The major intellectual rights protections enjoyed by the creator of an original work typically include:

1. Copyright: Copyright protection grants the creator exclusive rights to reproduce, distribute, perform, display, and create derivative works based on their original work. It applies to literary, artistic, musical, and dramatic works, as well as software, films, and other creative expressions. Copyright protection automatically applies upon creation of the work in a tangible form (e.g., writing, recording, or saving to a disk), and typically lasts for the life of the author plus 50 or 70 years, depending on the jurisdiction.
2. Patents: Patents protect inventions and grant the creator exclusive rights to make, use, sell, and import their invention for a limited period, usually 20 years from the filing date of the patent application. Inventions must be novel, non-obvious, and useful to qualify for patent protection.
3. Trademarks: Trademarks protect distinctive signs, symbols, logos, or words used by businesses to distinguish their goods or services from others in the marketplace. Trademark rights prevent others from using similar marks in a way that could cause confusion among consumers.
4. Trade Secrets: Trade secrets protect confidential business information, such as formulas, processes, techniques, or customer lists, that provide a competitive advantage. Unlike patents, trade secrets do not expire as long as they remain confidential and are properly protected.

   Regarding the concept of “modicum of creativity,” it refers to the level of originality or creativity required for a work to qualify for copyright protection. In most jurisdictions, including the United States, copyright protection extends to original works of authorship that are fixed in a tangible medium of expression. Originality does not require that the work be novel or unique in an absolute sense; rather, it must be independently created by the author and possess at least a minimal degree of creativity.

   The “modicum of creativity” standard is relatively low and typically excludes works that are merely mechanical or trivial. However, it does not require that the work be groundbreaking or innovative. For example, a short poem, a simple drawing, or a basic piece of software code can meet the threshold of originality and qualify for copyright protection as long as it reflects some creative effort by the author.

China’s strategic use of economic relations and trade surpluses to bolster its military capabilities has indeed had significant implications for India:

1. Border Disputes and Military Build-up: China’s assertiveness in border disputes, particularly along the Line of Actual Control (LAC), has heightened tensions between the two countries. The economic strength derived from trade surpluses has allowed China to invest heavily in military modernization and infrastructure development along the borders, including roads, airfields, and military installations. This military build-up has raised concerns in India about China’s intentions and capabilities along the shared border regions.
2. Strategic Encirclement and Influence: Through economic investments and partnerships across South Asia and the Indian Ocean region (such as the Belt and Road Initiative and infrastructure projects), China has expanded its influence and presence. This has raised apprehensions in India about strategic encirclement and the potential for China to leverage economic relationships for geopolitical advantage, including military coercion or influence.
3. Naval Presence and Maritime Security: China’s growing naval presence in the Indian Ocean, facilitated by its economic and trade networks, has prompted India to enhance its own maritime security measures. The development of ports and infrastructure in countries like Pakistan and Sri Lanka under China’s Belt and Road Initiative has raised concerns about Beijing’s potential to establish naval bases in the Indian Ocean, thereby impacting India’s strategic calculations and naval deployments.
4. Economic Competition and Security Concerns: The economic competition from Chinese goods and investments in sectors critical to India’s economic growth, such as technology and infrastructure, has created dependencies and vulnerabilities. This economic interdependence, while beneficial in trade terms, also raises security concerns regarding technological dependence and potential economic leverage that China could exert in times of geopolitical tension.
5. Geopolitical Balancing and Alliances: India has responded by strengthening its partnerships with other countries in Asia, Europe, and North America to balance China’s rising influence. Initiatives like the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad) with the US, Japan, and Australia have gained momentum as a counterbalance to China’s assertiveness, aiming to uphold a rules-based international order in the Indo-Pacific region.

In conclusion, China’s strategic use of its economic relations and trade surpluses to enhance its military capabilities has significantly impacted India’s security calculus. It has prompted India to reassess its own military modernization, enhance border infrastructure, strengthen maritime security, and forge alliances to maintain a stable and secure regional balance of power.

New technologies such as distributed generation, energy storage, and smart grids are fundamentally reshaping India’s energy landscape by introducing flexibility, enhancing dependability, and improving efficiency in the power sector.

Distributed generation, particularly from renewable sources like solar and wind, allows for energy production closer to consumption centers. This reduces transmission losses and enhances grid stability by diversifying energy sources. India has made significant strides in promoting distributed generation through initiatives like the National Solar Mission and various state-level policies that incentivise rooftop solar installations.

Energy storage technologies are crucial for managing the intermittency of renewable energy sources. The government has recognised the importance of energy storage and has launched programs such as the National Energy Storage Mission to promote research, development, and deployment of energy storage solutions. Projects like grid-connected battery storage systems and pilot projects for large-scale energy storage are aimed at improving grid flexibility and reliability.

Smart grids play a pivotal role in integrating these technologies seamlessly into the existing grid infrastructure. They enable real-time monitoring, control, and optimisation of electricity flows, facilitating demand response, reducing peak demand through load management, and improving overall grid efficiency. The National Smart Grid Mission in India supports the deployment of smart grid technologies across the country, focusing on enhancing grid reliability and operational efficiency.

Additionally, the government has implemented regulatory measures to support the integration of these technologies. Policies such as net metering for rooftop solar, renewable purchase obligations (RPOs) for utilities, and the introduction of competitive bidding mechanisms for renewable energy procurement have all contributed to creating a conducive environment for these innovations.

In conclusion, India’s energy landscape is evolving rapidly with the adoption of distributed generation, energy storage, and smart grid technologies. The government’s proactive initiatives and policies are pivotal in encouraging their use and integration, thereby improving the flexibility, dependability, and efficiency of the power system to meet the growing energy demands sustainably.

Fiscal Deficit refers to the excess of government’s expenditure over its revenue. When the government’s expenditure is exceeding the revenue , it has to borrow money or sell the assets to finance the deficit. 

Formula  

Fiscal Deficit = Total Expenditure – Total receipts ( excluding the borrowings).Thus , Fiscal Deficit is nothing but borrowing required of the government. 

During the economic crisis 1991, India saw the gross fiscal deficit as high as 12.7%. This forced India to adopt the LPG reforms 1991 , which eventually opened up the Indian market up to an extent. But the problem of high fiscal deficit continued in the post liberalisation era and was seen as a huge problem for the government’s public expenditure management. The reasons for such continued problem are the following: 

1. Exposed to the global economic shocks : With the opening up of the economy with globalisation post 1991 , the Indian market is now also vulnerable to the economic shocks which happen in the world. As we are now a part of the world supply chain any shock or disruption in the world market and world prices will affect the revenues and expenditure of the Indian government also. One classic example can be the global economic crisis of 2008 , which led to oil price rise, trade wars etc. This impacted adversely on the fiscal deficit of the country
2.  Unchecked subsidies: The subsidies which are not evenly spread throughout    the year but are given in huge amounts during the election phases, puts pressure on the expenditure of the government. Thus a regulated and systematic subsidy structure has to be formed so that the actual motive of subsidies can be realised. 
3.  Uneven tax net : With the increase in the overall GDP and the per capita income of people post liberalisation, the overall direct tax revenue collection of the government is still lagging behind. One of the reasons can be more dependence on the indirect tax collection which is regressive in nature. This regressiveness of indirect taxes makes it difficult for the government to increase its receipt collection. 

To manage the fiscal deficit problem the government has launched various schemes such as: 

1. The fiscal responsibility and the budget management act (2003) : The act sets rules and targets for the government to reduce the fiscal deficit and other deficits like the revenue deficit so as to maintain the fiscal discipline and inter- generational equity in the fiscal management.
2. Monetary policy committee (2016) : With the recommendations of the Urjit patel committee, the government established a MPC so as to adopt a flexible inflation targeting framework, which is necessary for increasing the competitiveness of Indian goods and services in the international market for better trade.

India after post liberalisation has seen a reduction in the fiscal deficit though they are still high given the economy’s size and GDP structure. Borrowing by the government is nothing but a burden for the future generations. The Bimal Jalan Committee also suggested measures like rationalising subsidies and disinvestment as a measure to enhance expenditure management.