FLASH FLOODS

2. What is a Flood

• Flood is an overflow of a large amount of water beyond its normal limits, especially over what is normally dry land.
• Flooding is an overflowing of water onto land that is normally dry. 
• Floods can happen during heavy rains, when ocean waves come on shore, when the snow melts quickly, or when dams or levees break. 
• Damaging flooding may happen with only a few inches of water, or it may cover a house to the rooftop. 
• Floods can occur within minutes or over a long period, and may last days, weeks, or longer. 
• Floods are the most widespread of all weather-related natural disasters.

3. Common causes of floods can be divided into the factors triggering them.

These factors include -

• Meteorological factors

• Physical factors

• Human factors

 3.1 Meteorological Factors

The natural causes of floods are discussed below -

• Heavy Rainfall: The season of monsoon
• Cloud Burst: Cloud Burst occurs due to intense precipitation in a short duration which can sometimes be accompanied by hail and storms and can cause a flood.

• Climate Change: According to the International Panel for Climate Change, the rainfall intensity, duration and frequency are going to increase in the future.
• Skewed Rainfall Pattern: 80% of the precipitation takes place in the monsoon months
• Trans-National Rivers: The fact that some of the rivers (like the Brahmaputra, many tributaries of Ganga) causing damage in India to originate in neighbouring countries, adds another complex dimension to the problem
• Cyclone & Heavy rainfall

3.2. Physical Factors.

• Insufficient Drainage Management: Improper planning of the drainage system of an area can cause excess water due to heavy rainfall to get stuck and lead to a flood.

• Catchment Area: Catchment area is an area from where the rainfall water flows into a river. This can be a lake or reservoir. During monsoon, when excess water exceeds the limited holding capacity of the catchment area, it leads to floods.

3.3. Human Factor

• Siltation: Siltation refers to the flow of silt and sediments in the riverbed. As particles remain suspended in the river and accumulated in the riverbed, it disrupts the flow of the river, causing a flood.

• Improper Agricultural Practices: If farmers are not cautious of the effects of farming practices meaning if they leave the waste material in the river or cannot handle water management properly, it can lead to a flood. 

• Deforestation: Deforestation is one of the major human causes of floods. Trees act like a sponge that helps to hold soil and water and prevent flooding. As trees are being cut down at a fast pace to make way for urbanisation to grow, more water runs towards a river during heavy rainfall. As a result, a flood occurs.

• Collapse of Dams: Dams are built to store water and provide water to people. As dams are human-made, these can be worn out and subsequently collapse causing floods. Also, if heavy rainfall sustains for a long time, State Governments often declare to open dam gates which can lead to a dangerous flood.- Temples of Modern India to Water Bombs

• Unplanned Development

• Neglect of Pre-Disaster Planning

 4.Types of Flood

• Coastal Floods: Coastal floods occur when strong winds or storms move towards the coast during high tide.

• Flash Floods: Flash floods usually occur in hilly areas in limited space. Here the sudden heavy rainfall or snow thaws are the causes of flooding. The fast-moving torrent of Flash floods can sweep large objects such as cars, rocks and everything that comes in their path.

• River Floods: River floods occur due to the inflow of water from heavy rainfall, snowmelt or powerful storms.

• Pluvial Floods: Pluvial floods occur in areas that cannot hold rainwater and end up forming puddles and ponds. eg- rural areas.

• Urban Floods: When the drainage system of urban areas fails to absorb rainwater.

The impacts of floods affect both individuals and communities and have social-environmental consequences. 

• Human Loss and Property Loss: Every year, millions of people become homeless and washed away due to floods.

• Spread of Communicable Diseases: Waterborne diseases like cholera, typhoid fever, hepatitis, and leptospirosis spread in flood-affected areas. Floods also lead to vector-borne diseases, transmitted through parasites and pathogens such as a mosquito. As a result, the health of flood victims deteriorates.

• Destruction of Crops: Every year, floods destroy a large number of crops.

• Loss of Livestock: Like humans, livestock also get displaced during floods and dies due to the loss of their habitats.

• Disruption of Communication Link and Transportation: Flood causes damage to transportation links such as bridges, rail, power plants etc., thus causing communication disruption in those areas.

• Economic and Social Disruption: The economy comes to a standstill as people are forced to move to another place, and revival of this situation takes time.

Approaches to dealing with floods may be any one or a combination of the following available options:

• Attempts to modify the flood
• Attempts to modify the susceptibility to flooding damage
• Attempts to modify the loss burden
• Bearing the loss.
• The main thrust of the flood protection programme undertaken in India so far has been an attempt to modify the flood in the form of physical (structural) measures to prevent the floodwaters from reaching potential damage centres and modify susceptibility to flooding damage through early warning systems.

6.1 Structural measures

The following structural measures are generally adopted for flood protection:

• Embankments, flood walls, sea walls
• Dams and reservoirs
• Natural detention basins
• Channel improvement
• Drainage improvement
• Diversion of flood waters.

6.2 Non-structural measures

Non-structural measures include:

• Flood forecasting and warning
• Floodplain zoning
• Flood fighting
• Floodproofing
• Flood insurance.

7.What are Flash Floods

• Flash floods are the most dangerous kind of floods because they combine the destructive power of a flood with incredible speed. 
• Flash floods occur when heavy rainfall exceeds the ability of the ground to absorb it. They also occur when water fills normally dry creeks or streams or enough water accumulates for streams to overtop their banks, causing rapid rises of water in a short amount of time. 
• They can happen within minutes of the causative rainfall, limiting the time available to warn and protect the public.

 8. Status of Floods in India

8.1 NDRF Report

• 40 million hectares (10% of the land mass) in India are prone to floods.
• On average every year, 5 million hectares of land are affected, 1600 lives are lost and more than Rs. 1,800 crores is incurred.

8.2 Statistics

• Between 1970 and 2004, 3 floods occurred per year on average. However, between 2005 and 2019, the yearly average rose to 11. 19 districts were affected annually on an average until 2005. After 2005, the number jumped to 55.
• 2017 analysis suggests that 4.48 million Indians are exposed to riverine floods, the highest in the world.

9. What areas are at risk from flash floods?

• Densely populated areas are at high risk for flash floods. The construction of buildings, highways, driveways, and parking lots increases runoff by reducing the amount of rain absorbed by the ground. This runoff increases the flash flood potential.
• Areas near rivers are at risk from floods. Embankments, known as levees, are often built along rivers and are used to prevent high water from flooding bordering land. 
• Dam failures can send a sudden destructive surge of water downstream. 
• Mountains and steep hills produce rapid runoff, which causes streams to rise quickly. 
• Saturated soils can also lead to rapid flash flooding. 
• Sometimes the thunderstorms that produce heavy rainfall may happen well upstream from the impacted area, making it harder to recognize a dangerous situation.
• Very intense rainfall can produce flooding even on dry soil.
• Additional high-risk locations include recent burn areas in mountains and urban areas from pavement and roofs which enhance runoff.
• Ice jams and snowmelt can help cause flash floods. A deep snowpack increases runoff produced by melting snow. Heavy spring rains falling on melting snowpacks can produce flash flooding.

10. The impact of floods in India

11. Impact of flood on wildlife

12. Government actions regarding flood management

12.1.The National Flood Management Commission

• Launched in 1954
• Different structural and non-structural methods have been applied by various states under it.

• To evolve a scientific, integrated and coordinated approach to flood control
• It recommended Flood plain zoning and management to regulate human activities.

• It was set up to review the impact of the recommendations of Rashtriya Barh Aayog.
• It recommended large flood moderation projects, following up the enactment of flood plain zoning.

12.4.National Water Policy, 2002

• It recommended
• Basin-wise plan for flood control and management.
• Flood control to be given overriding consideration in reservoir regulation policy.
• More emphasis on non-structural measures.
• Strict regulation of settlements and economic activities in flood plains.

12.5. K. Mittal Committee, 2003
Its main recommendations were

• Afforestation and treatment of catchment area, right land-use practices and others.
• In the river itself a construction of suitable hydraulic structures that may trap silt.
• Embankment along the aggrading river should be constructed, only after proper studies are made on its behaviour especially due to sedimentation load and resultant morphological changes.

 

For Prelims: Cloudbursts, flash floods, landslides, Cumulonimbus Clouds, Water Vapour, Floodplain Zoning, Green Infrastructure. For Mains: 1. What is a cloudburst, and how does it differ from regular rainfall? Explain the causes and meteorological factors that contribute to the occurrence of a cloudburst.

 

 

Previous year Questions 1. Which of the following statements with regard to Cloudburst is/are correct? (UPSC CDS 2017) 1. It is defined as sudden localized very heavy downpour with cloud thunder and lightning. 2. It mostly occurs in the hilly areas. 3. It results in a very high intensity of rainfall, i.e., 250 mm-300 mm in a couple of hours. 4. It occurs only during the daytime. Select the correct answer using the code given below.  A. 1, 2 and 3 B. 1, 3 and 4 C. 2 and 3 only D. 2 only Answer: A

 Source: The Indian Express

 

ARTIFICIAL GENERAL INTELLIGENCE (AGI)

 

 

 

1. Context

 The world is gearing towards an ‘automated economy’ where machines relying on artificial intelligence (AI) systems produce quick, efficient and nearly error-free outputs. However, AI is not getting smarter on its own; it has been built on and continues to rely on human labour and energy resources. These systems are fed information and trained by workers who are invisibilised by large tech companies, and mainly located in developing countries.

 

2. What is artificial intelligence (AI)? 

• AGI refers to a machine or software capable of executing any intellectual task within the human capacity. AGI aims to replicate human cognitive functions, enabling it to tackle unfamiliar challenges, learn from novel experiences, and apply acquired knowledge innovatively.

• The primary distinction between AGI and the more prevalent form of AI, termed narrow AI, lies in their breadth and capabilities. Narrow AI is engineered for specific tasks like image recognition, translation, or strategic games like chess, where it can surpass human performance, yet it remains constrained within predefined parameters. Conversely, AGI envisions a broader, more generalized intelligence akin to humans, not confined to singular tasks, which positions it as the pinnacle of AI advancements.

• The concept of AGI first surfaced in the 20th century through a seminal paper by Alan Turing, renowned as the progenitor of theoretical computer science and artificial intelligence.

• Theoretically, AGI holds vast potential across diverse domains such as healthcare, education, finance, and commerce.

• Despite the promising prospects of AGI, it elicits widespread concerns for various reasons. Notably, the immense computational resources required for AGI development raise apprehensions regarding its environmental impact, stemming from energy consumption and e-waste generation. Additionally, AGI adoption could precipitate significant job displacement and exacerbate socioeconomic disparities.

• AGI deployment may introduce novel security vulnerabilities, and its rapid advancement might outpace regulatory frameworks established by governments and international bodies. Moreover, reliance on AGI could potentially erode fundamental human skills and capabilities. Yet, the most pressing concern surrounding AGI is the possibility of its capabilities surpassing human comprehension, rendering its actions unpredictable and challenging to decipher

3. What are the different categories of AI?

 

Artificial Intelligence (AI) can be categorized into various types based on their capabilities and functionalities.

Here are the main categories:

• Narrow AI (Weak AI): Narrow AI is designed to perform specific tasks within a limited domain. These AI systems excel at performing one particular task or a set of closely related tasks, but they lack the ability to generalize or adapt to new situations outside their predefined scope. Examples of narrow AI include virtual assistants like Siri or Alexa, recommendation systems, spam filters, and autonomous vehicles.

• General AI (Strong AI): General AI refers to AI systems with the ability to understand, learn, and apply knowledge across different domains, similar to human intelligence. These systems possess cognitive abilities that enable them to solve a wide range of problems and tasks, adapt to new environments, and learn from experience. True general AI, which is capable of performing any intellectual task that a human can do, remains a theoretical concept and has not yet been achieved.

• Artificial Superintelligence (ASI): Artificial Superintelligence is an advanced form of AI that surpasses human intelligence in virtually every aspect. ASI would possess cognitive abilities far superior to the most intelligent human beings and could potentially solve complex problems and challenges beyond human comprehension. Achieving ASI remains a subject of speculation and debate in the field of AI research

4. What are the areas of AI application?

 

AI has a wide range of applications across various sectors and industries. Some of the key areas of AI application include:

• Healthcare: AI is used for medical image analysis, disease diagnosis, personalized treatment recommendation, drug discovery, patient monitoring, and healthcare management systems.

• Finance: In finance, AI is employed for algorithmic trading, fraud detection, risk assessment, credit scoring, customer service automation, and investment portfolio management.

• Education: AI applications in education include personalized learning platforms, intelligent tutoring systems, automated grading systems, adaptive learning tools, and educational content creation.

• Retail: In retail, AI is used for demand forecasting, inventory management, customer segmentation, recommendation systems, pricing optimization, and supply chain management.

• Transportation: AI is utilized in autonomous vehicles, traffic management systems, route optimization, predictive maintenance of vehicles, ride-sharing platforms, and logistics optimization.

• Manufacturing: AI applications in manufacturing include predictive maintenance, quality control, supply chain optimization, robotic automation, production scheduling, and process optimization.

• Customer Service: AI-powered chatbots and virtual assistants are used for customer support, helpdesk automation, natural language understanding, sentiment analysis, and personalized customer engagement.

• Marketing and Advertising: AI is used for targeted advertising, content recommendation, customer segmentation, sentiment analysis, campaign optimization, and social media analytics.

• Cybersecurity: AI is employed for threat detection, anomaly detection, malware analysis, behavior analysis, network security, and incident response in cybersecurity applications.

• Natural Language Processing (NLP): NLP applications include language translation, sentiment analysis, chatbots, speech recognition, text summarization, and language generation.

What is the Turing test?   The Turing test, proposed by British mathematician and computer scientist Alan Turing in 1950, is a test of a machine's ability to exhibit intelligent behavior indistinguishable from that of a human. The test is based on the premise that if a machine can engage in natural language conversation with a human evaluator to the extent that the evaluator cannot reliably distinguish between the machine and a human, then the machine is considered to possess artificial general intelligence (AGI). Here's how the Turing test typically works: A human evaluator interacts with both a human and a machine (hidden from view) through text-based communication channels, such as a computer terminal. The evaluator engages in a conversation with both the human and the machine, asking questions or engaging in dialogue on various topics. If the evaluator cannot reliably determine which participant is the machine and which is the human based on their responses, then the machine is said to have passed the Turing test. The test does not require the machine to demonstrate understanding or consciousness, only the ability to simulate human-like conversation convincingly.

 

 

5. What are the challenges associated with AGI?

 

Achieving Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) poses numerous challenges, both technical and ethical.

Some of the key challenges associated with AGI include:

• Complexity of Human Intelligence: Human intelligence is multifaceted and encompasses various cognitive abilities, including perception, reasoning, problem-solving, creativity, and emotional intelligence. Replicating these diverse capabilities in an AI system presents a significant technical challenge.

• Generalization and Adaptation: AGI systems must be able to generalize their knowledge and skills across different domains and adapt to new environments, tasks, and situations. Achieving robust generalization and adaptation capabilities remains a major research challenge in AI.

• Ethical and Societal Implications: The development and deployment of AGI raise ethical concerns regarding its potential impact on society, including issues related to job displacement, socioeconomic inequality, privacy, autonomy, and existential risks. Ensuring the responsible and ethical use of AGI is crucial but challenging.

• Safety and Control: AGI systems could potentially exhibit unpredictable behavior or unintended consequences, posing safety risks to humans and the environment. Ensuring the safety and controllability of AGI systems, including mechanisms for robust error handling and human oversight, is a critical challenge.

• Explainability and Interpretability: AGI systems are expected to make decisions and take actions autonomously, raising concerns about their transparency and interpretability. Ensuring that AGI systems can provide explanations for their decisions and actions in a human-understandable manner is essential for trust and accountability.

• Data Quality and Bias: AGI systems rely heavily on data for learning and decision-making, and the quality of the data can significantly impact their performance and behavior. Addressing issues such as data bias, fairness, and representativeness is crucial to prevent AI systems from perpetuating existing societal biases and inequalities.

• Resource Constraints: Building and training AGI systems require significant computational resources, including high-performance computing infrastructure and large-scale datasets. Overcoming resource constraints while ensuring scalability and efficiency is a practical challenge in AGI research.

• Interdisciplinary Collaboration: Achieving AGI requires collaboration across various disciplines, including computer science, cognitive science, neuroscience, psychology, philosophy, and ethics. Bridging the gap between these disciplines and integrating diverse perspectives is essential for advancing AGI research effectively

 

 

For Prelims: Current events of national and international importance For Mains: GS-III: Awareness in the fields of IT, Space, Computers, robotics, nano-technology, bio-technology and issues relating to intellectual property rights.

 

 

Previous Year Questions 1.With the present state of development, Artificial Intelligence can effectively do which of the following? (UPSC CSE 2020) 1. Bring down electricity consumption in industrial units 2. Create meaningful short stories and songs 3. Disease diagnosis 4. Text-to-Speech Conversion 5. Wireless transmission of electrical energy Select the correct answer using the code given below: (a) 1, 2, 3 and 5 only (b) 1, 3 and 4 only  (c) 2, 4 and 5 only  (d) 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 Answer (b) (b) 1, 3, and 4 only Explanation: Bring down electricity consumption in industrial units - AI can optimize energy usage and reduce consumption in industrial settings through predictive maintenance and optimization algorithms. Create meaningful short stories and songs - While AI can generate text and music, creating truly meaningful and original artistic content remains a challenge. Disease diagnosis - AI has demonstrated capabilities in disease diagnosis through medical imaging analysis, pattern recognition, and data-driven diagnostics. Text-to-Speech Conversion - AI can effectively convert text into speech with high accuracy and natural-sounding voice synthesis. Wireless transmission of electrical energy - While AI may be involved in optimizing energy transmission systems, the direct wireless transmission of electrical energy is primarily a technological and engineering challenge, not directly related to AI capabilities

 

Source: Indianexpress

 

 

ECO SENSITIVE ZONE(ESZ)

 

1.Context

Acting on a letter sent by two experts — a current and a former member of a Supreme Court-appointed committee — the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) is learnt to have directed implementing agencies to re-examine the safety of certain stretches of the under-construction Uttarkashi-Gangotri road, under the Char Dham highway project in Uttarakhand

2. Eco-Sensitive Zone

• As per the National Wildlife Action Plan (2002-2016), issued by the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, land within 10 km of the boundaries of national parks and wildlife sanctuaries is to be notified as eco-fragile zones or Eco-Sensitive Zones (ESZ).
• While the 10-km rule is implemented as a general principle, the extent of its application can vary. 
• Areas beyond 10 km can also be notified by the Union government as ESZs, if they hold larger ecologically important “sensitive corridors.”

1.1 Eco-Sensitive Zone (ESZ)

• The Eco-Sensitive Zone (ESZ) are areas in India notified by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC), GoI around Protected Areas, National Park and Wildlife sanctuaries. 

• Purpose: 

• To create some kind of "shock absorbers" to the protected areas by regulating and managing the activities around such areas. 
• Therefore, these areas act as a buffer for protected areas and reduce developmental pressures around a wildlife sanctuary or national park.
• They also act as a transition zone from areas of high protection to areas involving lesser protection.

• Range:

• All identified areas around Protected Areas and wildlife corridors to be declared as ecologically fragile under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 (National Wildlife Action Plan, 2002-2016).
• Eco-sensitive Zone could go up to 10 Kms around Protected Areas. 
• In cases where sensitive corridors, connectivity and ecologically important patches, crucial for landscape linkage, are even beyond 10 Kms width. 
• Further, Eco-sensitive zones may not be uniform all around and they could be variable in width and extent.

• Prohibited activities: 

• Activities like industries which cause pollution Commercial mining, sawmills, the establishment of major hydroelectric projects (HEP), commercial use of wood, Tourism, discharge of effluents or any solid waste or production of hazardous substances are all prohibited.

• Regulated activities:

• Activities like the felling of trees, establishment of hotels and resorts, commercial use of natural water, erection of electrical cables, drastic change of agriculture system, e.g. adoption of heavy technology, pesticides etc., widening of roads.

• Permitted activities:

• Activities like ongoing agricultural or horticultural practices, rainwater harvesting, organic farming, use of renewable energy sources, and adoption of green technology for all activities are permitted.

3. Reasons for the creation of an ecologically sensitive zone

• According to the guidelines issued by the Environment Ministry on February 9, 2011, ESZs are created as “shock absorbers” for the protected areas, to minimize the negative impact on the “fragile ecosystems” by certain human activities taking place nearby. Furthermore, these areas are meant to act as a transition zone from areas requiring higher protection to those requiring lesser protection.
• The guidelines also state that the ESZs are not meant to hamper the daily activities of people living in the vicinity, but are meant to guard the protected areas and “refine the environment around them”.
• To do so, the guidelines list the activities prohibited in an ESZ, such as commercial mining, saw mills, commercial use of wood, etc., apart from regulated activities like the felling of trees. Lastly, there are permitted activities like ongoing agricultural or horticultural practices, rainwater harvesting, and organic farming, among others.

Judgement of Supreme Court

• On June 3, a three-judge bench of the Supreme Court heard a PIL which sought to protect forest lands in the Nilgiris in Tamil Nadu, but was later expanded to cover the entire country.
• In its judgment, the court while referring to the 2011 guidelines as “reasonable”, as reported by Live Law, directed all states to have a mandatory 1-km ESZ from the demarcated boundaries of every protected forest land, national park and wildlife sanctuary.
• It also stated that no new permanent structure or mining will be permitted within the ESZ.
• If the existing ESZ goes beyond a 1-km buffer zone or if any statutory instrument prescribes a higher limit, then such extended boundary shall prevail, the court, as per the Live Law report, said.

4. Protests by the people

• Protests erupted across the high ranges of Kerala in response to the apex court’s directions. Due to the high density of human population near the notified protected areas, farmer’s groups and political parties have been demanding that all human settlements be exempt from the ESZ ruling.
• Alex Ozhukayil, the chairman of Kerala Independent Farmers’ Association (KIFA) claimed that the court’s decision would severely impact the livelihoods of farmers.
• He said, “The total extent of the wildlife sanctuaries in Kerala is eight lakh acres. If one km of ESZ is demarcated from their boundaries, around 4 lakh acres of human settlements, including farmlands, would come within that purview. This is a matter of sheer survival of lakhs of people.”
• The ruling Left Democratic Front and the Congress-led United Democratic Fund have both called for strikes in Idukki and Wayanad districts over the past weeks to oppose the 1-km order.
• Before the SC judgment, the Kerala state government had stated during an expert committee meeting of the Union Environment Ministry in March that all human settlements should be excluded from the buffer zones.
• The Kerala state government had proposed that for some national parks, such as the Thattekad Bird Sanctuary, the extent of the ESZ area should be reduced from the proposed uniform 1 km to an ESZ ranging from zero to 1 km in the eastern and south-eastern side of the national park.
• This was because the villagers occupying the densely populated settlements in these areas believed that the ESZ would restrict their agricultural and related activities.

4. Other similar challenges

• Developmental activities:

• Activities such as the construction of dams, roads, and urban and rural infrastructures in the ESZ, create interference, negatively impact the environment and imbalance the ecological system. 

• Blatant violations:

• To cater to the increasing demand for eco-tourism, the land around parks and sanctuaries are being cleared through deforestation, displacement of local people etc. 
• Failing to recognize the rights of forest communities and curbing poaching of animals, environmental legislations undermine the ESZs in favour of developmental activities. 

• Climate change:

• Biodiversity and climate change are interconnected, for example, the rise in global temperature has generated land, water and ecological stress on the ESZs. 

• Tourism-related Pollution:

• As the pressure of tourism is rising, the government is developing new sites and gateways to the ESZ. The tourists leave behind garbage such as plastic bags and bottles etc. which leads to environmental degradation.

• Local communities:

• Slash and burn techniques used in agriculture, the pressure of increasing population and the rising demand for firewood and forest produce, etc. exerts pressure on the protected areas.

 

5. Earlier protests 

• This is not the first time that Kerala has faced such protests. 
• In 2013, hartals first erupted in Idukki and Wayanad after the Kasturirangan committee report recommended that 60,000 km of the Western Ghats, covering 12 of Kerala’s 14 districts, be notified as ecologically sensitive areas.

8. Distribution of major ECZ in India

 

 

9.Way Forward

A decade after Sariska became a tiger reserve in 1978, Rajasthan issued mining leases inside the reserve to many who had obtained no-objection certificates (NOCs) from the then field director of Sariska, even though he did not have any authority to issue such NOCs

 

 

For Prelims: Current events of national and international importance, General issues on Environmental Ecology. For Mains: GS-II, GS-III: Government policies and interventions, Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment.

 

Previous Year Questions 1.In which one among the following categories of protected areas in India are local people not allowed to collect and use the biomass? (UPSC CSE 2012) (a) Biosphere Reserves (b) National Parks (c) Wetlands declared under Ramsar Convention (d) Wildlife Sanctuaries Answer (b) In National Parks, the primary focus is on the conservation of wildlife and biodiversity. Human activities such as grazing, logging, and collecting forest products are strictly prohibited. This is different from Wildlife Sanctuaries and Biosphere Reserves, where certain activities by local communities may be permitted under specific regulations. Wetlands declared under the Ramsar Convention focus on the conservation and sustainable use of wetland resources, often allowing for regulated human activity

Source: Indianexpress

 

PROJECT CHEETAH

 

1. Context

Madhya Pradesh wildlife officials have initiated plans to introduce a female cheetah to the Gandhi Sagar wildlife sanctuary, with hopes that the animal will mate with a male coalition (a group that lives together).

2. Why was Project Cheetah launched?

• India's cheetah relocation program is perhaps among the most ambitious of its kind in the world.
• The attempt is to, over the next decade, bring in five to 10 animals every year until a self-sustaining population of about 35 is established.
• Unlike, cheetahs in South Africa and Namibia, which live in fenced reserves, India's plan is to have them grown in natural, unfenced, wild conditions.
• At Kuno, only six of the 17 adults are in the wild with the rest lodged in large, specially designed enclosures to help the animals acclimatize to Indian conditions.
• The plan is to release all the animals into the open by the yearend. The animals are radio-collared and tracked 24/7. 

3. How do cheetahs die?

• The South African study also documented the causes of mortality, where it could be established, for 293 cheetah deaths.
• It found that holding camps caused 6.5% of cheetah deaths, immobilization/ transit caused 7.5% of deaths, and another 0.7% were caused by tracking devices. This added up to almost 15%  so, one in every seven cheetah deaths was attributed to handling and management.
• Predation turned out to be the biggest killer in the study, accounting for 53.2% of cheetah mortality. Lions, leopards, hyenas, and jackals were primarily responsible. Several other wildlife including warthogs, baboons, snakes, elephants, crocodiles, vultures, zebras, and even ostriches killed cheetahs.
• It is well documented that cheetahs suffer very high cub mortality up to 90% in protected areas mainly due to predation. Consequently, nearly 80% of all cheetahs throughout their range in Africa are found living outside of protected parks and reserves.

4. Were these unfortunate cheetah deaths unexpected?

• The Cheetah Project did anticipate high mortality. The criteria for the project’s short-term success was only “50% survival of the introduced cheetah for the first year”. That would be 10 out of 20.
• As a result, the Madhya Pradesh government set a six-month deadline for readying Gandhisagar in the Chambal river valley in Mandsaur and Nimach districts for the cheetahs. There is also talk about moving a few animals from Kuno to the safety of an 80-sq-km fenced area in Rajasthan’s Mukundra Hills Tiger Reserve.
• The focus, therefore, is shifting from the project’s stated purpose that of establishing the cheetah in an open landscape as a free-roaming and self-sustaining population occupying thousands of square miles to managing the African imports as a few pocket populations in fenced-in or restricted areas.

5. How successful has Project Cheetah been so far?

• In September 2023, it will be one year since a batch of eight cheetahs from Namibia arrived in India.
• They were followed by 12 others from South Africa in February 2023. The official Cheetah Action Plan, the guiding document behind the project, observes that even half the cheetahs surviving the first year would be “an indicator of success”.
• Independent critics have, however, argued that there are some basic flaws in the project. For one, it is a mistake to have had all 20 cheetahs at Kuno as there is too little space and prey, given that the animal is a courser and needs larger fields of play.
• Some animals should have gone to the Mukundara reserve in Rajasthan. Forest officials in Madhya Pradesh have also admitted that they are stretched.
• However, the officials in the National Tiger Conservation Authority, the nodal agency of the Environment Ministry tasked with coordinating the project, say that Kuno is capable of hosting the first lot of animals and future batches will be sent to other reserves.
• The experience of raising cheetahs in fenced reserves in Africa can’t be replicated in India, say, experts, because India’s cultural values promote coexistence with beasts, and that underpinned the success of tiger, lion, and leopard conservation programs.

For Prelims: Kuno National Park, National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA), Project Cheetah, Chambal river valley, and South Africa.

Previous year Question

1. Recently there was a proposal to translocate some of the lions from their natural habitat in Gujarat to which one of the following sites? (UPSC 2017) A. Corbett National Park B. Kuno Palpur Wildlife Sanctuary C. Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary D. Sariska National Park Answer: B 2.Consider the following: (2012) Black-necked crane Cheetah Flying squirrel Snow leopard Which of the above are naturally found in India? (a) 1, 2 and 3 only (b) 1, 3 and 4 only (c) 2 and 4 only (d) 1, 2, 3 and 4 Answer (b) Black-necked crane - Naturally found in India, especially in the northern regions such as Ladakh. Cheetah - Historically present in India but is currently extinct in the wild. Flying squirrel - Naturally found in India, particularly in forests. Snow leopard - Found in the high-altitude regions of the Himalayas in India. Thus, the species that are currently naturally found in India are the Black-necked crane, Flying squirrel, and Snow leopard

Source: The Hindu

 

 

STABLECOINS

 

 

 

1. Context

 

Crypto groups in the UK have rallied against the Bank of England’s proposal to restrict stablecoin ownership in the country, saying it would put the nation at a disadvantage and be costly and unwieldy to implement

 

2. What are Stablecoins?

 

• Stablecoins are a type of cryptocurrency whose value is tied to specific assets. Unlike popular cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin (BTC), Ether (ETH), or meme tokens like Shiba Inu (SHIB) — which can experience sharp price swings driven by market sentiment and other factors — stablecoins are built to keep their prices relatively constant, which is how they get their name.
• This price stability is achieved by “pegging” the stablecoin to an underlying asset, which could be a fiat currency (like the U.S. Dollar, Euro, or Hong Kong Dollar), a commodity (such as gold), another cryptocurrency (like Bitcoin), or by using algorithmic controls.
• In some cases, a combination of these methods is used. For instance, while Bitcoin’s value may fluctuate significantly over time, a stablecoin pegged to the U.S. Dollar is intended to stay close to $1.
• It’s important to note that stablecoins differ from Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs). CBDCs are state-issued digital currencies managed by a country’s central bank, whereas stablecoins are often created by private entities and may even be pegged to foreign currencies

 

3. Regulation of Stablecoins

 

• Stablecoins hold significant importance both inside and outside the cryptocurrency space, even though they lack the explosive price surges seen in assets like Bitcoin. Within the crypto market, investors often use stablecoins to simplify trading on exchanges.
• Beyond that, people in countries facing currency depreciation turn to stablecoins to preserve their savings’ value or to reduce costs in cross-border payments.
• In regions such as Argentina, Turkey, and even Taliban-controlled Afghanistan, stablecoins are more than trading tools — they serve as a lifeline for day-to-day transactions.
• The scale of their use is striking. According to CoinMarketCap, Tether (USDT) — the largest stablecoin and the fourth biggest cryptocurrency by market capitalization — has a circulating supply of 163.75 billion USDT. Globally, the total circulation of stablecoins is estimated to exceed $250 billion.
• This growing influence has sparked concerns among governments. Authorities worry that the complex mechanisms behind stablecoins might one day impact the value of the fiat currencies or commodities that support them.
• When a stablecoin provider suddenly declares the addition of millions in backing assets, questions naturally arise about the origin — or even the existence — of those funds. This is precisely why regulatory oversight is increasingly seen as essential

 

 

4. Volatility of Stablecoins

 

• Despite their name and asset backing, stablecoins are not immune to volatility. Influenced by technical issues or global events, they can sometimes lose their peg, causing prices to move outside the expected range. Sharp declines, in particular, can spark investor panic. For instance, USDT — pegged to the U.S. Dollar — has previously dropped to around $0.92.
• In some cases, stablecoins have experienced complete collapse. A notable example is from May 2022, when Terra’s cryptocurrency LUNA and its associated algorithmic stablecoin UST lost nearly all their value within hours.
• As trust evaporated, investors rushed to sell, driving prices down to near zero. This crash erased billions of dollars from the crypto market, and the resulting liquidity crisis led to asset freezes on multiple global crypto exchanges and fintech platforms

 

5. Licensing System in Hong Kong

 

 

• The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) has announced that the Stablecoins Ordinance will take effect on August 1 this year. Under the new law, it will be illegal to “offer any unlicensed fiat-referenced stablecoin (FRS) to a retail investor” or to “actively market the issuance of unlicensed FRS to the public in Hong Kong,” as stated by HKMA Chief Executive Eddie Yue.
• To operate legally, companies aiming to issue stablecoins in Hong Kong will be required to obtain a licence from the Monetary Authority. They must also meet specific standards for managing reserve assets, redemption processes, asset stabilisation, and handling user requests.
• Additionally, they will have to follow anti–money laundering (AML) and counter–terrorist financing (CTF) regulations, ensuring that all assets are transparently disclosed and subject to proper audits.
• The HKMA cautioned that the new framework is not an open invitation for mass participation. Initially, only a small number of licences will be granted, meaning many applicants are likely to be rejected, according to Mr. Yue’s official statement

 

6. Other Countries' regulations

 

• In July, U.S. President Donald Trump signed the GENIUS Act, aimed at regulating stablecoins and safeguarding the U.S. dollar — a move welcomed by his pro-crypto supporters.
• According to the White House, the legislation mandates that stablecoins must be backed 100% by liquid assets such as U.S. dollars or short-term Treasury securities. Issuers will also be required to publicly disclose the composition of their reserves every month and adhere to specific marketing regulations.
• Countries like Japan and Singapore have already introduced dedicated stablecoin regulations, AFP reports, while several other jurisdictions apply broader cryptocurrency laws that also cover stablecoins.
• Meanwhile, despite China’s strict curbs on crypto activities, some of its major tech firms are looking to Hong Kong’s upcoming regulatory framework as a possible gateway for launching their own stablecoin projects

 

For Prelims: Stablecoins , Bitcoins, Cryptocurrency   For Mains: GS III - Economy, Science and technology

 

Previous year Question 1. With reference to “Blockchain Technology”, consider the following statements: (UPSC 2020) 1. It is a public ledger that everyone can inspect, but which no single user controls. 2. The structure and design of the blockchain are such that all the data in it are about cryptocurrency only. 3. Applications that depend on the basic features of blockchain can be developed without anybody’s permission. Which of the statements given above is/are correct? A. 1 only B. 1 and 2 only C. 2 only D. 1 and 3 only Answer: D   2. With reference to 'Bitcoins', sometimes seen in the news, which of the following statements is/are correct? (UPSC 2016) 1. Bitcoins are tracked by the Central Banks of the countries. 2. Anyone with a Bitcoin address can send and receive Bitcoins from anyone else with Bitcoin address. 3. Online payments can be sent without either side knowing the identity of the other. Select the correct answer using the code given below. A. 1 and 2 only B. 2 and 3 only C. 3 only D. 1, 2 and 3 Answer: B   3. With reference to Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs), consider the following statements:(UPSC 2022)  1. They enable the digital representation of physical assets.  2. They are unique cryptographic tokens that exist on a blockchain. 3. They can be traded or exchanged at equivalency and therefore can be used as a medium of commercial transactions. Which of the statements given above is/are correct? A. 1 and 2 only B. 2 and 3 only C. 1 and 3 only D. 1, 2 and 3 Answer: A

Source: The Hindu

 

 

HEATWAVE

 

1. Context

The 2023 heatwave during which at least 68 people died in Balliya, Uttar Pradesh. The 2021 heat dome over the Pacific Northwest that killed hundreds. The 2003 heatwaves that resulted in the deaths of 30,000 across Europe.

2. What is a Heat Wave?

• A heatwave is a period of abnormally high temperatures, a common phenomenon in India during the months of May-June and in some rare cases even extends till July.
• Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) classifies heat waves according to regions and temperature ranges. As per IMD, the number of heatwave days in India has increased from 413 over 1981-1990 to 600 over 2011-2020.
• This sharp rise in the number of heatwave days has resulted due to the increasing impact of climate change.
• The last three years have been La Niña years, which has served as a precursor to 2023 likely being an El Niño year. (The El Niño is a complementary phenomenon in which warmer water spreads west­east across the equatorial Pacific Ocean.)
• As we eagerly await the likely birth of an El Niño this year, we have already had a heat wave occur over northwest India.
• Heat waves tend to be confined to north and northwest India in El Niño years.

 

Image Source:News18

3. How do Heat waves Occur?

• Heat waves are formed for one of two reasons warmer air is flowing in from elsewhere or it is being produced locally.
• It is a local phenomenon when the air is warmed by higher land surface temperature or because the air sinking down from above is compressed along the way, producing hot air near the surface.
• First of all, in spring, India typically has air flowing in from the west­northwest. This direction of air­flow is bad news for India for several reasons.
• Likewise, air flowing in from the northwest rolls in over the mountains of Afghanistan and Pakistan, so some of the compression also happens on the leeward side of these mountains, entering India with a bristling warmth.
• While air flowing over the oceans is expected to bring cooler air, the Arabian Sea is warming faster than most other ocean regions.
• Next, the strong upper atmospheric westerly winds, from the Atlantic Ocean to India during spring, control the near-surface winds.
• Any time winds flow from the west to the east, we need to remember that the winds are blowing faster than the planet which also rotates from west to east.
• The energy to run past the earth near the surface, against surface friction, can only come from above. This descending air compresses and warms up to generate some heat waves.

4. Impacts of heat waves in India

• The frequent occurrence of heat waves also adversely affects different sectors of the economy.
• For instance, the livelihood of poor and marginal farmers is negatively impacted due to the loss of working days.
• Heatwaves also have an adverse impact on daily wage workers' productivity, impacting the economy.
• Crop yields suffer when temperatures exceed the ideal range.
• Farmers in Haryana, Punjab, and Uttar Pradesh have reported losses in their wheat crop in the past rabi season. Across India, wheat production could be down 6-7% due to heat waves.
• Mortality due to heat waves occurs because of rising temperatures, lack of public awareness programs, and inadequate long-term mitigation measures.
• According to a 2019 report by the Tata Center for Development and the University of Chicago, by 2100 annually, more than 1.5 million people will be likely to die due to extreme heat caused by climate change.
• The increased heat wave will lead to an increase in diseases like diabetes, circulatory and respiratory conditions, as well as mental health challenges.
• The concurrence of heat and drought events is causing crop production losses and tree mortality. The risks to health and food production will be made more severe by the sudden food production losses exacerbated by heat-induced labor productivity losses.
  These interacting impacts will increase food prices, reduce household incomes, and lead to malnutrition and climate-related deaths, especially in tropical regions.

5. How does air mass contribute to heat waves?

• The other factors that affect the formation of heat waves are the age of the air mass and how far it has traveled.
• The north northwestern heatwaves are typically formed with air masses that come from 800-1600 km away and are around two days old.
• Heat waves over peninsular India on the other hand, arrive from the oceans, which are closer (around 200-400km) and are barely a day old. As a result, they are on average less intense.

6. Way ahead for Heat waves

• Identifying heat hot spots through appropriate tracking of meteorological data and promoting timely development and implementation of local Heat Action Plans with strategic inter-agency coordination, and a response that targets the most vulnerable groups.
• Review existing occupational health standards, labor laws, and sectoral regulations for worker safety in relation to climatic conditions.
• Policy intervention and coordination across three sectors health, water, and power are necessary.
• Promotion of traditional adaptation practices, such as staying indoors and wearing comfortable clothes.
• Popularisation of simple design features such as shaded windows, underground water storage tanks, and insulating house materials.
• Advance implementation of local Heat Action Plans, plus effective inter-agency coordination is a vital response that the government can deploy in order to protect vulnerable groups.

For Prelims & Mains

For Prelims: Heat Wave, India Meteorological Department (IMD), El Nino, Equatorial Pacific Ocean, La Nina, Malnutrition, Heat Action Plans. For Mains: 1. Examine the various adverse impacts caused by heat waves and how India should deal with them.

 

Previous Year Questions   1.What are the possible limitations of India in mitigating global warming at present and in the immediate future? (UPSC CSE 2010) 1. Appropriate alternate technologies are not sufficiently available. 2. India cannot invest huge funds in research and development. 3. Many developed countries have already set up their polluting industries in India. Which of the statements given above is/are correct? (a) 1 and 2 only (b) 2 only (c) 1 and 3 only (d) 1, 2 and 3 Answer (a) India faces challenges in addressing Global Warming: Developing and underdeveloped nations lack access to advanced technologies, resulting in a scarcity of viable alternatives for combating climate change. Being a developing nation, India relies partially or entirely on developed countries for technology. Moreover, a significant portion of the annual budget in these nations is allocated to development and poverty alleviation programs, leaving limited funds for research and development of alternative technologies compared to developed nations. Analyzing the statements provided: Statements 1 and 2 hold true based on the aforementioned factors. However, Statement 3 is inaccurate as the establishment of polluting industries by developed countries within India is not feasible due to regulations governing industrial setup Mains 1.Bring out the causes for the formation of heat islands in the urban habitat of the world. (UPSC CSE Mains GS 1 2013)

 

Source: The Hindu

 

ANTICIPATORY BILL IN CASTE CRIMES

 

 

1. Context

 

On September 1, the Supreme Court quashed a Bombay High Court order that had granted anticipatory bail to an accused of caste crimes. In the case of Kiran vs Rajkumar Jivaraj Jain, a Bench led by Chief Justice of India B. R. Gavai held that Section 18 of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989, creates a specific bar against anticipatory bail for crimes made out prima facie. This case involves caste-based assault, abuse, and intimidation linked to an electoral dispute.

 

2. What is Anticipatory bail?

 

 

Anticipatory bail is a legal provision in India that allows a person to seek protection from arrest in anticipation of being accused of a non-bailable offense. The idea is preventive—it does not wait until the police arrest the person, but instead provides relief beforehand.

This remedy is given under Section 438 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC), 1973. It is usually sought when someone believes that false charges might be framed against them or that they might be arrested out of malice or political rivalry. By obtaining anticipatory bail, the individual can avoid the trauma of police custody and still cooperate with the investigation.

When a court grants anticipatory bail, it essentially orders that if the police arrest the applicant, they must be released immediately on bail without being taken into custody. However, the court may impose conditions, such as requiring the person to cooperate with the investigation, not tamper with evidence, or not leave the country without permission.

The purpose of anticipatory bail is to protect personal liberty, prevent misuse of arrest powers, and strike a balance between the rights of the accused and the interests of investigation. It is not meant to shield offenders from legitimate arrest, but to protect citizens from harassment and wrongful detention

 

3. Why is anticipatory bill is barred from SC/ST cases?

 

• Anticipatory bail under Section 438 of the CrPC is generally available in India, but the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989 (SC/ST Act) makes a specific exception. Section 18 of this Act clearly bars the use of anticipatory bail for offences registered under it. The reasoning lies in the very purpose of the law.
• The SC/ST Act was enacted to protect historically marginalized communities from caste-based atrocities, discrimination, and violence.
• Lawmakers were aware that in many cases, perpetrators of such crimes are from socially and economically dominant groups, while the victims belong to vulnerable sections. If anticipatory bail were freely available, it could dilute the deterrence of the law.
• It was feared that accused persons, especially those with influence, might obtain anticipatory bail quickly, intimidate victims, tamper with evidence, or misuse their position to escape justice.
• Therefore, the bar on anticipatory bail was seen as a way to give stronger protection to SCs and STs, ensuring that those accused of such offences face proper investigation and do not use legal loopholes to avoid accountability.
• That said, the issue has been debated in courts. In Subhash Kashinath Mahajan v. State of Maharashtra (2018), the Supreme Court initially held that anticipatory bail could be allowed in cases where a prima facie case under the Act was not made out.
• This led to controversy and protests, with critics arguing that it weakened the law. Later, in Prathvi Raj Chauhan v. Union of India (2020), the Supreme Court clarified that anticipatory bail can indeed be considered, but only in exceptional cases, and only if the court is convinced that the complaint is prima facie false or motivated.
• So, to sum up: anticipatory bail is barred under the SC/ST Act to safeguard vulnerable communities and ensure the law’s effectiveness, but the Supreme Court has allowed a very limited, cautious window to prevent misuse of false cases

 

4. Recent Controversy

 

• On November 26, 2024, Kiran, who belongs to the Scheduled Caste community, lodged an FIR claiming that Rajkumar Jain and his associates had assaulted him and his family because he declined to vote as instructed during the Assembly elections.
• The complaint stated that the accused used iron rods to attack him, hurled caste-based abuses, harassed his mother and aunt, snatched a mangalsutra, and even threatened to set their house on fire with petrol bombs.
• Independent witnesses were said to have seen the incident. The Additional Sessions Judge at Paranda refused anticipatory bail, observing that there was evident caste-based malice and supporting evidence.
• However, the Aurangabad Bench of the Bombay High Court overturned this order, calling the allegations politically driven, inflated, and contradictory, and subsequently granted bail. This decision was then challenged before the Supreme Court

 

5. Way Forward

 

The verdict makes it clear that the SC/ST Act is not merely a procedural safeguard but a substantive legal protection meant to uphold the dignity and safety of marginalized groups. The prohibition on anticipatory bail, though stringent, is constitutionally valid since it directly addresses the genuine risks of coercion and reprisal faced by Dalit and tribal complainants.

Looking ahead, the judiciary must honor the intent behind Section 18 and refrain from weakening its effect by prematurely dismissing allegations as exaggerated. Instead, courts should apply the “prima facie test” strictly on the basis of the FIR, without venturing into an evidentiary assessment at the bail stage. The ruling also acknowledges that acts of electoral revenge targeting SC/ST voters threaten not just individuals, but also the broader principles of democratic participation and social justice

 

 

 

For Prelims: Anticipatory bail, Regular Bial, Interim Bail, Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC), Indian Penal Code (IPC), 41st Law Commission Report in 1969, Sections 437 and 439 of the CrPC, High court, Supreme Court, and Article 21. For Mains: 1. What is Anticipatory Bail? Discuss the conditions for granting Anticipatory Bail.

 

Previous year Questions 1. With reference to India, consider the following statements: (UPSC 2021) 1. When a prisoner makes out a sufficient case, parole cannot be denied to such prisoner because it becomes a matter of his/her right. 2. State Governments have their own Prisoners Release on Parole Rules. 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: B

 

 

Source: The Indian Express

 

GYAN BHARATAM MISSION

 

 

 

1. Context

 

Calling Indian manuscripts an “unparalleled civilisational treasure”, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday underscored the importance of digitising them to curb “intellectual piracy”. In this context, let’s know about the Gyan Bharatam International Conference and Gyan Bharatam Mission

 

2. Key takeaways

 

• The Ministry of Culture recently hosted the Gyan Bharatam International Conference in New Delhi. The three-day programme brought together nearly 1,100 participants, including experts in conservation, researchers, historians, academics, and keepers of manuscripts.

• This conference also featured the first global meet on manuscript heritage, titled “Reclaiming India’s Knowledge Legacy through Manuscript Heritage.” The event coincided with the 132nd anniversary of Swami Vivekananda’s iconic speech at the Parliament of the World’s Religions in Chicago (1893).

• Emphasising the value of manuscripts, the Prime Minister remarked that these treasures represent the footprints of human progress and document the journey of civilisation through disciplines such as philosophy, science, medicine, metaphysics, art, astronomy, and architecture.

• The conference further witnessed the official launch of the Gyan Bharatam Mission.

 

3. Gyan Bharatam Mission

 

 

• In the Union Budget 2025–26, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced a dedicated mission to survey, document, and conserve the country’s vast manuscript heritage.

• Named the ‘Gyan Bharatam Mission’, the initiative aims to cover over one crore manuscripts. While its headquarters will be in New Delhi under the Ministry of Culture, regional centres are planned in every state to ensure effective implementation.

• With an allocation of ₹400 crore, the project envisions building an institution similar to the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), but focused specifically on safeguarding and interpreting manuscripts.

• This new mission will replace the National Manuscripts Mission, launched in 2003, which primarily focused on digitisation but made limited progress over the years.

• The Gyan Bharatam Mission aspires to encourage academic innovation, reinforce civilisational confidence, utilise technological advancements, and promote cultural diplomacy, aligning with India’s ambition of emerging as a global intellectual leader

 

 

4. Objectives of Gyan Bharatam Mission

 

 

The mission is envisioned as an integrated framework to rejuvenate India’s manuscript tradition by bringing together conservation, digitisation, academic study, and worldwide accessibility. Its key aims include:

• (i) Identification and Cataloguing: A countrywide network of Manuscript Resource Centres (MRCs) will be created to locate, document, and catalogue ancient manuscripts preserved in institutions and private collections, thereby preparing an authentic national register.
• (ii) Conservation and Preservation: Strengthened Manuscript Conservation Centres (MCCs) will safeguard manuscripts through both preventive and restorative methods.
• (iii) Digitisation and Repository Development: Manuscripts will be digitised using AI-driven Handwritten Text Recognition (HTR), microfilming, and cloud-based metadata systems. These efforts will culminate in a National Digital Repository, accessible to global users.
• (iv) Research, Translation, and Publication: Unpublished or rare manuscripts will be revived through critical editions, facsimile copies, and translations, ensuring availability in multiple languages.
• (v) Training and Capacity Building: Workshops and structured courses will be conducted in transcription, palaeography, conservation, and manuscript studies to develop a skilled pool of professionals.
• (vi) Technological Innovation: The mission also plans to design digital tools such as mobile apps, secure cloud storage, and platforms based on the International Image Interoperability Framework (IIIF) for better manuscript access and management

 

5. Gyan Setu

 

• As part of the Gyan Bharatam Mission, the Ministry of Culture has introduced Gyan-Setu, a National AI Innovation Challenge.

• The programme is designed to encourage young people and innovators to apply technology in the protection of India’s cultural heritage. With a treasure of more than one crore manuscripts covering diverse fields such as philosophy, medicine, governance, and the arts, the initiative seeks to leverage artificial intelligence to make this knowledge more widely accessible and relevant at a global scale.

• By inviting participation from students, researchers, academic institutions, and start-ups, Gyan-Setu frames heritage preservation as a shared national responsibility

 

 

6. Digvijay Divas and Swami Vivekananda

 

 

• Digvijay Divas is commemorated every year on September 11 to honour Swami Vivekananda’s iconic address at the World Parliament of Religions in Chicago (1893). The occasion serves as a reminder to revisit his timeless ideas for reimagining India’s role in a conflict-driven world.

• His Chicago speech was more than an appeal for tolerance and mutual respect; it significantly shaped India’s national consciousness, politics, education, and global outlook.

• Opening with the memorable words “Sisters and Brothers of America”, Vivekananda, in his first address at the Parliament, put forward his vision of a universal religion, affirming the truth of all faiths. The central themes of his oration were tolerance and universal acceptance.

• Following the Chicago address and three subsequent years of lectures abroad, Vivekananda came to be celebrated as a pioneer of India’s spiritual resurgence. His emphasis on spiritual unity provided critical inspiration to the early discourse on spiritual nationalism within India’s freedom movement.

• As one of the earliest advocates of spiritual nationalism, he infused the people with pride in India’s ancient civilisation while promoting the idea of spiritual oneness.

• Championing the philosophy of practical Vedanta, Vivekananda placed selfless service above the barriers of caste, class, or social divisions. He repeatedly stressed that brotherhood must form the basis of human relations, reminding Indians that even the poor, the marginalised, and those engaged in humble occupations were united in the spirit of fraternity

7. National Manuscripts Mission

 

• The National Manuscripts Mission (NMM) was launched in February 2003 by the Government of India under the Ministry of Culture with the objective of preserving and promoting India’s vast manuscript heritage.
• India possesses one of the richest manuscript traditions in the world, with estimates suggesting the existence of over five million manuscripts written in different scripts, languages, and on diverse materials such as palm leaves, birch bark, cloth, and paper.
• These manuscripts cover a wide range of subjects, including religion, philosophy, science, medicine, literature, art, and governance, reflecting the depth and diversity of India’s intellectual history.
• The mission was conceived as a national-level initiative to collect, conserve, catalogue, and make available manuscripts scattered across the country. Its vision was not just to safeguard physical manuscripts but also to encourage research and dissemination of the knowledge contained in them.
• The work of the mission was carried out through a network of Manuscript Resource Centres (MRCs) for surveying and documentation, Manuscript Conservation Centres (MCCs) for preservation and restoration, and Manuscript Partner Centres (MPCs) for wider outreach.
• The mission also set up the National Manuscripts Library and the National Manuscripts Database, creating a centralised repository of information on manuscripts in India.
• A key programme of the NMM was digitisation, aimed at creating electronic copies of manuscripts to prevent loss from deterioration and to enable wider access for researchers and the public.
• The mission also promoted critical editions, translations, and publications of rare manuscripts and organised training workshops in palaeography, conservation techniques, and manuscriptology to build human resource capacity in this specialised field.
• Despite its achievements, the NMM faced several challenges. Progress was often criticised as slow, especially in digitisation. Many manuscripts remained in private collections, difficult to access or document. Funding constraints, lack of advanced technology integration, and limited awareness also hindered the mission’s wider impact.
• In 2025, the government replaced the National Manuscripts Mission with the more ambitious Gyan Bharatam Mission, which seeks to scale up the work of NMM by leveraging modern technology like AI-assisted digitisation and positioning India’s manuscript heritage within a global cultural and diplomatic framework

 

For Prelims: Gyan Bharatam Mission, Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), National Manuscripts Mission   For Mains: GS I - Art and Culture

 

Related Question   1.Consider the following statements, with reference to the Gyan Bharatam Mission: 1. The government is aiming to create an institution on the lines of the Archaeological Survey of India for the preservation and interpretation of India’s manuscripts. 2. The mission intends to cover more than one crore manuscripts. 3. It replaces the existing National Manuscripts Mission. How many of the statements given above are correct? (a) Only one (b) Only two (c) All three (d) None Answer (c)   1. The government is aiming to create an institution on the lines of the Archaeological Survey of India for the preservation and interpretation of India’s manuscripts. ✅ Correct – The Gyan Bharatam project (₹400 crore) envisions such an institution. 2. The mission intends to cover more than one crore manuscripts. ✅ Correct – Officially, it aims to include over one crore manuscripts. 3. It replaces the existing National Manuscripts Mission. ✅ Correct – Gyan Bharatam substitutes the National Manuscripts Mission (2003), which progressed slowly

 

Source: Indianexpress