GS Paper 3

India needs a national programme on autism

Context: World Autism Awareness Day was celebrated on 2nd April Which highlights the fact that more than one crore Indians are affected with autism which requires the intervention of the government.

What is autism? 

Autism is a developmental disorder with symptoms that appear within the first three years of life. Its formal diagnostic name is autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The word “spectrum” indicates that autism appears in different forms with varying levels of severity. That means that each individual with autism experiences their own unique strengths, symptoms, and challenges.

How autism spectrum disorders are described?

Psychiatrists and other clinicians rely on the fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) to define autism and its symptoms. The DSM-5 definition recognizes two main symptom areas: 

  • Deficits in social communication and interaction Restricted, 
  • Repetitive behaviours, interests, or activities.

These symptoms appear early in a child’s development—although diagnosis may occur later. Autism is diagnosed when symptoms cause developmental challenges that are not better explained by other conditions. 

Autism symptoms and behaviours 

Individuals with autism may present a range of symptoms, such as: 

  • Reduced eye contact 
  • Differences in body language 
  • Lack of facial expressions 
  • Not engaging in imaginative play 
  • Repeating gestures or sounds 
  • Closely focused interests 
  • Indifference to temperature extremes 

These are just a few examples of the symptoms an individual with autism may experience. Any individual could have some, all, or none of these symptoms. 

Keep in mind that having these symptoms does not necessarily mean a person has autism. Only a qualified medical professional can diagnose autism spectrum disorder. 

Each person with autism has their own strengths, likes, dislikes, interests, challenges, and skills, just like you do. 

How autism is diagnosed? 

There is no known biological marker for autism. That means that no blood or genetic test can diagnose the disorder. Instead, clinicians rely on observation, medical histories, and questionnaires to determine whether an individual has autism. Physicians and specialists may use one or several of the following screening tools: 

  • Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers, Revised (M-CHAT), a 20-question test designed for toddlers between 16 and 30 months old. 
  • The Ages and Stages Questionnaire (ASQ), a general developmental screening tool with sections targeting specific ages used to identify any developmental challenges a child may have. 
  • Screening Tool for Autism in Toddlers and Young Children (STAT), an interactive screening tool, comprising 12 activities that assess play, communication, and imitation. 
  • Parents’ Evaluation of Developmental Status (PEDS) is a general developmental parent interview form that identifies areas of concern by asking parents questions. 

In rare cases, individuals with autism reach adulthood before receiving a diagnosis. However, most individuals receive an autism diagnosis before the age of 8. 

Autism Prognosis 

Autism is a lifelong condition, and a wide variety of treatments can help support people with ASD. The symptoms and comorbidities—conditions occurring in the same individual—are treatable. 

  • Early intervention delivers the best results. Parents and caregivers should seek out the advice of a qualified medical professional before starting any autism treatment. 
  • Advances in understanding autism, its symptoms, and comorbidities have improved outcomes for individuals with autism. 

Co-occurring conditions 

When a person has more than two or more disorders, these conditions are known as comorbidities. Several comorbidities are common in people with autism. These include: 

  • Anxiety 
  • Depression 
  • Epilepsy 
  • Gastrointestinal and immune function disorders 
  • Metabolic disorders 
  • Sleep disorders 

Identifying co-occurring conditions can sometimes be a challenge because their symptoms may be mimicked or masked by autism symptoms. However, diagnosing and identifying these conditions can help avoid complications and improve the quality of life for individuals with autism. 

Why India needs a national programme on autism?

  • Cultural differences and diagnosis: The majority of children with an autism spectrum diagnosis within the United States and the United Kingdom are likely to be verbal, with average or higher than average IQ, and attend mainstream schools. In contrast, a significant majority of children in India who get a clinical diagnosis of autism often also have an intellectual disability and limited verbal ability. 

Autism is assessed behaviourally, and behavioural assessment tools (i.e., questionnaires or interviews with professionals) are the starting point for all research and clinical work on autism. Yet, most of the widely used autism assessment tools have limited availability in Indian languages.

  • Poor supply of specialists in India: According to the latest estimates, India has less than 10,000 psychiatrists, a majority of whom are concentrated in big cities. 

While the number of mental health professionals continues to grow, the current gap between demand and supply cannot be met directly by the specialists alone. 

This gap is not relevant for behavioural assessments alone but also for providing psychological interventions. Parallel efforts to widen the reach of diagnostic and intervention services by involving non-specialists (e.g., Accredited Social Health Activist (ASHA)/Anganwadi workers, parents/caregivers) and the appropriate digital technology (e.g., apps, smartphones) that can capture both self/caregiver report as well as observational data.

What should be the components of the all-India programme on autism?

A national programme on autism should aim at:

  • linking researchers, clinicians, and service providers to the end-users in the autism community in India. 
  • Assessment, 
  • Intervention, and 
  • Awareness. 
  • Promoting R&D in the Autism
  • Expansion of clinical and support service workforce by training non-specialists such that a stepped-care model can be rolled out effectively across the nation. 
  • Consultation with different stakeholders

Rising Antarctic ice melt will dramatically slow global ocean flows study says

Context: New research published in the journal Nature, has found that rapidly melting Antarctic ice is dramatically slowing down the flow of water through the world’s oceans, and could have a disastrous impact on global climate, the marine food chain and even the stability of ice shelves.

What is overturning circulation?

  • The “overturning circulation” of the oceans, driven by the movement of denser water towards the sea floor, helps deliver heat, carbon, oxygen and vital nutrients around the globe.
  • Ocean overturning allows nutrients to rise up from the bottom.

What the study found

  • As temperatures rise, freshwater from Antarctica’s melting ice enters the ocean, reducing the salinity and density of the surface water and diminishing that downward flow to the sea’s bottom.
  • According to a study, deep ocean water flows from the Antarctic could decline by 40% by 2050.
  • Disrupting the base of the food chain: The slow flow of water near Antarctica will slow down the whole circulation and will reduce the number of nutrients that get returned from the deep ocean back up to the surface.
  • Leaving more CO2 in the atmosphere: The ocean would not be able to absorb as much carbon dioxide as its upper layers become more stratified, leaving more CO2 in the atmosphere. 
  • The study showed that warm water intrusions in the western Antarctican ice shelf would increase.

About Antarctica

Definition of Antarctica: All the Land and ice shelves to the south of 60-degree latitude.

Antarctica Treaty

  • It was signed in Washington on 1 December 1959 by the twelve countries whose scientists had been active in and around Antarctica during the International Geophysical Year (IGY) of 1957-58. 
  • It entered into force in 1961 and has since been acceded to by many other nations. 
  • The total number of Parties to the Treaty is now 56 (Including India).

Provisions:

  • Antarctica should be used only for peaceful purposes.  No country should build military bases.
  • Freedom of scientific investigation in Antarctica.
  • No country should claim sovereignty over Antarctica based on setting up of Research stations.
  • No Nuclear explosions or disposal of radioactive wastes
  • Countries to take appropriate efforts to abide by the provisions of the treaty.

India and Antarctica:

  • India signed the Antarctic Treaty in 1983.
  • India ratified the Convention on the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources in 1985.
  • India signed Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty in 1998. (Madrid Protocol)
  • India's research stations in Antarctica: Dakshin Gangotri (De-commissioned now); Maitri and Bharati. Managed by National Centre for Polar and Ocean
  • Research (NCPOR), Goa under the Ministry of Earth Sciences.
  • Nov 2021: India launched its 41st Scientific Expedition to Antarctica.

European Commission grants GI tag for Himachal’s Kangra tea

Context: Recently, Himachal Pradesh’s famous Kangra Tea has been awarded a protected Geographical Indication (GI) tag by the European Union (EU), opening up new opportunities for the tea to enter the European market.

The EC notified granting PGI on March 22 and this will come into effect from April 11, 2023.

The key characteristics of 'Kangra tea’

  • It is produced in the slopes of the Dhauladhar mountain ranges of the Western Himalayas. The tea is cultivated in various areas, including Palampur, Baijnath, Kangra, Dharmshala, Jogindernagar, and Bhatiyat.
  • It is grown at an elevation ranging from 900 to 1,400 metres above sea level with the annual rainfall being 270-350 cm.  
  • This unique tea is derived from the leaves, buds, and tender stems of the Camellia sinensis species cultivated in the Kangra Valley of Himachal Pradesh, India.
  • It is available in green, oolong, white, and orthodox black types. While the black tea has a sweet lingering after-taste, the green tea has a delicate woody aroma. 
  • The tea has a light colour, high body in liquor, and leaves that contain up to 13% catechins, 3% caffeine, and amino acids such as theanine, glutamine, and tryptophan.
  • Kangra tea is a little milder than Darjeeling tea in terms of flavour and has more body and liquor.
  • Kangra Tea previously received an Indian Geographical Indication tag in 2005, and since 1999, the cultivation and development of the tea have steadily improved in the Kangra region.

About geographical indication

  • A geographical indication (GI) is a sign used on products that have a specific geographical origin and possess qualities or a reputation that are due to that origin. In order to function as a GI, a sign must identify a product as originating in a given place.

In India

Geographical Indications registration is administered by the Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999 which came into force with effect from September 2003.The Act would be administered by the Controller General of Patents, Designs and Trade Marks- who is the Registrar of Geographical Indications under Department for Promotion of Industry & Internal Trade, which is in turn under the Ministry of Commerce & Industry

  • The term “geographical indications”, in its broad sense, includes a variety of concepts used in international treaties and national/regional jurisdictions, such as: appellation of origin (AO), protected designation of origin (PDO) and protected geographical indication (PGI). 

For instance

  • “Appellation of origin” is defined in the Lisbon Agreement for the Protection of Appellations of Origin and their International Registration and in the Geneva Act of the Lisbon Agreement on Appellations of Origin and Geographical Indications.
  • “Protected Designation of Origin (PDO)” and “Protected Geographical Indication (PGI)” are terms used within the European Union.
  • Protected designation of origin (PDO): Product names registered as PDO are those that have the strongest links to the place in which they are made.

Specifications: Every part of the production, processing and preparation process must take place in the specific region.

Products: food, agricultural products and wines.

  • Protected geographical indication (PGI): PGI emphasises the relationship between the specific geographic region and the name of the product, where a particular quality, reputation or other characteristic is essentially attributable to its geographical origin.

Products: food, agricultural products and wines.

Specifications: For most products, at least one of the stages of production, processing or preparation takes place in the region. 

Revamped Credit Guarantee Scheme for Micro & Small Enterprises Scheme (CGTMSE Scheme)

Context: Ministry of MSME has issued guidelines for revamping of Credit Guarantee Scheme for Micro & Small Enterprises with effect from 1st April 2023. CGTMSE created a landmark by touching the milestone approving guarantees worth Rs 1 lakh crore during FY 2022-23. 

Revamped Credit Guarantee Scheme for Micro & Small Enterprises Scheme

  • Objective of CGTMSE Scheme: Aims to encourage first generation entrepreneurs to venture into self-employment opportunities by facilitating credit guarantee support for collateral free/third party guarantee free loans to Micro & Small enterprises (MSEs), especially in absence of collateral. To operationalise the scheme, Government of India and SIDBI set up the Credit Guarantee Fund Trust for Micro and Small Enterprises (CGTMSE).
  • Guarantee coverage ranges from 85% for Micro enterprises up to Rs 5 lakhs to 75% for others. 50% coverage for retail activity. 
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  • Corpus of Credit Guarantee Fund Trust for Micro & Small Enterprises (CGTMSE) has been infused with a sum of Rs 8,000 crore to enable additional collateral free guaranteed credit of Rs 2 lakh crore and reduction in cost of credit by 1%.
  • Reduction of Annual Guarantee Fee for loans up to Rs 1 crore from a peak rate of 2% p.a. to as low as 0.37% per annum. This will reduce overall cost of credit to Micro & Small Enterprises to a great extent.
  • Limit on ceiling for guarantees has been enhanced from Rs 2 crore to 5 crores. Hence, under the scheme provides credit guarantee for loans up to Rs 5 crore, without collateral and third-party guarantee. 
  • No legal proceedings up to Rs 10 lakhs: For settlement of claims in respect of guarantees for loan outstanding up to Rs 10 lakh, initiation of legal proceedings will no longer be required.
  • Lending Institutions through which CGTMSE Scheme is eligible: Scheduled Commercial Banks including private banks, select Regional Rural Banks, Selected NBFCs and Small Finance Banks, NSIC, NEDFI, SIDBI and The Tamil Nadu Industrial Investment Corporation(TNIIC).

Unified Tariff Regime for National Gas Grid System

Context: Petroleum & Natural Gas Regulatory Board has amended PNGRB (Determination of Natural Gas Pipeline Tariff) Regulations to incorporate regulations pertaining to Unified Tariff for natural gas pipelines with a mission of 'One Nation, One Grid & One Tariff). National Gas Grid System means network of all such natural gas pipelines within India which are fully interconnected with each other (including those which are partly commissioned and so interconnected)

Salient Features of Unified Tariff Regime for Natural Gas Pipelines

  • Levelised Unified Tariff: PNGRB has notified a levelized Unified Tariff of Rs 73.93 per MMBTU additional GST tax will be Rs. 0.19/MMBTU. All entities part of National Gas Grid will get the tariff as per their entitlement while customers would pay Unified Tariff applicable for different zones. Difference between the entitlement tariffs to be earned by pipeline companies and unified tariffs paid by customers will be settled between pipeline entities by a settlement mechanism. 
  • Tariff zones for unified tariff:
    • First Tariff zone for unified tariff: Length of 300 km from the entry point on either side of national gas grid system.
    • Second Tariff zone for unified tariff: length between 300 to 1200 km on either side of the first tariff zone on national gas grid
    • Third Tariff zone for unified tariff: Remaining length of national gas grid system on either side of second tariff zone. 
UNIFIED ZONETARIFF (Rs./MMBTU on GCV basis)
Zone 139.45
Zone 274.97
Zone 399.90
  • Companies covered: National Gas Grid covers all interconnected pipeline networks owned and operated by following entities: Indian Oil Corporation, Oil & Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC), GAIL (India), Pipeline Infrastructure ltd., Gujarat State Petronet Ltd, Gujarat Gas, Reliance Gas Pipelines, GSPL India Gasnet & GSPL India Transco. All these entities will be members of Industry Committee. 
  • Settlement mechanism: The settlement mechanism will be applicable to all the entities including shippers availing transportation services through natural gas pipelines forming part of National Gas Grid System. Out of the members of the Industry Committee 5 members will be selected to form a part of Settlement Committee will decide the ratio of settlement among different entities part of National Gas Grid System. 

Significance of Unified Price for National Gas Grid System

  • Expansion of National Gas Grid: With commissioning of newer interconnected gas pipelines, the national gas grid will keep expanding for Union tariff.
  • Affordable access to natural gas in far-flung areas: This reform will specially benefit consumers located in far-flung areas by making natural gas available at competitive and affordable rates. In the current regime, additive rates are applicable for gas consumers in these areas. 
  • Transition to gas economy: India plans to raise the share of gas in the economy to about 15% by 2030 from 6.4% in 2022. The uniform price mechanism for transportation will aid in this regard. 

About Petroleum & Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB)

PNGRB is a statutory body formed under the Petroleum & Natural Gas Regulatory Board Act, 2006.

The Board is headed by a Chairperson, a Member (legal) and three other members to be appointed by Central Government.

Functions of PNGRB are:

  1. Protect interests of consumers by fostering fair trade and competition among entities.
  2. Register entities related to:
  3. Authorise entities to:
    • Lay, build, operate or expand a common carrier or contract carrier.
    • Lay, build, operate or expand city or local natural gas distribution network. (CNG networks)
  1. Declare pipelines as common carrier or contract carrier.
  2. Regulate
    • Access to common carrier or contract carrier to ensure fair trade and competition amongst entities.
    • Transportation rates for common carrier or contract carrier.
    • Access to city or local natural gas distribution network to ensure fair trade and competition.
  3. In respect of petroleum, petroleum products and natural gas:
    • Ensure adequate availability.
    • Ensure display of information about maximum retail prices
    • Monitor prices and take corrective measures to prevent restrictive trade practices by the entities.
    • Secure equitable distribution for petroleum and petroleum products
    • Provide and enforce retail service obligations for retail outlets and marketing service obligations for entities.
    • Monitor transportation rates and take corrective actions to prevent restrictive trade practices by entities.
    • Levy fees and other charges
    • Maintain a data bank of information on activities related to petroleum, petroleum products & natural gas.
    • Lay down technical standards, specifications & safety standards related to petroleum, petroleum products, natural gas, pipeline construction, operation & maintenance related to downstream petroleum and natural gas.
  4. Adjudicate and decide disputes arising amongst entities and receive complaints. 

FTP moots setting up e-com export hubs

Context: Union Minister of Commerce and Industry  has  launched the Foreign Trade Policy 2023 saying that it is dynamic and has been kept open ended to accommodate the emerging needs of the time.

More on news:

India's Foreign Trade Policy expands export benefits to e - commerce overseas shipments, with the aim to increase exports to $200 - $300 billion annually by 2030. There is a plan to create hubs for exports with designated zones for warehousing. These hubs will help e-commerce aggregators to undertake everything from stocking to customs clearances and processing of returned orders. These hubs would also include a processing facility for last mile activities like labelling, testing and repackaging. 

Foreign Trade Policy (FTP) 2023

  • It aims at process re-engineering and automation to facilitate ease of doing business for exporters. 
  • It also focuses on emerging areas like dual use high end technology items under SCOMET (Special Chemicals, Organism, Materials, Equipment and Technologies), facilitating e-commerce export, collaborating with States and Districts for export promotion.
  • It is introducing a one-time Amnesty Scheme for exporters to close the old pending authorizations and start afresh. 
  • It encourages recognition of new towns through “Towns of Export Excellence Scheme” and exporters through “Status Holder Scheme”. 
  • It will facilitate exports by streamlining the popular Advance Authorization and Export Promotion Capital Goods (EPCG) schemes, and enabling merchanting trade from India.
  • To develop India into a merchanting trade hub, it has introduced provisions for merchanting trade. Merchanting trade of restricted and prohibited items under export policy would now be possible. (Merchanting trade involves shipment of goods from one foreign country to another foreign country without touching Indian ports, involving an Indian intermediary). 

Key pillars of FTP 2023

  1. Incentive to Remission
  2. Export promotion through collaboration - Exporters, States, Districts, Indian Missions
  3. Ease of doing business, reduction in transaction cost and e-initiatives
  4. Emerging Areas – E - Commerce Developing Districts as Export Hubs and streamlining SCOMET policy

Status of exports in India

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India’s Exporters

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Lynx U2 fire control systems

Context: Ministry of Defence signed a contract with Bharat Electronics Limited for the procurement of 13 Lynx-U2 fire control systems for the Navy at a cost of over Rs 1,700 crore, under the Buy Indian – IDMM (Indigenously Designed Developed and Manufactured) category.

Lynx-U2 fire control system:

  • The Lynx-U2 system is a naval gun fire control system capable of accurately tracking and engaging targets amid sea as well as air or surface targets.
  • The fourth generation, completely indigenous systems, will be installed on New Generation Offshore Patrol Vessels to be built indigenously at Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers and Goa Shipyard Limited. 

Next-generation Offshore Patrol Vessels

Context: Ministry of Defence has signed a deal to buy eleven Next Generation Offshore Patrol Vessels and six Next Generation Missile Vessels at Rs 19,600 crore. 

Next Generation Offshore Patrol Vessels (NGOPV):

  • The contract for 11 NGOPVs worth Rs 9,781 crore was signed between Goa Shipyard Limited and Garden Reach Shipyard Limited under Buy (Indian-IDDM) category. 
  • NGOPVs will increase the Navy’s various operational capabilities such as Anti-Piracy, Counter-Infiltration, Anti-Poaching, Anti-Trafficking, Non-Combatant Evacuation Operations, Search and Rescue (SAR), Protection of Offshore Assets etc.
    • An offshore patrol vessel (OPV) is a small surface ship designed for coastal defence.
    • They can carry a crew of up to 80-90 sailors, but are much more lightly armed — and therefore much cheaper — than capital warships like corvettes, frigates, or destroyers.
    • For performing tasks that do not require heavy fighting, OPVs offer a far more economical option than using heavily armed capital warships.
    • These warships are well equipped to tackle a range of roles such as maritime security, border control, anti-smuggling, counter-terrorism, disaster relief etc.

Next Generation Missile Vessels (NGMV):

  • The contract for constructing six Next Generation Missile Vessels (NGMVs) was signed with Cochin Shipyard (CSL) at Rs 9,805 crore.
  • NGMVs would be heavily armed war vessels incorporating stealth, high speed and offensive capability.
  • The primary role of the ships would be to provide offensive capability against enemy warships, merchantmen and land targets.
    • These warships will be capable of conducting maritime strike operations, Anti-Surface Warfare Operations and would be a potent instrument of sea denial for enemy ships, especially at choke points. 
    • In the defensive role, these ships would be employed for Local Naval Defence operations and seaward defence of the Offshore Development Area. 

Next-generation mobile maritime coastal batteries and BrahMos missile

Context: Ministry of Defence has signed a deal with BrahMos Aerospace Private Limited (BAPL) for the procurement of Next Generation Maritime Mobile Coastal Batteries (Long Range) and BrahMos missiles, valued at over Rs 1,700 crore, under Buy (Indian) category. 

Aim: To enhance the Indian Navy's maritime strike capabilities along the coast. 

Next-Generation Maritime Mobile Coastal Batteries (Long Range)

  • Next-Generation Maritime Mobile Coastal Batteries come equipped with new missiles like the BrahMos surface-to-surface cruise missiles. 
  • This system will allow the Indian Navy to target enemy platforms operating close to the Indian coast. 

Supersonic BrahMos missiles

  • BrahMos is the fastest cruise missile in the world with a top speed of Mach 2.8 or almost three times the speed of sound.
  • It is a two-stage missile (solid propellant engine in the first stage and liquid ramjet in the second stage) with a range of 290 km.
  • The multiplatform missile can be launched from land, air, and sea with pinpoint accuracy during day and night irrespective of weather conditions.

Special features of BrahMos

  • Universal for multiple platforms
  • Stealth technology and guidance system
  • “Fire and Forget” principle of operation
  • Pinpoint accuracy with high lethal power 
  • Quicker engagement time and non-interception by any known weapon system
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Significance

  • Enhance the multi-directional maritime strike capability of the Indian Navy. 
  • Boost indigenous production of the critical weapon system and ammunition with the active participation of indigenous industries.
  • Generate employment of more than 90,000 man-days over a period of four years.

BrahMos Aerospace Pvt Ltd (BAPL)

  • BrahMos Aerospace Pvt Ltd is a joint venture between India and Russia that produces supersonic cruise missiles that can be launched from submarines, ships, aircraft, or land platforms.
  • BrahMos was established through an inter-governmental agreement in 1998 as a joint venture between India's state-run Defence Research and Development Organisation and NPO Mashinostroyenia of Russia.
  • Although BrahMos missiles still depend on Russian parts and raw materials, the percentage of local input had gone up to over 70% from around 15% at the start of the venture.

Swathi Weapon locating radar

Context: Ministry of Defence signed a contract for the Weapon locating radar Swathi (Plains) with Bharat Electronic Limited (BEL) at a cost of over Rs 990 crore. 

WLR Swathi:

  • Swathi weapon-locating radars provide fast, automatic, and accurate location of enemy weapons like mortars, shells and rockets within a 50-kilometre range.
  • The radars can simultaneously detect multiple projectiles fired from different weapons at different locations.
  • Indigenously developed by: Defence Research and Development Organisation 
  • Induction is planned to be completed in 24 months. 

COVID variant XBB.1.16

Context: As per the World Health Organization’s (WHO) latest data for February 27 to March 26, 2023, the South-East Asia Region has reported over 27,000 new COVID-19 cases, a 152% increase as compared to the previous 28-day period. 

  • The reason for the spike in cases is the XBB.1.16, the new Omicron variant. 
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XBB.1.16 variant:

  • XBB.1.16 is the new sub-variant of Omicron which is a highly transmissible variant with a high infectivity rate. It can elude hybrid immunity and immunity gained by vaccination. 
    • It is a recombination of two omicron variants.
    • Omicron and its variants are usually more easily transmitted and has has more chances to escape immunity.
  • The sub-variant rapidly transmits and has additional mutations in its nucleotide and amino acids which have been associated with decreased antibody neutralisation, increased transmissibility, and pathogenicity. 
  • Symptoms: High-grade fever for more than 48 hours, cough, sore throat, body pain, severe headache, cold and abdominal discomfort. 

At-risk population: Patients with co-morbidities such as elderly population, or with cardiac conditions, previous pulmonary issues such as asthma, tuberculosis, diabetic and chronic kidney disease patients.

Centre allows the sale of declared hallmarked gold jewellery till Jun 30

Context: Recently the Central government allowed those jewellers to sell their old stock of gold jewellery or gold artefacts with old ‘four marks hallmarking’ till June 30, 2023, which they had declared prior to July 1, 2021—the date on which the 6-digit hallmarking ID (HUID) was introduced in the country.

About Hallmarking

  • Hallmarking is the accurate determination and official recording of the proportionate content of precious metal in the jewellery/artefacts or bullion/coins. 
  • Quality control order for mandatory hallmarking of gold jewellery/artefacts has been issued on 23 June 2021 by the Govt. of India which makes hallmarking mandatory in 256 districts of the country where there is at least one assaying and hallmarking centre. 
  • The Indian Standard on Gold Hallmarking IS 1417:2016 specifies three grades for hallmarking of gold jewellery/ artefacts which are 14 Carat, 18-carat and 22-carat. 
  • The same has been amended to include additional grades of 20 carats, 23 carats and 24 carats. 
  • Indian standard on silver hallmarking IS 2112: 2014 specifies six grades of silver alloys viz 990,970,925,900,835,800 used in the manufacture of jewellery/artefacts of silver.
  • For hallmarking of gold bullion and coins of fineness 995 and 999 parts per thousand, a refinery or a mint obtains a license and applies a hallmark during the manufacturing. At present 44 refineries have taken licences from BIS for refining gold.

Coding of Hallmarked article

  • The jeweller will submit the request for hallmarking online and the data for all the processes undertaken in the centre from inward receipt and weighing, XRF, Sampling, Fire assay and laser marking is maintained online and can be monitored on a real-time basis.
  • At the end of the testing, a unique six-digit alphanumerical code is generated from the BIS server for each jewellery article and is laser marked by the assaying and hallmarking centre on the jewellery along with the BIS logo and purity mark. 
  • Earlier (Before 1 July 2021) hallmarked Jewellery consists of the following four marks:
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With the introduction of a six-digit alphanumeric code from 1 July 2021, the four marks have now been replaced by three marks for gold jewellery/ artefacts as given below

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Registration of Jeweller with BIS

  • For hallmarking of jewellery, a jeweller who wants to sell hallmarked jewellery has to obtain a registration from BIS. 
  • The registration of the jeweller’s process has been made online. 
  • The registration of jewellers is free and valid for a lifetime. 
  • The registered jeweller submits the jewellery for hallmarking to BIS recognized Assaying & Hallmarking (A&H) centre.

About Assaying & Hallmarking (A&H) centre.

  • A&H centres are the testing centres where the jewellery is tested. 
  • After testing, the A&H centre applies a hallmark on the jewellery which is found to meet the requirement of the standard. 
  • The A&H centre can apply for recognition to BIS online. 
  • BIS has developed a digital solution wherein the entire workflow in the assaying and hallmarking centre is automated and made online. 
  • BIS also carries out periodic surveillance audits of the A&H centre to ascertain its continuation with the specified requirements.