Recently, Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone for the redevelopment of 508 Railway Stations across the country via video conferencing.
2. About Amrit Bharat Station Scheme (ABSS)
It is a new initiative by the government to transform 1, 309 railway stations across India into world-class travel hubs.
The scheme was launched on August 15, 2022, to mark India's 75th Independence Day.
The ABSS aims to improve the passenger experience at railway stations by providing modern amenities and facilities. This includes
- Renovating and modernizing the station buildings
- Providing better passenger amenities, such as seating, toilets and drinking water facilities
- Improving cleanliness and hygiene at stations
- Introducing new technologies, such as smart toilets and facial recognition systems
- Integrating stations with other modes of transport, such as metro and bus systems
3. Key Points
- The ABSS is expected to cost around Rs 10, 000 crores and will be implemented over five years.
- The scheme is being funded by the Indian Railways and the Ministry of Railways.
- The ABSS is a major initiative to improve the infrastructure and passenger experience at railway stations in India.
- It is expected to boost tourism and economic activity in the country.
- The scheme is also expected to create jobs and generate revenue for the Indian Railways.
4. Benefits of the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme
Improved passenger experience
- The ABSS will provide modern amenities and facilities at railway stations, which will improve the passenger experience.
- This includes things like better seating, toilets and drinking water facilities.
Increased Tourism
The ABSS will make railway stations more attractive to tourists, which will boost tourism in the country.
Economic growth
The ABSS will create jobs and generate revenue for the Indian Railways, which will boost economic growth in the country.
Improve connectivity
The ABSS will integrate railway stations with other modes of transport, such as metro and bus systems, which will improve connectivity in the country.
5. The Way Forward
- The ABSS is a major step forward for Indian Railways. It is a bold and ambitious initiative that will transform railway stations across the country.
- The scheme has the potential to improve the passenger experience, boost tourism and generate economic growth.
| For Prelims: Amrit Bharat Station Scheme, Indian Railways,
For Mains:
1. Evaluate the role of the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme (ABSS) in promoting sustainable tourism and enhancing the image of Indian Railways on a global scale. (250 Words)
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Source: The Financial Express
COMMUNICATION INTEROPERABILITY AND SECURITY MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT (CIS-MOA)
1. Context
Pakistan’s Cabinet has quietly approved the signing of a new security pact with the U.S., a move that indicates a fresh start in defence cooperation after years of distrust between the two nations and may open avenues for Islamabad to get military hardware from Washington, a media report said on Thursday. Through a circulation summary, the Cabinet gave its seal of approval to sign the Communication Interoperability and Security Memorandum of Agreement, known as the CIS-MOA, between Pakistan and the US
2.About CIS-MOA
- The Communication Interoperability and Security Memorandum of Agreement (CISMOA) is a bilateral agreement that involves the sharing of communication and security-related equipment and technologies between the United States and certain partner countries.
- The goal of CISMOA is to enhance interoperability and cooperation between the armed forces of the United States and its partner nations by allowing them to communicate effectively during joint military operations and exercises
- CISMOA agreements typically include provisions that enable the sharing of secure communication equipment, cryptographic devices, and related technologies.
- The agreement ensures that both parties can communicate securely and efficiently, even in sensitive and classified environments.
- CISMOA is one of the foundational agreements that the United States negotiates with its defense partners as part of the broader Defense Trade and Security Initiative (DTSI)
- The DTSI aims to facilitate defense trade while ensuring the security and confidentiality of the shared technologies and equipment
- The terms and conditions of CISMOA agreements may vary from one partner country to another, as they are negotiated based on the specific needs and security concerns of each nation
- These agreements are usually established within the framework of close defense and security partnerships, often between countries that conduct joint military exercises, training programs, and defense cooperation activities
3. Bilateral relations
- CIS-MOA is a foundational agreement that the U.S. signs with its allies and countries with which it wants to maintain close military and defence ties.
- It also provides legal cover to the U.S. Department of Defence for ensuring the sale of military equipment and hardware to other countries.
- The signing of the CIS-MOA means the two countries are keen to maintain the institutional mechanism
- The signing of the CIS-MOA indicates that the U.S. might sell some military hardware to Pakistan in the coming years
- The signing of CIS-MOA is a major development in the US defense relationship with the other country.
- It is a sign of the growing trust and cooperation between the two countries, and it will help to ensure that the other country has the capabilities it needs to defend itself and to contribute to regional security
4. US-Pakistan relation
- The US and Pakistan first established diplomatic relations in 1947, shortly after Pakistan gained independence from Britain.
- The US was initially supportive of Pakistan, as it saw the country as a bulwark against Soviet influence in South Asia.
- The US also provided Pakistan with military and economic assistance
- During the Cold War, Pakistan aligned itself with the United States and became a key partner in the region to counter Soviet influence.
- The relationship was further cemented during the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan in the 1980s, when Pakistan played a central role in supporting Afghan resistance fighters (Mujahideen) with U.S. assistance
5. Way forward
However, the signing of CIS-MOA has also been criticized by some in the other country. Some critics have argued that the agreement will give the US too much control over [country]'s military communications systems. Others have argued that the agreement will undermine [country]'s strategic autonomy.
Despite these criticisms, the signing of CIS-MOA is a major development in the US defense relationship with the other country. It is a sign of the growing trust and cooperation between the two countries, and it will help to ensure that the other country has the capabilities it needs to defend itself and to contribute to regional security
Source: The Hindu
SIRIMA SHASTRI PACT 1964
1. Context
The recently announced Indian grant of ₹75 crore, for development projects targeting Sri Lanka’s Malaiyaha [hill country] Tamils, will be used primarily for the education and health sectors in the island’s long-neglected tea estate areas, according to Jeevan Thondaman, Minister of Water Supply and Estate Infrastructure Development
Minister Thondaman outlined the government’s plan for upgrading old creches in the estates into early childhood development centres, converting virtually defunct medical dispensaries into cluster hospitals to provide better healthcare for workers, and setting up a university
2. Sirima Shastri Pact 1964
- The Sirima-Shastri Pact of 1964 was an agreement between the governments of India and Sri Lanka, named after their respective Prime Ministers, Sirimavo Bandaranaike of Sri Lanka and Lal Bahadur Shastri of India.
- The pact was signed to address the concerns of the Tamil ethnic minority in Sri Lanka, particularly the issue of the stateless Indian Tamils of Indian origin who had been living in Sri Lanka for generations.
- The Sirima-Shastri Pact was seen as an effort to address the complex issue of stateless Indian Tamils in Sri Lanka and to improve the relations between the two neighboring countries. However, despite the pact, the process of repatriation faced challenges, and not all stateless Indian Tamils were repatriated to India
3. Objectives of Sirima Shastri Pact
Here are the key points and objectives of the Sirima-Shastri Pact:
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Repatriation: The main focus of the pact was the repatriation (return to India) of a significant number of stateless Indian Tamils who had been brought to Sri Lanka during the British colonial period to work on tea plantations. These Tamils were not granted Sri Lankan citizenship and were considered stateless.
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Citizenship: The pact aimed to address the concerns of the Indian Tamil community regarding their citizenship status. It was agreed that the Indian Tamils who wished to remain in Sri Lanka would be granted Sri Lankan citizenship, and those who chose to leave would be repatriated to India.
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Safeguards: The pact also included provisions to ensure that the rights and interests of the Indian Tamil community who chose to stay in Sri Lanka would be protected. It sought to address issues related to their language, culture, and representation in government.
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Timeframe: The repatriation process was to be completed within a certain timeframe, and the Indian government agreed to assist in the implementation of repatriation.
4.Way forward
Over time, the situation of the Tamil minority in Sri Lanka continued to be a source of tension and conflict, culminating in the Sri Lankan Civil War, which lasted from 1983 to 2009.
The issues related to ethnicity, language rights, and political representation remained unresolved for many years.
Source: The Hindu
HAVANNA SYNDROME
1. Context
The Central government has told the Karnataka High Court that it will look into the matter of the ‘Havana Syndrome’ in India, in response to a Bengaluru resident’s recent petition
The petitioner had approached the court requesting a writ of mandamus for an enquiry on Havana Syndrome in India and the prevention of high-frequency microwave transmission in India
2. What is Havana Syndrome?
Havana syndrome is a cluster of unexplained medical symptoms that have been reported by U.S. government officials and military personnel, mostly abroad. The symptoms range in severity from pain and ringing in the ears to cognitive dysfunction and were first reported in 2016 by U.S. and Canadian embassy staff in Havana, Cuba
The first cases were reported in 2016 among U.S. diplomats stationed in Havana, Cuba, which is why it earned its name.
3. Symptoms
The symptoms reported by affected individuals have included a range of neurological issues, such as:
- Headaches
- Dizziness
- Nausea
- Hearing loss or ringing in the ears (tinnitus)
- Cognitive difficulties
- Visual problems
- Fatigue
4. Reports of Havana Syndrome
- Since the Cuban incident, American intelligence and foreign affairs officials posted in various countries have reported symptoms of the syndrome
- In early 2018, similar accusations began to be made by US diplomats in China. The first such report was in April 2018 at the Guangzhou consulate
- An American employee reported that he had been experiencing symptoms since late 2017
- Another incident had previously been reported by a USAID employee at the US Embassy in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, in September 2017
- In 2019 and 2020, such incidents have been reported from within the US particularly in Washington DC
- In India, the first such case was reported in the same year, when a US intelligence officer travelling to New Delhi with CIA director William Burns reported symptoms of Havana Syndrome
5.Causes of Havana Syndrome
- No one is entirely sure. But initially during the Cuban experience, being in a country that had been hostile to the US for over five decades, the suspicion was on Cuban intelligence or a section within the Cuban establishment that did not want US-Cuba relations to normalise. It was then speculated to be a “sonic attack”
- However, further study by scientists in the US and medical examination of the victims began to suggest that they may have been subjected to high-powered microwaves that either damaged or interfered with the nervous system
- It was said to have built pressure inside the brain that generated the feeling of a sound being heard.
- Greater exposure to high-powered microwaves is said not only to interfere with the body’s sense of balance but also to impact memory and cause permanent brain damage.
- Low levels of microwaves are also emitted from mobile phones but they are not targeted
- It was suspected that beams of high-powered microwaves were sent through a special gadget that Americans then called a “microwave weapon”
- The use of microwaves as a counter-intelligence tactic has been experimented with since the Cold War and both Russia and the US have made attempts to weaponise it
Source: indianexpress
THE MINES AND MINERALS (DEVELOPMENT AND REGULATION) AMENDMENT BILL
1. Context
Recently, India's Parliament passed the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Bill, aimed at attracting private sector investment in exploring critical and deep-seated minerals within the country.
The Bill designates six minerals, including lithium, essential for electric vehicle batteries and energy storage solutions, as " critical and strategic" resources.
Previously, the exploration and mining of these minerals were limited to government-owned entities.
2. India's Import Dependency for Critical Minerals
- India relies heavily on imports for its critical minerals, which are crucial for various industries, including manufacturing, infrastructure and clean energy transitions.
- As the country works towards achieving its net-zero emission goals, securing a stable supply of minerals like lithium, cobalt, graphite and rare earth elements (REEs) becomes vital.
- The dependence on imports poses significant challenges, including supply chain vulnerabilities and disruptions.
- For instance, China dominates cobalt mines in the Democratic Republic of Congo, a major cobalt-producing region, leading to concerns about supply reliability.
- To reduce such reliance, major economies like the U.S., the U.K., and the European Union have pursued strategies to enhance supply-chain resilience for critical minerals.
3. The Role of Private Sector Exploration
- The Mines and Minerals Amendment Bill recognizes the importance of private sector involvement in exploring and mining critical minerals.
- Currently, India has only explored a small fraction of its geological potential, limiting the discovery of economically viable mineral reserves.
- Private exploration companies, known as junior explorers, play a crucial role in risk-taking and expediting the exploration process.
4. The Bill aims to encourage private participation by
- Removing atomic minerals, including lithium, from the list of minerals exclusively reserved for government entities.
- Permitting prohibited exploration activities like pitting, trenching, drilling and sub-surface excavation during reconnaissance.
- Introducing a new Exploration License (EL) to facilitate private sector exploration of specified critical and deep-seated minerals.
- Allowing private explorers to bid for desired percentage shares of the auction premium paid eventually by mining lease holders, thus incentivizing exploration.
5. Possible Issues with the Proposed Amendments
Revenue Generation Timing
Private explorers might have to wait for years or face uncertain outcomes until a mine is successfully auctioned and operationalized to receive its share of the premium.
Auction Method Suitability
The auction method for exploration licenses might not be suitable since the value of the exploration is uncertain until resources are discovered.
Limited Exploration Incentives
The Bill's provisions limit explorers' ability to sell their discoveries to miners, potentially discouraging big investments in exploration.
6. The Way Forward
- India's move to involve the private sector in critical mineral exploration is a significant step towards enhancing the country's mineral resource base and reducing import dependency.
- However, there are concerns about the revenue generation process and exploration incentives that need to be addressed.
- With strategic planning and stakeholder collaboration, India can unlock its vast geological potential and secure a stable supply of critical minerals for its economic development and clean energy goals.
| For Prelims: the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Bill, lithium, net-zero emission goals, cobalt, graphite, rare earth elements, atomic minerals,
For Mains:
1. Discuss the challenges posed by India's import dependency on critical minerals and its implications for the country's manufacturing, infrastructure and clean energy goals. How can India address these challenges? (250 Words)
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Previous Year Questions
1. Which type of battery is used in the recently launched world's first fully electric cargo ship by change? (Delhi Police Constable 2017)
A. Lead Acid B. Manganese C. Lithium ion D. Nickel metal hydride
Answer: C
2. With reference to ‘NET - ZERO’ goal for 2050, which of the following statements is/are correct? (UPPSC Combined State Exam 2021)
1. It means that a country will bring down its emissions to zero by 2050.
2. It means that a country’s emissions to be compensated by absorption and removal of greenhouse gases from the atmosphere.
Select the correct answer using the codes given below.
A. Only 1 B. Only 2 C. Both 1 and 2 D. Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: B
3. Consider the following statements: (UPSC 2022)
1. "The Climate Group" is an international non-profit organization that drives climate action by building large networks and runs them.
2. The International Energy Agency in partnership with the Climate Group launched a global initiative "EP100".
3. EP100 brings together leading companies committed to driving innovation in energy efficiency and increasing competitiveness while delivering on emission reduction goals.
4. Some Indian companies are members of EP100.
5. The International Energy Agency is the Secretariat to the "Under2 Coalition".
Which of the statements given above are correct?
A. 1, 2, 4 and 5 B. 1, 3 and 4 only C. 2, 3 and 5 only D. 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5
Answer: B
4. About three-fourths of world's cobalt, a metal required for the manufacture of batteries for electric motor vehicles, is produced by (UPSC 2023)
A. Argentina B. Botswana C. the Democratic Republic of the Congo D. Kazakhstan
Answer: C
5. Graphene is frequently in news recently. What is its importance? (UPSC 2012)
1. It is a two-dimensional material and has good electrical conductivity.
2. It is one of the thinnest but strongest materials tested so far.
3. It is entirely made of silicon and has high optical transparency.
4. It can be used as 'conducting electrodes' required for touch screens, LCDs and organic LEDs. Which of the statements given above are correct?
A. 1 and 2 only B. 3 and 4 only C. 1, 2 and 4 only D. 1, 2, 3 and 4
Answer: C
6. Graphite is a much better conductor of heat and electricity than diamond. This is due to the fact that each carbon atom in graphite: (NDA 2015)
A. undergoes sp2 hybridization and forms three sigma bonds with three neighbouring carbon atoms
B. undergoes sp3 hybridization
C. is tetrahedrally bonded
D. is free from van der Waals force
Answer: A
7. Recently, there has been a concern over the short supply of a group of elements called 'rare earth metals.' Why? (UPSC 2012)
1. China, which is the largest producer of these elements, has imposed some restrictions on their export.
2. Other than China, Australia, Canada and Chile, these elements are not found in any country. 3. Rare earth metals are essential for the manufacture of various kinds of electronic items and there is a growing demand for these elements.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
A. 1 only B. 2 and 3 only C. 1 and 3 only D. 1, 2 and 3
Answer: C
8. With reference to India, consider the following statements: (UPSC 2022)
1. Monazite is a source of rare earths.
2. Monazite contains thorium.
3. Monazite occurs naturally in the entire Indian coastal sands in India.
4. In India, Government bodies only can process or export monazite.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
A. 1, 2 and 3 only B. 1, 2 and 4 only C. 3 and 4 only D. 1, 2, 3 and 4
Answer: B
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Source: The Hindu
AADHAR-ENABLED PAYMENT SYSTEM (AePS)
1. Context
As more frauds related to the Aadhaar-enabled Payment System (AePS) come to the fore, the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI), has turned to artificial intelligence-based systems in a bid to limit the cases — this includes developing technologies around fingerprinting and facial recognition
2. What is AePS?
- Aadhaar-enabled Payment Services (AePS) is a bank-led model which allows online financial transactions at Point-of-Sale (PoS) and Micro ATMs through the business correspondent of any bank using Aadhaar authentication
- The model removes the need for OTPs, bank account details, and other financial details. It allows fund transfers using only the bank name, Aadhaar number, and fingerprint captured during Aadhaar enrolment, according to the National Payments Corporation of India (NCPI)
- For AePs, these are the only inputs required for certain types of transactions, including cash deposit, cash withdrawal, balance inquiry, mini statement, Aadhaar to Aadhaar fund transfer, authentication, and BHIM Aadhaar pay
- AEPS is a bank-led model which allows online interoperable financial transactions at PoS (Point of Sale / Micro ATM) through the Business Correspondent (BC)/Bank Mitra of any bank using the Aadhaar authentication
3.AePS Transactions
Neither the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) nor the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) explicitly mentions whether AePS transactions are enabled by default. However, many experts claim that the service does not require any activation.
Here are some reasons why experts believe that AePS transactions are enabled by default:
- Aadhaar is the preferred method of KYC for banking institutions. This means that most bank account holders will already have their Aadhaar number linked to their bank account.
- AePS is a government-backed initiative. This means that it is unlikely that the government would require users to activate AePS before they can use it.
- AePS is a convenient and secure way to make financial transactions. This means that there is no reason why users would want to disable it.
4. Services offered by AePS
There are various services offered by AEPS, such as:
Balance Enquiry
Cash Withdrawal
Cash Deposit
Aadhaar to Aadhaar funds transfer
Payment Transactions (C2B, C2G Transactions)
Source: The Hindu
