04 May 2024: UPSC Exam Comprehensive News Analysis

04 May 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
INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
1. The paradox of India’s global rise, its regional decline
ENVIRONMENT
1. This is the year to get the SDG goals back on track
F. Prelims Facts
1. India press freedom score fell over the last year: RSF
2. Organ donation hit by poor identification of brain death cases
3. China sends a probe to get samples from the far side of the moon
G. Tidbits
H. UPSC Prelims Practice Questions
I. UPSC Mains Practice Questions

A. GS 1 Related

Nothing here for today!!!

B. GS 2 Related

Nothing here for today!!!

C. GS 3 Related

Nothing here for today!!!

D. GS 4 Related

Nothing here for today!!!

E. Editorials

Category: INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

1. The paradox of India’s global rise, its regional decline

Syllabus: GS-2, Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on India’s interests.

Mains: India’s foreign policy  

Context:​ 

• India’s foreign policy presents a paradox where its global rise contrasts with its regional decline, especially in South Asia.
• While India’s global stature has grown due to economic and military advancements, its influence in South Asia has diminished relative to China and due to changes in regional geopolitics.

Global Rise vs. Regional Decline:

• India’s increasing power and participation in global institutions like the G-20 and the Quad underscore its rising global prominence.
• However, India’s influence in South Asia has waned, characterised by a loss of primacy and relative decline compared to China’s growing influence in the region.

Factors Contributing to Regional Decline:

• China’s rise as a superpower poses a significant challenge to India’s influence in South Asia.
• The withdrawal of the United States from the region and India’s focus on the Indo-Pacific have further shifted the regional balance of power in China’s favour.
• South Asian smaller powers are adopting strategies such as balancing, bargaining, and bandwagoning, leveraging China’s presence for their own interests.

Significance:

• The paradox of India’s global rise and regional decline has profound implications for its foreign policy and strategic objectives.
• Addressing this paradox is crucial for India to maintain its global aspirations and strategic influence in a changing geopolitical landscape.

Solutions:

Reevaluate Regional Engagement:

• India must acknowledge the changing dynamics of South Asia and reassess its traditional approaches to regional engagement.
• Adopting a proactive and imaginative policy approach is necessary to meet the challenges posed by China’s rise in the region.

Focus on Strengths and Opportunities:

• India should leverage its strengths and explore opportunities in its maritime domain, particularly in the Indo-Pacific.
• Engaging with smaller South Asian neighbours in Indo-Pacific strategic conversations can help counter China’s influence and strengthen regional cooperation.

Utilise Soft Power and External Partnerships:

• India should employ its soft power assets to retain influence in the region, fostering informal contacts and conflict management processes.
• Embracing external partnerships and cooperation, both in the Indian Ocean and South Asia, can address challenges arising from India’s regional decline.

Nut Graf: The paradox between India’s global rise and regional decline presents complex challenges for its foreign policy and strategic positioning. By reassessing regional engagement strategies, leveraging strengths, and fostering partnerships, India can navigate this paradox and assert its influence both globally and regionally.

Category: ENVIRONMENT

1. This is the year to get the SDG goals back on track

Syllabus: GS-3, Conservation and biodiversity

Mains: Progress of SDGs

Context:​ 

• The United Nations Summit on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in New York assessed progress towards achieving the 17 SDGs outlined in Agenda 2030, adopted by the UN General Assembly in 2015.
• Despite global commitments, progress towards SDGs has been slow, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic and other crises, particularly in environmental and biodiversity-related goals.

Issues:

Slow Progress and Deficient Attention to the Environment:

• Progress towards SDGs has been insufficient, with the COVID-19 pandemic and other crises halting advancements.
• Environmental and biodiversity-related goals, such as climate action and responsible consumption, have received inadequate attention.
• Pursuing SDGs in isolation undermines the integrated nature of sustainability, risking accelerated environmental degradation.

Key Areas for Urgent Action:

• The UN SDG Report, 2023 identifies urgent actions, including sustained government commitment, integrated policies to eradicate poverty and reduce inequality, and strengthening national and international capacities.
• Global leaders have reaffirmed commitments to accelerate SDG delivery by 2030, but operationalizing these pronouncements remains a challenge.

Assessment of SDG Impact:

• Scientific evidence on the political impact of SDGs suggests limited transformative effects, mainly discursive rather than leading to significant normative or institutional reforms.
• The integration of SDGs into global governance has had diffuse effects, with limited direct impacts on national and local politics.

Significance:

• The slow progress towards SDGs underscores the urgency of addressing sustainability challenges and maximizing the transformative potential of Agenda 2030.
• Implementing a systemic approach to identify trade-offs and maximize co-benefits is crucial for accelerating progress towards sustainable development.

Solutions:

Adopting a Systemic Approach:

• Emphasize a systemic approach to identify and manage trade-offs while maximizing co-benefits across SDGs.
• Implement regionally and nationally prioritized entry points aligned with local needs and priorities.

Leveraging Four Key Areas:

• Utilise governance, economy and finance, individual and collective action, and science and technology as levers to propel actions towards sustainable development.
• Foster partnerships and collaboration among actors from these levers to design and implement integrated pathways to sustainability.

Political Action and Policy Making:

• Politicians and policymakers must prioritize sustainability in national policies and align them with the SDGs.
• Newly elected governments in 2024 should consider sustainability issues and integrate them into their policy agendas.

Nut Graf: The year 2024 presents an opportunity for global action towards advancing the SDGs, particularly in the face of slow progress and mounting sustainability challenges. By adopting a systemic approach, leveraging key areas, and prioritizing sustainability in policymaking, countries can accelerate progress towards achieving the transformative goals outlined in Agenda 2030.

2. Organ donation hit by poor identification of brain death cases

Context: Despite the potential for organ donations in India, poor identification and certification of brain death cases have led to low rates of organ donations.

• The Union Health Ministry has expressed concern over the persistently low rate of organ donations, urging better identification of potential donors and awareness among families.

Issues:

Poor Identification of Brain Death Cases:

• Despite the availability of potential cases, there is a lack of effective identification and certification of brain death cases.
• This hampers the timely identification of potential organ donors and contributes to low donation rates.

Lack of Awareness and Consent:

• Families of potential donors are often unaware of the opportunity for organ donation or may not have given consent.
• Poor communication and awareness about organ donation further exacerbate the issue.

Compliance with Transplantation Laws:

• Compliance with the Transplantation of Human Organs and Tissues Act, 1994 (THOTA Act) is essential for facilitating organ donations.
• Inadequate adherence to SOPs and certification procedures impedes the effective implementation of organ donation protocols.

Significance:

• Organ donation is crucial for saving lives and improving the quality of life for individuals in need of transplants.
• Addressing barriers to organ donation, such as poor identification of brain death cases, is essential for increasing donation rates and reducing waiting lists for organ transplants.

Solutions:

Improved Identification and Certification Procedures:

• Hospitals should implement standardized procedures for identifying and certifying brain death cases promptly.
• Training healthcare professionals to recognize potential donors and follow established protocols is crucial.

Enhanced Awareness and Consent:

• Public awareness campaigns should be conducted to educate the public about the importance of organ donation and address misconceptions.
• Hospitals should engage with families of potential donors sensitively, providing information and support to facilitate informed decision-making regarding organ donation.

Compliance and Monitoring:

• Strict adherence to the THOTA Act and SOPs is necessary to ensure compliance with organ donation regulations.
• Regular monitoring and evaluation of organ donation practices in hospitals can identify gaps and areas for improvement.

3. China sends a probe to get samples from the far side of the moon

Context: China recently launched a lunar probe with the objective of landing on the far side of the moon and returning with samples.

• This mission marks a significant milestone in China’s ambitious space exploration program, which is increasingly competing with the United States.

Issues:

Exploring the Far Side of the Moon:

• The far side of the moon remains relatively unexplored compared to the near side.
• Insights from this mission could shed light on the differences between the two regions and enhance our understanding of lunar geology and evolution.

Competition in Space Exploration:

• China’s space exploration program has been rapidly advancing, posing competition to the United States, traditionally the leader in space exploration.
• The launch of lunar probes and the establishment of a crewed space station demonstrate China’s commitment to expanding its presence in space.

Technical Challenges:

• Communication with the far side of the moon presents technical challenges due to the lack of direct line-of-sight communication with Earth.
• A relay satellite is required to maintain communication with the lunar probe, adding complexity to the mission.

Significance:

• Exploration of the far side of the moon offers unique scientific opportunities, including radio astronomy and geological studies.
• China’s space exploration efforts contribute to advancing scientific knowledge and technological capabilities on a global scale.

Q1. Consider the following statements:

Q2. Consider the following statements with respect to the National Organ and 
Tissue Transplant Organisation (NOTTO):

Q3. Press Council of India is a:

Q4. ‘World Press Freedom Index (WPFI)’ is published by:

Q5. Consider the following statements with respect to the United Nations 
Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP):