Current Affairs

All (4049)Current Affairs (4038)Mains Practice (126)Mains PYQs by Subjects (40)

Lateral Entry in Civil Services

Context: The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has issued an advertisement seeking applications for “talented and motivated Indian nationals for Lateral Recruitment” to the posts of Joint Secretary, Director, and Deputy Secretary in 24 ministries of the Union government.

A total of 45 posts have been advertised with individuals having appropriate qualifications and experience from State/UT governments, PSUs, statutory organisations, research institutes and universities, and even the private sector eligible to apply.
The advertisement mentions that all posts are “suitable for candidates belonging to the category of Persons with Benchmark Disability (PwBD).”

Lateral entry into the bureaucracy

In 2017, NITI Aayog, in its three-year Action Agenda, and the Sectoral Group of Secretaries (SGoS) on Governance in its report submitted in 2017, recommended the induction of personnel at middle and senior management levels in the central government.
Rationale: Lateral recruitment is aimed at achieving the twin objectives of bringing in fresh talent as well as augment the availability of manpower. Keeping in view their specialised knowledge and expertise in the domain area, lateral recruitment at the level of Joint Secretary, Director and Deputy Secretary in Government of India, has been undertaken to appoint persons for specific assignments.
Criteria:
- Individuals working at comparable levels in Private Sector Companies, Consultancy Organisations, International/Multinational Organisations with a minimum of 15 years’ experience.
- Besides those working in central public sector undertakings, autonomous bodies, statutory organisations, research bodies and universities.
These ‘lateral entrants’ would be part of the central secretariat which, till then, had only career bureaucrats from the All India Services/ Central Civil Services. They would be given contracts of three years, extendable to a total term of five years.
Based on the above recommendation, the first vacancies for lateral entrants were advertised in 2018, but only for Joint Secretary level positions. Posts of the rank of Director and Deputy Secretary were opened later.
- A Joint Secretary, appointed by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC), has the third-highest rank (after Secretary and Additional Secretary) in a Department, and functions as the administrative head of a wing in the Department.
- Directors are one rank below Joint Secretaries, and Deputy Secretaries are one rank below Directors, although in most ministries, they perform the same job.

Lateral entry is one kind of reform in Civil Services:

- Civil servants play a prominent role in the administration, policy formulation and implementation in India.
- However, reforms are needed for civil servants to brace up for rapid and fundamental changes caused by the evolving international, economic, social, technological, and cultural environment.

Need for Civil Services Reforms:

- Role of facilitator: Responsibilities of civil servants have increased from being regulator to facilitator of services, reflected in ‘minimum government and maximum governance’, which demands a proactive role.
- Need for specialisation: Increased complexities in laws, technology and governance processes demand ‘specialised generalists’ in civil services having domain knowledge and work experience.
- Outcome-based policy-making: Shift of government’s focus to outcome-based policies, demand reforms in traditional functioning of bureaucratic systems to achieve efficiency or positive outcomes.
- Private Participation: Increased private participation in governance and services delivery through PPP model, demands change in role of civil servants to promote transparency, curb corruption and avoid conflicts of interests.
- Increasing Corruption: Rampant corruption in public services due to a sense of permanency in power and growing political nexus heightens need for transparency and accountability among civil servants.
- Rising Majoritarianism: To curb rising majoritarianism and populist decisions, reforms are required for politically neutral and expert advice.

Need for lateral entry:

Shortage of mid-senior level officers
Need for Specialists and domain experts
Incentives to innovations and out of the box thinking
To induce Competition

Challenges associated/ Criticism of lateral entry:

No reservation: Lateral entries have been criticised on the grounds that there are no quotas for Scheduled Caste (SC), Scheduled Tribe (ST), and Other Backward Classes (OBC) candidates in such recruitment.
Potential for Backdoor Entry: UPSC is a constitutional body and has retained legitimacy and credibility of the selection process over the years. There are concerns that lateral entry could be misused as a backdoor for political appointments or favouritism. Introducing a new recruitment channel could potentially dilute the merit-based system established by the UPSC.
Limited Impact:
- Short-term contracts can hinder the ability of lateral entrants to implement long-term strategies.
- Contrasting work environments of the private and public sectors can lead to friction and inefficiencies.
- Piecemeal Approach: Lateral entry might address specific skill gaps but does not tackle the root problems of the bureaucracy.
- Offers not lucrative enough: Most of the time, the terms of recruitment are not rewarding enough to attract the best of talents. Even the recent lateral entry initiative would recruit professionals for only 3 years with remuneration not competitive with the private sector.
Opens door to privatisation: Some civil servants believe that it would open the floodgates to privatisation. And eventually the government would lose its socialist and welfare characteristics.

Way Forward

2nd ARC in its 10th report titled "Refurbishing of Personnel Administration – Scaling New Heights” (2008) has recommended an institutionalised, transparent process for lateral entry at both the Central and state levels.
In addition to lateral entry, other reforms are needed:
- Use of information and communication technologies in governance to make it more accessible, effective and accountable.
- Conducting disciplinary proceedings by appropriate changes in Article 311 of the Indian Constitution.
- Legally-binding Code of Ethics for civil servants incorporating values of integrity, merit and excellence in public service.
- Mid-career training and skill assessment. 360-degree performance appraisal and compulsory retirement for underperforming officers.

A transformational change in Civil Services would play a vital role in implementing National and State policies of welfare and planned development processes.

Flying Architect - Baya weaver (Ploceus philippinus)

Context: Baya weavers forage in the woods to build their nests, which precariously hang on branches, in Amreli of Gujarat.

About Baya weavers

The baya weaver (Ploceus philippinus) is a fascinating bird species renowned for its intricate nest-building skills and vibrant plumage.

Characteristics

Size and Appearance: The baya weaver is a small bird, about 15 cm (5.9 inches) in length. In non-breeding plumage, both males and females resemble female house sparrows with dark brown streaked fulvous buff above and plain whitish fulvous below. Breeding males are notably colourful with a bright yellow crown, dark brown mask, and a yellow breast with cream buff underparts. They also have a stout conical bill and a short, square tail.

Distribution

Geographic Range: The baya weaver is distributed across the Indian Subcontinent and Southeast Asia. This includes Pakistan, India (excluding southwest and northeast regions), Sri Lanka, south Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Myanmar, parts of China, Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, the Malay Peninsula, Borneo, Sumatra, Java, and Bali.
Habitat: They inhabit grasslands, cultivated areas, scrublands, and secondary growth regions. Their nests are typically found in thorny trees or palm fronds, often overhanging water sources to avoid predators.

Feeding Habits

Diet: The baya weaver’s diet consists mainly of seeds from grasses, including paddy and Guinea grass. They also eat insects like butterflies and occasionally small amphibians, reptiles, and molluscs, particularly when feeding their young.
Foraging: They forage in flocks, gleaning seeds from plants and the ground. They are also known to feed on crops in harvested fields, which can occasionally lead to them being considered pests.

Mating Habits

Breeding Season: The breeding season aligns with the monsoon period and is influenced by environmental factors such as day length. Nesting occurs in colonies, often of up to 20–30 pairs.
Nest Building: Males constructs elaborate, retort-shaped nests with a central chamber and a long vertical entrance tube. These nests are made from strips of leaves, grasses, and palm fronds, with males making numerous trips to complete them.
Courtship: Males build multiple partial nests to attract females. The female selects a completed nest, and once paired, the male finishes it by adding the entrance tunnel. Females may also modify the nest’s interior or add mud for stabilization.
Reproduction: Females lay 2 to 4 eggs, which are incubated for about 14 to 17 days. Chicks fledge after about 17 days. Males are often polygamous and continue to court other females even after pairing.

Behaviour

Social Structure: Baya weavers are social and gregarious, forming large flocks outside the breeding season. They exhibit complex flight patterns and often roost in reed-beds near water bodies.
Calls: Their calls are continuous chit-chit sounds, sometimes ending in a wheezy cheee-eee-ee, especially during the breeding season.
Nest Predation: While their nests are relatively protected due to their location, they are sometimes preyed upon by crows, lizards, and rodents. Abandoned nests may be used by other bird species or small mammals.

In Culture

Folk Beliefs: In India, there is a belief that baya weavers use fireflies to illuminate their nests at night, though this is more myth than reality. They do use clay in their nests, which may help stabilize them in strong winds.
Training for Entertainment: Historically, baya weavers were trained by street performers in India to perform tricks like picking up objects and even firing toy cannons, showcasing their intelligence and docility.

Decline in National Coal Index

National Coal Index (NCI) Decline

NCI declined by 3.48% in June 2024, standing at 142.13 points.
Previous NCI value in June 2023 was 147.25 points.
The decline suggests adequate coal availability at lower prices in the domestic market.

Coal Auction Premium

The premium on coal auctions, which reflects industry conditions, has sharply decreased.
This confirms sufficient coal availability in the market.

Coal Production Growth

Coal production in India rose by 14.58% year-on-year in June 2024.
Total production reached 84.71 million tonnes (mt) in June 2024, up from 73.93 mt in June 2023.

Market Implications

The NCI's downward trend indicates a balanced market with improved supply and demand dynamics.
With ample coal availability, India can meet growing demands and support long-term energy needs.

Industry and Energy Security:

The increase in coal production contributes to national energy security.
The stability in supply strengthens the coal industry and supports a sustainable and prosperous future.

National Coal Index

-The concept and design of the Index have been developed by the Indian Statistical Institute, Kolkata.
-NCI is a price index combining the prices of coal from all the sales channels- Notified Prices, Auction Prices, and Import Prices.
-The majority of coal is sold through the Notified Prices. For Non-Coking Coal, CIL fixes notified prices for each grade.
-There is price discrimination as to the Regulated Sector and Non- Regulated Sector (NRS).
-The NCI is used to determine the Premium (on a per tonne basis) or Revenue Share (on a percentage basis) based on a market-based mechanism.
-The Index is meant to encompass all transactions of raw coal in the Indian market.
*This includes coking and non-coking of various grades transacted in the regulated (power and fertilizer) and non-regulated sectors.

WIPO Treaty on Intellectual Property, Genetic Resources & Associated Traditional Knowledge (GRATK)

Context: The Treaty on Intellectual Property, Genetic Resources and Associated Traditional Knowledge was agreed upon by Diplomatic Conference hosted by World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO). The treaty was first proposed in 1999 by Colombia, calling for recognition of intellectual property of indigenous peoples and local communities. The negotiations started in 2001.

Objectives of WIPO Treaty on Genetic Resources & Traditional Knowledge (GRATK)

Promotion of efficacy, transparency and quality of patent system in relation to genetic resources and traditional knowledge.
Protection of genetic resources and traditional knowledge associated with genetic resources.
Prevention of patents being granted erroneously for inventions that are not novel or inventive with regard to genetic resources and traditional knowledge related to genetic resources.
International disclosure related to genetic resources and associated traditional knowledge in patent applications contributes to legal certainty and consistency

Salient Features of GRATK

Mandatory Patent Disclosure Requirement: The treaty establishes a mandatory patent disclosure requirement requiring patent applicants to disclose the country of origin of genetic resources and/or the Indigenous people or local community providing the associated traditional knowledge.
Sanctions and Remedies:
- Failure to disclose required information would be subject to appropriate, effective and proportionate measures.
- Patent applicants would have the opportunity to rectify a failure to disclose the requirement information unless
Information Systems:
- Voluntary establishment of information systems (ex databases) of genetic resources and associated traditional knowledge, in consultation with indigenous people and local communities, wherever applicable.
- Genetic resources databases can compile and reference a wide range of information. Ex. Information about genetic resources, associated traditional knowledge, known uses of genetic resources and relevant scientific compilations.
- Information systems should be accessible to patent offices for search and examination of patent applications.
Non-retroactivity: No obligations of the Treaty would be imposed in relation to patent applications filed prior to entry into force of this treaty.
Review Mechanism: The treaty provides an in-built review mechanism to allow certain issues to be reviewed like extension of disclosure requirement to other areas of intellectual property and other issues like new and emerging technologies four years after the entry into force of the treaty.

Significance of the GRATK

Significant win for countries of Global South and India which are host bulk of global biodiversity and traditional knowledge. India being a megadiverse country holds 7-8% of global biodiversity and a rich repertoire of knowledge based on genetic resources.
First WIPO treaty to address the interface between intellectual property, genetic resources and traditional knowledge. Also, first WIPO treaty to include provisions specifically for indigenous people and local communities.
Multilateralism: Given the opposition of advanced countries like USA, EU and Japan for this treaty and the divided world we live in, the fact that a consensus treaty could emerge is a win and provides hope of the spirit of multilateralism.

Concerns with the Treaty

Fails to address biopiracy due to weak sanctions regime: The WIPO Treaty suffers from a weak sanctions regime which is not adequate address the issues of bio-piracy. Some issues with the sanctions regime of the treaty are:
- No provision for penalties for non-disclosure.
- Countries to provide opportunity for rectification of failure to disclose information before implementing sanctions.
- No obligation on patent offices to verify the authenticity of disclosure.
- No country can revoke, invalidate or render unenforceable conferred patent rights solely on the basis of applicant's failure to provide mandatory patent disclosure.
- No provision for revocation of patent except when the information is withheld due to fraudulent intentions. Even in such cases, the treaty leaves it to the State to decide on the sanctions to be imposed.
Silent on positive protection of traditional knowledge for indigenous people and local communities (IPLC):
- No recognition of traditional knowledge as intellectual property of IPLC which would have provided indigenous people with exclusive collective rights to control their traditional knowledge.
- No fair & equitable sharing of benefits in favour of IPLC in return of use of their traditional knowledge.
- Silence on right of attribution and right to use of their own traditional knowledge for IPLC.
- Fails to protect traditional cultural expressions i.e., the forms in which IPLC express their traditional cultural practices and knowledge like music, dance, art & handicrafts.
Dilution of India's patent laws: India would need to align its domestic laws like Patents Act & Biological Diversity Act with the WIPO Treaty on Genetic Resources and Associated Traditional Knowledge. These amendments could potentially dilute existing protections aiming to safeguard traditional knowledge and genetic resources. For example, India's Patent Law already provides for pre-grant opposition against non-disclosure of source of origin and also for a revocation of granted patent for non-disclosure of information.

Digital Boost to Revive Solar Power Installation Scheme

Brief About PM-KUSUM

Program: Pradhan Mantri-Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthaan Mahabhiyan (PM-KUSUM)
Budget: ₹34,000 crore
Objective:
- Set up 100 GW of solar power plants on farmer-owned land
- Install 14 lakh solar pumps
- Solarise 35 lakh grid-connected agricultural pumps

Current Status (As of June)

Power Plants Installed: 256 MW
Solar Pumps Installed: 3.97 lakh
Solarised Pumps: 13,500
Revised Deadline: 2026

Key Challenges

Unavailability of Suitable Land:
- Difficulty in pooling agricultural land parcels for power projects
- Contrast with utility-scale projects in Gujarat and Rajasthan where vast tracts of desert land are used

Solutions and Innovations

Digital Platform Development:
- Partner: Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet (GEAPP)
- Technologies Used: Drone technology for land mapping
- Objective: Enhance institutional capacity and connect farmers with power developers
Progress:
- Installed Capacity in Rajasthan: 12.3 MW
- Target for 2024: 100 MW
- Planned Expansion: Applying the digital platform approach in Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh

PM-KUSUM Scheme

KUSUM Scheme seeks to incentivise the farmers to set up solar powered plants in their fields so as to enable them to meet their energy needs and supplement their farm incomes. The idea is enable "Annadata" to become "Urjadata".

3 COMPONENTS

1- Setting up of 10,000 MW of Grid-Connected Solar and Other Renewable energy plants on Barren/Uncultivable land)-> Sell Power to DISCOMs and earn Income.
2- Off-Grid Areas: Replacement of diesel agriculture pump sets with 20 lakh Solar Agriculture Pumps-> Reduce the dependence of farmers on diesel and meet their irrigation needs.
3- Grid-connected Areas: Replacement of diesel agriculture pump sets with 15 lakh Solar Agriculture Pumps-> Use the generated solar power to meet the irrigation needs and the excess solar power will be sold to DISCOMs.

BENEFITS

-Environmental Benefit: Saving of about 27 million tonnes of CO2 emission per annum.
-Economic Benefit: Reduce financial burden on DISCOMs; Promote Renewable Energy; Reduce import of Crude Oil and improve Trade Deficit.
- Benefit: Supplement Farm Income; Generate Self-Employment; Empowerment of Farmers.

HOW TO IMPROVE THE DESIGN OF THE PROGRAMME?

- Reducing Inter-state Disparity: Chhattisgarh and Rajasthan together account for half of two lakh solar pumps currently deployed in the country; Target linked financial assistance to reduce the disparities.
- Reducing Intra-state Disparity: Share of central financial assistance should be appropriated for small and marginal farmers/Women farmers.
- Give up One Size Fits-all approach: Small and marginal farmers should be given a higher capital subsidy and long-term loans with interest subsidies.
- Focus on Efficiency of Pumps: Solarizing grid connected pumps must include replacement of the pump with more energy efficient newer age pumps.
- Focus on post-harvest losses: Use solar power for post-harvesting processes to promote local value addition and enhanced income levels.

Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS)

The Ad-hoc Division of the Court of Arbitration for Sport has dismissed the application filed by India's wrestler Vinesh Phogat which challenged the decision of United World Wrestling (UWW) to replace her, because of her failed second weigh-in, before the gold medal match of the Women's Freestyle 50 kg competition at the Paris Olympic Games 2024. Vinesh sought a ruling from the CAS awarding her a (shared) silver medal for the Women's Freestyle 50 kg competition.

About Court of Arbitration for Sports (CAS)

Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) is an institution independent of any sports organisation which provides for services in order to facilitate the settlement of sports-related disputes through arbitration or mediation by means of procedural rules adapted to the specific needs of the sports world.
Location: Head office of CAS is located in Lausanne, Switzerland and two decentralised offices are located in Sydney, Australia and New York, USA.
Created in 1984 and is placed under the administrative and financial authority of International Council of Arbitration for Sport (ICAS).
Paris Agreement: There was a major reform of CAS took place through the Paris Agreement signed in 1994 which led to the creation of International Council of Arbitration for Sport (ICAS) to oversee the functioning of CAS. The Paris Agreement led to the enactment of Code of Sports related Arbitration which currently governs the organisation.
Functions of CAS:
- Arbitration: Resolving legal disputes in the field of sport through arbitration by pronouncing arbitral awards that have same enforceability as judgement of ordinary courts.
- Mediation:Help parties solve their disputes on an amicable basis through mediation, when this procedure is allowed.
- Ad-hoc divisions: CAS sets up non-permanent tribunals known as ad-hoc divisions, for major events like Olympic Games, Commonwealth Games etc. These ad-hoc divisions aim to settle disputes with 24 hour time-limit any disputes arising at the Games.
- Through the World Anti-Doping Code, all signatories including Olympic international federations and National Olympic Committees has recognised the jurisdiction of CAS for anti-doping violations.
Jurisdictions of CAS:
- For a dispute to be submitted to arbitration by CAS, the parties must agree to this in writing. Such agreement may be on a one-off basis or appear in a contract or the statutes or regulations of a sports organization.
- Parties may agree in advance to submit any future dispute to arbitration by the CAS, or they can agree to have recourse to the CAS after a dispute has arisen.
- Any disputes directly or indirectly related linked to sport may be submitted to CAS. These may be disputes of a commercial nature (e.g. a sponsorship contract) or of a disciplinary nature following a decision by a sports organisation (e.g. a doping case).
- Any individual or legal entity with capacity to act may have recourse of the CAS. These include athletes, clubs, sports federations, organisers of sports events, sponsors or television companies.

International Council of Arbitration for Sport (ICAS):

ICAS is the 20-member supreme organ of CAS with the main task of safeguarding the independence of CAS and the rights of parties.
The 20 members are all high level jurists well-acquainted with the issues of arbitration and sports law.
The ICAS President is also the president of CAS.
Functions of ICAS include:
- Approves the changes in the Code of Sports related Arbitration.
- Appoints CAS arbitrators.
- Approves the budget of CAS.

Nanjarayan Bird Sanctuary, Kazhuveli Bird Sanctuary and Tawa Reservoir notified as new Ramsar Sites from India

Context: On the eve of Independence Day in 2024, three wetlands from India has been added in the list of Wetlands of International Importance under the Ramsar Convention. The addition of the Nanjarayan Bird Sanctuary, Kazhuveli Bird Sanctuary and Tawa Reservoir in the list of Ramsar sites will take total number of Ramsar Sites from India to 85 covering an area of 1358069 hectares.

Nanjarayan Bird Sanctuary, Tamil Nadu

It is a large shallow freshwater lake situated in the Tiruppur district of Tamil Nadu.
The wetland is dependent on weather conditions, is especially fed by heavy rain water flow from Nallar drainage.
The lake is named after King Nanjarayan, who repaired and restored it when he ruled over the region many centuries ago.
Important water source for agricultural purpose in the region and ground water recharge.
Important species: Many species of birds, butterflies, amphibians, reptiles, small mammals and plants have been recorded in and around the lake. Also acts as feeding ground for migratory birds like Bar headed goose, Northern Shoveler, Spot billed Pelican etc.
17th bird sanctuary in the Tamil Nadu.

Kazhuveli Bird Sanctuary, Tamil Nadu

It is brackish water shallow lake located on the Coromandel Coast in Villupuram district in Tamil Nadu, North of Pondicherry.
Connected to the Bay of Bengal by the brackish Uppukalli creek and Edayanthittu estuary.
This lake can be divided into three broad regions - (i) Estuarine part with brackish water (ii) Uppukali creek feeding the sea water (iii) Kazhuveli basin with freshwater.
One of the largest wetlands in the peninsular India with an area of 5151 hectares.
Major role in recharge of groundwater aquifers.
Important species: Kazhuveli wetland is rich in biodiversity. It lies on the Central Asian Flyway and serves as an important stopover site for migratory birds and breeding grounds for resident species of birds, fishes. Ex. Eurasian Coot, Painted Stork, Greater Flamingo, Black-headed Ibis.
Flora: In areas of brackish water, highly degraded mangrove patches containing Avicenna species are found. The area is also known harbour Tropical Dry Evergreen Forests, however, these are not found currently. However, Reed is found in several hundred hectares.

Tawa Reservoir, Madhya Pradesh

Constructed on the confluence of Tawa and Denwa Rivers located near Itarsi town in Narmadapuram district of Madhya Pradesh (Hoshangabad).
Rivers Malani, Sonbhadra and Nagdwari are important tributaries of Tawa reservoir.
Tawa reservoir was mainly built for irrigation purpose, hydropower generation and aquaculture. The dam was completed in 1978.
Total submergence area of Tawa reservoir in 20,500 hectares with a catchment area of 598,290 hectares.
Located inside the Satpura Tiger Reserve and forms the western boundary of Satpura National Park and Bori Wildlife Sanctuary.
Important Species: The reservoir serves important role in preserving the aquatic & terrestrial flora and fauna in the region, especially birds and wild animals.

About Tawa River:

Tawa River is the longest tributary of the Narmada River with a length of 172 km.
Leftbank tributary of Narmada River.
Tawa River originates from Mahadeo hills in Chhindwara district of Madhya Pradesh and flows through Betul district and joins Narmada in Narmadapuram district of Madhya Pradesh (Hoshangabad).

About Ramsar Convention

Convention on Wetlands also known as Ramsar Convention is an intergovernmental treaty that provides the framework for the conservation and wise use of wetlands and their resources.
The convention was adopted in Iranian city of Ramsar in 1975.
Currently, 172 countries are parties to the Ramsar Convention.
India is a party to the Ramsar Convention since 1982.

About Wetlands

Ramsar Convention defines wetlands as ‘areas of marsh, fen, peatland or water, whether natural or artificial, permanent or temporary, with water that is static of flowing, fresh, brackish or salt, including areas of marine water the depth of which at low tide does not exceed six meters’.

Importance of Wetlands:

Most productive ecosystems in the world, comparable to rainforests and coral reefs. They host a variety of microbes, plants, insects, birds, fish and mammals.
Help regulate climate change through carbon sequestration. They store this carbon within their plant communities and soil, thus preventing of release of greenhouse effect causing CO2 into atmosphere.
Serve as buffers against impact of extreme climate events such as floods and storms by absorbing the excess precipitation. This is very important in the face of climate change which is expected to increase the frequence of such events.

Key Threats to Wetlands

According to the UK-Based Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust (WWT), Wetlands are one of the world’s most threatened habitats.
Global Wetland Outlook released by Ramsar Convention in 2018 estimates that 35% of global wetlands were lost between 1970 and 2015, mainly due to anthropogenic factors.
Main threats for Wetlands are:
- Unsustainable development: Around 87% of world’s wetlands have been lost in the last 300 years to divert land for housing, industry and agriculture.
- Pollution: Around 80% of global wastewater is released untreated into wetlands from factories, fertiliser & pesticides run-off from agricultural fields and spills leading to serious threats to wetland ecosystems.
- Invasive alien species: Human intervention have led to introduction of invasive alien species which results in damaging wildlife and biodiversity in wetland ecosystems.
- Climate change: Extreme climate events and changes in rainfall patterns damage wetlands and the flora and fauna inhabiting them.
- Eutrophication due to chemical run-offs in wetlands.
- Encroachment of wetlands to make way for urbanisation, infrastructure development and accommodating increasing population.

Lack of policy focus: Weak enforcement of rules protection of wetland ecosystems like Wetland (Conservation & Management) Rules, 2017 etc. Low policy focus on protection of wetlands and low awareness among people about the important of wetlands.

The melting of polar ice due to climate change is making days longer

Melting Polar Ice and Earth's Rotation

Melting polar ice causes the Earth to spin slower, lengthening the day by approximately 1.3 milliseconds per century over the last 20 years.
If high emissions continue, this rate could increase to 2.6 milliseconds per century.

Conservation of Angular Momentum

Similar to an ice skater changing spin speed by adjusting arm positions, melting ice redistributes mass from the poles to the equator.
This increases the Earth’s moment of inertia, causing it to spin more slowly.

Axis Shift:

Melting ice affects the Earth’s axis of rotation, causing a gradual shift in its location.

Impact on Technology:

Precise timekeeping, essential for technology like GPS, stock trading, and space travel, could be disrupted by these changes.
Atomic clocks, which track Earth’s rotation, might need adjustments to keep accurate time.

Historical Context

The Earth's rotation has naturally varied due to processes like lunar tidal friction, which slows rotation by about 2 milliseconds per century.
Post-ice age crust rebound and melting ice from polar regions have previously accelerated Earth’s rotation, but current ice melting trends are slowing it.

Broader Climate Change Impact:

Rising sea levels from melting ice have more immediate, severe effects on low-lying coastal areas compared to the gradual changes in Earth’s rotation.
These findings highlight the broad impact of climate change, emphasizing the urgent need to reduce emissions.

Scientific Findings:

Studies by Mostafa Kiani Shahvandi and Duncan Agnews confirm that climate change is significantly affecting Earth’s rotation and axis.
The research used climate models and observational data to document these effects and predict future trends.

The Need for Action:

The data illustrates how climate change influences fundamental Earth processes, underscoring the necessity for immediate action to curb emissions and mitigate further effects.

What is Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attack?

Context: A highly anticipated livestream conversation between former US President Donald Trump and X owner Elon Musk was severely disrupted by a massive Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attack recently. The incident forced X to scale down the live audience and delay the interview.

Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) Attack

Denial of Service attack is a type of cyber-attack meant to shut down a machine or network, making it inaccessible to its intended users. A DoS attack originates from a single source, typically one computer or network connection.
DDoS (Distributed Denial of Service) is a type of cyberattack where multiple compromised computers, often part of a botnet, are used to flood a targeted server, website, or network with an overwhelming amount of traffic. This flood of traffic overwhelms the target's resources, making it difficult or impossible for legitimate users to access the service.

Aspect	Denial of Service (DoS)	Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS)
Source of attack	Single source (one computer or network)	Multiple sources (often thousands of compromised devices)
Scale of attack	Smaller, limited by the capabilities of a single machine	Large-scale, leveraging a botnet to amplify the attack
Complexity	Relatively simple to execute and mitigate	More complex to execute and significantly harder to mitigate
Detection	Easier to detect due to traffic from a single source	Harder to detect due to distributed nature, making it difficult to distinguish between legitimate and malicious traffic
Impact	Can causes disruption but typically less severe	Can cause significant disruption, often resulting in widespread outages
Mitigation	Easier to mitigate by blocking the attacking IP address or source	Difficult to mitigate due to traffic coming from numerous sources; requires sophisticated defence mechanisms.

How DDoS Works?

Botnet Creation: Attackers compromise and control a large number of devices (computers, IoT devices, etc.) by exploiting vulnerabilities or spreading malware. These devices become part of a botnet—a network of infected devices controlled by the attacker.
Attack Initiation: The attacker commands the botnet to send a massive number of requests or data packets to the target server or network simultaneously.
Overloading the Target: The sheer volume of traffic overwhelms the target's infrastructure, consuming its bandwidth, processing power, or memory. This can cause the server to slow down significantly or crash entirely, denying access to legitimate users.
Disruption of Services: As a result of the overload, the targeted service becomes unavailable or unresponsive, leading to downtime, loss of revenue, and damage to the organisation’s reputation.

types of Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attack — Image source: geeksforgeeks

Impact of DDoS Attacks

Service Outages: Legitimate users cannot access the targeted service.
Financial Losses: Downtime can lead to lost revenue, especially for e-commerce platforms and online services.
Reputation Damage: Repeated attacks can erode trust in the organisation's ability to secure its services.
Mitigation Costs: Organisations may need to invest in DDoS protection solutions, which can be expensive.

Mitigation Techniques

Traffic Filtering: Using firewalls and intrusion detection systems to filter out malicious traffic.
Rate Limiting: Limiting the number of requests a server will accept from a particular IP address within a certain timeframe.
Content Delivery Networks (CDNs): Distributing traffic across multiple servers in different locations to reduce the impact of the attack.
DDoS Protection Services: Services like Cloudflare, AWS Shield offer protection against DDoS attacks by absorbing and filtering malicious traffic.

Gotipua Dancers: traditional dance in Odisha

Context: In the rural landscapes of Odisha, the centuries-old tradition of Gotipua, where young boys are trained to perform intricate dances dressed as girls in homage to Hindu deities, is facing a grave crisis. While these boys, once celebrated on international stages, dedicate their early years to rigorous training, their futures after puberty often paint a starkly different picture.

About Gotipua Dance

The Gotipua dance, a centuries-old tradition from Odisha, India, is a mesmerizing form of folk dance performed by young boys dressed as females.
Sculptures of dancers on bas-reliefs in temples in Orissa (like the Konark Sun and Jagannath Temples in Puri) demonstrate this ancient tradition.
These boys, often starting their training at a tender age, embody the grace and spirituality of Radha and Krishna through acrobatic and expressive dance forms.

History:

The origins of Gotipua dance can be traced back to the decline of the Mahari dance tradition around the 16th century.
During this period, the Mahari dancers, who were female temple dancers dedicated to Lord Jagannath, saw their influence wane.
To preserve this sacred dance tradition, young boys were introduced to perform in the same devotional context. This shift occurred during the reign of Bhoi dynasty king Rama Chandra Dev, who played a pivotal role in fostering this unique dance form in Odisha.
Akhadas and Physical culture:
- King Rama Chandra Dev established gymnasiums known as Akhadas in each street of Puri to encourage physical culture and protect the temple from intruders.
- These Akhadas also served as cultural centres where Gotipua dancers, known as ‘Akhada Pilas’, were trained.

Influence of Sri Chaitanya and Vaishnavism:

The arrival of Sri Chaitanya to Puri in the early 16th century significantly impacted the socio-religious and cultural life of Odisha.
He popularized the Bhakti movement, emphasizing devotion to Krishna through Madhura Rasa Upasana, a mode of worship.
The Vaishnavites, influenced by Sri Chaitanya, promoted Sakhi Bhava-offering oneself to Krishna as a female attendant.
The Vaishnava maths of Odisha often patronized these dancers, with some even maintaining their own troupes.

Features:

The dance form is characterized by two basic postures: ‘Tribhangi,’ where the body is held with three bends (head, torso, and knees), and ‘Chouka,’ a square-like stance symbolizing Lord Jagannath.
It is also characterized by distinctive poses, movements, gestures, and postures, known in Odia terms as Chhai, Chhataka, and Chhapaka.
Essential elements a Gotipua must learn includes: Utha, Baitha, Thia, Chali, Buda, Bhasa, Bhaunri, and Pali. These terms describe specific movements, such as rising from a sitting pose, dancing while standing, and various forms of body bending and spinning.
The traditional costume includes a ‘Kanchula’ (a brightly coloured blouse) and ‘Nibibandha’ (an apron-like cloth tied around the waist). The costume also includes ‘Pattasari’.
Musical instruments: Tabla, Odissi Mardala (a two-headed drum), Gini (small cymbals), Harmonium, Violin, and Bansuri (flute).
Vocalists also play a crucial role in narrating the stories through song, adding to the dance's emotive power.

Bandha Nrutya:

One of the most captivating aspects of Gotipua is the ‘Bandha Nrutya,’ where the boys perform intricate acrobatic poses.
These postures, known as ‘Bandhas,’ are deeply rooted in ancient texts like the ‘Abhinaya Chandrika’ and ‘Sangita Darpana.’
The Bandhas include a variety of poses such as: Padmasana (Lotus Pose); Hansa (Swan Pose); Mayura (Peacock Pose); Garuda (Eagle Pose); Kandarpa Ratha (Chariot of the God of Love).
These poses not only showcase the dancers' physical prowess but also bring to life the mythological narratives of Krishna's adventures.

Folk dances of Odisha

1. Chhau:

Chhau is an ancient dance form that originated from the mock fights of the Oriya Paikas (warriors), who performed rhythmic movements to the accompaniment of indigenous musical instruments.
The Chhau dance of today adheres to the basic principles of the Natya Shastra by Bharat Muni and the Abhinaya Darpana by Nandikeswara.
The dance form is closely linked with religion, where Chhau dancers worship Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati, the presiding deities of the Tandava and Lasya styles, respectively.
Chhau was once performed exclusively by male dancers, who also took on female roles as needed. Today, female dancers have also mastered this art form.
In the Saraikela School of Chhau, dancers wear masks representing the characters they depict, while in the Mayurbhanj School, the face is left uncovered.

2. Dalkhai:

Dalkhai dance is a prominent Sambalpuri folk dance associated with the Dussehra festival.
This dance is primarily performed by young women from the Binjhal, Kuda, Mirdha, Sama, and other tribes of Odisha.
The dance is accompanied by a rich orchestra of folk music played on instruments such as Dhol, Nisan, Tamki, Tasa, and Mahuri.

3. Karma Naach:

It is a pastoral Sambalpuri folk dance performed during the worship of the deity of fate.
This dance, popular among scheduled tribes such as the Binjhal, Kharia, Kisan, and Kol in various districts of Odisha, is believed to influence good and bad fortune.
The dance follows a ritualistic puja, after which participants sing and dance accompanied by drums (maandal), cymbals, and other instruments.
The young boys often perform with mirrors in hand, symbolizing traditional courtship during the dance.

4. Ghumura:

Ghumura Dance, a prominent folk dance from the Kalahandi district, is believed to have been a war dance in ancient India.
Depicted in the Sun Temple of Konark, this dance has evolved from a war dance to a form of social and cultural expression.
The dance is accompanied by instruments such as Ghumura, Nishan, Dhol, Taal, and Madal.
The dance is still performed in village settings in South Western Odisha and parts of bordering Andhra Pradesh and Chhattisgarh.

5. Paiki/Paika:

It is a martial folk dance that originates from the Chotanagpur plateau region, encompassing parts of Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, and Odisha.
This dance form is deeply rooted in the region's history and cultural identity.
Participants carry a sword in their right hand and a shield in their left, performing to the rhythmic beats of musical instruments such as the Nagara, Dhak, Shehnai, and Narsingh.
Historically, it was performed by the Rautia community, who served as soldiers during the reign of the Nagvanshi dynasty in Chotanagpur.

Ballast water convention

Context : The Tamil Nadu Water Resources Department (WRD) has informed the National Green Tribunal that it has sought ₹160 crore from the Kamarajar Port in Ennore, Tamil Nadu, to facilitate the removing of invasive Mytella strigata, or charru mussel.

What is Ballast water and how does it introduce invasive species?

Ballast water is fresh, or saltwater held in the ballast tanks and cargo holds of ships.
It is used to provide stability and maneuverability during a voyage when ships are not carrying cargo, not carrying heavy enough cargo, or when more stability is required due to rough seas.
Ballast water may also be used to add weight so that a ship sinks low enough in the water to pass under bridges and other structures.
Usually, ballast water is pumped into ballast tanks when a ship has delivered cargo to a port and is departing with less cargo or no cargo. Ballast water is then transported and released at the next port-of-call where the ship picks up more cargo. In such cases, the shipís ballast water contains a mix of waters from multiple ports.
The release of ballast water may introduce non-native organisms into the port of discharge. These introduced species, or bioinvaders, are also referred to as exotic species, alien species, and nonindigenous species.

Are there any global regulations in this regard?

The Ballast Water Management (BWM) Convention of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) came into force in 2017 to help prevent the spread of potentially harmful aquatic organisms and pathogens in ships’ ballast water.
The convention applies to ships registered under contracting Parties to the BWM Convention, which take up and use ballast water during international voyages.
According to this, the ships must manage their ballast water.
Recently constructed ship have the ballas waster management system in which they dose the water with some chemicals in order to remove invasive species.
The earlier ships which do not have such systems are required to exchange the ballast water they took in a port with “neutral” water from the middle of the oceans enroute to the loading port.

Note - The BWM convention does not apply to warships and hence there are no implications for the navies.

What is India’s position?

India acceded to the BWM convention in 2015.
as of July 2, 97 countries have signed on to the BWM as contracting states. India is not on the list of countries. This means that there is no obligation on the part of ships calling on Indian ports to enforce the BWM convention.
In any case, ports are only a facilitator of ship traffic and cannot be held liable in such cases. If there is any evidence that a vessel has pumped out the ballast water that led to the invasive species, then the vessel owner can be held liable if a law is in force.

Dilemma for India

Context: India's continued silence on the escalating tensions between Iran and Israel, following the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh, underscores its diplomatic ‘dilemma’ in maintaining balanced relationships with both nations. Mr. Haniyeh was accused of orchestrating the October 7 terror attacks on Israel and served as Hamas' political chief.

Dilemma

The Ministry of External Affairs has issued a travel advisory for Indians in Israel and Lebanon and plans to update advisories for other regions.
No statement has been made regarding the assassination of Ismail Haniyeh. The assassination is significant for India due to its proximity to the country's neighbourhood.
The Indian government faces a dilemma in responding, given its strong ties with both Iran and Israel.
India condemned the October 7 attacks in Israel as acts of terrorism but has not classified Hamas as a terrorist organization despite Israeli requests.
Additionally, India has facilitated the transfer of 5,000 construction workers and plans to send 5,000 caregivers to Israel following the termination of Palestinian workers after the October 7 attacks.
India will carefully consider the implications for its relations with Israel, crucial for security and military cooperation, and with Iran, where India has significant economic interests.

Israel-Iran conflict:

In 2024, the Iran–Israel proxy conflict escalated to a brief period of direct confrontation.
On April 1, Israel bombed an Iranian consulate complex in Damascus, Syria, killing multiple senior Iranian officials.
In retaliation, Iran and its proxies seized the Israeli-linked ship MSC Aries and launched strikes inside Israel on April 13. Israel responded with retaliatory strikes in Iran and Syria.
The Israeli strikes were limited, signalling a desire to de-escalate, and Iran did not respond further, leading to a reduction in tensions back to the proxy conflict level.
Other actors, including the United States, United Kingdom, France, and Jordan, intercepted Iranian drones to defend Israel.

Concerns about a wider regional conflict in the Middle East have been raised since the Hamas attack in Israel on October 7, 2023, and subsequent attacks in the Red Sea by Yemen’s Houthis, placing Iran and Israel at the centre of these tensions.

However, the Iran-Israel relationship was not always as fraught. Iran was one of the first countries in the region to recognize Israel after its formation in 1948, with diplomatic ties ending only after 1979.

Pre-1979 Iran-Israel ties:

In 1948, the Arab states' opposition to the newly established State of Israel culminated in the first Arab-Israeli war.
Iran, which did not participate in this conflict, recognized Israel following its victory, making it the second Muslim-majority country to do so after Turkey.
According to the Brookings Institute's analysis, Israel's first Prime Minister, David Ben Gurion, developed the ‘periphery doctrine’ to counter Arab hostility.
This strategy involved forming alliances with non-Arab, predominantly Muslim countries in the Middle East, notably Turkey and pre-revolution Iran, both of which had Western orientations and felt isolated in the region.
During this period, Iran was under the rule of the Pahlavi dynasty, led by Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, and enjoyed strong US support. Similarly, Israel was a US ally.
The two nations maintained amicable relations, with Iran supplying oil to Israel despite the economic boycott imposed by the Arab states.

The 1979 Revolution:

The 1979 Islamic Revolution in Iran, which overthrew the Shah, led to the establishment of a religious state with a fundamentally different stance towards Israel.
The new regime viewed Israel as an occupier of Palestinian land.
Ayatollah Khomeini, the Iranian Supreme Leader, labelled Israel the ‘Little Satan’ and the United States the ‘Great Satan,’ accusing both of regional interference.
Post-revolution Iran sought to expand its regional influence, directly challenging US allies Saudi Arabia and Israel.
Egypt's leader, Gamal Abdel Nasser, had promoted ‘pan-Arabism,’ advocating for Arab unity based on cultural commonalities, which placed non-Arab Iran at odds with this ideology.
However, following Nasser’s death in 1970, Iran’s relations with Arab countries like Egypt improved.
The 1975 Iran-Iraq accord, where Iran agreed to cease arming Kurdish separatists, temporarily ceased hostilities between the two countries, reducing Israel's strategic value to Iran.

Shadow War-post 1979:

Following the revolution, Iran-Israel relations deteriorated significantly, leading to a shadow war characterized by proxy conflicts and strategic attacks rather than direct military confrontation.
Israel has periodically targeted Iranian nuclear facilities, including a series of attacks in the early 2010s aimed at halting Iran’s nuclear weapons development.
The 2010 Stuxnet cyberattack on Iran’s Natanz nuclear site, believed to be a joint US-Israel operation, was the first known cyberattack on industrial machinery.
Conversely, Iran has funded and supported anti-Israel and anti-US militant groups in the region, such as Hezbollah in Lebanon and Hamas in the Gaza Strip. These actions have fuelled concerns about escalating conflicts.
US President Joe Biden has largely backed Israel's right to self-defence, despite facing criticism over the high civilian casualties in Gaza. This delicate balance of support, especially in an election year, contributes to the ongoing regional uncertainty.

India’s stakes in Iran-Israel conflict

India’s adeptness at maintaining balanced relationships with both Israel and Iran has been a notable aspect of its foreign policy.

However, the recent escalation of conflict in the Middle East poses significant challenges that could impact India in multiple ways.

1. Impact on Indian citizens:

India’s large expatriate community in the region is at risk if the conflict intensifies.
With approximately 18,000 Indians residing in Israel and 5,000-10,000 in Iran, and around 9 million Indians living across the Gulf and West Asia, any escalation would endanger these individuals.

2. Economic interests;

India’s energy security is intricately linked to the West Asian region, which supplies about 80% of its oil.
The potential disruption of oil supplies due to conflict could lead to increased energy prices, impacting India’s economy.
Although India has mitigated some of the effects of global oil price volatility through discounted Russian oil, a new conflict could negate these efforts and exacerbate economic challenges.
New Delhi is also concerned about the impact of these tensions on recent initiatives like the 10-year India-Iran MoU for the development of Chabahar port.
Any conflict or US sanctions could affect India's plans for Chabahar port and connectivity projects with Afghanistan and Central Asia.

3. Strategic needs:

India’s strategic interests in the region are substantial.
The country has cultivated significant ties with major Arab nations, Iran, and Israel, and is invested in initiatives like the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEEC). This corridor is crucial for economic integration and strategic positioning.
The ongoing West Asian tensions have hindered meetings of the IMEEC steering committee.
Additionally, the India-Israel-UAE-US I2U2 initiative and the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC) linking Indian cargo routes to Russia could be jeopardized.
An expanded conflict could unravel the regional consensus necessary for stability and cooperation.

4. Diplomatic dilemma and challenges of maintaining balance:

India’s strategic relationship with Israel, particularly in defence and security, has been robust, highlighted by support during critical moments such as the October 7, 2023 attacks by Hamas.
Conversely, India’s ties with Iran are also significant, especially considering Tehran’s role as a major crude supplier and its alignment with India’s counter-terrorism objectives.
Balancing relations with both Israel and Iran have historically been challenging for India. Notable incidents include diplomatic confrontations between Israeli and Iranian representatives in New Delhi, underscoring the delicate nature of India’s position.

India’s stance on de-escalation and return to diplomacy is crucial for preserving its national interests amidst the volatile regional dynamics.

As the situation evolves, India’s diplomatic manoeuvres will be essential in safeguarding its people, economic interests, and strategic objectives while navigating the complex web of Middle Eastern geopolitics.