{"id":1692,"date":"2023-06-23T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2023-06-23T00:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/uncategorized\/23-06-2023\/daily-current-affairs-23-06-2023\/"},"modified":"2025-09-12T18:50:14","modified_gmt":"2025-09-12T13:20:14","slug":"daily-current-affairs-23-06-2023","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/current-affairs\/23-06-2023\/daily-current-affairs-23-06-2023","title":{"rendered":"Daily Current Affairs &#8211; 23-06-2023"},"content":{"rendered":"<h1 style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"font-size: 20pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><u>Titan tragedy: Lessons for India\u2019s Deep Ocean Mission<\/u><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 20pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/h1>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Syllabus :GS1\/Resources \/GS 3\/Conservation \/Environment\u00a0<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 13pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong><u>In News<\/u><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">The Titan submersible, operated by OceanGate Expeditions, has been imploded in the <\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Atlantic Ocean.<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: disc;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Titan tragedy offers lessons for proposed Indian submersible dive because\u00a0 India is in the process of designing the submersible,\u2018MATSYA 6000\u2019<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div>\n<table style=\"border-collapse: collapse; border: none; table-layout: fixed; width: 624px;\" cellspacing=\"0\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"background-color: #d9ead3; vertical-align: top; border: 1px solid #000000;\"><span style=\"font-size: 13pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong><u>About Titan\u00a0<\/u><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: disc;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">It is a submersible, or an underwater vehicle. It is operated by the privately owned U.S. company OceanGate that organises underwater expeditions for both research and tourism.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: disc;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0Its expeditions were meant to document the Titanic and its rate of decay on the ocean floor.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 13pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong><u>What is the difference between a submarine and a submersible?<\/u><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: disc;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">While the two categories can overlap, a submarine refers to an underwater vehicle that is largely independent and has power reserves to help it depart from a port or come back to the port after an expedition.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: disc;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Meanwhile, a submersible is generally smaller in size and has less power, so it needs to work with a ship in order to be launched and recovered.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 13pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong><u>About \u2018MATSYA 6000\u2019\u00a0<\/u><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: disc;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u2018MATSYA 6000\u2019 vehicle is being designed and developed by National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT), Chennai under Ministry of Earth Sciences.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: disc;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">It will carry three persons to a depth of 6000 metres for exploration of deep-sea resources like minerals into the Indian Ocean, at a point about 1,500 km away from Kanyakumari.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: disc;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0It has an endurance of 12 hours under normal operation and 96 hours in case of emergency for human safety.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 13pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong><u>Deep Ocean Mission\u00a0<\/u><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: disc;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">The Centre had approved the<\/span><\/span><\/span><a style=\"text-decoration: none;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/current-affairs\/19-03-2022\/deep-ocean-mission\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #1155cc;\"><u> Deep Ocean Mission <\/u><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">at a total budget of \u00e2\u201a\u00b94,077 crore for five years.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: disc;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">It is a multi-ministerial, multi-disciplinary programme with emphasis on development of <\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>deep-sea technology <\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">that includes development of Manned Submersible rated for 6000 metre water depth along with technologies for deep sea mining, exploration of deep-sea minerals resources and marine biodiversity, development of ocean climate change advisory services, deep sea surveys and exploration, and capacity building in Marine Biology.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 13pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong><u>Purpose\u00a0<\/u><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: disc;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">India has a unique maritime position, a 7517 km long coastline, which is home to nine coastal states and 1,382 islands.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: disc;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">The mission aims to boost the central government\u2019s vision of \u2018New India\u2019 that highlights the blue economy as one of the ten core dimensions of growth.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div>\n<table style=\"border-collapse: collapse; border: none; table-layout: fixed; width: 624px;\" cellspacing=\"0\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"background-color: #ead1dc; vertical-align: top; border: 1px solid #000000;\"><span style=\"font-size: 13pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong><u>The National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT)<\/u><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: disc;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">It was established in November 1993 as an autonomous society under the Ministry of Earth Sciences, Government of India.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: disc;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">It is managed by a Governing Council and the Director is the head of the Institute.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: disc;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Objectives : It aims <\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0to develop reliable indigenous technologies to solve the various engineering problems associated with harvesting of non-living and living resources in the Indian Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), which is about two-thirds of the land area of India.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Source:<\/span><\/span><\/span><a style=\"text-decoration: none;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.thehindu.com\/news\/national\/titan-tragedy-offers-lessons-for-proposed-indian-submersible-dive\/article66998152.ece\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #1155cc;\"><u>TH<\/u><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<h1 style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"font-size: 20pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><u>PM gifted \u201cThe Ten Principal Upanishads\u201d Book to Biden<\/u><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/h1>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Syllabus: GS1\/ Art &amp; Culture<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong><u>In News<\/u><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: disc;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Prime Minister Narendra Modi gifted US President Joe Biden a first edition print of the book <\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>\u201cThe Ten Principal Upanishads\u201d<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"> during his visit to the White House.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong><u>About<\/u><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: disc;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">The book is an English translation of the Indian Upanishads, co-authored with <\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Shri Purohit Swami<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">, and published by <\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Yeats in 1937.<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"> Yeats had a lifelong fascination with Indian philosophy and literature, and his interest in the Upanishads led to the co-translation.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: disc;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">The book is considered one of the best translations, aiming to retain the original text\u2019s essence while being accessible to the general reader.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong><u>What are the Upanishads?<\/u><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: disc;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Upanishads are one of the<\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong> four texts that together compile each of the Vedas (Rig, Yajur, Sama, and Atharva)<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">. Vedas is a collection of poems or hymns written in Sanskrit.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: disc;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Upanishad is derived from upa (near), ni (down) and sad (to sit). Hence, the term<\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong> implies the pupils<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">, intent on learning, sitting near the teacher to acquire knowledge and truth. They serve to explore the fundamental principles of the religion.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: disc;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">There are over <\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>200 Upanishads<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">, of these, only <\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>10 are the principal Upanishads: <\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Isha, Kena, Katha, Prashan, Mundaka, Mandukya, Tattiriya, Aitareya, Chhandogya and Brihadaranyaka.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: disc;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">This ancient Hindu sacred text teaches how the <\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>\u201cindividual self (atman) <\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">finds the <\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>ultimate reality (brahman)\u201d <\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">through an <\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>\u201cinner spiritual journey\u201d.<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong><u>Significance of Upanishads<\/u><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: disc;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">The Upanishads are the most sacred <\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>late Vedic and post-Vedic Sanskrit texts <\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">which are considered to contain the ultimate truth and the knowledge that leads to spiritual emancipation.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong><u>Who Was WB Yeats?<\/u><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: disc;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>William Butler Yeats (1865-1939)<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"> was an Irish poet, dramatist, writer and politician.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: disc;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Yeats was also heavily inspired by the teachings of <\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Mohini Mohan Chatterjee<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">, who came to <\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Dublin in 1885 as a representative of the Theosophical Society.<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: disc;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Yeat\u2019s interest in philosophy increased after he met poet and <\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Hindu monk Shri Purohit Swami <\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">in 1931. He also wrote the Introduction to<\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong> Swami\u2019s The Holy Mountain.<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: disc;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Yeats wrote three poems (published in 1889) that referred to India:<\/span><\/span><\/span>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: circle;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u2018The Indian to His Love\u2019<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: circle;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u2018The Indian upon God\u2019<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: circle;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u2018Anushuya and Vijaya\u2019.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong><u>How did Upanishads reach the West?<\/u><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: disc;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Dara Shikoh, the<\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong> eldest son of Mughal emperor Shah Jahan and Mumtaz Mahal<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">, had a keen interest in the religions of the world.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: disc;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Dara, who lived from 1615 to 1659, translated the <\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Bhagavad Gita and 52 Upanishads from Sanskrit to Persian.<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: disc;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">In 1775, Dara\u2019s translation was discovered by a French resident at the court of <\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Shuja-ud-daula, Nawab of Awadh<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">, who sent the copy to <\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Anquetil Duperron, a popular French traveller.<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: disc;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">German philosopher Arthur Schopenhauer, who came across the book, became greatly impressed by the U<\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>panishads, called them \u201cthe production of the highest human wisdom\u201d.<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: disc;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Later, Famous American poets <\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Ralph W Emerson, Walt Whitman and Henry David Thoreau <\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">have been credited for popularising this Hindu religious text in the US.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Source: <\/span><\/span><\/span><a style=\"text-decoration: none;\" href=\"https:\/\/indianexpress.com\/article\/explained\/explained-culture\/pm-modi-biden-yeats-ten-principal-upanishads-8680613\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #1155cc;\"><u>IE<\/u><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<h1 style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"font-size: 20pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><u>United States\u2019 Debt Ceiling Negotiations and their Importance<\/u><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/h1>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong><u>In News:\u00a0<\/u><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: disc;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">President Joe Biden recently signed the bill that will <\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>raise the<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span> <span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>U.S. debt limit.<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong><u>What is the Debt Ceiling\/limit?<\/u><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: disc;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">The debt ceiling is the maximum amount of money that the United States can borrow cumulatively by issuing bonds. The debt ceiling was created under the <\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Second <\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><a style=\"text-decoration: none;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.investopedia.com\/terms\/l\/liberty-bond.asp\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Liberty Bond<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong> Act of 1917<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"> and is also known as the <\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>debt limit or statutory debt limit.<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: disc;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Also, Article 1 Section 8 of the US Constitution states that, \u201cThe Congress shall have Power To lay and collect Taxes, Duties, Imposts and Excises, to pay the Debts and \u2026.\u2026To borrow Money on the credit of the United States;\u2026.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: disc;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">This power was delegated to the U.S. Department of Treasury with the stipulation that the approval of the Congress would be needed for increasing the debt limit.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong><u>Raising of Debt Ceiling in the past<\/u><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: disc;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">According to a report of Council on Foreign Relations (CFR), the debt ceiling has been raised 78 times since 1960, with the most recent one in December 2021 when it was raised to $31.4 trillion.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong><u>Current Debt Ceiling<\/u><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: disc;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">The debt ceiling is $31.4 trillion as of June 2023. It was raised to this level under President Biden in 2021.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: disc;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Although spending officially reached that limit in January 2023, Congress suspended the debt ceiling until 2025.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong><u>What if the Congress does not raise the debt limit?<\/u><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: disc;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">The Treasury Department can postpone a default through temporary solutions called \u201cextraordinary measures\u201d like suspending payments to some government employee savings programs, under-investing in certain government funds, and delaying auctions of securities.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: disc;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Other measures such as reducing federal spending and\/or increasing taxes could be implemented, selling U.S. gold and minting platinum coins to the extent of a total amount of US$1 trillion.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: disc;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">The U.S. President is also authorized to invoke the Fourteenth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, which states that \u201cthe validity of the public debt of the United States\u2026 shall not be questioned\u2026.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong><u>The US Debt Ceiling and its Impact on U.S. economy:<\/u><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: disc;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Analysis by Council of Economic Advisors (CEA)and external researchers point that if the U.S. government were to default on its obligations\u2014whether to creditors, contractors, or citizens\u2014the economy would quickly shift into reverse, with the depth of the losses dependent on how long the breach lasted.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: disc;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">According to Moody\u2019s, even a short debt limit breach could lead to a decline in real GDP, nearly 2 million job loss and an increase in the unemployment rate to nearly 5 per cent from its current level of 3.5 per cent.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: disc;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">The ability of households and businesses, especially small businesses, to borrow would also be compromised.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: disc;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">The risks endangered by the default would cause interest rates to increase. This would lead to a recession within the U.S.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong><u>Implication for the global economy.\u00a0<\/u><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: disc;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">A default on government debt\u2014which sits at almost $31.5 trillion\u2014would send shock waves through global financial markets as confidence in U.S. borrowers falls.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: disc;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Credit analysis firm Moody\u2019s Analytics predicts that a four-month default would shave around 4% from the U.S. <\/span><\/span><\/span><a style=\"text-decoration: none;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.investopedia.com\/ask\/answers\/what-is-gdp-why-its-important-to-economists-investors\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">GDP<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">, see stock prices fall by a third, and result in companies slashing nearly six million jobs. Furthermore, its analysis reveals that a default on U.S. Treasury bonds could lead to a downturn similar to the <\/span><\/span><\/span><a style=\"text-decoration: none;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.investopedia.com\/terms\/g\/great-recession.asp\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">2007\u20132009 Great Recession<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: disc;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">The creditworthiness of U.S. treasury securities has long bolstered demand for U.S. dollars, contributing to their value and status as the world\u2019s reserve currency and a lack of confidence in the U.S. economy\u2019s strength would lead investors to sell the U.S. treasury securities which would likely weaken the dollar.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: disc;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">This in turn would have a domino effect as nearly half the world\u2019s foreign currency reserves are held in U.S dollars and most global transactions are valued in U.S. dollars.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: disc;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Heavily indebted low-income countries struggle to make interest payments on their sovereign debts, a weaker dollar could make debts denominated in other currencies relatively more expensive and threaten to tip some emerging economies into debt or political crises.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: disc;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">The financial panic would cause credit markets to freeze investments and the stock markets too will plunge. Both the U.S. and the world economy will face a recession.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong><u>Implications on Indian Economy<\/u><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: disc;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">As the US has never defaulted on its debt obligations, the impact it can have is still up for discussion. However, the Indian market can face a downturn in case this happens due to the centrality of the US economy to global growth.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: disc;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">With the US economy shifting into reverse, many Indian businesses with exposure to the United States can face troubles in their operations as investor sentiment is hit and thousands are laid off due to the crisis.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: disc;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">The US debt ceiling may not directly impact Indian markets, however, any statement from US Fed officials hinting at a change in stance on interest rates, could trigger a buying spree in the US dollar, resulting in a withdrawal of FIIs from the Indian stock market.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong><u>Way Ahead<\/u><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: disc;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">The U.S. has been able to avoid a default on the federal government\u2019s debt in the past. But, the tense negotiations have raised the need to find alternative solutions.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: disc;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Over the years negotiations to increase the debt ceiling have increasingly become more political with both parties taking it as an opportunity to extract concessions. Fiscal insight and long term planning must be a given preference in any negotiation.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: disc;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">The ceiling is seen as a means to check government spending and borrowing, which need to be adhered to in most situations.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: disc;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">The debt ceiling crisis has raised questions on the financial power of the U.S and the dollar and it is clear that the consequences for the American and global economy could have been dire.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: disc;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">The U.S. would have to look for solutions for the future that ensure that it does not bring the country to the brink of a default and in turn, shock international economic stability.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Source: <\/span><\/span><\/span><a style=\"text-decoration: none;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.livemint.com\/market\/stock-market-news\/us-debt-ceiling-is-a-concern-but-one-should-buy-indian-markets-on-dips-selectively-rahul-ghose-11685372397603.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #1155cc;\"><u>LM<\/u><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"font-size: 20pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><u>Cord Blood Banking<\/u><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Syllabus: GS2\/ Health, Government Policies &amp; Interventions, Issues Arising out of their Design &amp; Implementation<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"background-color: #ffffff;\"><strong><u>In News<\/u><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: disc;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"background-color: #ffffff;\">Over the past decade, the popularity of cord blood banking has increased among new parents.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"background-color: #ffffff;\"><strong><u>More about the news<\/u><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"background-color: #ffffff;\"><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: disc;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"background-color: #ffffff;\"><strong>About the Cord blood:<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: circle;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"background-color: #ffffff;\">Cord blood (short for umbilical cord blood) is the blood that remains in the umbilical cord and placenta post-delivery.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: square;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"background-color: #ffffff;\">\u00a0The umbilical cord connects the baby to the placenta.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: square;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"background-color: #ffffff;\">\u00a0The placenta grows in the womb (uterus) and supplies the baby with food and oxygen.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: disc;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"background-color: #ffffff;\"><strong>Cord blood banking:<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: circle;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"background-color: #ffffff;\">Cord blood banking is the process of collecting the cord blood and extracting and cryogenically freezing its stem cells and other cells of the immune system for potential future medical use.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: square;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"background-color: #ffffff;\">In Europe and other parts of the world, cord blood banking is more often referred to as <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"background-color: #ffffff;\"><strong>stem cell banking<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"background-color: #ffffff;\">.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: circle;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"background-color: #ffffff;\"><strong>Collection process &amp; storage:<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: square;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"background-color: #ffffff;\">The process of preserving umbilical cord blood and stem cells involves collecting the blood immediately after childbirth.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: square;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"background-color: #ffffff;\">This collection is non-invasive, painless, and does not pose any risk to the mother or the baby.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: square;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"background-color: #ffffff;\">The collected blood is then sent to specialised laboratories where it undergoes a series of tests and is processed for long-term storage.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: disc;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"background-color: #ffffff;\"><strong>Significance of Umbilical cord blood:<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: circle;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"background-color: #ffffff;\">Umbilical cord blood is a <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"background-color: #ffffff;\"><strong>rich source of stem cells<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"background-color: #ffffff;\"> that can potentially develop into different types of cells,<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"background-color: #ffffff;\"><strong> and be used, via a transplant,<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"background-color: #ffffff;\"> in the <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"background-color: #ffffff;\"><strong>treatment <\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"background-color: #ffffff;\">of certain <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"background-color: #ffffff;\"><strong>blood, immune and metabolic disorders<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"background-color: #ffffff;\">.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: square;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"background-color: #ffffff;\">These are known as<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"background-color: #ffffff;\"><strong> hematopoetic stem cell transplantations (HSCT) <\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"background-color: #ffffff;\">and require certain markers to match between the cord blood and the patient, to work.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: circle;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"background-color: #ffffff;\">Once stem cells are transplanted into those individuals, they help make new, healthy cells. Stem cell transplants help people with:<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: square;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"background-color: #ffffff;\">Cancers like leukemia and lymphoma.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: square;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"background-color: #ffffff;\">Bone marrow diseases requiring a transplant.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: square;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"background-color: #ffffff;\">Anemia like sickle cell disease.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: square;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"background-color: #ffffff;\">Certain immune system disorders.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: square;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"background-color: #ffffff;\">Researchers are studying cord blood to see how it can help treat other life-threatening conditions like Parkinson&#8217;s disease and diabetes.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"background-color: #ffffff;\"><strong><u>Cord blood banking in India<\/u><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: disc;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"background-color: #ffffff;\"><strong>License:<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: circle;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"background-color: #ffffff;\">Umbilical Cord Blood banks (UCB) are permitted only under license and monitoring by the Central Drug Standards Controlling Organization (CDSCO).<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: disc;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"background-color: #ffffff;\"><strong>Repositories of stored cord blood:<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: circle;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"background-color: #ffffff;\">\u2018Community\u2019 or \u2018social\u2019 banks, are repositories of stored cord blood from multiple donors, accessible to those who register for these services with the stem cell banking companies.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: circle;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"background-color: #ffffff;\">The stored stem cells remain the property of the client for the first two years after which they are transferred to the social banking repository.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: disc;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"background-color: #ffffff;\"><strong>What types of people are choosing to have the UCB banked?<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: circle;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"background-color: #ffffff;\">Initially, banking started in the metro urban class of people who could afford the cost of banking.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: circle;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"background-color: #ffffff;\">Now with intensive advertisement by the cord blood banks, the upper middle and middle class is getting aware about banking and opting for it even in smaller cities and towns.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"background-color: #ffffff;\"><strong><u>Issues &amp; challenges<\/u><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: disc;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"background-color: #ffffff;\"><strong>Credibility of storing Cord blood for future self use:<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: circle;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"background-color: #ffffff;\">While over the past decade or so the popularity of cord blood banking has increased among new parents, witnessed by the many banking facilities that have come up across the country, doctors\u2019 associations say private banking of cord blood is not a routine recommendation for pregnant women.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: circle;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"background-color: #ffffff;\">Its <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"background-color: #ffffff;\"><strong>use in transplants is decreasing <\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"background-color: #ffffff;\">and the <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"background-color: #ffffff;\"><strong>areas of regenerative medicine <\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"background-color: #ffffff;\">where it could potentially be used, are still, <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"background-color: #ffffff;\"><strong>mostly, experimental<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"background-color: #ffffff;\">.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: disc;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"background-color: #ffffff;\"><strong>Carrier of genetic abnormalities:<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: circle;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"background-color: #ffffff;\">Consensus has also emerged in recent years, that stored cord blood should not be used for treating <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"background-color: #ffffff;\"><strong>one\u2019s own genetic condition in the future<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"background-color: #ffffff;\">, because these stem cells could harbour the same<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"background-color: #ffffff;\"><strong> genetic abnormality<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"background-color: #ffffff;\"> that caused the primary disease.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: disc;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"background-color: #ffffff;\"><strong>Lesser chances of stored cord blood being used:<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: circle;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"background-color: #ffffff;\">According to the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), The likelihood of the stored blood being used for HSCT is very small, probably as low as 0.005 to 0.04% in the first 20 years of life.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: disc;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"background-color: #ffffff;\"><strong>Under-utilisation:<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: circle;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"background-color: #ffffff;\">The ICMR\u2019s \u2018Guidelines for Umbilical Cord Banking\u2019 2023 too state that the trend is decreasing utilisation of cord blood for transplants in recent years. \u201cPresently, the cord blood stored in private cord blood banks remains under-utilised.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: disc;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"background-color: #ffffff;\"><strong>Misleading and luring advertisements:<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: circle;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"background-color: #ffffff;\">The misleading and luring advertisement by private cord blood banks is an area of major concern.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: circle;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"background-color: #ffffff;\">Such ads often involve celebrities as their brand ambassador\u2019s prompting storage as status symbols because celebrities are doing the same.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: disc;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"background-color: #ffffff;\"><strong>Availability of newer method:<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: circle;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"background-color: #ffffff;\">Now, however, a newer method &#8211; <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"background-color: #ffffff;\"><strong>haploidentincal transplants<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"background-color: #ffffff;\"> &#8211; is more common.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: square;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"background-color: #ffffff;\">In this, healthy cells from a half-matched donor such as a family member are used to replace the unhealthy ones in a patient.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: square;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"background-color: #ffffff;\">This method is faster and has a higher success rate.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"background-color: #ffffff;\"><strong><u>Way ahead<\/u><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: disc;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"background-color: #ffffff;\">Private cord blood banking is not a \u2018biological insurance\u2019 and its role in regenerative medicine is still hypothetical. It is recommended only if there is an existing family member (siblings or biological parents only), who is currently suffering from diseases approved to be benefitted by allogenic stem cell transplantation.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: disc;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"background-color: #ffffff;\">There is still a lack of awareness among stakeholders about the uses of cord blood banking. This needs to be countered through widespread information dissemination<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 13pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"background-color: #ffffff;\">.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"background-color: #ffffff;\">Source: TH<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<h1 style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"font-size: 20pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><u>Outcomes of PM Modi&#8217;s visit to USA<\/u><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/h1>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Syllabus: GS2\/ International Relations<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong><u>In News<\/u><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: disc;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Recent PM Modi\u2019s visit to the US has the following outcomes.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"background-color: #ffffff;\"><strong><u>Key Outcomes<\/u><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>India-US Defence Acceleration Ecosystem (INDUS X)<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"background-color: #ffffff;\"><strong>:<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: disc;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"background-color: #ffffff;\">The U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) and the Indian Ministry of Defense (MoD) launched the IndiaU.S. Defense Acceleration Ecosystem (INDUS-X).<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: disc;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"background-color: #ffffff;\">It aims to expand the strategic technology partnership and defence industrial cooperation between the two countries.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: disc;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"background-color: #ffffff;\">Planned initiatives under INDUS-X include:<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: circle;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"background-color: #ffffff;\">Mentor-Prot\u00e9g\u00e9 Partnerships for Start-ups<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: circle;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"background-color: #ffffff;\">Accelerator Program for Defense Start-ups<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: circle;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"background-color: #ffffff;\">Indo-U.S. Joint Innovation Fund<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: circle;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"background-color: #ffffff;\">Standardisation of Indo-U.S. certifications for technology start-ups<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 13pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"background-color: #ffffff;\"><strong>Jet engine tech transfer:<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: disc;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"background-color: #ffffff;\">Engine manufacturer GE Aerospace announced signing a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd. (HAL) to produce fighter jet engines for the indigenous <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"background-color: #ffffff;\"><strong>Light combat aircraft (LCA).<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: circle;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"background-color: #ffffff;\">It includes the joint production of <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"background-color: #ffffff;\"><strong>F414 engines<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"background-color: #ffffff;\"> in India for the IAF as part of the <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"background-color: #ffffff;\"><strong>LCA Mk2 programme.<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"background-color: #ffffff;\"><strong>Semiconductor testing and assembly facility:<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: disc;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"background-color: #ffffff;\">U.S. semiconductor and chip maker Micron Technology, Inc\u2019s announced that it would invest up to <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"background-color: #ffffff;\"><strong>$825 million<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"background-color: #ffffff;\"> in a new chip assembly and test facility in Gujarat.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: disc;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"background-color: #ffffff;\">It would be bolstered by investment from the Indian and Gujarat governments, totalling <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"background-color: #ffffff;\"><strong>$2.75 billion.<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"background-color: #ffffff;\"><strong>Easing Visa renewable protocols:<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: disc;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"background-color: #ffffff;\">After years of pandemic-induced visa slowdowns, the U.S. is announcing a pilot programme to renew visas domestically \u2014 which means that applicants do not have to travel outside the U.S. to get their renewal stamps \u2014 for certain petition-based temporary workers.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: disc;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"background-color: #ffffff;\">This programme could expand to cover <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"background-color: #ffffff;\"><strong>H1B and L-1 <\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"background-color: #ffffff;\">skilled visas by 2024 and to other categories eventually.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"background-color: #ffffff;\"><strong>Space cooperation:<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: disc;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"background-color: #ffffff;\"><strong>India signed on to the Artemis Accord<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"background-color: #ffffff;\">,a US-led alliance seeking to facilitate international collaboration in planetary exploration and research.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: circle;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"background-color: #ffffff;\">The Artemis Accords, established by the US and seven partner countries in <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"background-color: #ffffff;\"><strong>2020,<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"background-color: #ffffff;\"> are a set of <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"background-color: #ffffff;\"><strong>13 principles<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"background-color: #ffffff;\"> that seek to promote peaceful and cooperative exploration of space.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: circle;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"background-color: #ffffff;\">The Accords have been signed by 26 countries till now, including the original eight.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: circle;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"background-color: #ffffff;\">The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) will partner the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) of the US in <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"background-color: #ffffff;\"><strong>sending a joint mission to the International Space Station<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"background-color: #ffffff;\">, a permanent laboratory in space, in 2024.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"background-color: #ffffff;\"><strong>Purchase of Predator UAV:<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: disc;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"background-color: #ffffff;\">A mega deal on the purchase of <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"background-color: #ffffff;\"><strong>MQ-9 \u201cReaper\u201d<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"background-color: #ffffff;\"> armed drones by India was welcomed.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: disc;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"background-color: #ffffff;\">The agreement would strengthen India&#8217;s national security and surveillance capabilities, extending beyond the Indian Ocean and encompassing the border region with China.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div style=\"margin-left: 12px;\">\n<table style=\"border-collapse: collapse; border: none; width: 589px;\" cellspacing=\"0\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"vertical-align: top; width: 589px; border: 1px solid #000000;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"background-color: #ffffff;\"><strong>Predator UAV:<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: disc;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"background-color: #ffffff;\">These are High-Altitude Long Endurance drones that are able to strike strategic targets.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: disc;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"background-color: #ffffff;\">The MQ-9 UAV<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span> <span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"background-color: #ffffff;\">has an endurance of over 27 hours, speeds of 240 KTAS, can operate up to 50,000 feet, and has a 1,746 kilograms payload capacity that includes 1,361 kilograms of external stores.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"background-color: #ffffff;\">Source: <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><a style=\"text-decoration: none;\" href=\"https:\/\/epaper.thehindu.com\/ccidist-ws\/th\/th_delhi\/issues\/40778\/OPS\/GUQBD3GCR.1+GF9BD3K70.1.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"background-color: #ffffff;\"><u>TH<\/u><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"font-size: 16pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><u>National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (NCDRC)<\/u><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Syllabus: GS2\/ Regulatory Bodies<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong><u>In News<\/u><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: disc;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Recently NCDRC fined <\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"background-color: #ffffff;\">\u00a0\u00e2\u201a\u00b91.5 crore on a Delhi based hospital for negligence and resorting to unethical practices during IVF procedure.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #202124;\"><span style=\"background-color: #ffffff;\"><strong><u>NCDRC<\/u><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: disc;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">NCDRC India is a<\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong> quasi-judicial commission<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"> in India which was set up in <\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>1988<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"> under the Consumer Protection Act of 1986.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: disc;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Head office<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">:New Delhi<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: disc;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Members:<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">The body consisting of the <\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>President &amp; 11 Members.<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: circle;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">The President of the Commission is a sitting or a retired Judge of the Supreme Court of India or a sitting or a retired Chief Justice of a High Court.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: disc;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Jurisdiction<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">:The Commission has three types of jurisdiction i.e<\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>. Original, Appellate &amp; Revisional.<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: circle;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">It has been receiving complaints, Appeals &amp; Revision Petitions from the consumers from all over the country.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: circle;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">It has <\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Appellate and Revisional jurisdiction<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"> from the orders of State Commissions or the District commissions.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: disc;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">A consumer can file an Appeal before the Supreme Court of India against the decision of the National Commission <\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>within a period of 30 days.<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: disc;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">The National Commissions has been functioning as per the provisions laid down in the <\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Consumer Protection Act, 2019.<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong><u>Consumer Protection Act, 2019<\/u><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: disc;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #222222;\"><span style=\"background-color: #ffffff;\">The Consumer Protection Act, 2019 was introduced to replace the Consumer Protection Act, 1986.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: disc;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"background-color: #ffffff;\">The act promulgates a<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"background-color: #ffffff;\"><strong> three-tier<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"background-color: #ffffff;\"> quasi-judicial mechanism for redressal of consumer disputes namely <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"background-color: #ffffff;\"><strong>district commissions, state commissions and national commission.<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: disc;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"background-color: #ffffff;\">The Act also stipulates the pecuniary jurisdiction of each tier of consumer commission ie;<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ol>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: decimal;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"background-color: #ffffff;\"><strong>\u00e2\u201a\u00b950 lakh<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"background-color: #ffffff;\"> for District Commission,<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: decimal;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"background-color: #ffffff;\">More than <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"background-color: #ffffff;\"><strong>\u00e2\u201a\u00b9 50 lakh to \u00e2\u201a\u00b9 2 crore<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"background-color: #ffffff;\"> for state Commision,<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: decimal;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"background-color: #ffffff;\">More than <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"background-color: #ffffff;\"><strong>\u00e2\u201a\u00b9\u00a0 2 crore <\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"background-color: #ffffff;\">for the National Commission.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: disc;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"background-color: #ffffff;\">The Central Government has set up the<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"background-color: #ffffff;\"><strong> E-Daakhil Portal,<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"background-color: #ffffff;\"> which provides a hassle-free, speedy and inexpensive facility to consumers around the country to conveniently approach the relevant consumer forum.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"background-color: #ffffff;\">Source: <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><a style=\"text-decoration: none;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.thehindu.com\/news\/cities\/Delhi\/consumer-panel-slaps-15-crore-fine-on-delhi-hospital-for-sperm-mix-up-during-ivf-procedure\/article66997801.ece#:~:text=A%20\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #1155cc;\"><span style=\"background-color: #ffffff;\"><u>TH<\/u><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"font-size: 16pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><u>Global Liveability Index 2023<\/u><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Syllabus: GS 2\/International Reports \/Index\u00a0<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 13pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong><u>In News<\/u><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: disc;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Recently, the Global Liveability Index 2023 was published.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 13pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong><u>About Global Liveability Index 2023<\/u><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: disc;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">It is published by the Economic Intelligence Unit (EIU) of the Economist.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: disc;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">The concept of livability assesses the best or worst living conditions of cities based on 30 qualitative and quantitative factors across five broad categories of stability, healthcare, culture and environment, education, and infrastructure.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: disc;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">It quantify the challenges that might be presented to an individual&#8217;s lifestyle in 173 cities worldwide<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: disc;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Assessing liveability has a broad range of uses, from benchmarking perceptions of development levels to assigning a hardship allowance as part of expatriate relocation packages.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 13pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong><u>Major Findings\u00a0<\/u><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: disc;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Top performers:\u00a0 <\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">The top rank of the liveable cities is dominated by European and North American cities.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: circle;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Asia-Pacific cities have made some of the biggest gains, accounting for eight of the top ten movers up the rankings as economies recover from the pandemic<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: circle;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Vienna in Austria tops the ranking of the most liveable cities in the world followed by Copenhagen in Denmark, Melbourne, and Sydney on 3rd and 4th rank while Vancouver has been placed as the 5th best city on the liveability index.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: circle;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Among <\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Asian countries<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">, only Osaka in Japan features among the top 10 most liveable countries at number 9.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: disc;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Worst performers: <\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Damascus (Syria) and Tripoli (Libya) are still at the bottom of the list, held back by social unrest, terrorism and conflict. However, while Damascus has seen no improvement since last year, scores for Tripoli and other cities in the bottom ten have improved as the pandemic has receded.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: disc;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Key Analysis :\u00a0 <\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">After the end of covid restrictions, the liveability index has shown a noticeable improvement across the world. The average index score among all 172 cities has now reached\u00a0 76.2 out of 100.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: circle;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">EIU\u2019s Liveability Index has risen significantly in the 2023 survey, reaching a 15-year high as the world moves on from the covid-19 pandemic and healthcare and education scores improve in many cities in Asia and the Middle East and Africa.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: circle;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0However, scores for stability have slipped backward since last year, amid several instances of civil unrest around the world<\/span><\/span><\/span>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: square;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0The war in Ukraine and the resulting economic and political disruption are affecting liveability in many European cities<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Source:<\/span><\/span><\/span><a style=\"text-decoration: none;\" href=\"https:\/\/indianexpress.com\/article\/lifestyle\/destination-of-the-week\/most-livable-cities-in-the-world-2023-8679205\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #1155cc;\"><u>IE<\/u><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"font-size: 16pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><u>National Centre for Medium Range Weather Forecasting (NCMRWF)<\/u><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Syllabus: GS3\/ Science &amp; Technology<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong><u>In News:\u00a0<\/u><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: disc;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">A $100 million contract to build two new supercomputers dedicated to weather modeling and climate research, has been awarded to a French firm Eviden by NCMRWF.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong><u>More on News\u00a0<\/u><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: disc;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">These two new supercomputers,would have a combined capacity of up to 21.3 Petaflops.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: disc;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">The NCMRWF supercomputer, to be located in Noida, would have an 8.3-Petaflop computing capacity for weather and climate modeling to support advanced numerical weather research.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: disc;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Since Weather and climate research requires massive computing power, this partnership with Atos Group will augment current capacity to increase resolutions and accuracy of weather forecasts.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong><u>About NCMRWF (The National Centre for Medium Range Weather Forecasting)<\/u><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: disc;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">The NCMRWF is a Centre of Excellence in Weather and Climate Modelling under the <\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Ministry of Earth Sciences.<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: disc;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">The mission of the Centre is to continuously develop advanced numerical weather prediction systems, with increased reliability and accuracy over India and neighbouring regions.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: disc;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>HQ: <\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Noida, Uttar Pradesh.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Source: <\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><a style=\"text-decoration: none;\" href=\"https:\/\/epaper.thehindu.com\/ccidist-ws\/th\/th_delhi\/issues\/40778\/OPS\/GUQBD3GD1.1+G0MBD462C.1.html\" data-wplink-edit=\"true\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #1155cc;\"><strong><u>TH<\/u><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Titan tragedy: Lessons for India\u2019s Deep Ocean Mission\u00a0 Syllabus :GS1\/Resources \/GS 3\/Conservation \/Environment\u00a0 In News The Titan submersible, operated by OceanGate Expeditions, has been imploded in the Atlantic Ocean. Titan tragedy offers lessons for proposed Indian submersible dive because\u00a0 India is in the process of designing the submersible,\u2018MATSYA 6000\u2019 About Titan\u00a0 It is a submersible, [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":1693,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[21],"tags":[76],"class_list":["post-1692","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-current-affairs","tag-gs"],"acf":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/wp-images.nextias.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/format=auto\/ca\/uploads\/2023\/07\/2289794Screenshot_2.png","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1692","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1692"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1692\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":53894,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1692\/revisions\/53894"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1693"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1692"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1692"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1692"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}