Content:
- Two to tango
- Ends without means
- Deepening India’s steps as a key space-faring nation
Two To Tango
Background :
India-Bangladesh ties have deteriorated significantly, straining what was once considered a model bilateral relationship.
Relevance: GS 2 (International Relations)
Practice Question:Analyze the reasons for the strained relationship between India and Bangladesh.Suggest measures to strengthen the partnership .(250 Words)
Foreign Secretary’s Visit:
- Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri’s visit to Dhaka aimed at outreach with the interim government led by Professor Muhammad Yunus.
- Emphasis on India’s willingness to collaborate closely with Bangladesh’s interim government.
Concerns from Both Sides:
India’s Concerns:
- Attacks on minorities in Bangladesh.
- Protests in Bangladesh targeting Indian missions and properties.
Bangladesh’s Concerns:
- Alleged Indian interference in its domestic affairs.
- Bangladesh’s dissatisfaction with Ms. Hasina’s prolonged stay in India and her perceived immunity from trial.
Tensions and Diplomatic Incidents:
- Protests in India over Bangladesh’s arrest of a Hindu monk for sedition escalated bilateral tensions.
- Retaliatory protests in Dhaka against Indian properties and missions worsened the situation.
Statements During the Visit:
- Professor Yunus described bilateral relations as “solid” but acknowledged tensions created by Ms. Hasina’s remarks.
Key Issues Addressed:
- Border management.
- Trade and connectivity.
- Water and energy cooperation.
Development collaboration.
- Cultural and people-to-people ties.
India’s Strategy Moving Forward:
- Need to balance concerns about attacks on minorities with efforts to restore Bangladesh’s democratic and inclusive processes.
- Recognizing and adapting to the new political realities in Bangladesh after the violent ouster of India-friendly leadership.
Regional Dynamics:
- Recent political changes in Nepal, Sri Lanka, and the Maldives pose challenges for India’s regional diplomacy.
- Stability in Bangladesh is crucial for India’s broader strategic interests in the region.
Ends Without Means
Background: The Draft UGC Regulations, 2024, aim to modernize India’s higher education with hybrid learning, skill-based education, and academic mobility.
Relevance: GS 2 (Governance)
Practice Question: Critically analyze proposed UGC reforms benefits and the challenges in their implementation.(150 Words)
Proposed Reforms:
- Bi-annual admissions to UG and PG courses.
- Flexibility for students to pursue any discipline after passing a relevant national qualifying exam.
- Options for extending or accelerating courses and pursuing multiple degrees simultaneously.
- Autonomy for institutions to set attendance requirements.
Alignment with NEP 2020:
- Focus on hybrid learning and skill-based education.
- Implementation of the National Credit Framework for academic flexibility.
Merits of the Reforms:
- Removes rigidity in the higher education system.
- Aims to meet global education standards.
- Introduces groundbreaking flexibility like the academic bank of credits.
Challenges in Implementation:
Resource Constraints:
- Insufficient faculty and underfunded institutions.
- Lack of adequately trained or motivated teachers.
Regulatory Issues:
- Weak governance in affiliated colleges, where most students study.
- Resistance from traditional academic structures to reforms like credit banks.
Concurrent List Complications:
- States’ initial compliance with reforms is often followed by backtracking.
Administrative Hurdles:
- Inertia in academic bodies and procedures.
Budgetary Concerns:
- The 2024 Budget reduced funding for higher education by 15% compared to last year’s revised estimates.
- Lack of sufficient investment undermines the feasibility of implementing these ambitious reforms.
Deepening India’s Steps as a Key Space-Faring Nation
Context : ISRO has set Ambitious Goals for the Next Two Decades
Relevance : GS 3( Space )
Practice Question: Evaluate the role of the Next Generation Launch Vehicle (NGLV) in advancing India’s space programme. Highlight how private sector can be utilised in overcoming challenges .(250 Words )
- Development of Next Generation Launch Vehicle (NGLV) for heavy lift and reusability.
- Expansion of human-spaceflight capabilities:
- Gaganyaan mission to send Indian crew to space.
- Plans for a space station by the next decade.
- Human missions to the moon.
ISRO’s Road Map:
- Conduct multiple uncrewed lunar missions.
- Master human-centric technologies for space travel.
- Develop rockets capable of carrying heavy payloads efficiently and cost-effectively.
NGLV: A Game-Changer:
- Triples the payload capacity of LVM3.
- Partially reusable, offering significant cost savings.
Advantages:
- Heavy lift rockets reduce weight constraints for space missions.
- Reusability ensures competitiveness and cost efficiency.
- Challenges: Reduced payload capacity due to fuel requirements for reusability.
Current Gaps in Heavy Lift Capability:
- India is already facing the need for heavy lift rockets
- Next uncrewed lunar mission requires two LVM3s to assemble modules in space.
- GSAT-N2 satellite (4,700 kg) launched on SpaceX Falcon 9 due to LVM3’s 4,000 kg limit.
- SpaceX’s Falcon 9 and Starship far exceed India’s payload capacities.
Private Sector Role:
Leverage Indian Industry:
- Contracts to private players for reusable heavy-lift rocket development.
- Encourage foreign collaborations for expertise and technology transfer.
Funding Mechanism:
- Milestone-based funding to ensure accountability and reduce costs.
Potential Outcomes:
- Redundancy and higher launch frequency with multiple NGLV-like rockets.
- Innovation and technical capacity building in the private sector.
Strategic Autonomy and Resilient Space Ecosystem:
- Space ambitions require a robust supply of launch services.
- Foster a specialised industrial base to support India’s growing needs in space transportation.