Current Affairs Compilations for UPSC IAS Prelims 2022

Mains Oriented Articles

GS Paper 2

GS Paper 3

Prelims Oriented Articles (Factly)

Mains Oriented Articles

GS Paper 2

Focus on the borders – India and China must end the lingering unpredictability across the LAC

News: Indian Defence Minister met his Chinese counterpart on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation Defence Ministers Meeting in New Delhi.

What are the key border discussions held during the meeting?

India’s urgency and China’s delay: Indian Defence Minister said that the Chinese violation of border agreements had “eroded the entire basis of bilateral relations.” and conveyed a sense of urgency to resolve the Line of Actual Control (LAC) crisis.

-The Chinese Defence Minister, on the other hand, called on India to “take a long-term view” and “place the border issue in an appropriate position in bilateral relations”.

Issues in disengagement: India conveyed that if normalcy is to be restored in ties, disengagement in the two remaining friction points will need to be followed by de-escalation. This includes the eventual de-induction of the estimated one lakh troops from both sides that have remained deployed in forward areas for close to three years.

What is the present state of border disengagement?

Over the past three years, buffer zones have been established in some of the five friction areas where the two sides disengaged.

However, in two other areas, Demchok and Depsang, China is slowing down the initial momentum of the Corps Commander meetings. The recently held 18th round meeting also did not yield a joint statement, suggesting stark divergences between India and China on how to move forward.

All this made a) De-escalation of the border a far-off prospect, b) Large deployments of military personnel in close proximity, and c) Increased the race to build more forward infrastructure in border areas.

What should be done?

India and China cannot restore normalcy in relations with the underlying unpredictability on the borders. So, managing the LAC should certainly remain the priority for both sides to prevent the recurrence of the clashes of 2020.  

The ad-hoc epidemic – DU lecturer’s suicide should occasion introspection on recruitments in universities and colleges. Government must regularise posts, fill vacancies

News: A former ad-hoc lecturer at Delhi University College took his life after he did not get tenure after a provisional teaching stint of nearly five years. This again highlights the issues with the recruitment system in the country’s higher education institutions.

Why are the issues with the ad-hoc faculty recruitment system in higher education institutions is essential?

Not eligible for various benefits: According to the education ministry figures for last year, the central universities employed more than 4,000 teachers on a temporary basis. They perform the same duties as the permanent faculty. But, the ad-hoc lecturers are not eligible for benefits such as gratuity, pensions, and the full range of medical allowances. Last year, the government also said that it had no plans to regularise the services of these ad-hoc teachers.

Not follow the rulebook: The statute books of most universities underline that if a vacancy is for a period longer than what is stipulated in the rules, interviews for permanent posts must be held. For instance, the DU’s rules state that “ad hoc appointment shall only be made for a period of more than one month and up to four months”. But most universities have found ways to dodge these provisions and normalise ad-hocism.

Increase in ad-hoc teachers: The number of ad-hoc teachers at DU has grown eight times in the last 10 years — last year, they comprised 40% of the university’s teaching force.

The issue with permanent recruitment: Even if the permanent posts are advertised, interviews get delayed because of the centralised procedures. According to data presented by the education ministry in Parliament, more than 6,000 teaching positions are currently vacant across the country’s central universities.

What should be done?

The National Education Policy 2020 envisions teachers’ role in bringing about these far-reaching reforms. But, institutions cannot be built on the back of unfair employment conditions. Hence, the government should introspect the recruitment in universities and colleges and regularise posts, fill vacancies

India, its SDG pledge goal, and the strategy to apply

News- The Prime Minister, Narendra Modi expressed concern that progress on Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) seems to be slowing down.

What are some facts about India’s performance on SDG indicators?

India is ‘On-Target’ to meeting 14 of the 33 SDGs. It includes indicators for neonatal and under-five mortality, full vaccination, improved sanitation, and electricity access. But it does not apply equally across all districts.

Neonatal and under-five mortality are currently both ‘On-Target’ for the country. But 286 are lagging in case of neonatal mortality and 208 districts in case of under-five mortality.

There is significant progress on access to improved sanitation. But 129 districts are not on course to meet this SDG indicator.

Indicators such as eliminating adolescent pregnancy, reducing multidimensional poverty, and women having bank accounts have improved across a vast majority of the districts between the years 2016 and 2021.

For 19 of the 33 SDG indicators, the current pace of improvement is not enough to meet SDG targets.

Despite a national policy push for clean fuel for cooking, more than two-thirds of districts remain ‘Off-Target’. Some 415 and 278 districts are ‘Off-Target’ for improved water and handwashing facilities, respectively.

SDG indicators for women’s well-being and gender inequality are causes of concern. No district in India has yet succeeded in eliminating the practice of girl child marriage before the legal age of 18 years.

At the current pace, more than three-fourths of districts will not be able to reduce the prevalence of girl child marriage to the SDG target of 0.5% by 2030.

Despite the overall expansion of mobile phones, only 56% women report owning a mobile phone, with 567 districts remaining ‘Off-Target’.

What is the way forward to improve India’s performance on SDG indicators?

India adopted an “optimisation” approach to the COVID-19 pandemic. It was given the focus and resources necessary to succeed.

First, strong and sustained political leadership was critical to the success of both India’s COVID-19 vaccination programme and efficient rollout of a comprehensive relief package. It was supported by a responsive administrative structure at all levels.

A similar mission-oriented approach that is assessment-oriented and provides adequate support for accomplishing India’s district-level SDGs is now urgently needed.

Second, India’s success with COVID-19 was largely possible both because of the existing digital infrastructure, and indigenous initiatives like the Co-WIN data platform, the Aarogya Setu application.

India must put in place a coordinated, public data platform for population health management. It must consolidate its many siloed platforms into an integrated digital resource for district administrators, as well as State and national policy makers.

Finally, a targeted SDG strategy delivered at scale of India’s COVID-19 relief package must be executed with the same timeliness. The Government of India provided support through Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojana.

This was critical in removing the adverse effects of COVID-19, especially for vulnerable and the socio-economically disadvantaged groups. It also demonstrated the value of a proactive, government-supported programme aimed at improving people’s well-being.

The erosion of hard-won labour rights

News– The article explains the issues of dilution of labour rights by some states.

What are some historical facts about labour rights?

On May 1, 1886, Chicago in the United States became the major site of a demonstration by labour unions in support of an eight-hour workday.

There was a violent confrontation between labourers and police in a meeting at the Haymarket Square in 1886. It became a symbol of the international struggle for workers’ rights.

In 1889, the International Socialist Conference declared that, in commemoration of the Haymarket Square affair, May 1 would be an international holiday for labour.

In 1919, the International Labour Organization adopted the Hours of Work Convention. It limited the number of working hours to eight a day and 48 hours a week. British India ratified the Convention on July 14, 1921.

How has there been curtailment of labour rights in recent times by Indian states?

Several States amended the Factories Act, 1948, using the ordinance route. Recently, the Tamil Nadu and Karnataka governments also increased the number of working hours a day.

Employers, especially in the garment and electronic industries, have demanded for a flexible work time regime to manage export orders.

Under the pretext of ‘ease of doing business’, regional governments offer many subsidies and exemptions to attract global and domestic capital. Apart from quantitative subsidies, these global companies press for qualitative subsidies.

Employers prefer no unions or weak unions where cheap and skilled workers are available. This leads to a race to the bottom. One State after another amended labour laws despite the fact that these companies do not help significantly reduce unemployment rates.

The typical demand is to increase the number of hours of work a day while adhering to the eight-hour-day rule. For instance, Karnataka has increased the number of working hours a day, to 12 while complying with the weekly threshold of 48 hours.

There is movement from the three shifts regime to the two shifts regime. The worker spends about nine hours in the factory.

What are demands by corporations regarding amendment in labour rights?

Employers, especially in the garment and electronic industries, have demanded for a flexible work time regime to manage export orders.

In India, mainstream economists are in favour of increasing exports, even at the cost of labour rights and human rights. They recommend emulating countries like Bangladesh and Vietnam.

In 2022, according to the Global Right Index by the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC), Bangladesh ranked among the 10 worst countries where labour rights are not guaranteed.

The companies believe they can enhance production by maximising the workers’ time at the factory. This would help them cut travelling allowance and transaction costs.

What are the consequences of amendment in labour laws?

Workers are likely to be away from home for at least 14 hours since some of them spend two hours travelling to work. Eventually there is bound to be diminishing marginal productivity and employers may not benefit.

By extending the hours of work and ensuring job insecurity, India is going back to the 19th century in the name of ease of doing business. Due to lack of political unity as well as trade union cooperation, States are able to change labour laws without much opposition.

Exporting into a world with carbon tax

News– There is concern in India as the tangible implementation of the European “Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism” (CBAM) kicks in on October 1 this year.

What is the logic behind “Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism” by Europe?

In Europe, dramatic moves have been made by governments for decarbonization. In Germany, per capita, annual carbon dioxide emission has come down from the peak of 14.3 tonnes in 1979 to 8.1 tonnes in 2021.

Decarbonisation in the European Union (EU) produces a global public good. It comes at the expense of European industry. EU voters are conscious that they are paying more for goods in return for reduced emissions.

If carbon intensive production merely shifted out of the EU, the global public good of decarbonisation would not be delivered. Jobs in Europe would be lost. This has led to the idea of the “carbon border tax”:

Imports into the EU should be taxed at the border. It will reflect the market price of carbon within the EU, and achieve neutrality in the decision of a firm to locate in the EU or outside it.

How India should respond to European “Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism”?

The two industries that matter today for Indian exporters are steel and aluminium. Firms that take steel and aluminium into the EU are required to establish measurement systems about carbon intensity, and deliver statements on it.

Some in India argue for the use of India’s diplomatic influence to get the EU to roll back its CBAM. This is likely to be an inferior strategy. The EU is only the first to introduce a carbon tax. Many other countries will surely follow.

Policymakers need to recognise this emerging landscape and better embed the Indian economy within it.

The CBAM describes the information systems required to track upstream emission. India needs to work on building these information systems.

What are steps taken in India for decarbonisation?

Policymakers and firms in India have known about these moves from the proposal stage in 2021.

The Ministry of Steel has run a “Green Steel” initiative. Electricity policy has given flexibility to buyers for exclusive renewable electricity-purchase mechanisms.

Indian firms in numerous industries have moved towards sourcing renewable electricity. These steps have helped prepare the ground for this day.

The electricity policy has created freedom for buyers to get renewable electricity at will. The Union government’s Interstate Transmission System (ISTS) helps greatly. The system removes the barriers faced by private buyers and renewable-energy generators.

What is the way forward for green energy in India?

Electricity is a state subject, and local conditions diverge across the country. Subsidies for farmers are an issue in Haryana but not in Delhi. The technical possibilities vary by locale: Hydel in the Himalayas, solar in Rajasthan.

Carbon taxation in the world is one more important factor that varies in various states. For Gujarat, Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu, exporting is important. These states require a greater focus on carbon border taxes.

These states need to become pioneers in India’s electricity sector for full support to the requirements for renewable electricity of their export sector at efficient prices.

What are different strategies for decarbonisation in India?

A path based on central planning. Officials design the electricity system, and also establish technical rules such as the minimum efficiency of air conditioners.

There is another path based on carbon taxation. The carbon tax harnesses private self-interest, and is the path to lowest-cost decarbonisation in India.

GS Paper 3

Spot The Problems – Deaths of two cheetahs call for thorough expert investigation, not speculation. And space is the key

News: Uday is the second cheetah – among the 20 cheetahs that were translocated to Madhya Pradesh’s Kuno National Park (KNP)– has died within a month. This is the second such cheetah death within a month.

About Sasha, Cheetah Reintroduction Project and Kuno National Park

What are the challenges in Cheetah conservation?

Space issue: Unlike tigers that stalk prey, cheetahs race to hunt. Thus demanding wide ranges, typically grasslands. India has lost about 90-95% of its grasslands over the last two decades.

For instance, a cheetah was tranquilised when seen roaming beyond human-defined borders.

Note: Kuno is the only national park for cheetahs.

What should be done?

To save the cheetahs, India should a) Focus on conserving and expanding grasslands responsibly. India should also avoid haphazardly planting grasses, which make up a fraction of grasslands’ ecosystem, b) Focus on conserving prey species, and c) Focus on mechanisms to protect livestock, including compensation for villages that fall in the roaming ranges.

India must prepare its workforce to assume global leadership of AI

News: A letter coordinated by the Future of Life Institute and signed by apparently thousands of scientists, technocrats, businessmen, academics and others called for a six-month pause in the further development of Artificial General Intelligence. The signatories include Elon Musk, Steve Wozniak, the co-founder of Apple and others.

On the other end, ChatGPT has improved its ability to answer social sciences and humanities subjects much better than answering mathematics problems.

About the letter for pausing the development of Artificial General Intelligence

The central message of the letter is that further unconstrained development of such language models could create “human competitive intelligence” that if not circumscribed by governance protocols could pose a “profound risk” to humanity. Further, AI’s impact on society may be more exponential and will play out in a shorter time span. Therefore, the work should be halted until such protocols are in place.

What are the counter-arguments against pausing the development of Artificial General Intelligence?

According to some experts,

-Every technological transformation has triggered opposition by vested interests. For Instance, a) The industrial adversaries of the early 19th century protested the mechanisation of the knitting loom out of concern for the livelihood of skilled weavers, b) Many have cautioned against the adverse impact on jobs, data privacy and individual rights of the digital revolution.

-Technological progress will make the efforts towards sustainable development easier. So, pausing technological development will exacerbate the problem. For instance, technological progress might enable the sequestration of carbon from the atmosphere. Thereby making a transformational step in the journey towards decarbonisation.

-The basic job did not disappear with technology: For example, earlier ‘runners’ were used to deliver mail. Later postman came. Now e-mails are delivered through telecommunication experts. Despite the evolution, the basic job (mail) did not disappear. Instead, it evolved into an avatar which required more skills but less physical work.

What is Artificial Intelligence and Generative AI?

What should be done?

Pausing will not solve the problem: The international community must look beyond narrow interests towards a collaborative effort to address the problems of the global commons, instead of pausing the problem. Such as increasing the availability of cybersecurity experts.

Understanding job evolution and preparing society for Artificial General Intelligence: This is the key to guarding against structural unemployment created by technologies such as ChatGPT.

What India should do to assume global leadership in Artificial General Intelligence?

Amend CSR norms to facilitate upskilling: Companies need to spend massively in upskilling their existing resources to leverage AI. Considering training and upskilling expenses as Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) spending will increase private investment in that area.

Develop intellectual property (IP): India should frame policies to attract AI researchers from global pools.

Academic infrastructure: All school boards and Universities in India need to focus on Science-technology-engineering-mathematics (STEM). This will require a capability-building exercise of re-training relevant teachers for newer ways of teaching.

Apart from this, India should move away from rote learning also. Instead, India needs empathetic creators with a superior grasp of technology.

Stray dogs and poor waste management

News– In April, a 65-year-old woman in Srinagar was attacked by street dogs outside her home. A garbage collection point was situated in front of her house.

How does poor solid waste management contribute to dog bites?

The ability of a city to support a species is determined by the availability of food and shelter. Free-ranging dogs, in the absence of these facilities, are scavengers. They search around for food, and eventually look for garbage dumping sites.

A population boom in Indian cities has contributed to a staggering rise in solid waste. Indian cities generate more than 1,50,000 metric tonnes of urban solid waste every day.

According to a United Nations Environment Program 2021 report, an estimated 931 million tonnes of food was wasted in 2019. Indian homes on average generated 50 kg of food waste per person.

This waste often serves as a source of food for hungry and free-roaming dogs. They move towards densely-populated areas in cities, such as urban slums which are usually located next to garbage dumping sites and landfills.

Urban dogs are believed to have a distinct set of traits as compared to rural dogs. They have learnt to develop survival techniques in hostile urban environments.

What are some statistics about stray dog population and dog bites in India?

Cities have witnessed a sharp increase in the stray dog population. As per the official 2019 livestock census, it stood at 1.5 crore. However, independent estimates peg the number to be around 6.2 crore.

The number of dog bites has simultaneously doubled between 2012 and 2020. India has the highest rabies burden in the world. It accounts for a third of global deaths caused due to the disease.

How unplanned urbanisation is linked to the stray dogs problem?

In 2015, a study conducted in 10 Indian metro cities found a strong link between human population, the amount of municipal and food waste generated, and the number of stray dogs in the cities.

It argued that the present mode of urbanisation and paradigm of development promotes urban sprawls, slums, and disparity. With the development of cities, managing solid waste has become a daunting challenge. It is aiding the proliferation of stray dogs.

There may be a correlation between urbanisation and solid waste production. Weak animal birth control programmes, insufficient rescue centres,and poor waste management, result in a proliferation of street animals in India.

Most landfills and dumping sites are located on the peripheries of cities, next to slums and settlement colonies. Thus, the disproportionate burden of dog bites may also fall on people in urban slums.

A study published in 2016 found that the prevalence of dog bites was higher in urban slums than rural slums.

Economic pact between India and EFTA states will further boost trade, investment

News: High-level delegations from the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) states and India met in New Delhi to consider the possibility of beginning discussions on a Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement (TEPA).

About European Free Trade Association (EFTA)

European Free Trade Association (EFTA) include four countries – Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland. It is a regional trade organization.

These are small countries. However, their economy is strong enough that makes them the 10th largest merchandise traders and eighth largest services traders worldwide.

Today, the four nations rank among the highest in the world in innovation, competitiveness, wealth creation per inhabitant, life expectancy, and quality of life.

EFTA companies are also world leaders in pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, machinery manufacturing, R&D-driven technology products, geothermal-related technologies and many more.

EFTA has a track record of negotiating mutually beneficial trade agreements, with a total of 29 free trade agreements (FTAs) with 40 partner nations.  Nearly 22 percent of EFTA states’ imports come from these FTA partners.

Therefore, a TEPA between EFTA states and India will benefit both the parties.

How will the Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement (TEPA) with EFTA states benefit both the parties?

First, The EFTA nations can complement and support India’s economic development and leadership in the development of green technology by fostering trade and investment ties.

A trade agreement would benefit both sides by promoting technology and knowledge transfer, facilitating R&D and innovation, and encouraging business collaboration across different areas.

Furthermore, improved market access for goods will boost India’s export potential to EFTA markets.

Second, EFTA states have contributed investments of over $35 billion in India. These investments are done across sectors such as machinery, electrical engineering and metals, etc. Hence, a trade pact is estimated to increase investments in India.

Third, EFTA and India have a mutually beneficial relationship in skilled labour. For instance, the EFTA states gain from the highly skilled Indian workforce in the services sector, while India benefits from over 400 companies established by EFTA states, generating more than 150,000 jobs.

India also consistently ranks first in terms of work permits issued to non-EU citizens in Switzerland. 

Therefore, a trade agreement between EFTA and India would increase predictability in the services sector, creating more business opportunities for skilled Indian service providers.

Fourth, EFTA states and India can collaborate on green growth. India aims to meet 50 percent of its energy needs with renewables by 2030. Therefore, EFTA states can contribute to India’s green growth aspirations by scaling up projects and cooperation in solar, wind, hydro and geothermal power.

Ration shops as nourishing centres

News: The Food Corporation of India (FCI) wheat procurement has crossed 20 million tonnes (MT), a notch higher than last year. However, there are concerns over procurement and production of wheat.

What are the concerns with the procurement and production of wheat?

Procurement: In the beginning of the season, it was estimated that FCI would procure 34 MT of wheat. However, the FCI hopes to procure 25 MT of wheat due to loss caused by unseasonal rains. FCI also relaxed its quality parameters to accommodate lustre loss or shrivelled grain, etc. for procurement.

This amount would be sufficient for FCI’s Public Distribution System (PDS) needs and there are also enough rice stocks available with the FCI to substitute wheat, if needs arise.

Production: There has been uncertainty over the wheat production this year due to unseasonal rains. Earlier, the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare (MoA&FW) had estimated 112 MT of wheat production. But after unseasonal rains, the revised estimate is yet to come.

However, despite unseasonal rains, it is estimated that production of wheat this year is higher than last year, especially in Punjab.

In Punjab, farmers who had done zero tillage and had mulched paddy straw at the time of sowing wheat through smart happy seeders have not suffered much due to unseasonal rains while others are expecting much lower yields.

Moreover, it is also important to promote nutritious crops in the PDS along with their cultivation, acting as alternative to wheat or rice.

How can PDS be used to offer more nutritious food and support climate-resilient agriculture?

Nutritious Food Hubs (NFHs): At least 10 percent of five lakh odd fair price shops should be declared as Nutritious Food Hubs (NFHs). These NFHs will have fortified as well as bio-fortified rice and wheat, millets, pulses, oilseeds, fortified milk and edible oils, eggs, etc.

Further, the consumers of PDS list may be given electronic vouchers (like an e-food coupon) that can be charged by the government three or four times a year.

This amount can be loaded on e-vouchers of targeted beneficiaries. It would create a demand for more diversified and nutritious food from the masses.

Climate-resilient agriculture: Rice procurement may be limited by promoting other climate resilient crops in the PDS, starting with those areas where the water table has been drastically decreasing.

Farmers in these areas may be provided incentives to cultivate millets, pulses, oilseeds, and other crops that require less water and fertiliser. Thus, reducing their reliance on electricity and fertiliser subsidies.

The Centre and the states need to join hands to give a special package for carbon credits for growing such crops.

Prelims Oriented Articles (Factly)

Gum Arabic: Why Sudan war could hit your fizzy drinks and candy

Source: The post is based on the article “Gum Arabic: Why Sudan war could hit your fizzy drinks and candy” published in Indian Express on 1st May 2023

What is the News?

The Sudan Conflict has impacted the trade of Gum Arabic.

What is Gum Arabic?

Gum Arabic is a natural gum derived from the hardened sap of two species of the Acacia tree – Senegalia Senegal and Vachellia seyal.

The gum is harvested commercially from wild trees, mostly in Sudan (70%) and throughout the Sahel (from Senegal to Somalia).

Gum Arabic first found its way to Europe via Arabic ports, hence the name.

Uses: It is used in printing, paints, glues, cosmetics, and viscosity control in the inks and textile industries.

– It is also used in the food industry and soft-drink industry as a stabilizer.

How has the Sudan Conflict impacted Gum Arabic Trade?

About 70% of the world’s supply of gum arabic comes from the Sahel region that runs through Sudan which is being torn apart by fighting between the army and a paramilitary force.

Due to this, international consumer goods makers are racing to shore up supplies of gum arabic as ​​ there is no alternative to gum arabic in fizzy drinks where it prevents ingredients from separating.

Despite availability of funds, patients with rare Fabry Disease yet to be given treatment, says support society

Source: The post is based on the article “Despite availability of funds, patients with rare Fabry Disease yet to be given treatment, says support society” published in The Hindu on 1st May 2023

What is the News?

Lysosomal Storage Disorders Support Society has sought the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare’s immediate intervention for the treatment of Fabry Disease patients.

It has asked the government to issue necessary guidelines to provide equal weightage to all notified rare diseases including Fabry Disease under the National Rare Diseases Policy, 2021.

What is Fabry Disease?

Fabry disease is a rare genetic disorder that is part of a group known as lysosomal storage diseases. 

Caused by: The disease is caused by low levels of an enzyme called alpha galactosidase-A due to a problem in the genes. This enzyme is needed to break down fatty substances. The specific genes that create the enzymes are faulty.

– Due to this, the enzyme cannot efficiently break down fatty materials known as lipids into smaller components that provide energy to the body.

– This allows lipids to build up to harmful levels in the body’s autonomic nervous system (the part of the nervous system that controls involuntary functions such as breathing and heartbeat), as well as in the eyes, kidneys, and cardiovascular system.

Vulnerable Group: Males who inherit the defective gene will have the disease. Females who have a single copy of the gene are called carriers. Most will not develop any symptoms, but they can pass the gene to their offspring. 

– However, some women do have symptoms. Women may sometimes be as severely affected as men too.

Cases: Fabry disease affects around 1 in 40,000 people worldwide. 

– In India, Fabry is one of the rare diseases notified under Group 3(a) of the National Policy for Rare Diseases, 2021.

Treatment: There is no cure for Fabry disease. There is medication to treat the condition.

Dima Hasao insurgent group signs peace pact with Assam, Centre

Source: The post is based on the article “Dima Hasao insurgent group signs peace pact with Assam, Centre” published in The Hindu on 1st May 2023

What is the News?

Dimasa National Liberation Army(DNLA) has signed a peace agreement with the Assam Government and the Centre.

What is Dimasa National Liberation Army(DNLA)?

Dimasa National Liberation Army(DNLA) is an insurgent group operating mostly in Assam’s Dima Hasao district.

It was established in April 2019 seeking a sovereign territory for the Dimasa tribals and launched an armed insurgency to achieve its goal.

What does the Dima Hasao Peace Pact provide for?

The peace pact makes the DNLA lay down its arms and abide by the Constitution of India.

The group will disband tier-armed organization, vacate all camps occupied by DNLA cadres and join the mainstream.

The central and state governments will provide Rs 500 crore each for the development of the Dimasa tribal areas.

Dimasa Welfare Council will be set up by the Government of Assam to protect, preserve and promote a social, cultural, and linguistic identity to meet political, economic and educational aspirations.

Government will also ensure speedy and focused development of the Dimasa people residing outside the jurisdiction of the North Cachar Hills Autonomous Council (NCHAC).

“Future of Jobs” Report: India to witness less job churn in the next five years: WEF report

Source: The post is based on the article “India to witness less job churn in the next five years: WEF report” published in Business Standard on 1st May 2023

What is the News?

The World Economic Forum(WEF) has released the “Future of Jobs” Report. The report maps the jobs and skills in the coming years and tracks the pace of change.

What are the key findings of the “Future of Jobs” Report?

The report suggests that around 69 million jobs will be created and 83 million positions will be eliminated by 2027.

This will result in a net loss of 14 million jobs, equivalent to 2% of current employment.

The fastest declining roles will be secretarial and clerical roles such as bank tellers and cashiers which can be automated while demand for AI machine learning specialists and cybersecurity experts is expected to grow significantly.

What are the key findings of the “Future of Jobs” Report related to India?

Labour markets in India over the next five years are expected to witness a “Labour market churn” lower than the global average.

Note: Labour-market churn refers to the expected job movement, including new roles being created and existing roles being destroyed, as a proportion of current employment. 

– This excludes situations where a new employee replaces someone in the same role. 

Which sectors will drive employment in India?

The fastest-growing jobs in the near future will be led by technology-driven sectors like artificial intelligence and machine learning followed by data analysts and scientists and data entry clerks.

On the other hand, labour-intensive sectors like accountants and auditors, operations managers and factory workers are expected to witness the least job growth.

G7 nations agree on ‘risk-based’ artificial intelligence regulation

Source: The post is based on the article “G7 nations agree on ‘risk-based’ artificial intelligence regulation” published in The Hindu on 1st May 2023

What is the News?

The G7 Digital and Tech Ministers meeting was held in Takasaki, Japan.

What is G7?

Click Here to read

What are the key highlights from the G7 Digital and Tech Ministers meeting?

G7 members have reaffirmed their commitment to the adoption of “risk-based” regulations for artificial intelligence (AI).

The development is significant because developed nations have repeatedly emphasized the need for regulations, given the growing popularity of AI platforms similar to ChatGPT. 

Italy, a G7 member, had recently decided to ban ChatGPT due to privacy concerns but the ban was lifted.

Moreover, lawmakers in the European Union (EU) are also planning to bring a revised version of the upcoming AI Act. The revised draft incorporates clauses aimed at safeguarding copyright with respect to generative AI. 

What are the concerns with AI-based chatbot platforms like ChatGPT?

Security of chatbot systems: Chatbots are often connected to the internet, which means that they are vulnerable to hacking and cyberattacks. If a chatbot system is hacked, personal information can be stolen, and the chatbot can be used to spread malware or launch cyberattacks.

Lack of transparency around how chatbot data could be collected, stored, and accessed: Many chatbot developers do not clearly explain how they collect and use user data, leaving users in the dark about how their personal information is being handled. This lack of transparency can lead to mistrust of chatbots and reluctance to use them.

Chatbot data may be shared with third parties without the user’s knowledge or consent. This could potentially lead to the data being used for targeted advertising or other purposes that the user may not be comfortable with.

Bihan Mela: A seed festival aims to help tribal Kondh farmers in Odisha return to their agricultural traditions

Source: The post is based on the article “Bihan Mela: A seed festival aims to help tribal Kondh farmers in Odisha return to their agricultural traditions” published in Down To Earth on 1st May 2023

What is the News?

The members of the Kondh tribe in Odisha have added one more event to their calendar of festivals called Bihan Mela.

What is Bihan Mela?

Bihan Mela is literally the seed festival celebrated by the Kondh Tribe in Odisha.

The farmers participate in the festival from as many as 40 villages. Preparations for this festival begin as soon as farmers have harvested Kharif crops, which include both hybrid and indigenous varieties of paddy, millets, maize and sorghum.

Women, who are at the helm of this festival, carefully collect seeds of the indigenous varieties and store them in earthen pots. 

Then, on a designated day in December, they decorate the pots with red and white motifs, place them in a bamboo basket and carry it on its head to the village where the fair is being organized. 

Along the way, they are accompanied by men beating drums and other traditional instruments.

What is the Kondh Tribe?

The Khonds are the largest tribal group in the state of Odisha. They are known for their rich cultural heritage, valourous martial traditions, and indigenous values which centre on harmony with nature. 

Khonds speak the Kui language and write it in the Odia script.

The Kandhamal district in Odisha has a fifty-five percent Khond population and is named after the tribe.