. No.	Topic Name	Prelims/Mains
	About the Monkeypox	Prelims & Mains
	Details of the Build Operate Transfer Model	Prelims & Mains
	About the DTP Vaccine	Prelims & Mains
	Details of the Rafale Jets	Prelims Specific Topic

 

1 – About the Monkeypox: 

GS II 

Topic Health related issues 

 

About:

 

The phrase “monkeypox” refers to a viral zoonotic sickness that affects monkeys and is known to be similar to the pox in humans. In Nigeria, it is pervasive.

It is caused by the monkeypox virus, a member of the family of orthopoxviruses.

The original host of the virus is still a mystery. There are, however, numerous reports of the disease in animals.

The monkeypox virus is known to be carried by monkeys, apes, a wide range of rodents (including rats, mice, squirrels, and prairie dogs), and rabbits.

 

Outbreaks:

 

In the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), it was first detected in 1958 in monkeys and then in humans there in 1970.

Nigeria saw its worst outbreak ever in 2017—40 years after the final reported case.

Since then, the disease has been reported in several West and Central African countries.

 

Symptoms:

 

Infected people get a rash that looks like chicken pox. Monkeypox, however, frequently results in more severe fever, malaise, and headache symptoms when compared to chicken pox.

Monkeypox can be distinguished from smallpox because of the enlargement of the lymph gland in the early stages of the disease.

 

Transmission:

 

Primary infection is brought on by direct contact with an infected animal’s blood, bodily fluids, or cutaneous or mucosal lesions. Eating improperly prepared, infected animal meat puts you at risk as well.

Human-to-human transmission may occur as a result of close contact with infectious respiratory tract secretions, skin lesions on an infected individual, or recently contaminated objects with patient fluids or lesion materials.

Placental transfer and immunisation are among additional modes of transmission (congenital monkeypox).

 

Vulnerability:

 

If infected, it spreads rapidly and can be fatal to one out of every 10 individuals.

 

Treatment and immunisation:

 

There is no particular drug or vaccine to stop monkeypox. It has been established in the past that the anti-smallpox vaccine has an 85% success rate in preventing monkeypox.

However, the vaccine is no longer widely accessible because smallpox was declared extinct on Earth in 1980.

Every country struggles to contain any outbreaks when they happen since there is currently no global framework in place to stop the spread of monkeypox.

 

Way Forward:

 

improved surveillance and response, increased disease knowledge, and avoiding contact with wild animals, especially monkeys.

Animals that may have come into contact with an infected animal must be confined, handled with standard safety precautions, and kept under observation for 30 days for indications of monkeypox.

It is crucial to turn attention to other diseases. Due to Covid-19, fewer incidences of endemic diseases are being reported since fewer people are visiting hospitals for treatment.

 

Source  The Indian Express

 

2 – Details of the Build Operate Transfer Model: 

GS III 

Topic  Investment related issues 

 

What is Build Operate Transfer (BOT)?

A build-operate-transfer (BOT) contract is a form of funding for big infrastructure projects developed through public-private partnerships.

A BOT is a public organisation, such as a local government, that first grants permission to a private corporation to develop and manage a project.

Control of the project is returned to the government agency after a set amount of time, usually two or three decades.

What Is the PPP Model, Exactly?

 

Public-private partnerships are one of three investment forms where a government agency and a private firm cooperate to achieve a social or infrastructural growth goal.

According to the World Bank, India is one of the countries that is most accepting of PPPs.

 

What Steps Comprise a BOT Model’s Process?

 

A public organisation (typically the government) grants a private firm the right to fund, develop, and manage a project via a build-operate-transfer (BOT) contract.

The corporation oversees the project for a certain period of time (perhaps 20 or 30 years) in order to recoup its investment before handing management of the project over to the government.

BOT projects generally involve huge greenfield infrastructure projects that would typically be entirely funded, built, and administered by the government.

The Philippines’ power plant, China’s wastewater treatment plant, and India’s six-lane national highway are just a few examples.

BOT contractors are frequently special-purpose companies founded only for a project.

Revenues from the project that the contractor has established are frequently generated from a single source and over the course of the project.

It’s possible that the federal or state governments own this company.

Proof of this arrangement is provided by power purchase agreements, in which a public utility acts as an off-taker and purchases electricity from a privately owned plant.

In a typical concession, the company would sell directly to customers rather than the government.

Under BOT contracts, the off-taker is typically obligated to pay the minimum price.

 

Benefits of Build Operate Transfer (BOT) include:

 

BOT benefits governments since it reduces spending on infrastructure and development while also transferring risk to the concessionaire.

The concession company benefits from better control over a number of construction risks as well as the possibility to mitigate any unfavourable outcomes through operational advantages.

BOT provides organisations with a framework and incentives to boost productivity through performance-based agreements and output-oriented goals.

The projects are completed for the least amount of money possible thanks to a completely competitive bidding process.

The private sector is responsible for some of the project’s risks.

 

There are certain limitations to Build Operate Transfer (BOT):

 

Since many organisations are involved and a thorough institutional and legal structure is required, a BOT financial arrangement may take a long time to prepare for and close.

There, small projects might not be appropriate for the BOT.

It may take some time to develop the institutional capacity required for realising the full benefits of BOT, including the development and enforcement of open and transparent evaluation and bidding processes as well as the resolution of potential conflicts during implementation.

The contractors extract more money than the agreed-upon profit margin by charging fees over an extended period of time.

 

Conclusion:

 

BOT is commonly used in infrastructure projects and public-private partnerships. As opposed to building an entire network, a BOT project is sometimes used to construct a single asset. Pakistan, Thailand, Turkey, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Israel, Iran, India, Croatia, Japan, China, Vietnam, Malaysia, Philippines, Egypt, Myanmar, and a few US states are among the countries with a high incidence of BOT. However, some countries, including Nepal, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, use the phrase “build-own-operate-transfer” (BOOT).

 

Source  The Indian Express

 

3 – About the DTP Vaccine:

 

GS II

 

Topic Health related issues 

 

DTP vaccine applications:

 

As was already mentioned, the DTP vaccination provides protection against three infectious diseases:

 

Diptheria: This disease has a high rate of fatality. One of the signs is the appearance of a membrane covering the tonsils and upper part of the throat, which makes breathing difficult. India was in charge of between 19 and 84 percent of all cases worldwide from 1998 to 2008. Even though the disease’s prevalence has declined recently, insufficient immunisation programmes and unsanitary conditions in urban areas make complete eradication challenging.

 

Tetanus, also referred to as lockjaw, is an illness that inhibits motor coordination and causes agonising muscle contractions. The sickness frequently results in death. The variation known as Maternal and Neonatal Tetanus, or MNT, usually affects infants. The lack of access to prenatal and postnatal care is a significant contributor to the prevalence of MNT in India.

Pertussis: The illness pertussis is more commonly known as “whooping cough,” which got its name from the distinctive coughing pattern that starts with a deep inhalation, is followed by a series of quick, short coughs that continue until the air is expelled from the lungs, and ends with a long, shrill whooping inhalation. Because their immune systems are still developing, young children are most significantly influenced by infectious infections.

 

What elements go into creating a DTP vaccine?

 

The DTP vaccination contains adsorbed diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis toxoids. It is constructed of an isotonic, sterile sodium chloride solution with a buffer of sodium phosphate to control pH. The vaccine becomes a hazy, whitish-grey liquid after shaking. When used to reassemble the Haemophilus b Conjugate Vaccine, the combination vaccines ActHIB® or OmniHIB have a yellowish colour (Tetanus Toxoid Conjugate).

 

Corynebacterium diphtheriae cultures are created in a special Mueller and Miller medium. Clostridium tetani cultures are grown in a peptone-based medium. Both contaminants are cleansed with formaldehyde. The components that have been detoxified are divided for further purification using serial ammonium sulphate fractionation and diafiltration.

 

Adverse reactions to the DTP immunisation:

 

Injection site soreness, redness, and itching

Anemia decreased appetite

Drowsiness

Irritability

Vomiting and convulsions are uncommon.

 

The recommended initial series of DTP vaccinations for children under the age of seven consists of four 0.5 mL intramuscular shots. Although the first dose can be given as early as six weeks old and up until the child is six, it is frequently given about two months of age.

 

Source  The Indian Express

4 – Details of the Rafale Jets:

 

GS III

 

Topic  Internal Security related issues 

 

About:

 

French twin-engine, multifunctional fighter jet called the Rafale is created and produced by Dassault Aviation. Both the French Air Force and the French Navy employ it for carrier-based operations; it made its first flight in 2001.

In 2016, India sealed a Rs 59,000 crore contract with French aerospace manufacturer Dassault Aviation to buy 36 Rafale aircraft, ending a nearly seven-year effort to acquire 126 Medium Multi-Role Combat Aircraft (MMRCA) for the Indian Air Force.

The MMRCA agreement was suspended due to disagreements over production in India.

In comparison to the earlier accord, or MMRCA, Rafale offers far better technology, a lower life cycle cost, and is designed specifically to meet the military needs of India.

 

Specification:

 

The Rafale is built to carry out air superiority, interdiction (the act of disrupting), aerial reconnaissance (observing to locate an opponent), ground support, in-depth strike, anti-ship strike, and nuclear deterrence missions. It is armed with a wide range of weapons.

a large variety of weapons The main components of the Rafale jets’ arsenal will include the MICA weapons system, Scalp cruise missiles, and Meteor missiles.

Air-to-air combat will never be the same thanks to the next-generation Beyond Visual Range (BVR) air-to-air missile (BVRAAM).

The Meteor missile can intercept enemy aircraft from 150 kilometres away. It is capable of destroying Indian aircraft before the hostile aircraft even gets close.

SCALP cruise missiles can still reach targets from 300 kilometres distant.

The MICA Missile System is a highly adaptable air-to-air missile. It is equipped with an internal radar seeker and has a range of up to 100 kilometres for both short- and long-range targets.

It serves as the primary armament for both Rafales and Mirages, which are currently in use by the IAF.

Objective: Air to Air Due to their ability to successfully hit land targets 300 km inside of hostile territory and combat air-to-air targets up to 150 km away, they are among the deadliest fighter jets in use today.

Flight Hours: The plane has flown 30,000 times.

 

Relationship In India:

 

Joint Strategic Vision: The Rafale would assist the France-India partnership in the Indian Ocean region in achieving its objective of lowering overflights and the danger posed by WMDs.

Enhancing Air Combat Capabilities: This will be beneficial for India’s air combat capabilities, particularly when interacting with rival neighbours like China and Pakistan.

Unparalleled Capabilities: The aircraft showcased its unmatched capabilities during recent air combat missions in Afghanistan, Libya, Mali, Iraq, and Syria.

India is the fourth country to obtain the Rafale strategic platform after France, Egypt, and Qatar.

The Indian Air Force is also in the midst of procuring Hammer, a medium-range modular next-generation air-to-ground weapon system, in order to combine with the Rafale aircraft.

The Hammer is a precision-guided missile made by the French defence giant Safran (Highly Agile Modular Munition Extended Range).

Rafales, after all 36 are enlisted in the Indian Air Force, might change the game for India because no other aircraft in the area can compete with their superior kinematic performance and formidable electronic warfare capabilities.

The Rafale jet is regularly compared to the stealth F-35 and F-22 aircraft from the USA.

It is far more advanced and lethal than the fighter jets China currently has at its disposal, the J-20, during border conflicts with China. Given this, there is no doubt that it enhances India’s defence readiness, especially during times of border conflict with China.

 

Related concerns:

 

The deployment of Rafale aircraft would alter the landscape in many ways, but it might not be sufficient to get the Indian Air Force over the challenges it will face soon:

The Number of Fighter Jets in the IAF is Declining: Concerns were raised that the IAF’s combat capability was deteriorating since the strength of its fighter squadrons had decreased to a worrisome 31 from the minimum authorised level of at least 42.

It presently has 30 fighter aircraft squadrons in its fleet.

Therefore, one of the main areas of focus is to increase the authorised strength of fighter squadrons as soon as feasible.

The Pakistan Air Force will have 27 fighter squadrons by 2023, whereas China’s PLA Air Force is estimated to have the ability to support at least 42 squadrons against India.

India must therefore monitor developments in the North and West because its adversaries, China and Pakistan, are constantly enhancing and modernising their arsenals.

Two Front Battle: Despite the IAF’s desire to have 45 fighter squadrons for a two-front conflict (a war with China and Pakistan), the last time it had all 42 squadrons permitted by law was in 2002, in the wake of the Parliament terror attack.

Since then, five squadrons of obsolete Russian MiG aircraft have been disbanded, continuing a pattern of steadily declining numbers.

Similar to this, the IAF asked foreign producers for information about 114 multirole fighters in June 2018 including Boeing, Lockheed Martin, Airbus Defence and Space, Russian Aircraft Corporation, and Sukhoi Company. It plans to release the aircraft within 12 years of the contract. However, a request for bids is still not available.

 

Source  The Hindu

 

EDITORIAL ANALYSIS  09 SEPTEMBER 2022 THE HINDU:

 

CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY:

 

About:

 

“Corporate social responsibility” (CSR) refers to a business endeavour to evaluate, assume responsibility for, and support positive social and environmental change with regard to the company’s effects on the environment and social welfare.

It goes above and beyond what the law might require.

The money should be returned because it is entirely community-sourced.

 

What is mandated by the law?

 

To be in compliance with the Companies Act of 2013, a business must have a net value of at least Rs 500 crore, annual sales of at least Rs 1000 crore, and a net profit of at least Rs 5 crore.

must allocate at least 2% of its three-year average net profit to CSR initiatives that meet the requirements of Schedule VII, as from time to time updated. The regulations become operative on April 1, 2014.

Additionally, in compliance with the CSR Rules, a foreign company’s branch and project offices in India are liable to the CSR requirements.

The qualified business must also establish a CSR Committee with three or more directors.

The CSR Committee shall establish and submit to the Board a policy setting forth the responsibilities to be performed, resource allocations, and company-wide CSR policy monitoring.

If no decisions were made on CSR spending, the company must explain why. A punishment of up to 25 lakh rupees or up to three years in prison are possible for failing to disclose or omitting information.

The first nation to explicitly require corporate contributions is India.

 

What types of activities are permitted?

 

CSR is a commitment to funding programmes that significantly raise the standard of living for the poor through one or more of the priority areas listed below.

 

Getting rid of poverty, malnutrition, and hunger

Advancing education, safeguarding the environment, and enhancing mother-child health

Preserving the culture of the country Supporting the armed forces

Promoting sports and financially aiding the Prime Minister’s National Relief

Construction projects in slums, etc.

 

How does it help businesses?

 

Customers actively look for businesses that support charitable causes. Customers are conscious of societal problems. CSR therefore draws in clients.

Advantage over competitors – Companies that can set themselves out from the pack by demonstrating that they are more socially conscious than their rivals frequently thrive.

CSR efforts boost employee morale because they increase employees’ faith in the company’s compassion.

 

How does legislation affect people?

 

The commercial sector has donated more than 250 billion rupees to charity since the law’s adoption, up from 33.67 billion in 2013.

How mainstreaming charity can take CSR from the periphery to the boardroom. Now, businesses must carefully consider the tools, schedules, and tactics required to meet their legal commitments.

There are drawbacks, though.

Non-compliance: 52 of the top 100 American businesses, according to a report, did not spend the requisite 2% of their yearly earnings last year.

According to reports, fewer people have given larger sums of money to charitable organisations that later return donors’ contributions minus a commission.

Back then, charity giving served as a critical reputation-builder for philanthropic family-run corporations. Now, all that is required is to abide by the law. Many businesses that were contributing more than 2% have cut back.

Finding reputable organisations to collaborate with is one of the issues the corporate sector faces as a result of inequality. As a result, bigger, more well-known organisations get a lot of funding at the expense of smaller ones.

The issue is exacerbated by the fact that smaller charities frequently lack the money necessary to meet the administrative and operational needs of businesses.

Geographic bias results from the 2% law, with companies favouring projects that are close to where they are located. States with higher levels of industrialization are thus gaining authority over remote, less developed areas that urgently require development assistance.

Politics: In an effort to build goodwill, some businesses choose supporting government-led programmes over those that are started independently.

 

What further has to be done?

 

Spending that is necessary moves India a little bit closer to its goals of widespread institutional change and social innovation.

Additionally, it inhibits suggestions that businesses alter their operational procedures.

A company should think about and nurture its relationships with stakeholders as part of CSR, and it should show this commitment by implementing the appropriate business practises and activities.

To define responsible company conduct and demonstrate that CSR extends beyond charitable giving, a formalised set of voluntary national

 

EDITORIAL ANALYSIS  09 SEPTEMBER 2022  THE INDIAN EXPRESS:

 

PM SHRI SCHEME:

 

What does PM SHRI mean exactly?

 

As part of the centrally funded PM SHRI Schools initiative, 14,500 schools will be renovated in states and union territories to reflect the key components of the NEP, 2020. The PM Schools for Rising India.

At a conference the Ministry of Education held in Gandhinagar, Gujarat, in June, the proposal was first discussed with the education ministers of the states and UTs.

The PM SHRI will serve as “NEP labs,” even if there are excellent schools like Navodaya Vidyalayas and Kendriya Vidyalayas.

 

NEP characteristics:

 

The National Education Plan envisions a curriculum structure and teaching approach organised into basic, preparatory, intermediate, and secondary levels (NEP).

Play-based learning will be used in the early years (preschool and grades I and II).

Brief reading material and structured classroom teaching will be provided throughout the preparation stage (III–V). Middle school students will be introduced to subject teachers (VI-VIII).

There won’t be a clear distinction between the arts, sciences, or other fields at the secondary level (IX–XII).

 

What distinguishes PM SHRI schools from Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas or Kendriya Vidyalayas?

 

Both Kendriya Vidyalayas and Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas are wholly supported by the Union government through Central Sector Schemes, and both are overseen by the Ministry of Education of the Center.

Unlike JNVs, which were created to support gifted students in rural portions of the nation, KVs mostly serve children of Union government personnel stationed in states and UTs.

In contrast, compared to current institutions supported by the Center, governments, UTs, and neighbourhood organisations, PM SHRI schools will be an upgrade.

Therefore, KVs, JNVs, state governments, or even municipal corporations could manage PM SHRI schools.

 

 

Where will the schools that PM SHRI will operate be situated?

 

Despite claims that the PM SHRI schools will also “provide mentorship” to other schools nearby, the Center has not yet made the list of the schools that have been selected for this reason public.

These institutions will have access to contemporary resources like labs, smart classrooms, libraries, sporting equipment, art studios, etc.

Additionally, it will be built using energy-efficient materials, recycle garbage, conserve water, and integrate curricula for an organic way of life.

 

What is a centrally sponsored scheme?

 

A programme that is centrally funded is one in which the federal government and the states/union territories normally split the costs of implementation 60:40.

The noon meal programme and PM Awas Yojana are two instances of centrally backed programmes (PM Poshan).

The Center’s contribution may be close to 90% for the Northeastern states, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Jammu and Kashmir, and UTs without legislatures.