9 PM UPSC Current Affairs Articles 13th December, 2024

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Mains Oriented Articles

GS PAPER - 2

How Protectionism Threatens Global Knowledge Exchange and Higher Education

Source: The article How Protectionism Threatens Global Knowledge Exchange and Higher Education is based on article “Ideas need to travel: Without international students, American universities lose out” in The Indian Express on 13th December 2024.

UPSC Syllabus topic: GS Paper 2-International relations- Effect of Policies and Politics of Developed and Developing Countries on India’s interests, Indian Diaspora.

Context: This article addresses the interconnectedness of global education systems, the implications of restrictive visa policies in the United States, and the challenges faced by the Indian higher education sector. It focuses on the evolving dynamics of international education, particularly under the Trump administration’s protectionist policies, and how they impact not only Indian students but also the global standing of American universities.

What is the immediate concern regarding Indian students and US visas?

  1. The US is restricting visa access for Indian students.
  2. This has created anxiety, particularly with Trump’s protectionist policies targeting immigration, naturalization, and student visas.
  3. Trump’s administration is seen as protectionist and unwelcoming to foreigners. His focus on restricting immigration and expelling undocumented residents raises concerns about the future of international student intake in the US.

How does restricting foreign students affect American universities?

  1. American universities have been significantly enriched by international students, especially those in STEM fields.
  2. Limiting this access could:
    • Reduce the diversity and intellectual rigor of these institutions.
    • Impact the US’s status in the knowledge economy, as producing knowledge gives a competitive edge.

Why do Indian students prefer foreign universities over Indian ones?

  1. Indian universities fail to match the quality of education offered abroad.
  2. Factors include:
    • A chaotic higher education system, worsened by NEP (National Education Policy).
    • Students’ belief in better opportunities and outcomes from foreign degrees, often linked to the NRI lifestyle.
    • The projected expenditure for Indians studying overseas is expected to reach $70 billion by 2025.

What are the risks for both the US and India with current trends?

  1. For the US:
    • Reduced quality in universities over time.
    • Loss of brilliant international faculty and students.
  2. For India:
    • Retaining top talent but lacking the infrastructure to support their excellence.
    • Decline in the global value of India-educated individuals due to NEP’s dilution of educational standards.

What is the broader impact of protectionist policies on global education?

  1. Protectionist policies, like restricting student visas, signify a step back from the equitable international ecosystem envisioned in the 21st century.
  2. These policies could create a zero-sum game in knowledge expansion, stifling innovation and progress for all.

How can both nations adapt to ensure mutual benefit?

  1. The US must recognize the long-term benefits of international students in maintaining its universities’ global edge.
  2. India must invest in higher education reforms to retain and develop talent locally, creating a self-sufficient ecosystem of excellence.

Decolonizing the Obsession with Foreign Degrees

Source: This post Decolonizing the Obsession with Foreign Degrees  based on article “US reduces student visas: You don’t need to be obsessed with foreign degrees” published in Indian express on 13th December 2024.

UPSC Syllabus topic: GS Paper 2 – Issues relating to Development and Management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health, Education, Human Resources.

Context: The article shows the dependence of Indian students on Euro-American universities, considering it a reflection of diminished self-confidence in Indian academic institutions. Over 1.33 million Indian students study abroad, compared to only 46,878 foreign students in Indian universities, highlighting this one-sided exchange.

What does the reliance on foreign institutions show?

  1. The obsession with foreign universities damages the self-worth of Indian academic institutions.
  2. It reflects a colonized mindset, with many aspiring to foreign degrees instead of strengthening local academic infrastructure.

What are the issues with Indian universities that contribute to this trend?

  1. Degradation of Institutions: Institutions like Rabindranath Tagore’s Santiniketan and Jawaharlal Nehru University have faced setbacks due to local politics, poor administration, and lack of funding.
  2. Lack of Academic Freedom: Insufficient funds, lack of academic freedom, and poor pedagogic environments deter quality education and research.

How does the hierarchy of civilizations affect Indian academia?

  1. Colonial-era hierarchies perpetuated by thinkers like Thomas Babington Macaulay continue to dominate Indian academia.
  2. Many subaltern scholars who advocate for marginalized communities settle abroad in elite academic institutions, further deepening the asymmetry.

What examples highlight academic inequality between Indian and Western institutions?

  1. Leading professors from Western universities like Harvard or Cambridge rarely engage with Indian institutions.
  2. Indian academics and students primarily aim to enhance their CVs by studying or publishing abroad, reinforcing inequalities.
  3. Preference for PhDs from foreign universities in Indian faculty recruitment demoralizes those working locally.

What changes can be made to address this imbalance?

  1. Symmetrical Dialogue: Encourage mutual exchange of ideas between Indian and Western institutions.
  2. Strengthen Local Academia: Create high-quality Indian journals, provide better funding for education, and improve academic culture.
  3. Promote Confidence: Indian students and professors should take pride in pursuing and contributing to local institutions like Delhi School of Economics or Jadavpur University.

What is a cosmopolitan academic culture?

  1. A genuinely educated individual embraces global perspectives while maintaining local roots.
  2. For example, Indian students should study both Ashis Nandy and Zygmunt Bauman, Kalidas and Shakespeare, with equal appreciation.

Urban Local Governance in India

Source: This post on Urban local governance in India is based on article “The missing spotlight on urban local government polls” published in The Hindu on 13th December 2024.

UPSC Syllabus topic: GS 2- Polity – Devolution of Powers and Finances up to Local Levels and Challenges Therein.

Context: The article highlights the critical yet often overlooked issue of elections for Urban Local Governments (ULGs). It contextualizes the importance of these elections as a pillar of local self-governance under the 74th Constitutional Amendment Act (CAA) of 1992.

Why was the 74th Constitutional Amendment Act (CAA) enacted?

  1. The 74th CAA, introduced in 1992, was meant to codify the role of ULGs in local governance. However, even after three decades, its objectives remain unmet.
  2. ULGs are decentralised local self-governance institutions responsible for providing civic services and ensuring citizens’ quality of life.
  3. They serve as the first point of contact for urban residents.

Has the ONOE discourse addressed ULG elections?

  1. No, ONOE discussions have mostly excluded ULG elections.
  2. Reports like the 79th Standing Committee report (2015) and NITI Aayog’s discussion paper (2017) omitted ULG elections, citing their status as State subjects and logistical challenges due to the large number of such bodies.

What does the High-Level Committee (HLC) suggest?

In a departure, the HLC recommended synchronising ULG elections within 100 days of Lok Sabha and State Assembly elections. The government accepted this recommendation in 2024, marking an important step.

How significant are ULGs in India’s governance and economy?

ULGs govern 4,800+ cities, serving nearly 40% of the population, a figure projected to exceed 50% by 2050. Cities contribute over 60% to India’s GDP, underscoring their importance in driving economic growth and social well-being.

Why is it vital to ensure regular ULG elections?

Regular elections ensure democratically elected governments that can address local needs effectively, strengthen accountability, and uphold the constitutional principle of decentralisation.

What Challenges Exist in Conducting Timely ULG Elections?

  1. A 2024 CAG report found that over 60% of ULGs experienced delays in elections, sometimes spanning several years. These delays lead to State governments taking direct control, which undermines local democracy.
  2. Delayed elections weaken citizen representation, reduce accountability, and leave ULGs under administrative control, bypassing the electorate’s mandate.
  3. Delays persist even after elections. For example, in Karnataka, councils took an average of 11 months to form after election results, effectively disempowering elected representatives.
  4. Delays are often linked to ward delimitation, court cases over reservations, and the involvement of State governments in politically sensitive areas.

What role do SECs play, and why are they disempowered?

SECs, responsible for conducting ULG elections, often lack authority over key processes like ward delimitation. Only 4 of 15 States assessed by the CAG empowered their SECs in this regard.

Why is empowering SECs necessary?
Empowering SECs ensures independence in managing elections and avoids delays caused by administrative and political interference.

What has been proposed to improve ULG elections?

  1. The HLC recommended synchronising ULG polls with other elections and empowering SECs to handle delimitation and reservations.
  2. The government plans to form an implementation group to act on HLC recommendations and conduct nationwide consultations to refine ULG election processes.
  3. With cities becoming critical to India’s growth, ensuring robust, timely, and accountable local governance is crucial for sustainable development.

GS PAPER - 3

Sluggish Salaries and Economic Slowdown in India

Source: The article on Sluggish Salaries and Economic Slowdown in India is based on article “What sluggish salaries and slowdown in Indian economy might mean” published in India Express on 13th December 2024.

UPSC Syllabus topic: GS Paper 3- Indian Economy

Context: The article addresses the challenges faced by the Indian economy, emphasizing sluggish salary growth and a broader economic slowdown.

What does the slowdown in the Indian economy and sluggish salaries indicate?

  1. The Indian economy is facing a significant slowdown, which is reflected in sluggish salary growth and weak employment generation.
  2. The government and economists have raised concerns over subdued household consumption driven by low wage growth and inflation.

What are the government’s observations regarding the economic slowdown?

  1. The finance ministry flagged challenges like a slowdown in urban demand in its monthly reviews for August and September.
  2. The second quarter GDP data revealed a deeper slowdown than expected.
  3. The government has questioned the Reserve Bank of India’s (RBI) optimistic growth projections and its assessment of inflation and monetary policy.

What are the findings on wage growth across key sectors?

  1. A study by FICCI and Quess Corp Ltd highlights low single-digit wage growth in six sectors: IT, Retail, Logistics, FMCG, Banking and Financial Services and Engineering, Manufacturing, and Infrastructure
  2. After adjusting for inflation, real wage growth has been negligible or negative.
  3. Rural real wages declined by -0.4% in the five years ending 2023-24, and agricultural wages grew marginally by 0.2%.
  4. In the first five months of 2024, rural real wage growth was 0.5%, and agricultural wages grew by 0.7%.

What impact do these trends have on household consumption?

  1. Weak income growth, inflation, and inadequate job creation have suppressed household consumption.
  2. Concerns have been raised over the declining share of national income accruing to labor, particularly to less-skilled workers.

How does the employment generation relate to the economic slowdown?

  1. Despite decades of steady growth, the economy has failed to generate sufficient productive and remunerative jobs for the growing labor force.
  2. In 2023-24:
    • 46% of workers were employed in agriculture.
    • 79% of non-farm workers were in informal sector enterprises.
  3. Labor force participation (ages 15 and above) increased from 49.8% in 2017-18 to 60.1% in 2023-24, but job quality remains a concern.

What role does capital intensity play in employment challenges?

The growing capital intensity of production has limited the creation of labor-intensive jobs, further exacerbating unemployment and underemployment.

Can interest rate cuts alone address the slowdown?

  1. While monetary policy adjustments, such as interest rate cuts, can provide short-term relief, they are not sufficient to address structural issues.
  2. Tackling the long-standing economic challenges requires comprehensive reforms and sustainable solutions.

What is the way forward for the Indian economy?

  1. The focus should shift to creating productive, high-paying jobs.
  2. Policymakers need to address inflation, improve labor income distribution, and boost consumption.
  3. Reforms targeting informal employment and labor-intensive sectors are essential for long-term economic stability.

Beijing’s War Against Air Pollution: Lessons for Delhi

Source: The article on Beijing’s War Against Air Pollution: Lessons for Delhi has been based on article “Beijing’s war against air pollution” published in The Hindu on 13th December 2024.

UPSC Syllabus topics: GS Paper-3- Environment – Environmental Pollution and Degradation

Context: The article discusses Beijing’s significant reduction in air pollution between 2013 and 2017 and draws parallels with Delhi’s current air quality challenges.

What was the pollution scenario in Beijing, and how does it compare to Delhi today?

  1. Beijing, in 2015, had a yearly average Air Quality Index (AQI) of 144, which is similar to Delhi’s current AQI of 155 in 2024.
  2. Over the years, Beijing successfully reduced its pollution levels by one-third, particularly between 2013 and 2017.
  3. Since both cities are capitals of emerging economies, Beijing’s achievements provide a valuable framework that Delhi could emulate to address its own pollution crisis.

What are the primary sources of pollution in Beijing and Delhi?

  1. The sources of pollution in Beijing in 2013 were broadly categorized into three main areas:
  • Energy and coal combustion, which contributed 22% of PM2.5 emissions.
  • Transportation, which accounted for 31% of emissions.
  • Industrial and construction activities, which added 33% of emissions.
  1. In Delhi, data from the winter months highlights similar trends but with significant regional contributions from neighboring areas in the National Capital Region (NCR).
  2. Controlling pollution in Delhi will require not only local actions but also collective efforts across the NCR.

What strategies did Beijing implement to reduce pollution?

  1. Phased Anti-Pollution Programme: Beijing’s anti-pollution efforts were implemented in three phases: 1998-2008, 2009-2012, and 2013-2017. The approach focused on careful planning and gradually building public participation, with the local government autonomously leading these efforts.
  2. Energy and Coal Combustion Control: Beijing reduced emissions from coal consumption through several measures:
    1. Transitioning power plants to ultra-low emission and clean energy alternatives.
    2. Renovating coal-fired boilers to improve efficiency and lower emissions.
    3. Eliminating the use of residential bulk coal for heating.
  3. Transportation Reforms: The city addressed vehicle emissions by:
    1. Retrofitting cars and public service vehicles with diesel particulate filters (DPFs).
    2. Offering subsidies to scrap high-pollution vehicles, rather than simply banning them.
    3. Expanding subway and bus networks to provide more sustainable public transportation.
    4. Optimizing urban layouts to reduce the need for long-distance travel.
  4. Industrial and Construction Pollution Control: Beijing tightened environmental standards for industries and construction activities by:
    1. Implementing end-of-pipe (EOP) treatments to minimize emissions.
    2. Eliminating outdated industrial practices and encouraging green construction models.
    3. Using video monitoring to enforce compliance and penalize violations.
  5. Regional Cooperation: Beijing coordinated with five neighboring provinces to create a regional pollution control plan. This collaboration significantly contributed to the reduction in pollution levels.

What were Beijing’s results from these efforts?

  1. Between 2013 and 2017, Beijing achieved remarkable reductions in major pollutants:
  • Sulphur dioxide emissions dropped by 83%.
  • Nitrogen oxide emissions fell by 43%.
  • Volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions were reduced by 42%.
  • 5 concentrations decreased by 59%.
  1. These achievements were supported by a six-fold increase in government investment over four years. This financial commitment was crucial to implementing the extensive measures required to combat pollution.

What are the barriers preventing Delhi from addressing its pollution crisis?

  • The primary barrier to tackling Delhi’s pollution crisis is the lack of political will. The Central and State governments often blame each other instead of working together to solve the problem.
  • This blame game has continued for over a decade, while no substantial progress has been made.
  • Private measures such as air purifiers, though effective for individuals, exclude disadvantaged communities and fail to address the broader public issue of pollution.

What can Delhi learn from Beijing’s success?

Delhi can adopt several key strategies from Beijing’s experience:

  1. Upgrade Transportation:

Delhi should develop an integrated bus and metro network, replace outdated buses via subsidies, and improve last-mile connectivity. Dedicated cycling and walking lanes, congestion charges, higher parking fees, and differentiated fuel costs can discourage private vehicle use.

  1. Shift to Clean Energy:

Phasing out coal-fired power plants, promoting rooftop solar with subsidies, and linking them to the grid with bill discounts can accelerate the transition to renewable energy.

  1. Regional Collaboration:

Like Beijing, Delhi must coordinate with NCR states to address shared pollution sources effectively.

  1. Boost Public Awareness:

Citizens must demand clean air as a right and reject the normalization of poor AQI, fostering accountability and sustainable change.

Prelims Oriented Articles (Factly)

Willow Chip

News: Recently, Google unveiled its next generation quantum computing chip called Willow.

About Willow Chip

Quantum Chip
Source- The Economic Times
  • It is a state of art quantum computing chip that has the potential to reduce errors exponentially.
  • It successfully solved a complex mathematical problem in just five minutes, a task which supercomputer takes 10 septillion years to solve.
  • It utilises superconducting transmon qubits for its operations.
    • These qubits exhibit quantum behavior at extremely low temperatures, functioning like artificial atoms in a quantum state.
    • Qubits are cooled to temperatures just above absolute zero to maintain delicate quantum states, minimise vibrations and other disturbances that could disrupt operations.
  • Willow chip will enable the building of a useful quantum computer, which has applications in diverse areas such as drug discovery, battery design, and fusion energy.
About Quantum Computing 

Quantum computing is a field of computer science that leverages quantum mechanics, the science of very tiny particles like atoms, to solve problems faster than classical computers. 

Classical computers use bits to represent information as 0 or 1, while quantum computers rely on quantum bits, which can be 0 or 1 or both at the same time. 

Malayan Night Heron

News: The Malayan Night Heron has been spotted in Madurai for the first time, near the Alagar Kovil hills.

About Malayan Night Heron

Malayan Night Heron
Source- Wikipedia
  • The Malayan Night Heron, also known as Malaysian Night Heron, is a medium sized heron.
  • It has reddish-brown plumage, black underwings, black crown and crest, stout bill and short neck.
  • It is found in Southern and Eastern Asia, migrating to India during the winter season. It usually inhabits forests, streams and marshes.
  • It is typically nocturnal but can be active during the day too.
  • It is generally solitary. It prefers roosting in trees and feeding in open areas.
  • Its IUCN status is Least Concern.

 

India Skills Report 2025

News: India Skills Report 2025 shows that more than half of Indian graduates are now employable, which is an increase from 33% a decade ago.

About the Report

India Skill Report 2025
Source- Wheebox
  • The report has been released by Wheebox in collaboration with Confederation of Indian Industry, Association of Indian Universities and All India Council for Technical Education.
  • It is based on the evaluation of 6.5 lakh candidates who participated in the Global Employability Test across India.
    • It also considers insights from over 1,000 corporations across 15 diverse industries.

Key Highlights of the Report

  • The employability among Indian graduates has increased to 54.81% as against 51.25% recorded in the previous Global Employability Test.
  • Maharashtra leads with 84% employability followed by Delhi, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh.
  • Over half of Indian graduates are now employable, a major increase from 33% a decade ago.
    • This shift is underlined by India’s focus on emerging technologies like artificial intelligence, cloud computing, and automation, leading to reshaping of traditional jobs and creation of new opportunities.
  • The rise of digital nomadism and hybrid work models open new opportunities for Indian talent to contribute to the global economy.

Subramania Bharati

News: Prime Minister has released the compendium of complete works of Mahakavi Subramania Bharati on his 143rd birth anniversary.

About Subramania Bharati

Subramania Bharati
Source- Wikipedia
  • He was a poet, freedom fighter, journalist, social reformer from Tamil Nadu.
  • He was given the title of Mahakavi on account of being a pioneer of modern Tamil poetry.
  • He started his career in journalism with Swadesamitran and was also associated with newspapers like The Hindu, Bala Bharata etc.
  • He emphasised on women empowerment, opposed caste system and child marriage and advocated socio-religious reforms.
  • His notable works are Kuyil Pattu, Panchali Sabatham, Kannan Pattu etc.

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