UPSC: NPPA, Venture Capital Fund, Indian Skimmer, and More

Table of Contents

UPSC GS 2

National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority of India (NPPA)

News: Recently, the NPPA raised the ceiling prices of eight drugs, including treatments for asthma, tuberculosis, bipolar disorder, and glaucoma, by 50%.
Introduction:
- - The National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) was established by the Government of India in 1997.
  - It serves as a regulatory agency responsible for overseeing and controlling the prices of pharmaceutical products in the country.
Affiliation:
- - NPPA operates under the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers.
  - It plays a pivotal role in ensuring essential drugs remain affordable and accessible for public health needs.
Key Objectives:
- - Regulating Prices: To control the prices of essential medicines, ensuring that they are reasonably priced and accessible to consumers.
  - Ensuring Availability: To monitor drug supplies and prevent shortages of critical medications by maintaining fair pricing.
  - Promoting Public Health: To support healthcare initiatives by safeguarding the affordability of life-saving drugs essential for the wellbeing of citizens.
Regulatory Framework:
- - NPPA operates under the Drug Price Control Order (DPCO), which functions within the scope of the Essential Commodities Act.
  - Key provisions under the DPCO include:
  - Ceiling Prices: Fixing maximum permissible prices for essential drugs listed under scheduled formulations.
  - Price Adjustments: Revising prices periodically, based on changes in the Wholesale Price Index (WPI).
  - Extraordinary Circumstances: Under Para 19 of the DPCO, the government can adjust prices beyond the WPI-based annual revision if faced with exceptional situations.
Functions of NPPA:
- - Monitoring Drug Prices: Regularly reviewing pharmaceutical product prices across the market to detect unjustified increases.
  - Fixing Prices: Setting upper price limits for scheduled drugs to prevent overpricing by manufacturers or distributors.
  - Handling Price Applications: Evaluating applications from pharmaceutical companies seeking price modifications due to rising costs or market challenges.
  - Enforcing Compliance: Ensuring adherence to pricing norms and taking corrective actions against violations, including recovering overcharged amounts from offenders.
NPPA’s Role and Mechanism:
- - NPPA exercises regulatory control over drug prices following the provisions of the DPCO under the Essential Commodities Act.
  - Price revisions are based on discussions and recommendations, such as those from the recent NPPA meeting on October 8, 2023.
  - In exceptional circumstances, NPPA can invoke Para 19 of the DPCO to adjust prices, ensuring essential drugs remain available despite adverse conditions.

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Singapore India Maritime Bilateral Exercise (SIMBEX)

News: The 31st edition of the Singapore India Maritime Bilateral Exercise (SIMBEX) is scheduled from 23 to 29 Oct 2024, in the Eastern Naval Command at Visakhapatnam.
Overview:
- - The 31st edition of the Singapore India Maritime Bilateral Exercise (SIMBEX) marks a long-standing collaboration between the Indian Navy and the Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN).
  - Originally known as Exercise Lion King, it began in 1994 and has grown into a key bilateral maritime initiative.
Schedule and Venue: SIMBEX 2024 is taking place from October 23 to 29, 2024, at the Eastern Naval Command in Visakhapatnam, India.
Participating Forces:
- - Indian Navy
  - Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN)
Significance:
- - Over the years, SIMBEX has become a vital maritime collaboration, fostering deeper military ties between India and Singapore.
  - It serves as a platform for both navies to enhance cooperation, training, and interoperability.
Structure of the Exercise: Harbour Phase (October 23-25): Includes several collaborative activities to strengthen relationships and prepare for the sea phase. Key activities are:
- - Subject Matter Expert Exchanges (SMEEs) to share knowledge and expertise.
  - Cross-deck Visits for personnel to interact and familiarize themselves with each other’s vessels.
  - Sports Fixtures to build camaraderie between participants.
  - Pre-sail Briefings to align both navies on operational plans and objectives.
Sea Phase (October 28-29): Focuses on operational drills to improve maritime proficiency. Key activities include:
- - Advanced Naval Drills and Live Weapon Firings to enhance combat readiness.
  - Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) Training to develop underwater combat capabilities.
  - Anti-Surface and Anti-Air Operations to test defense against surface and aerial threats.
  - Seamanship Evolutions and Tactical Manoeuvres to enhance operational coordination.
Objectives:
- - The exercise aims to bolster the strategic partnership between India and Singapore through joint maritime activities.
  - It focuses on improving operational synergy and coordination between the two navies, ensuring smoother joint operations in real-world scenarios.
  - Promotes cooperation in addressing shared maritime challenges, including security threats and regional stability.

Gram Panchayat-Level Weather Forecasting

News: Panchayati Raj Minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh and MoS Dr Jitendra Singh launched the Gram Panchayat-Level Weather Forecasting initiative.
Overview: Launched through a collaboration between the Ministry of Panchayati Raj (MoPR) and the India Meteorological Department (IMD), Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES), this initiative aims to empower rural communities and improve disaster preparedness.
Purpose: It provides five-day forecasts and hourly updates to help farmers and villagers plan agricultural activities and manage weather risks effectively.
Delivery Channels: Weather information is accessible via e-GramSwaraj, the Meri Panchayat app, and the Gram Manchitra portal, offering real-time data at the Gram Panchayat level.
Weather Data Provided: Users receive details on temperature, rainfall, wind speed, cloud cover, and humidity, along with forecasts for the next five days.
Significance: The initiative aims to strengthen local governance, promote sustainable farming, and boost climate resilience among rural communities.

UPSC GS 3

Venture Capital Fund

News: The Union Cabinet has approved setting up of Rs.1000 crore Venture Capital Fund dedicated to the space sector, under the aegis of IN-SPACe.
IN-SPACe and Space Sector Reforms: IN-SPACe (Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Center) was introduced as part of India’s 2020 space sector reforms to encourage private sector involvement in space activities.
Overview of the Rs. 1,000 Crore Venture Capital Fund:
- - The fund aims to foster the expansion of India’s space economy, which is currently valued at $8.4 billion and is projected to grow to $44 billion by 2033.
  - It focuses on providing essential risk capital in the high-tech space sector, where conventional financial institutions are often reluctant to invest.
  - Around 40 startups are expected to benefit from this initiative.
Structure and Purpose:
- - Backed by the government, this fund is designed to boost investor confidence and accelerate space reforms.
  - The fund will function as an Alternative Investment Fund (AIF) under SEBI’s regulatory framework, focusing on early-stage equity investments in space startups.
  - Its deployment will span five years, with annual investments estimated between Rs. 150 crore to Rs. 250 crore, depending on market conditions and available opportunities.
Expected Benefits:
- - Multiplier Effect: The fund is expected to attract further investments from private investors in subsequent development stages.
  - Retention of Domestic Companies: It aims to curb the migration of Indian space startups and companies to other countries by providing local financial support.
  - Expansion of the Space Economy: With targeted investments, India’s space economy is expected to grow fivefold within the next decade.
  - Technological Advancements: Private sector involvement will drive innovation, reinforcing India’s leadership in advanced space technologies.
  - Global Competitiveness: Strengthening India’s position as a competitive player in the global space industry.
  - Contribution to Atmanirbhar Bharat: Supporting India’s mission of self-reliance by fostering indigenous innovation and entrepreneurship.
Employment Generation Potential:
- - Comprehensive Job Creation: Jobs will be generated across the space industry’s entire supply chain, including upstream, midstream, and downstream activities.
  - Direct Employment Opportunities: Investments could lead to hundreds of new positions in areas like engineering, software development, data analytics, and manufacturing.
  - Indirect Employment Impact: Thousands of indirect jobs may be created in logistics, supply chain management, and professional services.
  - Skilled Workforce Development: By nurturing startups, the fund will also help cultivate a highly skilled workforce, driving long-term innovation in the space sector.

Asiatic Golden Cat

News: Wildlife experts have reconfirmed the existence of Asiatic golden cat, a rare medium-sized felid, in Assam’s Manas National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Definition: A medium-sized wild cat, the Asiatic Golden Cat has long legs relative to its body size. It is also called the “fire cat” in Thailand and Burma. Also known as the “rock cat” in certain parts of China.
Appearance: Their fur color varies widely, ranging from cinnamon to shades of brown, and also includes gray and black (melanistic) variations.
Behavior:
- - Solitary and territorial in nature, the Asiatic Golden Cat usually avoids social interactions.
  - While previously thought to be nocturnal, studies using radio-tracking have revealed that they are primarily diurnal and crepuscular (active during dawn and dusk).
  - They follow a polygynous mating system, where males mate with multiple females, and there is no fixed breeding season.

Habitat: They inhabit a wide range of environments, including:
- - Dry deciduous forests
  - Subtropical evergreen forests
  - Tropical rainforests
  - Temperate and sub-alpine forests
  - They have been recorded at elevations ranging from sea level (0 m) to 3,738 m.
Geographical Distribution: The Asiatic Golden Cat is distributed across Southeast Asia, from Nepal and Tibet to Southern China, India, and Sumatra.
Conservation Status:
- - IUCN Red List: Near Threatened
  - CITES: Listed in Appendix I, indicating that trade is strictly regulated.
  - Wildlife (Protection) Act of India, 1972: Schedule I, providing the highest level of protection under Indian law.
Threats to Survival:
- - Habitat destruction driven by deforestation threatens their natural habitats.
  - A declining population of ungulate prey also poses challenges to their survival.
  - Illegal wildlife trade remains a significant threat, further endangering the species.

Pink Cocaine

News: Pink cocaine is seeing wide discussion after 31-year-old pop star Liam Payne fell to his death from a third-floor hotel balcony in Argentina.
Overview: Pink cocaine is a drug cocktail that typically does not contain actual cocaine. Its pink color comes from food coloring, and it usually combines both stimulants and depressants.

Composition: Common components include methamphetamine, ketamine, MDMA, benzodiazepines, crack cocaine, and caffeine. It is sold under street names like tusi, tuci, cocaina rosada, and pink powder.
Health Effects: It can cause hallucinations, breathing difficulties, heart attacks, high blood pressure, strokes, addiction, anxiety, depression, and behavioral changes, with severe cases leading to psychosis.
Risks: The unpredictable contents increase the danger, with some batches being contaminated with fentanyl, a potent opioid driving overdose deaths.

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Indian Skimmer

News: At Lower Manair Dam, around 150 to 200 rare Indian Skimmer birds were spotted, marking a first for Telangana.
Taxonomy and Scientific Name: The Indian Skimmer (Rynchops albicollis) is one of three species within the Rynchops genus, part of the Laridae family.
Distribution:
- - Native to South Asia, it primarily inhabits regions across India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, and extends to Nepal and Myanmar.
  - A significant population is found along the Chambal River in northern India.
  - The global population is estimated to range between 2,450 and 2,900 mature individuals.

Habitat:
- - Indian Skimmers prefer sandy, lowland rivers, lakes, and surrounding marshlands.
  - During the non-breeding season, they also inhabit estuaries and coastal areas.
Physical Features:
- - This bird measures 40-43 cm in length and has a striking color contrast, with a black upper body and a white underbelly.
  - Its most distinct feature is the bright orange beak, where the lower mandible is longer than the upper, allowing it to skim the water’s surface while hunting.
  - The wings are long and angular, facilitating fast and accurate flight.
Feeding Behavior:
- - The bird gets its name from its unique feeding technique, “skimming” over water surfaces to catch small fish and aquatic animals.
IUCN Red List: Endangered.