04 Sep 2022: UPSC Exam Comprehensive News Analysis

CNA 04 Sep 2022:- Download PDF Here

TABLE OF CONTENTS

A. GS 1 Related
B. GS 2 Related
C. GS 3 Related
AGRICULTURE
1. Nano Urea
INDIAN ECONOMY
1. Loan app scams
D. GS 4 Related
E. Editorials
ECONOMY
1. Why is inflation rate different across States?
INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
1. At Vostok-22, why is India not joining naval drill?
F. Prelims Facts
1. National Legal Services Authority (NALSA)
2. LCA-Mk2
G. Tidbits
H. UPSC Prelims Practice Questions
I. UPSC Mains Practice Questions

C. GS 3 Related

Category: AGRICULTURE

1. Nano Urea

Syllabus: Factors Influencing Cropping Pattern

Mains: Significance of Nano urea over granular urea

Context: Nano urea approval is fast-tracked despite incomplete trials.

Introduction: 

• Nano urea is developed by the Indian Farmers and Fertiliser Cooperative (IFFCO).
• It is the only Nano fertiliser approved by the Government of India and included in the Fertiliser Control Order (FCO)
• It is advertised as a solution to reduce farmer dependence on packaged urea.
• It has been fast-tracked for commercial application despite incomplete trails.
• Three seasons of independent assessment by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) is done for approving a new fertiliser, but in the case of nano urea this was reduced to two.

Nano Urea v/s Traditional Urea:

• Nano urea is a patented and indigenously made liquid that contains nanoparticles of urea.
• A single half litre bottle of the liquid can compensate for a 45 kg of urea granules and it is cheaper than conventional urea.
• Granular Urea is traditionally used in the cultivation of crops such as wheat, rice and mustard.
• A 500 millilitres bottle of nano urea can replace one bag of conventional urea as it has 40,000 ppm of nitrogen, which is equivalent nitrogen nutrient provided by one bag (45Kg) of conventional urea.
• It is applied in two stages–The first packet is applied during the early sowing stage. The second application is done when the plant has sprouted a canopy of leaves, and is approaching the reproductive phase of plant growth. 
• Despite Nano Urea, the traditional urea is still necessary during the initial stage, as basal nitrogen, of crop development. 
• The nano urea could be useful in the reproductive phase of the plant growth.
• Conventional urea is effective just for 30-50 per cent in delivering nitrogen to plants, the effectiveness of the nano urea liquid is over 80 per cent.
• Nano urea using nano technology enables designing ultra-small particles that offer higher surface-mass ratios, and help in the controlled delivery of plant nutrients.
• Due to the ultra-small size and surface properties, the nano urea liquid gets absorbed by plants more effectively when sprayed on their leaves.

Significance:

• Field trials were done over four seasons on 94 crops across 21 States since 2019 in all the agro-climatic regions.
• Nano urea liquid will increase the production of crops with improved nutritional quality. 
• Average yields in areas that used nano urea increased  by 7% compared to traditional practices. 
• Nano Urea liquid is also expected to reduce the environmental pollution caused by the granular form, by reducing its excessive application that exacerbates soil, water and air pollution with climate change problems.
• It will significantly bring down the cost of logistics and warehousing.
• Urea  forms 82 % of the total nitrogenous fertilisers consumed in India, with an annual consumption of 33.6 million tonnes in 2019-20.
• As per the Union government’s claim, by 2025, India’s domestic urea production as well as production of nano urea would together result in “self-sufficiency” and would no longer require the 90 lakh tonnes annual import. This will save about 40,000 crore in exchequer.

Read more on Fertiliser Policy in India

Nut Graf: Nano Urea apart from reducing the country’s subsidy bill is aimed at reducing the unbalanced and indiscriminate use of conventional urea, increase crop productivity, and reduce soil, water, and air pollution.

Category: INDIAN ECONOMY

1. Loan app scams

Syllabus: Banking sector and NBFCs

Mains: Digital lending in India

Context: Enforcement Directorate recently searched several fintech firms in loan app cases.

Introduction: 

• The Enforcement Directorate (ED) conducted searches in various fintech entities controlled or operated by the suspects based in China, in connection with the micro-loan app case. 
• It has also seized ₹17 crore kept in the merchant IDs and bank accounts of the entities that ran the mobile apps based on complaints against these entities for their alleged involvement in the extortion and harassment of those who had taken small loans through the mobile apps run by them. 

Micro-loan app case:

• Various fintech companies had been providing instant personal loans for terms ranging from seven to 30 days.
• Hundreds of loan app scam cases have been reported from across the country. Some cases even resulted in suicide of the victims.
• Popularity of loan apps rose during the Covid pandemic, when many people lost their livelihood and were in desperate need of money to meet their day-to-day expenses. 
• However, demand for micro loans extended to corporate employees looking for additional money at the end of a month or youngsters needing money to buy virtual currency.
• Loan companies got access to complete phone data once these apps were downloaded.
• Inaccurate description of terms and conditions, especially regarding interest rates have resulted in cases where people have ended up paying as much as 66% interest per month.
• In the event of default, the recovery agents who have access to the phone book call up relatives and friends claiming that they were appointed the loan guarantor to pressure them to ensure the borrower makes the payment.
• Agents also used nude pictures or porn clips to morph the borrower’s image and then send it to the victim’s family members, relatives and friends.

China-based suspects:

• The Enforcement Directorate alleges that these entities were controlled or operated by the suspects based in China. 
• They used forged documents of Indian nationals and made them dummy directors. 
• In several cases, after collecting money from victims, they would convert it into cryptocurrency and send it to China, 
• As fintech companies were unlikely to get fresh non-banking financial companies (NBFC) licence from RBI to offer loans, they devised the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) route with the already defunct Indian NBFCs to indulge in large-scale lending activities.
• Investigating agencies found that various fintech companies in collusion with NBFC had thus indulged in predatory lending, by-passing the regulatory system. 

Way Forward:

• The ED had written to the RBI seeking cancellation of licences of NBFCs linked to Chinese loan apps in digital lending. 
• Implementation of recommendations by  RBI’s working group on digital lending made in 2021 regarding fees and charges payable, privacy and security of customer data and it also includes recommendation on enacting a law to ban unregulated lending activities.
• Google also came out with more strict guidelines allowing only those loan apps on its Play Store that are registered with the RBI. 
• There is also a need for raising public awareness against such dubious loan apps.
•  RBI shall conduct digital supervision of NBFCs to ensure that none of them are involved in lending through these unauthorised apps.

Nut Graf: ED has taken up multiple FIRs registered in India and booked cases against more than 400 mobile apps and 50 NBFCs under Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). With rising instances of digital fraud, it is crucial for enforcement and regulatory agencies to take a relook at the provisions regarding NBFCs to identify inadequacies and fill the gaps.

Category: INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

1. At Vostok-22, why is India not joining naval drill?

Syllabus: Bilateral, regional and global groupings involving and affecting India’s interest.

Prelims: Vostok-22.

Mains: India’s participation and significance in Vostok 2022.

Context: Sri Lanka’s economic crisis.

Details about Vostok 2022:

• Russia is holding annual military exercises in the first week of September 2022. It will take place in the eastern region of Russia.
• The exercise is significant as it is the first multilateral exercise after the Russian-Ukraine conflict.
• It also includes a maritime component near South Kuril, the disputed island that is claimed by Russia as well as Japan.
• Thirteen countries are participating. They include Armenia, Algeria,  Azerbaijan, Belarus,  China, India, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Laos, Mongolia, Nicaragua, Syria, and Tajikistan.
• There will be approximately Fifty thousand troops and Five thousand units of military equipment including 60 warships and 140 aircraft will participate in the exercises.

India’s Participation:

• The Indian Army contingent is part of the joint maneuvers which will consist of combat discussions,  firepower exercises, and joint field training exercises.
• Only an army contingent of the 7/8 Gorkha Rifles is sent by the Indian Army, and it was reported that India will participate in the maritime section of the two-part event of Vostok 2022.
• The reason cited for such an action is that the first part of the exercises that will take place on land will be held in Siberia and the Far Eastern Federal District of Russia whereas the maritime exercises would be held in the Sea of Japan and the Sea of Okhotsk. These regions are near the disputed islands of South Kuril. This decision is in line with Tokyo’s sensitivities. 

Criticism by Washington:

• The White House has raised concern about countries participating with Russia, as the country has waged the war against Ukraine.
• As the United States administration is in the process of building consensus for imposing more sanctions against Russia. It also wants price caps on Russian oil exports.
• Washington is against the participation of India and other countries in the Vostok-2022, as it will present a divided approach towards Russia.

Significance of India’s participation:

The decision of India to join the exercise sends a four-pronged message:

• The first is showcasing the continued relationship of India with Russia, where the government has decided to avoid the Western sanctions regime and not to curb oil imports or other economic engagement with Russia.
• The second message signals the balance and non-alignment of India in the current Russia- Ukraine crisis. It also highlights that New Delhi is comfortable in all its engagement with the U.S.-EU coalition as well as its rival groupings led by China and Russia. For example Yudh Abhyas, Shanghai Cooperation Organization.
• Thirdly, by taking a decision to stay away from participation in the maritime exercises, India has shown sensitivity to Japan’s case of maintaining the status quo over the disputed Kuril islands. Through this step, India has also reiterated its stand on integrity and territorial sovereignty. Moreover, this was also significant as India is about to host a Quad meeting, where it will hold bilateral talks with Japan and the U.S. on matters like defence and trade.
• Finally, the Indian government’s message that it is looking forward to engaging with China on various fronts, even though the military level talks with China on the issue of the Line of Actual 
• Control(LAC) remains stuck.

Related Links: Russia – Ukraine Conflict Summary, Ukraine News for UPSC Exam

Ukrainian Crisis: Learn Facts for UPSC

The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) – UPSC Notes (GS II)

Nut Graf: India has made a very calculated move in regards to participation in Vostok 2022. On one hand, it has reiterated its stand of Non- Alignment with either Russia or Ukraine, whereas on the other it has shown sensitivity by supporting Japan’s concern and opted out of the maritime exercises that will be held on the disputed island.

2. LCA-Mk2

Syllabus: Achievements of Indians in Science and Technology

Prelims: Defence technology

Context: Recently,  the Cabinet Committee on Security sanctioned the development of the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Mk2.

Introduction:

• The  Cabinet Committee on Security sanctioned the development of the LCA Mk2 at a total development cost of ₹9000 crore including the ₹2500 crore that has already been spent.
• The roll out of LCA-Mk2 is planned by 2024 and the target is to complete flight testing by 2027.
• Indian Air Force (IAF) has given commitment to procure six squadrons of LCA-Mk2.

LCA-Mk2:

• It is a 4.5 generation aircraft which will be used by the Indian Air Force.
• It is a replacement for the Mirage 2000 class of aircraft.
• It has got a bigger engine and can carry 6.5 tonnes of payload.
• The technology is already developed in Light Combat Aircraft (LCA).
• The Mk2 features enhanced range and endurance, including an onboard oxygen generation system for the first time.
• It also has the ability to carry heavy stand-off weapons of the class of Scalp, Crystal Maze and Spice-2000. 
• The Mk2 is 1,350 mm longer, featuring canards and can carry a payload of 6,500 kg compared with the 3,500 kg the LCA can carry. 
• It is designed by the Aeronautical Development Agency  of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) 
• It is being manufactured by India’s state-owned  Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL)
• The LCA-Mk1A is scheduled to be delivered to the IAF by early 2024, 83 of which have been contracted with  HAL.

Image Source: Airpowerasia

H. UPSC Prelims Practice Questions

Q1. Which of the following statement/s is/are correct with respect to the National 
Legal Services Authority (NALSA)?  (Level-Medium)

1. It is a statutory body.
2. While the Chief Justice of India is the patron-in-chief, the second senior most judge of the Supreme Court of India is the Executive chairperson of the authority.
3. The Executive Chairman of NALSA is appointed by the Chief Justice of India.

Options:

1. 1 and 2 only
2. 2 and 3 only
3. 1 and 3 only
4. 1, 2 and 3

Q2. Consider the following pairs of Women revolutionaries and the description of 
their contribution to the struggle against British Imperialism. (Level-Difficult)

Revolutionary                                                   Contribution

Bina Das                                                 Attempt on the life of Bengal Governor Stanley Jackson 

Lila Nag                                                 First woman to be recruited as member of the Dacca Shree

Sangha

Kalpana Datta                                       Part of the Chittagong armoury raid of 1930

Nanibala Devi                                       Active member of the revolutionary group Jugantar

How many of the above pairs is/are correctly matched?

1. One pair only
2. Two pairs only
3. Three pairs only
4. All four pairs 

Q3. Which of the following can be considered as possible applications of Quantum 
Computing? (Level-Medium)

1. Drug design and development
2. Artificial intelligence and machine learning
3. Cyber security and cryptography
4. Improvement of supply chains and logistics
5. Modelling of financial data
6. Weather forecasting

Options:

1. 1, 2, 3 and 6 only
2. 2, 3 and 6 only
3. 1, 4 and 5 only
4. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 

Q4. India’s first-ever ‘Night Sky Sanctuary’ is planned to be set up at which of 
the following places?  (Level-Difficult)

1. Hanle (A)
2. Dharmashala
3. Nainithal
4. Pune

Q5. In the context of polity, which one of the following would you accept as the 
most appropriate definition of liberty? (Level-Difficult)

1. Protection against the tyranny of political rulers
2. Absence of restraint
3. Opportunity to do whatever one likes
4. Opportunity to develop oneself fully 

Read the previous CNA here.

CNA 04 Sep 2022:- Download PDF Here