Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: NA
Mains level: Urban Deluge
Central Idea
- The Yamuna River in Delhi is experiencing it’s highest-ever water levels, causing concerns and necessitating emergency actions.
- Heavy rainfall in northwest India, including the Yamuna basin states, and increased water release from the upstream Hathnikund Barrage in Haryana are contributing to the unprecedented water levels.
Unprecedented Water Levels and Emergency Response
- Delhi’s Yamuna River is currently flowing at the highest-ever recorded level in the city.
- Delhi CM has written to Union Home Minister, requesting controlled water release from the Hathnikund Barrage to manage the situation.
- The water release from the barrage, typically around 352 cusecs during non-monsoon months, reached a peak of 3.59 lakh cusecs due to heavy rainfall in northwest India.
Importance of Water Release
- Impact of Upstream Water Release: The water level in the Yamuna River in Delhi is determined by the release of water upstream from the Hathnikund Barrage.
- Regulation of Water Flow: The barrage acts as a regulator and can only control the amount of water released downstream and to canals.
- Flooding Concerns: Failure to release water from the upstream can lead to increased flooding in areas upstream, including Haryana.
Potential Consequences of Water Accumulation
- Increased Flooding: Failure to regulate the water levels in the Yamuna River can result in severe flooding in Delhi and surrounding areas.
- Infrastructure Damage: High water levels pose a risk to infrastructure, including roads, buildings, and public utilities.
- Displacement of Residents: Excessive flooding can force people to evacuate their homes, leading to displacement and potential humanitarian challenges.
Addressing the Emergency
- Controlled Water Release: Controlled water release from the Hathnikund Barrage can mitigate the flooding risks.
- Collaboration and Coordination: Cooperation between Delhi and Haryana authorities, as well as with central government agencies, is essential to manage the situation effectively.
- Monitoring and Emergency Preparedness: Continuous monitoring of water levels, timely communication, and preparedness to handle any evacuation or relief efforts are crucial during this emergency situation.
Conclusion
- The unprecedented water levels in the Yamuna River in Delhi demand immediate attention and coordinated efforts to prevent further damage and protect affected communities.
Also read:
[Sansad TV] Perspective: Urban Deluge (Floods)
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Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: NA
Mains level: Poverty and cognitive development
Introduction
- In 1844, Frederich Engels observed that poor living conditions had physical effects on the poor, manifesting in various health issues.
- Neuroscientists in the 1960s discovered that growing up in poverty could hinder brain development in rats.
- Recent studies have shown a correlation between low-income families and lower cortical volume, poor academic performance, and smaller hippocampus in human children.
The Link between Poverty and Brain Development
- Poverty’s Effect on the Brain: Poverty has been found to affect brain development in children and young adults.
- Cortex and Academic Performance: Studies in 2015 revealed that children from low-income families had lower cortical volume and performed poorly in academic tests.
- Importance of the Hippocampus: Another study in 2015 highlighted the correlation between family socioeconomic status and the volume of the hippocampus, a key region for learning and memory.
New Study on Anti-Poverty Policies and Hippocampus Size
- The Study: Researchers from Harvard University and Washington University conducted a study published in May 2023 in the journal Nature Communication.
- Data: The study analyzed brain scans of over 10,000 children aged 9-11 from 17 U.S. states with varying costs of living and anti-poverty programs.
- Findings: Children from low-income families had a smaller hippocampus, but generous anti-poverty policies significantly reduced this risk.
- State-Level Public Policies: The study highlights the potential of state-level public policies to address the correlation between brain development and low income.
Implications for Children’s Health and Well-being
- Psychological Impact: Impaired hippocampal development is associated with a higher risk of mental health issues such as major depressive disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder.
- Internalizing and Externalizing Psychopathologies: The study found a negative association between family income and the incidence of internalizing and externalizing psychopathologies in children.
- Impact of Anti-Poverty Policies: Generous cash benefits were associated with larger hippocampal volumes and reduced internalizing problems in low-income households.
Considerations and Limitations
- Systemic Discrimination: Poverty is often a result of systematic discrimination, such as racial disparities.
- Alternative Explanations: The study aimed to rule out alternative explanations, including racial and ethnic factors, but acknowledges the need for further investigation.
- Applicability to Other Contexts: The study’s findings may not directly apply to other countries like India, given different macroeconomic conditions.
Role of Welfare and Policy
- Financial Resources and Stressors: Access to more financial resources can help shield families from chronic stressors associated with low income, potentially influencing hippocampal development.
- Generous Anti-Poverty Policies: Such policies not only increase family income but also enable families to make decisions that reduce stress, such as working fewer hours.
- Investing in Social Safety Net Programs: Investments in social safety net programs can mitigate socioeconomic disparities in neurodevelopment, addressing mental health, education, and economic challenges.
Conclusion
- Longitudinal Study: The researchers will continue studying the mental health and brain development trajectories of the study’s participants to examine the influence of policy changes.
- Importance of Social Safety Net Programs: The study underscores the significance of investing in social safety net programs to address the consequences of socioeconomic disparities in brain development.
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Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Chandrayaan-3
Mains level: Not Much
Central Idea
- The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is set to launch the Chandrayaan 3 mission on July 14 from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota.
- This mission follows the Chandrayaan 2, which encountered technical issues and crash-landed on the moon in September 2019.
Chandrayaan-3: Mission Details and Landing
- Launch Vehicle: Chandrayaan 3 will be launched aboard the Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle Mark III (GSLV Mk III) rocket.
- Landing Site: The spacecraft is expected to land near the moon’s South Pole.
- Operational Duration: Chandrayaan 3 will operate on the lunar surface for one lunar day, equivalent to 14 Earth days.
Significance of the Lunar South Pole
- Scientific Interest: The lunar South Pole is a compelling location due to the presence of towering massifs and permanently shadowed craters that may contain volatile compounds and water-ice deposits.
- Planetary Formation Insights: Studying the South Pole-Aitken Basin’s age and impact melt could provide insights into planetary formation.
- Valuable Resource: Volatile deposits at the South Pole could serve as a valuable resource for future exploration and astrobiology investigations.
- Solar Power Potential: Some mountain peaks near the pole receive extended periods of sunlight, making them potential sites for continuous solar power supply.
- Fossil Record: Craters at the South Pole may contain a fossil record of the early Solar System, providing valuable scientific data.
Choosing the South Pole over the North Pole
- Permanent Darkness: The larger shadowy region at the lunar South Pole, which remains in permanent darkness, makes it suitable for studying unilluminated areas.
- Aitken Basin Edge: The South Pole is located at the edge of the Aitken Basin, the largest impact basin in the Solar System.
- Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter: NASA’s Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter collects data over the South Pole region, enhancing the scientific understanding of the area.
- Longer Lunar Day-Night Cycle: The Moon’s longer rotation cycle (around 30 days) results in extended periods of day and night, making the South Pole more accessible.
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Trajectory and Landing Procedure
- Similar to Chandrayaan 2: Chandrayaan 3 will follow a trajectory similar to Chandrayaan 2, utilizing a propulsion module to orbit Earth before heading to the moon.
- Lunar Orbit and Landing: Once within the moon’s gravitational pull, the module will lower itself to a 100 x 100 km circular orbit. The lander will then detach and descend to the lunar surface.
Scientific Payloads
- The Lander: The lander, named ‘Vikram,’ will deploy four scientific payloads to study the moon’s surface temperature and subterranean characteristics.
- The Rover: The rover, named ‘Pragyan,’ will conduct chemical and visual tests as it roves around the lunar surface.
Objectives of Chandrayaan 3
- Safe Landing Demonstration: Chandrayaan 3 aims to demonstrate safe and soft landing on the lunar surface.
- Rover Roving Capability: The mission will showcase the capability of the rover to traverse the lunar surface.
- In-situ Scientific Experiments: Chandrayaan 3 will conduct in-situ scientific experiments on the moon.
Development and Delay
- Development Phase: The development phase for Chandrayaan 3 began in January 2020, with scientists and engineers working on the spacecraft’s design and assembly.
- Manufacturing Delays: The COVID-19 pandemic caused delays in the manufacturing and testing of the propulsion systems.
- Launch Schedule: The launch, initially planned for early 2021, was postponed due to the pandemic. The spacecraft is now set to launch in July 2023.
Importance of Chandrayaan 3
- India’s Third Lunar Mission: Chandrayaan 3 is India’s third lunar mission and the second attempt at a soft landing on the moon.
- Renewed Interest in Lunar Exploration: In recent years, there has been a renewed interest in exploring the moon following Chandrayaan-1’s discovery of water on the lunar surface.
Conclusion
- Chandrayaan 3 represents India’s continuous efforts to explore the moon and achieve a soft landing.
- The mission’s success will contribute to scientific advancements and further our understanding of the lunar surface.
- As space agencies around the world plan future lunar missions, humanity’s return to the moon seems imminent after more than five decades.
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Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Anthropocene Epoch
Mains level: Read the attached story
Central Idea
- AWG’s Proposal: The Anthropocene Working Group (AWG) proposes a new geological epoch called the Anthropocene.
- Reference Point: The unique reference point for the Anthropocene is Crawford Lake near Toronto in Canada’s Ontario Province.
Understanding the Anthropocene Epoch
- Coined Term: The Anthropocene epoch was first coined by Nobel Prize-winning chemist Paul Crutzen and biology professor Eugene Stoermer in 2000.
- Human Impact: The Anthropocene represents the geological time interval characterized by radical changes in the Earth’s ecosystem due to human impact, particularly since the onset of the Industrial Revolution.
- Environmental Changes: Numerous phenomena associated with the Anthropocene include global warming, sea-level rise, ocean acidification, mass-scale soil erosion, deadly heat waves, and environmental deterioration.
- Geological Strata: The AWG’s website states that these changes are reflected in a distinctive body of geological strata, with the potential to be preserved into the far future.
Evidence from Crawford Lake
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- Selected Site: Crawford Lake in Canada’s Ontario Province was chosen by geologists for examination over 11 other potential sites.
- Preserved Sediments: The lake’s layers of sediment have preserved the annual impact of human activities on the Earth’s soil, atmosphere, and biology.
- Shift in Mid-20th Century: The analysis of Crawford Lake’s bottom sediments reveals a clear shift from the mid-20th century, surpassing the bounds of the previous Holocene epoch.
- Captured Fallout: Over the years, the lake’s sediments have captured the fallouts of large-scale burning of fossil fuels, explosion of nuclear weapons, and dumping of plastic and fertilizers on land and in water bodies.
Debate and Disagreements
- Scientific Community Disagreements: Not all geologists agree on the reality of the Anthropocene epoch.
- Debate Points: Disagreements revolve around the precise start of the epoch, whether it has already begun, and the sufficiency of evidence to prove its advent.
The Geological Time Scale
- Divisions and Categories: The Earth’s geological time scale is divided into five broad categories: eons, eras, periods, epochs, and ages.
- Fossil-Based Boundaries: Boundaries on the geological time scale correspond to the origination or extinction of specific types of fossils.
- Current Classification: Currently, we are in the Phanerozoic eon, Cenozoic era, Quaternary period, Holocene epoch, and Meghalayan age.
AWG’s Findings and Next Steps
- Selection of Crawford Lake: Crawford Lake was chosen due to its preserved sediment layers that provide an annual record of human impact.
- Overwhelming Effects: Distinct and multiple signals in the lake’s sediments starting around 1950 demonstrate that the effects of human activity overwhelm the Earth system.
- Unique Global ‘Fingerprint’: The presence of plutonium resulting from nuclear weapon detonations serves as a stark indicator of humanity’s dominant influence on the planet.
- Approval Process: The AWG plans to present a proposal to the Subcommission on Quaternary Stratigraphy (SQS) and the International Commission on Stratigraphy (ICS) for approval.
- Final Approval: The final approval is expected to be granted at the 37th International Geological Congress in Busan, South Korea, next year.
Conclusion
- Compelling Evidence: Geologists’ examination of Crawford Lake provides compelling evidence for the existence of the Anthropocene epoch.
- Challenging Conventional Timeline: The proposal for the Anthropocene epoch challenges the conventional understanding of the Earth’s official geological timeline.
- Future Determination: Further discussions and approvals by international geological bodies will determine the recognition and acceptance of the Anthropocene epoch.
Back2Basics: Geological Time Scale
- The Geological Time Scale is a system used by geologists and palaeontologists to divide Earth’s history into distinct time intervals based on significant geological and biological events.
- It provides a framework for organizing and understanding the vast expanse of time since the formation of the Earth, approximately 4.6 billion years ago, up to the present day.
- The Scale is divided into several hierarchical units, including eons, eras, periods, epochs, and ages.
Here is a simplified overview of the major divisions:
(1) Eon: The largest division of time on the Geological Time Scale. The history of Earth is typically divided into four eons:
- Hadean Eon: Represents the earliest stage of Earth’s history, from its formation to around 4 billion years ago.
- Archean Eon: Covers the period from around 4 billion to 2.5 billion years ago. It includes the formation of the Earth’s crust, the emergence of life, and the development of the first continents.
- Proterozoic Eon: Encompasses the time between 2.5 billion and 541 million years ago. It includes significant evolutionary developments, such as the emergence of complex multicellular life.
- Phanerozoic Eon: The current eon, spanning from 541 million years ago to the present. It is further divided into eras.
(2) Era: The second-largest division of time, encompassing longer periods of geological history within an eon. The Phanerozoic Eon is divided into three eras:
- Paleozoic Era: Covers the time from 541 million to 252 million years ago. It is known for the diversification of life, including the appearance of complex marine organisms, fish, insects, and the first terrestrial plants.
- Mesozoic Era: Spans from 252 million to 66 million years ago. It is often referred to as the “Age of Reptiles” and includes the dominance of dinosaurs, as well as the rise of mammals and birds.
- Cenozoic Era: Extends from 66 million years ago to the present. It is sometimes called the “Age of Mammals” and includes the diversification and proliferation of mammals, the appearance of humans, and the development of modern ecosystems.
(3) Period: A subdivision of an era, representing a distinct interval of time characterized by specific geological and biological events. For example:
- The Paleozoic Era is divided into periods such as the Cambrian, Ordovician, Silurian, Devonian, Carboniferous, and Permian.
- The Mesozoic Era is divided into periods including the Triassic, Jurassic, and Cretaceous.
- The Cenozoic Era is divided into periods such as the Paleogene, Neogene, and Quaternary.
(4) Epoch: A smaller subdivision of a period, representing a shorter interval of time. Epochs are defined by more localized geological and biological changes.
(5) Age: The smallest division of time on the Geological Time Scale. Ages represent relatively brief periods, often defined by specific fossil or rock layers.
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Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Finance Commissions
Mains level: Finance Commissions and its role, recommendations and challenges in implementation
What is the news?
- This article critically examines the historical outcomes of the 13th FC and underscores the need for realistic expectations regarding the forthcoming 16th FC
Central idea
- The Finance Commissions (FC) in India play a crucial role in determining the fiscal framework for resource allocation between the Union and state governments. Established under Article 280 of the Constitution, the FCs provide recommendations on vertical devolution, horizontal distribution, and grants-in-aid. However, the effectiveness of these recommendations in achieving their intended objectives remains a matter of contention
Purpose and Scope of Finance Commissions
- Finance Commissions are constituted under Article 280 of the Constitution and their recommendations encompass three key areas: vertical devolution, horizontal distribution, and grant-in-aid.
- Vertical devolution focuses on Union to state transfers
- Horizontal distribution involves the allocation of resources between states based on a specific formula.
- Grant-in-aid, covered under Article 275, provides financial assistance to states deemed in need.
- It is important to note the distinction between grants and grant-in-aid, as the latter operates at arm’s length and offers more flexibility in terms of control.
Recommendations of the previous Finance Commission
13th Finance Commission Recommendations:
- Increase the number of court working hours using existing infrastructure.
- Enhance support to Lok Adalats.
- Provide additional funding to State Legal Services Authorities to enhance legal aid for the marginalized.
- Promote the use of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) mechanisms.
- Enhance the capacity of judicial officers and public prosecutors through training programs.
- Support the creation of a judicial academy in every state for training purposes.
- Allocate funds for the setting up of specialized courts.
15th Finance Commission Recommendations:
- Gather quantifiable data on the level of various services available in different states.
- Collect corresponding unit cost data to estimate cost disabilities among states.
- Fill gaps in statistical data through the efforts of the Ministry of Statistics.
Challenges encountered in the implementation of Finance Commission recommendations
- Lack of Implementation of Homilies: The recommendations made by Finance Commissions, both at the Union and state levels, are often ignored as mere pious intentions. This indicates a lack of commitment and follow-through in translating the recommendations into concrete actions.
- Conditionalities and Expenditure Restrictions: The objections raised by some states in the article indicate challenges related to conditionalities attached to grants. Conditionalities may restrict the expenditure options of states, creating obstacles in implementing the recommended reforms.
- Inadequate Resource Allocation: The allocated funds for specific reforms may not be sufficient, leading to inadequate implementation. Financial constraints and competing budgetary priorities can limit the availability of resources needed to effectively execute the recommended measures.
- Lack of Coordination: The implementation of Finance Commission recommendations requires cooperation between the Union and state governments. Any lack of coordination or disagreements between these entities can hinder the execution of reforms
Way forward: Need for realistic expectations regarding the forthcoming 16th FC
- Acknowledging Implementation Challenges: Recognize the challenges and complexities involved in implementing Finance Commission recommendations, such as coordination issues, administrative capacity, and resistance to change. This understanding will help shape realistic expectations and strategies for addressing these challenges.
- Strengthening Implementation Mechanisms: Focus on improving the implementation mechanisms and processes. This includes enhancing coordination and cooperation between the Union and state governments, strengthening administrative capacity at all levels, and streamlining the implementation of conditionalities to facilitate smoother execution.
- Robust Monitoring and Evaluation: Establish effective monitoring and evaluation mechanisms to track the progress and outcomes of implemented reforms. Regular assessment will help identify implementation gaps and provide opportunities for course correction and improvement.
- Building Stakeholder Consensus: Foster stakeholder engagement and consensus-building to ensure the buy-in and ownership of recommended reforms. Engage relevant stakeholders, including government departments, civil society organizations, and local communities, to create a shared vision and collective commitment towards implementation.
- Learning from Past Experiences: Analyze past experiences and identify the reasons behind the limited implementation of previous recommendations. This will help inform future strategies, learning from the challenges faced and replicating successful implementation models.
- Advocacy and Public Awareness: Create awareness among the public about the importance of Finance Commission recommendations and their impact on governance and development. Foster advocacy efforts to generate public support and hold governments accountable for implementing the recommended reforms.
Conclusion
- Finance Commissions in India fulfill a critical role in determining fiscal transfers between the Union and state governments. However, the implementation of their recommendations often falls short of expectations due to various challenges and limitations. By critically analyzing the past experiences of Finance Commissions, it becomes evident that a more pragmatic approach is necessary to align expectations with the actual outcomes.
Also read:
Finance Commission and the Challenges of Fiscal Federalism
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Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: NA
Mains level: South China Sea issue, Significance of India Philippines maritime relations
What is the news?
- During the fifth meeting of the Philippines-India Joint Commission on Bilateral Cooperation in New Delhi on June 29, the Foreign Ministers of India and the Philippines, S. Jaishankar and Enrique Manalo, respectively, discussed enhancing the bilateral partnership between the two countries. The meeting focused on maritime cooperation and addressing the South China Sea issue
Central Idea
- With a shared history of diplomatic relations spanning nearly 75 years and common maritime interests, the External Affairs Minister of India, S. Jaishankar, and the Secretary for Foreign Affairs of the Philippines, Enrique Manalo, laid out a roadmap to enhance the bilateral partnership in the 21st century.
Significance and developments emerged from the meeting
- Establishment of a resident defense attaché office in Manila: The decision to open a resident defense attaché office in Manila reflects a deeper commitment to defense cooperation between India and the Philippines. This move will facilitate closer coordination, information sharing, and joint defense initiatives.
- Increased collaboration between the Coast Guards: The Coast Guards of India and the Philippines will enhance their collaboration, aiming to strengthen maritime security in the region. This includes joint patrols, information exchange, and joint operations to combat maritime threats.
- Manila’s acquisition of naval assets with concessional credit from India: To bolster its maritime capabilities, the Philippines will acquire naval assets with the help of a concessional line of credit extended by India. This support will enhance the Philippines’ maritime defense capabilities and contribute to maintaining regional stability.
- Expanded training and joint exercises on maritime security and disaster responses: Both countries will expand their training programs and conduct joint exercises focused on maritime security and disaster response. This cooperation will enhance operational readiness and preparedness to address maritime challenges, including disaster relief efforts.
The South China Sea issue: A significant topic of discussion
- Agreement on regional and multilateral issues: Both India and the Philippines reached an agreement on regional and multilateral matters, particularly emphasizing the importance of maritime highways like the South China Sea.
- India’s position on international law and the 2016 Arbitral Award:
- India reiterated its consistent position of adhering to international law, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
- Notably, India made an unambiguous call to respect the 2016 Arbitral Award on the South China Sea, which represents a departure from India’s previous stance.
- This shift signifies India’s recognition of the legitimacy of the Arbitral Award.
- Background of the Arbitration Case: The Philippines had submitted a case for arbitration to the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) to address its disputes with China in the South China Sea. Despite China’s formal withdrawal from the arbitration, the proceedings continued under UNCLOS guidelines.
- Key findings of the Arbitral Award:
- The PCA’s Award, released on July 12, 2016, rejected China’s claims of historical rights in the South China Sea.
- The tribunal determined that any claims to resources within the nine-dash line were unfounded.
- It also found that China had violated the Philippines’ sovereign rights in its Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) through various actions, including interfering with fishing and petroleum exploration, constructing artificial islands, and failing to prevent Chinese fishermen from operating in the zone.
What is Quiet diplomacy?
- Quiet diplomacy refers to a diplomatic approach that focuses on behind-the-scenes negotiations and discussions conducted discreetly, away from public attention and media scrutiny.
- It involves engaging in diplomatic efforts through confidential channels, informal dialogues, and private meetings to address sensitive issues and resolve conflicts.
How Quiet diplomacy could ease South China Sea tensions
- Confidence-Building Measures: Quiet diplomacy can facilitate the implementation of confidence-building measures among the claimant states. This can include agreements on joint military exercises, information sharing, or cooperative initiatives aimed at reducing tensions and building trust.
- Open Communication: Quiet diplomacy allows for confidential and discreet communication between stakeholders, such as China and the claimant states. It provides a platform for open dialogue where concerns and perspectives can be expressed, leading to better understanding and the potential for resolving differences.
- Mediation and Facilitation: Quiet diplomacy may involve the engagement of neutral third-party mediators or facilitators who can assist in bridging differences and guiding the negotiation process. These mediators can provide a neutral perspective, offer expertise, and help facilitate constructive dialogue among the stakeholders.
- Informal Track-II Diplomacy: Quiet diplomacy encourages informal exchanges and dialogues between academic experts, think tanks, and non-governmental organizations. These interactions can provide alternative perspectives, generate innovative ideas, and contribute to a deeper understanding of the issues at hand.
- Crisis Management: Quiet diplomacy can be applicable during times of crisis or heightened tensions in the South China Sea. It allows for confidential crisis management talks between relevant parties, enabling swift and discreet negotiations to de-escalate tensions and seek temporary agreements
Way forward
- Dialogue for Conflict Resolution: The South China Sea issue requires a political framework and dialogue for resolution. Leaders of ASEAN nations are encouraged to engage in “quiet diplomacy to find a political solution, as legal methods may have limitations. Dialogue provides an opportunity for peaceful conflict resolution through negotiations and diplomatic channels.
- Emphasis on a Code of Conduct: The establishment of a legally binding code of conduct is crucial for managing the South China Sea issue. ASEAN leaders are called upon to work towards developing and implementing such a code. A code of conduct can provide guidelines and rules to manage disputes, reduce tensions, and promote stability in the region.
- Regional Unity and Cooperation: Regional cooperation and unity among ASEAN nations are essential to address the South China Sea issue effectively. Greater understanding and coordination among ASEAN members can strengthen their negotiating position and foster a united front in dealing with challenges related to territorial claims and maritime security.
- Respect for International Law: Upholding international law, including UNCLOS, is emphasized in the article. Countries are encouraged to respect legal and diplomatic channels, adhere to their obligations under UNCLOS, and uphold the rights of coastal states. Adherence to international law is essential for maintaining stability, resolving disputes, and promoting a rules-based order in the South China Sea.
Conclusion
- By committing to a rules-based order and emphasizing the significance of international law, India underscores its commitment to regional stability and peace. The need for dialogue, political frameworks, and unity among ASEAN nations is crucial to achieving a peaceful resolution in the South China Sea, protecting vital maritime commons, and ensuring the uninterrupted flow of global trade.
Also read:
India’s Initiative for ASEAN Women in UN Peacekeeping
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Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: MPI
Mains level: Not Much
Central Idea
What is MPI?
- The global Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI) is an international measure of acute multidimensional poverty covering over 100 developing countries.
- It complements traditional monetary poverty measures by capturing the acute deprivations in health, education, and living standards that a person faces simultaneously.
- The global MPI was developed by Oxford Poverty and Human Development Initiative (OPHI) with the UN Development Programme (UNDP) for inclusion in UNDP’s flagship Human Development Report in 2010.
- It has been published annually by OPHI and in the HDRs ever since.
Components of MPI
Rapid Progress and Halving MPI Values
- Achieving rapid progress: The report showcases that 25 countries, including India, successfully halved their global MPI values within 15 years, indicating that substantial progress is attainable.
- Countries with notable progress: Besides India, other countries that achieved this feat include Cambodia, China, Congo, Honduras, Indonesia, Morocco, Serbia, and Vietnam.
- Significance of halving MPI values: Halving the MPI values demonstrates a substantial reduction in multidimensional poverty, reflecting improvements across multiple indicators of well-being.
Poverty Reduction: Key Stats
- Decline in multidimensional poverty: In India, the number of people in multidimensional poverty decreased from approximately 645 million in 2005-06 to about 370 million in 2015-16 and further to 230 million in 2019-21.
- Improvements across indicators: Deprivation in various indicators, such as nutrition, child mortality, cooking fuel, sanitation, drinking water, electricity, and housing, witnessed significant declines in India.
- Fastest progress among the poorest: The report highlights that the poorest states and disadvantaged groups, including children and individuals from marginalized castes, experienced the fastest progress in reducing poverty.
Factors Contributing to Multidimensional Poverty
- Multiple disadvantages: Poverty encompasses various factors such as poor health, lack of basic amenities, limited livelihood options, limited education, disempowerment, and vulnerability to climate change.
- Holistic approach: Focusing solely on income as an indicator of poverty is insufficient. Multidimensional poverty measures offer a more comprehensive understanding of poverty by considering a range of disadvantages individuals face.
- Targeting and priority setting: Multidimensional poverty measures provide valuable insights into different areas and sub-groups affected by poverty, aiding in the identification of national priorities and targeted interventions.
Government Interventions for Poverty Alleviation
- Food Security: The National Food Security Act of 2013 aims to provide subsidized food grains to two-thirds of India’s population.
- Employment and Skilling: Initiatives such as the National Rural Livelihood Mission and the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act provide employment opportunities and regular income for the rural poor.
- Income Support: Schemes like the Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana and the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi aim to provide direct benefit transfers and minimum income support to the poor and farmers.
Challenges Ahead
- Pauperization and migrant workers: The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated poverty, leading to increased pauperization of migrant workers.
- Regional disparities: Rural areas continue to face a higher incidence of extreme poverty compared to urban areas.
- Jobless growth: Despite economic development, a significant proportion of the population still suffers from multidimensional deprivation.
- Resource limitations: Adequate allocation of resources for anti-poverty programs remains a challenge, and the availability of funds often dictates target curtailment.
- Implementation bottlenecks: Proper implementation and targeting of poverty alleviation schemes have been persistent issues in India, with overlapping programs leading to inefficiencies.
Conclusion
- India’s progress in reducing multidimensional poverty is commendable, with substantial improvements across indicators.
- However, the challenges of pauperization, regional disparities, job creation, resource allocation, and implementation bottlenecks must be addressed to achieve sustained poverty reduction and inclusive development.
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Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Electoral bonds
Mains level: Not Much
Central Idea
- Electoral bonds have emerged as the primary source of donations for political parties in India, with the BJP securing the majority share.
- A report by the Association of Democratic Reforms reveals that between 2016-17 and 2021-22, national and regional parties received a total donation of ₹9,188.35 crore through electoral bonds.
- The BJP received ₹5,271.97 crore, while other national parties collectively received ₹1,783.93 crore.
Political Donations under Electoral bonds scheme
- Breakdown of donations: Over the six-year period, the 31 analyzed political parties received a total of ₹16,437.63 crore in donations. Of this, 55.9% came from electoral bonds, 28.07% from the corporate sector, and 16.03% from other sources.
- BJP leads the pack: The BJP declared donations worth ₹5,271.97 crore through electoral bonds, surpassing the total donations of all other national parties combined.
- Congress and regional parties: The Congress received the second-highest amount through electoral bonds, with ₹952.29 crore (61.54% of total donations). The Trinamool Congress received ₹767.88 crore (93.27% of total donations).
- Regional parties’ reliance on bonds: Regional parties such as the BJD, DMK, and TRS received a significant portion of their total donations from electoral bonds.
- Surge in bond donations: National parties witnessed a 743% increase in donations through electoral bonds between 2017-18 and 2021-22, while corporate donations only rose by 48%.
Key features of Electoral Bonds Scheme
- Introduction of Electoral Bond Scheme: The Electoral Bond Scheme 2018 was introduced for electoral funding during the crucial time period analyzed in the report.
- Removal of donation limit: The Finance Act, 2017 eliminated the previous cap of 7.5% of a company’s average three-year net profit for political donations.
- Purchase and Donation: Any Indian citizen or company incorporated in India can purchase Electoral Bonds from select branches of the State Bank of India. The bonds can be bought in denominations of ₹1,000, ₹10,000, ₹10 lakh, and ₹1 crore. The purchaser can then donate the bonds to an eligible political party of their choice.
- Eligibility and KYC: To purchase Electoral Bonds, the buyer must fulfill the Know Your Customer (KYC) norms and make the payment from a bank account. Only individuals and companies with Indian citizenship or incorporation can participate in the scheme.
- Bond Validity: Electoral Bonds have a life of 15 days, ensuring that they do not function as a parallel currency.
- Anonymity and Disclosure: Donors who contribute less than ₹20,000 to political parties through Electoral Bonds are not required to provide their identity details, such as the Permanent Account Number (PAN). However, the identity of the donor is known to the bank.
- Redemption and Eligible Parties: Only political parties registered under Section 29A of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, and securing at least one percent of the votes in the last general election are eligible to receive Electoral Bonds. The bonds can be encashed only through a bank account with the authorized bank.
Issues with the Scheme
- Lack of Transparency: The scheme has faced criticism for enabling opaque political funding. While the identity of the donor is captured, it is not revealed to the party or the public, limiting transparency.
- Limited Tax Benefits: Donations made through Electoral Bonds may not qualify for income tax breaks, potentially discouraging donors from participating in the scheme.
- Privacy Concerns: The privacy of donors may be compromised as the bank will have knowledge of their identity.
- Differential Benefits: The scheme can potentially favor parties in power, as the government can access information about the donors and the funds received.
- Unlimited Donations: Amendments in the Finance Act of 2017 allow for unlimited donations from individuals and foreign companies to political parties without disclosing the sources of funding, raising concerns about the influence of money in politics.
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Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: ED, CBI
Mains level: Not Much
Central Idea
- The Supreme Court has upheld statutory amendments that permit the extension of tenures for Directors of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the Enforcement Directorate (ED).
- The court also directed the current ED Director, Sanjay Kumar Mishra, to resign four months before his third extension ends in November.
Amendments and Tenure Extensions
- Tenure of CBI and ED chiefs: The CBI and ED directors traditionally have fixed tenures of two years.
- Amendments enacted in 2021: Amendments were made to the Central Vigilance Commission Act, the Delhi Special Police Establishment Act, and the Fundamental Rules. These amendments allow directors to receive a maximum of three annual extensions, expanding their tenure beyond the two-year limit.
- Overcoming the court’s directive: The amendments were introduced shortly after the Supreme Court directed the government to cease granting extensions to Sanjay Kumar Mishra. These amendments provided a way for the government to grant Mishra two additional extensions.
Supreme Court’s Ruling
- Ruling on back-to-back service extensions: The Supreme Court deemed the consecutive service extensions granted to Mishra in 2021 and 2022 as illegal.
- Resignation deadline: The court ordered Mishra to resign by July 31, allowing for a smooth transition of responsibilities to his successor. Mishra has served as the ED Director for five years.
- Disagreement with amicus curiae: The court disagreed with the submissions made by its own amicus curiae, who urged the court to strike down the amendments. The amicus curiae argued that the prospect of service extensions could influence the directors to work in accordance with the government’s desires, undermining the agencies’ independence.
High-Level Committees and Justification
- Role of High-Level Committees: The amendments require High-Level Committees to recommend directors for service extensions.
- Committee composition and recommendations: The committees consist of members such as the Central Vigilance Commissioner, Vigilance Commissioners, Prime Minister, Opposition Leader, and Chief Justice of India, depending on the agency. These committees recommend whether an extension is warranted in the public interest.
- Recording reasons for recommendations: The committees are obligated to provide written justifications for their recommendations.
Constitutionality of Amendments
- Legislative authority: The court emphasized that the amendments were enacted by Parliament and should not be easily declared unconstitutional.
- Role of elected representatives: The court stated that the amendments were passed by elected representatives who possess knowledge of the needs and interests of the people.
- Judicial restraint: The court acknowledged that it should not question the wisdom of the elected representatives unless there is a clear violation of constitutional provisions.
Back2Basics:
|
Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) |
Enforcement Directorate (ED) |
| Mandate |
Investigates and solves major crimes in India |
Enforces economic and financial regulations |
| Jurisdiction |
Nationwide |
Nationwide |
| Legal Authority |
Delhi Special Police Establishment Act, 1946 |
Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002 |
| Functional Focus |
Criminal investigations |
Economic and financial offenses |
| Investigative Powers |
Arrest, search, seizure, and interrogation |
Attachment, confiscation, and arrest |
| Collaboration |
Works closely with state police and agencies |
Coordinates with various agencies and banks |
| Reporting Authority |
Department of Personnel and Training, GOI |
Department of Revenue, Ministry of Finance |
| Corruption Investigations |
Has an Anti-Corruption Division |
Has a separate Economic Offenses Division |
| Notable Cases |
2G Spectrum Scam, Bofors Scandal, etc. |
Vijay Mallya extradition, PNB fraud case |
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Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Foreign Portfolio Investments (FPI)
Mains level: NA
Central Idea
- The Supreme Court has asked the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) to clarify why amendments were made in 2018 to the Foreign Portfolio Investors (FPI) Regulations.
- These amendments had eliminated crucial clauses aimed at preventing opacity in FPI ownership structures.
Why discuss this?
- A judicial inquiry report has stated that SEBI’s investigation into allegations against the Adani Group by Hindenburg Research had been hindered by FPI ownership amendments.
- The report highlighted the challenges faced by SEBI in determining the “ownership” of 13 overseas entities, including the FPIs mentioned in the Hindenburg report, due to the lack of clarity in their ownership chain.
What are FPIs?
- Foreign Portfolio Investments (FPI) refer to investments made by foreign individuals, institutional investors, pension funds, sovereign wealth funds, and other entities in financial instruments of a foreign country.
- These investments typically involve the purchase of securities such as stocks, bonds, mutual funds, exchange-traded funds (ETFs), and other tradable financial assets.
Key characteristics of foreign portfolio investments include:
- Indirect Ownership: FPIs involve indirect ownership of financial instruments rather than direct ownership of physical assets or businesses. Investors hold portfolios of securities issued by companies, governments, or other entities in the target country.
- Diversification: FPIs allow investors to diversify their investment portfolios internationally. By investing in different countries and asset classes, investors can reduce risks associated with a concentration in a single market or asset type.
- Liquidity: FPIs offer high liquidity as they involve trading in financial instruments that can be easily bought or sold in the secondary market. Investors have the flexibility to enter or exit their positions quickly based on market conditions or investment objectives.
- Market Access: FPIs provide foreign investors with access to the securities markets of other countries. This enables them to participate in the economic growth and potential returns of different markets and take advantage of investment opportunities that may not be available domestically.
- Regulatory Framework: FPIs are subject to regulations and guidelines set by the regulatory authorities of the target country. These regulations may include registration requirements, investment limits, disclosure obligations, and compliance norms to ensure market integrity and investor protection.
- Market Impact: Large FPI flows can have a significant impact on the target country’s financial markets. They can influence stock prices, bond yields, exchange rates, and overall market sentiment. As a result, FPIs are closely monitored by regulatory bodies and policymakers.
Key Issue: FPI Regulations Amendment
The Foreign Portfolio Investors (FPI) Regulations were first introduced in 2014 by the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI).
- Removal of “opaque structure” provision: The 2018 amendments eliminated provisions in the FPI Regulations that addressed opaque structures and required FPIs to disclose every ultimate natural person in the ownership chain.
- Justice Sapre panel’s observations: The expert committee report stated that the removal of these provisions had put SEBI in a “chicken-and-egg situation” in its investigation of the 13 overseas entities suspected of having opaque structures.
- Need for information on ultimate economic ownership: The report emphasized that SEBI’s investigation required information about the ultimate economic ownership, rather than just beneficial owners, of the entities under scrutiny.
Supreme Court’s Query and SEBI’s Response
- Court’s inquiry on the amendments: The Chief Justice asked SEBI to explain the circumstances and reasons behind the changes made to the provisions dealing with opaque structures.
- SEBI’s assertion on ongoing investigation: The Solicitor General, representing SEBI, stated that the investigation was progressing at full speed and that the agency was working diligently to meet the extended deadline set by the court.
- Petitioners’ arguments on fatal impact: The petitioners argued that the amendments made in 2018 had rendered SEBI’s current investigation ineffective, as the definition of opaque structure was removed. They claimed that these amendments were intended to prevent fraud exposure.
Court’s Concerns and Request for Explanation
- Court’s curiosity about the amendments: The Chief Justice expressed the court’s interest in understanding the reasons behind the changes made by SEBI in 2018.
- Potential impact on the investigation: The court acknowledged the argument that the amendments might restrict SEBI from delving into the layers of transactions, potentially hindering the investigation.
Conclusion
- The court seeks clarification on the circumstances surrounding these changes and their impact on SEBI’s investigation into the Adani Group.
- The court’s concern lies in understanding the potential limitations these amendments may have imposed on SEBI’s ability to explore the ownership chain and layers of transactions.
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Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: GST, GST Council
Mains level: NA
Central Idea
- The Goods and Services Tax (GST) Council convened its 50th meeting on July 11, announcing significant revisions and clarifications to tax rates.
- Additionally, the council discussed the establishment of GST Appellate Tribunals.
- It sought to address the concerns surrounding inclusion of the GST Network under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).
What is GST Council?
- The Goods and Services Tax (GST) Council is a crucial body established under the 101st Constitutional Amendment in 2016 to oversee the implementation of the GST regime in India.
- Comprised of representatives from the central government and the states, the Council plays a pivotal role in making recommendations and decisions related to GST.
Composition of the GST Council
- Joint forum: The GST Council is a joint forum consisting of members from the Centre (Union Finance Minister and Union Minister of State for Finance) and representatives from the states.
- State representation: Each state nominates a minister in charge of finance, taxation, or any other relevant minister to be a member of the Council.
Objectives of the GST Council
- Recommendation-making authority: The Council is responsible for making recommendations to the Union and the states on important GST-related issues. This includes suggestions on the goods and services that should be subjected to or exempted from GST, as well as the formulation of model GST laws.
- Decision-making on tax rates: The Council determines the various rate slabs under the GST regime. It has the authority to decide the applicable tax rates for different goods and services.
Recent Tax Rate Changes proposals
- Uncooked and unfried snack pellets and fish soluble paste: The tax rate on these items was reduced from 18% to 5%.
- Imitation zari threads or yarn: The GST rate on these items was reduced from 12% to 5%.
- Food and beverages consumed inside cinema halls: The GST rate for these items was reduced to 5% without any input tax credits, compared to the previous 18% levied on cinema services.
- Special utility vehicles (SUVs): The tax treatment for SUVs was clarified, ensuring that the higher GST compensation cess does not affect sedans. The conditions for classifying a vehicle as an SUV were revised to exclude the requirement of being popularly seen as an SUV. The ground clearance of 170 mm should now be for an unladen vehicle.
- Exemption for satellite launch services: The Council offered an exemption on GST for satellite launch services provided by private organizations.
Other recommendations: GST Appellate Tribunals
- Proposal for setting up GST Appellate Tribunals: States’ proposals to establish 50 Benches of GST Appellate Tribunals were examined. These tribunals will play a crucial role in resolving GST disputes.
- Operational timeline: The government aims to make the tribunals operational within four to six months, starting with the establishment of Benches in State capitals and places where High Courts have Benches.
- Appointment and service conditions: The Council cleared the appointment and service conditions for tribunal members and the president, which will come into effect from August 1.
Inclusion of GST Network under PMLA
- Concerns raised by non-BJP ruled states: Representatives from states not governed by the BJP criticized the decision to bring the GST Network under the purview of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) administered by the Enforcement Directorate (ED).
- Tamil Nadu’s opposition: Tamil Nadu expressed opposition to the move, stating that it is against the interests of taxpayers and goes against the objective of decriminalizing offenses under the GST law.
- Explanation and clarification: Revenue Secretary presented an explanation of the provision, stating that it is a requirement of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) and not directly related to the GST law.
- Information sharing: The GSTN will not share information about private businesses with other law enforcement agencies. The ED will neither receive nor provide information, but the director of the Financial Intelligence Unit may provide information to the GSTN to empower tax authorities in combating tax evasion and money laundering.
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Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: NA
Mains level: Challenges faced by India's manufacturing sector, declining productivity, and its impact on employment and economy
What is the news?
- According to a recent study Productivity growth in Indian manufacturing has been slowing since the 1990s, with a more pronounced decline in the years leading up to the Covid-19 pandemic. Exploring the causes behind this decline is crucial to develop effective strategies for revitalizing the sector.
Central idea
- India’s manufacturing sector has long been a matter of concern for policymakers and the subject of extensive academic research. The government has consistently aimed to increase the share of manufacturing in the country’s GDP. However, despite efforts to promote manufacturing, the sector’s contribution and overall employment has remained stagnant.
Key Facts about Manufacturing Productivity in India
- Slowing Growth: Productivity growth in India’s manufacturing sector has been declining since the 1990s, with a significant acceleration in the mid-2010s and leading up to the Covid-19 pandemic.
- Gap with the United States: India’s manufacturing productivity per worker is considerably lower compared to the United States. In 2020, it was only around a fifth of the productivity level in the US.
- Regional Disparities: There are wide variations in manufacturing productivity across Indian states. Western and Central Indian states tend to have higher average productivity, while Southern and Eastern states have lower productivity levels. This contrasts with the GDP per capita rankings, where Southern states generally have higher incomes than their Western and Central counterparts.
Potential reasons behind the decline in manufacturing productivity
- Slow Manufacturing Sector Growth: The overall growth rate of India’s manufacturing sector has been decreasing, particularly since around 2015. This sluggish growth can limit the opportunities for productivity improvement and hinder overall sector performance.
- Insufficient Investments: Inadequate investments in technology, infrastructure, and research and development (R&D) can hamper productivity growth. Limited capital expenditure by firms may result in outdated machinery, inefficient processes, and lower productivity levels.
- Skill Mismatch: The manufacturing sector requires a specific skill set, and a mismatch between the skills possessed by the labor force and the skills demanded by the industry can impede productivity. The lack of trained and skilled workers in areas such as advanced manufacturing techniques, automation, and specialized operations may contribute to lower productivity levels.
- Informality and Informal Labor Market: The prevalence of informal employment in the manufacturing sector can hinder productivity growth. Informal workers often lack access to training, social security benefits, and stable employment conditions, which can lead to lower productivity levels compared to formal employment arrangements.
- Regulatory Challenges: Cumbersome regulatory processes, including complex labor laws, bureaucratic red tape, and regulatory compliance burdens, can hamper productivity growth. These challenges may discourage investment and hinder the adoption of efficient production practices.
- Infrastructure Deficiencies: Inadequate infrastructure, such as poor transportation networks, unreliable power supply, and limited access to technology and connectivity, can negatively impact manufacturing productivity. Insufficient infrastructure can increase costs, disrupt supply chains, and hinder efficiency in production processes.
- Inefficient Supply Chains: Weak linkages and coordination within supply chains can contribute to lower productivity in manufacturing. Challenges such as fragmented value chains, inefficient logistics, and inadequate coordination between suppliers, manufacturers, and distributors can result in delays, increased costs, and reduced overall productivity.
- Lack of Innovation and Technology Adoption: Limited emphasis on innovation, research, and development, as well as a slower adoption of advanced technologies, can constrain productivity growth in the manufacturing sector. Insufficient investment in technological upgrades and a reluctance to adopt new manufacturing techniques can lead to lower productivity compared to global standards.
Implications of Declining manufacturing productivity
- Economic Growth: Declining manufacturing productivity can hinder overall economic growth.
- Reduced Competitiveness: Declining productivity in manufacturing can erode a country’s competitiveness in the global market. This can lead to a decline in exports and an increase in imports, negatively impacting the trade balance and potentially affecting the overall economic stability of a nation.
- Employment and Labor Market Challenges: Lower productivity can result in reduced job creation within the manufacturing sector, leading to unemployment or underemployment.
- Technological Progression: When productivity declines, the incentives for firms to invest in research and development or adopt new technologies may diminish, leading to a slower pace of technological advancement within the manufacturing sector.
- Industrial Development and Diversification: A decline in productivity can hinder the growth and diversification of the manufacturing sector, limiting its ability to contribute to overall industrial development.
- Investment and Innovation: Declining productivity in manufacturing can discourage investment and innovation within the sector.
- Sectoral Shifts: Declining manufacturing productivity may result in a shift towards other sectors of the economy. If manufacturing becomes less competitive and less productive, resources and investments may be redirected to other sectors such as services.
What can be done?
- Boost Investments: Encouraging both domestic and foreign investments in the manufacturing sector can help upgrade infrastructure, improve technology adoption, and enhance productivity. This can be achieved through attractive investment policies, tax incentives, and easing of regulatory procedures.
- Skill Development and Training: Focusing on skill development programs tailored to the manufacturing sector can address the skill mismatch and enhance the capabilities of the workforce. Collaborating with educational institutions and industry associations to design training programs and apprenticeships can ensure a skilled labor force.
- Infrastructure Development: Prioritizing infrastructure development, including transportation networks, power supply, logistics, and digital connectivity, is essential for improving productivity. Investment in infrastructure projects can create an enabling environment for manufacturing activities and reduce operational inefficiencies.
- Regulatory Reforms: Streamlining regulatory processes, reducing bureaucratic complexities, and simplifying labor laws can create a business-friendly environment. Establishing a favorable regulatory framework can attract investments, foster innovation, and enhance productivity in the manufacturing sector.
- Research and Development (R&D): Encouraging R&D activities and innovation in the manufacturing sector can lead to technological advancements and productivity gains. Collaborations between industry, research institutions, and academia can facilitate knowledge transfer and promote innovation-driven manufacturing.
- Entrepreneurship and Start-up Ecosystem: Supporting entrepreneurship and nurturing a vibrant start-up ecosystem in manufacturing can bring fresh ideas, innovation, and competitiveness. Providing access to finance, mentorship programs, and incubation support can encourage entrepreneurial growth and drive productivity.
- International Collaborations: Strengthening international collaborations and partnerships can facilitate knowledge exchange, technology transfer, and best practice sharing. Engaging with global manufacturing networks can help Indian manufacturers learn from successful models and adapt to global standards.
Conclusion
- The findings of this study underscore the urgent need for policy interventions to address the challenges faced by India’s manufacturing sector. Encouraging investments in workers, improving labor market conditions, and promoting a conducive business environment are crucial steps that can help revitalize India’s manufacturing sector, enhance productivity, and lift millions out of poverty.
Also read:
Revisiting India’s Manufacturing Dilemma: A Call for Comprehensive Ecosystem Development
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Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: NFHS report
Mains level: India's progress and challenges in family planning and the concept of Reproductive autonomy,
Why is this news?
- India’s progress in family planning initiatives and achievements in areas such as life expectancy, maternal health, and gender empowerment. Instead of ensuring reproductive autonomy for each woman, society has obsessed with total fertility rates and the ideal population size of a family.
Central Idea
- The theme of this year’s World Population Day, Unleashing the power of gender equality: Uplifting the voices of women and girls to unlock our world’s infinite possibilities, holds significant relevance for India. In order to foster women-led development across various sectors in India, it is imperative to prioritize reproductive autonomy as a core component.
What is mean by reproductive autonomy?
- Reproductive autonomy refers to an individual’s right and ability to make informed decisions regarding their reproductive health and choices without interference, coercion, or discrimination.
- It encompasses the freedom to decide whether or when to have children, the number of children to have, and the spacing between pregnancies.
- Reproductive autonomy includes access to comprehensive reproductive healthcare services, including family planning methods, contraceptives, sexual education, prenatal care, safe abortion services, and support for reproductive health decisions.
India’s progress in family planning
- Family planning initiatives: India has been commended for its family planning initiatives, aiming to provide comprehensive reproductive health services to every potential beneficiary.
- Reproductive health services: Efforts have been made to expand the contraceptive basket and provide a range of modern short and long-acting reversible contraceptives, permanent methods, information, counseling, and services, including emergency contraception.
- Maternal health improvements: India has made impressive strides in maternal health, as reflected in the significant reduction in maternal mortality rates. The current rate stands at 97 per 100,000 live births, down from 254 in 2004.
- Gender empowerment: India has achieved progress in empowering women and girls. The number of child marriages has been cut in half since the early 2000s, and teen pregnancies have significantly decreased.
- Access to vital services: India has witnessed improved access to crucial services, including health, education, and nutrition.
- Longer life expectancy: Life expectancy at birth has significantly increased in India over the years, with Indians now living a decade longer compared to the 1990s.
What are the Challenges?
- Lack of physical autonomy: Despite the progress made, many women in India continue to lack physical autonomy.
- Limited decision-making power: According to the National Family Health Survey, only 10% of women in India are independently able to make decisions about their own health.
- Acceptance of marital violence: The survey also reveals that 11% of women believe that marital violence is acceptable if a woman refuses to have sex with her husband.
- Unplanned pregnancies: Nearly half of all pregnancies in India are unplanned, highlighting a challenge in ensuring effective family planning services and education.
- Ongoing gender disparities: While progress has been made, there are persistent gender disparities and inequalities that need to be addressed to achieve true gender equality.
- Societal attitudes: Attitudes and societal norms that perpetuate gender-based discrimination and violence continue to pose challenges to women’s empowerment.
Opportunities for India
- Advancing gender equality: India has a significant opportunity to advance gender equality, which can have far-reaching positive effects on various aspects of society, including economic growth, social progress, and inclusive development.
- Economic growth potential: By increasing women’s labor force participation by 10 percentage points, India could unlock significant economic growth potential. It is estimated that this could contribute to more than 70% of the potential GDP growth, amounting to an additional $770 billion by 2025.
- Human capital development: Empowering women through education and family planning can lead to the accumulation of human capital, which is crucial for sustainable development and economic progress.
- Harnessing women’s potential: By enabling women to participate fully in various sectors, including science, technology, agriculture, education, and healthcare, India can tap into the immense talent, ideas, and innovation that women bring to the table.
- Rights-based legislation and policies: India has the opportunity to formulate and implement legislation and policies that empower women, girls, and marginalized individuals, enabling them to assert their rights and make life-changing personal decisions.
- Inclusive economic development: Promoting gender equality and empowering women can contribute to inclusive economic development by ensuring equal opportunities and participation for all segments of society.
- Shifting population dynamics: By focusing on reproductive choices and ensuring reproductive autonomy for individuals, India can shape its population dynamics in a way that respects individual rights and choices, while also addressing demographic challenges.
Way forward
- Investments in women’s lives: Ensuring gender equality and empowering women requires making investments in every stage of a woman’s life, from childbirth to adolescence to maturity. This includes providing access to quality education, healthcare, and support systems that enable women to make informed choices and assert their rights.
- Legislation and policies: Formulating and implementing rights-based legislation and policies that empower women, girls, and marginalized individuals is crucial. This involves engaging with these groups, understanding their needs, and creating an enabling environment that supports their rights and decision-making.
- Comprehensive reproductive health services: Continued efforts should be made to provide comprehensive reproductive health services that are accessible, affordable, and of high quality. This includes expanding the contraceptive basket, ensuring access to family planning methods, information, counseling, and emergency contraception.
- Gender-just approaches: Adopting gender-just approaches and solutions is essential for building a prosperous and inclusive India. This involves challenging societal norms and attitudes that perpetuate gender discrimination and violence, and promoting gender equality as a fundamental value.
- Population and development discourse: Reaffirming the commitment to placing individual rights, particularly women’s rights and well-being, at the center of the population and development discourse is crucial. Shifting the focus from population stabilization to respecting reproductive choices and promoting reproductive autonomy is essential.
Conclusion
- On this World Population Day, let us reiterate our commitment to placing individual rights, particularly women’s rights and well-being, at the forefront of population and development discourse. Embracing gender-just approaches and solutions is essential for building a prosperous India and a better world for all.
Also read:
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Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Majorana Zero Modes
Mains level: Not Much
Central Idea
- Microsoft researchers have made significant strides in the creation of Majorana zero modes, a type of particle that could revolutionize quantum computing.
- Majorana zero modes, which are their own antiparticles, possess unique properties that could make quantum computers more robust and computationally superior.
Majorana Fermions: A conceptual backgrounder
- Fermions and Antiparticles: All subatomic particles that constitute matter are known as fermions, with each fermion having an associated antiparticle that annihilates upon interaction.
- Majorana Fermions: In 1937, Italian physicist Ettore Majorana discovered that certain particles, known as Majorana fermions, can satisfy specific conditions and be their own antiparticles.
- Neutrinos as Potential Majorana Fermions: Neutrinos are one type of subatomic particle that scientists speculate may exhibit Majorana fermion behavior, although experimental confirmation is still pending.
Understanding Majorana Zero Modes
- Quantum Numbers and Spin: All particles have four quantum numbers, with one called the quantum spin having half-integer values for fermions. This property allows any fermion, even a large entity like an atom, to be classified as a fermion.
- Bound States and Fermions: Bound states composed of two particles can also be classified as fermions if their total quantum spin possesses a half-integer value.
- Majorana Zero Modes: When these bound states are their own antiparticles and do not readily de-cohere, they are known as Majorana zero modes, which have been sought after by physicists for many years.
Easy explained: Majorana Zero Modes
In the world of physics, particles can have interesting properties and behave in strange ways. One type of particle that scientists have been studying is called a Majorana particle.
Majorana particles have a special property called “non-Abelian statistics.” Without getting too technical, this property means that when two Majorana particles come close together, something interesting happens. Instead of behaving like normal particles, they can combine in a special way to form a new kind of particle called a Majorana zero mode.
A Majorana zero mode is a very peculiar particle because it is its own antiparticle. Normally, particles have antiparticles with opposite properties, like an electron and a positron. But Majorana zero modes are special because they don’t have separate antiparticles. They are their own antiparticles! |
Potential Benefits for Computing
- Enhanced Stability: Majorana zero modes offer increased stability for qubits, the fundamental units of information in quantum computing. Even if one entity within the bound state is disturbed, the qubit as a whole can remain protected and retain encoded information.
- Topological Quantum Computing: Majorana zero modes can enable topological quantum computing, which takes advantage of non-Abelian statistics. These statistics introduce an additional degree of freedom, allowing algorithms to produce different outcomes based on the order in which steps are performed.
Challenges and Future Prospects
- Creating Majorana Zero Modes: Scientists have been exploring various setups, such as topological superconductors, to generate Majorana zero modes. However, confirming their existence remains a challenge, as their effects on surrounding materials must be inferred indirectly.
- Recent Advances by Microsoft Researchers: Microsoft researchers recently engineered a topological superconductor using an aluminium superconductor and an indium arsenide semiconductor. Their device passed a stringent protocol, suggesting a high probability of hosting Majorana zero modes.
Future prospects
- While this achievement is significant, the existence of Majorana fermions and their potential for topological quantum computing still need independent confirmation.
- Continued improvements in simulation, growth, fabrication, and measurement capabilities are necessary to achieve the desired topological gap for coherent operations.
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Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: SCO
Mains level: Read the attached story
Central Idea
- The upcoming virtual summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) hosted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, holds significant importance in the current geopolitical context.
- Ashok Sajjanhar, a former Indian Foreign Service (IFS) officer and ambassador to several countries, shares his insights on the event and its potential outcomes.
What is SCO?
- SCO is an international organization founded in 2001.
- It is primarily focused on promoting cooperation and regional stability among its member states.
- The SCO originated from the Shanghai Five mechanism, which was established in 1996 to resolve border disputes and promote mutual trust among China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan.
- Uzbekistan joined the organization in 2001, leading to its formation as the SCO.
| Member States |
China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, India, Pakistan |
| Objectives |
Promote regional security, stability, economic cooperation |
| Cooperation Areas |
Political, security, economic, cultural |
| Security Cooperation |
Joint military exercises, counter-terrorism operations, intelligence sharing |
| Economic Cooperation |
Trade facilitation, investment, infrastructure development |
| Key Bodies |
SCO Summit, SCO Business Council, Interbank Consortium of the SCO |
| Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure (RATS) |
Coordination of anti-terrorism efforts |
| Dialogue Partners |
Afghanistan, Belarus, Iran, Mongolia, among others |
| Observer States |
Armenia, Azerbaijan, Cambodia, Nepal, among others |
| Outreach and Engagement |
United Nations, ASEAN, CIS, and other regional/international organizations |
Significance of the Meeting during the Russia-Ukraine War
- Major participants: The summit is expected to see the participation of key leaders such as Russian President Vladimir Putin, Chinese President Xi Jinping, and Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif.
- Declining Influence of Russia: The meeting provides an opportunity for President Putin to gauge the declining influence and relevance of Russia, particularly in the Central Asian countries.
- Message for Resolution: The decreased importance of Russia’s role in the region may convey the need for a prompt resolution to the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict.
India’s Strategic Autonomy and Self-Assuredness
- Successful India-US Relations: Prime Minister Modi’s recent successful visit to the United States highlights the growth of India-US relations.
- India’s Role in SCO: India’s participation in the SCO while maintaining strong relations with the United States underscores its strategic autonomy and self-assuredness.
Impact of PM Modi’s Statement to Mr. Putin
- Asserting India’s Voice: PM Modi’s statement, “this is not the era of war,” showcased India’s capacity to communicate with President Putin.
- Influencing Diplomatic Outcomes: The statement helped in securing the Bali G20 summit declaration and demonstrated India’s voice as a mediator between Russia and the West.
Implications for India-China Relations
- Unlikely Impact on Border Standoff: The virtual summit is unlikely to have any immediate impact on the India-China border standoff.
- Ongoing Talks and Stalemate: Multiple rounds of talks between India and China have taken place, but there has been limited progress in de-escalation and disengagement at key points.
- Snub to Pakistan: India’s strong stance on cross-border terrorism, as demonstrated in the past, is likely to be reiterated during the discussions.
India’s Opportunities at SCO
- Central Asian outreach: India has historical and cultural ties with Central Asian countries and aims to expand partnerships in the region.
- Neglected Engagement: Post-Soviet independence, India’s engagement with these countries was hindered by its lack of direct access through Pakistan’s territory.
- SCO as a Platform: India’s SCO membership allows for interaction at various levels and offers opportunities to strengthen ties with Central Asian countries.
Conclusion
- The SCO virtual summit presents a significant opportunity for India to engage with key regional players and enhance its profile and stature in Central Asia.
- The summit’s outcomes, including the adoption of documents on various issues, will contribute to advancing India’s interests, strengthening trade ties, and promoting investments in the region.
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Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: NA
Mains level: Mob violence and communal hatred
Central Idea
- The Supreme Court has decided to assess the actions taken by the Union and States to address incidents of lynchings since its July 2018 judgment condemning these acts as mobocracy.
- The court has directed State governments to provide year-wise data on complaints filed, FIRs registered, and court proceedings related to incidents of mob violence and lynchings.
Mob Lynching: A Backgrounder
- Concerns over Vigilantism: The 2018 Supreme Court bench, addressed the growing issues of vigilantism, mob lynching, communal violence, and hate crimes.
- State Responsibility: The court emphasized that states have the duty to prevent individuals or core groups from taking the law into their own hands, stressing that every citizen has the right to report law infractions to the police rather than resorting to vigilantism.
- Affront to the Rule of Law: The court declared that lynching undermines the rule of law and the constitutional values, leading to anarchy and violence in society.
Supreme Court’s Observations
- Prevention and Vigilance: The court stressed that authorities responsible for maintaining law and order must prevent vigilantism, including cow vigilantism, from occurring. Vigilante actions erode the legal institutions of the state and disrupt the constitutional order.
- Rising Intolerance: The court expressed concern over rising intolerance and growing polarization, fueled by incidents of mob violence, emphasizing that such acts should not become the normal state of law and order in the country.
- Creeping Threats: The court highlighted the dangers posed by lynching and mob violence, which could escalate into widespread incidents influenced by intolerance, misinformation, and the circulation of fake news.
Directive for Preventive and Remedial Measures
- Designation of Nodal Officers: State governments must appoint senior police officers as Nodal Officers in each district to prevent incidents of mob violence and lynching.
- Identification of High-Incidence Areas: State governments should identify areas where mob violence and lynching have been reported.
- Police Actions and FIR Registration: Police officers must disperse mobs using their authority under Section 129 of the CrPC, and FIRs must be promptly registered under Section 153A of the IPC.
- Monitoring of Investigations: Nodal Officers have the responsibility to personally monitor the investigation of such offenses and ensure effective implementation.
- Compensation Scheme: State governments should establish a victim compensation scheme for lynching and mob violence victims in line with Section 357A of the CrPC.
- Designated Courts: Special designated courts or fast-track courts should handle cases related to lynching and mob violence in each district.
Directive to State Governments
- Information Gathering: A Bench comprising Justices Sanjeev Khanna and Bela M. Trivedi has instructed State governments to compile comprehensive data on incidents of mob violence and lynchings.
- Year-wise Data: The data should include information on complaints filed, FIRs registered, and challans submitted to the courts, highlighting the progress made each year.
- Coordination with State Departments: The court suggested that the Ministry of Home Affairs hold meetings with relevant department heads of the State governments to obtain updates on the measures taken in response to the court’s 2018 judgment in the Tehseen Poonawala case.
- Compliance with Court’s Directions: The court had previously directed the formation of Special Task Forces by the States to gather intelligence on hate speeches, mob violence, and lynchings.
Conclusion
- The Supreme Court’s monitoring of preventive and remedial measures for mob lynching demonstrates the commitment to address this issue.
- By directing the consolidation of data and urging compliance with the 2018 judgment, the court aims to hold the Union and State governments accountable for their actions.
- These measures seek to curb vigilantism, protect the rule of law, and ensure justice for victims of mob violence and lynchings.
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Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: NA
Mains level: Semiconductor industry in India
Central Idea
- Taiwan-based Hon Hai Technology Group, commonly known as Foxconn, has announced its withdrawal from a $19.5 billion semiconductor joint venture with the Vedanta Group.
- The decision comes as Foxconn aims to explore alternative development opportunities.
Background and JV Details
- The joint venture aimed to establish a semiconductor fabrication plant in Gujarat, India.
- The plant was intended to produce 28 nanometer semiconductors.
- The partnership was expected to boost India’s semiconductor manufacturing capabilities.
Foxconn’s Decision to Withdraw
- Fulfilling Technology Transfer and Investment Requirements: Reports suggested that the firms were unable to meet the government’s demands for increased technology transfer and investment from European firm STMicroelectronics.
- Financial Constraints: Vedanta’s heavy debt burden and its ability to finance the acquisition of chipmaking technology are believed to have played a significant role in Foxconn’s decision to pull out of the joint venture.
- Differences and Lack of Progress: Senior government officials confirm that the joint venture encountered difficulties and differences, leading to the realization several months ago that Foxconn would withdraw.
- Diverse Development Opportunities: Foxconn cited the need to explore a wider range of development opportunities as the reason for its withdrawal from the joint venture.
Vedanta’s response
- Commitment from Vedanta: Vedanta stated that it will continue to pursue other partnerships and highlighted its possession of a license for production-grade technology for 40nm chips from a prominent Integrated Device Manufacturer (IDM).
- Importance of India in Semiconductor Supply Chains: Vedanta reiterated the significance of India in global semiconductor supply chain repositioning efforts.
- Independence and New Partners: Vedanta intends to remove the Foxconn name from the fully-owned entity and pursue partnerships with other companies to establish India’s first foundry.
- Production Licenses: Vedanta highlights its possession of a license for production-grade technology for 40 nm chips and the forthcoming acquisition of a license for production-grade 28 nm chips.
- Government Evaluation: The government will evaluate Vedanta’s proposal, but the absence of Foxconn may affect the progress of the application.
Government’s position
- Commitment to India’s Semiconductor Mission: Electronics and Information Technology Minister assured that both Foxconn and Vedanta remain dedicated to India’s semiconductor mission and the Make in India program.
- Continuation of Semiconductor Growth: The government aims to continue developing India’s semiconductor industry and attract further investments.
Uncertainty Surrounding Other Proposals
- ISMC Proposal: ISMC, backed by Next Orbit and Tower Semiconductor, has requested that its proposal not be considered due to the pending merger between Intel and Tower Semiconductor. The proposal for a $3 billion semiconductor fab in Karnataka is expected to remain on hold until the merger is finalized.
- IGSS Venture Proposal: The proposal by Singapore-based IGSS Venture did not meet the standards set by the government’s advisory committee and is currently on hold.
Importance of Chipmaking for India
- Strategic Sector: India has identified electronics manufacturing, including chipmaking, as a critical sector for domestic production and export growth.
- Domestic Supply Chain: Chip manufacturing plays a crucial role in developing a domestic electronics supply chain, reducing reliance on imports, particularly from China.
- Opportunity for India: As companies seek to diversify their manufacturing bases away from China, India has the potential to emerge as a reliable destination for semiconductor manufacturing.
- Global Context: The US has passed the CHIPS Act, providing significant subsidies for chip manufacturing domestically, while imposing restrictions and sanctions on China’s semiconductor industry.
Conclusion
- Foxconn’s withdrawal and uncertainties surrounding other proposals highlight challenges in India’s semiconductor manufacturing plans.
- Financial constraints faced by Vedanta and the need for technology acquisition pose hurdles to realizing India’s chipmaking ambitions.
- Nonetheless, India’s focus on chip manufacturing remains a strategic priority to develop a domestic electronics supply chain and reduce dependence on imports.
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Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Global South
Mains level: Not Much
Central Idea
- The unwillingness of many leading countries in Africa, Asia and Latin America to stand with NATO over the war in Ukraine has brought to the fore once again the term “Global South.”
What is Global South?
- The term “Global South” refers to countries that are often described as ‘developing’, ‘less developed’, or ‘underdeveloped’.
- It encompasses countries in Africa, Asia, and Latin America, which are characterized by higher levels of poverty, income inequality, and harsh living conditions compared to the “Global North”.
Historical Background
- Emergence of the Term: The term ‘Global South’ was first used in 1969 by political activist Carl Oglesby, who argued that the war in Vietnam represented a history of northern “dominance over the global south”.
- Transition from Third World: Prior to the fall of the Soviet Union in 1991, these countries were commonly referred to as the ‘Third World’.
- Momentum and Context: The term gained momentum following the end of the Cold War and the rise of the non-aligned movement.
Features of the Global South
- Lower-income Countries: The Global South primarily consists of lower-income countries located in Africa, Asia, and South America.
- Geopolitical Background: Geopolitically, these nations have a history of imperialism and colonial rule.
- Newly Industrialized Status: Many of these countries are in the process of industrialization and have been described as newly industrialized.
- Prominent Countries: Prominent countries within the Global South include Brazil, China, India, Indonesia, and Mexico, known for their large populations and economies.
Need for Classification
- Critique of Earlier Terms: The East/West binary and the categorization of countries as developed/developing were criticized for perpetuating stereotypes and favoring Western ideals.
- Cold War Context: The First World, Second World, and Third World classifications were associated with Cold War alliances.
- Broad and Inclusive Classification: The term ‘Global South’ provides a broader classification based on shared history of colonization and similar socioeconomic indicators.
Global South amid Ukrainian War
- South-South Cooperation: South-South cooperation has emerged as countries like India and China challenge the dominant global order led by the US.
- Questioning the North as the Ideal: The rise of Asian countries questions the notion of the North as the ideal.
- Criticism of Classification: The classification of the Global South has been criticized for its broadness and concerns about resource accumulation, as well as the neglect of Africa.
Significance of the Global South
- India’s Role: India aims to unite Global South countries to adopt an action-oriented approach.
- Potential for Progress: Cooperation within the Global South can unlock significant potential for progress, including technical and ideas exchanges, sharing of manufacturing best practices, and more.
- Common Concerns: Energy security, justice, and sustainable energy transition are common concerns for the Global South, which India aims to highlight.
Challenges for Consolidation
- Debate over Climate Reparations: The ongoing debate over climate reparations has triggered controversy, as some argue that China and India should contribute given their increasing industrialization and historical carbon emissions.
- Impact of Russia-Ukraine War: The ongoing Russia-Ukraine war has impacted the least developed countries (LDCs) and prompted them to align more closely with China’s Belt and Road Initiative.
- Dominance of the US: Despite the shift to a multipolar world, the US still dominates international affairs, posing challenges for the consolidation of the Global South.
Way Forward
- Active Engagement: India must actively engage with regional politics within the developing world to champion the Global South.
- Tailored Policy Approach: It is crucial to recognize the diversity within the Global South and develop a policy vision that addresses the varying needs and capabilities of its member countries.
Conclusion
- Collaboration between the Global South and India can lead to significant advancements in various fields.
- India’s development partnerships prioritize consultation, outcome orientation, people-centric approaches, and respect for the sovereignty of partner countries.
- Distinguishing India’s approach from that of China can help avoid debt traps and financially unsound undertakings, promoting sustainable development within the Global South.
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Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: AI generative models, Latest AI applications
Mains level: Artificial Intelligence and generative models, Benefits, challenges, way ahead
What is the news?
- The rise of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and generative AI models and its impact on productivity, growth, and employment is explored, with a focus on the positive effects, potential job displacement, and opportunities for India, while dispelling fears of a robot-dominated future.
Central Idea
- The rapid advancements in AI, particularly in the form of Large Language Models and Generative AI, have revolutionized various aspects of our lives. From automated factories to self-driving cars and chatbots, AI has extended its influence beyond our expectations.
What is Artificial Intelligence?
- AI is a constellation of technologies that enable machines to act with higher levels of intelligence and emulate the human capabilities of sense, comprehend and act.
- An AI system can also take action through technologies such as expert systems and inference engines or undertake actions in the physical world.
- These human-like capabilities are augmented by the ability to learn from experience and keep adapting over time.
What is generative AI?
- Like other forms of artificial intelligence, generative AI learns how to take actions from past data.
- It creates brand new content – a text, an image, even computer code – based on that training, instead of simply categorizing or identifying data like other AI.
- The most famous generative AI application is ChatGPT, a chatbot that Microsoft-backed OpenAI released late last year.
- The AI powering it is known as a large language model because it takes in a text prompt and from that writes a human-like response.
Potential positive economic impact of AI
- PwC Report: The PwC report predicted an increase in global GDP by 14% or $15.7 trillion by 2030 due to ongoing technological advancements in AI. It also suggests that the greatest economic gains from AI will come from China, with a projected 26% boost to GDP by 2030.
- Goldman Sachs Research: According to the Goldman Sachs Research report, generative AI alone could raise global GDP by 7% or almost $7 trillion over a 10-year period.
- Forum for the Kent A. Clark Center for Global Markets Survey: The survey conducted among economic experts revealed that 44% of U.S. experts expected a substantial increase in GDP per capita due to AI, while 34% of European experts expected the same.
Positive effects of AI adoption
- Increased productivity: A study conducted by economists from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) called Generative AI at Work revealed that AI tools improved worker productivity by 14% and enhanced consumer satisfaction among customer service agents.
- Improved consumer satisfaction: AI tools have contributed to better treatment of customer service agents, leading to improved consumer satisfaction.
- Employee retention: The use of AI tools in the workplace has been associated with increased employee retention rates, possibly due to the enhanced productivity and job satisfaction resulting from AI support.
- Faster and smarter work: A recent survey among employees of LinkedIn’s top 50 companies in the United States shows that almost 70% of them found AI helping them to be faster, smarter, and more productive
- Potential for significant GDP growth: Research by PwC suggests that ongoing advancements in AI could lead to a projected increase in global GDP by 14% or $15.7 trillion by 2030.
- Creation of human-like output: Generative AI has the potential to generate human-like output, which can have positive macroeconomic effects by facilitating better communication and interaction between humans and machines.
Employment challenges
- Labor replacement: AI technologies have the capability to automate both repetitive and creative tasks, potentially leading to the displacement of certain jobs.
- Negative impact on wages and employment: Studies indicate that the adoption of robots and automation can have a negative effect on wages, employment, and the labor share. This impact is particularly observed among blue-collar workers and those with lower levels of education.
- Wage inequality: Automation and AI contribute to wage inequality by affecting worker groups specializing in routine tasks. Changes in the wage structure over the last few decades can be attributed to the decline in wages for workers engaged in routine tasks in industries undergoing automation.
- Intensified competition and winner-takes-all scenario: The adoption of AI may intensify competition among firms, potentially leading to a winner-takes-all scenario where early adopters gain significant advantages.
- Displacement of middle-class jobs: AI technologies, especially in white-collar industries, may displace middle-class jobs, posing challenges for those in such occupations. The impact of AI on middle-class employment remains uncertain, potentially leading to job losses in these sectors.
Opportunities for India
- Embracing the demographic dividend: India’s large population presents an opportunity to leverage the demographic dividend. By investing in AI education and training, India can harness the potential of its workforce and utilize AI to drive economic growth and create employment opportunities.
- Focus on online education: The pandemic has increased acceptance and reliance on online education. India can take advantage of this trend and utilize online platforms to offer AI education and reach a wider audience, further accelerating the adoption of AI skills across the country.
- Potential economic gains: The PwC report suggests that China is projected to experience the greatest economic gains from AI. However, India can still benefit by focusing on AI education, innovation, and creating an ecosystem that fosters AI-driven growth. By doing so, India can tap into the economic benefits associated with AI and boost its own GDP.
Way forward
- Collaborative approach: Governments, industry, academia, and civil society should collaborate to shape the future of AI in a manner that benefits society as a whole. Open dialogues, partnerships, and knowledge sharing can drive responsible AI development.
- Lifelong learning: Promoting a culture of lifelong learning and continuous skill development is crucial. This includes investing in education and training programs that cater to the changing demands of the AI-driven job market.
- Regulatory frameworks: Governments need to develop agile regulatory frameworks that strike a balance between innovation and accountability. These frameworks should be adaptable to evolving technologies and address potential risks associated with AI.
- Research and innovation: Continued research and investment in AI can drive innovation, especially in areas such as explainable AI, ethics, and responsible AI practices. Encouraging interdisciplinary collaboration and supporting AI research can lead to breakthroughs in addressing challenges and maximizing benefits.
- Inclusive approach: Ensuring inclusivity in AI development and deployment is vital. Diversity in AI teams and the inclusion of diverse perspectives can help mitigate biases and ensure AI systems serve the needs of all individuals and communities.
Conclusion
- Artificial Intelligence has permeated various sectors of the global economy, offering substantial benefits in terms of productivity and growth. While concerns regarding job displacement persist, the full extent of AI’s impact on employment remains uncertain. Governments should proactively address the challenges posed by AI while promoting education and training in AI-related fields.
Also read:
Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Healthcare: Applications, Concerns and regulations
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Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: public health surveillance models
Mains level: wastewater surveillance and its benefits, public health surveillance mechanism, challenges and innovative models
What’s the news?
- A recent study published in The Lancet Global Health has reintroduced wastewater surveillance as a powerful strategy for public health surveillance.
Central idea
- In 1854, during a cholera outbreak in London, physician John Snow traced the epidemic to a contaminated water pump, highlighting the importance of disease prevention. Today, advancements in public health surveillance present new opportunities to detect outbreaks early. Wastewater surveillance, a cost-effective approach, has gained prominence in tracking diseases like poliovirus and SARS-CoV-2.
What is mean by Wastewater Surveillance?
- Wastewater surveillance refers to the monitoring and analysis of wastewater samples to gather information about the presence and spread of disease-causing agents, such as viruses or bacteria, within a community.
- It involves systematically sampling and testing wastewater from various sources, such as sewage systems or wastewater ponds. The samples are then analyzed in designated laboratories to identify specific markers or genetic fragments of pathogens.
Benefits of Wastewater Surveillance
- Early Outbreak Detection: Wastewater surveillance detects disease-causing agents before clinical cases are reported, enabling prompt response and containment measures.
- Community-Level Monitoring: Analyzing wastewater samples offers insights into overall community health, aiding in disease trend identification and targeted interventions.
- Cost-Effectiveness: Wastewater surveillance eliminates the need for individual samples, reducing costs associated with collection, testing, and analysis.
- Complementary to Clinical Data: Wastewater surveillance provides additional information beyond clinical data, capturing asymptomatic cases and enhancing disease prevalence understanding.
- Early Warning System: Specific genetic markers or pathogen fragments found in wastewater samples can serve as an alert for potential disease outbreaks.
- Surveillance in Resource-Limited Areas: Wastewater surveillance helps monitor disease occurrence in areas with limited access to healthcare facilities, enabling prioritized resource allocation.
- Evidence-Based Decision Making: Integrating wastewater surveillance data with other sources informs data-driven decisions for disease control, resource allocation, and targeted interventions.
Challenges in India’s public health surveillance system
- Uneven Coverage: The public health surveillance system in India does not provide uniform coverage across the country. Rural and remote areas often lack adequate surveillance infrastructure and resources, resulting in limited data collection and monitoring capabilities in these regions.
- Fragmented and Siloed Efforts: Disease surveillance efforts in India are often fragmented and focused on specific diseases or health conditions. This siloed approach makes it difficult to detect and respond to emerging health threats comprehensively.
- Inadequate Data Sharing: In India, there are challenges in sharing data between different levels of government and across departments, hindering the seamless flow of information necessary for early detection and response.
- Limited Diagnostic and Laboratory Capacity: India’s public health laboratory infrastructure and diagnostic capacity need significant improvements. Inadequate resources, outdated equipment, and a shortage of trained personnel can hamper timely and accurate testing.
- Underreporting and Data Quality Issues: Underreporting of diseases and inconsistent data quality pose significant challenges in India’s public health surveillance system.
- Limited Use of Advanced Technologies: The adoption of advanced technologies, such as real-time data analytics, machine learning, and artificial intelligence, is limited in India’s public health surveillance system.
How India can enhance its epidemiological capabilities?
- Incorporate Wastewater Surveillance into Reporting: Efforts should be made to incorporate wastewater surveillance data into existing surveillance reporting systems.
- Integration with Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission: The Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission, which aims to create a seamless online platform for healthcare services, offers an opportunity for the integration of wastewater surveillance.
- Strengthen Public Health Laboratory Networks: Efforts should be made to strengthen public health laboratory networks by incorporating the testing of wastewater samples into surveillance reporting. This can be achieved by providing the necessary resources, equipment, and trained personnel to conduct wastewater testing.
- Training of Public Health Professionals: Public health professionals should receive training not only in traditional epidemiological methods but also in the management and interpretation of data derived from wastewater surveillance.
- Data Management and Analysis: Develop robust data management systems to collect, store, and analyze wastewater surveillance data. This may involve creating dedicated databases or integrating wastewater surveillance data into existing surveillance information systems.
Need for Political backing and adequate funding for the successful integration of wastewater surveillance
- India’s Commitment to Public Health Surveillance: India has already demonstrated its commitment to public health surveillance and resource mobilization. It is essential for political leaders to recognize the potential of wastewater surveillance as an effective tool for disease monitoring and response.
- Niti Aayog’s Vision: The integration of wastewater surveillance aligns with Niti Aayog’s vision. Political leaders can provide strategic guidance and policy support to ensure the inclusion of wastewater surveillance in the national public health agenda
- International Platforms and Leadership: India’s leadership at international platforms like the G20 provides an opportunity to elevate the significance of innovative approaches to disease surveillance, including wastewater surveillance. Political leaders can leverage these platforms to advocate for enhanced public health surveillance and secure international commitments and support.
- Resource Allocation: Adequate funding is essential to implement wastewater surveillance effectively. Political leaders should allocate sufficient resources to build and strengthen laboratory networks, develop wastewater sampling infrastructure, and train public health professionals in data analysis and interpretation.
- Public-Private Partnerships: Political leaders can facilitate partnerships between the public and private sectors to enhance funding for wastewater surveillance.
Conclusion
- The inclusion of wastewater surveillance in India’s public health infrastructure holds great promise for enhancing disease prevention and control. Through strategic leadership, India has the potential to set a precedent in integrated public health surveillance, creating a model that prioritizes proactive measures, timely response, and a resilient healthcare system.
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