Weekly Current Affairs (1st to 7th July 2024) Part - 2 | Current Affairs & Hindu Analysis: Daily, Weekly & Monthly - UPSC PDF Download

GS3/Economy

FATF's Mutual Evaluation Report on India

Why in news?

• Recently, the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) issued a Mutual Evaluation Report (MER) on India, approved during their plenary session in Singapore. The MER report specifically assessed India's efforts in combating Money Laundering (ML), Terrorist Financing (TF), and proliferation financing.

What are the Highlights of the MER Report on India?

Regular Follow-Up Category:

• India has been classified into the 'regular follow-up' category, joining Russia, France, Italy, and the UK, also designated in this category. Under the 'regular follow-up' category, India is required to submit a progress report on recommended actions by October 2027. FATF categorises member countries into four groups: regular follow-up, enhanced follow-up, grey list, and black list. Regular follow-up is the top category amongst 4 and only 5 countries G20 including India have been placed in regular follow-up after the Mutual evaluation report. India has achieved strong results and a high level of technical compliance, yet it must address delays related to prosecutions for money laundering and terrorist financing.

Digital Economy Through JAM Trinity:

• India's transition to a digital economy, facilitated by the JAM (Jan Dhan, Aadhaar, Mobile) Trinity and stricter cash transaction regulations, has successfully mitigated risks associated with ML, TF, and proceeds from crimes such as corruption.

What is the Significance of the MER Report on the Indian Economy?

Enhanced Global Financial Reputation:

• The positive FATF evaluation demonstrates India's robust financial system, boosting international confidence. This could support initiatives like the Gujarat International Finance Tec-City (GIFT City) in attracting more international financial institutions. This improved reputation can lead to better credit ratings, potentially lowering borrowing costs for Indian entities in global markets.

Increased Foreign Investment:

• A trustworthy financial system is likely to attract more foreign direct investment (FDI) in sectors like fintech and e-commerce where financial integrity is crucial.

Expansion of Digital Payment Systems:

• The report's endorsement supports the global expansion of India's Unified Payments Interface (UPI). This could lead to wider acceptance of UPI in international markets as UPI is already operational in countries like Singapore and UAE, with plans for expansion to more nations.

Boost to India's Fintech Industry:

• The positive evaluation could accelerate the growth of India's Fintech sector. Fintech companies like Paytm and PhonePe could find it easier to expand internationally. It may attract more venture capital and encourage innovation in areas like blockchain and digital currencies.

Enhanced Remittance Flows:

• With improved financial systems, remittances from Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) could become more efficient and cost-effective, increasing the volume of remittances, which are a significant contributor to India's foreign exchange.

What is Money Laundering and Terrorism Financing (ML/TF)?

Money Laundering (ML):

• Money laundering is concealing or disguising the identity of illegally obtained proceeds so that they appear to have originated from legitimate sources. It is frequently a component of other, much more serious crimes such as drug trafficking, robbery, or extortion.

Terrorism Financing (TF):

• Terrorism financing is the act of providing financial support to terrorists or terrorist organizations to enable them to carry out terrorist acts or to benefit any terrorist or terrorist organization.

What are the Concerns and Suggestions Suggested by FATF for India?

Vulnerability of Non-financial Sectors:

• Non-financial sectors may be vulnerable to money laundering and terrorist financing due to weaker oversight. Example, Real estate sector in India, which has been known to be susceptible to illicit financial activities.

Prolonged Legal Processes:

• It may hinder the effectiveness of AML/CFT efforts and potentially allow criminals to evade justice.

Virtual Asset Risks and Transnational Organized Crimes:

• The growing use of virtual assets (cryptocurrencies) poses new challenges for AML/CFT regimes.

Mains Questions:

Assess India's progress in enhancing its anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing regime. What key challenges and measures should India prioritize to effectively address these identified issues?

GS2/Polity

Debate Around Education as a ‘State Subject’

Why in news?

• Recently, controversies surrounding exams like NEET-UG and UGC-NET have reignited the debate on whether education should be transferred back to the state list.

What is the Status of Education System in India?

History:

• The ‘Gurukul’ was a type of education system in ancient India with shishya (students) living with the guru in the same house.
• Nalanda, possessing the world's oldest university system, drew students globally to Indian knowledge traditions.
• British Government brought various reforms in the education system through Macaulay Committee recommendations, Woods’ Despatch, Hunter Commission Report, and Indian University Act, 1904 which had a profound impact on society.

Current Status of Education in India:

• The gender gap in literacy in India began narrowing in 1991, with an accelerated pace of improvement. However, the current female literacy rate (65.46% - Census 2011) in India still significantly lags behind the global average of 87%, as reported by UNESCO in 2015.
• Furthermore, India's overall literacy rate of 74.04% is below the world average of 86.3%. A significant number of states in India fall within the average range, just slightly above the national literacy level.

Different Legal and Constitutional Provisions:

Legal Provisions:

• The government has implemented the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) as part of the Right to Education (RTE) Act, 2009 for primary level (6-14 years).
• At the secondary level (age group 14-18), the government has extended the SSA to secondary education through the Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan.
• Higher education, encompassing undergraduate (UG), postgraduate (PG), and MPhil/PhD levels, is addressed by the government through the Rashtriya Uchhattar Shiksha Abhiyan (RUSA) to meet the requirements of higher education.
• All these schemes have been subsumed under the umbrella scheme of Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan.

• Initially, Article 45 DPSP aimed to provide free and compulsory education for children up to 14 years, later amended to include early childhood care, and eventually made a fundamental right (Article 21A - 86th Constitutional Amendment Act of 2002) due to unfulfilled objectives.
• Entry 64 and 65 of the Union List Schedule 7 of the constitution lists Institutions for scientific or technical education financed by the Government of India, professional, vocational, or technical training etc.

Education as a ‘State’ Subject:

• Government of India Act, 1935, created a federal structure, placing education under the provincial list.
• In post-independence India, education remained a state subject.
• However, during the emergency, Swaran Singh Committee recommended moving education to the concurrent list, implemented through the 42nd constitutional amendment in 1976. 44th was an attempt to correct the changes to a certain extent.

Why Should Education be on the State List?

• Original Constitution Design: Education was initially placed on the State List by the framers of the Constitution, recognizing that local governments are better equipped to handle educational needs.
• Amendment Impact: The unilateral shift of education to the Concurrent List during the Emergency undermined the Allowing states to have exclusive control over education would restore the balance of power envisioned by the framers of the Constitution.
• State-Specific Policies: States can tailor their educational policies to their unique cultural, linguistic, and socio-economic contexts. This ensures that education is relevant and responsive to the needs of the local population and can be crucial for improving literacy rates and educational outcomes.
• Divergent Policies: The central government's policies, such as the National Education Policy (NEP) National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET), often conflict with state policies, leading to inefficiencies and disenfranchisement.
• Resource Allocation: States that invest significantly in their educational infrastructure should have the authority to regulate and benefit from their investments without interference from the central government.
• Merit Determination: Centralized entrance exams like NEET do not necessarily reflect the merit or potential of students from diverse educational backgrounds.
• Issue of Accountability: If the significant institutes are brought under the ambit of the state, it would result in better accountability of the state with respect to quality education.

Why Education Should Not be on the State List?

• Poor Status of Primary Education: As per the ASER 2023 Report, most rural kids of 14-18 can’t do Class 3 math while over 25% can’t read. This reflects the poor governance of education in the states.
• National Integration and Mobility: Kothari Commission (1964-66) emphasized the importance of a common educational framework across states to foster national integration and cultural exchange.
• Ensuring Minimum Standards and Equity: Right to Education Act (RTE), 2009, guarantees a minimum level of education across India.
• Standardization of Skills and Employability: Reports by FICCI highlight the need for a standardized national curriculum to ensure graduates have the skills required by a pan-India job market.
• Regulation of National Institutions and Accreditation: Keeping education concurrent allows the Centre to maintain oversight and ensure quality standards in these institutions, which cater to students from across the country.
• Addressing National Concerns and Emergencies: National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 outlines strategies for areas of national importance like digital literacy and artificial intelligence.

Way Forward

• Collaborative Federalism: Focus should be on a "Collaborative Federalism" approach as suggested by the Kothari Commission (1964-66).
• Decentralized School Management: Promote decentralized school management structures as envisioned in the Right to Education Act (RTE) 2009.
• Teacher Training & Transfer Policy Reforms: Advocate for reforms based on the recommendations of the TSR Subramanian Committee Report (2009).
• Standardized National Assessment with State-Specific Benchmarks: Develop a standardized national assessment framework alongside state-specific benchmarks, inspired by the practices of countries like Australia.
• Leveraging Technology for Equitable Access: Implement strategies outlined in the Government of India's "Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya National Mission on Teachers and Teaching" (PMMMNMTT) to leverage technology for equitable access and quality education, particularly in remote areas.
• National Curriculum Framework with State Adaptations: Flexible National Curriculum Framework (NCF) as suggested by the NCERT, allowing states to adapt it to their specific linguistic and cultural contexts.

GS3/Economy

Nine Years of Digital India Initiative

Why in news?

• Recently, the Prime Minister emphasized the significant impact of the Digital India initiatives, marking its successful nine-year journey. He described Digital India as a symbol of national empowerment, raising living standards and promoting transparency.

What is the Digital India Initiative?

About:

• Digital India was launched on 1 July 2015 by the Indian Government. This program builds on earlier e-governance efforts that began in the mid-1990s but lacked coherence and interactivity.

Objective:

• Narrowing the Digital Divide: The initiative aims to reduce the gap between tech-savvy individuals and those with limited digital access.
• Promoting Digital Participation: It strives to ensure equal access to digital technology benefits for all citizens, covering areas like education, healthcare, and government services.
• Stimulating Economic Development: By leveraging technological advancements and innovative solutions, Digital India aims to drive economic growth across the country.
• Elevating Living Standards: The program aims to improve citizens' overall quality of life by strategically applying technology in various aspects of daily living.

Nine Pillars of Digital India Initiative:

• Broadband Highways: Focus on building extensive high-speed broadband networks nationwide to enhance connectivity and digital empowerment.
• Universal Access to Mobile Connectivity: Extend mobile coverage to remote areas, enabling all citizens to engage with mobile services and participate in the digital economy.
• Public Internet Access Programme: Establish Common Service Centres in underserved areas to provide affordable internet access, bridging the digital divide and promoting digital literacy.
• E-Governance, Utilize Technology to Streamline Government Services: Enhancing accessibility, efficiency, and transparency while boosting citizen engagement.
• E-Kranti: Platforms like MyGov.in facilitate the electronic delivery of government services to citizens, prioritizing accessibility and operational efficiency.
• Information for All: Digitize government records for online access and promote open data initiatives to fuel innovation and development.
• Electronics Manufacturing: Encourage local electronics manufacturing to decrease imports, create jobs, and support digital economic growth through manufacturing clusters and investment incentives.
• Information Technology (IT) for Jobs: Enhance youth IT skills to meet industry demands through programs like Digital Literacy Mission and Skill India, focusing on skill enhancement and IT sector employment.
• Early Harvest Programs: Include specific projects addressing immediate digital needs, such as online access to school certificates, digital attendance, and Wi-Fi in public spaces.

What are the Various Digital India Initiatives Taken for Digital India?

1. Aadhaar: A biometric identification system that assigns unique 12-digit identity numbers to residents.
2. BharatNet: A project aimed at providing high-speed broadband connectivity to villages, enabling digital services in rural areas.
3. Startup India: An initiative to promote entrepreneurship and support startups through incentives, funding, and mentoring.
4. e-NAM: An online trading platform connecting agricultural markets, facilitating efficient sale of produce.
5. Digital Locker: A cloud-based platform for securely storing and accessing important documents digitally.
6. BHIM UPI: A digital payment system enabling secure peer-to-peer transactions using smartphones.
7. eSign Framework: Allows online signing of documents using digital signatures.
8. MyGov: A citizen engagement platform facilitating participation in governance and policy discussions.
9. e-Hospital: Digitized hospital services, including online registration and access to health records.
   • SWAYAM
   • UMANG App
   • Smart Cities Mission
10. Digital India Act (DIA), 2023: The proposed act aims to replace the outdated IT Act of 2000, adapting to India's growing internet user base, technological advancements, and new digital challenges. The DIA provides guidelines for the responsible adoption of emerging technologies like AI and blockchain, encouraging innovation while maintaining ethical standards.

What are the Challenges and Way Forward Concerning Digital India?

Bridging the Digital Divide:

• Invest in 5G infrastructure, aiming for 40% population coverage by 2025.

Digital Literacy:

• Enhancing Digital Literacy: Scale up the Pradhan Mantri Gramin Digital Saksharta Abhiyan (PMGDISHA) to reach its target of training 60 million rural households by 2023. Integrate digital literacy programs into school curricula, aiming to increase the digitally literate population from 34% to 50% by 2025.

Cybersecurity And Data Privacy Concerns:

• Strengthening Cybersecurity: Implement the National Cyber Security Strategy, targeting a 50% reduction in cybercrime incidents by 2026 through strong legislation and robust privacy mechanisms.

E-Governance Challenges:

• Enhancing e-Governance: Implement a unified digital identity system for all government services by 2024. Increase the number of services available through the UMANG app from 1,251 to 2,500 by 2025.
• Skills Gap:
• Addressing the Skills Gap: Focus on a national digital skills program, aiming to upskill professionals in emerging technologies. India will need 30 million digitally skilled professionals by 2026.

Mains Questions:

Examine the Digital India initiatives, including the challenges they face and the corresponding measures required to address these challenges effectively.

GS3/Economy

Issue of Urban Finance and 16th Finance Commission

Why in news?

• Recently, developments concerning the Finance Commission (FC) in India highlight critical issues regarding fiscal decentralisation, particularly focusing on urban areas and their financial sustainability within the federal structure. The World Bank has estimated that USD 840 billion is needed for basic urban infrastructure in the next decade.

What are the Financial Sustainability Issues with the Urban Areas?

Urbanisation Challenges:

• India's urban areas, which contribute 66% of India’s GDP and about 90% of total government revenues, face immense infrastructure and financial challenges. Despite being crucial economic hubs, cities receive inadequate fiscal support intergovernmental transfers (IGTs) constituting only 0.5% of GDP impacting their ability to provide essential services and maintain infrastructure.

Financial Devolution Issues:

• The devolution of funds to Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) is significantly lower than other developing nations. For instance, South Africa allocates 2.6%, Mexico 1.6%, the Philippines 2.5%, and Brazil 5.1% of their GDPs to their cities. This shortfall affects urban productivity and quality of life, exacerbated by the introduction of the Goods and Service Tax (GST), which has reduced ULBs' own tax revenues.

Draining Resources:

• An RBI survey of 221 municipal corporations (2020-21) revealed that more than 70% of these corporations saw a decline in revenues while in contrast, their expenditure rose by almost 71.2%. The RBI report also highlights the limited coverage of property tax and its failure in shoring up municipal corporation revenues.

Decline in Grants:

• Experts argue that GST not only ended octroi but also severely impacted the businesses of many small entrepreneurs, resulting in a significant decline in tax revenue for urban local bodies. Previously almost 55% of the total revenue expenditure of urban centres was met by octroi which has now significantly reduced.

Other Issues:

• Census Data Concerns: The absence of updated census data (since 2011) poses a challenge in accurately assessing the urban population and its needs. This outdated data affects evidence-based fiscal devolution planning, crucial for addressing the dynamic urbanisation trends, including migration to Tier-2 and 3 cities.

What are the Major Terms of Reference for the 16 Finance Commission?

• Division of Tax Proceeds:

  Recommending the distribution of taxes between the Union Government and the States under Chapter I of the Constitution. This includes the allocation of shares among the States from these tax proceeds.

• Principles for Grants-in-Aid:

  Establishing the principles governing grants-in-aid to the States from the Consolidated Fund of India. This encompasses determining the amounts to be provided to the States as grants-in-aid, specifically under Article 275 of the Constitution.

• Enhancing State Funds for Local Bodies:

  Identifying measures to enhance the Consolidated Fund of a State. This is aimed at supplementing the resources available to Panchayats and Municipalities within the State, based on recommendations made by the State's own Finance Commission.

• Evaluation of Disaster Management Financing:

  The Commission may review the current financing structures related to Disaster Management initiatives. This involves examining the funds created under the Disaster Management Act, 2005, and presenting suitable recommendations for improvements or alterations.

What are the Steps Needed for Better Urban Finance?

Strengthening Municipal Revenue:

• All Finance Commissions have recognised the need to augment property tax revenue to improve municipal finances. For example, the 12th Finance Commission encouraged the use of the Geographical Information System (GIS) and digitisation to improve property tax administration.

Modernise Tax Administration:

• Outdated systems lead to inefficiencies and leakages. Local bodies can implement digital platforms for property tax assessment, e-filing, and online payments. This improves transparency, convenience for citizens, and boosts collection rates.

Explore User Charges for Specific Services:

• Instead of a blanket tax structure, some services can have user charges. This can apply to parking, waste collection for bulk generators, or recreation facilities. The key is to ensure the fees are fair and reflect the cost of providing the service. Cities like Bengaluru have successfully implemented user charges for solid waste management.

Strategic Property Management:

• Local bodies often hold underutilised properties. These can be monetised through public-private partnerships (PPP) for developing commercial spaces, markets, or parking lots. This generates rental income and economic activity within the local body's jurisdiction.

Promote Local Businesses and Economic Development:

• A thriving local economy translates to higher tax revenue for local bodies. Initiatives can include streamlining business licenses, offering tax breaks for startups, or creating innovation hubs. The city of Austin, Texas, in the US, is known for its supportive environment for entrepreneurs, leading to a booming local economy.

Explore Social Stock Exchange (SSE):

• These exchanges allow social enterprises, which focus on social impact alongside profit generation, to raise capital. Local bodies can explore the feasibility of creating an SSE or partnering with an existing one. This could attract investment towards initiatives that address local social needs while generating revenue for the local body.

Implement Value Capture Mechanisms:

• This involves capturing a portion of the increased value of private properties resulting from public infrastructure projects. Hong Kong is a prime example of a city that effectively uses land value capture for infrastructure projects.

Conclusion

The ongoing work of the 16 Finance Commission is pivotal in addressing these challenges by revisiting fiscal devolution principles, updating methodologies based on current urbanisation dynamics, and recommending substantial increases in IGTs to urban areas. The implications of these recommendations will be far-reaching, impacting India's economic growth trajectory, social equity goals, and environmental sustainability efforts in its urban centers. Effective implementation will require concerted efforts from Union and State governments to align policies and ensure sustainable urban development in the country.

GS2/International Relations

Global INDIAai Summit

Why in news?

• The Global INDIAai Summit, held at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi, has concluded successfully. This landmark event brought together experts, policymakers, and enthusiasts to discuss the future of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in India and globally.

What are the Key Highlights and Outcomes of the Summit?

Global AI Discourse:

• India emphasized making AI accessible to all, irrespective of socio-economic backgrounds.
• Discussions highlighted India's unique needs in AI development for domestic and global leadership.
• The summit provided a platform for Global South countries to express their AI-related concerns and aspirations.

INDIAai Mission Focus:

• The summit showcased India's commitment to building an inclusive AI ecosystem through the INDIAai Mission.
• Sessions focused on core areas such as compute capacity, datasets, and safe AI.

Global Partnerships:

• Collaborative AI on Global Partnership (CAIGP) and Global Partnership on Artificial Intelligence (GPAI) members worked to bridge the global AI divide.
• GPAI, with 29 member countries, aims to support research and activities on AI-related priorities.

Startup Ecosystem Support:

• Rs. 2,000 crore was earmarked to support Indian startups developing AI-based solutions.
• Plans include subsidized GPU infrastructure access for startups and addressing key challenges they face.

AI Education:

• The need for AI learning environments to foster AI literacy was stressed.

Sector-Specific Insights:

• The summit explored AI applications in various sectors like AgriStack and data-driven credit disbursement.
• It discussed legal frameworks and the integration of AI in government services.

Ethical and Human-Centric AI:

• Participants committed to fostering trustworthy and human-centric AI development, recognizing the risks involved.
• They emphasized responsible AI development and recalled commitments to key recommendations.

What is the Artificial Intelligence Preparedness Index (AIPI)?

• AIPI evaluates countries based on digital infrastructure, human capital, policies, innovation, integration, and regulation.
• Countries with advanced digital infrastructure tend to score higher on the Index.
• The AIPI Dashboard categorizes countries into Advanced Economy (AE), Emerging Market Economy (EM), and Low-Income Country (LIC).
• India is ranked 72 with a rating of 0.49, categorized as an EM.

Mains Question:

Discuss the importance of global partnerships, such as the Global Partnership on Artificial Intelligence, in overcoming the global AI divide. What role does India play in these partnerships?

GS4/Ethics

NHRC Notice to Odisha Govt Over Custodial Death

Why in news?

• Recently, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has issued a notice to the Odisha government, requiring an explanation as to why the Commission should not recommend a payment of monetary compensation to the next of kin of a person, who allegedly died in police custody.

What is Custodial Death?

Custodial death refers to a death that occurs while a person is in the custody of law enforcement officials or a correctional facility. It can occur due to various causes such as the use of excessive force, neglect, or abuse by the authorities.

• Violence committed by a public servant against the arrested or detained person in custody is termed as custodial violence.

Judicial Pronouncements on Custodial Death

• Kishore Singh Vs. State of Rajasthan (1981): The Supreme Court held that the use of third degree by the police is violative of Article 21 of the Constitution of India.
• Nilabati Behera vs. State of Orissa (1993): The state is liable to pay compensation for custodial deaths resulting from police negligence or brutality.
• Joginder Kumar v. State of Uttar Pradesh (1994): The Supreme Court dealt with violation of human rights because of indiscriminate arrests.
• D.K. Basu vs. State of West Bengal (1997): The Supreme Court laid down specific guidelines to prevent custodial torture and deaths.

Ethical Concerns Associated with Custodial Deaths

• Violates Human Rights and Dignity
• Undermines Rule of Law
• Presumption of Guilt
• Opposing Professionalism and Integrity

Measures to Prevent Custodial Torture

• Strengthening Legal Systems
• Police Reforms and Sensitisation
• Empowering Civil Society and Human Rights Organisations

For example, in the Prakash Singh Case 2006, the Supreme Court issued seven directives to drive police reforms in India.

Mains Question:

What are the Ethical concerns associated with Custodial Deaths? Discuss the measures that can be taken to prevent them.

GS3/Environment

NITI Aayog Panels to Achieve Net-Zero Goal

Why in news?

• Recently, NITI Aayog has formed dedicated multi-sectoral committees to prepare a policy design and create a roadmap for achieving its goal of becoming a net-zero economy by 2070. This initiative comes 3 years after India declared its ambition to achieve net-zero status by 2070.

Key Focus Areas of the Working Groups Formed by the NITI Aayog

About:

NITI Aayog has set up 6 working groups tasked with developing policy formats, working models, and transition pathways for key sectors such as macroeconomic implications, climate finance, critical minerals, and social aspects of energy transition. Additionally, sectoral committees will be established for transport, industry, buildings, power, and agriculture.

The 6 Net-Zero Working Groups

Macroeconomic Implications:

• Examining the effects of net-zero pathways on macroeconomic indicators and proposing aligned monetary and fiscal policies.

Climate Finance:

• Estimating India's requirements for mitigation and adaptation, and identifying potential finance sources.

Critical Minerals:

• Researching and developing critical minerals' domestic supply chain and manufacturing processes.

Social Aspects of Energy Transition:

• Evaluating the social impacts of the energy transition and suggesting mitigation strategies.

Policy Synthesis:

• Compiling reports from the sectoral committees to create a consolidated policy handbook.

Sectoral Committees:

• Devising transition pathways for power, industry, buildings, transport, and agriculture sectors.

Expected Outcomes

• The deadline for all working groups to submit their action plans is October 2024.
• The NITI Aayog report is anticipated to serve as a policy handbook for central ministries, aiding in the formulation of climate-resilient and adaptive policies to meet India's net-zero target by 2070.

Understanding Net-Zero Target

Net Zero denotes achieving a balance between carbon emissions produced and those removed from the atmosphere. This equilibrium, also known as carbon neutrality, doesn't imply reducing emissions to zero but involves enhancing carbon sinks like forests to absorb emissions. Technologies such as carbon capture and storage are crucial for this process. Over 70 countries have committed to becoming net-zero by 2050.

India’s Initiatives to Achieve Net Zero Target

National Action Plan on Climate Change:

• The plan aims to raise awareness among various stakeholders on climate change threats and strategies to combat them.

India's Pledge:

India has committed to achieving net-zero emissions by 2070 at COP-26 Glasgow Summit.

India's 'Panchamitra' Climate Action Targets:

• Reach 500 GW Non-fossil energy capacity by 2030.
• Attain 50% of energy needs from renewable sources.
• Reduce total projected carbon emissions by 1 billion tonnes by 2030.
• Decrease the carbon intensity of the economy by 45% from 2005 levels by 2030.
• Achieve net zero emissions by 2070.

Steps for India to Achieve Net-Zero Emission Target

Enhancing Carbon Sequestration:

• Improving carbon sequestration through expanding forest cover, restoring degraded lands, promoting agroforestry, and adopting low-carbon farming practices.

Building Climate Resilience:

• Enhancing disaster management systems, improving early warning capabilities, investing in climate-proof infrastructure, promoting climate-smart agriculture, and empowering local communities.

Driving India's Green Transportation Revolution:

• Promoting electric vehicles, establishing charging infrastructure, and introducing innovative public transportation solutions like electric buses and shared mobility services.

Climate Smart Agriculture:

• Promoting sustainable farming practices, integrating technology-driven solutions, and encouraging precision agriculture.

International Collaboration:

• Leveraging international partnerships to acquire clean technologies, secure climate finance, and share best practices with developing nations.

Mains Question:

Discuss India's commitment to achieving net-zero emissions by 2070. Analyze the key policy measures and implications of this pledge for India's sustainable development priorities.