TAG: GS 3: ECOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENT

THE CONTEXT: The Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC), operating under the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), convened in Nairobi to pursue the creation of an international legally binding treaty to combat plastic pollution worldwide.

EXPLANATION:

• The third round of negotiations, INC-3, aimed to refine the ‘zero draft’ text and establish a comprehensive global plastics treaty by 2025, as mandated by UNEA Resolution 5/14.

Outcome of INC-3: Evaluating the ‘Zero Draft’

• The ‘zero draft’ initially proposed robust measures for a binding treaty to address plastic pollution.
• However, during negotiations, member states diluted core obligations, particularly regarding high-impact elements like primary polymer production, chemical concerns, problematic plastics, trade regulations, and financial mechanisms.

Controversial Negotiations: Divergent Perspectives

• Member states debated the treaty’s objective and scope, with consensus on ending plastic pollution and safeguarding human health and the environment.
• Nevertheless, a group of nations, including Saudi Arabia, Russia, China, Iran, and Gulf Cooperation Council members, advocated for a clause favouring sustainable development to protect economic interests.
• The reduction of primary polymer production faced opposition due to industry concerns.
• Lobbying from the fossil fuels and chemicals sector significantly influenced discussions, leading to debates about the treaty’s scope regarding plastic production.

Disagreements on Lifecycle Assessment and Key Provisions

• Disagreements emerged regarding the starting point of the plastic lifecycle, with some countries arguing for product design as the initiation stage to exclude production from the treaty’s scope.
• Additionally, objections were raised against provisions eliminating harmful compounds and polymers, hindering progress in combating plastic pollution.

Financial Control and Implications

• Financial mechanisms within the treaty, such as imposing pollution fees on plastic producers and reducing investments in environmentally detrimental technologies, faced opposition from certain countries.
• Implementing these measures could have required nations to curb fossil-fuel subsidies and investments in unsustainable practices, yet they were obstructed by opposing states.

Plastic Trade Regulations: Sovereignty vs. Restrictions

• Debates arose on regulating the trade of polymers, chemicals, plastic products, and waste.
• Concerns about infringing on national sovereignty clashed with efforts to strengthen regulations and align with the objectives of the Basel Convention.
• Some countries misconstrued WTO rules to resist trade restrictions, impeding progress.

Challenges with Rules of Procedure and Decision-Making

• INC-3 faced challenges finalizing rules of procedure, hindering effective decision-making.
• Disagreements persisted regarding the voting process, causing delays and impeding consensus-based decisions.
• This impacted negotiations and prevented significant advancements during the meeting.

Impact of Stalling and Resistance

• INC-3 encountered delays and blockades, resulting in an expanded, contentious draft text and a lack of consensus on intersessional work.
• The refusal to adopt a mandate for drafting the treaty’s first version underscored industry influence and identified states opposing a robust, binding treaty against plastic pollution.

Conclusion

• INC-3’s proceedings revealed divisions among member states, industry influence, and challenges in establishing a comprehensive global plastics treaty.
• Despite initial ambitions, divergent interests, resistance to strong provisions, and delays in decision-making have hindered progress toward an effective, binding framework to combat plastic pollution.

SOURCE: https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/energy-and-environment/inc-3-meeting-end-plastic-pollution-treaty-industry-pressure-explained/article67607097.ece

TAG: GS 3: ECOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENT

THE CONTEXT: Six of the world’s largest dairy companies will soon begin disclosing their methane emissions as part of a new global alliance launched at the United Nations climate summit.

EXPLANATION:

• This alliance aims to disclose and mitigate methane emissions in the dairy sector, recognizing the urgency of tackling this issue for environmental sustainability.

The Significance of Methane Emissions in Dairy Industry

• The United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organization highlights that approximately 30% of global anthropogenic methane emissions stem from livestock, primarily through sources like cow burps and manure.
• This underscores the pressing need to address methane emissions from the dairy industry as a crucial aspect of combating climate change.
• Six prominent dairy companies – Danone, Bel Group, General Mills, Lactalis USA, Kraft Heinz, and Nestle – have joined forces to form the Dairy Methane Action Alliance.
• This coalition’s primary objectives include disclosing methane emissions by mid-2024 and drafting actionable plans to mitigate these emissions by the end of the same year.

Focus on Reducing Methane: Importance and Challenges

• Methane, known for being nearly 30 times more potent than carbon dioxide, is a focal point in global efforts to curb greenhouse gas emissions.
• The alliance acknowledges the complexity of reducing dairy methane emissions, emphasizing the necessity of providing comprehensive support to farmers worldwide.
• Strategies such as experimenting with feed additives are being considered to combat methane production from livestock.
• While the alliance members are not mandated to commit to specific emission reduction targets, enhanced measurement and reporting of methane emissions serve as crucial steps towards eventual mitigation.
• Companies like Danone have independently pledged significant reductions, aiming to cut methane emissions from their fresh milk supply chain by 30% by 2030.

Impact of Methane Reduction Goals on Global Warming

• Studies, including a 2021 assessment by the Climate & Clean Air Coalition and the United Nations Environment Programme, indicate that a 45% reduction in human-caused methane emissions by the end of this decade is critical in limiting global warming to under 2 degrees Celsius.

Environmental Defense Fund’s Role and Accountability

• The Environmental Defense Fund (EDF), convening this alliance, stresses the importance of increased accountability through improved measurement and reporting.
• EDF considers these measures instrumental in compelling companies to eventually reduce their methane emissions.

COP28’s Focus on Food Sector Emissions

• Acknowledging that food production accounts for approximately a third of global greenhouse gas emissions, leaders at COP28 have pledged to prioritize actions addressing emissions from the food sector.
• The initiative by the Dairy Methane Action Alliance aligns with this overarching commitment to tackle emissions across industries.

Conclusion

• The formation of the Dairy Methane Action Alliance marks a significant step in addressing methane emissions in the dairy industry.
• The coalition’s commitment to disclosure, planning, and eventual mitigation of methane emissions signifies a collective effort by major players in the sector to contribute meaningfully to climate change mitigation efforts outlined at COP28.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE REFER TO 5^TH DECEMBER 2023 DNA

SOURCE: https://www.reuters.com/sustainability/climate-energy/global-dairy-companies-announce-alliance-cut-methane-cop28-2023-12-05/

TAG: GS 3: SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

THE CONTEXT: Recently the World Health Organization (WHO) reported a significant surge in suspected mpox cases in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) from January 1 to November 12, 2023.

EXPLANATION:

• A total of 12,569 suspected cases, with 581 deaths, were recorded, marking the highest annual case count in history.
• The outbreak encompassed 22 out of 26 provinces, including regions previously unaffected, such as Kinshasa, Lualaba, and South Kivu.

Key Milestones and Grim Firsts:

• Geographical Spread: The outbreak extended beyond previously endemic areas, indicating a rapid geographical expansion of mpox within the country.
• Sexually Transmitted Cases: A distressing development was the first documented instances of sexually transmitted mpox infections globally, notably observed with Clade 1 MPXV in the DRC. This unprecedented transmission mode raises new challenges in managing and understanding the disease.
• Capital City Affected: Kinshasa, the capital, reported its first mpox cases in August 2023, signaling a significant shift in the disease’s epidemiology. Clusters emerged due to travelers introducing the infection, causing local transmission in the urban setting.

Clade Differentiation and Transmission:

• Clade Classification:
  • Mpox virus (MPXV) is categorized into Clade I and Clade II (further divided into Clade IIa and Clade IIb).
  • Only Clade I MPXV has been identified in the DRC.
• Sexual Transmission of Clade I:
  • Before April 2023, no documented cases of sexual transmission involving Clade I MPXV existed globally.
  • However, the report highlighted the first-ever confirmed case of sexual transmission in March 2023, originating from a Belgian traveler in Kwango province and spreading through sexual contacts within the DRC.
  • Viral sequences showed a close genetic relationship among cases.

CLADE:

• A clade is a group of organisms that includes an ancestor and all its descendants.
• In the case of the Monkeypox virus (MPXV), it is categorized into two main clades: Clade I and Clade II, with Clade II further divided into Clade IIa and Clade IIb.
• It has been identified that only Clade I MPXV has been found in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC)

MPOX:

• Mpox (monkeypox) is a viral illness caused by the monkeypox virus, a species of the genus Orthopoxvirus. Two different clades exist: clade I and clade II.
• Common symptoms of mpox are a skin rash or mucosal lesions which can last 2–4 weeks accompanied by fever, headache, muscle aches, back pain, low energy, and swollen lymph nodes.
• Mpox can be transmitted to humans through physical contact with someone who is infectious, with contaminated materials, or with infected animals.
• Laboratory confirmation of mpox is done by testing skin lesion material by PCR.
• Mpox is treated with supportive care. Vaccines and therapeutics developed for smallpox and approved for use in some countries can be used for mpox in some circumstances.
• In 2022–2023 a global outbreak of mpox was caused by a strain known as clade IIb.
• Mpox can be prevented by avoiding physical contact with someone who has mpox. Vaccination can help prevent infection for people at risk.

Conclusion:

• The unprecedented mpox outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, marked by a record number of cases, novel modes of transmission, and its spread to the capital city, Kinshasa, underscores the shifting landscape of the disease’s epidemiology.
• The identification of sexually transmitted cases and the challenges posed by this new mode of transmission call for a rapid and comprehensive response.
• Collaborative efforts between health authorities and international bodies are critical in understanding, containing, and managing this evolving public health crisis.

SOURCE: https://www.downtoearth.org.in/news/africa/congo-reports-biggest-mpox-outbreak-with-first-sexually-transmitted-cases-in-the-world-who-93166

TAG: GS 2: POLITY AND GOVERNANCE

THE CONTEXT: The Rajya Sabha recently passed the Post Office Bill, 2023, aiming to revoke the longstanding Indian Post Office Act, a legislation in place for 125 years. This new bill is intended to consolidate, amend, and modernize the laws concerning post offices across India.

EXPLANATION:

PROVISIONS OF THE POST OFFICE BILL 2023 AND POST OFFICE ACT 1898

 WHY THERE IS A NEED TO REPEAL THE ACT?

• The Indian Post Office Act, 1898 was enacted in 1898 with a view to govern the functioning of the Post Office in India which was primarily related to mail services provided through the Post Office.
• With time the services available through the Post Office have diversified beyond mails and the Post Office network has become a vehicle for delivery of a variety of citizen centric services. Further with India Post Payments Bank the postal department has entered banking too.
• All this necessitated the repeal of the said Act and enactment of new law in its place.

SOURCE: https://www.business-standard.com/amp/india-news/rs-passes-post-office-bill-to-amend-125-year-old-indian-post-office-act-123120400816_1.html

TAG: GS 2: POLITY AND GOVERNANCE

THE CONTEXT: The National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) released its annual report on crime in India for the year 2022 recently.

EXPLANATION:

• The National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) annually releases a comprehensive report on crime statistics across India, offering a broad view of reported crimes and trends.
• This report, while a valuable resource, demands a nuanced interpretation due to potential inaccuracies and limitations in its data.

Overview of the 2022 NCRB Report:

• The 2022 report encompasses data on various crime categories, including crimes against women, Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs), cybercrimes, and more.
• A total of 58,24,946 cognizable crimes were reported in 2022, with a decline of 4.5% compared to the previous year.
• The crime rate per lakh population decreased from 445.9 in 2021 to 422.2 in 2022, serving as a better indicator considering population growth.
• Crimes against women increased by 4%, with the highest percentages under IPC sections for ‘Cruelty by Husband or His Relatives,’ ‘Kidnapping & Abduction of Women,’ and ‘Assault on Women with Intent to Outrage her Modesty.’
• Cybercrime reporting surged by 24.4%, predominantly involving fraud, extortion, and sexual exploitation.
• Suicides saw a 4.2% increase in reported cases, with causes primarily attributed to family problems, illness, and marriage-related issues.

Data Compilation Process:

• The NCRB functions under the Ministry of Home Affairs and serves as a repository for crime data and fingerprint records.
• Data for the annual Crime in India reports are sourced from police forces across 36 states and Union Territories and 53 cities with populations exceeding 10 lakhs.
• The data undergoes multiple validation stages at local, district, state, and NCRB

Interpreting State-wise Trends:

• The report highlights states with high charge sheeting rates under IPC crimes, such as Kerala, Puducherry, and West Bengal.
• However, high rates do not necessarily denote higher crime prevalence; they signify cases where charges were framed against accused individuals.

Limitations and Interpretational Challenges:

• The report records registered crimes, not actual crime incidence, acknowledging limitations in data accuracy.
• Increased reporting in certain categories might signify heightened awareness rather than a surge in actual crimes.
• The ‘Principal Offence Rule’ may lead to undercounting, where severe offenses overshadow lesser crimes within a single FIR.
• Local-level inefficiencies or biases can affect data accuracy. For instance, reasons cited for suicides might not capture underlying causes accurately, impacting the analysis.
• Socio-economic factors influencing crimes are not captured, leading to incomplete contextualization of crime trends.
• Certain groups may hesitate to report crimes due to fear or lack of trust, affecting the representativeness of the data.
• A shortage of police personnel or unfilled vacancies might hinder accurate data collection at the grassroots level.

Conclusion:

• While the NCRB report offers valuable insights into crime statistics, it requires careful analysis due to inherent limitations.
• The acknowledgment of data constraints, undercounting issues, and sociopolitical factors influencing reporting underscores the need for a cautious and contextual interpretation of the findings.
• Collaborative efforts to address data gaps and enhance reporting mechanisms are essential for more accurate representations of crime trends in India.

SOURCE: https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/ncrb-2022-report-crime-india-limitations-9054144/

TAG: GS 2: INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

THE CONTEXT: Venezuelan electoral authorities recently claimed that 95% of voters in a nonbinding referendum approved of the nation’s territorial claim on a huge chunk of neighbouring oil-rich Guyana.

EXPLANATION:

• The recent nonbinding referendum in Venezuela, purportedly showing an overwhelming approval for the nation’s territorial claim over a significant portion of oil-rich Guyana, has ignited both domestic enthusiasm and regional apprehensions.
• President of Venezuela hailed the outcome as a significant victory, emphasizing historical entitlements and the pursuit of what he deems rightfully belongs to Venezuela—the oil-rich Essequibo territory governed by Guyana.

Guyana:

• Guyana, a small country in South America, has recently become known for its significant oil reserves.
• Over the past decade, it has been discovered that Guyana has huge amounts of oil and gas under its coastal waters, with reserves of about 11 billion barrels of oil.
• This discovery has the potential to transform the Guyanese economy, with the country experiencing rapid growth and the expectation of substantial oil revenues in the coming years.
• However, there are concerns about whether Guyana is prepared to manage this influx of wealth, and there are also questions about the potential impact on the country’s democracy, economy, and environment.
• Additionally, Guyana has been involved in a long-standing territorial dispute with Venezuela, which has further complicated the situation regarding its oil-rich resources.

REFERENDUM OVER THE DISPUTE:

• Recently, there has been a referendum regarding the disputed oil-rich territory between Guyana and Venezuela.
• The referendum, held in Venezuela, asked voters whether they supported establishing a state in the Essequibo region, granting citizenship to its population, and incorporating it into Venezuelan territory.
• The “yes” vote in the non-binding referendum was 95% according to officials.
• However, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) had warned Venezuela against “annexation” of the territory called Essequibo, which has long been ruled by Guyana.
• Guyana considers the referendum a step toward annexation, and the vote has its residents on edge.
• The referendum took place on December 3, 2023, and more than 10.5 million out of 20.7 million eligible voters cast their ballots.
• Venezuelan President claimed the referendum as a total success for his country and democracy.
• However, the low turnout during the referendum was noted, with long lines typical of electoral events not forming outside voting centers.
• The outcome of the referendum and its potential implications for the territorial dispute between Guyana and Venezuela remain uncertain.

Regional Reactions and Geopolitical Tensions:

• The tensions heightened following Guyana’s oil exploration initiatives and a substantial oil discovery, likened in reserves to Kuwait.
• The contest over this territory has implications for oil resources and geopolitical power in the region.
• Guyana’s assurance of border security and the solidarity demonstrated by its citizens underline the gravity of this dispute and its implications for regional stability.

Legal Disputes and International Involvement:

• Venezuela contends that the Essequibo River represents the natural border between the countries, dating back to Spanish rule, while Guyana upholds the border established during the British colonial era, validated by 1899 arbitration court.
• The International Court of Justice (ICJ) validated Guyana’s claims, but Venezuela proceeded with the referendum despite calls from the ICJ to refrain from actions affecting the disputed territory.

Current Situation and Future Implications:

• The outcome of the referendum, though nonbinding, fuels geopolitical tensions and concerns about regional stability.
• The contentious claims over the territory, coupled with its substantial oil reserves, underpin the high stakes involved for both nations and their neighbouring regions.
• This ongoing dispute highlights the complexities of historical claims, legalities, economic interests, and geopolitical maneuvering, indicating the need for diplomatic dialogue and international cooperation to navigate through this sensitive issue without escalating tensions or jeopardizing regional stability.

SOURCE: https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/venezuela-vote-shows-overwhelming-support-for-claim-on-region-of-guyana/article67604673.ece

TAG: GS 3: ECOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENT

THE CONTEXT: The recent data from the Climate Trace Project shows an increase in global greenhouse gas emissions since the Paris climate agreement in 2015.

EXPLANATION:

• The recent data from the Climate Trace project underscores some critical points in the global effort to combat climate change.
• It sheds light on the specific regions and sectors that have contributed significantly to the surge in greenhouse gas emissions since the signing of the Paris climate agreement in 2015.

Greenhouse Gas Emissions:

• China, India, and the US stand out as major contributors to the increase in emissions.
• Electricity generation in China and India, coupled with oil and gas production in the US, have been identified as the primary drivers behind this concerning trend.
• These revelations highlight the challenges in accurately reporting emissions, showcasing deficiencies in fulfilling obligations under the Paris Agreement by both countries and companies.

Rising Methane Emissions and Pledges:

• Despite global pledges to reduce methane emissions, the data indicates an alarming increase in methane levels, a potent greenhouse gas.
• China’s coal mines contributed to the surge in methane emissions.
• However, there’s a recent commitment from China to address methane emissions by including it in its national climate plans and collaborating with the US on this issue.

Importance of Accurate Emissions Information:

• The Climate Trace project plays a crucial role in pinpointing emission sources using satellite images and AI software.
• Al Gore emphasized the necessity of accurate emissions information to tackle the problem effectively, highlighting the significance of identifying precise emission sources to address the issue adequately.

Mitigating Methane and COP28 Summit:

• Scientists stress the urgency of sharp cuts in methane emissions to mitigate the severe impacts of global heating.
• The COP28 UN climate summit in Dubai aimed to assess progress towards emission cuts necessary to stay within the 1.5ºC temperature limit set by the Paris Agreement.
• Cooperation on methane reduction at this summit was seen as a positive step towards achieving the 1.5ºC target, with reductions potentially contributing up to 0.3ºC in lowering global temperature increases.

Efforts and Challenges in Decarbonization:

• More than 50 oil and gas companies at COP28 have pledged to join a “decarbonization accelerator” to reduce their climate impact.
• However, critics argue that the voluntary nature of these pledges presents challenges in ensuring accountability.
• They advocate for stronger legal agreements to phase out fossil fuels substantially.

Impact of Post-Covid Aviation and Positive Note on Deforestation:

• Emissions from aviation rebounded post-Covid lockdowns, with a significant surge in both international and domestic flight emissions, along with a rise in road transport emissions potentially linked to increased SUV sales.
• On a positive note, there’s a decline in emissions from deforestation in key regions like the Congo Basin, showcasing a reduction in forest degradation and destruction.
• Overall, the data underscores the pressing need for coordinated global efforts to address emissions from various sectors, emphasizing the importance of accurate reporting, urgency in mitigating methane, and the necessity for stronger commitments and actions to achieve meaningful climate goals.

CLIMATE TRACE:

• Climate TRACE is an independent initiative that aims to track greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions with unprecedented detail, speed, and trusted independence.
• It was founded by a global coalition of nonprofits, tech companies, and universities to make meaningful climate action faster and easier by providing real-time or near-real-time data on GHG emissions.
• The project uses a combination of satellite data, artificial intelligence, and other remote sensing technologies to monitor and publish GHG emissions within weeks, improving monitoring, reporting, and verification (MRV) of both carbon dioxide and methane.

SOURCE: https://www.wionews.com/world/surge-in-greenhouse-gas-emissions-points-to-china-us-and-india-as-primary-culprits-data-665785

THE CONTEXT: A groundbreaking report from the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), published earlier this month, has laid bare the staggering hidden costs of our global agri­food systems, surpassing an astonishing $10 trillion.

ABOUT AGRI-FOOD SYSTEMS

Agri-food systems have three main components:

• Primary production: It includes food from agricultural and non-agricultural origins, as well as non-food agricultural products.
• Food distribution: It links production to consumption through food supply chains and domestic food transport networks.
• Household consumption: It is the downstream outcome of functioning agrifood systems, subject to varying degrees of demand shocks.

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE STATE OF FOOD AND AGRICULTURE 2023 REPORT

• The report blames “unsustainable business­as­usual activities and practices” for these escalating costs, pointing to a need to transform agri­food systems.
  • In middle-income countries like India, these costs constitute nearly 11% of the GDP, which manifests as higher poverty, environmental harm, and health related impacts, including undernourishment and unhealthy dietary patterns.
• One way to do so is to shift to multi-cropping systems that have the potential to protect farmers’ well-being, improve nutritional outcomes for our communities, and positively impact ecological health.

IMPROVEMENTS IN AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTIVITY AND ITS IMPACT:

• Impressive improvements in agricultural productivity have been achieved in India over the last five decades by mainstreaming mono­cropping systems and chemical­intensive farming practices.
• The Green Revolution focused on the marketing of high­yielding varieties of paddy and wheat on agricultural lands, which now constitute more than 70% of India’s agricultural production.
• The infusion of seeds purchased from multinational corporations and fertilizers undermined seed sovereignty, dismantled Indigenous knowledge systems, and fuelled a shift from diverse crop varieties and staples such as pulses and millets to monoculture plantations.
• This trend also compromised the nutritional needs of households and resulted in adverse ecological consequences including excessive extraction of groundwater.
• This privatisation and deregulation of agricultural inputs also increased indebtedness among agrarian households.
• In 2013, the debt to asset ratio of a farmer’s household in India was 630% higher than in 1992. Agriculture in India has increasingly become unviable:
  • The average monthly household income of a farming household sits at ₹10,816.

THE CROPS BEING FAVOURED BY THE GOVERNMENT AND ITS ISSUES WITH IT

National Food Security Act 2013: 65% of households (around 800 million people) in India are legally assured a right to food at subsidised rates through the Public Distribution System and welfare programmes such as the Integrated Child Development Services and the Mid-Day Meal Scheme.

The Procurement of food crops: Procurement of food crops is coordinated by the Food Corporation of India (FCI), which is required to maintain a central pool of buffer stock and to procure, transport, and store foodgrain stocks in the country.

• However, this procurement policy heavily favours rice and wheat.
• In 2019­2020, the FCI procured 341.32 lakh million tonnes (MT) of wheat and 514.27 lakh MT of rice.
• Whole wheat and rice also became export commodities.
• Not surprisingly, the area under cultivation of coarse grains dropped by 20% between 1966-1967 and 2017-­2018, whereas the area under rice and wheat increased by nearly 20% and 56% respectively.

Water-intensive cash crops: Water intensive cash crops like sugarcane and areca nut have also flourished under policies favouring investments in dams and canal irrigation (favourable for sugarcane) and free electricity for borewells (favourable for areca nut).

Threatens food security: Policies favour investments in water intensive cash crops, which threatens food security and the production of nutritional crops.

Affects Biodiversity: The expansion of sugarcane cultivation affects biodiversity, increases the pressure on groundwater resources, and contributes to air and water pollution.

Issues with small and marginal farmers:  Small and marginal farmers in India are among the most food and nutrition insecure.

• The global food system structure has a direct impact on the last mile on both farmers and soil.
• Between 2012 and 2016, large fluctuations in soya prices in the global market and a glut in supply from Latin American countries eroded income for soy farmers and agro companies in Malwa.
• Historically as well, global trade relations have influenced food production systems in the Global South. In the pre-independence era, tax systems were introduced to efficiently collect revenue for British-enforced exports of primary raw materials, such as cotton.

HOW CAN CROP DIVERSIFICATION HELP?

Diversification of farms:  A systemic shift in food regimes, from local to global value chains, is essential. The starting point for addressing these complex systemic issues could arise from local efforts, such as the diversification of farms.

Solution to revitalise degraded land and soil: Diversified multi-cropping systems, rooted in agroecology principles, could be a viable solution to revitalise degraded land and soil.

Improves soil health: Practices known by various names locally, like ‘akkadi saalu’ in Karnataka, involve intercropping with a combination of legumes, pulses, oilseeds, trees, shrubs, and livestock.

• This approach enables cash provision from commercial crops, food and fodder production, and offers ecosystem services such as nitrogen fixation and pest traps and supports the local biodiversity. They also collectively contribute to improving soil health.

FAO report: The FAO report says that there are substantial “hidden costs” associated with the current systems which need to be factored into long-term evaluations of income.

ISSUES WITH THE CROP DIVERSIFICATION

Arguments against alternative farming systems: Critics have often argued against alternative farming systems, suggesting they may lead to a decline in farmer income even if the environment improves.

Loss of productivity: While crop diversification will involve some loss of productivity using a narrow metric of kg/Ha, it would preserve natural capital and allow farmers to become nutritionally secure.

THE WAY FORWARD

Redirecting subsidies: By redirecting subsidies, currently accruing to corporations, we can pay farmers for their contribution to sustaining natural capital, instead of incentivising them to deplete it.

Systematic transition:  It is unrealistic to expect farmers to shift away from mono-cultivation of rice and wheat overnight. This transition needs to be systematic, allowing farmers to adjust gradually.

• For instance, moving from chemical-intensive practices to non-pesticide management, then adopting natural farming practices, can reduce input costs.

Visual representation of a diversified: Among the various transition pathways, a visual representation of a diversified farm involves allocating 70% for commercial crops, 20% for food and fodder, and 10% for environmental services like oilseeds (acting as trap crops).

• Over time, the fraction of commercial crops could be lowered to 50% and border crops could be replaced with locally suitable tree species for fruits and fodder.
• Integrating livestock rearing could further improve incomes.

Addressing challenges related to local seeds: Addressing challenges related to local seeds, institutional arrangements for market access, drudgery, and the need for farm labour is crucial when envisioning such a transition.

Value addition: Farmers can diversify income through value addition, incorporating livestock and poultry. Some of these practices could be experimented with partially on specific portions of their lands.

Collaborating among institutions: Scaling up these practices requires collaboration among institutions, policymakers, and social groups to articulate economic incentives for farmers to shift from high-input monoculture to diversified cropping.

Focusing on millets: millets, whose yield per hectare is comparable to those of rice and wheat, are also more nutritious, grow in semi-arid conditions without burdening groundwater tables, require minimal input, and provide a diversified food basket.

CONCLUSION:

Shifting from the current high-input monoculture system to diversified cropping presents a crucial opportunity for environmental sustainability and improved farmer livelihoods. By implementing the proposed strategies, we can create a more resilient agricultural sector that benefits both farmers and the environment.

PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTIONS:

Q) What are the salient features of National Food Security Act, 2013? How has the Food Security Bill helped in eliminating hunger and malnutrition in India? (2021)

Q) What are the present challenges before crop diversification? How do emerging technologies provide an opportunity for crop diversification? (2021)

Q) What are the reformative steps taken by the Government to make the food grain distribution system more effective? (2020)

MAINS PRACTICE QUESTION:

Q) Examine the need for transforming the agri-food systems for ensuring food security, protecting soil fertility and reducing the food subsidy of the government.

SOURCE:https://epaper.thehindu.com/reader?utm_source=Hindu&utm_medium=Menu&utm_campaign=Header

THE CONTEXT: The All-India Institute of Medical Science (AIIMS) recently announced its plans to open a Centre of Excellence for transgender healthcare in 2024.  

ABOUT THE CENTRE OF EXCELLENCE:

• The centre will be established at the Burns and Plastic Surgery department of the institute.
• The move comes after a collaboration with the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment, the National Aids Control Organization (NACO), and the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoH&FW).
• It aims to not only deliver holistic care but become the seat of learning in the subject of Transgender Health under one roof and save patients from the hassle of running from one OPD to another.
• The institute has already been conducting gender-reassignment surgeries and aims to offer surgical, endocrinology-related, and psychiatry services.

ISSUES FACED BY TRANSGENDERS

• Discrimination: Transgenders face discrimination in employment, educational institutes, and within families which severely affects their overall wellbeing. They often face difficulty in property inheritance or child adoption. Because of being socially marginalised they are compelled to take up menial jobs despite good qualifications or forced into sex work. They face issues with the accessibility of even basic amenities as public toilets and public spaces.
• Inadequate access to healthcare: They have been subject to unscientific and inhuman practices like “conversion therapy” by medical practitioners. The community lacks access to healthcare because of structural barriers like exclusionary infrastructure, lack of services and trained and sensitised healthcare workers. State policies in primary and secondary healthcare have made no effort to ensure access for the community. Mental healthcare continues to be dominated by tertiary institutes that have failed to provide for gender-diverse people.
• Issue of legal recognition of gender: There are issues of legal recognition of gender in India. Certain documents in India, such as the passport, still do not have the provision of transgender as a gender marker. They are often forced to identify with a gender with which they are not associated despite Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2019 which allows the community the right to self-perceived gender identity.
• Against NALSA judgement: The Transgender Act makes it mandatory for a transgender person to undergo surgery to change their gender within the binaries of male and female. This is in contravention of the NALSA judgment, which states that any insistence on sex reassignment surgery for declaring one’s gender is illegal. There is a misplaced focus on tertiary care and surgical procedures. This is pushing transgender people to undergo surgery to get a binary gender marker.

STEPS TAKEN BY THE GOVERNMENT

• NALSA v Union of India (2014): The community was first given legal recognition in India in NALSA v Union of India(2014). The NALSA case judgement led to the recognition of transgender people as the ‘third gender’ by the Supreme Court of India. It affirmed that the fundamental rights granted under the Constitution will be equally applicable to them, and gave them the right to self-identification of their gender as male, female or third gender.
• Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2019: The Act aims to stop discrimination against a transgender person in various sectors such as education, employment, and healthcare. It also directs the central and state governments to provide welfare schemes for them. It re-emphasised the role of governments in holistic healthcare services to the community as providing sex reassignment surgery, counselling services and mental health services. It also asked for a review of the medical curriculum and medical research that caters to transgender persons. Most importantly, it called for facilitating trans peoples’ access to hospitals and healthcare institutions.
• The Transgender Persons Rules, 2020: The Rules have been made under the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2019. The rules seek to recognise the identity of transgenders and prohibit discrimination in the fields of education, employment, healthcare, holding property and use of public services and benefits. It added that state governments shall ensure the provision of separate wards and washrooms for transgender people in hospitals by 2022. It asked states to undertake the sensitisation of healthcare professionals and directed the publishing of an equal opportunity policy and notification of a complaint officer by every establishment. It also suggested that at least one government hospital in a state should provide safe and free gender-affirming surgery and related services.
• National Portal for Transgender Persons: It would help transgenders in digitally applying for a certificate and identity card from anywhere in the country, thus preventing any physical interaction with officials.It will help them track the status of application, rejection, grievance redressal, etc. which will ensure transparency in the process.

THE WAY FORWARD:

• Increase in number of centre of excellence: One centre of excellence cannot cater to the needs of transgender people across India. All government medical colleges and hospitals in India should provide gender-affirming services. This must be in addition to quality, inclusive, and accessible primary and secondary healthcare. Institutions aiming to be Centres of Excellence must comply with legal necessities like transgender-inclusive wards, washrooms, equal opportunity policy, and grievance mechanisms.
• Transgender-Inclusive Policies:There is a need to frame transgender inclusive policies by sensitizing the legal and law enforcement systems. It will increase their chance to be included in policies formulation and increase their public participation.
• Financial Security: There is a need to ensure financial security among transgenders to mainstream the community in the society. For example, liberal credit facilities and financial assistance must be ensured to start up their career as an entrepreneur or businessman.
• Sensitization and awareness:There is a need to increase awareness and sensitise the legal and law enforcement systems towards the challenges of the community. This requires a concerted effort from all stakeholders, including the transgender community, the government, civil society, and religious leaders.

THE CONCLUSION:

Transgenders face various disadvantages in the Indian society. Therefore, state along with civil society must develop effective measures and also there should be efforts in sensitising the society and increasing awareness for fostering a sense of respect and acceptance for transgender community.

PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTIONS

Q.1 Discuss the desirability of greater representation to women in the higher judiciary to ensure diversity, equity and inclusiveness. (2021)

Q.2 “Micro-Finance as an anti-poverty vaccine is aimed at asset creation and income security of the rural poor in India”. Evaluate the role of Self-Help Groups in achieving the twin objectives along with empowering women in rural India. (2020)

MAINS PRACTICE QUESTIONS

Q.1 What are the roadblocks in improving the status of transgenders in India? Highlight some major government initiatives related to their empowerment.

Q.2 Despite the constitutional safeguards and special legislation, transgenders are historically marginalized and disadvantaged groups in accessing healthcare in India. Comment.

SOURCE: https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/editorials/aiims-transgender-care-centre-conversion-therapy-unscientific-practices-9054488/

(Newspapers, PIB and other important sources)

Prelim and Main

1. What the World Malaria Report says about India READ MORE
2. COP28: What is Global Stocktake — and why is it important? READ MORE
3. RBI monetary policy: Why is the Monetary Policy Committee likely to leave repo rate unchanged? READ MORE
4. BCG revaccination study in high-risk adults to begin in 23 States READ MORE
5.  ‘India will be the largest cotton producer’ READ MORE
6. COP28 climate meet | India not among 118 nations that pledged to triple green energy READ MORE
7. Lithium supply strategy: India’s initiative with Argentina’s CAMYEN gains traction READ MORE
8. Natural superhero fungi boosts crop yields by 40% READ MORE
9. After COVID break, Centre approves fourth phase roll-out of GIAN scheme READ MORE
10. India agreed to withdraw soldiers from country, says Maldives President Muizzu READ MORE

Main

GS Paper- 1

1. Re-criminalising adultery as a gender-neutral offence READ MORE
2. Weather Report: East India braces for wet days ahead as Cyclone Michaung builds up; North India to remain dry READ MORE

GS Paper- 2

POLITY AND GOVERNANCE

1. The legal net to trap peddlers of deepfakes READ MORE
2. Private job quota for locals ends with order READ MORE
3. Role of Governors in focus again READ MORE

SOCIAL ISSUES

1. India, disability inclusion and the power of ‘by’ READ MORE  

 INTERNATIONAL ISSUES

1. Kissinger: Cold warrior of realpolitik READ MORE  
2. Time for a reset in India-US ties READ MORE

GS Paper- 3

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

1. Growth surprise points to status quo on repo rate READ MORE
2. Economy well on track but growth not yet broad-based READ MORE
3. Why government is not worried about missing disinvestment target READ MORE
4. How Indian economy has silenced ‘perennial pessimists’ READ MORE
5. India’s geo-digital age is here – tech partnerships, data protection, semiconductors READ MORE

ENVIRONMENT AND ECOLOGY

1. Why India will continue to rely on coal for foreseeable future READ MORE  
2. India reduced emissions intensity 33% in 2005-2019, shows new submission to UN READ MORE
3. COP28 must put global climate action back on track READ MORE
4. Will COP28 UAE shape climate justice amid clash between urgency and economic realities in global climate action? READ MORE

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

1. The transformative benefits of population-level genome sequencing | Explained READ MORE   
2. Artificial Intelligence: Benefits outweigh the detriments READ MORE

INTERNAL SECURITY

1. Combating cybercrimes READ MORE

DISASTER MANAGEMENT

1. The Uttarakhand tunnel workers have been rescued. It’s time to ask hard questions about the project READ MORE

GS Paper- 4

ETHICS EXAMPLES AND CASE STUDY

1. Panacea for grief: Realise the eternity within READ MORE
2. Your anger, your energy READ MORE
3. Serve Param Purush READ MORE

Questions for the MAIN exam

1. A bottom-up approach to disability inclusion is needed to ensure that persons with disabilities are recognised as active members of society and the economy. In the light of the statement critically examine the schemes established as part of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act (2016).
2. The goal of social justice cannot be achieved without the inclusion of persons with disabilities in all spheres of development, starting with rural areas and rural resilience. Comment.
3. The historic marginalisation of persons with disabilities and the backsliding of the progress on the Sustainable Development Goals, a fundamental shift in commitment, solidarity, financing and action is critical. Discuss how the voices and needs of persons with disabilities be prioritised at the centre of the global development agenda.
4. ‘Strategic Autonomy’ deployed by India in recent times owes itself to the foundational principle of realpolitik, as it allows the practitioner to not get closeted within the linear grouping. Critically examine the statement.

QUOTATIONS AND CAPTIONS

• The greatest threat to our planet is the belief that someone else will save it.
• There needs to be more inclusive opportunities and employment in the rural areas as a majority of persons with disabilities live here.
• The first step is awareness to ensure last-mile connectivity of the benefits enumerated for people with disabilities by the government, which begins with the capacity-building of community leaders who can advocate for this at the grass-roots level.
• A bottom-up approach to disability inclusion is crucial to build productive pathways out of poverty and ensure that persons with disabilities are recognised as active members of society and the economy.
• The goal of social justice cannot be achieved without the inclusion of persons with disabilities in all spheres of development, starting with rural areas and rural resilience.
• A bi-directional link to poverty, nutrition, and hunger, and as a consequence, there needs to be more inclusive opportunities and employment in rural areas.
• The historic marginalisation of persons with disabilities and the backsliding of the progress on the Sustainable Development Goals, a fundamental shift in commitment, solidarity, financing and action is critical.
• It is about time that the voices and needs of persons with disabilities be prioritised at the centre of the global development agenda.
• Though the domestic economy is on a stronger footing, inflation needs to sustain at 4 per cent for interest rates to be cut.
• Though the domestic economy is on a stronger footing and global headwinds are not too threatening as to upset inflation-growth dynamics, the lingering El Nino impact on the farm sector could be a cause of concern.
• ‘Strategic Autonomy’ deployed by India in recent times owes itself to the foundational principle of realpolitik, as it allows the practitioner to not get closeted within the linear grouping and associated puritanism of ‘allies’ to which a sovereign subscribed.
• As India meanders and navigates its rise in global relevance and animus simultaneously, it would do well to mull over and keep pace with the evolving nature of diplomacy.
• The extent of moral compromises, leniencies and even suppressions done by Superpowers in their quest to assert their geopolitical agendas and interests, is even more pronounced.
• It is imperative to foster a constructive working relationship to resolve the disharmony between the Centre and the states.
• Instead of engaging in public arguments, Chief Ministers and Governors should create a more conducive environment for the federal structure to operate seamlessly. Establishing a positive and productive relationship is crucial for the efficient functioning of the state.
• The core commitment of COP28 is to conceptualise a sustainable socio-economic model that will substantively decouple itself from conventional reliance on the fossil-related energy model.
• The alignment of AI use cases with the vision of the organisation is the most important aspect of the adoption of AI.
• The development of AI should not be an ad-hoc process but a part of a well-thought-out strategy which has the support of the top management and confidence of all stakeholders as a tool for reducing their burden rather than replacing them or their work.

ESSAY TOPIC

• Strategy is not the consequence of planning, but the opposite: its starting point.

50-WORD TALK

• Tamil Nadu police have a new target. It’s called ED. Scenes of police raiding ED office upend the playbook of what has become so routine and partisan that nobody even ponders anymore. It shows how broken the federal compact is. The primary responsibility of repairing centre-state balance lies with centre.
• China has become the first nation to accept the Taliban’s ambassador, starting the normalisation of the outfit in the global order. This is the destiny of Afghanistan that everyone will have to accept, even as efforts continue to sustain international pressure on the Taliban for women’s rights and curbing terrorism.

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: The UK has announced the completion of half a million whole-genome sequences, almost 0.7% of its population.

ABOUT THE DECODE INITIATIVE

• An early effort to use large-scale population genetic studies was initiated in Iceland by deCODE genomics in 1996, with most of the Icelandic population enrolling for genetic studies in around a decade’s time.
• The initiative provided the initial impetus for programmes that wished to use population-scale genomic data for precision medicine and public health.
• It also contributed significantly to the methods, infrastructure, and standards with which researchers handle large-scale genomic data and set up discussions on their bioethics.
• The project also laid the groundwork to integrate medical records and people’s genealogies, resulting in new drugs and therapeutics.
• deCODE’s success plus the wider availability of sequencing technologies gave rise to a number of population-scale genome initiatives around the world, including many pilot programmes initiated in the last decade.
• At first, several projects worked with hundreds to thousands of genomes, but in the last half a decade, such endeavours have leapfrogged to lakhs of genomes.

GENOME PROGRAMMES

Genome India Project (GIP): The government aims to sequence 10,000 genomes by the end of the year 2023 under the Genome India Project (GIP).

IndiGen: A pilot programme for population genomes in India named IndiGen provided an early view of more than a thousand genomes of individuals from cosmopolitan areas in India.

• It also yielded some clues to the landscape of many treatable genetic diseases and variants of clinical significance, including the efficacy and toxicity of drugs and the prevalence of rare disorders.

GenomeAsia project: The project led by multiple partners across the continent, plans to sequence a lakh whole genome from diverse populations.

• This includes a whole-genome sequencing reference dataset from 1,739 individuals of 219 population groups and 64 countries across Asia.

100K Genome: UK’s ‘100K Genome’ project, which aimed to bring genomics into routine healthcare.

Diversity Human Genome Initiative:  A recent initiative by the pharmaceutical companies Regeneron Genetics Center, AstraZeneca, Novo Nordisk, and Roche, along with the Meharry Medical College, Tennessee, has even planned to sequence more than five lakh individuals of African ancestry through the Diversity Human Genome Initiative.

AllofUS programme: The AllofUS programme in the U.S, which will collect genetic information of a million people with funding from the National Institutes of Health.

1+ Million Genomes: The European Union recently launched the ‘1+ Million Genomes’ initiative. It aims to enable secure access to genomics and the corresponding clinical data across Europe for better research, personalised healthcare and health policy making.

Three Million African Genomes: A human genetics project inaugurated by Ambroise Wonkam of Cape Town University in South Africa.
Emirati Genome programme: The Emirati Genome Programme is a national project which aims to use genomic data to improve the health of the Emirati population.

SIGNIFICANCE

Direct healthcare benefits: According to one estimate, 18.5% of the UK’s 100K initiative was actionable, translating to direct healthcare benefits to participants.

Significantly diverse objectives: Many programmes take advantage of a unique population composition to understand disease prevalence and biomarkers for diseases and use that to inform the discovery of novel therapeutic targets.

Understanding the genetics of diseases: The deCODE effort considerably improved our understanding of the genetics of diseases and the utility of such data in risk assessment.

Long-term impact:  The long-term impact of population-scale genomics extends beyond individual health, shaping our comprehension of human evolution, migration patterns, and adaptation to diverse environments.

Knowledge of human biology: It will also contribute significantly to our knowledge of human biology.

Precise and personalized treatments: It has the potential to revolutionize healthcare by providing more precise and personalized treatments.

CHALLENGES

• They also confront new challenges, especially with regard to the ethics of and the access to these genomes, and the discoveries that build on them.
• There are also significant concerns regarding the equitable representation and access to the fruits of discoveries (e.g., over-representation of certain ethnic groups in population-scale data sets).

WAY FORWARD

Regulatory frameworks: Countries like the U.S. have also proactively created regulatory frameworks to prevent the misuse of genetic data, such as to prevent insurance and employment discrimination, using the terms of the Genetic Information Non-discrimination Act(GINA).

Restricting access to data resources: Restricting access to data resources, such as the database of genotypes and phenotypes (dbGaP)55, reduces privacy risks.

Synthetic data generation: Recently, researchers have proposed protecting anonymity by generating synthetic genomic data sets using deep learning models.

• The generated data aim to maintain utility by replicating most of the characteristics of the source data and thus have the potential to become alternatives for many genomic databases that are not publicly available or have accessibility barriers.

CONCLUSION:

Population-scale genomics stands at the forefront of a genomic revolution, poised to revolutionise healthcare, illuminate our evolutionary history, and propel us towards a future in which precise, personalised approaches will influence the landscape of medical and biological understanding.

PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTION:

Q) What are the research and developmental achievements in applied biotechnology? How will these achievements help to uplift the poorer sections of the society? (2021)

MAINS PRACTICE QUESTION:

Q) Briefly explain the deCODE initiative. Discuss the Importance and associated challenges of genome sequencing in India.

SOURCE: https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/science/population-level-genome-sequencing-transformative-benefits/article67597984.ece

TAG: GS 3: ECOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENT

THE CONTEXT: With coal use set to be a key topic during the COP28 summit, India said it would continue to rely on coal for electricity generation for the foreseeable future, even as it rapidly expanded its renewable energy sources.

EXPLANATION:

• India, despite its aspirations towards achieving net-zero emissions, remains reliant on coal for electricity generation due to several factors.
• The country’s energy demands have been escalating significantly, with a considerable surge in power requirements in recent years.

Rising Energy Demand:

• India’s power demand has shown an annual increase of about 8%, nearly twice the rate of the Asia Pacific region, reaching approximately 149.7 terawatt-hours (TWh) in 2022.
• This surge in demand has been attributed to heightened economic activity, with industries, commercial sectors, residences, and agriculture being substantial consumers of energy.

Projections for Future Energy Needs:

• Projections from the International Energy Agency (IEA) suggest that India will experience the most substantial growth in energy demand globally over the next three decades.
• The escalating demand is anticipated to be primarily driven by the increased requirement for electricity, particularly for household air conditioning, expected to multiply nine-fold by 2050, surpassing the total power consumption of Africa.

Increased Coal Production and Challenges with Renewables:

• India’s response to the mounting energy demand has been a substantial increase in coal production, rising from 778 million tons in 2021-22 to 893 million tons in 2022-23, and setting targets to further escalate production to meet growing needs.
• The country’s heavy reliance on coal is primarily due to limitations and challenges associated with renewable energy sources.
• Renewable Energy Constraints:
  • Currently, renewable sources contribute only 22% of India’s total energy generation.
  • Despite ambitious targets to source 50% of electricity from renewables by 2030, the actual contribution remains far below this goal.
• Reliability Concerns:
  • Renewable sources like solar and wind are dependent on natural elements such as sunlight and wind, making them intermittent and less reliable for constant power generation.
  • Additionally, grid-scale battery storage, necessary for ensuring continuous supply, faces challenges due to supply chain disruptions and high costs.
• Complexities of Hydropower:
  • While hydropower is a significant renewable energy source for India, ongoing projects in the Himalayan region have faced criticism for ecological damage and water resource conflicts.
  • Developing hydropower also requires substantial infrastructure improvements for reliability.
• Underutilization of Nuclear Power:
  • Despite plans to generate energy from nuclear power plants, India’s nuclear capacity contributes only about 3.15% to the total electricity generation, suggesting underutilization and limitations in expansion.

Future Energy Strategy:

• India aspires to amplify its renewable energy capacity to 500 GW by 2030, three times the current capacity.
• However, given the challenges and constraints associated with renewable sources, the country will continue to rely significantly on coal-generated electricity.
• The Union Minister of Power and New and Renewable Energy emphasized that while India intends to decrease the share of fossil fuels in electricity generation to around 35% by 2030, the absolute capacity of coal may still rise to meet the escalating electricity demand.
• The country aims to implement a phase-down strategy for coal rather than an immediate phase-out, considering the imperative need to meet surging energy requirements.
• As India grapples with its increasing energy demand, the dilemma between pursuing cleaner energy sources and meeting immediate electricity needs through coal generation remains a significant challenge for the nation’s energy transition.

SOURCE: https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/india-coal-power-demand-9051441/

TAG: GS 3: ECOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENT

THE CONTEXT: At COP28, the global community convened to address the critical issue of global warming. The conference was held in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, from November 30 to December 3, 2023, and brought together parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change to assess progress on the Paris Agreement and to chart a course of action for the future.

EXPLANATION:

• This climate summit involved representatives from nearly 200 nations, along with business leaders, climate scientists, Indigenous Peoples, journalists, and various experts.
• The Global Stocktake, a process assessing progress in curbing global warming since the inception of the Paris Agreement in 2015, is a pivotal component of this event.

Purpose and Importance of the Global Stocktake:

• The Global Stocktake serves as an evaluation mechanism to gauge the progress made by countries in combating global warming.
• This assessment holds significant importance as it determines the efficacy of measures taken under the Paris Agreement.
• It identifies areas requiring more robust action, whether through stricter national policies, ambitious goals, or facilitating transitions to clean energy in developing nations.

Objectives and Framework of the Paris Agreement:

• The Paris Agreement of COP21 in 2015 marked a turning point in global climate action, necessitating all countries to commit to emissions reduction targets and adapt to climate change impacts.
• This commitment, known as Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), mandates periodic assessments of progress every five years.
• The Agreement aims to limit global warming to below 2 degrees Celsius from pre-industrial levels, striving to cap it at 1.5 degrees Celsius to mitigate severe climate change impacts.

First Global Stocktake Report:

• A significant milestone in this process was the publication of the UN’s technical report on the first Global Stocktake in September 2023.
• The report highlighted some progress but emphasized that the collective action taken was insufficient.
• It called for an accelerated pace of implementation across all sectors and urged an inclusive approach involving society to meet the Paris Agreement’s goals and address the climate crisis.

Challenges and Urgency for Action:

• The report indicated a rise in global temperatures by approximately 1.2 degrees Celsius since pre-industrial times, underscoring the urgency for more robust efforts to curb climate change.
• While acknowledging progress, it also highlighted existing gaps and the need for innovative solutions and increased efforts to bridge these gaps.
• The urgency to accelerate implementation, foster greater action, and provide support to meet the Paris Agreement’s objectives was emphasized.

Conclusion:

• As COP28 unfolded in Dubai, the Global Stocktake becomes a focal point for assessing the global community’s efforts in combating climate change.
• It emphasized the critical need for heightened ambition, collective action, and innovative strategies to combat climate change effectively.
• The outcomes of this evaluation will guide nations toward charting a more sustainable and resilient future in mitigating the impacts of climate change.

SOURCE: https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-climate/cop28-what-global-stocktake-9051353/

TAG: GS 3: SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

THE CONTEXT: Twenty-three States have consented to participate in the BCG revaccination study in adults that will be undertaken in a “programme implementation study mode” to evaluate the effectiveness of the vaccine in reducing TB disease incidence.

EXPLANATION:

• The initiative to conduct a BCG (Bacille Calmette-Guérin) revaccination study in adults has stirred considerable discussion and debate due to the absence of comprehensive clinical trials in the country.
• The study aims to assess the effectiveness of the BCG vaccine in reducing Tuberculosis (TB) disease incidence, primarily targeting high-risk groups such as individuals older than 50 years, those with prior TB disease, underweight adults, diabetics, smokers, and alcohol consumers.

Lack of Prior Clinical Trials in India:

• India has not conducted clinical trials to ascertain the efficacy of BCG revaccination in adults for preventing TB disease.
• However, two clinical investigation studies by St. John’s Research Institute in Bengaluru have indicated the significant immunogenicity of BCG revaccination in adults.

Expert Committee Recommendations and Government Approach:

• An expert committee, including formerly of the WHO, recommended a comprehensive trial before implementation at the population level.
• Nevertheless, the Indian government has chosen a program implementation study over a clinical trial due to concerns regarding the lengthy trial process.
• This approach involves using some districts as intervention arms and others as control arms to capture TB incidence over a couple of years.

WHO’s Standpoint on BCG Revaccination:

• The WHO currently does not advocate for programmatic or pilot BCG revaccination, even in high TB burden countries like India.
• Their 2018 BCG vaccine position paper emphasizes that repeat BCG vaccination shows minimal or no additional benefit against TB or leprosy.

Challenges and Limitations of Previous Studies:

• The protective effect of a single dose of BCG vaccine given to infants in India wanes within a short time.
• The Chingleput BCG revaccination study in 1968, involving a small sub-group, indicated a 36% efficacy in reducing TB incidence after 15 years, but this study had limitations in sample size and knowledge gaps about confounding factors.

Proposed Methodology and Participating States:

• The study intends to follow a phase 4-like pragmatic evaluation by earmarking districts in participating states as intervention and control arms.
• States such as Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu have agreed to participate.
• Tamil Nadu planned to study lakhs of consenting participants and closely monitor a few thousand individuals for vaccine efficacy over two to three years.

Challenges Faced by Non-Participating States:

• Some states like Kerala, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, West Bengal, and Uttarakhand have chosen not to participate in the study due to field constraints and existing gaps in their immunization programs, which could overburden the staff involved.
• In essence, the BCG revaccination study in adults across various Indian states represents a shift from the usual clinical trial method to a program implementation study mode.
• This approach aims to evaluate the effectiveness of BCG revaccination in high-risk groups despite the reservations and recommendations from global health authorities like the WHO.

BCG VACCINE:

• Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) is the live attenuated vaccine form of Mycobacterium bovis used to prevent tuberculosis and other mycobacterial infections.
• The vaccine was developed by Calmette and Guerin and was first administered to human beings in 1921.
• BCG is the only vaccine against tuberculosis.
• It is the most widely administered vaccine and usually a part of the routine newborn immunization schedule.
• BCG vaccine also offers protection against non-tuberculous mycobacterial infections like leprosy and Buruli ulcer.

SOURCE: https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/bcg-revaccination-study-in-high-risk-adults-to-begin-in-23-states/article67594580.ece/amp/

TAG: GS 2: INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

THE CONTEXT: India, a significant importer of lithium, would be strategically aligning with Argentina’s CAMYEN mining company to secure lithium supplies and diminish its annual import bill from China, which stands at ₹24,000 crores.

EXPLANATION:

• This initiative is a pivotal step toward bolstering self-reliance in critical mineral supply chains, crucial for the nation’s burgeoning green energy transition.
• The collaboration seeks to tap into Argentina’s lithium resources to meet the escalating demand driven by sectors such as electric vehicles (EVs) and energy storage solutions.

India’s Lithium Dependency and Green Energy Transition:

• India’s reliance on lithium imports, primarily from China, amounts to ₹24,000 crores annually, making it imperative for the country to diversify its sources.
• Lithium holds paramount significance in India’s shift towards green energy initiatives, especially in facilitating the adoption of electric vehicles.
• It serves as a vital component in energy storage solutions for various industries.

Strategic Collaboration with Argentina’s CAMYEN:

• India’s strategic move involves partnering with CAMYEN, a state mining company based in Catamarca, Argentina, to secure lithium
• While the collaboration is in its final stages, certain procedural requirements and the necessity of Cabinet approval still need to be addressed, causing a potential delay of at least six months before finalization.

Lithium Demand and Trade Statistics:

• India’s lithium imports, tracked through various categories like lithium ion and lithium products, have been substantial, with import data indicating significant shipments until October 2023.
• The forecasted surge in EV demand is projected to escalate the requirement for lithium-ion batteries, potentially leading to a 250 GWh demand increase by FY33.

India’s Lithium Reserves and Prospecting Efforts:

• India has identified reserves in regions like Reasi in Jammu and Kashmir and Katghora in Chhattisgarh, initiating auctions for commercial availability.
• To secure supplies, India’s KABIL, a joint venture comprising NALCO, Hindustan Copper, and Mineral Exploration Corporation, has engaged in collaboration with Argentina-based companies and is exploring prospects for setting up extraction projects.

Future Lithium Demand and Global Scenario:

• Forecasts indicate a steep rise in global lithium demand by 2030, reaching 2.4 million tonnes of lithium carbonate equivalent, driven largely by the escalating battery demand for EVs.
• Argentina, being a key player in lithium reserves along with Chile and Bolivia, holds a prominent position in the global supply chain for lithium, contributing to the burgeoning market.

Way Forward and Global Lithium Demand Forecast:

• With increasing demand for lithium-ion batteries in various sectors, including automotive and energy storage, India’s strategic collaborations and efforts to diversify its lithium supply chain are crucial for long-term sustainable growth.
• In essence, India’s initiatives to secure lithium supplies from Argentina represent a significant step towards reducing dependency on Chinese imports, fostering self-reliance, and catering to the burgeoning demand for lithium in its green energy transition.

SOURCE: https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/markets/commodities/lithium-supply-strategy-indias-initiative-with-argentinas-camyen-gains-traction/article67597909.ece

TAG: GS 3: ECOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENT

THE CONTEXT: In a recent Swiss study, researchers mixed Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) into soil, prior to sowing, at 800 trial plots on 54 maize farms.

EXPLANATION:

• The findings from the large-scale field study on mycorrhizal fungi and their impact on maize crop yields bring forth a revolutionary stride in sustainable agriculture and food production methods.
• The study focused on the integration of Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) into soil prior to maize sowing.
• These fungi naturally inhabit healthy soil and establish a symbiotic relationship with plant roots, forming arbuscules that enhance the root system’s surface area.
• This process significantly amplifies nutrient uptake, thereby promoting improved crop health and yield.

Yield Enhancement and Soil Health:

• A remarkable outcome of the study was the substantial yield improvement, up to 40%, witnessed in a quarter of the trial plots.
• However, intriguingly, about one-third of the plots did not exhibit substantial yield increases.
• This observation prompted researchers to investigate further, revealing that the fungi’s efficacy was optimal in soils already harbouring high concentrations of fungal pathogens.
• This discovery implies that AMF serve as a defense mechanism, protecting crops from pathogenic attacks and subsequently maintaining yields in fields prone to such threats.

Role of Fungi in Nutrient Uptake and Pathogen Defense:

• The AMF not only enhance nutrient absorption but also act as a frontline defense against soil-borne pathogens that can significantly diminish crop yields.
• Their presence in fields with pathogen contamination helped sustain yields that would have otherwise suffered, while their impact was less pronounced in fields without such threats.
• This dual role—facilitating nutrient uptake and defending against pathogens—positions these fungi as essential contributors to crop health and productivity.

Predictive Analysis and Soil Microbiome Indicators:

• A significant aspect of this study was the utilization of soil microbiome indicators to predict plant growth variations with an impressive 86% accuracy before sowing.
• This predictive ability enables the targeted application of AMF in fields where they are most likely to be effective, laying the foundation for the development of reliable agricultural methodologies.

Implications for Sustainable Agriculture:

• This breakthrough in utilizing AMF to enhance crop yields without relying on intensive pesticide and fertilizer use holds tremendous promise for sustainable agriculture.
• Considering the alarming degradation of global soil reported by the United Nations, this discovery signifies a potential solution to address food production challenges without exacerbating soil degradation.

Challenges and Future Prospects:

• Despite the promising outcomes, challenges persist in efficiently implementing this technique on a larger commercial scale.
• Addressing how to effectively disseminate and apply these fungi remains a significant consideration for future agricultural practices.
• In conclusion, the study’s findings underscore the transformative potential of mycorrhizal fungi in revolutionizing agricultural practices, offering a glimpse into a more sustainable future for global food production.

SOURCE: https://newatlas.com/science/fungi-boost-crop-yield/

THE CONTEXT: Disability as an identity and entity exists at the intersection of multiple vulnerabilities social, economic and gender with each facet requiring careful consideration when conceptualising action for equity. Globally, 1.3 billion people live with some form of disability, of them, 80% live in developing countries and further, 70% of them live in rural areas. People with disabilities face unjustifiable discrimination, and consequently exclusion and they are often not at the receiving ends.

CONSTITUTIONAL FRAMEWORK FOR THE DISABLED:

• Article 41 of the Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSP): Itstates that the State shall make effective provisions for securing the right to work, to education and to public assistance in cases of unemployment, old age, sickness and disablement, within the limits of its economic capacity and development.
• Seventh Schedule of the constitution: The subject of ‘relief of the disabled and unemployable’is specified in the state list of the Seventh Schedule of the constitution.

ISSUES :

• Discriminatory approach: Current systems are designed for persons without disabilities and end up being exclusionary to people with disabilities. This leads disabled persons experiencing higher instances of poverty, lack of access to education and opportunities, informality and other forms of social and economic discrimination.
• Inadequate representation: Disabled people are not represented enough at all three levels of governance. This often leads to their isolation and decrease in financial resources.
• Limited economic opportunities: The current employment scenario is limited, providing fewer jobs for persons with disabilities. It perpetuates stereotypes that create further barriers for people with disabilities to access the labour market.
• Not aligned with UN treaty: Discrimination is also in direct contravention of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. It advocates changing attitudes and perceptions towards persons with disabilities and viewing inclusion from a social development dimension.
• Greater challenges in rural areas: Majority of persons with disabilities live in rural areas. Rural areas also have high agricultural dependence and face the heightened risk of climate calamities which put rural people at the frontlines of these challenges.
• Exclusion from government schemes: Some developmental schemes, too, exclude them. They are viewed as objects of charity and not as persons with agency with an ability to participate in decision-making processes.

STEPS TAKEN IN THIS REGARD:

• Accessible India Campaign (AIC): It is the nationwide flagship campaign of the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD), Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment. The aim of the Campaign is to make a barrier-free and conducive environment for Divyangjans (Persons with Disabilities – PwDs) all over the country.
• Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016: It is the disability legislation passed to fulfil its obligation to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, which India ratified in 2007. It provides a Unique id for persons with disabilities (UDID) card. Under the act, disability has been defined based on an evolving and dynamic concept. The types of disabilities have been increased from the existing 7 to 21 and the Central Government has been given the power to add more types of disabilities.
• Ratification of UN treaty: India signed theUnited Nations Convention on Rights of Persons with Disability and subsequently ratified it on October 1, 2007.

About United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD)

• The Convention was adopted by the General Assembly in December 2006 and it came into force on in May 2008.
• Parties to the convention are required to promote, protect, and ensure the full enjoyment of human rights by persons with disabilities and ensure that persons with disabilities enjoy full equality under the law.
• It is intended to protect the rights and dignity of persons with disabilities.
• The convention is monitored by the Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

The SPARK project

• The ILO and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), in collaboration with the Women’s Development Corporation in Maharashtra, are implementing the Sparking Disability Inclusive Rural Transformation (SPARK) project.
• Through this project, persons with disabilities were put in the lead, being identified from the villages, and trained as Disability Inclusion Facilitators (DIFs).
• The DIFs engage with the community, persons with disabilities, caregivers of persons with disabilities, women from self-help groups and other stakeholders to raise awareness about disability inclusion and barriers to inclusion.
• The DIFs identify women with disabilities and mainstream them in existing self-help groups for social and economic development, where these women have been able to access funds to start an enterprise.
• The SPARK project has been able to bring an attitudinal shift towards persons with disabilities, right from the societal to administrative levels.

THE WAY FORWARD:

• Increasing representation: Representation plays an important role in furthering the interests of the marginalised community. Our Constitution makers have also recognised this when they provided for reservation for Scheduled Caste/Scheduled Tribes in the legislature. Therefore, there is a need to increase the representation of disabled in the law making process as well.
• Inclusive policies: Disability inclusion is rooted in assuring the rights of persons with disabilities and recognising the economic benefits of inclusion. There needs to be more inclusive opportunities and employment in both urban and rural areas for the disabled persons. The inclusion of persons with disabilities into the economy can help boost global GDP between 3% to 7%, as per the study by the International Labour Organization (ILO), “The price of exclusion: The economic consequences of excluding people with disabilities from the world of work”.
• Public Awareness: Governments, voluntary organisations, and professional associationsshould consider running social campaigns that change attitudes on stigmatised issues related to person with disabilities.
• Bottom up approach: A bottom-up approach to disability inclusion is crucial to build productive pathways out of poverty and ensure that persons with disabilities are recognised as active members of society and the economy.
• Benefits outreach to disabled: There is a need to ensure last-mile connectivity of the benefits enumerated for people with disabilities by the government. It can be done by capacity-building of community leaders who can advocate for this at the grass-roots level. This is especially important in rural areas, where persons with disabilities tend to face greater challenges when compared to their urban counterparts, with even more limited access to education and employment.
• Role of private sector: The private sector holds a key in promoting the employment of persons with disabilities. Private sector can play important role in building the confidence of companies to hire and retain workers with disabilities. Engagement of employers’ federations and trade unions can have great potential to promote the employment of persons with disabilities.

THE CONCLUSION:

The goal of social justice cannot be achieved without the inclusion of persons with disabilities in all spheres of development.  There needs to be more inclusive opportunities to ensure socio economic justice to disabled persons. This can be done by creating awareness and sensitization at the community level and capacity building of government frontline workers and professionals to make lives of disabled persons easier.

PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTIONS

Q.1 Discuss the desirability of greater representation to women in the higher judiciary to ensure diversity, equity and inclusiveness. (2021)

Q.2 “Micro-Finance as an anti-poverty vaccine is aimed at asset creation and income security of the rural poor in India”. Evaluate the role of Self-Help Groups in achieving the twin objectives along with empowering women in rural India. (2020)

MAINS PRACTICE QUESTIONS

Q.1 Despite several steps taken for the betterment of persons with disabilities they still face considerable barriers in access to basic resources. Suggest measures to facilitate inclusivity and empowerment of persons with disabilities in India.

SOURCE: https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/india-disability-inclusion-and-the-power-of-by/article67601986.ece

TAG: GS 3: SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

THE CONTEXT: Astronomers have identified the object AzTECC71 as a dusty star-forming galaxy, which has reappeared as a faint yet distinct galaxy in an image from the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST).

EXPLANATION:

• This ghostly object was first detected as a glowing blob from ground-based telescopes, then vanished in images from the Hubble Space Telescope, and has now reappeared in the JWST image.
• The galaxy is shrouded in a dusty veil, making it hard to see through, and is located nearly 1 billion years after the Big Bang.

Significance of the Discovery:

• The reemergence of this ghostlike galaxy is significant as it sheds light on the presence of heavily dust-obscured, hidden populations of galaxies in the early universe.
• The discovery challenges the previous notion that such galaxies were extremely rare in the early universe.
• The findings suggest that these galaxies might be three to 10 times as common as expected, indicating that the early universe was much dustier than previously thought.

The COSMOS-Web Project:

• The COSMOS-Web collaboration, co-led by an associate professor at UT Austin, aims to map up to 1 million galaxies from a part of the sky the size of three full moons.
• The project received 250 hours of observing time in JWST’s first year and has been studying the earliest structures of the universe.
• The team has identified more than a dozen additional candidates in the first half of COSMOS-Web data that have yet to be described in the scientific literature.

Characteristics of Dusty Star-Forming Galaxies

• Dusty star-forming galaxies are hard to see in optical light because much of the light from their stars is absorbed by a veil of dust and then re-emitted at redder wavelengths.
• Before JWST, astronomers sometimes referred to them as “Hubble-dark galaxies,” in reference to the previously most-sensitive space telescope.
• The JWST’s sensitivity allows it to study the optical and infrared properties of these heavily dust-obscured galaxies, providing new insights into their nature and evolution.

Observations and Findings

• The galaxy AzTECC71 was first detected as an indistinct blob of dust emission by a camera on the James Clerk Maxwell Telescope in Hawaii.
• The COSMOS-Web team later spotted the object in data collected by another team using the ALMA telescope in Chile, which has higher spatial resolution and can see in the infrared.
• When they looked in the JWST data in the infrared at a wavelength of 4.44 microns, they found a faint galaxy in exactly the same place.
• In shorter wavelengths of light, below 2.7 microns, it was invisible.
• The team estimates that the galaxy is being viewed at a redshift of about 6, which translates to about 900 million years after the Big Bang.

Conclusion:

• The reemergence of the ghostlike dusty galaxy AzTECC71 in the JWST image provides valuable insights into the prevalence of heavily dust-obscured galaxies in the early universe.
• The discovery has the potential to reshape our understanding of the early universe and the history of galaxy evolution.

SOURCE: https://phys.org/news/2023-12-ghostlike-dusty-galaxy-reappears-james.amp#amp_tf=From%20%251%24s&aoh=17014931407534&csi=0&referrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com

TAG: GS 2: POLITY AND GOVERNANCE

THE CONTEXT: Nomads and Denotified tribes in India are an invisible and marginalized section of society, facing numerous challenges due to historical and contemporary factors.

EXPLANATION:

Background: Historical Context of Nomadic and Denotified Tribes

• During British colonial rule, nomadic tribes were unjustly labelled as ‘born criminals,’ marginalizing them within society.
• Traditional roles of these communities in providing services and contributing to India’s cultural heritage disrupted by societal perceptions and legislative acts.

Invisibility and Visibility: A Perspective

• Invisibility defined as a complex and relative phenomenon linked to terms like ‘neglected,’ ‘marginalized,’ and ‘hidden.’
• Perspectives shaping visibility – civil society, intellectual class, policymakers, and marginalized groups neglected on social, epistemic, and policy levels.

Nomadic and Denotified Communities: Historical Impact and Marginalization

• Pre-Colonial Contributions: Traditionally, these communities contributed services in transportation, entertainment, healthcare, and livelihood support.
• Colonial Legislation Impact: Criminal Tribes Act (1871) stigmatized nearly 200 communities as ‘born criminals.’
• Economic Reasons Behind Stigmatization: Ayyangar Committee (1950) highlighted economic motives behind branding certain groups as ‘born criminals.’
• Effects of Colonial Legislation: Acts such as Criminal Tribes Act (1871-1947), Forest Act (1865, 1878, 1927), and Salt Act (1835) marginalized nomadic communities.
• Disruption in Livelihoods: Legislation impacting access to natural resources like water, forest, and land led to livelihood challenges.

Socio-economic Invisibility

• Nomads and denotified tribes are on the periphery of all forms of modern development.
• They lack basic documents to receive state assistance, basic amenities such as drinking water, toilet and bathroom facilities, electricity, modern education, and healthcare services.
• They are commonly found living in makeshift and tent settlements on the outskirts of villages and towns.
• Following Independence, some nomadic and denotified communities were included in the constitutional categories of Scheduled Castes (SCs), Scheduled Tribes (STs), and Other Backward Castes (OBCs).
• However, the socio-economic profile of these communities shows that they lag behind the general population in terms of education, employment, and other development indicators.
  • More than half is illiterate among nomadic and denotified groups in Haryana compared to the state average.
  • Higher illiteracy rates and lower work participation in urban settings among these communities.

Conclusion

• Need for Attention and Support:
  • Emphasis on addressing lack of basic amenities and assets for marginalized groups, especially in urban areas.
  • Urgent requirement for focused policies to uplift the historically and presently marginalized segments of society.

SOURCE: https://www.downtoearth.org.in/blog/governance/nomads-and-denotified-tribes-are-the-invisible-people-of-india-93113

TAG: GS 1: GEOGRAPHY

THE CONTEXT: Recently, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast a cyclonic storm, Cyclone Michaung, over the southwest Bay of Bengal.

EXPLANATION:

• It is likely to make landfall in the coastal districts of Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh in coming days.
• As a result, the government agency has issued an ‘orange’ alert over Tamil Nadu, as well as coastal and interior Andhra Pradesh for two days.
• It is essential for the residents of these areas to take necessary precautions and stay updated with the latest information and alerts from the relevant authorities.
• Cyclone Michaung is the fourth tropical cyclone of the year over the Bay of Bengal.

What is a Cyclone?

• A cyclone is a large-scale system of air that rotates around the center of a low-pressure area.
• It is usually accompanied by violent storms and bad weather.
• According to the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), a cyclone is characterized by inward spiralling winds that rotate anticlockwise in the Northern Hemisphere and clockwise in the Southern Hemisphere.

Types of Cyclones

• The NDMA classifies cyclones broadly into two categories:
  • extratropical cyclones
  • tropical cyclones

Extratropical Cyclones

• Also known as mid-latitude cyclones, extratropical cyclones occur outside the tropics and have cold air at their core.
• They derive their energy from the release of potential energy when cold and warm air masses interact.
• These cyclones always have one or more fronts connected to them, which are the boundary between two kinds of air masses.

Tropical Cyclones

• Tropical cyclones are the most devastating storms on earth and develop in the regions between the Tropics of Capricorn and Cancer.
• They develop when thunderstorm activity starts building close to the center of circulation, and the strongest winds and rain are no longer in a band far from the center.
• Tropical cyclones have different names depending on their location and strength.
• For instance, they are known as hurricanes in the Caribbean Sea, the Gulf of Mexico, the North Atlantic Ocean, and the eastern and central North Pacific Ocean. In the western North Pacific, they are called typhoons.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE REFER TO THE DNA ARTICLE OF 29^TH NOVEMBER 2023.

SOURCE: https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-climate/cyclone-michaung-tropical-types-9050347/

TAG: GS 3: ECOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENT

THE CONTEXT: Recently, during a high-level event at the ongoing climate talks in COP28 in Dubai, India highlighted that the Green Credits Initiative surpasses the commercial nature of carbon credits.

EXPLANATION:

• India presented the concept at COP28 to create a global market for green credits.
• It aimed to establish an international marketplace analogous to the existing carbon credit market.

GREEN CREDIT PROGRAM (GCP): INCENTIVIZING ENVIRONMENTAL ACTIONS:

• Green Credit Program (GCP) has been notified on 13th October 2023.
• The Green Credits Programme (GCP) is an initiative launched by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) in India.
• It is an innovative market-based mechanism designed to incentivize voluntary environmental actions by generating and trading green credits across diverse sectors, by various stakeholders like individuals, communities, companies etc.
• Green credits are tradable units that represent a specified environmental activity and its positive impact on the environment.
• The GCP’s governance framework is supported by an inter-ministerial Steering Committee.
• The Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education (ICFRE) serves as the GCP Administrator, responsible for program implementation, management, monitoring, and operation.
• In its initial phase, the GCP focuses on two key activities:
• Water conservation and
• Afforestation
• Draft methodologies for awarding Green Credits have been developed and will be notified for stakeholder consultation.
• These methodologies set benchmarks for each activity/process, to ensure environmental impact and fungibility across sectors.
• The Green Credit Registry and trading platform, being developed by ICFRE along with experts, would facilitate the registration and thereafter, the buying and selling of Green Credits.
• The Administrator will grant a Green Credit certificate which will be tradable on the green credit platform.

Conclusion

• Green Credits Programme seeks to expand incentives beyond carbon emission reductions.
• It intends to create a diverse market for environmental actions, benefiting communities and individuals while complementing existing carbon credit systems.

SOURCE: https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/everyday-explainers/what-is-the-green-credits-scheme-which-pm-modi-mentioned-at-cop28-9050627/

TAG: GS 3: ECONOMY

THE CONTEXT: Amid higher capital expenditure and moderate revenue growth this fiscal year, state’s debt will remain higher at 31-32 per cent of their gross domestic product.

EXPLANATION:

• As per the Crisil rating report, the current situation is likely to take overall borrowings to ₹87 lakh crore, up 9 per cent this year.

DEBT PROJECTIONS AND STATE FISCAL HEALTH

• Debt- gross state domestic product (GSDP) Ratio:
  • Indebtedness of a state is measured as the ratio of its debt to gross state domestic product (GSDP).
  • States’ debt projected at 31-32% of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in FY24.
  • Increase from pre-pandemic levels of 28-29%.
• Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management Act:
  • Gross fiscal deficit (GFD) expected at 2.5% of GSDP, below the mandated level of 3%.

FACTORS INFLUENCING HIGH DEBT LEVELS

• Revenue Growth Challenges:
  • States anticipate modest revenue growth, hindering fiscal stability.
• Capital Expenditure (Capex) and Borrowing:
  • Increased borrowing due to higher capital outlays.
  • Committed expenditure on salaries, pensions, and interest adds to borrowing pressure.
• Expenditure Structure:
  • Majority of revenue allocated to committed expenditure, limiting fiscal flexibility.

IMPACT OF REVENUE AND EXPENDITURE PROJECTIONS

• Expected Revenue Growth:
  • Predicted 6-8% growth, supported by GST collections and Center’s devolutions.
• Rising Expenditure:
  • Anticipated 8-10% rise in revenue expenditure.
  • Emphasis on social welfare and public health, comprising 65% of total spending.

ANALYSIS OF FISCAL DEFICIT AND BORROWING TRENDS

• Projected Fiscal Deficit Increase:
  • Anticipated rise in revenue deficit to 0.5% of GSDP from 0.3%.
• Borrowing Requirements:
  • Estimated 18-20% increase in capital outlays, necessitating higher borrowings.
• Interest-free Centre Loans:
  • ₹1.3 lakh crore interest-free loans from Center to aid capital outlays.

EXPECTED BORROWING AND DEBT SCENARIO

• Borrowing Increase Overview:
  • Predicted overall borrowings to surpass ₹87 lakh crore, up 9%.
• State Development Loans:
  • State development loans, 65% of total borrowings, rose by 28% between April and November.
• Off-Budget Debt Funding:
  • Off-budget debt funding set to rise by ₹7.5 lakh crore this fiscal.

RISK FACTORS AND FUTURE OUTLOOK

• Economic Activity Impact:
  • Potential risk of GSDP reduction due to economic slowdown.
• Potential Positive Influences:
  • Better tax buoyancy or increased support from the Centre could provide liquidity support to states.

CONCLUSION

• Persisting Debt Challenges:
  • States’ indebtedness likely to remain at 31-32%.
• Balancing Fiscal Health:
  • Challenges persist due to borrowing for capital outlays and limited revenue growth.
• Dependency on External Factors:
  • State fiscal health dependent on economic activity and external support mechanisms.

SOURCE: https://www.livemint.com/economy/states-debt-to-remain-high-at-31-32-per-cent-of-their-gdp-in-fy24-amid-higher-capex-moderate-revenue-growth-11701425176025.html

THE CONTEXT: The Indian state is facing challenges due to administrative inefficiencies. The disorganisation of public institutions and the skill gap among officials have eroded the ability to form and implement sound policies. There is a thicket of the licences, permits, clearances, and permissions that is creating bureaucratic hurdles in the country.

ISSUES FACED BY THE INDIAN STATE

• Lack of administrative capabilities: Indian state is comparatively large in size and in population from other democracies in the world. However, the administrative capability of the state here is quite small. For example, in the G-20 group, India has the smallest number of civil servants per capita. The public sector share in total employment in India is at 5.77% which is half the corresponding figures for Indonesia and China, and just about a third of that in the United Kingdom.
• Scarcity of resources: The Indian state is relatively small on the other metrics, such as the tax-GDP ratio and public expenditure-GDP ratio, public goods provisions, welfare payments, or the justice system. Due to an inadequate state capability, governments at the Centre and States end up outsourcing services from the private sector.
• Skill gap among bureaucrats: It is often stated that Indian state is ‘people-thin’ but ‘process-thick’. The main problem is the skill gap among the officials which have eroded the ability of the political executive and civil services to make and implement sound policies. There is also an extreme concentration of policymaking and implementation powers within departments.
• The technocratic gap: The top policymakers exhibit a lack of technocratic skills to govern an increasingly complex economy. In the absence of adequate capability to deal with economic, financial, contract and other technical matters, the Centre and the States hire consultancy firms. According to media reports, the central government paid over ₹500 crore in the last five years to outsource crucial tasks to the big five consultancy firms, i.e., PricewaterhouseCoopers, Deloitte, Ernst & Young, the KPMG and McKinsey.
• Lack of accountability: Moreover, restrictions on the frontline personnel to decide on implementation-related issues foster a culture of mistrust and lack of accountability for poor implementation. The net outcome is delayed procurement of goods and services and unnecessary contractual disputes. Appealing against arbitration and court awards have become the default mode by officials, making the government the biggest litigator.
• Narrowly scoped audits: Yet another problem is the narrowly scoped audits by the Comptroller and Auditor General of India. It encourages the finance and administrative divisions in government to focus on compliance with rules rather than policy objectives.
• Less effective: The political economy of the public sector also undermines its efficacy. It is well known that performance-linked pay and incentive schemes such as bonuses, which work well in the private sector, are not very effective in the public sector. Paradoxically, the relatively high salaries in the public sector reduce its effectiveness. Because of job security and better working conditions, it breeds corruption in appointments as it makes government jobs very lucrative for all.

THE WAY FORWARD

• Increase welfare measures: The proponents of inclusive development rightly pitch for a bigger role for the state. For which, there is a need for increased public spending on health, education and social security.
• Augment strength of bureaucrats: There is a need to increase the number of bureaucrats for example by increasing the strength of professional staff with market watchdogs as the Securities and Exchange Board of India, and the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). As, the SEBI has just about 800 professionals, whereas its counterpart in the U.S., the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, has more than 4,500 experts to govern the corporates. Similarly, the professional staff strength of the RBI, less than 7,000, is tiny when compared to the US Federal Reserve which is assisted by 22,000 odd professionals.
• Lateral entry: An institutionalised and regular lateral entry at the mid and senior levels can help fill the civil services’ size and technocratic gap. Qualified officers in non-IAS services (such as the Indian Revenue, Economic and Statistical Services) should get a fair shot at high-level positions if they have the talent and the expertise required.
• Training and sensitization: Civil servants at different levels can be provided subject-specific training under Mission Karmayogi (National Programme for Civil Services Capacity Building). Also, the oversight agencies must be sensitised to appreciate the context of policy decisions. They should factor in the costs associated with the actual decisions as well as their alternatives.
• Reduce corruption: There is a need to reduce the corruption by making the administration more accountable. One of the solutions is moderate pay raises by the future Pay Commission and a reduction in the upper age limit for government jobs. These measures can reduce corruption and increase the chances of socially-driven individuals joining the government.
• Global experience: Experiences of countries such as Australia, Malaysia and the United Kingdom show that separating policymaking and implementation responsibilities expedites execution. It encourages innovations, making the programmes better suited to local contexts. The Indian case in point is the National Highways Authority of India, which is tasked with executing national highway projects, while policy decisions are made at the ministry level. This arrangement has drastically reduced delays and cost overruns.

THE CONCLUSION:

With changing needs and with the advent of globalisation, and economic reforms, the role of the state has changed. Administration in India is facing several challenges due to bureaucratic hurdles in the existing system. Ensuring transparency and accountability along with participatory and representative decision-making are some issues that need to be addressed. Only then bureaucracy can fulfill its role as an efficient and effective instrument of governance that can serve the needs of the citizens.

PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTION

 Q.1 “Institutional quality is a crucial driver of economic performance”. In this context suggest reforms in the Civil Service for strengthening democracy. (2020)

MAINS PRACTICE QUESTION

Q.1 Changing times requires that the civil services must brace up for the rapid and fundamental changes taking place in the wake of changing needs and the challenges faced by the societies. Critically analyse the statement.

SOURCE: https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/lead/improving-the-capability-of-the-indian-state/article67595468.ece