9 PM UPSC Current Affairs Articles 2nd July, 2024

Mains Oriented Articles

GS PAPER - 2

Trade Relationship Between India and China

Source: The post Trade Relationship Between India and China has been created, based on the article “Use dialogue, deterrence and trade to deal with China” published in “Live mints” on 2nd July 2024

UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper2- International relations

Context: The article discusses India’s increasing manufacturing capabilities in sectors like solar cells and electronics, heavily relying on imported Chinese components. It also covers the complex trade and political relationship between India and China, highlighting both economic dependence and strategic challenges.

For detailed information on India-China Relations read Article1, Article 2

What is the Current Status of India’s Manufacturing Sector?

1. Solar Cell Production: India’s solar-cell manufacturing capacity is set to increase from 6 gigawatts to 30 gigawatts within a year, positioning the country as a potential exporter of solar products.
2. Electronics Manufacturing: The capacity for manufacturing electronics, especially mobile phones, now meets 97% of domestic demand. India earned $15 billion from handset exports last year, with projections to reach $50 billion in electronic exports in the next two years.

What is the Trade Relationship Between India and China?

1. Volume of Trade: Over the past four years, trade between India and China has been recorded at $88 billion, $126 billion, $136 billion, and $119 billion, showing significant economic exchange.
2. Import Reliance: Imports from China have grown by 31% in the past year, with a noted increase in the share of electronic devices and components from China. India relies on Chinese imports for critical components like solar cells, glass, frames, and electronics parts such as printed circuit boards and semiconductors.
3. Trade Deficit: Despite strategic tensions, the trade deficit continues, largely due to the essential nature of Chinese imports that support India’s manufacturing and economic ambitions.
4. Strategic Compartmentalization: Despite tensions like the Galwan incident, economic engagements continue separately from border issues, highlighting a strategy to prioritize economic ties despite political or military disputes.

What Are the Key Certainties in India-China Relations?

1. No Gain from Military Conflict: China has nothing to benefit from a full-scale military confrontation with India, indicating a mutual understanding to avoid such escalations.
2. Persistent Gap: The significant economic and power disparity between India and China is expected to continue for at least another decade.
3. Balanced Border Deterrence: India’s strong border defenses match the scale of China’s military build-up, maintaining a status quo at the border.
4. Domestic Challenges in China: China faces internal macroeconomic and demographic issues, along with complex border disputes with other neighbors, which demand substantial attention from its policymakers.
5. Shared Global Interests: Representing 40% of the world’s population, India and China share more common global interests than often recognized, stemming from their statuses as ancient civilizations and neighbors.
6. Dialogue Importance: The need for distinctions in dialogue between states, governments, people, and societies is crucial. There is significant potential to enhance people-to-people connections, fostering better mutual understanding despite ongoing border hostilities.

What Should Be India’s Strategy?

1. Enhance Political Dialogue: Engage China through more robust political dialogue to better understand and manage bilateral issues, as suggested by experts like former foreign secretary Vijay Gokhale.
2. Explore Export Opportunities: Exploit the Chinese $6 trillion consumer market more effectively. Even a 1% market share offers a significant economic opportunity, given the size of China’s economy.
3. Strategic Use of Chinese Capital: Adopt a nuanced approach to Chinese capital inflows. Avoid general restrictions that might hamper economic opportunities, especially in sectors where such investments do not pose national security threats, like the automobile industry.
4. Increase People-to-People Links: Despite border hostilities, there is a need to enhance people-to-people relations, which can help improve mutual understanding and smooth over political tensions.

Question for practice:

Discuss the current status of India’s manufacturing sector and its economic dependence on Chinese imports.

Impact of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita 2023 on Street vendors

Source: The post impact of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita 2023 on Street vendors has been created, based on the article “Street vendors in India also deserve good laws” published in “Live mints” on 2nd July 2024

UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper2-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 new penal code, the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita 2023, and its impact on street vendors. Despite existing laws, street vending remains chaotic due to poor implementation and corruption. The article suggests easier licensing to balance order and commerce.

For detailed information on Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita 2023 read this article here

What challenges do street vendors face with the introduction of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita 2023?

1. New Legal Framework: The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) 2023 introduces updated legal codes that replace outdated pre-1947 laws. A street vendor was one of the first individuals charged under Section 285 of the BNS for causing obstruction under a foot-over bridge at New Delhi Railway Station, illustrating immediate enforcement challenges.
2. Challenges in Regulation: Despite the Street Vendors Act of 2014, which aimed to regulate and organize street vending, implementation has been poor. The act’s goals to map vending zones and issue certificates have not effectively managed the chaos.
3. Corruption and Inconsistency: Arbitrary enforcement by local officials and police corruption have exacerbated difficulties for vendors. The act was intended to reduce bribery, but uneven law enforcement has led to continued problems.
4. Economic Impact: Restrictive interventions in street vending impact the livelihood of many vendors who rely on this informal economy.

For detailed information on the Street Vendors Act 2014 read this article here

What should be done?

1. Simplify Licensing: Licenses for street vendors should be easier to obtain and not scarce. This approach would help in maintaining pathway accessibility without excessive control.
2. Improve Implementation of the Street Vendors Act: Enhance cooperation between local administrations to effectively implement the Street Vendors Act of 2014, ensuring that the goals of organized vending zones and licensing are achieved.
3. Reduce Corruption: Strengthen enforcement mechanisms to reduce bribery and ensure fair treatment of vendors by officials, which is crucial for the equitable application of the law.

Question for practice:

Examine the challenges that street vendors face with the introduction of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita 2023 and the proposed solutions to improve their situation.

Celebrating Play and Learning

Source-This post on Celebrating Play and Learning has been created based on the article “Learning with toys, stories and puzzles: The wonder of Jaadui Pitara” published in “The Indian Express” on 2 July 2024.

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

Context-India recently joined the global observance of the International Day of Play on June 11, recognized by the United Nations, highlighting the important role of play in enabling children to thrive and reach their full potential. India has prioritized play and has been at the forefront of institutionalizing it.

Why is playing important for children’s development?

1) Holistic Growth-Play is essential for children’s overall development—physical, emotional, social, cognitive, and cultural. It encourages curiosity, exploration, and experimentation in a safe and enjoyable environment.

2) Interactive Play Activities- Play involves talking, storytelling, using toys, singing, music, dancing, creating art, and playing both indoors and outdoors. These activities build strong connections among students, teachers, parents, and the community.

3) Brain Studies-Research on child development and brain studies show that play is essential for:

A) Brain development, especially stimulating the prefrontal cortex, which handles attention, problem-solving, and social behavior regulation
B) Neuroplasticity, the ability to form new neural connections crucial for learning and adapting throughout life
C) Intuitive knowledge, crucial for problem-solving and decision-making in complex and uncertain situations

4) Role of Play in Parenting- UNICEF highlights the vital role of play in parenting to build the foundation for children’s growth and development from infancy onward.

What are the steps taken by the government to promote playing for holistic development of children?

1) NEP and NCF-FS -The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and the National Curriculum Framework for the Foundational Stage (NCF-FS) 2022 introduced a curriculum framework for children aged 3-8, focusing on learning through play for the first time.

Read more- How does the NEP support students

2) Jaadui Pitara -JNCERT’s Jaadui Pitara represents NCF-FS’s innovative approach to early education. It includes a variety of age-appropriate, locally relevant, and sensory-rich learning materials like toys, games, puzzles, etc.

3) e-Jaadui Pitara -The Ministry of Education launched the e-Jaadui Pitara to complement the physical box, making it accessible via computers, smartphones, television, and radio. Caregivers can engage with virtual assistants using AI chat and voice features to tell stories and encourage children in play-learning activities.

Question for practice

What is the significance of playing for the development of children?

16th Finance Commission

Source-This post on 16th Finance Commission has been created based on the article “What is on the agenda for the 16th Finance Commission?” published in “The Hindu” on 2 July 2024.

UPSC Syllabus-GS Paper-2- Appointment to various Constitutional Posts, Powers, Functions and Responsibilities of various Constitutional Bodies.

Context– The article emphasizes the need for increased financial support to urban local bodies, considering their significant contribution to the national economy.

The Finance Commission is established under Article 280 of the Indian Constitution. Since the 73rd and 74th constitutional amendments, local bodies have become more important in the federal system. These amendments added sub-clauses 280 (3) (bb) and (c) that require the Finance Commission to suggest ways to increase state funds to support panchayats and municipalities.

What is the Importance of Cities for India?

1) Cities contribute around 66% of India’s GDP and about 90% of total government revenue.

2) Cities have been described as “engines of growth” by the National Commission on Urbanization.

What are the challenges faced by Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) in India regarding financial devolution?

1) Financial Devolution to Cities: Efforts by five commissions since the 11th Finance Commission have not adequately improved financial devolution to cities. The poor fiscal health of municipalities affects both city productivity and quality of life.

2) Intergovernmental transfers (IGTs) -Intergovernmental transfers (IGTs) to Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) in India are about 0.5% of GDP, significantly lower than those in other developing nations like South Africa (2.6%), Mexico (1.6%) etc. These transfers constitute approximately 40% of ULBs’ overall revenue.

3) State Finance Commissions: State Finance Commissions have recommended only approximately 7% of States’ own revenue in 2018-19.

4) Parallel Agencies: – The 13th Finance Commission noted that parallel agencies undermine local governments financially and operationally. Programs such as MPLADS and MLALADS disrupt the federal structure.

5) Census Data: Without the 2021 Census, using 2011 data is insufficient for informed fiscal planning.

6) Lack of Adequate Investment- A McKinsey Global Institute report warns that if India continues investing in urban infrastructure at current levels, there will be shortages in urban infrastructure, resulting in issues with water supply and untreated sewage.
The World Bank estimates that $840 billion is needed for basic urban infrastructure in the next decade.

Read more- Panchayat Raj Institution(PRI) in India

What recommendation can be made by the 16th Finance Commission to overcome the financial challenges of cities?

1)  Revisit the 15th FC’s guiding principles such as-

A) Enhancement of property tax collection in relation to state GST

B) Maintenance of accounts

C) Resource allocation for pollution mitigation

D) Focus on primary health care, solid waste management, and drinking water

2) Consider India’s urbanization dynamics-The 16th Finance Commission needs to recognize India’s dynamic urbanization and ensure that intergovernmental transfers (IGTs) to urban areas are doubled at the minimum.

Question for practice

What are the difficulties that Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) in India encounter concerning financial devolution? What suggestions could the 16th Finance Commission propose to address the financial challenges faced by cities?

Importance of Voter Anonymity

Source-This post on Importance of Voter Anonymity has been created based on the article “A tool to ensure complete voter anonymity” published in “The Hindu” on 2 July 2024.

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

Context- Janata Dal (United) candidate Devesh Chandra Thakur faced controversy for allegedly breaching the MCC. He suggested that certain communities shouldn’t expect help from him as they didn’t support him in elections.

This statement was seen as undermining democratic principles and the constitutional spirit of citizen-representative relationships. The elected leaders should work for everyone without discrimination based on caste or community.

What are the mechanisms to ensure voter anonymity?

A) Rule 56 of the Conduct of Election Rules, 1961, emphasizes voter secrecy to prevent retribution or vote bargaining.

B) Ballot papers with identifiable marks that may reveal the identity of voters are rejected to maintain anonymity.

C) Ballot papers of different ballot boxes were mixed to avoid group targeting of voters based on the voting trends in a particular area.

What are the issues with the introduction of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs)?

1) Reveal Voting Behavior -Mixing of ballot papers of different ballot boxes cannot be done. This has led to demands of introducing a totalizer to avoid identification of areas according to their voting behavior.

Read More– Supreme Court VVPAT Judgement

2) Victimization of Voters-Publishing results booth by booth, allowed political parties to potentially intimidate voters based on how specific areas voted.

What is the significance of totalizer for ensuring voter anonymity?

1) Endorsed by ECI-The Election Commission of India (ECI) proposed using a totaliser to mask booth-level voting patterns. This was suggested to prevent post-election harassment of voters and maintain voting secrecy.

2) Filing of Petitions– In both the Yogesh Gupta v. EC and Ashwini Kumar Upadhyay v. Union of India cases, petitions were submitted to the Supreme Court urging the Election Commission to use totalizer machine.

3) Law Commission Recommendation– The Law Commission of India in its 255^th  report, endorsed the EC’s proposal to introduce totalizer in counting of votes.

Why is the government not willing to introduce totalizer machine in elections?

1) Public Interest-The government asserted that using a totalizer did not benefit the public interest significantly in its response to Yogesh Gupta case. It also raised concerns about the potential for data leakage from Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs).

2) Lack of Consensus– The Bahujan Samaj Party, Congress, and Nationalist Congress Party favored using the totalizer. The Communist Party of India (Marxist) suggested a gradual implementation, while the CPI did not express a view. The Bharatiya Janata Party opposed the proposal.

3) Rejected by Ministers- The group of ministers concluded that disclosing voting patterns by polling booths would positively impact development efforts.

Question for practice

What are the issues with the introduction of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs)? What is the significance of totalizer for ensuring voter anonymity?

GS PAPER - 3

Risks according to the 29th RBI Financial Stability Report

Source: The post risks according to the 29th RBI Financial Stability Report has been created, based on the article “Improving financial stability: Some areas of concern remain” published in “Business standard” on 2nd July 2024

UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper3- Economy

Context: The latest 29th RBI Financial Stability Report shows that India’s financial system is strong and stable. Non-performing assets are low, but risks like shadow banking and climate change need monitoring. The report highlights global monetary trends, lower demand, and the impact of climate risks on the economy.

What does the RBI’s Financial Stability Report reveal about India’s financial system?

1. The RBI’s Financial Stability Report highlights a strong and stable financial system in India.
2. A key indicator, the gross ratio of non-performing assets, is at a multi-year low of 2.8%, suggesting improved bank health.
3. The report anticipates a continued decrease in non-performing assets, underscoring a positive outlook for the banking sector.

What are the potential risks according to RBI‘s financial stability report?

1.Shadow Banking Sector: The Financial Stability Report highlights the potential risks from non-banking financial companies (NBFCs). Despite stricter regulations post the IL&FS collapse, the heavy borrowing by NBFCs from banks poses a systemic risk.

2.Maturity Transformation: The activities of NBFCs involve maturity transformation, where they fund long-term loans with short-term borrowings. This can lead to instability if there are sudden shifts in market conditions.

3.Climate and Cyber Risks: Both climate change and cyber threats are identified as significant macro-financial risks in the report. The increasing incidence and potential impact of climate-related events and cyber-attacks require urgent attention and preparation from financial regulators and institutions.

4.Consumer Demand and Economic Growth: Lower consumption and demand are also noted as increasing risks, impacting overall economic growth and potentially leading to broader financial instability. Concerns about stagnant wages and employment contribute to these risks.

Question for practice:

Discuss the various risks to India’s financial stability as highlighted in the 29th RBI Financial Stability Report.

Challenges of India’s Shift to Green Energy

Source: The post challenges of India’s Shift to Green Energy has been created, based on the article “The complexity of green transition” published in “Business standard” on 2nd July 2024

UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper3-economy-infrastructure-energy

Context: The article discusses the challenges India faces as it moves away from fossil fuels to greener energy sources. It highlights the impact on government revenues from fossil fuels, the need for new revenue sources, and how to manage the economic and employment effects of this transition.

For more information on Energy Transition read this article here

What Are the Challenges of India’s Shift to Green Energy?

1. Revenue Loss: Transitioning away from fossil fuels will significantly reduce government revenue, which currently constitutes over 3% of India’s GDP.
2. State Financial Autonomy: Different states have varied dependencies on revenue sources. For instance, Odisha earns significantly through coal royalties, whereas Maharashtra relies on tax revenues. The introduction of GST over VAT threatens this autonomy, particularly concerning petroleum products.
3. Electric Vehicle Subsidies: While fossil fuel vehicles generate substantial revenue, electric vehicles (EVs) require hefty subsidies. Balancing these subsidies with the need to maintain government revenue is a complex challenge.
4. Employment Impact: The reduction in coal use will lead to job losses, not just directly in mining but also indirectly through associated services and industries, affecting numerous livelihoods.
5. Stranded Assets: Transitioning from thermal power to renewable energy will lead to stranded assets, where investments in thermal power become redundant, further complicating the financial challenges of the green transition.

How Can India Address These Challenges?

1. Rationalizing GST: Adjusting the Goods and Services Tax (GST) is a potential strategy, but it requires significant negotiations between the central government and the states to find a balance that does not compromise state revenue autonomy.
2. Implementing Carbon and Road Use Taxes: Introducing carbon taxes could accelerate the transition from fossil fuels and alleviate immediate revenue issues. Additionally, road use taxes offer a straightforward method that might align better with the goal of maintaining state autonomy.
3. Reducing Non-Productive Expenditure: While challenging, cutting down on non-essential government spending could free up funds for more critical areas impacted by the transition.
4. Enhancing PSE Roles in Renewable Energy: Encouraging Public Sector Enterprises (PSEs) that are currently involved in fossil fuels to participate in the renewable energy sector could align their interests with the transition goals, helping to mitigate revenue losses.

Question for practice:

Examine how India’s shift from fossil fuels to green energy impacts government revenues and state financial autonomy

Implication of Chinese stealth fighters for India

Source-This post on Implication of Chinese stealth fighters for India has been created based on the article “What do Chinese stealth fighters on a Tibetan base mean for India” published in “The Indian Express” on 2 July 2024.

UPSC Syllabus-GS Paper-3- Security Challenges and their Management in Border Areas

Context– A recent satellite image showed China’s J20 Mighty Dragon stealth fighters and J10 Vigorous Dragon fighters at Tibet’s Shigatse air base. This has led to discussions and comparisons with India’s 4.5 generation Rafale fighters.

The IAF’s core fleet of fourth-generation fighters like Su30s, MiG29s, and Mirage 2000s, plus two squadrons of 4.5 generation Rafale fighters, gives it an advantage that China is striving to neutralize. The article stresses the importance of India maintaining its air power advantage to strengthen its military capability and deterrence.

What are the challenges with India’s air defense capabilities?

1) Slow Response-The IAF’s combat air power is declining, but the government’s response to address this critical issue has been slow.

2) Insufficient Air Power -India has a large hostile borders and extensive sovereign airspace. Hence, two squadrons of 4.5 generation Rafales are inadequate to meet both current and future security requirements.

3) AMCA vs China’s Sixth-Gen Fighters -India’s delayed fifth-generation fighter, the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA), won’t be operational for another decade. By this time, China would have developed its sixth-generation fighters.

4) Obsolescence Risk -Upgraded MiG29, Mirage 2000, and Jaguar fleets will become obsolete before the AMCA is ready. This will further deplete India’s high-end platform inventory.

5) Delayed Induction of Tejas and AMCA -By the time Tejas Mk 1A, Mk 2, and AMCA are fully operational, China could irreversibly alter the air power and military balance in the region in its favor.

Read More- Indigenisation of Defence Sector

What are its Strategic Implications for India?

1) China’s Growing Airborne Capabilities– The deployment includes various types of aircraft and a KJ 500 early warning aircraft. This demonstrates China’s growing ability to carry out extensive and intricate missions across significant distances.

3) Buffer Zones-Creation of buffer zones in disputed areas could set a precedent for aerial buffer zones. This could strategically restrict Indian Air Force (IAF) presence and operations in the region.

4)  No Fly Zone-Forward airstrips and sovereign air spaces over disputed areas may become “no-fly zones” for Indian aircraft. This can impact intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, and logistics operations.

What should be the way forward?

1) There is an urgent need to fulfill the Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft (MRFA) requirement to strengthen the inventory of 4.5-generation fighters.

2) India should consider bilateral partnership with France for additional jointly produced Rafales in India. This will ensure-

A) It ensures steady and stable induction from a reliable partner.

B) The partnership ensures greater platform commonality and future upgrades for platforms and weapons.

C) It includes technology transfer access for future 4.5 generation-plus variants and engine development for the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA).

D) This partnership helps balance the inventory and reduces dependence on Russia.

E) It prevents reliance on a volatile US military industry and promotes indigenous defense production.

Question for practice

What are the difficulties India faces in its air defense capabilities, and what strategic implications do they hold for the country?

Prelims Oriented Articles (Factly)

Project Nexus of RBI

Source-This post on Project Nexus of RBI  has been created based on the article “What is Project Nexus that RBI has signed up for?” published in “The Indian Express” on 2 July 2024.

Why in the news?

Recently, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has joined Project Nexus. It is to expand the international reach of India’s Unified Payments Interface (UPI). This involvement aims to facilitate instant cross-border Person to Person (P2P) and Person to Merchant (P2M) payments.

About Project Nexus

1) About: It is a multilateral international initiative to enable instant cross-border retail payments by interlinking domestic Fast Payments Systems (FPSs).

2) Initiated by: Project Nexus is conceptualised by the Innovation Hub of the Bank for International Settlements (BIS).

3) Goal: Its goal is to enable instant cross-border retail payments by interlinking domestic Fast Payment Systems (FPSs) globally.

4) It is the first BIS Innovation Hub project in the payments area to move towards live implementation.

5) Objective: The project aims to standardize the way Instant Payment Systems (IPS) connect to each other. This avoids the need for payment system operators to build custom connections for each new country, simplifying the process.

6) Founding Members: The founding members include Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and India. Indonesia will also join the Nexus platform.

These countries signed an agreement with BIS on June 30, 2024, in Basel, Switzerland.

Key Features and Benefits

i) Instant Cross-Border Payments: Nexus allows cross-border payments to be completed within 60 seconds in most cases. It enhances the speed and efficiency of international payments.

ii) Single Connection Platform: Operators can connect to the Nexus platform once, gaining access to all other countries on the network. This single connection significantly accelerates the growth of instant cross-border payments.

UPSC Syllabus: Indian Economy 

World’s first brain implant

Source-This post on World’s first brain implant has been created based on the article “How the world’s first brain implant to control epileptic seizures works” published in “The Indian Express” on 2 July 2024.

Why in the news?

Recently, a UK-based teenager became the first person to receive a brain implant designed to control epileptic seizures.

How Does the Brain Implant Work?

1. A neurostimulator is used which is an implantable device that delivers mild electrical pulses to nerves.

2. This neurostimulator delivers constant electrical impulses to the brain to disrupt or block abnormal seizure-causing signals. It is surgically implanted in the skull.

3. Two electrodes are inserted deep into the brain to reach the thalamus, connected to the neurostimulator. The device can be recharged wirelessly.

About Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS)

1) Deep brain stimulation (DBS) involves implanting electrodes within areas of the brain.

2) DBS is used for movement disorders like Parkinson’s disease and other neurological conditions.

3) It has been used for nearly a decade in treating epilepsy. Traditionally such devices were placed in the chest with wires running to the brain.

Treatment for Epilepsy

1) First Line of Treatment: Doctors initially use anti-seizure medications and a ketogenic diet, which is high in fats and low in carbohydrates, known to reduce seizures.

2) Surgical Options: If medications and diet do not work, brain surgery may be performed to remove the seizure-originating part of the brain.

3) Corpus callosotomy: It is a surgery to remove the part connecting both brain halves. This may be suggested for children to prevent abnormal electrical signals from spreading.

Comparison of Surgery vs. DBS Device

1. Surgery is preferred over DBS devices as it can reduce seizures by nearly 90%, compared to about 40% reduction by DBS devices.

2. DBS is recommended for patients with seizures originating from multiple brain parts or when other treatments fail.

About Epilepsy

1) Epilepsy is a condition that leads to recurring seizures.

2) Caused by: It is caused by abnormal electrical activity in the brain.

3) Symptoms: It include jerking of arms and legs, temporary confusion, staring spells, or stiff muscles.

4) Causes: Approximately 50% of epilepsy cases have no identifiable cause. Possible causes include head trauma, brain tumors, infections like meningitis, and genetic factors. Epilepsy can increase the risk of accidents, drownings, and falls.

UPSC Syllabus: Science and technology

Minami-Torishima Island

Source-This post on Minami-Torishima Island has been created based on the article “Japan found enough minerals off a remote Pacific island to fuel its EV plans for over a decade” published in “Business Standard” on 25 June 2024.

Why in the news?

Researchers recently discovered around 230 million metric tons of minerals crucial for making electric car batteries on the seabed off Minami-Torishima Island.

About Minami-Torishima Island

Aspects	Description
About	1. Minami-Torishima Island, also known as Marcus Island, is an isolated Japanese coral atoll in the northwestern Pacific Ocean. 2. It is the easternmost territory belonging to Japan and the only Japanese territory on the Pacific Plate, past the Japan Trench. 3.The island lies 1,950 km southeast of central Tokyo.
Geography	1. The shape of the island is close to an equilateral triangle. 2. Minami-Torishima Island is formed by a raised coral reef. The terrain is flat, with a maximum altitude of 9 meters.
Climate	The island is located in the transitional zone between tropical and subtropical climates. It has an oceanic climate with an average annual temperature of around 25.6 °C.
Economic Zone	The exclusive economic zone based on the baseline of Minami-Torishima Island covers approximately 430,000 km², which is larger than Japan’s land area.

UPSC Syllabus: World Geography

Global IndiaAI Summit 2024

Source-This post on Global IndiaAI Summit 2024 has been created based on the article “Global IndiaAI Summit 2024 being organized with a commitment to advance responsible development, deployment and adoption of AI in the country ” published in “The Indian Express” on 2 July 2024.

Why in the news?

The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology is organizing the ‘Global IndiaAI Summit’. This summit highlights India’s commitment to the ethical and inclusive growth of AI technologies.

About Global IndiaAI Summit 2024

1. Hosted by: The Global IndiaAI Summit 2024 hosted by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology.

2. Duration: It will take place on July 3rd and 4th in New Delhi.

3. Key Objectives

i) Foster Collaboration: Bringing together global AI experts from various fields including science, industry, civil society, governments, international organizations, and academia.

ii) Knowledge Exchange: Sharing insights on key AI issues and challenges.

iii) Promote Ethical AI: Emphasizing responsible AI development and deployment.

4. India’s Role: India will host member countries and experts from the Global Partnership on Artificial Intelligence (GPAI) to promote safe, secure, and trustworthy AI.

5. IndiaAI  Pillars and Focus Areas: The IndiaAI Mission aims to build a robust AI ecosystem in India, focusing on seven key pillars:

i) IndiaAI Compute Capacity: This pillar focuses on establishing a scalable AI computing ecosystem with over 10,000 GPUs through public-private partnerships. An AI marketplace will provide AI as a service and pre-trained models, acting as a central hub for essential AI resources.

ii) IndiaAI Innovation Centre: Dedicated to developing and deploying indigenous large multimodal models (LMMs) and domain-specific foundational models, this center aims to cater to the unique needs of India’s diverse industries and sectors.

iii) IndiaAI Datasets Platform: This platform aims to streamline access to high-quality non-personal datasets for AI innovation. A unified data platform will provide seamless access for Indian startups and researchers, aiding in the development of robust AI models.

iv) IndiaAI Application Development Initiative: This initiative promotes AI applications in critical sectors by addressing problem statements from Central Ministries, State Departments, and other institutions. It focuses on developing impactful AI solutions for large-scale socio-economic transformation.

v) IndiaAI FutureSkills: By reducing barriers to AI education, this pillar aims to increase AI courses at various academic levels and establish Data and AI Labs in Tier 2 and 3 cities, ensuring a steady pipeline of skilled AI professionals nationwide.

vi) IndiaAI Startup Financing: This pillar supports deep-tech AI startups with streamlined access to funding. By providing risk capital and financial support, the mission aims to nurture a vibrant ecosystem of AI startups driving technological advancements and economic growth.

vii) Safe & Trusted AI: This pillar ensures responsible AI development by implementing Responsible AI projects, developing indigenous tools and frameworks, and establishing guidelines for ethical, transparent, and trustworthy AI technologies.

UPSC Syllabus: Science and technology

Snowblind Malware

Source-This post on Snowblind Malware has been created based on the article “Snowblind malware uses an Android security feature to bypass security” published in “The Indian Express” on 1 July 2024.

Why in the news?

Recently it has found that a new banking malware called ‘Snowblind’ is targeting Android users to steal banking credentials.

About Snowblind Malware

1. About: Snowblind is a new type of Android banking malware designed to steal banking credentials by bypassing security features.

2. Key Features:

i) Snowblind uses a built-in Android security feature to bypass anti-tamper mechanisms.

ii) This malware repackages apps to avoid detection of accessibility features that can extract sensitive information like login credentials and gain remote access to the app.

iii) Snowblind exploits a feature called ‘seccomp’, which stands for ‘secure computing’ and is part of the Linux kernel and Android OS.

iv) It injects code that loads before seccomp initializes anti-tampering measures, allowing the malware to bypass security mechanisms and utilize accessibility services.

v) Snowblind can remotely view the victim’s screen by using accessibility services.

vi) It can disable biometric and two-factor authentication, which are commonly used security features in banking apps to prevent unauthorized access.

vii) Snowblind typically infects users who install apps from untrusted sources.

viii) The malware is mostly active in Southeast Asia, although the exact number of affected devices is unknown.

3. Security Implications Snowblind poses a significant threat to banking app users by circumventing advanced security measures.

4. Users are advised to avoid installing apps from untrusted sources and to remain vigilant about app permissions and behaviors.

UPSC Syllabus: Science and technology

European Council

Source-This post on European Council has been created based on the article “Prime Minister congratulates H.E António Costa on being elected as President of the European Council” published in “PIB” on 28 June 2024.

Why in the news?

The Prime Minister of India recently congratulated H.E António Costa on being elected as the next President of the European Council.

About the European Council

Aspects	Description
About	1. The European Council is the European Union’s institution responsible for defining the general political direction and priorities of the EU. 2. The European Council is headquartered in Brussels, Belgium.
Background	1. It was created in 1974 as an informal forum for discussion among heads of state or government of the EU member states. 2. It acquired formal status and role under the Treaty of Maastricht to provide impetus and general political guidelines for the EU.
Members	1. It comprises the heads of state or government of the 27 EU member states. 2. It includes the President of the European Council and the President of the European Commission.
Meetings	1.Typically convenes four times a year. 2. The President can call additional meetings to address urgent issues.
Decision-Making	1. They generally decide issues by consensus. 2. In certain cases, decisions are made by unanimity or qualified majority. 3. Only heads of state or government have the right to vote.
Functions	1. It determines the EU’s overall direction and political priorities but does not pass laws. 2. It addresses complex or sensitive issues that cannot be resolved at lower levels of intergovernmental cooperation. 3. It nominates and appoints candidates to high-profile EU-level roles, such as those in the European Central Bank (ECB) and the European Commission. 4. It sets the EU’s common foreign and security policy, considering EU strategic interests and defense implications.

UPSC Syllabus: International Organisation