03 Aug 2023: UPSC Exam Comprehensive News Analysis

03 August 2023 CNA
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TABLE OF CONTENTS

A. GS 1 Related
B. GS 2 Related
INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
1. Jeddah: Hope for peace in Ukraine?
C. GS 3 Related
ECONOMY
1. GST Council sticks to its plan to collect 28% tax on online gaming
D. GS 4 Related
E. Editorials
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
1. Deep tech startups taking brave risks
F. Prelims Facts
1. India passes law allowing private firms to bid for and mine lithium
G. Tidbits
1. Health Ministry sets deadline for pharma firms’ certification
2. Govt. kicks off contractual dispute settlement scheme
3. One more cheetah dies at Kuno Park, taking the toll to six
H. UPSC Prelims Practice Questions
I. UPSC Mains Practice Questions
FIP Magazine

F. Prelims Facts

1. India passes law allowing private firms to bid for and mine lithium

Syllabus: GS 3- Economy

Prelims: Recent policy changes in the mining sector.

Introduction

  • India’s Parliament recently passed a law that grants the government the authority to auction and mine its newly discovered reserves of lithium and other minerals. This move aims to boost the mining of critical inputs used in electric vehicle (EV) batteries.

Removal of Lithium and Other Minerals from Atomic Minerals List

  • The law removes lithium and other minerals from a previous list of atomic minerals.
  • The removal allows private companies to participate in the exploration and mining of these minerals.
  • The government stated that this change is expected to significantly increase exploration and mining activities in the country.

Impact on Lithium Reserves

  • Earlier this year, significant lithium reserves were discovered in Jammu and Kashmir.
  • The government plans to continue searching for more reserves later in the year.

Also read: Lithium Deposits in India

Inclusion of Other Minerals for Mining and Auction

  • The law not only applies to lithium but also includes other minerals like titanium, beryl, niobium, and zirconium.
  • Previously, only state-run companies were allowed to mine these minerals, leading to limited production.
  • The involvement of private firms is seen as a potential ‘force multiplier’ for increased mining activities.

G. Tidbits

1. Health Ministry sets deadline for pharma firms’ certification

  • The Health Ministry of India aims to improve the quality management of pharmaceutical manufacturers to foster national and international growth.
  • The ministry has set a deadline of six months for small manufacturers and twelve months for large units to obtain the World Health Organization-Good Manufacturing Practices (WHO-GMP) certification.
  • WHO-GMP certification includes mandatory standards that ensure product quality through stringent control measures on materials, methods, machines, processes, personnel, and facility/environment.
  • The incorporation of the GMP system in Schedule M of the Drugs and Cosmetics Rules, 1945, took place in 1988.
  • This move is expected to boost the reputation and credibility of Indian pharmaceutical products in the global market.
  • By obtaining WHO-GMP certification, manufacturers can demonstrate compliance with international quality standards, increasing their chances of export opportunities and enhancing business growth.
  • The certification process will encourage pharmaceutical companies to maintain high standards of manufacturing and quality control.
  • This step aligns with the government’s vision to strengthen the healthcare sector and promote India as a reliable source of quality medicines.

2. Govt. kicks off contractual dispute settlement scheme

  • The Centre has introduced a settlement scheme, named ‘Vivad se Vishwas II – (Contractual Disputes),’ to address contractual disputes with vendors or suppliers associated with the government.
  • The scheme was announced by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman during the Union Budget and the guidelines for its operation were indicated by the Department of Expenditure earlier.
  • The deadline for firms to submit their claims for consideration under the scheme is October 31.
  • To be eligible for settlement, disputes should have secured an arbitral award by January 31, 2023, or a court order by April 30, 2023.
  • The scheme is valid for all contractual disputes within the country where either the Government of India or organisations under its authority are parties involved.
  • The maximum settlement amount provided to the contractor for disputes related to court judgments will be limited to 85% of the net amount granted or confirmed by the court.
  • In the case of arbitral awards, the threshold for settlement will be “up to” 65% of the net amount awarded.

3. One more cheetah dies at Kuno Park, taking the toll to six

  • Wildlife authorities confirmed the death of another cheetah at Kuno National Park in Madhya Pradesh.
  • The deceased cheetah, named Dhatri, was sourced from South Africa and is believed to have contracted a parasitic infection due to repeated scratching and self-wounding.
  • This marks the sixth reported death among the 20 cheetahs brought in from Namibia and South Africa. Previous deaths were likely caused by infections resulting from chafing by radio collars worn by the cheetahs. The collars made their skin fragile in the humid climate, exposing them to parasites against which they have no natural immunity.
  • These animals might be unable to adapt to local parasites carried by fleas and ticks, leading to fatal consequences. Future sourcing of animals for the program may need reconsideration due to the cheetahs’ extreme sensitivity to the climate.
  • The Environment Ministry and the National Tiger Conservation Authority stated to the Supreme Court that the cheetah deaths were a result of natural causes, dismissing the likelihood of accidents.

Also read: Cheetahs in India

H. UPSC Prelims Practice Questions

Q1. With reference to Lithium-ion batteries, which of the following 
statements is correct?
  1. Lithium-ion batteries have a lower energy density compared to nickel-cadmium batteries.
  2. The major issue with lithium-ion batteries is their short life cycle.
  3. Lithium-ion batteries are fully mature and no longer subject to changes in metals and chemicals.
  4. Lithium-ion batteries require a protection circuit to ensure safe voltage and current levels.
CHECK ANSWERS:-

Answer: d

Explanation: 

Lithium-ion batteries require a protection circuit to maintain voltage and current within safe limits to prevent explosions and fires.

Q2. Consider the following statements, with reference to WHO - Good 
Manufacturing Practice (GMP):
  1. GMP ensures consistent production and control of products as per quality standards appropriate to their intended use.
  2. Its primary aim is to reduce the risks associated with cross-contamination and false labelling.
  3. It emphasises the importance of risk assessment in ensuring the safety, quality, and efficacy of pharmaceutical products.

How many of the statements given above are correct?

  1. Only one
  2. Only two
  3. All three
  4. None
CHECK ANSWERS:-

Answer: c

Explanation: 

GMP ensures consistent product quality, reduces risks in pharmaceutical production, and emphasises risk assessment in WHO guidelines. 

Q3. With reference to the term "Sunrise industry," which of the following
statements is correct?
  1. Sunrise industries are established sectors with slow growth rates.
  2. These industries are characterised by a decline in venture capital funding.
  3. They are in the early stages of development and are expected to experience rapid growth.
  4. Sunrise industries have matured and no longer attract start-ups.
CHECK ANSWERS:-

Answer: c

Explanation: 

Sunrise industries show promise of rapid growth with high start-up activity and venture capital funding.

Q4. Consider the following statements, with reference to the Fund of 
Funds for Startups (FFS) Scheme:
  1. FFS directly invests in startups to enable access to domestic capital.
  2. State Bank of India (SBI) is responsible for disbursing the capital under FFS.
  3. AIFs supported under FFS must invest at least half the amount committed under FFS in startups.

How many of the statements given above are incorrect?

  1. Only one
  2. Only two
  3. All three
  4. None
CHECK ANSWERS:-

Answer: c

Explanation: 

It provides a boost to startups through SEBI-registered AIFs and not by direct investment. SIDBI oversees disbursals, and AIFs under FFS must invest at least 2 times the committed amount. 

Q5. Consider the following statements, with reference to the "Vivad se
Vishwas-2 (Contractual Disputes)" scheme:
  1. The scheme aims to resolve contractual disputes involving the government and government undertakings.
  2. It covers disputes up to 30 September 2022.
  3. The settlement amount offered under the scheme is up to 85% of the net amount awarded for court awards passed on or before 30 April 2023.

How many of the statements given above are correct?

  1. Only one
  2. Only two
  3. All three
  4. None
CHECK ANSWERS:-

Answer: c

Explanation: 

All three statements are correct. 

I. UPSC Mains Practice Questions

  1. “The Jeddah Meet to broker peace between Russia and Ukraine holds multiple potentialities”. Comment. (150 words, 10 marks) [GS-2; International Relations]
  2. “The future of Indian Startups lies in Deep Tech”. Elucidate. (150 words, 10 marks) [GS-3; Economy]

Read the previous CNA here.

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