The ONOS scheme aims to streamline the fragmented approach to journal access across government higher education institutions (HEIs). Under this initiative, state and central government HEIs will have unified access to a vast collection of journals through a single platform, set to launch on January 1, 2025.
This platform will feature 13,000 journals from 30 international publishers, including Elsevier Science Direct (with Lancet), Springer Nature, Wiley Blackwell Publishing, Taylor & Francis, IEEE, Sage Publishing, American Chemical Society, and American Mathematical Society. Institutions need only register on the platform to access the resources. INFLIBNET has been designated to oversee the implementation of the scheme. The central government has negotiated subscription rates with the publishers and allocated ₹6,000 crore for the initiative, covering three years (2025–2027).
The ONOS scheme is supported by four key objectives:
-
Enhanced Accessibility: It will provide access to leading scholarly journals for approximately 55 lakh to 1.8 crore students, faculty, and researchers from nearly 6,300 government universities, colleges, research institutions, and Institutions of National Importance (INIs), including those in smaller cities and towns.
-
Cost Efficiency: By eliminating redundant subscriptions across various library consortia and individual HEIs, the scheme will significantly reduce unnecessary expenditures.
-
Improved Negotiation Power: A centralized subscription model enhances bargaining strength with publishers. For instance, sustained negotiations over two years reduced the initial subscription cost from ₹4,000 crore annually to ₹1,800 crore for 13,000 journals.
-
Data-Driven Planning: The Centre will gain insights into journal usage within the government HEI ecosystem. This data will support long-term planning and encourage underutilizing institutions to make the most of the platform, thereby maximizing its value for educators, students, and researchers
- This initiative stems from the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which highlights the critical role of research in advancing education and driving national progress.
- The NEP 2020 emphasizes that for India to emerge as a global leader in diverse fields and fully harness its vast talent pool, it must significantly enhance its research capabilities and outputs across various disciplines.
- The policy advocated for the creation of a National Research Foundation (NRF) to provide funding, support, and mentorship for research and development (R&D) while fostering a culture of innovation within the higher education landscape.
- In 2022, the central government advanced this vision by forming a core committee of secretaries, led by the Principal Scientific Advisor, to guide its implementation.
- This committee established a cost negotiation panel to engage with journal publishers for the ONOS initiative. Earlier this year, the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF) was officially launched to further these objectives
- The ONOS scheme aims to unify the fragmented system of journal access for government higher education institutions (HEIs). This initiative will provide a single platform for state and central government HEIs to access thousands of journals, with the platform set to launch on January 1, 2025.
- The platform will feature 13,000 journals from 30 international publishers, including Elsevier Science Direct (with Lancet), Springer Nature, Wiley Blackwell Publishing, Taylor & Francis, IEEE, Sage Publishing, the American Chemical Society, and the American Mathematical Society. Institutions will simply need to register to gain access to these resources.
- The INFLIBNET Centre has been tasked with implementing the scheme. To support this initiative, the central government has secured subscription agreements with the publishers and allocated ₹6,000 crore for the years 2025, 2026, and 2027
|
For Prelims: National Educational Policy (NEP), One Nation One Election , One Nation One Subscription (ONOS)
For Mains: Significance of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 in promoting research and innovation
|
INTERNATIONAL SOLAR ALLIANCE (ISA)
- The International Solar Alliance (ISA) is an initiative led by India and France, launched during the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP21) in Paris in 2015.
- It aims to promote the use of solar energy globally, especially in solar-rich countries lying fully or partially between the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn. However, membership is now open to all UN member countries
- India, as a founding member, uses ISA as a platform to advance its renewable energy targets, including the ambitious goal of achieving 500 GW of renewable capacity by 2030.
- The ISA complements India's domestic initiatives, like the National Solar Mission
- In 2021, the United States joined the ISA, signaling global support for solar energy adoption.
- The One Sun, One World, One Grid (OSOWOG) initiative, also led by India, aligns with ISA’s objectives by advocating for a transnational solar grid that connects renewable energy sources globally.
-
The ISA was intended to act as a catalyst, helping countries tackle challenges like financial, technological, and regulatory barriers to adopt solar energy effectively.
-
Despite significant advancements in solar energy deployment, ISA has had limited success in facilitating a large number of projects. Over the past five years, global solar power capacity has grown by over 20% annually, with a more than 30% increase reported last year, as indicated by ISA’s World Solar Market Report 2024.
-
Ajay Mathur, director general of ISA, noted that most of these new installations are concentrated in a few countries, with China leading the way. Of the 345 GW of solar capacity added in 2023, China alone contributed over 216 GW, representing more than 62% of the total.
-
More than 80% of global solar energy investments go to developed countries, China, and major emerging markets like India.
-
Many countries lack experience with large-scale energy projects, especially in solar, which is a relatively new technology. Local developers are often absent, meaning international companies are needed for investment. However, these investors typically look for policy stability and well-defined regulatory frameworks.
-
ISA has partnered with governments and local organizations to help establish regulatory frameworks, prepare power purchase agreements, and train local professionals
| India’s dedication to renewable energy and climate action was fundamental to the establishment of the ISA. With a goal of reaching 500 GW of non-fossil fuel energy by 2030, India’s renewable energy targets align with the ISA’s mission to promote solar energy worldwide. This target is part of India’s broader Panchamrit Initiative, which focuses on reducing carbon emissions and advancing sustainable development. Additionally, India is instrumental in shaping ISA’s programs and promoting global cooperation. Its extensive experience in scaling solar energy projects and developing supportive policies serves as a model for other member nations, particularly those aiming to expand energy access. By sharing best practices and technical knowledge, India seeks to support other countries in advancing their solar energy initiatives. |
- Solar energy plays a pivotal role in the global shift to renewable energy, which is essential for addressing climate change. It is the fastest-growing renewable source, though it does face the challenge of intermittency.
-
In many parts of the world, solar is now the most cost-effective energy source when sunlight is available. Projections for solar energy capacity show it could expand by 3 to 15 times by 2050, depending on the pathway chosen to reach global net-zero emissions.
-
China leads in solar PV installations, accounting for about 43% of the world's total. The top ten markets together hold over 95% of installed capacity, while less than 2% of new solar installations are in Africa—a region where nearly 80% of the 745 million people without electricity reside.
-
The ISA was founded with a broader strategic vision for India, aiming to enhance its influence, especially among the Global South, with a particular focus on African nations
- The International Solar Alliance (ISA) seeks to mobilize $1 trillion in solar investments by 2030 through its 'Towards 1000' strategy, which aims to lower both technology and financing costs.
- This ambitious plan targets energy access for 1 billion people and the installation of 1,000 GW of solar capacity. Achieving these objectives would reduce global carbon emissions by approximately 1,000 million tonnes of COâ‚‚ per year.
- ISA’s programs focus on three core areas—Analytics & Advocacy, Capacity Building, and Programmatic Support—to establish a supportive environment for solar investments and share best practices among member nations.
- ISA also drives solar adoption across sectors such as agriculture, healthcare, transportation, and power generation. By promoting policies and facilitating the exchange of successful strategies, ISA enables member countries to encourage solar energy deployment.
- The alliance has introduced innovative business models, supported governments in developing solar-friendly policies via its Ease of Doing Solar analytics, and pooled demand to reduce costs of solar technologies.
- Additionally, ISA enhances financing access by lowering investment risks, making the solar sector more attractive to private investors and paving the way toward a sustainable energy future.
- India's solar sector is growing rapidly, placing the country fifth globally in terms of solar power capacity. As of September 2024, India’s installed solar capacity has reached around 90.76 GW, a 30-fold increase over the last nine years. According to the National Institute of Solar Energy, the country’s solar potential is estimated at 748 GW.
- India’s Panchamrit targets include: (i) achieving 500 GW of non-fossil fuel energy capacity by 2030, (ii) sourcing 50% of its energy from renewables by 2030, (iii) reducing projected carbon emissions by one billion tonnes by 2030, (iv) cutting carbon intensity by 45% by 2030, and (v) reaching Net Zero by 2070.
- India has made significant progress, with its non-fossil fuel capacity increasing by 396% over the past 8.5 years, and 46.3% of its total energy capacity now comes from non-fossil sources, underscoring its dedication to sustainable energy as highlighted in international climate forums.
- Government policies, including the 100% FDI allowance in renewable energy projects, have enhanced the sector's appeal to investors. Additionally, technological advancements and a strong regulatory framework are creating an enabling environment for the continued expansion of solar energy projects
The International Solar Alliance (ISA) represents a pivotal shift towards a sustainable energy future, with India at the forefront of this initiative. The ISA’s mission extends beyond improving energy access and security to making substantial global carbon emissions reductions. The upcoming assembly offers an essential platform for nations to collaborate and emphasize the urgent need to accelerate solar energy adoption.
As more countries align with ISA’s mission, solar energy is positioned to play a central role in the global energy landscape. The ISA’s efforts, coupled with India’s strong commitment to solar advancement, pave the way for a cleaner, more sustainable world for future generations. Through international cooperation and innovative approaches, the ISA is well-positioned to contribute meaningfully to global climate objectives and universal energy access
|
For Prelims: General issues on Environmental ecology, Bio-diversity & climate change For Mains: GS-III: Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment. |
|
Previous Year Questions
1.Consider the following statements: (2016)
Which of the statements given above is/are correct? (a) 1 only Answer (a)
|
NO CONFIDENCE MOTION
1. Context
2. No confidence motion
- A no-confidence motion, also known as a motion of no confidence or a vote of no confidence, is a significant parliamentary mechanism used in democratic systems to express the legislature's lack of confidence in the government or a specific member of the government.
- A no-confidence motion can be moved only in the Lok Sabha and by any member of the House.
- The member has to give a written notice of the motion before 10 am and at least 50 members have to accept the motion. The Speaker will then decide the date for the discussion of the motion.
- It serves as a crucial tool for holding elected officials accountable for their actions and decisions.
3. Initiating a No Confidence Motion
- The process of initiating a no-confidence motion typically begins with the opposition parties.
- They may present a formal proposal in the legislative chamber, backed by a specific number of lawmakers' signatures.
- In some cases, dissatisfied members from the ruling party might also initiate such a motion.
- The primary purpose is to ascertain whether the government or a particular minister still commands the majority support in the legislature.
4. Debate and Voting Process
- Once the no-confidence motion is tabled, a debate follows, during which lawmakers discuss the reasons for their lack of confidence in the government's performance.
- This debate allows the government to present its side and attempt to persuade lawmakers to vote in their favor.
- Following the debate, a vote is held, and if the motion garners a majority of votes against the government or minister, it is considered successful.
5. Impact on Governance
- A successful no-confidence motion carries significant consequences.
- In some parliamentary systems, it leads to the resignation of the government, triggering the dissolution of the parliament and necessitating new elections.
- Alternatively, the opposition parties may be invited to form a new government if they can demonstrate sufficient support.
6. Responsible Use and Political Stability:
- While the no-confidence motion is a powerful democratic tool, its frequent or frivolous use can create political instability and hinder effective governance.
- Therefore, lawmakers must exercise discretion, focusing on critical issues and genuine concerns.
- Responsible use of the no-confidence motion ensures that the government remains accountable to the people and that the country's stability is maintained.
7. Significance of No confidence motion
The no-confidence motion holds significant importance in a democratic system, and its significance lies in the following aspects:
- Government Accountability: The no-confidence motion serves as a powerful mechanism to hold the government accountable for its actions, decisions, and policies. It allows the legislature to express its lack of confidence in the government's performance, ensuring that the executive branch remains answerable to the elected representatives and the public.
- Checks and Balances: In a democratic setup, the separation of powers is vital to prevent the concentration of authority. The no-confidence motion is one of the key instruments that the legislature can employ to check the powers of the government. It helps maintain a system of checks and balances, ensuring that no single branch of government becomes too dominant.
- Democratic Oversight: The no-confidence motion reinforces the principle of democratic oversight. It enables the elected representatives to actively monitor the government's performance and initiate action if they believe the government is not living up to its mandate or is engaged in misconduct.
- Crisis Resolution: In times of political crises or governance failures, the no-confidence motion can be used as a means to address the situation. If the government is unable to provide effective leadership or address pressing issues, the legislature can signal its lack of confidence, prompting necessary changes in the government or leading to new elections.
- Encourages Responsible Governance: The possibility of facing a no-confidence motion encourages the government to govern responsibly and make decisions that are in the best interest of the people. It acts as a motivator for the government to deliver on its promises and avoid policies that may be unpopular with the majority.
- Promotes Public Debate: The no-confidence motion triggers debates and discussions in the legislature, providing a platform for lawmakers to express their views and concerns openly. This fosters a healthy democratic environment where different perspectives are heard and considered.
8. Previous instances of No-confidence motion
- Since Independence, 27 no-confidence motions have been moved in Lok Sabha.
- The first no-confidence motion was moved against Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru by Congress leader Acharya Kripalani in August 1963, immediately after losing to China in the 1962 war. The motion, however, was defeated.
- Indira Gandhi as Prime Minister faced the most number of no-confidence motions - 15. She survived each of the 15 floor tests. Former West Bengal CM Jyotirmoy Basu of the CPI(M) has moved four no-confidence motions.
- Narasimha Rao had to face three no-confidence motions, Morarji Desai two, and Jawaharlal Nehru, Rajiv Gandhi, Atal Bihari Vajpayee, and Narendra Modi have all faced one each.
- The last no-confidence motion was in 2003 when the then Congress President Sonia Gandhi moved the motion against Vajpayee.
- The duration of the longest debate on a no-confidence motion was 24.34 hours against Lal Bahadur Shastri, who has had to prove the majority of the House thrice.
- Most no-confidence motions have been defeated except in 1979 when Prime Minister Morarji Desai had to quit and in 1999 when the Vajpayee government lost power after their ally AIADMK pulled out of the coalition.
- In 2018, the Narendra Modi-led NDA government survived the no-confidence motion in the Lok Sabha by 195 votes. While 135 members supported the motion, 330 MPs rejected it.
|
For Prelims: No-confidence motion, Lok Sabha, Checks and Balances, Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA).
For Mains: 1. Discuss the concept of a "No Confidence Motion" in a parliamentary democracy. Explain its purpose and significance in holding the government accountable for its actions and decisions. (250 words).
|
Previous year Question1. Consider the following statements regarding a No-Confidence Motion in India: (UPSC 2014)
1. There is no mention of a No-Confidence Motion in the Constitution of India.
2. A Motion of No-Confidence can be introduced in the Lok Sabha only
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
Answer: C
|
WORLD TRADE ORGANISATION (WTO)
1. Context
2. What is WTO?
- The World Trade Organization is the only international organization that deals with the rules of trade between countries.
- The WTO officially commenced in 1995 under the Marrakesh Agreement signed by 124 nations, replacing the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT).
- Currently, it has 164 members and 23 observer governments (like Iran, Iraq, Bhutan, Libya, etc).
- According to its rules, all decisions are taken through consensus and any member can exercise a veto.
- It aims to promote free trade, which is done through trade agreements that are discussed and signed by the member states.
- The WTO also provides a forum for countries to negotiate trade rules and settle economic disputes between them.
3. What is WTO's Ministerial Conference?
- The Ministerial Conference is the WTO’s top decision-making body and usually meets every two years.
- All members of the WTO are involved in the Ministerial Conference and they can take decisions on all matters covered under any multilateral trade agreements.
- The WTO’s 12th Ministerial Conference was held in Geneva from 12-17 June.
- It was supposed to end on 15 June, but with intensifying negotiations, the conference was extended by two days.
4. Key takeaways from the meeting
4.1 Curtailing harmful fishing subsidies
- The WTO passed a multilateral agreement that would curb ‘harmful’ subsidies on illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing for the next four years, to better protect global fish stocks.
- Since 2001, member states have been negotiating the banning of subsidies that promote overfishing.
- The current agreement, which establishes new trading rules, is the second multilateral agreement in WTO history.
- India and other developing countries were able to win some concessions in this agreement.
4.2 Global food security
- Members agreed to a binding decision to exempt food purchased by the UN's World Food Programme (WFP) for humanitarian purposes, from any export restrictions.
- In light of the global food shortages and rising prices caused by the war between Ukraine and Russia, the group's members issued a declaration on the importance of trade in global food security and that they would avoid bans on food exports.
- However, countries would be allowed to restrict food supplies to ensure domestic food security needs.
- India's key demand to allow it to export food from its public stockholdings to other countries will reportedly be discussed in the next Ministerial Conference in 2023.
4.3 E-Commerce transactions
- Members agreed to continue the long-standing moratorium on customs duties on e-commerce transmissions.
- It will be continued until the subsequent Ministerial Conference or until March 31, 2024, depending on whichever comes first.
4.4 Covid-19 vaccine production
- WTO members agreed to temporarily waive intellectual property patents on Covid19 vaccines without the consent of the patent holder for 5 years so that they can more easily manufacture them domestically.
- The current agreement is a watered-down version of the original proposal made by India and South Africa in 2020.
- They had wanted broader intellectual property waivers on vaccines, treatments, and tests.
- Rich pharmaceutical companies had strongly opposed this, arguing that IPs do not restrict access to Covid vaccines and that the removal of patent protections gives researchers that quickly produced life-saving vaccines, a negative message.
- The waiver agreed upon by the WTO was criticized by advocacy groups for being narrow in scope, as it did not cover all medical tools like diagnostics and treatments.
5. Significance of the Recent Agreements
- The fisheries agreement is of immense significance as it is the first time that members agreed with environmental sustainability at its heart.
- It will also help in the protection of the livelihoods of the 260 million people who depend directly or indirectly on marine fisheries. It is only the second multilateral agreement on global trade rules struck in its 27-year history.
- Second, the exemption of WFP's food from tariffs is vital for promoting global food security, especially in light of the global food shortages and rising prices caused by the war between Ukraine and Russia.
- Third, the temporary waiver will contribute to ongoing efforts to concentrate and diversify vaccine manufacturing capacity so that a crisis in one region does not leave others cut off.
6. Issues surrounding WTO
6.1 The burden for Poor countries
- The WTO rules include many Non-trade subjects as well. The subjects like environment, labor standards, fossil fuel subsidies, plastic pollution, and transparency in government procurement have been brought into the fold of the WTO.
- This is expected to raise costs for the poor and developing countries and impact the competitiveness of their goods.
- For instance, a poor country exporting cotton shirts must first meet high environmental standards at home. This will only raise costs and cut exports from poor countries.
6.2 Trade wars
- The US administration imposed steep tariffs in January 2018 on China alleging IP violations.
- In December 2019 the US also blocked the appointment of new nominees to WTO’s appellate body. This has paralyzed the WTO as a judge and enforcer of global trade rules.
6.3 Lack of consensus
- The developed nations’ game plan is to put the old obligations on the back burner and push the WTO to form rules on new areas like e-commerce.
- It is an area where the US firms have a clear edge.
- Most WTO member countries want them to first deliver on the agreed issues like reduction in agriculture subsidies.
|
For Prelims: General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT), Marrakesh Agreement, World Trade Organisation (WTO), 12th Ministerial Conference of WTO, and UN's World Food Programme (WFP).
For Mains: 1. What have been the recent issue related to dispute settlement at WTO? Have the policies at WTO worked against the interest of emerging economies like India?(250 Words)
|
Previous year Questions1. In the context of which of the following do you sometimes find the terms 'amber box, blue box, and green box' in the news? (UPSC 2016)
A. WTO affairs
B. SAARC affairs
C. UNFCCC affairs
D. India-EU negotiations on FTA
Answer: A
2. In the context of the affairs which of the following is the phrase "Special Safeguard Mechanisms" mentioned in the news frequently? (UPSC 2010)
A. United Nations Environment Program
B. World Trade Organization Agreement
C. ASEAN-India Free Trade
D. G-20 Summits
Answer: B
3. Consider the following statements: (UPSC 2017)
1. India has ratified the Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA) of the WTO.
2. TFA is a part of WTO's Bali Ministerial Package of 2013.
3. TFA came into force in January 2016
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
A. 1 and 2 only
B. 1 and 3 only
C. 2 and 3 only
D. 1, 2 and 3
Answer: A
|
