9 PM Daily Current Affairs Brief – December 26th, 2023

Mains Oriented Articles

GS PAPER - 1

On Illegal Migration – Human trafficking or a plain case of migration?

Source: This post on Illegal Migration has been created based on the article “Human trafficking or a plain case of migration?” published in “Live Mint” on 26^th December 2023.

UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper 1 Indian Society – Globalization.

News: The article discusses the current status of human trafficking in the world and the implications of preventing migration. It also argues that voluntary illegal migration should not be considered as trafficking.

Recently, French authorities detained a Nicaragua-bound aircraft, and put its passengers to questioning before letting it take-off. As reported, the chartered flight from Dubai, UAE had 303 individuals, mostly Indians— including 11 unaccompanied minors.

This detention by French authorities raises the issue of the phenomenon of voluntary illegal migration being confused with human trafficking.

What is the current status of human trafficking?

According to the Global Report on Trafficking in Persons 2022, published by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, while human trafficking saw a dip in reported cases during the COVID pandemic, the numbers remain alarming.

In 2020, the global count of victims of sexual trafficking was 3.7 per million population, similar to the figures for forced labour.

Why is migration required?

Migration barriers typically distort labour markets. For instance, some areas may experience labor shortages while others have an oversupply of workers.

Rich countries often need workers from elsewhere to fill vacancies and labour crunch. However, many of them erect certain barriers due to concerns over cultural diversity.

What are the implications of preventing migration?

This prevention of migration worsens wage gaps.

It also prevents the implementation of a genuinely unified or shared market (for instance, the European Union), despite the advantages that market theory suggests such a system would bring.

It has not helped us globalize well. Globalization has been able to dissolve borders for capital and trade, but not for people.

Question for practice:

It is time that globalisation leads to a freer movement of not just goods and capital, but people as well. Analyse.

GS PAPER - 2

On International Maritime Trade and Choke Points – Global trade disruption

Source: This post on International Maritime Trade and Choke Points has been created based on the article “Global trade disruption” published in “Business Standard” on 26^th December 2023.

UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper 2 International Relations – Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on India’s interests.

News: The article discusses the reasons behind the recent obstructions in the Suez and Panama canal trade traffic and its implications.

Two continental shipping passages, the Suez and Panama canals, are suffering from obstructions to trade traffic. This has raised concerns about supply-chain woes and risks to the global economy. Additionally, it highlights that climate change and geopolitical tensions have the potential to negatively impact global trade and shipping.

Suez Canal:

Source: Nippon.com

What are the reasons for obstruction to trade in the Suez Canal?

Houthi rebels from Yemen have increased their attacks on ships in response to the war in Gaza. Even an Indian-flagged ship carrying crude oil was attacked.

Turmoil in the Red Sea can practically render the Suez Canal unusable, a route that facilitates 12% of global trade and around 20% of India’s trade flows.

What is the impact?

1) This has led to major shipping companies rerouting vessels away from the Suez Canal, navigating around the Cape of Good Hope (circling the African continent), a much longer but safer route.

2) Vessels still operating on the route are facing extremely high war-risk insurance premiums.

3) Both of these consequences have led to an increase in freight and shipping costs, rendering both imports and exports more expensive.

4) On India: Continued tensions surrounding the Gulf of Aden can impact India’s trade flows. However, India is safe in the case of its oil imports as it sources its oil mainly from West Asia, and this is shipped via the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz.

Panama Canal:

Source: WorldAtlas

What are the reasons for obstruction to trade in the Panama Canal?

The Panama Canal, which connects the Pacific and Atlantic Ocean, has been impacted by drought conditions coupled with the El Nino effect.

As it lies above the sea level, it is completely reliant on freshwater from nearby lakes and cannot run on ocean water.

What is the impact?

1) The channel is currently operating only at 55% of its normal capacity.

2) Blockage in the Panama Canal has also exacerbated supply-chain disruptions.

What should be done?

It is important to recognise the criticality of these “choke points” upon which global trade and navigation depend and take appropriate measures:

1. Smooth trade flows in the future may require international cooperation for effectively managing the major straits and canals during periods of natural emergency and political crisis.
2. Intermodal freight transport is a possible alternative. For instance, using air transport.

Question for practice:

Discuss the importance of canals in international maritime trade.

Punishment for doctors in Nyaya (Second) Sanhita, bill 2023 – Carry on, doctor

Source: The post Free the doctors from criminal negligence has been created on the article “Carry on, doctor” published in “The Hindu” on 26th December 2023.

UPSC Syllabus Topic: Paper 2- Governance – Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors.

News: The new amendment (Criminal Law Amendment Bills) proposes to change the punishment for medical negligence resulting in death. It has moved away from criminal negligence akin to murder.

What were the factors that influenced this amendment?

The Jacob Mathew vs State of Punjab case held that criminal charges should apply only in cases of gross negligence of a significantly high degree. Criminal liability can be applied only if physician’s act can be demonstrated to be negligent or reckless, causing death.

The Indian Medical Association argued that the criminal liability for medical negligence is controversial. It advocated for the understanding that medical accidents may occur without criminal intent. They proposed that deaths during medical treatment be presumed accidents unless proven as gross negligence by expert evaluation.

What changes have been made for doctors in the Criminal Law Amendment Bills?

Punishment for the doctors for criminal negligence: Currently, medical negligence resulting in deaths is punishable under Section 304A of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) with imprisonment of up to two years, a fine, or both. Previously, in the Bharatiya Nyaya (Second) Sanhita (BNS) 2023, Clause 106, the punishment was up to five years. However, the amended BNS has reverted to the original IPC terms.

Penalty for mob lynching: The new Criminal Law Bills propose life imprisonment or the death penalty for mob lynching, providing protection to doctors, whose safety has become a growing concern in recent times.

Definition of Registered Medical Practitioner: It includes anyone with a medical qualification recognized under the National Medical Commission Act, 2019, and registered in either the National or State Medical Register.

What are the concerns regarding this amendment?

No full exemption: The amendment did not grant a complete exemption to doctors for medical negligence. It effectively maintaining the existing legal framework like that of Section 304(A) of the Indian Penal Code.

Fear of legal repercussions: Doctors may continue to face violence and legal challenges that could deter them from providing optimal care. The need for a balance between accountability and protection is evident.

Question for practice:

Evaluate the impact of the Criminal Law Amendment Bills on doctors and the concerns

GS PAPER - 3

On the Overseas Demand for Indian Labour

Source: This post on the Overseas Demand for Indian Labour has been created based on the article “Developed nations look to India amid labour crunch” published in “Business Standard” on 26^th December 2023.

UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper 3 Indian Economy – Issues relating to employment.

News: The article discusses the recent developments regarding the rising demand of Indian labour and the steps taken by the government in this regard.

After focusing on migration and mobility pacts, the government is now increasingly eyeing agreements with developed nations to send skilled workers in the construction, farm, and manufacturing sectors.

What are the recent developments regarding the rising demand of Indian labour?

Developed countries are facing a major shortage of workers due to rising labour costs and increasing inflation. India (especially states with a history of international migration such as Haryana, Punjab, and Tamil Nadu) has stepped in to fill that demand from various countries. These include:

1. Greece has approached India for sending up to 10,000 seasonal agricultural workers.
   It is facing an acute shortage of at least 70,00 workers in Greece for domestic production of vegetables, fruit, olive oil and milk.
2. Italy has sought workers to staff municipal bodies in its emptying towns.
3. A labour agreement signed with Israel in May, to send 42,000 Indian workers may be expanded further. Israel is looking to bring in foreign workers to fill up nearly 90,000 jobs which had been held by Palestinians before the recent Gaza conflict.
4. Recently, India signed a Migration and Mobility Partnership with Italy. There are 1,57,000 NRIs in Italy, the majority of whom work in the farm and dairy sectors. A similar agreement was signed with France in 2018.

What steps have been taken by the government in this regard?

1. Pravasi Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PKVY): It is a skill development initiative of the Ministry of External Affairs in partnership with the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship. It is aimed at training and certification of Indian workforce keen on overseas employment, in line with international standards.
2. Skill India International Centres (SIICS): Govt had announced setting up of 30 SIICS in the 2023-24 Budget. They aim to provide destination-based skilling, re-skilling, immigration assistance and post placement support. They provide both domain skills training on international standards and pre-departure orientation training (PDOT) to candidates.
3. Labour Agreements: India has signed 17 agreements with various countries between 2015 and 2023 to facilitate movement of labour.

Question for practice:

India stands to gain due to labour shortages in the developed world. Discuss. What steps should be taken to make use of this opportunity?

Drug problem in Punjab – A promise to keep

Source: The post drug problem in Punjab has been created on the article “A promise to keep” published in Indian Express on 26th December 2023.

UPSC Syllabus Topic: Paper 3 – Internal Security – Organised crime

News: The article discusses Punjab’s struggle with drug problems and efforts by the government to stop it.

What is the scale of the drug problem in Punjab?

From April 2022 to February 2023, Punjab Police filed 11,156 drug-related FIRs, with 25% pertaining to pharmaceutical drugs (such as nasheeli goliyan)

The number of individuals grappling with addiction at 10 lakhs

Women are notably involved in 10% of these drug cases, highlighting gender-specific impacts.

The state has seen a persistent rise in drug activities since 2019, except for a brief dip during 2020 due to COVID-19.

Despite efforts, 266 deaths were reported due to overdoses from 2020 to 2023,

What are the reasons for the drug problem in Punjab?

Geographical Vulnerability: Punjab’s position as part of the Golden Crescent (Iran-Afghanistan-Pakistan) facilitates its role in the heroin and cocaine trade, leading to widespread substance abuse.

Poverty and Socioeconomic Issues: The involvement of women in drug cases, many from denotified tribes or rural backgrounds, illustrates how poverty pushes individuals into the narcotics trade.

Systemic Loopholes: Major drug dealers continue to evade arrest shows the challenge in dismantling organized networks.

Availability: The transition from heroin (Chitta) to pharmaceutical opioids (nasheeli goliyan) reflects changing drug preferences and availability.

What initiatives have been taken by the Punjab government?

Awareness and Rehabilitation Campaigns: Initiatives like cyclothons, street plays, and gully cricket aim to raise awareness and promote rehabilitation.

Setting Up All-Women Anti-Drug Committees: In some villages of the Malwa region, these committees are formed to combat drug abuse and support affected families.

Legislative Action: FIRs and legal actions under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act have been significantly employed, with 11,156 cases filed between April 2022 and February 2023.

For more information on Indian governments initiative to regulate drugs trafficking read hear

Way forward

Punjab must escalate actions against the drug networks and improve education and employment options for those most at risk. Strengthening legal systems is essential to close loopholes that allow trafficking to persist. Sustained focus on rehabilitation programs and targeting top-tier traffickers will help diminish the narcotics supply and demand.

Question for practice:

Discuss the extent, reasons for, and the government’s response to the drug problem in Punjab

Global Goal on Adaptation and the road from Dubai

Source: The post Global goal on adaptation (GGA) has been created on the article “Global Goal on Adaptation and the road from Dubai” published in “The Hindu” on 26th December 2023.

UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper 3 – Environment – Ecology and Environment – Climate Change

News: COP28 in Dubai marked a significant moment in addressing climate change adaptation, pushing for a more serious approach and building on previous efforts from COP26 and COP27.

What are the key outcomes of COP28?

Read here

What is the difference between adaptation and mitigation?

Definition: Adaptation involves adjusting to current and expected impacts of climate change. It focuses on reducing vulnerability and enhancing resilience. Mitigation targets the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions to slow climate change.

Approach: Adaptation actions are often local or regional, addressing specific climate impacts like flooding or heatwaves. Mitigation efforts are global, aiming to reduce overall emissions through strategies like renewable energy or reforestation.

Measurement: Measuring adaptation is complex with no universal metric, focusing on varied local outcomes. Mitigation is measured in CO2 equivalents, offering a standardized metric for comparing efforts globally.

What is the Global Goal on Adaptation (GGA)?

The GGA is a commitment within the Paris Agreement aiming to enhance adaptive capacity, strengthen resilience, and reduce vulnerability to climate change.

The GGA focuses on having nations conduct comprehensive climate risk assessments, inform policy with these findings, and establish early warning systems by 2027.

What are the Challenges in Implementing GGA?

Translating Global Goals to National Action: Implementing the GGA is complex due to differences in national conditions, administrative capacities, and economic development levels, which affect how global goals are adopted locally.

Measuring Progress: There’s no universal metric for adaptation, making it difficult to aggregate and compare progress across countries. The GGA is working on developing indicators but currently lacks specifics on development and implementation.

Financing Gap: The adaptation finance gap is widening, with a need for $ 71 billion per year until 2030. Current finance is insufficient, with adaptation finance significantly trailing behind mitigation, reflecting a bias in climate financing priorities.

Way forward

To address climate challenges effectively, global efforts must prioritize adaptation alongside mitigation, recognizing its urgency due to escalating extreme weather events. It’s critical to close the adaptation financing gap, aiming for the $71 billion needed annually. Additionally, establishing universal metrics for adaptation and implementing key strategies, such as risk assessments and early warning systems, are essential steps.

Question for practice:

Evaluate the challenges associated with implementing the Global Goal on Adaptation (GGA) and the importance of prioritizing adaptation alongside mitigation efforts.

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Following articles have already been covered in the 7 PM Articles of the day: 

A dive into sanitation solutions: processing, managing and treating used water 
7 PM Article - Sanitation In India- Explained Pointwise

Prelims Oriented Articles (Factly)

Milli second burst detected by Astrosat

Source- This post is based on the article “Milli-second burst detected by AstroSat in new high magnetic field neutron star can help understand such stellar entities” published in “PIB” on 25th December 2023.

Why in the News?

Recently a study revealed that AstroSat (India’s first multi-wavelength space observatory) has detected intense sub-second X-ray bursts from a new neutron star ‘SGR J1830-0645’.

What is ‘SGR J1830-0645’?

1) SGR J1830-0645 (a magnetar) is a relatively young and solitary neutron star, with an age of approximately 24,000 years.

2) It was first identified in October 2020 by NASA’s Swift spacecraft

What are Magnetars?

1) Magnetars are neutron stars with an ultrahigh magnetic field that are much stronger than the terrestrial magnetic field.

2) The emission of high-energy electromagnetic radiation in magnetars is powered by the decay of their magnetic fields.

3) They also exhibit strong temporal variability, featuring slow rotation, rapid spin-down, and bright, short bursts, sometimes extending to months-long outbursts.

What are the findings of the study?

1) Researchers from Raman Research Institute (RRI) and the University of Delhi analyzed the timing and spectra of this magnetar using two instruments on AstroSat: the Large Area X-Ray Proportional Counter (LAXPC) and the Soft X-Ray Telescope (SXT).

2) A notable discovery included identifying 67 brief sub-second X-ray bursts, averaging a duration of 33 milliseconds. The most luminous burst among them endured for approximately 90 milliseconds.

3) It detected bright sub-second X-ray bursts which can help understand the intriguing extreme astrophysical conditions of magnetars.

4) The study concluded that SGR J1830–0645 is a unique magnetar that showcased emission line in its spectra. The presence of emission lines and its potential origin — either due to fluorescence of iron, proton cyclotron line feature or an instrumental effect — remains a subject of consideration.

5) The research team intends to broaden their study to determine the origin of these energetic emissions, discerning whether they have an astrophysical origin or are instrumental in nature.

What is Astrosat?

Click here to read

UPSC Syllabus- Science & Technology

Extended Version of Mission Karmayogi launched

Source- This post is based on the article “On the occasion of Good Governance Day, Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh launches the Extended Version of Mission Karmayogi” published in “PIB” on 25th December 2023.

Why in the News?

To commemorate Good Governance Day, Dr. Jitendra Singh, the Union Minister, unveiled the Enhanced Edition of Mission Karmayogi featuring new features on Mission Karmayogi platform ‘iGOT‘.

What is Mission Karmayogi?

1) It is a nationwide programme to lay the foundation for capacity building of civil servants.

2) It focuses on grooming civil servants of the future by making them more technology-enabled, innovative, progressive and transparent.

3) iGOT Karmayogi is the online learning platform under it.

For more information on Mission Karmayogi Click Here to read

What are the details of new features launched on Mission Karmayogi platform ‘iGOT’?

1) My iGOT- provides targeted training courses on each officer’s homepage, directly addressing their unique capacity-building needs. With over 28 lakh users on the platform, it offers access to approximately 830 high-quality e-learning courses.

2) Blended Programs- these programs seamlessly combine traditional in-person classroom courses with online learning elements to meet dynamic training needs of the officials

3) Curated Programs- designed to meet the varied learning needs of Ministries/Departments and Training Institutions. Course Providers can tailor learning journeys by selecting relevant content, resources, and assessments from the iGOT repository with a programmatic approach.

4) 12 domain-specific e-learning courses- meant to cater to the specific competency needs of Civil Servants at Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) and assist other Government organizations in efficiently managing day-to-day functional matters.
– It has been developed by the Karmayogi Digital Learning Lab (KDLL) of the DoPT which was inaugurated in 2021 to develop e-learning courses to build the capacity of the civil servants.

5) VIKAS (Variable & Immersive Karmayogi Advanced Support)- it is a blended learning programme designed to enhance the capacity of middle management civil servants in the Central Secretariat.
– It focuses on development of functional, behavioural and technological competencies required in Central Government.

UPSC Syllabus- Polity and Nation(Governance)

Supreme Court: Physical Training Instructors Recognized as Teachers

Source- This post is based on the article “Physical training instructors come within definition of teachers: SC” published in “The Hindu” on 25th December 2023.

Why in the News?

Recently, the Supreme Court held that individuals serving as physical training instructors (PTIs) fall under the categorization of ‘teachers’.

What was the Case?

1) The Bench was hearing the case of a sports officer/ PTI at Jawaharlal Nehru Krishi Vishwa Vidyalaya (university). He was challenging the university’s demand to retire him at 60 years of age.

2) He had sought parity with the other teaching faculty whose age of superannuation was 62.

What has the Supreme Court held?

1) The Supreme Court has ruled that physical training instructors (PTIs) are recognized as ‘teachers,’ even if they don’t necessarily conduct classes within the confines of a building as in the case of a Professor/Associate Professor/Assistant Professors.

2) The Bench held that ‘PTI’s teach students the skills and regulations of different sports and games’.

3) Multifarious duties– The court held that a physical director holds a range of responsibilities such as overseeing daily student games, handling sports equipment and ground maintenance, coordinating inter-class and inter-college tournaments.

UPSC Syllabus- Polity and Nation

Enhancing Railway Safety: Compulsory Disaster Management Training for Railway Officers

Source- This post is based on the article “Railway officers to be trained in disaster management; NAIR, IRIDM to impart training” published in “The Hindu” on 25th December 2023.

Why in the News?

After the Odisha train tragedy inquiry revealed the need for a quicker disaster response, the Ministry of Railways has mandated disaster management training for railway officers.

What decisions have been made by the Railways?

1) Disaster management is now an integral part of railway officers training, included in both induction courses and mid-career training programs.

2) The National Academy of Indian Railways (NAIR) in Vadodara and the Indian Railway Institute of Disaster Management (IRIDM) in Bengaluru will collaborate to deliver this comprehensive training.

3) However, there is some confusion regarding the implementation of the training. With the the Railway Board’s directive for NAIR to transfer assets, including buildings and infrastructure, to Gati Shakti Vishwavidyalaya (GSV), the training programs will now need approval from the university’s Vice-Chancellor. There is a need for clarity on the venue and schedule of training.

What is National Academy of Indian Railways?

1) The National Academy of Indian Railways (NAIR), previously named the Railway Staff College, was founded in 1925 as a Transportation School.

2) It stands as the top training institute for Indian Railways (IR) and has been situated in Pratap Vilas Palace in Vadodara, Gujarat since January 31, 1952.

3) The Academy also organizes customized training programmes for non-Railway personnel like Executives of Public Sector Undertakings, Foreign Nationals and Private organisations.

What is Gati Shakti Vishwavidyalaya (GSV)?

Click Here to read

UPSC Syllabus- Miscellaneous (Disaster Management)