17 Oct 2023: UPSC Exam Comprehensive News Analysis

17 October 2023 CNA
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TABLE OF CONTENTS

A. GS 1 Related
B. GS 2 Related
GOVERNANCE
1. Palliative care, a way to reduce financial distress for people with life limiting diseases
C. GS 3 Related
D. GS 4 Related
E. Editorials
ENVIRONMENT AND ECOLOGY
1. The Indian Himalayan Region needs its own EIA
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
1. Confronting the long term risks of Artificial Intelligence
F. Prelims Facts
1. Court declines abortion plea, says it can’t ‘stop heartbeat’ of viable foetus
2. SC refers electoral bonds case to 5-judge Constitution Bench
G. Tidbits
1. Gaganyaan’s test flight to commence at 7 a.m. on Oct. 21
H. UPSC Prelims Practice Questions
I. UPSC Mains Practice Questions
FIP Magazine

E. Editorials

Category: ENVIRONMENT AND ECOLOGY

1. The Indian Himalayan Region needs its own EIA

Introduction

  • The Teesta dam breach in Sikkim and the recent floods and landslides in the Himalayas highlight the negative impact of our development model on the environment. 
  • It is essential to re-evaluate the environmental impact of development efforts. 

Environment Impact Assessment (EIA)

  • Defined by UNEP as a tool to identify environmental, social, and economic impacts of a project before implementation
  • Evaluates alternatives and analyzes potential environmental impacts in different scenarios
  • It also helps in deciding appropriate mitigation strategies
  • However, the EIA requires comprehensive and reliable data for predicting future impacts

Origins of EIA in India

  • India introduced EIA in 1976-77 with the Planning Commission directing the Department of Science and Technology to assess river valley projects from an environmental perspective.
  • It was made mandatory for specified new projects and expansions/modernizations through the Environment (Protection) Act 1986.
  • First EIA notification issued in 1994, amended 12 times in 11 years before being replaced by EIA 2006 notification
  • EIA 2006 notification decentralized the environment clearance (EC) process and gave state governments powers to issue EC in certain cases
  • Draft EIA notification floated in 2020 for public comments, sparking controversy over concerns of being pro-industry and compromising ecological concerns
  • EIA Notification 2006:
    • Lays down procedure and institutional setup for giving environmental clearance for projects requiring such clearance
    • Projects listed in the schedule require prior EC, while others do not require an EIA
    • Categorizes projects into various heads such as mining, extraction of natural resources and power generation, and physical infrastructure
    • Threshold limits for EIA are the same across the country.
  • Draft EIA notification 2020: 
    • It reduced the time for public hearings from 30 to 20 days.
    • The classification of projects, such as into A, B1, and B2, are exempted from public scrutiny.
    • Post-clearance compliance.
    • Earlier, in the 2006 notification, compliance reports were to be submitted every six months, but through this proposal, the submission was proposed to be made annually.
    • Report Prepared Solely by Project Proponents.
    • The EIA Notification 2020 excludes reporting of violations and non-compliance by the public.
    • Post-facto clearance: If a project has been operating without environmental clearance before the notification, it can be allowed to apply for clearance.
    • Firms will have to pay the penalty if they are found violating the terms of their establishment.

Need for a unique assessment of the Himalayan region

  •  The regulatory system uses a graded approach to environmental impact assessments (EIA) based on location, with different levels of stringency for protected forests, reserved forests, national parks, and critical tiger habitats.
  • However, the Integrated Himalayan Region (IHR) is treated similarly to other parts of the country despite its unique ecological importance and vulnerability.
  • IHR is a sensitive region providing ecosystem services and acting as a “water tower” for the entire country, but it is not given special consideration in the EIA process.
  • The region’s vulnerability to extreme weather conditions, such as heavy rains, flash floods, landslides, and seismic activity, make it particularly susceptible to environmental damage.
  • Climate change has further increased these vulnerabilities but there is no mention of differentiated environmental standards for projects located in the IHR.
  • Increasing frequency of disasters in the Himalayan states due to extreme weather events highlights the need for more stringent environmental regulations in the region.
  • Addressing the needs of the IHR could be done at all four stages of the EIA process – screening, scoping, public consultation, and appraisal – by ensuring projects and activities requiring Environmental Clearance (EC) in mountainous regions are aligned with the ecological needs of the region.

Institutional and Regulatory Concerns

  • Lack of Independent National Regulator: In 2011, the Supreme Court of India highlighted the absence of an independent national regulator for environment clearances.
  • Reactive: The current Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) process is reactive i.e reacting to development proposals instead of anticipating them and being proactive
  • Bias: The EIA process is often funded by project proponents, which can lead to biased assessments that favor the project.
  • Lack of Holistic assessment: 
    • The EIA process typically focuses on individual projects, without considering the cumulative impact of multiple projects in the same area.
    • It also does not fully consider the environmental impact of a project’s subcomponents or related developments.
  • Lack of commitment: The EIA process is often seen as a formality, with project developers treating it as a box-ticking exercise to get environment clearance.

Conclusion: Alternative tools like Strategic Environmental Assessment could help regulators better understand and address the cumulative impact of development in the IHR.

Nut Graf: The Indian Himalayan Region (IHR) needs its own EIA process due to its unique ecological importance and vulnerability. The current EIA process does not adequately address the region’s fragility, susceptibility to extreme weather conditions, and the cumulative impact of development. To address these concerns, the EIA process in the IHR should be proactive, with a focus on independent oversight.

Category: SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

2. Confronting the long term risks of Artificial Intelligence

Syllabus:  Science and Technology- Developments and their Applications and Effects in Everyday Life.

GS- III

Category- Science & Technology

Prelims- Runaway AI, AI Index

Mains- Risks associated with development of AI

Context: 

  • The understanding of AI risk can change dramatically as the technology’s capabilities increase. 
  • Sharing personal information openly was once risk-free but now poses dangers in the digital age of cyberattacks and data breaches.

Risks associated with AI

  • Concerns About AI and Its Impact on Humanity
      • Historian Yuval Noah Harari has raised concerns about the integration of AI and biotechnology. He feels that it could lead to the manipulation of human emotions, thoughts, and desires, fundamentally changing human existence.
      • Over 350 AI professionals have expressed concerns about the potential risks posed by AI technology.
      • There are also existential risks from advanced AI systems, such as the disruption of critical infrastructure like water and electricity, and the possibility of “runaway AI” causing catastrophic consequences. 
      • Runaway AI are artificial intelligence (AI) systems that act independently of the human developers and may be harmful to both individuals and society as a whole.
  • Alignment of AI with Human Values
      • Some people view AI as a potential catalyst for extinction due to its ability to rapidly improve itself and become a super-intelligence that surpasses human intelligence.
      • The alignment of AI with universally accepted human values is a major challenge.
      • Uncontrolled AI growth driven by market pressures might lead to neglecting safety considerations and raising concerns.
  • Regulatory Approaches and Challenges
      • The lack of a unified global approach to AI regulation can be detrimental to ensuring the long-term safety and ethical deployment of AI technologies.
      • The AI Index from Stanford University shows that 127 countries have passed 37 laws related to AI, but there is no consistent approach to regulation.
      • The European Union’s AI Act takes a “risk-based” approach. It identifies critical infrastructure where AI deployment could be risky.
      • Tying risk solely to the deployment area might overlook certain risks, requiring a more comprehensive view of AI risks for effective regulation.
  • Military AI and International Treaties
    • There is a lack of international collaboration and cohesive action on AI regulation. 
    • Unregulated AI advancements in some countries, like China, could lead to developments that don’t align with global ethical standards, posing risks of destabilization and conflict.
    • It could also prompt a “race to the bottom” where safety considerations are compromised for rapid development and deployment.
    • The convergence of AI technology and warfare thus increases long-term risks.

Way Forward

  • Long-term risks involve broader questions about AI’s role in society and implications for humanity.
  • Addressing this requires a multi-faceted approach that identifies current challenges and future consequences.
  • Nations must clearly define unacceptable use of AI and enforce strict guidelines for its role in conflict. 
  • International treaties like the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons and the Chemical Weapons Convention could act as examples for establishing global norms for AI in warfare
  • The decisions made today regarding AI will impact the future we inherit.

Nut Graf: AI risks and challenges for humanity are multifaceted and evolving. Existential risks from advanced AI systems, such as runaway AI, and the alignment of AI with human values are key concerns. International regulation aligned with ethical norms are necessary to ensure safe use of AI.

F. Prelims Facts

1. Court declines abortion plea, says it can’t ‘stop heartbeat’ of viable foetus

Syllabus: GS 2- Governance

Prelims: Legal aspects of abortion and court decisions related to a viable foetus.

Introduction

  • The plea of a married woman to terminate her 26-week pregnancy through medical means has been denied by the Supreme Court of India.
  • The Court’s decision is based on the premise that the pregnancy is not an immediate threat to the life of the woman or the foetus.
  • The Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act allows abortion only in cases where the pregnancy poses a physical and immediate danger to the woman’s life and health.
  • The case raises complex ethical and legal questions about reproductive rights and the well-being of the unborn child.

Details of the Case

  • The woman, who is already a mother of two, claimed she was physically, emotionally, mentally, financially, and medically unable to carry, deliver, or raise a child.
  • The government presented medical reports showing a healthy foetus with no abnormalities and argued that the woman was past the abortion limit of 24 weeks under the Act.
  • The Court’s concern extended to the rights and well-being of the unborn child. The choice presented was between preterm or full-term delivery, with a full-term delivery considered better for the child’s health and survival.
  • Senior advocate Colin Gonsalves argued that the woman’s right was absolute, emphasising that international law recognizes no right of the foetus or unborn child.

Conclusion

  • The Supreme Court’s decision in this case reflects the complex legal and ethical considerations surrounding late-term abortions.
  • It underscores the importance of the viability of the foetus and the immediate health risk to the woman’s life in such decisions.
  • The case has sparked a broader conversation about reproductive rights and the legal framework governing abortions in India.

2. SC refers electoral bonds case to 5-judge Constitution Bench

Syllabus: GS 2- Polity

Prelims: Electoral bonds

Introduction

  • Chief Justice of India D.Y. Chandrachud has referred the challenge to the validity of the electoral bonds scheme to a Constitution Bench of five judges.
  • The scheme allows for anonymous donations to political parties, and its legality has been a matter of contention.
  • The case has been pending for over eight years in the Supreme Court.

Key Points

  • The challenge to the electoral bonds scheme was referred to a larger Constitution Bench due to the importance of the issue.
  • The case will be listed for a hearing on October 31, signalling that the court is committed to addressing the matter promptly.
  • The petitioners argue that the scheme legalises anonymous donations to political parties, violating citizens’ right to information about political funding and potentially promoting corruption.
  • The case involves potential violations of Articles 19, 14, and 21 of the Constitution.
  • The Constitution Bench may not immediately address the question of whether the scheme passed as a Money Bill but may await a seven-judge Bench’s decision on this issue.

Background

  • The electoral bonds scheme has been contentious as it enables anonymous and sanitised political donations, limiting public transparency about the sources of funding.
  • Amendments in the Companies Act allowed companies to donate to political parties via electoral bonds while maintaining anonymity.
  • Critics argue that the scheme, established through Finance Acts in 2016 and 2017, opens the doors to unlimited political donations.

Conclusion

  • The reference to a Constitution Bench underscores the significance of the electoral bonds scheme challenge.
  • The court’s decision to proceed promptly signals its intent to address the long-standing issue of anonymous political donations and the potential consequences for transparency and corruption in political funding.

G. Tidbits

1. Gaganyaan’s test flight to commence at 7 a.m. on Oct. 21

Introduction

  • The Flight Test Vehicle Abort Mission-1 (TV-D1) of the Gaganyaan mission is set to take place on October 21, 2023.
  • This test will demonstrate the performance of the Crew Escape System.
  • The TV-D1 mission is part of India’s space exploration program, led by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).

Details of TV-D1 Mission

  • The TV-D1 mission will take place between 7am and 9am from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota.
  • It is designed to test the Crew Escape System, a critical component for astronaut safety.
  • The Crew Module (CM), where astronauts are housed, is at different stages of development.
  • The CM for TV-D1 is an unpressurized version with a size and mass similar to the actual Gaganyaan CM.
  • It comprises deceleration systems, recovery mechanisms, parachute systems, recovery assistance tools, actuation systems, and avionics systems operating in a dual redundant mode.
  • The CM is extensively instrumented to capture flight data for system performance evaluation.
  • Following the test, the Crew Module will be retrieved from the Bay of Bengal with the assistance of a specialised vessel and a team of divers from the Indian Navy.

H. UPSC Prelims Practice Questions

Q1. With reference to Article 21 of the Indian Constitution, 
consider the following statements:
  1.  Article 21 guarantees the right to a dignified life.
  2. The right to make reproductive choices is explicitly mentioned in Article 21.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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

Answer: a

Explanation: Article 21 of the Indian Constitution guarantees the right to a dignified life but does not explicitly mention the right to make reproductive choices.

 

Q2. With reference to the Gaganyaan mission, consider the 
following statements:
  1. The Gaganyaan project aims to send a crew of 3 members to orbit at an altitude of 400 km for a 3-day mission.
  2. The designated launch vehicle for the Gaganyaan mission is LVM3, which consists of solid, liquid, and cryogenic stages.

Which of the statements given above is/are incorrect?

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

Answer: d

Explanation: Both statements are correct

 

Q3. With reference to a Money Bill, consider the following statements:
  1. A Money Bill can be introduced in either the Lok Sabha or the Rajya Sabha.
  2. The Rajya Sabha can only recommend amendments in a Money Bill, and the Lok Sabha has the final say.
  3. A Money Bill can deal with taxation matters and government expenditure.

How many of the statements given above are correct?

  1. Only one
  2. Only two
  3. All three
  4. None
CHECK ANSWERS:-

Answer: b

Explanation: A Money Bill can only be introduced in Lok Sabha with prior recommendation of the President for introduction in Lok Sabha.

 

Q4. With reference to Environment Impact Assessment (EIA), 
consider the following statements:
  1. EIA is a process that evaluates the environmental, social, and economic impacts of a project before implementation.
  2. EIA assists in identifying potential environmental issues and developing mitigation strategies.

Which of the statements above 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 statements are correct

 

Q5. Consider the following statements about types of Artificial Intelligence (AI):
  1. Weak AI, includes Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) and Artificial Super Intelligence (ASI), where AGI implies a machine with human-equivalent intelligence and ASI surpasses human intelligence.
  2. Strong AI, also known as Artificial Narrow Intelligence (ANI), is designed to perform specific tasks.

Which of the statements above is/are incorrect?

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

Answer: c

Explanation: Both statements are incorrect. Weak AI focused on performing specific tasks. Strong AI comprises AGI with human-level capabilities and ASI that surpasses human intelligence and abilities.

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