CyberDome Project

CyberDome Project: A Public-Private Partnership in Cyberspace CyberDome Project- In the rapidly growing and changing the digital world, the investigation of cybercrimes and ensuring cybersecurity for citizens is one of the most challenging areas for the Law Enforcement Agencies (LEAs).  Since today’s cyber-crimes involve the use of most modern and sophisticated technologies, as well as anonymity over the internet, it becomes extremely difficult for the police, to investigate these kinds of crimes. The cybercriminals now work in a borderless environment, with legal systems of multiple jurisdictions. To make things worse, cybercrime has been evolving at an astonishing rate. Unfortunately, the police system is not equipped to take a pivotal role in cybercrime investigations and prevention of cybercrimes. The new challenges in Cyber Security, increasing number of cybercrimes and newer sophisticated cyber threats on the Internet, targeted against individuals and establishments have necessitated the expertise of Information technology professionals in fighting the same. Law enforcement agencies also require training by the IT sector as technology gets updated rapidly.  Taking into account the broader impact of cybercrimes and challenges in cyberspace, Kerala Police initiated the Cyber Dome Project for the establishment of a Hi-tech Centre for Cyber Security and Innovations at the Technopark Campus, Trivandrum, Kerala. About Cyberdome Cyberdome is a technological research and development centre of Kerala Police Department, conceived as a cyber centre of excellence in cybersecurity, as well as technology augmentation for effective policing. It envisages as a high tech public-private partnership centre of collaboration for different stakeholders in the domain of cybersecurity and handling of cyber crimes in a proactive manner.  The IT industry will contribute in terms of expertise, manpower, hardware, software, training, etc on a pro-bono basis. It is a motley crew of ethical hackers, expert coders, youth prodigies skilled in software, law enforcers and civilian volunteers who huddle behind flickering computer terminals at the office, with most of them offering their services for free.  They are State law enforcement’s first line of defence against a range of online threats. Objectives and aims The primary objective of Cyberdome is to prevent cyber crimes and ensure that our cyber resources are secured.  It is to prevent cybercrimes through developing a cyber threat resilient ecosystem in the state to defend against the growing threat of cyber attacks by synergizing with other departments and nodal agencies of the state.  Cyberdome makes collective coordination among the Government departments and agencies, academia, research groups, non-profitable organizations, individual experts from the community, ethical hackers, private organizations, and other law enforcement agencies in the country with the aim of providing a safe and secure cyber world for each and every citizen in the state. This centre is envisaged to perform following activities Internet Monitoring Virtual Policing Social Media in Virtual Policing Automated threat intelligence in near real-time Cyber Forensics Virtual Courts Tracking System for Protecting Children Criminal Apprehension Software Safe Surfing online Web Application Child ID Application Image Analysis Software Online Network Investigation Application Access Blocking Application Stolen Vehicle Database Cyber Security Awareness, etc Read Now  Secularism in India The Cyber Dome will have a research division with the following areas of research, development and analysis New avenues of cyber forensic including those using mobile technology New methods in approaching cyber crimes and other crimes using IT Increasing efficiency of Police Department using IT infrastructure Neural analysis Some activities and prospects of the Cyberdome project Cyberdome has developed cyber-surveillance tools to detect and convict those responsible for industrial espionage. The tools unearth moles that lie deep in critical information networks and siphon off data clandestinely. Cyberdome has used social engineering as the lynchpin of its policing strategy to snoop on radical groups that use the net for extremist activities. Cyberdome has also launched a covert cyber-surveillance and infiltration programme to crack down on child pornography. The State police and Cyberdome partnered with the Interpol and the International Centre for Missing and Exploited Children (ICMC) to combat child porn.  The entities have cobbled together an international alliance that entails transfer and development of the latest artificial intelligence-powered cyber tools to crack down on a wide range of crimes. The Interpol has granted the State police access to its latest cyber investigation tool, the Internet Crimes Against Children and Child Online Protective Services (ICACCOPS) programme. It helps law enforcers conduct targeted surveillance of persons who share and trade child pornography on peer-to-peer user networks. In 2017, Cyberdome notched up a remarkable victory when it forewarned the Kerala government of a possible ransomware attack. It also got praise from the chief minister of Kerala for its successful propaganda war against online games such as Blue Whale, which encourages youngsters to engage in death-defying daredevilry, which had caused a few deaths in the country and spawned concern among parents. Some achievements of Cyberdome Performed VAPT (Vulnerability Assessment and Penetration Testing) on more than 100+ sites and reported their vulnerabilities Developed advanced Social Media lab for analytics, Cyber intelligence & monitoring Darknets. A software called Privacy Tracker has been developed in a partnership model for preventing piracy of films Defaced or removed around 250+ child porn pages/ porn sites and initiated action against the culprits Ransomware School started to understand, analyse and mitigate ransomware infections Developed a malware analysis lab to analyse the behaviour of malware & its preventive measures Developed a SOC System(Security Operations Centre) for protecting Government digital infrastructure Child Safety awareness program for students, parents & Teachers named- KID GLOVE- implemented throughout the state Conducted around 18 workshops and 22 hackathons for police cyber training Conducted 80 awareness events/ workshops throughout the state, for the public Intensive project to prevent child pornography over social media platforms Developed geospatial application to pinpoint the location based on mobile cell data Prevention of Online Financial Fraud in association With RBI through a 24X7 OTP fraud Monitoring system 21 MoUs signed with International and National cybersecurity agencies. Conclusion Recently, the Assam government also inaugurated its cyber dome project in order to empower the state Police to fight cyber challenges.  An analysis is the cornerstone of all modern intelligence-led law

Basel Convention

Basel Convention Basel Convention is an international treaty that was designed to reduce the movements of hazardous waste between nations, and specifically to prevent the transfer of hazardous waste from developed to less developed countries (LDCs). It does not address the movement of radioactive waste. The Convention is also intended to minimize the amount and toxicity of wastes generated, to ensure their environmentally sound management and to assist LDCs in the environmentally sound management of the hazardous and other wastes they generate. It was opened for signature on 22 March 1989 and entered into force on 5 May 1992. As of October 2018, 186 states and the European Union are parties to the Convention. Haiti and the United States have signed the Convention but not ratified it. Provisions The provisions of the Convention centre around the following principal aims: The reduction of hazardous waste generation and the promotion of environmentally sound management of hazardous wastes, wherever the place of disposal; The restriction of transboundary movements of hazardous wastes except where it is perceived to be in accordance with the principles of environmentally sound management. Regulatory system applying to cases where transboundary movements are permissible. Aim States require to observe the fundamental principles of environmentally sound waste management (article 4). Hazardous wastes may not be exported to Antarctica, to a State, not a party to the Basel Convention, or to a party having banned the import of hazardous wastes (article 4). Parties may, however, enter into bilateral or multilateral agreements on hazardous waste management with other parties or with non-parties, provided that such agreements are “no less environmentally sound” than the Basel Convention (article 11). The Basel Convention also provides for cooperation between parties, ranging from exchange of information on issues relevant to the implementation of the Convention to technical assistance, particularly to developing countries (articles 10 and 13). Convention attributes responsibility to one or more of the States involved, and imposes the duty to ensure safe disposal, either by re-import into the State of generation or otherwise (articles 8 and 9). The Convention also provides for the establishment of regional or sub-regional centres for training and technology transfers regarding the management of hazardous wastes and other wastes and the minimization of their generation to cater to the specific needs of different regions and sub-regions (article 14).  Fourteen such centres have been established. They carry out training and capacity building activities in the regions. Amending the Basel Convention Parties to the Basel Convention have reached agreement on a legally-binding, globally-reaching mechanism for managing plastic waste. The Geneva meeting amended the 1989 Basel Convention on the control of hazardous wastes to include plastic waste in a legally-binding framework. The new amendment would empower developing countries to refuse “dumping plastic waste” by others. The resolution means contaminated and most mixes of plastic wastes will require prior consent from receiving countries before they are traded, with the exceptions of mixes of PE, PP and PET. Developed countries like the U.S. and Canada have been exporting their mixed toxic plastic wastes to developing Asian countries claiming it would be recycled in the receiving country. Involvement of India Recently the 4th meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP) to Basel Convention was held. The theme of the 2019 meeting was- “Clean Planet, Healthy People: Sound Management of Chemicals and Waste”. An Indian delegation of Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) and along with other ministers participated in the joint meeting and set a tone at COP. In Basel Convention on Control of Transboundary Movement of Hazardous Wastes and their Disposal, two important issues were mainly discussed and decided i.e. technical guidelines on e-waste and inclusion of plastic waste in Prior Informed Consent (PIC) procedure. India’s stand In view of growing consumption of electronic equipment and waste across world, India highlighted that technical guidelines provision in name of re-use, repair, refurbishment and failure leads to the possibility of e-waste dumping from the developed world to the developing countries. So, Indian delegation strongly objected the proposed decision on these guidelines during plenary and did not allow it to be passed by the conference of parties (COP). Outcome On the final day of COP, a modified decision was adopted in which all concerns raised by India were incorporated. This thereby opened a window for further negotiations and corrections in draft technical guidelines on e-waste. Read Also Green Hydrogen / Green Ammonia Policy Enroll today with the best civils service academy and take your first step towards your Civils journey. Feel free to reach out to us for any inquiries, collaborations, or support. We’re here to help. Join now

Financial Action Task Force (FATF)

Financial Action Task Force FATF : Recently in News The Financial Action Task Force FATF last year placed Pakistan on the grey list of countries whose domestic laws are considered weak to tackle challenges of money laundering and terrorism financing. The Financial Action Task Force (FATF) established in July 1989 by the Group of Seven (G-7) in Paris is celebrating its 30th year in 2019. What is FATF ? The Financial Action Task Force (FATF) is an inter-governmental body established in on the initiative of the G7.  It is a “policy-making body” which works to generate the necessary political will to bring about national legislative and regulatory reforms in various areas. The FATF Secretariat is housed at the OECD headquarters in Paris. Objectives of Financial Action Task Force FATF The objectives of the FATF are to set standards and promote effective implementation of legal, regulatory and operational measures for combating money laundering, terrorist financing and other related threats to the integrity of the international financial system. Functions The FATF monitors the progress of its members in implementing necessary measures, reviews money laundering and terrorist financing techniques and counter-measures and promotes the adoption and implementation of appropriate measures globally.  In collaboration with other international stakeholders, the FATF works to identify national-level vulnerabilities with the aim of protecting the international financial system from misuse. It maintains two different lists of countries as blacklist and grey list. Blacklist and Greylist Those that have deficiencies in their AML/CTF regimes, but they commit to an action plan to address these loopholes, and those that do not end up doing enough. The former is commonly known as grey list and latter as a blacklist. Once a country is blacklisted, FATF calls on other countries to apply enhanced due diligence and countermeasures, increasing the cost of doing business with the country and in some cases severing it all together. As of now, there are only two countries in the blacklist — Iran and North Korea — and seven on the grey list, including Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Syria and Yemen. Status of Pakistan Pakistan has been under the FATF’s scanner since June 2018, when it was put on the grey list for terror financing and money laundering risks, after an assessment of its financial system and law enforcement mechanisms. In June 2018, Pakistan gave a high-level political commitment to work with the FATF and the Asia Pacific Group (APG)to strengthen its anti-money laundering/combating the financing of terrorism (AML/CFT) regime. Based on this commitment, Pakistan and the FATF agreed on the monitoring of 27 indicators under a 10-point action plan, with deadlines. Successful implementation of the action plan and its physical verification by the APG will move Pakistan out of the grey list; failure by Pakistan will result in its blacklisting by September 2019. FATF wants to see effective implementation of targeted financial sanctions against all terrorists designated under UN Security Council Resolutions 1267 and 1373. The Joint Group of the APG has recently informed Pakistan that the country’s compliance on 18 of the 27 indicators is unsatisfactory, though the FATF has agreed that there have been improvements in the AML/CFT regime and the integrated database for currency declaration arrangements. At least three votes (out of 36) would be needed to block a move to blacklist Pakistan. Pakistan may make a diplomatic push to thwart blacklisting. Impact on Pakistan Pakistan’s $6 billion loan agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) could be threatened. Pakistan faces an estimated annual loss of $10 billion if it stays in the grey list; if blacklisted, its already fragile economy will deal with a powerful blow. Read Also  Terrorism Financing Read Also  Paris Climate Agreement Role of India India is a voting member of the FATF and APG, and co-chair of the Joint Group. India was not part of the group that moved the resolution to grey list Pakistan in 2018 in Paris. The movers were the US, UK, France, and Germany and China did not oppose. As of now, India is pushing for Pakistan to be blacklisted. There is also an opinion that by keeping Pakistan in the grey list one can continue to pressure the country as well as scrutinise its actions. Enroll today with the best civils service academy and take your first step towards your Civils journey. Feel free to reach out to us for any inquiries, collaborations, or support. We’re here to help. Join now

UPSC mains 2019 Question public administration Paper 1 and 2

Question Public Administration Paper 1   DOWNLOAD Question Public Administration Paper 2  DOWNLOAD UPSC Mains 2019 Questions  GS1     GS2    GS3     GS4    English(compulsory)     Malayalam(Language https://youtu.be/4lXRd0-hq1Y Enroll today with the best civils service academy and take your first step towards your Civils journey. Feel free to reach out to us for any inquiries, collaborations, or support. We’re here to help. join now

Project 75 I

Project 75 I Project 75 I is once more in the news as INS Khanderi, Indian Navy’s second scorpene submarine under the project was commissioned. However, it is being delivered more than six years late, well over cost and with several defects that remain to be resolved. About Project 75 I “Project-75 India (P-75I)” is a submarine project approved by the defence ministry in 2007.  Under this project, the Indian Navy intends to acquire six diesel-electric submarines. French Company DCNS (Naval Group) will provide design and technology to public sector Mazagon Docks to make six Scorpene diesel submarines by 2022. These will feature advanced air-independent propulsion systems to enable them to stay submerged for longer duration and substantially increase their operational range. They will be capable of anti-surface and anti-ship warfare missions equipped with a vertical launch system (VLS) to enable them to carry multiple Brahmos supersonic cruise missiles. They also have advanced stealth capabilities like noise and acoustic suppression. It is a follow-on of the Project 75 Kalvari-class submarines for the Indian Navy. The submarines are being constructed under the Strategic Partnership (SP) model that aims at providing a significant fillip to the ‘Make in India’ programme. Strategic Partnership (SP) model This model envisages indigenous manufacturing of major defence platforms by an Indian Strategic Partner, who will collaborate with foreign manufacturers to set up production facilities in the country. In the long term, it seeks to make India a manufacturing hub for defence equipment through the transfer of niche technologies and higher Indigenous Content. Issues Cost-overruns Due to various factors and delays, the budget of the submarines has shot up. The submarines cost way higher than their original approved cost. Delays Several bureaucratic and political delays have led to the slowpoke construction of the submarines. INS Khanderi is 6 years late. Unresolved defects and shortcomings There are several short-comings and defects which remain unresolved in the submarines.  INS Khanderi is said to have nearly 30 defects unresolved. For example, INS Khanderi has not been commissioned with a full complement of its primary weapon, the torpedo. Leaking of vital documents An Australian newspaper in 2016, released a set of documents, which it claimed would compromise vital designs and stealth capabilities of the Scorpene-class submarines being built for Indian Navy by the French Company. Read Also Vande Bharat Mission Enroll today with the best civils service academy and take your first step towards yours Civils journey. Feel free to reach out to us for any inquiries, collaborations, or support. We’re here to help. JOIN NOW

Sociology Optional Question Paper 1 & 2 UPSC Mains 2019

UPSC Mains 2019 Sociology Optional  Paper 1  DOWNLOAD UPSC Mains 2019 Sociology Optional  Paper 2  DOWNLOAD

Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups

Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups Particularly vulnerable tribal groups (PVTGs) are the marginalized section of the Scheduled tribes of India. They are relatively isolated, educationally and socio-economically backwards, living in a habitat far away from amenities. PVTG is not a Constitutional category, nor are these constitutionally recognized communities. It is a government of India classification created with the purpose of enabling improvement in the conditions of certain communities with particularly low development A separate category of PVTGs was constituted based on the recommendations of the Dhebar Commission in 1975. PVTGs are identified by the Union Ministry of Tribal Affairs based on the recommendations from the state governments or Union territories. The highest numbers of PVTGs are found in Odisha. Criteria for identifying PVTGs The criteria followed for determination of PVTGs are as follows. A pre-agriculture level of technology; A stagnant or declining population; Extremely low literacy; and A subsistence level of the economy. After ensuring the criteria is fulfilled, the Central Ministry selects those groups as PVTGs. History In accordance to the provisions conferred in the Clause (1) of Article 342 of the Constitution of India, the notification of STs is state-specific and their identification is done on the basis of the following characteristics- a) Primitive Traits (b) Distinctive Culture (c) Geographical Isolation (d) Shyness with contact with the community at large, and Backwardness. However, Dhebar Commission (1960-61) and other studies suggested that there exists inequality amongst tribal communities in terms of their development. In 1975, based on the Dhebar Commission report, the government created Primitive Tribal Groups (PTGs) as a separate category and identified 52 such groups. In 1993, 23 more groups were added making it 75 PTGs.In 2006, the Government of India renamed the PTGs as Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs). Statistical overview Among the 75 listed PVTG’s the highest number are found in Odisha (13), followed by Andhra Pradesh (12), Bihar including Jharkhand (9) Madhya Pradesh including Chhattisgarh (7) Tamil Nadu (6) Kerala and Gujarat having five groups each. The remaining PVTGs live in West Bengal (3) Maharashtra (3), two each in Karnataka and Uttarakhand and one each in Rajasthan, Tripura and Manipur. All the four tribal groups in Andaman and one in the Nicobar Islands are recognised as PVTGs The Saharia people of Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan are the largest among the PVTGs with the population more than 4 lakhs. Smallest population size among the PVTGs are the Sentinelese (as per the last contact effort on March 9, 2005, groups of 32 and 13 persons were sighted at different places). Legislative view The Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006 (FRA) has a special section regarding the 75 PVGTs and the Act recognises forest and habitat rights of PVTGs. The Provisions of the Panchayats (Extension to the Scheduled Areas) Act, 1996 (PESA): It extends Scheduled Areas of India under the purview of the national framework of Panchayat. However, this act is not applicable to Jammu and Kashmir, Nagaland, Meghalaya and Mizoram and certain other areas including scheduled and tribal areas. The Sentinelese and other aboriginal tribes of the Andaman& Nicobar Islands are protected under The Andaman and Nicobar (Protection of Aboriginal Tribes) Regulation, 1956 Under the Foreigners (Restricted Areas) Order, 1963, the Andaman & Nicobar Islands are a “Restricted Area” in which foreigners with a restricted area permit (RAP) can stay. The habitats of the PVTGs of Andaman and Nicobar Island has protected Tribal Reserveunder the Andaman and Nicobar Islands (Protection of Aboriginal Tribes) Regulation, 1956 In August 2018, in a bid to promote tourism and encourage investment, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) decided to exclude 30 islands from Andaman and Nicobar from the RAP or Restricted Area Permit regime notified under the Foreigners (Restricted Areas) Order, 1963. North Sentinelese island was among the 30 islands According to critics, the removal of RAP from North Sentinel Island sent an extremely dangerous message that the island was now open for visitors. Further, it has also put uncontacted Sentinelese tribe at the risk of contracting diseases. Scheme for development of PVTG The Ministry of Tribal Affairs is implementing a scheme namely “Development of PVTGs” which covers the 75 identified PVTGs among Scheduled Tribes in 18 States/ UT of Andaman & Nicobar Islands.   It is a flexible scheme and covers funding for activities like housing, land distribution, land development, agricultural development, animal husbandry, construction of link roads, installation of non-conventional sources of energy for lighting purpose, social security including Janshree Beema Yojana or any other innovative activity meant for the comprehensive socio-economic development of PVTGs.  Priority is also assigned to PVTGs under the schemes of Special Central Assistance (SCA) to Tribal Sub-Scheme(TSS), Grants under Article 275(1) of the Constitution, Grants-in-aid to Voluntary Organisations working for the welfare of Scheduled Tribes and Strengthening of Education among ST Girls in Low Literacy Districts. Challenges faced by PVTGs Incoherency in identification: The process of identification of PVTG adopted by the states differs in its methods. The spirit of the direction made by MoTA was loosely considered. As a result, there has been no uniform principle adopted in identifying the PVTGs. Outdated List: The Anthropological Survey of India observes that the list of PVTG is overlapping and repetitive. For example, the list contains synonyms of the same group such as the Mankidia and the Birhor in Odisha, both of which refer to the same group. Lack of baseline surveys: The Anthropological Survey of India observed 75 PVTGs, baseline surveys exists for about 40 groups, even after declaring them as PVTGs. Lack of baseline surveys hinder effective implementation of welfare schemes Unequal Benefits from welfare schemes: In some cases, a PVTG receives benefits only in a few blocks in a district, while the same group is deprived in adjacent blocks.  For example, the Lanjia Saora is recognized as a PVTG across Odisha but the micro-projects are established only in two blocks. The rest of the Lanjia Saora are treated among the Scheduled Tribes (STs) and do not receive benefit from these projects. Impact of developmental projects: In 2002, a Standing Committee formed by the

Agroecology

Agroecology Agroecology is recognised worldwide as a system that enhances fertile landscapes, increases yields, restores soil health and biodiversity, promotes climate resilience and improves farmers’ well-being.  Its practices are supported by many agricultural scientists, the Food and Agriculture Organization, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, farmers’ groups and several NGOs. Agroecology is the solution proposed to the current industrial food systems which are failing and harming the environment. What is Agroecology? Agroecology is the study of ecological processes applied to agricultural production systems. Application of ecological principles to agroecosystems can help in developing novel management approaches and techniques in agriculture systems.  The field of agroecology is not associated with any one particular method of farming, whether it be organic, integrated, or conventional, intensive or extensive. However, it has much more in common with organic and integrated farming. Agroecology is not against the use of technology in agriculture but assesses how, when, and if technology can be used in conjunction with natural, social and human assets. It recognizes that there is no universal formula or recipe for the success and maximum well-being of an agroecosystem and is context- or site-specific. Agroecology is not defined by certain management practices, instead, it studies questions related to the four system properties of agroecosystems: productivity,  stability,  sustainability and  equitability.  Agroecologists see all four properties as interconnected and integral to the success of an agroecosystem and study them through an interdisciplinary lens, using natural sciences to understand elements of agroecosystems as well as  using social sciences to understand the effects of farming practices on rural communities, economic constraints to developing new production methods, or cultural factors determining farming practices. Agroecologists do not limit themselves to the study of agroecosystems at any one scale: gene- organism- population- community- ecosystem- landscape- biome, field- farm- community- region- state- country- continent- global. Read Also National Clean Air Programme What are the benefits of Agroecology? Agroecology is all about the design and management of sustainable farms. It provides a robust set of solutions to the environmental and economic pressures facing agriculture today.  The current industrial food system has gone off the rails, increasingly dependent on health-harming pesticides and other chemical inputs that degrade soil, threaten pollinator populations and pollute water.  By shifting farming policies and practices to embrace agroecology, we can create a food system to sustain this and future generations — one rooted in productivity, resilience, equity and sustainability. Agroecological farming can double food production within ten years without harming the environment. Agroecology recognizes the multifunctional dimensions of agriculture – which not only produces food, jobs and economic well-being but also creates cultural, social and environmental benefits.  Agroecology also protects and provides ecosystem services like pollination, natural pest control, nutrient and water cycling and erosion control. Agroecological farming has been shown to Increase ecological resilience, especially with respect to volatile weather conditions; Improve health and nutrition through more diverse, nutritious and fresh diets and reduced incidence of pesticide poisonings and pesticide-related diseases; Conserve biodiversity and natural resources such as soil organic matter, water, crop genetic diversity and natural enemies of pests; Improve economic stability with more diverse sources of income, the spread of labour needs and production over time, and reduced vulnerability to commodity price swings; and Mitigate effects of climate change through reduced reliance on fossil fuels and fossil fuel-based agricultural inputs, increased carbon sequestration and water capture in soil. Issues Threats from Powerful Elites Farming sector in India has an overarching influence of powerful lobbies with vested interests and connections to deep pockets which include fossil fuel, fertilizer and seed companies as well as scientists with funding connections to agribusiness. These lobbies perceive large-scale transitions to agroecology as a substantial threat to their influence on farming systems. Hence these powerful elites are lobbying against natural farming which is still a small player in the margins. For example, recently, the National Academy of Agricultural Sciences, based on a brainstorming session that included industry representatives has sent a letter to the Prime Minister opposing Zero Budget Natural Farming (ZBNF). Zero Budget Natural Farming Zero budget natural farming (ZBNF) is a method of chemical-free agriculture drawing from traditional Indian practices. It is a form of agroecology as it promotes ecological practices to improve productivity while protecting the environment. It was originally promoted by Maharashtrian agriculturist and Padma Shri recipient Subhash Palekar, who developed it in the mid-1990s as an alternative to the Green Revolution’s methods driven by chemical fertilizers and pesticides and intensive irrigation. Instead of commercially produced chemical inputs, the ZBNF promotes the application of jeevamrutha — a mixture of fresh desi cow dung and aged desi cow urine, jaggery, pulse flour, water and soil — on farmland. This is a fermented microbial culture that adds nutrients to the soil, and acts as a catalytic agent to promote the activity of microorganisms and earthworms in the soil. A similar mixture, called bijamrita, is used to treat seeds, while concoctions using neem leaves and pulp, tobacco and green chillies are prepared for insect and pest management. The ZBNF method also promotes soil aeration, minimal watering, intercropping, bunds and topsoil mulching and discourages intensive irrigation and deep ploughing. Conclusion Agroecology is a knowledge-intensive & inclusive system at the same time improves the adaptive capacity of agroecosystems and reduces vulnerability to natural disasters, climate change impacts, and new and emerging environmental and economic system stresses and shocks.  It could be the answer to our woes about food security in a changing climate, increasing natural disasters and growing population. Enroll today with the best civils service academy and take your first step towards your Civils journey. Feel free to reach out to us for any inquiries, collaborations, or support. We’re here to help. join now

The Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG)

The Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) The Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) is a group of nuclear supplier countries that seeks to contribute to the non-proliferation of nuclear weapons through the implementation of two sets of Guidelines for nuclear exports and nuclear-related exports. It was brought in 1974– in response to the Indian nuclear test (smiling Buddha). It is a multilateral export control regime. The NSG first met on November 1975 in London, and is thus popularly referred to as the “London Club”. It is not a formal organization, and its guidelines are not binding. Decisions, including on membership, are made by consensus. Overall responsibility for activities lies within NSG Plenary meetings that are held once a year. A rotating Chair has the overall responsibility for the coordination of work and outreach activities. There are currently 48 Participating Governments (PGs) of the NSG. The NSG Chair Country (2019-20) is Kazakhstan and the European Commission and the Chair of the Zangger Committee participate as observers. The NSG Guidelines also contain the so-called “Non-Proliferation Principle,” adopted in 1994, whereby a supplier, notwithstanding other provisions in the NSG Guidelines, authorizes a transfer only when satisfied that the transfer would not contribute to the proliferation of nuclear weapons. The Non-Proliferation Principle seeks to cover the rare but important cases where adherence to the NPT or to a Nuclear Weapon Free Zone Treaty may not by itself be a guarantee that a State will consistently share the objectives of the Treaty or that it will remain in compliance with its Treaty obligations. The NSG Guidelines are implemented by each Participating Government (PG) in accordance with its national laws and practices. Decisions on export applications are taken at the national level in accordance with national export licensing requirements. Read Also Terrorism Financing Factors are taken into account for participation  Be able to supply items (includes transit items) covered by the Annexes to Parts 1 and 2 of the Guidelines; Adhere to and act in accordance with the Guidelines; Have in force a legally -based domestic export control system that gives effect to the commitment to act in accordance with the Guidelines; Be a party to the NPT, the Treaties of Tlatelolco, Rarotonga, Pelindaba, Bangkok, or Semipalatinsk, or an equivalent international nuclear non-proliferation agreement, and in full compliance with the obligations of such agreement(s), and, as appropriate, have in force a full-scope safeguards agreement with the IAEA; Be supportive of international efforts towards the non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and of their delivery vehicles. India and NSG India and Pakistan are non-signatories to NPT (Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty). China has been objecting to India’s participation in the grouping since May 2016 when India applied for the membership of the NSG. China has been firm on its stand that only those countries which have signed the NPT should be allowed to enter the organization. China wants to block the entry of India in any way while other remaining countries like New Zealand, Ireland and Austria said that they are opposing Indian entry because India did not sign on Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). Majority of the NSG member states including the US, Russia, Iceland, Denmark, Finland, Sweden and Norway back for India’s membership in the grouping considering its non-proliferation record. The benefit of India’s NSG membership India is keen to become a member of NSG as it seeks to significantly expand its nuclear power generation and also enter the export market in the coming years. Access to technology will boost the economic growth of India. If India becomes the member of the Nuclear Suppliers Group; it will have greater access to uranium than it does currently under its 2008 agreement with the USA. In addition to this India will be able to import uranium from other countries to boost up its energy security. India will get an opportunity to voice its concern if in case of a change in the provision of the NSG guidelines. Factors in favour of India’s membership France got membership in the elite group without signing the NPT. Commitment to nonproliferation: India’s commitment to bifurcate its civilian and military nuclear programs along with its nonproliferation record ensured indigenously developed technology is not shared with other countries. Transparency: India has also ratified an Additional Protocol with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) which means that its civilian reactors are under IAEA safeguards and open for inspections. UPSC Mains 2019  General Studies Paper 1  Question Conclusion The recently framed draft proposal for accepting new members into the Nuclear Suppliers Group increases India’s chances of entry into NSG. It’s a welcome development for India as NSG membership would definitely boost the economic and strategic development in the future. Therefore, India should take up this opportunity to aggressively pursue the development of nuclear energy while providing the essential emphasis on safety and addressing concerns of the public. It will also pave the way for clean energy initiatives and continued focus to achieve our commitments to reduce the carbon footprint pledged       Enroll today with the best civils service academy and take your first step towards your Civils journey. Feel free to reach out to us for any inquiries, collaborations, or support. We’re here to help. join now

Scheduled Tribes

Scheduled Tribes The Constitution of India does not define Scheduled Tribes as such. Article 366(25) refers to ST as those communities who are scheduled in accordance with Article 342 of the Constitution. According to Article 342 of the Constitution, the ST are the tribes or tribal communities or part of or groups within these tribes and tribal communities which have been declared as such by the President through a public notification. As per the 1991 Census, the Scheduled Tribes account for 67.76 million representing 8.08 percent of the country’s population. ST are spread across the country mainly in forest and hilly regions.The essential characteristics of these communities are: Primitive Traits Geographical isolation Distinct culture Shy of contact with the community at large Economically backwards Distribution The Scheduled Tribes are notified in 30 States/UTs and the number of individual ethnic groups notified as ST are 705. Broadly the STs inhabit two distinct geographical areas – Central India and the North- Eastern Area. More than half of the Scheduled Tribe population is concentrated in Central India, i.e., Madhya Pradesh (14.69%), Chhattisgarh (7.5%), Jharkhand (8.29%), Andhra Pradesh (5.7%), Maharashtra (10.08%), Orissa (9.2%), Gujarat (8.55%) and Rajasthan (8.86%). The other distinct area is the North East (Assam, Nagaland, Mizoram, Manipur, Meghalaya, Tripura, Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh). Read Also  Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups Scheduled Tribes – Constitutional provisions Article 46: The State shall promote with special care, the educational and economic interests of the weaker sections of the society and in particular, of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes and shall protect them from social injustice and all forms of exploitation. Reservation in the educational institution has been provided in Article 15(4) while reservation in posts and services has been provided in Article 16(4), 16(4A) and 16(4B) of the Constitution. Article 23: prohibits traffic in human beings and the beggar and other similar forms of forced labour have a special significance for Scheduled Tribes. In pursuance of this Article, Parliament has enacted the Bonded Labour System (Abolition) Act, 1976. Article 24: prohibits employment of children below the age of 14 years in any factory or mine or in any other hazards activity is also significant for Scheduled Tribes as a substantial portion of child labour engaged in these jobs belong to Scheduled Tribes. Article 243D: reservation of Seats for ST in Panchayats. Article 330: reservation of seats for ST in the House of the People. Article 332: reservation of seats for Scheduled Tribes in Legislative Assemblies of the States. Article 334: reservation of seats for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes in the Lok Sabha and the State Vidhan Sabhas (and the representation of the Anglo-Indian Community in the Lok Sabha and the State Vidhan Sabhas by nomination) would continue up to January 2020. Acts and rules Forest rights act 2006: The Scheduled Tribes (STs) and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (OTFDs) (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006 is being implemented to recognize and vest the forest rights and occupation in forest land to forest-dwelling Scheduled Tribes Protection of civil rights act: An Act to prescribe punishment for the preaching and practice of – “Untouchability” for the enforcement of any disability arising therefore for matters connected therewith SC/ST Prevention of atrocities act: An Act to prevent the commission of offences of atrocities against the members of the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes, to provide for Special Courts for the trial of such offences and for the relief and rehabilitation of the victims of such offences and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto. Provision of panchayats act 1996: It mandates that the Gram Sabha or the Panchayats at the appropriate level shall be consulted before making the acquisition of land in the Scheduled Areas or development projects and before resettling or rehabilitating persons affected by such projects in the Scheduled Areas. National Commission for Scheduled Tribe NCST was established by amending Article 338 and inserting a new Article 338A in the Constitution through the Constitution (89th Amendment) Act, 2003. By this amendment, the erstwhile National Commission for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes was replaced by two separate Commissions namely- (i) the National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC), and (ii) the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST).  NCST is empowered to investigate and monitor matters relating to safeguards provided for STs under the Constitution or under other laws or under Govt. order. The Commission is also authorized to inquire into specific complaints relating to rights and safeguards of STs and to participate and advise on the Planning Process relating to the socio-economic development of STs and to evaluate the progress of their development under the Union and States. Read Also  Agroecology The Tribal Sub Plan (TSP) strategy The Tribal Sub Plan (TSP) strategy is a Government of India initiative aimed for the rapid socio-economic development of tribal people. The funds provided under the Tribal Sub Plan of the State have to be at least equal in proportion to the ST population of each State or UTs. Similarly, Central Ministries/Departments are also required to earmark funds out of their budget for the Tribal Sub-Plan. As per guidelines issued by the Planning Commission, the Tribal Sub Plan funds are to be non-divertible and non-lapsable. The National Commission for Scheduled Tribes is vested with the duty to participate and advise in the planning process of socio-economic development of STs, and to evaluate the progress of their development under the Union and any State. Enroll today with the best civils service academy and take your first step towards your Civils journey.  Feel free to reach out to us for any inquiries, collaborations, or support. We’re here to help. Join now