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2023 04 07

Table of Contents:

GS Paper 2:

  1. Pre-draft of National Curriculum Framework for Schools
  2. The IT (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Amendment Rules, 2023
  3. 7 years of Stand-Up India

GS Paper 3:

  1. Government Introduces Aquaculture Bill

Content for Mains Enrichment (CME)

  1. Case study: Swabhiman Anchal 
  2. Ram Rajya

Facts for Prelims (FFP)

  1. NATO and CPTPP
  2. ASBA: Trading in the secondary market
  3. RBI’s Centralised Web Portal
  4. Global Trade Outlook and Statistics
  5. Green Steel
  6. Biotech-KISAN scheme
  7. World Energy Transitions: Outlook 2023
  8. Netravali Wildlife Sanctuary
  9. Raccoon Stealer

Pre-draft of National Curriculum Framework for Schools

GS Paper 2

Syllabus: Issues Relating to the Development and Management of Social Sector/Services relating to Education, Human Resources

Source: TH

Context: The Ministry of Education (MoE) released a pre-draft version of the National Curriculum Framework (NCF) for School Education and has sought feedback from various stakeholders.

Background:

  • As School education is the foundation stone of a child’s life, the National Education Policy 2020 recommends –
    • Shift from 10+2 structure to 5+3+3+4,
    • Developmental perspectives suggest curricular and pedagogical shifts at foundational, preparatory (grade III, IV & V), middle and secondary stages.

As a follow-up of the NEP 2020, the development of four NCFs has been initiated:

  • NCF for Foundational Stage (had been brought out and launched in 2022)
  • NCF for School Education
  • NCF for Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE)
  • NCF for Teacher Education and NCF for Adult Education.

The National Steering Committee under Dr. K. Kasturirangan was set up by the MoE to undertake and guide the development of NCFs.

The NCF for School Education – Pre-Draft:

  • It covers the framework of curriculum for age groups 3 to 18 years and a key part of the document is the inclusion of values and their “rootedness” in India, in

    • Content and learning of languages,
    • Pedagogical approaches including tools and resources, etc

  • It leans towards making students acquainted with true sources of knowledge – a philosophical preoccupation of ancient Indians. These sources focus on six pramanas:

Focuses on the moral development of a child: This will be through Pancha kosha Vikas or five-fold development –

  • annamaya kosha (physical layer),
  • pranamaya kosha (life force energy layer),
  • manomaya kosha (mind layer),
  • vijnanamaya kosha (intellectual layer) and
  • anandamaya kosha (inner self).

Courses at Grade 10 and above:

  • Grade 10 students will have to take two essential courses from

  • In Grades 11 and 12, students will be offered choice-based courses in the same disciplines for more rigorous engagement.

Modular Board Exams for Class 11 and 12:

  • This will be offered as opposed to a single exam at the end of the year and the final result will be based on the cumulative result of each exam.
  • Currently, the life-determining board examinations are available only on two occasions (grade 10 and 12), which prevents truly holistic development of students.

It suggested 3 approaches to assessments: Assessment –

  • ‘of learning‘ (measurement of achievement of student learning),
  • ‘for learning‘ (evidence of student learning gathered by the teacher that provides inputs to guide the teaching-learning processes) and
  • ‘as learning‘ (when assessments are introduced as non-threatening tools for self-reflection and introspection).

Insta Links:

National Curriculum Framework (NCF)

Mains Links:

National Education Policy 2020 is in conformity with Sustainable Development Goal-4 (2030). It intends to restructure and reorient the education system in India. Critically examine the statement. (UPSC 2020)

April 7, 2023 /07 Apr 2023, 7 April CA, GS 2, National Curriculum Framework (NCF) for School Education, National Education Policy 2020, Today's Article, Today’s article

The IT (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Amendment Rules, 2023

GS Paper 2

Syllabus: Government Policies and Interventions for Development in various sectors and Issues arising out of their Design and Implementation

Source: PIB

Context: The MeitY notified amendments to the IT Rules 2021 related to online gaming.

What are the Amendments?
Amendments Explanation
Fixing responsibilities of intermediaries It is obligatory on the part of intermediaries –

●       To make a reasonable effort to not host/publish/share any online game that

○       Can harm the user harm

○       Has not been verified by an online gaming self-regulatory body.

●       To ensure that no advertisement of a non-permissible online game is hosted on its platform.

●       In relation to online games involving real money, their responsibilities include

○       The displaying of a mark of verification by the self-regulatory body;

○       Informing their users of the policy for withdrawal or refund of the deposit, etc;

○       Obtaining the KYC details of the users; and

○       Not giving credit or enabling financing by third parties to the users.

●       To not publish, share or host fake, false or misleading information (will be identified by the notified Fact Check Unit of the Central Govt) in respect of any business of the Central Government.
Setting Role of Government May notify multiple self-regulatory bodies, which shall be representative of the online gaming industry but function at arm’s length from their members.
Role/authority of the self-regulatory body ●       To inquire and satisfy itself that the online game does not involve betting/gambling on any outcome.

●       To ensure that the online game complies with the rules/requirements under the law, including measures to safeguard through parental controls, etc.
Applicability of rules The obligations become applicable once a sufficient number of self-regulatory bodies have been designated so that the online gaming industry has adequate time to comply.

Proposal on the fact-checking unit:

  • Earlier the Ministry had proposed that news identified as “fake” by the fact-checking unit of the PIB will not be allowed on online intermediaries.
    • However, the final draft has removed the reference to PIB.
  • The social media platforms have sent a proposal to the Centre to create a network of fact-checkers – Misinformation Combat Alliance – who will verify dubious content posted on their platforms.
  • The alliance will act as a “certification body” that will verify who a “trusted” fact-checker is.

The aim of these amendments:

  • To enforce greater due diligence by online gaming and social media intermediaries.
  • To protect the safety and trust of the Digital Nagriks and provide every opportunity possible to create startups and innovate.
  • Enable the Indian online gaming ecosystem to expand and grow and become an important catalyst to India’s One trillion-dollar Digital economy goal by 2025-26.

Insta Links:

Fake news: News marked false by PIB to be taken down

April 7, 2023 /07 Apr 2023, 7 April CA, GS 2, The Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Amendment Rules 2023, Today's Article, Today’s article

PM marks 7 years of Stand-Up India

GS Paper 2

Syllabus: Welfare Schemes for Vulnerable Sections

Source: PIB

Context: As Stand-Up India completes 7 years, the PM acknowledged the role that the initiative has played in empowering the SC/ST communities,  women and job creation.

The Stand-up India scheme:

  • It aims at promoting entrepreneurship among women and scheduled castes and tribes.
  • It was launched in 2016 and is anchored by the Department of Financial Services (DFS), Ministry of Finance, Government of India.
  • It facilitates bank loans between Rs 10 lakh and Rs 1 Crore to at least one SC/ST borrower and at least one woman borrower per bank branch for setting up a greenfield enterprise (the first-time venture) only.
  • This enterprise may be in manufacturing, services or the trading sector.
  • In the case of non-individual enterprises, at least 51% of the shareholding and controlling stake should be held by either an SC/ST or a woman entrepreneur.

The scheme can  be accessed in three potential ways:

  • Directly at the branch or,
  • Through Stand-Up India Portal or,
  • Through the Lead District Manager (LDM).

Achievements (as of 2022):

  • 30160 crores have been sanctioned to over 1.33 lakh (over 1 lakh women) new job-creators and entrepreneurs.
  • To extend collateral-free coverage, the Government of India has set up the Credit Guarantee Fund for Stand Up India (CGFSI).
  • Driving economic growth → making significant strides towards building an Atmanirbhar Bharat.

Best practices for implementation of the scheme:

  • Awareness campaigns were organized including melas, financial literacy camps, etc.
  • Hand-holding (pre and post-sanction of the loan): Hand-holding of borrowers from the targeted community, CM helpline for query resolution (Burhanpur, MP), etc.
  • Effective coordination amongst implementing units: It is essential that all agencies and persons involved, i.e. SIDBI, LDMs, and bank officials are on the same page.

Way ahead:

  • Banks should be incentivised to motivate and reward officials and banks with large numbers of disbursements while offering due diligence.
  • All the stakeholders of the program should be educated through IEC activities, workshops and training.
  • Build success stories in all geographical regions for motivating the masses.
  • Efforts for convergence with other schemes like Startup India, MUDRA, etc.

Insta Links:

Stand Up India Scheme

April 7, 2023 /07 Apr 2023, 7 April CA, Credit Guarantee Fund for Stand-Up India (CGFSI), GS 2, Stand Up India, Today's Article, Today’s article

Government Introduces Aquaculture Bill

GS Paper 3

Syllabus: Agriculture

Source: The Hindu

Context: Recently the Coastal Aquaculture Authority (Amendment) Bill, 2023 was introduced in Lok Sabha.

About Aquaculture:

  • Aquaculture refers to the production of aquatic animals and plants under controlled conditions.
Feature Description
Purpose of the bill To amend the Coastal Aquaculture Authority Act, of 2005
Introduced by Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying
Need Seeks to decriminalize certain offences listed under the earlier 2005 Act to promote ease of doing business
Operational Procedures Fine-tunes the operational procedures of the Coastal Aquaculture Authority
Promotion of Environment-friendly Practices Promotes newer forms of environment-friendly coastal aquaculture, including cage culture, seaweed culture, marine ornamental fish culture, and pearl oyster culture
Employment Opportunities Intended to create additional employment opportunities
Antibiotic Use Prohibits the use of antibiotics and pharmacologically active substances harmful to human health in coastal aquaculture

Government Initiatives Related to Fisheries:

Insta Links:

Aquaculture

April 7, 2023 /07 Apr 2023, 2023, AGRICULTURE, Coastal Aquaculture Authority (Amendment) Bill, economy, Fisheries, GS3, Today's Article

Case study: Swabhiman Anchal

Content for Mains Enrichment (CME)

Source: TH

IAS officer R. Vineel Krishna, Special Secretary to Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, recently visited Swabhiman Anchal in Odisha’s Malkangiri district (once a bastion of left-wing extremists (LWEs)). This was Mr Krishna’s first visit to the region after being abducted by armed cadres of the CPI (Maoist) in February 2011.

The region was “cut off” from three sides and was the centre of the CPI Maoist activities. However, a slew of development projects such as:

  • Gurupriya Bridge, ₹100 crores under the SETU scheme and,
  • Confidence-building measures by officers like Vineel Krishna have now led to the region being completely sanitized from Maoist influences and integration of the people into the State’s administration.

Values: Commitment to public service, Responsibility and accountability, and Transformational leadership.

April 7, 2023 /07 Apr 2023, CME, Odisha, Swabhiman Anchal, Today's Article, Vineel Krishna

Ram Rajya

Content for Mains Enrichment (CME)

Source: TH
Perspective of Ram Rajya Key Points
Gandhi’s perspective Ram Rajya means equal rights for all, including the weak and the meek. It meant equal rights to “prince and pauper”.
Ambedkar’s perspective Ambedkar had a literal interpretation of Ram Rajya. He believed that Ram upheld the Varnashrama system and killed a Dalit saint, which made Ram Rajya unjust and patriarchal. Ambedkar was critical of Ram’s treatment of Sita
Plato’s perspective Plato’s panacea was ‘philosopher kings’. According to Plato, rule by a select class of wise men is better than a democracy based on mass hysteria
The common aspect of Gandhi’s and Ambedkar’s perspective Both Gandhi and Ambedkar argued from a logical perspective, not from blind faith or hatred. Both highlighted the fact that a just system should be one where the weak are protected and their voices heard.

April 7, 2023 /07 Apr 2023, Ambedkar, CME, Gandhi’s Ram Rajya, Plato, Today's Article

NATO and CPTPP

Facts for Prelims (FFP)

Source: LM, IE

Context: Finland became the 31st member of NATO. Also, Britain will become the 12th member to join CPTPP (Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership) -the first to join the partnership since its inception.

Reasons:
Finland Britain
Finland shares a 1,340km long border with Russia and had signed a “friendship agreement,” with the Soviet Union to be a neutral country (Military non-alignment- ‘Finlandisation’). However, after Russia launched the invasion of Ukraine last year, Finland decided to join NATO. Britain joined CPTPP to build ties around the world after leaving the European Union (BREXIT).

About NATO
NATO Details
Formation 1949 (HQ: Brussels, Belgium)
Members 31 member countries (as of 2023, including Finland)
Founding Members Belgium, Canada, Denmark, France, Iceland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, the United Kingdom, and the United States
Article 5 A key provision of the NATO treaty states that an attack on one member is an attack on all members. It has been invoked only once after the 9/11 terrorist attacks in the United States. However, NATO’s protection does not extend to members’ civil wars or internal coups.
Alliances Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council (EAPC), Mediterranean Dialogue, Istanbul Cooperation Initiative (ICI)

About CPTPP:
Participants Australia, Brunei Darussalam, Canada, Chile, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, Peru, New Zealand, Singapore and Vietnam
Date signed 8 March 2018
Background In 2005, a trade agreement between a small group of Pacific Rim countries comprising Brunei, Chile, New Zealand, and Singapore led to the formation of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) consisting of 12 nation-states. After the withdrawal of the US (2017), the remaining eleven signatories, known as the TPP-11, continued talks and their efforts led to the formation of CPTPP.
Significance CPTPP removes 99% of tariffs on goods and services. It also includes commitments to combat wildlife trafficking and prevent environmental abuses such as unsustainable logging and fishing, with trade penalties for non-compliance. All 11 countries of CPTPP are also members of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC).
About Brexit Brexit refers to the U.K.’s decision to leave the European Union. The country formally left the EU in January 2020, after a referendum in 2016.
India on CPTPP India did not join CPTPP as the treaty places stricter labour and environmental standards

April 7, 2023 /07 Apr 2023, Britain, CPTPP, Finland, nato, Today's Article

ASBA: Trading in the secondary market

Facts for Prelims (FFP)

Source: Indian Express

Context: The Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) approved a framework for an Application Supported by a Blocked Amount (ASBA) like facility being made available to investors for secondary market trading.

About ASBA:

ASBA stands for Application Supported by Blocked Amount. It is a facility that allows investors to apply for initial public offerings (IPOs) and invest in the stock market without actually transferring the money to the IPO issuer or stockbroker upfront. Instead, the investor’s application money is temporarily blocked in their bank account until the shares are allotted to them.

This helps investors earn interest on their money while it is blocked and also eliminates the risk of fraud or misappropriation of funds by intermediaries.

Features:

  • Under the framework client will continue to earn interest on his blocked funds in his savings account till the time amount is debited.
  • There will be a direct settlement with the clearing corporation (CC), without passing through the pool accounts of the intermediaries, thereby providing client-level settlement visibility to CC and thus avoiding the risk of co-mingling of clients’ funds and securities.

More guidelines for trading in the Secondary Market:

  • Set up a Corporate Debt Market Development Fund (CDMDF) in the form of an Alternative Investment Fund to act as a backstop facility for the purchase of investment grade corporate debt securities during times of stress to instil confidence amongst the participants in the corporate bond market.

April 7, 2023 /07 Apr 2023, Application Supported by Blocked Amount (ASBA), economy, GS3, sebi, Today's Article

RBI’s Centralised Web Portal

Facts for Prelims (FFP)

Source: TH

Context: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has announced that it will launch a web portal to help beneficiaries retrieve unclaimed deposits.

Features of the portal:

  • It will allow users to search for unclaimed deposits across multiple banks, using AI tools to enhance the search results.
  • The portal will be password-protected, and only claimants will have access to search for unclaimed deposits.
  • Banks are required to display the list of unclaimed deposits on their websites.

What are Unclaimed Deposits?

Deposits of individuals in any bank account that remain unclaimed for 10 years. These unclaimed deposits are transferred to the Depositor Education & Awareness Fund maintained by the RBI.

Other schemes of RBI

  • RBI Retail Direct Scheme: It offers a new avenue for retail investors to directly invest in government securities issued by both Centre and state governments. 
  • RBI Integrated Ombudsman Scheme: For improving the grievance redress mechanism for resolving customer complaints against RBI’s regulated entities.
  • RBI’s “Payments Vision 2025”with the objective to provide every user with safe, secure, fast, convenient, accessible and affordable e-payment options.

Prelims Links:

Consider the following statements: (UPSC 2019)

The Reserve Bank of India’s recent directives relating to the ‘Storage of Payment System Data, popularly known as data diktat, command the payment system providers that

  1. they shall ensure that entire data relating to payment systems operated by them are stored in a system only in India
  2. they shall ensure that the systems are owned and operated by public-sector enterprises
  3. they shall submit the consolidated system audit report to the Comptroller and Auditor General of India by the end of the calendar year

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only
(b) 1 and 2 only
(c) 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3

Ans: A

April 7, 2023 /07 Apr 2023, Centralised Web Portal, RBI, Today's Article

Global Trade Outlook and Statistics

Facts for Prelims (FFP)

Source: WTO

Context: WTO has recently released this report.

Key findings:

  • World merchandise trade will grow slower ( 1.7% in 2023) before picking up to 3.2% in 2024
  • Risks to global trade: Geopolitical tensions, food insecurity, potential financial instability stemming from monetary policy tightening, and increasing levels of debt

About WTO:

The World Trade Organization (est. 1995; HQ: Geneva, Switzerland) is an intergovernmental organization that regulates and facilitates international trade. With effective cooperation in the United Nations System, governments use the organization to establish, revise, and enforce the rules that govern international trade.

April 7, 2023 /07 Apr 2023, Global Trade Outlook and Statistics, Today's Article, WTO

Green Steel

Facts for Prelims (FFP)

Source: The Hindu

Context: The Union Minister of Steel and Civil Aviation approved 13 Task Forces for defining the roadmap for ‘Green Steel’.

About Green Steel:

  • The term ‘Green Steel’ refers to a steelmaking process that lowers greenhouse gas emissions, cuts costs and improves the quality of steel.

Government Initiatives towards Green Steel:

April 7, 2023 /07 Apr 2023, economy, ENVIRONMENT, Green Steel, GS3, Steel Industry, Today's Article

Biotech-KISAN scheme

Facts for Prelims (FFP)

Source: PIB

Context: The Government said that over 1 lakh 60,000 farmers have received benefits during the Biotech-KISAN scheme in the last one year.

About Biotech – KISAN:
Feature Description
Launched By Department of Biotechnology, Ministry of Science and Technology
Aim To counsel and provide solutions to farmers on problems related to water, soil, seeds, and marketing
Program Model Pan-India program following a hub-and-spoke model
Empowerment Stimulates entrepreneurship and innovation in farmers empower women farmers and identifies and promotes local farm leadership in both genders
Problem-Solving Approach First, understand the problem of the local farmer, then link available science and technology to the farm, and provide scientific solutions to those problems

April 7, 2023 /07 Apr 2023, AGRICULTURE, Biotech- KISAN, farmers, GS3, schemes, TECHNOLOGY, Today's Article

World Energy Transitions: Outlook 2023

Facts for Prelims (FFP)

Source: IE

Context: World Energy Transitions: Outlook 2023 (report by the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA)) states that the world is still “off-track” and falls short of the 1.5°C pathway.
Positives in the Report: Negatives:
Renewables account for 40% of installed power generation globally, and in 2022, renewables contributed to 83% of global power additions. Developing nations continue to receive comparatively little investment, and public sector intervention is required to channel investments towards countries more equitably.

Key recommendations:

  • Net-zero commitments must be embedded in legislation and translated into implementation plans.
  • Every investment and planning decision should consider the structure and geography of the low-carbon economy of the future.
  • Deployment levels of renewables must grow from some 3,000 GW today to over 10,000 GW in 2030 to keep 5°C alive

About IRENA

The International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) (est. 2009; HQ: Abu Dhabi (UAE))  is an intergovernmental organisation that supports countries in their transition to a sustainable energy future. Its membership comprises 167 countries and the European Union.

In 2009, India has become the 77th Founding Member of this organization. It is an official United Nations observer.

April 7, 2023 /07 Apr 2023, IRENA, Today's Article, World Energy Transitions: Outlook 2023

Netravali Wildlife Sanctuary

Facts for Prelims (FFP)

Source: The Print

Context: The black panther was rescued and will be released into the Netravali Wildlife Sanctuary in South Goa
About the Sanctuary Description
Location Situated in the Sanguem Taluka in Eastern Goa.
River River Netravali or Neturli originates in this sanctuary. It is an important tributary of the Zuari River.
Neighboring Sanctuaries Bhagwan Mahavir Wildlife Sanctuary and the Cotigao Wildlife Sanctuary lie to the north.
Waterfalls Has two all-season waterfalls, namely Savri and Mainapi.
Flora Predominantly moist deciduous type forest with patches of semi-evergreen forest in the valleys
Fauna Indian gaur, spotted deer, sambar deer, barking deer, wild boar, black-faced langur, Great Pied Hornbills, Black Panther, Slender Loris and the Giant Squirrel.
Other Protected Areas in Goa Cotigao Wildlife Sanctuary, Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary, Bhagwan Mahaveer Sanctuary, Bondla Wildlife Sanctuary, Mollem National Park, and Dr Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary.
About Panther A black panther is the melanistic colour variant (increased development of the dark-coloured pigment) of any Panthera, particularly of the leopard in Asia and Africa, and the jaguar in the Americas.

April 7, 2023 /07 Apr 2023, black panther, Netravali Wildlife Sanctuary, Today's Article

Raccoon Stealer

Facts for Prelims (FFP)

Source: IE

Context: The National Technical Research Organisation (NTRO), a specialized intelligence agency, has informed government entities, that they were targeted by the Raccoon Stealer malware.

It retrieves sensitive data from infected machines. The malware is usually delivered through email and is available as Malware-as-a-service (MaaS).

Description of terms used:
About Description
Malware Type of software designed to harm or disrupt computer systems, networks, or devices. Can take many forms such as viruses, worms, Trojans, ransomware, and spyware.
MaaS Malware-as-a-Service is a type of service that allows non-technical individuals to create and distribute malware. Anyone can subscribe to such a service on a pay basis. It is often used by cybercriminals to launch attacks against individuals or organizations.
Raccoon A mammal native to North America, the largest of the procyonid family. Can carry rabies, a life-threatening disease for humans.
NTRO National Technical Research Organisation (NTRO; est. 2004; HQ: New Delhi) is a technical intelligence agency under National Security Adviser in Prime Minister’s Office. It also includes the National Institute of Cryptology Research and Development (NICRD). It has the same “norms of conduct” as the Intelligence Bureau and the Research and Analysis Wing.

April 7, 2023 /07 Apr 2023, MaaS, Malware, Malware-as-a-Service, National Technical Research Organisation, NTRO, Raccoon, Today's Article