10 Apr 2024: UPSC Exam Comprehensive News Analysis

A. GS 1 Related
B. GS 2 Related
C. GS 3 Related
D. GS 4 Related
E. Editorials
POLITY
1. A distinct right
SOCIAL ISSUES
1. The climate crisis is not gender neutral
SCIENCE
1. The ‘import restrictions’ on solar PV cells
F. Prelims Facts
1. SC questions Centre’s rigid position on industrial alcohol
2. Candidates have a right to privacy from voters, rules SC
3. Peter Higgs, who proposed existence of ‘God particle’, dies
4. Health sector can’t ignore green gains from telemedicine: study
G. Tidbits
H. UPSC Prelims Practice Questions
I. UPSC Mains Practice Questions

Category: SOCIAL ISSUES

1. The climate crisis is not gender neutral

Syllabus: GS-1, Role of Women and Women’s Organization

Mains: Climate Crisis and Gender Justice

Introduction: Gendered Impact of the Climate Crisis

• Women and girls face disproportionate health risks due to existing roles, responsibilities, and cultural norms.
• They are 14 times more likely than men to die in disasters, as highlighted by the UNDP.
• Agricultural livelihoods, crucial for many women in rural India, are threatened by climate-driven crop yield reductions, leading to increased food insecurity and nutritional deficiencies.
• Women bear the brunt of domestic work burdens, health issues, and intimate partner violence within households affected by climate-related challenges like droughts.

Link Between Extreme Events and Gender-Based Violence:

• The increasing frequency of extreme weather events correlates with a rise in gender-based violence against women.
• Natural disasters disrupt access to safe drinking water, exacerbating health risks for women and girls and reducing time for productive work and healthcare.
• Prolonged heatwaves, a consequence of climate change, pose significant health risks for vulnerable groups such as pregnant women, young children, and the elderly.
• Air pollution disproportionately affects women’s health, leading to respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, as well as adverse effects on the cognitive development of unborn children.

The Need for Women’s Empowerment in Climate Action:

• Empowering women is essential for effective climate solutions, as evidenced by their ability to increase agricultural yields when provided with equal resources.
• Women, particularly tribal and rural women, have been instrumental in environmental conservation efforts.
• Providing women with knowledge, tools, and resources encourages the emergence of local climate solutions.
• Adaptation measures must be tailored to the specific needs of rural and urban areas, considering variations in exposure to climate risks and access to resources.

Immediate Action and Long-Term Solutions:

• Immediate action is required to mitigate the impact of prolonged heatwaves on vulnerable groups through measures such as heat wave warnings, changes in outdoor work timings, and provision of cooling facilities.
• Urban planning interventions, including increasing green spaces and designing heat-resistant housing, are essential for long-term resilience.
• Addressing water scarcity necessitates societal action, including the revival of traditional water harvesting systems and localized planning based on geographic information systems.
• Convergence of sectors and services at the village level, along with capacity building of local institutions like panchayats and Self-help Groups, can facilitate community-led resilience-building efforts.

Nut Graf: The climate crisis disproportionately affects women, exacerbating health risks and perpetuating gender-based violence. Empowering women in climate action is crucial for effective solutions, demanding immediate measures and long-term strategies at local levels for resilience-building.
Category: SCIENCE

1. The ‘import restrictions’ on solar PV cells

Syllabus: GS-3, Science and Technology- Developments and their Applications and Effects in Everyday Life.

Mains: Solar PV Cells

Context:

• The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) re-implemented the ‘Approved List of Models and Manufacturers of Solar Photovoltaic Modules’ (ALMM list) on March 29.
• The ALMM list designates eligible manufacturers for government projects and schemes.
• This decision follows a two-year abeyance of the ALMM list, prompted by concerns from renewable power producers regarding competitive rates from Chinese imports.

Rationale and Implementation of ALMM List:

• The ALMM list aims to support India’s renewable manufacturing ecosystem by promoting local sourcing of solar modules.
• It was reinstated based on the belief that India’s domestic sector, bolstered by measures like the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme, now possesses enhanced production capacities and competitive pricing.
• The government asserts that this is not about restricting imports but rather promoting import substitution.

India’s Reliance on Solar PV Imports:

• India heavily relies on solar cell and module imports, primarily from China and Vietnam.
• Over the past five years, India imported approximately $11.17 billion worth of solar cells and modules, with China accounting for a significant portion.
• Rating agency ICRA estimates China’s dominance, with over 80% share in manufacturing capacity across various stages of production.

Efforts to Address Import Dependency and Promote Domestic Manufacturing:

• India has made significant efforts to reduce import dependency and boost domestic manufacturing of solar components.
• Initiatives include the ALMM order in 2019, the introduction of the PLI scheme in the 2022-23 budget, and the imposition of customs duties on PV modules and cells.
• Customs duties were reduced in response to slowed solar capacity additions and aggressive tariff quotations by developers using imported Chinese equipment.

China’s Dominance as an Exporter:

• China emerged as a leading exporter in the solar PV supply chain due to cost competitiveness.
• Factors contributing to China’s dominance include lower electricity costs, government policies prioritizing solar PV as a strategic sector, and growing domestic demand fostering economies of scale and innovation.

Scope for Solar in India:

• India’s target of 500 GW installed capacity from non-fossil fuels by 2030 drives the scaling of solar power.
• India exhibits the fastest growth rate for electricity demand among major economies, attributed to economic activity and climate change mitigation efforts.
• Solar power contributes significantly to India’s renewable energy generation, with vast untapped potential being targeted through government schemes and programs.

Nut Graf: India reinstated the ALMM list to promote local sourcing of solar modules, aiming to reduce import dependency and boost domestic manufacturing. China’s dominance in solar exports poses challenges despite India’s ambitious renewable energy targets.

Q1. Consider the following statements:

Q2. Which among the following missions are a part of the National Action Plan for 
Climate Change (NAPCC)?

Q3. Consider the following statements:

Q4. Consider the following statements:

Q5. Consider the following statements:

1. Examine the disproportionate impact of climate change on women and girls, particularly in developing countries. Discuss the role that empowering women can play in climate action and sustainable development. (10 marks, 150 words) [GS-1, Social Issues]
2. Examine the complexities and challenges faced by Israel’s domestic politics and international relations in the context of the ongoing conflict in Gaza. (10 marks, 150 words) [GS-2, International Relations]

Read previous CNA articles here.