9 PM UPSC Current Affairs Articles 21st February, 2025

Mains Oriented Articles

GS PAPER - 2

India and China agree to restore bilateral relations

Source: The post India and China agree to restore bilateral relations has been created, based on the article “The long and winding road of India-China relations” published in “The Hindu” on 21st February 2025.

UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper2- International Relations-India and its neighbourhood- relations.

Context: The article discusses the recent India-China agreement to restore bilateral relations after tense years, focusing on border issues and troop mobilization. It highlights India’s cautious approach to ensure stability before progressing in other areas of relations, stressing the need for clarity and transparency.

For detailed information on India-China Relations after the LAC Disengagement read this article here

What Was the Purpose of the India-China Meeting?

1. India’s Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri visited China in January 2025.
2. He met China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi and other senior officials.
3. The meeting aimed to restore bilateral relations after tensions since the Galwan clashes in June 2020.
4. Both countries announced plans to resume media and think tank exchanges, the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, and bilateral flights by summer 2025.

Why Is This Agreement Happening Now?

1. Donald Trump’s Influence: Donald Trump’s potential re-election as U.S. President, noted for his unpredictable policies, seemed likely by October 2024. His re-election could disrupt international relations, influencing India and China to ease tensions preemptively.
2. Historic Patterns: China has previously adjusted its foreign policies during international pressures, such as after the 1989 Tiananmen Square massacre. Facing potential instability from Trump’s policies, China might seek to stabilize relations with neighbouring countries like India.
3. Economic Concerns: Both India and China face economic challenges, making cooperation more appealing to boost economic stability and growth.

What Is the Situation on the Border?

1. Since May-June 2020, both countries have mobilized large troops along the Line of Actual Control (LAC).
2. Tensions were highest in areas like Galwan, Depsang Bulge, Charding Nala, Gogra Post, Hot Springs, and Pangong Lake.
3. The Indian government has not confirmed if China has withdrawn troops. It is unclear if India has regained full patrolling rights.

Has India Changed Its Stand on China?

1. India’s official position has been that border stability is a precondition for improving relations.
2. The January 2025 agreement announced media exchanges, flights, and the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra.
3. The October 2024 BRICS briefing only mentioned a “process of disengagement”, without clear details.
4. No confirmation if China has withdrawn troops from key areas like Galwan and Depsang Bulge.
5. China insists India should “move on” from 2020 clashes, while India’s silence raises doubts about its firm stance.

Why Is Clarity Important?

Without clear communication, it may seem like India is accepting China’s position. India-China relations have fluctuated in recent years. Since both countries have different global ambitions, challenges will continue. A cautious and transparent approach is needed. The Indian government must clarify its stance to reassure the public.

Question for practice:

Evaluate the factors influencing the recent India-China agreement to restore bilateral relations and its potential impact on future engagements.

Tribal Communities in Koraput Improved Nutrition and Health

Source: The post Tribal Communities in Koraput Improved Nutrition and Health has been created, based on the article “The transformation of Koraput’s tribal food basket” published in “The Hindu” on 21st February 2025.

UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper2- Governance-Welfare schemes for vulnerable sections of the population by the Centre and States and the performance of these schemes; mechanisms, laws, institutions and Bodies constituted for the protection and betterment of these vulnerable sections.

Context: The article discusses how the M.S. Swaminathan Research Foundation helped tribal communities in Koraput improve nutrition. Through training and community action, people grew diverse crops, improved diets, promoted hygiene, and demanded government support, leading to better food security and health.

Why is Koraput Facing a Nutrition Crisis?

1. High Undernutrition Levels: 43% of children under five are stunted, and 33% are underweight (NFHS-5, 2019-21).
2. Poor Diet Quality: Only 17% of children receive an adequate diet.
3. Widespread Anaemia: More than 50% of women are anaemic.
4. Limited Crop Diversity: 71% of households earlier cultivated only 2-3 crops.
5. Lack of Awareness: People did not focus on dietary diversity. Many ate either dal or vegetables, not both.
6. Government Schemes Not Fully Effective: Feeding programs exist, but community action was needed for real change.

How Did the Community Start the Transformation?

1. Starting the transformation: The M.S. Swaminathan Research Foundation (MSSRF) initiated a community-based nutrition literacy program between 2013 and 2022 aimed at empowering tribal communities in Koraput.
2. Assessment and Awareness: The program began by assessing the nutritional status of women, children, and adolescents. This data was then shared with the community to raise awareness about their health issues.
3. Training Program: Selected men and women underwent residential training on key nutrition concepts such as a balanced diet, Infant and Young Child Feeding Practices (IYCF), and the importance of dietary diversity.
4. Community Engagement: Training included activities like group discussions, role-playing, and analyzing the current situation which encouraged a dialogue about the community’s own social, cultural, economic, and political contexts.
5. Nutrition-Sensitive Agriculture: Participants learned to diversify their agriculture to include crop diversity, backyard poultry, and pisciculture, aiming for better food security and nutrition.

What Were the Results of the Programme?

1. More than 200 men and women from 70 villages were trained as community leaders. Over 1,000 people received training in agriculture, animal husbandry, and pisciculture.
2. Crop diversity increased from 4 to 9 varieties in many households.
3. More than 60% of households started cultivating 4-5 crops (earlier, only 2-3).
4. Home gardens operated for 7-9 months (earlier, only 5 months).

How Did Women Play a Key Role?

1. Spreading Nutrition Awareness: Women champions worked with ASHA and Anganwadi workers to educate villagers on balanced diets and hygiene.
2. Ensuring Better Diets: They gave their children leafy vegetables, fruits, pulses, and eggs to fight anaemia, as seen in Sanya’s case.
3. Monitoring Government Schemes: They checked the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) feeding programme.
4. Demanding an Anganwadi Centre: In Lecha village, women passed a resolution and followed up with officials until the centre was built.
5. Reviving Community Grain Banks: They helped restart local food security systems.

What Is the Overall Impact?

The project created a strong community resource base for nutrition security. People improved their diets, revived traditional farming, and ensured government support. Now, they aim to make Koraput’s villages hunger-free.

Question for practice:

Discuss the role of community participation in improving nutrition and food security in Koraput.

GS PAPER - 3

Investment Drives Growth More Than Consumption in Economies

Source: The post Investment Drives Growth More Than Consumption in Economies has been created, based on the article “Is consumption enough to drive growth?” published in “The Hindu” on 21st February 2025.

UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper3- Economy

Context: The article explains that economic growth depends on both supply (production) and demand (expenditure). Investment boosts growth more than consumption. China’s fast growth was investment-led, while India relies more on consumption. India needs higher public investment to sustain long-term growth.

For detailed information on How to Boost Investment and Economic Growth read this article here

How Does Economic Growth Work?

1. Economic growth depends on both supply (production) and demand (expenditure). GDP measures the value added by production. Demand in an economy comes from four sources:

• Private consumption – Spending by individuals on goods like food, clothing, and mobile phones.
• Private investment – Spending by firms and households on new machines, factories, and homes.
• Government expenditure – Spending on salaries, public services, and infrastructure.
• Net exports – The difference between exports and imports.

2. If supply grows slower than demand, prices rise, leading to inflation. If demand weakens, firms accumulate unsold goods, leading to lower production, job losses, and slower growth.

Why Is Investment Important for Growth?

1. Among the four components of demand, investment has the strongest multiplier effect. A ₹100 investment can increase GDP by more than ₹100 (e.g., ₹125 if the multiplier is 1.25).
2. For example, public investment in highways creates jobs for construction workers and businesses. It also enables new businesses and industries to develop. The multiplier effect is stronger in underdeveloped regions compared to areas with existing infrastructure.
3. Compared to investment, consumption has a weaker multiplier effect. Higher incomes increase consumption, but rising consumption does not strongly increase incomes across the economy.

Why Did China Grow Faster Than India?

1. Similar Start: In the early 1990s, India and China had nearly the same per capita income, around 1.5% of U.S. income.
2. Faster Growth: By 2023, China’s per capita income was five times India’s. In purchasing power terms, it was 2.4 times higher.
3. Higher Investment Rates: In 1992, China’s investment rate was 39.1%, while India’s was 27.4%.
4. Post-2008 Crisis Response: China raised its investment rate to 44.5% in 2013, while India’s declined to 31.3%.
5. Investment in Key Sectors: China focused on infrastructure, advanced manufacturing, renewable energy, and artificial intelligence.
6. India’s Weakness: India’s investment slowed after 2012, while consumption became the dominant growth driver.

What Should India Do?

1. To boost long-term growth, higher public investment is needed. This would encourage private investment and help spread economic benefits to more people.
2. However, the government has not significantly increased investment spending in recent budgets.
3. Instead, it has given tax concessions and focused on middle- and upper-class consumption, which may lead to a low-growth trajectory.

Question for practice:

Examine how investment contributes to economic growth and why it has a stronger impact than consumption, using the examples of China and India.

Maha Kumbh Mela increases Ganga pollution and raises concerns

Source: The post Maha Kumbh Mela increases Ganga pollution and raises concerns has been created, based on the article “Watering down: Pollution in Ganga needs long-term solutions, not denialism” published in “The Hindu” on 21st February 2025.

UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper3- Environment

Context: The article discusses water pollution in the Ganga during the Maha Kumbh Mela at Prayagraj. It highlights fluctuating contamination levels, with faecal coliform exceeding safe limits. Despite this, Uttar Pradesh’s Chief Minister dismissed concerns. The article stresses the need for sustained cleanup efforts.

How does the Maha Kumbh Mela affect water quality in the Ganga?

1. Around 45 crore visitors have attended the Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj since mid-January. Many people take ritual baths and drink the river water.
2. The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) monitors water quality during the festival.
3. On Makar Sankranti (January 14), faecal coliform levels were 11,000 units at Sangam Ghat (4 times the safe limit of 2,500 units).
4. At Old Naini Bridge Ghat, faecal coliform levels were 33,000 units.
5. On other days, levels dropped to 200 and 780 units, showing fluctuations.
6. CPCB also recorded changes in biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) and dissolved oxygen (DO) levels.

Is the Ganga water safe for bathing and drinking?

1. A CPCB report (February 3, 2025) stated that on January 12-13, water was not fit for bathing or drinking.
2. The Ganga’s pollution worsens during large gatherings, as seen in the Maha Kumbh Mela.
3. Routine CPCB monitoring shows that the Ganga at Prayagraj is not safe for consumption year-round.
4. Water quality depends on flow and dilution, which varies throughout the year.

How has the government responded to pollution concerns?

1. Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath dismissed the CPCB data as “baseless.”
2. The National Mission for Clean Ganga aims to restore the river’s health.
3. Uttar Pradesh, being the largest beneficiary, should focus on continuous cleanup efforts.

Conclusion

1. The Maha Kumbh Mela highlights the urgent need for long-term solutions to Ganga pollution.
2. Authorities should acknowledge scientific findings rather than dismiss them.
3. Science and faith can coexist—ensuring both religious traditions and environmental protection.
4. Denying pollution issues does not help devotees; instead, sustained cleanup efforts are needed.

Question for practice:

Examine the impact of the Maha Kumbh Mela on the water quality of the Ganga and the government’s response to pollution concerns.

Prelims Oriented Articles (Factly)

Article 101(4) of the Indian Constitution

News: Amritpal Singh, incarcerated under the National Security Act, has moved the Punjab and Haryana High Court to attend the ongoing Parliament session. He seeks to avoid disqualification under Article 101(4) due to prolonged absence from the Lok Sabha.

About Article 101(4) of the Indian Constitution

• Article 101(4) of the Indian Constitution provides that:
  • If a Member of Parliament (MP) is absent from the House for 60 consecutive days without permission, their seat may be declared vacant.
  • The counting of days excludes periods when Parliament is not in session.
  • The decision regarding disqualification is taken by the Speaker (Lok Sabha) or Chairman (Rajya Sabha).
• Purpose of Article 101(4)
  • Ensures that MPs actively participate in legislative proceedings.
  • Prevents neglect of parliamentary responsibilities by elected representatives.
  • Upholds the principle of accountability in democracy.
• Exceptions & Considerations
  • MPs can apply for leave of absence due to valid reasons such as illness, detention, or unavoidable circumstances.
  • If the House grants permission, the MP does not lose their seat.
  • In case of legal detention, courts may intervene to allow attendance if required.

Majorana 1 Chip

News: Recently, Microsoft introduced its latest Majorana 1 chip.

About Majorana 1

• Aim: Majorana 1 aims to bring quantum computing closer to real-world applications by addressing key challenges in the field.
• Reduced Error Rates: It utilizes the properties of Majorana fermions to improve fault tolerance, making computations more stable and reliable.
• 20 Years in the Making: The chip has been in development for nearly two decades, representing a long-term investment by Microsoft.
• Potential Applications: It is expected to revolutionize fields such as medicine, chemistry, cryptography, and aerospace by solving complex problems beyond the capability of classical computers.
• Challenges in Quantum Computing: Traditional qubits suffer from instability and high error rates, which the Majorana 1 chip seeks to overcome.
• Competition with Tech Giants: Rivals such as Google and IBM have also made strides in quantum computing, but Microsoft claims its approach offers superior fault tolerance.

Technology Adoption Fund (TAF)

News: IN-SPACe officially announced that TAF will promote space technology development. The initiative is expected to accelerate innovation and support space startups.

About Technology Adoption Fund (TAF)

• The Technology Adoption Fund (TAF) is an initiative launched by the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Centre (IN-SPACe) to support and accelerate the development of India’s space technology sector.
• The fund is designed to assist startups, MSMEs, and larger industries in transforming their early-stage space technologies into commercially viable products.
• Key Objectives of TAF
  • Encourage domestic innovation in space technology.
  • Reduce India’s reliance on imported space solutions.
  • Foster collaboration between government bodies and private players.
  • Enable the commercialization of cutting-edge space technologies.
• Funding Structure
  • Startups and MSMEs: Up to 60% of project cost covered.
  • Larger industries: Up to 40% of project cost covered.
  • Maximum funding per project: Rs 25 crore.
• Benefits of TAF
  • Bridges the gap between innovation and market-ready solutions.
  • Helps companies refine their technologies and production processes.
  • Positions India as a global leader in space technology.
  • Promotes the creation of intellectual property (IP) for future R&D.

National Dam Safety Authority

News: The Supreme Court directed a supervisory committee, chaired by the head of the National Dam Safety Authority, to examine concerns raised by Tamil Nadu against Kerala regarding the maintenance of the 125-year-old Mullaperiyar Dam.

About National Dam Safety Authority

• The National Dam Safety Authority (NDSA) is a statutory body in India established under the Dam Safety Act, 2021 to ensure the safety and maintenance of dams across the country.
• Functions of NDSA
  • Implementation of Dam Safety Standards – Ensures compliance with the guidelines set by the National Committee on Dam Safety (NCDS).
  • Technical Supervision – Oversees safety inspections, risk assessments, and maintenance of dams.
  • Coordination Between States – Acts as a mediator in inter-state dam disputes and ensures uniform safety protocols.
  • Emergency Response Planning – Works with disaster management agencies to prepare for dam failures and related hazards.
  • Capacity Building & Research – Promotes research, training programs, and technological advancements in dam safety.
• Structure of NDSA
  • The Chairperson, appointed by the central government, leads the authority.
  • It includes technical experts in dam engineering, hydrology, and disaster management.
  • Regional offices may be set up for better monitoring and coordination.
• Significance of NDSA
  • India has over 5,700 large dams, many of which are aging and require stringent safety measures.
  • Climate change, increasing water demand, and infrastructure development necessitate a robust regulatory framework for dam safety.
  • The NDSA helps prevent dam failures, which could lead to catastrophic loss of life and property.

Ukraine’s Critical Minerals

News: The US has proposed gaining access to 50% of Ukraine’s mineral resources in return for military support. Trump claims that Ukraine owes the US $500 billion worth of resources in exchange for past military aid.

About Ukraine’s Critical Minerals

• Abundant Reserves: Ukraine possesses 22 of the 50 strategic minerals identified as critical by the US. It holds 25 out of 34 minerals recognized as critical by the EU.
• Key Minerals:
  • Graphite – Essential for batteries and energy storage.
  • Lithium – Crucial for electric vehicle (EV) batteries and renewable energy.
  • Titanium – Used in aerospace, defense, and industrial applications.
  • Beryllium – Important for high-tech equipment, satellites, and defense.
  • Uranium – Vital for nuclear energy and defense purposes.
• Global Significance: Ukraine’s mineral wealth plays a crucial role in defense, technology, and clean energy. These resources are valuable as China controls a large portion of the global supply of critical minerals.
• Exploration and Extraction Challenges: Many reserves are underexplored, with old geological surveys from the Soviet era. A significant portion of deposits, including lithium and rare earth elements, are in Russian-occupied territories.