Context: Falling fertility rates in various countries below the replacement rate of 2.1 children per woman.

Reasons for declining birth rates:

• Significant shift in cultural attitudes towards family size and child-rearing responsibilities.
• Social shifts, like more opportunities for women in education and careers, declining marriage rates, and the high cost of raising children, are driving down birth rates.
• Many women delay marriage and childbirth to pursue personal and professional goals.
• Stricter family planning measures.

Impact:

• Low birth rates contribute to an aging population, creating economic challenges like higher healthcare costs and a shrinking workforce.
• Governments invest in incentivizing childbirth, but the impact remains uncertain.

Prelims Connect:(Terms in news):

Context: India’s recent Southeast Asia tour highlights regional focus during elections.

Synopsis:

• Historical, cultural, and economic ties shape India’s relations with Southeast Asia.
• Despite ties, recent survey shows low perceived Indian influence.
• Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) is India’s fourth-largest trading partner, indicating growing economic engagement.
• Act East policy emphasizes connectivity for economic growth.
• Indo-Pacific policy stresses ASEAN centrality and adherence to international law.
• South China Sea tensions drive India’s maritime security interests.

Context: India plans to increase the sale of green bonds to finance sustainable infrastructure projects this fiscal year.

Synopsis:

• Demand for sustainable bonds is high in the market, leading to increased borrowing through green bond instruments.
• Including Indian government bonds in international indices has attracted foreign portfolio investors, boosting interest in Indian government securities.

Prelims Connect (Terminology in news):

Context: India expresses concern over Iran-Israel tensions, and calls for de-escalation.

Concerns:

• Direct attack by Iran on Israel raises concerns, indicating intent.
• Potential escalation threatens regional stability and impacts energy prices.
• India maintains strategic relationships with both countries, influencing its foreign policy.

Hepatitis:

• Viral hepatitis includes hepatitis A, E, B, C, and D, with B and C posing significant health risks.
• Hepatitis B can be prevented by vaccination, while hepatitis C can be cured with medication.
• Hepatitis D can only infect those who are already infected with hep B.
• In India, hep B transmission is largely through mother-to-child transmission, while hep C infections are common among injection drug users.
• Challenges in controlling hepatitis B include ensuring full vaccination coverage and providing timely treatment.
• Treatment coverage for hepatitis B and C in India is notably lower than for tuberculosis, despite comparable mortality rates and cheaper availability.
• Improving vaccination coverage and treatment access are crucial for addressing viral hepatitis in India.

Source: Indian Express

Reforms needed in Agri-food space:

• Focus on food systems transformation for sustainable agriculture.
• Invest in Agri-R&D, innovations, and extension for increased productivity.
• Address climate change impacts with climate-resilient agriculture and water management.
• Prepare for urbanization with improved logistics and value chains for food distribution.
• Promote Farmer Producer Organizations to empower smallholders and create scale.
• Shift from food security to nutritional security through fortification of staples.
• Encourage PPP for efficient value chains and climate-resilient seeds.
• Repurpose subsidies towards direct income transfers for farmers’ welfare and agricultural development.

Source: Indian Express

Context: US President’s summits with the leaders of Japan and the Philippines

Key takeaway from the summit:

• Summit signal Japan’s shift from a passive to a potential military powerhouse in Asia.
• Japan agreed to integrate military command structures with the US and boost defense capabilities.
• Japan aims to deter Chinese military coercion and uphold a rules-based Indo-Pacific.
• Japan pledged to defend the Philippines’ territorial sovereignty in South China Sea.
• Kishida and Biden discussed economic cooperation with Manila as an alternative to China’s Belt and Road Initiative.

China’s reaction to the summit

• China warns against “bloc politics” and the formation of a “mini NATO” in Asia.
• China hosted Russian and Taiwanese leaders and leaders from Vietnam and Indonesia, to bolster regional ties.
• China seeks to prevent economic decoupling from China and the formation of a US-backed coalition among its neighbors.

The way ahead for India:

• US-China confrontation in Asia has global implications.
• India’s partnership with the US and border standoff with China give it a key role in Asian affairs.
• Speculation arises in Delhi about Chinese efforts to prevent India-US alignment.
• Past letdowns urge caution regarding Chinese outreach.
• Restoring peace on the India-China border is crucial before considering a political reset.

Source: Indian Express

Doxxing:

• It involves publicizing private details like addresses, phone numbers, and medical information, obtained illegally.
• Even sharing semi-public content without consent can lead to doxxing and harassment.

Concerns:

• Intent behind sharing matters; malicious intent can lead to platform action.
• Victims face physical, digital, and emotional threats, affecting security and daily life.

Options that the victims have:

• Keep an incident log, report to platforms, change passwords, and file reports.
• Report through the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal and file an FIR.

The way ahead:

• Platforms like Meta and Google offer tools and policies to address doxxing.
• Social media companies must adhere to India’s IT Rules.
• Victims can return to social media after ensuring security but should have a self-care plan and support network.

Source: The Hindu

Context: The Supreme Court exposed a corrupt network involving politicians, forest officials, and contractors responsible for cutting down 6,000 trees in Jim Corbett.

Key points in Supreme Court ruiling

• Emphasized an eco-centric approach over anthropocentrism in ecotourism.
• Banned tiger safaris in core areas and formed a committee to assess their feasibility in peripheral zones across India.
• Rejected the 2019 NTCA guidelines allowing zoo-like safaris in national parks.
• Insisted that tigers for safaris must be sourced from the same landscape,
• Ruling invoked the precautionary principle to minimize environmental damage, citing the threat of mass extinction.
• The precautionary principle applies beyond tigers to all endangered species.

Concerns remaining:

• The Supreme Court’s plan to recover restoration costs lacks a clear methodology.
• Recovering costs does not necessarily restore the environment’s ability to provide goods and services.

Source: The Hindu

Caste based discrimination in urban area:

• Caste often overrides skill, hindering equal opportunities in the economy.
• Dalit and Muslim neighborhoods face inadequate public services.
• Dalit and Muslims disproportionately live in polluted areas like landfills.
• Forced evictions disproportionately affect Dalit and Muslim communities.

Source: The Hindu