1.With reference to the broadcasting of Indian television channels in neighbouring countries, consider the following statements:

1. Nepal and Bangladesh receive a “clean feed” version of Indian TV channels to avoid broadcasting advertisements that may not be relevant in their markets.

2. Both countries require prior approval from their respective central banks or ministries to release foreign exchange payments to Indian broadcasters.

3. Indian broadcasters can easily enforce arbitration awards in Nepal and Bangladesh due to robust judicial mechanisms.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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

Why is environmental surveillance important?

For Preliminary Examination: Current events of national and international Significance like Environment Surveillance

For Mains Examination: GS III - Environment and Ecology

Context:

Pathogens (usually bacteria and viruses) that cause diseases in humans and animals, can be tracked in samples taken from the environment, for example, by sampling sewage through wastewater surveillance. This can provide early warnings for potential disease outbreaks.

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Environment Impact Assesment (EIA)

Key takeaways:

• Pathogens such as bacteria and viruses that cause diseases in humans and animals can be monitored through environmental samples, particularly by analysing sewage in wastewater surveillance. This approach serves as an early warning system for possible disease outbreaks.
• Samples are typically collected from sewage treatment facilities, hospital effluents, or public locations like railway stations and airplane toilets, and then examined to observe daily changes in the pathogens present.
• The method works because infected individuals shed these pathogens in their stools or urine. Even diseases caused by parasitic worms, such as hookworms and roundworms, can be tracked using wastewater and soil samples, offering insights into disease prevalence and the success of control measures.
• Strict protocols guide the collection and processing of such samples, ensuring that pathogens can be accurately detected and analysed. With these methods, pathogen loads can be compared across samples, and whole-genome sequencing allows the identification of different variants.
• Traditionally, infection levels in a community were gauged only through clinical case detection. However, this method has limitations since many infected people may remain asymptomatic or avoid testing if symptoms are mild, meaning official numbers often underestimate the true scale of infection.
• Environmental surveillance thus becomes crucial as it provides early warning signs of outbreaks. Evidence shows that pathogen levels in wastewater can rise more than a week before infections become noticeable in clinical data.
• This advanced notice allows for better public health preparedness since higher levels of circulating pathogens increase the risk of widespread infection.
• Wastewater-based epidemiology has been employed for decades to monitor diseases such as cholera, polio, and measles. In India, wastewater surveillance for polio was first launched in Mumbai in 2001.
• During the COVID-19 pandemic, similar programs were rolled out in five cities and continue to operate today. Recently, the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) announced plans to expand wastewater surveillance to track 10 viruses across 50 cities.
• This initiative will strengthen public health monitoring by detecting increases in viral loads within communities. The ICMR is also working on surveillance of viruses like avian influenza in outbreak-prone regions.
• Nonetheless, there remains a need for improvement. Data-sharing across institutions, harmonised protocols, and common templates for disease-specific frameworks are essential.
• A shift towards programmatic approaches—integrating wastewater and environmental surveillance into routine disease monitoring—will be key. Building a comprehensive national wastewater surveillance system is therefore vital for India’s public health strategy

Follow Up Question

1.Consider the following statements: The Environment Protection Act, 1986 empowers the Government of India to (2019)

1. state the requirement of public participation in the process of environmental protection, and the procedure and manner in which it is sought

2. lay down the standards for emission or discharge of environmental pollutants from various sources

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

FPIs withdraw from Indian equities for third straight month

For Preliminary Examination:  Current events of national and international Significance

For Mains Examination: GS III - Economy

Context:

Foreign Portfolio Investors (FPIs) withdrew ₹23,885 crore from Indian stocks in September, making it the third consecutive month of net outflows from the Indian stock market, according to data from the National Securities and Depositories Ltd. (NSDL).

Read about:

Foreign Portfolio Investors (FPIs)

Foreign Direct Investment (FDI)

Key takeaways:

• Foreign Portfolio Investment (FPI) refers to the entry of international investors into a country’s financial markets, mainly through the purchase of shares, bonds, or other financial assets.
• Unlike Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), where investors take a long-term interest in a business by acquiring ownership and management control, FPI is largely about seeking quick financial returns.
• It is typically short-term in nature and involves buying and selling of securities without getting involved in the day-to-day functioning of companies.
• When a foreign investor invests in Indian stock markets, government securities, or corporate bonds through the registered route prescribed by SEBI (Securities and Exchange Board of India), it is treated as FPI.
• These investors could be individuals, hedge funds, mutual funds, or other institutional investors. Since they invest in liquid assets, they can enter or exit the market relatively quickly, depending on the global and domestic economic climate.
• FPI plays an important role in the economy because it brings in foreign capital, adds liquidity to the financial markets, and helps deepen the capital market system. It often reflects global confidence in a country’s growth prospects.
• However, it is also very volatile in nature. If there is global uncertainty, political instability, or unfavorable policy changes, foreign investors can withdraw their money suddenly, causing stock market fluctuations and putting pressure on the currency.
• In India, the government regulates FPI through the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA), while SEBI oversees operational aspects. Categories of FPIs are defined to ensure transparency and compliance.
• Thus, FPI acts as a barometer of investor sentiment and provides much-needed foreign exchange inflows, but its short-term and speculative character makes it less stable compared to long-term investments like FDI

Foreign Direct Investment (FDI)

• Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) refers to an investment made by a foreign entity—whether an individual, a company, or a government—directly into the productive capacity of another country.
• Unlike Foreign Portfolio Investment, which is limited to buying shares and bonds in financial markets, FDI is about acquiring a lasting interest and significant control over a business.
• This often involves setting up factories, offices, or other facilities, or acquiring a substantial stake in an existing company with the intention of influencing its management and operations.
• FDI is generally seen as a long-term commitment. For instance, when a multinational corporation establishes a manufacturing plant in India or acquires majority ownership in an Indian company, it is considered FDI.
• The key feature is not only the transfer of capital but also the transfer of technology, skills, and managerial practices that come along with it. Because of this, FDI is regarded as more stable and development-oriented compared to short-term financial flows.
• Countries encourage FDI because it brings several benefits. It supplements domestic savings and provides much-needed capital for growth, especially in developing economies.
• It also integrates the host country into global supply chains, improves employment opportunities, and fosters technological advancement. At the same time, governments regulate FDI carefully, since it involves foreign control over domestic enterprises and can affect sensitive sectors.
• In India, FDI is regulated under the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA), with the Reserve Bank of India and the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) overseeing its implementation.
• FDI can enter either through the automatic route, where no prior government approval is required, or the government route, which needs clearance from the authorities for specific sectors. The proportion of foreign ownership permitted varies by sector, as the government balances the need for foreign capital with considerations of national interest and security.
• Thus, FDI is more than just financial investment—it represents a long-term partnership between foreign investors and the host country, contributing not only capital but also expertise, jobs, and integration into the global economy

Difference

• Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) and Foreign Portfolio Investment (FPI) are two major ways in which foreign capital enters a country, but they differ in their nature, intent, and impact on the economy.
• FDI involves long-term investment where a foreign entity acquires a substantial stake in a company or sets up new facilities, such as factories, offices, or infrastructure.
• The focus here is not only on financial returns but also on gaining managerial control, transferring technology, and building a lasting presence in the host country.
• For example, when a multinational automaker establishes a manufacturing plant in India, it is FDI. Such investment is relatively stable and contributes to employment generation, skill development, and integration into global value chains.
• FPI, on the other hand, is short-term and limited to buying financial assets such as shares, bonds, or debentures in the host country’s markets. Investors in FPI do not seek control or involvement in the operations of companies.
• Their primary goal is quick financial gain, and they can withdraw investments rapidly depending on market conditions. For instance, when foreign mutual funds purchase Indian stocks, it is considered FPI.
• While FPI adds liquidity to capital markets and brings foreign exchange inflows, it is highly volatile and can lead to sudden capital outflows that destabilize markets.

Follow Up Question