11 May 2024: UPSC Exam Comprehensive News Analysis

11 May 2024 CNA
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TABLE OF CONTENTS

A. GS 1 Related
B. GS 2 Related
INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
1. India backs Palestine’s bid for full UN membership
2. After 18 months, China sends Ambassador to India
C. GS 3 Related
D. GS 4 Related
E. Editorials
GEOGRAPHY
1. Freshwater quest, the likely new gold hunt
F. Prelims Facts
1. Industrial output slows to 4.9% in March
2. Folds and faults
G. Tidbits
H. UPSC Prelims Practice Questions
I. UPSC Mains Practice Questions
FIP Magazine

2. After 18 months, China sends Ambassador to India

Syllabus: Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s Interests

Mains: India – China relations

Context​:

  • China’s appointment of Xu Feihong as Ambassador to India after an 18-month gap marks a significant development in bilateral relations between the two countries. Mr. Xu’s arrival comes amidst strained ties due to border tensions and geopolitical complexities.

Appointment of Xu Feihong

  • Chinese diplomat Xu Feihong assumes office as the 17th Ambassador to India.
  • Prioritizes restoring exchanges and cooperation in various fields to foster a stable India-China relationship.
  • Emphasizes President Xi Jinping and Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s mutual agreement on cooperation over competition and development opportunities over threats.

Background of Strained Relations

  • Tensions along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) since April 2020.
  • Violent clashes in Galwan Valley in June 2020 resulted in casualties on both sides.
  • The absence of an Ambassador from China in India for 18 months exacerbates diplomatic strains.

Diplomatic Outreach

  • Mr. Xu expressed optimism and sought support from the Indian government and various sectors.
  • Highlights the significance of India-China relations as important neighbours and emerging markets.
  • Stresses the need for closer communication and coordination on global and regional challenges.

Recent Statements and Developments

  • Both India and China expressed the desire for improved relations in recent statements.
  • Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s call for constructive engagement to address border issues and restore peace.
  • Both sides emphasised the importance of positive bilateral engagement at diplomatic and military levels.

Significance

  • The appointment of Xu Feihong signals a renewed diplomatic effort from China to engage with India.
  • Potential for bilateral dialogue and cooperation to mitigate tensions and promote stability in the region.
  • Importance of constructive engagement and dialogue in resolving longstanding issues and building trust.

Solutions

  • Prioritize diplomatic channels for dialogue and conflict resolution.
  • Explore confidence-building measures and frameworks for border management.
  • Engage in people-to-people exchanges and cultural diplomacy to foster mutual understanding.

Nut Graf: The appointment of Xu Feihong as China’s Ambassador to India presents an opportunity for both countries to reinvigorate their diplomatic engagement and address longstanding issues. As India and China navigate complex geopolitical dynamics, sustained dialogue and cooperation remain essential for fostering stability and prosperity in the region.

F. Prelims Facts

1. Industrial output slows to 4.9% in March

Context: India’s industrial output growth moderated to 4.9% in March, down from 5.6% in February, as reported by the National Statistical Office. The slowdown is attributed to base effects from the previous year and varying performances across different sectors.

Sector-wise Performance

  • Manufacturing, comprising 77.6% of the Index of Industrial Production (IIP), grew at a five-month high of 5.2% in March.
  • Mining output witnessed a 19-month low growth of 1.2%, while electricity generation increased by 8.6%.
  • Infrastructure and construction goods recorded robust growth at 6.9% in March, while capital goods saw an uptick to 6.1%.

Year-on-Year Comparison

  • Overall industrial output grew by 5.8% in 2023-24, slightly higher than the 5.2% rise in the previous year.
  • Manufacturing output expanded by 5.5%, up from 4.7% in 2022-23, while mining output accelerated to 7.5% growth.
  • Consumer durables and non-durables registered modest growth compared to the previous year.

Challenges and Concerns

  • Seven out of 23 major manufacturing segments reported contraction in March.
  • Mixed consumption scenario with urban demand showing resilience while rural demand lags.
  • Expectation of industrial output growth slowing to 3% to 4% in April due to base effects.

Outlook and Expectations

  • Continued focus on monitoring consumption patterns and rural demand.
  • Anticipated slowdown in industrial output growth in April due to base effects from the previous year.
  • Need for sustained efforts to achieve broad-based and durable improvement in industrial production.

2. Folds and faults

Context: AlphaFold, an AI tool developed by DeepMind, has garnered attention for its ability to predict protein structures with high accuracy, revolutionizing structural biology. The recent release of AlphaFold 3 promises further advancements, including the modelling of DNA, RNA, ligands, and modifications. However, concerns have arisen regarding the limited access to its inner mechanisms and potential implications for drug discovery.

Protein Folding Problem

  • Proteins fold into specific shapes crucial for their normal function.
  • AlphaFold addresses the longstanding challenge of predicting protein structures accurately.
  • Significance: Understanding protein folding aids in deciphering disease mechanisms and drug discovery.

AlphaFold’s Evolution

  • Development of AlphaFold by DeepMind in 2018, followed by AlphaFold 2.
  • AlphaFold 3’s enhanced capabilities, including predicting shapes with nearly 80% accuracy.
  • Rapid structural elucidation compared to traditional microscopic techniques.

Challenges and Limitations

  • AlphaFold’s inability to explain the rationale behind protein folding remains a challenge.
  • Uncertainty regarding its impact on drug discovery and clinical trials.
  • Concerns about limited access to AlphaFold’s inner mechanisms and potential implications for scientific innovation.

Access and Transparency

  • Current limitations on the free use of AlphaFold 3 and lack of transparency in its inner workings.
  • Importance of public access to facilitate scrutiny and further innovation in protein structure prediction.
  • Need for alternative revenue models to ensure broader accessibility without restrictive paywalls.

G. Tidbits

Nothing here for today!!!

H. UPSC Prelims Practice Questions

Q1. Consider the following statements:
  1. From the 79th UN General Assembly session, Palestine will have rights such as being seated among member states and participating fully in UN activities.
  2. Currently, as an observer state, Palestine cannot vote or nominate for positions within the UN.

Which of these statements is/are correct?

  1. 1 only
  2. 2 only
  3. Both 1 and 2
  4. Neither 1 nor 2
CHECK ANSWERS:-

Answer: c

Explanation: Both these statements are correct. 

Q2. Consider the following statements, with reference to the United Nations 
Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS):
  1. UNCLOS defines the rights and responsibilities of nations with respect to the use of oceans.
  2. Under UNCLOS, nations are granted exclusive rights to explore and exploit marine resources within a 1000-mile zone along the shoreline.

Which of these statements is/are incorrect?

  1. 1 only
  2. 2 only
  3. Both 1 and 2
  4. Neither 1 nor 2
CHECK ANSWERS:-

Answer: b

Explanation: Under UNCLOS, nations are granted exclusive rights to explore and exploit marine resources within a 200-mile zone along the shoreline.

Q3. Consider the following statements with respect to core sector industries:
  1. These comprise more than 50% of the weight of items included in the Index of Industrial Production (IIP).
  2. Coal, crude oil, natural gas, refinery products, fertiliser, steel, cement and electricity make up eight core sector industries. 

Which of these statements is/are correct?

  1. 1 only
  2. 2 only
  3. Both 1 and 2
  4. Neither 1 nor 2
CHECK ANSWERS:-

Answer: b

Explanation: These comprise about 40.27% of the weight of items included in the Index of Industrial Production (IIP).

Q4. ‘AlphaFold’ and ‘AlphaFold 2’ often seen in news are:
  1. Study squads that democratize education by providing free study materials from Ed Tech platforms
  2. Manned submersibles developed by India
  3. Systems to study the mountain folds and valley folds
  4. AI systems that predict protein structures
CHECK ANSWERS:-

Answer: d

Explanation: DeepMind developed AlphaFold in 2018 and AlphaFold 2 in 2020, AI systems that predict protein structures, enhancing our understanding of protein configurations.

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