17 October 2023

• India's 2036 Olympic bid: India formally announced its intent to bid for the 2036 Olympics and the 2029 Youth Olympics in October 2023. IOC follows a 7-11 year host selection window.
• Water crisis in Indian agriculture: India has 18 per cent of the world's population but only 4 per cent of freshwater resources; 78-90 per cent of water is used in agriculture.
• Global Maritime India Summit 2023: scheduled for late October; PIB highlighted India's coast guard training ship and maritime sector growth.
• Angel Tax resolution: DPIIT-recognised startups received exemption from angel tax under Finance Act 2023 amendments.

GS area: Sports, Governance

India formally expressed its candidacy to host the 2036 Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games.

• IOC host selection process: the IOC's "Future Host Commission" begins a continuous dialogue with interested National Olympic Committees. Final selection happens 7-11 years before the Games.
• India's 51st position: modern Olympic history has seen 51 different host cities. All summer hosts from Asia have been in East or Southeast Asia (Tokyo 1964, 2020; Seoul 1988; Beijing 2008; no South Asian city has ever hosted).
• 2024: Paris; 2028: Los Angeles. These were already decided. Selection for 2036 was the active process.
• Infrastructure: India's bid is backed by the Ahmedabad-proposed venue cluster and development of multi-sport facilities under Khelo India. TOPS (Target Olympic Podium Scheme) prepares athletes.
• Youth Olympic Games 2029 bid: India also expressed intent for the Youth Olympic Games.
• IOC HQ: Lausanne, Switzerland. Founded 1896. India joined 1900 (participated) and has formal Olympic Committee since 1927 (IOA recognised 1927).

Static linkage: Sports, governance.

GS area: Economy, Environment, Agriculture

A NABARD-ICRIER study on agricultural water use provided key data.

• India's water paradox: 18 per cent of global population but only 4 per cent of global freshwater resources.
• Agricultural water share: 78 to 90 per cent of India's total freshwater use goes to agriculture. This is among the highest shares globally.
• Rice and sugarcane: these two crops consume about 60 per cent of irrigation water. Both are water-intensive and grown in regions often prone to water stress.
• Current irrigation coverage: 50 per cent of gross cropped area is irrigated. Target: 75 per cent.
• Punjab's Pani Bachao Paisa Kamao scheme: rewards farmers for conserving water by reducing paddy irrigation below the standard amount.
• Government initiatives:
  • Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana (PMKSY, 2015): "Har Khet Ko Pani, More Crop Per Drop." Integrates all irrigation funding into a single national scheme.
  • National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA, 2010): focuses on water use efficiency, soil health, and agro-forestry.
  • Micro-irrigation: drip and sprinkler systems reduce water use by 30-50 per cent vs. flood irrigation. India's micro-irrigation coverage is growing but still below potential.
• Groundwater depletion: India is the world's largest groundwater user. Punjab, Haryana, and western UP are critically overexploited.

Static linkage: Environment, economy, agriculture.

GS area: Health, Science and Technology, Governance

The WHO's ICD-11 (International Classification of Diseases 11th edition) is being amended to include Ayurveda under Module 2.

• ICD-11: the global standard for diagnostic health information. Published by WHO. Used for clinical diagnosis, health statistics, and insurance reimbursement worldwide.
• Module 1: already includes Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). Module 2 is being developed for Ayurveda, Siddha, and Unani.
• Significance: inclusion in ICD-11 enables standardised clinical reporting, cross-country comparison, and potentially insurance integration for Ayurveda-based treatments.
• Ministry of AYUSH: the central ministry overseeing Ayurveda, Yoga, Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, Sowa-Rigpa, and Homeopathy. Established 2014.
• AYUSH in India: India has over 8.35 lakh AYUSH practitioners. The sector contributes to medical tourism and exports of herbal and nutraceutical products.
• National AYUSH Mission: centrally sponsored scheme for strengthening and promoting AYUSH medical systems.

Static linkage: Health, governance.

GS area: Art and Culture, Geography

A PIB release highlighted Prime Minister Modi's October visit to Parvati Kund in Jalingkong (near the Indo-Tibet border) and the Jageshwar temples in Uttarakhand.

• Parvati Kund: a high-altitude sacred lake at an elevation of 5,338 feet near the Lipulekh Pass in Pithoragarh district, Uttarakhand. It is one of the sources visited by pilgrims doing the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra.
• Jageshwar temples: a cluster of 125 ancient stone temples in Almora district, Uttarakhand. Dating from the 7th to the 14th century CE. Built during the Katyuri dynasty period. Dedicated to Lord Shiva. Architectural style: Nagara (north Indian temple architecture with curvilinear shikhara).
• Nagara style: characterised by a beehive-shaped curvilinear tower (shikhara) above the sanctum. Dominant in northern and central India. Contrasted with the Dravida style of South India (pyramidal vimana) and the Vesara style (hybrid).
• Uttarakhand temples and UPSC: examinees frequently test Nagara, Dravida, and Vesara architectural distinctions.

Static linkage: Art and culture, geography.

GS area: Science and Technology, Governance

MeitY working groups submitted the first edition of the IndiaAI report.

• Digital economy target: USD 1 trillion digital economy.
• Focus areas: AI compute infrastructure; high-quality datasets; India-specific large language models; AI research and innovation; startup ecosystem; skills and re-skilling; trust and safety frameworks.
• AI Compute: India aims to set up high-end GPU computing infrastructure accessible to startups and researchers who cannot afford commercial cloud GPU pricing.
• National Data Governance Framework Policy: India's initiative to make non-personal government data available for AI training by researchers and startups.
• Context: India's Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023 (enacted August 2023) creates the legal basis for data use with consent. IndiaAI and DPDP Act together define India's AI policy framework.

Static linkage: Science and technology, governance.

• Global Maritime India Summit 2023: the third edition was being planned for late October 2023. PIB announced India's first Coast Guard Training Ship, reflecting the expansion of maritime security infrastructure. India's exclusive economic zone covers 2.37 million sq km.
• Avian Influenza (HPAI-free status): the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) approved India's Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza-free status in specific poultry compartments. This allows India to export poultry to countries requiring HPAI-free certification. India is among the world's top egg and poultry producers.