9 PM UPSC Current Affairs Articles 7^th September, 2024

Mains Oriented Articles

GS PAPER - 2

India’s challenges in dealing with China and neighboring countries

Source: The post India’s challenges in dealing with China and neighboring countries has been created, based on the article “Aggressive China and neighbourhood woes: India is at a strategic crossroads” published in “Indian Express” on 7th August 2024

UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS paper2- International relation- India and its neighbourhood- relations.

Context: The article discusses India’s challenges in dealing with China and neighboring countries.It highlights India’s need for better statecraft and strategic planning. Key concerns include a large trade deficit, reliance on defense imports, and improving nuclear deterrence. Strategic alliances and partnerships are crucial for India’s security and growth.

For detailed information on India’s neighbourhood dilemmas read this article here

What is the current India-China situation?

1. India and China are in a prolonged military standoff at the Himalayan border, with no resolution after the 31st diplomatic Working Mechanism on India-China Border Affairs meeting in August 2024.
2. China continues to strengthen its military positions in Ladakh and construct “border defense” villages across the Arunachal Pradesh border, signaling its strategic moves.
3. Beyond the border, China has been building influence in South Asia, notably by supporting Pakistan economically and militarily and through projects like the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).
4. In 2012, the Maldives canceled an Indian airport contract in favor of a Chinese firm, leading to anti-India sentiment and the “India Out” campaign.
5. Similarly, Bangladesh’s government, under Sheikh Hasina, which was friendly to India, recently fell due to a misunderstanding of local sentiment.

For detailed information on India’s Strategic Challenges in the Face of China’s Rise read this article here

Why is India seen as a “big brother” by its neighbors?

1. Perception of Dominance: India’s self-image as a “Vishwaguru” is seen as overbearing by its neighbors, leading to the perception of India as a “big brother” or “bully.”
2. Political Missteps: In Bangladesh, India misread public sentiment, contributing to the fall of the India-friendly Sheikh Hasina government in August 2023.
3. Provocative Domestic Politics: Divisive and unchecked political rhetoric aimed at the Indian electorate is perceived negatively in neighboring countries, impacting relationships with countries like Nepal and Sri Lanka.
4. Regional Relationships: India’s prickly ties with its neighbors amplify its image as a dominant and interfering power.

What are India’s concerns in its security environment?

1. Trade Deficit with China: India’s trade deficit with China is $85 billion, making it heavily reliant on Chinese imports, including electronics, machinery, and rare-earth materials. This limits India’s strategic flexibility in managing its relations with China.
2. Defense Import Dependency: India’s reliance on defense imports from Russia, Ukraine, and Israel restricts its strategic autonomy. The ongoing conflicts in these nations raise concerns over future supply disruptions. The Atmanirbhar initiative faces delays in reducing this dependency.
3. Nuclear Deterrence: Both China and Pakistan have advanced their nuclear capabilities. China has increased its warhead numbers and accuracy, while Pakistan moved from “credible minimum deterrence” to “full-spectrum deterrence.” India must update its nuclear strategy to counter these growing threats.

How should India balance its strategic interests?

1. India needs strategic alliances to protect itself from threats.
2. Forming strategic alliances with like-minded nations can help India bridge technology gaps and secure its economy, military, and strategic autonomy.
3. Realpolitik requires India to prioritize its national interests and adapt its partnerships accordingly.

Question for practice:

Examine the factors contributing to India’s perception as a “big brother” by its neighboring countries.

GS PAPER - 3

Challenges of high debt-GDP ratios

Source: The post challengesof high debt-GDP ratios has been created, based on the article “Stick to fiscal deficit as the norm for fiscal prudence” published in “The Hindu” on 7th August 2024

UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS paper3- Economy-mobilisation of resources

Context: The article discusses how high government fiscal deficits can lead to large debt burdens, impacting economic stability. It highlights India’s current fiscal challenges and the need for stricter deficit limits to avoid long-term fiscal imprudence and ensure sustainable economic growth.

For detailed information on India’s debt burden read this article here

What is the Current Fiscal Situation in India?

1. The fiscal deficit for 2024-25 is projected at 4.9% of GDP, targeted to reduce to 4.5% in 2025-26.
2. The government debt-GDP ratio is estimated at 54% by 2025-26.
3. Interest payments take up a significant portion of government revenue, with 38.4% of revenue spent on interest from 2021-22 to 2023-24.
4. Household financial savings have dropped to 5.3% of GDP in 2022-23, compared to 7.6% in the previous four years.

What challenges arise from high debt-GDP ratios?

1. Increased Interest Payments: A high debt-GDP ratio leads to rising interest payments. From 2021-22 to 2023-24, India’s central government’s interest payments averaged 38.4% of its revenue after tax devolution and grants.
2. Limited Resources for Development: As more revenue is spent on interest, less is available for developmental expenses. This hampers essential government spending.
3. Crowding Out Private Investment: A high government deficit leaves a limited investible surplus for the private sector. In 2022-23, household financial savings fell to 5.3% of GDP, fully absorbed by the government’s 7.5% fiscal deficit.
4. International Comparisons: Countries like Japan and the USA manage higher debt-GDP ratios but have lower interest payments to revenue ratios. Japan’s interest payments were just 5.5%, compared to India’s 49% during 2015-2019.
5. Asymmetric Debt Adjustment: Post-COVID, India’s debt-GDP ratio rose sharply but has been slow to return to pre-pandemic levels.

What Should be Done?

1. India needs a clear roadmap to reduce its fiscal deficit to 3% of GDP to manage its debt more effectively and free up resources for private investment.
2. This approach is crucial, especially given the lower household savings rate of 5.3% of GDP in 2022-23, compared to 7.6% before the COVID-19 pandemic.
3. Sticking to a stricter fiscal deficit limit would help stabilize the economy and foster healthier investment levels.
4. The Twelfth Finance Commission suggested balancing household savings and foreign capital to support a 6% fiscal deficit, but current deficits exceed this, limiting private investment opportunities.

Question for practice:

Examine how India’s high fiscal deficit and debt-GDP ratio impact private investment and economic stability.

Impact of Tourism and urbanization on Kashmir’s environment

Source: The post Impact of Tourism and urbanization on Kashmir’s environment has been created, based on the article “A tourism policy ill-suited for Jammu and Kashmir” published in “The Hindu” on 7th August 2024.

UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS paper 3 – Ecology, and environment

Context: The article discusses how tourism and urbanization are harming Kashmir’s environment. It highlights the impact of overcrowding, poor waste management, and climate change on the region. It calls for a sustainable tourism model to protect Kashmir’s fragile ecosystem and support locals.

For detailed information on Challenges faced by towns in the Indian Himalayan Range read this article here

How is tourism affecting Kashmir’s environment?

1. Over 4 crore tourists have visited since the introduction of the new tourism policy in 2020, including 1.2 million tourists in the first half of 2024.
2. Increased tourism has led to deforestation, waste accumulation, and unregulated construction, harming the environment, especially in areas like Pahalgam and the Trikuta ranges.
3. Poor waste management is increasing pollution in waterbodies, further degrading the ecosystem.
4. The tourism boom has resulted in a rise in construction, disrupting wildlife habitats and increasing soil erosion.
5. Groundwater is being depleted at an alarming rate due to higher demand from the growing tourist infrastructure.
6. Unchecked tourism was a key factor in the 2014 catastrophic floods, which caused widespread destruction and displaced thousands of people in Kashmir.
7. Rising demand for water and electricity strains local resources, depleting groundwater and requiring more hydroelectric projects.

How is climate change worsening the situation?

1. Climate change is causing glaciers in Kashmir to deplete rapidly, leading to water shortages in the region.
2. The Valley faces an agricultural drought due to below-average rainfall and erratic weather patterns.
3. Rivers and streams have less water, impacting irrigation and threatening crop yields, which may cause food shortages.
4. This water scarcity worsens economic conditions for farmers.

What natural disasters does the region face?

1. Kashmir is prone to natural disasters like floods, earthquakes, landslides, and avalanches.
2. The region lies in a seismically active zone, making it vulnerable to earthquakes.
3. The catastrophic floods of 2014 affected around 5 million people, causing economic losses of ₹5,400 crore-₹5,700 crore.
4. Flash floods in 2022, caused by a cloudburst near Amarnath, killed 16 people and left 40 missing.
5. Construction activities for tourism in fragile areas often trigger landslides, as seen in the Wayanad landslide in Kerala, where over 200 lives were lost.

What Should be Done?

1. To protect Kashmir, a sustainable tourism model is needed. This includes promoting eco-friendly practices like reducing waste, conserving water, and involving local communities in tourism decisions.
2. Infrastructure should be built to withstand extreme weather, and tourism offerings should be diversified to avoid overcrowding during peak seasons.

Question for practice:

Examine how tourism and climate change are contributing to environmental degradation in Kashmir and suggest sustainable solutions to mitigate their impact.

Prelims Oriented Articles (Factly)

Night-time Light Pollution Linked to Increased Alzheimer’s Risk

Source– This post on Night-time Light Pollution Linked to Increased Alzheimer’s Risk is based on the article “Night time light pollution linked to increased Alzheimer’s risk: what a new study says” published in “Indian Express on 7th September 2024.

Why in the News?

A recent study from researchers at Chicago’s Rush University Medical Center has found a possible link between night-time light pollution and an increased risk of Alzheimer disease. Researchers used satellite data to measure light pollution in the U.S. and compared it with publicly available Medicare data on Alzheimer prevalence.

About the study

1. Previous studies have identified various contributing factors to Alzheimer, such as genetics, medical conditions (like diabetes), and environmental stresses.

2. The new study adds light pollution as a potential risk factor for Alzheimer, particularly exposure to artificial lights at night.

Key Findings:

1. The study found that night-time light exposure correlated with a higher prevalence of Alzheimer, especially early-onset cases (people under 65).

2.  While conditions like diabetes and hypertension were stronger predictors of Alzheimer, light pollution had a greater association than risk factors like alcohol abuse, depression, obesity, heart failure, and chronic kidney disease.

Why Does Light Pollution Matter?

1. Exposure to artificial light at night disrupts the body’s natural circadian rhythms, which regulate sleep cycles.

2. Poor sleep and circadian rhythm disruption are linked to a higher risk of obesity, diabetes, and depression. These conditions also increase the risk of Alzheimer.

About Alzheimer Disease

1. Alzheimer is a condition that leads to the loss of cognitive functioning, such as memory, thinking, and reasoning skills.

2. The disease is characterized by the formation of plaques and tangles in the brain, leading to accelerated aging of memory-related neurons.

3. Symptoms include forgetfulness in early stages, confusion, difficulty completing everyday tasks, and, eventually, severe memory loss.

4. There is no cure for Alzheimer, but some drugs may slow cognitive decline.

5. Global Impact of Alzheimer: According to the World Health Organization (WHO), over 55 million people globally suffer from dementia, with Alzheimer accounting for 75% of these cases.

6. Status in India: In India alone, between 3 to 9 million people are believed to have Alzheimer, a number expected to rise as the population ages.

Read more: Donanemab Antibody to fight Alzheimer

UPSC Syllabus: Environment

Public Accounts Committee (PAC) 

Source– This post on Public Accounts Committee (PAC) is based on the article “Public Accounts Committee to hold ‘performance review’ of regulatory bodies” published in “The Hindu” on 7th September 2024.

Why in the News?

Senior Congress leader and Lok Sabha member K.C. Venugopal, who heads the Public Accounts Committee (PAC), will conduct a performance review of regulatory bodies established by Acts of Parliament, including the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI).

About the Public Accounts Committee (PAC)

Aspects	Description
About	The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) is one of the three Financial Parliamentary Committees, along with the Estimates Committee and the Committee on Public Undertakings.
Historical background	1. The PAC is the oldest among all parliamentary committees. 2. It was established in 1921 under the Government of India Act, 1919 (Montague-Chelmsford Reforms). 3. W M Hailey was the first Chairperson of the PAC, while Bhupendra Nath Mitra was the first Indian to hold this position.
Composition	The PAC consists of 22 members of parliament—15 from the Lok Sabha and 7 from the Rajya Sabha.
Membership	Eligibility: Ministers are not eligible to be elected to the committee. Term: Members are appointed for a one-year term, and the PAC is reconstituted annually under Rule 308 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in the Lok Sabha.
Chairperson of PAC	The Chairperson of the PAC is appointed by the Speaker of the Lok Sabha. Since 1967, the Chairperson has traditionally been selected from the opposition.
Role of the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG)	The PAC works closely with the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG), who assists the committee in examining government accounts and audit reports. The CAG is often referred to as a “friend, philosopher, and guide” to the PAC.
Functions of the Public Accounts Committee	1. Examination of Audit Reports: The PAC’s primary role is to scrutinize the audit reports submitted by the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) after they are presented in Parliament. 2. Watchdog of Public Expenditure: PAC acts as a guardian of the public purse, closely examining audit reports related to the appropriation account and finance account. 3. Scrutiny of Appropriation Accounts: The Committee scrutinizes the appropriation account to check legality of Funds, sanction by Authority, Procedural Compliance. 4. Ensuring Government Accountability: The PAC holds the government accountable by reviewing budgetary appropriations, accounts, and the CAG’s reports on the execution of projects and programs across various ministries. 5. Reviewing Expenditure for Efficiency: The PAC examines public expenditure not only for technical or legal irregularities but also for economy and prudence, propriety.

UPSC Syllabus: Polity and Nation 

Why Global Models Got La Niña Predictions Wrong and Its Impact

Source: The post on Why Global Models Got La Niña Predictions Wrong and Its Impact is based on the article “Why global models went wrong with their La Niña predictions — and what its delay means” published in Indian express on 7th September 24.

What is the News?

Nearly all major global weather agencies had forecasted the onset of La Niña by July 2024. However, the delay in its arrival has rendered the prediction inaccurate.

About El Nino and La Nina

Aspects	Description
About	1. ENSO is marked by fluctuations in sea surface temperatures in the tropical Pacific Ocean, driven by atmospheric variations. 2. These fluctuations affect global atmospheric circulation and influence weather patterns globally. 3. ENSO has three phases: El Niño (Warm phase), La Niña (Cool phase), Neutral phase. 4. ENSO cycles occur irregularly every two to seven years. 5. Anthropogenic climate change has intensified the effects of both El Niño and La Niña, exacerbating hazards such as high temperatures, heavy rainfall, and droughts
Mechanism	1. During El Nino, trade winds weaken, reducing the movement of warm waters to the west. This results in the eastern Pacific becoming warmer than usual. 2. In La Nina, trade winds strengthen, pushing more warm water toward the western Pacific, making the eastern Pacific cooler than usual. 3. During the neutral phase, the eastern Pacific (near the northwestern coast of South America) is cooler than the western Pacific (near the Philippines and Indonesia) due to prevailing east-to-west trade winds. 4. These trade winds move warm surface water westward, and cooler water from below rises to the surface in the east to replace it.
Impact on Indian Monsoon	El Nino is associated with suppressed monsoon rainfall in India. La Niña supports enhanced monsoon activity.

Reasons for Prediction Errors:

1. Weak La Niña phases are more difficult for weather models to detect than stronger events.

2. Other atmospheric factors, such as inter-seasonal variability and the Madden Julian Oscillation (MJO), added complexity and made predictions harder.

Current Situation: As of September, ENSO-neutral conditions prevail, and La Niña is expected to emerge by late September or early October. La Niña is predicted to peak in November 2024 and last through the winter in the northern hemisphere.

Impact of La Niña Delay on India’s Monsoon

1. La Niña typically enhances the southwest monsoon in India (June to September), but the delay means it won’t directly influence this season’s rainfall.

2. Other factors also contribute to a robust monsoon, with India recording 16% surplus rainfall in August and the IMD forecasting 109% above-normal rainfall in September.

3. India has received 8% more rainfall than usual for the season, though regional variations persist, with deficient rainfall in the east and northeast, and surplus rainfall in central and southern India.

4. La Niña’s influence could extend to the northeast monsoon (October-December), but it generally doesn’t favor enhanced rainfall during this period.

5. Regions like Tamil Nadu, coastal Andhra Pradesh, and Kerala may experience normal or lower rainfall, though there have been exceptions in the past.

UPSC Syllabus: World Geography 

Health Ministry Approves New Treatment for Multidrug-Resistant TB

Source- This post on Health Ministry Approves New Treatment for Multidrug-Resistant TB has been created based on the article “Health Ministry approves new treatment regimen for multidrug-resistant TB” published in “The Hindu” on 7th September 2024.

Why in News?

The Union Health Ministry has introduced a new drug-resistant tuberculosis (TB) treatment regimen in India.

About BPaLM regimen

1. It is a new treatment regimen for drug-resistant tuberculosis (TB). This new regimen consists of four drugs: Bedaquiline, Pretomanid, Linezolid, and Moxifloxacin.

2. The BPaLM regimen has been proven to be a safer, quicker, and more effective treatment option compared to the older procedures used for treating multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB).

3. This regimen significantly reduces treatment time while maintaining a high success rate.

4. It has shorter treatment duration. Traditional treatments for MDR-TB could last up to 20 months and often caused severe side effects. The new BPaLM regimen allows for the treatment of drug-resistant TB to be completed in just six months.

5. This will help to reduce both treatment time and overall healthcare costs. Approximately 75,000 patients in India with drug-resistant TB will benefit from this treatment regimen.

6. This will also help India to attain the target to eliminate tuberculosis by 2025, five years ahead of the global target set under the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

7. India has the world’s largest TB laboratory network, with 7,767 rapid molecular testing facilities and 87 culture and drug susceptibility testing laboratories. These facilities will support the successful implementation of the BPaLM regimen under the National TB Elimination Programme.

What is Drug-resistant TB?

1. Multi-drug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) is a type of TB caused by bacteria resistant to at least two key first-line TB drugs.

2. MDR-TB can be transmitted directly from an infected person to others, as the resistant strains are already present in the population.

3. Since MDR-TB is airborne, those with active pulmonary TB can spread the disease if they are coughing.

4. Treating MDR-TB requires second-line drugs, typically involving four or more medications for at least 6 months, and up to 18–24 months if rifampin resistance is found.

Read more: Drug-resistant TB higher among children than expected: report: 

UPSC Syllabus: Science and technology 

Study on impact of mobile phone radiation on human body

Source- This post on Study on impact of mobile phone radiation on human body has been created based on the article “Do mobile phones cause cancer? New analysis debunks this myth” published in “Indian Express” on 7th September 2024.

Why in News?

A comprehensive review of 28 years of research shows no link between mobile phones or wireless technology and cancer risk. The radio waves they emit do not contain enough energy to damage the human body or DNA. The study was commissioned by the World Health Organization (WHO) and published in Environment International.

About the Study

1. The study reviewed over 5,000 studies, including 63 key studies from 22 countries. No evidence of increased brain cancer risk was found, even after 10+ years of mobile phone use or extensive call time.

2. Cancers studied included brain, pituitary gland, salivary glands, and leukemia. None showed increased risk from mobile phone usage.

How Mobile Phones works

1. Mobile phones and wireless tech exchange signals using radiofrequency (RF) waves. This is a form of energy in the electromagnetic spectrum.

2. It is a form of non-ionising radiation, and it does not have enough energy to damage body tissues or DNA.

3. Technologies like WiFi, 4G, 5G, and Bluetooth also use these non-ionising waves are safe for human health.

Note: Ionising radiation includes X-rays and UV rays which can damage DNA. It has been observed that exposure to natural elements, like sunlight on a cloudy day, exposes us to more DNA-damaging rays than mobile phones or wireless devices.

About Radiofrequency (RF) waves

1. Radiofrequency (RF) waves are a type of electromagnetic radiation that spans the frequency range from about 3 kHz to 300 GHz.

RF waves are non-ionizing, meaning they do not carry enough energy to ionize atoms or molecules, making them generally safe for human exposure in regulated amounts.

2. RF waves have long wavelengths compared to other forms of electromagnetic radiation, such as visible light or X-rays. RF waves can propagate through various mediums, including air, vacuum, and certain solid objects.

3. Depending on the frequency, RF waves can travel directly (line-of-sight), reflect off the ionosphere (skywave propagation), or bounce off the ground (groundwave propagation), making them versatile for different communication needs.

4. RF waves are the backbone of wireless communication, enabling technologies like mobile phones, satellite communication, and Bluetooth.

5. RF waves are used in medical treatments, including MRI machines and RF ablation.

6. RF waves are also crucial in radar systems, used for detecting objects like aircraft, ships, and weather patterns. In navigation systems like GPS, RF waves transmit data between satellites and receivers.

UPSC Syllabus: Science and technology 

Valley fever

Source- This post on Valley fever has been created based on the article “California drought boosts dangerous airborne fungus, valley fever to peak” published in “India Today” on 7th September 2024.

Why in News?

Recently, there has been a rise in cases of Valley fever across California.

About Valley fever (coccidioidomycosis)

Aspects	Description
About	1. Valley fever (coccidioidomycosis) is a lung infection caused by breathing in spores from the Coccidioides fungus. It is endemic to the western United States. 2. The fungus lives in the soil, especially in the Pacific Northwest and southwestern United States, and parts of Mexico, Central America, and South America.
Causes	1. It is caused by inhaling spores of Coccidioides immitis (in California) and Coccidioides posadasii (in other regions). 2. Spores are released when the soil is disturbed, such as during dust storms or construction.
Symptoms	1. Most cases of Valley fever either show no symptoms or resolve on their own. 2. Only about 1% of symptomatic individuals develop serious disease, which may result in complications such as i) Pneumonia ii) Fluid or pus buildup in the lungs (pleural effusion or empyema) iii) Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) iv) Ruptured pockets of fluid or air in the lungs (hydropneumothorax) v)  Disseminated coccidioidomycosis, where the infection spreads beyond the lungs. If it reaches the brain, it can cause coccidioidal meningitis, a life-threatening condition.
Transmission	1. It is non-contagious, but spores can spread through the air. 2. In extremely rare cases, the spores can enter the skin through a wound and cause a skin infection.
Who are at greater risk	1. Valley fever can affect anyone living in or traveling to areas with Coccidioides in the environment. 2. Adults aged 60 and older are at greater risk. 3. People who have weakened immune systems, for example, people who have HIV/AIDS, have had an organ transplant, are taking medications such as corticosteroids or TNF-inhibitors, pregnant women, people who have diabetes and people who are Black or Filipino
Treatment	Many people recover on their own within weeks or months without treatment. Severe or spreading infections need antifungal medication and may require hospitalization.

UPSC Syllabus: Science and technology