UPSC Daily Current Affairs- 1st August 2023 | Current Affairs & Hindu Analysis: Daily, Weekly & Monthly PDF Download

GS-I

Subject: History

Why in News?

Prime Minister will be honoured with the Lokmanya Tilak National Award on his visit to Pune.

About Lokmanya Tilak National Award:

• The award was instituted in 1983 by the Tilak Smarak Mandir Trust.
• This award is given every year on 1st August, the death anniversary of Lokmanya Tilak, to persons who have made remarkable and extraordinary contributions, working for the progress and development of the nation.

Who was Lokmanya Tilak?

• Bal Gangadhar Tilak, commonly known as Lokmanya Tilak, was a prominent Indian nationalist, freedom fighter, social reformer, and political leader during the Indian independence movement.
• He was one of the prime architects of modern India and probably the strongest advocate of Swaraj or Self Rule for India. 
• He is known for his slogan, "Swaraj is my birthright and I shall have it."
• He was born as Keshav Gangadhar Tilak and his followers bequeathed upon him the title of ‘Lokmanya’, meaning he who is revered by the people.
• Extremist:
  • He was considered a radical Nationalist.
  • The British Government termed him the "Father of Indian Unrest".
• Organisations:
  • He joined the Indian National Congress Party in the year 1890.
  • He also helped found the All India Home Rule League in 1916–18 with G. S. Khaparde and Annie Besant. 
  • Tilak started his Home Rule League in Maharashtra, Central Provinces, and Karnataka and Berar region. Besant's League was active in the rest part of India. It aimed to advocate for self-rule and raise public awareness about India's right to govern itself.
• Literary works:
  • Tilak was a prolific writer and journalist. He used his newspaper, "Kesari" (meaning Lion) in Marathi and later "Maratha" in English to disseminate nationalist ideas.
  • Some of his notable literary works include "The Arctic Home in the Vedas," where he presented his theory that the Vedas originated in the Arctic region, and "Shrimad Bhagavad Gita Rahasya," an interpretation of the Bhagavad Gita from a nationalist perspective.
• Educationist:
  • Tilak believed in the power of education and established the Deccan Education Society in Pune in 1884.
  • The society founded Fergusson College and the New English School, which played crucial roles in promoting modern education in Maharashtra.
  • Tilak taught mathematics at Fergusson College.
• Social Reform: Lokmanya Tilak was also an advocate of social reform. He actively supported the eradication of social evils like untouchability and child marriage and promoted education for women.
• Lal-Bal-Pal: He had popular leaders such as Bipin Chandra Pal and Lala Lajpat Rai as his political companions, and the three were popularly known as the ‘Lal-Bal-Pal triumvirate.’
• Imprisonments: He was arrested for sedition on multiple occasions. His most prolonged incarceration lasted from 1908 to 1914, during which he wrote the famous book "Gita Rahasya" (The Secret of the Bhagavad Gita).
• In 1916 he concluded the Lucknow Pact with Mohammed Ali Jinnah, which provided for Hindu-Muslim unity in the nationalist struggle.

Source: The Hindu

Subject: Geography

Why in News?

Recently, the Prime Minister of India, in 103rd edition of 'Mann ki Baat programme highlighted the business of 'bhojpatra calligraphy' by the women of Mana village near Badrinath.

About Bhojpatra Tree:

• It is also known as Himalayan Birch and it is widely found in the Himalayas.
• It is a deciduous tree native to the Western Himalayas that grows at elevations of up to 4,500 metres
• It has a high freezing tolerance potential, allowing it to form a treeline in the Himalayan region.
• It is a long-lived species which can survive up to 400 years and the only angiosperm in the Himalaya which dominates an extensive area at sub - alpine altitudes.
• Distribution: It is widely distributed in the altitudinal range from 3100 - 3800 m in North-western Himalaya.
• It contributes to the preservation of the Himalayan ecosystem by reducing soil erosion and creating a bio-shield for the remaining forests and sub-alpine meadows below the treeline.
• The bark of this tree was used for centuries in our Country for writing lengthy scriptures and texts in Sanskrit and other scripts, particularly in historical Uttarkhand and Kashmir.

Source: Times of India

GS-II

Subject: Governance

Why in News?

The Self Reliant India (SRI) Fund has been set up recently.

About Self Reliant India (SRI) Fund:-

• Launched:2021.
• Ministry: Ministry of Micro Small and Medium Enterprises.
• Self-Reliant India (SRI) Fund is Rs.10, 000 crore fund launched by the Indian Government.
• It was registered as a Category-II Alternative Investment Fund (AIF) with SEBI. 
• Category II AIF: This category includes AIFs which does not fall in Category I AIF and Category III AIF.
• These include private equity funds or debt funds for which no specific incentives or concessions are given by the government or any other Regulator. 

Objectives of Self Reliant India (SRI) Fund:-

• It will be oriented towards providing funding support to the Daughter Funds for onward provision to MSMEs as growth capital, in the form of equity or quasi-equity, for:
  • Enhancing equity/equity-like financing to MSMEs and listing of MSMEs on Stock Exchanges
  • Supporting faster growth of MSME Businesses and thereby igniting the economy and creating employment opportunities;
  • Supporting enterprises which have the potential to graduate beyond the MSME bracket and become National / International Champions
  • Supporting MSMEs which help make India self-reliant by producing relevant technologies, goods and services.

Structure of SRI Fund:-

• The Fund is an investment strategy of holding a portfolio of other investment funds, rather than investing directly.
  • Fund of Fund: In the context of AIFs, a Fund of Fund is an AIF which invests in another AIF.
• Accordingly, SRI Fund will be a combination of Mother/Daughter Funds which will leverage private equity/ other funds
• Mother Fund will provide funds only to the Daughter Funds for onward investment as growth capital, while the investment in MSMEs will be done by the Daughter Funds under the Fund.
• Both the Mother and Daughter Funds will be duly registered as Alternate Investment Funds with SEBI.

Working of SRI Fund:-

• It operates via the mother-fund and daughter-fund (Fund of Funds)
• mother-fund and daughter-fund (Fund of Funds) structure:
• The mother fund is the SEBI fund that invests up to 20 per cent of the overall corpus.
  • The NSIC Venture Capital Fund Limited (NVCFL) is registered as the Mother Fund under the SRI Fund implementation.
• The daughter fund (mostly venture capital and private equity funds) raises the rest of 80 per cent of the capital from outside sources.
• The investment by this fund will get leveraged fivefold, making the total value of the investment capital to MSMEs Rs.50,000 crore.

Tenure of SRI Fund:-

• Considering the nature of MSME and the difficulties expected in exiting, a longer fund life of 15 years may be kept.
• Commitment Period: Up to 6 years from the date of last closing.

Source: PIB

Subject: Polity and Governance

Why in News?

The Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) Sunday announced the creation of a National Digital Nagrik Forum.

About National Digital Nagrik Forum:

• It is an online platform that aims to advance the rights of traders and consumers and other sections of society, and shape policy to boost the digital trade economy.
• The forum aims to raise awareness about digital regulations and help build the capacities of citizens to engage with innovation via expert sessions and instructional materials.
• Objective: To shape policy discourse around digital economy trade in India with a view to contributing to the Government of India’s vision of creating a trillion-dollar digital economy while maintaining an open, safe, trusted and accountable internet ecosystem.
• It will conduct awareness camps, digital and physical dialogues and trainings, as well as targeted outreach to stakeholders from government, private sector and civil society,
• It will focus on five core themes. 
  • The first pillar consists of consumer protection and online safety with a core focus on efficient grievance redressal.
  • The pitfalls of digital cartelisation and how a level-playing field is necessary to discourage discriminatory and anti-competitive practices in the online world are part of the second pillar.
  • Third, the potential of Indian digital technologies to not only transform retail and industrial trade but also boost employment and expand the investment footprint.
  • Fourth, a first principles-based taxation policy that encourages certainty and productivity, especially for sectors with high growth potential, while preventing illegal activities such as tax evasion and money laundering.
  • Finally, the forum will study emerging technologies, such as blockchain and artificial intelligence, to assess their impact on retail trade and, at the same time, safeguard consumers’ interests.

Source: Indian Express

GS-III

Subject: Economics

Why in News?

The Indian government is considering a proposal to pick an equity stake in domestic chip design-making companies as part of the second phase of the Design-Linked Incentive (DLI) Scheme for the semiconductor industry.

• The aim behind the scheme is to establish a stable ecosystem and promote the growth of “fabless companies” in India—entities that design chips but outsource manufacturing.
• However, this policy requires a long-term strategy due to the capital-intensive nature of the semiconductor sector and the lengthy gestation periods for setting up design and fabrication units.

What is DLI Scheme?

• DLI scheme is a program aimed at providing financial and infrastructural support to companies establishing semiconductor manufacturing plants in India.
• Eligible participants who set up fabrication units in the country can receive fiscal support of up to 50% of the total cost.
• Additionally, participants building compound semiconductors, silicon photonics, and sensors fabrication plants can avail fiscal support of 30% of the capital expenditure under this scheme.
• Companies engaged in semiconductor design for integrated circuits, chipsets, system-on-chips, systems, and IP cores will receive incentives of 4% to 6% on net sales for a duration of five years.
• The scheme is expected to promote the growth of at least 20 such companies, achieving a turnover of more than ₹1500 crore in the next five years.

Present Chip Dynamics

• Long Gestation Period: Setting up design and fabrication units in the semiconductor industry involves long gestation periods before the first product is launched. Returns on investment are not immediate.
• Capital Intensive: The semiconductor industry requires significant investment for setting up fabrication units, up-scaling manufacturing capabilities, and research.
• Cyclic Nature: The industry’s cyclic nature and changing functional requirements of chipsets make research and development challenging.
• Supply Chain Disruptions: Supply chain disruptions, such as those experienced during COVID-related lockdowns, can dampen investor confidence in the sector.

Domestic Chip Industry Scenario

• Talent Pool: India has a highly-skilled talent pool of semiconductor design engineers, making up around 20% of the world’s workforce, working for global companies like Intel, Micron, and Qualcomm, among others.
• IP Ownership: Despite a thriving talent pool, India owns a smaller portion of the intellectual property (IP) related to chip designs, which is mostly retained by global companies.
• DLI Scheme for Chip Designing: The DLI scheme introduced in December 2021 aimed to indigenize innovations and support the growth of chip design companies with financial incentives.
• Changing Landscape: The scheme has led to the establishment of over 30 semiconductor design startups in India, with some already receiving government support.

Growing market in India

• The semiconductor industry is growing fast and can reach $1 trillion dollars in this decade. India can grow fast and reach $64 billion by 2026 from $27 billion today.
• Mobiles, wearables, IT, and industrial components are the leading segments in the Indian semiconductor industry contributing around 80% of the revenues in 2021.
• The mobile and wearables segment is valued at $13.8 billion and is expected to reach $31.5 billion in 2026.

Challenges and Considerations

• Effectiveness and Efficiency: Some experts view the government’s plan to become a venture capital firm for chip design companies as ineffective and inefficient. Companies may prefer foreign buyers for higher valuations and global ecosystem connections.
• Venture Capital Support: The lack of venture capitalists in the private sector focused on semiconductors is a challenge for the growth of design firms.
• Equity Stake’s Impact: Offering an equity stake can align the interests of design companies with the project’s success, ensuring shared risk and reward. It may also help in selling chip-designing services more effectively and attracting a broader client base in the market.
• IP and Value-Added Activities: The government must consider who can keep the IP and how investments can drive more innovation and employment generation. Moving up in the value chain and enabling the ecosystem is crucial.

Conclusion

• The proposal to take an equity stake in domestic chip design-making companies in India’s semiconductor industry aims to promote the growth of fabless companies and ensure a stable ecosystem.
• However, it requires a long-term strategy and careful consideration of IP ownership, venture capital support, and value-added activities in chip design.
• The success of the scheme will depend on effective implementation and alignment of interests between the government and promising design companies.

Source: The Hindu

Subject: Science and Technology

Why in News?

Recently, an alert was issued against scrub typhus in Kerala.

About Scrub Typhus:-

• Scrub typhus is also known as bush typhus.
• Caused by: It is a disease caused by a bacteria called Orientia tsutsugamushi.
• Transmission: Scrub typhus is spread to people through bites of infected chiggers (larval mites).

Common symptoms of scrub typhus:-

• Fever
• Headache
• body aches
• rash
• dry cough
• skin rashes
• red eyes
• In some cases mental changes, ranging from confusion to coma. Treatment of Scrub typhus:-
• Vaccination: No vaccine is available to prevent scrub typhus. 
• Medication: the antibiotic Doxycycline is used.
  • Doxycycline is a broad-spectrum antibiotic used in the treatment of some bacterial and parasitic infections such as bacterial pneumonia, acne, chlamydia infections, Lyme disease, cholera, typhus, and syphilis.

Prevention of Scrub typhus:-

• Mite repellents can be applied to exposed skin.
• Wearing fully covered clothes before entering shrubby areas for work.
• People should not dry clothes on the ground or grass.
• Regular cleaning of surroundings including removal of shrubs and low vegetation.

Source: The Hindu

Subject: Science and Technology

Why in News?

The interim results of a randomized phase-3/4 trial conducted in India to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of BPaL Regimen, an all-oral, short-course treatment are promising.

• BPaL is administered for individuals with pre-XDR TB or treatment-intolerant/non-responsive MDR pulmonary TB

What is BPaL?

• The trial uses only three drugs—Bedaquiline, Pretomanid, and Linezolid (BPaL).
• The treatment duration is only 26 weeks, contrasting with the conventional 18-month treatment involving eight to nine tablets per day.

Trial Outcomes

• It offered a significantly reduced number of tablets per day, resulting in better treatment adherence and improved outcomes.
• Approximately 70% of the trial participants have completed the 26-week treatment, with a cure rate exceeding 85%.
• In comparison, the cure rate for conventional treatment for DR-TB is 60-65% even with strict adherence.

Treatment Superiority

• Advanced TB Cases: The trial participants had advanced TB affecting both lungs, yet the cure rate was above 85%, demonstrating the superiority of the BPaL short-course therapy.
• Importance of Early Diagnosis: Early diagnosis and initiation of treatment with the three-drug regimen can lead to even better outcomes for patients with pre-XDR TB.

Issues with the treatment

• Three to four trial participants experienced serious adverse effects, but these were either managed or occurred too late in the disease’s progression to be helped.
• Some cases of mild adverse effects caused by linezolid included a drop in haemoglobin and platelet counts, as well as neuropathy (tingling sensation and numbness in the legs).

TB Menace in India

• Total TB Cases: In 2021, there were approximately 21.3 lakh (2.13 million) reported TB cases in India.
• Incidence Rate: The incidence rate of TB in India in 2021 was 210 cases per lakh population.
• Drug-Resistant TB: The number of drug-resistant TB cases in India declined from around 1.49 lakh in 2015 to 1.19 lakh in 2021.
• Government Initiatives: To combat TB, India has set the target of eliminating the disease by 2025, and various initiatives have been implemented, including active case finding, screening, and improved access to diagnostic tests and treatment.

Source: The Hindu