Daily Factly Articles – 09/04/2022

Polity & Governance

SC Uphelds FCRA Amendments

• GS 2
• Government Policies & Interventions
• GS 3
• Indian Economy & Related Issues

In News

• The Supreme Court upheld amendments introducing restrictions in the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA) while holding that no one has a fundamental or absolute right to receive foreign contributions.

What is the FCRA?

• Regulate foreign donations: It is a slew of new measures to regulate foreign donations.
  • The Act, first enacted in 1976 was amended in the year 2010 and then 2020.
• Application: The FCRA is applicable to all associations, groups and NGOs which intend to receive foreign donations.
  • It is mandatory for all such NGOs to register themselves under the FCRA.
• Validity: The registration is initially valid for five years and it can be renewed subsequently if they comply with all norms.
• Purpose: Registered associations can receive foreign contribution for social, educational, religious, economic and cultural purposes.
• Mandatory IT filing: Filing of annual returns, on the lines of Income Tax, is compulsory.
• Internal security: The FCRA regulates foreign donations and ensures that such contributions do not adversely affect internal security.

New guidelines to banks on Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act rules

• State Bank of India’s New Delhi branch: A new provision that makes it mandatory for all NGOs to receive foreign funds in a designated bank account at the State Bank of India’s New Delhi branch was inserted.
• Designated FCRA account: All NGOs seeking foreign donations have to open a designated FCRA account at the SBI branch.
  • The NGOs can retain their existing FCRA account in any other bank but it will have to be mandatorily linked to the SBI branch in New Delhi.
• Only banking channels allowed: Foreign contribution has to be received only through banking channels and it has to be accounted for in the manner prescribed.
• OCI or PIO: Donations given in Indian rupees by any foreign source including foreigners of Indian origin like OCI or PIO cardholders” should also be treated as foreign contribution.
• Sovereignty and integrity: It requires NGOs to give an undertaking that the acceptance of foreign funds is not likely to prejudicially affect the sovereignty and integrity of India or impact friendly relations with any foreign state and does not disrupt communal harmony.

Need of such steps

• Unnecessary International Criticism:
  • Significantly all the NGOs on the latest list work on climate change and environmental projects and/or child rights and slavery projects.
  • These are the subjects where the government has been sensitive to international criticism.
• International Pressure regarding Law Making and over-compliance:
  •  Despite India’s record in complying with the Paris agreement, global pressures are intensifying on India to raise the Nationally Determined Contributions.
  • It is detrimental to the Indian image and poverty reduction plans.
• NGOs involved in violation of FCRA:
  • Several pro­climate NGOs are focusing on advocacy against coal in the media.
  • It is considered a violation of FCRA provisions. 
• Biased data and poor ranking on several Indices:
  • In 2017, the International Labour Organisation’s Global Slavery Index ranked India 53rd of 167 countries where 
    • “modern slavery” was prevalent, and 
    • as the country with the highest number of people in forced labour.
  • MHA questioned the credibility of the data.
• Internal Security:
  • 3 US non-governmental organizations were found to be fuelling protests at the Kudankulam Nuclear Project Site after strained Indo-US relations.

What is the criticism against the amendments?

• NGOs questioning the law consider the prohibition on transfer arbitrary and too heavy a restriction.
  •  One of its consequences is that recipients cannot fund other organizations. 
• Lawyers have argued that there is no rational link between designating a particular branch of a bank with the objective of preserving national interest. 
• It is also inconvenient as the NGOs might be operating elsewhere. 
• It prohibits the receipt of foreign contributions “for any activities detrimental to the national interest”. 
  • The government can refuse permission if it believes that the donation to the NGO will adversely affect “public interest” or the “economic interest of the state”.
  • However, there is no clear guidance on what constitutes “public interest”. 
• The restrictions also have serious consequences on both the rights to free speech and freedom of association under Articles 19(1)(a) and 19(1)(c) of the Constitution. 
  • Freedom is based on the idea that individuals can form voluntary groups and pursue various interests. 
• They have also cited the recent Supreme Court judgment on the alleged use of Pegasus spyware to argue that ‘national security cannot be cited as a reason without adequate justification.

Governments Stand 

• The Government has contended that the amendments were necessary to prevent foreign state and non-state actors from interfering with the country’s polity and internal matters. 
• The changes are also needed to prevent malpractices by NGOs and the diversion of foreign funds. Preventing the possible diversion of funds is also the reason cited for reducing the administrative expense component, as some organizations tended to inflate the actual expenditure incurred.
• The provision of having one designated bank for receiving foreign funds is aimed at making it easier to monitor the flow of funds. 
• The Government clarified that there was no need for anyone to come to Delhi to open the account as it can be done remotely.

Who cannot receive foreign donations?

• Prohibition: Members of the legislature and political parties, government officials, judges and media persons are prohibited from receiving any foreign contribution.
• Political parties: However, in 2017 the MHA, through the Finance Bill route, amended the 1976-repealed FCRA law paving the way for political parties to receive funds from the Indian subsidiary of a foreign company or a foreign company in which an Indian holds 50% or more shares.

How else can one receive foreign funding?

• Prior permission:
  • The other way to receive foreign contributions is by applying for prior permission.
  • A letter of commitment from the foreign donor specifying the amount and purpose is also required.
• Specific activities or projects: It is granted for receipt of a specific amount from a specific donor for carrying out specific activities or projects.
• Registration: But the association should be registered under statutes such as the Societies Registration Act, 1860, the Indian Trusts Act, 1882, or Section 25 of the Companies Act, 1956.

When is a registration suspended or canceled?

• The MHA: on inspection of accounts and on receiving any adverse input against the functioning of an association can suspend the FCRA registration initially for 180 days.
  • The MHA can cancel the registration of an organization which will not be eligible for registration or grant of ‘prior permission’ for three years from the date of cancellation.
• 25% of the amount available: Until a decision is taken, the association cannot receive any fresh donation and cannot utilize more than 25% of the amount available in the designated bank account without permission of the MHA.

Source: TH

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Indian Economy

Fortified Rice through Welfare Schemes

1. GS 3
2. Indian Economy & Related Issues

In News

• Recently, the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs accorded its approval for supply of fortified rice across  government schemes .

About 

• The following three phases are envisaged for full implementation of the initiative:
  • Phase-I: Covering ICDS and PM POSHAN in India all over by March, 2022 which is under implementation.
  • Phase-II: Phase I above plus TPDS and OWS in all Aspirational and High Burden Districts on stunting (total 291 districts) by March 2023.
  • Phase-Ill: Phase II above plus covering the remaining districts of the country by March 2024.

• The FCI and State Agencies are already engaged in procurement of fortified rice and so far nearly 88.65 LMT of fortified rice has been procured for the supply and distribution.
• The entire cost of rice fortification (around Rs. 2,700 crore per annum) would be borne by the Government  of India as part of food subsidy till its full implementation upto June, 2024.
• Objectives: 
• It aims to provide nutrition to every poor person of the country to overcome malnutrition and lack of essential nutrients in women, children, lactating mothers etc. as it poses major obstacles in their development.

What is Rice Fortification?

• The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) defines fortification as “deliberately increasing the content of essential micronutrients in a food so as to improve the nutritional quality of food and to provide public health benefit with minimal risk to health”.
• In other words, rice fortification is a process of adding micronutrients to regular rice. 
  • The micronutrients are added keeping in mind dietary requirements.
• It involves grinding broken rice into powder, mixing it with nutrients, and then shaping it into rice-like kernels using an extrusion process. 
• These fortified kernels are then mixed with normal rice in a 1:100 ratio and distributed for consumption. 
• The fortified Rice generally contains Vitamin A, Vitamin B1, Vitamin B12, Folic Acid, Iron and Zinc.
• Availability of Technologies 
  • Various technologies are available for rice fortification, such as coating and dusting. 
  • For rice fortification in India, ‘extrusion’ is considered to be the best technology. 
    • This involves the production of fortified rice kernels (FRKs) from a mixture using an extruder machine.

Why does rice have to be fortified in the first place?

• India has very high levels of malnutrition among women and children. According to the Food Ministry, every second woman in the country is anaemic and every third child is stunted.
• Fortification of food is considered to be one of the most suitable methods to combat malnutrition. 
  • Rice is one of India’s staple foods, consumed by about two-thirds of the population. Per capita rice consumption in India is 6.8 kg per month. Therefore, fortifying rice with micronutrients is an option to supplement the diet of the poor.
• Fortified rice will be packed in jute bags with the logo (‘+F’) and the line “Fortified with Iron, Folic Acid, and Vitamin B12”.

Advantages 

• Eliminate malnutrition and nutritional deficiencies.
• Provides extra nutrition at affordable costs.
• Safe: Fortification is a safe method of improving nutrition among people. The addition of micronutrients to food does not pose a health risk to people.
• Socio-culturally acceptable way: It does not require any changes in the food habits and patterns of people. It is a socio-culturally acceptable way to deliver nutrients to people.
• Cost-effective: Food fortification is a cost-effective strategy to improve the nutrition status of populations and it is associated with high economic benefits.
  • It requires an initial investment to purchase both the equipment and the vitamin and mineral premix, but overall costs of fortification are extremely low.

Disadvantages 

• Low coverage: Only a handful of nutrients are added in the process of fortification. 
• Other nutritional deficiencies remain untreated by the process.
• Fail to reach the poorest segments of society: Many times, fortified food products fail to reach the poorest segments of society, who are among the worst section affected with nutritional deficiencies.
  • Low purchasing power and a weak distribution channel are responsible for this problem.
• Fortified foods could lead to a nutritional overdose.

Initiatives were taken by India in this direction 

• The Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution had launched a centrally sponsored pilot scheme on “Fortification of Rice and its Distribution under Public Distribution System (PDS)” for a period of three years beginning 2019-20 with a total budget outlay of Rs.174.64 crore.
  • The pilot scheme focuses on 15 districts in 15 states– Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Odisha, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, Assam, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Punjab, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Uttarakhand and Madhya Pradesh.
• Under the scheme, the blending of rice is done at the milling stage. 
• The Scheme is funded by the Government of India in the ratio of 90:10 in respect of North Eastern, hilly and island states and 75:25 in respect of the rest.
• Mission Poshan 2.0: In the Union Budget 2021-22, the Union Finance Minister had announced Mission Poshan 2.0.
  • The supplementary nutrition programme and the Poshan Abhiyaan has been merged to launch Mission Poshan 2.0 to strengthen nutritional content, delivery, outreach, and outcome.

Source:IE

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Indian Economy

Monetary Policy Review: RBI

• GS 3
• Indian Economy & Related Issues

In News

• Unveiling the first bi-monthly monetary policy review of the fiscal 2022-23 the Monetary Policy Committee of the RBI decided unanimously to leave the key policy rate unchanged and to remain accommodative. 

Key takeaways from MPC meeting

• Repo rate remains unchanged:
  • The RBI decision to keep Repo rates unchanged at 4 percent will help banks to keep interest rates in the financial system unchanged, aiding growth in the economy.
  • Borrowers won’t have to shell out more on EMIs and loan repayments at least for the time being.
• The RBI has introduced the Standing Deposit Facility (SDF):
  • It is a new tool for absorbing liquidity at an interest rate of 3.75 per cent, making the reverse repo almost irrelevant.
  • The SDF will replace the fixed rate reverse repo (FRRR) as the floor of the LAF (liquidity adjustment facility) corridor.
  • In 2018, the amended Section 17 of the RBI Act empowered the central bank to introduce the SDF as an additional tool for absorbing liquidity without any collateral.
  • By removing the binding collateral constraint on the RBI, the SDF strengthens the operating framework of monetary policy.
  • The SDF is also a financial stability tool in addition to its role in liquidity management.
  • The SDF rate will be 25 bps below the policy rate (Repo rate), and it will be applicable to overnight deposits at this stage.
• GDP growth and Inflation:
  • The central bank has slashed the growth forecast to 7.2 per cent for fiscal 2022-23 from 7.8 percent predicted earlier in the wake of the rise in crude oil and commodity prices and the after-effect of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
  • It has increased the retail inflation from 4.5 percent projected earlier to 5.7 per cent in 2022-23.
• Accommodative stance continues:
  • It also decided to remain accommodative while focusing on withdrawal of accommodation to ensure that inflation remains within the target going forward, while supporting growth.

Challenges

• Escalating geopolitical tensions: Although India’s direct trade exposure to countries at the epicenter of the conflict is limited; the war could potentially impede the economic recovery through elevated commodity prices and global spill-over channels.
• High inflation and Low growth: Generalized hardening of global commodity prices, the likelihood of prolonged supply chain disruptions, dislocations in trade and capital flows, divergent monetary policy responses and volatility in global financial markets are imparting sizeable upside risks to the inflation trajectory and downside risks to domestic growth.
• Concerns over protracted supply disruptions have rattled global commodity and financial markets.

Way forward/ Suggestions

• The government’s thrust on capital expenditure coupled with initiatives such as the production linked incentive (PLI) scheme should bolster private investment activity, amidst improving capacity utilization, deleverage corporate balance sheets, higher off take of bank credit and congenial financial conditions.
• The RBI has set the stage for a gradual rise in the policy rates later in the year and the process of slowly tightening the monetary policy.

About Monetary Policy Committee (MPC)

• Constituted by RBI under section 45ZB of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Act, 1934.
• Chaired by the Governor of RBI. 
• Mission: Fixing the benchmark policy interest rate (repo rate) to restrain inflation within the particular target level (2% to 6%). 
• MPC conducts meetings at least 4 times a year. 
• The monetary policy is published after every meeting with each member explaining his opinions.

Marginal Standing Facility

• MSF or marginal standing facility is a system of the Reserve Bank of India that allows scheduled commercial banks to avail funds overnight.
• It was introduced by the RBI as a provision for banks to avail overnight funds during a revision of the country’s monetary policy in 2011-12.
• It is usually higher than the repo rate.
• Banks can use their SLR or statutory liquidity ratio to take loans under MSF. 
• This is a short-term loan used to maintain the liquidity of banks.

Consumer Price Index (CPI) Inflation

• It measures changes in the price level of a weighted average market basket of consumer goods and services purchased by households.
• It also represents retail inflation.
• In India, five types of CPI are published.

Source: IE

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Polity & Governance

Draft Guidelines by National Medical Commission (NMC)

• GS 2
• Issues Relating to Development
• Management of Social Sector
• Health
• Education
• Human Resources

In News

• Recently, the National Medical Commission (NMC) has released draft guidelines for the national register of doctors after the licentiate exam.

About

• The draft guidelines are on how the doctors will be registered in order to practice medicine.
• At present, Indian students do not have to sit for a licentiate exam after MBBS to get registered in their respective state medical councils. 
• However, foreign medical graduates have to pass the screening test conducted by National Board Examinations in Medical Sciences to be registered.

Guidelines 

• Three draft regulations:
  • License to Practice Medicine, 2022; 
  • Registration of Additional Qualifications, 2022; and 
  • Temporary Registration of Foreign Medical Practitioners to Practice Medicine in India.
• Working: 
  • The guidelines provide a framework for creating a dynamic national medical register.
  • It will have a unique ID assigned to each student who qualifies NEET, with professional qualifications such as post-graduation and super-speciality training being added to the same ID.
• Open to foreigners: 
  • The registration is open for foreign doctors who want to come to India to study in post-graduation courses, fellowships, clinical research, or voluntary clinical services. 
• Change in Permission: 
  • Until now foreign experts were being granted “permission” by the Health Ministry. 
  • Now, the NMC will grant a temporary registration to such doctors that will end with the duration of the programme. 
    • The maximum duration of such a temporary registration will be 12 months.
• Registration Process:
  • Indian: Indian medical graduates would be eligible for registration in the National Medical Register after:
    • Completion of MBBS degree from a recognised college, 
    • Completion of year-long mandatory internship, and 
    • Pass the National Exit Test (NExT). 
  • Foreign: Foreign medical graduates can be registered after:
    • Completed education in a country other than India, 
    • Are registerable as doctors in the said country, 
    • Have completed a year-long internship in India, and 
    • Have passed the NExT exam.
• A new portal for all documents:
  • At present, every state maintains its own medical register, which is then sent to NMC for a consolidated country-wide register.
  • After a unique ID is created, a portal will be thrown open to all recognised institutes in India who can upload all verified documents of their students to it. 

National Exit Test(NExT) Exam

• NExT was introduced in the NMC Bill in 2019 with the objective of replacing PG-NEET.
• Purposes. 
  • It will act as a passing examination for the final MBBS examination. 
  • It will act as a qualifying examination to grant the license to practice modern medicine in India for Indian as well as foreign medical graduates. 
  • It will serve as a competitive test that will form the basis for admission to the postgraduate (PG) broad-speciality courses in the medical institutions of India.
• Primary Intent:
  • To ensure uniformity in the level of training in MBBS course (more so in private medical colleges), 
  • Quality control for medical graduates from foreign medical colleges intending to practise in India, and 
  • Abolishing the need to take multiple entrance examinations and/or multiple counselling processes for admission in PG courses.
• Written + practical exam: 
  • It will not be a theory paper, like MBBS finals or NEET PG test. Instead, It will be held in two parts – one written and one practical exam where the students will be judged on their clinical acumen.

Significance

• Level playing field:
  • The new entrance test for Post Graduation, NExT, will level the playing field for both Indian and foreign nationals. 
• One portal: 
  • This will make the registration process easier.
• Register based on real time: 
  • Since the register will keep getting updates as and when the doctors pursue specialisations or any other courses, it can be shared with various authorities to check the qualifications of people they wish to hire.
• Open registration to foreign doctors: 
  • The guidelines open the registration to foreign doctors who want to come to India to study in post-graduation courses, fellowships, clinical research, or voluntary clinical services.

Challenges 

• Discriminatory: 
  • Foreign Medical Graduate Regulations, 2021 on the face of it treats foreign medical graduates in an unfair and discriminatory manner.
• Retrospective implementation:
  • The draft Regulations are to be made applicable to even those who are as of now pursuing foreign medical education. 
  • Thus, a person who has studied in Japan or China or Russia in the language of that country would not be entitled to sit in NEXT according to the new prescription. 
• International relations can be affected:
  • The requirement of obtaining education in English medium only gives an undue advantage to institutions in English-speaking countries. 
  • Such a prescription has the potential of causing diplomatic wrangles with these countries. 
  • Also, it restricts the choices available to prospective admission seekers.
• Brain drain:
  • Given the proposed stringent entry requirements, these Indian students might consider opting for other options like USMLE or staying back in the country of their education. 
  • Thus, the brain that was required to “rain” back in the nation may turn into a brain drain. 

Way Ahead

• It would be appropriate that the NMC re-examines the proposed enactment after taking in views and concerns of all stakeholders before further proceeding with the legislative process.
• The NMC must find a balanced way forward for constructively utilizing the skills and expertise of 100,000 foreign medical graduates urgently to augment the human resources in healthcare.

National Medical Commission (NMC)

• The NMC is a statutory body constituted by an act of Parliament known as National Medical Commission Act, 2019.
• The Board of Governors in supersession of Medical Council of India constituted under section 3A of the Indian Medical Council Act, 1956 stands dissolved thereafter.
• Mission and Vision: 
  • Improve access to quality and affordable medical education, 
  • Ensure availability of adequate and high quality medical professionals in all parts of the country; 
  • Promote equitable and universal healthcare that encourages community health perspective and makes services of medical professionals accessible to all the citizens; 
  • Encourages medical professionals to adopt latest medical research in their work and to contribute to research; 
  • Objectively assess medical institutions  periodically in a transparent manner; 
  • Maintain a medical register for India; 
  • Enforce high ethical standards in all aspects of medical services; 
  • Have an effective grievance redressal mechanism.

Source: IE

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Health

Nipah Virus Infection (NiV)

• GS 2
• Health

In Context

• Scientists at Pune’s Indian Council of Medical Research – National Institute of Virology were able to detect the presence of IgG antibodies against Nipah virus infection (NiV) in 51 bats that were captured from Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Puducherry.

What are Antibodies?

Antibodies are specialized Y-shaped proteins made by the immune system. They help fight disease by detecting viruses, bacteria, and other pathogens (disease-causing microorganisms) and working to destroy them. They are produced and released from B cells, which are lymphocytes involved in the immune system, and also called immunoglobulin

Types of Antibodies

They are classified into IgG, IgM, IgA, IgD, and IgE.

• IgG: It is the main antibody in blood and it has a powerful ability to bind to bacteria and toxins, and thus it takes on an important role in the biological defense system.
  • It is the only isotype that can pass through the placenta, and IgG transferred from the mother’s body protects a newborn.
• IgM: It is constructed of five units of basic Y-shaped structures and is mainly distributed to the blood. Produced first upon pathogen invasion by B cells, IgM has a key role in the initial immune system defense for protecting the body.
  • The B-cell, also called B-lymphocyte, is a type of white blood cell that plays a significant role in protecting your body from infection.
• IgA: IgA is mainly present as monomers (the shape of a single Y), but it forms dimers (a combination of 2 Ys) in secretions such as bowel fluid, nasal discharge, and saliva, to prevent bacterial invasion from a mucous membrane. 
• IgD: It is present on the surface of B cells and it is reported to play a role in the induction of antibody production and the prevention of respiratory tract infections.
• IgE:  IgE was originally related to immunity reactions to parasites. By binding to mast cells, IgE is believed to be involved in allergies such as pollinosis.

Nipah Virus (NIV)

• About:
  • It is a zoonotic virus (it is transmitted from animals to humans) .
  • The organism which causes Nipah Virus encephalitis is an RNA or Ribonucleic acid virus of the family Paramyxoviridae, genus Henipavirus, and is closely related to Hendra virus.
  • The case fatality rate is estimated at 40% to 75%. This rate can vary by outbreak depending on local capabilities for epidemiological surveillance and clinical management.
  • The virus can also cause severe disease in animals such as pigs, resulting in significant economic losses for farmers.  
• Past Outbreaks 
  • Nipah virus was first recognized in 1999 during an outbreak among pig farmers in Malaysia when pigs in Malaysian farms came in contact with the bats who had lost their habitats due to deforestation.
  •  The disease has also been identified periodically in eastern India.
• In subsequent outbreaks in Bangladesh and India, consumption of fruits or fruit products (such as raw date palm juice) contaminated with urine or saliva from infected fruit bats was the most likely source of infection.
• It has caused annual outbreaks in Malaysia, Bangladesh and other countries in South-East Asia including India. 

• Transmission:
  • The disease spreads through fruit bats or ‘flying foxes,’ of the genus Pteropus, who are natural reservoir hosts of the Nipah and Hendra viruses. 
  • The virus is present in bat urine and potentially, bat faeces, saliva, and birthing fluids. 
  • The virus is transmitted to people from animals and can also be passed on through contaminated food or directly from person to person. 
  • Human-to-human transmission of the Nipah virus has also been reported among family and caregivers of infected patients.
• Symptoms:
  •  In infected people, it causes a range of illnesses from asymptomatic (subclinical) infection to acute respiratory illness and fatal encephalitis. 
• Treatment:
  • There are currently no drugs or vaccines specific for Nipah virus infection although WHO has identified Nipah as a priority disease for the WHO Research and Development Blueprint.  
  • Intensive supportive care is recommended to treat severe respiratory and neurologic complications.
• Preventive Measures: 
  • Raising awareness about its spread & transmission.
  • Reducing the risk of bat-to-human transmission
  • Reducing the risk of animal-to-human transmission by using Gloves and other protective clothing.

Source:IE

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Facts in News

Solid Fuel Ducted Ramjet (SFDR)

• GS 3
• Defence

In News

• Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) successfully flight tested Solid Fuel Ducted Ramjet (SFDR) booster at the Integrated Test Range (ITR), Chandipur off the coast of Odisha.

About Solid Fuel Ducted Ramjet (SFDR)

• It has been developed by Defence Research and Development Laboratory, Hyderabad, in collaboration with other DRDO laboratories such as Research Centre Imarat, Hyderabad and High Energy Materials Research Laboratory, Pune.
• The SFDR-based propulsion enables the missile to intercept aerial threats at very long range at supersonic speeds.
•  The test successfully demonstrated the reliable functioning of all critical components involved in the complex missile system and met all the mission objectives.
  • The performance of the system has been confirmed from the data captured by a number of instruments like telemetry, radar and electro Optical tracking systems deployed by ITR. 
• Significance: 
  • It is an important milestone towards development of critical missile technologies in the country.
  • The major difference between this missile and the regular air-to-air missiles is the air-breathing ramjet propulsion technology, which helps propel the missile at high supersonic speeds (above Mach 2) for engaging targets at long ranges.

Ramjet

• It is a form of air-breathing jet engine that uses the engine’s forward motion to compress incoming air without an axial compressor or a centrifugal compressor.
• Because ramjets cannot produce thrust at zero airspeed, they cannot move an aircraft from a standstill.
• A ramjet-powered vehicle, therefore, requires an assisted take-off like a rocket assist to accelerate it to a speed where it begins to produce thrust. Ramjets work most efficiently at supersonic speeds around Mach 3. 

Source:BS

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Facts in News

Banarasi Pashmina

• GS1
• Art and Culture

In News

• Recently, Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC) launched “Banarasi Pashmina” to boost self-sustainability & Artisanal Creativity.

About 

• This is for the first time that Pashmina products are being produced outside the region of Leh-Ladakh and Jammu & Kashmir. 
• KVIC will be selling the “Made-in-Varanasi” Pashmina products through its showrooms, outlets and through its online portal.
• Significance: 
  • It creates a fusion of diverse artistry from Leh-Ladakh, Delhi and Varanasi. 
  • It aims to generate sustainable employment opportunities for women in Ladakh and diversify the skills of traditional weavers in Varanasi.
  • It would ensure round-the-year livelihood to women artisans in Leh-Ladakh where spinning activities are suspended for nearly half the year due to the extreme cold. 

Pashmina 

• About:
  • The word Pashmina comes from the Persian word ‘Pashm’ which means ‘soft gold.
  • Pashmina comes from an animal fibre Cashmere, derived from the Changthangi goat of Ladakh. 
  • It is indigenous to the high altitude regions of Leh-Ladakh and Jammu & Kashmir.
• Features:
  • It is well known for its warmth, lightweight, and softness in addition to its characteristic dye absorbing property. 
  • Pashmina has been accredited by the Guinness Book of World Records for being the costliest cloth in the world.
  • Pashmina wool is the finest version of cashmere and it is thinner than human hair and highly prized in the international market.
• Usage: 
  • It is known for its use in beautiful shawls and other handmade items.

Source:PIB

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Facts in News

Atal Innovation Mission

• GS 2
• Government Policies & Interventions

In News 

• Recently, the Union Cabinet approved continuation of Atal Innovation Mission (AIM), till March 2023. 

About 

• The AIM shall work on its intended target of creating an innovation culture and entrepreneurial ecosystem in the country. 
  • This will be done by AIM via its various programs.
• The intended targets that will be achieved by AIM are:
  • Establishing 10000 Atal Tinkering Labs (ATLs),
  • Establishing 101 Atal Incubation Centres (AICs),
  • Establishing 50 Atal Community Innovation Centres (ACICs) and
  • Supporting 200 startups via the Atal New India Challenges.
• The total budgeted expenditure of  Rs.2000+ crore shall be incurred in the process of the establishment and supporting the beneficiaries.

Atal Innovation Mission (AIM)

• Launched by NITI aayog, AIM is the Government of India’s flagship initiative to promote a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship in the country.
• Objectives: 
  • To create and promote an ecosystem of innovation and entrepreneurship across the country via interventions at school, university, research institutions, MSME and industry levels.
  • To provide platform and collaboration opportunities for different stakeholders.
• Few Major Initiatives:
  • Atal Tinkering Labs: Creating a problem-solving mindset across schools in India.
  • Atal Incubation Centres: Fostering world-class startups and adding a new dimension to the incubator model.
  • Atal New India Challenges: Fostering product innovations and aligning them to the needs of various sectors/ministries.
  • Mentor India Campaign: A national mentor network in collaboration with the public sector, corporates and institutions.
  • Atal Community Innovation Centre: To stimulate community-centric innovation and ideas in the unserved /underserved regions including Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities.
  • Atal Research and Innovation for Small Enterprises (ARISE): To stimulate innovation and research in the MSME industry.
  • Apart from the above initiatives, it has also launched AIM Prime, AIM iCREST, etc to boost industrial exposure of students and innovators.
• Achievements 
  • the AIM has worked on integrating innovation ecosystem both nationally and globally:
    • Bilateral relations
      • The AIM has created bilateral relations with various international agencies for building synergistic collaboration on innovation and entrepreneurship such as the AIM – SIRIUS Student Innovation exchange program with Russia, AIM – ICDK (Innovation Centre Denmark) Water Challenge with Denmark, and IACE (India Australian Circular Economy Hackathon) with Australia.
      • The AIMs played a pivotal role in the success of InSpreneur, an Innovation Startup Summit hosted between India and Singapore.
    • Defence sector
      • The AIM partnered with the Ministry of Defence to set up the Defence Innovation Organisation which is fostering innovation as well as procurement in the defence sector.
• Startups 
  • The AIM supported startups have raised 2000+ Crores from the government and private equity investors and have created several thousand jobs. 

Source:PIB

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