Weekly Current Affairs (8th to 14th October 2024) Part - 2 | Current Affairs & Hindu Analysis: Daily, Weekly & Monthly - UPSC PDF Download

GS3/Economy

Financial Institution

Why in news?

• Financial institutions play a crucial role in the economy by channeling savings into investments. They include banks, insurance companies, pension funds, and investment firms, which collectively aid in economic growth and stability.

Types of Financial Institutions

• Commercial Banks: These institutions accept deposits and provide loans. They play a vital role in the financial system by facilitating transactions and providing liquidity.
• Investment Banks: They assist in raising capital for companies through underwriting and advisory services for mergers and acquisitions.
• Insurance Companies: These entities provide risk management by offering coverage against potential losses, thereby protecting individuals and businesses.
• Pension Funds: They manage retirement savings for individuals and provide financial security in the form of regular income post-retirement.
• Credit Unions: These are member-owned financial cooperatives that provide credit at competitive rates and promote savings among their members.

Functions of Financial Institutions:

• Intermediation: They act as intermediaries between savers and borrowers, facilitating the flow of funds in the economy.
• Risk Management: By pooling resources, financial institutions help individuals and businesses mitigate financial risks.
• Liquidity Provision: They ensure that funds are readily available, allowing for smooth transactions and economic stability.
• Information Processing: Financial institutions analyze information to make informed lending and investment decisions.

Importance of Financial Institutions:

• Economic Growth: They stimulate economic development by providing loans for business expansion and infrastructure projects.
• Employment Generation: By funding various sectors, they create job opportunities and reduce unemployment rates.
• Stability: Financial institutions contribute to the overall stability of the financial system by managing risks and ensuring liquidity.

Challenges Faced by Financial Institutions:

• Regulatory Compliance: Financial institutions must adhere to stringent regulations, which can limit their operational flexibility.
• Technological Changes: Keeping up with technological advancements poses a significant challenge, as they must continuously invest in systems and processes.
• Economic Fluctuations: Changes in economic conditions can impact their profitability and ability to lend.

Future Trends in Financial Institutions:

• Digital Transformation: The rise of fintech companies is pushing traditional institutions to adopt digital solutions for enhanced customer experience.
• Sustainable Finance: There is an increasing focus on environmentally sustainable investments, influencing funding decisions.
• Consumer-Centric Models: Financial institutions are shifting towards more personalized services, leveraging data analytics to meet customer needs.

GS3/Environment

High-Performance Buildings (HPBs)

Why in news?

• In recent years, the significance of high-performance buildings (HPBs) has surged, as they support energy efficiency and promote healthier indoor spaces. HPBs are defined as buildings that effectively integrate and optimize various high-performance attributes, including energy efficiency, durability, life-cycle performance, and occupant productivity.

What are the Key Features of HPBs?

Energy Efficiency:

• Maintain HVAC Systems: Regular upkeep, such as changing filters, cleaning coils, and calibrating sensors, is essential for sustaining the efficiency of HVAC systems and minimizing energy waste.
• Demand-Controlled Ventilation: IoT-based air quality sensors can dynamically adjust ventilation systems, enhancing building efficiency and responsiveness to environmental changes.
• Lighting Systems: Energy-efficient LED lighting can significantly cut energy usage. Techniques like daylight harvesting help utilize natural light, reducing reliance on artificial lighting.
• Invest in Insulation: Proper insulation in walls, roofs, and floors is crucial for decreasing heating and cooling demands by limiting heat transfer.

Healthy Indoor Environment:

• Prioritize Indoor Air Quality: Implementing indoor air filtration systems helps mitigate pollutants, ensuring better air quality.
• Sound and Acoustics: Utilizing sound-absorbing materials and effective partitioning reduces noise pollution within buildings.
• Biophilic Design: Integrating natural elements, such as green walls and indoor plants, can improve the mental well-being of occupants.

Sustainability and Environmental Impact:

• Sustainable Materials: Using recycled steel, sustainably sourced timber, and low-impact concrete is essential for minimizing the environmental footprint of buildings.
• Water Conservation and Efficiency: Rainwater harvesting and greywater recycling systems promote water conservation.
• Waste Reduction and Management: Effective strategies for reducing, recycling, and managing waste are vital for sustainable building practices.

What is the Need of High-Performance Buildings?

• Carbon Emissions: Buildings are responsible for nearly 40% of total final energy consumption globally and contribute approximately 28% to energy-related carbon emissions. In India, buildings account for over 30% of national energy use and 20% of carbon emissions.
• Quadrupling Power System by 2040: India’s power system needs to expand significantly by 2040 to accommodate increasing electricity demand, with a notable rise in energy consumption due to urban heat, glazed facades, and higher occupant density.
• Rising Urbanization: By 2030, India’s urban population is projected to reach 600 million, escalating the demand for new construction and potentially increasing the carbon footprint of the sector.
• Achieving Global Goals: With soaring energy demands and a booming construction sector, India risks surpassing global energy efficiency and carbon emission standards, as outlined by the International Energy Agency and other certification programs.
• Lower Operating Costs: Optimizations in HPBs can lead to 23% reductions in energy use, 28% in water use, and 23% in overall building operating expenses.
• Improved Productivity: A healthy indoor environment enhances occupant satisfaction, boosts productivity, and decreases absenteeism due to illness.

Challenges in Delivering High-Performance Buildings?

• Operational Overlook: Developers often focus on initial costs, schedules, and design scope, neglecting the operational phase and long-term considerations like energy and waste management.
• Diverse Building Typologies: Variations in office buildings regarding types, costs, services, and comfort levels can lead to energy inefficiencies, particularly in those with decentralized cooling systems.
• Split Incentives: Energy savings projects frequently lack support due to the disconnect between those who invest in improvements and those who benefit.
• Erosion of Indigenous Knowledge: Local, cost-effective methods are fading due to an overreliance on foreign technologies that may not suit Indian conditions.
• Siloed Building Systems: Treating building design, construction, and operation in isolation hampers the integration of technologies that could enhance overall performance.

What are India’s Initiatives Regarding the Energy Efficiency in Buildings?

• Eco-Niwas Samhita
• Energy Conservation Building Code (ECBC)
• Energy Conservation (Amendment) Act, 2022
• NEERMAN Awards
• Green Rating for Integrated Habitat Assessment (GRIHA)

How High-Performance Buildings Can be Promoted in India?

• Envelope and Passive Systems: Techniques like wall, window, and roof assemblies, along with reflective surfaces, can help minimize solar heat gain and promote natural ventilation.
• Integrated Approach: A lifecycle performance assurance process should replace traditional methods, emphasizing the integration of building systems for improved outcomes.
• Holistic Evaluation: Adopting a triple-bottom-line framework that assesses technologies based on operational, environmental, and human benefits is crucial for sustainable practices.
• Collaborative Energy Efficiency Initiatives: Encouraging cooperation between owners and tenants fosters a shared commitment to energy efficiency upgrades and sustainability goals.
• Tailored Strategies: Promoting region-specific, climate-responsive solutions, such as high-performance envelope designs and low-energy cooling methods, is essential.
• Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning Systems (HVAC): Implementing natural ventilation strategies and avoiding full air conditioning for all spaces can optimize energy use.

Mains Question:

Q. Critically analyse the need for high-performance buildings in India, considering the challenges posed by rising urbanisation and carbon emissions.

GS2/International Relations

India's Concerns on EU's CBAM and Deforestation Norms

Why in News?

• Recently, India’s Finance Minister described the European Union's Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) and the European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) as unilateral, arbitrary measures that function as trade barriers detrimental to Indian industries.

What is the EU's Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM)?

• About CBAM: CBAM is a tool used by the EU to price carbon emissions from carbon-intensive goods entering the EU. Its purpose is to promote cleaner industrial practices in non-EU nations.
• Ensuring Fair Competition: It aims to align the carbon price for imports with that of EU-produced goods to maintain equitable competition.
• CBAM’s Functioning Framework:
  • Registration and Certification: EU importers of CBAM-covered goods must register with national authorities and acquire CBAM certificates reflecting the carbon emissions related to their imports.
  • Annual Declaration: Importers are required to report the emissions associated with their imported goods and surrender the corresponding number of certificates each year.
  • Payment of Carbon Price: Importers need to demonstrate that a carbon price has been paid during production in a non-EU country to receive a deduction from their CBAM payment.
• Goods Covered by CBAM: Initially, CBAM affects high-risk carbon leakage goods such as cement, iron and steel, aluminum, fertilizers, electricity, and hydrogen. Eventually, it will encompass over 50% of emissions from sectors included in the EU Emissions Trading System (ETS), such as oil refineries and shipping.

What is European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR)?

About EUDR: Operators or traders who place specified commodities on the EU market or export them must demonstrate that their products do not originate from recently deforested land or contribute to forest degradation.

Objectives of the Regulation:

• Prevention of Deforestation: Ensures that products listed in the EU do not contribute to deforestation or degradation of forests.
• Carbon Emission Reduction: Aims to reduce at least 32 million metric tonnes of carbon emissions annually from these commodities.
• Combat Forest Degradation: Addresses deforestation and degradation linked to agricultural expansion related to these commodities.

Commodities Covered: Focuses on commodities such as cattle, wood, cocoa, soy, palm oil, coffee, and rubber, along with related products like leather, chocolate, tires, and furniture. The goal is to enhance transparency and accountability in the supply chains associated with these commodities.

What are Key Concerns Related to EU’s CBAM and EUDR?

• CBAM as a Trade Barrier: CBAM could impose tariffs of up to 35% on imports of carbon-intensive goods like cement, aluminum, iron, and steel from India, acting as a significant trade barrier. This is crucial as over a quarter of India's exports of these materials were directed to the EU in 2022.
• CBAM as a Tool of Protectionism: The EU imposes tariffs on carbon-intensive steel imports while also producing similar steel domestically, using CBAM proceeds to transition to greener steel production.
• Threat to Intellectual Property Rights (IPRs): CBAM requires exporters to provide up to 1,000 data points on production methods, raising concerns among Indian exporters about losing their competitive advantages and exposing sensitive trade secrets.
• Impact on India’s Trade Dynamics: The EU accounts for approximately 14% of India's overall exports, including significant amounts of steel and aluminum. As India's economy grows, the volume of exports in sectors affected by CBAM is likely to increase.
• Disproportionate Impact: Indian products tend to have higher carbon intensity compared to European counterparts, leading to proportionately higher carbon tariffs for Indian exports.
• Non-Compliance with WTO Norms: The Indian government has raised concerns regarding the compliance of CBAM with World Trade Organization (WTO) norms, creating uncertainty and challenges for countries that meet international commitments.
• EUDR as Non-Tariff Barrier: EUDR requires importers of commodities like cattle, soy, palm oil, coffee, and wood to certify that their products do not come from recently deforested land. India perceives this as a form of protectionism and a non-tariff barrier (NTB).
• Barrier to Net-Zero Emissions Target: CBAM may inhibit India from achieving its net-zero carbon emissions goal by 2070.
• Slowing FTA Negotiations: Sustainability measures like CBAM and EUDR have become contentious issues in the ongoing India-EU Free Trade Agreement (FTA) negotiations.
• Previous Tariff Barriers: EU's steel tariffs have caused India USD 4.41 billion in trade losses between 2018 and 2023, with these tariffs being part of the EU’s safeguard measures that were initially set to expire in June 2023 but have been extended.
• Potential for Global Policy Replication: The implementation of CBAM may encourage other countries to adopt similar regulations, potentially leading to additional tariffs in significant markets, complicating India's trading relationships and affecting its balance of payments.

Way Forward

• Advocating for Fair Trade Practices: India should promote fair trade practices and engage in dialogues to challenge the legality of CBAM and EUDR under international trade laws.
• Investing in Clean Technology: India must accelerate investments in clean technologies and sustainable production methods to reduce the carbon intensity of its exports and align with global standards to mitigate CBAM impacts.
• Diversifying Export Markets: Exploring new markets in Asia, Africa, and Latin America can lessen the economic impact of CBAM and EUDR.
• Countering EU’s CBAM: India can respond to such unilateral trade actions by imposing similar counter-measures on EU-originating products and focus on domestic production to shield itself from international policy shocks.
• Monitoring Global Policy Trends: India should keep an eye on global policies like CBAM to anticipate international trade challenges and develop strategies to address emerging barriers to protect its economic interests.

Mains Question:
Q. Discuss the potential challenges that India's industries might face due to the implementation of EU's Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) and the European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR).

GS3/Environment

National Agriculture Code

Why in news?

• The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) is currently developing the National Agriculture Code (NAC), an ambitious initiative aimed at establishing standards for the entire agricultural cycle. This project is modeled after the National Building Code (NBC) of India 2016 and the National Electrical Code (NEC) of India 2023, with the goal of improving agricultural practices and providing clear guidelines for farmers, policymakers, and other stakeholders. As part of this initiative, the BIS is also setting up Standardised Agriculture Demonstration Farms (SADF) at selected agricultural institutes.

What is the National Agriculture Code (NAC)?

• Purpose: The NAC is designed to create a standardized framework for agricultural practices throughout the agricultural cycle, addressing areas currently lacking regulation. While the BIS has set standards for agricultural machinery and inputs, there is a significant gap in regulating agricultural practices.
• Scope: The NAC will encompass all agricultural activities including crop selection, land preparation, sowing, irrigation, soil health management, harvesting, post-harvest operations, and storage. It will also set standards for inputs like fertilizers, pesticides, and weedicides, and will incorporate modern practices such as natural and organic farming, as well as the use of Internet-of-Things (IoT) technology in agriculture.
• Structure: The NAC will be divided into two parts: the first part will cover general principles applicable to all crops, while the second part will focus on specific standards for various crop types like paddy, wheat, oilseeds, and pulses.
• Objectives:
  • To establish a national code that accounts for agro-climatic zones, crop types, socio-economic diversity, and all components of the agri-food value chain.
  • To promote a quality culture in Indian agriculture by guiding policymakers and regulators in integrating NAC provisions into their schemes and regulations.
  • To provide a comprehensive resource for farmers, enabling informed decision-making in agricultural practices.
  • To tackle horizontal issues in agriculture, including SMART farming, sustainability, traceability, and documentation.
• Guidance for Stakeholders: The NAC will be a reference point for farmers, agricultural universities, and policymakers, aiding them in making informed decisions and adopting best practices in their operations.
• Training and Support: Once finalized, the BIS intends to offer training programs for farmers to facilitate understanding and implementation of the standards effectively.

What are the Challenges in formulating a National Agriculture Code in India?

• Diverse Agricultural Practices: India’s varied climates (15 agro-climatic zones) and soil types make it challenging to create a uniform set of standards. Customizing the NAC to fit these variations is crucial.
• State vs. Central Jurisdiction: Agriculture is a state subject in India (Entry 14 of the State List in the Seventh Schedule of the Constitution), which can lead to conflicts between central and state regulations. Harmonizing these laws while respecting state rights poses a significant challenge.
• Resource Constraints: Many smallholder farmers may not have the necessary resources or infrastructure to adopt new practices recommended by the NAC, including access to modern equipment, quality seeds, and efficient irrigation systems. Engaging these groups in the formulation process is vital for acceptance.
• Technological Barriers: While the code aims to encourage technology adoption, many farmers may lack the technology or skills needed to implement these advancements. Addressing these gaps is essential to leverage the code's benefits.
• Data and Research Gaps: There is often insufficient data on agricultural practices, yields, and market trends, which hampers evidence-based policy formulation. Bridging these gaps is critical for creating an effective code.

What Can be Done to Address the Challenges in formulating NAC?

• Customization and Flexibility: Develop region-specific guidelines within the NAC to cater to the diverse agro-climatic conditions of India. Ensure the NAC is scalable and adaptable to different farm sizes and resource levels, from smallholder farms to large agricultural enterprises.
• Environmental Considerations: The code must address issues such as land degradation, water scarcity, and climate change while promoting agricultural growth.
• Capacity Building: Implement hands-on training programs for farmers regarding the NAC and develop mobile applications like Meghdoot and platforms such as e-NAM and Kisanbandi for real-time advice and information sharing.
• Policy and Regulatory Support: Create a supportive legislative framework for the NAC to ensure enforceability and establish incentive structures, such as tax benefits and recognition programs, to reward farmers for compliance.

What is the National Building Code of India?

The NBC is a comprehensive model code that offers guidelines for all agencies involved in building construction. First published in 1970, it has undergone revisions in 1983 and 2005, with the latest version, NBC 2016, introduced to address the evolving landscape of building construction.

Key Provisions of the NBC 2016:

• Emphasizes the involvement of professionals for effective project execution and streamlines a single-window approval process to enhance the ease of doing business.
• Promotes digitalization and revises accessibility requirements to accommodate persons with disabilities.
• Includes enhanced fire and life safety measures, especially for complex buildings and high-rises.
• Incorporates modern structural standards to ensure safety against disasters and encourages the use of innovative materials and technologies for sustainable construction.

What is the National Electrical Code (NEC) of India?

The NEC is a comprehensive Electrical Installations Code that provides guidelines for regulating electrical installation practices nationwide. Initially formulated in 1985, it has been revised in 2011 and 2023 to align with contemporary international practices.

Key Provisions of the NEC 2023:

• Focuses on protective measures against electric shock, fire, and overcurrent, addressing the design, selection, and maintenance of standby power sources for emergencies.
• Ensures safety against electrical faults in agricultural settings, considering external factors like water and corrosive substances.
• Categorizes hazardous areas based on the likelihood of dangerous atmospheres and provides tailored guidelines, along with comprehensive standards for solar installations, emphasizing safety and quality.

Mains Question:
Q. Discuss the objectives and significance of the National Agriculture Code in transforming agricultural practices in India.

GS3/Economy

GDP Base Year Revision

Why in News?

• Recently, the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) convened a meeting with various economists and forecasters to discuss the revision of the base year for India's Gross Domestic Product (GDP). This move highlights the significance MoSPI places on extensive consultation, especially in light of the criticisms and debates surrounding prior base year revisions. The last revision in 2015 transitioned the base year from 2004-05 to 2011-12 and was met with criticism due to perceived flaws in the methodological changes.

What are the Previous Base Year Revision Controversies?

• Methodological Concerns: The previous base year revision involved changes in how GDP for the private corporate sector (PCS) was computed, moving to data directly from audited balance sheets in the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) database and using this data for estimating the manufacturing sector's Gross Value Added (GVA). This approach largely set aside the Index of Industrial Production (IIP) and Annual Survey of Industries (ASI) data.
• Single Deflator Criticism: Experts raised concerns regarding the use of a single deflator for calculating real GDP growth, as opposed to the internationally accepted method of double deflation, which involves adjusting both nominal value-added and output prices by different price indices like CPI and WPI.
• Discrepancies in GDP Estimates: While GDP growth appeared strong overall, weak consumption indicated possible measurement issues, highlighting discrepancies between production and expenditure methods of GDP calculation.
• Under-reporting of Data: Despite a notable rise in registered companies, particularly in the services sector, many do not file reports with the Registrar of Companies (RoC), leading to unclear contributions to domestic output.
• Underestimating Unorganised Sector: The 2015 revision faced backlash for relying on unorganised sector data to calculate GDP without accurately capturing the value-added from producing units, thus neglecting informal sector producers.
• Averaging Problem: Averaging production and expenditure data is acceptable in developed nations but problematic in developing countries. India struggles to independently measure these two sides, compounded by poor data on the expenditure side, particularly consumption.

What is a Base Year?

• About Base Year: A base year serves as a specific reference point for calculating economic figures for subsequent and prior years.
• Need for a Base Year: It acts as a stable reference point and benchmark for assessing economic performance, allowing for accurate interpretations of trends over time.
• Features of a Base Year: The base year should ideally be a normal year, free from extraordinary events like natural disasters or pandemics, and should not be overly distant in the past.

Reasons for Revising the Base Year:

• Fluid Nature of Indicators: Economic indicators for GDP computation are dynamic and evolve due to changes in consumer behavior, economic structures, and commodity compositions. Revisions ensure GDP figures reflect current economic realities.
• Impact on Economic Indicators: Incorporating new data sets during base year revisions can lead to adjustments in GDP levels, affecting various economic indicators, including public expenditure, taxation, and public sector debt.
• International Standard Practice: The United Nations-System of National Accounts 1993 recommends regular updates to computation practices.
• Frequency of Base Year Revisions: Ideally, the base year should be revised every 5 to 10 years to align national accounts with the latest data.

History of Base Year Revisions:

• Since the first national income estimates in 1956, using FY 1949 as the base year, India has revised its base year seven times, with the most recent change moving from FY 2005 to FY 2012.

What are the Considerations for the New Base Year?

• Formation of the Advisory Committee: In June 2024, MoSPI established a 26-member Advisory Committee on National Accounts Statistics (ACNAS), chaired by Biswanath Goldar, to determine the new base year for GDP data and align it with other macroeconomic indicators like WPI, CPI, and IIP.
• Potential Base Years: The committee is considering 2022-23 as the new base year for GDP, with 2023-24 also under review. Years affected by significant events such as demonetization, GST implementation, and COVID-19 are excluded due to their abnormal impact on the economy.
• Utilising GST Data: Discussions are ongoing about incorporating Goods and Services Tax (GST) data into GDP calculations to enhance the economic picture.
• Methodological Improvements: The advisory committee is exploring changes in index compositions, including the Annual Survey of Unincorporated Sector Enterprises (ASUSE), and considering the double deflation method to enhance GDP measurement accuracy.

Mains Question:
Q. Explain the concept of a base year in economic measurements. Why is it essential for accurately interpreting GDP data?

GS3/Environment

Sustainable Agriculture to Recover Groundwater

Why in News?

• According to the Indian Institute of Technology Gandhinagar, Gujarat, replacing around 40% of the area currently sown with rice with other crops could help recover 60-100 cubic kilometers of groundwater lost in northern India since 2000.

Key Points of the Study

• The current agricultural practices, especially those focused on rice farming, rely heavily on groundwater for irrigation.
• Ongoing global temperature increases have exacerbated the depletion of groundwater, with estimates suggesting losses between 13 to 43 cubic kilometers.
• If unsustainable farming practices continue, they could further stress already overused groundwater resources, worsening water security issues.
• The relationship between agricultural methods and groundwater depletion highlights the urgent necessity for adaptive cropping strategies to avert an ecological crisis.

Impact of Climate Change:

• Keeping current farming practices under global warming projections of 1.5 to 3°C would yield much lower groundwater recovery, estimated at only 13 to 43 cubic kilometers.
• The 2018 Special Report by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) warns that if trends continue, global temperatures could reach 1.5°C between 2030 and 2050, potentially escalating to 3°C by 2100.

Recommendations:

• The report stresses the need to modify crop selection, especially in Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh, to support groundwater sustainability while ensuring farmers remain profitable.
• Shifting towards cereals in Uttar Pradesh and oilseeds in West Bengal is recommended as alternatives to rice farming.
• These findings have crucial policy implications, indicating that optimal crop patterns must be identified for sustainable groundwater management in irrigated areas of northern India, while also protecting farmers' livelihoods.

Challenges Related to Sustainable Agriculture in India

Water Scarcity:

• Dependence on water-intensive crops and inefficient irrigation techniques has led to groundwater depletion and water shortages.
• Unpredictable weather patterns, rising temperatures, and an increased frequency of extreme weather events such as floods and droughts negatively affect crop yields and agricultural sustainability.

Fragmented Landholdings:

• Small and fragmented farms hinder the adoption of sustainable agricultural methods, mechanization, and efficient resource utilization.

Overuse of Chemical Inputs:

• Excessive reliance on chemical fertilizers, pesticides, and herbicides has resulted in soil and water pollution, damaging ecosystems and long-term agricultural productivity.

Inadequate Policy Support:

• Lack of sufficient government policies and incentives aimed at promoting sustainable farming practices restricts the transition to eco-friendly agriculture.

Way Forward

Promote Water-Efficient Practices:

• Encourage the adoption of water-efficient technologies such as drip irrigation and rainwater harvesting, in addition to diversifying crops towards less water-intensive options to tackle water scarcity.

Enhance Farmer Training and Awareness:

• Implement extensive training programs and workshops to educate farmers about sustainable practices like organic farming, agroforestry, crop rotation, and integrated pest management.

Strengthen Policy and Incentive Support:

• Develop and enforce stronger policies that incentivize sustainable farming through subsidies, grants, and tax incentives for adopting eco-friendly technologies and methods.

Improve Access to Technology and Markets:

• Facilitate better access to modern sustainable farming technologies and establish efficient supply chains and market connections for farmers to sell organic and sustainably produced goods at fair prices.

Encourage Research and Innovation:

• Invest in research and development aimed at sustainable agricultural practices, climate-resilient crops, and affordable eco-friendly inputs, while promoting collaboration among government bodies, research institutions, and farmers.

Mains Question:

• Discuss the significance of sustainable agricultural methods in addressing the groundwater crisis in India?

GS2/Polity

Reforms in the Sati System

Why in News?

Recently, eight individuals were acquitted for glorifying the practice of Sati by constructing temples in honor of a woman who committed Sati. This incident is linked to the Roop Kanwar case of September 4, 1987, in Rajasthan, which led to the introduction of the Commission of Sati (Prevention) Act, 1987 by the Union government.

What are the Key Facts Regarding Punishments for Offences Under Sati Commission of Sati (Prevention) Act, 1987?

• Attempt to Commit Sati: Under Section 3, anyone attempting to commit Sati or taking any action towards it can face imprisonment of up to one year, a fine, or both.
• Abetment of Sati: According to Section 4, those who encourage Sati, either directly or indirectly, can be sentenced to life imprisonment and a fine. For example, convincing a widow that committing Sati would provide spiritual benefits is considered abetment.
• Glorification of Sati: Section 5 punishes anyone who promotes Sati with imprisonment ranging from one to seven years and a fine of five to thirty thousand rupees.

What was the Sati System?

• Definition of Sati: Sati is the practice where a widow self-immolates on her husband's funeral pyre. Following this act, a memorial stone is often erected, and she is worshipped as a goddess.
• Historical Evidence: The earliest epigraphical evidence of Sati dates back to the Eran Pillar Inscription from Madhya Pradesh in 510 AD.

Steps Taken to Abolish Sati:

• Mughal Empire: In 1582, Emperor Akbar ordered officials to prevent the forced immolation of women and offered pensions and rehabilitation for widows to dissuade the practice.
• Sikh Empire: Sikh Guru Amar Das condemned the practice during the 15th-16th centuries.
• Maratha Empire: The Marathas prohibited Sati in their territory.
• Colonial Powers: The Dutch, Portuguese, and French banned Sati in their Indian colonies. British Governor-General William Bentinck declared the practice illegal under the Bengal Sati Regulation of 1829.

Other Legal Initiatives to Ameliorate Women’s Position:

• Female Infanticide: The Bengal regulations of 1795 and 1804 declared infanticide illegal, equating it with murder. An 1870 act mandated the registration of all births and verification of female infants in certain areas.
• Widow Remarriage: Efforts by Pandit Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar led to the Hindu Widows’ Remarriage Act of 1856, which legalized widow remarriage and recognized their children as legitimate.
• Child Marriage: The Age of Consent Act of 1891 prohibited marriages of girls below 12. The Child Marriage Restraint Act of 1929 raised the marriage age to 18 for boys and 14 for girls, further amended in 1978 to 18 for girls and 21 for boys.
• Education of Women: The establishment of the Calcutta Female Juvenile Society in 1819 marked the beginning of a movement for women's education, with Bethune School founded in 1849 as a key institution.

What are the Other Reforms Undertaken by William Bentinck (1828-1835)?

• Administrative Reforms: Bentinck initiated the Indianisation of Administration by appointing educated Indians as Deputy Magistrates and Deputy Collectors, moving away from Cornwallis's exclusionary policies.
• Land Revenue Settlement: In 1833, he reviewed the Mahalwari system, involving detailed surveys with landholders, which increased state revenue.
• Administrative Divisions: He reorganized Bengal into twenty divisions, each managed by a commissioner, enhancing administrative efficiency.
• Judicial Reforms: Bentinck abolished provincial courts and established a new court hierarchy, including a Supreme Court in Agra for appeals.
• Judicial Empowerment: He created separate courts at Allahabad to improve public access to justice.
• Reduction of Punishments: He lessened punishment severity and abolished cruel practices like flogging.
• Language of the Courts: Bentinck mandated the use of vernacular languages in local courts, while English replaced Persian in higher courts.
• Financial Reforms: Cost-cutting measures were implemented through military and civil committees to reduce official salaries and travel expenses, yielding significant savings.
• Revenue Recovery: He investigated land grants in Bengal, uncovering many rent-free landholders with fraudulent deeds, thus enhancing company revenues.
• Educational Reforms: Influenced by Macaulay, Bentinck supported English as the medium of instruction, making it the official language of government in India through the English Education Act of 1835.
• Social Reforms: He took decisive action against the Thuggee system, a notorious criminal organization, successfully suppressing it by the end of 1834, which alleviated public fears.
• Support from Reformers: His initiatives were backed by reformers like Raja Rammohan Roy, who campaigned for the abolition of Sati and broader social reforms in India.

Mains Question:
Q. Discuss the role of Raja Rammohan Roy in the abolition of Sati. How did various rulers and colonial powers respond to this practice?