9 PM UPSC Current Affairs Articles 4 April, 2024

Mains Oriented Articles

GS PAPER - 1

Falling Fertility Rate in India – Blessing in disguise for India

Source – This post on Falling Fertility Rate in India – Blessing in disguise for India has been created based on the article “India’s fall in fertility rate may be a boon in disguise” published in “The Indian Express” on 4 April 2024.

UPSC Syllabus – GS Paper 1 – Society – Population and Associated Issues

Context – The Lancet has recently released a report where it estimated that the Total Fertility Rate (TFR) for India will go down to 1.29 by 2051. This estimate is based on a complex demographic modelling that was done for 204 countries as part of the global burden of disease study.

The TFR used for projecting the population by the government’s technical group is 1.94 for the period 2021-2025 and declining to only 1.73 during 2031-2035. Further, as per UN Population Division, India will have a population of close to 1.7 billion by 2065, before it starts declining. These predictions are higher than those given by the study in The Lancet.  All these imply that India’s population may stabilize below the 1.7 billion mark much before 2065.

What are the reasons for demographic transition in India?

There are several factors that have triggered a demographic transition in India such as-

1) There has been the rapid pace of economic development in India in past 2 decades.

2) There has been a significant reduction in infant and child mortality rates. It has reduced the need to have a large family for old age support.

3) Participation of women in workforce has increased due to improvement in education level.

4)The old-age security system and improvement in housing conditions have also contributed to demographic transition in India.

What is the significance of falling fertility rate for India?

1) Accelerated economic growth- With declining fertility rate, there will be a fall in the dependency rate and a larger share of working adults in the population. This will generate surplus income, which can enhance the pace of economic growth and lead to positive intergenerational transfers.

2) Improved labor productivity–

A) The decline in population growth would increase the amount of capital resources and infrastructure available in per capita terms.

B) The reduction in fertility rate would permit the relocation of resources for the education and skill development of children. A young skilled workforce would improve labor productivity.

C) Declining fertility rate will change the age distribution of the population. There would be an increase in the fraction of the labor force in the population.

3) Improvement in quality of education-With falling fertility rate, there would be a decline in the number of children enrolling in schools. This may improve educational outcomes as there will be more resources and infrastructure availability per capita.

4) Enhanced participation of women in workforce-Women are engaged in childcare at a productive period of their life. With declining fertility rate, there will be less time needed for childcare which may enhance the participation of women in workforce. For ex-improved share of women in MNREGA employment in the southern states.

5) Redistribution of workforce-Industrially developed states like southern states, and Gujarat and Maharashtra that have low fertility rates, can get cheaper labor from the northern states. This may result in improved working conditions, elimination of wage discrimination for migrant workers and the mitigation of security concerns in the receiving states through institutional safeguards.

What are the negative implications of declining fertility rate?

Read more- Young and the old – lancet report on fertility rate

India must accept the challenges of declining fertility rates and optimize the opportunity if it comes a bit ahead of the predicted time.

Question for practice

How can falling fertility rate prove to be blessing in disguise for India?

GS PAPER - 2

Patanjali Case-Misleading advertisements

Source-This post on Patanjali Case-Misleading advertisements has been created based on the articles “Dangerous game-Commercial interest should not be allowed to override public health, safety” and Express View on Court’s warning to Ramdev: No free pass” published in “The Hindu” and “The Indian Express” on 4 April respectively.

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

Context– The Supreme Court has recently admonished Patanjali Ayurved for making deceptive claims. In the past, the company has not been adequately penalized for its irresponsible campaigns against the allopathic system.

What is the reason for popularity of Ayurvedic drugs?

1) Lifestyle Diseases-Due to rise in lifestyle related diseases, there has been a greater degree of focus on interventions like dietary management, toxin removal and herbal therapies.

2) Endorsement by the governments-Successive governments have taken steps to promote such healing systems in the last two decades. The present government has promoted yoga, provided Jan Aushadi stores with ayurvedic medicines, and merged the regulation of unani, ayurvedic, homoeopathy, yoga and siddha systems into a single ministry, AYUSH.

What are the issues with misleading and deceptive advertisements?

This article has already been comprehensively covered in the last article. Click here to read it.

NATO responding to global security issues: Nato@75: The transatlantic alliance seeks a global role

Source: The post NATO responding to global security issues has been created, based on the article “Nato@75: The transatlantic alliance seeks a global role” published in “Business standard” on 4th April 2024.

UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper 2 – International Relations – Important International institutions, agencies and fora, their structure, mandate.

News: This article discusses NATO’s 75th anniversary and its expansion, with new members from Europe due to concerns about Russia. It also talks about NATO’s global reach and challenges, including funding and differing member interests, especially considering a potential Trump presidency in the US.

For details information on NATO read Article 1, Article 2, Article 3

What is NATO’s current situation?

NATO turns 75: The North Atlantic Treaty Organization marks its 75th anniversary.

Membership growth: Grown to 32 members, including recent additions of Finland and Sweden.

Influence of Ukraine conflict: Putin’s invasion of Ukraine has driven Eastern European countries toward NATO for security.

Global Reach: Extending influence into the Indo-Pacific region, addressing challenges like China’s rise.

What challenges does NATO face?

Expansion Tensions: NATO’s eastward expansion, including Baltic states and countries like Finland and Sweden, provokes Russia, fueling geopolitical tensions.

Internal Disagreements: Different member countries have conflicting interests and approaches, creating challenges in unified decision-making.

Funding Concerns: Issues with member nations contributing sufficient funds to NATO, a point of contention, especially with a potential Trump presidency, who questions the principle of mutual defense unless members increase funding.

How is NATO responding to global security issues?

Expansion in Response to Russia: NATO has added new members like Finland and Sweden, driven by concerns over Russian aggression, especially post-Ukraine invasion.

Global Reach Beyond Europe: The alliance is extending its focus to the Indo-Pacific region, confronting challenges like China’s rise.

Diverse Global Partnerships: NATO is working with partners globally, including countries like Australia, Japan, and South Korea, acknowledging their significance in regional security.

Financial Commitment to Defense: Planning a substantial $100 billion aid package for Ukraine, demonstrating its commitment to support nations facing security threats.

Question for practice:

Discuss NATO’s current situation, challenges, and response to global security issues.

Major issues with the WTO: A requiem for the WTO

Source: The post major issues with the WTO has been created, based on the article “A requiem for the WTO” published in “Business standard” on 4th April 2024.

UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper 2- Bilateral, Regional and Global Groupings and Agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests.

News: The article discusses challenges facing the World Trade Organization (WTO), including issues with China’s trade practices, dispute settlement problems, and rising protectionism. It also mentions the shift in global trade dynamics, the impact of regional agreements, and India’s role in world trade.

What are the major issues with the WTO?

Main Challenges:

China’s Designation: China continues to be classified as a “developing economy” despite being a major global trader. This status is a point of contention.

Unfair Trade Practices: China’s use of state-owned enterprises with subsidies is viewed as giving it an unfair advantage in global trade.

Rising Protectionism: There’s a global trend towards protectionism, impacting the effectiveness of the WTO.

Dispute Settlement System:

Appellate Body Dysfunction: The WTO’s appellate body, crucial for resolving trade disputes, is not functioning properly due to the U.S. blocking appointments.

Alternative Mechanisms: The creation of the Multi-Party Interim Appeal Arbitration Agreement (MPIA) as an alternative dispute resolution mechanism highlights the WTO’s struggles. However, MPIA’s decisions aren’t binding for non-participants, illustrating limitations in resolving global trade disputes.

Impact of New Technologies and Current Events:

Technology’s Uncertain Impact: The potential effects of AI on service trade are still unclear.

Global Events Disrupting Trade: COVID-19 and the Ukraine war have led to supply chain disruptions, influencing a shift towards localized production and affecting commodity trade, such as the ongoing trade in Russian oil despite sanctions.

How has global trade evolved after the global financial crisis?

Doubling of Trade Volumes: Prior to the 2008 financial crisis, global trade volumes more than doubled, and global tariffs decreased.

Rise of Regional Agreements: Post-crisis, agreements like the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) and the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) gained prominence.

Shift in Global Trade Dynamics: The U.S. and China are creating distinct trade spheres yet continue to trade with each other.

Changes in Manufacturing: There’s a trend of manufacturing moving away from richer countries and premature de-industrialization in developing countries, including India.

‘Slowbalisation’: A revival in trade, especially in services, post-2020 but at a slower pace compared to the pre-crisis era.

What was the outcome of the recent WTO Ministerial Conferences?

For information on 13th WTO Ministerial Conferences read Article 1, Article 2

What role does India play in global trade?

Growing Export Share: India’s share in world exports increased from 0.5% in 1990 to 2.5% in 2022, with a projection to reach about 4% by 2030.

Services Export Growth: Approximately half of India’s future exports are expected to be in the rapidly growing services sector.

Protection of Developing World Interests: India views itself as a defender of the interests of developing countries in the global trade arena.

Balancing Protectionism and Open Trade: Despite a growing domestic protectionist lobby, India’s long-term interests align with a more open global trading system.

Exploring Free-Trade Agreements: India is considering free-trade agreements with major economies like the UK, EU, and potentially the US, to enhance its trade prospects.

Question for practice:

Examine the major challenges facing the World Trade Organization (WTO) and how global trade dynamics have evolved after the global financial crisis.

Living wills –A dignified way to death

Source – This post on Living wills –A dignified way to death has been created based on the article “Living wills implementation lags in India” published in “The Hindu” on 3 April 2024.

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

Context – Recently, 30 people in Thrissur in Kerala have executed living wills. The Supreme Court has legalized living wills since 2018 to allow terminally ill patients, with no hope of a cure or recovery, to withdraw treatment and die with dignity.

What is a living will?

It is a legal document that outlines preferences for medical treatment for terminally ill patients who are unable to communicate their decisions, particularly regarding life-sustaining measures and end-of-life care.

What is the existing procedure for executing living will?

1) Streamlined procedure– The Supreme Court has streamlined the procedure to overcome the challenges posed by previously recommended complicated procedure-

A) Under this, living wills must be handed over to a “competent officer” in the local government after being signed in the presence of two witnesses and attested before a notary or a gazette officer. The competent officer will serve as a custodian of living will.

B) If the patient is terminally ill and can’t make decisions anymore, the doctor will check the living will either against the copy kept by the custodian or against digital health records of concerned patients.

2) Certification by medical board-The decisions on withholding or withdrawing treatment are certified first by a primary medical board and then confirmed by a secondary medical board. The secondary board should have a doctor who is nominated by the chief medical officer.
Further, as per the Supreme Court, if the patient does not have a living will then the primary medical board will have to obtain the written consent of the ‘next of kin’ for withdrawing/withholding treatment.

What are the issues in the implementation of living will in India?

1) Lack of custodians for living wills- State governments have not designated custodians for living wills. For ex- a public interest litigation had to be filed in the High Court of Bombay to appoint custodians across the State recently.

2) Absence of protocol- The National Health Authority has not produced protocols that could allow living wills to be authenticated through digital health records.

3) Complicated Procedure-As per guidelines, the secondary board must have a doctor nominated by the chief medical officer. This implies that hospitals cannot have secondary medical boards unless the chief medical officer has nominated a doctor in the hospital where the concerned patient is admitted. Therefore, terminally ill patients, even those who have made living wills, are not able to make critical decisions about medical care

4) Ambiguous guidelines– Indian law does not have a clear definition for ‘next of kin’. Further, there is lack of clarity when any family members disagree about the best course of action. Due to all this, officials will refrain from taking decisions on such a sensitive subject.

5) Lack of state government willingness– This area is complex and requires attention from medical and legal experts, therefore state governments are reluctant to implement it with determination.

Read more- Apex court allows ‘living will’ for terminally ill

What should be the way forward?

The Central government can bridge the gap in expertise by developing and publishing model orders and protocols. These protocols can provide the State governments with the necessary confidence and the guidance to effectively implement the Supreme court judgment.

Question for practice

What are the impediments in the smooth implementation of living will in India?

GS PAPER - 3

Finding of the India Employment Report (IER) 2024: Turning the spotlight on the urban poor

Source: The post finding of the India Employment Report (IER) 2024 has been created, based on the article “Turning the spotlight on the urban poor” published in “The Hindu” on 4th April 2024.

UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper 3- Economy- Employment

News: The India Employment Report (IER) 2024 raises concerns about whether the working class is actually benefiting from economic growth. It highlights a trend of increasing low-paid, casual jobs and a decrease in better-paying employment in urban areas, exacerbating poverty among the urban poor.

What are the major findings of the India Employment Report (IER) 2024?

The major findings of the India Employment Report (IER) 2024 are:

Economic Growth and Benefit Distribution: Economic growth of 5.4% from 2015-16 to 2022-23 raised questions about its benefits reaching the working class.

Urban-Rural Disparities in Employment and Wages: Urban areas saw a higher unemployment rate at 4.8% in 2000, compared to 1.5% in rural areas. Despite higher urban unemployment, urban wages were notably higher: 76% more for the self-employed, 44% more for regular employees, and 22% more for casual labor in 2022.

Changing Migration Trends:  The report indicates a shift in migration patterns, with overall migration increasing but male migration slightly decreasing from 2000-08 and further in 2021.

Urban Poverty and Migration: Rural-to-urban migration led many to settle in slums, highlighting the need to analyze income and employment trends in these areas to understand economic mobility prospects for the urban poor.

Women in the workforce: The number of women in the workforce has dropped in slums but increased overall in urban areas. The study shows that casual labor wages have increased, but these jobs often lack security and benefits.

For more information read here

Question for practice:

Discuss the implications of the findings presented in the India Employment Report (IER) 2024 regarding the distribution of economic benefits, urban-rural employment disparities, changing migration trends, urban poverty, and the status of women in the workforce.

India should target per capita, not aggregate GDP: Path to Viksit Bharat

Source: The post India should target per capita, not aggregate, GDP has been created, based on the article “Path to Viksit Bharat” published in “Indian express” on 4th April 2024.

UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper 3-Indian economy- growth and development

News: The article compares the economic growth of China and India from 1990 to 2022. It discusses China’s rapid GDP growth, surpassing the US and its potential to become the world’s largest economy. It also covers India’s slower growth and its status as an emerging economy.

How have China and India’s economies grown since 1990?

In 1990, China’s GDP, reflecting all goods and services produced within the country, was just 23% higher than India’s.

Back then, China and India ranked as the world’s 11th and 12th largest economies, with nominal GDPs of $395 billion and $321 billion, respectively.

Fast forward to 2022, the economic gap widened significantly, with China’s economy becoming 5.3 times larger than India’s.

China’s economy grew at a faster pace, averaging 10% in the 1990s and 10.4% in the 2000s, compared to India’s growth of 5.8% in the 1990s and 6.3% in the 2000s.

By 2010, China’s GDP had grown to $6.1 trillion, 15.4 times its 1990 level, while India’s GDP reached $1.7 trillion, only 5.2 times its 1990 level.

China’s per capita GDP in 2022 was $12,720, near the high-income threshold. India’s was $2,411, in the lower-middle income range.

By 2022, China’s economy size ($18 trillion) surpassed the US’s 2014 level, whereas India, with a GDP of $3.4 trillion, resembled China’s economy in 2007.

Source:

Why should India target per capita, not aggregate GDP?

Standard of Living vs. Global Influence: While Monaco, Liechtenstein, and Bermuda have high per capita GDPs, they are not superpowers. This shows that high per capita income doesn’t always correlate with global power, but it does indicate better living standards for citizens.

India’s Large Population: Given its massive population, India’s per capita GDP is more crucial for reflecting individual prosperity than aggregate GDP.

Economic and Demographic Balance: India, being a lower-middle-income country, should balance improving its per capita GDP, like China (which increased its per capita GDP from $348 to $12,720), and enhancing overall economic size.

Long-term Development Goals: For sustainable development, India should aim for higher per capita GDP to ensure widespread prosperity, aligning with its goal of becoming a developed nation by 2047.

Question for practice:

Examine why India should prioritize per capita GDP over aggregate GDP growth, considering its economic trajectory compared to China’s and its long-term development goals.

Indias water crisis- Need a well-integrated action plan

Source-This post on Indias water crisis- Need a well-integrated action plan has been created based on the article “Solving India’s water crisis calls for a well-integrated action plan” published in “Live Mint” on 4 April 2024.

UPSC Syllabus-GS Paper-3– Conservation, Environmental Pollution and Degradation, Environmental Impact Assessment.

Context– There has been an acute water crisis in several states of the country particularly in the southern Indian states. Due to developmental work, there has been a rise in water pollution in India which can cause water related health issue.
As per the 2013 World Bank report, health costs relating to water pollution was about ₹47,000-61,000 crore. These costs today are likely to be much higher.

What are some important facts about water availibility,distribution and pollution in India?

1) India has 18% of the world’s population with only 4% of its water resources. This implies that India is inherently a water-stressed country.

2) 70% of Indias surface water is unfit for consumption and over 40 million litres of wastewater flow into its rivers and water bodies.

Read more- Bengaluru water crisis

What are the findings of India’s first census of water bodies?

It documents the miserable state of water bodies in India—in terms of location, state of fullness and beneficiary population.
India has around 97% of its water bodies in rural areas with reservoirs making up a mere 12%.

What are the issues with Indias water body census?

1) Coverage-It has not covered issues of available capacity after considering siltation and ageing. Further, it does not give much attention to issues of adequacy, accessibility, vulnerability to rainfall patterns, or water quality

2) Over-emphasis on ground water– Since nearly 60% of irrigated agriculture and 85% of drinking water supplies are dependent on groundwater, the water census gives too much attention to it.

What should be the way forward?

1) Leveraging role of IT industry–

A) The World Economic Forum has highlighted the need to deploy real-time sensor technology for high-resolution monitoring of the quantity and quality of water bodies.

B) Machine learning models can be used to predict impacts and outcomes of rainfall and waste-water flows. The information gathered can be used for policy and strategy development in a holistic manner.

2) Sustainable Approach-There is a need to adopt science-based approaches to natural resource management and address sustainability challenges in an integrated manner by re-prioritizing public investment in the water sector.

Question for practice

What are the issues with Indias water body census? What steps can be taken to comprehensively address Indias water crisis?

Prelims Oriented Articles (Factly)

Pacific ‘Ring of Fire’

Source-This post on Pacific ‘Ring of Fire’ is based on the article “Massive earthquake hits Taiwan: What is the Ring of Fire?” published in “The Indian Express” on 4th April 2024.

Why in the News?

Recently, a massive earthquake hit Taiwan, resulting in the loss of many lives. Taiwan is prone to earthquakes because it lies along the Pacific “Ring of Fire,” where 90% of the world’s earthquakes take place.

What is Pacific ‘Ring of Fire’?

1. The Ring of Fire, also known as the Circum-Pacific Belt, is a chain of numerous volcanoes and earthquake–prone areas that stretches along the Pacific Ocean.

2. It forms a horseshoe-shaped semicircle, spanning approximately 40,250 kilometres in length.

3. The Ring of Fire marks the borders between multiple tectonic plates such as the Pacific, Juan de Fuca, Cocos, Indian-Australian, Nazca, North American, and Philippine Plates.

4. It passes through 15 additional countries, including the USA, Indonesia, Mexico, Japan, Canada, Guatemala, Russia, Chile, Peru, and the Philippines.

Features of Ring of Fire

1. Active volcanoes:

a. Volcanoes in the Ring of Fire are caused by the movement of tectonic plates, often through a process called subduction. This occurs when two plates collide, with the heavier one being pushed beneath the other, resulting in the formation of deep trenches.
b. The Ring of Fire hosts over 450 active and inactive volcanoes, making up 75% of the Earth’s total volcanoes. These volcanoes form a semicircle or horseshoe shape around the Pacific Ocean rim.
c. The majority of active volcanoes along the Ring of Fire are located on its western side, spanning from Russia to New Zealand.

2. Earthquakes:
a. The Ring of Fire experiences frequent earthquakes because the tectonic plates continuously slide past, collide with, or move above or below each other.
b. 90% of earthquakes happen along the Ring of Fire, including some of the most powerful ones. For example- The Valdivia Earthquake in Chile in 1960, which measured 9.5 on the Richter scale, holds the record as the strongest earthquake ever recorded.

3. Trenches:
a. The Ring of Fire includes the Mariana Trench, the deepest ocean trench, which reaches a depth of 7 miles.
b. Other trenches in the area include the Philippine Trench, Challenger Trench, Kuril-Kamchatka Trench, Peru-Chile Trench, and Tonga Trench.

UPSC Syllabus- Geography in news

Punnett square

Source-This post on Punnett square is based on the article “Punnett square: A genetics puzzle” published in “The Hindu” on 1st April 2024.

Why in the News?

This article explains Punnett squares, which predict the genetic combinations of offspring from two individuals with known genotypes.

About Punnett square

1. The name “Punnett Square” originates from the British geneticist Reginald Punnett who devised the approach in 1905.

2. Biologists use this diagram to figure out the chance of an offspring having a specific genotype.

How does it work?

1. The potential genetic traits of one parent listed on one side, and the traits of the other parent listed on the other side.

2. Each square is filled by combining the traits from each parent. Each square represents a potential combination of traits that their offspring might inherit.

3. It provides a straightforward method for visualizing the likelihood of various traits appearing in the offspring.

Applications

1. It finds frequent applications in biology to understand inheritance patterns, such as the study of dominant and recessive genes typically encountered in school settings.

2. This valuable tool aids in forecasting the potential variations and probabilities arising from crossbreeding.

UPSC Syllabus- Science & Technology

White Rabbit Collaboration

Source-This post on White Rabbit Collaboration is based on the article “CERN launches the White Rabbit Collaboration” published in “CERN” on 22nd March 2024.

Why in the News?

Recently, the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN) launched the White Rabbit Collaboration.

What is White Rabbit (WR)?

1. About:
a. It is a technology created at CERN, with input from various institutes and companies, to precisely synchronize devices in accelerators to sub-nanosecond accuracy. It addresses the challenge of establishing a unified time standard across a network.
b. Originally introduced in 2012, this fully open-source technology has rapidly expanded beyond the realm of particle physics.

2. Features:
a. White Rabbit enables sub-nanosecond accuracy within Ethernet-based networks.
b. These networks can be used solely for timing and synchronization in distributed electronic systems or for both timing and real-time data transfer.
c. One of the key features of White Rabbit is its open-source nature and adherence to standards.

3. Applications– White Rabbit is utilized in both the finance sector and various research facilities. It’s also being considered for potential use in the future quantum internet.

What is White Rabbit Collaboration?

1. About– It is a worldwide community that operates on a membership basis, aiming to uphold a high-performance open-source technology that meets user requirements and encourages its adoption by industry.

2. Significance– The WR Collaboration will offer specialized support and training. It will also promote joint R&D projects between organizations with shared interests and complementary skills, while creating a testing environment that builds confidence in products using the open-source technology.

UPSC Syllabus- Science & Technology

Mother of Dragons Comet

Source-This post on Mother of Dragons Comet is based on the article “‘Mother of Dragons’ comet visible in the skies. All you need to know” published in “India Today” on 1st April 2024.

Why in the News?

The “Mother of Dragons” comet, formally designated as Comet 12P/Pons-Brooks, is currently making a rare appearance in the skies of the Northern Hemisphere.

About Mother of Dragons Comet

1. Type– It is as a ‘Halley-type‘ comet, orbiting roughly every 71 years.

2. Naming– It is named by the European Space Agency (ESA).

3. Classification– It falls under the classification of a Jupiter-family comet. Its orbit is affected by the gravitational force of Jupiter.

4. Composition– It is made up of ice, dust, and rocky elements. When it approaches the Sun, the heat transforms the comet’s ice from solid to gas.

5. It’s Nearest approach to Earth will occur in June 2024.

Comet 1. Comets are cosmic bodies made mainly of ice, dust, and rocky material, travelling around the Sun in elongated, oval orbits. 2. Originating from the outer reaches of the solar system, they come from either the Kuiper Belt or the Oort Cloud.

UPSC Syllabus- Science & Technology 

US-UK agreement on AI safety testing

Source-This post on US-UK agreement on AI safety testing is based on the article “The US and the UK sign agreement on AI safety testing: What is the deal?” published in “The Indian Express” on 4th April 2024.

Why in the News?

The United States and the United Kingdom have recently signed an agreement to collaborate on creating tests for the most advanced artificial intelligence (AI) models. The agreement is following the commitments made at 2023 Bletchley Park AI Safety Summit.

What are the key details of the agreement?

1. Sharing of information:
a. Both countries will exchange important information regarding the abilities and risks of AI models and systems.
b. They will also exchange basic technical AI safety and security research and collaborate to ensure safe deployment of AI systems.

2. Joint Testing and Personnel Exchanges– They plan to conduct at least one collaborative testing exercise on a model accessible to the public. Additionally, they aim to leverage their combined expertise by considering personnel exchanges between the Institutes.

3. Collaboration with other countries– They have also pledged to establish comparable collaborations with other nations to advance global AI safety.

About Bletchley Park AI Safety Summit

1. The Bletchley Declaration, signed at the UK AI Safety Summit, focuses on AI safety and security risks.

2. It specifically addresses the potential dangers of advanced AI models, including issues related to public safety, privacy, and bias, highlighting the need for global action on AI risks.

Read more– Bletchley Declaration

UPSC Syllabus- International Relations

Shrimp farming in India

Source– This post on Shrimp farming in India is based on the article “India dismisses allegations of abusive conditions at shrimp farms” published in “The Hindu” on 4th April 2024.

Why in the News?

Recently, a human rights organization based in Chicago has accused India of human rights and environmental violations in the shrimp farming sector.

Shrimp farming Shrimp farming is the practice of cultivating shrimp in controlled environments such as ponds, tanks, or enclosures, typically in marine or freshwater settings. This is done through aquaculture methods to produce shrimp for human consumption.

About Shrimp Farming in India

1. Second Largest producer– India is the second-largest producer of Whiteleg Shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei).

2. Top Exporter to US- India has become one of the world’s top shrimp exporters. Its share in the U.S. market increasing from 21% to 40% in 2022-23.

3. Shrimp dominates seafood exports– In 2022-23, Out of the $8.09 billion exported seafood, shrimp’s share was $5.6 billion.

4. Top producing State- Andhra Pradesh alone account for almost 70% of India’s shrimp output.

UPSC Syllabus- Indian Economy (Agriculture)

Nuclear power is key to development-IIM Ahmedabad Study

Source-This post on Nuclear power is key to development-IIM Ahmedabad Study is based on the article “Nuclear power is key to development, says study” published in “The Hindu” on 4th April 2024.

Why in the News?

A recent study by academics at IIM Ahmedabad stated that India must prioritize investment in the energy sector and expand related infrastructure if it aims to become a developed nation by 2047 and achieve net zero emissions by 2070.

About the IIM Ahmedabad Study

1. Funded by– Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser and the Nuclear Power Corporation of India.

2. Methodology applied:
a. The authors used mathematical models to figure out how much energy from different sources would be needed by 2030 and 2050 to achieve net zero emissions by 2070.
b. They also considered scenarios where India’s population reaches a human development index similar to Western European countries and the cost of energy access decreases.

What are the key findings of the Study?

1. Their calculations revealed that in the best-case scenario, emissions in 2070 would decrease to 0.55 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide, achieving a ‘net zero’ outcome.

2. This would require nuclear power to increase five times from current levels to 30 gigawatts (GW) by 2030 and 265 GW by 2050.

3. Between 2020 and 2070, India would require approximately Rs.150-200 lakh crore to fund these transformations.

Note– Currently, according to the Central Electricity Authority, solar energy constitutes 16% of India’s installed generation capacity, while coal accounts for 49%. Meanwhile, nuclear energy only makes up 1.6%.

UPSC Syllabus- Reports & Indices