9 PM UPSC Current Affairs Articles 8th August, 2024
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Mains Oriented Articles
GS PAPER - 1
Witch-Hunting in India
Source-This post on Witch-Hunting in India has been created based on the article “Why accusations of witchcraft persist in India” published in “The Indian Express” on 8 August 2024.
UPSC Syllabus-GS Paper-1-Indian Society
Context– The National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) in India has tracked “motives for murder,” including witchcraft, since 1953. In 2022, there were 85 murders with witchcraft as a motive, mainly in Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Jharkhand, and Odisha, with additional cases in Assam, Bihar, and Telangana.
In 2021, the UN Human Rights Council passed a resolution to eliminate harmful practices related to witchcraft accusations and ritual attacks. Data from the UN shows that between 2009 and 2019, there were about 20,000 documented cases of such practices across 60 countries.
What are the Legislative Efforts to Address Witch-Hunting?
India has several state-specific laws addressing witch-hunting:
1) Bihar: Prevention of Witch (Daain) Practices Act (1993)
2) Jharkhand: Prevention of Witch (Daain) Practices Act (2001)
3) Chhattisgarh: Tonahi Pratadna Nivaran Act (2005)
4) Odisha: Prevention of Witch Hunting Act (2013) etc.
What are the reasons behind persistence of witchcraft or witch hunting in India?
1) Lack of education and ignorance often result in mentally ill people being wrongly labeled as “witches,” especially during disease outbreaks.
2) Widowed, single, or childless women are often targeted due to the desire to seize their property.
3) The existing laws are recent. Common problems include low rates of prosecution and conviction, and insufficient penalties, as seen in Jharkhand.
4) There is no national law on witch-hunting. The purpose of state laws can be unclear: Odisha’s law covers both witch-hunting and witchcraft, Assam and Rajasthan penalize alleged witches (with Rajasthan also targeting communities), and Maharashtra focuses on black magic.
5) This issue is likely underreported in India, meaning the actual numbers may be much higher.
Read More- Women Empowerment- Economic Political and Social- Explained Pointwise
What should be the way forward?
1) Modern countries should have specific legislation to address the issue.
2) There should be a clear distinction between witchcraft and witch-hunting. The IPC (or its replacement) should have specific sections for both witchcraft and witch-hunting
3) The NCRB should update its reporting to include separate categories for these issues, rather than just labeling them as murders with witchcraft motives.
For a country aiming for modernity and development, it is essential to tackle witch-hunting with thorough and effective measures.
Question for practice
What are the reasons for the ongoing issue of witchcraft or witch hunting in India, and what should be the proposed solutions?
GS PAPER - 2
Puja Khedkar’s fraudulent methods to manipulate the UPSC recruitment process
Source: The post Puja Khedkar’s fraudulent methods to manipulate the UPSC recruitment process has been created, based on the article “A case of excesses: Puja Khedkar’s entry in civil service calls into question the recruitment process” published in “The Hindu” on 8th August 2024.
UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper 2- Governance-Issues Relating to Development and Management of Social Sector/Services relating to Education.
Context: The article discusses Puja Khedkar’s fraudulent methods to manipulate the UPSC recruitment process, including fake certificates and misuse of privileges. It highlights the flaws in the examination system and calls for an overhaul to prevent such frauds and improve disability certification processes.
For detailed information on Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Bill 2024 read this article here
What Did Puja Khedkar Do?
- Puja Khedkar allegedly committed multiple frauds in the UPSC recruitment process. As per the reports, she faked mental illness, visual impairment, and community certificates. She also used a disability certificate to gain advantages she otherwise wouldn’t have had. The Pune hospital that issued her disability certificate confirmed it was only for a 7% locomotor disability, which was insufficient for benefits.
- Khedkar used her father’s position in the civil services to gain benefits. She also fabricated her OBC certificate and falsely claimed her parents were divorced to bypass exclusion criteria. Additionally, she used multiple identities to write tests.
What Is the Bigger Issue?
- Widespread Fraud: Puja Khedkar’s case reveals severe loopholes in the UPSC recruitment process. She used fake certificates and multiple identities to gain undue advantages.
- Examination System Flaws: The UPSC failed to detect her fraud despite numerous red flags.
- Other Controversies: Qualification exams like NEET UG, NEET PG, and CUET have faced similar issues, indicating systemic problems.
- Disability Certification: Genuine applicants struggle to get certifications, while Khedkar easily faked one.
- Need for Overhaul: The government must revamp the competitive examination and disability certification systems to prevent future frauds.
Question for practice:
Examine how Puja Khedkar exploited loopholes in the UPSC recruitment process to gain undue advantages.
Judicial Views on Killing Stray Dogs
Source: The post judicial views on killing stray dogs has been created, based on the article “Court shifts the tide on stray dog policy” published in “The Hindu” on 8th August 2024
UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper 2 – Issues Relating to Development and Management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health.
Context: The article discusses a Supreme Court ruling that prohibits indiscriminate killing of stray dogs by municipalities. Instead, the court mandates sterilisation as the humane and effective solution, aligning with the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act and new Animal Birth Control Rules.
For detailed information on the Issue of Stray dogs in India read this article here
What Was the Case About?
- The case was between the Animal Welfare Board of India and People for Elimination of Stray Troubles.
- It focused on whether local authorities could kill stray dogs to reduce their population, prevent rabies, and avoid conflicts.
- State and Municipal laws allowed the killing of stray dogs, while Central law (Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960) prohibited it.
What Are the Judicial Views on Killing Stray Dogs?
- High Court Rulings: The High Courts of Bombay, Karnataka, and Himachal Pradesh allowed local authorities to kill stray dogs. The Kerala High Court opposed this, supporting the Central law.
- Supreme Court Rulings: The Supreme Court ruled that municipalities cannot kill stray dogs indiscriminately. They must follow the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960, and the new Animal Birth Control Rules, 2023, which advocate for sterilization over killing. This decision was uploaded on July 12, following the final hearing on May 9.
What Does Science Say?
The WHO’s 2004 report and a 2014 report by the Bombay Municipal Corporation supported sterilisation as effective. Killing 4.5 lakh dogs between 1984-1994 in Bombay did not reduce the population.
What Does This Mean for the Future?
- The ruling emphasizes compassion and responsibility towards living beings as mandated by Article 51A(g) of the Constitution.
- It reflects a shift towards more humane treatment of animals, advocating for sterilization as the only scientific and humane method to control the stray dog population.
3. The court suggests that those opposing the ruling can challenge the new rules in the High Courts.
Question for practice:
Discuss how the Supreme Court ruling on stray dogs aligns with the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act and the new Animal Birth Control Rules.
Issues with Proposed Amendments to Waqf Act
Source-This post on Issues with Proposed Amendments to Waqf Act has been created based on the article “Proposed amendment to Waqf Act polices charity, hinders autonomy” published in “The Indian Express” on 8 August 2024.
UPSC Syllabus-GS Paper-2- Government Policies and Interventions for Development in various sectors and Issues arising out of their Design and Implementation.
Context- The article discusses issues with the government’s new draft of the Waqf (Amendment) Bill. Waqf is an Islamic tradition where people donate property to be used for charity, but it’s not a religious requirement. This practice, which involves giving land or assets to benefit others, is similar to endowments or charitable trusts in other religions.
The laws governing Waqf in India have changed over the years, with the Waqf Act of 1995 being a key piece of legislation. This Act was updated in 2013, and now the central government is suggesting more major changes to it.
What are the Concerns Regarding Proposed Amendments?
1) Nature of Waqf Properties: – Government has ignored that Waqf properties are privately owned by Muslims, not public assets. This means the government should have minimal control over their management and use.
2) Increased Government Interference-It could allow more government interference in Waqf properties. This is a violation of the rights of Muslims and Article 26 of the Constitution, which protects religious properties from being taken over.
3) Role of District Collector– District collectors will decide if a property is Waqf or government land. This is concerning, especially since collectors have recently threatened even private properties of Minorities. Further, introducing adverse possession for Waqf properties could make them vulnerable to decisions by the Collector.
4) Changes in Waqf Board Composition-Removing the requirement for a Muslim CEO on Waqf Boards may lead to Muslims being excluded from managing these properties.
5) Impediments to Creating New Waqfs- The amendments create barriers to starting new Waqfs and allow government bodies, even local panchayats, to interfere with existing Waqf properties.
6) Removal of “Waqf by User” Concept-It removes the concept of “waqf by user,” which is widely practiced. This could result in the takeover of Muslim graveyards and other properties if they aren’t actively used for Waqf purposes.
7) Violation of Constitutional Rights -It may breach Articles 25 and 26 of the Constitution, which protect religious freedom and the rights of religious groups. In the past minority rights under Article 30 (regarding educational institutions) were encroached upon under the guise of better administration.
Read More- Issues associated with Calcutta High Court’s judgement on reservation policies in India
Question for practice
What are the Concerns Regarding Proposed Amendments?
GS PAPER - 3
FAO report on food security in India
Source: The post FAO report on food security in India has been created, based on the article “Ending hunger: Government must address malnutrition” published in “Business Standard” on 8th August 2024
UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper3-food security
Context: The article discusses the FAO report on food security in India. It highlights India’s progress in reducing hunger and malnutrition. However, challenges remain with high food insecurity, increased obesity rates, and the rising cost of a healthy diet.
For detailed information on Food Security and Nutrition Report 2023 read this article here
How Has Global Hunger Changed?
- Global hunger increased sharply from 2019 to 2021.
- This rise was followed by stagnation in the next three years.
- By 2030, 582 million people are expected to remain chronically undernourished.
- Most of these undernourished people will be in Africa and South Asia.
- The prevalence of food insecurity globally is expected to stay above pre-pandemic levels.
What is the Outcome of FAO report on food security in India?
A. Positive Outcomes
1.Reduction in Hunger: Hunger decreased from 16.6% (2020-22) to 13.7% (2021-23).
- Improvement in Child Nutrition: Stunting in children under five declined by 10 percentage points to 31.7% between 2012 and 2022.
- Decrease in Low Birth Weight: The proportion of children born with low birth weight dropped by about 2 percentage points to 27.4%.
- Increase in Breastfeeding: Exclusive breastfeeding among infants increased by 17 percentage points in a decade.
B. Negative Outcomes
- 1High Food Insecurity: Despite improvements, food insecurity remains high.
- Persistent Wasting and Anemia: India still has the highest prevalence of wasting and anemia in South Asia.
- Rising Diet Costs: The cost of a healthy diet has increased, making it unaffordable for 55.6% of the population in 2022.
- Increased Obesity: The proportion of overweight children rose from 2.2% to 2.8% between 2012 and 2022, reflecting a double burden of malnutrition.
How Effective Are Government Interventions?
- Free Food Grain Distribution: The government provides free food grain under the National Food Security Act to eligible populations.
- Budget Outlay: Despite increased efforts, the budget for Saksham Anganwadi and POSHAN 2.0 decreased from last year’s revised estimate.
- Nutrition Programs: There has been only a slight increase in funding for nutrition interventions.
Question for practice:
Discuss the positive and negative outcomes of the FAO report on food security in India.
Challenges of Integrating New Troops into Counter-Terrorism Efforts
Source: The post challenges of integrating new troops into counter-terrorism efforts has been created, based on the article “A closer look at beefing up Jammu’s counter-terror grid” published in “The Hindu” on 8th August 2024
UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper 3 – security
Context: The article discusses the recent induction of additional troops and special forces into the Jammu region to counter increased terrorist activities. It highlights the challenges of integrating these new troops and emphasizes the importance of local knowledge and community support for successful counter-terrorism operations.
For detailed information on The Challenge of Cross-border Terrorism in India read this article here
What is the Recent Security Situation in Jammu?
- The Jammu region has seen increased terrorist activities, including fresh infiltrations supported by Pakistan.
- Due to a redeployment of troops to the Line of Actual Control (LAC) after the 2020 Galwan incident, the counter-terrorism grid in Jammu has weakened.
- To address this, around 3,000 Army troops and 500 special forces have been recently added to the region.
How are Troops Being Integrated into the Counter-Terrorism Efforts?
- The establishment of a counter-terrorism grid involves deploying units in a way that restricts terrorist movements, considering factors like terrain and local population attitudes.
- The successful integration of new troops requires them to familiarize themselves with the area and win local support to gather intelligence on terrorist activities.
What Challenges Do New Troops Face?
- Familiarization with Terrain: Newly-inducted troops need to understand the local terrain to effectively operate.
- Winning Local Trust: Gaining the confidence of the local population is essential for obtaining information on terrorists.
- Integration with Existing Units: Challenges arise if new troops are not integrated with existing units. Historical success, like Operation Dudhi by Assam Rifles in 1991, shows the importance of integrated operations.
- Time for Orientation: New troops require time to settle and gain control. Immediate results should not be expected, as this process is deliberate and time-consuming.
- Trusting Commanding Officers: Commanding officers should be trusted to lead operations, as their control is crucial for effective coordination and success.
Question for practice:
Discuss the challenges new troops face in integrating into counter-terrorism operations in the Jammu region.
Landslides in Wayanad
Source-This post on Landslides in Wayanad has been created based on the article “Madhav Gadgil writes: Wayanad tragedy exposes the gulf between haves and have-nots” published in “The Indian Express” on 8 August 2024.
UPSC Syllabus-GS Paper-3- Disaster and Disaster Management
Context– Recently, severe landslides struck Meppadi in Kerala’s Wayanad district, burying four villages under debris. The disaster has claimed at least 300 lives, with many still missing. Rescue efforts are difficult due to blocked roads, unstable ground, and ongoing threats from the unstable terrain. Landslides in Wayanad.
What are the issues highlighted by The Western Ghats Ecology Expert Panel (WGEEP)?
Western Ghats Ecology Expert Panel’s (WGEEP) findings, which provide a historical and realistic view of the current situation in India.
1) Historical Context-The British depleted local resources to benefit their own tea and coffee plantations. They also prioritized timber production for military and construction purposes, undermining local resources and communities.
2) Focus on Man-Made Capital– It highlighted that India is exclusively focused on building up highly subsidized man-made capital at the expense of natural, human, and social capital. This is leading to increasing economic, social, educational, and health disparities.
A detailed article on Causes, impact and management of Landslides in India can be read here.
What are the consequences of ignoring WGEEP’s proposals?
The government has ignored the WGEEP’s proposals for over 13 years, neglecting nature and local communities. This delay has worsened problems, with floods and landslides becoming more frequent. For example, landslides in the Maharashtra Western Ghats increased 100-fold from 2011 to 2020 due to rising human activities
What should be the way forward?
1) Implementing WGEEP Guidelines -States should follow the WGEEP’s guidelines, which suggest regulating and planning development based on three levels of ecological sensitivity: high, moderate, and low. These guidelines should start a democratic process, involving local decision-making bodies like gram sabhas and mohalla sabhas, rather than being rigid rules.
2) Environmental Protection and Strengthening Local Democracy -There is an urgent need to protect the environment and strengthen local democratic institutions. Kerala, with its high literacy and tradition of community empowerment, demonstrated this through the People’s Planning Campaign of 1995-96.
Question for practice
What problems did the Western Ghats Ecology Expert Panel (WGEEP) identify, and what are the repercussions of disregarding their recommendations?
Tax Reforms in the recent Budget
Source-This post on Tax Reforms in the recent Budget has been created based on the article “For taxpayers, a welcome easing” published in “The Indian Express” on 8 August 2024.
UPSC Syllabus-GS Paper-3- Indian Economy and issues relating to Planning, Mobilization of Resources, Growth, Development and Employment.
Context– The finance minister has recently initiated a review of the Income Tax Act, 1961, with the aim of simplifying the Act to make it more user-friendly and reduce tax disputes and litigation.
What proposals did the budget include to simplify the Income Tax Act?
1) It proposed simplifying reassessment and capital gains taxation by introducing a uniform 12.5 percent tax rate on long-term capital gains across all asset classes.
2) It aimed to eliminate the indexation benefit used to calculate gains on property, gold, and unlisted assets. This removal faced criticism as it was seen to increase the tax burden on investors, despite the lower tax rate.
A detailed article on Budget 2024-25 can be read here.
3) In response to taxpayer concerns, the government now offers a choice: investors can pay a 20 percent tax with indexation benefits on properties bought before July 23, 2024, or a 12.5 percent tax without indexation benefits. This allows investors to choose the tax option that minimizes their liability.
NOTE- Indexation– Indexation adjusts the cost of an asset for inflation, helping to reduce the taxable amount of long-term capital gains.
4) Tax assessments can only be reopened after three years if the undeclared income exceeds Rs 50 lakh, to reduce tax uncertainty and disputes.
Way ahead- The IT Act review, due in six months, should focus on resolving disputes and addressing problematic sections.
Question for practice
What proposals did the budget include to make the Income Tax Act simpler?
Prelims Oriented Articles (Factly)
QCI Surajya Recognition and Ranking Framework
Source- This post on QCI Surajya Recognition & Ranking Framework has been created based on the article “Quality Council of India introduces QCI Surajya Recognition & Ranking Framework to Drive Excellence in Key Sectors” published in “PIB” on 8 August 2024.
Why in News?
The Quality Council of India (QCI) has recently launched the QCI Surajya Recognition & Ranking Framework.
About QCI Surajya Recognition & Ranking Framework
Aspects | Description |
About | The Quality Council of India (QCI) Surajya Recognition & Ranking Framework is an initiative aimed at promoting excellence in governance across various domains. |
Objective | Drive excellence among states to improve citizens’ quality of life for a Viksit Bharat. |
Aim | i) It emphasized the collective synergy of states as the driving force behind creating a Viksit Bharat. ii) The Surajya initiative aims to promote high standards and best practices in key sectors of India. iii) It celebrates states’ commitment to quality and continuous improvement. |
Framework Pillars | Shiksha (Education), Swasthya (Health), Samriddhi (Prosperity), and Sushasan (Governance). |
Focus of the Initiative
1. Shiksha (Education):
i) It enhances education quality through robust accreditation and certification.
ii) Uttar Pradesh leads with the highest number of accreditations, assessments, and ratings. Delhi ranks prominently among union territories.
2. Swasthya (Health):
i) Guaranteeing superior healthcare services and maintaining high medical care standards.
ii) States excelling in Ayushman Arogya Yojana (NABH) certifications: Chhattisgarh, Karnataka, Kerala, Rajasthan, Mizoram, and Manipur.
iii) Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra lead in Medical Entry Level Testing Labs (MELT) rankings (NABL).
iv) Chandigarh (100% certification in Ayushman Arogya Yojana) and Jammu & Kashmir (71.43% certification rate) perform well among union territories. Delhi excels in MELT, followed by Jammu & Kashmir.
3. Samriddhi (Prosperity):
i) Driving economic prosperity through quality assurance in manufacturing and industrial practices.
ii) Leading states in ZED certifications: Gujarat, Karnataka, and Rajasthan. Jammu & Kashmir and Delhi achieve significant ZED certifications.
iii) Top performers in the MSME Competitive LEAN Scheme: Maharashtra and Bihar.
4. Sushasan (Governance):
i) It ensures transparent, accountable, and responsive governance.
ii) The Sushasan category to be featured in future editions of the rankings.
UPSC Syllabus: Governance
National Commission of Minorities(NCM)
Source- This post on National Commission of Minorities(NCM) has been created based on the article “National Commission of Minorities(NCM)” published in “PIB” on 8 August 2024.
Why in News?
The National Commission for Minorities (NCM) has requested a report from State Chief Secretary Sujata Saunik regarding the Vishalgad violence.
About National Commission of Minorities(NCM)
Aspects | Description |
About | 1. National Commission for Minorities (NCM) is a statutory body set up in 1993 under the National Commission for Minorities(NCM) Act, 1992. 2. Section 2 of the NCM Act stipulates that ‘Minority’ for the purposes of the Act means a community notified as such by the Central Government. 3. Initially, five religious communities namely Muslims, Christians, Sikhs, Buddhists, and Zoroastrians(Parsis) were notified as minority communities. In 2014, Jains were also notified as another minority community. |
Composition | 1. The Commission consists of: Chairperson, Vice- Chairperson, and five Members. 2. A total of 7 persons are to be nominated by the Central Government from amongst persons of eminence, ability, and integrity. 3. Each member holds office for a period of three years from the date of assumption of office. |
Judicial Power | The judicial powers of the National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC) under Article 338 (8) and the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST) under Article 338A (8) of the Constitution of India
(i) Summoning and enforcing the attendance of any person from any part of India and examining him on oath; |
Functions of NCM:
1. Evaluate the progress of the development of minorities under the Union and States and monitor the working of the safeguards provided in the Constitution and in laws enacted by Parliament and the State Legislatures.
2. Make recommendations for the effective implementation of safeguards for the protection of the interests of minorities by the Central Government or the State Governments.
3. Look into specific complaints regarding deprivation of rights and safeguards of the minorities and recommend measures for the removal of problems arising out of any discrimination against minorities.
4. Conduct studies, research, and analysis on the issues relating to the socio-economic and educational development of minorities and suggest appropriate measures in respect of any minority to be undertaken by the Central Government or the State Governments.
UPSC Syllabus: Polity and nation
Nandini Sahakar Scheme
Source- This post on Nandini Sahakar Scheme has been created based on the article “Nandini Sahakar Yojana” published in “PIB” on 8 August 2024.
Why in News?
The National Cooperative Development Corporation has recently launched the Nandini Sahakar Scheme to support women entrepreneurs.
About Nandini Sahakar Scheme
Aspects | Description |
About | The Nandini Sahakar Yojana is a women-focused initiative by the National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC). |
Focus | Women-focused framework for financial assistance, project formulation, hand-holding, and capacity development. |
Aim | i) The scheme aims to improve socio-economic status of women and supports entrepreneurial dynamism of women through women cooperatives. ii) It will converge critical inputs of women’s enterprise, business plan formulation, capacity development, credit and subsidy and/ or interest subvention of other schemes. |
Objective | i) Align with the principles of Atmanirbhar Bharat as outlined by the Hon’ble Prime Minister. ii) Improve the socio-economic status of women. iii) Support entrepreneurial dynamism through women cooperatives. |
Features |
1. Financial Assistance: The scheme provides financial assistance to women cooperatives for business model-based activities. There is no minimum or maximum limit on financial aid for projects. |
UPSC Syllabus: Programme and schemes
BIMSTEC Free Trade Agreement
Source- This post on BIMSTEC Free Trade Agreement has been created based on the article “Shri Piyush Goyal calls for faster negotiations of BIMSTEC Free Trade Agreement” published in “PIB” on 8 August 2024.
Why in News?
Union Minister of Commerce & Industry highlighted the need for member countries and business leaders to reassess priorities regarding the proposed BIMSTEC Free Trade Agreement (FTA).
About BIMSTEC FTA
The Framework Agreement on the BIMSTEC Free Trade Area was signed in Phuket, Thailand on 08 February 2004 and came into force on 30 June 2004.
Aim of the BIMSTEC FTA
Article 2 of the Framework Agreement outlines the following areas to be covered by the “Comprehensive Free Trade Area (FTA)”-
a. Progressive elimination of tariffs and non-tariff barriers in substantially all trade in goods.
b. Progressive liberalization of trade in services with substantial sectoral coverage.
c. Establishing an open and competitive investment regime that facilitates and promotes investment within the BIMSTEC FTA.
d. Establishing effective trade and investment facilitating measures, including, but not limited to, simplification of customs procedures and development of mutual recognition arrangements.
e. Establishing appropriate mechanisms for implementation of the Agreement.
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Constituent Agreements of BIMSTEC FTA-
a. Agreement on Trade in Goods of the Framework Agreement on the BIMSTEC Free Trade Area.
b. Agreement on Cooperation and Mutual Assistance in Customs Matters for the BIMSTEC Free Trade Area.
c. Agreement on Dispute Settlement Procedures and Mechanism of the Framework Agreement on the BIMSTEC Free Trade Area.
d. Agreement on Investment of the Framework Agreement on the BIMSTEC Free Trade Area.
Read More- 5th BIMSTEC Summit – Explained, pointwise
UPSC Syllabus: International organisation
Organ donation in India
Source- This post on Organ donation in India has been created based on the article “Women outnumbered men in living organ donations last year, say government data” published in “The Hindu” on 8 August 2024.
Why in News?
According to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, there were 9,784 women living donors last year, compared to 5,651 men. One transgender individual also contributed, bringing the total number of living donors in 2023 to 15,436.
What is the Donor Eligibility?
i) Living Donor Criteria: Individuals over the age of 18 can donate one kidney or part of their liver.
ii) Brain Dead Donor Potential: Brain dead donors can donate multiple organs, including the heart, lungs, liver, kidneys, pancreas, small intestine, cornea, bone, skin, and heart valves.
iii) Post-Mortem Donations: After natural cardiac death, only tissues can be donated.
About Total Organ Transplants
1. The total number of organ transplants, including both living and deceased donors, reached 18,378 in 2023, the highest ever recorded.
2. Gender Disparity: Among deceased donors, men significantly outnumbered women, with 844 men and 255 women donating their organs.
3. Types of Transplants
i) Kidney Transplants: There were 13,426 kidney transplants from January to December.
ii) Liver Transplants: A total of 4,491 liver transplants were conducted.
iii) Heart Transplants: There were 221 heart transplants.
Facilitating Organ Donations: The Centre issued a circular to enable round-the-clock post-mortem facilities in hospitals with adequate infrastructure to facilitate organ donation in medico-legal cases, such as road accidents.
4. Awareness and Organ Donation Rate: Intensive awareness campaigns have been conducted, resulting in a notable increase in organ donations, from 4,990 in 2013.Despite these efforts, the organ donation rate remains less than one per million population.
5. Promoting Deceased Organ Donations: The Health Ministry emphasized the need to promote organ donations from deceased persons to meet the high organ demand.
State-Wise Organ Donation Data
1. Telangana led the nation in organ donation, recording 252 cadaver donors. Tamil Nadu and Karnataka followed closely, each with 178 donors.
2. In terms of kidney transplants, Delhi ranked first with 2,576 cases, while Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra reported 1,633 and 1,305 cases, respectively.
UPSC Syllabus: Science and technology
Yen Carry Trade
Source- This post on Yen Carry Trade has been created based on the article “What is Yen carry trade and why did it help trigger a global stock market fall?” published in “Indian Express” on 8 August 2024.
Why in News?
Recently, major global stock markets witnessed their steepest decline in decades, with the yen carry trade being a contributing factor to this downturn.
About Yen Carry Trade
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Aspects | Description |
About | The yen carry trade involves borrowing money in Japan, where interest rates are low, and investing that money in other countries with higher interest rates to earn better returns. |
Mechanism | Investors borrow in yen due to Japan’s low or negative interest rates. They convert the yen into other currencies and invest in countries with higher interest rates like Brazil, Mexico, India, or the US. |
Note: The yen is the official currency of Japan.
Japan’s Interest Rates Policy
The Bank of Japan (BoJ) kept interest rates at zero percent between 2011 and 2016. Since 2016, rates were pushed below zero (-0.10%) to stimulate economic activity. Lower interest rates in Japan made yen a cheap borrowing currency for global investors.
However, Between mid-March and July-end 2024, the BoJ raised interest rates by 35 basis points to 0.25%. This marked a significant change in Japan’s monetary policy, affecting global carry trades.
Impact of interest rate hike on Global Markets
The BoJ’s interest rate hike has led to the strengthening of the yen against the dollar and other emerging market currencies. Higher yen value made foreign assets, held by investors using borrowed yen, less valuable when converted back to yen.
Market Reaction
Investors began selling off assets in international markets, which were previously bought using cheap yen. This sell-off led to a decline in major stock markets across the world on August 5, 2024. Concerns about further interest rate increases by the BoJ has exacerbated market jitters.
UPSC Syllabus: Indian Economy
Finance Bill 2024
Source- This post on Finance Bill 2024 has been created based on the article “Lok Sabha passes Finance Bill, amends provision on LTCG tax” published in “The Hindu” on 8 August 2024.
Why in News?
The Finance Bill, 2024, was passed in the Lok Sabha with an amendment relaxing the long-term capital gains (LTCG) tax proposal on real estate. The amendment allows taxpayers to choose between a new lower tax rate or the old regime with an indexation benefit.
About the Amendment:
1. Individuals or Hindu Undivided Families (HUFs) who bought houses before July 23, 2024, can opt for:
i) Paying LTCG tax under the new scheme at 12.5% without indexation,
or
ii) Claiming the indexation benefit and paying 20% tax.
Other Measures taken to aid the Middle class in the Finance Bill 2024
i) Reduction in customs duty on various goods to promote trade, investment, and employment.
ii) Increase in the tax exemption limit on LTCG in listed equities and bonds from ₹1 lakh to ₹1.25 lakh.
iii) Simplification of tax governance and reduction in tax slabs in 2023 and this year.
iv) Increase in the standard deduction for the salaried class.
About LTCG Tax
1. Long-Term Capital Gains (LTCG) tax is a tax levied on the profits earned from the sale of certain assets held for a specified period, which is considered long-term.
2. The nature and rate of LTCG tax vary depending on the type of asset and the jurisdiction in which the asset is located or sold.
3. The definition of long-term assets varies based on the type of asset:
i) Equity Shares/Mutual Funds: Assets held for more than 12 months.
ii) Immovable Property (e.g., land, buildings): Assets held for more than 24 months.
iii) Other Assets: Generally, assets held for more than 36 months.
UPSC Syllabus: Indian economy