Context: Asymmetric fiscal rules in Kerala spark wider debate on Centre-State financial relations.

ConcernsCConcerns:

• Discussion focuses on debt-deficit dynamics, crucial in Centre-State financial relations.
• Volatility in intergovernmental fiscal transfers.
• Fifteenth Finance Commission’s tax transfer formula raises debate on equity versus efficiency.
• Negotiations with Sixteenth Finance Commission critical for specific-purpose transfers addressing State-specific issues.

Prelims Connect:(Institutions in news)

Source: The Hindu

Context: War hampers climate data collection, impacting Arctic monitoring efforts.

Impact of War on Climate:

• Collateral damage from geopolitical events affects scientific efforts worldwide.
• The collapse of global collaborations hinders scientific research in the Arctic.
• Exclusion of Russian data biases climate models, hindering accuracy.

Way forward:

• Suggestions to counter bias include seeking data from similar Arctic regions.
• Open data sharing and standardization are crucial for effective climate research.
• Scientists emphasize the importance of continuous data collection despite challenges.
• Urgent need for safeguarding continuous observation networks amid conflicts.

Source: The Hindu

Context: India’s trade dependence on China and the EU is increasing as per UNCTAD.

Trade Statistics:

• Shift attributed to geopolitical changes post-pandemic and Russia-Ukraine conflict.
• India’s reliance on China and EU rose by 1.2%.
• This came despite India’s efforts to cut reliance on China by implementing its flagship
  1. Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme and
  2. Quality Control Orders (QCOs)
• US decreased reliance on China by 1.2% in 2023, increasing ties with EU and Mexico.

Prelims Connect (Institutions in news)

Source: Indian Express

Context: Over 60 Indian products gain GI tags at once.

Products PProducts:

1. Products that have received the GI tag include the famous Banaras Thandai.
2. The crafts from Assam include Asharikandi terracotta craft, Pani Meteka craft, Sarthebari metal craft, Jaapi (bamboo headgear of rural Assam), Mishing handloom products, and the Bihu dhol.

Prelims Connect (Terminology in News)

Source: The Hindu

Context: Nuclear Energy Summit in Brussels was organized to promote use of nuclear energy as substitute to fossil fuel

Nuclear energy as substitute to fossil fuel:

• Offers clean electricity generation with minimal carbon footprint.
• Greenhouse gas emissions during the entire life cycle are significantly lower than coal and comparable to solar and wind.
• Perennial availability unlike solar or wind energy
• A key component in decarbonization pathways recommended by the IPCC.

Reason behind low use of nuclear technology:

• Safety concerns, high costs, and lengthy construction times.
• Nuclear technology has not seen breakthroughs to drive down costs.
• Small modular reactor technology, often discussed as a solution, is not yet mature.

The way ahead:

• Recently in COP28 about 20 countries pledged to work towards tripling global nuclear energy installed capacity by 2050.

Source: Indian Express

Context: 100 years of Vaikom Satyagraha.

Vaikom Satyagraha:

• Began on March 30, 1924, marking the start of temple entry movements in India.
• Led by T K Madhavan, Kelappan, K. P. Kesava Menon
• Aimed to open temples and public roads to lower castes, challenging upper-caste hegemony.
• Gained momentum after Madhavan secured Gandhi’s support in 1921.

Legacy of Vaikom Satyagraha

• The Satyagraha lasted over 600 days, showcasing unity across caste lines and sustained mobilization.
• Despite a compromise allowing only access to three roads, the movement was seen as a success, leading to the Temple Entry Proclamation in 1936.
• It highlighted untouchability as a pressing political issue in India.

Source: Indian Express

Women empowerment:

• Nari Shakti is deeply rooted in Indian civilization, symbolizing divine feminine power.
• Empowerment extends beyond politics and economics to education and culture.

Steps to empower for women:

• Financial inclusion schemes like MUDRA Yojana and PMJDY have empowered women by providing access to banking and basic rights.
• Initiatives like Swachh Bharat and Ujjwala scheme have improved women’s access to clean toilets and energy.
• Policies like PM-JAY and PM-SUMAN address women’s health but need investment in pre- and post-natal care.

What else the manifesto should address:

• Advocacy for women’s rights in personal laws
• Include policy statements against gender-based violence

Conclusion:

• Elections are crucial for understanding the aspirations of marginalized women, especially with initiatives like the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam Bill.

Source: Indian Express

Importance of Agriculture:

• Agriculture contributes 18% to India’s GDP but employs 45% of the workforce.

Challenges:

• Reducing water consumption, soil degradation, and curbing GHG emissions.
• Without policy changes, agriculture’s share in GDP may drop to 7-8% by 2047.
• Skill formation and job transition are vital for rural populations.
• Agri-GDP growth in 2023-24 is low at 0.7%, posing risks for economic disparity.
• Extreme weather events threaten agriculture’s stability.

The way ahead

• Policy reforms should rationalize subsidies, boost R&D, promote high-value agriculture, and facilitate market access.
• Access to pan-India and export markets should be enhanced through cooperatives, FPOs, digital commerce, and contract farming.
• Restrictions on futures trading should be reconsidered for price stability.
• Viksit Bharat needs to prioritize agricultural development for inclusivity and productivity.

Source: Indian Express

Effect of climate change on wheat yield:

• Heat stress and temperature fluctuations.
• Early summer onset and delayed winter impact wheat growth stages.
• Warm temperatures during sowing reduce tiller formation and cause premature flowering.

The way ahead:

• India needs to invest in breeding crops resilient to climate change.
• Green Revolution 2.0 should prioritize input efficiency and climate resilience.
• Focus on producing more with less water, nutrients, and energy.
• Breeding drought-resistant and heat-tolerant varieties is crucial.
• Screening germplasm and identifying desirable genes are essential steps.
• This strategy aims to ensure food security amidst changing climate conditions.

Source: Indian Express

Context: Aadhaar-Based Payment System (ABPS) in Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS).

Issues in linking MGNREGA job card to ABPS

• Internet connectivity, fingerprint recognition, and difficulties faced by the disabled.
• Other issues – unrecorded working days, name duplication, lack of awareness, and errors in linking.
• Approximately 34.8% of job cardholders are ineligible for ABPS.

The way ahead:

• Core objectives of the scheme should not be overshadowed by technology.
• Budgets should address technological challenges.
• The state must prioritize workers’ livelihood security over technological solutions in addressing inequality and rural distress.

Source: The Hindu

Context: 20 years of the launch of Free Antiretroviral Therapy (ART), for Persons living with HIV (PLHIV)

Free Antiretroviral Therapy (ART)

• ART not only treats HIV but also suppresses viral load, halting disease transmission.
• By 2023, HIV prevalence decreased to 0.20%, with India’s share in global PLHIV reduced to 6.3%.
• National AIDS Control Programme aims for ambitious targets by 2025: 95-95-95.
• Political will, sustained funding, community engagement, and program modifications contributed to the success of free ART.

Challenges:

• Delayed enrollment, patient adherence, supply chain, private sector engagement, staff training, and integration with other health programs.

Conclusion

• Free ART initiative in India sets an example for delivering quality, accessible healthcare nationwide.
• The program’s success can guide other public health initiatives, like hepatitis C treatment, to accelerate progress.

Source: The Hindu

Context: Analysis of Central Water Commission data.

Key points:

• South India’s reservoirs are only filled to 23% of their holding capacity.
• The situation is worse than the 2017 summertime water crisis.

Factors responsible for water crisis:

• El Niño events contributing to erratic monsoons.
• General elections in India will result in increased outdoor activity and water demand
• On-ground preparedness and implementation of policies remain inadequate.
• Persistent issues- unplanned urban growth, groundwater over-extraction, low water reuse efficiency, lack of community involvement, and degradation of catchment areas.

Concerns:

• Climate change exacerbates simultaneous crises, such as droughts and disease outbreaks.
• Marginalized groups suffer most from compounded crises

The way ahead:

• Water crises must be understood in this broader context of compounding effects.
• Policymakers must recognize the multifaceted nature of future crises.

Source: The Hindu