The document provides information about the Ukraine-Russia conflict, including its origins in 2014, key events like Russia's annexation of Crimea and the ongoing conflict in eastern Ukraine. It discusses the Minsk agreements aimed at resolving the conflict, international responses including sanctions, and ongoing tensions with concerns over recent Russian troop movements near Ukraine.

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Ukraine Issue
Reference News:-
The United States, NATO and Ukrainian
officials have been making statements for
nearly two weeks, referring to what they
say are unusual Russian troop
movements in the proximity of Ukraine.
What is the conflict all about?
 Tensions between Ukraine and Russia, both former Soviet states, escalated in late
2013 over a landmark political and trade deal with the European Union. After the
pro-Russian then-President, Viktor Yanukovych, suspended the talks, weeks of
protests in Kiev erupted into violence.
 Then, in March 2014, Russia annexed Crimea, an autonomous peninsula in southern
Ukraine with strong Russian loyalties, on the pretext that it was defending its
interests and those of Russian-speaking citizens.
 Shortly afterwards, pro-Russian separatists in Ukraine’s Donetsk and Luhansk
regions declared their independence from Kiev, prompting months of heavy
fighting. Despite Kiev and Moscow signing a peace deal in Minsk in 2015, brokered
by France and Germany, there have been repeated ceasefire violations.
Need for international attention:
Fourteen thousand people have died in the battle between Kiev and pro-Russia rebels in
the east of the country. Out of these, 3,393 deaths were of civilians, according to the UN
Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights’s October 2021 report.
International response:
The European Union and US have imposed a series of measures in response to Russia’s
actions in Crimea and eastern Ukraine, including economic sanctions targeting
individuals, entities and specific sectors of the Russian economy.
Russia’s response:
Moscow sees the growing support for Ukraine from NATO — in terms of weaponry,
training and personnel — as a threat to its own security.
 It has also accused Ukraine of boosting its own troop numbers in preparation for an
attempt to retake the Donbas region, an allegation Ukraine has denied.
 Russian President Vladimir Putin has called for specific legal agreements that would
rule out any further NATO expansion eastwards towards Russia’s borders, saying
the West has not lived up to its previous verbal assurances.
Minsk Agreements:
Minsk I: Ukraine and the Russian-backed separatists agreed a 12-point ceasefire deal in
the capital of Belarus in September 2014.

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 Its provisions included prisoner exchanges, deliveries of humanitarian aid and the
withdrawal of heavy weapons.
 The agreement quickly broke down, with violations by both sides.
Minsk II: In 2015, an open conflict was averted after the ‘Minsk II’ peace agreement was
signed, under the mediation of France and Germany.
 It was designed to end the fighting in the rebel regions and hand over the border to
Ukraine’s national troops.
Significance of Raigad fort:
Reference News:-
President Ram Nath Kovind recently
visited Raigad Fort and paid tribute
to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.
Kingdoms and dynasties associated with the fort?
 The fort, which was earlier called Rairi, was the seat of the Maratha clan Shirke in
the 12th century.
 The fort changed hands a number of times from the dynasty of Bahaminis to the
Nizamshahis and then the Adilshahis.
 In 1656, Chhatrapati Shivaji captured it from the More’s of Javli who were under the
suzerainty of the Adilshahi Sultanate.

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 In 1662, Shivaji formally changed the fort’s name to Raigad and added a number of
structures to it. By 1664, the fort had emerged as the seat of Shivaji’s government.
The fort not only helped Shivaji challenge the supremacy of the Adilshahi dynasty but also
opened up the routes towards Konkan for the extension of his power.
Why is it significant?
The fort was known to early Europeans as the Gibraltar of the East. Its decisive feature is a
mile and a half flat top which has adequate room for buildings. In its prime, the fort had
300 stone houses and a garrison of 2,000 men.
Importance of Raigad Fort in Maharashtra’s polity:
Chhatrapati Shivaji is the tallest and the most revered icon in Maharashtra and there is a
constant attempt by political parties of all hues to appropriate his legacy. Due to the
significance of Raigad in his life, many political leaders make it a point to visit the fort.
About Chhatrapati Shivaji– notable points:
 He was born in 1639 to Shahaji Bhonsle, a Maratha general who held the jagirs of
Pune and Supe under the Bijapur Sultanate and Jijabai, a pious woman whose
religious qualities had a profound influence on him.
 He displayed his military zeal for the first time in 1645 when as a teenager, he
successfully got control of the Torna Fort which was under Bijapur. He also
acquired the Kondana Fort. Both these forts were under Adil Shah of Bijapur.
 He took on the titles of Chhatrapati, Shakakarta, Kshatriya Kulavantas and Haindava
Dharmodhhaarak.
Important battles associated with him:
1. Battle of Pratapgad, 1659.
2. Battle of Pavan Khind, 1660.
3. Battle of Purandar, 1665.
4. Battle of Sinhagad, 1670.
5. Battle of Kalyan, 1682-83.
6. Battle of Sangamner, 1679.
Treaty of Purandar:
In June 1665, the Treaty of Purandar was signed between Shivaji and Raja Jai Singh I
(representing Aurangzeb).
 As per this treaty, many forts were relinquished to the Mughals and it was agreed
that Shivaji would meet Aurangzeb at Agra. Shivaji also agreed to send his son
Sambhaji as well.

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What is NASA’s new communications system LCRD?
Reference News:-
NASA has launched its new Laser
Communications Relay Demonstration
(LCRD).
 It is the agency’s first-ever laser
communications system.
 The LCRD will help the agency
test optical communication in
space.
About LCRD:
LCRD is a technology demonstration that will pave the way for future optical
communications missions.
 The LCRD payload is hosted onboard the US Department of Defense’s Space Test
Program Satellite 6 (STPSat-6).
 It will be in a geosynchronous orbit, over 35,000km above Earth.
Advantages of optical communications systems:
Optical communications systems are smaller in size, weight, and require less power
compared with radio instruments.
 A smaller size means more room for science instruments.
 Less weight means a less expensive launch.
 Less power means less drain on the spacecraft’s batteries.
 With optical communications supplementing radio, missions will have unparalleled
communications capabilities.
Laser VS radio:
Laser communications and radio waves use different wavelengths of light.
 Laser uses infrared light and has a shorter wavelength than radio waves. This will
help the transmission of more data in a short time.
Kasturirangan Committee on Western Ghats:
Reference News:-
Recently, Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj
Bommai informed the Centre that the state is
opposed to the Kasturirangan
Committee report on Western Ghats.
 He said that declaring Western Ghats as
ecologically sensitive zone would

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adversely affect the livelihood of people
in the region.
 However, the experts called the state’s opposition disastrous for the ecologically
fragile Western Ghats.
What did the Gadgil Committee say?
 It defined the boundaries of the Western Ghats for the purposes of ecological
management.
 It proposed that this entire area be designated as ecologically sensitive area (ESA).
 Within this area, smaller regions were to be identified as ecologically sensitive
zones (ESZ) I, II or III based on their existing condition and nature of threat.
 It proposed to divide the area into about 2,200 grids, of which 75 per cent would fall
under ESZ I or II or under already existing protected areas such as wildlife
sanctuaries or natural parks.
 The committee proposed a Western Ghats Ecology Authority to regulate these
activities in the area.
Why was Kasturirangan Committee setup?
None of the six concerned states agreed with the recommendations of the Gadgil
Committee, which submitted its report in August 2011.
 In August 2012, then Environment Minister constituted a High-Level Working
Group on Western Ghats under Kasturirangan to “examine” the Gadgil Committee
report in a “holistic and multidisciplinary fashion in the light of responses received”
from states, central ministries and others.
 The Kasturirangan report seeks to bring just 37% of the Western Ghats under the
Ecologically Sensitive Area (ESA) zones — down from the 64% suggested by
the Gadgil report.
Recommendations of Kasturirangan
Committee:
 A ban on mining, quarrying and
sand mining.
 No new thermal power projects,
but hydro power projects
allowed with restrictions.
 A ban on new polluting
industries.
 Building and construction
projects up to 20,000 sq m was
to be allowed but townships
were to be banned.
 Forest diversion could be
allowed with extra safeguards.

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Importance of Western Ghats:
 The Western Ghats is an extensive region spanning over six States. It is the home of
many endangered plants and animals. It is a UNESCO World Heritage site.
 It is one of the eight “hottest hot-spots” of biological diversity in the world.
 According to UNESCO, the Western Ghats are older than the Himalayas. They
influence Indian monsoon weather patterns by intercepting the rain-laden monsoon
winds that sweep in from the south-west during late summer.
Assam Rifles’ dual control structure:
Reference News:-
Following the recent incident in
Nagaland, Assam Rifles, which has the
responsibility of the area where the
incident occurred, has issued a statement
expressing regret over the loss of innocent
lives. It also informed that the Indian
Army had instituted an inquiry into the
incident.
What is Assam Rifles?
Assam Rifles is one of the six central armed police forces (CAPFs) under the
administrative control of the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA). The other forces being the
Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), the Border Security Force (BSF), the Indo-Tibetan
Border Police (ITBP), the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) and the Sashastra Seema
Bal (SSB).
 It is tasked with the maintenance of law and order in the North East along with the
Indian Army and also guards the Indo-Myanmar border in the region.
How is it unique?
It is the only paramilitary force with a dual control structure. While the administrative
control of the force is with the MHA, its operational control is with the Indian Army, which
is under the Ministry of Defence (MoD).
 This means that salaries and infrastructure for the force is provided by the MHA,
but the deployment, posting, transfer and deputation of the personnel is decided by
the Army.
 All its senior ranks, from DG to IG and sector headquarters are manned by officers
from the Army. The force is commanded by Lieutenant General from the Indian
Army.

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What’s the issue now?
The force is the only central paramilitary force (CPMF) in real sense as its operational
duties and regimentation are on the lines of the Indian Army. However, being a Central
Armed Police force under MHA, its recruitment, perks, promotion of its personnel and
retirement policies are governed according to the rules framed by the MHA for CAPFs.
 This has created two sets of demands from both within the Assam Rifles and by
MoD and MHA for singular control over the force by one ministry.
Why there is a demand for Assam Rifles to be placed under the MoD?
A large section within the force wants to be under the administrative control of the MoD,
as that would mean better perks and retirement benefits which are far higher compared
to CAPFs under MHA. However, Army personnel also retire early, at 35, while the
retirement age in CAPF is 60 years.
 Also, CAPF officers have recently been granted non-functional financial upgradation
(NFFU) to at least financially address the issue of stagnation in their careers due to
lack of avenues for promotion. But Army personnel also get one rank one
pension which is not available to CAPFs.
Why do both MHA and MoD want full control?
MHA’s arguments:
 MHA has argued that all the border guarding forces are under the operational
control of the ministry and so Assam Rifles coming under MHA will give border
guarding a comprehensive and integrated approach.
 MHA sources also say that Assam Rifles continues to function on the pattern set
during the 1960s and the ministry would want to make guarding of the Indo-
Myanmar border on the lines of other CAPFs.
Army’s arguments:
 The Army is of the opinion that the Assam Rifles has worked well in coordination
with Army and frees up the armed forces from many of its responsibilities to focus
on its core strengths.
 It has also argued that Assam Rifles was always a military force and not a police
force and has been built like that. It has argued that giving the control of the force to
MHA or merging it with any other CAPF will confuse the force and jeopardise
national security.

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Diplomatic boycott of Beijing Winter Olympics
Context:
USA recently formally announced a
diplomatic boycott of the upcoming 2022
Beijing Winter Olympics in response to
China’s human rights record, especially
the ongoing Uighur abuse.
 The diplomatic boycott would mean the USA will not send “any diplomatic or official
representation,” while still allowing American athletes to compete.
About winter Olympic
 The Winter Olympic Games is a major international multi-sport event held once
every four years for sports practised on snow and ice.
 The first Winter Olympic Games was held in 1924 in Chamonix, France.
 The IOC is the governing body and the Olympic Charter defines its structure and
authority.
About Uighurs
 Uighurs, are a minority Turkic ethnic group originating from and culturally
affiliated with the general region of Central and East Asia.
 The Uyghurs are recognized as native to the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region of
the People’s Republic of China.
 China rejects the idea of them being an indigenous group
 Since 2016, it is estimated that over a million Uyghurs have been detained in
Xinjiang re-education camps.

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Multidimensional Poverty
Context:
The Resolution of the United Nations
General Assembly on 25 September 2015
established the 17 Sustainable
Development Goals (SDG). SDG 1 in its
entirety
(“End poverty in all its forms
everywhere”) is multidimensional in
nature and definition.
While target 1.1 seeks to eradicate extreme poverty –measured as people living on less
than $1.25 a day (subsequently increased to $1.90/day), target 1.2 aims at reducing
multidimensional poverty, as defined by national definitions, by half.
In News: NITI Aayog has recently released the state-wise National Multidimensional
Poverty Index or MPI in line with the global index released by the United Nations each
year.
According to Global MPI 2021, India’s rank is 66 out of 109 countries.
The Global MPI
 The Global MPI is part of the government’s decision to monitor the performance of
the country on 29 select global indices.
 It is an international measure of multidimensional poverty covering 107 developing
countries.
 It was first developed in 2010 by Oxford Poverty and Human Development Initiative
and United Nations Development Programme.
 It is released at the High-Level Political Forum (HLPF) on Sustainable Development
of the United Nations in July, every year.
 The dimensions of poverty range from deprivations of health facilities, education
and living standards.
 It is computed by scoring each surveyed household on 10 parameters based on -
nutrition, child mortality, years of schooling, school attendance, cooking fuel,
sanitation, drinking water, electricity, housing and household assets.
National Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI)
A national Multidimensional Poverty Index for India will
 Facilitate formulation of sectoral policies and targeted interventions which
contribute towards ensuring that “no one is left behind”.
 This baseline National MPI Report and Dashboard is a landmark first step in
bringing multidimensional poverty as a tool to the policy table at the national and
subnational levels in India.
 Enable estimation of poverty not only at the level of the States but also for all the
700 plus districts (600 plus in 2015-16, 700 plus in 2019-20) across twelve

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indicators, capture simultaneous deprivations and indicator-wise contribution to
poverty
 It is expected that the report will play an instrumental role in sensitizing
government, researchers, civil society, citizens, and other stakeholders on the need
for and importance of MPI as a powerful policy instrument.
 At the higher levels, MPI could be used as an input to the design of development
policies schemes, budget allocations, and target setting.
 At the lower levels, for instance, of that of district, MPI could decide priority of
execution and delivery. With every revision of MPI based on new survey data,
actions could be redesigned to shift focus to those who need it the most.
NITI Aayog will play a key role in charting this path and supporting the stakeholders in
their actions, through the following approaches.
 The National MPI Project is the first attempt in years to define poverty measures
and is aimed at deconstructing the Global MPI and creating a globally aligned and
yet customised India MPI.
 The MPI is based on three dimensions — health, education, and standard of living
— with each having a weighting of one-third in the index.
 The household micro data collected at the unit-level for the NFHS serves as the
basis of the computation of National MPI. This unit level micro data collected in
2015-16 has been used in the current MPI report to derive an idea of baseline
multidimensional poverty i.e. where the country was with respect to MPI before
full-scale roll out of the above mentioned schemes.
 The MPI identifies 25.01 per cent of the population as multidimensionally poor.
 The progress of the country with respect to this baseline will be measured using the
NFHS-5 data collected in 2019-20.
MPI Coordination Committee (MPICC): The inter-ministerial coordination committee
constituted under NITI Aayog included Ministries and departments pertaining to areas
such as health, education, nutrition, rural development, drinking water, sanitation,
electricity, and urban development, among others. It also included experts from Ministry
of Statistics and Programme Implementation and the publishing agencies – OPHI and
UNDP.
Engagement with States: Building consensus on MPI at the subnational level State and
Union Governments are pivotal stakeholders which make up the institutional bulwark of
the country.
 With 36 States and Union Territories and over 700 districts –subnational entities
represent the myriad socio-political, geographical and economic diversity in the
country.
 For a public policy tool such as the national MPI to fully realise its potential,
utilisation of its results and findings by State and UT governments is crucial.

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 Simultaneously, the success of identification and implementation of reform areas
and actions to improve the lives of households and individuals, would significantly
be influenced by the level of adoption at the level of States.
 Therefore, building consensus on the need to create a national MPI and the model
thereof, developing capacities, understanding and appetite for this novel policy tool,
with our primary stakeholders, ie., the State governments and policy makers and
implementers at the sub-national level, was felt to be imperative at the stage of MPI
project design.
The Calculation: The MPI uses the globally accepted methodology developed by the
Oxford Poverty and Human Development Initiative (OPHI) and the United Nations
Development Programme (UNDP). The dimensions of the index have proven to help
identify and achieve targeted policy interventions. The index is calculated by first setting
the deprivation cut-offs for each indicator, i.e., the level of achievement considered
normatively sufficient for an individual to be considered not deprived in an indicator. For
example, the individual has completed at least six years of schooling. Such a cut off would
be applied to determine whether the individual is deprived in each indicator. Weights are
added to each indicator and a composite metric is then used to calculate the index.
Some results
 Bihar has the highest proportion of people, at 51.91 per cent of the state’s
population, who are multidimensionally poor, followed by Jharkhand at 42.16 per
cent and Uttar Pradesh at 37.79 per cent.
 Bihar also has the highest number of malnourished people followed by Jharkhand,
Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, and Chhattisgarh.
 Kerala, Goa, and Sikkim have the lowest percentage of population being
multidimensionally poor at 0.71 per cent, 3.76 per cent and 3.82 per cent,
respectively.
 Among the Union Territories (UTs), Dadra and Nagar Haveli (27.36 per cent),
Jammu & Kashmir, and Ladakh (12.58), Daman & Diu (6.82 per cent) and
Chandigarh (5.97 per cent), have emerged as the poorest UTs in India.