9 PM UPSC Current Affairs Articles 19 April, 2024

Mains Oriented Articles

GS PAPER - 2

India’s new position in the South China Sea dispute: India’s nuanced approach in the South China Sea

Source: The post India’s new position in the South China Sea dispute has been created, based on the article “India’s nuanced approach in the South China Sea” published in “The Hindu” on 19th April 2024.

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 India’s changing foreign policy towards the South China Sea. It details India’s support for countries like the Philippines against China’s maritime claims, emphasizing India’s shift from economic interests to strategic security concerns in the region.

For details information on Indian presence in the South China Sea read here

What is India’s new position in the South China Sea dispute?

Support for the Philippines: India expressed full backing for the Philippines in their sovereignty dispute with China, as stated by External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar in Manila in March 2024.

Adherence to International Law: India advocates for China to respect the 2016 International Court of Justice ruling favoring Manila and to follow the rules-based maritime order.

Increased Strategic Engagement: Transitioning from the Look East to Act East Policy under Modi’s administration, India emphasizes stronger strategic and security cooperation within the Indo-Pacific region.

Counter to China’s Claims: India’s shift includes increased naval activities and military cooperation with Southeast Asian nations, acting as a deterrent against China’s aggressive territorial assertions in the South China Sea.

How has India’s foreign policy evolved?

From Economic to Strategic Focus: India’s foreign policy shifted from the economic-driven Look East Policy to the more comprehensive Act East Policy under Prime Minister Narendra Modi. This emphasizes not only economic integration but also strategic partnerships and expanded security cooperation with Indo-Pacific nations like Vietnam, Malaysia, Singapore, and the Philippines.

Proactive Geopolitical Strategy: India recognizes the changing geopolitical dynamics and has adopted a more proactive and multifaceted approach. This includes forward positioning, mission-based deployments, reinforced maritime domain awareness, and the development of deep-water maritime facilities.

How do India’s relations with China influence its South China Sea policy?

Historical Border Tensions: India’s relationship with China is strained due to long-standing border disputes, notably intensified by the Galwan Valley incident in 2020 where China made incursions into Indian territory.

Military Posturing: In response to these tensions, India deployed a frontline warship to the South China Sea, showcasing its capability for asymmetric deterrence against China’s military actions.

Strategic Alignments: India’s evolving South China Sea policy is a direct counter to China’s assertive territorial claims. Regular naval exercises and strengthening military cooperation with Southeast Asian countries are part of India’s strategy to ensure regional security and counter China’s influence.

What role does ASEAN play in India’s strategy?

Central to Regional Strategy: ASEAN’s centrality in the Indo-Pacific region is crucial to India’s strategic recalibration, as India aims to support ASEAN in maintaining regional stability against Chinese dominance.

Support for Maritime Norms: India advocates for freedom of navigation and overflight in the South China Sea, principles vital to both ASEAN’s and India’s economic and security interests.

Challenges within ASEAN: Despite internal differences within ASEAN affecting collective actions, India continues to emphasize the importance of ASEAN unity to effectively counter challenges in the South China Sea.

Question for practice:

Discuss India’s evolving foreign policy towards the South China Sea and its implications for regional security and strategic alliances.

Government created a committee related to the queer community: Express View on Centre’s panel of queer rights: Better late than never

Source: The post government created a committee related to the queer community has been created, based on the article “Express View on Centre’s panel of queer rights: Better late than never” published in “Indian express” on 19th April 2024.

UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper 2-governance-mechanisms, laws, institutions and bodies constituted for the protection and betterment of these vulnerable sections.

News: The article discusses a new committee formed by the Indian government to address issues faced by the LGBTQIA+ community. The Supreme Court has asked the legislature to recognize certain rights for same-sex couples. Progress on queer rights has been slow and uneven in India.

Why has the Indian government created a committee related to the queer community?

Address Discrimination and Violence: The Indian government formed a committee to combat the systemic discrimination and violence that the LGBTQIA+ community faces, especially in accessing social welfare programs.

Supreme Court’s Directive: The creation of the committee follows a directive from the Supreme Court, which, in a landmark judgment, emphasized the need for legislative action to recognize and protect the rights of same-sex couples.

For details information on Same Sex Marriage Verdict read here

Public Support for LGBTQIA+ Rights: A Pew Research survey showed that 53% of Indian adults favor legalizing same-sex marriages, indicating a shift in public opinion that supports the committee’s objectives.

What is the view of the Supreme Court regarding the queer community?

The Supreme Court did not grant constitutional validity to same-sex marriage but instead shifted the responsibility to the legislature.

Specific Rights Mentioned: The court listed specific rights for same-sex couples, including being treated as family for banking, medical needs, jail visitations, and last rites.

Legal Consequences: The Court also outlined legal consequences like succession rights, maintenance, financial benefits under laws like the Income Tax Act, and rights related to employment such as gratuity, family pension, and insurance.

How has progress on queer rights been in India?

Inconsistent Progress: The progress on queer rights in India has been described as “chequered at the best of times,” indicating a slow and uneven advancement.

Judicial Landmarks: A significant judicial action includes the Supreme Court’s decision to read down the provisions of Article 377, which was a pivotal moment for queer rights but not a complete resolution.

Public Opinion: A Pew Research survey conducted between June 2022 and September 2023 showed that 53% of Indian adults support the legalization of same-sex marriages, reflecting growing public acceptance.

Political Manifestos: Only a few political parties, like Congress and CPI(M), address LGBTQIA+ rights in their election manifestos, highlighting the lack of widespread political support for queer rights.

Question for practice:

Examine the Indian government’s response to LGBTQIA+ issues, considering the formation of the committee, the Supreme Court’s stance, and the overall progress on queer rights in the country.

New FDI rules in India’s space sector: Express View on FDI in space: Opening up

Source: The post new FDI rules in India’s space sector has been created, based on the article “Express View on FDI in space: Opening up” published in “Indian express” on 19th April 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.

News: The article discusses India’s new foreign direct investment (FDI) rules aimed at enhancing its space industry. These rules increase FDI limits for various space-related activities. The changes are part of India’s broader strategy to strengthen its position in the global space economy.

For details information on Indian Space Policy read Article 1, Article 2

What are the new FDI rules in India’s space sector?

India has updated its FDI policy to boost its space sector:

74% FDI is now permitted under the automatic route for satellite manufacturing and data products.

49% FDI is allowed for launch vehicles and spaceports.

Up to 100% FDI is possible for manufacturing components required by the space sector.

Why is this change significant?

Enhancing Global Standing: The new FDI rules aim to position India as a major player in the global space market. India currently holds 2-3% of this market, with aspirations to increase this share to over 10% by 2030. According to Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe), an investment of $22 billion is projected over the next ten years to meet these growth targets.

Private Sector Engagement: By allowing higher FDI limits, India is encouraging private companies to participate more actively. For instance, Skyroot Aerospace’s launch of a privately built rocket demonstrates the potential and capabilities of private entities under this new policy framework.

Development of Infrastructure: The allowance of up to 49% FDI in spaceports is particularly significant as it opens up opportunities for private investment in critical infrastructure, which is currently operated by ISRO.

Alignment with National Objectives: The policy changes align with India’s broader strategic goals, enhancing space capabilities and supporting national security and development objectives. These initiatives include using advanced space technology for agriculture and climate change mitigation.

What should be done?

Expand ISRO’s role in R&D, aligning with the Space Policy to encourage both public and private sector contributions.

Focus on regulatory clarity, such as specifying FDI limits in new segments like spaceports, to attract foreign investments and partnerships.

India’s space economy now requires a proper mix of government regulation and freedom for the market.

Question for practice:

Discuss the significance of India’s new foreign direct investment (FDI) rules in the space sector and how they align with the country’s broader strategic goals.

4Ps of India’s Development Strategy: How India has achieved success in national programmes

Source: The post 4Ps of India’s Development Strategy has been created, based on the article “How India has achieved success in national programmes” published in “Indian express” on 19th April 2024.

UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper 2-governance-Welfare schemes for vulnerable sections of the population by the Centre and States and the performance of these schemes

News: The article discusses how India’s approach to improving sanitation and public health, known as the Swachh Bharat Mission, has successfully used four key strategies: political leadership, public financing, partnerships, and people’s participation.

What is the Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM)?

The Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM) is a significant public health initiative launched by the Indian government, aimed at eliminating open defecation and improving sanitation across the nation:

Massive Scope: Targeted to enhance the lives of over 550 million Indians through the construction of over 100 million toilets.

Behavioral Change: Encouraged a nationwide behavioral shift and public participation in sanitation practices.

For more information on Swachh Bharat Mission read Article 1, Article 2, Article 3

What are the 4Ps of India’s Development Strategy?

India’s development strategy, particularly exemplified by the Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM), is structured around four key principles known as the 4Ps:

Political Leadership: Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s direct involvement and advocacy were pivotal. He announced the initiative during his first Independence Day speech in 2014, highlighting the urgency of addressing open defecation.

Public Financing: The government invested approximately $20 billion in sanitation. This investment shows a commitment to prioritizing sanitation alongside other national developmental goals.

Partnerships: The SBM collaborated with international organizations like the World Bank, UNICEF, and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, alongside local governments and NGOs, demonstrating a multi-stakeholder approach.

People’s Participation: Emphasizing community involvement, the initiative saw mass movements across rural India, with villages striving to become open defecation free through collective local efforts.

Why are India’s 4Ps relevant globally?

The principles of the SBM are now being applied to other critical global challenges, including climate change and pandemics, by the World Bank and other international agencies.

The approach emphasizes the importance of leadership, funding, cooperation, and community involvement in tackling large-scale public issues.

Question for practice:

Discuss how India’s Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM) exemplifies the principles of political leadership, public financing, partnerships, and people’s participation.

GS PAPER - 3

Implications of Implementing Labour laws in IT/ITeS Sector

Source: This post is created based on the article “Implications of Implementing Labour laws in IT/ITeS Sector”, published in the Business Standard on 19^th April 2024.

UPSC Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Indian Economy – Changes to industrial policies

News: A new workers’ union called Karnataka State IT/ITeS Employees Union (KITU) has demanded the removal of the exemption given to IT/ITeS establishments from the Industrial Employment (Standing Orders) Act, 1946.

The union alleges that the exemption has allowed employers to flout labor regulations. They are enforcing long working hours, and engaging in unfair practices without proper grievance redressal mechanisms.

Karnataka has nearly 2 million workers engaged in the IT/ITeS sector.

How effective is the standing order?

The law in question does not provide new labor protections but aims to enhance transparency and workers’ awareness of their existing rights.

In Karnataka, businesses with 50 or more employees are required to create and display ‘Standing Orders’ detailing service conditions, which must be certified by the government. This legislation allows worker representatives to advocate for conditions that exceed legal obligations, solidifying these conditions through formal agreements.

Employers must consult with worker representatives before implementing these Standing Orders, and in cases of disagreement, a tripartite discussion involving the employer, worker representatives, and the government is mandatory.

Employers face significant pressure from worker representatives to adopt conditions of employment that are not mandated under any law.

What are the issues in implementing regulations?

It requires consultation with worker representatives and government involvement in determining conditions of service. Which would hinder the present fluid and flexible approach, where managers and workers find middle roads.

Certain demands from worker representatives, such as the “right to disconnect” after office hours, may not be feasible for IT/ITeS establishments serving clients across different time zones, potentially affecting their global competitiveness.

Well-educated workers in the IT/ITeS sector have a degree of agency and market mobility. It reduces the potential need for state coercion or union intermediation in determining employment conditions.

Moreover, Standing Orders cannot be amended for six months without the consent of worker representatives.

Excessive regulation or unionization could hamper the growth and flexibility of the IT/ITeS industry.

What should be done?

The IT/ITeS sector in Karnataka is the backbone of the state’s economy. Furthermore, Services exports were a full $325 billion in 2022-23 and can reasonably double every decade. Therefore, striking a balance between worker rights, economic dynamism, and global competitiveness is essential.

State government should improve monitoring and public disclosure of compliance with existing labor laws like PoSH and the Industrial Disputes Act. It will allow workers to make informed decisions when choosing employers.

Challenges of Demographic dividend in India

Source: This post challenges of Demographic dividend in India has been created based on the article “India’s youth can give the country an edge — if they get the jobs they desire”, published in Indian Express on 19^th April 2024.

UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS paper 3 – Indian Economy – Growth, development and employment

Context: The article discusses the current economic and employment situation in India. It highlights the challenges and opportunities presented by India’s demographic dividend.

What are the facts that establish India’s demographic dividend?

1) India’s dependency ratio is low. There are around 100 workers for every 40 dependents.

2) There is an anticipation of the addition of around 10 million new workers annually for the next couple of decades.

3) India’s economic transition from agrarian to non-agrarian sectors.

4) Gig work is not matching the aspirations of the youth, fueled by their education and growing economic power of India.

What are the challenged posed by the demographic dividend in India?

Providing workers with productive jobs: labor flow from agrarian economy to industries is increased manifold. However, Indian firms are small, both in terms of employment and revenue, generating the limited demand for workers.

Skill deficit: Firms, especially in the white-collar service sector, struggle to find workers with the required skills, reflecting the issues in the education system and student learning outcomes. Both ILO report and CMIE estimates suggest high unemployment among graduates and the young population.

Tax or regulatory policy environment: Present policy environment and lack of ambition among small entrepreneurs, works against the growth of small firms. Therefore, firms are happy to stay small and avoid any ambition to compete with big firms.

Migration cost: Since non-agrarian jobs are only available in urban areas, workers need to move and arrange accommodation. It is a costly affair, discouraging many.

What should be done?

Incentivizing exports could be a solution to the labor market crisis, as firms that export tend to be larger and more productive. An export reorientation is likely to change the entrepreneurial mindset and encourage firms to scale up their ambitions, creating more employment opportunities.

Addressing the skill deficit and improving the education system are also crucial steps to ensure a better match between the workforce’s skills and the demands of the labor market.

Prelims Oriented Articles (Factly)

Ashwagandha

Source– This post on Ashwagandha is based on the article “Ashwagandha is great, but not for everybody” published in “The Business Line” on 14th April 2024.

Why in the News?

Ashwagandha is growing in popularity, both in India and abroad.

About Ashwagandha

1. Ashwagandha is an evergreen shrub found in parts of India, Africa, and the Middle East. It is also known as Indian ginseng or Indian winter cherry.

2. The shrub known as Ashwagandha, a name derived from the Sanskrit words ‘ashwa’ meaning horse and ‘gandha’ meaning smell, which refers to the horse-like odour of its roots. 

3. It belongs to the Solanaceae, or nightshade, family which is the same family as tomatoes and potatoes.

4. Health Benefits:

a) Ashwagandha, scientifically known as Withania somnifera, has been used as a medicinal herb in Ayurvedic medicine for thousands of years.

b) This plant is classified as an adaptogen, which means it helps the body manage stress and can restore physiological balance.

c) Its benefits include reducing inflammation, boosting energy levels, easing anxiety and pain, and enhancing sleep quality.

d) Various parts of the plant including the roots, leaves, and berries, contain differing levels of bioactive compounds.

e) Among the most significant of these compounds are withanolides, natural steroids that are known for their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.

UPSC Syllabus: Environment & Ecology

National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (NCDRC)

Source– This post on National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (NCDRC) is based on the article “Supreme Court Seeks Explanation From 2 NCDRC Members For Issuing Non-Bailable Warrants Ignoring SC’s Interim Protection” published in “Livelaw” on 17th April 2024.

Why in the News?

The Supreme Court has issued notice to two members of the National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (NCDRC) seeking an explanation from them for issuing non-bailable warrants ignoring a previous interim order of the Supreme Court.

About National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (NCDRC)

1. The National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (NCDRC) is a quasi-judicial commission which was set up in 1988 under the Consumer Protection Act of 1986.

2. Its head office is in New Delhi.

3. The Commission is headed by a sitting or a retired Judge of the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India or a sitting or a retired Chief Justice of an Hon’ble High Court.

4. The Commission is presently headed by Hon’ble Mr. Justice Amreshwar Pratap Sahi, former Chief Justice of Patna and Madras High Courts.

5. Mandate:

a) Section 21 of Consumer Protection Act, 1986 posits that the National Commission shall have jurisdiction to entertain a complaint valued more than two crore and also have Appellate and Revisional jurisdiction from the orders of State Commissions or the District fora as the case may be.

b) Section 23 of Consumer Protection Act, 1986, provides that any person aggrieved by an order of NCDRC, may prefer an Appeal against such order to Supreme Court of India within a period of 30 days.

About quasi-judicial commission

1. A quasi-judicial body is a body which has powers and procedures resembling those of a court of law or judge such as an arbitrator or tribunal board.

2. It is obliged to objectively determine facts and draw conclusions from them so as to provide the basis of an official action.

3. Their powers are usually limited to a very specific area of expertise and authority, such as land use and zoning, financial markets, public standards etc.

4. National Human Rights Commission, National Commission for Women, National Commission for Minorities, etc. are examples of quasi-judicial bodies.

Read more: What is a quasi-judicial body?

UPSC Syllabus: Nation and polity

Trachyons

Source– This post on Trachyons is based on the article “The universe may be dominated by particles that break causality and move faster than light, new paper suggests” published in “Live Science” on 18th April 2024.

Why in the News?

Physicists have recently proposed the radical idea that our universe is dominated by tachyons, a hypothetical kind of particle that always moves faster than light.

About Tachyons

1. They are hypothetical kind of particles that move faster than light. 

2. The term “tachyon” was introduced by physicist Gerald Feinberg in 1967 to describe hypothetical particles that could travel faster than light.

It is different from “bradyons” like protons, electrons, and neutrons, which move slower than light.

3. Unlike bradyons, they have not been observed and are theorized to possess imaginary mass, meaning their mass squared would be negative.

4. According to special relativity, particles with mass cannot attain or exceed the speed of light in a vacuum because their energy would become infinite.

5. This intriguing property implies that tachyons could potentially travel faster than light without violating current understanding of the laws of physics.

6. Tachyons would slow down if they gained energy and accelerate if they lost energy.

8. Scientists have conducted a few experiments in search of tachyons using a detector called a Cherenkov detector.

9. In this setup, particles move through a medium, and if their speed exceeds the speed of light for that medium, Cherenkov radiation occurs.

10. It is to be noted that while nothing can travel faster than light in a vacuum, certain mediums allow particles to potentially exceed the cosmic speed limit.

UPSC Syllabus: Science and technology

Gross Fixed Capital Formation

Source– This post on Gross Fixed Capital Formation is based on the article “Why have private investments dropped?” published in “The Hindu” on 19th April 2024.

Why in the News?

The failure of private investment to pick up pace has been one of the major issues plaguing the Indian economy.

About Gross Fixed Capital Formation

1. GFCF refers to the growth in the size of fixed capital in an economy. Fixed capital require investment for their creation.

2. GFCF serves as a rough indicator of how much the private sector in an economy is willing to invest.

3. GFCF includes capital formation as a result of investment by the government.

4. Why does it matters:

a) GFCF helps in creation of fixed capital that helps to boost economic growth and improve living standards.

b) Fixed capital largely determines the overall output of an economy.

Developed economies such as the U.S. possess more fixed capital per capita than developing economies such as India.

About the trend seen in private investment in India

1) In India, private investment began to pick up significantly mostly after the economic reforms of the late 1980s and the early 1990s that improved private sector confidence.

2) From independence to economic liberalisation, private investment largely remained either slightly below or above 10% of the GDP. Public investment as a percentage of GDP, on the other hand, steadily rose over the decades from less than 3% of GDP in 1950-51 to overtake private investment as a percentage of GDP in the early 1980s.

4) Public investment began to drop post-liberalisation with private investment taking on the leading role in fixed capital formation. The growth in private investment lasted until the global financial crisis of 2007-08. It rose from around 10% of GDP in the 1980s to around 27% in 2007-08.

5) From 2011-12 onwards, however, private investment began to drop and hit a low of 19.6% of the GDP in 2020-21.

UPSC Syllabus: Indian economy

Randomised control trials- Techniques that transformed TB care

Source– This post on Randomised control trials technique transformed TB care is based on the article “Randomised control trials: the technique that transformed TB care” published in “The Hindu” on 19th April 2024.

Why in the News?

Clinical trials performed using the randomisation technique have been instrumental in shaping modern medicine.

How randomisation technique transformed TB care

1. Clinical trials utilizing randomization have profoundly impacted modern medicine by providing a reliable and impartial means to assess treatment efficacies.

2. These trials are foundational to various medical advancements, such as understanding aspirin’s preventative role against heart attacks, crafting antiretroviral therapies for HIV, employing cognitive behavioral therapy for mental disorders, and developing the latest COVID-19 vaccines.

3. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were used to test streptomycin, marking it as the first effective antibiotic treatment against tuberculosis (TB). Sir Austin Bradford Hill is credited with the work.

4. This transition changed TB management from a specialized surgical concern to a broadly accessible primary care matter.

5. Beyond TB, Hill’s legacy continues with the ‘Bradford Hill Criteria,’ which are fundamental in modern epidemiology.

These nine criteria strength, consistency, specificity, temporality, biological gradient, plausibility, coherence, experiment, and analogy establish a structured approach to confirming causal relationships between specific factors and health outcomes.

6. This framework has been instrumental in identifying alcohol as a risk factor for cardiovascular diseases and linking sugar-sweetened beverages with obesity.

7. Hill’s criteria were crucial in proving the connection between smoking and lung cancer, countering the misinformation spread by the tobacco industry.

8. This research also influenced a major shift in public health policies and the general public’s view on tobacco use.

About the Randomised control trials technique

RCTs involve dividing a population into smaller groups, in order to comparatively see the outcomes of an external stimulus.

For ex- If the aim of a study is to understand whether a free grains distribution scheme helped improve the nutrition levels among people living in a district, researchers will first create two groups within the population, and then put people into those groups randomly.

One group (called the control group) does not receive the grains or the external stimulus, while the other group (treatment group) does. After a designated period of time, details of how both the groups are doing would be collected. In this way, the goal is to understand what the overall impact is of introducing something new could be.

Read more: What are randomized controlled trials, how do they work?

UPSC Syllabus: Health