09 Aug 2023: UPSC Exam Comprehensive News Analysis

09 August 2023 CNA
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TABLE OF CONTENTS

A. GS 1 Related
B. GS 2 Related
GOVERNANCE
1. Kerala HC: Issue norms for sex-selective surgeries on intersex infants
SOCIAL JUSTICE
1. Climate events & an umbrella for urban health
C. GS 3 Related
ECONOMY
1. The grammar of commerce in a new age of geopolitics
D. GS 4 Related
E. Editorials
GOVERNANCE
1. What is the Jan Vishwas Bill, 2023 proposed by Centre?
INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
1. Learning from the CHIPS Act of the U.S.
F. Prelims Facts
1. Medium-Term Expenditure Framework
G. Tidbits
1. Maya Operating System
H. UPSC Prelims Practice Questions
I. UPSC Mains Practice Questions
FIP Magazine

Category: SOCIAL JUSTICE

1. Climate events & an umbrella for urban health

Syllabus: Issues Relating to Development & Management of social sector/services such as Health, Education and Human Resource.

Mains: Issues Relating to Development & Management of health

Context

The monsoon season in India has brought widespread devastation and raised concerns about water and vector-borne diseases, especially in vulnerable urban areas like slums.

Monsoon Impact and Health Concerns

  • The monsoon season in India has brought widespread destruction, including cyclonic storms, floods, and heavy rainfall.
  • The focus shifts to health challenges posed by common water and vector-borne diseases like typhoid, cholera, dysentery, malaria, and dengue.

Urban Vulnerability and Disease Spread

  • Urban households, especially in underdeveloped areas like slums, are highly vulnerable due to poor socio-economic conditions.
  • Urban areas are more likely to experience malaria and dengue outbreaks compared to rural areas.

Climate Change and Disease Vulnerability

  • Vulnerability to diseases like malaria is higher in climatically vulnerable states.
  • Climate change-related events increase susceptibility to vector-borne illnesses.

Challenges in Disease Management

  • After the monsoon, health officials focus on containing water and vector-borne diseases.
  • Coordination between states and urban areas is crucial due to people’s movement.

Resilient Urban Health Care System

  • Urgent need to rebuild the urban primary health care system to withstand extreme climatic events.
  • System should prioritise vulnerable urban populations, especially in slums and peri-urban areas.

Public Investment and Health Resilience

  • Increased public investment is required for urban health care, with an emphasis on vulnerable areas.
  • The National Urban Health Mission has initiated improvements, but financial constraints hinder progress.

Special Funding for Urban Health

  • A special fund from institutions like the Finance Commission is needed to build resilience in urban health care.
  • Attention should extend to towns beyond cities.

COVID-19 Experience and Urban Health Governance

  • COVID-19 revealed the complexities of urban health governance, highlighting the need for coordination and cooperation.
  • Public health emergencies require cooperation among various stakeholders, including data sharing and regulation.

Strengthening Surveillance and Information Systems

  • Universalize and strengthen surveillance and information systems like the Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme.
  • Comprehensive information sharing is crucial for effective response to health crises.

Comprehensive Health System Approach

  • Shift from vertical disease control programs to a comprehensive health system approach.
  • Integration of front-line workers across disease management programs can create a versatile public health cadre.

Preparedness for Climate Change Events

  • Plan and manage health systems considering the increasing frequency and intensity of climate change events.
  • Better preparation is necessary on a global scale.

Nut Graf: As India grapples with monsoon-related challenges, a resilient urban health care system, public investment, and comprehensive strategies are crucial to address health vulnerabilities exacerbated by extreme climatic events.

Category: INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

1. Learning from the CHIPS Act of the U.S.

Syllabus: GS-2, Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on India’s interests

Mains: The CHIPS Act of the U.S and Lessons for India

Context: 

The United States’ Creating Helpful Incentives to Produce Semiconductors and Science Act of 2022 (CHIPS Act) has completed one year. 

What is the CHIPS Act?

  • The Creating Helpful Incentives to Produce Semiconductors and Science Act of 2022 (CHIPS Act) was passed into law in 2022.
  • It is intended to increase the US’s national security, innovation, and competitiveness. 
  • The law is designed to encourage investments in domestic semiconductor production facilities. 
  • The CHIPS and Science Act seeks to encourage tech firms to establish semiconductor manufacturing facilities in the nation. 

Lessons for India

The CHIPS Act offers a transparent view of the abilities and frameworks required to carry out such initiatives. From an Indian perspective, it is crucial to watch and take notes during the Act’s implementation even though its long-term effectiveness is still up for debate. 

  • Coordination between Departments
    • The Act requires collaboration and coordination across numerous federal agencies. 
    • On the other hand, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) is primarily in charge of managing India’s industrial policy for semiconductors.
    • A non-profit organisation founded by MeitY has entrusted the plans for semiconductors to an independent branch known as India Semiconductor Mission (ISM).   
  • Separate Funds
    • For the purpose of carrying out the Act, four distinct funds have been established. 
    • This arrangement clearly shows how important semiconductors are. 
    • Companies must submit workforce development plans in order to be eligible for funding under the CHIPS Act. 
  • Collaboration with Private Institutions
    • India can quickly establish a competitive edge in the semiconductor business by developing a skilled workforce of semiconductor engineers. In the case of India, numerous private educational facilities train chip designers outside the framework of the traditional university system. 
    • The Chips2 Startup (C2S) program should concentrate on accrediting top-notch academic or private training programmes.
  • Structuring Accountability
    • The CHIPS Act also established the CHIPS Programme Office (CPO) to establish the standards for judging a project’s financial viability. 
    • To encourage private sector investments, the CPO is hiring Financial Structuring Directors and Investment Principals. 
    • Even though India has criteria for determining whether ideas are viable, there is still plenty that can be done to increase openness. 
    • Regular monthly progress reports on the government’s semiconductor programme must be released. 

Conclusion

The CHIPS and Science Act serves as a good model for industrial policy in the semiconductor industry. The administrative capability that the United States has assembled has institutionalised the Act in a way that will ensure its continuation beyond governments.  As India sharpens its focus on the semiconductor industry, it requires a whole-of-government approach.

Nut graf: The CHIPS Act’s lesson is that India’s strategy has to identify and fund research on emerging technologies.

F. Prelims Facts

1. Medium-Term Expenditure Framework

Syllabus: GS 3- Economy

Prelims: FRBM Act and Medium-Term Expenditure Framework

Introduction

  • India’s Finance Ministry emphasised the importance of maintaining “fiscal firepower” to effectively handle external shocks.
  • Global economic conditions have not improved since the Union Budget presentation in February 2023.

Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF)

  • The MTEF, mandated by the Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management (FRBM) Act, cannot be released due to current circumstances.
  • Assumptions about economic growth rates and revenue receipts are required for meaningful expenditure projections and rolling targets for the next two years.
  • The Finance Ministry conveys its inability to release the MTEF in the present situation.

Continued Global Headwinds and Risks

  • No favourable changes observed in global economic conditions and associated risks since February.
  • The Finance Ministry initially cited “unprecedented global uncertainties” as a reason for not presenting fiscal projections for 2024-25 and 2025-26 in the Parliament.

Need for Flexibility in Expenditure Management

  • Effective management of external shocks and global uncertainties calls for additional flexibility in expenditure management and fiscal consolidation.
  • Flexibility in fiscal policies is necessary to respond to unforeseen economic challenges.

G. Tidbits

1. Maya Operating System

  • In response to rising cyber and malware attacks targeting defence and critical infrastructure, the Defence Ministry is taking proactive measures to enhance cybersecurity.
  • The Ministry is replacing the Microsoft Operating System (OS) in all internet-connected computers with a new open-source OS named “Maya,” based on locally developed Ubuntu.
  • Maya offers a user-friendly interface and similar functionalities to Windows OS, ensuring a smooth transition for users.
  • As part of the cybersecurity strategy, an ‘end point detection and protection system’ called ‘Chakravyuh’ is also being implemented in these systems.
  • At present, Maya is being integrated into the Defense Ministry’s systems, excluding computers connected to the Service networks.
  • The three Services (Navy, Army, Air Force) have reviewed Maya and plan to adopt it for their respective networks soon.
  • The Navy has already approved Maya, while the Army and Air Force are currently assessing its suitability.
  • Maya was developed within a six-month timeframe by government development agencies.
  • Maya’s implementation is aimed at thwarting malware and cyberattacks, countering the recent surge in such incidents.
  • India has experienced various malware and ransom attacks, including on critical infrastructure, prompting the need for robust cybersecurity measures.

H. UPSC Prelims Practice Questions

Q1. Consider the following statements regarding the adoption of the OS Maya by 
the Indian Defence Ministry:
  1. OS Maya is developed by Microsoft on open-source Ubuntu.
  2. It is being adopted to counter the increasing cyber threats.
  3. The Defence Ministry plans to install it on the computers of all three armed forces simultaneously by August 15, 2023.

How many of the above statements are correct?

  1. Only one
  2. Only two
  3. All three
  4. None
CHECK ANSWERS:-

Answer: a

Explanation: 

It is not developed by Microsoft, and is being adopted to counter cyber threats. All three services are not adopting it simultaneously.

Q2. Which of the following is a correct statement about the Glucose-6-phosphate 
dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency?
  1. A condition where red blood cells multiply excessively due to glucose.
  2. A genetic disorder causing a complete lack of insulin production.
  3. A hereditary condition leading to red blood cell destruction under certain triggers.
  4. An enzyme deficiency that severely impacts white blood cell function.
CHECK ANSWERS:-

Answer: c

Explanation: 

It is a hereditary condition causing rapid breakdown of red blood cells under various conditions due to a lack of the enzyme glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase.

Q3. Consider the following statements about the Medium-Term Expenditure 
Framework (MTEF):
  1. It sets a single-year target for expenditure indicators.
  2. Medium-Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) is presented under the FRBM Act, 2003.
  3. MTEF provides an estimate of expenditure for both revenue and capital expenditure separately.

How many of the above statements are incorrect?

  1. Only one
  2. Only two
  3. All three
  4. None
CHECK ANSWERS:-

Answer: a

Explanation: 

Statement 1 is incorrect. It sets a three-year rolling target for expenditure indicators under the FRBM Act.

Q4. With reference to the No-Confidence Motion in the Indian Parliament, which of 
the following statements is/are correct?
  1. It can be moved against the entire Council of Ministers.
  2. The No-confidence motion can be adopted only with stated reasons.

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

  1. 1 only
  2. 2 only
  3. Both 1 and 2
  4. Neither 1 nor 2
CHECK ANSWERS:-

Answer: a

Explanation: 

It need not state the reasons for its adoption in the Parliament and can be moved against an entire Council of Ministers.

Q5. Consider the following statements about Nickel:
  1. It is a significant element in meteorites.
  2. Nickel is an essential nutrient for plants.
  3. Australia and Indonesia have the highest nickel reserves in the world.

How many of the above statements are correct?

  1. Only one
  2. Only two
  3. All three
  4. None
CHECK ANSWERS:-

Answer: c

Explanation:  

All three statements are correct.

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