World Intellectual Property Indicators (WIPI) 2024

• India ranks among the top ten countries in the world for all three major intellectual property (IP) rights: patents, trademarks, and industrial design.

Patents

• India recorded a 15.7% increase in patent applications in 2023, making it the fastest-growing country among the top 20 countries.
• India ranks sixth in the world for patent applications with 64,480, and resident filings account for more than half of all submissions (55.2%)
• India granted 149.4% more patents in 2023 than 2022.
• India''s patent-to-GDP ratio has increased significantly over the last decade, rising from 144 to 381, indicating that intellectual property activity is expanding in line with economic growth.

Trademarks

• Trademark filings in India increased by 60% between 2018 and 2023, highlighting the country''s expanding IP landscape.
• In 2023, India ranked fourth globally in terms of trademark filings, with a 6.1% increase.

Residents filed for nearly 90% of India''s trademarks in 2023.

• In 2023, the top three sectors for trademark filings in India were health (21.9%), agriculture (15.3%), and clothing (12.8%).
•  India''s trademark office has the world''s second-largest number of active trademark registrations, with over 3.2 million in force.

Industrial design

• Between 2018 and 2023, patent and industrial design applications more than doubled, highlighting the country''s increasing focus on intellectual property and innovation.
• Textiles and Accessories, Tools and Machines, and Health and Cosmetics were the top three contributors to India''s industrial design filings, accounting for nearly half of all filings.   
• In 2023, a record 3.55 million patent applications were filed globally, which is a 2.7% increase from 2022. Residents in China, the US, Japan, South Korea, and India were the main contributors to the increase.

COMPOUNDED DRUGS

• The Novo Nordisk, a company that makes popular diabetes and weight-loss drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy, is asking the FDA to stop compounding pharmacies from making copycat versions of its drug ingredient, semaglutide.
• Novo says semaglutide is too complex for these pharmacies to safely copy, and it wants to protect patients by ensuring they only get the original, FDA-approved versions.
• Compounding pharmacies create medications when there''s a shortage, and many Americans have turned to them for cheaper versions of Novo''s and Eli Lilly''s drugs, especially since shortages began in 2022. However, the compounding industry argues that Novo is mainly trying to protect its profits, especially since it waited a long time to raise these safety concerns.

What Are Compounded Drugs?

• Compounded drugs are specially prepared medications created by pharmacists based on a doctor''s prescription to meet an individual’s specific needs. This is common when a patient requires a particular dose, form (like a liquid instead of a pill) or ingredient adjustments.
• Compounding is useful for patients who may have allergies to certain ingredients in commercial drugs or require unique dosages that aren''t available in pre-made medications.
• In India, compounded medications are typically found in hospitals or pharmacies with specialized capabilities.
• Though not as widely regulated as manufactured drugs, compounded drugs must still meet quality standards under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940. However, ensuring quality in compounded drugs is a growing concern due to limited oversight.
• If a child can’t swallow pills a pharmacist might make a liquid version of the drug.

What Are Generic Drugs?

• Generic drugs are medications that have the same active ingredients, strength, and dosage form as brand-name drugs but they are produced and sold under their chemical name once the brand’s patent expires. They provide the same therapeutic benefits but usually cost less.
• Generic drugs are widely prescribed for chronic conditions like hypertension and diabetes where long-term medication adherence is critical. They offer an affordable alternative to brand-name drugs.
• India is a global leader in the production of generic drugs supplying nearly 20% of the world’s generics. The government has actively promoted generics to improve healthcare affordability.
• Programs like the Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya JanaushadhiPariyojana aim to provide quality generics at lower costs to the public​.
• Paracetamol is a generic drug which can be found under brand names like Crocin or Calpol.

DOMESTIC SYSTEMICALLY IMPORTANT BANKS (D-SIBS)

• The The Reserve Bank of India has released its latest list of Domestic Systemically Important Banks (D-SIBs), which includes SBI, HDFC Bank, and ICICI Bank. 

Domestic Systemically Important Banks (D-SIBs)

• D-SIBs are banks that are considered critical to the financial and economic stability of the country. Their failure may result in significant disruption in the banking system and the national economy, therefore they are classified as "Too Big To Fail" (TBTF).
• The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has designated the State Bank of India (SBI), HDFC Bank, and ICICI Bank as Domestic Systemically Important Banks. 
• The RBI issued a framework for dealing with D-SIBs in July 2014. Since 2015, the RBI has published the names of banks classified as D-SIBs each year.

How are D-SIBs selected by the RBI?

• A limited number of banks is selected based on their size, with banks with assets over 2% of the country''s GDP.
• The systemic importance of these banks is measured using a number of indicators, and banks that go above a certain level are designated as D-SIBs. These banks are then placed into buckets, each with a different capital charge requirement.

Why D-SIBs category been created?

• D-SIBs are established to address the systemic risk associated with banks that are too big or interconnected, and their failure could disrupt important banking services and affect the entire economy. To reduce risks, these banks are subject to additional policy measures.
• D-SIBs are classified into various buckets based on their systemic importance score. The Reserve Bank has assigned SBI to bucket 4, HDFC Bank to bucket 3, and ICICI Bank to bucket 1.

What are the capital requirements for D-SIBs?

• D-SIBs have to maintain additional capital based on their systemic importance bucket. SBI''s additional common equity tier 1 (CET1) requirement is 0.80%, HDFC Bank''s is 0.40%, and ICICI Bank''s is 0.20% of risk-weighted assets.

Global Systemically Important Banks (G-SIBs)

• The Financial Stability Board (FSB) identifies G-SIBs as globally significant banks based on their size, cross-jurisdictional activities, and interconnectedness. 
• The 2023 list included 29 G-SIBs, including major banks such as JP Morgan Chase, Bank of America, Citigroup, HSBC, and Agricultural Bank of China. India does not have any GSIBs.

DRDO successfully test-fires guided Pinaka weapon system

• Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has successfully completed the flight-tests of Guided Pinaka Weapon System as part of Provisional Staff Qualitative Requirements (PSQR) validation trials.

• During these tests, the PSQR parameters, that is, ranging, accuracy, consistency and rate of fire for multiple target engagement in a salvo mode have been assessed by extensive testing of rockets.

• The flight-tests have been conducted in three phases at different field firing ranges.

• As many as 12 rockets from each production agency from two in-service Pinaka launchers upgraded by the launcher production agencies have been tested.

• The precision strike variant for Pinaka Multiple Launch Rocket System is a totally indigenous weapon system designed and developed by Armament Research and Development Establishment in association with Research Centre Imarat, Defence Research and Development Laboratory, High Energy Materials Research Laboratory and Proof & Experimental Establishment with Munitions India Limited and Economic Explosives Limited as production agencies for ammunition and Tata Advanced Systems Limited and Larsen & Toubro for Pinaka launcher and Battery Command Post.

 Variants of Pinaka:

Pinaka Mk-I:

• Range: 38 km.

• Capabilities: Offers a range of warhead options for different operational needs.

Pinaka Mk-II:

• Range: 60 km.

• Upgrades: Enhanced accuracy and destructive power for longer-range engagements.

Extended Range Pinaka:

• Range: Up to 75 km.

• Applications: Targets deeper into enemy territory with high precision.

Govt celebrates 150th birth anniversary of tribal icon Birsa Munda

• President Droupadi Murmu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and leaders across political parties paid tributes to tribal icon Birsa Munda on his 150th birth anniversary on November 15, which is celebrated as ‘Janjatiya Gaurav Divas’.
• President Murmu, Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar and Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla offered floral tributes at the statue of Birsa Munda at the Prerna Sthal in Parliament complex. 
• Murmu emphasised Birsa Munda’s pivotal role in India’s freedom struggle and urged the nation to draw inspiration from his legacy.
• PM Modi said Birsa Munda sacrificed everything to protect the honour and glory of the motherland.

Who was Birsa Munda?

• Born on November 15, 1875 as part of the Munda tribe, Birsa Munda played a crucial role in the liberation of his community who were exposed to the atrocities of the British. 
• The Mundas inhabited fertile lands in the Chotanagpur region which were used for cultivation. To take their land, the British connived with the local zamindars and tried to force them into bonded labour.
• In 1895, the locals turned to Birsa Munda, who is also known as ‘Dharti Abba’ (Father of the Earth) for help.
• He successfully rallied people across the region to take on the British Empire which led to his arrest. However, the two years of imprisonment only made him more determined. 
• In 1899, Birsa Munda led a revolt called ‘Ulgulan’ (Great Tumult). A series of attacks were unleashed on the British using guerrilla warfare tactics.
• However, the rebellion did not last long. The British attacked the tribal leaders and captured Birsa Munda. 
• Birsa Munda died on June 9, 1900 at the age of 25.

Janjatiya Gaurav Divas

• Since 2021, Janjatiya Gaurav Divas has been celebrated with great zeal across India to honour the sacrifices of tribal freedom fighters. 
• The tribal communities played a vital role in India’s freedom struggle, with movements like those led by the Santhals, Tamars, Kols, Bhils, Khasis, and Mizos, among others. 
• Tribal movements against British rule, like the Ulgulan led by Birsa Munda, were not only pivotal in challenging British oppression but also inspired a national awakening.

 To ensure the sacrifices of these unsung heroes are never forgotten, the Indian government declared November 15 as Janjatiya Gaurav Divas. 

• The day celebrates the glorious history, culture, and heritage of tribal communities, with events held nationwide to foster unity, pride, and recognition of their significant contributions to India’s freedom and progress.

 Govt launches ‘Operation Dronagiri’

• The Department of Science and Technology (DST) launched ‘Operation Dronagiri’ on November 14.
• It is a pilot project under National Geospatial Policy, 2022 to demonstrate the potential applications of geospatial technologies and innovations in improving the quality of life of citizens and ease of doing business.

What is geospatial technology?

• Geospatial technology makes use of satellite navigation systems and computer databases to create, capture, store and retrieve geographic and spatial information of any place. It enables efficient, effective, relevant and integrated planning through the use of real time data and data analytics. 
• Geospatial technology has applications in almost every domain of the economy ranging from agriculture to industries, development of urban or rural infrastructure, administration of land, economic activities of banking and finance, resources, mining, water, disaster management, social planning, delivery services, etc. 
• Geospatial data is now widely accepted as a critical national infrastructure and information resource with proven societal, economic and environmental value that enables government systems and services, and sustainable national development initiatives.

Operation Dronagiri

• ‘Operation Dronagiri’ is part of the numerous efforts of DST in liberalising geospatial data, developing geospatial infrastructure, geospatial skill and knowledge as well as standards in implementing the policy.
• The activities under Operation Dronagiri will be overseen by IIT Tirupati Navavishkar I-Hub Foundation (IITTNiF). The Geospatial Innovation Accelerators (GIAs) at IIT Kanpur, IIT Bombay, IIM Calcutta and IIT Ropar will act as the operational arms of Operation Dronagiri. 
• The entire implementation process will be driven by Geospatial Innovation Cell, Department of Science and Technology.
• In the first phase, Operation Dronagiri will be implemented in the states of Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Assam, Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra, where pilot projects will be run and use cases will be demonstrated to showcase the potential applications of integration of geospatial data and technology in three sectors — agriculture, livelihoods, and logistics and transport. 
• Several government departments, industry, corporate and startups will be partnered with in the first phase. This will create the base for its nationwide rollout.

Geospatial Data Sharing Interface (GDI)

• Operation Dronagiri gains a powerful backbone with support from Integrated Geospatial Data Sharing Interface (GDI), that will make spatial data accessible, bringing transformation similar to the process in which Unified Payments Interface (UPI) has brought about financial inclusion.
• The Integrated Geospatial Data Sharing Interface (GDI) enables seamless data sharing, access, and analysis for urban planning, environmental monitoring, disaster management, and more. 
• Built with advanced data exchange protocols and privacy-preserving features, it empowers organisations to make data-driven decisions for the public good, fostering innovation and responsible use of geospatial data.
• GDI offers tools to unlock actionable insights and drive collaboration. It enables efficient data processing, analysis, and sharing among stakeholders. 
• This collaboration ensures faster, more coordinated responses in areas like infrastructure monitoring, disaster relief, and environmental protection.
• Operation Dronagiri represents a crucial step within the National Geospatial Policy, designed to position India as a global leader in geospatial technology. 

National Geospatial Policy, 2022

• The government of India notified the National Geospatial Policy (NGP) on December 22, 2022 with a vision to make India a world leader in global geospatial space.
• The government is implementing the Policy, and has substantially expanded the access and usage of spatial data, improving citizens services rapidly and increasing it’s reach to the remotest corners of the country.
• It is a citizen-centric policy that seeks to strengthen the geospatial sector to support national development, economic prosperity and a thriving information economy. 
• The Policy builds on a conducive environment generated by the “Guidelines for acquiring and producing Geospatial Data and Geospatial Data Services including Maps” in February 2021, issued by Department of Science and Technology (DST).
• While the guidelines deregulated the geospatial sector by liberalising geospatial data acquisition/production/access, the Policy takes it further by laying down an overarching framework for holistic development of the geospatial ecosystem. 
• It spells out the vision, goals for the geospatial sector and outlines the strategies for achieving them. 

 It seeks to develop geospatial infrastructures, geospatial skill and knowledge, standards, geospatial businesses, promote innovation and strengthen the national and sub-national arrangements for generation and management of geospatial information. 

• The Policy puts a core focus on innovation, as it aims to create a robust innovation ecosystem in the country.
• The geospatial data acquisition/production/access will continue to be governed by the guidelines in its present form or as stipulated by DST from time to time with an aim to promote private sector participation through continued enhancements of Ease of Doing Business in the sector.
• The citizen-centric Policy is also empowering local companies to generate and utilise their own geospatial data, enabling innovations and promoting technology innovation and adoption by establishing incubation centers, industry accelerators as well as Geospatial Technology Parks.

INDIA’S Agricultural Exports

• The value of Indian agricultural exports reached $53.1 billion in 2022-2023, a sixfold increase in less than two decades. Exports are important because they increase revenue, foreign exchange, and transactional options. However, the rapid increase in exports raises questions about the long-term viability of production, processing, and distribution networks.

Agriculture Sector  

• India registered an agriculture growth rate of 3.5% in 2022-23.
• West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Gujarat, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, Assam, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, and Chhattisgarh are India''s largest crop-producing states.
• India''s tea production for 2022-23 was 1,374.9 million tonnes.
• Uttar Pradesh is the largest producer of sugarcane in India, accounting for around 48%  of total production. Maharashtra is 2nd-largest sugarcane producer, with 23% of total production, and Karnataka comes in third with 9%.

Export Trend

• According to the World Trade Organization''s Trade Statistical Review 2023, India accounted for 2.4% of global agricultural exports in 2022. India accounted for 1.9% of global agricultural imports in 2022.
• India''s major agricultural exports include rice, wheat, sugar, spices, and cotton.
• Rice accounted for more than 20% of India''s total agricultural exports in  2022–23.
• India exported marine products of value $8.07 billion in 2022-23.

Government Initiatives

• Agriculture Export Policy (AEP)  2018
• The Indian government has implemented a comprehensive Agriculture Export Policy (AEP) to boost agricultural product exports. 
• It aims to diversify export baskets and destinations, increase high value-added agricultural exports, promote indigenous, organic, traditional, and non-traditional Agri product exports, provide an institutional mechanism for pursuing market access, and enable farmers to benefit from export opportunities in overseas markets.
• Financial Assistance Scheme (FAS)
• FAS is an export promotion scheme operated by the Agriculture and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA). It aims to help businesses develop export infrastructure, quality, and market opportunities. 
• Financial assistance under the scheme will range between Rs. 5 lakh and Rs. 5 crore.

Tea Sector

• India is the world''s fourth-largest tea exporter and second-largest producer, accounting for 10% of global exports.
• The total value of Indian tea exports from 2022 to 2023 was $793.78 million. Domestic consumption accounts for 80% of total production. 
• The top export destinations for Indian tea are the United Arab Emirates, Russia, Iran, the United States, and the United Kingdom.

Tea cultivation

• Tea is a tropical and subtropical plant that grows in moderately hot and humid climates.
• It requires 150-300 cm of annual rainfall, which should be evenly distributed throughout the year.
• The ideal temperature for its growth is 20°-30°C, while temperatures above 35°C and below 10°C are harmful to the bush.
• The ideal soil for tea cultivation is slightly acidic (no calcium) with a porous subsoil that allows water to percolate freely.
• The major tea-producing states in India are Assam, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Kerala.

Challenges faced 

• About 70% of tea plantations are located on the edge of forests and serve as migratory routes for elephants, resulting in regular encounters with humans as well as property damage.
• Synthetic pesticides account for up to 85% of all pesticide use in tea plantations. This dependency on pesticides increases the chemical residue in the final product. Researchers have already found an increase in the levels of DDT, Endosulfan 35 EC, Dicofol 18.5 EC, and Cypermethrin 10 EC in tea. 
• Exposure to these substances has been linked to cancer, diabetes, impaired neurodevelopment in children, and neurotoxicity.
• More than half of the tea plantation workers are women, and they often get inadequate compensation. The working conditions are also hazardous, and workers often have no protective equipment. Despite regulations under the Plantations Labour Act 1951 (amended in 2010 to improve worker safety), safety standards are rarely fully enforced. 

Sugar Sector

• India is the world''s second-largest sugar producer, producing 34 million metric tonnes, or about a fifth of total global production. 
• The Directorate General of Commercial Intelligence and Statistics reported that the country exported sugar to 121 countries. Sugarcane cultivation supports the livelihoods of about 50 million Indian farmers. An additional half million people rely on sugar and related factories. 
• According to the NITI Aayog, the industry has an annual turnover of Rs 1 lakh crore.

Sugar Cultivation

• Sugarcane is grown as a Kharif crop. It requires a hot, humid climate with an average temperature of 21°C to 27°C.
• Rainfall between 75 and 150 cm is ideal for sugar cane cultivation.
• Sugarcane grows best in deep, rich loamy soil. The soil should be high in nitrogen, calcium, and phosphorus, but it should not be too acidic or alkaline.
• South India''s tropical climate allows for higher sucrose content, leading to a higher yield per unit area than north India.
• The sugar industry is broadly divided into two major production areas: Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Haryana, and Punjab in the north, and Maharashtra, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and Andhra Pradesh in the south.

Challenges faced 

• Despite the economic value of exports and the industry''s significant rural employment, it has significant negative environmental consequences, mostly in terms of water resource management.
• Sugarcane cultivation is highly water-intensive. On average, 1 kg of sugar requires 1,500–2,000 kg of water. Sugarcane and paddy account for around 25% of India''s gross cropped area and consume 60% of the country''s total irrigation water, reducing availability for other crops and also stressing groundwater resources.
• The natural ecosystems, such as grasslands and savannahs have also been converted into sugarcane plantations, which resulted in biodiversity loss and has increased the pressure on water resources. This highlights the importance of sustainable water use and alternate cropping patterns.  

Way Forward

• Agriculture accounts for 80% of surface water in India. Water-intensive crops such as paddy, cotton, and sugarcane add additional pressure on groundwater resources.
• The Sustainable Agriculture Programme should be adopted to address water scarcity and depleted groundwater reserves by involving farmers and implementing sustainable agriculture practices to reduce and optimize the water footprint of water-intensive crops.
• Need to implement sustainable agriculture and water management practices for crops that have a high environmental impact. Utilizing innovative technologies to reduce the water, land, and carbon footprint of agricultural systems.
• The government should Promote environmentally friendly agricultural systems, such as organic and regenerative. There is a need to develop and implement sustainability standards for specific crops to improve farmers'' market access. 

Moon''s far side once used to vibrate with erupting volcanoes

• The New research has confirmed that volcanoes were erupting on the mysterious far side of the moon billions of years ago, mirroring the volcanic activity on the side visible from Earth.
• This groundbreaking discovery comes from the analysis of lunar soil samples brought back by China''s Chang''e-6 mission, the first to return with rocks and dirt from the little-explored far side of the moon.
• Two independent research teams examined the samples and found fragments of volcanic rock dating back approximately 2.8 billion years. Even more remarkably, one piece of rock was dated to 4.2 billion years ago, providing evidence of extremely ancient volcanic activity on the lunar far side.
• While scientists have long known about active volcanoes on the near side of the moon dating back to a similar time frame, the far side''s volcanic history has remained largely a mystery
• Previous studies, including data from NASA''s Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter, had hinted at the possibility of volcanic activity on the far side, but these new samples provide the first concrete evidence.
• The confirmation of volcanic activity on both sides of the moon during similar periods suggests a more complex and dynamic lunar history than previously thought. It raises intriguing questions about the moon''s formation, internal structure, and thermal evolution.
• These results mark a significant milestone in our understanding of lunar geology.
• They not only fill a crucial gap in our knowledge of the moon''s far side but also pave the way for future research into the differences and similarities between the near and far sides of Earth''s celestial companion.
• As scientists continue to analyze these rare samples, we can expect further insights into the moon''s volcanic past and its implications for our understanding of planetary formation and evolution in the solar system.
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