From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Mains level: Importance of Malaysia for India;
Why in the News?
India and Malaysia have elevated their relationship to a ‘Comprehensive Strategic Partnership’ following talks between Prime Ministers Modi and Ibrahim, aiming to overcome past tensions.
What is a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP)?
The Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP) represents a deepened level of engagement between two nations, encompassing a broad spectrum of areas such as political, economic, cultural, and security cooperation.
This partnership reflects a commitment to working closely across these domains to achieve mutual goals.
Upgradation of ties between India and Malaysia:
The recent upgrade includes agreements and MoUs in workers’ mobility, digital technology, culture, tourism, sports, and education.
India has also agreed to support Malaysia’s bid to join the BRICS grouping, which the Malaysian Prime Minister has been advocating for.
The leaders discussed new areas of cooperation, including semiconductors, fintech, defence industry, artificial intelligence (AI), and quantum technologies.
A special allocation of 200,000 metric tonnes of white rice was granted by India to Malaysia in response to Malaysia’s request, reflecting India’s role in Malaysia’s food security.
Bilateral Friction between India and Malaysia:
Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA): During the Kuala Lumpur Summit in December 2019, Malaysian PM Mahathir Mohamad criticized India’s CAA, which provides a pathway to citizenship for non-Muslim refugees from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, and Pakistan.
Reorganisation of Jammu and Kashmir: Mahathir Mohamad also voiced strong criticism regarding India’s reorganization of Jammu and Kashmir, particularly after the revocation of its special status in August 2019.
Extradition of Zakir Naik: India’s repeated requests for the extradition of Zakir Naik, wanted on charges of hate speech and money laundering, have been denied by Malaysia, citing insufficient evidence.
COVID-19 Pandemic: During the pandemic, hundreds of Malaysians were detained in India due to the lockdown, further adding to tensions.
Way forward:
Enhance Diplomatic Engagement: Continue regular high-level dialogues to resolve sensitive issues and foster mutual trust, focusing on joint working groups for contentious matters like extradition and human rights.
Expand Strategic and Economic Collaboration: Prioritize joint ventures and research in emerging sectors such as fintech, AI, and quantum technologies to strengthen economic ties and minimize political friction.
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Mains level: Challenges due to Low wages and short-term skill programs;
Why in the News?
The ambitious ₹2 lakh crore employment package aims to create 4.1 crore jobs, but evidence shows low wages and short-term skill programs hinder long-term sustainability.
Low wages and short-term skill programs hinder long-term sustainability:
Low Wages Lead to Economic Insecurity: Low wages create economic insecurity for workers, making it difficult for them to meet basic needs. For instance, in the garment industry, there is a 48.5% gap between minimum wages and living wages in major garment-producing countries.
Short-Term Skill Programs Fail to Enhance Employability: Many short-term skill programs do not provide the depth of training needed for long-term employability. In India, for example, 75% of technical graduates and 90% of other graduates are considered unemployable, primarily due to a lack of practical skills and experience that employers seek.
Stagnation of Workforce Productivity: When workers are paid low wages, there is little incentive for them to enhance their skills or productivity. This stagnation is detrimental to both individual career growth and overall economic development.
Lack of Investment in Long-Term Skill Development: Low wages often correlate with limited investment in employee training and development.This is evident in the fact that only 15% of those trained under the Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY) found jobs, indicating that short-term training initiatives are not effectively translating into sustainable employment outcomes.
Perpetuation of Poverty and Inequality: The combination of low wages and inadequate skill development contributes to the perpetuation of poverty and inequality. With 42% of the global workforce in vulnerable employment.
12-point policy initiatives for sustainable mass employment:
Identify the skill need: Begin from below through decentralized community action to identify skilling needs. Create a register of those wanting employment/self-employment and a plan for every youth in partnership with professionals at the cluster level.
Initiative at the local level: Converge initiatives for education, health, skills, nutrition, livelihoods, and employment at the local government level with women’s collectives to ensure community accountability and effective outcomes.
Vocational programmes: Introduce need-based vocational courses/certificate programmes alongside undergraduate programmes in every college to improve employability.
Healthcare at international benchmark: Standardize nursing and allied health-care professional courses according to international benchmarks to meet the demand for skilled professionals.
Women security: Create community cadres of caregivers to run crèches universally so that women can work without fear.
Invest in skill development: Invest in ITIs, and polytechnics as hubs in skill development for feeder schools with a focus on States/districts with the least institutional structure for vocational education.
Startup skills in high school: Introduce enterprise and start-up skills through professionals in high schools to impart finishing skills to students.
Apprenticeship program in Industry: Have a co-sharing model of apprenticeships (combine practical training in a job with study) with the industry on scale to ensure the industry has a stake in the apprenticeship program.
Absorption of youth at the workplace: Apprenticeships on the scale can facilitate the absorption of youth in the workplace, with the government’s condition for employer subsidies being wages of dignity on successful completion of the apprenticeship.
Capital oan for women: Streamline working capital loans for women-led enterprises/first-generation enterprises to enable them to go to scale.
Skill accreditation programme: Start a universal skill accreditation programme for skill-providing institutions, with candidates co-sponsored by the state and employers.
Majority of fund in water scares block: Use 70% funds under MGNREGA in 2,500 water-scarce blocks and blocks with high deprivation, with a thrust on the poorest 20 families and a focus on skills for higher productivity.
Way forward:
Strengthen Industry-Academia Linkages: Enhance collaboration between educational institutions, industry, and vocational training centers to align curricula with industry needs, ensuring employability through internships, apprenticeships, and job placements.
Focus on Inclusive Skill Development: Prioritize investment in underdeveloped regions and marginalized groups by expanding access to quality education, vocational training, and entrepreneurship opportunities, especially for women and youth, to bridge the skill gap and promote economic inclusion.
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Status of Cancer in India;
Mains level: Limitation of Multi-Cancer Early Detection (MCED) Test;
Why in the News?
A multi-cancer early detection test can identify circulating tumour DNA or circulating tumour cells at an early stage, allowing for more effective treatment.
Status of Cancer:
Cancer’s Impact in India: Cancer accounts for 18% of deaths from noncommunicable diseases in India, making it the second leading cause of mortality. In 2022, there were approximately 1.46 million new cancer cases, with projections indicating a 12% increase by 2025.
Common Cancers as per GLOBOCAN: Among women, the most prevalent cancers are breast, cervical, ovarian, and colorectal.
For men, lung, esophageal, colorectal, and stomach cancers are the most common.
Survival Rates and Detection: Late detection of cancer significantly reduces survival rates and increases treatment costs. In contrast, early detection through screening improves treatment outcomes and quality of life.
Countries are aligning with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals 3 to enhance early cancer detection.
Limited screening: As per NHFS, screening is limited in India which is primarily to cervical, breast, and oral cancers, with only 0.2-2% of the population having undergone any form of screening.
What is a Multi-Cancer Early Detection (MCED) Test?
A multi-cancer early detection (MCED) test is a new type of blood test that can screen for multiple types of cancer simultaneously. These tests look for cancer signals, such as circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) and circulating tumor cells (CTCs), released by cancerous cells into the bloodstream at early stages.
Role of Blood-based tests in the detection of cancer:
Early Detection of Multiple Cancer Types: Blood tests, particularly multi-cancer early detection (MCED) tests, can identify cancer signals from over 50 different types of cancer, including those that currently lack effective screening methods.
For example, a recent study demonstrated that a new blood test could detect 93% of stage 1 cancers in men and 84% in women by analyzing protein biomarkers.
Non-Invasive and Accessible Screening: Blood tests are non-invasive and can be performed with a simple blood draw, making them more accessible compared to traditional screening methods like colonoscopies or imaging tests. This ease of use encourages more individuals to participate in screening.
Limitation of blood test in the detection of Cancer:
Lack of Proven Mortality Benefit: It is still unclear whether detecting cancers earlier with MCED tests will actually reduce cancer deaths. More research is needed to determine if earlier treatment based on MCED results improves outcomes compared to waiting for symptoms to develop.
Regulatory Challenges: MCED tests are not yet approved by regulatory bodies like the U.S. FDA or India’s CDSCO because of not undergone rigorous premarket review to prove they benefit patients.
False Positives: One significant risk is false positive results, where the test indicates cancer when none is present. When multiple tests are used for screening, the false positive rate can be as high as 50%.
Way forward:
Strengthening Screening Infrastructure and Research: India should invest in expanding its cancer screening infrastructure, ensuring that more types of cancer are included beyond cervical, breast, and oral cancers.
Public Awareness and Regulatory Preparedness: Increasing public awareness about the importance of early cancer detection is crucial. At the same time, regulatory bodies like CDSCO should establish clear guidelines and frameworks for the evaluation, approval, and monitoring of MCED tests.
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: JUICE Mission
Why in the News?
European scientists are preparing to execute a first-of-its-kind ‘Double Slingshot’ orbital maneuver to guide the JUICE probe towards Jupiter using a double slingshot technique.
About JUICE Mission:
Details
Launch
By European Space Agency (ESA) on April 14, 2023, Ariane 5 rocket
To study Jupiter’s Moons
Aim
Investigating the potential for life on Jupiter’s moons and understanding the Jovian system
Mission Duration
Approximately 12 years
Expected arrival at Jupiter in July 2031
Primary Objectives
Ganymede Exploration: Study its surface, subsurface, magnetic field, and potential subsurface ocean to assess habitability.
Europa Exploration: Investigate the surface, subsurface, and potential ocean beneath the ice; analyze interactions with Jupiter’s magnetosphere to assess its potential to support life.
Callisto Exploration: Study its surface, geological diversity, and possible subsurface ocean; understand its history of impacts and tectonic activity.
Jupiter System Exploration: Analyze Jupiter’s atmosphere, magnetosphere, and their interactions with the moons; study the dynamics of the magnetosphere and its influence on the surrounding environment.
Key Instruments
JANUS: Jovis, Amorum ac Natorum Undique Scrutator (Optical Camera)
RIME: Radar for Icy Moons Exploration
J-MAG: JUICE Magnetometer
MAJIS: Moons and Jupiter Imaging Spectrometer
Significance
First interplanetary spacecraft to the outer Solar System planets not launched by the United States
First mission set to orbit a moon other than Earth’s Moon
What is theDouble Slingshot Maneuver?
The JUICE probe will first use the moon’s gravity to set itself on the correct trajectory towards Earth.
Immediately after, it will useEarth’s gravity to slow down and redirect towards Venus and, eventually, Jupiter.
Significance of the Gravity Assist
This technique, used for decades in space exploration, involves using a planet or moon’s gravity to alter the speed or direction of a spacecraft.
It is unique as it involves back-to-back gravity assists using both the moon and Earth’s gravity, which has never been attempted before.
PYQ:
[2020] The experiment will employ a trio of spacecraft flying in formation in the shape of an equilateral triangle that has sides one million kilometres long, with lasers shining between the craft.” The experiment in question refers to
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Schedule IV of the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972
Why in the News?
Many individuals, organizations, and zoos in India currently possess living specimens of exotic animal species listed under Schedule IV of the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972.
These exotic species must be reported and registered as mandated by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change in the PARIVESH 2.0 Portal.
Legal Framework for Reporting of Animals in Possession
The Living Animal Species (Reporting and Registration) Rules, 2024, were notified under Section 49 M of the Wild Life (Protection) Act via a Gazette Notification on February 28, 2024.
Who Must Register: Any person or entity in possession of a living specimen of species listed in Schedule IV of the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972.
Failure to report and register these species within the stipulated time frame may result in penal actions.
About Schedule IV of the WPA
Details
Protection Level
Provides legal protection to species, prohibiting their hunting, capture, or trade. Protection is less stringent compared to Schedules I & II.
Offenses and Penalties
Violations can lead to fines and imprisonment, but penalties are generally less severe than those for species in higher schedules.
New Amendment (2022)
The Wildlife (Protection) Amendment Act, 2022, inserted a new Schedule IV for specimens listed in the CITES Appendices.
Examples of Species
Flamingos, Hares, Falcons, Kingfishers, Magpie, and Horseshoe Crabs.
Purpose
Ensures legal protection to prevent exploitation and population decline of species that are not critically endangered but still need protection.
General Protection Role
Plays an important role in broader conservation efforts, offering safeguards to a wider range of species in India.
PYQ:
[2020] If a particular plant species is placed under Schedule VI of The Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, what is the implication?
(a) A licence in required to cultivate that plant.
(b) Such a plant cannot be cultivated under any circumstances.
(c) It is a Genetically Modified crop plant.
(d) Such a plant is invasive and harmful to the ecosystem.
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Quantum Non-Locality
Why in the News?
A recent study published in Physical Review Letters by Indian researchers has revealed that a universal standard for measuring quantum non-locality is impossible.
What is Quantum Nonlocality?
Quantum Nonlocality is a mysterious connection between distant objects that challenges the classical idea of local realism, where no faster-than-light communication is allowed.
It’s crucial for technologies like secure communication, random number generation, and cryptographic key creation.
Easy Explanation:
Imagine two particles that are created together and then move far apart, even to opposite ends of the universe.
In classical physics, any effect on one particle would need a signal to travel to the other, taking time.
But in quantum physics, Quantum Nonlocality means these particles are instantly connected, affecting each other no matter the distance, as if linked by an invisible thread that works faster than light.
Historical Background: Bell’s Theorem (1964)
Physicist John Stewart Bell introduced a theorem that challenged the classical idea of ‘local realism’ in quantum systems.
Local Realism: In classical physics, objects are believed to have definite properties independent of observation and are only influenced by their immediate surroundings.
Quantum Challenge: Bell demonstrated that in quantum systems with multiple, distant parts, correlations appear that cannot be explained by local realism.
Bell’s theorem was confirmed through experiments, leading to the recognition of quantum nonlocality, which was honored with the 2022 Physics Nobel Prize.
Recent Research and Findings
The research demonstrates that a universal standard for measuring and comparing quantum nonlocality is impossible.
It shows that the nature of nonlocality varies based on the type of correlation, with infinite unique points on the correlation boundary.
There is no single, universal resource in the realm of quantum nonlocality; instead, each nonlocal resource is unique, capable of performing specific tasks that others cannot.
This observation plays a key role in secure communication, random number certification, and cryptographic key generation.
PYQ:
[2022] Which one of the following is the context in which the term “qubit” is mentioned?
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Hayflick Limit
Why in the News?
Leonard Hayflick, the renowned biomedical researcher who made a discovery about the limits of cell division in somatic cells (Hayflick Limit) has passed away at 98.
What is the Hayflick Limit?
In the early 1960s, Hayflick discovered that somatic (non-reproductive) cells have a finite number of divisions, typically between 40-60 times.
This phenomenon, the ‘Hayflick limit’ suggests that aging occurs because cells eventually stop dividing.
This leads to the accumulation of senescent cells that contribute to the aging process.
The “ultimate Hayflick limit” for humans is estimated to be around 125 years.
Beyond this, no amount of lifestyle changes or medical interventions can extend the human lifespan.
Hayflick’s discovery has been applied to cells from various animals, revealing different Hayflick limits based on species’ lifespans.
Ex. Galapagos turtles, have cells that can divide approximately 110 times, whereas laboratory mice have a much lower limit of around 15 divisions.
Broader Implications and Research
Hayflick’s discovery led to the discovery of telomeres in the 1970s.
Telomeres are protective DNA sequences at the ends of chromosomes, which shorten with each cell division.
When telomeres reach a critical length, cell division stops, which correlates with the Hayflick limit.
In the 1980s, scientists discovered telomerase, a protein capable of replenishing telomeres, which is naturally active in cancer cells, allowing them to bypass the Hayflick limit.
PYQ:
[2011] Regular intake of fresh fruits and vegetables is recommended in the diet since they are a good source of antioxidants. How do antioxidants help a person maintain health and promote longevity?
(a) They activate the enzymes necessary for vitamin synthesis in the body and help prevent vitamin deficiency
(b) They prevent excessive oxidation of carbohydrates, fats and proteins in the body and help avoid unnecessary wastage of energy
(c) They neutralize the free radicals produced in the body during metabolism
(d) They activate certain genes in the cells of the body and help delay the ageing process
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Waterspout
Why in the News?
A yacht sank off the coast of Sicily, Italy after being hit by a Waterspout.
What are Waterspouts?
A waterspout is a rotating column of air and mist over a water body.
It is a weaker relative of tornadoes and typically lasts for about five minutes, although it can occasionally last up to 10 minutes.
Size and Strength:
Average diameter: Around 165 feet.
Wind speeds: Can reach up to 100 km/hr.
Waterspouts are more common in tropical waters but can form anywhere with high humidity and relatively warm water temperatures compared to the overlying air.
Types of Waterspouts:
Tornadic Waterspouts
These are actual tornadoes that either form over water or move from land to water.
They are associated with severe thunderstorms and can be accompanied by high winds, large hail, and dangerous lightning.
Fair-Weather Waterspouts:
These are more common and form only over water during fair weather.
They are generally smaller and less dangerous than tornadic waterspouts.
PYQ:
[2020] Consider the following statements:
1. Jet streams occur in the Northern Hemisphere only.
2. Only some cyclones develop an eye.
3. The temperature inside the eye of a cyclone is nearly 10ºC lesser than that of the surroundings.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
