Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: UNFPA report on Ageing
Mains level: Elderly woes in India
Central Idea
- The world’s elderly population is larger than ever before, with 1.1 billion people aged 60 and above in 2022, constituting 13.9% of the population (UNFPA report).
- By 2050, this number is projected to rise to 2.1 billion, accounting for 22% of the global population.
Why discuss this?
- India’s Scenario: India is no exception to this trend, with 149 million older adults (10.5%) in 2022, expected to increase to 347 million (20.8%) by 2050.
- Longevity: People are living longer lives than ever before, underscoring the need to understand healthy ageing and address mental health issues in the elderly.
Misconceptions about Ageing and Mental Health
- Ageing as a Process: Ageing is a natural physiological process encompassing physical, social, and psychological dimensions. However, misconceptions and fears about ageing, particularly mental health concerns like depression, anxiety, and dementia, persist.
- Heterogeneity: The ageing process varies among individuals, influenced by factors such as genetics, lifestyle, environment, and diseases. Not all older adults experience the same physical or mental changes.
Social Challenges Faced by the Elderly
- Social Isolation and Dependency: Many elderly individuals grapple with increased dependency, social isolation, poverty, ageism, and feelings of pessimism and nihilism.
- Abuse and Neglect: Elderly individuals are vulnerable to emotional, physical, sexual, and financial abuse, often perpetrated by family members.
- Inaccessible Infrastructure: India’s towns and cities often lack elder-friendly infrastructure, including ramps, handrails, pavements, and adequate public transport, making healthcare access a challenge.
- Lack of Purpose: Many elderly men, especially after retirement, may feel unproductive and lost. Developing diverse interests earlier in life can mitigate the sense of purposelessness in retirement, reducing the risk of depression.
Psychological Aspects of Ageing
- Psychological Growth: As individuals age, they are expected to gain wisdom and a broader understanding of life’s challenges through personal or vicarious experiences.
- Erik Erikson’s Theory: Erik Erikson proposed ‘Ego integrity versus Despair’ as the final psychosocial development stage in human life. It emphasizes viewing one’s life accomplishments positively to avoid despair.
- Indian Cultural Emphasis: Indian culture underscores the importance of accepting the limitations that come with old age and renouncing responsibilities without suffering.
Mental Health Challenges
- Prevalence: Approximately 15% of elders in India (22 million individuals) experience serious mental illnesses such as depression, anxiety, dementia, and substance use disorders.
- Treatment Gap: A significant treatment gap of 90% exists, largely due to a lack of awareness among the public and healthcare professionals.
- Stigmatization: Stigma associated with both ageing and mental illness often leads to reluctance to admit mental health issues and seek treatment.
- Poverty and Access: Many elderly individuals lack access to mental healthcare services due to poverty and limited availability of interventions, particularly in rural areas.
Case Study: SCARF Partnership
- Community Initiatives: The Schizophrenia Research Foundation (SCARF) has partnered with the Azim Premji Foundation to raise awareness about elder mental health in rural areas of Tamil Nadu, benefiting over 350 villages.
- Indian Tradition of Joint Families: While joint families are becoming rarer, they offer advantages in terms of multi-generational interactions and support for elders.
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Preserving Cultural Traditions
- Importance of Festivals and Rituals: Cultural traditions, including festivals and rituals, encourage socialization and cognitive engagement among elders.
- Risk of Tradition Loss: Neglecting these traditions risks losing their potential protective effects on elderly mental health.
Way forward
- Individual Planning: Planning for old age with financial savings and lifestyle adjustments is crucial.
- Educational Initiatives: Introducing the concept of healthy ageing in school curricula can promote awareness.
- Community Services: Accessible mental health services for elders should be available at the community level.
- Role of Retirement Homes: Retirement homes and elder care facilities, while providing care and reducing social isolation, need to address mental health issues urgently.
- Collective Responsibility: Caring for the elderly is a collective responsibility that requires the concerted efforts of individuals, families, civic society, private organizations, NGOs, and the government.
Conclusion
- The ageing world presents both opportunities and challenges, with a growing elderly population that demands a holistic approach to mental health care, community support, and cultural preservation.
- Addressing the mental health needs of the elderly is not only a matter of compassion but also a responsibility that encompasses various stakeholders and sectors of society.
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Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Iron Dome
Mains level: Not Much
Central Idea
- In the wake of the recent Hamas attack on Israel, the world witnessed the effectiveness of Israel’s Iron Dome, a remarkable air defense system that intercepts rockets and missiles aimed at Israeli targets.
What is Iron Dome?
- Hezbollah’s Rocket Attacks: The development of the Iron Dome traces back to the 2006 Israeli-Lebanon war when Hezbollah launched thousands of rockets into Israel.
- Israel’s Response: In 2007, Israel initiated the development of an air defense system to safeguard its cities and population, partnering with Rafael Advance Systems and Israel Aerospace Industries.
- Deployment: The Iron Dome became operational in 2011 and has since intercepted over 2,000 rockets, with a claimed success rate of over 90%, though experts estimate it at over 80%.
How does it work?
- Integrated Systems: The Iron Dome comprises three core components that work in unison to provide protection: detection and tracking radar, battle management and weapon control system (BMC), and missile firing units.
- Radar’s Role: The detection and tracking radar identifies incoming threats, accurately tracking them, while the BMC connects the radar and interceptor missile.
- Missile Firing Unit: Once launched, the missile maneuvers independently, targeting small objects, and employs a proximity fuse, activated within ten meters of the target, to ensure precise destruction.
Effectiveness and Deterrence
- All-Weather Capability: The Iron Dome operates effectively in various weather conditions, day and night, enhancing its reliability.
- Cost Considerations: While each battery can cost over $50 million, and an interceptor Tamir missile about $80,000, cost-effectiveness should be measured in terms of lives saved and the nation’s morale.
- Deterrence Factor: The Iron Dome serves as a strong deterrent, preventing adversaries from exploiting inexpensive rocket attacks and bolstering national morale against rocket intimidation.
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Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Card-on-File Tokenisation (CoFT)
Mains level: Not Much
Central Idea
- The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has embarked on a mission to revolutionize digital payments in the country by proposing the introduction of Card-on-File Tokenisation (CoFT).
- This move, aimed at enhancing convenience for cardholders, is set to redefine the way Indians engage in online transactions.
Card-on-File Tokenisation (CoFT)
- Card-on-file tokenisation involves replacing actual credit and debit card details with an alternative code known as a “token.”
- This token is unique for a specific combination of card, token requestor, and device.
- Each token is distinct and tailored to the combination of the card, token requestor (the entity facilitating tokenisation), and the merchant (which may or may not be the same as the token requestor).
- The primary advantage of Card-on-File Tokenisation is enhanced security.
- During a tokenised card transaction, the actual card details are not disclosed to the merchant.
- This shields sensitive information from potential security breaches during transaction processing.
- Customers who have not enabled tokenisation will need to manually input their name, 16-digit card number, expiry date, and CVV (Card Verification Value) each time they make an online purchase.
Back2Basics: Card-on-File Transaction
- A Card-on-File transaction occurs when cardholders authorize merchants to securely store their payment information.
- This stored data is then used to bill the cardholders’ accounts for future purchases.
- It simplifies the checkout process for consumers, offering convenience and efficiency.
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Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Watermeal
Mains level: Not Much
Central Idea
- Scientists from Thailand are conducting groundbreaking research into the potential of watermeal, the world’s smallest flowering plant, as a source of nutrition and oxygen for astronauts.
What are Watermeal?
- Watermeal, a member of the Araceae family, stands out as the smallest flowering plant globally.
- It manifests as minuscule green seeds.
- Watermeal thrives in a variety of environments, from temperate to sub-tropical and tropical regions. It finds its home on the surface of lakes, ponds, and marshes.
- Distinctive Features:
- Measuring less than 1 millimeter, watermeal is incredibly tiny.
- This free-floating plant lacks both roots and leaves.
- It consists of a solitary, oval, or spherical frond that gracefully floats on the calm or slow-moving waters.
- Watermeal gives birth to the world’s smallest fruit, known as a utricle.
- Surprisingly, watermeal is a nutritional powerhouse, boasting the status of a complete protein, as it contains all nine essential amino acids.
- Under certain circumstances, watermeal can become invasive, forming dense mats that blanket entire water surfaces.
How it can assist Space Nutrition?
- Compact Growth: Its microscopic size allows for efficient cultivation within confined spacecraft environments.
- Nutritional Richness: As a complete protein, it offers astronauts a sustainable source of essential amino acids.
- Oxygen Generation: Watermeal photosynthesizes, producing oxygen that can be vital for life support systems in space.
- Space Farming: Cultivating watermeal in space could reduce the need for transporting perishable food items from Earth, making missions more self-sustaining.
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Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Atmospheric Perturbations around the Eclipse Path (APEP) Mission
Mains level: Not Much
Central Idea
- NASA is set to launch on a groundbreaking mission known as Atmospheric Perturbations around the Eclipse Path (APEP).
- The project is spearheaded by an Indian-origin engineering physics professor.
Exploring the APEP Mission
- Triple Rocket Launch: The APEP mission involves the deployment of three meticulously equipped rockets, each armed with an array of cutting-edge scientific instruments.
- Objective: The primary mission objective is to unravel the enigma of how the upper atmosphere reacts during a solar eclipse, particularly during the pivotal moments of sudden light reduction.
- Ionospheric Dynamics: Solar eclipses trigger profound transformations in the ionosphere, generating cascading waves throughout this atmospheric layer.
- Comprehensive Measurements: The mission’s scientific instruments will meticulously measure variations in electric and magnetic fields, density, and temperature.
- Launch Location: APEP will be launched from the White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico, with a specific focus on exploring the ionosphere.
- Impact on Satellite Communications: NASA postulates that the ionosphere’s temperature and density will diminish during the eclipse, leading to disruptive wave-like disturbances that could affect GPS and satellite communications.
Mission Process
- Strategic Rocket Positioning: The three rockets will be strategically positioned just beyond the path of annularity, where the Moon directly aligns with the Sun.
- Simultaneous Measurements: NASA’s paramount goal is to attain the first-ever simultaneous measurements from multiple locations within the ionosphere during a solar eclipse.
- Precision of Rockets: Rockets offer precision in launching at precisely the right moment and probing lower altitudes inaccessible to orbiting satellites.
- Sounding Rockets’ Selection: The APEP mission team opted for sounding rockets due to their unparalleled ability to pinpoint and measure specific spatial regions with exceptional accuracy.
- Multi-Altitude Data: These rockets are adept at capturing data at varying altitudes as they ascend and descend during their suborbital flights.
- Altitude Range: Data collection will span altitudes ranging from 45 to 200 miles (70 to 325 kilometres) above the Earth’s surface along the rockets’ flight trajectories.
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Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty (CTBT)
Mains level: Not Much
Central Idea
- Russia has indicated that it may revoke the ratification of the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty (CTBT).
- The CTBT, a landmark multilateral agreement, stands at the crossroads of global nuclear security, aiming to curtail nuclear weapons testing and the dangers associated with it.
Genesis of CTBT:
- Nuclear Arms Race: The nuclear arms race between the United States and the Soviet Union in the mid-20th century led to over 2,000 nuclear tests between 1945 and 1996.
- Growing Concern: The international community expressed mounting concerns about the radioactive fallout from these tests and their detrimental effects on health and the environment.
(A) Early Attempts to Curb Nuclear Testing
- Limited Nuclear Test-Ban Treaty (LTBT): In 1963, the LTBT prohibited nuclear testing in the atmosphere, outer space, and underwater while permitting underground tests.
- Threshold Test Ban Treaty (TTBT): In 1974, the TTBT limited nuclear tests that produced yields exceeding 150 kilotons, aiming to reduce the explosive power of new nuclear warheads.
(B) CTBT Takes Shape
- Post-Cold War Opportunity: Following the end of the Cold War and the dissolution of the Soviet Union, the United Nations seized the opportunity to negotiate the CTBT.
- Comprehensive Ban: The CTBT, adopted on September 10, 1996, ushered in a comprehensive ban on all explosive nuclear testing, marking a pivotal moment in nuclear disarmament efforts.
- China, Egypt, India, Iran, Israel, North Korea, Pakistan, and US: They remain the eight Annex II States whose ratifications are essential for the CTBT’s entry into force, as per the United Nations.
Impact of CTBT
- Reducing Nuclear Tests: Since the CTBT’s adoption, there have been only 10 nuclear tests, with notable tests conducted by India, Pakistan, and North Korea, whereas major nuclear powers like the United States, China, France, and Russia refrained from further testing.
- Outstanding Ratifications: For the CTBT to enter into force, it requires ratification by 44 specific nuclear technology holder countries. Eight crucial nations, including the United States, China, India, and Pakistan, are yet to ratify the treaty, hindering its full implementation.
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Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: R21/Matrix-M Vaccine
Mains level: Not Much
Central Idea
- In a momentous development in the fight against malaria, the World Health Organization (WHO) issued a recommendation for the R21/Matrix-M malaria vaccine on October 2.
- This pioneering vaccine, developed by the University of Oxford and manufactured by India’s Serum Institute, has already gained approval for use in children under 36 months in Nigeria, Ghana, and Burkina Faso.
R21/Matrix-M Vaccine
- Extensive Testing: The vaccine’s efficacy was rigorously assessed in a phase-3 trial involving 4,800 children across five sites in Mali, Burkina Faso, Kenya, and Tanzania. These sites vary in malaria transmission intensity and seasonality.
- Blind Trial: Participants were randomly assigned to receive either the malaria vaccine or a control (approved rabies vaccine) in a double-blind study, ensuring impartiality.
- Multi-Dose Regimen: The vaccination schedule comprised three doses administered 4 weeks apart, with a booster shot administered 12 months after the last dose.
- Strategic Timing: Primary vaccinations occurred before the malaria season in seasonal transmission regions or at any time of the year in perennial transmission regions.
Impressive Results
- According to preprint data (pending peer review), the vaccine demonstrated a remarkable efficacy of 75% in children aged 5-36 months in seasonal malaria regions and 68% in perennial malaria regions after one year.
- Notably, children aged 5-17 months, more vulnerable to severe malaria, exhibited even higher vaccine efficacy of 79% in seasonal regions and 75% in perennial regions.
- Vaccine efficacy remained substantial for 18 months, further reinforced by a booster dose administered 12 months after the primary series.
Seasonality Matters
- Optimal Timing: Results suggest that the vaccine performs more effectively in regions with seasonal malaria compared to perennial transmission areas.
- Seasonal Patterns: In seasonal sites, 82% of malaria episodes occurred in the first six months of follow-up, while only 26% occurred in the initial six months in perennial sites.
- Vaccination Timing: Since the vaccine is administered just before the malaria season, its protection is more pronounced when malaria is seasonal.
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Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Atto-Physics
Mains level: NA
Central Idea
- The 2023 Nobel Prize in Physics was awarded to Anne L’Huillier, Pierre Agostini, and Ferenc Krausz.
- It cited their pioneering work in attosecond science, enabling the study of electron dynamics in matter at an unprecedented timescale of one quintillionth of a second, or 10^-18 seconds.
What is Attosecond?
- Definition: An attosecond is a minuscule unit of time, equal to one quintillionth of a second (10^-18 seconds). It is the timescale at which electron properties change.
- Attosecond Science: Attosecond science, or attophysics, focuses on generating ultra-short light pulses and employing them to investigate rapid processes, such as those involving electrons.
Atto-Physics: The science behind
- High-Harmonic Generation: Researchers, including Anne L’Huillier, discovered that passing an infrared light beam through a noble gas resulted in emitted light with frequencies that were multiples of the beam’s frequency. This phenomenon, known as high-harmonic generation, paved the way for attosecond pulse generation.
- Wave Mechanics: Attosecond pulse production is rooted in wave mechanics. The emitted light is a consequence of electrons gaining and losing energy as they interact with oscillating electric and magnetic fields in the light beam.
- Constructive Interference: Attosecond pulses are produced through constructive interference when peaks of different overtones merge. Destructive interference occurs when peaks align with troughs, leading to the cancellation of signals.
Producing Attosecond Pulses
- Interference Combinations: Researchers manipulate interference combinations of multiple overtones to generate attosecond pulses with durations of a few hundred attoseconds.
- Precise Frequency Range: Attosecond pulses are produced when the beam’s frequency falls within a specific plateau range, as dictated by interference effects.
Measuring Attosecond Pulses: RABBIT Technique
- Pierre Agostini and his colleagues developed the RABBIT (Reconstruction of Attosecond Beating by Interference of Two-photon Transitions) technique.
- It involves measuring electrons kicked out from noble gas atoms by attosecond pulses and a longer-duration pulse, providing insights into pulse properties, including duration.
Applications of Attophysics
- Solar Power Enhancement: Attosecond studies have refined our understanding of the photoelectric effect, a fundamental process in solar power generation. Insights gained from atto-physics could lead to improved solar technologies.
- Electron-Dependent Fields: Attophysics impacts various scientific disciplines where electron properties play a crucial role, spanning physics, chemistry, and biology. By studying electron behavior at attosecond timescales, researchers can unlock new possibilities and applications.
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Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Xenotransplantation
Mains level: Read the attached story
Central Idea
- A groundbreaking study published in Nature showcases a remarkable feat by successfully modifying pig genomes and transplanting kidney grafts from these genetically engineered pigs into non-human primates.
- This preclinical achievement holds great promise, potentially advancing the prospects of using genetically modified pig kidneys for human transplantation.
About Xenotransplantation
- Xenotransplantation Potential: The concept of transplanting animal organs into humans, known as xenotransplantation, offers a potential solution to the chronic shortage of transplantable organs worldwide.
- Pig Donors Show Promise: Pigs are emerging as promising donor animals. However, several significant hurdles, including organ rejection and the risk of zoonosis (transmission of animal viruses to humans), must be overcome for this approach to be considered clinically viable.
Recent advances
- Genome Alterations for Success: Led by Wenning Qin in Cambridge, Massachusetts, the research team took a giant stride by introducing 69 genomic edits into a donor pig, a Yucatan miniature pig.
- Eliminating Glycan Antigens: Three glycan antigens, culprits for organ rejection, were removed, paving the way for successful transplantation.
- Human Transgenes Introduced: Seven human transgenes were strategically inserted into the pig’s genome to reduce the primate immune system’s hostility.
- Porcine Retrovirus Gene Deactivated: The scientists also inactivated all copies of the porcine retrovirus gene.
Advancement achieved so far
- Glycan Antigens Identified: Prior research pinpointed three glycan antigens in pigs that trigger rejection when recognized by human antibodies.
- Zoonotic Concerns: The porcine endogenous retrovirus has raised concerns about the potential transmission of animal viruses to humans during transplantation.
- Extended Graft Survival: Kidney grafts from genetically engineered pigs exhibited remarkable longevity, far surpassing previous attempts.
- Enhanced Immunity: Kidney grafts with glycan antigen knockouts and human transgene expression survived significantly longer than those with only glycan antigen knockouts (176 days versus 24 days).
- Immune Suppression Support: Combining these genetically modified grafts with immunosuppressive treatment resulted in long-term survival for the primate recipients, with survival durations extending up to an impressive 758 days.
A Step Closer to Clinical Trials
- Promising Outlook: This groundbreaking research underscores the potential of pig organs for future human transplantation, addressing the organ shortage crisis.
- Clinical Trials on the Horizon: The successful preclinical study brings the possibility of clinical testing of genetically engineered pig renal grafts within reach, marking a crucial milestone in organ transplantation.
Issues with Xenotransplantation
- Animal rights: Many, including animal rights groups, strongly oppose killing animals to harvest their organs for human use.
- Decreased life expectancy: In the 1960s, many organs came from the chimpanzees, and were transferred into people that were deathly ill, and in turn, did not live much longer afterwards.
- Religious violations: Certain animals such as pork are strictly forbidden in Islam and many other religions.
- Informed consent: Autonomy and informed consent are important when considering the future uses of xenotransplantation.
- Persistent threats of zoonosis: The safety of public health is a factor to be considered. We are already battling the biggest zoonotic disease threat.
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Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Israel-Palestine Conflict
Mains level: Read the attached story
Central Idea
- The recent attack by Hamas (Arab sponsored Jihadist outfit) on Israel has prompted PM Modi to express solidarity with Israel, highlighting the complex nature of India’s relations with both Israel and Palestine.
- Over the past seven decades, India’s stance on these nations has undergone significant shifts, reflecting its evolving foreign policy priorities and diplomatic considerations.
About Israel-Palestine Conflict
- Historical Background: The land of contention was under the Ottoman Empire and later the British Empire.
- Anti-Semitism as Official Policy: Several Islamic countries, including the Arab world, Turkiye and Pakistan, have officially expressed hatred against Jews citing reference to religious scriptures.
- Denial of Access: Jews, as a micro-minority of the world, have been denied access to their historic homeland.
- Arab Resistance: Arabs resisted, claiming the land as their own, known as Palestine at the time.
- Balfour Declaration: In 1917, the United Kingdom expressed support for the establishment of a Jewish homeland in Palestine.
- Violent Resistance: Arab resistance to the declaration led to violence and further tensions.
India’s quest for Balancing Relations
India’s Post-Independence Stance
- Nehru and Gandhi’s Stand: Post-independence, India was staunchly pro-Palestine as Jawaharlal Nehru and Mahatma Gandhi opposed religious exclusivity and supported the Palestinian cause.
- UN Votes: India voted against the partition of Palestine and Israel’s admission to the UN but recognized Israel in 1950 after Turkey and Iran did so.
Era of Indira and Rajiv Gandhi
- Support for Palestine: During Indira Gandhi’s rule, India continued its support for the Palestinian struggle, elevating the PLO to the sole legitimate representative of Palestine.
- Solidarity and Diplomacy: Strong ties were forged with Yasser Arafat, and India hosted the NAM summit in 1983, emphasizing solidarity with Palestine.
Changing Dynamics
- Critics and Shifts: Critics within India raised concerns about its pro-Arab stance, given Arab countries’ neutrality during India’s wars with China and Pakistan.
- Indian-Israeli Relations: India recognized Israel in 1992, establishing full diplomatic relations after the end of the Cold War and BJP’s rise to power.
- Kargil Conflict: During the Kargil conflict in 1999, Israel provided crucial military support, strengthening bilateral ties.
Recent Developments
- PM Modi’s Approach: Prime Minister Modi’s approach has balanced India’s ties with Israel and Palestine. He visited Israel in 2017, signaling a shift in focus.
- De-hyphenation: Modi achieved a de-hyphenation of the relationship by separately visiting Palestine in 2018.
- Wider Regional Engagement: India has deepened ties with Israel and West Asian nations like Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Qatar, and Iran over the past decade.
Current Dilemma
- Diplomatic Tight Spot: Recent hostilities in the region have placed India in a diplomatic dilemma. The conflict tests India’s relations with Israel and Palestine against the backdrop of the Abraham Accords and shifting Middle East dynamics.
- Dividends at Stake: India had hoped to benefit from the newfound peace in the region, given its significant diaspora, connectivity, and energy imports from West Asia.
Conclusion
- India’s relationship with Israel and Palestine has evolved significantly since independence, influenced by domestic politics, global shifts, and regional considerations.
- While India continues to support the Palestinian cause, it has also strengthened its strategic ties with Israel.
- The recent escalation in hostilities in the region poses challenges for India’s diplomatic balancing act and its aspirations in the Middle East.
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Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Digital India Act (DIA)
Mains level: Read the attached story
Central Idea
- India’s ‘Digital India’ initiative is set to receive a significant boost with the introduction of the Digital India Act 2023 (DIA).
- This legislation, replacing the two-decade-old Information Technology Act of 2000, reflects India’s commitment to creating a future-ready legal framework for its rapidly expanding digital ecosystem.
- The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MEITY) has taken a proactive approach to navigate the complexities of the digital age and ensure robust regulation and governance.
Adapting to a Changing Digital Landscape
- Challenges of the IT Act (2000): The IT Act of 2000 was crafted during the infancy of the internet, making it inadequate to address the evolving digital environment.
- Explosive Growth: India’s internet user base has grown from 5.5 million to 850 million, accompanied by shifts in technology, user behavior, and emerging threats.
Key Provisions of the Digital India Act (DIA)
- Online Safety and Trust: DIA prioritizes online safety and trust while remaining adaptable to market dynamics and international legal principles.
- Responsible Technology Adoption: It provides guidelines for the responsible use of technologies like artificial intelligence and blockchain, promoting ethical practices and accountability.
- Open Internet: DIA upholds the concept of an open internet while ensuring necessary regulations to protect users.
- Know Your Customer (KYC) for Wearable Devices: It mandates stringent KYC requirements for wearable devices, reinforced by criminal law sanctions.
- Review of Safe Harbour Principle: The DIA contemplates a review of the “safe harbour” principle, potentially altering online accountability standards.
Challenges and Concerns
- Impact on Innovation: Stricter regulations, especially in emerging technologies, might discourage entrepreneurial initiatives and deter foreign investments.
- Freedom of Expression: Reviewing the “safe harbour” principle could lead to cautious behavior among online platforms, potentially affecting freedom of expression.
- Enforcement Challenges: Effective enforcement will require significant resources, expertise, and infrastructure, and striking a balance among various stakeholders presents a challenge.
Conclusion
- The Digital India Act 2023 represents a progressive step toward a secure, accountable, and innovative digital future for India.
- It acknowledges the dynamic nature of the digital age and has the potential to shape the nation’s digital landscape for generations to come.
- As consultations and discussions continue, vigilance and adaptability will be essential to mitigate unintended consequences and ensure a balanced approach to regulation in the digital arena.
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Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: India's services sector growth, key players, Manufacturing sector Potential and Future Prospects
What’s the news?
- In a major economic development, India’s service exports surged by $60 billion over three years, with diversification beyond IT services. Additionally, domestic tech startups are poised to expand into manufacturing, potentially revitalizing the sector and bolstering job creation.
Central idea
- Two significant transformations are reshaping India’s services sector, potentially defining the nation’s growth trajectory. These changes involve the rapid evolution of service exports and the transformation of domestic services. As both of these sectors modernize, they are not only changing in form but also venturing into manufacturing, offering exciting prospects for India’s economic future.
India’s services export sector
- In recent years, India’s service exports have undergone a remarkable expansion, delivering an additional $60 billion in annual revenues compared to just three years ago.
- The catalyst behind this surge was the COVID-19 pandemic, which spurred a surge in demand for IT services due to the widespread adoption of remote work arrangements.
- However, India’s service exports have transcended their traditional roles, shedding their identity as merely call centers or software solution providers.
- Instead, India now proudly offers an extensive array of professional services, encompassing accounting, legal, HR, business development, design, and cutting-edge R&D.
Key players
- Large IT Firms: Large information technology (IT) companies have traditionally been prominent players in India’s services export sector. They continue to play a significant role in providing IT services, software solutions, and technology-related services to clients worldwide.
- Mid-sized IT Firms: While large IT firms remain influential, mid-sized IT companies have been gaining market share in the services export sector. These mid-sized firms have demonstrated their ability to compete and thrive in the global market, contributing to the sector’s growth.
- Consulting Firms: Consulting firms are another crucial category of key players. They have expanded their service export portfolios to include a wide range of advisory and consulting services, catering to the needs of global clients.
- Global Capability Centers (GCCs): India boasts the world’s largest share of Global Capability Centers (GCCs). These entities, initially focused on providing tech support to multinational parent companies, have evolved into offering higher-value-added services such as legal, audit, design, and research and development (R&D). GCCs have become integral to India’s service export landscape.
What are Global Capability Centers (GCCs)?
- The GCCs are specialized centers or units established by multinational corporations (MNCs) in India to provide a wide range of services to their parent companies and global operations.
- Originally, GCCs primarily focused on offering technical and IT support services to their parent MNCs.
- However, over time, they have evolved and expanded their service offerings to include higher-value-added functions and services.
- In 2022–23, around 1,600 GCCs made up a market of $46 billion, employing 1.7 million.
- Although professional and consulting services exports account for only a quarter of India’s services exports when compared to IT services, they have experienced the fastest growth with a compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) of 31% over the last four years. This is followed by computer services with a 16% CAGR and R&D services with a 13% CAGR.
Future Prospects
- Permanent Shift Towards Remote Work: The enduring trend of remote work is expected to drive ongoing demand for IT services.
- India’s Diverse Skill Portfolio: India’s workforce boasts a wide range of skills, from engineering to design, catering to a broad spectrum of services. This diversity positions India as a versatile service provider capable of meeting evolving global demands.
- Cost Competitiveness: India’s cost-competitive advantage in providing high-quality IT services is likely to endure. As businesses seek cost-effective solutions without compromising on quality, India remains an attractive destination for outsourcing IT services.
- Tipping Point for Stronger Growth Trends: India is at a crucial juncture where the growth trends in services exports are expected to become even more robust.
- Government Support and Policy Initiatives: The Indian government’s initiatives to promote the IT and services sector, such as the Digital India campaign and the development of technology parks, will likely continue to foster an enabling environment for growth.
- Comparison with Other Economies: India’s growth trajectory resembles that of countries like the US, the UK, Germany, and Ireland, which saw rapid acceleration in services exports once they reached a certain size. This suggests the potential for even higher growth.
Manufacturing Sector Potential
- Digital infrastructure can alleviate common challenges faced by small manufacturers.
- Start-ups can facilitate access to formal credit, cheaper raw materials, larger markets, improved warehousing and logistics, and enhanced quality control for small manufacturers.
- Evidence shows that domestic services sector companies, particularly in transport services, procurement support, and e-commerce, are venturing into manufacturing.
Conclusion
- India’s services sector is at an exciting crossroads, with both services exports and domestic services undergoing transformation. Embracing this potential requires proactive policy measures and continued innovation in the services sector to propel India toward higher economic prosperity.
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Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: NA
Mains level: Israel-Palestine crisis, Impact on the region, India's relations and its Impact
What’s the news?
- The recent escalation of violence between Hamas, the Palestinian terrorist group, and Israel has resulted in a significant loss of life and raised concerns internationally. At the heart of this conflict is Operation Al-Aqsa Deluge, initiated by Hamas, which has led to a series of events with far-reaching implications for the region.
Central idea
- The recent Hamas operation, Toofan Al-Aqsa (Al-Aqsa Flood), bears uncanny similarities to the launch of the 19-day Yom Kippur War that occurred 50 years ago. While the Yom Kippur War had inconclusive results, it led to a significant regional shift, ultimately resulting in Israel’s acceptance of the ‘land for peace’ formula at the Camp David Accords six years later.
Quick recap: Understand the conflict
- Muhammad Deif’s Statement: Muhammad Deif, the military commander of Hamas, delivered a recorded message, characterizing the operation as a moment for people to regain their revolution.
- The Significance of Al-Aqsa Mosque: Central to this conflict is the Al-Aqsa Mosque, one of the holiest sites in Islam after Mecca and Medina. Situated on a hill known as Temple Mount to Jews and the Noble Sanctuary to Muslims, the mosque is located in the heart of Jerusalem’s Old City. It houses two important Muslim holy sites: the Dome of the Rock and the Al-Aqsa Mosque (also known as the Qibli Mosque), dating back to the 8th century AD.
- Historical Context: The Al-Aqsa Mosque complex overlooks the Western Wall, a sacred site for Jews believed to have been constructed 3,000 years ago by King Solomon.
- Capture by Israel: In 1967, during the Middle East War, Israel captured the site and later annexed it, actions not recognized internationally.
- Triggering Tensions: The Al-Aqsa Mosque has been a long-standing focal point of Israeli-Palestinian tensions, leading to clashes and conflicts.
- 2021 Conflict: Recent clashes in 2021 resulted in a 10-day-long war, leading to casualties on both sides.
- April Clashes: In April of the same year, Israeli police clashed with Palestinians at the site, sparking cross-border exchanges of fire.
- International Concern: The ongoing violence, particularly centered around Al-Aqsa Mosque, has raised international concerns and has broader implications for regional stability.
Hold On! Don’t scroll past this
An overview of major flare-ups and significant events (2005 to October 2023)
- August 2005: Israel unilaterally withdraws from the Gaza Strip, leaving it under Palestinian Authority control.
- January 25, 2006: Hamas wins a majority of seats in Palestinian legislative elections, leading to a cutoff of aid by Israel and the U.S. due to Hamas’s refusal to renounce violence and recognize Israel.
- June 25, 2006: Hamas militants capture Israeli army conscript Gilad Shalit, leading to Israeli air strikes and incursions. Shalit is released more than five years later in a prisoner exchange.
- June 14, 2007: Hamas takes over Gaza in a brief civil war, ousting Fatah forces loyal to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.
- December 27, 2008: Israel launches a 22-day military offensive in Gaza in response to rocket attacks. A ceasefire is eventually agreed upon after casualties on both sides.
- November 14, 2012: Israel kills Hamas’s military chief of staff, Ahmad Jabari, leading to eight days of conflict involving Palestinian militant rocket fire and Israeli air strikes.
- July-August 2014: The kidnapping and killing of three Israeli teenagers by Hamas lead to a seven-week war, resulting in casualties in both Gaza and Israel.
- March 2018: Palestinian protests begin at Gaza’s border with Israel, leading to clashes and casualties.
- May 2021: Tension during Ramadan leads to clashes at the Al Aqsa compound in Jerusalem. Hamas launches rocket attacks from Gaza, and Israel responds with airstrikes, resulting in an 11-day conflict.
- August 2022: Israeli airstrikes target an Islamic Jihad commander, leading to rocket attacks from Islamic Jihad in Gaza and a limited escalation.
- January 2023: Islamic Jihad fires rockets into Israel in response to Israeli actions in a refugee camp.
- October 2023: Hamas launches a major attack on Israel from Gaza, combining a border crossing with rocket barrages. Islamic Jihad joins the attack.
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Potential Outcomes of the Ongoing Conflict
- Israel’s Military Superiority: Israel is not under an existential threat from Hamas, and the outcome of the conflict is expected to favor Israel. A massive ground incursion into Gaza may follow to restore morale, re-establish strategic dominance, and rescue captives.
- Reevaluation of Israeli Strategies: The conflict’s experiences, including intelligence failures and overreliance on high-tech missile defense and artificial intelligence, may compel Israel to revise its strategic doctrines.
- Impact on Non-State Arab Militias: Depending on the conflict’s endgame, it could potentially boost the standing of non-state Arab militias such as Hamas, Islamic Jihad, Hezbollah, and others in the region.
- Geographic Confinement: The crisis is likely to remain geographically confined to Gaza and its immediate surroundings, due to limited support for Hamas and Islamic Jihad in the region.
- The Palestinian Authority’s Dilemma: The Palestinian Authority is divided between the West Bank and Gaza, with Fatah losing credibility. Hamas and Islamic Jihad are capitalizing on this to establish their presence in the West Bank.
- Regional Non-Support for Hamas: Regionally, there is little support for Hamas, except for Turkey. Egypt, in particular, does not favor Hamas, given its past ties to the Muslim Brotherhood. Gulf monarchies, except Qatar, strongly disapprove of Hamas.
- Iran’s Involvement: Iran has been a mentor to Hamas and Islamic Jihad and has attempted to supply weapons to Gaza. Iran’s involvement could escalate the crisis further.
Impact on the Region
- Risk of Delay in Regional Diplomacy: The crisis may delay regional diplomatic efforts, including the potential rapprochement between Saudi Arabia and Israel, due to Israel’s reluctance to make concessions sought by Riyadh.
- Repercussions for the Abraham Accords: The Abraham Accords, which normalized relations between Israel and some Arab states, could face challenges due to the ongoing conflict.
- Potential Iranian Gains: Iran may feel emboldened by the conflict, potentially affecting regional dynamics and tensions.
Impact on India
- While India is not directly affected, it could feel some indirect effects, such as an oil price rise, impacts on the Indian diaspora, and potential setbacks for regional economic initiatives.
- However, India’s reputation as a stable and fast-growing economy may be enhanced in this context.
Conclusion
- The Toofan Al-Aqsa crisis has regional implications that could alter the dynamics in the Middle East. As the situation evolves, it remains essential for stakeholders, including India, to monitor developments closely and prepare for potential repercussions while seeking avenues for diplomatic engagement and stability in the region.
Must read:
India’s Evolving Relations with Israel and Palestine
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Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: NFCS and the Global Framework for Climate Services (GFCS)
Mains level: National Framework for Climate Services (NFCS) and its significance, global best practices
What’s the news?
- India is embarking on a significant endeavor to launch its maiden national-level framework for providing climate services and information.
Central idea
- Spearheaded by the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the National Framework for Climate Services (NFCS) aims to create a seamless platform for users of climate information and services. It will play a crucial role in mitigating climate risks across key sectors such as agriculture, energy, disaster management, health, and water.
What is the NFCS?
- The NFCS is India’s response to the Global Framework for Climate Services (GFCS), a global partnership established to enhance the production and utilization of climate information and services.
- The GFCS fosters collaboration between researchers and users to make informed decisions for long-term climate resilience.
- The NFCS will be tailored to India’s specific weather patterns and stakeholder requirements, with the IMD serving as the nodal agency.
Why is it significant?
- Bridging Functional Gaps: The NFCS will address gaps in the coordination between various agencies that rely on climate services, including hydrology, power, renewable energy, transportation, dams, irrigation, and health. It will ensure better integration and data sharing among these sectors.
- Expanding Sectoral Focus: While initially targeting key sectors like agriculture, energy, health, water, and disaster risk reduction, India can incorporate other relevant sectors like transportation and tourism as needed.
- Enhancing Data Collection: The NFCS will strengthen India’s observational network on land and sea, improving data inflow. This data will be used to run weather and climate models for more accurate climate predictions.
- Tailored Climate Information: Climate data and information products will be customized to meet the needs of users. This will help in identifying trends in agriculture, health, population distribution, infrastructure planning, energy generation, and more.
- Climate Resilience: NFCS will support efforts to prepare for and adapt to new climate conditions, helping mitigate impacts on various sectors, including water supplies, health risks, extreme events, farm productivity, and infrastructure development.
All you need to know about the Global Framework for Climate Services (GFCS)
- The National Framework for Climate Services (NFCS) is based on the Global Framework for Climate Services (GFCS).
- Global Framework for Climate Services (GFCS): The GFCS is an international initiative that brings together governments and organizations at a global level. Its primary objective is to enhance the production and utilization of climate information and services. The GFCS was officially established following the announcement made during the third World Climate Conference held in Geneva in 2009.
- Partnerships and Collaboration: GFCS emphasizes partnerships and collaboration among various stakeholders, including governments, meteorological and hydrological services (NMHS) at the national level, researchers, policymakers, planners, investors, and vulnerable communities or sectors.
- User-Friendly Format: GFCS recognizes the importance of presenting climate information and services in a user-friendly format.
- Data Generation: GFCS aims to generate high-quality climate data from both national and international sources. This data includes information on critical weather parameters such as temperature, rainfall, wind, soil moisture, ocean conditions, and more.
Major components:
- Observations and Monitoring: This component focuses on collecting and monitoring climate-related data from various sources.
- Research: Research activities contribute to the development of climate models and prediction tools.
- Modeling and Prediction: Climate models and prediction systems are crucial for generating forecasts and long-term projections.
- Climate Services Information System: This system facilitates the collection and management of climate data and information.
- User Interface Platform: User-friendly platforms and tools are designed to make climate information accessible to a broad audience.
How India plans to implement NFCS?
- Global Examples: India acknowledges the successful implementation of NFCS in countries like Switzerland, China, Germany, and the United Kingdom. Learning from their experiences, India can adapt and refine its own NFCS.
- Advanced Stages: Several countries in Africa, including Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Cote d’Ivoire, Gambia, Guinea, Madagascar, Moldova, Niger, Senegal, Chad, Togo, Tanzania, Vanuatu, and South Africa, have made significant progress in NFCS implementation. India can draw lessons from these nations’ experiences.
- Workshops and Consultations: India has taken an active role in organizing workshops related to NFCS, such as the one held in Pune. It is also planning national consultation workshops in collaboration with countries like Cuba, Ghana, Liberia, Malawi, Nigeria, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Congo-Brazzaville, and Ethiopia. These forums facilitate knowledge sharing and the exchange of best practices.
- Historical Perspective: While the idea of NFCS in India dates back to 2008, its actual implementation faced delays. Given the increasing frequency of climate-related events, India now understands the urgency of accelerating NFCS implementation.
- Mission-Mode Approach: To expedite NFCS, India is adopting a mission-mode approach. This approach involves a focused, time-bound, and high-priority effort, often driven by the highest decision-making offices in the country.
- Statement Release: India is preparing to release an official statement on NFCS. This statement will outline the objectives, strategies, and expected outcomes of NFCS in India.
Conclusion
- As climate variability and extreme events become increasingly common, India’s NFCS comes at a critical juncture. By involving key stakeholders and leveraging global partnerships, India can harness climate information to make informed decisions for a sustainable and climate-resilient future.
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