Current Affairs – October 30, 2024

{GS2 – MoTA – Schemes} Pradhan Mantri Vanbandhu Kalyan Yojana

• Context (PIB): 10 years of Pradhan Mantri Vanbandhu Kalyan Yojana.

• Launched on October 28, 2014. Center sector scheme that focuses on integrated, holistic and inclusive development of tribal communities.
• Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Tribal Affairs
• Objective: Improve the socio-economic conditions of tribal populations and preservation of their cultural heritage and identity.
• Components under PMVKY:
  • Pradhan Mantri Adi Adarsh Gram Yojna (PMAAGY)
  • Development of Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs)
  • Support to Tribal Research Institutes
  • Pre-Matric Scholarship
  • Post-Matric Scholarship Scheme
  • Administrative Assistance for Project Management Units

Also, read Schemes for the betterment of Tribals.

{GS2 – Social Sector – Education} Indian Higher Education Institutions

• Context (TH): Indian private universities are making significant strides in global rankings, outpacing public institutions through strategic internationalisation efforts and a strong focus on research productivity.

• Internationalisation of higher education integrates a global perspective into teaching, learning, and research, fostering culturally inclusive and globally competent graduates.

Key Findings of the Report

• Indian Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) are increasingly participating in global rankings, with private institutions showing improved rankings, rising from 35% in 2023 to 52% in 2025.
• India saw a rise in globally ranked institutions, with 11 Indian universities in the top 500 (QS World University Ranking 2025), reflecting efforts aligned with NEP-2020’s internationalisation goal by 2030.
• Public institutions maintained stagnant rankings, while 84% of private institutions saw an improvement in global standings over the past three years.

Why Private Institutions Are Outperforming Public Ones

• Focused Research Productivity: Private universities are increasingly hiring faculty with strong research backgrounds, enhancing publication output. Partnerships with publishers like Springer, Elsevier, and IEEE boost research visibility and citations.
• International Engagement: Private HEIs actively engage in global networks for higher rankings in international faculty and research network indicators. E.g., Saveetha University ranked highest among Indian institutes for international faculty (QS 2025).
• Support to faculty: Private institutions reimburse faculty and reduce teaching loads. For example, Symbiosis International University ranked high regarding employer reputation (QS 2025).

Challenges for Indian HEIs in Global Rankings

• Funding for Research: High Article Processing Charges (APCs) for global journal submissions limit publication access for many researchers.
• Limited Global Engagement: Indian HEIs have low international student numbers, with the highest score being 21.1 (Amity University).
• Dependence on Reputation Metrics: Rankings rely heavily on “reputation,” which can disadvantage newer institutions or those with lower international visibility.

Initiatives taken and suggestions

• Support HEIs through APC reimbursements and encourage partnerships to alleviate high submission costs. E.g. The Rashtriya Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan (RUSA) program.
• Foster international academic collaborations to build global reputation and visibility. E.g. Study in India initiative to increase foreign student enrolment in Indian institutions.
• Improve support for quality research and incentivise global ranking participation. E.g. Institutes of Eminence (IoE) initiative helps to achieve international standards.

Read more> All India Survey on Higher Education

{GS2 – Social Sector – Health} Ayushman Vaya Vandana Card

• Context (TH|DDN): PM launched the Ayushman Vaya Vandana Card under the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY).

• It provides an annual health cover of ₹5 lakh per family, specifically for members aged 70 years or older. If multiple elderly individuals reside in the same household, the cover will be shared.

Who Will Benefit?

• Beneficiaries are already enrolled under the original Ayushman Bharat scheme.
• Individuals who are covered by existing government health programs, such as the Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS), Ex-Servicemen Contributory Health Scheme (ECHS) and Employees State Insurance Corporation (ESIC).

{GS3 – Agri – Fertilisers} Fertiliser Imports Challenges

• Context (TH): The Ukraine and Gaza crises have heightened concerns about potential hikes in the prices of materials used in manufacturing petroleum-based fertilisers.

About Fertiliser

• Fertilisers are chemical substances, either extracted or synthesised, that contain one or more essential plant nutrients available in sufficient amounts. These nutrients are crucial in agricultural production, nourishing crops and increasing yields.
• NPK fertilisers (nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium) are the most widely used in India. Urea is especially predominant, making it India’s most-consumed fertiliser product.
• Primary Nutrients (Macronutrients): Nitrogen (N), Phosphorus (P), Potassium (K), Calcium (Ca), Sulfur (S), and Magnesium (Mg) are needed in sufficient amounts to support plant growth and health.
• Secondary Nutrients (Micronutrients): Essential elements such as Iron (Fe), Zinc (Zn), Copper (Cu), Boron (B), Manganese (Mn), Molybdenum (Mo), and Chlorine (Cl) are needed in smaller amounts.

Current Fertiliser Import Landscape

• India’s domestic fertiliser production falls short of the total demand, leading to a reliance on imports. According to the 2023 Standing Committee of Parliament report:
  • Urea: 20% of the domestic requirement is imported.
  • Diammonium Phosphate (DAP): 50-60% of the demand is met through imports.
  • Muriate of Potash (MOP): Fully reliant on imports.
• The report highlights the need for self-sufficiency in fertiliser production to ensure stable supplies.

Challenges in Fertiliser Imports

• Heavy Reliance on Imports: India’s dependency on imported fertilisers like urea, DAP, and MOP makes it susceptible to disruptions in global supply chains and price fluctuations.
• Limited Global Suppliers: With a few suppliers providing essential raw materials such as rock phosphate, phosphoric acid, and ammonia, India has limited negotiation power in the global market.
• Domestic Production Deficit: India’s fertiliser production capacity does not meet the national demand, necessitating imports to fill the gap.
• Geopolitical Conflicts: Conflicts in regions such as Ukraine and West Asia impact the availability and cost of raw materials essential for fertiliser production. For instance, the ongoing crisis in Ukraine has driven up prices for petroleum-based inputs critical for fertilisers.
• Supply Chain Issues: Global supply chain disruptions, often triggered by geopolitical tensions, cause delays and shortages in fertiliser imports.
• Subsidy Load: The high cost of imported fertilisers significantly increases the government’s subsidy burden, notably for imported urea, straining the national budget.

Government Initiatives to Enhance Fertiliser Production

• Nutrient-Based Subsidy (NBS): In 2021, it will include Potassium derived from molasses. This move aims to encourage local production and reduce reliance on imports.
• New Investment Policy (NIP): It supports the establishment of new urea manufacturing units by both public sector undertakings (PSUs) and private companies. This initiative has boosted production capacity, increasing from 207.54 lakh metric tonnes per annum (LMTPA) in 2014-15 to 283.74 LMTPA.
• Public-Private Partnerships: Public and private sector firms have joined forces to enhance urea production. Notable collaborations include the establishment of Ramagundam Fertilisers in Telangana and Hindustan Urvarak & Rasayan plants in the northern states.

Recommendations and Future Path

• Enhance Domestic Production: Continue establishing new urea plants, similar to the six new plants since the 2012 investment policy. Increasing domestic capacity can reduce dependency on imports.
• Sustainability Initiatives: Implement soil health management programs and educate farmers on efficient fertiliser usage.
• Invest in Research and Development: Support research and innovation in alternative fertilisers and efficient farming techniques.
• Promote Alternative Solutions: Encourage the use of nano-urea, adopt natural farming practices, and expand the use of bio-fertilisers to lessen reliance on chemical fertilisers.
• Policy Reforms: Develop policies that foster private and cooperative sector investments in fertiliser production.

Read More > Fertiliser Subsidy.

{GS3 – Agri – Initiatives} Grievance Redressal System for Rice Millers

• Context (PIB): The Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution launched the Mobile Application of Food Corporation of India-Grievance Redressal System (FCI GRS) for Rice Millers.

• It will facilitate rice millers in addressing their grievances with the FCI on real-time tracking updates.

Key Features

• Automatic Assignment & Fast Resolution: Within FCI, once a grievance is received, it is automatically assigned to concerned nodal officers for further action.
• Geo-fencing for Quick Response Teams (QRTs): This involves a QRT team’s visit to the site. The mobile app will capture the team members’ physical visits through the geo-fencing tool.

{GS3 – Agri – Livestock} Standard Veterinary Treatment Guidelines

• Context (TH | DTE): Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying released the “Standard Veterinary Treatment Guidelines (SVTGs)” for livestock and poultry.

• Developed in collaboration with the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and supported by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).
• Objective: Minimise antimicrobial resistance and effectively control diseases.
• It is a “Live” document and will be updated frequently based on the field experience and globally evolving scenarios and developments in veterinary treatment domain.
• Provides details of medicines along with dosage, predicted requirement of medicines, duration of treatment, withdrawal period and potential adverse reactions.
• Also provides information on validated ethnoveterinary (traditional) medicine practices for treatment and better health management for various diseases

{GS3 – Envi – Conservation} IUCN’s first Global Tree Assessment

• Context (DTE): The first Global Tree Assessment was published in an update of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species.

Key Findings

• Thirty-eight percent—or more than 1 in 3—of the world’s trees are at risk of extinction.
• Number of threatened tree species is more than double that of all threatened birds, mammals, reptiles and amphibians combined.
• Major threats: Forest clearance for urban development and agriculture, invasive species, pests and diseases, climate change-induced sea-level rise and stronger, more frequent storms.

{GS3 – IE – Development} India’s Economic Credibility

• Context (IE): The Finance Minister raised concerns about the slow growth of FDI in India despite the tax incentives, indicating a credibility issue in India’s economic policy framework.

Reason For Economic Credibility Challenge

• Epistemic Gap in Economic Interpretation: Differing reports on consumer confidence and demand from institutions like the RBI create policy uncertainty, hindering accurate assessments.
• Overestimation of Middle-Class Size: Firms like Nestle report sluggish demand due to an overestimation of India’s middle-class size, which impacts private investment growth.
• Regulatory Uncertainty: Despite GST reforms, complex compliance norms and unpredictable regulations increase costs and discourage investment.
• Rising corruption undermines the ease of doing business and investor confidence. India ranks 85th out of 180 countries in Transparency International 2023 Corruption Perceptions Index.
• Capital Concentration: The concentration of power among conglomerates (E.g., Tata, Ambani, Adani) limits market access for smaller firms, raising fairness concerns.
• Credit Access Constraints for Small Enterprises: Viral Acharya’s research shows top firms dominate credit, leaving smaller enterprises disadvantaged.
• Open Mouth Operation (OMO) Approach: Relying on statements over action, such as advising investment without demand, weakens confidence in economic management.

Consequences of Economic Credibility Challenge

• Sluggish Domestic Investment: Corporate capital expenditure has slowed, as businesses hesitate to invest amid economic uncertainties, according to RBI’s Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) Statement.
• Reduced FDI inflows to only $70 billion in FY 2022-23, reflecting concerns over the credibility.
• Decline in Consumer Confidence: The RBI’s Consumer Confidence Survey showed declining sentiment, impacting consumer spending and economic growth.
• Stagnation of Economic Growth: India’s GDP growth is projected at 6.5% for FY 2023-24, lower than expectations due to sluggish investment and spending.
• Increased Unemployment: The unemployment rate rose to 7.8% in September 2023 as companies delayed hiring amid economic challenges.
• Weakened Global Competitiveness: The World Economic Forum ranked India 40th in global competitiveness, indicating a decline in its position in global supply chains.
• Impact on Infrastructure Development: The Ministry of Finance reported that, due to reduced investment, only 60% of planned infrastructure investments were realized in 2022-23.

Way Forward

• Enhance Transparency and Implement clearer guidelines for interpreting economic metrics. The RBI should standardise consumer confidence assessments to provide consistent data for policymakers.
• Streamline GST and tax reforms to reduce compliance burdens. The World Bank‘s 2020 Ease of Doing Business report ranked India 63rd, indicating the need for further regulatory simplification to attract FDI.
• Balance Economic Power Distribution: Develop policies that promote fair competition and support small enterprises. The MSME Development Act could be reinforced.
• Foster Skill Development Programs: Encourage foreign companies to invest in training local talent in sectors like electronics, which attracted significant FDI.
• Enhance the enforcement of anti-corruption laws like the Prevention of Corruption Act 1988.
• Increase investments in infrastructure: As of 2023, India’s National Infrastructure Pipeline aims to attract $1.4 trillion in investments, crucial for long-term growth.

{GS3 – S&T – Defence} India’s First Private Manufacturing facility: C295 Aircraft

• Context (IE): Prime Minister inaugurated India’s first private military transport aircraft production plant in Gujarat’s Vadodra to manufacture C295 aircraft for the Indian Air Force.
• It will be India’s first private sector final assembly line for military aircraft.

About C295 Aircraft

• It will replace Soviet Antonov An-32 and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited’s Avro 748.
• Barring major components such as the engine and avionics, 95% of the aircraft will be made in India.

• Originally produced by a Spanish aircraft manufacturer named Construcciones Aeronáuticas SA, it is now a part of Airbus, and the aircraft’s manufacturing takes place at Airbus’s plant in Spain.

Credits: NDTV

• It is a transport aircraft with a capacity of 5 to 10 tonnes and a maximum speed of 480 km/h.
• Has a range of 5,000 km and 11 hours of endurance.
• Features a rear ramp door for quick deployment, allowing for the rapid dropping of troops and cargo.
• Equipped with indigenous radar warning receivers and missile approach warning systems developed by Bharat Electronics Limited.
• Can operate on short unprepared airstrips as it is capable of Short Take-off and Landing (STOL).
• Capable of air-to-air refuelling of fixed wing and aircraft and helicopters.
• Can operate from short airstrips and can fly low-level operations for tactical missions flying at a low speed of 110 knots.
• Can perform a variety of missions, such as carrying troops and cargo, maritime patrol, airborne warning, surveillance and reconnaissance, armed close air support, medical evacuation, VIP transport, and airborne firefighting.

{Prelims – In News} Sea Foam

• Context (TH): Sea Foam was recently seen in the News. It forms when organic material dissolved in seawater is agitated by winds or waves, creating air-filled bubbles that gather on the water’s surface.

• It can serve as a nutrient source for microorganisms, supporting coastal food webs.

Causes for formation of Sea Foam

• Increase in Surface Tension: Organic matter acts like soap in water, increasing surface tension and helping bubbles maintain their shape, which is crucial for foam formation.
• Organic Matter: Decomposing biomass from sources like phytoplankton blooms and fish kills releases organic molecules, contributing to sea foam.
• Wave Agitation: Surface winds and wave action, especially near shores, mix air into water.
• Role of Human Activities: Pollution from land-based sources, like industrial and urban wastewater.

Sources of Organic Material

• Phytoplankton Blooms: These blooms, rich in organic material, decompose and release compounds that support foam formation.
• Fish Decomposition: Dead fish or marine life contribute additional organic material to seawater.
• Runoff and Pollution: Terrestrial runoff, such as agricultural or sewage waste, introduces nutrients that support algae blooms and increase foam production.

{Prelims – In News} U-WIN Portal

• Context (DDN): PM announced the nationwide rollout of the U-WIN portal (Made-in-India initiative), a digital platform aimed at streamlining free-of-cost vaccinations for pregnant women and children.

• It aims to ensure the timely delivery of essential vaccines to women and children (from birth to 16 years) for protection against 12 preventable diseases as part of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare’s flagship Universal Immunization Programme (UIP).