- Indian Heritage
- Culture
- Modern Indian history
- The Freedom Struggle
- Post-independence
- Indian Society
A. population and associated issues
B. poverty and developmental issues
C.urbanization
7. Geographical features
8.Indian Constitution
9. Polity
With General Elections 2024 underway, ECI is on track for the highest ever seizures of inducements recorded in the 75-year history of Lok Sabha elections in the country
With General Elections 2024 underway, ECI is on track for the highest ever seizures of inducements recorded in the 75-year history of Lok Sabha elections in the country. Enforcement Agencies have made a record seizure of over Rs. 4650 crores in ECI’s resolute fight against money power even before the first phase of polling for the 18th Lok Sabha elections commences on Friday. This marks a sharp increase over Rs 3475 crores seized during the entire Lok Sabha election in 2019. Significantly, 45% of the seizures are of drugs and narcotics, that are under the special focus of the Commission. The seizures have been possible by comprehensive planning, scaled up collaboration and unified deterrence action from agencies, proactive citizen participation and optimal engagement of technology.
Use of black money, over and above political financing and accurate disclosure thereof, may disturb the level playing field in favour of more resourceful party or candidate in specific geographies. The seizures are a critical part of ECI resolve to conduct the Lok Sabha elections free of inducements and electoral malpractices and to ensure a level playing field. CEC Shri Rajiv Kumar, while announcing the polls last month, underlined Money Power as one of the ‘4M’ challenges. On 12th April, Commission led by CEC Shri Rajiv Kumar along with ECs Shri Gyanesh Kumar and Shri Sukhbir Singh Sandhu reviewed all Central Observers deployed in Phase -1 of elections going to poll on 19th April. Tightening, monitoring and checking were amongst the focus of deliberations to ensure inducement-free electoral process.
The enhanced seizures reflect ECI’s unwavering commitment to monitor inducements and curb electoral malpractices for a ‘level playing field’, particularly in favour of smaller and less resourceful parties.
In an incident in Nilgiris, Tamil Nadu, the Commission suspended the flying squad team leader for laxity in duty and selective checking of a cavalcade of a prominent leader. Similarly, officials checked vehicles in the convoy of CM of a state and also vehicle of a Dy CM in another state. Commission has also taken strict action against approximately 106 government servants who have been found assisting politicians in campaigning, thereby violating the Code of Conduct and instructions.
In the press briefing during announcement of Parliamentary elections, CEC Shri Rajiv Kumar stressed in his presentation on strict compliance of BCAS instructions on surveillance and inspection of non-scheduled aircrafts and helicopters by Income tax, airport authorities and SPs of concerned districts, border agencies to keep close watch on international checkposts and GST authorities to closely monitor godowns, especially makeshift godowns meant for storing freebies. The Commission during reviews had always emphasized that there will be multi-pronged surveillance on all modes of transport – check posts and nakas for road transport, Coast guard for coastal routes and DMs and SPs alongside agencies for air routes including checking of helicopters and non-scheduled flights.
Lok Sabha poll: Fixing India’s VVPATbased audit of EVMs
The Election Commission of India (ECI) has attracted criticism for reducing the Voter Verified Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) based audit of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) to an exercise in tokenism and for its lack of transparency in the matter. The uniform sample size of “five EVMs per Assembly constituency” prescribed by it for all Assembly constituencies and States does not conform to the fundamental principles of statistical sampling and leads to high margins of error.
At the same time, the ECI’s critics are also guilty of demanding arbitrary, nonstatistical sample sizes like “25 per cent samples” and “50 per cent samples” for VVPATbased audit of EVMs, under the mistaken impression that a “bigger percentage” guarantees greater accuracy of results. Some are now demanding a 100% manual count of all VVPAT voter slips.
Using statistical sampling
The VVPATbased audit of EVMs is a simple problem of statistical quality control. It is very similar to the “lot acceptance sampling technique” that is widely used in industry and trade. If the number of defectives found in a randomly drawn statistical sample is less than or equal to a specified acceptance number, the lot (or ‘population’) is accepted; otherwise, the lot is rejected.
Here a ‘defective EVM’ is defined as one with a mismatch between the EVM count and the VVPAT’s manual count of voter slips due to EVM malfunction or EVM manipulation. Unlike industry and trade where a few defectives in the sample may be tolerated, in the context of elections, the acceptance number will have to be ‘zero defective EVM’. In other words, even if there is a single instance of mismatch between the EVM count and VVPAT manual count in the randomly drawn sample of EVMs, the ‘population’ of EVMs from which the sample was drawn should be ‘rejected’. In this case, ‘rejection’ means nonacceptance of the EVM counts for that ‘population’ and doing manual counting of VVPAT slips for all the remaining EVMs of that ‘population’. In such a scenario, the election result should be declared only on the basis of the VVPAT count.
Thus, VVPATbased audit of EVMs involves three essential elements — (a) a clear definition of the ‘population’ of EVMs from which the statistical sample would be drawn. It could be all the EVMs deployed in an Assembly constituency, a Parliamentary constituency, a State as a whole, India as a whole, a region (or group of districts) within a State, or any other. The population size (N) could vary widely depending on how we define the ‘population’; (b) determination of a statistically correct and administratively viable sample size (n) of EVMs whose VVPAT slips will be hand counted; (c) application of the ‘decision rule’, viz., in the event of a mismatch between the EVM count and the VVPAT count in the chosen sample of ‘n’ EVMs, the hand counting of VVPAT slips will have to be done for all the remaining (Nn) EVMs forming part of that ‘population’.
However, the ECI has not specified the ‘population’ to which its sample size relates. It has not explained how it arrived at its sample size. It has maintained silence about the ‘next steps’ in the event of a mismatch between the EVM count and the VVPAT count in the chosen sample, and it has glossed over reported cases of mismatch. A system of VVPATbased audit of EVMs in which these three vital issues have been left vague or unaddressed is categorically unacceptable.
Why ECI’s sample size is erroneous
The hypergeometric distribution model should form the basis of the sampling plan for the VVPATbased audit of EVMs because it is an exact fit. In the discussion that follows, we assume the percentage of defective EVMs in the population (P) to be 1%, and calculate sample sizes, for various population sizes, for 99% probability of detecting at least one defective EVM. We also compute the probability that the ECIprescribed sample size of “five EVMs per Assembly constituency” will fail to detect a defective EVM for different population sizes. The great merit of the hypergeometric distribution model is that the sample size is the greatest when P is very close to zero (which is what the ECI claims it is), and it becomes lesser as P increases.
As seen from Table 1, when the population size (N) of EVMs is 100, the sample size (n) required is 99, that is it is nearly as big as the population size. As N increases, n also increases but at a much slower rate and ‘hits a plateau’ beyond some point so that further increases in population size have no effect on the sample size.
As seen from Table 2, if we define the EVMs deployed in an Assembly constituency or Parliamentary constituency as the ‘population’, then in view of the smaller population sizes (N), the sample sizes (n) required are rather big. Hence, both these choices for ‘population’ are administratively unviable. As seen from Table 3, if we define the EVMs deployed in a State as a whole or India as a whole as the ‘population’, then in view of the bigger population sizes (N), the sample sizes (n) required are very small. But the workload involved in hand counting the VVPAT slips for all the remaining (Nn) EVMs of the population, in the event of a mismatch, is very large and administratively unviable for India as a whole and for all States except the smaller States. The ECI glosses over this crucial point when it claims that the ISI, Kolkata had recommended a sample size of only 479 EVMs for India as a whole which works out to one EVM per Assembly constituency.
10. Governance
A. institutions
B. regulatory
C. Government policies
D. role of NGOs
E. measures
11. Social Justice
A. Welfare schemes
A manifesto where inclusivity takes centre stage
The thrust in the Congress party’s manifesto for 2024 is on equity and justice being the prime movers in the battle of ideologies
The publication of party manifestos is a big moment in a general election campaign. Political parties contesting elections announce their plans for running the country, setting out the policies they would deliver on, if they were to win. Manifestos contain a description of the party’s world view and approach to governance and state policies. Even though manifestos do not usually decide election outcomes, they can sometimes feature prominently in the campaign, and bear the ability to shape political narratives, and influence how people vote.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) issued its manifesto, the ‘Sankalp Patra’, on April 14 just before April 19, the first phase of this potentially momentous general election in 2024. Perhaps it was issued this late because the party assumes that the election result is a foregone conclusion. Meanwhile, the Congress’ Party manifesto, titled the ‘Nyay Patra’, was announced on April 5 and has already evoked much interest. The manifesto offers an agenda of progressive politics and policies against the backdrop of unprecedented inequalities and the BJP’s majoritarian agenda. It defines an alternative vision, and proposes measures to ‘reverse the damage’ purportedly done by 10 years of BJP rule at the Centre.
Behind the ‘idea of justice’
The Congress manifesto puts the idea of justice as the centrepiece of its philosophy. Constitutional values of equity, justice, dignity, and fundamental rights form the core of this document. It embodies many of the ingredients, processes, and commitments required to revitalise India’s constitutional democracy.
Apart from India’s high unemployment rate, the manifesto focuses on inflation, crony capitalism and the widening gap between the rich and the poor. The major promises include providing a one year apprenticeship as a right to every diploma holder or graduate below the age of 25, raising the 50% on reservations for Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Other Backward Classes and conducting a nationwide socioeconomic and caste census, providing a legal guarantee to minimum support price (MSP), and starting an urban employment guarantee programme. Many of the promises that the Congress is offering to voters mark a significant break from the past, including its own history and politics. But that is exactly what makes this an interesting document.
Two significant points of emphasis are contained in section VI entitled ‘Defending the Constitution’ and under it, the section, ‘Reversing the Damage.’ From promising to probe the electoral bonds scheme and the PM Cares Fund, to rejecting the concept of one nationone election, to reviving the Planning Commission, several sections of the manifesto promise to undo key policy initiatives of the BJP government, if the Congress party comes to power.
Debates about the credibility of manifesto promises and the expenditure of commitments are common in election campaigns. But there is little discussion of this. Instead, attention has been diverted to the Prime Minister likening the Congress manifesto to the Muslim League. The Prime Minister wasted no time in dismissing it as a ‘bundle of lies’, saying ‘every page reeks of divisive thoughts’.
In a public rally in Saharanpur, Uttar Pradesh, he said two things. He said the manifesto has the imprint of the Muslim League of the preindependence period and, therefore, is geared to dividing India. Although the statements are devoid of fact and reasoning, the Muslim League was dragged into this to reinforce the current strategy of religious polarisation and somehow tie the main Opposition party in India to Pakistan. Voters can legitimately ask how promising a higher minimum wage for Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) workers or the right to apprenticeship or the right to health with cashless insurance of up to ₹25 lakh, reeks of divisiveness. However, apart from polarising the election, the statement was simply meant to stop any discussions on policy issues and on the performance of the government.
A pursuit to reinvent the party
The egalitarian pursuit, as promised or envisaged in the Congress manifesto, is a push towards reinventing the party, which after suffering two devastating defeats, in 2014 and 2019, has been unable to devise a way of denting the popularity of the Prime Minister and the BJP in the Hindi heartland. The manifesto has drawn upon the broadbased discussions during the Congress’s Bharat Jodo Yatra and Bharat Jodo NyayYatra. Both these campaigns made attempts to reinvent the Congress ideologically and politically and managed to enthuse the party cadres. But its impact on national elections remains to be seen.
B Health
C. Education
D. Human Resources
E. poverty and hunger
12. International relations
A. India and its neighbourhood
B. groupings and agreements
C.Indian diaspora
13. Economic Development
A. Government Budgeting
B. industrial
Index Numbers of Wholesale Price in India for the Month of March, 2024 (Base Year: 2011-12)
The annual rate of inflation based on all India Wholesale Price Index (WPI) number is 0.53% (Provisional) for the month of March, 2024 (over March, 2023). Positive rate of inflation in March, 2024 is primarily due to increase in prices of food articles, electricity, crude petroleum & natural gas, machinery & equipment and other manufacturing etc. The index numbers and inflation rate for the last three months of all commodities and WPI components are given below:
| Index Numbers and Annual Rate of Inflation (Y-o-Y in %)* | |||||||
| All Commodities/Major Groups | Weight (%) | Jan-24 | Feb-24 (P) | Mar-24 (P) | |||
| Index | Inflation | Index | Inflation | Index | Inflation | ||
| All Commodities | 100.00 | 151.2 | 0.33 | 151.2 | 0.20 | 151.8 | 0.53 |
| I. Primary Articles | 22.62 | 181.4 | 4.07 | 181.4 | 4.49 | 183.1 | 4.51 |
| II. Fuel & Power | 13.15 | 154.9 | -0.45 | 155.1 | -1.59 | 155.2 | -0.77 |
| III. Manufactured Products | 64.23 | 139.7 | -1.20 | 139.8 | -1.27 | 140.1 | -0.85 |
| Food Index | 24.38 | 178.1 | 3.85 | 178.3 | 4.09 | 180.1 | 4.65 |
Note: P: Provisional, *Annual rate of WPI inflation calculated over the corresponding month of previous year
2.The month over month change in WPI index for the month of March, 2024 stood at 0.40% as compared to February, 2024. The monthly change in WPI index for last six-month is summarized below:
| Month Over Month (M-o-M in %) change in WPI Index# | |||||||
| All Commodities/Major Groups | Weight | Oct-23 | Nov-23 | Dec-23 | Jan-24 | Feb-24 (P) | Mar-24 (P) |
| All Commodities | 100.00 | 0.46 | 0.39 | -0.85 | -0.40 | 0.00 | 0.40 |
| I. Primary Articles | 22.62 | 0.93 | 1.24 | -2.56 | -0.77 | 0.00 | 0.94 |
| II. Fuel & Power | 13.15 | 1.57 | 0.45 | -0.26 | -0.58 | 0.13 | 0.06 |
| III. Manufactured Products | 64.23 | 0.00 | -0.14 | -0.14 | -0.21 | 0.07 | 0.21 |
| Food Index | 24.38 | 1.07 | 2.00 | -2.18 | -1.00 | 0.11 | 1.01 |
Note: P: Provisional, #Monthly rate of change, based on month over month (M-o-M) WPI calculated over the preceding month
3. Month-over-Month Change in Major Groups of WPI:
- Primary Articles (Weight 22.62%):- The index for this major group increased by 0.94% to 183.1 (provisional) in March, 2024 from 181.4 (provisional) for the month of February, 2024. Prices of Crude Petroleum & Natural Gas (1.35%), Food Articles (1.0%), Minerals (0.58%) and Non-food Articles (0.44%) increased in March, 2024 as compared to February, 2024.
- Fuel & Power (Weight 13.15%): – The index for this major group increased by 0.06% to 155.2 (provisional) in March, 2024 from 155.1 (provisional) for the month of February, 2024. Prices of Electricity (0.13%) and Mineral Oils (0.13%) increased in March, 2024 as compared to February, 2024. Prices of Coal (-0.15%) declined in March, 2024 as compared to February, 2024.
- Manufactured Products (Weight 64.23%):- The index for this major group increased by 0.21% to 140.1 (provisional) in March, 2024 from 139.8 (provisional) for the month of February, 2024. Out of the 22 NIC two-digit groups for manufactured products, 11 groups witnessed an increase in prices, 9 groups witnessed a decrease in prices and 2 groups showed no change in prices. Some of the important groups that showed month-over-month increase in prices are food products; motor vehicles, trailers and semi-trailers; rubber and plastics products; other manufacturing; chemicals and chemical products etc. Some of the groups that witnessed a decrease in prices are fabricated metal products, except machinery and equipment; basic metals; pharmaceuticals, medicinal chemical and botanical products; textiles; wearing apparel etc. in March, 2024 as compared to February, 2024.
4. WPI Food Index (Weight 24.38%): The Food Index consisting of ‘Food Articles’ from Primary Articles group and ‘Food Product’ from Manufactured Products group have increased from 178.3 in February, 2024 to 180.1 in March, 2024. The rate of inflation based on WPI Food Index increased from 4.09% in February, 2024 to 4.65% in March, 2024.
5. Final Index for the month of January, 2024 (Base Year: 2011-12=100): For the month of January, 2024 the final Wholesale Price Index and inflation rate for ‘All Commodities’ (Base: 2011-12=100) stood at 151.2 and 0.33% respectively. The details of all India Wholesale Price Indices and Rates of Inflation for different commodity groups based on updated figures are at Annex I. The Annual rate of Inflation (Y-o-Y) based on WPI for different commodity groups in the last six months are at Annex II. WPI for different commodity groups in the last six months is at Annex III.
6. Response Rate: The WPI for March, 2024 has been compiled at a weighted response rate of 83.6 per cent, while the final figure for January, 2024 is based on the weighted response rate of 95.1 per cent. The provisional figures of WPI will undergo revision as per the final revision policy of WPI. This press release, item indices, and inflation numbers are available at our home page http://eaindustry.nic.in .
7. Next date of Press Release: WPI for the month of April, 2024 would be released on 14/05/2024.
Note: DPIIT releases index number of wholesale price in India on monthly basis on 14th of every month (or next working day) with a time lag of two weeks of the reference month, and the index number is compiled with data received from institutional sources and selected manufacturing units across the country. This press release contains WPI (Base Year 2011-12=100) for the month of March, 2024 (Provisional), January, 2024 (Final) and other months/years. Provisional figures of WPI are finalised after 10 weeks (from the month of reference), and then frozen thereafter.
E.issues
14. Technology
15. Environment
NHAI Organizes National Workshop on Eco-friendly Measures for Holistic National Highway Development
New Delhi, 15th April 2024: Keeping its focus on building a robust and sustainable National Highway network, NHAI organized a day long national workshop in New Delhi to discuss different aspects of environmental impact assessment, planning and mitigation for holistic National Highway development. Chief Guest for the event was Shri Anurag Jain, Secretary, Ministry of Road Transport and Highways. Shri Santosh Kumar Yadav, Chairman NHAI along with Guest of Honour Shri Jitendra Kumar, IFS, DGF&SS, MoEF&CC were also present on the occasion. The event saw participation from senior officials of MoRTH, NHAI, NHIDCL, MoEF&CC, QQI-NABET, DPR Consultants, Concessionaires, Authority Engineers, and Independent Engineers.
Various panel discussions with senior officials and industry experts were held during the workshop which provided key insights into different aspects of development of environmentally sustainable road infrastructure. The sessions included discussion on issues related to Wildlife Clearances; Insights on ‘Eco-friendly Measures to Mitigate Impacts of Linear Infrastructure on Wildlife’; Issues related to Forest & Environment Clearances; Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), Environmental Management Plan (EMP); Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) Clearances, Regulations and its applicability to Road Infrastructure Projects.
In his inaugural address, Chief Guest Shri Anurag Jain, Secretary, Ministry of Road Transport and Highways said that “I am pleased that we have gathered here to deliberate various possibilities and address challenges to pave way for greener and sustainable National Highway development. I am sure after these knowledge sessions, we will have deeper understanding of the forest and environment clearances & systems. It is also important for different departments to have a collaborative approach using PM Gati Shakti framework to efficiently develop sustainable National Highway infrastructure across the country.
Addressing the audience at the national conference, the Guest of Honour Shri Jitendra Kumar, DGF&SS, MoEF&CC said, “We have to take steps towards expediting planning and proposal process by improving inter-departmental collaboration and building a concrete roadmap for inclusion of sustainable practices in the development of infrastructure projects.”
In his keynote address, Shri Santosh Kumar Yadav, Chairman, NHAI said “We are committed to develop sustainable and environmentally friendly National Highway network. Today, there is a greater need to collaborate and include sustainable practices from the conceptualization of the project at the DPR stage. Participation from various stakeholders in this workshop, will enrich the quality of discussion and define the way forward towards a greener and more sustainable National Highway infrastructure development.”
Sharing his observations in the concluding session, Shri Vishal Chauhan, Member (Administration), NHAI thanked all the panelists for their active participation. He also emphasized that ensuring environment sustainability is a collective responsibility of all the stakeholders and forward-looking discussions in today’s workshop has helped to push forward the agenda of environment sustainably.
With a strong focus on environment sustainability, promoting economic growth, and expanding the National Highway network, NHAI is paving way for a greener, more resilient, and inclusive future. The national workshop strengthened this vison by providing key insights and identifying areas for holistic development. The deliberations held at the day long workshop will go a long way in adopting vario
Decoding the judgment on Jim Corbett
The Court’s decision to assess the damage done to the green cover of Jim Corbett so as to identify the cost of restoration and recover the same appears to be a mirage in the absence of a welldefined methodology
In its ruling in March, the Supreme Court brought to light the unholy nexus of politicians, forest officials, and local contractors responsible for the felling of 6,000 trees in the Jim Corbett National Park in Uttarakhand. This state of affairs underlines one fact clearly: despite conservation goals receiving priority through policies and laws including the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, Project Tiger, and the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980, the state’s main interest remains increasing revenue. The illegal destruction of trees in Jim Corbett can be seen in contravention of the 1983
Supreme Court judgment in Rural Litigation and Entitlement Kendra vs. State of Uttar Pradesh, which said that “economic growth cannot be achieved at the cost of environmental destruction and people’s right to healthy environment.”
The judgment
National and State forest authorities have leaned on ecotourism to simultaneously attain conservation goals, enhance revenue, and improve the livelihoods of local people. In its recent judgment, instead of treating ecotourism as a panacea for conservation and revenue generation, the Supreme Court said that the approach must be of ecocentrism and not anthropocentrism. The court directed the banning of tiger safaris in core areas and the constitution of a committee to explore the feasibility of permitting tiger safaris in peripheral areas in not just Jim Corbett, but across India. It also disagreed with the 2019 guidelines of the National Tiger Conservation Authority permitting a tiger safari on the lines of a zoo in a national park. The court stressed that tigers should be sourced from the same landscape as where the safari is being conducted and not outside the tiger reserve.
According to British environmentalist Norman Myers, the precautionary principle is becoming an established principle for policymakers tackling environmental problems. The principle says “where there are threats of serious or irreversible damage, lack of full scientific certainty shall not be used as a reason for postponing costeffective measures to prevent such environmental degradation.” On banning safaris in core areas, the Court invoked this principle to ensure that there is least damage to the environment. Myers had said, “In salient respects, the principle applies to biodiversity more than any other environmental problem. This is because the mass extinction gathering force will, if it proceeds unchecked, not only eliminate half or more species but will leave the biosphere impoverished for at least 5 million years.” The International Union for Conservation of Nature’s Red List of Threatened Species monitors 1,212 animal species in India. In 2021, it found that 12% of them are endangered. According to a report of the Centre for Science and Environment in 2021, India has lost 90% of the area under its four biodiversity hotspots. The precautionary principle therefore applies not only in the case of tigers, but also other species, especially endangered ones.best tnpsc coaching center in chennai
What the court missed
However, the Court’s decision to assess the damage done to the green cover of Jim Corbett so as to identify the cost of restoration and recover the same from the errant individuals and officers appears to be a mirage in the absence of a welldefined methodology. Recovering the cost of restoration does not amount to necessarily recovering the loss of the ability of the environment to provide goods and services. As per the European Liability Directive 2004, conservation status of natural habitat means the “sum of influences acting on a natural habitat and its typical species that may affect its longterm natural distribution, structure, and functions as well as the longterm survival of its typical species.” In India, the framework of valuation which predated the T.N. Godavarman case (1996) was aimed at replacing lost natural forest with compensatory plantations. The two choices which are supported legally and institutionally and serve as the background for the valuation of forest land in India are now compensatory afforestation levy and net present value (NPV). The levy is essentially a form of replacement cost, designed to replace the forest land which was lost as a result of diversion of forest towards nonforestry use. Since the levy is found to be insufficient in terms of making good the loss, the Court introduced the NPV in 2002 as an additional payment obligation. But both these methodologies do not rightly account for the correlation between the removal of trees and the harm caused to other environmental goods and services.
In the context of the growing degradation of biodiversity hotspots and the support to revenuegenerating ecotourism, a valuation method which is based on ecosystem services (food, water, and services regulating the climate and floods, etc.) is a must. The system refers to the benefits people obtain from natural ecosystems in contrast with manmade structures. The Court could have set a precedent by saying that ecosystem services are more important and generate more revenue than ecotourism or raised the need of putting in place a precise law and policy relating to ecosystem services. The reasoning provided by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in Costa Rica v. Nicaragua (2018) could have been used to understand the methodologies in evaluating damage to the environment. The ICJ asserted that damage to the environment, and the consequent loss of the ability of the environment to provide goods and services, is compensable.
16. Security
INDIAN ARMY CONTINGENT DEPARTS FOR INDIA- UZBEKISTAN JOINT MILITARY EXERCISE DUSTLIK
The Indian Army contingent departed today for the 5th edition of India- Uzbekistan joint military Exercise DUSTLIK. The Exercise is scheduled to be conducted from 15th to 28th April 2024 at Termez, the Republic of Uzbekistan. Exercise DUSTLIK is a yearly event conducted alternatively in India and Uzbekistan. Last edition was conducted at Pithoragarh (India) in February 2023.best tnpsc coaching center in chennai
The Indian Armed Forces contingent comprising 60 personnel is being represented by 45 personnel from the Indian Army, majorly from a Battalion of the JAT Regiment, and 15 personnel from the Indian Air Force. The Uzbekistan contingent comprising approximately 100 personnel, from Uzbekistan Army and Air Force, will be represented by personnel from Southern Operational Command, part of South-West Military District.
Aim of Exercise DUSTLIK is to foster military cooperation and enhance combined capabilities to execute joint operations in mountainous as well as semi urban terrain. It would focus on high degree of physical fitness, joint planning, joint tactical drills and basics of special arms skills.
Tactical drills to be practiced during the exercise will include creation of a Joint Command Post, establishing an Intelligence & Surveillance Centre, securing of landing site, Small Team Insertion & Extraction, Special Heliborne Operations, Cordon and Search Operations, Room Intervention Drills and Demolition of illegal structures.
The complexity of this edition of Exercise DUSTLIK has been enhanced with conduct of multi domain operations as the contingent comprises of personnel from combat support arms and services besides Infantry. Two Women Officers also form part of the IA contingent, including one from the Regiment of Artillery and the second from the Army Medical Corps.
Exercise ‘DUSTLIK’ will enable the two sides to share their best practices in Tactics, Techniques and Procedures of conducting joint operations. The Exercise will facilitate developing inter-operability, bonhomie and camaraderie between soldiers of both the countries. This will also enhance the level of defence cooperation, further fostering bilateral relations between the two friendly nations.
17. Disaster Management
“Country as a whole most likely to receive above normal rainfall during the Southwest Monsoon season” says Secretary, Ministry of Earth Sciences
Briefing the media about the summary of the 2024 Southwest Monsoon Season Rainfall today in a press conference held at National Media Centre, New Delhi, he said there will be 106% of the Long Period Average (LPA) with a model error of ± 5%. The LPA of the season rainfall over the country as a whole is 87 cm based on data of 1971-2020.best tnpsc coaching center in chennai
Dr. Ravichandran said, the forecast is based on both dynamical and statistical models, and it suggests above normal rainfall is likely over most part of the country except some areas of Northwest, East and Northeast India, where below normal rainfall is likely. He told media that the expected La Nina, positive IOD and below normal snow cover over northern hemisphere would be favourable for rainfall during southwest monsoon season 2024.
Giving a detailed presentation DG, IMD, Dr Mrutyunjay Mohapatra said that currently, moderate El Niño conditions are prevailing over the equatorial Pacific region and the Climate model forecasts indicate neutral condition by the beginning of monsoon season and La Niña conditions during second half of monsoon season.
Summary of the Forecast of Rainfall during Southwest Monsoon Season, 2024 is as follows:
- The rainfall over the country as a whole during monsoon season (June to September) is very likely to be above normal (>106% of the Long Period Average (LPA)).
- Quantitatively, the seasonal rainfall over the country as a whole is likely to be 106% of LPA with a model error of ± 5%.
- The LPA of the season rainfall over the country as a whole is 87 cm based on data of 1971-2020.
- Currently, moderate El Niño conditions are prevailing over the equatorial Pacific region. Climate model forecasts indicate neutral condition by the beginning of monsoon season and La Niña conditions during second half of monsoon season.
- Currently, neutral Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD) conditions are prevailing. Climate model forecasts indicate positive IOD conditions likely to develop during the monsoon season.
- Northern hemisphere snow cover extent during the last three months (January to March 2024) was below normal. Winter and spring snow cover extent over Northern Hemisphere as well as Eurasia has a generally inverse relationship with the subsequent monsoon season rainfall.
- IMD will issue the updated forecasts for monsoon season rainfall in the last week of May 2024.