07 Jan 2024: UPSC Exam Comprehensive News Analysis

07 Jan 2024 CNA
Download PDF Here

TABLE OF CONTENTS

A. GS 1 Related
B. GS 2 Related
GOVERNANCE
1. Why have truck drivers called for a strike?
INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
1. How has Red Sea trouble impacted India?
C. GS 3 Related
INTERNAL SECURITY
1. Autumn of the militants
D. GS 4 Related
E. Editorials
F. Prelims Facts
1. Aditya-L1 reaches destination, in orbit around L1
2. Digital tools set to save Kashmiri script
3. Centre notifies revised rules for quality control of pharma products
4. Should India study wastewater to track malaria, dengue?
G. Tidbits
H. UPSC Prelims Practice Questions
I. UPSC Mains Practice Questions
FIP Magazine


Category: INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

1. How has Red Sea trouble impacted India?

Syllabus: Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on India’s interests

Prelims: Red sea

Mains: Impact of Red Sea trouble on India

Context​: The Red Sea has become a hotspot of insecurity due to a series of attacks on cargo ships by the Houthi militia of Yemen since November. The resultant instability has compelled cargo ships to avoid the Red Sea route, opting instead for the longer journey around the Cape of Good Hope. 

Issues

  • Unsafe Red Sea Route
    • Attacks by the Houthi militia in the Red Sea have rendered the traditional marine route through the Suez Canal unsafe.
    • Cargo ships are diverting to the longer Cape of Good Hope route, increasing shipping costs and delivery times.
  • Impact on Indian Trade
    • Nearly 90% of India’s cargo to the western hemisphere, destined for Europe, the U.S. East Coast, and North Africa, is rerouted via the Cape of Good Hope.
    • Different buyer-seller contracts (FOB, CIF, C&F) influence the distribution of freight burden, affecting consignment movement.
    • Roughly 20-25% of consignments are being held back, primarily impacting low-value, high-volume cargo and perishables.

Operation Prosperity Guardian

  • US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin announced the creation of Operation Prosperity Guardian to protect Red Sea commerce. This follows missile and drone attacks by Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthis.
  • Countries Involved: The U.K., Bahrain, Canada, France, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Seychelles, and Spain are participating.
  • Joint Patrols: These nations will conduct joint patrols in the southern Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden.

Way Forward:

  • International Cooperation
    • The UN condemns Houthi attacks on freedom of navigation, emphasizing the need for global support.
    • The U.S. urges backing for ‘Operation Prosperity Guardian’ to ensure open and threat-free sea lanes.
  • National Response
    • India is closely monitoring the situation, with discussions held at the official and trade body levels.
    • Exploration of diplomatic solutions and collaboration with affected nations to safeguard maritime security.

Nut Graf: The Red Sea crisis has far-reaching consequences for India’s trade, creating challenges in terms of increased shipping costs, delayed deliveries, and potential disruptions to critical imports.

E. Editorials

Nothing here for today!!!

F. Prelims Facts

1. Aditya-L1 reaches destination, in orbit around L1

Context: India’s maiden solar mission, Aditya-L1, has achieved a crucial milestone by reaching the Lagrangian point (L1) after 127 days since its launch on September 2, 2023. 

  • The spacecraft has been carefully placed in a periodic halo orbit, approximately 1.5 million km from Earth, by ISRO scientists and engineers.

Precision Orbit Insertion

  • Aditya-L1 was placed in the halo orbit through a firing manoeuvre conducted by ISRO scientists at ISTRAC, Bengaluru.
  • Precise calculations and corrections were made to ensure the spacecraft’s exact placement in the intended halo orbit around the Lagrangian point.

Characteristics of the Orbit

  • The halo orbit is periodic, involving the continuous movement of the sun, earth, and the spacecraft.
  • The selected orbit, located 1.5 million km from Earth, has an orbital period of about 177.86 Earth days.
  • The specific halo orbit minimizes station-keeping manoeuvres, reducing fuel consumption and ensuring a continuous, unobstructed view of the sun.

Significance

  • Mission Lifetime and Efficiency
    • The chosen halo orbit ensures a mission lifetime of 5 years, allowing for prolonged observation of the sun.
    • Minimizing station-keeping manoeuvres increases mission efficiency by conserving fuel resources.
  • Advanced Scientific Observation
    • Aditya-L1 carries seven payloads designed to observe the photosphere, chromosphere, and the sun’s outermost layer (corona).
    • The use of electromagnetic and particle detectors enhances scientific understanding of solar phenomena.

Lagrange points

  • According to the ISRO, for a two-body gravitational system, the Lagrange Points are the positions in space where a small object tends to stay if put there. 
  • These points in space for a two-body system such as the sun and Earth can be used by the spacecraft to remain at these positions with reduced fuel consumption. For two-body gravitational systems, there are a total of five Lagrange points, denoted as L1, L2, L3, L4, and L5.

What is the L1 point?

  • The L1 lies between the sun-earth line which is about 1.5 million km from the earth. The distance of L1 from Earth is approximately 1% of the Earth-sun distance. 
  • A satellite placed in the halo orbit around the L1 point has the major advantage of continuously viewing the sun without any occultation/eclipse. 
  • This will provide a greater advantage of observing solar activities continuously.
  • There are currently four operational spacecraft at L1 which are WIND, Solar and Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO), Advanced Composition Explorer (ACE) and Deep Space Climate Observatory (DSCOVER).

Read more about Aditya L1 Mission in the link.

2. Digital tools set to save Kashmiri script

Context: Microsoft and Google are set to introduce the Kashmiri language in their translation tools, marking a significant development for the language that has largely survived through oral traditions. 

  • The initiatives are expected to benefit the 70 lakh Kashmiri speakers in the Union Territory, preserving and popularizing the language, which has faced challenges due to historical factors and societal biases.

Issues

  • Historical Neglect
    • Kashmiri, historically taught in schools and homes, faced neglect, leading to a decline in those who could write the script, reaching only 5% by 2013.
    • The absence of formal education and promotion resulted in a limited reach for the language.
  • Societal Bias
    • Perceived societal bias against speaking Kashmiri, with notions of inferiority associated with the language.
    • Despite its rich literary tradition, Kashmiri faced challenges in gaining wider acceptance and use.
  • Language Decline
    • A diminishing number of individuals proficient in writing Kashmiri script.
    • Threats to the survival of the language as a result of a lack of promotion and formal education.

Significance

  • Technological Intervention
    • Microsoft’s MS Translator and the potential inclusion of Kashmiri in Google Translate represent a technological boost for the language.
    • The initiatives aim to bridge the gap between oral traditions and written scripts, making the language more accessible.
  • Cultural Preservation
    • The inclusion of Kashmiri in translation tools preserves the language’s cultural and literary heritage.
    • Access to technology facilitates translation between Kashmiri and English, expanding the audience for Kashmiri literature.
  • Language Revival
    • Efforts by cultural organizations like Adbee Markaz Kamraz (AMK) and online campaigns have contributed to language revival.
    • The initiatives by Microsoft and Google are seen as instrumental in revitalizing Kashmiri.

3. Centre notifies revised rules for quality control of pharma products

Context: The Union Health Ministry has notified revised rules under Schedule M of the Drugs and Cosmetics Rules, 1945, aimed at ensuring robust quality control for pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical products. The revised Schedule M prescribes Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) and introduces requirements for premises, plants, and equipment to elevate quality standards in the pharmaceutical sector.

Issues

  • Outdated Regulations
    • The existing Schedule M, incorporating GMP since 1988, lacked recent updates, leading to a necessity to revisit and revise the principles and concepts of GMP.
  • Global Alignment
    • With the pharmaceutical industry evolving rapidly, there was a need to align GMP recommendations with global standards, especially those of the World Health Organization (WHO), to ensure the production of drugs meets globally acceptable quality standards.
  • Quality Control Challenges
    • Ensuring consistent and high-quality pharmaceutical products requires comprehensive control of materials, methods, machines, processes, personnel, and facilities, posing challenges under the existing regulations.

Significance

  • Adherence to Global Standards
    • The revision aligns GMP with global standards, promoting India’s pharmaceutical sector as a global benchmark for quality.
  • Introduction of Key Elements
    • The revised Schedule M introduces elements such as a pharmaceutical quality system (PQS), quality risk management (QRM), product quality review (PQR), and qualification and validation of equipment.
    • A computerized storage system for all drug products is introduced, enhancing efficiency and traceability.
  • Patient Safety and Efficacy
    • Manufacturers are mandated to assume responsibility for pharmaceutical product quality, ensuring they are fit for intended use, comply with license requirements, and do not compromise patient safety, quality, or efficacy.

Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP)

  • GMP is a system for ensuring that products are consistently produced and controlled according to quality standards. It is designed to minimize the risks involved in any pharmaceutical production that cannot be eliminated through testing the final product.
  • The Main Risks:
    • Unexpected contamination of products 
    • Causing damage to health or even death
    • Incorrect labels on containers, which could mean that patients receive the wrong medicine 
    • Insufficient or too much active ingredient, resulting in ineffective treatment or adverse effects.
  • WHO (World Health Organization) has established detailed guidelines for GMP. Many countries have formulated their own requirements for GMP based on WHO GMP. The GMP system was first incorporated in India in 1988 in Schedule M of the Drugs and Cosmetics Rules, 1945, and the last amendment was done in June 2005. WHO-GMP standards are now part of the revised Schedule M.

4. Should India study wastewater to track malaria, dengue?

Context: Wastewater surveillance has proven to be an effective tool in monitoring the presence of specific pathogens, offering a cost-effective and early detection method. While widely used for tracking water-borne viruses like polio, researchers propose extending its application to vector-borne diseases such as malaria and dengue.

Issues

  • Disease Context
    • Vector-borne diseases like malaria and dengue are endemic in India, with pathogen transmission occurring almost year-round.
    • Malaria and dengue have reservoir hosts, including non-human primates, complicating the exclusive attribution of detected pathogens to human excretion.
  • Low Virus Shedding
    • Dengue viral shedding by humans is low, making it challenging to detect viral RNA in wastewater at levels comparable to other pathogens like SARS-CoV-2.
  • Seasonal Transmission
    • Developed countries rarely report malaria and dengue, as these diseases exhibit seasonal transmission patterns, unlike India where they persist throughout the year.

Significance

  • Pandemic Experience
    • Wastewater surveillance during the COVID-19 pandemic demonstrated its effectiveness in detecting virus variants and assessing the extent of virus spread in communities.
  • Research Opportunities
    • Researchers in developed countries suggest expanding wastewater surveillance to track diseases like dengue, malaria, Zika, and typhoid.

G. Tidbits

Nothing here for today!!!

H. UPSC Prelims Practice Questions

Q1. Consider the following statements regarding the Aditya-L1 mission:
  1. Aditya’s coronagraph has the ability to look very closely at Mars.
  2. Its journey is shorter compared to India’s previous Mars orbiter mission, Mangalyaan.

Which of the above statements is/are correct?

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

Answer: b

Explanation: Aditya-L1 Mission – Aditya’s coronagraph has the ability to look very close to the Sun. Aditya-L1, India’s first solar observatory, was successfully placed in the final orbit, its desired destination from where it will make observations of the Sun for the next five years. Its journey is shorter compared to India’s previous Mars orbiter mission, Mangalyaan.

Q2. Consider the following statements regarding Chilika Lake:
  1. It is Asia’s largest and the world’s second-largest lagoon.
  2. In 1981, it was designated the first Indian wetland of international importance under the Ramsar Convention.
  3. It is the largest brackish water lake and wintering ground for birds.

How many of the above statements is/are incorrect?

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

Answer: d

Explanation: Chilika Lake is Asia’s largest and the world’s second-largest lagoon. In 1981, it was designated the first Indian wetland of international importance under the Ramsar Convention. It is the largest brackish water lake and wintering ground for birds.

Q3. Consider the following statements regarding the SVAMITVA Scheme:
  1. It aims to issue property cards to tribal people of Rajasthan, MP, Jharkhand and north-eastern states only.
  2. It is a centrally sponsored scheme.
  3. It was launched on the National Panchayati Raj Day in 2021. 

How many of the above statements is/are incorrect? 

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

Answer: b

Explanation: SVAMITVA, a Central Sector Scheme of the Ministry of Panchayati Raj was launched by the Hon’ble Prime Minister on National Panchayati Raj Day, 24th April 2021 after the successful completion of the pilot phase of the scheme (2020-2021) in 9 states. The scheme is only applicable to 6 states: Haryana, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand. It is a central sector scheme.

Q4. Consider the following statements regarding the PM Gati Shakti Scheme:
  1. It aims to establish defence corridors in Jammu & Kashmir and Kerala.
  2. It was launched in 2021 to provide multimodal connectivity infrastructure to various economic zones.
  3. It aims to reduce logistics costs, enhance cargo handling capacity and decrease turnaround time at ports.

How many of the above statements is/are correct?

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

Answer: b

Explanation: The Gati Shakti National Master Plan, introduced in 2021, aims to establish multimodal connectivity infrastructure for diverse economic zones. This strategic plan represents a transformative initiative to accelerate economic growth, advance infrastructure development, and ensure the timely completion of projects. Additionally, the objective is to establish 11 industrial corridors and introduce two new defense corridors, with one located in Tamil Nadu and the other in Uttar Pradesh. In addition to reducing logistics costs, the initiative focuses on enhancing cargo handling capacity and decreasing turnaround time at ports, ultimately fostering trade growth.

Q5. Consider the following statements:
  1. According to the Constitution of India, the Central Government has a duty to protect States from internal disturbances.
  2. The Constitution of India exempts the States from providing legal counsel to a person being held for preventive detention.
  3. According to the Prevention of Terrorism Act, 2002, the confession of the accused before the police cannot be used as evidence.

How many of the above statements is/are correct?

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

Answer: b

Explanation: 

  • Statement 1 stands true. Article 355 explicitly outlines that “It shall be the duty of the Union to protect every State against external aggression and internal disturbance and to ensure that the government of every State is carried on in accordance with the provisions of this Constitution.”
  • Statement 2 is incorrect. As per Article 22 (Protection against arrest and detention in certain cases):
    • No person who is arrested shall be detained in custody without being informed, as soon as may be, of the grounds for such arrest nor shall he be denied the right to consult, and to be defended by, a legal practitioner of his choice.
    • Every person who is arrested and detained in custody shall be produced before the nearest magistrate within a period of twenty-four hours of such arrest excluding the time necessary for the journey from the place of arrest to the court of the magistrate and no such person shall be detained in custody beyond the said period without the authority of a magistrate.
    • Nothing in clauses (1) and (2) shall apply (a) to any person who for the time being is an enemy alien; or (b) to any person who is arrested or detained under any law providing for preventive detention. Therefore, as per Clause (3) of Article 22 in the Constitution of India, states are not obligated to grant access to legal counsel to individuals detained for preventive reasons.
  • Statement 3 is incorrect. Section 32 (1) of the Prevention Of Terrorism Act (POTA) 2002 specifies that “Notwithstanding anything in the Code 12 or in the Indian Evidence Act, 1872 (1 of 1872), but subject to the provisions of this section, a confession made by a person before a police officer not lower in rank than a Superintendent of Police shall be admissible in the trial of such person.”

Comments

Leave a Comment

Your Mobile number and Email id will not be published.

*

*