1. A dismissed review petition, an egregious error READ MORE
2. Business laws should be decriminalized READ MORE
3. Collegium system of appointment needs a rethink READ MORE
4. Sovereignty of Parliament a myth, rule of law reality READ MORE
5. Case to improve judicial efficiency in India READ MORE

(Newspapers, PIB and other important sources)

Prelim and Main

1. Expedite categorisation of denotified, nomadic, semi-nomadic tribes: House panel READ MORE  
2. Pralay — India’s first tactical quasi-ballistic missile, a step towards own rocket force READ MORE
3. What 7,200-yr-old fibres from Indus Valley found in Israel tell us about cotton domestication READ MORE
4. President of India Smt. Droupadi Murmu inaugurates the project “Development of Srisailam Temple in the State of Andhra Pradesh” READ MORE
5. Interest in G-sec market rising: Finmin READ MORE
6. Centre makes digitally capturing MGNREGA attendance universal from January 1 READ MORE
7. Researchers use 3D bioprinting to create eye tissue READ MORE
8. Designing with DNA READ MORE
9. A holistic heritage conservation plan READ MORE

Main Exam

GS Paper- 1

1. Introducing geospatial technology in industrial water management READ MORE
2. Suicide prevention needs care, nuance READ MORE

GS Paper- 2

POLITY AND GOVERNANCE

1. A dismissed review petition, an egregious error READ MORE
2. Business laws should be decriminalized READ MORE
3. Collegium system of appointment needs a rethink READ MORE
4. Sovereignty of Parliament a myth, rule of law reality READ MORE
5. Case to improve judicial efficiency in India READ MORE

SOCIAL ISSUES

1. Social morality can’t dictate dignity, rights READ MORE

INTERNATIONAL ISSUES

1. India’s approach to Russia must take stock of Moscow’s imperialist history READ MORE
2. Down to the wire: Prolonged Russia-Ukraine conflict will pressure India READ MORE
3. India-Saudi Arabia ties and G20: Bilateral collaboration and beyond READ MORE

GS Paper- 3

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

1. House Panel strikes blow for Big Tech regulation READ MORE
2. Innovation must for Make In India READ MORE
3. Central Bank digital currency and macroeconomic implications READ MORE
4. Modi govt can’t replace PMGKAY with free food under PDS. It’s politics trumping good economics READ MORE
5. RBI affidavit on demonetisation obfuscates rather than clarifying READ MORE

ENVIRONMENT AND ECOLOGY

1. Biodiversity deal: Reversing nature’s decline to prevent doom READ MORE  
2. Mistletoes in a Warming World READ MORE

SECURITY

1. Terror activity drops: Amid challenges, a flicker of hope in J&K READ MORE

DISASTER MANAGEMENT

1. Ready for the worst: on government’s better preparedness for cyclones READ MORE

GS Paper- 4

ETHICS EXAMPLES AND CASE STUDY

1. How to improve historical thinking READ MORE
2. Putting more life into our lives is real life READ MORE
3. Ego dissolves in love READ MORE
4. Bliss within reach READ MORE
5. Educate to awaken the soul READ MORE

Questions for the MAIN exam

1. he Indian legal system as it is designed now is suited to favour the rich which makes the idea of access to justice a distant dream. What reforms you would suggest to make it accessible for common people in the true sense?
2. Independent judiciary is one of the foundational factors of the rule of law, one of the concepts which the Constitution is based upon. Examine.

QUOTATIONS AND CAPTIONS

• Power concedes nothing without a demand. It never did and it never will.
• Demonetisation is an example of a needless policy which failed because of lack of consultation and inadequate understanding of the issues. It led to a policy-induced crisis that deeply impacted the nation: all because democracy was not allowed its full play.
• The Indian legal system as it is designed now is suited to favour the rich, making the idea of access to justice a distant dream. Reforms at several levels are required for it to be made accessible in true sense.
• Independent judiciary is one of the foundational factors of the rule of law – one of the concepts which the Constitution is based upon.
• Using geospatial technologies is imperative for India to make its industrial sector more resilient and sustainable.
• India’s G20 presidency could help strengthen the bilateral ties and cooperation partnerships with Saudi Arabia.
• It is essential that citizens are equipped with tools of historical thinking in order to be able to effectively participate in a democracy.
• To understand how the war in Ukraine might play out and its longer-term consequences for India, Delhi’s discourse must pay greater attention to the turbulent history of Russia and its troubled relations with its Central European neighbours.
• Suicide prevention needs nuance, careful deliberation and thoughtful understanding of social realities, prejudices, material conditions and economic hurdles, and not kneejerk outrage that seeks to apportion blame and pin it on individuals instead of finding long-term solutions.
• Independence of the judiciary is a categorical imperative for democracy and there should be no compromise over this fundamental issue. However, the judiciary must also avoid overreach and look within to make itself more accountable and transparent. The confrontation will adversely affect the smooth functioning of the executive and the judiciary as the delay in judges’ appointment worsens pendency of cases.

50-WORD TALK

• Government halving foodgrain to poor and making it free shows it’s confident the pandemic is behind us. Those who need support will get it, the others get back to work. This, apart from the financial and political benefits Centre will accrue. But it’s also now stuck with the ‘free’ tag.
• Opposition parties’ demand for ban on trade with China is driven by political considerations and impractical. Indian defence forces and diplomats are capable of dealing with Chinese mischiefs adequately, effectively. Modi government should take opposition into confidence on sensitive national security matters, instead. Broken politics is India’s biggest strategic vulnerability.

Things to Remember:

• For prelims-related news try to understand the context of the news and relate with its concepts so that it will be easier for you to answer (or eliminate) from given options.
• Whenever any international place will be in news, you should do map work (marking those areas in maps and exploring other geographical locations nearby including mountains, rivers, etc. same applies to the national places.)
• For economy-related news (banking, agriculture, etc.) you should focus on terms and how these are related to various economic aspects, for example, if inflation has been mentioned, try to relate with prevailing price rises, shortage of essential supplies, banking rates, etc.
• For main exam-related topics, you should focus on the various dimensions of the given topic, the most important topics which occur frequently and are important from the mains point of view will be covered in ED.
• Try to use the given content in your answer. Regular use of this content will bring more enrichment to your writing.

GEOGRAPHY

1. WHAT IS BOMB CYCLONE?

GS-I-GEOGRAPHY

THE CONTEXT: Millions of Americans have been recently warned to brace for a bomb cyclone with blizzard conditions, wind chills and temperatures plunging as low as -45.6C (-50.1F) – cold enough to get frostbite in less than five minutes.

THE EXPLANATION:

What is Bomb Cyclone?

• A bomb cyclone is a mid-latitude storm in which the central pressure drops fast at one millibar per hour for at least 24 hours. However, the millibar readings can change based on where the storm is forming.
• This quickly increases the pressure difference, or gradient, between the two air masses, making the winds stronger. This process of rapid intensification has a name: bombogenesis.
• As the winds blow, the rotation of the Earth creates a cyclonic effect. The direction is counterclockwise in the Northern Hemisphere (when viewed from above).

Formation:

• A bomb cyclone is formed when the air of different air masses (cold, dry) comes together.
• As the warm air rises, it creates a cloud system lowering air pressure and forming into a storm circulating counter clockwise around the low-pressure area.

Characteristics:

• The bomb cyclone will be characterised by cold winds, which are also expected to pick up, and wind chill temperatures could drop to dangerous lows far below zero — enough to cause frostbite within minutes.
• The dangerous storm is expected to hit everyone east of the Rockies — around two-thirds of the country.

HEALTH ISSUES

2. KALA AZAR

GS-2 -HEALTH ISSUES

THE CONTEXT: Recently, PM in his Mann Ki Baat programme on All India Radio,emphasised that India has eradicated diseases like Smallpox, Polio and ‘Guinea Worm’. He spoke about Kala Azar, another disease which is about to be eradicated.

THE EXPLANATION:

Till recently, the scourge of Kala-azar had spread in more than 50 districts across four states. The Prime Minister noted with satisfaction that this disease is confined to only four districts of Bihar and Jharkhand at present. He expressed confidence that people’s awareness in these states will help the government’s efforts to eliminate the disease from these districts as well.

What is Kala Azar Disease?

Kala Azar or black fever is a disease caused by infection with Leishmania parasites. It is transmitted by female sandfly – Phlebotomus argentipes. It is also known as visceral leishmaniasis or black fever or Dum-Dum fever.

Types:
Cutaneous leishmaniasis:

• This is another form of Kala-azar which results in skin lesions – mainly ulcers on the exposed parts of the body, which creates scars and serious disability. The lesions usually are painless but can be painful, particularly if open sores become infected with bacteria. Types of Cutaneous leishmaniasis:

Mucosal Leishmaniasis:

• In this type of Cutaneous leishmaniasis, the infection results from the dissemination of parasites from the skin to the naso-oropharyngeal mucosa.
• Symptoms
• Initially, leishmania parasites cause skin sores or ulcers at the site of the bite. If the disease progresses, it attacks the immune system.
• Kala azar presents after two to eight months with more generalized symptoms including prolonged fever and weakness.

Treatment: Treatment of Kala Azar is done through liposomal AmB – this is the drug of choice for immunocompetent patients. There are other treatment options available such as paromomycin, miltefosine and multidrug therapy treatment.

ENVIRONMENT, ECOLOGY AND CLIMATE CHANGE

3. CORAL BLEACHING

GS-III- ENVIRONMENT AND ECOLOGY

THE CONTEXT: Scientists working on Australia’s Great Barrier Reef have successfully trialled a new method for freezing and storing coral larvae they say could eventually help rewild reefs threatened by climate change.

THE EXPLANATION:

The Great Barrier Reef has suffered four bleaching events in the last seven years, including the first ever bleach during a La Nina phenomenon, which typically brings cooler temperatures.

Coral Bleaching:

• The stunning colours in corals come from marine algae called zooxanthellae, which live inside their tissues.
• These algae provide the corals with an easy food supply thanks to photosynthesis, which gives the corals energy, allowing them to grow and reproduce.
• When corals get stressed, from things such as heat or pollution, they react by expelling these algae, leaving a ghostly, transparent skeleton behind.
• This is known as ‘coral bleaching. Some corals can feed themselves, but without the zooxanthellae, most corals starve.
• Causes for Coral Bleaching include changes in Ocean Temperature, Runoff and Pollution, Overexposure to sunlight and extremely low tides.

About Great Barrier Reef:

• The Great Barrier Reef is the world’s largest coral reef system composed of over 2,900 individual reefs and 900 islands.
• The reef is located in the Coral Sea (North-East Coast), off the coast of Queensland, Australia.
• The Great Barrier Reef can be seen from outer space and is the world’s biggest single structure made by living organisms.
• The reef structure is composed of and built by billions of tiny organisms, known as coral polyps. It was selected as a World Heritage Site in 1981.

4. DELHI “REAL-TIME SOURCE APPORTIONMENT PROJECT”

GS-III- ENVIRONMENT & ECOLOGY- AIR POLLUTION

THE CONTEXT: Recently, Delhi Chief Minister reviewed the progress of the ‘Real-time Source Apportionment Project’, which is aimed at identifying the sources of Delhi’s pollution on a real-time basis.

THE EXPLANATION:

The project has been undertaken by the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) in collaboration with the Indian Institute of Kanpur (IIT-K), Indian Institute of Delhi (IIT-D) and TERI.

What is Real-time Source Apportionment Project?

• The real-time source apportionment project is being implemented by the Delhi Pollution Control Committee in collaboration with IIT-Kanpur, IIT-Delhi and TERI.
• It is one of the actions listed under the Delhi Government’s winter action plan.
• The Delhi government approved the project in October 2021 and launched it in November 2022.
• Under this project, a supersite with cutting-edge air analysers and a mobile air quality monitoring system will be used to measure the concentration of various substances in the air above Delhi.
• The project will identify various sources of PM2.5 on a real-time hourly basis and provide a 3-day hourly forecast of the total PM 2.5.
• The data obtained from this project will help the Delhi government to accurately identify the sources of air pollution like vehicular exhaust, dust, biomass burning, and industrial emissions.
• The supersite data will also be used to forecast air pollution levels on an hourly, daily and weekly bases. This will help the government take proactive measures to curb pollution and mobilize resources to ensure strict compliance with pollution control norms.
• The findings will further be complemented by a mobile van that will capture air pollution readings and sources from different corners of Delhi.

What are the outcomes of the recent meeting?

• During the recently held review meeting on the progress of the real-time source apportionment project, a team of scientists from IIT Kanpur informed that the secondary inorganic aerosols have traveled long distances to contribute to a large portion of the air pollution mix.
• Other major contributors of PM2.5 in the past one month are biomass burning (wood, stubble etc.), vehicular emissions and dust (road and construction).
• The Delhi Chief Minister has directed IIT Kanpur team to provide more detailed information on the real-time sources like the type of vehicles causing the pollution at different times and specific areas where biomass, including garbage, is burnt to help the government to eliminate these sources.

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

5. DARK PATTERNS

GS-III SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

THE CONTEXT: Recently, it is been found that some Internet ¬based firms have been tricking users into agreeing to certain conditions or clicking a few links.

THE EXPLANATION:

About Dark Patterns:

• It is a user interface that has been crafted to trick or manipulate users into making choices that are detrimental to their interests.
• The term ‘Dark Patterns’ was coined by user experience designer Harry Brignull in 2010.
• Dark patterns endanger the experience of internet users and make them more vulnerable to financial and data exploitation by BigTech firms.
• Dark patterns confuse users, introduce online obstacles, make simple tasks time-consuming, have users sign up for unwanted services or products and force them to pay more money or share more personal information than they intended.
• In the U.S., the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has taken note of dark patterns and the risks they pose. In a report released in September, 2022, the regulatory body listed over 30 dark patterns.
• The FTC report outlined its legal action against Amazon in 2014, for a supposedly free children’s app that fooled its young users into making in-app purchases that their parents had to pay later for.

Types of dark patterns

In India, The Advertising Standards Council of India (ASCI) has recognised four dark patterns and these are the proposed areas of extension to the ASCI code on misleading ads.

• Drip pricing: It is a pattern when the total price is only revealed at the very end of the buying process.
• Bait and switch: It is a pattern that occurs when a user takes an action expecting one outcome, but instead is served an outcome they didn’t want.
• False urgency: It is a dark pattern that refers to misleading information on quantities of a particular product.
• Disguised advertising: It is a pattern when an advertisement mimics editorial content.

[WpProQuiz 391]

POLITY AND GOVERNANCE

1. JAN VISHWAS (AMENDMENT OF PROVISIONS) BILL, 2022

TAGS: GS- III-Indian Polity-Parliamentary Proceedings

THE CONTEXT: The Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Bill, 2022 was introduced in Lok Sabha to promote ease of doing business in India.

THE EXPLANATION:

Key provisions of the Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Bill, 2022

• The Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Bill, 2022 proposes to amend 183 provisions across 42 Acts administered by 19 ministries.

Some of the Acts the Bill proposes to amend are:

• Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940
• Public Debt Act, 1944; Pharmacy Act, 1948
• Cinematograph Act, 1952
• Copyright Act, 1957
• Patents Act, 1970
• Environment (Protection) Act, 1986
• Motor Vehicles Act, 1988
• Trade Marks Act, 1999
• Railways Act, 1989
• Information Technology Act, 2000
• Prevention of Money-laundering Act, 2002
• Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006
• Legal Metrology Act, 2009
• Factoring Regulation Act, 2011
• These laws are administered by 14 ministries, which include food production and distribution, finance, commerce, agriculture, environment, road transport and highways, posts, and IT.
• It seeks to promote ease of doing business by decriminalizing a large number of minor offenses under these Acts and replacing them with monetary penalties.
• The Bill also proposes to rationalize the monetary penalties based on the gravity of the offence.

Why is this Bill significant?

• The fear of imprisonment for minor offences is among the major hurdles for the business growth. The Bill proposes to replace such provisions with monetary penalties so that businesses can function without fearing incarceration.
• The Bill will make India a more attractive investment destination for foreign businesses by ushering in trust-based governance.
• It will save time, energy, and resources by enabling individuals to settle minor contraventions and defaults through compounding method, adjudication and administration mechanisms without involving courts. This will help significantly minimize the burden on the judiciary.

INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

2. VEER GUARDIAN 2023 EXERCISE

TAGS: GS-II-International Relations- Bilateral defense exercise

THE CONTEXT: India and Japan are set to conduct their first-ever bilateral combat air exercise over 10 days in Japan from January 2023.

THE EXPLANATION:

The exercise named ‘Veer Guardian 23’ will be conducted from January 16 to January 26. The Japan Air Self-Defence Force (JASDF) will conduct a bilateral fighter training with the Indian Air Force (IAF).

What is Veer Guardian 2023 Exercise?

• Veer Guardian 23 will be the first-ever bilateral combat air exercise between India and Japan.
• This 10-day exercise will be held between the Indian Air Force and the Japanese Air Self Defence Force (JASDF) at Japan’s Hyakuri air base and Iruma air base.
• The objective of this maiden exercise is to strengthen the mutual understanding and defence relations between the two air forces. It also seeks to enhance JASDF’s tactical skills to strengthen its preparedness to potential armed conflicts.
• The Indian side is represented by a contingent of around 150 personnel who will be transported by two C-17 transport aircraft. It will include 1 IL-78 mid-air refueller and 4 Su-30MKI fighters from No. 220 squadron, which comes under the Western Air Command.
• The Japanese side will field 4 F-15s and 4 F-2 fighter jets for this bilateral exercise.

What are the other defence exercises involving India and Japan?

• India and Japan are currently conducting Dharma Guardian exercise between the armies, SHINYUU Maitri between the air forces, and JIMEX between the navies. The two countries’ navies also conduct regular bilateral exercise, and passage exercises with the focus on the Indo-Pacific.
• Japan has been taking part in the India-US Malabar naval combat exercise since 2015. This exercise also includes Australia. These four countries form the QUAD alliance, which is currently working towards deterring any “coercion” in the Indo-Pacific.
• Japan took part in the Milan Exercise conducted by the Indian Navy for the first time in 2022. The Milan exercise is a biennial multilateral naval exercise conducted by the Indian Navy since 1995 at the Andaman and Nicobar Command.

ENVIRONMENT, ECOLOGY AND CLIMATE CHANGE

3. LION@47: VISION FOR AMRUTKAL: NEW PLAN FOR CONSERVATION OF ASIATIC LIONS

TAGS: GS-III- SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY-GOVERNMENT SCHEMES AND INITIATIVES IN NEWS

THE CONTEXT: The central government has unveiled a plan for the conservation of Asiatic lions in Gir, a region in Gujarat.

THE EXPLANATION:

Titled “Lion@47: Vision for Amrutkal,” the plan is part of Project Lion and aims to secure and restore habitats to manage the growing lion population. It also aims to generate livelihoods for local communities, establish a global hub of knowledge on big cat disease diagnostics and treatment, and promote inclusive biodiversity conservation.

Objectives of Project Lion

• The main objectives of Project Lion are to secure and restore habitats for the management of the growing lion population, scale up livelihood generation and participation of local communities, establish a global hub of knowledge on big cat disease diagnostics and treatment, and create inclusive biodiversity conservation through the project initiative.
• The project aims to conserve Asiatic lions in Gujarat through a landscape ecology-based approach that integrates conservation and eco-development.

Comparison to Project Tiger

• Project Lion is being implemented in the Gir landscape in Gujarat, which is the last remaining habitat of Asiatic lions.
• In contrast, Project Tiger is being implemented in 53 tiger reserves across the country. Both projects aim to ensure the overall conservation of the ecosystems inhabited by these flagship species.

Implementation and Funding

• Project Lion is being implemented by the Gujarat government and other stakeholders, including the Central Zoo Authority and is funded by the central government. The new plan for the conservation of Asiatic lions in Gir aims to secure and restore habitats, generate livelihoods for local communities, establish a global hub of knowledge on big cat disease diagnostics and treatment, and promote inclusive biodiversity conservation.

4. ACIDIFICATION OF GREAT LAKES

TAGS: GS-III-ENVIRONMENT- CLIMATE CHANGE

THE CONTEXT: Recently, a study by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)’s Ocean, Coastal, and Great Lakes Acidification Research Plan said, by 2100 even the Great Lakes of North America might approach acidity at the same rate as the oceans.

THE EXPLANATION:

• The increase in atmospheric carbon dioxide has caused the world’s oceans to turn more acidic, but the new finding that the freshwater bodies are also turning acidic is a shock.
• Scientists are building a sensor network to measure the carbon dioxide and pH levels of the Lakes, starting with developing a system to detect the water chemistry trends of Lake Huron, one of the five Great Lakes.

What is Acidification?

• It is a phenomenon resulting from the release of protons from certain substances into the ecosystem. These emissions increase the acidity (decrease in pH) of water and soils.
• Acidification of oceans or freshwater bodies takes place when excess carbon dioxide in the atmosphere gets rapidly absorbed into them. The absorption of carbon dioxide leads to a lowering of the pH, which makes the water bodies more acidic.

Consequences of acidification

• It will decrease native biodiversity,
• It will create physiological challenges for organisms,
• There are possibilities of permanently altering the structure of the ecosystem.

Great Lakes

• The Great Lakes of North America, or simply the Great Lakes, are five interconnected bodies of water straddling the US-Canada border. They are the largest group of freshwater lakes in the world.
• The Great Lakes are Superior, Michigan, Huron, Erie, and Ontario. The US-Canada border passes through Lakes Superior, Huron, Erie, and Ontario. Lake Michigan lies entirely in the US.
• They drain into the Gulf of St Lawrence in the North Atlantic through the St Lawrence River.
• Formation: The Great Lakes are believed to be formed some 20,000 years ago when the Earth started to warm and water from melting glaciers filled the basins on its surface, according to NOAA.

Significance:

• Today, the Great Lakes contain a fifth of the world’s total freshwater and are a crucial source of irrigation and transportation.
• The Great Lakes also serve as the habitat for more than 3,500 species of plants and animals.

GOVERNMENT SCHEMES AND INITIATIVES IN NEWS

5. NIRMAN ACCELERATOR PROGRAM

TAGS:GS-III-ENVIRONMENT & ECOLOGY

THE CONTEXT: Recently, the Ministry of Science and Technology has said that 15 Startups are selected for the NIRMAN accelerator program.

THE EXPLANATION:

• This is the first cohort of the NIRMAN Accelerator Program launched by Start-ups Incubation and Innovation Centre (SIIC) IIT Kanpur.
• The accelerator program is supported by the Department of Science and Technology (DST) under the Ministry of Science & Technology through its NIDHI scheme.

What is National Initiative for Developing and Harnessing Innovations (NIDHI) scheme?

• It is an umbrella programme conceived and developed by the Innovation & Entrepreneurship division, Department of Science & Technology.
• Aim: To nurture start-ups through scouting, supporting and scaling innovations.
• Key stakeholders: Various departments and ministries of the central government, state governments, academic and R & D institutions, mentors, financial institutions, angel investors, venture capitalists and private sectors.

Funding: By the National Science & Technology Entrepreneurship Development Board (NSTEDB).

NIDHI Accelerator: An accelerator is typically a 3-6 months fast track structured program helping ideas get accelerated to the next orbit.

Objectives of NIDHI-Accelerators

• To fast-track the growth of potential start-ups through rigorous mentoring and networking support in a short span through existing TBIs.
• To attract subject matter experts, mentors, and angel investors to get associated with technology Business Incubators through structured accelerator programs.
• To build a vibrant start-up ecosystem, by establishing a network between academia, financial institutions, industries and other institutions.
• To act as a hub for several incubators in the region, so that high-potential start-ups can be fast-tracked for increased exposure and validation.

Characteristics of NIDHI -Accelerator Programs

• It is envisaged that 2 broad types of Accelerator Programs will be supported by NSTEDB under this scheme

Sectoral Programs: These are accelerator programs focused specifically on start-ups focused on a certain sector or theme. For example Smart Cities or healthcare.

Non-Sectoral Programs: Non-sectoral accelerator programs are most relevant for locations where a critical mass of ventures within a specific sector may not exist.

THE CONTEXT: The Russian-Ukraine war has disrupted the prevailing global order. The war is threatening to divide the world into two blocs reminiscent of the cold war. However, India committed to its principled position of non-alignment, with its huge demography and economy can be the fulcrum of shaping the post-war world order. This article examines the challenges the country faces and the strengths it carries to be the pivot of this new world order.

AN ANALYSIS OF THE EXISTING WORLD ORDER

THE FALL OF THE BERLIN WALL

• Since the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989, a model of free societies, frictionless borders, and an open economy has emerged as the standard in many countries, which has become a governing order.

FREE TRADE AND PROSPERITY

• People, products, services, and capital were able to move more freely around the world as a result of this. During this time, global trade and per capita GDP nearly doubled, signalling a period of universal peace and prosperity.

INTEGRATION AND PEACE

• With the goal of shared global prosperity, the world’s societies and economics have become increasingly interconnected. The conventional belief was that such close interdependence among nations would lead to fewer conflicts and promote peace.

IDEA OF GLOBAL VILLAGE

• ‘Global Village’ of around 8 billion inhabitants of the world was established on top of modern transportation networks, with the US dollar serving as the reserve currency and integrated payment systems around it.

HOW IS THE GLOBAL ORDER CHANGING?

The Russia-Ukraine conflict is a global geo-economic conflict that threatens to go back to the Cold War era of two dominant power blocs. The Russo-Sino bloc is the producer powerhouse while the Western bloc is large consumer and hence the conflict between them harm both the blocs significantly. If interconnection and trade between states are mutually beneficial, then its disruption and blockade will be mutually destructive. Economic sanctions enacted in retaliation for Russian actions have harmed all nations, albeit some have suffered more than others. Egyptians are facing food shortages as a result of their reliance on Russian and Ukrainian wheat, German’s face high winter heating costs as a result of their reliance on Russian gas, Americans face a shortage of electric cars due to the unavailability of car batteries reliant on Russian nickel, Sri Lankans have taken to the streets as a result of economic woes, and Indian farmers face high fertilizer prices triggered by a global shortage.

CAN INDIA BE THE EPICENTRE OF THE NEW WORLD ORDER?

THE CHALLENGES

• A forced and hurried dismantling of the international dollar-based currency order and replacing it with bilateral local currency arrangements is problematic.
• Buying discounted oil or commodities if it entails a departure from the established order of dollar-based trade settlement or jeopardizes established trading relationships with western bloc markets, it can have longer-term implications for India’s export potential.
• India needs not just cordial relationships with nations on either side of the new divide but also a stable and established global economic environment.
• Social harmony is the edifice of economic prosperity. Fanning mutual distrust, hate and anger among citizens, causing social disharmony is a huge challenge to India.
• The communal divide that the country is facing today will affect the growth prospect of the country.

THE OPPORTUNITIES

• India has benefited enormously from being an active participant in this interconnected world, with a tripling of trade (as a share of GDP) in the last three decades and providing vast numbers of jobs.
• Trade with other nations will always be an integral cornerstone of India’s economic future.
• India’s trade is dependent on both these power blocs and on the current global economic structures of free trade, established reserve currency and transaction systems.
• As the western bloc of nations looks to reduce dependence on the Russia-China bloc of nations, it presents newer avenues for India to expand trade.
• India, as the largest peace-loving democracy, stands to gain enormously from the ‘principled trade’ aspiration of the western bloc that values both morals and money.
• It presents a tremendous opportunity for India to become a large producing nation for the world and a global economic powerhouse.
• By dint of its sheer size and scale, India can be both a large producer and a consumer.

HOW INDIA RESPONDED TO THE CRISIS?

EMPHASIZED DIALOGUE AND DIPLOMACY

• Right from the beginning, India called for dialogue and diplomacy to resolve the dispute. On many occasions, the country has asked for the immediate cessation of violence and hostilities.

PROTECTED NATIONAL INTEREST

• Russia is a very important partner in a variety of areas for India; similarly, fertilizer prices have a direct implication on the livelihood of a majority of our population and food prices.
• Even the security of the nation is at stake as India maintains its defence posture in the manner that the current security challenges warrant.
• All these are legitimate pursuits of national interest by India.

DESISTED FROM TAKING SIDES

(i) While India was at the forefront of addressing the fallout of the war, it has been careful not to take sides despite the push by the West owing to its peculiar circumstances. This has been manifested in India’s abstention in the resolutions in UNGA, UNSC, UNHRC etc.

PROVIDING HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE

(ii) India has sent humanitarian assistance to Ukraine through Poland and Romania. The consignment comprised medicines, medical equipment, and other relief material.

INFLATION, LOW GROWTH AND EXPORT POTENTIAL

New Delhi is already bearing the brunt of high global crude oil prices (about $110-120 a barrel as against $70 at the beginning of November) as well as rising mineral, metal and edible oil prices, indicating a possible scenario of high inflation and low growth — stagflation. Ukraine has created an unlikely opportunity for select Indian Agri-exporters who trade in wheat, maize, millet, and processed food. Since the crisis unfolded last month, the world has been looking to Indian wheat to fill the huge void in stocks caused by the turbulence in Europe’s breadbasket. Ukraine is one of the world’s top wheat exporters, and Russia and Ukraine together have a 25% share in the global wheat market.

THE WAY FORWARD:

• India thus needs not just a nonaligned doctrine for the new world order but also a nondisruptive geo-economic policy that seeks to maintain the current global economic equilibrium.
• India needs to balance domestic compulsions with its international commitments without being pulled into any bloc.
• India needs to address the domestic problems of social divisions and economic boycotts, and issues of freedom to trade.
• India needs to arrest the slide in democracy being felt in multiple areas lest its credentials will be impacted.
• A new paradigm of emerging global order and India’s role in shaping it need a clear articulation of the contours of “Atmanirbhar Bharat.”

THE CONCLUSION: The reshaping and readjustment of world order will be a unique opportunity for India to reassess foreign policy, economic policy and geopolitical strategy and develop a mantle of global leadership. The strengthening of India’s global economic power through a cautious post-conflict geoeconomics strategy between Russia and Ukraine could represent a decisive turning point in India’s economic history. India could be the cornerstone of this new world order as a peaceful democracy with economic prosperity. But this requires India to first contain the division of the raging community within the country.

[WpProQuiz 390]

HEALTH ISSUES

1. WHAT IS BF.7, THE OMICRON SUB-VARIANT DRIVING THE SURGE IN CHINA?

THE CONTEXT: The current surge in Covid-19 infections in China is believed to be driven by the BF.7 sub-variant of Omicron that is circulating in that country.

THE EXPLANATION:

What is the New Variant?

• When viruses mutate, they create lineages and sub-lineages — like the main trunk of the SARS-CoV-2 tree sprouting branches and sub-branches. The BF.7 is the same as BA.5.2.1.7, which is a sub-lineage of the Omicron sub-lineage BA.5.
• A study published in ‘Cell Host and Microbe’ journal earlier this month reported that the BF.7 sub-variant has a 4.4-fold higher neutralisation resistance than the original D614G variant — meaning that in a lab setting, antibodies from a vaccinated or infected individual were less likely to destroy BF.7 than the original Wuhan virus that spread worldwide in 2020.
• But BF.7 is not the most resilient sub-variant — the same study reported a more than 10-fold higher neutralisation resistance in another Omicron sub-variant called BQ.1.
• A higher neutralisation resistance means there is a higher likelihood of the variant spreading in a population and replacing other variants.
• BF.7 accounted for more than 5% of US cases and 7.26% of UK cases in October. Scientists in the West were watching the variant closely; however, there was no dramatic increase in the number of cases or hospitalisations in these countries.

BF.7 circulating in India as well?

• The January 2022 wave in India was driven by the BA.1 and BA.2 sub-variants of Omicron. The sub-variants BA.4 and BA.5 that followed were never as prevalent in India as they were in European countries; thus, India saw very few cases of BF.7 (which is an offshoot of BA.5).
• As per data from India’s national SARS-CoV-2 genome sequencing network, BA.5 lineages accounted for only 2.5% of cases in November. At present, a recombinant variant XBB is the most common variant in India, accounting for 65.6% of all cases in November 2022.

Connect the Dots:

• About m-RNA
• Vaccine technology
• What is Genome Sequencing?

ENVIRONMENT, ECOLOGY AND CLIMATE CHANGE

2. SCIENTISTS FREEZE GREAT BARRIER REEF CORAL IN WORLD-FIRST TRIAL

THE CONTEXT: Recently, Scientists working on Australia’s Great Barrier Reef have successfully trialled a new method for freezing and storing coral larvae they say could eventually help rewild reefs threatened by climate change.

THE EXPLANATION:

• Scientists are scrambling to protect coral reefs as rising ocean temperatures destabilise delicate ecosystems. The Great Barrier Reef has suffered four bleaching events in the last seven years including the first ever bleach during a La Nina phenomenon, which typically brings cooler temperatures.
• Cryogenically frozen coral can be stored and later reintroduced to the wild but the current process requires sophisticated equipment including lasers. Scientists say a new lightweight “cryomesh” can be manufactured cheaply and better preserves coral.
• In December 2022, scientists conducted trials using the Great Barrier Reef coral for the first time. They used cryomesh to freeze the coral larvae at the Australian Institute of Marine Sciences (AIMS). The coral has been collected from the reef, during the brief annual spawning window.

Why does freezing a coral larvae matter?

The Great Barrier Reef had experienced 4 bleaching events in the last seven years, including the first-ever bleach during a La Nina phenomenon, which generally brings cooler atmospheric temperatures. The cyromesh paves the path towards a future where coral reefs can be restored in the wild, enabling assistance to some of the aquaculture and restoration interventions.

Connect the Dots:

• Corals reefs in India
• What is Coral bleaching?
• La Nina and El Nino

3. A NEW GLOBAL BIODIVERSITY FRAMEWORK

THE CONTEXT: The Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), the United Nations agreement to conserve and sustainably use earth’s biodiversity, got a boost at a conference held in Montreal recently, when 188 of 196 member governments agreed on a new framework to halt the sharp and steady loss of biological species.

THE EXPLANATION:

What does the Kunming-Montreal pact aim to achieve?

• It sets out targets for 2030 on protection for degraded areas, resource mobilisation for conservation, compensation for countries that preserve biodiversity, halting human activity linked to species extinction, reducing by half the spread of invasive alien species (introduced plants and animals that affect endemic biodiversity), cutting pollution to non-harmful levels and minimising climate change impact and ocean acidification, among others.
• The GBF goals and targets do not prohibit the use of biodiversity, but call for sustainable use, and a sharing of benefits from genetic resources. Target five specifically states that the use, harvesting and trade in wild species should be “sustainable, safe and legal, preventing overexploitation, minimising impacts on non-target species and ecosystems and reducing the risk of pathogen spillover.”
• The GBF emphasises respect for the rights of indigenous communities that traditionally protect forests and biodiversity, and their involvement in conservation efforts. It advocates similar roles for women and local communities.

Sustainable Agriculture:

• Agricultural practices also find a strong focus. Besides emphasising sustainable practices in agriculture, aquaculture, fisheries and forestry, the agreement calls upon members to adopt biodiversity-supporting methods such as agroecology and sustainable intensification. This acquires significance, since growing Genetically Modified (GM) crops is not favoured by agroecologists as they could contaminate nearby wild species of the same plants.
• One target also looks at turning cities into hosts of biodiversity, by expanding the area of and improving the quality and access to urban green and blue spaces. Urban planning should also be biodiversity-inclusive, “enhancing native biodiversity, ecological connectivity and integrity, and improving human health and well-being and connection to nature.”
• Earlier, the CBD had launched the Aichi biodiversity targets for 2020, which included safeguarding of all ecosystems that provide services for humanity’s survival, and the Nagoya Protocol which went into effect in 2014 to ensure sharing of biodiversity access and benefits.

What funding arrangements are planned?

• By 2030, the GBF hopes to see at least $200 billion raised per year from all sources — domestic, international, public and private — towards implementation of the national action plans. In terms of international funding, developing countries should get at least $20 billion a year by 2025 and at least $30 billion by 2030 through contributions from developed countries.
• The Global Environment Facility (GEF), a multilateral body that partners countries and agencies, has been asked to establish in 2023, and until 2030, a Special Trust Fund to support the implementation of the GBF. Complementing this, the GBF envisages that there will be access to justice and information related to biodiversity for indigenous peoples and local communities, respecting their cultures and rights over lands, territories, resources, and traditional knowledge, as well as by women, children and youth, and persons with disabilities, and ensure the full protection of environmental human rights defenders.

Connecting the Dots:

• Aichi Targets
• Global Environment Facility
• GM Crops

THE PRELIMS PERSPECTIVE

4. THREE MORE SITES ADDED TO TENTATIVE LIST OF UNESCO

THE CONTEXT: Gujarat’s Vadnagar town, the iconic Sun Temple at Modhera, and the rock cut sculptures of Unakoti in Tripura have been added to the tentative list of UNCESO World Heritage Sites.

THE EXPLANATION:

• The UNESCO tentative list is an “inventory of those properties which each State Party intends to consider for nomination”. India now has 52 sites on UNESCO Tentative List.
• The Sun Temple at Modhera which is dedicated to the sun god, is the earliest of such temples which set trends in architectural and decorative details, representing the Solanki style at its best.
• Vadnagar is a municipality in Mehsana district of Gujarat. A multi-layered historic town, Vadnagar has a recorded past stretching back to nearly 8th century BC. The town still retains a large number of historic buildings that are primarily religious and residential in nature.
• Unakoti is an ancient holy place associated with Shaiva worship. The site is a massive gallery set in a forested area displaying a number of towering low-relief images in a unique style, making it a masterpiece of human creative genius.

VALUE ADDITION:

What is the tentative list of UNESCO world heritage sites?

• If a state considers a monument/site has cultural and/or natural heritage of outstanding universal value and therefore suitable for inscription on the World Heritage List. Then the state prepares a list of such sites and sends it to UNESCO. The UNESCO after preliminary inspection accepts/rejects the monument and form a tentative list.
• A position on a country’s tentative list does not automatically tender that site with world heritage status.
• It is mandatory to put any monument/site on the Tentative List (TL) before it is considered for the final nomination dossier.
• After a site is listed as a tentative site, country has to prepare a nomination document that will be considered by the UNESCO World Heritage Committee for a World Heritage Site.

GOVERNMENT SCHEMES AND INITIATIVES IN NEWS

5. REVISION SERIES: INDIA SEMICONDUCTOR MISSION

• India Semiconductor Mission (ISM) has been setup as an Independent Business Division within Digital India Corporation. ISM has all the administrative and financial powers and is tasked with the responsibility of catalysing the India Semiconductor ecosystem in manufacturing, packaging and design.
• ISM has an advisory board consisting of some of the leading global experts in the field of semiconductors. ISM is serving as the nodal agency for efficient, coherent and smooth implementation of the programme for development of semiconductor and manufacturing ecosystem in India.

Objectives of ISM are as under:

• Formulate a comprehensive long-term strategy for developing sustainable semiconductors and display manufacturing facilities and semiconductor design eco-system in the country in consultation with the Government ministries / departments / agencies, industry, and academia.
• Facilitate the adoption of secure microelectronics and developing trusted semiconductor supply chain, including raw materials, specialty chemicals, gases, and manufacturing equipment.
• Enable a multi-fold growth of Indian semiconductor design industry by providing requisite support in the form of Electronic Design Automation (EDA) tools, foundry services and other suitable mechanisms for early-stage startups.
• Promote and facilitate indigenous Intellectual Property (IP) generation.
• Encourage, enable and incentivize Transfer of Technologies (ToT).
• Establish suitable mechanisms to harness economies of scale in Indian semiconductor and display industry.
• Enable cutting-edge research in semiconductors and display industry including evolutionary and revolutionary technologies through grants, global collaborations and other mechanisms in academia / research institutions, industry, and through establishing Centres of Excellence (CoEs).
• Enable collaborations and partnership programs with national and international agencies, industries and institutions for catalyzing collaborative research, commercialization and skill development.

ISM has been working as nodal agency for the Schemes approved under Semicon India Programme. The applications were received by ISM and are being appraised by ISM. ISM has also been engaging with various stakeholders of Semiconductors and Display ecosystem to attract the investments in India.

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2. Right to salvation READ MORE
3. GOD’S love is for one and all READ MORE

1. As fog comes to Delhi, a look at the phenomenon and what causes it READ MORE
2. Unity in biodiversity: Doing little about the extinction of other species is a suicide pact by 8 billion humans. But here’s some good news READ MORE  

1. Gender violence: To change society, start at home READ MORE
2. Social morality can’t dictate dignity, or rights READ MORE

1. Upholding the autonomy of the Election Commission READ MORE
2. Judicial independence, above all READ MORE
3. CAG Reforms~I READ MORE
4. CAG Reforms~II READ MORE
5. Anti-Conversion Laws and the Mobilising of Coercive Power READ MORE
6. Case to improve judicial efficiency in India READ MORE

(Newspapers, PIB and other important sources)

Prelim and Main

1. Improved, heavy rare earth-free, low-cost magnets for EV vehicles could reduce mobility costs READ MORE  
2. PMGSY in Backward and Tribal Dominated Areas READ MORE
3. Internet of Things and Artificial Intelligence in Agriculture READ MORE
4. Fitch retains India rating at BBB-, cites robust medium-term growth outlook READ MORE
5. Vadnagar town, Modhera Sun Temple, Unakoti sculptures added to UNESCO’s tentative list of World Heritage Sites READ MORE
6. Rule 267 becomes the bone of contention in Rajya Sabha READ MORE
7. New health threat? Pathogens frozen in permafrost resurface as Earth heats up READ MORE
8. Small loans: Microcredit means more people can borrow money — but more scrutiny is also needed READ MORE

Main Exam

GS Paper- 1

1. As fog comes to Delhi, a look at the phenomenon and what causes it READ MORE
2. Gender violence: To change society, start at home READ MORE

GS Paper- 2

POLITY AND GOVERNANCE

1. Upholding the autonomy of the Election Commission READ MORE
2. Judicial independence, above all READ MORE
3. CAG Reforms~I READ MORE
4. CAG Reforms~II READ MORE
5. Anti-Conversion Laws and the Mobilising of Coercive Power READ MORE
6. Case to improve judicial efficiency in India READ MORE

SOCIAL ISSUES

1. Social morality can’t dictate dignity, or rights READ MORE

INTERNATIONAL ISSUES

1. Tawang clash: Sixty years on, why doesn’t India have a China-specific strategy? READ MORE
2. India must reorient its China policy READ MORE

GS Paper- 3

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

1. Digital rupee can transform India’s financial transactions READ MORE
2. India must speed up shift to renewable energy generation READ MORE
3. Unilateral carbon pricing: India needs to work on carbon border tariffs READ MORE
4. How Rise in Income Inequality is Linked With Growing Wealth Inequity READ MORE

ENVIRONMENT AND ECOLOGY

1. Unity in biodiversity: Doing little about extinction of other species is a suicide pact by 8 billion humans. But here’s some good news READ MORE  

SECURITY

1. Terror activity drops: Amid challenges, a flicker of hope in J&K READ MORE

DISASTER MANAGEMENT

1. Ready for the worst: on government’s better preparedness for cyclones READ MORE

GS Paper- 4

ETHICS EXAMPLES AND CASE STUDY

1. Our reality and the web of causality READ MORE
2. Right to salvation READ MORE
3. GOD’S love is for one and all READ MORE

Questions for the MAIN exam

1. To realise India’s demographic dividend, we must improve our gender dividend. Comment.
2. An intervention framework that acts at multiple levels of society is needed to end the pervasive nature of gender-based violence and create a gender-equitable future.

QUOTATIONS AND CAPTIONS

• Economic growth without investment in human development is unsustainable and unethical.
• To improve accessibility for all, socio-legal and health systems must be integrated into an age- and gender-inclusive manner.
• Gender equality can be achieved when girls and boys have equal rights, conditions, opportunities, and power to shape their lives and affect society.
• Socio-cultural factors play a significant role in shaping the way women are perceived in society.
• An intervention framework that acts at multiple levels of society (individual, community, institutional, legal, and policy) is needed to end the pervasive nature of gender-based violence and create a gender-equitable future.
• The Indian legal system as it is designed now, is suited to favour the rich, which makes the idea of access to justice a distant dream. Reforms at several levels are required for it to be made accessible in the true sense.
• Colonial governments essentialised religious practices and communities to create governable populations. The present-day regime remains just as ignorant of the fluidity of faith and faith-based practices in India.
• Montreal marks a breakthrough in the struggle to protect the planet’s biodiversity richness. A beginning has been made. The United Nations pact establishes a global benchmark but the lack of agreement on financing is a worry.
• A credible and impartial system of appointing judges is necessary. Any appointment must ensure judicial accountability, fostering a judiciary that, at an individual and systemic level, is independent of other branches of government.
• In sorting out the method by which the Election Commission of India is constituted, the guiding principle must be functional and effective independence from the executive.

ESSAY TOPIC

• Economic growth without investment in human development is unsustainable and unethical.

50-WORD TALK

• Delhi L-G V.K. Saxena’s order to recover Rs 97 crore from AAP for political advertisements published as government ads is exemplary. Government ads must adhere to SC guidelines and information about its policies, programmes and people’s rights and entitlements. Ruling parties must stop using taxpayers’ money to serve political interests.
• Opposition parties’ demand for a trade ban with China is impractical and driven by political considerations. Indian defence forces and diplomats can deal with Chinese mischiefs adequately and effectively. Modi government should take the opposition into confidence on sensitive national security matters instead. Broken politics is India’s biggest strategic vulnerability.

Things to Remember:

• For prelims-related news, try to understand the context of the news and relate with its concepts so that it will be easier for you to answer (or eliminate) from given options.
• Whenever any international place is in news, you should do map work (marking those areas in maps and exploring other geographical locations nearby including mountains, rivers, etc. same applies to the national places.)
• For economy-related news (banking, agriculture, etc.) you should focus on terms and how these are related to various economic aspects, for example, if inflation has been mentioned, try to relate with prevailing price rises, shortage of essential supplies, banking rates, etc.
• For main exam-related topics, you should focus on the various dimensions of the given topic, the most important topics which occur frequently and are important from the mains point of view will be covered in ED.
• Try to use the given content in your answer. Regular use of this content will bring more enrichment to your writing.

[WpProQuiz 389]

THE CONTEXT: India was elected to the UNSC for the eighth time in 2020 and began its two-year term this January. It is the council’s president in August and is, rightly, using the pulpit to focus on areas of vital interest affecting international peace and security.Recently the Prime Minister chaired the high-level debate on ‘Enhancing Maritime Security – A Case for International Cooperation’ by United Nations Security Council. The meeting was meant to discuss ways to effectively counter maritime crime and insecurity and strengthen coordination in the maritime domain.This article discusses about the importance of maritime security for India and challenges related to it.

WHAT IS MARITIME SECURITY?

The latest buzzword in international relations; maritime security doesn’t have a commonly agreed definition. It classifies issues in the maritime domain comprising national security, marine environment, economic development, and human security. Besides world’s oceans, it also deals with regional seas, territorial waters, rivers and ports.

THE FIVE PRINCIPLES OUTLINED BY PM MODI FOR MARITIME SECURITY

1. For free, maritime trade, it is necessary that we fully respect the rights of the seafarers of other countries.
2. Maritime disputes should be resolved peacefully and in accordance with international law.
3. Countries should jointly tackle maritime threats from non-state actors and natural disasters.
4. The maritime environment and marine resources needed to be conserved, highlighting pollution from plastic waste and oil spills.
5. A structure was required to boost maritime trade, for responsible maritime connectivity, with the development of global norms and standards.

THE IMPORTANCE OF MARITIME SECURITY FOR INDIA

STRATEGIC IMPORTANCE

• India is a major maritime nation by virtue of its long coast line of around 7517 Kms on the western and eastern shelves of the mainland and also along the islands, bejeweled with 13 major and 176 non- major ports, strategically located on the world’s shipping routes.
• The geo-strategic position of the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) has risen in economic and political significance in the last two decades that have witnessed a tectonic shift in international power play from the Atlantic Ocean to the Asia-Pacific—more specifically to the IOR.

Thus India has a natural interest in enhancing maritime security.

ECONOMIC IMPORTANCE

• The Indian economy is hugely dependent on energy imports to the extent of 81 percent of the total domestic oil consumption in 2015-16. These imports are transported by sea.
• While offshore oil gas production accounts for 80 percent of all domestic gas production.
• Nearly 95 percent of India’s international trade by volume and over 70 percent by value is carried over the seas.
• India is also the world’s fourth largest producer of fish, most of which comes from the sea.
• The Sagarmala project has provided a renewed thrust to port-led development and infrastructure for quick and efficient transportation of goods to and from ports.
• India has made significant strides towards harnessing deep sea resources with the International Seabed Authority according it pioneer status and an allocation of 75000 sq.km of seabed in the Central Indian Ocean.
• The living and non-living resources in Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), which measure about two-third of the landmass of the country, are exclusive to India, as also the trade and transport facilities that navigate through this area.

Nurturing this nascent maritime economy will require concerted national efforts whilst ensuring that impediments and potential threats are kept at bay.

CULTURAL IMPORTANCE

• India’s location in the Indian Ocean has placed it at the nerve centre of trade and cultural cross-pollination in this region throughout history.
• Historical evidence exists of Indian linkages with Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia and Mauritius with manifestations of Indian culture clearly seen in their temples and legends.
• Nurturing of these linkages is important for preservation of India’s interests in the region.
• The Ministry of Culture launched Project Mausam in June 2014 to re-connect and re-establish communications between countries of the Indian Ocean world.
• Focused efforts to further projects such as this and others like the Kerala government’s ‘Spice Route’ will strengthen India’s maritime interests in the IOR.

FOREIGN POLICY IMPORTANCE

• India has invested in a variety of sectors like infrastructure, industry, energy, and services in a number of countries in the immediate maritime neighbourhood and beyond.
• India has made significant strides towards harnessing deep sea resources with the International Seabed Authority according it pioneer status and an allocation of 75000 sqkm of seabed in the Central Indian Ocean.
• ONGC Videsh Ltd has invested in oil exploration in Vietnam’s EEZ in two blocks allotted by the Vietnamese Government. China has protested against this activity deeming it to be illegal in the disputed waters of the South China Sea.

While India still seems to be taking baby steps in this sector of the economy, it is important that this area of national endeavour be suitably encouraged whilst protecting it from being jeopardised by inimical interests.

SECURITY IMPORTANCE

• Securing Sea lanes of Communication: In the Indian Ocean, three major Sea Lanes of Communication (SLOCS) play a crucial role in the energy security and economic prosperity.

1. India’s exports and imports have remained mostly across the shipping lanes of the Indian Ocean. Therefore, securing Sea Lanes of Communication (SLOCs) have been an important issue for India in 21^st century.
2. Securing the sea lanes of communication (SLOCs) that traverse the oceans is of central importance to enhancing maritime security.
3. The Indian Ocean region transports 75% of the world’s maritime trade and 50% of daily global oil consumption.

THE CHALLENGES

Given its distinctive geography and the recent shift of global maritime focus from the Atlantic-Pacific combine to the Indo-Pacific continuum, the importance of the Indian Ocean Region in India’s national security calculus has greatly increased in the post-Cold War/post 9-11 era.

STRATEGIC CHALLENGES

• India’s main strategic challenge comes from its prosperous northern neighbour; China. The all-weather Sino-Pakistan alliance, with its strong anti-Indian slant, further complicates our security problems.
• The rapid growth of both economies has led to increasing reliance on energy and raw materials and transported by sea. This has focused sharp attention on the criticality, for both economies, of uninterrupted use of the sea- lanes for trade and energy transportation.
• Indian strategists are, naturally, paying attention to developments practically in all waters due to the country’s growing international profile. Their growing concern is regarding tensions rising in the East China Sea, the South China Sea and the Mediterranean.

SECURITY CHALLENGES

• India has a coastline of 7,517 kms, out of this 5,422 kms are with mainland. This vast coastline presents numerous security challenges like piracy, illegal landing of arms and explosives, infiltration, use of sea and off shore islands for criminal activities, drug and human trafficking and smuggling.
• Absence of physical barriers on the coast and presence of vital industries like port and important defence installations like RADARs and nuclear reactors enhances the risk and the need to protect its maritime region.

TRAFFICKING

• The Indian Ocean Region is regrettably home to the world’s most notorious areas of drug production, the Golden Crescent and the Golden Triangle.
• The trans-national networks established by the drug smugglers also serve as conduits for other destabilising activities like gunrunning and human trafficking.

MARITIME TERRORISM

• India’s huge coastline, a thriving maritime commercial community along its coast with nearly 200,000 fishing boats and a fishermen population of 4 million make the job of monitoring maritime activity an unenviable task.
• The ability of adversarial interests to exploit this vast maritime activity for launching attacks on land is therefore quite high, as was witnessed in the 26/11 terrorist acts.

UNSTABLE LITTORAL

• The Indian Ocean remains largely peaceful but has an unstable littoral and a northern periphery comprising countries experiencing conflict/near-conflict situations.
• The one concern is to prevent the tensions in the neighbouring waters from spilling into the Indian Ocean.

NON-TRADITIONAL CHALLENGES

• The growth of modern technology and socio-economic developments have also generated the so-called ‘non-traditional’ security challenges such as climate change, haphazard urbanisation of coastal regions, natural disasters and pandemics.
• All of them impact on security at sea and in the littoral regions which interact upon each other.

GLOBAL AND REGIONAL COOPERATION’S

• Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS)- The IONS is a voluntary initiative that seeks to increase maritime cooperation among navies of the littoral states of the Indian Ocean region. It has 23 countries as members including India.
• Heads of Asian Coast Guard Agencies Meeting (HACGAM)- HACGAM provides a platform for pan regional cooperation and was a takeoff from the Regional Senior Experts Meetings of Coast Guard Agencies of Asia which were held for combating piracy and armed robbery against ships. Have 17 nations as member including India.
• Indian Ocean Rim Association– Their charter is to promote the sustained growth and balanced development of the region and of the member states. Maritime Safety and Security is one of key roles. It has 20 countries as members including India.
• Western Pacific Naval Symposium (WPNS)- They are a series of biennial meetings of the Pacific nations to discuss naval matters held on even numbered years. 25 countries have been participating including India.
• Council for Security Cooperation in the Asia-Pacific (CSCAP)- CSCAP is a non-governmental (Track II) process for dialogue on security issues in the Asia-Pacific. Membership in CSCAP is on an institutional basis and consists of member countries. Current membership comprises Australia, Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Canada, China, the EU, India, Indonesia, Japan, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, the Republic of Korea, Malaysia, Mongolia, New Zealand, the Philippines, Russia, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam and the United States.
• The Regional Cooperation Agreement on Combating Piracy and Armed Robbery against Ships in Asia (ReCAAP)– was concluded in September 4, 2006, by 14 contracting countries for this region in which India was also a member. This also includes the ReCAAP Information Sharing Centre for sharing of piracy-related information.

WAY FORWARD 

• A rules-based international order that recognises national sovereignty and territorial integrity, apart from stressing environmental sustainability, is the need of the hour.
• It is also important that the world sees enhanced coordination among countries in responding to high seas crimes including piracy, trafficking, narco-smuggling and other non-traditional maritime security threats, and acts jointly to meet humanitarian commitments at sea.
• The UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) provides a general framework that could be built upon for a comprehensive approach to maritime security and guaranteeing of the seas as a global commons for the benefit of all.
• It is important that all countries agree to adhere to international rules governing the maritime domain and put them into effect nationally. Such an order should serve all nations, big or small, and ensure similar rights under international law to all.

CONCLUSION: Given the huge role of sea-borne trade in human wellbeing, ensuring freedom of navigation and safety on the seas is a global imperative. For India, maritime security is also important given its sea-facing geography and civilisational links developed over millennia through seafaring. It is, thus, once again in the fitness of things that India should push towards a comprehensive approach to maritime security.

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2. 30-by-30: Key takeaways from the COP15 biodiversity summit READ MORE

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2. Rising Inequalities in Income in India READ MORE

1. Judiciary and Its Collegium System: We need a more transparently and efficiently appointed, diverse set of judges. READ MORE
2. The era of free data is over — the law is coming for Big Tech READ MORE
3. Personal liberty sacred: Supreme Court shows the way by releasing petty thief READ MORE

(Newspapers, PIB and other important sources)

Prelim and Main

1. Shri Nitin Gadkari launches first-ever ‘Surety Bond Insurance’ for infrastructure projects READ MORE  
2. Historic biodiversity deal gets the nod at COP15 summit in Canada READ MORE
3. K.’s Rwanda asylum seeker deportation plan is lawful, court rules READ MORE
4. LS passes Bill to extend ST status to Betta-Kuruba READ MORE
5. Explained | What are carbon markets and how do they operate? READ MORE
6. Haryana notifies rules to implement anti-conversion law; burden of proving innocence to be on accused READ MORE
7. The black hole of public finance: Unequal fiscal burden on citizens READ MORE
8. Measuring gamma-ray bursts’ hidden energy unearths clues to the evolution of the universe READ MORE

Main Exam

GS Paper- 1

1. Census as a mirror of past and present READ MORE
2. How two laws and religion in India are open to same-sex marriage READ MORE

GS Paper- 2

POLITY AND GOVERNANCE

1. Judiciary and Its Collegium System: We need a more transparently and efficiently appointed, diverse set of judges. READ MORE
2. The era of free data is over — the law is coming for Big Tech READ MORE
3. Personal liberty sacred: Supreme Court shows the way by releasing petty thief READ MORE

SOCIAL ISSUES

1. Bihar’s prohibition policy is not working READ MORE
2. Rising Inequalities in Income in India READ MORE

INTERNATIONAL ISSUES

1. A role for India in a world wide web READ MORE
2. Determined to lead & succeed: New Delhi wants to use the presidency to develop G20 into a substitute even for UN READ MORE

GS Paper- 3

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

1. Ambiguity on food security: The procurement of foodgrains has declined which raises doubts about food security in the country READ MORE
2. Govt needs money: The central government is in dire need of money for subsidies. Its borrowings could lead to price rise READ MORE

ENVIRONMENT AND ECOLOGY

1. A planet in crisis: on tangible outcomes from biological diversity convention READ MORE  
2. 30-by-30: Key takeaways from the COP15 biodiversity summit READ MORE

SECURITY

1. Cyber-attacks on healthcare sector rising READ MORE

DISASTER MANAGEMENT

1. Ready for the worst: on government’s better preparedness for cyclones READ MORE

GS Paper- 4

ETHICS EXAMPLES AND CASE STUDY

1. Femininity is a principle, not just a gender READ MORE
2. Nurture humility, key to realising the ultimate READ MORE
3. Why do we break our unity in God’s name? READ MORE

Questions for the MAIN exam

1. Discuss how aggressive interest rate hikes by the Federal Reserve threaten India’s economic growth and how it has a ripple effect on India?
2. The underscoring of the right to liberty assumes significance in the context of recent events in India, where the voice of ordinary people is being increasingly muzzled and their freedom brazenly curtailed. Analyse.

QUOTATIONS AND CAPTIONS

• Never think that war, no matter how necessary, nor how justified, is not a crime.
• The more we value things outside our control, the less control we have.
• India as a country and the Indian consumer are leapfrogging the world in digitisation and digital technology, with the government treating these as Digital Public Goods. And the world over, laws are being brought in to regulate the sector.
• Life is not about our performance in the outside world, but about keeping our focus on the Atman and always trying our best.
• Effacement is not a sign of weakness. It’s the hallmark of her innate strength.
• The feminine principle under provocation can unleash aggression and intimidation that can at times even eclipse the masculine principle.
• Some attributes like humility need to be nurtured as they hold the key to the realisation of the ultimate.
• India plays an influential role both in the United Nations, a universal organisation that has 193 member states, and in the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) that has only its seven neighbours.
• Drug regulators caution medical device makers and users on the pitfalls of online connectivity and outline measures to protect from cyber threats.
• Cultivating oil palm under micro-irrigation is the best option.
• A diversified economy, tech adoption and a large working-age population are some of the factors that will help achieve the target of 5 Trillion- Dollar economy.
• The underscoring of the right to liberty assumes significance in the context of recent events in our country where the voice of ordinary people, especially if it goes against that of the political masters, is being increasingly muzzled and their freedom brazenly curtailed.
• It is time the policymakers held a review on the relevance of Governors and their roles.
• To improve the position on trade, Indian policymakers need to review how the currency is managed. A strong currency in real terms will not help the tradable sector.
• It should be allowed to adjust to avoid imbalances on the external front. Since currency adjustment is non-discriminatory, it is a far better tool for managing the external account than selective import controls.

50-WORD TALK

• Last week’s skirmish near Arunachal’s Tawang demonstrates China remains committed to seizing tactically-important territories along the Line of Actual Control. The Indian Army has shown it cannot be bullied into giving ground. The real challenge, however, is to protect the borders without being sucked into an expensive, resource-sapping military build-up.
• Sushil Modi saying the Rs 2,000 note is a tool of terror financing and black money is another indictment of demonetisation. If high-value notes were removed in 2016 for being used in illegal activities, it makes sense that higher-value notes would follow the same path. The answer lies in digitisation.

Things to Remember:

• For prelims-related news try to understand the context of the news and relate with its concepts so that it will be easier for you to answer (or eliminate) from given options.
• Whenever any international place will be in news, you should do map work (marking those areas in maps and exploring other geographical locations nearby including mountains, rivers, etc. same applies to the national places.)
• For economy-related news (banking, agriculture, etc.) you should focus on terms and how these are related to various economic aspects, for example, if inflation has been mentioned, try to relate with prevailing price rises, shortage of essential supplies, banking rates, etc.
• For main exam-related topics, you should focus on the various dimensions of the given topic, the most important topics which occur frequently and are important from the mains point of view will be covered in ED.
• Try to use the given content in your answer. Regular use of this content will bring more enrichment to your writing.

THE CONTEXT: India has been elected unopposed to the United Nations Security Council as a non-permanent member for a two-year term beginning in January 2021. India was the only candidate for the Asia-Pacific seat and secured 184 of the 192 votes. It will be India’s eighth innings in UNSC. India’s election to the Council was the easy part. Its tenure, however, will be more challenging.

ABOUT THE ELECTIONS OF NON-PERMANENT MEMBERS OF THE SECURITY COUNCIL

1. Each year the General Assembly elects five non-permanent members for a two-year term.
2. To be elected to the Council, candidate countries need a two-thirds majority of ballots of 192 Member States in the Assembly.
3. India was an unopposed candidate in the Asia-Pacific group.
4. Ireland, Mexico and Norway were elected along with India.

UNCERTAIN AND CHALLENGING TIMES

• India will be back in the UNSC at a critical time in the history when the world will celebrate the 75th anniversary of the United Nations and later the 75th anniversary of India’s independence in 2022.
• It will be a time marked by profound change, great power competition and possible realignment.
• It is hoped that by then COVID-19 will have subsided, a U.S. President will have been elected, and the contours of a new post-COVID world order may have emerged.
• But it will be also a time to push, generate valuable discussion and prove India’s ‘vishwa-guru’ credentials

HOW INDIA HAS CONTRIBUTED TO UNSC IN HER PAST TENURES?

• India has a record of contributing to some of the seminal resolutions of the UNSC. It has always been to be a part of the democratic majority in the UNSC, contributing to the adoption of broadly acceptable resolutions and decisions.
• India generally joins the resolutions which are adopted either unanimously or without a vote. It mostly votes in favour of the resolutions. In abstentions too, India always had support of other members.
• The Indian behaviour shows systematic effort to display a constructive, rule of law abiding and a democratic majority building state in a global, multilateral setting like the Security Council.
• Voting in the UNSC and the UNGA Indian policy has maintained a high degree of consistency over the years, often despite major transitions on the international stage.
• Indian position has served as a common thread for various collective interests of developing nations. There has been consistent and active engagement by India at the UN, particularly as a leader amongst developing nations.

WHAT INDIA PLANS TO CONTRIBUTE TO THE UNSC?

India is committed to multilateralism, rule of law, and a fair & equitable international system. India takes the temporary membership seriously as it can play an important role in shaping the future debate by promoting responsible & inclusive solutions to international peace & security.
India in the UNSC would focus on five key areas. These include, new opportunities for progress, fighting international terrorism, reforming the UN system, comprehensive approach to international peace and security, and promoting technology with a human touch.

CCIT

• Anti-terrorism fight should take strong steps against states providing havens to terrorists. It should identify, hold accountable and take strong measures against them.
• India proposed a draft document on the Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism (CCIT) at the UN in 1986 but it has not been implemented as there is no unanimity on the definitionof terrorism (freedom fighters)among the member states.
• Post 9/11, India’s position on a global response to terrorism has been acknowledged by the international community. But the proposal for the CCIT has been stuck.
• India will call upon the international community to expeditiously adopt the CCIT without any further delay.

NORM AS THE NEW APPROACH

In this endeavor, India would be guided by the 5S approach– SAMMAN – Respect, SAMVAD – Dialogue, SAHYOG – Cooperation, SHANTI – Peace, SAMRIDDHI – Prosperity. India’s overall objective during the two-year tenure will be a “NEW ORIENTATION for a REFORMED MULTILATERAL SYSTEM,” NORMS.

a) New opportunities for Progress

As a rule-abiding democracy and a positive contributor to the security of the global commons, India will work constructively with partners to bring innovative and inclusive solutions to foster development. India will work for greater involvement of women and youth to shape a new paradigm in the post-COVID19 context.

b) Effective response to global terrorism

Terrorism is an enduring and critical threat to international peace and security. Terrorist groups have linkages across borders, regions and continents in recruitment, financing and operations. Counter-terrorism will be one of the highest priorities for India at the UNSC. India will be pushing for more transparency in the process of listing and delisting of entities. It will pursue concrete and result-oriented action by the Council aimed at:

• addressing the abuse of ICT by terrorists
• disrupting their nexus with sponsors and transnational organised criminal entities
• stemming the flow of terror finance
• strengthening normative and operative frameworks for greater coordination with other multilateral forums

c) Reforming Multilateral Systems

There are widespread concerns at the inadequacy of the existing multilateral institutions to deliver results or meet new challenges. Therefore, there is a need to promote greater cooperation in multilateral institutions. Reformed multilateralism is a must for the post-COVID19 era. A first and vital step in this direction is the reform of the Security Council. It must reflect contemporary realities to be more effective

d) Comprehensive approach to international peace and security

Today’s peace and security challenges require a comprehensive and integrated approach, harmonizing national choices and international priorities. Also, streamlining UN Peacekeeping is an overdue task. There is need to ensure greater clarity, direction and professionalism in UN Peacekeeping operations. Since most peacekeepers are contributed by non-Council members a better partnership between the Security Council and the Troop Contributing Countries is needed. As the largest Troop Contributing Countries, India will seek to engage deeply in finalising of mandates for UN peacekeeping missions. India’s vision in this regard is guided by dialogue and cooperation, mutual respect and commitment to International law.

e) Technology with a Human Touch

Rapidly evolving technology has broader consequences for humankind and it must be intelligently harnessed by the international community. The world needs a shared vision of the direction of technological progress to ensure technology remains a force for good. Innovative uses of technology offer promising opportunities to address humanitarian challenges. India will encourage partnerships to harness the benefits of technological innovation to reduce human suffering, enhance ease of living and build resilient communities.
Some of the biggest issues confronting the UNSC will be the issues of governing the global commons and the high seas. With its global values, and positive contribution, to the security of the global commons, India will work constructively with partners. It will stay true to its founding tradition of nonalignment and not take sides with any big power. India’s presence in the UN Security Council will help bring to the world its ethos of “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam” – the world is one.

WHAT IS THE SIGNIFICANCE OF INDIA’S UNSC TENURE FOR ITS SECURITY?

PAKISTAN

Pakistan considers UNSC interventions in J&K as a win for its attempt to make the issue an internationally recognized dispute. Since the abrogation Article 370, Pakistan along with China has tried to raise the matter 3 times in the Security Council. As India sits at the high table, raising Kashmir or a discussion on it at the UNSC may become much more difficult for Pakistan.
New Delhi’s concern with Pakistan is also seen in its articulation in the subject of international and cross-border terrorism. Although the context is normally hidden in general terms, the reference is to Pakistan. India could use its influence the UNSC sanctions regime to ban Pakistan-based militant groups and individual and put in place an effective regime to contain terror financing. Moreover, Pakistan’s nuclear program can also come under greater scrutiny.
But raising issues in the UNSC has little to do with non-permanent membership. Political ties with the P-5 are much more important. Pakistan is not among the non-permanent group now, China will stop all anti-Pakistan move sought to be introduced by India or the US or the UK.

CHINA

Relations between Beijing and New Delhi are likely to be dictated by several contentious issues like the territorial dispute, mutual distrust, trade imbalances etc. India’s election to the Security Council coincided with the most serious clash with China along the LAC in Eastern Ladakh in decades. The clash highlights the military tensions between the two nuclear-armed neighbors, and is likely to accentuate their differences in other arenas in general, and the Security Council in particular.
India’s presence in the UN Security Council will make it a little easier to counter moves by China to target New Delhi on internal issues like abrogation of Article 370 and blocking the designation of Masood Azhar as a global terrorist for nearly a decade. The most relevant issue to India’s tenure on the Council is Beijing’s sustained efforts to hinder New Delhi’s quest for a greater role in global governance institutions like UNSC and NSG.
China’s illegal actions in Ladakh and incursions into Indian territory on multiple points along the LAC, its aggressive posture in the South China Sea and disregard for international rule of law, the aggression around the Senkaku islands, its tensions with Taiwan, its actions concerning Hong Kong and Xinjiang will all come under spotlight. India can leverage these developments to push for its own deserving and qualified candidates to head UN organizations, and should endeavor to get elected to more Committees, as well as positions within the UN system.

CHINA’S RESISTANCE TO REFORMS

• China, which has veto power, has been obstructing India’s efforts to become permanent member, pointing out lack of consensus even though the other four – US, UK, France and Russia – have backed New Delhi’s membership.
• It has rejected a timeframe for the prolonged Intergovernmental Negotiations in the General Assembly on Council reforms, while also insisting on the consensus principle.
• It has advocated for a “package solution” which includes expansion only in non-permanent memberships.
• After the border standoff, China’s covert and overt opposition to India playing a greater role in global governance is likely to increase.

INCREASING CHINESE FOOTPRINT IN THE UN SYSTEM

China’s footprint is getting wider and deeper in the UN despite its paltry financial contributions. China heads 4 of the UN’s 15 specialised agencies while other P5 members lead one specialized agency each even when they contribute three times the amount of money into the UN budget. The China story is the same across other UN agencies — minimal money for maximum influence.

There are hundreds of Chinese bureaucrats in the UN system that can be used to dispense favours or deny them. China continues to capture both high- and mid-level positions where officials set the norms for the rest of the world. Chinese bureaucrats are not always neutral. They build a China-friendly narrative and promote Chinese companies to further tighten their grip.
Other nations, especially the US, can take strategic steps to contain Chinese influence in the UN. Last year, the US, India, Japan and others fought and succeeded in removing biased Chinese language from various documents.
India is generally seen indifferent to global organizations in general. It has not tried with the same intensity as the Chinese to populate the organization with its diplomats. However recent confrontations with China may make India more attentive to the UN in the future. Countries, including India, must nominate qualified candidates to bring a semblance of balance to the UN system.

STRATEGIC AUTONOMY

Some experts have argued that India will invariably move closer to the West, led by Washington, and will inevitably become part of a like-minded collection of democracies to counter Chinese intentions and capabilities. While calls for India to move closer to the West have increased, there has been little direct evidence of the West’s support to India, either in terms of policy or materials.
New Delhi is, doubtless, keener for closer ties with US-led Western democracies. While some of India’s priorities will, clearly, place it against China, New Delhi is unlikely to unquestioningly support the US and its allies. In some instances it might find itself in line with China and Russia, rather than the West. Because of this, some caution against formal alliances as strategic autonomy has served India’s interest best.
Thus, unless India receives unequivocal support, especially from the US, for a greater role in global governance, including permanent membership of the Council, it is likely to maintain strategic and decisional autonomy, which ensures overwhelming support from the majority of the UN membership for its ascendency.

INDIA’S QUEST FOR PERMANENT SEAT

As a founding member of the United Nations, India’s contribution to implementing the goals of the United Nations Charter and to the evolution of UN specialised agencies and programmes has been substantial. India’s election to the U.N. Security Council as a non-permanent member is a significant diplomatic victory for the country, which has long been pushing for reforms at global institutions.

UNSC NON-PERMANENT SEAT IS SYMBOLIC

• Being a part of the 10-member non-permanent group is mainly symbolic. The temporary members have little say in important matters.
• Since 1986 (the Iran-Iraq war), the P-5 would meet separately on vital international issues and then inform the non-permanent members about their decisions. Holding meetings with just the five major powers have now become the norm on important issues.
• Non-permanent member nations are allowed to question or ask for clarifications. But they cannot make an impact on the decision already made by the P5. Without UNSC reforms no member except the P5 can make an impact.

UNSC REFORMS: THE NEED

When the UN came into being in 1945, its charter was signed by 50 nations. Today, it has 193 member states. UNSC continues to reflect the power equation

that existed after the end of World War-II. The global scenario has completely changed in the last seven decades with the emergence of new regional powers like India and Brazil. India has long been of the view that the structure of the UN Security Council doesn’t reflect the realities of the 21st century and it is ill-equipped to handle current challenges.
UNSC reform has been considered necessary for decades. Lack of reforms has produced a highly unequal and inefficient Security Council. The current structuring of the UNSC converges most of the power to the P5, while non-permanent members of the council have been relegated to a role of rubber stamping.
The stability in the United Nations and empowerment of the world body are essential for the welfare of the world. An unreformed and under-representative multilateral system can’t effectively deal with new or persistent challenges — Covid-19 and terrorism. Former UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan has said that the Security Council must either reform or risk being rendered increasingly irrelevant by some of the new emerging countries.
The UN has kept itself aloof from reforms and restructuring which is the need of the hour. India’s approach to the UNSC reforms is based on Reformed Multilateralism and it advocates text based negotiations in a fixed time frame. It has also got increasing support from member countries for its push for reforms. The UN’s 75th anniversary should become a historic occasion by making the body more inclusive. Any failure to expedite reform of the UNSC may have serious implications for international peace and security.

UNSC REFORMS: INDIA’S CLAIM FOR PERMANENT MEMBERSHIP

India’s election as a non-permanent member has reignited its quest for permanent membership of the Council. The Indian calculus on permanent membership of Security Council flow broadly from a mix of three streams viz., India’s historic association with the UN system itself since its independence, India’s intrinsic value and place in contemporary international politics and its ambitions as a traditional great power in Asia and beyond.

a) India in the UN system

India, since its independence and even before that, has been an active participant in all initiatives undertaken by the UN and the various UN organs. India was also instrumental in establishing the G77 of developing states at the UN. Former Secretary General Kofi Annan regarded India as one of the most significant votaries of shaping the UN agenda on behalf of the developing world.
During her elections for UNSC seat by a democratic ballot with two-thirds majority, India has undergone intense democratic scrutiny which none of the P5 members have undergone since 1945. India also makes a strong case by highlighting its regular, significant contributions to the UN. India has remained the largest cumulative contributor of UN peacekeeping troops. Despite low per capita income, India ranks 21st in terms of financial contributions to the UN.
Indian strategic interest in the Council seat has also been shaped by its history of interacting with the Security Council. An Indian presence at the Security Council will ensure the nation’s interests are not sacrificed in the great power politics (like 1948 Kashmir resolution). It will stall any possible intervention by China, a permanent member at the behest of Pakistan.

b) India’s intrinsic value

By any objective criteria, such as population, territorial size, GDP, economic potential, civilizational legacy, cultural diversity, political system and contributions to the activities of the UN — especially to UN peacekeeping operations — India is qualified for permanent membership. India’s newly acquired status as a Nuclear Weapons State (NWS) in May 1998 also makes it a natural claimant as a permanent member similar to the existing permanent members who are all NWS.
India carries the necessary abilities, actual and potential, which entitles it to a permanent seat at the Council. It has repeatedly affirmed its willingness and capacity to shoulder the responsibilities of permanent membership. Most countries value New Delhi’s perspective because they believe India as a developing country brings a nuanced position and offers solutions they can accept.

c) India’s great power ambitions

India wishes to shift its international position from a rule taker (a constrained role) to a rule maker (a system shaping role). The Indian attempts at joining various regimes like the MTCR and the NSG indicate that India is no more satisfied with being either the target or a mere follower of various international norms and rules, and now wants to shape and align them to suit Indian ideas and interests.
India’s economic growth, cultural robustness and rise as a strong regional military power also make a strong pitch for India’s inclusion in the Security Council. The permanent seat in the UNSC would provide India the much needed leverage to expand its global geo-political and geo-economic clout. It would serve as an equaliser to China as India has always seen itself as a democratic alternative to the authoritarian China.

IGN

• An Inter-Governmental Negotiation (IGN) process of the UN has been working on various aspects of the reform since 2009.
• UNGA adopted a consensus resolution in 2015 to move from IGN to Text-Based Negotiations (TBN) but little progress has been made.
• The discussions are considered informal and no attempt has been made to capture the discussions in a single consolidated text for negotiations.
• The recent decision regarding the extension of the IGN into the next session of the General Assembly has disappointed India. India has demanded that the extension decision must capture clearly the recent tangible progress.
• The areas in which clear progress was made during the year was the increasing support among member states for the Common African Position as well as for the urgent need for transparency and application of the General Assembly’s rules of procedure to the IGN.
• There is a need to ensure that the IGN process is not held hostage, procedurally and substantially, by those who do not wish to bring about reform in the Security Council. India has been demanding tangible action to achieve the long-delayed reforms.

UNSC REFORMS: INDIA’S EFFORTS

Government has accorded the highest priority to getting permanent membership for India in an expanded UNSC that reflects contemporary global realities. In his address to the UNGA, Prime Minister assertively pitched for UN reforms, asking how long India would have to wait before it was included in the decision making structures of the global body.

India has used its non-permanent status as a stepping stone to prepare a bid for the permanent candidacy. India is actively engaged in the ongoing inter-governmental negotiations on reform of the UNSC and has been working alongside other like-minded countries and groupings.

Through its membership of the G-4 bloc (India, Japan, Brazil and Germany) as well as with cross regional grouping of developing countries of Asia, Africa and Latin America, has been consistently working to build support among the UN member states for expansion of the UNSC, in both permanent and non-permanent categories. UNSC reforms are discussed in all relevant bilateral and multilateral meetings.

UNSC REFORMS: THE PROGRESS SO FAR

The G4 group has long been pushing for reforms at the highest level. Ranged against the G4 are Italy, Pakistan, Mexico, and Egypt, previously called the “coffee club’’ but now the term used is “uniting for consensus.’’ There is a separate African group, which wants two rotating seats for the continent. India, Germany, and Japan has the backing of the US, Russia, France, and UK. China naturally wants India out and would like to bring in Pakistan.

The G-4 proposal has pressed the case for G4 countries as Permanent Members of the UNSC, even though it may be without a veto for some years. A larger proposal to expand the UN Security Council with two other members from Africa in addition to the G-4 failed due to lack of consensus in the African group. Currently the African union has agreed upon the Ezulwini Consensus and Sirte declaration (at least 2 permanent and 2-5 non-permanent seats for Africa). This common African position is supported by the G4. All these proposals face challenging proposals.

As a consequence of the long debate on the expansion of the UNSC, many countries which have never served on the Council have begun to claim their turn. The debate has thrown up many ideas but none of the proposals has the possibility of securing two-thirds majority of the General Assembly and the votes of the P5 members.

The G4 grouping has expressed their concern over lack of any meaningful forward movement on long-pending reform of the UNSC and demanded urgency on the issue. IBSA has also expressed frustration over the slow pace of progress on reforms and said the time had come to move towards a result-oriented process.

There is widespread support, including by four of the five permanent members – the US, the UK, France and Russia – for a permanent seat for India at the Council. In February President Donald Trump said he was committed to working with India to strengthen and reform the UN. Russian Foreign Minister has declared support for India and Brazil to be permanent members of the UNSC. There is however, a section in the UN led by that supports expansion only in the non-permanent category.

UNSC REFORMS: THE OBSTACLES

China, a P5 member with veto power, has been stonewalling India’s efforts to become a permanent member, pointing to lack of consensus even though the other four P5 members have supported New Delhi’s membership.

Expansion of permanent membership of the UNSC could be considered only amendments in the UN Charter which requires approval by two-third of the membership of the UN. As long as Pakistan has China’s support, India is unlikely to become a permanent member of the council.

While the P5 members can be blamed for being adamant about protecting their privileged positions, a majority of the UN members are against the privileges of the permanent members, particularly the veto. India’s performance in the Council may earn it respect, but it will not lead to its elevation to permanent membership as the opposition to any expansion is not India-specific.

There is even the probability that the desired UN reforms and expansion may never come to fulfillment. The UN-driven multilateralism was a system set up by the victor nations who worked in concert to guarantee its success. The arrangement survived even the period of the Cold War as the original understanding underpinning the organization was adhered to. Today the global scenario has drastically changed, with the rapid rise of a revisionist China with scant regard for international rule of law even as the US undermines rather than supports multilateral initiatives. This has happened in tandem with a resurgence of populist nationalism across the world, including in India.

Other Concerns

• The ‘America First’ doctrine will endure in some form even if a new administration comes to power in Washington. This makes U.S. foreign policy more transactional, which in turn will generate less traction to the reform process within the UN
• The election of Turkish diplomat-politician Volkan Bozkır as the President of the General Assembly can set back India’s efforts against India’s global and national interests.

WAY FORWARD

The Security Council is one of the most important multilateral decision-making bodies where the contours of global geopolitics are often drawn. The COVID-19 pandemic has already shaken up the global order and sharpened the rivalry between the U.S. and China. It has also opened up fresh debates on strengthening multilateralism and multilateral institutions. In this context, the challenges before India are many.

India will have a higher profile at the UN for the next two years as the non-permanent members have a collective veto over every resolution in the Council. India will get involved in many issues in which it may not have any direct interest. On all issues before the UNSC, India must give exceptional weightage as to how they will have an impact on the Indian subcontinent.

India will work with all member countries to promote global peace, security, resilience and equity. However, India will have to work diligently within the confines of realities of the global situation. Since India does not have a veto, it shall have to proceed cautiously. India should avoid the temptation of taking sides at a time when the Security Council is getting more and more polarised.

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INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

1. UPPER TAMAKOSHI HYDROELECTRIC PROJECT (UTKHEP)

THE CONTEXT: According to Kathmandu officials, India-Nepal hydro-power trade is set to become a regional game-changer, pointing to the possibilities of buying power from Nepal and making it available over an electric grid system to consumers in India, Bangladesh and even Sri Lanka. However, India’s opposition to the use of Chinese contractors in the projects is delaying the process.

THE EXPLANATION:

• With India refusing to purchase power from the UTKHEP for its grid, Nepal’s government has now asked New Delhi to allow a bilateral transmission from the power plant to Bangladesh, that has been willing to buy the power.
• The Upper Tamakoshi plant, which has been operational since 2021, was constructed by a number of contractors chosen through an international tender, including the civil construction by China’s Sinohydro and Austria’s Andritz Hydro, for the supply of electro-mechanical equipment, and India’s KEC International for the 220-kV transmission line and sub-station.
• Situated close to the Nepal border with Tibet, the project on the Tamakoshi river was called “Nepal’s Three Gorges dam”, given its size and its contribution to making Nepal a power-surplus country in the “wet” or rainy season. After four years of negotiations, India and Nepal signed a path-breaking Power Trading Agreement (PTA) in 2014, agreeing to the exchange of electricity and cooperation in the hydro-power sector, and Indian companies are involved in developing several Nepali projects.
• However, in 2021, after the military stand-off at the Line of Actual Control (LAC) over Chinese transgressions, the government issued a number of financial measures on Chinese investment and imports, including new “Procedure for Approval and Facilitating Import/Export (Cross Border) of Electricity”

The procedure included clause (6.3(i)) that prohibited trade with power plants that had ownership from a country that shares “land border” with India but has no bilateral power treaty with India — indicating China and Pakistan.

It is sited on the Tamakoshi River (also spelled TamaKoshi), a tributary of the SaptaKoshi river

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

2. DEEPFAKE TECHNOLOGY

THE CONTEXT: Recently, the Cyberspace Administration of China, the country’s cyberspace watchdog, is rolling out new regulations, to be effective from January 10, 2022 to restrict the use of deep synthesis technology and curb disinformation.

THE EXPLANATION:

Deep synthesis is defined as the use of technologies, including deep learning and augmented reality, to generate text, images, audio and video to create virtual scenes. One of the most notorious applications of the technology is deepfakes, where synthetic media is used to swap the face or voice of one person for another. Deepfakes are getting harder to detect with the advancement of technology. It is used to generate celebrity porn videos, produce fake news, and commit financial fraud among other wrongdoings. Under the guidelines of China’s new rules, companies and platforms using the technology must first receive consent from individuals before they edit their voice or image.

What is a deepfake?

• Deepfakes are a compilation of artificial images and audio put together with machine-learning algorithms to spread misinformation and replace a real person’s appearance, voice, or both with similar artificial likenesses or voices. It can create people who do not exist, and it can fake real people saying and doing things they did not say or do.
• The term deepfake originated in 2017, when an anonymous Reddit user called himself “Deepfakes.” This user manipulated Google’s open-source, deep-learning technology to create and post pornographic videos. The videos were doctored with a technique known as face-swapping. The user “Deepfakes” replaced real faces with celebrity faces.
• Deepfake technology is now being used for nefarious purposes like scams and hoaxes, celebrity pornography, election manipulation, social engineering, automated disinformation attacks, identity theft and financial fraud.

What are other countries doing to combat deepfakes?

• The European Union has an updated Code of Practice to stop the spread of disinformation through deepfakes. The revised Code requires tech companies including Google, Meta, and Twitter to take measures in countering deepfakes and fake accounts on their platforms.
• In India, however, there are no legal rules against using deepfake technology. However, specific laws can be addressed for misusing the tech, which include Copyright Violation, Defamation and cyber felonies.

ENVIRONMENT

3. INDIA PUSHES FOR NEW BIODIVERSITY FUND

THE CONTEXT: Recently,India has said at the U.N. biodiversity conference in Canada’s Montreal, there is an urgent need to create a new and dedicated fund to help developing countries successfully implement a post-2020 global framework to halt and reverse biodiversity loss.

THE EXPLANATION:

• It has also said that conservation of biodiversity must also be based on ‘Common but Differentiated Responsibilities and Respective Capabilities’ (CBDR) as climate change also impacts nature. As the 196 parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) finalise negotiations for a post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF)—a new set of goals and targets to halt and reverse biodiversity loss—there have been repeated calls for the inclusion of the CBDR principle in finance-related targets.
• The Global Environment Facility which caters to multiple conventions, including the UNFCCC and UN Convention to Combat Desertification, remains the only source of funding for biodiversity conservation.
• At CBD COP15, developing countries have been demanding a new and dedicated biodiversity fund, saying the existing multilateral sources are not up to the task of meeting the requirements of the GBF. Differences with rich countries on the matter had prompted representatives from developing nations to walk out of crucial financing talks developing countries bear most of the burden of implementing the targets for conservation of biodiversity and, therefore, require adequate funds and technology transfer for this purpose.

Connect the dots:

• Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD): The Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), a legally binding treaty to conserve biodiversity has been in force since 1993. It has 3 main objectives:
  o The conservation of biological diversity.
  o The sustainable use of the components of biological diversity.
  o The fair and equitable sharing of the benefits arising out of the utilization of genetic resources.
  o India enacted Biological Diversity Act in 2002 for giving effect to the provisions of the CBD.
• CBDR: Common But Differentiated Responsibilities (CBDR) is a principle within the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) that acknowledges different capabilities and differing responsibilities of individual countries in addressing climate change. The principle of CBDR is enshrined in Earth Summit 1992, held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
• Global Environment Facility: The Global Environment Facility (GEF) is a multilateral financial mechanism that provides grants to developing countries for projects that benefit the global environment and promote sustainable livelihoods in local communities.HQ: WASHINGTON , DC.

PRELIMS PERSPECTIVE

4. KERALA TOPS THE COUNTRY IN TERMS OF CITIZENS WITH PASSPORTS

THE CONTEXT: According to Passport Index, Indians can enjoy visa-free travel to 22 countries. Three of these countries (Nepal, Bhutan and Mauritius) are in the neighbourhood.

THE EXPLANATION:

• There are quite a few Caribbean countries on the list such as Barbados, Dominica, Grenada, Jamaica, Saint Kitts and Nevis, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, and Trinidad and Tobago besides two Latin American countries (El Salvador and Haiti). Three of the countries are in the Pacific Islands — Micronesia, Vanuatu and Fiji (with a high proportion of Indian-origin citizens), while two African countries provide this facility (Gambia and Senegal). Only one European country — Serbia — allows visa-free travel for Indians.
• According to the index, India ranked a joint 69th in 2022 in terms of ease of mobility of travel to other countries. This ease of travel was measured in terms of availability of visa-free regimes or visa on arrival for Indians in other countries.
• While India marginally improved in the index (its rank jumped four places from 73 in 2021), it still ranked below many Asian and developing countries.
• More than 9.58 crore passports have been issued in India as of December 8, 2022. This amounts to nearly 7% of India’s projected population in 2022.
• According to a recent Reserve Bank of India bulletin, a state-wise breakup shows that Kerala had both the highest number (nearly 1.13 crore) and the highest proportion (an estimated 31.6% of the State’s population) of passport holders in the country. This is not surprising as Kerala is one of the States that has a high expatriate population and also is heavily dependent on remittances (10.2% of all inward remittances to India went to the State as of FY21.

Connect the Dots:

Henley Passport Index 2022:

• The Henley Passport Index is a worldwide ranking system for countries and their passports, based on the freedom of the holders of such passports to travel visa-free or obtain a visa on arrival in various travel destinations.
• In the index, India has been ranked at 87th position,among 199 world’s most powerful passports in 2022. Ranking was based on the number of destinations the passport holders could access without prior visa.
• Among the 199 countries, Japan was ranked first. It is followed by Singapore and South Korea.

5. DISTRICT MINERAL FOUNDATION (DMF)

THE CONTEXT: Odisha’s Keonjhar district is India’s highest recipient of funds under the District Mineral Foundation (DMF) scheme, and has spent ₹3,000 crore under the scheme over the past seven years.

THE EXPLANATION:

ABOUT DISTRICT MINERAL FOUNDATION (DMF):

Objective: To work for the interest of the benefit of the persons and areas affected mining related operations in such manner as may be prescribed by the State Government.
Statutory Provision: Mine and Minerals Development Regulation (Amendment) Act, 2015, in every district affected by mining-related operations, the state government shall, by notification, establish a trust as a non-profit body to be called the District Mineral Foundation.
DMFT Funds: Mining companies contribute 10-30% on the royalty amount that they pay to the government to DMF Trust in the district they are operating in.
The fund is collected at the district level. There are certain high-priority areas identified in all states’ DMF rules, where at least 60 per cent of the fund must be used. These include vital and pressing concerns, including healthcare

Connect the dots:

Pradhan Mantri Khanij Kshetra Kalyan Yojana (PMKKKY)