CNA 21 April 2023:- Download PDF Here
TABLE OF CONTENTS
A. GS 1 Related B. GS 2 Related C. GS 3 Related SECURITY 1. India’s fighter jet conundrum D. GS 4 Related E. Editorials SOCIAL JUSTICE 1. India’s fight against Tuberculosis INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS 1. Beijing Accord-Changing geopolitics of West Asia F. Prelims Facts 1. PSLV-C55 mission 2. Sloth Bear 3. Eat right food streets G. Tidbits 1. SCO members must pool resources, expertise on disaster resilience 2. Faith in children’s vaccines has gone up in India, says UNICEF 3. Assad emerges from isolation as West Asia diplomacy shifts H. UPSC Prelims Practice Questions I. UPSC Mains Practice Questions
A. GS 1 Related
Nothing here for today!!!
B. GS 2 Related
Nothing here for today!!!
C. GS 3 Related
1. India’s fighter jet conundrum
Syllabus: Various Security forces and agencies and their mandate.
Mains: Issues associated with the decline in the Indian Air Force (IAF)’s fighter jet fleet and the possible way forward.
Context
A representative of the Indian Air Force (IAF) informed the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Defence that the IAF at present has 31 fighter squadrons against the sanctioned strength of 42 squadrons and the numbers are not expected to increase in the next 10 years.
Phase-outs and orders
Image Source: The Hindu
- Various existing squadrons out of the 31 squadrons present also are expected to be phased out in the coming years, which include three Mig-21 squadrons (to be phased by 2025) and also the Jaguars, Mirage-2000s and MIG-29s (phase-out will be started by the end of the decade).
- By the early 2040s, when most of the above-mentioned squadrons would be phased out, a few of the earlier batches of SU-30s will also start their phase-out exercise.
- An agreement to procure 12 additional SU-30MKIs in order to replace the ones lost in accidents and a deal to procure 21 additional MIG-29s from Russia have been delayed due to the Russia-Ukraine war.
- India has an ambitious plan for the acquisition of over 500 fighter jets which majorly consists of indigenously designed and manufactured aircraft.
- However, these are still at various stages of development and their timely progress and delivery are crucial for IAF.
- Further, the progress and timely delivery of 114 Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft (MRFA) and 83 Light Combat Aircraft (LCA)-MK1A and LCA-MK2 will ensure that the IAF would have 35 to 36 squadrons by the middle of the next decade and arrest the fall in the number of squadrons on account of various phase-out exercises.
The status of IAF’s indigenous fighter ecosystem
- Highlighting the importance of indigenisation, the IAF has stated that if we keep procuring from the open market in the world, we will never become self-reliant and thus there exists a need to provide impetus to our domestic industry which requires support and the IAF is committed towards that.
- The progress and deliveries of LCA, which was seen as a replacement for Mig-21s, have been witnessing a series of delays.
- The LCA got its Initial Operation Clearance (IOC) in December 2013 whereas the Final Operational Clearance (FOC) was given only in February 2019.
- In February 2020, the Defence Ministry finalised a ₹48,000 crore agreement with HAL for the procurement of 83 LCA-MK1A, 20 years after their first flight. According to HAL officials, these aircraft will be delivered starting in February 2024.
- HAL has also set up a third LCA assembly line in order to increase the production rate.
- Additionally, LCA-MK2 which is a larger aircraft with better capabilities also was ordered by the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) in September 2022 at a total cost of ₹9000 crores.
- The LCA-MK2 is similar to the Mirage-2000 with respect to its capabilities and is expected to be ready for production by 2027.
- Another key procurement programme is that of the Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft (MRFA), which is a reincarnation of the older Medium Multi-Role Combat Aircraft (MMRCA).
- The Request for Information (RFI) was provided in 2007. However, the emergency procurement of 36 Rafale jets under a €7.87 billion deal with France, sidelined the procurement plans of MRFA.
- The RFI for 114 MRFA was finally issued in April 2019 to global aircraft manufacturers but there has been no progress and the project is yet to receive the Acceptance of Necessity (AoN).
- Further, the fifth generation Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) is wasting the sanctions of the CSS.
- The estimated project cost of the development of AMCA would be around ₹15,000 crores and would take 10 years for the development post sanction.
- There are also discussions over the inclusion of the Twin Engine Deck Based Fighter (TEDBF) for the Indian Navy’s aircraft carriers.
- The TEDBF is expected to take its first flight by 2026 and be ready for production by 2031.
Read more – Tejas, Rafale, Sukhoi-30 – Fighter Aircrafts
Nut graf: The Indian Air Force which is one of the world’s largest Air Forces is currently struggling to keep up its strength of fighter squadrons due to the gradual phase-out exercise of the existing jets and the delays in the procurement of new jets. The IAF has been trying to arrest this drawdown through the timely deliveries of indigenously manufactured aircraft.
D. GS 4 Related
Nothing here for today!!!
E. Editorials
1. India’s fight against Tuberculosis
Syllabus: GS-2, Issues Relating to Development & Management of Health
Mains: India’s role in fighting TB globally
Context: The One World TB Summit was organised in Varanasi by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) and the Stop TB Partnership.
Introduction:
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the One World TB Summit on the occasion of World Tuberculosis Day (March 24)
- PM Modi emphasised the need for innovation and new strategies to achieve the desired outcomes in global tuberculosis (TB) elimination response.
- He highlighted India’s multi-pronged approach to tackling TB in the past nine years and also reiterated India’s future commitment to spearhead this effort.
Lessons from the COVID-19 response:
- One of the most significant lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic is the need to strengthen healthcare systems, particularly in low- and middle-income countries like India.
- A strong health system is critical for the effective management of infectious diseases such as TB. By investing in healthcare infrastructure, increasing the availability of health workers, and improving access to medicines and diagnostic tools, India can improve its capacity to detect, diagnose, and treat TB cases.
- In India, TB control programs can benefit from involving communities in awareness campaigns, contact tracing, and treatment adherence. This can help to reduce the stigma associated with TB and improve treatment outcomes.
- According to the recent National TB Prevalence Survey, 64% of individuals with contagious TB in India did not seek medical attention, leading to a situation where nearly two cases go undetected for every TB case reported at the national level.
- Telemedicine, remote consultations, and digital health platforms can help in the early detection of TB, improve treatment adherence, and provide real-time monitoring and reporting of TB cases.
- Using effective data management to monitor the incidence and prevalence of TB, identify high-risk populations, and track treatment outcomes, India can develop targeted interventions and allocate resources more effectively.
- India has a significant burden of drug-resistant TB, and research and development can help in developing new, more effective treatments and diagnostic tools.
- The Mission COVID Suraksha programme to develop vaccines was a good example of a public-private partnership, with clear goals and outcomes. The huge number of diagnostic tests developed and a variety of different vaccine platforms show that our manufacturing sector is robust and can scale rapidly.
Vaccine Trials:
- The fight against TB requires the development of an effective vaccine, improved accessibility and affordability of testing and diagnosis, and the introduction of new therapeutic molecules.
- The Bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccine does not provide adequate protection for high-risk groups, highlighting the need for a new vaccine.
- Point-of-Care Tests (POCTs) and handheld digital X-ray machines can provide rapid and affordable testing.
- The introduction of new therapeutic molecules such as the 1HP regimen for latent TB infections, the four-month regimen (HPZM) for drug-susceptible TB, and the six-month regimen (BPaL/M) for drug-resistant TB can also play a crucial role.
- While progress has been made, more efforts are needed to prioritise clinical trials for vaccine candidates, scale-up effective regimens, and repurpose existing drugs for TB treatment.
Way Forward: Appropriate policy frameworks
- Strengthening the innovation ecosystem by creating regulatory and policy frameworks to facilitate the rollout of proven tools.
- Collaboration is needed between policymakers, scientists, product developers, and clinical researchers across regions and potentially even between governments.
- Harmonisation of standards and regulatory processes between countries can save critical time towards rollout by enabling mutual recognition of evidence-based standards and licences.
- Creation of a strong platform that channelises investments in research to bring in a paradigm shift at every stage of the TB care cascade — prevention, testing, and treatment.
- India has the opportunity, as the G-20 president, to create a global health architecture that ensures equitable access for all. India can lead the way in eradicating TB as the leading infectious disease killer globally in the 21st century.
- Collaborative development of transformational tools and approaches is necessary to address the needs of both developed and developing countries, especially those who are under-represented and disproportionately affected.
Nut Graf: India can lead the way in ending tuberculosis by strengthening healthcare systems, involving communities, using digital health platforms, data management, and research and development for new treatments and diagnostic tools. India has the opportunity to create a global health architecture that ensures equitable access for all and to eradicate TB as the leading infectious disease killer globally in the 21st century.
Category: INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
1. Beijing Accord-Changing geopolitics of West Asia
Syllabus: GS-2, Effect of Policies & Politics of Developed & Developing Countries on India’s Interests
Mains: Implications of Beijing on Accord on Geopolitics
Context: Iran and Saudi Arabia agree to restore ties after China-brokered talks.
Introduction:
- Iran and Saudi Arabia, who have been in conflict directly and indirectly since the rise of the Arab Spring in 2011 have agreed to resume diplomatic relations and reopen embassies within two months.
- The agreement came after Chinese-brokered talks in Beijing.
Read more on the Agreement between Iran and Saudi Arabia.
Implications for West Asia:
On Yemen:
- Agreement between Iran and Saudi Arabia has already resulted in improved diplomacy, replacing conflict across West Asia.
- The conflict in Yemen is largely driven by the rivalry between Iran and Saudi Arabia, with both countries supporting opposing sides. Reconciliation of Iran and Saudi Arabia could help to find a peaceful solution to the conflict, which has been ongoing since 2014.
- Yemen is one of the poorest countries in the Middle East, and the conflict has further hindered its economic development. If Iran and Saudi Arabia were to work together, they could invest in Yemen’s infrastructure and help develop its economy.
- Diplomats from Saudi and Oman have already visited Sanaa to discuss the terms of a ceasefire in Yemen.
- At present, it remains uncertain how the United Arab Emirates (UAE) will participate in the peace efforts, as it holds authority over various Yemeni ports, controls the strategically significant Perim islands at the Bab al Mandab strait, and supports the separatist Southern Transitional Council headquartered in Aden.
Also read: Saudi Arabia’s Quest for Strategic Autonomy [Changing Saudi Foreign Policy]
On Syria:
- The involvement of Iran and Saudi Arabia in the Syrian conflict has exacerbated the conflict and contributed to its complexity. Their support for opposing sides has led to a proxy war in Syria, with the conflict spilling over into neighbouring countries and exacerbating regional tensions.
- The earthquake that devastated Turkey and Syria in February 2023 encouraged diplomatic engagements with Damascus, which accelerated after the Saudi-Iran accord.
- Soon after the earthquake, delegations from Lebanon, Jordan and the UAE visited Syria, and Syrian President, Bashar al-Assad, isolated for a decade, has been a welcome guest in Oman and the United Arab Emirates.
- After the reconciliation of Iran and Saudi Arabia, Mr. Assad visited Russia and the UAE, signalling the end of Syria’s political isolation over 10 years.
- Saudi Arabia is expected to invite Syria to attend the Arab League summit in Riyadh in May 2023 thus completing Syria’s political rehabilitation.
- However, Russia’s ongoing effort to reconcile Syria and Turkey is proving difficult as Syria insists on full Turkish military withdrawal from northern Syria.
Emerging regional order:
- The West Asian region is taking foreign policy decisions independently of American wishes, and the U.S. is often a disgruntled observer on the sidelines.
- Saudi Arabia is diversifying its suppliers of weapons, buying ballistic missiles from China and recently purchasing Chinese technology to manufacture its own missiles, while also becoming a “dialogue partner” of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation and seeking membership in BRICS.
- Saudi Arabia and Russia are partners in the “OPEC +“.
- Iran has a substantial defence, energy, economic, and logistical connectivity ties with Russia and China and is working with Russia to close the small gaps in the International North-South Transport Corridor that links Moscow with the western coast of India.
Nut Graf: Iran and Saudi Arabia have agreed to restore diplomatic ties. The agreement could have positive implications for the Yemeni and Syrian conflicts. These developments suggest the emergence of a West Asian cooperative order based on diplomatic engagements among regional states embracing Eurasia and the Indian Ocean, defined by multipolarity, with China at the centre.
F. Prelims Facts
Syllabus: GS-3; Science and Technology; Awareness in the field of space
Prelims: About PSLV-C55 mission
Context
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is looking to launch the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle C55 (PSLV-C55) mission on the 22nd of April 2023.
Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle C55 Mission
- The PSLV-C55 is a dedicated commercial mission that carries TeLEOS-2 as the primary satellite and Lumelite-4 as a co-passenger satellite.
- The TeLEOS-2 and Lumelite-4 satellites are to be launched into an eastward low-inclination orbit.
- The TeLEOS-2 satellite has been developed under a partnership between DSTA (representing the government of Singapore) and ST Engineering.
- Lumelite-4 satellite is co-developed by the Institute for Infocomm Research (I²R) of A*STAR and by the Satellite Technology and Research Centre (STAR) of the National University of Singapore.
- This satellite is an advanced 12U satellite developed for the technology demonstration of the high-performance space-borne VHF Data Exchange System (VDES) and it aims to enhance Singapore’s maritime safety and support the global shipping community.
- The PSLV-C55 mission consists of the PSLV Orbital Experimental Module (POEM), where the spent PS4 stage of the launch vehicle will be used as an orbital platform to undertake scientific experiments with the help of non-separating payloads.
For more information on the “TeLEOS-2 satellite”, refer to the following article:
2. Sloth Bear
Syllabus: GS-3; Ecology and Environment; Biodiversity Conservation
Prelims: About Sloth Bears
Context
A Sloth Bear drowned during the rescue mission after falling into a well at Vellanad in Thiruvananthapuram.
Sloth Bear
Image Source: nationalzoo.si.edu
- The Sloth Bear (Melursus ursinus) is a shaggy-coated bear species native to India, Sri Lanka, Nepal and Bangladesh.
- Indian Sloth Bear (Melursus ursinus ursinus): These are bigger, well-known and widespread and are seen in the bordering range of the Himalayas from Punjab to Arunachal Pradesh.
- Sri Lankan Sloth Bear: (Melursus ursinus inornatus): These are smaller compared to the Indian subspecies and are found in the northern and eastern lowlands of Sri Lanka.
- Sloth Bears are one of the eight bear species found across the world.
- Sloth Bears mainly feed on fruits, ants and termites.
- Unlike other bear species, Sloth Bears are often seen carrying their cubs on their backs.
- Sloth Bears have long, hard and curved claws that are used for penetrating nest mounds.
- These animals prefer to live in a variety of dry and moist forests as well as tall grasslands.
- IUCN Red List status: Vulnerable
- Wildlife Protection Act: Schedule 1 protection
- CITES listing: Appendix I
Read more – Sloth Bear
Syllabus: GS-2; Health; Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health
Prelims: About Eat right food streets initiative
Context
The Health Ministry along with the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs has asked States and UTs to develop 100 eat-right food streets in 100 districts across the country.
Eat right food streets
- As a part of the initiative, financial assistance of ₹1 crore per food street/district will be extended to States and UTs.
- The key objective of the “eat right food streets” project is to promote safe and healthy practices to reduce food-borne illnesses and improve overall health outcomes.
- The programme will be implemented through the National Health Mission (NHM) in convergence with the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs.
- Further, the technical support to the initiative will be lent by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI).
- The financial assistance will be granted under the NHM in the ratio of 60:40 or 90:10, with the condition that standard branding of these food streets will be done as per FSSAI guidelines.
Read more – Eat Right India Movement
G. Tidbits
1. SCO members must pool resources, expertise on disaster resilience
- The Union Home Minister of India has urged the members of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) to adopt a collective approach to disaster resilience by pooling resources and expertise.
- The SCO consists of eight member states namely China, India, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Pakistan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.
- India has assumed the presidency of the SCO in 2022.
- The Union Home Minister chaired a meeting on the prevention and elimination of emergency situations and addressed the heads of department of SCO member states.
- Pakistan attended the meeting virtually.
- The Minister further added that the SCO is probably the largest regional organisation in the world as it represents about 40% of the global population, close to 25% of the global GDP and around 22% of the world’s total land area.
- He also said that India believes that no hazard is small or big, and it does not leave anyone behind and India has now developed more accurate and timely early warning systems for disasters such as drought, floods, heat waves, cyclones, etc.
- Furthermore, the India-led Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI) has about 39 members from across the world.
- The Tsunami Early Warning System for the Indian Ocean Rim countries set up by the Indian National Centre for Oceanic Information Services serves close to twenty other countries.
2. Faith in children’s vaccines has gone up in India, says UNICEF
- According to the data collected by The Vaccine Confidence Project and published by UNICEF, out of the 55 countries studied, only China, India, and Mexico showed improvement in the popular perception of the importance of vaccines for children.
- As per the data, vaccine confidence has been on a decline in countries such as Japan, the Republic of Korea, Papua New Guinea, Ghana, and Senegal.
- The report also noted that the growing threat of vaccine hesitancy was mainly due to factors such as misleading information and declining trust in vaccine efficacy.
- Further, UNICEF India has released its global flagship report titled “The State of the World’s Children 2023: For Every Child, Vaccination” which underlines the importance of childhood immunisation.
- The report pointed out that about 67 million children missed out on vaccinations between 2019 and 2021 and the vaccination coverage levels decreased in 112 countries.
- The decline in vaccine coverage has been mainly attributed to intense demands on health systems, the diversion of immunisation resources to COVID-19 vaccination, health worker shortages and stay-at-home measures.
3. Assad emerges from isolation as West Asia diplomacy shifts
- In 2011, as the civil war broke out in Syria, Saudi Arabia led the Arab efforts to isolate the regime of President Bashar al-Assad and expel the country from the Arab League.
- However, there seems to be a major change in recent weeks as Arab countries and Syria are undertaking efforts to rebuild their ties.
- Jordan and Egypt sent their Foreign Ministers to Damascus, while Bashar al-Assad visited the UAE. Tunisia is also looking to normalise its ties with Syria and most recently the Foreign Minister of Saudi Arabia travelled to Damascus.
- These changes are seen as a part of the larger realignments that are underway in West Asia as regional powers are revisiting their policies after Bashar al-Assad regained control over most of Syria.
- These latest developments also indicate a change in Saudi’s approach vis-à-vis Iran, which includes the China-backed Saudi-Iran agreement as Iran and Saudi Arabia were on opposing sides in Syria’s civil war.
- Post the normalisation of ties, experts believe that the next step would be to push for political reforms within the country, and create an atmosphere of confidence for the Syrian refugees to return.
H. UPSC Prelims Practice Questions
Q1. Consider the following statements with regards to the EVMs and VVPATs:(Level–Easy)
- When a voter presses a button in the EVM, a paper slip is printed through the VVPAT.
- The slip contains the poll symbol and name of the voter.
- VVPAT machines can be accessed by polling officers only.
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: a
Explanation:
- Statement 1 is correct, VVPAT is an independent verification printer machine and is attached to electronic voting machines.
- When a voter presses a button in the EVM, a paper slip is printed through the VVPAT.
- Statement 2 is not correct, The printed slip contains the poll symbol and name of the candidate.
- Statement 3 is correct, VVPAT machines can be accessed by polling officers only.
Q2. Consider the following statements with regards to the New Space Policy 2023: (Level – Easy)
- IN-SPACe will be the interface between ISRO and non-governmental entities.
- The operational part of ISRO’s missions will be moved to the NewSpace India Limited.
- To encourage and nurture space research among young minds, ISRO launched its Student
Outreach Program called SAMVAD at its Bengaluru facility.
Choose the correct code:
- 1 & 3 only
- 2 & 3 only
- 1 & 2 only
- All of the above
CHECK ANSWERS:-
Answer: d
Explanation:
- Statement 1 is correct, IN-SPACe will act as an interface between ISRO and Non-Governmental Entities (NGEs) and assess how to utilize India’s space resources better and increase space-based activities.
- Statement 2 is correct, As per New Space Policy 2023, the operational part of ISRO’s missions will be moved to the NewSpace India Limited, which is a public sector undertaking under the Department of Space.
- Statement 3 is correct, To encourage and nurture space research among young minds, ISRO launched its Student Outreach Program called SAMVAD at its Bengaluru facility.
Q3. Consider the following statements with regards to Buddhism:(Level – Easy)
- After 59 consecutive days of meditation, Gautama attained Bodhi (enlightenment) under a pipal tree at Bodhgaya, a village in Bihar.
- He died at the age of 80 in 483 BCE at a place called Kushinagara a town in UP. The event is known as Mahaparinibban.
- The Buddha’s teaching was oral and written.
Choose the incorrect statements:
- 1 & 2 only
- 2 & 3 only
- 1 & 3 only
- All of the above
CHECK ANSWERS:-
Answer: c
Explanation:
- Statement 1 is not correct, Gautama Buddha attained ‘Bodhi’ – enlightenment after meditating for 49 consecutive days under a pipal tree at Bodhgaya in Bihar.
- Statement 2 is correct, Gautama Buddha died at the age of 80 in 483 BCE at a place called Kushinagar in Uttar Pradesh.
- The event is named “Mahaparinibbana”.
- Statement 3 is not correct, The Buddha’s teaching was oral and not written as he wanted his teachings to be available to the common people, even the uneducated.
Q4. Which of the following statements is incorrect about India’s population growth? (Level – Difficult)
- India’s Census figures show that its annual population growth rate was 2% in 1951, which decreased to 1.3% in 1961.
- According to census 2011, the median age in India was 24.9.
- The UN has projected that India’s population will peak in 2053.
- During 2001-11, a steep decline was noted in the population growth rate of Jains, Buddhists, Sikhs and Christian.
CHECK ANSWERS:-
Answer: a
Explanation:
- As per India’s Census figures, the annual population growth rate was 1.3% in 1951, which increased to 2% in 1961.
- As per census 2011, the median age in India was 24.9.
- In 2022, according to World Population Projections, India’s median age was 28.7.
- The UN has projected that India’s population will peak in 2053.
- During 2001-11, there was a sharp decline in the population growth rate of Jains (20.5 percentage points), Buddhists (16.7 percentage points), Sikhs (8.5 percentage points) and Christian (7 percentage points).
Q5. From the declines of Guptas until the rise of Harshavardhana in the early seventh century, which of the following kingdoms were holding power in Northern India? (Level – Moderate) PYQ (2021)
- The Guptas of Magadha
- The Paramaras of Malwa
- The Pushyabhutis of Thanesar
- The Maukharis of Kanauj
- The Yadavas of Devagiri
- The Maitrakas of Valabhi
Select the correct answer using the codes given below.
- 1, 2 and 5
- 1, 3, 4 and 6
- 2, 3 and 4
- 5 and 6
CHECK ANSWERS:-
Answer: b
Explanation:
- The most prominent kingdoms that were holding power in Northern India from the decline of the Guptas until the rise of Harshavardhana were the later Guptas of Magadha, Pushyabhutis of Thaneshwar, Maukharis of Kannauj, Maitrakas of Valabhi.
- The Paramaras of Malwa ruled the areas in west-central India between the 9th and 14th centuries.
- The Yadavas of Devagiri ruled the western part of the Deccan region between 850 A.D. to 1334 A.D.
I. UPSC Mains Practice Questions
- Diplomacy is replacing conflict across West Asia, with foreign policy decisions being made independently of American wishes. Critically examine. (250 words, 15 marks) [GS-2; International Relations]
- Tuberculosis is a leading killer among infectious diseases. Evaluate the global threat it poses and what measures has India been taking to eliminate the threat. (250 words, 15 marks) [GS-2; Helath]
Read the previous CNA here.
CNA 21 April 2023:- Download PDF Here
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