9 PM UPSC Current Affairs Articles 13th July, 2024

Mains Oriented Articles

GS PAPER - 2

Supreme Court of India’s thoughts on menstrual leave for women

Source: The post Supreme Court of India’s thoughts on menstrual leave for women has been created, based on the article “For women-friendly workplaces, a larger conversation about menstrual leave is a good starting point” published in “Indian Express” on 13th July 2024

UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper2 -Issues Relating to Development and Management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health, Education, Human Resources.

Context: The article discusses the Supreme Court of India’s thoughts on menstrual leave for women. The court worries this policy might be misused and harm women’s job chances. It suggests creating a careful policy with inputs from various groups to avoid discrimination and stigma.

For detailed information on the Issue of Menstrual Leaves read this article here

What Are the Existing Challenges for Working Women?

1. Working women face setbacks like the motherhood penalty, which includes career stalls due to pregnancy and child-rearing.
2. They are also often assigned less significant administrative tasks compared to their male counterparts.

What Are the Concerns About Menstrual Leave?

1. Potential for Misuse: There is concern that a mandatory menstrual leave policy could be misused, negatively impacting women’s employment opportunities.
2. Career Obstacles: Menstrual leave might become an additional hurdle for women in terms of employment and career advancement.
3. Discrimination Fears: Former Union Minister Smriti Irani opposed the policy, citing concerns that it could lead to discrimination against women for a natural biological process.
4. Stigmatization: The policy could unintentionally pathologize menstruation, reinforcing stigma rather than alleviating it, impacting women’s perception in the workplace.

How Is Menstrual Leave Handled in Other Countries?

1. Countries like Taiwan and Zambia have menstrual leave policies, but face challenges in implementation.
2. Spain: Introduced paid menstrual leave in 2023, becoming the first European country to do so. However, data indicates that few women have taken advantage of this policy, likely due to complicated processes and fears of discrimination.
3. Indonesia: Offers a two-day menstrual leave, but it is rarely used because women must undergo a medical examination to qualify, which discourages many from applying.

What Does the Draft Menstrual Hygiene Policy Suggest?

The government’s draft policy suggests flexible hours and support leaves to help all employees and prevent stigma or assumptions about productivity tied to menstrual cycles. This could be a starting point for more comprehensive policy discussions.

Question for practice:

Discuss the concerns and potential drawbacks of implementing a mandatory menstrual leave policy for women in the workplace.

Importance of road safety

Source: The post importance of road safety has been created, based on the article “Crash course: There must be better monitoring of the road-worthiness of transport vehicles” published in “The Hindu” on 13th July 2024

UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper2- Governance-Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation.

Context: The article discusses a tragic bus accident in Uttar Pradesh that killed 18 people. It highlights issues like expired bus insurance and lack of safety features. It stresses the importance of road safety, proper vehicle maintenance, and the need for stricter enforcement and better data reporting by authorities.

For detailed information on Road Accidents in India read this article here

Why Is Road Safety Important?

1. Protects Lives: Road safety is crucial because it protects lives. In 2022, 1.71 lakh people died, and 4.23 lakh were injured in road accidents across India.
2. Prevents Accidents: Proper road safety measures like good road design, speed control, and adequate visibility can prevent accidents. The bus accident in Uttar Pradesh, where 18 people died, highlights the fatal consequences of neglecting these aspects.

What Should Be Done to Improve Road Safety?

1. Enforce Existing Standards: Local authorities need skilled personnel and proper equipment. They should impose harsher penalties on transport operators who fail to meet safety requirements.
2. Prevent Dilution of Standards: Municipal bodies should uphold the safety standards set by engineers without compromise to benefit local businesses.
3. Improve Data Collection: The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways should collect and publish better data on vehicle registrations, safety certificates, and accident reports.
4. Increase Public Awareness: The public should know how transport vehicle health is checked and have access to the latest test reports.
5. Speed Control: Controlling speed is vital; it is implicated in most deadly accidents. Measures like speed-breakers and increased police monitoring have been effective in reducing accidents.

Question for practice:

Discuss the measures that can be taken to improve road safety in India.

GS PAPER - 3

Political impact on India’s fertilizer sector

Source: The post political impact on India’s fertilizer sector has been created, based on the article “Explained: Argument for deregulating non-subsidised fertilisers” published in “Indian Express” on 13th July 2024

UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper3 -Agriculture -Issues related to direct and indirect farm subsidies.

Context: The article discusses the unlikely prospect of significant reforms in the fertilizer sector due to the current political situation. It suggests deregulating non-subsidised fertilizers as a possible step, similar to the existing model for water-soluble fertilizers, to improve efficiency and innovation.

For detailed information on Issue of fertilizer subsidy in India read this article here

What is the current political impact on fertilizer reforms?

1. Lack of Single-Party Majority: Current government’s failure to secure a single-party majority in Parliament has diminished the likelihood of major reforms in fertilizer pricing and subsidy policies.
2. Subsidy Budget Reduction: The fertilizer subsidy budget is decreasing, from Rs 251,339.36 crore in 2022-23 to Rs 163,999.80 crore in 2024-25, indicating fiscal constraints impacting reform decisions.
3. Impact of Russia-Ukraine War: The war has led to a decrease in import prices of key fertilizers, such as urea at $350 per tonne, DAP at $560, and MOP at $319, reducing the urgency for price reforms.

How are fertilizer prices currently controlled?

1. Urea Price Control: The maximum retail price (MRP) of urea is controlled and has remained unchanged since 2012 at Rs 5,360 per tonne, and Rs 5,628 with neem oil-coating from 2015.
2. Nutrient-Based Subsidy (NBS) Scheme: Under the NBS, non-urea fertilizers like like di-ammonium phosphate (DAP), muriate of potash (MOP), and single super phosphate (SSP) have technically decontrolled prices, but manufacturers receive a subsidy based on nutrient content. However, informal controls set “reasonable” MRPs, e.g., Rs 27,000 for DAP and Rs 30,000-31,000 for MOP.
3. Profit Margin Caps: Since April 2023, the government has capped profit margins to ensure MRP “reasonableness,” affecting subsidy eligibility for companies exceeding these limits.

What is the procedure for water-soluble fertilizers (WSFs)?

1. General Specifications Issued: In October 2015, the Indian government set general specifications for commercializing water-soluble fertilizers (WSFs), which are 100% soluble in water.
2. Nutrient Content Requirements: WSFs must contain a minimum of 30% total nutrients, including 25% primary nutrients (NPK) and the remainder comprising secondary and micro nutrients.
3. Contaminant Limits: There are maximum prescribed limits for contaminants like lead, cadmium, and arsenic.
4. Marketing Procedure: Companies can market any WSF that meets these specifications after notifying the relevant government authorities and waiting 30 days from the notification date.

What reforms are needed in India’s fertilizer sector in the current political situation?

1. Deregulate Non-Subsidized Fertilizers: Implement automatic registration for new fertilizers that meet minimum nutrient content and contaminant limits, similar to the current procedure for water-soluble fertilizers (WSFs).
2. Deregulate Liquid Fertilizers: Deregulate liquid fertilizers with a minimum of 15% total primary nutrients. Liquid fertilizers like urea ammonium nitrate have higher nutrient use efficiency, improving crop yields. This is similar to WSFs, which have nutrient use efficiency of 60-70%.
3. Simplify Regulatory Framework: Adopt simpler quality standards and mandatory labeling for all fertilizers. This ensures farmers have access to high-quality products without lengthy bureaucratic processes.

4.Remove Informal Price Controls: Lift informal price controls on NBS fertilizers, allowing market-driven pricing. Currently, prices are controlled indirectly, impacting competition and innovation.

5. Reduction in Registration Time: Reduce the average registration time for new fertilizers, currently 804 days, to align more closely with international standards like the US (90 days), 30 in Japan, or the EU (zero days), enhancing competitiveness and innovation.

Question for practice:

Discuss how the current political situation impacts the prospects for significant reforms in India’s fertilizer sector.

Impacts of PDS on household spending

Source: The post Impacts of PDS on household spending has been created, based on the article “The PDS impact on household expenditure” published in “The Hindu” on 13th July 2024

UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper3- Economy-Public Distribution System objectives, functioning, limitations, revamping; issues of buffer stocks and food security.

Context: The article discusses the impact of receiving free food items from India’s Public Distribution System (PDS) on household spending. It details how this arrangement allows families to spend more on other essential items, enhancing their overall consumption and well-being. The data from the National Sample Survey Office (NSSO) helps analyze these effects, especially among the poorest households.

For detailed information on All India Household Consumption Expenditure Survey 2022-23 read this article here

How does the PDS impact household food consumption diversity?

1. Subsidized Foodgrains: The PDS provides subsidized foodgrains to eligible households, which allows them to allocate more financial resources to other food items. This system supports up to 75% of rural and 50% of urban populations under the National Food Security Act (NFSA), 2013.
2. Household Savings and Diversification: By reducing the expenditure on staple foodgrains, families can spend more on diverse foods like vegetables, milk, pulses, and meat, potentially improving their overall nutrition and dietary variety.

How does the NSSO handle the imputation of free items’ values?

1. Imputation Methods: The NSSO uses two sets of values for imputing the cost of free items received by households: the modal unit price and the 25th percentile unit price. This approach is applied to both food and non-food items received without charge.
2. Focus on Free Items: The NSSO specifically imputes values for items received for free. This is distinct from items purchased at subsidized prices, which are not subject to imputation.
3. Impact on Consumption Metrics: By imputing the value of free items, NSSO calculates the Monthly Per Capita Consumption Expenditure (MPCE) that includes these free items, providing a clearer picture of a household’s consumption and economic status.

What are the key findings of the Household Consumption Expenditure Survey (HCES) 2022-23?

1. High Consumption of Free Foodgrains: The HCES 2022-23 found that food items, particularly foodgrains received for free through the PDS, dominate the imputed value of all items. In rural areas, 94% and in urban areas, 95% of the imputed value of all free items is from food.
2. Monetary Value of Free Items: The survey reports an imputed value for food of ₹82 in rural areas and ₹59 in urban areas. This indicates a significant benefit from free food items, contributing to household consumption.
3. Movement Between Consumption Classes: The survey data reveals that the provision of free items helps some households move up to higher consumption classes. For example, 20% of those in the bottom end of the rural distribution (approximately 86 lakh individuals) move to the next higher consumption class.

What are the implications for poverty measurement?

1. Redefining the Poverty Line: The latest findings from the Household Consumption Expenditure Survey (HCES) suggest a need for a broader discussion on where to set the poverty line, incorporating the value of free items consumed.
2. Inclusion of Free Items in Assessments: Estimating the number of poor households should consider both direct expenditures and the value of free items, such as foodgrains from the PDS. This approach provides a more comprehensive measure of household consumption and well-being.
3. Impact of In-kind Transfers: In-kind social transfers, like those from the PDS, substantially boost the consumption capacity of poorer households, implying that poverty measurements must account for these benefits to reflect true economic status.

Question for practice:

Discuss how the Public Distribution System (PDS) impacts household food consumption diversity.

Prelims Oriented Articles (Factly)

MeDevIS (Medical Devices Information System) Initiatives

Source- This post on the MeDevIS Initiative has been created based on the article “MeDevIS platform announced to boost access to medical technologies and devices” published on the official website of WHO on 8 July 2024.

Why in news?

The World Health Organization (WHO) has introduced MeDevIS (Medical Devices Information System).

About MeDevIS

1. MeDevIS is the first global open-access clearinghouse for information on medical devices, designed to support governments, regulators, and users in making informed decisions regarding the selection, procurement, and use of medical devices.

Key Features

1. Reference Systems: It utilizes European Medical Device Nomenclature (EMDN) and Global Medical Device Nomenclature (GMDN) for device registration, procurement, supply, inventory management, and pricing.

2. Scope: It covers 2,301 types of medical devices across various health areas, including reproductive, maternal, newborn, and child health; noncommunicable diseases (e.g., cancer, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes); and infectious diseases (e.g., COVID-19).

3. Device Range: It includes over 10,000 devices, from simple items like pulse oximeters and digital thermometers to complex technologies like hemodialysis units, defibrillators, and radiotherapy equipment.

4. Aim: MeDevIS aims to provide comprehensive, reliable information to aid in decision-making, particularly in resource-limited settings.

5. Data Aggregation: The platform aggregates data from international organizations, regulatory bodies, and donor agencies, centralizing information for easy access.

6. Benefits:

i) It replaces fragmented sources with a single, comprehensive platform.

ii) It simplifies the process of finding reliable data.

iii) It allows searches based on device type, healthcare system support, scope, and required infrastructure.

iv) It aids national policymakers in developing or updating national lists for health technology procurement and supports health insurance and patient reimbursement policies.

7.  Future Enhancements: WHO plans to continually enhance MeDevIS by engaging stakeholders, expanding its scope, and incorporating additional technologies, especially for pandemic and emergency settings.

8. This initiative builds on WHO’s experience with the WHO Priority Medical Devices List and the Essential Medicines List (EML).

UPSC Syllabus: Science and technology

Amendments to Administrative Role of J&K L-G

Source- This post on the Amendments to Administrative Role of J&K L-G has been created based on the article “Centre amends rules to broaden the administrative role of J&K L-G” published in “The Hindu” on 13 July 2024.

About Amendments to the Administrative Role of J&K L-G

i) On August 5, 2019, Jammu and Kashmir lost its special status under Article 370 and was reorganized into two Union Territories: J&K and Ladakh.

ii) Since June 2018, J&K has been under Central rule, with statehood pending restoration post-Assembly elections mandated by the Supreme Court before September 30, 2024.

Key Amendments:

i)  The Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) amended the Transaction of Business Rules under Section 55 of the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019.

ii)  The amendments significantly enhance the administrative authority of the Lieutenant Governor (L-G) of Jammu and Kashmir.

iii) Police and Public Order: The L-G now has enhanced authority in matters relating to police, public order, and the All India Service (AIS).

iv) Finance Department Concurrence: Proposals requiring prior concurrence of the Finance Department in these areas must first be placed before the L-G through the Chief Secretary.

v) Appointments and Transfers: Decisions on appointments of Advocate-General, Law Officers, and prosecution sanctions must also be approved by the L-G through the Chief Secretary.

vi) Specific Provisions: The Department of Law, Justice, and Parliamentary Affairs is mandated to seek approval from the L-G for appointments and legal matters.

vi) Matters concerning prisons, the Directorate of Prosecution, and the Forensic Science Laboratory are now within the purview of the L-G’s decision-making process.

UPSC Syllabus: Polity and nation

Samvidhaan Hatya Diwas

Source- This post on the Samvidhaan Hatya Diwas is based on the “Centre declares June 25 as ‘Samvidhaan Hatya Diwas” published in “The Hindu” on 13 July 2024.

The Union government has declared June 25 as ‘Samvidhaan Hatya Diwas’.

Centre Declares June 25 as ‘Samvidhaan Hatya Diwas’

1. Significance: The day will commemorate the contributions of individuals who endured hardships during the Emergency period.

2.  The day aims to pay tribute to those who fought against the abuse of power during the Emergency and to reinforce the commitment to uphold democracy.

3. The government declared June 25 as ‘Samvidhaan Hatya Diwas’ to honor the victims and reaffirm the commitment to preventing future abuses of power.

4. Historical Context: On June 25, 1975, then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi imposed the Emergency, leading to widespread persecution and suppression of media.

UPSC Syllabus: Polity and nation

Why Europe’s late stone age population crashed

Source- This post on the Why Europe’s late stone age population crashedhas been created based on the article “Plague: Why Europe’s late stone age population crashed”  published in “Indian Express” on 13 July 2024.

A new study titled “Repeated plague infections across six generations of Neolithic Farmers,” published in the journal Nature suggests that disease, specifically the plague may have been the primary driver of the population collapse in Europe’s late Stone Age.

Key Findings

1. Population Collapse: Around 5,000 years ago, northern Europe experienced a significant decline, decimating Stone Age farming communities. The cause of this ‘Neolithic decline‘ has been widely debated.

2. Study Methodology: Researchers analyzed DNA from human bones and teeth excavated from ancient burial tombs in Scandinavia. The samples included remains from Falbygden, Sweden; coastal Sweden near Gothenburg; and Denmark, totaling 108 individuals (62 males, 45 females, and one undetermined).

3. Infection Findings: Of the 108 individuals studied, 18 (17%) were infected with the plague at death. The researchers charted the family tree of 38 individuals from Falbygden across six generations (~120 years), finding 12 (32%) infected.

4. Genomic Findings: The researchers reconstructed full genomes of Yersinia pestis strains responsible for three distinct waves of infection. The last wave may have been more virulent, with traits suggesting person-to-person spread.

5. Historical Impact: The Neolithic plague is an ancestor to all later plague forms, including the Justinian Plague (6th century AD) and the Black Death (14th century). Early strains may have had different symptoms.

6. Geographic Prevalence: High prevalence of plague in the examined areas suggests it played a substantial role in the Neolithic decline in Northern Europe.

7. Neolithic Period: The Neolithic period saw humans transition from hunter-gatherers to settled farming and animal domestication. The population crash in Northern Europe occurred between 3300 BCE and 2900 BCE, as sophisticated civilizations arose elsewhere.

8. Migration and Replacement: The populations of Scandinavia and Northwestern Europe disappeared, later replaced by the Yamnaya people from the steppe region of present-day Ukraine, who are ancestors of modern Northern Europeans.

UPSC Syllabus: Science and technology

Squalus hima

Source- This post on the Squalus hima has been created based on the article “ZSI scientist discover new species of dogfish shark Squalus hima from India” published in “The Hindu” on 11 July 2024.

Mackenzie River

Source- This post on the Mackenzie River has been created based on the article “Mackenzie River in Canada Reaches Historic Low Levels, Stranding Communities” published in “TimesNews” on 13 July 2024.

The Mackenzie River is currently experiencing record-low water levels due to extreme heat and minimal precipitation. These conditions have caused significant evaporation, severely impacting local communities that depend on the river for transportation and fishing.

About the Mackenzie River

1. Location: The Mackenzie River flows through Canada’s Northwest Territories.

2. It is the longest river system in Canada, stretching approximately 1,650 km (1,025 miles).

3. The river originates from Great Slave Lake and empties into the Beaufort Sea in the Arctic Ocean.

4. Historically, the river has been crucial for transportation and the extraction of natural resources.

5. The Mackenzie River basin is home to a diverse range of wildlife, including numerous fish species, migratory birds, and mammals such as beavers and moose.

6. The river holds cultural and economic importance for several Indigenous communities who have lived along its banks for thousands of years.

7. Beyond transportation and fishing, the river supports activities such as tourism and hydroelectric power generation, making it a vital component of the regional economy.

UPSC Syllabus: Geography