12 Mar 2022: UPSC Exam Comprehensive News Analysis

CNA 12 Mar 2022:-Download PDF Here

TABLE OF CONTENTS

A. GS 1 Related
B. GS 2 Related
POLITY AND GOVERNANCE
1. Anganwadi workers to go to court against ESMA imposition
2. ‘Why can’t EVMs with VVPAT be used in civic polls?’
C. GS 3 Related
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
1. Ukraine halts half of world’s neon output for chips, clouding outlook
ECONOMY
1. Digitisation in banks causing unmatched disruption: Khara
D. GS 4 Related
E. Editorials
INFRASTRUCTURE
1. Shutdown this misguided energy policy
ECONOMY
1. Skies wide open
F. Prelims Facts
1. India for talks on ‘biolabs’ issue
2. India, Canada to reboot trade agreement talks
G. Tidbits
H. UPSC Prelims Practice Questions
I. UPSC Mains Practice Questions
FIP Magazine

2. ‘Why can’t EVMs with VVPAT be used in civic polls?’

Syllabus: Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation.

Prelims: Electronic Voting Machines (EVM), Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT)

Mains: Use of EVMs with VVPATs in civic polls

Context:

The Delhi High Court asked the State Election Commission as to why EVMs with VVPAT cannot be used for the upcoming elections of Municipal Corporations of Delhi (MCD).

Background:

  • The High Court was hearing a petition seeking direction to the State Election Commission of Delhi to conduct the upcoming civic body polls with Electronic Voting Machines (EVM) which are compatible with Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT).
  • The petition said the EVMs without VVPAT machines make it almost impossible to ascertain the accuracy of the machines and to rule out any tampering.

Electronic Voting Machines (EVM):

  • Electronic Voting Machine (also known as EVM) is voting using electronic means to either aid or take care of the chores of casting and counting votes.
  • An EVM is designed with two units: the control unit and the balloting unit. These units are joined together by a cable.
  • Know more about the Electronic Voting Machines (EVM).

Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT):

  • VVPAT or Voter Verified Paper Audit Trail allows voters to verify whether the EVM recorded their vote as per their wishes.
  • The Election Commission was forced to add the VVPAT device because of a case filed by Subramanian Swamy in the Supreme Court.
  • VVPATs are a second line of verification and are particularly useful in the time when allegations around Electronic Voting Machines’ tampering crop up.
Subramanian Swamy vs Election Commission of India 2013: The use of the old M-2 EVMs without VVPAT is in contravention of the express directions issued by the Supreme Court in Subramanian Swamy vs Election Commission of India. This case emphatically recognised that the incorporation and implementation of a system of paper trail in EVMs is an indispensable requirement of free and fair elections.

Nut Graf
It is alleged that the decision of the State Election Commission to hold the MCD Elections 2022 with EVMs without VVPAT is manifestly wrong and amounts to a colourable exercise of power. The State Election Commission has apparently violated the constitutional guarantee of elections being free, fair, and impartial.

Category: ECONOMY

1. Digitisation in banks causing unmatched disruption: Khara

Syllabus: Issues relating to planning, mobilization, of resources, growth, development

Mains: Concerns with Digitalisation In the Banking Sector

Context: State Bank of India’s Chairman has raised concerns over the increase in digitisation in banks.

Digitalisation in the Banking Sector

  • “Digital Banking” refers to digitalizing the traditional methods of banking to conduct banking transactions more smoothly.
  • Digital innovation is redefining industries and changing the way businesses function.
  • Banks have adopted the digital revolution, which has reduced their cost and widened the area of services they offer.

What are the Concerns?

  • Digitisation and innovative technologies are creating unprecedented disruption in the banking sector and the rate of change is accelerating.
  • There is a realization among banks that the scale and adoption of digital transformation are to keep pace with the rapidly changing ecosystem.
  • Cybercrime is the use of digital instruments to further illegal ends, such as committing fraud, violating privacy, or stealing identities. As the information and services have been digitalized the risk has been increased for both the bank and the consumer.
  • Mobile banking has omitted several people who are unable to access these services due to affordability and lack of skills.

Conclusion:

Banks need to be agile and nimble as technology increases customer expectation and the regulatory landscape also evolves rapidly to keep pace with technological advancement. To achieve the digital transformation goal, banks and financial institutions need to have a clear vision of what they intend to achieve with technology.

Nut Graf
Digitalization has grown significantly in the banking sector creating unprecedented disruption in the banking sector. The linking of bank accounts with other information has increased the susceptibility of such accounts to cybercrime. This should be countered with technological innovations and a sound regulatory landscape.

E. Editorials

Category: INFRASTRUCTURE

1. Shutdown this misguided energy policy

Syllabus: Energy

Mains: The nuclear energy situation in India and around the world and key concerns regarding it

Context

Russia’s attacks triggered fire near the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant in Ukraine.

Details

  • The Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant in Ukraine is Europe’s largest nuclear plant.
  • Russian troops seized the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant after intense fighting during which shelling caused a fire to break out at a training facility on the site.
  • A major catastrophe would have happened if the fire had further spread across the site.
Nuclear power plants in Ukraine

Image Source: BBC

The Fukushima incident

  • In 2011, a massive tsunami triggered by an earthquake, impacted the power supply and cooling system of three Fukushima Daiichi reactors, resulting in a major nuclear accident.
  • Despite the quick shut down of the reactors, the radioactive cores continued to produce heat as the cooling system was impacted, causing the meltdown of the entire plant.
  • Post the Fukushima accident there was a transformation in the nuclear power situation beyond Japan and plans for scaling up nuclear power were put on hold across the globe.
  • In 2008, the U.S. projected an expansion of nuclear capacity to 114.9 GW by 2030.
    • However, in 2021, it was estimated that capacity would reduce to 83.3 GW.
  • Even on a global scale:
    • In 1996, 17.5% of the world’s electricity was from nuclear sources.
    • But by 2020, it had declined to around 10%.

Nuclear Energy Situation in India

  • India also cut its nuclear energy ambitions after the Fukushima incident.
    • In 2008, it was projected that India would have 650GW of nuclear-installed capacity by 2050.
    • However, in 2010 it was said that capacity would reach 35 gigawatts by 2020.
    • The total installed capacity currently (2022) is only 6.78 GW.
  • India plans to build 10 indigenous reactors along with 28 additional reactors out of which 24 would be imported from countries like France, Russia and the United States.
    • Out of 24, six are of the water-water energetic reactors (VVER) that have had multiple operational problems at Kudankulam in Tamil Nadu.
    • 12 are said to be imported from the U.S., which includes AP1000 reactors that were abandoned in South Carolina.
    • The other six are of the European Pressurized Reactors (EPR) type that France failed to complete in its own country.

Key Concerns regarding Nuclear Energy

  • Cost factor – With the cost of energy generation from solar photovoltaics and wind turbines reducing significantly, nuclear energy is no longer an economical source.
    • If nuclear energy is to be sold at a competitive rate, it should be greatly subsidised by the government.
  • Not feasible imports – An EPR plant that is planned to be imported from France now costs significantly more than what was estimated in 2013, electricity from these reactors would cost a minimum of ₹15 per unit excluding transmission costs, whereas, energy from solar and wind projects costs around ₹4.30 per unit.
    • The energy produced from AP1000 reactors would also cost the same as EPR plants.
  • Risks associated with safety – In a country that is densely populated and with less advanced emergency health care facilities, a nuclear disaster could be catastrophic.
    • There are also strong protests by the local communities against setting up nuclear reactors.
  • Concerns about climate change – Climate change will further increase the risk of nuclear accidents.
    • Apart from the Fukushima incident, a wildfire near the Hanul nuclear power plant in South Korea caused panic.
    • In 2020, a tornado caused the shut down of the Duane Arnold nuclear plant in the U.S.

Conclusion

Considering the high risks associated with nuclear reactors and their high costs, it would be best for the Government to have a relook at its Nuclear Energy Policy as the resources spent on nuclear energy will yield faster results if they are redirected towards other renewable sources.

Nut Graf
Given the post-Fukushima global and national trends in the nuclear energy sector, the generation of power through nuclear sources is neither an economical source of energy nor a feasible route to achieve India’s climate goals.

Category: ECONOMY

1. Skies wide open

Syllabus: Changes in industrial policy and their effects on industrial growth

Mains: Challenges in the revival of the travel and tourism sector in India post-pandemic and the way forward.

Context

The Government allows scheduled commercial international flights to resume their operations.

Details

  • After a suspension of operations for 2 years due to the pandemic, the scheduled international commercial flights will restart their operations in India.
  • This move is said to be significant as the travel, tourism and hospitality sectors are one of the most affected due to the pandemic.

Extent of losses due to the pandemic

  • It is estimated that the global aviation industry because of COVID-19 and the following restrictions on travel between 2020 and 2022 saw losses of about $201 billion.
  • The tourism and hospitality sectors which are dependent on travel also suffered huge losses.
  • India’s foreign exchange income from foreign tourism saw a 76% decline compared to the previous years.
  • Reports also suggest that about two crores plus jobs were lost in the tourism sector.

Impact of crisis in Ukraine

  • There has been a huge increase in the prices of oil due to the Russian military advances in Ukraine.
    • Due to this, the cost of aviation turbine fuel (ATF) has also increased by 60%.
    • Fuel prices account for nearly 20% of global airline’s operating costs and the increase in costs will further affect the airlines’ profitability.
  • The crisis has also inflated the costs of a wide range of commodities that will further hamper the prospects of the tourism industry.
  • The fear of spillover effects of the war also impacts the travel and tourism sectors.

Recommendations

  • Governments around the world should work to restore the confidence of travellers by strict enforcement of COVID-19 protocols and widening vaccination coverage.
  • Government should have a relook at its tax policies as the indirect taxes dent the airlines’ revenues by 21%.
  • Reducing the ATF prices by cutting duties would also help the sector.

Nut Graf
The resumption of international flight operations after two years of suspension is expected to bring huge relief to the tourism sector. However, the ghosts of the pandemic and the conflict in Eastern Europe still haunt the prospects of the industry.

F. Prelims Facts

1. India for talks on ‘biolabs’ issue

Syllabus: Effect of Policies and Politics of Developed and Developing Countries on India’s interests, Indian Diaspora

Prelims: Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention (BTWC)

Context: Amidst the Ukraine-Russia conflict, India said any matters relating to obligations under the Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention (BTWC) should be addressed through consultation and cooperation between the parties concerned.

Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention (BTWC): –

  • The Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention (BTWC) was the first multilateral treaty categorically banning a class of weapons.
  • The treaty prohibits the development, stockpile, production, or transfer of biological agents and toxins of “types and quantities”.
  • It is a treaty that came into force in 1975 and prohibits the development, production, acquisition, transfer, stockpiling and use of biological weapons.
  • A total of 183 countries are party to the treaty that outlaws bioweapons, including the US, Russia and Ukraine.

2. India, Canada to reboot trade agreement talks

Syllabus: Bilateral, Regional and Global Groupings and Agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests.

Prelims: Comprehensive economic partnership agreement (CEPA), Early Progress Trade Agreement (EPTA).

Context: India and Canada have decided to restart talks for a comprehensive economic partnership agreement (CEPA).

Background:

  • CEPA talks with Canada had derailed amid the COVID-19 pandemic but were expected to restart after the Canadian elections concluded in 2021.
  • CEPA negotiations will be formally restarted and the two countries will consider an Early Progress Trade Agreement (EPTA).
    • Early Progress Trade Agreement (EPTA) is an interim agreement that could be concluded early as a transitional step.
    • The EPTA shall include ‘high level commitments in goods, services, rules of origin, sanitary and phytosanitary measures, technical barriers to trade, and dispute settlement, etc.
  • Know more about the Comprehensive economic partnership agreement (CEPA) in PIB dated Feb 18, 2022.

G. Tidbits

Nothing here for today!!!

H. UPSC Prelims Practice Questions

Q1. Rashtriya Garima Abhiyan is a national campaign to
  1. Rehabilitate children in conflict with the law
  2. Abolish human trafficking and slavery
  3. Eliminate and prevent child labour
  4. Eradicate manual scavenging
CHECK ANSWERS:-

Answer: d

Explanation:

  • Rashtriya Garima Abhiyan is a National Campaign for Dignity and Eradication of Manual Scavenging.
  • It aims to eradicate the inhuman practice of manual scavenging and comprehensive rehabilitation of manual scavengers in India.
  • Hence Option D is correct.
Q2. Which of the following subjects are listed under the Concurrent List?
  1. Education
  2. Forest
  3. Public Health and Sanitation
  4. Relief of the disabled and unemployable
  5. Taxes on luxuries, including taxes on entertainments

Options:

  1. 1 and 2 only
  2. 3, 4 and 5 only
  3. 1, 2, 4 and 5 only
  4. 1, 2 and 4 only
CHECK ANSWERS:-

Answer: a

Explanation:

  • Concurrent List has 52 subjects enumerated under it.
  • 42nd amendment Act 1976 shifted below mentioned five subjects from State list to Concurrent List:
  • Education
  • Forests
    • Protection of wild animals and birds
    • Weights and measures and
    • Administration of justice, constitution and organization of all courts except the Supreme Court and the High Courts
  • State List (List II) contains 66 items: state court fees, prisons, local government, public order, police, public health and sanitation, hospitals and dispensaries, pilgrimages within India, intoxicating liquors, relief of disabled and unemployable, libraries, communications, agriculture, animal husbandry, water supply, irrigation and canals, fisheries, road passenger tax and goods tax, taxes on luxuries, including taxes on entertainments, capitation tax and others. 
  • Hence Option A is correct.
Q3. Consider the following statements:
  1. Nomination of members to Rajya Sabha was taken from the Irish Constitution.
  2. President can nominate two members to the Lok Sabha from the Anglo-Indian Community.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. 1 only
  2. 2 only
  3. Both
  4. None
CHECK ANSWERS:-

Answer: a

Explanation:

  •  Nomination of members to Rajya Sabha, DPSP and method of election of President are the features borrowed from the Irish Constitution. Hence statement 1 is correct.
  • The 104th amendment of the Indian Constitution removed the reserved seats for the Anglo-Indian community in the Lok Sabha and state assemblies. Hence statement 2 is not correct.
Q4. The inverse relationship between unemployment rate and inflation is depicted by
  1. Kuznets Curve
  2. Phillips Curve
  3. Lorenz Curve
  4. Laffer Curve
CHECK ANSWERS:-

Answer: b

Explanation:

  • The inverse relationship between the unemployment rate and inflation when graphically charted is called the Phillips curve. It is a single-equation economic model named after William Phillips. 
  • The Phillips curve remains the primary framework for understanding and forecasting inflation used in central banks.
  • Hence Option B is correct.
Q5. Which one of the following best defines the term ‘State’?
  1. A community of persons permanently occupying a definite territory independent of external control and possessing an organized government
  2. A politically organized people of a definite territory and possessing an authority to govern them, maintain law and order, protect their natural rights and safeguard their means of sustenance
  3. A number of persons who have been living in a definite territory for a very long time with their own culture, tradition and government
  4. A society permanently living in a definite territory with a central authority, an executive responsible to the central authority and an independent judiciary
CHECK ANSWERS:-

Answer: a

Explanation:

  • The State is the politically organized people of a definite territory.
  • State is “a community of persons, more or less numerous, permanently occupying a definite portion of territory, independent, or nearly so, of external control, and possessing an organized government to which the great body of inhabitants render habitual obedience.”
  • Hence Option A is correct.

I. UPSC Mains Practice Questions

  1. Discuss the reasons given by some experts against the idea of expanding nuclear power generation in India. How do these cons measure against the pros of nuclear energy? (250 words; 15 marks)[GS-3, Science]
  2. Elaborate on the tourism sector’s potential of being a mass job producer in India. What are some of the roadblocks being faced by this sector? (250 words; 15 marks)[GS-3, Economic Development]

Read the previous CNA here.

CNA 12 Mar 2022:-Download PDF Here

IAS General Studies Notes Links
Current Attorney General Of India Kpsc Exam Date 2021
National Flag Of India Central Vigilance Commission
Cabinet Mission Plan Kcc Full Form
Cso Full Form Keshavananda Bharti Case
Ayushman Bharat Scheme Article 370 Of Indian Constitution

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