22 Jan 2023: UPSC Exam Comprehensive News Analysis

E. Editorials

Category: INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

1. Why is China’s population shrinking?

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

Mains: China’s changing demography and its consequences.

Details:

• According to China’s National Bureau of Statistics, China’s population fell by 8,50,000 in the year 2022. This is the first decline since 1961.
• It is highlighted by the Demographers that with China’s population now having peaked, India would become the most populous country in 2023.
• Since 1980, birth rates in China are declining. In 2022, the total number of births was 9.56 million. This is a more than 10% drop from 2021.
• For the first time the number of births fell below the number of deaths(in 2022).

Also read: Changing Population Dynamics: Sansad TV Perspective Discussion of 19th Jan 2023

Causes for Decline:

• One Child Policy:
  • The policy imposed forced abortions and high penalties.
  • The government of China defends the policy citing that it saved the country from additional 400 Million births.
  • However, experts reject this view citing that due to increasing economic development family size decreases. They also highlight the consequences like the ageing population.
• Marriage Preferences:
  • Barclay Bram of the Asia Society Policy Institute has pointed out in the research paper that “young Chinese are marrying later, having fewer children, or forgoing having children altogether”.
  • It should be noted that the number of couples who married in China dropped from around 13.46 million to 8.14 million between 2013 and 2020.
• Child Preferences of the married couple:
  • Couples are choosing to have fewer children and starting their families later.
  • From 1990 to 2020, the average age of first-time parents rose from 24.1 to 27.5.

China’s response to the declining population:

• One Child policy was abandoned by the Chinese Government in 2016 to arrest the declining trend.
• The two-child policy was also introduced. However, it failed to garner a response. As per a survey, it was found that the policy failed due to the high cost of education and healthcare.
• In 2021 a “three-child policy” was rolled out. It covered financial inducements for families with three children.
• The Politburo also promised to address economic factors like cracking down the expensive private education companies.
• However, a global trend of personal preferences for smaller families is a major issue.
• Some scholars suggest that a more realistic policy would be to increase the retirement age.

Impact of declining population on China’s economy:

• The working age(16-59) population of China is declining. The number stood at 875 million or 62% of the total population at the end of 2022. This is down by around 75 million from 2010.
• The above-60 population comprises 20% of the total population with an actual figure of 280 million. It is an increase of around 30 million. According to the Chinese government, the above-60 population would account for 35% of the total population by 2050.
• China’s National Working Commission on Ageing predicts that healthcare expenditure on this section will surge to 26% of the GDP by 2050, up from 7% in 2015.
• One of the major issues is the shrinking economic potential of the population.
• The size of China’s workforce (peaked in 2011) is likely to drop from 925 million to 700 million in 2050. It should be noted that with increasing wages, many factories are shifting to Bangladesh and Southeast Asia.
• Several articles in Chinese media show that India will become the world’s most populous country with a demographic and labour force profile similar to that of China in the 1980s.

Source: The Hindu

Related Link:

Two-Child Policy in India | UPSC Notes

Nut Graf:

The birth rate in China fell below the death rate for the first time. This highlights the falling working-age population, which will have a serious impact on the demography and economy of the country. India would become the most populous country in the world in 2023 with a high demographic dividend.

Category: HEALTH

1. India’s plan to eradicate measles, rubella

Syllabus: Issues related to health.

Mains: Eradication of Measles and Rubella.

Prelims: Measles and Rubella.

Details:

• India intends to eliminate measles and rubella (MR) by 2023. It should be remembered that it missed its earlier target of 2023 due to various reasons like the pandemic.
• A much earlier target of 2015 was also missed. The 2023 target was finally set in 2019.

For more information on Measles and rubella, read here: Measles and Rubella Vaccination Campaign – MR Vaccine Campaign. UPSC Notes.

Background Details:

• The measles virus is responsible for the deaths of more than 1 lakh children globally every year.
• Similarly, rubella is a leading cause of birth defects.
• Both measles and rubella are vaccine-preventable. For instance, in the last two decades, the measles vaccine is estimated to have averted nearly 30 million deaths globally.
• The symptoms of both diseases include rash and fever.
• In October 2022, an outbreak of measles occurred in Maharashtra, especially in Mumbai. As per the media reports, 15 children died due to infection.
• It was highlighted by the virologist Dr. Jacob John that the 2022 outbreak was an epidemiological compensation for the COVID-19 pandemic. However, experts opine that it will ramp up herd immunity and help in achieving the necessary targets of the vaccination programme.

Steps taken by India to eliminate Measles and Rubella:

• During the period of 2010 to 2013, the Indian government conducted a phased measles immunization programme in 14 states for children of the age group of 9 months to 10 years. Nearly 119 million children were vaccinated.
• In 2014, Mission Indradhaush was launched to vaccinate the unvaccinated population.
• During 2017–2021, Government adopted a national strategic plan for measles and rubella elimination. It also introduced the rubella-containing vaccine (RCV) into the routine immunization programme.
• A nationwide measles-rubella supplementary immunization activity (SIA) catch-up campaign was also launched.
• The number of laboratories in the measles-rubella network also doubled.

Associated Risks and Way Forward:

• Under 1-year population is a serious challenge. But if the tempo of the second dose of vaccination coverage is maintained at 95% then the target to eliminate MR can be achieved.
• District-wise approach should be adopted to not only test for MR but also conduct robust fever and rash surveillance.
• Adequate support in the form of timely salaries and better service conditions should be provided to the ground-level staff like village health nurses, ASHA workers, Anganwadi, and Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) workers.

Also read: ASHA Workers UPSC Notes – About, Pandemic Response, Number of Workers, Challenges, Latest News, and FAQs

Conclusion:

World Health Organization (WHO) is positive on India’s endeavour to eliminate measles and rubella by 2023. It has been highlighted that “A threat of infection anywhere is a threat everywhere.”

Related Link:

Immunisation Drive in India – Universal Immunization Programme

Nut Graf:

India is aiming to eliminate Measles and Rubella by 2023. World Health Organization is of the view that by increasing surveillance India can achieve its target. A district-wise approach can also help considerably in this direction.

F. Prelims Facts

1. Bar Headed Goose

Syllabus: Biodiversity and Environment

Prelims: Migratory Birds in India

Context: Forest Department personnel in Karnataka raided an actor’s farmhouse and seized four Bar-headed geese on the grounds that he was possessing them in violation of the law.

Bar-headed goose:

• The bar-headed goose (Anser indicus) is a goose that breeds in Central Asia in colonies of thousands near mountain lakes and winters in South Asia, as far south as peninsular India.
  • They have an extremely large range and can be found in Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, India, Mongolia,Myanmar, Nepal,Pakistan, Russia, Thailand and Vietnam. They have also been introduced to Canada and Spain.
• Although it lays eggs in a ground nest it is known for the extreme altitudes it reaches when migrating across the Himalayas.
  • It survives this extreme journey through the powerful and constant flight that helps the body generate heat, which is retained by down feathers. The species also has a special type of haemoglobin that can absorb oxygen more quickly than other birds.
• The bar-headed goose migrates over the Himalayas to spend the winter in parts of South Asia (from Assam to as far south as Tamil Nadu.
• The modern winter habitat of the species is cultivated fields, where it feeds on barley, rice and wheat.
• The summer habitat is high-altitude lakes where the bird grazes on short grass.

Conservation Status:

• IUCN conservation status of bar-headed goose is classified as ‘Least concern’
• They are listed in Schedule 2 of the Wild Life Protection Act,1972.
  • Animals under this list are also accorded high protection with the prohibition on their trade.Offences under these are prescribed the highest penalties.

Image Source: eBird.org

G. Tidbits

1. Wagner Group

• The U.S. recently designated Russia’s Wagner group as a “transnational criminal organisation,” putting it in league with Italian mafia groups and Japanese and Russian organised crime.
• Declaring Wagner a “Transnational Criminal Organization” under US executive order 13581 would freeze any US assets of Wagner and prohibit US nationals from providing funds, goods or services to the group.
• It is controlled by Yevgeny Prigozhin, a businessman and has about 50,000 fighters in Ukraine, 80% of them drawn from prisons.
  • Latest move by the U.S. puts more pressure on the private Russian army fighting in Ukraine.
• The designation will also allow a wider application of sanctions against the group’s sprawling global network, which includes mercenary operations as well as businesses in Africa and elsewhere.
  • Since 2015, Wagner Group mercenaries have been in Syria, fighting alongside pro-government forces and guarding oilfields.
  • There are also Wagner Group mercenaries in Libya, supporting the forces loyal to General Khalifa Haftar.
  • The Central African Republic (CAR) has invited the Wagner Group to guard diamond mines, and it is thought to be guarding gold mines in Sudan.
  • The government of Mali, in West Africa, is using the Wagner Group against Islamic militant groups.
• The US also accuses Wagner for dealing with North Korea on arms purchases.
  • The arms transfers from North Korea are in direct violation of UN Security Council resolutions.
• The European Union imposed sanctions on Wagner in 2021 and named individuals linked to the group for their involvement “in serious human rights abuses, including torture and extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions and killings”.

H. UPSC Prelims Practice Questions

Q1. With respect to Sambar deer, which of the following statements is/are correct? (Level-Medium)

1. It is a large deer native to the Indian subcontinent and Southeast Asia.
2. It is listed as a vulnerable species on the IUCN Red List

Options:

1. 1 only
2. 2 only
3. Both
4. None

CHECK ANSWERS:-

Answer: C

Explanation: The sambar (Rusa unicolor ) is a large deer native to the Indian subcontinent and Southeast Asia that is listed as a vulnerable species on the IUCN Red List since 2008. Populations have declined substantially due to severe hunting, local insurgency, and industrial exploitation of habitat.

Image Source: Animalia

Q2. Consider the following Pairs: (Level-Difficult)

Mudras Meaning

1. Abhaya mudra It symbolises the Buddha’s enlightenment under the bodhi tree
2. Bhumisparsha Mudra It symbolises protection, peace and dispelling of fear
3. Karana Mudrā A gesture to keep away from evil and other negative influences.
4. Varada mudra It symbolises charity, compassion and boon-granting.

How many pairs given above are correctly matched?

1. Only one pair
2. Only two pairs
3. Only three pairs
4. All four pairs

CHECK ANSWERS:-

Answer: B

Explanation:

• Pair 01 is incorrect, Abhaya in Sanskrit means fearlessness. The Mudra of Fearlessness or the Abhaya Mudra symbolises the dispelling of fear. The mudra is made by raising the right hand to shoulder height, with the arm bent and the palm facing outward.
• Pair 02 is incorrect, Bhumisparsha Mudra is also known as “touching the Earth” which represents the moment of the Buddha’s awakening as he claims the earth as the witness of his enlightenment. It is performed with the help of the right hand, which is held above the right knee, reaching toward the ground with the palm inward while touching the lotus throne.
• Pair 03 is correct, Karana mudra is a sacred hand gesture or “seal” used during yoga and meditation practice as a means of channelling the flow of vital life force energy known as prana.
  • The Karana mudra helps to dispel negativity, anxiety, fear and depression whilst enhancing feelings of happiness and contentment.
  • It stimulates Fire and Ether elements within the body, represented by the thumb and middle finger respectively.
• Pair 04 is correct, Varada mudra represents the offering, welcome, charity, giving, compassion and sincerity. It is performed with the help of both the hands with the palm of the right hand facing forward and fingers extended and the left-hand palm placed near omphalos with extended fingers.

Q3. Which Amendment was a consequence of the Indian intervention in Sri Lanka? (Level-Difficult)

1. 7th Amendment
2. 9th Amendment
3. 13th Amendment
4. 14th Amendment

CHECK ANSWERS:-

Answer: C

Explanation: The 13th Amendment was a consequence of the Indian intervention in Sri Lanka between 1987-1990. It flowed from the India-Sri Lanka Accord of July 29, 1987.

• Under the terms of the Accord (also known as the Jayawardene-Rajiv Gandhi agreement), the Sri Lankan parliament brought in the 13th Amendment, which provided for a system of elected provincial councils across Sri Lanka.

Q4. With respect to All India Kisan Sabha, which of the following statements is/are correct? (Level-Difficult)

1. It was founded in 1936 at Indian National Congress (INC) Meerut Session as All India Kisan Congress.
2. Swami Sahajanand Saraswati was the head of the Sabha.
3. It wanted to abolish landlordism and to distribute the land free of cost to agricultural and other rural labourers.

Options:

1. 1 and 2 only
2. 2 and 3 only
3. 1 and 3 only
4. 1, 2 and 3

CHECK ANSWERS:-

Answer: B

Explanation:

• Statement 01 is incorrect, All India Kisan Sabha is a peasant front working for the rights of the farmers and anti-feudal movement in India. It was founded in 1936 at Indian National Congress (INC) Lucknow Session as All India Kisan Congress.
• Statement 02 is correct, Sahajanand Saraswati was the founder of Bihar Provincial Kisan Sabha (BPKS) and was the first President of the All India Kisan Sabha.
• Statement 03 is correct, All India Kisan Sabha works as the forum representing peasants and agricultural and other rural labourers. The following are the objectives of the All India Kisan Sabha:

1. To abolish landlordism and to distribute the land free of cost to agricultural and other rural labourers.
2. To improve the standard of living of rural masses and to develop agriculture and industry.
3. To end exploitation meted out to the agricultural and other rural labourers.

Q5. Consider the following statements: (Level-Difficult)

1. They live in the rainforests and mountains of northern Brazil and southern Venezuela
2. They are the largest relatively isolated tribe in South America.
3. They consider all people to be equal, and do not have a chief.

The above statements best describe:

1. Huron
2. Mohegan
3. Ojibwa
4. Yanomami

CHECK ANSWERS:-

Answer: D

Explanation: The Yanomami are the largest relatively isolated tribe in South America. They live in the rainforests and mountains of northern Brazil and southern Venezuela.

• The Yanomami do not recognize themselves as a united group, but rather as individuals associated with their politically autonomous villages.
• Yanomami communities are grouped together because they have similar ages and kinship, and militaristic coalitions interweave communities together.
• A tuxawa (headman) acts as the leader of each village, but no single leader presides over the whole of those classified as Yanomami as they consider all people to be equal.

Q6. Which of the following types of light are strongly absorbed by plants? (PYQ-CSE-2007)(Level-Medium)

1. Violet and orange
2. Blue and red
3. Indigo and Yellow
4. Yellow and violet

CHECK ANSWERS:-

Answer: B

Explanation: Out of the seven colours of light, only red and blue are absorbed by plants. Because the colour of chlorophyll is green, it strongly absorbs blue and red colours of the electromagnetic spectrum of the Sun.

I. UPSC Mains Practice Questions

Q1. In the context of China’s population problem, discuss the opportunities India has a nation? (10 marks, 150 words) (GSI- Indian Society-Population and Associated Challenges)

Q2. “The poor performance of MGNREGA on key indicators should be a wakeup call for policy makers” Comment? ( 15 marks, 250 words) (GSII-Governance)

Read the previous CNA here.

CNA 22 Jan 2023:- Download PDF Here