Current Affairs for UPSC Civil Services Exam – September 13, 2024

{GS1 – MIH – Events} The Battle of Saragarhi

• Context (IE): September 12^th, 2024 marks the 127^th anniversary of the Battle of Saragarhi (1897).

Historical Significance of Saragarhi

• Saragarhi was a communication post between Fort Lockhart and Fort Gulistan, located in the rugged terrain of the North West Frontier Province (now in Pakistan). Both forts, originally built by Maharaja Ranjit Singh, were strategically important for the British military.

The Battle Unfolds

• The tribal army aimed to isolate Fort Lockhart and Fort Gulistan by severing the communication lines between them. Despite being heavily outnumbered and with limited ammunition, the Sikh soldiers, led by Havildar Ishar Singh, chose to stand their ground rather than surrender.
• Naik Lal Singh, though severely wounded, continued firing from his bed, and Daad, the non-combatant, killed five enemies before being overpowered. Gurmukh Singh sent a final message: “Permission to join the battle, Sir.” After receiving approval, he fought to the death, marking the end of the battle.
• The battle delayed the tribal advance, allowing British forces to regroup.

Havildar Ishar Singh was born in a village near Jagraon and joined the Punjab Frontier Force in his teens. He later became part of the 36th Sikh regiment and, by his early 40s, was entrusted with the independent command of Saragarhi. He was a brilliant battlefield commander. Daad, the 22nd man at Saragarhi, was a Pashtun sweeper who fought bravely alongside the Sikh soldiers but received no official recognition. Today, his courage is remembered as part of the Saragarhi legacy.

• Queen Victoria awarded the Indian Order of Merit (equivalent to the Victoria Cross) posthumously to the 21 Sikh soldiers. Each soldier’s family received two ‘marabas’ (50 acres) of land and 500 rupees.

{GS2 – Governance – Issues} Demolitions: A Call for Guidelines and Due Process

• Context (TH): The recent surge in extra-legal demolitions across India has raised concerns.

• The extra-legal demolitions, where houses and establishments of individuals accused of certain crimes are razed without following due process. This practice is often referred to as ‘bulldozer justice‘.
• SC has invited suggestions from concerned parties to frame appropriate pan-India guidelines on issue.

Arbitrary Demolitions

• Demolitions are justified under municipal laws as action against encroachment or unauthorised construction. Due process, as envisaged by various SC and High Court judgments, is frequently bypassed.
• The ‘tough on crime’ approach has escalated to become a political brand for several state governments, undermining existing criminal law processes and violating fundamental rights.
• The demolitions by local authorities are often conducted at inconvenient times without providing alternative housing or rehabilitation. These actions undermine housing rights and exacerbate social inequalities, violating constitutional values and legal procedures.

Proposed Guidelines for Legitimate Demolitions

Pre-Demolition Phase

• Shift the burden of proof to the authority to justify the need for demolition
• Issue reasoned notices on land records and resettlement plans, allowing time for legal consultations.
• A committee (judicial and civil society members) should review demolitions.
• To engage affected persons in discussions about alternatives and address the needs of vulnerable groups.

During Demolition

• Minimise the use of physical force and avoid heavy machinery like bulldozers.
• Neutral officials must be present, and demolitions must be pre-scheduled.

Post-Demolition Rehabilitation

• Provide adequate temporary or permanent rehabilitation for displaced individuals.
• Establish speedy grievance redress mechanisms and offer remedies such as compensation and restitution.

Addressing Systematic Issues and Accountability Measures

• There is a need to analyse data on demolitions over recent years to identify patterns.
• Guidelines must balance state action and the right to adequate housing and resettlement, recognising that violations have become systemic.
• Need to explore avenues to affix personal liability on officials who order forced evictions and demolitions, ensuring checks and balances on their powers.
• Law enforcement personnel must be educated on existing judicial directives.
• Need to sensitise law enforcement personnel to follow existing directives on demolitions.

{GS2 – Governance – Welfare} Universal Basic Income Debate in India

• Context (TH): The idea of a Universal Basic Income (UBI) is debated, especially due to jobless growth.

• The International Labour Organisation (ILO)’s recent World Employment and Social Outlook links decreased job growth and increased automation and artificial intelligence (AI).

Jobless growth Rise in output and labour productivity without a proportional increase in employment.

UBI in India

• It is a universal system covering basic needs, providing a base income regardless of employment status.
• India currently implements various forms of “semi-UBI”:
  • Cash transfer schemes for farmers and women
  • State-level cash transfers for unemployed youth

The Arguments: UBI or Social Safety Nets?

• As people lose jobs or don’t have adequate incomes, demand decreases, which stunts economic growth.
• UBI addresses this by providing income to those without employment, thus stimulating demand.
• UBI can help bridge the gap in income inequality, particularly in the face of technological disruptions. Increasing direct taxes could fund such a program. India’s direct tax-to-GDP ratio is 6.25%, much lower than in developed countries. Raising this ratio is feasible and necessary.

For Social Safety Nets

• Giving money without work could harm the dignity of individuals and create societal divisions. Generating employment should remain a priority to maintain dignity and social harmony.
• India may not be ready for a full-fledged UBI but should instead focus on universalising social safety nets, which are currently uneven across states. The multiplier effect of rural housing schemes in creating employment and stimulating core sectors like steel and cement.
• The failure to generate employment is a flaw, leading to the need for social safety nets.

{GS2 – Social Sector – Health – Diseases} India’s Sickle Cell Disease Challenge

• Context (TH): India bears the world’s second-largest burden of sickle cell disease (SCD).

• Sickle cell disease is a genetic disorder caused by an abnormality in haemoglobin. When both parents carry the sickle cell trait, their child has a significant chance of being born with it.

Sickle Cell Disease in India

• Over a million people in the country are affected, with a majority concentrated in the tribal belt spanning Odisha, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, and Maharashtra.
• Patients with sickle cell disease face a significantly reduced lifespan, with life expectancy shortened to around 40 years. The disease drastically affects their quality of life due to continuous health problems.
• Individuals with SCD are often viewed as “genetically inferior” and are sometimes ostracised, with the condition being misattributed to “God’s curse” or “black magic.”
• Government has launched the National Sickle Cell Anaemia Elimination Mission in 2023.
• Currently, only 18% of affected individuals in India receive consistent treatment for sickle cell disease. Drop-offs are at various stages – screening, diagnosis, treatment initiation, and adherence.
• While there is no permanent cure for SCD, affordable drugs like hydroxyurea can improve a patient’s quality of life if taken consistently. However, access to these medicines is unreliable.
• Medication shortages and low vaccination coverage further complicate disease management.

Read more > Sickle Cell Anaemia.

{GS3 – Agri – Fertilisers} Nano di-ammonium phosphate (DAP)

• Context (IE): Nano DAP can help to fulfil demand of 5.50 lakh tonnes of DAP in Punjab for Rabi crops.

Concerns

• Yield Decline: Punjab Agricultural University research shows wheat yields drop 16.1% with nano DAP compared to conventional DAP.
• Plant Growth Issues: Studies show that plants treated with nano DAP exhibited shorter heights, with an average height of 78.63 cm compared to 79.53 cm for those treated with traditional DAP.
• Nutrient Composition: Nano DAP contains 8% nitrogen and 16% phosphorus, less than the nutrient content found in conventional DAP.
• Long-term Soil Health Concerns: Continuous use of nano fertilisers like nano DAP may lead to soil degradation over time, as indicated by findings similar to those of nano urea.

IFFCO was established as a multi-unit cooperative society in 1967. It is the largest fertiliser manufacturer in India, holding nearly 29% market share in complex fertilisers and 19% in urea.

{GS3 – Envi – Conservation} Salt Pans

• Context (IE): The Centre approved the transfer of 256 acres of salt pan land in Mumbai to the Dharavi Redevelopment Project Pvt Ltd (DRPPL).

What are Salt Pans?

• These comprise parcels of low-lying lands where seawater flows in at certain times and leaves behind salt. Generally, salt flats occur in dry, arid desert landscapes where large bodies of water once existed.
• Its abundance of minerals often means these flats appear white and even snow-covered from away.
• According to the 2011 Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) notification, the salt pans fall under the CRZ-1B category, where no economic activity is allowed except salt extraction and natural gas exploration.
• These are home to various plants & animals, including brine shrimp, halophytes, and birds.
• Salt pans act as natural flood barriers by absorbing excess water during heavy rainfall and high tides.

{GS3 – Envi – Issues} Wildlife Board Clears Key Projects

• Context (IE): The National Board for Wildlife (NBWL) approved infrastructure projects in sensitive wildlife habitats, including transmission lines and highway widening.

Transmission Lines in Flamingo Habitat and Goa’s Mollem Forest

• The NBWL cleared a 400 kV transmission line over 27 hectares of Bhagwan Mahaveer Sanctuary and Mollem National Park despite intense public protests under the ‘Save Mollem’ movement.
• The project involves deforestation and threatens the habitat of several endangered species, including tigers, guars, and sloth bears. The board imposed conditions like protecting transmission pillars from wildlife and conducting biodiversity impact studies. The project’s right of way should be divided into a ‘wire zone’ and a ‘border zone’ for vegetation management.
• SC ruling required the project to align with an existing corridor to minimise deforestation.

Gujarat Projects: Impact on Avian Species

• Two major transmission lines were approved in Gujarat, including a 765 kV D/C line in the Wild Ass Sanctuary in Little Rann of Kutch, affecting 100 hectares.
• The project supports renewable energy evacuation from Khavda’s energy zone. To prevent bird collisions, NBWL mandated bird diverters on earth wires.

Ecological Significance of Little Rann of Kutch

• It serves as a home to wild asses, jackals, bluebulls, desert foxes, Indian wolves, jungle cats, and chinkaras.
• The area is an important entry point and wintering & breeding site for migratory birds, particularly lesser flamingos and the endangered Asian Houbara.

Tiger Corridors: Highway Widening Projects

• The NBWL approved widening NH 46 through the tiger corridor between Satpura and Melghat tiger reserves, covering 101 hectares of forest.

Condition Imposed by NBWL

• The NHAI must construct animal passages, including underpasses and overpasses.
• An inspection team from the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) and Wildlife Institute of India (WII) was also directed to ensure compliance and review animal passage plans.

Concerns Over Wildlife Habitat and Biodiversity

• The NBWL criticised Madhya Pradesh’s tourism department for unauthorised construction in Son Gharial Sanctuary and surrounding tiger corridors, recommending action against those responsible.
• Environmental experts raised concerns over the impact of these projects, especially in ecologically significant areas such as Little Rann of Kutch, where underground power lines are being recommended to minimise harm to migratory birds.

{GS3 – IE – Employment} Navigating India’s Skill Landscape

• Context (PIB | IE): The construction labour arrangement agreed upon between India and Israel is under strain due to a skill mismatch between Indian workers’ abilities and their expectations.

Skilling Landscape in India: Facts

• Low formal skilling: Only 2.7% of India’s workforce has received formal skill training, compared to 52% in the United States, 80% in Japan, and 96% in South Korea.
• Employability: Only 51.25% of Indian graduates are considered employable (Economic Survey 2023-24).
• Vocational training: Among persons aged 15-59, about 2.2% have received formal vocational training, and 8.6% have received non-formal vocational training (NSSO, 2011-12).

Need for Skilling India

• Improving employability: Skill development helps youth become more employable. The unemployment rate among graduates in India is 29% (ILO).
• Bridging the gap between educational qualifications and job requirements: Skill development helps youth bridge the gap between what education institutions teach and what industry requires.
• Global competitiveness: Developing skills aligned with global standards can enhance India’s competitiveness in the international market, attracting foreign investment and creating export opportunities.
• Promotes inclusive development: Skill development is crucial in promoting inclusive growth, reducing income inequality, empowering marginalised communities, and promoting social mobility.
• Future-proofing the Workforce by equipping them with digital literacy, critical thinking and adaptability to technological advancements.

Issues with Skilling in India

• Insufficient capacity: Current infrastructure facilities are inadequate, considering the huge demand for skilled labour. There are not many highly skilled trainers available.
• Insufficient mobilisation: Public perception of skilling as the last option for those who have not been able to progress/have opted out of the formal academic system hinders vocational education and training
• Lack of synergy: Skill development programmes are spread across more than 20 Ministries/Departments without any robust coordination and monitoring mechanism to ensure convergence.
• Multiplicity of certification systems leads to inconsistent outcomes and confuses employers.
• Skills mismatch: There is a lack of industry-faculty interaction, which means that the skill sets provided by educational and training institutes do not suit employers’ requirements.
• Limited mobility between skill and higher education programmes and vocational education.

Government’s Skill Development Initiatives

National Policy on Skill Development & Entrepreneurship (NPSDE)

• It focuses on bridging gaps, improving industry engagement, establishing a quality assurance framework, leveraging technology, and expanding apprenticeship opportunities.

Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY)

• It focuses on imparting skill development training to youth nationwide, including in rural areas.
• The scheme has successfully trained 1.42 crore individuals and has been instrumental in introducing new age & future skill courses spanning eight key sectors, ensuring alignment with evolving industry demands.
• The proportion of women trained under the scheme has increased from 42.7% in FY16 to 52.3% in FY24.

Skill India Mission

• It is an umbrella scheme to bridge the gap between industry demands and skill requirements.

SANKALP and STRIVE

• The SANKALP programme focuses on the district-level skilling ecosystem, while the STRIVE project aims to improve the performance of ITIs.

Craftsmen Training Scheme (CTS)

• It provides long-term training through Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs).
• It has facilitated the participation of women in long-term skilling programs within ITIs and National Skill Training Institutes (NSTIs), rising from 9.8% in FY16 to 13.3% in FY24.

Jan Shikshan Sansthan (JSS)

• It aims to provide vocational skills to non-literates, neo-literates, and school dropouts by identifying skills that have a market in the region of their establishment.
• From FY19 to FY24, JSS has successfully trained 26.36 lakh individuals, with women comprising approximately 82% of the total beneficiaries.

National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (NAPS)

• It aims to promote apprenticeship training in the country by providing partial stipend support to the apprentices engaged under the Apprentice Act of 1961.
• The participation of women has notably increased from 7.74% in 2016-17 to 20.77% in 2023-24, reflecting efforts to encourage more women to pursue careers in diverse sectors.

Skill Impact Bond

• It leverages an innovative and results-based finance mechanism to attract private sector funds and expertise for skill development, job placements, and retention.
• Between 2021 and 2024, 23,464 have been certified and has reported 74% of women enrolment so far.

Future Skills PRIME

• It is a collaboration between MeitY and NASSCOM, designed to establish an up-skilling and re-skilling ecosystem focusing on emerging technologies, including AI, IoT, blockchain, 3D printing, etc.

Skill India Digital Hub platform

• It is an information repository for all government initiatives related to skilling and entrepreneurship.

Skilling India at Global Standards

• Skill India International Centers (SIIC): FY24 interim budget provides for the establishment of 30 SIICs.
• India has signed MoUs with prominent countries, including Australia, Denmark, France, Germany, etc, to enhance international mobility and promote the recognition of Indian qualifications abroad.
• Establishment of NSDC International Limited in 2021 for ethical and transparent international recruitment of skilled Indians.

Way Forward

• Industry-academia linkages to empower professionals with first-day, first-hour productivity training.
• Skilling, re-skilling and up-skilling entry-level workforce for greater economic productivity, higher incomes, and higher profitability for firms.
• STAR candidates (Skilled Through Alternative Routes): Alternative ideas of skilling and support, such as Skills on Wheels, Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs), centres of excellence, etc., to be prioritised.

{GS3 – IE – Exports} Trade Connect e-Platform

• Context (PIB): Trade Connect e-Platform aims to transform India’s export landscape.

Objective

• To facilitate and enhance international trade for Indian exporters by providing a single-window solution for accessing vital trade-related information and resources.

Features

• Global E-Commerce Guide for navigating online markets.
• Trade Agreements and Tariff explorers to leverage Free Trade Agreements (FTAs).
• EXIM Paathshala for educating exporters on global trade practices.
• Integration with Other Platforms like Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC) and the GeM.

Significance

• Support for MSMEs: Helps MSMEs access global markets, learn FTA benefits, and expand trade.
• Market Expansion: Showcasing international opportunities helps Indian exporters identify and access new markets, boosting India’s global market share.
• Enhanced Connectivity: Connects exporters with stakeholders, including Indian Missions abroad, Export Promotion Councils, and other government agencies.
• Fostering Digital India: By enhancing transparency and empowering businesses with seamless trade information access, reducing costs, lead times, and trade complexities.

{GS3 – IE – Inclusive Growth} Growing regional economic inequality

• Context (TH): Economic disparity between South/West and North/East India is widening, potentially increasing migration and pressure on infrastructure.

Factors Contributing to Growing Inequality

• Economic Ecosystem: Southern and Western states, benefiting from strong manufacturing and services, see growing economic disparities with Northern and Eastern states.
• Income Disparity: The stark income gap, with Andhra Pradesh’s average income four times that of Bihar, and projections suggest this disparity will continue to grow.
• Historical Advantages: Southern states have historically benefited from government policies promoting skill-intensive industries, particularly IT and manufacturing.
• Population Growth and Migration: As low-income areas experience higher population growth with fewer job opportunities, increased pressure to migrate from poorer regions to richer ones is anticipated.
• Investment and Infrastructure: Significant investments in infrastructure and industrial development reinforce the economic advantages of Southern and Western states, with cities like Bengaluru and Hyderabad emerging as global capability hubs that attract talent and resources.

Risks of Increasing Economic Disparities

• Sustained Economic Disparities: If current trends persist, the economic divide between regions may widen, complicating efforts for less-developed areas to bridge the gap.
• Political Populism: To address rising inequality, governments might focus on short-term political gains instead of long-term economic stability.
• Social Unrest: This can lead to social tensions and unrest, particularly in regions feeling left behind. This may manifest in demands for reservations and other forms of affirmative action in wealthier states.
• Health and Education Disparities: This causes wealthy regions to enjoy better services while poorer areas face inadequate facilities, perpetuating poverty and limiting upward mobility.

Way forward

• Inclusive Growth Policies: Implement policies that ensure equitable distribution of economic gains across all sectors and income groups.
• Progressive Taxation: Reform the tax system to make it more progressive, with higher taxes on the wealthy and lower taxes on the poor, to reduce income inequality.
• Strengthening Social Safety Nets: Expand the coverage and effectiveness of social welfare programs, such as MGNREGA and NRHM (National Rural Health Mission).
• Investing in Human Capital: Prioritize investments in education and healthcare to enhance human capital and create more opportunities for upward mobility.
• Labor Market Reforms: Implement policies to improve wages and working conditions, including minimum wages and indexing them to inflation, collective bargaining rights for workers, job security, etc.

{GS3 – IE – Industry} Making India a Start-up Nation

• Context (IE): India’s rapid economic growth has been fueled by various factors, including digital payments (UPI), affordable internet access, and the e-commerce boom & Startup growth.

India’s Economic Ascent (Facts)

• India’s estimated nominal GDP for 2024 is $3.9 trillion. India took 60 years to reach $1 trillion GDP post-independence, 7 years for the second trillion, and 5 years for the third trillion (achieved in 2019)
• In 2022, India surpassed the UK to become the fifth-largest economy.

Thriving Startup Ecosystem

• India hosts the world’s third-largest startup ecosystem. Highest daily startup addition rate globally.
• Over 140,000 startups registered with the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade.
• One new unicorn every 20 days over the past 7-8 years.

Factors Contributing to Startup Growth

• The startup ecosystem is fueled by top-tier educational institutions (IITs, IIMs) and those in Tier II/III cities, contributing significantly to innovation and job creation.
• Govt capital expenditure, internet penetration, and cheap data rates have fueled this growth.
• With over 80 crore internet and 120 crore cell phone users, India provides startups access to vast markets, particularly in rural areas. Every additional user increases opportunities to scale while reducing costs.

Demographic Dividend

• India became the most populous country in 2023, surpassing China and is projected to remain among the youngest countries until 2070.
• Over 4.3 crore students are enrolled in higher education institutions, and nearly one crore graduates enter the workforce annually, a figure expected to rise to 1.75 crore by 2035 and 2.4 crore by 2050.
• However, the growth in routine employment may not keep pace due to advancements like AI.

Startup Ecosystem: A Solution for Employment and Missed Opportunity

• Since 2017, DPIIT-recognised startups have created over 15.5 lakh direct jobs (the US startup ecosystem created 37 lakh new jobs in 2022), a 217.3% increase over five years.
• Indian startups contributed $140 billion (4% of GDP) in FY23 (UK startups contributed 8.6% of GDP).
• In India, less than 2% of graduates choose entrepreneurship after graduation (6% in the US, 5% in the UK, and 4% in China). If 5% of Indian students pursued entrepreneurship, it could create 5 lakh new entrepreneurs annually, with 50,000 startups surviving.

Integrating Education, Entrepreneurship, and Employment (3E Model)

• To drive the 3E model, India’s higher education institutions (HEIs) must expand success metrics beyond job placements to include student—and researcher-led ventures.
• A strong academia-industry linkage can unlock potential, as seen in the US, where academic tech transfer contributed over $1 trillion to output and created 40 lakh jobs.
• Also, India must boost R&D investment, currently at 0.7% of GDP (compared to the US’s 3.4%), with greater focus on HEIs, which account for only 10% of R&D.
• To stay competitive, India must treat higher education as a strategic economic driver. Integrating education, entrepreneurship, and employment through a cohesive framework can foster exponential growth, supporting India’s goal of becoming a developed nation (Viksit Bharat) by 2047.

Read more > National Deep Tech Startup Policy (NDTSP).

{GS3 – S&T – Defence} Successful Flight Test of VL-SRSAM

• Context (PIB): DRDO & Indian Navy successfully conducted the flight test of the Vertical Launch Short Range Surface-to-Air Missile (VL-SRSAM) from the Integrated Test Range (ITR) in Chandipur, Odisha.

• It is designed to neutralise aerial threats, including sea-skimming targets, providing point and area defence against jets, fighter aircraft, and UAVs within up to 80km.
• Vertical Launch: Can be fired from a vertical launcher, allowing quick reaction time with 360^o coverage.

{GS3 – S&T – Tech} NANDA: A Hindi-Specific AI-Language Model

• Context (IE): G42, an AI firm based in the UAE, launched NANDA, a Hindi language AI model, enhancing digital inclusivity for Hindi-speaking users.

• NANDA is a language model trained in Hindi, English, and Hinglish backed by Microsoft investment.

JAIS is the world’s first open-source Arabic LLM.

{GS3 – S&T – Tech} Neuromorphic Computing

• Context (TH): IISc scientists developed a brain-inspired analogue computing platform.

Neuromorphic Computing

• It mimics brain function to create efficient, powerful artificial neural networks for data processing.
• Key Components
  • Artificial Neurons and Synapses: These elements mimic how neurons process information through electrical and chemical signals.
  • Spiking Neural Networks (SNNs): A neural network that processes efficiently by activating neurons only after reaching input thresholds.

Mechanisms

• Event-driven computation: Only active neurons consume power, saving energy significantly.
• Parallel processing: Multiple neurons can operate simultaneously, enhancing computational speed.
• Integrated memory and processing: Memory and processing occur within the same units, reducing the need for data transfer and mitigating the von Neumann bottleneck.

The Von Neumann bottleneck is a limitation in traditional computer architecture. It occurs because the same channel is being used to fetch data and instructions only one can happen at a time.

{Prelims – PIN World – SA} Amazon Rainforest

• Context (IE): About 40% of Amazon rainforest has not been granted special government protection.

• Only 61% of the peak carbon areas in the Amazon are protected as indigenous reserves or other protected lands, but the rest generally have no official designation.
• Only 51% of peak carbon areas in Brazil, Suriname, and French Guiana are labelled for preservation.

Amazon

• Spread over parts of Bolivia, Brazil (60%), Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, Peru, Suriname & Venezuela.

Credits: BBC

• The Amazon River, which runs through it, flows more than 6,500 km. It’s the world’s second longest river after the Nile, responsible for around 15% of the planet’s total river discharge into the oceans.
• It encompasses the single largest remaining tropical rainforest in the world and houses at least 10% of the world’s known biodiversity.

Significance of Amazon

• The Amazon rainforest is called the ‘lungs of the Earth’ because it ‘breathes in’ CO₂ and ‘exhales’ oxygen on a massive scale. It contained 71.5 Bn tonnes of carbon (~double the global CO2 emissions for 2022).
• The Amazon’s canopy cover helps regulate temperature and humidity and is intricately linked to regional climate patterns through hydrological cycles that depend on the forests.
• It contributes about $8.2 billion annually to Brazil’s economy from products, including rubber and timber.

{Prelims – S&T – Defence} AL NAJAH V Military Exercise

• Context (PIB): The Indian Army contingent departed for the 5th edition of the India-Oman Joint Military Exercise AL NAJAH, to be held at Rabkoot Training Area in Salalah, Oman.

• The contingent comprises 60 personnel from a Mechanised Infantry Regiment and other support units.
• It is a biennial exercise alternating between India and Oman since 2015.
• Objective: To enhance the joint military capability of both sides in conducting counter-terrorism operations under Chapter VII of the UN Charter.
• The exercise will specifically concentrate on operations in desert environments.