9 PM UPSC Current Affairs Articles 20th January, 2025

Mains Oriented Articles

GS PAPER - 2

Fighting Spam in India

This post has been created on Fighting Spam in India  is based on article “How is TRAI and the govt. combating spam? published in The Hindu on 20^th January 2025.

UPSC Syllabus topic: GS Paper 2- Governance

Context: The article discusses the measures taken by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) and the Indian government to combat unsolicited commercial communications (UCC), commonly known as spam. It highlights TRAI’s regulatory framework and recent advancements, including the adoption of distributed ledger technology (DLT) to trace and monitor spam messages effectively.

What is TRAI’s role in combating spam?

The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) oversees the telecom sector and regulates Unsolicited Commercial Communications (UCC) or spam. Key measures include:

1. Do-Not-Disturb (DND) Registry (2007): Allows users to opt out of spam calls and messages.
2. TCCCPR, 2018 Regulations: Telemarketers violating DND preferences face warnings and potential blacklisting.
3. DND App: Facilitates user registration for DND and complaint filing. From 2024, DND reporting was integrated into telecom providers’ apps for user convenience.

What is a Do-Not-Disturb (DND) Registry?

A DND registry allows telecom customers to block spam calls and messages by registering their preferences. Telemarketers are required to honor these preferences or face regulatory action.

What role does blockchain technology play in fighting spam?

TRAI mandated the use of blockchain (distributed ledger technology) under the 2018 TCCCPR to:

1. Maintain an immutable list of approved SMS senders and templates.
2. Ensure traceability of messages to track their origin.
3. Prevent fraudulent or spam messages by requiring sender IDs instead of phone numbers.

Enhancements in 2024 included:

• Tightened rules to track message origins before they reach SMS gateways, addressing system loopholes that allowed fraudsters to misuse the network.

Have these measures been effective?

1. Positive Impact: Legitimate businesses adhering to rules have reduced spam for users with registered DND preferences.
2. Challenges:
   1. Evolving spam tactics include fraudulent calls, disposable 10-digit phone numbers, and scams from international VoIP numbers.
   2. Cyber fraud incidents remain prevalent due to technological loopholes and international origins of spam calls.

What other steps has the government taken to curb spam?

1. Sanchar Saathi Portal: Includes the Chakshu platform for reporting fraudulent calls and messages.
2. Telecom Security Operation Centre: Real-time monitoring of suspicious internet traffic.
3. Number Deactivation: DoT has canceled lakhs of numbers linked to unauthorized telemarketers and scammers.
4. AI-Based Spam Detection: Telecom providers like Airtel use AI to label calls as “Suspected Spam” and identify international calls on smartphones.

How will these measures evolve in the future?

TRAI aims to further strengthen spam regulations, improve enforcement, and ensure that legitimate communication is not hindered while combating new forms of spam and fraud.

The Taliban Takeover in Afghanistan

This post has been created on The Taliban Takeover in Afghanistan is based on article “A surge in radical governments, the hope of democracy” published in The Hindu on 20^th January 2025.

UPSC Syllabus topic: GS Paper 2- International Relations

Context: The article discusses the international response to the rise of radical Islamic groups seizing power in countries like Afghanistan, Syria, and the recent developments in Bangladesh. It highlights how geopolitical dynamics and the priorities of global powers have led to the legitimization of such regimes once they capture power, despite their past radical and extremist activities.

What occurred during the Taliban’s return to power, and how did the world react?

1. On August 15, 2021, the Taliban took control of Afghanistan. A subsequent Islamic State attack killed 13 U.S. troops, and $7.1 billion worth of U.S. weaponry was abandoned.
2. S.A, the West, China, and Russia engaged with the Taliban, claiming it would promote inclusion and protect women’s rights, though the Taliban later restricted women’s education, denied inclusive governance, and ignored such commitments.
3. Radical Islamic groups like the Taliban or Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) are legitimized by the global community after seizing power by force, while those not in power are treated as threats.

How did India influence UNSC Resolution 2593?

As UNSC president in August 2021, India ensured the resolution explicitly barred the use of Afghan soil for terrorism and listed groups like Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed.

What was the global response to HTS taking control in Syria?

• Abu Muhammad al-Jolani, leader of HTS and a former al-Qaeda affiliate, overthrew Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.
• The U.S. removed a $10 million bounty on al-Jolani and aligned with HTS, despite its terror links, mirroring its approach to the Taliban.

What led to the rise of extremism in Bangladesh?

1. A military coup led by Muhammad Yunus toppled Sheikh Hasina’s government, reviving groups like Ansarullah Bangla Team (ABT), Jamaat-e-Islami, and Hefazat-e-Islam.
2. These groups attacked minorities, pushed extremist ideologies, and promoted anti-India rhetoric.
3. The interim government even released extremists like ABT leader Jashimuddin Rahmani.

How has this impacted India-Bangladesh relations?

India faces renewed security threats and risks losing 16 years of progress made under Sheikh Hasina, which brought the two countries closer in trade, security, and diplomacy.

How does religious extremism impact the broader region?

1. Rising religiophobia, including against Hindus, Sikhs, and Buddhists, has global and regional implications.
2. India raised this issue at the UN in 2021-2022 and condemned religious hate worldwide.

What are the key challenges and solutions for Bangladesh and India?

1. Bangladesh must prevent the military coup from escalating into an Islamic radical regime, as seen in Syria or Afghanistan.
2. India should tread carefully with the interim government, maintain its bilateral ties, and counter rising extremism to protect its national security.

Safety for All in India

This post on Safety for All in India has been created based on article “Murder most foul” published in The Hindu on 20^th January 2025.

UPSC Syllabus topic: GS 2- Social Justice

Context: This article addresses the systemic issues of workplace safety for women in India, particularly in the healthcare sector, through the lens of a tragic incident. It discusses the conviction of Sanjay Roy, a former civic police volunteer, for the rape and murder of a postgraduate trainee doctor at the State-run R.G. Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata on August 9, 2024.

What was the case about, and what was the verdict?

1. The case involves the rape and murder of a second-year postgraduate trainee doctor at Kolkata’s R.G. Kar Medical College and Hospital on August 9, 2024.
2. The accused, Sanjay Roy, a former civic police volunteer, was convicted on January 18, 2025, by the District and Sessions Court, Sealdah. Judge Anirban Das found him guilty under Sections 64 (rape), 66 (causing death), and 103(1) (murder) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
3. The punishment ranges from life imprisonment to the death penalty, with sentencing to be announced soon.

What role did the hospital administration play?

1. The judge raised concerns about the hospital administration’s functioning. Sandip Ghosh, the principal at the time, was arrested by the CBI for evidence tampering and delaying the filing of the FIR.
2. He was later released on bail due to procedural delays in filing the charge sheet within 90 days.

What lapses were observed in the investigation?

1. Significant delays in filing the FIR.
2. Alleged tampering of evidence by hospital authorities.
3. Inefficient policing and investigative lapses by authorities.

What systemic issues were highlighted by the case?

The incident spotlighted the unsafe working conditions in Kolkata’s State-run hospitals, including:

1. Lack of basic amenities for workers.
2. Absence of secure resting spaces for female staff.
3. Rampant corruption and mismanagement.

What steps has the government taken?

1. Following widespread protests, the State government announced measures to protect health workers.
2. However, there is pressure on the administration to ensure these promises are implemented effectively.

What is the broader implication of this case?

This tragic incident underscores the urgent need for systemic reforms to ensure safety and dignity for women in workplaces, especially in sectors like healthcare, where employees face high levels of stress and inadequate infrastructure.

Challenges of education expansion in India

Source: The post challenges of education expansion in India has been created, based on the article “How quality of higher education is tied to primary education” published in “Indian Express” on 20th January 2025

UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper2- Governance-Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Education.

Context: The article discusses the challenges of education expansion in India, highlighting the importance of quality leadership in schools and universities. It compares India’s system with Japan’s, stressing the need for cultural values in education. It also emphasizes the role of individuals in creating great institutions.

For detailed information on Challenges and Solutions of the Indian Education System read this article here

What are the challenges of educational expansion in India?

1. Manpower Shortage: India faced a serious deficit of qualified teachers and academic leaders during the expansion of education post-independence.
2. Constitutional Mandates: The Constitution required free and compulsory education for all children up to 14 years, adding pressure to the system.
3. Rapid Population Growth: The literacy rate improved from around 18-20% to nearly 80%, despite the population increasing by about 100 crore, demonstrating significant efforts under restrictive conditions.
4. Trust Deficit: Government schools, especially in rural areas, face a loss of credibility, impacting educational outcomes.
5. Leadership Challenges: There has been a lack of focus on preparing academic leaders, which is crucial for maintaining the quality of education as the system expands.
6. Quality Dilution: Rapid expansion often led to a dilution in quality, impacting the credibility of educational institutions, similar to the trust deficit observed in government schools.

How does Japan’s educational culture compare to India’s?

1. Priority on Education: Post-WWII Japan focused intensely on primary education to rebuild the nation, valuing punctuality and respect for hard work.
2. Cultural Differences: In Japan, teachers arriving late is rare due to a strong sense of responsibility, whereas in India, it is common for classes to start late.
3. Impact on Professionalism: Japanese educational practices instill a sense of duty and effort in students, preparing them to be punctual and dedicated professionals. This cultural emphasis contributes to the nation-building ethos observed daily in Japanese schools.

What is the importance of leadership in educational institutions?

1. Leadership is crucial for the success of educational institutions.
2. Great leaders like Madan Mohan Malaviya, Syed Ahmed Khan, and Rabindranath Tagore helped elevate universities such as BHU, AMU, and Vishwa Bharati.
3. Similarly, Homi Bhabha and Vikram Sarabhai contributed to the growth of BARC and ISRO.
4. Strong leadership shapes the direction and quality of education.
5. Leaders transform institutions and guide the nation towards progress and development.

What role does the Central Advisory Board on Education (CABE) play?

1. CABE is a platform for discussing national education issues.
2. It is led by the Union education minister and includes state education ministers and academics.
3. The board can discuss and resolve issues like education policy and procedures for selecting vice-chancellors.
4. It aims to prepare leaders at every educational level.
5. With wide national representation, it provides a forum for serious debates and discussions.
6. CABE’s role is vital for improving the education system and leadership, as shown in the article’s examples of successful educational figures.

Question for practice:

Examine the challenges of educational expansion in India and how leadership can address these issues.

Building a Strong Health System for India 2047

Source: The post Building a Strong Health System for India 2047 has been created, based on the article “For a Viksit Bharat, focus on health” published in “The Hindu” on 20th January 2025

UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper2- Governance-Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health,

Context: The article emphasizes creating a robust health system for India by 2047. It highlights the need for universal health coverage, stronger healthcare infrastructure, digital integration, trained workforce, data-driven policies, and addressing non-communicable diseases, infectious diseases, and climate-related health challenges.

For detailed information on India’s healthcare system on right track read this article here

How can universal health coverage be achieved?

1. Increased Public Financing: Health budgets at central and state levels must rise to support expanded services and infrastructure.
2. Primary Healthcare-Led Approach: Universal health coverage (UHC) must focus on delivering quality primary care. Ayushman Bharat provides a model for improved care at the grassroots level.
3. Training a Skilled Workforce: Address doctor shortages by training technology-enabled frontline health workers and allied professionals to deliver age-appropriate services efficiently.
4. Digital Integration: The Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission can connect primary care with public insurance programs like PMJAY to ensure seamless service delivery.
5. Health Infrastructure Improvements: Ayushman Bharat’s upgraded health infrastructure strengthens the foundation for UHC.
6. Disaggregated Data for Equity: District-level data helps address diverse population needs effectively, ensuring inclusivity and equity in healthcare delivery.

For detailed information on India’s Goal for 2047 read this article here

How can digital health systems improve care?

1. Efficient Disease Detection: Wastewater surveillance can detect microbial threats and monitor antimicrobial resistance, as mentioned in the article.
2. Integrated Patient Data: Combining diagnostic and treatment data across healthcare institutions ensures accurate diagnosis and better treatment outcomes.
3. Addressing Public-Private Disconnects: Digital systems bridge gaps between primary care and publicly funded health insurance programs like PMJAY.
4. AI-Driven Healthcare: Big data analytics applied to large Indian datasets can create locally relevant diagnostic and treatment algorithms.
5. Community Involvement: Digital platforms can crowdsource surveillance data during outbreaks and gather feedback on program implementation.

What challenges do climate and zoonotic diseases pose?

1. Climate Change: Rising temperatures and extreme weather increase water-borne diseases and give rise to vector-borne diseases.
2. Zoonotic Diseases: These diseases, spread between animals and humans, can cause national outbreaks or global pandemics.
3. Surveillance Gaps: Current systems lack real-time zoonotic data across humans, wildlife, and veterinary populations.

Conclusion

In conclusion, India’s path to becoming a developed nation by 2047 depends on a robust health system. By prioritizing universal health coverage, improving digital health integration, and addressing emerging health threats like NCDs and zoonotic diseases, India can ensure a healthy population. Initiatives like Ayushman Bharat and increased data integration are key to achieving these goals.

Question for practice:

Discuss the role of digital health systems in improving healthcare delivery in India.

International Migrant Workers and Their Global Impact

Source: The post International Migrant Workers and Their Global Impact has been created, based on the article “What did the ILO report state about international migrants?” published in “The Hindu” on 20th January 2025

UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper2-Important International institutions, agencies and fora- their structure, mandate. Ans GSPaper1-population and associated issues

Context: The fourth edition of Global Estimates on International Migrant Workers was released by the International Labour Organization (ILO). It highlights migrants’ contributions to global economic growth. The report focuses on labor market participation, gender gaps, and key employment sectors. It also discusses their concentration in high-income nations.

For detailed information on US Proposal Restricting Chips Impacting India read this article here

What is the contribution of international migrants to the global economy?

1. International migrants (IMs) contribute significantly to world economic growth.
2. They address labor market shortages in host countries and send remittances to their home countries.
3. In 2022, IMs made up 4.7% (167.7 million) of the global labor force, an increase of over 30 million since 2013.

How many international migrants are employed and unemployed?

1. Out of the 167.7 million IMs in the labor force in 2022, 155.6 million were employed, while 12.1 million were unemployed.
2. The share of IM men in global employment was 4.7%, while IM women accounted for 4.4%. Between 2019-2022, annual growth slowed to less than 1%, partly due to the pandemic.

What is the gender and age distribution of international migrants?

1. A higher proportion of IM males were employed (61.3% of 102.7 million) compared to females (38.7% of 64.9 million).
2. Although women’s participation has steadily increased since 2015, they remain a smaller portion of the IM population.
3. Prime-age adults (25-54 years) made up 74.9% (125.6 million) of IM workers. Young IMs (15-24 years) were 9.3%, while those aged 55-64 years were 12.5%.

Which sectors attract the most international migrants?

1. Services Sector: Attracted 68.4% of international migrants (IMs) in 2022. Women IMs dominated this sector at 80.7%, compared to 60.8% for men.
2. Industry Sector: IMs accounted for 24.3%, slightly higher than non-migrants (24.2%).
3. Agriculture Sector: Only 7.4% of IMs worked in agriculture, far lower than non-migrants (24.3%).
4. IMs consistently dominate the services sector, especially in care work, across high-income countries.

Which countries host the most international migrants?

1. High-Income Countries: These host the largest number of international migrants (IMs), accounting for 68.4% (114 million). Many work in the services sector, especially in care-related jobs.
2. Upper-Middle-Income Countries: They host 17.4% (29.2 million) of IMs, a much smaller but significant share.
3. Europe: Northern, southern, and western Europe had 23.3% of IM workers in 2022, showing slight growth since 2013.
4. North America: It hosted 22.6% of IMs, showing a decline compared to a decade earlier.
5. Arab States: These hosted 13.3% of IM workers in 2022, a decrease of three percentage points since 2013.

Question for practice:

Evaluate the contribution of international migrants to the global economy, considering their labor force participation, employment distribution, and remittances.

GS PAPER - 3

Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC)

This post has been created on Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC)  is based on article “Recasting insolvency resolution” published in The Hindu on 20^th January 2025.

UPSC Syllabus topic: GS Paper 3-Economy

Context: The article critically examines the state of India’s insolvency resolution framework under the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC), 2016, highlighting its challenges and the need for structural reforms.

What is the significance of the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC), 2016?

1. The IBC is a landmark reform in India’s economic landscape, introduced to resolve insolvency issues in a structured and time-bound manner.
2. It aimed to enhance India’s global business standing and hold defaulters accountable.
3. However, as the law matured, critical issues emerged, particularly in institutional capacity and procedural efficiency.
4. These were highlighted in the Supreme Court’s judgment in the Jet Airways case (State Bank of India & Ors. vs The Consortium of Mr. Murari Lal Jalan and Mr. Florian Fritsch & Anr.), exposing structural weaknesses in the insolvency framework.

What are the key challenges faced by the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) and the National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT)?

1. Dual Responsibility: The NCLT and NCLAT handle corporate insolvencies under the IBC and cases under the Companies Act, creating a heavy workload.
2. Outdated Structure: Designed in 1999 and operational since 2016, the tribunals lack the capacity to meet current demands.
3. Inadequate Staffing: With only 63 sanctioned members who often divide time across multiple benches, delays are inevitable. Some benches do not function for full working days.

What is the impact of these inefficiencies?

1. Delays in resolving insolvency cases have worsened. The average time for resolutions rose from 654 days (FY2022-23) to 716 days (FY2023-24), despite the Supreme Court’s insistence on adhering to timelines.
2. The Court warned that excessive delays could render the IBC ineffective.

How do the tribunals lack domain expertise?

1. The Jet Airways case revealed that tribunal members often lack the specialized knowledge required to handle complex insolvency matters.
2. This hinders their ability to resolve high-stakes cases effectively.

What procedural inefficiencies exacerbate the problem?

1. No effective system for urgent case listings.
2. Registry staff have discretionary powers over listing cases.
3. Members occasionally disregard Supreme Court directives, undermining judicial integrity.
4. Mandatory hearings for all applications, including non-essential ones like progress reports, add to delays.

What reforms are necessary to address these challenges?

1. Mandatory Mediation: Introducing mediation before filing insolvency applications to reduce the burden on tribunals.
2. Specialized Benches: Establishing category-specific benches for cases like mergers and amalgamations to improve efficiency and expertise.
3. Hybrid Appointments: Combining judicial experience with domain expertise to handle complex cases better.
4. Enhanced Infrastructure: Investing in adequate courtrooms, qualified permanent staff, and modern facilities.

What broader changes are required?

• India’s insolvency regime must evolve beyond debt resolution to become a proactive driver of economic growth.
• This requires addressing endemic delays, enhancing institutional integrity, and creating a system that fosters foreign investment.

Why is bold reform critical for India’s insolvency framework?

1. The existing system, marred by inefficiencies and capacity constraints, risks becoming obsolete.
2. India must undertake comprehensive reforms to align its insolvency framework with its economic ambitions. The time to act is now.

India’s Economic Slowdown Requires Structural Issue Fix

Source: The post India’s Economic Slowdown Requires Structural Issue Fix has been created, based on the article “A different economic question” published in “Indian Express” on 20th January 2025

UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper3- Economy- Growth and Development

Context: The article highlights India’s economic slowdown as driven by both structural and distributional issues. It points to limited job creation, stagnant wages, unequal income growth, and rising household debt, emphasizing that consumption growth is skewed toward higher-income groups, leaving broader demand weak.

For detailed information on India’s Economic Slowdown and Path to Recovery read this article here

Is the Indian Economy Just in a Temporary Slump?

1. The economy has slowed, with second-quarter growth declining and GST collections dropping from 8.9% to 8.3% in Q3. Forecasts suggest GDP growth will align with the pre-pandemic decadal average of 6.6%, reflecting weak momentum.
2. The government blames a cyclical slowdown, attributing it to RBI’s tight monetary policies that weakened exports and the rupee.
3. This slowdown differs from earlier episodes like 2008 or 2013 because it stems from structural and distributive issues, not temporary shocks.
4. Uneven growth benefits the highly skilled, limiting upward mobility and broader consumption.

What Does the Data Show About Growth?

1. Recent growth spurts were largely due to a boom in services exports, particularly Global Capability Centres (GCCs), which also boosted sectors like real estate and high-end goods.
2. However, this growth was uneven, benefiting mainly the highly skilled, small segment of the workforce.
3. This has not significantly expanded the overall consumption base, as evidenced by slowing car sales in the affordable segment. For example, cars priced under Rs 10 lakh, which are often first cars for many, have reduced from 73% of sales in 2014-15 to just 46% in 2024-25.

What Are the Implications for Employment and Consumption?

1. The job market has not improved, with more people working in informal or low-skill jobs and real wages not increasing significantly.
2. This is reflected in the car market and broader consumption trends, where demand for basic consumer goods like low-priced cars is weakening.
3. Household debt has increased to 43% by June 2024, indicating that people are borrowing more, often to meet basic consumption needs, rather than because of rising prosperity.

How Is Investment Responding?

1. With uncertain government policies and a lack of clear demand, investment remains low.
2. New project announcements are decreasing, and Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) has not reached its previous highs.
3. This reluctance from the corporate sector to invest indicates a lack of confidence in the market’s growth potential.

Conclusion

India’s economic challenges are structural, marked by limited job creation, stagnant wages, weak consumption, and rising debt. Without addressing these issues, returning to a robust growth trajectory may remain difficult.

Question for practice:

Discuss how structural issues in the Indian economy, such as limited job creation, stagnant wages, and rising household debt, are impacting consumption and investment trends.

US Restrictions on AI Chips and Its Impact on India

Source: The post US Restrictions on AI Chips and Its Impact on India has been created, based on the article “New restrictions on AI chips into India” published in “Business Standard” on 20th January 2025

UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper3- Science and Technology- Awareness in the fields of IT, Space, Computers, robotics, nano-technology, bio-technology and issues relating to intellectual property rights.

Context: The article explains US restrictions on exporting high-end AI chips, their limited impact on India’s IT services exports, and India’s focus on leveraging global AI developments. It highlights India’s role in services, not hardware, and domestic AI application strategies.

For detailed information on US Proposal Restricting Chips Impacting India read this article here

What are the US restrictions on AI chip exports?

The US has imposed restrictions on exporting advanced AI chips, treating them like defense equipment. These restrictions limit exports for AI model training but allow Indian firms to import up to 1,700 Nvidia H100 chips per firm annually. Domestic needs for AI applications remain unaffected.

How do the restrictions impact India?

The US restrictions on AI chip exports have a limited impact on India due to its strong services exports and available alternatives for domestic AI applications:

1. Resilient IT Services Growth: IT services exports grew at 9.17% annually (doubling every 7.5 years), and “other business services” grew at 11.86% annually (doubling every 5.8 years). Services exports totaled $341 billion in 2023-24 and are projected to double in a decade.
2. Domestic AI Applications Unaffected: Indian firms have three pathways to manage AI needs:

• Renting server capacity from cloud vendors abroad continues without restrictions.
• Firms can import up to 1,700 Nvidia H100 chips annually, enough for most Indian firms.
• Cheaper chips, like Nvidia H20, remain unrestricted for AI inference tasks.

3. Support for Data Centers: Domestic players, such as Tata and Jio, can import up to 100,000 chips annually, which meets the current needs for large-scale AI model training. This limit is set to increase to 320,000 by 2027. This capacity is significant, especially when compared to the 50,000 chips used in the largest US computers for nuclear weapon development.
4. These points highlight that India’s services-driven growth remains unaffected while domestic AI applications have sufficient flexibility.

What is the role of the Indian government in AI technology?

1. The Indian government’s role involves regulating and facilitating the AI technology sector, focusing on preventing high-tech exports to sensitive countries like Russia, China, and Iran.
2. Successful regulation helps more Indian firms qualify for “National Verified End User” (NVEU) status, easing some restrictions.

How can US firms contribute to AI development in India?

1. US firms that obtain “Universal Verified End User” (UVEU) status can transfer a significant amount of their AI chip inventory to India—up to 7% of their annual global count.
2. This policy could potentially bring more than 7,000 AI chips per year to India from each qualifying firm, enhancing local knowledge and infrastructure.

Question for practice:

Examine how the US restrictions on exporting advanced AI chips impact India’s IT services exports and domestic AI applications.

Prelims Oriented Articles (Factly)

Konark Sun Temple

News: Recently, Singapore’s President visited the world heritage site of Sun Temple at Konark. 

About Konark Sun Temple

 

• The temple was built by King Narasimha Deva I of the Ganga Dynasty in the 13th century as a tribute to the Sun God. 
• It represents the architectural brilliance of the Kalinga temple architecture. 
• The Sun Temple was constructed in the sea to give the appearance of the Sun God rising from the water at dawn. 
• The temple was referred to as Black Pagoda by the European sailors due to the perception of the temple’s roof being dark. 
• It comprises several distinct and well-organized spatial units like  jahamogana (audience hall), Natya Mandap (dance hall), Bhoga Mandap (dining hall). 
• The original temple had a vimana that fell in 1837. 
• The temple was fashioned like the Sun God’s chariot, which was drawn by seven horses and had twenty-four carved wheels. 
  • The wheels are designed in a way that one can gauge the time of the day by looking at the shadow cast on the spoke of the wheels by the sun.  
  • The 24-spoke Konark wheel has also been incorporated into India’s national flag.  
  • The wheel’s circular motion represents time (Kalachakra) as well as development and ongoing change in the cosmos. 
• The temple was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1984. 

Global Risks Report 2025

News: Recently, the World Economic Forum (WEF) has released the 20th edition of the Global Risks Report.

Key findings of the Report 

• The report has considered various risks like geopolitical, environmental, societal and technological domains that threaten global stability and progress. 
  • These risks are assessed over both short-term (1-2 years) and long-term (10 years) horizons. 
• Short Term Risks: Misinformation and disinformation remain leading short-term risks, eroding trust and exacerbating societal divides.  
  • Other critical short-term risks include extreme weather events, state based armed conflicts, societal polarization, and cyber threats such as espionage and warfare. 
• Long Term Risks: The important long-term risks include extreme weather events, biodiversity loss & ecosystem collapse and critical change to earth systems. 
  • Technological threats such as misinformation and adverse outcomes from AI also pose long term risks. 
• The report mentions that societal vulnerabilities such as Inequality, societal polarisation, and economic instability contribute to global fragility, complicating efforts for collective action. 
• It urges leaders to prioritize dialogue, strengthen international ties, and foster conditions for renewed collaboration to ensure a sustainable and inclusive future. 

World Employment and Social Outlook: Trends 2025 Report

News: The International Labour Organisation (ILO) has released its flagship World Employment and Social Outlook: Trends 2025 (WESO Trends) Report. 

Key findings of the Report 

• Global unemployment stood steady at 5 percent in 2024. 
• Young people continue to face a much higher unemployment rate of around 12.6 per cent. 
• Key challenges facing the labour market include geopolitical frictions, rising costs of climate change, and unresolved sovereign debt risks. 
• The report states that low-income countries continue to be vulnerable as the progress in decent work creation has been slowest in these countries. 
• Global unemployment has remained steady, but real wage growth has picked up only in a few advanced economies. 
• The real wage growth has partly remained weak due to the shift in labour market power towards employers over the past decade which adversely affects vulnerable groups and young people. 
• The report has expressed concerns over continued gender gaps in participation as women participation in labour market continues to be significantly lower than men. 
• The labour force participation has increased only in advanced economies, especially among older workers and women. 

National Broadcast Mission 2.0

News: The Union Minister of Communications has launched the National Broadband Mission (NBM) 2.0 to enhance telecom accessibility, security, and empowerment across India. 

About National Broadcast Mission 2.0 

• It is built on the success of NBM 1.0, which was launched for the period 2019-2024 as a part of the National Digital Communications Policy, 2018. 
  • Under NBM 1.0 nearly 8 lakh telecom towers were established. 
• Objectives of NBM 2.0 
  • Ensure that at least 60 out of every 100 rural households have access to broadband connectivity. 
  • Create a robust digital infrastructure by achieving a minimum fixed broadband download speed of 100 Mbps. 
  • Envisages India as a global knowledge society by providing High-speed Broadband and Meaningful Connectivity for all in line with the vision of a Viksit Bharat by 2047. 

Key Benefits of NBM 2.0 

• Provide operational optical fiber cable (OFC) connectivity to 2.70 lakh villages by 2030. 
• Extend broadband connectivity to 90% of anchor institutions like Schools, PHCs, Anganwadi Centre, and Panchayat offices by 2030. 
• Achieve the target of powering 30% of mobile towers with sustainable energy by 2030. 
• Improve the Fixed broadband download Speeds to a minimum 100 Mbps by 2030. 
• Facilitate rollout of the 5G network and lay the groundwork for future 6G technology. 
• Leverage power sector assets such as Optical Ground Wire (OPGW) to enhance broadband connectivity during the times of emergencies and in remote regions of the country. 
• Enhance the usage of the ‘Call Before u Dig’ (CBuD) mobile app to protect underground Telecom infrastructure and other utilities.