Organisation of Islamic Cooperation

For Prelims: Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), UN Human Rights Council

For Mains: Effect of Policies & Politics of Countries on India's Interests, India’s relationship with OIC as an organisation

Why in News?

Recently, the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) condemned and denounced the comments on Prophet Muhammed made by two Indians.

• Ministry of External Affairs rejected the OIC comments, adding that the views expressed by the individuals did not reflect the views of the Indian government.
• Earlier, India has lashed out at the OIC for being "communal minded" amid the Karnataka hijab row.

What is the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation?

• About:
  • The OIC claims to be the “collective voice of the Muslim world”.
  • It was established at a 1969 summit in Rabat (Morocco) after what it describes as the ‘criminal arson’ of Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem.
• Members:
  • It has 57 member Countries.
    • India is not a Member of OIC.
• Objectives:
  • The OIC endeavours to establish solidarity among member states.
  • To support restoration of complete sovereignty and territorial integrity of any member state under occupation.
  • To protect, defend and combat defamation of Islam.
  • To prevent growing dissention in Muslim societies and work to ensure that member states take a united stand at the U. N. General Assembly, Human Rights Council and other international fora.
• Headquarters: Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
  • The organisation plans to permanently move its headquarters to East Jerusalem once the disputed city is ‘liberated’.
  • Moreover, it aspires to hold Israel accountable for ‘War Crimes’ and violations of international law.
• OIC charter:
  • The organisation adheres to a charter that lays out its objectives, principles and operating mechanism.
  • First adopted in 1972, the charter has been revised multiple times in line with emerging conditions in the developing world.
  • The present charter was adopted in March 2008 at Dakar in Senegal.
  • It enshrines that all members be guided and inspired by the noble Islamic teachings and values alongside committing themselves to the purposes and principles of the U. N. charter.

How does OIC Function?

• Membership:
  • U. N. members with a Muslim majority can join the organisation.
  • The membership is to be ratified with full consensus at the OIC’s Council of Foreign Ministers.
  • The same provisions apply for acquiring an observer status.
• Decision Making:
  • All decision-making in the forum requires a quorum defined by the presence of two-thirds of the member states and complete consensus.
  • In case a consensus cannot be reached, decisions shall be made by a two-thirds majority of members present and voting.
  • The Council of Foreign Ministers is the chief decision-making body and meets annually to decide on how to implement the OIC’s general policies.
    • They take decisions and resolutions on matters of common interest, review their progress, consider and approve programmes and their budgets, consider specific issues bothering member states and recommend establishing a new organ or committee.
• Finance:
  • The OIC is financed by the member states proportionate to their national incomes.
    • A member's voting rights are suspended when their arrears equal or exceed the amount of contributions due from them for the preceding two years.
    • The member is only allowed to vote if the Council of Foreign Ministers is satisfied that the failure is due to conditions beyond the member’s control.
• Islamic Summit:
  • It is composed of Kings and heads of state, is the supreme authority of the organisation.
  • Convening every three years, it deliberates, takes policy decisions, provides guidance on issues relevant to the organisation and considers issues of concern to the member states.
• Council of Foreign Ministers:
  • The Council of Foreign Ministers is the chief decision-making body and meets annually to decide on how to implement the OIC’s general policies.
    • They take decisions and resolutions on matters of common interest, review their progress, consider and approve programmes and their budgets, consider specific issues bothering member states and recommend establishing a new organ or committee.
• Standing Committees:
  • The OIC also has standing committees for cooperation on information and cultural affairs, economic and commercial matters, scientific and technological initiatives and for Jerusalem.

What are the Criticism of the OIC?

• Prioritise Rights of Muslim Minorities:
  • The OIC had become a premise for ‘window dressing’, more interested in the rights of Muslim minorities in places such as Palestine or Myanmar than the human rights violations of its member states.
• Incompetent at investigating Human Rights Violations:
  • The body lacks power and resources to investigate human rights violations or enforce its decisions through signed treaties and declarations.
• Centred around Quranic Values:
  • The organisation is largely restricted to arbitrating in conflicts where both parties are Muslims.
  • This is because the organisation is centred around Quranic values, which, it believes, makes it a qualified arbitrator.
• Failed to Establish a Cooperative Venture:
  • The OIC has failed to establish a cooperative venture among its members, who were either capital-rich and labour-scarce countries or manpower-rich and capital scarce.
  • The organization has not evolved to become a significant player either in international politics or in the area of economic cooperation.

What is the Status of India’s relationship with OIC as an organisation?

• As a country with the world’s second largest Muslim community, India had been invited to the founding conference at Rabat in 1969, but was humiliatingly ejected at Pakistan’s behest.
• India stayed away because of a multiplicity of reasons:
  • It did not want to join an organisation founded on religion.
  • There was the risk that improving bilateral relations with individual member states would come under pressure in a grouping, especially on issues such as Kashmir.
• At the 45^th session of the Foreign Ministers’ Summit in 2018, Bangladesh, the host, suggested that India, where more than 10% of the world’s Muslims live, should be given Observer status, but Pakistan opposed the proposal.
• After building close ties with powerful members such as UAE and Saudi Arabia, India has been confident of riding over any statement by the grouping.
  • India has consistently underlined that J&K is an “integral part of India and is a matter strictly internal to India”, and that the OIC has no locus standi on the issue.
• In 2019, India made its maiden appearance at the OIC Foreign Ministers’ meeting, as a “guest of honour”.
• This first-time invitation was seen as a diplomatic victory for India, especially at a time of heightened tensions with Pakistan following the Pulwama attack.

UPSC Civil Services Examination, Previous Year Question (PYQ)

Q. With reference to the United Nations General Assembly, consider the following statements: (2022)

1. The UN General Assembly can grant observer status to the non-member States.
2. Inter-governmental organisations can seek observer status in the UN General Assembly.
3. Permanent Observers in the UN General Assembly can maintain missions at the UN headquarters.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only 
(c) 1 and 3 only 
(d) 1, 2 and 3

Ans: (d)

Explanation:

• Non-Member States of the United Nations, which are members of one or more specialized agencies, can apply for the status of Permanent Observer.
• The United Nations General Assembly may grant non-member states, international organizations and other entities Permanent Observer Status. Hence, statement 1 and 2 are correct.
• The status of a Permanent Observer is based purely on practice, and there are no provisions for it in the United Nations Charter.
• The practice dates from 1946, when the Secretary-General accepted the designation of the Swiss Government as a Permanent Observer to the United Nations.
• Observers were subsequently put forward by certain States that later became United Nations Members, including Austria, Finland, Italy, and Japan. Switzerland became a UN Member on September 10, 2002.
• Permanent Observers have free access to most meetings and relevant documentation.
• Many regional and international organizations are also observers in the work and annual sessions of the General Assembly.
• Permanent Observers may participate in the sessions and workings of the General Assembly and maintain missions at the UN Headquarters.Hence, statement 3 is correct.

Source: TH

UN Funds Insufficient for Climate Disasters: Oxfam

For Prelims: Oxfam International, Climate Finance, Conference of Parties

For Mains: Oxfam International’s Report on Climate Finance

Why in News?

Recently, Oxfam International released a report, which says the UN (United Nations) requires eight times more Climate Finance than 20 years ago to be able to provide humanitarian aid to Low-Income Countries during Climate-Related Disasters (Droughts, Floods or Wildfires).

• The latest Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)’s sixth assessment reports made it evident that more climate-related disasters are in the offing and therefore climate change will escalate the loss and damage suffered by these marginalized communities.

What is Oxfam International?

• Oxfam International is a group of independent non-governmental organisations formed in 1995.
• The name “Oxfam” comes from the Oxford Committee for Famine Relief, founded in Britain in 1942.
  • The group campaigned for food supplies to starving women and children in enemy-occupied Greece during the Second World War.
• It aims to maximize efficiency and achieve greater impact to reduce global poverty and injustice.
• The Oxfam International Secretariat is based in Nairobi, Kenya.

What are the Findings?

• In 2000-02, UN appealed for USD 1.6 billion as humanitarian aid. The appealed amount rose to an average of USD 15.5 billion in 2019-2021 — an unprecedented 819% increase.
• Rich countries have been able to deliver 54% of the UN’s appeals in the last five years, leaving a massive deficit of USD 28-USD 33 billion.
• People in low-income countries are most vulnerable to the impacts of climate-related disasters, be it droughts, floods or wildfires, as these disasters further exacerbate poverty and death affecting them disproportionately.
• Besides the huge financial burden, loss and damage due to climate crisis encompass health, biodiversity and loss of indigenous knowledge, among gender issues and other related factors.
• For every USD 2 needed for the UN’s humanitarian aid, rich donor countries provide USD 1.
• This is despite the fact that the richest 1% people on Earth are emitting twice as much carbon pollution as the poorest half of humanity.
• Afghanistan, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Chad, Democratic Republic of Congo, Haiti, Kenya, Niger, Somalia, South Sudan, and Zimbabwe are among the ten countries most in need of Climate Finance.
• Richer people are less exposed to climate risks and better able to weather disasters. They live in more secure places and have more assets to draw on. Poorer people have less protection and therefore experience greater loss and damage, which accumulates over time.
• The economic cost of loss and damage by 2030 will rise to the range of USD 290-USD 580billiont.

What are the Recommendations?

• Paying the cost of climate-driven loss and damages should be on the basis of responsibility — not charity.
• Rich countries, rich people, and big corporations most responsible for causing climate change must pay for the harm they are causing.
• Need establishment of a facility to draw innovative sources of finance from rich countries, which was rejected by developed nations at the 26^th Conference of Parties (CoP26) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change in 2021.
• At CoP27, governments should agree to make loss and damage finance a core element of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)’s Global Stock take.

What is Climate Finance?

• About:
  • Climate finance refers to local, national or transnational financing—drawn from public, private and alternative sources of financing—that seeks to support mitigation and adaptation actions that will address climate change.
  • Climate finance is needed for mitigation, because large-scale investments are required to significantly reduce emissions.
  • It is equally important for adaptation, as significant financial resources are needed to adapt to the adverse effects and reduce the impacts of a changing climate.
• Principles of Climate Finance:
  • Polluter Pays:
    • The 'polluters pays' principle is the commonly accepted practice according to which those who produce pollution should bear the costs of managing it to prevent damage to human health or the environment.
    • This principle underpins most of the regulation of pollution affecting land, water and air formally known as the 1992 Rio Declaration.
    • It has also been applied more specifically to emissions of greenhouse gases which cause climate change.
  • Common but Differentiated Responsibility and Respective Capability (CBDR–RC):
    • CBDR–RC is a principle within the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).
    • It acknowledges the different capabilities and differing responsibilities of individual countries in addressing climate change.
  • Additionality:
    • Climate finance should be additional to existing commitments to avoid the diversion of funding for development needs to climate change actions.
    • This includes use of public climate finance and investments by the private sector.
  • Adequacy & Precaution:
    • In order to take precautionary measures to prevent or minimise the causes of climate change as a stated goal under UNFCCC, the level of funding needs to be sufficient to keep a global temperature within limits as possible.
    • A better level of adequacy might be increased in the national estimates of the needed climate funds, this will help build planned investments with respect to INDC (Intended Nationally y Determined Contribution).
  • Predictability:
    • Climate finance must be predictable to ensure sustained flow of climate finance.
    • It can be done through multi-year, medium-term funding cycles (3 – 5 years).
    • This allows for an adequate investment program to scale up the country's national adaptation and mitigation priorities.

UPSC Civil Services Examination, Previous Year Questions(PYQ)

Q. Which of the following statements regarding ‘Green Climate Fund’ is/are correct?  (2015)

1. It is intended to assist the developing countries in adaptation and mitigation practices to counter climate change.
2. It is founded under the aegis of UNEP, OECD, Asian Development Bank and World Bank.

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Ans: (a)

Exp:

• Green Climate Fund (GCF) was established to support the developing countries in their efforts to challenge climate change by aiding them in shifting to low-emission and climate-resilient development regime. Hence, statement 1 is correct.
• GCF is designed as an operating entity of the UNFCCC’s financial mechanism and is headquartered in Incheon, Republic of Korea.
• In 2010, the 194 member countries or Conference of Parties (COP) of the UNFCCC in its 16th session agreed to create a Green Climate Fund (GCF). Hence, statement 2 is not correct.
• The GCF aims to deliver equal amounts of funding for mitigation and adaptation, while being guided by the Convention’s principles and provisions.
• The GCF was given an important role in serving the Paris Agreement and supporting the goal of keeping climate change well below 2ºC. Therefore, option (a) is the correct answer.

Source: DTE

Thailand Makes Marijuana Legal

For Prelims: Marijuana, Narcotic Drugs and Psychoactive Substances

For Mains: Legalization and Criminalization of Marijuana

Why in News?

Recently, Thailand has legalized cultivating and possessing Marijuana but recreational use (Such as smoking) is still banned, even though advocates say the easing effectively decriminalises Marijuana.

• The nation is the first to advance such a move in South-East Asia, a region known for its stringent drug laws.
• Thailand, with its year-round tropical climate, has long had a history with Cannabis which many locals commonly used in traditional medicines.

What are the Key Highlights?

• The goal is to get a head start on its neighbours in winning a large slice of the lucrative market for health treatments using cannabis derivatives, in particular the milder compound CBD (Cannabidiol). But there is another motive, to reducing overcrowding in some of the world's most overcrowded jails.
• Which means, in theory, with cultivation of the plant in any quantities now completely legalised, that the police are now unlikely to arrest people just for possession of marijuana.
• The government is hoping that developing a local cannabis trade will boost agriculture and tourism.
• It is an opportunity for people and the state to earn income from marijuana and hemp.

What is Marijuana?

• About:
  • Marijuana is a psychoactive drug from the Cannabis plant used for medical, recreational & religious purposes.
    • Cannabis can be used for smoking, vaporization, within food, or as an extract.
  • It creates mental and physical effects, such as a "high" or "stoned" feeling, a general change in perception, and an increase in appetite.
  • Short term side effects may include a decrease in short-term memory, dry mouth, impaired motor skills, red eyes, and feelings of paranoia or anxiety.
  • Long term side effects may include addiction, decreased mental ability and behavioural problems in children whose mothers’ used cannabis during pregnancy.
• Regulation in India:
  • Cannabis was regulated by the state excise departments and legally sold till 1985.
  • In 1985 The Narcotic Drugs and Psychoactive Substances (NDPS) Act has been enacted central level commercial cultivation of cannabis by production, possession, sale/purchase, transportation, interstate import/export or any other forms is punishable. The Act has been amended three times – in 1988, 2001, and most recently in 2014.
  • While CBD oil manufacturing is licenced under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940 can be legally used and sold. Some Indian websites do sell. But to purchase it one needs a prescription and many even facilitate it.
  • Similarly, Bhang, ganja and charas are enlisted in the Drugs and Cosmetics Rules, 1945 for use in Ayurveda, Siddha and Unani.

What are the Facets of Marijuana Legalisation and Criminalisation?

• Legalization:
  • Curb crime:
    • Evidence suggests that strict enforcement of the narcotics law based on prohibition tends to target the most defenceless members along the drug smuggling chain.
    • Prohibition strengthens the cartels they should be targeting. The big cartels and traffickers remain out of reach of the regular law enforcement machinery.
    • Filling jails with drug users and street-level suppliers only stresses the criminal justice system.
  • Cultural and Historical Significance:
    • The documented use of cannabis in India dates back to the Vedic period. In the Atharva-veda, the ‘bhang’ plant finds a notable mention as one of nature’s five sacred, distress-relieving plants. During the festival of Holi, the consumption of bhang is an integral part of the celebrations even today.
    • Indian Hemp Drugs Commission in 1894 found consumption of cannabis in colonial India extensive and determined that its use was very ancient, had some religious sanction, and was harmless in moderation.
    • The commission recommended against complete ban on its consumption as it can push consumer towards other hard drugs.
    • Until 1985, when NDPS Act was enacted, cannabis derivatives — bhang, charas and ganja — were regulated by the various state excise departments and legally sold by licensed shops.
  • Less Health Risk when compared to Alcohol:
    • WHO (World Health Organization) study concluded that the public health risks from cannabis use were likely less severe than those posed by alcohol and tobacco, which are legal.
  • Business and Economic Possibilities:
    • The legal marijuana market is currently worth more than USD 7 billion globally, and is expected to hit USD 31 billion by 2021.
    • The fabric produced from hemp is of very high quality. Hemp is also highly suitable as a technical fibre. India also has many startups working in this field like The mumbai-based The Bombay Hemp Co. (BOHECO).
• Criminalization:
  • Marijuana Causes Psychosis:
    • Marijuana can trigger mental health related issues in its users. THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) in marijuana has been proved to cause psychosis.
    • Those who use it as adolescents or younger may be more likely to develop mental health problems later in life. In some cases, it can also make people feel nauseous, lethargic, forgetful, anxious, or confused.
  • Marijuana is a gateway drug:
    • Cannabis has been engineered to become much more as an addictive. Growers has decreased level of CBD and increased level of THC.
    • A vulnerable person who will abuse it as a gateway drug before moving to more dangerous substances. In a study it was found that 45% who used marijuana also used other ‘Hard’ drugs.
  • Marijuana damages organs:
    • WHO has listed a number of diseases associated with the consumption of marijuana, including impairment in cognitive functioning, airway injury, bronchitis and lung inflammation.
  • Regulations difficult to enforce:
    • If marijuana will be available at a pharmacy with a prescription (like in the US) how government will ensure that it’s not bought for recreational purpose. Considering, cough syrups and inhalants are freely accessible and brought incessantly by addicts.

Way Forward

• Prohibiting and making it illegal has not prevented the availability of marijuana in the market nor its use by people.
• The potential risks that cannabis poses illustrate why it is necessary to legally regulate this drug. Rather than leaving the trade of cannabis in the hands of an unregulated criminal market, the drug should be safely produced by competent farmers, packaged and tested in suitable facilities, and sold by reputable and licensed vendors.
• Regulation allows cannabis buyers to know what they are consuming and moderate their intake in accordance with the THC level in the marketed marijuana.
• Imposing tax on cannabis sales can create revenue for the state. Tax collected could be spent on educating people about the risks of cannabis use, like public service information on alcohol and tobacco.

Source: IE

Culling of Vermin

For Prelims: Wildlife Protection Act,1972, Vermin, Wildlife (Protection) Amendment Bill, 2021

For Mains: Contribution of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 in the conservation of the various flora and fauna. Culling of vermin's poses a severe threat to the food chain of an ecosystem

Why in News?

The Wildlife (Protection) Amendment Bill, 2021 was introduced in the Parliament to amend the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 in December 2021.

• The basic motive of the amendment is to align the act according to changes in circumstances and trying to emulate a proper solution as per culling of vermin are concerned.

What are Vermin?

• Vermins are basically a problematic animal or a nuisance creature because they threaten humans, crops, livestock, or property.
• Species which have been classified as the Vermin placed in schedule V of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.
  • Example: common crows, fruit bats, rats and mice, which may be hunted freely.
• The act does not define the word Vermin. The 62^nd section of the Wildlife Protection Act grants the central government the power to declare any wild animal as vermin.
• Wild animal species which are placed in the Schedule I and Schedule II of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 can not be declared as Vermin.
  • An animal can be declared as vermin for any specifed area and a specified period of time.
• In order to prevent human-wildlife conflicts, several states in the past have petitioned to declare various animals to be vermin, including elephants, Indian porcupine, bonnet macaque, common langur and barking deer.
• The Center declared rhesus monkeys in Himachal Pradesh, wild boar in Uttarakhand and Nilgai in Bihar to be vermin.

What is the Wildlife protection Act, 1972?

• Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972 provides a legal framework for the protection of various species of wild animals and plants, the management of their habitats, and the regulation and control of trade in wild animals, plants and products made from them.
• The Act also lists schedules of plants and animals that are afforded various degrees of protection and monitoring by the government.
• The Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 currently has six schedules that assign varying degrees of protection to animals and plants.
• The Listed breeds and types of animals in Schedule I and part II of Schedule II get supreme protection. For example, Himalayan Brown Bear, Indian Elephant, Golden Geckos, Andaman Teal, Hornbills, Black Coral, Amara Brucei and many more. Offences under these are prescribed the highest penalties.
• The Listed breeds and types of animals in Schedule III and Schedule IV are also secured, but the penalties are comparatively much lower. For example, Barking Deer, Falcons, Kingfisher, Tortoise etc.
• Schedule V includes the animals which can be hunted. For example, Common Crow, Mice, Rats, Fruit Bats etc.
• The plants, trees and crops mentioned in Schedule VI are banned from Cultivation and Planting. For example, Kuth, Red Vanda, Pitcher Plant etc.

What Changes may be Introduced Through The Wildlife Protection Amendment Bill, 2021?

• The Wild Life (Protection) Amendment Bill, 2021, makes a significant amendment in that it reduces the number of schedules from six to four.
  • Schedule I for species that will enjoy the highest level of protection.
• Schedule II for species that will be subject to a lesser degree of protection.
• Schedule III that covers plants.
• It seeks to do away with Schedule V entirely. It removes the schedule for vermin species. Vermin refers to small animals that carry diseases and destroy food.
• It inserts a new schedule for specimens listed in the Appendices under CITES (scheduled specimens).
• The Central government will be empowered to directly declare any species to be vermin.
• Thus, to declare any species as vermin becomes easier.
• This change could potentially impact 41 species of mammals, 864 birds, 17 reptiles and amphibians and 58 insects.

What is the Need of the Wildlife (Protection) Amendment Bill, 2021?

• Growing human-wildlife conflicts poses a threat to both animals and people.
  • Such incidences in the form of crop / livestock damage are widely reported from different parts of the country.
    • The Himachal Pradesh Department of Agriculture recorded a crop loss of 184.28 crore in 2016 as a result of wild animals, notably monkeys.
• Since 2017, there have been 7,562 reports of agricultural invasion by wild animals in Tamil Nadu.

What is the history of vermin & ecological imbalance?

• The genesis vermin category of the The Wildlife Protection Act,1972 is a colonial legacy which has minimal scientific foundation.
  • The Tudor Vermin Acts provided for the elimination of undesirable animals and agricultural pests.
• The Preservation of Grain Act, 1532, was one of the Vermin Acts, and it established an official list of vermin' animals.
  • Owls, otters, foxes, hedgehogs, and other animals are seen as terrible food competitors with humans.
• By giving financial incentives, the Indian government has granted blanket permission to eradicate the vermin population.
  • The Government of Himachal Pradesh, for example, offered Rs 500-700 for each monkey exterminated as vermin.
• This approach of the government can cause severe ecological imbalance.
• Mass extermination can cause a vacuum in the food chain of the area.
• Methods of lethal control of human-wildlife conflict endanger the targeted species but traps and snares often prove fatal for non-targeted animals.
  • After the Karnataka government legalized the culling of wild boars in 2016 in the cause of agricultural damage, the number of snares in the Nagarhole National Park in Karnataka surged.
  • Species such as tigers, leopards, and bears (all Schedule I animals) were also caught in similar traps.
• The Himachal Pradesh Government has declared the rhesus macaque as vermin four times since 2020. This ultimately led to a decrease in the population by 33.5%.
• Non-lethal methods of human-wildlife conflict management have been shown to be more effective than lethal methods.
• More importantly, mass culling does not address the real reason.

Why are human-wildlife conflicts rising?

• The main reason for the rise in Human-Wildlife Conflicts are habitat destruction and encroachment.
• Developmental projects, industrialisation and agricultural expansion have drastically reduced forest cover.
• This ultimately led to bringing the wild animals near agricultural settlements creating the problems of human-wildlife conflict.

Way Forward

• Declaring an animal a ‘vermin’ is neither a sustainable nor an effective solution towards mitigating human-wildlife conflicts.
• Consequently, there is an urgent need to maintain a database on the extent of crop damage and conduct scientific surveys or censuses on problem-causing animals and conflict patterns.
• Unscientific and abrupt decisions made without data will have a long-lasting impact on the ecosystem and biodiversity.

Source: DTE

Transfer of in-orbit Communication to NewSpace India Ltd (NSIL)

For Prelims: ISRO, NSIL

For Mains: Need of Space Revolution and related steps taken

Why in News?

Recently, the government has approved the transfer of 10 in-orbit communication satellites from the Government of India to NewSpace India Ltd (NSIL).

• The entire GSAT series, except GSAT-7 and 7A, will go to NSIL, and thereby to companies intending to develop downstream satcom businesses. The new CMS (communication satellite) series is already operated by NSIL.
• Increasing the authorised share capital of NSIL from Rs 1,000 crore to Rs 7,500 crore was also approved.

What is the Significance of this Step?

• Provide Desired Financial Autonomy:
  • Transfer of these assets to NSIL will further provide the desired financial autonomy to the company to realize capital intensive programmes/projects and thereby offering huge employment potential and technology spin-off to other sectors of the economy.
• Boost Domestic Activity in Space Sector:
  • The approval is expected to stimulate domestic economic activity and help India gain a larger share of the global space market.
• Facilitate Ease of Doing Business in Space Sector:
  • NSIL functioning as a single-window operator will also facilitate the ease of doing business in the space sector.
    • NSIL Board will now be empowered to price the transponders as per the market dynamics and global trends in the Satellite Communication sector.
    • NSIL is also authorised to offer and allocate capacity as per its internal policies and guidelines.
      • Under the Space Sector reforms, NSIL was mandated to undertake comprehensive commercial space activities and serve as a full-fledged satellite operator.

Four Pillars of Space Reforms

• Allowing the private sector freedom of innovation.
• Government playing the enabler's role.
  • Formation of Indian Space Association (ISpA): It aspires to be a collective voice of Indian Sapce Industry.
• Preparing youngsters for the future.
  • Recently, ATL Space Challenge 2021 has been launched. This is to ensure that students of classes 6 to 12 are given an open platform where they can innovate and enable themselves to solve digital age space technology problems.
• Treating the space sector as a resource for the progress of the common man.
  • Development projects are being monitored by satellite imaging, space technology is being used in settlement of Fasal Bima Yojna claims and disaster management planning, and the NAVIC system is helping fishermen.

What is NewSpace India Ltd (NSIL)?

• About:
  • NSIL is a Central Public Sector Enterprise of the Government of India.
  • It was established in 2019 under the administrative control of the Department of Space.
  • NSIL is the commercial arm of Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) with the primary responsibility of enabling Indian industries to take up high technology space related activities.
  • Headquarters: Bengaluru
• Mission:
  • Owning satellites for Earth Observation and Communication applications and providing space-based services
  • Building satellites and launching them as per demand
  • Providing Launch Services for satellite belonging to customer
  • Building launch vehicles through Indian Industry and launch as per satellite customer requirement
  • Space based Services related to Earth Observation and Communication satellites on commercial basis
  • Satellite building through Indian Industry
  • Technology Transfer to Indian Industry

UPSC Civil Services Examination, Previous Year Question (PYQ)

Q. With reference to India’s satellite launch vehicles, consider the following statements: (2018)

1. PSLVs launch the satellites useful for Earth resources monitoring whereas GSLVs are designed mainly to launch communication satellites.
2. Satellites launched by PSLV appear to remain permanently fixed in the same position in the sky, as viewed from a particular location on Earth.
3. GSLV Mk III is a four-staged launch vehicle with the first and third stages using solid rocket motors; and the second and fourth stages using liquid rocket engines.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only
(b) 2 and 3
(c) 1 and 2 
(d) 3 only

Ans: (a)

Exp:

• PSLV is the third generation launch vehicle of India. It is the first Indian launch vehicle to be equipped with liquid stages.
• It is used mainly for delivering various satellites in Low Earth Orbits, particularly the Indian Remote Sensing series of satellites. It can take up to 1,750 kg of payload to Sun-Synchronous Polar Orbits of 600 km altitude.
• GSLV is designed mainly to deliver Indian National Satellite System, or INSAT, which is a series of multipurpose geo-stationary satellites launched by ISRO to fulfil the needs of telecommunications, broadcasting, meteorology, and search and rescue operations. It places satellites to the highly elliptical Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO). Hence, statement 1 is correct.
• The satellites in the geosynchronous orbits appear to remain permanently fixed in the same position in the sky. Hence, statement 2 is not correct.
• GSLV-Mk III is a fourth generation, three stage launch vehicle with four liquid strap-ons. The indigenously developed Cryogenic Upper Stage (CUS), which is flight proven, forms the third stage of GSLV Mk III. It is capable to lift 4-5 tonne satellites into Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO). The rocket has three-stages with two solid motor strap-ons (S200), a liquid propellant core stage (L110) and a cryogenic stage (C-25). Hence, statement 3 is not correct. Therefore, option (a) is the correct answer.

Source: IE

China’s Tiangong Space Station

For Prelims: Tiangong Space Station, Earth observatory satellites of India, Polar satellites, International Space Station

For Mains: Contribution of technological innovation in space programmes, Space Technology

Why in News?

Recently, China’s strategically significant space station project entered the final phase as three astronauts entered the orbiting module of the Tiangong Space Station.

• They were launched into the designated orbit by the Shenzhou-14 spacecraft.
  • Shenzhou-1 to 4 space flights were unmanned spaceflight missions.
  • Shenzhou-5 to 14 spaceflights are manned spaceflight missions.
• A space station is a spacecraft capable of supporting crew members, designed to remain in space for an extended period of time and for other spacecraft to dock.

What is the Tiangong Space Station?

• The Tiangong space station is a Chinese space station being built in low Earth orbit between 340 and 450 kilometers above the earth.
  • It is part of China Manned Space Program and is the country's first long-term space station.
• China is going to operationalize its new Tiangong multi-module space station for at least ten years.
• China launched an unmanned module named "Tianhe", or "Harmony of the Heavens" for its permanent space station in 2021 that it plans to complete by the end of 2022.
• Tianhe core module is the first module to launch the Tiangong space station module.

What is the China Manned Space Programme?

• The Chinese government decided to launch a human space programme using a "three-step" method in 1992 which is known as the China Manned Space Program.
  • The 1^st step: To launch manned spaceships to master basic human space technologies.
  • The 2^nd step: To launch Space Labs to make technological breakthrough in R&D, and accommodation of long-term man-tended utilization on a modest scale
  • The 3^rd step: To construct China’s Space Station to accommodate long-term man-tended utilization on a large scale
• It is managed by the China Manned Space Agency.

What is the Importance of this Launch for China?

• China is only the third country in history to have put both astronauts into space and to build a space station, after the Russia and the US.
• The China Space Station (CSS) is also expected to be a competitor to the International Space Stations.
  • The International Space Station (ISS) Is a collaborative project of several countries.
  • The ISS is the most complex international scientific and engineering project in history and the largest structure humans have ever put into space.

What are India's Space Station Programmes?

• About:
  • India is planning to launch its own space station by 2030, joining the league of US, Russia, and China to an elite space club.
  • The Indian space station will be much smaller (mass of 20 tonnes) than the International Space Station and will be used for carrying out microgravity experiments (not for space tourism).
  • Preliminary plan for the space station is to accommodate astronauts for up to 20 days in space, and the project will be an extension of the Gaganyaan mission.
  • It will orbit Earth at an altitude of around 400 km.
  • ISRO (Indian Space Research Organization) is working on a space docking experiment (Spandex), a technology that is crucial for making the space station functional.
    • Space docking is a technology that allows transferring humans from one spacecraft to another.
• Significance:
  • Space stations are essential for collecting meaningful scientific data, especially for biological experiments.
  • Provide platforms for greater number and length of scientific studies than available on other space vehicles. (as Gaganyaan will take humans and experiments in microgravity for a few days only).
  • Space stations are used to study the effects of long-term space flight on the human body.

Source: TH

Nanhi Pari Programme

Why in News?

Recently, the ‘Nanhi Pari’ Programme was by the Northwest Delhi district administration.

What is Nanhi Pari Programme?

• About:
  • 'Nanhi Pari' is a scheme to provide a one-stop solution to parents, eliminating their need to visit various offices to obtain documents.
• Objectives:
  • The basic aim of most of these schemes is to protect the birth of the girl child, and to facilitate a safe and secure environment and education for her.
  • The programme aims to complete essential services such as provision of a birth certificate, Aadhaar card registration, and opening a bank account for girls delivered in government hospitals in the district before mother and baby are discharged.
  • It aims to get registration for schemes for girl children and mothers such as the Sukanya Samriddhi Account scheme, the Ladli scheme, and Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana done at the hospital itself.
  • Apart from ensuring that schemes reach target beneficiaries and protecting the interests of girl children, the programme also aims to promote Institutional Deliveries.
• Significance:
  • It makes the processes for schemes as simple as possible for all children and mothers.
  • Parents would not have to go from here to there, trying to avail themselves of essential schemes.

What is Institutional Delivery?

• It means giving birth to a child in a medical institution under the overall supervision of trained and competent health personnel.
• It also signifies an availability of amenities to handle the situation and save the life of the mother and child.

What are the Other Related Initiatives?

• Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY)
• Janani Shishu Suraksha Karyakram (JSSK)
• Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan (PMSMA)
• LaQshya (Labour room Quality Improvement Initiative)
• Poshan Abhiyaan

Source: IE