UPSC Key-23 June, 2023: What you should read in the news today

Modi says talks, decisions add a new chapter, Biden calls ties stronger, closer, more dynamic

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– Framing his country’s partnership with India among the “most consequential in the world” that is “stronger, closer and more dynamic than any time in history”, US President Joe Biden, who held talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi Thursday, underlined the new strategic areas of cooperation — from semiconductor supply to sharing critical and emerging technologies, using new ways to diagnose and treat cancer to sending Indian astronauts to space.

• India and US bilateral ties-Analyse the changing dynamics between the two countries

• India and US-Evolution of bilateral ties between the two nations

• What are the key takeaways from recent state visits by Prime Minister Modi?

• What are the important points of US relations with India?

• What are the areas of cooperation between India and USA?

• What are the key takeaways from Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s address to the joint sitting of the United States Congress on Thursday?

• How beneficial has this visit been to India in terms of concrete gains?

• Where does this visit stand in the trajectory of India-US ties since the early 2000s?

• In what respects is this visit different from the 2016 visit by the PM, during which he addressed a joint sitting of Congress for the first time?

• What message does Prime Minister Modi’s speech have for Russia, China, and Pakistan?

• “Democracy is in our DNA”, and “there is absolutely no question of discrimination” regardless of “caste, creed, religion and gender”-Why PM Modi said this?

• What steps the Government of India has taken to improve the rights of minorities in India and to uphold free speech?

• In a landmark deal that gives a massive boost to ties between the US and India, General Electric (GE) Aerospace signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL)-Elaborate

• Why GE’s jet engine for India’s Tejas is a big deal?

• For Your Information-The deal will allow the manufacture under licence in India of GE’s F414 engine for the indigenous Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas Mk2. Only a handful of countries — such as the US, Russia, the UK, and France — have mastered the technology and metallurgy needed to manufacture an engine that can power combat aircraft. India is not in this list — its push for self-reliance in manufacturing several critical technologies, including cryogenic rocket engines, notwithstanding. The countries that have the technology to manufacture advanced engines for fighter aircraft have been traditionally unwilling to share them. That is why the deal to manufacture GE’s F414s in India announced on Thursday is pathbreaking.

• What is the GE-414 military aircraft engine?

• Which are the war jets around the world that are powered by these engines?

• What is the history of GE’s aerospace arm and India?

• What kind of efforts has India made to build its own combat jet engine?

• United States (US) and India relations in defence sector-Know in detail

• The US-India defence relationship, despite its remarkable rise in the past two decades, is intermittently impeded by functions of political, bureaucratic, economic and strategic realities-Discuss

• What is India-US Defense Acceleration Ecosystem (INDUS-X)?

• India-USA Relations-Know the background

• What are India’s major imports from USA?

• How much India import from USA?

• The current India-US defence relationship is important for both commercial and strategic reasons-Comment

Other Important Articles Covering the same topic:

📍Asked about discrimination and dissent, Modi: Democracy in DNA

📍GE Aerospace signs pact with HAL to manufacture fighter jet engines for IAF

📍The signal from DC: Beginning of the end of technology denial regime for New Delhi

📍INDUS-X is unveiled, startups to boost ties in defence, innovation

📍Coming, Artemis Accords, ISRO-NASA mission

📍An Expert Weighs In: PM Modi’s visit takes India-US ties to another level, says Arun K Singh, fmr Ambassador to the US

📍PM Modi’s address to US Congress: Key takeaways

📍What US, India have agreed on: Tech and defence partnerships, initiatives on visas and education, and more

Face authentication now in PM-Kisan mobile app, a first for Govt schemes

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-IN A first for any central welfare scheme, the government Thursday rolled out a face authentication feature in the PM-Kisan app, which will enable beneficiary farmers to complete their e-KYC process by just scanning their face on mobile phones instead of using one-time password or fingerprints.

• What are the features of face recognition?

• Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN)-Know about the schemes

• What are the objective and components of PM-KISAN?

• Who is Eligible for PM-Kisan Scheme?

• For Your Information-The face authentication feature uses iris data of a person having an Aadhaar number. In another move, the official said, the PM-Kisan scheme is also integrating with Bhashini to provide farmers information in their native language. Bhashini is the government’s National Public Digital Platform for languages to develop services and products for citizens by leveraging the power of artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies. Launched in 2019, the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi or PM-Kisan scheme gives beneficiaries financial assistance of Rs 6,000 per year in three equal instalments every four months. The amount is transferred to the bank accounts of eligible farmers’ families across the country through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) mode.

Other Important Articles Covering the same topic:

📍How PM-Kisan transfers are easing farmers’ cash crunch

📍What is PM Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana?

2009 Shopian deaths: J&K sacks 2 docs, says fudged autopsies at Pak behest

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– Fourteen years after widespread protests in the Valley over allegations of the rape and murder of two women by security forces in Shopian — a charge which a CBI probe later found to be untrue — the J&K administration has terminated the services of two doctors involved in the autopsies of the two women. Dr Nighat Shaheen Chiloo and Dr Bilal Ahmad Dalal were dismissed Thursday with government sources saying that the two doctors had “actively worked with Pakistan and hatched a conspiracy with its assets within Kashmir to falsify the post-mortem report”. The two were among 13 chargesheeted by the CBI for allegedly fabricating evidence in 2009.

• What was the 2009 Shopian death case?

• For Your Information-On the evening of May 29, 2009, 19-year-old Asiya Jan and her 22-year-old sister-in-law, Neelofar Jan, left their home in Shopian district’s Bonagam village to visit local orchards but didn’t return. Their bodies were found a day later in the nearby Rambiara stream. Although the state government initially said the two women had drowned in the stream and died, village residents rejected the claim, saying the water levels of the stream were “too low for drowning”. They instead accused security forces of raping and murdering the women and took to the streets in large numbers, prompting the then Chief Minister Omar Abdullah to set up a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the matter. However, an FIR in the case wasn’t registered.

• What is Article 311 of the Constitution?

• What Article 311 (2) (C) of the constitution says?

Other Important Articles Covering the same topic:

📍Two doctors dismissed in the 2009 Shopian deaths case: Recalling the incident which brought the Valley to a standstill

THE EDITORIAL PAGE

Uniform rights, not laws

Syllabus:

Preliminary Examination: Indian Polity and Governance

Main Examination: 

• General Studies II: Indian Constitution—significant provisions etc.

• 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- Flavia Agnes writes: The 22nd Law Commission of India has decided to solicit the views of the public and recognised religious organisations about the Uniform Civil Code (UCC). In a public notice, the Commission headed by former Karnataka High Court Chief Justice Ritu Raj Awasthi stated: “Initially the 21st Law Commission of India had examined the subject of Uniform Civil Code and solicited the views of all the stakeholders through its appeal along with a questionnaire dated October 7, 2016 and further … (periodic) public appeals. Pursuant to the above overwhelming responses have been received by the Commission. The 21st Law Commission of India has issued a consultation paper on the Reform of Family Law on August 31, 2018. Since more than three years have lapsed from the date of issuance of the said consultation paper, bearing in mind the relevance and importance of the subject and also various court orders on the subject, the Law Commission of India considered it expedient to deliberate afresh over the subject.”

• What is Uniform Civil Code?

• Article 44 of the Indian Constitution and Uniform Civil Code-What is the ongoing debate?

• Do You Know-A UCC would provide for one law for the entire country, applicable to all religious communities, in their personal matters such as marriage, divorce, inheritance, adoption etc. Currently, Indian personal law is fairly complex, with each religion adhering to its own specific laws. Separate laws govern Hindus including Sikhs, Jains and Buddhist, Muslims, Christians, and followers of other religions.

• What does the Constitution say about a Uniform Civil Code?

• What exactly the 22nd Law Commission of India said on Uniform Civil Code?

• Why has the Opposition opposed the move?

• And, what exactly the 21st Law Commission of India said on Uniform Civil Code?

• 21st Law Commission of India on UCC and 22nd Law Commission of India on Uniform Civil Code-Compare and Contrast

• For Your Information-In the paper, the 21st Law Commission, headed by former Supreme Court judge Balbir Singh Chauhan, held that the “formulation of a Uniform Civil Code is neither necessary nor desirable at this stage”. Its recommendations were far-reaching. The Commission had commented, “Mere existence of difference does not imply discrimination, but is indicative of a robust democracy”. It had noted that most countries are moving towards the recognition of difference in place of legal provisions that are founded on uniformity between culturally diverse people — these are unfair to the weaker and vulnerable sections.

• “The most significant of the 21st Law Commission’s recommendations were about the economic rights of women”-Comment

• What do you understand by “Hindu coparcenary system — the Hindu Undivided Family (HUF) property”?

• Why is there no uniform code for personal law?

• What is Directive principles of State Policy (DPSP)?

• ‘Reform of Family Law’ report by 21st Law Commission of India on Article 44-Know in detail

• Issues and Controversy with Uniform Civil Code and Why it has not been Implemented even after seven decades of Independence?

• Know how the government’s stance on a uniform civil code (UCC) has evolved between the year 1991 to 2023?

Other Important Articles Covering the same topic:

📍Law Commission seeks views on Uniform Civil Code: What is the UCC and the debate around it

📍Civil code and govt stance

📍Govt stand: Personal law review only if ‘sizeable majority’ seek change

📍Uniform civil code vs triple talaq

THE IDEAS PAGE

The diasporic delusion

Syllabus:

Preliminary Examination: Current events of national and international importance.

Main Examination: General Studies II: Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on India’s interests, Indian diaspora.

Key Points to Ponder:

• What’s the ongoing story-Vamsee Juluri writes: There is a dizzy breeze of self-congratulation in the Indian-American diaspora around Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit. This is not unexpected. Adulation often fills the prime minister’s packed stadium events abroad. Experts readily list trade, technology and defence achievements to attest to India’s growing importance. Now, in addition to these usual reasons for celebration, the PM is also interacting with prominent “thought leaders” including popular scientist Neil deGrasse Tyson, mathematician Nicholas Nassim Taleb, economist Paul Romer, investor Ray Dalio, and tech and space visionary Elon Musk.

• How many Indian diaspora are there in the US?

• What percentage of Indian diaspora is in USA?

• Why is Indian Diaspora important?

• What is India’s diaspora policy?

• How does Indian diaspora affect India’s foreign policy making?

• What are the issues and challenges faced by Indian Diaspora?

• What are the ground realities for Indians in the diaspora today?

Other Important Articles Covering the same topic:

📍The Indian diaspora

Previous year UPSC Mains Question Covering Indian Diaspora Theme

📍‘Indian diaspora has a decisive role to play in the politics and economy of America and European Countries’. Comment with examples. (GS-2, 2020)

📍Indian Diaspora has an important role to play in South-East Asian countries’ economy and society. Appraise the role of Indian Diaspora in South- East Asia in this context (GS-2, 2017)

EXPLAINED

Diamond grown in a lab: Gift of ‘responsible luxury’ to FLOTUS

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-As part of his first state visit to the United States, Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived at the White House in Washington DC on Wednesday (June 21) evening – Thursday in India – where he was received by US President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden.

• What are lab-grown diamonds?

• Do You Know-Lab-grown diamonds are diamonds that are produced using specific technology which mimics the geological processes that grow natural diamonds. They are not the same as “diamond simulants” – LGDs are chemically, physically and optically diamond and thus are difficult to identify as “lab-grown.” While materials such as Moissanite, Cubic Zirconia (CZ), White Sapphire, YAG, etc. are “diamond simulants” that simply attempt to “look” like a diamond, they lack the sparkle and durability of a diamond and are thus easily identifiable. However, differentiating between an LGD and an Earth Mined Diamond is hard, with advanced equipment required for the purpose.

• How are LGDs produced?

• What are LGDs used for?

• What is ‘kar-e-kalamdani’?

• What is the history of paper mache in Kashmir?

• For Your Information-The diamond, a gift for First Lady Jill Biden, was gifted in a papier mâché box. “Known as kar-e-kalamdani, Kashmir’s exquisite papier mâché involves sakthsazi or meticulous preparation of paper pulp and naqqashi, where skilled artisans paint elaborate designs,” a statement from the Ministry of External Affairs said.

Other Important Articles Covering the same topic:

📍Budget 2023: What are lab-grown diamonds, mentioned by FM Nirmala Sitharaman?

📍PM Modi gifts Biden Yeats’ ‘Ten Principal Upanishads’: What are Upanishads and why was Yeats interested in them?

Inflation down, not (all) prices

Syllabus:

Preliminary Examination: Economic and Social Development

Mains Examination: General Studies III: Indian Economy and issues relating to planning, mobilization, of resources, growth, development and employment.

Key Points to Ponder:

• What’s the ongoing story– The headline retail inflation rate fell to a 25-month low in May and the wholesale price index (WPI) is now deep in the red, but groceries and household items continue to appear expensive to most Indians. Why? While some of the decline in year-on-year inflation rates is statistical, prices of cereals, milk, spices, prepared meals, snacks, and sweets, as well as the costs of education, personal care items, and household goods and services continue to pinch consumers’ pockets.

• Which items have displayed high inflation rates?

• Where has inflation recorded a downward trend?

• What kinds of inflation risks lie ahead?

• How retail inflation is measured?

• What is Monetary policy?

• What is the primary objective of the monetary policy?

• The Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) is a Statutory Body-True or False?

• Under Section 45ZB of the amended (in 2016) RBI Act, 1934, the central government is empowered to constitute a six-member Monetary Policy Committee (MPC)- What is the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC)?

• What are the steps taken by RBI to control inflation?

• What factor distinguishes India’s inflation from many other developed countries?

• What is Inflation?

• Know the Types of Inflation like Moderate Inflation, Galloping Inflation, Hyper-Inflation, Stagflation, Deflation, Core Inflation etc.

• What are the causes of Inflation in the present situation

• How Inflation is Measured in India?

• What is the Long term, Medium Term and Short-term impact of Inflation?

• New Standard for Measuring Inflation in India and Old Standard for Measuring Inflation-Key Differences

• Steps or Measures Taken by GOI to Control Inflation

• What do you understand by Wholesale Price Index (WPI) and Consumer Price Index? WPI and CPI is published by whom?

• What’s the RBI assessment on inflation recently?

• Know these Terms-Cash Reserve Ratio (CRR), Statutory Liquidity Ratio (SLR), Open Market Operations (OMOs), Market Stabilisation Scheme (MSS), Repo Rate, Reverse Repo Rate, Liquidity Adjustment Facility (LAF), Marginal Standing Facility (MSF) Bank Rate

Other Important Articles Covering the same topic:

📍Express View: Hope on the inflation front

ECONOMY

Micron to invest up to $825mn in chip assembly plant in Gujarat

Syllabus:

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

Mains Examination: General Studies III: Infrastructure: Energy, Ports, Roads, Airports, Railways etc.

Key Points to Ponder:

• What’s the ongoing story- US chipmaker Micron Technology said it will invest up to $825 million in its first semiconductor assembly and test facility in India, to be constructed in Gujarat under a Union government incentive scheme. The announcement came after Prime Minister Narendra Modi — who is on a three-day state visit to the US — met Micron Chief Executive Sanjay Mehrotra on Thursday.

• Micron’s chip packaging plant and investment in India-What’s the deal?

• Do You Know-Micron Technology has said it will invest up to $825 million in its first semiconductor assembly and test facility in India, constructed under the Centre’s incentive scheme for the chips ecosystem in the country. The facility will be built in Gujarat.

• Why India needs to make chips

• What is semiconductor?

• What is the most basic component of a semiconductor chip?

• Semiconductors are the foundation of nearly every modern electronic gadget. Where does India stand in the semiconductor industry?

• The Government of India has undertaken several initiatives to promote electronics manufacturing-Know the important schemes

• What are the current challenges of the semiconductor industry in India?

• “India’s ambition of manufacturing semiconductor chips seem to have run into a wall”-Discuss

• Vedanta-Foxconn struggle to find a tech partner-what is going on?

• Why the reboot is crucial for India

• Do You Know-India has identified electronics manufacturing as a key sector to boost its growth in the coming years by producing goods not just for the domestic market, but also for exporting to the world. While some manufacturing schemes, such as that for smartphone manufacturing, have taken off in the country with Apple taking a lead, the entire process is largely centred around assembling various components that are imported from elsewhere. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has made chip manufacturing a top priority for India’s economic strategy as he wants to “usher in a new era in electronics manufacturing” by luring global companies. It is, therefore, clear that building semiconductors domestically is crucial for the government’s vision to develop a domestic electronics supply chain and eventually reduce its imports from foreign countries, especially China – which despite its own challenges remains to be the number one destination for such manufacturing.

Other Important Articles Covering the same topic:

📍Why India’s semiconductor manufacturing industry is yet to take off

📍PM Modi’s US visit: What is the Micron proposal and why is it a boost to India’s chip manufacturing plan

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