26 December 2024

• History: Former Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh passed away at AIIMS Delhi at age 92. He was India's 13th Prime Minister (2004-2014), architect of the 1991 liberalisation and the first Sikh Prime Minister.
• Economy: The Annual Survey of Unincorporated Sector Enterprises (ASUSE) 2023-24 reported 7.34 crore establishments, up from 6.50 crore in 2015-16.
• Diplomacy: Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant in Bangladesh, built with Russian assistance, reached construction completion of the first unit.
• Internal Security: India formally restricted the Free Movement Regime (FMR) with Myanmar to 10 km on both sides of the border.

GS area: Modern Indian History, Economy, Polity

Dr Manmohan Singh, India's 13th Prime Minister, passed away on 26 December 2024 at AIIMS Delhi. He was 92.

• Early life and education: Born 26 September 1932 in Gah (now in Pakistan). Partition refugee. Graduated from Panjab University and later Cambridge and Oxford (Nuffield College, D.Phil.).
• Economic architect: As Finance Minister (1991-1996) under PM Narasimha Rao, he presented the landmark Union Budget of 1991, which dismantled the License Raj (industrial licensing), devalued the rupee and initiated structural adjustment reforms, averting a balance-of-payments crisis. He quoted Victor Hugo: "No power on earth can stop an idea whose time has come."
• RBI Governor (1982-1985): Oversaw monetary policy before his political career.
• Prime Minister (2004-2014): Led the UPA I and UPA II governments. Key achievements:
  • Civilian nuclear deal with the United States (2005-2008), ending India's nuclear isolation.
  • MGNREGA (2005): Guaranteed 100 days of rural employment.
  • Right to Information Act (2005).
  • Right to Education Act (2009).
  • National Food Security Act (2013).
• First Sikh Prime Minister: The only person from a religious minority to serve as India's Prime Minister.
• Academic background: Taught economics at Panjab University and Delhi School of Economics. Chief Economic Adviser to the Government of India (1972-1976). Secretary General of South-South Commission.
• Awards: Padma Vibhushan (1987). Named Finance Minister of the Year by Euromoney and Asia Money during the 1991 reforms.
• Rajya Sabha: Represented Assam in the Rajya Sabha; later represented Rajasthan.

Static linkage: Modern history (1991 reforms, liberalisation, MGNREGA, RTI, nuclear deal).

GS area: Economy, Governance

The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) released the Annual Survey of Unincorporated Sector Enterprises (ASUSE) 2023-24.

• Total establishments: 7.34 crore (73.4 million) in 2023-24, compared to 6.50 crore in the previous ASUSE (2015-16). A 13 per cent increase.
• Unincorporated enterprises: Businesses not registered as companies or cooperatives. They are predominantly proprietorships and partnerships.
• Employment: These enterprises employ over 12 crore workers (informal sector). This makes the unincorporated sector India's largest employer.
• Sector breakdown: Trade enterprises form the largest category. Manufacturing and services follow.
• Significance: ASUSE data informs GDP estimates for the informal economy. It underpins National Accounts Statistics for the unorganised sector.
• Previous survey: The last comprehensive survey was the National Sample Survey (NSS) 73rd Round (2015-16) on unincorporated enterprises.

Static linkage: Economy (informal sector, GDP estimation, MoSPI).

GS area: International Relations, Science and Technology

Bangladesh's Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant, constructed with Russian technical and financial assistance, neared completion of its first unit.

• Location: Rooppur village, Pabna district, on the banks of the Padma (Ganges) river, Bangladesh.
• Capacity: Two VVER-1200 reactors, each generating 1,200 MW. Total capacity: 2,400 MW.
• Technology: VVER-1200 is a Russian pressurised water reactor (Generation III+), supplied by Rosatom (Russia's state nuclear corporation).
• Cost: About 12.65 billion US dollars. Russia provides about 90 per cent through a state credit line.
• Significance for India: India's BHEL and WAPCOS participated in some civil construction components. Rooppur creates a Russian nuclear footprint adjacent to India's border.
• Bilateral angle: Bangladesh-Russia nuclear cooperation was unaffected by the political transition in Bangladesh in August 2024. The plant is expected to generate about 15 per cent of Bangladesh's current electricity needs.

Static linkage: International relations (Bangladesh, Russia, Rosatom, nuclear energy).

GS area: Internal Security, International Relations

India announced the formal restriction of the Free Movement Regime (FMR) with Myanmar, limiting movement to a 10-km zone on each side of the border.

• Free Movement Regime: Allowed residents within 16 km on either side of the India-Myanmar border to cross without visas or documents, facilitating family, cultural and trade ties.
• Border length: India and Myanmar share a 1,643-km border across Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Manipur and Mizoram.
• Entry points: 43 designated border crossing points.
• Restriction rationale: The government cited security concerns: insurgent groups using the FMR to recruit cadres, smuggle arms and drugs, and infiltrate Manipur during the ongoing ethnic conflict.
• Manipur context: Ethnic violence between the Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities began in May 2023. The government accused armed groups of crossing from Myanmar-controlled territory.
• FMR suspension vs restriction: India had suspended the FMR in February 2024; the December 2024 notification formalized it with a 10-km buffer instead of the previous 16 km.

Static linkage: Internal security (Northeast India, border management, insurgency), geography.

GS area: Economy

EPFO (Employees' Provident Fund Organisation) data for October 2024 showed 13.41 lakh net new formal sector members.

• Significance of EPFO data: Net new payroll additions to the formal sector, measured by new EPF account openings. A proxy for formal employment growth.
• October 2024 number: 13.41 lakh (1.341 million) net new subscribers. Lower than September 2024 (14.61 lakh). Seasonal variation is common (October follows festive hiring in September).
• Age profile: A significant share of new members (45 per cent) are in the 18 to 25 age group, indicating youth entering the formal workforce.
• EPFO mandate: Manages provident fund, pension (Employees' Pension Scheme) and insurance (Employees' Deposit Linked Insurance) for organised sector workers. Applies to establishments with 20 or more employees.
• Statutory basis: Employees' Provident Fund and Miscellaneous Provisions Act, 1952.

Static linkage: Economy (labour, social security, EPFO).

GS area: Geography

Lesotho appeared in regional news. Key facts for UPSC.

• Geographic distinction: A fully landlocked country entirely surrounded by a single country (South Africa). One of only three such countries in the world (along with San Marino surrounded by Italy and Vatican City surrounded by Italy).
• Capital: Maseru.
• Government: Constitutional monarchy. King Letsie III is the reigning monarch.
• Elevation: The entire country sits above 1,000 metres. Nicknamed "Kingdom in the Sky." Highest peak: Thabana Ntlenyana (3,482 m), the highest point in Africa east of the Rift Valley.
• Economy: Highly dependent on remittances from South Africa. Water exports (Orange-Senqu River basin). Textile exports.
• Significance: Southern African Development Community (SADC) member. Faces political instability and high HIV/AIDS prevalence.

Static linkage: Geography (landlocked states, Southern Africa).

• Welfare debate: The debate on conditional versus unconditional cash transfers (Universal Basic Income) was revived. DBT (Direct Benefit Transfer) disbursed 38.56 lakh crore rupees since 2013. Scholars debated whether conditionalities in MGNREGA and PM-KISAN improve welfare outcomes.