Temperate cyclones (Mid-Latitude cyclones), also known as Extratropical cyclones, are active over the mid-latitudinal regions between 35° latitude and 65° latitude in both hemispheres.

• They have a dynamic origin and cyclone formation is due to frontogenesis (interaction of cold and warm fronts). When the warm-humid air masses from the tropics meet the dry-cold air masses from the poles and thus a polar front is formed as a surface of discontinuity. The cold air pushes the warm air upwards from underneath. Thus, a void is created because of the lessening of pressure. The surrounding air rushed in to occupy this void and coupled with the earth’s rotation, a temperate cyclone is formed. 
• Temperate cyclones can originate on both landmass or water.

KHALISTAN MOVEMENT

1. Context 

2. Khalistan movement

• The Khalistan movement is a fight for a separate, sovereign Sikh state in present-day Punjab (both India and Pakistan).
• Over the years, it has survived in various forms, in various places and amongst different populations.
• The movement was crushed in India following Operation Blue star (1984) and Operation Black Thunder (1986 and 1988), but it continues to evoke sympathy and support among sections of the Sikh population, especially in the Sikh diaspora in countries such as Canada, the UK and Australia.

3. Reasons for the origin of the movement

• The origins of the movement have been traced back to India's independence and subsequent Partition along religious lines.

• Lahore, the capital of Maharaja Ranjit Singh's great Sikh Empire, went to Pakistan as did holy Sikh sites including Nankana Sahib, the birthplace of Guru Nanak, the founder of Sikhism.
• While most Sikhs found themselves in India, they were a small minority in the country, making up around 2 per cent of the population.
• The political struggle for greater autonomy began around the time of Independence, with the Punjabi Suba Movement for the creation of a Punjabi-speaking state.
• The States Reorganisation Commission, in its 1955 report rejected this demand, but in 1966 after years of protest, the state of Punjab was reorganised to reflect the Punjabi Suba demand.
• The erstwhile Punjab state was trifurcated into the Hindi-speaking, Hindu-majority states of Himachal Pradesh and Haryana and the Punjabi-speaking, Sikh-majority Punjab.

4. The Anandpur Sahib Resolution

• The Punjabi Suba Movement had galvanised the Akali Dal which became a major force in the new Sikh-majority Punjab and gave Congress hard fights in the Legislative Assembly elections of 1967 and 1969.
• But in 1972, in the aftermath of Indira Gandhi's resounding victory in the 1971 Lok Sabha elections, the Akali Dal's performance in the state was underwhelming.
• The party met at the sacred town of Anandpur Sahib the birthplace of the Khalsa, in 1973 and released a list of demands that would guide the political path of the Akali Dal.
• Among other things, the Anandpur Sahib Resolution demanded autonomy for the state of Punjab, identified regions that would be part of a separate state and sought the right to frame its internal constitution.
• The Akali Dal was trying to cash in on the growing demand for an autonomous state which had emerged alongside the Punjabi Suba movement and had gone global by 1971 when an advertisement appeared in the New York Times proclaiming the birth of Khalistan.
• While the Akalis themselves repeatedly made it clear that they were not demanding secession from India, for the Indian state, the Anandpur Sahib Resolution was of grave concern.

5. Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale

• Many in Punjab sought to go beyond just a demand for greater autonomy.
• One such man was Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale, a charismatic preacher who soon positioned himself as "the authentic voice of the Sikhs, in contrast to the Akali Dal's lukewarm, vacillating leadership".
• Some accounts claim that Bhindranwale was propped up by Sanjay Gandhi, Indira's son, to stand against the Akalis for Congress's political benefit.
• However, by the 1980s the appeal of Bhindranwale had grown so much that he started to become a problem for the government.
• He found a captive audience in the state's youth, especially those in the lower rungs of the social ladder and massed a massive following. He and his followers were also getting increasingly violent.
• In the summer of 1982, Bhindranwale, with support from the Akali Dal's leadership, launched a civil disobedience movement called Dharam Yudh Morcha.
• He took up residence inside the Golden Temple, directing demonstrations and clashes with the Police.
• The Movement was geared towards the demands first articulated in the Anandpur Sahib Resolution, especially the socio-economic demands, which addressed concerns of the state's rural Sikh population.
• However, amidst growing religious polarisation, sectarian violence and Bhindranwale's harsh rhetoric against Hindus, Indira Gandhi's government declared the movement tantamount to secession.

6. Operation Blue Star

• By 1984, the situation in Punjab had become increasingly untenable for the government.
• Bhindranwale had given a call to arms and instances of violence against Hindus, as well as government officers, had become common.
• In 1983, a senior police officer was shot dead after praying at the Golden Temple and his body was left to decay in the sun, while the local police station did nothing perhaps both out of fear and sympathy for Bhindranwale's cause.
• Indira Gandhi took the fateful decision to order the Indian Army to flush out militants from the Golden Temple and neutralise Bhindranwale.
• Operation Blue Star began on June 1, 1984, but due to fierce resistance from Bhindranwale and his heavily armed supporters, the Army's operation became larger and more violent than had been originally intended, with the use of tanks and air support.
• The image of Indian Army tanks shelling the holiest shrine of Sikhism was traumatic and the very large number of civilian casualties that occurred during the operation added to the trauma.
• According to the government, 83 Indian Army soldiers were killed and 249 were injured in the operation.  A total of 493 militants and civilians were killed in the operation.
• Other estimates peg the number of casualties much higher as much as 3, 000.
• The operation coincided with the martyrdom day of Guru Arjan Dev, the fifth Guru of the Sikhs; hence the number of pilgrims in the Golden Temple was higher than usual.

7. The aftermath of Operation Blue Star

• While the operation was ostensibly successful in its aims Bhindranwale was killed and the Golden Temple was freed of militants it gravely wounded the Sikh community around the world. It also galvanised the demand for Khalistan.
• On October 31, 1984, Prime Minister Indira Gandhi was assassinated by two Sikh bodyguards.
• This triggered the worst communal violence since Partition even according to conservative estimates, over 8, 000 Sikha were massacred in massive anti-Sikh street violence.
• A year later, Sikh nationalists based in Canada blew up an Air India flight killing 329 people.
• They claimed that the attack was to "avenge Bhindranwale's killing".
• Punjab saw the worst violence, becoming the hub of a long-drawn-out insurgency that lasted till 1995.
• While the movement was allegedly supported by Pakistan to cause internal unrest in its neighbouring country, it would slowly peter out by the 1990s as the violence took its toll, the bulk of the population turned against the militants and India headed towards economic liberalisation

8. The status of the Khalistan movement today

• Punjab has long been peaceful, but the movement lives among some Sikh communities overseas.
• The deep-rooted anger over Operation Blue Star and the desecration of the Golden Temple continues to resonate with some of the newer generations of Sikhs.
• However, even though Bhindranwale is viewed as a martyr by many and the 1980s are remembered as dark times, this has not manifested into tangible political support for the Khalistna cause.

For Prelims & Mains

MANUFACTURING SECTOR

 

1. Context

 

The Economy sprung a surprise in July-September 2023-24, recording a 7.6 per cent growth in the second quarter, considerably higher than the consensus estimate. The surge was largely led by the manufacturing sector which jumped 13.9 per cent year-on-year in the second quarter, helped by a favourable base and improved volume growth, data released by the National Statistical Office (NSO).

2. About the Manufacturing sector

The manufacturing sector is one of the most important sectors of the Indian economy. It is responsible for producing a wide range of goods, including electronics, automobiles, textiles, and chemicals. The manufacturing sector also plays a vital role in creating jobs and driving economic growth.

Examples of manufacturing sector

• The electronics industry produces a wide range of electronic goods, such as computers, smartphones, and televisions.
• Automobile industry produces cars, trucks, buses, and motorcycles.
• The textile industry produces fabrics and clothing.
• Chemicals industry produces a wide range of chemicals, such as fertilizers, pesticides, and pharmaceuticals.

Role of manufacturing sector in gross domestic product (GDP)

• The manufacturing sector is one of the largest contributors to India's GDP.
• With the latest print, GDP growth during the first half of the year, April-September 2023  added up to 7.7 per cent compared with 9.5 per cent in the year-ago period.
• The GDP had recorded a four-quarter high growth of 7.8 per cent in April-June this year and had grown 6.2 per cent in July-September 2022.
• Chief Economic Adviser V Anantha Nageswaran said overall investment and consumer sentiment will underpin solid momentum in the current and next financial years.
• “In terms of projections, these numbers impart a certain upside to 6.5 per cent estimate for real GDP growth in the current year, but we will have to work the numbers to see what kind of upside the current numbers impart for the full-year estimates". 

Manufacturing sector and GDP

The manufacturing sector is connected to GDP in several ways.

• The sector produces goods that are sold to consumers and businesses. These sales generate revenue for the sector, which contributes to GDP.
• The sector employs a large number of people and the wages and salaries that these workers earn contribute to GDP.
• The sector purchases goods and services from other sectors, such as the energy and transportation sectors. These purchases also contribute to GDP.

 

3. Real Gross Domestic Product (GDP)

Real GDP is a measure of the total output of an economy in a given year, adjusted for inflation. It is the most widely used measure of economic growth. Real GDP is calculated using the following formula:

Real GDP = Nominal GDP / GDP Deflator

• Nominal GDP: This is the total value of all goods and services produced in an economy in a given year, without adjusting for inflation.
• GDP deflator: This is a measure of inflation that is used to adjust nominal GDP for inflation.

Difference between real GDP and nominal GDP

• The main difference between real GDP and nominal GDP is that real GDP is adjusted for inflation, while nominal GDP is not.
• This means that real GDP is a more accurate measure of economic growth, as it takes into account the effects of inflation.
• Nominal GDP can be misleading because it can increase simply due to inflation, even if the economy is not actually growing.
• For example, if prices rise by 5% in a year, then nominal GDP will also increase by 5%, even if the total output of the economy remains the same.
• Real GDP, on the other hand, will not increase simply due to inflation. Instead, it will only increase if the total output of the economy actually grows. This makes real GDP a more reliable measure of economic growth.

4. About the National Statistical Office (NSO)

The National Statistical Office (NSO) is an Indian government agency responsible for collecting, processing, analyzing, and disseminating statistical information relating to India's economic, social, and demographic conditions. It functions under the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) and plays a crucial role in providing evidence-based policymaking and informing the public about the country's progress and development.

Data released by NSO

The National Statistical Office (NSO) releases a wide range of data on various aspects of the Indian economy. Some of the key data releases include:

• Monthly Industrial Production (IIP) provides data on the performance of the manufacturing sector by tracking the output of various industries.
• Consumer Price Index (CPI) provides data on inflation, which is the rate at which prices for goods and services are rising.
• The Wholesale Price Index (WPI) provides data on wholesale inflation, which is the rate at which the prices of goods sold in bulk are rising.
• Annual Survey of Industries (ASI) provides detailed data on the performance of the manufacturing sector, including information on production, employment, and investment.

5. Way Forward

The manufacturing sector is a vital component of the economy, contributing significantly to GDP and driving economic growth. Understanding real GDP and its calculation is essential for assessing economic performance.

 

For Prelims: GDP, Manufacturing Sector, National Statistical Office, Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation, Consumer Price Index, Wholesale Price Index, Annual Survey of Industries, Monthly Industrial Production For Mains:  1. Analyze the role of the manufacturing sector as a major contributor to India's GDP and its impact on job creation and economic growth. (250 Words)

 

 

Previous Year Questions 1.In the ‘Index of Eight Core Industries’, which one of the following is given the highest weight? (UPSC 2015) (a) Coal production (b) Electricity generation (c) Fertilizer production (d) Steel production 2. With reference to Indian economy, consider the following statements: (UPSC 2015) 1. The rate of growth of Real Gross Domestic Product has steadily increased in the last decade. 2. The Gross Domestic Product at market prices (in rupees) has steadily increased in the last decade. 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 3. A decrease in tax to GDP ratio of a country indicates which of the following? (UPSC CSE, 2015) 1. Slowing economic growth rate 2. Less equitable distribution of national income Select the correct answer using the code given below: (a) 1 only (b) 2 only (c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2   4. With reference to India, consider the following statements: (UPSC 2010) 1. The Wholesale Price Index (WPI) in India is available on a monthly basis only. 2. As compared to Consumer Price Index for Industrial Workers (CPI(IW)), the WPI gives less weight to food articles. 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   5. Consider the following statements: (UPSC 2020) 1. The weightage of food in Consumer Price Index (CPI) is higher than that in Wholesale Price Index (WPI). 2. The WPI does not capture changes in the prices of services, which CPI does. 3. Reserve Bank of India has now adopted WPI as its key measure of inflation and to decide on changing the key policy rates. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?  A. 1 and  2 only       B. 2 only       C. 3 only           D. 1, 2 and 3   6. As per the the National Statistical Office (NSO) report released on 7 January 2022, India's Gross domestic product (GDP) is expected to grow at ___________ per cent (in first advance estimates) in the fiscal year 2021-22?  (ESIC UDC 2022)  A. 17.6 per cent     B. 9.5 per cent     C. 11 per cent        D. 9.2 per cent   E. None of the above   7. In India, in the overall Index of Industrial Production, the Indices of Eight Core Industries have a combined weight of 37.90%. Which of the following are among those Eight Core Industries? (UPSC 2012) 1. Cement 2. Fertilizers 3. Natural gas 4. Refinery products 5. Textiles Select the correct answer using the codes given below: A. 1 and 5 only         B. 2, 3 and 4 only         C. 1, 2, 3 and 4 only       D. 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5   Answer: 1-B, 2-B, 3-A, 4-C, 5-A, 6-D, 7-C   Mains   1.“Industrial growth rate has lagged behind in the overall growth of Gross-Domestic-Product (GDP) in the post-reform period” Give reasons. How far are the recent changes in Industrial Policy capable of increasing the industrial growth rate? (UPSC 2017)  2. Normally countries shift from agriculture to industry and then later to services, but India shifted directly from agriculture to services. What are the reasons for the huge growth of services vis-à-vis the industry in the country? Can India become a developed country without a strong industrial base? (UPSC 2014) 3. Define potential GDP and explain its determinants. What are the factors that have been inhibiting India from realizing its potential GDP? (UPSC  2020) 4. Explain the difference between computing methodology of India’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) before the year 2015 and after the year 2015. (UPSC 2021)

 

 Source: The Indian Express

DEFENCE ACQUISITION COUNCIL

1. Context

Recently, The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) cleared the procurement of 97 Light Combat Aircraft Tejas Mk 1 A and 156 Light Combat Helicopters from Hindustan Aeronautics Limited among other big-ticket acquisitions worth Rs 2.23 lakh crores.

 

2. About the Defence Acquisition Council

The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) is the apex body for all defence acquisitions in India. It was formed after recommendations made by the Group of Ministers on 'Reforming the National Security System' in 2001, post-Kargil war. The DAC is headed by the Defence Minister and comprises the following members:

• Chief of the Defence Staff (CDS)
• Secretary, Department of Defence Production
• Secretary, Finance
• Secretary, Defence Research and Development
• Controller General of Defence Accounts
• Other senior officers from the Ministry of Defence and the Services

The Role of the Defence Acquisition Council

The DAC's primary role is to:

• Accord approval for AoN (Acceptance of Necessity) for Capital Acquisition Proposals.
• Categorise the acquisition proposals into 'Buy, Buy & Make, & Make'.
• In-principle approval of 15-Year Long-Term Integrated Perspective Plan (LTPP) for Defence Forces.
• Delegate powers to Services/C&AS for the acquisition of items up to a certain value.
• Consider and approve other issues as may be referred to it by the Defence Minister.

Functions of the Defence Acquisition Council

The DAC's primary functions are to:

• Approve capital acquisitions for the Indian Armed Forces.
• Formulate and implement policies and procedures for defence acquisitions.
• Monitor the progress of defence acquisitions.
• Oversee the implementation of the Defence Procurement Procedure (DPP).

Reasons for the creation of the Defence Acquisitions Council 

The DAC was created to address the following shortcomings of the previous defence acquisition system:

• Lack of a clear and transparent decision-making process.
• Delays in the procurement of defence equipment.
• Escalation of costs.
• Lack of coordination between different agencies involved in the procurement process.

3. About Defence acquisition

Defence acquisition is the process of acquiring goods and services for the Indian Armed Forces. It is a complex and time-consuming process that involves the identification of requirements, the preparation of specifications, the selection of vendors, the negotiation of contracts, and the delivery of equipment. The Indian defence acquisition process is governed by the Defence Procurement Procedure (DPP), which is a set of guidelines that outlines the process for acquiring defence equipment.

The key stages of the defence acquisition process:

•  The first step is to identify the requirements of the Armed Forces. This is done through a detailed assessment of the operational needs of the Armed Forces and the availability of resources.
• Once the requirements have been identified, the next step is to prepare the specifications for the equipment to be acquired. The specifications must be clear, detailed, and unambiguous so that the vendors can understand what is required.
• The next step is to select the vendors who will be invited to participate in the bidding process. The vendors are selected based on their technical ability, financial strength, and experience.
• Once the vendors have been selected, the next step is to negotiate the contracts. The contracts must be fair and reasonable, and they must protect the interests of the government.
• The final step is to deliver the equipment to the Armed Forces. Once the equipment has been delivered, it must be tested and accepted by the Armed Forces.

4. The Defence Procurement Procedure (DPP)

The Defence Procurement Procedure (DPP) is the guideline for defence acquisitions in India. The DPP was first introduced in 2006 and has been revised several times since then. The DPP outlines the process for defence acquisitions, from the identification of a requirement to the final acceptance of a product.

The DPP is designed to ensure that defence acquisitions are conducted in a transparent, efficient, and cost-effective manner. The DPP also seeks to promote indigenous defence production and to maximize the involvement of Indian companies in the defence sector.

Key features of the DPP

• The DPP emphasizes the need for transparency in all stages of the defence acquisition process. This includes publishing all relevant documents online and making them available to the public.
• The DPP aims to streamline the defence acquisition process and reduce delays. This includes simplifying the tendering process and reducing the number of approvals required.
• The DPP seeks to ensure that defence acquisitions are conducted cost-effectively. This includes negotiating the best possible price for goods and services and promoting indigenous defence production.
• The DPP promotes indigenous defence production by giving preference to Indian companies in the tendering process. The DPP also provides incentives for Indian companies to invest in research and development.
• The DPP seeks to maximize the involvement of Indian companies in the defence sector. This includes encouraging Indian companies to form joint ventures with foreign companies.

5. The Way Forward

The DAC and the DPP play a vital role in ensuring that the Indian Armed Forces are equipped with the latest and best possible weapons and equipment. The DAC and the DPP are also important for promoting indigenous defence production and for maximizing the involvement of Indian companies in the defence sector.

 

For Prelims: Defence Acquisition Council, Defence Procurement Procedure, Light Combat Aircraft, Tejas Mk 1 A and 156, Light Combat Helicopters, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, Kargil war For Mains:  1. Critically analyze the role of the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) in streamlining and expediting defence acquisitions in India. (250 Words)

 

Previous Year Questions   1. The Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) designed and developed by HAL is also known as (MP Police Constable 2017) A. Suryakiran        B. Aryabhatta      C. Tejas         D. Prakash     2. Which of the following statements is true about the recent procurement of Tejas fighter’s aircraft by IAF? (IB ACIO Grade II 2021)  (1) The IAF has recently purchased 83 Tejas fighters aircraft from HAL (2) The total deal is Rs. 78,000-crore A. 1 only         B. Neither 1 nor 2         C.  Both 1 and 2      D. 2 only     3. What is the name of India's indigenously built Light Combat Helicopter? (OSSC BSSO  2022)  A. Nag         B. Trishul         C. Prachand          D. Agni     4. The headquarters of the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited is located at _______________. (MP Police Constable 2017)  A. Chennai        B. Bengaluru        C.  Dewas     D. Koraput     5. What was Kargil war otherwise known as? (MP Patwari  2017)  A. Operation Vijay       B. Operation Vishwas   C. Operation Shaurya   D. Operation Paramveer   Answers:1-C, 2-A, 3-C, 4-B 5-A   Mains 1. Analyze the circumstances that led to the Tashkent Agreement in 1966. Discuss the highlights of the Agreement. (UPSC 2013)

 

Source: The Indian Express