08 Jul 2022: UPSC Exam Comprehensive News Analysis

CNA 08 July 2022:- Download PDF Here

TABLE OF CONTENTS

A. GS 1 Related
B. GS 2 Related
C. GS 3 Related
ECONOMY
1. The proposal for an India-specific norm for assessing vehicular safety in collision
ENVIRONMENT
1. Monsoon getting hotter than summer: study
D. GS 4 Related
E. Editorials
SOCIAL JUSTICE
1. A community and a health issue of concern
ECONOMY
1. Making sense of the rupee slump
F. Prelims Facts
1. Dragon Fruit
G. Tidbits
1. ‘RBI moves to stabilise rupee may face economic hurdles’
2. Trends show 27% dip in paddy sowing
H. UPSC Prelims Practice Questions
I. UPSC Mains Practice Questions

Category: ENVIRONMENT

1. Monsoon getting hotter than summer: study

Syllabus: Environmental pollution and degradation

Mains: Details about the increasing temperature in India and its consequences

Context

This article talks about the increasing temperature in the monsoon months in India.

Increase in the temperature in India

• According to a study by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), the monsoon months of June to September are witnessing an increase in the temperature.
• The average temperature during the monsoon season across the country is about 0.3 degrees Celsius higher than the average summer temperatures (March to May) when compared from 1951 to 1980. 
• In the decade 2012-2021, this anomaly has increased to 0.4 degrees Celsius.
• As per the India Meteorological Department’s (IMD) data, the country’s average temperature has increased by about 0.62 degrees Celsius between 1901 to 2020.
• CSE study highlights that the summer temperatures are increasing slower than the monsoon, post-monsoon (October-December) and winter (January and February) temperatures.
• India experienced record level pre-monsoon temperatures in northern and western regions due to the absence of rain.
• The average daily maximum temperature for March and April for Chandigarh, Delhi, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, Ladakh, Punjab, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand was seen to be about 4 degrees Celsius more than the normal temperatures. (compared to its baseline of 1981-2010). 

Image source: The Hindu

Fatalities due to increased temperature

• Between 2015 and 2020, about 2,137 deaths were reported due to heat stroke in the northwestern States of India.
• In the same period, nearly 2,444 deaths were reported due to excessive environmental heat in the southern peninsula region.
  • Andhra Pradesh alone accounted for nearly 50% of the reported casualties.
• Further, most of such deaths have been reported among working age men (30-60 years).

Know more about – Heat waves 

Nut graf: As the rise in the temperature triggered due to climate change has severe geographical, social and economical implications on the country and its population, it is important to study the changes in the temperature patterns across the country and undertake appropriate mitigation measures.

Category: SOCIAL JUSTICE

1. A community and a health issue of concern

Syllabus: Vulnerable sections of the population and mechanisms constituted for the protection and betterment of these vulnerable sections.

Prelims: Various judgements regarding the rights of LGBTQIA++ community in India

Mains: the rights of the LGBTQIA++ community members in India, key challenges faced by them and various recommendations.

Context

This article discusses various challenges faced by LGBTQIA++ communities in India.

LGBTQIA++ communities

• The LGBTQIA+ community is a diverse group with varying sexual orientations and gender identities which includes Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex, Asexual and other identities individuals.

Evolution of LGBTQIA++ rights in India

• Naz Foundation v/s Govt. of NCT of Delhi (2009) judgement: the Delhi High Court said that Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code and other legal restrictions on adult, consensual, and non-commercial same-sex conduct is a violation of fundamental rights guaranteed under the Constitution of India.
• Suresh Kumar Koushal v/s Naz foundation (2013): in this judgement, the Supreme Court overruled the 2009 Delhi High court ruling and held Section 377 of IPC legal.
• National Legal Services Authority v/s Union of India case (2014): this judgement is considered to be a milestone as the SC recognised transgender individuals as the “third gender”.
  • The apex court further held that the fundamental rights granted under the Constitution will be equally applicable to them, and gave them the right to self-identification of their gender as male, female or third gender.
  • The court directed the Union and State Governments to introduce various social welfare schemes to the community and treat them as socially and economically backward classes thereby extending reservations to them in educational institutions and for public appointments.
• Navtej Singh Johar v, Union of India (2018) judgement: in this landmark judgement, the Supreme Court decriminalised homosexuality by ruling that Section 377’s application to acts of homosexuality between consenting adults was unconstitutional.

Key challenges faced by the members of LGBTQIA++ communities in India

• Social stigma: The individuals of the community often experience life-long dissonance from the family members, deep-rooted stigma, discrimination and abuse.
  • This causes distress, self-hate and suffering to these individuals.
• Mental illness: Reports suggest that LGBTQIA++ individuals suffer about 1.75 times more anxiety and depression compared to the rest of society.
  • Further, individuals in the transgender community suffer from nearly 2.4 times higher anxiety and depression.
  • This is mainly because society marginalises these individuals irrespective of their accomplishments.
• Inadequate health services: A study by the Raahat Project points out that a significant number of LGBT individuals preferred to pay and seek help in private hospitals/clinics rather than availing government healthcare facilities due to the fear of harassment and stigma.
  • Also, many psychiatrists in the country still consider diverse sexual orientations and gender identities as a disorder and they prescribe “correctional therapies”.

Way forward

• Spread awareness – It is important to pursue country wide awareness and capacity building campaigns to bring about a behaviour change among these individuals and a change in the attitude of the general public.
• Comprehensive strategy – there is a need to formulate a holistic healthcare strategy that includes aspects such as mental illness and mental health.
• Community building – also a key role in bettering the mental health of LGBTQIA++ members.
• Multiple stakeholder approach – all the stakeholders which include educational institutions, communities, healthcare professionals, mental health experts, police, etc. must be consulted before undertaking any important interventions.

Nut graf: Despite the rapid transformation of LGBT rights in India in recent years, the members of the community still face serious challenges and remain at risk of life-long mental illnesses. There is an immediate need for interventions by the concerned authorities and organisations to address these challenges faced by LGBT individuals.
Category: ECONOMY

1. Making sense of the rupee slump

Syllabus: Indian Economy and issues relating to planning, mobilization, of resources, growth, development and employment.

Mains: Factors responsible for the depreciation of the rupee and its impact on the economy

Background

For detailed background about the issue refer to the following article

UPSC Exam Comprehensive News Analysis dated 01 Jul 2022

Factors responsible for the depreciation of the rupee

• Massive outflow of Foreign Portfolio Investors
  • The investors have withdrawn from emerging markets like India and opted for safe haven assets as the central bank of the US increased the interest rate to counter high inflation.
  • Investors have sold Indian equities worth about $29.01 billion in 2022.

Image Source : The Hindu

• Drop in the forex reserves of the country
  • Due to the increased demand for the dollar and corresponding excess supply of the rupee, the value of the rupee has depreciated. 
  • RBI has looked to sell dollars in the forex markets from its reserves to cushion the fall of the rupee and prevent excess volatility.
  • This has resulted in a $49 billion dent in the forex reserves of India.

Image Source : The Hindu

• Widening trade deficit 
  • In FY22, India incurred a current account deficit (CAD) of $38.7 billion.
  • This means that India is spending more on its imports rather than exporting or earning through remittances, which again increases the demand for dollars.

Image Source : The Hindu

• Increased import of gold
  • In FY22, India imported gold worth $46.17 billion, which is 33% more compared to FY21.
  • This has put increased pressure on India’s CAD

Nut graf: The factors responsible for the fall in the value of the rupee must be analysed and studied quickly and efforts must be undertaken to reverse this trend at the earliest as the depreciation of the rupee is detrimental to the overall health of the economy.

F. Prelims Facts

1. Dragon Fruit

Syllabus: GS-3; Agriculture; Marketing of agricultural produce

Prelims: About Dragon Fruit

Context

The Centre has decided to promote the cultivation of dragon fruit.

Dragon Fruit

Image Source: DownToEarth

• The fruit which is also known as Pitaya, Pitahaya, strawberry pear, noblewoman and queen of the night belongs to the Cactaceae family.
• The fruit is indigenous to America.
• Dragon fruit is cultivated extensively throughout tropical and subtropical regions of the world and in countries like Peru, Mexico, South Asia, Southeast Asia, East Asia, the United States, the Caribbean, Australia, etc.
• The fruit is also known as a “super fruit” for its health benefits.
  • The fruit is considered good for patients with diabetes as the fruit is low in calories and high in nutrients like iron, calcium, potassium and zinc. 
• The low maintenance and high profitability of the fruit have attracted the farming community throughout India. 
• The fruit can grow in diverse climatic conditions and requires slightly acidic soil.
• It is now being cultivated in states like Maharashtra, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, West Bengal, Telangana, Tamil Nadu, Odisha, Gujarat and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

2. Trends show 27% dip in paddy sowing

• Factors like water scarcity in Punjab and increase in fertilizer prices are said to be the reasons for a 27% decrease in paddy sowing till July 1 during this kharif season 2022.
• Farmers’ organisations have said that the situation is concerning as many farmers have decided not to sow paddy due to unavailability and high prices of essential fertilizers.
• The farmers have raised concerns about the inadequate supply and high prices of diammonium phosphate (DAP), muriate of potash (MOP) and nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium (NPK) which are used in paddy cultivation.

Q1. Consider the following statements with regards to the Central Information 
Commission: (Level – Easy)

Q2. ‘Derecho’, recently seen in the news can be best defined as which of the following 
natural phenomenon: (Level – Difficult)

1. Storm
2. Flashfloods
3. Landslides
4. Tsunamis

Q3. The drug sabizabulin, that is showing positive results in severe Covid 19 patients, 
was initially created to fight against which of the following diseases? (Level – Difficult)

1. Malaria
2. AIDS
3.  Cancer
4. Tuberculosis

Q4. Which of the following fruits was recently renamed to ‘Kamlam’ by the Gujarat 
government? (Level – Easy)

1. Rambutan
2. Dragon fruit
3. Mangosteen
4. Durian

Q5. “Leaf litter decomposes faster than in any other biome and as a result the soil
 surface is often almost bare. Apart from trees, the vegetation is largely composed 
of plant forms that reach up into the canopy vicariously, by climbing the trees or 
growing as epiphytes, rooted on the upper branches of trees.” This is the most likely
 description of (Level – Medium) PYQ (2021)

1. Coniferous forest
2. Dry deciduous forest
3. Mangrove forest
4. Tropical rain forest