29 Mar 2024: UPSC Exam Comprehensive News Analysis

29 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
HEALTH
1. The countdown to a pandemic treaty
SOCIAL ISSUES
1. Households across the world waste 1 billion meals a day, says UN report
F. Prelims Facts
1. Skyroot Aerospace successfully test-fires stage-2 of Vikram-1 launch vehicle in A.P.’s Sriharikota
2. Core sector output growth spurts to 6.7% in February
3. Pre-poll splurge lifts fiscal deficit
4. China sends glacier water from Tibet to climate-hit Maldives
G. Tidbits
H. UPSC Prelims Practice Questions
I. UPSC Mains Practice Questions
FIP Magazine

E. Editorials

Category: HEALTH

1. The countdown to a pandemic treaty

Syllabus: Issues Relating to Development and Management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health, Education, Human Resources

Mains: Pandemic Treaty Negotiations in WHO 

Introduction to the Pandemic Treaty Negotiations:

  • In March 2021, a call for a pandemic treaty was made by 25 heads of government and international agencies, marking a significant moment in global health governance.
  • The ninth meeting of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Body (INB) for the World Health Organization (WHO) Pandemic Agreement commenced in March 2024.
  • The treaty aims to address systemic failures revealed by the COVID-19 crisis and strengthen global defences against future pandemics.

Key Features of the Pandemic Treaty:

  • The treaty aims to strengthen pandemic prevention, preparedness, and response with equity as a primary goal.
  • It covers areas such as pathogen surveillance, healthcare workforce capacity, supply chain and logistics, and technology transfer for medical products.
  • Emphasis is placed on equitable access to medical products, including provisions for access and benefit sharing.
  • The proposed establishment of a Conference of Parties (COP) is suggested to oversee the implementation of the treaty.

Concerns and Contentious Issues:

  • Developing countries are hesitant about sharing pathogen information without assurances of equitable benefits, leading to debates over the WHO Pathogen Access and Benefit-Sharing (PABS) System.
  • The challenge of global governance, enforcement, and accountability poses a major obstacle to the effectiveness of the treaty.
  • Proposals for decision-making bodies and enforcement mechanisms are included in the negotiating text, but consensus remains uncertain.
  • The issue of intellectual property waivers for firms receiving public financing is particularly contentious.

Next Steps and Potential Outcomes:

  • The current round of negotiations aims to reach a consensus decision by the World Health Assembly in May.
  • The risk of a watered-down agreement due to the imperative to secure consensus is present.
  • Failing to reach an agreement would be a serious setback in rebuilding trust and coordination between nations to confront future pandemics.

Nut Graf: The ongoing negotiations for the WHO Pandemic Agreement address systemic failures revealed by COVID-19, focusing on equitable access to medical products. However, contentious issues like benefit-sharing and enforcement mechanisms threaten consensus.

Category: SOCIAL ISSUES

1. Households across the world waste 1 billion meals a day, says UN report

Syllabus: Poverty and Developmental Issues

Mains: Tackling Food wastage 

Introduction: Food Waste Statistics

  • In 2022, households globally wasted over one billion meals daily, while 783 million people faced hunger and a third of humanity dealt with food insecurity.
  • The total food waste generated amounted to 1.05 billion tonnes, with each person wasting about 132 kilograms per capita, which equates to almost one-fifth of all available food for consumers.
  • The distribution of food waste was observed with 60% occurring at the household level, 28% in food services, and 12% in retail.

Challenges in Tracking Progress:

  • The report emphasizes the need to expand and strengthen data infrastructure for tracking and monitoring food waste, especially in low- and middle-income countries.
  • Only four G-20 countries and the European Union currently possess suitable food waste estimates for tracking progress towards Sustainable Development Goal 12.3 of halving food waste by 2030.

Global Impact and Link to Climate Change:

  • Food loss and waste contribute to 8%-10% of annual global greenhouse gas emissions, exceeding emissions from the aviation sector by almost five times.
  • Additionally, significant biodiversity loss occurs, as food loss and waste consume almost a third of the world’s agricultural land.
  • The economic toll of food loss and waste is estimated at $1 trillion, underscoring the urgency for addressing this issue.

Regional Trends and Government Recommendations:

  • Contrary to assumptions, food waste is not solely a problem in affluent nations, with marginal differences in waste observed across income levels.
  • Hotter countries tend to generate more food waste per capita, possibly due to higher consumption of fresh foods with substantial inedible parts and inadequate cold chains.
  • Rural areas generally waste less food compared to urban areas, attributed to greater diversion of food scraps to pets, livestock, and home composting.
  • Governments are urged to integrate measures to address food loss and waste into their climate strategies to elevate climate ambition.

Nut Graf: In 2022, global households wasted over one billion meals daily, revealing a stark reality amidst widespread hunger. The Food Waste Index Report 2024 emphasizes urgent action, linking food waste to climate change and urging integrated efforts for sustainability.

F. Prelims Facts

1. Skyroot Aerospace successfully test-fires stage-2 of Vikram-1 launch vehicle in A.P.’s Sriharikota

Context: Skyroot Aerospace achieved a significant milestone in India’s space sector with the successful test-firing of stage-2 of its Vikram-1 launch vehicle. 

About: Conducted at ISRO’s propulsion testbed in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh, the test demonstrated the critical propulsion capabilities required for the rocket’s ascent into space. The Vikram-1 launch will mark India’s first private orbital rocket launch, following Skyroot’s suborbital launch of the Vikram-S in November 2022. The test recorded a peak thrust of 186 kilonewtons, vital for propelling the rocket through Earth’s atmosphere. The Kalam-250 stage-2 motor, made of high-strength carbon composite, utilizes solid fuel and advanced thermal protection systems. With precision control mechanisms, including a carbon ablative flex nozzle, the stage ensures the rocket achieves its desired trajectory. 

Significance: The successful test signifies a significant advancement in India’s private space exploration endeavors.

2. Core sector output growth spurts to 6.7% in February

Context: India’s core sector output surged to a three-month high of 6.7% in February, driven by robust growth in coal, natural gas, and cement production. 

Issue: Fertilizers witnessed a sharp decline of 9.5%, marking the steepest contraction since May 2021. Crude oil production grew at a record pace of 7.9%, aided by base effects from the previous year. Natural gas output also saw a significant increase of 11.3%, the highest in two years. Despite this growth, overall output levels remained below January’s levels, with only cement showing a sequential uptick. 

Significance: With the core sector’s substantial weightage in the Index of Industrial Production, economists anticipate a recovery in industrial output growth from the 3.8% recorded in January, suggesting positive momentum in India’s industrial sector.

3. Pre-poll splurge lifts fiscal deficit

Context: The Centre’s fiscal deficit surged to 86.5% of revised estimates by February-end, indicating a sharp increase in spending nearing the fiscal year-end. 

About: With capital expenditure (capex) reaching ₹84,400 crore last month, the deficit totaled ₹15 lakh crore in the first eleven months of 2023-24, up from ₹11 lakh crore in January. Economists predict that the final figures for the fiscal year, expected in April, will likely meet the revised target of ₹17.3 lakh crore set in the Union Budget. 

However, achieving the capex target of ₹1.4 lakh crore in March seems challenging due to the Model Code of Conduct for the upcoming General Elections. 

Significance: This shortfall could result in significant savings, possibly around ₹50,000-₹60,000 crore, according to experts.

4. China sends glacier water from Tibet to climate-hit Maldives

Context: China’s gesture of sending over a million bottles of water sourced from melting Tibetan glaciers to the Maldives signifies a significant move in climate diplomacy. 

About: The Maldives, facing the imminent threat of rising sea levels and saltwater intrusion, welcomes this aid from the world’s highest peaks. The island nation, vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, struggles with saltwater contamination, rendering its freshwater sources non-potable. While critics speculated about political motives behind the donation, the Maldives government clarified that the water was not earmarked for any specific individual but intended for general consumption. This act underscores the urgency of addressing climate change and highlights the interconnectedness of nations in tackling environmental challenges. 

Significance: With glaciers melting at an alarming rate due to climate change, such initiatives emphasize the need for global cooperation to mitigate the adverse effects of environmental degradation.

G. Tidbits

Nothing here for today!!!

H. UPSC Prelims Practice Questions

Q1. Question:

List I (Cyber Security Threat Types)                              List II (Description)
(i) Phishing                                                                                 An overwhelming influx of traffic that floods a network or website

(ii) Ransomware                                                                       Malicious software that encrypts a victim’s data and demands a ransom for decryption

(iii) Denial-of-Service (DoS)                                                   A deceptive email or website designed to steal personal information

Match the following and choose the correct option:

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

Answer: a

Q2. Consider the following statements regarding the RBI Monetary Policy Committee (MPC)?
  1. Statement 1: The MPC consists of six members from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI).
  2. Statement 2: The MPC formulates the monetary policy framework for India, including setting the repo rate and reverse repo rate.
  3. Statement 3: The MPC’s decisions are mainly guided by the inflation targeting framework, with the aim of achieving a specified target for consumer price inflation.

How many statements is/are correct?

  1. Only Statement 1 is correct.
  2. Statements 1 and 2 are correct.
  3. Statements 2 and 3 are correct.
  4. All three statements are correct.
CHECK ANSWERS:-

Answer: c

Q3. Consider the following statements regarding the Agnipath recruitment scheme for the Indian Armed Force:
  1. Statement I: The Agnipath scheme offers permanent recruitment for all enlisted personnel after a four-year service period.
  2. Statement II: Agniveers (recruits under Agnipath) will be eligible for full pension benefits upon discharge.

How many statements is/are correct?

  1. Only 1
  2. Only 2
  3. Both 1 and 2
  4. None
CHECK ANSWERS:-

Answer: d

Q4. Consider the following statements regarding the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in India:
  1. Statement 1: ED falls under the administrative control of the Ministry of Home Affairs to control money laundering offences.
  2. Statement 2: ED enforces The Fugitive Economic Offenders Act, 2018 (FEOA), The Foreign Exchange Management Act, 1999 (FEMA), The Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002 (PMLA).

Which statement is/are correct?

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

Answer: b

Q5. Consider the following organizations bodies in India:
  1. The National Commission for Backward Classes
  2. The National Human Rights Commission
  3. The National Law Commission
  4. The National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission

How many of the above are constitutional bodies

  1. Only 1
  2. Only 2
  3. Only 3
  4. All four
CHECK ANSWERS:-

Answer: a

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

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