Current Affairs Compilations for UPSC IAS Prelims 2022

Mains Oriented Articles

GS Paper 2

• India, France and what keeps their ties ticking
• From Great Powers to Asia – India is raising its diplomatic game
• Express View on weaknesses in statistical system: Plug the data gaps
• Black Sea Grain Initiative
• New opportunities and a few old issues as Wickremesinghe comes calling

GS Paper 3

Prelims Oriented Articles (Factly)

Mains Oriented Articles

GS Paper 2

India, France and what keeps their ties ticking

Source: The post is based on the article “India, France and what keeps their ties ticking” published in The Hindu on 19^th July 2023.

Syllabus: GS 2 – Bilateral, Regional and Global Groupings and Agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests

Relevance: India and France relations

News: The article explains the India and France bilateral relations.

How has India and France’s relationship evolved over the years?

India and France have built a tradition of joining each other’s national day parades.

French Presidents have been invited to be the chief guests at the Republic Day Parade in Delhi while the Indian PMs have been invited to France’s Bastille Day parade.

French President Jacques Chirac was the first French chief guest to be invited at the Republic Day Parade in Delhi. India’s first ever Strategic Partnership agreement between India and France was signed between PM I.K. Gujral and the President Chirac.

Further, both countries have held on to three pillars in the relationship: 1) non-interference in each other’s internal affairs, 2) belief in strategic autonomy and non-alignment, and 3) a refusal to pull the other into its own coalitions and alliances.

India was also one of a few invitees to the preparatory committee of “Paris Conference on International Economic Cooperation”, hosted by France.

Moreover, although French officials joined the P-5 nations in criticizing the Pokhran-II nuclear test in 1998, France did not join the US-led effort to impose sanctions on India.

However, when India won its waiver at the Nuclear Suppliers Group in 2008, it was France that India signed its first civil nuclear deal with.

How has been the relationship between the Indian and France in recent years?

The relationship between the two nations has been build up so strong that despite the violent protest over the mistreatment of immigrant communities, PM Modi did not hesitate even once in planning his visit.

Even France did not bring up the European Parliament’s criticism of India over the violence in Manipur.

Further, in March 2022, France collaborated with Mexico to co-author a UN Security Council resolution aiming to ensure unrestricted humanitarian aid in the conflict zone of Ukraine.

When the resolution reached the UN General Assembly, India abstained from voting. However, France did not express any disappointment regarding India’s abstention. 

Similarly, India also did not have differences with France over Macron’s visit to China in April this year. France has also shown interest in traveling to South Africa for the BRICS summit in August.

Must Read: India-France relations: significance and challenges

What has been the stand of France and India over different strategic coalition groups?

France has publicly expressed its disapproval of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO)-plus partnership plans. India has also rejected the plans.

India-France Roadmap on the Indo-Pacific released last week further clarifies that neither side is attempting to pull the other into its other regional military coalitions.

France has also shown little enthusiasm for the “Quad-Plus” coalitions proposed in 2020, which lost momentum following the U.S.-France disagreement over the AUKUS agreement.

What lies ahead?

The relationship between the two countries has grown significantly. France is the only country with which the Indian Navy has conducted joint patrols so far.

There are also plans of conduction joint military exercises to boost the relationship of both the nations.

From Great Powers to Asia – India is raising its diplomatic game

Source– The post is based on the article “From Great Powers to Asia – India is raising its diplomatic game” published in “The Indian Express” on 19th July 2023.

Syllabus : GS 2- International Relations

Relevance : Indian renewed approach towards the major powers and regional geopolitics

News – The article explains the India approach towards its Asian neighbourhood in context of its relationship with major powers.

What is the current Indian approach on regional geopolitics in the context of its relationship with major powers?

There was emphasis on India’s neighborhood during Modi’s visit to Washington and Paris. In France, Modi and Macron issued a declaration on the Indo-Pacific Roadmap for wide-ranging cooperation.

First time, India agreed to work together with a former European colonial power in the Indian Ocean. India discarded the main principle of Indian foreign policy that colonial and “extra-regional” powers should be kept out of the Indian Ocean.

Modi and Macron have expanded the Indian Ocean regional framework to include the Pacific. The Indo-Pacific Roadmap issued by the two leaders declared that Delhi and Paris will “continue to work together to extend development cooperation to countries in the region, including in Africa, the Indian Ocean Region, South Asia, Southeast Asia and the Pacific”.

Both leaders agreed for more cooperation with regional partners in bilateral, plurilateral and multilateral arrangements like the Indian Ocean Rim Association, the Indian Ocean Naval Symposium, the Indian Ocean Commission.

Ino-pacific plays a very important role in India’s strategic partnership with Washington today. The joint statement issued by Modi and US President Joe Biden last month talks about strategic cooperation in the Indo-Pacific through the Quad.

Modi and Biden agreed for closer cooperation with regional platforms such as the Indian Ocean Rim Association, Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative, and ASEAN in the Indo-Pacific Region”.

Both leaders supported the enhanced consultations between the two governments on regional issues including South Asia, the Indo-Pacific and East Asia.

What was India’s approach towards its Asian neighbourhood after independence?

India’s relations with its Asian neighbourhood since independence were treated as separate from Delhi’s engagement with the great powers. There was a thought among policymakers that the major powers should be kept out of the region to create an “area of peace” in Asia.

Delhi lacked the authority to prevent major powers from entering the region or to discourage its Asian neighbours from aligning with external powers.

But, India did not change its stance. Notions such as “Asia for Asians” and “Indian Ocean security without the Superpowers” continued to dominate Indian thinking.

Delhi insisted that the primary requirement for membership in the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) was the absence of foreign military bases on national territory.

Delhi disregarded the fact that most threats to a nation’s sovereignty arise from issues with neighbouring countries.

India’s unrealistic principles of regional security were further compounded by the economic radicalism espoused in the NAM and G-77 forums. It pushed India further away from the realities of the Asian region.

How did India policy change after the Cold War?

There were compulsions in India to liberalise its economy.

Its regional engagement with different parts of Asia and the Indian Ocean acquired a higher priority.

There was renewed focus on trade, investment and connectivity in bilateral relations with its neighbours in Asia.

India also deviated from its earlier policy of keeping political distance from the major powers. It collaborated with Moscow to promote a “multipolar world” through the Russia-India-China (RIC) forum and later via the BRICS.

India also deviated from its earlier policy of keeping the region and the world separate. It acquired the membership of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation led by Russia and China to keep the US out of their backyard.

Delhi also joined the Indo-Pacific framework and the Quad due to its deteriorating relationship with China

India joined forces with Israel, the United Arab Emirates, and the United States to establish the I2U2 forum in the Western context.

It is evident that India’s strategic partnerships with Western powers are gaining more prominence compared to its engagement with Russia and China.

Delhi now adopts an integrated approach to its interests and pursues them through new and overlapping forums.

As Foreign Minister Jaishankar conveyed to Southeast Asian leaders in Jakarta recently, the Quad complements the efforts of the ASEAN and the institutions led by it.

Express View on weaknesses in statistical system: Plug the data gaps

Source– The post is based on the article “Express View on weaknesses in statistical system: Plug the data gaps” published in “The Indian Express” on 19th July 2023.

Syllabus : GS2- Government policies and interventions

Relevance: Issues related to statistical exercise by government

News- The government has now expanded the scope of the 2019 committee on economic statistics to also advise on survey methodology, including the sampling frame and sample design.

What are issues with government statistical exercise?

There are issues related to quality and accuracy of the data that is collected. There are concerns regarding the suppression of data, and political interference in the statistical institutions.

The NSS surveys on consumption expenditure have consistently underestimated household consumption expenditure in comparison to the estimates derived from national account statistics.

The results of the consumption expenditure survey conducted for the year 2017-18 have not been made available due to concerns regarding its quality. This particular survey is essential for estimating poverty and inequality levels in India.

The survey is also utilized in calculating various indicators including the consumer price index, which holds significance for monetary policy considerations.

What is the way forward to improve the government statistics?

Questions raised over survey mechanisms, overestimation of rural population and low response rate will need to be addressed. As will issues of data quality.

There is a need to address the issues related to collection and dissemination of data even if they are politically uncomfortable. The lack of data only compounds the problem.

The need to address weakness and gaps in the country’s statistical apparatus cannot be denied. But, casting doubt on the accuracy and reliability of data if it does not conform to a specific narrative is not the right thing. Policy cannot be formulated in a data vacuum.

Black Sea Grain Initiative

Source– The post is based on the article “Granny Future” published in “The Times of India” and “Food insecurity returns” published in the “Business Standard” on 19th July 2023.

Syllabus : GS2- INternational relations

Relevance: Issues of global importance

News- Russia has decided to pull out of the Black Sea Grain Initiative.

What are the reasons for this Russian action?

Russia is a major wheat producer. It has ample alternative options for its exports. Bumper harvest is expected in Russia over the year, and it wants to take full advantage of any price effects.

There are geopolitical reasons also. Moscow says that a parallel agreement to help boost its exports of food and fertilisers hasn’t been implemented.

Istanbul was carefully balancing its relationship with the North Atlantic Treaty Organization and Russia since the invasion.

However, in recent times, the Turkish President announced concessions to the West and Ukraine, and undermined this balancing act.

He has changed his earlier position on admission of Sweden into Nato and has no objection over it. Now, he even favours the Ukraine membership of the security alliance.

What are some facts about Black Sea Grain Initiative?

The grain deal was partially brokered and supervised by Turkiye. It has control over access to the Black Sea through the Bosphorus, a strait.

As per UN, the deal has lowered global food prices by more than 20% since March last year. Nearly 33 million metric tonnes of grains are being exported out of the Black Sea ports.

The World Food Programme has transported more than 7,25,000 tonnes of wheat to countries hit by wars and extreme weather with help of the deal. Beneficiaries included Yemen, Afghanistan, Somalia, Sudan and Kenya.

What will be the impacts of Russia’s refusal to continue the grain deal?

It will affect food availability. In the short term. Trade had already been effectively affected by Russian non-cooperation in the deal. Odessa port was being targeted by Russian drone attacks.

This has minimal impact on prices because of good wheat harvest elsewhere, including in Brazil. But in the medium to long term, food insecurity will increase globally.

Alternative routes for Ukrainian wheat are difficult to find. East European countries have an obstructionist attitude towards wheat imports and transit through the bloc.

It can lead to tightening food markets in developing countries. This can create political unrest and macroeconomic instability.

Why India needs to be worried?

In India, domestic factors are important in deciding the cereal prices. But, India should not be complacent.

The inflation in cereals is in double digits, with the rate touching 12. 7% in JuneIndian cereal stock is the lowest level since the outbreak of Covid in 2020.

If the Black Sea deal is undermined, India will have little options for lowering domestic cereal inflation through imports, especially in wheat. Unpredictable monsoon will also have impacts.

What is the way forward for India?

India should make efforts to address this issue through its presidency of the G20 grouping. India should not intensify the problem.

There are concerns globally that New Delhi will block rice export if there is domestic inflationary pressure. The international ramifications should also be taken into consideration.

India can put pressure on Russia through India’s contact with Russia for restoring the world’s access to Ukrainian wheat on humanitarian grounds.

New opportunities and a few old issues as Wickremesinghe comes calling

Source: The post is based on the article “New opportunities and a few old issues as Wickremesinghe comes calling” published in “The Indian Express” on 19th July 2023.

Syllabus: GS 2- IR (India and its neighborhood-relations.)

News: This article discusses Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s upcoming visit to India, highlighting past tensions, current efforts for closer ties, and ongoing concerns regarding the Tamil issue in India-Sri Lanka relations.

What are the past tensions and ongoing concerns in India-Sri Lanka relations?

Past tensions in India-Sri Lanka relations

Commitment issues: During Wickremesinghe’s previous tenure as Prime Minister, he failed to move forward with the commitments made to India. For instance, projects like the development of the Trincomalee oil tank farm remained stagnant.

Hambantota port sale: Under Wickremesinghe, the Hambantota port was sold to a state-owned Chinese company that had initially built it to settle Sri Lanka’s debts.

Indian intervention in the 1980s: India trained Tamil militant groups in the 1980s, leading to the 1987 India-Sri Lanka Accord. This caused resentment in Sri Lanka when the Indian Peace Keeping Force was deployed in the northern and eastern parts of the island nation.

Ongoing Concerns in India-Sri Lanka Relations

Docking of Yuan Wang 5: Recently, a ship called Yuan Wang 5 docked in Hambantota. While Sri Lanka and China described it as a “scientific research vessel”, India viewed it as a “surveillance” ship with strategic capabilities.

Financial assistance & projects: India’s financial help to Sri Lanka has led to some Sri Lankans feeling that their country is paying a heavy price for India’s assistance.

The Tamil question: The demand for the full implementation of the 13th Amendment, which grants provincial autonomy to the Tamil-dominated Northern Province, remains a contentious issue. The amendment, introduced under the 1987 Accord, hasn’t been fully implemented, leading to continued dissatisfaction among Tamils.

How is the Tamil issue influencing the current dynamics between India and Sri Lanka?

1987 Accord obligations: As a signatory to the 1987 Accord, India is seen as a guarantor of the agreement. Tamil groups demand that India ensure Sri Lanka fully implements the 13th Amendment, granting provincial autonomy to the Tamil-majority Northern Province.

Election implications: Some believe emphasizing the 13th amendment before upcoming elections may assist the Rajapaksas by portraying it as a “separatist” amendment.

Fishery disputes: The issue of Tamil Nadu fishers poaching in Sri Lankan waters has caused friction between Tamils on both sides of the Palk Strait, affecting bilateral relations.

What will be the impact of this visit on India Sri Lanka relationship?

Strengthening economic ties: Wickremesinghe’s emphasis on “economic integration” hints at possible advancements on agreements like the Economic and Technical Co-operation Agreement. His advocacy for bilateral deals and special trade areas with India’s southern states also hints at future collaboration.

Addressing controversial issues: Past concerns like the Hambantota port sale to a Chinese firm and the docking of the “surveillance” ship Yuan Wang 5 in Sri Lankan waters affected trust. The visit might provide an opportunity to address and clarify these decisions.

Rebuilding political rapport: Given the limited time of Wickremesinghe’s stay and New Delhi’s earlier reservations about him, this visit is significant in rebuilding political trust and understanding.

The Tamil issue: Tamil groups pressuring India over the 13th Amendment showcases the importance of the Tamil issue in bilateral relations. Wickremesinghe’s interactions with Tamil parties before his visit underscores this.

Future commitments: Wickremesinghe has expressed a desire for a long-term relationship “transcending individual leaders or political parties.” This visit will likely lay the groundwork for future engagements and collaborations, especially in economic sectors.

GS Paper 3

Push for GM mustard disregarding science, the law

Source: The post is based on an article “A push for GM mustard disregarding science, the law” published in The Hindu on 19^th July 2023.

Syllabus: GS 3 – Science & Technology, Agriculture

Relevance: concerns associated with GM crops

News: Environmentalists in the Supreme Court of India are engaged in a battle against Delhi University’s Genetically Modified (GM) Herbicide-Tolerant (HT) mustard.

What are GM crops?

Read Here: What are GM crops?  

What are the arguments against GM crops?

Environmentalists, scientists, politicians, farmers, consumers, and the judiciary, have raised concerns about the safety, efficacy, and necessity of GM food.

The experience with Bt cotton, India’s only approved GM crop, has raised concerns. Long-term research suggests that while Bt cotton initially provided some benefits to farmers, it ultimately increased cultivation costs and risks.

However, two Standing Committees of the Parliament independently and comprehensively examined GM crops and food.

The first one was the Standing Committee on Agriculture in 2012, and another was the Standing Committee on Science and Technology, Environment and Forests in 2017.

The Supreme Court also appointed a Technical Expert Committee (TEC) to study the GM crops.

Must Read: Transgenic Crops in India: Need and Challenges – Explained

What were the observations made by these committees?

The two standing committees unanimously highlighted major weaknesses in the regulatory system and called for utmost caution before releasing GM food.

The Committee on Science and Technology, Environment and Forests made a specific reference to GM mustard, and asked the government to conduct a thorough, independent, and transparent assessment of long-term biosafety, environmental risk and socio-economic impacts.

In 2013, five out of six members of the TEC also identified serious shortcomings in the safety assessment of GM crops.

They found HT crops are “completely unsuitable in the Indian context” and warned of serious harm to the environment, rural livelihoods and sustainable agriculture if they were released.

Therefore, these observations raise concerns for release of any HT crop and emphasize the need for comprehensive regulatory strengthening before approving GM food.

What measures are being taken by the government in promoting GM crops?

Despite the widespread political and technical consensus against HT crops, the Indian government is proceeding with GM mustard in a manner that disregards both science and law.

For instance, it has not placed the full biosafety dossier on GM mustard in the public domain, despite the terms of the Right to Information Act and a declaration to that effect by the Environment Ministry’s Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee.

Even in the recent hearing of the SC, the government has argued that GM mustard should not be considered HT because the objective for developing it was to improve yields.

However, from the science of biotechnology and ecology perspective, there is no doubt that GM mustard is an HT crop.

What lies ahead?

Instead of engaging with the constitutional issues involving public health, environmental protection and agricultural livelihoods, the government is misleading the SC by presenting irrelevant facts in the support of GM crops.

Hence, if the Supreme Court allows GM mustard to go through, it will likely pave the way for the release of other HT crops such as cotton, rice, and maize.

A roadmap to eliminate poverty in India

Source: The post is based on the article “A roadmap to eliminate poverty in India” published in “The Indian Express” on 19th July 2023.

Syllabus: GS 3- Indian Economy and issues relating to planning, mobilisation of resources, growth development and employment.

News: This article outlines India’s path to achieving a 7% growth rate. It emphasises domestic investments, technological adaptation, managing global challenges, environmental balance, and the potential of a basic income system.

What is the current and future growth status of India?

Current growth status of India:

Per capita income: India’s per capita income was $2,379 in 2022-23.

Investment rate: The Gross Fixed Capital Formation rate in 2022-23 stood at 29.2% of GDP.

Global position: India is the world’s fifth-largest economy, yet 149th out of 194 in per capita terms.

Trade Concerns: Developed nations are retreating from the free trade model, potentially impacting India’s global trade prospects.

Future growth prospects for India:

Targeted growth: India aims for a 6-7% continuous annual growth.

Technological adaptation: Emphasis on integrating Artificial Intelligence in industries, though job creation remains a concern.

Environmental responsibility: Aiming for a more sustainable growth rate considering environmental constraints.

Basic income: Plans to introduce a basic income for financial security, potentially reducing other subsidies.

What are the threats to India’s future growth?

Global tensions: The Ukraine-Russia conflict has impacted the overall global peace climate. Prolonged tensions can hinder international collaboration and growth prospects.

Trade barriers: Developed countries, which once championed the free trade model, are now imposing restrictions on imports. Such barriers can harm India’s emerging ability to compete in global markets.

Technological disruptions: While India is poised to integrate Artificial Intelligence, it may boost productivity but not necessarily jobs. Given India’s populous nature, AI’s potential job-reducing ramifications can be a significant threat.

Environmental commitments: Addressing environmental concerns, like pollution reduction, can influence the overall output. Achieving a growth rate beyond 6-7% might be challenging when factoring in sustainable goals.

Developed countries’ stance: Historically industrialized countries have a significant carbon footprint. If these nations push developing countries like India to bear the brunt of pollution reduction, it could strain India’s growth.

Job market elasticity: With modern technology integration, India may face a lower employment elasticity concerning output, implying that even if the economy grows, it might not translate to proportional job growth.

Resource constraints: Achieving the desired Gross Fixed Capital Formation rate of 30-32% may be challenged if domestic and foreign investments don’t match expectations, given the 29.2% rate of 2022-23.

What should be done?

Enhance investment rate: Target a Gross Fixed Capital Formation rate between 30-32% of GDP. With the current rate at 29.2% for 2022-23, focused efforts can bridge the gap.

Prioritize key sectors: Allocate resources to agriculture, manufacturing, and exports. This can build on existing strengths and open avenues for global trade.

Harness technological evolution: Embrace Artificial Intelligence and its applications. While ensuring its integration, prepare the workforce for potential changes in job dynamics.

Review trade strategies: Given the changing stance of developed countries on trade, India should re-evaluate its global trade partnerships and navigate barriers.

Sustainable growth: While aiming for a 6-7% growth, integrate environmental sustainability measures. Balancing growth with environmental responsibility is crucial.

Education & skill development: Reform the education system to equip students with skills relevant to evolving industries, especially in tech domains.

Promote domestic investments: While welcoming foreign investments, especially in emerging tech sectors, prioritize and incentivize internal investments for more sustained growth.

Implement basic income: Explore introducing a basic income structure. Such a system can provide financial security, possibly leading to more consistent consumer spending and reduced reliance on other subsidies.

Tackling poverty: Better job prospects will improve outcomes

Source: The post is based on the article “Tackling poverty: Better job prospects will improve outcomes” published in Business standard on 19th July 2023.

Syllabus: GS1- poverty and developmental issues & GS 3- growth development and employment.

News: According to the National Multidimensional Poverty Index: A Progress Review 2023, prepared by the NITI Aayog and other partners (UNDP, Oxford Poverty and Human Development Initiative) shows that India’s multidimensional poverty dropped from 24.85% in 2015-16 to 14.96% in 2019-21.

What is Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI)?

Definition: The MPI measures poverty beyond just income, considering various factors.

Aspects Covered: It includes health (nutrition and maternal health), education (school attendance and years of schooling), and living standards (sanitation, drinking water, housing, assets, etc.).

Relevance: The MPI is vital for tracking Sustainable Development Goals, which aim to reduce poverty.

Importance: It captures broader perspectives of poverty, giving a comprehensive view of an individual’s well-being.

What are the major outcomes of the “National Multidimensional Poverty Index: A Progress Review 2023”?

Positive Outcomes

Significant Reduction: Multidimensional poverty in India dropped from 24.85% to 14.96% between 2015-16 and 2019-21.

Massive Exit: 135 million people moved out of multidimensional poverty during this period.

Urban Progress: In urban areas, only 5.27% of the population is multidimensionally poor.

State Improvements: Bihar witnessed a significant decline, though challenges remain.

Negative Outcomes

Rural Concerns: Rural areas have a higher rate at 19.28%, emphasizing the urban-rural divide.

Regional Disparities: States like Bihar still have high levels at 34%, while Kerala stands at just 0.55%.

Quality of Education: Though schooling years are considered, the quality of education in many Indian schools remains unsatisfactory.

Job Challenges: India faces a lack of quality job opportunities for its rising workforce.

Intervention does push deprivation levels down

Source: The post is based on the article “Intervention does push deprivation levels down” published in Live mint on 19th July 2023.

Syllabus: GS1- poverty and developmental issues & GS 3- growth development and employment.

News: This article discusses a Niti Aayog report which highlights a decline in ‘multidimensional poverty’ in India from 2015-16 to 2019-21. It mentions the government’s significant efforts in improving sanitation, cooking fuel access, and housing, while also pointing out some challenges faced by these welfare programs.

About major outcomes of the Niti Aayog report

Drop in Poverty: ‘Multidimensional poverty’ in India reduced to 15% in 2019-21 from 25% in 2015-16.

Health Metrics: Modest gains in nutrition, maternal health, and child mortality; notable inadequacies in nutrition.

Sanitation Progress: In 2015-16, 52% of people lacked sanitation; by 2019-21, this decreased to just over 30%.

Cooking Fuel Improvement: Access to cooking fuel saw an enhancement, with deprivation dropping by 15 percentage points.

Welfare Indicators: The report focused on dimensions like health, education, and standard of living rather than just monetary measures.

How has the Indian government approached welfare?

Priority on Welfare: The Modi administration emphasized welfare, indicating no reduction in favor of market solutions.

Major Initiatives: The Swachh Bharat Mission was launched aiming to end open defecation in India, with a focus on toilet construction.

Hygiene Promotion: The mission took inspiration from Mahatma Gandhi’s advice on hygiene.

Sanitation Improvements: In 2015-16, 52% lacked sanitation, reduced to just over 30% in 2019-21.

Cooking Fuel Access: Cooking fuel deprivation decreased by nearly 15 percentage points, with efforts like Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana enrolling 96 million kitchens by 2022.

Stretch Targets: By setting ambitious goals, public projects, like the Swachh Bharat Mission, gained urgency.

Regular Updates: Ministries, like Jal Shakti, offered updates on village progress in sanitation and waste disposal.

What are concerns in the government welfare programs?

Housing Progress: Only a minor improvement in housing with deprivation decreasing by just over 4% in five years.

PM Awas Yojana Issues: Despite being prioritized, there are tales of poor cost forecasts and overruns.

Local Corruption: The Awas Yojana has faced risks of local corruption.

Loan Defaults: Even if default rates aren’t alarming in the Awas Yojana, it doesn’t guarantee the program’s success.

Prelims Oriented Articles (Factly)

Poor no longer? Dimensions of poverty in India

Source: The post is based on the article “Poor no longer? Dimensions of poverty in India”  published in Livemint on 19th July 2023

What is the News?

Niti Aayog has published the second edition of National Multidimensional Poverty Index: A progress of Review 2023.

What is Multidimensional Poverty(MDP)?

Historically, poverty estimation was done by largely focusing on income as the sole indicator. 

However, there was criticism that monetary and consumption-based poverty measures fail to capture the impact of lack of other non-monetary factors on standard of living. 

Niti Aayog’s National Multidimensional Poverty Index is modeled on the Global Multidimensional Poverty Index. It captures overlapping deprivations in health, education and living standards.

Niti Aayog published the first National MPI baseline report for India in 2021.

How do we measure Multidimensional Poverty(MDP)?

National MPI divides these three broad indicators health, education and living standards into further dimensions. 

For instance, health includes nutrition, child-adolescent mortality and maternal health, while education considers years of schooling and school attendance.

All these indicators are weighed in to calculate the ‘deprivation score’. The deprivation score is the sum of the weighted status of all the indicators for an individual.

If the deprivation score is more than 0.33, then an individual is considered multidimensionally poor.

What are the key findings of National Multidimensional Poverty(MDP) 2023?

Source: Niti Aayog

A quarter of Indians were multidimensionally poor in 2015-16 which fell to 15% in 2019-21.

The decline was the highest in Bihar (51.9% to 33.8%), Madhya Pradesh (36.6% to 20.6%) and Uttar Pradesh (37.7% to 22.9%). 

The southern states were already doing well, so their decline was tiny. Kerala had the lowest share of MDP persons: 0.55%.

The number of MDP Indians dropped by an estimated 135 million — that’s 10% point drop over the five years.

Note: The global MPI has estimated India’s MDP shares at 27.7% for 2015-16 and 16.4% for 2019-21.

Click Here to read more

How did India reduce multidimensional poverty so fast?

India achieved such rapid poverty reduction due to improvement in seven standard-of-living sub-indicators— cooking fuel, sanitation, drinking water, housing, electricity, assets, and bank accounts.

For instance, around 58 percent of Indians were deprived of clean cooking fuel in 2015-16, but by 2019-2021, it was only 44  per cent.

Similarly, the percentage of individuals lacking adequate sanitation facilities dropped from 51.88 per cent to 30.13 per cent.

However, when it comes to indicators like health and education, the reduction has not been so slow.

Peace and prosperity in Mekong region play pivotal role in India’s Act East policy, says External Affairs Minister

Source: The post is based on the article “Peace and prosperity in Mekong region play pivotal role in India’s Act East policy, says External Affairs Minister”  published in The Economic Times on 16th July 2023

What is the News?

India’s External Affairs Minister has addressed the 12th Mekong Ganga Cooperation (MGC) Mechanism meeting.

What is Mekong Ganga Cooperation(MGC)?

Mekong-Ganga Cooperation (MGC) was launched in 2000 at Vientiane, Lao PDR with the signing of the Vientiane Declaration.

The grouping was initially called Ganga Suvarnabhumi Programme (GMSP). 

Aim: Both the Ganga and the Mekong are civilizational rivers and the MGC initiative aims to facilitate closer contacts among the people inhabiting these two major river basins. 

Members: It is an initiative by six countries – India and five ASEAN countries, namely, Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam.

Meetings: The MGC meetings are co-chaired alternately every year between India and one of the 5 Mekong countries.

Areas of cooperation: The four foundational areas of cooperation under MGC include tourism, culture, education, and transport & communication. 

– It has further expanded to include new areas like health and traditional medicine, agriculture and allied sectors, small and medium enterprises, water resources management, science and technology, skill development, and capacity building.

What is the Quick Impact Project Initiative?

The Government of India announced the implementation of Quick Impact Projects(QIP) in CLMV (Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar, and Vietnam) countries at the 6th Mekong Ganga Cooperation (MGC) Ministerial Meeting held in New Delhi in 2012. 

Each QIP project costs not more than US$ 50,000/.

The emphasis of QIPs is on short gestation high visibility projects with a normal gestation period of up to one year, which directly benefits the local communities with results that are immediate and visible. 

The type of projects under QIP includes the creation or up-gradation of physical infrastructure such as roads, local community centers and social infrastructures such as in the education, health, sanitation, or community development sectors.

Radio collars are killing the cheetahs in Kuno. Here is how — and why

Source: The post is based on the article “Radio collars are killing the cheetahs in Kuno. Here is how — and why”  published in Indian Express on 19th July 2023

What is the News?

Two cheetahs died of suspected septicaemia from festering neck wounds caused by radio collars in Kuno National Park.

What are Satellite or radio collars?

The cheetah’s movements are tracked using satellite transmitters attached to the collars fitted around the neck of the animal. 

With the help of Satellite Collar IDs, the wildlife officials can closely track their travels, activities and health.

The GPS in the collars is similar to that used in smartphones and other electronic devices. Satellites can easily identify the electronic signals that the GPS chips broadcast. It is designed in such a way that it won’t be destroyed due to animal’s movements.

Apart from the location, the tool is used to learn about the animal’s physical state as it helps in communicating health-related information which can be used to determine whether the animal needs to be treated.

How cheetah’s might have died due to Satellite or radio collars?

Carrying something on the body for long has its downsides. A study published in the Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research found a significantly higher presence of Staphylococcus aureus bacteria on the wrists of watch wearers compared to others. Staph getting into blood can lead to sepsis or death.

What are the factors that could have made the cheetahs in India more vulnerable due to collars than other big cats and individuals of the species in Africa?

Firstly, a 2020 study led by researchers from the UK criticized the 3% collar weight rule for not factoring in “animal athleticism”. The researchers found that during movement, the forces exerted by collars were generally equivalent to up to five times the collar’s weight for a lion — and a massive 18 times for a cheetah.

Secondly, pathogens that aggravated the wound under the collar could be novel either to the African cheetahs or to Indian conditions. These animals could be vulnerable to certain local pathogens to which Indian tigers and leopards may be immune. 

Indian group proposes radical new way to settle universe expansion dispute

Source: The post is based on the article “Indian group proposes radical new way to settle universe expansion dispute”  published in The Hindu on 17th July 2023

What is the News?

Researchers from the International Centre for Theoretical Sciences (ICTS), Bengaluru, the Inter-University Centre for Astronomy and Astrophysics (IUCAA),Pune, and University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB), have proposed a new way to determine the Hubble constant.

What is Hubble Constant?

The Hubble constant is a unit that describes how fast the universe is expanding at different distances from a particular point in space. 

It is one of the keystones in our understanding of the universe’s evolution.

It gets its name from Edwin Hubble who was first to calculate the constant from his measurements of stars in 1929.

How is Hubble Constant measured?

Two details are required to calculate the value of the Hubble constant 1) distance between the observer and astronomical objects and 2) velocity at which these objects are moving away from the observer as a result of the expansion of the universe.

So far, scientists have used three methods to get these details:

– First method: They compare the observed brightness of a stellar explosion, called a supernova, with its expected brightness to figure how far away it could be. Then they measure how much the wavelength of the light from the star has been stretched by the expansion of the universe – i.e. the redshift – to figure how much it’s moving away.

– Second method: They use changes to the cosmic microwave background (CMB) – radiation leftover from the Big Bang event – to estimate the Hubble constant.

– Third method: They use gravitational waves, ripples in spacetime produced when massive  astronomical objects – like neutron stars or black holes – collide with each other. 

Drawbacks with these methods: Measurements from the first method have reported a Hubble constant about two units higher than the one derived by the second method. The third method hasn’t yet matured enough to provide a precise measurement.

What is the new method proposed by scientists to understand universe expansion rate?

​​The new method proposed by the researchers uses gravitational lensing. 

Gravitational lensing is when massive objects in space can warp spacetime. This bends all kinds of waves that travel near the objects, distorting them. The phenomenon is typically used to describe when light waves are bent.

As we have seen before, sometimes, extreme lensing of some objects can make them visually appear as multiple objects in the sky. Just like that, lensing can produce multiple copies of the same gravitational signal that can reach Earth at different times.

The researchers believe that the delays between the signals could be used to calculate the universe’s expansion rate.

– Note: Scientists are yet to find lensed gravitational waves but there’s good reason to believe that they will in the next two decades. This is because the upcoming generation of gravitational wave detectors are expected to be able to sense about a million gravitational waves a year.

DGFT implements the Advance Authorisation Scheme, allows duty-free import of inputs for export purposes

Source: The post is based on the article “DGFT implements the Advance Authorisation Scheme, allows duty-free import of inputs for export purposes”  published in PIB on 17th July 2023

What is the News?

The Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) is implementing the Advance Authorisation Scheme.

What is an Advance Authorisation Scheme?

Directorate General of Foreign Trade(DGFT) implements the Advance Authorisation Scheme under the Foreign Trade Policy.

Purpose: The scheme allows duty-free import of inputs for export purposes. 

– In addition to any inputs, packaging material, fuel, oil and catalyst which is consumed / utilized in the process of production of export products is also allowed.

– The quantity of inputs allowed for a given product is based on specific norms defined for that export product, which considers the wastage generated in the manufacturing process.

Tracking the new railway proposal for Kerala

Source: The post is based on the article “Tracking the new railway proposal for Kerala”  published in The Hindu on 19th July 2023

What is the News?

Kerala has proposed a new semi-high speed train project expected as an alternative to the Silver Line project.

What is the new semi-high speed train proposed by Kerala?

The semi-high speed train will travel the 420-km Thiruvananthapuram-Kannur north-south corridor.

It will cover the distance in three and a half hours. It is expected to cruise at an average speed of 125 kmph.

It is being projected as an alternative to the Thiruvananthapuram -Kasargod Silver Line project.

Why are high speed trains a priority?

Trains in Kerala are operating at rock-bottom speed. Even express trains in the State operate at an average speed of less than 50 kmph due to frequent stops, huge number of sharp curves.

What happened to the High Speed Rail Corridor and Silverline Project?

High Speed Rail Corridor: In 2014, Kerala government entrusted the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) with the task of readying a Detailed Project Report (DPR) for a high-speed rail corridor linking Thiruvananthapuram with the northernmost district Kasaragod. But the project was considered too ambitious and costly and failed to take off.

The Silver Line project has met with massive resistance as it was to be built over a tall embankment constructed over the ground, and would have led to massive displacement of people. 

– Environmental activists and others expressed fears that this would worsen flooding in many areas, since the embankment would block natural flow of water even if drains and canals were built at intervals. 

India reports a record 93% DPT3 immunization coverage in 2022: WHO

Source: The post is based on the article “India reports a record 93% DPT3 immunization coverage in 2022: WHO”  published in The Hindu b19th July 2023

What is the News?

The WHO and UNICEF estimates for national immunization coverage for 2022 has been released recently.

As per the estimate, the coverage rate for DPT3 vaccine in India rose to an all-time high of 93% in 2022.This has surpassed the previous pre-pandemic best of 91% recorded in 2019.

What is DPT3 Vaccine?

The DPT vaccine or DTP vaccine is a class of combination vaccines against three infectious diseases in humans: diphtheria, pertussis (whooping cough), and tetanus.

The vaccine components include diphtheria and tetanus toxoids and either kill whole cells of the bacterium that causes pertussis or pertussis antigens.

Note: Toxoid vaccines use a toxin (harmful product) made by the germ that causes a disease. They create immunity to the parts of the germ that cause a disease instead of the germ itself. 

What does WHO and UNICEF say about the DPT3 vaccination coverage in the South-East Asia Region?

In the WHO South-East Asia Region, the coverage rate for DPT3 vaccine recovered to the pre-pandemic level of 91%, a sharp increase from the 82% recorded in 2021.

The number of zero-dose children (those that have not received even the first dose of DPT vaccine) halved to 2.3 million in 2022 from 4.6 million in 2021.

Similarly, the number of partially vaccinated children (those that have received at least one dose of DPT vaccine but did not complete the primary series of three doses) reduced to 6.5 lakh in 2022 from 1.3 million in 2021.

The region had the best immunization recoveries among all the WHO regions.This can be majorly attributed to the efforts being made by India and Indonesia.

Tamil Nadu tops NITI Aayog export preparedness index 2022, Gujarat skids to 4th slot

Source: The post is based on the article “Tamil Nadu tops NITI Aayog export preparedness index 2022, Gujarat skids to 4th slot”  published in The Hindu on 19th July 2023

What is the News?

NITI Aayog has released the third edition of Export Preparedness Index (EPI) 2022.

What is the Export Preparedness Index(EPI)?

Click Here to read

What are the key findings of Export Preparedness Index(EPI) 2022?

Topped by: Tamil Nadu has topped the index followed by Maharashtra and Karnataka.

– Gujarat, which held the top position in EPI 2021 (released in 2022) has been pushed to the fourth slot in EPI 2022.

Hilly States: Uttarakhand secured the top position among hilly/Himalayan states in the EPI 2022. 

Landlocked States: Haryana topped the chart among the landlocked regions, indicating its preparedness for exports. It was followed by Telangana, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Madhya Pradesh, and Rajasthan.

Union Territories/Small States: Goa has ranked first followed by Jammu and Kashmir, Delhi, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, and Ladakh.

Districts: Out of the 680 districts engaged in exports, the top 100 districts contribute about 87% of the total exports from India. 

– Among export districts, Jamnagar in Gujarat tops the index. It was followed by Surat, Mumbai Suburban, Mumbai, Pune, Bharuch and Kanchipuram.

India’s exports: Despite global slowdown, India’s exports in 2021-22 crossed an unprecedented USD 675 Billion, with trade in goods accounting for USD 420 billion.

– The value of merchandise exports crossed USD 400 billion in FY2022, an ambitious goal set by the government, reaching up to USD 422 billion by March 2022.

Recommendations: 1) Location-specific strategies to boost exports 2) Diversification of export markets (such as based on Gl products) 3) Leveraging foreign markets using FTAs 4) Identifying high-growth sectors such as pharmaceuticals, automotive, textiles and renewable energy  and 5) Improvement in data availability.

The following today’s current affairs articles have been covered in 7 PM Explained section of the day:

7 PM Editorial of the day: Enforcement Directorate: Significance and Criticisms – Explained, pointwise