From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: CBUD App
Mains level: NA
Prime Minister has launched the ‘Call Before u Dig’ (CBuD) app, to facilitate coordination between excavation agencies and underground utility owners to prevent damage to utilities due to digging.
Call Before u Dig (CBUD)
The app is an initiative of the Department of Telecommunications, Ministry of Communications.
Uncoordinated digging and excavation causes damage to underlying assets like optical fibre cables, leading to losses of about Rs 3,000 crore every year.
The app aims to prevent damage to utilities due to digging.
It will save potential business loss and minimise discomfort to citizens due to reduced disruption in essential services like road, telecom, water, gas and electricity.
How does the app work?
The CBuD app connects excavators and asset owners through SMS/Email notifications and click-to-call.
It ensures planned excavations in the country while ensuring the safety of underground assets.
Excavating companies can inquire about existing subsurface utilities before starting excavation work.
Utility owners can find out about impending work at the location.
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From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Cancer and Innovative Treatment and therapies
Mains level: Rising Cancer and economic burden
Central Idea
Cancer cases in India are predicted to cross the 15 lakh mark by 2025, highlighting concerns about the economic burden of expensive cancer treatments and the accessibility of affordable healthcare for patients.
Cancer
Cancer is a group of diseases that arise when cells in the body begin to grow and divide uncontrollably, leading to the formation of tumors.
Normally, cells in the body grow, divide, and die in an orderly fashion, but in cancer, this process goes awry, leading to the accumulation of abnormal cells that can form a mass or tumor.
There are many different types of cancer, which can affect any part of the body. Some cancers, such as leukemia, do not form tumors but still involve the uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells.
Symptoms of cancer can vary depending on the type and location of the cancer, but common signs include unexplained weight loss, fatigue, pain, and changes in the skin or the appearance of a lump or mass.
Economic Burden of Cancer Treatment
Inaccessible and Increasing Costs:
The average medical expenditure per hospitalization case for cancer treatment was ₹68,259 in urban areas, according to the NSS 2017-18 report.
A Parliamentary Standing Committee report expressed concern about the inaccessible and increasing cost of cancer treatment.
Regulatory Challenges:
While anti-cancer medicine costs can be regulated, the cost of radiotherapy cannot, as it has not been declared an essential service.
Insurance Coverage and Out-of-Pocket Expenses.
Impact on Patients:
Cancer often strikes around the retirement age, leading to mounting debt burdens.
The average hospital stay for 14.1% of cancer patients is more than 30 days, further increasing bills.
Insurance Coverage and Out-of-Pocket Expenses
Poor Insurance Penetration: More than 80% of hospital bills are paid out of pocket, as per the NSS 2017-18 report.
Ayushman Bharat Limitations: The Committee observed that the Ayushman Bharat insurance scheme launched in 2018 does not cover entire prescriptions, latest cancer therapies, or many diagnostic tests.
State-Specific Insurance Schemes: The Committee suggested a convergence of State and Central schemes, as some State-specific insurance schemes have been highly beneficial.
State-wise Variation in Cancer Treatment Expenditure
State-wise average medical expenditure per hospitalization case for cancer treatment in government hospitals varies, with the lowest in Tamil Nadu and Telangana, and the highest in northern and north-eastern India.
Unlike chemotherapy or immunotherapy, which require mass-produced injectable or oral medication, CAR T-cell therapies use a patient’s own cells.
The treatment involves modifying a patient’s own T-cells, which are a type of immune cell, in a laboratory to target and attack cancer cells.
CAR stands for chimeric antigen receptor, which refers to the genetically engineered receptor that is added to the patient’s T-cells.
The patient’s T-cells are collected and genetically modified in a laboratory to express the CAR.
The modified T-cells are then infused back into the patient’s body, where they can seek out and destroy cancer cells that express the antigen targeted by the CAR.
The cells are even more specific than targeted agents and directly activate the patient’s immune system against cancer, making the treatment more clinically effective.
This is why they’re called living drugs.
CAR T-cell therapy has shown promising results in treating certain types of blood cancers, including leukemia and lymphoma.
Conclusion
The rising number of cancer cases in India underscores the need to address the economic burden of expensive cancer treatments and improve the accessibility of affordable healthcare for patients. Converging State and Central insurance schemes, expanding insurance coverage, and exploring ways to regulate treatment costs are essential steps to ensure that patients can access life-saving treatments without facing insurmountable financial challenges.
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From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Andaman and Nicobar Islands (ANI), Holistic Development of Great Nicobar Island project
Mains level: Holistic Development of Great Nicobar Island project and related concerns
Central Idea
The ₹70,000 crore Holistic Development of Great Nicobar Island project raises concerns about its ecological impact and the Union government’s hasty clearances, while its feasibility and sustainability remain questionable.
The Holistic Development of Great Nicobar Island project is a major infrastructure development initiative launched by the Indian government in 2020.
The Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) has cleared the way for the ‘Holistic Development of Great Nicobar Island project.
The project aims to transform the Great Nicobar Island, the largest island in the Nicobar group of islands in the Bay of Bengal, into a modern, sustainable, and self-sufficient territory.
The project includes an international transhipment port, an international airport, a gas and solar-based power plant, and an ecotourism and residential township.
Environmental and Ecological Concerns
Quick Clearances and Exemptions: The project’s quick approvals, clearances, exemptions, and de-notifications indicate the Union government’s keenness to implement it.
Urbanization and Biodiversity: The project is expected to attract a population equal to the entire island chain, with potential negative impacts on the region’s marine and terrestrial biodiversity.
Biosphere Reserve and Tribal Reserves: The island was declared a biosphere reserve in 1989 and is home to vulnerable tribal communities, such as the Nicobarese and Shompen.
Feasibility and Sustainability Issues
Hinterland Economic Activities: A successful transhipment hub requires viable hinterland economic activities, which may be wishful thinking in Great Nicobar.
Afforestation and Coral Reef Translocation: The far-field afforestation recommendation and coral reef translocation are questionable compensation methods.
Tectonic Instability: Great Nicobar Island’s proximity to the Ring of Fire and its history of earthquakes raise concerns about the feasibility of developing an urban port city.
Facts for Prelims: Andaman and Nicobar Islands (ANI)
Location: Located between 6° and 14° North Latitude and 92° and 94° East Longitude lie the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, a union territory in India.
Two groups of Island: It consists of two groups of islands. The islands located north of 10° north latitude are known as Andaman while islands located south of 10° north latitude are called Nicobar.
The Andamans: More than 300 islands make up the Andamans. North, Middle, and South Andaman, known collectively as Great Andaman, are the main islands;
The 10- degree channel: The 10-degree channel which is about 145 km long separates Little Andaman in the south from the Nicobar Islands.
The Nicobars: The Nicobars consists of 19 islands. Among the most prominent is Car Nicobar in the north; and Great Nicobar in the south. About 90 miles to the southwest of Great Nicobar lies the northwestern tip of Sumatra, Indonesia.
Formation: Both the Andaman and Nicobar groups are formed by the above-sea extensions of submarine ridges of mountains and are a part of a great island arc. The highest peak is 2,418 feet at Saddle Peak on North Andaman, followed by Mount Thullier at 2,106 feet on Great Nicobar and Mount Harriet at 1,197 feet on South Andaman. Barren island, the only known active Volcano in south Asia lies in the Andaman Sea. In the late 20th and early 21st centuries, there were volcanic eruptions on Barren Island.
Andaman Terrain: Formed of sandstone, limestone, and shale of Cenozoic age, the terrain of the Andamans is rough, with hills and narrow longitudinal valleys. Flat land is scarce and is confined to a few valleys.
Nicobar Terrain: The terrain of the Nicobar is more diverse than that of the Andamans. Some of the Nicobar Islands, such as Car Nicobar, have flat coral-covered surfaces with offshore coral formations that prevent most ships from anchoring. Other islands, such as Great Nicobar, are hilly and contain numerous fast-flowing streams.
Great Nicobar is the only island in the territory with a significant amount of fresh surface water.
Climate: The climate of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands is tropical but is moderated by sea.
Conclusion
The Great Nicobar Island project’s ecological and environmental costs, along with its questionable feasibility and sustainability, raise concerns about India’s commitment to conservation, sustainability, and green development models. It is crucial that the green developmental model becomes the guiding principle for future economic activities, ensuring that growth does not result in irretrievable loss of natural capital.
Mains Question
Q. Recently Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) has cleared the way for the Holistic Development of Great Nicobar Island project. In this backdrop, discuss environmental and ecological concerns and sustainability issues.
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From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Global Security Initiative
Mains level: Global Security Initiative, India- china relations
Central Idea
The Global Security Initiative (GSI), a China-led framework aiming to restore stability and security in Asia, appears to be more of a counter-narrative to U.S. leadership rather than a genuine attempt to establish a sustainable security order.
What is GSI?
The GSI was introduced by Chinese Minister of Foreign Affairs Qin Gang at the Lanting Forum in Beijing.
The initiative is based on five pillars: mutual respect, openness and inclusion, multilateralism, mutual benefit, and a holistic approach.
Mutual Respect and Adherence to International Law:
China’s relations with neighbors like India and Southeast Asian countries demonstrate a lack of respect for their sovereignty and territorial integrity.
China’s assertive manoeuvres in the South China Sea, rejection of UNCLOS, and undermining of India’s territorial integrity are at odds with the GSI’s first principle.
Openness and Inclusion:
Despite advocating for openness and inclusion, China engages in exclusionary policies in the East and South China Seas, rejecting freedom of navigation and consolidating its sphere of influence.
Multilateralism and Security Cooperation:
China’s involvement in multilateral institutions often involves asymmetric power relations, as seen in its dealings with ASEAN members.
Its delay in establishing a Code of Conduct for the South China Sea and ongoing militarization in the region undermine this principle.
Mutual Benefit:
China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) has the potential to benefit all parties involved. However, its funding of unsustainable projects for countries with low credit ratings creates debt burdens and destabilizes international macroeconomic stability.
China’s insistence on a larger share in joint resource exploration with the Philippines is another example of disregarding mutual benefit.
Holistic Approach:
China’s rise in a transitioning multipolar international system has led to power competitions with established and rising powers, such as the U.S. and India.
Its engagements with these powers indicate a narrowly defined goal for its power interests. Furthermore, China’s involvement in non-traditional security threats, such as the COVID-19 pandemic and arming terror groups, shows a lack of holistic approach.
Conclusion
China’s rise in a transitioning multipolar international system has led to power competitions with established and rising powers, and its involvement in non-traditional security threats shows a lack of holistic approach. It’s Global Security Initiative, which is a vision of a future security order, is vastly different from China’s recent track record of external engagement.
Mains Question
Q. What is China’s Global Security Initiative (GSI)? It is said that China’s GSI is vastly different from China’s recent track record of external engagement. Discuss
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From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Electoral Bond Scheme
Mains level: Transparency in election funding
The Supreme Court will examine whether petitions challenging the validity of the electoral bonds scheme need to be referred to a Constitution Bench.
What is a Constitution Bench?
The constitution bench is the name given to the benches of the Supreme Court of India.
The Chief Justice of India has the power to constitute a Constitution Bench and refer cases to it.
Constitution benches are set up when the following circumstances exist:
Interpretation of the Constitution: Article 145(3) provides for the constitution of at least five judges of the court which sit to decide any case “involving a substantial question of law as to the interpretation” of the Constitution of India.
President of India seeking SC’s opinion: When the President has sought the Supreme Court’s opinion on a question of fact or law under Article 143 of the Constitution. Article 143 of the Constitution provides for Advisory jurisdiction to the SC. As per the provision, the President has the power to address questions to the apex Court, which he deems important for public welfare.
Conflicting Judgments: When two or more three-judge benches of the Supreme Court have delivered conflicting judgments on the same point of law, necessitating a definite understanding and interpretation of the law by a larger bench.
The Constitution benches are set up on ad hoc basis as and when the above-mentioned conditions exist.
Constitution benches have decided many of India’s best-known and most important Supreme Court cases, such as:
K. Gopalan v. State of Madras (Preventive detention)
Kesavananda Bharati v. State of Kerala (Basic structure doctrine) and
Ashoka Kumar Thakur v. Union of India (OBC reservations) etc.
What are Electoral Bonds?
Electoral bonds are banking instruments that can be purchased by any citizen or company to make donations to political parties, without the donor’s identity being disclosed.
It is like a promissory note that can be bought by any Indian citizen or company incorporated in India from select branches of State Bank of India.
The citizen or corporate can then donate the same to any eligible political party of his/her choice.
An individual or party will be allowed to purchase these bonds digitally or through cheque.
About the scheme
A citizen of India or a body incorporated in India will be eligible to purchase the bond
Such bonds can be purchased for any value in multiples of ₹1,000, ₹10,000, ₹10 lakh, and ₹1 crore from any of the specified branches of the State Bank of India
The purchaser will be allowed to buy electoral bonds only on due fulfillment of all the extant KYC norms and by making payment from a bank account
The bonds will have a life of 15 days (15 days time has been prescribed for the bonds to ensure that they do not become a parallel currency).
Donors who contribute less than ₹20,000 to political parties through purchase of electoral bonds need not provide their identity details, such as Permanent Account Number (PAN).
Objective of the scheme
Transparency in political funding: To ensure that the funds being collected by the political parties is accounted money or clean money.
Who can redeem such bonds?
The Electoral Bonds shall be encashed by an eligible Political Party only through a Bank account with the Authorized Bank.
Only the Political Parties registered under Section 29A of the Representation of the People Act, 1951 (43 of 1951) and which secured not less than one per cent of the votes polled in the last General Election to the Lok Sabha or the State Legislative Assembly, shall be eligible to receive the Electoral Bonds.
Restrictions that are done away
Earlier, no foreign company could donate to any political party under the Companies Act
A firm could donate a maximum of 7.5 per cent of its average three year net profit as political donations according to Section 182 of the Companies Act.
As per the same section of the Act, companies had to disclose details of their political donations in their annual statement of accounts.
The government moved an amendment in the Finance Bill to ensure that this proviso would not be applicable to companies in case of electoral bonds.
Thus, Indian, foreign and even shell companies can now donate to political parties without having to inform anyone of the contribution.
Issues with the Scheme
Opaque funding: While the identity of the donor is captured, it is not revealed to the party or public. So transparency is not enhanced for the voter.
No IT break: Also income tax breaks may not be available for donations through electoral bonds. This pushes the donor to choose between remaining anonymous and saving on taxes.
No anonymity for donors: The privacy of the donor is compromised as the bank will know their identity.
Differential benefits: These bonds will help any party that is in power because the government can know who donated what money and to whom.
Unlimited donations: The electoral bonds scheme and amendments in the Finance Act of 2017 allows for “unlimited donations from individuals and foreign companies to political parties without any record of the sources of funding”.
Way ahead
The worries over the electoral bond scheme, however, go beyond its patent unconstitutionality.
The concern about the possibility of misuse of funds is very pertinent.
The EC has been demanding that a law be passed to make political parties liable to get their accounts audited by an auditor from a panel suggested by the CAG or EC. This should get prominence.
Another feasible option is to establish a National Election Fund to which all donations could be directed.
This would take care of the imaginary fear of political reprisal of the donors.
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From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: NA
Mains level: Waste to energy conversion
The Kerala government has announced its first waste-to-energy project in Kozhikode, which is expected to be built in two years and generate about 6 MW of power.
What are Waste-to-Energy Plants?
Waste-to-energy plants are facilities that use non-recyclable dry waste to generate electricity.
The process involves combusting the non-recyclable dry waste, which generates heat that is then converted into electricity.
These plants are used to increase a state’s power generation capacity while also easing the burden of solid waste management.
Feasibility of such plants
Waste-to-energy plants consume a portion of the non-recyclable dry waste generated in urban local bodies (ULBs) nearby.
These plants can be a good way to deal with the mountains of waste that Indian cities produce but require the unwavering support of the municipality, its residents, and the State to succeed.
Operational status in India
In India, solid waste is generally composed of 55-60% biodegradable organic waste, 25-30% non-biodegradable dry waste, and around 15% silt, stones, and drain waste.
However, despite there being around 100 waste-to-energy projects around the country, only a handful of them are operational, thanks to various production and operation challenges.
Why do such projects often fail?
Waste-to-energy projects often fail because of improper assessments, high expectations, improper characterisation studies, and other on-ground conditions.
They faces several challenges, such as-
Low calorific value of solid waste in India due to improper segregation
High costs of energy production, and
Variable quantity of waste generated by cities due to multiple factors.
Various challenges
Improper segregation: The calorific value of mixed Indian waste is about 1,500 kcal/kg, which is not suitable for power generation. Waste-to-energy plants require segregated and dried non-recyclable dry waste, which has a calorific value of 2,800-3,000 kcal/kg. However, segregation of waste is often not done properly, which can lead to low-quality feedstock and reduced power generation.
High costs: The cost of generating power from waste is around Rs 7-8/unit, while the cost at which the States’ electricity boards buy power from coal, hydroelectric, and solar power plants is around Rs 3-4/unit. This high cost of energy production can make waste-to-energy projects less attractive compared to other sources of energy.
Low efficiency: Such projects have low efficiency due to the low calorific value of mixed waste, which reduces the amount of energy that can be generated. This can make it difficult to generate sufficient power to make the project financially viable.
Operational challenges: Such projects are often subject to operational challenges, such as improper assessments, high expectations, improper characterisation studies, and other on-ground conditions. The quantity of waste generated by cities varies due to multiple factors, including season, rainfall, and the floating population, which can make it difficult to get a consistent supply of feedstock.
Environmental concerns: Such plants can generate emissions, such as nitrogen oxides, sulfur dioxide, and particulate matter, which can be harmful to the environment and human health. Therefore, it is important to ensure that these plants operate with proper environmental controls in place.
Way forward
Proper segregation: To overcome these challenges, the municipality must ensure that only non-biodegradable dry waste is sent to the plant and separately manage the other kinds of waste.
Public awareness: The full support of the municipality, the State, and the people is crucial for the success of the project.
Extensive field studies: It is also necessary to conduct field studies and learn from the experience of other projects.
All-stakeholders collaboration: There should be a tripartite agreement between the municipality, the plant operator, and the power distribution agency to optimise cost per unit of power.
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| Polity | Mains Paper 2: Indian Constitution - historical underpinnings, evolution, features, amendments, significant provisions and basic structure
Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: NA
Mains level: Death Penalty Debate
The Supreme Court has asked the Centre to provide data which may point to a more dignified, less painful and socially acceptable method of executing prisoners other than death by hanging.
Central idea
The Supreme Court is hearing a petition challenging the constitutionality of death by hanging as a mode of execution.
The petition argued that there is a need to evolve a “humane, quick and decent alternative” to hanging, which he termed as “cruel and barbarous” compared to lethal injection used in the United States.
Quest for painless execution
Justice Narasimha noted that there was literature suggesting that “hanging is closest to painless”.
In 2018, the Centre filed an affidavit supporting death by hanging and stated that it had found the method of firing squads and lethal injections as “barbaric, inhuman and cruel”.
The government traced statistics of “botched-up” administration of lethal injections to condemned prisoners in the United States for 110 years to prove its point.
Status of death penalty in India
Section 354 (5) of the Code of Criminal Procedure mandates that a person sentenced to death shall “be hanged by the neck till he is dead”.
In India, The Air Force Act, 1950, The Army Act 1950, and The Navy Act 1957 say that execution has to be carried out either by hanging by the neck until death or by being shot to death.
Why in news now?
The court clarified that it was not questioning the constitutionality of the death penalty, which was well-settled in Deena versus Union of India judgment and the Bachan Singh case reported in 1980.
The government argued that the mode of execution is a “matter of legislative policy” and the death penalty is awarded only in the rarest of rare cases, with only three executions between 2012 and 2015.
Debate over Death Penalty
Arguments in favor:
Forfeiture of life: Supporters of the death penalty believe that those who commit murder, because they have taken the life of another, have forfeited their own right to life.
Moral indignation of the victim: It is a just form of retribution, expressing and reinforcing the moral indignation not only of the victim’s relatives but of law-abiding citizens in general.
Highest form of Justice: For heinous crimes such as the Nirbhaya Gangrape Case, no other punishment could have deterred the will of the convicts.
Deterrent against crime: Capital punishment is often justified with the argument that by executing convicted murderers, we will deter would-be murderers from killing people.
Proportional punishment: The guilty people deserve to be punished in proportion to the severity of their crime.
Prevailing lawlessness: The crimes we are now witnessing cannot be addressed by simple punishments. We are seeing horrific attacks on women, young girls, minority communities and Dalits etc.
Prevention of crime is non-existent: Despite of stringent regulations, it is certainly visible that some crimes can never be prevented in our society.
Arguments against:
Eye for an eye: Reformative justice is more productive, that innocent people are often killed in the search for retribution, and that “an eye for an eye makes the whole world blind.
Deterrence is a myth: Death penalty is not a deterrent to capital crimes state that there is no evidence to support the claim that the penalty is a deterrent.
Political tool of suppression: The authorities in some countries, for example Iran and Sudan, use the death penalty to punish political opponents.
Reverence for life’ principle: Death penalty is an immoral punishment since humans should not kill other humans, no matter the reasons, because killing is killing.
Stigma against killing: With the introduction of lethal injection as execution method, medical professionals participate in executions. Many professionals have now refused to administer such deaths.
Skewed justice systems: In many cases recorded by Amnesty International, people were executed after being convicted in grossly unfair trials, on the basis of torture-tainted evidence and with inadequate legal representation.
Discriminatory nature: The weight of the death penalty is disproportionally carried by those with less advantaged socio-economic backgrounds or belonging to a racial, ethnic or religious minority.
Penalizing the innocents: The risk of executing the innocent precludes the use of the death penalty. Our colonial history has witnessed many such executions.
Other issues with such executions
(a) Socio-Economic Factors
The recent statistics shows that the death row prisoners in India are more from the backward classes of the society.
The death row prisoners belong to backward classes and religious minorities and the majority of convicts’ families are living in adjunct poverty.
These people who are backward both in economic and social respects, are not in a position to here expensive lawyers and get proper representation in the Court.
(b) Delayed Execution
The law provides for a long process before the execution of the convicts actually takes place.
The unexplained delay in execution can be a ground for commutation of death penalty, and an inmate, his or her kin, or even a public-spirited citizen could file a writ petition seeking such commutation.
Their trials are often cruelly forced to endure long periods of uncertainty about their fate.
Way forward: Law Commission recommendations on death penalty
The Law Commission of India in its 262nd Report (August 2015) recommended that:
Death penalty be abolished for all crimes other than terrorism-related offences and waging war.
Measures such as police reforms, witness protection scheme and victim compensation scheme should be taken up expeditiously by the government.
It felt that time has come for India to move towards abolition of the death penalty. However the concern is often raised that abolition of death penalty for terrorism-related offences and waging war, will affect national security.
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: IPCC
Mains level: Not Much
The IPCC Synthesis Report warns that the world is on track to breach the 1.5-degree Celsius global warming limit by the 2030s, which would cause irrevocable damage to the planet’s ecosystem and severely impact humans and other living beings.
What is IPCC Synthesis Report?
The IPCC Synthesis Report is a summary report produced by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) that presents key findings and policy recommendations from the group’s previous assessment reports.
It aims to provide policymakers with a concise overview of the current state of knowledge on climate change, its impacts, and options for mitigation and adaptation.
The Synthesis Report is released at the end of each assessment cycle, which typically takes six to seven years, and is approved by representatives from the IPCC’s member governments.
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)
The IPCC, an intergovernmental body was established in 1988 by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).
It was later endorsed by the UN General Assembly. Membership is open to all members of the WMO and UN.
The IPCC produces reports that contribute to the work of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), the main international treaty on climate change.
Key highlights of the synthesis report
Climate extremes on rise: Due to the current global warming levels, almost every region across the planet is already experiencing climate extremes, an uptick in deaths due to heatwaves, reduced food and water security, and damage to ecosystems, causing mass extinction of species on land and in the ocean.
High vulnerability: More than three billion people live in areas that are “highly vulnerable” to climate change.
Boost up climate finance: The largest gaps in climate finance are in the developing world, but so too are the largest opportunities.
Key concerns raised
The report highlights the urgent need for-
Limiting the use of fossil fuels
Increasing finance to climate investments
Expanding the clean energy infrastructure,
Reducing nitrogen pollution from agriculture, curtail food waste, and
Adopting measures to make it easier for people to lead low-carbon lifestyles
Conclusion
The report adds that there is still a chance to avert this mass-scale destruction, but it would require an enormous global effort to slash greenhouse gas emissions in half by 2030 and completely phase them out by 2050.
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From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Interpol, Red Notices
Mains level: UAPA issues
In a major setback to Indian agencies, Interpol has taken down from its website the Red Notice against a fugitive who is wanted in connection with the ₹13,578-crore Punjab National Bank fraud cases.
What is the news?
The person whom the Union Ministry of Home Affairs has listed as a “terrorist” under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).
Why has Interpol rejected India’s request?
The Interpol has said that India has failed to provide sufficient information to support its case.
It criticized the UAPA for being misused to target minority groups and human rights activists without “respecting” their right to due process and a fair trial.
While acknowledging the separatists leader, the Interpol has said that his activities have a “clear political dimension”, which cannot be the subject of a Red Corner Notice.
What is the Interpol?
The Interpol, or International Criminal Police Organization, is an inter-governmental organization comprising 195 member countries, which helps police forces in all these countries to better coordinate their actions.
It enables member countries to share and access data on crimes and criminals and offers a range of technical and operational support.
It is run by a secretary general with its headquarters in Lyon, France, with a global complex for innovation in Singapore, and several satellite offices in different regions.
India accepted Interpol membership in June 1956.
How does it function in member countries?
Interpol has a National Central Bureau (NCB) in each member country, which is the central point of contact for both the general secretariat and the other NCBs around the world.
Each NCB is run by police officials of that country, and usually sits in the government ministry responsible for policing. (MHA in case of India.)
Interpol manages 19 police databases with information on crimes and criminals (from names and fingerprints to stolen passports), accessible in real-time to countries.
It also offers investigative support such as forensics, analysis, and assistance in locating fugitives around the world.
What is a Red Notice?
Criminals or suspects often flee to other countries to evade facing justice.
A Red Corner Notice, or Red Notice (RN) alerts police forces across the world about fugitives who are wanted internationally.
Red Notices are issued for fugitives wanted either for prosecution or to serve a sentence.
A Red Notice is a request to law enforcement worldwide to locate and provisionally arrest a person pending extradition, surrender, or similar legal action.
An RN is published by Interpol at the request of a member country.
Indian fugitives on this RN
Among the most popular Indians on this list are jeweller Mehul Choksi and diamantaire Nirav Modi.
Is an RN a warrant of arrest?
An RN is only an international wanted persons’ notice; it is not an international arrest warrant.
Interpol itself does not want individuals; they are wanted by a country or an international tribunal.
This means the Interpol cannot compel law enforcement authorities in any country to arrest the subject of an RN.
It is up to individual member countries to decide what legal value to give to an RN, and the authority of their national law enforcement officers to make arrests.
Interpol says that an RN must comply with its constitution and rules.
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From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: National Security Act
Mains level: NSA and its provisions
Punjab Advocate General has confirmed the invocation of National Security Act (NSA) to Amritpal Singh’s case.
National Security Act, 1980
The NSA was passed by the Parliament in 1980 and has been amended several times since then.
It empowers the state to detain a person without a formal charge and without trial.
It is invoked when a person is taken into custody to prevent them from acting in any manner prejudicial to “the security of the state” or for “maintenance of the public order”.
It is an administrative order passed either by the Divisional Commissioner or the District Magistrate.
Grounds for detention under NSA
NSA can be invoked to prevent a person from acting in any manner prejudicial to the defence of India, relations of India with foreign powers or the security of India.
Among others, it can also be applied to prevent a person from acting in any manner prejudicial to the maintenance of supply and services essential to the community.
An individual can be detained without a charge for a maximum period of 12 months.
The detained person can be held for 10 to 12 days in special circumstances without being told the charges against them.
Protection available under the Act
One crucial procedural safeguard under the NSA is granted under Article 22(5).
All the detained persons have the right to make an effective representation before an independent advisory board.
The board is chaired by a member who is, or has been, a judge of a high court.
The DM who passes the detention order is protected under the Act and no prosecution or any legal proceeding can be initiated against the official who carries out the orders.
Cases for misuse
The Supreme Court in earlier cases had held that to prevent “misuse of this potentially dangerous power, the law of preventive detention has to be strictly construed”.
“Meticulous compliance with the procedural safeguards” has to be ensured.
Criticism of NSA
Human rights groups have said in the past that the Act vitiates Article 22 of the Constitution and various provisions under the CrPC that safeguard the interest of an arrested person.
Under the CrPC, the arrested person has to be produced before the nearest Magistrate within 24 hours, but the NSA carves out an exception.
Some human rights groups argue that it is often misused by authorities to silence political opponents or those who are critical of the government.
There have been calls for the Act to be repealed or amended to prevent its abuse.
However, there is an opposing view that the Act cannot be construed to be a draconian law as it protects the larger interest of the state and is therefore likely to stay.
Try this MCQ:
Which of the following is a true statement about the National Security Act, 1980?
A) The Act allows preventive detention only for specific violations of the law.
B) The detained person has the right to move a bail application before a criminal court.
C) A person can be detained under the Act only if he/she has been charged with a crime.
D) The Act can be invoked to prevent a person from acting in any manner prejudicial to the defence of India, relations of India with foreign powers or the security of India.
Post your answers here.
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From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: HDI and India's rank
Mains level: HDI and India's performance analysis
Central Idea
India is now one of the fastest-growing economies globally. However, this growth has not resulted in a corresponding increase in its Human Development Index (HDI). According to the Human Development Report of 2021-22, India ranks 132 out of 191 countries, behind Bangladesh (129) and Sri Lanka (73).
Composite statistical measure by UNDP: The HDI is a composite statistical measure created by the United Nations Development Programme to evaluate and compare the level of human development in different regions around the world.
As an alternative with broader aspects: It was introduced in 1990 as an alternative to conventional economic measures such as Gross Domestic Product (GDP), which do not consider the broader aspects of human development.
Aspects: The HDI assesses a country’s average accomplishment in three aspects 1. A long and healthy life, 2, knowledge, and 3. A decent standard of living.
India ranks 132 out of 191 countries in the HDI 2021.
The subnational HDI: A new index
Given India’s large size and population, it’s critical to address subnational or state-wise disparities in human development.
A new index has developed by using the methodology suggested by the UNDP and the National Statistical Office (NSO), which measures human development on a subnational level for 2019-20.
HDI Calculation
The HDI is calculated using four indicators: life expectancy at birth, mean years of schooling, expected years of schooling, and Gross National Income (GNI) per capita.
The subnational HDI uses GSDP per capita as a proxy indicator for GNI since GNI per capita estimates are unavailable at the subnational level.
The methodology involves calculating the geometric mean of the normalised indices for the three dimensions of human development while applying the maximum and minimum values recommended by the UNDP and NSO.
Subnational HDI Findings
The subnational HDI shows that while some states have made considerable progress, others continue to struggle. Delhi occupies the top spot and Bihar occupies the bottom spot.
The five states with the highest HDI scores are Delhi, Goa, Kerala, Sikkim, and Chandigarh. Nineteen states, including Kerala, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Haryana, Punjab, Telangana, Gujarat, and Andhra Pradesh, have scores ranging between 0.7 and 0.799 and are classified as high human development states.
The bottom five states are Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Jharkhand, and Assam, with medium levels of human development.
Reasons for Discrepancies
The economic growth has been unevenly distributed, with the top 10% of the Indian population holding over 77% of the wealth. This has resulted in significant disparities in access to basic amenities, healthcare, and education.
While India has made significant progress in reducing poverty and increasing access to healthcare and education, the quality of such services remains a concern.
Conclusion
The government needs to prioritize human development alongside economic growth to ensure that the benefits of growth are more evenly distributed, and it requires a multi-faceted approach to address various issues such as income inequality, gender inequality, access to quality social services, environmental challenges, and social infrastructure investment. India must prioritize investments in human development and job creation, particularly for its youth, to realize its demographic dividend.
Mains Question
Q. Analyze the performance of different states in terms of their Human Development Index (HDI) and suggest measures that could be taken to address the disparities in human development in the country
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From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: UNSC, UNITE Aware technology platform
Mains level: UNSC, India's tenure and contribution
Central idea
India’s two-year stint in the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) was unprecedented, with a focus on maritime security, terrorism, UN peacekeeping, reformed multilateralism, and the Global South. India served as the Chair of three important UNSC Committees, made efforts to bring conflicting parties on the same page, and raised important issues like religiophobia.
Clear priorities upon entering the Council in January 2021
Priorities include maritime security, terrorism, UN peacekeeping, reformed multilateralism, and the Global South
India elected Chair of three important UNSC Committees
India’s Role in Maritime Security:
Prime Minister of India chaired a UNSC meeting on maritime security
Presidential Statement issued was the first comprehensive document on maritime security
Document referenced UN Convention on the Law of the Sea as international law setting out the legal framework
Statement called for freedom of navigation, anti-piracy measures, and combating terror and transnational crime at sea
Conflicts on the Agenda:
Old conflicts festered and new conflicts arose, including Myanmar, Afghanistan, Ethiopia, Mali, Syria, Palestine, Yemen, Haiti, Libya, and the Sahel, as well as Ukraine
The Council stood polarised and unable to act decisively
India attempted to bring the Council together on these issues
India’s Involvement in Myanmar:
Military takeover in Myanmar occurred in February 2021
Permanent-5 were pulling in opposing directions while ASEAN counselled caution
India shares a nearly 1,700 kilometre-long border with Myanmar and it was crucial to stop violence, bring in stability and ensure democratic processes went forward
India ensured balanced and comprehensive Council pronouncements, which culminated in a resolution on Myanmar (adopted under India’s presidency) in December 2022.
India’s Impact on the UNSC: Steadfast Diplomacy in the Face of Global Challenges
India’s role in Afghanistan Crisis:
India steered negotiations resulting in UNSC Resolution 2593 for benchmarks in Afghanistan, including stopping cross-border terrorism, protecting rights of women and minorities, ensuring an inclusive government, and providing humanitarian assistance.
India maintains a firm position on the Taliban upholding these benchmarks.
India’s stance on Ukraine Conflict:
India’s independent stand calling for dialogue and peace during the Ukraine conflict resonated with many developing countries.
India spoke out against unilateral sanctions on oil, food, and fertilizers.
As the conflict spilled over into India’s G-20 Presidency, India is now launching an initiative to convert its proactive position into action.
India’s focus on counter-terrorism:
As Chair of the UNSC Counter-terrorism Committee (CTC), India brought the CTC meeting to India in October 2022.
India attempted to list terrorists under UNSC Resolution 1267 sanctions but was thwarted, however, the proposal to list Abdul Rehman Makki, Deputy Amir/Chief of the Lashkar-e-Taiba was approved by the UNSC, with India as a proposer.
India on peacekeeping
Largest contributor including women: India has been the largest contributor of UN peacekeepers, including as a pioneer in women peacekeeping.
UNITE Aware technology platform: Its launching of the UNITE Aware technology platform to strengthen real-time protection of peacekeepers is to be noted.
Calling for accountability for crimes against peacekeepers: In August 2021, India piloted the first UNSC resolution by India in more than five decades, calling for accountability for crimes against peacekeepers. India also gifted two lakh vaccines to all UN peacekeepers.
Facts for Prelims: The UNITE Aware technology platform
Developed by India: The UNITE Aware technology platform is a system developed by India in collaboration with the United Nations to enhance the safety and security of peacekeepers deployed in conflict zones.
Real time ground situation: It is a real-time situational awareness system that uses advanced technologies such as satellites, drones, and geospatial tools to provide up-to-date information on the ground situation to peacekeeping forces.
Mobile app: The system also includes a mobile app that allows peacekeepers to report incidents and receive alerts in real-time.
Help to make informed decisions: The platform is designed to help peacekeepers make informed decisions and respond effectively to emerging threats, thereby reducing the risks to their safety and security.
On other important issue
Climate change:
India’s focus on the developing world, especially Africa and West Asia, was enhanced, given their close historical relations.
In December 2021, India thwarted a move by the West to wrest climate change from the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change-led process and bring it under the ambit of the UNSC, where the P-5 are also major historical polluters.
The draft resolution was defeated in the Council when India and Russia voted against.
A change in the climate change architecture would have shut out the voice of the Global South, especially Small Island Developing States.
Contemporary issues:
India also raised the issue of a contemporary form of religiophobia in the Council when, while condemning phobia against Abrahamic religions, it forcefully put forth the need to combat rising hate crimes and phobias against non-Abrahamic religions as well.
With hate crimes being fuelled abroad by vested interests, India’s stand needs to be robustly taken forward.
Conclusion
India’s Presidency led to a discussion on urgent Council reform, highlighting India’s strong performance and the need for its permanent presence at the horseshoe table.
Mains Question
Q. India’s tenure in the United Nations Security Council from 2020 to 2022 was marked by its focus on several important priorities and its involvement in various global issues. Evaluate India’s performance.
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From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Enemy Properties
Mains level: Not Much
MA Jinnah’s house in Mumbai
The home ministry has begun the process to sell enemy properties, immovable assets left behind by people who have taken citizenship in Pakistan and China after wars with these countries.
What one means by Enemy Property?
Enemy property refers to the assets and properties of individuals or entities that have been declared as “enemies” by the Indian government.
This can include individuals or entities who are citizens of a country that is at war with India, or who have engaged in hostilities or acted against the interests of India.
Why was such a concept initiated?
In the wake of the India-Pakistan wars of 1965 and 1971, there was the migration of people from India to Pakistan.
Under the Defence of India Rules framed under The Defence of India Act, 1962, the Government of India took over the properties and companies of those who took Pakistani nationality.
These “enemy properties” were vested by the central government in the Custodian of Enemy Property for India.
The same was done for property left behind by those who went to China after the 1962 Sino-Indian war.
The Tashkent Declaration of January 10, 1966 included a clause that said India and Pakistan would discuss the return of the property and assets taken over by either side in connection with the conflict.
However, the Government of Pakistan disposed of all such properties in their country in the year 1971 itself.
Dealing with enemy property
The Enemy Property Act, enacted in 1968, provided for the continuous vesting of enemy property in the Custodian of Enemy Property for India (CEPI)under the Home Ministry.
The central government, through the Custodian, is in possession of enemy properties spread across many states in the country.
Some movable properties too, are categorised as enemy properties.
In 2017, Parliament passed The Enemy Property (Amendment and Validation) Bill, 2016, which amended The Enemy Property Act, 1968, and The Public Premises (Eviction of Unauthorised Occupants) Act, 1971.
Total such properties in India
There are 12,611 enemy properties in India estimated to be worth over ₹1 lakh crore.
The government has earned over ₹3,400 crore from disposal of enemy properties, mostly movable assets like shares and gold.
None of the immovable enemy properties has been sold so far.
Out of the 12,611 properties vested with the CEPI, 12,485 were related to Pakistani nationals and 126 to Chinese citizens.
Uttar Pradesh has the highest number of enemy properties (6,255), followed by West Bengal, Delhi, Goa, Maharashtra, Telangana, Gujarat, Tripura, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, and Haryana.
Kerala, Uttarakhand, Tamil Nadu, Meghalaya, Assam, Karnataka, Rajasthan, Jharkhand, Daman and Diu, and Andhra Pradesh have enemy properties as well.
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From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Sand Battery
Mains level: Not Much
Finland has successfully installed the world’s first sand battery that can store heat from various energy sources for months.
What is the Sand Battery System?
The battery is a massive steel silo, 7 m tall and 4 m wide with 100 tonnes of sand, and was installed in Finland’s Kankaanpaa town in June 2022.
It is connected to the town’s centralised heating network that keeps buildings and public water systems warm.
The storage system has three main components:
Sand silo,
Electrical air heater, and
Air-to-water heat exchanger
Working principle
For charging the sand silo, air is heated to 600°C in the electrical air heater.
The hot air is then circulated inside the silo using a heat-exchange pipe and blowers to raise the temperature of the sand at the silo’s core to 600°C.
When the storage enters the discharging stage, the blowers are used to pump air into the pipe inside the sand silo.
Once the air reaches 200°C, it is transferred to the air-to-water heat exchanger, where it is used to boil water.
It is then sent to the heating network.
Electricity Requirements and Capacity of the Battery
The storage system requires electricity at all times to charge the battery, monitor the temperature during standby, and run the blowers when the battery is used.
The installed battery can store 8 megawatt-hours (MWh) of energy and release heat at 0.1 MW, which is enough to provide heating and hot water for about 100 homes and a public swimming pool.
Advantages of Sand as a Heat Storage Material
The Finnish researchers replaced water with sand in the battery system because of its advantages.
Sand can be heated up to 600 degrees Celsius (°C), whereas water starts to boil at 100°C.
It also has low heat conductivity, which reduces energy loss.
Importance of Heat Energy
Heat accounts for half of the world’s energy use, followed by transport (30 per cent) and electricity (20 per cent), as per the International Energy Agency (IEA).
Currently, 80 per cent of the world’s energy comes from dirty fossil fuels.
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From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Generative AI
Mains level: AI, Machine Learning
Central idea: Google and Microsoft have added generative AI to their search engines and browsers, as well as to consumer products such as Gmail, Docs, Copilot 365, Teams, Outlook, Word, Excel, and more.
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.
Generative AI products offered by Google and Microsoft
Google and Microsoft have added generative AI to their search engines and browsers, as well as to consumer products such as Gmail, Docs, Copilot 365, Teams, Outlook, Word, Excel, and more.
In Google’s Gmail and Docs, generative AI can help users write documents automatically, such as a welcome email for employees.
Copilot 365, a feature of Microsoft 365 apps, can generate spreadsheets on command or even write an entire article on Word, depending on the topic.
Both companies are making generative AI platforms and models a part of their cloud offerings, Microsoft Azure and Google Cloud.
What are Google and Microsoft offering?
In Google’s Gmail and Docs, generative AI will help users write documents automatically.
For instance, an HR executive can simply ask the AI app to write a welcome email for employees, instead of typing out the document.
Similarly, Microsoft has ‘Copilot 365’ for its Microsoft 365 apps, which includes Teams, Outlook, Word and Excel.
Here, AI could generate a spreadsheet on command, or even write down an entire article on Word (depending on the topic).
Copilot can also match entries on Calendar with emails, and generate quick, helpful pointers that a person should focus on in their meetings.
How can these developments impact human workforce?
The technology is currently not very accurate and often provides incorrect responses, despite being popular.
During the initial demonstrations of these products, Google and Microsoft were found to give inaccurate responses.
While these products may have utility, they are not yet capable of replacing humans in the workplace.
Humans are better suited to check information generated by AI.
Various challenges posed
Bias: The data that is used to train generative AI systems can be biased, leading to biased outputs.
Misinformation: Since generative AI systems learn from the internet or training data which itself may have been inaccurate, they could increase the spread of misinformation online.
Security: Generative AI systems could be used to create deepfakes or other forms of digital manipulation that could be used to spread disinformation or commit fraud.
Ethics: There are ethical concerns around the use of generative AI, particularly when it comes to issues like privacy, accountability, and transparency.
Regulation: There is a need for regulatory frameworks to ensure that generative AI is used responsibly and ethically, and that it does not have any negative impacts on society.
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From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Letter of Comfort
Mains level: NPA crisis
Central idea: The Finance Ministry has allowed central public sector firms (CPSUs) to issue letters of comfort with a condition that they should clearly state that the Government of India will not be liable for any consequences arising from such letters.
What is aLetter of Comfort?
A letter of comfort is a support document issued to a borrower that adds some strength to the transaction when giving loans.
Letter of comforts are usually issued by a third party or a stakeholder in the transaction.
For instance, a holding company can give a letter of comfort on behalf of its subsidiary or a government can issue a letter of comfort for public sector enterprises.
The letter of comfort can also be issued by banks, NBFCs and auditors.
Obligation status of LoCs
The letter of comfort is not legally binding or an obligation by the holding company to repay the loans.
It is just an assurance to the lender that the holding company is aware of the transaction, the policies of the subsidiary and its intentions in seeking a loan.
This provides some comfort to the financial institution to lend money for short term or long term.
One can say that the letter of comfort could become a moral obligation and not a legal one.
How is it different from letter of guarantee?
A letter of comfort is different from a letter of guarantee.
As spelled out in the name, the letter of guarantee acts as a commitment to the lender that the issuing company is taking responsibility for the repayment.
It is also legally binding and the transaction becomes an obligation for the guarantor.
Holding companies usually give letters of comfort when they are unable or unwilling to give letters of guarantees.
Try this MCQ-
Q. Which of the following statements is true about a Letter of Comfort?
A) It is a legally binding document that obligates the holding company to repay the loan.
B) It is issued only by banks and NBFCs.
C) It is an assurance provided by a third party to the lender that adds strength to the transaction when giving loans.
D) It is the same as a Letter of Guarantee in terms of its legal obligations.
Post your answers here.
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From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Various vienna conventions
Mains level: Not Much
Central idea: The Indian government lodged a strong protest against the UK government and reminded obligations of the host nation under the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations amid the vandalism incident that occurred at the Indian High Commission in London.
What is the Vienna Convention?
The treaty being referred to by the MEA in this instance is the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations (1961).
It provides a complete framework for the establishment, maintenance and termination of diplomatic relations on a basis of consent between independent sovereign States.
FYI: Vienna Convention
Vienna, the capital city of Austria, has a long history of hosting international conventions and conferences.
There are several conventions that are named as “Vienna Convention”. Here is a list of some of the most well-known Vienna Conventions:
Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations (1961)
Vienna Convention on Consular Relations (1963)
Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties (1969)
Vienna Convention on Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage (1977)
Vienna Convention on Succession of States in respect of Treaties (1978)
Vienna Convention on the Physical Protection of Nuclear Material (1987)
Vienna Convention on the Protection of the Ozone Layer (1985)
Vienna Convention for the Protection of the Stratospheric Ozone Layer (1985)
Note that there may be other treaties or agreements that have been signed in Vienna that may also be referred to as Vienna Conventions, but the above are some of the most commonly recognized ones.
Obligations of a “receiving State” under the Vienna Convention
As per the Vienna Convention, a “receiving State” refers to the host nation where a diplomatic mission is located.
Article 22 of the Convention deals with obligations with regards to the premises of the Mission.
Part 2 of this article states that “The receiving State is under a special duty to take all appropriate steps to protect the premises of the mission against any intrusion or damage and to prevent any disturbance of the peace of the mission or impairment of its dignity”.
Did the UK not fulfil its obligations in this instance?
The fact that protestors were able to climb the walls of the High Commission premises indicates a breach.
India finds the UK government’s indifference to the security of Indian diplomatic premises and personnel in the UK unacceptable.
UK has condemned the event and promised to take the security of the Indian High Commission in London seriously.
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From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: NA
Mains level: India's export and import and the current trends
Central Idea
The Ministry of Commerce and Industry has released the latest trade data that shows a continued contraction in India’s merchandise exports and imports in February. It indicates a slowdown in both the global and domestic economies.
Overview
The pace of contraction has deepened, and this has resulted in a further narrowing of the country’s merchandise trade deficit.
The disaggregated data shows that core-exports and core imports have continued to contract, and there has been a softening in imports of consumer and investment goods, pointing towards weakening domestic demand.
What the data shows?
Deepening of Contraction: Both exports and imports have seen a deepening of the pace of contraction. Merchandise exports fell by 8.8% in February, while imports declined by 8.2% in the same month. These figures follow a decline of 6.6% and 3.6% in exports and imports respectively in January.
Narrowing Trade Deficit: The contraction has led to a further narrowing of the trade deficit to $17.4 billion in February.
Impact on Export Destinations: The report by Nomura reveals that the sharpest declines have been observed in India’s exports to the US, China, Japan, and the rest of Asia.
Overall Growth: The higher export growth in the first half of the financial year has pushed overall growth for the year so far (April-February) to 7.55%.
Sectors Affected
Exports side:
The disaggregated data reveals that core exports, which exclude exports of oil, gold, and gems and jewellery, have continued to contract.
16 out of the 30 main export segments have fallen in February, including labour-intensive segments such as leather and textiles.
Non-oil non-gems and jewellery exports are almost at the same level as last year.
On the imports side:
Core imports, which exclude oil, gold, and gems and jewellery, have also continued to contract.
The data points towards a softening of imports of consumer and investment goods, indicative of weakening domestic demand.
Back to basics: Trade Deficit
A trade deficit occurs when a country’s imports of goods and services exceed its exports.
In other words, it is the amount by which the value of a country’s imports exceeds the value of its exports. It is often seen as an indicator of a country’s economic competitiveness and can have implications for the overall balance of payments and the strength of the domestic currency.
How Narrowing of trade deficit is beneficial?
Narrowing of the trade deficit means that the country is importing fewer goods than it is exporting, which can improve the overall balance of payments and help to strengthen the domestic currency.
This can also have positive effects on the economy by reducing the dependence on foreign borrowing and boosting domestic production and employment.
The outlook for exports remains subdued
According to a report by Crisil, India’s merchandise export growth is likely to moderate to 2-4 per cent in the coming fiscal year as two of the country’s biggest destinations for exports the US and EU are expected to slow down sharply.
As per the International Monetary Fund’s latest World Economic Outlook, the US economic growth is expected to slow down from 2 per cent in 2022 to 1.4 per cent in 2023, while the Euro region is expected to moderate from 3.5 per cent to 0.7 per cent over the same period.
Conclusion
The trade data indicates a slowdown in the economy. Sluggish exports and tight monetary policy are expected to reduce growth further. This assessment by the World economic outlook implies that exports are unlikely to provide a fillip to growth. The overall economic momentum will be further weighed down as the full impact of the RBI’s tighter monetary policy will be felt across the country.
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From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: NA
Mains level: Primary Health care and Universal Health care
Central Idea
The Universal Health Coverage (UHC) and its implementation in India raises the question of whether we believe in health as a basic human right, which India’s Constitution guarantees under the right to life. The UHC should encompass primary, secondary, and tertiary care for all who need it at an affordable cost without discrimination.
The Definition of Health
The definition of health according to the World Health Organization (WHO), which includes mental and social well-being and happiness beyond physical fitness, and an absence of disease and disability.
We cannot achieve health in its wider definition without addressing health determinants, which necessitates an intersectoral convergence beyond medical and health departments.
Difference between Primary health care (PHC) and Universal health care (UHC)
The main difference between PHC and UHC is that PHC is a level of care within the health care system, while UHC is a broader goal of ensuring access to health care for all individuals.
PHC is typically provided at the primary care level, while UHC includes all levels of care, from primary to secondary and tertiary care.
PHC is focused on basic health care services and health promotion, while UHC aims to provide comprehensive health care services to all individuals.
Health for All by 2000
The slogan Health for All by 2000 proposed by Halfdan Mahler and endorsed by the World Health Assembly in 1977. It argues that universal health care/coverage (UHC) was implied as early as 1977.
India committed itself to the ‘Health for All’ goal by 2000 through its National Health Policy 1983.
International Conference on PHC
The International Conference on Primary Health Care, at Alma Ata, 1978, which listed eight components of minimum care for all citizens.
Components included: It mandated all health promotion activities and the prevention of diseases, including vaccinations and treatment of minor illnesses and accidents, to be free for all using government resources, especially for the poor.
Components excluded: Chronic diseases, including mental illnesses, and their investigations and treatment were almost excluded from primary health care. When it came to secondary and tertiary care, it was left to the individual to seek it from a limited number of public hospitals or from the private sector by paying from their own pockets.
Concerns around The Astana Declaration
The Astana declaration of 2018, which calls for partnership with the private sector. However the commercial private sector, which contributes to alcohol, tobacco, ultra-processed foods, and industrial and automobile pollution, is well established.
The Astana declaration never addressed poverty, unemployment, and poor livelihood, but eulogizes quality PHC only as the cornerstone for Universal Health Coverage and ignores broader Universal Health Care.
Conclusion
Every individual has a right to be healed and not have complications, disability, and death. That right is guaranteed only by individualism in public health, the new global approach to UHC, where nobody is left uncounted and uncared for. The Alma Ata declaration of primary health care can be left behind as a beautiful edifice of past concepts, and we should move forward with a newer concept of UHC.
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From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: NA
Mains level: India and China's Comparative Growth prospects
Central Idea
The Chinese government’s growth target of 5% for 2023 has disappointed observers, given that it is lower than last year’s target and below the expected GDP growth for India in 2023. This is all the more surprising if one considers that India is benefiting from the positive impact of the country reopening after COVID-19 lockdowns while China should benefit from its reopening only this year.
Reasons for China’s lower growth target?
Risk of undershooting growth target again: The Chinese government does not want to run the risk of undershooting its growth target again, as it happened in 2022.
Weak external demand and doubts about private investment: Even if consumption is recovering, external demand remains weak and it is hard to know whether private investment will indeed rise given the doubts about the role of the private sector in the Chinese economy as well as increasingly cautious sentiment being expressed by foreign investors.
Real estate sector dragging down growth: The real estate sector is still dragging down growth.
Sustainable growth
The Chinese government recognizes that too high a growth rate is no longer desirable, as it only aggravates financial imbalances.
Instead, they are promoting sustainable growth, which involves a structural shift of the Chinese economy and the implementation of tighter regulatory measures to contain financial risks and achieve more social objectives, such as a green economy and food security.
Job creation and foreign investment
China emphasises the importance of job security as an objective of sustainable growth, with a higher target for new jobs set by the Chinese government.
China’s recent charm offensive to retain foreign direct investment in China is an important source of job creation, given the country’s concern about the job market, especially young workers.
However, investors are looking at new pastures, with India likely to be a major beneficiary. Foreign investors are beginning to contribute more substantially to job creation in India, which could pose challenges for China as it tries to hold on to foreign direct investment within the country.
Comparison of India and China’s growth prospects
The growth prospects of India and China, with a focus on job creation and competition for foreign direct investment.
while India and China may not be too different in size and population, growth prospects differ substantially.
The Chinese government’s cautious growth targets are consistent with the current challenges facing the Chinese economy, but they face more competition than before, especially from India, which has a larger market size and labor pool.
This pattern of India’s resilient growth and China’s cautious growth targets will accelerate in the next few years, especially if the reshuffling of the value chain continues, pushed by geopolitics and high costs in China.
Conclusion
The Chinese economy could be facing structural deceleration while India enjoys the benefits of its demographic dividend. China’s structural deceleration and tighter regulatory measures may also affect its future growth prospects. As a result, India may be better positioned for sustained growth compared to China in the coming years.
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