Tribal Populations:It protects the autonomy of tribal populations through the creation of autonomous development councils.
  • These councils can frame laws on land, public health, and agriculture.
• Administration of Tribal Areas:It provides for the administration of tribal areas in the states of Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura, and Mizoram.
  • As of now, ten autonomous councils exist in these states.
• Protection of Tribal Rights:It is intended to protect tribal populations from exploitation and preserve their unique cultural and social practices.
  • It ensures that tribal communities have a say in their governance and development.
• Safeguarding Resources:The autonomous councils under the Sixth Schedule have the power to regulate the issuance of licences for mining, control money lending to tribes, and regulate business and commerce in the areas.

Other Recommendations

• National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST): In September 2019, the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes recommended the inclusion of Ladakh under the Sixth Schedule.
  • The Commission took note of the fact that the newly created Union Territory of Ladakh is predominantly a tribal region in the country.
• Report highlights of the Parliamentary Standing Committee: The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Home Affairs recently tabled a report in the Rajya Sabha.
  • The report stated that, according to the 2011 Census, the tribal population in the Union Territory of Ladakh is 2,18,355, that is 79.61% of the total population of 2,74,289.
  • Special Status:The committee recommended that special status may be granted to the Union Territory of Ladakh considering the developmental requirements of the tribal population.

Conclusion

• The Sixth Schedule is a crucial constitutional provision that recognizes the unique cultural, social, and economic needs of tribal populations and provides a framework for self-governance.
  • It holds significant importance as it provides for the administration of tribal areas, thereby protecting the autonomy of tribal populations.
  • It protects tribal populations, allowing for the creation of autonomous development councils which can frame laws on land, public health, agriculture.
• The demand for inclusion in the Sixth Schedule reflects the aspirations of the people of Ladakh for greater autonomy and preservation of their unique cultural identity.
• The government’s response to these demands will have significant implications for the future of Ladakh and its

General Studies Paper-3

Context: Recently, ISRO informed that the Plasma Analyser Package for Aditya (PAPA) payload onboard the Aditya-L1 has been operational and performing nominally.

About the Plasma Analyser Package for Aditya-L1 (PAPA)

• It is one of seven scientific payloadsaboard the 1,480-kg Aditya-L1 (India’s first mission to study the Sun), the solar probe of the ISRO which was inserted into a halo orbit at L1 in early January 2024.
• It is developed by the Space Physics Laboratory (SPL)at the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC).
• It is designed to understand and gain deeper insights into the phenomenon of the ‘solar winds’(outward expansion of plasma or a collection of charged particles) from the sun’s corona and their composition.
  • Solar winds pose a threat to communications networks.
• It is an energy and mass analyzer designed for in-situ measurements of solar wind electrons and ions in the low energy range.
• The preliminary analysis shows that PAPA science data are of very good quality and the results match similar observations made by other instruments which are being operated at or around Lagrangian point L-1 by other space agencies.

Key Features of PAPA

• PAPA contains two sensors that are equipped to measure the direction of arrival of solar wind particles:
  • The Solar Wind Electron Energy Probe (SWEEP): It measures the solar wind electron flux.
  • The Solar Wind Ion Composition AnalyseR (SWICAR):It measures ion flux and composition as a function of direction and energy.

Role in the Aditya-L1 Mission

• The Aditya-L1 mission was launched aboard the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle-C57 mission on September 2, 2023.
• As Aditya traversed the 1.5 million km distance to L1, the PAPA payload was switched on for the first time on November 8.
• The high voltage (HV) commissioning of the payload and science data observations were started on December 11.

Conclusion

• PAPA payload onboard the Aditya-L1 Mission remains healthy and the scientific data sent by it are of very good quality.
• The successful operation of PAPA is a testament to the capabilities of ISRO and its contribution to our understanding of the solar wind.