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Minimum Support Price (MSP)

What does Minimum Support Price or MSP mean?

MSP is the lowest price the government pays for farmer's goods at the time of procurement. Designed to protect crops from market price fluctuations. The MSP set by the government is considered rewarding for farmers. However, the MSP does not have legal support.

History of MSP

MSP was first introduced in 1966-67 when the country introduced the Green Revolution technology. The government turned to MSP to promote domestic production and encourage farmers to grow high-yielding varieties. The lowest sponsor price is guaranteed.

How can the MSP be fixed?

The centre will decide based on the Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices (CACP) recommendations, which is a public corporation. CACP provides two separate reports on the Harif and Rabbi seasons, based on which the Center resolves MSPs twice a year.

Why do you need MSP?

·         To save farmers from instabilities in market prices.

·         The price of agricultural products depends on various factors, such as good harvest time, which leads to a decline in prices.

·         In such cases, farmers may not prefer to sow the above crops next season.

·         The MSP encourages farmers to sow these crops and maintain a healthy supply.

Facts you need to know about minimum support price for UPSC exam

·         The government has announced MSPs for 23 plants, but only 23 plants are effectively procured.

·         Rice and wheat production surged at the expense of other crops, such as legumes. Significant increases in buffer inventory lead to enormous storage and shipping costs. Getting rid of MSP without losing farmers' trust is not the right step.

·         In addition, further steps are needed to make agriculture more profitable for farmers, such as improving irrigation systems, implementing land reforms and accessing technology.

Market intervention program

·         This is a price support mechanism for gardening products that MSP does not support.

·         The recorded goods are mainly of perishable nature. The scheme is similar to MSP but temporary.

·         At the request of the relevant state governments, it will be implemented for a limited time.

·         The objective of this regulation is to safeguard growers of horticultural crops from emergency sales in the event of price declines.

Main features of the agricultural bill

The first Bill gives farmers more choices regarding agricultural products. This allows farmers to sell their produce outside the government-regulated Mandis or the Agricultural Produce Marketing Committee (APMC). APMC as an institution has been discontinued, and product prices have been set lower. This will allow farmers to rely on emergency sales when bumpers are produced. Therefore, this system allows farmers to choose the best price for their product and sell it accordingly.

The second bill, the Bill on Price Guarantees and Agricultural Services for Farmers, includes provisions for contract farming. This allows farmers to sign contracts with companies before production. This shifts the risk from the farmer to the entrepreneur and guarantees a fixed price for the farmer as well.

Benefits of Farm Bill

·         Farmers' product prices have risen as restrictions on sales on Mandis' physical premises have been lifted.

·         They provide a three-stage arbitration committee, subordinate judges, and an adorable body. Guaranteed price of the product.

·         This should be stated in the agreement between the farmer and the entrepreneur. Direct sales of products in e-commerce are also permitted.

·         The state government is prohibited from charging market fees for transactions outside the trade area. The bill includes strict rules and fines for violating the agreement.

Disadvantages of the Agricultural Bill

·         There is no clarity or reference to the MSP of the proposed law

·         There is no judicial involvement in the dispute resolution process.

·         Farmers' concerns may be ignored in conflicts with large corporations.

·         You risk becoming a slave to corporate buyers on your land in contract farming.

 Blog source: https://iastarget.com/affairs-detail/social-justice/minimum-support-price

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Download Tamilnadu History Books For UPSC Preparation | IAS TARGET

History is an essential component of the UPSC exam, both pre and main exams. In all books, Tamil Nadu's history textbooks are considered essential for a good understanding of the basics of the subject. Currently, many candidates at the latest rely on reading Tamil Nadu textbooks, if not all of NCERT's textbooks. This piece will assist you to comprehend the various Tamil Nadu board textbooks required for the official UPSC exam. List of Tamil Nadu Board History Books: 1. Textbook Class XII: For World History (Imperialism, French and American Revolution, National Socialism, Fascism, World War, Cold War, United Nations) and the Struggle for Freedom. 2. Class XI textbooks: For ancient and medieval India, specifically for arts, culture, religion and architecture. 3. Class IX Textbooks: The final chapter of the Industrial Revolution is helpful. Tamil Nadu textbooks are written in a straightforward language. For beginners in history, they are well-read and help to understand the basic concepts of the subject. Tamil Nadu textbooks can be more valuable than the new NCERT textbooks. These books are similar to the older NCERT textbooks in chronological order. It covers the kings one by one in a straight line. This is great for those unfamiliar with history who don't know about kings and kingdoms. In addition, the NCERT book does not elaborate on the governors of East India companies such as Dalhousie and Hastings. Tamil Nadu's textbooks better cover these subjects. You can also select a topic to read both Tamil Nadu and NCERT textbooks mutually complementary. These books can be downloaded entirely free of charge from our website. Given the way the cultural part of this exam was presented, the Tamil Nadu Board of Education book is more valuable than the (new) NCERT. Resolved education in TN: Book TN Board Books GK descriptive Coverage is similar to Old NCERT but with lots of stunning fonts and photos. In the (new) NCERT, ancient medieval history is mainly treated with random case studies and sporadically. Missing linearity (King A to King B). And there is almost nothing about the governor of the East India Company (such as Dalhousie). Even the 1857 uprising and free struggle are superficially covered. But the problem: too scattered. And their colossal size. So, in order to speed up the download, we integrated them and lowered the image quality. Tamil Nadu History book PDFs are good, but not enough for clearing the exam. Read the new 6th and 12th-grade reports for ancient history (I) and the 11th oldest part of the Tamil Nadu board. For medieval history, see the new 7th and 12th grade (II) reports. Then read the 11th Medieval Part of the Tamil Nadu State Commission. For modern history, read the new 8th and 12th grade (III) certificates. Then read the twelfth contemporary part of the Tamil Nadu Board. And now, most importantly, read Spectrum's Modern India Book. It's very important. For more information on world history, read the 12th grade World History part of the Tamil Nadu State Commission. Then read the old 10th, 11th, and 12th-grade essays. If you look at the trends, you'll notice direct questions from the new NCERTs. Therefore, I included them in ancient, medieval, and modern times. And since world history is only on the mainline, it's enough to read old books. If it's helpful for the students who are preparing for UPSC exam. Looking for a one-stop destination to get Tamil Nadu's history books? We've organized everything efficiently here, so you don't have to worry about coming to the right place. History plays an important role in both Prelims and Mains UPSC exams. We know how important it is to take the civil service exam. For the sake of transparency, we have assembled a list of Tamil Nadu history textbooks by class. The majority of candidates look at the Commission's Tamilnadu board history book pdf and refer to NCERT books instead of tinkering at the last moment. Don't be one of them; get on the right track and get the most out of the Tamil Nadu Board of Education history books offered here. Tamil Nadu History Book is written in a simple and straightforward language so that the concept of the subject can be retained for a long time. Tamil Nadu history books can be very useful compared to the new NCERT books. However, the Tamil Nadu Board of Education history books are chronological, so they are very easy to create. Tamil Nadu books for UPSC pdf books will be great for those who are ignorant of kings and kingdoms. In fact, the Tamil Nadu State Commission's history book contains details which are not included in regular NCERT books. Both textbooks complement each other, so you can cover all topics. You can use the quick links available to download Tamil Nadu board history books by our platform for free and make them unique from the mass on the UPSC CSE exam. Stay tuned with us for more study material like Tamil Nadu history in Tamil language PDF download, Tamilnadu history books for UPSC PDF, Tamil Nadu NCERT books for UPSC PDF, Tamil Nadu board history books PDF download in Hindi and so on.

 Blog source: https://iastarget.com/tamilnadu-history-books/

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NDPS Bill, 2021

The Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act (Amendment), amended in 2021, was recently introduced in Lok Sabha. It replaces the ordinance promulgated on September 30 of this year.

What is the purpose of the bill?

·         The government introduced the Narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances act to correct an error that disabled Article 27 of the Act, punishing those who fund illegal transactions.

·         This happened in 2014 when the law was changed 2014 to facilitate access to drugs for medical needs, but the criminal law did not change accordingly.

·         In June 2021, the Tripura Supreme Court established legal oversight and ordered the Federal Ministry of Interior to amend Article 27.

Why was this change needed?

An editorial error was highlighted when the defendant claimed that he could not be prosecuted for a crime in a special court in Tripura, as Section 27A mentions an empty list. The Supreme Court of Tripura then requested the Center to change the law.

What was wrong with the bill?

·         Anomalies sneaked up when the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act was amended in 2014 to enable better medical access to drugs and remove government barriers to the transportation and approval of "essential drugs".

·         Prior to the 2014 amendment, Section 2 of the Law (viii a) contained subsections (i) through (v) defining the term "illegal traffic".

·         This clause was rewritten as clause (viii b) by the 2014 Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act as a new clause (viii a) defining "essential drugs" was inserted in Section 2.

·         However, section 27A of the NDPS Act did not make any subsequent unintended changes.

Criticism of the Bill:

·         Few experts have found that the bill has been retroactively validating criminal offences since 2014, thus violating the fundamental rights of its citizens.

·         It also infringes the basic rights of Article 21 as it may be punished for crimes for which the law exists at the time of the Commission.

The NDPS Act:

·         Prohibits the manufacture, possession, sale, purchase, transportation, storage, and/or consumption of narcotics or psychotropic drugs.

·         The NDPS Act has been revised thrice since 1988, 2001 and 2014.

·         This law applies throughout India and applies to all Indian citizens outside India and to all persons registered on ships and aircraft in India.

·         The Government of India has taken several political and other initiatives to resolve the drug trafficking problem.

·         "Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan" or "Drugs Free India Campaign" started on the 15th based on data available from various sources.

·         The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment has begun implementing the National Action Plan for Drug Demand Reduction (NAPDDR) to reduce drug demand from 2018 to 2025.

·         The government established the Narco Coordination Center (NCORD) in November 2016.

·         The GoI has set up a fund called the National Fund for the Control of Substance Abuse to cover the costs associated with the fight against illegal drug trafficking.

·         Education for the general public on substance abuse and substance abuse for addicts.

Note: June 26th was selected as the International Day for Substance Abuse and Illegal Trade at the UN General Assembly in 1987 on the 7th of December.

Blog source: https://iastarget.com/bills-and-acts/ndps-bill-2021

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What is ‘Greater Tipraland’?

What is wrong?

There are 19 reported Scheduled Tribes in Tripura. Of these19 tribes, 5.92 lakhs are the Tripuri, and 1.88 lakhs are Reangs. These three tribal groups are the major tribes of the state. Several small tribal groups have joined forces to form the political parties, IPFT (Indigenous People's Front of Tripura) and TIPRA Motha (Tirpaha Indigenous Regional Alliance). These parties now claim they want their nation for their "survival and existence."

The constitutional validity

It is claimed by them for seeking Articles 2 and 3 of the Constitution. Article 2 of the Constitution states that "The Parliament shall permit the establishment of new states and union territories and also permit the entry of new states and UTs into the Indian Union." Article 3 states that "Parliament shall increase or diminish the area of a state".

Why did the problem occur?

·         The Manikya dynasty governed Tripura from the late 13th century until the signing of a certificate of assent with the Government of India in 1949.

·         The certificate of acquisition is a document signed by the state of India to join the Indian Union after independence.

·         Over time, some of the region's indigenous peoples have become a minority in the state.

·         This was mainly due to the expulsion of Bengali from East Pakistan during the 1971 war.

·         In 1881 the state's tribal population was 63.77%. In 2011 it decreased to 31.8%.

 Blog source: https://iastarget.com/affairs-detail/national-issue/what-is-greater-tipraland

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Negative Imports list for Defence

The Ministry of Defense reported the second negative import list of 108 articles, currently only available from indigenous sources (now renamed "Positive Indigenization List"). With the new list, the total number of lists will increase to 209.

This list includes ammunition for complex systems, sensors, simulators, weapons, helicopters, next-generation corvettes, early warning and control systems, armoured engines, and more.

Meaning and Impact of this Step:

Realize     the potential of the regional defence industry.

By     drawing new investment in technology and manufacturing capacity, the     domestic R & D will be revitalized.

It     provides excellent opportunities for "start-ups" and micro,     small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs).

What is the policy for negative import lists?

RThe     Negative List, introduced in August 2020, basically means that the     military (Army, Navy, Air Force) purchases such items from domestic     manufacturers. /li>

The     manufacturer may be a private-sector party or a public sector defence     company (DPSU)

What will be the impacts of this policy?

In     accordance with the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute,     India has been the second-largest importer within 2014 and 2019, with     16.75 billion USD worth of imports throughout this period.

The     government wants to decrease the interdependence, especially through make     in India, on imported goods in defence and give the domestic defence     manufacturing industry a shot in the arm.

By     dismissing the likelihood of importing the items on the negative list, the     domestic industry is allowed to step up and manufacture them for the needs     of the forces.

 Blog source: https://iastarget.com/affairs-detail/science-and-technology/negative-imports-list-for-defence

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Bhopal Gas Tragedy

Context: 1984, Bhopal disaster in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, India, chemical leak.

  At that time, it was called the worst industrial accident in history. On December 3, 1984, approximately 45 tonnes of dangerous gas Methyl Isocyanate escaped from the pesticide factory of the Indian subsidiary of American Union Carbide Corporation. Gas drifted in a densely populated area around the factory, killing thousands immediately and causing panic when tens of thousands tried to flee Bhopal. The final death toll was estimated at 15,000 to 20,000. Approximately 500,000 survivors suffered from breathing problems, eye irritation and blindness, and other illnesses resulting from exposure to toxic gases. Many were awarded hundreds of dollars as compensation. Subsequent investigations revealed that inadequate operation and safety procedures in understaffed plants led to the deadly disaster. Despite ongoing protests and legal proceedings, neither Dow Chemical, which acquired Union Carbide Corporation in 2001 nor the Government of India, was properly cleaning the site. Soil and water pollution in the region has been criticized for its chronic health problems. The Supreme Court ordered that the residents of Bhopal in 2004 be supplied safe drinking water because the groundwater was contaminated. In 2010, several former executives of Union Carbide's Indian subsidiary were convicted by a Bhopal court for negligence in a disaster. Bhopal disaster protesters Survivors of a fatal industrial accident in Bhopal, India, in 1984 protested the government's response to the disaster in New Delhi in 2014. The 1984 Bhopal disaster accidentally released methyl isocyanate at the Union Carbide Pesticide Plant in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, killing at least 3,000 people immediately and ultimately, an estimated 15,000 to 25,000 people were injured in the next quarter. Similarly, in the Chernobyl accident, a large amount of radioactive material was released into the atmosphere after the explosion. The Bhopal disaster killed 15,000 people.

Bhopal: History

Bhopal Gas Tragedy was the most detrimental industrial accident site in history. About 45 tonnes of dangerous gas, methyl isocyanate, escaped from the pesticide plant of the Indian subsidiary of American Union Carbide Corporation. Gas drifted in a densely populated area around the plant and died.

Field of activity:

Chemical industry R & D Battery Atomic bomb Petrochemical Related person: Frederick Mark Beckett Union Carbide Corporation, a leading US manufacturer of chemicals, petrochemicals, and related products. In 2001, it became a subsidiary of Dow Chemical Company. The company was founded in 1917 as Union Carbide and Carbon Corporation and acquired four companies: Linde Air Products Company (established in 1907), National Carbon Company (1899), Presto Light Company, Inc. (1913), and Union Carbide Company (1898). It was named Union Carbide Corporation in 1957. Founded during the War, the company immediately began manufacturing a wide variety of new products, supplying the US military with helium, Ferro-zirconium, and activated carbon, thereby paving the way for the company's future. It was one of the first companies to use market research to discover potential consumer needs and develop products that meet them. Early products of this type included the first Prestone antifreeze (introduced in 1927) and the first battery for Eveready brand portable radios (introduced in 1959). World War II expanded the company's R & D activities. Union Carbide was instrumental in the development of the first nuclear bomb. Union Carbide was already a pioneer in the manufacture of petrochemicals. In addition, plastics, industrial gas, metals, carbon products, electronic products and medical products were manufactured. However, between 1986 and 1987, many household and automotive products were sold (batteries, waxes, and antifreeze).

Summary:

·         The accident killed at least 2,000 people at the time when methyl isocyanate leaked from the plant and spread to densely populated areas.

·         The accident caused an estimated 15,000 to up to 20,000 deaths. Thousands more were injured for life.

·         A lawsuit for damages was filed against the company, and in 1989 the Supreme Court of India sentenced Union Carbide to pay the victim $470 million in damages.

·         After the merger with Dow, Union Carbide continued to be a leading manufacturer of chemicals and polymers used in various industrial and consumer products such as paints, solvents, antifreeze and coatings.

 BLog source: https://iastarget.com/affairs-detail/social-justice/bhopal-gas-tragedy

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Best Test Series For UPSC By IAS Target

Best Test Series For UPSC Prelims helps an IAS aspirant to secure good marks in India most prestigious and competitive exam. It is well said that practice makes a man perfect and these best online test series for UPSC helps you to move towards your goal. But many aspirants are confused about which test series to choose from the hundreds of test series available. Toppers recommends that you do not wait for filtering which test series is important and try to solve as many test series as you can even if you have not completed your syllabus. This will provide you with an idea regarding what type of questions you have to face in your exams. IAS Target is providing you the best Test Series For UPSC Prelims helps an IAS aspirant to secure good marks in India.

Blog source: https://iastarget.com/

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Omicron (B.1.1.529): SARS-CoV-2

Omicron, a recently discovered subspecies of the coronavirus that was first discovered in southern Africa, has been declared a worrying subspecies by the World Health Organization (WHO). WHO delivers a new corona virus update, claiming the new strain as a "variant of concern" On Friday, WHO was first reported by South Africa on November 24th with Omicron, named after the Greek alphabet. The first confirmed infection was from a sample collected on November 9th—announced that there is. Some countries are trying to contain the epidemiological spread and ban flights from South African countries. Still, this variant can cause the stock market and oil price to collapse and seriously impact the recovery of the global economy. UN Health Organization changes in portability, severity, or impact on Covid vaccines, tests and treatments to see if there are, it could take several weeks to complete the epidemiological study.

What are the risks associated with the Omicron variant?

Scientists say that the Omicron variant appears to have many mutations (about 30) in the coronavirus peplomer, which can affect its ease of spread to humans. WHO, who convened an expert group meeting on Friday to evaluate the data, added that the preliminary evidence suggests that this variant has a higher risk of reinfection compared to other variants. The number of cases of this variant seems to be increasing in almost every state in South Africa.

What are the symptoms of the Omicron variant?

Other infectious variants such as Delta, some infected with the Omicron variant of coronavirus, are asymptomatic.

What can countries and individuals do?

WHO said countries could strengthen their surveillance and sequencing efforts to better understand the circulating SARSCoV2 variants. The complete genomic sequence and associated metadata can be sent to a publicly accessible database. The IHR mechanism can also report early cases or clusters of Variant of Concern (VOC) infections to WHO. People must continue to take steps to mitigate the risk of Covid 19, such as wearing proper masks, keeping hand hygiene and physical distance, improving indoor ventilation, avoiding crowded rooms, and vaccination.

 Blog source: https://iastarget.com/affairs-detail/science-and-technology/omicron-B-1-1-529-SARS-CoV-2

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Can students clear the UPSC exam without coaching classes? Can you take the IAS exam without coaching?

Each year, when the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) announces the Civil Service Examination (CSE) results, it displays hundreds of ads from coaching classes claiming that Topper is in the lab. Only as many as 800 top civil services posts exist. However, many institutions advertise that 400 or 500 students came from IAS coaching institutions.

Can I take the IAS exam without a coaching course?

Yes, it is possible to clear IAS without coaching. There are many cases of candidates who cracked IAS without attending coaching, spending sleepless nights and without truck money at any coaching agency. There are three things you need to pass the UPSC exam:

·         Instructions (strategy)

·         Knowledge (learning material and notes)

·         Test Series for UPSC

When do you need coaching for the civil service exam?

Suppose you are entirely unaware of the UPSC curriculum, the latest samples, and the IAS book and cannot develop your strategy to pass this exam. There is little time (a few months before the exam), and you need a short intensive course to study all the essential topics if you are someone who, despite your best efforts, does not feel safe being alone (due to peer pressure without coaching). Suppose you have little knowledge of the electives you want to take in the main exam and find it dangerous to take the exam yourself. For browsing great websites that provide test series for UPSC and learning materials and guides, online shopping websites such as Amazon and Flipkart provide all the books, you need for clearing CSE with free shipping to your doorstep.

When do you need guidance for the civil service exam?

If you've tried this exam in coaching-you already know the patterns, the books you need, the required test series for UPSC and the curriculum, so you'll get tired of spending time again in the same class if you are a severe analyst of the previous year's questions. UPSC ensures fairness by significantly changing exam patterns, avoiding traditional questions, and developing questions with an analytical approach.

Conclusion: Can I take the IAS exam without face-to-face coaching?

Yes, any hard-working candidate can take the IAS exam without face-to-face participation! Yes, you can take the IAS exam without coaching. But it may not hold true for "everyone". It depends on his / her performance or self-study. You can complete UPSC CSE without classroom training. However, sound guidance and learning materials, whether in or out of the classroom, can complement the preparation of UPSC exam candidates. Underline words-good, instructions, learning materials, and supplements. Participate in a coaching agency only if you serve the above objectives. Currently, there are online coaching websites that provide high-quality guides, learning materials and Online Test Series. On that note, yes, without coaching students can clear the UPSC exam and if students join a quality test series for UPSC, that will help them remarkably. We will do our best for all future IAS officers and keep providing test series for promising results!

 Blog source: https://iastarget.com/blog-details/can-students-clear-the-upsc-exam-without-coaching-classes-can-you-take-the-ias-exam-without-coaching

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What is Blockchain Technology?

Blockchains are new secure, encryption-based data structures that are distributed over the network. This technology supports the transmission of cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin and data and digital assets. The blockchain, led by Bitcoin, provides consensus between distributed nodes and enables the transfer of digital goods without the need for centralized transaction authentication.

How does it work?

Blockchain technology enables instant and smooth peer-to-peer transactions for anonymous and secure transactions. This is achieved by distributing the trust of vital intermediaries across an extensive global network through mass collaboration, clever code, and encryption to prevent tampering with all transactions that have ever occurred on the network. A block may be defined as the "current" part of the blockchain, which records some or all of the latest transactions and, upon completion, enters the blockchain as a persistent database. A new block is generated each time the block completes. The blocks are linked in the correct linear time series (like a chain), and each block contains a hash of the previous block.

Benefits of Blockchain Technology

·         Bitcoin is just one of blockchain technology's applications that have been tested throughout the industry.

·         Healthcare, banking, education, agriculture, power distribution, and land registration are potentially profitable sectors.

·         A blockchain-based smart contract that records all information can make your business easier.

·         This improves the reliability, accuracy and efficiency of contracts while significantly reducing the risk of fraud.

For example, blockchain technology can play an essential role in managing health insurance claims by reducing the risk of insurance fraud. This technology can also prevent counterfeit medicines from being sold domestically by tracking every step in the supply chain network. AI and the IoT can significantly benefit from blockchain applications. In the IoT world, thousands of devices need to communicate with each other quickly and seamlessly in real-time. The introduction of blockchain by Indian banks could help stop fraud like Punjab National Bank, as technology updates information for all users simultaneously. It may be used to strengthen further our national institutions, including the Judiciary and Election Commissions. All important citizen information such as land registries, census records, birth and death records, business permits, crime records, intellectual property registries, electoral rolls, etc., are all used as a public ledger to prevent unauthorized opening using blockchain.

Challenge:

Blockchain technology is expensive to deploy first—large energy consumption for blockchain function. Blockchain is usually an open ledger that anyone can see, thus protecting the privacy of individuals and businesses. However, knowledge of the benefits of distributed ledger technology is still limited.

Conclusion:

When automated risk management, smart contracts, and similar tools are used in a network, a cascade of fast and difficult commitments and liquidity flows can spread throughout the network. This interdependence can require creative organizational thinking to meet the needs of governance and robust risk management. Before deploying blockchain in public sector computing systems, you need a robust and informative data repository—appropriate regulations on the use of blockchain technology in the country. Identify and resolve critical issues and challenges in implementing this technology, including data protection. India needs to effectively divert its technological and human capital surplus to establish itself at the forefront of this imminent wave of innovation.

 Blog source: https://iastarget.com/affairs-detail/science-and-technology/what-is-blockchain-technology

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The removal of Turkey from the Istanbul Convention on violence against Turkish women

Context:

The removal of Turkey from the Istanbul Convention on violence against Turkish women has sparked protests nationwide. Turkey has taken this step despite a surprisingly high rate of violence and murder.

What is the Istanbul Convention?

The Council of Europe has enacted the Istanbul Convention as a human rights treaty. This was the first legally binding means of "creating a comprehensive legal framework and approach to combat violence against women," preventing domestic violence, protecting victims, and being charged. The focus is on the prosecution of the perpetrator.

The goal:

·         Prevent and prosecute all forms of violence against women. Promote gender equality, ensuring the protection and rehabilitation of women victims of violence.

·         Thirty-four states of the European Union have signed this treaty.

·         Turkey was the first country to sanction the Istanbul Convention and incorporate it into domestic law.

What is the reason for Turkey's withdrawal?

Even if the reason for Turkey's withdrawal is not mentioned in the official journal, however, it is claimed that this treaty means a traditional family structure, promotes divorce and promotes the acceptance of LGBTQ in society. Therefore, the government justified this move Homosexuality-Incompatible with Turkish social and family values. Furthermore, local Turkish law protects women's rights and work towards women empowerment.

How severe is the problem of Turkish women?

EIn Turkey, violence against women and honour killings continue. The country is placed 133rd out of 156 countries in the Global Gender Gap Index 2021. The Turkish government does not hold official records of pesticides. Domestic violence against women and girls is intensifying in the Covid 19 pandemic. The issue of violence against women emerged when Turkish women's rights activists sought a black-and-white challenge on Instagram to draw attention to the astonishing rate of murders in Turkey.

How have the various organizations and the international community reacted?

UN: Turkey's withdrawal will prevent and undermine previous efforts to combat violence against women. It can hinder progress in strengthening national legislative, political and institutional frameworks. The United States characterized the move as a retreat of "disappointment" in the fight of women empowerment.

 Blog source: https://iastarget.com/affairs-detail/social-justice/the-removal-of-turkey-from-the-istanbul-convention-on-violence-against-turkish-women

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India to ban all private cryptocurrencies in Parliament

Context:

India will ban private cryptocurrencies during the winter parliamentary session but will allow some exceptions to promote the underlying technology of cryptocurrencies. The Cryptocurrency and Official Digital Currency Regulation Act, 2021, will be submitted for review and approval during the winter session of Parliament. The bill also aims to provide a framework for official digital currencies issued by the Reserve Bank of India. However, cryptocurrency law allows specific exceptions to facilitate the underlying technology and its use. The details of the exception are not yet known. The development was the first parliamentary panel on cryptocurrencies led by BJP MP and former Federal Minister Jayant Singha in November to represent crypto exchanges, the Blockchain and Cryptocurrency Council (BACC), industry groups and other interests. Last week, Prime Minister Narendra Modi also hosted a high-level meeting with various ministries and RBI officials to advance India's cryptocurrency. The report previously argued that the government is unlikely to ban cryptocurrencies, but it may take a cautious approach to such investments and allow them as assets rather than currencies. Cryptocurrency Prices Fall Fear Sources banning private cryptocurrencies from the Indian government previously said that the government's actions are progressive and cheerful, but cryptocurrencies Misleading ads should be stopped. Concerned about potential risks for Indian investors, the centre also believes that the unregulated crypto market should not be misused for money laundering or terrorist financing. Market experts fear that an unregulated environment with multiple platforms to advertise too promising and opaque can mislead investors and lead to huge losses. The RBI has also repeatedly raised concerns about cryptocurrencies. According to the RBI, Cryptocurrencies are a severe issue, and there are concerns about macroeconomic and financial stability. Therefore, the RBI has made detailed proposals to the government, and the government is actively considering the issue. Most cryptocurrencies do not survive. It raises the same question as an unregulated chit fund.

What is a private cryptocurrency?

Success (of the bill) depends on the details, especially the definition of what the bill calls a "private cryptocurrency." This is not a general term. Not everyone owns Bitcoin personally. It's a public good like the Internet. Cryptocurrency is based on blockchain technology. Blockchain stores information electronically in digital format. According to Investopedia, anyone on the public blockchain is free to participate and participate in the core activities of the blockchain network. Private blockchains, on the other hand, allow only selected entries from validated participants.

Blog source: https://iastarget.com/affairs-detail/economical-issue/india-to-ban-all-private-cryptocurrencies-in-parliament

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Unique land parcel identification number ULPIN Scheme

The centre has planned a central unique land parcel identification number ULPIN Scheme.

Key Points:

·         A unique parcel identification number (ULPIN) system will be introduced in 10 states in 2021 and rolled out nationwide by March 2022.

·         This is a number that uniquely identifies each measured parcel and prevents land fraud, especially in the hinterland of rural India. Land records are old and often controversial.

·         The identification is based on the longitude and latitude coordinates of the parcel and relies on a detailed survey and geo-referenced cadastral map.

·         This is the next step in the Digital India Land Record Modernization Program. (DILRMP) started in 2008 with an integrated land information management system.

Features:

·         The benefits are intended to ensure all transactions' uniqueness and keep land registration entries up to date.

·         Links are created for all real estate transactions.

·         Provides citizens services for land registration through a single window.

·         Land registration data is shared among departments, financial institutions, and all parties involved.

Digital India Land Records Modernization Program

This is a central sector program running until 2020-21 with a total cost of Rs 950 million. The Ministry of Rural Development has proposed a further extension to 2023-24 to achieve its original purpose and expand its scope in many new projects. ILIMS: The system contains information about parcel ownership, land use, taxation, location restrictions, land prices, contributions, and more. As part of the program, new initiatives have been taken, including the National Generic Document Registration System, ULPIN, tax court and land register links, and consent-based Aadhar number and land register integration. NGDRS: Aims to provide Nation-One documentation and real estate registration software to "empower citizens". The next phase of the DILRMP will link the land registration database to the bank. This will improve the service to the country's citizens and serve as an input to programs in other sectors such as agriculture, finance, and disaster management.

 Blog Source: https://iastarget.com/channel-detail/november-2021/all-india-radio-news-5-11-2021

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NASA’S DART Mission

Context:

NASA will be launching its first-ever planetary defence test mission, the Double Asteroid Redirection Test (DART). The DART spacecraft will be launched by the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket.

Mission Objectives:

The mission is to test new technologies that will be prepared if an asteroid approaches Earth in the future. The goal is to test a newly developed technology that could cause a spacecraft to collide with an asteroid and divert it. After the mission collides with an asteroid, scientists will use a series of telescopes deployed in different parts of the planet to study its impact on the asteroid's orbit. The DART will be the first demonstration of dynamic impactor technology that transforms the movement of asteroids in space. The spacecraft's target is a small moon named Dimorphos (Greek for "two forms"). Dimorphos orbits a giant asteroid named Didymos (Greek for "twin"). The collision is expected to occur between September 26 and October 1, 2022.

About the mission:

The DART is an inexpensive spacecraft. It has two solar cells and uses hydrazine propellant to steer the spacecraft. It carries 10 kg of Xenon and will be used to demonstrate in space a new thruster from an engine called the NASA Evolved Xenon Thruster Commercial (NEXTC). The NEXT grid ion thruster system offers a combination of performance and spacecraft integration capabilities, making it uniquely suitable for robotic missions in space. In addition, the spacecraft is equipped with a high-resolution imager called the Didymos Reconnaissance and Optical Navigation Asteroid Camera (DRACO). The images will be sent to Earth in real-time to help investigate the surface of collision sites and Dimorphos (target asteroids). The DART will also carry a small satellite called the LICIA Cube (a lightweight Italian CubeSat for asteroid imaging) or the CubeSat. LICIA Cube is supposed to take pictures of collisions and collision craters due to collisions.

Reasons for choosing Dimorphos:

Dimorphous is an eclipsing variable system, making it an ideal system for test missions. The earth-based telescope can examine these brightness fluctuations to understand how long Dimorphos takes to orbit Didymos.

 blog source: https://iastarget.com/daily-current-affairs-details/daily-current-affairs-november-2021/daily-current-affairs-dca-9-11-2021

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Global Drug Policy Index

What is the Global Drug Policy Index?

The Global Drug Policy Index is a data-driven analysis of drug policies and their global implementations. The index consists of 75 indicators and covers five key aspects of drug policy:

 Criminal      justice

Health      and harm mitigation

 Access      to internationally controlled drugs

 Extreme      reactions and development

Which organization developed this project?

The Harm Reduction Consortium developed this project. Other partners include Eurasian Drug User Network (ENPUD), Global Drug Policy Observatory (GDPO), European Drug User Network (EuroNPUD), Eurasian Harm Reduction Association (EHRA), Harm Reduction International (HRI), The Middle East & North Africa Harm Reduction Association (MENAHRA), International Drug Policy Consortium (IDPC), West African Drug Policy Network (WADPN), Women & Harm Reduction International Network (WHRIN), YouthRISE.

Which organization developed this project?

The Harm Reduction Consortium developed this project. Other partners include Eurasian Drug User Network (ENPUD), Global Drug Policy Observatory (GDPO), European Drug User Network (EuroNPUD), Eurasian Harm Reduction Association (EHRA), Harm Reduction International (HRI), The Middle East & North Africa Harm Reduction Association (MENAHRA), International Drug Policy Consortium (IDPC), West African Drug Policy Network (WADPN), Women & Harm Reduction International Network (WHRIN), YouthRISE.

India's Ranking in the index

 India      has been ranked 18th out of 30 countries.

 India      scored an overall score of 46/100.

 India      achieved 63/100 points on the "use of extreme blame and      reaction" criteria.

 49/100      points for health and damage reduction.

 India      received 38/100 for the proportionality of the criminal justice response.

 India      has earned 33/100 on the availability and access of internationally      regulated substances to relieve pain and distress.

The top five countries in humanitarian and health-conscious drug policy in this index are:

 Norway

 New      Zealand

 The      United Kingdom

 Portugal

 Australia

The five lowest-rated countries are:

 Brazil

 Uganda

 Indonesia

 Kenya

 Mexico

Blog Source: https://iastarget.com/daily-current-affairs-details/daily-current-affairs-november-2021/daily-current-affairs-dca-2-11-2021

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What is  green bond

Context:

Power Finance Corporation Ltd (PFC) has issued the first euro green bond.

This is the first euro-denominated green bond issue from India.

This is also the first euro issue by NBFC in India and India's first euro bond issue since 2017.

What is a green bond?

How does a green bond work?

Green bonds work like any other corporate or government bond.

Borrowers will issue these securities to fund projects that positively impact the environment, including ecosystem restoration or pollution reduction.

Investors who buy these bonds can expect the bonds to mature.

In addition, there are often tax incentives for investing in green bonds.

Green Bonds and Climate Bonds:

Benefits of a Green Bond

The issuers of Green Bond are known to be reputable as it proves their commitment towards a sustainable future.

Issuers get access to attract global investors committed to green ventures.

Green bonds comparatively carry a much lower interest rate than commercial banks.

Blog Source: https://iastarget.com/daily-current-affairs-details/daily-current-affairs-november-2021/daily-current-affairs-dca-11-11-2021

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SMILE scheme

Context:

The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment very recently developed the "SMILE Support for Marginal Individuals for Livelihoods and Enterprises" program. The SMILE scheme includes the sub-plan for creating a "Central Sector System for Comprehensive Rehabilitation of Beggars".

Overview:

This is a new scheme after the integration of existing schemes for beggars and transgender people

The program uses existing shelters available from state / UT governments and city municipalities to rehabilitate those involved in begging transactions.

If the existing shelter is unavailable, the executing agency will need to install a new dedicated shelter.

Focus:

Implementation:

Implementation:

Scheme for Comprehensive Rehabilitation of Beggars:

It will be a comprehensive scheme for beggars. The program was implemented in pilot-based selected cities where the begging community is concentrated.

In 1920, the division had an amount of Rs 100 million to the National Institute for Defense Studies (NISD) and Rs 70 to the National Underdeveloped Financial Development Corporation (NBCFDC) for a begging qualification program.

Indian beggar status:

NBCFDC is an Indian government company backed by the Social Justice and Empowerment Department.1

It was established as a non-profit company on January 13, 1992, based on Article 25 of the Companies Act of 1956.

Its purpose is to promote economic and developmental activities for the benefit of the younger classes and support the poor parts of these classes in developing skills and independence.

National Institute for Social Defense

NISD is an autonomous organization registered with the Metropolitan Area (NCT) of Delhi under the Social Law XXI of 1860.

It's a Central advisory body to the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.

The Institute currently focuses on staffing in substance abuse prevention, elderly welfare, begging prevention, transgender and other social defence issues.

The Institute's mission is to contribute to India's social defence program through training, research, and documentation.

Blog Source: https://iastarget.com/daily-current-affairs-details/daily-current-affairs-november-2021/daily-current-affairs-dca-10-11-2021