UPSC Key-22 June, 2023: What you should read in the news today

PM leads Yoga Day event in NY, heads to DC for defence, tech talks

Syllabus:

Preliminary Examination: Current events of national and international importance.

Mains Examination: General Studies II: Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests.

Key Points to Ponder:

• What’s the ongoing story– Calling for the use of “the power of yoga to build bridges of friendship, a peaceful world and a cleaner, greener sustainable future”, Prime Minister Narendra Modi led a historic Yoga Day event at the United Nations headquarters in New York Wednesday, saying yoga is “truly universal” and “free from copyrights and patents”. Later Wednesday, Modi was to meet US President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden for a private dinner at the White House. This first meeting between Modi and the Bidens in White House will set the stage for the formal bilateral talks between the two sides on Thursday.

• India and US Bilateral ties-What is the present situation?

• After the talks, the two sides are expected to announce a defence industrial cooperation roadmap, a deal on co-producing jet engines for fighter aircraft, initiatives on critical and emerging technologies which will include a roadmap on semiconductors, artificial intelligence, quantum computing and space.

• Why International Yoga Day is celebrated?

• What is Yoga?

• Who wrote Yogasutra?

• What is yoga school of thought?

• What is the relationship between yoga and Indian philosophy?

• Have you heard of Vaishesika, Nyaya, Samkhya, Yoga, Mimansa and Vedanta?

• Schools of Indian Philosophy-What exactly you know about this?

• For Your Information-According to the UN Website, Yoga is an ancient physical, mental and spiritual practice that originated in India. The word ‘yoga’ derives from Sanskrit and means to join or to unite, symbolizing the union of body and consciousness. Recognizing its universal appeal, on 11 December 2014, the United Nations proclaimed 21 June as the International Day of Yoga by resolution 69/131. The International Day of Yoga aims to raise awareness worldwide of the many benefits of practicing yoga. The draft resolution establishing the International Day of Yoga was proposed by India and endorsed by a record 175 member states. The proposal was first introduced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his address during the opening of the 69th session of the General Assembly, in which he said: “Yoga is an invaluable gift from our ancient tradition. Yoga embodies unity of mind and body, thought and action … a holistic approach [that] is valuable to our health and our well-being. Yoga is not just about exercise; it is a way to discover the sense of oneness with yourself, the world and the nature.” The resolution notes “the importance of individuals and populations making healthier choices and following lifestyle patterns that foster good health.” In this regard, the World Health Organization has also urged its member states to help their citizens reduce physical inactivity, which is among the top ten leading causes of death worldwide, and a key risk factor for non-communicable diseases, such as cardiovascular diseases, cancer and diabetes. But yoga is more than a physical activity. In the words of one of its most famous practitioners, the late B. K. S. Iyengar, “Yoga cultivates the ways of maintaining a balanced attitude in day-to-day life and endows skill in the performance of one’s actions.”

• India, US and Yoga diplomacy-Connect the dots

• “As Modi lands in the US for his first State Visit — he has travelled to the country seven times as Prime Minister — the initiative on sharing critical and emerging technologies between “trusted geographies” is going to be a key element of the conversation”-Discuss

• The Prime Minister’s visit, in the course of which he will address a joint meeting of Congress for the second time, is a culmination of efforts made by a range of stakeholders over the years-How?

Other Important Articles Covering the same topic:

📍What Delhi can give Washington

📍India has more promise than any other large country: Musk after meeting Modi

Online fact-checkers may need to register with Govt: Bill on table

Syllabus:

Preliminary Examination: Current events of national and international importance.

Mains Examination: General Studies II: Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation.

Key Points to Ponder:

• What’s the ongoing story-Online fact-checking platforms could be required to obtain a registration from the Centre, as part of a government plan to seek greater accountability from them. The measure is currently being considered as a key provision under the upcoming Digital India Bill, successor to India’s core Internet law, The Indian Express has learnt.

• The Digital India Bill-Know its key provisions

• What is the proposed Digital India Bill?

• Online fact-checking platforms-Know in brief

• What do you understand by Fact-checking?

• The Digital India Bill is expected to classify various types of online intermediaries, including fact-checking portals-But why this step?

• For Your Information-A key reason behind the classification is that the Centre wants to prescribe specific rules to different types of intermediaries. For fact-checking platforms, one of those rules could be to seek registration from a government body, it is understood. The upcoming legislation is a key component of a “comprehensive legal framework” that the government is preparing for the online space. It also includes the draft Digital Personal Data Protection Bill, 2022, the proposed Indian Telecommunication Bill, 2022, and a policy for governance and handling of non-personal data.

• Digital Personal Data Protection Bill, 2022, Indian Telecommunication Bill, 2022, and a policy for non-personal data governance-Know key provisions

• “Online platforms should continue enjoying safe harbour protections, which is currently afforded to them under the IT Act, 2000, or such protections should become conditional”-What do you understand by “safe harbour protections”?

Other Important Articles Covering the same topic:

📍Govt will release first draft of Digital India Bill in June first week: MoS IT

Modi Mitra certificates for minorities, BJP outreach programme starts today

Syllabus:

Preliminary Examination: Current events of national and international importance.

Mains Examination: General Studies III: Welfare schemes for vulnerable sections of the population by the Centre and States and the performance of these schemes; mechanisms, laws, institutions and Bodies constituted for the protection and betterment of these vulnerable sections.

Key Points to Ponder:

• What’s the ongoing story-With key states going to polls later this year and Lok Sabha elections scheduled next year, the BJP’s minority wing is stepping up its outreach programme by distributing certificates to those who appreciate Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s “vision and initiatives”. On Thursday, the party will give away ‘Modi Mitra’ certificates to around 150 Muslims in Deoband town, the largest centre of Islamic studies in the city.

• What is Modi Mitra Certificates?

• What you know about Modi Mitra campaign?

• But why Modi Mitra Certificates?

• For Your Information-The Deoband function, which will also be attended by invited beneficiaries of Central government programmes, is part of a new mission launched by the BJP in January this year to reach out to the minorities and take Modi’s message and welfare initiatives to build a prospective support base among them. The BJP Minority Morcha had identified around 65 Lok Sabha constituencies — these are in 10 states and a Union Territory — where minorities comprise more than 30 per cent of the population. It had launched a four-month outreach programme in these constituencies.

Other Important Articles Covering the same topic:

📍After PM’s directive, BJP plans mega minority outreach: 60 Lok Sabha seats in focus

EXPRESS NETWORK

Govt withdraws draft livestock Bill as animal rights groups raise red flag

Syllabus:

Preliminary Examination: Economic and Social Development-Sustainable Development, Poverty, Inclusion, Demographics, Social Sector Initiatives, etc.

Mains Examination: General Studies III: Issues related to direct and indirect farm subsidies and minimum support prices; Public Distribution System- objectives, functioning, limitations, revamping; issues of buffer stocks and food security; Technology missions; economics of animal-rearing.

Key Points to Ponder:

• What’s the ongoing story– THE CENTRE has withdrawn the draft Livestock and Livestock Products (Importation and Exportation) Bill, 2023, which aimed at regulating import and export of animals, including dogs and cats, and proposed to treat livestock as a “commodity”, following criticism from animal welfare activists. This Bill was supposed to replace a 125-year-old law – the Live-stock Importation Act, 1898. The Department of Animal Husbandry & Dairying, which comes under Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, issued an office memorandum Tuesday to withdraw the draft Bill.

• What is the draft livestock and livestock products Bill?

• First of all, what do you understand by the term ‘livestock’?

• Why does the ministry want to bring a new law?

• What is new in the proposed draft?

• Why does the proposed draft Bill face criticism?

• What has the ministry said now?

Other Important Articles Covering the same topic:

📍Why the draft livestock and livestock products Bill was withdrawn

THE EDITORIAL PAGE

Who pays for the clean-up?

Syllabus:

Preliminary Examination: General issues on Environmental ecology, Bio-diversity and Climate Change – that do not require subject specialization.

Mains Examination: General Studies III: Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment.

Key Points to Ponder:

• What’s the ongoing story– Partha Sen Writes: Historically, the primary responsibility for climate change been with the advanced economies, and their process of industrialisation. The contribution of the poorer countries (the Global South) was negligible. The Kyoto Protocol recognised the “common but differentiated responsibilities” in the fight against climate change. Its successor, the Paris Agreement, asked countries to set voluntary emission targets but required the richer countries to make financial transfers to the developing economies for the latter to cope (that is to reduce emissions and adapt to the negative effects of climate change) with the problem. It set a floor of $100 billion per year for these transfers. This was supposed to be over and above 0.7 per cent of their national income which was the overseas development aid.

• What is the Kyoto Protocol?

• What were the key takeaways from the Kyoto Protocol?

• What is the Paris Agreement and its purpose?

• Paris Agreement and Kyoto Protocol-Know the difference

• What is ‘common but differentiated responsibilities’?

• Which agreement recognised ‘common but differentiated responsibilities’?

• What is the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM)?

• Do You Know-Recently, the European Union (EU) has put forward a proposal, called the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM). The US, Canada and Japan are planning similar measures. This involves imposing tariffs on imports from other countries that are seen to be using carbon-intensive methods of production. It is argued that the stringent environmental regulation in the EU makes the production of polluting industries move to countries with relatively lax regulation. These sectors will contract in countries where carbon is priced higher, causing a “carbon leakage”. A tariff on the import of these goods by the EU would restore competitive parity to the domestically produced goods that are subject to a higher price of carbon. The CBAM is expected to achieve three objectives. First, reduce EU’s emissions; second, for the EU not to lose competitiveness in carbon-intensive goods; and third, to make the targeted countries reduce the carbon intensity of their exports.

• What are climate negotiations?

• What are the major climate change agreements?

• What is climate change ‘Loss and Damage’?

• How is climate change causing loss and damage?

• What is the extent of loss and damage?

• So why “climate disasters” and “climate negotiations” are much talked terms?

• “The demand for loss and damage finance is quite old, but it has faced strong resistance from the rich and developed countries”-Why?

• What was the rationale behind the Warsaw International Mechanism (WIM)?

• How does the Paris Agreement address the loss and damage associated with climate change?

• What is the meaning of climate finance?

• What is the financial mechanism? What are the other funds?

• In accordance with the principle of “common but differentiated responsibility and respective capabilities” set out in the Convention, developed country Parties are to provide financial resources to assist developing country Parties in implementing the objectives of the UNFCCC- discuss the objective behind this step?

• What is the Standing Committee on Finance? What is the long-term finance process?

• Green finance and climate finance-Compare

Other Important Articles Covering the same topic:

📍What is carbon border tax, which India opposed at COP27

📍What Is The Kyoto Protocol? Definition, History, Timeline, Status

📍1st time, compensating poor nations for climate disasters on the table

EXPLAINED

Why jet engine is a big deal

Syllabus:

Preliminary Examination: Current events of national and international importance.

Mains Examination: 

• General Studies II: Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s Interest

• General Studies III: Security challenges and their management in border areas – linkages of organized crime with terrorism.

Key Points to Ponder:

• What’s the ongoing story- A landmark agreement to facilitate the transfer of at least 11 critical jet engine technologies is likely to be announced during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ongoing official State Visit to the United States. It is anticipated that a deal will be announced between the American multinational corporation General Electric (GE) and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) for the manufacture under licence in India of GE’s F414 engine for the indigenous Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas Mk2.

• What is the GE-414 engine?

• What is F414-powered jets?

• The India-specific version of the engine, F414-INS6, was selected by the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) of the Defence Research Development Organisation (DRDO) for the LCA Tejas Mk2-Know more in detail

• Why the deal matters?

• Do You Know-The Indo-US defence ties have been on an upswing in the last few years. In June 2016, the US designated India a ‘Major Defence Partner’, paving way for sharing of critical military equipment and technology. The two countries have also inked key defence and security pacts over the past few years, including the Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Agreement (LEMOA) in 2016 that allows their militaries to use each other’s bases for repair and replenishment of supplies. The two sides signed COMCASA (Communications Compatibility and Security Agreement) in 2018 which provides for interoperability between the two militaries and provides for the sale of high-end technology from the US to India. In October 2020, India and the US sealed the BECA (Basic Exchange and Cooperation Agreement) agreement to further boost bilateral defence ties.

Other Important Articles Covering the same topic:

📍India set to get 11 key technologies as part of fighter jet engine deal

THE WORLD

Biden says Xi a dictator; China calls comments an open provocation

Syllabus:

Preliminary Examination: Current events of national and international importance.

Mains Examination: General Studies II: Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s Interest

Key Points to Ponder:

• What’s the ongoing story– China has called reported comments by President Joe Biden describing Chinese leader Xi Jinping as a dictator “extremely absurd and irresponsible.” The new clash of words comes just over a day after Secretary of State Antony Blinken concluded a visit to Beijing that sought to break the ice in a relationship that has hit a historical low. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning on Wednesday said Biden’s comments at a fundraiser in California “go totally against facts and seriously violate diplomatic protocol, and severely infringe on China’s political dignity.” “It is a blatant political provocation.

• Recently, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken was in the Beijing-Why?

• Why did China halt military communications?

• For Your Information-China suspended regular contacts with the US military last August after then-US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi visited Taiwan, challenging Beijing’s principle that other countries should refrain from official exchanges with self-governing Taiwan, which China claims as its own territory. But the problem existed even before Pelosi’s visit. The US says China has declined or failed to respond to over a dozen requests from the Department of Defense for top-level dialogues since 2021.

• Why does the US want to restore military contacts?

• Why is China pushing back?

• What’s different about how the countries see their relationship?

Other Important Articles Covering the same topic:

📍Why haven’t China and the US agreed to restore military contacts?

📍Xi Jinping hails ‘progress’ as he meets Antony Blinken during rare China trip

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