03 Sep 2021: UPSC Exam Comprehensive News Analysis

Sept 3rd, 2021, CNA:- Download PDF Here

TABLE OF CONTENTS

A. GS 1 Related
B. GS 2 Related
INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
1. India keeping a watch on ties between Taliban and Pakistan
POLITY
1. Long wait for a Deputy Speaker for Lok Sabha
C. GS 3 Related
ECONOMY
1. Exports rose 45% to $33 bn in August
D. GS 4 Related
E. Editorials
INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
1. Noble intentions
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
1. Breakthrough challenge
ENVIRONMENT AND ECOLOGY
1. A hydro onslaught the Himalayas cannot take
F. Prelims Facts
1. Indian biologist wins global award for turtle conservation
G. Tidbits
1. TOD highlighted in draft regional plan 2041
H. UPSC Prelims Practice Questions
I. UPSC Mains Practice Questions

Category: POLITY

1. Long wait for a Deputy Speaker for Lok Sabha

Context:

  • The Delhi High Court has asked the Union government to explain its stand on a petition that challenges the government’s reluctance to conduct the elections to the post of Deputy Speaker of the Lok Sabha.

Details:

  • The petition argues that keeping the post of Deputy Speaker of the Lok Sabha vacant is a violation of Article 93 of the Indian Constitution.
    • Article 93 states that “The Speaker and Deputy Speaker of the House of the People shall, as soon as may be, choose two members of the House to be respectively Speaker and Deputy Speaker thereof and, so often as the office of Speaker or Deputy Speaker becomes vacant, the House shall choose another member to be Speaker or Deputy Speaker, as the case may be”.
    • It states that the office of the Deputy Speaker should never be empty.

Deputy Speaker:

  • The position of Deputy Speaker is a Constitutional post.
  • The Deputy Speaker is elected by the Lok Sabha from amongst its members right after the election of the Speaker has taken place.
  • The Deputy Speaker enjoys the same legislative powers as the Speaker. And in the absence of the Speaker because of death, illness or any other reason, the Deputy Speaker assumes the administrative powers of the speaker.

Panel of chairpersons:

  • There is also a panel of 10 chairpersons for the Lok Sabha nominated by the Speaker from amongst Lok Sabha MPs to preside if both the Speaker and Deputy Speaker are absent.
  • The panel can’t preside over the house when the office of the speaker or deputy speaker is vacant; in such cases, the president decides who shall preside over the house from amongst its members.
  • When even these panelists are absent, any member of the house, as determined by the house acts as the presiding officer.

Category: SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

1. Breakthrough challenge

The article calls for the Vaccine makers to move towards making vaccines for the Delta variants. Read more on coronavirus variants in the linked article.

Context:

  • Over 66 crore COVID-19 vaccines have been administered since the vaccination drive commenced.
  • India has now inoculated at least half its adult population with at least one dose, and 16% with two.

Concerns:

  • Kerala, which contributes the bulk of infections, also has among the highest proportions of the population who are double vaccinated.
    • This underlies concerns about the rise in breakthrough infections.
    • Breakthrough infections are confirmed infections in those who have been inoculated with both doses.
  • Studies have reported between 1%-10% of fully vaccinated healthcare workers as having been infected.
    • However, less than 5% of them have required hospitalisation and no deaths have been confirmed.
    • This indicates the effectiveness of vaccines in preventing severe sickness and death.
  • A similar trend is observed internationally too.
    • Israel and the U.S., in spite of high vaccination coverage, continue to report new cases.
  • Vaccines in controlled clinical trials had demonstrated 70%-90% efficacy but lost considerable ability to reduce symptomatic infections when confronted with the Delta variants.
    • This makes a certain fraction of those fully vaccinated still vulnerable.
    • The Delta variant has reduced vaccine efficacy against symptomatic illness and transmission.

Way Forward:

  • The prime suspects, internationally as well as in India, are the Delta variants and related sub-lineages that are believed to form the bulk of coronavirus infections.
  • It is a fact of evolution that viruses would mutate to be able to avoid antibodies and vaccines would have to be upgraded accordingly.
  • While it is suggested that even a booster of the original vaccine is likely to help improve immunity against delta variant, its ability to infect the fully vaccinated raises questions about the best strategy going forward.
  • Also, there are no reports anywhere in the world where vaccine makers have specified a timeline for vaccines that are tuned to the Delta variants.
  • Vaccine developers must work on the question of whether future COVID-19 shots will need to be tweaked for the delta variant, or other new variants.
  • Vaccine makers who may have got emergency-use authorisations but have not yet launched the vaccines must move to making vaccines for the Delta variants.

Category: ENVIRONMENT AND ECOLOGY

1. A hydro onslaught the Himalayas cannot take

The article talks about the need for the cancellation of the many upcoming and approved hydel projects in the fragile Himalayan region.

Context:

  • Policymakers have permitted projects and large-scale infrastructure in the already fragile and vulnerable Ganga-Himalayan basin.
  • Seven Himalayan hydel projects have been allowed to complete construction primarily on the grounds that they are over 50% complete.

This topic has been covered in Aug 28th, 2021 CNA.

Concerns:

  • The recent approval for 7 hydel projects essentially goes against the core mandate of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) which is to conserve the country’s natural environment.
  • Approvals have been given despite the dire warnings of climate change threats and environmental challenges these projects could pose.
  • The proliferation of dams is not restricted to Uttarakhand.
    • By 2007, Sikkim had entered a contract with private-public sector players for the development of 5,000 MW.
    • Arunachal Pradesh signed memoranda of understanding in 2010 for 40,000 MW.
    • These agreements thrived on speculative investments and political brokering and had minimal accountability or experience in the courier and logistics, real estate, steel fabrication, and tourism sectors.

Evidences:

  • The study and analysis of recurrent disasters in the last decade in the state of Uttarakhand point towards the anthropogenic pressure being a direct or an indirect contributor.
    • A recent example is the Rishi-Ganga valley disaster in which the river turned into a flood carrying a heavy load of silt and debris and demolishing hydropower projects along its course.
  • Post the 2013 Kedarnath tragedy, in suo motu cognisance by the Supreme Court, an expert body (EB-I) was constituted to investigate the link between hydro-power projects in Uttarakhand and the recurring disaster.
    • In its findings, EB-I said there was a direct and indirect impact of these dams in aggravating the disaster.
    • However, to get approvals for these projects, multiple committees were formed with some design changes to finally get approvals.
  • Besides, the latest Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change report has special significance in the context of fragile mountainous ecological regimes.

Read more on the Sixth Assessment Report by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) covered in Aug 10th, 2021 CNA.

  • The sustainability of the dams in the long term is highly questionable as hydropower solely relies on the excess availability of water.
    • Climate change models are clear about the cascading impacts of global warming trends on the glaciers of the Himalayas — the main source of water in the region.
    • Temperatures across the region are projected to rise by about 1°C to 2°C on average by 2050.
    • Retreating glaciers and the alternating phases of floods and drought will impact the seasonal flows of rivers.
  • Evidences suggest that about 15% of the great earthquakes (of magnitudes greater than 8) of the 20th century took place in the Himalayas and many of its segments are likely to see a period of intense earthquake activity in the future.
    • The 2015 Nepal earthquake is a case in point.
    • Several dams were damaged in that event destroying a third of Nepal’s hydropower.

Issue:

  • The conclusions of EB-I that had flagged the incalculable environmental risks of such structures have been conveniently sidelined and overwritten by EB-II.
  • EB-II has paved way for all projects through some design change modifications.
  • Recent affidavit reveals that the Government is inclined towards the construction of 26 other projects, as in the recommendation of the expert body (EB-II; B.P. Das committee).
  • The affidavit submitted by the MoEFCC conceals its own observations and admissions given in its earlier affidavit of 2014 which admitted that hydroelectric projects did aggravate the 2013 flood.
  • It also conceals the minutes of the meeting and decision taken by the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) in 2019 in this regard which mentions that there would be “no new hydropower projects” on the Ganga along with the cancellation of those that have not reached 50% of its construction.
  • A huge amount of money is being wasted in the construction of hydel dams that will function much below their efficiency, cause the loss of water and forests, and render the area fragile.
  • By the time they are constructed, the cost of electricity generated will also be phenomenally high and would have no buyers.

Way Forward:

  • Science and logic press on the need for conservation and protection in these sensitive areas.
  • These are the projects that have been approved by the Government with no science backing them but with several scientific truths demanding their cancellation.
  • Considering the environmental and cultural significance of these areas, it is imperative that the Government refrains from the economically challenged rapacious construction of hydroelectric projects and declares the upper reaches of all the headstreams of the Ganga as eco-sensitive zones. It must allow the river to flow unfettered and free.
  • Additionally, the MoEFCC must formulate a written position on climate change adaptation with respect to the hydropower sector, after a thorough public discourse.

F. Prelims Facts

1. Indian biologist wins global award for turtle conservation

Context:

  • Indian biologist Shailendra Singh has been awarded the Behler Turtle Conservation Award for his contribution in reviving the status of three critically endangered turtle species.
    • The red-crowned roofed turtle (Batagur kachuga)
      • The red-crowned roofed turtle or Bengal roof turtle is a species of freshwater turtle endemic to South Asia.
      • The large Batagur turtles are probably the most threatened freshwater turtles in India. Their populations have now been drastically reduced due to poaching for their meat and shells, accidental drowning in fishing gear, water pollution, hydroelectric infrastructure projects, habitat destruction by sand mining, and egg predation by jackals.
    • Northern river terrapin (Batagur baska)
      • The northern river terrapin (Batagur baska) is a species of riverine turtle native to Southeast Asia. It is considered extinct in much of its former range.
      • The northern river terrapin is one of Asia’s largest freshwater and brack water turtles.
    • Black softshell turtle (Nilssonia nigricans)
      • The black softshell turtle or Bostami turtle (Nilssonia nigricans), previously placed in genus Aspideretes, is a species of freshwater turtle found in India (Assam) and Bangladesh. It shares some degree of similarity with the Indian peacock softshell turtle. Believed to have developed through inbreeding in this species.
      • Consumption of turtle meat and eggs, silt mining, encroachment of wetlands and change in flooding pattern are some of the major threats to this species.

G. Tidbits

1. TOD highlighted in draft regional plan 2041

  • As a part of urban regeneration, Transit Oriented Development (TOD) and planned housing along TOD corridors have been highlighted in the draft Regional Plan-2041 for the National Capital Region.
    • In urban planning, a transit-oriented development (TOD) is a type of urban development that maximizes the amount of residential, business and leisure space within walking distance of public transport.
  • The policy proposes to have residential, commercial, civic, institutional units in close proximity to transport corridors.
  • The policy focuses on enhancing walkability and last-mile connectivity through a higher dependence on public transport.

H. UPSC Prelims Practice Questions

Q1. Which of the following statements with respect to Controller General of Accounts 
is/are correct?
  1. CGA is an independent constitutional body that derives its mandate from the constitution of India.
  2. CGA is the Principal Advisor on Accounting matters to the Union Government.
  3. CGA is responsible for the disbursement of Pension in respect of Central Civil Pensioners, Freedom Fighters, High Court Judges, Eg-M.P.s and Eg-Presidents.

Options:

  1. 1 only
  2. 2 only
  3. 2 and 3 only
  4. 1, 2 and 3
CHECK ANSWERS:-

Answer: c

Explanation:

  • Controller General of Accounts is not a Constitutional body. It comes under the Department of Expenditure in the Finance Ministry.
  • It is the Principal Accounting Adviser to the Government of India.
Q2. Which of the given statements is/are correct?
  1. India accounts for over 50% of the global production of coconuts.
  2. The World Coconut Germplasm Centre is located in Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
  3. The secretariat of the International Coconut Community under the aegis of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UN-ESCAP) is headquartered in Tamil Nadu in India.
  4. De-husked coconut and Copra are covered under the government’s Minimum Support Price (MSP) scheme.

Options:

  1. 2 and 4 only
  2. 1, 2 and 3 only
  3. 3 and 4 only
  4. 1, 2, 3 and 4
CHECK ANSWERS:-

Answer: a

Explanation:

  • India accounts for around 34% of the global production of coconuts.
  • The secretariat of the International Coconut Community under the aegis of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UN-ESCAP) is headquartered in Jakarta.
Q3. Which of the following are correctly matched?

Turtle                                                        Conservation status

  1. Red-crowned roofed turtle                   Endangered
  2. Northern River terrapin                     Extinct in the Wild
  3. Black softshell turtle                          Critically Endangered

Options:

  1. 1 and 3 only
  2. 3 only
  3. 1, 2 and 3
  4. None of the above
CHECK ANSWERS:-

Answer: b

Explanation:

  • Red-crowned roofed turtle, Northern River terrapin and Black softshell turtle are critically endangered as per IUCN classification.
Q4. Which of the given statements is/are INCORRECT?
  1. Durand Line is an important international boundary line, running between Pakistan and Afghanistan.
  2. The Durand line was slightly modified by the Anglo-Afghan Treaty of 1919, meant to be for 100 years and was renewed in 1999.
  3. Afghanistan was the only country to vote against Pakistan joining the United Nations in 1947.

Options:

  1. 1 and 2 only
  2. 1 and 3 only
  3. 2 only
  4. None of the above
CHECK ANSWERS:-

Answer: c

Explanation:

  • The Durand line was slightly modified by the Anglo-Afghan Treaty of 1919, meant to be for 100 years but was never renewed.
Q5. With reference to two non-conventional energy sources called ‘coal bed methane’ and 
‘shale gas’, consider the following ‘statements:
  1. Coal bed methane is the pure methane gas extracted from coal seams, while shale gas is a mixture of propane and butane only that can be extracted from fine-grained sedimentary rocks.
  2. In India abundant coal bed methane sources exist, but so far no shale gas sources have been found.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct? [UPSC 2014]

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

Answer: d

Explanation:

  • Shale gas has some proportion of methane as well.
  • In India, both coal bed methane and shale gas sources have been found.

I. UPSC Mains Practice Questions

  1. How should India look at the dispute between Afghanistan and Pakistan in the context of Durand Line? (10 Marks, 150 Words)[GS-2, International Relations]
  2. What do you understand by ‘breakthrough infections’? Evaluate the protection offered by the existing vaccines and suggest measures to reduce further COVID- 19 spread. (10 Marks, 150 Words)[GS-2, Health]

Read the previous CNA here.

Sept 3rd, 2021, CNA:- Download PDF Here

IAS General Studies Notes Links
First Governor General Of India Mpsc Posts
Cripps Mission October Revolution
Ba Subjects For UPSC Humayun
Monetary Policy Indus Valley Civilization
Founder Of Indian National Congress Montreux Record

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  1.  SSD
    September 4, 2021 at 9:29 am

    Sir, can you please provide the answers to UPSC main practise questions from your perspective?
    It’s fine that we are posting answers on our answer writing portal. But, if you (byjus ias) posts the answers for this questions from your (byjus ias) point of view, then we can correlate it with our answers and can develop that habit to approach each and every answer. Hope you will understand.

    Thank You.

    Reply