May 17 2024

Context

A recent study revealed that Summer 2023 was the hottest season in the northern hemisphere in the past 2,000 years.

The Summer of 2023 Was the Hottest in 2000 Years Key Findings of the Study

  • Significant Temperature Rise in 2023: The report indicates that the summer months of June, July, and August in 2023 experienced temperatures that were at least 0.5°C higher than any previously recorded extremes. 
    • The summer temperatures over northern hemisphere land areas were 2.07°C higher than during the pre-industrial period of 1850-1900. This rise significantly surpasses the Paris Agreement’s target to limit global temperature increases to below 1.5°C.
  • Influence of El Niño: The intense heat experienced last year was partly due to the El Niño climate pattern, which is known to cause warmer global temperatures. It resulted into extended periods of drought, affecting various regions globally.
  • Human Casualties: Heatwaves have had a severe impact on public health, with over 150,000 deaths annually linked to heat waves across 43 countries between 1990 and 2019. 
  • Historical Climate Comparison: Researchers utilized tree-ring data to estimate global temperatures from the first century AD up to 1850. 
    • The findings revealed that 25 of the last 28 years have seen summer temperatures that surpass those of AD 246, which was the hottest year recorded before modern temperature records began. 
    • Additionally, the report noted that the coolest summer within the past 2,000 years was nearly four degrees cooler than the summer of 2023, influenced significantly by a major volcanic eruption.
  • Urgency in Addressing Climate Change: The study emphasizes the critical need for immediate action in reducing emissions to control rising temperatures. Delaying action will only make the process more difficult and costly, according to the researchers.

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Health Risks Due to Increasing Temperatures

  • Exposure of Elderly Populations: 
    • Current Risk: 14% of elderly people are currently exposed to temperatures exceeding 37.5°C, exacerbating health conditions and increasing mortality rates.
    • Future Risk: By 2050, this figure is expected to rise to 23%, exposing tens of millions more older people to dangerous heat extremes.
  • Regional Disparities in Adaptive Capacity
    • Prepared Regions: Europe, despite being one of the fastest-warming areas, has systems in place to support people during heatwaves.
    • Vulnerable Regions: Africa and Asia have rapidly growing elderly populations but lack sufficient access to clean water and healthcare, making it difficult to cope with extreme heat.

Reason for Summer of 2023 Was the Hottest in 2000 Years

  • El Niño Phenomenon: The El Niño climate pattern, which emerged in mid-2023, significantly contributed to the year’s extreme temperatures. 
  • Rising Ocean Temperatures: Ocean temperatures have been increasing due to the absorption of heat trapped by greenhouse gasses. The oceans, acting as a heat reservoir, released more heat into the atmosphere, contributing to the overall temperature rise.
  • Decrease in Aerosols: Aerosols, which can have a cooling effect by reflecting sunlight, have decreased due to air quality regulations. This reduction has diminished their cooling impact, allowing more heat to be retained in the atmosphere.
  • Greenhouse Gas Emissions: The continuous increase in greenhouse gas emissions has been a long-term driver of global warming. These gasses trap heat in the atmosphere, leading to higher temperatures.
  • Anthropogenic causes: Man made factors such as deforestation, faulty land use patterns, use of fossil fuels etc. have further contributed to temperature rise. 
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Context

Bihar’s only Ramsar site, Kanwar Lake (aka Kabartal), which is in an appalling condition, has not found its mention in any election agenda.

About Kanwar Lake

The Kanwar Lake is Asia’s largest oxbow lake situated in the Begusarai district of Bihar. It is a residual oxbow lake, formed due to the meandering of Gandak River, a tributary of Ganga.

  • Ramsar Convention Site: It was recognized under the Ramsar Convention as the first and only wetland of international importance in Bihar in 2020.

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About Ramsar Convention

  • This convention was signed on 2nd February 1971 to preserve the ecological character of their wetlands of international importance.
  • It is named after Ramsar, the Iranian city where the treaty was signed in 1971, and places chosen for conservation under it are given the tag ‘Ramsar site’.
  • At present there are a total of 80 Ramsar sites in India.
  • Historical Size and Coverage: Historically, the lake spanned 6,000-7,000 hectares, serving as a crucial habitat for wildlife.
  • Kanwar LakeSeasonal Water Levels: The lake is predominantly rainfed, experiencing fluctuations in water levels with seasonal changes, peaking during the monsoon and shrinking in the summer.

Significance of Kanwar Lake

  • Biodiversity Hub: The lake has been a significant habitat for diverse bird species, both migratory and local, making it a vital ecological site.
  • Livelihood Source: It has traditionally provided a means of livelihood for thousands of local fisherfolk through fishing activities.
  • Ecological Importance: As a Ramsar site, the lake holds global ecological importance, highlighting the need for its conservation and sustainable management.
    • The Wetland is an important stopover along the Central Asian Flyway, with 58 migratory waterbirds using it to rest and refuel.
  • Cultural and Community Value: The lake plays an integral role in the local community’s cultural practices and economic activities.

Reasons for Deterioration of Kanwar Lake

  • Encroachment and Agricultural Use: Increasing encroachment for agricultural purposes has significantly reduced the lake’s size and disrupted its ecological balance.
  • Reduction in Water Availability: The lake has been drying up, particularly in the summer, due to a lack of sustainable water sources and overdependence on monsoon rains. Disrupted water channels from nearby rivers have exacerbated this issue.
  • Neglect and Lack of Conservation Efforts: Despite its recognition and the establishment of protected status, little has been done to actively preserve or enhance the lake’s condition in recent years. Efforts to maintain its status as a Ramsar site have been minimal.
  • Hunting and Poaching: Rampant hunting and poaching of birds have led to a decline in bird populations, further stressing the ecosystem.

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Context

The World Health Organisation (WHO) recently announced the prequalification of a second vaccine for dengue, called TAK-003, made by a Japanese drug maker.

Live Attenuated Vaccines

Live vaccines are derived from “wild” viruses or bacteria which have been attenuated (weakened) in a laboratory, usually by repeated culturing. For example, the measles virus used as a vaccine today was isolated from a child with measles disease in 1954.

WHO Prequalifies new Dengue Vaccine

  • WHO has prequalified a second vaccine for dengue, known as TAK-003, made by the Japanese drug maker Takeda Pharmaceuticals.
  • Nature: It is a live-attenuated vaccine containing weakened versions of the four serotypes of the virus that cause dengue. Thus it helps the body to build immunity against all the four dengue viruses. 
  • Target Age Group: TAK-003 can be administered to children aged 6 to 16 years, with a high dengue burden and transmission intensity.
  • Dosage: The vaccine should be administered in a 2-dose schedule with a 3-month interval between doses, as per the WHO.
  • Global Approval Status: The UK, Brazil, Argentina, Indonesia and Thailand have also approved TAK-OO3.
  • First Vaccine: The WHO had previously prequalified the Dengvaxia CYD-TDV vaccine against dengue, developed by Sanofi Pasteur.
    • It was also a live, attenuated dengue virus which has to be administered in people of ages 9 to 16.

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India’s DNA Vaccine Candidate against Dengue

  • The Serum Institute of India made major progress in the development of India’s first and only DNA vaccine candidate for dengue fever.
  • The Vaccine is under preliminary trial stage and has given promising results.

DNA Vaccines:

  • DNA Vaccines puts a specific DNA sequence that codes for an antigen into an organism’s cells to trigger an immune response.
  • Dengue is caused by four closely related viruses (DEN-1, DEN-2, DEN-3, and DEN-4), known as serotypes
  • Infection with one serotype provides lifelong protection against it but not the others, necessitating a vaccine that targets all four.

What is Dengue?

Dengue is a mosquito-borne tropical disease caused by the dengue virus (Genus Flavivirus), transmitted by several species of mosquito within the genus Aedes, principally Aedes aegypti.

  • Causative Agent: It is a tropical disease caused by the dengue virus (Genus Flavivirus). It is spread through the bite of infected Aedes species (Ae. aegypti or Ae. albopictus) mosquito.
    • These mosquitoes also spread Chikungunya, Yellow fever and Zika viruses
  • Serotypes of Dengue: There are 4 distinct, but closely related, serotypes (separate groups within a species of microorganisms that all share a similar characteristic) of the virus that cause dengue (DEN-1, DEN-2, DEN-3 and DEN-4).
  • Vulnerability: It is estimated that there are over 100 to 400 million cases of dengue worldwide each year and 3.8 billion people living in dengue-endemic countries, most of which are in Asia, Africa, and the Americas.
  • Symptoms: High fever, headache, body aches, nausea and rash. Severe dengue can cause belly pain, vomiting, bleeding from the nose or gums, and extreme fatigue
  • Control and Prevention: Recently, the World Mosquito Program used mosquitoes infected with Wolbachia bacteria to successfully control dengue in Indonesia.

Significance of Prequalification Status

  • Assurance of Quality, Safety, and Efficacy: WHO prequalification confirms that the vaccine meets rigorous international standards for quality, safety, and efficacy.
  • Global Usage and Acceptance: This status allows the vaccine to be used globally, especially beneficial for low- and middle-income countries where such rigorous evaluation might not be feasible locally.
  • Facilitates Wider Distribution: Prequalification enables the vaccine’s inclusion in procurement processes by UN agencies and other global health organizations, thus promoting wider distribution.
  • Support for Public Health Programs: The approval aids in the integration of the vaccine into public health programs, enhancing disease prevention strategies worldwide.

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Context

India’s merchandise exports, which shrank over 3% in 2023-24 — a year marred by multiple geopolitical and logistical disruptions to global trade — are off to a positive start this year.

Higher Gold Imports, Low Exports weigh as India’s Trade Deficit widens to $19.1 billion

  • Modest Growth : In April, outbound shipments totaled $34.99 billion, showing a slight increase of 1.07% or $370 million compared to the previous year. 
    • Seventeen out of India’s top 30 export items experienced year-on-year declines, up from thirteen the previous month.
  • Recovery in Key Sectors: In April 2023, goods exports plummeted by 12.7%, with 20 of the top 30 items experiencing a decline in export values. 
    • The marginal growth last month was predominantly fueled by four key items: pharmaceuticals, chemicals, electronics, and notably, petroleum products. 
    • The recovery of petroleum products, following a 35% contraction in March, was supported by the increase in global oil prices.
  • Rise in Trade Deficit: The rise in oil and gold prices throughout April drove the country’s goods import bill up by 10.25% to exceed $54 billion. Consequently, last month’s trade deficit reached its highest level in four months, standing at $19.1 billion, nearly 22.5% higher than March’s deficit.
  • Global Rush to Gold: A persistent global savings rush to gold as a safe haven, could keep pushing India’s favorite yellow metal’s prices higher.

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Reasons For Increase in India’s Trade Deficit

  • Increase in Import of Gold: The trade deficit surged primarily due to a 32.3% year-on-year increase in gold imports, reaching $3.11 billion, and a 20.2% rise in oil imports, totaling $2.8 billion.
  • Competition from Bangladesh and Vietnam: India has been losing ground to competitors such as Bangladesh and Vietnam in recent years due to issues in labor-intensive sectors like garments and footwear, where Bangladesh and Vietnam enjoy added advantage
  • Import Dependency: High Dependency on Crude Oil, Gold, Electronics, and Machinery Imports Drives Trade Deficit.

Trade Deficit:

  • About: A trade deficit occurs when the cost of a country’s imports surpasses the value of its exports. This measure of international trade is also known as a negative balance of trade.
  • Calculation: It can be calculated by subtracting the total value of exports from the total value of imports.

 

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Context

Recently, Governments of Albania, Burkina Faso, India, Montenegro and Uganda have united to combat chemical pollution today, launching a $134-million project to eliminate the use of mercury in medical devices.

Ending Mercury Devices in Healthcare

  • The Phasing out Mercury Devices in Healthcare project, led by UNEP and funded by GEF, and executed by WHO, aims to develop nationwide strategies to halt the import, export, and manufacturing of mercury-based thermometers and sphygmomanometers.
  • It promotes the adoption of accurate, affordable, and safe mercury-free alternatives and enhances the management of mercury-containing medical waste.

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Mercury

Mercury naturally occurs in the Earth’s crust. The World Health Organization (WHO) regards it as among the top ten chemicals or chemical groups posing significant public health risks.

Major Applications of Mercury

  • Thermometers and Barometers: Mercury’s high thermal expansion coefficient and visible properties make it ideal for traditional thermometers and barometers.
  • Chemical and Mining Applications: Mercury has been employed in a range of chemical and mining processes, such as chlorine production and gold mining.
  • Electronics and Electrical Components: Mercury-wetted switches find application in diverse electrical systems due to mercury’s conductivity and low resistance, ensuring dependable electrical connections.

Sources of Mercury Pollution

  • Natural Sources: Volcanic eruptions emit minor quantities of mercury. The erosion of rocks and soil can lead to the release of mercury into aquatic environments.
  • Anthropogenic Sources:
    • Artisanal and Small-Scale Gold Mining (ASGM): It serves as a significant contributor to mercury pollution, employing mercury in the extraction of gold from ore. 
    • Mercury is utilized to form amalgams with gold particles, which are subsequently heated to vaporize the mercury, leaving behind pure gold. 
    • Artisanal gold mining activities account for 37% of mercury pollution worldwide.
  • Industrial Activities: Numerous industries, including chlorine production, cement manufacturing, and waste incineration, release mercury into the environment.
    • Approximately 11% of global anthropogenic mercury emissions are attributed to the cement industry.
  • Coal-Fired Power Plants: Mercury, present in trace amounts within coal, is released into the atmosphere during combustion. These emissions can disperse over long distances and accumulate in the environment.
  • Consumer Goods: Mercury finds application in select consumer products, including thermometers, fluorescent light bulbs, and batteries.
  • Waste Management: Inadequate disposal of e-waste items containing mercury, such as fluorescent bulbs and batteries, results in mercury seeping into the environment.

Artisanal and Small-Scale Gold Mining (ASGM): 

  • The term “artisanal and small-scale gold mining” (ASGM) refers to low technology and highly  labour-intensive gold mining activities that employ basic extraction and processing methods. 

Effects of Mercury Pollution

  • Health Impacts:  High levels of mercury exposure can harm the brain, kidneys, and central nervous system, resulting in developmental delays, cognitive impairment, and various other health complications.
  • Environmental Consequences:Mercury contamination can have broad environmental impacts, including reduced biodiversity, changes in species distribution, and disruptions in nutrient cycling
  • Wildlife Effects: Mercury contamination poses significant risks to aquatic wildlife, with higher levels accumulating in larger fish due to the food chain. This can lead to reproductive issues, decreased growth, survival rates, and other health challenges for wildlife.
  • Minamata disease: Methylmercury accumulates in aquatic organisms, like fish, and is mainly ingested by humans through fish and shellfish consumption. 
    • This compound increases the risk of Minamata disease, characterized by sensory impairments, tremors, and sensory deficits.

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Minamata Convention on Mercury

  • About: Adopted in Geneva in 2013 and enforced in 2017, it stands as the first global treaty with legal obligations aimed at safeguarding human health and the environment from the harmful impacts of mercury.
  • Origin: Named after the Japanese city that witnessed the outbreak of Minamata disease, a neurological condition stemming from severe mercury poisoning, during the 1950s.
  • Signatories: 148  Parties and 128 Signatories to it. India ratified it in 2018 with flexibility for continued use of mercury-based products and processes involving mercury compounds up to 2025. 
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Context

The Indian Army is prepared to start 

Indian Army to Receive Igla-S Air Defence Systems and Israeli Hermes-900 UAVs Assembled by ADSTL

The Army is also set to receive the first of two Israeli Hermes-900 Medium Altitude Long Endurance Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) assembled by ADSTL in Hyderabad next month.

  • The Igla-S systems were contracted last year under the fourth tranche of Emergency Procurements (EP) and are being assembled by Adani Defence Systems And Technologies Limited (ADSTL) in India under technology transfer from Rosoboronexport.

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Emergency Procurement:

  • About: Under this provision, the armed forces can acquiring a new batch of Russian Igla-S systems, designed for very short-range air defense (VSHORAD).

Very Short-Range Air Defence System (VSHORADS)

VSHORADS is a Man Portable Air Defence System (MANPAD) designed and developed indigenously by Research Centre Imarat (RCI) in collaboration with other DRDO laboratories and Indian Industry Partners. 

  • Features: VSHORADAS missile incorporates many novel technologies including miniaturized Reaction Control System (RCS) and integrated avionics which have been successfully proven during the tests. 
    • The missile is propelled by a dual thrust solid motor and meant for neutralizing low altitude aerial threats at short ranges.
  • swiftly acquire weapon systems costing up to ₹300 crore without additional clearance, streamlining the procurement process.
  • Aim: The main goal of the EP mechanism was to address crucial operational shortcomings, especially along the northern borders.
  • Background: The Ministry of Defense has granted emergency economic authority to the armed forces, marking the first instance since the 2016 Uri terror attack, subsequent to the 2019 Balakot airstrikes, and amidst the 2020 standoff with China in eastern Ladakh.

Igla-S Air Defence Systems

Igla-S stands out as a prominent and highly efficient Man-portable air defense system (MANPADS) manufactured  by Russia.

  • Purpose: To intercept low-flying aircraft and can also detect and counter air threats like cruise missiles and drones.

Features of Igla-S Air Defence Systems

  • Components: The Igla-S system comprises the 9M342 missile, an integral component of its combat arsenal. 
  • Range: With an effective range extending up to 6 kilometers, the Igla-S system can engage targets at significant distances.
    • The system’s maximum altitude for efficiently destroying targets is restricted to 3.5 kilometers.
  • Guidance System: It utilizes an infrared homing guidance system, relying on the target’s thermal radiation to track, lock on, and intercept.
  • Type of Warhead: The missile is fitted with a high-explosive fragmentation warhead, capable of inflicting considerable damage upon impact.
  • Components for Swift and Efficient Firing: It includes a launch tube, a grip-stock with a sighting device, and a firing mechanism for rapid and efficient firing.
  • Portable Air Defense: Igla-S is made to be carried and operated easily by one person, making it perfect for infantry units and giving them air defense on the battlefield.
  • Countermeasure Resilience: The system is equipped to withstand electronic countermeasures and decoy flares deployed by targeted aircraft.
  • Designed for Versatile Effectiveness: The system is engineered to perform effectively in diverse weather conditions, including both day and night operations.

Man-Portable Air-Defence Systems (MANPADS)

  • About: Man-Portable Air-Defence Systems are short-range, lightweight and portable surface-to-air missiles that can be fired by individuals or small groups to destroy aircraft or helicopters.
    • They help shield troops from aerial attacks and are most effective in targeting low-flying aircrafts.

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History of MANPADS

  • Cold War: The first MANPADS were introduced by the United States and Soviet Union in the 1960s. 
    • Russian and U.S. MANPADS were also used during the Vietnam war. 
  • Afghanistan War: The U.S. supplied MANPADSto the Mujahideen in Afghanistan in the 1980s, which the latter used against the Soviet forces. 
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Context

Recently, Fourteen officials of Hindustan Copper Limited (HCL) trapped inside a mine at Khetri in Rajasthan’s Neem Ka Thana district.

  • The incident occurred at the Kolihan mine when a lift carrying officials down the mine shaft collapsed due to a rope snapping.
    • Kolihan mine is part of the northern tip of the Khetri Copper Belt.

Khetri Copper Mine Complex

It is situated at the foothills of the Aravalli Range, at Khetri Nagar, Neem Ka Thana district of Rajasthan.

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Hindustan Copper Limited (HCL),

  • It is a Miniratna Category-I, Central PSU incorporated in 1967,
  • It is under the administrative control of the Ministry of Mines, GoI
  • The Company has 5 Units, 
    • Malanjkhand Copper Project (MCP) at Malanjkhand, Madhya Pradesh 
    • Khetri Copper Complex (KCC) at Khetri Nagar, Rajasthan 
    • Indian Copper Complex (ICC) at Ghatsila, Jharkhand 
    • Taloja Copper Project (TCP) at Taloja, Maharashtra 
    • Gujarat Copper Project (GCP) at Jhagadia, Gujarat 
  • Range : 
    • It hosts copper mineralization, giving rise to a 80 km long metallogenetic province from Singhana in the north to Raghunathgarh in the south, popularly known as Khetri Copper Belt. 
    • It has Mechanized underground mines namely ‘Khetri’ and ‘Kolihan'(capacity 1.0 million tonnes of ore per annum)
    • It comprises Proterozoic metasediments that rest over basement gneisses and is a part of the North Delhi fold belt. 
  • Prominent deposits of the belt are: Khetri, Kolihan, Banwas, Chandmari, Dhani Basri, Baniwali Ki Dhani (Neem Ka Thana, Rajasthan). 
  • Other deposits are: Dholamala, Akwali, Muradpura – Pacheri (Jhunjhunu, Rajasthan), and Devtalai (Bhilwara, Rajasthan).
  • Management of Khetri Mine Complex : Development of Khetri Mine was started by National Mineral Development Corporation (NMDC) and the project was handed over to HCL in 1967 when HCL was formed.

Copper Mineral Scenario

  • Copper occurs naturally in the Earth’s crust in a variety of forms.
    • It can be found in sulfide deposits (as chalcopyrite, bornite, chalcocite, covellite), in carbonate deposits (as azurite and malachite), in silicate deposits (as chrysocolla and dioptase) and as pure “native” copper. 
  • Copper is the second largest non-ferrous metal by usage, with global demand for refined copper being about 25.04 million tonnes in 2020. 
  • Methods of mining copper minerals: Open pit and underground 
    • Open- pit mining accounts for 80% of all copper mining operations in the world.
  • Copper Extraction : 
    • The Mined copper ore is initially crushed , milled and concentrated by ore beneficiation process into a fine, gray powder called copper concentrate . 
      • If the nature of ore is sulphide : Froth floatation process is adopted to do the beneficiation wherein the 1 % copper containing ore is converted to more than 25 % copper containing concentrate. 
      • If the ore is oxide in nature : it is subjected to leaching followed by solvent extraction (SX) and electro-winning (EW) to produce refined copper.
    • Copper concentrate can contain 25-35% of copper, and similar levels of iron and Sulphur, minor percentages of other metals including gold & silver metals depending.

Copper Reserves and Production in India 

  • Largest reserves/resources of copper ore : Rajasthan around 868 million tonnes (52.25%)  followed by Madhya Pradesh around 387 million tonnes (23.28%) and Jharkhand with 251 million tonnes (15.14%)
  • Largest Producer : Madhya Pradesh was the leading producer of copper concentrates, accounting for about 56% in 2022 followed by Rajasthan (43%).
  • Low Metal Content : India  has low-grade copper ore with less than 1% metal content while the international average for copper ore metal content is 2.5%.

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Global: 

  • Chile is the top copper producer in the world, with 27% of global copper production.
    • Two largest mines in the world, Escondida and Collahuasi.
  •  Chile is followed by Peru, responsible for 10% of global production.
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Context

In 2023, India had the most internet shutdowns in the world for the 6th year in a row (116 out of 283 globally).

Internet Shutdowns Report

This makes up over 40% of all internet shutdowns worldwide.

  • This result has been declared according to data analyzed by Access Now.
    • Access now is  a not-for-profit group that focuses on digital rights. 
  • Internet shutdown in 2016: India has had a total of 773 internet shutdowns since 2016, which is more than half (53%) of all shutdowns tracked during that time.
    • There has been a significant rise in internet shutdowns globally, with a 41% increase from 2022 to 2023.

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About Internet Shutdown

A complete restriction on the use of internet services imposed by a government order.

Provisions related to internet shutdown

  • Section 5(2) of the Indian Telegraph Act, 1885: This section empowers central government and state government for lawful interception in the interests of the sovereignty, and integrity of India.
    • Read with Temporary Suspension of Telecom Services (Public Emergency and Public Safety) Rules, 2017:  This provision allows the union or state home secretary to suspend telegraph services. 
      • For example: The internet service, during a public emergency or for public safety.
      • The suspension of telegraph services cannot exceed 15 days.
  • Section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure: This provision gives power to district magistrates, sub-divisional magistrates, and potentially other officials designated by the state government to issue orders to stop nuisance that creates  trouble or disrupt  public peace.
    • The orders may include suspension of internet services in  a specified region for a set amount of time. 

Violation of rights due to internet shutdown

  • Article 19(1)(a) and Article 19(1)(g): The shutdown of the internet violates fundamental rights of Indians. 
    • Freedom of Speech and Expression (Article 19(1)(a)) : In Anuradha Bhasin case, 2020, SP recognised that internet access is crucial for freedom of speech and expression. 
    • Right to Practice a Profession (Article 19(1)(g)): The internet plays major role for professionals so shutting down the internet can violate the right to practice a profession through the internet. 
    • Right to Information (Article 19) : Every Indian has the right to get information and for it, the availability of internet access is important. If the Internet is shut down, it can limit India’s ability to get information.  
    • Right to Internet (Article 21) :  The Kerala High Court has accepted internet access as a fundamental right under the right to life and liberty.
  • Scope and Duration
    • Geographical Limitation: Can be confined to a specific area.
    • Time Frame: Can be set for a specific period, time, or number of days.
    • Indefinite Extension: Sometimes, the shutdown may extend indefinitely.
  • Types of Internet Services Affected
    • Mobile Internet: Includes internet services used on smartphones.
    • Wired Broadband: Covers the broadband connections typically used on desktops.
    • Combined Shutdown: Can affect both mobile internet and wired broadband simultaneously.

Key findings of the Internet Shutdowns Report

Internet Shutdowns Report

Economic and Social Impact of Internet Shutdowns in India

  • Economic Impact: Internet shutdowns have a significant negative impact on the Indian economy. 
    • The report estimates that shutdowns in the first half of 2023 alone cost the country $1.9 billion and resulted in a loss of $118 million in foreign investment.
  • Job Losses: A single-day internet shutdown can lead to unemployment for up to 379 people, according to the report’s citation of the Internet Society’s NetLoss Calculator.
    • Impact of shutdown:  In India, many shutdowns affected large areas. 64 shutdowns impacted more than one district in 2023. 
      • Internet Shutdowns ReportThe high number of multi-district shutdowns in March can be attributed to two specific events:
        • The state-wide shutdown in Punjab.
        • The frequent, recurring shutdowns in Manipur (47 instances).
          • A particularly severe case was Manipur, which experienced a 212-day internet shutdown (with a brief interruption) from May to December 2023.
  • Impact on Women: The report highlights that internet shutdowns disproportionately affect women. 
    • Limited internet access makes it harder for women to document human rights abuses, including violence against them, hindering efforts to hold perpetrators accountable.

Geographic Scope and Trends of Internet Shutdowns

Internet Shutdowns Report

  • Increased Frequency and Duration: Internet shutdowns in India became more frequent and longer-lasting in 2023. 
    • The number of states experiencing more than five shutdowns rose from 3 to 7, and the percentage of shutdowns lasting over five days jumped from 15% to 41%.
  • Wider Geographic Impact: Local or statewide internet shutdowns occurred in 13 Indian states in 2023, highlighting a broader geographic reach compared to previous years.
  • Global Comparison: While India leads in internet shutdowns, other countries were also affected.
    • Myanmar (37) and Iran (34) had the second and third highest numbers of shutdowns in 2023. A total of 39 countries experienced internet restrictions.
    • External Actors and Conflict: The report raised concerns about external actors using internet shutdowns as a tool during conflicts. 
      • Palestine and Ukraine, facing border conflicts, witnessed shutdowns imposed by external parties, unlike other countries where the government itself ordered restrictions.

Reasons for Internet Shutdowns and Platform Blocking

  • Reasons for Shutdowns: The report has identified various reasons for internet shutdowns across the globe including India:

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Reason for internet shutdown Count
Conflicts (across 9 countries) 74
Protests (across 15 countries) 63
Exam Cheating (across 6 countries) 12
Natural Disasters (across 4 countries) 4
    • Conflicts (74 instances across 9 countries, including India)Protests (63 instances across 15 countries)
    • Preventing cheating in exams (12 instances across 6 countries, including India)
    • Emerging reasons like natural disasters (4 instances across 4 countries)
  • Internet Shutdowns and Human Rights Abuses: The report reveals a concerning link between internet shutdowns and human rights violations. 
    • At least 51 shutdowns in 11 countries (including Iran, Palestine, Ukraine, Russia, and Sudan) coincided with documented human rights abuses.

Global Platform Blocking Trends

  • Increase in Platform Blocking: The report indicated  a rise in platform blocking globally. 
    • The number of blocked platforms increased by 35.6%, from 39 blocks in 29 countries (2022) to 53 blocks in 25 countries (2023).
  • Facebook Most Blocked Platform: Facebook was the most blocked platform globally in 2023, with restrictions occurring 23 times across 11 countries.
  • Grindr Second Most Blocked: Grindr, a messaging platform primarily used by the LGBTQ+ community, was the second most blocked platform, facing restrictions in all 12 countries where data was available.
  • Other Blocked Platforms: Other major platforms like Twitter (21 times in 10 countries), WhatsApp (19 times in 9 countries), and YouTube (17 times in 7 countries) were also subject to blocking by governments.
  • Undercounting of Blocked Platforms: The report acknowledges limitations in capturing the full picture of platform blocking. Factors like localized platform preferences, limited data in countries with smaller user bases, inconsistent government implementation, and the use of VPNs can contribute to undercounting.
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Context

For the first time, India has set up its own pavilion at the World Hydrogen Summit 2024 held in Rotterdam, Netherlands.

World Hydrogen Summit 2024

  • India Pavilion: It was set up by the Ministry of New & Renewable Energy and is one of the largest pavilions at the Summit.
    • During the World Hydrogen Summit 2024, India’s strategic vision and capabilities in renewable energy and green hydrogen production were highlighted, positioning the nation as a key player in shaping the global hydrogen economy.
  • Significance: The India Pavilion at the conference provides India an opportunity to showcase to the world the country’s progress in the Green Hydrogen field.
  • World Hydrogen Summit: It provides a platform for the Indian industry to engage with companies from around the globe.

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Indian Efforts to Promote Green Hydrogen

  • National Green Hydrogen Mission (NGHM): It aims to achieve a green hydrogen production capacity of 5 MMT (Million Metric Tonnes) by the end of the year 2030. 
  • India has notified scheme guidelines for the use of Green Hydrogen in steel, transport / mobility and shipping sectors. 
    • A dedicated portal for the NGHM has been launched, to serve as a one-stop location for information on the Mission and steps taken for the development of the green hydrogen ecosystem in India. 
  • Hydrogen Valley Innovation Clusters: The Department of Science and Technology has initiated them to foster innovation and promote Green Hydrogen ecosystem in India.
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Context

According to a recent report from 13 states prepared by NITI Aayog (Niti Aayog’s alarm bells on cancer detection: C the signs), ‘huge gap’ in cancer screening at Ayushman centers is detected. 

  • The states included were Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Gujarat, Haryana, Jammu & Kashmir, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Odisha, Rajasthan, Sikkim, Tripura, and Uttar Pradesh.

NITI Aayog

It is a premier policy think tank of the Government of India. 

  • Establishment: In 2015, it replaced the erstwhile Planning Commission and operates as an advisory body, providing strategic and technical advice across various sectors to the central and state governments. 
  • Mandate: NITI Aayog’s primary objective is to foster sustainable and inclusive growth through evidence-based policy formulation, innovation, and collaboration with stakeholders. 
    • It facilitates cooperative federalism by promoting cooperative engagement between the center and states in addressing key developmental challenges and fostering economic prosperity.

About Cancer

Cancer is a disease in which some of the body’s cells grow uncontrollably and spread to other parts of the body. 

  • Mechanism: Cancer starts when a gene or several genes mutate and create cancerous cells. These cells create cancer clusters, or tumors. Cancerous cells may break away from tumors, using the lymphatic system or bloodstream to travel to other areas of the body.

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Need for Early Cancer Detection

  • Increase the Surviving Possibility: It is well-known that spotting signs of cancer at an early stage significantly increases the possibilities of surviving the disease. 
  • Rising Cases: Cancer has become a public health concern in India and has touched most families. There is growing evidence about the proven role of preventive strategies to minimize the risk of cancer and screening methods to detect cancer at an early stage for better survival.
C the Signs:

  • A Cancer Prediction System: C the Signs is a cancer prediction system that can identify patients at risk of cancer at the earliest and most curable stage of the disease.
  • Time Required: In under 30 seconds, C the Signs can rapidly identify which cancers a patient is at risk of and recommend the most appropriate test or specialist to diagnose their cancer.
  • Significance: Using the latest technology, research and evidence, C the Signs enables healthcare providers to give their patients the best chance of surviving cancer.

Key Findings of the Report

  • Existence of Huge Gaps: In the performance of these health and wellness centres (HWCs), a huge gap exists. 
    • Less than 10% of these centres had completed one round of screening for non-communicable diseases, including cancer.
    • Successive National Family Health Surveys have revealed that a very small percentage of people in the vulnerable age group (those over 30 years of age) get screened for malignancy. 
  • Challenge of Investment & Awareness: India does not seem to have invested adequately in the next steps and also, there is low awareness and education of cancer, its prevention protocols and training to use the screening techniques. 

Initiatives taken in India for Early Cancer Detection

  • The National Programme for the Prevention and Control of Cancer, Diabetes, Cardiovascular Disease and Stroke: These programmes have given special emphasis to checking for cervical, oral and breast cancers.
    • They constitute a third of all cases of the disease in India before symptoms appear. 
  • Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY): Under this initiative, 1,50,000 health and wellness centres (HWCs) turned into nodal points for cancer detection.
    • The introduction of screening facilities at these primary healthcare centres could have reduced accessibility-related problems to a great extent. 
  • Establishment of a Training Hub: The Union Ministry of Health has designated the Noida-based National Institute for Cancer Prevention and Research as a training hub. 
    • The institution’s expertise must be summoned for screening malignancy. Experts agree that such instruction can be given online and professionals receiving such training can educate others.
  • Involvement of Community-level Workers: In recent years, India has done well in piloting low-tech approaches to cancer screening that can be delivered at scale by community-level workers. AB-PMJAY makes use of these technologies. 
    • India involved ASHA workers in its project.

Way Forward

  • Adequate Awareness: It is imperative that ASHA workers should be sensitised to risk factors, symptoms and the need for screening itself. 
  • Improvement in Condition of Frontline Workers: There is a need to improve the working conditions of these low-paid and overburdened workers. 
  • A Multi-Pronged Approach: Reducing India’s cancer burden will require efforts in several directions. There is a need to close gaps in cancer screening that are significant in view of the government’s focus on prevention and detection of cancer at an early stage.

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Context

The Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Maldives was on his first bilateral visit to India after President Mohamed Muizzu came to power last year.

Strategic Engagement in Indian Ocean Region (IOR), India’s $50M Support to Maldives

  • Strategic Significance of IOR: His visit to the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) archipelago despite the Lok Sabha elections is a testament to the region’s strategic significance. 
  • Financial Support to Maldives: During the meet, India extended $50 million of budgetary support to Maldives.
  • Emphasizing Strategic Concerns: The External Affairs Minister of India explicitly communicated India’s strategic concerns to him emphasizing that as close neighbors, the development of bilateral ties must be based on “reciprocal sensitivity.”

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About Indian Ocean Region (IOR)

Indian Ocean Region

It extends from the eastern coast of Africa to the western coast of Australia including the Arab Gulf, East Africa, South Asia, East Asia to the Straits of Malacca and Southern Ocean Islands encompassing nearly 38 countries within it.

  • Connectivity: It serves as an important transit route bridging  the gap between  East and the West through important choke points, such as the Straits of Malacca, Straits of Hormuz, Bab el Mandeb, and Ombai and Wetar Straits.

Importance of Indian Ocean Region

  • Strategic location: India is located at the crossroads of the Indian Ocean with its strategic positioning at the center of the Ocean, with over 7,500 kilometers of coastline.
  • Trade: Indian Ocean accounts for  95 per cent of India’s trade by volume and 68 per cent of trade by value.
  • Oil Dependence: 80 percent of India’s crude oil requirement of 3.28 million barrels per day is imported by sea and overall dependence is 93%, considering the offshore oil production and petroleum exports.
  • Resource Dependence: 
    • Fisheries:  India is the third largest fish-producing country, contributing 8 percent to the global fish production with a total share of marine fish production of 4.12 Million Tonnes. 
    • Mineral resource extraction: India has the Exclusive Rights to explore the Central Indian Ocean Ridge granted by the International Seabed Authority for deep seabed mining. 
    • This region is estimated to have massive reserves of manganese, as well as cobalt, nickel, and copper, lithium etc important for driving Industrial Revolution 4.0.
  • Geo-strategic importance: To keep a check on the growing Chinese Expansionism by controlling the choke points in the Indian Ocean.

Challenges in Indian Ocean Region

  • Challenges Posed by Maldives: 
    • Replacement of Indian Military Presence in the Maldives: This includes his anti-India rhetoric like India Out’ campaign and it’s decision to request the replacement of the 77 Indian military personnel stationed there with civilians. 
    • Withdrawl of Hydrography Agreement:  It withdrew an agreement on hydrography with India claiming that it didn’t want to collaborate with a foreign country on mapping its territorial waters. 
    • Deepening Relations with China: Maldives signed a defense pact with China that includes training the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) and supplying non-lethal defense equipment
      • China is providing free military assistance to the Maldives and the two parties had bilateral discussions about military cooperation.
      • There has also been an increased presence of Chinese research vessels within the Maldivians’ maritime territory.
  • Threats to Maritime Traffic: Conflicts between regional players and their outcomes in the form of increasing instability through rising crimes like smuggling, piracy and terrorism pose a significant threat to maritime traffic in the region.
    • Example: Iran-backed Houthi rebels targeting shipping containers passing through the Red Sea and Arabian Sea with missiles.
  • Challenges to international law: Disregard for International Laws like the UNCLOS raises concerns about freedom of navigation and overflights, and safeguarding of sovereignty and independence.
  • Militarisation  of the Indian Ocean Region: The region is witnessing an increasing presence of  warships and submarines with India, The U.S.A,  Australia, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and China all increasing their naval presence in the Indian Ocean significantly
    • Example: The presence of Chinese research vessels in Maldives.
  • Debt Trap: Smaller countries are increasingly falling prey to the debt trap diplomacy of China by risking unsustainable debts, unviable projects and injudicious choices. Example: Hambantota port of Sri Lanka. 
    • China placed a ballistic missile and satellite tracking and survey ship Yuan Wang 5, at Sri Lanka’s Hambantota port.
    • Maldives is still struggling with the $1.3 billion loan taken from China from 2013 to 2018. 
  • Strategic Competition: The Balance of Power Axis has shifted to the IOR which has become the the playground for great power competition between the USA and China decreasing the space for maneuverability for littoral states in the region.
    • Maintaining a presence in the Bay of Bengal region will allow China to better utilise the oil and gas pipeline that runs from the Kyaukphyu port in Myanmar to Kunming in China.
    • It is designed to reduce the travel time of oil imports from Africa or West Asia to China by 700 miles (about 30 percent).
  • China’s Increasing Presence: Chinese aggressive moves in the region are creating conflicts and tensions in the region with increasing Chinese maritime confrontations with other countries in the region. China also hosts a parallel Indian Ocean Region forum.
    • Example: The South China Sea conflict.
      • Chinese satellite and missile tracking ship Yuan Wang 03 has been tracked entering into the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).
  • Non-Traditional Threats:
    • Illegal Migration: Rohingyas have illegally migrated into Indian territory through land and riverine-maritime routes of the Bengal delta.
    • Human Trafficking: Victims, mainly from Bangladesh and India, are trafficked to Southeast Asian countries across the Bay of Bengal region.
    • Drug Trafficking: Seaborne drug trafficking originates from Myanmar along the Andaman Sea and Malacca Strait, transporting methamphetamine to Southeast Asian countries, Australia, and Japan.
    • Maritime Terrorism: Many littoral countries in Bay of Begal countries are either victims of terror attacks or are terrorist breeding grounds.
      • As per the 2024 Global Terrorism Index, which measures the impact of terrorism on countries worldwide,  Myanmar ranked 9, India 14th.
    • Climate Crisis: The growing incidence of sea level rise and sinking of small Island states like  Maldives and Indonesia will create a population Refugee Crisis across the Region.

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India’s Role in Indian Ocean Region

  • Strategic Infrastructure Developments: Sri Lanka approved India’s development of the strategically located Kankesanthurai port in northern Sri Lanka, just 100 km from the deep-sea port of Karaikal in Puducherry, enhancing connectivity between the two nations. 
    • An Indo-Russian joint venture secured the contract to operate Mattala Airport, built with Chinese loans in Hambantota. 
    • India operates and maintains radars, helicopters, and aircraft in the Maldives, some of which are used for medical evacuations. 
    • These projects provide India with a crucial foothold in a region where both Sri Lanka and the Maldives are part of China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).
    • Regular intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) missions conducted by P-81 long-range maritime patrol aircraft and unarmed MQ-9B Sea Guardian drones. 
  • Strengthening Presence and Security: India has increased deployments to countries in the region. 
    • It regularly sends warships to conduct joint patrols and surveillance of the vast exclusive economic zones (EEZ) of countries like the Maldives and Seychelles. 
    • India’s commissioning of a naval base, INS Jatayu, in the Lakshadweep islands.
    • India jointly inaugurated an upgraded jetty and airstrip on the Agaléga islands of Mauritius.
    • India also has an outpost in the western Indian Ocean as a China containment strategy. 
  • Security: India has assumed the role of Net security provider in the IOR region with the largest network of surveillance and vigilance operations in the IOR  preventing crimes such as  smuggling, illegal fishing, and human trafficking, piracy, terrorism etc. 
    • Example: Indian Coast Guard diluting piracy attempts in the Red Sea
  • Humanitarian and Disaster Relief Role: India is the First Responder in the Region during any crisis situation in the spirit of Neighbourhood First.  
    • Example: Operation Raahat in Yemen or providing Fresh Drinking water to Maldives 
  • SAGAR Vision (Security and Growth for all in the Region): It aims at safeguarding maritime interests of its mainland and islands.
  • Shared Awareness and Deconfliction (SHADE) Program: It has been set up to enhance information exchange to reach a high level of collaboration with other maritime forces.
  • MILAN Exercise: It underscore the Navy’s growing presence as a preferred security partner and first responder in the IOR. 
  • Regional Cooperation Initiatives:
    • Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA): It is an intergovernmental organization established in 1997 playing a pivotal role in advancing India’s strategic, economic, and diplomatic interests in the Indian Ocean.
    • Colombo Security Conclave: It is a grouping that includes India, Sri Lanka, Mauritius and the Maldives for ensuring the security and stability of the Indian Ocean region.
    • Indo-Pacific Oceans’ Initiative (IPOI): IPOI seeks to ensure security and stability of the regional maritime domain.
    • Indo-Pacific Partnership for Maritime Domain Awareness (IPMDA) initiative: IPMDA is a technology and training initiative to enhance maritime domain awareness in the Indo-Pacific region.
    • The Information Fusion Centre– Indian Ocean Region (IFC-IOR): It is a regional maritime security centre hosted by the Indian Navy. 

Way Forward

  • Countering China: India needs to further elevate, strengthen and deepen its security co-operation with regional partners such as Sri Lanka, the Maldives, etc as well as the United States, Japan and Australia, to protect its core security interests in the Indian Ocean. 
    • Building Hard and Soft Power Resources: India needs to develop hard and soft power resources to ensure its maritime security and to be able to deal with any contingent situation that might arise from any future conflict in the region.
      • India’s focus should be on the security of SLOCs and resource management. 
    • India’s Presence in Multilateral Forums: India must expand its strategic foothold in multilateral for a and organizations
    • Defense Infrastructure Projects: India will be required to undertake defense infrastructure projects in the Indian Ocean as an effective counterweight to China’s “string of pearls” doctrine.
    • A Comprehensive Approach:  India must formulate a comprehensive strategy including enhanced collaboration and coordination among its army, air force, and navy, in conjunction with both central and state governments.
  • Enhancing Maritime Domain Awareness(MDA): Beyond militarisation, MDA is needed to devise effective strategies to secure the Bay of Bengal region
    • MDA is “the effective understanding of any activity associated with the maritime environment that could impact upon the security, safety, economy or environment.”
    • MDA is intrinsic to the information-decision-action cycle as it allows a nation to assess threats from its waters. 
    • India’s MDA is enhanced by the Coastal Surveillance Network (a chain of coastal radars monitored by the Coast Guard) and the National Automatic Identification System.
  • Effective Maritime Governance: Regional cooperation in enforcing effective maritime governance is a responsibility of all Indian Ocean Region states. 
  • Enhanced cooperation between various organizations at national level is important in this direction.
  • Coastal Security: The authorities must ensure mandatory fitment of automatic identification system (AIS) on power-driven vessels with a length more than 10 metres for broader information access.
  • Fostering Inclusive Cooperation for Global Commons: Any quadripartite partnership of India, Japan, the United States and Australia should not be exclusively focused on isolating China.
    • Rather, China must be engaged as a co-operative partner in the process of negotiations to resolve mutual differences in the spirit of protecting the global commons.
  • Real Time Intelligence Sharing: Despite agreements on sharing information and intelligence on various subject matters, there is an inherent reluctance to share much important and valued real time intelligence among the regional states. 
    • On the other hand, there is an advanced information/intelligence sharing network among the pirates as well as terrorist networks
    • With maritime security concerns that affect the whole Indian Ocean Region, importance of sharing valued information remains crucial.
  • Regional Integration:  The regional integration needs to focus on building up a cooperative security dialogue and effective apparatus.
    • Cooperative security mechanisms cannot be developed unless there is a convergence of perceptions on common regional security interests among regional and extra-regional powers. 
  •  National Commercial Maritime Security Policy Document. The government must promulgate it to articulate its strategic vision for maritime security.
    • It must also promulgate a national strategy for Commercial Maritime Security for efficient, coordinated, and effective action for the protection of the port and shipping infrastructure.
    • It must include all agencies involved in coastal security, including the Ministry of Shipping, Director General Shipping, Ministry of Home Affairs, Ministry of Fisheries, etc.

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UPSC Mains Previous Year Papers UPSC Test Series 2024

 

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