Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Mains level: Bilateral Relations; India-USA relations;
Why in the News?
After the recent Elections, U.S. President-elect Donald Trump will likely hold a more favourable view of India compared to other nations.
What are the potential impacts of Trump’s protectionist trade policies on India?
- Increased Tariffs: Trump’s administration is likely to impose higher tariffs on Chinese imports, which could lead to a shift in trade dynamics.
- India might benefit from this situation as companies look to relocate their manufacturing bases away from China, potentially increasing Indian exports.
- Supply Chain Diversification: As U.S. firms seek to diversify their supply chains to reduce dependency on China, India could emerge as an attractive alternative for manufacturing and technology services, boosting economic ties between the two nations.
- Pressure on Indian Goods: Conversely, if Trump’s policies lead to retaliatory measures from China or other countries, Indian goods may face increased scrutiny or tariffs in those markets, affecting India’s export competitiveness.
How will Trump’s immigration policies affect the Indian workforce in the US?
- H-1B Visa Restrictions: Trump’s administration may implement stricter immigration policies, particularly affecting H-1B visas commonly used by Indian IT professionals. This could limit the ability of Indian workers to enter or remain in the U.S. job market.
- Talent Drain: Stricter immigration laws might lead to a talent drain, where highly skilled Indian professionals seek opportunities in other countries with more favorable immigration policies, impacting India’s tech sector.
- Focus on Skilled Workers: On the flip side, if Trump prioritizes skilled labor that aligns with U.S. economic needs, there could be opportunities for Indian professionals who meet those criteria to gain entry into the U.S. market.
What strategic opportunities and challenges will arise for India in the Indo-Pacific region?
- Strengthened Alliances: Under Trump’s leadership, India is likely to see strengthened ties with the U.S. and other allies like Japan and Australia through frameworks such as the Quad, which aims to counterbalance China’s influence in the region.
- Defence Cooperation: Enhanced defence cooperation could lead to increased military sales and joint exercises between India and the U.S., bolstering India’s defence capabilities against regional threats.
- Balancing Relations with China: While India may benefit from a closer relationship with the U.S., it will need to navigate its complex relationship with China carefully. Increased tensions between the U.S. and China could put India in a difficult position regarding its economic and security interests.
- Regional Stability Challenges: Trump’s assertive foreign policy might lead to greater instability in the Indo-Pacific region. India will need to manage its responses carefully to maintain peace while pursuing its strategic interests.
Way forward:
- Leverage Strategic Partnerships: India should capitalize on strengthened ties with the U.S. and allies like Japan and Australia to enhance its defence, trade, and technology capabilities while maintaining a robust independent foreign policy to balance regional dynamics.
- Promote Domestic Resilience: By advancing initiatives like “Make in India” and diversifying export markets, India can reduce reliance on vulnerable sectors impacted by U.S. protectionism and prepare to attract global supply chains shifting away from China.
Mains PYQ:
Q Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad) is transforming itself into a trade bloc from a military alliance, in present times Discuss. (UPSC IAS/2020)
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Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Mains level: Issues related to Merchant Shipping;
Why in the News?
The government is set to introduce the Merchant Shipping Bill, 2024, and the Coastal Shipping Bill, of 2024, aiming to drive critical reforms and deliver transformative changes to strengthen and revitalize the shipping industry.
Have the Merchant Shipping Act, of 1958, and the Coasting Vessels Act, of 1838 failed?
The Merchant Shipping Act, 1958, and the Coasting Vessels Act, 1838, do not meet contemporary maritime needs and regulatory requirements as follows:
- Regulatory Gaps: Significant gaps exist for offshore vessels, which account for nearly 50% of Indian-flagged vessels. The current framework fails to regulate these vessels adequately.
- Seafarer Welfare Limitations: Welfare provisions are restricted to Indian-flagged ships, neglecting the majority of Indian seafarers (85%) who work on foreign-flagged vessels.
- Lack of Legal Framework: There is no effective legal framework to regulate private sector participation in maritime training, leading to unauthorized institutions operating without oversight.
- Inadequate Implementation of International Conventions: The existing laws lack provisions to implement various international conventions that India has signed or plans to ratify.
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What are the key features of the New Merchant Shipping Bill 2024?
- Ease of Registration: The Bill allows for reduced ownership thresholds (from 100% to 51%) for Indian entities and permits foreign entities to hold shares in Indian vessels while ensuring majority ownership remains with Indians.
- Expanded Scope of Vessels: It broadens the definition of ‘vessels’ to include a variety of crafts (e.g., submersibles, barges), ensuring comprehensive regulatory oversight.
- Temporary Registration for Ship Recycling: Introduces provisions for temporary registration of vessels destined for demolition, facilitating operations in ship recycling hubs like Alang.
- Strengthened Coastal Security: Empowers authorities to issue instructions across all vessel categories to enhance coastal security.
- Integration with International Standards: Aligns with global best practices from leading maritime jurisdictions like the U.K., Norway, and Singapore.
What are some of the international maritime conventions that India has ratified?
- International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS): Establishes minimum safety standards in the construction and operation of ships.
- International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW): Sets standards for training and certification of seafarers.
- Maritime Labour Convention (MLC): Focuses on the rights and welfare of seafarers, ensuring decent working conditions.
- International Convention on Civil Liability for Oil Pollution Damage (CLC): Addresses liability for oil pollution damage from ships.
- International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL): Aims to minimize pollution from ships, covering various aspects of marine pollution.
- Convention on Limitation of Liability for Maritime Claims (LLMC): Limits the liability of shipowners in case of maritime claims.
- Wreck Removal Convention: Provides a legal framework for the removal of wrecks to prevent marine pollution.
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Will the new Bills address maritime training and education as well?
Yes, the new Merchant Shipping Bill, of 2024, specifically addresses maritime training and education, aiming to fill regulatory gaps and ensure standardization.
- Establishment of a Legal Framework: The new Merchant Shipping Bill introduces clear legal provisions to regulate maritime training institutes, addressing the absence of such a framework in the existing law.
- Elimination of Unauthorised Institutes: It empowers the government to act against unauthorised maritime training institutes, ensuring only approved institutions operate and deliver high-quality, standardised education.
- Alignment with Global Standards: The Bill ensures maritime training aligns with international best practices, enhancing the employability and skills of Indian seafarers in the global maritime sector.
Way forward:
- Robust Implementation and Monitoring: Ensure effective enforcement of the new Bills by establishing transparent regulatory mechanisms, leveraging technology for compliance, and regular monitoring to address gaps swiftly.
- Stakeholder Engagement and Capacity Building: Foster collaboration between the government, private sector, and international maritime bodies to enhance infrastructure, promote innovation, and build capacity for sustainable growth in the maritime sector.
Mains PYQ:
Q What are the maritime security challenges in India? Discuss the organisational, technical and procedural initiatives taken to improve maritime security. (UPSC IAS/2022)
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Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Mains level: Issues related to women;
Why in the News?
After an EY employee’s death allegedly linked to work pressure, a report highlights Indian women in professions like IT and auditing exceeding 55-hour workweeks, with marginalized unorganized sector workers facing varied hours.
What are the present issues arising at Workplaces in India?
- Long Working Hours: Many Indian professionals, especially women in sectors like auditing and IT, work over 55 hours per week, contributing to high levels of stress and burnout.
- Mental Health Impact: A significant percentage (49%) of Indian workers report that workplace stress negatively affects their mental health, highlighting the urgent need for better work-life balance.
- Lack of Legal Protections: Unlike several countries that have implemented laws to protect employees’ right to disconnect from work outside official hours, India lacks specific legislation addressing this issue.
- Cultural Attitudes: There is a pervasive workaholic culture where employees feel compelled to remain available outside working hours, often leading to a blurring of boundaries between personal and professional life.
What benefits and challenges would India face in enforcing a ‘right to disconnect’ law?
Benefits:
- Improved Employee Well-Being: Enforcing a right to disconnect could help mitigate stress and improve mental health among employees, leading to a healthier workforce.
- Enhanced Productivity: Research indicates that allowing employees to disconnect can lead to increased productivity during working hours as they can focus better without after-hours distractions.
- Work-Life Balance: Such legislation would promote a more balanced approach to work, allowing employees to prioritize personal time and family life.
Challenges:
- Economic Concerns: Implementing a right to disconnect may b e seen as detrimental to economic growth in a competitive landscape like India, where companies often push for extended working hours.
- Resistance from Employers: Many employers may resist such regulations, fearing it could hinder their operational flexibility and responsiveness.
- Cultural Shift Required: There would need to be a significant cultural shift within organizations to embrace the right to disconnect, moving away from the expectation of constant availability.
How does the concept align with India’s economic growth and competitive landscape?
- Boosting Productivity: Recognizing the right to disconnect could enhance overall productivity by fostering a healthier work environment. This aligns with India’s goal of becoming the third-largest economy by 2030.
- Attracting Talent: A commitment to employee well-being through such legislation could make Indian companies more attractive to skilled professionals, particularly in competitive sectors like technology.
- Global Competitiveness: As global standards for employee rights evolve, India risks falling behind if it does not adapt its labor laws. Implementing a right to disconnect could position India favorably in the global market.
Way forward:
- Legislative Framework: Introduce comprehensive laws recognizing the right to disconnect, ensuring strict enforcement mechanisms and sector-specific guidelines to accommodate diverse workplace needs while safeguarding employee well-being.
- Cultural Transformation: Promote awareness campaigns and organizational policies to shift workplace culture towards respecting personal time, emphasizing the long-term benefits of work-life balance for productivity and economic growth.
Mains PYQ:
Q What are the continued challenges for Women in India against time and space? (UPSC IAS/2019)
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Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: New National Manuscripts Mission
Why in the News?
The Union Ministry of Culture is planning to revive and relaunch the National Mission for Manuscripts (NMM) and is considering the formation of an autonomous body to help preserve India’s ancient texts.
Why Center is re-evolving this scheme?
- Currently, the NMM operates as part of the Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts.
- The new entity, expected to be named the National Manuscripts Authority, will likely function as an autonomous body under the Ministry of Tourism and Culture.
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About the National Mission for Manuscripts (NMM):
| Aims and Objectives |
- To document, conserve, digitize, and disseminate India’s manuscript heritage.
- Set up over 100 Manuscripts Resource Centres and Manuscripts Conservation Centres across India.
- Manuscripts are often on materials like paper, bark, cloth, metal, or palm leaf, and are at least 75 years old, with significant scientific, historical, or aesthetic value.
- India has an estimated 10 million manuscripts covering various themes, languages, scripts, and illustrations.
- Manuscripts primarily contain knowledge content, unlike historical records.
- 80% of manuscripts are privately owned, limiting public availability.
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| Structural Mandate |
- Formed in 2003 by the Ministry of Tourism and Culture.
- Managed by the National Archives of India.
- Currently operates as part of the Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts.
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| Features and Programs under the Mission |
- Documented metadata for 5.2 million manuscripts and digitized 300,000 titles, though only a third of them have been uploaded.
- Only 70,000 of the 130,000 manuscripts uploaded are accessible for viewing due to the absence of an access policy.
- Preventive and curative conservation of 9 crore folios has been conducted over 21 years.
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PYQ:
[2008] Recently, the manuscripts of which one of the following have been included in the UNESCO’s Memory of World Register?
(a) Abhidhamma Pitaka
(b) Mahabharata
(c) Ramayana
(d) Rig-Veda |
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Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: National Food Security Act, 2013
Why in the News?
The Supreme Court remarked that a long-term solution to food security issues is generating employment, while advocate Prashant Bhushan pointed out that the National Food Security Act (NFSA) still relies on 2011 census data.
About National Food Security Act, 2013:
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Details |
| Launch |
- NFSA was signed into law on 12th September 2013, with retroactive effect from 5th July 2013.
- It aims to provide subsidized food grains to approximately 2/3rd of India’s population.
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| Aims and Objectives |
- Provide subsidized food grains to 2/3rd of India’s population, covering about 75% of rural and 50% of urban areas.
- Converts food security programs into legal entitlements.
- Recognizes maternity entitlements for pregnant women, lactating mothers, and children.
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| Structural Mandate |
- Central Government directs states to implement the provisions of the Act (Section 38).
- Mandates that the subsidized prices remain fixed for 3 years (with no revision yet).
- Ensures that eligible households have a legal right to food grains at subsidized rates under the Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS).
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| Features and Programs |
- PDS provides 5 kg/person/month: Rice (₹3/kg), Wheat (₹2/kg), Coarse grains (₹1/kg).
- Eldest woman (18 years or above) in the household is considered the head of the family for issuing ration cards.
- Provides free meals to pregnant women, lactating mothers, and children aged 6 months to 14 years under ICDS and mid-day meal schemes.
- Ensures pregnant and lactating women receive a ₹6,000 cash benefit, payable in installments.
- Midday Meal and ICDS are universal, and PDS reaches 75% of rural and 50% of urban populations.
- Priority Households get 5 kg of food grains per person per month, Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) households get 35 kg per month.
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Why it is still driven by figures from 2011 Census?
- Data Discrepancy: The 2021 census is getting extensions indiscriminately. It would have identified additional beneficiaries, possibly up to 10 crore more people.
- Ration Card Issue: Many migrant workers had still not received ration cards, despite several court orders.
- Logistical and Administrative Constraints: Updating census-based allocations requires substantial administrative coordination and a shift in policy across the Centre and States.
PYQ:
[2018] With reference to the provisions made under the National Food Security Act, 2013, consider the following statements:
- The families coming under the category of ‘below poverty line (BPL)’ only are eligible to receive subsidised food grains.
- The eldest woman in a household, of age 18 years or above, shall be the head of the household for the purpose of issuance of a ration card.
- Pregnant women and lactating mothers are entitled to a ‘take-home ration’ of 1600 calories per day during pregnancy and for six months thereafter.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 3 only |
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Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Egyptian Cotton Leafworm
Why in the News?
A moth species called Egyptian cotton leafworm can hear sounds emitted by stressed plants, a study confirmed.
About the Egyptian Cotton Leafworm
| Details |
- Scientific name: Spodoptera littoralis.
- Polyphagous pest affecting crops like cotton, tomatoes, maize, tobacco, and peppers.
- Found across tropical and subtropical regions in Africa, Middle East, and South Asia.
- The moth has been spreading to new areas due to climate change.
- Larvae damage crops by feeding on leaves, stems, and flowers, reducing crop yield and quality.
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| Findings of the Study |
- Female moths use plant acoustic emissions (sound clicks) to decide where to lay eggs.
- These sounds, undetectable to humans, help the moths identify healthier, hydrated plants for egg-laying.
- Moths avoid stressed, dehydrated plants that produce stress-related sounds.
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| Impact on Agriculture |
- Harmful in cotton-growing regions.
- Larvae cause significant damage to a variety of crops, particularly cotton, tomatoes, and tobacco, impacting the quality and quantity of the produce.
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PYQ:
[2014] Which of the following statements is / are correct regarding vegetative propagation of plants?
1. Vegetative propagation produces clonal population.
2. Vegetative propagation helps in eliminating the virus.
3. Vegetative propagation can be practiced most of the year.
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3 |
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Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: CCEA, ECTA
Why in the News?
A stocktake visit for the India-Australia Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA) recently concluded in New Delhi.
Key Takeaways from the Meet
- The discussions covered a wide range of critical aspects of the CECA, including:
- Trade in goods and services
- Mobility and agri-tech cooperation
- Market access modalities that align with India’s food security objectives.
- Both sides emphasized their shared commitment to ensuring that the CECA produces meaningful benefits and delivers a balanced outcome for both nations.
- The discussions have opened up pathways for enhanced collaboration in areas such as agricultural innovation, market access, and supply chain resilience.
About India-Australia CCEA Negotiations:
- CECA is a comprehensive trade agreement between India and Australia.
- More comprehensive than the earlier India-Australia Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (ECTA) , which is a limited trade agreement in force since December 2022.
- Negotiations for CECA began in May 2011, suspended in 2016, and re-launched in 2021 after concluding the ECTA.
- So far 10 rounds of negotiations have taken place.
Key Features of CECA:
- Covers goods, services, digital trade, government procurement, and Rules of Origin/Product-Specific Rules Schedule.
- New areas: competition policy, MSMEs, innovation, agri-tech, critical minerals, sports.
India-AU Trade Statistics:
- 2023-24:
- India’s imports from Australia fell by 15% to USD 16.15 billion.
- India’s exports to Australia rose by 14.23% to USD 7.94 billion.
Australia is India’s 13th largest export destination and 14th largest import source. |
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PYQ:
[2017] ‘Broad-based Trade and Investment Agreement (BTIA)’ is sometimes seen in the news in the context of negotiations held between India and:
(a) European Union
(b) Gulf Cooperation Council
(c) Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development
(d) Shanghai Cooperation Organization |
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