Daily Current Affairs

November 27, 2024

Current Affairs

India’s corneal blindness problem

Context: India is facing an acute shortage of corneas required for transplantation, whereas the cases of corneal blindness in the country are on the rise. 

Relevance of the topic:

Prelims: Cornea; Transplantation of Human Organs and Tissues Act (THOTA), 1994

Mains: Ethical issue- balancing individual consent and public good in medical practices. 

Corneal Blindness in India

  • Prevalence: Corneal blindness, a leading cause of vision impairment in India, with the country seeing an estimated 20,000 to 25,000 new cases every year.
  • Corneal blindness is vision loss due to damage or scarring of the cornea (the eye's transparent outer layer).
    • Reasons include- Infectious diseases like keratitis, eye trauma, injuries, congenital conditions and deficiencies like vitamin-A.
    • Without timely treatment, it can lead to irreversible blindness.
  • Annual Requirement: Approximately 1,00,000 corneal transplants.
  • Availability: Only 30% of corneal transplants demand is met. 
  • Infrastructure Deficit:
    • India has only 12–14 high-functioning eye banks against the required 50 facilities.
    • Shortage of skilled corneal surgeons with a current need for 500 active specialists.
eye anatomy diagram

Policy Proposals: Presumed Consent vs. Required Request:

  • The Ministry of Health is proposing a policy to allow corneal retrieval from deceased patients without prior family consent, aiming to address the shortage. 
  • It will require a ‘presumed consent’ amendment to the Transplantation of Human Organs and Tissues Act (THOTA), 1994 to allow cornea retrieval from all eligible deaths in hospitals.

1. Presumed Consent:

  • Definition: All deceased individuals are treated as donors unless they have explicitly opted out. 
  • Advantages: Quicker organ-retrieval, the process is simplified by by-passing the requirement of consent from the next-of-kin. (Corneas need to be retrieved within eight to 10 hours after death)
  • Issues: Undermines public trust due to lack of explicit consent. 

2. Required Request:

  • Definition: Seeking consent explicitly from the next-of-kin of the deceased person even if a presumed consent law exists. 
  • Advantages: Builds trust between donors, recipients and the healthcare system. 
  • Challenges: Time-consuming and requires counselling at hospitals. 

India’s Hospital Cornea Retrieval Programme (HCRP):

  • India has a successful model of ‘required request’ corneal donation: a hospital cornea retrieval programme (HCRP).
  • In an HCRP, a grief counsellor approaches the kin of the deceased and initiates a conversation, gently motivating them to consider a donation. The donation is processed only after receiving explicit consent from the kin.
    • Of the 1,40,000 corneas harvested by the Ramayamma International Eye Bank in Hyderabad, over 70% have come from HCRP. 

Way Forward

  • Programs focusing on eye health education and nutritional support, particularly with Vitamin-A supplementation for vulnerable populations.
  • Widespread educational campaigns using media and community events to inform the public about the significance of eye donation, the processes involved, and its positive impact.
  • Building high-functioning eye banks, training corneal surgeons and building specialised units for grief-counseling in general hospitals. 
  • Enhance collaboration between public health bodies, NGOs, and private healthcare providers.

It is therefore possible for India to eliminate avoidable corneal vision loss by investing in a consent-driven donation paradigm, 50 high-functioning eye banks, and by activating 500 corneal surgeons. 

India-US semiconductor Partnership

Context: The Indian government has been consistently giving a push to the semiconductor sector in India. In the light of the recent re-election of Donald Trump as US President, it is important to see how the existing cooperation in critical technology sectors like semiconductor shapes up. 

Relevance of the topic:

Prelims: Key facts about Semiconductors, India-USA Semiconductor Partnership, India Semiconductor Mission (ISM)

Mains: Role of semiconductors in economic growth (factors favouring & challenges associated) 

About Semiconductors

  • Definition: Materials with electrical properties that fall between those of conductors (e.g., metals) and insulators (e.g., rubber).
  • They are sometimes referred to as integrated circuits (ICs) or microchips made from pure elements, typically silicon or germanium, or compounds like gallium arsenide. 
  • Key Components: Diodes, transistors, microchips, photovoltaic cells, LEDs, and mounted piezo-electric crystals.
  • Applications: 
    • Electronics: Foundational components in computers, smartphones, LEDs.
    • Renewable Energy: Used in solar cells.
    • Defence and Space: Integral to missile guidance systems and satellite communication. 

India’s Semiconductor Industry:

  • Current Scenario: Valued at US$ 26.3 billion in 2022; projected to grow at a CAGR of 26.3% to US$ 271.9 billion by 2032.

Factors favouring India:

  • Skilled Workforce: India produces a record number of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) graduates annually, which offers the much-needed skilled workforce. 
  • Strong R&D: India leads globally in semiconductor chip design, research & development.
  • Cost Advantages: Lower labor costs compared to developed nations.
  • Global Supply Chain Diversification: India has become a preferred destination for back-end assembly and testing operations amidst diversification of global supply chains to reduce reliance on China. India can position itself as an alternative manufacturing hub.
  • Policy Support: India Semiconductor Mission (ISM), 100% automatic route for investments in the Electronics Systems Design & Manufacturing (ESDM) sector, Establishment of semiconductor plants. (In February 2024, the government approved the establishment of three semiconductor plants, two in Gujarat and one in Assam) 

India Semiconductor Mission (ISM)

  1. Launched in 2021 with a financial outlay of ₹76,000 crore
  2. Aim: To promote the domestic semiconductor industry through incentives and strategic partnerships.
  3. Focus Areas:
    1. Integrated Circuit (IC) design and manufacturing
    2. Semiconductor packaging and assembly
    3. Testing and validation of semiconductor devices
    4. Advanced materials and process technologies
    5. Design automation and tool development
    6. Skill development and human resource capacity building
  • Implementing agency: Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY). 
  • Under ISM, government offers incentives to attract investment in semiconductor and display manufacturing:
    • Semiconductor Fab Scheme: Fiscal support on project costs for semiconductor fabs across all technology nodes.
    • Display Fab Scheme: Fiscal support of 50% for setting up display fabs for advanced display technologies.
    • Compound Semiconductor Scheme: Fiscal support of 50% of the capital expenditure for compound semiconductors, discrete semiconductor fabs, ATMP units, and semiconductor packaging.
    • on an equal footing basis, including support for discrete semiconductor fabs.
    • Design Linked Incentive (DLI) Scheme: Promotes domestic semiconductor design companies by providing financial incentives of up to 50% of eligible expenditures. Includes reimbursement for approved costs of software tools, IPs, and prototyping.

India-USA Semiconductor Partnership:

1. iCET (Initiative on Critical and Emerging Technologies):

  • Launch: 2023 
  • Objective: Foster collaboration in critical technologies like semiconductors, AI, 5G, and quantum computing. 
  • Significance:
    • Facilitates dual-use technology transfer.
    • Streamline defense and tech cooperation via frameworks like INDUS-X.
    • Promotes R&D and encourages co-investments in semiconductor design and manufacturing.

2. CHIPS Act Collaboration:

  • International Technology Security and Innovation (ITSI) Fund:
    • Created under the US CHIPS Act (2022).
    • Supports India's efforts to enhance its semiconductor ecosystem by funding critical infrastructure and R&D. 
    • Facilitates cross-border investments and diversification of global supply chains.

3. INDUS-X Initiative:

  • Collaboration between: India's iDEX (Innovations for Defence Excellence) and the US Defense Innovation Unit (DIU).
  • Purpose: To promote innovation in defense technologies, including semiconductors for military applications.
  • Focus: Security-focused chip designs; applications in green energy and telecommunications.

4. Shakti Fab:

  • Description: A proposed semiconductor fabrication plant in India, developed in collaboration with the US Space Force and Indian private players like Bharat Semi and 3rdiTech. 
  • Focus Areas: 
    • Production of multi-material chips for national security, green energy, and telecommunications.
    • Enhancing India's chip manufacturing capabilities for strategic applications.

The partnership is important for several reasons, including:

  1. Reducing reliance on China for semiconductors, which are an essential component of many modern products.
  2. Building a strong relationship for India and the US to stand up to China's growing influence.
  3. Making the global supply chain more stable and secure. 
semiconductor mission

What are the challenges facing India?

  • High Cost of establishment: Fabs are highly capital-intensive undertakings, costing billions of dollars for large facilities. As per a government estimate, it would cost roughly $5-$7 billion to set up a chip fabrication unit in India.  
  • Low Ease of doing business: The process of establishing an indigenous semiconductor facility requires clearances and approvals from multiple government departments. 
  • Technological Constraint: The indigenous manufacturing of semiconductors requires the use of high-end technologies. These technologies are licensed from patent holders at a very high price.
  • Lack of Fabrication Capacities: India has a decent chip design talent but it never built up chip fab capacity. The ISRO and the DRDO have their respective fab foundries but they are primarily for their own requirements and are also not as sophisticated as the latest in the world.
  • Structural constraint: FDI in electronics is less than 1% of the total FDI inflow because of the dearth of skilled labor, delays in land acquisition, and the uncertain tax regime.
  • Unstable power supply: The smooth production of semiconductors requires the availability of an uninterrupted 24*7 power supply. They require a highly reliable and high-quality supply of water, electricity, and insulation from the elements, reflecting the high degree of precision, cost and capital needed to make the sophisticated circuits.
  • Resource Inefficient Sector: Chip fabs require millions of litres of clean water, an extremely stable power supply, a lot of land and a highly skilled workforce.

Conclusion: The India-US semiconductor partnership holds the potential to transform India into a significant player in the global semiconductor ecosystem. With strategic investments, robust domestic policy support, India can achieve technological self-reliance while contributing to global supply chain resilience. 

India’s Expanding Space Horizon: Thumba and Beyond 

Context: India’s Space Journey which began modesty six decades ago has now transitioned into an era of global collaboration and private-sector participation. It is a testimony to the country’s expanding space ecosystem. 

Relevance of the topic:

Prelims: GSAT-N2 satellite, Proba-3 Mission, Square Kilometre Array Observatory.

Mains: Gist of India’s space journey, Some examples of Private-sector participation in the Space sector.  

The Historical Context: 

  • November 1963: Indian scientists launched a Nike-Apache sounding rocket from Thumba, Kerala. These rockets helped the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) master solid propellant technology,  a foundation for India's launch vehicle capabilities.
India’s Expanding Space Horizon: Thumba and Beyond 

Evolution to Global Participation:

Fast forward to 2024, India not only launches satellites for domestic needs but also collaborates internationally. 

  • GSAT-N2 satellite launch:
    • Recently, India launched GSAT-N2 satellite aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Florida, the US.
    • The satellite, weighing 4700 kg, exceeded the payload capacity of India’s most powerful rocket, the Launch Vehicle Mark 3 (LVM-3), necessitating its launch aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9.
    • It is a Ka-band high-throughput satellite to enhance broadband services in underserved areas, including the northeast, Andaman & Nicobar Islands, and Lakshadweep. It will also support services like in-flight internet connectivity and the Smart Cities Mission.
    • The satellite is built by ISRO and will be placed in the geostationary orbit.  
  • Upcoming PSLV-C59 Mission: PSLV-C59 mission scheduled for December 4, 2024. It will carry the European Proba-3 spacecraft to study the Sun, using extended length configuration of ISRO’s trusted Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV-XL).
  • Indian Astronauts in Training: India’s astronaut-designate Shubhanshu Shukla, who is set to fly to the International Space Station in 2025, is undergoing training at the European Space Agency’s European Astronaut Centre.
  • India Joins SKAO: In 2024, India became a full member of the Square Kilometre Array Observatory (SKAO). SKAO is an international effort to build the world’s most advanced radio telescope in Australia and South Africa. India will contribute financially as well as in advanced electronics and engineering for telescope components in exchange for scientific data collected by the telescope.

Recent Scientific Advancements:

  • India’s first Space Analog Mission: 
    • Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has announced the launch of its first analog space mission at Leh in Ladakh, simulating lunar and Martian conditions. 
    • This setup will help study the challenges astronauts will face in a base station beyond Earth and gather critical data that will support India’s Gaganyaan program and future missions.
  • Biological Experiments on Bharatiya Antariksh Station: The Departments of Space and of Biotechnology have signed agreements to conduct biological experiments aboard India’s forthcoming Bharatiya Antariksh Station, marking a leap in interdisciplinary research.
  • Breakthroughs from Aditya-L1: A team led by researchers at the Indian Institute of Astrophysics, Bengaluru, used data from Visible Emission Line Coronagraph (VELC) instrument onboard Aditya-L1 to accurately predict the time of a coronal mass ejection, demonstrating India's capability in space weather research.

Private Sector Participation:

  • Pixxel’s Fireflies (India-American firm): A set of six hyperspectral satellites are expected to be launched early next year. Each satellite weighs around 50 kg, has a native 5 m spatial resolution, and scans 40-km swaths for data in more than 150 spectral bands. These satellites constitute the first batch in a proposed constellation of 24 satellites. These satellites will provide data that can help detect crop diseases, water-stressed areas, real-time deforestation, and ocean pollution early.
  • GalaxEye Space’s Tech Demo: A payload on board the PSLV’s Orbital Experimental Module (POEM) platform. The Tech Demo will test subsystems of a synthetic aperture radar (SAR).
  • PierSight Space’s Varuna Mission: A payload on PSLV POEM called ‘Varuna’, which will demonstrate a deployable reflectarray antenna and test SAR and aeronautical information service avionics in orbit.
  • HEX20’s Nila Satellite: A 5-kg cubesat satellite to be launched on SpaceX’s Transporter 13 mission in February 2025. The cubesat will host different payloads and provide data-processing services. A ground station will be built in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, to control and receive data from the satellite.
  • SatSure: SatSure is working with the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MEiTY) to map rural property across over two lakh villages. ‘Svamvita’ programme will capture images of 3-5 cm resolution and SatSure will use its machine-learning tools developed for satellite data to extract and classify the relevant features (building footprints, roof type, roads, and water bodies).

One Nation One Subscription

Context: The Union Cabinet has approved a budgetary allocation of Rs 6,000 crore for the newly launched initiative ‘One Nation One Subscription’ (ONOS).

Relevance of the topic: Prelims- Key facts about One Nation One Subscription initiative. 

About One Nation One Subscription

  • ONOS is an initiative to facilitate better access to academic resources to India’s higher education institutions (HEIs).
  • Implementation: INFLIBNET Centre (Information and Library Network Centre) in Gandhinagar. It is an Inter-University Centre of the University Grants Commission under the Ministry of Education. 
  • Scheme operation from: January 1, 2025.
  • Conceptualization: The initiative stems from the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which emphasised research as a critical pillar for achieving excellence in education and national development. ONOS aims to democratise access to knowledge and promote research in India.

Current Mechanism for Journal Access:

  • HEIs currently access journals through 10 different library consortia, under the administrative control of various ministries.
    • A library consortium is a group of two or more libraries that have agreed to share resources among its members. 
    • E.g., INFLIBNET Centre oversees the UGC-Infonet Digital Library Consortium providing access to scholarly journals and databases.
  • HEIs also subscribe to several journals individually.

Key Features of One Nation One Subscription:

  • Centralised/ Single-Point Access: ONOS aims to centralise journal subscriptions for nearly 6,300 government-run institutions, offering access to 13,000 scholarly journals (published by 30 international publishers) under a single platform hosted by INFLIBNET.
    • Publishers include: Elsevier Science Direct (including Lancet), Springer Nature, Wiley Blackwell, IEEE, Sage Publishing, American Chemical Society, and American Mathematical Society etc. 
    • Whether ONOS will also cover private HEIs is still undecided. 
  • Equity in Access: HEIs from Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities will have the same access as premier institutions. Institutions need to register on the ONOS platform to use it.
  • Flexibility: HEIs can still individually subscribe to journals not covered under ONOS. 
One Nation One Subscription

Benefits of One Nation One Subscription:

  • Enhanced Accessibility: Expand access to the best scholarly journals for 55 lakh to nearly 1.8 crore students, faculty, and researchers across roughly 6,300 government universities, colleges, research bodies, and Institutions of National Importance (INIs), including those in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities.
  • Cost Efficiency: Avoid duplication of journal subscriptions across different library consortia and individual HEIs to reduce excess expenditure. 
  • Data-driven Insights: Allows the government to analyse journal download and usage by HEIs, and accordingly improve resource allocation, and encourage under-utilising institutions to maximise benefits.

Women members of Constituent Assembly

Context: On Constitution Day (November 26), the President of India recalled the role of women members in the Constituent Assembly of India.

Relevance of the topic: Prelims- Key facts about Women personalities.

Background:

  • The Constituent Assembly was the body tasked with formulating the Constitution of independent India.
  • It was constituted on December 9, 1946 under the framework of Cabinet Mission Plan (1946). 
  • It had 299-members, including 15 women members (of whom two later resigned).
    • Begum Aizaz Rasul was the only Muslim woman in the Assembly.
    • Two women members- Annie Mascarene and Malati Choudhury resigned later.

Women members of Constituent Assembly:

S.No.Women personalitiesImportant factsImage
1Sarojini Naidu• From HyderabadSarojini Naidu
• Popularly known as the “Nightingale of India”

Participated in the Dandi March with Gandhiji (1930)
• Presided over the Kanpur Session of Congress in 1925 (First Indian woman President). First Woman President of INC was Annie Besant.
• First woman to become the Governor of Uttar Pradesh.
• Her famous poetries include - The Golden Threshold (1905), The Feather of the Dawn; The Bird of Time (1912) and The Broken Wing (1917).
2Sucheta Kripalani• From Ambala, PunjabSucheta Kripalani
• Key role in Quit India Movement (1942)
• Worked closely with Gandhiji during Partition riots and assisted in peacebuilding efforts in Noakhali (now Bangladesh).
• Actively contributed in drafting the Indian Constitution, especially issues concerning women’s rights and labor welfare.
• First woman Chief Minister of India (CM of Uttar Pradesh)
3Vijaya Lakshmi Pandit• From Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh.

Daughter of Motilal Nehru, sister of Jawaharlal Nehru.		Vijaya Lakshmi Pandit
• Imprisoned thrice by the British for her involvement in Civil Disobedience Movement and Quit India Movement.
• First Woman Cabinet Minister in Pre-Independent India (1946).
• First Woman President of the UN General Assembly (1953).
• Championed women’s rights and promoted India’s role as a leader of the Non-Aligned Movement.
4Rajkumari Amrit Kaur• From Lucknow, Uttar PradeshRajkumari Amrit Kaur
• Actively participated in the Salt Satyagraha (1930) and the Quit India Movement (1942).
• Co-founded the All India Women’s Conference (AIWC) in 1927: To promote women's education and rights.
• First woman cabinet minister in independent India (portfolio: Health)
• Instrumental in establishing institutions like the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS)
5Ammu Swaminathan• From Palakkad, Kerala.Ammu Swaminathan
• Strongly opposed the rules imposed on widows, such as shaving the head and renouncing jewellery.
• In the Constituent Assembly, she spoke about the Hindu Code Bill and gender equality.
6Annie Mascarene• From Travancore, KeralaAnnie Mascarene
• Joined Travancore State Congress, advocating for a government based on universal adult franchise.
• In the Constituent Assembly, she advocated the need for a strong Centre, while simultaneously emphasising the autonomy of local governments.
7Begum Qudsia Aizaz Rasul• From PunjabBegum Qudsia Aizaz Rasul
• Joined the Muslim League, campaigning for causes linked to women.
• Opposed separate electorates based on religion.
8Dakshayani Velayudhan• From Kochi, KeralaDakshayani Velayudhan
• Belonged to the Pulaya community, considered a “slave”.
• Social reformer and active participant in the Dalit movement.
Disagreed with Dr. Ambedkar on the need for separate electorates for Dalits, saying the provision highlighted differences and was against nationalism.
9Renuka Ray• From Pabna, present-day BangladeshRenuka Ray
• Activism for women’s issues, such as the rights to divorce and inheritance & active participation in the freedom struggle.
• In the Constituent Assembly, she discussed issues like the Hindu Code Bill and opposed women’s reservation in legislatures.

PAN 2.0 Project 

Context: The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) has approved for the PAN 2.0 Project of the Income Tax Department. The PAN 2.0 Project will cost Rs 1435 crore.

Relevance of the topic: Prelims- Key facts about PAN 2.0.

About PAN 2.0 project

  • Aim: To modernise the existing PAN system, introducing new features such as a QR code and transforming PAN into a common identifier for businesses and digital systems.
  • Key Features:
    • It is an upgrade from the current PAN/TAN 1.0 ecosystem to incorporate core and non-core PAN/TAN activities under a unified, paperless, online system.
    • A QR code will be integrated in all new and old PAN cards. Existing PAN card holders can upgrade their PAN cards free of cost. 
    • PAN will be made as a common business identifier for all digital systems of specified government agencies and businesses. All PAN/ TAN/ TIN will be clubbed under this system.
  • PAN 2.0 project aims to set up a unified portal along with a “mandatory PAN data vault system” for all entities using PAN data. This is being done for data protection and cybersecurity purposes.
    • The entities such as banks, insurance companies etc. who take details of PAN will have to keep PAN data safely, mandatorily through the data vault system.
PAN 2.0 Project 

Benefits of PAN 2.0:

  • Ease of access and speedy service delivery with improved quality 
  • Single Source of Truth and data consistency
  • Eco-friendly processes and cost optimisation; and
  • Security and optimisation of infrastructure for greater agility. 

Significance:

  • For businesses, PAN 2.0 would offer a seamless, common system for filing various tax challans and returns.

Existing identification numbers:

1. Permanent Account Number: 

  • Permanent Account Number (PAN) is a 10-digit alphanumeric number that enables the Income Tax Department to link all transactions of a person with the department. These transactions include tax payments, Tax Deducted at Source (TDS) / Tax Collected at Source (TCS) credits, returns of income, specified transactions. 
  • PAN acts as an identifier for the person with the tax department. Once PAN is allotted, it remains the same forever. It is mandatory to quote PAN on filing of income tax return.

2. Tax Deduction and Collection Account Number:

  • Tax Deduction and Collection Account Number (TAN) is a 10-digit alphanumeric number issued by the Income Tax Department. 
  • TAN needs to be obtained by all persons responsible for deducting or collecting tax at source. It is compulsory to quote TAN in TDS/TCS return, any TDS/TCS payment challan, TDS/TCS certificates.

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