Context

Recently, the first-ever Nuclear Energy Summit 2024 was held in Brussels (Belgium). 

Nuclear Energy Summit 2024: Key Highlights

• The Nuclear Energy Summit 2024 was co-chaired by the Prime Minister of Belgium and the Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). 
• The continuing crisis at the Zaporizhzhya nuclear power plant in Ukraine, the first nuclear facility to have been caught in a dangerous armed conflict, has also been a source of grave concern.

About Nuclear Energy Summit

• Background: The UN Climate Change Conference (COP28) in Dubai (UAE) highlighted the indispensable role of nuclear energy in meeting climate goals. 
  • The declaration signed by 22 world leaders mentioned the need to triple nuclear energy capacity by 2050. 
• Need: The Nuclear Energy Summit, an initiative in collaboration with the IAEA’s ‘Atoms4Netzero’ programme, is part of the multilateral approach to decarbonisation. 

About Nuclear Energy

• It is the use of nuclear reactions to produce electricity. 
• Nuclear power can be obtained from nuclear fission, nuclear decay and nuclear fusion reactions. 

Advantages of Nuclear Energy

• Minimal Carbon Footprint: Nuclear power emits four times less carbon than solar farms or other renewable sources such as wind, hydropower, and geothermal. 
• Uninterrupted Energy Supply: Nuclear power has perennial availability unlike wind or solar which are season or time-dependent. 
• Ease to Use: Nuclear power plants (NPP) also have low operating costs, smaller land imprint and a longer life cycle compared to all the other renewable energy sources.

Disadvantages of Nuclear Energy

• Nuclear Disaster: Nuclear fission reactions are highly radioactive and radiation leaks from reactors can prove fatal for human beings. 
  • Example: Radiation leaks in Chernobyl, 1986 and disaster in Fukushima, 2011. 
• Capital Intensive: Nuclear power plants are capital intensive and recent nuclear builds have suffered major cost overruns. 
  • Example: The V.C. Summer nuclear project in South Carolina (U.S.), costs rose so sharply that the project was abandoned after an expenditure of over US$ 9 billion.
• Availability of Cheap Alternatives: Solar and Wind energy are cheap and effective alternatives as they promise to provide electricity between INR 2-4/unit. 
• Waste Generation: Nuclear power plants produce highly radioactive waste that must be carefully managed and stored for many years. 
  • Its waste is extremely toxic and harmful to the environment. 
• Exhaustible: Materials used to generate nuclear energy are exhaustible. 
  • Example: Uranium

Concerns and Challenges Related to the Nuclear Energy

• No Significant Contribution by Multilateral Development Banks (MDBs): In spite of technical MDBs and private investors have not made any significant contribution to the industry. 
• No Funding by the World Bank: The World Bank has not provided financing for a nuclear project since its $40 million loan to Italy in 1959. 
• Others: Nuclear reactors require high investments and technology base, take years to build, and have to operate under a variety of regulations and constraints, making them unattractive for countries wanting to quickly ramp up their electricity generation in an affordable manner.

India’s Nuclear Energy Programme: Historic Background

• India’s first commercial Nuclear Power Plant in Pahalgarh, Tarapur offers reliable energy at 2/kWh lower than solar power tariffs. 
• At Kudankulam, Tamil Nadu, a newer power plant offers electricity in the range of 4-6/kWh comparable to coal-fired thermal power plants. 
• Despite its versatile nature, nuclear power contributes only 1.6% of the total renewable energy mix in India. 
  • Stigma, weaponization risk, radiation leak, regulation, high upfront cost, and long project overruns are the reasons for low adoption rate of nuclear energy.
•  Indian Atomic Energy Commission: It is created by the Atomic Energy Act of 1948, ‘to provide for the development and control of atomic energy and purposes connected therewith’. 
• Target: India’s ongoing efforts to triple its current nuclear power capacity by 2030, and the aim was for nuclear energy to have a “significant share in the electricity mix of India by the year 2047”. 

Current Scenario for Nuclear Energy

• High Adoption: Two key motives for the large-scale adoption of nuclear power as the base load energy source are technology and finance. 
• Recent Developments in Nuclear Technology: It includes Small Modular Reactors (SMR), radiation proofing in existing plants, and extended fuel cycles, have the potential to substantially mitigate nuclear-related risks. 
  • The role of technical advancements in reducing carbon emissions is highlighted by an IAEA study, which predicts that while existing technologies will play a significant role, by 2050, half of carbon reductions will come from technologies currently in the prototype (an experimental) stage.

Need To Do

• Reassessment of Finance Policies: There is a need to reassess nuclear financing policies to accommodate private capital or blended finance models.
• Need for Cooperative Model: There are successful financial practices that can be followed.
  • Examples: In the cooperative funding models of France, South Korea, Russia, and the U.K., a group of investors raise credit from the market and take full responsibility for project delivery. 
  • In Finland, large power plants have been funded by multiple private companies since the 1970s using a cooperative finance model called ‘Mankala’. 
    • Under this model, companies jointly own energy producers and share the costs of building and operating plants. 
• Market Support: Financial creativity and market support with low interest rates are required.

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Context

Twenty years ago, on April 1, 2004, the Indian government launched Free Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) for Persons living with HIV (PLHIV).

• The  Success free ART Therapy and subsequent steps under the NACP can potentially guide other public health programmes in the country.

About ART Therapy: Antiretroviral Therapy (ART)

• ART Therapy is the treatment of people infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) using anti-HIV drugs. 
• The standard treatment consists of a combination of drugs (often called “highly active antiretroviral therapy” or HAART) that suppress HIV replication.
• Benefits: 
  • ART reduces mortality and morbidity rates among HIV-infected people and improves their quality of life. 
  • The benefits of ART also include the prevention of HIV transmission by suppressing HIV replication in persons living with the virus. 
    • This benefit of ART is also defined as “undetectable equal untransmittable” , or U=U.

Impact of Free ART Therapy

• Reduction in Prevalence: In 2023, the prevalence of HIV in 15-49 years has come down to 0.20 (confidence interval 0.17%-0.25%) and the burden of disease in terms of estimated PLHIV has been coming down to 2.4 million.
• India’s share in PLHIV globally had come down to 6.3% (from around 10% two decades ago). 
• Status: As of the end of 2023, of all PLHIV, an estimated 82% knew their HIV status, 72% were on ART and 68% were virally suppressed.
• Decline in New Infections: The annual new HIV infections in India have declined by 48% against the global average of 31% (the baseline year of 2010). 
• Decline in Mortalities: The annual AIDS-related mortalities have declined by 82% against the global average of 47% (the baseline year of 2010).

National AIDS Control Programme (NACP)

• The NACP, launched in 1992, is being implemented as a comprehensive programme for the prevention and control of HIV/ AIDS in India.
• Thirty-five years since then, NACP has evolved as one of the world’s largest programmes through
• five distinct phases.
• Currently, NACP-V (extension) is under implementation for 2021-2026.

NACP Phase-V:

• It is a Central Sector Scheme, fully funded by the Government of India, with an outlay of Rs 15471.94 crore. 
• Aim: To reduce annual new HIV infections and AIDS-related mortalities by 80% by 2025-26 from the baseline value of 2010.
  • It also aims to attain dual elimination of vertical transmission and elimination of HIV/AIDS-related stigma while promoting universal access to quality STI/RTI services to at-risk and vulnerable populations.
• Goal:  In alignment with global targets agreed by the UNAIDS. NACP Phase-V calls for the attainment of ambitious targets of 95-95-95 by 2025. 
  • where 95% of all people living with HIV know their HIV status;
  •  95% of all people diagnosed with HIV infection receive sustained antiretroviral therapy (ART), and 
  • 95% of all people receiving antiretroviral therapy achieve viral suppression by 2025. 

Challenges in Achievements of Target:

1. The delayed enrolment to the ART facilities.
2. Non-adherence to ART Treatment and lack of follow-up.
3. Sustained supply and availability of ART drugs.
4. Low Private Sector Engagement
5. Constant Training and Capacity Building of Staff
6. Focus on strengthening integration with other programmes 
   1. such as hepatitis, non-communicable diseases (diabetes and hypertension) and mental health.
7. Focus on reducing preventable mortality.

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Context

According to a report by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), India’s trade reliance on China and the European Union is rising as global trade is witnessing a marked shift along geopolitical lines.

Is India’s trade Reliance on China and the EU Increasing? UNCTAD Report

• Supply Chain Reset: This comes in the backdrop of major supply chain reset following the pandemic and the Russia-Ukraine war that had sent food and fuel prices to record highs.
• UNCTAD report estimates based on National Statistics:  India’s dependence on China and the European Union (EU) grew by 1.2 per cent while its reliance on Saudi Arabia slid by 0.6 per cent.
  • This came despite India’s efforts to cut reliance on China by implementing its flagship Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme and Quality Control Orders (QCOs) largely to limit entry of cheap Chinese products.
• Shifting Trade Pattern: UNCTAD’s estimates showed a major shift in trade due to the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war. 
  • While Russia’s trade dependence on China surged by a record 7.1 per cent, its reliance on the EU decreased by 5.3 per cent. This was largely due to Russian oil shifting from the EU to China and India. 
  • The US cut reliance on China by 1.2 per cent in 2023 and increased its trade dependence on the EU and Mexico.
• Dependence of an economy on another: It is calculated as the ratio of their bilateral trade over the total trade of the dependent economy. 

• • Change is computed as a four quarter average of this ratio relative to the same period in the previous year.
• Decline in Global trade: The report showed that global trade declined in most sectors, except for pharmaceuticals, transportation equipment, and road vehicles, particularly, electric cars.
  • Among the sectors where the value of trade declined by more than 10 per cent during 2023 are apparel, chemicals, energy metals, office equipment, and textiles.
• Decline in Global Merchandise Trade: The value of global merchandise trade has experienced continuous decline since mid-2022. 
  • Trade in goods is expected to contract by about US$ 1.3 trillion or 5 per cent in 2023 but services trade is expected to gain about $500 billion, or 8%.

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Context

Vaikom Satyagraha completed 100 years on March 30, 1924.

100 Years Of Vaikom Satyagraha

• Non-Violent Protest in Vaikom: Vaikom, a temple town located in the princely state of Travancore, witnessed the commencement of a non-violent protest on March 30, 1924. 
  • This marked the inception of the temple entry movements, which would later resonate across the nation. 
• Emphasis on Social Reforms: The satyagraha placed emphasis on social reform amidst the rising nationalist movement, introducing Gandhian protest methods to Travancore. 

Background of Vaikom Satyagraha

• Feudal and Militaristic Governance in Princely Travancore: According to Social Revolution in a Kerala Village: A Study in Culture (1965), the princely state of Travancore had a “feudal, militaristic, and ruthless system of custom-ridden government.
• Caste Pollution based on Sight: The idea of caste pollution worked not only on the basis of touch but also sight i.e., lower castes were forbidden entry to any “pure” place, such as temples and the roads surrounding them.
• Social and political advancements: The latter half of the 19th century witnessed numerous social and political advancements that brought about significant social transformation. 
  • Christian Missionary Influence: Christian missionaries successfully converted substantial portions of lower castes, offering them an avenue to evade the constraints of caste-based oppression. 
  • Progressive Reforms Under Maharaja Ayilyam Thirunal Rama Varma: Under his rule, numerous progressive reforms were implemented, including the introduction of universal free primary education, which extended to individuals from lower castes.
    • By the start of the 20th century, a notable educated elite had started to emerge within caste Hindus, Christians, and even among avarna Hindus, particularly the Ezhavas.
  • Educational and Organizational Advancement of the Ezhavas: Despite the persistent influence of religion and tradition, the severe material and intellectual disadvantages faced by lower castes were alleviated. 
    • According to historian Mary Elizabeth King’s book “Gandhian Nonviolent Struggle and Untouchability in South India ”,  the Ezhavas emerged as the most educated and organized untouchable community in Travancore.
  • Reservation of Government Jobs for Upper Castes: However, government jobs continued to be reserved for upper castes. 
  • Caste Hindus, despite being a numerical minority, occupied 3,800 out of 4,000 positions in the state’s revenue department as of 1918. This indicated that education alone did not serve as a path to socio-economic advancement.
  • Ritual Discrimination: Despite the emergence of a small Ezhava elite, instances of ritual discrimination overshadowed their material and educational progress. 
  • Start of Agitation: The issue of temple entry was first raised by Ezhava leader T K Madhavan in a 1917 editorial in his paper Deshabhimani. 
    • Inspired by the success of Gandhi’s Non-Cooperation Movement, by 1920, he began to advocate for more direct methods. 
  • Obstacles to Progress and Reform Amid Upper-Caste Resistance: Upper-caste resistance movements throughout Travancore hindered progress.
    • Moreover,  Maharaja, apprehensive of backlash from the caste Hindu community, refrained from implementing reforms.
  • Support of Gandhiji: Madhavan met Gandhi in 1921, and secured his support for a mass agitation to enter temples. 
  • In the 1923 session of the INC in Kakinada, a resolution was passed by the Kerala Provincial Congress Committee to take up anti-untouchability as a key issue. 
  • This was followed by a massive public messaging campaign and a movement to open Hindu temples and all public roads to avarnas. 
  • Vaikom, with its revered Shiva temple, was chosen as the location for the very first satyagraha. 

The Vaikom Satyagraha

• Allowing Access to Surrounding Temple Roads: 

  • Madhavan and other leaders took the strategic decision to initially focus on opening up the four roads around the temple — not the temple itself — to avarnas. 
    • Protesters sat in front of the barricades, fasting and singing patriotic songs.

• Support by National Leaders: 

  • Leaders such as Periyar, who was arrested multiple times, and C Rajagopalachari came to Vaikom to offer support and lead the protesters. 

• Counter Agitations: 

  • Counter-agitations raged on, and the satyagrahis often faced violence and intimidation from caste Hindus.

• Release of Prisoners: 

• • In August, 1924, the Maharaja of Travancore died, following which, the young Maharani Regent, Queen Sethulakshmi Bai, released all prisoners. 
  • However, when a large group of protesters marched to the royal palace in Trivandrum, she refused to allow all castes access to temples.

• Brokering of Compromise by Gandhiji: 

  • In March 1925, Gandhi successfully brokered a compromise: three of the four roads encircling the temples were opened to all, while the fourth (eastern) road remained exclusively for Brahmins. 
    • This arrangement was put into effect in November 1925, following the government’s construction of alternative routes for lower castes to access without affecting temple purity. 
    • The final satyagrahi was withdrawn from Vaikom on November 23, 1925.

• Temple Entry Proclamation: 

  • In November 1936, the Maharaja of Travancore signed the historic Temple Entry Proclamation which removed the age-old ban on the entry of marginalised castes into the temples of the state.

Legacy of Vaikom Satyagraha

• Endurance Amid Adversity: The Vaikom satyagraha stood as a remarkable movement, enduring for more than 600 days despite hostile social pressures, police interventions, and the devastating flood of 1924.
• Unity Across Caste boundaries: It also witnessed unprecedented unity across caste boundaries, a pivotal factor in its sustained mobilization.
• Reason for Success: The Temple Entry Proclamation along with the demonstration of Gandhian methods of civil disobedience as effective tools of protest, was the great success of the Vaikom satyagraha. 
  • Thus, despite its shortcomings, the Vaikom satyagraha brought untouchability, unapproachability, and unseeability to the forefront of political issues in India.

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The Prime Minister recently accused the then Indira Gandhi government for ceding Katchatheevu island to Sri Lanka. 

Katchatheevu Island

• About: It is a 285-acre uninhabited island in the Palk Strait, between India and Sri Lanka.
• Location: It lies northeast of Rameswaram, about 33 km from the Indian coast. It is about 62 km southwest of Jaffna, at the northern tip of Sri Lanka, and 24 km away from the inhabited Delft Island, belonging to Sri Lanka.
• Only structure on the island: The only structure on the island is an early 20th-century Catholic shrine – St Anthony’s church. 
• • During an annual festival, Christian priests from both India and Sri Lanka conduct the service, with devotees from both India and Sri Lanka making the pilgrimage. 
• Inhospitable Conditions: Katchatheevu is not suited for permanent settlement as there is no source of drinking water on the island.
• Evolution: Katchatheevu Island, a result of a volcanic eruption in the 14th century, is comparatively young in geological time scale.

History of Katchatheevu Island

• Medieval period: In the early medieval period, it was controlled by the Jaffna kingdom of Sri Lanka. In the 17th century, control passed to the Ramnad zamindari based out of Ramanathapuram, about 55 km northwest of Rameswaram.
• British Rule: It became part of the Madras Presidency during the British Raj. In 1921, both India and Sri Lanka, at the time British colonies, claimed Katchatheevu in order to determine fishing boundaries. 
  • A survey marked Katchatheevu in Sri Lanka, but a British delegation from India challenged this, citing ownership of the island by the Ramnad kingdom. This dispute was not settled until 1974.
• After Independence: In 1974, Indira Gandhi made attempts to settle the maritime border between India and Sri Lanka.
  • Indo-Sri Lankan Maritime agreement: As a part of this settlement, Indira Gandhi ‘ceded’ Katchatheevu to Sri Lanka with the perception that the island had little strategic value and ceasing India’s claim over the island would deepen its ties with its southern neighbor.
    • According to the agreement, Indian fishermen are still permitted to access Katchatheevu “until now“. 
    • However, the matter of fishing rights was not clarified in the agreement. 
  • Agreement of 1976:  Another agreement during the period of Emergency in India, barred either country from fishing in the other’s Exclusive Economic Zone. 
    • Katchatheevu lies at the edge of the EEZs of either country, retaining a degree of uncertainty with regards to fishing rights.

Impact of Sri Lankan Civil War on Katchatheevu

• Sri Lankan Focus on Blocking LTTE Supply Routes: B83 and 2009, the border dispute remained on the back burner as a bloody civil war raged in Sri Lanka.
  • The main objective of the Sri Lankan naval forces during this time was to block off the LTTE’s supply routes, which were centered in Jaffna. 
  • As a result, incidents of Indian fishermen intrusion into Sri Lankan waters became frequent.
• Concerns over Indian Trawlers: The presence of larger Indian trawlers was contentious as they not only tended to overfish but also caused damage to Sri Lankan fishing equipment and boats.
• Post-War Attention on Indian Fishermen: In 2009, the war with the LTTE ended, Sri Lanka turned the focus to Indian fishermen. 
  • With marine resources depleting on the Indian side, fishermen often ventured into Sri Lankan waters, a practice that had persisted for years but now began to incur consequences.
  • Till date, the Sri Lankan navy routinely arrests Indian fishermen and there have been many allegations of custodial torture and death. The demand for Katchatheevu is revived each time such an incident happens.

Tamil Nadu’s Position on Katchatheevu

• Widespread Protests: Katchatheevu was ceded to Sri Lanka without consulting the Tamil Nadu state assembly. 
  • Since the beginning, there were strong protests against Indira Gandhi‘s action, emphasizing the historical authority of the Ramnad zamindari over the island and the traditional fishing rights of Indian Tamil fishermen.
• Renewed Calls for Retrieval: In 1991, in the aftermath of India’s disastrous intervention in the Sri Lankan Civil War, the Tamil Nadu Assembly again sought retrieval of Katchatheevu and restoration of fishing rights of Tamil fishermen. 
• Petition Regarding Cession of Katchatheevu: A petition was filed in court that Katchatheevu could not be ceded to another country without a constitutional amendment. 
  • The petition argued the 1974 agreement had affected traditional fishing rights and livelihoods of Indian fishermen.
  • Since then, there have been various attempts by the state government for the retrieval of Katchatheevu island.

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The genetic profiling of around 400 captive elephants in Kerala is set to commence soon. 

Genetic Profiling of Captive Elephants of Kerala to Begin Soon

• Purpose of Profiling: The Genetic Profiling is carried out to keep track of the transfer of captive elephants within and between the States.
• Supply of Forensic Kits: The Wildlife Institute of India (WII), responsible for conducting the profiling to integrate the elephants’ details into a national database, has supplied forensic kits to the Kerala Forest Department.
• Profiling Database: The photograph of individual animals and their physical details, including height, will be entered into the database along with their genetic features.
• Accessing Data: The officials of all the State Forest departments in the country can access the data through a mobile application, Gaja Suchana, developed by the institute. 
• Decline in Kerala’s Captive Elephant Population: With approximately 25 elephant deaths occurring annually in Kerala, the state’s captive elephant population has reduced to a record low of 407. 
  • Kerala was previously renowned for having the largest population of captive elephants.
• Status of Genetic Profiling of Elephants in India: The profiling of the captive elephants has been completed in a few States. It is estimated that there are around 3,000 captive elephants in the country.
• Significance: The database will help identify the animals without a valid ownership certificate. 
  • The Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change intends to curb the illegal practice of transferring animals. The profiling will also help in ensuring the welfare of the animals.
• The Environment Ministry had earlier released the Captive Elephant (Transfer or Transport) Rules, 2024.

About Genetic Profiling

• Unique DNA Segments and Profiling: It is the process where a specific DNA pattern, called a profile, is obtained from a person or sample of bodily tissue.
  • Within the human genome, there exists a distinct portion of DNA that is exclusive to each individual. 
• Fragmentation of DNA Sample: Through the process of fragmenting a DNA sample and separating these fragments based on size, it becomes feasible to generate a distinctive profile characterized by DNA bands for each person.
• Technique for DNA profiling: One of the current techniques for DNA profiling uses polymorphisms called short tandem repeats (STR). 
  • STRs are regions of non-coding DNA that contain repeats of the same nucleotide sequence.

Uses of Genetic Profiling

• The technique serves as a valuable tool in determining paternity or help solve crimes where the suspect may have left a sample of body tissue at the crime scene.
• It can also be used in other organisms to compare different species for classification purposes.

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The Geographical Indications registry announced that over 60 products from India have been granted the Geographical Indication (GI) tag. 

India Grants New GI Tags to Over 60 Products

• Unprecedented Granting of Multiple GI Tags: This marks the first instance of such a large number of GI tags being awarded simultaneously. 
• Rising GI Tag Applications: Additionally, there is an increasing trend of states submitting applications to obtain GI tags for their traditional and historic products.

List of New GI Tags

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According to geologists, the African continent is currently experiencing a rare geological phenomenon that could lead to the formation of a sixth ocean in 5 to 10 million years.

Earth’s Sixth Ocean is Currently Forming in Africa: Geologist

• About the Experiment: Scientists analysed a diamond from Botswana that formed at 660 kilometers below the surface of the planet at the interface between the transition zone and the lower mantle.
• It confirmed that the transition zone is not a dry sponge, but holds considerable quantities of water.
• Potential Ocean Formation in the Afar Triangle: Geologists predict that in 5 to 10 million years, the tectonic movement will eventually split the African continent into two, creating a new ocean basin. 
  • This process is taking place in the Afar Triangle, also known as the Afar Depression, located in the Horn of Africa.
• Gradual Tectonic Plate Separation in East Africa: This rare geological phenomenon involves the gradual separation of tectonic plates, resulting in the creation of a distinct continent in East Africa. 
• The presence of volcanic eruptions in the area, notably at the Erta Ale volcano, provides insights into the tectonic shift, exhibiting traits reminiscent of a mid-ocean ridge.
• Flooding of Afar region: This new body of water would be the result of the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden flooding over the Afar region and into the East African Rift Valley. 
  • Consequently, this part of East Africa would evolve into its own distinct continent.

What is the Sixth Ocean?

• Location: According to researchers, the transition zone between the Earth’s upper (brown) and lower mantle (orange) contains considerable amounts of water, bound in the rock.
• Evidence points to water in the transition zone (TZ), the boundary layer that separates the Earth’s upper mantle and the lower mantle. 
  • The boundary is located at a depth of 410 to 660 kilometers, where immense pressure of up to 23,000 bar causes the olive-green mineral olivine to alter its crystalline structure.

Factor Driving the Rifting Process

• Rise of Mantle Plume beneath East Africa: A massive plume of superheated rocks rising from the mantle beneath East Africa. 

• This plume could be exerting pressure on the overlying crust, causing it to stretch and fracture. 

Significance of Findings

• Dynamic Nature of Earth: 

  • The potential formation of a sixth ocean in Africa is a reminder of the Earth’s ever-changing nature. 
  • The birth of a new ocean is a process that spans millions of years, and the evidence of its onset provides insight into the dynamic evolution of the Earth and the possible transformation of its landscapes over thousands of years.

• Background of Earth Dynamism Concept: 

  • In 2005, a significant event brought global attention to this gradual process.
    • A 35-mile-long fissure appeared in the Ethiopian desert, signifying the ongoing division of the African continent. This fissure serves as the visible surface manifestation of the process.
    • The emergence of this rift signifies the surface expression of deep-seated tectonic forces at play, as the Somali plate gradually moves apart from the Nubian plate, resulting in the stretching and thinning of the Earth’s crust.

• Opportunity to Study Ocean Formation Stages:

  • The formation of a new ocean is a complex and lengthy process that involves various stages of rifting, from continental breakup to the development of a mid-ocean ridge. 
    • The East African Rift provides a unique opportunity for scientists to study these stages. 

• Implications for Future Continent and Ocean Configuration: 

• • It highlights the importance of understanding our planet’s geological processes, as they have profound implications for the future configuration of continents and oceans.

About Tectonic Plates

A tectonic or lithospheric plate is a vast slab of solid rock. Comprising both continental and oceanic lithosphere, these Indian Plates glide over the asthenosphere as cohesive units. 

Major Plates:

• Antarctica and its adjacent oceanic plate
• North American plate (with a part of the western Atlantic floor, distinct from the South American plate along the Caribbean islands)       
• South American plate (separate from the North American plate along the Caribbean islands)       
• Pacific plate
• India-Australia-New Zealand plate   
• African plate (including the eastern Atlantic floor)
• Eurasia plate, along with its neighbouring oceanic portion.

Some Minor Plates: 

• Cocos Plate: Situated between Central America and the Pacific Plate.
• Nazca Plate: Lying between South America and the Pacific Plate.
• Arabian Plate: Primarily the Saudi Arabian landmass.
• Philippine Plate: Positioned between the Asiatic and Pacific Plate. Caroline Plate: Nestled between the Philippine and Indian plate (north of New Guinea).
• Fuji Plate: Located to the northeast of Australia.

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Recently, the Indian finance minister mentioned that not satisfying outcomes emerged from the recently released India Employment Report 2024 and to achieve the aim of Visit Bharat, India needs an inclusive growth at an annual average of about 8%. 

Vision for Viksit Bharat 2047: Key Highlights

• In the Interim Budget, the Indian Finance Minister said that the government’s vision for ‘Viksit Bharat’ is that of a “prosperous Bharat in harmony with nature, with modern infrastructure, and providing opportunities for all citizens and all regions to reach their potential”.
  • To achieve this goal of ‘Viksit Bharat’, there is a need to improve people’s capability and empower them.
  • Targets for Developed India:
    • On Gross Domestic Product (GDP): The proposed measures should boost India’s GDP to $6.69 trillion in 2030, $16.13 trillion by 2040, and $29.02 trillion by 2047. 
    • On Per Capita Income: The projections for per capita income at current prices are $4,418 by 2030, $10,021 by 2040, and $17,590 by 2047. 
      • It means the present per capita income of about Rs 2 lakhs will become about Rs 14.9 Lakhs by 2047. 
    • On Exports: Export targets are $1.58 trillion by value in 2030, $4.56 trillion by 2040, and $8.67 trillion by 2047. 

About India Employment Report 2024

• Basis of Report: The research is mostly based on data analysis from the National Sample Surveys and Periodic Labour Force Surveys conducted between 2000 and 2022.
• Indicators Used: The index is based on seven labour market outcome indicators: 
  • Percentage of workers employed in regular formal work
  • Percentage of casual labourers
  • Percentage of self-employed workers below the poverty line
  • Work Participation Rate
  • Average monthly earnings of casual labourers
  • Unemployment rate of secondary and above-educated youth
  • Youth not in employment and education or training

Key Highlights of the India Employment Report 2024

• Improvement in the “Employment Condition Index”: 

  • The ‘employment condition index’ has improved between 2004-05 and 2021-22 with Delhi, Himachal Pradesh, Telangana, Uttarakhand and Gujarat having stayed at the top.
    • But some states — Bihar, Odisha, Jharkhand, and UP have remained at the bottom throughout this period.

• Improvement in the Employment Quality: 

• • Self-employment remains the primary source of employment — 55.8% in 2022. Casual and regular employment accounted for 22.7% and 21.5% respectively.
  • Regular Employment: It is generally seen as providing better-quality jobs due to the regularity of employment and associated social security benefits.
    • Casual Work: It is linked with relatively poor-quality jobs due to its irregular nature and lower daily earnings.
  • Informal Employment: The number of jobs in the formal sector has risen, and around half of them are informal. 
    • Almost 82% of the workforce is engaged in the informal sector, and nearly 90% is informally employed.
    • Self-employment and unpaid family work have also increased, especially for women. 

• Fluctuating Employment in Agriculture: 

  • The slow transition towards non-farm employment has been reversed after 2018-19. The share of agriculture in total employment fell to around 42% in 2019 from 60% in 2000.
    • This shift was primarily absorbed by construction and services, the share of which in total employment increased to 32% in 2019 from 23% in 2000. The share of manufacturing in employment has remained almost stagnant at 12-14%.
    • Since 2018-19, this slow transition has stagnated or reversed with the rise in the share of agricultural employment.

• Impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI): 

  • The rise of AI could have an impact on employment. The outsourcing industry in India could be disrupted because AI would take over some back-office tasks.

About Viksit Bharat 2047

• ‘Viksit Bharat’ means ‘developed India’, a vision the government aims to realise by 2047 —  the year India completes 100 years of independence.
• Aim: To turn India into a $30-trillion developed economy in about two decades for a projected 1.65 billion population.
• Inclusive Growth: The document envisions economic growth, sustainable development goals, improvements in the ease of living and doing business, enhanced infrastructure, and bolstered social welfare initiatives.
• Four Pillars: Yuva (Youth), Garib (Poor), Mahila (Women) and Kisan (Framers).

• Key Theme of Viksit Bharat:

  • Empowered Indians (Health, Education, Nari Shakti, Sports, Culture and Caring Society)
  • Thriving and Sustainable Economy (Industry, Energy, Agriculture, Infrastructure, Services, Green Economy and Cities)
  • Innovation, Science and Technology (Research and Development, Startups and Digital)
  • Good Governance and Security
  • India in the World

• Key Focus Areas:

• • Education: Upgrading school infrastructure, boosting the number of students attending schools, and elevating educational standards.
  • Healthcare: Guaranteeing that every citizen has access to healthcare services that are both reachable and of high quality.
  • Technology: Adopting and pioneering technological solutions for national advancement.
  • Infrastructure: Building strong infrastructure such as for transportation, communication networks, and city facilities.
  • Agriculture: Introducing advanced agricultural practices and providing support to farmers to augment their output and productivity.
  • Environment: Advancing eco-friendly methods and safeguarding our natural assets to ensure the environment is both clean and thriving for future generations.

To Achieve Viksit Bharat, Need to Develop Human Resources

• Human Resource Development (HRD): HRD refers to the systematic approach to nurturing and fostering the talents, competencies, and skills of individuals, thereby contributing to national development. 

How to Develop Human Resources?

• Education and Skill Development: There is a need to transform the education system to prioritize practical skills and problem-solving over memorization.
  • Project-Based Learning: Finland’s education system is a notable example where project-based learning has been implemented successfully, fostering a culture of creativity and critical thinking among students. India could borrow cues from such models to nurture a problem-solving approach.
  • Industry-Academia Collaboration: The collaboration between IIT Madras and various industries is a testament to the potential of symbiotic relationships between academia and industry, where theoretical learning meets practical demands, enhancing employability prospects.
• Skill and Workforce Enhancement: Extend skill development programs across industries and offer credible certifications.
  • Continuous Professional Development: Singapore has an integrated system for continuous teacher training and development. India could learn by encouraging teachers to engage in lifelong learning and adapt to evolving educational landscapes.
• Health and Wellbeing: Ensure affordable, quality healthcare with robust infrastructure.
  • Telemedicine: The successful implementation of telemedicine in states like Kerala during the COVID-19 pandemic demonstrated how technology can be utilized to bridge healthcare gaps, presenting a viable model for other states to follow.
• Addressal to Malnutrition: The Amma Unavagam initiative in Tamil Nadu is a stellar example where community kitchens have been utilized to address malnutrition while also supporting local farmers.
• Research, Innovation, and Technology Adoption: Invest in research to drive innovation and foster ties between academia and industry. 
  • Example: ISRO established the National Research Foundation.
  • Incubation Centres: The success stories coming from incubation centres like those at IIT Bombay signify the potential of fostering innovation at the educational institutional level, thus promoting research and development.
• Bridge Digital Divide: Initiatives such as the digital bus project in Maharashtra have showcased the efficacy of mobile education units in bridging the digital divide and promoting digital literacy.
• Gender Equality and Social Inclusion: Promote gender equality in education and employment through policies and incentives.
  • Mentorship Programs: Mentorship programs like those initiated by organizations such as the WISE (Women in Science and Engineering) in various countries could serve as an exemplary model to foster gender equality in the academic and professional spheres.
• Skill Festivals: Countries like Germany have showcased the efficacy of promoting vocational training through festivals and fairs, where individuals get a platform to exhibit their vocational skills and learn about diverse career avenues.
• Various Schemes: The Ministry of Education (MoE) in India also has various schemes for human resource development.
  • Some of these schemes include the Samagra Shiksha Scheme to provide quality education in Madrasas, the Mid-Day Meal Scheme, the National Achievement Survey (NAS), and Infrastructure Development in Minority Institutes (IDMI).
  • Various other government initiatives related to human development are PM Kaushal Vikas Yojna, SHREYAS Scheme, Startup India, New Education Policy, 2020, Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana (PMJJBY), Women in Engineering, Science, and Technology (WEST) Initiative, etc.

Challenges that Need to be Addressed to Achieve Inclusive Viksit Bharat

• Rising Population Growth and Demographic Changes. 
  • Example: 33% of India’s population is aged 20-29 in 2024, but by 2047, the proportion of younger and older working-age populations will both be around 28%.
• There are also challenges of infrastructure, inequalities and high gender gap.
  • Example: As per the Global Gender Gap Report, 2023, in terms of gender parity, India is at 127 out of 146 nations.
  • India’s ranking on the United Nations Human Development Index (HDI) is 134 out of 193 countries.
• Other challenges: Concerns raised by the India Employment Report 2024:
• Concern of Poor Employment Conditions:
  • The slow transition to non-farm employment has reversed.
  • Women largely account for the increase in self-employment and unpaid family work.
  • Youth employment is of poorer quality than employment for adults.
  • Wages and earnings are stagnant or declining.
• Less Participation of Women Workforce: India’s female labour force participation rate (LFPR) remains among the world’s lowest. 
• High Gender Gap: Women’s LFPR (32.8%) in 2022 was 2.3 times lower than men’s (77.2%). 
  • India’s low LFPR is largely due to the low female LFPR, which was much lower than the world average of 47.3% in 2022, but higher than the South Asian average of 24.8%.
  • Improvement Observed: Female LFPR declined by 14.4% points between 2000 and 2019 but raised by 8.3% points between 2019 and 2022.
• Challenges of Youth Employment: There has been a rise in youth employment, but the quality of work remains a concern, especially for qualified young workers.
  • The unemployment rate among educated youths grew to 30.8% in 2019 from 23.9% in 2000, but fell to 18.4% in 2022.
  • In 2022, the share of unemployed youths in the total unemployed population was 82.9%. The share of educated youths among all unemployed people also increased to 65.7% in 2022 from 54.2% in 2000.
  • The unemployment rate among youths was six times greater for those who had completed secondary education or higher (18.4%) and nine times higher for graduates (29.1%) than for persons who could not read or write (3.4%) in 2022. 
  • This was higher among educated young women (21.4%) than men (17.5%), especially among female graduates (34.5%), compared to men (26.4%).

Way Forward 

• Focus on Five Key Policy Areas: Promoting job creation; improving employment quality; addressing labour market inequalities; strengthening skills and active labour market policies; and bridging the knowledge deficits on labour market patterns and youth employment.
• Investment and Regulations: These are required in the emerging care and digital economies. 
  • The lack of job security, irregular wages, and uncertain employment status for workers pose significant challenges for gig or platform work.
• Enhancement of Policies: Economic policies are required to boost productive non-farm employment, especially in the manufacturing sector, with India likely to add 7-8 mn youths annually to the labour force during the next decade.
• Digital Support: More support needs to be provided to micro, small and medium-sized enterprises, especially by providing tools such as digitalisation and AI and a cluster-based approach to manufacturing.
• Overall Development: Economic growth, social and environmental development are correlated and important to improve the basic living conditions of the population and Country.
• Reach, Range and Reason Based (3R) Policies: Amartya Sen said that to achieve development,  government policies must focus on the 3 R’s:
  • Reach (reach of the reason to be achieved)
  • Range (ways and means to be used)
  • Reason (priority to pursue)
• Social-Economic Inclusion: Equality of opportunity under Article 14 of Indian Constitution must be ensured by closing the gender gap and achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.
• Development of Social Infrastructure: A universal education and health care system with improved quality of life and skill development is a desired and required need to attain the goal of Viksit Bharat. 
• Focus on Agriculture: Agriculture is critical for India’s development as it still engages about 45% of the working population (2022-23, PLFS data). So, if Viksit Bharat has to be an inclusive Bharat, it must develop its agriculture to its full potential. 
  • Productivity needs to rise, water consumption needs to be reduced, groundwater needs to be re-charged, soil degradation needs to be arrested, and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from agriculture need to be curtailed. 

Conclusion

To achieve the dream of Viksit Bharat 2047, India needs to continuously work upon human development through quality education and skill formation, creating a supportive ecosystem for research and innovation, coupled with liberal market policies, investments and innovations. However, the only warning is that there is no Covid type disease outbreak, or a major war, natural calamity, or political upheaval.

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