CNA 06 June 2022:- Download PDF Here
TABLE OF CONTENTS
A. GS 1 Related B. GS 2 Related POLITY AND GOVERNANCE 1. HC remark on conversion ‘right’ raises questions C. GS 3 Related SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY 1. The status of eVTOL: soon to be reality? D. GS 4 Related E. Editorials INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS 1. The IPEF holds promise but there are perils too ECONOMY 1. Modinomics and the long distance to the finish line F. Prelims Facts 1. China marks new space milestone 2. World’s first fishing cat census done in Chilika G. Tidbits 1. 10% ethanol blending goal met, says PM H. UPSC Prelims Practice Questions I. UPSC Mains Practice Questions
A. GS 1 Related
Nothing here for today!!!
B. GS 2 Related
Category: POLITY AND GOVERNANCE
1. HC remark on conversion ‘right’ raises questions
Syllabus: Constitution of India —significant provisions and basic structure.
Prelims: Article 25
Mains: Delhi High Court observation on religious conversion
Context:
Recent observations by the Delhi High Court that religious conversion, unless forced, is not prohibited raise a question of whether proselytism is also protected under the right to religious freedom in the Constitution.
- Proselytism means to induce someone to convert to one’s faith.
What is the issue?
- The High Court was hearing a petition to frame laws to prohibit conversions by force or deception.
- The petition had reportedly alleged “mass conversions” of underprivileged people, particularly the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes.
- HC observed that conversion is not prohibited. It is a right of an individual to profess any religion, religion of his birth, or religion that he chooses to profess.
Article 25 (Freedom of conscience and free profession, practise, and propagation of religion)
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Supreme Court Observations:
Rev. Stanislaus versus State of Madhya Pradesh: In the 1977 judgment, a five-judge Bench of the Supreme Court had held that the word ‘propagate’ in Article 25 does not give “the right to convert another person to one’s own religion, but to spread one’s religion by an exposition of its tenets”. The Constitution Bench had also held there was “no fundamental right to convert another person to one’s own religion”.
Nut Graf
The right to propagate religion does not include the right to convert, but, the fundamental right under Article 25 to freely profess or practice religion also includes the right to get converted. The Delhi High Court’s observation is significant as the Stanislaus judgment only dealt with the right to propagate or convert, and not the right to get converted.
C. GS 3 Related
Category: SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
1. The status of eVTOL: soon to be reality?
Syllabus: Developments and their applications and effects in everyday life.
Prelims: What is eVTOL?
Mains: Analysis of eVTOL technologies in India
Context: The Government of India is exploring the possibility of inviting manufacturers of Electric Vertical Take off and Landing (eVTOL) aircraft to set up bases in India.
What is eVTOL?
- eVTOL is an electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft that uses electric power to hover, take off, and land vertically.
- Most eVTOLs also use what is called distributed electric propulsion technology which means integrating a complex propulsion system with the airframe.
- There are multiple motors for various functions; to increase efficiency, and to also ensure safety.
- This is a technology that has grown on account of successes in electric propulsion based on progress in motor, battery, fuel cell and electronic controller technologies and also fuelled by the need for new vehicle technology that ensures urban air mobility (UAM).
- Thus, eVTOL is one of the newer technologies and developments in the aerospace industry.
Developments in powering eVTOLs:
- The roles eVTOLs adopt depend on battery technology and the limits of onboard electric power.
- Power is required during the key phases of flight such as take-off, landing and flight (especially in high wind conditions).
- There is also the important factor of weight.
What are the challenges?
- As the technology so far is a mix of unpiloted and piloted aircraft, the areas in focus include “crash prevention systems”.
- These use cameras, radar, GPS (global positioning system) and infrared scanners.
- There are also issues such as ensuring safety in case of powerplant or rotor failure. Aircraft protection from cyberattacks is another area of focus.
- A third area is in navigation and flight safety and the use of technology when operating in difficult terrain, unsafe operating environments and also bad weather.
EVTOL certification
- Some companies have concepts that are aimed at dual certifications by regulatory agencies in the western world.
- The eVTOL technology is to use existing regulatory frameworks despite being in the form of new and emerging technologies.
- The changes will be gradual and have been welcomed by eVTOL developers, who are leaning on the Part 23 framework as the bedrock for type certification.
- EVTOL certification is also complex because of planned operations within urban areas, new battery systems and the need for higher levels of automated redundancy.
How has the progress been?
- The Paris Summer Olympics 2024 is expected to be a big moment, according to an article in Bloomberg. France is working on two dedicated routes to transport passengers.
- Landing and takeoff zones at the Pontoise-Cormeilles-en-Vexin hub are being tested on parameters such as noise levels, integration of drones and eVTOLs with existing air traffic, battery charging and also maintenance.
How will it be in India?
- The concept of ‘Advanced Air Mobility’ comes in, i.e., connecting places through vertical aircraft and thus skipping road travel. This is being done now by helicopters, but eVTOLs will step into this space.
- eVTOLs are noise-free, have a zero carbon footprint and are more affordable. Beta technologies and other EVA manufacturers have been extended an invitation to manufacture in India.
- In addition to this, there are psychological barriers that need to be overcome when it comes to flying in a fully autonomous aircraft.
Nut Graf
eVTOLs technologies in India need to be documented with respect to compliance and meet the standards adopted in commercial aviation, especially when it comes to safety.
D. GS 4 Related
Nothing here for today!!!
E. Editorials
Category: INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
1. The IPEF holds promise but there are perils too
Syllabus: GS2: International Relations: Bilateral, Regional and Global Groupings and Agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests.
Prelims: Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity (IPEF) – Member countries and focus areas.
Mains: Concerns with respect to IPEF
Context:
Recently, the Joe Biden administration took a significant step by establishing the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity (IPEF).
What is the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF)?
- The Indo-Pacific Economic Framework is a unique type of trade pact that the United States is pushing among the region’s governments.
- India and 12 nations led by the United States inaugurated the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF).
- Within days of its launch, IPEF expanded its membership to the Pacific Island states, with Fiji joining the initiative.
Objectives of IPEF:
- To provide an economic alternate solution to China’s Geostrategic footprint in the Indo-Pacific area.
- To strengthen economic relationships between all of the participating nations
- To enhance resilience, sustainable development, inclusiveness, economic expansion, fair treatment, and competitive spirit in the Indo-Pacific region.
Concerns with respect to IPEF
- Comparison with Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP): The IPEF is bound to lead to comparisons with the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP). The IPEF reignites the twin ambitions of the U.S. to provide economic leadership and to challenge China’s hegemony in the region.
- Ambiguity over understanding of IPEF objectives: At its launch, the IPEF was proposed as an elaborate framework of rules covering four pillars, namely, fair and resilient trade, supply chain resiliency, clean energy decarbonisation, and tax and anti-corruption. It is not clear whether the original signatories to the IPEF were fully aware of the details that were unveiled at the launch of the initiative, for there is no record of any prior discussion.
- Exclusion of intellectual property rights (IPRs): The IPEF agenda is clearly focused on issues which the U.S. considers vital to further its interests. One notable exclusion from this list is intellectual property rights (IPRs) that have generally been at the heart of the U.S.’ economic engagements with its partner countries.
- Shift from free trade ideal to “fair and resilient trade”: Promoting “fair and resilient trade” defines the U.S.’s agenda on trade, side-stepping its pursuit of the free trade ideal. The reason behind this shift could be that for most IPEF signatories, import tariffs are passed.
- Regulatory barriers for developing countries: The regulatory coherence and regulations in most developed countries often create discretionary/discriminatory barriers to trade and overcoming these barriers is usually beyond the capacities, both institutional and otherwise, of lesser developed countries.
- Contentious issues: Two contentious issues namely, labor rights and the environment and climate change, are duly included in the IPEF.
- Enforcement of labor rights using trade rules is quite contentious, having been rejected by the members of the World Trade Organization (WTO) on several occasions.
- As regards the environment, the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) had cautioned that “measures taken to combat climate change, including unilateral ones, should not constitute a means of arbitrary or unjustifiable discrimination or a disguised restriction on international trade”.
- The IPEF could threaten abrogation of these decisions at the WTO and the UNFCCC.
- Data portability: Control over data will increasingly determine the dynamics of economies, and hence the issue of data portability assumes critical importance in the context of the IPEF framework.
Know more about the Importance of the IPEF to strengthen the trade relations in the Indo-Pacific.
What could India expect from the IPEF?
- While endorsing the IPEF, Prime Minister had spoken of India’s aspiration to participate more substantially in the supply chains in the region. However, this would have its challenges.
- Issue of data localisation: The Government of India has not yet taken a clear position on the issue of data localisation. The key challenge for India is to sustain this diametrically opposite view to an uncompromising position of the U.S. on data localisation.
- Concerns with Labour Rights: India should also be wary of the considerable emphasis that is being given to strengthening labour rights in the ongoing discussions on the IPEF, both by corporate interests and members of Congress.
Nut Graf
The Indo-Pacific Economic Framework comes with a set of issues, whose ramifications on the future of the global economy and beyond can be far-reaching. It will also impact major existing trade agreements in Asia along with deep scrutiny of the effectiveness of the new trade deal in keeping alignment with the norms of a free, fair, open and resilient Indo-Pacific.
1. Modinomics and the long distance to the finish line
Syllabus: GS3: Economy: Indian Economy and issues relating to planning, mobilization, of resources, growth, development and employment.
Mains: Declining in growth rate, concerns associated with it and recommendations
Context:
- Recently, the National Statistical Office (NSO) released the 2021-22 fourth-quarter GDP growth rate figure at 4.1% compared to fourth-quarter figures for the previous year, 2020-21.
- In the first quarter of 2020-21, the GDP growth rate was –23.8%, which is when the COVID-19 pandemic began spreading.
- The combined subsequent and remaining three quarters of 2021-22 annualized growth rate was negative, and thus for the fiscal year of four quarters, the GDP annual 2020-21 was placed at -4.8%.
Significant Assessment from Recent data
- The Indian economy has been declining in growth rate since 2016.
- The Indian economy fell below the Hindu Rate of Growth.
- The Indian rate of growth was sneeringly referred to by economists as “The Hindu Rate of Growth” of 3.5%-4% per year growth rate in GDP.
- According to the author, the government’s predictions such as a $5 trillion GDP by 2024-25 were impossible to achieve without major structural reforms.
Concerns:
- According to the author, economic failure could drastically unsettle even the most conservative forecast in 2024. Democracy could be threatened by desperate political extremists.
- There is a conflict between the market and democracy that requires to be resolved: a flourishing and vibrant democracy that empowers a relatively poor uncorrupted majority to vote, and hence can influence legislation against the relatively rich capitalist and entrepreneurial minority.
Recommendations:
- The Indian economy needs a new economic policy that is based on clearly stated objective targets, priorities, a strategy to achieve the targets, and an intelligent and transparent resource mobilization plan.
- Economic reforms in a democracy can be electorally successful if so designed that the losers from it do not hijack the election, while the unorganized poor who cannot see early returns from reforms are kept satisfied by reducing unemployment and controlling galloping inflation.
- Deregulations should also not mean that we reject government intervention for safety nets, affirmative action, market failure and creating a level-playing field.
- Thus, the trade-offs between public order and de-regulation, through affirmative action, social security and a safety net, are essential to create a stake for the poor in the system, levelling the playing field.
Nut Graf
The Indian economy has been declining in growth rate since 2016. According to the author, with declining growth rates, the government’s predictions such as a $5 trillion GDP by 2024-25 are impossible to achieve without major structural reforms.
F. Prelims Facts
1. China marks new space milestone
Syllabus: GS3: Science and Technology- Awareness in the fields of Space
Prelims: About Tiangong
Context:
Three Chinese astronauts docked at the country’s space station marking a new milestone in Beijing’s drive to become a major space power.
Tiangong:
- Tiangong means “heavenly palace”.
- It is expected to become fully operational by the end of the year.
- China’s space programme has seen the nation land a rover on Mars and send probes to the Moon.
- Tiangong’s core module entered orbit earlier last year and is expected to operate for at least a decade.
2. World’s first fishing cat census done in Chilika
Syllabus: GS3: Environment and Ecology Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment.
Prelims: Fishing Cat Project (TFCP), Fishing Cats
Context:
Chilika Lake has 176 fishing cats, according to a census done by the Chilika Development Authority (CDA) in collaboration with the Fishing Cat Project (TFCP).
Fishing Cat Project (TFCP):
- The Fishing Cat Project (TFCP) is the world’s longest-running research and conservation project on fishing cats and has been functional since 2010.
- It is currently functioning in two states of India – West Bengal and Odisha.
- In 2021, TFCP will aid in regularizing a population estimation protocol of fishing cats in Chilika – a RAMSAR Site and Asia’s largest brackish water lagoon.
Fishing Cats:
- The fishing cat (Prionailurus viverrinus) is a medium-sized wild cat of South and Southeast Asia.
- In India, fishing cats are mainly found in the mangrove forests of the Sundarbans, on the foothills of the Himalayas along the Ganga and Brahmaputra river valleys and in the Western Ghats.
- Conservation status
- IUCN Red List: Vulnerable
- CITES: Appendix II
- Indian Wildlife Protection Act, 1972: Schedule I
- Know more about Fishing cats.
Chilika Lake:
- Chilika Lake is Asia’s largest brackish water lagoon.
- It is situated on the east coast of India in Odisha and is separated from the Bay of Bengal by a small strip of land.
- It spreads across the Khurda, Puri, and Ganjam districts of Odisha to the Daya river’s mouth.
Know more about Chilika lake.
G. Tidbits
1. 10% ethanol blending goal met, says PM
- India has achieved the target of 10% ethanol blending in petrol, five months ahead of schedule according to the Prime Minister of India.
- This had led to a reduction of 27 lakh tonnes of carbon emissions and saved foreign exchange worth ₹41,000 crore.
- The 10% blending target was to be achieved in November 2022.
H. UPSC Prelims Practice Questions
Q1. Consider the following pairs with respect to joint exercises held by India:
Joint Exercise Associated country
- SAMPRITI Bangladesh
- Vajra Prahar U.S.
- Hand in Hand France
- Dharma Guardian Thailand
How many pairs given above are correctly matched?
- Only one pair
- Only two pairs
- Only three pairs
- All four pairs
CHECK ANSWERS:-
Answer: b
Explanation:
- Sampriti Exercise is a bilateral defense cooperation exercise between the armies of India and Bangladesh. Hence Pair 1 is correct.
- Vajra Prahar is a joint military exercise between the special forces of India and the United States (US). Hence Pair 2 is correct.
- Hand in Hand exercise is an India-China joint military exercise. The exercise takes place between the armies of both countries. Hence Pair 3 is incorrect.
- It is an annual exercise between the Indian Army and Japanese Ground Self Defense Force Hence Pair 4 is incorrect.
- Hence option B is correct.
Q2. Which of the following statements is/are correct with respect to the Fishing Cat?
- It is a mostly diurnal animal.
- Initially found across the Indian sub-continent and Southeast Asia, owing to habitat destruction, and hunting the animal is currently endemic to only India.
- It is the state animal of West Bengal.
Options:
- 1 and 3 only
- 2 and 3 only
- 2 only
- 3 only
CHECK ANSWERS:-
Answer: d
Explanation:
- The fishing cat is mainly active at night as in nocturnal. It is usually found near water bodies and is able to swim at long distances. Hence statement 1 is incorrect.
- It is a medium-sized wild cat of South and Southeast Asia. It is mostly found in wetlands, swamps and mangroves. Hence statement 2 is incorrect.
- The fishing cat is the state animal of West Bengal and is listed as ‘Vulnerable’ on the IUCN Red List. Hence statement 3 is correct.
Q3. Which of the following statements is/are correct with respect to Sant Kabir?
- Bijak is one of the main literary works of Sant Kabir.
- The verses of Sant Kabir are found in the Guru Granth Sahib.
Options:
- 1 only
- 2 only
- Both 1 and 2
- Neither 1 nor 2
CHECK ANSWERS:-
Answer: c
Explanation:
- Sant Kabir Das was one among the foremost influential saints. He was a 15th-century Indian mystic poet, whose writings influenced the Bhakti movement.
- Bijak is the compilation of the verses of Kabir. It comprises three main sections called Sakhi, Ramaini and Shabda.
- The major part of his work was collected by the fifth Sikh guru, Guru Arjan Dev. The verses of Kabir Das are found in Sikhism’s scripture Guru Granth Sahib.
- Hence both the statements are correct.
Q4. Which of the following pairs of space missions/programmes and their descriptions are correctly matched?
- Tiangong: China’s space station
- Chang’e: China’s lunar mission
- Artemis: NASA’s lunar mission
- Gaia: European Space agency’s galactic surveyor
Options:
- 1 and 2 only
- 1, 2 and 3 only
- 3 and 4 only
- 1, 2, 3 and 4
CHECK ANSWERS:-
Answer: d
Explanation:
- Tiangong, officially the Tiangong space station, is a space station being constructed by China in low Earth orbit.
- Chang’e is China’s spacecraft mission that included stereoscopic imaging of the lunar surface, assaying the chemistry of the surface, and testing technologies that could be used in expanding the Chinese national space program to the Moon.
- Artemis is an ongoing space mission run by NASA with the goal of landing the first female astronaut and the first astronaut of colour on the Moon’s South Pole.
- Gaia is a space observatory of the European Space Agency, launched in 2013 and expected to operate until 2025.
Q5. Why are dewdrops not formed on a cloudy night? [UPSC 2019]
- Clouds absorb the radiation released from the Earth’s surface.
- Clouds reflect back the Earth’s radiation.
- The Earth’s surface would have low temperatures on cloudy nights.
- Clouds deflect the blowing wind to ground level.
CHECK ANSWERS:-
Answer: b
Explanation:
- Dew is formed when moisture is deposited as water droplets on cooler surfaces of solid objects (rather than nuclei in the air above the surface) such as stones, grass blades, and plant leaves.
- When the sky is clear and the trees and plants are cooler at night, more water evaporates, resulting in more dew formation. However, when the sky is cloudy, the trees and plants do not cool down at night, resulting in less dew formation.
- Clear skies, calm air, high relative humidity, and a cold and long night are ideal conditions for its formation. The dew point must be higher than the freezing point in order for dew to form.
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I. UPSC Mains Practice Questions
- India should ensure that the newly envisioned IPEF (Indo Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity) is more pro-India than anti-China. Discuss. (250 words, 15 marks) [GS-2, IR]
- Evaluate the current status of sewage treatment in India. Why are we still lagging far behind in treating the majority of the sewage produced in India? (250 words, 15 marks) [GS-3, Environment]
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CNA 06 June 2022:- Download PDF Here
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