07 Oct 2023: UPSC Exam Comprehensive News Analysis

TABLE OF CONTENTS

A. GS 1 Related
B. GS 2 Related
C. GS 3 Related
D. GS 4 Related
ETHICS
1. ‘Prof. Swaminathan’s contributions will continue to inspire and guide us’
E. Editorials
SOCIAL JUSTICE
1. Aligning higher education with the United Nations SDGs
F. Prelims Facts
1. Nobel Peace Prize 2023 goes to jailed Iranian activist Narges Mohammadi
2. Two out of five amphibians are facing extinction threat due to climate change: study
3. Russia might pull back from nuclear test treaty
4. RBI flags inflation risk to stability
G. Tidbits
H. UPSC Prelims Practice Questions
I. UPSC Mains Practice Questions

E. Editorials

Category: SOCIAL JUSTICE

1. Aligning higher education with the United Nations SDGs

Syllabus: Issues related to the development and management of the social sector/Services relating to Health, Education, Human Resources

Mains: Role of Higher education institutes in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.

Context:​ SDGs report 2023 stated how the world is NOT on the path to achieving the SDGs by 2023.​ More pronounced in Least Developed Countries.​ India too has suffered a setback.​

Background:

• The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) encompass 17 goals and 169 targets aimed at global socio-economic and environmental transformation by 2030.
• SDGs necessitate urgent action and collaboration among UN member states.

Source: The United Nations​

SDG Report 2023​

By UN DESA (Department of Economic and Social Affairs)​

Source: SDG Report 2023​

Slow Progress and Global Challenges:

• SDGs Report 2023 highlights slow progress due to factors like COVID-19, climate crisis, geopolitical conflicts, and economic challenges.
• Least Developed Countries experience a more pronounced lack of progress.
• India, despite its resilience, faces setbacks in achieving SDGs.

India’s commitment to SDG 4​

Role of National Education Policy (NEP) 2020:

• NEP 2020 aligns with most SDGs and emphasizes equitable and inclusive education.
• Higher education, a priority, empowers individuals and promotes creativity, critical thinking, and employment skills.
• Higher education’s impact on various SDGs, including poverty reduction, hunger eradication, and gender equality.

How can universities help achieve SDGs?​

• Research-Teaching Nexus and Multidisciplinarity:
  • Strengthening the research-teaching nexus benefits students and aligns with SDGs.
  • Multidisciplinary education fosters innovation and solutions to global challenges like sustainable energy, climate change, and economic growth.
• Collaboration and Value-Based Education:
  • Collaborating with private companies promotes innovation and start-ups (SDG 9).
  • Introducing value-based education encourages responsible citizenship and supports “Life on Land” (SDG 15).

Suggestions for Progress:

• Universities must align day-to-day operations with SDGs and embrace value-based education.
• Ranking universities based on SDG achievements is beneficial but insufficient.
• Stakeholders in higher education need education and orientation to ensure their activities contribute to SDGs.
• Collaboration among India’s higher education institutions to achieve SDGs collectively.
• Universities should contribute to their local communities through health initiatives, energy conservation, skill development, and resource sharing.
• Sustainability should become integral to university strategies in administration, teaching, and research.
• Integration with Socio-Economic Development:
  • Higher education should be directly integrated with socio-economic development to impact SDGs meaningfully.
  • Universities must demonstrate how they contribute to citizens’ well-being and nation-building.

Nut Graf: Higher education institutions play a pivotal role in achieving the United Nations SDGs. Their commitment to aligning with these goals is crucial for a sustainable and equitable future. Collaboration, innovation, and a holistic approach to education can drive meaningful progress towards the 2030 agenda.

2. Two out of five amphibians are facing extinction threat due to climate change: study

Context: A recent study published in the journal Nature highlights the increasing threat of extinction faced by amphibians due to climate change.

• The study, titled ‘Ongoing declines for the world’s amphibians in the face of emerging threats,’ underscores the need for urgent conservation efforts to protect these vulnerable species.

Source: The Hindu

Details: 

• Study Overview:
  • The study is based on two decades of global data and was published on October 4.
  • It analyzed the extinction risk of over 8,000 amphibian species worldwide, including 2,286 newly evaluated species.
  • Over 1,000 experts, including scientists from organizations like Aaranyak in Assam, contributed data and expertise.
  • Findings indicate that 40% of amphibian species are currently threatened with extinction.
• Impact of Climate Change:
  • Between 2004 and 2022, over 300 amphibian species moved closer to extinction, with climate change identified as the primary threat for 39% of these species.
  • Amphibians are highly sensitive to environmental changes, making them particularly vulnerable to climate-related shifts.
  • Climate change leads to extreme heat, wildfires, drought, and hurricanes, limiting amphibians’ ability to adapt and survive.
• Habitat Destruction and Degradation:
  • 93% of threatened amphibian species are affected by habitat destruction and degradation.
  • Preservation of critical habitats and the creation of corridors for biodiversity are crucial to amphibian conservation.
  • Destruction of habitats exacerbates the challenges posed by climate change.
• Urgent Conservation Measures:
  • Conservation organizations, governments, and researchers must prioritize the protection of amphibians.
  • Mitigating climate change impacts on amphibians requires a multi-faceted approach, including habitat preservation, restoration, and climate change adaptation strategies.
  • International cooperation is essential to address this global issue.
• Enhanced Data and Research:
  • Continual monitoring and research are essential to understand how climate change affects amphibian populations.
  • Improved data collection and projections can help identify at-risk species and guide conservation efforts more effectively.
  • Increased collaboration between scientists, organizations, and governments is needed for comprehensive research.

3. Russia might pull back from nuclear test treaty

Context: Russian lawmakers will consider revoking the ratification of a global nuclear test ban, the Parliament Speaker said.

Nuclear Test Ban Treaty​

• Russian lawmakers will consider revoking the ratification of a global nuclear test ban.​
• Russia could move to resume nuclear tests to try to discourage the West from continuing to offer military support to Ukraine.​

About the Nuclear Test Ban Treaty:​

• Signed in Moscow in August 1963.​
• Initial Parties (had Veto power): USA, UK, USSR. (later 100 more nations joined)​
• Formally called Treaty Banning Nuclear Weapons Tests in the Atmosphere, in Outer Space, and Under Water. (Didn’t ban underground testing)​
• Trigger: Cuban Missile Crisis.​
• 1977: Negotiations started on the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty​
• Draft CTBT passed in UNGA in 1996.​
• To enter into force, it needs to be signed by all nuclear powers and 44 members of the Conference on Disarmament who have nuclear reactors.​
• By 2007 all of these countries but three (India, Pakistan, and North Korea) had signed, though 10 of those that had signed had not ratified, including the United States and China.​

4. RBI flags inflation risk to stability

Context: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has voiced concerns about inflation and its impact on macroeconomic stability.

• The Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) has maintained the policy repo rate at 6.50% for the fourth consecutive meeting.
• RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das emphasizes the importance of aligning inflation with the 4% target.

Details:

• Inflation as a Risk:
  • RBI views high inflation as a significant threat to macroeconomic stability and sustainable growth.
  • Monetary policy has been oriented towards achieving a durable 4% inflation target.
  • Das announces the MPC’s decision to keep interest rates unchanged.
• Rationale for Unchanged Rates:
  • Despite declining core inflation, the overall inflation outlook remains uncertain.
  • Uncertainties include reduced kharif sowing for essential crops, low reservoir levels, and volatile global food and energy prices.
  • The MPC remains vigilant and prepared to take timely policy measures to align inflation with the target.
• External Risks:
  • External factors such as geopolitical tensions, global economic slowdown, and volatile financial markets pose risks.
  • Uneven distribution of monsoon rains further complicates the inflation outlook.
• Growth and Inflation Projections:
  • RBI maintains the real GDP growth forecast for 2023-24 at 6.5%.
  • The average CPI inflation forecast for the current fiscal year is retained at 5.4%.
  • However, the MPC raises its Q2 headline inflation projection to 6.4%.
• Emphasis on the 4% Target:
  • Governor Das reiterates the inflation target is 4%, not the broader range of 2% to 6%.
  • Monetary policy remains actively anti-inflationary in the current scenario.

Significance:

• RBI’s focus on inflation control is vital for ensuring economic stability and sustainable growth.
• Maintaining the policy repo rate unchanged reflects concerns about inflationary pressures and uncertainties.
• Timely policy measures are essential to align inflation with the 4% target and anchor inflation expectations.

Solutions:

• Continued vigilance and monitoring of inflation trends.
• Timely policy adjustments to address inflationary pressures.
• Efforts to mitigate external risks and uncertainties through proactive measures.
• Promoting stable and sustainable economic growth while adhering to the 4% inflation target.

Source: The hindu

Q1. Who won the 2023 Nobel Peace Prize for her advocacy of women's rights, democracy,
and opposition to the death penalty?

Q2. Consider the following statements, with reference to the Monetary Policy Committee:

Q3. Which of the following is not one of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 
established by the United Nations?

Q4. With reference to the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT), which of the 
following statements is/are incorrect?

Q5. Consider the following statements, with reference to amphibians: