03 April 2024 CNA
Download PDF Here
TABLE OF CONTENTS
A. GS 1 Related B. GS 2 Related INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS 1. Russia working to remove the Taliban from the terrorist list C. GS 3 Related D. GS 4 Related E. Editorials POLITY & GOVERNANCE 1. Poll campaigns in India must reflect climate issues F. Prelims Facts 1. Increasing Heat waves 2. India’s Demographic Dividend 3. Kahneman’s work in psychology G. Tidbits H. UPSC Prelims Practice Questions I. UPSC Mains Practice Questions
A. GS 1 Related
Nothing here for today!!!
B. GS 2 Related
Category: INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
1. Russia working to remove the Taliban from the terrorist list
Syllabus: Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on India’s interests.
Context: Russia’s evolving relationship with the Taliban in Afghanistan and Russia’s announcement that it is working to remove the Taliban from its list of banned terrorist organisations and the broader implications of this decision.
Significance:
- The Taliban regained power in Afghanistan in 2021 after the withdrawal of U.S.-led foreign forces.
- Historical tensions between Russia and the Taliban date back to the Soviet occupation of Afghanistan in the 1980s.
- With the Taliban now in control, Russia seeks to reassess its relationship with the group to address shared security concerns.
- Russia’s announcement reflects a notable shift in its approach towards the Taliban, signalling potential normalization of relations.
- Engaging with the Taliban aims to address pressing security threats, including those posed by groups like the Islamic State in Afghanistan.
- The move underscores Russia’s strategic interests in the region, including maintaining influence and stability in Central Asia.
- It highlights the evolving geopolitical landscape in Afghanistan after the withdrawal of Western forces and the need for diplomatic recalibration.
India’s view:
- Regional Influence: India’s stance could influence South Asian dynamics.
- Security Concerns: India shares a border with Afghanistan, so any changes regarding the Taliban could impact its security interests.
- Diplomatic Relations: India’s interactions with Russia and Afghanistan may be affected.
- Counterterrorism Efforts: India’s strategies and cooperation with other countries in combating terrorism may be influenced.
Conclusion:
- Russia’s decision to engage with the Taliban signals a strategic shift driven by security concerns.
- India’s response will be pivotal, affecting regional dynamics and security measures. This underscores the complexity of regional geopolitics and global security interests.
Nut Graf: In a significant departure from previous policies, Russia announced plans to engage with Afghanistan’s Taliban leaders and potentially remove them from its list of banned terrorist organizations. This move, driven by shared security concerns and strategic realignment, marks a pivotal shift in Russia’s approach to the Taliban amidst evolving geopolitical dynamics in Central Asia.
C. GS 3 Related
Nothing here for today!!!
D. GS 4 Related
Nothing here for today!!!
E. Editorials
Category: POLITY & GOVERNANCE
1. Poll campaigns in India must reflect climate issues
Syllabus: GS-2, Government policies and interventions for the development of various sectors
Mains: Significance of climate issues in poll campaigns
Context: Poll campaigns in India must reflect climate issues, especially in light of the recent State of the Global Climate report released by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), which highlights alarming global warming trends and consequences.
Issues:
- Global Climate Crisis: 2023 marked the hottest year in recorded history, with significant temperature rises and various climate records being broken.
- Impact on Environment: Rising temperatures have led to glacier retreat, ocean temperature increases, diminishing ice cover, and rising sea levels, resulting in more frequent extreme weather events.
- Socio-economic Impact: Extreme weather events disrupt various activities, including agriculture, and significantly impact socio-economic development globally.
Significance:
- Urgent Collective Action: The WMO report emphasizes the urgent need for collective action similar to responses during the COVID-19 pandemic to mitigate climate change.
- Global Commitments: Nations, including India, have committed to addressing climate change through international agreements like the Paris Agreement, aiming to limit temperature rise to well below 2°C.
- National Initiatives: India has launched initiatives like the National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC) and the National Solar Mission to transition to renewable energy sources.
Election Season as Opportunity:
- Public Awareness: Election season provides a platform to raise public awareness about climate change and the urgency of mitigating its effects.
- Political Commitments: Political parties should clarify their action plans on climate change, enhancing transparency and allowing voters to assess their stance on this crucial issue.
- Global Leadership: India’s leadership on climate change actions will be scrutinized as it aims for global recognition and economic prosperity.
Solutions:
- Enhanced Public Awareness: Political parties should prioritize raising awareness about climate change and its impacts.
- Concrete Action Plans: Parties must outline specific steps to reduce global warming and mitigate its effects.
- National and Global Cooperation: Collaboration between nations and international organizations is essential for effective climate action.
Nut Graf: Incorporating climate issues into poll campaigns is imperative given the alarming trends highlighted in the recent State of the Global Climate report. Political parties should seize the opportunity of election season to raise public awareness, clarify their action plans, and demonstrate leadership in addressing climate change for a sustainable future.
F. Prelims Facts
Context: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) predicts above-average heat wave days for India, particularly impacting southern, central, east, and northwestern regions.
Key points:
- India faces challenges in meeting its power demand as hydroelectricity output experiences a significant decline, leading to increased reliance on coal.
- Climate change, including the weakening El Niño event and potential La Niña conditions, contributes to extreme weather patterns globally.
Summer Forecast:
- IMD forecasts above-normal maximum and minimum temperatures across most of India.
- Weak El Niño conditions persist, influencing sea surface temperatures and airflows, potentially exacerbating heat waves.
- January 2024 was recorded as the warmest in 175 years, with global temperatures rising.
- La Niña conditions may develop during the monsoon season, potentially intensifying rainfall across South Asia.
Causes of Increased Heat Waves:
- Climate change exacerbates the recurrence, intensity, and lethality of heat waves globally.
- Data suggests abnormal temperatures due to climate change could severely impact over 90% of India.
- Rising temperatures pose health risks, contributing to heat stress and mortality, exacerbated by El Niño weather conditions.
Election Commission’s Advisory:
- The Election Commission (EC) advises measures to manage heat wave impacts during voting, including carrying water bottles and seeking shade.
- Deadly health effects can occur if wet bulb temperatures exceed 30-35 degrees Celsius, emphasizing the importance of heat wave preparedness.
- General elections will occur in seven phases until June 1, coinciding with India’s summer and potential heat wave occurrences.
2. India’s Demographic Dividend
Context: The World Bank warns that South Asia, including India, is not effectively utilizing its demographic dividend due to insufficient job creation compared to the growing working-age population.
Key points:
- Despite projecting a strong 6.0-6.1% growth for the South Asia region in 2024-25, the pace of job creation remains inadequate.
- India’s employment growth has lagged behind the growth in its working-age population from 2000-2023, leading to a decline in the country’s employment ratio.
- The World Bank emphasizes that India’s employment growth has been below average, with the employment ratio declining more than in any other South Asian country except Nepal until 2022.
- Preliminary data suggests a 3-percentage point rebound in 2023, partially reversing the decline.
- Despite India’s expected robust economic growth of 7.5% in FY23/24, the region could achieve 16% higher output growth if the share of the employed working-age population matched other Emerging Market and Developing Economies (EMDEs).
Recommendations:
- The World Bank suggests supporting women’s participation in the economy to encourage job growth.
- Increasing openness to trade and improving education are also recommended to address challenges in non-agricultural sectors and foster a conducive economic climate for business growth.
3. Kahneman’s work in psychology
Context: Daniel Kahneman, a pioneering psychologist known for his work in psychology and economics, passed away on March 27.
Summary:
- Kahneman, along with Amos Tversky, made significant contributions to understanding human decision-making, forming the basis of behavioural economics.
- His work extended to areas such as attention, perception, judgment under uncertainty, loss aversion, and measuring happiness, leaving a lasting impact on various fields.
- Kahneman’s collaboration with Tversky revolutionized the study of judgment and decision-making by integrating insights from psychology and economics.
- Their work, including prospect theory and loss aversion, reshaped the understanding of how individuals make choices, with implications for economics and public policy.
- Kahneman’s contributions extended to measuring happiness, challenging traditional economic metrics, and introducing the day reconstruction method.
- His legacy includes the distinction between System 1 and System 2 thinking, although recent research suggests limitations in its universal applicability.
- Despite some limitations, Kahneman’s work has profoundly influenced psychology, behavioural economics, and various other disciplines, providing valuable insights into human cognition and decision-making processes.
Key Points:
- Collaboration with Amos Tversky revolutionized the understanding of judgment and decision-making.
- Contributions include prospect theory, loss aversion, and challenges to traditional economic metrics.
- Introduction of methods for measuring happiness and rethinking cognitive processes.
- Legacy includes the distinction between System 1 and System 2 thinking.
- Recent research suggests limitations in universal applicability but underscores enduring impact on diverse fields.
G. Tidbits
Nothing here for today!!!
H. UPSC Prelims Practice Questions
Q1. Consider the following statements regarding the Goods and Services Tax (GST):
- The Goods and Services Tax (GST) subsumed various indirect taxes levied by the Central and State governments.
- GST is a source-based tax, meaning the tax is levied on the production point.
- GST Council is the highest decision-making body regarding GST in India.
How many statements is/are correct?
- Only one
- Only two
- Only three
- None of the above
CHECK ANSWERS:-
Answer: b
Q2. Consider the following statements:
- Statement I: The “State of the Global Climate Report” is prepared jointly by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).
- Statement II: It assesses the current state of the climate system and provides insights into climate change mitigation and adaptation efforts.
Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?
- Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is the correct explanation for Statement-I
- Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is not the correct explanation for Statement-I
- Statement-I is correct but Statement-II is incorrect
- Statement-I is incorrect but Statement-II is correct
CHECK ANSWERS:-
Answer: d
Q3. Consider the following statements:
- Statement-I: The demographic dividend refers to the economic benefit a country gains from having a large working-age population.
- Statement-II: A country with a high dependency ratio is likely to experience a demographic dividend.
Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?
- Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is the correct explanation for Statement-I
- Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is not the correct explanation for Statement-I
- Statement-I is correct but Statement-II is incorrect
- Statement-I is incorrect but Statement-II is correct
CHECK ANSWERS:-
Answer: c
Q4. Which of the following bodies of water borders Israel to the west?
- Mediterranean Sea
- Red Sea
- Caspian Sea
- Arabian Sea
CHECK ANSWERS:-
Answer: a
Q5. How is the National Green Tribunal (NGT) different from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB)? [UPSC 2018]
- The NGT has been established by an Act whereas the CPCB has been created by an executive order of the Government.
- The NGT provides environmental justice and helps reduce the burden of litigation in the higher courts whereas the CPCB promotes cleanliness of streams and wells, and aims to improve the quality of air in the country.
Which of the statements given above is/ are correct?
- 1 only
- 2 only
- Both 1 and 2
- Neither 1 nor 2
CHECK ANSWERS:-
Answer: b
Click on the link for the video explanation of the above questions and answers.
I. UPSC Mains Practice Questions
- Examine the implications of Russia’s engagement with the Taliban. Discuss the potential challenges and opportunities this presents for India’s foreign policy towards Afghanistan and Central Asia. (10 marks, 150 words) [GS-2, IR]
- Analyze the potential impact of political will, particularly in election seasons, on advancing the climate change agenda. (10 marks, 150 words) [GS-2, Polity & Governance]
Read previous CNA articles here.
Comments