Daily Prelims Notes 26 July 2022

July 26, 2022
Posted by: OptimizeIAS Team
Category: DPN

Daily Prelims Notes

26 July 2022

Table Of Contents

Subject: Government Schemes

Section: Tribals

Context: Government is implementing Tribal Sub-Plan (TSP)/Schedule Tribe Component (STC)/Development Action Plan for STs (DAPST) for overall development of tribal people across the country

Concept:

Tribal Sub-Plan came into existence in 1974-75 as a strategy for the development of areas having tribal concentration.
After merger of Plan and Non-Plan, the TSP was renamed as Scheduled Tribe Component (STC) by Ministry of Finance. 41 Central Ministries / Departments have been identified for earmarking of STC.
Besides, State Governments are supposed to earmark TSP funds in proportion to ST population (Census 2011) in the State with respect to total State Plan.
The monitoring of TSP plan was being done by erstwhile Planning Commission till 2017-18, it was only in FY 2018-19, the monitoring of STC plan was given to Ministry of Tribal Affairs.
The Government allocates funds for different schemes / programmes across Ministries/ Departments for targeted financial and physical benefits to the Scheduled Tribes.
Ministry of Tribal Affairs launched an online portal – Scheduled Tribe Component Management Information System (STCMIS) in 2018. The portal monitors the funds allocated/released for welfare of Scheduled Tribes in Union Budget.
The basic objective of Schedule Tribe Component is to channelize/monitor the flow of outlays and benefits from the general sectors in the Central Ministries/Departments for the development of Schedules Tribes at least in proportion to their population.

Basic Statistics regarding Scheduled Tribes:

As per National Family Health Surveys (NFHS),

Infant Mortality Rate has declined from 62.1 (2005-06) to 41.6 (2019-21)
Under Five Mortality Rate has declined from 95.7 (2005-06) to 50.3 (2019-21)
Institutional Delivery has increased from 17.7% (2005-06) to 82.3 % (2019-21)
Literacy rate for STs has improved from 47.1% in 2001 to 59% in 2011.
Erstwhile Planning Commission estimated that percentage of ST people living below the poverty line in rural areas has declined from 3% in 2004-05 to 45.3% in 2011-12.
Percentage of ST people living below the poverty line in urban areas has declined from 35.5% in 2004-05 to 24.1% in 2011-12.

2. Elderly care

Subject : Government Schemes

Section: Tribals

Context:

Details of Schemes and Programmes being implemented by Government of India in Care of Senior Citizens Sector:

Department of Social Justice and Empowerment: Atal VayoAbhyudaya Yojana (AVYAY):

AVYAY brings together articulation of each of the current schemes, future plans, strategies and targets and maps it with schemes/programmes, accountabilities, financials and clear outcomes. This Plan takes care of the top four needs of the senior citizens viz financial security, food, health care and human interaction /life of dignity. It also includes the facets of safety/protection and general wellbeing of the elderly beginning from awareness generation and sensitization of the society.
AVYAY is an umbrella scheme, effective since 1^stApril 2021, has following schemes under it, namely:

Scheme of Integrated Programme for Senior Citizens (IPSrC): Setting up of Homes to improve the quality of life of the Senior Citizens, especially indigent senior citizens by providing basic amenities like shelter, food, medical care and entertainment opportunities and by encouraging productive and active ageing.
State Action Plan for Senior Citizens (SAPSrC): The Government of India perceives a major and critical role of all State Governments in partnering and implementing this Action Plan for welfare of senior citizens. Each State/UT is expected to plan and strategize taking into account their local considerations and frame their own State Action Plans for the welfare of their senior citizens.
RashtriyaVayoshri Yojana’ (RVY):A scheme for providing physical Aids and Assisted living devices to Senior Citizens.
Livelihood and Skilling Initiatives for Senior Citizens –Senior Able Citizens for Re-Employment in Dignity (SACRED); Action Groups Aimed at Social Reconstruction (AGRASR Groups):Elderly Self Help groups

Promoting silver economy

It is the system of production, distribution and consumption of goods and services aimed at using the purchasing potential of older and ageing people and satisfying their consumption, living and health needs.

Initial estimations suggest that at present the Silver Economy is worth approximately 73,082 crore rupees.

Iniatives under silver economy

Seniorcare Ageing Growth Engine (SAGE)

An Initiative for promoting aged-care products and services by Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India.
It is a new scheme launched with an objective to encourage the entrepreneurs for to think about the problems of the elderly and come out with innovative solutions The Government aims to achieve the objective by providing upto Rs. 1 crore as financial assistance through equity participation, through an open invitation on a portal namely Seniorcare Ageing Growth Engine (SAGE).
The Seniorcare Ageing Growth Engine (SAGE) is to identify, evaluate, verify, aggregate, and deliver products / solutions / services directly to the stakeholders, giving them wide choice to select the products / solutions / services that would suit their requirements, thereby improving their quality of life. The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment would act as the facilitator in the process while ensuring that the products / solutions / services are made available to a large number of needy people.
Support from Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India:
Selected Companies would be supported by Government equity participation of upto Rs. 1 Crore and showcased on the platform, developed by MoSJE, thereby enabling wide outreach among the users .

SACRED portal

The Government of India has recently launched the Senior Able Citizens for Re-Employment in Dignity (SACRED) portal that is sacred.dosje.gov.in. This portal has been made for all the online IT jobs and is steered by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment (MoSJ&E). The SACRED Portal Registration Link for Senior Citizens is currently operational, bringing job seekers and employers together on one platform.

Channelizing CSR funds for Elderly care

Scheme for Awareness Generation and Capacity Building for welfare of Senior Citizens – Training, Awareness, Sensitization, Setting up of National Helpline for Senior Citizens.

Under the Scheme of Integrated Programme for Senior Citizens (IPSrC), grants upto 100% of project cost are given for running and maintenance the following projects:-

(i) Senior Citizens’ Homes for 25 destitute Senior Citizens to provide food, care and shelter.

(ii) Senior Citizens’ Homes for 50 Elderly Women including those under Sansad Adarsh Gram Yojana (SAGY) to provide food, care and shelter.

(iii) Continuous Care Homes and Homes for senior citizens afflicted with Alzheimer’s disease/ Dementia for a minimum of 20 Senior Citizens who are seriously ill requiring continuous nursing care and respite or those who are afflicted with Alzheimer’s disease/ Dementia.

(iv) Mobile Medicare Units to provide medical care to the Senior Citizens living in rural, isolated and backward areas.

(v) Physiotherapy Clinics for Senior Citizens for a minimum of 50 Senior Citizens per month.

(vi) Regional Resource and Training Centres (RRTCs) monitors and provides technical support, advocacy, networking, training and capacity building for effective delivery of service by the Centres for Senior Citizens, funded by the Ministry.

Under State Action Plan for Senior Citizens (SAPSrC), the Government of India perceives a major and critical role of all State Governments in partnering and implementing the Action Plan for welfare of senior citizens. Appreciating the critical and significant role of States/UTs, each State/UT is expected to plan and strategize taking into account their local considerations and frame their own State Action Plans for the welfare of their senior citizens. This State Action Plan may comprise a long-term strategy for five years as well as Annual Action Plans and this Department shall release funds to the States/UTs for formulation and implementation of their State Action Plans.

Livelihood and Skilling Initiatives for Senior Citizens- A new scheme with following two components:-

(i) Senior Able Citizens for Re-Employment in Dignity (SACRED)- Many senior citizens have experience, time and energy which can be used by the business enterprises looking for stable employees with experience. The Human resources cells of many private enterprises seek experienced but stable persons in certain positions. The portal allows bringing these people together by virtual matching of preferences. The portal has been launched by the Vice President of India on International Day on Older Persons (IDOP), 2021 i.e. on 01/10/2021.

(ii) Action Groups Aimed at Social Reconstruction (AGRASR Groups): Elderly Self Help groups – The Senior Citizens are encouraged to form Self-Help Groups (SHGs), which will provide them with a platform to share the time constructively with each other. To attain financial assistance under the scheme SHGs will function as ‘Action Groups Aimed at Social Reconstruction (AGRASR Groups)’. Assistance under this Scheme to any SHG will be independent of assistance under any other scheme of the Ministry and an SHG can choose to avail assistance under any one or more Scheme(s).

Channelizing CSR funds for Elderly care- This is also a new scheme with an objective to channelize the CSR funds in an appropriate manner for elderly care projects. Under Schedule VII of Section 135 of the Companies Act, setting up old age homes, day care centres and such facilities for Senior Citizens is an approved item for CSR funding.

Scheme for Awareness Generation and Capacity Building for welfare of Senior Citizens- Components like the National Helpline for Senior Citizens, Research, awareness, sensitization etc. for the welfare of senior citizens, spreading awareness and sensitizing the youth and other sections of the society towards the issues related to the elderly. The National Helpline – Elderline with toll free number 14567 has been dedicated to the country by the Vice President of India on International Day on Older Persons (IDOP), 2021 i.e. on 01/10/2021.

6. RashtriyaVayoshri Yojana (RVY): Scheme for providing Physical Aids and Assisted-Living Devices for Senior Citizens

The Scheme of RashtriyaVayoshri Yojana (RVY) has been formulated by Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment with an objective to provide aids and assisted living devices viz. walking sticks, elbow crutches, walkers/crutches, tripods/quadpods, hearing aids, wheelchairs, artificial dentures and spectacles, free of cost to senior citizens belonging to BPL category who suffer from age related disabilities/infirmities such as low vision, hearing impairment, loss of teeth and loco-motor disabilities. The Scheme has been revised w.e.f. F.Y. 2020-21. Under the revised Scheme, the criteria of selection of beneficiaries have been extended to include not only those senior citizens belonging to BPL category but also senior citizens with monthly income not more than Rs. 15000/- and who suffer from age related disabilities/infirmities as mentioned above.

Under the revised Scheme of RVY, the number of devices hitherto provided has been increased. At present, following are the items that have been included for distribution:

(a) Generic Items: (1) Walking sticks (2) Elbow crutches (3) Walkers/Crutches,

(4) Tripods/Quadpods (5) Hearing Aids (6) Artificial Dentures, and (7) Spectacles.

(b) Special Items: (1) Wheelchairs, (2) Wheel Chairs with Commode, (3) Chair/Stool with Commode, (4) Silicon Foam Cushion, (5) Knee Brace, (6) Spinal Support, (7) Cervical Collar, (8) Lumbosacral Belt (LS), (9) Walker/Roalator with Brakes, (10) Walking Stick with Seat,

(11) Foot Care Kit:- (i) Flexi Gel Socks, (ii) Socks Cusion Sandal, (iii) Silicon Insole (Complete Foot/Ankle) and (iv) Insole with Pressure Point Relief.

Schemes, Programmes, Concession and Benefits provided by other Ministries/Department in Care of Senior Citizens:

Schemes under Ministry of Rural Development:

National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP): Under National Social Assistance Program (NSAP) scheme, the elderly, widows, and disabled persons belonging to Below Poverty Line (BPL) and fulfilling eligibility criteria prescribed in the NSAP guidelines, are provided financial assistance ranging from Rs.200/- to Rs.500/- p.m. and in the case of death of the breadwinner, a lumpsum assistance of Rs.20,000/- is given to the bereaved family. The schemes under NSAP for elderly and divyangs are detailed below:

Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme (IGNOAPS):A monthly pension of Rs.200/- is given to elderly aged 60-79 years belonging to BPL category. The pension increases to Rs.500/-per month upon attaining the age of 80 years. The total beneficiaries under the scheme are 221 lakh.
Indira Gandhi National Disability Pension Scheme (IGNDPS):A monthly pension of Rs.300/- is given to BPL persons aged 18-79 years with severe and multiple disabilities (80% disability level). The pension increases to Rs.500/- per month upon attaining the age of 80 years. The total beneficiaries under the scheme are 10.58 lakh.

Schemes under Ministry of Health and Family Welfare:

“National Programme for the Health Care of Elderly” (NPHCE) launched during 2010-11 is State oriented program with the basic thrust to provide comprehensive and dedicated health care facilities to the elderly persons above 60 year of age at various level of primary, secondary and tertiary health care.

Primary & Secondary Geriatric Care Services : The program commenced with 100 districts in the 11^thplan period. In the 12^thplan period 421 districts and in 2019-2020, 114 districts were addiationally sanctioned to provide dedicated geriatric OPD, IPD, Physiotherapy and lab services. Presently all 713 Health districts have been sanctioned for geriatric primary & secondary care services of OPD, 10 bedded Geriatric Ward, Physiotherapy and laboratory services.
Tertiary level activities of NPHCE : Renamed as ‘RashtriyaVaristh Jan Swasthya Yojana’ in 2016-17. As on date, 19 Regional Geriatric Centres (RGCs) in selected Medical Colleges of 18 States, are sanctioned for tertiary care service delivery under NPHCE in the form of specialized OPD’s, 30 bedded wards in RGC including earmarking beds in various specialties like urology, orthopedics, ophthalmology etc, manpower development & research activities. Presently OPD services are being provided through 18 RGCs, inpatient services in 16 RGC’s, Physiotherapy in 14 centers & laboratory services in 13 centers.

Two National Centre for Ageing (NCA) has also been developed as centre of Excellence for Geriatric Care services. 200 bedded NCA at Madras Medical College, Chennai has been developed and operational for Covid ward and another NCA at AIIMS, New Delhi is in advance state of Construction.OPD services are expected to initiate by October 2021. A 250 Bedded Geriatric Care and Rehabilitation Centre is sanctioned at PGI chandigarh.

3. Shri Arjun Munda participates in a cultural program presented by tribal artists from six states

Subject: History

Section: Art and Culture

Context:

Concept: Tribal dance troupes from six different states of India performed in honour of 15th President of India Smt. Droupadi Murmu at the National Tribal Research Institute, New Delhi

Concept:

Santhali Dance of Santhal Tribe

Santhali dance could be a common folks dance practiced by Santhal tribes in Jharkhand. Santhal is one among the foremost copiously found tribes in Asian nation. A significant chunk of this tribe are often found in West Bengal and Jharkhand
Santhali dance is usually performed by each the boys and girls of the Santhal tribe. It usually covers problems associated with gender equality and land rights.
Santhali dance is performed in cluster. Through this kind of dance, the dancers categorical one`s feelings, some story, problems or the other event.

Mundari Dance of Jharkhand

Mundari dance has a very important place among many folk dances of the Munda community of Jharkhand. The unique rhythm and music distinguish the Munda tribe from other communities inhabiting the Chota Nagpur plateau
Mundari dance is performed differently in every region. One thing that is common among all forms is the non-participation of males in the group of female dancers. The male members of the tribe play the musical instruments and enjoy as an audience
The dance is women-centric and, therefore, the steps are graceful and slow. The Mundari dance is accompanied by the folk songs, sung by the local folks.
The musical instruments like dholak, Nagada, dhak are the most common ones used.

Panthi dance

It is one of the important dance forms of Chhattisgarh State of India.
It is basically a prominent ritual of the Satnami community of Chhattisgarh.
The dance is very expressive in its depiction and is performed to the accompaniment of melodious songs.
The dance reflects the rich cultural heritage and traditional legacies of the indigenous tribal groups of the region. It bears religious overtones and epitomizes the unique dance styles of the state.
Panthi a dance of Satnami community in Chhattisgarh is devotional in nature and has a religious connotation.
The dance is unique in its music, rhythm and form reverberated through the habitation of the state. It was a spellbinding experience for the music and dance lovers to watch it.

Kalash Dance

This traditional dance is practiced by the tribals in Jharkhand as a devotional message to the holy God of Fire.
In Jharkhand, Kalash (Pither) is a symbol of religious beliefs and faith and consider to be auspicious. In this dance, the tribal women rejoice the harvest by carrying the grains along with a lighted lamps in this Kalash. They are welcoming the guests with prayers and offerings on this auspicious occasion.

4. Ravi Varma’s kin seek Bharat Ratna for him

Subject: History

Section: Art and Culture

Context:

Proposal by Kilimanoor Palace highlights the impact of his works on generations
It is believed that he had made around 7,000 paintings before his death at the age of 58.
His paintings continue to inspire generations and exert influence on art, architecture, culture, religion, textiles, ceramics, and fashion accessories even now.
In addition, Hinduism and the country are obliged to him as he changed the images of gods and goddess from the supernatural to the human form
Varma worked on both portrait and landscape paintings, and is considered among the first Indian artists to use oil paints.
He continues to be regarded as the most important representative of the Europeanised school of painting in India.
Varma’s women-centric paintings portray a vast variety of their expressions and costumes. Some of his popular works are ‘Lady in the Moonlight’, ‘Nair Lady Adorning Her Hair’, ‘Malabar Lady with Violin’, ‘Lady with Swarbat’, ‘Maharashtrian Lady with Fruits’, ‘Lady with a Mirror’, ‘Lady Giving Alms’, ‘Lady in Contemplation’, ‘Woman with Veena’ and ‘Lady Holding a Fruit’.

5. Four tribal revolts President Murmu invoked in her inaugural speech

Subject: History

Section: Modern History

Context:

Addressing the nation after being sworn-in, President Murmu spoke about her journey from a small tribal village in Odisha to the Rashtrapati Bhavan. She also invoked four tribal revolutions that she said had strengthened tribal contribution to the freedom struggle.
Santhal revolution
- On June 30, 1855, over 10,000 Santhals were mobilised by their leaders — Kanho Murmu, Chand Murmu, Bhairab Murmu and Sidho Murmu – to revolt against the East India Company over oppression by revenue officials, zamindars, and corrupt moneylenders.
- The landmark event in tribal history, referred to as Santhal Hul, took place in Bhognadih village in present-day Jharkhand. Soon after their open rebellion, Santhals took to arms to resist imposition of East India Company laws
- The seeds of the protracted rebellion, however, were sown in 1832 where the East India Company created Damin-i-koh region in the forested belt of Rajmahalhills, and invited the Santhals to settle the Over the years, Santhals found themselves at the receiving end of exploitative practices aided by the British.
Paika rebellion
- In several recent descriptions, the 1817 Paika Rebellion in Odisha’s Khurda is referred to as the “original” first war of Indian Independence.
- That year, the Paikas – a class of military retainers traditionally recruited by the kings of Odisha – revolted against the British colonial rulers mainly over being dispossessed of their land holdings.
- In the run-up to the revolt, the British had dethroned and exiled the Khurda king in 1803, and then started introducing new revenue settlements. For Paikas, who were into rendering martial services in return for hereditary rent-free land (nish-kar jagirs) and titles, this disruption meant losing both their estates and social standing.
- BakshiJagabandhuBidyadhar Mohapatra Bharamarbar Rai, the highest-ranking military general of the banished Khurda king, led an army of Paikas to join the uprising of the Kondhs.
- The Paikas set fire to government buildings in Banapur, killed policemen and looted the treasury and the British salt agent’s ship docked on the Chilika. They then proceeded to Khurda and killed several British officials.
- Over the next few months, the Paikas fought bloody battles at several places, but the colonial army gradually crushed the revolt.
- BakshiJagabandhu escaped to the jungles, and stayed out of reach of the British until 1825, when he finally surrendered under negotiated terms.
Kol revolt
- The Kols, tribal people from the Chhota Nagpur area, rose in revolt against the British in 1831. The trigger here too was gradual takeover of tribal land and property by non-tribal settlers who were aided by new land laws. The simmering discontent over economic exploitation of the original inhabitants, led to an uprising led by BuddhuBhagat, Joa Bhagat and MadaraMahato among others. The Kols were joined by other tribes like the Hos, Mundas and Oraons.
- The uprising, which spread to areas like Ranchi, Hazaribagh, Palamau, Manbhum and continued for almost two years before being snuffed out, mainly targeted colonial officials and private money-lenders.
Bhil uprising
- After the British intruded into the Bhil territory in Maharashtra’s Khandesh region, the tribals pushed back fearing exploitation under the new regime in 1818. The revolt was led by their leader, Sewaram and was brutally crushed using the British military might.
- This uprising again erupted in 1825 as the Bhils sought to take advantage of reverses being suffered by the British in the first Anglo-Burmese war.

6. Visva-Bharati holds Kali talk online to avoid disruption

Subject: History

Section: Modern India

Context: Fearing disruption, Visva-Bharati University on Monday decided to hold a scheduled talk on the worship of goddess Kali on online mode instead of making it an offline event as it was originally announced to be. With the university sensing trouble, the speaker, Swami Saradatmananda Maharaj of the Sree Ramakrishna Ashrama in Kolkata, eventually delivered the lecture online from Kolkata.

Why students are opposing it?

According to those students, religion and idol worship had always been kept out of the Tagore-founded institution that was rooted in Brahmo tradition.

Brahmo Samaj Philosphy

Brahmo Samajists have no faith in Avatars (incarnations) Brahmo Samajists denounce polytheism and idol-worship. Brahmo Samajists are against caste system. Brahmo Samajists took no definite stand on the doctrine of karma and transmigration of soul (Rebirth) and left it to individual Brahmos to believe either way.

Tagore and Brahmo Samaj

Rabindranath’s grandfather Prince Dwarkanath Tagore was a staunch supporter of Rammohun Roy in his attempts at reforming Hindu society. Dwarkanath’s son, Debendranath Tagore, also became pillar of the Brahmo Samaj Movement. In 1863 Debebendranath established a meditation centre and guest house on some land about 100 miles from Calcutta at a place called ‘Shantiniketan’, the Abode of Peace.
Rabindranath wrote Sandhya Sangeet– Evening songs, a volume of Bengali verse, came out in 1882. Between 1884 and 1890 various volumes of his poems appeared, together with a profuse output of prose articles, criticism, plays and novels. Tagore married when he was 23. At this stage, beyond his literary pursuits, he had begun sharing his father’s religious responsibilities. In 1911, Tagore took over the leadership of the Adi Brahmo Samaj.
Under the influence of Rabindranath, Adi Brahmo Samaj was showing signs of revival. The old rule of allowing Brahmins to the pulpit were being relaxed and men of other castes were being invited into it.
The TattwabodhiniPatrika had secured a new band of writers and young men trained under Rabindranath came forward to take up the work of the Samaj. Rabindranath was also intimate with Trailokyanath Sanyal who inspired him in the composition of Brahmasangeet.
Rabindranath stated a Boys Boarding school – the Brahamacharyashram (or Ashram) School was inaugurated on 22 December 1901 with only a few pupils, his son being one of them, and with an equal number of teachers. It was to be run on the pattern of teachers and pupils living together amidst natural surroundings and willingly accepting an austere standard of living, often working with their own hands in Shantiniketan.

Visva-Bharati University

The university was set up by Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore in 1921 at Santiniketan, Bolpur in West Bengal’s Birbhum district.
It was founded by Rabindranath Tagore who called it Visva-Bharati, which means the communion of the world with India.
Until independence, it was a college. Soon after independence, the institution was given the status of a central university in 1951 by an act of the Parliament.

Significance

Rabindranath Tagore believed in open-air education and had reservations about any teaching done within four walls.
This was due to his belief that walls represent the conditioning of the mind.
Tagore did not have a good opinion about the Western method of education introduced by the British in India; on this subject, Tagore and Gandhiji’s opinion matched.
So he devised a new system of learning in Visva-Bharati. He allowed students to continue their course till the student and his teacher both are satisfied.
At Visva-Bharati, if a course demanded by a student is not available, then the university will design a course and bring teachers for that course.
The university would not be bothered by the consideration of whether there is a demand for the course.
Ramakrishna Mission (RKM) is a Hindu religious and spiritual organisation which forms the core of a worldwide spiritual movement known as the Ramakrishna Movement or the Vedanta Movement.
The mission is named after and inspired by the Indian saint Ramakrishna Paramahamsa and founded by Ramakrishna’s chief disciple Swami Vivekananda on 1 May 1897.
The headquarters of Ramakrishna Math and Ramakrishna Mission are situated at an area named Belur in the district of Howrah, West Bengal, India.
The entire campus of the headquarters is popularly known as ‘Belur Math’.
Vedanta (also known as Uttara Mīmāṃsā) is one of the six (āstika) schools of Hindu philosophy. Literally meaning “end of the Vedas”, Vedanta reflects ideas that emerged from the philosophies contained in the Upanishad

7. Five images and a million new questions

Subject: Science and Technology

Section: Space Science

Context:

The first five images sent by NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope created a buzz of excitement among scientists, astronomy enthusiasts, and laypeople alike.
One of them, a deep-field image of a galaxy that is five billion light years away, shows in the background other galaxies that are 13 billion light years away, very close to the beginning of the universe and time.
Then there are images of an exoplanet, a planetary nebula, a cluster of five galaxies called ‘Stephan’s Quintet’, and a galaxy called Carina.
To take the deep-field image, with a telescope like the Hubble, it would take a month-long exposure to get pictures of lesser resolution and depth; with the Webb, it was just half-a-day.
We have learnt that in the centre of the planetary nebula, there are two stars, not one — one dying and the other in an early stage of evolution.
Red shift of 1,100 means that the universe was 1,101 times smaller than now.
Unlike other telescopes, the Webb can see through dust. That is how we are able to see into the planetary nebula (catalogued NGC 3132), which is about 2,500 light years away.

What are we seeing in Stephan’s Quintet?

The Stephan’s Quintet picture really demonstrates Webb’s capabilities.
It is not one picture, but a thousand exposures, from different positions, stitched together to form a wide-field image.
In the topmost galaxy there is a vertical line, a jet emanating from the centre of the galaxy.
It means there is some material being ejected from around the black hole there.
Webb has also measured the spectrum of the gas surrounding the black hole, which is a first. That will tell us the composition of the material.

8. Look for ‘ectomorph’ body type, zig-zag riding: Delhi Police chief’s tips for identifying snatchers

Subject: Science and Technology

Section: Biology

Context:

A circular issued by Delhi Police Commissioner Rakesh Asthana on July 18 outlines “Operation Hawk-Eye”, which was launched in Delhi’s Outer North police district with the “objective to curb street crimes, snatching and robbery”.
A person’s body type depends on the distribution of muscle mass and fat. Some people are long and lean, while others are curvier.

There are three different body types for male:

Ectomorph: This is when the body is lean and slender and tends to have less body fat and muscle. People with this body type can often find it challenging to gain weight in the form of muscle or fat. Fashion models are an example of this body type.
Endomorph: This is when the body has more stored fat, lots of muscle, and gains weight easily. People with this body type are not always overweight. Football lineman and Marilyn Monroe are examples of this body type.
Mesomorph: This is when the body is athletic and strong. People with this body type are neither overweight nor underweight. Swimmers and volleyball players are examples of this body type.

Backsliding on climate action

Western nations have started reinterpreting the Paris deal and look to downgrade their commitments

9. Paris Climate Accord

Subject: Environment

Legal status: It is a legally binding international treaty on climate change.
Adoption: It was adopted by 196 countries at Conference of the Parties COP 21 in Paris in December 2015.
Goal: To limit global warming to well below 2° Celsius, and preferably limit it to 1.5° Celsius, compared to pre-industrial levels.
Objective: To achieve the long-term temperature goal, countries aim to reach global peaking of greenhouse gas emissions as soon as possible to achieve a climate-neutral world by mid-century.
Most of the Nations have been slow to update their national contributions for reducing emissions for 2025-2030, however several have announced net zero emission targets in the recent past.
Net zero emission means that all man-made greenhouse gas emissions must be removed from the atmosphere through reduction measures, thus reducing the Earth’s net climate balance.

UNFCCC:

The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), signed in 1992 at the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development also known as the Earth Summit, the Rio Summit or the Rio Conference.
India is among the select few countries to have hosted the COP of all three Rio conventions on climate change (UNFCCC), biodiversity (Convention on Biological Diversity) and land (United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification).
The UNFCCC entered into force on 21st March 1994, and has been ratified by 197 countries.
It is the parent treaty of the 2015 Paris Agreement. It is also the parent treaty of the 1997 Kyoto Protocol.
The 27th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP 27) to the UNFCCC will take place in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt.

Paris Agreement :

The Paris Agreement, adopted through Decision , addresses crucial areas necessary to combat climate change. Some of the key aspects of the Agreement are set out below:

Long-term temperature goal (Art. 2) – The Paris Agreement, in seeking to strengthen the global response to climate change, reaffirms the goal of limiting global temperature increase to well below 2 degrees Celsius, while pursuing efforts to limit the increase to 1.5 degrees.
Global peaking and ‘climate neutrality’ (Art. 4) –To achieve this temperature goal, Parties aim to reach global peaking of greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs) as soon as possible, recognizing peaking will take longer for developing country Parties, so as to achieve a balance between anthropogenic emissions by sources and removals by sinks of GHGs in the second half of the century.
Mitigation (Art. 4) – The Paris Agreement establishes binding commitments by all Parties to prepare, communicate and maintain a nationally determined contribution (NDC) and to pursue domestic measures to achieve them. It also prescribes that Parties shall communicate their NDCs every 5 years and provide information necessary for clarity and transparency. To set a firm foundation for higher ambition, each successive NDC will represent a progression beyond the previous one and reflect the highest possible ambition. Developed countries should continue to take the lead by undertaking absolute economy-wide reduction targets, while developing countries should continue enhancing their mitigation efforts, and are encouraged to move toward economy-wide targets over time in the light of different national circumstances.
Sinks and reservoirs (Art.5) –The Paris Agreement also encourages Parties to conserve and enhance, as appropriate, sinks and reservoirs of GHGs as referred to in Article 4, paragraph 1(d) of the Convention, including forests.
Voluntary cooperation / Market- and non-market-based approaches (Art. 6) – The Paris Agreement recognizes the possibility of voluntary cooperation among Parties to allow for higher ambition and sets out principles – including environmental integrity, transparency and robust accounting – for any cooperation that involves internationally transferal of mitigation outcomes. It establishes a mechanism to contribute to the mitigation of GHG emissions and support sustainable development, and defines a framework for non-market approaches to sustainable development.
Adaptation (Art. 7) – The Paris Agreement establishes a global goal on adaptation – of enhancing adaptive capacity, strengthening resilience and reducing vulnerability to climate change in the context of the temperature goal of the Agreement. It aims to significantly strengthen national adaptation efforts, including through support and international cooperation. It recognizes that adaptation is a global challenge faced by all. All Parties should engage in adaptation, including by formulating and implementing National Adaptation Plans, and should submit and periodically update an adaptation communication describing their priorities, needs, plans and actions. The adaptation efforts of developing countries should be recognized
Loss and damage (Art. 8) – The Paris Agreement recognizes the importance of averting, minimizing and addressing loss and damage associated with the adverse effects of climate change, including extreme weather events and slow onset events, and the role of sustainable development in reducing the risk of loss and damage. Parties are to enhance understanding, action and support, including through the Warsaw International Mechanism, on a cooperative and facilitative basis with respect to loss and damage associated with the adverse effects of climate change.
Finance, technology and capacity-building support (Art. 9, 10 and 11) – The Paris Agreement reaffirms the obligations of developed countries to support the efforts of developing country Parties to build clean, climate-resilient futures, while for the first time encouraging voluntary contributions by other Parties. Provision of resources should also aim to achieve a balance between adaptation and mitigation. In addition to reporting on finance already provided, developed country Parties commit to submit indicative information on future support every two years, including projected levels of public finance. The agreement also provides that the Financial Mechanism of the Convention, including the Green Climate Fund (GCF), shall serve the Agreement. International cooperation on climate-safe technology development and transfer and building capacity in the developing world are also strengthened: a technology framework is established under the Agreement and capacity-building activities will be strengthened through, inter alia, enhanced support for capacity building actions in developing country Parties and appropriate institutional arrangements. Climate change education, training as well as public awareness, participation and access to information (Art 12) is also to be enhanced under the Agreement.
Climate change education, training, public awareness, public participation and public access to information (Art 12) is also to be enhanced under the Agreement.
Transparency (Art. 13), implementation and compliance (Art. 15) – The Paris Agreement relies on a robust transparency and accounting system to provide clarity on action and support by Parties, with flexibility for their differing capabilities of Parties.
Global Stocktake (Art. 14) – A “global stocktake”, to take place in 2023 and every 5 years thereafter, will assess collective progress toward achieving the purpose of the Agreement in a comprehensive and facilitative manner. Its outcome will inform Parties in updating and enhancing their actions and support and enhancing international cooperation on climate action.

10. Eye on private firms, govt may define ‘ownership’ of non-personal data

Subject: Science and Technology

Section: Biology

Context:

The draft framework, announced by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MEITY) in May, looks at acquiring non-personal data from the Government and persuading private companies to share this data for the benefit of start-ups in the country.
THE GOVERNMENT could look at clearly defining “ownership” of non-personal data held by big-tech platforms, such as Google, Meta and Amazon, if they refuse to share such data with a regulator as proposed in the draft National Data Governance Framework.
The draft also proposes the setting up of an India Data Management Office (IDMO), which will be in charge of designing and managing the platform that will process requests and provide access to non-personal datasets for Indian researchers and start-ups, and act as the sector’s regulator.

Non-personal Data

Non-personal data is any data set that does not contain personally identifiable information.
It could include aggregated information, such as the overall health data of a particular demography, weather and climate data of an area, and traffic data, among
The idea of harnessing economic benefits from aggregated non-personal datasets was first proposed by a MEITY-appointed committee headed by Infosys co-founder Kris Gopalakrishnan.
the committee recommended the identification of certain “high value datasets”, which could be shared for the purpose of encouraging innovation and ensuring national security.

11. International Financial Services Centre -related topics

Subject: Economy

Section: External Sector

Context:

Recently, PM Narendra Modi is visiting to the Gujarat International Finance Tec-City (GIFT City)

Details:

He will launch the country’s first international bullion exchange –India International Bullion Exchange (IIBX) at the GIFT City
He will lay the foundation stone of the unified regulator– International Financial Services Centres Authority’s– headquarters building.
The prime minister will launch NSE IFSC-SGX Connect.

Concept:

India International Bullion Exchange (IIBX)

India International Bullion Holding IFSC Limited (IIBH) is responsible for setting up the Bullion Exchange through its subsidiary, India International Bullion Exchange IFSC Limited (IIBX).
The exchange will have three vaults.
Once gold is imported, it will be stored at the IFSC Authority-approved vault. Following this, a bullion depository receipt will be made and the gold will be ready for trading.
The RBI guidelines enable qualified jewellers to import gold through IIBX or other exchanges approved by IFSCA and the directorate general of foreign trade (DGFT).
It will facilitate
- efficient price discovery
- assurance of responsible sourcing and quality
- give impetus to the financialisation of gold in India

International Financial Services Centres Authority (IFSCA):

It was established on April 27, 2020 under the International Financial Services Centres Authority Act, 2019.
It is headquartered at GIFT City, Gandhinagar in Gujarat.
Role of IFSCA
- The IFSCA is a unified authority for the development and regulation of financial products, financial services and financial institutions in the International Financial Services Centre (IFSC) in India.
- IFSCA has been established as a unified regulator with a holistic vision in order to promote ease of doing business in IFSC and provide a world class regulatory environment.
- The main objective of the IFSCA is to develop a strong global connect and focus on the needs of the Indian economy as well as to serve as an international financial platform for the entire region and the global economy as a whole.
- The IFSCA will not only regulate the nature of business which will be transacted in the IFSC but will also be regulating the functioning of the entities involved with transacting business in IFSC.
The IFSCA consists of nine members appointed by GOI. The members are:
- Chairperson
- 1 member from RBI
- 1 member from SEBI
- 1 member from PFRDA
- 1 member from IRDAI
- 2 members from the Finance Ministry
- 2 members appointed on recommendation of a Selection Committee
- The term of each member is three years subject to reappointment.

NSE IFSC-SGX Connect:

It is a framework between NSE’s subsidiary GIFT International Financial Services Centre (IFSC) and Singapore Exchange (SGX).
The foundation for the Connect was laid in August 2019 when National Stock Exchange of India and SGX Group entered into a collaboration agreement to create a unified liquidity pool for NIFTY products in GIFT City via an innovative Connect model.
It will enable clients, investors and trading members of SGX who used to trade in NSE listed Indian securities through SGX to now trade in these securities through NSE IFSC.
This will help in transitioning the liquidity pool away from SGX to India’s foreign jurisdiction.

12. India Post Payment Bank

Subject : Economy

Section: Banking

Context:

Doorstep banking services are now available in every village according to the India’s Post report.

Details:

About 1.90 lakh Postmen and Gramin Dak Sevaks (GDS) have been trained to serve as mobile bankers-providing Doorstep Banking Services.
India Post Payment Bank-IPPB is one of the single largest platforms providing interoperable doorstep banking services to any bank customer

Concept:

India Post Payment Bank-IPPB

It was set up by the government as a public limited company under India Post in 2016 to improve the common man’s access to basic financial services, especially in unbanked and under-banked areas.
IPPB is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Department of Post, with 100 percent Government of India equity.
It is a payments bank of the Indian postal department which will work through a network of post offices and nearly 3 lakh postmen.
IPPB’s Vision
- Building the most accessible, affordable and trusted bank for the common man.
- Spearheading Financial Inclusion- agenda for under-banked populace.
  - As of December-end 2021,Ninety per cent of its customers are from rural areas.
It is governed by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI).
While its services will be available to all citizens, the IPPB will primarily focus on serving social sector beneficiaries, migrant labourers, un-organised sector, Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), Panchayats, low-income households, in rural areas and the unbanked and under-banked segments in both the rural and urban areas.
Services offered:
- savings/ current accounts,
- money transfer,
- virtual debit cards,
- bill payments,
- Aadhaar Pay service for merchants,
- life and general insurance.
Cash withdrawal from any account (AePS), cash deposit to any account (direct money transfer), and payment by cash towards bills, insurance premiums and loan EMIs are some of the services offered by IPPB to customers of other banks.
Channels for delivering services will include:
- Counter operations
- ATMs/micro ATMs
- Doorstep, mobile and internet banking
- Pre-paid instruments such as mobile wallets, PoS, MPoS, etc.
Functions of IPPB
- It will accept deposits, offer remittance services, mobile banking and third-party fund transfers.
- It offers 3 types of saving account:
  - Regular Account – Safal,
  - Basic Savings Bank Deposit Account (BSBDA) – Sugam and
  - BSBDA Small – Saral
- The maximum limit on deposits for current and savings accounts is Rs 1 lakh.
- The bank offers a 4 per cent interest rate on savings accounts.
- They can issue debit cards and ATM cards, but they cannot issue credit cards and cannot loan money.
- It will provide social security payments like MNREGA wages, direct benefit transfer and give access to third-party services insurance, mutual funds.
- IPPB account holders will be issued a QR Code based biometric card with a unique QR code.

13. Black money

Subject : Economy

Section: Fiscal Policy

Context:

In cases related to deposits made in unreported foreign bank accounts in HSBC, undisclosed income of more than Rs 8,468 crore has been brought to tax and penalty of over Rs 1,294 crore has been levied, according to the Finance Minister.

Black Money:

There is no uniform definition of black money in the literature or economic theory.
It also refers to-‘unaccounted income’, ‘black income’, ‘dirty money’, ‘black wealth’, ‘underground wealth’, ‘black economy’, ‘parallel economy’, ‘shadow economy’, and ‘underground’ or ‘unofficial’ economy.
It refers to wealth earned through illegal means and wealth earned through legal means but concealed from public authorities
Source of Black Money:
- Illegal Activity-Money that is earned through illegal activity is obviously not reported to the tax authorities, and so is black.
- Legal but Unreported Activity-The second category comprises income from legal activity that is not reported to the tax authorities.

Examples for Sources of Black Money

Multi-Level Marketing Scheme-International debit or credit cards issued by offshore banks are used to create black money.
Disguised Ownership-Increasingly, criminals want to own legitimate businesses. It could be to earn a return or to convert black money into white.
Mixed Sales-Mixing illicit money sources with legit ones is a popular method because it’s hard to detect, especially if there is a large cash component in the legal business.
Smurfing-This type of transaction is usually done to evade notice by authorities monitoring transactions above a certain threshold.
Trade Mispricing-Traditionally, goods exported and imported were either priced lower or higher to enable money laundering.
Money Transfers To Benami Entities-In a Benami transaction, a property is transferred or held by one person and the consideration for such property is paid by another person for whose benefit such property is held.

Legislative Action:

The Fugitive Economic Offenders Act, 2018
The Central Goods and Services Tax Act, 2017
The Benami Transactions (Prohibition) Amendment Act, 2016
The Black Money (Undisclosed Foreign Income and Assets) and Imposition of Tax Act, 2015
Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002
Gold Amnesty scheme: This is similar to the Voluntary Income Disclosure scheme to tap black money in income taxes.

Institutions to Deal with Black Money:

Central Board of Direct Taxes
Enforcement Directorate
Financial Intelligence Unit
Central Board of Excise and Customs and DRI
Central Economic Intelligence Bureau
National Crime Bureau
Serious Fraud Investigation Office
The Registrar of Companies and the Registrar of Societies (ROS)
The Bureau of Immigration (BOI)
National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB
The National Investigation Agency (NIA)
CBI and Police Authorities
State Police Authorities and The Economic Offences Wing (EOW) of the Police functioning under the administrative control of states
The Inter-Ministerial Coordination Committee on Combating Financing of Terrorism and
Prevention of Money Laundering (IMCC)
The Economic Intelligence Council (EIC)

International Initiatives:

Double Taxation Avoidance Agreements (DTAAs)
Automatic Exchange of Information
Multilateral Convention on Mutual Administrative Assistance in Tax Matters
United Nations Convention Against Corruption
United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime
International Convention for the Suppression of the Financing of Terrorism
United Nations Convention against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances
Egmont Group
Financial Action Task Force (FATF)

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