1. Organ Transplant

Overview:

All cases of organ transplants will be allocated a unique National Organ and Tissue Transplant Organisation (NOTTO)-ID for both the donor and the recipient, according to a recent directive by the Union Health Ministry.

Norms

In a first, the Union Ministry of Health & Family Welfare
has issued a set of guidelines for the transportation of
live human organs.
The transport protocols aim to ensure the expeditious
movement of life-saving organs from the point of harvest
to their destination through effective use of available
infrastructure.
The Transplantation of Human Organs and Tissues Act,
1994, allows harvesting of organs from living donors or
brain-dead patients with the consent of family members.
Such organs are transported from one hospital to
another, sometimes far away, by air or road depending
on the location of eligible recipients registered with their
respective authorities.

Why in News?

The Union Health Ministry has issued the directive to eliminate commercial dealings in organs, especially those involving foreign citizens.
NOTTO-ID is mandatory for considering allocation of organs in the case of a deceased donor transplant; this ID in the case of a living donor transplant shall also be generated at the earliest, maximum within 48 hours after the transplant surgery is done.
NOTTO-ID must be generated by the hospital from the NOTTO website.
It has also called for stricter monitoring of such transplants by the local authorities

National Organ and Tissue Transplant Organization (NOTTO)

Overview:

All cases of organ transplants will be allocated a unique National Organ and Tissue Transplant Organisation (NOTTO)-ID for both the donor and the recipient, according to a recent directive by the Union Health Ministry.

Why in News?

The Union Health Ministry has issued the directive to eliminate commercial dealings in organs, especially those involving foreign citizens.
NOTTO-ID is mandatory for considering allocation of organs in the case of a deceased donor transplant; this ID in the case of a living donor transplant shall also be generated at the earliest, maximum within 48 hours after the transplant surgery is done.
NOTTO-ID must be generated by the hospital from the NOTTO website.
It has also called for stricter monitoring of such transplants by the local authorities.

About National Organ and Tissue Transplant Organization (NOTTO)

NOTTO is a national levelorganization set up under the Directorate General of Health Services, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India.
It functions as the apex centre for all India activities of coordination and networking for:
- procurement and distribution of organs and tissues; and
- registry of Organs and Tissues Donation and Transplantation in the country.
It has following two divisions:
National Human Organ and Tissue Removal and Storage Network:
- It would function as the apex centre for all India activities of coordination and networking for the procurement and distribution of Organs and Tissues and registry of Organs and Tissues Donation and Transplantation in the country.
- This has been mandated as per the Transplantation of Human Organs (Amendment) Act 2011.
National Biomaterial Centre (National Tissue Bank):
- The Transplantation of Human Organs (Amendment) Act 2011 has included the component of tissue donation and registration of tissue Banks.
- The main thrust and objective of establishing the centre is to fill up the gap between ‘Demand’ and ‘Supply’ as well as ‘Quality Assurance’ in the availability of various tissues.
- Activities: Coordinationfortissue procurement and distribution; Donor Tissue Screening; Removal of Tissues and Storage; Preservations of Tissue; Laboratory screening of Tissues; Tissue Tracking; Sterilization, Records maintenance; Data Protection and Confidentiality; Quality Management in tissues; Patient Information on tissues; Development of Guidelines; Protocols and Standard Operating Procedures; Trainings, Assisting as per requirement in registration of other Tissue Banks.

2. Coastal Erosion

News

Coastal erosion in Tamil Nadu is increasingly threatening livelihoods and infrastructure due to both natural processes and human interventions

Coastal Erosion???

It refers to the loss of coastal land due to the action of waves, currents, and human activities.

Examples:

Tamil Nadu, with India’s second-longest coastline, faces significant erosion challenges exacerbated by construction projects like groynes, ports, and desalination plants. Groynes, intended to control erosion, often shift the problem to neighbouring areas rather than solving it.
Chengalpattu: Groynes at Soolerikattukuppam are causing erosion to neighbouring villages.
Puducherry: A port’s construction led to severe beach erosion, though recent efforts to restore the beach have had mixed results.

Key Findings of the Study Regarding Tamil Nadu Coast:

Sand Movement: For most of the year, sand is carried from south to north by wind and sea currents; during the northeast monsoon, this flow reverses.
Impact of Structures: Building ports, breakwaters, or groynes disrupts this natural sand movement.
Erosion Effect: Sand accumulates on one side of these structures, leading to increased erosion on the opposite side, with waves encroaching further inland and heightening coastal risks.

Causes of Coastal Erosion:

Natural Causes:

Waves: Powerful waves erode coastlines through abrasion and hydraulic action (e.g., the cliffs of Dover).
Tides: High and low tides can significantly impact erosion, especially in areas with large tidal ranges (e.g., Bay of Fundy).
Wind and Sea Currents: Cause long-term erosion by moving sand along the coast; direction reverses during monsoons (e.g., Tamil Nadu coast).

Human Cause:

Hard Structures: Ports and groynes disrupt sand movement, leading to erosion on the down-current side and accumulation on the up-current side.
Development Projects: Infrastructure changes, such as land reclamation, worsen erosion by altering the shoreline (e.g., Mumbai).
Port Expansion: Breakwaters and jetties from expanded ports block sand movement, increasing erosion on one side (e.g., Ennore and Adani Kattupalli Ports)

Challenges:

Ineffectiveness of Groynes: Often shifts erosion rather than prevents it.
Regulatory Issues: Lack of proper clearance and adherence to Coastal Regulation Zone rules.

Solution:

Green belts and artificial reefs help in the mitigation of coastal erosion.
Coastal habitats such as Mangroves, Coral Reefs, and lagoons are recognized as the best defence against sea storms and erosion, deflecting and absorbing much of the energy of sea storms.
Hybrid Approach: Combining hard and soft measures like bio-shields and nourishment to better manage erosion.

Government Initiatives to Tackle Coastal Erosion:

Shoreline Mapping System: NCCR identifies 33.6% of the coastline as vulnerable to erosion.
Hazard Line: Defined by MoEFCC for disaster management and adaptive planning.
Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) Notification 2019: Allows erosion control measures and sets up No Development Zones.
Coastal Zone Management Plans (CZMP): States must map erosion-prone areas and prepare Shoreline Management Plans.
National Strategy for Coastal Protection: Guidelines developed by MoEFCC for coastal states.
Flood Management Scheme: State and Union Governments plan anti-sea erosion projects.
Coastal Management Information System (CMIS): Collects coastal data for protection planning; and experimental setups in Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Puducherry.

State Initiatives: Tamil Nadu’s response includes building groynes and seawalls, though their effectiveness is debated.
Using Geosynthetic tubes: currently being used along the coast in Odisha.

3.Axiom-4 mission

The Indian government has approved eight high-speed road corridor projects, spanning 936 km, to enhance logistics efficiency and connectivity across the country.

India has selected two Indian Air Force Group Captains, for the Axiom-4 mission to the International Space Station (ISS).

This mission marks the fourth private astronaut mission to the ISS and is part of a joint ISRO-NASA effort envisioned during the Prime Minister’s state visit to the U.S. in June 2023.
The Indian crew members will undergo training in the U.S. starting the first week of August, preparing to undertake scientific research, technology demonstrations, and space outreach activities aboard the ISS.
This mission aims to enhance India’s human space program and strengthen ISRO-NASA collaboration.

4. SOVEREIGN GREEN BONDS

The second of sovereign green bonds auction of FY25 received a muted response, with the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) selling only ₹1,697 crore worth of 10-year green bonds at a cut-off rate of 6.90%, against a notified amount of ₹6,000 crore.

The funds from these bonds are intended for public sector projects to reduce the carbon footprint.

Traders were unwilling to pay a premium for the bonds, which signifies the additional value placed on green bonds for their environmental impact.

5. Middle Income Trap

Context: The world bank Report 2024 report offers a roadmap to help developing countries escape the Middle-Income Trap, where countries with GDP per capita between $1,136 and $13,845 face growth slowdowns and struggle to reach high-income levels.

What is a Middle-Income Trap?

The World Bank defines the middle-income trap as a situation where a middle-income country struggles to become a high-income economy due to rising costs and declining competitiveness. There are concerns that India may fall into this trap, potentially stalling at a per capita income of USD 5,000-6,000 on its path to becoming a developed economy.

Key Highlights of the Report:

Wealthy countries often hit a growth slowdown at around $8,000 per capita (10% of U.S. GDP per person).
Since 1990, only 34 middle-income countries (MICs) have transitioned to high-income status.
As of end-2023, 108 MICs host 75% of the global population and generate over 40% of global GDP.
Challenges for MICs include ageing populations, rising protectionism, and the need for faster energy transitions.
India, a Lower MIC since 2007, has a GNI per capita of $2,540 and may take 75 years to reach one-quarter of U.S. income per capita at current trends.

Why Countries Fall into the Middle Income Trap

Struggles of Developing Countries: Middle-income nations often lag due to competition with low-wage producers and lack of innovation, stalling growth.
Structural Shift: Transitioning sectors or growth drivers risk stagnation in per capita income, especially if innovation capabilities are lacking.
Rising Income Inequality: High-income inequality, exemplified by large wealth gaps, restricts consumer spending and economic progress.

Reasons for India’s Susceptibility to Middle-Income Trap:

Reason	Description
Rising Protectionism	Increasing global protectionism may prevent India from benefiting from hyper-globalization, unlike China, South Korea, and Japan.
Structural Transformation	India’s high dependency on agriculture (45-50% of the population) and premature deindustrialization hinder the shift from primary to secondary and tertiary sectors.
State Control	Persistent state control, including retrospective taxation and unstable policies, limits private sector growth and investment.
Human Capital Formation	The quality of education and employability of graduates is below international standards, with around 55% of graduates deemed unemployable.
Climate Change	Frequent climate-related disasters and reliance on monsoon-dependent agriculture pose significant risks, consuming resources and impacting productivity.

Key Recommendations of the Report:

Adopt the 3I (Investment, Infusion, Innovation) strategy.
Stimulate business dynamism by rewarding value-adding firms.
Provide equal opportunities to women, minorities, and disadvantaged groups.
Reflect environmental costs in energy prices to enhance economic efficiency.

What more can be done?

Action Needed	Description
Greater Divestitures	Privatize inefficient public enterprises to raise funds, improve productivity, and attract foreign investment.
Boost Middle Class	Cut taxes or replace income tax with a consumption tax to increase disposable income and simplify the tax system.
Increase Labor Force Participation	Invest in education and skill development; support initiatives like the New Education Policy and Skill India Mission.
Accelerate Infrastructure Pipeline	Invest in and speed up the execution of infrastructure projects, such as roads and power, to enhance connectivity and quality of life.
Build on Manufacturing Momentum	Enhance India’s role as a global manufacturing hub with initiatives like PLI; improve ease of doing business and labour laws.
Boost Private Investment	Attract more foreign and domestic investment through support for infrastructure and manufacturing projects.
Implement Structural Reforms	Undertake targeted reforms to improve productivity and competitiveness in sectors like finance, urban planning, and e-commerce.
Increase Capital Accumulation	Boost investment to achieve the USD 30 trillion economy goal, with government support for infrastructure and manufacturing.

6. Investment Models

The Indian government has approved eight high-speed road corridor projects, spanning 936 km, to enhance logistics efficiency and connectivity across the country.

Investment Models used in India

The following investment models are used:

Harrod-Domar Model: The model is more of a One Sector Model where the factor of economic growth is dependent on the policies that will increase savings and technological advances.
Solow Swan Model: It is an extension of the Harrod-Domar Model that laid special emphasis on productivity growth
Feldman–Mahalanobis model : This model focuses on improving domestic consumption goods sector where there is a hgh enough capacity in the capital sector goods. It later evolved into a Four Sector Model also known as Nehru-Mahalanobis model.
Rao ManMohan Model : Named after Narasimha Rao and Dr. Manmohan Singh, this model employs the policy of economic liberalization and bringing in FDI in 1999. Lewis model of economic development by unlimited labour supply.

Key projects include:

Agra-Gwalior National High-Speed Corridor: An 88 km, 6-lane, access-controlled corridor to be developed on a BUILD OPERATE TRANSFER (BOT) mode.
Kharagpur-Moregram National High-Speed Corridor: A 231 km, 4-lane corridor c to be developed in HYBRID ANNUITY MODEL (HAM).
Tharad-Deesa-Mehsana-Ahmedabad National High-Speed Corridor: A 214 km, 6-lane corridor on BOT mode.
Ayodhya Ring Road: A 68 km, access-controlled ring road on HAM.
Pathalgaon-Gumla Section of Raipur-Ranchi National High-Speed Corridor: A 137 km section on HAM.
Kanpur Ring Road: A 47 km, 6-lane road in Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) mode.
Northern Guwahati Bypass: A 121 km corridor on BOT mode, including a major bridge over the Brahmaputra.
Nashik Phata-Khed Corridor: A 30 km elevated corridor near Pune on BOT mode.