09 Mar 2024: UPSC Exam Comprehensive News Analysis

9 March 2024 CNA
Download PDF Here

TABLE OF CONTENTS

A. GS 1 Related
B. GS 2 Related
INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
1. ‘India, four-nation EFTA bloc likely to ink FTA on March 10’
C. GS 3 Related
D. GS 4 Related
E. Editorials
SOCIAL ISSUES
1. India’s suboptimal use of its labour power
SOCIAL JUSTICE
1. Gender equality as the plank of sustainable development
F. Prelims Facts
1. Backed by BrahMos, Navy’s Minicoy base to keep watch over Arabian Sea
2. Centre tweaks PM solar ‘free electricity’ scheme
3. ‘Food plate costs show vegetarian thali prices rose 7% in February’
4. Expanding settlements in Palestine a ‘war crime’: UN
G. Tidbits
H. UPSC Prelims Practice Questions
I. UPSC Mains Practice Questions
FIP Magazine

E. Editorials

Category: SOCIAL ISSUES

1. India’s suboptimal use of its labour power

Syllabus: GS-1, Poverty and Developmental Issues

Mains: Challenges in the use of India’s labour power 

Context:​ 

  • India heavily relies on labour for income generation, with informal employment dominating the landscape.
  • The dynamics of the labour market significantly impact GDP growth, the standard of living, and overall economic development.

Issues:

Informal Employment Dominance:

  • Around 90% of the Indian workforce engages in informal employment, lacking job security, benefits, and social protection.
  • Informal employment encompasses casual labourers, self-employed individuals, and even some regular wage workers.

Quality of Employment:

  • Recent data shows an increase in labour force participation rates (LFPR) and a decrease in unemployment rates, primarily driven by self-employment.
  • However, a closer examination reveals a concerning trend of rising unpaid family labour, indicating a deterioration in job quality.

Earnings Trends:

  • While there’s a marginal increase in average daily earnings, it’s not uniform across employment types.
  • Salaried workers and the self-employed witness stagnating real earnings, whereas casual workers experience moderate growth, albeit from a low base.

Significance

  • The composition of the labour force and earnings trends are critical indicators of economic well-being and social welfare.
  • The prevalence of low-quality work raises concerns about productivity, income inequality, and long-term economic sustainability.

Solutions

  • Enhanced Job Quality: 
    • Policies should focus on creating quality employment opportunities with fair wages, job security, and social protection.
    • Initiatives to formalize informal sectors and improve labour market regulations are essential.
  • Skill Development and Training:
    • Investing in skill development programs can enhance the employability of the workforce and promote upward mobility.
    • Encouraging entrepreneurship and providing support for small businesses can create avenues for self-employment with higher productivity.
  • Social Safety Nets:
    • Strengthening social safety nets, including healthcare, pension schemes, and unemployment benefits, can mitigate the vulnerabilities of informal workers.
    • Targeted interventions for vulnerable groups, such as women and youth, are necessary to address specific labour market challenges.

Nut Graf: India’s suboptimal utilization of labour power poses significant challenges to inclusive growth and economic development. Addressing the quality of employment, earning disparities, and informal sector vulnerabilities is imperative to harness the demographic dividend effectively and ensure sustainable and equitable growth.

Category: SOCIAL JUSTICE

1. Gender equality as the plank of sustainable development

Syllabus: GS-2, Issues related to the development and management of the social sector/Services relating to Health, Education, Human Resources

Mains: Gender equality as the plank of sustainable development

Context:​ 

  • Gender equality and women’s empowerment are essential components of sustainable development.
  • The intersection between gender equality and sustainable energy development is often overlooked but holds significant importance.

Issues:

Role of Women in the Energy Sector:

  • Women play vital roles in energy access, production, and consumption, yet they face barriers limiting their participation.
  • Lack of access to modern energy disproportionately affects women and children, exposing them to health risks from traditional fuel sources like biomass and kerosene.

Gender Disparity in the Energy Sector:

  • The energy sector remains gender imbalanced, with women significantly underrepresented.
  • Educational disparities, limited technical training opportunities, and inequitable company policies contribute to this gender gap.

Significance

  • Gender equality is crucial for sustainable development and achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG5 (gender equality), SDG7 (clean energy), and SDG12 (climate action).
  • Women’s empowerment in the energy sector can lead to innovative solutions, increased productivity, and improved social and environmental outcomes.

Solutions:

Mainstreaming Gender in Energy Policies:

  • Governments and international institutions should prioritize gender mainstreaming in energy policies at all levels.
  • Efforts should focus on changing perceptions of women’s roles in the energy sector and providing opportunities for education and technical training.

Enabling Environment and Support:

  • Stakeholders, including governments, non-state actors, and philanthropic organizations, should create an enabling environment for women’s meaningful participation in the energy sector.
  • Initiatives like the Women at the Forefront program and the Energy Transitions Innovation Challenge (ENTICE) provide platforms for women to drive sustainable energy practices.

Promoting Distributed Renewable Energy (DRE):

  • DRE initiatives, such as Solar Mamas, empower women by providing training in solar engineering and increasing access to clean energy.
  • Collaboration between state governments and philanthropic organizations can accelerate the adoption of DRE, improving women’s productivity and quality of life.

Conclusion

  • Closing the gender gap in energy can lead to economic growth, innovation, and improved social and environmental outcomes.
  • Gender-responsive initiatives have shown success in the clean energy space, highlighting the importance of harnessing the power of women for a more inclusive and sustainable world.

Nut Graf: Empowering women in the energy sector is not only a matter of social justice but also a smart investment in sustainable development.

F. Prelims Facts

1. Backed by BrahMos, Navy’s Minicoy base to keep watch over Arabian Sea

Context: The establishment of the Indian Navy’s new base on Minicoy Island in Lakshadweep, named INS Jatayu, marks a significant development in India’s maritime security strategy. Equipped with advanced infrastructure and weaponry, including BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles, INS Jatayu aims to enhance India’s security posture in the Arabian Sea region.

Background

  • Long-term Capability Development: The upgrade of INS Jatayu is part of a broader capability development plan aimed at bolstering India’s security presence in strategically important areas near critical Sea Lanes of Communication (SLOC).
  • Strategic Location: Minicoy Island’s proximity to the Maldives and the Nine Degree Channel in the Arabian Sea makes it a crucial location for surveillance and defense operations.

Issues

  • Growing Chinese Naval Presence: The expansion of Chinese naval activities, including research vessels, in the Indian Ocean underscores the need for India to strengthen its maritime defenses in the region.
  • Security Challenges: India faces diverse security challenges, including potential threats from state and non-state actors, piracy, and maritime terrorism, necessitating robust surveillance and defense capabilities.

Significance

  • Enhanced Surveillance: The establishment of INS Jatayu with radar facilities and coastal batteries enhances India’s maritime surveillance capabilities, enabling early detection and response to threats.
  • Deterrence Against Adversaries: The deployment of BrahMos missiles on Minicoy Island serves as a deterrent against the adversarial naval presence and reinforces India’s defense posture in the Arabian Sea.

2. Centre tweaks PM solar ‘free electricity’ scheme

Context: The Union government has introduced modifications to the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana, a rooftop solar scheme aimed at providing free electricity to households. The scheme, initially designed to fully subsidize the installation of solar systems, will now cover only up to 60% of the costs, with households required to contribute the remaining amount.

Background

  • Original Scheme: The scheme aimed to install rooftop solar systems in one crore households through tie-ups with renewable energy service companies, fully subsidized by the government.
  • Revised Approach: Under the revised scheme, households will bear a portion of the installation cost, with the government providing a subsidy of up to 60%. Consumers can avail of low-interest, collateral-free loans to cover their share of the expenses.

Issues

  • Financial Burden on Households: Requiring households to contribute financially may pose a challenge for low-income families, hindering their ability to adopt solar power.
  • Complex Financing Structure: Discrepancies in the financing model, as outlined by different officials, may lead to confusion among beneficiaries and stakeholders.

Significance

  • Reduced Electricity Bills: Despite the cost-sharing arrangement, the scheme aims to reduce electricity bills for participating households through net-metering, where excess solar power generated is fed back into the grid.
  • Promotion of Renewable Energy: By incentivizing the adoption of rooftop solar systems, the scheme contributes to India’s renewable energy targets and reduces dependency on conventional power sources.

3. ‘Food plate costs show vegetarian thali prices rose 7% in February’

Context: Crisil’s monthly food cost assessment reveals contrasting trends in vegetarian and non-vegetarian food plate prices for February. While vegetarian plate costs surged by 7% due to escalating onion and tomato prices, non-vegetarian plate costs saw a significant year-on-year decline of 9%.

Vegetarian Plate Costs

  • Factors Driving Increase: A surge in onion and tomato prices, along with a rise in rice and pulses costs, contributed to the 7% increase in vegetarian plate costs.
  • Month-on-Month Decline: Despite the year-on-year increase, there was a 2% sequential drop in vegetarian plate costs, reaching a 7-month low.
  • Regional Variations: Cost variations are computed based on input prices prevailing in different regions of India, affecting overall plate costs.

Non-Vegetarian Plate Costs

  • Year-on-Year Decline: Non-vegetarian plate costs witnessed a significant 9% decline from the previous year.
  • Broiler Prices: The drop in costs was primarily attributed to a 20% decline in broiler prices, which account for a substantial portion of the non-vegetarian thali’s cost.
  • Month-on-Month Increase: However, on a month-on-month basis, non-vegetarian plate costs increased by 4%, mainly due to rising broiler prices caused by lower supply and increased demand ahead of Ramadan.

Issues

  • Vegetable Price Volatility: Fluctuations in onion and tomato prices significantly impact overall food plate costs, posing challenges for households.
  • Supply Chain Disruptions: Bird flu outbreaks and seasonal factors affecting broiler prices highlight vulnerabilities in the supply chain, leading to cost fluctuations.

Significance

  • Inflation Indicators: Crisil’s food cost assessment provides insights into food price trends ahead of official inflation data, aiding in economic forecasting and policy formulation.
  • Household Budgets: Understanding the dynamics of food plate costs is crucial for households in managing their budgets and adjusting consumption patterns.

Solutions

  • Diversification of Diets: Encouraging diversification in dietary habits can mitigate the impact of price fluctuations.
  • Strengthening Supply Chains: Enhancing resilience in food supply chains through better infrastructure, storage facilities, and disease management can help stabilize prices and ensure food security.

4. Expanding settlements in Palestine a ‘war crime’: UN

Context: The UN human rights office released a report stating that the establishment and expansion of Israeli settlements in the West Bank and east Jerusalem are considered war crimes under international law.

Settlement Expansion:

  • The report covers the period from November 1, 2022, to October 31, 2023, highlighting a significant increase in the advancement of housing units in existing settlements in the West Bank, reaching the highest level since monitoring began in 2017.
  • Recent months have witnessed a surge in the construction of new settlement homes, exacerbating the crisis in the West Bank.

Human Rights Concerns:

  • UN Human Rights Chief, Volker Türk, emphasized that settler violence and settlement-related violations have escalated to alarming levels, posing a severe threat to the establishment of a viable Palestinian state.
  • The report condemns Israel’s plans to build nearly 3,500 settler homes in three areas, stating that such actions violate international law.

Legal Status:

  • According to the UN Human Rights Office, the creation and expansion of settlements constitute the transfer of Israel’s population into occupied territories, classified as a war crime under international law.

Significance

  • The UN report underscores the urgent need for addressing settlement expansion and related violations to uphold human rights and international law.
  • It highlights the detrimental impact of settlement activities on the prospects for achieving a peaceful resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Solutions

  • International pressure should be exerted on Israel to halt settlement expansion and comply with international legal obligations.
  • Diplomatic efforts should be intensified to revive meaningful negotiations towards a two-state solution, ensuring the rights and security of both Israelis and Palestinians.

G. Tidbits

Nothing here for today!!!

H. UPSC Prelims Practice Questions

Q1) How many of the following statements is/are true about the PM SVANidhi scheme?
  1. It aims to provide affordable loans to street vendors to resume their businesses post the COVID-19 lockdown.
  2. It is implemented by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs under the Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan.
  3. Beneficiaries can avail a working capital loan of up to Rs. 10,000.

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

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

Answer: c

Q2) Consider the following statements regarding the Lakhpati Didi program:
  1. The program defines a Lakhpati Didi as a Self-Help Group member with an annual household income of at least Rupees One Lakh, aiming for sustainable economic empowerment among rural women.
  2. It emphasizes the adoption of sustainable livelihood practices, effective resource management, and achievement of a decent standard of living as key to the transformation journey of rural women.
  3. It has been implemented by the Ministry of Women & Child Development

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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

Answer: a

Q3) Consider the following statements regarding measles and rubella:
  1. Measles is a viral disease that is highly contagious and primarily affects children.
  2. Rubella is a mild infectious disease that poses a significant risk to pregnant women.
  3. The Government of India launched the MR vaccination campaign aiming to eliminate measles and control rubella/congenital rubella syndrome (CRS).

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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

Answer: c

Q4) How many of the following statements regarding Active Pharmaceutical 
Ingredients (API) is/are correct?
  1. APIs are the components in drugs that are responsible for their therapeutic effects.
  2. All drugs have only one API to treat a specific condition.
  3. The production of APIs can involve processes such as chemical synthesis, fermentation, and isolation from natural sources.
  4. Only pharmaceutical companies in the country where the drug is sold are allowed to produce APIs.

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

  1. Only one
  2. Only two
  3. Only three
  4. All of the above
CHECK ANSWERS:-

Answer: b

Q5) Which one of the following statements best describes the role of B cells 
and T cells in the human body?
  1. They protect the body from environmental allergens.
  2. They alleviate the body’s pain and inflammation.
  3. They act as immunosuppressants in the body.
  4. They protect the body from the diseases caused by pathogens.
CHECK ANSWERS:-

Answer: d

Click on the link for the video explanation of the above questions and answers.

Comments

Leave a Comment

Your Mobile number and Email id will not be published.

*

*