PM SVANIDHI

1. Context

2. Why was this scheme rolled out?

• The COVID-19 pandemic and the nationwide lockdown left daily wage workers and street vendors out of work.
• The scheme aims at aiding the vendors in getting back on their feet financially.
• In the long term, it aims at establishing a credit score for the vendors as well as creating a digital record of their socio-economic status, so that they can avail of the central government schemes later.
• The scheme also attempts to formalize the informal sector of the economy and provide them with safety nets and a means of availing loans in the future.

3. Who is a street vendor?

• Any person engaged in vending of articles, goods, wares, food items, or merchandise of daily use or offering services to the public in a street, footpath, pavement, etc., from a temporary built-up structure or by moving from place to place.
• The goods supplied by them include vegetables, fruits, ready-to-eat street food, tea, pakodas, bread, eggs, textile, apparel, artisan products, books/stationary, etc. and the services include barber shops, cobblers, pan shops, laundry services, etc.

4. What is the rationale of the scheme?

• The COVID-19 pandemic and consequent lockdowns have adversely impacted the livelihoods of street vendors.
• They usually work with a small capital base, which they might have consumed during the lockdown.
• Therefore, credit for working capital to street vendors will be helpful to resume their livelihoods.

5. What are the objectives of the scheme?

• To incentivize regular repayment of loans; and 
• to reward digital transactions.

6. What are the salient features of the scheme?

• Initial working capital of up to 10,000/-
• Interest subsidy on timely/early repayment @ 7%.
• Monthly cash-back incentive on digital transactions
• Higher loan eligibility on timely repayment of the first loan

7. Eligibility criteria of the beneficiaries

• The Scheme is available to all street vendors engaged in vending in urban areas *. The eligible vendors will be identified as per the following criteria:
• Street vendors in possession of a Certificate of Vending / Identity Card issued by Urban Local Bodies (ULBs);
• The vendors, who have been identified in the survey but have not been issued a Certificate of Vending / Identity Card; a Provisional Certificate of Vending would be generated for such vendors through an IT-based Platform. ULBs are encouraged to issue such vendors the permanent Certificate of Vending and Identification Card immediately and positively within one month.
• Street vendors left out of the ULB-led identification survey or who have started vending after completion of the survey and have been issued a Letter of Recommendation (LoR) to that effect by the ULB/ Town Vending Committee (TVC); and 
• The vendors of surrounding development/peri-urban/ rural areas vending in the geographical limits of the ULBs have been issued a Letter of Recommendation (LoR) to that effect by the ULB/TVC.

• The list of vendors, prepared by certain States/ UTs, for providing one-time assistance during the period of lockdown; OR
• A system-generated request was sent to ULBs/ TVCs for the issue of LoR based on the recommendation of the Lender after verifying the credentials of the applicant; OR
• The membership details with the vendor's associations including the National Association of Street Vendors of India (NASVI)/ National Hawkers Federation (NHF)/ Self-Employed Women’s Association (SEWA) etc.; OR (iv) The documents in possession of the vendor buttressing his claim of vending; OR (v) Report of local inquiry conducted by ULB/ TVC involving Self-Help Groups (SHGs), Community-Based Organizations (CBOs), etc. ULB shall complete the verification and issuance of LoR within 15 days of the submission of the application. 
• Further, ULBs may adopt any other alternate way for identifying such vendors to ensure that all the eligible vendors are positively covered.
• vendors who have gone back to their native places due to COVID-19 Some of the identified/surveyed or other vendors who have been vending/hawking in urban areas have left for their native places before or during the lockdown period because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Such vendors are likely to come back after the situation normalizes and resume their business. 

7. Why is such a study needed?

• The scheme plans to extend the microcredit to over 50 lakh street vendors across India, which is the estimated number of hawkers as per various urban local bodies.
• But, going beyond the mandate of this scheme, the government wants to use the data for comprehensive poverty alleviation.
• However, there is hardly any comprehensive structured data on the socio-economic profile of street vendors and the street vending economy in India, even in government surveys like the National Sample Survey Organisation (NSSO) and the Economic Survey.
• The NSSO, for instance, has defined street vendors through a category of “enterprises without fixed premises” among “Unincorporated Non-Agricultural Enterprises (excluding construction)”, in its 67-68th round report published in 2011- 12. 
• The NSSO data estimated that around 200,000 women and 21,500 children were engaged in street vending. Around 1.18 million households were dependent on this sector as their primary source of income, according to a paper by the think-tank Observer Research Foundation.
• Non-governmental organizations and research by scholars have attempted to put together this kind of data several times in the past in bits and pieces.

8. Will this scheme actually work towards poverty alleviation?

• Becoming formal beneficiaries of various government schemes works as a big step towards entering the policy intervention network.
• Officials say it also helps in financial mainstreaming in the long run.
• For example, several banks, bereft of the prior experience of extending loans as little as Rs. 10,000 to someone like a street vendor, are following processes like checking the CIBIL score for the street vendor and seeking PAN card and IT-return, etc.
• While these cases are dealt with as hurdles on the ground, it is a fact that street vendors hardly have creditworthiness in the eyes of India's formal banking system.
• Therefore, the PMSVANidhi is incentivizing digital transactions by street vendors. They will soon be given QR codes to receive payments through the government’s BHIM UPI app.
• They are given cash back for digital transactions too. The idea is that with a trail of digital transactions against their names, they will create a formal transaction history in banks and will slowly build their creditworthiness for the future. 

For Prelims: PM Street Vendor’s AtmaNirbhar Nidhi (PM SVANidhi) scheme, Urban Local Bodies (ULBs), National Association of Street Vendors of India (NASVI)/ National Hawkers Federation (NHF)/ Self-Employed Women’s Association (SEWA), Self-Help Groups (SHGs),  Letter of Recommendation (LoR), National Sample Survey Organisation (NSSO) and BHIM UPI. For Mains:1. What is the PM SVANidhi scheme and explain the rationale of the scheme. Discuss how it will help in the alleviation of poverty(250 words).

Source: The Indian Express

 

 

INDIA-JAPAN RELATIONS

 

 

1.Context

 

As Prime Minister Narendra Modi heads to Japan on August 29-30, the two sides are expected to upgrade the 2008 Joint Declaration on Security Cooperation, launch an economic security initiative on semiconductors, Artificial Intelligence and critical minerals, and increase the investments’ target to 7-10 trillion Yen

2. Historical Background

• Exchange between Japan and India is said to have begun in the 6th century when Buddhism was introduced to Japan. Indian culture, filtered through Buddhism, has had a great impact on Japanese culture, and this is the source of the Japanese people's sense of closeness to India.
• After World War II, in 1949, Indian Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru donated an Indian elephant to the Ueno Zoo in Tokyo. This brought a ray of light into the lives of the Japanese people who still had not recovered from defeat in the war. Japan and India signed a peace treaty and established diplomatic relations on 28th April 1952. This treaty was one of the first peace treaties Japan signed after World War II.
• Ever since the establishment of diplomatic relations, the two countries have enjoyed cordial relations. 
• In the post-World War II period, India's iron ore helped a great deal in Japan's recovery from the devastation. 

3. Bilateral relations

• India and Japan are committed to working together to promote peace, stability and prosperity, through economic growth and development in the Indo-Pacific, including Africa, by enhancing connectivity through quality infrastructure and capacity building of our partners. 
• Both countries are of firm belief that all development cooperation must be carried out in an open, transparent and non-exclusive manner and based on international standards including respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity of nations, responsible debt financing practices, and in alignment with local economic and development strategies and priorities.
• While Japan has been one of the biggest sources of investment flows into India, accounting for $28.16 billion in FDI between April 2000 and June 2018, trade engagements have been below potential. On the list of countries that India exports to, Japan is a lowly 18th; on the list of countries importing into India, Japan ranks 12th.
• Both India and Japan believe that their development cooperation in the Indo-Pacific can contribute to unlocking the potential for an equitable, positive and forward-looking change in the region, and contribute to the socio-economic development of Africa.

4. The partnership in the economic domain

• Cooperation on the development of connectivity in the Indo-Pacific region, including in Sri Lanka, Myanmar and Bangladesh as well as in Africa.
• In this regard, the two Prime Ministers welcomed the discussions for establishing the "Platform for Japan-India Business Cooperation in Asia-Africa Region” to further enhance the exchanges between Japanese and Indian businesses toward developing industrial corridors and industrial networks in the region.
• India-Japan Act East Forum identifies and implements projects for enhancing connectivity, sustainable forest and ecological management, disaster risk reduction and people-to-people exchanges. They also highlighted the importance of developing smart islands in India.
• Mumbai-Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail project, which is an important symbol of India-Japan collaboration marked by the 75th anniversary of India’s independence. 
• Japan’s role in promoting connectivity through quality infrastructure projects such as the Western Dedicated Freight Corridor and the Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor is immense 
• India welcomed Japan’s strong support for key transformational initiatives such as "Make in India”, "Skill India” and "Clean India Mission”, through sharing of resources and advanced technologies, and active mobilization of the Japanese public and private sector investments. 
• Both countries recognise the close cooperation in Intellectual Property Rights between the Intellectual Property Offices of the two countries
• Japan’s Foreign Direct Investment in India under the "India-Japan Investment Promotion Partnership”, the progress made in Japan Industrial Townships (JIT) and other initiatives included in the Japan-India Roadmap for Investment Promotion. 
• Bilateral Swap Arrangement (BSA) of USD 75 billion about External Commercial Borrowing (ECB), no mandatory hedging will be required for infrastructure ECB of more than 5 years minimum average maturity.
• Japan-India Institutes for Manufacturing (Jims) as well as the Japanese Endowed Courses (JEC) in various Indian states. 
• Cooperation in human resource development and exchanges, including through utilizing frameworks such as Japan’s "Innovative Asia” initiative, and the Technical Intern Training Program (TITP) will be further promoted, aligning with the emerging demands of the industry.
• India-Japan Digital Partnership with the vision to develop IoT and AI solutions for societal benefits and explore collaboration in emerging technologies by utilizing the "Japan-India Start-Up Hub” having a convergence between India’s flagship programmes such as "Digital India”, "Start-Up India” and "Smart City” with Japan’s "Society 5.0” to promote societal benefits. 
• People-to-people exchanges are at the core of the India-Japan partnership and noted with satisfaction the growing cultural, educational, parliamentary, academic and Track 1.5 engagements, including the "Indo-Pacific Forum”. 

 

5. Challenges in India-Japan Relations

• India’s exports to Japan in FY20 were lower than in FY18 in overall value.
• India and Japan have come a long way in their economic cooperation which is appreciable but India needs to take a vital stand as China-Japan economic ties are 30 times more than that of India
• India's access to the Japanese market is limited as India is struggling with various sanitary and phytosanitary measures.
• Exchanges associated with defence equipment are barely seen between the two democracies.
• Though there are common interests in tackling china but common measures associated to replace china are barely seen.
• Concerns regarding China’s intentions in the Indo-Pacific region have led to strengthening bilateral cooperation, but none wish to threaten China with the developing partnership. 

 

6. Need of the Hour

• While the huge economic opportunity in India draws attention from across the world there is a need to attract Japanese companies to invest in India.
• India can aid as a competitive replacement for china.
• Issues of India’s insistence on data localisation and reluctance to accede to global cybersecurity agreements such as the Budapest Convention needs to be discussed.
• Defense ties need to be made for a more dynamic exchange of defence equipment and technologies.
• India-Japan summit should reaffirm Japan’s support for key manufacturing initiatives such as ‘Make in India’ and the Japan Industrial Townships.

 

For Prelims: Current events of national and international importance For Mains: GS II - International relations

 

 

Source: Indianexpress

 

MONEY BILL

 

 

1. Context

 

The Supreme Court Constitution bench hearing the reference made by President Droupadi Murmu said Tuesday that the Centre’s argument that the Governor can withhold a Bill at the very outset and that the Bill would then lapse, would mean that they can also withhold Money Bills, which cannot be done in the normal course.

 

2. Article 110 of the Constitution deals with what?

Article 110 of the Constitution of India pertains to the definition and procedure of passing a Money Bill in the Parliament. According to this article, a Money Bill exclusively contains provisions dealing with all or any of the following matters:

1. The imposition, abolition, remission, alteration, or regulation of any tax.
2. The regulation of the borrowing of money by the Government of India, including the giving of any guarantee by the Indian government for the purpose of securing a loan or the repayment of any money borrowed by it.
3. The custody of the consolidated Fund or the Contingency Fund of India, the payment of moneys into or the withdrawal of moneys from any such Fund.
4. The appropriation of moneys out of the consolidated Fund of India.
5. The declaring of any expenditure to be expenditure charged on the Consolidated Fund of India or the increasing of the amount of any such expenditure.
6. The receipt of money on account of the Consolidated Fund of India or the public account of India or the custody or issue of such money or the audit of the accounts of the Union or of a State.

A Money Bill can only be introduced in the Lok Sabha (House of the People), and it cannot be introduced in the Rajya Sabha (Council of States). The Rajya Sabha can only make recommendations on a Money Bill, and the Lok Sabha can either accept or reject these recommendations. The Rajya Sabha cannot amend a Money Bill, and if it is not returned by the Rajya Sabha within 14 days, it is deemed to have been passed by both houses

3.Who decides if a bill is Money Bill or not?

 

The decision regarding whether a bill is a Money Bill or not rests with the Speaker of the Lok Sabha (House of the People) in the Indian parliamentary system. As per Article 110 of the Indian Constitution, the Speaker is responsible for certifying whether a bill is a Money Bill or not.

Here is the process involved:

• Introduction in Lok Sabha: A bill is introduced in either the Lok Sabha or the Rajya Sabha. If it is introduced in the Lok Sabha and the Speaker is of the opinion that it exclusively deals with matters listed in Article 110, it may be certified as a Money Bill.

• Certification by the Speaker: The Speaker examines the provisions of the bill and determines whether it falls within the definition of a Money Bill as specified in Article 110. If the Speaker certifies it as a Money Bill, the bill is deemed to be so.

• Presentation to Rajya Sabha: After the Speaker's certification, the Money Bill is sent to the Rajya Sabha for its recommendations. However, the Rajya Sabha's powers regarding a Money Bill are limited. It can only make recommendations, and the Lok Sabha is not bound to accept them.

• President's Assent: Once the Lok Sabha passes the Money Bill, it is sent to the President for assent. The President's role is mostly formal, and the President cannot withhold assent to a Money Bill. If the President gives assent, the Money Bill becomes law

4.Key difference between a money Bill and an ordinary Bill

 

Subject	Money Bill	Ordinary Bill
Initiation	Can only be introduced in Lok Sabha (LS).	Can be introduced in either Lok Sabha or Rajya Sabha.
Certification	Requires certification by the Speaker of LS.	Does not require certification by the Speaker.
Scope	Deals exclusively with financial matters listed in Article 110.	Covers a wide range of subjects, including non-financial matters.
Role of Rajya Sabha	Rajya Sabha can only make recommendations, no power to reject or amend.	Rajya Sabha has the power to suggest amendments and can reject the bill.
Timeframe for Rajya Sabha	Rajya Sabha must return it within 14 days; otherwise, it is deemed passed.	Rajya Sabha has the usual time for discussion, amendments, and decision.
President's Assent	President cannot withhold assent; mandatory approval.	President can use discretionary powers, and assent is not mandatory.
Usage and Importance	Primarily deals with financial matters like taxation and government spending.	Encompasses a wide range of legislative subjects, both financial and non-financial.
Examples	Budget-related bills, finance bills, appropriation bills.	Social, economic, or legislative reforms, not necessarily tied to financial matters.

 

5. What is Finance bill?

 

A Finance Bill is a type of legislation presented in a country's parliament that outlines the government's proposals related to taxation, government spending, and other financial matters for a specific fiscal year. The primary purpose of a Finance Bill is to give legal effect to the fiscal policies announced by the government in the annual budget.

Key features of a Finance Bill include:

• Taxation Proposals: The Finance Bill contains provisions related to changes in taxes, duties, and levies. It may introduce new taxes, amend existing tax rates, or provide exemptions.

• Appropriation of Funds: The bill includes details about the allocation and appropriation of funds for various government expenditures. It outlines how the government plans to collect and spend money during the fiscal year.

• Government Spending: The Finance Bill specifies the government's planned expenditures across different sectors, such as education, healthcare, defense, infrastructure, and more.

• Economic Policies: It may contain measures to stimulate economic growth, control inflation, or address other macroeconomic concerns.

• Implementation of Budget Proposals: The Finance Bill is presented in conjunction with the annual budget, and it seeks to implement the financial proposals outlined in the budget speech delivered by the Finance Minister.

• Parliamentary Approval: In many parliamentary systems, the Finance Bill must be approved by the legislature to become law. It goes through the normal legislative process, including debates, committee scrutiny, and voting.

In some countries, including India, a specific type of Finance Bill is known as the "Money Bill." A Money Bill exclusively deals with matters specified in the constitution, such as taxation, borrowing, and expenditure from the consolidated fund. Money Bills have special procedures for introduction and passage, and they require certification by the Speaker of the lower house (e.g., Lok Sabha in India)

 

For Prelims: Money Bill, Financial Bill, Aadhaar Act, Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha, Finance Act, Supreme Court,  For Mains:  1. What are the constitutional safeguards in place to prevent misuse of the Money Bill? Critically assess the mechanisms to ensure that only appropriate bills are categorized as Money Bills. (250 Words)

 

 

Previous Year Questions   1. Regarding Money Bill, which of the following statements is not correct? (UPSC 2018) 1.  A bill shall be deemed to be a money Bill if it contains only provisions relating to imposition, abolition, remission, alteration or regulation of any tax. 2. A Money Bill has provisions for the custody of the Consolidated Fund of India or the Contingency Fund of India. 3. A Money Bill is concerned with the appropriation of money out of the Contingency Fund of India. 4. A Money Bill deals with the regulation of borrowing of money or giving of any guarantee by the Government of India.   Answer: 3   2. Consider the following statements: (UPSC 2018)  1. Aadhaar card can be used as a proof of citizenship or domicile. 2. Once issued, the Aadhaar number cannot be deactivated or omitted by the Issuing Authority. 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: D   3. Consider the following statements: (UPSC 2015) 1. The Rajya Sabha has no power either to reject or to amend a Money Bill. 2. The Rajya Sabha cannot vote on the Demands for Grants. 3. The Rajya Sabha cannot discuss the Annual Financial Statement. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?  A. 1 only           B. 1 and 2 only        C. 2 and 3 only              D. 1, 2 and 3   Answer: B   4. With reference to the Indian judiciary, consider the following statements: (UPSC 2021) 1. Any retired judge of the Supreme Court of India can be called back to sit and act as a Supreme Court judge by the Chief Justice of India with the prior permission of the President of India. 2. A High Court in India has the power to review its own judgement as the Supreme Court does. 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

Source: Indianexpress

 

INDIA-US 2+2 MINISTERIAL DIALOGUE

 

1. Context

 

Amid the strain in ties over New Delhi’s import of Russian oil, and even as the United States has issued a notification to implement the penalty tariffs on India effective from Wednesday, the two countries discussed energy security and increasing defence cooperation under the India-US 2+2 Dialogue framework. 

 

2. What is 2+2 Ministerial dialogue?

• The annual 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue, initiated in 2018, serves as a diplomatic summit aiming to address shared concerns and bolster the relationship between India and the United States.
• This forum facilitates collaboration between key representatives, including India's Minister of External Affairs and Defence Minister, alongside their American counterparts, the Secretary of State and Secretary of Defense, to foster stronger ties between the two nations.
• India engages in 2+2 dialogues with four significant strategic allies: the United States, Australia, Japan, and Russia, all of which are partners in the Quad. The discussions within these dialogues encompass a range of political and defence matters of shared interest.
• For instance, in the fourth annual U.S.-India 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue, the agenda included discussions on arms control and international security, civilian security, democracy, and human rights, as well as topics related to economic growth, energy, environment, food security, clean energy, waste management, and infrastructure

3.Significance of 2+2 Ministerial dialogue

• The annual 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue serves as a diplomatic event convening the foreign and defense ministers of two nations.
• Its primary objective is to address shared concerns and fortify the relationship between the participating countries.
• This platform facilitates high-level discussions on crucial bilateral and global issues, with a particular emphasis on developments in the Indo-Pacific region.
• Through the dialogue, the partners gain a deeper understanding of each other's strategic concerns, considering political factors on both sides.
• Remarkable progress in defense relations has resulted from the dialogue, including the establishment of a new tri-service military exercise, the deployment of liaison officers in regional commands, and the reduction of U.S. export barriers for military technologies.
• Furthermore, the dialogue has contributed to various outcomes, such as ongoing close consultations on the crisis in Ukraine, including humanitarian assistance efforts.
• It has also seen joint support for an independent investigation into the violence against civilians, along with the acknowledgment of significant events like the inaugural virtual Quad Leaders' Summit in March 2021, the in-person Quad Leaders' Summit in September 2021 in Washington, and the Quad Foreign Ministers' meeting in Melbourne in February 2022. The engagement has been strengthened on shared priorities, including food security, clean energy, waste management, and infrastructure

4. History of 2+2 Ministerial dialogue

The 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue has become a significant diplomatic mechanism for several countries, bringing together their foreign and defense ministers to discuss strategic and security-related issues. While specific details may have evolved since then, here is a general overview of the history of the 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue:

India-U.S. 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue (Initiated in 2018):

• • The concept of a 2+2 dialogue involving the foreign and defense ministers of India and the United States was formalized in 2018.
  • The inaugural U.S.-India 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue took place in September 2018 in New Delhi, India.
  • The dialogue aimed to enhance diplomatic and defense cooperation between the two countries, covering a range of issues from regional security to defense trade.

Japan-U.S. 2+2 Ministerial (Ongoing):

• • The Japan-U.S. 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue involves the foreign and defense ministers of Japan and the United States.
  • This format is designed to strengthen the strategic alliance between Japan and the U.S., addressing regional security challenges and fostering defense collaboration.

Australia-U.S. 2+2 Ministerial (Ongoing):

• • Australia and the United States hold a 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue involving their foreign and defense ministers.
  • The discussions typically encompass a wide range of issues, including defense cooperation, regional security, and shared strategic interests.

India-Japan 2+2 Ministerial (Ongoing):

• • Apart from the India-U.S. dialogue, India also engages in a 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue with Japan, involving their foreign and defense ministers.
  • This platform allows both countries to discuss bilateral and regional security matters, promoting closer diplomatic and defense ties.

India-Australia 2+2 Ministerial (Ongoing):

• • Similar to its engagements with the U.S. and Japan, India also conducts a 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue with Australia.
  • The dialogue aims to strengthen the strategic partnership, addressing common concerns and fostering cooperation in various domains.

5. COMCOSA Pact

COMCASA (Communications Compatibility and Security Agreement) is an agreement between the United States and other countries, primarily aimed at enhancing defense and security cooperation. The agreement focuses on enabling secure and interoperable communication systems between the armed forces of the participating nations. Please note that developments might have occurred since my last update.

Key points about the COMCASA Pact:

Purpose:

• • The primary purpose of COMCASA is to facilitate secure communication and data sharing between the armed forces of the participating countries, particularly in the context of joint military exercises, operations, and interoperability.

Interoperability:

• • COMCASA aims to enhance interoperability by ensuring that the communication systems of the signatory nations can work seamlessly with each other. This is crucial for effective coordination during joint military activities.

Secure Communication:

• • The agreement includes provisions for secure communication systems to protect sensitive information and ensure that the communication channels are not vulnerable to unauthorized access or interference.

Technological Integration:

• • COMCASA involves the integration of specific technologies and communication equipment to meet the agreed-upon standards, allowing for the secure exchange of military information.

India-U.S. COMCASA Agreement:

• • India and the United States signed the COMCASA agreement in September 2018. This agreement marked a significant step in the defense and strategic partnership between the two countries.

Implications for India:

• • For India, the COMCASA agreement with the U.S. has implications for its defense capabilities and interoperability with U.S. military systems. It allows India to access advanced communication technology and equipment, fostering closer collaboration between the two nations' armed forces.

6.Way forward

The 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue is a diplomatic summit that has been held every year since 2018. The dialogue initially involved the Minister of External Affairs or Foreign Minister, and Defence Minister of India with the Secretary of State and Secretary of Defense of the United State

 

 

Previous Year Questions   1.What is the significance of Indo-US defence deals over Indo-Russian defence deals? Discuss with reference to stability in the Indo-Pacific region. (UPSC CSE 2020) 2.‘What introduces friction into the ties between India and the United States is that Washington is still unable to find for India a position in its global strategy, which would satisfy India’s National self-esteem and ambitions’. Explain with suitable examples. UPSC CSE 2019)

Source: The Hindu

 

INTEGRATED AIR DROP TEST (IADT-1)

 

 

 

1. Context

 

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) successfully carried out its first Integrated Air Drop Test (IADT-1) on Sunday to evaluate the parachute-based deceleration system for the upcoming Gaganyaan mission. The system is critical for ensuring safe recovery of the crew module — the capsule in which astronauts sit during a human flight — during re-entry and landing.

 

2. What is Integrated Air Drop Test (IADT-1)?

 

• The Integrated Air Drop Test (IADT) is meant to assess the parachute-based braking system that ensures the Gaganyaan crew module lands safely after reentry. In the first trial, IADT-1, the parachutes were expected to open in a fixed sequence once the module was dropped from nearly 3 km altitude.
• Even though the capsule carried no crew and was released from a helicopter, the experiment replicated the final stages of an actual mission.
• In a real operation, the capsule would first decelerate due to atmospheric drag and its heat shield, then be stabilized by small drogue parachutes, and finally slowed by three large main parachutes, each 25 meters in diameter.
• The objective was to bring down the descent speed to about 8 m/s before it hit the sea surface

 

3. How was the test conducted?

 

• During IADT-1, a Chinook helicopter of the Indian Air Force airlifted a 4.8-ton dummy crew module and released it from the set altitude. Once released, the automated systems activated and deployed the parachutes in the planned sequence.
• According to ISRO, the landing parameters matched predictions, confirming the system’s effectiveness under real-world conditions.
• The trial required extensive simulations, instrumentation, and collaboration across several organisations. While the Air Force handled the airlift, the DRDO provided inputs on materials and safety mechanisms.
• The Indian Navy and Coast Guard were tasked with recovery preparations after splashdown. A. Rajarajan, Director of the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre, noted that his centre carried out nearly 90% of the activities for IADT-1.
• In human spaceflight, ascent, descent, and recovery are considered the most critical stages. Even with a successful launch and stay in orbit, astronauts’ safety ultimately depends on the capsule’s ability to slow down safely for re-entry and landing. Any malfunction in parachute deployment could have disastrous consequences, making ground trials essential

 

4. Roadmap for Integrated Air Drop Test (IADT-1)

 

 

• The Gaganyaan mission ultimately aims to place Indian astronauts in low-Earth orbit using a human-rated LVM3 launch vehicle. Before this goal can be realized, ISRO must complete a series of rigorous trials to verify all safety mechanisms.
• Unlike satellite or planetary launches, crewed missions require human-rating of every system, which means building in redundancies, fault-detection features, and life-support capabilities.
• As part of this process, Crew Escape System demonstrations are carried out to ensure astronauts can be safely separated from the rocket if a launch failure occurs. The first test vehicle mission, TV-D1, was conducted in October 2023, while the upcoming TV-D2 will simulate a more advanced abort scenario.
• The first uncrewed mission, Gaganyaan-1 (G1), will send a crew module into orbit atop the LVM3. Inside it will be ‘Vyommitra’, a humanoid robot created to replicate astronaut tasks. The recent success of IADT-1 has laid the groundwork for TV-D2 and G1.
• Additional drop tests, subsystem validations, and multiple IADTs will continue simultaneously to fine-tune the systems before human spaceflight is approved. By the time the inaugural human mission (H1) is attempted, ISRO would have completed thousands of individual tests.
• Key technologies being developed include the Environmental Control and Life Support System (ECLSS) to manage oxygen supply, temperature, waste, and fire protection; the Integrated Vehicle Health Management System (IVHMS) for autonomous fault detection and abort activation; and an upgraded LVM3 rocket, strengthened to meet human-rating reliability standards.
• Since many of these critical technologies were unavailable internationally, India has had to indigenously develop components such as escape motors and specialized composites. Every subsystem must undergo hundreds of trials before certification for crewed use

 

5. India's long-term goals

 

• The Gaganyaan programme is not the final goal but rather the stepping stone for India’s long-term human spaceflight ambitions. The government has outlined plans to set up the Bharatiya Antariksh Station (BAS) by 2035 and to attempt a crewed lunar landing by 2040.
• Achieving these milestones will require multiple missions, longer stays in orbit, and the development of advanced deep-space technologies. Timelines may shift — for instance, IADT-1 was initially slated for April 2024 — but each test contributes to building the expertise needed for larger objectives.
• As per ISRO, the upcoming TV-D2 flight will validate the Crew Escape System by simulating an emergency abort: the crew module will detach, slow down using thrusters and parachutes, and land in the sea for recovery operations.
• Parallel to this, ISRO is extending the SpaDeX mission, after its twin satellites successfully carried out an in-orbit docking demonstration in May 2025. This capability will play a vital role in future projects such as Gaganyaan, Chandrayaan-4, and the BAS.
• The first human mission (H1) is officially targeted for 2027, though further delays are anticipated

 

6. Gaganyaan Mission

 

• The Gaganyaan Mission is India’s first human spaceflight programme, designed and developed by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) with the goal of sending Indian astronauts into low-Earth orbit.
• Unlike previous satellite or planetary missions, Gaganyaan involves the challenge of carrying humans to space and bringing them back safely, which requires an entirely different level of engineering, testing, and safety validation.
• At its core, the mission seeks to launch a crew of astronauts, often referred to as vyomnauts, aboard a specially human-rated version of the LVM3 rocket. Human-rating means that every system of the launch vehicle and crew module must be designed with additional redundancies, fault detection mechanisms, and life-support provisions so that the astronauts remain safe even if some components fail.
• This involves building systems such as the Crew Escape System, which can rapidly pull astronauts away from the rocket if a launch emergency occurs, and the Environmental Control and Life Support System (ECLSS), which maintains oxygen supply, temperature regulation, waste management, and fire safety inside the module.
• The programme is being executed in carefully planned stages. ISRO has been conducting a series of uncrewed test flights to validate technologies before astronauts are actually sent to space.
• These include drop tests of the crew module, where parachute systems are evaluated to ensure a safe splashdown; abort tests, where the crew escape system is triggered under different scenarios; and orbital missions that will carry an uncrewed module into space with a humanoid robot called Vyommitra, designed to simulate astronaut functions.
• These tests are crucial because the riskiest parts of any human mission are the ascent, re-entry, and landing phases, and a failure in deceleration or parachute deployment could prove catastrophic.
• The mission is not just about a single flight but about laying the foundation for India’s long-term human space exploration programme. The government has already announced ambitious future goals: establishing the Bharatiya Antariksh Station (BAS), an indigenous space station, by 2035, and sending Indian astronauts to the Moon by 2040.
• Achieving these milestones will require mastering technologies like in-orbit docking, long-duration orbital habitation, and deep-space travel.
• ISRO’s SpaDeX mission, which successfully demonstrated satellite docking in 2025, is an example of the technology that will directly contribute to Gaganyaan’s evolution and future missions.
• As of now, the first human spaceflight under Gaganyaan, referred to as H1, is officially targeted for 2027, though delays are expected due to the complexity of testing and validation.
• By the time astronauts are launched, ISRO would have carried out thousands of subsystem trials, multiple abort demonstrations, and several uncrewed missions to ensure that the risks are minimized.
• In essence, Gaganyaan is a landmark project for India—not just for sending astronauts into space for the first time, but for creating the technological base for much larger and more ambitious human spaceflight missions in the decades to come

 

 

For Prelims: Gaganyaan programme, TV-D1 mission, Low Earth Orbit, Isro, LVM3, GSLV Mk III,  For Mains:  1. Discuss the key objectives of the TV-D1 mission within the Gaganyaan program. How does this mission contribute to astronaut safety and the overall success of Gaganyaan? (250 Words)

 

 

Previous Year Questions   1. With reference to India's satellite launch vehicles, consider the following statements: (UPSC 2018) 1. PSLVs launch satellites useful for Earth resources monitoring whereas GSLVs are designed mainly to launch communication satellites. 2. Satellites launched by PSLV appear to remain permanently fixed in the same position in the sky, as viewed from a particular location on Earth. 3. GSLV Mk III is a four-stage launch vehicle with the first and third stages using solid rocket motors; and the second and fourth stages using liquid rocket engines. Which of the statements given above is/are correct? A. 1 only B. 2 and 3 C. 1 and 2 D. 3 only Answer: A   2. India's first human space mission "Gaganyaan" will be launched in which year? (ESIC UDC 2022) A. 2022          B. 2023          C. 2024          D. 2025      E.  2026   Answer: B   3. Find the incorrect statements, about the Gaganyaan Mission of India. (MPSC 2020) 1. Four pilots from Indian Air Force were shortlisted to be astronauts of Gaganyaan. 2. They will be trained at Yuri Gagarin Cosmonaut Centre in Russia. 3. This mission was announced by Prime Minister in 2014. 4. It is scheduled for 2022 with a team of 5 crew members and a month-long stay in space. A. 1, 2, 3, 4     B.  2, 3, 4           C. 3, 4          D. 2, 3   Answer: C   4. ISRO is related to: (SSC JE EE 2020) A. space research      B. agricultural research          C. seed research          D. marine research Answer: A   5.  Which of the following pairs is/are correctly matched? (UPSC 2014) Spacecraft                                    Purpose Cassini-Huygens:                  Orbiting the Venus and transmitting data to the Earth Messenger:                             Mapping and investigating the Mercury Voyager 1 and 2:                    Exploring the outer solar system Select the correct answer using the code given below: (a) 1 only         (b) 2 and 3 only          (c) 1 and 3 only          (d) 1, 2 and 3 Answer: B 6. Consider the following statements: (UPSC 2016) The Mangalyaan launched by ISRO 1. is also called the Mars Orbiter Mission 2. made India the second country to have a spacecraft orbit the Mars after USA 3. made India the only country to be successful in making its spacecraft orbit the Mars in its very first attempt 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

Source: The Hindu

 

 

PRADHAN MANTRI JAN DHAN YOJANA (PMJDY)

 

 

 

1. Context

 

Financial inclusion is meant to empower individuals and businesses, foster growth, reduce poverty, and promote social equality. A government-backed financial inclusion drive is important for a developing country like India. That was one of the reasons behind the Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY) launched on August 28, 2014

 

2.Background

• The Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY) is a national financial inclusion scheme launched by the Government of India in 2014.
• The objective of this scheme is to ensure access to financial services at affordable cost to all the families in the country
• The primary objective of the scheme is to ensure that every household in India has access to basic banking services, such as a savings account, insurance, and pension.
• The program aims to bring the marginalized and economically weaker sections of society into the formal financial system and promote financial literacy

 

3. Objectives

• Ensure access of financial products & services at an affordable cost
• Use of technology to lower cost & widen reach
• Opening of basic savings bank deposit (BSBD) account with minimal paperwork, relaxed KYC, e-KYC, account opening in camp mode, zero balance & zero charges
• Issuance of Indigenous Debit cards for cash withdrawals & payments at merchant locations, with free accident insurance coverage of Rs. 2 lakhs
• Other financial products like micro-insurance, overdraft for consumption, micro-pension & micro-credit

 

4.Key features of PMJDY

Key features of Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY):

1. No Minimum Balance Requirement: Under this scheme, individuals can open a bank account with zero minimum balance requirements. This is particularly beneficial for those who were unable to open bank accounts due to financial constraints.

2. Access to Banking Facilities: Account holders are provided with a basic savings account that allows them to deposit and withdraw money, and it also comes with a RuPay debit card which enables access to ATMs and facilitates cashless transactions.

3. Accidental Insurance Cover: Account holders are eligible for accidental insurance coverage. Initially, the insurance coverage was Rs. 1 lakh, but it was increased to Rs. 2 lakh.

4. Overdraft Facility: After a certain period of satisfactory operation of the account, account holders are eligible for an overdraft facility of up to Rs. 10,000, which helps them during emergencies.

5. Financial Literacy Programs: The scheme also emphasizes financial literacy and aims to educate account holders about the benefits of formal financial services, proper money management, and the importance of saving.

6. Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT): PMJDY accounts are often linked to various government welfare schemes, allowing beneficiaries to receive subsidies and benefits directly into their bank accounts, reducing leakages and ensuring efficient delivery of services.

7. Pension Schemes: Account holders can also access pension schemes like Atal Pension Yojana and Pradhan Mantri Shram Yogi Maan-Dhan Yojana, which provide social security and retirement benefits.

8. Mobile Banking: The scheme promotes the use of mobile banking through USSD (Unstructured Supplementary Service Data) codes, allowing account holders to access banking services using basic mobile phones.

5.Conclusion

The PMJDY has contributed significantly to increasing financial inclusion in India by bringing millions of people into the formal financial sector who previously did not have access to such services

The Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana has been widely recognized for its success in expanding financial inclusion in India and has received attention from international organizations as well

 

 

 

Previous Year Questions 1.‘Pradhan Mantri Jan-Dhan Yojana’ has been launched for (UPSC CSE 2015) (a) providing housing loan to poor people at cheaper interest rates (b) promoting women’s Self-Help Groups in backward areas (c) promoting financial inclusion in the country (d) providing financial help to the marginalized communities Answer: (c)   1.Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY) is necessary for bringing unbanked to the institutional finance fold. Do you agree with this for financial inclusion of the poorer section of the Indian society? Give arguments to justify your opinion. (2016)

Source: pib