Progressing Indian economy:
Challenges:
The Indian economy has faced several challenges in recent times, including:
Weak Demand: The economy has grappled with weak demand, which has impacted various sectors
Unemployment: Rapid growth in unemployment has been a significant challenge, affecting the country's workforce
Poor Infrastructure: India's infrastructure gap, estimated to be around $1.5 trillion, has hindered economic development and the quality of life, particularly in rural areas Balance of Payments Deterioration: The country has been running a persistent current account deficit, reflecting its dependence on foreign goods and services
High Levels of Private Debt: The economy has been burdened by high levels of private debt, impacting financial stability
Inequality: There is a significant disparity between the rich and the poor, posing a challenge to inclusive economic growth
Population Growth: The heavy population pressure has strained the economy, affecting Resource allocation and social welfare
Agrarian Crisis: The agriculture sector, which employs a large portion of the population, has faced challenges, contributing to the overall economic issues
Inflation: High inflation has affected the cost of living and household financial savings, impacting purchasing power
Trade Imbalance and Global Developments: The economy has been influenced by trade imbalances, global demand, and macroeconomic policies, posing risks to growth and development
Income poverty
Causes:
Solutions:
To address income poverty in India, several measures have been proposed and implemented. Some of the common solutions include:
Context: On January 8, 2024, the Union Health Ministry introduced updated regulations in Schedule M of the Drugs and Cosmetics Rules, 1945, aiming to strengthen the oversight of pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical products.
Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) for Pharmaceutical Companies:
GMP for Pharmaceutical Companies in India:
Revised Schedule M of Drugs: Need and Changes Introduced
Implementation of Revised Schedule M Rules:
Implementation of the revised rules is based on company turnovers: Small and medium manufacturers (annual turnover less than ₹250 crore) must comply within 12 months, while large manufacturers (annual turnover exceeding ₹250 crore) have a six-month timeframe for implementation.
Significance of Government's Revision of Schedule M:
Sohrai paintings
Context: On January 8, 2024, a secluded village in Bengal embraced the commencement of the New Year by hosting a workshop dedicated to the ancient indigenous art form known as Sohrai Painting.
About Sohrai Painting:
Theme and Elements:
Geographical Practice:
Primarily practiced by indigenous communities, Sohrai Painting finds expression in the states of Jharkhand, Bihar, Odisha, and West Bengal. The Hazaribagh region in Jharkhand has received a Geographical Indication (GI) tag for this distinctive art form.
Artistic Custodians:
Sohrai Painting serves as the artistic expression of women from tribes like Kurmi, Santal, Munda, Oraon, Agaria, and Ghatwal.
Distinctive Features:
Renowned for vibrant colors, intricate patterns, and symbolic motifs, Sohrai paintings carry a unique visual identity.
Sohrai Festival:
An annual Sohrai festival marks the harvesting season and the onset of winter, celebrating the rich cultural significance of this art form.
Context: On January 8, 2024, the ICAR-Central Tuber Crops Research Institute (CTCRI) issued a cautionary advisory regarding the feeding of animals with cassava, commonly known as tapioca.
About Tapioca Plant:
Climatic Requirements:
Cyanogenic Glucosides (CNGs):
Risk of Cyanide Poisoning:
Feeding crushed peels or leaves immediately after crushing, or without proper drying, poses a high risk of cyanide poisoning in animals. Proper processing and precautions are essential to mitigate the toxic effects of cyanogenic glucosides in tapioca plants.
Context: The reappearance of toxic foam in the Indrayani River has revived concerns about pollution in the region.
About Indrayani River :
Bhima River:
India cut its windfall tax on petroleum crude to 1,700 rupees ($20.53) a tonne from 2,300 rupees a tonne, according to a recent government notification.
Windfall Tax
It is a tax levied by governments against certain industries when economic conditions allow those industries to experience significantly above-average profits.
When is it imposed?
The most common industries that fall target to windfall gains tax include oil, gas, and mining.
Purpose:
A rare and elusive bear, the Tibetan brown bear, has been recently sighted in Sikkim, making it the first confirmed record of the animal being sighted in India.
Tibetan Brown Bear
Conservation Status:
Recently, a photographer has spotted an extremely rare all-white Gentoo penguin in Chilean Antarctica.
Gentoo penguin
It is exclusively found in the Southern Hemisphere between 45 and 65 degrees south latitude.
Habitat: Gentoo penguins typically are found along the shoreline. This allows the penguins to be able to quickly access food while remaining close to their nest.
Falkland Islands?
It is an internally self-governing overseas territory of the United Kingdom in the South Atlantic Ocean. It lies about 300 miles (480 km) northeast of the southern tip of South America and a similar distance east of the Strait of Magellan.
Scientists recently discovered a new species of fungus in Kerala, named ‘Paramyrothecium indicum’.
Paramyrothecium indicum
Key Facts about Fungi
Protista?
Protists are a group of all the eukaryotes that are not fungi, animals, or plants. As a result, it is a very diverse group of organisms. The eukaryotes that make up this kingdom, Kingdom Protista, do not have much in common besides a relatively simple organization. Protists can look very different from each other. Some are tiny and unicellular, like an amoeba, and some are large and multicellular, like seaweed.
The anti-communal and progressive civic space is under the most serious attack by various restrictions in India.
What are the issues faced by Civil Society Organisations (CSOs)?
A free civic space is the space where CSOs can operate without undue interference from the state or other actors.
Communalism is the ideology that divides people along religious lines and promotes hatred and violence between different communities.
Category based on intensity of attack |
Restrictions |
High |
Loss of funds, imprisonment and other charges |
Moderate |
Centre for Policy Research a prominent think tank is also targeted by the state. |
Low |
They are attacked by Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act, 2010, Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and Income Tax department. |
What are the instruments used by the State against CSO?
Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) |
|
Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA) |
|
The expedition includes 21 members from India, two from Mauritius, and one from Bangladesh.
The British took the art to foreign markets in the early 19th century.
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We provide offline, online and recorded lectures in the same amount.
Every aspirant is unique and the mentoring is customised according to the strengths and weaknesses of the aspirant.
In every Lecture. Director Sir will provide conceptual understanding with around 800 Mindmaps.
We provide you the best and Comprehensive content which comes directly or indirectly in UPSC Exam.