Important topics and their relevance in UPSC CSE exam for December 3, 2024. If you missed the December 2, 2024 UPSC CSE exam key from the Indian Express, read it here THE WORLD Biden pardons son Hunter in tax, arms cases, Trump says miscarriage of justice Syllabus: Preliminary Examination: Current events of national and international importance Main Examination: General Studies II: Comparison of the Indian constitutional scheme with that of other countries. What’s the ongoing story: After US President Joe Biden made a sudden announcement on Sunday to pardon his son Hunter Biden for gun and tax evasion cases, President-elect Donald Trump called it an “abuse and miscarriage of justice”. Key Points to Ponder: • What is a presidential pardon? • What are the crimes Hunter Biden was accused of committing? • Didn’t Biden say he wouldn’t pardon his son? • Why did Biden break his promise? • Have other presidents pardoned their family members or friends? • Discuss the concept of Presidential pardons in the United States • Compare the pardoning powers of the President of the United States and the President of India. • In the light of President Joe Biden’s pardon of his son, Hunter Biden, for charges related to tax and gun offenses, critically examine the ethical and legal issues surrounding political pardons, particularly in the context of executive power and accountability. • Examine the role of the President of India in the criminal justice system, particularly in relation to Article 72. • How do the pardoning powers of the Indian President impact the notion of justice and executive accountability in India? • The exercise of pardoning power by the executive can raise concerns about abuse of power and lack of accountability. Discuss the safeguards in place in both the United States and India to prevent such misuse, and assess their effectiveness Key Takeaways: • In June, Hunter Biden was convicted of lying on a federal gun purchase form in 2018 by falsely claiming he was not using drugs. He later pleaded guilty to failing to pay at least $1.4 million in taxes, despite living extravagantly, spending money on luxury hotels and other indulgences. • Both cases stemmed from a period in Hunter Biden’s life when he struggled with drug addiction. Now sober for over five years, he had initially agreed to a plea deal to avoid further trials, aiming to spare his family embarrassment. However, that deal fell apart, and he was subsequently indicted. • Hunter Biden was due to be sentenced in December, facing potential prison terms of up to 25 years for the gun charges and 17 years for tax offences. Federal guidelines, however, suggested he might have avoided incarceration altogether. Do You Know: • Under the US Constitution, the president has the power to grant clemency, which can include pardons and commutations. A pardon forgives federal crimes entirely, while a commutation reduces penalties without erasing the conviction. The power, derived from English law, is broad, allowing presidents to address various offences. However, it is limited to federal crimes and does not cover state offences or impeachment convictions. • Presidents frequently use this power. Barack Obama granted clemency 1,927 times during his two terms, while Donald Trump issued 237 acts of clemency during his presidency. • Biden is not the first president to use pardoning powers for those close to him. Donald Trump pardoned Charles Kushner, father of his son-in-law Jared Kushner, and multiple allies involved in the Russia investigation. Bill Clinton pardoned his half-brother Roger Clinton for drug charges and his former business partner Susan McDougal for her role in the Whitewater controversy. • The move has reignited debates about the ethical boundaries of presidential pardon powers and whether Biden’s decision aligns with his pledge to uphold the rule of law. Other Important Articles Covering the same topic: 📍President Biden pardons his son: What will it entail? Practice UPSC Prelims Question Covering similar theme: 1. In the context of pardoning power, which of the following is a unique feature of the President's pardon power in the United States? (a) The power is exercised based on the recommendation of Congress. (b) The power can be used in cases involving state-level crimes. (c) The power applies to all federal crimes, except in cases of impeachment. (d) The President cannot pardon individuals convicted of federal offenses. Landmark climate change case opens at Hague as island nations fear rising seas Syllabus: Preliminary Examination: General issues on Environmental ecology, Bio-diversity and Climate Change - that do not require subject specialization. Main Examination: • General Studies II: Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on India’s interests, Indian diaspora. • General Studies III: Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment. What’s the ongoing story: The top United Nations court took up the largest case in its history on Monday, hearing the plight of several small island nations helpless in combating the devastating impact of climate change that they feel endangers their very survival. They demand that major polluting nations be held to account. Key Points to Ponder: • Can countries be sued under international law for failing to avert climate emergencies? • Map Work-Vanuatu • A landmark case concerning climate change has been brought before the International Court of Justice (ICJ) by small island nations fearing the impact of rising sea levels-Discuss the significance of this case • Analyse the role of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in addressing transnational environmental issues such as climate change. • ‘Climate change is a global issue that disproportionately affects small island nations and low-lying coastal areas’-Attest the statement by giving some examples • Critically examine the principles of climate justice and the potential for international legal frameworks to provide remedies in the context of rising sea levels and the environmental threat • Small island nations have argued for the recognition of their right to survival due to the existential threat posed by rising sea levels. In this regard, assess the effectiveness of international treaties like the Paris Agreement in safeguarding the rights of vulnerable nations. • The concept of 'climate refugees' has become increasingly important in global discussions on environmental displacement. How can international legal systems address the issue of displaced populations due to climate change, especially for island nations? Key Takeaways: • After years of lobbying by island nations who fear they could simply disappear under rising sea waters, the U.N. General Assembly asked the International Court of Justice last year for an opinion on “the obligations of States in respect of climate change.” • Any decision by the court would be non-binding advice and couldn't directly force wealthy nations into action to help struggling countries. Yet it would be more than just a powerful symbol since it could be the basis for other legal actions, including domestic lawsuits. • In the decade up to 2023, sea levels have risen by a global average of around 4.3 centimeters (1.7 inches), with parts of the Pacific rising higher still. The world has also warmed 1.3 degrees Celsius (2.3 Fahrenheit) since preindustrial times because of the burning of fossil fuels. • Vanuatu is one of a group of small states pushing for international legal intervention in the climate crisis but it affects many more island nations in the South Pacific. • Vanuatu’s climate change envoy Ralph Regenvanu told the court that since 1990, emissions have increased by over 50%, reaching an all time high in 2023. He added that “a handful of readily identifiable states have produced the vast majority of historic and current greenhouse gas emissions. Yet other countries, including my own, are suffering the brunt of the consequences.” Do You Know: • The Hague-based court will hear from 99 countries and more than a dozen intergovernmental organizations over two weeks. It’s the largest line-up in the institution’s nearly 80-year history. • Last month at the United Nations’ annual climate meeting, countries cobbled together an agreement on how rich countries can support poor countries in the face of climate disasters. Wealthy countries have agreed to pool together at least $300 billion a year by 2035 but the total is short of the $1.3 trillion that experts, and threatened nations, said is needed. • Fifteen judges from around the world will seek to answer two questions: What are countries obliged to do under international law to protect the climate and environment from human-caused greenhouse gas emissions? And what are the legal consequences for governments where their acts, or lack of action, have significantly harmed the climate and environment? • The second question makes particular reference to “small island developing States” likely to be hardest hit by climate change and to “members of “the present and future generations affected by the adverse effects of climate change.” Other Important Articles Covering the same topic: 📍Express View: Giving International Court of Justice a say could make climate-related processes more justice-oriented Practice UPSC Prelims Question Covering similar theme: 2. Which principle in international environmental law is invoked when seeking to protect vulnerable nations like small island states from the adverse effects of climate change? (a) Principle of equity (b) Principle of common but differentiated responsibilities (c) Polluter pays principle (d) Principle of sustainable development FRONT PAGE 35% GST likely on cigarettes, aerated drinks and tobacco Syllabus: Preliminary Examination: Economic and Social Development Main Examination: General Studies III: Indian Economy and issues relating to planning, mobilization, of resources, growth, development and employment. What’s the ongoing story: IN A step that would mark the first major restructuring of tax rates under the Goods and Services Tax (GST) seven years after its rollout, a special rate of 35 per cent could be carved out for demerit (sin) goods such as aerated beverages, cigarettes, tobacco and related products. Key Points to Ponder: • What are demerit good? • A Group of Ministers (GoM) in India has proposed an increase in Goods and Services Tax (GST) on aerated drinks, cigarettes, and tobacco to 35%. Discuss the rationale behind such a proposal and analyse its potential impact on public health, the economy, and government revenue. • The proposal to increase GST on health-harming products like tobacco and aerated drinks has sparked debates on social justice and public policy. Critically examine the role of fiscal measures in promoting public health and how they can be aligned with the principles of equity and social justice. • What are the advantages and disadvantages of using indirect taxes, such as GST, to address issues like health risks associated with tobacco and sugary beverages? Discuss the effectiveness of such fiscal measures in shaping consumer behaviour. • The proposal to hike GST on products like tobacco and aerated drinks has implications for businesses, especially in the retail and hospitality sectors. Discuss the potential economic effects of this policy on small businesses and consumer spending. • Assess the role of GST as a tool for achieving broader policy objectives, such as public health and environmental sustainability. How can the GST system in India be used to incentivize sustainable consumer choices and discourage unhealthy consumption patterns? Key Takeaways: • At a meeting on Monday, ahead of the GST Council meeting on December 21, the Group of Ministers (GoM) on rate rationalisation finalised its report with this recommendation of a special rate, in addition to proposing a slew of rate tweaks for over 148 items including readymade garments. • The proposed hike in GST rates for sin goods, from the current highest slab of 28 per cent, would help the Centre and the states to make up for the loss from other rate cuts for common-use items, officials said. The current four-slab GST structure — of 5 per cent, 12 per cent, 18 per cent and 28 per cent — will continue for the medium term, a state finance minister said. • Among other rate change proposals, the GoM, headed by Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary, has suggested levying 5 per cent GST on readymade garments priced up to Rs 1,500; 18 per cent for those priced at Rs 1,500-10,000; and 28 per cent for garments costing above Rs 10,000. • The GST Council is scheduled to meet in Jaisalmer on December 21, where it will also take up the key proposal of GST on life and health insurance premiums. —The premiums paid by senior citizens for health insurance and premiums paid by all for term life insurance are likely to be exempted. —For other citizens, health insurance cover till Rs 5 lakh is likely to be exempted and the existing rate of 18 per cent will be charged for health insurance cover over Rs 5 lakh. Do You Know: • At its meeting in October, the GoM had suggested GST rejig for several items and proposed cutting rates for some items such as packaged water above 20 litres (5 per cent from 18 per cent), bicycles priced less than Rs 10,000 (5 per cent from 12 per cent) and exercise notebooks (5 per cent from 12 per cent). Shoes costing above Rs 15,000 and wristwatches above Rs 25,000 are likely to be shifted to the highest slab of 28 per cent GST from 18 per cent. • The GoM is looking at the legal implications of removal of the cess — levied on sin and luxury goods such as cars, tobacco, over and above the existing highest rate of 28 per cent. • The compensation cess was proposed to be levied for five years after the rollout of GST, till June 2022, to compensate states for revenue loss. —In 2022, the Council decided to extend the levy till March 2026 to repay the interest and principal amount of the Rs 2.69 lakh crore of loans taken in 2021-2022 to pay off states’ revenue loss during Covid years. —At its meeting on September 9, the Council decided to set up a GoM to decide the future course of the cess. Other Important Articles Covering the same topic: 📍GST collection rises by 8.5% to Rs 1.82 lakh crore in November Previous Year UPSC Prelims Question Covering similar theme: 3. What is/are the most likely advantages of implementing ‘Goods and Services Tax (GST)’? (2017) 1. It will replace multiple taxes collected by multiple authorities and will thus create a single market in India. 2. It will drastically reduce the ‘Current Account Deficit’ of India and will enable it to increase its foreign exchange reserves. 3. It will enormously increase the growth and size of the economy of India and will enable it to overtake China in the near future. Select the correct answer using the code given below: a) 1 only b) 2 and 3 only c) 1 and 3 only d) 1, 2 and 3 IN PARLIAMENT Sessions in South: Those in favour included Ambedkar and Vajpayee Syllabus: Preliminary Examination: Indian Polity and Governance-Constitution, Political System, Panchayati Raj, Public Policy, Rights Issues, etc. Main Examination: General Studies II: Indian Constitution—historical underpinnings, evolution, features, amendments, significant provisions and basic structure. What’s the ongoing story: Should Parliament have sessions in South India? A new debate has set off, with YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) MP Maddila Gurumoorthy writing a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on November 28 and requesting him to hold two Parliament Sessions in South India annually. Key Points to Ponder: • Discuss the historical proposals and arguments made by leaders like B. R. Ambedkar and Atal Bihari Vajpayee regarding the location of Parliament sessions in India. • How do the proposals of the location of Parliament sessions in India reflect the challenges of national integration and administrative efficiency? • Analyse the significance of holding Parliament sessions in different regions of India from the perspective of national unity and administrative functionality. • What is a key reason proposed for holding Parliament sessions in southern India? Key Takeaways: • In the letter, Gurumoorthy argued the move will help national integration and would “address the practical challenges faced by Parliament while dealing with the extreme weather conditions” of Delhi, and facilitate “effective” working of Parliament. • Atal Bihari Vajpayee, who was then a first-time Bharatiya Jan Sangh (the precursor to the BJP) MP from Balrampur in Madhya Pradesh backed the proposal, saying it had “been made to strengthen the unity of the country” and shouldn’t be looked at through a “political prism”. Do You Know: • The idea of holding Sessions in the South has been discussed in the past by Parliament, with among those in its favour being B R Ambedkar. • In November 1959, Independent Gurgaon MP Prakash Vir Shastri introduced a Private Member’s Resolution that proposed holding a Session of the Lok Sabha in South India, either in Hyderabad or Bangalore (as it was known then), annually. • In his book Thoughts on Linguistic States, Ambedkar had proposed two capitals and given three reasons for it. “Delhi is most inconvenient to the people of the South. They suffer the most from cold as well as distance. Even the Northern people suffer in the summer months,” he had written. He had also argued that people in the South feel their Capital is far away and that they feel they are being “ruled” by the North. — The third reason he had given was defence. “Delhi is a vulnerable place. It is within bombing distance of the neighbouring countries.” • As per Ambedkar, the second capital of the country could be Hyderabad, especially in the summer months. “Hyderabad fulfils all the requirements of a capital for India,” he said, and was “equidistant to all states”. “The only thing that is wanting (in Hyderabad) is a Parliament House, which the Government of India can easily build. It is a place in which Parliament can sit all year round and work, which it cannot do in Delhi.” Other Important Articles Covering the same topic: 📍Parliament deadlock ends as Govt, Oppn reach consensus on Constitution debate Previous Year UPSC Prelims Question Covering similar theme: 4. Consider the following statements: (2020) 1. The President of India can summon a session of the Parliament at such a place as he/she thinks fit. 2. The Constitution of India provides for three sessions of the Parliament in a year, but it is not mandatory to conduct all three sessions. 3. There is no minimum number of days that the Parliament is required to meet in a year. Which of the statements given above is/are correct? (a) 1 only (b) 2 only (c) 1 and 3 only (d) 2 and 3 only EXPRESS NETWORK IMD: Second warmest November since 1901 Syllabus: Preliminary Examination: Indian and World Geography Mains Examination: General Studies I: Important Geophysical phenomena such as earthquakes, Tsunami, Volcanic activity, cyclone 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: India experienced its second warmest November in 123 years, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said on Monday. This warming trend has continued since the post-monsoon season in October, and could contribute to making 2024 the warmest year ever on record, globally. Key Points to Ponder: • "India witnessed the second warmest November since 1901 in 2023, as per IMD." Discuss the possible causes of such warming trends in the Indian subcontinent. • Explain the role of the India Meteorological Department (IMD) in tracking and reporting climate trends in India. • How do warming trends in November affect the broader seasonal patterns in India? Evaluate the potential socio-economic impacts of these trends on agriculture, water resources, and public health. Key Takeaways: • The average monthly maximum temperature recorded over the country was 29.37 degrees Celsius, 0.62 degrees above normal. The average monthly minimum temperatures, too, were high last month, with a deviation of 1.05 degrees above the normal mark of 15.86 degrees. • According to meteorologists, there were two main reasons for the above normal temperatures in India : the lack of strong western disturbances affecting the plains of northwest India, and lack of cyclonic disturbances (low pressure systems or likewise) — both of which kept the rainfall activity at its lowest across the country. • In November, there were three western disturbances — the east-ward propagating wind streams that cause snow or rain along its path — that passed over the region. • There were only two low pressure systems that developed in the Bay of Bengal, of which one intensified into Cyclone Fengal. Whereas, climatologically, November is one of the most favourable months in the post-monsoon season for the development of cyclonic circulations like low pressures or more intense systems that cause rainfall along its path of movement. • Northwest India received 2.4mm, which was minus 79.9 per cent from normal. Likewise, south peninsular India, some areas which benefit from the northeast monsoon, suffered a rainfall deficit of 37.9 per cent • Importantly, the IMD chief noted that the declining rainfall during November was becoming a well-established phenomenon over India over the past two decades. IMD’s rainfall data 2001 – 2024 suggested that the country has received normal or above rainfall during November only during six out of 24 years. Do You Know: • India experienced its second warmest year in 122 years, the India Meteorological Department (IMD). The warmest year ever recorded during this period was 2016. • The annual mean surface air temperature averaged over the country last year was 0.65 degrees Celsius (1981-2010 period) whereas the same was 0.71 degrees Celsius in 2016, IMD officials said. Globally also, 2023 is set to break all previous temperature records. 2023 was an El Nino year, which is associated with higher than normal temperatures and extremes. • Seasonally also, the October to February months showed a significantly higher warming trend over the past 100 years. The post-monsoon period (October to December) had warmed by 1 degree Celsius whereas the winter season (January to February) had shown a jump in temperatures by 0.83 degrees Celsius, since 1901. Other Important Articles Covering the same topic: 📍Country to experience warm days in November, says IMD Previous Year UPSC Prelims Question Covering similar theme: 5. Consider the following statements: (2016) 1. High clouds primarily reflect solar radiation and cool the surface of the Earth. 2. Low clouds have a high absorption of infrared radiation emanating from the Earth's surface and thus cause warming effect. Which of the statements given above is/are correct? (a) 1 only (b) 2 only (c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2 Madhya Pradesh gets its eighth tiger reserve in Ratapani Syllabus: Preliminary Examination: Current events of national and international importance Mains Examination: General Studies III: Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment. What’s the ongoing story: The Ratapani Wildlife Sanctuary in Madhya Pradesh was on Monday declared a tiger reserve following in-principle approval from the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change through the National Tiger Conservation Authority. Key Points to Ponder: • How is the tiger reserve different from national parks and wildlife sanctuaries? • What is the process of designating a tiger reserve? • What are the issues associated with tiger conservation in India? • What are the steps taken by the government for the conservation of tigers? • Madhya Pradesh, known as the "Tiger State of India," recently added Ratapani as its eighth tiger reserve. Discuss the ecological and socio-economic significance of this development. • Examine the role of tiger reserves in India’s biodiversity conservation strategy. How does the addition of new reserves like Ratapani align with global efforts to protect endangered species? • Ratapani has been designated as Madhya Pradesh’s eighth tiger reserve. Evaluate the potential challenges and opportunities this presents for wildlife conservation and sustainable development in the region. • "The establishment of new tiger reserves reflects India's commitment to wildlife conservation." Critically analyze the impact of creating new reserves on local communities and forest ecosystems. • Map Work-Ratnapani • What is India’s tiger population? • How scientists count tigers in India • National Tiger Conservation Authority is a statutory body under which Ministry? • Who is the Chairman of National Tiger Conservation Authority? • Map Work-Locate top five and bottom five states (Population) Tiger Reserves in India Key Takeaways: • The Ratapani Wildlife Sanctuary in Madhya Pradesh was on Monday declared a tiger reserve following in-principle approval from the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change through the National Tiger Conservation Authority. • Officials said this will bring significant benefits. “Local communities will see economic opportunities grow with the promotion of ecotourism, which is expected to generate employment and improve livelihoods,” said an official. • Officials said the tiger reserve designation enables the state to receive funding from the NTCA, which will “ensure better management and conservation efforts for wildlife”. • The notification delineates the core and buffer areas, making this the eighth tiger reserve in the state. The core area spans 763.8 square kilometers, while the buffer area covers 507.6 square kilometers, making the total area of the Ratapani Tiger Reserve 1,271.4 square kilometers. Do You Know: • Sitting in the lap of the Vindhya hills, the sanctuary encompasses a World Heritage Site – the Bhimbetka Rock Shelters – and many historical and religious destinations. It is located in the Raisen district with a substantial cover of teak forests and is less than 50 kilometres away from Bhopal. • The notification was issued under Section 38V of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, acknowledging the core area as a critical tiger habitat. This will cover nine revenue villages covering 26.947 square kilometers. Other Important Articles Covering the same topic: 📍NTCA seeks action plan from states on relocation of villages from tiger reserves Previous Year UPSC Prelims Question Covering similar theme: 6. Among the following Tiger Reserves, which one has the largest area under “Critical Tiger Habitat”? a) Corbett b) Ranthambore c) Nagarjunsagar-Srisailam d) Sunderbans THE EDITORIAL PAGE Why the South Asian neighbourhood is on edge Syllabus: Preliminary Examination: Current events of national and international importance. Main Examination: General Studies I: India and its neighbourhood- relations. What’s the ongoing story: Pratap Bhanu Mehta writes: In a deep ideological sense, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh are joined at the hip. India uses the fires in Pakistan and Bangladesh to shore up the claims of a Hindu state, and the ‘India’ card is still a potent defining feature of their identity. But they must remember: State sponsored religious nationalism will always turn authoritarian. Key Points to Ponder: • What factors has contributed to the current tensions in the South Asian region, as discussed in the article? • The rise of authoritarian tendencies has been observed in multiple South Asian countries-True or false? • According to the article, which external factor has exacerbated the internal challenges faced by South Asian countries? • Discuss the internal and external factors contributing to the current geopolitical tensions in South Asia. How do these factors interplay to create a complex security environment in the region? • Analyse the trends of democratic backsliding in South Asian countries. What are the implications of these trends for regional stability and international relations? • Evaluate India's role in addressing the political and economic challenges faced by its neighboring countries in South Asia. How can India balance its national interests with the need for regional stability? • Examine the effectiveness of regional organizations like SAARC in mitigating conflicts and fostering cooperation among South Asian nations. What reforms are necessary to enhance their efficacy? • Assess the impact of geopolitical competition between major powers, such as the US and China, on the domestic politics and foreign policies of South Asian countries. How does this rivalry influence the strategic calculus of the region? Key Takeaways: • South Asia has experienced significant political turbulence, with democratic institutions facing challenges. India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh, despite their differences, exhibit symptoms of a common ailment: the rise of religious nationalism. This trend threatens democracy, decency, and human rights, pushing the region toward conflict rather than reconciliation. • Sheikh Hasina's regime is losing its popular legitimacy, creating uncertainty about what might replace it. Islamist groups have gained visibility, and minorities, especially Hindus, face increasing risks. The rivalry between the Awami League and its opponents perpetuates a cycle of recrimination detrimental to democracy. Bangladeshi elites often dismiss concerns about minority targeting as exaggeration or Indian propaganda, using a familiar South Asian "communalism playbook." • India exacerbates religious tensions domestically through policies and practices like hate speech, lynching, bulldozers, and property claims. The government's ideological orientation fuels disempowerment and marginalization of minorities, perpetuating conflict. • Pakistan’s prioritization of religious identity over inclusivity puts all minorities, including Ahmadiyyas and Shias, at risk. The state’s reliance on religious benchmarking creates a self-perpetuating cycle of targeting minorities. • The fates of India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh are intertwined. Their mutual reliance on religious nationalism not only exacerbates internal conflicts but also reinforces each other's justifications for their respective nationalist agendas. The ideological trajectories of these nations are driving them toward greater conflict, echoing unresolved tensions from the 1947 partition. Do You Know: • According to the author, Sheikh Hasina had lost popular legitimacy, or at least deprived herself of the means to establish it. But it is still an open question what kind of successor regime will be institutionalised in its wake. —Bangladesh may still overcome its present hurdles, but there are three ominous signs. The first is that the strategy of the new regime seems to be moving not towards building an inclusive democracy, but to keep on engaging in the same cycles of recrimination between the Awami League and its opponents that have marked Bangladesh’s history, a cycle of recrimination that never ends well for democracy. —Islamists seem to have gained much more visible space, and there is no political force that can marginalise them. There is greater risk to minorities, especially Hindus in Bangladesh. • Pakistan is an example of what happens when the meaning of religion becomes subordinated to maintaining the religious character of that state. The need for benchmarking a religious identity will constantly put all minorities at risk. In Pakistan all minorities are at risk, including Ahmadiyyas and Shias. The recent massacre in Kurram has a regional dimension, but it has a deep overlay of Shia-Sunni schism. Other Important Articles Covering the same topic: 📍 Why Bangladesh is not Pakistan Choking on smoke Syllabus: Preliminary Examination: Current events of national and international importance. Main Examination: General Studies III: Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment. What’s the ongoing story: Kalpana Balakrishnan, Sagnik Dey, Chandra Venkataraman writes: It’s time for India’s National Clean Air Programme to place health at the centre. This would entail clean energy shifts to fossil fuels (LPG) in the residential sector that can reduce net climate warming Key Points to Ponder: • Discuss the effectiveness of the odd-even vehicle rationing scheme implemented in Delhi as a measure to reduce air pollution. What are its advantages and limitations? • Analyze the short-term and long-term health impacts of prolonged exposure to high levels of air pollution in urban areas like Delhi. What strategies can be adopted to mitigate these health risks? • Examine the role of regional cooperation between Delhi and neighbouring states in addressing the issue of stubble burning and its contribution to air pollution. What policy measures can enhance such cooperation? • Evaluate the potential of technological interventions, such as smog towers and air purifiers, in improving air quality in heavily polluted cities. Are these solutions sustainable in the long run? • Assess the importance of public awareness and community participation in combating air pollution. How can government and civil society collaborate to promote environmentally friendly practices among citizens? Key Takeaways: • The 2024 report of the Lancet Countdown on Climate Change and Health, while pointing to the need to reduce fossil fuel dependence, also argues for health-centric approaches for climate finance to support public-health interventions aimed at reducing exposure to air pollution through shifts to clean energy sources. • Unhealthy air pollution exposures are neither limited to winter time in the NCR nor attributable to the same mix of sources across the country. It is time for India’s National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) to re-examine sectoral priorities that place health at the centre. • Over the last two decades, primary field studies have been undertaken in India to establish that exposure to household air pollution (HAP), resulting from the use of solid cooking fuels, are associated with a wide range of acute and chronic health conditions among adults and children. • Burning solid fuels in inefficient open fires or chulhas in poorly ventilated homes can result in dangerous levels of exposure to multiple harmful air pollutants, including fine particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter of less than 2.5µm (PM 2.5), black carbon, and carbon monoxide, among others. Do You Know: • Quantitative HAP measurements performed across multiple states have shown HAP exposures exceeding the WHO’s air quality guidelines (AQGs) by several orders of magnitude. • While Indian cities, in particular NCR, come to focus often for ambient air pollution (AAP) and have remained as the focal point for the NCAP, the insidious health damaging HAP exposures experienced routinely by rural populations, have largely been missing from the air-pollution discourse. • The estimates of the contribution of solid cooking fuels to ambient PM 2.5 are also getting more consistent with an estimated median national contribution of 30 per cent, with considerable heterogeneity across states. Granular models conducted under the aegis of the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change (MOEFCC) now estimate that eliminating residential biomass combustion can reduce average national ambient exposure to fine particulate matter below the national ambient air quality standard (NAAQS) across most districts in India. • India has an unprecedented opportunity to demonstrate the feasibility of a public-health intervention focused on eliminating household air pollution. The Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY) has already made hefty infrastructure investments for providing LPG access that cover nearly 99 per cent of households in the country. Other Important Articles Covering the same topic: 📍Three solutions for clean air EXPLAINED Electronic monitoring of prisoners: arguments for and against Syllabus: Preliminary Examination: Sustainable Development, Poverty, Inclusion, Demographics, Social Sector Initiatives, etc. Mains Examination: General Studies II: Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation. What’s the ongoing story: On November 5, President Droupadi Murmu released a report titled “Prisons in India: Mapping Prison Manuals and Measures for Reformation and Decongestion”. The report, authored by the Supreme Court’s Centre for Research and Planning, suggests a variety of measures to address overcrowding in prisons, including a section titled “Electronic Tracking of Prisoners”. Key Points to Ponder: • What are the benefits of electronic tracking of people out of prison on bail? • What percentage of the prison population in India comprises undertrial prisoners as per the NCRB data? • Which fundamental right is primarily concerned with the issue of electronic tracking of prisoners in India? • Critically analyze how electronic tracking of prisoners could address the problem of overcrowding in Indian prisons. Discuss its potential benefits and challenges, including concerns related to privacy and social stigma. • Examine the balance between the right to privacy under Article 21 of the Indian Constitution and the need for electronic monitoring in ensuring effective law enforcement. What measures can be implemented to safeguard individual rights while pursuing such reforms? • Compare the use of electronic tracking in India with its implementation in countries like the United States. • Discuss the recommendations of the Law Commission of India and the Parliamentary Standing Committee on electronic monitoring of prisoners. What legal and administrative changes are necessary to implement these recommendations effectively? • Evaluate the cost implications of electronic monitoring of prisoners in India. How can the government ensure that such measures remain affordable and do not shift the financial burden onto prisoners or their families? Key Takeaways: • A broad comparison can be drawn with India where, like communities of colour in the US, people from Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Other Backward Classes backgrounds are overrepresented in prison populations. The latest NCRB data shows that 68.4% of prisoners belong to SC, ST and OBC communities. • On July 8, a Bench of Justices Abhay S Oka and Ujjal Bhuyan struck down an unusual bail condition imposed by the Delhi High Court on two foreign nationals booked for offences under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985. The Delhi HC granted bail to the accused persons and ordered that they must “drop a PIN on the google map to ensure that their location is available to the Investigation Officer of the case”. • The court held that such a condition would violate the fundamental right to privacy under Article 21, stating that “The investigating agency cannot be permitted to continuously peep into the private life of the accused enlarged on bail”. The court then deleted this bail condition. Do You Know: • According to statistics by the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), prisons in India suffer from significant overpopulation with a 131.4% occupancy rate as of December 2022 — 5,73,220 inmates in comparison to a total capacity of 4,36,266 in jails across India. • In addition, 75.8% of prisoners in India are undertrials. The Prisons in India report suggests that electronic monitoring “could prove to be a cost-effective method to decongest jails in India”. • Some studies claim that electronic monitoring simply amounts to incarceration by a different name, often referred to as ‘e-carceration’. In the United States of America, where electronic monitoring and movement restrictions for persons on parole or in the pre-trial stage is a widespread practice, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) published a report titled “Rethinking Electronic Monitoring: A Harm Reduction Guide”. • The Parliamentary Standing Committee in 2023, while advocating for the cost benefits of electronic monitoring, noted that such measures must only be taken with the consent of the inmate in question. “At the same time, it must be ensured that to avoid any kind of human rights violation this scheme or method should be used on voluntary basis after procuring the consent of inmates”. • The 268th Law Commission report acknowledges the “grave and significant impact on constitutional rights” that such a measure might have. It suggests that such monitoring “must be used only in grave and heinous crimes, where the accused person has a prior conviction in similar offences” and states that criminal legislations should be amended accordingly. Other Important Articles Covering the same topic: 📍Tracking accused on bail by agency violate right to privacy: Supreme Court BRICS currency, Trump threat Syllabus: Preliminary Examination: Current events of national and international importance. Main Examination: General Studies I: Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests. What’s the ongoing story: Ever since the US chose to weaponize the global financial infrastructure by throwing Iran (in 2012) and Russia (in 2022) out of the Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication (SWIFT), key to international financial transactions, countries across the globe have been looking to reduce dependence on the US dollar as well as the US-led global financial system. Key Points to Ponder: • Explain how the US has weaponized the global financial infrastructure in recent years. • Analyze the reasons behind global efforts to reduce reliance on the US dollar in international trade. • What are the potential challenges and opportunities for BRICS nations in creating a new currency? • Examine the geopolitical implications of Donald Trump’s threat of 100% tariffs on BRICS nations for attempting to replace the US dollar. • Discuss India’s stance on a BRICS currency and its broader implications for international trade and diplomacy. • What steps has India taken to internationalize the Indian rupee? • Assess the role of the Chinese renminbi in global financial markets and its internationalisation efforts. • Examine India’s balanced approach in diversifying trade mechanisms while maintaining strong ties with the US. • How has the US dollar’s dominant role in international trade influenced geopolitical relations? Key Takeaways: • Perceiving these growing attempts as a threat to the US dollar’s domination, US President-elect Donald Trump has threatened Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa (BRICS nations) with 100 per cent tariffs if they create a new BRICS currency or back any other currency to replace the US dollar as the world’s reserve currency. • Trump’s threat comes at a time when US sanctions on Russia resulted in Russian oil being redirected from Europe to Asia. In an effort to reduce reliance on the US dollar and to internationalise the Indian rupee, the Reserve Bank of India allowed invoicing and payments for international trade in Indian rupees in 2022, after sanctions were imposed on Russia amid the Ukraine war. Do You Know: • Foreign exchange market turnover (daily averages), as per the BIS Triennial Central Bank Survey 2022, shows the US dollar is the dominant vehicle currency, accounting for 88 per cent of the global forex turnover. The rupee accounted for 1.6 per cent. The survey stated that if rupee turnover rises to equal the share of non-US, non-Euro currencies in global forex turnover of 4 per cent, it will be regarded as an international currency. • India’s trade with Russia in domestic currency remains low due to Indian banks’ fear of US sanctions and an unbalanced trade relationship between the two countries. While there has been a multifold rise in India-Russia trade after the Ukraine war, it has been firmly in favour of Russia. India’s exports to Russia stood at $4.2 billion in FY24, but increasing oil imports from Moscow have widened the import bill to $61 billion. As a result, Russia has a huge pile of rupee reserves that it has not been able to use to settle bilateral trade using domestic currency, and is instead using it to invest in Indian stocks and bonds. • International trade experts said that while the US dollar dominates global trade—accounting for over 90 per cent of transactions—it is not the only currency used internationally. Other convertible currencies like the Japanese yen, the euro, and the British pound are also integral to global commerce, and the United States has not objected to their use. The proposed BRICS currency is simply an extension of these existing alternatives. Other Important Articles Covering the same topic: 📍Trump threat to BRICS: Give up idea of replacing dollar or face 100% tariffs How land degradation is threatening Earth’s capacity to sustain humanity Syllabus: Preliminary Examination: General issues on Environmental ecology, Bio-diversity and Climate Change - that do not require subject specialization. Main Examination: General Studies III: Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment. What’s the ongoing story: Land degradation is undermining Earth’s capacity to sustain humanity, and failure to reverse it will pose challenges for generations to come, a new United Nations report found. Key Points to Ponder: • What is land degradation? Why is it a matter of concern? • What is causing land degradation? • Which areas are the worst affected? • How does land degradation impact global food security and water availability? • Discuss the socio-economic consequences of land degradation in low-income countries. • Analyse the global efforts required to stay within planetary boundaries while addressing land degradation. Key Takeaways: • A million sq km of land is getting degraded each year, with an estimated 15 million sq km already impacted — more than the entire continent of Antarctica — by land degradation, the report titled Stepping back from the precipice: Transforming land management to stay within planetary boundaries said. • The analysis has been carried out by the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) — a legally binding framework to address desertification and the effects of drought — in collaboration with Germany’s Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research. It was published on Monday, a day before the 16th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP16) of UNCCD began in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. • Unsustainable agricultural practices such as the heavy use of chemical inputs, pesticides, and water diversion are the foremost drivers of land degradation, the report said. That is because such practices lead to deforestation, soil erosion, and pollution. • The report has identified several land degradation hotspots in dry regions such as South Asia, northern China, the High Plains and California in the United States, and the Mediterranean. A third of humanity now lives in drylands, which include three-quarters of Africa. Do You Know: • According to UNCCD, land degradation is “the reduction or loss of the biological or economic productivity and complexity of rainfed cropland, irrigated cropland, or range, pasture, forest and woodlands resulting from a combination of pressures, including land use and management practices”. • Land degradation adversely affects humans and ecosystems around the planet. For instance, it raises the risk of malnutrition by reducing the quality and quantity of food production. It contributes to the spread of water- and food-borne diseases that result from poor hygiene and scarcity of clean water. It can cause respiratory diseases due to soil erosion. • Marine and freshwater systems also suffer due to land degradation. For example, eroded soil carrying fertilisers and pesticides washes into water bodies, harming both the fauna living there and local communities which depend on them. • Land degradation contributes to climate change as well. The world’s soil is the largest terrestrial carbon sink. When land is degraded, soil carbon can be released into the atmosphere, along with nitrous oxide. This can further exacerbate global warming. • The new report said land degradation has reduced the capacity of land ecosystems such as trees and soil to absorb human-caused carbon dioxide by 20% in the last decade. Previously, these ecosystems could absorb nearly one-third of this kind of pollution. Other Important Articles Covering the same topic: 📍‘India taking proactive steps to tackle land degradation’ Previous Year UPSC Prelims Question Covering similar theme: 7. What is/are the importance/ importances of the ‘United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification’? (2016) 1. It aims to promote effective action through innovative national programmes and supportive international partnerships 2. It has a special/particular focus on South Asia and North Africa regions, and its Secretariat facilitates the allocation of major portions of financial resources to these regions. 3. It is committed to a bottom-up approach, encouraging the participation of local people in combating desertification. Select the correct answer using the code given below: a) 1 only b) 2 and 3 only c) 1 and 3 only d) 1, 2 and 3 PRELIMS ANSWER KEY 1. (C) 2. (b) 3. (a) 4. (c) 5. (d) 6. (C) 7.(C) For any queries and feedback, contact priya.shukla@indianexpress.com Subscribe to our UPSC newsletter. Stay updated with the latest UPSC articles by joining our Telegram channel – IndianExpress UPSC Hub, and follow us on Instagram and X.
