UPSC (IAS) Preparation - Only most important current affairs for UPSC / IAS /UKPSC

23 July 2015

17 Million USD and 78.5 Million Euros (approx) earned through launching of satellites of foreign countries under commercial arrangement by ISRO

The Government, through Antrix Corporation Limited (Antrix), the commercial arm of Department of Space, is generating income through launching of satellites of foreign countries on-board ISRO’s launch vehicle. Till date, 45 satellites from 19 countries have been successfully launched using ISRO’s Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV), under commercial arrangement. The total income earned through launching of these satellites of foreign countries amounts to approximately 17 Million USD and 78.5 Million Euros. The launch missions conducted by ISRO for launching Indian satellites are intended for National development.

The Antrix has signed agreements for launching 28 more foreign satellites from 6 countries viz., Algeria (3), Canada (4), Germany (4), Indonesia (2), Singapore (6) and USA (9). The launches of these foreign satellites are envisaged during 2015-2017 time period. Further, discussions with foreign agencies/companies are ongoing for providing launch services to their satellites on-board ISRO’s Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) and Geo-synchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV).

The images received from the Indian Remote Sensing (IRS) satellites (RESOURCESAT-2, RISAT-1 and CARTOSAT-1) are marketed globally by Antrix Corporation Limited (Antrix), the commercial arm of Department of Space, through International Ground Stations established outside India. The IRS images of region outside India received and processed at ISRO’s Ground Station are also marketed to global customers through Antrix.

The Government is planning to provide space based systems for South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation countries. The objective of this satellite project is to develop a satellite for SAARC region that enables a full range of applications and services to all our neighbours in the areas of telecommunication and broadcasting applications viz. Television, Direct-to-Home (DTH), Very Small Aperture Terminals (VSATs), Tele-education, Telemedicine and Disaster Management.

While the cost towards building and launching the satellite will be met by Government of India, cost towards ground systems are expected to be sourced by the respective SAARC countries.

India ranks at 12th position in terms of power generation from nuclear source as per data published in May 2015 by PRIS of IAEA

There are thirty one countries including India in the world which generate electricity from nuclear source. According to the data published in May 2015, by Power Reactor Information System (PRIS) of International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), India ranked at 12th position in terms of power generation. However, it stood at 6th position in terms of number of reactors in operation country- wise, globally.

The current installed nuclear power capacity is 5780 MW, which is expected to increase to 10080 MW on progressive completion of projects under commissioning/ construction by 2019. The Government has accorded financial sanction and administrative approval for Gorakhpur Haryana Anu Vidyut Pariyojana (GHAVP) Units – 1&2 (2X700 MW) and Kudankulam Units- 3&4 (2X1000 MW) with a total capacity of 3400 MW. These projects are being prepared for launch in the current year.

In addition, one Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor of 500 MW capacity at Kalpakkam, Tamil Nadu is at advanced stage of commissioning. Construction of two more Fast Breeder Reactors (FBR 1&2) of 600 MW capacity each at Kalpakkam, Tamil Nadu is also planned. More nuclear power projects based both on indigenous technologies and with international cooperation are planned in future.

India has signed Nuclear agreements with USA, France, Russia, Namibia, Mongolia, Republic of Korea, Argentine Republic, United Kingdom, Republic of Kazakhstan, Canada, Sri Lanka and Australia. India is open to negotiation with other friendly countries who seem to have potential to make contribution to India’s nuclear energy programme.

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Nuclear power capacity expected to reach 10080 MW on progressive completion of projects presently under commissioning/construction by the year 2018-19

The nuclear power capacity is expected to reach 10080 MW on progressive completion of projects presently under commissioning/construction by the year 2018-19. The Government has accorded financial sanction for two more projects namely Gorakhpur Haryana Anu Vidyut Pariyojana (GHAVP) Units 1&2 (2x700 MW) and Kudankulam Nuclear Power Projects (KKNPP) Units – 3&4 (2X1000 MW) with a total capacity of 3400 MW. These are being readied for start of construction in the current year. Another 2X700 MW project is also planned to be taken up in the near future. On progressive completion of these projects, the target is expected to be achieved by the year 2024. The Government, in July 2014, had announced tripling of the then existing capacity of 4780 MW in the next ten years, that is by the year 2024. A capacity of 1000 MW has already been added with the start of commercial operation of Kudankulam Nuclear Power Project Unit-1 (KKNPP 1) in December, 2014.

M/s General Insurance Corporation of India (GIC-Re) have on 12th June, 2015 launched Indian Nuclear Insurance Pool (INIP) with the capacity of Rs1500 crore to provide insurance to cover the liability as prescribed under Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act 2010.

BRICS' bank launches in Shanghai, to work with AIIB,

To fight against climate change, the Chinese government set a goal to increase the share of non-fossil fuels in its primary energy consumption to 15 percent by 2020

China is expected to become the world’s third largest nuclear generating nation around 2017, pushed by its national target against climate change, said U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA).

To fight against climate change, the Chinese government set a goal to increase the share of non-fossil fuels in its primary energy consumption to 15 percent by 2020, according to the China National Plan for Climate Change (2014-2020) released last year, reported Xinhua.

“To help achieve this target, China plans to increase nuclear capacity to 58 gigawatts (GW) and to have 30 GW of capacity under construction by 2020,” said the EIA on Monday.

Improving generation
China is expected to surpass South Korea and Russia in nuclear generating capacity by the end of 2015, overtake Japan around 2017 and to be behind only after the U.S. and France, said the EIA.

Since the beginning of 2013, China has added 10 reactors totalling more than 10 GW, pushing China’s net installed nuclear capacity to 23 GW at present, said the EIA.

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The aircraft can carry 50 people during a maritime search and rescue mission

China has begun building the world’s largest amphibious aircraft, a media report said.

The assembly of the domestically developed AG-600 seaplane started in Zhuhai city on July 17, the People’s Daily reported on Tuesday.

‘Better specifications’
“The AG-600’s overall specifications, such as the maximum takeoff weight and flight range, are better than other amphibious planes in the world. Some countries with many islands, such as Malaysia and New Zealand, have expressed interest in the AG-600,” Qu Jingwen, general manager of China Aviation Industry General Aircraft Co, the aircraft’s developer, was quoted as saying.

The aircraft can carry 50 people during a maritime search and rescue mission.

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BRICS' bank launches in Shanghai, to work with AIIB

Officials from the world's largest emerging nations launched the New Development Bank (NDB) on Tuesday, the second of two new policy banks heavily backed by Beijing that are being pitched as alternatives to existing institutions such as the World Bank.

Also known as the BRICS bank, it follows soon after the establishment of the China-led Asian Investment Infrastructure Bank (AIIB). The new bank will fund infrastructure and development projects in BRICS countries - Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa.

The ceremony on Tuesday concludes a lengthy wait since the NDB was first proposed in 2012. Disagreements over the bank's funding, management and headquarters had slowed its launch.

"Our objective is not to challenge the existing system as it is but to improve and complement the system in our own way," NDB President Kundapur Vaman Kamath said.

He added that after a meeting with the AIIB in Beijing, the NDB had decided to set up a "hotline" with the AIIB to discuss issues, and to forge closer ties between "new institutions coming together with a completely different approach."

The ceremony, held in Shanghai where the NDB's headquarters are located, was relatively low-key in comparison to a June signing of the articles of agreement for the AIIB in Beijing, which was attended by delegates from 57 countries and President Xi Jinping.

The NDB has initial capital of $50 billion, which will be expanded to $100 billion within the next couple of years.

Kamath, a former executive with India's largest private bank ICICI Bank, told Reuters earlier this month that the NDB plans to issue its first loans in April next year.

China has pledged to contribute $41 billion to the NDB, giving it the largest share of voting rights at 39.5%.

Brazil, India and Russia will each contribute $18 billion, while South Africa will contribute $5 billion.

To renew the ‪#‎civilservices‬

An examination that attracts over 7,50,000 aspirants and selects only 0.15 per cent is sure to be the most competitive in the world. India’s civil services examination carefully selects the most fertile minds in order to turn them into ideal bureaucrats. This is not to say that those who do not write the exam, based on their choice, are less bright. However, the Peter Principle — the rise to higher levels of incompetence — applies to many employees. Thus, lateral exit, too, is equally important. Many young IAS officers often fall prey to the incompetency of the framework. Once inducted, postings and training seem to turn them into generalists rather than specialists. The training does not appear to focus on domain expertise and the knowledge required by jobs in today’s context. Even in the days of the ICS, officers could select a branch of governance after a period of service, such as the social sector or economics, so that they could specialise and perform better. That practice has since been abolished, as many feel an IAS officer needs to be a generalist. Moreover, the assurance of a secure career offers little incentive to bureaucrats to outperform others, when promotions and postings are hardly linked to merit and competence. This is where complacency creeps in and leads potential performers into a slump. Civil servants have always held notable positions in government and even outside, as in inter-governmental organisations (IGOs). But some positions require specialists. So, why not bring in talented people from outside who may offer expertise, as happens in IGOs? To fill this gap, the government established the Industrial Management Pool (IMP) in 1959. The IMP envisaged hiring talented private-sector executives to man high- and mid-level managerial posts. Notable individuals like P.L. Tandon, Lovraj Kumar and V. Krishnamurthy joined. But with “positions meant for them” at stake, bureaucrats ensured the burial of the IMP. After only one hiring in 1959, the IMP came to a formal end in 1973. There have been government commissions and reports advocating the lateral entry of specialists. The Sixth Pay Commission and Second Administrative Reforms Commission (ARC) were unanimous on lateral entry. The ARC also recommended a paradigm shift from a career-based to a post-based approach to senior government jobs. It said that civil servants should compete with domain experts from outside for specific jobs. The ARC highlights that some good practices on performance appraisals may be adopted from the armed forces, which could aid in weeding out non-performers. In the armed forces, only 3 per cent of officers make it to the grade of brigadier … and above — and promotions are based entirely on merit, which fuels excellence. Australia, Belgium, New Zealand, the UK, the Netherlands and the US identify specific senior positions that are open to appointments from a wider pool of civil servants as well as private-sector executives with relevant domain experience. Lateral entrants bring their own work culture, and this enables renewal and adaptation in government organisations. India is not new to lateral entry, and the benefits are there for all to see. The chief economic advisor to the Union government is traditionally a lateral entrant. There are illustrious examples of lateral entrants in administrative positions, such as Vijay Kelkar (finance and petroleum secretary), Montek Singh Ahluwalia (commerce and finance secretary) and Ram Vinay Shahi (ministry of power). In addition to domain knowledge, they had managerial skills and could get results in a government system. Lateral entrants may not only bring specialised expertise, good practices and work culture, but they could also induce competition within the system. When civil servants are made to compete with outside talent, the lethargic attitude will diminish. So the prospects of lateral entry will always propel overall efficiency. However, the IAS lobby seems to think otherwise, which was reflected in the Civil Service Survey conducted in 2010. Fifty-four per cent of officers (on a consolidated basis) were in favour of lateral entry at the higher levels. However, IAS officers were less amenable to the idea. Only 43 per cent agreed. Transparency and accountability are two important factors that should not be underplayed in hiring lateral entrants. Discretion on lateral entry may pave the way to charges of being “politically motivated”, which may degrade the system. For this, the ARC recommended the establishment of a central civil services authority to deal with issues concerning lateral entries. But the body, which would have ensured a robust and accountable system of lateral entry, is yet to come into existence. Civil servants should also be encouraged to move out and work for different sectors on a short-term basis to enrich their knowledge and enhance their motivation and efficiency. Therefore, lateral exit is as important as lateral entry. This has the potential to raise the civil services from its slump.

Impact of Climate Change in Incidence of Diseases

No increase in incidence of contagious diseases due to unprecedented changes in environment and climate has been documented by the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), Delhi. There is increasing concern, globally as well as in India, over the effects of climate change on human Health. As per World Health Organization (WHO), climate change affects the social and environmental determinants of health. Climate change can lead to extreme weather events such as storms, floods, cyclones etc. which could enhance the spread of diseases like vector borne diseases, food and water borne diseases, heat stroke etc.

The Prime Minister’s Council on Climate Change has included a new Mission on Climate Change and Health. A National Expert Group on Climate Change and Health has been subsequently constituted by Ministry of Health and Family Welfare to address the issues related to adverse effect of Climate Change on human Health through appropriate mitigation and adaptation measures.

Morbidity due to life-style related non-communicable diseases such as hypertension, cancer, diabetes etc., is increasing in the country. Central Government supplements the activities and efforts of the states towards creation of awareness, health education and health promotion in order to reduce the incidence, morbidity and mortality of all diseases including lifestyle diseases.

A National Programme for Prevention and Control of Cancer, Diabetes, Cardiovascular Diseases and Stroke (NPCDCS) is under implementation since July, 2010. The programme focuses on prevention through awareness generation, behavior and life-style changes, early diagnosis and treatment of persons with high levels of risk factors and their referral to higher facilities for appropriate management. From the year 2013-14, support to State Governments under the programme is through National Health Mission. Funding is provided for human resources, infrastructure, early screening, and treatment as well as for Information, Education & Communication (IEC) activities.

In addition, Government of India has approved a scheme for enhancing tertiary care cancer facilities in the country. Under this scheme (tertiary component of NPCDCS), Government of India has initiated the process of assisting 20 State Cancer Institutes (SCI) and 50 Tertiary Care Cancer Centres (TCCC) in different parts of the country.

Several awareness initiatives have been undertaken including observance of World Diabetes Day, organizing of screening and major awareness events at occasions such as the India International Trade Fair (IITF) 2014, Delhi.

21 July 2015

BRICS' bank launches in Shanghai, to work with AIIB

The ceremony on Tuesday concludes a lengthy wait since the NDB was first proposed in 2012. Disagreements over the bank's funding, management and headquarters had slowed its launch.

"Our objective is not to challenge the existing system as it is but to improve and complement the system in our own way," NDB President Kundapur Vaman Kamath said.

The NDB has initial capital of $50 billion, which will be expanded to $100 billion within the next couple of years.

Kamath, a former executive with India's largest private bank ICICI Bank, told Reuters earlier this month that the NDB plans to issue its first loans in April next year.

China has pledged to contribute $41 billion to the NDB, giving it the largest share of voting rights at 39.5%.

Brazil, India and Russia will each contribute $18 billion, while South Africa will contribute $5 billion.

India to have 500 mn internet users by 2017

By 2016, India is projected to have 236 million mobile internet users the report says, which would reach 314 million by 2017

The surge of internet users in India is only expected to continue in the next few years. According to a report done by IAMAI & KPMG titled 'India On The Go - Mobile internet Vision 2017,' India will have 500 million internet users. However, as is the case now, a majority of India's internet traffic will come from mobile devices.

By 2016, India is projected to have 236 million mobile internet users the report says, which would reach 314 million by 2017.

As of June 2015, India has 350 million active internet users. The user base of 3G in India is rapidly gaining market and is projected to grow at a CAGR of 61.3 per cent from 2013-17. However rural consumers will continue to use 2G.

There were approximately 82 million 3G subscribers in India by the end of year 2014 and the number is projected to reach 284 million by end of year 2017. Commenting on the release of the IAMAI-KPMG report, Ashvin Vellody, Partner - Management Consulting, KPMGin India said, "With more than 300 million internet users, India has the second largest internet user base in the world. But the internet penetration at 19 per cent (approx) is poor and limits the potential. The next wave of growth in penetration of internet will driven by adoption of mobile internet. The mobile internet growth story would be written by the large population in the hinterland and meaningful and compelling content/ use cases would enable adoption of mobile internet."

He further stated, "It is imperative to connect Indians through internet of which the mobile internet will play a key role since reliable accessibility will be the killer app that will bind the internet ecosystem together, increase adoption and enable innovation in business models around voice and data services."

Like it is true for all other consumer industries, rural India will contribute significantly to the internet push. As of 2014, the active internet user (AIU) base in rural India was 6.7 per cent of the overall rural population of 905 million and accounted for 61 million users. While 4.4 per cent of the total rural population used a mobile device to access the Internet, the figure that stood at a meagre 0.4 per cent in the year 2012. The IAMAI-KPMG report has found that the rural growth story in the coming years will likely be written by 2G technologies.

Increased Internet enabled device penetration, decreasing handset prices and data plans tariffs are helping to create a suitable environment for a rapid growth of Mobile Internet in India, with rural India set to take the lead. As of June 2014, nearly 50% of the AIU in rural areas accessed Internet using mobile phones, Community Service Centers (CSC) and Cyber Cafes. 38% of the Active Internet Users use Mobile phone as the main access point.