Class Notes 4 You

From the drastic melting of the arctic ice or the breaking of A76 iceberg from Antarctica, these growing events have resulted into many unprecedented events. However, there are certain aspects in which the melting of Arctic ice and glaciers of the Antarctic differs. Melting of the Arctic Ice: Arctic sea ice has declined at a rate of almost 13 per cent per decade in the last 30 years. A. Impact: 1. Permafrost in the Arctic region stores large amounts of methane, which is a greenhouse gas that contributes to climate change. 2. The melting of the Arctic will open a new trading route, bypassing the Suez Canal. 3. The national economic interest may supersede the global conservation efforts of the Arctic. 4. Glacial lake outburst floods (GLOF) are becoming frequent. 5. The freshwater runoff into the ocean disrupts part of a major circulation system known as the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC). B. Melting of the Arctic Ice:  The Antarctic region has registered its hig...

According to 2011 Census, India has its 31% population in urban areas which is expected to reach 50% by 2040. Urban mass transport stands as key to urban mobility, which itself is a major reason why Indian cities contribute 70% to our GDP. Roadways, railways, waterways have been the traditional mode of Urban transport, while Hyperloop, Monorail, etc. are the new frontiers of urban mass transportation. Importance of efficient and affordable urban mass transportation: 1. Boosts economic activity: Cheap and quicker movement of goods and people. 2. Reduces Carbon footprint: leading to cleaner cities and mitigation of environmental crisis. 3. Growth of suburban and peri urban centres: extension of cities. 4. Improved accessibility, monetary savings on transportation. 5. Boosts ancillary industries associated with transportation system and creates job opportunities 6. Greater innovation in automotive and road structure design: reduced costs to companies and nations (Low oil import bill). Ste...

Agro Based food processing Industry (AFPI) is a sunrise industry that converts agricultural products into high value products by processing. AFPI contributes 28% to Agricultural GVA and 13% to exports, making India the second largest processor of fruits and vegetables. North west India as a suitable location for AFPI: 1. Climate: Large climatic diversity, rivers and fertile soil aid growth of a variety of crops. 2. Infrastructure: Adequate Farm (electricity, groundwater, canals) and non-farm (well-connected roads, cold storages, mandis) 3. Credit availability and affluence of farmers enable investment in agriculture. 4. The region was the heartland of green revolution, enabling greater agricultural productivity in terms of quantity and variety. 5. Government investment and policy support: Dedicated procurement system, government schemes, numerous food parks, 100%FDI etc. 6. Proximity to markets of highly population density and urban areas of India.  Poor marketing, high logistics c...

Regional resource-based manufacturing (RRBM) leverages locally available raw materials to boost manufacturing activity. It is a key component of National Manufacturing Policy which envisages a 25% share in GDP by 2025 compared to 17% in 2019. E.g.: One District One Product scheme (Uttar Pradesh).  RRBM boosting employment. 1. Creates forward and backward linkages which boosts economic activity along entire supply chain. 2. The use of locally available raw materials reduces logistics costs and wastages (currently at 14%, whereas USA 8%) 3. Jobs of all skill levels generated leading to economic prosperity. 4. Balanced regional development due to utilising the locally found resources 5. Supports ancillary industries that feed the primary manufacturing unit- further increase in jobs. 6. Local production creates local demand resulting in a virtuous economic cycle. Lack of infrastructure, political instability, low human capital and low output efficiency are some impediments to RRBM. If ...

Solar energy stands as the major component of renewable energy, due to large solar energy availability of 4000 trillion KWh per year in India. It has many advantages over conventional energy sources due to its clean nature, ease of production etc. India’s Solar energy potential is tremendous as it stands as a major player in the segment. India's Intended Nationally Determined Contributions (INDC's) commitment includes 100 GW of solar power out of 175 GW of renewable energy by 2022. Currently, it stands at 43 GW. Regional variations: 1. Desert areas of Rajasthan and Kutch have barren lands and receive high insolation- favouring Solar energy. 2. Himalayan and north east India receives low solar insolation or due to the terrain, generating solar energy is not feasible. 3. Rooftop solar panel program has tremendous potential in making the urban cities a net electricity generator. 4. States closer to the tropics receive large solar insolation and are considered hotspots.  5. Coastal...

Iron and Steel Industry (ISI) forms the backbone of the industrial sector as it serves as a key input material to many industries. Today, India stands as the second largest producer of steel in the world. Initially they were located close to the source of raw materials, namely coal, water, and limestone. However, there has been a shift away from the raw material source. Reasons behind the shift: 1. Poor quality of coal and iron ore necessitates import of better-quality raw materials. Hence located near ports. E.g.: Vizag steel plant 2. Well-developed road and rail network enable easy transport of raw material and finished goods. 3. Location near ports for export. E.g.: Ratnagiri steel imported from goa. 4. Located closer to major domestic markets to lower transport costs and promote manufacturing. 5. Improvement in technology like electric arc furnace has removed the need to be located near raw materials  ISI is a keystone industry with tremendous economic implications in backward ...

India being a part of Gondwanaland, is richly endowed with mineral wealth such as coal, iron, mica, aluminium etc. However, the mining sector of India contributes only 2.2% to 2.5% to the GDP of the country.  Reasons for Low Contribution: 1. Land Acquisition : There have been problems in acquiring land for a new mine. Arcelor Mittal, having failed to acquire land for seven years in Odisha, decided to call off their projects. 2. Delays in the Governmental Approvals : Inordinate delays have frustrated the investors as well. It has led to the withdrawal of many projects. POSCO abandoned the project in Karnataka. 3. Lack of transparency & Political Corruptions : Increased judicial scrutiny following corruption scandals in the allotment of mining blocks and environmental degradation caused by illegal mining have made matters worse. 4. Inadequate spending on the sector : India accounts for just 0.5 per cent of the USD 10.7 billion globals pending on mineral exploration. 5. The lack o...

Mineral Oil is not distributed evenly in the world. However, most of the oil and natural gas reserves are in Saudi Arabia, Russia, the United States, and Iran. Though minerals have played unknowingly huge importance in our daily life across the globe, there are implications for such distribution. The implications are as follows: 1. Uneven Supply Chain: Given the complexity of value chains, no country can control the entire critical mineral value chain. This was evident during the initial phase of the Coronavirus outbreak. 2. Economic Viability: Uneven distribution of the mineral oil across the world, leads to economic consequences like inflation, for the importing country. 3. Energy Security: The cross-border mineral explorations leads to Oil Surplus and Global Liquidity. 4. Human migration: large groups of people often migrate (move) to a place that has the resources they need or want and migrate away from a place that lacks the resources they need. Example: The Middle East is one of ...

  Current Affairs  Important Newspaper Highlights for UPSC Civil Services Examination. 23 July 2022 The HINDU   🟠 CITY: Centre to exclude ‘will’ for PM-UDAY applicants: DDA (Page 2) 🟢 EDITORIAL : The Dravidian movement and Aryan illusions (Page 6) 🟠 EDITORIAL: Despite pressures, the rupee’s remarkable resilience (Page 6) 🟢 NEWS : Din in RS over private member’s Bill (Page 9) 🟠 NEWS : Antarctic Bill passed in LS (Page 9) 🟢 WORLD : Russia, Ukraine seal grain exports deal (Page 11) 🟠 BUSINESS: ‘RBI will iron out volatile rupee moves’(Page 12)   The Indian EXPRESS 🟠 FRONT PAGE : RBI to ensure rupee finds its level, zero tolerance for volatility: Governor Das (Page 1) 🟢 CITY : Marrying minor victim, birth of child does not mitigate offence of rape: Delhi HC (Page 4) 🟠 IN PARLIAMENT : Lok Sabha clears Antarctic Bill, this session’s first(Page 6) 🟢 EXPRESS NETWORK : Attempt on to achieve $100bn climate finance target by 2023: COP 26 President (Page 8) 🟠 EXP...

Intro context- The end of Cold War and simultaneously India’s decision to launch major economic reforms in 1991 provided the first step towards closer economic cooperation . The ties were upgraded to comprehensive Strategic partnership in June 2020. Two nations have much in common Colonial history Westminster style government Plural democracies Commonwealth traditions high P2P contacts because of education,tourism,sports Areas of engagement- Defence policy talks Australia- India strategic research fund 2+2 talks at ministerial level Energy security dialogue - Australia has huge reserves of uranium Also India's dependence on China for rare earth metals can be reduced through increasing imports from Australia. Coop in Indo-pacific. Australia has deputed a liaison officer in the IFC- IOR India France Australia trilateral naval exercises and ministerial dialogue affirm commitment for free open and inclusive Indo pacific and a rules based order in the region with ASEAN centrality Relat...

India-UK Intro: India and UK share a long history, bound together by democratic values, language and people. Context- Economic cooperation: Negotiations moving forward on Enhanced Trade Partnership ETP Trade between India and UK touched $15.5 billion with a $2 billion trade surplus in favour of India.  India is now the second largest investor in the UK economy. There are 842 Indian companies in the UK, employing more than 110,000 people UK to invest in India's national infra pipeline project. UK a partner in developing India's financial services center- GIFT city. The decision to leave Europe’s single market has forced the UK to look for strong trade relationship with partners beyond the EU, and to target the most dynamic economies of which a considerable number are located in the Indo Pacific region UK has recently proposed D-10, a partnership of 10 democracies including India for partnership in rolling out of 5G technolo...