21st January 2021 Current Affairs Analysis - IASToppers
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21st January 2021 Current Affairs Analysis
By IASToppers' Editorial Team | 2021-01-21 17:00:00
Polity and Governance
SC directive on quota in promotions
The Supreme Court asked to compile issues being raised by States with regard to the application of a
Constitution Bench judgment of 2006 in M. Nagaraj case.
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It had upheld the application of creamy layer principle to members of the Scheduled
Caste/Scheduled Tribe communities in promotions.
The SC held that:
Promotions which have been made or proposed to be made in several States are in question in
these matters. The issues are not common in all the cases which have arisen from several
States.
It required States to show quantifiable data to prove the Backwardness of a Scheduled
Caste/Scheduled Tribe community to provide quota in promotion in public employment.
What is Creamy layer?
SC defined creamy layer as: “Some members of a backward class who are highly advanced
socially as well as economically and educationally. They constitute the forward section of that
particular backward class. They get all the benefits of reservations meant for that class, without
allowing benefits to reach the truly backward members of that class”.
Background:
Sattanathan commission, 1971:
Creamy layer candidates of the Other Backward Classes (OBC) should not get any benefits
from the central government pointing towards the reservation or quota in the government jobs.
Indra Sawhney judgment, 1992:
Upheld the government’s move, based on the Mandal Commission report, to give 27%
reservation to Other Backward Classes.
But it held that the creamy layer must be excluded from backward classes.
Constitutional Provisions for reservation:
Article 16(4A) was introduced through the Constitution (Seventy-seventh Amendment) Act in
1995 to continue the extension quotas for SCs and STs in promotions.
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Because their representation in States’ services has not reached the required level.
Article 16(4B) was introduced to carry forward unfilled vacancies in subsequent years and not
apply the 50% cap on reservation to these vacancies.
Article 335 was amended in 2001 to allow relaxations in qualifying marks and lowering of
standards in favour of SCs/STs.
The amendments were challenged in Nagaraj case.
The Nagaraj case:
SC upheld reservations for OBCs. It also held that reservations in appointments, under Article
16(4) of the constitution, do not apply to promotions.
Supreme court also laid down three conditions for promotion of SCs and STs in public
employment.
The court held that the government cannot introduce quota in promotion for its SC/ST employees
unless it proves that;
The particular community was backward,
Inadequately represented and
Providing reservation in promotion would not affect the overall efficiency of public
administration.
The judgment in Nagaraj also held that the creamy layer was applicable to SCs and STs in
government promotions.
[Ref: The Hindu]
India Innovation Index ranking
NITI Aayog recently released the second edition of the India Innovation Index.
The report examines the innovation capabilities and performance of the states and union
territories.
The first edition of the index was launched in October 2019.
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Highlights of the Index, 2020:
Karnataka ranked first in the category of major states, followed by Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu.
Lowest on the index were Jharkhand followed by Chhattisgarh and Bihar.
Delhi topped among the Union Territories.
Under the ‘North-Eastern/Hill States’ category Himachal Pradesh was at the top followed by
Uttarakhand.
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About the India Innovation Index:
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It is released by the NITI Aayog with Institute for Competitiveness as the knowledge partner.
The index creates a framework for the continual evaluation of the innovation environment of 28
states and 8 union territories in India.
It is calculated as the average of the scores of its two dimensions – Enablers and Performance.
Enablers (5 pillars):
Human Capital
Investment
Knowledge Workers
Business Environment
Safety and Legal Environment
Performance (2 pillars):
Knowledge Output
Knowledge Diffusion
Significance of the Index:
Cluster-based innovation to leverage upon the focal point of competitiveness.
To improve the environment of innovation in the country as it focuses on both the input and
output components of the idea.
To benchmark the performance of the state with each other and promote competitive
federalism.
[Ref: The Hindu]
Issues Related to Health & Education
Global Risks Report 2021
Infectious diseases topped the global risks index, displacing climate change, in a report released by the
World Economic Forum (WEF).
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Major Highlights of the report:
Infectious diseases pose the biggest livelihood and economic threat as witnessed during the
Covid-19 pandemic.
Over 94 million people were infected and 2.06 million people died due to Covid-19, according to
the World Health Organization (WHO).
The human and economic costs of Covid-19 are severe and hence, infectious diseases are an
immediate threat for at least for the next two years.
Five of the top 10 global risks in terms of impact and likelihood remain from the environmental
category.
Extreme weather is the top-most climate-related risk because of the failure of climate change
mitigation and adaptation.
Global Risks Report:
It is an annual study published by the World Economic Forum (WEF).
The report describes changes occurring in the global risks landscape from year to year.
The 2021 report has added new risks to the previous list:
Collapse of systemically important industries
Social security systems or multilateral institutions
Deteriorating mental health
Mass youth disillusion
Prolonged economic stagnation
Fracturing international relations
A ‘pervasive backlash’ against science
Digital inequality
Failure of technology governance.
World Economic Forum (WEF):
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It is an international non-Governmental organization founded in 1971.
Objective: To improve the state of the world by engaging business, political, academic, and other
leaders of society to shape global, regional, and industry agendas.
It provides a platform for leaders from all stakeholder groups from around the world – business,
government and civil society – to collaborate on multiple projects and initiatives.
Headquarters: Cologny, Switzerland
Publications:
Global Risks Index
Global Competitiveness Report
Global Gender Gap Report
Global Information Technology Report
Global Travel & Tourism Report
Global Enabling Trade Report
[Ref: Down to Earth]
Economy
Supreme Court upholds validity of Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (Amendment)
Act, 2020
The Supreme Court upheld the Constitutional validity of Sections 3, 4 and 10 introduced by the
Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (Amendment) Act, 2020.
One of the amendments mandated a threshold of at least 10% of home-buyers in a project or
100 of the total allottees for initiating insolvency proceedings against the real estate
developer.
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Clarity on the Supreme Court verdict:
The insolvency proceedings against the real estate developer:
A single home-buyer is barred from approaching the National Company Law Tribunal
(NCLT) under Section 7 of the IBC to initiate insolvency proceedings against the real estate
developer/builder.
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Section 3 also allows home-buyers to seek the Corporate Insolvency Resolution Process
(CIRP) against builder only when 100 allottees or at least 10% of allottees make a joint application
to NCLT.
About Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC), 2016:
The Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC), 2016 is a comprehensive step towards providing
easy exit mechanism in cases of insolvency of individuals and companies.
Aim: To provide a justified balance between an interest of all the stakeholders of the company
to enjoy the availability of credit and the loss of a creditor that might have to bear by him on
account of default.
It empowers creditors to gain control over debtor’s assets and must take decisions in time
bound manner to resolve insolvency.
The act envisages for-
Insolvency and Bankruptcy Board of India (IBBI) consisting representatives from
Ministries of Finance, Law and corporate affairs, and the Reserve Bank of India.
Registration of Insolvency Professional Agencies and appointment of Insolvency
Professionals.
Adjudicating authorities such as National Companies Law Tribunal (NCLT) for
companies and the Debt Recovery Tribunal (DRT) for individuals.
Information Utilities such as records of debt, liabilities and defaults reported by creditors.
Applicability of the law:
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About Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (Amendment) Act, 2020:
The Act amends the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016.
It replaced the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (Amendment) Ordinance, 2020.
Aim: To remove bottlenecks and to streamline the resolution process under IBC, 2016.
It provides ring-fencing of corporate debtor resolved under the IBC in favour of a successful
resolution applicant from criminal proceedings against offences committed by previous
management/ promoters.
It provides immunity to the company from attachment, seizure, retention, or
confiscation of their property in relation to such offences.
Certain minimum thresholds introduced for financial creditors represented by an authorized
representative due to large numbers in order to prevent frivolous triggering of Corporate
Insolvency Resolution Process (CIRP).
It allows the creditors to initiate an insolvency resolution process, if the amount of default
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by the debtor is at least one lakh rupees.
The act clarifies that the licenses, permits, concessions, clearances, etc. cannot be
terminated or suspended or not renewed during the moratorium period.
[Ref- The Indian Express]
The Gujarat government has renamed Dragon fruit as Kamalam
The gujarat government has decided to rename the dragon fruit as Kamalam because the outer shape
of the fruit resembles a lotus (kamalam).
Kamalam in Sanskrit means Lotus.
Purpose of renaming:
Create awareness and generate spirit of self- reliance.
Boost production and expansion of the dragon fruit market.
Reduce import dependence in line with Atmanirbhar Bharat.
About Dragon Fruit:
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The Dragon Fruit is a Tropical fruit with a unique look and taste.
It belongs to a family of cactus.
It is the fruit of a species of wild cactus indigenous to South and Central America, where it is
called pitaya or pitahaya.
Vietnam is the world’s largest producer and exporter of dragon fruit.
It was brought to India in 1990s and is cultivated in all the coastal states of the India, though it
grows in all kinds of soil and does not require much water.
It is high in minerals and vitamins especially vitamin-C, which helps to fight chronic disease by
boosting the immune system.
Dragon fruit is used to flavor and color juices and alcoholic beverages.
[Ref- The Indian Express]
Report on Faecal Sludge and Septage Management in Urban Areas: Service and
Business Models
NITI Aayog has released a book on Faecal Sludge and Septage Management (FSSM) in urban areas.
It is jointly developed with National Faecal Sludge and Septage Management (NFSSM)
Alliance.
About the book:
The book presents various service and business models adopted by Indian cities while
implementing FSSM initiatives.
It aims to provide a comprehensive resource to Indian cities as they plan sustainable and
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inclusive sanitation.
The cases presented in the book cover state and city interventions and private sector-led
models and community participation.
It will help municipal functionaries, policy planners, private-sector players and
entrepreneurs to understand the developments of FSSM and the opportunities it presents.
The models captured in the book will help other states and cities to replicate and scale them up
to achieve 100% effective management of India’s faecal sludge and septage in the next five
years.
Time-line of FSSM adoption:
Need of Faecal Sludge & Septage Management (FSSM):
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India generates nearly 40 million tons of sewage daily of which more than 70% goes untreated.
India’s sewerage system does not connect around two-third of its urban homes and hence
exploring decentralized alternatives becomes essential.
About 60% of urban households rely on onsite sanitation systems, which require dedicated
planning for management of waste collected in these systems’ containment structures.
It prioritizes human excreta management which is a waste stream with the highest potential for
spreading diseases.
It is a low-cost and easily scalable sanitation solution that focuses on safe collection,
transportation, treatment, and reuse of human waste.
It promises a means to achieve the SDG target 6.2 of adequate and inclusive sanitation for all
in a timebound manner.
Safe sanitation is a strong contributor to both public health and environmental sustainability.
Government initiatives related to FSSM:
In 2017, the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) came up with the national policy
on FSSM.
Under Swachh Bharat Mission more than seven million toilets have been constructed in urban
areas and several transformative initiatives were implemented.
After achieving the target of Open-Defecation-Free (ODF), to improve public health outcomes,
India moved towards becoming ODF+ and ODF++.
The targets of ODF+ and ODF++ aim for safely managed sanitation systems with
adequate treatment and safe disposal of toilet waste.
The government funded financial allocations for FSSM across Atal Mission for Rejuvenation
and Urban Transformation (AMRUT) and National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG)
missions.
About National Faecal Sludge and Septage Management (NFSSM) Alliance:
NFSSM Alliance is a global partnership committed to drive the discourse of human waste
management in India.
In 2016, NFSSM Alliance was established with support from the Bill and Melinda Gates
Foundation to support safe sanitation at the national, state and city level.
The Alliance is a voluntary collaborative of organizations and individuals coming together with a
shared vision.
It works with state governments on various innovative models, policies and guidelines across
the sanitation value chain to ensure our cities’ waste is effectively managed.
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Vision: By 2030, each and every Indian city (all 7900+) safely manages its human waste.
Mission: Creating an enabling environment that amplifies scaling of safe, sustainable and
inclusive FSSM through knowledge, partnerships and innovative solutions by 2024.
[Ref- PIB]
Environment, Ecology & Disaster Management
MoRTH and DRDO sign an MoU on Sustainable Geo-hazard Management
Recently, Ministry of Road Transport & Highways (MoRTH) and Defense Research and
Development Organization (DRDO) signed a framework Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).
Aim: to strengthen collaboration in the field of technical exchange and co-operation on sustainable
geo-hazard management.
Major highlights:
MoRTH and DRDO will co-operate in conceptual planning of integrated avalanche/landslide
protection schemes for all weather connectivity in snow bound areas.
Objective: To ensure safety of road users on NHs (National Highways) in the country against
the adverse effects of landslides and other natural calamities.
Need for Geo-Hazard Management:
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Geological conditions capable of causing damage, or loss of property and life, are called
geological hazards.
Geohazards are increasing across the globe due to climate change and increase the risk of long-
term disruption to transport systems.
A reliable and efficient transport system/network is a major catalyst for the development of a
country and the backbone of its functioning.
Disruption to the transport system will cause economic setbacks and impact citizens’ security and
access to critical infrastructure such as hospitals, schools, or shelters.
Therefore, a geohazard risk management perspective that incorporates people, environment,
hydrology, geology, and the transportation infrastructure need to be adopted for a robust and
resilient transport network.
Key Facts:
Defense Geo-Informatics Research Establishment (DGRE), a premier laboratory of DRDO, is
leader in the development of critical technologies for enhancing combat effectiveness with a
focus on terrain and avalanches.
Role: Mapping, forecasting, monitoring, control and mitigation of landslides and
avalanches in Himalayan terrain.
Ministry of Road Transport & Highways (MoRTH) is responsible for development &
maintenance of National Highways across the country.
[Ref: PIB]
Plant to convert Paddy Stubble into Compressed Biogas (CBG)
Recently, a German company has set up a plant in Punjab to convert paddy stubble into Compressed
Biogas (CBG) which could be used as a fuel for vehicles.
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About Compressed Biogas (CBG):
Compressed Biogas (CBG) is purified and compressed biogas, which is produced through a
process of anaerobic decomposition from various waste/ biomass sources like agriculture
residue, cattle dung, sugarcane press mud & spent wash of distilleries, sewage water, municipal
solid waste (MSW), biodegradable fractions of industrial waste etc.
CBG can be used as a fuel in vehicles.
Chemically, both Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) and CBG are same.
Both has same calorific value.
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It contains:
Methane: 55 to 60 %
Carbon Dioxide (CO2): 40 to 45 %
Trace amounts of Hydrogen Sulphide.
Reserve Bank of India has put CBG under Priority Sector Lending.
Benefits of using Compressed Biogas (CBG):
Curb pollution: Farmers will use crop residue to produce CBG instead of burning it as it will
give more benefits to the farmers.
Profit: Crop residues will be used to produces CBG which will help farmers to earn extra income.
Bio manure: Solid by-products of CBG can be used as bio-manure.
Increased crop yield: Bio manure made up of by product of CBG will help in increasing the
fertility of the soil.
Increased immunity: Bio manure has silica which gives immunity against many diseases and
prevents toxic material uptake by plants such as arsenic, cadmium, lead and other heavy
metals.
High water retention capacity: Has high water retention capacity of bio manure helps in
reducing the irrigation requirements.
Food preservation: CO2 produced during the production of CBG can be trapped and be
converted in the solid or liquid form which has high demand in food preservation industry.
About Compressed Natural Gas (CNG):
CNG is mainly comprised of methane and is stored under high pressure.
It is a clear, odourless, and non-corrosive gas.
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Benefits:
It is a cheaper, greener, and more efficient alternative to the traditional petrol and diesel fuels
for vehicles.
It is safer than gasoline and diesel.
Use of CNG reduces the carbon emission by 90 to 97 %.
Composition:
Additional Information:
About Sustainable Alternative Towards Affordable Transportation (SATAT):
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A Government of India initiative launched in 2018.
It is an initiative to boost production and availability of CBG as an alternative and affordable
clean fuel for transportation.
For more information refer to our site: http://www.iastoppers.com/articles/28th-november-2019-current-
affairs-analysis-iastoppers
[Ref: Down to Earth]
Bilateral & International Relations
India – Singapore Defence Ministers’ Dialogue
Recently, the 5th Defence Ministers' Dialogue (DMD) between India and Singapore was successfully
held through a video conference.
Highlights of the conference:
India-Singapore signed an implementing agreement on Submarine Rescue Support and
Cooperation between the two Navies.
Both the countries expand bilateral defence cooperation including the implementing
agreement on Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) cooperation.
India- Singapore relations:
The close ties between India and Singapore have a history rooted in strong commercial, cultural and
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people-to-people links across a millennium.
Trade and Economic relations:
Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA) was signed in 2005.
It was elevated to the strategic partnership in 2015.
Both the countries agreed in the five areas for cooperation:
1. Scale up Trade & Investment:
Singapore is the largest trade partner of India in ASEAN countries.
2. Speed up Connectivity:
Bilateral Air Services Agreement (1968)
3. Smart Cities & Urban Rejuvenation
4. Skill development:
A World Class Skill Centre (WCSC) was set up in Delhi in 2013.
5. State focus:
Singapore has established a Joint Committees with Maharashtra.
Defence relations:
In the area of defence, India and Singapore have a longstanding and comprehensive partnership, which
includes various defence cooperation agreements, defence exercises etc.
Defence Cooperation Agreement (2003)
Singapore-India Maritime Bilateral Exercise (SIMBEX)
Singapore-India-Thailand Maritime Exercise (SITMEX)
Singapore participates in the Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS) and multilateral
Exercise MILAN hosted by Indian Navy.
Singapore is a member of Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA).
India is a member of ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting – Plus (ADDM+).
Science & Technology Cooperation:
Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) launched Singapore’s first indigenously built
micro-satellite in 2011.
India and Singapore had signed MoUs in the areas of artificial intelligence, machine learning,
cognitive computing and big data analytics to improve healthcare, cybersecurity, automation,
mobility etc.
Cultural cooperation:
MoU was signed in 1993 for the inter-governmental cooperation in culture.
Large Indian diaspora in Singapore had played a critical role in promoting the cultural
cooperation.
Traditional medicines and yoga of India are very popular in Singapore.
Various events were organized in Singapore to commemorate Mahatma Gandhi’s 150th birth
anniversary, the 550th Birth Anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev ji.
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ASEAN-India Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) was held in Singapore in 2018 to commemorate 25
years of ASEAN-India Partnership.
About Singapore:
Singapore is an island city located at the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula in South East
Asia.
It lies about one degree of latitude north of the equator, off the southern tip of the Malay
Peninsula, bordering the Straits of Malacca to the west, the Riau Islands (Indonesia) to the
south, and the South China Sea to the east.
It consists of one primary island and at least 62 smaller islets.
[Ref: PIB]
Science and Technology
Alternative anti-cancer therapy using transgenic zebrafish
DST INSPIRE faculty from Chennai are currently working on alternative anti-cancer therapy using
transgenic zebrafish.
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Key highlights of the study:
It is exploring the role of angiogenesis in cancer therapy.
It found that nitric oxide (NO) plays a key role in switching off angiogenesis under tumor
microenvironment and that the melatonin hormone suppresses tumor angiogenesis.
It is further working to develop transgenic zebrafish model by use of the CRISPR/Cas9 gene-
editing tool.
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Angiogenesis:
Angiogenesis is the growth of blood vessels from the existing vasculature.
This process involves the migration, growth, and differentiation of endothelial cells, which line
the inside wall of blood vessels.
It occurs throughout life in both health and disease.
Role of angiogenesis in cancer:
Angiogenesis is critical in the growth of cancer because tumors need blood supply to grow.
Tumors trigger the growth of blood cells by giving off chemical signals that stimulate
angiogenesis.
The resulting new blood vessels feed growing tumors allowing the tumor to enlarge to
form new colonies of cancer cells, called metastases.
Angiogenesis inhibitors:
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Inhibition of tumor angiogenesis has become a popular anti-cancer strategy after
chemotherapy.
Angiogenesis inhibitors are unique cancer-fighting agents because they block the growth of
blood vessels that support tumor growth rather than blocking the growth of tumor cells
themselves.
[Ref: PIB]
Key Facts for Prelims
Wettability
Recently, scientists have developed a gold microstructure substrate with the ability to repel
water as well as bubbles with tunable wettability.
This can be used in designing microfluidic devices, biosensors and for water transportation
and self-cleaning.
Wettability is the ability of a liquid to maintain contact with a solid surface.
Its influence is seen in many biochemical processes, sensing, microfluidics, water
transportation, self-cleaning, industrial processes.
The tunable wettability results from tunability in surface energy of the substrate.
It can be utilized to regulate the direction of flow in water transportation and self-cleaning
applications.
[Ref: PIB]
Hunar Haat
The Ministry of Minority Affairs is recently organising the 24th “Hunar Haat” at Avadh Shilpgram,
Lucknow (UP) 2021 with the theme of “Vocal for Local”.
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The Ministry of Minority Affairs launched the Hunar Haat programme in 2015.
It was done as a component of the Upgrading the Skills and Training in Traditional Arts/
Crafts for Development (USTTAD) scheme.
Aim:
To focus on preserving the heritage of traditional arts of minorities.
To enable micro-businesses involving artisans and craftsmen to sell and promote their products.
[Ref: PIB]
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