9 PM Daily Current Affairs Brief – January 9th, 2024

Mains Oriented Articles

GS PAPER - 2

Mulya Pravah 2.0 – An ambitious push for values, ethics in higher education

Source: The post Mulya Pravah 2.0 has been created, based on the article “An ambitious push for values, ethics in higher education” published in “The Hindu” on 9th January 2024.

UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS paper 2 – Policies and Schemes related to education

News: The article discusses the Mulya Pravah 2.0 guidelines issued by the University Grants Commission. These guidelines aim to promote ethics and values in higher education.

What is Mulya Pravah 2.0?

Mulya Pravah 2.0 is an updated guideline from the University Grants Commission (UGC) aimed at promoting ethical practices and human values in higher education institutions. It was introduced following unethical practices highlighted by a human resource managers’ survey, such as favoritism, sexual harassment, and gender discrimination in various organizational processes. The guideline’s primary focus is on building value-based institutions by developing respect for fundamental duties, constitutional values, and national bonding.

Key aspects of Mulya Pravah 2.0 include:

Transparency: It emphasizes transparent administration and decision-making based on institutional and public interest, free from biases.

Accountability and Ethics: Institutions are expected to ensure integrity, fairness, and high ethical standards in their administration.

Inclusivity and Respect: The guideline encourages respect for constitutional values, inclusiveness, and global citizenship.

Confidentiality vs. Public Scrutiny: While it stresses confidentiality, this contrasts with the right to information for accountability. Institutions are urged to disclose critical information publicly.

Role of Teachers and Staff: Teachers are expected to be role models, maintaining good conduct and standards. Staff and students’ unions should support administration constructively.

For information on Mulya Pravah read here

What are the concerns related to Mulya Pravah 2.0?

Suppression of Dissent: The guidelines may inadvertently suppress different opinions, crucial for institutional growth.

Vague Terminology: Terms like ‘dignified manner’ for raising issues are not clearly defined, leading to potential misuse and misinterpretation.

Threat to Unions: There’s a concern that the guidelines could be used to undermine the voices of staff and student unions. Past instances of banning and suspending unions and accusing their representatives suggest a risk of similar actions under these guidelines.

Way forward

To improve Mulya Pravah 2.0, clear definitions of terms like ‘dignified manner’ should be provided to prevent misuse. Ensuring a balance between confidentiality and public scrutiny is crucial. The guidelines should foster open dialogue and respect diverse opinions, especially from unions, to strengthen the integrity and growth of higher education institutions.

Question for practice:

Evaluate the overall impact and significance of Mulya Pravah 2.0 in the context of higher education.

Crisis with the Rule of Law- Curb the disillusionment with the traditional rule of law

Source: The post crisis with the Rule of Law has been created, based on the article “Curb the disillusionment with the traditional rule of law” published in “The Hindu” on 9th January 2024.

UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS paper2-polity-Indian Constitution

News: The article discusses how India is updating its laws and law enforcement methods. It raises concerns about new, quicker methods like bulldozers and encounters, which might bypass fair legal processes. It emphasizes the importance of following traditional legal procedures to ensure justice and fairness.

What is the importance of Law in Society?

Establishes Social Order: Laws like the Constitution of India set clear boundaries between right and wrong, maintaining order and stability.

Ensures Fairness: Laws uphold principles of justice and equality. Gandhi’s non-violent opposition to the salt tax under British rule exemplifies fighting against unfair laws.

Facilitates Modern Governance: Updating outdated laws, as seen in the Jan Vishwas Act, ensures that legislation keeps pace with modern societal needs and challenges.

Protects Rights and Freedoms: Laws safeguard individual rights and freedoms, ensuring that every citizen is treated fairly under the rule of law.

What changes are happening in Indian Laws?

Modernizing outdated laws: Laws like the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita are introduced to replace old colonial laws, aligning with modern legal thinking. The Jan Vishwas Act updated 42 old laws, including the Indian Post Office Act and Railways Act, to make them more relevant to current times.

Reducing imprisonment for minor offenses: This Act aims to ease the business environment by reducing the legal burden and fear of imprisonment for small offenses.

What is the crisis with the Rule of Law?

Credibility crisis: The rule of law in India is facing a crisis of credibility, where its integrity is being questioned.

Altered law perception: There’s a shift in seeing law as a mere ‘power resource’ rather than a system of justice, affecting its fair application.

New law enforcement methods: The use of bulldozers and encounters for policing, replacing traditional investigation methods, raises concerns about bypassing due process.

Examples of misuse: Instances civilian deaths in Kashmir under security forces highlight the dangers of these new methods.

What are the concerns related to these changes?

Bypassing fair legal processes: New methods like bulldozers and encounters skip traditional legal procedures, risking unjust outcomes.

Targeting the innocent: Quick justice methods can mistakenly target innocent people, as seen in wrongful actions in Kashmir.

Abuse of power: These shortcuts allow for potential abuse at the ground level, as highlighted in the shooting incident in France.

Loss of accountability: Without adequate debate and democratic checks, these methods lack transparency and accountability.

Risk of majoritarian misuse: These changes could lead to law enforcement based on majority opinion, not on impartial justice, affecting minority rights and fair treatment.

What should be done?

1. Ensuring fairness requires sticking to established legal procedures rather than quick, forceful methods.
2. Replace encounters and bulldozer demolitions with proper investigations involving evidence gathering and due process.
3. Continue updating laws, like through the Jan Vishwas Act, to keep them relevant and fair.
4. Focus on law enforcement that adheres to principles of legality, necessity, and non-discrimination.
5. Increase public awareness of legal rights and processes to foster a society that respects the rule of law.

Question for practice:

Examine the concerns regarding India’s updated law enforcement methods, particularly those related to fairness and justice in the legal system.

How surgical care in India is a neglected part of public health

Source: This post has been created based on the article “How surgical care in India is a neglected part of public health” published in “The Hindu” on 9^th January 2024.

UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper 2 Social Justice – Issues relating to Health

News: The article discusses the issues with surgical care in India. It also highlights the reasons for a lack of access to surgery.

What are the issues with surgical care in India?

1. Lack of Access: Like most low-and middle-income countries, India lacks access to surgical care. More than 90% of rural Indians are estimated to not have access to surgery when required.
2. Neglect in Health Policymaking and Planning: Lack of access, preventable disease burden due to surgery, and the economic toll of surgery on society are still not considered a part of mainstream public health.
   It has received little attention in the recent National Health Policy 2017.
3. No NSOAP: Since the publication of LCoGS, many countries initiated National Surgical Obstetric Anaesthesia Plans (NSOAPs) or equivalent policies. India presently has no NSOAP.
4. Lack of Investments: Lack of investments in data for monitoring and evaluation of surgical care indicators has also been a major roadblock.

How is surgical care undertaken in India?

India’s current surgical system is based on civilian initiatives and subnational programmes — including countless surgeon-led small private establishments and government district hospitals.

What do LCoGS indicators state about the situation of surgical care in India?

Low number of surgeries: In 2019-2020, India recorded more than 14 million minor surgeries (surgeries which do not require general or spinal anaesthesia). According to the Lancet Commission on Global Surgery (LCoGS), this is much less than the actual requirement of surgeries.

Low rate of surgeries: It is somewhere between 166 and 3,646 surgeries per 1,00,000, depending on the setting, population, and other factors. For New Zealand, this figure is 5,000 surgeries per 1,00,000 people.

What are the reasons for a lack of access to surgery?

India’s limited data on LCoGS indicators reveals several reasons for this:

First, the inability to reach the hospital on time. This is due to a lack of facilities, poor road network, and lack of vehicles. These problems are more common in rural and hilly areas (with more than 2-3^rd of the population).

Second, lack of necessary resources for treatment. For instance, a surgeon, an anaesthetist, and some other clinical staff are essential to perform surgery. The size of this trained manpower workforce is small in several parts of India.

Third, disparities based on location, incomes, etc.

Fourth, issues over the quality of surgical care. This quality depends on the training of the surgeons, the availability of necessary equipment, etc.

Fifth, the financial burden on people who are forced to seek care in private hospitals. This is due to the absence of universal healthcare coverage and limited surgical care in public health facilities.

Question for practice:

What are the reasons for a lack of access to surgery in India? What steps can be undertaken to improve this sector of India’s healthcare?

On the UAE-India CEPA Council (UICC) – The UAE-India partnership has a new catalyst in play

Source: This post on the UAE-India CEPA Council (UICC) has been created based on the article “The UAE-India partnership has a new catalyst in play” published in “Live Mint” on 9^th January 2024.

UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper 2 International Relations – Bilateral groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests.

News: The article discusses the recent growth in UAE-India bilateral relations due to Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA). It also highlights the objectives of the UAE-India CEPA Council (UICC).

The United Arab Emirates-India relationship is one of the region’s most dynamic partnerships. It highlights the positive benefits that can be achieved through open, consistent and constructive dialogue; visionary leadership; and mutual respect.

It has shown exemplary progress in ensuring free and open trade, promoting the development of resilient and sustainable economies, to multilateral cooperation.

The Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) remains fundamental to the continued dynamism of this partnership.

What have been the outcomes of India-UAE CEPA?

The CEPA has led to:

1. Expanded market access for Emirati and Indian businesses seeking to enter each other’s respective markets
2. Significant decrease in tariffs.
3. Streamlined customs procedures.
4. Introduction of a series of robust and transparent regulations that support rules-based competition.

Due to this, UAE has become one of India’s most important economic partners. It has risen to the position of India’s 4^th largest investor, 3^rd largest trading partner and 2^nd largest export destination.

What have been the outcomes of the CEPA in addition to strengthened economic bonds?

According to the author, the CEPA has done much more than strengthen our economic bonds. This includes:

1. Led to much deeper and more nuanced (which consider all factors and stakeholders) relations.
2. Encouraged strategic and political alignment never seen before in the history of the relationship. This includes:
3. Support at Multilateral Fora: India’s support throughout the UAE’s presidency of CoP-28, and that of the UAE of India’s G20 presidency, are indicative of the mutual support.
4. BRICS Membership: UAE’s recent addition to the BRICS grouping will serve to further catalyse bilateral ties and promote peace and prosperity at the global level.

Apart from this, at this year’s Vibrant Gujarat Summit, the UAE-India CEPA Council (UICC) will be officially unveiled.

What will be the objectives of the UICC?

1. Outlet to Deepen Commercial Ties: It will provide a dynamic new outlet for the business communities of the two countries to deepen commercial ties.
2. Leverage India-UAE Strategic Partnership: The Council seeks to leverage the rapidly developing strategic partnership between the two governments.
3. Encourage Business Partnerships: It seeks to encourage partnerships across all levels of the two business communities. It will focus on critical spheres such as startups, women’s entrepreneurship, MSMEs and the services sector.
4. Holding Events to build Trust: It will facilitate a range of events that support trust, dialogue and open engagement among the business communities.

Thus, the Council will provide business communities with the resources they need to fully unlock the benefits and opportunities of CEPA.

Question for practice:

The India-UAE Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) has elevated the bilateral relations, economic and otherwise. Elaborate.

GS PAPER - 3

Gap between India’s cereal production and consumption – India’s great grain mystery

Source: The post gap between India’s cereal production and consumption has been created, based on the article “Jean Drèze and Christian Oldiges write: India’s great grain mystery” published in “Indian express” on 9th January 2024.

UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS paper 3- Indian economy- issues of buffer stocks and food security

News: The article discusses the gap between India’s cereal production, which is around 300 million tonnes, and its consumption, less than 200 million tonnes. It explores reasons for this surplus, like changes in people’s diet and possible underestimation of cereal used for feed and industrial purposes.

What is India’s current Cereal status?

Production Levels: India’s cereal production is around 300 million tonnes annually, with recent figures showing 304 million tonnes in 2022-23.

Consumption Trends: People consume less than 200 million tonnes, possibly even below 180 million tonnes, as per capita cereal consumption (PCCC) has been declining since the late 1970s.

Surplus Situation: A significant surplus exists, with a gap of about 100 million tonnes between production and consumption.

What are the reasons for the gap between production and consumption of cereal?

Decreasing Per Capita Consumption: Cereal consumption per person has been dropping, with figures showing a decrease from 15.3 kg per month in rural areas in 1977-78 to 11.3 kg in 2011-12.

Changing Dietary Habits: Urbanization, higher education levels, and diversification in food intake have contributed to reduced cereal consumption.

Increased Export: There’s a significant rise in cereal exports, with 23 million tones in 2020-21 and 32 million tonnes in 2021-22.

Underestimation in Feed Usage: Experts suggest that the Economic Survey overestimates cereal ‘net availability’ due to a low allowance for seed, feed, and wastage (SFW- 5%,5%,2.5% respectively), set at 12.5%. They argue the 5% feed component is underestimated. Doubling it to 10% could decrease the cereal surplus by about 15 million tonnes, yet a significant surplus would persist.

Industrial Uses of Cereals: There’s a possibility of increased industrial use of cereals, for products like beer and biscuits, which might not be fully accounted for in consumption estimates.

What are the implications of this Cereal Gap?

Agricultural Policy Challenges: The cereal surplus creates a challenge for policymakers to balance farmer incomes and market demands, questioning the effectiveness of current agricultural policies.

Potential Resource Misallocation: With declining per capita consumption (from 15.3 kg to 11.3 kg monthly in rural areas between 1977-78 and 2011-12), the surplus suggests possible overinvestment in cereal production.

Impact on Global Trade: India’s increased exports, reaching 23 million tonnes in 2020-21 and 32 million tonnes in 2021-22, indicate the surplus’s role in shaping India’s position in the global cereal market.

What should be done?

1. India should consider diversifying agriculture away from just rice and wheat.
2. Leveraging the surplus for increased exports, as seen with 32 million tonnes exported in 2021-22, can be beneficial.
3. Investigate and potentially expand cereals’ industrial applications, considering the speculated rise in use for products like beer and biscuits.
4. Evaluate the impact of the public distribution system on cereal consumption and distribution efficiency.

Question for practice:

Examine the broader implications of India’s cereal production and consumption gap?

On the Trends in Male and Female LFPR – Does India need to worry about a decline in its male workforce?

Source: This post on Trends in Male and Female LFPR has been created based on the article “Does India need to worry about a decline in its male workforce?” published in “Live Mint” on 9^th January 2024.

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

News: The article discusses gender-based employment trends presented in the 2022-23 Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS).

The 2022-23 Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) has highlighted a decent growth in India’s total employment, a rising female labour force participation ratio (LFPR) and a higher share of self-employment.

What are some findings that have not received enough attention according to the author?

First, while the LFPR and worker population ratio (WPR) of males aged above 15 years have increased in 2022-23, they have fallen for all ages, and decreased sharply for the prime working age group of 30-59 years.

Second, the female LFPR for the 30-59 years group has increased to 50.2% in 2022-23, the highest since 2004-05. Similar trends are visible in the WPR as well—up for females aged 30-59 years and down for males during the corresponding periods.

Third, while the LFPR and WPR for females have improved across urban and rural areas, these ratios for males have declined in both urban and rural India, with a substantial fall in urban areas.

What are the reasons behind these patterns noticed in the male rates? A simultaneous rise in both male rates for the 15-29- years age bracket and fall in the 30-50-years group is surprising. There could be at least two plausible causes for this:
1. Reversal of pandemic-related migration trends: Leading to a fall in male workers in rural areas, thus resulting in a WPR contraction.	2. Rise in the number of discouraged workers (one who is unemployed and not actively looking for work).
What are the problems with this reasoning? One, there should have been a sudden rise in WPR during the pandemic (2019-20 or 2020-21), as population estimates would not have fully captured reverse migration (from urban to rural). However, as the graph depicts, it was not so. Two, no simultaneous rise in urban male LFPR and WPR or a rise in the urban male unemployment rate. Three, higher-than-pandemic demand for work under the (MGNREGA raises doubts over a substantial reversal of reverse migration.	What could be the reasons behind discouragement? One, lack of job opportunities in rural areas (especially non-farm) led to a lower workforce. It fits well with sustained strong demand for MGNREGA work. Two, fiscal support to males (in the form of rural job, free/subsidized gas cylinders, free food, subsidized housing, etc.) was sufficient to make them stay out of the workforce. This scenario, according to the author, would be one of the worst situations because such lazy behaviour is unwarranted and indicates acceptance of subsistence living, which is unproductive for any economy.

What are the reasons for the rise in female LFPR?

It could be attributed to a lot of factors such as:

1. Fiscal support: It may have freed up time for women, which allowed more to join the workforce.
   However, the majority (up to 85%) of the increase in female employment is in the agriculture sector and self-employment category.
2. Reversal in Male Migration: It could also be due to a reversal in the trend of male migration, resulting in more time available to women, who have chosen to enter the agricultural sector.

Question for practice:

India has one of the lowest Female LFPR amongst the G20 countries. However, as per the 2022-23 Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS), it has seen a rise. What are the reasons for this rise in female LFPR?

Prelims Oriented Articles (Factly)

DRDO counter-drone system

Source-This post is based on the article “DRDO anti-drone tech ready, handed over to BEL, private firms” published in “The Hindu” on 8th January 2024.

Why in the News?

The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has completed the development of its counter-drone system, which is now poised for production.

What is DRDO’s counter-drone system?

1) It is a fully integrated anti-drone system that encompasses the detection, identification, and neutralization of drones.

2) The technology can effectively counter attacks, employ soft kill measures, and implement hard kill methods against various types of drones, including micro drones.

3) Users can also customize it for various other challenges.

4) The Transfer of Technology (ToT) has been provided to private industries such as BEL, Adani, L&T, and Icom.

Which other significant technologies is DRDO currently developing?

1) The DRDO stated that the Tapas Medium Altitude Long Endurance (MALE) UAV for the Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition and Reconnaissance (ISTAR) application is in advanced developmental trials.

Note- ISTAR is a military concept that integrates diverse technologies for gathering and analyzing information, aiding strategic and tactical decision-making.

2) The short-range armed UAV Archer, designed for reconnaissance, surveillance, and low-intensity conflict, is currently undergoing developmental flight trials.

UPSC Syllabus- Science & Technology

LK-99: South Korea superconductivity claim revived with new data

Source-This post is based on the article “Study revives South Korea superconductivity claim with new data” published in “The Hindu” on 4th January 2024.

Why in the News?

Chinese and Japanese scientists have found signs of superconductivity in the controversial material LK-99, which was under scrutiny for similar claims last year.

What is LK-99?

1) LK-99 is a mixture of powdered compounds of lead, oxygen, sulfur, and phosphorus.

2) When heated at very high temperatures, it forms a dark grey solid.

3) Korean researchers have proposed it as a potential room temperature and pressure(RTP)  superconductor, claiming its superconducting properties up to 400 K at ambient pressure.

4) Later Independent researchers identified issues in the group’s data and rejected the assertion.

What were the findings reported in the new study?

1) It observed an indication of near-room-temperature superconductivity in LK-99.

2) The researchers observed the Meissner effect in LK-99.

3) Researchers look for hysteresis loop during the experiment.

Note- A hysteresis loop shows how a material’s magnetization responds to changes in an applied magnetic field. The loop shape is due to the material retaining magnetization even after the external magnetic field is reduced to zero.

What is the Meissner effect?

1) The Meissner effect in superconductors is the expulsion of a magnetic field when the material transitions to the superconducting state below the critical temperature, causing repulsion of nearby magnets.

2) The effect is only observable with a direct current (DC) used to generate the magnetic field.

3) If an alternating current is employed, the material won’t exhibit the effect as the magnetic field continuously changes directions.

4) It is utilized in various technological applications, such as in the development of levitating magnetic trains and superconducting magnets.

UPSC Syllabus- Science & Technology

Debating India’s new hit-and-run law

Source-This post is based on the article “Debating India’s new hit-and-run law” published in “The Hindu” on 8th January 2024.

Why in the News?

Transporters and commercial drivers from various States are protesting against the Section 106 (2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 (BNS), which imposes stringent penalties for hit-and-run incidents.

What is Section 106 (2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 (BNS) ?

1) This section outlines a maximum punishment of 10 years and a fine in hit-and-run cases. There is no provision which specifies the exact amount of fine to be imposed. Hence, the rumours of the fine being Rs. 7 lakh are untrue.

2) It is a non – bailable section.

3) If the driver escapes to protect himself from the bystanders but reports the incident to the police or magistrate shortly thereafter, then the offence will be registered under section 106(1). However, if the driver escapes without reporting the incident to the police or magistrate shortly thereafter, then an offence will be registered, under Section 106(2) of BNS.
Note- The maximum punishment is 10 years under Section 106(2) while the maximum punishment under section 106(1) is 5 years.

4) Section 161 of the 2019 Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Act offers compensation for hit-and-run victims, unlike Section 106(2) of BNS, under which the drivers are not obligated to pay this compensation.

What are the protestors concerns and demands?

1) Stringent punishment- They are worried about severe punishment of 10 years imprisonment and ₹7 lakh fine for fleeing accidents scenes.

2) Difficult working conditions- They argue that the new law fails to consider factors like long driving hours and difficult roads and external factors like poor visibility.

3) Fear of Unfair Blame– Drivers commonly feel that they are unjustly held responsible for accidents, regardless of the actual circumstances.

4) Law enforcement abuse– Drivers are worried that law enforcement agencies may misuse the law, might discourage people from entering or staying in the transport profession.

UPSC Syllabus- Polity and Nation

Achievements of Viksit Bharat Sankalp Yatra

Source-This post is based on the article “VBSY’s goal is to ensure that govt. schemes reach all eligible people: PM Modi” published in “The Hindu” on 8th January 2024.

Why in the News?

Recently PM Modi interacted with beneficiaries of Viksit Bharat Sankalp Yatra as the VBSY completed 50 days.

What are the achievements of the Viksit Bharat Sankalp Yatra?

1) It has connected with about 11 crore people.

2) Since the initiation of the drive, almost 12 lakh new applications were received for Ujjwala connections, along with numerous applications for the Suraksha Bima Yojana, Jeevan Jyoti Yojana, and PM SVANidhi.

3) Health checkups have been conducted for over 2 crore people, encompassing one crore TB checkups and 22 lakh sickle cell checkups.

4) The government aims to extend the beneficiary count to two crore through initiatives like the “NaMo Drone Didi Scheme,” which featured a demonstration of around one lakh drones during VBSY.

What is Viksit Bharat Sankalp Yatra?

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UPSC Syllabus- Schemes & Programmes