9 PM Daily Current Affairs Brief – April 7th, 2023
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Mains Oriented Articles
GS PAPER - 2
Schooling Reforms – On National Curriculum Framework
Source- The post is based on the article “Schooling Reforms” published in the “The Times of India” on 7th April 2023.
Syllabus: GS2- Issues related to development and management of education
Relevance– Issues related to educational reforms
News– The draft National Curriculum Framework (NCF) for School Education 2023 is proposed by the government.
What are some facts about the draft National Curriculum Framework (NCF) for School Education 2023?
It has recommended major changes in assessment across different levels of schooling.
It envisages students moving across arts, commerce and science more freely, an increase in self-assessment, and board exams taking place at least twice a year.
What is the way forward for proper implementation of the draft National Curriculum Framework (NCF) for School Education 2023?
The document should be put in the public domain soon. That will remove unjustified fears. It will also encourage stakeholders to start a constructive engagement with reform proposals.
Education policymakers should take lessons from the past experiments. Continuous and comprehensive evaluation was ushered in 2009 but has to end in 2017. Good ideas with poor execution are not successful.
Why is India reaching out to Latin America?
Contents
Source: The post is based on the article “Why is India reaching out to Latin America?” published in Live Mint on 7th April 2023.
Syllabus: GS 2 – International Relations
Relevance: India and Latin America Relations
News: India is trying to strengthen its relations with Latin American countries like Brazil, Argentina, etc. The article explains India’s interest in Latin America.
What has been the history of relations between India and Latin America?
After independence, India had a very limited diplomatic and economic reach. This forced India to prioritise ties with its neighbourhood and major Western powers.
However, in its first annual report in 1948, the external affairs ministry said its focus on Latin America was limited despite India’s interest in the region.
There were also domestic challenges with Latin American countries. Due to which, these two countries were not able to build their relations.
Why is India now interested in Latin America?
First, trade with Latin America has increased dramatically. Since 2000, trade has increased by roughly 25% each year and is now close to $50 billion. The rise has been driven by industries such as automobiles.
Second, India’s desire to diversify its energy dependencies has pushed it towards Latin America. Indian energy majors like ONGC are active in Colombia and Bharat Petroleum in Brazil.
Renewable energy is also a priority, with opportunities for collaboration in ethanol and green hydrogen.
The region also contains critical deposits of resources such as copper and lithium, which will be critical to India’s energy transformation ambitions.
How has Latin America responded to India’s outreach?
Latin America has welcomed increased Indian interest and has tried to attract investment. The Panamanian foreign minister pointed out that Latin American nations can connect Indian companies with the wider Americas market.
The region has suffered due to Covid, Ukraine war and their economies are also struggling with poverty and inequality. In such a scenario, increased economic engagement with India is a key priority for many of the region’s economies.
What are the challenges?
India’s trade with Latin America is negligible in comparison to China’s enormous $450 billion trading in that region. China is also a major lender to the region.
While other businesses are competing to take advantage of Latin America’s abundant natural resources, Indian businesses have lagged behind.
Hence, in order to overcome these challenges, India will need to step up its economic diplomacy and join regional economic institutions like the Inter-American Development Bank.
NCERT textbook revision
Contents
Source- The post is based on the article “NCERT textbook revision: Why it happens every few years & what makes it controversial” published in the “The Indian Express” and “History textbook deletions: Why NCERT argument that it is trying to reduce pressure on students is weak” published in “The Indian Express” on 7th April 2023.
Syllabus: GS2- Issues related to development and management of education
Relevance- Issues related to syllabus and curriculum of textbooks
News- Recently, revision of NCERT books has created political controversy.
What are the revisions in NCERT textbooks?
The textbook rationalisation has resulted in some of the most sweeping changes in the curriculum since the NDA government came to power.
It includes removing all references to the 2002 Gujarat riots, reducing content related to the Mughal era and the caste system, and dropping chapters on protests and social movements, European presence in the Americas, etc.
Have there been controversies around NCERT textbooks earlier?
NCERT textbooks over the years have become the government’s medium for political communication and a battleground of competing ideologies.
New textbooks drafted in 2002-03 were criticised for portraying the Muslim rulers of India as savage invaders, and the mediaeval period as era of Islamic domination.
The UPA government made its own changes to school textbooks. In 2012, cartoons that were deemed derogatory to Jawaharlal Nehru and B R Ambedkar were removed from political science textbooks.
Why are controversies created by NCERT textbooks revision?
Many of these changes are seen as political. There are allegations that the rationalisation aims to align the curriculum with the ideology of the ruling party. Some of the changes appear to match the views expressed by members of the ruling establishment.
The rationale for the dropping of the various chapters is that these deletions would not affect the knowledge of children and an unnecessary burden would be removed.
But deleted chapters bring a different level of knowledge and understanding to the students.
It is not a simple case of reducing the load. It is because many of the deleted chapters have not been covered by previous classes. Furthermore, the level of discussion varies in textbooks for different classes. For example, chapter ‘Confrontation of Cultures’ that has been deleted from the Class 11 history textbook, has not been covered anywhere previously.
It is the deletion from the Class 12 history book that is the most striking. Most of the chapter contains fresh material and perspectives to understand the developments that took place during the mediaeval period.
How to ensure that changes made in NCERT books are not questioned?
It would not be a proper thing to never bring changes in textbooks. New research may throw up interesting sources or interpretations of periods, institutions, rulers and the common people.
But these have to be based on rigorous research. Ideological orientation should not decide the history curriculum.
Representation in India’s police forces
Source: The post is based on the article “Representation in India’s police forces” published in The Hindu on 7th April 2023.
Syllabus: GS 2 – Social Justice
Relevance: Findings of India Justice Report 2022.
News: India Justice Report 2022 has been recently released.
What are the findings of the report for the police in India?
Overall Performer: Overall, the Telangana police have bagged the top rank among States while West Bengal has come last.
Overall Vacancies: The overall police vacancies increased from 20.3% of the sanctioned strength to 22.1% between January 2020 and January 2022.
Vacancies for Police constables: West Bengal was the worst performer among large and mid-size States with vacancies amounting to 44.1% of the sanctioned strength.
Kerala was at the top with constable vacancies making up 4.6% of the sanctioned strength.
Vacancies for Police officers: Bihar has the highest percentage of vacancies at 53.8% as against the sanctioned strength.
How have States performed in fulfilling their quotas for Women, SC and ST communities in the Police?
Karnataka was the only State to meet its SC, ST, and Other backward classes quotas.
Scheduled Caste
Police Officers: Among large and mid-sized States, Gujarat at 131% was the best performer in terms of the percentage of actual SC police officers to its reservation quota while Uttar Pradesh came last with 43% SC officers against its quota.
Police Constables: Karnataka had 116% of SC constables against its quota, while Haryana had the lowest at 63%.
Small States: As for small States, Goa and Sikkim were the best performers for the percentage of SC officers and constables, respectively.
Scheduled Tribes
Police Officers: Karnataka, at 176%, was the best performer on the police officer level, going beyond its reserved ratio.
Police Constables: Bihar fulfilled its quota by 278%, while Punjab came in last in large and medium States at 0.01%.
Women
Most States have their own specific quotas for the number of women required in the police force.
For instance, six UTs and nine States have a target of 33% reservation for women while it varies from Bihar’s 35% to 10% in Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya and Tripura. Five States/UTs, including Kerala and Mizoram, have no reservations.
As per the findings, no State which had the 33% criteria, managed to meet it and it will take another 24 years to have 33% women in police forces across States.
However, among large and medium States, Andhra Pradesh which reserves 33% of overall police posts for women, performed the best with 21.8%. Jharkhand was the worst performer with its share of women in police being just 6.2%.
In small States, Himachal Pradesh was at the top with 14% while Tripura came in last with just 5.3%. Among Union Territories, Ladakh had 28.3% women in police, while Jammu and Kashmir had just 3.3%.
Source: The Hindu
Why is India
Open justice – Supreme Court strikes a blow for both media freedom and fair procedure
Contents
Source: The post is based on the following articles
“Open justice – Supreme Court strikes a blow for both media freedom and fair procedure” published in The Hindu on 7th April 2023.
“In Media One verdict, SC does some much-needed plain-speaking on national security” published in the Indian Express on 7th April 2023.
“Free Speech: 1 Big Bench, 1 Benchmark” and “Article 19 Redux” published in The Times of India on 7th April 2023.
Syllabus: GS – 2: Indian Constitution—historical underpinnings, evolution, features, amendments, significant provisions and basic structure.
Relevance: About Freedom of Press in India.
News: The Supreme Court in the Madhyamam Broadcasting Limited vs Union of India case, annulled the Union government’s telecast ban on the Malayalam news channel.
What were the observations made by the court while delivering the judgment?
Read more: Supreme Court says critical views on government policies not anti-establishment |
-The Centre said that the media channel is having alleged links with Jamaat-e-Islami Hind (JEIH). But the Court points out that JEIH is not a banned organisation. So, “it will be rather precarious for the state to contend that links with the organisation would affect the sovereignty and integrity of the nation.”
-The court agrees that restrictions on press freedom could lead to a “homogenised view on issues that range from socioeconomic polity to political ideologies” which “would pose grave dangers to democracy”.
-The Court could appoint an amicus curiae, who could be given access to the material whenever the state claims immunity from disclosure.
What is the significance of the ruling on Freedom of Press in India?
The ruling highlights a) An independent press is vital for the robust functioning of a democratic republic, b) The “anti-establishment” views of Media channels are not adequate grounds for invoking the national security exception to free speech, c) The need for greater openness and more freedom of the press, without which both justice and democracy are incomplete, d) Set standards for restrictions based on national security and the use of sealed envelopes by Centre, e) Enforces the established principle of natural justice thereby relevant material must be disclosed to the affected party along with ensuring right to appeal.
About the freedom of the press in India
Article 19 of the Constitution protects the freedom of the media. Like other fundamental rights, this freedom is subject to reasonable restrictions. Article 19(2) provides several reasons to curtail free speech “in the interests of the sovereignty and integrity of India, the security of the state, friendly relations with foreign states, public order, decency or morality or in relation to contempt of court, defamation or incitement to an offence”.
However, the Constitution doesn’t detail a benchmark to test the reasonableness of a restriction.
This non-availability of benchmarks resulted in governments at all levels have been using restrictions arbitrarily to clamp down on journalists and thereby restrict media freedom in India.
How courts in the past had different views on freedom of the press?
The court judgments in matters of free speech have often varied. A senior advocate once said that “depending on where your matter goes, who those two judges are, the outcome can be completely, radically different.”
For example, a) A SC bench at present is looking at “hate speech” without even defining the term, b) In 2010, a SC bench upheld the ban on a book that was critical of Islam. In that, the court held “We are not against your right (to free speech). But we are more for public interest and public peace in the country.” c) In 2017, the court refused to ban a book which allegedly defamed the entire vysya community, d) A recent trial court judgment upheld a complaint against Rahul Gandhi for his alleged remarks on the surname Modi, for which he has been sentenced to two years in prison for defamation.
What should be done?
The court’s view on freedom of the press has to be reasonably consistent. SC must not leave matters to individual judges and specific cases to decide the law. As this can only result in contradictory guidelines on free speech. To avoid that, the SC should constitute a full bench of seven or nine judges to review all free speech judgments (or those curtailing them) of the past, both at the apex court level and the high courts. This bench a) Can bring out the real limits to free speech, and the legitimate exercise of this right, b) Define hate speech clearly, and c) Laid down guidelines for police forces to determine when a speech actually constitutes a threat to public order of a magnitude where things may go out of control.
India – Bhutan relations and its significance – Explained, pointwise
Contents
- 1 Introduction
- 2 About India – Bhutan relations in the past and what are the various areas of cooperation?
- 3 What are the recent developments in India – Bhutan relations?
- 4 What is the importance of India to Bhutan and vice versa?
- 5 What are the recent developments in China – Bhutan relations?
- 6 What are the implications of China –Bhutan relations on India?
- 7 What should be done to develop India – Bhutan relations further?
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Introduction
India and Bhutan have maintained a close relationship for many years. The recent meeting between both countries focused on the ongoing border negotiations between Bhutan and China. The meeting highlighted the close friendship between the two countries and their commitment to guiding India – Bhutan relations to new heights. This relationship is significant for both countries and has geopolitical implications in the region.
About India – Bhutan relations in the past and what are the various areas of cooperation?
Since 1947, when Bhutan got its independence, it has been close and friendly with India. India is Bhutan’s biggest trading partner, and it gives Bhutan a lot of money and technical help.
Read here: India-Bhutan relations |
What are the recent developments in India – Bhutan relations?
India extends additional “standby” credit facility to Bhutan: India has extended an additional “standby” credit facility to Bhutan upon its request, which will be over and above the two existing standby credit facilities that are already in operation between the two countries.
Consideration of Bhutan’s request to sell power from the Basochhu hydroelectric project: India has agreed to consider Bhutan’s request to sell power from its hydro-power project known as the Basochhu hydroelectric project, which could be done through the energy exchange mechanism of the market.
Developing long-term bilateral arrangements: India is focusing on developing a sustainable long-term arrangement for the export of agriculture commodities from Bhutan. They also plan to expand their energy cooperation beyond hydroelectric projects. Additionally, India aims to develop a long-term bilateral arrangement to ensure a reliable supply of critical commodities to Bhutan. These commodities include petroleum, fertilisers, and coal.
Read more: PM holds talks with Bhutan King; focus on bilateral ties, issues of national interest |
What is the importance of India to Bhutan and vice versa?
Importance of India to Bhutan:
Economic Support: India is Bhutan’s largest trading partner and provides significant economic support. For instance, since 2014, India’s trade with Bhutan has almost tripled from US$484 million in 2014-15 to US$1.42 billion in 2021-22, accounting for about 80 percent of Bhutan’s overall trade.
Security: India has been playing a crucial role in ensuring the security of Bhutan. For instance, India’s military helps secure Bhutan’s borders, and India has helped Bhutan in countering insurgent groups.
Diplomatic Support: India has been a strong diplomatic supporter of Bhutan. India has helped Bhutan in its international engagements, and India’s support has been essential in ensuring Bhutan’s sovereignty.
Socio-economic development: India has been extending assistance to Bhutan’s socio-economic development since the early 1960s, including multi-sectoral project-tied assistance, small development projects, and direct budgetary support.
Importance of Bhutan to India:
Strategic Importance: Bhutan has significant strategic importance for India. Bhutan shares its borders with China, and India considers Bhutan as a buffer state between India and China. For example, China has been offering major concessions on the north in order to obtain a much smaller territory, which is in Doklam, for years. Bhutan has resisted this offer consistently because it understands India’s security concerns and will not decide its border with China without taking into account India’s interests.
Strategic ally: Bhutan is a strategic ally for India in the region and provides security assurances to India’s northeastern states.
Cultural Ties: Bhutan has deep cultural ties with India. Bhutan’s religion, language, and customs are heavily influenced by India’s culture. Additionally, Bhutan has been a strong supporter of India’s cultural diplomacy.
Hydropower cooperation: Mutually beneficial hydropower cooperation with Bhutan forms the core of bilateral economic cooperation, providing clean power for India and economic prosperity for Bhutan. Hydroelectricity has become one of the biggest revenue earners of Bhutan, which makes Bhutan the country with the highest per capita income in South Asia today.
What are the recent developments in China – Bhutan relations?
Recent Developments in China-Bhutan Relations:
Border Dispute: China and Bhutan have a long-standing border dispute, with China claiming the Doklam plateau as part of its territory, which is also claimed by Bhutan. In 2017, the two countries were involved in a military standoff in the Doklam plateau area, which was resolved after several weeks of tense negotiations.
Diplomatic Relations: Bhutan has been traditionally cautious in its approach towards China and maintains a close relationship with India. However, in recent years, Bhutan has been trying to improve its relations with China due to its economic power.
Economic Cooperation: China has been providing economic assistance to Bhutan, particularly in the areas of infrastructure development, agriculture, and tourism. In 2020, the two countries signed an agreement to establish a sister city relationship between Xining, the capital of Qinghai province in China, and Thimphu, the capital of Bhutan.
People-to-People Ties: In recent years, there has been an increase in people-to-people ties between China and Bhutan, with more Bhutanese students studying in China and Chinese tourists visiting Bhutan. In 2019, the two countries signed an agreement to promote tourism cooperation.
COVID-19 Pandemic: China has provided medical supplies and equipment to Bhutan to help fight the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2021, Bhutan received a donation of COVID-19 vaccines from China, which were used to vaccinate Bhutanese citizens.
What are the implications of China –Bhutan relations on India?
Strategic implications: China’s increasing influence in Bhutan could pose a threat to India’s security and strategic interests. It could potentially give China a strategic advantage in the region by encircling India from all sides.
Border implications: Bhutan’s border with China is a sensitive issue for India. If China gains more influence in Bhutan, it could lead to territorial disputes between Bhutan and China, which could directly impact India’s border security.
Economic implications: China’s growing economic influence in Bhutan could impact India’s trade and economic interests in the region. It could also lead to China gaining access to Bhutan’s natural resources, which could pose a challenge to India’s energy security.
Regional implications: China’s increasing influence in Bhutan could impact the balance of power in the region. It could lead to a shift in the regional power dynamics and potentially impact India’s role in the region.
Diplomatic implications: China’s growing influence in Bhutan could impact Bhutan’s traditional pro-India foreign policy. This could lead to Bhutan distancing itself from India and aligning more closely with China, which could have diplomatic implications for India in the region.
What should be done to develop India – Bhutan relations further?
Strengthening Economic Ties: India and Bhutan can work towards enhancing economic cooperation by promoting bilateral trade and investments in various sectors. India can offer technical expertise to Bhutan in developing its infrastructure, tourism industry, and hydropower projects. This can be achieved through joint ventures, the setting up of industries and the signing of free trade agreements.
Address China’s concerns: India can try to address some of China’s concerns regarding its presence in the region, such as by promoting transparency and dialogue in its engagement with Bhutan and other countries in the neighbourhood.
Resolving Boundary Issues: India and Bhutan should work towards resolving their boundary issues through peaceful means. This will help in maintaining a peaceful border and will enhance the trust and confidence between the two countries.
Use multilateral platforms: India can use multilateral platforms such as the BRICS and the SCO to engage with China on issues related to the region and work towards finding mutually acceptable solutions.
Improving Connectivity: India can help Bhutan in improving its connectivity by providing better road and rail links. This will help in boosting trade and tourism between the two countries.
Enhancing Defense Cooperation: India and Bhutan can work towards enhancing their defense cooperation by increasing the frequency of joint military exercises and training programs. This will help Bhutan in improving its defense capabilities.
Addressing Environmental Concerns: India and Bhutan can collaborate on environmental issues by sharing their knowledge and expertise on sustainable development. India can also help Bhutan in addressing its concerns over climate change and natural disasters.
Promoting People-to-People Contact: To strengthen the cultural bond between the two countries, there should be more exchanges of students, academicians, and cultural groups between India and Bhutan. This will help in promoting mutual understanding and respect between the two countries.
Sources: Economic Times (Article 1 and Article 2), The Hindu (Article 1 and Article 2), The Print, The Diplomat, and ORF
Syllabus: GS 2: International Relations: India and its Neighbourhood- relations
GS PAPER - 3
India’s trade stance remains a little too protectionism happy
Source- The post is based on the article “India’s trade stance remains a little too protectionism happy” published in the “mint” on 7th April 2023.
Syllabus: GS3- Indian economy
Relevance– Issues related to trade policy
News– Recently, the government unveiled a new Foreign Trade Policy
What are issues with the recently released new trade policy?
The policy is a recitation of the laws and processes that regulate Indian trade. It makes no real effort to engage with the policy issues at stake.
No attempt has been made to explain how New Delhi views global economic systems and India’s place in them.
Multinational companies are reorienting supply chains to reduce their dependence on China. India is a more reliable commercial partner for the West. Trade policy does not contain the strategy for relocating supply chains to India .
It is not looking for ways to build trust with trading partners such as Japan. how to share the burdens of global sourcing and supply to promote a shared economic security.
What are the reasons behind lack of focus on trade related issues among policymakers?
India’s approach to trade remains incoherent and contradictory. Indian policymakers no longer seem to believe India can become a great trading nation.
Policymakers at the highest level are keen to debate geopolitical shifts. But in case of trade, decision-making is left to middle-level bureaucrats or to chambers of commerce. This is odd because geopolitics and trade policy have become intimately connected today.
What are other issues with the foreign trade strategy of India?
India is offering halfhearted incentives for manufacturers to shift their operations to India. It is offering $10 billion for semiconductor subsidies while the US plans $40 billion.
There is a lack of political will. They cannot promise that India will become part of the redirected, resilient supply chains that investors in Japan and the West want to build.
Prelims Oriented Articles (Factly)
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