22 Dec 2022: UPSC Exam Comprehensive News Analysis

CNA 22 Dec 2022:- Download PDF Here

TABLE OF CONTENTS

A. GS 1 Related
B. GS 2 Related
POLITY
1. What is the latest clash between AAP and the Delhi L-G?
C. GS 3 Related
SECURITY
1. The INS Mormugao and its capabilities
D. GS 4 Related
E. Editorials
GOVERNANCE
1. Need to make cancer drugs affordable
INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
1. India and Taliban
SOCIAL JUSTICE
1. Surge in Covid-19 infections
F. Prelims Facts
1. Dokra metalcraft
2. Palm-leaf manuscript museum in Kerala
G. Tidbits
1. PM2 elephant acclimatising to habitat in MTR, positive behavioural changes noticed
2. DGTR proposes anti-dumping levy on Indonesian viscose fibre
H. UPSC Prelims Practice Questions
I. UPSC Mains Practice Questions
FIP Magazine

Category: INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

1. India and Taliban

Syllabus: GS2, India and its Neighborhood – Relations

Mains: India-Afghanistan Relations

Context: Female students in Afghanistan were suspended from tertiary education by the Taliban.

Introduction:Β 

  • The Taliban regime has announced a ban on female students studying in universities.
  • The Taliban has passed several decrees including banning Afghan schoolgirls from studying above grade six, job restrictions and a ban on women at gyms and public parks, with public floggings for those travelling without male relatives chaperoning them.Β 
  • These decrees are against promises made to the international community by the Taliban during the Doha talks, including establishing an β€œinclusive” government.Β 

India’s approach to the Taliban regime:

  • During the first Taliban regime (1996-2001) India neither extended its recognition nor had a diplomatic presence in Afghanistan.Β 
  • India did not engage Taliban officials. It also supported the anti-Taliban resistance at the time.
  • After the Taliban’s ouster from power, India supported successive governments in Kabul and extended massive aid toward the country’s socioeconomic development.Β 
  • India provided training to Afghan security forces, police, civilian officials, and teachers. Reflecting its large role in Afghanistan was its sizable diplomatic presence; in addition to an embassy in Kabul, India had consulates in Herat, Kandahar, Jalalabad, and Mazar-e-Sharif.
  • India shut down its consulates and embassy and evacuated its officials and nationals from Afghanistan during the present Taliban 2.0 regime.
  • While no country recognises the Taliban officially, many openly engage with the regime leaders. Many countries, including India, have diplomatic missions.Β 

Implications of India’s Policy:

  • India’s policies have made it more comfortable for the Taliban to continue to rule, while giving shelter to terrorist organisations, including those that target India.
  • India’s decision to cancel all visas to Afghans, hurt female students seeking an education in India the most.
  • Extending aid and developing trade and diplomatic ties with the Taliban regime are seen as ways to prevent it from acting against Indian interests.
  • Indian officials have clarified that a diplomatic presence in Kabul does not mean recognition of the regime.Β 

Way Forward:

  • The international community must review its current policy towards the Taliban 2.0 regime considering the ongoing repressive decrees by the Taliban.
  • Countries can also create platforms outside Afghanistan for non-Taliban Afghan leaders, particularly women who had been elected in the past, to regroup, organise and voice an alternative vision to the current regime.
    • Countries can also curtail engagement with the Taliban, which depends on external assistance to run its government structures.Β 
  • India, as a regional leader, must review its β€œhands-off” approach to the people of Afghanistan who have suffered many deprivations in the past year.

Nut Graf: The Taliban’s decision to bar women from higher education drew condemnation from foreign governments and the United Nations. The global community must acknowledge that women’s rights are at the core of the issue with the Taliban, and review its current policy towards the Taliban 2.0 regime.

Category: SOCIAL JUSTICE

1. Surge in Covid-19 infections

Syllabus: GS2, Issues related to Health

Mains: Impact of Covid 19 on the public health systemΒ 

Context: The spike in coronavirus cases reported out of China has triggered global alarm.Β 

Introduction:Β 

  • The current surge in Covid-19 infections in China is driven by the BF.7 sub-variant of Omicron.
    • Some mathematical modelling projections calculate a million COVID-19 cases in the coming days in China.
  • Over 11 million new COVID-19 cases were reported in December worldwide.Β 
  • BF.7 started to replace the variants that were then dominant in the United States and several European countries.
  • The Union Health Ministry has issued a directive to States to send positive samples to the Indian SARS-CoV-2 Genomics Consortium (INSACOG) to check for new, concerning strains.Β 
  • India had 3,408 active cases on December 21, 2022.Β 
  • India’s COVID-19 vaccination coverage has exceeded 219.33 crores.

Efficacy of Vaccines:

  • As seen in China, long lockdowns cannot eliminate the virus or prevent the development of new strains.
  • Vaccines are the only reasonable defence possible against severe disease.
  • Despite 90% of the Chinese population receiving a single dose, and half, a second dose, the numbers in China suggest that waning immunity is inevitable.
    • China has largely depended on home-grown vaccines such as CoronaVac and Sinopharm vaccines that rely on the inactivated virus technology.Β 
    • Deaths were also higher in countries which have made strides in vaccinations. More than 4,000 COVID-19 deaths have been recorded in Japan in December, despite 83% of the population completing the initial two doses.
  • While establishing the prevalent coronavirus variants, India shall also check whether the administered vaccines continue to be efficacious.Β 

Nut Graf: The current surge in Covid-19 infections in China driven by the BF.7 sub-variant of Omicron is a concern as it is likely to reverberate globally with many more infections, even in India. Regular sequencing of strains by INSACOG is necessary so that India’s vaccination strategy could accommodate SARS-CoV-2 changes.

F. Prelims Facts

1. Dokra metalcraft

Syllabus: GS-1; Indian Art and Culture

Prelims: About Dokra metalcraft

Context

Lalbazar in Kolkata has emerged as a hub for Dokra metal crafts in recent years.

Dokra metalcraft

Dokra metalcraft

Image Source: The Hindu

  • Dokra metal craft is an ancient tradition with a documented history of about 5,000 years.
  • Dokra is an ancient metal craft practised by the Ojha metal smiths of Jharkhand, Odisha, Chhattisgarh, West Bengal and Telangana.
    • In West Bengal, two places are famous for Dokra work namely Bikna in Bankura and Dariyapur in Bardhaman.
  • Dokra is a non-ferrous metal casting made using the lost-wax casting technique.
  • The metals used in Dokra art include copper and its alloys such as brass and bronze.
  • Dokra art is a complex process with each figurine taking over a month to be made as it involves multiple many processes which require about seven or eight varieties of clay apart from other raw materials such as metal.
  • Dokra metal crafts are in great demand both in domestic as well as foreign markets because of their primitive simplicity, attractive folk motifs and forms.Β 
  • Particularly, Dhokra horses, elephants, peacocks, owls, religious images, measuring bowls, and lamp caskets have attracted huge demand.

Read more on Adilabad Dhokra in the linked article.

2. Palm-leaf manuscript museum in Kerala

Syllabus: GS-1; Indian Art and Culture

Prelims: Palm-leaf manuscript museum

Context

Kerala Chief Minister will be inaugurating a palm-leaf manuscript museum with modern audio-visual technology at the renovated Central Archives, Fort, in Thiruvananthapuram.

Details

  • The palm-leaf manuscript museum has been set up by the Archives Department with a cost of β‚Ή3 crores.
  • The museum consists of eight theme-based galleries where select manuscripts from one of the biggest palm-leaf collections in the country will be displayed.
  • About 187 old and rare manuscripts currently housed at Central Archives and its regional offices will be displayed in the museum, arranged by the State government’s nodal agency for museums Keralam–Museum of History and Heritage.
  • The manuscripts in ancient scripts such as Vattezhuthu, Kolezhuthu, Malayanma, and ancient Tamil and Malayalam will help visitors understand the social, political, cultural, and economic history of Kerala.
  • The manuscripts will provide an idea about various aspects such as taxation, administration, trade, education, prisons, and festivals of the erstwhile Travancore, Kochi, and Malabar kingdoms/provinces.
  • Apart from palm-leaf manuscripts, ancient scrolls, bamboo splints, and copper plates will also be displayed.

G. Tidbits

1. PM2 elephant acclimatising to habitat in MTR, positive behavioural changes noticed

  • The Pandalur Makhna-2 (PM2) Elephant which was captured and relocated to the Mudumalai Tiger Reserve (MTR) is seen to be acclimatising itself to the new habitat and showing behavioural changes.
  • The elephant was captured in the Gudalur division after it damaged a number of houses over the last few years in the region.
  • Post its relocation, the PM2 Elephant has also been socialising with other elephants in the region.
  • According to officials, the elephant which previously showed no fear towards humans has become extremely wary of people and forest staff as its first inclination now is to turn away and flee into the forest when it sees people.Β 
  • These behavioural changes and acclimatisation of the elephant are said to be good signs and indicate that the negative interactions with humans could be a thing of the past.

2. DGTR proposes anti-dumping levy on Indonesian viscose fibre

  • The Directorate General of Trade Remedies (DGTR) which is an apex national agency responsible for administering all the trade remedial measures has recommended the imposition of anti-dumping duty on viscose staple fibre imported from Indonesia.
    • Viscose staple fibre is a natural biodegradable fibre obtained from wood pulp or cotton pulp with characteristics similar to that of cotton and is used to make apparel, home textiles, dress materials, knitwear, etc.
  • The anti-dumping duty is a protectionist tariff that a domestic government imposes on foreign imports to reduce the distortive effects of dumping.
    • Dumping is a process wherein a company exports a product at a price that is significantly lower than the price it normally charges in the domestic market.
  • The Union government had withdrawn the anti-dumping duty on imports of viscose staple fibre in August 2021 based on the recommendations of the DGTR and the data suggest that imports from Indonesia were increasing significantly after the expiry of the duty in August 2021.
  • The DGTR examined the possibility of the continuation of dumping which affects the domestic industry and has hence recommended the continuation of anti-dumping duty on imports of the viscose staple fibre from Indonesia.Β 
  • Besides viscose staple fibre from Indonesia, India has also imposed anti-dumping duty on stainless steel tube imports from China.

Read more about – Anti-dumping duty

H. UPSC Prelims Practice Questions

Q1. β€˜Guardian Ring’ program seen in the news is: (Level - Difficult)
  1. NASA’s program to study Saturn and its complex system of rings and moons in detail.
  2. JAXA’s program to study Jupiter’s Small Inner Moons.
  3. Collaborative exercise between some countries and United Nations organisations along with Indian Missions abroad to illustrate Yoga’s unifying power.
  4. Program of the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports to promote the Indian sports system through the involvement of all generations.
CHECK ANSWERS:-

Answer: c

Explanation:

  • The Guardian Ring programme has been envisaged as a part of International Yoga Day, 2022.Β 
  • Guardian Ring programme is a collaborative exercise between 79 countries and United Nations organisations along with Indian Missions abroad to illustrate Yoga’s unifying power that surpasses national boundaries.
Q2. Consider the following statements: (Level - Medium)
  1. All the nuclear power plants in India are operated by the Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL).
  2. All the nuclear reactors in India are kept under IAEA safeguards.
  3. All the nuclear reactors in India use imported fuel.

How many of the above statements is/are INCORRECT?

  1. One statement only
  2. Two statements only
  3. All three statements
  4. None of the aboveΒ 
CHECK ANSWERS:-

Answer: c

Explanation:

  • Statement 1 is not correct, NPCIL was the sole body responsible for constructing and operating India’s commercial nuclear power plants until the setting up of BHAVINI Vidyut Nigam in October 2003.
  • Statement 2 is not correct, All the nuclear reactors in India are not under IAEA safeguards.Β 
  • Statement 3 is not correct, India has 22 nuclear power reactors, and domestic uranium is used in nuclear plants which are not under the IAEA safeguards.
Q3. Bikna and Dariyapur in West Bengal are famous for which of the following 
metalcrafts? (Level - Medium)
  1. Koftgari
  2. Dokra
  3. Pempharti
  4. Kamrupi crafts
CHECK ANSWERS:-

Answer: b

Explanation:

  • Dokra is an ancient metal craft practised by the Ojha metal smiths of Jharkhand, Odisha, Chhattisgarh, West Bengal and Telangana.
  • In West Bengal, two places are famous for Dokra work namely Bikna in Bankura and Dariyapur in Bardhaman.
Q4. Consider the following statements with respect to the iDEX Initiative: 
(Level - Difficult)
  1. It is an initiative by the government launched with the primary objective of promoting India’s defence exports.
  2. It aims to promote innovation and technology development in Defence and Aerospace by engaging MSMEs, start-ups, individual innovators & academia.
  3. It is funded and managed by the Defence Innovation Organisation (DIO).

How many of the given statements is/are correct?

  1. One statement only
  2. Two statements only
  3. All three statements
  4. None of the above
CHECK ANSWERS:-

Answer: b

Explanation:

  • Statement 1 is not correct, The iDEX stands for Innovation for Defence Excellence. It is an initiative by the Government of India to modernise the nation’s defense industry.
    • The key aim of the initiative is to achieve self-reliance in the field of defence and defence production.
  • Statement 2 is correct, iDEX aims at creating an ecosystem to foster innovation and technology development in Defence and Aerospace by engaging Industries including MSMEs, start-ups, individual innovators, R&D institutes & academia.
  • Statement 3 is correct, iDEX is funded and managed by the Defence Innovation Organization (DIO).
Q5. What is the β€˜Greenhouse Gas Protocol’?Β  (Level - Medium) PYQ-2016
  1. It is an international accounting tool for government and business leaders to understand, quantify and manage greenhouse gas emissions.
  2. It is an initiative of the United Nations to offer financial incentives to developing countries to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and to adopt eco-friendly technologies.
  3. It is an inter-governmental agreement ratified by all the member countries of the United Nations to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to specified levels by the year 2022.
  4. It is one of the multilateral REDD+ initiatives hosted by the World Bank.
CHECK ANSWERS:-

Answer: a

Explanation:

  • Greenhouse Gas Protocol establishes comprehensive global standardised frameworks to measure and manage greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from private and public sector operations, value chains and mitigation actions.
  • Greenhouse Gas Protocol supplies the world’s most widely used greenhouse gas accounting standards.

CNA 22 Dec 2022:- Download PDF Here

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