CNA 24 April 2023:- Download PDF Here
TABLE OF CONTENTS
A. GS 1 Related B. GS 2 Related INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS 1. The EU’s new crypto-legislation SOCIAL JUSTICE 1. How can a juvenile be tried as an adult in Court? C. GS 3 Related D. GS 4 Related E. Editorials SOCIETY 1. India as most populous can be more boon than bane INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS 1. A new troika for India’s northeast region 2. India-Russia Trade Equations F. Prelims Facts 1. What is LockBit ransomware and how is it specifically targeting Apple computers? G. Tidbits 1. India and China hold 18th Corps Commander talks at Moldo 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. The EU’s new crypto-legislation
Syllabus: Effect of politics of developed countries on India’s interest.
Mains: EU’s crypto legislation.
Prelims: Markets in Crypto Assets (MiCA).
Context: European Parliament approved the Markets in Crypto Assets (MiCA).
Details
- The European Parliament has approved the Markets in Crypto Assets (MiCA).
- It is the world’s first set of comprehensive rules for regulating largely unregulated cryptocurrency markets.
- It will come into force after the formal approval by member states.
- It will not only harmonize the crypto industry but also provide a competitive edge to the EU in comparison to the U.S. and the U.K.
- The law became urgent as the year 2022 saw some of the biggest failures in the crypto markets. For instance, the collapse of the crypto exchange FTX and the failure of Terra LUNA cryptocurrency.
Salient Features of MiCA:
- MiCA describes crypto assets as “ a digital representation of a value or a right that uses cryptography for security and is in the form of a coin/token/any other digital medium which may be transferred and stored electronically, using distributed ledger technology or similar technology”.
- However, it will not be applied to transferable digital assets like securities and shares that already qualify for financial instruments. It will also exclude nonfungible tokens (NFTs).
- Moreover, it will not regulate digital currencies and assets issued by the European Central Bank or national banks of EU member states.
- The rules will be applied to the issuer of cryptoassets or cryptoasset service providers (CASPs) that provide one or more services like:
- Operation of a trading platform
- Provides custody and administration of crypto-assets on behalf of third parties (customers)
- Facilitates exchange of crypto assets
- Provides advice on crypto assets and crypto-portfolio management
- MiCA requires every CASP to get incorporated as a legal entity in the EU. CASPs will then be supervised by regulators like the European Banking Authority and the European Securities and Markets Authority.
- The rules also mandate furnishing key information like the terms of the offer to the public, details of crypto products, type of blockchain verification mechanism, etc.
Response to the Legislation:
- The overall response to the regulation is positive as it is better to have a regulatory framework than to have no rules at all.
- However, some experts feel that MiCA is laggard in covering newer vulnerabilities in the crypto industry like crypto staking and lending.
Crypto Regulation in India:
- Presently, India does not have a comprehensive regulatory framework for crypto assets.
- However, the Government of India has taken several steps to regulate it. For instance,
- The Union Budget 2022 imposed a 30% tax on income from the “transfer of any virtual digital asset.”
- In March 2023, the government decided to place all transactions involving virtual digital assets under the purview of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).
Also read: Digital Rights
Nut Graf: The Markets in Crypto Assets (MiCA) is the first comprehensive law in the world that aims to regulate the ever-increasing crypto market. Similar efforts should be made across the world including India to safeguard the public and overall economy of the country.
1. How can a juvenile be tried as an adult in Court?
Syllabus: Issues related to Children.
Mains: Section 15 of Juvenile Justice Act, 2015.
Prelims: Juvenile Justice Act 2015.
Context: NCPCR has issued a guideline to conduct a preliminary assessment of the Juvenile Justice Board.
Details
- A set of guidelines were issued by National Commission for Protection of Children (NCPCR) for conducting a preliminary assessment under Section 15 of the Juvenile Justice Act, 2015 (JJ Act, 2015).
- The assessment will be conducted by the Juvenile Justice Board (JJB) to find out whether a juvenile can be tried as an adult.
- Notably, the JJ Act, 2015 allowed trying juveniles in the age group of 16-18 as adults in cases of heinous offences.
- Section 15 of the act says that in case of a heinous offence committed by a child of age 16 or above, the board should conduct a preliminary assessment of the child’s physical or mental capacity, circumstances, and ability to understand the consequences of offence.
- Under Section 18(3), the case should be transferred to another court (having jurisdiction to try such cases) if the Board suggests the trial of the child as an adult.
- Responsibilities of the Board as per the Guildelines:
- The JJB is made responsible for the preliminary assessment and providing the child, his/her family, and their counsel a copy of the order.
- The board should also take the assistance of psychologists or experts in child psychology or child psychiatry.
- The child should be provided with legal aid counsel.
- It also mandates experts having the required qualification to undergo training concerning Section 15 of the JJ Act, 2015.
- The Board and experts should also take into consideration Social Investigation Report (SIR).
- SIR will be prepared by the Probation officer or Child Welfare Officer or social worker after interaction with the child or the child’s family.
- The guidelines are formed to clarify the preliminary assessment procedure and remove any ambiguity.
- It should be noted that as per Section 109 of the JJ Act, 2015, NCPCR is under a statutory obligation to monitor the implementation of the provisions of the Act.
- However, it is argued that many principles of the act have not been given due prominence by the Board or the Children’s Court.
Also read: Child Protection In India [UPSC Notes for GS I]
Nut Graf: The National Commission for Protection of Children has issued new guidelines for trying a juvenile as an adult in case of heinous crimes. The move aims to remove ambiguity and clarify the procedure of preliminary assessment.
C. GS 3 Related
Nothing here for today!!!
D. GS 4 Related
Nothing here for today!!!
E. Editorials
1. India as most populous can be more boon than bane
Syllabus: Population and associated issues
Mains: Population growth in India is a “dividend” or a “disaster”
Context
As per the latest UN report, India is expected to displace China as the most populous country in the world by mid-2023.
Background
- As per the UN Report, by mid-2023, India is expected to have a population of 142.86 crores while China’s population is expected to be 142.57 crores.
- However, because of the postponement of the Census 2021 exercise, it has become difficult to predict exactly when this change in demographic order would take place.
- In this context, there exists a need for deeper analysis of the issue from an empirical and scientific perspective and to understand the nature of population growth, size and its composition.
For more detailed background information, refer to the following article:
UPSC Exam Comprehensive News Analysis dated 20 Apr 2023
Population growth, size, composition
- Experts believe that the population in itself is not a burden and instead, it is the nature of the population growth, size and its composition that determines if it is a “resource” or a “burden”.
- The population is considered to be a “resource” if the carrying capacity of the country is intact.
- Carrying capacity not only refers to the capital availability of natural resources but is also a dynamic concept that changes as per the change in technology, consumption systems of a country and the efficiency of production.
- Population growth in India: India has achieved replacement level fertility as a total fertility rate of 2.0 in 2023 i.e. two children replacing their parents.
- This suggests that the population in India is stabilising.
- India’s population growth is expected to increase in a decelerated mode until 2064, after which the growth is predicted to become negative
- India’s peak population size is estimated to be about 169.6 crores in 2063.
- Population size: The total population size is usually assumed to be the number of mouths to feed.
- Experts believe that huge reliance on total population size can be grossly misleading.
- They say that there is a need to take into account the “age composition” of the population as it indicates the available “support ratios” that provide an idea about the number of the working age population (i.e. individuals aged 15 to 64) as compared to the number of dependent population (i.e. Children below 14 years and adults aged 65 and above).
- Population composition of India: A deeper analysis of India’s Population composition reveals that 68% of the total population in 2023 are working age populations in India.
- This ensures that India would continue to have a demographic window of opportunity for the next 35 years to reap economic dividends.
Mechanisms that translate demographic bonus into economic benefits
It is believed that there are four key mechanisms that help translate a demographic bonus into economic dividends, namely:
- Employment opportunities: Creating job opportunities for its population is one of the most crucial mechanisms to convert the demographic bonus to economic dividend.
- India must ensure that it creates sufficient and quality jobs for its growing working age population to unlock the actual potential of the demographic dividend.
- Healthcare facilities: Setting up and developing healthcare facilities also plays a key role in achieving economic gains with the help of demographic opportunity.
- Advanced healthcare facilities not only ensure a healthy lifespan by preventing diseases and disabilities but also reduce out-of-pocket spending by the public thereby enabling greater capital creation.
- Education and skill development: Efforts to improve education and skill development facilities in the country ensures better productivity of economic activity.
- Good governance: Good governance in the form of conscientious policies also helps in promoting a healthy environment for increasing efficiency and productivity.
Population growth in India is a “dividend” or a “disaster”?
- A younger population in India ensures higher support ratios which also implies that there is a lesser disease, disability and caring burden.
- Further, India’s population growth should be looked at in terms of the opportunities that it provides as compared to the implications of population decline and ageing populations which are witnessed in countries like Japan, China, and the US.
- It is important to note that despite the adoption of various policies and strategies, these countries have failed to improve birth rates as once fertility declines, it is usually very difficult to reverse it.
- The population and the demographic dividend in India provide an opportunity to become a global market for both production and consumption as manufacturing costs and the costs of labour are relatively low in India.
- The demographic opportunity in the form of a greater percentage of the working age population further provides India a chance to boost its per capita GDP by about 43% by 2061 by ensuring a conducive socio-economic and political environment.
- Experts opine that a total fertility rate of less than 1.8 would not be economically beneficial for India and thus various population control policies that threaten to induce population ageing must be checked.
- However, issues such as unsustainable production, consumption and unequal distribution more than visible population size continue to be key challenges to reaping benefits out of the demographic opportunities in India.
Conclusion
- India should adopt key mechanisms such as policies to provide high-quality education, improved health care, employment opportunities, better infrastructure, and ensure gender equality in order to translate a demographic bonus into economic dividend.
- If India mismanages or fails to bring about changes with respect to the mentioned key mechanisms, then the “demographic dividend” could potentially become a “demographic disaster”.
Nut graf: As India is expected to edge past China as the most populous country, the debates over opportunities and costs of population growth have reemerged. However, experts believe that there are greater prospects for demographic advantage than demographic disaster and India should focus on reaping the demographic dividend with a mix of the right policies.
Category: INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
1. A new troika for India’s northeast region
Syllabus: India and its neighbourhood- relations.
Prelims: Facts about BIMSTEC and India’s Act East Policy
Mains: The benefits of bringing the troika of Bangladesh, India and Japan closer.
Context
The third India-Japan Intellectual Dialogue was hosted by the Asian Confluence (ASCON), in Agartala, Tripura on the 11th and 12th of April, 2023.
Details
- The northeast region of India which consists of eight States is undergoing rapid change and has done well to overcome various security challenges.
- At a time when the region is heading toward economic development, the recent India-Japan Intellectual Dialogue held in Tripura has provided an opportunity to evaluate the thinking of experts and policymakers.
- It has shown that bringing the troika of Bangladesh, India and Japan closer could help bring about significant changes and developments in the northeast regions of India.
Vision and opportunities
- The long-term vision and goal for Bangladesh and northeast India are to become a hub and key industrial corridor, serving a population of 220 million.
- The northeastern part of India is blessed with vast natural resources and it is also strategically significant as it shares long borders with neighbouring countries such as Nepal, Bhutan, China, Bangladesh and Myanmar.
- Matarbari Deep Sea Port (DSP): The development of Matarbari Deep Sea Port (DSP) is one of the most ambitious and significant projects.
- The post is being developed on the southeastern coast of Bangladesh with Japanese assistance and is expected to be completed in 2027.
- A study by ASCON has envisaged this port to be “a game changer” as it not only caters to the needs of Bangladesh but also the northeastern region of India.
- According to Japan’s Ambassador to India, despite being important, the increased connectivity of roads and railways would not produce the intended outcomes without the development of regional industrial value chains.
- Thus, rapid industrialisation is required in the sectors that these northeastern States enjoy a competitive advantage because it ensures that the new connectivity links are fully utilised and productive.
- Construction and the development of these roads and ports should be accompanied by the creation of job opportunities through the establishment of new industrial enterprises with domestic as well as foreign investments.
- There exists an opportunity for setting up value chains and manufacturing hubs that encompass varied sectors such as agro-processing, handicrafts, man-made fibres, assembly of two-wheelers and pharmaceuticals as the population in these regions already excels in the services sector which has attracted investments.
Way forward
- There are economic challenges that act as impediments to achieving the intended vision, which include the problems associated with Japan being the sole investor in the northeast, lack of interest shown by the Indian companies to invest and various restrictions on the flow of investments from Bangladesh.
- However, most of these investment challenges can be resolved by policy convergence and by forging closer economic linkages between the three countries.
- Bangladesh, which has facilitated infrastructure connectivity between India and Bangladesh, has now called for “reciprocity” from India to ensure better connectivity with other countries such as Nepal, Bhutan and Myanmar.
- By helping Bangladesh improve its connectivity with these countries, India can make sure Bangladesh becomes an integral part of its Act East Policy.
- Furthermore, while the issues relating to regional cooperation and integration are being discussed, it is important to also involve the BIMSTEC in such discussions to ensure that grouping as a whole progresses towards its vision of establishing the Bay of Bengal Community (BOBC).
- The triad of Bangladesh, India and Japan (BIJ) and BIJ Forum that consists of the Foreign Ministers must be set up to ensure effective connectivity between a large part of South Asia and Southeast Asia.
Nut graf: Bringing the troika of Bangladesh, India and Japan closer and developing an extensive web of linkages between these countries will not only help in connecting a large part of South Asia with Southeast Asia but also bring about path-breaking changes in India’s northeast region.
2. India-Russia Trade Equations
Syllabus: Bilateral groupings and agreements involving India
Mains: Trends in India-Russia trade relations
Context
In February 2023, Russia displaced Saudi Arabia to become the second biggest exporter of crude oil to India in FY23, while Iraq has continued to be the biggest exporter of crude oil.
Details
- Between November 2022 and February 2023, Russia has been the top supplier of crude oil to India and the shares of Saudi Arabia and Iraq have shown a downward trend.
- The increasing trend in imports from Russia is not just limited to crude oil but also other products.
- In FY 2022-23 (till February), Russia accounted for 50% of India’s imports of project goods which include materials required for infrastructure projects
- Further, Russia also accounted for about 30% of newsprint rolls, mineral/chemical fertilizers and sunflower/cotton seed oil imports in FY 2022-23.
- India exports to Russia include pharma products, crustaceans, tea, coffee, etc. However, the value of these products is relatively lesser compared to India’s imports from Russia.
- As a result of the sudden increase in oil imports as well as other products, India’s trade deficit with Russia has increased significantly in recent times.
Nut graf: At a time when the trade deficit between India and Russia is widening significantly in the favour of the latter, the two countries have agreed to address the issue and narrow down the trade imbalance. In this context, Russia now seeks to import over 500 products from India.
F. Prelims Facts
1. What is LockBit ransomware and how is it specifically targeting Apple computers?
Syllabus: GS 3- Science and Technology.
Prelims: LockBit Ransomware.
- It is found that LockBit ransomware is targeting Mac devices.
- It is the first major ransomware operation to specifically target Apple computers.
- There are reports that the same gang is responsible for a cyber-attack on U.K. postal services that caused international shipping to a halt.
LockBit ransomware:
- It is designed to infiltrate victims’ systems and encrypt important files.
- It was first found in September 2019 and was called “abcd” virus.
- LockBit is categorized as a “crypto virus” because it demands payment in cryptocurrency to decrypt the victim’s file.
- It is the first time that encryptors are targeting Mac devices instead of Windows, Linux, and VMware ESXi servers.
- It is a self-spreading malware.
- It also hides executable encryption files by disguising them in the .png format. This prevents them from detection by system defences.
- The goal of the malware is to ensure that data recovery without assistance from the LockBit gang is impossible.
- LockBit operates on the ransomware-as-a-service (Raas) model.
Ways to protect systems against the LockBit ransomware:
- Use strong passwords with multi-factor authentication.
- Organizations should conduct training programmes for employees to identify cyber-attacks.
- Old and unused accounts should be deactivated
- Organizations and even individuals should be aware of vulnerable points and cybersecurity threats.
Also read: Ransomware Attack [UPSC Notes]
G. Tidbits
1. India and China hold 18th Corps Commander talks at Moldo
- The 18th round of Corps Commander talks between India and China was held at Moldo.
- The focus of the meeting was disengagement from Demchok and Depsang Plains.
- The efforts aim to resolve the stand-off between both countries ongoing since May 2020.
Also read: India-China Conflict – Galwan Valley Clash
H. UPSC Prelims Practice Questions
Q1. 'Anubhava Mantapa', which is considered to be the ‘first Parliament of the world’ was established by (Level- Moderate)
- Basavanna
- Krishnadevaraya
- Krishnaraja Wadiyar
- Pulakesin
CHECK ANSWERS:-
Answer: a
Explanation:
- Anubhava Mantapa was established by Basavanna in the 12th century C.E. It is located in Basavakalyan in the Bidar district of Karnataka. It is the first religious parliament in the world.
Q2. Consider the following statements with respect to Midday Meals (MDM): (Level- Moderate)
- The National Food Security Act, 2013 (NFSA, 2013) contains provisions related to welfare schemes including the Mid Day Meal Scheme.
- Mid Day Meal Rules, 2015 provide for temporary utilization of other funds available with the school for MDM in case the school exhausts MDM funds for any reason.
- The place for serving meals to the children shall be school only.
- If the Mid-Day Meal is not provided in school on any school day due to non-availability of food grains, cooking costs, fuel or absence of cook-cum-helper or any other reason, the Central Government shall pay food security allowance.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- 1, 2 and 3 only
- 2, 3 and 4 only
- 1 and 4 only
- 1, 2, 3 and 4
CHECK ANSWERS:-
Answer: a
Explanation:
- Statement 1 is correct: Schemes such as the Mid-Day Meal Scheme (MDMS), the Public Distribution System (PDS), and the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) are included under the NFSA Act.
- Statement 2 is correct: Under the MDM rules, schools are empowered to utilize other funds for midday meals in case MDM funds get exhausted.
- Statement 3 is correct: The place for serving meals to the children shall be school only.
- Statement 4 is not correct: Under MDM rules 2015, if children of any school don’t get food for 3 consecutive school days or 5 days in a month, the concerned state government has to fix the responsibility on a person or an agency.
Q3. Which of the following statements is/are correct with respect to Financial Stability Board (FSB)? (Level - Moderate)
- It is an international body that monitors and makes recommendations about the global financial system. It was established in 2009 under the aegis of G33.
- The Financial Stability and Development Council (FSDC) Secretariat in the Department of Economic Affairs coordinates with the various financial sector regulators and other relevant agencies to represent India’s views with the FSB.
Options:
- 1 only
- 2 only
- Both
- None
CHECK ANSWERS:-
Answer: b
Explanation:
- Statement 1 is not correct: The Financial Stability Board is an international body that monitors and makes recommendations about the global financial system. It was established after the G20 London summit in April 2009 as a successor to the Financial Stability Forum.
- Statement 2 is correct: The Financial Stability and Development Council (FSDC) Secretariat in the Department of Economic Affairs coordinates with the various financial sector regulators and other relevant agencies to represent India’s views with the FSB. It is an autonomous body.
Q4. Which of the following are part of the ‘basic structure’ doctrine? (Level - Easy)
- Separation of Powers
- Presidential Form of Government
- Effective access to Justice
- Freedom and dignity of the Individual
- Harmony and balance between fundamental rights and directive principles
Options:
- 1, 2 and 3 only
- 1, 4 and 5 only
- 1, 3, 4 and 5 only
- 2, 3 and 4 only
CHECK ANSWERS:-
Answer: c
Explanation:
Some of the basic structure of the constitution are:
- Supremacy of the Constitution
- Unity and sovereignty of India
- Democratic and republican form of government
- Federal character of the Constitution
- Secular character of the Constitution
- Separation of power
- Individual freedom
- Harmony and balance between the Fundamental Rights and DPSP
- Effective access to Justice, etc
Q5. What is Bisphenol A (BPA) ? (Level- Easy)
- A Medical test for detecting cancer
- A test for Testing the use of drugs to improve performance by athletes
- A chemical used for the development of food-packaging materials
- A special type of alloy steel
CHECK ANSWERS:-
Answer: c
Explanation:
It is a chemical that is mainly used in combination with other chemicals to manufacture plastics and resins. It is used for the development of food-packaging materials.
I. UPSC Mains Practice Questions
- “India’s Demographic Dividend has opened the window of opportunity in terms of growth and development of the country that needs to be seized before the window closes”. Comment. (250 words; 15 marks) [ GS-1; Society]
- “Though India and Japan have shared interest in keeping the Indo- Pacific open and free, their bilateral cooperation is still lacking.” Comment. (250 words; 15 marks)[GS-2; International Relations]
Read the previous CNA here.
CNA 24 April 2023:- Download PDF Here
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