Current Affairs 30 September 2024

CONTENTS

1. Recovery in India’s Sugar Sector
2. India’s Shipbuilding Mission: Aiming for Global Leadership by 2047
3. Digital Personal Data Protection Act 2023
4. Draft Guidelines for Withdrawal of Life Support Released
5. Rashtriya Poshan Maah
6. Global Innovation Index 2024
7. GST Compensation Cess

 Recovery in India’s Sugar Sector

Context:

India’s sugar industry is showing signs of significant recovery following an extended period of uncertainty. This rebound is crucial for the agriculture sector, impacting numerous stakeholders from farmers to exporters.

Relevance:

GS III: Agriculture

Dimensions of the Article:

1. State of the Sugar Industry in India
2. Significance of the Sugar Industry in India
3. Challenges Associated with the Sugar Industry in India
4. Way Forward

State of the Sugar Industry in India:

• Production Forecast (2024):
  • The Indian Sugar Mills Association (ISMA) projects gross sugar production at 34.0 million metric tons (MT) for the Sugar Year (SY) 2024.
  • Net production is estimated at 32.3 million MT after accounting for ethanol diversion and a ban on exports.
• Global Comparison:
  • Brazil leads global sugar production with 45.54 million MT in 2023-24, contributing 25% of the global output.
  • India is the largest consumer and the second-largest producer of sugar, contributing 19% of global production.
• Domestic Consumption:
  • Domestic consumption is projected at 28.5 million MT for 2024.
  • A closing stock of 9.4 million MT is expected by September 2024, an increase from 5.6 million MT in the previous year.
• Ethanol Supply:
  • A target of 320 crore liters for the first half of the Ethanol Supply Year (ESY) 2024 was set.
  • 224 crore liters were supplied by March 2024, achieving a blending ratio of 11.96%.
• Major Production Areas:
  • North India: Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Haryana, Punjab.
  • South India: Maharashtra, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh.
  • South India is known for higher sucrose content, resulting in higher yields per unit area.
• Geographical Conditions for Sugarcane Growth:
  • Temperature: 21-27°C (hot and humid climate).
  • Rainfall: 75-100 cm annually.
  • Soil Type: Deep rich loamy soil.

Significance of the Sugar Industry in India:

• Economic Importance:
  • The sugar sector is highly labor-intensive, providing livelihoods to approximately 50 million farmers and their families.
  • Direct employment to over 500,000 skilled workers, in addition to numerous semi-skilled workers in sugar mills.
• Value Chain:
  • The industry supports a broad value chain, spanning sugarcane cultivation to the production of sugar and alcohol, contributing to both local and national economic growth.
• Byproducts:
  • Key byproducts include ethanol, molasses, and bagasse, which play a significant role in various industries.
• Multi-Product Crop:
  • The sugar industry is a multi-product industry, serving as a source for sugar, ethanol, paper, and electricity generation.
• Molasses:
  • Molasses is a highly nutritious byproduct used for livestock feeding and alcohol production, contributing to the agricultural economy.
• Ethanol Production:
  • Ethanol is predominantly produced from sugarcane molasses, playing a critical role in reducing reliance on crude oil imports through ethanol-blended fuels.
• Bagasse:
  • Bagasse, the fibrous residue after sugar extraction, is a key raw material in the paper industry, contributing about 30% of cellulose requirements from agricultural residues.

Challenges Associated with the Sugar Industry in India

• Water-Intensive Crop:
  • Sugarcane is highly dependent on water and is predominantly cultivated in monsoon-reliant regions like Maharashtra and Karnataka, exacerbating water scarcity in these areas.
• Seasonal Availability and Sucrose Loss:
  • Delays in crushing sugarcane after harvest (beyond 24 hours) lead to sucrose loss, posing a significant challenge.
• Low Sugar Recovery Rate:
  • The sugar recovery rate in Indian sugar mills remains at 9.5-10%, lower than the 13-14% observed in other countries. This stagnation is due to limited advancements in sugarcane varieties and improved yields.
• Competition with Other Crops:
  • Sugarcane cultivation competes with other food and cash crops like cotton, oilseeds, and rice, leading to price volatility during surplus periods when prices fall.
• Outdated Machinery in Sugar Mills:
  • Many sugar mills, particularly in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, operate with outdated machinery, reducing productivity.
• Low Return on Gur Production:
  • While gur has higher nutritional value, it has a lower sugar recovery rate than sugar, leading to economic losses when sugarcane is diverted to gur production.
• Price Discrepancies:
  • Gur factories often offer a lower price for sugarcane than sugar mills, incentivizing farmers to sell to them, which further impacts overall sugar production.

Way Forward

• Research and Development (R&D) Investment:
  • There is a need for substantial investment in R&D to develop high-yielding, drought-resistant sugarcane varieties, which will improve productivity and long-term sustainability.
• Remote Sensing Technologies:
  • Advanced remote sensing technologies should be deployed to accurately map sugarcane cultivation areas and provide reliable data for better management.
• Government Intervention in Pricing:
  • When the cane price determined by the formula drops below a reasonable level, the government can bridge the gap by creating a dedicated fund, sourced from a cess on sugar sales.
• Incentivizing Ethanol Production:
  • The government should promote ethanol production to reduce reliance on oil imports and manage surplus sugar production, thereby stabilizing both the sugar and energy markets.

-Source: The Hindu

India’s Shipbuilding Mission: Aiming for Global Leadership by 2047

Context:

The Minister for Ports, Shipping, and Waterways is spearheading a new Shipbuilding Mission aimed at establishing a strong global presence in the shipbuilding industry by 2047. This initiative is part of the broader Make in India campaign, which seeks to enhance domestic manufacturing capabilities.

Relevance:

GS III: Infrastructure

Dimensions of the Article:

1. Overview of the Shipbuilding Industry
2. Key Features of the Proposed Shipbuilding Mission
3. Recent Developments in India’s Maritime Sector

Overview of the Shipbuilding Industry

Shipbuilding involves activities related to the design, construction, maintenance, and repair of various types of vessels used in transportation, defence, and commerce.

• Shipyards:
  • Shipyards are specialised facilities responsible for assembling ships and managing large-scale maritime construction projects.
• Global Market Insights:
  • In 2023, the global market for shipbuilding was valued at approximately USD 207.15 billion, and it is projected to grow to USD 220.52 billion by 2024.
• Key Shipbuilding Nations:
  • The main contributors to the global shipbuilding industry include China, South Korea, Japan, India, Germany, and the United States.
  • China, South Korea, and Japan account for a combined 85% of the global market share.
• India’s Contribution:
  • India represents 0.06% of the global shipbuilding industry.
  • The country ranks 12th globally, with shipbuilding exports valued at USD 1.12 billion, while China leads with exports worth USD 25 billion.
  • In 2022, the value of India’s shipbuilding sector was USD 90 million, with projections indicating growth to USD 8.12 billion by 2033.
• Future Potential:
  • The Indian shipbuilding sector has the potential to unlock opportunities worth over USD 237 billion by 2047, aided by government support, favourable geographic location, and cost-effective labour.

Leading Indian Shipbuilding Companies:

• Mazagon Dock Limited (MDL):
  • A key player in constructing warships for the Indian Navy and Coast Guard.
• Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL):
  • Specialises in the production of offshore vessels, oil tankers, and aircraft carriers.
  • CSL is India’s largest shipbuilder and operates the country’s most extensive ship-repair facilities.
• Adani Group’s Shipbuilding Initiative:
  • In 2024, the Adani Group announced a large-scale shipbuilding project at Mundra Port in Gujarat, with a proposed investment of Rs 45,000 crore.
  • The initiative aims to establish India as a major player in global shipbuilding, with a target market valuation of USD 62 billion by 2047.

Key Features of the Proposed Shipbuilding Mission

• Goal for 2047: The government aims to position India as a leading player in the shipbuilding industry and establish the country as a global maritime hub by 2047.
• Current Global Market Share: India currently holds less than 1% of the global shipbuilding market.
• Twelve Key Focus Areas: The mission has outlined twelve focus areas for development, including financing, insurance, ownership, leasing, chartering, shipbuilding, repair, recycling, flagging, registration, operations, technical management, staffing, crewing, and arbitration.
• Shipbuilding Parks: Plans are in place to develop mega shipbuilding parks on both the eastern and western coasts of India. South Korea and Japan have been invited to explore foreign investment opportunities.
• Locations: These shipbuilding parks will be located in states like Maharashtra, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, and Gujarat.
• Economic Impact: Since 95% of India’s trade relies on foreign vessels, the initiative aims to reduce this dependency and retain the estimated annual outflow of USD 110 billion.
• Maritime Development Fund: The government plans to create a Maritime Development Fund with a corpus of Rs 25,000 crore to provide long-term financing for maritime initiatives, potentially modeled after the National Bank for Financing Infrastructure and Development (NaBFID).
• Upcoming Missions:
  Two additional missions are planned:
  • Cruise India Mission: Focused on upgrading port infrastructure and building exclusive cruise terminals to accommodate large vessels.
  • Ship Repair and Recycling Mission: Aiming to develop India as a repair and recycling hub for ships.
• Major Repair Hubs: Cities like Kochi, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, and Vadinar (in Gujarat) will be further developed into major repair centers.
• Centre of Excellence: A Centre of Excellence in Shipbuilding and Repair will be established to foster innovation in these sectors.
• Free Trade Depot: Customs exemptions for imported materials used in ship repairs will be provided through Free Trade Depots at shipyards.
• Maritime Dispute Resolution: The International Maritime Dispute Resolution Centre (IIMDRC) has been launched to resolve maritime disputes domestically, reducing dependence on hubs like Dubai and Singapore. The IIMDRC will offer merit-based, industry-governed solutions, positioning India as a hub for maritime arbitration.
• Third-Party Maritime Insurance: A proposal for establishing the India Club is being considered to provide third-party maritime insurance for coastal and inland waterways, protecting against international sanctions and economic pressures.

Recent Developments in India’s Maritime Sector

• Mega Ports Expansion: India has ambitious plans for establishing mega ports across the country, including the recently approved Rs 76,220 crore Vadhavan port in Maharashtra.
• Transhipment Port: A mega port is planned at Galathea Bay in the Andaman & Nicobar Islands, designed to handle transhipment cargo currently managed outside of India.
• Container Capacity Growth: The ministry projects that India’s container handling capacity will grow to 40 million TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units) over the next five years.
• Jawaharlal Nehru Port: India’s Jawaharlal Nehru Port aims to increase its capacity from 6.6 million TEUs to 10 million TEUs, becoming the first Indian port to achieve this capacity milestone.
• Land Allotment for Hydrogen Manufacturing Hubs: Around 3,900 acres of land has been allocated to the Deendayal Port Authority (DPA) in Kandla and VO Chidambaranar Port Trust to establish hydrogen manufacturing hubs.
• International Port Operations: India Ports Global Ltd (IPGL) has taken over operations at international ports in Sri Lanka, Myanmar, and Bangladesh.
• Chabahar Port Contract: India has successfully operationalized its contract for Chabahar Port.
• India-Middle East-Europe Corridor: The 4,800 km India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) will connect Indian ports with Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and Europe.
• MAITRI Interface: The Master Application for International Trade and Regulatory Interface (MAITRI) integrates India’s operational trade portals with those of the UAE, streamlining cross-border processes.
• Virtual Trade Corridor (VTC): This platform, designed for secure and efficient trade data exchange, forms the backbone of the IMEC corridor.

-Source: Live Mint

Digital Personal Data Protection Act 2023

Context:

NITI Aayog, the top think tank of the government, had opposed some of the provisions of the Digital Personal Data Protection Act 2023.

Relevance:

GS II: Polity and Governance

Dimensions of the Article:

1. NITI Aayog’s Concerns Over the DPDP Bill
2. Salient Features of the Digital Personal Data Protection Act (DPDPA) 2023
3. Issues with Obtaining Parental Consent
4. Addressing the Issue of Parental Consent

NITI Aayog’s Concerns Over the DPDP Bill

• The DPDP Bill suggested an amendment to Section 8(1)(j) of the RTI Act, which would restrict the disclosure of personal information related to public officials, even if there is a larger public interest at stake.
• During inter-ministerial consultations, NITI Aayog advised the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) not to proceed with the bill in its current form, warning that it could potentially weaken the RTI Act.
• Opposition parties and civil society activists also voiced their objections to the amendment during the consultation period, and later when the bill was debated in Parliament.
• Despite these reservations, the MeitY did not make changes to the RTI Act in the proposed amendment.
• The government defended the changes, arguing that the right to privacy is a fundamental right under the Indian Constitution, which should also be extended to government officers.

Salient Features of the Digital Personal Data Protection Act (DPDPA) 2023

• Empowerment of Individuals:
  • Grants individuals rights to access, correct, and erase their personal data.
  • Provides citizens with enhanced control over their personal information.
• Consent Requirement:
  • Stipulates that personal data can only be processed with explicit consent from individuals.
  • Organizations must present clear and specific consent forms and secure consent before collecting data.
• Data Localization:
  • Mandates that certain sensitive personal data must be stored and processed within India.
  • Aims to bolster data security and simplify the enforcement of data protection regulations.
• Establishment of Data Protection Board:
  • Creates the Data Protection Board of India (DPBI) to oversee compliance and address grievances.
  • The Board is tasked with resolving disputes and imposing penalties for non-compliance.
• Breach Notification:
  • Requires organizations to inform both individuals and the Data Protection Board about any data breaches that could compromise personal information.
  • Promotes transparency and prompt action in the event of data leaks.
• Penalties for Non-Compliance:
  • Imposes substantial fines for violations to encourage adherence to data protection standards.

Issues with Obtaining Parental Consent

• Consent Requirement for Children’s Data:
  • Section 9 of the DPDPA mandates that data fiduciaries must obtain verifiable consent from parents or guardians before processing children’s data.
  • Prohibits harmful data processing and ad targeting aimed at minors.
• Exemptions:
  • Certain entities, such as healthcare and educational institutions, may be exempt from obtaining verifiable parental consent under specific conditions.
  • Limited exemptions are allowed based on the particular purpose for which the child’s data is processed.
• Challenges in Implementation:
  • Difficulties in age verification and defining harm to children remain significant.
  • Issues arise when parents revoke consent or when children reach the age of consent.
  • Storing biometric data and ensuring compatibility across devices pose practical challenges.
  • The act lacks clear guidance on how platforms should perform age-gating.
• Delay in Rules Implementation:
  • The delay in finalizing data protection rules is primarily due to unresolved issues regarding verifiable parental consent.
  • The DPDPA requires at least 25 provisions to operationalize the act, adding to the complexity.
• Proposed Solutions:
  • The Ministry of Electronics and IT (MeitY) initially considered using the DigiLocker app, but privacy and scalability concerns led to its rejection.
  • Another suggestion was an electronic token system, but it faced practical limitations.
  • A recent industry meeting proposed a graded approach based on risk, with the UK’s Age Appropriate Design Code (AADC) as a reference model.

Addressing the Issue of Parental Consent

• Self-Declaration by Parents:
  • Companies can allow parents to declare their relationship with the child during the account setup process.
  • This method depends on the honesty of the parents and lacks a robust verification mechanism.
• Two-Factor Authentication (2FA):
  • Implementing 2FA for parental accounts can enhance security.
  • Parents receive a verification code via SMS or email to confirm their consent, adding an extra layer of security.
• Biometric Verification:
  • Utilizing biometric methods, such as fingerprint or facial recognition, for parental consent can be both secure and privacy-conscious.
  • Biometrics offer a high level of security by ensuring that only the authorized parent can provide consent.
• Proxy Consent:
  • Allowing parents to authorize a trusted third party, such as a school or pediatrician, to verify their relationship with the child.
  • This approach can provide additional verification and ease the process of obtaining consent.

-Source: Indian Express

Draft Guidelines for Withdrawal of Life Support Released

Context:

The Union Health Ministry has recently released the ‘Draft Guidelines for Withdrawal of Life Support in Terminally Ill Patients.’ This initiative seeks to establish a formal legal framework where previously only informal practices existed. Doctors have often informally advised families on withdrawing care for terminally ill patients, but the lack of formal guidelines has created a need for clear standards and protocols. Stakeholders are encouraged to provide feedback and suggestions on the draft by October 20, aiming to refine and formalize the approach to end-of-life care in India.

Relevance:

GS II: Health

Dimensions of the Article:

1. Draft guidelines on passive euthanasia
2. What is euthanasia, and what is a living will?
3. Different countries, different laws

Draft guidelines on passive euthanasia

The draft guidelines on passive euthanasia provide a framework for the withdrawal or withholding of medical treatment in terminally ill patients. The guidelines address the following key points:

Defined Terminal Illness:

• Terminal illness is defined as an irreversible or incurable condition that leads to inevitable death in the foreseeable future.

Conditions for Withdrawal or Withholding of Medical Treatment:

• The individual is brainstem dead.
• A medical assessment confirms that the patient’s condition is advanced and unlikely to improve with further treatment.
• The patient or their surrogate provides informed consent to discontinue life support after understanding the prognosis.
• The procedure complies with the Supreme Court’s directives.

Patient Autonomy:

• Developed by AIIMS experts, the guidelines allow patients to decide on life support and resuscitation measures.
• The withdrawal of supportive care such as ventilation or dialysis is permitted if the patient is brain dead and unlikely to benefit from further interventions, provided the patient or surrogate refuses continued care.

Advance Medical Directives:

• Individuals may issue advance medical directives outlining their treatment preferences in case they lose the ability to make decisions.

Medical Board Review:

• If a physician determines that life-sustaining treatment is inappropriate, the case will be referred to a primary medical board for review.
• If the board concurs with the physician, a shared decision is made with the family, and a secondary medical board’s approval is required before life support is withdrawn.

What is Euthanasia, and what is a living will?

• Euthanasia refers to the practice of an individual deliberately ending their life, oftentimes to get relief from an incurable condition, or intolerable pain and suffering.
• Euthanasia, which can be administered only by a physician, can be either ‘active’ or ‘passive’.
  • Active euthanasia involves an active intervention to end a person’s life with substances or external force, such as administering a lethal injection.
  • Passive euthanasia refers to withdrawing life support or treatment that is essential to keep a terminally ill person alive.
• Passive euthanasia was legalised in India by the Supreme Court in 2018, contingent upon the person having a ‘living will’ or a written document that specifies what actions should be taken if the person is unable to make their own medical decisions in the future.
• In case a person does not have a living will, members of their family can make a plea before the High Court to seek permission for passive euthanasia.

Legality of Euthanasia in India

Passive Euthanasia:

• The Supreme Court of India in the landmark case Common Cause vs Union of India (2018) acknowledged the right of individuals to die with dignity.
• The ruling allows terminally ill individuals to opt for passive euthanasia and make a living will, enabling them to refuse medical treatment if they are suffering from an incurable illness or enter a vegetative state.
• The judgment permits individuals to specify in their living will that they should not be placed on life support in the event of an incurable coma.
• The right to die with dignity was recognized as part of the fundamental right to life under Article 21 of the Indian Constitution.

Active Euthanasia:

• Active euthanasia remains illegal in India and is considered a criminal offense.
• The only exception is when a person is declared brain dead, in which case life support can be withdrawn with the consent of the family.

Different countries, different laws

• NETHERLANDS, LUXEMBOURG, BELGIUM allow both euthanasia and assisted suicide for anyone who faces “unbearable suffering” that has no chance of improvement.
• SWITZERLAND bans euthanasia but allows assisted dying in the presence of a doctor or physician.
• CANADA had announced that euthanasia and assisted dying would be allowed for mentally ill patients by March 2023; however, the decision has been widely criticised, and the move may be delayed.
• UNITED STATES has different laws in different states. Euthanasia is allowed in some states like Washington, Oregon, and Montana.
• UNITED KINGDOM considers it illegal and equivalent to manslaughter.

-Source: Times of India

Rashtriya Poshan Maah

Context:

The closing ceremony of 7th Rashtriya Poshan Maah 2024 will be  held on 30th September, 2024 at Shaurya Sabhagaar, Ranchi.

• The 7th Rashtriya Poshan Maah (1st-30th September, 2024), focused on Anaemia, Growth Monitoring, Complementary Feeding, and Poshan Bhi Padhai Bhi, along with Technology for better governance.

Relevance:

Focus: GS II- Health

Dimensions of the Article:

1. National Nutrition Month (Rashtriya Poshan Maah)
2. About Poshan Abhiyaan
3. Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) – Govt. Schemes

National Nutrition Month (Rashtriya Poshan Maah)

• The entire month of September is celebrated as the Rashtriya Poshan Maah.
• The purpose of celebrating the Poshan month is to take the message of nutrition to every nook and corner of the country (especially grass root level) and to focus on complimentary food, treatment, and prevention from infections in children.
• The programme is an initiative of Women and Child Development Ministry and NITI Aayog is supported by 18 line Ministries / Departments / Government Organizations.
• It seeks to synergise all efforts by leveraging technology and intends to take nutrition awareness to the level of Jan Andolan or People’s Movement.
• The programme focuses on 8 themes – Antenatal Care, Optimal Breastfeeding (Early & Exclusive), Complementary Feeding, Anemia, Growth Monitoring, Girls-education, diet, right age of Marriage, Hygiene & Sanitation, Food Fortification.

About Poshan Abhiyaan

• The term ‘POSHAN’ in the name of the programme stands for ‘Prime Minister’s Overarching Scheme for Holistic Nutrition’.
• POSHAN Abhiyaan launched in 2018 aims at improving the nutritional status of Children from 0-6 years, Adolescent Girls, Pregnant Women and Lactating Mothers.
• According to ‘Mission 25 by 2020’, the National Nutrition Mission aims to achieve a reduction in stunting from 38.4% to 25% by 2022.
• POSHAN Abhiyaan focuses on convergence among partner Ministries leveraging technology and Jan Andolan among other things, to address issue of malnutrition comprehensively.
• Near-real time reporting by field functionaries and improved MIS is aimed at smooth implementation of scheme and better service delivery.
• It also targets stunting, under-nutrition, anaemia (among young children, women and adolescent girls) and low birth rate.
• It will monitor and review implementation of all such schemes and utilize existing structural arrangements of line ministries wherever available.
• Its large component involves gradual scaling-up of interventions supported by on-going World Bank assisted Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) Systems Strengthening and Nutrition Improvement Project (ISSNIP) to all districts in the country by 2022.
• Its vision is to ensure attainment of malnutrition free India by 2022.

Implementation of POSHAN Abhiyaan is based on the four-point strategy/pillars of the mission:

• Inter-sectoral convergence for better service delivery
• Use of technology (ICT) for real time growth monitoring and tracking of women and children
• Intensified health and nutrition services for the first 1000 days
• Jan Andolan

Issues of Poshan Abhiyaan

• Information and communications technology-enabled real time monitoring (ICT-RTM) has been rolled out in POSHAN Abhiyaan districts.
• This could be ineffective due to the limited capacities of Anganwadi workers (AWs) to handle smartphones owing to their lack of technological literacy.
• Technical issues like slow servers and data deletion problems, resulting in irregular and improper recording of growth data of children.
• AWs are the fulcrum of POSHAN Abhiyaan and render vital services to mothers and children in villages.
• Nearly 40% of AWs had to use their personal money to run the AWCs, 35% of them complained of delayed payments.
• This makes AWs demotivated and demoralized.

Anganwadi Centres

• Anganwadis or day-care centres are set up under the centrally sponsored Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) scheme.
• The scheme is being implemented by the Ministry of Women and Child Development.
• Anganwadi centres provide a package of six services: supplementary nutrition, pre-school non-formal education, immunisation, nutrition and health education, as well as referral services.
• The primary aim of the scheme is to reduce infant mortality and child malnutrition.
• Beneficiaries of these centers will be Children in the age group of zero to six years, and pregnant women and lactating mothers.
• It was started by the Government of India In 1975 as part of the Integrated Child Development Services program to combat child hunger and malnutrition.
• The beneficiaries under the Anganwadi Services Scheme are identified on the basis of Aadhaar.

Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) – Govt. Schemes

• Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS), a Centrally-Sponsored scheme, is an Indian government welfare programme that provides food, preschool education, and primary healthcare to children under 6 years of age and their mothers.
• The scheme was started in 1975 and aims at the holistic development of children and empowerment of mother.
• The scheme primarily runs through the Anganwadi centers and the scheme is under the Ministry of Women and Child Development.

Objectives of ICDS are:

• To improve the nutritional and health status of children in the age-group 0-6 years;
• To lay the foundation for proper psychological, physical and social development of the child;
• To reduce the incidence of mortality, morbidity, malnutrition and school dropout;
• To achieve effective co-ordination of policy and implementation amongst the various departments to promote child development; and
• To enhance the capability of the mother to look after the normal health and nutritional needs of the child through proper nutrition and health education.
• Services Provided by the ICDS are:
• Supplementary Nutrition (SNP)
• Health & Nutrition Check-Up
• Immunization
• Non-Formal Education for Children in Pre-School
• Health and Nutrition Education
• Referral services

Six Schemes under Umbrella ICDS:

Anganwadi Services Scheme: A unique programme for early childhood care and development which benefits children in the age group of 0-6 years, pregnant women and lactating mothers.

Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana: Provides cash incentive amounting to Rs.5,000/- in three installments directly to the Bank/Post Office Account of Pregnant Women and Lactating Mother (PW&LM) in DBT (Direct Benefit Transfer) Mode during pregnancy and lactation in response to individual fulfilling specific conditions.

National Creche Scheme: Provides day care facilities to children of age group of 6 months to 6 years of working women for seven and half hours a day for 26 days in a month.

Scheme for Adolescent Girls: Aims to empower and improve the social status of out of school girls in the age group 11-14 through nutrition, life skills and home skills.

Child Protection Scheme: Aims to contribute to the improvement and well-being of children in difficult circumstances, as well as, reduction of vulnerabilities to situations and actions that lead to abuse, neglect, exploitation, abandonment and separation of children from parents.

POSHAN Abhiyaan: Targets to reduce the level of stunting, under-nutrition, anemia and low birth weight babies by reducing mal-nutrition/undernutrition, anemia among young children as also, focus on adolescent girls, pregnant women and lactating mothers.

-Source: The Hindu, PIB

Global Innovation Index 2024

Context:

The Prime Minister has expressed pride for Indian Innovators as India climbs to the 40th rank in  the Global Innovation Index of World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO).

Relevance:

GS-III: Indian Economy (Growth and Development of Indian Economy, Issues related to Development, Important International Organizations and their reports)

Dimensions of the Article:

1. What is Global Innovation Index (GII)?
2. About World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO)
3. Key Highlights of the Global Innovation Index 2024

What is Global Innovation Index (GII)?

• The Global Innovation Index (GII) is an annual ranking of countries by their capacity for, and success in, innovation. It is published by Cornell University, INSEAD, and the World Intellectual Property Organization, in partnership with other organisations and institutions, and is based on both subjective and objective data derived from several sources, including the International Telecommunication Union, the World Bank and the World Economic Forum.
• The GII aims to capture the multi-dimensional facets of innovation ranking and rich analysis referencing around 132 economies.
• The GII is commonly used by corporate and government officials to compare countries by their level of innovation.
• The GII is computed by taking a simple average of the scores in two sub-indices, the Innovation Input Index and Innovation Output Index, which are composed of five and two pillars respectively.
• Innovation inputs: Institutions; Human capital and research; Infrastructure; Market sophistication; Business sophistication.
• Innovation outputs: Knowledge and technology outputs; Creative outputs
• Each of these pillars describe an attribute of innovation, and comprise up to five indicators, and their score is calculated by the weighted average method.

About World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO)

• The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) is one of the 15 specialized agencies of the United Nations (UN) – headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland.
• WIPO was created to promote and protect intellectual property (IP) across the world by cooperating with countries as well as international organizations.
• WIPO’s activities including hosting forums to discuss and shape international IP rules and policies, providing global services that register and protect IP in different countries, resolving transboundary IP disputes, helping connect IP systems through uniform standards and infrastructure, and serving as a general reference database on all IP matters.
• WIPO also works with governments, nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), and individuals to utilize IP for socioeconomic development.

Key Highlights of the Global Innovation Index 2024:

• India’s Regional Dominance: Ranked first among the 10 economies in Central and Southern Asia, signifying its leadership in innovation within the region.
• Science and Technology (S&T) Cluster Ranking: India secured 4th position globally in the WIPO’s S&T Cluster Ranking.
• Top Innovation Hubs: Indian cities such as Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru, and Chennai are recognized among the world’s top 100 S&T clusters, underscoring their role as centers for technological advancements and research.
• Intangible Asset Intensity: India holds the 7th rank globally for intangible asset intensity, reflecting the country’s strength in non-physical assets such as patents and trademarks.

-Source: The Hindu

GST Compensation Cess

Context:

The Goods and Services Tax (GST) Council recently set up a 10-member GoM to decide on the taxation of luxury, sin, and demerit goods once the compensation cess ends in March 2026.

Relevance:

GS III: Indian Economy

GST Compensation Cess

The GST Compensation Cess is imposed under Section 8 of The Goods and Services Tax (Compensation to State) Act, 2017, with the aim of addressing the tax revenue loss faced by states after the implementation of GST.

Why is GST Compensation Cess Levied?

• GST is a consumption-based tax, which means the state where goods are consumed benefits from the indirect tax revenue.
• However, states that are net exporters of goods and services are expected to see a reduction in indirect tax collections.
• To offset this revenue loss, the Central Government introduced the GST Compensation Cess to ensure states are adequately compensated.

Usage of GST Compensation Cess:

• All funds from this cess are credited to the GST Compensation Fund, a non-lapsable fund.
• The money is utilized to compensate states for any loss of tax revenue due to the shift to GST.
• Unused funds at the end of the transition period are shared equally between the Central Government and the State Governments.
• States receive their share based on their total tax revenues in the final year of the transition period.

Applicability:

• The GST Compensation Cess is applicable to the supply of specific goods or services as notified by the Central Government.
• Both intrastate and interstate supplies of goods or services are subject to the cess.
• All taxable entities under GST, except those registered under the GST Composition Scheme, are expected to collect and remit the cess.
• Cess is primarily levied on luxury, sin, and demerit goods such as cigarettes, tobacco products, soft drinks, and luxury cars.

Extension of GST Cess:

• The GST Council decided to extend the levy of the GST Compensation Cess till March 2026. This extension aims to repay the loan of ₹2.69 lakh crore taken to compensate states for revenue loss during the COVID-19 pandemic.

-Source: The Hindu