19 Mar 2024: UPSC Exam Comprehensive News Analysis

19 March 2024 CNA
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TABLE OF CONTENTS

A. GS 1 Related
B. GS 2 Related
C. GS 3 Related
D. GS 4 Related
E. Editorials
SOCIAL JUSTICE
1. Violence, homelessness, and women’s mental health
INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
1. All eyes are now on the Indian Ocean region
ECONOMY
1. On FTAs with European countries
F. Prelims Facts
1. Putin extends rule after taking a landslide victory in Russian polls
2. Vaccine for Dengue may be out in markets by 2026, says IIL
3. Spring season is disappearing in many states, shows study
G. Tidbits
H. UPSC Prelims Practice Questions
I. UPSC Mains Practice Questions
FIP Magazine

Category: INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

1. All eyes are now on the Indian Ocean region

Syllabus: GS-2, India and its Neighbourhood – Relations

Mains: Geopolitics of the Indian Ocean region

Context:

  • The Indian government shifted its policy focus back to the Indian Ocean region since October 2023.
  • While the Indo-Pacific strategy covers both the Pacific and Indian Oceans, immediate neighbourhood concerns gained prominence.

Current Developments:

  • Maldives and China: President Mohamed Muizzu’s administration in the Maldives is increasingly aligning with China, causing concerns for India.
  • Sri Lanka’s Response: Sri Lanka imposed a year-long moratorium on foreign research ships, including Chinese vessels, demonstrating sensitivity to India’s security concerns.
  • India-Mauritius Cooperation: India’s SAGAR policy yielded positive outcomes, with India and Mauritius inaugurating infrastructure to enhance maritime security in the Agaléga Islands.

Geopolitical Dynamics:

  • Western and Northern Indian Ocean: Both regions, including island nations and key waterways, have witnessed increased activity.
  • Israel-Hamas Conflict Impact: Escalation of the Israel-Hamas conflict has resulted in attacks on international shipping, reducing traffic through the Suez Canal.
  • Chinese Navy Expansion: China aims to expand its naval presence in the Indian Ocean region, with agreements with nations like the Maldives.

Strategic Contention:

  • China-India Rivalry: Strategic competition between China and India is intensifying, exacerbated by China’s efforts to diminish India’s regional influence.
  • India’s Response: India is facing this challenge with determination, emphasizing collaboration with allies like the U.S. in the Indo-Pacific region.

International Engagement:

  • Involvement of Other Nations: Countries like the U.K., EU, France, and Germany show concern over China’s activities but exhibit ambiguity in their response.
  • Need for Reevaluation: Geographic distance from China may influence EU security perceptions, necessitating a reexamination of their Asia strategy.

India’s Strategies:

  • Prioritization of the Indian Ocean: India is emphasizing its commitment to the Indian Ocean region while acknowledging its Indo-Pacific responsibilities.
  • Reassessment of Regional Mechanisms: There’s a call for evaluating the effectiveness of organizations like IORA and CSC and considering the creation of a new mechanism for enhanced maritime security.
  • Strengthening Naval Power: India aims to allocate more resources to its navy to bolster its position as a significant maritime power.

Nut Graf: The Indian government’s renewed focus on the Indian Ocean region underscores escalating geopolitical tensions, particularly concerning China’s expanding influence, prompting calls for strategic reassessment and enhanced maritime security measures.

Category: ECONOMY

1. On FTAs with European countries

Syllabus: GS-3, Effects of Liberalization on the Economy

Mains: FTA with EFTA: Provision and impact

Prelims: European Free Trade Association (EFTA) countries

Introduction to TEPA:

  • The India-EFTA Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement (TEPA) is India’s latest Free Trade Agreement (FTA), marking deeper economic ties with the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) countries—Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, and Liechtenstein.
  • It signifies India’s pivot towards the Western world in its FTA engagements, being the first agreement with any European country.

Key Features of TEPA:

  • Investment:
    • TEPA aims for a $100 billion investment into India from EFTA countries over 15 years, leading to one million jobs.
    • India retains the option to withdraw tariff concessions if investment targets aren’t met, contingent upon India’s economic growth and returns on EFTA investments.
  • Trade in Goods:
    • India commits to eliminating tariffs on most products within 7 to 10 years, granting EFTA countries greater market access.
    • Beneficial sectors for EFTA exports to India include seafood, fruits, coffee, oils, processed foods, smartphones, medical equipment, textiles, and machinery.
    • Tariffs on cut and polished diamonds will decrease from 5% to 2.5% in five years, and wine tariffs will also be reduced gradually.
  • Trade in Services:
    • Both India and EFTA members agree to liberalize various service sectors.
    • Specific benefits for India include access to Norwegian markets for yoga instructors and traditional medicine practitioners and eased visa regulations for highly skilled Indian professionals in Norway and Switzerland.
    • Frameworks are established to ease the recognition of qualifications of service providers and to facilitate financial and telecom services.
  • Sustainable Development:
    • TEPA includes a chapter on Trade and Sustainable Development (TSD), addressing environmental and labour concerns.
    • It references multilateral agreements and conventions but is not subject to dispute resolution.
  • Intellectual Property Rights (IPR):
    • The agreement nods to the demands of pharmaceutical and high-tech multinational companies for enhanced protection of intellectual property rights.
    • Certain changes are required in Indian law, such as streamlining the patent opposition process and modifying the annual statement on patent working.

Implications of TEPA:

  • The agreement’s success depends on its implementation over time.
  • TEPA signals India’s commitment to trade liberalization amidst global protectionist trends.
  • It facilitates increased trade and investment between India and EFTA countries, offering mutual benefits in the goods and services sectors.
  • It introduces provisions for sustainable development and adjusts intellectual property regulations to meet the demands of multinational companies.

Conclusion:

  • TEPA represents a significant step towards strengthening economic ties between India and the EFTA countries.
  • Its provisions aim to boost trade, investment, and cooperation while addressing contemporary challenges such as sustainable development and intellectual property rights.

Nut Graf: The India-EFTA Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement (TEPA) signifies a pivotal shift in India’s FTA strategy towards deeper engagement with European countries. Its key features encompass investment, trade liberalization, sustainable development, and intellectual property rights.

F. Prelims Facts

1. Putin extends rule after taking a landslide victory in Russian polls

Context: In Russia’s recent presidential election, President Vladimir Putin secured another six-year term with a landslide victory, amidst widespread condemnation of the election’s fairness. 

About:

  • Putin’s dominance has endured since 1999, marked by a crackdown on dissent and an assertive foreign policy.
  • With 87% of the vote, Putin’s victory was celebrated internally but drew criticism internationally.
  • Western leaders decried the election as undemocratic, with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s office stating it fell short of democratic standards.
  • Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy condemned voting in annexed Ukrainian territories as criminal.
  • Despite this, Putin received congratulations from leaders such as China’s Xi Jinping and North Korea’s Kim Jong-un, highlighting geopolitical alliances. 

Significance: The election underscores Russia’s domestic stability under Putin’s rule, yet raises questions about democratic norms and human rights.

2. Vaccine for Dengue may be out in markets by 2026, says IIL

Context: Indian Immunologicals Ltd. (IIL) has completed the first phase of clinical trials for a dengue vaccine, aiming for commercial availability by mid-2026. 

About:

  • The vaccine, designed to enhance safety, showed promising results with no adverse reports. Second and third-phase trials to assess efficacy are forthcoming. IIL, a subsidiary of the National Dairy Development Board, began operations in 1982.
  • The company obtained dengue virus strains from the National Institute of Virology and plans to publish trial results in peer-reviewed journals.
  • Additionally, IIL is developing vaccines for the Zika virus and Kyasanur Forest Disease (KFD), with the Indian Council of Medical Research supporting clinical trials.

Significance: Collaborative efforts with research institutions to combat infectious diseases effectively are commendable.

3. Spring season is disappearing in many states, shows study

Context: A recent analysis of meteorological records spanning 50 years suggests that Indian states are experiencing a gradual withdrawal of spring, a transitional period between winter and summer. 

Issue:

  • Researchers from Climate Trends examined temperature trends across 33 states and union territories since 1970, observing a significant warming trend during winter months.
  • Regions, such as Sikkim and Manipur, witnessed substantial temperature increases in December and January, while the north experienced weaker warming or even cooling during these months. 
  • February showed pronounced warming across all regions, indicating a potential abrupt transition from cool winter temperatures to warmer conditions traditionally seen in March. 

Significance: This shift has led to concerns about the disappearance of spring in many parts of India. Meteorologists attribute these changes to alterations in the pattern of Western Disturbances and the jet stream, impacting rainfall distribution and temperature patterns across the country.

G. Tidbits

Nothing here for today!!!

H. UPSC Prelims Practice Questions

Q1. Consider the following statements regarding the Model Code of Conduct 
(MCC) in India:
  1. The Model Code of Conduct comes into effect after the nomination process for elections begins.
  2. The Model Code of Conduct applies only to political parties and not to independent candidates.
  3. The MCC aims to ensure free and fair elections by regulating campaign practices.

Which of the above is/are correct?

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

Answer: c

Q2. Consider the following statements about the Governor of a State in India:
  1. The Governor is directly elected by the MLAs of a State.
  2. The Governor holds office for a fixed term of five years and cannot be removed before that.
  3. The Governor can be removed by a resolution passed by both houses of the State Legislature.

Which of the above statements is/are correct?

  1. 1 only
  2. 2 and 3 only
  3. 1 and 3 only
  4. None of the above
CHECK ANSWERS:-

Answer: d

Q3. Which of the following statements is/are correct regarding Dengue?
  1. Dengue is caused by a bacteria transmitted by mosquitoes.
  2. Dengue spreads directly from person to person like COVID-19.
  3. One of the effective approaches to control Dengue is by eliminating mosquito breeding sites.

Which of the above statements is/are correct?

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

Answer: c

Q4. Consider the following statements about coral bleaching:
  1. Coral bleaching occurs when corals expel their symbiotic algae, resulting in a loss of colour.
  2. Elevated sea temperatures and environmental stressors such as pollution can trigger coral bleaching.
  3. Coral bleaching can disrupt marine ecosystems and lead to a decline in biodiversity.

Which of the above statements is/are correct?

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

Answer: d

Q5. Consider the following statements:
  1. The President of India can summon a session of the Parliament at such a place as he/she thinks fit.
  2. The Constitution of India provides for three sessions of the Parliament in a year, but it is not mandatory to conduct all three sessions.
  3. There is no minimum number of days that the Parliament is required to meet in a year.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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

Answer: c

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

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