{"id":21212,"date":"2024-02-03T19:41:30","date_gmt":"2024-02-03T14:11:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/?p=21212"},"modified":"2024-02-03T20:01:27","modified_gmt":"2024-02-03T14:31:27","slug":"daily-current-affairs-03-02-2024","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/current-affairs\/03-02-2024\/daily-current-affairs-03-02-2024","title":{"rendered":"Daily Current Affairs 03-02-2024"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><strong>Multidimensional Poverty in India<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Syllabus: GS1\/Social Issues<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Context<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Recently, the Union Finance Minister informed that nearly 25 crore people have been raised from multi-dimensional poverty in the last 10 years.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>About the Poverty<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>It is a<strong> state or condition<\/strong> in which a person or community lacks the financial resources and essentials for a minimum standard of living, such as housing, clean water, healthy food, and medical attention.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Traditionally, poverty is calculated based either on <strong>income levels<\/strong> or, if income data are not available, on <strong>expenditure levels<\/strong>.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The <strong>\u2018poverty lines\u2019<\/strong> are actually expenditure levels that are considered minimum enough for someone to be called poor.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>A person who is poor can<strong> suffer multiple disadvantages<\/strong> like poor health or malnutrition, a lack of clean water or electricity, poor quality of work or little schooling.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Focusing on one factor alone, such as income, is not enough to capture the true reality of poverty.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>What is the Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI)?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Globally, the MPI uses 10 indicators covering three main areas:\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Health<\/strong> includes nutrition and child &amp; adolescent mortality indicators.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Education<\/strong> includes years of schooling and school attendance indicators.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Standard of living<\/strong> includes six household-specific indicators: housing, household assets, type of cooking fuel, access to sanitation, drinking water, and electricity.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The<strong> Indian MPI has two additional indicators<\/strong>:\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Maternal Health<\/strong> (under the health dimension) and;<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/lh7-us.googleusercontent.com\/hC2bALhD2GZGG22zREHq6ev33FB9eYHSFp77382kc3Xlr94OdWS0t73YrzhqAfUYb0EAb6bsF6Muo9DRkyftr-KuIRXRJvRJz7BGoaVD7PFvTX4ep57RbW3P6UoVGetiVMOK_DbEcrbsdvt9AQigQ7U\" width=\"193\" height=\"221\"><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Bank Accounts<\/strong> (under the standard of living dimension).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Multidimensional Poverty in India Since 2005-06:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>It is published by <strong>NITI Aayog<\/strong> with technical inputs from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Oxford Policy and Human Development Initiative (OPHI).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It uses indicators covering three main areas:<strong> health, education, and standard of living<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It was found to <strong>decline from 29.17% in 2013-14 to 11.28% in 2022-23<\/strong> with about 24.82 crore people escaping poverty during this period.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>At the States\u2019 level, <strong>Uttar Pradesh topped the list<\/strong> with 5.94 crore people escaping poverty <strong>followed by Bihar at 3.77 crore and Madhya Pradesh<\/strong> at 2.30 crore.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>However, the largest number of poor people in the world \u2014 228.9 million \u2014 lived in India in 2020.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Related Data<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>The NFHS-5 (2019-21): <\/strong>About <strong>14.96% of India\u2019s population<\/strong> are multidimensionally poor compared to 24.85% of the population that was multidimensionally poor based on the 2015-16 (NFHS-4).\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>It shows that nearly 135 million individuals escaped poverty during the 5-year period.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>A UNDP<\/strong> study highlighted that <strong>415 million Indians<\/strong> came out of multidimensional poverty in the <strong>last 15 years.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>According to the <strong>IMF<\/strong>, the<strong> \u2018extreme poverty\u2019 <\/strong>was as below <strong>1% in 202<\/strong>0 due to the <strong>Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Ann Yojana (PMGKY)<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Reason for Poverty in India<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Economic Slowdown and Policy Decisions:<\/strong> The economy has been slowing for nine quarters prior to the outbreak of the novel coronavirus pandemic.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Unemployment had reached a 45-year high in 2017-18.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Child Malnutrition:<\/strong> India\u2019s poor score comes almost entirely from the <strong>child stunting and wasting<\/strong> parameters.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Almost 35% of Indian children are stunted, and although this is much better than the 54.2% rate of 2000, it is still among the world\u2019s worst.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Almost 17.3% of Indian children under five are wasted, which is the highest prevalence of child wasting in the world.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Pandemic Impact:<\/strong> The pandemic led to a \u2018sudden increase in poverty\u2019.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Over an eight month period (March to October 2020), average incomes of the bottom 10% of households were lower by Rs 15,700.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Homelessness:<\/strong> Increasingly, a large number of persons are being rendered homeless across the world.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>There are both natural as well as man-made reasons that are contributing to this crisis<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Government Efforts<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Interventions through Policies\/Schemes:<\/strong> The government has expanded the social security net through schemes like <em>Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana (Accident Insurance), Atal Pension Yojana (Unorganized Sector), and Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Yojana (Life Insurance).<\/em>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The MUDRA Yojana has enabled about eight crore people to start new businesses.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Rural Development:<\/strong> The <strong>Ministry of Rural Development<\/strong> has implemented various programs to increase livelihood opportunities, empower rural women, provide a social safety net, and improve infrastructure in rural areas.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The main focus is on increasing livelihood opportunities, empowering rural women, providing a social safety net, skilling rural youth, infrastructure development, increasing land productivity, etc.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Nutrition and Health:<\/strong> Despite the progress in economic development, a significant portion of the Indian population cannot afford healthy food.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Initiatives like <strong>Poshan Abhiyan and Anaemia Mukt Bharat<\/strong> have been launched to address this issue.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>State-Level Efforts: <\/strong>States like Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Madhya Pradesh have recorded the largest decline in the number of multidimensionally poor people.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Various Committees<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>There are various committees formed with the objective to estimate the number of people living in poverty in India. These are:\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The Working Group of 1962;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>V N Dandekar and N Rath in 1971;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Y K Alagh in 1979;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>D T Lakdawala in 1993;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Suresh Tendulkar in 2009;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>C Rangarajan in 2014.&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The<strong> Lakdawala Committee <\/strong>assumed that health and education is provided by the state.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Therefore, expenditure on these items was excluded from the consumption basket it proposed. Since <strong>expenditure on health and education<\/strong> rose significantly in the 1990s, the <strong>Tendulkar Committee included them<\/strong> in the basket.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>A Way Forward<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Poverty eradication remains India\u2019s top priority, but there is still work to be done. Strategies such as increasing livelihood opportunities, empowering rural women, providing a social safety net, and skilling rural youth, infrastructure development, increasing land productivity, etc seem to be effective in reducing poverty.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>There is a need to address the inequalities of income, education, and opportunity that are all interconnected that can foster social cohesion and boost general well-being.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It is essential that the government should provide education and health services free of cost for the deserving citizens and those from the socially oppressed classes.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/indianexpress.com\/article\/explained\/explained-economics\/multidimensional-poverty-meaning-numbers-9141495\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Source: IE<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><strong>India-UAE: Bilateral Investment Treaty<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Syllabus: GS2\/International Relations<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Context:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Recently, the Union Cabinet approved the signing and ratification of a Bilateral Investment Treaty (BIT) with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to significantly boost bilateral economic engagement, including Foreign Direct Investment (FDI).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>About the Bilateral Investment Treaty (BIT):<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>It is an <strong>agreement between two countries<\/strong> that sets the terms and conditions for private investment by nationals and companies of one state in another.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It is a part of the <strong>International Investment Agreements (IIAs)<\/strong> under the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development <strong>(UNCTAD)<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It is expected to improve investor confidence, increase foreign investments and overseas direct investment opportunities, and have a positive impact on employment generation.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>India and BIT<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>India has been actively negotiating Bilateral Investment Treaties (BITs) with various countries to boost foreign direct investment (FDI).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>India\u2019s Position on BITs:<\/strong> Recent Interim Budget highlighted that India is negotiating BITs with trade partners to boost FDI inflow.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>It emphasised that these negotiations are being conducted from a position of strength.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>India\u2019s Model BIT:<\/strong> India adopted the model BIT in 2016.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The <strong>objective <\/strong>is to provide appropriate protection to foreign investors in India and Indian investors in the foreign country, while maintaining a balance between the investor\u2019s rights and the Government obligations.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>India\u2019s Economic Integration with Western Nations:<\/strong> India is pursuing economic integration with western nations such as the <strong>United Kingdom (UK)<\/strong> and the <strong>European Union<\/strong> through <strong>Free Trade Agreements and investment treaties.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Significances of BITs<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Investor Confidence: <\/strong>BITs can boost the confidence of investors by providing a level playing field and non-discrimination in all matters.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>They provide an independent forum for dispute settlement by arbitration.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Foreign Direct Investment (FDI):<\/strong> BITs can help increase the inflow of FDI.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>For example, India is negotiating BITs with trade partners to improve its ease of enforcing contracts, which is currently a hurdle for FDI inflows.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The FDI inflow during 2014-23 was $596 billion.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Economic Growth: <\/strong>By attracting foreign investment, BITs can contribute to economic growth and <strong>employment generation<\/strong> in the host country.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Legal Protection:<\/strong> BITs offer legal protection to investors, which can be particularly important for investments in countries where the domestic legal framework is unpredictable or unstable.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>BITs impose obligations under international law on host states to protect foreign investment from the other state.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Challenges associated with the BITs<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Unequal Distribution of Rights and Obligations: <\/strong>BITs often create an unequal distribution of rights and obligations between developed countries, which are the source of most foreign direct investment, and developing countries, which are mainly recipients.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Risk of Litigation:<\/strong> BITs lead to an increased risk of litigation. Some developing countries have been sentenced by international arbitral tribunals to pay millions of dollars as a result of alleged violations to these treaties.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Ambiguous Legal Standards: <\/strong>Most of these awards are based on expansive interpretations of ambiguous legal standards and concepts such as <strong>\u2018fair and equitable treatment\u2019 and &#8216;indirect expropriation\u2019.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Limitations in Addressing Issues:<\/strong> BITs can\u2019t address every problem that companies face abroad.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>For example, American companies in China face challenges in protecting and enforcing their intellectual property rights (IPR).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Loss of Policy Space<\/strong>: BITs can lead to a loss of policy space for the host country, limiting its ability to regulate in the public interest.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Treaty Shopping:<\/strong> Investors might take advantage of the most favourable nation clause in BITs to sue a host country under a treaty to which it is not a party.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Conclusion and Way Forward<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Current trends in the world economy and global politics provide evidence that the global south is at \u2018normal capitalism\u2019, bringing with it new patterns of uneven development, inequality, and injustice.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>They are seen as a tool to boost the confidence of investors by assuring a level playing field and non-discrimination in all matters while providing for an independent forum for dispute settlement by arbitration.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>However, the negotiation and implementation of BITs can be complex and require careful balancing of interests.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The challenges need for careful negotiation and implementation of BITs, balancing the interests of both the investing and host countries.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thehindu.com\/news\/national\/cabinet-approves-bilateral-investment-treaty-with-uae\/article67799971.ece\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Source: TH<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><strong>National Research Foundation (NRF)<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Syllabus: GS2\/Government Policies and Interventions<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Context<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Despite approving <strong>a Bill to set up a National Research Foundation (NRF)<\/strong>, the interim budget for 2024-25 was silent on allocation for the institution.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>About<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The <strong>Union Cabinet had approved the NRF Bill in June 2023,<\/strong> paving the way for its establishment. However, the interim budget for 2024-25 skipped any mention of NRF.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>In the <strong>Union budget for 2021-22, <\/strong>the Centre had announced that it would set aside<strong> Rs 50,000 crore for NRF over five years.&nbsp;<\/strong>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>However, the following year, it was allocated a budget of just Rs 1 lakh. Further in 2023-24, the Union budget allocated Rs 2,000 crore for the NRF, which was then revised to Rs 258.60 crore.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>The National Research Foundation (NRF) Bill, 2023<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The approved Bill will pave the way <strong>to&nbsp; establish NRF<\/strong>, an apex body to provide <strong>high-level strategic direction of scientific research in the country<\/strong> as per recommendations of the <strong>National Education Policy (NEP).<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>The Department of Science and Technology (DST) <\/strong>will be the administrative Department of NRF.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>National Research Foundation (NRF)<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Aim: <\/strong>To seed, grow and promote Research and Development (R&amp;D) and foster a culture of research and innovation throughout India\u2019s universities, colleges, research institutions, and R&amp;D laboratories.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Governing Board<\/strong>: NRF will be governed by a <strong>Governing Board<\/strong> consisting of eminent researchers and professionals across disciplines.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Ex-officio President of the Board: <\/strong>The Prime Minister<strong>&nbsp;<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>E<strong>x-officio Vice-Presidents of the Board: <\/strong>Union Minister of Science &amp; Technology &amp; Union Minister of Education&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Executive Council:<\/strong> NRF\u2019s functioning will be governed by an Executive Council chaired by the <strong>Principal Scientific Adviser<\/strong> to the Government of India.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Role:&nbsp;<\/strong>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Forge collaborations<\/strong> among the industry, academia, and government departments and research institutions,&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Create an interface mechanism<\/strong> for participation and contribution of industries and State governments in addition to the scientific and line ministries(specific governmental departments).&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Focus on creating a policy framework and putting in place regulatory processes<\/strong> that can encourage collaboration and increased spending by the industry on R&amp;D.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Repeal<\/strong>: The bill will also repeal <strong>the Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB)<\/strong> established by an act of Parliament in 2008.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Benefits of the NRF:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>It will help to improve the <strong>quality of research<\/strong> in India.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It will help to increase the <strong>quantity of research<\/strong> in India.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It will help to <strong>make India a more attractive destination<\/strong> for foreign researchers.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It will help to <strong>create new jobs<\/strong> in India.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It will help to <strong>improve the quality of life<\/strong> for all Indians with the help of ensuing research.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Challenges:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Still in the planning phase: <\/strong>The NRF does not yet have an administrative structure or direction.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Transparency<\/strong>: The experts also highlighted a <strong>lack of transparency in establishing the governance structure<\/strong> of the proposed institution.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Opposite to the objective of NEP: <\/strong>The NEP 2020 had mentioned that the NRF would be governed independently of the government, by a rotating board of governors consisting of the \u201cvery best researchers and innovators across fields\u201d.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>However, in June 2023, the government stated that the governing board would be <strong>presided over by the Prime Minister and the Union Minister of Science and Technology.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Not an independent body: <\/strong>Even the Executive Committee, which will govern the day-to-day functioning of the NRF, is to be headed by a <strong>government-appointed person (the Principal Scientific Advisor).<\/strong>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Though initially modeled around the <strong>National Science Foundation<\/strong>, an independent agency of the US federal government, the NRF now seems to be <strong>dependent on the government.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Insufficient funding: <\/strong>Of the Rs 50,000 crore set aside for NRF over five years (2023-28), some <strong>Rs 36,000 crore (72 per cent) was expected to come from the private sector.<\/strong>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Thus, the government is envisaging spending only around Rs. <strong>14,000 crore over five years, i.e., around 2,800 crore per year <\/strong>which is insufficient considering the volume of research conducted in India.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>This is much less than <strong>Rs 7,931.05 crore allocated to the DST, Rs. 2,683.86 crore for the DBT, and Rs 5,746.51 crore allocated for the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research <\/strong>during the Union budget for 2022-23.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Way Ahead:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>There is a <strong>need to wait for the full Union Budget<\/strong> that will be presented after the elections slated later this year.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>There is a need to move the proposed institution <strong>from the planning phase and set up an administrative structure.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Source: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.downtoearth.org.in\/news\/science-technology\/union-budget-2024-25-scientists-disappointed-over-silence-on-national-research-foundation-94216\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>DTE<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><strong>Sunrise Technologies<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Syllabus:<\/strong><strong> GS3\/Developments in Science and Technology<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Context<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>During the <strong>Interim Budget 2024-25<\/strong> presentation, the Finance Minister revealed a plan to create <strong>a corpus of Rs 1 lakh crore for the sunrise technologies.&nbsp;<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>About:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The goal is <strong>to encourage private investment<\/strong> in sunrise technologies and usher in a &#8220;golden era for our tech savvy youth&#8221;.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The corpus will be created with a <strong>fifty-year interest-free loan<\/strong>, giving a financial boost to encourage innovation and research in emerging technology fields.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The Finance Minister mentioned that <strong>long-term financing with extended tenors and low or zero interest rates<\/strong> will inspire the private sector to increase their focus on research and innovation in sunrise domains.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Stressing the significance of research and innovation in India&#8217;s growth she noted the shift from <strong>&#8220;Jai Jawan Jai Kisan&#8221;<\/strong> to <strong>&#8220;Jai Jawan Jai Kisan Jai Vigyan and Jai Anusandhan\u201d<\/strong> underlining that innovation is the cornerstone of development.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Sunrise technologies<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Sunrise technologies is a category of industries with <strong>high growth potential and expected to become significant<\/strong> in the future.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It&#8217;s important to note that the <strong>specific industries considered &#8220;sunrise&#8221; can change over time<\/strong> depending on technological advancements, economic trends, and societal needs.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Characteristics<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>New or relatively new:<\/strong> They are typically in their early stages of development, offering innovative solutions or catering to emerging needs.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Rapid growth:<\/strong> They exhibit high growth rates, with significant increases in revenue, market share, and investment.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Future potential:<\/strong> They are expected to have a major impact on the economy and society in the long term.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Innovation:<\/strong> They often use cutting-edge technologies or disruptive business models.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Uncertainty:<\/strong> Due to their early stage, their future success and long-term trajectory can be uncertain.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Examples of Potential Sunrise Technologies:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Renewable Energy:<\/strong> Solar, wind, bioenergy, and other renewable energy sources are crucial for sustainable development and energy security.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML):<\/strong> These technologies have the potential to revolutionize various sectors like healthcare, agriculture, manufacturing, and finance.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Electric Vehicles (EVs) and Battery Technology: <\/strong>This industry holds immense potential for reducing emissions and promoting sustainable transportation.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Internet of Things (IoT) and Big Data:<\/strong> Connecting devices and analyzing data can improve efficiency, decision-making, and innovation across various sectors.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Robotics and Automation:<\/strong> Automation can enhance productivity, precision, and safety in manufacturing, healthcare, and other sectors.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Space Technology: <\/strong>This sector offers opportunities in satellite communication, remote sensing, navigation, and space exploration<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Genomics and Biotechnology: <\/strong>Advances in these fields have applications in healthcare, agriculture, and other areas.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Challenges<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Lack of infrastructure: <\/strong>Inadequate infrastructure, particularly in areas like state-of-the-art research centres, can hinder growth.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Skilled workforce shortage:<\/strong> Lack of skilled professionals in these emerging fields can hamper development and adoption of new technologies.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Funding and investment limitations:<\/strong> Limited access to finance and investment can restrict expansion and innovation.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Regulatory hurdles:<\/strong> Complex and outdated regulations can create operational challenges and hamper market growth.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Technological challenges: <\/strong>Integrating and adapting cutting-edge technologies requires constant adaptation and innovation.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Measures<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Government initiatives: <\/strong>Policies promoting investment, infrastructure development, skill development, and research &amp; development can create an enabling environment.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Public-private partnerships: C<\/strong>ollaboration between government and private sector can leverage strengths and resources for optimal development.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Focus on education and skill development:<\/strong> Upskilling and reskilling programs can address the workforce shortage and prepare individuals for future jobs.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Promoting innovation and R&amp;D: <\/strong>Encouraging research and development in these fields is crucial for technological advancements and competitiveness.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Streamlining regulations:<\/strong> Simplifying and updating regulations can facilitate ease of doing business and technological adoption.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Way Ahead:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Overall, <strong>addressing challenges and adopting supportive measures can unlock the full potential<\/strong> of sunrise technologies and contribute significantly to India&#8217;s economic growth and progress.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It&#8217;s important to note that the <strong>dynamics of sunrise industries are constantly evolving<\/strong>, and so India needs to adapt to face these dynamics.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Source: <a href=\"https:\/\/timesofindia.indiatimes.com\/business\/budget\/budget-2024-fm-nirmala-sitharaman-unveils-rs-1-lakh-crore-fund-for-sunrise-technologies-here-are-the-details\/articleshow\/107325810.cms?from=mdr\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">TOI<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><strong>News in Shorts<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><strong>Cervical Cancer<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Syllabus: GS2\/Health<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>In Context<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The <strong>Union Budget 2024-25 <\/strong>encourages <strong>vaccination against cervical cancer.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>About<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The government will encourage vaccination for <strong>girls in the age group of 9 to 14 years<\/strong> for the prevention of cervical cancer.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>About Cervical Cancer<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Cervical cancer develops in a<strong> woman&#8217;s cervix<\/strong> (the entrance to the uterus from the vagina).&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Spread:<\/strong> Almost all cervical cancer cases (99%) are linked to <strong>infection with high-risk human papillomaviruses (HPV), <\/strong>an extremely common virus transmitted through sexual contact.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Although most infections with HPV resolve spontaneously and cause no symptoms, persistent infection can cause cervical cancer in women.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Prevalence:<\/strong> Cervical cancer is the<strong> fourth most common cancer <\/strong>in women.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>It is the <strong>second most common type of cancer in India<\/strong> for women.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Prevention: <\/strong>Effective primary (HPV vaccination) and secondary prevention approaches (screening for, and treating precancerous lesions) will prevent most cervical cancer cases.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Treatment:<\/strong> When diagnosed, cervical cancer is one of the most successfully treatable forms of cancer, as long as it is detected early and managed effectively.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Cancers diagnosed in late stages can also be controlled with appropriate treatment and palliative care.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Vaccination:<\/strong> There are, at present, two vaccines available in the country against the human papillomavirus (HPV) which causes cervical cancer, namely Merck\u2019s Gardasil and Serum Institute of India\u2019s Cervavac.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Source: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.downtoearth.org.in\/news\/health\/union-budget-2024-25-encourages-vaccination-against-cervical-cancer-provides-insurance-to-frontline-health-workers-94215\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>DTE<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><strong>Technology Development Fund Scheme<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Syllabus: GS2\/Policies and Interventions; GS3\/Technology<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Context:<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Recently, the Defence Research Development Organisation (DRDO) demonstrated a <strong>green propulsion system<\/strong>, developed under the <strong>Technology Development Fund (TDF) Scheme<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>About Technology Development Fund (TDF) Scheme<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>It is a flagship programme of the <strong>Ministry of Defence executed by DRDO<\/strong> under the \u2018Make in India\u2019 initiative for funding innovation in defence and aerospace, <strong>especially to start-ups and MSMEs.<\/strong>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>It is executed to meet the requirements of the <strong>Tri-Services, Defence Production and DRDO<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It encourages <strong>participation of public\/private industries<\/strong> to create an ecosystem for enhancing cutting edge technology capability in the defence sector.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Focus Areas:<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Significant upgradation, improvements, developments in the existing products, processes, applications;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Development of futuristic technologies, innovative products which can be useful for defence applications;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Import substitution of components whose technologies do not exist in the Indian<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thehindu.com\/sci-tech\/green-propulsion-system-developed-under-drdo-technology-development-fund-demonstrates-in-orbit-functionality\/article67800220.ece\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Source: TH<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><strong>Animal Husbandry Infrastructure Development Fund<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Syllabus: GS3\/Agriculture; Indian Economy<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Context:<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Recently, the Union Cabinet approved the continuation of the <strong>Animal Husbandry Infrastructure Development Fund (AHIDF)<\/strong> for another three years up to 2025-26.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Animal Husbandry Infrastructure Development Fund (AHIDF)<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>About:&nbsp;<\/strong>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>It is a scheme launched under the <strong>Atma Nirbhar Bharat Abhiyan Stimulus package<\/strong>, and has been approved for incentivizing investments by individual entrepreneurs, private companies, MSMEs, Farmers Producers Organizations (FPOs) etc.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It aims to <strong>increase processing capacity by 2-4%<\/strong> in the dairy, meat and animal feed sector.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Funding<\/strong>:\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>3% interest subvention for 8 years including two years of moratorium for loan up to 90% from the scheduled bank and National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC), NABARD and NDDB.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Credit guarantee to the MSME and Dairy Cooperatives up to the 25% of the credit borrowed from the Credit Guarantee Fund of Rs.750 crore.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>It supports value-added dairy product manufacturing.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/pib.gov.in\/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2001054\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Source: PIB<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><strong>MQ 9B Drones<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Syllabus: GS3\/ Security Challenges and their Management<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Context:&nbsp;<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The US recently gave the green signal to a <strong>USD 3.99 billion deal <\/strong>for India to acquire 31 latest armed versions of <strong>Predator drone-MQ 9B.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Predator drones-MQ-9B<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image is-resized\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/lh7-us.googleusercontent.com\/K9C0R8se_rzjEasVuYhuul0wppZBGLRxZFezWBcq9AMWm0gb2IpwVG1oqDgcuV9u3Dv0eRPmZqrlkGYuMlN_8pT7w7xEDWKzXRpPPphTk3Lvq0KpH40sj4_v2ebjebCL0GmChhMkOFVjYzdbqTuItwg\" alt=\"\" style=\"width:746px;height:auto\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>MQ-9B is a <strong>High Altitude Long Endurance (HALE) Unmanned Aerial Vehicle(UAV)<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>MQ-9B is designed to <strong>fly over the horizon via satellite for up to 40 hours<\/strong>, depending on configuration, <strong>in all types of weather and safely integrate into civil airspace<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The SeaGuardian configuration of MQ-9B can include a<strong> 360-degree surface-search maritime radar, automatic identification system, sonobuoy monitoring system, and sonobuoy dispensers<\/strong> for persistent anti-surface and anti-submarine warfare missions.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The drone has an operational ceiling of<strong> 27000 feet <\/strong>and can look down on the enemy from <strong>nearly 50,000 feet<\/strong> and destroy it.&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Significance for India:<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>According to General Atomics, the MQ-9B can provide roughly <strong>80% of the capability of a large human-flown maritime patrol aircraft at about 20% of its cost per hour.&nbsp;<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>For the Army and Air Force, the MQ-9Bs can provide <strong>round-the-clock surveillance looking far beyond the borders.<\/strong>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>India\u2019s counter-terrorism capabilities<\/strong> will also increase manifolds as intruders can be targeted without crossing the borders.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It also <strong>seamlessly integrates with other U.S.-origin platforms<\/strong> <strong>that India operates,<\/strong> the P-8Is, AH-64 Apache attack helicopters, MH-60R multi-role helicopters among others expanding MQ-9B\u2019s multi-domain mission set.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Source: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hindustantimes.com\/india-news\/why-indian-predator-drone-will-be-a-game-change-against-adversaries-101706849171762.html#:~:text=While%20detractors%20of%20India%20and,50%2C000%20feet%20and%20destroy%20it\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">HT<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/DCA_3-02-2024.pdf\">Download PDF<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Multidimensional Poverty in India Syllabus: GS1\/Social Issues Context About the Poverty What is the Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI)? Multidimensional Poverty in India Since 2005-06: Related Data Reason for Poverty in India Government Efforts Various Committees A Way Forward Source: IE India-UAE: Bilateral Investment Treaty Syllabus: GS2\/International Relations Context: About the Bilateral Investment Treaty (BIT): India [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[21],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-21212","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-current-affairs"],"acf":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/21212","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\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=21212"}],"version-history":[{"count":11,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/21212\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":21227,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/21212\/revisions\/21227"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=21212"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=21212"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=21212"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}