9 PM Daily Current Affairs Brief – February 23rd, 2023

Posted on February 23rd, 2023 Last modified on February 24th, 2023 Comments

Dear Friends,

We have initiated some changes in the 9 PM Brief and other postings related to current affairs. What we sought to do:

Ensure that all relevant facts, data, and arguments from today’s newspaper are readily available to you.
We have widened the sources to provide you with content that is more than enough and adds value not just for GS but also for essay writing. Hence, the 9 PM brief now covers the following newspapers:
1. The Hindu
2. Indian Express
3. Livemint
4. Business Standard
5. Times of India
6. Down To Earth
7. PIB
We have also introduced the relevance part to every article. This ensures that you know why a particular article is important.
Since these changes are new, so initially the number of articles might increase, but they’ll go down over time.
It is our endeavor to provide you with the best content and your feedback is essential for the same. We will be anticipating your feedback and ensure the blog serves as an optimal medium of learning for all the aspirants.
- For previous editions of 9 PM Brief – Click Here
- For individual articles of 9 PM Brief– Click Here

Current Affairs Compilations for UPSC IAS Prelims 2022

Mains Oriented Articles

Mains Oriented Articles

GS Paper 2

Giving data its due – On National Data and Analytics Platform

Source– The post is based on the article “Giving data its due” published in The Indian Express on 23rd February 2023.

Syllabus: GS2- E-governance

Relevance: Use of data for governance

News- National Data and Analytics Platform will enable policy-makers and researchers to exploit the potential of government data

What are some facts about the National Data and Analytics Platform?

It is a transformational open data platform launched by NITI Aayog in 2022.

NDAP provides foundational datasets from central and state government entities in machine-readable formats, with a user-friendly interface and powerful analytics.

The platform uses cutting-edge methods to link diverse datasets from across the government and enables the use of several types of data at once.

NDAP’s target users include policymakers, civil servants, university students and researchers, journalists, innovators, and civil society groups.

The design process of NDAP was preceded by extensive research with diverse data users to learn about their demand for government data, and challenges faced in doing so.

Why is there a need for such a type of platform?

Public data is often stored on platforms that are difficult to use. It is available in formats that delay analysis. Data from different sources do not speak to each other. Users cannot compare data from different departments or data gathered over time.

There are issues related to slow updating processes and inconsistencies in data quality. It is not always clear that the appropriate data is publicly available.

What are some positive aspects related to NDAP?

The decision-maker can access the data from different sources seamlessly linked into a single dataset. She can use the data and analyse it using her preferred method.

Civil servants can save considerable time and make her decisions more data-driven. The people of the state can enjoy better governance and programme outcomes.

NDAP has been made an integral part of the State Support Mission of NITI Aayog. The state-specific portals have been developed on the lines of NDAP. It ensures that all states are equal partners in data-driven policymaking.

NDAP strives to maintain the principles of collaboration. Its public access has provided opportunities for all, including states, ministries, and India’s data community.

NDAP has been included in the curriculum of officer trainees at the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration, Mussoorie. This will enable incoming government officers to develop a data-driven decision-making mindset.

On US-China relations

Source: The post is based on an article “‘Balloon-gate showed how tense US-China relations are … most scary is their weak communication mechanisms’” published in The Times of India on 23^rd February 2023.

Syllabus: GS 2 – International Relations

Relevance: China-US relations

News: There have been lots of controversies over the spy balloon of China. It was later shot down by the US. This incident shows the growing distrust between the two countries.

What are the concerns with the relations between China and the US?

US Predominance: The shooting down of the balloon reflects that China is a threat to the US and a strong action is required to ensure continued US predominance.

Taiwan: There are very less chances of direct military conflicts between the two nations as most of the issues can be resolved by talks and agreements. However, there is considerable risk of military conflict over Taiwan.

Russia: There have been improvements in the relations between China and Russia. They declared that the two countries had a partnership with no limits. They both see the US as their common threats. Hence, China’s increasing proximity with Russia might be a concern for the relations between China and the US.

Strong leadership: China has seen a strong leadership and Xi’s self-appointment to a third term as CCP secretary general is one of its parts. Chinese leaders are now more open about saying that they don’t see convergence with every aspect of US leadership. Chinese society is also changing. Hence, strong leaders possess a threat over the relations between the two nations.

What are the implications of the relationships between the US and China on India?

Both nations see India in terms of broader strategic goals. For example, Quad is more about the US’s view of the role of its allies in countering China than India’s benefit.

GS Paper 3

UPI: Local & global

Source: The post is based on the article “UPI: Local & global” published in Business Standard on 23rd February 2023.

Syllabus: GS 3 – Indian Economy and issues relating to planning, mobilization, of resources.

Relevance: About e-rupee and UPI.

News: Recently, India’s Unified Payments Interface (UPI) was linked to Singapore’s version PayNow.

About the linking of India’s UPI and PayNow

Read here: India’s UPI and Singapore’s PayNow are now integrated: What it means, who benefits

It will enable users to send funds via a UPI ID, mobile number, or virtual payment address via Singapore PayNow up to a limit of Rs 60,000 a day.

The transfer agents will be limited to a handful of Indian banks — State Bank of India, Indian Bank, Indian Overseas Bank, and ICICI Bank — that can enable transactions via their banking facilities or mobile apps.

The UPI is truly inclusive since it could bring within its ambit the thousands of workers who have to rely on relatively slow online money transfers via service providers who charge fairly steep fees.

Note: Third-party app providers — such as PhonePe, Google Pay, or Paytm — remain outside the purview of this international link. But, these big three account for more than 90% of transactions both in terms of number and value. Hence, in future the link might extend to them.

About the success of UPI

By 2021, five years after it was introduced as a bank-to-bank pilot project in April 2016, the UPI has become the world’s fifth-largest payment network by volume, behind Visa, Alipay, WeChat Pay, and Mastercard. The major advantages of the system are,

a) The ubiquity of UPI across incomes and geographies of India, b) UPI’s acceptance has encouraged greater financial inclusion at low cost, c) UPI has gained credibility and traction in India to the extent to achieve digital economy, and d) UPI’s simple and secure architecture has reduced the level of vulnerability in the system.

What should be done to improve UPI’s interface?

According to RBI data, Singapore’s share of inward remittances is just 5.7%. The real value and test of UPI will happen if their scope were extended to the Gulf countries, or the US and Canada, which dominate the inward-remittance geographies.

The exponential expansion of the UPI system has been accompanied by a rise in frauds, though they occur mostly on account of user ignorance rather than hacks. These should be addressed immediately.

Read more: UPI promotion should not eclipse our e-rupee and Popularize the e-rupee even at the cost of UPI

A clean gamble: On carbon trading

Source: The post is based on the article “A clean gamble: On carbon trading” published in Live Mint on 23rd February 2023.

Syllabus: GS 3 – Environment and Bio-diversity Conservation.

Relevance: About carbon markets.

News: The Centre is expected to clarify the specifics of a carbon trading market in India.

What does the term carbon trading mean?

A decade ago, they meant stock-market-like exchanges that traded in ‘carbon offsets’ which is mentioned under the Clean Development Mechanism.

But now, industrial projects in developing countries that avoided greenhouse gas emissions were eligible for credits. After verification, these credits could be sold to European companies that could buy them in lieu of cutting emissions themselves.

The objective of carbon markets is to incentivise investments in renewable energy sources. The carbon trading mechanism will mobilise domestic finance and accelerate the shift away from fossil fuels. Thus, carbon trading can meaningfully lead to emissions reductions.

Must Read: Explained | What are carbon markets and how do they operate?

What are the initiatives that facilitate carbon trading?

Earlier, the approval by the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change via the Paris and Glasgow agreements ensured that carbon markets have acquired greater global significance.

The EU-Emissions Trading Systems (ETS) is a government-mandated emission limit on industrial sectors such as aluminium or steel plants that require industries to either cut emissions or buy government-certified permits from companies that cut more emissions than required or were auctioned by governments. Carbon credits became valuable because they could be used as permits in EU-ETS exchanges.

The European Union also runs the oldest emission trading scheme since 2005, had cut emissions by 35% from 2005-2019 and 9% in 2009, over the previous years.

Domestically, a) an amendment to the Energy Conservation Act was passed in 2022, b) a similar trading mechanism is implemented in Perform, Achieve and Trade (PAT) scheme. There are around 1,000 industries have been involved in procuring and trading energy-saving certificates (ESCerts). Since 2015, various cycles of the PAT have shown emission reductions of around 3%-5%.

What are the challenges with Carbon trading?

a) Though Carbon credits are tradeable on an exchange, like shares, these are trading permits which permit the ‘right to pollute’, b) They are expected to fluctuate in value depending on a company’s need to balance profitability and comply with pollution norms.

Must read: Carbon Markets: Benefits and Challenges – Explained, pointwise

What should be done to encourage carbon trading in India?

Clear definition: ‘Carbon markets’ is not a specific term. So, it needs clarity in the Indian context.

The government must intervene to bring pressure on the industry to participate in the market and also ignore proven non-market initiatives to achieve greenhouse gas reductions.

India can become a biodiversity champion

Source– The post is based on the article “India can become a biodiversity champion” published in The Hindu on 23rd February 2023.

Syllabus: GS3- Environment

Relevance: Biodiversity conservation

News- Biodiversity is essential to the future of this planet. The importance of our planet’s biodiversity was strongly articulated at the United Nations Biodiversity Conference in Montreal.

What was the important development during the biodiversity conference in Montreal?

There was an agreement to “halt and reverse” biodiversity loss by conserving 30% of the world’s land and 30% of the world’s oceans by 2030, known as the 30×30 pledge.

What are different programmes launched by the Indian government for preserving biodiversity?

Union Budget 2023 mentioned “Green Growth” as one of the seven priorities.

The National Mission for a Green India aims to increase forest cover on degraded lands and

protect existing forested lands.

The Green Credit Programme has the objective to incentivize environmentally sustainable and responsive actions by companies, individuals and local bodies.

The Mangrove Initiative for Shoreline Habitats & Tangible Incomes (MISHTI) is particularly significant because of the extraordinary importance of mangroves and coastal ecosystems in mitigating climate change.

The Prime Minister Programme for Restoration, Awareness, Nourishment, and Amelioration of Mother Earth (PMPRANAM) for reducing inputs of synthetic fertilisers and pesticides is critical for sustaining our agriculture.

The Amrit Dharohar scheme is expected to encourage optimal use of wetlands, and enhance biodiversity, carbon stock, ecotourism opportunities and income generation for local communities.

What is the way forward for successful implementation of these programmes?

It is critical that these programmes should focus on current state of the country’s biodiversity

with evidence based implementation. A science based and inclusive monitoring of the programme is important.

New missions and programmes should effectively use modern concepts of sustainability. The focus should be on valuation of ecosystems that consider ecological, cultural, and sociological aspects of our biological wealth.

There is a need to sustain ecological flows through reduction in water use in key sectors such as agriculture. This can be done by encouraging changes to less water intensive crops such as millets and investments in water recycling in urban areas.

For the Green India Mission, implementation should focus on ecological restoration rather than tree plantation. There is a need to choose sites where it can contribute to ecological connectivity in landscapes fragmented by linear infrastructure.

Furthermore, choice of species and density should be informed by available knowledge and evidence on resilience under emerging climate change.

Site selection should also be carefully considered for the mangrove initiative. There is need for greater emphasis on diversity of mangrove species with retention of the integrity of coastal

mud flats and salt pans.

Each of these efforts must be inclusive of local and nomadic communities where these initiatives will be implemented. Traditional Knowledge and practices of these communities should be integrated into the implementation plans.

Each programme should include significant educational and research funding to bring awareness to India’s biological wealth.

The National Mission on Biodiversity and Human Well Being should be immediately launched by the government. This mission seeks to harness the power of interdisciplinary knowledge for greening India and its economy.

The difficulty with renewables

Source– The post is based on the article “The difficulty with renewables” published in The Indian Express on 23rd February 2023.

Syllabus: GS3- Energy

Relevance: Renewable energy and related issues

News- The target of having 500 GW of non-fossil generating capacity by 2030 may look impressive. But, it may prove to be elusive unless we can enhance our storage capacity.

Why is storage not a prominent challenge for the energy sector in current times?

India has more than 200 GW of coal-based capacity. The Central Electricity Regulatory Commission recognises 55% as the technical minimum. It means that a 1,000 MW plant can run at 550 MW.

The additional operating cost for running the plant at 55% capacity is allowed by the CERC as legitimate expenditure.

Why is there a need for a focus on storage capacity in the future?

When India’s renewable capacity goes up further, some of the coal-based units would generate at the technical minimum and the extra renewable energy would be used to charge the batteries.

This stored energy could be used to supply electricity during the non-solar hours, especially when the coal-based generating units would be phased out gradually.

Some minimum coal-based generation would be required for meeting a part of the base load.

What are storage options for India and hurdles faced by storage options?

These options are hydrogen-based storage, lithium-ion batteries and pump storage plants.

Hydrogen storage is feasible for long-term storage. One can use this stored energy, for example, in situations when coal mining goes down or when hydro generation depletes due to low reservoir levels.

For day-to-day storage, batteries are still the ideal source. Though the cost of batteries has declined by about 80% over the last decade, it is still quite expensive. Moreover, the pace of decline in the cost of batteries has reached a plateau.

Pump storage plants, India has a total capacity of about 4.7 GW but only 3.3 GW is functional. A survey of the CEA estimated a pump storage potential of about 100 GW.

Pump storage plants have not really grown in India due to several factors, including high investment costs, long gestation periods, non-remunerative pricing models and lack of adequate sites having the topography that is required for operating a pump storage plant.

What will be other challenges for the renewable energy sector in India?

The financial condition of our distribution companies will be another hindrance. The additional solar and wind capacity has to come from the private sector.

No developer will invest unless there is some credible payment security mechanism.

Problems with land acquisition, and securing the right of way for laying down transmission lines will also continue to hinder progress.

India must update its security strategy and shed obsession with Pakistan

Source– The post is based on the article “India must update its security strategy and shed obsession with Pakistan” published in The Indian Express on 23rd February 2023.

Syllabus: GS3- Security

Relevance: National security framework of India

News- The article explains the need for national security strategy for the 21st century.

What are issues with India’s national security?

India is lacking a concrete national security strategy.

India has created the National Security Council to write a National Security Strategy but it was never held accountable for not producing one.

India has a land-centric defence budget. The Navy and Air Force are underfunded.

What is the way forward to improve the national security of India?

India has rightly created a CDS and an integrated staff. If NSC is unable to write a National Security Strategy, the Integrated Staff can write the theaterisation plan and a National Military Strategy.

In this 21st century, both theaterisation and the geographical difficulties in the Himalayas. There is a need for grand maritime strategy.

Pakistan has been successful in an asymmetric warfare game with India for half a century. But the over-extension of resources has now led to its collapse. India should not be overly concerned about Pakistan India’s strategic thinking should come out of the 20th century and face the new century with fresh minds.

India at a crossroads: Reduce the risks of economic concentration

Source: The post is based on the article “India at a crossroads: Reduce the risks of economic concentration” published in Live Mint on 23^rd February 2023.

Syllabus: GS 3 – Indian Economy

Relevance: protectionists policies adopted by India

News: Many policies have been implemented by the government to make India one of the most important countries in the world. However, those policies also have concerns.

How have policies helped India?

The government has implemented various policies that have modernized India and supported its growth.

A massive investment has been made in the single market and in infrastructure including digital infrastructure. These investments with industrial policies and a growing digital based welfare system have led to robust economic performance.

Furthermore, India’s military and geopolitical importance will only grow, and its cultural diversity will generate soft power to rival the US and the UK.

However, there are also concerns with these policies.

What are the concerns with these developmental policies?

These policies have made India an economy where large private corporations/conglomerates control a significant part of the economy.

These conglomerates have helped the economy to grow despite lower investment rates. But, the problem with these conglomerates is that they have been able to influence policymaking to benefit themselves.

This has in turn led to two problems – a) it has become a hurdle to the growth of early-stage startups and domestic entrants in key industries, b) it is changing the government’s ‘Make in India’ programme into a counterproductive, protectionist scheme.

What issues are associated with the development of conglomerates?

If any loopholes found in these big industries (e.g., Adani Group), it hurts India’s image globally. It has implications for India’s institutional robustness and global investors’ perceptions of India.

The Asian financial crisis of the 1990s demonstrated that the partial capture of economic policy by capitalist conglomerates will hurt productivity growth by hampering competition, inhibiting creative destruction and increasing inequality.

Hence, India’s long-term success ultimately depends on whether it can foster and sustain a growth model that is competitive, dynamic, sustainable, inclusive and fair.

What are the problems with the Make in India scheme?

Make in India was intended to strengthen the Indian economy by increasing the domestic production of goods for exports.

However, India is promoting domestic products in Indian markets through Make in India and adopting protectionist import-substitution policies.

This gives advantages to domestic industries and conglomerates from global competition.

Moreover, India’s tariff policies are preventing it from becoming more competitive in goods export and it has also resisted joining regional trade agreements.

This ultimately affects the objective of Make in India which was intended to increase trade exports.

Another problem with Make in India is that it has evolved to support production in labour-intensive industries such as cars, tractors, locomotives, etc.

However, India should be focusing on industries where it has a comparative advantage, such as tech and IT, artificial intelligence, business services and fintech.

Hence, for reaping the benefits of Make in India, policymakers should focus on these dynamic sectors by establishing special economic zones. Else, Make in India will continue to produce suboptimal results.

Prelims Oriented Articles (Factly)

India launches 1st indigenously developed ATS system for DMRC; becomes 6th country to have its own ATS products

Source: The post is based on the article “India launches 1st indigenously developed ATS system for DMRC; becomes 6th country to have its own ATS products” published in the Financial Express on 18th February 2023.

What is the News?

Recently, an i-ATS (Indigenous-Automatic Train Supervision) system has been launched by Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC).

About i-ATS

It is a computer-based system that will manage train operations including basic functioning such as running and halting. It is also an important sub-system of the CBTC (Communication Based Train Control) Signalling system.

Developed by: DMRC and Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL)

Advantages: a) It will reduce the metro’s dependence on foreign vendors for metro operations, b) The technology is flexible enough to work with different signaling vendors’ systems with suitable changes.

What is the significance of launching i-ATS?

-i-ATS is the first ever indigenously developed Train Control and Supervision System in India. With this, India becomes the sixth country which has its own ATS products after France, Germany, Japan, Canada, and China.

-The i-ATS project is in line with Prime Minister’s ‘Make in India’ and ‘AatmaNirbhar Bharat’ initiatives for the Metro Rail Transit Systems.

-With this development, the country has moved a step forward for an indigenously built CBTC-based signalling system for the Metro railway.

India remains a ‘bright spot’, to contribute 15% of global growth in 2023: IMF MD

Source: The post is based on the article “India remains a ‘bright spot’, to contribute 15% of global growth in 2023: IMF MD” published in The Hindu on 23rd February 2023

What is the News?

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) Managing Director has said that India continues to remain a relative “bright spot” in the world economy, and it will alone contribute 15% of the global growth in 2023.

What the IMF Managing Director said about the Indian Economy?

The IMF is projecting this year to be difficult with global growth slowing down from 3.4% in 2022 to 2.9% in 2023.

But she said that India will remain a bright spot and will alone contribute 15% of the global growth in 2023.

Why she said India, a bright spot?

Firstly, the country has done really well to turn digitalization into a major driver of overcoming the impact of the pandemic and creating opportunities for growth and jobs.

Secondly, because India’s fiscal policy has been responsive to economic conditions.

Thirdly, India didn’t shy away from learning the lessons from the pandemic and implementing very strong policies to overcome what has been really a difficult time for a number of months.

What did she say about India’s Budget?

IMF MD said she is impressed by two things in India’s annual budget 2023-24:

Firstly, how much care is placed on balancing development needs with fiscal responsibility in India.

Secondly, the investment in capital expenditures is there to provide the long-term foundation for growth.

— Note: Capital investment is being raised steeply for the third consecutive year by 33% to ₹10 lakh crore.

Seattle bans caste discrimination: What does the law entail? What is the debate around it?

Source: The post is based on the article “Seattle bans caste discrimination: What does the law entail? What is the debate around it?” published in Indian Express on 23rd February 2023

What is the News?

Seattle became the first US city to ban caste discrimination after its local council voted to add caste to the city’s anti-discrimination laws.

What is the legislation passed by the Seattle local council?

The legislation bans caste-based discrimination. It recognizes caste as a unique basis of discrimination, similar to race or gender.

It prohibits businesses from discriminating based on caste with respect to hiring, tenure, promotion, workplace conditions, or wages.

It also bans discrimination based on caste in places of public accommodation, such as hotels, public transportation, public restrooms, retail establishments, or housing.

What is the significance of this move?

This move has set a precedent for other cities to ban caste-based discrimination in the future.

A similar trend has also been observed in college campuses across the US. In 2019, Brandeis University near Boston became the first US college to include caste in its nondiscrimination policy. Similarly, other universities also passed it.

In 2021, Harvard University instituted caste protections for student workers as part of its contract with its graduate student union.

Why has this move been taken by Seattle?

According to the Migration Policy Institute, the US is the second most popular destination for Indians living abroad, which estimates the US diaspora grew from about 206,000 in 1980 to about 2.7 million in 2021.

According to a 2016 survey by Equality Labs, Caste based inequalities have become embedded in all the major South Asian American institutions.

The survey also found that two out of three Dalits reported being treated unfairly in their workplace, and one in three Dalits reported discrimination during their education.

Dickinsonia fossil found in Bhimbetka turns out to be decayed beehive

Source: The post is based on the article “Dickinsonia fossil found in Bhimbetka turns out to be decayed beehive” published in The Hindu on 23rd February 2023

What is the News?

In 2021, the discovery of a rare 550-million-year-old fossil of Dickinsonia, a primitive marine animal was reported from the Bhimbetka rock shelters near Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh.

However, the ‘fossil’ turned out to be something else. It was found that the fossil was nothing but an imprint of a recently decayed beehive.

What is Dickinsonia?

Dickinsonia is considered to be the Earth’s ‘oldest animal’, dating back 570 million years.

It lived during the late Ediacaran period(575 to 541 million years ago) in what is now Australia, Russia, and Ukraine.

It was first described by Reg Sprigg, the original discoverer of the Ediacaran biota in Australia. He named it after Ben Dickinson, then Director of Mines for South Australia.

It is believed to be one of the key links between the early, simple organisms and the explosion of life in the Cambrian Period, about 541 million years ago.

Previously, fossils of Dickinsonia have been found in Australia, Russia, Ukraine, and China.

What are Bhimbetka rock shelters?

Click Here to read

India, UAE explore virtual trade corridor to fast-track shipments

Source: The post is based on the article “India, UAE explore virtual trade corridor to fast-track shipments” published in Indian Express on 23rd February 2023

What is the News?

India and the UAE are exploring creating a virtual trade corridor to facilitate quicker clearance of shipments.

Note: In 2022, UAE has signed an agreement with Kuwait to set up a virtual trade corridor.

What is a Virtual Trade Corridor planned between India and UAE?

The Virtual Trade Corridor is aimed at cutting the cost and time for customs clearance and speeding up bilateral trade.

Under the corridor proposal, the customs authorities of the two countries will explore the possibility of accessing pre-arrival information for cargo movement. It will make cross-validation of information significantly faster, besides facilitating pre-clearance of goods.

This will complement the bilateral comprehensive free trade agreement signed between India and the UAE in 2022. It immediately eliminated duties on 90% of India’s exports in value terms and covered sectors like gems and jewelry, textiles, leather, and engineering goods.

Benefits: Pre-arrival online document checks by Customs and allied agencies will reduce delays and benefit exporters on both sides.

– Further, it will provide a seamless flow of cargo on both sides, helping trade to grow without hiccups.

Cabinet approves Air Services Agreement between India and Guyana

Source: The post is based on the article “Cabinet approves Air Services Agreement between India and Guyana” published in Indian Express on 23rd February 2023

What is the News?

The Union Cabinet has approved the signing of the Air Services Agreement between the Government of India and the Government of Guyana.

What is an Air Services Agreement(ASA)?

An Air Transport Agreement(ASA) is a bilateral agreement to allow international commercial air transport services between signatories.

The bilateral system has its basis under the Chicago Convention and associated multilateral treaties.

The agreement is based on the principles of sovereignty of nations, nationality of carriers and reciprocity in terms of commercial opportunities for the designated airlines of each side.

How do ASAs work?

The ASAs are concluded bilaterally, usually on the basis of reciprocity and fair/equal opportunity, and provide the legal framework for scheduled air services between two countries.

Under these ASAs, traffic rights and capacity entitlements are exchanged between the countries on the basis of market requirements.The ASAs clearly specify the “entitlements” of the designated airline(s) of both countries in terms of frequency of operations, number of seats, points of call etc.

Once such an agreement is signed, each country is free to allocate the bilateral rights to its respective airlines.In India, the government owns these entitlements and subsequently allocates them to an airline upon request.

Why has India signed an Air Services Agreement with Guyana?

Indians have a sizable presence in Guyana and are the largest ethnic group, comprising about 40% of the population as per the 2012 census.

The signing of the Air Services Agreement with Guyana will enable a framework for the provision of air services between the two countries.

Only children above 6 must get Class 1 admission: govt

Source: The post is based on the article “Only children above 6 must get Class 1 admission: govt.” published in The Hindu on 23rd February 2023

What is the News?

The Ministry of Education has reiterated its direction to the States and the Union Territories that children must be provided Class 1 admission at the age of “six-plus” instead of the earlier “five-plus”.

Why did the Ministry of Education ask states to adopt six years as the minimum age for admission to Class 1?

Firstly, to bring it in line with the government’s emphasis on improving foundational learning under the National Education Policy (NEP),2020. It will bring early childhood care and education under formal schooling and move it from the aegis of the Women and Child Development Ministry to the Education Ministry.

– Note: NEP 2020 envisages a 5+3+3+4 school system. It states that the first five years comprise three years of pre-school for the age groups of 3-6 years and two years of Classes 1 and 2 corresponding to the age group of six-eight years.

Secondly, there are wide variations in the age criteria among states when it comes to admission to Class 1. There are 14 states and Union Territories that allow Class 1 admission for children who have not completed six years.

– This anomaly results in the incorrect reporting of the enrollment of children in age-appropriate classes thus affecting the net enrollment ratios in different states and at the national level.

Explained | The significance of the findings in Keeladi

Source: The post is based on the article “Explained | The significance of the findings in Keeladi” published in The Hindu on 23rd February 2023

What is the News?

Keeladi is an archaeological site that has been excavated by the Tamil Nadu State Department of Archaeology since 2014.

What is Keeladi?

Keeladi excavation site is a Sangam age settlement that is being excavated by the Archaeological Survey of India and the Tamil Nadu State Department of Archaeology.

It is about 12 km south-east to the temple city of Madurai and is located along the Vaigai River.

The excavations here from 2015 prove that an urban civilisation existed in Tamil Nadu in the Sangam age on the banks of the Vaigai River.

About Sangam Age:

The Sangam age is a period of history in ancient Tamil Nadu which was believed to be from the third century BCE to the third century CE.

The name is derived from the renowned Sangam poets of Madurai from that time.

Significance of excavations at Keeladi site:

The excavations at Keeladi have pushed the Sangam age to 800 BCE based on these archaeological findings.

Keeladi could also provide crucial evidence for understanding the missing links of the Iron Age (12th century BCE to sixth century BCE) to the Early Historic Period (sixth century BCE to fourth century BCE) and subsequent cultural developments.

Are there any links to Indus Valley Civilization?

The findings have invited comparisons with the Indus Valley Civilisation while acknowledging the cultural gap of 1,000 years between the two places.

Till now, the gap is filled with Iron Age material in south India, which serves as residual links.

However, some of the symbols found in pot sherds of Keeladi bear a close resemblance to Indus Valley signs.

Hence, a lot of digging and study has to be done to establish the links between these two civilisations.

Cabinet approves the ratification of three Protocols relating to amendments in the convention on International Civil Aviation (Chicago Convention),1944

Source: The post is based on the article “Cabinet approves the ratification of three Protocols relating to amendments in the convention on International Civil Aviation (Chicago Convention),1944” published in PIB on 22nd February 2023

What is the News?

The Union Cabinet has approved the ratification of three Protocols relating to amendments in the convention on International Civil Aviation (Chicago Convention),1944.

What is the Chicago Convention?

The Convention on International Civil Aviation, also known as the Chicago Convention was drafted in 1944.

The agreement laid the foundation for the standards and procedures for peaceful global air navigation.

It set out as its prime objective the development of international civil aviation in a safe and orderly manner and such that air transport services would be established on the basis of equality of opportunity and operated soundly and economically.

The convention also formalized the expectation that a specialized International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) would be established in order to organize and support the intensive international co-operation which the fledgling global air transport network would require.

What are the amendments of the Chicago Convention ratified by the Cabinet?

Cabinet has ratified the following three protocols relating to amendments in the Chicago Convention:

Article 3: It refrains member States from resorting to the use of weapons against civil aircraft in flight.

Article 50(a): It raises the strength of the ICAO Council from 36 to 40

Article 56: It raises the strength of the Air Navigation Commission from 18 to 21.

What is the significance of ratification of these amendments by India?

The ratification would affirm India’s commitment to the principles enshrined in the Convention on International Civil Aviation.

The ratification would also provide better chances and opportunity for India to become more instrumental in matters pertaining to international civil aviation.

Cabinet approves Air Services Agreement between India and Guyana

Source: The post is based on the article “Cabinet approves Air Services Agreement between India and Guyana” published in Indian Express on 23rd February 2023

What is the News?

The Union Cabinet has approved the signing of the Air Services Agreement between the Government of India and the Government of Guyana.

What is an Air Services Agreement(ASA)?

An Air Transport Agreement(ASA) is a bilateral agreement to allow international commercial air transport services between signatories.

The bilateral system has its basis under the Chicago Convention and associated multilateral treaties.

The agreement is based on the principles of sovereignty of nations, nationality of carriers and reciprocity in terms of commercial opportunities for the designated airlines of each side.

How do ASAs work?

The ASAs are concluded bilaterally, usually on the basis of reciprocity and fair/equal opportunity, and provide the legal framework for scheduled air services between two countries.

Why has India signed an Air Services Agreement with Guyana?

Indians have a sizable presence in Guyana and are the largest ethnic group, comprising about 40% of the population as per the 2012 census.

The signing of the Air Services Agreement with Guyana will enable a framework for the provision of air services between the two countries.

ICAR develops wheat that can beat the heat

Source: The post is based on the article “ICAR develops wheat that can beat the heat” published in Indian Express on 23rd February 2023

What is the News?

ICAR’s Indian Agricultural Research Institute(IARI) has developed three varieties of wheat.

What are the three varieties of wheat developed by IARI?

HDCSW-18: It was officially notified in 2016.It has a potential wheat yield of over 7 tonnes per hectare – as against 6-6.5 tonnes for existing popular varieties. Being tall, compared to 90-95 cm for normal high-yielding varieties, made them prone to lodging or bending over when their ear heads were heavy with well-filled grains.

HD-3410: It was released in 2022.It has higher yield potential (7.5 tonnes/hectare) with lower plant height (100-105 cm).

HD-3385: It looks the most promising.It has the same yields as HD-3410.But it is the least lodging-prone and most amenable for early sowing.

IARI has registered HD-3385 with the Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers’ Rights Authority (PPVFRA) and has also licensed the variety to the DCM Shriram Ltd-owned Bioseed for undertaking multi-location trials and seed multiplication.

What are the benefits of developing these new wheat varieties by IARI?

Firstly, involving the private sector in commercialisation of publicly-bred crop varieties will benefit farmers through faster adoption and diffusion of technology.

Secondly, it is also beneficial for ICAR because our institutes will earn royalty on every kg of seed sold by the licensee, which they can plough back into research.

Thirdly, the country also gains through higher production from climate-smart varieties.

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