Daily Current Affairs - 15 NOV

1. 15 NOVEMBER, 2022 www.iasscore.in GS ANALYST CURRENT AFFAIRS DAILY NEWS HEADLINE •Strategy to make School Education a boon via Community participation •Mutula Benefits of India-U.S. cooperation on Trade •The focus on India’s Urban Infrastructure •India’s Long-term Strategy for transition towards Green Energy •Supreme Court: Forced conversions threatens national security and freedom of religion •Challenges of Security Forces guarding Indian Borders EDITORIAL •The shape of the Indian economic pie must change SHORT NEWS •Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas 2022 •Coastal defence Exercise ‘Sea Vigil-22’ @ CURRENT_ANALYST

3. CURRENT AFFAIRS DAILY NOVEMBER, 2022 STRATEGY TO MAKE SCHOOL EDUCATION A BOON VIA COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION CONTEXT: India’s goal to achieve universal Foundational Literacy and Numeracy in all primary schools must be based on state-wise targets and should involve local community participation. Need for the reforms: oUnder number of attempts by the state governments & the Centre to promote the involvement of local community in primary education was done using several schemes to incentivise education in schools, teacher training sessions and many more. oBut we still are unable to find a systemic way of recruiting good teachers and establishing teacher development institutions. oThe recruitment of teachers, educators and administrators has to become a priority if we want to make a difference. oFoundational literacy and numeracy are necessary to prepare a generation of learners who will secure for India high rates of economic progress and human well-being. The Efforts so far: oThe Shiksha Karmi Project: was started in 1987 for schools to tackle teacher absenteeism in remote villages in Rajasthan. Active involvement of the local communities was a crucial part of the project. By supporting and training local persons, the project succeeded in creating teachers. oThe Bihar Education Project was introduced in the early 1990s to support the universalisation of primary education. It developed a 10-day residential in-service training for teachers, called the Ujala module. oThe Lok Jumbish was launched in 1992 in Rajasthan which aims to provide a thrust to innovations and emphasising civil society partnership, this programme demonstrated successes, especially in tribal districts. oThe Unni Krishnan v. State Of Andhra Pradesh states that the right to education for children up to age 14 is central and fundamental. oThe District Primary Education Programme was started in 1994, to universalise and transform the quality of primary education. oSarva Shiksha Abhiyan, aimed at the universalisation of elementary education, was launched in 2001. While it has made a difference to school participation and has brought about improvement in school infrastructure, uniforms, toilet access, water and textbook availability, classroom processes still remain a challenge. Challenges associated: oInfrastructure deficit: Dilapidated structures, single-room schools, lack of drinking water facilities, separate toilets and other educational infrastructure is a grave problem. o Corruption and leakages: The transfer of funds from the central to state to local governments to school leads to involvement of many intermediaries. oHigh rates of corruption and leakages plague the system, undermine its legitimacy and harm the many officials. oQuality of Teachers: Lack of well trained, skilled and knowledgeable teachers which provide the foundation for a high quality education system. oNon-Academic burden: A study by the National Institute of Education Planning and Administration (NIEPA) revealed that teachers spend only around 19 percent of their time teaching while the rest is spent mostly on non-teaching administrative work. 3 www.iasscore.in

4. CURRENT AFFAIRS DAILY NOVEMBER, 2022 oPoor salary: Teachers are paid miserly salaries which affect their interest and dedication to work. They will look for other avenues like tuitions or coaching centers and coax the students to attend it. oTeacher Absenteeism: Absence of teachers during school hours is rampant. The lack of accountability and poor governance structures add to the woes. oLack of Accountability: School Management Committees are largely dysfunctional. Many exist solely on paper. ➤Parents are often not aware of their rights and if they are it is difficult for them to make their voice heard. oHigh drop-out rates: The drop-out rates in schools, especially girls, is very high. ➤Many factors like poverty, patriarchal mind-set, lack of toilets in schools, distance to schools and cultural elements lead to children dropping out from education. Provisions of National Education Policy 2020: (For Schools) ⦿WAY FORWARD: oTo work on community connect and parental involvement. oPanchayats and community collectives with very high social capital, such as women self-help groups, can help ensure that local households own the initiative. oThe Central, State and local governments need to transform governance to ensure that everyone delivers their best. Syllabus Mapping o Subject: Polity and Governance (GS-II) ➤Sub-topic: Government Policies and Interventions 4 www.iasscore.in

5. CURRENT AFFAIRS DAILY NOVEMBER, 2022 MUTULA BENEFITS OF INDIA-U.S. COOPERATION ON TRADE CONTEXT: Recently, the US treasury secretary has highlighted the prospects of strengthening its economic ties with India. ⦿KEY POINT: oThe U.S. wants to minimize its vulnerability to supply-chain disruptions. oPursue a strategy of ‘friendshoring’, with India. oPlan to cut its reliance on ‘countries that present geopolitical and security risks. oTo counter China’s dominance in the production of products, e.g., solar panels. oMitigate over-concentration on select suppliers. oKeenness to nurture local partners in developing countries. Previous Fallouts: oWithdrawal of duty-free access to Indian exporters: ➤In 2019 The US government has withdrawn its GSP (Generalised System of Preferences) benefits to India. ➤The Generalized System of Preferences or the GSP is a preferential tariff system that developed countries extend to developing countries. GSP (Generalized System of Preferences): It is the largest and oldest US trade preference programme, designed to promote economic development by allowing duty-free entry for thousands of products from designated beneficiary countries. oPutting India on U.S. Treasury’s‘MonitoringList’ in 2020: ➤The list closely monitors the currency practices and policies of some of the US’ major trade partners. ➤India has been on the list for about two years over its currency practices. ➤But now India has been removed from the United States Currency Monitoring List. Currency Manipulator Watch List: •The US Department of Treasury releases a semi-annual report where it has to track developments in international economies and inspect foreign exchange rates. •It reviews the currency practices of the US’ biggest trading partners. India’s Relations with the US: ■Economic Relations: ➤In 2021, overall U.S.-India bilateral trade in goods and services reached a record USD 157 billion. ➤The United States is India’s largest trading partner and most important export market. ➤America is one of the few countries with which India has a trade surplus. In 2021-22, India had a trade surplus of USD 32.8 billion with the US. ■Bilateral Trade with the US: ➤Bilateral trade between the US and India stood at USD 119.42 billion (2021-2022) as against USD 80.51 billion in 2020-21. 5 www.iasscore.in

6. CURRENT AFFAIRS DAILY NOVEMBER, 2022 ➤Exports to the US increased to USD 76.11 billion in 2021-22 from USD 51.62 billion in the previous fiscal year, while imports rose to USD 43.31 billion as compared to about USD 29 billion in 2020-21. ■Associated Challenges of India-US Ties? ➤Tariff Imposition: In 2018, the US imposed a 25% tariff on certain steel products and a 10% tariff on certain aluminum products from India. •India retaliated in June 2019, by increasing tariffs on 28 products worth about USD 1.2 billion on US imports. •However, after the imposition of the Section 232 tariffs, steel exports to the US declined by 46% year- on-year. ➤Misunderstanding Self-Reliance as Protectionism: The Atmanirbhar Bharat Campaign has exacerbated the view that India is increasingly becoming a protectionist closed market economy. •Strict enforcement and potential expansion of data localization measures. ➤Exemption from the US Generalised System of Preferences: Effective in June 2019, the USA decided to withdraw duty-free benefits to Indian exporters under the GSP programme. ➤US’ Hostility towards Other Countries: Some of the differences between India and the US are not direct consequences of the India-US relationship but due to US’ hostility towards third countries like Iran and Russia – the traditional allies of India. ➤US policy in Afghanistan: India is also concerned over the US policy in Afghanistan as it is jeopardizing India’s security and interest in the region. ■International Cooperation: ➤India and the United States cooperate closely with multilateral organizations, including the United Nations, G-20, Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Regional Forum, International Monetary Fund, World Bank, and World Trade Organization. ⦿WAY FORWARD: oWith India set to take up the reins of the G-20 presidency, New Delhi has a chance to steer the global economic and trade agenda towards greater equity, including on climate change. oBoth sides stand much to gain by enhancing mutual trust and cooperation, particularly on trade. Syllabus Mapping o Subject: International Relations (GS-III) ➤Sub-topic: Bilateral Relations THE FOCUS ON INDIA’S URBAN INFRASTRUCTURE CONTEXT: Recently, a report by World Bank has estimated that India will need to invest about $840 billion over the next 15 years into urban infrastructure to meet the needs of its fast-growing urban population. Key Points of the Report: oThe report was titled as “FinancingIndia’s Urban Infrastructure Needs: Constraints to Commercial Financing and Prospects for Policy Action “. oAim: It underlines the urgent need to leverage more private and commercial investments to meet emerging financial gaps. 6 www.iasscore.in

7. CURRENT AFFAIRS DAILY NOVEMBER, 2022 oPoints discussed: ➤About 600 million people will be living in urban cities in India, representing 40 percent of the population by 2026. ➤This is likely to put additional pressure on the already stretched urban infrastructure and services of Indian cities. ➤There will be a burden of more demand for clean drinking water, reliable power supply, efficient and safe road transport amongst others. ➤Currently, the central and state governments finance over 75 percent of city infrastructure, while urban local bodies (ULB) finance 15 percent through their own surplus revenues. ➤Only 5 percent of the infrastructure needs of Indian cities are currently being financed through private sources. ➤With government’scurrent (2018) annual urban infrastructure investments topping at $16 billion will require from the private financing to fill the gaps. Present Statistics: (India specific) •Most Urbanized States: Tamil Nadu 43.9%; Maharashtra 42.4%; Gujarat 37.4% •3 out of world’s 21 mega cities: Mumbai (19 mill); Delhi (15 mill); Kolkata (14 mill) •Large Cities: 23 in 1991; 40 in 2001 •Urban Population: 25% of 850 mill in 1992; 28% of 1,030 million in 2002. •Estimated Urban Pop: 600 million by 2026 •% of Urban Residents who are Poor: About 25% •Slum Population: About 41 million in 2001 What are the concerns associated with the Urban Infrastructure in India? ■Planning: ➤Many urban governments lack a modern planning framework. ➤The multiplicity of local bodies obstructs efficient planning and land use. ➤Rigid master plans and restrictive zoning regulations limit the land available for building, constricting cities’ abilities to grow in accordance with changing needs. ■Housing: ➤Building regulations that limit urban density – such as floor space indexes – reduce the number of houses available, thereby pushing up property prices ➤Policy, planning, and regulation deficiencies lead to a proliferation of slums ➤Weak finances of urban local bodies and service providers leave them unable to expand the trunk infrastructure that housing developers need to develop new sites. ■Service delivery: ➤Most services are delivered by city governments with unclear lines of accountability ➤There is a strong bias towards adding physical infrastructure rather than providing financially and environmentally sustainable services ■Infrastructure: ➤Most urban bodies do not generate the revenues needed to renew infrastructure, nor do they have the creditworthiness to access capital markets for funds www.iasscore.in 7

8. CURRENT AFFAIRS DAILY NOVEMBER, 2022 ➤Urban transport planning needs to be more holistic – there is a focus on moving vehicles rather than meeting the needs of the large numbers of people who walk or ride bicycles in India’s towns and cities. ■Migration: ➤There is a large population influx to urban centres is causing new cities to emerge and existing ones to expand. This is causing rapid urbanization. Therefore, India needs to develop satellite cities for which the need is of mass-transport systems. Other Challenges: oLand Acquisition oClearances from numerous agencies oEnvironmental Impact Assessment (EIA) oPoor pre-construction planning Government Interventions: oThe Smart Cities Mission: The Smart Cities Mission is a major urban renewal program launched by the Government to develop and upgrade living conditions and infrastructure in selected 100 cities all over the country. ➤Objective of the programme is to modernize cities by providing core infrastructure and give a decent quality of life to its citizens, a clean and sustainable environment and application of ‘Smart’ Solutions. ➤Ministry of Urban Development is the anchoring agency for the implementation of the project. oAtal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT) Project: Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT) along with smart cities were jointly planned and launched by the government to transform urban living conditions through infrastructure up gradation. ➤AMRUT is aimed at transforming 500 cities and towns into efficient urban living spaces over a period of five years. ➤Ministry of Urban Development governments. Atal Mission for has selected the five hundred cities with the help of state Syllabus Mapping o Subject: Economy (GS-III) ➤Sub-topic: Growth and Development INDIA’S LONG-TERM STRATEGY FOR TRANSITION TOWARDS GREEN ENERGY CONTEXT: India has announced its new set of Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) at UNFCCC COP27 event to make transition towards green energy using Nuclear Power and Non-fossil fuels. ⦿ABOUT: oWhile 195-member countries were the signatories to the UN climate agreements and are obliged to submit the long-term document by 2022. However, only 57 countries have submitted so far to which India is one among them. 8 www.iasscore.in

9. CURRENT AFFAIRS DAILY NOVEMBER, 2022 oAt the on-going United Nations Conference of Parties (COP), India has premised on expanding its nuclear power capacity by at least three-fold in the next decade, apart from becoming an international hub for producing green hydrogen and increasing the proportion of ethanol in petrol. India’s Updated list of Commitments: oIncreasing Electric Vehicles and Infrastructure: India aspires to maximise the use of electric vehicles, with ethanol blending to reach 20% by 2025 (it is currently 10%) and a strong shift to public transport for passenger and freight traffic. oStrategies for the transition: India will also focus on improving energy efficiency by the Perform, Achieve and Trade (PAT) scheme, the National Hydrogen Mission, increasing electrification, enhancing material efficiency, and recycling and ways to reduce emissions. oReducing Greenhouse gas emissions: India’sforest and tree cover is a net carbon sink absorbing 15% of CO2 emissions in 2016, and the country is on track to fulfilling its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) commitment of 2.5 to 3 billion tonnes of additional carbon sequestration in forest and tree cover by 2030. oUsing Non-fossil fuel based energy: India updated its NDC commitments to ensuring half its electricity is derived from non-fossil fuel sources by 2030, and reducing the emissions intensity by 45% below 2005 levels by 2030. oDomestic emissions trading scheme: is a key element of India’s strategy, given that the government has already announced the creation of the same in India. Significance: oIndia’s long-term strategy (LTS) can guide the growth of Indian industry, urban planning, and infrastructure creation. oConnecting India’s net-zero target with near-term climate actions is critical to avoid investments that might be incompatible with a low-emissions and climate-resilient future. The Strategy for Nuclear Energy Development in India: oNuclear currently produces 25 percent of the global clean energy. oIndia has a largely indigenous nuclear power program. oThe Indian government is committed to growing its nuclear power capacity as part of its massive infrastructure development program. oThe government has set ambitious targets to grow nuclear capacity. oBecause India is outside the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty due to its weapons program, it was for 34 years largely excluded from trade in nuclear plants and materials, which hampered its development of civil nuclear energy until 2009. oDue to earlier trade bans and a lack of indigenous uranium, India has uniquely been developing a nuclear fuel cycle to exploit its reserves of thorium. oSince 2010, a fundamental incompatibility between India’s civil liability law and international conventions limits foreign technology provision. Government Initiatives: ■Reforms in Transport Sector: ➤India is accelerating its e-mobility transition with the Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of (Hybrid &) Electric Vehicles Scheme (FAME). ➤A voluntary vehicle scrapping policy to phase out old and unfit vehicles complements the existing schemes. www.iasscore.in 9

10. CURRENT AFFAIRS DAILY NOVEMBER, 2022 ■India’s Support to EVs: ➤India is among a handful of countries that support the global EV30@30 campaign, which aims for at least 30% new vehicle sales to be electric by 2030. ➤India’s advocacy of five elements for climate change “Panchamrit”, at the UNFCCC COP26 in Glasgow is a commitment to the same. Five commitments made at COP26: “Panchamrit” Commitments •By 2030, India to bring its non-fossil energy capacity to 500 GW •By 2070, India will achieve net-zero emissions •Come 2030, India will fulfil 50 per cent of its energy requirement through renewable energy •Come 2030, India will bring its economy’s carbon intensity down to 45% •By 2030, India will reduce 1 billion tonnes of carbon emissions from the total projected emissions ■Role of Government Schemes: ➤The Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana has helped 88 million households to shift from coal-based cooking fuels to LPG connections. ■Role of Industries in Low-Carbon Transition: ➤The public and private sectors in India are already playing a key role in meeting the climate challenge, helped by growing customer and investor awareness, as well as increasing regulatory and disclosure requirements. ■Hydrogen Energy Mission: ➤Focus on generation of hydrogen from green power resources. Syllabus Mapping •Subject: Environment (GS-III) ➤Sub-topic: Environmental Governance SUPREME COURT: FORCED CONVERSIONS THREATENS NATIONAL SECURITY AND FREEDOM OF RELIGION CONTEXT: The Supreme Court (SC) has said that religious conversions by means of force may “ultimately affect the security of the nation and freedom of religion and conscience of citizens”. Supreme Court observation: oThe top court expressed grave concern over alleged religious conversions by use of force, allurement, and deception. oThe court has asked the govt. to file an affidavit on steps being taken to curb this “dangerous trend. oThe court has also made remarks: ➤No fundamental right to convert another person to one’s own religion. 10 www.iasscore.in

11. CURRENT AFFAIRS DAILY NOVEMBER, 2022 ➤Freedom of religion is not guaranteed in respect of one religion only but covers all religions alike. Need for Anti-Conversion Laws: oNo Right to Proselytize: The Constitution confers on each individual the fundamental right to profess, practice, and propagate his religion. ➤The individual right to freedom of conscience and religion cannot be extended to construe a collective right to proselytize. ➤The right to religious freedom belongs equally to the person converting and the individual seeking to be converted. oFraudulent Marriages: In the recent past, several instances have come to notice whereby people marry persons of other religions by either misrepresentation or concealment of their own religion and after getting married they force such other person to convert to their own religion. oTo address the issues like; ➤Threats of forceful conversion. ➤The problem of Inducement or allurement. ➤Religious conversion is not a Fundamental Right. Right to Freedom of religion in India: •The Indian Constitution allows individuals the freedom to live by their religious beliefs and practices as they interpret these. •In keeping with this idea of religious freedom for all, India also adopted a strategy of separating the power of religion and the power of the State •Constitutional Provisions: ➤Article 25: Freedom of conscience and free profession, practice, and propagation of religion ➤Article 26: Freedom to manage religious affairs ➤Article 27: Freedom to pay taxes for the promotion of any particular religion ➤Article 28: Freedom to attend religious instruction or worship in certain educational institutions. Status of Anti-Conversion Laws in India: oConstitutional Provision: The Indian Constitution under Article 25 guarantees the freedom to profess, propagate, and practice religion, and allows all religious sections to manage their own affairs in matters of religion; subject to public order, morality, and health. ➤However, no person shall force their religious beliefs and consequently, no person should be forced to practice any religion against their wishes. oExisting Laws: There has been no central legislation restricting or regulating religious conversions. ➤The Indian Conversion (Regulation and Registration) Bill was introduced in 1954 in Parliament but it was never passed. ➤The states that have enacted anti-conversion laws make religious conversion by force or allurement a punishable offense. oRecently Haryana and Karnataka have brought Anti-Conversion Bill to their respective legislative assemblies. Causes of Religious Conversions in India: oConversion based on Marriage oConservtion to uplife social status oConversion for monetary benefits www.iasscore.in 11

12. CURRENT AFFAIRS DAILY NOVEMBER, 2022 oConversion to promote Ilegal activities like Terrorism oConversion for Jobs Freedom of Religion laws’ are currently in force in eight states: •Odisha •Madhya Pradesh •Chhattisgarh •Gujarat •Himachal Pradesh •Jharkhand •Uttarakhand Vulnerable Groups: oTribals oAdolescents oWomen oUnaware people especially in Rural areas Supreme Court Judgements on Marriage and Conversion: oHadiya Judgement 2017: ➤Matters of dress and of food, of ideas and ideologies, of love and partnership, are within the central aspects of identity. ➤Neither the State nor the law can dictate a choice of partners or limit the free ability every person to decide on these matters. ➤The principle that the right to marry a person of one’s choice is integral to Article 21. oThe Supreme Court of India, in both the Lily Thomas and Sarla Mudgal cases, has confirmed that religious conversions carried out without a bona fide belief and for the sole purpose of deriving some legal benefits do not hold water. oSalamat Ansari-Priyanka Kharwar case of Allahabad High Court 2020: The right to choose a partner or live with a person of choice was part of a citizen’s fundamental right to life and liberty (Article 21). oK.S. Puttaswamy or ‘privacy’ Judgment 2017: Autonomy of the individual was the ability to make decisions in vital matters of concern to life Syllabus Mapping o Subject: Polity and Governance (GS-II) ➤Sub-topic: Fundamental Rights/ Indian constitution CHALLENGES OF SECURITY FORCES GUARDING INDIAN BORDERS CONTEXT: The Indian Defence forces for border security, LOCs and other central security forces face several challenges for guarding the c0ommon people of the country. a Our forces include the BSF, ITBP, SSB, and Assam Rifles lose more jawans every year than the Indian army does during peacetime. The Central Armed Police Forces: oThe Ministry of Home Affairs maintains seven CAPFs: oThe Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), which assists in internal security and counterinsurgency. oThe Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), protects vital installations (like airports) and public sector undertakings. 12 www.iasscore.in

13. CURRENT AFFAIRS DAILY NOVEMBER, 2022 oThe National Security Guards (NSG), is a special counterterrorism force. oFour border guarding forces, which are the Border Security Force(BSF), Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB), and Assam Rifles (AR). Major Functions of CAPFs: oBorder Security: Safeguard the security of the borders of India and promote a sense of security among the people living in border areas. ➤Prevent trans-border crimes, smuggling, and unauthorised entry into or exit from the territory of India and prevent any other illegal activity. oIndustrial Security: Provide security to sensitive installations, and persons at a security risk. oOther Functions: Counter Insurgency Operations, Anti Naxal Operations, Internal Security Duties, VIP Protection, Lead Intelligence Agency, Security To Diplomatic Missions Abroad, United Nations(UN) Peacekeeping Operations, Disaster Management, Civic Action Nodal Agency for UN Police Missions, etc. Major problems: oUnplanned expansion of the forces has made human resource management a stupendous problem. oThe deployment statement of the CAPFs is very distressing: About 95 percent of the force remains deployed throughout the year. oGrowing hiatus between the officers and the men: The kind of fellow feeling, the camaraderie is gradually fading. oPoliticization: It has eroded the chain of command. oCode of conduct chain oWastage of manpower: When a State Government is given a CAPF, they like to retain it as long as they can do so due to which other states requiring them are starved of it. oPromotions: In CAPF as well as in police, there are four levels of entry whereas in the army there are two levels of entry. About Security forces: Security force Description Assam Rifles: •Assam Rifles is a Central Paramilitary Force under the Central Armed Police Forces. •It came into being in 1835, as a militia called the ‘Cachar Levy’, to primarily protect British Tea estates and their settlements against tribal raids. •Assam Rifles has two battalions stationed in Jammu and Kashmir and one National Disaster Relief Force battalion, which is playing its active role in case of natural calamities. Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP): •Indo-Tibetan Border Police Force (ITBPF) is a Central Armed Police Force functioning under the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India. •The ITBP was raised on 24th October 1962 during the India- China War and is a border-guarding police force specializing in high-altitude operations. •Presently, ITBP is deployed on border guarding duties from Karakoram Pass in Ladakh to Jachep La in Arunachal Pradesh covering 3488 km of the Indo-China Border. •The Force is also deployed for Anti-Naxal operations and other internal security duties. www.iasscore.in 13

14. CURRENT AFFAIRS DAILY NOVEMBER, 2022 Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB): •SSB comes under the aegis of the Ministry of Home Affairs and is a part of the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF). •It was established as Special Service Bureau in May 1963, in the aftermath of the Chinese aggression in 1962. •It was declared a lead intelligence agency for Indo-Nepal in June 2001 and assigned to the Indo-Nepal border. In 2004, it was also assigned the Indo-Bhutan border. •In 2004, SSB received the President’s Colours in recognition of its keystone role in national security, since its inception. Border Security Force (BSF): •BSF is a Border Guarding Force of India. Established on December 1, 1965, it is a paramilitary force charged with guarding India’s land borders with Pakistan and Bangladesh. •The BSF has an air wing, a marine wing, an artillery regiment, and commando units. •It currently stands as the world’s largest border-guarding force. BSF has been termed as the First Line of Defence of Indian Territories. Syllabus Mapping o Subject: Security (GS-III) ➤Sub-topic: Security forces and agencies and their mandate Short News Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas 2022 •It is observed on 15 November. •It was declared as ‘Janjatiya Gaurav Divas’in 2021 to mark the birth anniversary of the leader Birsa Munda and remember the contribution of tribal freedom fighters. •The Janjatiya Gaurav Divas is celebrated every year to recognize the efforts of the tribals for the preservation of cultural heritage and promotion of Indian values of valour, hospitality and national pride. •The third edition of ‘Sea Vigil-22’ is commenced on the eastern seaboard as part of the nation-wide coastal defence exercise on November 15. •Background: This exercise was conceptualised in 2018 to validate various measures that have been instituted towards enhancing the maritime security since the 26/11 Mumbai attack. •Exercise Sea Vigil-22 will provide realistic assessment of our strengths and weaknesses and thus will help in further strengthening maritime and national security. •Initiatives taken: Coastal defence Exercise ‘Sea Vigil- 22’ 14 www.iasscore.in

15. CURRENT AFFAIRS DAILY NOVEMBER, 2022 ➤The process of installing transponders on sub-20 metre boats commenced with a pilot project in Tamil Nadu for 5,000 vessels. ➤An Automatic Identification System (AIS) was made compulsory for all vessels above 20 metres. ➤The Vehicle Management System (VMS) has advanced features and enables two-way communication. ********** www.iasscore.in 15

16. CURRENT AFFAIRS DAILY NOVEMBER, 2022 EDITORIAL THE SHAPE OF THE INDIAN ECONOMIC PIE MUST CHANGE CONTEXT: This article ponders upon the idea of bringing reforms in the economic ideology so that majority gets the benefit and not just a tiny minority on the top. Dead-end ahead: oSocial security in a distorted economy: The task of fair distribution of opportunities is difficult for the justice system and the government until the economy generates sufficient employment. oConflicting Demands: Governments are struggling to establish a balance between ‘ease of doing business” for capital, and “ease of earning and living” for citizens. oReality Check: Every human society must provide a reason for its inequalities else it is in danger of collapse. There still exists a divide between the least favoured class and meritocracy. Money as master: oGrowth of ‘financial class’: Financing wars and international trade brought avenues for growth to this-financial class. Earlier it was looked at as merely money lenders sucking value out of others. oPresent scenario: Leadership expected that Money will cease to be the master, but monetarism wins over welfarism. Changing the rules of the game: oChanging role of the financial sector: This sector has become a reason for inequalities because a much larger share of wealth is sucked into the financial sector. oPower to the wealthiest: The rules of the economic game are now set by the wealthiest. They influence governments’ policies. oJudging the needs: Dividing the economic pie may not solve his historical social and new economic discrimination. There is a need to change the shape of the economic pie itself. Question After 75 years of independence Indian society is still engulfed with similar inequalities. There is a dire need that the shape of our economic pie must change so that the benefits get extended to each of its citizens. Comment. ********** 16 www.iasscore.in