Prelims-Pinpointer-for-30-oct-2025

Prelims

National Commission for Minorities (NCM)

About NCM

• Statutory body established under National Commission for Minorities Act, 1992 safeguarding minority interests.
• First statutory Commission constituted on 17th May 1993 for minority protection nationwide.

Genesis

• Minorities Commission established 1978 through Ministry of Home Affairs Resolution initially created.
• Moved to Ministry of Welfare in 1984 under administrative restructuring for better coordination.
• 1988: Ministry of Welfare excluded linguistic minorities from Commission’s jurisdiction limiting scope significantly.

Composition

• Consists of Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson, five members nominated by Central Government for administration.
• Each member must belong to one of six notified minority communities: Muslim, Christian, Sikh, Buddhist, Parsi, Jain.
• Absence of full body led to concerns over inefficiency affecting Commission’s functioning.

Powers and Tenure

• Has quasi-judicial powers for addressing minority grievances and complaints effectively under Act.
• Each member serves three-year term from date they assume office for continuity.

Removal Provisions

• Central Government may remove Chairperson/Member if adjudged insolvent or taking paid employment outside.
• Also for refusing/incapable of acting, declared unsound mind, abusing office, convicted involving moral turpitude.

Minorities in India

• Constitution doesn’t define ‘Minority’ but recognizes religious and linguistic minorities for protection.

• NCM Act 1992 defines minority as “community notified by Central government” for legal purposes.
• 1993 notification: five religious communities—Muslims, Christians, Sikhs, Buddhists, Zoroastrians (Parsis) initially recognized.
• Jains notified as minority community in 2014 expanding coverage of minority protection framework.
• Population Statistics
  • Six communities constitute 18.80% of India’s population per 2001 Census data available.
  • Parsi population estimated ~57,000 (2011 Census doesn’t mention specific Parsi population figures).

Constitutional Safeguards

• Article 29: Right to conserve distinct language, script, culture for any citizen section.
• Article 30: Minorities’ right to establish and administer educational institutions autonomously without interference.
• Article 347: Special provision for language spoken by population section in any State.
• Article 350-A: Facilities for instruction in mother-tongue at primary stage ensuring linguistic rights.
• Article 350-B: Special Officer for Linguistic Minorities with duties protecting linguistic minority interests.

PM-SHRI

Context: Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan formed seven-member review committee to study PM PM-SHRI Scheme. 

PM-SHRI Scheme

• Centrally Sponsored Scheme (2022) establishing 14,500+ PM SHRI Schools by upgrading existing schools to showcase NEP 2020 implementation.
• Objective
  • Create inclusive, nurturing environment promoting student well-being and safety, offering diverse learning experiences and quality infrastructure/resources.
• Funding Pattern
  • 60:40 (Centre:State/UTs with legislature, except J&K).
  • 90:10 (NE, Himalayan States, J&K UT).
  • 100% Central (UTs without legislature).
  • States must sign MoU with Education Ministry for participation.
• Duration
  • 2022-23 to 2026-27; thereafter States/UTs maintain benchmarks.

• Key Features
  • Pedagogy
    • Focus on holistic development: Communication, collaboration, critical thinking.
    • Experiential, inquiry-driven, learner-centered teaching.
    • Competency-based assessments applying knowledge to real-life situations.
  • Infrastructure
    • Modern facilities: Smart Classrooms, Computer Labs, Integrated Science Labs, Vocational/Skill Labs, Atal Tinkering Labs, libraries, art rooms.
    • Green initiatives: Water conservation, waste recycling.
  • Eligibility
    • Schools managed by Central/State/UT Governments, local bodies.
    • All Kendriya Vidyalayas and Navodaya Vidyalayas (non-project, permanent buildings).
  • Monitoring
    • School Quality Assessment Framework (SQAF): Standards and best practices for excellence; regular evaluations ensure high standards.
• Selection Process (Challenge Mode – 3 Stages)
  • Stage-1: Sign MoU with Centre.
  • Stage-2: Identify eligible schools using UDISE+ data.
  • Stage-3: Challenge method where eligible schools compete on criteria; States/UTs/KVS/JNV verify and recommend; Expert committee (headed by Secretary) makes final selection.

UNCTAD (United Nations Conference on Trade and Development)

About UNCTAD

• Headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland; permanent intergovernmental body established by UN General Assembly in 1964.
• Supports developing countries accessing globalized economy benefits more fairly and effectively through assistance.
• Provides economic and trade analysis, facilitates consensus-building, offers technical assistance for development.
• Helps developing countries use trade, investment, finance, technology for inclusive, sustainable development goals.

Organizational Structure

• Part of UN Secretariat reporting to UN General Assembly and Economic/Social Council.
• Has own membership, leadership, budget maintaining organizational autonomy within UN framework.
• Also part of UN Development Group coordinating development activities globally across agencies.

Key Historical Developments

• First UNCTAD conference held in Geneva (1964) establishing foundation for trade and development cooperation.
• 1989: Agreement on Global System of Trade Preferences (GSTP) among developing countries came into force.
• GSTP provides tariff/non-tariff preferences among members.
• Uruguay Round conclusion led to World Trade Organization establishment in 1995 strengthening international trade framework.
• Tenth conference in Bangkok (February 2000) adopted “The Spirit of Bangkok” political declaration strategy.
• Highlighted need for differentiated approach to developing countries’ problems in globalized world context.

Key Reports

• Trade and Development Report analyzing global trade and development trends annually published.
• World Investment Report tracking global investment patterns and foreign direct investment flows worldwide.
• The Least Developed Countries Report focusing on challenges and opportunities for LDCs specifically.

Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI)

About SEBI

• Principal regulator of securities market in India functioning as statutory body under Ministry of Finance.
• Headquarters in Mumbai; 4 regional offices in Ahmedabad, Kolkata, Chennai, Delhi for nationwide coverage.

Objectives

• Act as watchdog of Indian capital market ensuring regulatory compliance and market integrity.
• Protect investors’ interests in securities safeguarding their rights and investments systematically.
• Promote and regulate securities market for stability, growth, and investor confidence nationwide.

Evolution

• Before SEBI: Controller of Capital Issues was regulatory authority under Capital Issues (Control) Act, 1947.
• April 1988: SEBI constituted through Executive Resolution as non-statutory body without statutory power.
• SEBI Act, 1992: became autonomous and statutory body with legal powers for market regulation.

Organizational Structure

• Follows corporate structure with Board of Directors at top managing overall operations and direction.
• Board comprises 9 members: Chairperson (Government nominee), 2 from Finance Ministry, 1 from RBI.
• 5 members appointed by Government of India; at least 3 shall be Whole-Time Members.

Powers and Functions

• Quasi-Legislative and Quasi-Judicial
  • Can draft regulations, conduct inquiries, pass rulings, impose penalties as quasi-judicial authority.
• Powers with respect to Issuers
  • Call for information, undertake inspection, conduct inquiries/audits of stock exchanges, mutual funds, intermediaries.
  • Prohibit insider trading in securities protecting market integrity and fair trading practices.
• Powers with respect to Investors
  • Promote and regulate self-regulatory organizations ensuring industry standards and compliance mechanisms.
  • Prohibit fraudulent, unfair trade practices; regulate substantial share acquisition and company takeovers.
  • Promote investors’ education, training of intermediaries for informed decision-making and market participation.
• Powers with respect to Intermediaries
  • Register and regulate stock brokers, sub-brokers, share transfer agents, bankers, trustees, merchant bankers.
  • Register and regulate venture capital funds, collective investment schemes, mutual funds for investor protection.

Issues With SEBI Functioning

• Excessive focus on market conduct regulation; lesser emphasis on prudential regulation causing imbalance.
• Greater legislative and enforcement powers compared to US/UK counterparts raising concerns about overreach.
• Can impose restraints on suspicion causing serious economic injury; fear of regulator widespread.
• Prior consultation with market missing; rules and enforcement inadequate in areas like insider trading.

Initiatives Taken by SEBI

• IEPF
  • Investor Education and Protection Fund established under Companies Act, 2013 Section 125 for awareness.
• SCORES Portal
  • Web-based centralized grievance redress system enabling investors to lodge, follow up complaints, track status.
• Investor Education
  • Initiatives include Securities Market Awareness Campaign, Financial Literacy-cum-Counselling Centre for investor empowerment.

Way Forward

• Attitudinal change needed shifting focus from market conduct to prudential regulation for holistic oversight.
• Continuous monitoring, improving market intelligence to strengthen regulations and enforcement mechanisms effectively.
• Deep review and research beyond volume of funds raised as success parameter needed.
• Lateral entry to strengthen human resources drawing best talent for enhanced regulatory capacity.
• Unified financial regulator makes sense removing overlap and excluded boundaries in segmented Indian markets.

About AmazonFACE

• AmazonFACE (Free-Air CO₂ Enrichment) large-scale climate simulation project assessing tropical rainforest response.
• Designed to study how Amazon rainforest reacts to elevated CO₂ levels expected by 2050-2060.
• First experiment of its kind in tropical forests advancing climate change research significantly.

Experimental Setup

• Six steel tower rings installed around groups of 50-70 mature trees near Manaus, Brazil.
• Three rings fumigated with CO₂ concentrations matching future climate forecasts; remaining serve as controls.
• Continuous sensors record data on photosynthesis, oxygen release, water vapor exchange every 10 minutes.
• Goal: recreate “atmosphere of the future” observing ecosystem-level responses to climate change.

Key Features

• Location: near Manaus, Brazil; supported by INPA (National Institute for Amazon Research), Universidade Estadual de Campinas.
• UK government collaboration providing international scientific cooperation and expertise for research project.
• Scientific innovation: first large-scale FACE experiment in natural tropical forest extending temperate region trials.
• Real-time monitoring: tracks rain, storms, CO₂ absorption, respiration continuously for comprehensive data.
• Climate modeling application: predicts changes in forest carbon storage, biodiversity, resilience under future conditions.

Significance

• Climate adaptation insight: predicts Amazon rainforest response to rising CO₂ levels guiding global strategies.
• Scientific breakthrough: world’s first large-scale CO₂ enrichment experiment in tropical rainforest ecosystem.
• Policy relevance: provides critical data for COP30 negotiations strengthening Brazil’s climate science leadership.
• Crucial for rainforest conservation and carbon budgeting policy deliberations at international climate forums.

Nutrient Based Subsidy (NBS) Scheme

About NBS Scheme

• Nutrient Based Subsidy is centrally sponsored scheme under Department of Fertilizers providing fixed subsidy.
• Provides fixed subsidy per kg of nutrient content (N, P, K, S) in Phosphatic and Potassic (P&K) fertilizers.
• Introduced on 1st April 2010 replacing earlier product-based subsidy system for non-urea fertilizers.
• Administered by Department of Fertilizers, Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers, Government of India.

Objectives

• Make fertilizers available at reasonable prices to farmers ensuring affordability and accessibility nationwide.
• Promote balanced fertilizer use based on soil and crop requirements for sustainable agriculture.
• Encourage fertilizer industry to adopt efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and competition improving productivity.

Key Features

• Subsidy based on nutrient content: Fixed subsidy (₹/kg) for N, P, K, S nutrients.
• Freedom in MRP fixation: Companies set Maximum Retail Prices (MRPs) reasonably; government monitors prices.
• Coverage: applies to 28 grades of P&K fertilizers including Di-Ammonium Phosphate (DAP), NPKS grades.
• Special support: Government announces special packages (e.g., for DAP) beyond NBS rates stabilizing prices.
• Urea exception: remains under statutory price control; fixed MRP ₹242 per 45-kg bag since March 2018.

Significance

• Affordable fertilizers: ensures continuous supply of essential P&K fertilizers at subsidized prices to farmers.
• Nutrient balance: promotes judicious, soil-specific fertilizer use avoiding over-reliance on nitrogenous fertilizers.
• Fiscal efficiency: provides transparent, predictable subsidy disbursement to fertilizer companies enhancing accountability.

Hurricane Melissa

About Hurricane Melissa

• Hurricane Melissa is powerful tropical cyclone becoming strongest hurricane ever recorded in Jamaica’s history.
• Category 5 hurricane surpassing previous major storms like Hurricane Gilbert (1988) in intensity.
• Originated as tropical depression over eastern Caribbean; strengthened due to warm ocean waters.
• Favorable atmospheric conditions evolved into Category 5 hurricane on Saffir-Simpson scale classification.

Formation Process

• Trigger: low-pressure disturbance developed over central Caribbean Sea initiating cyclone formation.
• Intensification: warm sea surface temperatures, high humidity fueled rapid intensification into major hurricane.
• Trajectory: moved westward across Jamaica; curved northeast toward Cuba and Bahamas subsequently.
• Impact: winds up to 185 mph (295 km/h), extensive flooding, agricultural loss, infrastructure damage.
• Over 1.5 million people displaced in Jamaica causing humanitarian crisis requiring emergency response.

Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale

• 1-5 rating system classifying hurricanes based on maximum sustained wind speeds for impact assessment.
• Estimates potential property damage, impact severity; doesn’t account for rainfall or storm surge.
• Category 1 (74-95 mph): minor roof/tree damage; localized power outages few days.
• Category 2 (96-110 mph): major roof/siding damage; widespread power failures several days/weeks.
• Category 3 (111-129 mph) – Major Hurricane: devastating structural damage; electricity/water unavailable days/weeks.
• Category 4 (130-156 mph) – Major Hurricane: catastrophic damage; severe structural failures; areas uninhabitable weeks.
• Category 5 (≥157 mph) – Major Hurricane: near-total destruction; long-term power/water outages; mass displacement.