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  • Nobel and other Prizes

    Economics Nobel to study Women in Workforce

    Prelims Only | Economics | Mains Paper 3: E-Technology In The Aid Of Farmers

    economics nobel

    Central Idea

    • In 2023, Claudia Goldin, a distinguished economist and Professor at Harvard University, was awarded the Nobel Prize in Economic Sciences for her pioneering work on women’s labor market outcomes.

    Claudia Goldin: A Trailblazer in Economics

    • Harvard Tenure: In 1990, Claudia Goldin made history by becoming the first woman to achieve tenure in Harvard University’s economics department, securing a permanent position as a professor.
    • In-Depth Research: The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences acknowledged Goldin’s important contributions, citing her work as advancing our knowledge of women’s job market outcomes.
    • Historical Perspective: Goldin’s research provides a comprehensive historical account of women’s earnings and job market participation over centuries, uncovering the reasons behind changes and the ongoing gender gap.

    Key Questions Addressed by Claudia Goldin’s Research

    • Gender Inequality at Work: Goldin’s research explores why fewer women seek jobs and earn less than men, shedding light on this inequality.
    • Impact of Economic Growth: She challenges the idea that economic growth always leads to more women working, showing that historical trends follow a U-shaped curve due to changes in society and evolving norms.
    • Role of Education, Marriage, and Childbirth: Goldin investigates how education, marriage, and having children affect women’s work, providing insights into the complex relationship between these factors.
    • Gender Pay Gap: Her research shows that despite modernization and economic growth in the 20th century, the gender pay gap persisted, with a significant part emerging after the birth of the first child.

    Transformational Insights

    • Contraceptive Pill’s Impact: Goldin highlights how the contraceptive pill empowered women to plan their careers, creating new opportunities for career development.
    • Shift in Earnings Gap: She reveals that the main source of the earnings difference between men and women shifted from career choices to disparities within the same job, mainly arising after the birth of the first child.
    • Influence on Young Women: Goldin emphasizes that young women’s educational and career decisions are often influenced by previous generations, leading to slow progress in closing the earnings gap.

    Significance for Society

    • Policy Implications: Claudia Goldin’s research has important implications for addressing barriers to women’s progress in the job market. Her work provides insights into the factors that need attention to promote gender equality.
    • Enhancing Understanding: Through her groundbreaking research, Goldin has significantly improved our understanding of women’s roles in the job market, offering the knowledge needed to build a more inclusive and fair society.

    Conclusion

    • Claudia Goldin’s Nobel Prize in Economics recognizes her pioneering research in unraveling the complexities of women’s job market outcomes.
    • Her comprehensive historical analysis has reshaped our understanding of the ongoing gender gap, offering policymakers and society valuable insights for working towards a more equitable future.

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  • Labour, Jobs and Employment – Harmonization of labour laws, gender gap, unemployment, etc.

    India’s Unemployment Rate Declines: PLFS 2022-2023

    DOMR | Governance | Mains Paper 2: Health & Education

    Central Idea

    • The latest findings from the Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS), conducted by the National Sample Survey Office (NSSO), reveal a decrease in India’s unemployment rate for the period between April and June 2023.
    • This encouraging trend is accompanied by improvements in the Labour Force Participation Rate (LFPR) and the Worker-Population Ratio (WPR), signifying positive shifts in the country’s labor market.

    About Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS)

    Objective Collect comprehensive labor market data in India.
    Conducted by Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI), Government of India.
    Replacement for Replaced earlier employment-unemployment surveys by NSSO.
    Frequency Conducted periodically, with rounds typically spanning a year.
    First Round Conducted in July 2017-2018, marking the survey’s initiation.
    Data Categories Employment status, unemployment rate, sector-wise employment, income, demographics, and more.
    Sampling Methodology Sample survey approach with data collected from households and individuals through a scientific sampling process.
    Policy Impact Informs government policies related to employment, labor market interventions, and economic planning.

     

    2022-23 Survey Overview

    • Scope: The national survey compiled data from 5,639 first-stage sampling units (FSUs) and encompassed 1,67,916 individuals residing in 44,190 urban households.
    • Age Group: The survey focused on individuals aged 15 years and above.

    Improvements in Urban Labour Force Participation

    • LFPR Uptick: The LFPR in urban areas exhibited growth, rising from 47.5% in April-June 2022 to 48.8% in the corresponding months of 2023 for individuals aged 15 years and above.
    • Gender Disparities: While the LFPR remained stable at approximately 73.5% for males during this period, it notably increased for females, climbing from 20.9% to 23.2%.

    Enhanced Worker-Population Ratio

    • WPR Gains: In urban areas, the WPR increased from 43.9% in April-June 2022 to 45.5% during the same period in 2023 for individuals aged 15 years and above.
    • Gender-Specific Improvements: For males, the WPR progressed from 68.3% to 69.2%, and for females, it surged from 18.9% to 21.1% over this timeframe.

    Decrease in Unemployment Rate

    • Declining Unemployment: The PLFS reported a diminishing trend in the Unemployment Rate (UR) for individuals aged 15 years and above in urban areas.
    • UR in Urban Areas: It decreased from 7.6% in April-June 2022 to 6.6% in April-June 2023.
    • Gender-Based UR: For males, the UR dropped from 7.1% to 5.9%, while for females, it decreased from 9.5% to 9.1% during this period.

    Comparative Analysis

    • Positive Trends: The report highlights improvements in key labor market indicators in urban areas when compared to the pre-pandemic period (April-June 2018 to October-December 2019).
    • LFPR Improvement: The LFPR ranged from 46.2% to 47.8% during the pre-pandemic period and has now reached 48.8%.
    • WPR Enhancement: Pre-pandemic WPR figures ranged from 41.8% to 44.1%, while the current WPR stands at 45.5%.
    • Lower UR: Unemployment rates during the pre-pandemic period fluctuated between 7.8% and 9.7%, with the latest survey reporting a lower UR of 6.6%. This rate is deemed favorable compared to the unemployment rates observed in the quarters preceding the pandemic.

    Conclusion

    • The Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) results reflect positive developments in India’s labor market, marked by a decreasing unemployment rate, improved labor force participation, and enhanced worker-population ratios.
    • These trends indicate a resilient labor market recovery and may signify the nation’s progress towards economic stability and job creation.

    Back2Basics:

    • Labour Force Participation Rate (LFPR): LFPR is defined as the percentage of persons in labour force (i.e. working or seeking or available for work)in the population.
    • Worker Population Ratio (WPR): WPR is defined as the percentage of employed persons in the population.
    • Unemployment Rate (UR): UR is defined as the percentage of persons unemployed among the persons in the labour force.
    • Activity Status- Usual Status: The activity status of a person is determined on the basis of the activities pursued by the person during the specified reference period. When the activity status is determined on the basis of the reference period of last 365 days preceding the date of survey, it is known as the usual activity status of the person.
    • Activity Status- Current Weekly Status (CWS): The activity status determined on the basis of a reference period of last 7 days preceding the date of survey is known as the current weekly status (CWS) of the person.

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  • Women empowerment issues – Jobs,Reservation and education

    Shadow over women’s reservation

    op-ed snap | Polity | Mains Paper 2: Parliament & State Legislatures

    What’s the news?

    • The Women’s Reservation Bill has journeyed through decades of debates and discussions, yet its implementation remains uncertain.

    Central idea

    • The recent tabling of the Women’s Reservation Bill in the Lok Sabha has brought attention to the long-awaited issue of gender representation in Indian politics. However, despite the grand announcement, there are several complexities and challenges surrounding its implementation that demand scrutiny.

    Historical Background

    • The issue of women’s reservation in Indian politics dates back to the Constituent Assembly debates in 1947, where it was initially rejected as unnecessary.
    • However, subsequent decades witnessed a decline in women’s political representation, prompting further policy deliberations.
    • The quest for women’s reservation in legislative bodies began in 1996, with notable progress occurring during Manmohan Singh’s tenure in 2010, when it passed in the Rajya Sabha but faced rejection in the Lok Sabha.
    • Since then, the commitment to empowering women in India’s political landscape has remained unfulfilled.

    Current Bill’s Complexities

    • Implementation Linked to Census and Delimitation: One of the major complexities is that the bill’s implementation is contingent upon two crucial factors: conducting a new census and completing the delimitation process. Unlike some previous legislation, this bill cannot be immediately enforced but rather depends on these time-consuming processes.
    • Unclear Timeline: The bill lacks a clear and specific timeline for its implementation. It leaves the question of when reservations for women in legislative bodies will become a reality unanswered. This ambiguity has raised concerns about the government’s commitment to gender equality in politics.

    Census and Delimitation Challenges

    • Delay Due to the Pandemic:
    • The last census in India was conducted in 2011. Subsequent Census exercises were delayed, with the Union government attributing the postponement to the COVID-19 pandemic.
    • This delay has had a direct impact on the implementation of the Women’s Reservation Bill since the bill is linked to the data obtained from the Census.
    • Potential Conflicts:
    • Even if the Census process moves forward, there is a looming possibility of conflicts arising during the delimitation process.
    • Delimitation, which involves the division of electoral constituencies, can be contentious, particularly between different regions and states. This could further delay the bill’s implementation and pose political challenges.

    Key Differences from the 2008 Version

    • Intra-State Women Representation: Unlike the 2008 version of the bill, the current iteration does not include provisions for “intra-state women representation.” The 2008 bill mandated that one-third of Lok Sabha seats in each state or Union Territory should be reserved for women, ensuring representation from various regions within the state.
    • Rotation of Reserved Seats: The current bill proposes that reserved seats for women should be rotated after every delimitation exercise. This means that the seats set aside for women may change constituency boundaries periodically. In contrast, the 2008 bill did not include such a provision.
    • Unclear Status During Delimitation: The current bill does not provide clarity on the status of women’s reservations when the delimitation process is ongoing. Given that delimitation commissions typically take several years to issue their reports, it remains uncertain how the reserved seats for women will be affected during this period.

    Way forward

    • Clear Implementation Plan: The government must outline a comprehensive and transparent plan for the implementation of the Women’s Reservation Bill. A clear roadmap with specific timelines can provide clarity and boost public confidence in the process.
    • Fast-Track Census and Delimitation: Expedite the Census and delimitation processes. Swiftly resolve any conflicts that may arise during these procedures to prevent further delays in implementing the bill.
    • Revise Intra-State Representation: Reconsider the exclusion of intra-state women’s representation from the current bill. Ensuring representation from various regions within a state can enhance diversity and inclusivity.
    • Seat Rotation Framework: Develop a framework for seat rotation that balances stability and change in women’s representation. Ensure that changes in constituency boundaries do not disrupt the continuity of women in politics.
    • Encourage Political Parties: Encourage political parties to proactively nominate more women candidates in elections. Parties can voluntarily set quotas for women candidates to increase their presence in legislative bodies.

    Conclusion

    • For a nation that initially championed equal rights and representation for all citizens, this delay is a blemish on the visionary ideals of our founding fathers. It is high time that the promise of women’s reservation in politics transforms into a tangible reality.

    Also read:

    What will hold up women’s reservation Bill?

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  • Banking Sector Reforms

    The banking sector is leading the journey towards an Atmanirbhar Bharat

    op-ed snap | Economics | Mains Paper 3: Indian Economy

    What’s the news?

    • Despite facing numerous challenges in the past quarter-century, including economic crises, pandemics, and geopolitical tensions, India’s banking and financial sector has continued to evolve and adapt.

    Central idea

    • India’s remarkable growth and stability over the past 25 years have placed the country at the forefront of global optimism. This shift is attributed to the nation’s governance structures and policy apparatus, which have fostered innovation and positioned India as a hub of novel public goods. Among the sectors driving this transformation, banking and finance stand out as key contributors.

    The Banking Evolution

    • Maturation of Banking in India: Over a period of 75 years, India’s banking sector has matured and grown into a vibrant and robust industry.
    • Reforms and Critical Enablers: The past 30 years have seen critical reforms that have played a pivotal role in enabling the growth and transformation of the banking sector.
    • Diversity in Banking: India’s banking sector now boasts a diverse landscape that includes public sector banks, private banks, non-banking financial companies (NBFCs), and a burgeoning fintech ecosystem. This diversity has made the financial sector more inclusive and dynamic.
    • Addressing Legacy Issues: Reforms and changes in the sector have addressed legacy issues such as non-performing assets (NPAs), making the banking system more resilient.
    • Internal Accruals: The internal accruals have become a significant source of growth capital for banks, enhancing their financial stability.
    • Technological Advancements: Banks in India have moved away from traditional, brick-and-mortar models to embrace advanced technology. Products such as mobile banking apps, UPI, Aadhaar e-KYC, and digital payment systems have transformed the banking landscape.

    The role of artificial intelligence (AI)

    • Knowledge-Based Regime: India’s banking system is undergoing a transition toward a knowledge-based regime, primarily driven by AI and cognitive computing technologies. This shift represents a move away from traditional banking practices toward more data-driven and intelligent operations.
    • Personalization of Customer Engagement: AI is enabling banks to personalize customer engagement. Through AI-powered capabilities, banks can gain a deeper understanding of individual customer preferences and needs. This personalization enhances the overall customer experience.
    • Deeper Understanding of Customers: AI facilitates a more profound insight into customers’ behaviors and financial needs. By analyzing data and utilizing machine learning algorithms, banks can develop a comprehensive understanding of their customers, allowing for more targeted services.
    • Adaptation to a Changing Business Environment: In a landscape characterized by constant change, AI serves as a valuable tool for ensuring banks remain agile and responsive to shifting demands.
    • Challenges and Opportunities: While AI presents significant opportunities for banks, it also poses challenges. Banks must address issues related to data privacy, ethical considerations, and the potential biases inherent in AI algorithms.
    • Key to Future Success: AI will be a pivotal factor in differentiating successful banks in the coming years. Banks that effectively harness AI technologies are likely to maintain their competitiveness and adapt to the changing demands of customers and the business landscape.

    What are the Challenges?

    • Digitalization Challenges: The digitalization of banking services has introduced several challenges. These include the proliferation of unregulated digital lending apps, the emergence of cryptocurrencies, and the risk of cyberattacks.
    • Cybersecurity Risks: There is a need to address cybersecurity risks. As digitalization advances, banks are increasingly vulnerable to cyber threats and attacks.
    • Critical Support Infrastructure: With the increasing reliance on digital banking channels, ensuring the availability of critical support infrastructure becomes paramount. This encompasses maintaining secure payment settlement systems, safeguarding ATMs, and ensuring the continuity of internet and mobile banking services.
    • Data Challenges: As banks increasingly rely on data for decision-making and personalization, addressing methodological and data challenges is essential. Ensuring data accuracy, security, and compliance with privacy regulations is a responsibility that banks must prioritize.

    Way forward

    • Customer Grievances: The digital banking era comes with added responsibilities related to addressing customer grievances efficiently. Banks must establish mechanisms to handle and resolve customer complaints promptly to ensure the uninterrupted delivery of banking services.
    • Regulator frameworks: These digitalization-related challenges require banks to adopt robust security measures and regulatory frameworks to protect both customers and the financial system.
    • Climate Change Imperative: Initiatives for decarbonization present opportunities in renewables, green hydrogen, and green goods trade. Banks are expected to be major financiers in combating climate change, necessitating robust risk management practices.
    • Investment in Human Resources: In an ever-changing environment, the quality of human resources becomes a critical differentiator. Banks and financial institutions must attract, train, and retain talent while fostering adaptability and upskilling.
    • Innovation and Governance: Financial services must invest in research and embrace out-of-the-box ideas for seamless service delivery and product personalization. Governance remains the backbone of institutions and is crucial for financial stability.

    Conclusion

    • India’s banking sector has endured and evolved, emerging from a challenging decade more resilient and adaptable. With a focus on robust governance, innovation, and a growing domestic market, it is poised to play a crucial role in India’s journey towards an Atmanirbhar Bharat, promoting equitable and sustainable development.

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  • Health Sector – UHC, National Health Policy, Family Planning, Health Insurance, etc.

    Mental health and the floundering informal worker

    op-ed snap | Governance | Mains Paper 2: Health & Education

    What’s the news?

    • World Mental Health Day, observed on October 10, underscores the theme of ‘mental health as a universal human right.’

    Central idea

    • While the World Mental Health Day theme highlights the importance of mental health for all, it’s crucial to address the often-overlooked mental health challenges of India’s informal workers. This necessitates proactive policies aligning with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

    The Global Perspective

    • According to the International Labour Organization (ILO), approximately 15% of working-age adults globally live with a mental disorder.
    • Decent work can positively influence mental health, but unemployment, unstable employment, workplace discrimination, and unsafe working environments pose significant risks to mental health.
    • Informal workers, particularly those in low-paid and precarious jobs, often face psychosocial risks that compromise their mental well-being.

    India’s Informal Workforce

    • India’s informal workforce constitutes over 90% of the total working population. These workers endure unsafe conditions, work long hours, and have limited access to social and financial protections.
    • Discrimination and gender disparities are prevalent, with over 95% of working women engaged in informal, low-paying, and precarious employment.
    • The mental health of informal workers is further undermined by patriarchal structures and practices in their social and familial spaces.

    Challenges faced by the informal workforce in India

    • Lack of Formal Protections: Informal workers often lack legal and social protections. They work without employment contracts, job security, or access to benefits like health insurance and paid leave.
    • Unsafe Working Conditions: Many informal workers labor in hazardous environments, increasing their risk of occupational health and safety issues.
    • Long Working Hours: Informal workers frequently work long hours, often without clear boundaries between work and personal life, affecting their physical and mental well-being.
    • Limited Access to Social Protections: These workers have limited access to social safety nets, making them vulnerable to economic shocks such as illness or job loss.
    • Gender Disparities: Gender disparities are pronounced in the informal sector, with many women engaged in low-paying and precarious employment. Discrimination and patriarchal structures exacerbate these challenges.
    • Precarious Employment: Informal work is characterized by its precarious nature, including irregular income, job insecurity, and uncertainty about future employment.
    • Income Inequality: Informal workers often earn lower wages than their formal sector counterparts, contributing to income inequality.

    Youth and Unemployment

    • Youth unemployment is a pressing issue in India, significantly affecting mental health.
    • Many young workers are forced into precarious and informal work due to desperation, accepting lower pay and poorer working conditions.
    • Unemployment rates are particularly high among educated young women, reaching 42%.
    • Given India’s demographic dividend, it is crucial to prioritize employment quality and long-term social security for this population.

    Aging Workforce and Vulnerability

    • India is expected to become an aging society in two decades, yet there is no clear social security plan for this growing demographic group.
    • The Census of India 2011 reveals that 33 million elderly individuals continue working in informal sectors post-retirement.
    • This vulnerable group lacks financial and health-care security, which can severely impact their physical and mental health.

    Social Security and Mental Health

    • Informal workers face mental distress due to accumulating debt and rising health-care costs: Informal workers often experience financial strain due to their precarious employment, leading to the accumulation of debt and increased healthcare expenses.
    • Interconnectedness of Economic and Mental Health Factors: Mental health and well-being are interconnected with factors such as food security, access to livelihoods, and financial stability. These factors play a significant role in determining the mental health of informal workers.
    • Post-COVID-19 Recovery Challenges: A study conducted among informal workers in Delhi, primarily migrants, reveals that the recovery post-COVID-19 remains uneven among different cohorts of informal workers. Many still report food insecurity, skipped meals, or reduced consumption, which can have detrimental effects on their mental health.
    • Impact of Government Schemes: While some social security schemes have received increased funding, others, like the MNREGS, have seen reductions in funding. Adequate funding of employment guarantee programs can positively impact the mental health outcomes of informal workers.
    • High Suicide Rates Among Daily Wage Earners: The National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) reported that in 2021, 26% of people who died by suicide were daily wage earners. This statistic highlights the mental health challenges faced by this group and the need for better support and social security measures.
    • Types of Social Security Measures: Social security measures can take various forms, including:
      1. Promotional: Aimed at augmenting income.
      2. Preventive: Intended to forestall economic distress.
      3. Protective: Designed to ensure relief from external shocks.
    • The Code on Social Security 2020: It is necessary to revisit the Code on Social Security 2020, highlighting that it doesn’t explicitly state the goal of universalizing social security in India, particularly for informal workers.

    Way Forward: Improving Mental Health Care

    • Low Budgetary Allocation for Mental Health: India’s budgetary allocation for mental health currently stands at less than 1% of the total health budget. This allocation has predominantly focused on digital mental health programs.
    • Importance of Community-Based Care: The World Mental Health Report 2022 emphasizes the need to strengthen community-based care as part of a comprehensive mental health approach.
    • Human Rights-Oriented Care: To address mental health effectively, it is important to provide people-centered, recovery-oriented, and human rights-oriented care.
    • Urgent Need for Proactive Policies: There is a pressing need for proactive policies that not only recognize the importance of mental health but also take concrete actions to improve mental health care in India.
    • Basic Human Right to Good Health: Mental health is a basic human right, and it emphasizes the need to uphold this right by providing access to quality mental health care.

    Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

    • SDG 3: Good Health and Well-Being: Improving mental health care aligns with SDG 3, which aims to ensure good health and well-being for all.
    • SDG 8: Decent Work for All/Economic Growth: Addressing mental health issues among informal workers is crucial for advancing SDG 8, which focuses on decent work for all and economic growth.

    Conclusion

    • Proactive policies and comprehensive social security measures can uplift the mental well-being of this marginalized group, promoting a society where mental health is indeed a universal human right. Achieving this goal will contribute to the realization of the Sustainable Development Goals and ensure a healthier, more equitable future for all.

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  • Artificial Intelligence (AI) Breakthrough

    Multimodal Artificial Intelligence: A Revolution in AI Comprehension

    op-ed snap | Science Tech | Mains Paper 3: Awareness in various sc and tech fields

    What’s the news?

    • Leading AI companies are entering a new race to embrace multimodal capabilities.

    Central idea

    • AI’s next frontier is undoubtedly headed toward multimodal systems, enabling users to interact with AI through various sensory channels. People gain insights and context by interpreting images, sounds, videos, and text, making multimodal AI a natural evolution for comprehensive cognition.

    A New Race to Embrace Multimodal Capabilities

    • OpenAI, known for ChatGPT, recently announced that GPT-3.5 and GPT-4 models can now understand images and describe them in words.
    • Additionally, their mobile apps are equipped with speech synthesis, enabling dynamic conversations with AI.
    • OpenAI initially promised multimodality with GPT-4’s release but expedited its implementation following reports of Google’s Gemini, a forthcoming multimodal language model.

    Google’s Advantage and OpenAI’s Response

    • Google enjoys an advantage in the multimodal realm because of its vast image and video repository through its search engine and YouTube.
    • Nevertheless, OpenAI is rapidly advancing in this space. They are actively recruiting multimodal experts, offering competitive salaries of up to $3,70,000 per year.
    • OpenAI is also working on a project called Gobi, which aims to build a multimodal AI system from the ground up, distinguishing it from their GPT models.

    What is multimodal artificial intelligence?

    • Multimodal AI is an innovative approach in the field of AI that aims to revolutionize the way AI systems process and interpret information by seamlessly integrating various sensory modalities.
    • Unlike conventional AI models, which typically focus on a single data type, multimodal AI systems have the capability to simultaneously comprehend and utilize data from diverse sources, such as text, images, audio, and video.
    • The hallmark of multimodal AI lies in its ability to harness the combined power of different sensory inputs, mimicking the way humans perceive and interact with the world.

    The Mechanics of Multimodality

    • Multimodal AI Basics: Multimodal AI processes data from various sources simultaneously, such as text, images, and audio.
    • DALL.E’s Foundation: DALL.E, a notable model, is built upon the CLIP model, both developed by OpenAI in 2021.
    • Training Approach: Multimodal AI models link text and images during training, enabling them to recognize patterns that connect visuals with textual descriptions.
    • Audio Multimodality: Similar principles apply to audio, as seen in models like Whisper, which translates speech in audio into plain text.

    Applications of multimodal AI

    • Image Caption Generation: Multimodal AI systems are used to automatically generate descriptive captions for images, making content more informative and accessible.
    • Video Analysis: They are employed in video analysis, combining visual and auditory data to recognize actions and events in videos.
    • Speech Recognition: Multimodal AI, like OpenAI’s Whisper, is utilized for speech recognition, translating spoken language in audio into plain text.
    • Content Generation: These systems generate content, such as images or text, based on textual or visual prompts, enhancing content creation.
    • Healthcare: Multimodal AI is applied in medical imaging to analyze complex datasets, such as CT scans, aiding in disease diagnosis and treatment planning.
    • Autonomous Driving: Multimodal AI supports autonomous vehicles by processing data from various sensors and improving navigation and safety.
    • Virtual Reality: It enhances virtual reality experiences by providing rich sensory feedback, including visuals, sounds, and potentially other sensory inputs like temperature.
    • Cross-Modal Data Integration: Multimodal AI aims to integrate diverse sensory data, such as touch, smell, and brain signals, enabling advanced applications and immersive experiences.

    Complex multimodal systems

    • Meta introduced ImageBind, a multifaceted open-source AI multimodal system, in May this year. It incorporates text, visual data, audio, temperature, and movement readings.
    • The vision is to add sensory data like touch, speech, smell, and brain fMRI signals, enabling AI systems to cross-reference these inputs much like they currently do with text.
    • This futuristic approach could lead to immersive virtual reality experiences, incorporating not only visuals and sounds but also environmental elements like temperature and wind.

    Real-World Applications

    • The potential of multimodal AI extends to fields like autonomous driving, robotics, and medicine. Medical tasks, often involving complex image datasets, can benefit from AI systems that analyze these images and provide plain-language responses. Google Research’s Health AI section has explored the integration of multimodal AI in healthcare.
    • Multimodal speech translation is another promising segment, with Google Translate and Meta’s SeamlessM4T model offering text-to-speech, speech-to-text, speech-to-speech, and text-to-text translations for numerous languages.

    Conclusion

    • The future of AI lies in embracing multimodality, opening doors to innovation and practical applications across various domains.

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  • Health Sector – UHC, National Health Policy, Family Planning, Health Insurance, etc.

    Ageing World: Addressing Mental Health Challenges in the Elderly

    Explained | Governance | Mains Paper 2: Health & Education

    Elderly

    Central Idea

    • The world’s elderly population is larger than ever before, with 1.1 billion people aged 60 and above in 2022, constituting 13.9% of the population (UNFPA report).
    • By 2050, this number is projected to rise to 2.1 billion, accounting for 22% of the global population.

    Why discuss this?

    • India’s Scenario: India is no exception to this trend, with 149 million older adults (10.5%) in 2022, expected to increase to 347 million (20.8%) by 2050.
    • Longevity: People are living longer lives than ever before, underscoring the need to understand healthy ageing and address mental health issues in the elderly.

    Misconceptions about Ageing and Mental Health

    • Ageing as a Process: Ageing is a natural physiological process encompassing physical, social, and psychological dimensions. However, misconceptions and fears about ageing, particularly mental health concerns like depression, anxiety, and dementia, persist.
    • Heterogeneity: The ageing process varies among individuals, influenced by factors such as genetics, lifestyle, environment, and diseases. Not all older adults experience the same physical or mental changes.

    Social Challenges Faced by the Elderly

    • Social Isolation and Dependency: Many elderly individuals grapple with increased dependency, social isolation, poverty, ageism, and feelings of pessimism and nihilism.
    • Abuse and Neglect: Elderly individuals are vulnerable to emotional, physical, sexual, and financial abuse, often perpetrated by family members.
    • Inaccessible Infrastructure: India’s towns and cities often lack elder-friendly infrastructure, including ramps, handrails, pavements, and adequate public transport, making healthcare access a challenge.
    • Lack of Purpose: Many elderly men, especially after retirement, may feel unproductive and lost. Developing diverse interests earlier in life can mitigate the sense of purposelessness in retirement, reducing the risk of depression.

    Psychological Aspects of Ageing

    • Psychological Growth: As individuals age, they are expected to gain wisdom and a broader understanding of life’s challenges through personal or vicarious experiences.
    • Erik Erikson’s Theory: Erik Erikson proposed ‘Ego integrity versus Despair’ as the final psychosocial development stage in human life. It emphasizes viewing one’s life accomplishments positively to avoid despair.
    • Indian Cultural Emphasis: Indian culture underscores the importance of accepting the limitations that come with old age and renouncing responsibilities without suffering.

    Mental Health Challenges

    • Prevalence: Approximately 15% of elders in India (22 million individuals) experience serious mental illnesses such as depression, anxiety, dementia, and substance use disorders.
    • Treatment Gap: A significant treatment gap of 90% exists, largely due to a lack of awareness among the public and healthcare professionals.
    • Stigmatization: Stigma associated with both ageing and mental illness often leads to reluctance to admit mental health issues and seek treatment.
    • Poverty and Access: Many elderly individuals lack access to mental healthcare services due to poverty and limited availability of interventions, particularly in rural areas.

    Case Study: SCARF Partnership

    • Community Initiatives: The Schizophrenia Research Foundation (SCARF) has partnered with the Azim Premji Foundation to raise awareness about elder mental health in rural areas of Tamil Nadu, benefiting over 350 villages.
    • Indian Tradition of Joint Families: While joint families are becoming rarer, they offer advantages in terms of multi-generational interactions and support for elders.

    Preserving Cultural Traditions

    • Importance of Festivals and Rituals: Cultural traditions, including festivals and rituals, encourage socialization and cognitive engagement among elders.
    • Risk of Tradition Loss: Neglecting these traditions risks losing their potential protective effects on elderly mental health.

    Way forward

    • Individual Planning: Planning for old age with financial savings and lifestyle adjustments is crucial.
    • Educational Initiatives: Introducing the concept of healthy ageing in school curricula can promote awareness.
    • Community Services: Accessible mental health services for elders should be available at the community level.
    • Role of Retirement Homes: Retirement homes and elder care facilities, while providing care and reducing social isolation, need to address mental health issues urgently.
    • Collective Responsibility: Caring for the elderly is a collective responsibility that requires the concerted efforts of individuals, families, civic society, private organizations, NGOs, and the government.

    Conclusion

    • The ageing world presents both opportunities and challenges, with a growing elderly population that demands a holistic approach to mental health care, community support, and cultural preservation.
    • Addressing the mental health needs of the elderly is not only a matter of compassion but also a responsibility that encompasses various stakeholders and sectors of society.

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  • Innovations in Sciences, IT, Computers, Robotics and Nanotechnology

    Iron Dome: Israel’s guardian against surprise Terror Attacks

    Prelims Only | Science Tech | Mains Paper 3: Awareness in various sc and tech fields

    iron dome

    Central Idea

    • In the wake of the recent Hamas attack on Israel, the world witnessed the effectiveness of Israel’s Iron Dome, a remarkable air defense system that intercepts rockets and missiles aimed at Israeli targets.

    What is Iron Dome?

    • Hezbollah’s Rocket Attacks: The development of the Iron Dome traces back to the 2006 Israeli-Lebanon war when Hezbollah launched thousands of rockets into Israel.
    • Israel’s Response: In 2007, Israel initiated the development of an air defense system to safeguard its cities and population, partnering with Rafael Advance Systems and Israel Aerospace Industries.
    • Deployment: The Iron Dome became operational in 2011 and has since intercepted over 2,000 rockets, with a claimed success rate of over 90%, though experts estimate it at over 80%.

    How does it work?

    • Integrated Systems: The Iron Dome comprises three core components that work in unison to provide protection: detection and tracking radar, battle management and weapon control system (BMC), and missile firing units.
    • Radar’s Role: The detection and tracking radar identifies incoming threats, accurately tracking them, while the BMC connects the radar and interceptor missile.
    • Missile Firing Unit: Once launched, the missile maneuvers independently, targeting small objects, and employs a proximity fuse, activated within ten meters of the target, to ensure precise destruction.

    Effectiveness and Deterrence

    • All-Weather Capability: The Iron Dome operates effectively in various weather conditions, day and night, enhancing its reliability.
    • Cost Considerations: While each battery can cost over $50 million, and an interceptor Tamir missile about $80,000, cost-effectiveness should be measured in terms of lives saved and the nation’s morale.
    • Deterrence Factor: The Iron Dome serves as a strong deterrent, preventing adversaries from exploiting inexpensive rocket attacks and bolstering national morale against rocket intimidation.

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  • RBI Notifications

    RBI to unveil Card-on-File Tokenisation (CoFT)

    Prelims Only | Economics | Mains Paper 3: Indian Economy

    Tokenisation

    Central Idea

    • The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has embarked on a mission to revolutionize digital payments in the country by proposing the introduction of Card-on-File Tokenisation (CoFT).
    • This move, aimed at enhancing convenience for cardholders, is set to redefine the way Indians engage in online transactions.

    Card-on-File Tokenisation (CoFT)

    • Card-on-file tokenisation involves replacing actual credit and debit card details with an alternative code known as a “token.”
    • This token is unique for a specific combination of card, token requestor, and device.
    • Each token is distinct and tailored to the combination of the card, token requestor (the entity facilitating tokenisation), and the merchant (which may or may not be the same as the token requestor).
    • The primary advantage of Card-on-File Tokenisation is enhanced security.
    • During a tokenised card transaction, the actual card details are not disclosed to the merchant.
    • This shields sensitive information from potential security breaches during transaction processing.
    • Customers who have not enabled tokenisation will need to manually input their name, 16-digit card number, expiry date, and CVV (Card Verification Value) each time they make an online purchase.

    Back2Basics: Card-on-File Transaction

    • A Card-on-File transaction occurs when cardholders authorize merchants to securely store their payment information.
    • This stored data is then used to bill the cardholders’ accounts for future purchases.
    • It simplifies the checkout process for consumers, offering convenience and efficiency.

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  • International Space Agencies – Missions and Discoveries

    Watermeal: Tiny Plant for Space Nutrition

    Prelims Only | Science Tech | Mains Paper 3: Awareness in various sc and tech fields

    watermeal

    Central Idea

    • Scientists from Thailand are conducting groundbreaking research into the potential of watermeal, the world’s smallest flowering plant, as a source of nutrition and oxygen for astronauts.

    What are Watermeal?

    • Watermeal, a member of the Araceae family, stands out as the smallest flowering plant globally.
    • It manifests as minuscule green seeds.
    • Watermeal thrives in a variety of environments, from temperate to sub-tropical and tropical regions. It finds its home on the surface of lakes, ponds, and marshes.
    • Distinctive Features:
      1. Measuring less than 1 millimeter, watermeal is incredibly tiny.
      2. This free-floating plant lacks both roots and leaves.
      3. It consists of a solitary, oval, or spherical frond that gracefully floats on the calm or slow-moving waters.
      4. Watermeal gives birth to the world’s smallest fruit, known as a utricle.
      5. Surprisingly, watermeal is a nutritional powerhouse, boasting the status of a complete protein, as it contains all nine essential amino acids.
      6. Under certain circumstances, watermeal can become invasive, forming dense mats that blanket entire water surfaces.

    How it can assist Space Nutrition?

    • Compact Growth: Its microscopic size allows for efficient cultivation within confined spacecraft environments.
    • Nutritional Richness: As a complete protein, it offers astronauts a sustainable source of essential amino acids.
    • Oxygen Generation: Watermeal photosynthesizes, producing oxygen that can be vital for life support systems in space.
    • Space Farming: Cultivating watermeal in space could reduce the need for transporting perishable food items from Earth, making missions more self-sustaining.

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  • International Space Agencies – Missions and Discoveries

    NASA’s APEP Mission: Studying Solar Eclipse’s Impact on Earth’s Ionosphere

    Prelims Only | Science Tech | Mains Paper 3: Awareness in various sc and tech fields

    APEP

    Central Idea

    • NASA is set to launch on a groundbreaking mission known as Atmospheric Perturbations around the Eclipse Path (APEP).
    • The project is spearheaded by an Indian-origin engineering physics professor.

    Exploring the APEP Mission

    • Triple Rocket Launch: The APEP mission involves the deployment of three meticulously equipped rockets, each armed with an array of cutting-edge scientific instruments.
    • Objective: The primary mission objective is to unravel the enigma of how the upper atmosphere reacts during a solar eclipse, particularly during the pivotal moments of sudden light reduction.
    • Ionospheric Dynamics: Solar eclipses trigger profound transformations in the ionosphere, generating cascading waves throughout this atmospheric layer.
    • Comprehensive Measurements: The mission’s scientific instruments will meticulously measure variations in electric and magnetic fields, density, and temperature.
    • Launch Location: APEP will be launched from the White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico, with a specific focus on exploring the ionosphere.
    • Impact on Satellite Communications: NASA postulates that the ionosphere’s temperature and density will diminish during the eclipse, leading to disruptive wave-like disturbances that could affect GPS and satellite communications.

    Mission Process

    • Strategic Rocket Positioning: The three rockets will be strategically positioned just beyond the path of annularity, where the Moon directly aligns with the Sun.
    • Simultaneous Measurements: NASA’s paramount goal is to attain the first-ever simultaneous measurements from multiple locations within the ionosphere during a solar eclipse.
    • Precision of Rockets: Rockets offer precision in launching at precisely the right moment and probing lower altitudes inaccessible to orbiting satellites.
    • Sounding Rockets’ Selection: The APEP mission team opted for sounding rockets due to their unparalleled ability to pinpoint and measure specific spatial regions with exceptional accuracy.
    • Multi-Altitude Data: These rockets are adept at capturing data at varying altitudes as they ascend and descend during their suborbital flights.
    • Altitude Range: Data collection will span altitudes ranging from 45 to 200 miles (70 to 325 kilometres) above the Earth’s surface along the rockets’ flight trajectories.

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  • Nuclear Diplomacy and Disarmament

    Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty (CTBT): Russia to pull Out

    IOCR | Security Issues | Mains Paper 2: Bilateral, Regional and Global Groupings and agreements involving India

    Central Idea

    • Russia has indicated that it may revoke the ratification of the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty (CTBT).
    • The CTBT, a landmark multilateral agreement, stands at the crossroads of global nuclear security, aiming to curtail nuclear weapons testing and the dangers associated with it.

    Genesis of CTBT:

    • Nuclear Arms Race: The nuclear arms race between the United States and the Soviet Union in the mid-20th century led to over 2,000 nuclear tests between 1945 and 1996.
    • Growing Concern: The international community expressed mounting concerns about the radioactive fallout from these tests and their detrimental effects on health and the environment.

    (A) Early Attempts to Curb Nuclear Testing

    • Limited Nuclear Test-Ban Treaty (LTBT): In 1963, the LTBT prohibited nuclear testing in the atmosphere, outer space, and underwater while permitting underground tests.
    • Threshold Test Ban Treaty (TTBT): In 1974, the TTBT limited nuclear tests that produced yields exceeding 150 kilotons, aiming to reduce the explosive power of new nuclear warheads.

    (B) CTBT Takes Shape

    • Post-Cold War Opportunity: Following the end of the Cold War and the dissolution of the Soviet Union, the United Nations seized the opportunity to negotiate the CTBT.
    • Comprehensive Ban: The CTBT, adopted on September 10, 1996, ushered in a comprehensive ban on all explosive nuclear testing, marking a pivotal moment in nuclear disarmament efforts.
    • China, Egypt, India, Iran, Israel, North Korea, Pakistan, and US: They remain the eight Annex II States whose ratifications are essential for the CTBT’s entry into force, as per the United Nations.

    Impact of CTBT

    • Reducing Nuclear Tests: Since the CTBT’s adoption, there have been only 10 nuclear tests, with notable tests conducted by India, Pakistan, and North Korea, whereas major nuclear powers like the United States, China, France, and Russia refrained from further testing.
    • Outstanding Ratifications: For the CTBT to enter into force, it requires ratification by 44 specific nuclear technology holder countries. Eight crucial nations, including the United States, China, India, and Pakistan, are yet to ratify the treaty, hindering its full implementation.

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  • Innovations in Biotechnology and Medical Sciences

    Novel R21/Matrix-M Vaccine for Malaria

    Prelims Only | Science Tech | Mains Paper 3: Awareness in various sc and tech fields

    Novel R21/Matrix-M Vaccine

    Central Idea

    • In a momentous development in the fight against malaria, the World Health Organization (WHO) issued a recommendation for the R21/Matrix-M malaria vaccine on October 2.
    • This pioneering vaccine, developed by the University of Oxford and manufactured by India’s Serum Institute, has already gained approval for use in children under 36 months in Nigeria, Ghana, and Burkina Faso.

    R21/Matrix-M Vaccine

    • Extensive Testing: The vaccine’s efficacy was rigorously assessed in a phase-3 trial involving 4,800 children across five sites in Mali, Burkina Faso, Kenya, and Tanzania. These sites vary in malaria transmission intensity and seasonality.
    • Blind Trial: Participants were randomly assigned to receive either the malaria vaccine or a control (approved rabies vaccine) in a double-blind study, ensuring impartiality.
    • Multi-Dose Regimen: The vaccination schedule comprised three doses administered 4 weeks apart, with a booster shot administered 12 months after the last dose.
    • Strategic Timing: Primary vaccinations occurred before the malaria season in seasonal transmission regions or at any time of the year in perennial transmission regions.

    Impressive Results

    • According to preprint data (pending peer review), the vaccine demonstrated a remarkable efficacy of 75% in children aged 5-36 months in seasonal malaria regions and 68% in perennial malaria regions after one year.
    •  Notably, children aged 5-17 months, more vulnerable to severe malaria, exhibited even higher vaccine efficacy of 79% in seasonal regions and 75% in perennial regions.
    • Vaccine efficacy remained substantial for 18 months, further reinforced by a booster dose administered 12 months after the primary series.

    Seasonality Matters

    • Optimal Timing: Results suggest that the vaccine performs more effectively in regions with seasonal malaria compared to perennial transmission areas.
    • Seasonal Patterns: In seasonal sites, 82% of malaria episodes occurred in the first six months of follow-up, while only 26% occurred in the initial six months in perennial sites.
    • Vaccination Timing: Since the vaccine is administered just before the malaria season, its protection is more pronounced when malaria is seasonal.

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  • Innovations in Sciences, IT, Computers, Robotics and Nanotechnology

    Atto-Physics: new tools to fathom the world of electrons

    Prelims Only | Science Tech | Mains Paper 3: Awareness in various sc and tech fields

    Atto-Physics: the Physics behind

    Central Idea

    • The 2023 Nobel Prize in Physics was awarded to Anne L’Huillier, Pierre Agostini, and Ferenc Krausz.
    • It cited their pioneering work in attosecond science, enabling the study of electron dynamics in matter at an unprecedented timescale of one quintillionth of a second, or 10^-18 seconds.

    What is Attosecond?

    • Definition: An attosecond is a minuscule unit of time, equal to one quintillionth of a second (10^-18 seconds). It is the timescale at which electron properties change.
    • Attosecond Science: Attosecond science, or attophysics, focuses on generating ultra-short light pulses and employing them to investigate rapid processes, such as those involving electrons.

    Atto-Physics: The science behind

    • High-Harmonic Generation: Researchers, including Anne L’Huillier, discovered that passing an infrared light beam through a noble gas resulted in emitted light with frequencies that were multiples of the beam’s frequency. This phenomenon, known as high-harmonic generation, paved the way for attosecond pulse generation.
    • Wave Mechanics: Attosecond pulse production is rooted in wave mechanics. The emitted light is a consequence of electrons gaining and losing energy as they interact with oscillating electric and magnetic fields in the light beam.
    • Constructive Interference: Attosecond pulses are produced through constructive interference when peaks of different overtones merge. Destructive interference occurs when peaks align with troughs, leading to the cancellation of signals.

    Producing Attosecond Pulses

    • Interference Combinations: Researchers manipulate interference combinations of multiple overtones to generate attosecond pulses with durations of a few hundred attoseconds.
    • Precise Frequency Range: Attosecond pulses are produced when the beam’s frequency falls within a specific plateau range, as dictated by interference effects.

    Measuring Attosecond Pulses: RABBIT Technique

    • Pierre Agostini and his colleagues developed the RABBIT (Reconstruction of Attosecond Beating by Interference of Two-photon Transitions) technique.
    • It involves measuring electrons kicked out from noble gas atoms by attosecond pulses and a longer-duration pulse, providing insights into pulse properties, including duration.

    Applications of Attophysics

    • Solar Power Enhancement: Attosecond studies have refined our understanding of the photoelectric effect, a fundamental process in solar power generation. Insights gained from atto-physics could lead to improved solar technologies.
    • Electron-Dependent Fields: Attophysics impacts various scientific disciplines where electron properties play a crucial role, spanning physics, chemistry, and biology. By studying electron behavior at attosecond timescales, researchers can unlock new possibilities and applications.

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  • Innovations in Biotechnology and Medical Sciences

    Advancements in Xenotransplantation

    Prelims Only | Science Tech | Mains Paper 3: Awareness in various sc and tech fields

    Xenotransplantation

    Central Idea

    • A groundbreaking study published in Nature showcases a remarkable feat by successfully modifying pig genomes and transplanting kidney grafts from these genetically engineered pigs into non-human primates.
    • This preclinical achievement holds great promise, potentially advancing the prospects of using genetically modified pig kidneys for human transplantation.

    About Xenotransplantation

    • Xenotransplantation Potential: The concept of transplanting animal organs into humans, known as xenotransplantation, offers a potential solution to the chronic shortage of transplantable organs worldwide.
    • Pig Donors Show Promise: Pigs are emerging as promising donor animals. However, several significant hurdles, including organ rejection and the risk of zoonosis (transmission of animal viruses to humans), must be overcome for this approach to be considered clinically viable.

    Recent advances

    • Genome Alterations for Success: Led by Wenning Qin in Cambridge, Massachusetts, the research team took a giant stride by introducing 69 genomic edits into a donor pig, a Yucatan miniature pig.
    • Eliminating Glycan Antigens: Three glycan antigens, culprits for organ rejection, were removed, paving the way for successful transplantation.
    • Human Transgenes Introduced: Seven human transgenes were strategically inserted into the pig’s genome to reduce the primate immune system’s hostility.
    • Porcine Retrovirus Gene Deactivated: The scientists also inactivated all copies of the porcine retrovirus gene.

    Advancement achieved so far

    • Glycan Antigens Identified: Prior research pinpointed three glycan antigens in pigs that trigger rejection when recognized by human antibodies.
    • Zoonotic Concerns: The porcine endogenous retrovirus has raised concerns about the potential transmission of animal viruses to humans during transplantation.
    • Extended Graft Survival: Kidney grafts from genetically engineered pigs exhibited remarkable longevity, far surpassing previous attempts.
    • Enhanced Immunity: Kidney grafts with glycan antigen knockouts and human transgene expression survived significantly longer than those with only glycan antigen knockouts (176 days versus 24 days).
    • Immune Suppression Support: Combining these genetically modified grafts with immunosuppressive treatment resulted in long-term survival for the primate recipients, with survival durations extending up to an impressive 758 days.

    A Step Closer to Clinical Trials

    • Promising Outlook: This groundbreaking research underscores the potential of pig organs for future human transplantation, addressing the organ shortage crisis.
    • Clinical Trials on the Horizon: The successful preclinical study brings the possibility of clinical testing of genetically engineered pig renal grafts within reach, marking a crucial milestone in organ transplantation.

    Issues with Xenotransplantation

    • Animal rights: Many, including animal rights groups, strongly oppose killing animals to harvest their organs for human use.
    • Decreased life expectancy: In the 1960s, many organs came from the chimpanzees, and were transferred into people that were deathly ill, and in turn, did not live much longer afterwards.
    • Religious violations: Certain animals such as pork are strictly forbidden in Islam and many other religions.
    • Informed consent: Autonomy and informed consent are important when considering the future uses of xenotransplantation.
    • Persistent threats of zoonosis: The safety of public health is a factor to be considered. We are already battling the biggest zoonotic disease threat.

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  • The Crisis In The Middle East

    India’s Evolving Relations with Israel and Palestine

    Explained | International Relations | Mains Paper 2: India & Its Neighborhood – Relations

    israel

    Central Idea

    • The recent attack by Hamas (Arab sponsored Jihadist outfit) on Israel has prompted PM Modi to express solidarity with Israel, highlighting the complex nature of India’s relations with both Israel and Palestine.
    • Over the past seven decades, India’s stance on these nations has undergone significant shifts, reflecting its evolving foreign policy priorities and diplomatic considerations.

    About Israel-Palestine Conflict

    • Historical Background: The land of contention was under the Ottoman Empire and later the British Empire.
    • Anti-Semitism as Official Policy: Several Islamic countries, including the Arab world, Turkiye and Pakistan, have officially expressed hatred against Jews citing reference to religious scriptures.
    • Denial of Access: Jews, as a micro-minority of the world, have been denied access to their historic homeland.
    • Arab Resistance: Arabs resisted, claiming the land as their own, known as Palestine at the time.
    • Balfour Declaration: In 1917, the United Kingdom expressed support for the establishment of a Jewish homeland in Palestine.
    • Violent Resistance: Arab resistance to the declaration led to violence and further tensions.

    India’s quest for Balancing Relations

    India’s Post-Independence Stance

    • Nehru and Gandhi’s Stand: Post-independence, India was staunchly pro-Palestine as Jawaharlal Nehru and Mahatma Gandhi opposed religious exclusivity and supported the Palestinian cause.
    • UN Votes: India voted against the partition of Palestine and Israel’s admission to the UN but recognized Israel in 1950 after Turkey and Iran did so.

    Era of Indira and Rajiv Gandhi

    • Support for Palestine: During Indira Gandhi’s rule, India continued its support for the Palestinian struggle, elevating the PLO to the sole legitimate representative of Palestine.
    • Solidarity and Diplomacy: Strong ties were forged with Yasser Arafat, and India hosted the NAM summit in 1983, emphasizing solidarity with Palestine.

    Changing Dynamics

    • Critics and Shifts: Critics within India raised concerns about its pro-Arab stance, given Arab countries’ neutrality during India’s wars with China and Pakistan.
    • Indian-Israeli Relations: India recognized Israel in 1992, establishing full diplomatic relations after the end of the Cold War and BJP’s rise to power.
    • Kargil Conflict: During the Kargil conflict in 1999, Israel provided crucial military support, strengthening bilateral ties.

    Recent Developments

    • PM Modi’s Approach: Prime Minister Modi’s approach has balanced India’s ties with Israel and Palestine. He visited Israel in 2017, signaling a shift in focus.
    • De-hyphenation: Modi achieved a de-hyphenation of the relationship by separately visiting Palestine in 2018.
    • Wider Regional Engagement: India has deepened ties with Israel and West Asian nations like Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Qatar, and Iran over the past decade.

    Current Dilemma

    • Diplomatic Tight Spot: Recent hostilities in the region have placed India in a diplomatic dilemma. The conflict tests India’s relations with Israel and Palestine against the backdrop of the Abraham Accords and shifting Middle East dynamics.
    • Dividends at Stake: India had hoped to benefit from the newfound peace in the region, given its significant diaspora, connectivity, and energy imports from West Asia.

    Conclusion

    • India’s relationship with Israel and Palestine has evolved significantly since independence, influenced by domestic politics, global shifts, and regional considerations.
    • While India continues to support the Palestinian cause, it has also strengthened its strategic ties with Israel.
    • The recent escalation in hostilities in the region poses challenges for India’s diplomatic balancing act and its aspirations in the Middle East.

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  • Digital India Initiatives

    India’s Digital Future: The Implications of the Digital India Act 2023

    Prelims Only | Governance | Mains Paper 2: E-Governance

    Central Idea

    • India’s ‘Digital India’ initiative is set to receive a significant boost with the introduction of the Digital India Act 2023 (DIA).
    • This legislation, replacing the two-decade-old Information Technology Act of 2000, reflects India’s commitment to creating a future-ready legal framework for its rapidly expanding digital ecosystem.
    • The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MEITY) has taken a proactive approach to navigate the complexities of the digital age and ensure robust regulation and governance.

    Adapting to a Changing Digital Landscape

    • Challenges of the IT Act (2000): The IT Act of 2000 was crafted during the infancy of the internet, making it inadequate to address the evolving digital environment.
    • Explosive Growth: India’s internet user base has grown from 5.5 million to 850 million, accompanied by shifts in technology, user behavior, and emerging threats.

    Key Provisions of the Digital India Act (DIA)

    • Online Safety and Trust: DIA prioritizes online safety and trust while remaining adaptable to market dynamics and international legal principles.
    • Responsible Technology Adoption: It provides guidelines for the responsible use of technologies like artificial intelligence and blockchain, promoting ethical practices and accountability.
    • Open Internet: DIA upholds the concept of an open internet while ensuring necessary regulations to protect users.
    • Know Your Customer (KYC) for Wearable Devices: It mandates stringent KYC requirements for wearable devices, reinforced by criminal law sanctions.
    • Review of Safe Harbour Principle: The DIA contemplates a review of the “safe harbour” principle, potentially altering online accountability standards.

    Challenges and Concerns

    • Impact on Innovation: Stricter regulations, especially in emerging technologies, might discourage entrepreneurial initiatives and deter foreign investments.
    • Freedom of Expression: Reviewing the “safe harbour” principle could lead to cautious behavior among online platforms, potentially affecting freedom of expression.
    • Enforcement Challenges: Effective enforcement will require significant resources, expertise, and infrastructure, and striking a balance among various stakeholders presents a challenge.

    Conclusion

    • The Digital India Act 2023 represents a progressive step toward a secure, accountable, and innovative digital future for India.
    • It acknowledges the dynamic nature of the digital age and has the potential to shape the nation’s digital landscape for generations to come.
    • As consultations and discussions continue, vigilance and adaptability will be essential to mitigate unintended consequences and ensure a balanced approach to regulation in the digital arena.

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  • Services Sector

    Building an India for manufacturers

    op-ed snap | Economics | Mains Paper 3: Indian Economy

    What’s the news?

    • In a major economic development, India’s service exports surged by $60 billion over three years, with diversification beyond IT services. Additionally, domestic tech startups are poised to expand into manufacturing, potentially revitalizing the sector and bolstering job creation.

    Central idea

    • Two significant transformations are reshaping India’s services sector, potentially defining the nation’s growth trajectory. These changes involve the rapid evolution of service exports and the transformation of domestic services. As both of these sectors modernize, they are not only changing in form but also venturing into manufacturing, offering exciting prospects for India’s economic future.

    India’s services export sector

    • In recent years, India’s service exports have undergone a remarkable expansion, delivering an additional $60 billion in annual revenues compared to just three years ago.
    • The catalyst behind this surge was the COVID-19 pandemic, which spurred a surge in demand for IT services due to the widespread adoption of remote work arrangements.
    • However, India’s service exports have transcended their traditional roles, shedding their identity as merely call centers or software solution providers.
    • Instead, India now proudly offers an extensive array of professional services, encompassing accounting, legal, HR, business development, design, and cutting-edge R&D.

    Key players

    • Large IT Firms: Large information technology (IT) companies have traditionally been prominent players in India’s services export sector. They continue to play a significant role in providing IT services, software solutions, and technology-related services to clients worldwide.
    • Mid-sized IT Firms: While large IT firms remain influential, mid-sized IT companies have been gaining market share in the services export sector. These mid-sized firms have demonstrated their ability to compete and thrive in the global market, contributing to the sector’s growth.
    • Consulting Firms: Consulting firms are another crucial category of key players. They have expanded their service export portfolios to include a wide range of advisory and consulting services, catering to the needs of global clients.
    • Global Capability Centers (GCCs): India boasts the world’s largest share of Global Capability Centers (GCCs). These entities, initially focused on providing tech support to multinational parent companies, have evolved into offering higher-value-added services such as legal, audit, design, and research and development (R&D). GCCs have become integral to India’s service export landscape.

    What are Global Capability Centers (GCCs)?

    • The GCCs are specialized centers or units established by multinational corporations (MNCs) in India to provide a wide range of services to their parent companies and global operations.
    • Originally, GCCs primarily focused on offering technical and IT support services to their parent MNCs.
    • However, over time, they have evolved and expanded their service offerings to include higher-value-added functions and services.
    • In 2022–23, around 1,600 GCCs made up a market of $46 billion, employing 1.7 million.
    • Although professional and consulting services exports account for only a quarter of India’s services exports when compared to IT services, they have experienced the fastest growth with a compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) of 31% over the last four years. This is followed by computer services with a 16% CAGR and R&D services with a 13% CAGR.

    Future Prospects

    • Permanent Shift Towards Remote Work: The enduring trend of remote work is expected to drive ongoing demand for IT services.
    • India’s Diverse Skill Portfolio: India’s workforce boasts a wide range of skills, from engineering to design, catering to a broad spectrum of services. This diversity positions India as a versatile service provider capable of meeting evolving global demands.
    • Cost Competitiveness: India’s cost-competitive advantage in providing high-quality IT services is likely to endure. As businesses seek cost-effective solutions without compromising on quality, India remains an attractive destination for outsourcing IT services.
    • Tipping Point for Stronger Growth Trends: India is at a crucial juncture where the growth trends in services exports are expected to become even more robust.
    • Government Support and Policy Initiatives: The Indian government’s initiatives to promote the IT and services sector, such as the Digital India campaign and the development of technology parks, will likely continue to foster an enabling environment for growth.
    • Comparison with Other Economies: India’s growth trajectory resembles that of countries like the US, the UK, Germany, and Ireland, which saw rapid acceleration in services exports once they reached a certain size. This suggests the potential for even higher growth.

    Manufacturing Sector Potential

    • Digital infrastructure can alleviate common challenges faced by small manufacturers.
    • Start-ups can facilitate access to formal credit, cheaper raw materials, larger markets, improved warehousing and logistics, and enhanced quality control for small manufacturers.
    • Evidence shows that domestic services sector companies, particularly in transport services, procurement support, and e-commerce, are venturing into manufacturing.

    Conclusion

    • India’s services sector is at an exciting crossroads, with both services exports and domestic services undergoing transformation. Embracing this potential requires proactive policy measures and continued innovation in the services sector to propel India toward higher economic prosperity.

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  • The Crisis In The Middle East

    Israel-Hamas War

    op-ed snap | International Relations | Mains Paper 2: India & Its Neighborhood – Relations

    Israel

    What’s the news?

    • The recent escalation of violence between Hamas, the Palestinian terrorist group, and Israel has resulted in a significant loss of life and raised concerns internationally. At the heart of this conflict is Operation Al-Aqsa Deluge, initiated by Hamas, which has led to a series of events with far-reaching implications for the region.

    Central idea

    • The recent Hamas operation, Toofan Al-Aqsa (Al-Aqsa Flood), bears uncanny similarities to the launch of the 19-day Yom Kippur War that occurred 50 years ago. While the Yom Kippur War had inconclusive results, it led to a significant regional shift, ultimately resulting in Israel’s acceptance of the ‘land for peace’ formula at the Camp David Accords six years later.

    Quick recap: Understand the conflict

    • Muhammad Deif’s Statement: Muhammad Deif, the military commander of Hamas, delivered a recorded message, characterizing the operation as a moment for people to regain their revolution.
    • The Significance of Al-Aqsa Mosque: Central to this conflict is the Al-Aqsa Mosque, one of the holiest sites in Islam after Mecca and Medina. Situated on a hill known as Temple Mount to Jews and the Noble Sanctuary to Muslims, the mosque is located in the heart of Jerusalem’s Old City. It houses two important Muslim holy sites: the Dome of the Rock and the Al-Aqsa Mosque (also known as the Qibli Mosque), dating back to the 8th century AD.
    • Historical Context: The Al-Aqsa Mosque complex overlooks the Western Wall, a sacred site for Jews believed to have been constructed 3,000 years ago by King Solomon.
    • Capture by Israel: In 1967, during the Middle East War, Israel captured the site and later annexed it, actions not recognized internationally.
    • Triggering Tensions: The Al-Aqsa Mosque has been a long-standing focal point of Israeli-Palestinian tensions, leading to clashes and conflicts.
    • 2021 Conflict: Recent clashes in 2021 resulted in a 10-day-long war, leading to casualties on both sides.
    • April Clashes: In April of the same year, Israeli police clashed with Palestinians at the site, sparking cross-border exchanges of fire.
    • International Concern: The ongoing violence, particularly centered around Al-Aqsa Mosque, has raised international concerns and has broader implications for regional stability.

    Hold On! Don’t scroll past this

    An overview of major flare-ups and significant events (2005 to October 2023)

    • August 2005: Israel unilaterally withdraws from the Gaza Strip, leaving it under Palestinian Authority control.
    • January 25, 2006: Hamas wins a majority of seats in Palestinian legislative elections, leading to a cutoff of aid by Israel and the U.S. due to Hamas’s refusal to renounce violence and recognize Israel.
    • June 25, 2006: Hamas militants capture Israeli army conscript Gilad Shalit, leading to Israeli air strikes and incursions. Shalit is released more than five years later in a prisoner exchange.
    • June 14, 2007: Hamas takes over Gaza in a brief civil war, ousting Fatah forces loyal to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.
    • December 27, 2008: Israel launches a 22-day military offensive in Gaza in response to rocket attacks. A ceasefire is eventually agreed upon after casualties on both sides.
    • November 14, 2012: Israel kills Hamas’s military chief of staff, Ahmad Jabari, leading to eight days of conflict involving Palestinian militant rocket fire and Israeli air strikes.
    • July-August 2014: The kidnapping and killing of three Israeli teenagers by Hamas lead to a seven-week war, resulting in casualties in both Gaza and Israel.
    • March 2018: Palestinian protests begin at Gaza’s border with Israel, leading to clashes and casualties.
    • May 2021: Tension during Ramadan leads to clashes at the Al Aqsa compound in Jerusalem. Hamas launches rocket attacks from Gaza, and Israel responds with airstrikes, resulting in an 11-day conflict.
    • August 2022: Israeli airstrikes target an Islamic Jihad commander, leading to rocket attacks from Islamic Jihad in Gaza and a limited escalation.
    • January 2023: Islamic Jihad fires rockets into Israel in response to Israeli actions in a refugee camp.
    • October 2023: Hamas launches a major attack on Israel from Gaza, combining a border crossing with rocket barrages. Islamic Jihad joins the attack.

    Potential Outcomes of the Ongoing Conflict

    • Israel’s Military Superiority: Israel is not under an existential threat from Hamas, and the outcome of the conflict is expected to favor Israel. A massive ground incursion into Gaza may follow to restore morale, re-establish strategic dominance, and rescue captives.
    • Reevaluation of Israeli Strategies: The conflict’s experiences, including intelligence failures and overreliance on high-tech missile defense and artificial intelligence, may compel Israel to revise its strategic doctrines.
    • Impact on Non-State Arab Militias: Depending on the conflict’s endgame, it could potentially boost the standing of non-state Arab militias such as Hamas, Islamic Jihad, Hezbollah, and others in the region.
    • Geographic Confinement: The crisis is likely to remain geographically confined to Gaza and its immediate surroundings, due to limited support for Hamas and Islamic Jihad in the region.
    • The Palestinian Authority’s Dilemma: The Palestinian Authority is divided between the West Bank and Gaza, with Fatah losing credibility. Hamas and Islamic Jihad are capitalizing on this to establish their presence in the West Bank.
    • Regional Non-Support for Hamas: Regionally, there is little support for Hamas, except for Turkey. Egypt, in particular, does not favor Hamas, given its past ties to the Muslim Brotherhood. Gulf monarchies, except Qatar, strongly disapprove of Hamas.
    • Iran’s Involvement: Iran has been a mentor to Hamas and Islamic Jihad and has attempted to supply weapons to Gaza. Iran’s involvement could escalate the crisis further.

    Impact on the Region

    • Risk of Delay in Regional Diplomacy: The crisis may delay regional diplomatic efforts, including the potential rapprochement between Saudi Arabia and Israel, due to Israel’s reluctance to make concessions sought by Riyadh.
    • Repercussions for the Abraham Accords: The Abraham Accords, which normalized relations between Israel and some Arab states, could face challenges due to the ongoing conflict.
    • Potential Iranian Gains: Iran may feel emboldened by the conflict, potentially affecting regional dynamics and tensions.

    Impact on India

    • While India is not directly affected, it could feel some indirect effects, such as an oil price rise, impacts on the Indian diaspora, and potential setbacks for regional economic initiatives.
    • However, India’s reputation as a stable and fast-growing economy may be enhanced in this context.

    Conclusion

    • The Toofan Al-Aqsa crisis has regional implications that could alter the dynamics in the Middle East. As the situation evolves, it remains essential for stakeholders, including India, to monitor developments closely and prepare for potential repercussions while seeking avenues for diplomatic engagement and stability in the region.

    Must read:

    India’s Evolving Relations with Israel and Palestine

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  • Climate Change Negotiations – UNFCCC, COP, Other Conventions and Protocols

    India’s National Framework for Climate Services (NFCS)

    op-ed snap | Enviro & Biodiversity | Mains Paper 1: Climatic Change

    NFCS

    What’s the news?

    • India is embarking on a significant endeavor to launch its maiden national-level framework for providing climate services and information.

    Central idea

    • Spearheaded by the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the National Framework for Climate Services (NFCS) aims to create a seamless platform for users of climate information and services. It will play a crucial role in mitigating climate risks across key sectors such as agriculture, energy, disaster management, health, and water.

    What is the NFCS?

    • The NFCS is India’s response to the Global Framework for Climate Services (GFCS), a global partnership established to enhance the production and utilization of climate information and services.
    • The GFCS fosters collaboration between researchers and users to make informed decisions for long-term climate resilience.
    • The NFCS will be tailored to India’s specific weather patterns and stakeholder requirements, with the IMD serving as the nodal agency.

    Why is it significant?

    • Bridging Functional Gaps: The NFCS will address gaps in the coordination between various agencies that rely on climate services, including hydrology, power, renewable energy, transportation, dams, irrigation, and health. It will ensure better integration and data sharing among these sectors.
    • Expanding Sectoral Focus: While initially targeting key sectors like agriculture, energy, health, water, and disaster risk reduction, India can incorporate other relevant sectors like transportation and tourism as needed.
    • Enhancing Data Collection: The NFCS will strengthen India’s observational network on land and sea, improving data inflow. This data will be used to run weather and climate models for more accurate climate predictions.
    • Tailored Climate Information: Climate data and information products will be customized to meet the needs of users. This will help in identifying trends in agriculture, health, population distribution, infrastructure planning, energy generation, and more.
    • Climate Resilience: NFCS will support efforts to prepare for and adapt to new climate conditions, helping mitigate impacts on various sectors, including water supplies, health risks, extreme events, farm productivity, and infrastructure development.

    All you need to know about the Global Framework for Climate Services (GFCS)

    • The National Framework for Climate Services (NFCS) is based on the Global Framework for Climate Services (GFCS).
    • Global Framework for Climate Services (GFCS): The GFCS is an international initiative that brings together governments and organizations at a global level. Its primary objective is to enhance the production and utilization of climate information and services. The GFCS was officially established following the announcement made during the third World Climate Conference held in Geneva in 2009.
    • Partnerships and Collaboration: GFCS emphasizes partnerships and collaboration among various stakeholders, including governments, meteorological and hydrological services (NMHS) at the national level, researchers, policymakers, planners, investors, and vulnerable communities or sectors.
    • User-Friendly Format: GFCS recognizes the importance of presenting climate information and services in a user-friendly format.
    • Data Generation: GFCS aims to generate high-quality climate data from both national and international sources. This data includes information on critical weather parameters such as temperature, rainfall, wind, soil moisture, ocean conditions, and more.

    Major components:

    • Observations and Monitoring: This component focuses on collecting and monitoring climate-related data from various sources.
    • Research: Research activities contribute to the development of climate models and prediction tools.
    • Modeling and Prediction: Climate models and prediction systems are crucial for generating forecasts and long-term projections.
    • Climate Services Information System: This system facilitates the collection and management of climate data and information.
    • User Interface Platform: User-friendly platforms and tools are designed to make climate information accessible to a broad audience.

    How India plans to implement NFCS?

    • Global Examples: India acknowledges the successful implementation of NFCS in countries like Switzerland, China, Germany, and the United Kingdom. Learning from their experiences, India can adapt and refine its own NFCS.
    • Advanced Stages: Several countries in Africa, including Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Cote d’Ivoire, Gambia, Guinea, Madagascar, Moldova, Niger, Senegal, Chad, Togo, Tanzania, Vanuatu, and South Africa, have made significant progress in NFCS implementation. India can draw lessons from these nations’ experiences.
    • Workshops and Consultations: India has taken an active role in organizing workshops related to NFCS, such as the one held in Pune. It is also planning national consultation workshops in collaboration with countries like Cuba, Ghana, Liberia, Malawi, Nigeria, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Congo-Brazzaville, and Ethiopia. These forums facilitate knowledge sharing and the exchange of best practices.
    • Historical Perspective: While the idea of NFCS in India dates back to 2008, its actual implementation faced delays. Given the increasing frequency of climate-related events, India now understands the urgency of accelerating NFCS implementation.
    • Mission-Mode Approach: To expedite NFCS, India is adopting a mission-mode approach. This approach involves a focused, time-bound, and high-priority effort, often driven by the highest decision-making offices in the country.
    • Statement Release: India is preparing to release an official statement on NFCS. This statement will outline the objectives, strategies, and expected outcomes of NFCS in India.

    Conclusion

    • As climate variability and extreme events become increasingly common, India’s NFCS comes at a critical juncture. By involving key stakeholders and leveraging global partnerships, India can harness climate information to make informed decisions for a sustainable and climate-resilient future.

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