9 PM UPSC Current Affairs Brief 25 Jan, 2024
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Mains Oriented Articles
GS PAPER - 2
Tension between India and Maldives- Choppy waters
Source: The post tension between India and Maldives has been created, based on the article “Choppy waters-India and the Maldives must persist with quiet diplomacy to reset ties” published in “The Hindu” on 25th January 2024.
UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS paper2- International relations- India and its neighbourhood- relations.
News: India is concerned about the scheduled arrival of the Chinese research vessel Xiang Yang Hong 03 in Male this February.
What is the current tension between India and Maldives?
India and the Maldives are facing tensions due to several reasons:
- Tensions are due to derogatory remarks by Maldivian ministers against India and the call for Indian tourists to boycott the Maldives.
- India is concerned about a Chinese research ship, Xiang Yang Hong 03, planning to dock in the Maldives. India’s discomfort with Chinese ships in the Indian Ocean is evident from its actions in Sri Lanka, where it influenced the banning of foreign research vessels.
- The India-Maldives relationship is further strained as the Maldives under President Muizzu scrapped the hydrography agreement with India. For information on India-Maldives hydrography agreement read here
- The rise of President Muizzu, who used an “India Out” campaign slogan, and his preference for other nations like Türkiye, the UAE, and China over India, are contributing to the tensions.
What are the key issues in this situation?
1.The main issue is the regional power struggle between India and China. The Maldives is trying to balance its relations with these bigger nations.
2.Sovereignty and economic security are major concerns for the Maldives.
How is India responding?
Diplomatic engagement: Despite ongoing tensions, India is persistently engaging in diplomatic discussions with the Maldives, exemplified by ongoing high-level meetings like Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s with President Muizzu and the establishment of a high-level core group.
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar’s recent meeting with his Maldivian counterpart highlights continuous diplomatic efforts.
Alignment with Neighbourhood first policy: India’s actions are in line with its ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy, emphasizing the importance of regional relationships. This policy guides India’s balanced approach to addressing both geopolitical challenges and maintaining neighborly ties.
Way forward
The way forward for India and Maldives is to maintain diplomatic engagement, as evidenced by recent high-level meetings. India’s neighborhood-first policy aligns with the economic needs of the Maldives, emphasizing mutual benefits. The Maldives’ measured response to the Chinese ship Xiang Yang Hong 03, permitting only a routine port call, reflects a cautious stance. This opens avenues for diplomacy, fostering stable bilateral relations amidst regional complexities.
A detailed article on India-Maldives Relations can be read here.
Question for practice:
Discuss the key issues and India’s response to the current tensions between India and Maldives.
Legal context in the South Africa vs. Israel ICJ case- The issue of genocide and the world court
Source: The post legal context in the South Africa vs. Israel ICJ case has been created, based on the article “The issue of genocide and the world court” published in “The Hindu” on 25th January 2024.
UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS paper2- International Relations-Important International institutions, agencies and fora, their structure, mandate.
News: This article discusses the case brought by South Africa against Israel in the International Court of Justice (ICJ) regarding Israel’s military operations in Gaza and potential allegations of genocide. It also mentions the involvement of other countries and the broader implications for international law and diplomacy.
What is basis on which South Africa brought case against Israel in the ICJ?
Intent to Destroy a Group: The core of the genocide definition hinges on the intent to destroy, in whole or in substantial part, a defined group of people, such as national, ethnical, racial, or religious groups. In the case presented by South Africa against Israel at the ICJ, this intent is argued to be evident in the actions and statements of Israeli officials towards the Palestinian population in Gaza.
Demonstrating Specific Intent: Demonstrating the specific intent, or “dolus specialis,” to commit genocide is a significant legal challenge. In the ICJ hearings, South Africa sought to establish this by presenting a range of evidence. This included not only the significant number of deaths in Gaza, exceeding 24,000, but also the imminent threats of famine and disease as noted by United Nations officials.
Obligation to prevent genocide: The obligation to prevent genocide, known as an “erga omnes obligation,” is a critical aspect of international law. It puts duty on every state to act against genocide wherever it may occur. This principle underpins South Africa’s standing in bringing the case against Israel to the ICJ, similar to The Gambia’s successful action against Myanmar.
What are Israel’s arguments against South Africa’s obligations?
Israel’s Arguments Against South Africa’s Case:
No Genocidal Intent: Israel asserts that its operations in Gaza were not genocidal but focused on targeting Hamas in response to specific attacks that killed about 1,200 people and involved hostage-taking.
Military Necessity: Israel argues that its actions align with international humanitarian law, emphasizing the operation’s scope was limited to destroying Hamas infrastructure.
Ambiguity of Statements: The country contends that statements by its officials, alleged to be genocidal, are open to different interpretations and do not reflect the operational protocols of the Israeli army.
What future course of action can be taken by ICJ in this case?
Provisional Measures: The ICJ might issue provisional measures different from South Africa’s request for an immediate halt to military hostilities. These tailored measures aim to prevent harm while the case is being resolved.
Humanitarian Assistance: The court might order Israel to allow entry of essential resources into Gaza, addressing the imminent threat of famine and disease.
Restricting Genocidal Statements: The ICJ could instruct Israeli leaders to refrain from making statements that could be interpreted as genocidal.
What are the concerns related to this case?
Concerns with Non-State Actors:
The case highlights the challenge of addressing actions by non-state actors like Hamas in international courts.
Hamas, not being a state, cannot be brought to the ICJ, but its leaders can face trial at the International Criminal Court (ICC).
This raises questions about accountability and jurisdiction in conflicts involving non-state groups.
For information on ICC read here
Global Divide:
The case has intensified a global divide, with countries taking sides based on past colonial or imperial histories.
Nations like Bangladesh and Jordan support South Africa, while Germany backs Israel. The U.S., U.K., and France oppose South Africa’s claim.
This divide reflects deeper geopolitical tensions and questions the impartiality of international law in resolving such disputes.
What is the significance of this case?
Potential Precedent Setting: The ICJ’s decision will impact the situation in Gaza and may establish a precedent for the approach of international courts towards similar conflicts and humanitarian crises in the future.
Question for practice:
Examine the key arguments presented by South Africa and Israel in the International Court of Justice (ICJ) case regarding Israel’s military operations in Gaza and allegations of genocide.
On the Jal Jeevan Mission – Providing clean water to all
Source: This post on the Jal Jeevan Mission has been created based on the article “Providing clean water to all” published in “The Hindu” on 25th January 2024.
UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper 2 Social Justice – Welfare schemes for vulnerable sections of the population.
News: The article discusses the impact of the Jal Jeevan Mission.
Background:
Launched in 2019, the Jal Jeevan Mission aims to achieve the objective of providing piped water in adequate quantities and of prescribed quality on a regular and long-term basis to every rural household in India.
Its achievements include:
- It has already provided tap water to 73% of rural households. More than 14 crore rural households have tap connections compared to only 3.23 crore in 2019.
- Over 5.29 lakh village water and sanitation committees/Pani Samitis have been constituted and 5.17 lakh village action plans have been developed.
- About 22.98 lakh women have been trained for testing water samples using field testing kits.
How did the Jal Jeevan Mission deal with the various challenges?
- Different Regional Needs: Every region had different needs, which were taken care of. Insulated pipes were used in hilly and cold regions. In villages with water quality issues, multi-village schemes through bulk water transfer were planned.
- Transparency and Efficiency: A dashboard that gives real-time updates, progress reports, and so on, ensures transparency and efficiency in water resource management. It also ensures continuous monitoring and surveillance of water quality parameters through advanced technologies.
- Water Quality: A proactive Water Quality Management Information System helps detect contamination or deterioration in water quality, thereby enabling prompt corrective action and grievance redress.
What can be the positive impacts of the Jal Jeevan Mission?
Its impact has extended beyond the provision of clean water. This includes:
Preventing Infant Mortality: Providing safe water can reduce infant deaths by almost 30%, with the potential to prevent 25% of under-five deaths in India (1,36,000 child deaths annually).
Preventing Deaths due to Diarrhoea: A WHO study states that 4 lakh diarrhoeal deaths can be averted if tap water is provided in every household.
Economic Savings: The Jal Jeevan Mission can lead to economic savings of up to $101 billion or ₹8.37 lakh crore (due to savings on health-related expenditure).
Community-Building: It can strengthen the socio-economic fabric of rural communities by bringing in a sense of community.
Skill Building: The empowerment of the youth through skill development, and the creation of local water enterprises can enhance skills of the rural population.
For instance, Nal Jal Mitra initiative equips villagers with skills to carry out minor repairs and maintenance of the piped water supply.
Employment Generation: A study estimates that the Mission’s employment generation potential during the construction phase, including both indirect and direct employment, is huge. Additionally, employment will be generated in the operation and maintenance stage.
Through the Mission, India is moving towards achieving UN Sustainable Development Goal 6 (clean water and sanitation for all).
Question for practice:
What can be the positive impacts of the Jal Jeevan Mission, apart from ensuring clean water supply?
Issues related to naming of drugs in India
Source: The post issues related to naming of drugs in India has been created, based on the article “India’s problem — different drugs, identical brand names” published in “The Hindu” on 25th January 2024.
UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS paper2- governance- Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health.
News: The article discusses the issue in India where different drugs have identical or similar brand names, leading to confusion and potential health risks.
What are the issues related to drug naming in India?
Use of Identical or Similar Names: Drugs with different purposes are often sold under identical or similar names, leading to confusion. For example, ‘Linamac’ is used for a cancer drug and a diabetes drug, and ‘Medzole’ is used for drugs treating sedation, stomach acidity, deworming, and fungal infections.
Phonetic and Visual Similarity: Medzole’ is used for various drugs treating unrelated conditions like sedation, stomach acidity, deworming, and fungal infections. Similarly sounding drugs names like ‘Medpol’, ‘Medrol’, and ‘Metrozole’ add to the confusion.
What are the reasons behind such issues?
Lack of Prescription Error Data: India does not collect data on prescription errors, making it difficult to assess the scope of the problem and implement effective solutions.
Challenges in Pharmacy Regulation: Many Indian pharmacies dispense drugs without proper prescriptions and are not adequately regulated. It increases the risk of dispensing wrong medications due to name confusion.
Language Barrier: Drug packaging in India is mostly in English, which less than 10% of the population speaks. This further complicates the issue for many patients.
What initiatives have been taken to overcome these issues?
Judicial Initiatives:
Supreme Court of India’s Ruling (2001): In the Cadila Health Care Ltd. vs Cadila Pharmaceuticals Ltd. case, the Supreme Court emphasized the need for distinct drug names and advised the Ministry of Health to implement measures to prevent confusion from similarly named drugs. The 59th report of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Health and Family Welfare also made similar recommendations.
Delhi High Court’s Direct Involvement (2019): Justice Pratibha M. Singh, during a case of pharmaceutical trademark infringement, emphasized the seriousness of the issue. Her involvement led to increased awareness and pressure on regulatory bodies to address the problem of confusing drug names.
Legal and Regulatory Measures:
Drugs and Cosmetics (Thirteenth Amendment) Rules, 2019: Introduced a system requiring pharmaceutical companies to provide an “undertaking” that their drug’s brand name would not cause market confusion. This includes checking trademarks registry, central database for drug names, literature, and internet sources.
Despite these rules, there is no complete database of all pharmaceutical brand names in India, limiting their effectiveness.
What should be done?
To address drug name confusion in India, a centralized database for drug names should be established. Strict enforcement of naming regulations is needed, along with better training for pharmacists. Improving pharmacy regulation to ensure compliance with prescription laws and employing trained pharmacists can significantly reduce medication errors stemming from similar drug names.
Question for practice:
Discuss the issues related to drug naming in India and the initiatives that have been taken to overcome these issues.
GS PAPER - 3
On GST Dispute Settlement – How to make GST less taxing
Source: This post on GST Dispute Settlement has been created based on the article “How to make GST less taxing” published in “Indian Express” on 25th January 2024.
UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper 3 Indian Economy – Indian Economy and issues relating to mobilization of resources.
News: The article discusses the various issues arising regarding GST implementation and how they can be tackled.
A detailed article on GST can be read here.
What are the issues arising regards to GST implementation?
- Substantial increase in the number of show-cause notices and other recovery proceedings in the last few years. This is due to a lack of understanding of the new law and procedures, numerous amendments and the impact of frequent portal glitches.
- Classification disputes arising out of differential rates of tax because of multiple notifications.
- There is no GST Appellate Tribunal in place for obtaining relief. The GST Tribunal is yet to be formed.
- The strength of the existing Customs, Excise and Service Tax Appellate Tribunal (CESTAT) has not been increased.
What should be done?
- GST settlement scheme: This will enable assessees to pay a percentage of the disputed tax and bring thousands of pending proceedings to a close.
The author suggests that the scheme should provide for a flat payment of 33% of the disputed tax amount with a complete waiver of interest and penalty. - Keeping Fines Low: The percentage of taxes to be paid under the scheme should not be high and there should be a complete waiver of interest and penalty.
For instance, Sabka Vishwas (Legacy Dispute Resolution) Scheme, 2019 was a huge success because it provided for waiver of interest and penalty subject to payment of a reasonable percentage of taxes demanded or disputed.
This would make GST adoption more attractive and lead to the closure of several disputes. It would also greatly reduce the number of appeals filed before the proposed Tribunal.
Read more about the Direct Tax Vivad Se Viswas Act, 2020.
Question for practice:
What are the various issues arising regarding GST implementation? How can they be tackled?
Prelims Oriented Articles (Factly)
Lake Retba
Source-This post has been created based on the article” Senegal’s pink lake is on the verge of disappearing — how to protect it” published in “Down to Earth” on 19 January 2024.
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Why in the news?
Lake Retba, located in Senegal, is under threat of extinction due to increase in Nitrate level and pollution.
About the lake Retba
Location– Lake Retba is also known as Lac Rose (meaning “pink lake”). It is located in Senegal.
Nearest ocean– Lake Retba is separated only by some narrow dunes from the Atlantic Ocean
Salinity– The lake has high salinity content (comparable to that of the Dead Sea)
World heritage listing– It is under consideration by UNESCO for World Heritage Site Status.
Aquatic life– Due to high salinity, many living organisms are not able to survive (Exceptions being a few microscopic algae and bacteria).
Why is the colour of lake pink?
1) Its distinct pink colour is caused by the Dunaliella salina bacteria. This is attracted by the lake’s salt content.
2) The bacteria produces a red pigment to absorb the sunlight, thus giving the lake its unique colour.
3) The Dunaliella salina bacteria is harmless to humans, and swimming in the lake is possible.
Some Other important lakes in West Africa
Lake Bosumtwi in Ghana is the largest natural lake in West Africa.
Lake Volta in Ghana is the largest man-made reservoir in the world.
Lake Chad is a man-made reservoir located in Chad.
About Senegal
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Location– West Africa
Capital– Dakar
Neighbouring countries– It shares borders with Mauritania to the North and Northwest; by Mali to the East; by Guinea in the South; by Guinea-Bissau to the Southwest and by the Atlantic Ocean to the West.
UPSC SYLLABUS- GEOGRAPHY (places in news) AND ENVIRONMENT
Investment Forum for Advancing Climate Resilient Agrifood Systems in India launched
Source-This post is based on the article “Investment Forum for Advancing Climate Resilient Agrifood Systems in India Launched” published in “PIB” on 24th January 2024.
Why in the News?
Recently, the ‘Investment Forum for Advancing Climate-Resilient Agrifood Systems in India’ was launched in New Delhi.
What is Investment Forum for Advancing Climate Resilient Agrifood Systems in India?
1) Aim– This initiative aims to create a strategy for advancing climate-resilient Agrifood systems through investment and partnerships among the Indian government, private sectors, farmers’ organizations, and financial institutions.
2) It is a joint initiative of NITI Aayog, Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare and Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO).
3) The Forum will enable discussions and considerations across six crucial domains:
(i) Climate-resilient agriculture (experiences and pathways)
(ii) Digital infrastructure and solutions
(iii) Financing climate-resilient agri-food systems (domestic and global)
(iv) Climate-resilient value chains
(v) Production practices and inputs for climate resilience
(vi) Gender main streaming and social inclusion for climate resilience.
What is the Significance of this initiative?
1) Climate change significantly impacts India, particularly its economically vulnerable rural population dependent on climate-sensitive agriculture. Indian agriculture faces risks from extreme temperatures, droughts, floods, cyclones, and soil salinity.
2) Integrating climate considerations into agri-food systems necessitates substantial investments from global climate finance, domestic budgets, and the private sector.
3) The forum will help in identification of national priorities and policy platforms for financing climate-resilient agri-food systems.
4) It will enable key stakeholders to share insights on opportunities through regional collaboration for climate-smart food system initiatives. It will also suggest probable arrangements to maximize resource consolidation, route catalytic findings and support large-scale climate advocacy campaigns.
UPSC Syllabus- Indian Economy (Agriculture)
Exercise Desert Knight
Source-This post is based on the article “EX- DESERT KNIGHT” published in “PIB” on 24th January 2024.
Why in the News?
Recently, the Indian Air Force (IAF) conducted Exercise Desert Knight along with French Air and Space Force (FASF) and United Arab Emirates (UAE) Air Force.
About Exercise Desert Knight
Aspect | Details |
Aim | It primarily aimed at bolstering synergy and interoperability among the three Air Forces (IAF,FASF and UAE Air force). |
Location | This trilateral exercise took place within Indian Flight Information Region (FIR) over the Arabian Sea. |
Participating contingent | 1. French contingent included the Rafale fighter aircraft and a Multi Role Tanker Transport. 2. The UAE Air Force fielded the F-16. 3. The IAF contingent comprised of Su-30 MKI, MiG-29, Jaguar, AWACS, C-130-J and Air to Air Refueller aircraft. |
Significance | It facilitated the sharing of operational knowledge, experiences, and best practices among the participating forces. |
Note- IAF aircraft operated from bases situated within India, while French and UAE aircraft operated from the Al Dhafra air base in the UAE.
UPSC Syllabus- Defence Exercises
Wadge Bank Threatened by Hydrocarbon Exploration
Source-This post is based on the article “Wadge Bank facing threat from hydrocarbon exploration” published in “Deccan Chronicle” on 20th Janauary 2024.
Why in the News?
Wadge Bank faces a potential threat as the Indian government considers offering three oil and gas blocks for exploration and development. The blocks designated for exploration coincide with the Wadge Bank.
About Wadge Bank
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Aspect | Details |
Location | It is a 10,000 square kilometers area, located approximately 50 kilometers south of Kanyakumari. |
Features | It features shallow waters, a nearly flat bottom topography, and a continental shelf. |
Significance | 1. This area is rich in biodiversity and is considered India’s most valuable fishery resource. 2. The low intensity of currents, waves, and tides makes it an ideal location for the accumulation of nutrients and fish food. |
What are Hydrocarbons and what government initiatives are in place for hydrocarbon exploration in India?
1) Hydrocarbons are organic compounds made up of hydrogen and carbon atoms.
2) They are the fundamental constituents of fossil fuels, including coal, natural gas, and petroleum.
3) Hydrocarbon exploration refers to the process of searching for and identifying potential sources of hydrocarbons, such as oil and natural gas, beneath the Earth’s surface.
4) Government Initiatives:
a. Hydrocarbon Exploration and Licensing Policy (HELP) was adopted in 2016.
b. Objective– To enhance domestic oil and gas production by intensifying exploration activity and investment.
For more information on initiatives for hydrocarbon exploration Click here to read |
UPSC Syllabus- Geography and Places in News/Science & Technology
kumki elephant
Source-This post has been created based on the article“Good step, but not long-term answer: Activists on Odisha’s request for ‘kumkis’ & ‘mahouts’ from Tamil Nadu” published in “Down to earth” on 23 January 2024.
Why in the news?
Odisha government has deployed Kumki elephant (domesticated, trained elephants) to reduce human-animal conflict.
About Kumki elephant
1) “Kumki” comes from the Persian word “kumak,” which means “aid.” This name is used all over India, from Bengal to Tamil Nadu.
2) These are trained captive Asian Elephant.
3) They help in patrolling and rescue operation. For example-when any wild elephant gets hurt, Kumki elephant provide medical support.
4) They would help in minimizing conflicts and safeguard both human and wildlife interest.
Why was there a need to employ kumki elephant in odisha?
1) There have been 994 human fatalities and 660 injuries due to elephant attacks in Odisha from 2013-14 to 2022-23, as per government estimates.
2) Crops covering 33,822 acres have been damaged by elephants. This has threatened the livelihood of farmers.
About Asian Elephant
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Aspect | Detail |
About | The Asian elephant is the largest living land animal in Asia. |
Population Distribution | 1. It is distributed throughout the Indian subcontinent and Southeast Asia, ranging from India in the west, Nepal in the north, Sumatra in the south, and to Borneo in the east. 2. India is home to about 29,964 elephants as per last census conducted in 2017. 3. Karnataka has the highest number of elephants in India. |
Conservation Status | Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972: Schedule I IUCN Red List-Endangered. CITES-It is listed in Appendix I of the Convention. |
Conservation Efforts | 1) Project Elephant: Launched by- the Government of India in 1992 as a Centrally Sponsored Scheme. Aim-for the protection of elephants, their habitats and corridors. 2) Asian Elephant Specialist Group (AsESG): AsESG is an integral part of the Species Survival Commission (SSC) of the IUCN. Aim- to promote the long-term conservation of Asia’s elephants and recovery of their populations to viable levels. 3) Gaj Yatra: Launched by- Wildlife Institute of India (WII) Aim-to celebrate elephants and highlight the necessity of securing elephant corridors. 4) Monitoring the Killing of Elephants (MIKE): It is an international collaboration that tracks trends in information related to the illegal killing of elephants from across Africa and Asia to monitor effectiveness of field conservation efforts. 5) Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals, C0P 13- adopted the Gandhinagar declaration where the Asian elephant was added to the Global Wildlife Agreement. |
Threats | Habitat loss, habitat degradation, habitat fragmentation, and poaching. |
UPSC SYLLABUS:-ENVIRONMENT (species in news)