UPSC DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS (26TH SEPTEMBER, 2024)

Minerals Security Finance Network (MSFN)

Syllabus: GS2/ International Relations

Context

• India has joined the US-led Minerals Security Finance Network, an initiative aimed at strengthening global cooperation in securing critical mineral supply chains.

Minerals Security Finance Network (MSFN)

• It is a new initiative emerging from the Minerals Security Partnership (MSP), a framework established by the US in 2022. 
• The network aims to bring together institutions from the Indo-Pacific region and Europe, promoting cooperation, information exchange, and co-financing. 

What are Critical Minerals?

• These are minerals that are essential for economic development and national security.
• The lack of availability of these minerals or the concentration of extraction or processing in a few geographical locations could potentially lead to “supply chain vulnerabilities and even disruption of supplies”.

Applications of Critical Minerals

• Clean technologies initiatives such as zero-emission vehicles, wind turbines, solar panels etc.
  • Critical minerals such as Cadmium, Cobalt, Gallium, Indium, Selenium and Vanadium and have uses in batteries, semiconductors, solar panels, etc.
• Advanced manufacturing inputs and materials such as defense applications, permanent magnets, ceramics.
  • Minerals like Beryllium, Titanium, Tungsten, Tantalum, etc. have usage in new technologies, electronics and defense equipment.
• Platinum Group Metals (PGMs) are used in medical devices, cancer treatment drugs, and dental materials.

Way Ahead

• India’s participation in the network will help in diversifying and securing its supply of critical minerals from nations like Argentina, Chile, Australia, and select African countries. 
• The partnership marks a critical step forward for India in its quest to reduce reliance on China for these minerals and build a robust, self-sustaining supply chain for its green energy initiatives.

India, Australia Push Forward on CECA Talks

Syllabus: GS3/Economy/GS2/IR

Context

• India and Australia are in talks for a Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA), after already having signed the Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (ECTA) in 2022.

About

• The talks focused on strengthening trade ties to achieve the countries’ shared goal of $100 billion in bilateral trade by 2030.
• The ECTA, which came into effect in 2022, has led to about $30 billion worth of Australian exports entering India tariff-free, with Australians saving around $225 million on goods from India.
• India is one of Australia’s largest trading partners, with two-way trade in goods valued at over $6.7 billion in 2023-24.
  • Bilateral trade between both sides, including goods and services, stood close to $50 billion at the end of calendar year 2023.

About CECA

• It is a free-trade agreement between two countries that strengthens their bilateral trade.
• Australia and India first embarked on negotiations for a CECA in 2011.
• Talks were suspended in 2016. In 2021, the two countries formally revived the CECA talks.
• Both countries are looking to expand their trade ties under CECA, to cover sectors like goods, services, rules of origin, government procurement, digital trade, and agri-technology.
  • It also aims to unlock the potential of sectors such as clean energy, agribusiness, education, skills development, and tourism.

Key Objectives:

• Trade Liberalization: Reduce tariffs and non-tariff barriers to promote bilateral trade.
• Investment Facilitation: Encourage mutual investments and provide a framework for better investment protection.
• Service Sector Expansion: Enhance cooperation in services, including education, healthcare, and professional services.
• Technological Collaboration: Foster innovation and technology exchange, especially in sectors like renewable energy and digital economy.

Significance:

• Economic Growth: Boost in GDP growth for both nations through increased trade volumes.
• Job Creation: Expansion of employment opportunities in various sectors.
• Market Access: Providing Australian businesses better access to the Indian market and vice versa.

Way Ahead

• The relationship between Australia and India has developed rapidly in recent years, particularly under the impetus of India’s far-reaching process of economic reform and the resulting rapid globalization of the Indian economy. 
• Both countries have grown in strength and importance and made rapid strides in all areas – trade, energy and mining, science & technology, information technology, education, and defence. 
• The year 2022-23 saw increasing depth and breadth of engagements including establishing new mechanisms for cooperation. 
• In the coming years, the overall relationship between India and Australia will continue to grow and has the potential to assume greater prominence.

Global Initiative on Digital Health 

Syllabus: GS2/Health

Context

• As per the World Health Organization (WHO) and ITU (International Telecommunication Union), an investment of an additional US$0.24 per patient per year in digital health interventions, can help save more than 2 million lives from noncommunicable diseases over the next decade. 

Major Findings

• These investments could also prevent approximately 7 million hospitalisations over the next 10 years.
  • This will significantly reduce the strain on healthcare systems and lead to a total economic gain of $199.2 billion globally.
• The economic benefits of digital health investment were found to be particularly compelling for low- and middle-income countries, where the average required spending was only $0.10 per person per year.
  • The cost for upper middle-income countries is estimated to be $0.16 and for high-income countries at $0.67.
  • Cumulatively, the global spending required for these interventions would total $9.8 billion over the 10-year period.
• The report mentions India’s use of digital technologies to address healthcare disparities, particularly in rural areas where more than 65% of the population lives. 
• The report called on governments and stakeholders to take decisive action, ensuring that digital health tools are integrated effectively into healthcare systems to combat the rising burden of NCDs globally.

Global Initiative on Digital Health (GIDH)

• The World Health Organization (WHO) launched the Global Initiative on Digital Health (GIDH) in 2023.
• The initiative have four main components:

• Aim: ALIGN efforts to support the Global Strategy on Digital Health 2020–2025;
  • SUPPORT quality assured technical assistance to develop and strengthen standards-based and interoperable systems aligned to global best practices, norms and standards;
  • FACILITATE the deliberate use of quality assured digital transformation tools that enable governments to manage their digital health transformation journey.

Digital Health

• Digital health refers to the use of technology to improve health and healthcare delivery. 
• It encompasses a broad range of tools and solutions that integrate digital technologies with health services, aiming to enhance patient outcomes, streamline processes, and increase accessibility. 
• It includes tools such as Telemedicine, Mobile Health (mHealth), Electronic Health Records (EHRs), Wearable Devices, Health Applications etc.

Significance

• Improved Access: Digital tools can reach remote areas, connect patients to specialists, and enable virtual consultations, expanding healthcare access.
• Enhanced Affordability: Telemedicine, electronic prescribing, and data-driven resource allocation can potentially reduce healthcare costs.
• Personalized Care: Electronic health records (EHRs) and wearable devices facilitate personalized treatment plans and preventive care.
• Empowered Patients: Digital platforms can educate patients, enhance medication adherence, and promote self-management of chronic conditions.
• Streamlined Healthcare Delivery: Digitization empowers efficient data management, administrative processes, and resource optimization within healthcare systems.

Government Initiatives

• National Health Policy (NHP) 2017: This policy emphasizes the use of technology in health services and promotes the integration of digital health solutions.
• National Digital Health Mission (NDHM): Launched in 2020, NDHM aims to create a digital health ecosystem in India.
  • It focuses on creating a Health ID for every citizen, facilitating access to health records, and ensuring the integration of healthcare services.
• Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM): It enables the establishment of health accounts, electronic health records, and health information exchanges.
• E Sanjeevani Telemedicine Platform: Facilitates virtual consultations between doctors and patients across the country.
• Health Management Information System (HMIS): This initiative aims to improve the collection and use of health data for better planning and decision-making.
• Digital India Initiative: While broader in scope, this initiative supports digital health by promoting internet connectivity, digital literacy, and technology use in various sectors, including healthcare.

Way Ahead

• Digital health is a proven accelerator to advance health outcomes and achieve Universal Health Coverage (UHC) and health-related Sustainable Development Goals. Hence, it needs to be made integral to every health policy.
• By scaling up existing initiatives, collaborating across stakeholders, and fostering innovation, India can leverage digital health to achieve its goal of universal healthcare and ensure better health outcomes for all.

10 Years of Make in India

Syllabus: GS3/ Economy

Context

• On September 25, 2014, the “Make in India” initiative completed 10 years as a pivotal step in India’s nation-building efforts.

Pillars of ‘Make in India’

• New Processes: The “Make in India” initiative identified ‘ease of doing business’ as a crucial factor for promoting entrepreneurship.
• New Infrastructure: The government focused on developing industrial corridors and smart cities, integrating state-of-the-art technology and high-speed communication to create world-class infrastructure.
• New Sectors: Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) was significantly opened up in various sectors including Defence Production, Insurance, Medical Devices, Construction, and Railway infrastructure. 
• New Mindset: The government embraced a role as a facilitator rather than a regulator, to foster a collaborative environment that supported industrial growth and innovation.

Major Achievements under Make in India

• FDI inflows have steadily risen, starting from $45.14 billion in 2014-15 to a record $84.83 billion in 2021-22.
• India made remarkable progress in improving its business environment, climbing from 142nd in 2014 to 63rd in the World Bank’s Doing Business Report (DBR) published in October 2019 before its discontinuation.
• India recorded merchandise exports worth $437.06 billion in FY 2023-24, reflecting the country’s growing role in global trade.
• The textile industry has created a staggering 14.5 crore jobs across the country, significantly contributing to India’s employment landscape.
• Vande Bharat Trains, India’s first indigenous semi-high-speed trains, are a shining example of the success of the ‘Make in India’ initiative. 
• India became a major exporter of life-saving vaccines to many developing and underdeveloped countries across the world. 
• India’s electronics sector has experienced rapid growth, reaching USD 155 billion in FY23. 

What are the concerns?

• The share of manufacturing in India’s GDP was 17.3 percent in 2013-14, and it was still stagnant at 17.7 percent in 2023 far from the target of 25% by 2030.
• The share of the manufacturing sector in total employment in the country has marginally declined from 11.6 percent in 2013-14 to 10.6 percent in 2022-23.
• India’s exports as a share of GDP has fallen from 25.2 percent in 2013-14 to 22.7 percent in 2013-24.
  • Exports are also relatively concentrated in goods and services that tend not to be labor-intensive.

Conclusion

• As the “Make in India” initiative celebrates its 10th anniversary, it stands as a testament to India’s determination to reshape its manufacturing landscape and enhance its global standing. 
• Though the efforts and achievements fall short when the fundamental indicators of the manufacturing sector show lackluster growth, With strategic reforms, investment-friendly policies, and a strong focus on infrastructure development, the initiative has significantly enhanced India’s industrial capabilities.

FACTS IN NEWS

Asia Power Index, 2024

Syllabus: GS2/ Foreign Affairs

In News

• India has become the third most powerful nation in Asia, surpassing Japan in the Asia Power Index.
  • USA and China have been ranked at 1st and 2nd place, respectively

About Asia Power Index

• Launched by: Lowy Institute in 2018.
• Scope: It is an annual measure that examines power dynamics in the Asia-Pacific region.
• Coverage: The Index evaluates 27 countries across the region, analyzing their ability to shape and respond to their external environment.
• Objectives: A country’s overall power score is derived from a weighted average of 8 measures, which are divided into resource-based and influence-based determinants, encompassing 131 individual indicators.
  • The Asia Power Index provides valuable insights into the geopolitical landscape of the Asia-Pacific region, highlighting the growing influence of countries like India.

Clause 6 of the Assam Accord

Syllabus: GS2/Polity

Context

• The Chief Minister of Assam mentioned the implementation of 52 recommendations of the Justice Biplab Sarma Committee regarding Clause 6 of the Assam Accord.

About

• The Assam Accord was a Memorandum of Settlement between the Union government and the leadership of the All Assam Students’ Union (AASU), which was signed in 1985. 
• The accord ended the six-year-long agitation in Assam against the entry of Bangladeshi migrants into the state.
• Clause 6 of the accord states that “Constitutional, legislative and administrative safeguards, as may be appropriate, shall be provided to protect, preserve and promote the cultural, social, linguistic identity and heritage of the Assamese people.”
• In 2019, the Union Home Ministry constituted a committee chaired by retired Assam High Court Justice Biplab Kumar Sarma, to suggest ways to implement the clause. 
  • Among the key questions before the committee was a definition of the Assamese people eligible for the safeguards under Clause 6.
• Based on this, the committee made several recommendations for reservations for Assamese people, including in Parliament, the state Assembly, local bodies, and jobs.

Quality Control Order (QCO) for Medical Textiles

Syllabus: GS2/Health

Context

• The Ministry of Textiles has introduced a Quality Control Order for Medical Textiles to enhance Public Health and Safety.

About

• This regulation establishes stringent quality standards for critical medical textile products, including sanitary napkins, baby diapers, reusable sanitary pads, and dental bibs.
  • It is aimed at ensuring that these products consistently meet essential quality benchmarks. 
• The notified specifications cover critical performance criteria such as pH levels, hygiene testing, bacterial and fungal bioburden, biocompatibility evaluations, and biodegradability.
  • There is a strong emphasis on testing for phthalate levels in baby diapers, as these chemicals can pose risks to both the users and the environment.
• Compliance with these standards will be legally required, with non-compliance potentially leading to fines and other penalties. 
• The implementation of the QCO is part of the government’s comprehensive strategy to enhance the quality and safety of essential consumer products. 

Priority Sector Lending

Syllabus: GS3/ Economy

Context

• A study by RBI economists reveals that priority sector lending (PSL) improves banks’ asset quality.

What is Priority sector lending?

• Priority Sector Lending (PSL) is a Reserve Bank of India (RBI) initiative that requires banks to lend a certain percentage of their funds to sectors that may not otherwise receive enough credit. 
• The goal of PSL is to support the all-round development of the economy by providing credit to sectors that are important for development or have difficulty getting loans
• The RBI periodically updates the sectors that are eligible for PSL, as well as the loan limits.
  • The sectors that are eligible for PSL include: Agriculture, Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), Export Credit, Education, Housing, Social Infrastructure, Renewable Energy.
• In case, banks fail to meet their PSL targets, they have to deposit the allocated amount to the Rural Infrastructure Development Fund (RIDF) established with NABARD and to other funds as decided by the RBI

ADB Raises Inflation Forecast for India

Syllabus: GS 3/ Economy 

In News  

• The Asian Development Bank (ADB) forecasts that India’s GDP will grow by 7.0% in FY2024 (ending March 2025) and 7.2% in FY2025.

About the Forecast 

• Inflation Projections: ADB raised India’s retail inflation forecast for 2024-25 to 4.7%, up from 4.6%, citing elevated food prices.
  • The forecast for 2025-26 remains unchanged, expecting core inflation to rise as food inflation moderates.
• Monetary Policy Outlook: ADB does not expect an immediate cut in interest rates, contrary to some agencies’ expectations of a rate cut by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) by October.
  • Monetary policy is expected to become less restrictive, but only after food price pressures ease.
• Impact of Elevated Food Prices:High food prices, despite increased imports and higher output expectations, have delayed the RBI’s move towards more accommodative monetary policy.
• GDP Growth Outlook:ADB maintains India’s GDP growth projection at 7% for 2024-25 and 7.2% for 2025-26.
• Industrial and Agricultural Outlook: Industrial growth has slowed due to rising input costs affecting manufacturing margins, though mining and construction saw gains.
• ADB expects La Niña to boost India’s agricultural output, particularly for rice, wheat, and sugarcane.
• Potential Risks: Geopolitical and weather-related shocks may affect global supply chains and agricultural output.

Women in Space Leadership Programme

Syllabus: GS3/ Science and Technology

Context

• A Women in Space Leadership Programme (WiSLP) was launched by the Department of Science and Technology (DST) in collaboration with the British Council.

About

• It was launched as part of the UK-India Education and Research Initiative (UKIERI).
• The initiative focuses on supporting institutions in strengthening gender-inclusive practices to foster women’s leadership in space sciences by developing a strategic leadership framework. 

Implementation of WiSLP

• The programme will aid 250 early career researchers to become better equipped to take up leadership roles and navigate gender biases and associated barriers.
• The programme is underpinned by three foundational pillars:
  • Intersectionality or understanding of different aspects of women’s identities;
  • Collaborative culturally sensitive approaches that respond to opportunities and challenges in India;
  • Using leadership theory from both social science and STEM to support female scientists to become more confident about their leadership abilities.

Central Silk Board

Syllabus: GS3/ Agriculture

In News

• Union Minister of Textiles, Shri Giriraj Singh, unveiled a commemorative coin celebrating the Platinum Jubilee of the Central Silk Board (CSB) at Mysuru.

About Central Silk Board

• The Central Silk Board (CSB) is a statutory body established in 1948 under an Act of Parliament. 
• It operates under the Ministry of Textiles and plays a crucial role in the development of India’s silk industry.
• The CSB advises the Government of India on all matters concerning sericulture (silk farming) and the silk industry.
• Headquarters:  Bengaluru, Karnataka

Silk Production in India

• India is the 2nd largest producer of Silk in the World.
• India is the only country in the world that produces all four major varieties of silk – Mulberry, Eri, Tassar, and Muga.
• South India is the leading silk producing area of the country and is also known for its famous silk weaving enclaves like Kancheepuram, Dharmavaram, Arni, etc.

Differential Rotation of the Sun

Syllabus: GS 3/Space 

In News 

• Astronomers mapped the variation in the Sun’s chromosphere rotation speed from the equator to the poles using 100 years of data from the Kodaikanal Solar Observatory.

Data Source and Technique:

• Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA) astronomers used solar plages and network features from daily Sun records at 393.3 nm (Calcium K spectral line).
  • These features allowed them to measure rotation speed even at the poles, unlike sunspots.
• The 100-year-long data from Kodaikanal Solar Observatory has been digitized, enabling detailed analysis of chromospheric features.

Sun’s Differential Rotation:

• The Sun rotates at different speeds at different latitudes: the equator rotates faster (25 days) than the poles (35 days).
• This differential rotation is key to understanding the solar dynamo, the 11-year solar cycle, and solar magnetic storms.
• Discovery:Differential rotation was first discovered in the 19th century by Carrington, but earlier methods were limited in studying latitudes above 35 degrees.
• Findings on Rotation Rates:The rotation rate was faster at the equator (13.98 degrees/day) and slower towards the poles (10.5 degrees/day at 80 degrees latitude).
  • Both plages and network features showed similar rotation rates, suggesting a common origin possibly rooted deep inside the Sun.

Plages and Networks:

• Plages are bright regions in the chromosphere, larger than sunspots, with weaker magnetic fields.
• Network cells are slightly larger than sunspots and have weaker magnetic fields, present continuously across the Sun’s surface.

Significance of the Study:

• This is the first time chromospheric network cells have been used to map the Sun’s rotation across its entire surface.
• The findings are crucial for understanding the Sun’s magnetic field and activity.