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  • Foreign Policy Watch: India-ASEAN

     Singapore: A partner in India’s growth story  

    Explained | International Relations | Mains Paper 2: Bilateral, Regional and Global Groupings and agreements involving India

    Why in the News?

    The PM’s upcoming visit to Singapore offers a chance to reflect on the current state of the relationship. India-Singapore ties are dynamic, continually presenting new opportunities.

    India-Singapore Bilateral Relations

    • Historical Ties: Diplomatic relations were established shortly after Singapore’s independence in 1965, with India being one of the first countries to recognize Singapore. 
      • The relationship has evolved through high-level visits and collaborations, particularly since the 1990s.
    • Look East Policy: Singapore has been pivotal in India’s “Look East” policy initiated in the early 1990s, which aimed to strengthen economic and strategic ties with Southeast Asia.
    • Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA): Signed in 2005, CECA has significantly enhanced trade and investment ties, making Singapore India’s largest ASEAN trading partner and a key foreign direct investment (FDI) source.
    • Defense and Security Cooperation: The bilateral relationship includes extensive defence cooperation, with joint military exercises and training, particularly in maritime security, reflecting shared strategic interests.

    What is Singapore’s contribution to India’s Growth Story?

    • Economic Hub: Singapore is India’s largest trade partner in ASEAN. Singapore serves as a crucial gateway for Indian companies seeking to expand in Southeast Asia, providing a robust platform for trade and investment.
    • Largest Source of FDI:  It is the leading source of FDI, among the largest sources of External Commercial Borrowings and Foreign Portfolio Investment, accounting for about 17% of total FDI inflows since 2000, with investments exceeding USD 136 billion over the last 22 years. 
    • Knowledge exchange: Singapore’s status as a hub for Indian talent, especially from IITs and IIMs, facilitates knowledge exchange and enhances India’s capabilities in various sectors
    • Cultural Exchange: The strong cultural ties, supported by the Indian community in Singapore, have enriched bilateral relations. Ethnic Indians constitute approximately 9.1% of Singapore’s resident population.

    How this relationship can achieve more considering the ASEAN region and Chinese dominance? (Way forward)

    • Strategic Partnership: The relationship can be further strengthened by enhancing strategic dialogues and collaborations in areas like security, technology, and sustainability, particularly in the context of the Indo-Pacific region.
    • Regional Connectivity: Initiatives like the Trilateral Highway, which aims to connect India with Myanmar and Thailand, can enhance regional connectivity and trade, positioning India and Singapore as central players in ASEAN.
    • Countering Chinese Influence: As China asserts its influence in the region, India and Singapore can collaborate more closely to address shared concerns, leveraging their partnership to promote stability and security in Southeast Asia.
    • Emerging Technologies: Focusing on emerging sectors such as semiconductors, green technologies, and electric mobility can open new avenues for cooperation, aligning with both nations’ goals for sustainable development.

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  • Government Budgets

    Gap between allocations for health, outcomes in States 

    Explained | Governance | Mains Paper 2: Government Scheme/Policies

    Why in the News?

    Realizing the full potential of Union Budget 2024-25 health allocations depends on State-level factors, as states share costs and handle the implementation of Centrally Sponsored Schemes (CSS).

    About the two major Centrally Sponsored initiatives  

    • Pradhan Mantri Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission (PM-ABHIM): Focuses on improving health infrastructure through health and wellness centres (AB-HWCs), block-level public health units (BPHUs), district public health laboratories (IDPHLs), and critical care hospital blocks (CCHBs).
    • Human Resources for Health and Medical Education (HRHME): Aims to boost medical personnel by building new medical, nursing, and paramedical colleges, increasing seats, and upgrading district hospitals to medical colleges.

    Issue of Low Fund Utilization and Faculty Shortage:

    • Poor Fund Absorption in PM-ABHIM: Fund absorption has been poor, with only 29% used in 2022-23. The reasons are – complex execution structures, reliance on health grants from the 15th FC (only 45% utilized), and delays in construction due to rigid procedures.
    • Low Fund Utilization in HRHME: Utilization of funds in educational infrastructure was only around 25% of the budget estimates in both 2022-23 and 2023-24. 
    • Shortage of teaching faculty: There is a significant shortage of teaching faculty in newly established medical institutions, with over 40% vacancies reported in 11 of the 18 All India Institutes of Medical Sciences.
    • For example, in Uttar Pradesh, 30% of teaching faculty positions were vacant in 2022 for government medical colleges established between 2019-21.
    • Lack of specialist positions: The shortage of specialists affects the establishment and upgrading of medical colleges and district hospitals, with more than a third of sanctioned specialist positions in urban CHCs and two-thirds in rural CHCs remaining vacant as of March 2022.

    How can states work on Fiscal space? (Way forward)

    • Enhanced Budget Planning and Allocation: States should prioritize and allocate funds efficiently for health infrastructure and recurring costs.
    • Strengthening Revenue Generation: States can explore increasing their own revenue sources through improved tax collection, introducing new revenue streams, or enhancing public-private partnerships. 
    • Optimizing Expenditure Management: Implementing better financial management practices, such as cost control measures, transparent procurement processes, and efficient use of existing resources, can help in managing and maximizing the impact of budget allocations for health infrastructure and services.

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  • Festivals, Dances, Theatre, Literature, Art in News

    Ancient India Temple Music: Haveli Sangeet

    Prelims Only | History | Mains Paper 1: Arts & Culture

    Why in the News?

    Haveli Sangeet is a unique form of classical music rooted in ancient temple traditions in India.

    About Haveli Sangeet:

    Details
    Origin Linked to the Pushti Margiya temples of the Vaishnava Tradition; rooted in ancient temple music traditions.
    Historical Background Revived during the Bhakti movement; declined during the medieval period due to socio-political changes.
    Founder Mahaprabhu Vallabhacharya, 16th century, founder of Pushti Marg and proponent of devotional worship (Bhakti).
    Key Elements Involves Raga (melody), Bhog (offering), and Shringar (adornment) as part of sewa (service) in temples.
    Musical Styles Includes Prabandh, Dhrupad, Dhamar, Khyal, Kirtana, and Bhajan; not limited to Dhrupad style alone.
    Languages Used Songs are performed in Brij Bhasha, Sanskrit, Punjabi, and Marwari.
    Significant Figures Vallabhacharya, Shri Vitthalnathji (Shri Gusaiji), Astachaps poets (e.g., Kumbhandas, Surdas), Pandit Jasraj.
    Role in Vaishnavism Serves as a vehicle for Kirtan Bhakti, focusing on collective singing and emotional devotion to Lord Krishna.

     

    PYQ:

    [2014] A community of people called Manganiyars is well-known for their:

    (a) Martial arts in North-East India

    (b) Musical tradition in North-West India

    (c) Classical vocal music in South India

    (d) Pietra dura tradition in Central India

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  • Tiger Conservation Efforts – Project Tiger, etc.

    Bandipur Tiger Reserve (BTR)

    Prelims Only | Enviro & Biodiversity | Mains Paper 3: Conservation, Environmental Pollution & Degradation, Eia

    Why in the News?

    An elephant was rescued from a rail barricade in the Maddur range of Bandipur Tiger Reserve.

    About the Bandipur Tiger Reserve (BTR):

    Details
    Location Mysore and Chamarajanagar districts, Karnataka; at the tri-junction of Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and Kerala.
    Part of Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
    Geography “Ecological confluence” of the Western and Eastern Ghats (along with Mudumalai and Wayanad)
    History Established as Venugopala Wildlife Park in 1931; expanded as Bandipur Tiger Reserve under Project Tiger in 1973.
    Surrounding Reserves Bordered by Nagarahole Tiger Reserve (NW), Mudumalai Tiger Reserve (S), and Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary (SW).
    Rivers Surrounded by River Kabini (North) and River Moyar (South).
    Climate Tropical climate with distinct wet and dry seasons.
    Flora Dry deciduous to tropical mixed deciduous forests; includes rosewood, sandalwood, Indian laurel, and bamboo species.
    Fauna Home to the largest population of wild Asian elephants in South Asia; also includes Bengal tiger, gaur, sloth bear, dhole, and others.

     

    PYQ:

    [2017] From the ecological point of view, which one of the following assumes importance in being a good link between the Eastern Ghats and the Western Ghats?

    (a) Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve

    (b) Nallamala Forest

    (c) Nagarhole National Park

    (d) Seshachalam Biosphere Reserve

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  • Civil Aviation Sector – CA Policy 2016, UDAN, Open Skies, etc.

    [pib] HIM- DRONE-A-THON-2 & HIMTECH-2024

    Prelims Only | Security Issues | Mains Paper 3:

    Why in the News?

    The Indian Army has announced two significant events, HIM-DRONE-A-THON 2 and HIMTECH-2024, aimed at advancing military technologies for operations in high-altitude areas.

    About HIM-DRONE-A-THON 2 

    • HIM-DRONE-A-THON 2 is scheduled to take place at Wari La, near Leh on 17-18 September 2024.
    • This event serves as a platform for the Indian Drone Industry to demonstrate drone solutions tailored for high-altitude areas, where the Indian Army frequently operates.
    • The event will be conducted under actual terrain and environmental conditions at altitudes ranging from 4,000 to 5,000 meters to test the drones’ performance in realistic scenarios.
    • Indigenous drone manufacturers are invited to participate, demonstrating various drone types, including:
      • Surveillance drones
      • Loitering munitions
      • Logistics drones
      • Swarm drones
      • Drones with specialized roles and payloads, such as Electronic Warfare, Synthetic Aperture Radar, Communication Intelligence, and Electronic Intelligence.

    HIMTECH-2024: Advancing High-Altitude Technologies

    • HIMTECH-2024 will follow HIM-DRONE-A-THON 2.
    • It is conceptualized to discuss, demonstrate, and explore new opportunities for the development and integration of technologies for high-altitude military operations.
    • It has been organized in collaboration with FICCI (Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry).
    • It will highlight the latest technologies and systems developed to meet the operational requirements along India’s Northern Borders.

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  • Artificial Intelligence (AI) Breakthrough

    Project Strawberry by OpenAI

    Prelims Only | Science Tech | Mains Paper 3: Awareness in various sc and tech fields

    Why in the News?

    OpenAI has planned to release its most powerful AI model likely as part of ChatGPT-5. Initially called Project Q* (Q-star), it is now codenamed Project Strawberry.

    What is Project Strawberry?

    • Nearly six months ago, OpenAI’s secretive Project Q* (Q-Star) gained attention for its innovative approach to AI training.
    • OpenAI is now working on a new reasoning technology under the code name “Strawberry” believed to be the new name for Project Q*.
    • Strawberry aims to enable AI models to plan ahead, autonomously search the internet, and conduct deep research.

    What are Large Language Models (LLMs)?

    • LLMs are advanced artificial intelligence (AI) systems designed to understand, generate, and process human language.
    • They are built using deep learning techniques, particularly neural networks, and are trained on vast amounts of text data.

    Difference from Existing AI Models

    • Existing Large Language Models (LLMs) can summarize texts and compose prose but struggle with common sense problems and multi-step logic tasks.
    • Current LLMs cannot plan ahead effectively without external frameworks.
    • Strawberry models are expected to enhance AI reasoning, allowing for planning and complex problem-solving.
    • These models could enable AI to perform tasks that require a series of actions over an extended time, potentially revolutionizing AI’s capabilities.

    Potential Applications of Strawberry Models

    • Advanced AI models could conduct experiments, analyze data, and suggest new hypotheses, leading to breakthroughs in sciences.
    • In medical research, AI could assist in drug discovery, genetics research, and personalized medicine analysis.
    • AI could solve complex mathematical problems, assist in engineering calculations, and participate in theoretical research.
    • AI could contribute to writing, creating art and music, generating videos, and designing video games.

    PYQ:

    [2020] With the present state of development, Artificial Intelligence can effectively do which of the following?

    1. Bring down electricity consumption in industrial units.
    2. Create meaningful short stories and songs.
    3. Disease diagnosis.
    4. Text-to-Speech Conversion.
    5. Wireless transmission of electrical energy.

    Select the correct answer using the code given below:

    (a) 1, 2, 3 and 5 only
    (b) 1, 3 and 4 only
    (c) 2, 4 and 5 only
    (d) 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5

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  • Judicial Pendency

    What is a Review Petition?

    Prelims Only | Polity | Mains Paper 2: Indian Constitution – historical underpinnings, evolution, features, amendments, significant provisions and basic structure

    Why in the News?

    Some medical students have filed a review petition against the Supreme Court’s dismissal of their plea to cancel NEET UG 2024 over alleged malpractices.

    What is a Review Petition?

    Details
    Constitutional Provision Article 137 of the Constitution allows the Supreme Court to review any of its judgments or orders.
    Scope of Review
    • Corrects “patent errors” and not minor mistakes.
    • It is not an appeal; it does not involve re-evaluating the entire case but correcting grave errors resulting in a miscarriage of justice.
    Filing Review Petition
    • Can be filed by any person aggrieved by a ruling, not necessarily a party to the case.
    • Must be filed within 30 days of the judgment or order.
    • Delay can be condoned if justified with strong reasons.
    Grounds for Review
    • Discovery of new and important evidence not available earlier despite due diligence.
    • Mistake or errors apparent on the face of the record.
    Procedure in the Court
    • Review petitions are usually heard through circulation without oral arguments.
    • In exceptional cases, oral hearings may be allowed, especially in death penalty cases. 
    • Heard by the same bench of judges who delivered the original judgment or order.
    Option After Review Fails If a review petition is dismissed, a curative petition can be filed as per the Roopa Hurra v. Ashok Hurra (2002) ruling, on very narrow grounds similar to a review petition.

     

    PYQ:

    [2017] In India, Judicial Review implies:

    (a) the power of the Judiciary to pronounce upon the constitutionality of laws and executive orders.

    (b) the power of the Judiciary to question the wisdom of the laws enacted by the Legislatures.

    (c) the power of the Judiciary to review all the legislative enactments before they are assented to by the President.

    (d) the power of the Judiciary to review its own judgements given earlier in similar or different cases.

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  • Why gold nuggets are found in quartz veins?

    Explained | | Mains Paper 1: Geographical Features & Their Location

    Why in the News?

    Researchers have been curious about why the majority of gold nuggets discovered throughout history have been found in orogenic quartz veins.

    Location and distribution of Gold:

    • Orogenic gold systems are commonly found in mountainous regions where large-scale geological processes, such as the collision of tectonic plates, have occurred.
    • For example, the Himalayas, the Canadian Shield, and the Western Australian goldfields.
    • Large gold nuggets are often found in orogenic quartz veins formed during the tectonic processes that create mountains.
    • These nuggets form because, during earthquakes, the stress on quartz crystals causes a reaction that deposits gold on their surfaces. This process happens repeatedly, leading to the accumulation of gold nuggets.

    Note: 

    • Gold nuggets are naturally occurring pieces of gold that have formed into lumps or chunks. They are typically found in riverbeds, streams, or within rock formations, often in quartz veins.
    • Orogenic quartz veins are quartz veins that form in mountainous regions.

    Findings by Researchers:

      • Piezocatalytic Effect and Gold Accumulation: Researchers discovered that the piezocatalytic effect of quartz under seismic stress causes the accumulation of gold in quartz veins.
        • The piezoelectric quartz crystal generates an electric field when subjected to stress. 
        • This field can drive electrochemical reactions at the interface between the quartz and a surrounding aqueous solution containing dissolved gold. These reactions cause gold to be deposited on the quartz surface. 
      • Seismic Activity and Localized Gold Deposits: The study suggests that gold nuggets in orogenic systems are formed through repeated piezocatalytic reactions over time, driven by natural seismic activity. This process explains the highly localized and interconnected nature of gold deposits within quartz veins.
      Conclusion: Researchers have found that gold nuggets in orogenic quartz veins form through piezocatalytic reactions caused by seismic stress on quartz. This process drives gold deposition on quartz surfaces, explaining the concentration and localization of gold in mountainous regions.

    Mains PYQ:

    Q Craze for gold in Indian has led to surge in import of gold in recent years and put pressure on balance of payments and external value of rupee. In view of this, examine the merits of Gold Monetization scheme. (UPSC IAS/2015)

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  • Tax Reforms

    Did Corporate Tax cuts increase Wages?

    Explained | Economics | Mains Paper 3: Indian Economy

    Why in the News?

    Before the pandemic, the U.S. and India reduced corporate taxes to boost growth but we now we can evaluate their effects.

    Case Study on the Effects of Tax Cuts in the U.S.

    The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA), enacted in December 2017, significantly reduced the corporate tax rate from 35% to 21%. A recent analysis by economists Gabriel Chodorow-Reich, Owen Zidar, and Eric Zwick highlights several key findings:

    • Investment Increase: The TCJA led to an estimated increase in investment of approximately 8% to 14%.
    • GDP Growth: The long-term increase in GDP is projected to be modest, around 0.9%, which is substantially lower than initial expectations.
    • Wage Impact: The increase in annual wages due to the tax cuts was less than $1,000 per worker, contrasting sharply with earlier claims of increases between $4,000 and $9,000.
    • Tax Revenue Decline: The TCJA is expected to result in a long-term reduction in tax revenue of nearly 41%, raising concerns about the fiscal health of the U.S. economy.

    Tax Cuts in India

    In September 2019, India also implemented corporate tax cuts, reducing the rate for existing companies from 30% to 22% and for new companies from 25% to 15%.  The primary reason for this move was to stimulate economic growth and attract investment, particularly in the manufacturing sector.

    Impact of the Tax cuts:

    • Revenue Loss: The tax cuts resulted in a revenue loss of approximately ₹1 lakh crore in 2020-21.
    • Gig workers (insecure forms of work): Although unemployment has decreased since the pandemic, much of the new employment is in insecure forms of work.
    • Decline in Regular Employment: According to the Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) in India, the share of regular wage employment fell from 22.8% in 2017-18 to 20.9% in 2022-23.
    • Tax Burden Shift: There has been a notable shift in the tax burden from corporate taxes to individual income taxes. The share of corporate taxes in gross tax revenues fell from about 32% in 2017-18 to 26.5% in 2024-25.

    What must be the next step? ( Way forward)

    • Focus on Future Investment: Policymakers should consider implementing high taxes on existing profits while providing incentives for future investments to stimulate economic activity.
    • Addressing Income Inequality: Tax policies should be designed to ensure that the benefits of tax cuts do not disproportionately favour wealthier individuals or corporations at the expense of wage earners.
    • Evaluating Economic Conditions: Need to evaluate the tax cuts to ensure they are not merely providing short-term benefits without addressing long-term growth and fiscal stability.

    Mains PYQ:

    Q  Enumerate the indirect taxes which have been subsumed in the Goods and Services Tax (GST) in India. Also, comment on the revenue implications of the GST introduced in India since July 2017. (UPSC IAS/2019)

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  • How does John Mill’s theory define the Extent of Liberty?

    Explained | Polity | Mains Paper 2: Indian Constitution – historical underpinnings, evolution, features, amendments, significant provisions and basic structure

    Why in the News?

    A minor girl’s gang rape in Assam led to Chief Minister Sarma’s anti-Muslim remarks, criticized as hate speech, violating India’s secular Constitution and potentially harming societal harmony, breaching Mill’s Harm Principle.

    What does the Harm Principle Say?

    The harm principle, articulated by philosopher John Stuart Mill in his essay on ‘Liberty’, asserts that the actions of individuals should only be limited to prevent harm to others.

    • Legitimate Use of Power: The only justification for exercising power over any member of a civilized community, against their will, is to prevent harm to others. This means that individual liberties should be respected unless they infringe upon the rights or well-being of others.
    • Self-Regarding vs. Other-Regarding Actions: Mill distinguishes between self-regarding actions (which affect only the individual) and other-regarding actions (which affect others).
      • Society or the state has no right to interfere in self-regarding actions, but it can regulate other-regarding actions that cause harm.
    • Definition of Harm: Harm is defined as wrongful setbacks to interests to which individuals have rights. Mill emphasizes that mere offence or disapproval does not constitute harm.
      • For example, someone may be offended by another’s opinion, but this does not justify restricting that opinion unless it incites violence or causes direct harm.
    • Limitations of Freedom: Mill acknowledges that while individuals should have the freedom to act as they choose, this freedom can be curtailed when their actions pose a significant threat to others. For instance, inciting violence is harmful and justifies state intervention.

    What does Mill say about ‘Freedom of Speech and Expression’?

    • Importance of Free Speech: Mill talks about the idea that all opinions, whether true or false, should be allowed to flourish because they contribute to the pursuit of truth. 
      • Silencing any opinion robs humanity of the opportunity to challenge and refine its beliefs.
    • Truth and Error: Mill argues that the collision of differing opinions helps people correct their errors and strengthen their understanding of the truth. Even false beliefs are valuable as they force us to defend and reinforce our beliefs.
    • Limitations: While Mill strongly advocates for free speech, he acknowledges that it can be limited in cases where speech directly incites harm, such as inciting violence against a specific group. He provides the example of expressing harmful opinions to an agitated crowd, which could lead to immediate danger.
    • Balancing Freedom and Harm: Mill recognizes that while free speech is vital, it must be balanced against the potential harm it might cause, especially when it leads to violence or significant psychological harm to targeted groups.

    Way forward: 

    • Strengthen Legal Frameworks: Enhance laws against hate speech to ensure accountability, balancing the right to free expression with the need to protect societal harmony and prevent violence.
    • Promote Inter-Community Dialogue: Encourage programs fostering tolerance and understanding between communities, reinforcing the secular principles of the Constitution and mitigating divisive rhetoric.

    Mains PYQ:

    Q  What do understand by the concept “freedom of speech and expression”? Does it cover hate speech also? Why do the films in India stand on a slightly different plane from other forms of expression? Discuss. (UPSC IAS/2014)

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