9 PM Daily Current Affairs Brief – October 28th, 2023
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Mains Oriented Articles
GS PAPER - 2
On Potential of India-China Relations: A China-India partnership, its vast global potential
Source: The post on Potential of India-China Relations is based on the article “A China-India partnership, its vast global potential” published in “The Hindu” on 28th October 2023.
UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper 2 International Relations – Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests.
News: The article discusses the ongoing global crises and suggests that China and India, as ancient Asian civilizations, can lead the way in promoting peace and development. They propose building a global community with shared values and future goals, emphasizing cooperation, mutual respect, and multilateralism.
What history and vision do China and India share?
Ancient Civilizations: Both countries have a rich history, having coexisted as neighboring ancient civilizations for thousands of years.
Common Philosophies: The Chinese vision of “a world of fairness and justice for the common good” and the Indian motto “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam” emphasize global unity.
Five Principles of Peaceful Co-existence: In the 1950s, China and India together introduced these principles, which have since become foundational norms for international relations.
Developmental Stage: Both nations, with populations exceeding one billion each, are at a pivotal phase of development and revitalization.
Global Community Vision: China’s President proposes building a global community of a shared future, an idea also supported by multiple international platforms including the UN.
What are the key vision points proposed by Chinese President Xi Jinping?
Economic Globalization: The focus is on guiding economic globalization in the right direction, ensuring it benefits developing countries. Rejecting practices like unilateralism, protectionism, and “winner-takes-all” strategies is emphasized.
Peaceful Development: The world should prioritize peace, likening its importance to air and sunshine. The pitfalls of colonialism and hegemonism are highlighted, advocating instead for cooperation and win-win situations.
New International Relations: The goal is to establish relations where emerging and established powers coexist peacefully. Mutual respect, equity, and cooperation should be the foundation.
True Multilateralism: Multilateralism should be genuine, not based on cliques or supremacy. The UN should remain central in this vision, with international law guiding global order.
Common Human Values: There’s an emphasis on universal values like peace, development, equity, and justice. Recognizing the diversity of civilizations and respecting each nation’s unique development path is vital.
How can China and India collaborate?
China and India’s collaboration potential may include:
1) Shared Population Strength: Together, China and India account for a third of the global population. This demographic weight offers a significant platform for collaborative influence.
2) Global Community Building: They can jointly spearhead the vision of a global community with a shared future, leveraging their historical ties and combined wisdom.
3) Joint Initiatives and Unique solutions: By aligning on global development, security, and civilization initiatives, they can present unified solutions to global challenges.
4) Global South Leadership: As representatives of the Global South, both countries can demonstrate a will to create an open, inclusive world that prioritizes peace, security, and common prosperity.
Terminology Used:
Question for practice:
How might the collaboration between China and India, rooted in their shared historical ties and visions, influence the trajectory of global peace and development, especially in the context of ongoing crises in regions like Ukraine and West Asia?
On Israel-Palestine Conflict- Israel & limits of military power
Contents
Source: This post on the Israel-Palestine conflict has been created based on the article “Israel & limits of military power” published in Business Standard on 28th October 2023.
UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper 2 International Relations – Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on India’s interests.
News: This article discusses the shortcomings of military action in solving geopolitical issues, especially in the context of Israel’s military action in Gaza.
A detailed article on the Israel-Palestine Conflict can be read here.
What is the Israel-Palestine Conflict?
It is one of the world’s longest-running and most controversial conflicts. It is a conflict between two self-determination movements – the Jewish nationalist project and the Palestinian nationalist project, in the same territory.
On October 7th,2023, Palestinian militant organisation Hamas attacked Israel. The ongoing retaliatory attacks from Israel in the Gaza Strip have led to a huge loss of life and property. This may add another war in the long-drawn history of Israel-Palestine conflict.
What are the limitations of military power?
The military is central to a nation’s Gross National Power (GNP). However, history has shown that relying on military power, however formidable, is an ineffective approach to achieving a larger political and strategic objective.
1) Failure to achieve objectives: For instance, five Israeli wars in Gaza since 2003 have failed to defeat Hamas.
2) Incapability to solve issues in the long-term: History has shown the futility of settling issues using purely military means. For instance, the Kashmir problem.
Military action works initially. It puts down the problem in the immediate term and satisfies the urge for revenge. However, the problem stays intact, and may even get stronger.
USA’s military action in Afghanistan as part of the ‘War on Terror’ is another example of this. In the absence of diplomacy, politics and compromises going together, it was eventually unsuccessful.
Specifically for Israel, despite Israel’s military action, its enemies, including non-state actors, such as Hamas or Hezbollah, still exist.
What makes Israeli military action complicated?
1) Demands for a two-state solution: From the US to India, Europe and China. Due to the overwhelming Arab and Muslim opinion on Palestine, demands will also come from UAE, Saudi Arabia and Bahrain.
2) Non-state actors: Israel’s challenge is complicated by the fact that they do not face a hostile, sovereign power, but a non-state actor (Hamas).
3) Urban warfare: Gaza itself is really a little urban sprawl. Cities trap troops and give an advantage to the defender.
4) Civilian casualties and destruction: Hamas’s ideology won’t just survive; it will return stronger.
What should be Israel’s strategy?
Israel would be better off fighting a more patient, long war, using its intelligence, targeted attacks, targeting terrorist leaders.
Question for practice:
Israel’s military action in Gaza might not yield the results Israel expects. Discuss in light of the challenges of urban warfare and the limitations of military action.
GS PAPER - 3
On Labour Productivity in India- NRN Gets It Wrong
Contents
Source: The post on labour productivity in India is based on the article “NRN Gets It Wrong- Working long hours doesn’t increase productivity” published in “The Times of India” on 28th October 2023.
UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper 3 Indian Economy – Employment and labour productivity.
News: The article discusses India’s low productivity as highlighted by Narayana Murthy. Despite Indians working about 48 hours weekly, their hourly output is low. The author also highlights how productivity isn’t just about hours but also technology and education.
What is productivity?
Productivity measures how efficiently inputs like labor and capital are used to produce outputs, such as goods and services. On a country level, it affects living standards and economic growth.
What are the different kinds of productivity?
Labor Productivity: Measures the output produced per hour of work. For example, for a GDP of $1 trillion with its people working 20 billion hours, the labor productivity is $50 per hour.
It is directly linked to increased wages, better living standards, and consumers’ purchasing power.
Capital Productivity: Assesses output generated by using physical assets like machinery, buildings, and equipment.
It indicates how efficiently investments in physical assets are used, impacting profitability and competitiveness.
Total Factor Productivity (TFP): Accounts for growth in output not explained by labor or capital alone, often termed as “innovation-led growth”.
It reflects efficiency improvements, technological progress, and innovation in an economy.
What is current labor productivity in India?
Working Duration: Indians average almost 48 hours a week, one of the highest globally.
Hourly Output: India’s productivity rate is $8.47 per hour, despite the long work hours.
In comparison, Countries like France work fewer hours (about 30 weekly) but achieve higher productivity ($58.5 per hour).
What influences productivity?
1) Role of Technology: The level of technological diffusion in an economy positively impacts productivity.
2) Human Capital: The quality of human capital, or education and skills, directly relates to productivity. A well-educated workforce can produce more in less time.
3) Impact of Agriculture: A significant portion of the workforce in agriculture can lower a country’s overall productivity.
Question for practice:
Evaluate how India’s working-hours and technology-adoption impact productivity compared to countries like France.
Political misinformation is a problem. But asking WhatsApp to risk user privacy is the wrong solution
Contents
Source: This post is based on the article “Political misinformation is a problem. But asking WhatsApp to risk user privacy is the wrong solution” published in “Indian Express” on 28th October 2023.
UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper 3 Internal Security – Challenges to internal security through communication networks, role of media and social networking sites in internal security challenges, basics of cyber security.
News: The article discusses the challenges of political misinformation, especially deep fakes. The central government wants to use Rule 4(2) of the 2021 IT Intermediary Guidelines to find the original sender of a message on platforms like WhatsApp which could compromise privacy and might not effectively address the issue.
What is Political Misinformation?
Political misinformation means having wrong political beliefs but holding them confidently. Its features include:
Different from being ‘uninformed’: Misinformed individuals have wrong beliefs, while uninformed individuals lack knowledge on the topic.
Impact: When many people share the same wrong beliefs, it can influence public opinion.
Different from ‘rumors’: While rumors are statements that lack solid evidence and might occasionally turn out to be true, misinformation is unequivocally false.
Connection with Conspiracy theories: Some conspiracy theories can be seen as a subtype of political misinformation.
Continued Influence Effect (CIE): Political misinformation falls under the broader psychological phenomenon of the persistence of false beliefs even after they have been debunked.
What initiatives have been taken to curb misinformation in India?
1) Laws and Regulations:
Indian Penal Code: Various sections (e.g., 153, 153A) address provocations, disharmony, and defamation.
Information Technology Act 2000: Section 66D pertains to fake news through fake accounts.
IT Rules 2021: Guidelines for regulating content on social media platforms and news portals. Platforms with over 50 lakh users face increased compliances.
Recent: The government plans to combat misinformation by using Rule 4(2) of the 2021 IT Intermediary Guidelines. This rule requires social media platforms to identify the original sender of a message (the source), especially on encrypted platforms like WhatsApp.
2) Regulatory Bodies:
Press Council of India: Addresses violations of journalistic ethics.
News Broadcasters Association (NBA) & Indian Broadcast Foundation (IBF): Handle complaints against electronic media content.
Broadcasting Content Complaint Council (BCCC): Manages complaints against objectionable TV content and fake news.
3) Private Initiatives:
Facebook: Partnerships with third-party fact-checkers and banning false accounts.
WhatsApp: Restrictions on bulk messaging and a fact-checking hotline for users to flag messages.
What are the concerns regarding the government’s plan to use Rule 4(2) of the 2021 IT Intermediary Guidelines?
1) Privacy and Encryption: The rule can compromise user privacy by tracing every message’s origin. Platforms like WhatsApp use end-to-end encryption for user privacy. This rule challenges that security.
2) Vague and Misleading Definitions: “Public order” is open to interpretation, which might lead to misuse. The “first originator” isn’t clearly defined, risking innocent users being wrongly targeted.
3) Effectiveness and Misuse: Sophisticated users can spoof identities, evading the rule’s purpose. Tracking all messages affects everyone’s privacy, not just wrongdoers.
4) Legal and Real-world Implications: The real-world analogy suggests a significant impact on individual freedom, like tagging every citizen when they step out.
How can misinformation impact elections?
Deep Fakes: Modern AI tools can create authentic-looking media of events that never occurred.
Targeting people through online platforms: Online services like WhatsApp, social media sites, YouTube, etc. mediate users’ relationship with online information, making them crucial in the spread or control of misinformation.
Risk to Democracy: Misleading users through fake media can significantly influence election outcomes and distort democratic processes.
Election Integrity: Misinformation challenges the core principle of informed voting, jeopardizing the very foundation of democratic elections.
Question for practice:
Critically examine the potential impact of Rule 4(2) of the 2021 IT Intermediary Guidelines on individual privacy and its effectiveness in addressing political misinformation.
On Inflation – No policy for troubled times
Source: This post on inflation has been created based on the article “No policy for troubled times” published in Business Standard on 28th October 2023.
UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper 3 Indian Economy and issues relating to planning.
News: This article discusses the various reasons which have led to the current inflation scenario in the world.
Read a detailed article on Inflation Management in India here.
What is inflation?
Inflation refers to the rise in the prices of most goods and services of daily or common use such as food, clothing, housing, recreation, transport, consumer goods.
It measures the average price change in a basket of commodities and services over a period of time.
What is the current inflation scenario?
The target for inflation in most advanced economies is 2%. However, inflation in the USA is at 3.7%, in the Euro area at 5.6%, and in Britain at 6.8%.
In India, where inflation is typically much higher than in these advanced economies, it is hovering at 5%. India is not heavily indebted and showing good economic growth. This should give the RBI room to raise interest rates and aim for the 4% target.
What are the current global challenges with respect to inflation?
1) Global Economic Situation: The world is witnessing a global economic slowdown.
2) Geopolitical conflicts: It has led to inflation in the oil market, and also in various food and other commodity markets.
3) Climate-change imposes additional costs.
4) Ineffectiveness of monetary policy: Due to the above factors, prices will rise even if demand is weak. Monetary policy in this situation will not be as effective.
5) Twin-Balance Sheet problem: Banks and company balance sheets are getting stressed by debt becoming more costly.
6) Lower Investments: Investment will get hit because it would have to deliver higher returns to match the higher cost of capital.
Question for practice:
Inflation management has become a growing concern due to emerging challenges in the global economy. Explain.
On GI Tags – Is India sub-leveraging the advantages of GI tagging?
Contents
Source: This post on GI Tags has been created based on the article “Is India sub-leveraging the advantages of GI tagging?” published in Business Standard on 28th October 2023.
UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper 3 Science & Technology – Issues relating to Intellectual Property Rights.
News: This article discusses the implications of Geographic Indication or GI-Tag. It also highlights the issues with India’s utilization of the GI-Tag.
What is a GI Tag?
According to the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO), a GI tag is a sign used on products that have a specific geographical origin and possess qualities or a reputation that is due to that origin.
A GI right prevents its use by a third party whose product does not conform to the applicable standards.
However, a protected GI does not enable the holder to prevent someone from making a product using the same techniques as those set out in the standards for that indication.
GI tags in India are issued as per the Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, of 1999.
What is the importance of a GI Tag?
1) Revenue generator: Patents and copyright protection of products result in higher economic gains, fostering quality production and better distribution of profits.
2) Global reach: For e.g., Amazon’s ‘local to global’ programme has taken Indian GI-tagged products to the global market.
3) Passion economy and entrepreneurship: It will convert talent into entrepreneurship and create a “passion” economy.
4) Employment creation: The labour-intensive nature of GI-tagged products can boost the employment in India.
5) Women empowerment: It can also increase India’s low female labour force participation rate.
6) Reverse urban migration: it will conserve India’s ancient crafts, culture and food and may also rejuvenate local MSMEs.
7) Positive benefits for local communities: It encourage the preservation of biodiversity, local know-how and natural resources.
8) Soft power: A strong GI ecosystem can be a source of soft power. For instance, French Champagne.
9) Consumer rights: GIs protects producers and their reputations and reassures consumers that a product is authentic.
10) Preserve intellectual property: They authenticate and symbolise an IPR owned collectively by producers in a region.
What are the challenges India is facing with respect to GI-Tags?
1) Lack of a strategy for using the GI to commercial advantage, especially in global markets.
2) Lack of organised effort — governmental or institutional — to go beyond merely establishing distinctiveness.
3) Lack of dedication to quality control, as opposed to a mere indication of source. For instance, in the case of Alphonso Mango.
4) Lack of marketing, branding, advertising, and trade promotions. For instance, with respect to Basmati rice.
What should be the way forward?
First, a required skill for GI producers is digital literacy. This should be a priority agenda item for NGOs and stakeholders like the DPIIT.
Second, the Indian GI economy can showcase to the world a model for ethical capitalism, social entrepreneurship, de-urbanisation, and bringing women to the workforce.
Third, regular audits and consultations with the GI producers must be mandated.
Fourth, organised marketing and value creation to grow the exclusivity and premiumness attached to their products.
Question for practice:
Despite earning GI-Tags for a wide range of domestic products, India has failed to utilize the certification fully. Analyse.
Prelims Oriented Articles (Factly)
Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana
Source: The post “Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana” is based on the article “Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana is a prime example of how Digital Connection and emotional and administrative responsibility can come together: Union Minister” published in “PIB” on 28th October 2023
Why in the News?
The Ministry of Women and Child Development has launched a new Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY) portal.
What is Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana(PMMVY)?
Launched in | 2017 | |
Component of | Mission Shakti since 2022 | |
Nodal Ministry | Ministry of Women and Child Development | |
Type | Centrally Sponsored Scheme | |
Objectives | 1.To provide partial compensation for the wage loss in terms of cash incentive, so that the woman can take adequate rest before and after delivery of the first child. 2.To improve health seeking behavior amongst the Pregnant Women & Lactating Mothers (PW&LM). |
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Eligibility | The scheme covers all Pregnant Woman & Lactating Mothers (PW&LM), excluding PW&LM who are in regular employment with the Central Government or State Governments or the Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) or those who are in receipt of similar benefits under any law. | |
Limit | The maternity benefit is to be provided to a woman for the first two children provided the second child is a girl | |
Benefits | First Child: ₹5000 (in two installments) under PMMVY. Plus additional cash incentive of Rs 1000 under Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY) after institutional delivery. On an average ,a women gets ₹6000 total |
Second Child: Benefit of ₹6000 is to be provided subject to the second child being a girl child. This will be provided in one instalment after the birth. |
UPSC Syllabus: Government Schemes
Brazzaville Declaration
Source: The post is based on the article “Brazzaville Declaration” published in “MEA” on 28th October 2023
Why in the News?
A Summit of Three basins is going to be held at Brazzaville, Republic of Congo.
What are these three basins?
Three Basins | Details |
Congo Basin | 1) It is the second-largest tropical forest in the world in terms of area. 2) It spans across six countries—Cameroon, Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea and Gabon. |
Amazon basin | It is the largest tropical forest on the planet. It extends over 9 countries in South America: Brazil, Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, Venezuela, Bolivia, French Guiana, Suriname and the Republic of Guyana. |
Borneo-Mekong-Southeast Asia Basin | It is the world’s third largest carbon sink.It is composed of two sub-regions, the island of Borneo and the Mekong River. The Mekong River is one of the largest rivers in the world.It crosses six countries: China, Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam. Borneo is the fourth largest island in the world.It is divided between Brunei, Malaysia and Indonesia. |
What is the Brazzaville Declaration?
Specification | Details |
Signed in | 2018 |
Signed by | Democratic Republic of Congo(DRC), the Republic of Congo and Indonesia |
Objective | To protect the Cuvette Centrale region in the Congo Basin, the world’s largest tropical peatlands, from unregulated land use and prevent its drainage and degradation. |
UPSC Syllabus: International Relations
Mizoram has highest cancer incidence rate in India, finds study
Source: The post is based on the article “Mizoram has highest cancer incidence rate in India, finds study” published in “The Hindu” on 28th October 2023
Why in the News?
A study has been released titled “Cancer awareness, diagnosis and treatment needs in Mizoram, India: evidence from 18 years trends (2003–2020)’’.
What are the key findings of the study related to Cancer cases in Mizoram?
Specifications | Details |
Highest Cancer Incidence in Mizoram | Mizoram has the highest cancer incidence rate in India despite being the second least populated state in India. |
Most Cancer causes | Stomach cancer is the primary cause of cancer-related deaths in men, while lung cancer is a significant cause among women. |
Increase in Cancer cases among younger population | Cancer cases and deaths are growing among the younger generation in Mizoram. Factors might include the sedentary lifestyle and dietary habits among the local tribal population. |
Reasons for higher cancer deaths in Mizoram | Lack of specialized diagnostic facilities, skilled medical personnel, treatment strategies based on genetic research and transportation challenges. |
What is Cancer?
According to the World Health Organisation, cancer is a large group of diseases that can start in almost any organ or tissue of the body when abnormal cells grow uncontrollably and go beyond their usual boundaries to invade adjoining parts of the body or spread to other organs.
Cancer is the second leading cause of death globally accounting for one in six deaths in 2018.
Among men, lung, prostate, colorectal, stomach and liver cancer are the most common types of cancer.
Among women, Breast, colorectal, lung, cervical and thyroid cancer are the most common among women.
What is the data related to cancer cases in India?
1.Cancer Likelihood: One in nine people in India is at risk of developing cancer during their lifetimes.
2.Leading Cancer causes: Lung cancer is prominent among males, while breast cancer is prevalent among females.
– For childhood cancers (0-14 years), lymphoid leukaemia is the most common cause.
3.Expected Increase in Cancer Cases: Study has indicated a 12.8% increase in cancer cases in India by 2025 compared to 2020.
UPSC Syllabus: Social Issues, Health and Disease
Dark pattern sales deemed ‘cybercrime’
Contents
Source: The post is based on the article “Dark pattern sales deemed ‘cybercrime’” published in “The Hindu” on 28th October 2023
Why in the News?
The Consumer Affairs Secretary has said that the dark patterns practices carried out by airlines and travel portals can be called a “cybercrime.”
What are Dark Patterns?
What are Dark Pattern practices used by Airlines?
Indigo website: It uses false urgency to make customers feel they must pay an extra fee for a seat as all free seats appear unavailable.
– Even if there are four or five available free seats, they are displayed at the bottom of the page making them harder to find.
– Passengers can click “skip” at the end of the seat selection but they aren’t clearly told that they’ll be automatically assigned a free seat if they don’t pay the extra fee.
SpiceJet’s booking website: It encourages passengers to buy travel insurance by using phrases like “I will risk my trip” if they decide not to make the purchase.
– This creates a sense of fear suggesting that not getting the insurance could be risky or harmful for the trip.
What are the Parliamentary Committee recommendations on ticket prices of Airlines?
1.Airlines must display seat-wise airfares to ensure transparency.
2.Directorate General of Civil Aviation(DGCA) should ensure proper implementation of the Aircraft Rules, 1934 to ensure that airlines earn only a reasonable profit while pricing their tickets.
3.Effective mechanism should be there to address consumer grievances in a time-bound manner.
What is a ghost particle?
Contents
Source: The post is based on the article “What is a ghost particle?” published in “The Hindu” on 28th October 2023
Why in the News?
China is building the world’s largest telescope called “Trident” below the South China Sea.The job of the telescope is to detect “ghost particles” also known as neutrinos.
What are Ghost Particles or Neutrinos?
Neutrinos are tiny subatomic particles.They are often called ‘ghost particles’ because they barely interact with anything else.
Characteristics of Neutrinos:
Specifications | Details |
Electrically neutral | Neutrinos do not carry an electric charge which means they are not affected by electromagnetic forces.This allows them to pass through matter including most atoms, with minimal interaction. |
Extremely low mass | Neutrinos have a mass much smaller than other fundamental particles like electrons or quarks. |
Weak Charge | Neutrinos’ weak charge have made them difficult to observe.They can only be seen when they interact with other particles. |
How Do Scientists detect Ghost Particles or Neutrinos?
Ghost particles rarely interact with other particles but can interact with water molecules.
Underwater telescopes can detect neutrino interactions when they produce “muons,” which create detectable flashes of light.
The University of Madison-Wisconsin’s “IceCube” telescope is the largest neutrino-detecting telescope, located in Antarctica.
China is building a telescope called “Trident” in the South China Sea to detect Neutrinos.
Why Does the Detection of Neutrinos Matter?
1.Detecting Cosmic Rays: Neutrinos will help solve a number of scientific mysteries like the origin of the cosmic rays which are known to contain neutrinos.
2.Understanding Universe: Neutrinos are essential for understanding the origins of our universe.
UPSC Syllabus: Science and Technology
Manual Scavenging
Source: The post “Manual Scavenging” is based on the article “Rs 30 lakh compensation to be paid to families of those who die while cleaning sewers: SC” published in “Deccan Herald” on 25th October 2023
Why in the News?
The Supreme Court has directed the Union and state governments to ensure the complete eradication of manual scavenging.
What is Manual Scavenging?
Definition: Manual scavenging refers to the practice of manually cleaning, handling, and disposing of human excreta and other waste materials from dry latrines, open drains and sewers.
Banned in: In India, manual scavenging has been officially banned since 1993.
Deaths: Over the past five years, 347 people have lost their lives while cleaning sewers and septic tanks in India.Uttar Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Delhi accounted for 40% of these deaths.
What are the directives issued by the Supreme Court on Manual Scavenging?
1.Provide compensation of Rs 30 lakh to the families of individuals who lose their lives while cleaning sewers.
2.Those who suffer permanent disabilities during such work should receive a minimum compensation of Rs 20 lakh and
3.Those with other disabilities caused by sewer cleaning should receive Rs 10 lakh as compensation.
UPSC Syllabus- Polity and Nation
China imposes export curbs on graphite
Source: The post is based on the article “China imposes export curbs on graphite” published in “Financial Times” on 28th October 2023
Why in the News?
China has imposed export controls on graphite.
Why has China decided to impose an export curb on graphite?
Aim: To protect China’s national security and controlling supplies of critical minerals.
Restrictions: From December 1st, exporters in China will need to apply for permits to ship two types of graphite including high-purity, high-hardness and high-intensity synthetic graphite material and natural flake graphite and its products.
Impact: China is the world’s largest graphite producer and exporter.It refines more than 90% of the world’s graphite into the material used in almost all Electric Vehicles(EV) batteries.
– Hence, the ban on graphite exports by China will lead to an increase in the scarcity of graphite, which in turn raises the cost of power batteries, leading to higher production costs for EVs.
What is Graphite?
Specification | Details |
Type | Allotrope of carbon |
Properties | 1.Good conductor of electricity 2.High thermal stability and resistance to heat |
Uses | Pencil “lead” As a Lubricant Electrodes in batteries and electrical devices As a moderator in the nuclear furnace. |
Reserves | According to the United States Geological Survey, Turkey (27.3%) and Brazil (22.4%) together own half of the world’s natural graphite resources.China comes third at 16%, |
UPSC Syllabus: Science and Technology
What is ‘Visa Shopping’ and why is it being done to enter countries in Europe
Source: The post is based on the article “What is ‘Visa Shopping’ and why is it being done to enter countries in Europe” published in “Indian Express” on 28th October 2023
Why in the News?
The practice of ‘Visa Shopping’ has been gaining popularity in several Indian states.
What is Visa Shopping?
Specifications | Details |
Definition | It is a practice where individuals obtain visas for countries one may or may not intend to visit during the visa’s validity period. |
Purpose | Individuals opt for visa shopping as a means to enter their preferred countries, particularly in Europe, even if they already have a visa for another European nation. |
Example | Schengen Visa: It allows travelers to explore many European countries without the need for separate visas. The Schengen system was established by European countries in 1985.Under it, member countries form the Schengen area and people can travel freely between them without going through border controls. |
Concerns | Visa Shopping is not illegal if the traveller follows the norms and guidelines of the visa process and gets valid permission to stay in that country. However, legal concerns arise if a traveller seeks visas for one country but actually intends to stay in another or use it merely as an entry point. |
UPSC Syllabus: International Relations