50th Foundation Day of Coal India Limited

Source: PIB

Why in News?

Recently, Coal India Limited (CIL) marked its 50th Foundation Day, established as the apex holding company of the nationalised coking coal (1971) and non-coking mines (1973). 

• CIL functions under the Ministry of Coal and is headquartered in Kolkata. 

What are the Key Facts About Coal India Limited? 

• About: CIL is a state-owned coal mining corporation in India, responsible for producing and managing coal resources in the country. 
  • It was founded in 1975 and is the world's largest coal producer. 
• Organisational Structure: CIL is classified as a 'Maharatna' public sector enterprise and operates through 8 subsidiaries like Eastern Coalfields Limited (ECL), Bharat Coking Coal Limited (BCCL). 
  • Mahanadi Coalfields Limited (MCL) is CIL’s largest coal-producing subsidiary. 
• Strategic Importance: Over half of India’s installed power capacity is coal-based, with CIL supplying around 78% of the country’s total coal production.  
  • Coal also accounts for 40% of India’s primary commercial energy needs. 
• Mining Capacity: Across eight Indian states, CIL operates in 84 mining areas, and manages a total of 313 active mines.  
• Recent Developments: CIL recently unveiled the Strategy Report on Coal and Lignite Exploration, along with the Mine Closure Portal. 
  • It also announced the development of a 50 MW solar power plant at the Nigahi project (Singrauli, MP) that outlines a framework for coal and lignite exploration. 

What are the Key Points Related to the Coal Sector in India? 

• Pre- Independence: Coal mining in India began in 1774 by M/s Sumner and Heatly in the Raniganj Coalfield along the river Damodar. 
  • The introduction of steam locomotives in 1853 significantly boosted demand. 
• Post-Independence: Founded in 1956, the National Coal Development Corporation (NCDC) played a vital role in the systematic and scientific development of the coal industry. 
• Nationalisation of Coal Mines: The nationalisation process occurred in two phases: 
  • Coking coal mines were nationalised first in 1971-72. 
  • Non-coking coal mines followed in 1973. 
• Current Production: India achieved coal production of 997.83 million tonnes (MT) in 2023-24. CIL's production reached 773.81 MT, with a growth of 10.04%. 
  • Small quantities of coal are also produced by TISCO, IISCO, DVC and others. 
• Coal Import: In the year 2022-23, total import of coal was 237.668 MT compared to 208.627 MT in 2021- 22, thus showcasing an increase of 13.92% over 2021-22.  
  • Coal was mainly imported from Indonesia, Australia, Russia, South Africa, US, Singapore and Mozambique. 
  • Sectors such as Steel, power, cement, and coal traders import non-coking coal to meet their supply needs. 

What is the Economic Significance of the Coal Sector? 

• Energy Backbone: Coal is the primary energy source of energy which predominantly fuels thermal power plants and fulfils over half of India’s primary energy needs. 
  • Coal demand is projected to rise to 1,462 million tonnes (MT) by 2030 and 1,755 MT by 2047, highlighting its ongoing importance for electricity generation. 
• Railway Freight: Coal is the single largest contributor to railway freight in India, accounting for nearly 49% of total freight income.  
• Revenue Generation:  The coal sector contributes over Rs. 70,000 Crore annually to central and state governments through various taxes, royalties, and GST. 
  • Funds collected from the District Mineral Fund and the National Mineral Exploration Trust supports socio-economic and infrastructure projects, especially in coal-producing regions. 
• Employment Opportunities: The coal sector is a significant source of employment, providing jobs to over 2 lakh individuals in Coal India Ltd and its subsidiaries, along with thousands of contractual workers. 
• Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR): Coal sector PSUs, particularly Coal India Ltd, invests in healthcare, education, water supply, and skill development in coal-producing regions, demonstrating the sector's commitment to community welfare.

What are Challenges in India's Coal Sector? 

• Environmental Challenges:  
  • Air Pollution: Burning of coal results in emissions of Sulphur dioxide, Nitrogen oxides, Particulate Matters among others, which results in acid rain, smog, haze, and respiratory illnesses. 
  • Poor Water Quality: High levels of dissolved solids are detected in nearby water bodies. Excessive pumping of groundwater further exacerbates water scarcity issues. 
  • Land Degradation: Open-cast mining which requires significant land acquisition, leads to deforestation and loss of biodiversity. 
• High Cost of Production: Reports indicate that the average cost of production is approximately Rs 1,500 per ton, which is relatively high compared to other coal-producing countries. 
• Coal Quality: A significant portion of the coal produced in India is of inferior quality, which impacts efficiency.  
  • According to CIL, 30-40% of domestic coal is classified as non-coking coal, which is less efficient for power generation. 
• Investment in Renewables: India aims to increase its renewable energy capacity to 500 GW by 2030. The coal sector’s dominance poses a challenge to this goal. 
  • Investments in coal competes with investment in growth of renewable technologies. 
• Monopolistic Market Structure: The nationalised structure of the coal industry, dominated by CIL, has led to concerns about monopolistic practices, including one-sided supply agreements that disadvantage consumers. 

How to Address Challenges in India's Coal Sector? 

• Mitigating Environmental Challenges: Installation of scrubbers, Flue Gas Desulfurization and Electrostatic Precipitators (ESPs) can reduce sulphur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and particulate matter emissions. 
  • Adopt water recycling, rainwater harvesting, and measures to improve the quality of water bodies affected by mining activities. 
• Promoting Competition: Allow private players to participate in coal mining and distribution more freely to encourage competition and enhance consumer choice. 
• Investment Diversification: Create a clear roadmap for transitioning from coal to renewable energy sources, ensuring that investments in renewables do not stagnate due to coal sector dominance. E.g., Greening Initiatives 
• Cost Management Initiatives: Explore measures to reduce the cost of coal production through technological advancements, improved mining techniques, and better resource management. 

Drishti Mains Question:  Analyse the challenges faced by the coal sector in India and suggest comprehensive measures to address these issues.

Recognising the Economic Value of Unpaid Work in India

Source: TH

Why in News?

Recently, a research paper has spotlighted the economic value of unpaid work, particularly by women, highlighting the need for recognition in productivity measures. 

What is Unpaid Work? 

• About: Unpaid work refers to activities that individuals, particularly women, engage in without receiving monetary compensation. 
  • Women’s unpaid labour, encompassing care work, parenting, and domestic responsibilities, remains largely invisible and unrecognised in economic discussions. 
• Types of Activities: 
  • Domestic Tasks: Cleaning, cooking, and childcare. 
  • Care Work: Looking after family members, including the elderly and sick. 
  • Community Services: Volunteering in community activities without pay. 
  • Subsistence Production: Engaging in farming or crafts for personal use rather than for sale. 
• Economic Contribution: Unpaid work contributes significantly to the economy, often accounting for a substantial percentage of Gross Domestic Product (GDP), especially in developing countries. 
  • It supports the labour force by providing essential services that enable others to participate in paid work. 
• Gender Disparities and Limited Opportunities: Women disproportionately bear the burden of unpaid work due to societal norms, limiting their access to education, skill development, and paid employment, which reinforces cycles of inequality and hinders economic independence. 
• Importance of Recognising Unpaid Work: Valuing unpaid work can help address gender inequalities and promote fair distribution of labour responsibilities. 
  • Incorporating unpaid work into national accounts aligns with goals for sustainable development, particularly in achieving gender equality (as highlighted in the United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)). 

What are the Key Highlights of the Research on Unpaid Work? 

• Quantifying Unpaid Work: The authors utilised data from the Consumer Pyramids Household Survey (CPHS) by the Centre for Monitoring Indian Economy (CMIE), covering individuals aged 15 and above from September 2019 to March 2023 to measure the economic value of unpaid household work. 
  • Findings indicate that women not in the labour force spend over 7 hours daily on unpaid domestic tasks, while employed women spend about 5.8 hours.  
    • In contrast, men contribute significantly less, averaging under 4 hours daily for unemployed men and 2.7 hours for employed men. 
    • This stark contrast underscores the significant burden of unpaid labour borne by women.
• Valuation Methods: The paper employs two input-based valuation methods: 
  • Opportunity Cost (GOC): This method calculates the value of unpaid labor based on the wages that individuals forgo by engaging in unpaid tasks. 
  • Replacement Cost (RCM): This method estimates the monetary value by assuming that these household tasks could be performed by hired market workers, thus assigning a value based on prevailing market wages for similar roles. 
  • Findings from the Valuation: The estimated value of unpaid household work was Rs 49.5 lakh crore using the GOC method and Rs 65.1 lakh crore with the RCM method for 2019-20, translating to 24.6% and 32.4% of nominal GDP, respectively. 
• Policy Recommendations: The authors advocate for policies that recognise and value unpaid work to encourage gender equity in the workforce. 
  • While the System of National Accounts has included household production in GDP calculations since 1993, it has notably excluded unpaid care work. 
  • According to a 2023 State Bank of India report, Unpaid work is estimated to contribute approximately Rs 22.7 lakh crore (about 7.5% of GDP) to the Indian economy. 
    • The authors highlight that enhancing women’s labour force participation could potentially increase India’s GDP by 27%. 
  • They also emphasise the need for future research to refine methodologies for valuing unpaid work and promoting equitable redistribution of caregiving responsibilities. 

What are the Key Statistics on Unpaid Work in India? 

• Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) 2023-24: According to the PLFS Report 2023-24,  36.7% of females and 19.4% of the workforce engage in unpaid work within household enterprises. 
  • The 2022-23 data showed similar trends with 37.5% of females and 18.3% of the total workforce engaged in unpaid work. 
• Time Use Survey 2019 (National Statistical Office (NSO)): 81% of females aged 6+ spend over five hours daily on unpaid domestic work. This figure climbs to 85.1% for the 15-29 age group and 92% for those aged 15-59. 
  • In contrast,  only 24.5% of men (aged 6+) spend over an hour daily on unpaid domestic work. 
• Unpaid Caregiving Services: 26.2% of women aged 6+ spend over two hours daily on caregiving compared to 12.4% of men. 
  • The 15-29 age group shows 38.4% of women and just 10.2% of men involved in unpaid caregiving. 

Why are Women More Involved in Unpaid Work? 

• Cultural Norms and Gender Roles: Societal norms view caregiving and household duties as women's natural roles, making this work unpaid and unrecognised. 
  • 53% of women in India remain outside the labour force due to care responsibilities. In comparison, only 1.1% of men are outside the labour force for similar reasons. 
• Economic Constraints: For many households, unpaid work done by women is viewed as a cost-saving measure, with families relying on women to manage home duties and caregiving, especially in low-income households where hiring help is financially challenging. 
  • The lack of affordable care services often forces women into unpaid caregiving roles due to inadequate public investments in care infrastructure. 
• Limited Employment Opportunities: Women, particularly those with lower levels of education or living in rural areas, may face limited job opportunities. As a result, unpaid work at home becomes the primary form of contribution to their families. 
• Policy Gaps: Insufficient family-friendly policies, such as parental leave for both genders and flexible working arrangements, often result in women bearing the primary caregiving burden.  
  • This lack of institutional support reinforces the norm of women handling unpaid work. 
• Limited Recognition of Unpaid Work: Unpaid domestic and care work is undervalued and often invisible in official economic metrics, perpetuating the belief that it is not "real work" and does not require formal compensation or acknowledgment.

What Policies are Needed to Address Inequity in Unpaid Work? 

• Investment in Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE): Increase government expenditure on ECCE to create accessible and affordable childcare services, enabling more women to enter the workforce. 
  • Provide financial assistance for childcare and develop community centres offering childcare and education, especially in rural and underserved areas, to reduce the unpaid care burden on women. 
  • Countries like Iran, Egypt, Jordan, and Mali also have high percentages of women outside the labour force due to caregiving. Conversely, nations like Belarus, Bulgaria, and Sweden see less than 10% of women in this situation, because of the substantial investments in ECCE. 
• Flexible Work Policies: Encourage companies to implement flexible work arrangements, allowing parents and caregivers to balance work and home responsibilities.  
  • Extend paid family leave policies to include caregiving for older adults and family members with special needs. 
• Legal Frameworks and Labour Rights: Implement laws that formally recognise unpaid care work as a legitimate contribution to the economy. 
  • Strengthen and enforce laws that promote gender equality in the workplace, such as anti-discrimination measures and equal pay regulations. 
• Promoting Shared Responsibility: Launch national awareness campaigns that challenge traditional gender roles and encourage shared domestic responsibilities between men and women. 

Conclusion 

Recognising and valuing unpaid work, especially by women, is crucial for gender equality and economic productivity. Incorporating unpaid work into metrics and implementing supportive policies can address disparities and empower women's workforce participation, leading to a more equitable society and sustainable economic growth. 

Drishti Mains Question: Discuss how entrenched cultural norms influence women's participation in unpaid work and their access to the labour market.

India-Algeria Strengthen Defence Ties

Source: TH

Why in News?

Recently, the Chief of Defence Staff of India visited Algeria, leading to the conclusion of a significant Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on defence cooperation between India and Algeria.

• This agreement is aimed at strengthening strategic interests and military ties between the two nations.

What are the Recent Development in the India-Algeria Relation?

• Significant Visit: The recent visit coincided with Algeria’s 70^th anniversary of its revolution on 1st November, marked by military parades and ceremonies, highlighting Algeria’s historical and political heritage.
• Strategic Cooperation: India re-established its defence wing in Algeria and encouraged Algeria’s reciprocal establishment in India.
  • Emphasizing India’s role as a “Vishwa Bandhu,” or global partner, CDS highlighted India’s readiness to share defence experiences and expertise.
• Integrated Defence Statement: The Integrated Defence Staff commented that the MoU would strengthen mutual understanding, laying a foundation for long-term collaboration in various sectors.
  • The discussions included India's advancements in defence manufacturing under ‘Make in India’ and ‘Make for the World,’ offering Algeria potential avenues for collaboration.
  • CDS reiterated India’s support for peaceful conflict resolution globally, mentioning that India has reinstated its defence wing in Algeria and expressed support for Algeria’s defence wing in India.

What are the Significant Areas of India-Algeria Relationship?

• Diplomatic Relations:
  • India and Algeria established diplomatic ties in July 1962, the year Algeria gained independence from French colonial rule.
  • India also supported Algeria’s liberation movement. Both countries joined the Non-Aligned Movement post-independence, maintaining solidarity on international issues.
• Bilateral Trade:
  • Bilateral trade between India and Algeria peaked at USD 2.9 billion in 2018, later dropping to USD 1.5 billion in 2021 due to COVID-19 and Algeria's import restrictions.
  • Trade rebounded in 2022, growing 24% to USD 2.1 billion, with India's exports reaching USD 848.16 million and imports USD 885.54 million in 2023-24.
  • Major exports include rice, pharmaceuticals, and granite, while imports focus on petroleum oils, LNG, and calcium phosphates.
• Bilateral Agreements:
  • India and Algeria have signed several agreements to foster cooperation:
    • A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between All India Radio (AIR) and Algerian National Radio was signed in 2015.
    • A Space Cooperation Agreement was signed in 2018, facilitating the use of satellite technology for applications such as crop forecasting and disaster management.
    • A Visa Waiver Agreement for holders of diplomatic and official passports took effect in October 2021.
• Cultural Engagement:
  • The 10^th International Day of Yoga (IDY) was celebrated on 21st June, 2024, in Algeria at the well-known Jardin d’Essai du Hamma garden. The event attracted over 300 yoga enthusiasts of diverse ages and backgrounds.
• Space Cooperation:
  • The India-Algeria Space Cooperation Agreement, signed in 2018, covers joint efforts in space science, technology, and applications.
  • Algeria’s space agency discussed satellite applications, such as crop forecasting and disaster management, with ISRO, and India launched four Algerian satellites in 2016.
  • A Joint Committee Meeting in 2022 furthered cooperation, with Algeria requesting support for satellite capacity building.
• Indian Community:
  • Approximately 3,800 Indians are currently residing in Algeria, working in various sectors.
  • Many are technically skilled and employed on projects in remote areas, while others work in semi-skilled roles such as masons, carpenters, painters, and welders.
  • The community also includes 13 Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI) cardholders, 10 Persons of Indian Origin (PIOs), and 15 Indian students.

Why Does Algeria Matter to India?

• Strategic Partnership: Algeria's strategic location in the Maghreb and its historical alignment with India in the Non-Aligned Movement provide a solid foundation for a multifaceted partnership, allowing both nations to collaborate on international issues of mutual interest.
• Energy Security: With Algeria possessing vast hydrocarbon reserves, India can diversify its energy sources and reduce reliance on a single region, thereby enhancing its energy security and stabilizing its energy imports.
• Economic Collaboration: The recent economic reforms in Algeria, including the withdrawal of restrictive investment rules, present significant opportunities for India to engage in trade, invest in infrastructure projects, and promote capacity development that benefits both economies.
• Healthcare Cooperation: India's advanced pharmaceutical industry can play a pivotal role in supporting Algeria's healthcare system, fostering medical tourism, and implementing telemedicine programs that enhance the capabilities of Algerian healthcare workers.
• Security Cooperation: Given the regional instability and security threats, India and Algeria can strengthen their defense ties through joint counter-terrorism initiatives, enhancing bilateral relations and contributing to regional stability and security.

What are the Major Challenges in India-Algeria Relations?

• Political and Socio Economic Issues: Algeria's internal political instability and socioeconomic challenges can hinder consistent diplomatic engagement and mutual initiatives.
• Limited Regional Cooperation: The inactive state of the Arab Maghreb Union limits regional collaboration opportunities, affecting India's engagement strategy in the region.
• Knowledge Deficit: A lack of awareness about each other’s cultures and political contexts can hinder deeper bilateral relations and cooperative efforts.

Way Forward

• Enhanced High-Level Engagements: Increasing frequency and depth of political visits can strengthen mutual understanding and collaboration on international issues.
• Focus on Economic Diversification: Promoting joint ventures in non-hydrocarbon sectors can reduce Algeria’s economic vulnerability while providing Indian businesses with new opportunities.
• Cultural Exchange Programs: Initiating programs to promote cultural understanding and knowledge sharing can bridge the gap between the two nations, fostering goodwill and trust.

Drishti Mains Question Q. "Examine the implications of the recent defence cooperation MoU between India and Algeria in strengthening their strategic partnership amid evolving regional dynamics."

States Formation Day

Why in News?

Recently, the Prime Minister extended his best wishes to the states of Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Haryana, Karnataka, and Kerala on their foundation day (1^st November).

• He highlighted the contributions of each state to the country in various fields including cultural heritage, development, preservation, and natural resources.

Name of State	Year of Formation	Carved Out of States	Regions Merged to form the State
Madhya Pradesh	1956	–	Parts of former Madhya Bharat, Vindhya Pradesh, Bhopal State, Central Provinces and Berar, United Provinces, and Bombay State
Karnataka	1956	–	Kannada-speaking regions of Southern India (Formerly known as Mysuru)
Kerala	1956	–	Travancore-Cochin united with Malabar and Kasaragod taluk of South Canara
Haryana	1966	Punjab	–
Chhattisgarh	2000	Madhya Pradesh (with 16 Chhattisgarhi- speaking districts)	–

IUCN’s First Global Tree Assessment

Source: DTE

Why in News? 

Recently, the first Global Tree Assessment was published as part of an update to the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, with its findings announced at the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD COP16) in Cali, Colombia. 

What is the Global Tree Assessment Report?

• About: 
  • Purpose: It aims to evaluate all tree species globally for inclusion in the IUCN Red List, improving conservation information for decision-making. 
  • Launch: Started in 2015, the GTA helps prioritise conservation action, research, and funding for species most at risk of extinction. 
  • Partnerships and Collaboration: It collaborates with over 60 botanical organisations, 25 IUCN groups, and numerous tree experts worldwide. 
• Key Findings of the Report: 
  • Species at Risk: 
    • Of the 47,282 tree species analysed, 16,425 are threatened with extinction. Iconic species, such as magnolias, oaks, maples, and ebonies, are among those most endangered. 
      • Threatened tree species exceed the combined total of threatened birds, mammals, reptiles, and amphibians, with trees at risk in 192 countries. 
    • The South Western Ghats of Kerala host Buchanania barberi, a small tree classified as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List since 2018.  
      • Urgent conservation initiatives, including germination trials that revealed high seed viability, have been undertaken to save this species. 
  • Main Threats: 
    • Deforestation: Land clearing for crops and livestock production is a leading driver of tree extinction, especially in tropical and forest-rich regions like South America. 
    • Logging: Many tree species are exploited for timber and other forest products, putting additional pressure on natural populations. 
      • Over 5,000 tree species are used for timber, and more than 2,000 for food, medicine, and fuel. 
    • Invasive Species, Pests, and Diseases: Non-native species and pathogens are increasingly affecting tree health, particularly in temperate zones. 
    • Climate Change: Warming temperatures, rising sea levels, and more frequent and intense storms pose significant risks, especially in tropical and island ecosystems. 
  • Ongoing Conservation Efforts: 
    • Initiatives in regions such as the Juan Fernández Islands, Cuba, Madagascar, and Fiji have successfully protected endangered tree species. 
    • Countries like Ghana, Colombia, Chile, and Kenya have developed national strategies focused on tree conservation. 
    • Gabon has designated key conservation areas specifically for trees, demonstrating a proactive approach to biodiversity preservation.

Asia-Pacific Climate Report 2024

Source: BS

Why in News?  

Recently, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) released its Asia–Pacific (APAC) Climate Report 2024, highlighting alarming economic impacts of climate change on the Asia-Pacific region.

What are the Key Highlights of the Asia-Pacific Climate Report 2024? 

• Economic Impacts of Climate Change:  
  • Under high-end greenhouse gas emissions, the APAC region could see a 17% reduction in Gross Domestic Product (GDP) by 2070. 
    • By 2100, this figure may surge to 41% under high GHG emissions. 
  • India may experience a 24.7% GDP decline by 2070. Bangladesh faces a potential 30.5% loss, while Vietnam could see a 30.2% reduction, and Indonesia a 26.8% decline. 
• Main Drivers of Economic Losses:  
  • Sea Level Rise: Up to 300 million people are at risk of coastal flooding due to sea level rise by 2070. Annual damages could climb to USD 3 trillion by 2070. 
  • Labour Productivity Decline: The APAC region is expected to suffer a 4.9% GDP loss due to reduced labour productivity, but India’s loss could be as high as 11.6%. 
  • Cooling Demands: Rising temperatures could reduce regional GDP by 3.3%, while India's GDP may face a sharper decline of 5.1% due to cooling requirements. 
• Climate Change Impact on Natural Disasters:  
  • Riverine Flooding: By 2070, annual river flooding could lead to USD 1.3 trillion in damages across the APAC region, impacting over 110 million people. 
    • India’s projected losses include residential damages exceeding USD 400 billion and commercial damages surpassing USD 700 billion. 
  • Storms and Rainfall: Increased intensity of tropical storms and rainfall is expected to worsen floods and landslides, especially in mountainous areas like the India-China border, where landslides may increase by 30-70% under severe warming. 
• Implications for Forests and Ecosystems: Climate change is projected to reduce forest productivity in the APAC region by 10-30% by 2070 under high-emission scenarios.  
  • India faces losses over 25%, alongside Vietnam and Southeast Asia, while regions like China and Central Asia may see losses under 5%. 
• Steps Needed for Improvement:  
  • Net-Zero Targets and Gaps: 36 out of 44 economies in Asia have set net-zero emission targets. However, only four countries have legally enshrined these targets, and most lack detailed plans.  
    • India and China aim for 2070 and 2060 targets, lagging behind many Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) economies, of which 32 out of 38 have net-zero targets and 23 are legally committed and many aiming for 2050. 
    • To enhance its climate ambitions, developing Asia requires clearer policies and increased financing support, with institutions like ADB poised to assist in achieving these goals.  
  • Climate Finance: The region needs USD 102–431 billion annually for climate adaptation, a significant leap from the USD 34 billion tracked from 2021 to 2022. 
    • Greater private investment and enhanced policies are necessary to meet these targets. Enhanced recognition of climate risks and regulatory reforms can help attract private climate investment. 
    • The report emphasises the need to accelerate adaptation responses and scale up adaptation-focused climate finance. 
  • Renewable Energy: The report underscores the region’s potential to leverage renewable energy for a net-zero transition. 
    • Embracing domestic and international carbon markets is highlighted as a cost-effective means for climate action.

Civil Registration System (CRS) Mobile Application

Source:TH

Recently, the Union Home Minister launched the Civil Registration System (CRS) mobile application to integrate technology with governance.  

• It is developed by the Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India (RGCCI) which is responsible for conducting the decadal census in India. 
• The application will streamline the registration process for births and deaths, ensuring a hassle-free experience by allowing citizens to register these vital events at any time, from anywhere, and in their state's official language. 
• About CRS: 
  • The Registration of Births and Deaths (Amendment) Act, 2023 mandates digital registration of all births and deaths in India from 1st October 2023, through the Centre’s portal. 
  • It will serve as a single document for verifying date of birth for services like school admissions, government jobs, and marriage registration. 
  • A centralised database will aid in updating the National Population Register (NPR), ration cards, property registration, and electoral rolls. 
    • NPR data, first collected in 2010 and updated in 2015, includes details on 119 crore residents and is a precursor to the National Register of Citizens under the Citizenship Act, 2019.

Read More: Supreme Court Notice on Birth Registration

Centralised Asset Liquidation Auction Platform

Source: BS 

The Insolvency and Bankruptcy Board of India (IBBI) and Indian Banks' Association (IBA) plans to create a centralised platform for auctioning of assets under the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC). 

• Auction of assets will be conducted via the eBKray platform which has been operating auctions for mortgaged assets under the SARFAESI Act, 2002 for the past five years. 
  • eBKray platform is managed by PSB Alliance Private Limited which is a consortium of 12 public sector banks. 
• The platform will serve as a single listing point for all assets in liquidation cases, requiring detailed asset information from liquidators. 
• IBBI is a statutory body established under the IBC 2016 to oversee and regulate the insolvency and bankruptcy processes in India. 
• IBA is a representative body of the banking sector in India, established in 1946. 
• IBC is a legislative framework enacted in India in 2016 to streamline the process of insolvency and bankruptcy for individuals, partnership firms and companies. 

Read More: Seven Years of the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code

Diffraction Limit

Source: TH

The resolution limit of an optical instrument that uses light is constrained by the diffraction limit, a fundamental boundary that prevents improvement beyond a certain point.  

• This diffraction limit affects the instrument’s ability to distinguish between two close objects.  
• Due to the diffraction limit, scientists could use the light microscope to see cells but not the proteins inside them or a virus attacking them. 
• However, optical microscopes can see inside cells and even things as small as atoms. This technique is called super-resolution microscopy, and it is not bound by the diffraction limit. 
  • Instead of using light to illuminate the cells in the microscope, special molecules called fluorophores were attached to the cells.  
  • These molecules glowed when exposed to radiation, allowing the microscope to also detect their surroundings. 
  • A microscope's resolving ability indicates how well it can distinguish between two closely spaced distant objects, with higher resolution resulting in better performance. 
• The Nobel Prize in Chemistry 2014 was awarded jointly to Eric Betzig, Stefan W. Hell and William E. Moerner for the development of super-resolved fluorescence microscopy. 

Read More: Glow Scope 

US Sanctions Indian Firms for Supporting Russia’s War Efforts

Source: BS 

The United States imposed sanctions on nearly 400 entities and individuals, including 19 Indian firms and two Indian nationals, for allegedly aiding Russia's war efforts in Ukraine. 

• This action highlights the US effort to restrict Russia's military by limiting access to critical technology and supplies. 
• Sanctions restrict or terminate economic relations and can include trade bans, asset freezes, and denial of access to financial systems. 
  • Types of sanctions include comprehensive (e.g., US embargo on Cuba) or targeted (specific individuals or companies). 
• Global Mechanisms: Sanctions can be imposed by individual countries or international bodies like the United Nations, although enforcement is carried out by member states. 
  • Despite extensive sanctions, Russia's economy remains resilient, supported by trade with nations like India and China. 
• Historically, India faced international trade restrictions after its nuclear tests in 1974 and 1998, India also sanctioned other nations.  
  • India targeted South Africa's apartheid regime(1946). More recently, India revoked Pakistan’s Most Favoured Nation (MFN) status in 2019 following a terrorist attack in Kashmir and banned over 100 Chinese apps, including TikTok, since 2021 after India- China border clashes. 

Read more: U.S.A’s Position on CAATSA