31 Oct 2023: UPSC Exam Comprehensive News Analysis

31 October 2023 CNA
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TABLE OF CONTENTS

A. GS 1 Related
B. GS 2 Related
C. GS 3 Related
ECONOMY
1. Easing the transport of cargo by Railways
DISASTER MANAGEMENT
1. The expansion of settlements into flood-prone areas
D. GS 4 Related
E. Editorials
INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
1. The Israel­ Palestine conflict is at bend point
2. Towards stabilisation of U.S.­China ties
SOCIAL ISSUES
1. The COVID­-19 death toll in India, getting it right
F. Prelims Facts
1. The act of photocopying
G. Tidbits
1. New mushroom variety in Western Ghats
H. UPSC Prelims Practice Questions
I. UPSC Mains Practice Questions
FIP Magazine

E. Editorials

Category: INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

1. The Israel­ Palestine conflict is at bend point

Syllabus: GS-2, Effect of Policies and Politics of Developed and Developing Countries on India’s interests, Indian Diaspora.

Prelims:  UN Security Council resolutions 242 and 338, Oslo Accords, Camp David Accords, Land For Peace agreement, I2U2 

Mains: Israel-Palestine conflict and its impact on global politics

Context

  • Ambassador T.S. Tirumurti, while condemning Hamas’s actions on October 7, 2023, as a brutal terrorist attack, also believes that the Palestinian fight against Israeli occupation is still justified. 

Two-State Solution and Proportional Response

  • UN Security Council resolutions 242 and 338 also advocate for “Land For Peace” and a two-state solution. 
  • As part of the “Land For Peace” agreement, Israel should have withdrawn from occupied land in the West Bank, Gaza, and East Jerusalem in exchange for peace.
  • This would provide security, recognition, normalcy, and peace for both the State of Israel and the State of Palestine.
  • The revised 2017 charter of Hamas also accepts a two-state solution based on the 1967 borders.
  • Ambassador Tirumurti also feels that the one-state solution is not a viable option.
  • He argues that while Israel has a right to defend itself against Hamas terrorism, it must consider the proportionality of its responses, particularly given the high number of civilian casualties in Gaza and questions how many Palestinian lives are deemed acceptable collateral damage.

Media representation and dehumanization

  • The West and its media have equated Hamas with all 2.2 million Palestinians in Gaza to dehumanize them and justify indiscriminate bombings.
  • This also aims to silence opposition to the violence and mask the real issue of Palestinian statehood.

Humanitarian crisis and double standards

  • The term “humanitarian” is used to describe aid provided in response to Israel’s collective punishment of Gazans through blockades, but the situation is actually a human tragedy involving the killing of innocent lives and mass displacement.
  • Arab countries have been criticized for their failure to take concrete actions to address the Palestinian issue, despite their rhetorical support for the Palestinian cause.
  • They have been accused of prioritizing their interests over Palestinian rights and seeking to normalize relations with Israel without addressing the issue. 
  • Additionally, they have been criticized for not using their influence and “oil clout” to pressure Israel into resolving the conflict and instead focusing on the containment of popular support for Palestine within their own borders.

Historical context and cycle of violence

  • Successive Israeli governments have been accused of working to make the two-state solution increasingly difficult to achieve. 
  • The current government has openly declared its opposition to a two-state solution, leading to increased settlement expansion and violence against Palestinians.
  • The Israel-Palestine conflict has been marked by cycles of violence and non-implementation of agreements. 
  • Major violent conflicts have historically led to a renewed focus on the Palestinian issue, followed by empty promises and further violence.
  • Previous agreements, such as the Oslo Accords and the Camp David Accords, have failed to deliver on their promises of Palestinian self-rule and statehood. These failures have led to increased frustration and radicalization among the Palestinian population.
  • The situation in Gaza has been described as a human disaster, with widespread poverty, unemployment, and despair. The recent ground operations by Israel have resulted in significant civilian casualties and risk further destabilizing the region.

India’s Stand

  • India has traditionally supported a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
  • However, India has been cautious about the potential consequences of terrorist attacks in Israel on South Asia.
  • India’s approach to normalizing relations with Israel is aligned with that of the Arab world, as seen in groupings like I2U2 (India, Israel, the United Arab Emirates, and the United States).
  • India has abstained from voting on a UN General Assembly (UNGA) resolution calling for a ceasefire in the Israel-Palestine conflict.
  • India’s decision was due to the absence of any “explicit condemnation” of the October 7 terror attack by Hamas militants on Israel. It is based on India’s principled stand on terrorism.
  • India, with its traditional balanced position on the issue and recent G-20 role in bridging global divides, was well-suited to play a prominent diplomatic role.
  • India had several options such as
    • Playing a prominent diplomatic role to ensure clearer mention of the October 7 attacks.
    • Voting for the motion while expressing regret for the omission of explicit condemnation of the terror attack.
    • Voting against the resolution along with the US, UK, and Israel.
  • By abstaining without making efforts to forge a consensus, India missed an opportunity to make its voice heard in the growing geopolitical conflict and to demonstrate its desire for a seat at the global high table.

Conclusion: 

  • The international community has to take tangible action to address the root causes of the conflict and bring about lasting solutions, rather than relying on empty promises and short-term fixes.
  • While India does not currently have a direct role in the peace process, it is important for the US and Western countries, as well as the Gulf and Arab states, to show leadership first.
  • Any regional fallout from the conflict will affect India, making it crucial for the country to speak out not only against terrorism but also against the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
  • India’s close ties with both Israel and the US can be an asset in addressing the situation.

Nut Graf: Ambassador T.S. Tirumurti emphasized the need for a two-state solution and proportional responses to violence. The violence has also revealed biased media representation of the Palestinian cause apart from the unfolding humanitarian crisis in Gaza. The international community has to take tangible action to address the root causes of the conflict and bring about lasting solutions, rather than short-term fixes.

2. Towards stabilisation of U.S.­China ties

Syllabus: GS-2, Effect of Policies and Politics of Developed and Developing Countries on India’s interests, Indian Diaspora.

Prelims: Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation, US-China relations, Second Thomas Shoal

Mains: US-China relations and impact on world order

Introduction

  • A dialogue between the US and China is significant for promoting peace.
  • There is potential for a tactical stabilization of relations between the two powers culminating in a presidential summit at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation conference in November.

Recent Developments in US-China Relations

  • China’s relationship with the US could have an impact on the Middle East. China has influence over Iran, which in turn supports Hezbollah in Lebanon. 
  • If Hezbollah gets involved in the conflict in Gaza, it could make things more complicated. 
  • Recently, China’s foreign minister Wang Yi visited the US and met with top officials, including President Biden. The Chinese official said that improving relations between their countries won’t be simple. 
  • Until recently, the Chinese military wasn’t taking calls from the Pentagon, but that changed when China replaced its defense minister. 
  • Jake Sullivan, the US national security adviser, believes it’s crucial for the two nations to keep communicating to avoid misunderstandings and maintain stable relations.

US-China Relations Since Bali Meeting

  • Since the Bali meeting between Joe Biden and Xi Jinping, the US-China relationship has been strained, especially after the “spy balloon” incident. 
  • The US is currently thriving economically and in foreign policy, with renewed European alliances and bolstered Indo-Pacific partnerships. 
  • The Biden Administration has maintained a firm stance on China, keeping Trump-era tariffs and implementing measures to curb China’s tech sector growth. 
  • According to the US National Security Strategy, China is seen as a rival seeking to redefine the global order. 
  • While the current US administration aims to set boundaries to avoid further deterioration, it’s clear that the US-China dynamic remains complex and challenging.
  • China has reacted critically to the U.S.’s attempts to limit its power, with Chinese President Xi Jinping claiming that the U.S. is trying to hold back China’s growth and influence. 
  • Former Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang also stated that no matter how many safeguards are put in place, the U.S.’s actions will cause problems for China if they continue down their current path. 

US Policy Towards China

  • Tightening export controls on technology and investment to China
  • Tough stance on the China­ Philippines stand­off at the Second Thomas Shoal in the South China Sea.
  • Restricting Chinese investments in the US
  • Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen has called for constructive engagement with China based on national security, fair competition, and cooperation on global challenges
  • Rejection of the idea of decoupling the US economy from China

China’s Objectives

  • China perceives the United States as a formidable military power, yet believes that its influence is waning. 
  • Instead of taking an adversarial stance, China aspires to uphold a facade of collaboration and harmonious coexistence with the US. 
  • It also hopes to secure American acknowledgement of its economic and political structure, which encompasses the paramountcy of the Chinese Communist Party. 
  • In terms of military and political objectives, China seeks to assert its supremacy in the Western Pacific region.
  • However, complications exist in the region with Japan, Taiwan, the Philippines, and Vietnam (backed by the US) contesting China’s ambitions.

Importance of Cooperation

  • Cooperation between the US and China is essential for addressing global challenges like climate change and crises like the one in West Asia.
  • An atmosphere of hostility is impeding effective collaboration.
  • While the relationship will still have a strong competitive aspect, the US and China should strive to make it practical.

Nut Graf: A dialogue between the US and China is significant for promoting peace. The US sees China as a rival seeking to redefine the global order and has maintained a firm stance on China with export controls and restrictions on Chinese investments. However, cooperation between the US and China is essential for addressing global challenges like climate change and crises like the one in West Asia.

Category: SOCIAL ISSUES

1. The COVID­-19 death toll in India, getting it right

Syllabus: GS-2, Issues Relating to Development and Management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health, Education, Human Resources.

Prelims: Civil Registration System, Sample Registration System

Mains: Need for improved mortality surveillance and measurement

Introduction

  • The COVID-19 pandemic has taken a significant toll on human life globally in 2020 and 2021.
  • This has raised major concerns for global public health.
  • Due to difficulties in directly linking deaths to COVID-19 infections, experts have stressed the importance of measuring the pandemic’s effect using excess mortality.
  • Excess mortality is calculated by comparing actual mortality rates during the pandemic to predicted mortality rates based on pre-pandemic patterns.
  • Accurate population-level mortality data from death registration systems are necessary for an accurate estimate of excess mortality.

Challenges in Measuring Mortality in India

  • Death registration in India is incomplete, with variations across states and districts.
  • The lack of weekly or monthly mortality data makes it difficult to calculate excess deaths.
  • Variations in reporting, delayed registration, and data completeness issues may impact the accuracy of the findings.
    • Independent investigators compiled mortality records from local offices of the Civil Registration System (CRS) in 14 states and nine cities across India from January 2018 to May 2021.
    • Scientific teams used these data, along with other available mortality data from the Sample Registration System (SRS) and household surveys, to develop modelled excess mortality estimates for India.
    • Estimates of COVID-19-related deaths vary widely among different studies, with the highest estimate being 4.7 million excess deaths in India during 2020-2021.
  • The official CRS report for 2021 is expected to provide valuable insights into mortality rates.

Proposed Solution

  • To address these concerns, a national task force should be formed to thoroughly analyze the data.
  • The task force should have access to all necessary microdata from the CRS, SRS, and other relevant sources.
  • Using standard statistical methods and empirical data, the task force can measure excess mortality by sex and age at national, state, and district levels.

Benefits of Improved Mortality Measurement

  • Evidence-based health actions to address the burden of maternal and child health conditions, infectious diseases, non-communicable diseases, and injuries.
  • Improved mortality measurement will bring objectivity to pandemic mortality in India and establish capabilities for subnational mortality assessment.
  • It will also provide valuable information for strengthening local data quality.
  • Improving the attribution of causes of death through physician certification or retrospective interview techniques for statistical analysis.

Conclusion

  • The proposed solution will significantly increase the usefulness of the Civil Registration System (CRS) for regular local and national mortality monitoring in India.
  • Improved mortality measurement will provide valuable insights for public health action and strengthen the country’s capacity for mortality surveillance.

Nut Graf: Indian pandemic excess mortality estimates vary widely. Incomplete death registration and lack of weekly mortality data pose challenges, but a national task force could use standard statistical methods to produce accurate estimates.

F. Prelims Facts

1. The act of photocopying

Syllabus: GS 3- Science and Technology

Prelims: General Science

Introduction

  • In his essay “The Work of Art in the Age of Mechanical Reproduction,” the German philosopher Walter Benjamin underscores how mass reproduction affects art within a capitalist society.
  • The advent of xerography, a dry photocopying method, revolutionised the way textual material is reproduced and disseminated.
  • Xerography’s impact extends beyond simple reproduction to copyright, surveillance, counterfeiting, and even the art scene.

Understanding Xerography

  • Xerography, derived from the Greek word “xero” (meaning dry), involves a photocopying technique that doesn’t require liquid chemicals.
  • In xerography, a photoconductive surface is negatively charged, exposed to light, and used to duplicate printed material.
  • A powdery substance called toner is applied to the charged surface, transferred to a sheet of paper, and heated to create a copy.

Invention of Xerography

  • Inspired by Hungarian engineer Paul Selenyi, American attorney Chester F. Carlson developed xerography in 1938.
  • Carlson sold his idea to the Battelle Memorial Institute in Ohio, where researchers refined the technique.
  • The New York-based Haloid Photographic Company purchased a licence from Battelle and introduced the first Xerox machine in 1949.

Impact of Xerography

    • Counterfeiting: Xerox machines have mechanisms to prevent the photocopying of banknotes with specific markings, making counterfeiting more challenging.
    • Copyright and Education: Xerography enabled the reproduction of educational material at a low cost, benefiting students and institutions. It has also raised questions about copyright infringement.
    • Art and Creative Expression: Xerography empowered artists, musicians, and writers to self-publish, advertise events, and explore their creative expressions outside traditional galleries and museums.


Category: SOCIAL ISSUES

1. The COVID­-19 death toll in India, getting it right

Syllabus: Issues Relating to Development and Management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health, Education, Human Resources.

GS- II

Category- Social Issues

Prelims-  Civil Registration System, Sample Registration System

Mains- Need for improved mortality surveillance and measurement

Introduction

  • The COVID-19 pandemic has taken a significant toll on human life globally in 2020 and 2021.
  • This has raised major concerns for global public health.
  • Due to difficulties in directly linking deaths to COVID-19 infections, experts have stressed the importance of measuring the pandemic’s effect using excess mortality.
  • Excess mortality is calculated by comparing actual mortality rates during the pandemic to predicted mortality rates based on pre-pandemic patterns.
  • Accurate population-level mortality data from death registration systems are necessary for an accurate estimate of excess mortality.

Challenges in Measuring Mortality in India

  • Death registration in India is incomplete, with variations across states and districts
  • Lack of weekly or monthly mortality data makes it difficult to calculate excess deaths
  • Variations in reporting, delayed registration, and data completeness issues may impact the accuracy of the findings.
    • Independent investigators compiled mortality records from local offices of the Civil Registration System (CRS) in 14 states and nine cities across India from January 2018 to May 2021.
    • Scientific teams used these data, along with other available mortality data from the Sample Registration System (SRS) and household surveys, to develop modeled excess mortality estimates for India.
    • Estimates of COVID-19 related deaths vary widely among different studies, with the highest estimate being 4.7 million excess deaths in India during 2020-2021.
  • The official CRS report for 2021 is expected to provide valuable insights into mortality rates.

Proposed Solution

  • To address these concerns, a national task force should be formed to thoroughly analyze the data.
  • The task force should have access to all necessary microdata from the CRS, SRS, and other relevant sources.
  • Using standard statistical methods and empirical data, the task force can measure excess mortality by sex and age at national, state, and district levels.

Benefits of Improved Mortality Measurement

  • Evidence-based health actions to address the burden of maternal and child health conditions, infectious diseases, non-communicable diseases, and injuries.
  • Improved mortality measurement will bring objectivity to pandemic mortality in India and establish capabilities for subnational mortality assessment.
  • It will also provide valuable information for strengthening local data quality.
  • Improving the attribution of causes of death through physician certification or retrospective interview techniques for statistical analysis.

Conclusion

  • The proposed solution will significantly increase the usefulness of the Civil Registration System (CRS) for regular local and national mortality monitoring in India
  • Improved mortality measurement will provide valuable insights for public health action and strengthen the country’s capacity for mortality surveillance.

Nut Graf: Indian pandemic excess mortality estimates vary widely. Incomplete death registration and lack of weekly mortality data pose challenges, but a national task force could use standard statistical methods to produce accurate estimates.

G. Tidbits

1. New mushroom variety in Western Ghats

  • The Jawaharlal Nehru Tropical Botanic Garden and Research Institute (JNTBGRI) in Thiruvananthapuram has identified a new and fragile mushroom species.
  • The mushroom, belonging to the genus Candolleomyces, showcases the rich biodiversity of the Western Ghats.
  • The Western Ghats region is known for its unique and diverse ecosystems, making it a hotspot for biological diversity.
  • Researchers at JNTBGRI conducted a study on the new mushroom species and published their findings in the scientific journal Phytotaxa.
  • The new species has been named Candolleomyces albosquamosus due to the white woolly scale-like structures on its cap.
  • This delicate mushroom reaches a height of approximately 58 mm.
  • Seven previously reported species belonging to the genus Psathyrella in India have now been reclassified as members of the genus Candolleomyces.
  • The discovery of a new species within the Candolleomyces genus in India is significant because there are only 35 known species in this genus worldwide.

H. UPSC Prelims Practice Questions

Q1. Recently, a tiny, fragile-looking mushroom with a honey-yellow 'cap' was 
primarily found in:
  1. Western Ghats
  2. Eastern Himalayas
  3.  Western Himalayas
  4. Andaman and Nicobar Islands
CHECK ANSWERS:-

Answer: a

Explanation: The new mushroom species found in the Western Ghats, has been named Candolleomyces albosquamosus – ‘albosquamosus’ for the white woolly scale-like structures on its pileus or cap.

 

Q2. With reference to the photocopying process, which of the following statements 
is/are incorrect?
  1. The photoconductive surface allows electrons to flow when exposed to light.
  2. The toner used in photocopying is positively charged and settles where a negative charge persists on the surface.

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

  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. Which of the following factors can contribute to the severity of flooding in 
a region?
  1. High elevation
  2. Dense forest cover
  3. Rapid urbanization
  4. Low annual rainfall
CHECK ANSWERS:-

Answer: c

Explanation: Rapid urbanization leads to the development of more impervious surfaces, such as roads and buildings. This reduces the amount of land that can absorb rainwater, which increases the risk of flooding.

 

Q4. Consider the following statements with reference to APEC:
  1. APEC is a regional economic forum with 21 member economies.
  2. Its primary goal is to promote balanced and inclusive economic growth in the Asia-Pacific region.
  3. India is a member of APEC.

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: APEC consists of 21 member economies and does not include India. APEC aims to promote balanced and inclusive growth in the Asia-Pacific region.

Q5. With reference to the Gati Shakti Multi-Modal Cargo Terminal (GCT) policy, which 
of the following statements is/are correct?
  1. The policy aims to reduce high logistics costs.
  2. It is not aligned with the Gati Shakti Multi-Modal National Master Plan (GMNMP).

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

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

Answer: a

Explanation: The GCT policy is indeed aligned with the Gati Shakti Multi-Modal National Master Plan (GMNMP) to reduce logistics costs.


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