CNA 25 Dec 2022:- Download PDF Here
TABLE OF CONTENTS
A. GS 1 Related B. GS 2 Related INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS 1. Instability in Myanmar 2. Patriot Missiles C. GS 3 Related D. GS 4 Related E. Editorials INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS 1. India’s foreign policy ECONOMY 1. Resilience of Indian economy F. Prelims Facts 1. Great Barrier Reef 2. ‘Right to Repair’ Portal G. Tidbits 1. Streptococcus (strep A) infections 2. Sacred Groves of Rajasthan 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
Syllabus: India and its Neighborhood – Relations
Mains: Significance of India-Myanmar relationship and its importance in ensuring peace in India’s Northeast region.
Context: Instability in Myanmar has fallout on India.
Introduction:
- A pro-military junta group in Myanmar has been carrying out a series of bloody attacks mostly targeting those opposed to the 2021 coup.
- The United Nations’ humanitarian relief agency says the number of people displaced within strife-torn Myanmar has for the first time exceeded 1 million, with well over half the total losing their homes after a military takeover last year.
- Myanmar’s geostrategic location holds significance for India as it acts as a bridge between the latter and the rest of its South Asian and Southeast Asian neighbours. The country also serves as an essential link for India’s regional diplomacy and “Act East Policy”.
- India also relies on Myanmar to quell the insurgency and separatist movements in the North Eastern States.
How has the instability in Myanmar affected India?
- India shares a long porous border with Myanmar and has had an influx of Myanmar nationals crossing into Mizoram since the coup in that country.
- Mizoram has also seen a major spike in the smuggling of narcotics and other contraband which challenges stability in the region.
- With the Free Movement Regime (FMR) clause also effective in Mizoram, tracking of these illegal immigrants is difficult.
- The special provision of the free movement regime along with ethnic affiliation makes the dynamics of the border unique and challenging.
- The Free Movement Regime allows the tribes living along the border to travel 16 km across the boundary without visa restrictions.
- Because of the illegal immigrants, the pressure on the State has considerably increased. Various NGOs/CSOs are coming out to help the displaced Myanmarese.
- Recoveries made by Assam Rifles show an increasing trend in the inflow of narcotics which has shown a sudden surge in the last two months with huge recoveries of meth tablets.
- It has hampered India’s initiatives in terms of land outreach towards the vibrant economies of South East Asia and has retarded development in the Northeast.
- Also, Indian oil and gas companies like ONGC Videsh and Gail are operating in Myanmar. There are thirteen Indian Public Sector Undertakings that have a presence in Myanmar in different sectors.
Read more on India-Myanmar Relations.
Nut Graf: India-Myanmar border remains one of the threats to the national security of India. An unstable Myanmar, along with other issues such as the limited availability of troops, proximity to the Golden Triangle and smuggling of narcotics and contraband, makes the security situation at the border very dynamic.
Syllabus: Effect of Policies & Politics of Developed & Developing Countries on India’s Interests
Mains: Implications of Russia-Ukraine war
Context: The U.S. is sending Patriot missile batteries to Ukraine.
Introduction:
- The U.S. mobilised the West under its leadership against Russia in the ongoing Ukraine war and imposed tight sanctions on Moscow, besides sending ammunition to Ukraine.
- The U.S. sent medium-range rocket systems such as HIMARS (High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems) and MLRS (multiple launch rocket systems) to Ukraine to gain battlefield momentum after initial setbacks.
- Honouring Ukraine’s requests for advanced defence systems the U.S. is sending Patriot missile batteries to Ukraine.
- U.S. President Joe Biden in December 2022 made the formal announcement, as part of a new $1.8 billion aid package to Ukraine.
- The package includes about $1bn in weapons from Pentagon stocks and another $800m in funding through the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative, which funds weapons, ammunition, training and other assistance.
About Patriot Missiles:
- Patriot (MIM-104) is a surface-to-air, long-range, all-altitude, all-weather air-guided missile system that was first deployed in the 1980s to counter tactical ballistic missiles, cruise missiles and advanced aircraft.
- The system was tested in combat for the first time in the First Gulf war (1990-91.)
- It is produced by Raytheon in Massachusetts and Lockheed Martin Missiles.
- The U.S. Army describes the Patriot, which consists of multiple parts including a radar, a control station and up to eight launchers as its “most advanced air defence system.”
- These missiles were used by the US military in the Persian Gulf War, the Iraq war, the 2014 Israel – Gaza conflict, the Syrian civil war, Yemen civil war, the Saudi Arabian-led intervention in Yemen, Saudi Arabian – Yemeni border conflict.
- Each Patriot battery consists of a truck-mounted launching system with eight launchers that can hold up to four missile interceptors each, a ground radar, a control station and a generator.
- According to NATO, the Patriot system’s radar has a range of over 150 km and it can track over 50 potential targets at the same time.
- Patriot is in service with the US and allied countries including Germany, Greece, Israel, Japan, Kuwait, the Netherlands, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, Poland, Sweden, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Romania, Spain, and Taiwan.
Impact of Patriot Missiles on Ongoing war:
- Russia has expressed concerns that delivery of such a sophisticated surface-to-air missile battery would be viewed as provocative and that the system and any troops accompanying it would be a valid target for Moscow’s military.
- The Patriot is being supplied, according to the U.S., not to escalate the situation but to fortify Ukraine’s defences.
- The approach might improve Ukraine’s defences, but it won’t exactly transform the situation in Ukraine’s favour as the full deployment of the Patriot takes time and high cost per missile and the relatively small number of missiles in a battery makes it difficult for Ukraine to use the missiles irresponsibly.
- A key hurdle will be training. U.S. troops will have to train Ukrainian forces on how to use and maintain the system.
Nut Graf: The recent decision of the U.S. to send Patriot missile batteries to Ukraine further expands the role of the US in the ongoing conflict. There are concerns that deployment of the system would provoke Russia, or risk that a missile fired could end up hitting inside Russia, which could further escalate the conflict.
C. GS 3 Related
Nothing here for today!!!
D. GS 4 Related
Nothing here for today!!!
E. Editorials
Category: INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
Syllabus: GS2, Effect of Policies & Politics of Developed & Developing Countries on India’s Interests
Mains: Changing dimensions of India’s foreign policy
Context: This article talks about India’s policy on various global issues.
Introduction:
- 2022 was a challenging year for geopolitics and diplomacy, particularly in the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February.
- Given its historical ties with Russia and its strategic alliances with the United States and Europe, India’s choices become increasingly challenging.
- The Indian government also continues to take criticism over its China policy and the stand-off at the Line of Actual Control.
India’s stand on the Ukraine war:
- India called for “a peaceful resolution of the situation through sustained diplomatic efforts for long-term peace and stability in the region and beyond”.
- India’s position is largely rooted in neutrality and has adapted itself to the post-2014 status quo on Ukraine.
- India also refused to accept western sanctions and increased its military and oil trade with Russia, and sought rupee-based payment mechanisms to facilitate them.
- Guided by its national interests, India chose to abstain several resolutions at the UNSC, UNGA, IAEA, Human Rights Commission and other multilateral platforms seeking to censure Russia for the invasion and humanitarian crisis.
India’s ties with its neighbours:
- As part of ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy, India has extended multi-pronged assistance to Sri Lanka over the last 12 months to help the country tide over its worst economic and humanitarian crisis.
- India also entered regional trade and energy agreements with Bangladesh, Bhutan and Nepal that could see a South Asian energy grid emerge.
- India has also strengthened ties with Central Asian countries on connectivity.
- India is also engaging with Taliban by providing humanitarian assistance, exploring a joint counterterrorism effort with other partners.
- The government also kept channels open with Myanmar Junta by sending the foreign secretary to Nay Pyi Taw.
- In December 2022, India also abstained on a UNSC vote calling for Myanmar to end violence and release political prisoners.
Progress on LAC stand-off:
- India-China tensions at the Line of Actual Control remained high. A crisis in the Indo-China border began in April 2020, with PLA transgressions in Ladakh, in the western sector of the boundary.
- Indian and Chinese troops faced off at the Yangtse area near Tawang, Arunachal Pradesh in the eastern sector of the Indo-China border on December 09, 2022.
- India is due to host Mr. Xi twice in 2023, at the G-20 and SCO summits, which could create opportunities for talks to end the stand-off.
Other highlights:
- India assumed the presidency of the G20 grouping on December 1,2022. The 18th G20 summit will be held in India in 2023.
- At the G-20, India is expected to highlight climate change transitions, “women-led” development and multilateral reform, among other key issues
- India also took over as chair of Shanghai Cooperation Organisation and it will host the next summit as the chairman of the organisation in 2023.
- In 2022, India signed trade agreements with the UAE and Australia.
Nut Graf: India at its 75th year of Independence is keen to show the world its capacity for global leadership. Meanwhile, the international order is changing rapidly and the challenges are compounding for India, making it clear that the road to the global centre stage will be rough.
Syllabus: Indian Economy & Issues Relating to Planning, Mobilization of Resources, Growth, Development & Employment
Mains: Impact of Inflation on Indian Economy
Context: This article discusses various issues faced by India’s economy in 2022.
Introduction:
- The IMF projected 9% growth of the Indian economy in 2022. But the Russia-Ukraine war and the complete disruption in supply chains, particularly for food and energy posed fresh challenges to the economy and disrupted the growth.
- One of the key elements that impacted the Indian economy in 2022 was inflation. After the RBI increased the repo rates multiple times since April, retail inflation as measured by the Consumer Price Index (CPI) in the nation fell to an 11-month low of 5.88% in November 2022.
- The rupee breached the 80 level versus the dollar for the first time on July 19, 2022, as crude oil prices rose in the international market on July 18.
- The average exchange value has been around Rs 80.74 this year, although it touched an all-time high of Rs 83.002 on October 22.
- India’s exports witnessed a massive fall this year, and the total export fell by more than 25 per cent between June and October 2022. However, there was a slight rise in the numbers in November 2022. Similarly, imports in India also faced a downtrend.
Measures taken to control inflation:
- The Reserve Bank of India hiked interest rates through the year to take the key policy rate from 4.9% in April to 6.25% by December.
- The government announced an excise tax cut on petrol and diesel. Petrol and diesel prices have been frozen through most of this year.
- The government also reduced the import duty on key raw materials and inputs for the steel and plastic industry.
- During the current and next financial year, the government has permitted duty-free imports of 20 lakh tonnes of crude soyabean and crude sunflower oil.
- Under the Ujjwala Yojana, the government has also granted a Rs 200 per cylinder subsidy. This will benefit around nine crore beneficiaries.
- India has banned wheat exports to maintain food security and cool prices.
Read more on Inflation.
Nut Graf: Despite the external shocks India’s economy showed resilience due to underlying strong economic fundamentals and timely measures by the administration. Spill-over effects of geopolitical developments are expected to slow down the growth in 2023-24 at around 6% or slightly under.
F. Prelims Facts
Syllabus: GS03-Environment
Prelims: Coral reefs; World Heritage Sites
Context: Scientists freeze Great Barrier Reef coral in a world-first trial.
Key Details:
- An innovative technique for freezing and storing coral larvae has been successfully tested by researchers working on Australia’s Great Barrier Reef which might aid in rewilding reefs that are endangered by climate change.
- The Great Barrier Reef has suffered four bleaching events in the last seven years, including the first-ever bleaching during a La Nina phenomenon.
- Scientists used the ‘cryomesh’ to freeze coral larvae at the Australian Institute of Marine Sciences (AIMS).
- The coral had been collected from the reef for the trial, which coincided with the brief annual spawning window.
- Cryogenically, frozen coral can be stored and later reintroduced to the wild using sophisticated equipment including lasers.
- The mesh technology helps to store coral larvae at -196°C (-320.8°F). It was devised by a team from the University of Minnesota’s College of Science and Engineering.
- The cryomesh was previously trialled on smaller and larger varieties of Hawaiian corals. A trial on the larger variety failed.
- This new technology will also aid in other aquaculture and restoration interventions.
Syllabus: GS03-Environment
Prelims: E-Waste
Context: Food and Consumer Affairs Minister unveils the right to repair portal on December 24, 2022.
Key Details:
- Union Food and Consumer Affairs Minister Piyush Goyal unveiled the ‘right to repair’ portal on National Consumer Day.
- The theme of National Consumer Day 2022 was “Effective disposal of cases in consumer commission”.
- The Right to Repair refers to government legislation that is intended to allow consumers the ability to repair and modify their own consumer electronic devices, where otherwise the manufacturer of such devices requires the consumer to use only their offered services.
- On the ‘right to repair’ portal, manufacturers would share the manual of product details with customers so that they could either repair by self, or by third parties, rather than depend on the original manufacturers.
- Initially, mobile phones, electronics, consumer durables, automobiles and farming equipment would be covered.
- The right to repair has been recognised in many countries across the globe, including the US, UK and European Union.
- The Union government had set up a committee in July 2022 headed by Nidhi Khare, Additional Secretary, Department of Consumer Affairs to develop a comprehensive framework for the right to repair.
G. Tidbits
1. Streptococcus (strep A) infections
- An unseasonal rise in group A Streptococcus (strep A) infections has killed over a dozen children in the United Kingdom.
- Strep A is a common type of bacteria frequently discovered in the throat or on the skin. Most strep A infections are mild and easily treated with antibiotics.
- But rarely, the infection can cause serious problems. This is called invasive group A strep (iGAS).
- Occasionally they can lead to scarlet fever and, rarely, to even more serious conditions such as meningitis.
- Some researchers theorise that the off-season outbreaks are a result of past surges that spawned new strep strains, which happened before the pandemic.
- ‘Orans’ are the sacred groves of Rajasthan, which are rich in biodiversity and usually include a water body.
- Communities in Rajasthan have been conserving these Orans for centuries and their lives have been intricately linked around these spaces.
- Orans are also spaces where herders take their livestock for grazing and are places for communal congregations, festivals, and other social events, the performance of which is linked to agrarian rhythms and the continued commitment of the communities towards environmental conservation.
- Orans also form the natural habitat for India’s most critically endangered bird, the Great Indian Bustard (GIB).
- Recently, a 225-km yatra was taken out by environmental activists and wildlife enthusiasts through remote villages and hamlets in western Rajasthan to put forth the demand for the protection of orans, which face the threat of destruction with their land.
- Tradition dictates that no tree or plant in the groves is cut and only seasonal grazing of livestock is allowed.
- However, solar and wind energy, mining and other industries have resorted to arbitrary action and felled trees to install their big projects which are affecting the ecology of the region.
H. UPSC Prelims Practice Questions
Q1. Consider the following statements: (Level-Difficult)
- Measles is a highly contagious bacterial infection.
- Measles can lead to serious adverse outcomes such as blindness, pneumonia and encephalitis.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- 1 only
- 2 only
- Both
- None
CHECK ANSWERS:-
Answer: b
Explanation:
- Statement 01 is incorrect, Measles is also known as rubeola or red measles. It is a highly contagious respiratory infection caused by a virus which causes rashes all over the body.
- Statement 02 is correct, Measles can lead to severe complications, such as blindness, pneumonia (infection of the lungs) and encephalitis (swelling of the brain).
Q2. With respect to Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Grameen Kaushalya Yojana (DDU-GKY), which of the following statements is/are correct? (Level-Medium)
- It is a centrally-sponsored scheme and is part of the National Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM).
- The focus of the scheme is on rural poor youth between the ages of 9 and 18.
- The scheme is under the Ministry of Rural Development.
Options:
- 1 and 2 only
- 2 and 3 only
- 1 and 3 only
- 1, 2 and 3
CHECK ANSWERS:-
Answer: c
Explanation:
- Statement 01 is correct, Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Grameen Kaushalya Yojana (DDU-GKY) is a centrally-sponsored scheme announced in 2014. It is a demand-driven placement-linked skill training initiative working under the National Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM).
- Statement 02 is incorrect, The focus of the scheme is on rural poor youth between the ages of 15 and 35.
- Statement 03 is correct, The scheme is under the Union Ministry of Rural Development.
Q3. Which of the following statements is/are correct? (Level-Medium)
- The Supreme Court has a sanctioned strength of 34 judges, including the Chief Justice of India (CJI).
- There have been no women CJI till date.
- There is no procedure laid down for the appointment of the CJI in the Constitution.
Options:
- 1 and 2 only
- 2 and 3 only
- 3 only
- 1, 2 and 3
CHECK ANSWERS:-
Answer: d
Explanation:
- Statement 01 is correct, The Supreme Court has a sanctioned strength of 34 judges, including the Chief Justice of India (CJI). The Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Act, 1956 originally provided for a maximum of ten judges (excluding the CJI).
- Statement 02 is correct, There have been no women CJI till date. Since 1950 the Supreme Court only had eight women justices.
- Statement 03 is correct, There is no procedure laid down for the appointment of the CJI in the constitution. The Collegium system is followed in the appointment of judges, consisting of five senior-most judges of the Supreme Court and the High Courts.
- The Chief Justice of India and the other judges of the Supreme Court are appointed by the President under clause (2) of Article 124 of the Indian Constitution.
Q4. Consider the following statements: (Level-Difficult)
- The Great Barrier Reef (GBR) contains the world’s largest collection of coral reefs.
- GBR is located on the south-east coast of Australia.
- It was listed as a World Heritage Site in 1981 when UNESCO recognised its environmental wonder and scientific importance.
How many statements given above is/are correct?
- One Statement
- Two Statements
- Three Statements
- None
CHECK ANSWERS:-
Answer: b
Explanation:
- Statement 01 is correct, The Great Barrier Reef is the world’s largest coral reef system composed of over 2,900 individual reefs and 900 islands stretching for over 2,300 kilometres.
- Statement 02 is incorrect, GBR is located on Queensland Australia’s north-eastern coast.
- Statement 03 is correct, The entire ecosystem was inscribed as World Heritage in 1981 when UNESCO recognised its environmental wonder and scientific importance.
Q5. With reference to the Deputy Speaker of Lok Sabha, consider the following statements: (CSE-PYQ-2022) (Level-Medium)
- As per the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in Lok Sabha, the election of Deputy Speaker shall be held on such date as the Speaker may fix.
- There is a mandatory provision that the election of a candidate as Deputy Speaker of Lok Sabha shall be from either the principal opposition party or the ruling party.
- The Deputy Speaker has the same power as of the Speaker when presiding over the sitting of the House and no appeal lies against his rulings.
- The well established parliamentary practice regarding the appointment of Deputy Speaker is that the motion is moved by the Speaker and duly seconded by the Prime Minister.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
- 1 and 3 only
- 1, 2 and 3
- 3 and 4 only
- 2 and 4 only
CHECK ANSWERS:-
Answer: a
Explanation:
- Statement 01 is correct, The date of election of the Deputy Speaker is fixed by the Speaker. While on the other hand the date of election of the Speaker is fixed by the President.
- Statement 02 is incorrect, It is only by convention that the position of Deputy Speaker is offered to the opposition party in India. There is no mandatory provision regarding this.
- Statement 03 is correct, The Deputy Speaker presides over the sessions of the Lok Sabha and conducts the business in the house when the Speaker is absent. The Deputy Speaker has the same power as the Speaker when presiding over the sitting of the House.
- Statement 04 is incorrect, The Deputy Speaker is elected by the Lok Sabha from among its members. There is no established practice of moving the motion for his election by the speaker and it is seconded by the Prime Minister.
I. UPSC Mains Practice Questions
- Examine the contours of India’s foreign policy, as seen over the past one year. (250 words, 15 marks) [GS-2, IR]
- The Indian economy has displayed a broad resilience amid strong external headwinds in 2022. But challenges remain as inflation remains high accompanied with other macroeconomic challenges. Illustrate. (250 words, 15 marks) [GS-3, Economy]
Read the previous CNA here.
CNA 25 Dec 2022:- Download PDF Here
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