27 March 2024 CNA
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
A. GS 1 Related B. GS 2 Related INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS 1. Sensing threat from China, India joins the race to mine sea patch C. GS 3 Related INDIAN ECONOMY 1. Employment scenario in India grim, says ILO report D. GS 4 Related E. Editorials ENVIRONMENT 1. The need to curb black carbon emissions SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY 1. Can AI help in navigating mental health? F. Prelims Facts 1. Inaccessibility and cost cripple efforts to treat sickle cell disease G. Tidbits H. UPSC Prelims Practice Questions I. UPSC Mains Practice Questions
A. GS 1 Related
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B. GS 2 Related
Category: INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
1. Sensing threat from China, India joins the race to mine sea patch
Syllabus: Bilateral, Regional and Global Groupings and Agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests.
Mains: Regional Grouping
Introduction:
India submitted an application to the International Seabed Authority (ISBA) in Jamaica, seeking rights to explore two expansive areas in the Indian Ocean seabed beyond its jurisdiction.
One of these regions, known as the Afanasy Nikitin Seamount (AN Seamount), boasts cobalt-rich crusts and has already been claimed by Sri Lanka under separate laws. India’s application is prompted in part by reports of Chinese vessels conducting reconnaissance in the area.
Strategic Significance
The AN Seamount, situated about 3,000 km off India’s coast, spans approximately 400 km in length and 150 km in width, with significant deposits of cobalt, nickel, manganese, and copper. India’s interest in the region reflects its strategic concerns and the imperative to secure its maritime interests in the face of regional competition.
UNCLOS Regulations
To commence extraction activities, interested parties must obtain exploration licenses from the ISBA, established under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). While the open ocean holds vast mineral resources, the costs and logistical challenges of extraction remain prohibitive.
Potential Obstacles
India’s exploration efforts could face obstacles from the Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf, which determines the extent of a country’s continental shelf. Ocean-bound states may claim extended rights beyond the standard 200-nautical-mile limit, subject to scientific validation.
Regional Dynamics
Amid growing geopolitical interests in the Indian Ocean, India’s application underscores its strategic concerns. The region’s significance as a maritime thoroughfare and repository of valuable resources has led to heightened competition among regional powers.
Conclusion
India’s bid for exploration rights in the Indian Ocean signifies its proactive approach to safeguarding its maritime interests in a geopolitically dynamic region. As regional competition intensifies, securing access to vital resources becomes increasingly paramount for countries seeking to assert their influence in the maritime domain.
C. GS 3 Related
Category: INDIAN ECONOMY
1. Employment scenario in India grim, says ILO report
Syllabus: Issues relating to Planning, Mobilization of Resources, Growth, Development and Employment.
Mains: Issue related to unemployment
Introduction: The latest India Employment Report 2024, a collaborative effort between the International Labour Organisation (ILO) and the Institute of Human Development (IHD), paints a concerning picture of the country’s youth workforce.Â
Youth Unemployment: A Growing Concern
- One of the most alarming revelations is the nearly twofold increase in the proportion of unemployed youth with secondary or higher education, soaring from 35.2% in 2000 to a staggering 65.7% in 2022.
- The report underscores the pressing issue of youth unemployment, with young individuals constituting a significant 83% of the unemployed workforce.Â
- Despite a rise in employment and underemployment leading up to 2019, the onset of the pandemic witnessed a reversal in this trend.Â
- Even amidst economic distress, educated youth faced disproportionately high levels of joblessness.
Mixed Signals in Labour Market Indicators
While the report notes a temporary improvement in labour market indicators post-2019, coinciding with periods of economic slowdown, experts urge caution in interpreting these changes. The long-term scenario reflects insufficiencies in the growth of non-farm sectors, posing challenges in absorbing agricultural labourers.
Informal Employment and Diminished Regular Work
A concerning trend highlighted in the report is the prevalence of informal employment, with almost 90% of workers engaged in such precarious arrangements. Moreover, the share of regular employment, which had been steadily increasing since 2000, witnessed a decline post-2018. The struggle to secure long-term contracts exacerbates livelihood insecurities among workers.
Skills Gap and Gender Disparities
The report sheds light on the glaring skills gap among India’s youth, with a significant percentage lacking basic digital proficiency. Moreover, gender disparities persist in the labour market, with low rates of female labour force participation exacerbating social inequalities.
Challenges for Marginalized Communities
Despite affirmative action initiatives, marginalized communities, including Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, continue to face barriers in accessing quality employment opportunities. The report underscores the urgent need for targeted policies to address these disparities and promote inclusive growth.
Looking Ahead: Addressing Structural Challenges
As India grapples with the ramifications of rising youth unemployment and widening social inequalities, policymakers face the daunting task of implementing measures to foster inclusive and sustainable economic growth. Bridging the skills gap, promoting formal employment, and ensuring equitable access to opportunities must remain central to these efforts. Only through concerted action can India harness its demographic dividend and build a more resilient and inclusive labour market for the future.
D. GS 4 Related
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E. Editorials
Category: ENVIRONMENT
1. The need to curb black carbon emissions
Syllabus: GS-3, Environmental Pollution and Degradation
Mains: Black Carbon: Impact and solution to remove it
Prelims:Â Black CarbonÂ
Introduction: Understanding Black Carbon and Its Environmental Impact
- Black carbon is a dark, sooty material emitted alongside other pollutants during incomplete combustion of biomass and fossil fuels.
- It contributes to global warming and poses severe health risks, including heart disease, birth complications, and premature death.
- In India, the largest contributor to black carbon emissions is the residential sector, primarily due to the burning of biomass in traditional cookstoves.
Know more about black carbon in the linked article.
Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY) and Its Impact:
- PMUY, initiated in May 2016, aimed to provide free LPG connections to households below the poverty line, reducing reliance on traditional cooking fuels.
- By offering clean alternatives, PMUY has played a significant role in reducing black carbon emissions.
- Despite its success, RTI data reveals that a considerable percentage of beneficiaries still rely on traditional biomass for cooking, affecting health and contributing to black carbon emissions.
Challenges and Government Initiatives:
- High LPG prices and availability issues hinder the success of PMUY, with many beneficiaries finding alternatives more financially viable.
- Government initiatives such as increased subsidies and plans for local production of cleaner fuels like coal-bed methane (CBM) aim to address these challenges.
- However, last-mile connectivity issues in the LPG distribution network remain a significant hurdle, particularly in remote rural areas.
Global Implications and Future Prospects:
- Mitigating black carbon emissions, particularly from the residential sector, can lead to substantial health benefits and contribute to global climate mitigation efforts.
- As India aims for long-term decarbonization and fulfils its global climate commitments, prioritizing initiatives like PMUY can position the country as a leader in addressing regional health concerns and promoting sustainable development goals.
Nut Graf: India aims to combat black carbon emissions, chiefly from the residential sector, through initiatives like PMUY. Despite successes, challenges like high LPG prices persist. Prioritizing black carbon reduction can yield significant health and climate benefits.
Category: SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
1. Can AI help in navigating mental health?
Syllabus: GS-3, Science and Technology – Developments and their Applications and Effects in Everyday Life
Mains: Feasibility of using AI for mental health
Context: AI is in the development stage and has shown very promising results in aiding the mental health cure and support.
Use of AI Mental Health Supports:
- Enhanced Help-Seeking Behaviour: NLP (Natural language processing) programs offer privacy and anonymity, reducing stigma and encouraging individuals to seek help.
- Personalized Care: Chatbots provide support by reframing thoughts, validating emotions, and offering personalized care, especially when access to human support is limited.
- Continuity of Care: Digital therapy assistants offer continuous support, directing users to resources for coping with distress, grief, and anxiety, thus improving health outcomes.
Benefits for Clinicians:
- Efficient Data Utilization: AI tools summarize vast datasets including clinical notes, patient conversations, and neuroimages, helping clinicians understand patient history quickly.
- Treatment Decision Support: Advanced NLP programs can forecast responses to medications by analyzing brain activity and clinical surveys, streamlining treatment decisions and minimizing ineffective interventions.
- E-Triaging Systems: Some chatbots create electronic triage systems, reducing wait times and allowing clinicians to focus more on severe mental illnesses.
Future Directions and Challenges:
- Reducing Bias: Refinement of applications is necessary using diverse datasets to minimize bias, ensuring equitable care provision across populations.
- Comprehensive Patient Care: Programs should incorporate a wider range of health indicators for a more comprehensive patient care experience.
- Safety and Compliance: Governments and institutions must prioritize user safety and adhere to global compliance standards as these applications evolve.
- Continuous Improvement: Rigorous testing and adherence to a conceptual framework for improving health outcomes are essential for the continued success of these programs.
Nut Graf: AI-driven NLP programs revolutionize mental health care by providing personalized support for individuals and aiding clinicians in efficient diagnosis and treatment decisions. However, challenges such as bias mitigation and regulatory compliance must be addressed for widespread adoption.
F. Prelims Facts
1. Inaccessibility and cost cripple efforts to treat sickle cell disease
Context: The diagnostic journey of five-year-old Suraj from Nuapada District Hospital to the Veer Surendra Sai Institute of Medical Sciences underscores the hurdles marginalized communities face in accessing healthcare. Sickle Cell Disease (SCD), prevalent among tribal populations, demands urgent attention.Â
Issue: Despite national initiatives like the SCD Elimination Mission, regional disparities persist, hindering access to vital treatments like hydroxyurea.
- Amidst global advancements in gene-editing technology like CRISPR, questions of equity and accessibility arise.Â
- While India progresses in developing CRISPR therapies for SCD, ethical and legal considerations loom large.Â
- Regulatory frameworks must prioritize equitable access, ensuring healthcare for all.Â
Significance: A comprehensive approach, integrating basic treatments and advanced therapies, is essential to address healthcare disparities and ensure a healthier future for vulnerable populations like Suraj.
G. Tidbits
Nothing here for today!!!
H. UPSC Prelims Practice Questions
Q1. Which of the following statements is/are correct regarding black carbon emission?
- Black carbon is a type of particulate matter produced from incomplete combustion of fossil fuels.
- It contributes significantly to global warming by absorbing sunlight and reducing surface albedo.
- Black carbon is a long-lived climate pollutant, absorbing solar radiation and contributing to warming.
Options:
- 1 only
- 1 and 2 only
- 2 and 3 only
- 1, 2, and 3
CHECK ANSWERS:-
Answer: b
Q2. Which of the following statements regarding the River Cauvery is/are correct?
- The Cauvery River basin covers parts of Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Andhra Pradesh.
- The Cauvery River water dispute primarily involves Kerala and Tamil Nadu.
- The Cauvery Management Authority (CMA) is mandated to ensure equitable distribution of Cauvery water among riparian states.
How many statements is/are correct?
- Only one
- Only two
- Only three
- All of the above
CHECK ANSWERS:-
Answer: a
Q3. Which of the following statements is/are correct regarding the International Seabed Authority (ISA)?
- Statement 1: ISA is an autonomous international organization established under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
- Statement 2: ISA is responsible for the regulation and management of mineral resources in the international seabed area beyond national jurisdiction.
- Statement 3: India is not a member of the International Seabed Authority.
Options:
- Only statements 1 and 2 are correct
- Only statements 2 and 3 are correct
- Only statements 1 and 3 are correct
- All statements are correct
CHECK ANSWERS:-
Answer: a
Q4. Which of the following statements is/are correct regarding municipality elections in India?
- Statement 1: Municipality elections in India are conducted by the Election Commission of India.
- Statement 2: The reservation of seats for women and OBCs in municipality elections is mandated by the Constitution of India.
- Statement 3: Municipalities in India are empowered to levy and collect various taxes and fees.
How many statements is/are correct?
- Only one
- Only two
- Only three
- All
CHECK ANSWERS:-
Answer: a
Q5. Consider the following statements:
- The Election Commission of India is a five-member body.
- The Union Ministry of Home Affairs decides the election schedule for the conduct of both general elections and bye-elections.
- The Election Commission resolves the disputes relating to splits/mergers of recognised political parties.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- 1 and 2 only
- 2 only
- 2 and 3 only
- 3 only
CHECK ANSWERS:-
Answer: d
Click on the link for the video explanation of the above questions and answers.
I. UPSC Mains Practice Questions
- Evaluate the implications of deep-sea exploration endeavours on India’s energy security, economic interests, and geopolitical stance in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR). (15 marks, 250 words) [GS-2, IR]
- Examine the role of initiatives like the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana in addressing environmental challenges and health issues in India. Discuss the potential of alternative energy sources such as coalbed methane (CBM) in complementing these efforts. (10 marks, 150 words) [GS-3, Environment]
Read previous CNA articles here.
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