2023 09 26
Table of Contents:
GS Paper 3:
- The Draft Patents (Amendment) Rules, 2023
- Geospatial intelligence
Content for Mains Enrichment
- Bal Gangadhar Tilak and Ganesh Chaturthi
Facts for Prelims (FFP)
- 75% of Villages Are Now ODF Plus under Swachh Bharat Mission – Grameen
- India-UN Capacity Building Initiative
- Galactic tides
- NASA’s OSIRIS-Rex
- Veerangana Durgavati Tiger Reserve
- The State of the Rhino Report, 2023
- EXERCISE YUDH ABHYAS-23
Mapping
- Kaobal Gali-Mushkoh Valley
The Draft Patents (Amendment) Rules, 2023
GS Paper 3
Syllabus: Science and Technology: Patent Rights
Source: IPIndia
Context: The government has released Draft Patents (Amendment) Rules, 2023 rule, under the Patents Act of 1970.
What is Intellectual Property Rights (IPR)?
What are Patents?
Patents are government-issued exclusive rights that grant inventors or assignees the sole authority to utilize, make, sell, or license their invention for a limited period, typically 20 years.
- Patents are granted for new and useful inventions and are intended to encourage innovation by providing legal protection and exclusive rights to inventors.
- Granted by: Controller General of Patents, Designs and Trade Marks (CGPDTM) under the DPIIT (Ministry of Commerce & Industry)
- Patents in India are governed by “The Patent Act 1970,” which was amended in 2005 to comply with TRIPS (Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights).
Criteria for issuing patents in India include:
- Novelty: The invention must be new and not previously published or publicly known or used in India.
- Non-Obviousness: It should involve an inventive step, representing a technical advancement compared to existing knowledge, and not obvious to a person skilled in the relevant field.
- Industrial Use: The invention should be capable of industrial application.
What Cannot Be Patented in India:
| Items | Description |
| Frivolous Inventions | Inventions that harm public order, morality, or the health of animals, plants, and humans. |
| Methods of Agriculture or Horticulture | Generally excluded from patentability. |
| Traditional Knowledge | Inventions based solely on traditional knowledge are not eligible for patents. |
| Computer Programs | Pure computer programs are typically not patentable. |
| Inventions Related to Atomic Energy | Matters related to atomic energy are restricted from patenting. |
| Plants and Animals | Typically, plants and animals in their natural state cannot be patented. |
| Mere Discovery of Scientific Principles | Patent protection is not granted for mere discoveries of scientific principles. |
Key Provisions of the Draft Patent Amendment Rules:
| Key Provisions | Description | Impact of the changes |
| Pre-Grant Opposition (PGO) filing | Fee: There will be a variable fee for Pre-Grant Opposition (PGO) filing (previously free). | The introduction of dynamic fees for PGO filing may pose financial challenges for smaller groups or individuals interested in opposing patents. |
| PGO is a pre-grant opposition filed after patent publication but before its grant. | PGO allows for opposition before patent grants, helping prevent unjust patent protection extensions and promoting access to affordable generic drugs. | |
| PGO filing, previously open to anyone, will now be determined by CGPDTM. | Determining PGO filing by CGPDTM may bring more structure to the opposition process. | |
| Notice Time Period | The time period for applicants to reply to notice on PGO has been reduced to 2 months. | Reducing the time period for applicants to reply to PGO notices to 2 months may affect the ability to prepare and submit responses effectively |
| Timeline for Filing Requests for Examination | The timeline for filing Requests for Examination is reduced from 48 to 31 months. | Reducing the timeline for filing Requests for Examination to 31 months may expedite patent examination but put pressure on applicants to prepare quickly. |
| Working Statements | Working statements are to be submitted once every 3 years by patent holders. | Requiring working statements once every 3 years may reduce the frequency of reporting on patent usage. |
| Disclosure of Manufacturing Location and Price | Disclosure of the patented product’s manufacturing location and price is no longer required. | Eliminating the need to disclose manufacturing location and price may impact transparency in the pharmaceutical industry. |
About The Patents Act, 1970
It was established in 1972, and replaced the Indian Patents and Designs Act, 1911. In 2005, the Patents (Amendment) Act expanded product patenting to all technology fields, including food, drugs, chemicals, and microorganisms. It repealed Exclusive Marketing Rights (EMRs) provisions, introduced compulsory licensing, and included pre-grant and post-grant opposition provisions
Insta Link:
Mains Links:
How is the Government of India protecting traditional knowledge of medicine from patenting by pharmaceutical companies? (UPSC 2019)
In a globalised world, intellectual property rights assume significance and are a source of litigation. Broadly distinguish between the terms – copyrights, patents and trade secrets. (UPSC 2014)
Prelims Links:
Consider the following statements:
- Evergreening is the grant of permission by the government to entities to use, manufacture, import or sell a patented invention without the patent owner’s consent.
- Compulsory licensing is a strategy for extending/elongating the term of a granted patent in a jurisdiction that is about to expire, in order to retain royalties from them, by taking out new patents.
Which of the statements given above is/are not correct?
- 1 only
- 2 only
- Both 1 and 2
- Neither 1 nor 2
Ans: (c)
September 26, 2023 /26 September 2023, The Draft Patents (Amendment) Rules 2023, Today's Article
Geospatial intelligence
GS Paper 3
Syllabus: Science and Technology
Source: TH
What is Geospatial intelligence?
It is the collection and integration of data from various technologies like satellites, sensors, and aerial images to create real-time maps and simulations. It aids in identifying and managing threats, supporting emergency response, environmental monitoring, logistics, and more.
Geospatial technology uses tools like GIS (Geographic Information System), GPS (Global Positioning System), and Remote Sensing for geographic mapping and analysis of Geospatial data.
Status of geospatial data and technology in India
- India has a robust ecosystem in geospatial, with the Survey of India (SoI), the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), Remote Sensing Application Centres (RSACs), and the National Informatics Centre (NIC) in particular, and all ministries and departments, in general, using geospatial technology.
- In 2021, the geospatial market was dominated by defence and intelligence (14 %), urban development (13 %), and utilities (11 %) segments, cumulatively accounting for 38% of the total geospatial market.
Key applications of geospatial intelligence:
| Application | Description |
| Emergency Preparedness | Monitoring natural disasters such as Cyclones, and hurricanes to allocate resources efficiently, issue timely storm warnings, and order evacuations as needed. |
| Disaster Response | Assisting in post-disaster efforts by identifying damaged areas, assessing the extent of impact, locating access points for first responders, facilitating efficient search-and-rescue operations and the distribution of aid. |
| Environmental Monitoring | Tracking climate-related variables like temperature, precipitation, and ice to anticipate and prepare for environmental disturbances, including heatwaves, floods, and polar ice melt. |
| Military and Civilian Applications | Reporting on military movements, and troop deployments, and providing valuable spatial data for civilian applications such as global supply chain optimization and logistics management. |
| Transportation and Logistics | Utilizing GPS-generated spatial data to enhance transportation and logistics operations |
| Autonomous Vehicles | Supporting the development of autonomous vehicles by offering high-resolution imagery for road analysis, and traffic management. |
| Digital Twins | Creating virtual replicas of real-world systems, such as cities and buildings, which can be updated in real-time to simulate changes in various conditions, aiding decision-making across different sectors, including military and urban planning. |
Measures for the Development of Geospatial Data and Technology:
| Measures | Description |
| Guidelines for Geospatial Data, 2021 | Released by the Ministry of Science and Technology in 2021. |
| Deregulated and liberalized the Geo-Spatial Sector in India, making it more competitive. | |
| Eliminated the requirement of permissions and scrutiny, even for security concerns for Indian Companies. | |
| Companies can now self-attest, conforming to government guidelines without continuous monitoring by a government agency. | |
| Geospatial Energy Map of India | Developed in collaboration with NITI Aayog and ISRO |
| Provides a comprehensive view of energy production and distribution in the country. | |
| Aids in planning and investment decisions and supports disaster management using available energy assets. | |
| Union Budget 2022-23 | Government support for the use of Kisan drones for land assessment, digitization of land records, and spraying insecticides and nutrients. |
| National Geospatial Policy, 2022 | The 13-year guideline promotes the country’s geospatial data industry and develops a national framework to use such data for improving citizen services, and more |
| Yuktahara portal | Serves as a repository of geotagged assets created under various National Rural Development Programs, including MGNREGA, Per Drop More Crop Programs, Integrated Watershed Management Programme, and Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana. |
Limitations of using Geospatial technology:
- Hacking information – The primary reluctance to share stems from the concern that terrorists or criminals could use such information.
- Privacy issue – India doesn’t have a dedicated data protection policy in that context use of Geospatial data may cause privacy issues.
- Lack of data availability and sharing constraints – The unavailability of foundation data, especially at high resolution, is also a constraint. Further, the lack of clarity on data sharing and collaboration prevents co-creation and asset maximization.
Measures to be taken for improvement.
- Trained and dedicated team to use geospatial data
- Funding to enhance the application of geospatial technology
- Privacy needs to be taken into account while using Geospatial data.
Conclusion
Today the availability of using high-resolution satellite imagery creates a positive environment on the significance of this technology for monitoring integrated systems in different areas of national security purposes. Thus, geospatial technology reduces the analysis time and improves the capability and efficiency in decision-making for national security issues.
Insta Links
Geospatial data policy liberalized
Mains Link
Democratizing geospatial data will enable the rise of new technologies & platforms that will drive efficiencies in agriculture and allied sectors. Discuss (15M)
What is Geo-Spatial data? Comment upon the present Policy on Geospatial Data in the country while emphasizing the liberalization aspect (10M)
September 26, 2023 /26 September 2023, Geospatial technology, Today's Article
Bal Gangadhar Tilak and Ganesh Chaturthi
Content for Mains Enrichment
Source: TH
Bal Gangadhar Tilak played a pivotal role in transforming the Ganesh Chaturthi festival into a grand community event in India.
Before 1893, Ganesh Chaturthi was a one-day private observance. However, Tilak, a prominent nationalist and leader, saw an opportunity to unite and mobilize society against British colonial rule by harnessing Indian cultural practices. He initiated the tradition of public Ganpati worship, emphasizing patriotism, and promoting nationalist ideas during the festival.
Negative impact: While Tilak’s efforts were praised for fostering unity, he also faced criticism for potentially adding a communal aspect to the freedom struggle and holding conservative views on women’s emancipation and caste reforms.
Usage: The example can be used to show how culture can be used to unite people. But overemphasis on the culture of one community can be decisive as well. The example also shows the value of Unity, Inclusivity, Nationalism, Respect for Cultural Heritage etc.
September 26, 2023 /26 September 2023, Bal Gangadhar Tilak, Ganesh Chaturthi, Today's Article
75% of Villages Are Now ODF Plus under Swachh Bharat Mission – Grameen
Facts for Prelims (FFP)
Source: PIB
Context: India has achieved a significant sanitation milestone under the Swachh Bharat Mission (Grameen) Phase II, with 75% of villages in the country now declaring themselves ODF Plus.
- As of now, over 4.43 lakh villages have achieved ODF Plus status, a significant step toward the SBM-G Phase II goals for 2024-25.
- Several states and union territories have achieved 100% ODF Plus villages, including Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Dadra Nagar Haveli & Daman Diu, Jammu & Kashmir, and Sikkim, which also have 100% ODF Plus Model villages.
- The Swachh Bharat Mission (Grameen) Phase II aims to make all villages ODF Plus by 2025.
The achievement of 75% ODF Plus villages demonstrates India’s commitment to sanitation and hygiene, moving from ODF to ODF Plus in Swachh Bharat Mission Phase II.
ODF Plus status means that a village has maintained its Open Defecation Free (ODF) status while also implementing solid or liquid waste management systems.
September 26, 2023 /26 September 2023, 75% Villages Are Now ODF Plus under Swachh Bharat Mission – Grameen, governance, GS2, sanitation, Today's Article
India-UN Capacity Building Initiative
Facts for Prelims (FFP)
Source: Economic Times
Context: India and the United Nations have jointly launched the “India-UN Capacity Building Initiative,” which aims to share India’s development experiences, best practices, and expertise with partner countries in the Global South through capacity-building and training programs.
- This initiative builds upon India’s extensive cooperation in development and capacity building with partner countries.
- The initiative complements the existing India-UN partnership through the “India-UN Development Partnership Fund”.
- The initiative will operationalize the development-related goals of India’s G20 Presidency, including the G20 Action Plan for Accelerating Progress on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and building Digital Public Infrastructure.
September 26, 2023 /26 September 2023, GS2, India-UN Capacity Building Initiative, International Relations, Today's Article
Galactic tides
Facts for Prelims (FFP)
Source: TH
Context: Galactic tides, similar to the tides in Earth’s oceans but on a much larger scale, are caused by gravitational forces within galaxies, resulting from interactions between celestial objects like stars and gas clouds.
- These tidal forces play a significant role in shaping the evolution of galaxies. They can alter a galaxy’s structure by creating features like tidal tails and bridges, stimulating star formation, and disrupting smaller star systems.
- Over vast stretches of time, galactic tides also perturb the orbits of stars, leading to long-term changes in the structure of galaxies. Galactic tides even influence how neighbouring galaxies interact with each other.
- Galactic tides also impact supermassive black holes located at the centres of galaxies, resulting in events that alter how these cosmic giants interact with nearby stars.
September 26, 2023 /26 September 2023, Galactic tides, GS3, SCIENCE, Today's Article
NASA’s OSIRIS-Rex
Facts for Prelims (FFP)
Source: IE
Context: A NASA space capsule carrying the largest sample ever collected from an asteroid landed on Utah’s Test and Training Range.
- The capsule was released from the OSIRIS-REx spacecraft, which had been in space for seven years and collected the sample from the asteroid Bennu. Scientists will use this sample to learn more about the origins of the solar system.
The OSIRIS-REx spacecraft, renamed OSIRIS-APEX (OSIRIS-Apophis Explorer), did not return to Earth’s surface. Instead, it separated from the sample return capsule and will continue its mission to study another near-Earth asteroid named Apophis when it comes close to Earth in 2029.
September 26, 2023 /26 September 2023, GS3, NASA’s OSIRIS-REx, SCIENCE, Today's Article
Veerangana Durgavati Tiger Reserve
Facts for Prelims (FFP)
Source: TH
Context: Madhya Pradesh, known as the “tiger state” of India due to its substantial tiger population, has officially designated a new protected area for these magnificent creatures called the ‘Veerangana Durgavati Tiger Reserve.’
- This newly established reserve becomes the seventh tiger reserve in the state.
- Madhya Pradesh has consistently held the title of the “tiger state,” with its tiger population increasing from 526 in 2018 to 785 in the 2022 census.
The Veerangana Durgavati Tiger Reserve incorporates the previously recognized eco-sensitive zone of Nauradehi and Veerangana Durgavati sanctuaries, along with surrounding forest areas, into the buffer zone.
September 26, 2023 /26 September 2023, ENVIRONMENT, GS3, Today's Article, Veerangana Durgavati Tiger Reserve
The State of the Rhino Report, 2023
Facts for Prelims (FFP)
Source: The Week
Context: The greater one-horned rhino population in India and Nepal is growing, as highlighted in the State of the Rhino Report, 2023, by the International Rhino Foundation (IRF).
- While poaching and habitat loss remain significant threats to rhinos globally, climate change is also impacting their survival.
Key Findings:
- The collaboration among India, Bhutan, and Nepal, along with strict government protection and management, has led to a 20 per cent increase in their population over the past decade. India is estimated to be home to 3,262 rhinos.
- Black rhino populations are increasing despite poaching pressure. However, South Africa is grappling with devastating poaching losses of its white rhinos, particularly in certain reserves.
- One concerning aspect highlighted in the report is that the status and whereabouts of 12 of the approximately 76 remaining Javan rhinos are unknown. Sumatran rhinos are also increasingly difficult to find, raising uncertainty about their population in the wild.
The report underscores the need for continued efforts to protect and conserve rhinos and their habitats, address poaching, and mitigate the effects of climate change to ensure the survival of these iconic species.
September 26, 2023 /26 September 2023, ENVIRONMENT, GS3, The State of the Rhino Report 2023, Today's Article
EXERCISE YUDH ABHYAS-23
Facts for Prelims (FFP)
Source: PIB
Context: The 19th edition of “EXERCISE YUDH ABHYAS” is scheduled to take place from September 25th to October 8th, 2023.
- This annual exercise is a collaborative effort between the Indian Army and the United States Army.
- The theme of “EXERCISE YUDH ABHYAS-23” centres on the ‘Employment of an Integrated Battle Group in Mountain/Extreme Climatic Conditions,’ following Chapter VII of the United Nations mandate.
The exercise will feature a Command Post Exercise, as well as Expert Academic Discussions on specific topics. The Field Training Exercise will validate Integrated Battle Groups against hostile forces at the Brigade level, Integrated Surveillance Grid at the Brigade/Battalion level, and the use of Heliborne/Airborne elements and Force Multipliers.
It will also assess logistics and casualty management during operations, evacuation, combat medical aid, and other aspects relevant to High Altitude Areas and Extreme Climatic Conditions.
September 26, 2023 /26 September 2023, Defense, EXERCISE YUDH ABHYAS-23, GS3, INTERNAL SECURITY, Today's Article
Kaobal Gali-Mushkoh Valley
Mapping
Source: TH
Context: The Kaobal Gali-Mushkoh Valley, which was once a battlefield during the Kargil War, has now opened up for tourists.
This transformation is attributed to the 43-month-long ceasefire agreement between India and Pakistan, the enthusiasm of the local population, and efforts by both the administration and businesses to capitalize on the tourism potential.
About Kaobal Gali-Mushkoh Valley:
It is located in Kargil’s Drass Sector and was a battlefield during the 1999 Kargil war between India and Pakistan. The region includes the Gurez Valley in north Kashmir, which was previously inaccessible to civilians due to shelling from Pakistan but now connects with the Mushkoh Valley in Kargil’s Drass Sector. Kaobal Gali, the highest pass at a height of 4,167 meters in Gurez, connects Gurez to Mushkoh Valley.
The Gurez Valley is close to the Line of Control (LoC) and is also home to ibex, musk deer and marmots, Himalayan brown bear and snow leopard. The Kishanganga River flows through the valley.
September 26, 2023 /26 September 2023, Kaobal Gali-Mushkoh Valley, Today's Article