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Scientists have suggested sending an object into the ergosphere of a black hole  and allow it to accelerate there along the black hole’s direction of rotation

What Is An Ergosphere?

• Ergosphere comes from the  Greek word  ‘ergon’, meaning ‘work’.  It got its name because it is possible to get energy and even mass from this place.
• An “ergosphere” is the region in between the event horizon and the stationary limit.
• • A “stationary limit” is a surface around the outside of a rotating black hole. 
  • Event  Horizon: It is a sphere around the singularity of a Black Hole. When anything enters this sphere, it can’t escape unless it travels faster than light (which is impossible).
• Shape: An Ergosphere is shaped  like an oblate spheroid, or a pumpkin.
  • At the top and bottom of the black hole, it touches the event horizon, but as you move the middle part, it goes out farther.
• Features Of Ergosphere
  • It is a bigger sphere surrounding the Event Horizon  that an object can enter and then leave if it’s moving fast enough, but still less than the speed of light
  • It  is possible to extract matter and energy from the ergosphere, but not from beyond the event horizon.
• Significance: Scientists have suggested a  possibility of  sending  objects into the ergosphere and allow it to accelerate there along the black hole’s direction of rotation, so that it comes out moving faster. This energy ‘gain’ will translate to the black hole losing some angular momentum.

News Source: The Hindu

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A floor Test will be conducted in the Jharkhand Assembly on 5 February

Floor Test Floor Test in Assembly

• A floor test is a confidence motion for or against the government in-house.
• It is a constitutional mechanism under which a Chief Minister appointed by the Governor can be asked to prove majority on the floor of the Legislative Assembly of the state when  this majority is questioned.
• Objective: To see if the executive enjoys the confidence of the legislature.
• Presided by: The majority is proved by undergoing a trust vote on the floor of the house presided by the Speaker.
• Resignation: If the leader fails to gain the confidence of the house he/she is bound to resign from the position, thereby leading to the dissolution of the entire Council of Ministers.
• Exception: Floor test cannot be used as a medium to resolve internal party disputes or intra-party disputes said the Supreme Court in a judgement  of 2023 against governor of Maharashtra to call for a Floor test 
• Process: The majority is counted based on the number of people present and voting and it does not include the people who are absent and not voting.
• Governor’s  Role:
• • Article 174: The Governor has the power to prorogue, summon, and dissolve the legislature of a state.
  • Article 163: There shall be Council of Ministers with the Chief Minister at the head to aid and advise the Governor in the exercise of his functions except in so far as he is by or under the Constitution required to exercise his functions or any of them in his discretion
  • Supreme court judgements on Floor Test:  In SR Bommai case (1994) and Nabam Rebia case (2015) the court said that when the Governor has objective reasons to believe that the incumbent government does not command the confidence of the house, his call for a floor test in his discretion  cannot be termed as constitutional violation.

News source: The Hindu

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Decentralised non fungible token (DNFT) has opened a new avenue for revenue for the film industry, which witnessed a decline in the number of movie-goers post-Covid. 

• This innovative technology has been introduced by UK-based Techbank Movies London, which offers production houses an opportunity to monetise their content. 

Benefits of Decentralised Non Fungible Token (DNFT)

• A Viable Alternative: Decentralised non fungible token (DNFT) has been positioned as a viable alternative to Non Fungible Token (NFT). 
• Selling NFT Rights: DNFT offers production houses an opportunity to sell the NFT rights of the same to generate additional revenue. 
• High Demand: There is a huge demand for copyrighted protected materials at the international level and DNFTs of such materials would definitely find buyers.
  • The demand for DNFT will increase with the growth of web3 technology. 
    • In India, currently, there are around 120 million web3 wallet users which store digital assets such as cryptocurrencies and NFTs.

About Non Fungible Tokens (NFTs)

• A Digital Asset: Non Fungible Token (NFT) is a digital asset that represents ownership or proof of authenticity for a specific item, often in the form of digital art, music, videos, or other digital content.
• Working: NFTs operate on blockchain technology, which is secure, cannot be duplicated or forged and transparent digital ledger. 
• Hold Record of Ownership: Each NFT is assigned a unique and unchangeable code stored on the blockchain, providing a clear record of ownership and verifying the authenticity of the associated digital asset. 

Key Features of Non Fungible Tokens (NFTs)

• Uniqueness: Each NFT is distinct, making it different from any other token. This uniqueness adds value to the digital asset.
• Indivisibility: NFTs cannot be divided into smaller units. They exist as whole tokens, contributing to their scarcity.
• Ownership and Authenticity: NFTs serve as digital certificates of ownership, proving that the holder is the legitimate owner of the associated digital content.
• Smart Contracts: Many NFTs utilise smart contracts, self-executing contracts with the terms of the agreement directly written into code. 
  • These contracts automate processes like royalties, ensuring creators receive a percentage of future sales.

Challenges Associated With Non Fungible Tokens

• Complexity: The technology and tooling behind non-fungible tokens and the decentralised applications  that underpin them are still nascent.
• Legal and Regulatory Challenges: Non Fungible Tokens (NFT) has no recognized legal definition anywhere in the world. Different nations are forging forward with various classification schemes for NFT.
• High Consumption of Energy: They have a significant environmental impact, as they consume a lot of energy and generate a lot of emissions.  
• Prone to Speculation: They are subject to market volatility and speculation, as the prices and demand of NFTs can fluctuate rapidly and unpredictably.
• Counterfeit and Fraudulent NFTs: There have been instances of fraudulent NFTs, which undermines trust in the NFT ecosystem and raises concerns about counterfeit NFTs circulating in the market

Popular Examples of Non Fungible Tokens (NFTs)

• Digital Art: Artists can tokenize their digital artwork, allowing collectors to buy and own unique pieces.
• Music and Videos: Musicians and content creators can release limited edition NFTs, providing exclusive access or ownership to their fans.
• Virtual Real Estate: Some virtual worlds use NFTs to represent ownership of digital land or virtual items within the virtual space.

News Source: The Hindu

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The 7th session of the Codex Committee on Spices and Culinary Herbs (CCSCH7) was held at Kochi, Kerala.

• In this session, quality standards for 5 spices, namely small cardamom, turmeric, juniper berry, allpice and star anise were finalised.

Codex Committee on Spices and Culinary Herbs (CCSCH) 

• It is responsible for formulating global standards for spices and culinary herbs. 
• Mission: Creating comprehensive, science-based quality standards for these products, aligning with Codex principles focused on consumer protection and fair-trade practices on a global scale.

Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC)

• The term “Codex Alimentarius” is Latin and means “food code”. 
• Codex Alimentarius Commission jointly established by FAO and WHO in 1963 as an intergovernmental body with membership of over 189 countries including the EU.
• Headquarters: Rome
• Objective: To Formulate internationally accepted standards for all the principal foods, whether processed, semi-processed or raw, for distribution to the consumer.
• Being voluntary in nature, Codex standards, whether general or specific, are acknowledged by WTO Agreements as reference standards for international trade.
• Funding for the Commission’s program of work is sourced from the regular budgets of WHO and FAO. 
• India became its member in 1964.

Codex Standards Process 

• The Codex standards undergo an 8-step process, involving multiple reviews at various stages and utilising working groups led by member countries. 
• Draft standards, developed by these working groups, are ultimately finalised through deliberations and consensus during the plenary sessions of the committee.

News Source: PIB

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ISRO to launch India’s female robot astronaut, Vyommitra into space ahead of Gaganyaan mission.

ISRO To Launch Humanoid Robot Vyommitra To Space

• The uncrewed ‘VyomMitra’ mission  is scheduled for the third quarter of this year while a manned mission “Gaganyaan” is scheduled to be launched next year, that is 2025.

About Vyommitra: 

• Vyommitra, a creation of the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO), derives its name from the Sanskrit words Vyoma (meaning “Space”) and Mitra (meaning “Friend”). 
  • This female robot has been specifically crafted for unmanned test missions preceding the Gaganyaan human spaceflight endeavour. 
  • Classified as a half-humanoid robot due to the absence of legs, Vyommitra possesses the ability to bend forward and sideways. 

• Key Features of Vyommitra

• • Resembling a human, it features facial expressions, speech capabilities, and sight functions. 
    • Its functionalities extend to operating switch panels and serving as a companion to astronauts, engaging in conversations, recognizing them, responding to inquiries & navigation & life support systems.
    • To provide swift updates and serve as a crucial element in monitoring the mission’s progress towards success.
    • To monitor module parameters, issue alerts, and perform life support operations. 
  • Its AI-enabled design, allowing it to withstand vibrations and shocks during flight. 
  • It will collect valuable data on the effects of space travel on human physiology.

About GaganYaan Mission

• Gaganyaan mission is a space mission to demonstrate ISRO’s human spaceflight capability by launching a human crew to an orbit of 400 km and bringing them safely back to earth.
• Launch Vehicle: Mark-3 (LVM3/GSLV Mk3) rocket.
• The project utilized, incorporating internal expertise, industry experience, academic and research agencies’ capabilities, and cutting-edge technologies from foreign organizations. 
• Progress So Far in Gaganyaan Mission: 
  • Recently, the Gaganyaan Test Vehicle (TV-D1) – a test platform to validate the Crew Escape System (CES) abort demonstration – was launched successfully from Satish Dhawan Space Centre SHAR, Sriharikota.
  • The human rating of the launch vehicle is complete. 
  • All the propulsion stages are qualified. 
• Now, the uncrewed unmanned robot flight ‘Vyommitra’ will take place this year.

News Source: Mint

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The CBSE is planning significant changes to the academic framework of Classes 9, 10, 11, and 12 as part of its plan to implement a credit system in CBSE, recommended by the National Education Policy 2020.

What Is a Credit System?

The Credit System aims to establish academic equivalence between vocational and general education, facilitating mobility between the two education systems, as proposed by the NEP 2020. 

• • Students earn credits by completing courses or activities.
• To implement this, the University Grants Commission came up with the National Credit Framework (NCrF) in 2022.
• CBSE Implementation: CBSE formed a subcommittee in 2022 to align its academic framework with NCrF.
  • The aim is to integrate the credit system into CBSE-affiliated schools.

Key Details of Proposed Changes By CBSE

• For Class 10: A shift in Class 10 from studying two languages to three, mandating that a minimum of two must be indigenous Indian languages. 
  • It also suggests that students in Class 10 might now be required to pass in 10 subjects, as opposed to the current necessity of five. 
• For Class 12: It entails students studying two languages instead of one, with the condition that at least one must be a native Indian language. 
  • Students would be expected to clear examinations in six subjects rather than the current requirement of five to successfully complete high school.
• For Academic Year: An academic year is set at 1200 notional learning hours, equivalent to 40 credits.
  • Designated time for an average student:  Each subject has allocated hours so that, annually, a student accumulates 1200 learning hours for a passing declaration. 
  • These hours encompass both school-based academic learning and non-academic or experiential learning. 
• Digital Storage of Credits: Students’ credits will be digitally stored in the Academic Bank of Credits, accessible through a linked Digilocker account.

Potential Benefits of National Credit Framework (NCrF)

News Source : IE

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Punjab’s Gatka team dominated in Khelo India Youth Games held in Tamil Nadu.

About Gatka Martial Art

• Gatka: It is a style of stick fighting, with wooden sticks (Gatka) intended to simulate swords, one of the basic techniques of self-defence for Sikh warriors.
• Gatkabaazi: The martial art, in which Gatka is used as a weapon for self-defence, is called Gatkabaazi or Gatkebaazi. 
• Origin: Guru Hargobind, the sixth Sikh Guru, introduced Gatka to the Sikhs, developed as a self-defensive style after the 14th century in Punjab, India.
  • Guru Hargobind introduced the two swords of Miri and Piri and propagated the notion of temporal power-spiritual power. 
• Purpose: It is primarily used as self-defence and practised by the Gatkabaaz before opting for usage of sword/kirpan. 
  • In Gatka games, the ‘Stick’ and ‘Farri’ are used to substitute the sword and shield respectively for practice and safety purposes. 
• Gatka Sport: Gatkabaazi further perfected into a sport in the late 19th century which is performed and played in two sub-styles called Virasat (traditional) and Khed (sport) respectively since 1920.
• It was earlier confined to gurudwaras, nagar kirtans and akharas, but now it finds presence in the sports category after the formation of the Gatka Federation of India (GFI) in 2008.

Also Read: Interim Budget 2024-2025

News Source: NGAI

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Recently, the Ministry of Corporate Affairs fixed a critical vulnerability in its online portal after a cybersecurity researcher reported it to the Computer Emergency Response Team of India (CERT-In). 

Massive Personally Identifiable Information Breach

• The vulnerability reportedly exposed personal details — like Aadhaar, PAN, voter identity, passport, date of birth, contact number, and communication address — of more than 98 lakh directors of Indian companies.
• In 2023, reports emerged that a bot on Telegram was returning the personal data of Indian citizens who registered with the COVID-19 vaccine intelligence network (CoWIN) portal for vaccination purposes. 
• A similar data breach was reported when an American cybersecurity company said that the PII of 815 million Indian citizens were being sold on the dark web. 

About Personally Identifiable Information (PII)

• Personally Identifiable Information (PII) is any data or information maintained by an organisation or agency that can potentially be used to identify a specific individual. 
  • For Example: Aadhaar, PAN, voter identity, passport, date of birth, contact number, communication address, and biometric information.
• The constituents of PII vary depending on a country.

Types of Personally Identifiable Information (PII)

• Non Sensitive PII: It  is publicly available information and can be stored and transmitted unencrypted. They cannot be used to accurately identify an individual.
  • For Example: zip code, race, gender, and religion.
• Sensitive PII: Sensitive PII, when exposed can be used to identify individuals and potentially cause harm. 
  • Some of the most important components that constitute sensitive PII are stored by employers, government organisations, banks, and other digital accounts used by individuals.

Concerns

• Risks of PII Exposure: Personally Identifiable Information (PII) Exposure can result in Cyberattacks and weaknesses in digital infrastructure.
• Target Attack: Threat actors can gain access to exposed PII and misuse it to launch targeted attacks on individuals. 
• Financial Threat: Threat actors may also use such information to obtain cellular connections, credit cards, and compromise the security of an individual’s digital accounts.

How Personally Identifiable Information Are Protected?

Individuals may not be able to prevent leaks in databases of government organisations or service providers. However, they can take steps to ensure their safety.

• Check HTTPS in URLs when visiting unknown websites: The “S” stands for secure and is used by legitimate websites to secure collected information from unsecured connections. 
• Use a VPN: A VPN helps protect Personally Identifiable Information and other vital data by securing your online connection from prying eyes on public networks.
• Delete PIIs from Other Devices: In case of accessing the PIIs at a photocopy shop or others’ devices, make sure to delete the documents even from recycle bins to ensure they are not misused.
• Avoid sharing personal information: In case your Personally Identifiable Information is leaked, be on the lookout for phishing attacks that may use leaked information to convince their legitimacy.
• Keep a tab on your PII: Avoid sharing or accessing images or details of identity documents through unknown devices. 
  • Keep a tab on your bank account transactions, credit cards, and credit score; a hit in the score could mean your PII has been misused to procure credit cards in your name.

Provisions Related to Data Governance in India

• Justice K. S. Puttaswamy (Retd) vs Union of India 2017: It called for the Right to Privacy an intrinsic part of life and liberty under Article 21.
• B.N. Srikrishna Committee 2017: It recommended strengthening of privacy law in India.
• Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules 2021: To exercise greater diligence with respect to the content on their platforms.

News Source: The Hindu

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This article is based on the news “Final Uniform Civil Code draft for Uttarakhand recommends ban on triple talaq and halala; suggests tribals be kept out of ambit” which was published in the Hindu. Recently, the Uttarakhand Cabinet gave its nod to the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) bill, following recommendations from a high-level government-appointed committee.

• A special session of Uttarakhand Assembly has been convened especially to pass the legislation on the bill and make it an Act.

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About Uniform Civil Code

• A Uniform Civil Code essentially means a common set of laws governing personal matters such as marriage, divorce, adoption, inheritance and succession for all citizens of the country, irrespective of religion. 
• Article 44 of the Constitution lays down that the state shall endeavour to secure a Uniform Civil Code for the citizens throughout the territory of India.
• Currently, different laws regulate these aspects for adherents of different religions and a Uniform Civil Code is meant to do away with these inconsistent personal laws. 
• Goa is the only state in the country that has a UCC. But the Goa Civil Code was given by the Portuguese in 1867.

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Origin of Uniform Civil Code

Personal Law Under Colonial Regime

• The origin of the UCC dates back to colonial India when the British government submitted its report in 1835.
• Lex Loci report of 1840- The Report stressed the need for uniformity in the codification of Indian law relating to crimes, evidence, and contracts, specifically recommending that personal laws of Hindus and Muslims be kept outside such codification.

Constituent Assembly About Uniform Civil Code

• In the Constituent Assembly, there was division on the issue of putting the Uniform Civil Code in the fundamental rights chapter. 
• By a majority of 5:4, the fundamental rights sub-committee headed by Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel held that the provision was outside the scope of fundamental rights and therefore the Uniform Civil Code was made less important than freedom of religion (Article 25).

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Does India Not Already Have a Uniform Code in Civil Matters?

• Indian laws do follow a uniform code in most civil matters – Indian Contract Act, Civil Procedure Code, Sale of Goods Act, Transfer of Property Act, Partnership Act, Evidence Act etc. 
• States, however, have made hundreds of amendments and therefore in certain matters, there is diversity even under these secular civil laws. 
  • For Example: Recently, several states refused to be governed by the Uniform Motor Vehicles Act, 2019.
• If the framers of the Constitution had intended to have a Uniform Civil Code, they would have given exclusive jurisdiction to Parliament in respect of personal laws, by including this subject in the Union List. 
  • But “personal laws” are mentioned in the Concurrent List. 

Arguments in Favour of Uniform Civil Code

• Promotes Integration: The Centre believes the personal laws based on religion are an “affront to the nation’s unity” but adds that the UCC will ensure the integration of India by bringing different communities on a common platform. 
• Equality and Justice: The UCC ensures that all citizens, regardless of their religious or cultural background, are treated equally and have equal rights and opportunities. 
• Secularism: Implementing a UCC reinforces the secular character of the state by separating personal laws from religious practices. 
• Gender Equality: Many personal laws in various religious communities have provisions that discriminate against women in areas such as marriage, divorce, inheritance, and maintenance. A UCC would help address these inequalities.

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Arguments Against Uniform Civil Code

• Violates Fundamental Rights: It violates the constitutional freedom to practise the religion of choice which allows religious communities to follow their respective personal laws. 
  • For example, Article 25 gives every religious group the right to manage its own affairs. Article 29 gives them the right to conserve their distinct culture.
• Challenge in Implementation: It is also argued that if codified civil laws and criminal laws like the CrPC and IPC don’t follow  ‘one nation, one law’, then how can this  be applied to diverse personal laws of various communities.
  •  For example, the Indian Evidence Act of 1872, a federal act, was amended by the governments of West Bengal and Tamil Nadu
• Cultural Diversity: India is a diverse country with multiple religions, cultures, and traditions. Opponents of the UCC contend that imposing a uniform code might undermine the rich cultural diversity.
• Potential Backlash: Introducing a UCC without proper dialogue and consensus-building among different religious communities could lead to social and political tensions.

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Different Views About Uniform Civil Code

Supreme Court Verdict On Uniform Civil Code

• Shah Bano Case: In the Shah Bano case in 1985, regarding the rights of a Muslim woman in divorce, the Supreme Court observed that “Parliament should outline the contours of a common civil code as it is an instrument that facilitates national harmony and equality before law.”
• In the ABC vs State of Delhi: In 2015, the Supreme Court noted that Christian women are “not recognised as natural guardians” of their own children under the Christian law, even though Hindu unmarried women are the “natural guardians” of their child. 
  • The Supreme court had observed that the Uniform Civil Code “remains an unaddressed constitutional expectation”.
• The Supreme Court also called on the government to implement the UCC in the 1995 Sarla Mudgal judgement as well as in the Paulo Coutinho vs Maria Luiza Valentina Pereira case (2019).

Law Commission Report On Uniform Civil Code

• The 21st Law Commission had released a consultation paper in 2018 that categorically said:
  • a uniform civil code was “neither necessary nor desirable” at this stage.
  • It has to be borne in mind that cultural diversity cannot be compromised to the extent that our urge for uniformity itself becomes a reason for threat to the territorial integrity of the nation.
  • It would require looking into various aspects of culture, religion and practice across the country, covering religions, region specific practices and tribal specific practices.

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B.R. Ambedkar Thoughts On Uniform Civil Code

•  B.R. Ambedkar viewed UCC as desirable, but favoured its being voluntary.

Does UCC is in Conflict With Article 25 of Constitution?

• Article 25 guarantees religious freedom and freedom of conscience.
• Since the idea of Uniform Civil Code distinguishes religion from social relations and personal law, there is no connection between religion and personal law.
• Therefore, the UCC does not conflict with Article 25’s clause because it respects everyone’s freedom to practise their faith in their way and only regulates interpersonal relationships.

Prelude to Uniform Civil Code

• Basic reforms can be given priority — such as having 18 as the marriageable age for all across communities and genders. 
• Introducing a ‘no-fault’ divorce procedure and allowing dissolution of marriage on the ground of irretrievable breakdown, and having common norms for post-divorce division of assets could be considered.
• Within each community’s laws, it will be desirable to first incorporate universal principles of equality and non-discrimination and eliminate practices based on taboos and stereotypes.

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Way Forward

• Collaborative Approach: The government and society will have to work hard to build trust, but more importantly, make common cause with social reformers rather than religious conservatives.
• Brick by Brick Approach: Rather than an omnibus approach, the government could bring separate aspects such as marriage, adoption, succession and maintenance into a uniform civil code in stages. 
• Gender-Sensitive Approach: The government would also do well to complement the overdue move towards a uniform civil code with a comprehensive review of several other laws in the context of gender justice.
• Pan-India Approach: Bringing Jammu and Kashmir into the country’s mainstream of family laws is an exercise that needs to be undertaken also for Goa, Daman and Diu, Puducherry, Nagaland and Mizoram.
• Forming Consensus:  To ensure that the Uniform Civil Code is applied in a way that honours the nation’s cultural variety while advancing female equity and social justice, the government should take action to open a conversation with all parties.

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Also Read: Interim Budget 2024-2025

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This article is based on the news “Iron ore faces challenges of sustainability and fairness” which was published in the Live Mint. The Competition Commission of India (CCI) along with the Institute for Studies in Industrial Development has recently published a market study report on India’s iron ore sector. 

India’s Iron Ore Industry and Its 2.3% GDP Contribution

• Minerals Auction Target: The report coincides with the government’s recent announcement, setting a target to put 500 blocks of minerals on auction by 2025-26 which will include rare earth elements (REEs) and precious metals.
• Iron Mining in India: India produces 87 types of metallic and non-metallic minerals and mining activity accounts for roughly 2.3 percent of India’s GDP in 2022-23. 
• Iron Ore Mines in India: There are 1319 reporting mines. Of these, 97 percent mines are located in seven states, namely Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan, Karnataka, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra. 

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Iron Ore Sector in India

• The Backbone of Industrial Development in India: Iron ore is the basic mineral and the backbone of industrial development. The total reserves of iron ore in the country were about 22,487 million tonnes in the year 2015. 
• Primary Ore Varieties in India: The two main types of ore found in our country are haematite and magnetite. India’s iron ores are mostly Hematite and India is the 2nd largest producer of hematite after Russia. 
• Iron Ore Production in India: India is self-sufficient in iron ore production, and contributes 7 percent of the global production and India is the fourth largest producer of iron ore in the world after Australia, Brazil, and China. 
  • Iron ore holds a dominant position, accounting for 79 percent of the total mineral value produced in the country.
• State’s Share in Iron Ore Production: Iron ore is highly concentrated in some states with Odisha accounting for 53.82 percent of the iron ore production in India, followed by Chhattisgarh (16.3 percent), Karnataka (15.9 percent), and Jharkhand (9.7 percent).
• Iron Ore Exports: The value of iron ore export in recent years has been much higher than that of imports. India’s export competitiveness (measured in terms of Revealed Comparative Advantage Index) in iron ore has increased post 2015.

Major Iron Ore Belts in India

• Orissa-Jharkhand Belt

  • In Orissa high-grade hematite ore is found in Badampahar mines in the Mayurbhanj and Keonjhar districts. 
  • In the Singhbhum district of Jharkhand haematite iron ore is mined in Gua and Noamundi.  
  • Jharkhand has some of the oldest iron ore mines and most of the iron and steel plants.

• Durg-Bastar-Chandrapur Belt

  • It lies in Chhattisgarh and Maharashtra. Very high grade hematites are found in the Bailadila range of hills in the Bastar district of Chhattisgarh. 
  • The range of hills comprises 14 deposits of super high-grade hematite iron ore. It has the best physical properties needed for steel making. 
  • Iron ore from these mines is exported to Japan and South Korea via Vishakapatnam port. 
  • Dalli, and Rajhara in Durg are also the important mines of iron ore.

• Bellary-Chitradurga-Chikmagalur-Tumkur Belt

  • The Kudermukh mines, one of the largest deposits in the world located in the Western Ghats of Karnataka. 
  • The ore is transported as slurry through a pipeline to a port near Mangalore.

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• Maharashtra-Goa Belt

• • Includes the state of Goa and Ratnagiri district of Maharashtra. 

Mineral Map Of India

Challenges Faced By India’s Iron Ore Sector

• Sustainability: The iron ore mining industry often faces scrutiny due to environmental concerns. Strict environmental regulations, especially related to deforestation, air and water pollution, and land degradation, can lead to operational challenges and increased compliance costs.
  • For instance, Mineral Conservation and Development (MCD) Rules require mining lease holders to take all possible precautions for undertaking sustainable mining which further raise the cost of mining operations, and thus big firms already attuned to these practices have an advantage over the new and small firms trying to enter the mining sector.
• Fairness: Iron ore is classified into different categories based on its ‘Fe’ content and there is a possibility of misrepresenting high-grade iron ore to reduce the average sale price (ASP) determined by IBM, giving rise to an unfair advantage that genuine firms would not have obtained. 
  • For instance, the Odisha government has imposed penalties worth ₹ 341 crore on three mining leaseholders in the state in 2023, for allegedly downgrading iron ore quality.
• Viability: The effective tax rates and the royalty payments for iron ore in India are much higher than in most mineral-rich countries, namely Brazil, Australia, Canada, Chile, and South Africa. This results in an increase in cost, which has a pass through effect in steel pricing.
  • For instance, the report highlights the fact that high prices of iron ore in Odisha are affecting the viability of small-scale pellet and sponge iron manufacturers that use iron ore as their primary raw material.
• Regulatory Issues: Changing regulatory frameworks and policies related to mining and exports have created uncertainties for stakeholders in the iron ore sector, impacting investment decisions and long-term planning.
  • For example, the allocation of mining leases has witnessed a significant decline after the implementation of the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Act (MMDR Act), 2015.
  • The Shah Commission report on illegal mining and subsequent Supreme Court rulings had put a hold on mining activity, particularly in Goa and Telangana. 
• Infrastructure Constraints: Inadequate infrastructure, including transportation and logistics, hampers the efficient movement of iron ore from mining sites to ports or steel plants. This results in delays, increased costs, and a less competitive position in the global market.
  • For example, the steel industry’s logistics cost represents around 16-18% of total revenue of steel players which is significantly higher than best in class benchmarks which are at around 10-12% globally.
• Illegal Mining and Smuggling: Illegal mining is a major concern leading to revenue loss, and creates a huge unorganised sector characterised by information asymmetry, preventing legitimate players from entering the sector. 

Way Forward

• Stable Regulatory Framework: Establish a stable and transparent regulatory framework for the iron ore sector to provide clarity and encourage long-term investments. Consistency in policies will enhance investor confidence.
  • The reforms introduced through the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment act of 2021 are aimed to benefit the iron ore sector, however, the actual implementation of these reforms at the ground level would be crucial.
• Discourage Iron ore Export: The export of iron ore should not be encouraged as it is not a renewable material. As the country transitions to Aatmanirbhar Bharat, India should prioritise the export of higher value-added products, such as finished steel. 
  • India should consider adopting the Chinese strategy of importing iron ore even though China is one of the leading global producers of iron ore, which has helped China to become the world’s top manufacturer of steel. 
• Environmental Sustainability: Implement and enforce stringent environmental standards to ensure responsible mining practices. Promote eco-friendly technologies and reclamation efforts to minimise the sector’s ecological footprint.
  • For instance, converting fines into pellets is an important option to minimise carbon emissions compared to other production methods.
  • The government may introduce schemes like Production Linked Incentive (PLI) for intermediary businesses to encourage the adoption of better technologies and thereby mitigate carbon emissions to a great extent. 
  • Further, promoting the use of solar energy in all plants can help complement their energy requirements with green technology, thereby contributing to environmental sustainability.
• Combat Illegal Mining: Strengthen law enforcement and monitoring mechanisms to curb illegal mining and smuggling activities. For instance, state governments have enacted rules for preventing theft, smuggling, and illegal mining. 
  • Orissa Minerals (Prevention of Theft, Smuggling & Illegal Mining and Regulation of Possession, Storage, Trading and Transportation) Rules, 2007. 
  • Jharkhand Minerals (Prevention of Illegal Mining, Transportation and Storage) Rules, 2017. 
  • Karnataka (Prevention of Illegal Mining Transportation and Storage) Rules, 2011. 
• Infrastructure Development: Invest in upgrading transportation and logistics infrastructure to streamline the movement of iron ore from mines to ports or steel plants.
  • While Odisha possesses relatively better infrastructure, states like Karnataka must focus on developing their infrastructure. It is essential to establish effective road and rail connections between mines and processing plants to ensure that the sector operates seamlessly. 
• Regularise e- Auctions: To address the bottleneck in availability of iron ore under e-auction process, the report recommended that e-auctions could be held weekly or bi-weekly, as per the business requirements of the firms.

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• Captive Mines: According to the report, allocation of captive mines to some players creates entry barriers in the iron ore and steel sector as entry and successful operation becomes costly for new firms. It emphasised on monitoring the prices charged when a captive mine sells its surplus input to other entities. 
  • Further, to compensate for those without captive mines, preferential treatment should be granted to those entities.

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