InstaLinks : help you think beyond the issue but relevant to the issue from UPSC prelims and Mains exam point of view. These linkages provided in this ‘hint’ format help you frame possible questions in your mind that might arise(or an examiner might imagine) from each current event. InstaLinks also connect every issue to their static or theoretical background. This helps you study a topic holistically and add new dimensions to every current event to help you think analytically
Table of Contents:
GS Paper 2:
1. What India’s education system needs
GS Paper 3:
2. Why NPAs are not just about bank governance
Content for Mains Enrichment (Ethics/Essay)
1. India village goes offline daily to help people talk
Facts for Prelims:
1. Buddhist Conversion Day
2. The lingering monsoon
3. RTI pleas pile up at information commissions
4. Non-traditional livelihoods included in the ‘Beti Bachao Beti Padhao’ scheme
5. Principle of seniority and next CJI
6. OECD’s Cross Border reporting framework for crypto assets
7. United Nations World Geospatial Information Congress
8. Mapping
What India’s education system needs
GS paper 1
Syllabus: Society, Education and Social Justice
Directions: Just glance through it once.
Context: The article highlights the need to invest in the translation into and out of Indian languages and ethics education in schools and colleges.
Importance of translation:
- Translation holds hands with science, philosophy, medicine, sociology, religion, and gender and caste studies
- Translated texts silently open doors to different experiences: It sensitizes readers to experiences, feelings and situations completely different from their own.
Importance of Language in education:
- Languages are linked with the culture and history of the region of their origin.
- Luminous thoughts that inspire people to a better life are expressed through this medium.
- Language facilitates rules and movements:
- Convoluted rules that can remote-control words
- Sustain a movement for generations.
Steps that need to be taken:
- Need value education: For national understanding, because local ignorance about ourselves and our country is astounding(surprising)
- Removing indifference to people different from ourselves: This can be altered by training teachers committed to the promotion of peace and equality to hold value education classes through translated works.
- Literature can illuminate aspects of our lives that are not addressed by politics and economics.
- India at 100 must focus on soft powers: the language of peace, and our multilinguality
Related article:
The World University Rankings
Context: The Indian Institute of Science (IISc) has retained the top position among Indian institutes in the latest round of Times Higher Education (THE) rankings.
Parameters for ranking:
● Teaching (30%)
● Research (30%)
● Citations (30%)
● International outlook (7.5%)
● Industry outcome (2.5%).
In teaching and research, 15% weightage each is based on a “reputational survey”
Key Highlights:
● University of Oxford: Globally, it has emerged as the best institute among 1,799 universities from 104 countries, according to a statement issued by THE.
● Boycott by IITs: THE ranking has been boycotted by most Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) for the third consecutive year over transparency concerns.
Insta Links:
India Rankings 2022 of higher educational institutes
QS World University Rankings 2023
Mains Links
Q. National Education Policy 2020 is in line with Sustainable Development Goals-4 (2030). It intended to restructure and re-orient the education system in India. Critically examine the statement(UPSC 2020)
Prelims Links:
- NEP
- NIRF
- THE ranking
- QS ranking
Which of the following is/are parameters for ranking in THE world university ranking?
- Teaching
- Research
- Industry outcome
- Citations
Select the correct answer using the codes given below:
a.1, 2 and 3 only
b. 2 and 3 only
c. 1, 2 and 4 only
d. 1, 2, 3 and 4
Ans: (d)
Justification:
Refer to the article above
Why NPAs are not just about bank governance
GS paper 1
Source: Indian Express
Syllabus GS Paper III: Indian Economy (Issues associated with the banking system in India)
Directions:
Context: This is taken from the editorial section of Indian Express. Go through it once, you can use it for value addition.
Trends in NPA
- By the late 2000s, NPAs (as a percentage of gross advances) had decreased to less than 3.5%.
- The downward trend, however, did not continue as NPAs began to rise in 2011 and peaked at 11.18% in the fiscal year that ended in 2018.
- NPA has now reduced to about 6% (2022)
Reason behind the rise in NPA during the period of 2011 -16—
- Poor management and governance issues stemming from government ownership of Public sector Banks.
- Higher exposure to commodity-sensitive markets such as iron and steel and textiles.
- Difference in the Business model:g. Public Sector banks (PSBs) have to cater to rural and poor segments as well.
- Fall in international commodity price: The rise in NPAs from 2011 onwards coincides with the fall in international commodity prices, thereby reducing the revenue of many Indian firms.
Thus, a large proportion of NPAs arose because of exogenous shocks, which have nothing to do with management and governance issues in public sector banks only.
What are NPAs: A non-performing asset (NPA) is a loan or advance for which the principal or interest payment remained overdue for a period of 90 days.
- Banks are required to classify NPAs further into Substandard, Doubtful and Loss assets.
- Substandard assets: Assets which has remained NPA for a period less than or equal to 12 months.
- Doubtful assets: An asset would be classified as doubtful if it has remained in the substandard category for a period of 12 months.
- Loss assets: As per RBI, “Loss asset is considered uncollectible and of such little value that its continuance as a bankable asset is not warranted, although there may be some salvage or recovery value.”
Insta Links
Mains Links:
Q. Enumerate the steps taken so far to expedite and enable the resolution of NPAs in India. Critically analyse the potential of National Asset Reconstruction Company Ltd (NARCL) as the “Bad Bank” in addressing the issue of NPAs.
Q. How far can financial inclusion help in containing the high level of NPAs of banks in India? Substantiate your views with two examples. (200 words)
Which of the following statements best describes the term ‘Scheme for Sustainable Structuring of Stressed Assets (S4A)’, recently seen in the news? (UPSC CSE 2017)
(a) It is a procedure for considering the ecological costs of developmental schemes formulated by the Government.
(b) It is a scheme of RBI for reworking the financial structure of big corporate entities facing genuine difficulties.
(c) It is a disinvestment plan of the Government regarding Central Public Sector Undertakings.
(d) It is an important provision in The Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code’ recently implemented by the Government.
Answer: B
Content for Mains Enrichment (Ethics/Essay)
Digital Detox: India village goes offline daily to help people talk
Source: BBC
Context: A village in India’s Maharashtra state has declared “independence” from two modern-day addictions – television and mobile internet. At least, for a couple of hours every day.
A siren goes off at 7 pm every evening in Vadgaon village in Sangli district, an indication to all residents to switch off their TV sets and mobile phones.
The two instruments of “addiction” can be switched on when the village council sounds the siren again at 8.30 pm.
This can be written as a way forward – an example of how to detach from modern-day urban life.
Facts for Prelims:
Buddhist Conversion Day
Source: The Hindu
Context: Every year Dussehra is also celebrated as Ashoka Vijaya Dashami to commemorate Buddhist Conversion day.
Why Vijaya Dashami is celebrated on Buddhist Conversion day?
- On October 14, 1956 (Dusshera), R. Ambedkar along with more than half a million followers embraced Buddhism in Nagpur, Maharashtra.
- The 22 vows he delivered during the conversion ceremony initiated a radical escape for the convert from the Hindu caste and cultural folds.
What is Navayana Buddhism?
- In the post-event deliberation, Ambedkar called his version of Buddhism Navayana (followers are called neo-Buddhists), differentiating it from the Mahayana and Vajrayana traditions of
What is the demographic status of neo-Buddhists in India today?
- The Buddhist population is a mere 0.70%, of which 87% are neo-Buddhists. Further, a large majority of it (around 80%) resides in Maharashtra (5.8% of the total population).
- There has been a decline in the growth rate of Buddhists in India in recent years.
Consider the following statements: (UPSC PYQ 2019)
1. Deification of the Buddha
2. Trading the path of Bodhisattvas
3. Image worship and rituals
Which of the above is/are the feature/features of Mahayana Buddhism?
(a) 1 only
(b) 1 and 2 only
(c) 2 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: D
The lingering monsoon
Source: Indian Express, DTE
Context: Recurring rains in October call for a change in monsoon definition.
Why call for a change in the monsoon definition?
- Shifting patterns in monsoon activity: Incessant rain over Delhi and several other parts of North and Northwest India over the last few days.
- Change in Monsoon month: The monsoon season, earlier confined neatly to the four-month June-September period, is clearly spilling over into October now.
- The country as a whole received 67 per cent more rainfall from October 1-10.
- Revision in withdrawal dates: Three years back the India Meteorological Department (IMD) revised the expected dates of onset and withdrawal of the monsoon for several regions of the country.
- The rainfall happening after 30 September is counted as ‘post-monsoon rainfall’, even though the rainfall is mainly happening due to weather systems that form during the monsoon season.
- This is happening for the third year in a rowe. 2020, 2021 and 2022.
Is it climate change?
- Yes, climate change is responsible for the change in rain patterns and erratic rainfall.
- Global warming: Due to global warming, oceans continue to remain warm even after the traditional monsoon season is over. As Warmer ocean currents help the formation of monsoon winds.
- A warmer atmosphere has a greater capacity to hold water resulting in a heavier downpour than would be expected otherwise thus, increasing instances of extreme rainfall
What are its impacts?
- Forecasting challenges.
- Impact on Agriculture (sowing season and cropping pattern) and water availability (drinking and electricity generation).
- Implications for dam management.
- Disaster-related challenges.
RTI pleas pile up at information commissions
Context: Nearly 3.15(three point one five)lakh RTI complaints or appeals are pending with 26 information commissions across India.
Key Highlights:
- The highest number of pending cases in Maharashtra(99,722)
- Defunct commission: 29 information commissions across the country are completely defunct
- Four of them headless at the moment
- Jharkhand and Tripura have been completely defunct for 29 months and 15 months
- Only 5% of the positions are occupied by women.
- Analysis of penalties imposed: It shows that the commissions did not impose penalties in 95% of the cases where penalties were potentially imposable.
- Lack of transparency: The report flags concerns regarding disposal rates in several commissions and the lack of transparency in their functioning.
- Digitisation. Only 11 information commissions out of 29 provide e-filing facilities for RTI applications or appeals, but only five are functional.
Transparency International report:
- Vacant posts: One-fourth of information commissioner posts are vacant
- Women: There are only 5% women information commissioners in the country.
- Information commissioners: Out of a total of 165 posts of information commissioners, 42 are vacant, including two chief State information commissioners.
Information commissions receiving the maximum number of RTIs:
- Central government 1.19(one point one nine)crore
- Maharashtra( 86.06(eighty six point zero six)lakh
- Tamil Nadu 36.99(thirty-six point nine nine)lakh
- Kerala 32.82(thirty-two point eight two)lakh.
Non-traditional livelihoods included in ‘Beti Bachao Beti Padhao’ scheme
Directions: Important for Prelims and mains, you can use this as a measure taken for girl’s education
Context: Central government announced the inclusion of the skilling of girls in non-traditional livelihood (NTL) options in the Beti Bachao Beti Padhao’ scheme.
Non-Traditional livelihood: It includes sectors and jobs where the participation of women is and has historically been conventionally low or absent.
- g. increasing the enrolment of girls in secondary education, particularly in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) subjects.
- Non-traditional vocations: Girls will be given skill training in non-traditional vocations, making them torchbearers of a women-led Aatmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliant India).
New aims in the scheme:
- Secondary education: Ensuring a 1% increment in enrolment at the secondary level
- Skilling: girls and women every year
- Raising awareness: about safe menstrual hygiene
- Child marriage: Promulgating elimination of child marriages
Principle of seniority and next CJI
Context: Chief Justice of India (CJI) has written to the government recommending his successor in the post, as per the convention of seniority, Justice D Y Chandrachud will take over as the next CJI.
Justice D Y Chandrachud’s tenure:
- Unusual collegium: instead of five members, it will have six.
What is a 5+1 collegium?
Apart from CJI, there are 4 senior-most judges in the collegium system. Normally, the next CJI is among these four judges. However, this time, since Justice Chandrachud’s tenure is for 2 years, the next potential CJI is not among the 4 senior-most judges. Therefore, to accommodate the next CJI in the collegium, the collegium is expanded to 5+1.
Collegium system:
- It is the system of appointment and transfer of judges that has evolved through judgments of the SC.
- The SC collegium: It is headed by the CJI and comprises four other senior-most judges of the court.
- HC Collegium: It is led by its Chief Justice and two other senior-most judges of that court.
- Ordinarily case:
- one of the four senior-most puisne Judges of the Supreme Court would succeed the Chief Justice of India
- Situational: If the situation is such that the successor Chief Justice is not one of the four senior-most puisne Judges, he must invariably be made part of the collegium.
Background of Collegium system:
- First Judges Case (1981): It declared that the “primacy” of the Chief Justice of India (CJI)’s recommendation on judicial appointments and transfers can be refused for “logical reasons.”
- The ruling gave the Executive primacy over the Judiciary in judicial appointments for the next 12 years.
- Second Judges Case (1993): SC introduced the Collegium system, holding that “consultation” really meant “concurrence”.
- It was not the CJI’s individual opinion, consultation with the two senior-most judges in the SC.
- Third Judges Case (1998): SC on President’s reference expanded the Collegium to a five-member body, comprising the CJI and four of his senior-most colleagues.
OECD’s CROSS-BORDER REPORTING FRAMEWORK FOR CRYPTO ASSETS.
CONTEXT- OECD has given final shape to the Crypto-Assets Reporting Framework (CARF). It will enable the cross-border report and exchange of information regarding crypto assets.
NEED FOR SUCH A FRAMEWORK- Crypto assets are by definition borderless and it requires cross-border collaboration to prevent its misuse and regulate them properly.
POSSIBLE BENEFITS –
- Entities or individuals providing services in crypto assets will be obliged to report under CARF.
- Will create a level playing field among countries regarding the use and investments of crypto assets.
IMPACT ON INDIA: India has introduced a 30% tax on gains made from cryptocurrencies in Budget 2022-23. Now with CARF in place, India can frame its overarching taxation and regulatory framework for crypto assets.
OECD originated in 1948, as the Organisation for European Economic Co-operation (OEEC). It was renamed the OECD in 1961 when USA and Canada joined it. It has 36 member nations. INDIA is not an OECD member but has had a cooperation program since 1997. Its objective is to foster economic development and cooperation and fight poverty through the promotion of economic stability.
United Nations World Geospatial Information Congress
Source: The Hindu
Context: At the inaugural of the second United Nations World Geospatial Information Congress (UNWGIC), in Hyderabad, the PM of India called the technology a tool for inclusion.
What is Geospatial technology?
- Geospatial technology uses tools like GPS (Global Positioning System), GIS (Geographic Information System) and Remote Sensing for geographic mapping and analysis.
What are the Uses of Geospatial technology?
- The PM GatiShakti Master Plan is being powered by geospatial technology, as is the Digital Ocean platform.
- It is also being used in schemes like SVAMITVA and housing.
How technology is a tool for inclusion?
- South Asia satellite is facilitating connection and communication in India’s neighbourhood.
- Opening of the drone sector and space sector to private entities.
- JAM trinity has delivered welfare benefits to 800 million people seamlessly.
What is the potential of India’s geospatial economy?
- Potential growth: India’s geospatial economy is expected to cross ₹63,100 crores by 2025 at a growth rate of 12.8%.
- Employment opportunities for youth as companies like Swiggy, and Amazon use it to conduct their delivery operations smoothly.
- Make in India: allows Indian companies to use NaVic in Apps.
- Crisis management like in CoVid Vaccination and flood control.
- Land records management.
Mapping:
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