Context:  

The joint Coast Guard exercise between India and the United States of America ‘Sea Defenders 2024’ is scheduled to take place on March 9-10 off the coast of Port Blair.

Sea Defenders 2024

• Focus of the Joint Exercise:
  • Maritime piracy and asymmetric threats
  • Simulated drone attacks on commercial merchant traffic.
  • Joint maritime search and rescue operations
  • Major firefighting, marine pollution response
  • Counter-drug interdiction exercises
• Enhancing Readiness in Emergencies: The event will also witness a simulated medical evacuation to enhance readiness in emergencies.

News Source: PIB

DOWNLOAD PDF

Context: 

Recently, the Union Cabinet approved the continuation of Rs.300 targeted subsidy to PM Ujjwala Yojana Consumers.

PM Ujjwala Yojana FY 2024-25 Highlights

• Provision: Up to 12 refills per year will be provided to PM Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY) beneficiaries during FY 2024-25.  
  • Direct to Bank: The subsidy is credited directly to the bank accounts of the eligible beneficiaries.
• Total Expenditure: Rs.12,000 crore for 2024-25.  

About PM Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY)

• Launched: In May 2016
• Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas.
• Aim: To make Liquified Petroleum Gas (LPG), a clean cooking fuel, available to rural and deprived poor households and to provide deposit-free LPG connections to adult women of poor households. 
• Implementation:
  • Phase 1: The scheme was launched on 1st May 2016. The target under the scheme was to release 8 Crore LPG Connections to the deprived households by March 2020. 
  • Phase 2: Under the Union Budget for FY 21-22, provision for releasing additional 1 Crore LPG connections under the PMUY scheme has been made. In this phase, special facilities have been provided for migrant families.
• Current Status OF PM Ujjwala Yojana: As of 1st March 2024 there are more than 10.27 crore PMUY beneficiaries.
• Fluctuation of LPG Prices & Subsidy by the Government:
  • Imported by India: India imports about 60% of its LPG requirement. 
  • For Consumers’ Protection: To protect PMUY beneficiaries from the impact of sharp fluctuations in international prices of LPG and to make LPG more affordable to PMUY consumers, the Government started a targeted subsidy in 2022, further increasing in October 2023. 

• Target Beneficiaries Under the PM Ujjwala Yojana

• • Adult women belonging to the following categories, are eligible beneficiaries under the expanded scheme.
  • SC Households
  • ST Households
  • Most Backward Classes
  • Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY)
  • Tea and Ex-Tea Garden tribes.
  • Forest Dwellers
  • People residing in Islands and River Islands
  • Release of LPG connection under this Scheme shall be in the name of the women belonging to the BPL family.

PM Ujjwala Yojana: Benefits to Citizens

• Cash Assistance: It is provided for PMUY connections by the Government of India – Rs. 1600 (for a connection of 14.2kg cylinder/ Rs. 1150 for a 5 kg cylinder). 
• LPF Refill: All PMUY beneficiaries will be provided with the first LPG refill and Stove, free of cost, along with their deposit-free connection by the Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs).
• Subsidy: For the year 2023-24, the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs has approved a subsidy of Rs. 200 per 14.2 kg cylinder for up to 12 refills per year to be provided to the beneficiaries of Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY).
• High Inclusion: Average LPG consumption of PMUY consumers has increased by 29% from 3.01 refills in 2019-20 to 3.87 refills (till January 2024) pro-rated for 2023-24. 
• Eligibility: All PMUY beneficiaries are eligible for this targeted subsidy. 

News Source: PIB

DOWNLOAD PDF

Context: 

Recently, the Prime Minister dedicated and launched 52 tourism sector projects worth more than Rs 1400 crores under the Swadesh Darshan and PRASAD Scheme.

Key Highlights On Swadesh Darshan Scheme and PRASAD Scheme

• The projects launched included three projects under the PRASHAD Scheme (Hazratbal- Srinagar, Jogulamba- Telangana, Amarkantak-Madhya Pradesh) worth Rs 129.35 Cr.
  • Major interventions developed in the projects include Pilgrim facilitation centre, Ghat Development, Façade illumination, Sound & Light show, Parking, Queue complex, Safety & security infrastructure etc.
• Under the Swadesh Darshan scheme, 6 projects in the States of Bihar, Meghalaya and Rajasthan amounting to ₹ 339.59 Crores were also inaugurated.
• The Prime Minister has also launched three visionary campaigns and schemes for the tourism sector under Jan Bhagidari Initiatives 
  • Dekho Apna Desh People’s Choice 2024: a Tourist Destination Poll to identify the most  preferred tourist attractions under five categories– Spiritual, Cultural & Heritage, Nature & Wildlife, Adventure, and any other category.
  • Chalo India Global Diaspora Campaign: to enable Indian diaspora members to become Incredible India ambassadors.
  • In the spirit of Jan Bhagidari for Atulya and Viksit Bharat, Indian diaspora members are requested to encourage five non-Indian friends to travel to India annually.
  • Challenge Destination Development (CBDD): To develop sustainable and responsible destinations that provide an end-to-end experience.

About Swadesh Darshan Scheme

• It provides financial assistance to the state governments/ UT administration/central agencies to develop tourism infrastructure in the country. 
• Objective:  To position tourism as a significant engine of economic growth and job creation following community-based development and a pro-poor tourism approach. 
• Status: 76 Projects have been sanctioned across 31 States/Union territories with a total capital outlay of ₹ 5294.1 Crore. 
• Swadesh Darshan 2.0: The Swadesh Darshan scheme was revamped to create a robust framework for integrated development of tourism destinations in partnership with the States/ UTs and local governments.
• Aim:  Promoting sustainable and responsible tourism.
• Status: The Ministry has notified 57 destinations from 32 States and Union Territories.
• • It has sanctioned 29 tourist experiences in 17 States/UTs amounting to ₹ 644.44 Crore to date.

About PRASAD Scheme

The Government of India launched the Pilgrimage  Rejuvenation and  Spiritual, Heritage Augmentation Drive (PRASHAD) Schemes in 2014-2015.

• Nodal Ministry: The Ministry of Tourism.
• Aims:  To integrate pilgrimage destinations in a prioritized, planned and sustainable manner to provide a complete religious tourism experience.
  • The growth of domestic tourism hugely depends on pilgrimage tourism.
• Significance:
  • The development and promotion of religious tourism in India.

News Source: PIB

DOWNLOAD PDF

Context: 

AI models are resource-intensive regarding energy consumption, data requirements, and high computational costs and contribute to carbon emissions.

AI Carbon Footprint: Key Highlights

• Source of emission: The emissions come from the infrastructure associated with AI, such as building and running the data centres that handle the large amounts of information required to sustain these systems.
  • For Example: Training GPT-3 (the precursor AI system to the current ChatGPT) generated 502 metric tonnes of carbon, equivalent to driving 112 petrol-powered cars for a year.
• Technological approach to reduce emission: Spiking neural networks (SNNs) and lifelong learning (L2), have the potential to lower AI’s ever-increasing carbon footprint, with SNNs acting as an energy-efficient alternative to Artificial neural networks (ANN).

What is Artificial Intelligence?

• Artificial intelligence (AI) refers to the simulation of human intelligence in machines programmed to think like humans and mimic their actions.
  • For Example:  ChatGPT 

The Lifetime of an AI System: 

It can be split into two phases: Training and Inference. 

• Training: During this period a relevant dataset is used to build and tune  improve the system. 
  • For example: Training of an AI that’s to be used in self-driving cars would require a dataset of many different driving scenarios and decisions taken by human drivers.
• Inference: The trained system generates predictions on previously built datasets.
  • For Example: AI system will predict effective manoeuvres for a self-driving car.

How Does Artificial Intelligence Generate Carbon Footprints?

• Data Processing and Training: This data processing requires significant computational power and consumes a lot of energy, contributing to AI’s carbon footprint.
  • For Example, Open Al’s GPT-3 and Meta’s OPT algorithms were estimated to emit more than 500 and 75 metric tons of carbon dioxide, respectively, during training 
• Carbon Footprint of Data Centers: The entire data center infrastructure and data submission networks account for 2–4% of global CO2 emissions.
  • For Example: In a 2019 study, researchers from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, found that training a standard large AI model can emit up to 284,000 kilograms (626,000 pounds) of carbon dioxide equivalent. 

Artificial Neural Networks (ANNs)

They work by processing and learning patterns from data, enabling them to make predictions. 

• High Precision Demands: ANNs perform numerous multiplications with decimal numbers during training and inference. Performing these calculations with high precision requires significant computing power, memory, and time.
• Energy-Memory Trade-off: Computer hardware often has a trade-off between processing speed and memory usage. For high-precision decimal calculations, more memory is needed, further increasing energy consumption.
• Growing Complexity, Growing Hunger: As ANNs become more complex, the number of calculations increases exponentially. This translates to a sharp rise in energy demands.

Spiking Neural Networks (SNNs): 

• Mimics Huaman Brain: Both Artificial Neural Networks (ANNs) and SNNs draw inspiration from the human brain’s structure, which contains billions of neurons (nerve cells) connected via synapses.
• Spiking Communication: Unlike ANNs with constantly active neurons, SNNs mimic the brain’s communication method using timed electrical spikes.
  • Just as Morse code uses specific sequences of dots and dashes to convey messages, SNNs use patterns or timings of spikes to process and transmit information.
• Energy Efficiency: This spiking approach makes SNNs highly energy-efficient. They only consume power when a spike occurs, leading to up to 280 times lower energy use than ANNs.
• Applications: Due to their low energy needs, SNNs are ideal for scenarios with limited power sources, such as space exploration, defence systems, self-driving cars, etc.

Lifelong Learning(L2)

• The Challenge of Sequential Learning: Training ANNs on new data sequences can lead to forgetting previously learned information.
• Retraining and Emissions: This necessitates retraining from scratch for changes in the operating environment, increasing the overall energy footprint of AI.
• L2 to the Rescue: Lifelong Learning algorithms enable sequential training on multiple tasks with minimal forgetting.
  • L2 enables models to learn throughout their lifetime by building on their existing knowledge without retraining them from scratch.

The Future of Energy-Efficient AI

• Smaller Models: Research is ongoing to develop smaller AI models with the same capabilities as larger ones, further reducing energy demands.
• Quantum Computing’s Potential: Advancements in quantum computing offer a completely different approach to computing, potentially enabling faster and more energy-efficient training and inference for both ANNs and SNNs.
• Proactive Solutions: The rapid growth of AI necessitates proactive measures to develop energy-efficient solutions before its carbon footprint becomes significant.

News Source: The Hindu

DOWNLOAD PDF

Context: 

The Union Cabinet has approved the comprehensive national-level India AI mission with a budget outlay of Rs.10,371.92 crore for the period of 5 years, marking a significant step towards bolstering India’s AI ecosystem.

Key Highlights of the India AI Mission

• India AI Mission Initiative of: Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology
• Aim: To ensure a structured implementation of the India AI mission through a public-private partnership model aimed at nurturing India’s AI innovation ecosystem.
• Implementing Agency: TheIndia AI Mission will be implemented by ‘IndiaAI’ Independent Business Division (IBD) under Digital India Corporation (DIC). 

Components of the India AI Mission

• IndiaAI Compute Capacity: India AI Mission aims to develop AI compute infrastructure of 10,000 or more Graphics Processing Units (GPUs) through public-private partnerships. 
  • Further, an AI marketplace will be designed to offer AI as a service and pre-trained models to AI innovators.
• IndiaAI Innovation Centre: It will undertake the development and deployment of indigenous Large Multimodal Models and domain-specific foundational models in critical sectors.
• IndiaAI Datasets Platform: It will provide a one-stop solution for seamless access to non-personal datasets to Indian Startups and Researchers.
• IndiaAI Application Development Initiative: It will promote the AI applications in critical sectors for the problem sourced from Central Ministries, State Departments, and other institutions, and then focus on developing/scaling/promoting the adoption of impactful AI solutions for large-scale socio-economic transformation.
• IndiaAI FutureSkills: IndiaAI FutureSkills will mitigate barriers to entry into AI programs and will increase AI courses in undergraduate, masters-level, and Ph.D. programs.
  • Further, Data and AI Labs will be set up in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities across India to impart foundational level courses.
• IndiaAI Startup Financing: It will streamline access to funding for deep-tech AI startups to enable futuristic AI Projects.
• Safe & Trusted AI: It will enable the implementation of Responsible AI projects including the development of indigenous tools and frameworks, self-assessment checklists for innovators, and other guidelines and governance frameworks.

Significance of India AI Mission

• Propelling Innovation: The India AI Mission will propel innovation and build domestic capacities to ensure the tech sovereignty of India. 
• Creation of Employment Opportunities: It will also create highly skilled employment opportunities to harness the demographic dividend of the country. 
• Enhance Global Competitiveness of India: India AI mission will help India demonstrate to the world how AI technology can be used for social good and enhance its global competitiveness. 

India’s Initiatives for Developing AI:

• NITI Aayog Contribution: 

• • NITI Aayog has come up with the ‘National Strategy for Artificial Intelligence’ Discussion Paper that focuses on establishing the International Conference on Tools with Artificial Intelligence (ICTAI) in the country through private sector collaboration.
  • NITI Aayog is to set up India’s first AI-specific cloud computing infrastructure called AIRAWAT. 
• Global Partnership on Artificial Intelligence (GPAI): In 2020, India joined with 15 other countries to form the GPAI to establish frameworks for the responsible utilization of emerging technologies.

News Source: Indian Express

DOWNLOAD PDF

Context: 

A committee of 18 scientists have voted down a proposal to declare the start of the Anthropocene or Human Epoch in a geologic time scale.

About Anthropocene

• The term Anthropocene was first coined in the year 2000 by the Dutch meteorologist Paul Crutzen and American botanist Eugene Stoermer.
• Present Geological Time Scale: Currently we are living in the Phanerozoic aeon, during the Cenozoic era, in the Quaternary period, the Holocene epoch, and the Meghalayan age.

• Anthropocene Epoch: 

• • It emerged with the belief that the human activities have changed the Earth to such an extent that a new geological epoch has begun.
  • The Anthropocene Working Group (AWG): It is a 37-member research group which began deliberations in 2009 to come up with a starting point for the epoch 
    • Period of Great Acceleration: The year 1952 after World War II was decided as the beginning of the Anthropocene Epoch.
      • The  period after 1952  saw a skyrocketing human population, surge in  the burning of fossil fuels, the fallout of nuclear tests, the use of nitrogen-based fertilizers became rampant, and plastics became ubiquitous.

• The AWG submitted its proposal to the International Union of Geological Sciences (IUGS) in 2023.
  • Vote: The proposal was taken up for a vote by the Subcommission on Quaternary Stratigraphy (SQS), a constituent body of the International Commission on Stratigraphy (the largest scientific organisation within the IUGS)
  • The SQS rejected the proposal with a vote of  12 to 4, with two abstentions 

• Reasons for the Rejection:

  • Standards to define Epoch:  Adding an Anthropocene epoch and terminating the Holocene  was not supported by the standards used to define epochs according to chronostratigraphy with the limited definition of the Anthropocene epoch  proposed by the AWG.
  • Massive change required:  The last boundary between the Holocene and the Pleistocene, the Earth was covered by ice to 1/3rd of its extent with Holocene period resulting in the shift from Ice Age to Civilisation Age
    • The boundaries between epochs should represent truly massive geological change.

• • Permanency of proof: The Geological Time Scale  is based on records in solid rocks and the AWG has chosen sediments like the ones in Crawford Lake, Ontario, Canada,  as the physical site to  show a definitive break between the Holocene and the Anthropocene period.
  • Event rather than Epoch: The planet’s most significant happenings like the mass dinosaurs extinction or the rapid expansion of biodiversity that filled the sky with oxygen 2.1-2.4 billion years ago are deemed as events thus therefore Anthropocene should not be seen as a new epoch but rather as an event.
    • Events, in the language of geology, are looser terms which do not appear on the official GTS, and thus need no committees to approve their start dates.

News Source: the Indian Express

DOWNLOAD PDF

Context:

• Sweden joins NATO after completing its accession process, ending decades of neutrality.

About NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization)

• Collective Security Alliance: NATO is a transatlantic security alliance composed of thirty-one member countries.
• Established in: It was established in 1949 with the signing of the North Atlantic Treaty, also called as Washington Treaty.
• Headquarters: Brussels, Belgium.

Objectives Of NATO:  

• Cooperation: To provide a unique link between these transatlantic countries, enabling them to consult and cooperate on political and military issues.
• Limiting threat: To counter the threat of the erstwhile Soviet Union’s possible expansion attempts in Europe.

Underlying Principle: 

• Principle of collective defence: NATO is committed to the principle that an attack against one or several of its members is considered an attack against all.
  • Article 5 of the Washington Treaty states that an attack against one Ally is an attack against all. This article forms the core of the Alliance, a promise of collective defense.
• Membership criteria: NATO membership is open to “any other European state in a position to further the principles of this Treaty and to contribute to the security of the North Atlantic area.”

Sweden Joins NATO: Benefits of Integrating Sweden into the Alliance

• Efficient Military Force and Technology: 

  • Sweden has maintained highly capable military forces with a good deal of cutting-edge technology
    • For Example: Sweden has Gripen fighter aircraft equipped with Meteor air-to-air missiles, Leopard 2 main battle tanks and Gotland-class attack submarines powered by an air-independent propulsion system. 

• Geopolitically Significant: 

  • Sweden’s geographical position makes it an essential part of any NATO defense plans.
    • Its location means it can serve as a land transit route to reinforce both Norway and Finland, while also allowing NATO to largely take control of the Baltic Sea in any potential conflict with Russia.

• Access to Alternative Route: 

  • This provides an alternative sea reinforcement option to the Baltic states other than the vulnerable land border between Poland and Lithuania which is within artillery range of the Russian-held Kaliningrad area and Belarus. 

• Deterring Russia: 

• • Sweden brings with it a considerable amount of experience and understanding of how to counter the Russian desire to have complete control over its neighbors. 

News Source: The Hindu

DOWNLOAD PDF

Context:

• The NAMASTE scheme will be implemented by the National Safai Karamcharis Finance and Development Corporation (NSKFDC) for a period of three years from FY 2023-24 to FY 2025-26, with a budget allocation of 349.73 crores.

Key Highlights On NAMASTE Scheme

• Human Centric Approach: The NAMASTE Scheme is a testament to the Government’s human-centric approach where no sanitation workers have to manually engage in the hazardous task of sewer and septic tank cleaning operations.
• Ministries involved: It is launched as a joint initiative of the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment (MoSJE) and the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA).
• Implementing agency: National Safai Karamchari Financial Development Corporation (NSKFDC) would be the implementing agency for NAMASTE.

About NAMASTE SCHEME ( National Action for Mechanised Sanitation Ecosystem)

• Objective: To stop deaths of Sewers and Septic Tank Workers (SSWs) and to promote mechanization of cleaning operations with a vision to reduce hazardous cleaning and ensure the safety of sanitation workers.
• Launched: NAMASTE Scheme was launched in 2022 as a Central Sector Scheme.
• Replaced by: The scheme has replaced the Self-Employment Scheme for the Rehabilitation of Manual Scavengers (SRMS), which was started in 2007.
• Coverage: The scheme is to be implemented in all 4800+ Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) of the country, during the three years up to 2025-26.

Features of NAMASTE SCHEME

• Profiling of Sewer/Septic Tank Workers (SSWs) : NAMASTE envisages profiling of the Sewer/Septic Tank Workers (SSWs). List of SSWs would be obtained from the concerned ULBs and thereafter detailed profiling of the SSWs would be undertaken through profiling camps.
• Distribution of Safety Kits: Occupational Safety Training and distribution of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Kits to SSWs
• Assistance to Manual Scavengers: Assistance for Safety Devices to Sanitation Response Units (SRUs) for hazardous cleaning operations.
• Extending Health Insurance Scheme Benefits: For providing a safety net to identified SSWs and their families, they will be covered under the Ayushman Bharat- Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY).
  • The premium for AB-PMJAY for those identified Manual scavengers and SSWs families who are not covered earlier shall be borne under NAMASTE.
• Livelihood Assistance: The Action Plan will promote mechanization and enterprise development. 
• Providing Capital Subsidy: National Safai Karamcharis Finance & Development Corporation (NSKFDC) will provide funding support and capital subsidy to the Manual Scavengers to procure sanitation related equipment and vehicles under Swachhata Udyami Yojana (SUY) 
• Convergence of Programmes of MoSJE & MoHUA: The safety of SSWs is a joint responsibility of MoSJE and MoHUA. 
  • The Action Plan leverages the available financial allocations of existing SRMS, Swachh Bharat Missions (SBM), Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana-National Urban.

News Source: PIB

DOWNLOAD PDF

Context:  

According to a new study, James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) captured the oldest-known dead galaxy, which stopped forming stars 13 billion years ago.

Key Findings of the James Webb Space Telescope Study:

• Timeline of Dead Galaxy and Universe: The  dead galaxy was spotted when the universe was just 700 million years old. The universe sprang into existence about 13.8 billion years ago.
• Phenomenon of Red-Shifted: As the universe expands, galaxies move away from us. As a result, light from these galaxies is shifted to longer (and this means redder) wavelengths —astronomers call this ‘red-shifted’.
• Factors affecting Star Formation: 
  • Feedback from Star Formation: Supermassive black hole or feedback from star formation, can push gas out of the galaxy, causing star formation to stop rapidly
  • Starvation of Gas: Gas that was quickly consumed by star formation might not have been replenished by fresh gas from the surroundings of the galaxy, leading to starvation of gas.
• Significance of the Study: The study could provide clues into how and why galaxies stop forming new stars and whether the factors affecting star formation have changed over billions of years.

James Webb Space Telescope

• About James Webb Telescope: The James Webb Space Telescope is an orbiting infrared observatory that will complement and extend the discoveries of the Hubble Space Telescope, with longer wavelength coverage and greatly improved sensitivity.
• Developed by:  NASA with the assistance of the European Space Agency and the Canadian Space Agency.
• Launched in: It was launched in  2021, with a mission duration of 5-10 years.
• Location in space: It is placed at Lagrange point 2, approximately 1.5 million km beyond Earth’s orbit around the Sun.
• Size: Webb’s primary mirror is approximately 6.5 meters in diameter, giving it a significantly larger collecting area than the mirrors of the current generation of space telescopes.
• Wavelength: It will provide wavelength coverage from 0.6 to 28 microns (the infrared part of the electromagnetic spectrum).

Goals of James Webb Space Telescope

• Observing the Early Universe: JWST aims to capture images of the universe’s first galaxies, much like opening a time capsule from the cosmos’s earliest days.
• Studying Galaxy Formation: JWST will explore how galaxies evolve, akin to understanding the growth and ageing process of living beings.
• Studying Star and Planetary System Formation: With its infrared vision, JWST can see through dust clouds to witness the birth of stars and planets, similar to watching a baby chick hatch from an egg.
• Planetary Studies: JWST will scrutinize planets, including exoplanets, to uncover their atmospheres and compositions, like a detective piecing together clues to solve a cosmic mystery.

Features of James Webb Space Telescope

• Enhanced Resolution: The larger mirror and state-of-the-art instruments of JWST will provide a far superior resolution to Hubble, allowing it to observe distant celestial bodies in remarkable detail.
• Advanced Exoplanet Detection: While Hubble made important contributions to exoplanet studies, JWST’s specialized instruments will enable more sophisticated detection of exoplanets, including those within habitable zones.
• Greater Observational Reach: JWST can observe further into the past than Hubble, reaching back to the first galaxies and stars, even probing the era of reionization, a realm beyond Hubble’s capabilities.
• Improved Solar System Observation: JWST will offer more comprehensive insights into our solar system’s celestial bodies, using its superior instruments to explore multiple spectra for an in-depth understanding that surpasses Hubble’s contributions.

Significance of James Webb Space Telescope

• Advancing astrophysical knowledge: The telescope’s precise views of celestial phenomena provide substantial contributions to astrophysics by providing fresh insights into how the universe works.
• Exploration of exoplanets: The James Webb Space Telescope’s study of exoplanets, particularly their atmospheres and potential habitability, may provide important insights into the possibility of extraterrestrial life.
• Catalyst for future space missions: The success of the James Webb Space Telescope prepares the way for future space missions and telescopes to further explore the universe in greater depth and complexity.

News Source: Down To Earth

DOWNLOAD PDF

Context: 

The Maritime Development Fund is a proposed fund in India for the ship-building industry.

About Maritime Development Fund

• Objective: To Enhance the maritime sector by supporting ship-building, flagging, ownership financing, leasing, and other related activities.
  • India’s share of the world’s total tonnage: It also aims to increase India’s share of the world’s total tonnage from 2 percent of the world’s total tonnage to 5%.
  • Financial support: Provide long-term, low-cost financial support to boost the indigenous ship-building industry.
• Funding: The Maritime Development Fund will start with ₹25,000 crore to be spent over seven years. 
• It will support other initiatives such as mechanization and expanding the capacity of current ports through Public-Private Partnerships (PPP).

Significance of Maritime Development Fund

• It will reduce logistics cost 
• Promotion of ship-building industry: This initiative will promote indigenous ship building industry in India. 
• Self-reliant: This step will make India self-reliant in ship-building and reduce its dependence on other nations. 
• Growth of cruise tourism: The Maritime Development Fund will also encourage the growth of cruise tourism.
• Improvement of the competitiveness of India in international trade.

India’s Maritime Sector

• The maritime sector in India includes various components such as ports, shipping, shipbuilding, ship repair, and inland water transport systems.
• Nodal central agencies: Inland Water Transport Systems and Ministry of Shipping 

Challenges Before India’s Maritime Sector

• Infrastructure Deficits: Inadequate port infrastructure, outdated facilities, and congestion hinder efficient cargo movement.
• Lack of Investment and Financing: Indian shipping companies face difficulties in accessing required finance due to a mismatch in loan tenure (5 to 10 years) versus the vessel’s life (generally 30 years or more).
  • Insufficient private investment in port development and ship-building.
• Technological Upgradation: India is not advanced in terms of technological upgradation. 
  • India needs to invest in research and development and Embrace digitalization, automation, and smart technologies to keep pace with global advancements.

News Source: TheHindubusinessline

DOWNLOAD PDF

Context: 

Recently, The Union Government has extended the ceasefire agreement with the National Socialist Council of Nagaland/K-Khango & NSCN (Reformation) for one year.

Govt Extends Ceasefire Agreement With National Socialist Council of Nagaland-Reformation (NSCN-R) and National Socialist Council of Nagaland-K-Khango (NSCN-K-Khango)

• Extended for One Year: They have mutually decided to extend the ceasefire agreement with effect from the 18th of April, 2024 for one year to bring about a lasting peace in Nagaland with the involvement of Naga people. 
• Ceasefire Ground Rules: The Ceasefire Ground Rules will be subject to mutual review and amendment with the involvement of three parties.

• Breakaway factions of NSCN-IM and NSCN-K: National Socialist Council of Nagaland-Reformation (NSCN-R) and National Socialist Council of Nagaland-K-Khango are the breakaway factions of NSCN (Isak-Muivah)and NSCN (Khaplang)signed the ceasefire agreements with the government over the years.

Background of Naga Peace Talks

• Objective: To resolve historical disputes dating back to colonial rule through ongoing discussions between the Indian government and Naga insurgent groups, particularly the NSCN(IM), with the goal of reaching a Naga Peace Accord. 
• Previous Engagements: In 1997, the NSCN (IM) initiated a ceasefire with the Indian government, sparking optimism for a final resolution.

Current Stalemate 

• Demands of Naga Groups: Naga groups primarily advocate for the establishment of Greater Nagalim, the enlargement of Nagalim beyond the existing boundaries of the Nagaland state(portions of neighboring states and even areas within Myanmar).
• Disagreements on Symbolic Issues Stalemate on Flag and Constitution: The NSCN(IM) remains adamant on these demands. 
• Interpretation of Framework Agreement:  Ambiguities within the Framework Agreement (FA) have led to subjective interpretations by both parties, allowing for selective understanding based on their respective interests. 
• Challenges Amidst Violence: Inter-Party Clashes, Pre-Poll Violence during Elections.
• Impact of Manipur Violence: Recent Violent Clashes between Kuki & Meitei groups also raise the issue of more sovereignty for the Naga Groups.

Current Progress/Development 

• Facilitator for Talks Appointment of Governor as well as Interlocutor RN Ravi , IB Officer A.K. Mishra & Governor La Ganeshan: for facilitating the peace talks.
• Cease Fire Agreements between the Naga Groups 
• Scrapping of Free Movement Regime:
  • Free Movement Regime: It was a mutually agreed arrangement between India & Myanmar that allows tribes living along the border on either side to travel up to 16 km inside the other country without a visa.
  • After scrapping the FMR,it will reduce Illegal Migration, Drug Trafficking & Other Security Concerns.
• Proposal for Autonomous Frontier Naga Territory 
  • Initiative by the Centre: In response to the Eastern Nagaland People’s Organization’s request for a distinct state, the government has proposed the establishment of an autonomous Frontier Naga Territory, encompassing six eastern districts of the state.
  • Recognition of Government Efforts: The governor has expressed appreciation for the steps taken by the central government to address the concerns and grievances of the residents of eastern Nagaland.

Way Ahead 

Consistent policy-making, prolonged talks for conflict resolution in the northeast, regardless of the ruling government & prioritising infrastructure development, especially roads and power. 

Opening up the region will allow its people to access modern amenities and utilize its natural resources for their betterment.

Also Read:

• North-East Insurgency
• ULFA Signs Landmark Peace Pact With Centre & Assam
• United National Liberation Front (UNLF) Signs Peace Agreement

News Source: AIR

DOWNLOAD PDF

Context: 

This Article is based on the news “Notification of Rules framed under Section 49M of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 (as amended in 2022” which was published in the PIB. Notification of Rules Framed Under Section 49M of the Wildlife Protection Act 1972 have been released by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change. 

Section 49M of the Wildlife Protection Act 1972

• Section 49 M: It provides for registration of possession, transfer, and birth and reporting of the death of living scheduled animal species listed in the Appendices of CITES and as such listed in Schedule 4 of the Wildlife Protection Act 1972.
• PARIVESH PORTAL 2.0: All persons possessing a living specimen of such an animal species are required to apply for registration of such possession to the concerned State Chief Wild Life Warden, through the PARIVESH 2.0 portal. 

What is the Wildlife Protection Act?

• About:
  • The parliament of India enacted the Wildlife Protection Act 1972 for the protection of plants and animal species.
  • The act protects wild animals, birds, and plants and matters connected with them. It extends to the whole of India.

Provisions of Wildlife Protection Act (Amended in 2022):

• Protection: The act seeks to increase the species protected under the law and implements CITES.
• Penalty: The penalties have also been increased for general and specially protected animal violations.

• Reduction in Categories: The number of schedules has been redacted to four:
  • Schedule 1: Contains animal species enjoying the highest level of protection.
  • Schedule 2: For animal species subject to less protection.
  • Schedule 3: For protected plant species.
  • Schedule 4: For scheduled specimens under the CITES.
    • The act permits the Use of Elephants for religious or any other purposes.

Schedules Under Wildlife Protection Act 1972

• Schedule 1:

  • All the endangered species that need special protection are kept under this schedule. They are given protection from poaching, killing, trading, etc.
  • A person violating these provisions is subject to the harshest penalties under the law.
  • Animals under Schedule 1: Bengal Tiger, Clouded Leopard, Swamp Deer, Fishing Cat, etc

• Schedule 2:

  • Species under this schedule are accorded protection from the prohibition of trade.
  • They cannot be hunted except if they are suffering from disease or are under threat to human life.
  • Animals under Schedule 2: Himalayan Black Bear, Jackal, Flying Squirrel, Indian Cobra, etc.

• Schedule 3 and 4:

  • Those species which are not endangered and do not come in the category of Schedule 1 and 2 and are included in Schedule 3 and 4.
  • The species listed in schedule 3 and 4 are protected species and prohibited from hunting.
  • The penalty for any violation is less than those of Schedule 1 and 2.

• Schedule 5:

  • Animals listed in Schedule 5 are called “Vermin”, which can be hunted.
  • Animals included in Schedule 5 are mats, rats, common crows, fruit-eating bats, etc.

• Schedule 6:

• • It contains the list of plants that can be regulated in cultivation and it also restricts their possession, sale, and transportation.
  • Prior permission of competent authority is required for both the cultivation and trade of such plants.
  • Plants protected under this schedule are Red Vanda, Pitcher plants, Slipper orchids, etc.

DOWNLOAD PDF

Context: 

This Article is based on the news “India, Japan agree to make bilateral relationship responsive to emerging geopolitical, geoeconomic, geotechnological trends” which was published in the AIR. Recently, the 16th India-Japan Foreign Minister’s Strategic Dialogue was held in Tokyo, Japan.

Key Highlights of the 16th India-Japan Foreign Minister’s Strategic Dialogue

• Development in Northeast Regions: Japan’s development role in India’s Northeast will be crucial in transforming the connectivity and industrial landscape of the region and benefit other countries in the neighbourhood through a network of forward and backward linkages. 
• Economic Stability & Supply Chain Resilience: There is a need to work together to enhance each other’s economic stability and supply chain resilience by taking a strategic view of trade and technology. 
• Responsive & Strategic India Japan Relations: Both sides agreed on the need for new steps to prepare the bilateral relationship for and respond to emerging geopolitical, geoeconomic and technological trends. 
  • To realise the vision of the India-Japan Special Strategic Global Partnership.
• Others: Both discussed possibilities in the semiconductor ecosystem, green technologies and digital payments, a more facilitative visa regime, and the provision of more excellent avenues of mobility for Indian talent and skills to Japan.

India Japan Relations: Background

Different Phases of India Japan Relations:

• Cultural & Civilization Ties: Friendship between the two countries has a long history of spiritual affinity and strong cultural and civilisational ties. 
  • Buddhism: The people of India and Japan have engaged in cultural exchanges, primarily due to Buddhism, which spread indirectly from India to Japan.
  • Spiritual Connection: The Shichifukujin or the seven lucky gods of Japan have their roots in Hindu traditions. 
  • Todaiji Temple: The Todaiji Temple in Nara, Japan is where the consecration or eye-opening of the towering statue of Lord Buddha was performed by an Indian monk, Bodhisena in 752 AD. 
• Post Second World War: India did not attend the San Francisco Conference but decided to conclude a separate peace treaty with Japan in 1952 after its sovereignty was fully restored, marking a defining moment in the bilateral relations and setting the tone for the future.
  • The Treaty of San Francisco: It was signed by 49 nations on 8 September 1951, in San Francisco, California to re-establish peaceful relations between Japan and the Allied Powers.
• During the Cold War: India Japan Relations were constrained, Japan as a result of World War II reconstruction, was a U.S. ally, whereas India pursued a non-aligned foreign policy, often leaning towards the Soviet Union.
• Pokhran Nuclear Test: In 1998, Japan imposed sanctions on India following the Pokhran-II, an Indian nuclear weapons test.
  • These sanctions were lifted three years later.

• India Japan Relations: Diplomatic & Strategic Ties

  • Peace Treaty: It began with the conclusion of a separate Peace Treaty with Japan on 28 April 1952. Since then, the India Japan relations have matured over the years to cover a wide range of areas of cooperation. 
    • Strengthening India Japan Relations: India Japan Relations were elevated to ‘Global Partnership’ in 2000, ‘Strategic and Global Partnership’ in 2006, and ‘Special Strategic and Global Partnership’ in 2014. 
    • Acquisition and Cross-Servicing Agreement (ACSA): Negotiations are going on for the agreement through which Japan could gain access to Indian facilities in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, and India could have access to Japan’s naval facility in Djibouti.
    • Civil Nuclear Cooperation: In November 2016, an agreement on Cooperation in the Peaceful Uses of Nuclear Energy was signed. 
    • Progress in Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA): India has two centres – Information Management and Analysis Centre (IMAC) and Information Fusion Centre – Indian Ocean Region (IFC-IOR) located at Gurugram specifically for this purpose under the National Maritime Domain Awareness (NMDA).
      • Regular annual summits have been held between India and Japan since 2006. 
    • India-Japan Act East Forum: It was established in 2017 to provide a platform for India-Japan collaboration under India’s “Act East Policy“ and Japan’s “Free and Open Indo-Pacific Strategy”.

• India Japan Political Relations:

  • 2007: The Japanese PM Shinzo Abe visited India and delivered the famous “The Confluence of Two Seas” speech in the Indian parliament. 
    • He was conferred with Padma Vibhushan, India’s second-highest civilian honour in 2021. 
  • 2013: 2013 was a monumental year that saw the first-ever visit of the Japanese Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko to India. 
  • 2019: The Indian President Ram Nath Kovind visited Japan in October 2019 to attend the Enthronement Ceremony of the Emperor of Japan.
  • 2022: In March 2022, the Japanese PM officially visited India to hold the 14th India-Japan Annual Summit. Both sides agreed on a joint statement titled, “Partnership for a Peaceful, Stable and Prosperous Post-COVID World”.
  • 2023: In March 2023, the Japanese PM visited India and held a bilateral meeting with the Indian PM. Both sides renewed the Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC) on Japanese Language originally signed in 2017, focusing on higher-level language learning. 
    • India and Japan also announced 2023 as the “India-Japan Year of Tourism Exchange” with the theme “Connecting Himalayas with Mount Fuji”. 
  • In May 2023, the Indian PM visited Japan to attend the G7 Summit as an invitee. 
  • In September 2023, the Japanese PM visited India for the G20 Summit. 
  • 2+2 Ministerial Meeting: It is seen as an upgrade of the meeting between foreign and defense secretaries of the two countries.
    • Japan is the 2nd country with which India has 2+2 ministerial dialogue (after the USA).
  • India-Japan Forum: The inaugural India-Japan Forum was held on 20 July 2021. It sees the participation of eminent representatives of both governments, Parliament, industry, think tanks and academia.
  • Oldest International Friendship Body in Japan: The Japan-India Association set up in 1903 is Japan’s oldest international friendship body.

• India Japan Defence Relations: 

  • Various Bilateral Exercises: JIMEX (naval), Malabar exercise (Naval Exercise), ‘Veer Guardian’ and SHINYUU Maitri (Air Force) and Dharma Guardian (Army).
  • Japan has committed to manufacturing 30% of the aircraft in India which would help improve Indian defense manufacturing.

• Common Groupings:

  • Both India and Japan are members of Quad, G20 and G-4, International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER).
    • Japan has also joined India-led initiatives such as the International Solar Alliance (ISA), Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI) and Leadership Group for Industry Transition (LeadIT).

• Economic & Commercial Relations: 

  • Japan’s bilateral trade with India totaled US$ 21.96 billion during FY 2022-23. 
  • India-Japan Comprehensive Economic Partnership (CEPA): It came into effect in August 2011. 
    • It is the most comprehensive and covers trade in goods and services, movement of natural persons, investments, intellectual property rights, customs procedures and other trade-related issues. 
    • India’s Primary Exports to Japan: Petroleum products, organic chemicals; fish and crustaceans, molluscs and other aquatic invertebrates; nuclear reactors, boilers, machinery and mechanical appliances, etc. 
    • India’s Primary Imports from Japan: Machinery, electrical machinery, iron and steel products, plastic materials, non-ferrous metals, parts of motor vehicles etc.
  • Bilateral Swap Arrangement: Both countries have agreed to a Bilateral Swap Arrangement that would allow their central banks to exchange local currencies for up to $75 billion. 
  • Japanese Investment and Official Development Assistance (ODA):
    • Japanese FDI into India: It has mainly been in automobile, electrical equipment, telecommunications, chemical, financial (insurance) and pharmaceutical sectors.
      • Japan is fifth among source countries for FDI after Mauritius, Singapore, the US and Netherlands.
    • Japan has extended bilateral loans and grant assistance to India since 1958. Japan is the largest bilateral donor to India.

• People-People Ties: 

• • In recent years, there has been a change in the composition of the Indian community with the arrival of many professionals, including IT professionals and engineers. The Nishikasai area in Tokyo is emerging as a “mini-India”. 

Other Significant Cooperation Between India and Japan

• India Japan Digital Partnership (IJDP) and Start-Up Hub:

  • IJDP: In view of synergies and complementarities between the two nations IJDP was launched in 2018, furthering existing areas of cooperation as well as new initiatives within the scope of cooperation in S&T/ICT, focusing more on “Digital ICT Technologies”.
  • Start-up Hub: Startup-India (under Invest India) and Japan Innovation Network (JIN) signed an MoU on innovation collaboration focusing on sustainable development goals connecting two start-up ecosystems in June 2018.

• Sister-State and Sister-City Cooperation: 

  • There are growing links between Japanese prefectures/cities and Indian states/cities. Currently, 7 states and 4 cities/regions from India have partnered with prefectures/cities of Japan.

• Education: 

  • The 1st Japan-India Universities Forum meeting was held in January 2023, the India- Japan Edu-Connect was launched in September 2023.

• Space Cooperation between India and Japan:

  • ISRO and JAXA collaborate actively in X-ray astronomy, satellite navigation, lunar exploration and the Asia Pacific Regional Space Agency Forum (APRSAF).

• Railway Cooperation between India and Japan:

  • Mumbai-Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail (MAHSR) Project: The first High-Speed Rail corridor is being implemented from Mumbai to Ahmedabad with technical and financial assistance from Japan.
  • Metro Rail Projects: Presently, six Metro Rail projects (Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Chennai, Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai) are being implemented with technical and financial support from Japan.

• Healthcare Cooperation between India and Japan:

  • India’s AYUSHMAN Bharat Programme and Japan’s AHWIN are cooperating in healthcare logistics, ICT for tertiary healthcare, and human resource development. 
    • The AYUSH Information Cell was launched in 2023 in the Embassy of India, Tokyo. 

• Skill Development: 

• • Under the India-Japan MoC signed in 2016, Japanese companies have established 35 Japan-India Institute of Manufacturing (JIM) in India and 11 Japanese Endowed Courses (JEC) in Indian Engineering Colleges. 

• On Clean Energy: 

  • India-Japan Energy Dialogue: It was set up in December 2006 to promote cooperation in the energy sector comprehensively. 
  • India-Japan Clean Energy Partnership (CEP): It was launched in March 2022 for cooperation in areas such as electric vehicles, storage systems including batteries, development of solar energy, etc.

• Cool Express Mail Service (EMS): 

  • It was started, under which Japanese food items are transported in cool boxes from Japan to India through postal channels.
    • The Department of Posts under the Ministry of Communications has launched the Cool EMS Service between India and Japan, which came into force in March 2018.

Challenges to the India Japan Relations

• Growing Chinese Aggressiveness in the Indo-Pacific: 

  • China’s power and influence are growing in parts of the Indo-Pacific. 
    • Numerous challenges facing the Indo-Pacific such as the Ukraine war, food security, and cyber space in addition to issues such as ensuring the freedom of the seas, and connectivity among others.
    • The future balance of power in the Indo–Pacific region will largely depend on the actions of the United States, China, and major powers such as Japan and India.

• Trade Difference: 

  • The trade ties have remained underdeveloped compared to India’s trade ties with China. 
    • Both India and Japan have diverging interests concerning economic issues like E-commerce rules (Osaka track) and Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership.
    • India is struggling to penetrate the Japanese market due to language barriers, high quality and service standards.

• China Factor: 

• • Both countries have border issues with China. So, their policy stance hinges generally on China, rather than growing comprehensively.
    • India has been more vocal in criticizing China’s actions, while Japan has been more cautious in its approach.

• Russia Factor: 

  • There is a difference of opinion between India and Japan on the responses to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Japan is part of the U.S.’s alliance and has also joined sanctions against Russia, while India has refused to do so. 
    • Also, there exists a difference of opinion when India participated in the Vostok Exercises, which were held close to South Kuril Island (a disputed territory between Russia and Japan).

• Balancing between QUAD and BRICS: 

  • India has not joined the China-led Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), while a member of Quad & AIIB. India has long adopted a non-aligned approach as opposed to the stauncher, pro-US foreign policy stances of Japan and Australia.
    • So India has to do a balancing act between Quad and BRICS.

• Asia-Africa Growth Corridor (AAGC) Project: 

  • There is a scepticism on the feasibility of the AAGC itself as well as the nature of the projects embedded in it.

• Defence Exports: 

  • India is looking to export defence equipment to other countries, which could potentially compete with Japan’s own defence exports.
    • Negotiations to purchase amphibious US-2 planes have dragged on for years.

Way Forward to Strengthening India Japan Relations

• Enhancement in Regional Strength: 

  • Both India and Japan have economic and military strength that could be used for future regional strength and counter the China factor too.

• To Combat Pollution: 

  • Pollution is a serious issue, and pollution can be tackled using Japanese green technologies. 
    • Example– Miyawaki Technique: To create dense forests with native plants.
    • Joint crediting mechanism (JCM)- Under JCM, Japanese companies, using their state-of-the-art environmental technologies, will be able to earn carbon credits in return for helping developing countries reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

• Address the Trade Bottleneck: 

  • To enhance bilateral trade and realise the full potential of economic cooperation.
    • Joint ventures could be created by merging Japanese digital technology with Indian raw materials and labour.
    • India’s purchase of Japan’s indigenously made amphibious US-2 planes, if successfully executed, could also contribute to India’s ‘Make in India’.

• Increase People-to-People Exchange: 

  • By involving Indian IT professionals in Japan to boost digitalization in Japan.

• Expand Partnerships in Science and Technology: 

  • Such as 5G, Telecom Network Security, submarine cable systems, and Quantum Communications.
    • Both countries are also engaged in technology in producing submarines and in cooperative research in areas like unmanned Ground Vehicle and Robotics.

• Collaboration on Strategic Connectivity: 

• • By linking South Asia to Southeast Asia by harnessing the synergy between the “Act East” policy and the “Partnership for Quality Infrastructure”.

Conclusion

India is significantly deepening its ties with Southeast Asian countries. India should consider taking its third-country developmental model with Japan into the sub-region of the greater Indo-Pacific at a time when resident countries are looking for alternative sources of development and security amidst the polarising dynamics of the U.S.-China power competition.

DOWNLOAD PDF