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Important topics and their relevance in UPSC CSE exam for April 18, 2024. If you missed the April 17, 2024 UPSC CSE exam key from the Indian Express, read it here.
Syllabus:
Preliminary Examination: Current events of national and international importance
Mains Examination: GS-I, GS-II, Society, Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health, Education, Human Resources
What’s the ongoing story- The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) is funding a study to analyse the number of maternal deaths because of heart diseases and develop a treatment protocol to prevent future mortality. This is needed to further arrest India’s maternal mortality because the most common risk factors, like infections and excessive bleeding, have been controlled well while heart disease is emerging to be the next big risk factor.
Prerequisites:
— What is the Maternal Mortality Rate (MMR)?
— What is Haemorrhage?
— Relation of women’s health to overall social development
Key takeaways:
— MMR is a key indicator of women’s health and childcare. It is also an indication of basic public health preparedness
— The Rs 8-crore study will not only identify the 10 most common heart diseases in pregnant women but also develop their treatment protocol that can be accessed in remote rural pockets.
— Government data pegs MMR at 97 deaths per lakh live births between 2018 and 2020.
— As per a Lancet study, the risk of heart failure in a Pregnant woman increases steadily by 24 weeks, plateaus at 30 weeks and peaks again around delivery.
— “The data also showed that 60 per cent of the women came to know of a heart disease for the first time during their pregnancy.”
— According to a 2022 study that looked at trends over two decades, the leading causes of maternal deaths were haemorrhage or uncontrolled bleeding (47 per cent), pregnancy-related infection (12 per cent), and hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (7 per cent).
For Your Information:
— MMR is calculated by dividing the number of maternal deaths in a given population during a period of time by the number of live births occurring in that period; it reflects the risk of maternal death relative to the number of live births.
— Another method for calculation is dividing the average annual number of maternal deaths in a population by the average number of women of reproductive age alive in the same period. This rate reflects the risk of maternal death per pregnancy or per birth and the level of fertility in a population.
Points to Ponder:
— Why are women at the risk of heart diseases?
— What are the steps taken by the government to reduce MMR?
— How are SDGs goals related to MMR?
Post Read Question:
How is Maternal Mortality Rate (MMR) an indication of basic public health preparedness?
Other Important Articles Covering the same topic:
Heart attack striking young adults
Do high levels of ‘good’ cholesterol mean lower risk of heart disease?
Maternal mortality rate in states
Syllabus:
Preliminary Examination: Current Events of national and international importance, Economic development
Mains Examination: General Studies Paper-2: Government Policies & Interventions, General Studies Paper-3 Liberalisation, Space Technology, Achievements of Indians in Science & Technology.
What’s the ongoing story- The Finance Ministry has notified amended rules under the Foreign Exchange Management Act to operationalise its earlier decision to allow up to 100 per cent foreign direct investment (FDI) for the space sector through three categories of liberalised entry routes. The new rules came into effect from April 16.
Prerequisites:
— What do you understand by foreign direct investment (FDI)?
— What are the different routes and components of FDI in India?
— What are the Recent Amendments in the FDI Policy of India?
— What is the difference between FDI and FPI?
— What is Foreign Exchange Management Act?
Key takeaways:
— In February, the Union Cabinet had approved the amendment to the FDI policy for the space sector, allowing up to 100 per cent investment in certain categories.
— As per the latest Finance Ministry notification, 100 per cent FDI has been allowed for the space sector category of manufacturing and operation of satellites, satellite data products, and ground segment and user segment, out of which up to 74 per cent would be through the automatic route and government nod would be required for investment beyond 74 per cent.
— Under the earlier policy, any foreign investment in manufacturing and operating satellites is allowed only with government approval.
— Manufacturing of components and systems or sub-systems for satellites, ground segment and user segment will be fully under the 100 per cent automatic route.
— Automatic FDI has also been permitted up to 49 per cent for launch vehicles and associated systems or subsystems, and creation of spaceports for launching and receiving spacecraft. Government approval would be required for investments beyond 49 per cent.
— Ministry has also provided detailed definition of ‘Satellites – manufacturing and operation’, ‘Satellite data products’, “launch vehicles and associated systems or sub-systems”, “spaceport” etc.
For Your Information:
— Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) is defined as an investment in which a company takes controlling ownership of a business entity in another country. Therefore, foreign companies get directly involved with day-to-day operations in other countries.
— India gets FDI through two routes:
(a) Automatic route: Under this route, the non-resident or Indian company does not require a prior nod from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) or the government of India for FDI.
(b) Government route: Under this route, the government’s approval is mandatory.
Points to Ponder:
— Which are the sectors that fall under the 100% automatic route and government route categories?
— Which sectors are prohibited under FDI? Where does India rank as per FDI inflows?
— What are the top 5 sectors and states receiving the highest FDI inflow? What are the top 5 countries for FDI equity inflows into India?
— What is the significance of FDI for the Indian economy?
— How will recent FDI amendments benefit the Indian space sector?
— What are the major developments in the space sector in India?
— What are the key features of Indian Space Policy 2023?
— What has the Indian government done to boost FDI?
— What is the Starlink Project?
Post Read Question:
Prelims
Consider the following: (2021)
1. Foreign currency convertible bonds
2. Foreign institutional investment with certain conditions
3. Global depository receipts
4. Non-resident external deposits
Which of the above can be included in Foreign Direct Investments?
(a) 1, 2 and 3
(b) 3 only
(c) 2 and 4
(d) 1 and 4
Other Important Articles Covering the same topic:
Up to 100% FDI through automatic route will help space industry grow: experts
FDI policy a fine balancing act… investments are going up in space sector: Dr Pawan Goenka
Syllabus:
Preliminary Examination: Current events of national and international importance.
Mains Examination: General Studies II: International Relations, Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on India’s interests.
What’s the ongoing story- Chitra Subramaniam writes- “An international peace conference on Ukraine organised by the Swiss on June 15-16 will be a masterclass in understanding the art and craft of the impossible. There will be no grandstanding nor will there be a final declaration. But there will be no disappointment either because the process between now and June will be a shock absorber that, at the very least, will succeed in placing all thorny issues on the table.”
Prerequisites:
— What is the current status of the war between Russia and Ukraine?
— What has been India’s stand on the Ukraine-Russia conflict?
— Which countries are part of the Middle East?
— What are the Alpine nations?
— Read about the United Nations Security Council (UNSC).
Key takeaways:
— Switzerland’s initiative to bring countries to the negotiating table to discuss the Ukraine-Russia war is in keeping with its standing as a peacemaker, because it enjoys the trust of warring parties. – Switzerland has represented the US in Iran since the 1979 hostage crisis. It has a task force on the Middle East and backs a two-state solution to the Israel-Palestine question.
— The Swiss Foreign Office says that there is now sufficient support for the international conference. In addition to achieving a comprehensive, just and lasting peace for Ukraine in accordance with international law and the UN Charter, the meet aims to create a common understanding of a framework favourable to this objective and a concrete roadmap for the peace process.
— Switzerland has frozen the assets of Russian oligarchs in Swiss banks as a punishment for invading Ukraine.
— Switzerland is also planning a Ukraine Mine Action Conference in October to de-mine the country and has pledged CHF 100,000 over four years, in addition to expertise and other aid.
— Switzerland has held talks with the G7 members, EU representatives as well as Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa. Ethiopia and Saudi Arabia are also in the loop. Over 100 countries have agreed to attend the meeting.
— The June meeting is aimed at getting as many countries around the table as possible to discuss Russia’s frontal attack on Ukraine.
For Your Information:
— The 1949 Geneva Conventions are a set of international treaties that ensure that warring parties conduct themselves in a humane way with non-combatants such as civilians and medical personnel, as well as with combatants no longer actively engaged in fighting, such as prisoners of war, and wounded or sick soldiers.
— All countries are signatories to the Geneva Conventions.
Points to Ponder:
— Russia Ukraine war and humanitarian tragedy
— Role of the United Nations in the Ukraine-Russia Crisis
— South Caucasus talks are related to what?
— Read about the G7 and the EU.
— What was the Cold War? How has it impacted the world?
— What was the Dayton Agreement?
Post Read Question:
What are the implications of the Russia-Ukraine conflict on India and what is India’s stand on the conflict?
Other Important Articles Covering the same topic:
Switzerland’s peace bid amid Russia-Ukraine war
Syllabus:
Preliminary Examination: Indian Polity and Governance
Mains Examination: GS-II, Governance, Salient features of the Representation of People’s Act.
What’s the ongoing story- Votes in the first phase of the Lok Sabha election will be cast on April 19. The most critical time in the election process includes the last day of the campaign period (72 hours before the poll), the non-campaign period (the last 48 hours), and the poll day. Candidates are afforded the opportunity to make a final impression on the electorate, while the period of “election silence” allows voters to take a reflective pause.
Prerequisites:
— The Representation of People’s Act
— Electronic Voting Machines (EVM)
— Constitutional provisions related to the Election Commission
Key takeaways:
— Under Section 126 of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, the election campaign halts during the “silent period” that lasts for 48 hours ending with the conclusion of the poll.
— The District Magistrate issues orders under Section 144 of the CrPC, 1973, prohibiting unlawful assemblies, public meetings, and the use of loudspeakers, and limiting gatherings to no more than five persons. Door-to-door campaigning is still permitted.
— There are general restrictions on the poll day- only one vehicle for the candidates, their agents, and party workers; using these vehicles to ferry voters to polling stations is considered a corrupt practice.
— Booth Level Officers are stationed at Voter Assistance Booths to help voters locate their details in the alphabetical electoral roll locator for the polling station.
For Your Information:
— Section 123 of the RPA defines ‘corrupt practices’ to include bribery, undue influence, false information, and promotion or attempted promotion of “feelings of enmity or hatred”.
— Section 123 (2) deals with ‘undue influence’ which it defines as “any direct or indirect interference or attempt to interfere on the part of the candidate or his agent with the free exercise of any electoral right.”
Points to Ponder:
— Model Code of Conduct (MCC)
— Role of District Collector in conducting election
— What happens when a politician disobeys the MCC?
Post Read Question:
With reference to “election process” in India, consider the following statements:
1. Under the Representation of the People’s Act, 1951, the “silent period” starts with the declaration of the election schedule.
2. The direction for the implementation of Section 144 of the CrPC is given by the governor of the state.
3. Door to door campaign is permitted during the implementation of Section 144.
How many of the above statements are correct?
(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) All three
(d) None
Other Important Articles Covering the same topic:
What is a ‘corrupt act’ according to the Representation of People Act, 1951?
EC changes rules, manifestos at least 48 hrs before voting
Syllabus:
Preliminary Examination: Indian and World Geography – Physical, Social, Economic geography of India and the World.
Mains Examination: GS-I, Important Geophysical phenomena such as earthquakes, Tsunami, Volcanic activity, cyclones. etc., geographical features and their location-changes in critical geographical features (including water-bodies and ice-caps) and in flora and fauna and the effects of such changes.
What’s the ongoing story- The United Arab Emirates (UAE) recorded the heaviest rain ever after a severe thunderstorm hit the country on Monday (April 15) late night, killing at least one person, causing damage to homes and businesses, and bringing air travel to a standstill in Dubai.
Prerequisites:
— What is cloud seeding?
— Location of UAE on the World map
— Impact of El Nino and La Nina
Key takeaways:
— Heavy rains are unusual in the UAE, which is an arid, Arabian Peninsula country. However, they occasionally occur in the region during cooler winter months.
— The heavy rains led to disruption of air travel as flights were either diverted or delayed.
— The primary reason for these heavy rains was a storm system, which was passing through the Arabian peninsula and moving across the Gulf of Oman.
— According to a different report by the Associated Press, rains could have been exacerbated by cloud seeding , a process of spraying salt mixtures in clouds that would result in condensation of the cloud and eventually cause rainfall.
— Some experts suggested that climate change could also be behind the heavy rain. The UAE’s average temperature has increased by 0.4 degree Celsius between 2003 and 2022.
— Studies have found that for every 1 degree Celsius rise in average temperature, the atmosphere can hold about 7% more moisture. This leads to an increase in precipitation intensity, which ultimately can cause severe flooding.
For Your Information:
— The average global temperature on Earth has increased by at least 1.1 degree Celsius since 1850, primarily due to human activities.
— According to a March 2023 Synthesis Report by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), “human activities, principally through greenhouse gas emissions, have unequivocally caused global warming. The main drivers of these emissions are energy use, land use, and the consumption and production of goods.”
Points to Ponder:
— Significance of the Paris Agreement
— What is the impact of the extreme weather conditions on the food security of India?
— Relationship between these extreme weather conditions and disaster preparedness
Post Read Question:
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has predicted a global sea level rise of about one metre by AD 2100. What would be its impact in India and the other countries in the Indian Ocean region? [2023]
Other Important Articles Covering the same topic:
Warming up to climate change: Is Earth becoming warmer?
Warming up to climate change: How do we know humans are causing global warming?
Syllabus:
Preliminary Examination: Current events of national and international importance
Mains Examination: GS-II, GS-III, Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on India’s interests, Indian diaspora; Economic development
What’s the ongoing story- China, the world’s second largest economy, reported a stronger-than-projected economic growth of 5.3 per cent in the January-March quarter of 2024, despite challenges that range from a lingering property market downturn to the continued sluggishness in domestic demand.
Prerequisites:
— What is the Gross Domestic Production (GDP)?
— What are the different sectors of the economy?
— Role of investment in the economy
Key takeaways:
— The latest numbers released by China’s National Bureau of Statistics on Tuesday (April 15) showed growth was propelled by an expansion in the country’s services sector, as well as upbeat external demand boosting export growth, especially in the industrial sector.
— “Any uptick in the growth figures of the world’s second largest economy would have its impact on global growth.”
— According to the World Bank, the Chinese economy is vulnerable to softer global demand and increased geoeconomic tensions. Climate change and the rising frequency of extreme weather events also pose a downside risk.
For Your Information:
— While India’s nominal GDP, at $3.4 trillion in 2022, is just short of what China’s was in 2007, there is no escaping the fact that India has been a relative growth underperformer.
— The Chinese story is extraordinary for not just the almost 46-fold expansion in its economy between 1990 and 2022 (against India’s 11-fold), but also because it has been accompanied by an increase in per capita GDP from $348 (less than India’s $369) to $12,720 (far more than India’s $2,411) during this period.
— The World Bank’s per capita GNI (gross national income) threshold for categorising a country as “high income” is $13,846, and China isn’t far from attaining this status.
Points to Ponder:
— Comparison between Indian economy and Chinese economy
— India’s import dependence on China
— India and China as leaders of the Global South
Post Read Question:
What India needs to learn from the leading economies of the world, especially China?
(Thought Process: One can draw a comparison between the Chinese economic growth and the Indian economic growth—connecting the economic policies and growth data of India–analysing the difference in the approach and assessing how a good growth in China is going to impact the Global South leadership and also focus on the future roadmap for India as it plans to become a Vikshit Bharat.)
Other Important Articles Covering the same topic:
On road to Viksit Bharat, India should target per capita, not aggregate, GDP. Here’s why
ExplainSpeaking: What India must not learn from the US
Syllabus:
Preliminary Examination: General Science
Mains Examination: General Studies III: Technology, developments and their applications and effects in everyday life.
What’s the ongoing story- A three-minute-long Surya Tilak ceremony — where a beam of sunlight was projected onto the forehead of Lord Ram’s idol — was performed at noon on Wednesday (April 17) in Ayodhya’s newly-built Ram temple, marking the occasion of Ram Navami.
Prerequisites:
— Is the Gregorian calendar solar or lunar?
— What is the difference between the solar and lunar calendars?
— What is the difference between a lens and a mirror?
Key takeaways:
— A beam of sunlight onto the forehead of Lord Ram’s idol was achieved using a special mirror-lens arrangement, designed by astronomers at the Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA), Bengaluru, that has been installed in the building by a team from the Central Building Research Institute, Roorkee.
— The Gregorian calendar is a solar calendar (based on Earth’s revolution around the Sun — one revolution equals to one year), while the Hindu calendar is a lunar calendar (based on the Moon’s revolution around Earth — one revolution equals to one month).
— A solar year has roughly 365 days, whereas a lunar year is roughly 354 days long.
— The Metonic cycle is a period of 19 years in which there are 235 lunar months, after which the Moon’s phases recur on the same days of the solar year.
For Your Information:
— The Gregorian calendar in current times is the de facto calendar in most countries. The Gazette of India, the Indian government’s authorised legal document, uses this calendar along with the Indian national calendar (the Shalivahana Shaka calendar). The Gregorian calendar considers a solar year to comprise 365 and a quarter days. It ‘intercalates’ or adds one day every four years so that the calendars correspond to the seasons.
Points to Ponder:
— Read about the Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA).
— What is a periscope? What is a periscope used for?
— What are the different types of mirrors and lenses?
— What is the opto-mechanical system?
Post Read Question:
With reference to the Nagara style of temple architecture, consider the following statements:
1. These temples are built on a raised plinth.
2. Shikhara is the most distinguishable aspect of Nagara style temples.
3. In these temples, circumambulatory passage around the garbha griha is absent.
4. The Nagara style of temple architecture emerged during the late Maurya period.
How many of the statements given above are correct?
(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) Only three
(d) All four
Other Important Articles Covering the same topic:
What is the Nagara style, in which Ayodhya’s Ram temple is being built
Here’s why you should visit Khajuraho if you haven’t already
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