06 Jul 2023: UPSC Exam Comprehensive News Analysis

CNA 06 July 2023:- Download PDF Here

TABLE OF CONTENTS

A. GS 1 Related
B. GS 2 Related
INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
1. Iran's induction in the SCO
SOCIAL JUSTICE AND GOVERNANCE
1. An inclusive social policy for migrants
C. GS 3 Related
D. GS 4 Related
E. Editorials
POLITY
1. Striking a blow against affirmative action in America
ART AND CULTURE
1. Choose a new palette for India's creative economy
F. Prelims Facts
1. A global rupee may raise volatility
G. Tidbits
1. PMI signals services growth eased to 3-month low in June
H. UPSC Prelims Practice Questions
I. UPSC Mains Practice Questions
FIP Magazine

Category: SOCIAL JUSTICE AND GOVERNANCE

1. An inclusive social policy for migrants

Syllabus: Government policies and interventions aimed at development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation.

Mains: Government policies and interventions, welfare schemes for vulnerable sections of the population.

Prelims: Economic and Social Development – Sustainable Development, Poverty, Inclusion, Demographics, Social Sector initiatives, etc.

Context: 

The article discusses the challenges faced by migrant workers in Kerala and the need for inclusive policy-making to address their rights and ensure social justice.

Introduction

  • Kerala is a major employment hub for inter-State migrant workers, attracting them with higher wages and better working conditions.
  • The state has implemented welfare schemes for migrant workers, but there are concerns about the effective implementation and reach of these policies.

Shortcomings in Policy Implementation

  • Preliminary findings of a study conducted by Mahatma Gandhi University reveal that many migrant workers do not benefit from existing policies.
  • The lack of a disaggregated assessment of migrant workers’ work and life situations contributes to this issue.

Unity Trouble and Policy Critiques

  • “Unity trouble” refers to the absence of a comprehensive understanding of the migrant labour population’s rights and challenges.
  • The use of the term “guest worker” is seen as ambiguous and fails to address nuanced rights issues.
  • Strikes by migrant labourers in Kerala highlight the need for inclusive policy-making and address core rights concerns.

Rights and Dignity of Migrant Workers

  • Migrant workers face wage-related issues, unhygienic living conditions, lack of social security, and physical and verbal abuse.
  • The phenomenon of the chain of exploitation, involving wage exploitation and theft, further exacerbates their plight.

Enhancing Social Justice and Inclusivity

  • By addressing the social justice concerns of migrant workers, Kerala has the opportunity to reinforce its reputation as an inclusive space.
  • Thematic data collection, grounded in rights-based principles, and collaboration with origin states are recommended.
  • Awareness programs, cultural exchange initiatives, and multi-stakeholder dialogues can promote migrant workers’ rights and social integration.
  • Adopting a comprehensive vision for sustainable workers’ human rights aligned with global instruments like the Global Compact on Migration is crucial.

The Way Forward: Recommendations

  • Shift to a thematic approach for data collection on migrant workers at the panchayat level.
  • Ensure government decisions on health, employment, and social situations are rights-based.
  • Establish mechanisms for enhanced access to justice and legal remedies in collaboration with origin states.
  • Promote awareness among migrants about their rights and available legal remedies.
  • Implement initiatives for cultural exchange, community engagement, and mutual understanding.
  • Foster multi-stakeholder policy and monitor dialogues for migrant workers’ rights and welfare.
  • Prioritise the establishment of a comprehensive vision for sustainable workers’ human rights.

Nut Graf: Kerala’s status as an employment hub for migrant workers raises concerns about the effective implementation of welfare policies, highlighting the necessity for an inclusive approach to protect their rights and promote social integration.

Category: ART AND CULTURE

1. Choose a new palette for India’s creative economy

Syllabus: GS-1, Indian Culture – Salient Aspects of Art Forms, Literature and Architecture from Ancient to Modern times.

Mains: Challenges and opportunities presented to Indian Art forms in the Digital Era 

Context: Digital era has proven to be a double-edged sword for Indian artists, highlighting both the opportunities and challenges they face in the creative economy.

Types of Crime in the Art World:

  • Art Theft: The illegal act of stealing artwork from galleries, museums, private collections, or public spaces.
  • Copyright Infringement: Unauthorized reproduction, distribution, or display of copyrighted artwork without the artist’s permission.
  • Forgery: Creating and selling counterfeit artworks, often imitating the style and signatures of renowned artists.
  • Fraud: Deceptive practices, such as selling fake or misrepresented artworks, manipulating art prices, or engaging in art investment scams.
  • Illicit Trafficking: Illegal trade and smuggling of cultural artefacts, including stolen artworks, archaeological artefacts, and cultural heritage items.
  • Money Laundering: Using art transactions to conceal the origins of illegally obtained funds or to legitimize illicit financial activities.
  • Disinformation: Spreading false information or narratives about the history, authenticity, or value of artworks, often to manipulate markets or deceive buyers.

Challenges and Status of Artists:

  • Economic Sustainability: Artists face challenges in achieving financial stability and sustaining their creative careers.
  • Market Access: Limited opportunities and difficulties in accessing established art markets hinder artists’ exposure and ability to sell their work.
  • Preservation of Traditional Art Forms: Traditional art forms are at risk of being marginalized or lost in a rapidly changing society, posing a challenge for artists dedicated to their preservation.
  • Transparent Financial Assistance: Lack of transparency in the selection process for financial assistance leads to inequality in representation and support for artists.
  • Promotion of Contemporary Artists: Limited efforts by private and public institutions to promote contemporary artists as brands hinder their recognition and financial assistance.
  • Crime in the Art World: Artists are affected by crimes such as art theft, forgery, copyright infringement, and illicit trafficking, leading to financial harm and eroding public trust.
  • Rural-Urban Divide: Artists based in rural areas face additional challenges due to limited access to resources, infrastructure, and exposure compared to their urban counterparts.
  • Government Support: While government support exists in the form of financial assistance and training programs, more efforts are needed to promote contemporary artists and ensure equal representation.

A workable solution to preserve and promote Indian artists and artisans:

  • Establish a Capacity-Building Centre: Create a centre focused on capacity-building in the arts and crafts sector, providing guidance, technical support, infrastructure, access to investors, and networking opportunities.
  • Bridge the Needs of Artists: Offer training, professional development, material support, and access to markets for artists and artisans, ensuring their skills are honed, and they have the necessary resources to thrive.
  • Support from Government and Private Players: The government and private players should provide support, resources, and opportunities for innovation and entrepreneurship within the creative economy.
  • Transparent Selection Processes: Ensure transparency in the selection process for financial assistance, cultural events, and opportunities, promoting equal representation and avoiding subjective criteria.
  • Utilize Data Analytics: Leverage data analytics to understand emerging trends in the global art market and develop policies and recommendations that foster creative ecosystems contributing to a sustainable world.
  • Address Crime in the Art World: Implement increased security measures, international cooperation, public awareness, and advanced technology for authentication to tackle crimes such as art theft, forgery, and illicit trafficking.
  • Foster Collaboration and Networking: Encourage collaboration and networking among artists, artisans, and creative entrepreneurs to facilitate knowledge exchange, innovation, and collective growth.
  • Institutional Record and Verification: Establish an institutional infrastructure for verifying and authenticating artwork, and maintaining a record of incoming and outgoing artworks with verified identification marks.

Nut Graf: The workable solution to preserve and promote Indian artists and artisans addresses challenges such as economic sustainability, market access, preservation of traditional art forms, and crime. This involves establishing a capacity-building centre, promoting transparency, leveraging data analytics, and implementing security measures.

F. Prelims Facts

1. A global rupee may raise volatility

Syllabus: GS 3-Economy

Prelims: Internationalisation of the Indian rupee

Introduction

  • The Government of India aims to internationalise the Indian Rupee (INR).
  • An Inter-Departmental Group (IDG) of Reserve Bank of India (RBI) officials issued a cautionary report.
  • The IDG warned that initial internationalisation may lead to increased volatility in the rupee’s exchange rate.

Monetary Implications and Concerns

  • The IDG highlighted the Triffin dilemma, where the obligation to supply currency for global demand conflicts with domestic monetary policies.
  • Internationalisation may amplify external shocks due to the open flow of funds and currency exchange.
  • Increased exchange rate volatility could have monetary implications and challenges.

Overall Benefits Outweigh Concerns

  • The IDG stated that the advantages of internationalisation outweigh the concerns.
  • Benefits include limited exchange rate risk, lower capital costs, improved access to international financial markets, seigniorage benefits, and reduced foreign exchange reserve requirements.

Recommended Roadmap

  • The IDG recommended a roadmap to achieve rupee internationalisation.
  • It suggested designing a template and adopting a standardised approach for examining proposals on bilateral and multilateral trade agreements.
  • There should be endeavours to facilitate the inclusion of INR as an additional settlement currency within established multilateral mechanisms such as the Asian Clearing Union.

RBI’s Clarification

  • The report and its recommendations reflect the views of the IDG, not the official position of the Reserve Bank of India.
  • The RBI clarified that the report does not represent its official stance.

G. Tidbits

1. PMI signals services growth eased to 3-month low in June

Overview of S&P Global India Services PMI Report – June 2023

  • PMI reading declined to 58.5 in June from May’s 61.2, indicating slower growth in the services sector.
  • Order books remained healthy despite businesses raising charges at the sharpest pace in almost six years.
  • Surveyed firms expressed confidence in future growth prospects, reaching the highest level in 2023.
  • Job Creation:
    • Job creation expanded as firms sought to meet rising demand.
    • The rate of job creation was the “joint fastest in six months”.
  • Export Orders and Business Volumes:
    • New export orders grew for the fifth consecutive month, albeit at a slower pace than in May.
    • Outstanding business volumes expanded at the fastest rate in five months.
  • Input Costs:
    • Input costs increased but at a slower pace in June.
    • Approximately 90% of survey participants reported no change in costs compared to May.
    • The remaining respondents attributed the rise in operating costs to increased prices for food and construction materials, as well as rising wages.
  • Sector-wise Analysis:
    • Consumer services experienced the sharpest uptick in new orders, activity levels, and employment.
    • Output costs were raised the most by the transport, information, and communication sectors, which saw a slowdown in activity levels compared to May.

H. UPSC Prelims Practice Questions

Q1. Consider the following statement regarding Article 15 of the Indian Constitution:
  1. Articles 15(1) and 15(2) prohibit the state from enacting discriminatory laws based on caste, gender, and religion.
  2. Articles 15(3) and 15(4) provide exceptions for making affirmative laws for marginalised groups.

Which of the following statements is/are incorrect?

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

Answer: d

Explanation: 

Both statements are correct as Articles 15(1) & 15(2) establish the prohibition of discrimination, while Articles 15(3) & 15(4) allow for affirmative action in favour of marginalised groups, women, & Dalits.

Q2. What was the purpose of the MONDIACULT 2022 World Conference?
  1. To discuss cultural policies and sustainable development
  2. To promote nuclear research and development
  3. To showcase advancements in science and technology
  4. To address global challenges in the defence sector
CHECK ANSWERS:-

Answer: a

Explanation: 

The UNESCO-MONDIACULT 2022 World Conference focused on cultural policies and sustainable development, aiming to shape a more robust and resilient cultural sector. 

Q3. Consider the following countries:
  1. Kazakhstan
  2. Turkmenistan
  3. Tajikistan
  4. Kyrgyzstan

How many of the countries mentioned above are part of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO)?

  1. Only one
  2. Only two
  3. Only three
  4. All four
CHECK ANSWERS:-

Answer: c

Explanation: 

Due to its policy of ‘positive neutrality’, Turkmenistan did not join the SCO. However, its head of state has several times participated as a special guest in the SCO summit meetings.

Q4. Consider the following statements regarding the internationalisation of the 
Indian Rupee (INR):
  1. It may lead to reduced fluctuations in its exchange rate.
  2. It may increase the impact of external shocks as funds have the freedom to move in and out of India.
  3. It offers the advantages of reducing exchange rate risk and improving access to global financial markets.

How many of the statements given above are incorrect?

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

Answer: a

Explanation: 

  • Statement 1 is incorrect as internationalisation may increase volatility.
  • Statement 2 is correct as a global rupee can intensify external shocks due to the free flow of funds in and out of India.
  • Statement 3 is correct as it highlights the benefits of reducing exchange rate risk and enhancing access to global markets.
Q5. Consider the following statements regarding the Purchasing Managers Index (PMI):
  1. PMI is derived from a monthly survey of private-sector companies.
  2. PMI provides information about current and future business conditions.

Which of the following statements is/are correct?

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

Answer: c

Explanation: 

Both statements are correct. PMI is derived from surveys of private sector companies and provides information about current and future business conditions. 

CNA 06 July 2023:- Download PDF Here

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