Nov 2nd, 2021, CNA:- Download PDF Here
TABLE OF CONTENTS
A. GS 1 Related B. GS 2 Related INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS 1. Pentagon rattled by China’s military push 2. Sri Lanka fisher leaders meet Indian envoy C. GS 3 Related ENVIRONMENT AND ECOLOGY 1. India will achieve net zero emissions by 2070, says PM 2. Sign off on Paris Rulebook, says BASIC ECONOMY 1. October manufacturing activity quickens, job losses persist: PMI D. GS 4 Related E. Editorials ENVIRONMENT AND ECOLOGY 1. Finding a way out of India’s deepening water stress ECONOMY 1. The crypto conundrum INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS 1. Time for action F. Prelims Facts 1. Rescue guide launched for Ganges river dolphin G. Tidbits 1. Cannot impose blanket ban on all firecrackers, says SC H. UPSC Prelims Practice Questions I. UPSC Mains Practice Questions
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A. GS 1 Related
Nothing here for today!!!
B. GS 2 Related
Category: INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
1. Pentagon rattled by China’s military push
Context:
- U.S. defence establishment has expressed concerns over China’s growing military capabilities.
Details:
- Chinese military capabilities are expanding rapidly not only in traditional domains of land, sea and air but also in the new domains of space and cyberspace.
- China has also been expanding its nuclear arsenal.
- It has made rapid advances in missile technologies. There is available evidence of China increasing its fleet of land-based intercontinental ballistic missiles, or ICBMs.
- China recently tested a hypersonic weapon capable of partially orbiting Earth before re-entering the atmosphere and gliding on a manoeuvrable path to its target. This weapon system would be capable of evading the most advanced missile defence systems including that of the U.S.
Concerns for the U.S.:
- China’s growing military capability could end American predominance not only in the Asia-Pacific but also lead to a potential shift in the global balance of power that has favoured the U.S. for decades.
- Growing Chinese military prowess could push realignment in the region more favourable to China and complicate U.S. alliances in Asia.
Reactions from the U.S.:
- Given the rapid gains being made by China, the U.S. administration is attempting to reorient all aspects of U.S. foreign and defence policy. The Biden administration is expected to review the nuclear weapons policy, global troop basing and overall defence strategy.
- There have been calls by Pentagon officials and defence hawks for rebuilding the U.S. nuclear arsenal.
2. Sri Lanka fisher leaders meet Indian envoy
Context:
- Recently a delegation of fisher leaders from Sri Lanka’s northern districts met the Indian High Commissioner in Colombo.
Background:
- Fishermen from Tamil Nadu often cross the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL) and fish in Sri Lankan waters of the Palk Strait, using the harmful bottom trawling fishing method. This has become a recurring flashpoint in India-Sri Lanka ties.
For detailed information on this topic refer to the following article:
UPSC Exam Comprehensive News Analysis of 26th Oct 2021
Details:
- The delegation voiced concern over the “delay in India’s response” to the issue of bottom trawling by Indian fishermen in the Palk Strait. They pointed out that though the Indian side had agreed twice — in 2010 and 2016 — to phase out and end the practice of bottom trawling it had failed to implement it.
- The Indian High Commissioner in Colombo assured the delegation that he would convey their concerns to both New Delhi and Tamil Nadu and look at some immediate measures to address the problem.
C. GS 3 Related
Category: ENVIRONMENT AND ECOLOGY
1. India will achieve net zero emissions by 2070, says PM
Context:
- Indian Prime Minister’s address at the UNFCC COP26 summit in Glasgow.
Details:
India’s new climate actions:
- India will achieve net zero emissions latest by 2070. This is notable given that so far India was the only major emitter that had not committed to a timeline to achieve net zero carbon dioxide emissions and has also argued against the concept of net zero carbon targets.
- Renewable energy would be tapped in a big way in India. By 2030, India will ensure 50% of its energy will be sourced from renewable sources. India plans to generate 500 GW of renewable energy by 2030. This marks a 50 GW increase from its current target of 450 GW.
- India also committed to reducing its carbon emissions until 2030 by a billion tonnes. By 2030, India will reduce the carbon intensity of its economy to less than 45 per cent. India is largely on track to meet, and even exceed, its Paris Agreement targets: reduce emissions’ intensity of its gross domestic product (GDP) by 33 to 35 per cent from 2005 levels by 2030.
Climate justice:
- Keeping with the spirit of climate justice, the Prime Minister called on rich developed countries to provide at least $1 trillion in climate finance to assist developing and vulnerable countries.
Climate adaptation:
- The Prime Minister noted that there had not been as much focus on climate adaptation as much as mitigation and this he said amounted to gross injustice against developing nations that remain most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change.
- India’s efforts at adaptation in programmes such as Jal Jeevan Mission, Swachh Bharat Mission and Mission Ujwala ought to be popularized globally.
Sustainable lifestyle approach:
- Sustainable modes of living being practised in certain traditional communities ought to be popularized and mainstreamed with a focus on reducing the carbon footprint of general citizens.
2. Sign off on Paris Rulebook, says BASIC
Context:
- India’s Environment Minister delivered a statement on behalf of the BASIC group of countries — Brazil, South Africa, India and China — at the ongoing 26th United Nations Conference of Parties (COP) in Glasgow.
Background:
BASIC’s stance on climate action:
- Brazil, South Africa, India and China are major developing economies and are significant GHG emitters.
- However, their legacy contributions to GHG emissions remain minuscule compared to the developed nations. Also, they have low per capita emissions as they support large populations.
- The BASIC nations have so far resisted calls from developed countries on them to take firmer emission reductions.
Details:
Enhance climate action:
- Given the increasing evidence of rapid global warming and its adverse impacts, all Parties need to immediately ramp up their climate actions.
Climate Justice:
- There should be adherence to the principle of Equity and Common but Differentiated Responsibilities and Respective Capabilities (CBDR-RC) and, recognition of the very different national circumstances of Parties.
- The developed countries should take up steeper emission reductions and also scale up their financial support to developing countries for both mitigation as well as adaptation measures.
Paris Agreement Rulebook:
- A key demand of the BASIC was that the Paris Agreement Rulebook be concluded at the ongoing COP26. In fact, the parties to UNFCCC had agreed to develop and finalise the Paris Rulebook at COP24 in Poland in 2018 but had failed to do so.
- While the Paris Agreement lays out the framework for international action, the Rulebook will set the Agreement in motion by laying out the tools and processes to enable the Paris Agreement to be implemented fairly and properly.
1. October manufacturing activity quickens, job losses persist: PMI
Context:
- IHS Markit Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) for October.
Signs of economic revival:
- The survey-based PMI rose to 55.9 from 53.7 in September indicating an increase in output levels.
- PMI above 50 indicates expansion while below 50 indicates contraction.
- The country’s manufacturing activity has expanded for the fourth month in a row in October. As per the projections available, the manufacturing activity is likely to expand throughout the third quarter of 2021-22.
- Overall new orders have grown and new export orders have also surged.
- Business optimism has hit a six-month high.
Concerns:
- The manufacturing jobs continue to slide. However, the rate of job shedding was marginal in October.
- The cost of inputs has increased at a fast pace, with the overall inflation surging to a 92-month high. This could affect the operations of the manufacturing units in an adverse manner.
D. GS 4 Related
Nothing here for today!!!
E. Editorials
Category: ENVIRONMENT AND ECOLOGY
1. Finding a way out of India’s deepening water stress
Context:
- In view of the ongoing scarcity of water resources and an ever increasing demand for water, the need is for a locus-specific response, that can galvanise and integrate the ongoing work of different Ministries and Departments through new configurations.
Background:
- In 2019, the Ministries of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation and the Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation were merged, which led to the formation of the Ministry of Jal Shakti.
Understanding water stress:
- In the rural areas, 80%-90% of the drinking water and 75% of the water used for agriculture is drawn from groundwater sources.
- In urban areas, 50%-60% of the water supply is drawn from groundwater sources, whereas the remaining is sourced from surface water resources such as rivers, often located afar, in addition to lakes, tanks and reservoirs.
- According to the composite water management index released by the NITI Aayog in 2019, 21 major cities (including Delhi, Bengaluru, Chennai, Hyderabad) were on the brink of exhausting groundwater resources, affecting about 100 million people.
- The study also points out that by 2030, the demand for water is projected to be double the available supply.
- The article also discusses the problem in Punjab – The draft report of the Central Ground Water Board concluded that Punjab would be reduced to a desert in 25 years if the extraction of its groundwater resources continues unabated. 82% of Punjab’s land area has seen a huge decline in groundwater levels, wherein 109 out of 138 administrative blocks have been placed in the ‘over exploited’ category.
- Groundwater extraction which was at 35% in the 1960s and 1970s, rose to 70% post the Green Revolution — a period that saw governments subsidising power for irrigation.
- Cultivation of water-intensive crops such as paddy has further aggravated water depletion, even turning water saline.
- In 2019, in Chennai, life came to a standstill and parts of the city went without piped water for months.
Factors responsible for water stress:
- Lack of rainfall: For example in Chennai in 2019, rainfall was 50% less than normal.
- Encroachment: The cities like Chennai and Mumbai have been built by incrementally encroaching on floodplains and paving over lakes and wetlands. The lack of space for water to percolate underground has prevented rainwater from recharging the aquifers.
- Loss of green cover: In Mumbai, in 2019, 2141 trees were felled at the Aarey colony, amid massive protests, to make space for a shed for the Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation Limited.
- Lack of sustainable urban planning.
Need for synergy
- Ministries & other institutions must reconfigure synergy among them: The Ministry of Water Resources should bring synergy in its relationship with other Ministries and Departments – like Local Self-Government, Agriculture and Environment.
- Effective land zoning regulations: With enhanced integration and coordination through effective land and water zoning regulations that protect urban water bodies, groundwater sources, wetlands and green cover.
- Measures need to be taken to manage and replenish groundwater, especially through participatory groundwater management approaches with its combination of water budgeting, aquifer recharging and community involvement.
- Importance also needs to be given to surface water conservation, which is in a critical and dying state due to encroachment, pollution, over-abstraction and barrier in water flow by dams.
Conclusion:
- In 2019, the Ministry of Jal Shakti had announced an ambitious plan to provide water connections to every household in India by 2024.
- Along with this aim, the need of the hour is to protect and conserve water resources on the one hand and minimise and enhance the efficiency of water usage on the other.
Context:
- The current rally in bitcoin and other private cryptocurrencies has witnessed the increasing participation of retail investors in India.
Reasons for the current bull run:
- Limited supply is the most important feature of cryptocurrencies that is attracting investors.
- High liquidity – Due to its high liquidity, investors are looking to protect their wealth by investing in crypto assets, whose supply cannot be cranked up as easily.
No fundamental value:
- Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies possess any use-value or exchange value is questionable.
- They neither offer direct use value nor possess significant exchange value.
- It also possesses no significant fundamental value to sustain its current high prices.
Importance of issuance of currency:
- It allows governments to fund their budget deficits, particularly during times of crises such as the current corona pandemic when tax revenues have taken an unprecedented hit.
- The power and influence of governments depend on the monopoly they possess over the issuance of money.
Advantages of cryptocurrencies:
- Limited supply limiting inflation risks.
- Funds transfer between two parties will be easy without the need for a third party like credit/debit cards or banks.
- It is a cheaper alternative compared to other online transactions.
- Payments are safe and secured and offer an unprecedented level of anonymity.
- Modern cryptocurrency systems come with a user “wallet” or account address which is accessible only by a public key and private key. The private key is only known to the owner of the wallet.
- Funds transfers are completed with minimal processing fees.
Disadvantages of Cryptocurrency:
- The almost hidden nature of cryptocurrency transactions makes them easy to be the focus of illegal activities such as money laundering, tax evasion and possibly even terror financing.
- Payments are not irreversible.
- Cryptocurrencies are not accepted everywhere and have limited value elsewhere.
- There is concern that cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin are not rooted in any material goods. Some research, however, has identified that the cost of producing a Bitcoin, which requires an increasingly large amount of energy, is directly related to its market price.
Government responses around the world:
- Recently, China imposed a complete ban on all cryptocurrencies and plans to issue its own central bank-issued digital currency.
- Since 2020, when the Supreme Court overturned an order by the RBI dated April 6, 2018, restricting the use of cryptocurrencies, traffic in domestic cryptocurrency exchanges in India has grown many-fold.
Conclusion:
- The future of bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies is going to exist only, as long as these currencies remain a speculative asset and not a medium of exchange.
Category: INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
Context:
- The first in-person G20 meeting in two years and the re-engagement of world leaders on the biggest issues faced by the global community.
On Covid Vaccine:
- On coordinated efforts to mitigate the pandemic, the focus was on vaccine production and distribution, with assurances of support to WHO’s target of inoculating 40% or more of the global population against COVID19 by 2021, and at least 70% by mid-2022.
On Climate Change:
- The Group leaders recommitted their nations to provide $100 billion a year toward adaptation, mitigation, and green technologies, focusing on the needs of developing countries.
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi committed to limiting global warming to 1.5° C and identified sustainable and responsible consumption and production as “critical enablers”.
On post-COVID economic recovery:
- Given the rising inflation, spiking energy prices, and alarming supply chain bottlenecks, G20 leaders affirmed that national stimulus policies would not be removed prematurely.
- G20 leadership agreed to slap multinationals with a minimum 15% tax to create a more stable and fairer international tax system.
- This OECD-led reform enjoys the support of 136 countries, which account for more than 90% of global GDP, and is likely to enter into force in 2023 or after.
Conclusion:
The G20 meeting has come at a critical moment and timely, effective, coordinated action across major nations, will help in faster global political economic recovery.
F. Prelims Facts
1. Rescue guide launched for Ganges river dolphin
Ganges river dolphin:
- The Ganges river dolphin is the national aquatic animal of India.
- The global population of the species is estimated at 4,000. It is mostly found in the Indian subcontinent throughout the Ganges-Brahmaputra-Meghna and Karnaphuli-Sangu river systems of Nepal, India and Bangladesh.
- The species Platanista gangetica gangetica is considered an indicator species of aquatic systems.
- It is listed as ‘endangered’ under the IUCN Red List, Schedule I of the Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act (1972), Appendix I of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).
Context:
The Jal Shakti Ministry has released a guide for the safe rescue and release of stranded Ganges river dolphins.
G. Tidbits
1. Cannot impose blanket ban on all firecrackers, says SC
- The Supreme Court has noted in its recent order that a blanket ban on firecrackers may not be possible, but measures ought to be in place to prevent the use of toxic chemicals in firecrackers and only those firecrackers are to be banned which are found to be injurious to health and affecting the health of citizens.
- The observation came in the backdrop of the firecracker industry challenging the Calcutta High Court’s order prohibiting the sale, purchase, use, display or bursting of firecrackers of any type in the upcoming festive season.
H. UPSC Prelims Practice Questions
Q1. Consider the following statements with regards to Ganges River Dolphins and choose the correct ones:
- They are listed as ‘endangered’ on the IUCN red list.
- It is the national aquatic animal of India.
- It features in Schedule II of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.
Which of these statements are correct?
- 1 & 2 only
- 2 & 3 only
- 1 & 3 only
- All of the above
CHECK ANSWERS:-
Answer: a
Explanation:
- Statement 1 is correct: IUCN red list of Threatened Species has given the status of ‘Endangered’ to the Ganges River Dolphin.
- Statement 2 is correct: The Ganges River Dolphin, also called ‘Susu,’ is the National Aquatic Animal of India.
- Statement 3 is incorrect: The species is included in the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972– Schedule I. It makes it prohibited to be hunted throughout India, except under threat to human life.
Q2. “Hindus and Muslims are the two eyes of the beautiful bride that is Hindustan. Weakness of any one of them will spoil the beauty of the bride.” This statement is associated with whom amongst the following?
- Aurobindo Ghosh
- Raja Ram Mohan Roy
- Sir Syed Ahmed Khan
- Mahatma Gandhi
CHECK ANSWERS:-
Answer: c
Explanation:
- This quote was said by Sir Syed Ahmed Khan.
Q.3 Consider the following statements with regards to Dengue:
- The same mosquito species is responsible for causing dengue, chikungunya, yellow fever and zika infection.
- Diagnosis of dengue infection is done with a blood test.
- National Vector-Borne Disease Control Programme, under the Ministry of Urban Development, is the central nodal agency for the prevention and control of Dengue in India.
Which of these statements are correct?
- 1 & 2 only
- 2 & 3 only
- 1 & 3 only
- All of the above
CHECK ANSWERS:-
Answer: a
Explanation:
- Statement 1 is correct: The female mosquitoes of the Aedes variety is responsible for causing dengue, chikungunya, yellow fever and zika infection.
- Statement 2 is correct: Diagnosis of dengue infection is done with a blood test.
- Statement 3 is correct: It is under the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare.
Q.4. Which of these nations is not a part of the BASIC group of nations?
- South Africa
- China
- Bangladesh
- India
CHECK ANSWERS:-
Answer: c
Explanation:
- The BASIC countries (also Basic countries or BASIC) are a bloc of four large newly industrialized countries – Brazil, South Africa, India and China.
Q.5 Who among of the following Mughal Emperors shifted emphasis from illustrated manuscripts to album and individual portrait?
- Humayun
- Akbar
- Jahangir
- Shah Jahan
CHECK ANSWERS:-
Answer: c
Explanation:
- Jahangir shifted emphasis from illustrated manuscripts to the album and individual portraits.
I. UPSC Mains Practice Questions
- The recent G20 meeting came at a critical moment for the global political economy. Examine its key outcomes. (250 words; 15 marks)[GS-2, International Relations]
- Scarcity alone is not sufficient to facilitate the adoption of cryptocurrencies as money. Analyse. (250 words; 15 marks)[GS-3, Economy]
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