UPSC Key—5 September, 2023: India-US Nuclear deal, Hop test and Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam

On Modi-Biden table: Small N-reactors, jet deal, easing visa, joint aid for Ukraine

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 US President Joe Biden comes to India for the G20 summit, New Delhi and Washington are working on an ambitious slew of deliverables for their bilateral engagement that includes a possible nuclear pact on small modular nuclear reactors, an academic programme tailored for Indian students, movement on the drone deal, progress on US Congress approval for a defence deal on jet engines, a joint humanitarian aid for Ukraine, a more liberal visa regime for Indians and new consulates in each other’s countries.

• ‘Normally, bilateral visits are not included during the G20 summits — but India has made an exception for the US President and the Saudi Crown Prince’-But why this time an exception is made?

• India and the US are hoping to iron out the differences over the nuclear deal-What do you know about India-US Nuclear deal?

• What was the US India nuclear Deal?

• What is present scenario in US India Nuclear deal?

• What is the 123 Agreement between India and USA?

• What is India’s nuclear liability law?

• What is the law governing nuclear liability in India?

• What are existing projects in India?

• What is the government’s stand?

• G20 and India US Nuclear deal-connect the dots

• What is reciprocal defense procurement agreement?

• What is the security of supply arrangements?

Other Important Articles Covering the same topic:

📍Vandita Mishra writes: Ahead of the G20, the Modi government has two faces

Chandrayaan-3 lander hops on Moon, marks big leap for ISRO

Syllabus:

Preliminary Examination: Current events of national and international importance.

Mains Examination: General Studies III: Science and Technology- developments and their applications and effects in everyday life.

Key Points to Ponder:

• What’s the ongoing story-THE INDIAN Space Research Organisation (ISRO) had reserved the best for the last. Just before it was put in hibernation mode on Monday to survive the approaching lunar night, the lander module of Chandrayaan-3 spacecraft was made to perform a small jump on the Moon.

• What is hop experiment?

• Why hop test is important

• Why Vikram Lander and Pragyan rover are in hibernation mode?

• For Your Information-The ‘hop experiment’ came as a surprise. ISRO had never mentioned this plan earlier. Although it was a very small jump, it represented a significant and exciting step forward. It demonstrated ISRO’s capability to get the lander to fire its engines and produce the thrust to lift it off the ground. This capability is key to future lunar missions when ISRO would want the spacecraft to return with samples from the Moon, or when it plans to land human beings on the Moon. In those instances, the lander would have to make a lift-off from the lunar surface and return to Earth. Of course, the thrust required in those situations would be much higher. But as a technology demonstration, the ‘hop experiment’ would remain one of the highlights of the Chandrayaan-3 mission. “This ‘kick-start’ enthuses future sample return and human missions,” ISRO said.
The second soft-landing, as ISRO described it, was very different from the first one. The nearly 1,750-kg lander was slightly lighter than the previous time, with the 26-kg rover having come out. That would also have changed the distribution of weight inside the lander. The Chandrayaan-3 lander and rover were expected to operate only for one Lunar day, which is equivalent to nearly 14 days on Earth. That is because the electronics are not designed to withstand very low temperatures, less than -120 degrees Celsius, during the nighttime on the Moon. The nightime too extends for as long as 14 days on Earth. But there is a possibility that the electronics are able to survive the low temperatures and are able to power themselves again once the sunshine is available. In fact, this happened on one of the Chinese lander missions a few years ago. Chandrayaan-3 had landed on the Moon on August 23, at the dawn time on Moon. The lunar daytime would continue till around September 6. But the lander and rover are being planned to be put on hibernation a couple of days before that.

Other Important Articles Covering the same topic:

📍ISRO puts rover in hibernation mode, hopes to extend mission’s life

EXPRESS NETWORK

1st conviction: Man gets 3-year jail for sexually harassing ASHA worker

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, a special sessions court in Mehsana has sentenced a man to three years in jail under the amended Epidemic Diseases Act for sexually harassing an ASHA (Accredited Social Health Activist) worker, who is a Dalit, when she was on duty during the lockdown in April 2020 on account of Covid-19 pandemic.

• The Epidemic Diseases (Amendment) Ordinance, 2020-know its key features

• How the Epidemic Diseases (Amendment) Ordinance, 2020 defines healthcare service personnel?

• The amended Epidemic Diseases Act highlights the protection for healthcare personnel and damage to property-know them

• For Your Information-The Epidemic Diseases (Amendment) Ordinance was enforced by the Union government on April 22, 2020 to check violence against frontline health workers. It was made a non-bailable cognizable offence. As per a notification of the Gujarat government, it will be in force till December this year. The amended Act provides definitions of “act of violence” and “healthcare service professional”. It defined violence as “harassment impacting the living or working conditions of such healthcare service personnel and preventing him from discharging his duties; harm, injury, hurt, intimidation or danger to the life of such healthcare service personnel either within the premises of a clinical establishment or otherwise; obstruction or hindrance to such healthcare service personnel in the discharge of his duties either within the premises of a clinical establishment or otherwise; loss or damage to any property or documents in the custody of or in relation to such healthcare service personnel”.
According to Section 3(2)(i), whoever commits or abets the commission of an act of violence against a healthcare service personnel shall be punished with imprisonment for a term, which shall not be less than three months but may extend to five years, along with the imposition of fine.

• How the amended act is different from Epidemic Diseases Act, 1897?

• What is epidemic?

• How epidemic is different from pandemic?

Other Important Articles Covering the same topic:

📍Explained: 123 years ago, when bubonic plague led to country’s Epidemic Diseases Act

THE EDITORIAL PAGE

G20, a pathfinder

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-Samir Saran Writes: As the world’s leaders gather in New Delhi, it is clear that India’s G20 presidency will be remembered as a historic pivot in global governance. The 2023 G20 slogan — “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam” or “The world is one family” — exemplifies a typical Indian melding of tradition and contemporary concerns.

• G20 summit and “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam”-Connect the dots

• What to you understand by the expression ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’, or ‘One Earth, One Family, One Future’?

• ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’ and Globalisation-Connect the dots?

• ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’ Sanskrit phrase found in which Hindu texts?

• What is the theme and the logo for India’s G20 Presidency?

• Why ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’ matters more in the post covid period?

• For Your Information-The G-20, or Group of 20, is an intergovernmental forum of major developed and developing economies. It comprises Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, South Korea, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Turkey, the UK, the US and nations under the European Union (EU). The G20 is the premier forum for international economic cooperation representing around 85 per cent of the global GDP, over 75 per cent of the global trade, and about two-thirds of the world’s population.

• Map Work-G20

• How India and G20 will help in democratisation and decentralisation of the global economy?

• “Pure principles of globalisation”-What do you understand by this phrase?

• What is reform and restoration of global finance?

• “International finance is, however, still focused on serving the old trans-Atlantic geographies”-How far you agree with the same?

• “This historic turn towards the Global South marked by India’s G20 has begun to redress decades of reductionism”-Comment

• How is the G20 structured?

Other Important Articles Covering the same topic:

📍THE G20 DIVIDEND

📍G20 WORKSTREAMS

THE IDEAS PAGE

Better for voter, better for citizen

Syllabus:

Preliminary Examination: Indian Polity and Governance-Constitution, Political System, Panchayati Raj, Public Policy, Rights Issues, etc.

Mains Examination: General Studies II: Functions and responsibilities of the Union and the States, issues and challenges pertaining to the federal structure, devolution of powers and finances up to local levels and challenges therein

Key Points to Ponder:

• What’s the ongoing story-K J Alphons Writes: One nation, one election is among the critical reforms in the BJP’s agenda. In fact, then President of India, Ram Nath Kovind, in his address to Parliament on January 29, 2018, mentioned this as one of the reforms proposed by the government. He said that citizens are concerned about frequent elections in one part of the country or another, which adversely impact the economy and development. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has spoken emphatically about the desirability of having one election across the country. Therefore, the idea is not a bolt from the blue.

• What is “one nation, one election”?

• What are the arguments around holding simultaneous elections?

• But when elections were first held in independent India, were they not simultaneous to begin with?

• Has the idea of simultaneous polls been explored before?

• When and how did the idea of simultaneous Lok Sabha, Assembly and local body polls come up?

• How exactly will holding Lok Sabha and Assembly polls together help?

• What have political parties said? What is the system in other countries?

• What will happen if India does decide on simultaneous elections?

• What reasons author of this article has given in the favour of simultaneous elections?

• For Your Information-According to the Author, First, it enables the government to concentrate on governance once the elections are over. Today, there is some election or the other in some part of the country, at least every three months. The entire attention of the country becomes focused on these elections. From the Prime Minister to Union ministers, from chief ministers to ministers to MPs, MLAs and panchayat members — everyone gets deeply involved with these elections, as nobody wants to lose. There is a virtual paralysis of administration at various levels in varying degrees. This reflects very badly on India’s growth prospects. Second, by and large, no decisions are taken during elections due to the code of conduct. Therefore, key policy decisions get delayed both at the Centre and in the states and local bodies. Three, even when no fresh policy decision is necessary, implementation of ongoing projects gets derailed during election periods as the political executive as well as government officials would be engaged with election duties, neglecting routine administration. Four, one of the main reasons for political corruption is frequent elections. An enormous amount of money has to be raised at every election. Election expenses of political parties can be reduced drastically if elections are held simultaneously. There would be no duplication of fundraising. This would save the public and business community from a lot of pressure for election donations, multiple times. Five, expenses incurred by the EC can be reduced if elections are held simultaneously. Of course, the EC would have to invest a considerable amount of money initially to put in place the necessary infrastructure.
Six, a large number of police personnel and para-military forces are engaged to ensure that elections are conducted peacefully. This involves massive redeployment, involving huge costs. It also diverts key law enforcement personnel from their critical functions. Such deployment can be curtailed with simultaneous elections. Seven, if elections are held only at specific periods, horse trading by elected representatives could come to an end, by and large. Today, even with the anti-defection law in force, loopholes lead to horse-trading.
Eight, frequent elections lead to governments taking policy decisions to woo the electorate at every election. Even though this cannot be stopped fully, the frequency with which governments have to announce freebies will come down. Frequent elections have led to a situation where many state governments are broke. With a smaller number of elections, their finances could be in better shape. Nine, the same electoral rolls can be used for all the elections. This will save a tremendous amount of time and money spent in updating electoral rolls. It will also make it easier for the citizen as they would not have to worry about their names missing from electoral rolls once they are enlisted.
Ten, it is a global practice to have national and state elections together.

Other Important Articles Covering the same topic:

📍Govt forms committee on simultaneous elections: What is the idea, and the arguments around it?

📍One Nation, One Election: A blow to federalism, a challenge to implement

EXPRESS NETWORK

37,000 ‘alien species introduced by human activities, says report

Syllabus:

Preliminary Examination: Current events of national and international importance.

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

Key Points to Ponder:

• What’s the ongoing story– In the most extensive study on invasive species carried out till date, the Intergovernmental Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) in its new publication – the “Assessment Report on Invasive Alien Species and their Control’’ – has found that there are 37,000 alien species, including plants and animals, that have been introduced by many human activities to regions and biomes around the world, including more than 3,500 invasive alien species and that invasive alien species have played a key role in 60% of global plant and animal extinctions recorded.

• What is called invasive species?

• “Assessment Report on Invasive Alien Species and their Control’’-what are the key takeaways?

• What does the Intergovernmental Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) do?

• For Your Information-The IPBES released its report following a week- long plenary from August 28th, with representatives of the 143 member States which have approved the report. IPBES is an independent intergovernmental body established to strengthen the science-policy interface for biodiversity and ecosystem services, working in a similar way to the IPCC, which is the UN’s climate science body. The study, which has taken place over a period of four years, has been by 86 leading experts from 49 countries, drawing on more than 13,000 references.
The report has noted that the number of alien species (species introduced to new regions through human activities) has been rising continuously for centuries in all regions, but are now increasing at unprecedented rates, with increased human travel, trade and the expansion of the global economy.
“Not all alien species establish and spread with negative impacts on biodiversity, local ecosystems and species, but a significant proportion do – then becoming known as invasive alien species. About 6% of alien plants; 22% of alien invertebrates; 14% of alien vertebrates; and 11% of alien microbes are known to be invasive, posing major risks to nature and to people,’’the IPBES has said.
The report further noted that many invasive alien species have been intentionally introduced for their perceived benefits, “without consideration or knowledge of their negative impacts’’ – in forestry, agriculture, horticulture, aquaculture, or as pets. Nearly 80% of the documented impacts of invasive species on nature’s contribution to people are negative. “Invasive alien species have been a major factor in 60% and the only driver in 16% of global animal and plant extinctions that we have recorded, and at least 218 invasive alien species have been responsible for more than 1,200 local extinctions . In fact, 85% of the impacts of biological invasions on native species are negative,” said Prof. Anibal Pauchard, co-chair of the Assessment.

• What is the difference between an introduced and an invasive species?

• Do You Know-The water hyacinth is the world’s most widespread invasive alien species on land. Lantana, a flowering shrub, and the black rat are the second and third most widespread globally. The brown rat and the house mouse are also widespread invasive alien species.

Other Important Articles Covering the same topic:

📍HOW INVASIVE SPECIES ARE COSTING GLOBAL ECONOMY BILLIONS ANNUALLY

ECONOMY

‘Cross-border payments can be more efficient with CBDC’

Syllabus:

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

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-Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Governor Shaktikanta Das on Monday said the adoption of Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC), or digital currency, can help in making cross border payments more efficient. India is one of the few countries that has launched CBDC or e-rupee pilots in wholesale and retail segments.

• What is CBDC or the digital rupee?

• Do You Know –CBDC is a legal tender issued by the RBI in digital form. It is the same as the fiat currency, and is exchangeable one-to-one with the fiat currency. Only its form is different — it is not paper (or polymer) like physical cash. It is a fungible legal tender, for which holders need not have a bank account. CBDC will appear as ‘liability’ (currency in circulation) on the RBI’s balance sheet.

• What is the need for digital rupee?

• What was the need to introduce the e-rupee?

• Digital rupee and Cryptocurrency-how they are different?

• How digital rupee will help Indian Economy?

• How digital currency will impact citizens?

• Central bank digital currency (CBDC)-Meaning, Issues and Challenges

• How is RBI introducing the CBDC?

• How can an individual use the e-rupee?

• How is this different from other wallets?

• How does CBDC help in cross-border payments?

• What are the types of e-rupee?

• Will CBDC work in offline mode?

• Is it vulnerable to cyber-attacks?

• Digital rupee and Cryptocurrency-how they are different?

Other Important Articles Covering the same topic:

📍Explained: What is the Digital Rupee announced by Sitharaman in Budget?

📍Explained: CBDC, the ‘digital rupee’ that RBI could introduce this year, and how it will help

For any queries and feedback, contact priya.shukla@indianexpress.com
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