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Exercise Khaan Quest 2023

Recently, the multinational Peacekeeping Joint Exercise “Ex Khaan Quest 2023” commenced in Mongolia.

About Exercise Khaan Quest 2023:

  • It features participation from military contingents and observers from over 20 countries.
  • The exercise is co-sponsored by Mongolian Armed Forces (MAF) and the United States Army Pacific Command (USARPAC).
  • The Indian Army is represented by a contingent from the GARHWAL RIFLES.
  • The 14-day exercise is aimed at enhancing the interoperability of the participating nations, sharing experience and training uniformed personnel for the United Nations Peacekeeping Operations (UNPKO).
  • The exercise will prepare participants for future UN Peacekeeping missions, develop peace operations capabilities and enhance military readiness.
  • The exercise includes Command Post Exercise (CPX), Field Training Exercises (FTX), combat discussions, lectures and demonstrations.

Key Facts about United Nations Peacekeeping

  • UN peacekeepers provide security and political peace-building support to help countries make the difficult, early transition from conflict to peace.
  • UN Peacekeeping is guided by three basic principles:
    • Consent of the parties
    • Impartiality
    • Non-use of force except in self-defence and defence of the mandate.
  • Role of Security Council: The United Nations Charter gives the United Nations Security Council the responsibility to maintain international peace. For this reason, the international community usually looks to the Security Council to authorize peacekeeping operations through Chapter VII authorizations.
  • UN peacekeepers are often referred to as Blue Berets or Blue Helmets because of their light blue berets or helmets.



National Internet Exchange of India (NIXI)

Recently, the National Internet Exchange of India (NIXI) celebrated its 20th Foundation Day, reaffirming its unwavering dedication towards building India’s internet infrastructure.

About the National Internet Exchange of India (NIXI):

  • It was established in 2003 as a not-for-profit organization under the Companies Act 2013.
  • It is tasked to increase Internet penetration and adoption in India by facilitating the various infrastructure aspects to enable the Internet ecosystem to be managed and used by the masses.
  • The four services which come under the NIXI:
    • Setting IXPs, towards Building Internet Exchange Points
    • .IN Registry towards building the .in domain digital identity
    • Indian Registry for Internet Names and Numbers (IRINN) towards Internet Protocol (IPv4 and IPv6) addresses adoption.
    • Data Centre services under NIXI-CSC towards data storage services.

Initiatives of NIXI

  • IPv6 Expert Panel (IP Guru):IP Guru is a group to extend support to all the Indian entities that are finding it technically challenging to migrate and adopt IPv6.
  • It’s a joint effort of DOT, MeitY & community to promote IPv6.
  • NIXI Academy: NIXI Academy is created to educate technical/non-technical people in India to learn and relearn technologies like IPv6 which are normally not taught in Educational Institutes.
  • NIXI-IP-INDEX: NIXI has developed an IPv6 index portal for the Internet community. This portal will showcase the IPv6 adoption rate in India and across the world



Gira Waterfall

Around 19 people, including 10 women, were recently injured after being stung by honeybees near Gira Waterfall.

About Gira Waterfall:

  • It is a seasonal waterfall in the Western Ghats of India.
  • Location: It is located near the Waghai village in the Dang district of Gujarat. 
  • It is a 75 ft fall that emerges from the Kapri Tributary and drops into the Ambika River.

Key facts about Ambika River:

  • It is a major westward flowing river that has a huge catchment area in two states, namely Gujarat and Maharashtra.
  • Origin: The river has its origins in the Saputara Hills, near Kotambi Village in the Nasik district of Maharashtra.
  • After flowing for a length of 136 km it drains in to the Arabian Sea.
  • It has a drainage area of 2715 Sq.km. The Valsad, Dangs and Surat Districts of Gujarat and a small portion of the Nasik district of Maharashtra falls in the basin.
  • Rainfall: It receives most of the rainfall from the South West monsoon from June to September.
  • Tributaries: Khapri, Valam, Kaveri and Kharear are main tributaries of Ambika river.



United Nations High Seas Treaty

The world’s first international treaty to protect the high seas was recently adopted by the United Nations.

Why in News?

  • Nearly 200 nations signed the document, officially known as the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction Treaty, after agreeing to its terms in March following roughly 15 years of discussion.
  • The treaty is meant “to prevent a cascading of species extinctions” brought on by overfishing, oil extraction, deep-sea mining and other activities with environmental impacts that occur in the high seas.

About UN High Seas Treaty:

  • It is the first-ever treaty to protect the world’s oceans that lie outside national boundaries.
  • It is also known as the ‘Paris Agreement for the Ocean.’
  • It is a legally binding treaty that aims at protecting, caring for, and ensuring the responsible use of the marine environment, maintaining the integrity of ocean ecosystems, and conserving the inherent value of marine biological diversity.
  • The treaty is built on the legacy of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), which is the last international agreement on ocean protection, signed 40 years ago in 1982. UNCLOS established an area called the high seas.
  • Highlights of the treaty:
    • It aims to place 30% of the seas into protected areas by 2030(a pledge made by countries at the UN biodiversity conference in 2022).
    • It will provide a legal framework for establishing vast marine protected areas (MPAs) to protect against the loss of wildlife and share out the genetic resources of the high seas.
    • It also covers environmental assessments to evaluate the potential damage of commercial activities, such as deep-sea mining.
    • The treaty aims at strengthening resilience and contains provisions based on the polluter-pays principle as well as mechanisms for disputes.
    • The treaty offers guidance, including through an integrated approach to ocean management that builds ecosystem resilience to tackle the adverse effects of climate change and ocean acidification, and maintains and restores ecosystem integrity, including carbon cycling services.
    • Treaty provisions also recognize the rights and traditional knowledge of indigenous peoples and local communities, the freedom of scientific research, and need for the fair and equitable sharing of benefits.
    • The treaty also considers the special circumstances facing small-island and landlocked developing nations.
    • It will establish a conference of the parties (CoP)that will meet periodically and enable member states to be held to account on issues such as governance and biodiversity.
    • The treaty also includes a pledge by signatories to share ocean resources.

What are High Seas?

  • The high seas begin at the border of countries’ exclusive economic zones, which extend up to 370km (200 nautical miles) from coastlines.
  • Beyond that point, the seas are under the jurisdiction of no country, and all countries have a right to fish, ship, and do research.
  • They make up more than 60% of the world’s oceans by surface area.
  • Activities on the high seas are often unregulated and insufficiently monitored, leaving them vulnerable to exploitation



Distributed Denial-of-Service (DDoS) Attack

Microsoft recently acknowledged that the series of service disruptions experienced by users of Microsoft Azure, OneDrive and Outlook were the result of a major distributed denial of service (DDoS) attack.

About Distributed Denial-of-Service (DDoS) Attack:

  • A DDoS attack is a malicious attempt to disrupt the normal traffic of a targeted server, service or network by overwhelming the target or its surrounding infrastructure with a flood of Internet traffic.
  • DDoS attacks achieve effectiveness by utilizing multiple compromised computer systems as sources of attack traffic. 
  • Exploited machines can include computers and other networked resources such as IoT devices.
  • Unlike other kinds of cyberattacks, DDoS assaults don’t attempt to breach your security perimeter. Rather, a DDoS attack aims to make your website and servers unavailable to legitimate users.
  • DDoS can also be used as a smokescreen for other malicious activities and to take down security appliances, breaching the target’s security perimeter.
  • How does a DDoS attack work?
    • DDoS attacks are carried out with networks of Internet-connected machines.
    • These networks consist of computers and other devices (such as IoT devices) which have been infected with malware, allowing them to be controlled remotely by an attacker.
    • These individual devices are referred to as bots(or zombies), and a group of bots is called a botnet.
    • Once a botnet has been established, the attacker is able to direct an attack by sending remote instructions to each bot.
    • When a victim’s server or network is targeted by the botneteach bot sends requests to the target’s IP address, potentially causing the server or network to become overwhelmed, resulting in a denial of service to normal traffic.

DoS vs DDoS

  • A DDoS attack is a subcategory of the more general denial-of-service (DoS) attack.
  • In a DoS attack, a perpetrator uses a single Internet connection to either exploit a software vulnerability or flood a target with fake requests—usually in an attempt to exhaust server resources.
  • On the other hand, DDoS attacks utilize thousands (even millions) of connected devices to fulfil its goal



Y chromosome

Recently, researchers have discovered that the Y chromosome possesses genes linked to ageing and lifespan regulation.

Key findings:

  • Researchers have discovered that the Y chromosome possesses genes that are vital to biological functions, including those linked to ageing and lifespan regulation.
  • Genome sequences of the Neanderthals, an ancient relative of the modern human, harbour telltale signs of the replacement of the Y chromosome beginning from modern humans. 
  • The Y chromosome may have to relinquish its title of “master of maleness” to another chromosome in the times to come.

What is a chromosome?

  • It is a thread-like structure located inside the nucleus of animal and plant cells.
  • Each chromosome is made of protein and a single molecule of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA).
  • It is passed from parents to offspring.
  • DNA contains the specific instructions that make each type of living creature unique.
  • In humans, in addition to the 22 pairs of chromosomes in each, we have a pair of sex chromosomes called X and Y.
  • All biological males have X and Y chromosomes and all biological females have two X chromosomes.
  • The y chromosome known as the “master of maleness,” determines the biological male sex and carries genes that play a role in sex determination.



Hindu Kush Himalayas

According to a new report from International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD), the Hindu Kush Himalayas (HKH) have seen a 65 per cent faster loss of glacier mass

About Hindu Kush Himalayas:

  • The Hindu-Kush-Himalayan (HKH) region encompasses Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, India, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan.
  • It is considered the Third Pole (after the North and South Poles) and has significant implications for climate.
  • It contains the largest volume of ice and snow outside of the Arctic and Antarctica.
  • The ice and snow from this region are an important source of water for 12 rivers that flow through 16 countries in Asia.

Key facts about International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD)

  • It is an intergovernmental knowledge and learning centre working on behalf of the people of the Hindu Kush Himalaya (HKH).
  • It is based in Kathmandu, Nepal.
  • It works for eight regional member countries – Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, India, Myanmar, Nepal, and Pakistan.
  • Functions
    • It serves the region through information and knowledge generation and sharing to find innovative solutions to critical mountain problems.
    • It bridges science with policies and on-the-ground practices.
    • It provides a regional platform where experts, planners, policymakers, and practitioners can exchange ideas and perspectives towards the achievement of sustainable mountain development.



INS Kirpan

Recently, India gifted the Corvette INS Kirpan to Vietnam to enhance that country’s naval capabilities.

About INS Kirpan:

  • It is an indigenously-built in-service missile.
  • It is a Khukri class missile corvette commissioned into the Navy on January 12, 1991.
  • It has a displacement displacing capacity of close to 1,400 tonnes.
  • It is capable of a speed of more than 25 knots.
  • The Khukri class are equipped with Diesel Engines assembled in India.
  • The ship is fitted with a medium-range gun, 30 mm close-range guns, chaff launchers, and surface-to-surface missiles.
  • It performs a wide variety of roles, including coastal and offshore patrol, coastal security, surface warfare, anti-piracy, and Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) operations.



Business Statistics – Semester – II

PREDICTED QUESTIONS

SEMESTER – 2 EXAM

Q.1 What do you mean by Central Tendency ? Discuss characteristic of Central Tendency ?

Ans – Central tendency refers to the measure that represents the typical or central value of a dataset. It provides a summary of the data by indicating the point around which the observations are concentrated.

The three main measures of central tendency are the mean, median, and mode.

  1. Mean: The mean is calculated by summing up all the values in the dataset and dividing it by the total number of observations. It is affected by extreme values and can be influenced by outliers. The mean is commonly used when the data is normally distributed or symmetrical.
  2. Median: The median is the middle value in a dataset when it is arranged in ascending or descending order. If there is an even number of observations, the median is calculated as the average of the two middle values. The median is not affected by extreme values or outliers and is a suitable measure for skewed distributions.
  3. Mode: The mode is the value or values that occur most frequently in a dataset. Unlike the mean and median, the mode can be applied to both numerical and categorical data. It is useful when identifying the most common category or value in a dataset.

Characteristics of Central Tendency:

  1. Representative: Central tendency measures provide a representative value that summarizes the dataset. They offer a single value that can help understand the central value around which the observations are distributed.
  2. Simplicity: Measures of central tendency are simple to understand and calculate. They provide a concise summary of the dataset, making it easier to communicate and compare different sets of data.
  3. Sensitivity to Extreme Values: The mean is sensitive to extreme values or outliers since it incorporates all values in the dataset. The median and mode are less affected by extreme values, making them suitable for skewed or non-normal distributions.
  4. Applicability: Central tendency measures can be applied to various types of data, including numerical and categorical. The mean is commonly used for quantitative data, while the median and mode are suitable for both quantitative and qualitative data.
  5. Stability: The measure of central tendency is relatively stable, meaning that it is not greatly influenced by changes in a small portion of the dataset. This stability makes it a reliable summary statistic for most datasets.

It is important to consider the characteristics of the dataset and the specific context when choosing the appropriate measure of central tendency

Q.2 What do you mean by Time Series Analysis ? Dicuss the components of the Time – Series ?

Ans – Time Series Analysis refers to the statistical technique used to analyze and interpret data points collected at regular intervals over time. It focuses on identifying patterns, trends, and relationships within the data to make predictions and understand the underlying behavior of the phenomenon being observed.

Components of Time Series:

  1. Trend: The trend component represents the long-term movement or pattern observed in the data. It indicates the overall direction in which the series is moving, whether it is increasing, decreasing, or remaining relatively stable over time.
  2. Seasonality: Seasonality refers to the repetitive and predictable patterns that occur within a time series at regular intervals. These patterns are often influenced by factors such as the time of year, day of the week, or month. Seasonality can be daily, weekly, monthly, or yearly, and it repeats over a fixed period.
  3. Cyclical Variations: Cyclical variations are fluctuations in a time series that are not of a fixed or predictable duration. They represent longer-term oscillations that are not necessarily regular or tied to a specific season or time frame. Cyclical variations are influenced by economic, political, or social factors and can span several years.
  4. Irregular or Random Components: The irregular or random component, also known as the residual component or noise, represents the unpredictable and random fluctuations in the data that cannot be attributed to the trend, seasonality, or cyclical variations. It includes unexpected events, outliers, measurement errors, or other unpredictable factors.
  5. Level: The level component refers to the average or baseline value of the time series. It represents the central value around which the other components (trend, seasonality, and cyclical variations) fluctuate.

Understanding and decomposing these components is essential in time series analysis. By identifying and separating these components, analysts can make more accurate forecasts, identify anomalies, and gain insights into the underlying patterns and dynamics of the data. Various statistical and mathematical techniques, such as moving averages, exponential smoothing, and decomposition methods, are employed to analyze and model time series data

Q.3 Explain the uses of Index Number ?

Ans – Index numbers are statistical tools used to measure changes in a particular variable or a group of related variables over time. They provide a way to compare and track the relative changes in different quantities, such as prices, quantities, economic indicators, and other measurable phenomena.

The uses of index numbers include:

  1. Inflation Measurement: Index numbers are widely used to measure and monitor changes in the general price level, which is an essential component of inflation analysis. Consumer Price Index (CPI) and Producer Price Index (PPI) are examples of index numbers used to track changes in prices of goods and services.
  2. Economic Indicators: Index numbers are used to construct various economic indicators that help in assessing the health and performance of the economy. For instance, stock market indices like the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) and S&P 500 provide a snapshot of the overall performance of the stock market.
  3. Cost-of-Living Adjustment: Index numbers are utilized to determine adjustments in wages, salaries, pensions, and other payments to account for changes in the cost of living. These adjustments ensure that the purchasing power of individuals is maintained over time.
  4. International Trade: Index numbers are employed in measuring changes in import and export quantities and values. They help in analyzing trade balances, identifying trends, and evaluating the competitiveness of a country’s trade.
  5. Quality Measurement: Index numbers can be used to assess changes in the quality of products or services over time. Quality indices provide insights into improvements or deterioration in product quality and help in understanding consumer preferences.
  6. Market Research: Index numbers are utilized in market research to track changes in consumer behavior, preferences, and market share. They provide a comparative measure of market performance and enable businesses to make informed decisions.
  7. Social and Demographic Analysis: Index numbers are applied in analyzing various social and demographic factors, such as population growth, literacy rates, employment rates, crime rates, and health indicators. They help in understanding trends and patterns in society.
  8. Index Funds: Index numbers form the basis for the construction and performance measurement of index funds, which are investment funds designed to replicate the performance of a specific market index. These funds provide diversification and a cost-effective way for investors to gain exposure to a broad market.

Index numbers serve as valuable tools in quantitative analysis, allowing for the comparison of data over time or between different categories. They simplify complex data and provide meaningful insights, making them widely used in economics, finance, business, and other fields.

Q.4 Describe the diagrammatic and Graphic Presentation of Data in Statistics ?

Ans – Diagrammatic and graphic presentations of data in statistics refer to the visual representation of data using various charts, graphs, and diagrams. These visual tools help to convey information effectively, identify patterns, and make data more understandable.

Some common types of diagrammatic and graphic presentations of data include:

  1. Bar Charts: Bar charts use rectangular bars to represent data categories or variables. The length or height of the bars corresponds to the frequency, quantity, or value being measured. Bar charts are useful for comparing different categories or showing changes over time.
  2. Pie Charts: Pie charts represent data as sectors of a circle, where each sector represents a proportion or percentage of the whole. Pie charts are effective for showing the distribution of a categorical variable or illustrating the composition of a whole.
  3. Line Graphs: Line graphs display data points connected by lines to show the trend or pattern over time or across different variables. They are commonly used for representing time series data or showing the relationship between two continuous variables.
  4. Histograms: Histograms display the distribution of continuous data by dividing the range of values into equal intervals called bins or classes. The height of each bar in a histogram represents the frequency or relative frequency of data falling into each bin.
  5. Scatter Plots: Scatter plots use a set of points to represent the relationship between two continuous variables. Each point represents the value of one variable on the x-axis and the value of the other variable on the y-axis. Scatter plots help visualize the correlation or relationship between the variables.
  6. Box-and-Whisker Plots: Box-and-whisker plots, also known as box plots, provide a summary of the distribution of continuous data. They display the minimum, maximum, quartiles, and outliers of the dataset, allowing for easy comparison of multiple groups or variables.
  7. Area Charts: Area charts are similar to line graphs but filled with color or pattern to emphasize the area beneath the line. They are useful for visualizing the cumulative or stacked values of different variables over time.
  8. Pictograms: Pictograms use symbols or pictures to represent data quantities. Each symbol may represent a specific quantity or a given scale. Pictograms are commonly used in educational or marketing materials to make data more engaging and easily understandable.
  9. Heatmaps: Heatmaps use colors or shades to represent the magnitude or intensity of values in a two-dimensional grid. They are frequently used in data analysis to visualize patterns, correlations, or density of data points.
  10. Infographics: Infographics are a combination of text, images, and visual elements to present complex data or information in a visually appealing and easily understandable format. They often include multiple types of diagrams, charts, and graphs to convey key messages effectively.

These diagrammatic and graphic presentations of data enhance data comprehension, aid in identifying trends and patterns, and facilitate data-driven decision-making. The choice of the appropriate visual representation depends on the type of data, the objective of the analysis, and the target audience.

Q.5 Explain the types of Index Number ?

Ans – There are various types of index numbers used in statistics to measure changes in different variables. The choice of the index number type depends on the nature of the data and the purpose of measurement.

Here are the main types of index numbers:

  1. Price Index Numbers: Price index numbers measure changes in the average price level of goods and services over time. They are commonly used to track inflation or changes in purchasing power. Examples include the Consumer Price Index (CPI), Producer Price Index (PPI), and Wholesale Price Index (WPI).
  2. Quantity Index Numbers: Quantity index numbers measure changes in physical quantities of goods, services, or other variables. They are used to analyze production levels, sales volumes, or consumption patterns. Quantity index numbers are often employed in economic analysis and industrial production measurements.
  3. Cost of Living Index Numbers: Cost of living index numbers assess changes in the cost of maintaining a certain standard of living. They consider the price levels of essential goods and services, such as housing, food, transportation, healthcare, and education. Cost of living index numbers are used to determine adjustments in wages, pensions, and other payments to account for changes in the cost of living.
  4. Composite Index Numbers: Composite index numbers combine several individual variables or sub-indices to provide a comprehensive measure. These indices are useful for representing the overall performance or combined impact of multiple factors. For example, the Human Development Index (HDI) combines indicators such as life expectancy, education, and income to measure human development in countries.
  5. Stock Market Index Numbers: Stock market index numbers represent the performance of a group of stocks in a specific market or sector. They track changes in stock prices and reflect the overall performance of the stock market. Examples include the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA), S&P 500, and NASDAQ Composite.
  6. Social Index Numbers: Social index numbers measure and track various social indicators such as literacy rates, education levels, poverty rates, crime rates, or health statistics. They provide insights into the well-being or development of a society and are used in social research and policy analysis.
  7. Quality of Life Index Numbers: Quality of life index numbers assess and compare the overall well-being and living conditions in different regions or countries. They consider factors such as income, education, healthcare, environment, and social factors to evaluate the quality of life.
  8. Environmental Index Numbers: Environmental index numbers measure and track environmental indicators such as air quality, water pollution, biodiversity, or carbon emissions. They are used to monitor environmental changes, assess sustainability, and guide environmental policies.

These are some of the main types of index numbers used in statistical analysis. Each type serves a specific purpose and provides valuable insights into changes or comparisons in the variables of interest. The choice of the appropriate index number type depends on the specific context and objectives of the analysis

Q.6 Define Statistics and Discuss its Scope ?

Ans – Statistics can be defined as a branch of mathematics that involves collecting, analyzing, interpreting, presenting, and organizing data. It provides tools and techniques to make sense of numerical information, draw meaningful conclusions, and make informed decisions based on data. Statistics encompasses a wide range of methods and concepts used in various fields, including social sciences, natural sciences, business, economics, healthcare, engineering, and more.

The scope of statistics can be broadly categorized into two main areas:

  1. Descriptive Statistics: Descriptive statistics involves the collection, presentation, and summary of data to provide a clear and concise description of the information. It includes techniques such as:
    • Data collection: Gathering data through surveys, experiments, observations, or sampling methods.
    • Data presentation: Representing data using tables, graphs, charts, and visualizations to aid in understanding patterns and relationships.
    • Measures of central tendency: Calculating the mean, median, and mode to identify the typical or central value of a dataset.
    • Measures of variability: Assessing the spread or dispersion of data using measures like range, variance, and standard deviation.
    • Percentiles and quartiles: Dividing data into equal portions to understand the distribution and identify specific data points.
    • Cross-tabulation and contingency tables: Analyzing relationships between variables using frequency tables and contingency tables.
    • Summary statistics: Generating summary statistics, such as proportions, percentages, and ratios, to summarize data characteristics.
  2. Inferential Statistics: Inferential statistics involves making inferences, predictions, and generalizations about a population based on a sample of data. It includes techniques such as:
    • Hypothesis testing: Evaluating claims or hypotheses about a population based on sample data and statistical tests.
    • Confidence intervals: Estimating the range of values within which a population parameter is likely to fall.
    • Regression analysis: Assessing the relationship between variables and predicting outcomes using regression models.
    • Analysis of variance (ANOVA): Comparing means across different groups or treatments to test for significant differences.
    • Probability distributions: Modeling and analyzing random variables and their distributions to understand uncertainty and probability.
    • Sampling techniques: Employing sampling methods to select representative samples from a larger population and making population inferences based on the sample.
    • Experimental design: Planning and implementing controlled experiments to study cause-and-effect relationships between variables.

Statistics plays a crucial role in decision-making, research, policy formulation, quality control, and various other areas. It enables researchers, analysts, and decision-makers to draw reliable conclusions, detect patterns, identify trends, and make data-driven decisions. The scope of statistics continues to expand with the advancement of technology, allowing for more sophisticated data collection, analysis, and modeling techniques

Q.7 What is Time Series ? What are its main components ?

Ans –A time series refers to a sequence of data points collected over a specific period at equally spaced intervals. In a time series, the data is ordered chronologically, and each observation is associated with a particular time point or period. Time series data is commonly used in various fields, including economics, finance, weather forecasting, sales analysis, and many other domains.

The main components of a time series are:

  1. Trend: The trend component represents the long-term pattern or movement observed in the data over time. It indicates the overall direction in which the series is changing. Trends can be increasing (upward trend), decreasing (downward trend), or remaining relatively stable (horizontal or flat trend). The trend component helps identify the underlying behavior of the phenomenon being observed.
  2. Seasonality: The seasonality component refers to the repetitive and predictable patterns that occur within a time series at fixed intervals. Seasonal patterns often correspond to calendar seasons, quarters, months, weeks, or specific times of the day. Seasonality is typically influenced by factors such as weather, holidays, or business cycles. Identifying and understanding seasonality helps analyze and predict cyclical patterns within the data.
  3. Cyclical Variations: Cyclical variations represent longer-term oscillations or fluctuations that are not of fixed or predictable duration. They reflect the ups and downs in a time series that occur irregularly and are often influenced by economic, political, or social factors. Cyclical variations can span several years and are not as predictable as seasonality. Analyzing cyclical patterns provides insights into economic cycles, business cycles, and long-term trends.
  4. Irregular or Random Components: The irregular or random component, also known as the residual or noise, represents the unpredictable and erratic fluctuations in the time series data that cannot be attributed to the trend, seasonality, or cyclical variations. It includes unexpected events, outliers, measurement errors, or other random factors. The irregular component makes the time series unique and adds uncertainty to the analysis.

Understanding and modeling these components are essential in time series analysis. By decomposing the time series into its components, analysts can identify and analyze each component separately. This decomposition helps in making more accurate forecasts, detecting anomalies, and gaining insights into the underlying patterns and dynamics of the data

Q.8 Define Probability and Explain the importance of the theory in the Statistics ?

Ans – Probability refers to the measure of the likelihood or chance of an event occurring. It is a fundamental concept in statistics and deals with quantifying uncertainty and randomness. Probability provides a framework for understanding and analyzing uncertain outcomes and forms the basis of statistical inference and decision-making.

Importance of Probability in Statistics:

  1. Statistical Inference: Probability theory plays a central role in statistical inference, which involves drawing conclusions about a population based on sample data. By assigning probabilities to different outcomes, statisticians can make inferences about population parameters, test hypotheses, and quantify the uncertainty associated with statistical estimates.
  2. Sampling Theory: Probability theory is used to design and analyze sampling techniques in statistics. Probability sampling methods ensure that each member of a population has a known and non-zero chance of being selected in a sample. The principles of probability enable statisticians to make accurate inferences about the population based on the characteristics of the sample.
  3. Statistical Models: Probability theory is used to build statistical models that describe the relationship between variables and the uncertainty associated with them. Models such as regression models, time series models, and Bayesian models rely on probability distributions to represent and analyze random variables and their interactions.
  4. Decision-Making Under Uncertainty: Probability provides a framework for making rational decisions under uncertain conditions. By assigning probabilities to different outcomes, decision-makers can evaluate the potential risks and rewards associated with different options. Probability theory enables decision analysis, risk assessment, and optimization in various fields, including finance, operations research, and quality control.
  5. Estimation and Prediction: Probability theory is crucial in estimating unknown parameters and making predictions. Estimation methods, such as maximum likelihood estimation and Bayesian inference, rely on probability distributions to quantify uncertainty and make optimal estimates. Probability theory also enables probabilistic forecasting, where future outcomes are predicted along with their associated probabilities.
  6. Experimental Design: Probability theory is employed in designing experiments to ensure reliable and valid results. Randomization and random assignment techniques, guided by probability theory, help reduce bias and confounding factors, ensuring that the results of an experiment are representative of the target population.
  7. Risk Analysis: Probability theory is used in risk analysis to quantify and manage risks in various fields, including finance, insurance, engineering, and healthcare. It allows for the assessment of probabilities of different outcomes and the calculation of risk measures, such as expected value, variance, and risk premiums.

In summary, probability theory is a fundamental component of statistics that enables researchers, statisticians, and decision-makers to deal with uncertainty, make inferences, quantify risks, and make optimal decisions. It provides a rigorous mathematical framework for understanding randomness, modeling uncertainty, and analyzing data

Q.9 What is Statistics and Limitation ?

Ans – Statistics is a branch of mathematics that deals with the collection, analysis, interpretation, presentation, and organization of data. It involves applying various techniques and methodologies to extract meaningful insights, make informed decisions, and draw conclusions about a population based on sample data. Statistics is widely used in diverse fields such as social sciences, business, economics, healthcare, engineering, and more.

Limitations of Statistics:

  1. Sampling Bias: One of the primary limitations of statistics is sampling bias. If the sample used for analysis is not representative of the population of interest, the results may not accurately reflect the characteristics of the entire population. It is important to ensure that the sample is selected in a random and unbiased manner to minimize sampling bias.
  2. Causation vs. Correlation: Statistics can establish relationships between variables, but it cannot prove causation. Correlation indicates a statistical relationship between two variables, but it does not necessarily imply a cause-and-effect relationship. Additional research and analysis are required to establish causal relationships.
  3. Data Quality: The quality of data used for statistical analysis is crucial. Inaccurate, incomplete, or biased data can lead to erroneous conclusions. It is important to ensure data accuracy, reliability, and relevance to obtain valid statistical results.
  4. Assumptions and Simplifications: Statistical methods often require assumptions about the data or the underlying population. These assumptions may not always hold true in real-world scenarios. Additionally, simplifications and generalizations are often made to make complex data manageable, which can introduce potential limitations and inaccuracies.
  5. Misinterpretation and Misuse: Statistics can be misinterpreted or misused, leading to incorrect conclusions or biased decision-making. It is essential to have a solid understanding of statistical concepts and limitations to avoid misapplication and misinterpretation of statistical results.
  6. External Factors: Statistics cannot always account for all external factors or variables that may influence the data. Unforeseen events, confounding factors, or changes in the environment can impact the validity and generalizability of statistical findings.
  7. Limited Scope: Statistics provides valuable insights based on available data, but it has its limitations in capturing the entire complexity of real-world phenomena. It may not fully capture intangible or unmeasurable factors, subjective experiences, or qualitative aspects that are not easily quantifiable.
  8. Ethical Considerations: Statistics involves working with data that may include sensitive or personal information. Maintaining data privacy, confidentiality, and ethical considerations is crucial to ensure the responsible and ethical use of statistics.

Understanding the limitations of statistics is essential for practitioners and users of statistical methods. It helps in critically evaluating results, considering alternative explanations, and using statistical findings in an appropriate and cautious manner. Statistics should be used as a tool to enhance decision-making, complemented by domain knowledge, context, and critical thinking

Q,10 Distinguish between Classification and Tabulation . Mention the different types of Classification ?

Ans – Classification and tabulation are both techniques used in organizing and summarizing data, but they serve different purposes and have distinct characteristics. Here’s how they differ:

Classification: Classification refers to the process of grouping data or objects into categories or classes based on common characteristics or attributes. It involves creating meaningful categories or classes to organize and categorize data systematically. The primary objective of classification is to simplify complex data and provide a structured framework for analysis and interpretation. In classification, data elements are assigned to mutually exclusive and exhaustive classes based on specific criteria or characteristics. It helps in understanding patterns, relationships, and distributions within the data.

Tabulation: Tabulation, on the other hand, is the process of systematically organizing data into a table or matrix format. It involves arranging data in rows and columns to facilitate easy comprehension and analysis. Tabulation provides a concise and organized representation of data, allowing for comparisons, calculations, and summary measures. The primary objective of tabulation is to present data in a structured format, making it easier to interpret and draw conclusions.

Different Types of Classification: There are various types of classification used in statistics, depending on the nature of the data and the purpose of classification. Here are some common types of classification:

  1. Geographical Classification: This type of classification categorizes data based on geographic regions, such as countries, states, cities, or districts. It helps analyze and compare data across different geographical areas.
  2. Qualitative Classification: Qualitative classification involves grouping data based on non-numerical or categorical characteristics. Examples include classifying data by gender, marital status, occupation, or educational level.
  3. Quantitative Classification: Quantitative classification involves grouping data based on numerical characteristics or variables. It could include classifying data by age groups, income brackets, or numerical ranges.
  4. Chronological Classification: Chronological classification categorizes data based on time periods or chronological order. It helps analyze and understand trends, patterns, or changes over time.
  5. Subjective Classification: Subjective classification involves grouping data based on subjective judgments or expert opinions. It is commonly used when objective criteria are not available or when qualitative factors need to be considered.
  6. Hierarchical Classification: Hierarchical classification involves creating a hierarchical structure of classes or categories. It organizes data in a hierarchical manner, where each class or category is a subset or superset of another class. It provides a structured framework for organizing complex data.
  7. Multiple Classification: Multiple classification involves classifying data based on multiple criteria simultaneously. It allows for the creation of classes that represent the combination of different characteristics.

These are some of the common types of classification used in statistics. The choice of classification type depends on the nature of the data and the objectives of the analysis

Q.11 Explain the uses of Index Number ?

Ans – Index numbers are statistical tools used to measure and compare changes in various economic, social, or other quantitative variables over time. They provide a way to track and analyze the relative changes in specific phenomena, making them valuable in several ways:

  1. Tracking Price Changes: Index numbers are commonly used to measure changes in prices of goods and services. Price indices, such as the Consumer Price Index (CPI) or Producer Price Index (PPI), help monitor inflation rates, assess purchasing power, and make adjustments in economic policies. They provide a basis for wage adjustments, cost-of-living calculations, and comparisons of price levels across different time periods or regions.
  2. Economic Analysis: Index numbers play a crucial role in economic analysis. They allow economists and policymakers to measure and analyze changes in economic variables such as GDP (Gross Domestic Product), industrial production, employment rates, trade volumes, and business activity. By tracking these indices over time, trends, cycles, and fluctuations in the economy can be identified, aiding in policy formulation, forecasting, and understanding economic performance.
  3. Financial Market Analysis: Index numbers are extensively used in financial markets to represent the performance of a specific sector or the overall market. Stock market indices, such as the S&P 500 or Dow Jones Industrial Average, aggregate the performance of a selected group of stocks to provide insights into market trends, investor sentiment, and overall market conditions. Bond market indices, currency indices, and other financial indices help investors and analysts gauge performance and make informed investment decisions.
  4. Quality Control and Performance Measurement: Index numbers are used in quality control processes to assess changes in product quality or performance over time. Indices provide a benchmark against which performance or quality can be measured, allowing organizations to identify areas for improvement or deviations from standards. This is particularly relevant in industries such as manufacturing, healthcare, and customer satisfaction surveys.
  5. Social and Demographic Analysis: Index numbers find applications in analyzing social and demographic trends. Social indices, such as the Human Development Index (HDI), Gender Development Index (GDI), or Poverty Index, help assess living standards, gender disparities, poverty levels, and social progress across countries or regions. These indices aid in policy evaluation, targeting resources, and identifying areas requiring intervention.
  6. Environmental and Sustainability Assessment: Index numbers are used to monitor and assess environmental indicators, sustainability metrics, and climate change factors. Indices such as the Environmental Sustainability Index (ESI) or Carbon Intensity Index track environmental performance, resource consumption, emissions, and ecological footprint, helping policymakers and organizations measure progress, identify areas of concern, and develop sustainable strategies.

Overall, index numbers serve as valuable tools for measurement, comparison, and analysis across a wide range of disciplines. They enable researchers, policymakers, economists, investors, and decision-makers to monitor trends, evaluate performance, make informed decisions, and design effective policies and strategies

Q.12 Explain the Dependent and Independent Events in Probability ?

Ans –In probability theory, events are categorized as either dependent or independent based on the relationship between them and their impact on each other. Here’s an explanation of dependent and independent events:

  1. Independent Events: Independent events are events in which the occurrence or non-occurrence of one event does not affect the probability of the occurrence of another event. In other words, the outcome of one event has no influence or bearing on the outcome of the other event. The probability of one event happening remains the same regardless of whether the other event occurs or not.

For example, flipping a fair coin twice is an independent event. The outcome of the first coin flip (heads or tails) has no impact on the outcome of the second coin flip. Each flip is independent, and the probability of getting heads or tails on the second flip remains 1/2 (assuming a fair coin) regardless of the outcome of the first flip.

Mathematically, two events A and B are independent if and only if: P(A ∩ B) = P(A) × P(B)

  1. Dependent Events: Dependent events are events in which the occurrence or non-occurrence of one event affects the probability of the occurrence of another event. The outcome of one event has some influence or dependency on the outcome of the other event.

For example, drawing cards from a deck without replacement is a dependent event. If you draw a card from a standard deck of 52 cards and do not replace it, the probability of the second draw will be affected by the outcome of the first draw. If you draw an Ace as the first card, the probability of drawing another Ace on the second draw will be reduced because there is one less Ace in the deck.

Mathematically, two events A and B are dependent if and only if: P(A ∩ B) ≠ P(A) × P(B)

It is important to note that events can be dependent or independent based on the specific context and conditions. The concept of independence or dependence is crucial in calculating joint probabilities, conditional probabilities, and making predictions and decisions based on the relationships between events in probability theory

Q.13 Explain Addition and Multiplications law of Probability ?

Ans – The addition and multiplication laws of probability are fundamental principles used to calculate probabilities of compound events in probability theory. These laws provide a framework for combining probabilities and calculating the likelihood of different outcomes. Here’s an explanation of the addition and multiplication laws:

  1. Addition Law of Probability: The addition law of probability applies to mutually exclusive events. Mutually exclusive events are events that cannot occur simultaneously. According to the addition law, the probability of the union of two mutually exclusive events A and B is the sum of their individual probabilities.

Mathematically, the addition law can be stated as: P(A or B) = P(A) + P(B)

For example, consider rolling a fair six-sided die. The probability of rolling a 1 or a 2 can be calculated using the addition law. Since rolling a 1 and rolling a 2 are mutually exclusive events (you cannot roll both simultaneously), the probability of rolling a 1 or a 2 is the sum of their individual probabilities: P(1 or 2) = P(1) + P(2) = 1/6 + 1/6 = 1/3

  1. Multiplication Law of Probability: The multiplication law of probability applies to independent events. Independent events are events in which the occurrence or non-occurrence of one event does not affect the probability of the occurrence of another event. According to the multiplication law, the probability of the intersection of two independent events A and B is the product of their individual probabilities.

Mathematically, the multiplication law can be stated as: P(A and B) = P(A) × P(B)

For example, consider flipping a fair coin twice. The probability of getting heads on the first flip and heads on the second flip can be calculated using the multiplication law. Since each flip is independent of the other, the probability of getting heads on both flips is the product of their individual probabilities: P(Heads on both flips) = P(Heads on first flip) × P(Heads on second flip) = 1/2 × 1/2 = 1/4

The addition and multiplication laws of probability provide a foundation for calculating probabilities in more complex scenarios involving multiple events. By applying these laws, probabilities of compound events can be determined, enabling decision-making, risk assessment, and statistical inference

Q.14 What is False Base Line ? Explain its utility in Construction of Graphs ?

Ans – In the context of graph construction, a false baseline, also known as a broken or truncated baseline, refers to a deliberate discontinuity in the horizontal axis of a graph. Instead of starting the horizontal axis at zero, the axis is truncated or manipulated to exclude a portion of the scale. This technique can distort the visual representation of data and create misleading interpretations. The false baseline is typically used to accentuate differences between data points or emphasize relative changes.

The utility of false baselines in graph construction lies in their ability to visually highlight small variations or differences in data sets that would otherwise be less noticeable if the axis were to start at zero. By compressing the scale or excluding a portion of the axis, even minor differences between data points can be magnified, making them appear more significant.

However, it is important to recognize that the use of false baselines can introduce bias and distort the representation of data. They can exaggerate or minimize the actual magnitude of differences, leading to misinterpretations or misunderstandings. Without the baseline starting at zero, the proportional relationship between data points may not be accurately conveyed, potentially misleading viewers.

False baselines should be used with caution and only in situations where the purpose and potential consequences are well understood. It is generally recommended to use a baseline that starts at zero to maintain an accurate and unbiased representation of data. However, there may be specific cases where a false baseline can be appropriate, such as when presenting data with very small variations that are crucial to highlight.

Ultimately, the decision to use a false baseline in graph construction should be made judiciously, considering the specific context, data characteristics, and the potential impact on interpretation. It is important to ensure transparency, clarity, and accuracy in presenting data through graphs to avoid misleading visual representations.

Q.15 What do you mean by Business Forecasting ?

Ans – Business forecasting refers to the process of estimating or predicting future business conditions, trends, and outcomes based on historical data, statistical analysis, and expert judgment. It involves using various quantitative and qualitative methods to anticipate future events and make informed decisions for planning, resource allocation, risk management, and goal setting.

The primary objective of business forecasting is to reduce uncertainty and enhance decision-making by providing insights into potential future scenarios. It helps organizations anticipate demand, sales, market trends, financial performance, and other key factors that impact business operations. By forecasting, businesses can anticipate challenges, identify opportunities, and develop strategies to adapt and thrive in a dynamic and competitive environment.

Business forecasting can involve different time horizons, ranging from short-term forecasts (days, weeks, or months) to medium-term (one to three years) and long-term (beyond three years) forecasts. The specific techniques and methods used for forecasting depend on the nature of the business, available data, industry dynamics, and the purpose of the forecast.

Some common methods and techniques used in business forecasting include:

  1. Time Series Analysis: This involves analyzing historical data to identify patterns, trends, and seasonality in the data and using that information to make future predictions. Techniques such as moving averages, exponential smoothing, and ARIMA models are commonly used in time series analysis.
  2. Regression Analysis: Regression analysis involves establishing relationships between a dependent variable and one or more independent variables to predict future outcomes. It is used when there is a cause-and-effect relationship between variables and historical data is available.
  3. Qualitative Forecasting: Qualitative forecasting methods rely on expert judgment, surveys, market research, and subjective opinions to make predictions. This approach is used when historical data is limited, and the focus is on understanding market dynamics, customer preferences, and industry trends.
  4. Delphi Method: The Delphi method involves collecting opinions and forecasts from a panel of experts anonymously and iteratively. The process continues until a consensus is reached or a stable forecast is obtained.
  5. Scenario Analysis: Scenario analysis involves creating multiple hypothetical scenarios based on different assumptions about future events and conditions. Each scenario represents a plausible future outcome, and the analysis helps identify risks, opportunities, and potential strategies for each scenario.
  6. Market Research and Consumer Surveys: Gathering data through market research, surveys, and customer feedback can provide valuable insights into consumer behavior, preferences, and expectations. This information can be used to forecast demand, product acceptance, and market trends.

Business forecasting plays a crucial role in strategic planning, budgeting, production and inventory management, sales and marketing strategies, financial planning, risk assessment, and overall business performance evaluation. It helps organizations make proactive decisions, allocate resources effectively, and adapt to changing market conditions, ultimately improving competitiveness and profitability




Anna Bhagya Scheme

After the refusal by the Food Corporation of India (FCI) to provide additional rice to Karnataka, the launch of the Anna Bhagya scheme by the State government has been planned to make the availability of rice at competitive cost in other States.

About the Rice conflict:

  • About 28 lakh tonnes of rice is required every month to provide an additional five kgs of rice per person in the family of those holding BPL and Antyodaya cards.
  • If Karnataka gets rice from other States, it has to spend a minimum of ?2.60 per kg on transportation while it could go up further in case rice comes from
  • Besides, the cost of implementing the scheme could go up as the State may have to purchase rice from the open market.

Highlights of the scheme:

  • Karnataka Anna Bhagya Scheme is also called as” Karnataka Free Rice Distribution Scheme” in which free of cost food grains will be given by the Government of Karnataka.
  • The following benefits will be provided to eligible beneficiaries of Karnataka under Karnataka Anna Bhagya Scheme :-
    • Free of Cost Rice will be given to all beneficiaires.
    • 10 Kg of Rice per Person per Month will be given.
  • Person belongs to below poverty line (BPL) are only eligible to get free of cost rice under Karnataka Anna Bhagya Scheme.
  • Having a BPL Card is mandatory to avail the benefit of scheme.
  • There is no cap on family members, every family member will get free of cost 10 Kg rice per month per head.
  • Eligible Persons/ Households will have to wait little more to get their Free of Cost 10 Kg Rice under Karnataka Anna Bhagya Scheme/ Karnataka Free Rice Distribution Scheme.
  • Government of Karnataka Announced date from which the beneficiary will get free food grains.
  • Implemented from:
  • From 1st of July 2023, every eligible beneficiary will get 10 kg of rice under Karnataka Anna Bhagya Scheme.
Food Corporation of India:

  • FCI is a statutory body set up in 1965 under the Food Corporations Act 1964.
  • It was established against the backdrop of major shortage of grains, especially wheat.
  • Simultaneously, Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices (CACP) was created in 1965 to recommend remunerative prices to farmers.
  • Role:
    • It has primary duty to undertake purchase, store, and move/transport, distribute and sell food grains and other foodstuffs.

Targeted Public Distribution System:

  • The Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS) was launched in 1997 to benefit the poor and to keep the budgetary food subsidies under control to the desired extent following failure of the earlier PDS system.
  • Conceptually, the transition from universal PDS to TPDS was a move in the right direction, as it was designed to include all the poor households and raise the unit subsidy and ration quota considerably for them.
  • TPDS aims at providing food grains to people below the poverty line at highly subsidised prices from the PDS and food grains to people above the poverty line at much higher prices than the poverty line.
  • Thus, the TPDS adopted by the Government of India maintains the universal character of the PDS but adds a special focus on the people below the poverty line.
  • The National Food Security Act, 2013 (NFSA) has been notified which provides for all India coverage of upto 75% of the rural population and up to 50% of the urban population of the country for receiving highly subsidized foodgrains



Why Jammu is seeing a terror thrust?

Why in news?

  • In just two weeks, there were two attacks on security personnel in Jammu.
    • The first attack happened on April 20, where militants ambushed a truck in Poonch and killed five soldiers.
    • The second attack took place on May 5, where five Army personnel lost their lives in an explosion in a forested area in Rajouri.
  • These attacks have brought attention to Jammu, which was previously considered a relatively peaceful region in comparison to the other regions of Jammu and Kashmir.
  • Now, it is facing a new wave of terrorist activity.

What’s in today’s article?

  • Terrorism in Jammu

Terrorism in Jammu: Statistics

  • Jammu was largely seen as more peaceful of the two regions of Jammu & Kashmir. However, off late, the Jammu region has become focus of a new terror thrust.
  • Experts believe that the first sign of this shift in focus came in February 2021, when the UT Police seized 15 sticky bombs (magnetic IEDs) in Samba district’s Ramgarh sector along the International Border with Pakistan.
  • This was followed by the dropping of two IEDs by low-flying drones at the Air Force Station, Jammu, in June 2021.
    • The attack was the first of its kind in India.
  • Analysis of data from 2021 reveals that the three districts of Jammu region have seen fewer but bloodier and more high-visibility terror attacks when compared to Kashmir Valley.
    • These three districts are — Poonch, Rajouri and Jammu.

Shift in strategy: cause of concern

  • Militants, after infiltrating into the area from across the LoC, are traditionally known to have a layover of not more than two or three days in the region before they cross the Pir Panjal range to Shopian in South Kashmir.
  • Hence, many in the security establishment believed that the militants who crossed the LoC would not stay back in Jammu for longer to carry out the attacks.

Factors behind stepped-up attacks in Jammu

  • More high-tech, well-trained militants
    • Those involved in the attack were careful to not use their own communication systems, the signals of which could have been intercepted by police and security forces and their location tracked.
    • Instead, the militants borrowed the phones of locals to communicate with their handlers in Pakistan.
    • They would download apps such as Telegram on the phones of the locals and talk to their handlers in Pakistan.
  • Drying up of the human intelligence
    • One of the reasons why forces may have not been able to anticipate the attacks is the drying up of the human intelligence or their network of informers.
      • Human intelligence is very important in counter-insurgency operations.
      • Even with all their reliance on gadgets and smart ways to avoid surveillance, the terrorists visit the nearest human settlement in order to get logistical support for their survival.
      • This is where the role of human intelligence becomes important.
    • While militants and their network of overground workers continue to exist, the informers are missing.
      • Many security experts attribute the dried-up human intelligence to authorities taking the prevailing peace for guaranteed.
      • As per them, the new officers who got transferred to the region didn’t work as hard as they should have on their informer network.
  • Security Forces shifted out
    • In 2020, amid the standoff with China along the LAC in Ladakh sector, several companies of the Rashtriya Rifles were moved from the hinterlands of Poonch, Rajouri and adjoining Reasi district in Jammu division.
    • This thinning out of personnel may have emboldened the militants.
    • This move coincided with a period when militants operating in Kashmir Valley had come under pressure from police and security personnel, and were looking for newer hideouts.
  • Opportunities for terrorists in Jammu region
    • The Rajouri-Poonch area had a thinner concentration of security forces.
    • This region is equidistant from Shopian and Kulgam in Kashmir, and the Line of Control with Pakistan, making it easier to move between the three regions.
      • It was highly unlikely that security forces and police from all three regions would simultaneously launch an operation against the militants



Draft Guidelines for Regulation of Fishing by Indian Flagged Fishing Vessels in the High Seas, 2022

Why in News?

  • The Union government had issued draft guidelines on high-seas fishing (fishing in international waters off India coast, beyond the 200 nautical mile jurisdiction) in 2022.
  • The Kerala State Fisheries Coordination Committee is getting ready to launch a protest against what it called “anti-fisherman” guidelines for regulating fishing by Indian-flagged vessels on the high seas.

What’s in Today’s Article?

  • Need for the Draft Guidelines
  • The Draft Guidelines for Regulation of Fishing by Indian Flagged Fishing Vessels in the High Seas, 2022
  • Concerns Regarding the Draft Guidelines
  • Issues raised by the Kerala State Fisheries Coordination Committee
  • The Government’s Argument
  • Way Ahead

Need for the Draft Guidelines:

  • The notification accepts that marine fisheries are the livelihood of 4 million people in the country, it stresses the need for regulation to avoid over-exploitation and ensure sustainable use of the resources.
  • The guidelines are necessary as currently, a considerable number (900+) of Indian vessels are fishing in areas outside the Indian EEZ without any protection or security from the GoI.

The Draft Guidelines for Regulation of Fishing by Indian Flagged Fishing Vessels in the High Seas, 2022:

  • Any person engaging in deep sea fishing should obtain a valid permit from the issuing authority.
  • The permit fee for boats more than 24m long is Rs 5 lakh while that of boats between 15m and 24m is Rs 1 lakh. The fee for boats between 12m to 15m is Rs 50,000.
  • The licence issuing authority is the Union Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, and the validity of the permit is two years.

Concerns Regarding the Draft Guidelines:

  • The regulations are issued as a guideline and not as part of the proposed Indian Marine Fisheries Regulation Act.
  • The proposal to issue a permit to all Indian citizens for fishing on the high seas is also unacceptable.
  • The licence fee is exorbitant and should be reduced by half so that it does not put a burden on the small-scale fishermen.
  • Though the preamble talks highly about the small-scale fishers in India, the guideline goes on to support private players. 

Issues raised by the Kerala State Fisheries Coordination Committee:

  • The regulation will adversely affect around 650 small-scale deep sea fishing vessels operating from Kochi.
  • Handing over the rights of high seas to monopolies would jeopardise the livelihoods of lakhs of traditional and small fishermen and work against the principles of sustainability.
  • If the government goes ahead with this policy, there would be strong protests from fishermen’s unions and other stakeholders. 

The Government’s Argument:

  • The high seas resources are now being exploited by large vessels from countries like Japan, Korea, China, and the EU.
  • These resources can be tapped effectively by Indian vessels with permits.

Way Ahead:

  • The Union Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries should cooperate with the fisheries department of respective maritime states for ease of issuing licences and conducting inspections.
  • Formation of Regional Fisheries Management Organisation with neighbouring countries.
  • The traditional fishermen want the government to support modernisation of the fishing fleet in existence and to bring them under a vessel monitoring system



How Do Telegram Bots Function?

Why in News?

  • Recently, reports came out which alleged that a Telegram bot had access to the documents submitted for vaccination purposes which includes AadhaarPAN card, and passport numbers of individuals.
  • In a similar incident, in 2021, a bot on the platform was found selling phone numbers pulled from Facebook.

What’s in Today’s Article?

  • About Telegram Bots (Platform, Meaning, Uses, Misuses, etc.)
  • India’s Cyber Security Mechanism (Statistics, Laws related to it, Institutions involved)

What is Telegram?

  • Telegram is an open-source API (Application Programming Interface) messaging platform service launched in 2013.
  • The platform allows developers to create their own apps and use the free-to-use API to develop specialised tools, like bots, to integrate services.
  • The platform currently has over 700 million monthly active users.
  • It is known for supporting file shares of up to 2GB, stored on the cloud that can be accessed from different devices.

What are Telegram Bots?

  • Bots are computer programs that act as agents of a user or another computer program.
  • Bots on Telegram are small applications that run entirely within the platform and can be designed to support any kind of task or service.
  • Bots on Telegram can host full Web Apps and can be designed to support everything from online stores to arcade games.
  • Additionally, they can also be designed to make it easier for users to access information held within large databases they are connected to.
  • Bots are listed on the platform as special accounts that do not require a phone number to set up and are connected to the owner’s server which processes input and requests from users.

What is the Use of Bots on Telegram?

  • Bots are usually used in professional areas for smart communication and pulling information from defined databases.
  • Users can send commands to bots that they respond to with relevant information or perform tasks they are designed to do.
  • For example, if a user does not wish to open their email app to check their messages, they can use a bot to check their email within the Telegram app.
  • Users can also authorise bots to respond to emails from the Telegram app.

Are Bots on Telegram Safe?

  • While Telegram encourages developers to create bots that comply with its terms of service, not all bots may be secure and some can pose security risks.
  • Bots may collect user data, including personal information and chat history and users should read the terms of service and privacy policy to understand how individual bots handle user data.
  • Bots can also be created by threat actors to contain malicious content, such as links to phishing websites or malware.
  • Threat actors can also distribute bots to scam users, promising rewards or discounts on purchases to lure users into sharing their personal data.
  • Some bots could have security vulnerabilities that can be used by threat actors to compromise the security of users.

India’s Cyber Security Mechanism:

  • As per the government data presented in the Parliament, nearly 1.16 million cases of cyber-attacks in India were reported in 2020, marking an average of 3,137 cyber security issues reported every day of the year.
  • The Internet Crime Report by the FBI revealed that India is ranked third in the world among the top 20 countries being victimized by cyber-crimes.
  • At present, India does not have any dedicated cyber security law.

Laws Related to Cyber Security in India:

  • Information Technology Act, 2000 –
    • As of now, the only law applicable to such a mechanism is the Information Technology Act, 2000.
    • The Act provides legal recognition and protection for transactions carried out through electronic data and other means of electronic communication.
    • It also focuses on information security, defines reasonable security practices to be followed by corporates and redefines the role of intermediaries, recognizes the role of the Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In).
    • The IT Act not only extends to the whole of India, but it is also applicable to any offence or contravention committed outside India by any person.
  • National Cyber Security Policy (2013) –
    • National Cyber Security Policy is a policy framework by Department of Electronics and Information Technology (DeitY).
    • It aims at protecting the public and private infrastructure from cyber-attacks.
    • The policy also intends to safeguard “information, such as personal information (of web users), financial and banking information and sovereign data”.

Institutions Involved in Cyber Security:

  • Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In) –
    • CERT-In has been operational since 2004.
    • It is an office within the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology.
    • It is the nodal agency to deal with cyber security threats like hacking and phishing. It strengthens security-related defence of the Indian Internet domain.
    • In the Information Technology Amendment Act, 2008, CERT-In has been designated to serve as the national nodal agency to perform various functions in the area of cyber security.
  • Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) –
    • Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre is an initiative of the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) to combat cyber-crime in the country, in a coordinated and effective manner.
    • It acts as a nodal point in the fight against cybercrime.
    • The scheme was approved in October 2018 with a proposed amount of Rs. 415.86 crore.
    • The centre is located in New Delhi.
  • National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal –
    • It is a citizen-centric initiative which will enable citizens to report cybercrimes online and all the complaints will be accessed by the concerned law enforcement agencies for taking action as per law.
    • The portal was launched on a pilot basis in August, 2019



Miyawaki forests

Why in news?

  • PM Modi during his latest ‘Mann ki baat’ episode spoke about Miyawaki plantation, the Japanese method of creating dense urban forests in a small area.
  • The PM also cited the example of a Kerala-based teacher, Raafi Ramnath, who used the Miyawaki technique to transform a barren land into a mini forest called Vidyavanam by planting 115 varieties of trees.
  • The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has also been creating Miyawaki forests in several open land parcels of Mumbai.

What’s in today’s article?

  • Miyawaki forests

Miyawaki forests

  • Miyawaki forests or Miyawaki technique, refer to a unique approach to afforestation and ecological restoration developed by Japanese botanist Akira Miyawaki.
  • The methodology was developed in the 1970s, with the basic objective to densify green cover within a small parcel of land.
  • The method involves creating dense, multi-layered forests that grow rapidly and mimic the natural biodiversity of native forests.
  • This method involves planting two to four different types of indigenous trees within every square metre.
    • The plants used in the Miyawaki method are mostly self-sustaining and don’t require regular maintenance like manuring and watering.
  • In this method, the trees become self-sustaining and they grow to their full length within three years.

Key principles of the Miyawaki Method

  • Biodiversity:
    • Planting numerous native species in close proximity to encourage natural competition, symbiotic relationships, and the development of a self-sustaining ecosystem.
  • Dense planting:
    • High-density planting of trees ensures that the canopy closes quickly, minimizing sunlight reaching the ground.
      • It reduces the weed growth, thus enhancing the growth of tree saplings.
  • Soil preparation:
    • The soil is carefully prepared by adding organic matter, nutrients, and microorganisms to create a fertile and conducive environment for tree growth.
  • Mulching:
    • Mulch is applied to the forest floor to retain moisture, suppress weed growth, and enhance soil fertility.
  • Regular maintenance:
    • Proper care and maintenance, such as watering, weeding, and monitoring, are crucial during the initial years to ensure the successful establishment of the forest.

Benefits

  • Rapid forest development:
    • Miyawaki forests have a remarkable growth rate, with trees reaching maturity in a much shorter time compared to traditional plantations.
    • A study revealed that Miyawaki forests grow 10x faster, are 30 x denser and contain 100x more biodiversity.
  • High biodiversity:
    • These forests become thriving habitats for birds, insects, and other wildlife, contributing to overall ecosystem health and resilience.
  • Enhanced carbon sequestration:
    • The dense vegetation and rapid growth of these forests enable efficient carbon absorption, helping to mitigate climate change and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
  • Improved soil quality:
    • The careful soil preparation results in the enrichment of soil fertility and structure.
  • Noise and air pollution reduction:
    • Miyawaki forests planted in urban areas can help mitigate noise pollution by acting as sound barriers and absorbing sound waves.
    • Additionally, they contribute to improving air quality by absorbing pollutants and particulate matter, thereby reducing air pollution levels.
  • Sustainable water management:
    • The dense vegetation of Miyawaki forests act as natural sponges, absorbing rainfall and reducing runoff, thus contributing to better water retention and preventing water pollution.
  • Regulates surface temperature
    • Miyawaki forests can help regulate surface temperatures, particularly in urban areas where the urban heat island effect is a concern.
      • The urban heat island effect refers to the phenomenon where urban areas experience higher temperatures compared to surrounding rural areas.
      • This is due to human activities, the presence of buildings and pavement, and the lack of vegetation



Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL)

Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL) CEO recently pledged his support to the implementation of Energy Efficiency (EE) projects in the State of Andhra Pradesh aimed at mitigating the impact of climate change, especially in the MSME sector.

About Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL):

  • EESL is promoted by the Ministry of Power, Government of India, as a Joint Venture of four reputed public-sector undertakings NTPC LimitedPower Finance Corporation LimitedREC Limited and POWERGRID Corporation of India Limited.
  • It is registered under the Companies Act, 1956 on 10th December 2009.
  • EESL was formed to create and sustain market access to energy efficient technologies, particularly in public facilities like municipalities, buildings, agriculture, industry etc. and to implement several schemes of the Bureau of Energy Efficiency, Ministry of Power and Ministry of New & Renewable Energy, Government of India.
  • EESL is also leading the market-related activities of the National Mission for Enhanced Energy Efficiency (NMEEE).

National Mission on Enhanced Energy Efficiency (NMEEE):

  • It is one of the eight national missions under the National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC).
  • Aim: To strengthen the market for energy efficiency by creating a conducive regulatory and policy regime and envisage fostering innovative and sustainable business models in the energy efficiency sector.
  • The Mission is implemented since 2011.
  • Initiatives under NMEEE: It consists of four initiatives to enhance energy efficiency in energy-intensive industries, which are as follows:
    • Perform Achieve and Trade Scheme (PAT): Implementing a market-assisted compliance mechanism to accelerate the implementation of cost-effective improvements in energy efficiency in large energy-intensive industries.
    • Market Transformation for Energy Efficiency (MTEE): Accelerating the shift to energy-efficient appliances in specific applications through innovative measures to make the products more affordable.
    • Energy Efficiency Financing Platform (EEFP): Facilitating Financial Institutions to invest in Energy Efficiency Projects and Programmes.
    • Framework for Energy Efficient Economic Development (FEEED): Developing fiscal instruments to leverage financing for Energy Efficiency through risk mitigation.
  • Implementation agencies:
  • BEE: Bureau of Energy Efficiency.
  • EESL: Energy Efficiency Services Limited



Gulf of California

An earthquake of magnitude 6.4 struck the Gulf of California recently.

About Gulf of California:

  • The Gulf of California, also called the Sea of Cortez is a large inlet of the eastern Pacific Ocean along the northwestern coast of Mexico
  • It separates the mountainous Lower California Peninsula/Baja California Peninsula in the west from the states of Sonora and Sinaloa on the mainland of Mexico in the east.
  • Geography:
    • It covers an area of 160,000 sq. km and has a long coastline of approximately 4,000km. 
    • It is about 1,126km long and has a maximum width ranging between 48 to 241km. 
    • The Gulf is divided into two portions and is separated by a narrowing that is marked by the islands of Tiburón and Angel de la Guarda.
    • The northern portion is relatively shallow, with a mean depth of 180m, while the southern portion contains many depressions and the deepest of these depressions reaches a maximum depth of over 3,000m. 
    • The head of the gulf is dominated by the large Colorado River Delta through which the Colorado River drains into the Gulf.
    • The long coastline of the gulf is extremely irregular and forms numerous small bays. 
  • Geology: The Gulf of California was created around 5.3 million years ago due to the movement of tectonic plates that separated the Baja California Peninsula from the North American Plate. 
  • Islands:
    • There are about 37 major islands in the Gulf of California that is mostly located on its western side.
    • It is believed that these islands were created due to volcanic eruptions and several of these islands are home to volcanoes.
    • Some of the major islands include the Isla Ángel de la Guarda, Isla Tiburón, Islas Marías, Isla Partida, Islas San Francisco, Isla Coronados, etc.
  • Climate: Due to the presence of an uninterrupted chain of mountains on the Baja California Peninsula, the Gulf of California experiences a ‘continental’ climate rather than an ‘oceanic’ climate.



Gandhi Peace Prize

The Gandhi Peace Prize for 2021 will be conferred on Gita Press, Gorakhpur.

About Gandhi Peace Prize:

  • It is an annual award instituted by the Government of India in 1995,
  • It was instituted on the occasion of the 125th Birth Anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi as a tribute to the ideals espoused by Mahatma Gandhi.
  • The award is open to all persons regardless of nationality, race, language, caste, creed or gender.
  • The award carries an amount of 1 crore, a citation, a plaque and an exquisite traditional handicraft/handloom item.
  • The prize can be given to institutions, individuals and organisations.
  • Recent awardees include Sultan Qaboos Bin Said Al Said, Oman (2019) and Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman (2020), Bangladesh.

Key facts about Gita Press

  • It was established in 1923, Gita Press is one of the world’s largest publishers, having published 41.7 crore books in 14 languages, including 16.21 crore Shrimad Bhagvad Gita.
  • In recognition of its outstanding contribution towards social, economic and political transformation through non-violent and other Gandhian methods.



Drugs Technical Advisory Board

Recently, the Drugs Technical Advisory Board (DTAB) recommended banning the manufacture, sale and distribution of two non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) Ketoprofen and Aceclofenac.

About Drugs Technical Advisory Board:

  • It is the highest statutory decision-making body on technical matters related to drugs in India.
  • It is established as per the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940.
  • It is part of the Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO).
  • Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
  • Function: It advises the Central Government and the State Governments on technical matters arising out of the administration of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, of 1940 and to carry out the other functions assigned to it by this Act.

What are Non-steroid Anti-inflammatory Drugs?

  • These are medicines that are widely used to relieve pain, reduce inflammation, and bring down a high temperature.
  • These drugs block the production of certain body chemicals that cause inflammation.
  • The most popular examples of drugs in this group are aspirin and ibuprofen.



INS Vagir

Indian Navy’s state-of-the-art submarine, INS ‘Vagir’, is all set to embark on an operational visit to Colombo from June 19 to June 22.

About INS Vagir:

  • It was launched into water on November 12, 2020 and commenced sea trials on February 1, 2022.
  • It is a Kalvari-class submarine, which includes vessels, such as the INS Kalvari, INS Khanderi, INS Karanj, INS Vela and INS Vagsheer.
  • It is the fifth Scorpène-class submarine.  
  • It is built under Project-75 by the Mazgaon Docks Ltd,under technology transfer from the Naval Group of France under a $3.75 billion deal signed in October 2005.
  • Features
    • It is capable of undertaking diverse missions including anti-surface warfare, anti-submarine warfare, intelligence gathering, mine laying and surveillance missions.
    • It has advanced stealth features and is also equipped with both long-range guided torpedoes and anti-ship missiles.
    • It is having “superior stealth features” like advanced acoustic absorption techniques.



LEED Certification

According to the Green Business Certification Inc. India ranks first globally in LEED Zero-certified green building projects surpassing the US and China.

About LEED Certification:

  • Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design is the world’s most widely used green building rating system in the world.
  • It is available for virtually all building types.
  • This certification provides a framework for healthy, highly efficient, and cost-saving green buildings, which offer environmental, social and governance benefits. 
  • It is a globally recognized symbol of sustainability achievement and leadership.
  • To achieve LEED certification, a project earns points by adhering to prerequisites and credits that address carbon, energy, water, waste, transportation, materials, health and indoor environmental quality.
  • Projects go through a verification and review process by GBCI and are awarded points that correspond to a level of LEED certification: Certified (40-49 points), Silver (50-59 points), Gold (60-79 points) and Platinum (80+ points).
  • This rating system is developed by the United States Green Building Council (USGBC).