CNA 18 June 2023:- Download PDF Here
TABLE OF CONTENTS
A. GS 1 Related B. GS 2 Related INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS 1. India, U.S. initiative on future tech 2. G-20 membership for African Union C. GS 3 Related D. GS 4 Related E. Editorials SOCIAL JUSTICE 1. How can India tackle its diabetes burden? SECURITY 1. What does the alleged CoWIN data leak reveal? F. Prelims Facts 1. Monkey Pox Outbreak G. Tidbits 1. Teacher Attendance Monitoring System (TAMS) App 2. Coral Reef Sharks H. UPSC Prelims Practice Questions I. UPSC Mains Practice Questions
A. GS 1 Related
Nothing here for today!!!
B. GS 2 Related
Category: INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
1. India, U.S. initiative on future tech
Syllabus: Bilateral, Regional & Global Groupings & Agreements Involving India and/or Affecting India’s Interests
Mains: Initiative on Critical and Emerging Technologies (iCET) and its significance for India.
Context: India and the United States unveiled a roadmap for enhanced collaboration in high-technology areas.
Introduction:
- India and the United States recently unveiled a roadmap to strengthen collaboration in high-technology fields.
- The focus is on tackling regulatory challenges and harmonizing export controls to facilitate smoother trade and foster “deeper cooperation” in critical areas.
- The Initiative on Critical and Emerging Technology (iCET), introduced by President Joe Biden and Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2022, was reviewed during the second track 1.5 dialogue held recently.
- The U.S. emphasised the significance of aligning technology with shared democratic values and universal human rights, and expressed their commitment to building an open, accessible, and secure technology ecosystem that reinforces democratic principles and institutions.
What is iCET?
- India and the U.S. have established the Initiative on Critical and Emerging Technologies as a framework for collaboration in vital and advancing technology fields such as artificial intelligence, quantum computing, semiconductors, and wireless telecommunication.
- Introduced in January 2023, the initiative aims to strengthen the strategic partnership between the two countries and drive cooperation in technology and defense.
- During the Quad meeting in Japan in May 2022, Mr. Modi and Mr. Biden initially announced this framework.
- The iCET’s primary objective is to establish India and the U.S. as trusted technology partners, focusing on building supply chains and promoting co-production and co-development.
Progress so far:
- India and the U.S. have made notable advancements in various key areas identified for collaboration through iCET as a result of high-profile visits and talks between officials and stakeholders over the past year.
- During the second round of iCET talks, the Quantum Coordination Mechanism was established, a public-private dialogue on telecommunication (PDD) was initiated to drive collaboration in OpenRAN, 5G, and 6G, and substantial exchanges on AI and space took place.
- An MoU was signed in March 2023 to establish a semiconductor supply chain, leading to the formation of a semiconductor sub-committee to review recommendations from an industry-led task force associated with iCET.
- Both countries are expected to finalise a significant jet engine deal.
- Furthermore, a new initiative called the India-U.S. Defence Acceleration Ecosystem (INDUS-X) is set to be launched, aiming to advance cutting-edge technology cooperation.
- To facilitate strategic technology and trade collaborations envisioned under iCET, a Strategic Trade Dialogue has been established. Its purpose is to address regulatory barriers and review existing export control norms.
Nut Graf: India and the United States have made significant progress in strengthening collaboration through the Initiative on Critical and Emerging Technologies (iCET). The two countries are also set to launch INDUS-X and have established a Strategic Trade Dialogue to address regulatory barriers and export control norms.
2. G-20 membership for African Union
Syllabus: Bilateral, Regional & Global Groupings & Agreements Involving India and/or Affecting India’s Interests
Mains: Significance of India’s soft power on its engagement with African Union
Context: PM Modi proposes G-20 membership for African Union
Introduction:
- According to official sources, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has written to the leaders of the G-20 nations, suggesting that the African Union should be granted full membership in the upcoming G-20 summit hosted by India.
- This provides an opportune platform for Prime Minister Modi to champion the cause of Africa’s representation.
Significance:
- This proposal is being regarded as a significant and courageous move to amplify Africa’s influence on the global stage and to actively shape the future of our interconnected world.
- Granting full membership to the African Union in the G-20 would be a substantial stride towards establishing a more equitable, inclusive, and representative global governance framework.
- By taking this step, Prime Minister Modi aims to ensure that the G-20 agenda incorporates the priorities and concerns of African countries, recognizing their significance and unique perspectives.
- This demonstrates India’s commitment to fostering stronger ties with Africa and highlights the urgent need for a more inclusive and representative global order.
African Union:
- The African Union, which comprises 55 member states, serves as a vital continental body representing the collective interests and aspirations of African nations.
- As the primary organisation representing Africa’s voice, the African Union has been actively engaged in promoting the progress and economic development of its member nations.
- Its establishment in 2002 marked the official transition from the Organization of African Unity, emphasising a collective approach to address regional challenges and pursue common goals.
Nut Graf: Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has proposed granting the African Union full membership in the G-20 summit, aiming to amplify Africa’s influence and address its priorities. The African Union represents 55 member states and promotes regional progress and development.
C. GS 3 Related
Nothing here for today!!!
D. GS 4 Related
Nothing here for today!!!
E. Editorials
1. How can India tackle its diabetes burden?
Syllabus: Issues Relating to Health.
Mains: National Health Policy.
Context: This article discusses the findings of a study by ICMR-InDiab which provides detailed information about India’s diabetes scenario.
Introduction:
- In June 2023, a study was published in The Lancet regarding a long term study on metabolic factors in the Indian subcontinent.
- Launched in 2008, It was the largest long term study to estimate the country’s Chronic Non-Communicable Diseases (NCD).
- Conducted over five phases between 2008 and 2020 across the whole country (except for some of the islands and Union Territories), 1.24 lakh individuals were part of this survey.
Key findings of the report:
- According to the report, about 11% (101.3 million) of the country’s population is diabetic and 15.3 % (136 million) is in the prediabetic stage.
- The researchers found that the conversion from prediabetes to diabetes is faster in India.
- Urban India accounts for 16.4% of the cases of diabetes, while in the rural population the prevalence is 8.9%.
- The study also shows that diabetes has become as common in 2-3 tier cities as it is in the metro cities.
- Cases are surprisingly high even in the states like Kerala, Sikkim and Tripura- where socio-economic conditions are relatively better.
What does this study mean?
- The results of the study should be taken as a warning and the first thing that needs to be done is to save the people from diabetes who are already in the prediabetic stage.
- About 422 million people worldwide have diabetes, and 1.5 million deaths are directly attributed to it each year.
- It is said that prevention is better than cure, so awareness campaigns should be run to focus on using lifestyle modifications, maintaining a healthy diet and getting sufficient exercise.Periodic check-ups should be promoted.
- In rural areas, where the prevalence is still low, the aim should be to keep it in control.
Way forward:
- Diabetes is a chronic issue that can lead to complications like cardiovascular diseases, kidney disease, neuropathy, blindness etc. Hence it becomes crucial to keep it away.
- Periodic check-ups should be promoted.
- Apart from the methods like awareness campaigns and regular check-ups, tie-ups as part of the public-private partnership are also being proposed. It can help cover larger communities with ease.
Nut graf: According to the World Health Organization (WHO), millions of people worldwide have diabetes and a significant number of deaths are directly attributed to the disease each year. These data present a dire need to check this disease at the earliest.
1. What does the alleged CoWIN data leak reveal?
Syllabus: Cyber Security
Mains: Significance of a strong data protection law to protect personal and confidential data
Context: This article discusses the alleged CoWIN data leak by a bot on a messaging platform.
Introduction:
- On 12th June, 2023, a report revealed that a bot is disclosing personal data of people who had registered on the COVID-19 vaccination portal CoWIN.
- The Health Ministry of India denied such reports of data breach the same day, and said the allegations were “mischievous.”
What is CoWIN?
CoWIN is a government owned online portal which was set up in 2021 to administer and manage India’s COVID-19 vaccination drive. It tracks vaccines and beneficiaries and helps people schedule their vaccine appointments. It also issues a vaccine certificate, for which it needs some personal data including the Aadhaar number of the beneficiaries.
Read more about COVID-19 Pandemic.
What might have gone wrong?
- The CoWIN online platform has been developed from the ground up on Amazon Web Services (AWS).
- It’s a microservice architecture that arranges an application as a collection of fine grained services. These services interact with each other through certain set protocols.
- The cloud-native platforms like AWS provide security only for the underlying infrastructure, not for securing the applications and databases. It’s the responsibility of the customer (hosting the data) to maintain the secrecy of their data.
- The traditional software-based systems termed as “legacy systems” deployed in virtual servers (CoWIN portal in this case) are the weak links in the chain. Such links are an easy route for hackers to gain entry into the database.
- Human error, negligence or third-party apps’ involvement could also contribute to the breach of data.
Why it matters:
- This is not the first time reports about data leaks have emerged. Earlier also it was alleged that the government could not keep the CoWIN data confidential.
- The country needs a strong data protection system and a strong data protection law may help in this regard.
Further reading : Right to Privacy
Nut graf: A recent report revealed a possible data breach on CoWIN, India’s COVID-19 vaccination portal. The Health Ministry denied the allegations, highlighting the need for a robust data protection system.
F. Prelims Facts
Syllabus: GS03-Science and Technology
Prelims: Mpox; Endemic Diseases
Context: Increase in reported cases of Mpox (Monkeypox) from some countries.
Key Details:
- In May 2023, the World Health Organisation (WHO) declared that the multi-country outbreak of Mpox is no longer a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC), given the sustained decline in cases.
- However, it also acknowledged remaining uncertainties about the disease, regarding modes of transmission in some countries, poor quality of some reported data, and continued lack of effective countermeasures in the African countries, where mpox occurs regularly.
- Despite a decrease in overall cumulative cases worldwide, certain countries in Southeast Asia and the Western Pacific Region are observing a rise in reported cases.
Read more on Monkeypox
Global Situation Update:
- Mpox continues to pose a global challenge, with new countries reporting cases.
- Spain and the U.K. have reported new cases in the European region, but previous large outbreaks in Europe and North America have been controlled through vaccinations and awareness campaigns.
- China recently reported four cases, raising concerns about the disease’s spread. Sri Lanka also reported two cases in individuals with a travel history to Dubai.
- Earlier in 2023, Mpox was detected in Thailand, Taiwan, Pakistan, and Japan. It’s notable that several cases have a travel history to the Middle East, although reports from that region do not indicate a rise in the number of cases.
- The emergence of Mpox cases in new territories is concerning, indicating the potential expansion of the disease through undetected transmission. This poses fresh challenges in containment efforts.
Cause for concern:
- The Middle East region faces challenges in accurately capturing and documenting Mpox cases, as there is no corresponding surge in reported cases. This highlights the need for improved reporting mechanisms to gain a comprehensive understanding of the situation in the region.
- The African region, specifically Cameroon, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Nigeria, has witnessed a notable increase in Mpox cases. This surge emphasises the significance of addressing the disease in this area.
- With increased globalisation and travel, global public health efforts, cooperation, and resource sharing become increasingly critical in tackling Mpox effectively.
- Genomic surveillance of the Mpox pathogen enables contact tracing and monitoring of its evolution. However, there is a lack of genomic data from developing countries, particularly in Asia, which hampers our understanding of the disease’s spread and evolution in these regions.
- It is essential to maintain vigilance and preparedness for future challenges, taking proactive measures to control infections and safeguard vulnerable populations, even as the global pandemic situation evolves.
G. Tidbits
1. Teacher Attendance Monitoring System (TAMS) App
- It is a monitoring app introduced as a pilot project in East Jaintia Hills district of Meghalaya to record teachers’ attendance in government schools.
- It is an attendance app which utilises facial recognition, geofencing, and records the time spent in school by teachers.
- It involves taking a selfie for registration.
- The facial recognition feature ensures that only the assigned teacher can mark attendance, while geofencing restricts attendance registration to within the school premises.
- Geofencing utilises GPS technology to establish a virtual boundary, triggering a response when a mobile device enters or leaves a specific area.
- This system is being utilised to overcome the problems of absenteeism or proxy teaching in government schools.
- A global study reveals that the populations of five prominent shark species inhabiting coral reefs have experienced a significant decline of 60-73%.
- Notably, certain shark species were completely absent from 34-47% of the surveyed reefs.
- The primary factor behind this decline is believed to be overfishing, which has led to the depletion of shark populations as well as their prey sources.
- Coral reef ecosystems are under increasing pressure from human activities—including intense fishing, degraded water quality, and climate change that threaten species supporting a wide range of ecosystem functions.
- Consequently, ray species have shown an increase in abundance within reef ecosystems.
- The study indicates that protected marine sanctuaries maintain shark-dominated reef communities, while areas with limited governance and economic challenges tend to be dominated by rays.
H. UPSC Prelims Practice Questions
Q1. Consider the following statements with respect to Coral reefs: (Level-Medium)
- They are generally confined to tropical and semi-tropical waters.
- They are found in the Atlantic, Pacific and Indian Ocean.
- Coral reefs have declined by over half since the 1950s as they suffer from the effects of climate change and overfishing.
How many of the above statements are incorrect?
- Only one
- Only two
- All three
- None
CHECK ANSWERS:-
Answer: d
Explanation:
- Statement 01 is correct, Most reefs are located between the Tropics of Cancer and Capricorn.
- Corals are also found farther from the equator in places where warm currents flow out of the tropics, such as in Florida and southern Japan.
- Statement 02 is correct, They are found in the Atlantic, Pacific , the Indian Ocean, the Caribbean Sea, the Red Sea, and the Persian Gulf.
- Statement 03 is correct, Coral reefs have declined by over half since the 1950s as they suffer from the effects of climate change and overfishing. Across the world, the area that coral reefs occupy has fallen by 50% in the half century from 1957.
Q2. Consider the following statements with respect to Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB): (Level-Difficult)
- France is one of the founding members of AIIB.
- China is the biggest contributor to the AIIB and therefore has the largest single vote share followed by Russia.
- It is headquartered in Shanghai.
- The bank allows non-sovereign entities to apply for membership provided their home countries are members.
How many of the above statements are correct?
- Only one
- Only two
- Only three
- All four
CHECK ANSWERS:-
Answer: b
Explanation:
- Statement 01 is correct, France is one of the 57 founding members of The Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB).
- Statement 02 is incorrect, China is the largest shareholder with 26.61 % voting shares in the bank, followed by India (7.6%), Russia (6.01%), and Germany (4.2 %).
- Statement 03 is incorrect, It has its headquarters in Beijing, China.
- Statement 04 is correct, Unlike other MDBs (multilateral development bank), the AIIB allows for non-sovereign entities to apply for AIIB membership, assuming their home country is a member.
Q3. Consider the following statements: (Level-Difficult)
- They are a Dravidian ethnic group inhabiting the states of Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Karnataka
- The main occupation of this tribe has been snake, rat catching and honey collection.
The above statements best describe:
- Irulas
- Kotas
- Kurumbas
- Todas
CHECK ANSWERS:-
Answer: a
Explanation: Irula, also known as Iruliga, are a Dravidian ethnic group inhabiting the Indian states of Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Karnataka.
- People of Irula ethnicity are called Irular, and speak Irula, which belongs to the Dravidian family.
- Irula tribesmen are world renowned for their ability to catch snakes and rats.
Read more on Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs)
Q4. Consider the following statements: (Level-Medium)
- Sepsis is a life-threatening condition that arises when the body’s response to infection causes injury to its own tissues and organs.
- Sepsis is caused by bacteria only.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- 1 only
- 2 only
- Both 1 and 2
- Neither 1 nor 2
CHECK ANSWERS:-
Answer: a
Explanation:
- Statement 01 is correct, Sepsis is the body’s extreme response to an infection. It is a life-threatening medical emergency. Sepsis happens when an infection you already have triggers a chain reaction throughout your body. Infections that lead to sepsis most often start in the lung, urinary tract, skin, or gastrointestinal tract. Without timely treatment, sepsis can rapidly lead to tissue damage, organ failure, and death.
- Statement 02 is incorrect, Bacterial infections are one of the most common causes of sepsis. Fungal, parasitic and viral infections are also potential sepsis causes.
Q5. Among the following who are eligible to benefit from the "Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act"? (Level-Easy)[PYQ-CSE-2011]
- Adult members of only the scheduled caste and scheduled tribe households
- Adult members of below poverty line (BPL) households
- Adult members of households of all backward communities
- Adult members of any household
CHECK ANSWERS:-
Answer: d
Explanation:
- The Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) guarantees 100 days of wage employment in a financial year to any rural household whose adult members are willing to do unskilled manual work.
- All adult members of the household, male or female, who are willing to do unskilled manual work are eligible to benefit from the scheme, regardless of their caste, religion or community.
I. UPSC Mains Practice Questions
- Prevalence of diabetes in most cases in India can be owed to our lifestyle. Do you agree? Elaborate. (250 words; 15 marks) [GS-2; Health]
- Data leaks from Government portals are becoming increasingly frequent in the past decade. In this context, throw light on the initiatives taken by the government of India to tackle this problem. (250 words; 15 marks) [GS-3; Science and Technology]
Read the previous CNA here.
CNA 18 June 2023:- Download PDF Here
Comments