UPSC Key | Middle-East, Space department, Form 17C and more

Express Network

Space Dept’s commercial arm seeks pvt partners to manufacture its largest rocket 

Syllabus:

Preliminary Examination: Current events of national and international importance

Mains Examination: GS-III: Science and Technology- developments and their applications and effects in everyday life.

What’s the ongoing story- New Space India Limited (NSIL) — the commercial arm of the department of space — has called on private players to manufacture its largest launch vehicle LVM3. This is the launch vehicle that propelled Chandrayaan-2 and Chandrayaan-3 to the Moon. A human-rated version of the same vehicle will be used for the Gaganyaan mission as well.

Prerequisites:

— What is the purpose of the commercial arm of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO)?

—- What is Gaganyaan mission?

— What are geosynchronous orbits?

— What is the New Space India Limited (NSIL)?

Key takeaways: 

— LVM 3 was initially used for missions to placed in the large geosynchronous orbits.  The commercial capability of the vehicle was first demonstrated when it was used to deploy multiple satellites in the low earth orbit.

— Two batches of 36 satellites each were launched using the vehicle in 2022 and 2023 commercially for internet provider OneWeb.

— “The planned technological advancements are expected to significantly improve the LVM3 payload capacity in the coming years… NSIL recognises that there is a growing demand for launching heavier communications satellites as well as satellites for global mega LEO (low earth orbit) constellations,” said the request for qualification by the agency.

— This is in line with the government’s vision to increase participation of private players, making them capable of manufacturing complete launch vehicles instead of remaining mere producers of parts.

For Your Information:

— Utilising the services of SpaceX for the first time, ISRO will deploy its heavy communication satellite GSAT-20 through the Falcon-9 rocket of the private space agency towards the middle of this year.

— Falcon-9, a reusable rocket, can carry double that weight, over 8,300 kg, to GTO.

— The Indian satellites flight on Falcon-9 has been facilitated by the NewSpace India Limited (NSIL), the commercial arm of ISRO, that entered into a launch agreement with SpaceX last year.

— According to the ISRO’s Chairman, Private players in space technology will certainly help speed up the research in the field. In India, there are two companies-Skyroot Aerospace and Agnikul Cosmos.

Points to Ponder: 

— What are the various space launch vehicles of ISRO?

— What is IN-SPACe?

— What is the difference between Antrix Corporation and NSIL?

— What are the opportunities and challenges with private sector participation in space missions?

Post Read Question:

Prelims

The GSAT-20 mission will be launched with the help of which of the following agencies?

(a) SpaceX

(b) Blue Origin

(c) Skyroot

(d) Agnikul Cosmos

Mains

Discuss India’s achievements in the field of Space Science and Technology. How the application of this technology has helped India inits socio-economic development? (2016)

Other Important Articles Covering the same topic:

India to use SpaceX rocket to launch communications satellite

In the year of Gaganyaan, private space sector too set to make a big splash

Explained

Israel, Saudi Arabia, and churn in the Middle East: The view from India

Syllabus:

Preliminary Examination: Current events of national and international importance

Mains Examination: GS-II: International Relations

What’s the ongoing story- The United States is trying to forge a mutual defence treaty with Saudi Arabia, and help Israel in its conflicts with Hamas and Iran, such that “Israel and Saudi Arabia are trading places”, columnist Thomas Friedman wrote in The New York Times last week.

Prerequisites:

— What is the US-Saudi defense treaty?

— What is I2U2?

— What is the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor connectivity project?

— Map work: Countries in the Middle East

Key takeaways: 

— For India, a US-Saudi Arabia pact and peace between Israel and Iran and Israel and Hamas could mean an opportunity to better harness the region’s potential.

— India-Saudi trade was valued at $52.76 billion in 2022-23. India is the second largest trade partner for Saudi, while Saudi is India’s fourth largest trade partner. Energy cooperation is at the heart of the relationship; Saudi Arabia was India’s third-largest crude and petroleum products sourcing destination in 2022-23.

— The more than 2.4 million strong Indian community in Saudi Arabia is seen as a living bridge between the two countries, and the Indian diaspora is widely respected in the kingdom for their contributions.

— India’s ties with Israel have become steadily more visible and significant over the past decade or so, centred mainly on defence and security, innovation, agriculture, and water.

— Trade volumes have risen from around $200 million in 1992 (consisting primarily of diamonds) to $10.7 billion (excluding defence) in 2022-23, of which Indian exports were around $ 8.4 billion. India is Israel’s second-largest trading partner in Asia, and the seventh largest globally.

— Israel has been a major supplier of defence equipment, as well as of high-tech communications systems that have helped meet some of India’s security tech challenges. Israel is an important partner to India in the innovation ecosystem — smart irrigation systems being an example of cooperation in this field.

For Your Information:

— India and UAE have signed pacts on bilateral investment promotion, port infrastructure development, power trade, interlinking of digital payment platforms like the UPI, credit and debit cards, and an intergovernmental framework agreement on the India-Middle East Economic Corridor.

Points to Ponder: 

— What is the significance of the emergence of a multipolar situation in the world?

— What is the Gulf Cooperative Council?

— India’s relationship with other countries in the Middle East

— Significance of Middle East for India’s energy security

— What are the challenges in India’s relation with the Middle East?

Post Read Question:

Prelims

Consider the following:

1. Iran

2. Oman

3. Saudi Arabia

4. Kuwait

How many of the above are part of the Gulf Cooperative Council?

(a) Only one

(b) Only two

(c) Only three

(d) All four

Mains

“India’s relations with Israel have, of late, acquired a depth and diversity, which cannot be rolled back.” Discuss. (2018)

Other Important Articles Covering the same topic:

C Raja Mohan writes: In closer ties with the Gulf, a significant win for Indian diplomacy

4 key shifts in India’s Middle East diplomacy: What response to Iran-Israel crisis shows

Turnouts, delays, Form 17C

Syllabus:

Preliminary Examination:

Mains Examination:

What’s the ongoing story- The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Monday strongly refuted allegations by Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge — made in a letter to INDIA allies on May 6 — that the “delay” in the release of final voter turnouts indicated an “attempt to doctor the final results”.

Prerequisites:

— What is the purpose of the Voter turnout app?

— What is the role of Returning Officers (ROs)?

— What is the role of the Election Commission?

Key takeaways: 

— Reason for the difference between initial and final voter turnout numbers: According to the ECI, the initial number is a preliminary estimate, which changes. ECI officials say the higher final figure does not mean that votes were cast even after polls closed — it could be simply due to the fact that the Returning Officers (ROs) sent in the updated data late.

— As per the Conduct of Elections Rules, 1961, there are two forms that have data on the number of electors and voters — Forms 17A and 17C.

— The former is a register of voters, in which polling officials record the details of every voter who comes into the booth and signs the register. The latter is the account of the votes recorded. — Form 17C is issued to the polling agents of candidates at the close of polling. Form 17C is made available to all candidates through their polling agents at the close of polling. Form 17C includes the total number of electors and voters in the seat. This information is not available on the Voter Turnout app.

— Demand to make Form 17C data public: Activists have sought to make a case for full transparency. Also, they say, even if Form 17C is made available to the candidates’ agents, given the large numbers of polling stations at each constituency… many candidates find it impossible to collate all the figures for the constituency as a whole.

Points to Ponder: 

— What are the constitutional and legal provisions related to voting in India?

— Issue of low voter turnout in this General Election

— Issue of simultaneous election to increase voter turnout

— What are the challenges associated with increasing voter turnout?

— What needs to be done to increase the Voter turnout in India?

— What is the Election Commission’s Turnout Implementation Plan (TIP)?

Post Read Question:

‘Simultaneous election to the Lok Sabha and the State Assemblies will limit the amount of time and money spent in electioneering but it will reduce the government’s accountability to the people’ Discuss. (2017)

Other Important Articles Covering the same topic:

The power of a vote: Is there a link between voter turnout and progress?

Editorial

Flip Flop Flip

Syllabus:

Preliminary Examination: Economic and Social Development

Mains Examination: GS-II, III: Government policies and interventions, Issues relating to poverty and hunger, marketing of agricultural produce

What’s the ongoing story- Corporates want stability and predictability in government policy. Farmers and agri entrepreneurs also desire it, but are denied the same.

Prerequisites:

— What is inflation?

— What is price volatility?

— What is agriculture export policy?

Key takeaways: 

— The government’s defence of export curbs — extended to non-basmati rice, sugar and even de-oiled rice bran, a livestock feed ingredient — is that they are aimed at controlling food inflation and protecting consumers. This argument, however, ignores the interests of producers, who are mostly farmers with limited lobbying power, except during election time.

— What is an inflation problem for the consumer is a livelihood issue for the farmer. The latter also does not have the flexibility to switch crops like the former can, by buying less of one and more of another item.

— The country needs a new export-import policy balancing the interests of consumers and producers as well as the short- and long-term imperatives of the farm sector.

— Controls, even where necessary, should be temporary and rules-based, taking the form of tariffs as opposed to outright bans or quantitative restrictions.

— The government can also create a buffer stock of all essential commodities to enable market intervention and curb excess price volatility.

— Ultimately, it needs to realise that building export markets takes time and effort, while undoing that requires just a stroke of the pen. Also, nothing hurts consumers more in the long term than hurting producers.

For Your Information:

— Status of agri export: the fall in exports to have been led primarily by sugar and non-basmati rice. Concerns over domestic availability and food inflation have triggered ban on these products. Two other items that have borne the brunt of export restrictions — again triggered by domestic shortages and rising prices — are wheat and onion.

Points to Ponder: 

— What are the challenges in the Agri Export Policy of India?

— What balancing act needs to be taken to promote farmers’ interests and control inflation?

— What are the government schemes to promote agri-export?

Post Read Question:

What are the initiatives taken by the government to promote agriculture exports in the country? Highlight the challenges faced by the government and suggest measures to overcome them.

Other Important Articles Covering the same topic:

Why Indian agriculture may need a new export-import policy

Right to Campaign

Syllabus:

Preliminary Examination: Indian Polity and Governance

Mains Examination: GS-II: Constitution, Polity

What’s the ongoing story- The arrest by the Enforcement Directorate of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on March 21 — less than a month before voting began for the ongoing general elections — cast a shadow over the largest democratic exercise in the world. On Friday, May 10 — roughly halfway into the election — the Supreme Court took an important step towards undoing the damage and restoring the impression of fair play. The apex court has granted Kejriwal interim bail until June 1, when voting ends.

Prerequisites:

— What is the function of the Enforcement Directorate (ED)?

— What is the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA)?

— What is the ongoing  Delhi excise policy case?

Key takeaways: 

— Arvind Kejriwal has been accused and charged under the stringent Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). The Court has made it clear that the grant of bail is not a comment on the guilt or innocence of the accused.

— The ED has submitted that granting interim bail to the Delhi CM to campaign would create two classes of citizens, and privilege politicians over others. Also, the “right to campaign in an election” does not exist.

—  The Court recognised that an elected official is not just an individual but the people’s representative and that participation in the campaign is an inextricable and essential part of a fair election.

— For those playing the game, an electoral victory is often the final end of the democratic process. However, for the democratic system, the rules of the game matter as much, and more.

For Your Information:

— The PMLA, like the UAPA, lays down a stringent standard for granting bail. Section 45 of the PMLA is a ‘negative’ provision — which bars courts from granting bail unless the accused can prove that there is no “prima facie” case against them and that they will not commit any offense in the future.

Points to Ponder: 

— What are the amendments made to the PMLA?

— What are the criticisms of the recent amendments?

— Are the ‘right to vote’, ‘right to contest’, and ‘right to campaign’ fundamental rights?

Post Read Question:

Discuss the effectiveness of legislative measures like the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) in addressing money laundering issues.

Other Important Articles Covering the same topic:

How anti-money laundering law came to have a vast scope, granting police powers to ED

Arvind Kejriwal, Hemant Soren refuse ED summons: What happens now

The City (Delhi Edition)

Delhi HC issues notice to deceased sanitation worker’s wife in plea against enhanced compensation

Syllabus:

Preliminary Examination: Indian Polity and Governance, Social Development

Mains Examination: GS-II: Government policies and interventions; Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health, Education, Human Resources.

What’s the ongoing story- The Delhi High Court on Friday issued a notice to the wife of a deceased sanitation worker in an appeal by the Delhi Government challenging an order directing it to award Rs 30 lakh as enhanced compensation to the woman.

Prerequisites:

— What is manual scavenging?

— What are the risks associated with manual scavenging?

— What are the constitutional safeguards for manual scavengers?

Key takeaways: 

— The woman had first approached the single judge bench of the High Court claiming that she was the widow of a sewer cleaner who was performing the work of manual scavenging.

— She had relied on the Supreme Court’s decision in Balram Singh v Union of India and Ors, wherein the apex court had passed directions to be implemented by the Centre and all state governments.

— Apart from the enhancement of compensation, the woman had also sought full rehabilitation, including employment to her, education for her children, and skill training, in terms of the apex court’s decision.

For Your Information:

— As many as 339 people have died while cleaning sewers and septic tanks in India in the last five years, according to government data.

Points to Ponder: 

— What is the purpose of the Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation Act, 2013 (PEMSR)?

— What is the Swachh Bharat mission?

— Why is manual scavenging still prevalent in India?

— What are the Government Initiatives and Supreme Court Directions to Curb Manual Scavenging?

Post Read Question:

Assess the limitations of the Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation Act, 2013, in eradicating manual scavenging, and suggest innovative strategies to strengthen its implementation and successfully eliminate this practice.

Other Important Articles Covering the same topic:

Mumbai’s Deathholes: No insurance, safety gear or good pay but workers driven by desperation

Explained: What is manual scavenging, and why is it still prevalent in India?

Front

Should all the Parliament security be with CISF? Panel will examine

Syllabus:

Preliminary Examination: Current events of national and international importance

Mains Examination: GS-III: Security

What’s the ongoing story- Security at the Parliament complex could witness a radical overhaul with the Union Home Ministry constituting a panel to assess whether personnel of the CISF (Central Industrial Security Force) should take charge of the entire process — right from managing security arrangements to issuing passes to regulating movement of MPs, VIPs, officials and the media, The Indian Express has learnt.

Prerequisites:

—- What was the security breach incident in the Parliament last year?

— What was the purpose of constituting the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF)?

Key takeaways: 

— Last month, the CISF was brought in to replace 150 personnel of the Delhi Police, who used to be deployed alongside the Parliament Security Service.

— Former Lok Sabha Secretary General said: “Parliament security is a part of the Lok Sabha Secretariat and its job is to protect the interest of MPs and facilitate things for them. This cannot be performed by any outside security agency. Parliament security service consists of well-trained personnel who cannot be replaced by a security agency that has no experience in dealing with Members of Parliament.”

—-  “It is under the control of the Speaker and if at all there’s a need to change the composition of the parliamentary security system, it has to be done under the direction of the Speaker, not by the MHA. It cannot be performed by any ministry.”

For Your Information:

—- The Parliament Security Service came into existence with the formation of the Watch and Ward Committee on September 3, 1929, an initiative taken by Vithalbhai Patel, then president of the Central Legislative Assembly. This followed a bomb throwing incident in the Lok Sabha chamber in April 1929 by Bhagat Singh and Batukeshwar Dutt.

— The committee works independently under the Lok Sabha Speaker. While a joint secretary (security) looks after the entire Parliament House complex, the director (security) of the Rajya Sabha Secretariat has operational control over the Upper House, and the director of the Lok Sabha Secretariat over the Lower House.

— Currently, the Parliament Security Service is “solely responsible for the management of access control and regulation of people, material and vehicles within the historical and prestigious Parliament House complex”.

— Article 98 of the Constitution also mandates each House to have a separate secretariat staff.

Points to Ponder: 

— What are the various paramilitary forces in India?

— What is the difference between the Indian Army and CRPF?

— How has the role of internal security become complex with the rise in regional tensions and new forms of threat?

— What is the National security strategy?

Post Read Question:

The Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) comes under the control of which ministry?

(a) Ministry of Defence

(b) Ministry of Home Affairs

(c) Prime Minister’s Office

(d) Ministry of Heavy Industries & Public Enterprises

Other Important Articles Covering the same topic:

A tale of two Parliament attacks — and shifting sands of politics, from rivalry to bad blood

India to bring in a National Security Strategy: what is it, why is it important?

 

UPSC Ethics & Essay Snippet

The principle of give and take is the principle of diplomacy – give one and take ten 

-Mark Twain

(Thought Process: Is it fair to say that diplomacy is all about taking more than you give? Can the ‘Panda diplomacy’ of China and the ‘Orangutan diplomacy’ of Malaysia be considered examples of this approach, where countries’ main aim is to gain more than they give? Can this quote be applied on an individual level? Does this approach signify a lack of human values, as it focuses on gaining more rather than giving? Is every act conducted with the intention of getting something in return? On the other hand, being a giver doesn’t necessarily require extraordinary acts of sacrifice, but simply a focus on acting in the interests of others. Despite this, why do people tend to shy away from being a giver? Is there an alternative approach in diplomacy where there is a ‘balancing’ act between giving and taking? You can also refer to ‘Ape for Oil’. )