9 PM UPSC Current Affairs Articles 10 May, 2024

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Mains Oriented Articles

GS PAPER - 2

Issue with fiscal transfers in India

Source: The post Issue with fiscal transfers in India has been created, based on the article “Making a better Indian Union” published in “Business standard” on 10th May 2024.

UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper 2-Issues and Challenges Pertaining to the Federal Structure

Context: The article discusses how some wealthier southern Indian states feel unfairly treated because their taxes are redistributed to poorer northern states. However, wealthier states still gain economic benefits through the union, despite growing disparities between richer and poorer regions.

What is the issue with fiscal transfers in India?

Southern States’ Perspective: The “South Tax Movement” asserts that southern states are penalized for better economic management. Karnataka receives 15 paisa per rupee of tax paid, and Tamil Nadu gets 29 paisa.

Northern States’ Benefits: Meanwhile, Uttar Pradesh receives ₹2.73 per rupee, and Bihar receives ₹7.06, reflecting a higher fiscal benefit than southern states.

Not Just North-South: Other wealthy states like Maharashtra, Gujarat, Haryana, and Delhi also contribute more than they receive back. Eastern states like Assam, Odisha, and West Bengal are among those benefiting more.

For details information on issue with fiscal transfers in India read Article 1, Article 2

What can we learn from the European Union?

Richer Nations Contribute More: In the European Union (EU), richer northern nations like Germany, the Netherlands, and Denmark believe they over-contribute compared to less developed countries in Southern and Eastern Europe.

Benefits of a Captive Market: Despite these contributions, richer EU nations gain access to a captive market to sell their products, boosting their economic opportunities.

Currency Advantage: The Bertelsmann Stiftung Foundation found that Germany experienced 0.5% annual growth due to the euro. If Germany still used the stronger D-Mark, its exports would be less competitive globally.

Migration Benefits: Free migration within the EU increased overall income by €100-230 billion over a decade. Migrants from poorer countries find higher-paying jobs, while richer nations fill labor shortages.

What future challenges lie ahead?

Parliamentary Seat Allocation: India’s parliamentary seats have not been adjusted since 1991. With northern states growing faster, Bihar and Uttar Pradesh could gain over 30 seats after 2026, leading to potential North-South conflicts.

Representation Imbalance: The southern states, along with Odisha and West Bengal, stand to lose seats, risking further North-South divides.

Fiscal Allocation: The 16th Finance Commission will decide on fiscal distribution. Addressing health, education, and infrastructure gaps in poorer states is vital for balanced growth across India by 2047.

Question for practice:

Discuss the disparities in fiscal transfers within India and draw comparisons to the European Union’s approach to wealth redistribution and economic integration.

Affirmative Action in India- Constitutional Provisions, Implementation Challenges, and Political Debates

Source: The post affirmative action in India- constitutional provisions, implementation challenges, and political debates has been created, based on the article “Reservation within Constitutional bounds” published in “The Hindu” on 10th May 2024.

UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper 2-Indian Constitution- historical underpinnings, evolution, features, amendments, significant provisions and basic structure.

Context: This article discusses the political conflict around reservations in India, where parties debate caste census and religious reservations. It explains constitutional affirmative action, reviews its implementation, and considers potential changes like removing the 50% cap and sub-categorizing benefits.

For detailed information on What is affirmative action? read this article here

How does the Constitution ensure affirmative action?

Fundamental Rights: The Constitution ensures social justice by guaranteeing equality in Articles 15 and 16, allowing affirmative action in educational admissions and public employment.

Provisions for Backward Classes: It enables special provisions for the advancement of OBCs, SCs, and STs. The 1992 Indra Sawhney case upheld a 27% reservation for OBCs while capping total reservations at 50%.

Creamy Layer Exclusion: The court mandates excluding wealthy OBC individuals, currently defined as those with incomes above ₹8 lakh.

EWS Reservation: The Janhit Abhiyan case in 2022 validated the 10% Economic Weaker Section (EWS) quota.

Muslim Reservation: Karnataka has a 4% sub-categorization for Muslims under the OBC quota, though it was briefly redistributed among Hindu OBCs. Courts later upheld this categorization.

How does affirmative action work in other countries?

United States: The U.S. uses affirmative action programs that give special consideration to racial minorities like African-Americans and Latin-Americans. However, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in Fair Admissions vs. Harvard (2023) that race-based admissions violate the Constitution.

United Kingdom: The U.K. permits voluntary “positive action” programs allowing employers to support underrepresented groups.

France: There is no race-based affirmative action in France. Instead, educational measures promote opportunities for low-income students.

What is the current controversy about religious reservations?

BJP-Congress Conflict: The BJP and Congress conflict centers on the caste census and reservations. The BJP criticizes Congress’s push for a caste census and linking reservations to religion. Meanwhile, Congress questions the BJP’s policies on reservation, despite the BJP denying any changes to its stance.

Muslim and Christian Quotas: The government is exploring extending SC benefits to Dalit Muslims and Christians, given that their backwardness aligns with the constitutional definition of “socially and educationally backward classes.”

For details information on Dalit Christians — exclusion by society, church, state read this article here

What challenges exist in implementing affirmative action effectively?

Concentration of Benefits: The Rohini Commission found that 97% of reserved jobs and educational seats are taken by only 25% of OBC castes, leaving about 1,000 OBC communities unrepresented.

Lack of Sub-Categorization: Although 11 states implemented sub-categorization, it hasn’t been applied at the central level.

No Creamy Layer Exclusion: SCs and STs lack a mechanism like the OBC creamy layer to ensure equitable distribution.

Religious Discrimination: The Constitution includes all religions under “socially and educationally backward classes,” but the 1950 Scheduled Castes Order limits SC membership to Hinduism, Sikhism, or Buddhism. There’s no such limitation for STs.

Question for practice:

Evaluate the effectiveness of affirmative action in India, considering its constitutional provisions, implementation challenges, and the ongoing political debate surrounding caste census and religious reservations.

GS PAPER - 3

Generative AI impacting cybersecurity

Source: The post generative AI impacting cybersecurity has been created, based on the article “An AIinfused world needs matching cybersecurity” published in “The Hindu” on 10th May 2024.

UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper 3-security-cybersecurity

Context: The article discusses the rise in cyber threats linked to generative AI misuse. It highlights how hackers use AI to impersonate voices, phishing attacks are growing, and cybersecurity needs tighter global cooperation.

For details information on Generative AI read this article here

How is generative AI impacting cybersecurity?

Increased Phishing Attacks: Phishing emails surged by 1,265% and credential theft rose by 967% since late 2022 due to AI.

Voice Cloning for Fraud: Hackers imitated a mother’s daughter’s voice to extort money, highlighting the risks of AI-based scams.

Enhanced Hacking Sophistication: AI helps hackers translate code, identify vulnerabilities, and amplify attacks.

Rising Attacks on Organizations: 75% of professionals reported more cyberattacks last year, while 85% linked the trend to AI.

Privacy Erosion: Voice-activated toys and biometric systems threaten individual privacy.

For details information on Concerns related to generative AI read this article here

What are governments doing about it?

Global Cooperation: Countries like the U.S., U.K., China, and India signed the Bletchley Declaration at the AI Safety Summit to strengthen collaboration.

For details information on Bletchley Declaration read this article here

Legislation Development: Governments are working on tighter ethical and legal frameworks to combat AI misuse despite facing challenges in fully understanding the technology.

For more information read Article1, Article 2

What should be done?

Content Watermarking: Implement watermarking for AI-generated content to help identify and limit malicious use.

Digital Literacy Training: Companies should offer training to help employees identify phishing and other scams, with 75% reporting increased cyberattacks.

Public Feedback: Engage the public to improve regulation and ensure protection for privacy and security.

Question for practice:

Examine how governments are addressing the rise in cyber threats linked to generative AI misuse and discuss potential measures to mitigate these risks effectively.

How India’s agricultural exports fell

Source: The post how India’s agricultural exports fell has been created, based on the article “Why agriculture may need a new exportimport policy” published in “Indian express” on 10th May 2024.

UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper 3-Agriculture – Marketing of agricultural produce.

Context: This article discusses how India’s agricultural exports fell by 8.2% in the fiscal year ending March 31, 2024, mainly due to government restrictions on exporting key items like sugar, non-basmati rice, wheat, and onions to protect domestic supply and control inflation.

For details information on India’s Agricultural Export Sector read this article here

Why did agricultural exports fall?

Reasons for the Decline in Agricultural Exports:

Bans on Key Commodities:

Government bans on sugar exports starting October 2023 reduced their value from $5.77 billion to $2.82 billion.

Non-basmati rice exports dropped from $6.36 billion to $4.57 billion due to restrictions imposed in July 2023.

Wheat exports were banned in May 2022, causing a sharp drop from $2.12 billion to $56.74 million.

Onion exports fell to 17.08 lakh tonnes worth $467.83 million following export restrictions.

Global Price Shifts:

A global crash in agri-commodity prices between 2013-14 and 2019-20 made India’s exports less competitive.

The FAO food price index dropped from 119.1 to 96.5 points, impacting export revenues.

Why did imports change?

Imports changed in 2023-24 primarily due to shifts in edible oil prices and pulses demand.

Global edible oil prices dropped after the Russia-Ukraine war, leading to a fall in India’s vegetable oil import bill to below $15 billion from over $20 billion the previous year.

Conversely, pulses imports nearly doubled to $3.75 billion, driven by high domestic demand.

The change in import trends was thus shaped by declining international oil prices and rising domestic demand for essential agricultural products like pulses.

What should be done?

Policy Stability: Farmers and traders require predictable policies. Sudden bans on key exports like wheat hurt market development and need careful consideration.

Temporary Tariffs: Introducing temporary tariffs instead of outright bans would better balance consumer and producer interests.

Support Crop Diversification: Encourage farmers to grow less water-intensive crops like pulses and oilseeds by maintaining reasonable tariffs. Current zero/low tariffs on imports of these crops counter efforts to diversify away from rice, wheat, and sugarcane.

Balanced Approach: Develop a policy that prioritizes both short- and long-term goals, supporting the farm sector’s growth while safeguarding consumer interests.

Question for practice:

Examine the factors contributing to the decline in India’s agricultural exports and the shifts in its import trends.

Prelims Oriented Articles (Factly)

Cook Islands

Source– This post on Cook Islands has been created based on the article “The tiny nation at the vanguard of mining the ocean floor” published in “The Hindu” on 9th May 2024.

Why in the news?

The Cook Islands is leading efforts to explore deep-sea mining for minerals essential in electric car batteries.

About Cook Islands

Cook Islands Maps & Facts - World Atlas

1. Cook Islands is a self-governing island state in free association with New Zealand.

2. It is located in the South Pacific Ocean. Its capital is Avarua on Rarotonga Island.

3. The Cook Islands comprise 15 islands divided into the Northern and Southern island groups.

a. The northern islands are mostly low-lying and sparsely populated coral atolls; and include the islands of Manihiki, Nassau, Penrhyn, Pukapuka, Rakahanga, and Suwarrow. These islands are covered in light vegetation and equipped with white sand beaches.

B. The southern islands generally consist of much larger higher islands that are volcanic in origin and more densely populated.

3. Highest and lowest point: The highest point is Te Manga on the Rarotonga island and the lowest point is the Pacific Ocean (0m).

4. Flora and fauna: The Cook Islands has a unique tropical ecosystem. This includes approximately 100 native ferns, 200 flowering plants, 500 fish species, a dozen lizards, landbirds, shellfish, migrant birds, resident seabirds, as well as marine turtles and humpback whales

UPSC Syllabus: Places in News

FLiRT variant

Source– This post on FLiRT variant has been created based on the article “All about FLiRT, the new COVID-19 variants” published in “The Hindu” on 9th May 2024.

Why in the news?

The COVID-19 cycle has regained momentum with the emergence of new ‘FLiRT’ variants. KP.2 and KP1.1 are descendants of the Omicron JN.1 variant, which proliferated worldwide.

About FLiRT Variants:

i) About FLiRT Variants: The FLiRT variants are new strains of the SARS-CoV-2 virus that have emerged in the United States. They are distant relatives of the Omicron variant.

ii) Variants: Two main strains have been identified within the FLiRT group: KP.2 and KP.1.1.

iii) Caused by: These variants were first detected in wastewater samples across the country and are descendants of the JN.1 lineage.

2. Reasons for Concern:

i) Scientists are concerned that KP.2 and KP.1.1 may be more adept at evading the immune system due to mutations in their spike proteins.

ii)  Factors such as waning immunity and suboptimal uptake of the latest COVID-19 vaccines raise concerns about a potential surge in infections during the summer.

3. Symptoms and Vaccination:

i) Symptoms: Symptoms associated with FLiRT variants largely mirror those of other COVID-19 strains, including fever, cough, fatigue, and respiratory difficulties.

ii) While vaccines remain effective against FLiRT variants, maintaining up-to-date booster shots is crucial to bolster protection against them.

4. Situation in India: India’s SARS-CoV-2 Genomics Consortium (INSACOG) has identified 238 cases of KP.2 and 30 cases of KP1.1 as of May 6. India has witnessed a resurgence in cases since early April, with a significant rise in positivity rates.

UPSC Syllabus: Science and technology (Health)

NIN’s Dietary Guidelines

Source– This post on NIN’s Dietary Guidelines has been created based on the article “With 56.4% of India’s total disease burden linked to unhealthy diets, what new nutrition guidelines prescribe” published in “The Indian Express” on 10 May 2024.

Why in the News?

With noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) such as cardiovascular diseases, cancers, and diabetes on the rise, India’s National Institute of Nutrition (NIN) has released comprehensive dietary guidelines targeting vulnerable groups, including pregnant and lactating women, children, and the elderly.

About NIN’s Dietary Guidelines

Meeting nutrition challenge: what new guidelines prescribe
Source: Indian express

1. Addressing Disease Burden: Unhealthy diets contribute to approximately 4% of India’s disease burden. These guidelines stress the importance of dietary improvements to prevent NCDs such as Type 2 diabetes and heart disease.

2. Focus on Vulnerable Groups: Optimal nutrition during critical periods like pregnancy, lactation, and early childhood is crucial for proper growth and development. Alarming rates of lifestyle-related conditions among children and adolescents underscore the need for targeted interventions.

3. Dual Nutrition Challenge: Micronutrient deficiencies are prevalent among children aged 1 to 19, alongside persistent concerns such as anaemia. Additionally, obesity rates have surged, highlighting the dual challenge of undernutrition and overnutrition.

4. Importance of Dietary Guidelines: The guidelines advocate for healthy dietary practices, including reducing salt intake and limiting consumption of highly processed foods. Tailored recommendations are provided for pregnant and lactating women, infants, children, and the elderly, emphasizing the consumption of nutrient-dense foods from diverse food groups.

UPSC Syllabus: Governance

Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting

Source– This post on Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting has been created based on the article “India to formally convey to ATCM its plans to built new research station in Antarctica” published in “The Indian Express” on 10 May 2024.

Why in the news?

India plans to announce its intention to build a new research station in Antarctica at the Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting which will be held in Kochi later this month.

About the Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting

Aspects  Description
What is it? The Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting (ATCM) is an annual gathering of the Parties to the 1959 Antarctic Treaty.
The ATCM consists of the original twelve signatories of the Antarctic Treaty and other nations that conduct significant research in Antarctica.
Purpose Its primary goals are to share information, discuss issues of mutual interest related to Antarctica, and propose measures to governments in line with the Treaty’s principles.
Frequency and Hosting 1. The ATCM has been an annual event since 1994.
2. Hosting duties rotate among the Consultative Parties in alphabetical order of their English names.
3. Participants include:
a. Consultative Parties: Original Treaty signatories and others conducting substantial research.
b. Non-Consultative Parties: Countries with an interest in Antarctic affairs.
c. Observers and Experts: Organizations like the Scientific Committee on d. Antarctic Research (SCAR) and the International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators (IAATO).
Decision-Making Process The ATCM makes decisions through Measures, Decisions, and Resolutions:
a. Measures are legally binding once ratified by all Consultative Parties.
b. Decisions relate to the ATCM’s organizational matters and are non-binding.
c. Resolutions offer guidance and are not legally enforceable.
Although only Consultative Parties have decision-making power, all members contribute to discussions.

About CEP

1. The Committee for Environmental Protection (CEP) is a key advisory body established under the Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty, commonly known as the Madrid Protocol, which was adopted in 1991.

2. The primary role of the CEP is to provide advice and recommendations to the Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting (ATCM) on matters concerning the conservation and environmental protection of Antarctica.

3. This includes overseeing the implementation of the Madrid Protocol and suggesting new ways to enhance the environmental stewardship of the Antarctic region.

UPSC Syllabus: International relations

Widal Testing

Source-This post on Widal Testing has been created based on the article “How the Widal test is clouding India’s sense of its typhoid problem | Explained” published in The Hindu on 10 May 2024.

Why in the news?

The Widal Test is complicating the assessment of India’s typhoid burden. This test has also escalated the costs, and heightened the risk of antimicrobial resistance.

About Widal test

Aspects Description
What is it? 1. It is a serological test used for diagnosing typhoid fever.
2. It is a point-of-care test and doesn’t need special skills or infrastructure.
Purpose 1. The Widal test detects antibodies against Salmonella Typhi in a patient’s blood sample. These antibodies indicate whether the individual has been infected with the bacteria.
2. It helps diagnose a current or recent infection or determine if someone has had a previous typhoid infection.
Limitations 1. Single Test Accuracy: A single positive result doesn’t confirm typhoid and a negative result doesn’t rule it out.
2. Serial Testing: It requires multiple tests over 7-14 days to detect changes in antibody levels, which is impractical.
3. Cross-reactivity: Antibodies from other infections or vaccines may cause false positives.
4. Antibiotic Influence: Previous antibiotic use can suppress antibody production, leading to false negatives.
5. WHO advises caution as the test can be influenced by various factors, making it unreliable for definitive diagnosis.

About Typhoid

1. About Typhoid fever: It is an infectious disease caused by the bacterium Salmonella enterica serotype Typhi. It primarily affects the intestinal tract and occasionally the bloodstream.

2. Symptoms: Symptoms typically appear 6 to 30 days after exposure and include high fever, weakness, stomach pains, headache, and loss of appetite. Some patients may develop a rash of flat, rose-colored spots.

3. Transmission: The disease is transmitted through ingestion of food or water contaminated with the feces of an infected person. It can also spread through close contact with an infected individual.

4. Diagnosis: Typhoid fever is diagnosed through blood, stool, or urine tests to detect S. Typhi bacteria. Early detection is crucial for effective treatment.

5. Prevention: Prevention strategies include vaccination, ensuring safe drinking water, proper sanitation, and adequate hygiene. Travelers to areas where typhoid is prevalent should consider getting vaccinated.

UPSC Syllabus: Science and technology ( Health)

Neural Processing Unit

Source– This post on Neural Processing Unit has been created based on the article “NPU: What is it and why is it gaining importance in semiconductor industry” published in “The Business Standard” on 10 May 2024.

Why in the news?

Recently, Apple launched the M4 chip with the iPad Pro. Its key feature includes a 16-core Neural Engine which is equivalent to an NPU.

About Neural Processing Unit

1. About NPU: A Neural Processing Unit is a specialized processor designed to accelerate neural network processes. These neural networks are fundamental to machine learning algorithms for data processing. They are part of the semiconductors specifically designed for machine learning operations, which enables AI features such as generating text or images.

2. Applications:

i) NPUs excel in AI-related tasks like speech recognition, natural language processing, and image or video editing processes such as object detection.

ii) They enable efficient handling of complex AI operations, enhancing performance in consumer gadgets like smartphones, laptops, and tablets.

iii) NPUs play a crucial role in efficiently deploying AI-powered applications directly on hardware.

Differences Between NPU, CPU, and GPU

About CPU (Central Processing Unit): It processes instructions one at a time and ideal for tasks requiring sequential data processing. It is best for general computing, applications, and systems operations.

About GPU (Graphics Processing Unit): It is capable of multiple calculations simultaneously, optimized for graphics and complex computations. It focuses on graphic rendering and resolution upscaling and are also used in AI development stages.

About NPU (Neural Processing Unit): It is similar to GPUs but exclusively optimized for neural network and AI computations. It is more efficient and is less power-consuming for AI tasks, and running refined AI models on devices.

UPSC Syllabus: Science and technology 

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