9 PM UPSC Current Affairs Articles 17 May, 2024

Mains Oriented Articles

GS PAPER - 1

The issue of Proportional Benefits

Source: The post the slogan ” The issue of Proportional Benefits and its significance has been created, based on the article “Should reservation in jobs only be in proportion to the population?” published in “The Hindu” on 17th May 2024.

UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper 1– Society -Social empowerment

Context: The article debates the slogan “Jitni abadi, utna haq,” which suggests rights proportional to population share. It explores historical and current uses of the slogan, its constitutional implications, and the need for data to inform policies. It also discusses the importance of socioeconomic indicators for fair representation and the potential impact of a caste census on social justice and policy-making.

For detailed information on Reservation in India read Article 1, Article 2, Article 3

What is the slogan “Jitni abadi, utna haq” and its significance?

The slogan “Jitni abadi, utna haq” means that rights should be proportional to a group’s share of the population.

Historical Significance:

The slogan has roots in India’s social justice movements.

It was historically used by leaders to demand fair representation for marginalized groups.

For example, B.R. Ambedkar advocated for proportional representation in his work States and Minorities.

The British colonial government also introduced policies of proportional representation for certain sections of society.

Contemporary Significance:

The slogan is now used to push for policies for various groups like SCs, STs, OBCs, and others.

There is increased demand for caste and sub-caste data to inform these policies.

Critics argue it is against the Constitution, which emphasizes equality among all citizens.

Implementation challenges include demands for sub-categorization within beneficiary groups, such as among Dalits and OBCs.

How should fair representation and reservation be determined?

Socioeconomic and Educational Status: Fair representation should be based on a group’s socioeconomic and educational standing. For instance, while Parsis and Christians are minorities, they are advanced in education and socioeconomic status.

Supplementary Indicators: Population can be a supplementary indicator in the absence of detailed data. Historically, population was used as a tentative indicator for fair representation.

Comprehensive Policies: There should be general policies for economic and educational empowerment for all, irrespective of caste and religion, alongside specific policies for discriminated groups.

Affirmative Action in Private Sector: Discrimination is more rampant in the private sector. Hence, reservation should also apply there.

Informed by Data: Policies should be based on comprehensive data, including economic, educational, and social indicators, to ensure fair distribution of opportunities. For instance, a caste census can provide the necessary information to create fair and informed policies.

Why is a caste census important, and what could be its impact?

Detailed Data: A caste census provides demographic and socioeconomic data about various castes and sub-castes.

Informed Policies: This data helps create fair and transparent policies. For example, accurate information on education and income levels can guide resource allocation.

Addressing Inequality: It reveals the economic and social status of different groups, showing progress or persistent discrimination.

Policy Shifts: Data can highlight changes, such as certain SCs and OBCs moving out of poverty, impacting reservation policies.

Reducing Bias: Current policies based on political pressure can shift to evidence-based decisions.

Question for practice:

Examine the significance of the slogan “Jitni abadi, utna haq” and its implications on fair representation and reservation policies in India.

GS PAPER - 2

The rapid growth of the biopharmaceutical industry

Source: The post the rapid growth of the biopharmaceutical industry has been created, based on the article “Industry links with academia are critical to success in biopharma” published in “Live mint” on 17th May 2024.

UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper 2 Governance– Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation.

Context: The article discusses the rapid growth of the biopharmaceutical industry, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. It highlights the importance of collaboration between industry and academia for innovation, drug development, and overcoming challenges in the evolving biopharma landscape.

What is the biopharmaceutical industry?

The biopharmaceutical industry produces drugs and therapies from living organisms. This includes vaccines, biologics, biosimilars, and cell and gene therapies.

Since 1982, the global biopharmaceutical industry has grown significantly. It is estimated at $528 billion and is expected to grow at a double-digit compounded annual growth rate.

India ranks among the top 12 biotechnology destinations globally. In 2023, the Indian biopharma industry surpassed $92 billion, reflecting a 15% growth from the previous year.

The rise in chronic diseases, higher income levels, and demand for better treatments are driving this growth. Biopharma has advantages over traditional medicine, such as fewer side effects and greater effectiveness.

Why is collaboration between industry and academia important?

Collaboration between industry and academia is essential for biopharmaceutical research and development.

Industry and academia together can handle extensive research, clinical trials, and regulatory adherence.

Academia has contributed to successful drugs like Paclitaxel, Vorinostat, Prezista, Viread, and Dexrazoxane.

The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the success of collaborations in developing life-saving vaccines and therapies.

India’s first home-grown gene therapy for cancer involved IIT Bombay, Tata Memorial Centre, and ImmunoACT.

Programs like Pfizer-IIT Delhi Innovation and INDovation have fostered 34 healthcare innovators and filed 19 intellectual properties.

What initiatives support India’s biopharmaceutical capabilities?

Initiatives like establishment of a department of biotechnology in 1986, the Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC) and National Biopharma Mission (NBM) enhance India’s capabilities. They aim for global competitiveness and improved healthcare through innovative products.

For detailed information on National Biopharma Mission read this article here

What should be done?

1. Increase funding for schemes like India’s Ucchatar Avishkar Yojana to foster innovation among students and faculty.
2. Establish technology transfer offices (TTOs) in academic institutions to enhance technology transfer capabilities, ensuring research translates into practical solutions.
3. Recruit overseas Indian researchers with attractive incentives to address the shortage of qualified faculty, similar to China’s Thousand Talent Programme.
4. Implement specialized training on legal and regulatory frameworks for new biotech interventions in universities.
5. Integrate these frameworks into the curriculum to better prepare students for the complexities of the biotech landscape and nurture a skilled workforce.

Question for practice:

Discuss the importance of collaboration between industry and academia in the biopharmaceutical sector.

Key provisions of India’s Digital Competition Bill, 2024

Source: The post key provisions of India’s Digital Competition Bill, 2024 has been created, based on the article “What the draft Digital Competition Bill proposes, why Big Tech opposes it” published in “Indian express” on 17th May 2024.

UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper 2– governance-Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation.

Context: The article discusses India’s proposed Digital Competition Bill, 2024. The bill aims to prevent big tech companies like Google, Facebook, and Amazon from engaging in anti-competitive practices, similar to the EU’s Digital Markets Act.

For detailed information on Digital Competition Bill in India read Article 1, Article 2

What are the key provisions of India’s Digital Competition Bill, 2024?

Predictive Regulation:

Proposes a preventive (ex ante) approach instead of the current post-incident (ex post) regulation.

Aims to foresee and prevent potential anti-competitive practices before they occur.

Significant Entities:

The Bill proposes that for certain “core digital services” like search engines, and social media sites will be automatically designated as Systematically Significant Digital Enterprises (SSDE) tag.

The Competition Commission of India (CCI) will designate “Systematically Significant Digital Enterprises” (SSDE), on various quantitative and qualitative parameters, like

• Criteria include, in last 3 financial year, turnover over Rs 4,000 crore in India, global turnover over $30 billion, gross merchandise value in India over Rs 16,000 crore, or global market capitalization over $75 billion.
• SSDEs must have at least 1 crore end users or 10,000 business users.

Prohibited Practices:

SSDEs cannot engage in self-preferencing, anti-steering, or restricting third-party applications.

Violations can result in fines up to 10% of global turnover.

Associate Digital Enterprises (ADEs):

Entities benefiting from data shared by a major tech group will be designated as ADEs.

ADEs will have the same obligations as SSDEs.

What criticisms have been raised against the draft Bill?

Compliance Burden: Big tech companies argue that the strict regulations could shift focus from innovation to compliance. For example, the EU’s Digital Markets Act (DMA) has increased the time to find things via Google search by 4,000%.

Broad Definitions: Companies are concerned about the broad criteria for designating significant platforms. Unlike the EU’s DMA, India’s draft law leaves the decision to the discretion of the Competition Commission of India (CCI).

Impact on Smaller Businesses: Tech giants claim changes to their platforms and reduced data sharing could negatively affect smaller businesses relying on their services to reach large audiences.

Potential Arbitrary Decisions: The discretion given to the CCI could lead to arbitrary decision-making, impacting start-ups and smaller businesses.

Why is there a need for the Digital Competition Bill?

1. Big tech companies have a history of anti-competitive behavior. For instance, Google was fined Rs 1.337 crore for its conduct in the Android ecosystem.
2. The dominance of a few companies creates high barriers for new entrants. This limits innovation to within big tech firms.
3. The bill aims to lower these barriers and foster competition. This can lead to more innovation outside the big tech companies.
4. Smaller businesses struggle to compete with the market dominance of big tech. The bill aims to create a more level playing field.

Question for practice:

Examine the key provisions and criticisms of India’s Digital Competition Bill, 2024, and its significance in addressing anti-competitive practices in the digital market.

Registered and Recognized Political Parties

Source-This post on Registered and Recognized Political Parties has been created based on the article “Can parties be de-recognised or de-registered?” published in “The Hindu” on 16 May 2024.

UPSC Syllabus-GS Paper-2– Salient Features of the Representation of People’s Act

Context– The Election Commission of India (ECI), in its report on MCC enforcement, stresses that star campaigners should set a good example and avoid causing any disturbances to societal peace. This has sparked discussions about the ECI’s authority to curb MCC violations.

What are registered parties?

1) Defined under– Section 29A of the Representation of the People Act, 1951 (RP Act) defines the criteria for political parties to get registered with the ECI. As per the ECI, there are 2,790 active registered political parties in India.

2) Requirement-Registered political parties must submit their memorandum/constitution to the ECI, pledging allegiance to the Indian Constitution, principles of socialism, secularism, and democracy, and upholding India’s sovereignty, unity, and integrity.

3)  Benefits enjoyed by the registered parties-

(a) tax exemption for donations received under Section 13A of the Income Tax Act, 1961.

(b) common symbol for contesting general elections to the Lok Sabha/State Assemblies

(c) twenty ‘star campaigners’ during election campaign.

What are recognized parties?

1) Defined under-It’s called a Registered Unrecognized Political Party (RUPP). Political parties are recognized either as ‘national’ or ‘State’ parties according to The Election Symbols (Reservation and Allotment) Order, 1968, by the ECI. At present, there are 6 ‘national’ parties, and 61 ‘State’ parties that have been recognized.

2) Requirement-To be recognized at the national or state level, a party needs to win a certain number of seats or get a specific percentage of votes in a Lok Sabha or State Assembly election.

3) Benefits– They receive benefits like a reserved election symbol and 40 star campaigners.

What are the issues?

1) Registered Parties and Election Contestation-Less than one-third of registered parties contest elections. The RP Act does not confer explicit powers on the ECI to de-register any political party if it fails to contest elections, conduct inner-party elections or lodge requisite returns.

2) Political Party Deregistration– The Supreme Court in Indian National Congress versus Institute of Social Welfare & Ors (2002) had held that the ECI can de-register a political party only under exceptional circumstances like fraud or disloyalty to the Constitution.

3) Abuse of Tax Exemptions– RUPPs that abstain from contesting elections raise concerns about potential misuse of income tax exemptions and donations for money laundering purposes.

4) Limited Enforcement of MCC by ECI -The Model Code of Conduct (MCC) prohibits appealing to caste/communal sentiments and voter intimidation/bribery. Recognized parties have been guilty of MCC violations. However, the action of ECI has been limited. For ex- short campaigning bans.

Read more- Model Code of Conduct

What reforms have been proposed to address these issues?

1) The ECI’s electoral reforms memorandum (2016) suggests amendments in laws to grant the ECI de-registration powers.

2) The Law Commission’s 255th report (2015) suggests deregistration for parties that do not participate in elections for ten consecutive years.

3) Paragraph 16A of the Symbols order grants the ECI the authority to suspend or revoke the recognition of parties for MCC violations, although this provision has rarely been applied. Therefore, there is a necessity to employ this provision more frequently to reduce breaches of the Model Code of Conduct.

Question for practice

What challenges are caused by the ECI’s inability to deregister a political party? What measures can be implemented to solve this problem?

India-Maldives Relations

Source-This post on India-Maldives Relations has been created based on the article “India can’t risk slackening in the Indian Ocean Region” published in “Live Mint” on 17 April 2024.

UPSC Syllabus–GS Paper-2-International relations- India and its Neighborhood- Relations.

News-India has recently hosted the new Maldivian Foreign Minister Moosa Zameerm amid domestic elections. This highlights the strategic importance of the Maldives in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) and India’s commitment to maintaining bilateral ties. India-Maldives Relations

What are some of the issues in India-Maldives relations?

1) China’s influence in Maldives-

A) President Mohamed Muizzu’s strong allegiance to China has strained relations between India and the Maldives. This is further aggravated by Muizzu’s demand for India to replace its military personnel stationed in the Maldives.

B) Political leaders in island states often play India and China against each other for leverage.

C) Maldives has not renewed a hydrography agreement with India.However,it has signed a defense pact with China that includes training the Maldivian National Defense Forces (MNDF) and supply of non-lethal defense equipment.

2) Sovereignty Agenda -Muizzu has attained power by promoting an “India Out” agenda, highlighting concerns regarding sovereignty.

A detailed article on India-Maldives relations can be read here.

 What are the steps taken by India to address these issues?

1) Financial Assistance to Sri Lanka -India has extended financial aid to Sri Lanka during its economic downturn. Additionally, India has received approval to develop the strategically situated Kankesanthura port in northern Sri Lanka. Furthermore, an Indo-Russian joint venture recently won the contract to operate the Mattala airport.

2) SAGAR Policy-India’s Security and Growth for All in the Region (SAGAR) policy is designed to caution Indian Ocean Region (IOR) nations about the risks of Chinese debt traps. For ex- the largest bilateral debt of the island nation is with China, totaling $7 billion, whereas its debt to India stands at $1 billion.

3) Bolstering Naval Presence-India has increased naval deployments, joint patrols, and surveillance of EEZs of countries like the Maldives and Seychelles.

4) Upgradation of Infrastructure-India has commissioned INS Jatayu naval base in Lakshadweep and upgraded facilities in Mauritius’s Agaléga islands.

Question for practice

What are the key challenges in the relationship between India and the Maldives? What measures has India implemented to tackle these challenges?

Issues Associated with Regulatory Fees

Source-This post on Regulatory Fees and Financial Autonomy has been created based on the article “Regulatory fee or unjust enrichment?” published in “Business Standards” on 17 May 2024.

UPSC Syllabus-GS Paper-2– Statutory, Regulatory and various Quasi-judicial Bodies.

Context-The article discusses the issue of regulatory fees charged by the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) from entities like the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE).

SEBI has asked BSE to pay regulatory fees retrospectively from FY 2006-07, based on the “notional value” of options contracts, amounting to around Rs. 70 crores with 15% interest.

What is the importance of financial autonomy for regulatory bodies?

1) Regulators need to be distanced from political influences and government control.

2) Financial autonomy through the power to charge fees ensures independence and credibility with stakeholders.

3) It establishes a predictable rule-of-law environment for private investors.

What are the main issues concerning the fees charged by regulators like SEBI?

1) Lack of Checks and Balances-In India, regulators have the power to impose fees without commensurate checks and balances, leading to self-aggrandizing behavior.

Read more- Changes made by India’s Securities and Exchange Board (SEBI) for NRIs and OCIs

2) Financial Accumulation and Spending Trends– There is a propensity to levy high fees, support expansive expenditure programs, and amass pools of assets.
For ex-SEBI has a large income surplus. By the end of the financial year 2022-23, it had a closing balance of Rs. 4,508 crores.

3) Legislative Action on Surplus Funds– The parliament passed an amendment to the Sebi Act through the Finance Act, 2019 that was aimed to transfer surplus funds from SEBI to Consolidated Fund of India. However, despite parliamentary approval, this amendment has not been notified.

What steps can be taken to address these issues?

1) Alignment of Fees with Services Rendered– Regulatory bodies should charge fees based on the services they offer. This means the fees should match the costs the regulator faces in overseeing particular entities.

2) Prudent Budgeting-There is a need to exercise more caution in determining the budget of regulatory bodies to prevent overspending. A tighter budget would make organizations like Sebi choose their regulatory and supervisory projects more carefully.

3) Role of the Board-The board should protect the interests of stakeholders against the self-interest of internal staff. It should enforce constitutional principles, block excessive fees, oversee budget processes, and ensure accountability of management.

4) Consolidation of Financial Oversight- A single parliamentary law should set the correct framework for all financial agencies, as recommended by the Financial Sector Legislative Reforms Commission. This approach will address financial impropriety and manage accumulated reserves across various regulators effectively.

Question for practice

What are the primary concerns regarding the fees imposed by regulators such as Sebi? What measures can be implemented to tackle these concerns?

GS PAPER - 3

Impact of AI for drug development process

Source: The post Impact of AI for drug development process has been created, based on the article “The use of AI in drug development” published in “The Hindu” on 17th May 2024.

UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper 3-Science and Technology- developments and their applications and effects in everyday life

Context: The article discusses how AI can speed up drug development. AI helps identify target proteins and predict drug interactions. Advanced AI tools like AlphaFold 3 improves accuracy. However, AI has limitations and requires significant computing infrastructure, which India currently lacks.

For detailed information on AlphaFold 3 read this article here

How does drug development start?

Drug development starts with identifying and validating a target, usually a protein.

Computers analyze target protein sequences to find the best-fitting drug from millions of small molecules. This process saves time and money by avoiding laboratory experiments.

Once a target protein and suitable drug are identified, the pre-clinical phase tests the drug’s safety and toxicity on cells and animals.

The clinical phase then tests the drug on human patients for efficacy and safety.

Finally, the drug undergoes regulatory approval, marketing, and post-market surveys.

Due to a high failure rate, the discovery phase limits the number of drugs that progress to the pre-clinical and clinical phases.

How can AI help the drug development process?

AI can speed up target discovery by cutting down time and increasing prediction accuracy.

Tools like AlphaFold and RoseTTAFold use deep neural networks to predict three-dimensional protein structures.

AlphaFold 3 and RoseTTAFold All-Atom can predict interactions for proteins, DNA, RNA, small molecules, and ions.

In a test of 400 drug-target interactions, AlphaFold 3 accurately predicted interactions 76% of the time, compared to 40% for RoseTTAFold All-Atom.

These AI tools save money and avoid time-consuming lab experiments.

What are the drawbacks?

1. AI tools can provide up to 80% accuracy in predicting interactions, which drops significantly for protein-RNA interactions.
2. AI tools only aid in target discovery and drug-target interaction phases, not in pre-clinical or clinical development phases.
3. Diffusion-based architectures in AI models can cause hallucinations, leading to incorrect predictions due to insufficient training data.
4. The code for AlphaFold 3 is not publicly available, limiting independent verification and broader use.
5. AI-derived molecules might not succeed in later drug development phases, despite initial promising predictions.

What about India?

1. India needs large-scale computing infrastructure with fast GPUs for developing AI tools in drug development. GPU chips are expensive and quickly become outdated.
2. India lacks skilled AI scientists compared to the U.S. and China.
3. Despite a rich history in protein X-ray crystallography and structural biology, India couldn’t establish a first-mover advantage in AI drug development.
4. India’s growing pharmaceutical industry can lead in applying AI tools for target discovery and drug testing.
5. Investment in computing infrastructure and training AI scientists is essential for progress.

Question for practice:

Discuss how AI can enhance and accelerate the drug development process.

Prelims Oriented Articles (Factly)

West Nile Virus (WNV)

Source-This post on West Nile Virus (WNV) is based on the article “Kerala sounds warning on West Nile Virus; neighbouring States on guard” published in “The Hindu” on 17th May 2024.

Why in the News?

Kerala is facing its yearly struggle with several cases of West Nile Fever (WNF) reported in several districts of Kerala ahead of the South West monsoon.

About West Nile Virus (WNV)

Aspects	Description
Type	Mosquito-borne, single-stranded RNA virus.
Family	Flavivirus, related to viruses causing St. Louis encephalitis, Japanese encephalitis, and yellow fever.
Transmission	Primarily through mosquito bites; birds are the natural hosts.
Transmission Cycle	1. Culex mosquitoes is vector. 2. Birds are reservoir hosts which maintain the virus in nature. 3. Seasonal outbreaks coincide with bird migratory routes and periods of high mosquito activity.
Infection Process	1. A mosquito bites an infected bird and acquires the virus. 2. The virus incubates in the mosquito, reaching its salivary glands. 3. The infected mosquito transmits WNV to humans and animals during subsequent bites.
Global Prevalence	Regions Affected: Common in Africa, Europe, the Middle East, North America, and West Asia.
Human Risk and Prevention	1. Human-to-human transmission through casual contact is not possible. 2. Prevention of mosquito bites is crucial, especially during peak mosquito activity.

Prevalence and Impact in India

1. First Detection: Antibodies first identified in humans in Mumbai, 1952.

2. Regional Reports: Virus detected in Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Karnataka, and West Bengal.

3. Associated Health Issues: Linked to eye infections in Tamil Nadu and encephalitis outbreaks in Kerala.

UPSC Syllabus: Science and technology (Health)

Supreme Court Ruling on PMLA Arrest Norms

Source-This post on Supreme Court Ruling on PMLA Arrest Norms is based on the article “SC limits ED’s power to arrest PMLA accused” published in “The Hindu” on 17th May 2024.

Why in the News?

The recent Supreme Court decision has specified the obligations to notify an accused of the reasons for their arrest under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).

About Supreme Court Ruling on PMLA Arrest Norms

1. Enhancement of Personal Liberty: The Supreme Court emphasized the right to personal liberty by stating that individuals summoned by a designated special court under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) are not considered to be in custody and are not required to apply for bail under the strict conditions of the PMLA.

2. Conditions for Custody: The Court also ruled that if an accused responds to a summons and appears before the special court, it does not mean they are in custody. Therefore, applying for bail is unnecessary.

3. Limitation on ED’s Powers: The judgment restricts the Directorate of Enforcement’s (ED) ability to arrest individuals after a special court has acknowledged a case. The ED must apply separately for custody and demonstrate specific reasons for needing custodial interrogation.

4. Provision for Furnishing Bonds: The Court mentioned that the special court might require the accused to provide bonds as per Section 88 of the Code of Criminal Procedure. It clarified that providing a bond is merely an undertaking and does not equate to bail being granted. Thus, the stringent twin conditions of Section 45 of the PMLA do not apply when a bond is provided.

5. Bail Conditions Under PMLA: The Supreme Court highlighted the stringent conditions for bail under Section 45 of the PMLA. Under this, the accused must prove their prima facie innocence and assure the court they will not commit any further offences while on bail, placing a significant burden of proof on the accused.

UPSC Syllabus: Polity and nation

Global Report on Internal Displacement 2024 (GRID-2024)

Source-This post on Global Report on Internal Displacement 2024 (GRID-2024) is based on the article “Weather-related disasters continue to displace more than conflict and violence” published in “Down to Earth” on 17th May 2024.

Why in the News?

Recently, Global Report on Internal Displacement 2024 (GRID-2024) was released by the Geneva-based Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre (IDMC).

Finding of the report

1. About the report: The report is published annually by the Geneva-based Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre (IDMC) and documents internal displacements caused by conflict, violence, and disasters.

2. Increase in Total Internally Displaced People: According to the Global Report on Internal Displacement 2024 (GRID-2024), the number of internally displaced people increased to 75.9 million in 2023, up from 71.1 million in 2022.

3. Conflict and Violence: 

a) Displacements due to conflict and violence rose significantly in 2023, with 68.3 million people displaced by the end of the year, marking a 49% increase from 2022.

b) The main countries affected included Sudan, Syria, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Colombia, and Yemen, which collectively host nearly half of the world’s internally displaced population.

4. Displacement Due to Natural Disasters

a) Displacements caused by disasters totaled 7.7 million by the end of 2023. Earthquakes accounted for a quarter of these displacements.

b) Significant disaster-related displacements were recorded across 148 countries and territories. Canada and New Zealand reported their highest figures ever.

5. Weather-Related Displacements

a) Although there was a one-third reduction in weather-related displacements in 2023 compared to 2022, they still constituted 56% of all displacements, with 2023 being the third highest year for such displacements in the last decade.

b) This decrease is attributed to the shift from La Nina to El Nino, with La Nina typically associated with more storms and floods, while El Nino often brings drier conditions and droughts.

6. Impact of Global Weather Phenomena on South Asia

a) South Asia, including India, reported its lowest internal displacements since 2018 with 3.7 million displacements, of which 3.6 million were due to disasters.

b) This reduction is linked to the onset of El Nino, which resulted in below-average rainfall during the monsoon and a weaker cyclone season. However, floods and storms continued to cause significant displacements.

7. The increase in conflict and violence-related displacements in 2023 marks a reversal of the previous trend where natural disasters were the primary cause of displacement.

8. The 2022 report highlighted a 40% increase in disaster displacements from the previous year, predominantly due to weather-related events like floods and storms during the prolonged La Nina period.

UPSC Syllabus: Reports

India’s Irradiation Technology for Onions

Source-This post on India’s Irradiation Technology for Onions is based on the article “Government-backed irradiation initiative aims to save onion harvest” published in “LiveMint” on 17th May 2024.

Why in the News?”

India is piloting an innovative technology called irradiation, to extend the shelf life of onions and reduce post-harvest losses.

About Irradiation:

a) Irradiation facilities are being established in Maharashtra. These facilities are expected to treat around 25,000 tonnes of onions.

b) The project will operate under public-private partnerships, supported financially by the agriculture and food processing ministries.

c) Method: Irradiation involves using ionizing radiation, such as gamma rays, to treat food items. This process is applied to onions to prevent sprouting and microbial growth.

d) Objective: The primary goal is to extend the shelf life of onions and reduce post-harvest losses.

e) Advantages of using Irradiation:

i) Loss Reduction: Typically, about 25% of onion crops are lost post-harvest; irradiation aims to reduce this to 10-12%.

ii) Increased Storage Duration: Onions can be stored for up to seven and a half months with irradiation, compared to only about four months with conventional cold storage methods.

iii) Quality Improvement: The use of irradiation results in a recovery rate of nearly 84% for Grade A onions, significantly higher than the 56% recovery rate with traditional storage.

d) Impact of Irradiation facilities:

a) Regional Focus: Maharashtra which accounts for 43% of India’s onion production will be a primary beneficiary along with other significant producers like Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka, and Gujarat.

b) Supply Chain Improvement: The technology is set to stabilize the onion supply chain, reduce losses, and aid in government procurement efforts.

UPSC Syllabus: Indian Economy

RSM-56 Bulava Missile

Source-This post on RSM-56 Bulava Missile is based on the article “Putin Adds New Nuclear Missile To Russia’s Arsenal: How Deadly Is Bulava Submarine-Launched ICBM?” published in “Hindustan Times” on 17th May 2024.

Why in the News?

Russian President Vladimir Putin has strengthened Russia’s military capabilities by directing the inclusion of a new nuclear-capable missile, the Bulava, into the Russian military’s arsenal.

About the RSM-56 Bulava Missile

1. About: The RSM-56 Bulava is a Russian submarine-launched intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM). It is also known to NATO as SS-N-32.

2. Design and Development: It was designed by the Moscow Institute of Thermal Technology and its development started in the late 1990s. The missile is intended for deployment on Russia’s Borei-class submarines.

3. Key Features:

a) Structure: The Bulava is a three-stage missile that uses solid propellant.

b) Specifications: It has a launch mass of approximately 36.8 tonnes and a throw weight of 1,150 kg. The missile measures 12.1 meters in length within its launch container and has a diameter of 2 meters.

c) Range and Payload: Bulava can travel up to 8,300 km (5,160 miles) and carries up to 10 multiple independently targetable re-entry vehicles (MIRVs) which are designed to deliver nuclear warheads to various targets.

d) Capabilities: The missile’s re-entry vehicles (RVs) are capable of in-flight maneuverability and re-targeting, allowing them to potentially evade enemy defenses.

e) Accuracy: The RVs have an expected accuracy of about 250 to 300 meters.

4. Strategic Importance: Bulava represents a crucial element of Russia’s future strategic nuclear force enhancing the country’s nuclear deterrent capabilities.

UPSC Syllabus: Science and technology

Supreme Court Judgment on Private Property Acquisition

Source-This post on Supreme Court Judgment on Private Property Acquisition is based on the article “State cannot acquire property without proper procedure: SC” published in “The Hindu” on 17th May 2024.

Why in the News?

Recently, the Supreme Court made a pivotal decision to safeguard private property against arbitrary state acquisition for “public purpose”. The court ruled that compulsory acquisition without adhering to mandatory procedures, even if followed by compensation, is unconstitutional.

About Supreme Court Judgment on Private Property Acquisition

1. Constitutional Protection of Property: The Supreme Court, in a judgment by Justices P.S. Narasimha and Aravind Kumar, emphasized that the right to private property is protected under the Constitution and is also considered a human right.

2. Mandatory Procedures for Acquisition: The court declared that for a valid acquisition of property, it is not sufficient to just have the power of eminent domain and provide compensation. Proper legal procedures must be established and followed.

3. Article 300A: Despite the omission of the right to property as a fundamental right by the 44th Constitutional Amendment, Article 300A was added. It stated that no person shall be deprived of their property except by the authority of law. This involves adhering to due process.

4. Procedural Rights: These are the laws which act as the ‘machinery’ for enforcing rights and duties. The Supreme Court outlined seven procedural rights that need to be respected during property acquisition:
i) Right to notice – the duty of the state to inform the person about the intended acquisition.

ii)  Right to be heard – the state must listen to objections from the property owner.

iii) Right to a reasoned decision – the state must explain its decision regarding the acquisition.

iv) Demonstration of public purpose – the acquisition must exclusively serve a public purpose.

v) Right to fair compensation – the property owner is entitled to reasonable compensation

vi) Efficient process – the acquisition process should be conducted efficiently and within set timelines.

vii) Conclusion of proceedings – acquisition isn’t complete without the actual physical possession of the property being taken.

UPSC Syllabus: Polity and nation

Humboldt Glacier

Source-This post on Humboldt Glacier is based on the article “How did Venezuela’s Humboldt glacier shrink to an ice field?” published in “Down to Earth” on 17th May 2024.

Why in the News?

The International Cryosphere Climate Initiative (ICCI) has reported that Venezuela’s last glacier Humboldt or La Corona in the Andes has become too small to be qualified as a glacier.

About Humboldt Glacier

1. About Humboldt Glacier: It is also known as Sermersuaq Glacier, which is one of the major glaciers in northern Greenland. It borders the Kane Basin in North West Greenland.

2. It holds the distinction of being the widest tidewater glacier in the Northern Hemisphere.

3. The standard size for an area to be considered a glacier is approximately 10 hectares.

4. The Humboldt glacier in Venezuela has diminished to less than 2 hectares in size, prompting a downgrade in its classification from a glacier to an ice field.

Current State of the glacier

Venezuela has once hosted 6 glaciers in the Sierra Nevada de Mérida, now it has none. The last Humboldt glacier melted faster than expected and has been reclassified as an ice field due to its reduced size.

Causes of Melting

a) Climate Impact: Experts attribute the accelerated melting to rising temperatures driven by climate change and the recent El Niño phenomenon, which exacerbates the warmth.

b) Lack of Monitoring: Political turmoil in Venezuela has hindered consistent scientific monitoring of the glacier.

The Venezuelan government attempted to slow the melting by installing a thermal blanket over the glacier, but experts consider this measure ineffective.

About Global Context and Future Outlook

1.  The International Cryosphere Climate Initiative (ICCI) noted that Venezuela is likely the first modern nation to lose all its glaciers. Other countries at risk of becoming glacier-free include Indonesia, Mexico, and Slovenia.

2.  The high-mountain region of Asia has also seen significant glacier loss due to record high temperatures and dry conditions.

3. Experts warn that glacier melting may be irreversible, stressing the importance of protective measures to preserve remaining glaciers.

About International Cryosphere Climate Initiative

1. Formation: It was established in 2009 following the COP-15 summit in Copenhagen. ICCI is a pivotal network aimed at cryosphere preservation.

2. Mission: The initiative involves a collaboration of senior policy experts and researchers who work closely with governments and various organizations.

3. Goal: The goal is to develop and implement strategies that help preserve as much of Earth’s cryosphere as possible.

4. Focus Areas: ICCI’s efforts concentrate on the unique climate dynamics affecting three key cryosphere regions: the Arctic, the Antarctic, and high mountain areas.

5. The organization plays a critical role in adding urgency to global climate change efforts, particularly concerning CO2 and other greenhouse gases. It emphasizes the swift and profound global implications of cryosphere warming.

UPSC Syllabus: Environment