Prelims 2017

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Day 11

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 Geography www.iasscore.in

CLIMATIC ZONES OF THE WORLD

Introduction
The world has several climatic zones. These are summarized on the map below.

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1. Tropical Moist Climates (Af)
Average temperature: 18 C (F)
Annual Precipitation: 262 cm. (103 in.)
Latitude Range: 10 S to 25 N
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Global Position: Amazon Basin; Congo Basin of equatorial Africa; East Indies, from Sumatra to New Guinea.
This climate is located upto 50 to 100 latitudes on both the hemispheres.
The zone is subjected to seasonal shifting due to northward and southward movement of Sun.
The tropical climate is characterized by two major properties - uniformly high temperature throughout the
year and uniformly adequate rainfall throughout the year by convectional rainfall. The total annual rainfall
is often more than 250 cm.
Humidity is between 77 and 88%.
The equatorial climate is found in - The Amazon Basin in South America, Congo Basin in Africa, Guinea
coast in Africa, Java, Sumatra, Malaysia etc.
The climates on eastern sides of continents are influenced by maritime tropical air masses. These air
masses flow out from the moist western sides of oceanic high-pressure cells, and bring lots of summer
rainfall. The summers are warm and very humid. It also rains a lot in the winter.
This region accounts for the largest number of plant species due to high temperature and high rainfall.
This climatic region is characterized by broad leaf evergreen dense forests comprising mahogany, rosewood,
bamboos, sandal etc.
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2. Wet-Dry Tropical Climates (Aw) savanna

Temperature Range: 16 C
Annual Precipitation: 0.25 cm. (0.1 in.). All months less than 0.25 cm. (0.1 in.)
Latitude Range: 15 to 25 N and S
Global Range: West Africa, southern Africa, South America and the north coast of Australia
This type of climate is located between 50 - 200 latitudes on either side of the equator.
This climatic type is bounded by tropical rainforest climate towards the equator and by dry climate
towards the poles.
The Savanna type is found in the southern continents and all the regions are to the south of the Tropic
of Cancer.
These are -

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a) South America: Cuba, Jamaica and the islands in the Pacific.
b) Africa: The Sudan, large parts of the newly formed Republics - Senegal, Guinea, Mali, Niger, Chad and
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also in Ghana, Togo, Kenya, Zimbabwe, Tanzania, Angola and Uganda.
c) Australia: The northern region and Queensland.
The Savanna climate is characterized by distinct wet and dry seasons, mean high temperature throughout
the year and high insolation.
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There is sunshine for 13 to 14 hours and humidity is low, the air is hot, dry and dusty.
The average monthly temperature during the dry season ranges between 22C and 37C.
Coastal regions on the windward side of the mountains get heavier rain. Rainfall decreases as one goes
either towards north (in the Northern Hemisphere) or towards south (in the Southern Hemisphere).
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The Savanna vegetation marks the transition from the dense equatorial forests, where the rainy season lasts
practically throughout the year, and the semi-desert and deserts where the dry season lasts practically
throughout the year.
The seasonal rain allows only grass to grow. These are therefore the natural grasslands of the world.
Rainfall is not sufficient to support tall trees but grass grows well and one variety known as the elephant
grass grows up to four and a half metres.
Trees occur more as one goes towards the Equator.
3. Hot Desert Climate
Temperature Range: 16 C
Annual Precipitation: 0.25 cm (0.1 in). All months less than 0.25 cm (0.1 in).
Latitude Range: 15 - 25 N and S.
Global Range: southwestern United States and northern Mexico; Argentina; North Africa; South Africa; central
part of Australia.
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This type of climate is located between the latitudinal belt of 150 - 300 in both the hemispheres.
The arid deserts lie close to the Tropic of Cancer and Tropic of Capricorn in the western margins of
continents.
The climatic zone lies in - The Sahara, the Arabia, the Thar, Mohave and Sonoran (South Western U.S.A.),
Kalahari and Namib (South Western Africa), Simpson, Gibson, Great Sandy (Australia)
The climate is dominated by the subsidence of air masses and marked stability of the sub-tropical
anticyclones and hence nearly rainless. The highest temperatures in the world are recorded here (Azazia
58.7C). The greatest daily ranges of temperature of (15C) are seen here.
These areas receive the lowest annual rainfall (12 to 15 cm). Cold currents also influence the climate on
the western margins of continents. The aridity is intensified because of these currents which chill the air
and further stabilize it.
The vegetation found here is cactus, thorny plants, shrubs, herbs.

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4. Steppe Climate
Temperature Range: 24 C (43 F).


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Annual Precipitation: less than 10 cm (4 in) in the driest regions to 50 cm (20 in) in the moister steppes.
Latitude Range: 35 - 55 N.
Global Range: Western North America (Great Basin, Columbia Plateau, Great Plains); Eurasian interior, from
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steppes of eastern Europe to the Gobi Desert and North China.
This type of climatic zone is found between 40 and 55 North and South. They lie far away from the
influence of the sea, in the heart of continents.
The areas are - Prairies (North America), Pampas (South America), Velds (South Africa), Downs (Australia)
and Steppes (Russia)
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The temperature in summer varies from 18C to 24C and in winter from - 4C to 2C. The range of
temperature is large. Rainfalls in spring and early summer and vary between 23 cm. and 65 cm. It is of
convectional type but very light.
This dry climate exists in the interior regions of the North American and Eurasian continents. Moist
ocean air masses are blocked by mountain ranges to the west and south. These mountain ranges also trap
polar air in winter, making winters very cold. Summers are warm to hot.
Short grass grows everywhere. Trees appear only on the slopes of mountains.
5. Monsoon Climate
Temperature Range: 27.05 C
Latitude Range: 10 and 25 and North and South of the equator.
Global Range: The countries are along the coastal regions of southwest India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Myanmar,
South western Africa, French Guiana, and northeast and southeastern Brazil.
Monsoon climate is generally related to those areas which register complete seasonal reversal of wind
direction and are associated with tropical deciduous forests. The region lies between 10N to 30N and
10S to 30S latitude.
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Climatic zone areas are - Eastern Brazil (S. America), Central American countries, Natal coast (South
Africa), India, Pakistan and Bangladesh, South East Asia including Burma, Thailand, Vietnam and the
Philippines etc., Parts of East Africa including Malagasy, North Australia.
The annual average temperature is about 26C and the annual range is about 3C. The maximum temperatures
occur in May before the summer rainfall maximum in June and July. The annual rainfall amounts to about
300 cm.
The characteristic feature of this type of climate is a reversal in the wind direction with the change of
season.
During the summer season, the wind is on shore, bring large amount of moisture to the land surface.
Rainfall is both orographic and cyclonic in nature.
In winter season the wind is off shore and hence is cool and dry. But some parts like Madras coast get
rain during this season because winds are on shore there.
6. Mediterranean Climate:
Temperature Range: 7 C (12 F)
Annual Precipitation: 42 cm (17 in).

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Latitude Range: 30 - 50 N and S
Global Position: central and southern California; coastal zones bordering the Mediterranean Sea; coastal Western
Australia and South Australia; Chilean coast; Cape Town region of South Africa.
This type of climate has developed between 300 - 400 latitudes in both the hemispheres.
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This is a wet-winter, dry-summer climate. Extremely dry summers are caused by the sinking air of the
subtropical highs and may last for up to five months.
This climatic region includes European, Asiatic and African lands bordering the Mediterranean Sea.
This climate owes its origin to the seasonal shifting of wind and pressure belts due to northward and
southward migration of the sun.
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In winter they are under the influence of westerlies which are moisture laden thus brings rainfall in winters
whereas they come under the influence of subtropical high pressure belt in summers thus associated with
anti cyclonic conditions.
Plants have adapted to the extreme difference in rainfall and temperature between winter and summer
seasons. Sclerophyll plants range in formations from forests, to woodland, and scrub. Eucalyptus forests
cover most of the chaparral biome in Australia.
Fires occur frequently in Mediterranean climate zones.
7. Taiga Climate
Temperature Range: lows; -25 C (-14 F), highs; 16 C (60 F).
Average Annual Precipitation: 31 cm (12 in).
Latitude Range: 50 - 70 N and S.
Global Position: central and western Alaska; Canada, from the Yukon Territory to Labrador; Eurasia, from
northern Europe across all of Siberia to the Pacific Ocean.
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This climate type has been named after the coniferous forest cover of the same name found in the region.
the region extends from 50-55 degrees to 60-70 degrees latitudes in northern hemisphere.
It stretches as an almost continuous belt across southern Canada, northern Europe and Russia. The
Tundra region lies on the north and the Temperate Grasslands on the south.
The areas are - Southern Alaska, Southern Canada, parts of Norway, Sweden, Finland, Northern Russia,
Northern Siberia, Sakhalin Island.
Winters are very cold and severe from 6 to 7 months with temperatures below freezing. In this region
lies Verkhoyansk the cold pole colder than the Arctic region.
Summers are short lasting for 3 or 4 months but the days are long; at 60N the sun shines for over 18
hours.
Rainfall varies from 25 to 100cm. There is more rainfall near the coast. Most of the rain comes from
cyclonic weather. It falls throughout the year but maximum in summer in frequent showers. In winter it
takes the form of snow, which may remain, on the ground from 5 to 7 months.

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The vegetation associated with this climate type is the soft-wood coniferous forests.
8.


Tundra Climate
Temperature Range: -22 C to 6 C (-10 F to 41 F).
Average Annual Precipitation: 20 cm (8 in).
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Latitude Range: 60 - 75 N.
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Global Position: arctic zone of North America; Hudson Bay region; Greenland coast; northern Siberia bordering
the Arctic Ocean.
The tundra climate is found along arctic coastal areas. Polar and arctic air masses dominate the tundra
climate.
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The winter season is long and severe. A short, mild season exists, but not a true summer season.
Moderating ocean winds keep the temperatures from being as severe as interior regions.
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 Indian Polity www.iasscore.in

DIRECTIVE PRINCIPLES OF STATE POLICY (DPSP)

Key Highlights
Part-IV of the constitution - Art. 36 to 51.
Borrowed from the Constitution of Ireland.
These directives provide the ideals which the Union and the State governments must keep in mind while
formulating a policy or passing a law. The DPSPs constitute a comprehensive social and economic objective
for a modern democratic state.
While fundamental rights provide the political pillar of Indian democracy, its social and economic pillars

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are provided by DPSPs.
Non Justiciable in nature

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FRs are Justiciable rights but DPSPs are non-justiciable rights.
Although DPSPs were no less important than fundamental rights yet they entailed financial back-up to
implement them.
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Since the Indian state had and still has limited economic capacity, making DPSPs justiciable would have
put the state in a tight situation. This fact explains why DPSPs were deliberately made non-justiciable.
Despite being non-justiciable importance of DPSPs has been stated in Art. 37 which declares that
although the DPSPs are non-justiciable, they should be considered fundamental in the governance of the
country.
What are the different categories of DPSPs?
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Socialistic Principles:
a) Adequate means of livelihood for all citizens
b) Fair distribution of wealth and material resources among all classes and to prevent concentration of wealth
in a few hands
c) Equal pay for equal work for men as well as women; and
d) To secure just and humane conditions of work and maternity relief.
Gandhian Principles
a) To organize village Panchayats and to endowing them with such powers and authority as may be necessary
to enable them to function as units of self-government;
b) To promote cottage industries on individual or co-operative basis in rural areas;
c) The safeguard and promote the educational and economic interests or the scheduled castes and scheduled
tribes;
d) To bring about the prohibition and consumption of intoxicating liquor; and
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e) To organize agriculture and animal husbandry on modern and scientific lines and in particular prohibit
slaughter of cows.
Liberal Principles
a) To secure uniform and liberal code of law for all citizens of India;
b) To separate the judiciary from the executive;
c) to raise the standard of nutrition and standard of living of the people;
d) To protect monuments of historical and national interest;
e) Equal justice and free legal aid to economically backward classes;
f) participation of workers in management of organizations engaged in any industry; and
g) Promotion and improvement of environment and safeguarding of forests and wild life.
Provisions relating to be International Peace and Security:

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a) To promote international peace and security;
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b) To maintain just and honorable relations between nations
c) To foster respect for international law and treaty obligations;
d) To encourage settlement of disputes by arbitration.
Article Wise Explanation of DPSPS
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Art. 36: This defines the term state in the same way as Art.12
Art.37: This declares the importance of DPSPs. It states that though DPSPs are not justiciable yet they shall
be considered fundamental in the governance of the country and it shall be the duty of the state to include
these directives in their policies.
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Art. 38: This directs the state to create a social order for the promotion of welfare of the people. This social
order must provide social, economic and political justice. Under 44th Amendment, clause (2) has been added
to Art.38 which directs the state to minimize inequalities in income, to eliminate inequalities in status,
facilities and opportunities.
Art. 39: This is a very important article containing a number of directives which go a long way to establish
what is known as welfare state in India. It directs the states to secure the following:-
Adequate means of livelihood for citizens both men and women.
Control and ownership of the material resources of the community to be distributed in such a manner
that it serves the common good.
The operation of the economic system does not result in the concentration of wealth and means of
production to the common detriment.
Equal pay for equal work for both men and women.
Health and strength of workers, men & women and children are not abused and the citizens are not
forced by economic necessity to enter Avocations unsuited to their age or strength.
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Children are given opportunities and facilities to develop in a healthy manner and their childhood and
youth are protected against exploitation and moral and material abandonment (added by 42nd
Amendment, 1976).

Thus, Art. 39 is very wide in its scope. It requires the state to ensure adequate means of livelihood,
fair distribution of wealth, equal pay for equal work and protection of children and labour. Specially
Art. 39 (b & c) lay the foundations of a welfare state.

Art. 39-A: Added to the Constitution by 42nd Amendment, 1976, this article requires the state to provide
for equal justice and free legal aid. In pursuance of this article, Parliament has passed the Legal Services
Authorities Act, 1987.

Art. 40: This directs the state to organize village panchayats and confer adequate powers to them so that
they can function as units of self-government. Accordingly, Parliament has passed 73rd Amendment, 1992
which has introduced panchayats in part IX in the Constitution.

Art. 41: Under this Article the state is directed to provide right to work, to education and to public assistance

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subject to its economic capacity.

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Art. 42: Under this article, the state shall make provision for securing just and humane conditions of work
and maternity relief. The state has enacted laws such as the industrial Disputes Act, Minimum Wages Act,
Maternity Relief Act, etc., to implement this article.

Art. 43: This article directs the state to make efforts to secure living wages and organize cottage industries
in rural areas.
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Art. 43-A: Added by 42nd Amendment, 1976, this article calls for legislation by the state to ensure
workers participation in the management of industries.

Art. 44: This article contains a very important directive, viz., implementation of a Uniform Civil Code for
the citizens throughout India. The state is supposed to take steps to establish a Uniform Civil code for all
the citizens irrespective of caste, creed or religion. Unfortunately, despite this provision in the Constitution,
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there has been no implementation of uniform civil code since the adoption of the Constitution. A uniform
civil code implies that persons belonging to different religions and beliefs would be governed by same set
of laws in matters of marriage, divorce, adoption, succession to property, etc

Art. 45: Provision for free and compulsory education for children till the age of 14 years. However, this
article has been amended by 86th Amendment Act, 2002 which has inserted Art. 21A in the constitution
making right to education a fundamental right for all children between 6-14 years of age. Now Art. 45
direct the state to make provisions for early childhood care and education for all children till the age of
6 years.

Art. 46: This article seeks to protect the educational and economic interests of SC/STs and other weaker
sections. A number of educational facilities have been extended to SC/STs in pursuance of this article.

Art. 47: The state has been directed by this article to raise the level of nutrition and the standard of living
and to improve public health. This also includes prohibition of liquor and intoxicating drugs.

Art. 48: Organisation of agriculture and animal husbandry. The state under this article has to organize
agriculture and animal husbandry on modern and scientific lines. This also includes prohibition of killing
of cows, calves and other milch and draught cattle.
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Art. 48A: Added by 42nd Amendment, 1976, this article enjoins on the state task of protecting and
improving environment, forests and wild life. A number of acts relating to protecting the environment, forests
and wild life have been enacted.
Art. 49: This article obligates the state to protect monuments and places of national importance.
Art. 50: Separation of judiciary from the executive in the public services of the state. This article provides
that there should be a separate judicial service free from executive control in the states. This article has
been implemented by amending the CrPC in 1973 under which the judicial magistrates are being appointed
separately in the states and they are accountable to the High Courts and not to the state executive.
Art. 51: This article requires the state to promote international peace and security, maintain good relations
between nations and respect international laws.
DPSPs at Work
A number of legislations have been enacted by both Central and State governments to implement various
directive principles.

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Art. 39(b) - Agriculture Land Ceiling Acts were passed. All these are relatable to
Art. 40 - Under 73rd and 74th Amendments, powers have been conferred on Zilla Parishads, Municipalities
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and Panchayats.
Art. 39 (b) and (c) - In 1971 fourteen banks were nationalized. During the seventies many industries were
taken over by the government.
Art. 39 (d) - Legislation guaranteeing equal pay for equal work is relatable to.
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Art. 43 - The 26th Amendment of the Constitution made in 1971 abolished the privy purses, which were
granted to the Rulers of Indian States. Various Boards and Commissions have been established by the
State. Some of them are Khaadi and Village industries Commission, All India Handicraft Board. All India
Handloom Board, Silk Board and Coir Board.
Art. 48 - Many States have enacted laws to prohibit slaughter of cows and bullocks.
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Arts. 41, 42, 43A - The numerous Acts pertaining to labour, e.g., Minimum Wages Act, Workmen
Compensation Act, Maternity Benefit Act, Industrial Employment (Standing Orders) Act, The Factories
Act etc.
Art. 48A - The Water Pollution, Air Pollution, Environmental Pollution Acts, The Forest Act, and Wild
Life Protection Act passed by the Parliament.
DPSPs in Other Parts of Indian Constitution (Not in Part IV)
The following Directives are also non-justiciable:
Art. 350 A: Enjoins every State and every local authority within the State to provide adequate facilities
for instruction in the mother tongue at primary stage to children of linguistic minorities.
Art 351 A: Enjoins the Union to promote the spread of Hindi language so that if may serve as a medium
of expression of all the elements of the composite culture of India.
Art 355 A: Claims of Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes shall be taken into consideration, consistently
with the maintenance of efficiency of administration, in the making of appointments to services and
posts in connection with affairs of Union or of a State.
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DPSP vs. Fundamental Rights

Fundamental Rights Directive Principles of State Policy
Negative obligation of the state Positive obligation of the state
Justiciable in country Non-justiciable in
Foundation of political democracy Foundation of social and economic democracy
Conclusion
It should be remembered that the Preamble, the FRs and the DPSPs are all integral parts of the same
constitutional edifice.
They are all equally important and have to be read with each other.
The emphasis in the entire scheme of the Constitution under the headings of the Preamble, the Fundamental
Rights and the Directive Principles is on building an egalitarian society and on the concept of socio-

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economic justice.
The Fundamental Rights and the Directive Principles together constituted the soul of the Constitution.

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Notes

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FUNDAMENTAL DUTIES
Key Highlights

Art 51A Fundamental Duties of the citizens are enumerated in Art. 51A.

42nd Amendment Act 1976 - They were included in 1976 by the 42nd Amendment on the recommendation
of Sardar Swaran Singh Committee. Fundamental Duties did not form part of the Constitution as originally
adopted.

Citizens - The duties are addressed to the citizens only.

Not Enforceable - These duties are not enforceable by a Court. Yet they provide a valuable guide and aid

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to interpretation of the Constitution.

Eleven Duties- The fundamental duties are 11 in number.

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42nd Amendment Act 1976 - Ten duties were included in the Indian Constitution by the 42nd Amendment
Act 1976 and

86th Amendment Act, 2002 - The Eleventh duty was added by the 86th Amendment Act, 2002.
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Why fundamental duties are important?

Article 51A constitutes a constant reminder to the citizens that they have duties in building up a free,
egalitarian and responsible society.

India is a multi-racial and multi-ethnic country. Such a vast democratic country like India can prosper only
when the citizens of our country respect its integrity and promote cultural harmony.
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Environmental pollution has become a great cause of concern, not only for Indian, but for the entire
humanity. Unless, we all take the pledge to keep our environment free from pollutants, there remains the
threat of undesirable consequences.

The inclusion of providing opportunity for education for children as a Fundamental duty is a big step
forward towards safeguard of human-rights and abolition of social injustices.

FDs are Non-enforceable and Non-justiciable

The fundamental duties are non-enforceable and non-justiciable in character.

It means that no citizen can be punished by a court for violation of a fundamental duty.

In this respect the fundamental duties are like the directive principles of the constitution in part IV.

The directive principles lay down some high ideals to be followed by the state. Similarly, the fundamental
duties in Art 51A lay down some high ideals to be followed by the citizens.

Courts can certainly take cognizance of laws seeking to give effect to fundamental duties.
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List of Fundamental Duties -

1. To abide the Constitution and respect its ideals and institutions, the National Flag and the National Anthem;
2. To cherish and follow the noble ideals which inspired our national struggle for freedom;
3. To uphold and protect the sovereignty, unity and integrity of India;
4. To defend the country and render national services when called upon to do so;
5. To promote harmony and the spirit of common brotherhood amongst all the people of India transcending
religious, linguistic and regional or sectional diversities; to renounce practices derogatory to the dignity of
women;
6. To value and preserve the rich heritage of our composite culture;
7. To value protect and improve the natural environment including forests, lakes, rivers and wild life, and to have
compassion for living creatures;

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8. To develop the scientific temper, humanism and spirit of inquiry and reform;
9. To safeguard public property and to abjure violence;

rises to higher levels of endeavor and achievement. OR

10. To strive towards excellence in all spheres of individual and collective activity so that the nation constantly

11. Who is a parent or guardian to provide opportunities for education to his child, as the case may be, ward
between the age of six and fourteen years (added by 86th Amendment Act, 2002).
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INDELIBLE INK
Introduction
Electoral ink,indelibleink,electoral stainorphosphoric inkis a semi-permanentinkordyethat is applied to
theforefinger(usually) ofvotersduringelectionsin order to preventelectoral fraudsuch as double voting. It is
an effective method for countries where identification documents for citizens are not always standardised or
institutionalized. The most common election ink used worldwide was invented by Filiberto Vzquez Davila,
a Mexican biochemical engineer.
Application
Indelible ink is used as an effective security feature to prevent double voting in elections or the case may be

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(like Indian government has structure to use this ink for curbing the corruption and double entry in
demonetization). Ink is normally applied to the left hand index finger, especially to thecuticlewhere it is

preference.
Composition
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almost impossible to remove quickly. Ink may be applied in a variety of ways, depending on circumstance and

This ink typically stays onskinfor 7296 hours, lasting 2 to 4 weeks on thefingernailandcuticlearea. The
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election ink used in India puts a permanent mark on the cuticle area which disappears only with the growth
of new nail. It can take up to 4 months for the stain to be replaced completely by new nail growth.
Electoral stain typically contains a pigment for instant recognition; asilver nitratewhich stains the skin on
exposure to ultraviolet light, leaving a mark that is impossible to wash off and is only removed as external skin
cells are replaced. Industry standard electoral inks contain 10%, 14% or 18% silver nitrate solution, depending
on the length of time the mark is required to be visible. Although normally water-based, electoral stains
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occasionally contain a solvent such as alcohol to allow for faster drying, especially when used with dipping
bottles, which may also contain a biocide to ensure bacteria arent transferred from voter to voter.
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NATIONAL HEALTH AUTHORITY (NEHA)

Introduction
National eHealth Authority (NeHA) as a promotional, regulatory and standards setting organization to guide
and support Indias journey in e-Health and consequent realization of benefits of ICT intervention in Health
sector in an orderly way.
The National Knowledge Commission (NKC) had recommended in 2008 formation of National Health
Information Authority (NHIA) to support implementation on e-Health.
NeHA will be responsible for development of an Integrated Health Information System (including Telemedicine
and mHealth) in India, while collaborating with all the stakeholders, viz., healthcare providers, consumers,
healthcare technology industries, and policymakers. It will also be responsible for enforcing the laws & regulations

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relating to the privacy and security of the patients health information & records.
Core Functions of the NeHA:
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Policy and Promotion
Standards Development
Legal Aspects including Regulation
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Setting up and Maintaining Health Repositories, Electronic Health Exchanges and National Health
Information Network.
Capacity Building
Aims to formulate NeHA:
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To guide the adoption of e-Health solutions at various levels and areas in the country in a manner that
meaningful aggregation of health and governance data and storage/exchange of electronic health records
happens at various levels in a cost-effective manner.
To facilitate integration of multiple health IT systems through health information exchanges.
To oversee orderly evolution of state-wide and nationwide Electronic Health Record Store/Exchange
System that ensures that security, confidentiality and privacy of patient data is maintained and continuity
of care is ensured.
Formulation of policies, strategies and implementation plan blue-print (National eHealth Policy / Strategy)
for coordinated eHealth adoption in the country by all players; regulation and accelerated adoption of e-
health in the country by public and private care providers and other players in the ecosystem; to establish
a network of different institutions to promote eHealth and Tele-medicine/remote healthcare/virtual
healthcare and such other measures;
Formulation and management of all health informatics standards for India; Laying down data management,
privacy & security policies, standards and guidelines in accordance with statutory provisions.
To promote setting up of state health records repositories and health information exchanges (HIEs).
To deal with privacy and confidentiality aspects of Electronic Health Records (EHR).
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E-PASHUHAAT PORTAL
Introduction
The portal will act as a single online e-trading market platform, including availability of bovine germplasm. It
will enable the farmers to buy bovine animals, frozen semen and embryo. The Union Agriculture & Farmers
Welfare launched e-pashuhaat portal to connect farmers and breeders of bovine animals.
About the portal:
e-pashuhaat portal will connect farmers with breeders- State, Central, Co-operative, Milk Federations, and
private agencies.

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It will provide information related to certification of the animal, breeding, its picture, volume of milk
given by the cow etc.

requirements.
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It will facilitate farmers to purchase advanced breed of bovine animals at a reasonable price as per as their

It will provide, certified picture of animals, its parents information, breeding, volume of milk given by
bovine animal information.
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Besides, it will provide information related to animal fodder varieties, its volume and price. It will have
real time authentic certified information on availability of germplasm.
Importance of the portal:
Earlier there was no single authentic organised market for animals. Information like pet cattle, trading of
bovine animals was not available in any other forum or platform in the country.
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This portal is likely to help fill in the vacuum. Since dairying activity is a major supplementary source of
income for farmers.
The portal will play important role in increasing income of framers from animal rearing for achieving the
goal of doubling farmers income by 2022.
It establishes links between farmer to farmer and farmer to institutes. Thus, it minimises the involvement
of middlemen.
It will create a comparative Farm Network that will facilitate farmers to exchange local knowledge and
resources.
Notes