09 May 2024 CNA
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
A. GS 1 Related B. GS 2 Related C. GS 3 Related SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 1. How the Widal test clouds India’s sense of its typhoid problem 2. India is now third largest producer of solar power D. GS 4 Related E. Editorials POLITY 1. A chance to settle a constitutional clash F. Prelims Facts 1. ‘Veg. meal costs climbed 8% in April’ 2. AstraZeneca withdraws COVID-19 vaccine G. Tidbits H. UPSC Prelims Practice Questions I. UPSC Mains Practice Questions
A. GS 1 Related
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B. GS 2 Related
Nothing here for today!!!
C. GS 3 Related
Category: SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
1. How the Widal test clouds India’s sense of its typhoid problem
Syllabus: Developments in Science and Technology, Applications of scientific developments in everyday life
Mains: Challenges in the treatment of typhoid in India
Context:
- The accurate diagnosis and management of typhoid fever pose significant challenges in India, primarily due to the widespread use of the Widal test. Despite its prevalent use, the test’s limitations obscure the true burden of typhoid in the country, leading to misdiagnoses and inappropriate treatment practices.
Issues with the Widal Test
- Inaccuracy and Misinterpretation: The Widal test, though widely utilized, often yields erroneous results. A single positive or negative report does not reliably confirm or rule out typhoid infection, leading to diagnostic ambiguity and potential mistreatment.
- Lack of Standardization and Quality Control: Variability in test kits and protocols exacerbates the problem, with different manufacturers specifying distinct cut-off values and reagents. This lack of standardization undermines the reliability and consistency of test results.
- Economic Burden and Overuse of Antibiotics: Patients, often unaware of the test’s limitations, incur significant costs for tests and subsequent treatments. The overreliance on the Widal test fuels unnecessary antibiotic prescriptions, exacerbating antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and adding to patients’ financial strain.
Significance
- Mismanagement of Typhoid Fever: Inaccurate diagnosis and inappropriate treatment regimens can lead to severe complications and fatal outcomes, particularly in cases of delayed or missed diagnoses. The widespread reliance on the Widal test obscures the true burden of typhoid, hindering effective public health interventions.
- Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) Concerns: The indiscriminate use of antibiotics based on flawed diagnostic tests contributes to the rise of AMR, posing a significant threat to public health. Addressing the misuse of the Widal test is crucial in combating AMR and preserving the efficacy of antibiotic therapies.
Solutions
- Development of Alternative Diagnostic Tools: Efforts should be directed towards researching and implementing alternative point-of-care diagnostic tests that offer greater accuracy and reliability than the Widal test. These tests should consider regional variations and incorporate best-practice heuristics to guide diagnosis and treatment decisions.
- Enhanced Surveillance and Data Sharing: Improving surveillance systems to monitor AMR patterns and typhoid prevalence is essential. Establishing regional hubs for sample processing and data generation can facilitate timely data collection and analysis, informing evidence-based interventions and treatment protocols.
- Focus on Preventive Measures: Emphasizing preventive strategies such as ensuring access to clean water, safe food practices, and sanitation facilities is paramount. Addressing the root causes of typhoid transmission can mitigate the reliance on diagnostic tests and reduce the disease burden.
Nut Graf: The widespread use of the Widal test in India clouds the accurate assessment of typhoid burden and contributes to inappropriate treatment practices and antibiotic misuse. Addressing the limitations of the Widal test requires a multifaceted approach, including the development of alternative diagnostic tools, enhanced surveillance systems, and a focus on preventive measures.
2. India is now third largest producer of solar power
Syllabus: Developments in Science and Technology, Applications of scientific developments in everyday life
Mains: Status of production of solar power in India
Context:
- India has emerged as a significant player in the global solar power arena, securing the third position in terms of solar power production, surpassing Japan in 2023. This achievement underscores India’s increasing reliance on renewable energy sources, particularly solar power, as a vital component of its energy mix.
Issues
- Disparity between Installed Capacity and Actual Production: India faces a substantial gap between its installed solar power capacity and the electricity actually generated. This gap is attributed to fluctuations in power demand, operational inefficiencies, and challenges in grid integration.
- Challenges in Surpassing Further Milestones: While India has overtaken Japan to secure the third position, surpassing the United States, the second-largest producer, presents a significant challenge. Achieving this milestone would necessitate a substantial increase in solar power production, posing both technical and infrastructural challenges.
Significance
- Contribution to Global Renewable Energy Landscape: India’s rise as a major solar power producer contributes to the global shift towards renewable energy sources. This not only mitigates environmental concerns associated with fossil fuel dependency but also aligns with international efforts to combat climate change.
- Economic Opportunities and Energy Security: The expansion of solar power infrastructure in India fosters economic growth by creating job opportunities, promoting indigenous manufacturing, and reducing reliance on imported fossil fuels, thereby enhancing energy security.
Solutions
- Enhanced Grid Infrastructure: To bridge the gap between installed capacity and actual production, India needs to invest in robust grid infrastructure capable of efficiently managing fluctuating solar power generation and integrating it into the national grid.
- Investment in Energy Storage Technologies: Deploying energy storage solutions such as batteries can help mitigate intermittency issues associated with solar power generation, ensuring a reliable and consistent power supply even during periods of low solar irradiance.
- Policy Support and Incentives: Continued government support through policies, subsidies, and incentives is crucial to incentivize investments in solar power generation and facilitate the adoption of renewable energy technologies by industries and households.
Nut Graf: India’s ascent to becoming the third-largest producer of solar power underscores its commitment to sustainable development and renewable energy transition. However, addressing the gap between installed capacity and actual production remains a key challenge.
D. GS 4 Related
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E. Editorials
Category: POLITY
1. A chance to settle a constitutional clash
Syllabus: GS-2, Indian Constitution—Historical Underpinnings, Evolution, Features, Amendments, Significant Provisions and Basic Structure
Mains: Fundamental Rights vs Directive Principle of State Policy (DPSP)
Introduction:
- The case of Property Owners Association vs State of Maharashtra before the Supreme Court of India involves two critical questions.
- The first question pertains to the interpretation of the term “material resources of the community” in Article 39(b) of the Constitution.
- The second question addresses whether laws enacted to achieve the objectives of Article 39(b) are immune from challenges based on fundamental rights to equality (Article 14) and freedom (Article 19).
Background:
- The clash arises between Part III and Part IV of the Indian Constitution.
- Part III guarantees fundamental rights, while Part IV outlines Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSP), which are goals for the state to pursue.
- The tension between these parts has persisted since the Constitution’s inception and has been subject to judicial interpretation over the years.
Historical Context:
- The conflict intensified in the 1970s with amendments aimed at exempting certain laws from judicial review.
- The 25th Amendment introduced Article 31C, providing immunity to laws made to implement specific DPSPs from challenges based on Articles 14 and 19.
- The Kesavananda Bharati case established the principle that amendments violating the Constitution’s basic structure would be void, partially impacting the 25th Amendment.
Subsequent Developments and Current Issue:
- The 42nd amendment expanded Article 31C’s scope, further complicating the relationship between fundamental rights and DPSPs.
- The Minerva Mills case declared the 42nd Amendment unconstitutional, emphasizing the importance of fundamental rights in governance.
- However, uncertainty remains regarding the status of Article 31C after the Minerva Mills ruling.
- The Property Owners case presents an opportunity for the Supreme Court to clarify the validity of laws enacted under Article 31C and reconcile the conflict between fundamental rights and DPSPs.
Nut Graf: The Property Owners Association vs State of Maharashtra case before India’s Supreme Court confronts the clash between fundamental rights and Directive Principles of State Policy, urging clarification on the validity of laws made under Article 31C.
F. Prelims Facts
1. ‘Veg. meal costs climbed 8% in April’
Context: Recent data from Crisil Market Intelligence & Analytics highlights a notable increase in the cost of vegetarian meals in April, reflecting accelerating inflationary trends in key food items such as onions, tomatoes, and potatoes. This surge in food prices suggests a potential uptick in food inflation, posing challenges for households and policymakers alike.
Rising Food Prices
- Vegetarian Meal Costs: The cost of home-cooked vegetarian meals surged by 8% year-on-year in April, marking an acceleration from previous months. Factors contributing to this increase include substantial price gains in essential vegetables like onions, tomatoes, and potatoes.
- Inflationary Trends: Onions, tomatoes, and potatoes witnessed significant price gains, with year-on-year inflation rates reaching 41%, 40%, and 38%, respectively. Rice and pulses also experienced firm inflation rates at 14% and 20%, contributing to overall food inflation.
- Supply-side Factors: Lower crop arrivals for rice, pulses, and vegetables, coupled with damage to the potato crop in West Bengal, have contributed to price increases. Additionally, reduced rabi acreage for onions has further constrained onion supplies, exacerbating inflationary pressures.
Impact on Food Inflation
- Retail Inflation Trends: The ‘Roti Rice Rate’ report serves as an indicator of food inflation trends ahead of official retail inflation data. Despite a 7% increase in food plate costs over February and March, retail food inflation remained high at 8.7% and 8.5%, respectively.
- Base Effects and Price Dynamics: Low base effects from the previous year have amplified inflation rates for key food items. However, declines in the prices of certain commodities like cumin, chilli, and vegetable oil have partially offset the pace of price gains in vegetarian thali costs.
- Non-vegetarian Meal Costs: While the cost of non-vegetarian thalis dropped by 4% year-on-year in April, a 3% increase was observed compared to March levels. Rising broiler prices, driven by increased demand and input costs, have contributed to this uptick in non-vegetarian meal costs.
2. AstraZeneca withdraws COVID-19 vaccine
Context: AstraZeneca, the U.K.-based pharmaceutical company, has announced the global withdrawal of its COVID-19 vaccine, which was distributed in India as ‘Covishield’ in collaboration with the Serum Institute of India. This decision comes in the wake of the company acknowledging rare side effects related to blood clotting and decreased platelet counts associated with the vaccine.
Reason for Withdrawal
- Rare Side-Effects: AstraZeneca’s decision to withdraw the COVID-19 vaccine is primarily attributed to the identification of rare side-effects, particularly instances of blood clotting and thrombocytopenia, which have raised safety concerns.
- Surplus of Updated Vaccines: The company cites the availability of surplus doses of updated COVID-19 vaccines developed since the onset of the pandemic as a key factor driving the withdrawal. With multiple vaccine options now available, demand for AstraZeneca’s vaccine, known as Vaxzevria in Europe, has declined.
Status in India
- Manufacturing Halt: Serum Institute of India (SII), AstraZeneca’s partner in India, ceased the production and supply of additional doses of Covishield in December 2021. This decision aligns with the global withdrawal initiated by AstraZeneca.
- Transparency on Side-Effects: SII asserts that it had transparently disclosed all rare to very rare side-effects, including Thrombosis with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome (TTS), in the packaging insert provided with the vaccine since 2021.
Implications of Surplus Availability
- Decline in Demand: The surplus availability of updated COVID-19 vaccines has led to a decrease in demand for AstraZeneca’s Vaxzevria. Consequently, the company has ceased manufacturing and supplying the vaccine globally.
G. Tidbits
Nothing here for today!!!
H. UPSC Prelims Practice Questions
Q1. The widespread use of which test for diagnosing typhoid fever in India has been criticized for hindering effective disease control?
- ELISA Test
- Widal Test
- Blood Culture
- Mantoux Test
CHECK ANSWERS:-
Answer: b
Explanation:
The Widal Test for diagnosing typhoid fever in India has been criticized for hindering effective disease control.
Q2. With reference to India's energy sector, consider the following statements:
- India surpassed the United States to become the world’s second-largest producer of solar power in 2023.
- India’s rise in solar power production is attributed to a significant decrease in the cost of solar panels in recent years.
- India aims to achieve 40% of its total power generation capacity from renewable energy sources by 2030.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- 1 only
- 2 and 3 only
- 1 and 3 only
- All of the above
CHECK ANSWERS:-
Answer: b
Explanation: Statement 1 is incorrect. India surpassed Japan, not the United States, to become the third-largest producer of solar power in 2023. The United States remains the second-largest producer.
Q3. With reference to the recent trends in India's food prices, consider the following statements:
- A report by Crisil Market Intelligence & Analytics indicates a rise in the cost of vegetarian meals by 8% in April 2024.
- This increase is primarily driven by price fluctuations in essential vegetables like pulses and leafy greens.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- 1 only
- 2 only
- Both 1 and 2
- Neither 1 nor 2
CHECK ANSWERS:-
Answer: a
Explanation: Statement 2 is incorrect. The report specifically mentions onions, tomatoes, and potatoes as the key drivers of the price rise, not pulses and leafy greens.
Q4. With reference to recent developments in COVID-19 vaccines, consider the following statements:
- AstraZeneca has initiated a global withdrawal of its COVID-19 vaccine due to concerns about its efficacy against emerging variants.
- The vaccine known as ‘Covishield’ in India was manufactured by AstraZeneca in collaboration with the Serum Institute of India.
- The withdrawal decision follows reports of rare blood clots and low platelet counts as potential side effects of the AstraZeneca vaccine.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- 1 only
- 2 and 3 only
- 1 and 3 only
- All of the above
CHECK ANSWERS:-
Answer: b
Explanation: Statement 1 is incorrect. The withdrawal is not due to concerns about efficacy against variants.
I. UPSC Mains Practice Questions
- Discuss the constitutional conflict between the Directive Principles of State Policy and the Fundamental Rights. (15 marks, 250 words) [GS-2, Polity]
- India recently became the world’s third-largest producer of solar power, marking a significant milestone in the nation’s renewable energy sector. Discuss the challenges and opportunities this presents for India’s energy transition. How can India bridge the gap between its installed capacity and actual solar energy production to sustain its growth and ensure energy security? (15 marks, 250 words) [GS-3, Environment]
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