From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Mains level: Challenges between India and Canada
Why in the news?
A parliamentary committee report in Canada has claimed India as the second-biggest foreign threat to the country’s democracy.
About the Khalistan Movement
Origins and Objectives: The Khalistan Movement is a separatist movement seeking to create an independent Sikh state called Khalistan in the Punjab region of India.
Activities in Canada: Canada has a significant Sikh population, and some members support the Khalistan Movement. This has led to tensions between Canadian Sikhs and the Indian government.
Notable Incident: The murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a pro-Khalistan ideologue, in Surrey, British Columbia, on June 18, 2023, intensified these tensions.
Historical Background
Canada and India established diplomatic relations in 1947. The relationship was enhanced by personal ties between Indian Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru and Canadian Prime Ministers Louis St. Laurent and Lester B. Pearson in the 1940s and 1960s.
Canada provided significant aid to India under the “Colombo Plan”, including food aid, project financing, and technical assistance. India has been one of the largest recipients of Canadian bilateral aid, amounting to over $3.8 billion CAD.
Recent Developments
India and Canada have seen significant growth in bilateral trade, reaching $8.16 billion in 2023.
Canada is home to over 1.2 million people of Indian origin, who are well-integrated into the mainstream and active in politics.
The two countries have a strategic partnership underpinned by shared values of democracy and pluralism, with regular high-level interactions and long-standing people-to-people ties.
India and Canada have signed several agreements, including the Air Services Agreement, Extradition Treaty, Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty, and Nuclear Cooperation Agreement.
Challenges
Interference Allegations: Canada claims that India has expanded its interference efforts beyond countering pro-Khalistani activities to include targeting Canadian politicians, ethnic media, and Indo-Canadian communities.
Mutual Suspicion: The Canadian Security Intelligence Service has also accused India of being involved in the election process in Canada, a claim denied by India.
Ethnic and Political Dynamics: The presence of a significant pro-Khalistan population in Canada complicates bilateral relations, with domestic politics in both countries influencing diplomatic interactions.
India’s Stand
Denial of Allegations: The Indian government has consistently denied allegations of interference in Canadian affairs and the murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar.
Counter-Terrorism: India views the Khalistan Movement as a terrorist threat and seeks to counter its activities both domestically and internationally.
Diplomatic Responses: In response to accusations from Canada, India has taken measures such as suspending visa services and issuing official statements to refute claims of interference.
Way forward:
Regular Consultations: Establish a framework for regular high-level meetings between Indian and Canadian officials to address mutual concerns and prevent misunderstandings.
Bilateral Committees: Form joint committees to handle specific issues such as security concerns, immigration, and trade disputes.
Mains question for practice:
Q Discuss the origins and objectives of the Khalistan Movement and analyse the current challenges it poses to bilateral relations between India and Canada. 15M
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: SEBI and its regulatory functions
Mains level: Issue Over Subjective Definition
Why in the news?
SEBI expands promoter definition for IPO-bound companies, including founders holding 10% or more, and their immediate relatives.
According to current SEBI regulations, a promoter is someone who controls the affairs of the company or can appoint the majority of directors or is named as such in an offer document.
What is an IPO?
An IPO is an initial public offering, in which shares of a private company are made available to the public for the first time.
An IPO allows a company to raise equity capital from public investors.
The Dutch are credited with conducting the first modern IPO by offering shares of the Dutch East India Company to the general public.
What Norms Say
Expanded Definition of Promoter: The definition of a promoter has been expanded for companies preparing for an IPO. A promoter is someone who controls the company’s affairs, can appoint the majority of directors, or is named as such in an offer document.
Previous Criteria: Founders holding 25% were previously deemed promoters due to their negative control and power to block special resolutions.
New Criteria: Founders holding 10% or more must classify themselves as promoters if they are key managerial personnel (KMP) or directors in the company. Immediate relatives on the company board or KMP will also be classified as promoters, even if they hold just 1%.
About Declassification and 31A of LODR (Listing Obligations and Disclosure Requirements) Regulations
Declassification Difficulty: The current regulations do not provide an easy path for declassifying a promoter as a public shareholder.
Rule 31A of LODR Regulations: To be declassified, a person must not hold more than 10% in the listed company along with their relatives.
Restrictive Nature: This restrictive rule makes declassification almost impossible for immediate relatives who are classified as promoters by virtue of their relationship, especially problematic for married daughters with no active role in the company.
Issue Over Subjective Definition
Subjective Nature of Promoter Definition: The definition of a promoter has been historically subjective, leading to varying interpretations and legal disputes.
Court Rulings: There have been several court rulings addressing the subjective nature of who qualifies as a promoter, highlighting inconsistencies and complexities.
Complex Criteria: Accounting standards and regulatory criteria for determining control and influence in a company are often complicated and can be interpreted in multiple ways.
Need for Objectivity: Experts argue for a more objective test to ascertain control and promoter status, which would provide clearer guidelines and reduce disputes.
Example: Vinod Kothari, Director at Vinod Kothari Consultants, points out that moving towards an objective test is a positive step, given the current complexities in determining control.
Way forward:
Standardised Guidelines: Develop clear and standardised guidelines for identifying promoters, reducing subjectivity and ensuring consistency.
Detailed Disclosures: Mandate detailed disclosures from companies about their promoters, including shareholding patterns, roles, and influence in decision-making.
Mains PYQ:
Q In the light of Satyam Scandal (2009), discuss the changes brought in corporate governance to ensure transparency and accountability. (UPSC IAS/2015)
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Women in Lok Sabha 2024
Mains level: Different Demographic Observations and What Needs to Be Done?
Why in the news?
Over time, there has been a general inclination towards enhancing women’s representation in the Lok Sabha. However, the advancement has been gradual and inconsistent.
Women in Lok Sabha 2024 (PRS data):
Number of Women MPs: India has elected 74 women MPs to the Lok Sabha in 2024, which is four fewer than in 2019.
Percentage of Representation: Women MPs make up just 13.63% of the elected strength of the Lower House.
Party-wise Distribution: Women MPs come from 14 different parties, with the BJP leading with 31 women MPs, followed by the Congress with 13.
Different Demographic Observations:
Trend in Representation: Over the years, there has been a slow and non-linear increase in women’s representation in the Lok Sabha.
Historical Trends: Women’s representation started at 4.41% in 1952 and peaked at 14.36% in 2019.
New Faces: Out of the 74 women MPs elected, 43 are first-time MPs, indicating a higher percentage of newcomers compared to the overall House.
Younger Representation: The average age of women MPs is 50 years, younger than the overall House age of 56 years.
Comparison with Other Countries:
International Comparison: India lags behind several countries in terms of women’s representation, with countries like South Africa, the UK, and the US having higher percentages of women MPs.
Global Rankings: Women make up 46% of MPs in South Africa, 35% in the UK, and 29% in the US.
What Needs to Be Done?
Increase in Representation: There is a need for greater efforts to increase women’s representation in the Lok Sabha to achieve gender parity.
Policy Measures: Implementation of policy measures such as reserving seats for women in the Lok Sabha could help improve representation.
Encouraging Participation: Encouraging more women to enter politics and providing support for their political careers can contribute to greater representation.
Education and Awareness: Promoting education and awareness about the importance of gender equality in politics is essential for fostering a more inclusive political environment.
Mains PYQ:
Q What are the continued challenges for Women in India against time and space? (UPSC IAS/2019)
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Mains level: Use of Data Analytical Tools in Diagnosis
Why in the news?
WHO reports 33,000 new brain cancer cases yearly in India, highlighting widespread suffering.
What is brain cancer?
Brain cancer, also known as primary brain cancer, is an overgrowth of cells in the brain that form masses called brain tumours.
It is different from secondary brain cancer, which occurs when cancer that began in another part of the body spreads to the brain
The World Health Organization (WHO) Report:
Incidence of Brain Cancer: WHO reports approximately 33,000 new incidences of brain cancer annually in India.
Global Cancer Observatory 2020: Brain cancer ranks as the 19th most common type of cancer worldwide.
Use of Data Analytical Tools in Diagnosis:
Potential of Data Analytics: Utilization of data analytical tools like Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) can simplify the diagnosis process.
Advantages: Data analysis can provide real-time results with precision, reducing the need for invasive procedures like surgeries.
Liquid Biopsy: The introduction of techniques like liquid biopsy offers a less invasive alternative to surgery, enhancing patient comfort.
Impact on Risks, Discomfort, and Pain:
Reduction of Risks: Adoption of data analytics in diagnosis can lower the risks associated with invasive procedures, ranging from short-term paralysis to death.
Enhanced Patient Experience: By offering less invasive alternatives, such as liquid biopsy, patients and their families can experience reduced discomfort and pain during the diagnostic process.
Improved Precision: Data analytics enable clinicians to detect genetic patterns indicative of cancer cells, facilitating early detection and treatment planning, ultimately leading to better outcomes for patients.
Way forward:
Emphasize the transformative potential of data analytics in oncology research, particularly in simplifying diagnosis and reducing risks and discomfort for patients.
Highlight the importance of leveraging innovative technologies like NGS to unlock new possibilities in cancer research and treatment.
Mains PYQ:
Q What are the research and developmental achievements in applied biotechnology? How will these achievements help to uplift the poorer sections of the society? (UPSC IAS/2021)
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: CPEC 2.0, Gwadar Port
Why in the News?
Pakistani PM is on a formal visit to China to attend the formal announcement of the second phase of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC-II).
About CPEC-II
CPEC’s next phase shifts focus from infrastructure and energy to sectors like agriculture, Pakistan Railways’ Main Line-I (ML-1) upgrade, and realignment of the Karakorum Highway.
CPEC was initiated in 2015 as part of President Xi Jinping’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).
Why CPEC-II?
It will provide Pakistan with a strategic advantage in terms of trade and commerce
CPEC-II includes significant investments in the energy sector, which will help overcome Pakistan’s chronic power shortages and ensure a stable supply of electricity
Provides a shortcut for China’s access to the Persian Gulf to secure oil imports, and
Stimulate industrial and economic activity in Pakistan.
Belt and Road Initiative (BRI)
The Belt and Road Initiative, formerly known as One Belt One Road, is a global infrastructure development strategy adopted by the Chinese government in 2013.
It will invest in nearly 70 countries and international organizations.
Infrastructure projects include ports, railways, highways, power stations, aviation and telecommunications.
“Belt” refers to the overland routes for road and rail transportation, called “the Silk Road Economic Belt”; whereas “road” refers to the sea routes or the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road.
The project has a target completion date of 2049 which coincides with the 100th anniversary of the People’s Republic of China.
India’s Concerns
Sovereignty Concerns: India expresses reservations as CPEC traverses through Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), challenging territorial sovereignty and potentially bolstering Pakistan’s claim over the region.
Geostrategic Implications: The expansion of Gwadar port under CPEC extends China’s “String of Pearls” around India, prompting concerns over regional power dynamics.
CPEC’s Progress so Far
Mixed Outcomes: The initial phase of CPEC primarily addressed infrastructure, energy, and port development projects, with progress showing variations.
Project Status: While several power projects have been completed, significant delays and challenges persist in transport-related projects and Special Economic Zones (SEZs).
Challenges and Roadblocks
Slow pace: Gwadar, despite being the epicentre of multibillion-dollar projects, lacks basic necessities like reliable access to water and electricity, let alone other facilities.
Baloch freedom movement: This is another impediment to the stalled project where Chinese officials are targeted and killed.
Consistent security threat: China is also seeking to deploy its Army in the CPEC projects, to which Pakistan has contested.
PYQ:
[2018] The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is viewed as a cardinal subset of China’s larger ‘One Belt One Road’ initiative. Give a brief description of CPEC and enumerate the reasons why India has distanced itself from the same. (150 Words, 10 Marks)
[2016] ‘Belt and Road Initiative’ is sometimes mentioned in the news in the context of the affairs of
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: H5N2 , Avian Influenza A
Why in the News?
The World Health Organization (WHO) has confirmed the death of a Mexican resident due to bird flu, marking the first confirmed case of human infection with the H5N2 variant.
This H5N2 strain is different from another bird flu variety-H5N1 which infected people in America recently.
What is Avian Influenza A (H5N2)?
Avian Influenza A (H5N2) is a subtype of the influenza A virus that primarily circulates among birds but can infect humans under certain circumstances.
Human infections typically result from direct contact with infected birds or contaminated environments, showcasing the zoonotic nature of the virus.
Symptoms of H5N2
Infection of H5N2 may cause mild to severe upper respiratory tract infections and can be fatal.
Conjunctivitis, gastrointestinal symptoms, encephalitis and encephalopathy have also been reported.
Diagnostic and Treatment Protocols
Laboratory Diagnosis: The identification of avian influenza in humans necessitates laboratory testing to confirm the presence of the virus.
WHO Guidance: The World Health Organization periodically updates technical protocols, such as RT-PCR methods, to enhance the detection of zoonotic influenza.
Treatment Strategies: Antiviral medications, notably neuraminidase inhibitors like oseltamivir and zanamivir, demonstrate efficacy in reducing viral replication duration and improving survival prospects for afflicted individuals.
Influenza A Viruses
The alphanumeric codes of H and N are used to subdivide the viruses according to what kinds of proteins are on the surface of the virus based on 2 types:
Hemagglutinin (HA)
Neuraminidase (NA)
There are 18 known HA subtypes and 11 known NA subtypes.
In birds, 16 HA and 9 NA subtypes have been identified. (Two additional subtypes, H17N10 and H18N11, have been identified in bats.)
Many different combinations of HA and NA proteins are possible.
For example, an “A(H7N2) virus” designates an influenza A virus subtype that has an HA 7 protein and an NA 2 protein.
Similarly, an “A(H5N1)” virus has an HA 5 protein and an NA 1 protein.
PYQ:
[2015] H1N1 virus is sometimes mentioned in the news concerning which one of the following diseases?
Two wetlands in Bihar, Nagi and Nakti bird sanctuaries, have been added to the global list of wetlands of international importance under the “Ramsar Convention”, bringing India’s total Ramsar sites to 82.
Do you know?
Currently, the highest number of such sites is in the UK (175) followed by Mexico (144).
The number of Indian sites on the list has increased from 26 to 82 in the last ten years, of which 40 have been added in the last three years.
About Nagi-Nakti Wetland
These wetlands, situated in Bihar’s Jamui district within the Jhajha forest range, are man-made reservoirs nestled amid dry deciduous forests and hills.
Both sanctuaries were developed as man-made reservoirs, primarily for irrigation purposes, through the construction of dams.
These wetlands host a diverse range of flora and fauna, including over 150 species of birds, mammals, fish, aquatic plants, reptiles, and amphibians.
Nakti Bird Sanctuary:
It was developed primarily for irrigation through the construction of the Nakti dam.
In 1984, the wetland was designated as a bird sanctuary, highlighting its importance as a wintering habitat for several migratory species, with over 20,000 birds congregating during winter months.
This includes one of the largest congregations of red-crested pochard in the Indo-Gangetic plain.
Nagi Bird Sanctuary:
It was, on the other hand, created by the damming of the Nagi River, which enabled the gradual formation of water bodies with clear water and aquatic vegetation.
Overall, the wetland and its fringes provide habitat for over 75 bird species, 33 fish, and 12 aquatic plants.
Notably, the site hosts one of the largest congregations of bar-headed geese in the Indo-Gangetic plain.
Ecological Significance
Migratory Bird Haven: The sanctuaries serve as critical wintering habitats for numerous migratory bird species, attracting over 20,000 birds during the winter months.
Species Diversity: Nagi and Nakti sanctuaries support a rich biodiversity, including over 75 bird species, 33 fish species, and 12 aquatic plant species.
Bar-headed Geese Congregation: Notably, the wetlands host one of the largest gatherings of bar-headed geese on the Indo-Gangetic plain, highlighting their importance as migratory bird habitats.
Back2Basics: Ramsar Convention
Explanation
Purpose
International treaty aimed at conserving and promoting the sustainable use of wetlands.
Establishment
Established on February 2, 1971, in Ramsar, Iran.
Key Components
Identifying and designating wetlands of international importance.
Ensuring their effective management.
Promoting international cooperation for wetland conservation and sustainable use.
9 Criteria for Sites Declaration
A site should contain representative, rare, or unique wetland types.
It should support vulnerable, endangered, or endemic species.
It should be a habitat for waterfowl.
It should have significant ecological, botanical, zoological, limnological, or hydrological features.
It should support scientific research and biodiversity conservation.
It should provide essential services such as flood control, water purification, and groundwater recharge.
It should have cultural, recreational, or spiritual value for local communities.
It should support sustainable livelihoods for human communities.
It should be at risk or face human-induced threats that require international cooperation for conservation.
Participating Countries
171 contracting parties (countries) as of September 2021.
India and Ramsar Convention
The first Ramsar Site in India, the Chilika Lake in Odisha, was designated in 1981.
Ramsar Secretariat
The convention is administered by the Ramsar Secretariat, based in Gland, Switzerland.
World Wetlands Day
February 2nd of each year.
To raise awareness about the importance of wetlands and commemorate the adoption of the Ramsar Convention.
Montreux Record
Register of wetland sites on the List of Wetlands of International Importance under the Ramsar Convention that require special attention.
PYQ:
[2014] If a wetland of international importance is brought under the ‘Montreux Record’, what does it imply?
(a) Changes in ecological character have occurred, are occurring or are likely to occur in the wetland as a result of human interference.
(b) The country in which the wetland is located should enact a law to prohibit any human activity within five kilometres of the edge of the wetland
(c) The survival of the wetland depends on the cultural practices and traditions of certain communities living in its vicinity and therefore the cultural diversity therein should not be destroyed
(d) It is given the status of ‘World Heritage Site’
[2019] Consider the following statements:
Under Ramsar Convention, it is mandatory on the part of the Government of India to protect and conserve all the wetlands in the territory of India.
The Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules, 2010 were framed by the Government of India based on the recommendations of the Ramsar Convention.
The Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules, 2010 also encompass the drainage area or catchment regions of the wetlands as determined by the authority.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
