Current Affairs 11 June 2021 – IAS Current Affairs

Current Affairs 11 June 2021  focuses on Prelims-Mains perspective. Major events are :

1. Sedition Case. What is It ?
2. Global House Price Index
3. I-STEM Portal and COMSOL
4. Instrumentation Facility To Trace Toxic Metals
5. Discovered Small Field Policy
6. All India Survey on Higher Education 2019-20

Prelims

1. e-Sanjeevani

Sedition Case. What is It ?

Source : Indian Express
GS II : Important International institutions, agencies and fora- their structure, mandate

Why in News ?

Lakshadweep police registered a case of sedition against local resident and film activist Aisha Sultana for calling the Union Territory’s administrator Praful K Patel a bio-weapon being used by the Centre on the island’s people.

Key Facts

• The case was registered at Kavaratti police station based on a complaint and register under Section 124 A of IPC (sedition).
• Background
  • Campaigns against the reforms and proposed legislation in Lakshadweep
  • Proposals are aimed at ensuring safety and well-being of residents.
  • Also promoting the islands as a tourist destination on par with Maldives
  • But residents view them as ripping the social and cultural fabric of the islands.

Sedition Case. What is It ?

• Section 124A in The Indian Penal Code :
  • Whoever, by words either spoken or written or by signs or by visible representation or otherwise brings or attempts to bring into hatred or contempt or excites or attempts to excite disaffection towards the Government established by law in shall be
    • Punished with imprisonment for life to which fine may be added or
    • With imprisonment which may extend to three years to which fine may be added or with fine. 
  • The expression “disaffection” includes disloyalty and all feelings of enmity.
• Act not falls under sedition ?
  • Comments expressing disapprobation of the measures of the Government with a view to obtain their alteration by lawful means without exciting or attempting to excite hatred contempt or disaffection do not constitute an offence under this section.
  • Comments expressing disapprobation of the admin­istrative or other action of the Government without exciting or attempting to excite hatred, contempt or disaffection, do not constitute an offence under this section.
• Section 153A and Section 505 of the Indian Penal Code 1860 also are considered sedition. 
  • Section 153 A :
    • Promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of religion, race, place of birth, residence, language, etc., and doing acts prejudicial to maintenance of harmony.
    • Punished with imprisonment which may extend to three years, or with fine, or with both.
  • Section 505 :
    • Whoever makes, publishes or circulates any statement, rumour or report, with intent to cause, or which is likely to cause, any offi­cer, soldier, 3[sailor or airman] in the Army, 4[Navy or Air Force] 5[of India] to mutiny or otherwise disregard or fail in his duty. 
    • Fear or alarm to the public, or to any section of the public or any class or community of persons whereby any person may be induced to commit an offence against the State or against the public tranquility
    • They may attract with imprisonment which may extend to 3 years or with fine, or with both.

Criticism and views against Sedition

• India inherited the sedition law from the British.
• Sedition law is one of the most abused laws.
• It is inconsistent with the constitutional guarantees.

Global House Price Index

Source : Economic Times
GS III : Indian Economy

Why in News ?

Housing prices in India fell 1.6 per cent in January-March this year compared to the same period of 2020.

• The country stands low at 55th rank in a global list based on annual price appreciation, according to Knight Frank.

Key Facts

• India has moved one place up at 55th rank and is ahead of only Spain in the list of 56 countries worldwide.
• Turkey continues to lead the annual rankings with prices up by 32 per cent year-on-year
• It was followed by New Zealand (22.1 per cent) and Luxembourg (16.6 per cent).
• Spain was the weakest-performing territory where home prices fell by 1.8 per cent.
• Residential prices in India grew 1.4 per cent in January-March 2021 compared with the previous quarter.
• United States witnessed the highest annual price growth rate since 2005, with a 13.2 per cent increase YoY.
• Mainstream residential prices averaged across 56 countries and territories in Q1 2021 grew 7.3 per cent, which records the fastest growth in prices since Q4 2006.
• With the onset of the second wave and the threat of new variants of the virus along with the fluctuation in vaccine rollout there could be a pressure on sales volumes as well as on price growth.

India in Global House Price Index

• In the previous report released in March this year, India’s ranking was 56th.
• Home prices fell by 1.6 per cent in India and marked just above Spain.
• India witnessed meaningful recovery in sales volumes helping housing prices remain stable.

I-STEM Portal and COMSOL

Source : PIB
GS II : Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health, Education, Human Resources

Why in News ?

For the first time in the country, through the I-STEM portal academic users in India will now be able to access the COMSOL Multiphysics software suite at no cost.

Key Facts

• Indian Science Technology and Engineering facilities Map (I-STEM) the national web portal for sharing R&D facilities and the COMSOL Group headquartered in Sweden have entered a collaborative arrangement for this.
• Suite is hosted on the cloud server to provide user friendly access from anywhere in India.
• The arrangement is expected to assist many students and researchers in the country
  • Especially those in the more remote and less-endowed institutions
  • Thereby enhancing learning outcomes and promoting R&D efforts across India.

Indian Science Technology and Engineering facilities Map (I-STEM)

• An initiative of Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser to the Govt. of India under the PM-STIAC mission.
• The goal is to strengthen the R&D ecosystem.
  • Done by connecting researchers with resources in part by promoting technologies and scientific equipment development indigenously.
  • Also by providing necessary supplies and supports to researchers.
  • This will enable them to access existing R&D facilities through the I-STEM web portal.
• The portal hosts the database of facilities across India.
• Presently, the portal lists more than 25,000 pieces of equipment from 850 institutions across the country.
• It has more than 20,000 Indian researchers.
• The portal also features a Digital Catalogue of indigenously developed technologies.

Instrumentation Facility To Trace Toxic Metals

Source : PIB
GS III : Achievements of Indians in science & technology; indigenization of technology and developing new technology

Why in News ?

Instrumentation facility at IISc Bangalore can accurately trace toxic metals at very low concentrations helpful to find pollutants.

Key Facts

• A multi-instrument facility established at IISc Bangalore can determine concentrations of metals and metalloids spanning a concentration range of ≥100 ppm to 10 ppt (9 orders of magnitude).
• This Water analysis facility will be key in tracing sources of pollution, quantifying reactive transport pathways of toxic metals, and assessing the efficiency of remediation methods.
• Facilities for accurate and precise determination of major, minor, and trace element concentration from natural water samples is critical for quality environmental and geochemical research.
• Serve as an open access center for characterization of dissolved metals and metalloids for environmental and geochemical researchers from across the country.
• Fast Forward to SGD6 : Acceptable and affordable water in secondary Indian cities (4WARD) under its Urban Water Systems programme awarded to a cluster of institutions focuses on identification and alleviation of water quality and quantity related challenges faced by Tier-II Indian cities.

About the Instrumentation Facility

• Detection limits for key environmental toxins (viz. Cr, Fe, Ni, Cu, As, Se, Pb) are all less than 5 ppt.
• Instrumentation includes 
  • Quadrupole Inductively Couple Plasma Mass Spectrometer fitted with collision reaction cell (QQQ-ICP-MS)
  • Inductively Couple Plasma Optical Emission Spectrometer with dual detection capability (ICP-OES).
• QQQ-ICP-MS, equipped with multiple reaction and collision gases is efficient across six orders of concentration values going down to less than 10 ppt (ng/L).

Discovered Small Field Policy

Source : PIB
GS III : Effects of liberalization on the economy, changes in industrial policy and their effects on industrial growth

Why in News ?

Discovered Small Field (DSF) bid round-III for international competitive bidding was launched by Minister of Petroleum & Natural Gas and Steel.

• The virtual event was attended by more than 450 participants including major E&P players, prospective new entrants and service providers.

Key Facts

• To devise innovative ways for early resource monetisation, including expediting production timelines under DSF I & II.
• The work on DSF should be done at exponential speed.
  • It should be on a mission mode to monetise our natural resources for greater public welfare.
• Encouraged by the success of DSF bid rounds-I &II, the Government of India has extended the DSF Policy by launching DSF bid round-III. Previous two DSF rounds had a resounding success.
• In DSF Round – I launched in 2016
  • 134 bids were submitted for 34 contract areas by 47 companies.
  • 30 Revenue Sharing Contracts were signed.
• In DSF Round – II launched in 2018
  • 145 bids were submitted for 24 contract area.
  • 24 Revenue Sharing Contracts were signed.

What is Discovered Small Field (DSF)

• For the monetisation of unmentioned discoveries of National Oil Companies (NoCs) Government in September, 2015 approved 69 marginal fields/discoveries for offer under Discovered Small Fields Policy.
• These Contract Areas are awarded under the new regime of Revenue Sharing Model.
• Discovered Small Field (DSF) Policy Bid Round-I under the Discovered Small Field Policy was launched on 25th May 2016
  • It offering 67 discovered small fields/discoveries clubbed into 46 Contract Areas for international bidding.
• Discovered Small Field (DSF) Policy Bid Round-II launched in 2018 Government approved the
  • 59 discovered small fields/unmonetized discoveries estimated to have 189.61 Million Metric Tonnes (MMT) Oil and Oil equivalent gas
• DSF policy has multiple attractive features like
  • Revenue sharing contract model with low regulatory burden
  • No minimum biddable work programme
  • No prior technical qualification required
  • No upfront signature bonus
• Features of Discovered Small Field Policy
  • Revenue Sharing contract :
    • A simple and easy to administer contractual model in line with Government’s effort to promote Ease of doing business.
    • Biddable Government share of revenue shall be payable only after onset of production.
  • FDI participation by foreign companies : Upto 100% and joint ventures.
  • Single licence for Conventional & Un-conventional hydrocarbon is allowed.
  • Crude Oil & Gas Pricing and Sale :
    • Freedom to sell crude oil exclusively in domestic market.
    • For Gas pricing, contractor will have freedom for pricing of gas produced.
  • Technical Knowledge : To incentivise new investors technical capability is not kept as a pre-qualification criteria.
  • Cess and Duty :
    • Customs duty exempted on import of goods and services for Petroleum operations.
    • No Oil Cess will be applicable on crude oil production

Discovered Small Field (DSF) bid round-III

• Offering 32 Contract Areas which comprise of 75 discoveries.
• These fields are spread over 9 sedimentary basins covering more than 13,000 square kilometers.
• It having in place Hydrocarbon estimated to be around 230 MMT.
• Geo-scientific data for fields on offer will be showcased through Data Room with interpretation facilities which would assist the potential bidder in making informed decision.

All India Survey on Higher Education 2019-20

Source : PIB
GS II : Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health, Education, Human Resources

Why in News ?

Announced the release of the report of All India Survey on Higher Education 2019-20.

• This Report provides key performance indicators on the current status of Higher education in the country.

Key Facts

• In the last five years from 2015-16 to 2019-20 there has been a growth of 11.4% in the student enrolment.
  • The rise in female enrolment in higher education during the period is 18.2%. 
  • Government focus on education of girls, women empowerment and empowerment of socially backward classes reflected by the increased participation of women, SCs and STs population in Higher Education.
• This report is the 10th in the series of All India Survey on Higher Education (AISHE) annually released by D/o Higher Education.

All India Survey on Higher Education Report 2019-20

1. Total Enrolment
   • Higher Education stands at 3.85 crore in 2019-20 as compared to 3.74 crore in 2018-19
   • Registering a growth of 11.36 lakh (3.04 %).
   • Total enrolment was 3.42 crore in 2014-15.
2. Gross Enrolment Ratio
   • The percentage of students belonging to the eligible age group enrolled in Higher Education in 2019-20 is 27.1%
   • It was 26.3% in 2018-19 and 24.3% in 2014-2015.
3. Gender Parity Index (GPI)
   • Higher Education in 2019-20 is 1.01 against 1.00 in 2018-19
   • This indicating an improvement in the relative access to higher education for females of eligible age group compared to males.
4. Pupil Teacher Ratio
   • The ration in Higher Education in 2019-20 is 26.
   • In 2019-20 Universities : 1,043(2%);
   • Colleges: 42,343(77%);
   • Stand-alone institutions: 11,779(21%);
5. Major discipline
   • 3.38 crore Students enrolled in programmes at under-graduate and post-graduate level.
   • Out of these nearly 85% of the students (2.85 crore) were enrolled in the six major disciplines
     • These are Humanities, Science, Commerce, Engineering & Technology, Medical Science and IT & Computer.
6. The number of students pursuing PhD in 2019-20 is 2.03 lakh against 1.17 lakh in 2014-15.
7. Total Number of Teachers stands at 15,03,156 comprising of 57.5% male and 42.5% female.

NEP2020 and Higher Education

• NEP aims to increase gross enrolment ratio in higher education (including vocational education) to 50 per cent by 2035.
  • GER is currently 27.1 per cent (2020 figures).
• About 3.5 crore new seats will be added to higher  education institutions.
• The policy envisages broad-based, multidisciplinary, holistic undergraduate education  system.
• It allowing creative combinations of subjects and integration of vocational education with mainstream education.
• Higher Education Commission of India (HECI)
  • There will be a single overarching  umbrella body  for entire higher education excluding medical and legal education.
  • HECI will have four independent verticals :
    1. National Higher Education Regulatory Council  (NHERC) for regulation
    2. General Education Council (GEC ) for standard setting
    3. Higher Education Grants Council (HEGC) for funding
    4. National Accreditation Council (NAC) for accreditation
• The National Research Foundation
  • It will be created as an apex body for fostering a strong research culture and building research capacity across higher education.
• National Curriculum Framework for  Teacher Education, NCFTE 2021
  • A new and comprehensive under formulated by the NCTE in consultation with NCERT.
  • A national mission for mentoring will be established with a large pool of outstanding senior/retired faculty
• Efforts made to incentivise the merits of students belonging to SC, ST, OBC and other Socio-Economically Disadvantaged Groups (SEDGs).
• The National Scholarship Portal
  • Will be expanded to support, foster and track the progress of students receiving scholarships.
• Autonomous body, the National Educational Technology Forum (NETF)
  • Will be created to provide a platform for the free exchange of ideas on the use of technology
  • It aims to enhance learning, assessment, planning, administration.
• To ensure the preservation, growth, and vibrancy of all Indian languages, NEP recommends setting an
  • Indian Institute of Translation and Interpretation (IITI)
  • National Institute (or Institutes) for Pali, Persian and Prakrit, strengthening of Sanskrit and all language departments in HEIs. 

PRELIMS

e-Sanjeevani

• Union Health Ministry’s National Telemedicine Service eSanjeevani has crossed another milestone by completing 6 million (60 lakh) consultations through more than 375 online OPDs
• Over 40,000 patients consult over 1600 doctors and specialists on a daily basis using this innovative digital medium to seek Health services.
• Currently, the National Telemedicine Service is operational in 31 States/Union Territories.

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