9 PM UPSC Current Affairs Articles 5th October, 2024

Dear Friends,
9 PM Brief is our prime initiatives for the preparation of current affairs. What we are providing in this initiative:
- Ensure that all relevant facts, data, and arguments from today’s newspaper are readily available to you.
- We have widened the sources to provide you with content that is more than enough and adds value not just for GS but also for essay writing.
It is our endeavor to provide you with the best content, and your feedback is essential for the same. We will be anticipating your feedback and ensure the blog serves as an optimal medium of learning for all the aspirants.
For previous editions of 9 PM Brief – Click Here
For individual articles of 9 PM Brief– Click Here
Download Factly and 9 PM Weekly Compilations | Arranged Subject-wise and Topic-wise |
Mains Oriented Articles
GS PAPER - 2
Problem with state government finances
Source: The post problem with state government finances has been created, based on the article “Should states that spend irresponsibly be penalised?” published in “Indian Express” on 5th October is 2024
UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper 2- Governance – issues related to federal structure
Context: The article discusses India’s state finances, highlighting how an implicit guarantee from the central government allows states to borrow without facing credit risks. It suggests that this arrangement encourages fiscal irresponsibility and questions whether stricter market pricing or new fiscal rules could improve the situation.
For detailed information on Fiscal Consolidation of state governments in India read this article here
How is state debt in India perceived?
- Implicit Union Guarantee: State government borrowings in India are perceived to be backed by an implicit guarantee from the Union government, making default highly unlikely.
- Auto-Debit Mechanism: This guarantee is executed through an auto-debit mechanism on state accounts (CAS Nagpur), ensuring timely payments.
- Uniform Bond Yields: Despite differing fiscal conditions, state bond yields show little variation. For instance, Gujarat has a lower debt-to-GSDP ratio and a revenue surplus, while Punjab and Himachal Pradesh face fiscal strain, yet all states borrow at similar rates.
- No Market Discipline: Stressed states don’t face higher interest rates, which would otherwise enforce fiscal discipline.
What is the problem with state government finances?
- TIPS (Tariffs, Interest, Pensions, Subsidies): Tariffs for electricity and water are minimal in many states, not reflecting actual costs. This adds strain on state revenues.
- Interest Payments: Interest on state debt consumes a significant share of state revenues. For many states, interest payments, pensions, and power subsidies account for over 70% of their own tax revenue.
- Pension Obligations: Pension liabilities are rising as some states return to older schemes, adding fiscal pressure.
- Subsidies: States frequently announce new subsidies. For example, Himachal Pradesh is reviewing its subsidies, while Punjab has sought a bailout.
- Borrowing for Consumption: Many states borrow to fund consumption instead of capital expenditure, leading to poor financial management.
What should be done?
- Introduce market-driven pricing for state debt: States like Himachal Pradesh, facing fiscal stress, should be subject to higher interest rates based on their financial position. This would incentivize fiscal discipline.
- Reevaluate the Union government’s implicit guarantee: The current system, where all states, regardless of fiscal health, borrow at similar rates, encourages irresponsible borrowing.
- Control expenditure: Many states, like Punjab and Himachal Pradesh, are borrowing not for capital investment but to cover consumption. States must reduce subsidies and control pension and interest costs, which consume over 70% of tax revenues.
- Learn from past bailouts: Bailouts, like the Uday scheme for power discoms, did not resolve underlying issues. Repeated bailouts without structural reforms will not lead to sustainable solutions.
- Adopt fiscal rules: The 16th Finance Commission should create differentiated fiscal rules to guide states based on their financial positions.
Question for practice:
Examine how the implicit guarantee from the Union government affects fiscal discipline and borrowing practices of state governments in India.
GS PAPER - 3
Rising temperatures have a stronger correlation with food inflation than rains
Source: The post rising temperatures have a stronger correlation with food inflation than rains has been created, based on the article “Why heat, not rain, matters more for inflation and rural demand” published in “Indian Express” on 5th October is 2024
UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper 3- Economy- inflation And Environment- climate change
Context: The article explains that rising temperatures are becoming a better predictor of food inflation in India than rainfall or reservoir levels. As temperatures increase, crop yields drop, leading to higher food prices and inflation, affecting both crops and animal products.
For detailed information on India’s food inflation read Article 1, Article 2
How do temperatures impact food inflation?
- Rising temperatures have a stronger correlation with food inflation than rains or reservoir levels in India.
- Higher temperatures lower crop yields, increasing food prices. For example, a temperature rise of 2.5-4.9°C could reduce wheat yields by 41-52% and rice yields by 32-40%.
- The March 2022 heatwave reduced the sugarcane yield by 30%, affecting prices of vegetables and oilseeds.
- Perishable crops like vegetables, harvested every 2-3 months, show a rising sensitivity to heat. Their price correlation with temperatures increased from 20% to 60% over a decade.
- Durable crops like cereals, less sensitive historically, now show a correlation rise from 10% to 45%.
- High temperatures also harm livestock, leading to higher prices for dairy, poultry, and fish products.
- Temperature data significantly improves food inflation forecasting.
What roles do reservoir levels and rains play compared to temperatures?
- Reservoir levels and rainfall are becoming less important in predicting food inflation compared to temperatures.
- With improved irrigation facilities, the impact of low rains has reduced, especially in north-western India, the country’s food bowl.
- Temperatures and reservoir levels have a 50% correlation, indicating that temperature data captures much of the information from reservoir levels.
- In food inflation models, when temperatures are included and the reservoir variable is removed, the model’s predictive power improves, increasing its R-squared value from 80% to 90%.
What’s the Current Outlook for Food Inflation?
- With temperatures cooling after a heatwave earlier in 2024, food inflation may decrease.
- If temperatures remain lower due to La Niña, inflation could drop to the RBI’s target of 4% by March 2025.
- However, rising temperatures could pose long-term challenges for inflation management.
Question for practice:
Evaluate how rising temperatures compared to rainfall and reservoir levels have become a more significant predictor of food inflation in India.
Circular migration benefits India
Source: The post Circular migration benefits India has been created, based on the article “How circular migration can help meet global skill shortage and lift Indians out of poverty” published in “Indian Express” on 5th October is 2024
UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper3- Economy-growth, development and employment.
Context: The article discusses circular migration, where Indian workers, trained through government programs, go abroad for skilled jobs and return with enhanced expertise. This process benefits both India and countries facing skill shortages, such as Israel, Japan, and Germany.
For detailed information on Circular migration read this article here
What is Circular Migration and How is it different from Brain Drain?
- Circular Migration involves workers going abroad temporarily and returning with enhanced skills, benefiting both India and the host countries.
- Example: 997 skilled youth from Maharashtra are working in Israel for five years, earning Rs 1.37 lakh per month. They will return with advanced construction skills.
- Brain Drain is the permanent migration of highly qualified individuals, leading to a loss of talent for the home country.
- Example: Until 2000, many doctors and engineers, educated in subsidized Indian institutions, permanently settled abroad, contributing to brain drain.
- Key Difference: Circular migration leads to skill transfer back to India, while brain drain results in a permanent loss of talent, with limited economic returns like remittances.
How Does Circular Migration Benefit India?
- Circular migration allows Indian workers to gain international experience and return with advanced skills, benefiting India’s industries.
- Over 40% of India’s remittances come from manual workers in the Middle East, highlighting the economic benefits of migration.
- Initiatives by MITRA and NSDC ensure workers are trained to meet global skill standards, improving job opportunities abroad.
What are the government initiatives to facilitate Circular Migration?
Matching skills to international standards requires specialized training. Language barriers, legal compliances, and exact skill-matching are challenges.
To address these, the government has initiated several steps:
- Labor Mobility Agreements: India has signed agreements with countries like Israel, Japan, and Germany to fill skill shortages. For example, Israel needs over 100,000 workers, offering salaries of Rs 1.3 lakh per month.
- Skill Development Programs: The National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) offers booster training to upgrade skills. Maharashtra’s MITRA and NSDC trained 997 workers for jobs in Israel, focusing on construction trades like plastering and bar bending.
- Language and Skill Matching: Training includes English and skills required by foreign countries. Workers are also offered training in languages like Japanese, German, or French.
- Infrastructure Support: ITI Pune developed bar-bending machines to meet Israeli requirements, ensuring workers passed the required tests for international placements.
Way forward
India should expand circular migration to countries like Japan and Germany with ageing populations. With targeted skill development, language training, and government support, India can fill global skill gaps while benefiting from returning experienced workers.
Question for practice:
Discuss how circular migration benefits both India and the host countries and how the Indian government is facilitating this process.
Prelims Oriented Articles (Factly)
Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change Notifies Ecomark Rules under the LiFE Initiative
Source- This post on the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change Notifies Ecomark Rules under the LiFE Initiative has been created based on the article “Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change notifies Ecomark Rules under Lifestyle for Environment initiative” published in “PIB” on 5th October 2024.
Why in the news?
The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change notified the new Ecomark Rules on 26th September 2024. The scheme aligns with the ‘LiFE’ (Lifestyle for Environment) Mission. This new scheme replaces the previous Ecomark scheme of 1991.
About Ecomark Scheme
1. About: The Ecomark Scheme provides accreditation and labelling for household and consumer products that meet specific environmental criteria while maintaining quality standards as per Indian norms.
2. Key Objectives of the Ecomark Scheme:
i) Promoting Sustainable Consumption: The scheme encourages the demand for environment-friendly products by fostering consumer awareness of eco-conscious choices.
ii) Enhancing Production Practices: It motivates manufacturers to adopt environmentally friendly production methods, aligning with sustainable development goals.
iii) Ensuring Accurate Labelling: The scheme ensures that products carry accurate environmental labels and eliminates misleading information.
iv) Resource Efficiency and Circular Economy: It promotes lower energy consumption and resource efficiency, contributing to a circular economy.
3. Implementation Partners: The scheme will be implemented by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) will collaborate in ensuring strict environmental standards for accredited products.
4. Impact on Environmental and Consumer Awareness:
Minimal Environmental Impact: Products certified under the Ecomark scheme will adhere to specific environmental criteria to reduce ecological footprints.
Building Consumer Awareness: The scheme aims to increase consumer understanding of environmental issues and the benefits of sustainable consumption.
5. Alignment with Global and National Goals:
The Ecomark scheme supports India’s commitment to environmental conservation and protection.
It aligns with global sustainability goals and encourages both individual and collective decision-making towards a more sustainable future.
UPSC Syllabus: Schemes and Programme
Comprehensive Overview of National Health Account (NHA) Estimates for 2020-21 and 2021-22
Source- This post on the Comprehensive Overview of National Health Account (NHA) Estimates for 2020-21 and 2021-22 has been created based on the article “National Health Account (NHA) Estimates 2020-21 and 2021-22” published in “PIB” on 5th October 2024.
Why in the news?
The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has released the eighth and ninth editions of the National Health Account (NHA) estimates for the fiscal years 2020-21 and 2021-22.
Major findings

1. Government Health Expenditure (GHE): GHE has steadily increased. GHE as a percentage of GDP rose from 1.13% in 2014-15 to 1.84% in 2021-22. The share of GHE in General Government Expenditure (GGE) also increased.
2. Decline in Out-of-Pocket Expenditure (OOPE): The share of Out-of-Pocket Expenditure (OOPE) in the Total Health Expenditure (THE) dropped significantly, from 62.6% in 2014-15 to 39.4% in 2021-22. This reduction highlights the success of government measures aimed at expanding healthcare access and reducing financial burdens on households.
3. Increased Government Share in Total Health Expenditure (THE): The government’s contribution to THE increased from 29% in 2014-15 to 48% in 2021-22. This rise points to greater reliance on public health services and a reduced financial burden on citizens. The growth in GHE aligns with government efforts to improve healthcare infrastructure and enhance financial protection.
4. Growth in Social Security Expenditure (SSE) on Health: Social Security Expenditure (SSE), which includes government-funded health insurance and medical reimbursements, increased from 5.7% of THE in 2014-15 to 8.7% in 2021-22. The increase in SSE is key to reducing out-of-pocket expenses and ensuring that healthcare access does not lead to financial hardship or poverty.
5. Distribution of Current Health Expenditure (CHE): In 2020-21, the Union Government contributed Rs. 81,772 crores (12.33% of CHE), and state governments contributed Rs. 1,38,944 crores (20.94%). Contributions from enterprises, NGOs, and external donors also played a crucial role in supporting India’s healthcare system during this period.
UPSC Syllabus: Reports and Index
Travel & Tourism Development Index (TTDI) 2024
Source: The post on Travel & Tourism Development Index (TTDI) 2024 is based on the article “Tourism Travel & Tourism Development Index 2024” published in “PIB” on 4th October 2024.
Why in the News?
Recently, the Travel and Tourism Development Index (TTDI) 2024 was released.
About Travel and Tourism Development Index (TTDI) 2024

1. Published by: The World Economic Forum
2. India’s Position: India has secured the 39th position among 119 countries in the TTDI 2024.
3. Improved Areas for India: India has shown significant improvements in the following areas: Prioritisation of Travel & Tourism, Safety & Security and Health & Hygiene
4. Government of India’s Initiatives: The Indian government is promoting tourism as a means of social inclusion, employment generation, and economic growth. Tourism is seen as a key sector in driving India’s goal to become a developed nation by 2047.
5. Measures to Boost FTAs: Key initiatives to increase FTAs include promotion of adventure and niche tourism, simplification of e-visa availability, introduction of a 24×7 multilingual tourist helpline, launch of ‘Paryatan Didi’ and ‘Paryatan Mitra’ on World Tourism Day 2024 to ensure a hospitable tourist experience.
6. Government Initiatives: Several initiatives have been undertaken to promote domestic tourism, such as Dekho Apna Desh, PRASHAD Scheme, Vibrant Village Programme, SWADESH 2.0 and Regional Connectivity Scheme (Udaan).
UPSC Syllabus: Reports and Index
National Agriculture Code (NAC)
Source: The post on National Agriculture Code (NAC) is based on the article “What is the National Agriculture Code, currently being formulated by Bureau of Indian Standards” published in “Indian Express” on 5th October 2024.
Why in the News?
Recently, the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) has initiated the development of a National Agriculture Code (NAC), similar to the existing National Building Code and National Electrical Code.
About National Agriculture Code (NAC)
1. The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) is formulating a National Agriculture Code (NAC).
2. The NAC aims to set standards across the agriculture cycle, covering field preparation, crop selection, irrigation, harvesting, storage, and emerging areas like natural and organic farming.
3. Implementation: BIS has created a strategy and formed working panels for 12-14 specific areas, involving university professors and R&D organisations.
4. The NAC will serve as a guide for farmers, agricultural universities, and officials in the field, ensuring uniformity and best practices.
5. Need Of NAC: BIS currently sets standards for agricultural machinery (tractors, harvesters) and inputs (fertilizers, pesticides). There is no existing standard for critical agricultural practices such as field preparation, micro-irrigation, and water use.
6. Structure of NAC:
i) Part 1 includes general principles applicable to all crops.
ii) Part 2 includes Crop-specific standards for major crops like paddy, wheat, oilseeds, and pulses.
7. Coverage of NAC: NAC will include standards for the entire agricultural cycle, including Crop selection, Land preparation, Sowing/transplanting, Irrigation and drainage, Soil health management, Plant health management, Harvesting/threshing, post-harvest operations, Sustainability practices and Record maintenance.
8. Standards for the use of inputs like chemical fertilizers, pesticides, and crop storage will also be included. It will address new areas such as natural and organic farming and Internet-of-Things (IoT) applications in agriculture.
Objectives of NAC
1. Comprehensive Code: Develop an implementable national code covering agricultural practices based on agroclimatic zones, crop types, and socio-economic diversity.
2. Quality Culture: Promote quality standards in Indian agriculture, providing references for policymakers and regulators.
3. Decision-Making Guide: Create a reference guide for farmers to make informed decisions about agricultural practices.
4. Integration: Align Indian Standards with recommended agricultural practices.
5. Smart Farming: Address broader agricultural aspects such as smart farming, sustainability, traceability, and documentation.
6. Capacity Building: Support agriculture extension services and civil society organisations in capacity-building initiatives.
UPSC Syllabus: Agriculture
Chenchu Tribe
Source: The post on Chenchu Tribe is based on the article “A tribe out of time: how Chenchus have been caught between ancestral past and uncertain future in Andhra Pradesh” published in “The Hindu” on 4th October 2024.
Why in the News?
The Chenchus of Penukumadugu who are long residents of the dense Nallamala forests face dwindling employment opportunities under MGNREGA.
About Chenchu Tribe

1. About: The Chenchus are an aboriginal tribe residing in the Nallamala Hills, part of the Nagarjuna Sagar Tiger Sanctuary in Andhra Pradesh. They are recognised as a Scheduled Tribe in Andhra Pradesh.
2. The tribe’s origin is linked to Lord Malikarjuna of the Srisailam temple. They also have smaller populations in Tamil Nadu and Odisha.
3. Social Structure and Living Pattern: The Chenchus live in small villages known as “Penta,” consisting of several huts grouped based on kinship patterns. Villages are overseen by a village elder called “Peddamanishi,” whose word holds the highest social authority.
4. Occupation: Traditionally, the Chenchus rely on hunting for their livelihood. They hunt animals such as deer, wild boar, rabbits, wild cock, and birds, using bows and arrows. Jungle products like roots, tubers, fruits, beedi leaves, mahua flowers, honey, gum, tamarind, and green leaves are collected and sold to traders and government cooperatives.
5. Livelihood: They also craft leaf cups and plates from tobacco leaves and sell items like tamarind and mahua flowers in local markets, which are in high demand. Honey is especially favored among the Chenchus and forms a significant part of their diet.
6. Marriage: The Chenchu society is divided into clans, with 26 gotras found within their community. Marriages within the same gotra are prohibited. Marriage is known as “Pelli”. It is often arranged by elders or chosen by the youth. The maternal uncle performs the ‘sampradaan’ ceremony (handing over of the bride).
7. Religion and Beliefs: The Chenchus worship Bhagwan Taru, a sky god who oversees their well-being, and Garelamai Sama, the goddess of the forest who protects them from danger. Other deities worshipped include Lord Shiva, Hanuman, and the Goddess of Fire.
8. Language: They speak Chenchu language variants such as Chenchucoolam, Chenchwar, Chenswar, and Choncharu, which have a Telugu accent.
UPSC Syllabus: Tribes in news