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The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister, recently approved health coverage to all the senior citizens aged 70 and above irrespective of income under the flagship scheme, Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY). 

Coverage expansion for Senior citizens

• ₹5 lakh free health insurance on a family basis for all senior citizens aged 70 and above.
• Senior citizens belonging to families already covered under AB PM-JAY will get an additional top-up cover of ₹5 lakh, exclusive for them (not shared with younger family members).
• Approximately 4.5 crore families and six crore senior citizens benefit.
• New distinct card issued under AB PM-JAY for eligible senior citizens.
• Senior citizens who are part of other public health schemes (CGHS, ECHS, CAPF) can either retain their current schemes or switch to AB PM-JAY.
• Private health insurance holders and those under Employees’ State Insurance (ESI) are also eligible for AB PM-JAY.

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Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Aarogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY) scheme

• The Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Aarogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY) is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme having a central sector component under the Ayushman Bharat Mission anchored in the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW). 
• Umbrella Scheme: It is an umbrella of two major health initiatives, namely Health and Wellness Centres and the National  Health Protection Scheme.
• Objectives: Ensuring comprehensive coverage for catastrophic illnesses, reducing out-of-pocket expenditure, and improving access to hospitalization care.
• Health and Wellness Centres: Under this 1.5 lakh existing sub-centers will bring the health care system closer to people’s homes in the form of Health and wellness centres. 
  • These centres will provide comprehensive health care for non-communicable diseases and maternal and child health services.
• Implementation Strategy: 
  • A National Health Authority (NHA) has been set up at the national level. 
  • States/ UTs are advised to implement the scheme by a dedicated entity called State Health Agency (SHA).

Benefits Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Aarogya Yojana

• Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Aarogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY) provides a defined benefit cover of Rs. 5 lakh per family per year. This cover will take care of almost all secondary care and most of tertiary care procedures.
• Eligibility criteria: AB-PMJAY is an entitlement-based scheme with entitlement decided based on deprivation criteria in the SECC database.
• Hospitals Covered: The beneficiaries can benefit from public and empanelled private facilities. All public hospitals in the States implementing AB-PMJAY will be deemed empanelled for the Scheme. 
  • Includes pre and post-hospitalisation expenses. 
• Pre-existing Conditions: Will be covered from day one of the policy. 
• Cashless Benefits: Beneficiaries can take cashless benefits across the country.

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The National Test House (Northern Region,Ghaziabad) has been provisionally approved by the Quality Council of India as the certification body for type certification of drones.

National Testing House Leads India’s First Drone Certification Under Drone Rules 2021

• The move is a part of the Certification Scheme for Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) and aligns with the Government’s objective to foster a robust and globally competitive drone ecosystem under Drone Rules 2021
  • Type certification under Drone Rules 2021 is mandatory to operate in India
• Objective: The NTH is tasked with evaluating drone models to ensure compliance with applicable national and international standards.
• The National Testing House is the only government agency authorised by the DGCA to  certify drone models which were the prerogative of multinational companies earlier.
• NTH First Drone Certification Case: The first stage of certification process of Krishiraj drone is already completed with the second stage audit to be held shortly and a report will be forwarded to the DGCA.

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About The National Testing House

• The National Testing House is a multidisciplinary industrial central government’s testing laboratory which provides testing, calibration and quality evaluation functions to  industry, commerce, trade etc. as per international and national standards. 
• Establishment: It was established in 1912, in the light of the Industrial Revolution. The journey started from the centre located in the south of Kolkata-Alipore, named as “The Government Test House”.
• Regional Houses: NTH has its branches established at Kolkata, Mumbai, Chennai, Ghaziabad, Jaipur, Guwahati, and Varanasi .
• Nodal Ministry: NTH operates under the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution.
• Focus Areas: 
• • Testing & Evaluation: It tests and evaluates materials, products, equipments, modules, system and sub-system in practically all branches of Science & technology.
  • Calibration: On-site testing and calibration at the premises of the customer.

• • Product Development Assistance: Assist industries in developing indigenous products for export promotion and import substitution besides their quality assurance programme.
  • R&D Testing Technology: Assist industries and users’ organization with R & D work in Test Engineering
  • Training and Consultancy: It provides Training to the Scientists, Technologists and Technicians of various industries, users organizations and professional Institutions in the areas of technology 
  • Standardization:  NTH partners in standardization and the formulation of National Standards, and by supporting the Bureau of Indian Standards (formerly Indian Standards Institution).
  • Accreditation: NTH provides assistance to the National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories (NABL) in accrediting testing and calibration laboratories across the country.

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News Agency Asian News International (ANI) sued Wikimedia Foundation for defamation over a Wikipedia description labelling it as a government propaganda propagator.

About the ANI-Wikipedia Dispute

• Initial Scrutiny: In 2020, Wikipedia’s ANI page reflected new reports scrutinizing the agency, sparking an edit war between seasoned editors and new accounts.
• Accusation of Bias: ANI was described as running a “pro-India fake news network” aimed at influencing European think tanks against Pakistan. This claim was later refined and clarified on the page.
• Defamation Claim: ANI found the description defamatory and filed a lawsuit in the Delhi High Court against the Wikimedia Foundation, seeking ₹2 crore in damages.
• Wikimedia Foundation’s Stance: Wikimedia Foundation defended the page, stating that the content is supported by reliable sources such as The Diplomat, EU DisinfoLab, and The Caravan magazine
• Court Proceedings: The Delhi High Court ordered Wikipedia to provide details about users who edited the ANI page along with presence of an authorized representative”, in the next hearing scheduled for October 25.
  • The suit invokes provisions of the Information Technology Act, Section 79, which outlines the responsibilities of intermediaries like Wikipedia.
  • Section 79 provides a framework for the exemption from liability for intermediaries in India regarding third-party content.

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Wikipedia’s Global Legal Challenges

• Global Bans and Lawsuits: Wikipedia faces bans and lawsuits from individuals and organizations worldwide, with disputes over content descriptions.
• Targeting of Editors in Russia: Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Wikipedia editors have faced arrests and intimidation by Russian authorities.
• Legal Ruling in Germany: In 2019, a German court ordered Wikipedia to remove an old version of an article about academic Alex Waibel.
• Lawsuits in the U.S.: Wikipedia routinely faces lawsuits in the U.S., but most cases are withdrawn or ruled in its favor due to strong legal protections for web platforms.
• Content Moderation: While Wikipedia aims for neutrality, it is accused of ideological bias, particularly leaning towards progressive-liberal views. OpIndia has criticized its editorial slant.

Vulnerabilities of Wikipedia

• Edit Wars: Content on Wikipedia can be subject to continuous back-and-forth editing, particularly on contentious topics, leading to prolonged disputes among editors.
• Targeted Editors: Wikipedia editors can be unmasked or targeted, as in the case where ANI sought details of specific editors through a court order.
• Censorship Threats: Governments can threaten to block the site if it does not comply with legal demands, as seen in India and Russia.
• Bias Accusations: Wikipedia faces accusations of ideological bias, particularly from conservative groups, leading to challenges over its neutrality.
• Content Vandalism: Pages can be vandalized, like in the case of cricketer Arshdeep Singh, requiring immediate editorial intervention.
• Lack of Blocking Mechanism: Unlike social media platforms, Wikipedia lacks a formal mechanism to block specific content in response to legal orders, making it vulnerable under some national laws.
• Mirrored “Fork” Sites: Content licensed under Creative Commons can be mirrored and censored, as in Russia, to reflect government narratives.

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Legal Basis for Case Against Wikipedia

• Section 79 of the IT Act, 2000 (Safe Harbour Clause): ANI may argue that Wikipedia, as an intermediary, failed to fulfill its due diligence under this section, which includes the removal of defamatory content upon notification.
• Section 79(3) of the IT Act, 2000: ANI could claim that Wikipedia did not promptly remove or disable access to defamatory material after being notified, thus losing its safe harbor protection.
• Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code, 2021: ANI might argue non-compliance with these guidelines by Wikipedia, particularly in handling contentious content.
• Defamation Claims: ANI considers Wikipedia’s content defamatory, seeking damages under civil law for harm to its reputation.

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Amid stagnant domestic production, Copper concentrate imports have doubled to Rs 26,000 crore in FY24 from around Rs 13,000 crore in FY19.

About Copper 

• Natural Occurrence: Copper is found in the Earth’s crust and Extracted from ores such as chalcopyrite, malachite, and bornite
• Usage →  Electrical cables, Chemical industries, Defence, Space programme and Alloys ( mixed with gold to provide strength to jewellery)
• Copper has been designated as a critical mineral.
  • Its role in clean energy technologies – like wind turbines and EV batteries – has put India’s growing import reliance in the spotlight.

Dependency on Imports

• Not self-sufficient: India’s copper production is about 2% of the world’s copper production.
• Low grade copper: India has low-grade copper ore (less than 1% metal content) compared to the international average of 2.5%.
• National Mineral Exploration Trust (NMET), under the Ministry of Mines, oversees mineral block exploration in India
  • In FY24 and FY23 → NMET approved only two copper exploration projects.
• Largest reserves/resources of copper ore →  Rajasthan (52.25%) followed by Jharkhand (15.14%) and Madhya Pradesh (23.28%). 
• Producer (2020-21) → Madhya Pradesh (60%) followed by Rajasthan (39%) and Jharkhand (1 percent)
• Copper ore production → 4.13 million tonnes (In FY19) dropping to 3.27 Mt (FY21) recovered to 3.78 Mt (FY24)
  • Copper concentrate production → It dropped by 13 per cent in FY24 compared to FY19
• Chile: Top copper producer( 27% of the global supply)  followed by Peru (10%) and China at 3rd
  • World‘s largest deposit of porphyry copper (Porphyritic igneous rocks) is the Escondida mine in Chile. 

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Taliban chief minister visited Turkmenistan to re-inaugurate the long-delayed TAPI Pipeline project.

About TAPI Pipeline Project

• Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) pipeline is a major natural gas pipeline project that aims to transport natural gas from Turkmenistan to Afghanistan, Pakistan, and India.
• Route: The TAPI pipeline originates from the Galkynysh gas field in Turkmenistan, one of the world’s largest gas reserves. 
  • It then passes through Afghanistan, Pakistan, and ends at Fazilka in northwestern India.
• Financing : Funded by the Asian Development Bank (ADB)
  • Turkmenistan took a loan of $700m from the Islamic Development Bank
  • Remaining three countries made an initial investment of $200m in the TAPI project.
• Significance for India: According to BP Energy Outlook 2035, India will account for 9% of world energy consumption, while its share in global production will remain at 5%.

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A World Resources Institute study found that road transport accounts for 90% of the transport sector’s emissions.

• The study’s findings are based on the energy policy simulator, which allows users to develop dynamic models for different decarbonisation targets and their outcomes.

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Key Findings of Study

• Transport sector accounted for 14 per cent of total energy-related CO2 emissions in 2020. 
  • 90 % of which was driven by road transport (Railways 6%, aviation 3%, and waterways 1%)

• Carbon dioxide emissions from India’s transport sector could be reduced up to 71 per cent by 2050.
• A high emission reduction target in the transport sector would also be pivotal in achieving India’s net-zero target by 2070.
• The consumption of fossil fuels such as liquefied petroleum gas, diesel and petrol is expected to quadruple over the next three decades

Recommendations

• Decarbonisation of electricity generation could complement the electrification targets in the transport sector.
• Electrification, improving fuel economy standards, and switching to cleaner modes of transport and mobility will help in reducing emissions.

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The Union Cabinet has recently approved the PM E-Drive Scheme and PM-eBus Sewa-Payment Security Mechanism (PSM) scheme.

Overview of PM E-Drive Scheme

• PM Electric Drive Revolution in Innovative Vehicle Enhancement (PM E-DRIVE) Scheme: Approved with an outlay of Rs.10,900 crore over a period of two years.
• Replacement of Previous Scheme: Replaces the Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of (Hybrid and) Electric Vehicles (FAME) scheme.
  • FAME scheme ran for nine years until March 2024 and promoted local manufacturing and adoption of EVs through customer subsidies
• Key Features of PM E-DRIVE Scheme:
  • E-Vouchers: Streamline the EV buying process and simplify the purchase of electric vehicles.

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• • Electric Ambulances: Paves the way for the integration of electric vehicles into the health sector.
  • Incentives for E-Trucks: Additional incentives for purchasing electric trucks after scrapping old trucks.
  • Vehicle Testing Infrastructure: Dedicated fund of ₹780 crore focused on developing and enhancing vehicle testing agencies.

About Electric Mobility

• Electric Mobility: It refers to the use of electric-powered vehicles (EVs) for transportation. 
• Driving Factor for e-Mobility: This shift from conventional internal combustion engine vehicles (ICE) to electric vehicles is driven by the need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, reliance on fossil fuels, and environmental pollution. 

Key Components of Electric Mobility

• Electric Vehicles (EVs):
  • Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs): Fully electric cars powered by rechargeable batteries (e.g., Tesla, Nissan Leaf).
  • Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEVs): Combines a battery with a traditional combustion engine (e.g., Toyota Prius).
  • Hybrid Electric Vehicles (HEVs): Powered by both an internal combustion engine and an electric motor without plug-in charging (e.g., Honda Insight).
• Battery Technology:
  • Lithium-Ion Batteries: Common in EVs due to their high energy density and durability.
  • Solid-State Batteries (Future tech): Promises better performance and safer storage.
  • Battery Recycling & Disposal: Important to address environmental concerns related to battery waste.
• Charging Infrastructure:
  • Home Charging Stations: Typically slower (AC charging).
  • Public Charging Networks: Fast chargers (DC charging) located at strategic points for long trips.
  • Wireless Charging: An emerging technology enabling cars to charge wirelessly while parked.

Current Status of E-Mobility in India

• EV Sales Growth: EV registrations in 2021: 330k units, a 168% rise from 2020.
  • 2- and 3-wheelers dominate sales (48% and 47%, respectively).
• Factors Driving EV Adoption: Rising oil prices and environmental awareness.
• Geographical Distribution: Uttar Pradesh leads in EV registrations (20%).
  • 2-wheelers: Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Telangana, Rajasthan.
  • 3-wheelers: Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Assam, Delhi (75% of sales).
• EV Growth Projections: By 2027, EVs expected to reach 39% of total vehicle sales.
• Limited charging infrastructure: 1,742 stations (2021), projected 100,000 by 2027.
• Investment & Employment: EV industry attracted USD 6 billion in 2021, projected USD 20 billion by 2030.
  • Potential to create 1 crore direct and 5 crore indirect jobs by 2030.

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Significance of Push for Electric Mobility in India

The push for electric mobility in India holds significant importance due to its potential to address key economic, environmental, and societal challenges. 

• Reducing Air Pollution: According to the ‘World Air Quality Report 2023’, India was declared as the third-most polluted country in 2023, after Bangladesh and Pakistan.
  • EVs produce zero tailpipe emissions, significantly reducing pollutants like nitrogen oxides (NOx) and particulate matter (PM 2.5), improving air quality and public health.
• Energy Security: India’s import dependence soared to 87.7% in 2023-24, up from 87.4%, according to Petroleum Planning and Analysis Cell (PPAC).
• • Electric mobility will help reduce dependence on imported oil by utilizing domestic sources of renewable energy like solar and wind for EV charging, enhancing the country’s energy security.
• Combating Climate Change: India is committed to reducing its carbon emissions under the Paris Agreement. The transport sector is one of the largest sources of greenhouse gas emissions.
• • The shift to EVs aligns with India’s goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2070, as electric vehicles have lower lifecycle emissions compared to conventional vehicles, especially when powered by renewable energy.
• Boosting Economic Growth: The EV sector is creating a robust ecosystem for manufacturing, battery production, and EV components, driving innovation and entrepreneurship.
• Strengthening Domestic Manufacturing: The government’s push for local manufacturing of EVs and their components, especially under the “Make in India” initiative, can strengthen India’s position as a global manufacturing hub.

Major Challenges Associated with the Push for Electric Mobility in India

Here are the major challenges associated with the transition to electric mobility in India:

• High Upfront Cost of EVs: The cost of electric vehicles, especially electric cars, remains higher than conventional internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles. This is primarily due to the expensive battery technology.
  • Despite falling battery costs, the high upfront costs deter middle-class and lower-income consumers.
• Inadequate Charging Infrastructure: India has a limited network of public charging stations, which hampers long-distance travel and makes EV ownership less convenient.
  • According to the government, the top nine cities in India will need 18,000 public EV charging stations by 2030.
• Battery Technology: India imports most of its EV batteries and the raw materials (like lithium, cobalt), making the country reliant on foreign suppliers and vulnerable to price fluctuations in global markets.
• Energy Mix: A large portion of India’s electricity is still generated from coal, which reduces the environmental benefits of EVs unless renewable energy is integrated into the charging infrastructure.
• Lack of After-Sales Support: The EV ecosystem is still developing, and many service centers do not have the expertise or infrastructure to repair and maintain electric vehicles. This leads to concerns over long-term vehicle maintenance.
  • The resale value of EVs remains uncertain, with a poorly developed second-hand EV market. 
• Lack of Recycling Infrastructure: There is a lack of infrastructure and policies for battery recycling in India. Disposing of and recycling used lithium-ion batteries safely and sustainably is a challenge.
• Environmental Concerns: While EVs reduce emissions during operation, the environmental impact of mining materials for batteries and improper disposal of old batteries can offset some of the environmental benefits.

Major Initiatives Undertaken to Push for Electric Mobility in Indi

India has undertaken several key initiatives to push for electric mobility as part of its broader goals for sustainability, pollution control, and reducing dependency on fossil fuels. 

• Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme: The PLI Scheme for the Automobile sector with ₹25,938 crore incentivizes up to 18% of sales to boost domestic manufacturing of electric vehicles (EVs) and components. 
  • The Advanced Chemistry Cell PLI Scheme, with ₹18,100 crore, promotes Giga-scale battery manufacturing, supporting the widespread adoption of EVs through advanced battery technology.
• Tax Reduction: GST on electric vehicles has been reduced from 12% to 5%, GST on chargers/ charging stations for electric vehicles has been reduced from 18% to 5%.
  • MoRTH issued a notification advising states to waive road tax on EVs, which in turn will help reduce the initial cost of EVs.
• Green License Plates: Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) announced that battery-operated Vehicles will be given green license plates and be exempted from permit requirement for carrying passengers or goods.
• EV Policies by State Governments: 
  • Delhi EV Policy: Offers purchase incentives, and promotes the installation of charging stations across the city.
  • Tamil Nadu EV Policy: Focuses on making the state a global manufacturing hub for EVs and EV components, offering subsidies to EV manufacturers and incentives for infrastructure development.
• National Mission on Transformative Mobility and Battery Storage: It serves as the framework for a Phased Manufacturing Program (PMP), focused on localizing the production of electric vehicles (EVs) and their components within India.

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Way Forward

• Enhancing Infrastructure Development: Accelerate the rollout of public and private charging stations, including fast chargers and wireless charging facilities, to reduce range anxiety and support long-distance travel.
• Boost Battery Manufacturing: Expand domestic manufacturing of advanced chemistry cells (ACCs) and EV components to reduce import dependency and lower costs, as supported by the PLI schemes.
  • Establish comprehensive battery recycling and disposal systems to manage end-of-life batteries effectively and minimize environmental impact.
• Ensure Policy Consistency: Maintain a consistent and supportive policy environment for EV adoption, including clear guidelines on subsidies, incentives, and infrastructure development.
• Transitioning to Renewable Energy: Transitioning to renewable energy sources such as solar and wind power is essential to fully realize the environmental advantages of electric vehicles (EVs). 
  • Government initiatives like the National Green Hydrogen Mission, Global Biofuel Alliance (GBA), and PM-KUSUM aim to strengthen India’s renewable energy production capacity.

Conclusion

The push for electric mobility in India is vital for sustainability, reducing pollution, and enhancing energy security, requiring continued investment, policy support, and infrastructure development.

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