02 Mar 2023: UPSC Exam Comprehensive News Analysis

CNA 02 March 2023:- Download PDF Here

TABLE OF CONTENTS

A. GS 1 Related
B. GS 2 Related
INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
1. India asks G-20 to extradite economic offenders fast
2. Understanding the Windsor framework
C. GS 3 Related
D. GS 4 Related
E. Editorials
EDUCATION
1. Phasing out the line, ‘math is not for a girl’
POLITY
1. Message for maturity
F. Prelims Facts
1. S-400
G. Tidbits
1. Scheduled Tribes panel requisitions FRA action reports from top court
2. Press Council of India warns against publication of ‘paid news’ by the print media
3. February PMI signals steady expansion in manufacturing
H. UPSC Prelims Practice Questions
I. UPSC Mains Practice Questions
FIP Magazine

2. Understanding the Windsor framework

Syllabus: Effect of policies and politics of the developed world.

Prelims: About Windsor framework

Mains: Critical evaluation of Windsor framework

Context:

  • The UK and the European Union negotiated a deal on February 27 regarding post-Brexit trade rules for Northern Ireland.
  • The Windsor framework is an attempt to address the political complexities that have impacted trade and sentiments in the region.

Background

For detailed background information, refer to the following article:

UPSC Exam Comprehensive News Analysis dated 01 March 2023

Windsor framework

Windsor Framework

Image source: The Hindu

  • The Windsor framework aims to resolve the disruptions in trade between Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK caused by the Northern Ireland Protocol.
  • The Windsor framework allows for free trade between Great Britain and Northern Ireland with the use of green and red lanes for goods flowing into Northern Ireland. 
    • Green lane goods under the framework will have fewer checks and controls, including no customs checks or rules of origin. 
    • Red lane goods under the framework will be subjected to checks and controls in order to preserve the EU’s single market. 
  • Further, with a view to ease the impact on farmers, agri-products like meat and dairy will have reduced checks and controls, and food retailers such as supermarkets, wholesalers, and caterers, will be allowed to move agri-food through the green lane. 
  • Additionally, the ban on a few chilled types of meats from Great Britain being sold in Northern Ireland will be lifted. 

Critical evaluation of the framework

  • The UK and EU officials believe that the latest framework would ensure greater availability of British goods such as food and medicines in Northern Ireland markets.
  • The Windsor framework would also play a key role in safeguarding the position of Northern Ireland within the UK and restoring its people’s sovereignty.
  • However, there have been objections to the new framework centred around the “Stormont brake”.
    • Stormont brake is an emergency measure that allows Northern Ireland’s devolved government to halt new EU norms from being imposed and a measure that London retains the right to veto. 
  • Further, it is to be seen if the EU rules will be accepted in Northern Ireland as this depends on the balance of power between the Unionists and Republicans in the province. 

Nut graf: The announcement on the Windsor Framework is an essential step to ensure peace and progress between the UK and the EU as it not only protects Northern Ireland’s place within the UK’s internal market but also the EU’s single market.

G. Tidbits

1. Scheduled Tribes panel requisitions FRA action reports from top court

  • Against the backdrop of a face-off between the Union Environment Ministry and the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST) over the Forest Conservation Rules, 2022, NCST has secured the implementation reports of the Forest Rights Act (FRA) of all States and UTs.
  • As the Union government introduced the new Forest Conservation Rules, 2022, NCST had urged the Environment Ministry to put a hold on the implementation of the rules as they violate the provisions of the Forest Rights Act (FRA), 2006.
    • However, the Ministry replied by saying that the rules were formulated under the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980 and that NCST’s apprehensions were “not legally tenable”.
  • NCST invoked its constitutional powers i.e. its powers under Clause 8d of Article 338A to approach the Supreme Court directly and sought all materials filed before the court in connection with a batch of petitions challenging the constitutionality of the FRA. 
    • The Supreme Court has ordered that the sought documents must be provided to NCST.
  • NCST is now looking to review the overall implementation of the FRA, and evaluate the rejection of titles and encroachments on forest land. 
    • Further, the commission will propose recommendations to further secure the rights of forest dwellers based on its constitutional mandate.
  • As per the data tabled in Rajya Sabha in December 2022, title rights were issued against just 50% of the claims over forest land made under the FRA as of June 2022, with maximum pendency and rejection seen in cases of individual claims.

Read more about – National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST)

2. Press Council of India warns against publication of ‘paid news’ by the print media

  • The Press Council of India advised the print media to follow the norms of Journalistic Conduct-2022 on “paid news” during the elections in various states.
  • The Press Council of India has asked the newspapers not to misquote the statements given by any leader and has asked the newspapers to quote the statements in their true spirit.
  • As per the Council, political news published in competing newspapers with similar content strongly indicates that such reports are paid news.
    • The manner of presentation of a news item or a photograph that is in favour of a particular party or a candidate is also suggestive of paid news.
    • Further, the council said that projecting a victory or success of a candidate who was yet to file a nomination also indicates paid news.
  • The council has suggested that newspapers ensure balance while publishing reports or interviews of candidates and not favour any particular party or candidate.

3. February PMI signals steady expansion in manufacturing

February PMI signals steady expansion in manufacturing

Image source: The Hindu

  • India’s manufacturing sector has registered an output growth in twenty successive months in February 2023.
  • According to the survey-based, seasonally adjusted S&P Global India Manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI), the output growth is mainly driven by the domestic market as growth in export orders has registered an 11-month low.
    • The PMI was at 55.3 in February which is slightly less than January’s 55.4.
  • Furthermore, the index notes that the input costs have increased at the fastest pace in recent months as firms mention higher prices for electronic components, energy, foodstuff, metals and textiles. 
    • However, 94% of the producers have decided to absorb the higher costs rather than pass them on to buyers.
  • The index also highlights the fact that despite the robust growth in new-orders growth, job creation has only witnessed fractional expansion.

H. UPSC Prelims Practice Questions

Q1. Which statements are true regarding the Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi 
Pariyojana? (Level – Moderate)
  1. It is under the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers.
  2. It aims to improve the availability of affordable generic medicines.
  3. The Jan Aushadhi Kendras sell both drugs and surgical equipment.

Options:

  1. 1 and 2
  2. 2 and 3
  3. 1 and 3
  4. 1, 2 and 3
CHECK ANSWERS:-

Answer: d

Explanation:

  • Statement 1 is correct, Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP) was launched by the Department of Pharmaceuticals, Ministry of Chemicals & Fertilizers, Government of India in November 2008.
  • Statement 2 is correct, The key objective of the PMBJP is to make quality generic medicines available at affordable prices to all.
  • Statement 3 is correct, The product basket of PMBJP consists of both drugs as well as surgical items.
Q2. How many of the following pairs of military/special force exercises and the 
country it is held with are correctly matched? (Level – Difficult)
  1. Garuda Shakti: France
  2. Dharma Guardian: Nepal
  3. Varuna: Indonesia
  4. Shinyuu Maitri: Japan

Options:

  1. Only 1 pair
  2. Only 2 pairs
  3. Only 3 pairs
  4. All 4 pairs
CHECK ANSWERS:-

Answer: a

Explanation:

  • Pair 1 is not correct, Garuda Shakti is a bilateral exercise between special forces of the armies of India and Indonesia.
  • Pair 2 is not correct, Dharma Guardian is a Joint Military Exercise conducted between India and Japan.
  • Pair 3 is not correct, India conducts a regular Naval exercise named Excercise Varuna with France.
  • Pair 4 is correct, Shinyuu Maitri is the Indian Air Force’s military exercise with the Japanese Air Self Defence Force.
Q3. How many of the following statements are true? (Level – Moderate)
  1. The Forest Survey of India publishes the State of Forests report once every 2 years.
  2. Tree areas with a canopy cover of 40-70% are known as dense forests.
  3. Any area with less than 40% canopy cover is not counted under the survey as a forested area.
  4. Plantations are not included in this either.

Options:

  1. Only 1 statement
  2. Only 2 statements
  3. Only 3 statements
  4. All 4 statements
CHECK ANSWERS:-

Answer: b

Explanation:

  • Statement 1 is correct, India State of Forest Report (ISFR) is a biennial publication of the Forest Survey of India (FSI). 
  • Statement 2 is correct, All land areas with tree canopy density of 40% and above are considered dense forests.
  • Statement 3 is not correct, All land areas between 10-40% are considered open forests and are counted as forested areas.
  • Statement 4 is not correct, Plantations are included in the India State of Forest Report (ISFR).
Q4. Which of the following statements is/are true? (Level – Difficult)
  1. The Foreign Contribution Regulation Act regulates foreign funding to NGOs.
  2. To seek foreign donations, the NGO should have an account in SBI only.
  3. The NGOs need to specify the purpose of receiving the funds.
  4. The funds can be transferred from one NGO to another if the former is not able to undertake the task.

Options:

  1. 1, 2 and 3
  2. 1, 3 and 4
  3. 2, 3 and 4
  4. 1, 2, 3 and 4
CHECK ANSWERS:-

Answer: a

Explanation:

  • Statement 1 is correct, The FCRA was enacted during the Emergency in 1976 with the objective to regulate the acceptance and usage of foreign funds by individuals and associations.
  • Statement 2 is correct, NGOs are required to open and maintain an FCRA account in the State Bank of India (SBI), Delhi, in order to receive foreign donations. 
  • Statement 3 is correct, The NGOs are also required to specify the purpose of receiving the funds and utilise such funds only for the purpose specified.
  • Statement 4 is not correct, The FCRA prohibits the transfer of funds to another NGO.
Q5. Consider the following statements about ‘the Charter Act of 1813’: 
(Level – Moderate) [PYQ 2019]
  1. It ended the trade monopoly of the East India Company in India except for trade in tea and trade with China.
  2. It asserted the sovereignty of the British Crown over the Indian territories held by the Company.
  3. The revenues of India were now controlled by the British Parliament.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

  1. 1 and 2 only
  2. 2 and 3 only
  3. 1 and 3 only
  4. 1, 2 and 3
CHECK ANSWERS:-

Answer: a

Explanation:

  • Statement 1 is correct, The Charter Act of 1813 ended the trade monopoly of the East India Company in India except for trade in tea and trade with China.
  • Statement 2 is correct, The Charter Act of 1813 asserted the Crown’s sovereignty over British possessions in India.
  • Statement 3 is not correct, The revenues of India were controlled by the British parliament through the Pitt’s India Act, 1784.

CNA 02 March 2023:- Download PDF Here

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