Indian Oil Market Outlook to 2030: IEA

Source: IE

Why in News?

Recently, the International Energy Agency (IEA) has released the Indian oil market outlook to 2030 report, which looks in-depth at how India’s role on the global oil market may evolve over the period through to 2030.

• The Report looks at energy transition trends that may affect the demand for oil in different sectors and how these changes could impact the country’s energy security.

What are the Key Highlights of the Report?

• India's Dominance in Oil Demand Growth:
  • India is projected to become the largest source of global oil demand growth between now and 2030, surpassing China by 2027.
  • India's oil demand is set to rise by about 1.2 million barrels per day (bpd) by 2023. This increase constitutes over a third of the expected global demand growth of 3.2 million bpd by 2030.
    • India’s total oil demand projections will stand at 6.64 million bpd in 2030 against 5.48 million bpd in 2023.
  • This growth is fueled by factors such as strong growth in its economy, population and demographics.
• Growth in Fuel Demands:
  • Diesel/gasoil is identified as the single largest source of oil demand growth in India, accounting for nearly half of the rise in the nation's demand and over one-sixth of total global oil demand growth through 2030.
  • Jet-kerosene demand is poised to grow strongly, at around 5.9% per year on average, but from a low base compared to other countries.
  • India’s petrol demand is projected to grow by 0.7% on average, as the electrification of India’s vehicle fleet avoids a more substantial rise.
  • Gasoline demand is projected to grow modestly due to the electrification of India's vehicle fleet. LPG demand is expected to increase due to investments in production facilities.
• Crude Oil Imports:
  • India's Crude oil imports are forecasted to rise by over a fourth to 5.8 million bpd by 2030 due to robust oil demand growth and declining domestic production. India currently depends on imports to meet over 85% of its oil requirement.
    • India currently is the third largest consumer of crude oil behind the US and China. The domestic consumption as per the oil ministry data is around 5 mb/d.
• Investment in Refining Sector:
  • Indian oil companies are investing heavily in the refining sector to meet the rise in domestic oil demand.
  • Over the next seven years, 1 mb/d of new refinery distillation capacity will be added – more than any other country in the world outside of China.
  • Several other large projects are currently under consideration that may lift capacity beyond the 6.8 mb/d capacity that we expect so far.
• Role in Global Oil Markets:
  • India is set to maintain its position as a key exporter of transportation fuels to markets in Asia and the Atlantic Basin.
  • India’s role as a global swing supplier has risen since 2022 as the loss of Russian product exports to European markets has increased the pull of Asian diesel and jet fuel westward.
    • In 2023, India was the fourth-largest exporter of middle distillates globally and the sixth largest refinery product exporter at 1.2 mb/d.
    • New refining capacity is forecast to boost product supplies to global markets to 1.4 mb/d through mid-decade before edging lower to 1.2 mb/d by 2030 given the steady rise in domestic demand.
• Biofuels in Decarbonisation:
  • Biofuels are also expected to play a key role in India’s decarbonisation of the transport sector.
    • India is already the world’s third-largest producer and consumer of ethanol, as domestic production has tripled over the last five years.
  • Supported by the country’s abundant feedstocks, political support and effective policy implementation, its ethanol blending rate of around 12% is amongst the world’s highest.
    • India has advanced by five years its deadline for doubling nationwide ethanol blending in gasoline to 20% in Q4 2026.
    • Achieving 20% ethanol blending in such a short time frame presents several challenges, not least rapidly expanding feedstock supplies.
• Efforts in Energy Transition:
  • Increased uptake in Electric Vehicles is set to play a key role in decarbonising the transport sector.
  • It is estimated that combined, new EVs and energy efficiency improvements will avoid 480 kb/d of extra oil demand in the 2023-2030 period.
    • That means without these gains India’s oil demand would reach a much higher 1.68 mb/d by 2030 compared with the current forecast.
• Challenges:
  • Despite efforts to attract foreign upstream investment, domestic crude oil production is expected to continue declining over the medium term due to a dearth of new discoveries.
  • India was already the world’s second-largest crude oil net importer in 2023, having boosted imports by 36% over the past decade to 4.6 mb/d to meet rising refinery intake.
  • Increased refining processing will lift crude oil imports further, to 5.8 mb/d by 2030, with major implications for India’s security of supply.
• Recommendations:
  • India’s current oil stock holding levels equate to 66 days of net-import cover, with Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) stocks of seven days.
    • IEA member countries maintain a stockpile equivalent to 90 days of their demand.
    • India is not a full member of the agency and has an associate member status.
  • India needs to enhance its capacity to respond to possible oil supply disruptions by implementing and strengthening its SPR Programmes and improving oil industry readiness.
    • Strategic petroleum reserves help mitigate the impact of emergencies like wars on energy supplies.

What is the International Energy Agency?

• About:
  • The International Energy Agency (IEA), which has its headquarters in Paris, France was set up as an autonomous agency in 1974 by member countries of the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) in response to the mid-1970s oil crisis.
  • The IEA's main focus is on energy policies, which include economic development, energy security, and environmental protection.
  • The IEA also plays a major role in providing information related to the international oil market and taking action against any physical disruptions in the supply of oil.
• Members:
  • The IEA family is made up of 31 member countries, 13 association countries including India, and 4 accession countries.
    • A candidate country to the IEA must be a member country of the OECD.
• Major Reports:
  • World Energy Outlook.
  • World Energy Investment Report.
  • India Energy Outlook Report.

Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Amendment Bill, 2024

Source: IE

Why in News?

The two houses of the Parliament recently approved the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Amendment Bill, 2024.

What are the Major Provisions of the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Amendment Bill, 2024?

• About:
  • The Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974, has long been a cornerstone of India's environmental legislation to ensure sustainable management of water resources.
  • The recent amendment seeks to address certain shortcomings and adapt regulatory frameworks to contemporary needs.
    • Amendments in the Water Act are also necessary to make in line with the Air Act, as both laws contain similar provisions
• Major Amended Provisions:
  • Decriminalisation of Minor Offences: It focuses on decriminalising minor offences related to water pollution, alleviating fears of imprisonment for technical or procedural lapses.
    • The rationale is to ensure penalties align with the severity of offences, promoting compliance without overly burdening stakeholders.
  • Exemption for Certain Industrial Plants: The amended bill empowers the central government to exempt specific categories of industrial plants from certain statutory restrictions, such as those outlined in Section 25 regarding the establishment of new outlets and discharges.
    • This provision intends to streamline regulatory processes and reduce duplication of surveillance efforts, and alleviate unnecessary burdens on regulatory agencies, promoting efficiency.
  • Enhanced Regulatory Oversight: It introduces measures to enhance regulatory oversight and standardisation across states.
    • It grants the central government authority to prescribe guidelines for the nomination of chairpersons of State Pollution Control Boards and issue directives regarding the grant, refusal, or cancellation of industry-related consents.
    • It provides certain mandatory qualifications, experience, and procedures to ensure fair appointment of chairpersons.
• Critiques:
  • Critics argue that the bill also seeks to centralise all powers and is against the principle of federalism. They also argue that a subject like the environment is hard to tackle without some amount of stringent fear.
  • Some critics raise concerns about the potential impact on transparency in dealing with water pollution issues.
    • They argue that by relaxing certain regulations, the accountability of industries and regulatory agencies might be compromised, leading to less transparency in environmental management.

What are the Salient Features of Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974?

• About: It was enacted for the prevention and control of water pollution and maintaining or restoring the wholesomeness of water.
  • The Central and State Pollution Control Boards have been constituted under Section 3 and 4 of the Act respectively.
  • The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), a statutory organization, was constituted in September, 1974 under the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974.
    • Further, CPCB was entrusted with the powers and functions under the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981.
    • It functions under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) and coordinates with the State Pollution Control Boards and other agencies.
• Previous Amendments: The Act was amended in 1978 and 1988 to clarify certain ambiguities and to vest more powers in the Pollution Control Board. Salient obligations on the part of industries and local bodies are:
  • Prior consent is required from the State Pollution Control Boards for establishing any industry or local body that discharges domestic sewage or trade effluent into water, streams, wells, sewers, or land.
  • Upon receipt of the application, the State Board may grant consent with specific conditions and validity dates or refuse consent, providing reasons in writing.
  • Similar provisions apply to industries discharging trade/effluent waste before the Act was enacted.

Safeguarding Children in Digital Spaces

Source: TH

Why in News?

Recently, heightened concerns have emerged regarding children's safety in digital spaces. Rising incidents of online exploitation have prompted calls for urgent action. Amid evolving digital landscapes, safeguarding children's rights is paramount.

What are the Challenges for Children in the Digital Spaces?

• Cyberbullying:
  • Definition:
    • Cyberbullying is the use of digital platforms to harass, threaten, humiliate, or harm another person, especially a peer.
  • Forms:
    • Abusive messages, rumours, hurtful comments, sharing private or embarrassing photos or videos, impersonating someone, or excluding someone from online groups.
  • Impact:
    • Negative effects on children’s mental health, self-esteem, academic performance, and social relationships. It can also lead to anxiety, depression, isolation, self-harm, or suicide.
• Online Sexual Exploitation and Abuse:
  • Definition:
    • It is the use of digital platforms to engage children in sexual activities or expose them to sexual content, for the gratification or profit of the offender.
  • Forms:
    • Producing, distributing, or accessing child sexual abuse material, grooming children for sexual purposes, soliciting children for sexual acts, livestreaming sexual abuse, or sextortion.
  • Effects:
    • Can have devastating effects on children’s physical, psychological, and emotional health, and can cause lifelong trauma and damage.
• Privacy and data protection:
  • Definition:
    • Privacy and data protection is the right of children to control their personal information and how it is collected, used, shared, or stored by others, especially online.
  • Violations:
    • It can be violated by tech companies, advertisers, hackers, or other third parties, who may collect, use, or sell children’s data without their consent or knowledge, for commercial or malicious purposes.
  • Consequences:
    • Can have harmful consequences for children, such as identity theft, fraud, targeted marketing, manipulation, discrimination, or exposure to inappropriate or dangerous content or contacts.
• Digital literacy and citizenship:
  • Definition:
    • Digital literacy and citizenship is the ability and responsibility of children to use digital platforms effectively, safely, and ethically, and to participate in the online world as informed and active citizens.
  • Challenges:
    • It can be challenged by the proliferation of misinformation, disinformation, and hate speech online, which can mislead, confuse, or harm children, and undermine their trust and values.
  • Consequences:
    • Digital literacy can be hindered by the lack of access, affordability, or quality of digital platforms and technologies, which can create digital divides and inequalities among children.
• Metaverse and Virtual Reality (VR):
  • Definition:
    • The metaverse is a virtual world that uses virtual reality, augmented reality, and other advanced technology to allow people to have lifelike experiences online.
  • Forms:
    • Exploitation by virtual predators and economic exploitation through scams. Harassment and discrimination thrive in virtual environments, fostering cyberbullying and online discrimination based on users' identities.
    • Privacy violations are rampant, with data mining and surveillance compromising users' personal information and security.
  • Negative Impacts of the Metaverse:
    • Children may encounter graphic or violent content in virtual environments, leading to desensitization or emotional distress.
      • Continuous exposure to such content can desensitize children to violence or other inappropriate behaviours, impacting their emotional well-being.
• Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI):
  • Definition:
    • Generative AI refers to AI systems capable of producing new content, such as text, images, or music, based on patterns learned from existing data.
  • Forms:
    • Generative AI offers educational benefits and creative opportunities for children, but it also poses risks, including the creation of persuasive disinformation and indistinguishable fake images, videos and information.
  • Vulnerabilities:
    • Children's cognitive vulnerabilities make them susceptible to misinformation, raising concerns about the impact of AI-generated content on young minds.

What Can Be Done to Keep Children Safe Online?

• Prevention:
  • Cyberbullying can be prevented and addressed by educating children about online etiquette and empathy, encouraging them to report any incidents, supporting the victims, and holding the perpetrators accountable.
  • Teaching children about responsible VR usage, digital citizenship, and online safety.
  • Digital literacy and citizenship can be enhanced by teaching children how to access, evaluate, create, and share online content, how to communicate and collaborate online, and how to respect and protect themselves and others online.
• Tech Companies' Role:
  • Tech firms must prioritize 'safety by design(SBD)', acknowledging their role in safeguarding children's well-being online, as highlighted in recent Congressional hearings.
    • SBD puts user safety and rights at the centre of the design and development of online products and services. It focuses on the ways technology companies can minimise online threats by anticipating, detecting and eliminating online harms before they occur.
  • UNICEF recommends that tech companies apply the highest existing data protection standards to children’s data in the metaverse and virtual environments.
• Government Responsibilities:
  • Assess and adjust regulatory frameworks like the Child Abuse Prevention and Investigation Unit regularly to prevent violations of children's rights in digital spaces.
  • Develop innovative initiatives like a child online safety toolkit, to help parents, educators, and other concerned adults protect children from online dangers.
  • Utilize regulatory power to combat harmful content and behaviour affecting children online.
• Collective Responsibility:
  • Recognize that existing real-world rules for child protection should extend to the online realm.
  • Emphasize the importance of collaboration between tech companies, governments, and organizations to ensure child safety online.

Performance of Information Commissions in India 2022-23

Source: TH

Why in News?

Recently, a report titled “Report Card on the Performance of Information Commissions (ICs) in India, 2022-23” by Satark Nagrik Sangathan (SNS) has revealed alarming statistics regarding gender representation and other operational aspects of these commissions based on an analysis of information accessed under the Right to Information (RTI) Act, 2005 from 29 information commissions across India.

• SNS is an Indian non-governmental organization (NGO) promoting transparency and accountability, empowering citizens in democracy.

What are the Key Highlights of the Report?

• Gender Disparity in Information Commissions:
  • Representation of Women:
    • Only 9% of all Information Commissioners across the country are women, highlighting a significant gender disparity.
  • Leadership Roles:
    • Merely 5% of ICs have been headed by women, and currently, none of them is led by a female commissioner.
  • States Without Female Commissioners:
    • 12 ICs, constituting approximately 41%, have never had a female commissioner since their establishment.
    • These states include Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Himachal Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Sikkim, Telangana, Uttarakhand, and West Bengal.
• Background of Information Commissioners:
  • Retired Government Officials:
    • Around 58% of ICs surveyed have a background as retired government officials.
  • Legal Professionals:
    • Approximately 14% of commissioners are lawyers or former judges, contributing to the diverse background of Information Commissions.
• Functioning of Information Commissions:
  • Case Disposal Rates:
    • Several ICs return a large number of cases without passing any orders, with the Central Information Commission and some State Information Commissions returning 41% of received appeals or complaints.
  • Low Disposal Rates:
    • Despite a high number of pending cases, some commissions have low disposal rates per commissioner, indicating potential inefficiencies in case management.
  • Vacancies and Appointments:
    • Lack of timely and transparent appointments is a significant issue, leading to several Commissions operating at reduced capacity and without a chief.
  • Defunct Commissions:
    • The State Information Commissions of Jharkhand, Telangana, and Tripura are defunct due to the absence of new appointments, affecting their ability to function effectively.
  • Transparency Issues:
    • The functioning of Information Commissions was found to be largely opaque, with only 8 out of 29 ICs stating that their hearings are open for public attendance, highlighting transparency concerns.

Way Forward

• Ensure fair, transparent, and inclusive selection processes for commissioners, with due representation to women and marginalised groups.
• Provide adequate resources and infrastructure to improve case disposal rates and efficiency, adhering to norms prescribed by the RTI Act and Supreme Court.
• Timely and transparent appointments, widely advertised vacancies, and revival of defunct commissions to fill vacancies and ensure each IC is headed by a chief commissioner.
• Enhance transparency and accountability by publishing annual reports, disclosing budgets and expenditures, and making hearings open for public attendance.

SC Questions Amendment of Preamble

Source:TH

Why in News?

Recently, a Supreme Court bench while hearing a petition seeking to delete the words ‘socialist’ and ‘secular’ from the Preamble, asked if the Preamble of the Constitution could have been amended without changing the date of its adoption on November 26, 1949.

• The Preamble was amended only once in 1976 to introduce the words ‘socialist’ and ‘secular’ through 42^nd Constitutional Amendment Act.

What is the Preamble to the Indian Constitution?

• About:
  • A preamble is an introductory statement in a document that explains the document’s philosophy and objectives.
    • It was inspired by the Preamble of the Constitution of the USA.
  • In a Constitution, it presents the intention of its framers, the history behind its creation, and the core values and principles of the nation.
  • The ideals behind the Preamble to India’s Constitution were laid down by Jawaharlal Nehru’s Objectives Resolution, adopted by the Constituent Assembly on January 22, 1947.
    • N A Palkhivala, an eminent jurist and constitutional expert, called the Preamble as the 'identity card of the Constitution.’
• Components:
  • It is indicated by the Preamble that the source of authority of the Constitution lies with the people of India.
  • Preamble declares India to be a sovereign, socialist, secular and democratic republic.
  • The objectives stated by the Preamble are to secure justice, liberty, equality to all citizens and promote fraternity to maintain unity and integrity of the nation.
  • The date is mentioned in the preamble when it was adopted i.e. November 26, 1949.
• Status and Amendability:
  • Berubari Union Case, 1960: Through the Berubari case, the Court stated that ‘Preamble is the key to open the mind of the makers’ but it can not be considered as part of the Constitution. Therefore it is not enforceable in a court of law.
  • Kesavananda Bharati vs State of Kerala Case, 1973: In this case, for the first time, a bench of 13 judges was assembled to hear a writ petition. The Court held that:
    • The Preamble of the Constitution will now be considered as part of the Constitution.
    • It held that the Preamble could be amended under Article 368, subject to the condition that no amendment is done to the ‘basic structure’ of the Constitution.
      • Consequently the Preamble was amended by the 42nd Amendment Act, 1976 and the terms ‘Socialist’, ‘Secular’, and ‘Integrity’ were added to the preamble.
        • ‘Socialist’ and ‘Secular’ were added between ‘Sovereign’ and ‘Democratic’.
        • ‘Unity of the Nation’ was changed to ‘Unity and Integrity of the Nation’.
    • Furthermore the court held that the Preamble is not the supreme power or source of any restriction or prohibition but it plays an important role in the interpretation of statutes and provisions of the Constitution.
  • S R Bommai vs Union of India Case, 1994: The Supreme Court again held that the Preamble is an integral part of the Constitution.

High Altitude Pseudo-Satellite (HAPS)

Source: TH

Why in News?

The Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) - National Aerospace Laboratories (NAL) recently conducted successful tests on a High Altitude Pseudo-Satellite (HAPS), marking a significant milestone in unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) technology.

What is High Altitude Pseudo-Satellite (HAPS)?

• About:
  • HAPS is a solar-powered UAV. It can generate solar energy and remain in the air for months or years.
    • HAPS operates in the stratosphere (which extends from 6-50 km above the earth’s surface), flying at altitudes of 18-20 km, nearly double the heights of commercial aeroplanes. This altitude allows them to provide surveillance capabilities akin to satellites.
  • HAPS is designed for persistent surveillance, communications, and specialist science missions.
  • HAPS is a still-developing technology, and the successful test flight puts India among a very small group of countries currently experimenting with this technology.
• Need:
  • The need for development of HAPS arose from the desire to have continuous surveillance of border areas to detect changes or movements, particularly in the wake of the Doklam standoff in 2017.
  • Previous limitations with battery-powered UAVs and satellites led to the development of solar-powered UAVs.
  • The cost of operating HAPS is significantly lower than traditional satellites as it doesn't require rocket launches.
• Versatility and Applications:
  • HAPS can be deployed in disaster situations and provide mobile communication networks (5G waves) in remote areas, if the normal networks get damaged due to any calamity.
  • They can double up as “towers in the sky” and have more flexibility than satellites, in being able to map a piece of land from above.

200th Jayanti Celebrations of Swami Dayanand Saraswati

Source: PIB

Recently, the Prime Minister of India addressed a programme on the 200^th birth anniversary of Swami Dayananda Saraswati.

• Swami Dayanand Saraswati was born as Mool Shankar Tiwari on 12^th February 1824 in Tankara, Gujarat.
• He wandered as an ascetic for fifteen years (1845-60) in search of truth.
  • The DAV (Dayanand Anglo Vedic) schools came into existence in 1886 to realise the vision of Swami Dayanand Saraswati.
• The first Arya Samaj Unit was formally set up by Swami Dayanand Saraswati at Mumbai in 1875 and later the headquarters of the Samaj were established at Lahore.
• He took inspiration from the Vedas and considered them to be ‘India’s Rock of Ages’, the infallible and the true original seed of Hinduism.
  • He gave the slogan “Back to the Vedas”.

Read More: Swami Dayanand Saraswati

Maiden India-Saudi Arabia Army Exercise

Source: TH

Recently, the maiden joint military exercise ‘Sada Tanseeq’ between the Indian Army and the Royal Saudi Land Force concluded at Mahajan Field Firing Ranges.

• It was a 12-day joint exercise that aimed to achieve interoperability between the two forces and acquaint each other with operational procedures and combat drills under United Nations (UN) mandate.
  • Both the contingents jointly took part in the validation phase which included creation of Temporary Operating Base, establishing an intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance grid and establishing mobile vehicle check post.
• Another joint exercise between India and Saudi Arabia is Al-Mohed Al-Hindi Exercise (naval).

Read More: India-Saudi Arabia Relations

Brumation a Survival Strategy in Reptiles

Source: TH

Recently, researchers have shed light on a survival strategy employed by reptiles known as brumation.

• Brumation refers to a state of dormancy or reduced activity in reptiles, akin to hibernation in mammals, typically occurring in colder months with limited food availability and is a natural part of their cycle.
  • Reptiles are cold-blooded vertebrates. (Vertebrates have backbones.) They have dry skin covered with scales or bony plates and usually lay soft-shelled eggs.
• Reptiles enter brumation to conserve energy and endure harsh conditions when temperatures drop and food becomes scarce, allowing them to survive until they can reemerge for feeding and reproduction in favourable environments.
• Reptiles retreat to sheltered areas like burrows or rock crevices, slowing metabolism to endure extended periods without eating.
• Researchers have documented instances of brumation in various reptilian species, including turtles, snakes, and lizards, each exhibiting unique behaviours to cope with adverse conditions.

Read more: World's Smallest Reptile

Smart Food Grain Storage System (SAFEETY) technology

Source: ET

Recently, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has successfully transferred the Smart Food Grain Storage System (SAFEETY) technology to M/s Paras Defense and Space Technology Ltd. This is a step towards fostering innovation and advancing technology in the country.

• SAFEETY, developed by the Society for Applied Microwave Electronics Engineering and Research (SAMEER) an autonomous R&D institution under MeitY, boasts cutting-edge features such as conveyorized loading and unloading of grain bags with Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) for traceability, online weight and moisture measurement, and Radio Frequency Based Removal of Moisture from Grain.
  • The system can handle almost one truckload (approx. weight: 28 tons) of grains in 40 minutes.
• The technology transfer of SAFEETY is a step towards the Innovation, Science and Technology theme of Vikshit Bharat @2047, which aims to make India a global leader in digital transformation and innovation.
• The technology will help in reducing post-harvest losses, improving food quality and safety, and enhancing food security in the country.

Read more: Digital Agriculture