Daily Prelims Notes 22 November 2023

November 22, 2023
Posted by: OptimizeIAS Team
Category: DPN

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Daily Prelims Notes

22 November 2023

Table Of Contents

1. What is tantalum, the rare metal found in Sutlej?

Subject : Geography

Section: Economic geography

Context:

A team of researchers from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Ropar has found the presence of tantalum, a rare metal, in the Sutlej river sand in Punjab.

About Tantalum:

Discovered by Anders Gustaf Ekenberg, a Swedish chemist, in 1802.
Named after a Greek mythological figure Tantalus, the rich but wicked king of a town above Mount Sipylus in Anatolia.
It is a rare metal with the atomic number 73 — the number of protons found in one atom of the element.
It is part of the refractory metals group, which are widely used as components of strong high-melting-point alloys.
It’s grey, heavy, very hard, ductile (when pure) and one of the most corrosion-resistant metals in use today.
- It possesses high corrosion resistance because when exposed to air, it forms an oxide layer that is extremely difficult to remove, even when it interacts with strong and hot acid environments.
It is almost completely immune to chemical attack at temperatures below 150°C and is attacked only by hydrofluoric acid, acidic solutions containing the fluoride ion, and free sulphur trioxide.
Tantalum also has an extremely high melting point, exceeded only by tungsten and rhenium.

Uses:

Mostly used in the electronic sector. The capacitors made from tantalum are capable of storing more electricity in smaller sizes without much leakage than any other type of capacitor.
Due to its high melting point, tantalum is used as a substitute for platinum.
It is also used to make components for chemical plants, nuclear power plants, aeroplanes and missiles.
As it does not react with bodily fluids it is used to make surgical equipment and implants, like artificial joints.
A composite consisting of tantalum carbide (TaC) and graphite is one of the hardest materials known and is used on the cutting edges of high-speed machine tools.

Source: Indian Express

2. Eutelsat OneWeb to launch satellite constellation for broadband service in India

Subject : Science and Tech

Section: Space tech

In the news:

OneWeb India, a subsidiary of Eutelsat Group and backed by telecom giant, Bharti Group said that it has acquired approval from India’s space regulator, IN-SPACe, to launch commercial satellite broadband services in the country.

Details:

It is the first organisation to get approval for commercial satellite broadband services in India. The approval is valid for five years.
It will meet India’s ambition of providing internet connectivity for all.

Eutelsat OneWeb:

Eutelsat OneWeb is a subsidiary of Eutelsat Group providing broadband satellite Internet services in low Earth orbit (LEO).
Headquartered in London and has offices in Virginia, US and a satellite manufacturing facility in Florida – Airbus OneWeb Satellites – that is a joint venture with Airbus Defence and Space.
Founded by Greg Wyler in 2012.
As of 2021, Indian multinational company Bharti Global, France-based satellite service provider Eutelsat and the Government of the United Kingdom were the company’s largest shareholders.
On 28 September 2023, Eutelsat was completely merged with OneWeb and created the “Eutelsat Group” company, with subsidiaries “Eutelsat” and “Eutelsat OneWeb”.

Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe):

It is a single-window, independent, nodal agency that functions as an autonomous agency in the Department of Space (DOS).
It was formed following the Space sector reforms to enable and facilitate the participation of private players.
IN-SPACe is responsible for promoting, enabling authorising and supervising various space activities of non-governmental entities including building launch vehicles & satellites and providing space-based services; sharing space infrastructure and premises under the control of DOS/ISRO; and establishing new space infrastructure and facilities.
The agency acts as an interface between ISRO and Non-Governmental Entities (NGEs) and assesses how to utilize India’s space resources better and increase space-based activities. It also assesses the needs and demands of private players, including educational and research institutions, and explores ways to accommodate these requirements in consultation with ISRO.

Source: India Today

3. Saving India’s only ape, the hoolock gibbon

Subject :Environment

Section: Species in news

In the news:

The Hollongapar Gibbon Sanctuary (HGS), a habitat of the endangered Western hoolock gibbon in Assam, is fragmented by a railway track that goes through the sanctuary.
At HGS, the gibbon population comprising 125 individuals (in 26 groups) inhabits an area that is fragmented by the Mariani-Dibrugarh railway line that is currently unelectrified.
Mariani-Dibrugarh railway line is a part of the Lumding-Dibrugarh broad gauge railway section.

About Hoolock Gibbon (Hoolock hoolock):

Gibbons, the smallest and fastest of all apes, live in tropical and subtropical forests.
The tailless Hoolock Gibbon is the only ape found in India.
The primate is native to eastern Bangladesh, Northeast India and Southwest China.
They are primarily arboreal, which means they live in trees.
The estimated population of hoolock gibbons is 12,000.
Like all apes, they are extremely intelligent, with distinct personalities and strong family bonds.
Key threats: Habitat loss and fragmentation, and hunting.
The Hoolock Gibbon is categorized into two types:
Western hoolock gibbon:
- It inhabits all the states of the northeast, restricted between the south of the Brahmaputra River and east of the Dibang River. Outside India, it is found in eastern Bangladesh and north-west Myanmar.
- It is listed as Endangered under the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List.
Eastern hoolock gibbon:
- It inhabits specific pockets of Arunachal Pradesh and Assam in India and in southern China and northeast Myanmar outside India.
- It is listed as Vulnerable under the IUCN Redlist.
- In India, both species are listed on Schedule 1 of the Indian (Wildlife) Protection Act 1972.

Hollangapar Gibbon Sanctuary:

Formerly known as the Gibbon Wildlife Sanctuary or Hollongapar Reserved Forest.
It is an isolated protected area of evergreen forest located in Assam, India.
Initially in 1881, its forests used to extend to the foothills of the Patkai mountain range.
Since then, the forest has been fragmented and surrounded by tea gardens and small villages. In the early 1900s,artificial regeneration was used to develop a well-stocked forest, resulting in the site’s rich biodiversity.
It contains India’s only gibbons – the hoolock gibbons, and Northeastern India’s only nocturnal primate – the Bengal slow loris.
In addition to the gibbon, the HGS is home to six other primate species, making it an area with the highest biodiversity of primate species of any Protected Area in the country.
Western hoolock gibbon is the flagship species of the HGS.
The upper canopy of the forest is dominated by the hollong tree (Dipterocarpus macrocarpus), while the nahar (Mesua ferrea) dominates the middle canopy. The lower canopy consists of evergreen shrubs and herbs.
The habitat is threatened by illegal logging, encroachment of human settlements, and habitat fragmentation.

Source: Mongabay

4. The other oil imports India needs to worry about

Subject : Economy

Section: External sector

Context:

India’s edible oil imports have risen almost 1.5 times and more than doubled in rupee value terms during the last 10 years.

Details:

Imports of vegetable oils touched a record 16.5 million tonnes (mt) in the year ended October 2023.
- The 16.5 mt of edible oil imports in 2022-23 included palm (9.8 mt; from Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand), soybean (3.7 mt; from Argentina and Brazil) and sunflower (3 mt; from Russia, Ukraine and Argentina).
From a 10-year perspective, India’s edible oil imports have increased from 11.6 mt (valued at Rs 60,750 crore) in 2013-14 to 16.5 mt (Rs 138,424 crore) in 2022-23, with the jump pronounced in the last three years.
During the previous 10 years between 2004-05 and 2013-14, imports had shot up even more, from 5 mt to 11.6 mt.

Dipping self-sufficiency:

Total available oilseed in India- 26.8 mt
Domestically produced- 10.3 mt (38.6% of total oilseeds available)
Imported- 16.5 mt
Total consumption requirement- 24-25 mt

Profile of domestic oils:

The kapas or raw un-ginned cotton contains only about 36%lint (the white fluffy fibre that textile mills spin into yarn), 62%seed and 2% waste.
Cottonseed contains 13%oil.
Higher yields from genetically modified (GM) Bt technology helped boost the lint as well as cottonseed oil production from less than 0.5 mt to 1.5 mt between 2002-03 and 2013-14.
Recently, cotton oilseed production has decreased due to falling cotton output and yield, and pest attacks like Bollworm.
Other oilseed sources- The oils extracted from rice bran (the outer brown layer of rice after the removal of the husk and before polishing/whitening), germ (the inside endosperm of maize grains separated during milling), palm tree,groundnut, coconut, sesame, sunflower and safflower.

Refining of petroleum oil:

Refining involves de-gumming (removing gums, waxes and other impurities), neutralisation (removing free fatty acids), bleaching (removing colour) and de-odourisation (removing volatile compounds).

Vulnerability to imports:

Risk of international price fluctuations.
The UN Food and Agriculture Organization’s vegetable oils price index (base period value: 2014-2016=100) soared from 98.7 points in August 2020 to an all-time high of 251.8 points in March 2022, the month that followed Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The index has since plunged to 120 points in October 2023.
Landed prices of imported oils are more than halved — from $1,828 to $910 per tonne for crude palm and from $2,125 to $1,005 for sunflower between March 2022 and now. Thus increasing the competition for domestic producers.

Solvent Extractors’ Association of India (SEA):

It was formed in 1963 to help and foster the development and growth of the Solvent Extraction Industry in India.
At present, the Association has 875 members including about 350 working solvent extraction plants having a combined oilcake/oilseed processing annual capacity of about 30 million tonnes.
It is an all-India body to the solvent extractions industry and the premier vegetable oil Association in the country having wide representative membership consisting of processors of Rice bran, Oilcakes, Minor Oilseeds and Soybean.

Source: Indian Express

5. The OECD report on climate finance

Subject :Environment

Section: Climate change

Context:

A new report, published by the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), showed that economically developed countries fell short of their promise to jointly mobilise $100 billion a year, towards the climate mitigation and adaptation needs of developing countries, in 2021 – one year past the 2020 deadline.

Details of the report:

The developed countries mobilised $89.6 billion in 2021 and finance for adaptationfell by 14% in 2021 compared to 2020.
The failure to mobilise adequate climate finance lowers the capacity of developing countries to address climate mitigation (like emissions reduction with renewable energy) and adaptation needs (like developing and incentivising climate-resilient agriculture), and reduces trust among the world’s poorer countries that the developed world is serious about tackling the climate crisis.

How is climate finance accounted for?

Out of the $73.1 billion mobilised in 2021 by the public sector via bilateral and multilateral channels, $49.6 billion was provided as loans (interest rate is still unknown).
An assessment by the American non-profit research group Climate Policy Initiative of global climate finance flows between 2011 and 2020 found that 61% of climate finance was provided as loans, of which only 12% was at concessional interest rates.

What is additionality?

The UNFCCC states that developed countries “shall provide new and additional financial resources to meet the agreed full costs incurred by developing country Parties in complying with their obligations under the convention”.
This means developed countries can’t cut overseas development assistance (ODA) in order to finance climate needs.
The “new and additional finance” also means developed countries can’t double-count. For example, a renewable energy project could contribute to both emission reductions and overall development in a region.
- As per the U.N. Convention, however, donor countries can’t categorise such funding as both ODA and climate finance because it wouldn’t fulfil the “new and additional” criterion.

What counts as climate finance?

There is no commonly agreed definition of ‘climate finance’.
This ambiguity works in favour of richer countries because it leaves the door open to arbitrarily classify any funding, including ODA and high-cost loans, as climate finance and escape the scrutiny that a clearer definition might bring.

How much do developing countries need?

The figure of $100 billion came out of thin air at the COP 15 talks and isn’t based on an assessment of how much climate investment developing countries actually need.
By 2025, developing countries are estimated to require around $1 trillion a year in climate investments, rising to roughly $2.4 trillion each year between 2026 and 2030.

For details on climate finance: Optimize Ias

Source: The Hindu

6. Emissions Gap Report: Only 14% chance of limiting global warming to 1.5°C even in most optimistic scenarios

Subject :Environment

Section: International Organisation

Context:

UNEP has published the 14th Emission Gap Report 2023.

Findings of the report:

There is only a 14 per cent chance of limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius over pre-industrial levels, considering the most optimistic climate action projects.
Even if the existing nationally determined contributions (NDC), both conditional and unconditional, are delivered by 2030, the world will warm by 2.5°C, breaching the 2°C target set by the Paris Agreement.
Warming under the current policy scenarios will reach 3°C.
The implementation gap — the difference between the commitments made by countries in their NDCs and the actual measures and policies implemented to achieve those commitments — stands at five gigatonnes of carbon dioxide (CO2) equivalent.
Only nine countries have updated their nationally determined contributions (NDC) or made new commitments since the 27th Conference of Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change in 2022.
In 2023,86 days have experienced warming higher than 1.5°C.
The global emissions peaked at 57.4 gigatonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent in 2022.
Of the global GHG emissions, approximately two-thirds come from fossil fuel-based CO2 emissions.

Contributions to emissions are unequal:

A minority of nations, led by the United States, the European Union and China, account for a disproportionate share of historical emissions and warming.
The G20 collectively are responsible for three-quarters of the current burden of warming.
The global top 10 per cent income bracket generates a staggering 45-49 per cent of total emissions, while the bottom 50 per cent contributes a mere 7-13 per cent.
Policy measures:
- The United States passed the Inflation Reduction Act, and it will help the US reach two-thirds of its 2030 NDC goals.
- The European Union’s Fit for 55 and REPowerEU initiatives could surpass their 2030 targets.
- But challenges arise from increased investments in fossil gas infrastructure and a temporary shift from gas to coal.

Low confidence in Net Zero targets:

97 parties from 101 countries, representing 82 per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions, had adopted Net Zero pledges.
While 37 per cent of global emissions are covered by Net Zero targets for 2050 or earlier, 44 per cent have commitments beyond2050.
The progress indicators for Net Zero Targets such as legal status, implementation plans, and emission reduction pace remain deeply insufficient, signaling a low confidence in the Net Zero targets.
Low and Lower-middle-income countries are facing challenges like high debt, low clean energy investments, and vulnerability to volatile fossil fuel markets.

Exploring carbon dioxide removal (CDR) strategies:

CDR is only the direct removal of CO2 from the atmosphere and its durable storage in geological, terrestrial, or ocean reservoirs or in products.
CDR encompasses a wide array of approaches, including direct air capture (DAC) coupled to durable storage, soil carbon sequestration, biomass carbon removal and storage, enhanced mineralization, ocean-based CDR, and afforestation/reforestation.

Source: Down To Earth

7. International Tropical Timber Council concludes with major decisions, including its extension

Subject :Environment

Section: International Conventions

Context:

The 59th International Tropical Timber Council (ITTC), a group that meets at least once a year to discuss a wide-ranging agenda aimed at promoting sustainable tropical forest management and the trade of sustainably produced tropical timber, concluded on November 17, 2023 in Thailand.

Details:

The countries agreed to endorse eight projects related to sustainable forest management and related objectives. The session also approved and adopted a budget of $7.1 million for the coming financial year 2024-25.

International Tropical Timber Organisation (ITTO):

It is an intergovernmental organization promoting the sustainable management and conservation of tropical forests and the expansion and diversification of international trade in tropical timber from sustainably managed and legally harvested forests.
The IITC is the governing body of the ITTO.
ITTO:
- Develops internationally agreed policy guidelines and norms to encourage sustainable forest management (SFM) and sustainable tropical timber industries and trade.
- Assists tropical member countries to adapt such guidelines and norms to local circumstances and to implement them in the field through projects and other activities.
- Collects, analyzes and disseminates data on the production and trade of tropical timber.
- Promotes sustainable tropical timber supply chains.
- Helps develop capacity in tropical forestry.

Collaborative Partnership on Forests (CPF):

Established in April 2001 by the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations (ECOSOC) that also established the International Arrangement on Forests and the United Nations Forum on Forests (UNFF).
ECOSOC defines the core functions of the CPF as a component of the International Arrangement on Forests.
CPF is an informal, voluntary arrangement among 16 international organizations and secretariats with substantial programmes on forests. These agencies share their experiences and build on them to produce new benefits for their respective constituencies.
Members collaborate to streamline and align their work and to find ways of improving forest management and conservation and the production and trade of forest products. The members are also forming close and valuable strategic partnerships with one another, benefiting from shared expertise and pooled resources.

Source: Down To Earth

8. Out of jail on furlough, Ram Rahim heads to U.P. ashram, addresses his followers

Subject: Polity

Section: Judiciary

Context: Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh, chief of Dera Sacha Sauda and a rape convict, on Tuesday walked out of Rohtak’s Sunaria jail on a 21 day furlough.

What is furlough?

Furlough is given in cases of long-term imprisonment.
A prisoner’s sentence is considered to be remitted during his furlough time.
It is to be allowed on a regular basis for no reason other than to allow the prisoner to maintain familial and social relationships and to counteract the negative consequences of long-term imprisonment.
The right to be released on furlough is a substantial and legal right of the prisoner, and it cannot be rejected if permitted by law.
Although furlough can be claimed without a reason, the prisoner does not have an absolute legal right to claim furlough.

What is Parole?

Parole is a system of releasing a prisoner with suspension of the sentence.
The release is conditional, usually subject to behaviour, and requires periodic reporting to the authorities for a set period of time.
Parole is considered a reformative process.
The provision (along with furlough) was introduced with a view to humanising the prison system.
State governments have their own Prisoner Release on Parole Rules.
For instance, in Rajasthan, initial parole is granted for 20 days; a second parole is for 30 days, and a third for 40 days. Thereafter, the prisoner can apply for permanent parole.
Parole is granted by the state executive and the competent authority takes a final decision on grant of parole on humanitarian considerations.
If a plea for parole is rejected, the convict can move the High Court challenging the order of the competent authority.

What is Bail?

Bail is a legal agreement between an accused and the court in which the accused pays a sum of money as an assurance that he/she will appear in court. The accused can be released temporarily on payment of bail. As per the Indian Constitution, every accused is entitled to apply for bail in India.

What are the types of bail?

There are three main types of bail in India, interim, regular and anticipatory bail:
Regular bail: This type of bail is granted to a person who is in police custody.
Interim bail: This is a temporary bail where the higher court calls for documents before a final decision regarding the bail application can be taken.
Anticipatory bail: This type of bail is granted by the Session Court or High Court to any person who believes that he/she will be arrested for a non-bailable offence.

9. Tribal activists hail compensation for land regularized under FRA

Subject: Polity

Section: Laws in news

Context:

Tribal rights activists expressed satisfaction with the compensation awarded for land regularised under the Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act 2006 (FRA) in connection with the 464km Bharatamala Road project linking Raipur and Visakhapatnam.

About Forest Rights Act 2006:

FRA enacted in 2006 recognises the rights of forest-dwelling tribal communities and other traditional forest dwellers to forest resources on which these communities were dependent for a variety of needs, including livelihood, habitation and other sociocultural needs.
It recognizes and vest the forest rights and occupation in Forest land in Forest Dwelling Scheduled Tribes (FDST) and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (OTFD) who have been residing in such forests for generations.
It strengthens the conservation regime of the forests while ensuring livelihood and food security of the FDST and OTFD.
The Gram Sabha is the authority to initiate the process for determining the nature and extent of Individual Forest Rights (IFR) or Community Forest Rights (CFR) or both that may be given to FDST and OTFD.

Rights Under the Forest Rights Act:

Title rights:

It gives FDST and OTFD the right to ownership to land farmed by tribals or forest dwellers subject to a maximum of 4 hectares.
Ownership is only for land that is actually being cultivated by the concerned family and no new lands will be granted.

Use rights:

The rights of the dwellers extend to extracting Minor Forest Produce, grazing areas etc.

Relief and development rights:

To rehabilitate in case of illegal eviction or forced displacement and to basic amenities, subject to restrictions for forest protection.

Forest management rights:

It includes the right to protect, regenerate or conserve or manage any community forest resource which they have been traditionally protecting and conserving for sustainable use.

What is Bharatmala?

It is an umbrella project under the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways.
Under the plan the government intends to develop 83,677 km of highways and roads at an investment of around Rs 7 lakh crore over the next five years.
In the first phase, the plan is to construct 34,800 km of highways at a cost of Rs 5.35 lakh crore.
It focuses on the new initiatives like development of Border and International connectivity roads, Coastal & port connectivity roads, improving efficiency of National Corridors, Economic corridors and others.

10. HC says surrogacy using donor gametes can’t be prohibited as a condition in consent form

Subject: Polity

Section: Laws in news

Context:

The High Court of Karnataka observed that disallowing surrogacy using donor gametes as a condition in the consent form for seeking permission to undergo the process is contrary to the Surrogacy (Regulation) Act, 2021.

What is Surrogacy?

Surrogacy is an arrangement in which a woman (the surrogate) agrees to carry and give birth to a child on behalf of another person or couple (the intended parent/s).
A surrogate, sometimes also called a gestational carrier, is a woman who conceives, carries and gives birth to a child for another person or couple (intended parent/s).

Altruistic Surrogacy:

It involves no monetary compensation to the surrogate mother other than the medical expenses and insurance coverage during the pregnancy.

Commercial Surrogacy:

It includes surrogacy or its related procedures undertaken for a monetary benefit or reward (in cash or kind) exceeding the basic medical expenses and insurance coverage.

What is the Surrogacy (Regulation) Act, 2021?

Provisions:

Under the Surrogacy (Regulation) Act, 2021, a woman who is a widow or a divorcee between the age of 35 to 45 years or a couple, defined as a legally married woman and man, can avail of surrogacy if they have a medical condition necessitating this option.
The intended couple shall be a legally married Indian man and woman, the man shall be between the ages of 26-55 years and the woman shall be between the ages of 25-50 years, and shall not have any previous biological, adopted, or surrogate child.
It also bans commercial surrogacy, which is punishable with a jail term of 10 years and a fine of up to Rs 10 lakhs.
The law allows only altruistic surrogacy where no money exchanges hands and where a surrogate mother is genetically related to those seeking a child.

Challenges:

Exploitation of the Surrogate and the Child: The banning of commercial surrogacy moves from the rights-based approach to a needs-based approach, thus removing the women’s autonomy to make their own reproductive decisions and right to parenthood. One could argue that the state must stop the exploitation of poor women under surrogacy and protect the child’s right to be born. However, the current Act fails to balance these two interests.
Reinforces Patriarchal Norms: The Act reinforces traditional patriarchal norms of our society that attributes no economic value to women’s work and, directly affecting the fundamental rights of the women to reproduce under Article 21 of the constitution.
Emotional Complications: In altruistic surrogacy, a friend or relative as a surrogate mother may lead to emotional complications not only for the intending parents but also for the surrogate child as there is great deal of risking the relationship in the course of surrogacy period and post birth.
Altruistic surrogacy also limits the option of the intending couple in choosing a surrogate mother as very limited relatives will be ready to undergo the process.
No Third-Party Involvement: In an altruistic surrogacy, there is no third-party involvement. A third-party involvement ensures that the intended couple will bear and support the medical and other miscellaneous expenses during the surrogacy process.
Overall, a third party helps both the intended couple and the surrogate mother navigate through the complex process, which may not be possible in the case of altruistic surrogacy.
Some Exclusion from Availing Surrogacy Services:
There is exclusion of unmarried women, single men, live-in partners, and same-sex couples from availing surrogacy services.

11. The protection of hospitals during armed conflicts

Subject: IR

Section :International Convention

What the law says:

According to International humanitarian law (IHL), health establishments and units, including hospitals, should not be attacked.
This protection extends to the wounded and sick as well as to medical staff and means of transport. The rule has few exceptions.

What kind of specific protection do the wounded and sick enjoy in times of armed conflict:

In times of armed conflict, international humanitarian law (IHL) mandates protection and care for the wounded and sick, regardless of their affiliation.
Rights include respect, protection from attacks, and medical assistance without discrimination.
IHL requires searching for, collecting, and providing care to the wounded, with efforts made, even under limited resources.
State and non-State parties must ensure the best possible care and permit impartial humanitarian organizations to assist.
Specific protections extend to medical personnel, units, and establishments, safeguarding them from attacks and undue interference during medical functions in conflict zones.

In which circumstances can medical establishments and units lose their protection granted by IHL:

Under international humanitarian law (IHL), medical establishments and units, including hospitals, are generally entitled to specific protection.
This protection continues unless they are used to commit acts harmful to the enemy outside their humanitarian functions.
In case of doubt, the presumption is that medical units or establishments are not used for harmful purposes.
While IHL does not define “act harmful to the enemy,” certain acts are explicitly recognized as not falling under this category.
The loss of protection occurs when medical facilities interfere directly or indirectly in military operations, causing harm to the enemy, such as being used for launching attacks, as observation posts, weapons depots, centers for military liaison, or shelters for combatants.

What can be considered as an “act harmful to the enemy”:

Engaging in acts harmful to the enemy may expose a medical establishment or unit to potential attack, endanger the wounded and sick in its care, and undermine trust in the work of medical facilities, diminishing the protective value of international humanitarian law (IHL).
Depending on circumstances, such acts could violate precautionary obligations to protect the wounded and sick, health-care personnel, and objects against attacks.
For instance, placing a medical facility near a military objective to shield it from enemy operations may violate these obligations.
Additionally, such conduct may lead to other IHL violations or war crimes, especially if it involves improper use of distinctive emblems like the Red Cross, Red Crescent, or Red Crystal, or if done as an act of perfidy to harm enemy combatants.

Does the law set for additional legal requirements to attack a medical unit or establishment used to commit an act harmful to the enemy:

Before attacking a medical establishment or unit that has lost its protected status, a warning should be issued, including a time limit if appropriate, to allow cessation of harmful acts or the safe evacuation of non-responsible wounded and sick individuals.
If the warning goes unheeded, the enemy is no longer obliged to refrain from interference, but humanitarian considerations for the safety of patients must be maintained.
The attacking party is bound by principles of proportionality and must weigh the military advantage against humanitarian consequences.
Precautions in attack, including minimizing harm to patients and medical personnel, should be taken, and measures to address disruption and re-establish health-care services must be prepared.
Interrupting the attack if the facility no longer meets criteria for loss of protected status and facilitating
After the attack, measures for the rapid restoration of health-care services (e.g. provide military medical support for the civilian medical facility) are done.

12. Record inflation in Argentina

Subject: IR

Section :Places in news

Inflation in Argentina has jumped to its highest level in three decades,
Compared to a year ago, inflation has accelerated to 138.3%. That’s the highest level since the early 1990s when Argentina was exiting hyperinflation.
Argentina and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) face challenges as the country heads towards a recession, with inflation exceeding 100%.
The Peronist-led government has struggled to meet economic targets outlined in a 2022 IMF loan, leading to concerns about the effectiveness of the bailout.
Despite pressure to address Argentina’s economic issues, the IMF continues reviews and disbursements to avoid a default.
Analysts suggest that the IMF may need to take a tougher stance after the upcoming elections in October.
Argentina is the largest debtor of the IMF.

Argentina is bordered by the Andes in the west and the South Atlantic Ocean to the east, its neighbouring countries are Chile to the west, Bolivia and Paraguay to the north, and Brazil and Uruguay to the northeast.

13. Atoms 4Food

Subject: IR

Section : International Organisation

What is Atoms4Food:

Atoms4Food is a project that aims to solve global hunger and improve food security through the use of nuclear processes and advanced technologies.
Developed by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the initiative tailors solutions to specific country needs.
The Atoms4Food initiative at the 2023 World Food Forum in Rome.
It utilizes nuclear and isotope technology to improve agricultural and livestock productivity, manage natural resources, reduce food losses, ensure food safety, enhance nutrition, and address climate change challenges.
The Joint FAO/IAEA Centre of Nuclear Techniques in Food and Agriculture supports the safe and effective use of nuclear technologies for global food security and sustainable agricultural development.
The Atoms4Food Initiative is collaborated with traditional and non-traditional partners, including other UN Agencies, Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR), international financial institutions, development agencies, foundations, industry, national academia and research institutions,

What are different Atoms4Food services:

Assessment Mission: Conducting a comprehensive assessment to identify food security needs and develop a customized plan to address challenges.
Crop Variety Improvement Service: Creating crop improvement programs through nuclear plant mutation breeding to enhance the resilience and nutritional value of crops.
Soil and Water Management and Crop Nutrition Service: Utilizing nuclear and isotopic science for precise data on soil fertility, crop yield, fertilizer availability, and water irrigation systems.
Animal Production and Health Service: Assessing the epidemiological status of animal diseases, implementing preventive measures, and enhancing veterinary capacities.
Insect Pest Control Service: Employing nuclear-based sterile insect techniques to control insect pests affecting agricultural production.
Food Safety and Control Service: Evaluating laboratory capabilities and conducting food hazard surveillance to ensure food safety.
Public Health Nutrition Service: Providing evidence-based insights on nutritional value and diet quality using stable isotope techniques to inform impactful nutrition programs.

14. GST officers bust 48 fake firms availing fraudulent ITC of over ₹199 crore

Subject: Economy

Section: Fiscal policy

Context: The Central Goods and Services Tax (CGST), Delhi East Commissionerate, commenced coordinated ‘Operation Clean Sweep’ against fake billers, based on gathered human intelligence, which was further developed through data mining and data analysis

Concept:

Goods and Services Tax (GST)

Goods and Services Tax (GST) represents the cornerstone of India’s taxation system, embodying the principle of “One nation, one indirect tax” to establish a unified common market.

The genesis of GST can be traced back to 2003 when the Kelkar Task Force on indirect taxes proposed the consolidation of various central and state indirect taxes into a singular, comprehensive framework.

To facilitate this monumental reform, an Empowered Committee of State Finance Ministers was formed, tasked with reconciling differences and advancing the implementation of GST.

Key Features of GST:

Unified Taxation: GST involves a single tax on the supply of goods and services throughout the supply chain, from manufacturers to consumers.
Destination-Based Tax: Unlike the existing origin-based taxation, GST is a destination-based tax.
Value-Based Tax: Input tax credits are available at each stage, promoting a value-based approach.
Tax Subsumption: At the central level, GST subsumes taxes such as Central Excise Duty, Additional Excise Duty, Service Tax, Countervailing Duty, and Special Additional Duty of Customs. At the state level, it includes State VAT/Sales Tax, Entertainment Tax, Central Sales Tax, Octroi, Entry Tax, Purchase Tax, Luxury Tax, and taxes on lottery, betting, and gambling.
Federal Structure: Given India’s federal structure, GST comprises Central GST (CGST) and State GST (SGST) simultaneously levied across the value chain on both goods and services.
Online Administration: The Goods and Services Tax Network (GSTN), established by both central and state governments, facilitates online tax payments and credit transactions.

Features

Simultaneous Powers: The act confers simultaneous legislative powers upon the Parliament and State Legislature to govern GST.

Tax Subsumption: It involves the subsuming of central and state taxes under GST, including the levy of Integrated GST (IGST) on interstate transactions.
GST Council: A constitutional body, the GST Council, with 2/3rd representation from states and 1/3rd from the center, examines GST-related issues and makes recommendations on rates, taxes, cesses, surcharges, exemption lists, and dispute resolution.
Compensation: States are provided compensation for the entire amount of revenue losses for a period of 5 years.

Benefits of GST:

For Business and Industry:

Easy compliance with a single tax.
Creation of a unified market promoting ease of doing business.
Removal of cascading taxes, reducing prices and boosting demand.
Improved competitiveness and reduced transaction costs.
Support for the Make in India initiative.

For Consumers:

No cascading burden of taxes, moderating inflation.
Increased transparency in the taxation regime.

For Government:

Simplified administration and self-policing through the input tax credit system.
Dual monitoring by the center and states, fostering tax competition and cooperation.
Better control on leakages, leading to higher revenue efficiency.
Increased funds for welfare expenditure.

Input Tax Credit (ITC):

ITC is the tax paid on purchases that businesses can use to reduce their tax liability when making a sale

While it offers advantages, concerns exist over its potential misuse, including the issuance of fake invoices.

The current system lacks real-time matching of ITC claims with taxes paid by suppliers, prompting the need for further regulatory measures.

15. India’s Export Schemes

Subject : Economy

Section: External Sector

Context: India faces ongoing challenges with export promotion schemes, as major trade partners like the EU and US impose counter vailing duties, viewing them as subsidies

Challenges:

WTO Incompatibility: India faces challenges with export promotion schemes as major trade partners impose countervailing duties, viewing them as subsidies. The replacement of MEIS by RoDTEP hasn’t resolved WTO incompatibility issues.
High Customs Duties: India’s high customs duties (e.g., 14.7% on industrial products) necessitate export schemes for competitiveness, leading to disputes with trading partners.
Countervailing Duties: Major trade partners, including the EU and the US, impose countervailing duties, neutralizing the advantages India provides to exporters.

Recommendations:

Improve Export Scheme Structure:
- Advance Authorisation Scheme (AAS):
  - Implement robust systems to trace raw materials.
  - Refine norms to avoid excess benefits and link imports to final exports.
  - Redefine subsidy calculations to align with international standards.
- Export Promotion Capital Goods Scheme (EPCGS):
  - Reduce import duties on select capital goods.
  - Complement with low GST rates.
- Duty Drawback Scheme (DDS):
  - Establish an effective system for verifying actual input use.
  - Link drawback rates directly to actual duties paid on materials.
- Remission of Duties and Taxes on Exported Products (RoDTEP):
  - Conduct regular checks based on actual inputs.
  - Ensure compliance with WTO rules and prevent excess payments.
Use Offence as Defence:
- Develop a professional setup for trade disputes similar to the US Trade Representative.
Resist Premature Scheme Withdrawal:
- Consider the continuity of effective schemes, like MEIS, to support exporters.
Examine Customs Duty Structure:
- Evaluate and possibly reduce high customs duties on inputs and capital goods.
- Aim to lessen the need for multiple export schemes by creating a more favorable customs duty structure.

Trade Infrastructure for Export Scheme (TIES):

Objective: TIES aims to develop and upgrade export-related infrastructure and provide assistance for setting up and upgrading infrastructure projects with an export link.
Focus Areas: The scheme emphasizes addressing the issues related to the export value chain, including the creation of quality infrastructure, capacity building, and modernization of infrastructure.
Implementation: TIES is implemented by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.

Market Access Initiatives (MAI) Scheme:

Objective: MAI Scheme is designed to assist exporters and export organizations in accessing and expanding their markets.
Focus Areas: It primarily focuses on market studies, market entry expenses, and other export promotion activities to facilitate market access for Indian products.
Implementation: The scheme is implemented by the Department of Commerce, Government of India, to promote India’s exports.

About MEIS:

Objective: The Merchandise Exports from India Scheme (MEIS) is a part of the Foreign Trade Policy (FTP) of India 2015-20. It aims to offset infrastructural inefficiencies and associated costs involved in the export of goods/products manufactured in India, particularly those with high export intensity and employment potential, thereby enhancing India’s export competitiveness.
Implementation: The scheme is notified by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) and implemented by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
Incentives: MEIS provides rewards in the form of duty credit scrips to exporters, allowing them to import inputs or goods without paying duty. These scrips can be used to pay various duties, including the basic customs duty.
Replaced Schemes: MEIS replaced several other incentive schemes from the previous Foreign Trade Policy 2009-14, including the Focus Product Scheme (FPS), Focus Market Scheme (FMS), Market Linked Focus Product Scheme (MLFPS), Infrastructure Incentive Scheme, and Vishesh Krishi Gramin Upaj Yojana (VKGUY).

Service Exports from India Scheme (SEIS): Overview

SEIS aims to promote the export of services from India by providing incentives in the form of duty credit scrips to eligible service providers.

Key Components:

Duty Credit Scrip:
- Issued by the Director General of Foreign Trade (DGFT).
- Functions as a credit certificate that can be utilized to pay various duties and taxes to the Central Government.
Eligibility Criteria:
- Service providers of eligible services qualify for duty credit scrips.
- Entitled to duty credit at notified rates based on the net foreign exchange earned.
Usage of Duty Credit Scrips:
- Can be used for the payment of:
  - Custom duties.
  - Excise duties.
  - Goods and Services Tax (GST) on procurement of services, etc.

Transferability:
- Duty credit scrips and goods imported using them are freely transferable.
- Provides flexibility for businesses to leverage these benefits effectively.
Validity Period:
- Duty credit scrips remain valid for a period of 18 months from the date of issue.

Implementation and Administration:

Governed by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India.
Administered by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT).

Benefits:

Encourages service providers to enhance foreign exchange earnings.
Facilitates the payment of various duties and taxes, contributing to cost savings.
Promotes the growth of the services sector in India.

Remission of Duties and Taxes on Exported Products (RoDTEP) Scheme:

The RoDTEP scheme, introduced to replace the Merchandise Export from India Scheme (MEIS), has been notified by the Government of India, outlining rates and norms to support exporters.

Objective: To refund embedded central, state, and local duties or taxes that were not previously rebated, addressing the non-compliance issues with the World Trade Organization (WTO) rules.

Key Features:

Scope:
- Covers 8,555 tariff lines, constituting around 75% of traded items and 65% of India’s exports.
- Budgetary allocation of ₹12,454 crore for the fiscal year 2021-22.
Zero Rating of Exports:
- Aims to achieve zero rating of exports by ensuring that domestic taxes are not exported.
Refund Mechanism:
- Refunds encompass all taxes, including those levied by states and local bodies.
- Refund rates, considered WTO-compliant, range from 0.5% to 4.3% of the Free On Board (FOB) value of outbound consignments.
Rate Variation:
- Rates vary based on the product category. For example:
  - Lowest rates for items like chocolates, toffees, and sugar confectionery.
  - Highest rates for yarns and fibers.
  - Exclusion of certain sectors like steel, pharma, and chemicals.

International Standards and Automatic Refunds:
- Enables Indian exporters to meet international standards for exports.
- Provides affordable testing and certification within the country, reducing dependence on international organizations.
- Facilitates automatic tax assessment and refunds for GST, streamlining the process for exporters.

The RoDTEP scheme aligns with India’s efforts to facilitate a conducive environment for exporters, promoting economic growth and enhancing the country’s position in the global market.

Foreign Trade Policy (FTP):

The Ministry of Commerce and Industry launched the Foreign Trade Policy 2023, which will come into effect from April 1, 2023.

The Foreign Trade Policy (FTP) 2023 is a comprehensive framework aimed at facilitating exports and trade, fostering partnerships with exporters, and streamlining processes for businesses.

It is built on the principles of trust and partnership, promoting a responsive and agile environment for trade. Some key details of the FTP 2023 include:

Process Re-Engineering and Automation:
- Shift from an incentive-based regime to a facilitating regime, emphasizing technology interface and collaboration.
- Reduction in fee structures and IT-based schemes for enhanced accessibility to export benefits, particularly for MSMEs.
- Implementation of duty exemption schemes for export production through Regional Offices in a rule-based IT system environment, reducing manual intervention.
Towns of Export Excellence (TEE):
- Addition of four new towns, namely Faridabad, Mirzapur, Moradabad, and Varanasi, as TEEs, in addition to the existing 39 towns.
- Priority access to export promotion funds under the MAI scheme and Common Service Provider (CSP) benefits under the EPCG Scheme for TEEs.
Recognition of Exporters:
- Exporter firms recognized with ‘status’ based on export performance will participate in capacity-building initiatives.
- Encouragement for 2-star and above status holders to provide trade-related training based on a model curriculum.
Promoting Export from the Districts:
- Establishment of partnerships with State governments and the Districts as Export Hubs (DEH) initiative to boost exports at the grassroots level.
- Introduction of State Export Promotion Committee and District Export Promotion Committee for addressing concerns at the district level.
Streamlining SCOMET Policy:
- Strengthening the “export control” regime with enhanced outreach and understanding of SCOMET among stakeholders.
- Implementation of a robust export control system in India to facilitate controlled items/technologies under SCOMET.
Facilitating E-Commerce Exports:
- Development of e-commerce hubs and related elements such as payment reconciliation, book-keeping, and returns policy.
- Increase in the consignment-wise cap on E-Commerce exports through courier from ₹5 Lakh to ₹10 Lakh in the FTP 2023.
Facilitation under EPCG and Advance Authorization Scheme:
- Rationalization of the EPCG Scheme with the addition of schemes like PM MITRA and exemptions for the dairy sector.
- Inclusion of various green technology products under the reduced Export Obligation requirement under the EPCG Scheme.
- Extension of the Special Advance Authorization Scheme to the apparel and clothing sector for prompt execution of export orders.
Amnesty Scheme:
- Launch of an online portal and a six-month window for exporters to avail the scheme.
- Coverage of all pending cases of default in export obligation of authorizations, regularized on the payment of all customs duties exempted proportionally to unfulfilled export obligations.

The previous foreign trade policy for 2015-2020 had targeted exports of USD 900 billion by 2020, which was extended till March 2023. However, it is expected that India will end 2022-23 with total exports of USD 760-770 billion, showing improvement from USD 676 billion in 2021-22.

National Export Insurance Account (NEIA):

Objective:
- Facilitate medium and long-term exports that are commercially viable.
- Address limitations of ECGC Limited in providing adequate cover on its own.
- Provide credit risk cover for projects and high-value exports, aligning with national interest.
Purpose:
- Ensure availability of credit risk cover for projects that ECGC may be unable to underwrite at competitive terms.

NIRVIK Scheme:

Introduced by ECGC to ease lending and enhance loan availability for exporters.

Insurance Cover:

Guarantees up to 90% of the principal and interest.

Aims to keep foreign and rupee export credit interest rates below 4% and 8%, respectively.

Cover Scope:

Encompasses both pre and post-shipment credit.

Higher premium rate for the gems, jewellery, and diamond (GJD) sector borrowers with limits over Rs 80 crore.

Premium Rates:

Premium rates moderated to 0.60 per annum for accounts below Rs 80 crore.

Premium rates set at 0.72 per annum for accounts exceeding Rs 80 crore.

Inspection Mandate:

Inspection of bank documents and records by ECGC officials mandated for losses exceeding Rs 10 crore.

Payment Structure:

Banks pay a monthly premium to ECGC on the principal and interest for the cover provided.

Benefits:

Enhances accessibility and affordability of credit for exporters.
Boosts competitiveness of Indian exports.
Makes ECGC procedures exporter-friendly.
Expected to bring down the cost of credit, providing capital relief and liquidity.
Ensures timely and adequate working capital for the export sector.

Export Credit Guarantee Corporation of India (ECGC):

Establishment:
- Formed in 1957 as a fully government-owned company.
Objective:
- Promote exports by providing credit insurance services.

Export Credit Insurance to Banks (ECIB):

Provides credit insurance to banks to protect against losses on export credit.
Covers pre and post-shipment stages to mitigate risks of insolvency or protracted default of exporter borrowers.