2023 09 15
Table of Contents:
GS Paper 2:
- The importance of Saudi Arabia to India
GS Paper 4:
- G20/OECD Principles of Corporate Governance 2023
- Examples of Ethics
Content for Mains Enrichment
- Muthulakshmi Reddy’s efforts to abolish the Devadasi system
- Agra: Decentralized garbage processing System
Facts for Prelims (FFP)
- Achievements of Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY)
- All reported births, and deaths to be digitally registered
- Skill India Digital
- Data-driven innovations in agriculture
- New discoveries by Webb telescope
- Planet Mercury
- One Health Approach for Pandemic Preparedness
- Cybercrime Investigation Tool
G20/OECD Principles of Corporate Governance 2023
GS4/ GS2 Paper
Syllabus: Corporate Ethics/ Corporate Governance
Source: OECD
Context: On September 11th (2023), the OECD launched the revised G20/OECD Principles of Corporate Governance, a set of international standards aimed at promoting corporate sustainability, market confidence, and financial stability.
What is Corporate Governance?
Corporate governance essentially involves balancing the interests of a company’s many stakeholders, such as shareholders, senior management executives, customers, suppliers, financiers, the government, and the community.
Ethical Issues with Corporate Governance in India:
- Conflict of Interest:The challenge of managers potentially enriching themselves at the cost of shareholders
- Weak Board:Lack of diversity of experience and background represents a major area of weakness for these boards.
- Separation of ownership and management:In the case of family-run companies, the separation of ownership and management remains a key challenge
- Independent directors
About G20/OECD Principles of Corporate Governance
The G20/OECD Principles of Corporate Governance are the international standard for corporate governance. It was first issued in 1999 and the revised Principles were endorsed by G20 Leaders in 2023.
Key points of G20/OECD Principles of Corporate Governance 2023
| Principle | Key Points |
| Objective | The principles aim to evaluate and enhance the legal, regulatory, and institutional framework for corporate governance to support economic efficiency, sustainable growth, and financial stability. |
| Scope of Corporate Governance | Corporate governance encompasses relationships among a company’s management, board, shareholders, and stakeholders, providing the structure for achieving objectives and monitoring performance. |
| Non-Binding Nature | The principles are non-binding and don’t replace national law |
| Applicability | The principles primarily focus on publicly traded companies but can benefit smaller and unlisted companies, taking into account their diversity. |
| Monitoring | The principles are used as benchmarks globally and monitored through various mechanisms, such as the OECD Corporate Governance Factbook. |
| Structure of the Principles | The principles are organized into six chapters. |
| Chapter I | Ensuring the basis for an effective corporate governance framework: · Legal and regulatory requirements should be consistent with the rule of law. · Due attention to the associated risks of Digital technologies |
| Chapter II | The rights and equitable treatment of shareholders and key ownership functions: Address conflicts of interest inherent in related transactions. |
| Chapter III | Institutional investors, stock markets, and other intermediaries: Prohibition of insider trading and market manipulation |
| Chapter IV | Disclosure and transparency: Include Capital structures, group structures, voting rights, etc. Annual external audit by an independent agency |
| Chapter V | The responsibilities of the board: Treat all shareholders fairly, and ensure a formal and transparent board nomination and election process, etc. |
| Chapter VI | Sustainability and resilience: Corporate governance policies addressing sustainability contribute to a company’s long-term success; Sustainability-related disclosure frameworks should be consistent with internationally recognized standards. |
Suggestions to improve Corporate Governance in India:
Recommendations of Uday Kotak Panel:
- Diverse board members: Minimum 6 directors to be on the board of listed entities; every listed entity to have at least 1 independent woman director
- Transparency: More transparency on the appointment of independent directors
- The audit Committee must review the use of loans.
- Robust risk management policies
- Effective governance infrastructure
- Evaluation of the Board’s performance
- Communication: Facilitating shareholder communication with the board is key.
Good Examples by corporates in India: TATA Groups
Tata companies continually aspire to better ethics, just as they are committed to better business practices. Philanthropic trusts control over 66% of Tata holdings. While the Tata family has a very small shareholding.
Insta Link:
Mains Link:
Explain the concept of corporate governance. Does it have the potential to address the problems of conflict of interest in the business sector? Give your view with recent examples
September 15, 2023 /15 September 2023, Corporate Ethics, corporate governance, Today's Article
The importance of Saudi Arabia to India
GS Paper 2
Syllabus: Bilateral Relationship
Source: IE
Context: The article discusses the growing importance of Saudi Arabia to India in terms of their strategic partnership and cooperation.
| Aspect | Details |
| Historical Ties | India and Saudi Arabia have enjoyed friendly relations dating back to 1947, reflecting socio-cultural and economic connections. Saudi King Abdullah’s visit to India in 2006, elevated their ties to a strategic partnership |
| Economic corridor | India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor: This project aims to connect India to Europe through West Asia, potentially rivalling China’s Belt and Road Initiative |
| Strategic Partnership Council | Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman co-chaired the first meeting of the India-Saudi Arabia Strategic Partnership Council with PM Modi, recently. Both countries are trying to expand their energy partnership, discussing the possibility of trading in local currencies, and negotiating a free trade agreement with the Gulf Cooperation Council |
| Oil & Gas | Saudi Arabia is India’s second-largest supplier of crude oil. Joint efforts to set up the world’s largest greenfield refinery at Raigarh, Maharashtra. India is Saudi Arabia’s second-largest trade partner and vice versa India has a trade deficit of about USD 25 billion with Saudi Arabia |
| Indian Diaspora | Saudi Arabia hosts an over 2.6 million-strong Indian community, the largest expatriate community in the Kingdom, known for their expertise, discipline, and law-abiding nature. |
| Cultural Linkages | Haj pilgrimage holds significance in bilateral relations between India and Saudi Arabia. |
| Naval Exercise | Al-Mohed Al-Hindi Exercise |
Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) Leadership and Vision 2030: Crown Prince MBS has initiated reforms in Saudi Arabia, such as granting women the right to drive, opening cinemas, and welcoming foreign tourists. However, he faces criticism for his handling of dissent and alleged involvement in events like the Khashoggi case.
Recent Rapprochement between Saudi and Iran and its significance for India
The recent reconciliation between Saudi Arabia and Iran, brokered by China after years of hostility, indicates a shift towards peace and diplomatic engagement. This shift has the potential to reshape the regional landscape and impact various dimensions of global politics.
Significance of the Saudi-Iran Deal for India:
| Significance | Description |
| Energy Security | o Both Saudi Arabia and Iran are major oil producers. Improved relations may help stabilize global oil prices, benefiting India’s energy security. o Ensures a consistent supply of oil to India. |
| Trade Opportunities | o Both nations are important trading partners for India. Normalized ties could open up new avenues for trade and investment, boosting economic opportunities for India. o Enhanced economic engagement. |
| Regional Stability | o India has strong economic and strategic interests in the Middle East, including the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC). o Improved relations contribute to regional stability, reducing the risk of conflict and terrorism. o Protects India’s interests in the region. |
| Geopolitical Implications | o India maintains cordial relations with both Saudi Arabia and Iran. Improved ties between these nations can aid India in its efforts to promote peace and security in the region. o Aligns with India’s regional diplomacy. o Challenges posed by increasing Chinese mediation and influence. |
Conclusion:
India seeks to utilize its friendly relations with Saudi Arabia to influence Pakistan in controlling the Taliban in Afghanistan
About India-Saudi Arabia Strategic Partnership Council:
It was established in October 2019 and consists of two main committees: one focusing on political, security, social, and cultural aspects, and the other on the economy and investments. This council reflects a significant strategic partnership, with India being the fourth country to establish such ties with Saudi Arabia, following the UK, France, and China.
Mains Links:
The question of India’s Energy Security constitutes the most important part of India’s economic progress. Analyse India’s energy policy cooperation with West Asian countries. (UPSC 2017)
Prelims Links:
Which of the following is not a member of ‘Gulf Cooperation Council’? (UPSC 2016)
(a) Iran
(b) Saudi Arabia
(c) Oman
(d) Kuwait
Ans: A
September 15, 2023 /15 September 2023, India-Saudi Arabia Relations, Today's Article
Examples of Ethics
GS Paper 4
Syllabus: Applications of Ethics
Source: TH
Example 1:
Context: The reports on the death of Indian student Jaahnavi Kandula in Seattle, who was struck by a speeding police patrol car and then her death was laughed at by the officers as having “limited Value”
The incident highlights several ethical issues:
| Ethical Issues | Description |
| Insensitive Behaviour | Officer Daniel Auderer’s lack of empathy and dismissive attitude toward a tragic incident reflects a lack of compassion. |
| Accountability | Delay in addressing the incident and ensuring accountability raises concerns about transparency, fairness, and justice. |
| Community Trust | The incident threatens to erode trust between the community and law enforcement, raising ethical concerns. |
| Diversity and Respect | Comments about the value of an individual’s life based on background and her age, raise ethical concerns about bias and discrimination. |
Example 2:
Context: Resignation of Luis Rubiales, the chief of Spain’s football federation in the wake of a scandal involving allegations of sexual assault for kissing a female player, Jenni Hermoso, during the Women’s World Cup medals ceremony.
| Ethical Issue | Description |
| Sexual Assault | Rubiales faced allegations of sexual assault for kissing a female player, Jenni Hermoso, without her consent during a public event. |
| Abuse of Power | Accusations were made that Rubiales abused his position as the chief of Spain’s football federation to engage in inappropriate conduct with a player. |
| Lack of Consent | The incident raised ethical concerns regarding consent, as Hermoso stated that she was kissed against her will |
| Gender Equality | Rubiales’ actions sparked discussions about gender equality and respect for women in football, highlighting issues of gender discrimination and machismo. |
Similar accusations have been made against the former chief of the Wrestling federation in India. These incidents highlight the issues of lack of ethics in sports.
September 15, 2023 /15 September 2023, Indian student Jaahnavi Kandula death, Luis Rubiales, Today's Article
Muthulakshmi Reddy’s efforts to abolish the Devadasi system
Content for Mains Enrichment
Source: TH.)
The Devadasi system was a traditional practice in India where young girls were dedicated or married to deities or temples. However, over time, it degenerated into a system where some Devadasis were forced into a life of prostitution.
Muthulakshmi Reddy was a prominent figure in the Madras presidency and had achieved several milestones in her career, including being the first Indian woman medical graduate in Madras in 1912 and holding various legislative positions.
The Trigger for Her Campaign: Her campaign against the Devadasi system began in 1927 after she received a poignant letter from a 13-year-old girl, Shanpakvalli. Shanpakvalli came from a family of Devadasis and wanted to avoid her fate as Devadasi.
Influential Women and Movements: Muthulakshmi was influenced by her mother, who was also from the Devadasi community and had revolted against the system.
Empowering Women: Muthulakshmi advocated for education as a means to liberate women from the system and proposed granting lands to those women entitled to economic benefits from the temples.
Despite opposition, including within the Congress party, Muthulakshmi persisted. The Devadasi system was eventually abolished in 1947 by the Madras Legislative Assembly.
Her Legacy: Muthulakshmi Reddy’s campaign against the Devadasi system remains an enduring and inspiring example of social reform.
Usage: The example can be used as a story in an Essay/ Ethics (to show values of Social Justice, Empowerment, Persistence, Leadership etc. )/ Indian History/ Indian Society
September 15, 2023 /15 September 2023, Devadasi System, Muthulakshmi Reddy, Today's Article
Agra: Decentralized garbage processing System
Content for Mains Enrichment
Source: DTE
Agra has initiated decentralized garbage processing plants to manage organic waste from bulk waste generators (BWGs), effectively utilizing waste from vegetable markets and temples. Three units, including one on a public-private partnership (PPP) model, process organic waste into compost.
The compost produced is used in city parks and sold on e-commerce platforms. These plants represent best practices in Agra and can be expanded city-wide to manage biodegradable waste efficiently, reducing transportation costs.
Usage: The example can be used in Questions related to Waste Management/ Governance of urban areas.
September 15, 2023 /15 September 2023, Agra, Decentralized garbage processing System, Today's Article
Achievements of Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY)
Facts for Prelims (FFP)
Source: TH
Context: The PMMSY has been instrumental in addressing critical gaps in the fisheries value chain in India.
About PMMSY:
September 15, 2023 /15 September 2023, PMMSY, Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana, Today's Article
All reported births, and deaths to be digitally registered
Facts for Prelims (FFP)
Source: TH
Context: Starting from October 1, all reported births and deaths in India will be digitally registered on the Centre’s portal.
- This initiative is through the Registration of Births and Deaths (Amendment) Act, 2023, which introduces digital birth certificates.
Features:
- These digital certificates will serve as a single document for various purposes, including admission to educational institutions, applying for a driver’s license, government job applications, obtaining passports or Aadhaar cards, enrolling as a voter, registering marriages, and more.
- States will be mandated to register births and deaths on the Centre’s Civil Registration System (CRS) portal and share this data with the Registrar-General of India (RGI), which operates under the Union Home Ministry.
September 15, 2023 /15 September 2023, all reported births, deaths to be digitally registered, governance, GS2, Today's Article
Skill India Digital
Facts for Prelims (FFP)
Source: PIB
Context: The Union Minister for Education and Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, has launched Skill India Digital (SID), a comprehensive digital platform designed to transform the skills, education, employment, and entrepreneurship landscape in India.
- This platform aims to offer industry-relevant skill courses, job opportunities, and entrepreneurship support to enable access to quality skill development and better opportunities for every Indian citizen.
About Skill India Digital:
- Skill India Digital, functioning as the Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) for skilling, education, employment, and entrepreneurship in India, focuses on leveraging digital technology and Industry 4.0 skills.
- It is designed to accelerate the hiring of skilled talent, facilitate lifelong learning, and promote career advancement.
- The platform aligns with the G20 framework for building DPI and the digital economy, emphasizing digital skills and literacy.
Key highlights of Skill India Digital include:
- Use of Aadhaar/AI-based facial authentication.
- Introduction of Digital Verifiable Credentials (DVC).
- Integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) recommendations.
- Aadhaar-based eKYC for secure access.
- Mobile-first approach for accessibility.
- Emphasis on security measures and interoperability.
- Integration of a WhatsApp chatbot.
- Efforts to enhance the ease of doing business.
A significant innovation is the introduction of Digitally Verified Credentials, which empowers users to confidently present their qualifications in a secure, tamper-proof, and verifiable digital format.
Skill India Digital also integrates government training programs, creating a centralized hub for skill development initiatives initiated by Central and State governments and various departments.
September 15, 2023 /15 September 2023, Digital India, governance, GS2, Skill India Digital, Today's Article
Data-driven innovations in agriculture
Facts for Prelims (FFP)
Source: PTI
Context: The National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (Nabard) has entered into a partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in India to co-create data-driven innovations in agriculture and food systems to benefit smallholder farmers.
- This collaboration aims to enhance the lives and livelihoods of smallholder farmers by sharing open-source data for product development, technology transfer, and policy framing.
- The partnership’s focus is on improving climate resilience in agriculture, and it involves the dissemination of collaborative digital public goods such as DiCRA (Data in Climate Resilient Agriculture).
- DiCRA provides open access to key geospatial datasets relevant to climate-resilient agriculture and is curated by UNDP and partner organizations.
The collaboration is seen as a significant opportunity to leverage data and present it as a digital public infrastructure for India’s rural farming community. Open data innovations like this can promote best practices, optimize agricultural investments, and enhance the resilience of smallholders, especially women, against various risks.
September 15, 2023 /15 September 2023, AGRICULTURE, Data-driven innovations in agriculture, economy, GS3, Today's Article
New discoveries by Webb telescope
Facts for Prelims (FFP)
Source: IE
Context: Scientists using the James Webb Space Telescope have discovered methane and carbon dioxide on the exoplanet K2-18 b.
- K2-18 b is located in the “Goldilocks zone” around the cool dwarf star K2-18, where it receives just enough starlight to maintain liquid water.
- It’s considered a “Hycean planet,” a hypothetical type of water-covered planet with a hydrogen-rich atmosphere that some scientists believe is a good candidate for the search for signs of life.
- The presence of methane and carbon dioxide, along with a shortage of ammonia, supports the hypothesis that K2-18 b may have a water ocean beneath its hydrogen-rich atmosphere.
- The study also suggests the possible detection of a molecule called dimethyl sulphide, which on Earth is primarily produced by life, particularly phytoplankton in the oceans.
September 15, 2023 /15 September 2023, GS3, New discoveries by Webb telescope, SCIENCE, space, Today's Article
Planet Mercury
Facts for Prelims (FFP)
Source: IE
Context: NASA recently shared a captivating image of Mercury, the solar system’s smallest planet, on Instagram.
- The picture, taken by MESSENGER, the first spacecraft to orbit Mercury, showcases the planet’s tan and blue hues, along with its cratered surface.
About Mercury:
- NASA provided intriguing details about Mercury, emphasizing its diminutive size, its proximity to the Sun (about 36 million miles or 58 million km away), and its incredible speed, travelling at nearly 29 miles (47 km) per second, resulting in a year on Mercury being just 88 Earth days.
- The post also highlighted Mercury’s unique characteristics, such as its thin exosphere consisting of elements like oxygen, sodium, hydrogen, helium, and potassium.
- Due to its lack of atmosphere and proximity to the Sun, the planet experiences extreme temperature fluctuations, ranging from a scorching 800ºF (430ºC) during the day to a frigid -290 ºF (-180 ºC) at night.
- Additionally, Mercury possesses a relatively weak magnetic field, only 1% as strong as Earth’s, which interacts with solar winds to create magnetic tornados across the planet’s surface.
September 15, 2023 /15 September 2023, GS3, Planet Mercury, SCIENCE, space, Today's Article
One Health Approach for Pandemic Preparedness
Facts for Prelims (FFP)
Source: PIB
Context: The Government of India, in collaboration with the World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH), organized a multi-sectoral workshop titled “Risk-based management of spillover events in wildlife in India” in Hyderabad.
- The workshop aimed to strengthen the One Health approach for pandemic preparedness and featured experts from various fields.
- The workshop’s efforts align with the global need to enhance preparedness for future pandemics, especially highlighted by the COVID-19 pandemic. WOAH is actively collaborating with partners in the Quadripartite, including FAO, WHO, and UNEP, to address these critical issues.
Key highlights of the workshop included:
- Objectives: The workshop focused on four main objectives: enhancing stakeholder knowledge about wildlife-origin disease risk analysis, conducting a comprehensive gap analysis of India’s risk assessment and management, simulating disease spillover scenarios, and promoting communication and awareness among relevant stakeholders.
- One Health Approach: The workshop exemplified the commitment of WOAH and the Government of India to the “One Health” approach, which emphasizes collaboration and coordination among stakeholders in addressing the interconnected health of wildlife, domestic animals, and humans.
September 15, 2023 /15 September 2023, GS3, One Health Approach for Pandemic Preparedness, SCIENCE, Today's Article
Cybercrime Investigation Tool
Facts for Prelims (FFP)
Source: PIB
Context: A new cybercrime investigation tool has been developed to track cyberattacks that target humans, such as insurance fraud and online matrimonial fraud.
- This tool, known as the TTP (tactics, techniques, and procedures)-based cybercrime investigation framework, aids in tracking and categorizing cybercrimes.
- It identifies the chain of evidence required to solve a case and maps evidence onto the framework to convict criminals.
- The technology can create an approximate crime execution path, suggest a crime path based on user-derived keywords, compare the modus operandi used in different crimes, manage user roles, and track activity for crime paths.
- By relying on criminals’ tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs), the TTPs-based investigation framework is expected to be highly effective in convicting cybercriminals quickly and precisely.
The developed cybercrime investigation framework and tool are now ready for deployment with law enforcement agencies. This advancement is expected to make it easier to track and convict cybercriminals, ultimately reducing cybercrime activities in the country.
September 15, 2023 /15 September 2023, and procedures), Cybercrime Investigation Tool, GS3, INTERNAL SECURITY, techniques, Today's Article, TTP (tactics