Why is it in the News?

India on Monday announced the successful testing of an Agni missile capable of carrying multiple warheads meant to hit multiple targets simultaneously.

What are Agni-5 Missiles?

• Agni is a long-range missile developed indigenously by the Defence Research and Development Organisation, DRDO.
• The family of Agni missiles has been in the arsenal of the Indian armed forces since the early 1990s.
• This latest variant of the missile is equipped with what is known as MIRV (Multiple Independently Targetable Re-entry Vehicle) technology, first developed at least five decades ago but in possession of only a handful of countries.

Salient Features of Agni-5:

• Powered by a three-stage solid-fuel engine, Agni-5 boasts a range exceeding 5,000km.
• The Agni series encompasses medium to Intercontinental variants, spanning Agni-1 to Agni-5, with ranges varying from 700 km to over 5,000 km.
• DRDO’s successful June 2021 test of Agni P, a canisterized missile, demonstrated a range capability ranging between 1,000 and 2,000 km.
• With its ability to be launched from both road and rail platforms, Agni-5 ensures ease of deployment and swift launch capabilities.

What is MIRV Technology?

• The MIRV have revolutionized the concept of ballistic missile payloads by enabling a single missile to carry multiple warheads, each capable of targeting enemies at different locations.
• The technology was first introduced in the US with the successful test of the Minuteman III in 1968, which brought the technology into actual use in the 1970.
• The Soviet Union developed their own MIRV-enabled ICBM and SLBM technology by the end of the 1970s.
• The strategic shift started by MIRV has enabled many nations to greater target damage and reduce the effectiveness of enemy missile systems, altering the landscape of global nuclear deterrence.
• The warheads on MIRVs can be launched at different speeds and in different directions.
  • Some MIRVed missiles can hit targets as far as 1,500 km apart.
• The technology requires a delicate combination of large missiles, small warheads, precise guidance, and a complex mechanism for releasing warheads sequentially during flight.

How does MIRV Work?

• The MIRV-equipped missile follows a trajectory into space similar to other ballistic missiles.
  • After the boost phase, the missile’s upper stage, known as ‘bus’, reaches suborbital spaceflight, and aligns itself based on designated targets.
• The ‘bus’ sequentially deploys multiple warheads along with decoys and countermeasures.
  • Each warhead can be assigned a different target or trajectory.
• After the deployment, the warheads re-enter the Earth’s atmosphere and proceed to their respective targets.

What are the Challenges?

• The MIRV technology enhances first-strike proficiency and complicates the calculus of mutual assured destruction.
• With the ability to deploy multiple warheads from a single missile, nations can achieve a broader spread of targets, making the defense system less effective and more costly.
• Although MIRVs were not initially made to defeat ballistic missile defenses, they are much more difficult to defend against than traditional missiles.
• Possession of MIRV technology not only exhibits a country’s nuclear prowess but plays a crucial role in shaping international security and nuclear deterrence strategies.

Why is it in the News?

Software Technology Parks of India (STPI) recently launched its 24th Center of Entrepreneurship (CoE) - "FinGlobe," dedicated to fostering innovation and growth in the financial technology sector, at STPI-Gandhinagar, GIFT City.

About Software Technology Parks of India (STPI):

• Software Technology Parks of India (STPI) was set up in 1991 as an autonomous society under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY).
• STPI’s main objective has been the promotion of software exports from the country. STPI acts as ‘single-window in providing services to the software exporters.
• The services rendered by STPI for the software exporting community have been statutory services, data communications services, incubation facilities, training and value-added services.
• STPI has played a key developmental role in the promotion of software exports with a special focus on SMEs and start-up units.

Services of STPI:

• Main services of STPI include Statutory services, Incubation and Data communication services to the IT/ITES/ESDM sector.
  • Statutory services: STPI has been implementing the Software Technology Park (STP) scheme and the Electronics Hardware Technology Park (EHTP) scheme for the promotion of the IT/ITES industry.
  • STP Scheme is a unique scheme, designed to promote the software industry and growth of start-ups and SMEs without any locational constraints.
• Incubation services: STPI is offering ultra-modern office facilities to small units and entrepreneurs.
  • Plug-n-Play facilities for start-ups enable a short gestation period.
  • This has encouraged many entrepreneurs to start their own operations and grow in a competitive environment.

Objectives of STPI:

• Promotion of software and software services development and exports, including IT Enabled Services (ITES)/Bio-IT.
• Provision of statutory and promotional services to exporters through the implementation of schemes like Software Technology Park/Electronics and Hardware Technology Park, among others.
• Offering data communication services, along with value-added services, to industries related to IT/ITES.
• Encouraging micro, small, and medium entrepreneurs by fostering an entrepreneurial environment in the IT/ITES sector.

Why is it in the News?

India, which was downgraded to the status of an “electoral autocracy” in 2018, has declined even further on multiple metrics to emerge as “one of the worst autocratizers”, according to the ‘Democracy Report 2024’ released by the Gothenburg-based V-Dem Institute that tracks democratic freedoms worldwide.

About V-Dem (Varieties of Democracy):

• The V-Dem Institute, established in 2014 by Swedish political scientist Staffan Lindberg, is a research institution dedicated to studying the various forms of democratic governance around the world.
• Headquartered at the University of Gothenburg in Sweden, V-Dem produces several high-profile datasets that assess the qualities of different governments based on hundreds of indicator variables.
• These datasets are widely used by political scientists due to their comprehensive coverage of various aspects of government and are freely available to the public.
• V-Dem's annual publications provide valuable insights into the functioning of governments worldwide, promoting transparency and understanding of democratic institutions.

About The Democracy Report:

• The Democracy Report presents a comprehensive analysis of the state of democracy worldwide, with a particular focus on the trends of democratization and autocratization.
• The report classifies countries into four distinct regime types based on their performance on the Liberal Democracy Index (LDI): Liberal Democracy, Electoral Democracy, Electoral Autocracy, and Closed Autocracy.
  • The LDI is a composite index that encompasses both liberal and electoral dimensions of democracy.
  • It is based on 71 indicators, which are grouped into the Liberal Component Index (LCI) and the Electoral Democracy Index (EDI).
  • The LCI assesses various aspects of individual and minority rights, as well as legislative constraints on the executive.
  • The EDI evaluates the extent to which elections are free and fair, considering factors such as freedom of expression and association.
• In addition to the LCI and EDI, the LDI also incorporates three other component indices:
  • The Egalitarian Component Index (measuring social group equality)
  • The Participatory Component Index (assessing the vibrancy of citizen groups and civil society organizations), and
  • The Deliberative Component Index (evaluating whether political decisions are based on public reasoning or emotional appeals, solidarity attachments, and coercion).
• The Democracy Report, along with the underlying dataset, scientific articles, and working papers, is publicly available for download on the V-Dem Institute's website.
• The website also offers interactive graphic tools to facilitate the exploration and visualization of the data.

Key Insights from the Democracy Report 2024:

• The Democracy Report 2024, a collaborative effort involving 4,200 scholars from 180 countries, draws from 31 million datasets spanning 202 countries from 1789 to 2023.

Global Trends:

• In 2023, 42 countries (home to 35% of the world’s population) experienced autocratization.
• Autocracies now encompass 71% of the world's population, up from 48% a decade ago.
• The overall level of democracy has regressed to 1985 levels for the average global citizen.
• Eastern Europe, South, and Central Asia witnessed the most significant decline in democracy.
• Freedom of expression, clean elections, and civil society engagement were the most affected aspects in autocratizing nations.

Focus on 2024 Elections:

• Of the 60 countries holding elections in 2024, 31 are experiencing democratic backsliding.

India's Situation:

• India, classified as an electoral autocracy since 2018, has further deteriorated, earning the title of "one of the worst autocratizers."
• The report notes that India's level of liberal democracy has plummeted to levels comparable to those during the 1975 emergency declared by Indira Gandhi.
• Under the V-Dem classification, a liberal democracy requires robust mechanisms for judicial independence, checks on executive power, and strong protection of civil liberties and equality under the law.
• India currently falls into the category of electoral autocracy, characterized by multiparty elections but lacking adequate freedom of expression and fair electoral processes.

Why is it in the News?

India's Department of Pharmaceuticals recently unveiled the Revamped Pharmaceuticals Technology Upgradation Assistance Scheme (RPTUAS) to help advance the technological capabilities of India's pharmaceutical industry and align it with global standards.

What is the Pharmaceuticals Technology Upgradation Assistance Scheme?

• In an effort to support pharma companies aligned with global quality standards, the Department of Pharmaceuticals (DoP) has announced a revamped Pharmaceuticals Technology Upgradation Assistance (RPTUAS) Scheme.
• It has been incorporated as a sub-scheme under the Scheme - Strengthening of Pharmaceutical Industry (SPI), which was launched in July 2022.

Objective:

• To facilitate Micro, Small and Medium Pharma Enterprises (MSME) of proven track record to upgrade their technology to meet WHO-GMP or Schedule M standards.

Intended Beneficiaries:

• Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises of the pharma sector.

Key Features of the Revised Scheme:

• Broadened Eligibility Criteria: Reflecting a more inclusive approach, eligibility for the PTUAS has been expanded beyond Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises to include any pharmaceutical manufacturing unit with a turnover of less than 500 crores that requires technology and quality upgradation.
  • Preference remains for MSMEs, supporting smaller players in achieving high-quality manufacturing standards.
• Flexible Financing Options: The scheme introduces more flexible financing options, emphasizing subsidies on reimbursement basis, over traditional credit-linked approaches.
• Comprehensive Support for Compliance with New Standards: In alignment with revised Schedule-M and WHO- Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) standards, the scheme now supports a broader range of technological upgrades.
  • Eligible activities include improvements such as HVAC systems, water and steam utilities, testing laboratories etc.
• State Government Scheme Integration: The revised scheme allows integration with state government schemes, enabling units to benefit from additional top-up assistance. This collaborative approach aims to maximize support for the pharmaceutical industry in their technology upgradation efforts.
  • The new benefit limit is based on turnover of the company. Units with less than Rs 5 crore turnover will get an incentive of 20 percent of investment under eligible activities.
• The units with turnover ranging from Rs 50 crore to less than Rs 250 crore will get an incentive of 15 percent of investment, while for those with turnover ranging from Rs 250 crore to less than Rs 500 crore, it will be 10 percent of investment under eligible expenses.

Why is it in the News?

A team of chemists from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) has designed a breakthrough method for the detection of perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS).

What are Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS)?

• Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a class of man-made chemicals that have been in use since the 1940s.
  • Due to their unique properties, such as high chemical stability and resistance to heat, grease, and water, PFAS have been widely used in various industrial and commercial applications.
  • They are commonly found in products such as stain- and water-resistant fabrics, cleaning products, paints, and fire-fighting foams.
• PFAS are often referred to as "forever chemicals" because they do not break down naturally in the environment.
  • This is due to the strong carbon-fluorine bond that characterizes these compounds, making them highly persistent and resistant to degradation.
• The widespread use of PFAS has resulted in increasing levels of environmental contamination, with PFAS being detected in air, water, and soil samples worldwide.
  • Exposure to these chemicals has been linked to a range of health risks, including decreased fertility, developmental effects in children, interference with body hormones, increased cholesterol levels, and an increased risk of certain cancers.

Due to their persistent nature and potential health risks, there is growing concern about the widespread use of PFAS and the need for improved regulation and remediation strategies to manage their environmental and health impacts.

• Environmental Persistence: Due to their strong carbon-fluorine bonds, PFAS do not break down easily in the environment.
  • They can accumulate in soil, water, and living organisms, posing a long-term risk to ecosystems and human health.
• Bioaccumulation: PFAS can accumulate in living organisms, including humans, through the food chain.
  • Even small amounts of PFAS in the environment can build up to harmful levels in animals and humans over time.
• Regulatory Action: Due to the potential health and environmental risks associated with PFAS, many countries are taking regulatory action to restrict their use and manage their environmental impacts.
  • This includes banning certain PFAS-containing products, setting drinking water standards, and requiring the clean-up of contaminated sites.