The primary objective of the policy is to create an atmosphere that ensures the fair treatment of transgender individuals, free from discrimination, harassment and bias, while establishing a robust grievance redressal mechanism.
Scope of the Policy
Applies to all employees of the central and state/UT government and their offices. The policy will act as a guiding document for business partners.
Provisions of the Policy
Strictly prohibits discrimination based on gender identity or expression.
Transgender employees to be addressed by the name and the gender of their choice in all workplace communication.
Transgender individuals will be considered for employment based on their qualification and skills without prejudice.
Strict prohibition on harassment or bullying based on gender identity. There should be prompt reporting and investigation of any such incident.
Information related to gender identity shall be confidential and no disclosing of such information without the explicit consent of the concerned individual.
Infrastructure facilities such as unisex toilets and amenities like hygiene products to be provided for transgender persons.
Conducting regular training to raise awareness about transgender issues like education on Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2019 and Transgender Persons(Protection of Rights) Rules, 2020.
Appointment of Complaint Officerby the Head of Office for receiving complaints for investigation in all central and state government ministries and departments.
Employees should be encouraged to report the incident to the Complaint Officer.
Necessary action such as termination of job against any employee indulging in harassment or discrimination in contravention to the equal opportunity policy.
Head of the Department will be overall responsible to oversee and promote the effective operation of this policy.
To read about the issues of Transgender Community: Link
Context: European Council for Nuclear Research, popularly known as CERN, plans to build a 91-kilometer-long largest particle collider underneath the Earth below the French and Switzerland borders.
About Future Circular Collider
Future Circular Collider is a proposed 91 km long at the CERN. It will overtake the 27 km long Large Hadron Collider (LHC) facility LHC is currently world’s largest particle collider.
Construction of the machine will require drilling a circular tunnel 200 metres underground. The facility will also have four experimental halls.
The facility will be used to collide electrons with their antimatter particles, positrons, with the aim of generating and studying in precise detail around one million Higgs bosons and other Standard Model particles.
FCC-hh: for hadron-hadron collisions, including proton-proton and heavy ion collisions.
FCC-ee: for electron-positron collisions
FCC-eh: for electron-hadron collisions
The second step would be an energy frontier collider, offering collision energies of 100 TeV or higher (i.e., 8 times the energy of the LHC) following developments in the superconducting and magnet technologies.
The final approval for the Future Circular Collider (FCC) will be given by CERN Council
Concerns against the Future Circular Collider
High cost of constructing the facility: Future Circular Collider facility will cost around 15 billion Swiss Francs. Bulk of the funding will come from the existing CERN budget. But the project will still require financial contributions from the countries that are full members of CERN (European Countries, USA & Japan etc.)
Criticism of design: A section of physicists have argued against the FCC’s design which aims to collide electrons with positrons. They have argued for colliding beams of muons instead of electrons or protons. Muons are much more massive than electrons, allowing for higher-energy collisions.
Other Proposed Particle Accelerators
High Luminosity LHC: High Luminosity Large Hadron Collider project aims to crank up the performance of the LHC to increase by increasing the integrated luminosity by a factor of 10 beyond the LHC’s design value. Luminosity is an important indicator of the performance of a particle accelerator as it is proportional to the number of collisions that occur in a given amount of time. The HL-LHC will produce at least 15 million Higgs bosons per year, compared to around three million from LHC. It is expected to be operational from 2029.
International Linear Collider (Japan): A proposed linear particle accelerator with a planned collision energy of 500 GeV with a possibility for a later upgrade to 1000 GeV. The ILC would collide electrons with positrons with length between 30 & 50 km. This will be more than 10 times as long as the 50 GeV Stanford Linear Accelerator, longest existing linear particle accelerator. Japan has shown interest in hosting the long planned International Linear Collider.
Circular Electron Positron Collider (China): A proposed Chinese electron positron collider. It would be world’s largest particle accelerator with a circumference of 100 kms.
Muon Collider: Particle Physicists in the US have called for building a muon collider. Muons are like electrons but about 200 times heavier. However, muons are unstable and quicly decay into other particles.
About CERN
CERN is an intergovernmental organisation that operates the largest particle physics laboratory in the world.
Established in 1954.
Based in Meyrin, western suburb of Geneva, on the France-Switzerland border.
Governance: CERN Council is the highest authority of the organisation.
CERN is an official UNGA observer. CERN's main function is to provide the particle accelerators and other infrastructure needed for high-energy physics research – consequently, numerous experiments have been constructed at CERN through international collaborations.
Member States of CERN: Currently, there 23 member states of CERN: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Israel, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Serbia, Slovak Republic, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the UK. Israel is the only non-European full member. (Cyprus, Estonia and Slovenia are Associate Member States in pre-stage to membership).
Associate Members of CERN: Croatia, India, Latvia, Lithuania, Pakistan, Turkiye and Ukraine. (India is also Associate member of CERN).
Context: Cabinet Committee on Security has approved the acquisition of over 200 BrahMos extended range supersonic cruise missiles for deployment on warships of Indian Navy. The deal is expected to cost Rs 19,000 crore for the exchequer.
About Brahmos Supersonic Cruise Missiles
Brahmos is a medium range ramjet supersonic cruise missile.
Brahmos is a two stage missile:
First stage: Powered by solid propellant booster engine as its first stage with brings it to supersonic speed.
Second stage: Powered by Liquid ramjet engine that takes the missile closer to 3 Mach speed in cruise phase.
Flight range: Brahmos has a flight range of up to 290 km with supersonic speed all through the flight, leading to shorter flight time, consequently ensuring lower dispersion of targets, quicker engagement time and non-interception by any known weapon system in the world.
Altitude: Cruising altitude of Brahmos is up to 15 km and terminal altitude is as low as 10 metres.
Warhead capacity: It can carry a conventional warhead weighing 200-300 kgs.
Launch capability: Brahmos has capability to be launched from land, sea, air and submarines. Brahmos has identical configuration for all the platforms and uses a Transport Launch Canister for transportation, storage and launch.
Fire and forget principle: Brahmos operates on the principle of Fire and Forget which means that the missile system adopts varieties of flights on its way to the target.
Range of Brahmos was kept at 290 km as India was earlier not a signatory of the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR). MTCR prohibits member countries to transfer technologies for missiles with range up to 300 km. Since, Russia is a party to the MTCR it did complied with the regulations of MTCR.
Ship based Brahmos: This version has been designed for launch in either vertical or inclined mode from a moving or static maritime platform against sea or land targets. It has been deployed on Indian Navy's frontline surface combat platforms as the prime strike weapon. This version also has 'salvo' launch capability, where multiple missiles can be fired in different trajectories to hit a single or group of targets. It is primarily used as Anti-Ship Missile.
Air-launched Brahmos: Brahmos Air Launched Cruise Missile (ACLM) with precision attack capability against sea and land targets is the designed as the heaviest and most powerful weapon to arm Indian Air Force's Su-30 strike fighter.
Submarine launched Brahmos: Brahmos missile is capable of bring launched from submarine from a depth of 40-50 metres. The missile is launched in the same configuration similar to the ship launched system.
Brahmos-NG & Brahmos-II (Future versions of Brahmos)
Brahmos-NG: Brahmos NG stands for Brahmos Next Generation. It is envisioned as a smaller and lighter but smarter weapon having high versatility, lethality and flexibility along with ultra-precision for deployment onboard a wide range of military platforms. Key features:
Reduced dimension & weight for widespread range
Advanced next generation stealth
Greater effectiveness against ECCM
Higher versatility in underwater combat applications
Launch readiness from Torpedo tube and vertical orientation
Brahmos II: It is a planned hypersonic cruise missile currently under joint development by Brahmos Aerospace. It is expected to have a range of 1,500 km and a speed of Mach 8. Since, India is now a signatory of the MTCR, Russia can transfer technologies for longer ranges.
About Brahmos Aerospace
Brahmos Missile is manufactured by Brahmos Aerospace which is a joint venture of DRDO (India) and NPO Mashinostroyenia (Russia). The company was established in India through an Inter-Governmental Agreement between India and Russia in 1998.
India has 50.5% ownership while Russia has 49.5% ownership in Brahmos Aerospace.
The name 'Brahmos' is combination of Brahmaputra (India) and Moskva (Russia) rivers.
Brahmos Aerospace is responsible for designing, developing, producing and marketing the Brahmos Supersonic cruise missiles with active participation of a consortium of Indian and Russian industries.
Indigenization of Brahmos: In 1998, indigenous contribution in the Brahmos system was around 30% only. However, now about 75% indigenous capacity has been achieved in the Brahmos missile project.
Exports: Brahmos missiles will be exported to the Philippines, which will its first global customer. Many countries from the Southeast Asian region have also shown interest in buying the system. Brahmos Aerospace aims to export $5 billion worth of missiles by 2025. Exports of Brahmos missiles to other countries would also allow sale and exports of other systems such as Akash, ATAGS Howitzers and other equipment from the Indian defence industry.
Article 15(4) and Article 15(5) provide for reservation to Socially and Educationally Backward classes and SC/STs in admission to educationally institutions.
Article 15(6) provides for reservation to economically weaker sections of society in admission to educational institutions, added through 103rd constitutional amendment.
Article 16(4) provides for reservation to backward classes and SC/STs in public employment.
Article 16(6) provides for reservation to economically weaker sections in public employment.
Article 335 provides for enabling provision of reservation for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes to services and posts under the union and the state. However, the efficiency of administration should be maintained.
The 77th amendment in 1995 provided for reservation in promotion of any services under the state for SC/STs.
Judicial take on OBC Reservations
V.P. Singh government in 1990, declared reservations of 27% government jobs for the OBCs. In the Mandal case or Indra Sawhney case, the Supreme Court upheld the OBC reservation, but imposed certain conditions like ceiling limit of 50% on reservation quota, no reservation in promotion, etc. The court accepted that the Caste continues to be marker for identifying socially and educational backwardness.
Similarly, in Janhit Abhiyan Case, Supreme Court upheld the EWS reservation granted through the 103rd constitutional amendment.
Maratha Reservation issue
1997:First major Maratha agitation for reservation in government jobs and educational institutions was organised by the Maratha Mahasangh and the Maratha Seva Sangh.
2014: Maharashtra government brought 16% reservation for Marathas in government jobs and education. However, the High court put a stay on it and this stay was subsequently upheld by the Supreme Court.
2017: The Maharashtra government then set up Gaikwad Commission to study the social, financial and educational status of Maratha community. Based on commission's recommendation, Socially and Educationally Backward Class Act, 2018 was enacted to provide 16% reservation to Marathas in education and government jobs.
2021:Supreme Court holds Maratha Reservation unconstitutional and strikes down the law. The court opined that the government failed to provide sufficient data to justify exceeding the 50% quota ceiling. But the Supreme Court allowed the State Government to collect empirical data for showing the backwardness of the community.
Exceeds the 50% ceiling limit imposed on reservations by Indra Sawhney judgement.
Gaekwad Commission report lacks reliable, scientific and adequate data to justify the backwardness of Marathas.
The Act created a special class of reservation for Marathas outside the OBC class and violates Article 14, 16 and 19 of the Constitution by bestowing them with special benefits.
The Act was passed without complying with procedural requirements mandated by 102nd Constitution (Amendment) Act, 2018.
2023: The State government set up Justice Shukre panel to conduct large scale survey of the community.
Salient Features of Shukre Panel's report:
Marathas accounted for 28% of the population of the State, of which 84% of them are backward. So, such a large scale of backward community needs to be provided with separate reservation bracket.
It gave reasons like decline in agricultural income, partitions in land holdings, extreme poverty as reasons for Maratha's backwardness.
94% of farmers who died by suicide in the state belonged to Maratha community.
Inadequate representation of the community in all the sectors of public service, which has kept them excluded from the mainstream.
Issues/Concerns with providing reservations to Marathas
Providing community specific reservations will flare similar demands in other provinces.
Reservations in Maharashtra will overshoot the 50% limit, hence compromise the principle of superiority of merit.
Discriminates other communities by giving Marathas a special privilege.
Reinforces the grip of caste-based politics and mobilisation.
Against the constitutional structure of providing reservations for SCs, STs, OBC and EBC.
Demand for reservations among agrarian communities is due to following reasons:
Low income in agricultural households
Feeling of relative deprivation
Feeling of losing of dominance in rural areas as communities lower in social hierarchy such as SCs have gained economically and politically from the reservations.
Low participation in modern economy sectors like IT, Finance, Banking etc.
Thus, the government should be focusing on modernizing agriculture, education and opportunities for these communities.
Conclusion:
So, this time the State government has backed up its Maratha reservation law with broader set of empirical data. But it is now for the Judiciary to decide whether the law stands the test of Constitutionality.
The original design was given by the Sompura family of Ahmedabad in 1988. The Sompura family for at least 15 generations has contributed to temple designs of over 100 temples worldwide. Example: Somnath Temple
In 2022, a new design was prepared by the Sompuras, as per the Hindu texts, the Vastu Shastra and the Shilpa Shastra.
The Ram mandir will be 250 feet wide, 380 feet long and 161 feet high.
Predominantly designed in the Gurjara-Chaulukya (Maru-Gurjara) style of Nagara style of architecture.
Main structure will be built on a raised platform with three storeys.
The temple will have five mandapas in the middle of the garbhagriha (sanctum sanctorum) and on the entrance passage.
It will consist of a total of 366 columns and these columns will have 16 idols each to include the incarnations of Shiva, the 10 Dashavataras, the 64 Chausath Yoginis, and the 12 incarnations of the goddess Saraswati.
Sandstone from Baansi in Rajasthan will be used.
Iron will not be used in the construction of the temple and the fusion of stone blocks with copper plates will be done.
Thailand is also symbolically contributing to the inauguration of the temple, by sending soil to the Ram Janmabhoomi. Prior to this the country has also sent water from two rivers in Thailand to honour the temple.
Maru-Gurjara Architecture or Solanki style: The style originated from that of the dynasties preceding the Solanki dynasty, mainly the Gurjara-Pratihara dynasty. Reached zenith from the 11th to 13th centuries, under the Chalukya dynasty of Gujarat (Solanki dynasty). Although originated as a regional style in Hindu temple architecture, it became popular in Jain temples. Features:Curvilinear ShikharaFree standing Kirti ToranaKunda or a temple tankHeavy carvings on ceilings of MandapaHigh plinths Balconies looking out on multiple side
Nagara style of temple architecture:
Emerged sometime in the 5th century CE, during the late Gupta period, in Northern India.
Seen in juxtaposition with the Dravidian style of southern India, which too emerged in the same period.
Nagara and Dravida may be called ‘Styles’, but they cover vast areas and time spans.
Different sub-schools emerged in western, central and eastern parts of the country.
Features of Nagara Temple Architecture
Panchayatana style of temple making: Consisting of subsidiary shrines laid out in a crucified ground plan with respect to the principal shrine.
Garbha-Griha (sanctum sanctorum): Idol of the deity is placed and is most sacred part of the temple. Images of the river goddesses, Ganga and Yamuna, are placed outside the garbhagriha.
Assembly halls or mandaps, in front of the principal shrine.
Unlike Dravida temples, water tanks or reservoirs are not present in the temple premises.
Built on upraised platforms.
Shikharas: These are human-made representations of the natural and cosmological order, as imagined in Hindu tradition.
Depending on the period and geography, there is a large variation in what a shikhara looks like, or how it is used in a temple’s design.
Types of Shikharas:
Latina or rekha-prasad: Square at the base and the walls curve inward to a point on the top.
Phamsana: Broader base and were shorter in height than the Latina ones; Slope upwards on a straight line.
Valabhi: Rectangular base with the roof rising into vaulted chambers; Emerged in the Gupta heartland.
Bhumija: Miniature spires, in horizontal and vertical rows; Created a grid-like effect on each face.
Amalaka (horizontal fluted disc): At the vertical end of the shikhara.
Kalash: In spherical shape on top.
Vertical planes:
Triratha temples.
Later, pancharatha, saptaratha and even navaratha temples came into existence.
Used as different panels to make narrative sculptures.
Covered Ambulatory passageway (Pradakshina-path): Around the sanctum sanctorum.
Temple premises did not have elaborate boundary walls or gateways.
Regional schools of Nagara Style
Central India/ Khajuraho school or Chandela School
Chandelas in the centre of India around 1000 AD created this style of templeconstruction known as the Khajuraho School or Chandela School.
It is made of sandstone.
Generally north or east facing.
These are relatively modest-looking shrines each having four pillars that support a small mandapa which looks like a simple square porch-like extension before an equally small room that serves as the garbhagriha.
This temple is in the panchayatana style.
The presence of this curving latina or rekha-prasada type of shikhara also makes it clear that this is an early example of a classic nagara style of temple.
Examples: Khajuraho, Kandariya Mahadeo temple, in Madhya Pradesh
Kandariya Mahadeo temple, Khajuraho
Western India/Solanki Style
There are two schools that developed in Gujarat & Rajasthan these are Solanki school in Gujarat and Jain Temples in Mount Abu.
Gujarat School
The stone used to build the temples ranges in colour and type with sandstone being the most common construction material employed.
Presence of a hundred-square-metre rectangular pond(suryakund).
A huge ornamental arch-torana leads one to the sabha mandapa (the assembly hall) which is open on all sides.
Example: Sun temple, Modhera, Gujarat
Rajasthan School
Use of white marble.
The walls of the central small shrine are devoid of carving and are left plain as the temple faces the east.
The ornamental detail spreads over the minutely carved ceilings, doorways, pillars, and panels.
Example: Dilwara Temple, Mount Abu
East India Temple Architecture
There are three schools that developed in east India these are Assam, Bengal and Odisha School.
Assam School of Temple Architecture
It appears that terracotta was the main medium of construction. The temple consists of four chambers:
garbhagriha and,
three mandapas locally called Calanta, Pancaratna and Natamandira.
The style that came with the migration of the Tais from Upper Burma mixed with the dominant Pala style of Bengal and led to the creation of the Ahom style in and around Guwahati.
Bengal School of Temple Architecture
Bengal witnessed a temple building spree from the late 15th century.
Temple architecture in Bengal got inspired from the double-roofed (dochala) or four-roofed (chauchala) structure of thatched huts in villages, which housed local deities.
Dochala (two-roofed style)
Chauchala (four-roofed style)
Temples were usually built on a square platform.
Interior of the temples were relatively plain, but the outer walls of these temples were decorated with paintings, ornamental tiles or terracotta tablets.
In the Bishnupur group of temples in Bankura district of West Bengal, such decorations reached a high degree of excellence.
This style also incorporated elements of the dome and multilobe arch of Islamic architecture.
Elements of Bengal Temple architecture were adopted outside Bengal as well.
Odisha School of Temple Architecture
The style consists of three distinct types of temples: Rekha Deula, Pidha Deula and Khakhara Deula.
The former two are associated with Vishnu, Surya and Shiva temples while the third is mainly with Chamunda and Durga temples.
Also known as Kalinga School
The main architectural features of Odisha temples are classified in three orders, i.e., rekhapida, pidhadeul and khakra.
The Architecture, basically a temple is made in two parts, a tower and a hall.
The tower is called deula and hall is called Jagmohan.
The walls of both the deula and the Jagmohan are lavishly sculpted with architectural motifs and a profusion of figures.
The most repeated form is the horseshoe shape, which has come from the earliest times, starting with the large windows of the chaitya-grihas. It is dual or deula which makes three distinct types of temples in Kalinga Architecture.
These temples usually have boundary walls.
Jagannath Puri, Odisha
Temple Architecture in Hills
There are two schools that developed in Himalayan region of India these are Kumaon,Himachal Pradesh and Kashmir School.
Kumaon School
The central tower is surrounded by four smaller towers on each side.
The main entrance is located at the front of the central tower, while several other entrances are located at each of its sides.
These entrances are all decorated with intricate carvings depicting various scenes from mythology.
The main entrance faces east
The main temple complex includes four large halls or mandapas.
Jageshwar in Almora, Uttarakhand
Himachal School
Wooden buildings
It looks like a hut, with an intricately carved wooden entrance, interior and ceiling.
Laksna Devi Mandir, Himachal Pradesh
Kashmir School of Temple Architecture
Wooden buildings with pitched roofs.
The main garbhagriha and shikhara are made in a rekha-prasada or latina style, the mandapa is of an older form of wooden architecture.
Pandrethan temple is built on a plinth built in the middle of a tank.
The temple is moderately ornamented.
Pandrethan temple or Pani Mandir, Badami bagh, Srinagar
Context: The SLIM (Smart Lander for Investigating Moon) mission has established Japan as the fifth country to successfully land a spacecraft on the moon. This milestone was achieved through the deployment of the robotic "Moon Sniper," which is designed for lunar exploration and surface testing. The SLIM Mission is labelled as Moon Sniper.
About SLIM (Smart Lander for Investigating Moon)
SLIM (Smart Lander for Investigating Moon) is a small-scale exploration of JAXA (Japan’s Space Agency) lander.
"SLIM" is a technology demonstrator, and the expertise gained in precision landing and other technologies will be inherited by future missions such as the Martian Moon eXploration (MMX) and lunar polar missions. It is designed for:
Pinpoint landings on the Moon's surface with a landing accuracy of less than 100 metres. SLIM Mission employs ‘Vision based navigation’ technology for its higher landing accuracy.
Reduction in the size and weight of equipment used in Moon landings which will result in more frequent lunar and planetary landings. SLIM Mission employs small, lightweight and high performance chemical propulsion systems and light-weight materials in designing systems such as computers to save on the weight.
Investigation into the Moon's origins through composition analysis of rocks estimated to be derived from the lunar mantle. There is a theory that the moon was formed by a giant impact. In this case, the composition of the moon's mantle, which makes up 90% of the moon, would be similar to that of Earth. SLIM Mission has selected the landing site close to the SHIOLI crater near the "Sea of Nectar" as the landing target site. Olivine mineral is expected to be present at the Shioli crater, expected to be ejected from Moon’s mantle.
Importance of Pinpoint Landing
SLIM Mission employs Vision Based Navigation System for ensuring enhanced landing accuracy.
Most conventional lunar landers land at a distance of several kilometres to tens of kilometres away from the planned landing site. Low landing accuracy.
Over the years, Moon rovers and landers have adequately mapped the surface of the moon. To take the researcher frontier forward, researchers now aim to study specific sites and rocks on the surface of the Moon. This will require pin-point landing.
For high-resolution lunar in-situ observation of individual rocks, it is necessary to land the spacecraft precisely.
Traversing steep slopes and rough terrain on the moon can be made less challenging with precision landing.
Locations with sustainable water resources are limited to a very narrow area on the Moon. To explore such areas precision landing is required.
Landing on sloped surfaces
Since the SLIM Mission plans to land at a site near a crater which has slope of 15 degrees. The SLIM mission will employ and demonstrate capabilities to land at sloped surfaces by employing a unique two-step landing technology.
The landing sequence of SLIM will be conducted as follows:
Benefits of SLIM Mission
Future solar science exploration will demand the level of navigation accuracy that JAXA is seeking through the SLIM mission.
As scientific knowledge builds on the study object, more specific research will be needed. Placing spacecraft with precision facilitates expertise.
Planetary science exploration will additionally call for highly capable equipment for observation.
Downsizing the exploration system can reinforce the instruments to be placed into a locale especially well-suited for its landing mission.
Context: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi sought blessings at the Sri Sri Auniati Satra, a more than 350-year-old Vaishnavite monastery in Assam’s Majuli district. Sri Sri Auniati Satra was established in 1663 in Majuli. Lord Krishna is worshipped as Govinda with the original idol being brought from the Lord Jagannath Temple at Puri.
About Sattras
Sattras are monastic institutions created as part of the 16th-century Neo-Vaishnavite reformist movement initiated by Vaishnavite saint-reformer Srimanta Sankaradeva.
Sankardeva preached a monotheistic form of Hinduism (Ekasarana tradition) called Vaishnavism and established monasteries and hermitages known as Sattra on the islet.
The first Sattra was founded in Majuli.
Sattras are spread across the state, propagating Sankardeva’s unique “worship through art” approach with music (borgeet), dance (sattriya), and theater (bhauna).
There are different types of Satras, such as Auniati, Kamalabari, Dakhinpat, Garamur, Samaguri, Bengenaati, and Natun Kamalabari.
They consist of a large prayer hall (Naamghar) headed by an influential “Sattradhikar” facing a simple shrine, surrounded by dormitories and bathing tanks for monks.
They also offer guest accommodation where devotees and visitors take part in the worship of Vishnu and Krishna and also watch traditional bhaona performances.
Young bhakats are wonderful artisans and make masks, musical instruments, as well as hand-fans and door frames.
Young bhakats may or may not be celibate, depending on the kind of Sattra they are inducted into.
Context: Writ petition was filed in SC because of concerns raised over the decline in investor wealth and volatility in share market due to fall in share prices of Adani group.
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Background: The situation was caused by a report published by Hindenburg research about the financial transactions of the group.
The report alleged that the Adani group manipulated its share prices and failed to disclose transactions with related parties and other relevant information in violation of the regulations framed by SEBI and provisions of securities’ legislation.
Subsequently, Hindenburg Research took a short position in the Adani group through US-traded bonds and non- Indian traded derivative instruments.
Outcome of judgement:
SC has said that the Investigation conducted by the SEBI into the Adani Group “inspires confidence” and was prima facie comprehensive. The market regulator had already completed 22 out of the 24 investigations into the group.
The court has further ordered the SEBI to expeditiously complete the pending investigations, within three months, and said the regulator could not leave the probe “open-ended and indeterminate in time”.
The judgment refused the allegation that SEBI’s amendments in the Foreign Portfolio Investors Regulations and Listing Obligations and Disclosure Requirements (LODR) Regulations had been conducted as an exercise in “first opening a loophole and then plugging the loophole with deferred effect” and has now hindered the regulator’s investigation.
About Securities and Exchange Board of India:
The Securities and Exchange Board of India was constituted as a non-statutory body on April 12, 1988 through a resolution of the Government of India.
The Securities and Exchange Board of India was established as a statutory body in the year 1992 and the provisions of the Securities and Exchange Board of India Act, 1992.
Objectives of SEBI
SEBI is entrusted with regulating the functioning of the Indian capital market. The objectives of SEBI as a regulatory body are to monitor and regulate India's securities market to safeguard investors' interests.
It aims to inculcate a safe investment environment by implementing several rules and regulations and formulating investment-related guidelines.
One of the main objectives is to avoid malpractices in the Indian stock market.
Context: Bangladeshi Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus has received a six-month jail sentence in Bangladesh for violating the country's labour laws. The 83-year-old is renowned for pioneering microfinance loans to assist impoverished individuals.
Understanding Microfinance
Microfinance is a financial service providing small loans and other financial assistance to low-income households.
It serves as an economic tool to promote financial inclusion, enabling impoverished households to escape poverty, elevate their income levels, and enhance overall living standards.
Institutions offering microfinance services, known as Microfinance Institutions (MFIs), operate independently due to the unique characteristics of microfinance, such as high transaction costs, short loan durations, frequent repayments, lack of collateral, and relatively higher default rates.
These MFIs are regulated either as Non-Banking Financial Companies (NBFCs) by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) or through the Companies Act of 2013.
Microfinance Components
Microcredit: Involves providing very small loans to borrowers lacking collateral, steady employment, or a verifiable credit history. It supports small-scale entrepreneurship, poverty alleviation, and empowerment, delivered through various channels.
Micro Insurance: Offers low-premium, low-coverage insurance tailored for low-income individuals, covering risks like crop and livestock damage.
Micro Saving: Targets individuals with low incomes and savings, providing accounts for small deposits with low minimum balance requirements and no service charges.
Status of Microfinance in India
As of March 31, 2022, the SHG-Bank Linkage Programme in India covers 14.2 crore families through 119 lakh SHGs, with savings deposits totaling ₹47,240.48 crore.
NABARD has sanctioned ₹255.81 crore for Joint Liability Groups Promoting Institutions (JLGPIs), promoting 12.77 lakh JLGs, and disbursing ₹112,772.75 crore in loans during the fiscal year 2021-22.
Benefits of Microfinance
Credit to Low-Income Borrowers: Provides credit to those with low incomes and assets, aiding small entrepreneurs in impoverished regions.
Collateral-Free Loans: Eliminates the need for collateral, enabling individuals with minimal assets to access credit.
Financial Inclusion: Assists populations unable to access traditional banking institutions.
Income Generation: Empowers small entrepreneurs, facilitating income improvement.
Women Empowerment: Fosters financial independence for women, as seen in the SHG-Bank Linkage Programme benefiting 119 lakh SHGs, with 87% comprising women.
Rehabilitation: Extends financial access in conflict zones, aiding rehabilitation efforts.
Financial Illiteracy: Lack of awareness about MFIs and their services among the poor.
Funding Generation Difficulty: Limited access to funds due to the non-profit nature of many MFIs.
Heavy Dependence on Banks: Dependency on short-term funds from private banks, leading to asset-liability mismatch.
Weak Governance: Lack of transparency in governance, hindering attraction of capital.
Interest Rate Concerns: Some MFIs charge high interest rates, posing challenges for low-income borrowers.
Regional Imbalances: Unequal geographical growth of MFIs and SHGs, with concentrated credit linkages in certain states.
Steps to Promote Microfinance in India
Government Programmes: Initiatives like SHG-Bank Linkage Programme, Micro Enterprise Development Programme (MEDPs), Livelihood and Enterprise Development Programme (LEDP), and Credit Guarantee Fund Trust for Micro and Small Enterprises (CGTMSE).
Financial Support by NABARD and SIDBI: Support for MFIs through grants, revolving funds, and equity.
MUDRA: Establishment of Micro Units Development & Refinance Agency Ltd (MUDRA) to provide financial support to MFIs.
Regulatory Initiatives: Introduction of regulations for NBFC-MFIs by RBI.
Way Forward
Comprehensive Regulation: The microfinance sector requires a comprehensive regulatory framework for sustainable development.
Interest Rate Transparency: MFIs should transparently communicate interest rates and additional charges to borrowers.
Encourage Microfinance Penetration: Financial assistance to MFIs for expanding into underserved areas will enhance outreach.
Expand Product Range: MFIs should diversify their offerings to include credit, savings, remittance, financial advice, and non-financial services.
Use of Technology: Adoption of new technologies to reduce operational costs.
Different Funding Sources: Exploration of alternative funding sources, such as conversion to for-profit companies.
Conclusion
While the microfinance sector has contributed to inclusive development, challenges persist, including regional disparities and rising bad loans. A comprehensive regulatory approach, transparent interest rate practices, increased penetration, diversified product offerings, technological integration, and diverse funding sources are crucial for ensuring the sector's inclusivity and sustainability.
Context: Geneticists and conservationists have joined forces to re-introduce the Dodo, extinct since the late 17th century.
About Dodo
It is a flightless birds that primarily inhabited the island of Mauritius.
Listed as extinct on IUCN Red List of species.
The lifespan of a Dodo bird was 10 to 30 years.
It was a large, plump bird covered in soft, grey feathers, with a plume of white at its tail.
It had small wings that were far too weak to ever lift the dodo off the ground.
The dodo's legs were short and stubby and yellow in colour.
The closest living relative of the dodo bird is the Nicobar pigeon, lives on the ground.
Initially, the Dodo's extinction was attributed to human overhunting, but recent research indicates that a combination of human actions and the introduction of animals like dogs, pigs, cats, rats, and macaques led to habitat destruction and nesting ground loss for the Dodo.
Genetic reintroduction of Dodo using Genetic engineering
Genetic engineering company Colossal Biosciences and Mauritian Wildlife Foundation are planning using genetic engineering and repopulate the Dodo’s in the island of Mauritius. Colossal Biosciences has sequenced the entire genome of dodo using DNA extracted from a skull in the collection of Natural History Museum of Denmark.
Scientists have found the primordial germ cells (PGCs) of Nicobar Pigeon (Dodo’s closest living relative). PGCs are basically embryonic precursors of a species sperm and egg. Nicorbar’s PGCs will be edited to express the physical traits of dodo. These edited PGCs will be then inserted into embryos of a sterile chicken and rooster, who will act as interspecies surrogates.
NTPS system provides seamless issuance of transit pass and is envisioned as 'One Nation, One Pass' system. This system helps in monitoring and keeping records of transit permits for inter-state and intra-state transportation of timber and bamboo from private lands/government/private depot and other minor forest produce.
States have exempted some species grown on private land from the purview of transmit permits while other species still need permits even if it is grown on private land. These two categories have been dealt with in the system. Application will move to concerned Range Forest Office.
Transit pass for transit of regulated species in the originating state: Transit pass is required for species which are not exempted by a state government.
No-Objection Certificate for transit of exempted species in the originating state: If an applicant wants to transport a species which is exempted from transit pass in origin state but it is not exempted en-route states or destination state, applicant may apply for NOC for hassle free movement.
Transit permits will be issued for tree species which are regulated, while users can self-generate No-Objection Certificates for exempted species.
Currently, 25 States and UTs have joined the unified permit system, streamlining interstate business operations for producers, farmers and transporters.
NTPS offers seamless transit permits, managing records for both inter-state and intra-state transportation of timber, bamboo and other forest produce obtained from various sources like private lands, government owned forest and private depots.
The QR coded transit permits generated under NTPS will allow check gates across various states to verify the validity of the permits and allow seamless transit.
Transit system before introduction of National Transit Pass System
Prior to the introduction of NTPS, obtaining transit permits from different states along the route was a time-consuming process, causing hurdles in transporting timber and forest produce across the states.
Each state has its own transit regulations which meant that in order to transport timber or forest produce across states, the transporter was required to get a separate transit pass issued in each state.
Benefits of National Transit Pass System
Expedite issuance of transit permits for timber, bamboo and other minor forest produce without physically going to forest offices.
Replace manual paper based transit system by online transit system.
One permit for whole India for transit of timber, bamboo and other minor forest produce for ease of doing business.
Seamless movement across state borders for origin to destination through help of MobileApp.
Prevent hardships of timber and bamboo producers, farmers and transporters in obtaining permits and at forest check posts.
Promotion of agro-forestry activities.
Saving of transportation cost and time which will benefit farmers and traders and will in turn help in increasing farmer's income.
