Odisha’s Bonda Tribe    
Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans- Pacific Partnership (CPTPP)    
Removing the Bran from Millets Reduces Nutritional Benefits    
India's Ageing Population    
Indian Railways    

1.    Odisha’s Bonda Tribe
Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs)
•    Bondas are among the 13 PVTGs found in Odisha, a state that has a rich tribal heritage.
•    Nationally, there are 75 PVTGs in India, with Odisha having a significant portion of these groups.

Austroasiatic Tribes
•    Bondas belong to a group of Austroasiatic tribes, believed to have migrated out of Africa about 60,000 years ago.

•    They are considered among the first forest settlers in India, maintaining unique ancestral ways.
Culture and Social Structure
•    Distinct Cultural Identity
o    Despite modernization pressures, the Bondas have retained much of their traditional identity and customs.
o    Primarily forest dwellers, they once relied on hunting and foraging for food.
•    Matriarchal Society
o    Bonda society is matriarchal, where women typically marry men who are 5-10 years younger so that the men can provide for them in later years.
•    Unique Attire
o    Women are semi-clad, adorned with rings and necklaces, while men carry bows and arrows as part of their traditional attire.
•    Language
o    The Bondas speak Remo, an Austroasiatic language from the Mundari group, spoken by other Munda communities.
Settlement Division
•    The Bonda tribe is divided based on settlement areas:
o    Upper Bondas live in inaccessible forest regions.
o    Lower Bondas reside in the plains, with easier access to resources and external influence.
Tribes in Odisha
•    Odisha has a total of 62 tribal communities, the largest concentration of tribal diversity in India.
•    Thirteen of these are PVTGs, including the Bonda, Birhor, Chuktia Bhunjia,

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Didayi, Dungaria Kandha, Hill Kharia, Juang, Kutia Kondh, Lanjia Saora, Lodha, Mankirdia, Paudi Bhuyan, and Saora.
•    These tribal populations are predominantly found across seven districts: Kandhamal, Mayurbhanj, Sundargarh, Nabarangpur, Koraput, Malkangiri, and Rayagada, and partially in six other districts.

Prelims Question
Which language is spoken by the Bonda tribe of Odisha?
A)    Hindi
B)    Remo
C)    Santali
D)    Telugu Answer: B) Remo Mains Question
Discuss the unique cultural and social structure of the Bonda tribe in Odisha. How does their traditional way of life reflect the broader challenges faced by Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) in preserving their identity in modern India?

2.    Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP)
About CPTPP
•    The CPTPP is a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) involving 11 countries around the Pacific Rim:
o Member Countries: Canada, Mexico, Peru, Chile, New Zealand, Australia, Brunei, Singapore, Malaysia, Vietnam, and Japan.
•    Originally initiated as the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), the agreement was modified after the United States

withdrew from negotiations. The remaining 11 nations restructured the agreement, leading to the signing of the CPTPP in March 2018 and its enforcement in December 2018.

Significance of CPTPP
•    Tariff Elimination: The CPTPP removes 99% of tariffs on goods and services among member countries, promoting free trade across a variety of sectors.
•    Broad Coverage: The agreement covers diverse sectors, including financial services, telecommunications, and food safety standards.
•    Environmental Protection: All member countries are committed to reducing wildlife trafficking to protect endangered species such as elephants, rhinoceroses, and marine life.
Prelims Question
Which of the following countries is not a member of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP)?
A)    Japan
B)    Canada
C)    China
D)    Singapore

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Answer: C) China
Mains Question
Discuss the economic and environmental implications of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) for the member countries. How might India's position be impacted by not being a part of this agreement?

3.    Removing the Bran from Millets Reduces Nutritional Benefits
Context
Removing the bran from millets reduces key nutritional benefits such as protein, dietary fiber, fat, minerals, and phytate content, while increasing carbohydrates and amylose levels, according to a recent study published in Nature Springer. This processing method may limit the health benefits associated with eating millets.

Nutritional Value of Millets
•    High Mineral Content: Millets are rich in calcium, iron, phosphorus, and potassium and are an excellent source of phytochemicals like phenolic compounds.
•    Health Benefits: Compared to other cereals such as rice, wheat, and maize, millets offer anti-aging, anticarcinogenic, anti-atherosclerotic, antibacterial, and antioxidant properties.
Global Recognition

•    International Year of Millets 2023: The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) declared 2023 the International Year of Millets. India actively promoted millet consumption due to their high nutritional value and historical significance in Indian diets.
Market Trends and Concerns
•    Polished Millets in the Market: A 2018 market survey found polished millets similar to white rice being sold in stores. Though polished millets look different from whole grains, it is challenging for consumers to distinguish between them in packaged products.
•    Health Concerns: Polished millets, which lack bran, result in a high glycemic index, reducing their suitability for people with diabetes.
Why Are Millets Polished?
•    Extended Shelf Life: Removing bran and germ increases shelf life because bran, which is rich in fats, can turn rancid more quickly.
•    Improved Texture: De-branning softens the grain, reduces chewiness, and decreases cooking time.
Proposed Solutions
•    Packaging Advances: Dr. Shobana suggests that new packaging technologies, such as vacuum sealing, can extend the shelf life of whole grains without needing to remove the bran, thus preserving nutritional benefits.
Prelims Question
Which of the following nutritional elements decreases when the bran is removed from millets?
A)    Carbohydrates
B)    Protein
C)    Amylose
D)    Glycemic Index
 

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Answer: B) Protein
Mains Question
Discuss the implications of de-branning millets on their nutritional value and health benefits. What measures can be taken to balance millet shelf life with preserving their nutritional integrity?

4.    India's Ageing Population
Context
Some politicians in India’s Southern states have raised concerns about the ageing and shrinking population, suggesting a law to incentivize residents to have more children. An ageing population typically indicates an increasing proportion of individuals aged 65 and older compared to the working-age population (15-64). Key Data on Ageing and Population Growth in India
•    Projected Increase: India's population is expected to grow by 311 million between 2011 and 2036.
•    Concentration of Growth: Nearly half of this increase (170 million) will occur in five states—Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, West Bengal, and Madhya Pradesh.
•    Regional Disparities: Southern states like Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Telangana, and Tamil Nadu will contribute only about 9% to the total growth.
•    Rising Ageing Population: Individuals aged 60 and above are projected to increase from 100 million in 2011 to 230 million by 2036.
•    State Variations: In Kerala, the 60+ population is projected to rise to 23% by 2036, while in Uttar Pradesh, it will increase to 12%.
Reasons for Ageing and Shrinking Populations
•    Contraception and Family Planning: Improved access to contraception and

abortion services allows greater reproductive choice.
•    Women’s Economic Participation: As more women enter the workforce, many delay or forgo having children.
•    Urbanization: High living costs in urban areas often deter larger families.
•    Migration: Emigration to countries like the UAE and the USA has also contributed to a slower growth rate in India’s population.
Challenges of an Ageing Population
•    Political Representation: Southern states with smaller populations could lose seats in Parliament, leading to a potential North-South imbalance.
•    GDP Growth Impact: An ageing population can slow GDP growth due to a shrinking labor force.
•    Increased Dependency Ratio: A higher proportion of dependents to working-age individuals will place greater strain on the workforce.
•    Rising Public Expenditure: Ageing populations will necessitate increased spending on healthcare, pensions, and long-term care.
Shift from Population Explosion to Shrinkage
•    In the past, rapid population growth was India’s main concern, driven by high fertility rates. Southern states led efforts to control growth, with Andhra Pradesh reaching replacement-level fertility in 2004. Despite these efforts, India remains the most populous country globally.
Responses to Ageing Populations in Other Countries
•    China: Moved from a one-child policy to a three-child policy by 2021 to encourage higher birth rates.

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•    Japan: Mandates 12-month parental leave and offers financial aid and subsidized childcare.
•    Extended Retirement Age: Countries like France have raised the retirement age to reduce pension burdens.
•    Open Immigration: Nations like Australia and Canada use immigration to counter labor shortages.
•    Pro-Natalist Policies: Scandinavian countries support childcare, gender equality, and parental leave to maintain fertility rates.
•    Leveraging Internal Migration: Encouraging migration from populous Northern states to more developed Southern states can help balance the working-age demographic.
Prelims Question
Which Indian state is projected to have nearly 1 in 4 people aged 60 and above by 2036?
A)    Maharashtra
B)    Kerala
C)    Uttar Pradesh
D)    Bihar
Answer: B) Kerala
Mains Question
Discuss the socioeconomic challenges posed by an ageing population in India. Suggest policies India could adopt to mitigate these challenges while balancing regional demographic disparities.

5.    Indian Railways
Overview
•    Establishment: Indian Railways, established in 1853, is one of the largest railway networks globally.
•    First Rail Line: The first railway on the Indian subcontinent was a 21-mile stretch from Bombay to Thane.

•    Global Significance: India is projected to account for 40% of the total global share of rail activity by 2050.
•    National Rail Plan (NRP) 2030: Indian Railways has developed this plan to modernize the railway system and expand capacity.
Revenue Sources
•    In 2022-23, Indian Railways derived 69% of its internal revenue from freight, 24% from passenger traffic, and 7% from miscellaneous sources (parcel service, coaching receipts, platform ticket sales).

Organizational Structure
•    Ministry of Railways
o    Role: Sets the overall railway policy, strategic direction, and approves budgetary allocations and expansion plans.
o    Budget 2024-25: The Ministry
received a capital outlay of ₹2.52 lakh crore ($30.3 billion) to advance railway infrastructure and services.
o    FDI: The government has permitted 100% Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in the railway sector to attract private investments.
•    Railway Board
o    Responsibilities: Implements Ministry policies, oversees operations, and formulates plans
 

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for network expansion, modernization, and safety.
o    Directives: Issues guidelines to the zonal railways for consistency across the network.
Challenges and Strategic Plans
•    Declining Freight Share: Despite an increase in route kilometers and track length since 1950, the share of freight transport by rail has declined sharply from 85% in 1951 to less than 30% in 2022.
•    Environmental Impact: The reduced rail freight share hinders India’s net-zero ambitions and decarbonization goals in the transportation sector.
•    National Rail Plan (NRP) Goals: Targets a 45% rail share in freight transport by 2030-31, aiming for 3,600 million tonnes of freight loading to reclaim dominance in the sector and reduce emissions.
Prelims Question
What was the first stretch of railway on the Indian subcontinent?
A)    Bombay to Thane
B)    Delhi to Agra
C)    Chennai to Bangalore
D)    Kolkata to Howrah Answer: A) Bombay to Thane Mains Question
Discuss the significance of the National Rail Plan in addressing the environmental and economic challenges faced by Indian Railways. How can achieving a 45% rail share in freight transport impact India's net-zero goals?