CNA 20 April 2023:- Download PDF Here
TABLE OF CONTENTS
A. GS 1 Related INDIAN SOCIETY 1. India’s population to edge ahead of China’s by mid-2023, says UN B. GS 2 Related C. GS 3 Related D. GS 4 Related E. Editorials INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS 1. India-UAE food security partnership 2. India-Russia Relations & Ukraine War INDIAN SOCIETY 1. Caste Census F. Prelims Facts 1. YZ Ceti b 2. Toque Macaques G. Tidbits 1. Cinematograph (Amendment) Bill, 2023 2. Union Cabinet gives nod for ₹6,003 crore Quantum Mission 3. Govt. brings back windfall tax on oil H. UPSC Prelims Practice Questions I. UPSC Mains Practice Questions
A. GS 1 Related
1. India’s population to edge ahead of China’s by mid-2023, says UN
Syllabus: Population and associated issues
Prelims: About State of World Population Report
Mains: Trends in India’s population prospects and the key findings of State of World Population Report 2023
Context
The State of World Population Report 2023 has confirmed that India is expected to edge past China to become the world’s most populous country by mid-2023.
State of World Population Report
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India is set to become the most populous country
Image Source: BBC
- According to the latest report, India’s population is estimated to be 1,428 million by mid-2023 which is marginally ahead of China’s 1,425 million.
- The U.S. is placed third on the list of most populous countries with an estimated population of 34 crores.
- The 2022 edition of the State of World Population Report had estimated China’s population to be 1,448 million by mid-2022 which was more than that of India’s 1,406 million population.
- Experts believe that the emergence of India as the world’s most populous country in 2023 is mainly attributed to a sharp decline in China’s population.
- China witnessed a reduction of 23 million (i.e. 2.3 crores) in just one year.
- Although the numbers released by the reports are only estimates, the UNFPA reports are considered reliable indicators of global population trends.
- The Decennial Census numbers are considered to be the most reliable in India and the 2021 Census exercise was postponed due to the COVID pandemic.
- However, the Census office released population projections for the years 2012 to 2036, according to which, India’s population in 2023 was estimated to be only 1,388 million which is significantly less than the numbers projected by the State of World Population report.
- According to the latest State of World Population report, if India’s population continues to increase at the current pace which is close to 1% every year, then the population would double from the present value in the next 75 years.
Other key findings of the report
Image Source: The Guardian
- The report notes that the global population has reached the 800-crore mark by November 2022.
- The report also highlights the fact that population trends across the world indicate slower growth and ageing societies contrary to the concerns about exploding numbers.
- Further, it reveals that only eight countries namely the Democratic Republic of Congo, Egypt, Ethiopia, India, Nigeria, Pakistan, the Philippines and the United Republic of Tanzania would account for half the projected growth in global population by 2050.
- As per the report, the countries with the highest fertility rates were: Niger (6.7), Chad (6.1), the Democratic Republic of Congo (6.1), Somalia (6.1), Mali (5.8) and the Central African Republic (5.8).
- And, the territories with the lowest birth rates were Hong Kong (0.8), South Korea (0.9), Singapore (1.0), Macau and San Marino (1.1) and China (1.2).
- The report also suggests that two-thirds of the population live in a country where lifetime fertility corresponds with zero growth and this is considered a milestone and indicates advances in medicine, science, health, agriculture and education.
Way forward for India
- The report has called for a radical rethink of the policies adopted by the countries to address changing demographics and cautioned against the use of family planning as a tool for achieving fertility targets.
- At a time when various states such as Assam are looking at imposing two-child norms, the report says that such type of family planning targets could result in gender-based discrimination and increased instances of prenatal sex determination leading to sex-selective abortion.
- Furthermore, the imposition of such targets could cause an imbalance in sex ratios, denial of the paternity of girl children, violence against women for giving birth to girl children, etc.
- India has a time-bound opportunity to reap benefits from its demographic dividend as about 50% of its population is below the age of 25.
- India must look to maximise the opportunities and convert them into economic benefits by investing in improving the healthcare and education facilities along with creating employment opportunities for young people and also undertaking targeted investments for women and girls.
- Additionally, efforts must be underway to initiate the Census 2021 exercise which has been postponed multiple times in the last two years.
- The delay in completing the 2021 Census could have adverse impacts on various sectors and also the overall growth prospects.
Nut graf: The latest UN report has noted that India is on its way to becoming the world’s most populous country by overtaking China. However, these population numbers must not trigger anxiety and instead, India must look to maximise the opportunities presented by the demographic dividend and be seen as a symbol of progress, development, and aspirations.
B. GS 2 Related
Nothing here for today!!!
C. GS 3 Related
Nothing here for today!!!
D. GS 4 Related
Nothing here for today!!!
E. Editorials
Category: INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
1. India-UAE food security partnership
Syllabus: Bilateral, Regional & Global Groupings & Agreements Involving India and/or Affecting India’s Interests
Mains: India’s role in the global food security scenario
Context: This article discusses various aspects of India-UAE cooperation on food security.
Introduction:
- Despite the efforts to increase domestic food production, the UAE still heavily relies on global markets for its food security.
- The country imports about 90% of its food requirements, including staple foods such as rice, wheat, and meat.
- The UAE’s reliance on global markets for its food security is driven by a number of factors, including the limited availability of arable land, water scarcity, and a harsh climate.
- The UAE is now prioritising the attainment of both food accessibility and preparedness for potential supply chain disruptions.
- As the world’s second-largest food producer, India is a crucial collaborator for the UAE in its efforts to enhance food security.
India’s capabilities:
- India is the world’s second-largest producer of food, with a diverse range of crops grown across the country. India’s vast agricultural potential and growing export capabilities have positioned it as a global agri-export powerhouse.
- India’s top agricultural exports include rice, wheat, spices, fruits, and vegetables. The country has also been able to establish itself as a leading exporter of organic products, such as tea, coffee, and spices.
- India’s growing agricultural exports have also been supported by the government’s initiatives to promote trade and investment in the sector. For example, the government has set up dedicated export zones and provided incentives for agricultural exports.
- India has demonstrated a strong commitment towards enhancing its agri-capabilities in the global food marketplace through significant budgetary investments in setting up large food parks and modernising supply chain management.
- These efforts have been further bolstered by India’s focus on leveraging bilateral trade agreements to maximise its potential in the food sector.
- In recent years, India has also acted as a humanitarian provider of food to developing countries, demonstrating awareness of its evolving role in advancing regional and global food security.
- Concurrently, India runs the Public Distribution System, the world’s largest food subsidy programme, which offers subsidised grains to almost 800 million citizens.
- India’s focus on promoting the consumption and farming of millets as a part of its G-20 presidency reflects its commitment to the global food security dialogue with an emphasis on building resilience.
- During its G-20 presidency, India is focusing on three major issues, referred to as the “three Cs”, which are Covid, Conflict, and Climate, that pose a significant threat to food security in India and around the world.
- India can use its position to establish sustainable, inclusive, efficient, and resilient trade pathways with the UAE to shape the future of food and drive global development.
UAE’s contribution to India-UAE food security partnership:
- At the I2U2 (India, Israel, the United Arab Emirates, and the United States) summit held in July 2022, the UAE pledged a $2 billion investment to build food parks in India.
- The India-UAE food corridor scheme signed during the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) negotiations with logistics partner DP World is a strategic initiative aimed at promoting food security and increasing bilateral trade between India and the UAE.
- The scheme involves the establishment of a dedicated logistics network to facilitate the movement of food products from India to the UAE and other parts of the world.
- The India-UAE food corridor scheme is expected to enhance the competitiveness of Indian agriculture and food products in the international market, create new employment opportunities, and generate significant foreign exchange earnings for India.
- It is expected to benefit as many as two million farmers across various Indian states and generate as many as 200,000 additional jobs over the next three years.
- An Indian-owned business conglomerate in Abu Dhabi, the Lulu Group, is planning to invest $8 million in setting up cold storage and sorting facilities in the Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir to facilitate the export of fruits and vegetables grown in the state.
- The group already imports the world-famous Kashmiri apples and saffron from the UT into the UAE.
- Apart from maintaining and diversifying its food reserves, the UAE stands to gain numerous benefits from the food corridor scheme.
- By leveraging its strategic location between Asia and Europe, the UAE could potentially serve as India’s food export gateway to West Asia and Africa, and even beyond, thereby strengthening trade linkages between the two nations.
Read more on India-UAE Relations.
Nut Graf: India’s G-20 presidency provides a crucial opportunity for India and the UAE to demonstrate viable strategies and frameworks that can form the foundation of food security in the Global South.
2. India-Russia Relations & Ukraine War
Syllabus: Bilateral, Regional & Global Groupings & Agreements Involving India and/or Affecting India’s Interests
Mains: Implications of Russia-Ukraine War on India
Context: Russian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Trade and Industry Denis Manturov visited India.
Introduction:
- Mr Manturov visited India on April 17-18, 2023 primarily to attend an inter-governmental meeting on trade, culture and science and technology.
- He also held an inter-governmental commission meeting with foreign minister S Jaishankar on April 17-18 on a variety of economic and business-related matters.
Highlights of the meeting:
- Growing and balancing India-Russia trade ties dominated the agenda of Manturov’s India visit and the Inter-governmental Commission on Trade, Economic, Scientific, Technological and Cultural Cooperation meet.
- Both sides hailed the surge in bilateral trade (increased by 2.6 times in the past year, and at about $45 billion), surpassing the 2025 target.
- They also noted the problem of trade imbalance, calling for more market access and the use of “national currencies” to circumvent sanctions.
- The improvement in talks regarding a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between India and the Eurasian Economic Union, initiated in 2017, was also mentioned.
- The signing of this agreement could accelerate trade between the two nations, which has been overshadowed by their focus on defence, nuclear, and space cooperation.
Growing trade deficit:
- Since the beginning of the Russia-Ukraine war, and Western sanctions drastically cut Russian exports, Russia has started to rely more on India and other nations like China that have not participated in the sanctions to export its resources.
- In FY22, Russia was India’s 25th largest trading partner. However, it is now India’s second-largest trade partner.
- India’s oil imports from Russia have jumped from 0.2% to a massive 28% of its total oil intake, contributing to trade as well as a growing deficit.
- From April through January 2022-23 (FY23), India’s maximum trade deficit was with China, at $71.58 billion.
- This was followed by Russia, where the deficit expanded sevenfold from $4.86 billion in April-January of 2021-22 (FY22) to $34.79 billion during the same period in FY23.
Implications on geopolitics:
- Ukraine’s Foreign Minister has accused India of having “blood” on its hands by buying Russian oil, whereas the impression that India is “benefitting from the war” is gaining traction in Western countries.
- It is important to acknowledge that while India’s economic ties with Russia may benefit from the conflict, it is not necessarily benefiting from the war itself.
- India’s oil import from Russia is a commercial transaction that is subject to market forces and global economic dynamics.
- It is not necessarily an indication of support for Russia’s actions in Ukraine, and it is unfair to hold India responsible for the broader geopolitical implications of the conflict.
- This gains significance in light of upcoming visits of PM Modi to Japan, Australia, the U.S. and France and Putin’s India visit to the SCO summit in Delhi in July 2023.
- The statement made by Mr. Jaishankar, which emphasises the strong and consistent nature of the India-Russia relationship, is particularly relevant in the context of the current global turbulence and shifting geopolitical alliances.
- This perspective provides the foundation for the warm reception given to Mr. Manturov, highlighting the importance and stability of the bilateral ties between the two countries.
Nut Graf: India is accused of “benefitting from the war” in Ukraine by buying Russian oil, but India’s economic ties with Russia are subject to market forces and not an indication of support for Russia’s actions. Calls for clarity by India on its stand on the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war have gained significance in light of PM Modi’s upcoming foreign visits and growing India-Russia trade.
1. Caste Census
Syllabus: Population and Associated Issues; Social Empowerment
Mains: Need and rationale behind caste census
Context: The demand for a caste census is gaining momentum among India’s political opposition.
Introduction:
- The call for a caste census is gaining momentum among opposition parties in India, with the Indian National Congress (INC) and other prominent political parties urging the union government to conduct the exercise.
- INC President has written to PM Modi demanding the census be carried out for the sake of achieving social justice.
- Tamil Nadu government and National Congress Party, which are both Indian National Congress allies, have also urged the Centre to conduct a caste census in conjunction with India’s decennial census.
Reasons behind the demand:
- Despite the Mandal Commission report of 1980 being founded on caste census data from 1931, it still serves as the basis for identifying backwardness and deciding the extent of reservation for OBCs.
- Therefore, there is a pressing requirement for a comprehensive census that can supply data to bolster or scrutinise current reservation quotas, or to evaluate the demand for them.
- A caste census would help to identify and address the specific needs and challenges faced by different caste groups, and ensure that government policies and programs are targeted and effective in addressing their concerns.
- Conducting such a thorough census would also fulfil a legal obligation by providing quantifiable data that the government can use to respond to the Supreme Court’s request.
- The caste census would involve consolidating caste and sub-caste names into social groups, ensuring that the groupings are appropriate by utilising synonymity and equivalence of the group names self-identified by the respondents during the census.
- Creating a database by cross-referencing these groups with the OBC/SC/ST lists of each state would be beneficial, as it could be used in the decennial Census.
Read more on Caste Census.
Nut Graf: The call for a caste census in India is growing as opposition parties urge the government to conduct the exercise. The demand stems from a need to identify and address specific challenges faced by different caste groups and to evaluate current reservation quotas.
F. Prelims Facts
1. YZ Ceti b
Syllabus: GS-3; Science and Technology; Awareness in the field of space
Prelims: YZ Ceti b
Context
Astronomers have detected a repeating radio signal from the “YZ Ceti b” exoplanet which indicates the presence of a magnetic field. The presence of a magnetic field around the planet is one of the prerequisites for a habitable planet.
About YZ Ceti b
- YZ Ceti b is a rocky and earth-sized exoplanet.
- The YZ Ceti b is a terrestrial exoplanet that rotates around a small red dwarf star (M-type star) named “YZ Ceti” which is only about 12 light-years away from the Earth.
- YZ Ceti b has a small orbit and researchers have found that the planet takes just a couple of earth-days to circle its star.
- Since the mid-1990s, astronomers have found hundreds of planets orbiting stars similar to the sun.
- In order to be a habitable planet, the planet must have an atmosphere and sustain water.
- This requires the planet to be at a certain distance from its star which is regarded as the star’s “Goldilocks zone”.
- The “Goldilocks Zone” refers to the range of distance from a star with the right temperatures for water to remain liquid.
- According to Astronomers, close to 30% of all star systems discovered could potentially have Goldilocks zones.
- The presence of a magnetic field is important as a strong magnetic field protects its atmosphere from being eroded by the charged particles blowing in from its star.
Syllabus: GS-3; Ecology and Environment; Biodiversity Conservation
Prelims: About Toque Macaques
Context
Zoologists and conservationists in Sri Lanka have opposed the government’s proposal to explore opportunities to export monkeys to China.
Details
- The Minister of Agriculture of Sri Lanka has said that the government was analysing a proposal from a Chinese company to purchase Sri Lankan Toque Macaques.
- The Chinese animal breeding company had expressed interest to buy a large number of Monkeys from Sri Lanka, as the country was looking to get rid of certain crop-destroying species.
- However, various environmental groups in Sri Lanka raised concerns over the move and have regarded it as an ad-hoc, illegal, and short-sighted response to a long-standing human-animal conflict.
- The conservationists fear that the monkeys could end up in testing laboratories abroad.
Toque Macaques
Image Source: WION
- Toque Macaque is a golden brown-coloured, Old World monkey endemic to Sri Lanka.
- Locally in Sri Lanka, these monkeys are known as ‘rilewa’ or ‘rilawa’.
- The Sri Lankan Toque Macaques (Macaca sinica) are the smallest species of the genus Macaca.
- There are three recognised subspecies of Toque Macaque namely:
- Fry zone Toque Macaque
- Wet zone Toque Macaque
- Highland Toque Macaque
- Toque macaques are diurnal animals i.e. animals that are active during daylight hours.
- They are both arboreal as well as terrestrial in nature.
- Toque Macaque is known to live in troops and have a structured social status.
- These monkeys are mostly frugivorous i.e. they eat lots of fruits.
- Sri Lanka’s farmers have been expressing concern over crop damage and consequent financial losses, owing to frequent attacks by these monkeys.
- IUCN Red List status: Endangered.
- Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES): Appendix II.
G. Tidbits
1. Cinematograph (Amendment) Bill, 2023
- The Union Cabinet has cleared the Cinematograph (Amendment) Bill, 2023 which includes provisions for stringent punishments for film piracy and the introduction of new age categories for classifying films.
- The Bill will be introduced in the Monsoon Session of Parliament.
- As per the draft version of the Bill, there were provisions for up to three years of imprisonment and ₹10-lakh penalty for those engaged in film piracy.
- Further, the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) would be empowered to provide more age classifications for certifying films.
- At present, only three categories exist which include “U” for unrestricted exhibition, “U/A” for films that can be viewed by minors with adult supervision, and “A” for films that can be viewed by adults.
- The 2021 draft Bill had expanded the “U/A” category to “U/A 7+, U/A 13+ and U/A 16+”.
- The extant IT Rules, 2021, mandate that streaming services use these age classifications with content descriptors.
- The draft Bill of 2021 also empowered the government to order the CBFC to re-examine films that have already been cleared for exhibition.
- An expert committee chaired by filmmaker Shyam Benegal had recommended the expansion of age ratings in 2017.
2. Union Cabinet gives nod for ₹6,003 crore Quantum Mission
- The Union Cabinet has approved the ₹6,003 crores National Quantum Mission (NQM) that will fund the R&D of quantum computing technology and its applications.
- The Mission involves the development of quantum computers with 20-50 physical qubits in three years, 50-100 physical qubits in five years and 50 to 1,000 physical qubits in eight years.
- “Qubits” are quantum bits that are the units of processing by quantum computers. A qubit is a quantum bit, the counterpart in quantum computing to the binary digit or bit of classical computing.
- The mission will assist in developing magnetometers with high sensitivity in atomic systems, and atomic clocks for precision timing, communications and navigation.
- The mission also helps develop the fabrication of quantum materials including superconductors, novel semiconductor structures, and other topological materials.
- Further, four Thematic Hubs (T-Hubs) will be established in top academic and National R&D institutes in the domains of quantum computing, quantum communication, quantum sensing and metrology and quantum materials and devices.
Read more – National Quantum Mission
3. Govt. brings back windfall tax on oil
- The government has re-introduced the windfall profit tax on domestic crude oil as international prices firm up while the levy on the export of diesel has been cut to nil.
- The levy on crude oil is now ₹6,400 per tonne.
- As part of the last revision on April 4, the windfall tax on domestic crude oil was cut to nil as international oil prices dipped below $75 per barrel.
- However, oil prices have increased following the announcement of a cut in production announced by OPEC+ countries.
- Furthermore, the government also decreased the tax on the export of diesel to nil from ₹0.50 per litre.
Learn more about – Windfall Profit Tax
H. UPSC Prelims Practice Questions
Q1. Consider the following statements with regard to the Census exercise in India: (Level – Easy)
- The decennial Census is conducted by the Office of the Registrar General and Census Commissioner, Ministry of Statistics and Program Implementation.
- The population census is a Union subject under Article 246 of the Indian Constitution.
- The information collected during the population Census is so confidential that it is only accessible to the courts of law.
Choose the correct code:
- Only one statement is wrong
- Two statements are wrong
- All statements are wrong
- None of the statements is wrong
CHECK ANSWERS:-
Answer: b
Explanation:
- Statement 1 is not correct, The responsibility of conducting the decadal census rests with the Office of the Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India, Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India.
- Statement 2 is correct, The population census is a Union subject under Article 246 of the Constitution.
- Statement 3 is not correct, The information collected during the process of the Census is very confidential and it is not even accessible to the courts of law.
- The confidentiality of the data is guaranteed by the Census Act, 1948.
Q2. Consider the following statements with regards to the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA): (Level – Easy)
- FCRA was enacted during the Emergency in 1976 amid apprehensions that foreign powers were interfering in India’s affairs by pumping money into the country through independent organisations.
- FCRA registrations are granted to individuals or associations that have definite cultural, economic, educational, religious, and social programmes.
- Under the FCRA 2022 Rules, there is an exemption from intimation to the government for contributions less than Rs 1 lakh.
Choose the correct code:
- 1 & 3 only
- 2 & 3 only
- 1 & 2 only
- All of the above
CHECK ANSWERS:-
Answer: c
Explanation:
- Statement 1 is correct, The FCRA was enacted during the Emergency period in 1976 amid concerns that foreign powers were interfering in India’s affairs by pumping money into the country through independent organisations.
- Statement 2 is correct, FCRA registrations are granted to individuals or associations that have definite cultural, economic, educational, religious, and social programmes.
- Statement 3 is not correct, Under the FCRA 2022 Rules, there is an exemption from intimation to the government for contributions less than Rs 10 lakh.
- The earlier limit was Rs 1 lakh.
Q3. Consider the following statements with regards to the United Nations Population Fund: (Level – Difficult)
- It is a subsidiary organ of the UN General Assembly and works as a sexual and reproductive health agency.
- UNFPA works directly to tackle Sustainable Development Goals on health (SDG2), education (SDG3) and gender equality (SDG4).
- In 1987, it was officially renamed the United Nations Population Fund but the original abbreviation, ‘UNFPA’ for the United Nations Fund for Population Activities was retained.
Choose the correct code:
- 1 & 2 only
- 2 & 3 only
- 1 & 3 only
- All of the above
CHECK ANSWERS:-
Answer: c
Explanation:
- Statement 1 is correct, The United Nations Population Fund (UNPF) is a subsidiary organ under the umbrella of the UN General Assembly and is the United Nations’ sexual and reproductive health agency.
- Statement 2 is not correct, UNFPA is working with governments, partners and other UN agencies to directly tackle many Sustainable Development Goals particularly:
- Goal 3 on health
- Goal 4 on education
- Goal 5 on gender equality
- Statement 3 is correct, The United Nations Fund for Population Activities was established as a trust fund in 1967 and started its operations in 1969.
- In 1987, it was officially renamed the United Nations Population Fund, reflecting its lead role in the United Nations system in the area of population. The original abbreviation, UNFPA, was retained.
Q4. Which of the following nations share a border with Sudan? (Level – Difficult)
- Libya
- Egypt
- Chad
- Ethiopia
- Kenya
- Nigeria
Choose the correct code:
- 2, 3 & 5 only
- 1, 2, 3 & 4 only
- 1, 4 & 6 only
- All of the above
CHECK ANSWERS:-
Answer: b
Explanation:
Image Source: Encyclopedia Britannica
Q5. With reference to 'palm oil', consider the following statements: (Level–Difficult) PYQ (2021)
- The palm oil tree is native to Southeast Asia.
- The palm oil is a raw material for some industries producing lipstick and perfumes.
- The palm oil can be used to produce biodiesel.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
- 1 and 2 Only
- 2 and 3 Only
- 1 and 3 Only
- 1, 2 and 3
CHECK ANSWERS:-
Answer: b
Explanation:
- Statement 1 is not correct, Oil palm trees are native to Africa and were brought to South-East Asia as an ornamental tree crop.
- Statement 2 is correct, Palm oil is used as a raw material in the lipstick and perfumes industries.
- Palm oil is one of the best options and most cost-effective cosmetics ingredients.
- Statement 3 is correct, Palm oil can be used to produce biodiesel.
- Biodiesel from palm oil has significant potential as an alternative fuel in compression ignition (CI) engines.
I. UPSC Mains Practice Questions
- India is all set to become the world’s most populous country. Examine the implications in detail. (250 words, 15 marks) [GS-1; Society]
- India and UAE have built a strategic partnership based on strong economic ties. Evaluate. (250 words, 15 marks) [GS-2; International Relations]
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CNA 20 April 2023:- Download PDF Here
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