22 May 2023: UPSC Exam Comprehensive News Analysis

E. Editorials

Category: INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

1. India as a Quad-led biomanufacturing hub

Syllabus: Regional and Global groupings.

Mains: Quad-led biomanufacturing hub.

Prelims: Biomanufacturing.

Details:

• A Critical and Emerging Technology Working Group was established by Quad in March 2021.
• It was formed to ensure cooperation, monitor trends, and look out for opportunities in emerging technologies including biotechnology.
• It is argued that cooperation in the field of biotechnology remains insufficient.

Biomanufacturing and its Significance:

• Biomanufacturing refers to using living systems, specifically microorganisms and cell cultures, to produce materials (and molecules) on a commercial scale.
• Biomanufacturing can transform industrial systems as 60% of physical inputs to the global economy can be produced using the technology.
• It is suggested that the establishment of a Quad-led biomanufacturing hub in India can enhance cooperation.
• Countries like the U.S. and China have designed specific policies to develop bio-economies.

Establishment of Biomanufacturing in India:

• The Quad should develop a Biomanufacturing hub in India as India’s National Biotechnology Development Strategy envisions the country as a Global hub by 2025.
  • It sets a target of $100 billion for the hub.
  • However, it will also require external support from the Quad members for initial development.
• Its development will benefit the economic potential of the country and address supply chain vulnerabilities.
• Quad members’ role in Biomanufacturing hub:
  • The U.S. can provide funds.
  • Australia, Japan, and the U.S. have advanced biotechnology innovation ecosystems and intellectual property.
  • While India has a skilled workforce and can provide affordable scale.
• India is the right choice for the hub as:
  • It has existing infrastructure, pharmaceutical manufacturing expertise, and the required workforce.
  • As per the Australian Strategic Policy Institute, India is a top performer both in terms of the quality of research output and in research publications.
  • It will provide low-cost manufacturing, especially in the production of enzymes, reagents, etc.
  • It is found that the cost of manufacturing in India is almost 33% lower than that in the U.S.
  • China is also willing to capture this market on the lines of small-molecule active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs). 
  • Concerns about China’s dominance in the field forced India to launch the Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme for biopharmaceuticals and associated products.
  • Establishing a hub in India will help in technology transfer, connecting investors, and establishing a fund. This will further reduce dependence on China.
• India is aiming to enhance its fermentation capacity tenfold to 10 million litres in the next 3-5 years and become a leader in the field.

Way Ahead:

• India should improve its workforce quality. In this context, permanent training facilities should be developed in universities.
• There should be more focus on commercializing research and development.
• The hub should harmonize language, regulations, and data-sharing. This would secure supply chains for Quad nations and facilitate international collaboration.

Related Link: 

UPSC Exam Comprehensive News Analysis. Feb 22nd, 2023 CNA. Download PDF

Nut Graf: The proposed biomanufacturing hub in India will not only capitalize on the economic potential of the industry but also address existing vulnerabilities in global supply chains and help the Quad countries in the key area.

Category: SOCIAL ISSUES

1. One in seven Indian primary schools run by a lone teacher

Syllabus: Education.

Mains: Issues related to education.

Context: A ‘Gloom in the Classroom’ report studies the situation of primary and upper-primary schools in Jharkhand.

Details:

• According to the Unified District Information System for Education (UDISE), one-third of the primary-level schools in Jharkhand are run by single-teacher schools. 
• Similarly, the proportion of single-teacher schools in India is as high as 14.7% (UDISE data). 
• The Right to Education Act states that every school must have at least two teachers.
• Performance of various states:
  • Andhra Pradesh has 34% of single-teacher schools.
  • Whereas 30% of schools in Telangana are run by single-teacher.
  • Karnataka has nearly 29% of schools administered by a single teacher.
  • Jharkhand the proportion stands at 25%.
• The number of pupils in single-teacher schools in different states on average are:
  • Madhya Pradesh – 39 pupils
  • Jharkhand – 46 pupils
  • Uttar Pradesh – 70 pupils
  • Bihar – 96 pupils
• However, in some states, single-teacher schools are associated with several other factors like low population density, scattered settlement patterns, and low fertility rates. For example, 
  • In Himachal Pradesh, the proportion of such schools is 27%, but the average number of students in these schools is less than 20. 
• Kerala is the best performer with only 4% of single-teacher schools. Moreover, these schools have only 1% of children.

Associated Concerns:

• Only 9 out of 21 major states in India have an average pupil-teacher ratio below 30 in single-teacher schools.
• Many state governments try to save money by understaffing schools in underprivileged areas.
• There is a high vacancy for teachers. For example, there have been no teacher appointments since 2016 in Jharkhand.
• Teachers resist remote postings.
• It should be noted that there is a huge demand for quality education in remote areas.

Related Link: 

Indian Education System – Issues And Challenges

Nut Graf: There are many schools in India (especially in rural areas) that are run by single teachers. This is a cause of concern for the quality of education. The state government should address this by recruiting more teachers in understaffed schools in underprivileged areas.