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The Prime Minister inaugurated a new statue of Sant Ravidas at Ravidas Park near Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, on his 647th birth anniversary.

• Upgradation of Janamsthali of Sant Ravidas: It includes the development of the temple area, construction of approach roads, arrangements for worship, prasad etc.

Guru Ravidas: Life and Contributions

Early Life

• Background: Guru Ravidas Ji was born in a poor family in Sir Gobardhanpur, near Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh. 
  • His birthplace is now known as Shri Guru Ravidas Janam Asthan.
• Discipleship: He was a disciple of Jagatguru Ramanand.

Contributions

• Spiritual Teachings
  • Bhakti Movement: Played a crucial role in the Bhakti movement, which emphasised personal devotion to God as a means to salvation.
    • He influenced contemporaries like Meera Bai, who regarded him as a spiritual mentor, showcasing his wide-reaching impact on Bhakti and spiritual leaders of his time.
  • Contributions to Guru Granth Sahib: 41 of his poems were incorporated into the Sikh holy scripture, highlighting his impact on Sikh philosophy.
  • Focus on Nirguna Bhakti: He advocated for the worship of a formless God, moving away from idol worship towards an abstract understanding of the divine.
  • Ravidas-panthis: His disciples came to be known as Ravidas-panthis and followers came to be known as Ravidassias.
  • Philosophy of Sahaj: He also mentioned ‘Sahaj’, a mystical state where there is a union of the truths of the many and the one.

• Social Reforms 

• • Advocate for Equality: Staunchly opposed caste discrimination and untouchability, promoting a society based on equality and justice.
  • Gender Equality: Emphasized the importance of treating all genders equally, advocating for women’s rights and participation in spiritual and social life.
  • Abolition of Caste System: His teachings challenged the traditional caste hierarchy, advocating for a society where one’s birth did not determine their spiritual or social standing.

Conclusion

Sant Ravidas Ji’s teachings continue to inspire and guide millions towards a life of equality, compassion, and devotion. His emphasis on social justice, spiritual freedom, and the unity of humanity remains relevant, resonating with followers across different generations and communities.

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Recently, the Prime Minister inaugurated one of the largest-ever global textile events Bharat Tex 2024 on 26th February.

About Bharat Tex 2024

• Drawing inspiration from PM’s 5F Vision ( farm to foreign via fibre, fabric and fashion focus) Bharat Tex 2024 focuses on the entire textiles value chain.
• Organized by: A consortium of 11 Textile Export Promotion Councils and supported by the government, Bharat-Tex 2024 is built on the twin pillars of trade and investment, with an overarching focus on sustainability. 
• Significance: It will reaffirm India’s position as a global textile powerhouse to boost trade & investment.

News Source: PIB

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A 1,300-year-old temple belonging to the Badami Chalukyan period was discovered in Telangana recently.

Badami Chalukya Temples and Inscriptions Discovered Along Krishna River

• Archaeologists from the Public Research Institute of History, Archaeology, and Heritage (PRIHAH) discovered Two ancient temples along with a rare inscription.
• Site of discovery: In the Mudimanikyam village of Nalgonda district, Telangana, along the banks of the Krishna River. 
• Architectural styles: The temples  date between AD 543 750 and blend the  Badami Chalukyan style with the Kadamba Nagara influences (A pyramid-shaped shikhara with rising steps, topped by a pinnacle kalasha).
  • Some influence of Rekha nagara architecture is also seen in the structure witnessed by a typical northern Indian shikhara with a slightly curved tower having four sides of equal length.

• Artifacts discovered: 

• • A  Panavattam (base of a Shiva lingam) in the sanctum sanctorum has been found.
  • A Vishnu idol was recovered.
  • An  inscription was also found which reads as ‘Gandaloranru’ dating back to the 8th – 9th Century AD. Ganda in Kannada means Hero.

About Chalukya Dynasty:

• It is a Hindu dynasty ruling southern and central India between the 6th and the 12th centuries
• It comprised three related yet individual dynasties,
  • Badami Chalukyas: They were the original dynasty, with its capital in Vatapi (modern Badami) ruling from the middle of the 6th century.
  • Eastern Chalukyas: They emerged in eastern Deccan after the mid-7th century and ruled from Vengi until about the 11th century. 
  • Western Chalukyas: They were the descendants of the Badami Chalukyas and emerged in western Deccan in the late 10th century. They  ruled from Kalyani (modern Basavakalyan) until the late 12th century.

Chalukyas of Badami:

• Badami Chalukyas were the vassals of the Kadambas of Banavasi. They were an indigenous Kannara family with Kannada as their mother tongue.
• Founder king: The Chalukya dynasty was established by Pulakeshin I in 543 AD
• Notable Rulers:
  • Pulakeshin II: The most important ruler of the dynasty who extended the Chalukya Empire up to the northern extents of the Pallava kingdom and defeated Harshavardhana on the banks of the river Narmada.
    • He died fighting in the  battle of Vatapi  with Pallava Narasimhavarman in 642 AD
  • Vikramaditya I:  He took the title “Rajamalla” (Sovereign of the Mallas/ Pallavas) after defeating the Pallavas and recapturing his empire after the death of Pulakeshin II
  • Vikramaditya II (733–744 AD): The kingdom reached its zenith under his reign with numerous invasions and victories over Pallava Nandivarman II and victory over the 3 southern kingdoms of Chola, Cheras, Pandyas.
• Decline: Rashtrakuta King Dantidurga 753AD overthrew the last ruler Kirtivarman II marking the end of the Badami Chalukyan dynasty.

• Historical source:

• • Inscriptions: 
    • Kannada: The Badami cave inscriptions (578 AD) of Mangalesa,  Peddavaduguru inscription of Pulakesi II, the Kanchi Kailasanatha inscription and Pattadakal Virupaksha Temple inscriptions of Vikramaditya II 
    • Sanskrit: The earliest inscription of the Badami cliff dated 543 of Pulakesi I, the Mahakuta Pillar inscription (595 AD) of Mangalesa and the Aihole inscription dated 634 AD of Pulakesi II.
  • Traveller accounts: 
    • Hiuen-Tsiang (Chinese traveller) visited the court of Pulakesi II

• Badami Chalukya Architecture:

  • It is a style in Hindu temple architecture that evolved in the 5th – 8th centuries CE in the Malaprabha river basin, in Bagalkot district of Karnataka.
  • Vesara style architecture: Chalukyan architecture is a mixture of Nagar and Dravida styles which is known as Vesara style of temple architecture 
    • This style originated and flourished at Aihole, Badami and Pattadakal of Karnataka between 5th century to 7th century and further is being evolved by the Hoysalas.
    • Example: Parvati Temple at Sanduru.  It has a staggered base plan and consists of nagara style vimana (tower) and dravida style parts, has no mantapa (hall) and consists of an antarala (vestibule) crowned with a barrel-vaulted tower (sukhanasi).

  • Basic Features: 

    • Stone used: A  reddish-golden Sandstone was used.
    • Technique of construction:  They are created through a “subtraction” technique  and are basically excavations, cut out of the living rock sites they occupy. Thus they are more  sculptural than structural style.
    • Elements: Exterior are plain  but interiors are sculptural marvel  consisting of a pillared verandah, a columned hall (mantapa) and a cella (shrine, cut deep into rock) which contains the deity of worship.

  • Phases of Development:  

• • • Early: It began in the late 6th century with three elementary cave temples at Aihole and  4 developed structures at Badami.
    • The second phase: Aihole became the most prominent site for temple construction and is being called “one of the cradles of Indian temple architecture” beginning 600 AD
      • The curvilinear and pyramid like shikhar (A Dravida architecture feature) was  first developed  in the Lad Khan temple 
      • Examples: Lad Khan Temple ; the Meguti Jain Temple 634 AD; the Durga Temple; Jambulingesvara Temple at Badami; Mahakutesvara Temple and the Mallikarjuna Temple at Mahakuta.
    • Mature phase: The structural temples at Pattadakal of the 8th century mark the  mature phase of Badami Chalukyan architecture. There are ten temples at Pattadakal, six in southern dravida style and four in the northern nagara style.
      • They are recognised as UNESCO World Heritage Site
      • Examples:  Dravidian style: Sangamesvara Temple 725 AD; Virupaksha Temple (740–745 AD) and the Mallikarjuna Temple (740–745AD).
      • Vesara style :  The Papanatha temple (680 AD) and Galaganatha Temple (740 AD)

News Source: India Today

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The BharatGPT group, headed by IIT Bombay and seven other prestigious Indian engineering institutes, revealed plans to introduce its own ChatGPT-like service.

Hanooman: By Seetha Mahalaxmi Healthcare (SML) and the BharatGPT

• Seetha Mahalaxmi Healthcare (SML) and the BharatGPT recently introduced the ‘Hanooman’ series of Indic language models.

What is Hanooman?

Hanooman is a series of large language models (LLMs).

• It can communicate in 11 Indian languages like Hindi, Tamil, and Marathi. 
• The size of these AI models varies from 1.5 billion to a massive 40 billion parameters.

Features and Applications

• Hanooman is not just a chatbot but a multimodal AI tool. 
• It can produce text, speech, videos, and more in multiple Indian languages.
• It has been designed to serve four key areas: healthcare, governance, financial services, and education.

Customized Versions:

• One of the customized versions is VizzhyGPT, fine-tuned specifically for healthcare. 
  • It uses extensive medical data to enhance its performance.

Benefits and Challenges of AI models

News Source: Indianexpress

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Recently, PM Narendra Modi inaugurated Sudarshan Setu connecting Okha mainland and Beyt Dwarka island in Gujarat.

About Sudarshan Setu

• It is a Signature Bridge is technically a sea-link, a first for Gujarat. 
• Sudarshan Setu Length: Its a 4 lane bridge spans 2.32 km, with a central double span cable-stayed portion measuring 900 meters and a 2.45 km long approach road. Therefore its total length is 4,772 meters.
• Project cost:  Rs 978 crore, was funded by the Union government.
• Bridge is a  part of National Highway 51 that runs along the sea coast of Saurashtra.
• Geographical Location: Located off Gujarat, situated in the Gulf of Kutch, the okha town of devbhumi Dwarka district of mainland Gujarat to bet Dwarka. ( After the Union Territory of Diu (40sqKm), located at Una coast in Gir Somnath, Bet Dwarka(36sqKm) is the second largest island off Gujarat coast.)
• Its pillars are decorated with verses of Bhagavad Gita and images of Lord Krishna.
• It also has solar panels installed on the upper portions of the footpath, generating one megawatt of electricity.

Significance Sudarshan Setu

• Reduce the time of devotees: Sudarshan Setu will ease the transportation and significantly reduce the time of devotees traveling between Dwarka and Beyt-Dwarka. 
• Major tourist attraction:  This iconic bridge will also serve as a major tourist attraction of Devbhumi Dwarka. 
• All-weather road-connectivity : The Signature Bridge will provide all-weather road-connectivity to the island. 

News Source: IE

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The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has asked the National Payment Council of India (NPCI)  to become a Third-Party Application Provider (TPAP) for continued Unified Payments Interface (UPI) operation of the Paytm application.

What is TPAP? – Third Party Application Provider

• Third Party Application Provider (TPAP) is an entity that provides UPI-compliant apps to users for making payments.
• These apps can include mobile wallets, merchant apps, or any platform that uses UPI.
  • NPCI, which manages retail payment systems in India, owns and runs the UPI platform.
• TPAPs use NPCI’s UPI infrastructure and collaborate with payment service providers (PSPs) and banks to process transactions.
• TPAPs are responsible for ensuring their apps meet NPCI’s security standards and compliance guidelines.

Current Number of Third Party Application Providers

• Right now, there are 22 third-party apps approved by NPCI for Unified Payments Interface (UPI) transactions.
• These apps allow users to send and receive money using UPI IDs.
• Some of these approved apps are Amazon Pay, Google Pay, Groww, Jupiter Money, Mobikwik, Phonepe, Samsung Pay, TataNeu, and Whatsapp.

Reason for RBI’s Asking NPCI  to Examine Paytm’s Third Party Application Provider Request

• Paytm Bank Closure:

• • The RBI has mandated that Paytm Payments Bank (PPBL) cannot accept further credits into customer accounts and wallets. 
  • Existing Paytm UPI transactions were routed through PPBL which will be ceased now. 
    • Paytm Payments Bank (PPBL)is an associate company of OCL and  is registered as TPAP.

• Paytm’s Demand for Third Party Application Provider Status:

• • One97 Communication Ltd (OCL), the parent company of Paytm, sought TPAP status for its UPI operations.
  • TPAP approval is essential for Paytm to continue providing UPI-based payment services for ensuring easy digital payments for users of UPI

• Seamless Migration:

  • If NPCI grants TPAP status to OCL, ‘@paytm’ UPI handles need to be seamlessly migrated from PPBL to a set of newly identified banks.
  • The new banks must have the capability to process high-volume UPI transactions.
• Inconvenience in Transactions: The closure of operation of PPBL will create chaos as there are various customers who rely on paytm app for UPI payment services.

Benefits to Users

• Continuity of Services:

  • Seamless UPI Operations: If Paytm receives TPAP approval, it will ensure uninterrupted UPI services for Paytm users.
  • No Disruptions: Despite the closure of Paytm Payments Bank (PPBL), users can continue using Paytm for UPI transactions.

• Expanded Banking Options:

  • Multiple Banks: With TPAP status, Paytm users’ UPI accounts will be migrated to a set of newly identified banks.
  • Choice and Accessibility: Users will have access to a wider range of banks for their UPI transactions.

• Enhanced User Experience:

  • Smooth Transition: Paytm’s efforts to migrate UPI handles seamlessly will minimize inconvenience for users.
  • Familiarity: Users can continue using their existing ‘@paytm’ UPI handles without major disruptions.

• Compliance and Stability:

  • Regulatory Compliance: The RBI’s directive ensures adherence to UPI norms and regulatory requirements.
  • Financial Stability: Users can trust that their digital payments remain secure and compliant.

• Economic Inclusion:

  • Broadened Access: TPAP approval allows Paytm to serve a diverse user base, including those who rely on UPI for financial inclusion.
  • Financial Empowerment: Users, especially in rural areas, can continue using Paytm for essential transactions.

News Source: Indianexpress

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Recently, the Government has announced a plan to set up the “world’s largest grain storage plan in cooperative sector”.

World’s Largest Grain Storage Plan in Cooperative Sector in India

• A pilot project has been inaugurated in 11 primary agriculture credit societies (PACS) in 11 States under the plan.

• The Government plans to set up a storage infrastructure of 700 lakh metric tons over the next five years at a cost of Rs 1.25 lakh crore.
  • This will enable farmers to store their produce and sell it at the right time according to their own needs. & help them to avail loans from banks. 

Key Features of World’s Largest Grain Storage Plan

• Reduction of Post Harvest losses from existing 6% : 
  • This decentralized storage will reduce food grain wastage, enhancing national food security. 

• Drastic reduction on multiple handling and transportation cost: This approach minimizes transportation costs between procurement centers, warehouses, and FPS.
• Prevention of distress sale by farmers at low rates:
  • Farmers will have options to avoid distress sales, leading to better prices. 
• Decentralized procurement by FCI/State Government: 
  • Acting as procurement centers for State Agencies/Food Corporation of India (FCI), and Functioning as Fair Price Shops (FPS). 
  • Integrate PACS godowns with the food grain supply chain, with a collaborative effort of NABARD and spearheaded by the National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC).
• Storage based “Hub” and “Spoke” model: 
  • Establishing Custom hiring centers. 
  • Creating common processing units for sorting, grading, and more. 
• Convergence of Existing Schemes: 
  • This plan helps in convergence of various identified schemes like Agriculture infrastructure fund (AIF), Agriculture Marketing Infrastructure Scheme, and Allocation of food grains under National Food Security act 2013, Procurement Operation at Minimum Support Price etc.

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Greek PM Kyriakos Mitsotak is on a 2-day State visit to India.

• Chief Guest at Raisina Dialogue 2024: Mr Mitsotakis will be the Chief Guest and Keynote Speaker at the 9th Raisina Dialogue in New Delhi.

Highlights of the Visit of Prime Minister of Greece to India

• Emphasized  on Doubling Bilateral Trade relations to nearly $4 billion by 2030.
• India-Middle East-Europe Corridor(IMEC) as a Peace Project: Greece’s role as an ideal gateway to Europe for India &  India as the prime gateway to Asia for Greece. 
• Agreement to establish Joint working Group on : 
  • Combating Terrorism, Co Production & Co-development  in Defence Manufacturing
• Agreement signed for the engagement in : Quantum Computing, Biotechnology, NanoTechnology,  Agriculture, Energy & Pharmaceutical Sectors, Direct Air Connectivity & in the Tourism Sectors & Pitching Up to Join Indo-Pacific Ocean Initiative.
• Supported India’s candidacy for UNSC for 2028-29.
• The Mobility and Migration Pact Agreement (MMPA) to regulate legal migration is in the finalization stage.
• Regional security and stability: Recent events in the Red Sea highlight the interdependence between the East Mediterranean and Indian Ocean regions.
• Maritime Security &  international law : Both have agreed to abide by UNCLOS.
• Both countries backed each other’s national interest like J&K for India and Cyprus for Greece.

India Greece Relations: Background, Political, Trade, and Defence Ties

Ancient India Greece Relations

• Trade Ties: Between the Mauryan Kings and Greece is evidenced by coinage and writings. 
• Cultural Fusion: Gandhara Art and Greek Influence, in the fields of art, sculpture and architecture. Like Bamiyan Buddha and Greco-Buddhist art.

Modern Diplomacy Within India Greece Relations

• Shared perspectives on various international issues : 
  • UN reforms 
  • on the Six-National Delhi Declaration on Nuclear Disarmament in 1985. 

• • Endorsed India’s candidacy : 
  • For  Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG), 
  • Supported India’s inclusion in the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR), Wassenaar Arrangement, and Australia Group. 
• Greece signed the Framework Agreement on the International Solar Alliance.

Cultural Engagement: 

• Art of Living Hellas, and the Brahma Kumari Center, alongside numerous Yoga centers supported by the Hellenic Yoga Society.
• Indian Diaspora in Greece : 
  • 11,333 according to the 2011 census, reside,Predominantly from Punjab and largely Sikhs.

Defense Ties: Joint Exercises and Training: 

• Interoperability in the ‘Blue Flag’ exercise (held in Israel in 2021
• INIOCHOS-23: The Indian Air Force participated in the multinational air exercise,hosted by the Hellenic Air Force. 

Science & Technology Cooperation: 

• During Covid-19 : 
• Greece imported  hydroxychloroquine & Chloroquine sulfate & donated Oxygen Cylinders  and some medical protection devices to India, through the EU.

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Recently, the 5th edition of Joint Military Exercise ‘DHARMA GUARDIAN’ between the Indian Army and the Japan Ground Self Defence Force commenced at Mahajan Field Firing Ranges in Rajasthan. 

Dharma Guardian: India Japan Joint Military Exercise

An Annual Exercise: It is an annual exercise and has been conducted alternatively in India and Japan since 2018. 

• Aim: To foster Military Cooperation and enhance combined capabilities to execute joint operations in semi-urban environments under Chapter VII of the United Nations Charter. 
• Significance of the Exercise: 
  • Sharing of Best Practices: It will enable the two sides to share their best practices in Tactics, Techniques and Procedures of conducting tactical operations. 
  • Interoperability: The Exercise will also facilitate developing interoperability, bonhomie and camaraderie between troops of both sides. 
  • Strengthening of Bilateral Relations: This will enhance the level of defense cooperation, further fostering bilateral relations between the two friendly nations.

News Source: PIB

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A 2019 study by a Japanese scientist theorised that planets could also be formed in the massive dust and gas clouds found near supermassive black holes.

About Blanets

• It is a theoretical type of planet that orbits around a black hole instead of a star or brown dwarf.
  • Blanets would be unlike any conventional planet and could emerge an entire new class of objects in astronomical science.

Formation Of Blanets

• They could be formed around relatively low-luminosity active galactic nuclei during their lifetime.
• The Process: It would be similar to planet formation as a black hole is surrounded by massive amounts of dust and gas which bears similarities to protoplanetary disks around young stars.
• Distance: Blanets would need to form around 100 trillion kilometres away from a black hole to survive.
• Scale of the process: A blanet would need to form during the lifetime of active galactic nuclei (around a hundred million years) thus possessing a really short window for formation.
• Relative velocity of the dust particles: The critical velocity of the dust particles in the cloud must be less than about 80 meters per second with the rate of collisions being higher than for a conventional planet.

Characteristics Of Blanets

• Large size: They grow faster and can reach sizes up to 3,000 times the mass of Earth because of the constant wind of fresh dust material supplied by the radiations from the active galactic nuclei
  • Without this dust wind, blanets would grow to no more than six times the mass of Earth
• Orbital Period: Blanets  will have an extremely long orbital period, taking around a million years to complete an orbital revolution.
• Differentiation: The gaseous envelope of a blanet should be negligibly small compared with the blanet mass therefore they cannot be like Jupiter or Neptune. 

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This article is based on the news “Per Capita Monthly Household Consumption Expenditure more than doubled during 2011-12 to 2022-23” which was published in the PIB. Recently, the National Sample Survey Office (NSSO), under the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation released the Household Consumer Expenditure Survey (HCES) conducted from August 2022 to July 2023.

Key Highlights On Household Consumption Expenditure Survey 2022-23

• The survey results show Indian household consumption and patterns, breaking 11-year data since the last exercise was conducted in 2011-12. 
• Field work for the second year of HCES 2022-24 has been initiated from August 2023.
• Aim: To generate estimates of household Monthly Per Capita Consumption Expenditure (MPCE) and its distribution separately for the rural and urban sectors of the country, for states and Union Territories, and different socio-economic groups.

Crucial Insights From Household Consumption Expenditure Survey 2022-23

• Growth in Consumption Expenditure: 

  • The per capita monthly household expenditure more than doubled in 2022-23 compared to 2011-12. 
  • The Average Per Capita Monthly household Expenditure: It stood at Rs 3,773 in rural areas and Rs 6,459 in urban areas for all categories. 
    • The average per capita monthly expenditure of 0-5% fractile class is pegged at Rs 1,373 in rural areas and Rs 2,001 in urban areas.

• Narrowing the Urban-Rural Gap: 

  • Consumption in rural areas is growing faster than in urban areas, narrowing the gap. The increase in consumption in rural and urban areas is about 2.5 times.
  • According to the survey data, the gap was 84% in 2011-12 and reached 71% in 2022-23. The gap was at its peak of 91% in 2004-05.

• Significant Fall in the Consumption of Cereals and Food: 

• • In Rural Areas: Consumption of cereals as a share in the average MPCE has decreased from 22% in 1999-2000 and 10.7% in 2011-12 to less than 5% now.
    • The total consumption of food as a share of the average MPCE has decreased from almost 60% in 1999-2000 and 53% in 2011-12 to 46% now.
  • In Urban Areas: Consumption of cereals and food in urban areas has decreased from 12% in 1999-2000 and over 6% in 2011-12 to less than 4% now.
    • While the total consumption of food in the average MPCE has gone down to 39% for the first time from almost 50% in 1999-2000 and 43% in 2011-12.

• Increase in the Expenditure on High-value Items: 

  • Expenditure on high-value items such as eggs, fish, meat, fruits, and vegetables has increased. 
  • This expenditure in rural India has risen from 6.18% in 2011-12 to 9.01% in 2022-23, while in urban India, it has risen from 8.91% in 2011-12 to 10.54% in 2022-23.

• Increase in the Expenditure on Non-food Items: 

  • The expenditure on non-food items has increased across all categories, with the highest expenditure on transport and communication. 
  • This expenditure in rural India has risen from 6.4% in 2011-12 to 14.65% in 2022-23, while in urban India has risen from 15.25% in 2011-12 to 23.69% in 2022-23.

• Increase in the Expenditure on Education and Health: 

  • On Education: This expenditure in rural India has risen from 3.71% in 2011-12 to 6.08% in 2022-23, while in urban India has risen from 7.07% in 2011-12 to 8.07% in 2022-23. On Health: This expenditure in rural India has risen from 6.67% in 2011-12 to 8.25% in 2022-23, while in urban India, it has risen from 5.88% in 2011-12 to 7.13% in 2022-23.

• Gap Narrowing in the Agriculture Sector: 

  • The gap between the MPCE of agricultural families and the overall average of rural households has been narrowing over the years. 
  • The average MPCE of families “self-employed in agriculture” was Rs 3,702 in 2022-23, while the overall average of rural households was Rs 3,773.

• On Average Spending: 

• • In 2011-12, the MPCE of agricultural households was Rs 1,436, a little more than the average rural spending of Rs 1,430.
  • The average MPCE of households with “regular wage/salaried earning in agriculture” was Rs 3,597, while for “regular wage/salaried earning in non-agriculture” households was Rs 4,533. 

• For Casual Labors: 

  • Similarly, the average MPCE of households engaged in “casual labor in agriculture” was Rs 3,273, as compared to Rs 3,315 for “casual labor in non-agriculture”. State on Top and Bottom: The MPCE is the highest in Sikkim for both rural (₹7,731) and urban areas (₹12,105). It is the lowest in Chhattisgarh, where it was ₹2,466 for rural households and ₹4,483 for urban household members. The rural-urban difference in average MPCE: Highest in Meghalaya (83%) followed by Chhattisgarh (82%).
  • Among UTs: MPCE is highest in Chandigarh (rural Rs 7,467 and urban Rs 12,575), and is the lowest in Ladakh (Rs 4,035) and Lakshadweep (Rs 5,475) for rural & urban areas.

• On Imputed Average MPCE Data: 

• • The NSSO has provided an imputed value of items received free by households through various social welfare programmes.
  • These include: i) food items such as rice, wheat, atta, pulses, salt, sugar, edible oil, etc and ii) non-food items such as laptop/ PC, tablet, mobile handset, bicycle, motorcycle/scooter, clothing (school uniform), footwear (school shoes, etc).
    • The MPCE of rural and urban households, including the imputed value of free food and non-food items, is higher compared with the MPCE, which does not include the free items.
  • A fractile class of MPCE is the segment of the population lying within two fractiles. 
  • In rural households, the bottom 0-5% of the population got the least to spend in terms of imputed value of free items. This group got just Rs 68.
    • The population garnered the highest benefit in the 70-80% fractile and even the top 5% of the population got Rs 80. 

Positive Outcomes Household Consumption Expenditure Survey 2022-23

• Cautiousness For Health & Well-being: 

  • An increase in the expenditure on high-value items shows that Indian households are consuming more nutritious and diverse diets, which may have positive implications for their health and well-being. 
  • In food items, people are spending more on milk, fruits and vegetables. 

• Creation of Opportunities: 

• • The increase in the expenditure on transport and communication reflects the growing demand for mobility and connectivity, which may be driven by factors such as urbanization, migration, education, and employment opportunities. 

• High Standard of Living: 

  • An increase in the expenditure on non-food items shows that people are becoming prosperous with extra income.
  • The most significant is that people are spending more on processed food. 
    • Processed Food: Food that has been altered in some way during preparation.
  • An increase in the expenditure on non-food items indicates that Indian households have more disposable income and are spending more on discretionary items, such as clothing, footwear, transport, education, health, and entertainment. 

• Focus on Life Quality: 

  • An increase in the expenditure on education and health expenditure indicates that Indian households are investing more in human capital and quality of life.
  • It is for the first time that expenditure on food has fallen. This is remarkable.

Significance of Conducting the Household Consumption Expenditure Survey 2022-23

• Helps in Assessment For Policy-Makers: The data is essential for updating the Consumer Price Inflation (CPI) baskets, gives policymakers and experts an assessment on the income and expenditure levels of households and gauges the efficacy of policy measures. 
• Deriving Indicators: They are used for drawing up the weighting diagram for compiling price indices used to measure retail inflation and for deriving other macroeconomic indicators.
• Extracts the Needs and Desires of the Consumers: The data offers crucial insights into changing spending patterns and distribution and serves as a valuable resource for businesses, guiding the development of products and services tailored to consumers’ needs and preferences.
• Provides an Essence of Requirement: The data underscores the challenges and opportunities in improving living standards and welfare, particularly in food security, nutrition, healthcare, education, and social support.
• An Important Measure for RBI: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) decides to increase or decrease the policy rate based on retail inflation, which impacts growth. 
• • A lower interest rate will help economic growth by facilitating loans at lower rates. But if the wrong data guides the RBI, it will most likely delay any action on interest rates.
    • A Policy rate is a repo rate, the interest rate at which the central bank lends money to commercial banks.

Arising Concerns

• Decline in Value of Self-Employment in Agriculture: For the first time, self-employment in agriculture is lower than the rural household average of Rs 3,773. This implies that the latter has not kept pace with other groups. 
• Fall in the Average MPCE of Agricultural Households: Compared to overall rural households, the  average MPCE of agricultural households is decreased. 
• • The average MPCE with imputation for agricultural households (Rs 3,783) was still lower than the overall average for rural households (Rs 3,860).
  • The MPCE of casual laborers and regular wage earners engaged in agriculture was also lower than the rural average.
    • The MPCE is a key indicator used for measuring poverty. This fall in the average MPCE of agricultural households as compared to overall rural households is significant in view of farm protests in recent years.
• Increase in Inequality at Higher Income Levels: The top 5% of India’s rural and urban population has an average MPCE of Rs 10,581 and Rs 20,846, respectively. 
  • The bottom 5% of India’s rural population has an average MPCE of Rs 1,441, while it is Rs 2,087 in urban areas.
  • The difference between rural and urban MPCE has a bigger gap at the top, reflecting an increase in inequality at higher income levels. A difference of over 85% for the highest 10% of households implies rising income inequality at the top of the pyramid.
• Different Calculation for Welfare Programmes: The cited MPCE numbers do not take into account the imputed values of items received free of cost by individuals through various social welfare programmes such as the PM Garib Kalyan Ann Yojana (PMGKAY) or State-run schemes.
  • They were calculated separately, while including a few non-food items received through such schemes, including computers, mobile phones, bicycles, and clothing.

Conclusion

The release of this survey marks an important step towards filling the data vacuum in the country. The next government should take this forward, initiate the much-delayed census exercise and take steps to strengthen the country’s statistical system.

News Source: PIB

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